Art
Posted on Wed Jun 21st, 2023 @ 9:49am by Captain Edmund Merrick & Lieutenant Amelia Zano Psy.D.
Edited on on Wed Jun 21st, 2023 @ 10:27pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 14 - The Poseidon Adventure
Location: Hydroponics Bay - Deck 7 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD005 - 1600 hrs
Seated at the table in his quarters, Edmund had opened up his sketch book, having the desire to draw something, anything, to settle his mind from the experience on the two away missions. He had started some sketches just seeing where his mind would take him. His soft graphite pencil had sketched out the monster they had faced. He looked in horror at what he had drawn and threw the sketch pad across the room. He needed to get his mind off of that, to see something living instead of those who had been used as puppets for that mindflayer with its gelatinous tendrils. With a scoff, Edmund rose from the table walking over, he picked up the sketch grimacing. Well this would be something he could add to his report to Tyler. Perhaps the Captain would like to see what it looked like.
Setting the sketch book down on the table, Edmund retrieved the sketch book he used just for nature drawings. He gazed at the last one he had done, it was that of back home, with verdant forest, and flowering plants. He needed something green to look at, and there was one place he knew there would be something he could be near greenery and that was the hydroponics and airponics area of the ship. Grabbing up his colored pencils and his art bag, plus sketch pad, and his folding chair, Edmund headed out of his quarters and to what he felt might be termed as, a small piece of paradise.
As soon as he stepped into the hydroponics area, Edmund could feel his tension seem to fade away, just seeing the greenery there. He wandered around to where he saw a couple of dwarf citrus trees that were in bloom, the scent wafting its way in the air. Breathing in deeply, Edmund then set up his chair and pulled out his sketch pad and began to work on a piece that had sprung to his mind. Dealing with citrus blossoms and fanciful things like elves, animal life. He became engrossed in his artwork, the artwork coming to fruition.
An escape. That's what the doctor ordered, and as luck would have it she was the one that had ordered herself to hydroponics. The weight of the crew had been bearing down on her of late. The lists of appointments of the people who'd been on the away mission to the surface being the prime suspects in a drab and painful line up.
Under her arm she carried a portable easel and a small paint set. Amelia had already started a painting there not too long ago and hadn't finished it yet. This would be the time to add the finishing touches on the sunflower plant she'd been painting.
As she entered she saw a man engrossed in his own work. A kindred spirit it seemed, or at least a creative one.
His mind was chaotic, or the feelings that off of him conflicted with the tranquillity he should feel when drawing.
Amelia leaned over to sneak a peak at his masterpiece and smiled, "You're very talented." she commented as the man took a start. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I thought I was the only one that came here." she smiled softly.
Edmund blinked a couple of times, being rather surprised hearing an unexpected voice. He smiled and answered, "I had to find a bit of green to help me focus on something else besides my thoughts. " he set down his sketch pad up on his lap and held out his hand. "I am Captain Edmund Merrick, XO of the marines."
"I have always found this area to be quite soothing. I've lost myself in here many times." Amelia smiled. "Lieutenant Amelia Zano, ships counsellor." she took his hand and gave it a light squeeze.
Edmund gave a nod and a smile. "Pleasure." he didn't feel like he was under the microscope, much like he had been before. "i hadn't anticipated meeting someone in this area but, I don't mind meeting a fellow artist." he glanced towards the canvas she had. "What are you working on?"
Setting up the easel methodically she spoke, "Oh, it's nothing exciting." She then placed the canvas up to show an intricately designed sunflower. However it was not as one would expect one to be seen, not by the Human eye anyway. It was almost mystical in nature and the usual yellow petals were a light red colour. Around the flower were what looked like smaller flowers but within their centre is what looked like planets of varying sizes, shapes and colours. "I've been working on this for a few months and it all started with an Earth sunflower."
Edmund looked at the picture feeling himself drawn into it. "This is incredible." he said turning to look at Amelia. "Here is mine, just flights of fancy and fantasy."
"You have quite a deft hand, for a marine." she teased. "But I guess you have to be good with you hands to survive that kind of life."
"Oh this? Thank you. I do art to help clear my mind and or change it from a dark thought rather, to not so dark thoughts." Merrick replied. "So a mind changer." he chuckled.
"I recommend art therapy quite often when I find that someone needs a 'mind changer' as you put it." Amelia smiled. "It has a way of calming the heart whilst also expressing how someone feels on canvas, page or even through sculpting or carving." she paused. "Sadly I've never been much of a sculptor." she said looking at her hands before looking at Merrick. "Still, I get by with painting what's in my minds eye."
"I've not tried sculpting myself. When in the Marines or traveling to different areas, its easier to carry a sketchpad than it is to carry a potter's wheel." Edmund giving slight laugh. " I do have other sketches and colored drawings I've done over the years."
Amelia nodded. "I'd love to see them... if you don't mind that is. I know art can be quite personal so if its too much then I understand."
"Sure, I would love to show you, not often do I get the chance to share my sketches." Edmund replied, with a smile. "Just let me know when you will want to have a look see and then we'll go from there."
"I'm free most evenings." Amelia smiled at him. "I am split between medical and counselling these days, but I try to keep my evenings clear as best I can, or when my two department heads don't fight over me." she joked.
"Sounds to me like you are already popular if they are going to keep you that busy. I will definitely make an appointment in the evening for you to see the pictures that I have done. I even have a picture that I have drawn for my character when I played in the Commodore's Table tope roleplaying game. I played a fighter." Edmund giving a laugh.
Amelia laughed softly, "Oh I wouldn't use popular. Just a glutton for punishment. I seem to put more and more on myself. I recently passed the medical boards to become a medical doctor so, I'm trying something new outside of counseling." She smiled and looked away from him for a moment. "That surprises me... I had you down for more of a loveable rogue, or cheeky bard." She touched his shoulder lightly.
Edmund laughed. "Er no I don't think I'd be able to pull that off. I'm not that smooth with the ladies. Thanks though." his eyes crinkled up with laughter. "yup a fighter, with rippling muscles." giving a wink. " And shoulder length hair caught back in a pony tail."
"Well, you are perfectly smooth with this lady..." she frowned at herself at the very cringe worthy comment that had just left her mouth. She quickly moved on, "Your character does sound like a personification of yourself, albeit with a little bit longer hair." she smiled at him.
Edmund blushed at Amelia's comment. "Thanks" he added another touch to his drawing. Then placed the sketch pad to one side. He looked around once more at the surroundings "I wonder if the person who cares for this would mind if I got my hands dirty? I wouldn't mind working with the plants, who would I be talking to?"
"I'm sure if you ask nicely they might loan you a square metre or two." Amelia looked around at the lush green area and smiled. "Unfortunately I don't know who looks after the hydroponics bay. It used to be Chief Green, but they aren't stationed here anymore." Amelia shrugged.
"I will definitely have to do some asking around then." Edmund gave a stretch, "It would be good to grub away in some dirt." giving a grin. "How soon are you going to be reporting to Empok Nor?"
"Oh I'm not going there anymore." Amelia smiled. "I'll be staying on board the Pioneer." she began to doodle a bit. "Captain Malbrooke did suggest Empok Nor but I managed to convince him to let me stay and train here. So, stuck with me for a while." she chuckled softly.
Edmund nodded quietly, "Well, then that is good. Would hate for your talents to disappear from the ship." a little smile. "I've definitely met some interesting people on the ship so far, and I've not been on board for long." picking up his sketch book again to begin another drawing. This one would be of Ameila.
"Ah, my talents." She mused. "If only you knew half of them." She teased. "But it is good you are meeting a lot of people here. I missed the ship when I left it a couple of years ago so to be back and still see some of the familiar faces is nice. Some new ones aren't so bad either." She smirked.
Edmund gave a bit of a smile at that comment. "I am glad to hear that, most definitely." he continued to work on the drawing, catching the curve of her face, the tenderness in her eyes. "Out of curiosity, who all have you met besides me?"
"Not a lot of new people sadly." Amelia bit her lip subconsciously. "In fact you are probably the first I've had a proper conversation with, but I reconnect with Chloe and a few others. The ship definitely did not have a half marine command structure." she chuckled.
"I've barely scratched the surface of meeting everyone as well. I've met the newest Counselor, Lieutenant Vura while on the Promenade of SB50. I was on my way to the art supply shop there and well it turned out to be an interesting encounter. I've not had any interaction with a Deltan before. And I completely forgot about what had been stated where Deltans are concerned."
"I've only met one or two myself." Amelia commented on the meeting of Deltans. "I'd definitely need to re-read up on them now we have one on board again." she thought to herself. "But, I am quite happy to have met you Captain." she smiled. "It's nice to be comfortable with someone so quickly."
"I am glad I don't send you screaming to get away. That would be definitely a blow to my ego." giving a bit of a laugh and wink. "As it is I am feeling like I am finding this to be more and more like a home away from home." Edmund added.
He reached out to touch a small bud feeling the new growth coming from the plant. "I do like this very much."
"Well, we wouldn't want a marine with a bruised ego." Amelia chuckled. "Could bring about war on the ship." she joked.
"Oh of course not wouldn't want that to happen. As my ego is a fragile flower that needs to be tended to carefully." Edmund joked back.
"I have heard that." Amelia mused. Her watch chimed a little indicating an alert. She had an appointment she needed to get to within the next half hour or so. "Well this has been nice." she smiled. "But I've sadly got to go." she began to pack up her things. "Maybe I'll see you in here again?"
Edmund gave a nod. "Perhaps so or I can bring a portfolio of what I have done art wise at a different location. I have enjoyed talking with you. I'll see you around then." he putting away his art supplies as well. It was time for him to go too.
A Joint Post By
Captain Edmund Merrick
The Cure Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Amelia Zano
Counselor & Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
RSS Feed