With no significant reply from the Andorian, more of the engineering crew also making late rounds at food. Jess made a parting nod before scooting up and over to her engineer peers.

"hope you don't mind more company." Was breathed out nervously as a seat near the exit was carefully picked to facilitate the least awkward an exit as possible in case they said no.

"Just like you being here," Bart said to Jason, who had been silent up until then.  "Everyone you see on this ship didn't get here without her sign-off.  Even you, Jason."  He took a bite of his burger.  "Granted we didn't get the personal touch like the senior officers, but we're a crew of her own making.  So she must've seen something you to get you on board."

Jason shrugged in response to Bart and started to speak but then stopped and looked at Jessica a moment before shrugging again. "I don't have a problem with it ma'am." Then he gave a questioning look to Bart and Naoko.

He took another bite of his steak and then waggled his fork at Bart. "I'll be honest, not sure what they'd need a specialist like me fer but I can assume there might be some diplomatic things that require someone of m'skill. Again, I just do as i'mma ordered. Just might be a boring trip for me so I might come harass ya'll alot."

In reply to Jessica Laurent (msg # 11):

"Oh, um, not at all, ma'am," Naoko said to Jessica, uncertain if she would allow herself to be addressed as informally as Catrina did.  Better to err on the side of protocol, though at least she was being sociable.  "How was your first day?  Everything to your liking?"

In reply to Jason Walker (msg # 13):

"Boring is good," Bart replied to Jason.  "If you're busy, it means something's gone completely sideways."

With a nod, he acknowledged Jessica's presence, notice she left Thani sitting by herself without much ceremony.  Not wanting the Andorian to feel left out, he motioned for her to join the group.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:46, Mon 27 Jan 2020.

He cut another piece of steak and chewed on it thoughtfully. "I train when m'bored. I don't like to be idle," he said then focused on Bart. "I hate to say, busy would be welcomed and I know about things going sideways. That's pretty much how come ya'll find me here." Jason stabbed at his meat a moment and sawed at it like it had done something wrong.

In reply to Jason Walker (msg # 16):

Bart observed the way Jason cut his steak.  There was something in Jason's past, a sore point, that seemed to come up every now and then, but Bart wasn't one to pry.   More than a few on the ship had pasts and sometimes it was best to leave well enough alone.  "Well, it's good to know if things do go sideways, you'll have our backs, Jason.  All kidding aside, glad to have you on the team."

He looked up from his steak and gave a half smile. "Ya'll made me feel welcome so far. At least you engies have. Others, well I guessin' they be busy." Jason finished the steak off. Growing boy indeed. "Besides if this place goes sideways ya'll be on the first lifepod outta here. I'll make sure of that," he said.

When Naoko asked her question, Jessica turned and gave a thoughtful smile "The Mihoshi is unique, without a doubt, the crew is every bit a part of a ship and have only just begun to get to know it. Mostly, though, I am still getting over the shock of being here. thank you for asking."

Jess took to watching the conversation play out, making an effort to not linger or seem to stare at anyone.

In reply to Jason Walker (msg # 18):

"I'm glad you like it, ma'am," Naoko replied to Jessica.  "Cat... I mean, Cmdr Matheson and Mr. Blatt worked on it from the start.  I only came on board after her final fitting."

"And speaking of engies, Jason," she continued, turning to the young security officer, "this is Lt. Cmdr Jessica Laurent."  Even if she wasn't Starfleet, her upbringing demanded she make proper introductions, just as she couldn't bring herself to refer to Jessica by her surname.  "Cmdr Laurent, Jason has been with us for most of the trip over.  We've come to adopt him."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:53, Tue 28 Jan 2020.

When Naoko caught his attention, he chuckled at her. "Adopted me? How about adopting a date with me Naoko? I keep askin' and you keep denying," Jason said but it was obvious he was teasing the Asian woman. He nodded to the new occupant that had timidly joined them. "Ma'am," he drawled. "If'n it wern't for me, half of 'em would be nothing but skin and bones. Had to herd them to the mess quite a few times on the trip over." His dual color eyes danced with mischief.

In reply to Naoko Kusaragi (msg # 20):

Naoko blushed furiously at Jason's remark.  "Keep that up and I'll have Tzerak take you out. You'll be eating bamboo instead of steak."

Bart laughed out loud at Naoko's embarrassment.  "Should I program something up on the holodeck so you two could work out this unresolved tension?"

That brought a swat on Bart's arm by Naoko, followed by a litany of things Bart could do to himself and inventive ways he could them, all in her native tongue.

Jason's grin grew broader at Naoko's blush, chortling now at just how uncomfortable he had made her. "Bit too much fiber for me, Naoko. I perfer a juicy... steak."
His attention narrowed on Bart then and he quirked a brow. "Like t'see you take her on. Bettin' you'd not last a round. Not at least tango'n." There was so much emphasis on the word tango it was hard to not understand his meaning.

the pleasant smile stayed until the mention of a date was made. At that, the young engineer's eyebrows furrowed in concern as the two made banter. Her sense of discipline and duty bid her be concerned about the situation, feeling there was likely some kind of regulation against the conduct. However, the counter notion that she didn't want to be seen as a hard-ass officer, still not yet use to her current rank, she held hesitation long enough to remind herself she was here trying to become better acquainted rather than anything else.

Before they had finished, she composed herself to a neutral expression and pressed a small smile in case they looked her way. "yes, engineering can sometimes be a rather thankless job and has a way of encouraging a unique sense of comradery. it's wonderful to hear Jason has taken an interest in the team."

In reply to Jason Walker (msg # 23):

"Me?" Bart chuckled to Jason, either in ignorance or defiance of Naoko's piece of her mind.  "Oh, no, not with the way she swings that sword of hers.  I wouldn't last five seconds.  You might make it ten."

In reply to Jessica Laurent (msg # 24):

Naoko was about to say more when she caught the tone in Jessica's voice that had her keeping her mouth shut.  She wasn't sure if it was making Jessica feel left out or something else, but mindful she was sitting next to a superior, she let things drop.  "So, um, ma'am, where are you from?  I'm from Earth and Bart's from Alpha III."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:37, Tue 28 Jan 2020.

He grinned back at Bart, briefly. "Maybe," he said with a shrug, easing off on the teasing now. "Well I think i've outworn'd my welcome here." It was feeling a little uncomfortable again for him with the newer occupant he didn't quite know well enough to share the banter with and especially since he was not a officer. "Besides, I need to do some training before I hit the sack."

Shocked was an understatement, in the flurry of thoughts that sprung through her mind she at least could find a sense of understanding to Jasons quickly shifted reaction. She too felt nervous around other officers, only really comfortable with Teala. Thankfully, being an engineer required one to have quick wits and reaction.

"If I heard correctly, the lieutenant said adopted. Not going to encourage anything, but that sounds like an open welcome." Trying for the diplomatic approach, Jessica's mind raced for what to say even as she spoke. She made a glance towards Naoko to try and read body language.

In order to cover up that she was trying to read the situation, Jess took to the question asked of her "Im from Terra Nova.".

Jason rose up and paused at the Jessica's words. "Oh I know ma'am. Just we've been taggin' each other like this since leaving the dock for DS5." He nodded to Naoko and Bart then Jessica. "Ma'am," he said and if he had a cowboy hat he would have giving it a tug.

In reply to Jason Walker (msg # 29):

Naoko frowned at Jason's departure.  Despite what it might seem to the outsider, she enjoyed the verbal sparring and play fighting with Jason.  "Ok..." she said somewhat sadly.  "Mata ne."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:19, Wed 29 Jan 2020.

He enjoyed teasing the diminutive woman because she took it with grace. Still duty called and he did need to work out. "Aww, don'cha worry, I will be back around." He bowed his head slightly to Naoko. "Mata ashita." Then he nodded to Bart. "See ya." And with that he walked out of Officer territory, heading to his quarters first then to the holodeck.

In reply to Jessica Laurent (msg # 28):

The name caught Bart by surprise, not expecting a Betazoid to have grown up in such a place.  Then again, her name wasn't what he expected either.  "Oh?" he asked.  "I'd read about it in Academy."

Naoko had started to listen in when the chronometer chimed.  "That's my cue," she said as she stood and gathered her tray.  "Gotta work on another little thing.  See you both tomorrow."

As Naoko now left, Jessica took to a slight frown as well as the hints of an air of withdrawing. While she faced the direction of the departing lieutenant her eyes dashed to and fro a little in the tall tail signs of thinking. As Bartolomy picked up the conversation, the blond turned to face his way, there was a slight delay after he spoke before she seemed to be back into the conversation herself.

"Oh," spoken more in shock than in the tone of questioning, taking quick measure of herself to make sure not to offend before continuing "What had you read?"

Jess leaned back in a little towards her peer to postrate she was engaging back with him.

In reply to Jessica Laurent (msg # 33):

Bart shrugged. "The standard stuff.  First extra-solar colony, asteroid hit in 2078, lots of radiation, rediscovered by Captain Archer in 2151 and admitted to the Federation in 2178.  Forgive me for saying, ma'am, but I didn't expect a Betazoid to have grown up there."

Officer Laurent would take some time talking with Bartolomy about Terra Nova, it had been some years since shed talked about her home. it was a more private conversation for her so there was some difficulty, likely lost in her normal level of apprehensiveness.

However, she was clearly interested and excited to talk about it until Bartolomy moved on. Eventually Jess would finish her burger, having nibbled it the whole time, before too getting back to work.

[OOC: end scene?]