Knight in shining barista tin foil

Posted on Thu Mar 26th, 2026 @ 9:08pm by Lieutenant Commander Elyse White & Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker

1,655 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Forgotten Wounds

Shift was over and Elyse needed a break. The idea of returning to her quarters alone however did not sound appealing. Even if she didn't speak with anyone, being sat surrounded by others felt like a much better option. So, to the ship's coffee shop she went. Elyse walked up to the counter and waited in the queue politely, listening to the murmurings of conversations around her.

Tholos th'Kael was exhausted. There were distinct benefits to having a chief full time but then there were also negatives and one was the increased hours. Although he was happy to see the Chief back at his post after all that happened. He'd been one of those bullied by Zai Walker and he'd kept quiet only cause he loved Sabastian Walker, as did the entire Engineering department. He'd seen the devastation behind the stoic expression when Sabastian had seen the video of his husband bulling the crew and the cheating...It had broken Tholos' heart to see how shattered he had been.

Tholos scrubbed his hand down his face and sighed as he waited for his coffee order. A somewhat melodic voice drew his attention and his antennae twitched. The silver haired blue eyed woman who'd just ordered caught his attention. She was...striking.

Elyse had ordered a hot chocolate. It was something simple that would not keep her up all night, whilst also being comforting. Not to mention that the woman had a sweet tooth-- specifically for chocolate. She stepped next to Tholos, not particularly noticing that he was staring at her. That's when someone stepped around her to grab their order and knocked her, pushing her into Tholos, "oh, gawd, I'm sorry." She'd managed to catch herself, her hand on his upper arm.

The jolt knocked Tholos into action. He'd managed to grab onto her and pull her away just as that very same person dropped the coffee he reached for and spilled it. He set her gently aside still holding onto her. "Are you alright?"

Elyse nodded, "yes, sorry. I should have been paying more attention instead of staring off into nothing." Elyse looked down realising that she was still holding his arm. She quickly retracted it and smiled, "thank you for the save."

He smiled at her as he, reluctantly let her go. It was rare that he met someone that was human and had his hair color. "No no, some of our best ideas are from staring off into nothing and dreaming. It is what makes life fun."

Elyse looked him over, he was a good looking man, and then she spotted his uniform, "I suppose in engineering, you do require a bit of creativity. So staring off into space is a job requirement. I envy you-- my brain has to be constantly switched on." Elyse chuckled softly and then heard her surname being called to say that her drink was ready.

He grinned. "Yes we do tend to dream. Sadly the brain, no matter how tired, as you say must be switched on. That is why I am refuling." He grabbed his extra strong coffee. "The Chief works cray hours so we have to as well... well we don't have to but we all want to."

Elyse's smile faltered. She knew that Sabastian had been out on the bench for good reason, but his team clearly supported him to the point of back breaking hours which, in her opinion, was not healthy. Blinking away the thoughts, she smiled and nodded, "I'm winding down for the evening. I just didn't want to be in silence until I was ready to sleep." The woman gestured to her hot chocolate and then looked around for a seat, bit didn't make any effort to walk anywhere yet.

He smiled. "As the boss says it's always important to take a moment to breathe...and ensure that a beautiful young lady doesn't get run over by coffee addicts." He grinned. "My lady..." He motioned to the empty table.

"Hmm... Knowing his persuasion, I highly doubt he said that in full," Elyse said flatly, but there was definite humour and a playful edge to it. Elyse nodded and followed him to the table sitting down, "I'm Elyse, by the way."

He smiled. "I am Tholos th'Kael. To friends and you my lady I am Thol. It's nice to meet you."

"Tholos, This, the pleasure is mine-- you were my knight in shining tin foil, saving me from the dreaded coffee addict," she smiled, "as for me: El, Lyse, Whitey. I get called a lot by friends, and now to you."

He smiled as they sat down. "So you are new to the ship? I've never seen you before."

Elyse nodded as she sipped her drink. The taste really was comforting. "That's right, I work in Comms," she confirmed, "I transferred in from a base."

"Well! Welcome to the mad house we call home."

Elyse chuckled softly, "I'm slowly realising that it is truly a mad house, with the modest of all in the lower decks. I would be mortified if I were one of their parent's."

He laughed. "They keep the rest of us happy and in stitches. I think most of the officers have alter egos on the boards. The Chief is a regular."

"I do too," she replied, "someone had to take over from meatball." Elyse shrugged, amused that Tholos had not put two and two together yet regarding her being XO or Chief of Comms.

Tholos turned a deep royal blue. "Oh!! You took over from Vance's wife..." His eyes widened. "You're the new XO!" There was a pause. "I'm sorry I should not have been so informal but...well I kind of have this thing where I don't see rank I see people so no offense was meant."

Elyse chuckled and shook her head, waving him off, "oh, stop. I'm off duty. But yes, I took over from Baciami. We went to the academy together. She is now enjoying retirement with Vance on her family vineyard. Honestly, I'm jealous. But, at least I have a great place to go for a holiday."

He smiled. "Well that does sound nice." He smiled at her. "I am...happy she is gone, not because she was a bad person but because you have now taken her place." He flushed slightly.

Elyse went to defend Adrianna but as she opened her mouth so he finished his sentence. Her mouth remained open and she blushed a little. After a moment of silence, she finally said with a soft smile, "well... That was... That was bold. I admire your courage and ability to just speak your mind. I am flattered, but you do not know me well."

"I don't but I'd like to. I always like making new friends. My people are generally reserved and suspicious and closed off...part of the reason I left Andoria...that and it's colder then the revenge dish Klingon's serve."

Elyse looked him over. She wasn't suspicious or cautious of him, but the woman had sworn off men for good reason. She was still healing from being the sensible, and grown up one in a relationship that ended poorly. "I've not been to Andoria," she replied, "but I will take your word for it." She sat back in her chair, looking over him once more, as she sipped her drink. "It's the hair, isn't it?"

"A most striking feature along with eyes that are as Blue as the seas of Betazed. You are a very attractive women. I will confess to that but I do genuinely wish to get to know you especially after speaking with you. I must confess I am a little bit nervous. I have had bad...friendships and relationships."

Elyse couldn't help but chuckle. He was clear delusional, but he was sweet. "Thank you. You aren't bad looking yourself. And, as far as relationships and friendships go... I hear that. I'm about six months out of my recent and... Well... It didn't end well, so here I am."

"Three months for me. The woman was totally not responsible. I had to be the responsible one." He smiled. "I get it. But like I said. Making new friends is always good." He held out his hand. "Hello. I'm Tholos and I would like to be your friend."

"Ah, same. I was practically his 'mum' figure," she nodded in understanding, then agreed, "I'm Elyse and I would like to be your friend. Perhaps we can talk about how ridiculous it is that grown adults need adultier-adults."

He laughed as he held onto her hand. "Agreed." He pulled his hand back. "Well then. I should head back and make sure the Chief hasn't passed out from lack of sleep."

Elyse smiled, "now there's a shame." She tapped her mug, "I suppose I'll finishe my drink alone. But, I will forever remember you as my rescuer from the caffeine addict." Hearing about Sabastian though, her smile faltered. She made a mental note to visit him at work the following day. "Well, don't work too hard. He may be going through things at the moment, but that doesn't mean you all have to suffer too. Don't be martyrs."

"We're not but we find creative ways of tricking the chief to eat and have water and...occasionally shower but he's been doing that more since a certain science officer showed up." He laughed. "So we just have to make sure he eats, drinks, and possibly sleeps we got a plan for that too."

Elyse understood the comradery, but this seemed excessive. So she knew she'd still find herself in engineering the following day. "My point remains. Have a good rest of your shift Thol."

"And you as well my lady." He stood and gave a little bow.

Elyse raised a brow, amused by him bowing. She shook her head and chuckled softly, "get out of here, you."

 

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