Reassuring a father

Posted on Tuesday 1 December 2020 @ 11:57 by Civilian Jacob Carson & Lieutenant Ricardo Draxx

Mission: A Whale of a problem (We're going to need a bigger boat)
Location: The Library, USS Merlin
Timeline: MD5 1300
828 words - 1.7 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Jacob finished setting up a tray with a pot of tea with two cups and some Bajoran shrimp sandwiches.

He placed it on a table with two chairs and picked up a book and started reading as if waiting for someone.

A room full of real books was a novelty in today's day and age Draxx thought as he walked into the ship's library for the first time. There was a silver haired man in a suit sat at a table reading a book. ~Well if that's him we haven't got a problem Draxx thought~

"Do you have any books on fishing?" he asked casually.


Jacob looked up from his book. "As a matter of fact, I was just reading this on native fish of Bajor. It gives some good tips on how to catch many species, including some kind of fish with spines, I don't suppose that would be of any interest to you?"

"Oh definitely. I've been after the elusive spinney fish for a long time. It continues to elude me," he said.

He stood and formally extended his hand. "You must be Draxx. I'm Jacob Carson, the ship's librarian and historian. Please join me. This jasmine tea is an excellent accompaniment to this Bajoran shrimp sandwiches." Before Draxx had responded, he was already pouring him a cup and sliding a plate towards the space in front of the empty chair.

"Well I never pass up a Bajoran shrimp sandwich," he said. "So I assume my daughter .. shes mentioned me?" he asked tentatively before taking a bite. It was a good sandwich.

"Yes, that's the reason I have the book to hand. Sansa mentioned she wanted to spend time with you doing the thing you loved so she was reading up on some of the details."

"Really ... Really?" Draxx smiled suddenly. His insides seemed to melt. "But she hates fishing."

Jacob nodded as he poured a cup of tea for himself. "She did mention that. She also said that she wanted to do something that you love in order to spend time with you."

Draxx almost didn't manage to swallow his tea. "That's ... that's wonderful," he said when he did manage to get the liquid down. "I have to find a way to return the favour but its difficult. I cannot navigate .. so many changes. You know she's only existed for 2 years. I should be teaching her to speak and singing nursery rhymes or making rudimentary art with her. Now she's grown up and dating. How does a father fit in?"

Jacob nodded thoughtfully. "A father affects his children in many ways, sometimes without him realising. Sometimes just by being there for them. Your daughter has lost a great deal of her childhood and no matter what she'll always be your daughter."

"Very true," Draxx said. "I want to be there for her. I want her to know she can always come to me."

He gave him a reassuring smile. "I think deep down, she knows that. She an exceptionally intelligent girl, so caring and very quick witted. She is very much like her mother. She is also fiercely loyal and once she's started something, she pursues it with all her heart. That I think, she gets from you."

"Well, I try. I wouldn't say I'm always that successful," Draxx said honestly thinking about his ongoing pursuit of a Bajoran Spinney fish. "But the wish of any parent is that your child will be more successful than you."

"You need to give yourself more credit my friend. You've done an exceptional job under very some very difficult circumstances." Jacob said as he poured another cup of tea.

"Thank you," Draxx said. He needed that. Despite coming from a complete stranger, it was very much received. "Do you have kids?" he asked.

Jacob got a funny little smile on his face. "Oh, I probably do somewhere. Unfortunately, I was a bit of a ladies man in my youth. Far too impulsive and far too little wisdom. It took me a few... centuries but I grew out of it."

"Tell me more," Draxx said.

Carson smiled. "Believe me Mr Draxx. There are still some things that are best left to the imagination. Unless you want an image of me dancing naked with 'Snake-hips' Tucker at Heebie Geebies running through your head? For all it's flaws, they knew how to throw a party back in the day on Earth." He added.

"They still know how to throw a party if you know the right place," Draxx quipped. "And too late that image will be with me forever now."

"Well, you had to ask. I'm afraid my partying days are far behind me. As far as Sansa's concerned, trust me. She still needs you."

"Thank you," Draxx said. "Well I won't take up any more of your time sir. I think I found exactly what I needed. Thank you for the tea and the sandwich."

”Anytime.” Jacob replied.


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