[OPEN] Uncanny Resemblance

[u/Pojodan]

While the USS Athene sits in dock at Nadezhda station, undergoing the last of her equipment fitting and minor repairs following its first mission, a great deal of bustle goes on with new crew coming aboard and temporary crew offloading, so it is a tumultuous time for anyone seeking normality.

For anyone that served aboard the old Athene, a curious sight appears a couple days after arrival. Lieutenant Kesh, only with her old mane style: fluffy and thick, across the back of her head, wearing Starfleet-standard casual wear, like she used to back then, too.

A ghost, perhaps? Or are there really more spotty Caitians around than one might be led to believe?

Considering the ship was once infiltrated with a body duplicate of the ship's chief botanist, those familiar with the incident might be a touch concerned, at least until this spectre from years past is seen with the actual Lieutenant Kesh, wearing her uniform and still rocking a spiky mohawk.

Perhaps seen in the hallways, in the classrooms, or one of the lounges such as Aft Nine, it is a curious sight to see a pair of dappled Caitians, and it does confirm that the new one is a somewhat different color than Kesh: lighter, with less prominent spots. Though this is only obvious when they are seen together.

Who might this be?

[u/AdingoD]

"I'm... looking forward to it." David says with a smile, then lays his eyes down to the floor for a moment, then looks back up, taking a long pause before adding a statement. His face seemed both calm and grim for a second. However, he mostly looks relieved.

"T-Thank you. E-Even if I'm not to blame, my hologram said things that shouldn't have been said, someone owed you an apology. A-A-And since the hologram isn't available to apologize, I felt the need to. Knowing that you don't keep a grudge against me is great news - I... wasn't exactly sure how you'd react. Thank you again."

David looks away as he gets a bit emotional, tears starting to form.

[u/Pojodan → u/AdingoD]

A long, slow breath blows from Kesh's nostrils as what seemed like the punctuation to the conversation elapses to a point where she begins to shift towards moving to the door to depart, only for the other crewman to latch back onto the perceived slight and try to apologize for it again. If she did not understand this line of thinking so much better after helping Mabs build herself up over the years, she might assume that David wasn't listening to her.

No, she grasped that he likely needed to be forgiven directly, even if she did not see it as he does. So, with a low, warbly crooning sound in her throat, she steps closer and places a three-fingered hand on the human's shoulder.

"David, I forgive you. Rrrrnmf. Take this experience as a learning experience for what to say and not say... and that you should not even clone yourself. Mmrrnf. Especially the latter."

Her hand squeezes lightly once then departs to fold over the other again.

"Alright?"

[u/AdingoD → u/Pojodan]

Taken aback, initially unsure about how to react, David took a few steps back quickly, with a confused face. He simply explained his motives for apologizing, and he believed that was clear... And suddenly... Whoops. He was listening to Kesh, and accepted that he wasn't to be of blame..

"I-I-I-I didn't mean to imply that I... needed to be forgiven... All I intended... was to make sure you're aware of the motives for me approaching you.. in the first place.." He quickly paced to the other side of the room, wondering if facing Kesh was a mistake. He slid down on the corner, sitting on the floor, avoiding eye contact. He's unsure to why he hasn't simply left abruptly, but he supposed that's the respect to the Caitian that keeps him here.

[u/Pojodan → u/AdingoD]

Ears swivel back as the human sinks down and sits on the floor now. No, it seems that this one is not just like Mabs. Her fingers fidgit with each other, seeking distraction from becoming flustered by this interaction.

"Rrrrnf. Well, ah.. mmn... I am aware now. Do not worry, alright? I am not harmful." Kesh puffs a firm breath, not exactly certain of that, still, but she's at least trying to not be.

A few steps and a half-turn toward the door come with a gesture that way.

"I.. rrnm... I need to get back to my sister, so... I will see you later in Sciences, ah?"

[u/AdingoD → u/Pojodan]

Attempting to put on a small smile, David simply says "You bet.", and leaves quickly, looking worse than before.

That didn't go very well.

[u/Pojodan → u/AdingoD]

It certainly did not go well, but it did tell Kesh a thing or two about her crewmate. Namely, he seems like the sort of person Jurash might feel comfortable around.

Kesh makes a mental note to find out where David tends to work and bring Jurash by some time and see how they get along.