<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/qmdygUQ.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Name</strong>: Dr. Khal'vanas (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=309788.msg15044404#msg15044404)<br/><strong>Location</strong>: Starbase One > Starfleet Repair Bay ><em>USS Avenger</em><br/><br/><strong>Condition</strong>: Healthy (No Stress, No Injuries)<br/><strong>Attributes:</strong>Control 10 | Daring 8 | Fitness 8 | Insight 10 | Presence 10 | Reason 10<br/><strong>Disciplines:</strong>Command 3 | Conn 1 | Engineering 2 | Medicine 5 | Science 4 | Security 1<br/><br/><strong>Talents:</strong>Deltan Pheromones, Empath, Field Medicine, Quick Study<br/><strong>Equipment:</strong>Uniform, Tricorder, Communicator<br/><strong>Notes</strong>: N/A<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Khal'vanas walked through the passageways of the<em>Avenger</em>at a leisurely pace as he listened to his companion, his hands loosely clasped together at the small of his back. Said companion--Juan Marco, Enlisted Crewman 2nd Class--was busy wheeling a stack of crates filled with supplies towards the ship's medical storage lockers; but he was not so busy with the task that he could not talk and walk at the same time.<br/><br/>"And Maria? Maria will be eleven this October! I just can't believe it," Juan said, voiced filled with the enthusiasm that only a parent speaking about his or her child can ever really manage.<br/><br/>"My goodness, is she excited to continue her studies?" Khal'vanas asked, somewhat interrupting, but skillfully keeping the flow of the conversation on path even as the two men walked their own path deeper into the ship.<br/><br/>"Are you kidding me, Doc?" Juan laughed, shaking his head with a rueful smile. "At that age there ain't nobody who wants to go to school. But I made sure she got all her homework done over the break, let me tell you. She's going to be an officer one day." The pair turned into the sick bay and entered the complex through the intensive care unit. The ICU was empty now, and hopefully would be for a very long time to come, but the array of patient beds and medical equipment, and the nurse's station nearby, made the room's purpose clear enough.<br/><br/>"Really? You'd have to tie me down to one of these tables to get me to stop studying," the doctor replied, smiling warmly. Like many Deltans, he was careful to maintain a certain sense of formality with non-Deltans. Other species did not always react well, or predictably for that matter, to the uplifting physical and emotional support of a traditional Deltan interaction. But where many Deltans allowed this fact to leave them stiff and stand-offish with non-Deltans, his years with Humans had taught Khal'vanas to relax that side of himself--to show a little more of his true Deltan warmth. He just had to remind himself to keep his hands to himself outside of the examining room. There were not many "huggers" in Starfleet, at least not in his experience.<br/><br/>Even so, the joke hit home, and Juan laughed again. "Hoo-hee, Doc, I think it's about the right reverse for Maria. But maybe that's why you ended up a Doc?" He grinned over at the bald man, as they finally reached their destination. Khal'vanas went to help unload the boxes, but Crewman Marco held him off with a raised palm. "I got it, Doc, I got it. I appreciate it, but I'd be running laps around the arboretum if I let you pull something helping me, you know?"<br/><br/>Khal'vanas smiled peaceably, and stepped away, folding his hands behind his back once more. "Very well. I would like those on that shelf there, then," he nodded to where he meant. "Next to the dermaline gel. Ah, those jars there, yes."<br/><br/>Khal'vanas had, honestly, enjoyed his time on Starbase One. Unlike most of the crew, he had been there for months now, and in that time he had made friends of just about whoever he could corner inside the confined atmosphere. He had friends on Terra that he might have visited while waiting for the ship's preparations to be finished, of course, but for the Deltan, new meetings held their own special pleasure. And he had taken great pleasure, indeed, in enjoying the space station, and all the comings and goings that occurred there. There was no artifice in any friendship he made. From the lowliest janitor to flag officers, he treated everyone as though they were equal in value. And their value was high. This trait of his allowed for genuine connections, and fast camaraderie, thanks in no small part to Khal'vanas's empathic abilities, of course. But friendship is where it had to end for Khal'vanas, at least among Starfleet's crew. Like all of his species, in choosing to serve, he had also chosen to promise that he would not try to form any<em>deeper</em>connections with people. Perhaps that's why Juan's next question left him a little sad.<br/><br/>"How about you, Doc? You have any kids?"<br/><br/>"Not yet," Khal'vanas replied, smiling once the shock of the question wore off. "I've yet to find someone who can put up with me."<br/><br/>Crewman Marco grinned at that, lifting the last of the crates up onto the shelf. "Well, it'll sneak up on you. Love, I mean."<br/><br/>Khal'vanas chuckled gently as the Human tried to lecture him on emotions and love. It was a bit like having a five-year old trying to explain a warp reactor to the Chief Engineer. But just as in that imaginary scenario, it was still endearing in a quaint way. "Indeed," he settled on that for his response. And then Juan returned to the cart and wheeled it around, nodding.<br/><br/>"I better get back to work then. Nice talking with you, Doc!"<br/><br/>"The pleasure was all mine, Crewman. Please don't exert yourself out there. I'm still on shore leave: I'd hate to end my vacation early to treat a patient."<br/><br/>With another grin, Juan left the doctor alone in his sickbay.