PT 012 Xho and AlternaGrax

USS, 10:53 PM

So, you meet up with them a few hours later when they're game's finally done and you're...well, you're also done.

USS, 10:55 PM

You got the one dressed in the alternate uniform.

Xho, 10:55 PM

Captain? I'd like to speak with you, if you don't object.

USS, 10:57 PM

You see the Grax in the alternate blue uniform.  "Commander."

USS, 10:57 PM

"Everything ok?"

Xho, 10:57 PM

Yes. I was hoping you could assist me.

USS, 10:58 PM

"...ok...what do you need?"

Xho, 10:59 PM

I would like some basketball tips, if you have them. And perhaps some insight into my own captain.

Xho, 10:59 PM

... coaching, I think it's called.

USS, 11:00 PM

"Ah.  I see.  Well, I'll answer as best as I can, but I can't say for certain how well your worlds teams stack up to ours.  Apparently Michael Jordan's not a baseball player here."

Xho, 11:01 PM

No. A very famous basketball player with the... Cattle? I cannot recall.

USS, 11:02 PM

"...yeah, something like that.  Well, I can't stay long, but what do you want to know?"

Xho, 11:02 PM

Were you able to ascertain whether you were largely similar?

USS, 11:02 PM

"He's not as tall, I'm pretty sure.  And I think a bit heavier."

Xho, 11:03 PM

I was more referring to your histories and personalities.

Xho, 11:04 PM

I would like to know, what would be the qualities in your ideal executive officer? What would you find most grating or least useful? There may be gaps in my experience that I can work on.

Xho, 11:05 PM

I was also hoping you would have time to ... show me some moves. I do not merely mean to play the captain, I would like to beat the captain eventually, and currently I lack a coach. Alternately perhaps you are aware of a virtual coach who would be considered best.

USS, 11:08 PM

"Hm, well I would definitely view beating me at basketball a very grating quality in a first officer.  I don't think I've ever forgive them for that."

USS, 11:08 PM

"But I do know of a couple of coaches that could help you."

Xho, 11:09 PM

Perhaps not much like our Grax, then. I feel he would not have chosen such a competitive game if he took losses personally in a long term way.

USS, 11:10 PM

"You don't think so?  I don't know.  Maybe he likes it because he's vain, self-absorbed and enjoys the showboating nature of the game."

Xho, 11:11 PM

... I feel you are either being much too hard on yourself or much too hard on our captain, sir. Potentially both.

USS, 11:11 PM

He smiles and nods at you.  "Perhaps.  ...can I let you in on a secret?"

Xho, 11:11 PM

"Vain" and "self-absorbed" are certainly both overstatements.

Xho, 11:12 PM

Xho may be a tiny bit offended on her Grax's behalf.

Xho, 11:12 PM

Yes?

USS, 11:13 PM

Other Grax: "...I wasn't supposed to be a captain.  My brother was.  After he died I...sort of fell out of the service for a while.  I come back and this was all set-up for me.  Not sure if it was out of respect for my brother or...if maybe they just pitied me."

USS, 11:14 PM

Other Grax: "Maybe that never happened to your Grax.  Maybe he deserves to be here.  ...I don't know."

USS, 11:14 PM

((Brb.  Gizmo.))

Xho, 11:15 PM

((Silly pupper.))

USS, 11:15 PM

((Back))

Xho, 11:16 PM

Oh. I am sorry to hear about your brother, sir. ... I should probably not be calling you sir, but it is somewhat reflexive.

USS, 11:17 PM

Other Grax: "...coach Duru.  It's the program he trains with.  Start putting in a few hours with Duru every day and you'll catch him soon."

Xho, 11:17 PM

Xho nods.

Xho, 11:18 PM

Thank you.

Xho, 11:18 PM

Also, I feel you are once again selling yourself short.

Xho, 11:18 PM

Perhaps they saw value in you that even you did not. It isn't uncommon to take a sabbatical after a traumatic event.

Xho, 11:19 PM

... I have suffered several traumatic events, perhaps that is worth mentioning at this point.

Xho, 11:19 PM

In any case, I am sure you deserve to be here.

USS, 11:21 PM

Other Grax: "...maybe you're being too hard on yourself, as well.  My First Officer, not you, the other one...they also always has this chip on their shoulder.  You tell 'em how good they do, see how they respond to these situations calmly and quickly, show them how much you rely on them...and it never seems to help.  I think if you actually look on your record and what's been accomplished you'll find that you're already proving yourself to be their best first officer."

Xho, 11:22 PM

((I think she's his FIRST first officer, isn't she?))

USS, 11:23 PM

((She is))

Xho, 11:23 PM

That would be no great accomplishment... Grax? Mr. Grax? Arturo seems over-familiar... as I am the only first officer he has had.

USS, 11:25 PM

Other Grax: "...look, Commander...nothing I tell you is going to make the insecurity go away.  But I am sure you're doing more than a good job in these circumstances.  You understood...his orders over the comm and knew how to respond.  You have kept this ship together under the stress of loss.  He tells me you even helped flip a prisoner."

USS, 11:26 PM

Other Grax: "You need to trust him enough to believe that if you falter or need improvement, he'd tell you so."

USS, 11:27 PM

Other Grax: "...and you're not gonna just win his respect by kicking his ass in basketball."

Xho, 11:27 PM

No, but it would be extremely satisfying nonetheless. ... I am somewhat competitive.

Xho, 11:27 PM

And I do feel self-improvement is generally a good goal.

USS, 11:28 PM

Other Grax: "And that's good.  But you improve by responding to the situation, not trying to meet the checklist of a superior who doesn't know anymore than you do here."

USS, 11:29 PM

Other Grax: "...or...maybe your self-improvement needs to come from somewhere else."

USS, 11:30 PM

Other Grax: "How are you dealing with that trauma?"

Xho, 11:30 PM

Mandatory psychiatric care. I try to be compliant.

Xho, 11:31 PM

I also often beat people up in the illusion chamber with our Duma.

USS, 11:31 PM

Other Grax: "That sounds like fun.  He's a big guy."

Xho, 11:32 PM

Significantly stronger than I am, but I am faster, I think. A good team.

USS, 11:32 PM

Other Grax nods.  "I don't think I can help you anymore than that.  I think most of this you're going to need to do on your own."

Xho, 11:33 PM

That was always the case. Thank you for the advice, though.

Xho, 11:33 PM

... is there anything I could assist you with?

USS, 11:34 PM

Other Grax: "...I don't think so.  But thank you for coming to me for advice."

Xho, 11:34 PM

Xho nods.

USS, 11:35 PM

For the logs, after you leave the other Grax comes down the hallway, dressed in your Grax's uniform.  "See, look at this.  The sleeves are too short, I'm taller."  And your Grax, who was faking it says "No way, look, the pants don't even reach my ankles."