The Art of Teaching, Part I

Posted on Wed Nov 20th, 2024 @ 10:06pm by Captain Natalya Markova & Tessa di'Orion

Mission: Lower Decks
Location: Marine Area

Despite the armor-clad woman following behind, it was Tessa in a red and white outfit that was striding ahead of everyone else until she came to the hatch where a single Marine stood guard at. The little lady had more of an imperious look to her as she walked up to this sentry and came to a sort of attention, though it was hands clasped behind her back. She'd been through a fair bit in the last few weeks, the Rouen's had gone back to the Federation and what affection she'd had for Louis had gone with them. Now, she was by herself on the ship aside from Cass'e'Indira and the rest of the crew.

She'd gotten the lay of the land, however, and one thing the daughter of the Baroness of Light's End was, was independent. "Good morning, Corporal." She stated simply, "I came in search of your commanding officer. Is Captain Markova available to grant me an audience?"

The Corporal's mind speed ran through a litany of responses, and failed to come up with something appropriate. His job was to secure the Marine Barracks. Diplomatic Protocol was not his forte, and while he was almost certain that this woman didn't have 'explicit' permission to wander beyond the bulkhead... he was also certain that simply sending her away with a curt response would be a bad idea.

The Corporal did what any Marine did when faced with such a situation, he kicked it upstairs. "Captain Markova, Ma'am." He said, tapping his commbadge. "This is Corporal Haskall on sentry. I have our distinguished guest seeking an audience with you."

It was a wait of three, maybe five seconds before the response came. "I'm on my way." The Corporal could hear it in the Captain's voice. Only one person knew what was going on, and that was the woman standing before him.

"If you'll wait here, Ma'am, the Captain shouldn't be but a moment."

"Of course, I've got no problem waiting." She settled herself in, feet shoulder-width apart and looked around with the impatience that any 16 year old would have.

It was almost a full minute before the doors parted, and Captain Markova stood there. "Your Ladyship, I do not believe we have formally met. Captain Natalya Markova." She stepped aside and indicated the two women to pass the doorway. "Thank you, Corporal. As you were."

The armored and very heavily armed woman placed a hand on Tessa's shoulder and entered the doorway first before nodding and allowing the girl to pass. It wasn't that she didn't trust the Marines, but she just didn't quite trust anyone yet. It was all wordless as if words were something she rationed. Tessa slipped past Cass and smiled at Natalya, "No need for any sort of formality, we're not on Tial, we're on your starship. I'm Tessa, just Tessa, or anything else you'd really want to call me I guess. Louis and Amelie..." She trailed off after a moment, unsure how to talk about people no longer present, "Maybe, if we return to my home, we'll see."

The trail off made Nat curious, but she knew all too well that some things were best left buried. "Why don't we head to my office?" Leading the way down the corridor, they passed a couple of the Marines who rendered a salute. "I can fully assure you," Nat began to the obvious bodyguard, "here in Marine Country, nothing is going to threaten you. Unless you have a strong allergy to coffee." The Marine smiled to herself.

"Oh no, coffee is a good thing!" Tessa smiled broadly, "Especially first thing in the morning, it's something I've gotten used to very quickly." Apparently, she'd been introduced to it and taken to it like a fish to water.

"Here we are, feel free to take seats." Nat let the two into her office, easing into the chair behind the desk, and taking a relaxed pose. "So, what brings you to my neck of the woods?"

Cass took a standing position by the door, getting her to relax would take an act of the Gods and Tessa didn't even try to change that, "Well, Captain, as the heir to Light's End, even though I'm not a Priestess of Bey'a'Dande like Cass here, I do still need to continue training in the combat arts, but that's where I'm having a major problem. You see, Cass here is doing her best to teach me, but she only knows one way to fight and that's to win. I know I'll never be able to beat her, so I need to find someone either less victory-driven or someone closer to my level but better than me."

Nat set her elbows on the desk, her chin resting upon her interlocked fingers as she surveyed the woman. "You want someone who can teach you, without the drive to beat you. I get it. Okay. I can't do anything right this minute..." she gestured to the pile of work on the desk. "But, meet me in Holodeck 1 at 1800 hours."

Nat activated the computer terminal, punching in the booking request for the Holodeck, just to make sure. "I would suggest wearing something you don't mind hitting the floor in. Just in case."

"As Cass would tell me, Milady, one doesn't get to choose precisely what they get into a fight in all the time, so I'll be dressed just like this." She twirled in place, the pleated skirt lifting slightly, giving the impression that it was made of heavier stuff than just cloth, "Also, as Cass says, bruises just make the lesson easier to learn."

"As you wish." Nat shrugged. "1800 hours, then. Unless there was anything else, Tessa?"

"No, Milady, I think that's about it." Tessa gave a slight bow to the Marine, I'll be there a bit early to warm up, but I look forward to sparring."

Seeing the two out, Nat returned to her desk, and her work. Yet, she found herself distracted, lost in thought of how best to teach her new student. It really all depended on what the young woman already knew. Likely how to land on her butt, Nat mused, if the Bodyguard was as competitive as indicated. It would not be an easy task.

Tessa looked back at Cass'e'Indira as they made their way past the sentry once more, "Don't give me that look, Cass.. Yes, you're good with the traditional styles, but I need more than that. Grandmother would insist, Besides, you're pretty rough on me. Learning to let me hit you here and there... Rewards for my form, would be beneficial."

"But you wouldn't learn, Your Grace." Cass said kindly, "Nothing teaches better than a bit of pain. Or a bruise or two. But that's why I'm here, to keep you from having to get them from someone else."