[JP] Lt.Cdr. Ava Munro & PNPC LT Tamio K'Wara - The Beginning (Part I)
LT Gila Sadar
(( Guluhzba - Hurutam Sub-District, Commercial District, Deck 1045, Starbase 118 ))
Tamio smiled wistfully as they observed a very familiar scene before them. Guluhzba was one of their most visited haunts during their time on Starbase 118, and they always missed it terribly whenever their duties required them to switch campuses. Felgoi, the Tellarite proprietor of the bar, was in the middle of his most favorite pastime - lecturing newcomers on the absolute terror that was Federation standard loanwords sneaking into his native tongue - and all because the poor souls had accidentally called the establishment ‘the Guluhzba Bar’.
Felgoi: It’s the Guluhz BAR! Do you call Starbase 118 ‘Starbase SB118’!? No, of course not, that would be daft, right? For that very reason, we don’t call this place the ‘Guluhz Bar Bar’.
The existential dread prompted within the hearts of the two newcomers was a palpable look, one that stirred the imagination and most certainly would make a great model, but before Tamio had the chance to really define what that would look like, a glass clinked. The sound prompted them to return their attention to Corlio, the bartender on duty that night. He was a fetching gentleman, and exactly the reason Tamio found themself in the bar on most nights. While Tamio’s mother tended towards abstract sculptures or vast colorful starscapes, Tamio had always been more drawn to the humanoid shape and the ways self-expression manifested. It helped when they found the subject of their current artistic endeavour attractive as well, of course.
K’Wara: Felgoi is in a good mood tonight.
Corlio: Quite. It is a rare occasion that newcomers manage to locate this establishment, so he must take full advantage of the opportunity. ::curious glance:: A tad skinny, isn’t he?
Tamio smirked as they twirled around the small circular disk they had placed on the counter, the miniscule holographic sculpture of Corlio twirling at a similar speed.
K’Wara: It’s called ‘artistic freedom’, Corlio. Besides, it’s not about being chained by reality; it’s about capturing your vibe, your presence.
Corlio: I dare say you’ve certainly captured my ‘presence’... ::amused twinkle in his eye:: And misplaced the rest of me.
Tamio flippantly twirled their wrist around with an amused snort.
K’Wara: ::wry smile:: You’ve chosen the wrong career, darling, you clearly should’ve been an art critic.
Corlio chuckled at that as he moved down the counter to tend to some other customers, leaving Tamio to watch his back for a few seconds, distracted from another newcomer who chose that moment to approach.
Munro: I agree with your friend. I've never been accused of being an art critic but he seems more of a shimmering purple.
Tamio looked over, smiling in a welcoming manner to the tall blonde woman behind them.
K’Wara: Felgoi must be having an art review special, and not told me. How rude of him! ::gestures to the empty seat:: Welcome! Have a seat.
Ava sidled into the seat beside the alien, her eye searched over them, subtly taking in what should be the telltale features of their species. Felinoid eyes, but largely human looking. Hybrid? Or something else entirely?
From behind them, they heard the unmistakable sound of Felgoi laughing boisterously, and Tamio smiled as they noted the diminutive but portly Tellarite escorting his most recent clientele to a window seat. Felgoi wanted customers, of course, as much as any businessman, but he seemed particularly excited when those new customers were able to sit through an entire tirade without running for the hills.
K’Wara: Aah, more ducks to the breadline. ::smiles at the newcomer:: Had the chance to meet our host yet?
Munro: Not yet, and I'm only here for a stopgap before my travels take me elsewhere. So I doubt I'll have the pleasure of some Tellarite hospitality on this occasion.
Ava thought of the journey she'd just taken, several weeks travelling from the Alpha Isles, via the Sol System to drop off Commander Lorana at Jupiter Station, still ensconced in that horrific chair.
Guilt plagued her, for many reasons. She hadn't stopped off at Earth. Which meant she had missed seeing Harper, who had informed her that she was too busy with her studies at Starfleet Academy anyway. Yet, it would seem her burden, as a mother, is to carry unjustified guilt.
Then there was the justified guilt. Adrian, her husband had not been as gracious as Harper and let her off the hook with a convenient excuse. He had made his displeasure perfectly clear when she told him that she couldn't detour to Earth for fear she would miss her transport to 118. Truth was, she was putting off the conversation - because she didn't really know what that conversation would be and she needed time to figure that out. She only hoped that Adrian would be patient enough to let her - not one of his strong suits.
For now, there was the bottom of a glass to help her try and forget before she continued her journey to DS224.
And if anyone could see a soul plagued by its mortal existence, it was an amateur artist with delusions of grandeur. Tamio had a job for the evening!
K’Wara: Corlio, what do you think the newest patron would need?
Corlio: Hm? Ah, welcome to Guluhzba. ::appraising glance:: Scotch or Bourbon?
She smiled, a mischievous twinkle danced in her eye. Close but not quite.
Munro: Dealers choice?
Tamio quickly raised a hand, stealing the momentum away from Corlio. As handsome as he was, his drink taste tended to veer towards the ‘eccentric’.
K’Wara: Scotch or I’m turning this hologram into a fencer’s foil.
Corlio: Now now, threats are unbecoming of you, Mx. K’Wara. ::smiles patiently at Munro:: Scotch it is.
Munro: Close enough :: to K’Wara, nods in a delayed greeting :: Ava, you got a name?
K’Wara: Tamio. ::gestures towards the retreating Corlio:: Or Lieutenant K’Wara, if you’re a stickler for formalities.
She cocked her head in curiousity.
Munro: I wouldn't have assumed Starfleet? Which was the reason I wanted to speak with you. Sometimes I need a break from Starfleet officers. I just spent several weeks on a transport with eager new cadets heading to their final cadet cruise at 118’s Academy.
There was something particular in the statement that she wouldn’t have presumed Tamio to be Starfleet, though the jovial Cygnian couldn’t decide whether it was a compliment or a jab. Either way, it was a fun one.
K’Wara: Starfleet yes, but I haven’t been on active duty for years. I’m an Exam Proctor. ::shakes their head:: But just like you, I’m not here to talk about work. Leave that at the door, and enjoy yourself.
As Corlio placed her drink in front of her, she lifted it up and raised it in the air towards her new friend.
Munro: Exam Proctor :: tips the glass towards them :: I thank you for your sacrifice.
She greedily downed the scotch in one, and raised her hand to Corlio to indicate another.
K’Wara: Much appreciated. ::tips glass and takes a sip:: How are you finding the Starbase? Been here before?
Munro: My first time to 118. Seems like a fun place.
Not exactly how Tamio would describe the bastion of civilization within the Trinity Sector, but it was an apt term, they supposed. And in the grander scheme of things, it all depended on where Ava had been previously, and with Starfleet, that could be a wide variety of locales.
K’Wara: Fun and busy. Just the way I like it. ::takes a sip::
Munro: :: laughs :: Me too. You want fun and you want busy, you need to go to a Frontier world, never a dull moment.
She looked around at the myriad of species, each of them had a purpose and a story to tell within this gleaming bastion of civilization. Sometimes she longed for the simplicity of the Frontier where nothing really worked without a thump of a fist or a swift kick.
Munro: I'm a Frontier girl, born and raised. They say there's two things that Frontier kids can do better than anyone else?
K’Wara: ::sly smile:: Art critiquing and drinking contests?
Ava laughed and nodded.
Munro: Got it in one.
K’Wara: Just calling them like I see them, Ava. ::sip:: Care to share more of what a Frontier-Career girl is doing on SB118?
Munro: I'm more interested in you.
Ava twisted around to look directly at the mysterious alien.
Munro: I have encountered most of the species within the Federation's borders, I've been in Starfleet since I was a teenager :: lifts her hand up :: Despite my youthful looks let me assure you that is a long time. I can't quite place you? I hope that's not specieist of me?
Tamio laughed.
K’Wara: Ava, on Starbase 118, it’s just a part of the self-introduction if you associate with polite folks. ::blinks:: Which I suppose says more about me than the base. I’m Cygnian.
This time, it was them who raised a hand to pause her before the inevitable question made an appearance.
K’Wara: And before you ask about the tail, transporter accident. Dreadful thing - fell out of bed every morning for eight months before I finally learned to walk as humans do. ::sigh:: And I still walk like a padfooted Elcorian buffalo.
Munro: An Elcorian Buffalo huh? In some circles that would make you very desirable. Well done.
K’Wara: Oh? That’s new information to me. Do Elcorian Buffalos have a penchant for fantastic facial hair or volatile temperaments?
Munro: No, that would be Tellarite. I've always found those tusks irresistible.
Ava looked towards the Tellarite host, who looked up from his present conversation and she took the opportunity to give him a flirtatious wave and a wink. Tamio smirked at her antics before turning back to their drink.
K’Wara: Well, if you find a Tellarite with a padfoot fascination, gimme a call, but until then, I’ll be sleeping in the lower bunk for the foreseeable future. ::waves their hand:: I exaggerate, obviously. It’s amazing what a bit of physical therapy can cure you of.
Not to say that their mobility issues had been completely cured - they still walked very poorly when under the effect of inertia sickness - but they at least no longer made a show of stumbling into every available surface going across a room.
To Be Continued in Part II
Lt. Commander Ava Munro
First Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240004LL2
&
LT Tamio K’Wara
Exam Proctor
Starfleet Academy
As simmed by
LT Gila Sadar
Assistant Chief of Medical
USS Artemis-A
A240006GS1