Lieutenant Zi Nijal: Vices

[Tony Colella]

OOC I figure maybe one more sim to finish things out here?

(( 8-Forward, USS Octavia E. Butler ))

Nijal: I don't think you'd find an engineer who didn't believe they were adaptable. Or if they thought so, then maybe they're not a very good engineer? But I do think I am, very much so.

Even as she spoke the last, Zi winced a little. She was sure there were plenty of engineers who were different than she was, and she was equally sure that Karen had met some of them. Indeed, she spoke up at once.

Stendhal: Oh, believe me, I've come across plenty of them in the past. As stiff as a board and about as useful as a chocolate teapot and adaptable as a square peg in a round hole. If it makes sense!

Nijal: I think so.

Zi had long ago accepted that idioms and phrases were the hardest elements of language to translate, and even if she was fluent in Standard now, that didn't mean that she fully every possible combination of words -- and she'd demonstrated well that when Karen had first come in. She knew it well from the other side, too, because plenty of the sayings she'd grown up with simply didn't make sense in Standard. Worst of all were the rhymes, because there was virtually no way that those didn't completely fall apart when translated.

Stendhal: Well, we've already got Section 5. And please don't take these questions personally!

Zi took the final sheet that Karen handed it over, and began to read it even as she spoke.

Nijal: I won't.

After all, she hadn't had any issue with the questions so far -- but as she read on, she understood why Karen had flagged this final section in particular.

Section 5: Physical and Mental Health

Physical Health: Are you in good physical health? Do you have any chronic health conditions or limitations?

Mental Health: Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health condition? If so, how is it managed?

Substance Use: Do you use any substances (e.g., alcohol, drugs)? If so, how do they affect your behavior and decision-making?

Nijal: (with a slight smile) I see what you mean.

Stendhal: Response

Zi set to with a will, though the final section didn't benefit much from her practiced handwriting, since she didn't have much to write. After only a couple of minutes, she looked up again. Somehow, they'd almost finished this bowl of tempura, too.

Nijal: I don't think I have much to say here, actually. I do drink alcohol, when I can, but that isn't office. Leave periods and the like.

She gestured around, indicating the lounge.

Nijal: (lowering her voice) But -- can I tell you something in confidence?

Stendhal: Response

Nijal: Nothing illegal, I promise. (beat) I have a stash of kanar in my quarters, not because I love it, but it's a nice reminder of home every once in a while. Although mostly I've just been trading it away. I got a really nice bottle of delaq from Morro Caras just the other day.

Zi shut herself up before she spoiled anything more, but never mind. Maybe she could share some of her stash with Karen in the future.

Stendhal: Response

Nijal: As for the health questions, no. Or not really. (a slight, brittle smile) Only "being Cardassian." It's not bigotry or anything so ugly, but (beat) it's always colder than I like, on every ship and station and installation. Colder, and brighter. And there's nothing to do about that, I know, and I've gotten used to it, but I'm still aware of it.

Stendhal: Response

Zi helped finish out the bowl, and then sipped at the last of her tea. She couldn't believe that they'd been talking for so long, and she very much appreciated Karen's time and -- again, she hoped she was right -- the beginnings of a friendship.

Tags! and TBC!

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Lieutenant Zimedia Nijal

Mission Specialist

USS Octavia E. Butler

V238208LV0

she/her/hers (this character) & he/him/his (player)