Katsim Peri - "Someplace Dangerous?"
Amanda Nordstrom
(OOC: If anyone else wants to join, feel free to--I left an "any" tag at the bottom)
((USS Octavia E. Butler, hallway to transporter room)
When the announcement came that they were going to stop off at Deep Space 14, Peri elected to take advantage of it. While the arboretum and holodeck did offer her and Echo places to go and walk around, it was still nice to get off the ship every once in a while. She wished Wes was there, and the two could explore the station together, but he was still at his previous posting with no information as to where or when he might shift places. Either way, whether near or far, she remained faithful, and would await a time when they could serve in the same place again. She just hated the distance, and visited him whenever she could. Unfortunately, this shore leave would not offer an opportunity, but she would at least take the time to wander.
Once they arrived, she made her way toward the transporter room. Echo hung over her shoulder, her body on one side, the tail winding around to flop over the other, keeping perfect balance, no matter how Peri moved, though she wasn’t a particularly energetic walker. No, that came when she ran, and she had to admit, she hoped they would find a planet during a shore leave where she could run in a wide open space, or perhaps upon a path that would allow her to take advantage of the beauty of nature. It was then she missed Bajor the most, especially her special place. Perhaps next time they visited, she could take Wes there again. Her thoughts were so tangled that as she approached the transporter room, she didn’t quite register that someone else was also aiming straight for the entrance at the same time.
Nis: Oh, hi, sir! Are you also going to DS14?
Freezing, the question was immediately greeted with a blank look and a brief blinking of the eyes as Peri shook herself from her reverie. When she finally realised what the question was, she nodded slowly, answering in silence.
Nis: We’re Jania Nis. We're going to the arboretum. We heard there are some really neat trees there. You’re a scientist, right? Want to come along?
The invitation came unexpectedly and once again, the Trill was greeted with silence, though that time it was accompanied with a slight tilt of the head as the woman pondered. She hadn’t met Jania Nis before, though she wore blue, so that meant she must be medical rather than science. After a brief contemplation, Peri nodded again. She had been encouraged by friends to branch out, get to know others. Although that was difficult for her, this afforded the opportunity, and doing so one on one was a lot better than with a larger group.
Peri: Actually, yes. It’s not my specialty…that’s astrophysics…but it would be nice.
There. She said something. And she even told the woman something about her. Oh wait. She forgot something.
Katsim: I’m Katsim Peri. But…just call me Peri.
They weren’t on duty, so there was no need for formality.
Nis: Oh, wow, astrophysics, huh? Well, they’ve got some Petel Stones there--those are kind of astro . . . uh . . . physical. They’re space plants!
Peri couldn’t help but smile a little. The woman was certainly enthusiastic, and reminded her a little bit of Ayna. Nodding, she motioned toward the doors that led into the transporter room.
Peri:Shall we go?
Nis: Great! Let’s do it! After that we can grab some lunch at Souv-lucky Day. It’s a Greek place.
Peri didn’t think she’d ever had Greek, but she was open to trying it. As the Trill led the way, she followed, one step behind.
((Deep Space 14 Arboretum)
Deep Space 14 displayed a different style than other stations she’d visited. Terok Nor, as Deep Space 9 was called, featured darker, sharper architecture, while this was wider, more open, with smoother lines and longer arches. Though they couldn’t get away from some standards at Space stations, it was an interesting study in the differences between them. Remaining silent, Peri kept up easily with Jania as the two traversed through the area, making their way to higher levels, only to find that trees started to pop up, quite literally. The doorway was fashioned by two that arched toward each other, creating a path to enter an area that was completely covered with flora save for the ceiling. Looking up, Peri noted the beautiful ceiling gently glowed, offering life giving light to the plants under their watchful eye. Even insects danced and buzzed about, playing at her ears. Echo quickly made work of one, snapping it out of the air and enjoying a tiny snack.
As they moved further in, some of the trees grew larger, and colour sprang to life among the branches. The first hue was purple, her keen eyes spotting the petals among the verdant leaves high above them. Immediately, Echo pushed herself up to her feet, balancing even more upon the shoulder, ready to leap off at any moment, when a young Vulcan approached them.
Guide: Good afternoon. Would you like a tour of the arboretum?
Nis: Tour? Oh, I thought we would just . . . walk around.
Guide: That would be exceedingly dangerous.
Peri paused and glanced over at Jania. Echo’s tail whipped, and before the Bardassian could stop her, the creature launched into the air and began to dance among the branches.
Katsim: Why would Starfleet do something dangerous? If the arboretum was open to the public, it didn’t make sense.
Guide/Nis: Response
Katsim: I see.
Peri cranked her neck and thought about calling her dragonet back down, but Echo was ready for flight and despite the silent command, more of an emotional appeal rather than a verbal one, the creature was far too engrossed in her play.
Guide/Nis: Response
Katsim: What would happen if someone accidentally walked in here unattended?
If the place was so dangerous, they had to think of possible scenarios like that, right?
Guide/Nis: Response
-- Lt. Cmdr. Katsim Peri Chief Science Officer USS Octavia E. Butler M239008AD0