Ensign Alix Harford- Dangling Our Feet In
Meri
Alix opened the door just as Trej was knocking on the door across the hall and the Commodore opened it wearing the same style robe as Harford.
Trej: Right this way, Doctors.
Alix followed behind the Commodore and Trej down the small hallway and into another room with three low benches on all sides of a tank approximately 1 meter tall and covered by a thick silver cloth.
On the open side of the tank, hanging from the wall, was a view screen and a small ceremonial tank of blood wine.
A tall Vulcanoid woman entered and gestured for them to sit on the benches.
T'Pri: Thank you for joining, we will start with a quick animation for our new comers, it is necessary for your safety.
The Commodore smiled and sat on one of the side benches. Alix sat on the bench that made a right angle with the Commodore's. She wad close enough to be conversatioal while still giving each woman a bit of personal space. She could see the Commodor's face, or she would be able to if he gaze wasnt fixed on the tank in front of her, drawn by the unmistakable sound of large fish swimming and lapping in the water.
Harford: Oh, the video right. Sorry.
Harford tore her gaze from the tank and focused on the blank view screen.
T'Pri nodded and the animation began, the screen springing to life showing a stylized and animated, cartoonish version of the tank currently in front of them.
Narrator: Thank you for coming to our traditional Ke'ToQ ceremony. It is with great pleasure we welcome you and invite you to an ancient tradition practiced by Klingon Warriors since the time of Kahless to improve their performance in battle, and it made them look pretty snazzy too.
On the screen two cartoon Klingons appeared - one male and one female, smiling, sticking their legs into the tank, grimacing, followed by some bubbling, and then pulled out smooth legs. They smiled wide, exaggerated, cartoonish smiles, drew their knives, and ran off into battle.
Harford didn't notice the Commodore's gaze as she was looking from the view screen to the tank. Her facial expression was odd as fear was slowly being replaced by a morbid curiosity.
Narrator: Of course, it is not for the faint of heart, the Ke'ToQ fish is a scary looking fish ...
A very real picture of the fish appeared on the screen, gross, scaly, and with teeth that did not fit in its mouth. Its fins were more like hard bones, and its eyes were small and beady, and it looked like something out a nightmare. The measurements on the screen showed them to be around 75mm nose to tail.
The Commodore chuckled.
Oddas: At least they show you a real picture of that.
Narrator: The Ke'ToQ have a curious predilection, and love to rub up against the skin of anything you place in with the tank, pulling and removing all the little loose bits that you don't want anyway.
The screen changed again, this time showing an underwater view, for legs underwater, with a dozen of the fish - an all cartoon version this time including fish, water, and legs, not moving at first, then slowly, noticing the legs, and touching, bumping the legs, each other, and gradually picking up speed, As they did, they began to pick hit the legs with more frequency and velocity, over and over, as they did their scales, bone fins, and the edges of their teeth, and their bodies were pulling bits of skin from the legs, then slurping it down.
The animation made it clear their mouths were too big to actually bite anything directly.
Narrator: After just two standard minutes, they have done their job, but don't be as heroic as the two in our video - seven standard minutes is the maximum, and the time required for the celebratory blood wine.
On the video, the two Klingons were back, this time running a hand over their obviously smooth legs and toasting each other with bloodwine.
Narrator: Remember, while it can be painful, you can pull your legs out at any time, and our staff is available to assist. Plenty of our patrons get enrichment, enjoyment, and benefit from 1 minute, 3 minutes, or less of the treatment. There is no shame in deciding this is not for you, and of course, Astra Aura assumes no risk or responsibility if you begin the ceremony.
The animation ended, and the screen went dark, and Aria noted two more attendants had entered the room - an Orion woman and a man of the same species as Krel, dark blue skin and large eyes. They positioned themselves behind the Commodore and Alix.
Trej: Doctors, ready?
Harford: Not entirely, but why out it off. ::curt nod::
Oddas: Ready
Alix watch as the Commodore moved forward and gripped the edges of the bench as Trej pulled the cover off the tank - the clear water showing a much more densely populated tank than the animation implied.
As the Commodore lowered her legs into the tank, one after the other, Alix looked away and braced her hands on either side if her, palms flat on the bench. She did not need to move forward but rather unfolded her long legs and stuck them both into the water at the same time.
Harford: OH! ::she winced:: That's not the most pleasant... ::wince, deep exhale::
Alix closed her eyes and focused on the pain for a moment. She acknowledged it, accept the pain but also realizing it was not unbearable. Very much like falling on gravel with bare knees.
Oddas: Response
Harford: Honestly, Sir. It's not quite as bad as my mind had built it up to be. ::pause:: Very nearly as bad, but not quite.
Oddas: Response
Harford looked up and around the room for something to distract her mind. Finding nothing she began to count her approximation of the seconds passing.
oO 34, 35, 36, 37... Oo
Harford: So tell me, Sir, what is your doctorate in, if you don't mind me asking.
Oddas: Response
Harford nodded: That's interesting. I'd never heard anyone refer to you as anything but Commodore or Sir.
Oddas: Response
TAG, TBC
Ensign Alix Haford
Medical Officer
Denali Station
D240104AH2