[Backsim] JP: Ensign Alyndra Syrex & Ensign T’Fearne — Unexpected Roommates: A Midnight Misunderstanding
Alyndra Syrex
(( OOC: Backsim to previous shoreleave when both Ensigns T’Fearne and Syrex joined the Ronin at DS33 ))
(( OOC: No Trill were harmed in the making of this sim. ))
(( Compartment 2 - Sector 4 - Deck 8 - USS Ronin ))
The basic quarters on deck 8 had a cosy somnolence that contrasted with the lively atmosphere of Ronin’s common areas. The room was almost pitch black, illuminated only by the soft light of distant stars through the ports. The low hum of the ship’s environmental systems created a soft, continuous rumble in the background.
The barely awake Trill, stepping on the threshold of being asleep, after her long journey through space. Having only just settled into her quarters she laid on the top bunk, as it was what she’d been used to on training cruises. The moment her head hit her pillow, she was out.
During the night, Alyndra was stirred from slumber by the sound of the doors sliding open. A tall silhouette slipped into the dark room without using the caller, the doors swishing close behind them. Alyndra laid still, keeping her breaths shallow, unsure if the newcomer posed a threat.
T’Fearne was exhausted from a day spent training and helping Senior Chief Solana double-check the torpedo stacks in Module C. She dropped her security PADD on the table. Shrugged out of her gold jacket, tossing it onto the top bunk where it landed with a startled squeak.
At the noise that emerged from the bunk, before she could think, T’Fearne reacted. Grasping wildly in the dark, she grabbed the first thing her hand touched and thumped the suddenly protesting jacket with a soft pillow. Logic finally surfaced in her tired brain.
T’Fearne: oO Oh, come on, jackets don’t squeak! Oo :: Sniffing the air:: oO I should have realised someone else was in here. Oo
Syrex::: Half-asleep and groggy:: Who’s there? I am trying to sleep!
T’Fearne: Computer, lights on! :: Blinking against the sudden brightness::
The lights flicked on, illuminating the cramped quarters and revealing a sleepy, rumpled blond in the top bunk, her blue eyes wide with surprise. The tall brunette straightened from a protective stance. Both ensigns exchanged confused glances as they adjusted to the light.
Syrex: Urghhh ::Groans and turns her head away from the light:: Why does the light need to be so bright? oO I can change the settings on that in the morning Oo
T’Fearne::: Staring in confusion:: I thought this was my quarters. :: Wearily:: Am I in the wrong room?
Alyndra, now able to make out the intruder, saw a tall, seemingly Vulcan woman who had just tossed her gold jacket onto her and whacked her with a pillow. She carefully removed the jacket from her blanket and handed it back.
Syrex: Oh, no sorry. I wear blue, not gold. :: Gestures towards the similarly styled blue-coloured uniform on the other side of the room:: I think you have the wrong department. ::Yawns, in a half-asleep manner:: Also, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t just throw it onto me. I am a Doctor, not a coat rack oO Ok, at least they’re starfleet, I’ve heard of a whole manner of weird anomalies out here Oo.
T’Fearne: oO And I’m a Security Officer, not a butler Oo :: Catching on slowly:: Ah, I think I see. You must be my new roommate. I didn’t realise anyone else was assigned to these quarters.
T’Fearne stepped forward to accept the return of her jacket from the speckled blonde in the top bunk. Sheepishly handing back the offending pillow to the other woman in exchange.
Syrex: Oh.. right… ::beginning to sit up slowly, now slightly more awake:: Yes, I was curious why I had my own room on a ship this small
T’Fearne: My apologies. I hope you are alright. :: ear tips hot with embarrassment:: I can't believe I just whacked you with a pillow. I was assigned these quarters recently and haven’t had a chance to unpack properly.
Syrex: Ah, that would explain the furnishings, sorry to intrude on your space unexpectedly, I thought it was decorated because someone was leaving, I know there have been promotions on this ship recently. I’d assumed they just hadn’t moved their belongings yet.
T’Fearne: Don’t be concerned. I am sure we will get used to it.
Syrex: Please, let’s start again… Ensign Alyndra Syrex, Medical Officer:: Reaches out to shake hands::
As Alyndra reached her hand out to her new roommate, she recalled a lesson on Vulcan etiquette back in the academy. Remembering that, as a species, Vulcans were not keen on physical touch, as it is considered an intimate act in their culture. She pulled her hand back and attempted to do a Vulcan Salute in the direction of the vulcanoid.
Syrex: Sorry, I don’t get much practice with first contact. ::Chuckles:: I’m not exactly a diplomat.
T’Fearne: Ensign T’Fearne, Security Officer. Pleased to meet you. :: Returning the 1ta’al with a wry smile:: I’m only half Vulcan, so handshakes are fine with me. If OPS assigned you these quarters, you must be new aboard the Ronin. Did you just graduate or are you a transfer from Khitomer?
Syrex: Ah… I am sorry to assume ::Pulls her hand back and awkwardly strokes her hair with her hand::. I am a graduate fresh from the academy, well technically from my final exam on Starbase 118, I guess. I arrived via shuttle not too long ago.
T’Fearne: I see, well, welcome to the Ronin. :: Offering a half smile:: It’s been a long day for both of us, it seems.
Syrex: Yeah, it’s been a very long day, so I came straight here after doing all of the boarding procedures. I took this bunk as I usually sleep on top when I’m on a starship. Of course, if you had already claimed this bunk I am happy to move or ::Chuckles jokingly:: you could throw more pillows at me!
T’Fearne::: cracking a grin, seeing the funny side:: No need to move. I’ve been using the bottom bunk since I got here. If you’re comfortable with the top, that suits me fine.
Putting her security jacket in the fresher, T’Fearne walked into the tiny head and washed the torpedo-magazine-bay grit off her face. Through the open door, she called out to the Trill.
T’Fearne::: slightly raised voice:: So, Syrex, you said? Is that a joined Trill name?
Syrex: It’s my family name. I was, and my family still are very involved in the Symbiosis commission. I have been trained for joining, the only checkpoint I need to clear now is an evaluation from a field docent2, then they will let me know. Although, between us, it’s a formality, they already know me very well. Who knows, one day you may come back to our quarters, and I am someone, well several different people! I may ask the captain to recommend me to the commission rather than needing them to send someone out here.
Holding the towel to her nose first to make sure it wasn’t Syrex’s, T’Fearne pressed the fluffy fabric to her damp face and then strode back across the room and flopped down into the lower bunk.
T’Fearne: Fascinating. I remember reading about Trill symbiosis in BIO101. Having you as a roommate should be interesting. You mentioned working in Medical. Are you a nurse?
Syrex: I am a doctor, I received my degree in Biomedical Science on Trill, then went to Starfleet academy to complete my degree in medicine.
T’Fearne: Ah, now I am the one that shouldn't have assumed. The curriculum must have been intense. Being joined would add an interesting layer to your medical career. Past lives must offer a wealth of experience.
Syrex: Yes, I suppose that it would. I can’t even begin to imagine all the memories from previous hosts flooding into me, myself being absorbed and truly becoming one with a symbiont. I have a hard time imagining it wouldn't be helpful though, it certainly helps with the experience doctors need ::Yawns:: Sorry, but I’m not sure if I asked..
oOBecause I am half asleep Oo
Syrex: …But your gold uniform… Is that engineering or security?
T’Fearne: Security. :: repeating for the drowsy Trill:: I’m terrible at engineering.
Kicking off her boots and toeing them under her bunk, the tall vulcazoid stretched out across the lower bunk.
Syrex: Oh really! That's pretty cool. I heal their injury and you prevent it from happening in the first place!
T’Fearne: That’s the idea. Do you mind if I turn the lights off? :: without waiting for an answer:: Computer, lights off.
The room darkened once more, enveloping them in a peaceful quiet.
Syrex: Ah I see, may I ask, does your heritage give you any advantages? I know you’re half-vulcan, may I ask what your other half is?
T’Fearne::: Taking a deep breath to relax her rib cage, replying on the exhale:: I’m Betazoid. :: continuing sleepily:: Probably more so than Vulcan, in the sense that I grew up there. My family is from one of the hou…I mean they have a home there.
Syrex: Oh I see, wow. How did that come about?
T’Fearne::: eyes slipping closed:: Ah it’s boring diplomatic relations.:: tired amusement catching her voice:: My parents are both mediators for the Betazed diplomatic core. But that’s just how they choose to serve…er their community, my mother is a botanist, and my father is an artist, originally from the Artisan Quarter of ShirKahr on Vulcan.
Syrex: Ah that’s really interesting ::Yawns slightly louder::... I am sorry, I’m just really tired right now, I should really continue sleeping, don’t worry about being noisy, I love white noise. ::Yawns again:: I want to continue this conversation though, maybe in the mess hall tomorrow morning?
T’Fearne::: Voice fading:: Over breakfast, that sounds good.
As the adrenaline of their unexpected encounter wore off, both ensigns began to drift to sleep.
Syrex: Goodnight T’Fearne… ::Closes eyes::
T’Fearne: ‘night, S’rex.
[ End of JP ]
(( OOC: 1ta’al - The traditional Vulcan salute given when greeting another. ))
(( OOC: 2Field docent - A joined trill who serves as a guide/evaluator for prospective trill hosts to receive a symbiont. ))
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Ensign Alyndra Syrex
Medical Officer
USS Ronin (NCC-34523)
R240107AS3
&
Ensign T'Fearne
Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14