Ensign T’Fearne - Code Lavender
teayl.thorn
((The 47 Lounge, Mid-Level, Deck 3, U.S.S. Ronin))
T’Fearne reclined in her seat, savoring the sweet tang of the blue fruit she’d just popped into her mouth. The flavor was bright and vibrant, a tangy explosion against her taste buds.
Across from her, the ops officer, Evinrude, lifted his mug to his lips, only to pause halfway. His gaze flickered back to her, his brow furrowed as though something had just occurred to him.
Evinrude: ::With a slight smile, and a raised eyebrow.:: Hang on, were you assigned to interview me? I don't want to drone on about my personal life, if this is an on-boarding assessment.
T'Fearne::: shrugging:: No, it’s partly a security measure. I like to know who I’m protecting onboard the ship and also on any away mission together. If I know who you are and what your strengths are, it helps me do my job better. But mainly it’s nice to make new friends.
Her lips slowly started taking on a bright blue hue.
As her reassurance seemed to assuage Evinrude’s seemingly lighthearted suspicions, the Vulcazoid pondered how to express her additional motives for starting up a conversation with him. She just wasn’t quite sure how to say it or if she should even bring it up with a new acquaintance.
Putting down her chopsticks and leaning back comfortably in her seat, she gave the human her full attention.
Evinrude: Then I'll share my stories and strengths, if you share yours in exchange? ::His eyes drifted over towards the observation windows.:: To answer your initial question, I grew up around Starfleet. I've heard the term 'Starfleet Brat,' but I was honestly a goodie two-shoes...uh, not much of a brat.
He took a moment to gaze out into the deep dark, the stars zipping by them as the Ronin purred along at warp.
Evinrude: But I took a detour after my cadet cruise, and opted to, ah, delay entry into...um, T'Fearne?
T'Fearne: Yes, Evinrude?
T’Fearne gave him a gentle nod of encouragement, sensing there was more to the story. But as she did, she caught him glancing at her—his eyes widening just slightly.
Evinrude: Your lips are turning blue. ::Rudimentary medical knowledge kicked in.:: Can you breathe? ::She certainly didn't seem to be asphyxiating, so he tried another tack.:: Are Vulcans allergic to--ah...sorry, I mean do you have any allergies?
Her slanted brows flew up in surprise as he blurted out the information, springing to his feet. Instinctively, she stood too, but her movements were slower and more controlled.
oO What is the human panicking about, is this an Earth custom? Oo
He leaned into peer first at her mouth and then at the cup of fruit—blue fruit! She pressed her hand to her mouth and then looked confused as it came away without any transfer.
T'Fearne: What is it, Ensign? What—:: Catches glimpse of reflection in the observation window:: Oh, I don’t think it’s supposed to do that!
Her lips were glowing a shade of blue far brighter than before, and a wave of unease rippled through her. Scrubbing at her lips with the back of her hand to no avail. Her fingers came away with no sign of the stain. She quickly retrieved her tricorder from her belt and activated it, scanning herself in rapid succession. Though the scan wasn't medically calibrated, it revealed a worrying result—the presence of a slight corrosive chemical reaction.
T’Fearne: Well, I can’t tell much from this but…:: She winced as the burn on her lips intensified, a dull, coppery taste lingering in her mouth. It spread across her tongue and over her lips. :: She turned to Evinrude and stuck out her tongue:: Ish ny t’un…‘urnin’ ‘lue?
Evinrude: Your tongue is swelling? Okay, we're going to sickbay. ::The line was calmly, but firmly delivered. Next, he opted to distract from her discomfort with humor.:: I guess we should have followed that Ronin tradition after all, and scanned before we ate?
oO Well what do you expect for being that stupid, Fea?Oo
She put her tongue back where it belonged and tried again.
T'Fearne: Apologies ensign. No it's not swelling, though I am experiencing a slight burning sensation. I think your suggestion is prudent. I will report to sickbay and bring this for further scanning.
She indicated the mug of now suspicious blue fruit only to find it already carefully tucked in the Ops officer's hand.
Evinrude: Good idea, we can scan while we walk.
He had abandoned his breakfast-dinner and seemed determined to accompany her to sickbay.
T'Fearne: Your suggestion is logical, but you don’t have to accompany me. I’ve interrupted your meal, please continue your dinner.
He didn’t seem inclined to leave her, not in a pushy way, merely decisive and prudent. She couldn’t fault him for acting exactly as she would if the situation were reversed. She gave a blue rueful smirk and followed him more quickly as the burning sensation in her mouth slowly increased along with a coppery taste.
((Time Skip, Sickbay, Deck 11, USS Ronin))
T’Fearne sat on the side of a Biobed as the tall, lavender-haired Antosian nurse on duty readied her medical equipment while asking questions rather more excitedly than the Vulcanoid was used to. She did her best to give the Leutennant the information that they had gathered en route to sickbay, though the burning sensation in her lips and mouth was becoming sharp. Despite being distracted, she still noticed that there was something off about Evinrude. She had only just met the human, but after practically rushing her down to Sickbay, he had been curiously reticent about entering the complex himself.
T'Fearne::: Explaining to Avae:: The initial tricorder scans indicated it’s a fruit of Bolian origin. I know from experience a component in Bolian blood reacts badly to Vulcanoids and can cause chemical burns. But I don’t know anything about what effect their food would have on my physiology. :: Before Avae could ask:: Yes, I’m a hybrid. Vulcan and Betazoid. :: Glancing at Evinrude:: No ensign, I didn’t just read your mind, I can’t do that.
She didn’t mention her ability to pick up the occasional empathic sense. Since entering sickbay, the young human’s emotional aura had been intriguing, a flash of icy-blue apprehension staved off by something bright and steely, an emotion that he seemed to bend to his will but also held firm, bravery or perhaps it was the determination of his katra. That was his private feelings, and T’Fearne strived to respect the privacy of others' emotions, a principle instilled in her from a young age. She would never simply announce what someone was feeling based on their emotional aura, body language or expressions. If something was troubling him, she would need to ask carefully, with tact.
Avae: Response
She opened her mouth as the nurse examined her blue lips, and then a light flashed inside her mouth and nose. She could still taste the coppery taste of blood and the slightly acidic tang of the mystery replicator fruit.
Evinrude: Response
She gave a micro nod in agreement with Evinrude, her mouth still open until Avae pulled the equipment away. He had brought the cup of fruit from the 47 with them, and now the offending object was waiting to be scammed by medical tricorder.
T'Fearne::: Pulling at the collar of her uniform away from her neck:: It was about 30 minutes ago, I attempted to order a Macchiato from the replicator on Deck 4, but it only gave me this instead:: pointing at the fruit:: then I went up to the first mezzanine floor, met ensign Evinrude up there and decided to try the blue fruit.
Avae/Evinrude: Response
Feeling properly chastised by the lieutenant’s admonishment, the sting of the hypospray she administered and slightly embarrassed that her folly had been witnessed by the new Ops officer whose dinner she had ruined.
oO I will ensure to replace his dinner. He is new and surely does not know yet about the Musashi bar in the battle module. Oo
T'Fearne::: Wincing:: You are right. I will be more careful in any case. I did assume the replicators were calibrated to serve safe… :: To Avae:: No, no, what are you doing? Don’t eat that!
Avae/Evinrude: Response
[Tag, You’re It! / TBC]
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Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14