Ensign T’Fearne - Finding Nemes
teayl.thorn
((Holodeck 3, Deck 4, USS Ronin))
T’Fearne: So, you grew up on a tropical world, still recovering from the scars of occupation... what made you choose Starfleet rather than some other path?
She swam strongly toward the pool's edge, her arms coming to rest as she glanced at Sybil with curiosity.
Nemes: Erm, well, choose? I'm a Nemes. The application for admission to Starfleet Academy came with my birth certificate. I think it was in small print at the bottom right.
T’Fearne: Really? But surely you had a choice?
She raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
Nemes: ::smiling ironically:: Don’t get me wrong. It has its advantages not having to think about what you should do after school.
T’Fearne: Fascinating. So the Federation is your family's legacy? If you had wanted to do something different, you couldn’t? I can’t imagine what it is like not to have the freedom to choose.
Nemes: The Nemes kids all joined Starfleet. I think the family tradition to do so dates back to the year 2289 or so ::smirking:: Of course, we all were free to choose whatever we liked – as long as we chose Starfleet. ::beat, looking at her colleague:: Okay, that sounds way worse than it is. I really love being in Starfleet … What made you join Starfleet?
T’Fearne: I’m the first one in my family to join Starfleet... at least of my immediate family. :: deep breath, face momentarily serious:: I wanted to protect people. Starfleet gave me the opportunity, a set of rules to live by... a structure that resonated with me. Multiple species working together. :: scrunching up slanted eyebrows:: It felt like I belonged, you know? Here on the Ronin, even more so than at the Academy.
Nemes: Response
T’Fearne: Exactly. :: Licking her lips to clear off the artificial water:: I spent a lot of my childhood on Starfleet vessels, accompanying my parents to negotiation summits. I saw how the crews worked and how they treated each other. Sure, every ship has its own quirks, but the core principles... they were the same. :: pausing for a moment, staring into the water:: Growing up on Betazed, I often felt like an outsider. Betazoids... well, they have their way of doing things.
oO Pretentious, entitled know-it-alls! Oo
She took a moment to swallow her anger that rose out like a bubble of hot magma.
T’Fearne: After the occupation, a lot of xenophobia started to surface. It was hard. Even when I tried my hardest to fit in, I was still seen as different by my own people. You probably know exactly what I mean, growing up Human in a Betazoid culture?
The words slipped out more harshly and revealed more than she had intended. The hybrid woman glanced away, slightly embarrassed that she had spilled so much of her deep inner grievance to Sybil.
Nemes: Response
T’Fearne:::letting out a slow breath:: I didn’t mean to bring all that up, but it is the answer to your question. I am accepted here amongst a multitude of species and even some other hybrids in a way that my own people can’t manage. Maybe one-day things will change on Betazed, but for now…:: waving a hand through the water as if to wash away her emotions::
Nemes: Response
T’Fearne::: looking at the young Human with a speculative gaze:: My thanks for sharing your experiences and for listening, Sybil. I have to go get cleaned up in a few minutes, but would you like to race first?
Nemes: Response
With that, the Vulcazoid launched herself from the pool's edge with a powerful kick off the wall, muscles rippling as she pushed herself toward the far side, trying to beat the lyth Sybil to the other side of the pool.
[Tag, You’re It! / End of Scene for T’Fearne]
((OOC: Thanks for letting me jump in on this one Mick, this was good to get some of that back story out.))
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Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14