JP: Ensign Alyndra (Santa) Syrex & Ensign (Elf) T’Fearne: The Xmas Special [Part 2]
teayl.thorn
The ensigns loitered at the intersection of Deck 4, Section 3. The corridor was eerily quiet, save for the soft hum of the ship’s systems thrumming through the hull. The overhead lights cast a clean white glow that bounced off the cold metallic surface of the bulkheads. The air was unusually cool, almost crisp, but there was a stillness to the evening cycle that felt different—more dreamlike.
Alyndra was grateful that T’Fearne agreed to join her on this festive journey. Although the Vulcazoid, in her too-tight-across-the-shoulders elf costume, appeared unimpressed by the bright green dress and striped stockings. Alyndra too felt her movement quite restricted. She had donned her Father Christmas costume as best she could, even if it didn't quite fit. She had to stuff several pillows into her clothes to make them fit, giving Alyndra an uncharacteristically large-huggable appearance. To everyone else, it appeared that Alyndra had plastered her face with a Terran sheep, however it was a faux beard made of the finest nylon. Alyndra knew that Santa was well-known for his rosy cheeks, but now she realised it was a rash from this itchy-itchy beard.
They had borrowed a grav stretcher, marked for maintenance, from a Sickbay locker, piled high with the small colourful packages, and Alyndra maneuvered it along behind T’Fearne as the tall “elf” consulted the ship's crew manifest on her PADD, preparing to tick names off the list as they went to ensure no one missed out. As they walked, they continued to argue about who should drive the floating load of presents.
Syrex: You know… It’s traditionally Santa’s job to check the list twice. Maybe I should take the PADD and you push the stretcher?
T’Fearne: You should drive the stretcher, you over-replicated all the toys, after all, and I’m plotting an efficient route and guiding us along it.
Syrex: I mean… The replicators on this ship have a mind of their own, I went to replicate some chocolate the other day and it just gave me a bucket of shrimp.
T’Fearne: You were eating chocolate? On duty? :: shaking her head at Alyndra:: Look, I agreed to help you, but I am not your house elf. :: PADD tab open, showing a list of job descriptions in reference to the search term “elf”::
Syrex: ::In a high Pitched squeal:: I like chocolate! ::Looking at the PADD intently:: Hmmm…. Well the last thing I need is for you to form a Union so I’ll accept your demands ::chuckles::
A few moments passed between the two, as Alyndra allowed T’Fearne to settle into her role as mission navigator, leading them through the bowels of the ship.
Pausing at an intersection, T’Fearne turned to regard Alyndra.
T’Fearne: Are you sure about this? :: whispered quietly, wrestling with scepticism:: I’m not sure this is how Terrans celebrate Christmas on Earth.
Syrex: Well, whilst you were fiddling with your costume, I watched the film “The Santa Clause” at 10 times speed. I didn’t get the story, but I think I got the idea.
T’Fearne: I wasn’t fiddling! The buttons were tricky to do up. I’m still wondering about the doors that are locked.
Syrex: Who says we are using the door?
T’Fearne::: Shooting Alyndra a dubious look:: Jeffries tubes?
Syrex: ::Flexes her eyebrows:: Santa went through the chimneys ::Grins gingerly::
T’Fearne:::dark eyes narrowing skeptically at Alyndra’s rotund form:: Hmm, perhaps some form of early primitive teleportation.
Syrex: Perhaps, especially given this suit ::slaps her pillow belly::... Either way my elf friend! A little birdy told me you have a security pass so my big belly doesn't need to pass through Marty’s special tubes, Ho Ho Ho ::smiles::
Now looking anywhere but at the determined wannabe Father Christmas, the green-striped elf focused down at her PADD and made a few surreptitious taps as she transferred her weight from foot to foot.
T’Fearne: Er…yeah, sure, something like that.
Syrex: Yeah… I’d use my medical clearence, but it would set off a blue alert in sickbay… So.. Who’s first on the list my lovely assistant elf?
T’Fearne: I’ve plotted the most efficient route to deliver these in the most optimal amount of time. :: Looking back at the slightly floating stretcher, piled high with gifts and then to Alyndra’s marshmallow form:: if we can fit through the Jeffries tubes! Let’s head to the start of the route.
Syrex: Ah yes, ho ho ho ::coughs, then chokes slightly:: Argh! I just inhaled my beard.
Alyndra pulled her beard down to reveal a spreading red rash, on her face. As a doctor she was very aware she was not to itch it, but the urge was primal. Now she knew how Karrod felt. T’Fearne looked with some concern at Alyndra’s glowing skin, the rash looked painful.
Syrex: What the hell do they put in this thing? Now I know why the captain spends so much time looking a beard oils on his PADD. He thinks we don’t know but we do.
T’Fearne: We can make a pit stop at Sickbay so you can treat yourself for that. If you get tired of the toy-making side hustle, I see a future for you in beard care consultation. The Captain can be your first client.
Syrex: ::Make a rainbow with her hands:: “Styles by Syrex” has a ring to it doesn’t it?
The Vulcazoid merely raised an eyebrow, but the corner of her mouth was smiling again. As they trundled through the nearly deserted corridor to the first name on the list, the Christmas spirit was growing infectious, and the Trill doctor was making no effort to treat the spread of the infection, she was, in fact, the instigator.
((A Few Minutes Later))((Outside Luxa’s Quarters, Deck 4, Section 3, USS Ronin))
As the pair approached Luxa’s room, T’Fearne noticed that Alyndra seemed to have a specific gift already picked out and nodded questioningly to it.
Syrex: Do you remember how I told you that I had a toy store? …I hope you did, it’s the whole reason we’re doing this.
T’Fearne: Yes, I had more questions about that. How does it work? Where do you get the products from? Do you just find the replicator sequences in a database somewhere?
Syrex: Well… I kinda made some of my toys based on various members of the crew…
T’Fearne: Wait, you designed these yourself? :: Pausing for a moment to let the full impact of the sentence sink in:: You based the toys on members of…of the crew.
The Vulcazoid’s gaze went to the still-high pile of colourful parcels, remembering how some that she wrapped looked oddly familiar. She blanched a little green at the thought.
Alyndra replied to her friend, her voice becoming less “sing-song” and more mellow as her sentence progressed.
Syrex: Yeah.. I mean… Art reflects life right? I find it easier to template from something I know and it’s kinda a Ronin souvenir if I ever get removed from the crew.
T’Fearne: Ah, so you are giving Luxa something you made inspired by her? You want to leave it for Luxa in her quarters?
Syrex: Yeah… I am, I do.
After a moment of indecision and adjustment, T’Fearne nodded, tapping on the PADD. She subtly sent off a request to Chief Carpenter and Cmdr Luxa.
Meanwhile, Alyndra, unaware of T’Fearne’s surreptitious messaging, looked around to make sure the coast was clear. She took the box made up for Luxa, opening it very carefully and turning its position so that T’Fearne could see what was inside.
Syrex: It’s a small figurine of her, cute right? I also got something for her birds.
T’Fearne: I’m sure she would appreciate the compliment.
The PADD in T’Fearne’s hand emitted a soft chirp, and she promptly opened the door to Luxa’s Quarters. As the door slid open to the dimly lit warm room, the smell of soil, plants and living things hit their nostrils. They entered, cautious not to disturb their colleague's living space. Two fluffy green and peach faces peered at them from a branch where they had been cuddling, soft peeps of greeting coming from the tiny feathered creatures.
Syrex: Wow, it’s quite a space. If our sofa could see this, she’d be very upset.
T’Fearne: Do you like our quarters as it is? We could redecorate—re-upholster the sofa, paint the bulkhead and bring in a few plants.
Syrex: Yeah ::Smiles genuinely:: I’d like that.
T’Fearne: Great, I’m partial to green, but happy to discuss the spectrum.
Syrex: Great! So I’m pretty sure Santa always put the presents under the tree. I would suggest using a piece of foliage, but then Luxa might not see it, and I’d hate to mess with her ecosystem here. Maybe I’ll place it on this chair?
Alyndra set the colourful parcel down on a stylish-looking lounge chair. Smiling, she looked over at T’Fearne. This was surely to be their first delivery of many, but it was still their first, and that was special to Alyndra.
T’Fearne: That looks like a good spot, easy to see.
Syrex: The first present of Christmas… If I celebrated it back on Trill I’m sure I’d feel nostalgic, but… This is still special and cuddly on the inside ::smiles::
T’Fearne: You mentioned something about the birds?
Syrex: Ah yes!
Alyndra took two bracelet-sized plastic rings out of her sack, placing them carefully near the bird's cages.
Syrex: If I remember, birds like to use tools… The biggest bird I know used to be an engineer so…
T’Fearne::: slightly incredulous, pointing at the larger of the preening lovebirds:: That one was an engineer…?:: muttering quietly:: An engineer for what?
Syrex: Oh no! Not this bird! The biggest bird I know is Dekas!
T’Fearne: Ah, that makes more sense. Engineer to ships counsellor is an interesting transition. I suppose people are just more complex organic machines. What have you got for Luxa’s lovebirds?
Syrex: I got these bird toys! ::laughs::
Alyndra smiled towards T’Fearne, their first delivery had gone off without a hitch. As the pair left Luxa’s quarters. The brightly decorated gifts contrasted with the subtle ambient lighting that shone on the plant life that thrived there.
[TBC in Part 3]
===============================
Ensign Alyndra Syrex
Medical Officer
USS Ronin (NCC-34523)
R240107AS3
&
Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14