Ensign T’Fearne - Vulcan Politics
Teayl Thorn
((OOC: Slight detail clarification “Stepping out of the head, T’Fearne donned a fresh uniform and looked around slowly, eyes scanning the room anew.” As stated in original sim - Ensign T’Fearne - Goldilocks Effect))
((T’Fearne’s Quarters - Deck 8 - USS Ronin))
The door hissed open behind her with a familiar swish.
T'Fearne turned, still barefoot, clad in a freshly replicated gold-shouldered uniform. Damp curls clinging to her neck, evidence of her sonic shower and then the rough hair-wash she had managed in the sink. A strange Vulcan brazenly strode into her quarters as if she belonged there. Not even appearing startled to find her there.
There was a tense pause as the two officers regarded each other from under sharply slanted eyebrows.
T’Fearne inhaled, smoothing her voice, attempting to play gracious host despite her weary state. Carefully, she raised her scraped fingers into a respectful 1ta’al.
T’Fearne: :: quietly clearing her throat :: 2Na'shaya. Nash-veh shar'es T'Fearne. Ish-veh saudau ik etek ma vesh' tor u' roommates. :: switching to Federation Standard :: I suppose you were assigned here while I was away briefly, Ensign…?
The newcomer reflected the ta’al and replied in Vulcan, her tone flat without much inflection.
Vylax: 3Ik nam-tor yeht, t’fearne. Nash-veh t’anara vylax, hali haseretsu, heh based fi' wuh compartment label, ish-veh uzh roommate.
T’Fearne: I seem to have luck that sees me paired with medical personnel. Your predecessor :: indicating the bunk :: is one of Ronin’s doctors. This is my first posting out of the Academy. I've been on the Ronin for a year, :: checking the ship's chrono :: As of today, actually.
Vylax: Congratulations. I have been in the service of Starfleet since 2360, Terran calendar.
T’Fearne raised a brow. Out of politeness more than enthusiasm, she offered a small nod.
oO Was that sarcasm and a flex? Oo
She tamped down her jump to conclusions. Vulcan reserve was useful for this exact kind of mildly infuriating situation. Trying to get through the interaction with politeness and what little effort she could muster, T’Fearne gestured reassuringly, welcoming the acting ensign into what she realised now was her quarters too now.
Returning to the bunk to take a seat, easing herself down. Her muscles ached with protest. She grabbed fresh socks, sliding them over bruised feet, pulling on her black boots with ginger fingers. The routine grounded her. She looked up again.
Across the room, Vylax had settled down onto the ruined sofa, technically the CMO’s stolen sofa, covered up by a throw to hide the evidence. The suspiciously folded laundry was beside her.
T’Fearne tried again for conversation.
T’Fearne: So, where are you from, 4ne-lan? :: guessing :: 5Minshara?
The question caught in her thoughts, stirring a memory, her first day aboard, when Commander Alieth had asked her something almost identical.
Vylax: P’Jem. Yourself?
T’Fearne: Oh, I’m not familiar. I was born on Vulcan, but spent most of my life growing up on Betazed, actually, 6the coast of Hedeya.
The woman raised a slanted brow.
oO Is that what I look like during conversations? Oo
Vylax: Intriguing.
The woman's dry tone and subtle sneer were mildly irritating. T’Fearne sighed under her breath. This new roommate was not making a good first impression. Though not the worst first meeting she’d ever had and Alyndra was her closest friend now.
oO Come on, Fea, give her a chance. You know what it’s like to be the new person. Be welcoming. Oo
As T’Fearne was trying to come up with an appropriately polite question, T’anara got up and ordered from the replicator.
Vylax: Klingon Blood Wine, twenty degrees celsius, synthetic.
The unit dispensed the dark brown, pungently steaming liquid in a large metal cylinder. T’Fearne almost retched as the smell of the hot liquid hit her sensitive nostrils.
Vylax: So, are you a Hybrid?
T’Fearne blinked, thrown off by smell and the sudden personal query.
T’Fearne: :: quickly composing her emotions and clearing her throat :: Um, Yes, half-betazoid. You can tell?
Her eyes flicked to the faint softness at the edge of Vylax’s pointy ears. Not quite full Vulcan sharp.
oO Ah, takes a hybrid to know one. Oo
T’anara sipped at the bloodwine.
Vylax: My apologies, did you want anything from this unit too?
T’Fearne: No, no, I’m fine. Thank you! :: Lifting her glass of cold water ::
oO A tranquilliser, maybe a nasal cauteriser! Oo
Something occurred to her, Vylax had claimed Starfleet service dating back to 2360. Which meant she’d been in uniform decades before T’Fearne was born. The term ne-lan now echoed in her head like a klaxon. She had disrespectfully referred to the much older and more experienced woman as a student or trainee. An easy mistake to make, but a potentially embarrassing one. Vulcanoids tend to have a long lifespan and look relatively youthful for much of that time. The woman was clearly an Acting Ensign. A small headache began beating behind her temples. She would need to appease her if the woman took "offence". She disliked Vulcan politics and posturing!
T’Fearne: You are perhaps not full Vulcan either, yourself? Your ear tips are less sharp than most!
Vylax: Response
T’Fearne: Ah, that is quite a coincidence, my last roommate, the ship's Doctor, was also Trill. So then, Vylax is the Simbiont?
T’Fearne offered a faint smile. Genuine this time.
Vylax: Response
T’Fearne: You mentioned you’re a 7hali haseretsu? That translates roughly to... craft pharmacist, right?
Vylax: Response
T’Fearne: Ah, I see. :: glancing back to the sofa :: Did… uh… did you fold my laundry, while I was away? Or did Alyndra leave it that way?
She squinted slightly, uncertain whether to be grateful or alarmed at the personal overstep.
Vylax: Response
[Tag, You’re It! / TBC]
OOC:
1Vulcan gesture of greeting, you know the one 🖖
2Vulcan Translation - “Welcome. I am security officer T'Fearne. It appears that we have been made as roommates.”
3Vulcan Translation - “That is correct, T’Fearne. I am T’anara Vylax, ship pharmacist, and based on the compartment label, your new roommate.” Translation as T’Fearne understands it. “That be correct, T’Fearne. I, T’anara Vylax, craft pharmacist, and based on container label, that one new roommate.”
4ne-lan → Vuhlkansu, trainee, one who is being trained; student (honorific)
5Minshara → Vuhlkansu, one of the names for Vulcan (planet)
6The coast of Hedeya - Hedeya a continent of Betazed
7hali haseretsu → Vulcan Translation, craft pharmacist
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Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14