JP: Ensign Nemes, Ensign T’Fearne, Ensign Syrex & Ensign Evinrude: ((Backsim)) JOPA - Truth or Consequences [Part 1]
teayl.thorn
((2000 Hours - Sybil’s quarters, Deck 8, USS Ronin))
Sybil sat cross-legged on her bed, her hands resting loosely on her knees, as she waited for the group of Ensigns who were about to gather in her quarters this time. Lately, they had often met on the holodeck - or as they liked to say, ‘in Nebraska’. But not this time. She wasn't in the mood for karaoke, pool or the bar atmosphere today. And as she didn't have a roommate, she had invited the others to join at her place.
After her shift, she had hurried back to her room and got into more comfy clothes – a rust-red T-shirt and her soft drawstring trousers, which were tightened at the waist for comfort rather than fashion.
Alyndra was excited at the prospect of going on the opposite side of the corridor. Did Sybil have a window instead of a screen showing the outside of the ship relative to her quarters position on the ship? Alyndra had pondered what could be outside of the door she saw everyday when she left her own quarters. Was it beautiful or a house of horrors like her son's quarters? Today she’d find out. In her arms was a green-stained glass bottle of Earth wine. Hearing that it was a Human tradition to bring an alcohol-based beverage when invited to another's house, she wanted to make a good first impression of the space. Although as she pressed the buzzer for Sybil's quarters, it occurred to her that Sybil grew-up on Betazed, perhaps she wouldn't recognise the greeting of “Bring-a-Bottle”.
Alyndra herself stood outside Sybils quarters for a moment, waiting for the acknowledgement that she could enter. She was wearing a cosier approach to her attire than she normally allowed herself, having very few clothes to pick from. She wore a light gray tank on her top, her bottom wearing a multicoloured pink-purple pattern trouser made of similar, comfy material. On the trousers was, from what she understood, a Canine species from Earth, but in the form of animation. “Bingo” she knew was the character's name, a young, ginger, Australian heeler dog. Her feet were finished off with a pair of purple fuzzy socks that left her worried she’d get electrocuted from the loose electrons she was picking up from the ship's rougher carpet.
Nemes: Come in!
Alyndra entered Sybils quarters, a space full of personality awaited her. Pictures littered around the space, with a clearly, yet beautifully handmade throw on her bed.
Syrex: Hey Sybil! I brought a bottle!
Nemes: Hi! Oh, thanks. ::She grinned when she saw the bottle and pointed to another one that was standing on her desk:: That wasn’t really necessary. ::beat:: Let me guess. From behind the bar?
Syrex: You know it sister! Captains private collection! He won’t miss this… ::squints at the label:: Chateau Picard 2340… Oops…
T’Fearne, having just left her and Alyndra’s shared quarters, strode in behind the Trill. She was clad in comfortable dark pants and a pale mint shirt, holding a dark ceramic pot with an air-tight lid preciously in one hand and a delicate crystalline bowl filled with water and a purple crystal balanced in the other hand. The Vulcazoid paused at the door behind Alyndra and peered over the blond's head to inspect the room. She immediately noticed how Sybil’s décor reflected the personality she had come to know Sybil possessed. Family ties were clear, and a strong sense of professionalism, but she observed that there was something about the room that was—as yet undefined. An indication that spoke of Sybil’s own journey of self-discovery.
As Alyndra moved into the space, T’Fearne followed her into the room and presented Sybil with the ceramic pot.
T’Fearne: Thanks for hosting us, Sybil. :: Handing Sybil the ceramic pot:: Here, I brought you something. It’s an aromatic potpourri, for the umm…just to help with the…er…:: flicking her dark eyes to the now infamous room 0404, just down the corridor:: It’s a tropical blend from the Hedayan Archipelago—dried Betazoid petals, herbs, and spices. Not replicated, just the way I like it. I hope you’ll enjoy the blend.
As she broke the airtight seal of the lid, a faint aroma escaped into the room, the scent of an island after a storm when the citrus fruits and flora are bruised and pungent, and the sea breeze is crisp with the tang of salt—clean, sharp and invigorating.
Nemes: Oh, thank you very much. Hopefully that will help a bit. That one ::tilting her head towards the direction of 0404:: is so pungent, I think I can smell it anywhere on the ship.
T’Fearne::: raising the crystalline bowl:: I also brought a Chime. I wasn’t sure if you already had one and if you would prefer not to, I’ll go put it back in my quarters, but I thought it might be nice to set the frequency for the evening—mark our friendship and well-being. :: Seeing Sybil’s expression and quickly adds:: I was only going to ring it once, not the whole time!
Nemes: Okay. ::beat:: We had one at home, but never really used it. But yeah, that‘s a nice idea. Just put it over there on the desk.
Just then, Tess arrived behind Vulcazoid in the corridor and to avoid crowding the doorway, T’Fearne moved further into the space, putting the bowl on the desk and perching on one of the chairs in the room.
He was dressed similarly to the others but, with a significantly longer walk across the ship to reach Sybil’s quarters, he had worn casual shoes. Dark gray joggers, a pale burgundy v-neck t-shirt, and an olive green plaid-patterned flannel, sleeves rolled to his elbows, completed the look. He was holding a white, unmarked box.
Evinrude: Hi everyone! ::He said, taking in the room. He set the box onto the floor, and started to take off his shoes.::
With all four of them gathered at Sybil's, it was starting to get a little crowded in her junior officer’s quarters. It was fortunate that the young scientist hadn't been assigned a roommate. But she enjoyed it. It didn't feel overcrowded, but cosy. So Sybil sat back down on her bunk and looked around.
Nemes: Nice to have you all here. ::clearing her throat to make it sound official:: So, welcome to my humble shoebox. ::adding with a broad grin:: If we all breathe in at the same time, we might even fit in comfortably.
Tess had reclaimed his box, and slid another chair up to complete a loose circle, finding a spot between T’Fearne’s chair and Sybil’s bunk. He snorted out a laugh at Sybil’s remark, and continued to study her sense of decoration. Her quarters were certainly cozier than his own; he would have to remind himself to work on that.
T’Fearne::: a smile pulling at her mouth at Sybil’s remark:: Your quarters are lovely, Sybil. Thank you for sharing your space with us.
Reaching over to the desk, T’Fearne dipped the purple triangular crystal in the water of the bowl and ran the dull edge along the lip of the vessel with practised ease, producing a dull, soothing chime. The sound resonated through the room, sending waves of tranquillity to everyone present. Alyndra closed her eyes slightly, her entire body felt like it was being rubbed from the inside. The sensation was one of utmost relaxation.
Evinrude: ::Quietly, almost to himself.:: That’s…remarkable. I feel the stress of cleaning up a room coating with frosting melting away…
He hadn’t yet had a chance to tell the others about that messy day in the crew dining area, but since it was on their deck he would bet that they were aware of the incident.
T’Fearne: Did anyone have something in mind for us to do tonight?
Syrex: I could easily sit here and listen to the hummmmm ::Smiles::
Nemes: Erm, why don‘t we just play some party game?
Tess looked to Sybil, and her suggestion sparked a memory. In his teenage years, on Starbase 74, he would sit with his friends in quiet corridors by unused docking bay windows playing truth or dare. The idea of playing now seemed a little juvenile, but it could still be a fun way to break the ice with his new friends.
Evinrude: Oh! Great idea, I’m always down for a party game. What about truth or dare?
T’Fearne: That sounds interesting. I’ll play if you’ll allow it? :: mischievously:: If this is a game about telling if someone is truthful or deceptive, then I can probably tell if you lie… :: instant regret:: oO That was stupid, Fea! Why don’t you just make your friends and colleagues think you spy on their thoughts? Oo
Syrex: Oh I’ve always wanted to play truth or dare! What are the rules?
Nemes: Oh, they are really simple. If you are picked, you have to decide whether you like truth or dare. If you select truth, the player gets to ask you a question and you need to answer honestly. If you select dare, the player gets to give you a dare to do.
As Sybil explained, Tess began to unbox what he had brought with him. The first layer of the box held six shot glasses, stacked in separate padded compartments.
Evinrude: Yeah, that’s the basics of it!
T’Fearne: So, it’s like an interrogation? How do we decide who asks, and who answers? What's the point of the interrogation?
Syrex: Fun! I think?
Evinrude: Definitely for fun, ::he replied, laughing, and indicated the shot glasses.:: These can be for when someone chooses to “pass,” skipping their question or daring deed. Oh! Or, if our Vulcazoid here detects a lie! Like a penalty shot.
The Vulcazoid shifted uncomfortably as he referenced her slip-up. She had decided not to pay any attention to verity or deception when she was with friends.
Tess teasingly nudged T’Fearne with his elbow, and busied himself lining up the shot glasses on the floor in the center of their circle. He then finished unboxing his gift, pulling out a decorative brown clay jug with synthetic stopper. “Tequila Reposado, 100% Agave” was etched into the pottery, and blue floral designs swirled around its circumference. Six shots of liquid the color of light amber were poured out in front of them.
T’Fearn felt slightly confused at how an interrogation was supposed to be fun, but she was willing to try. She nodded and turned to the three other ensigns in the room.
T’Fearne: How about something like this; :: cold expression, voice devoid of emotion:: Have you ever had any business or personal dealings with an intelligent species that holds a grudge against the Federation?
Alyndra snorted, upon hearing her say interrogation she hoped her roommate would try and ask the usual questions. She’d woken up countless times in the night due to T’Fearne asking if her pillow was a threat to the Federation, so it was clearly engrained in her mind.
Syrex: Errr, Fearne… I think the questions are meant to be more personal and less scripted.
The Vulcazoids eartips flushed a little green and she tried to recalibrate how to participate in the Human activity.
T’Fearne: Apologies, :: holding up a hand:: I’ll adjust the question. :: awkward pause, slight shrug:: How many...er…bones do you have?
T’Fearne glanced at Tess and then Sybil to confirm if she was participating correctly. The former was beaming, a genuine amused smile lighting up his face. Laughing softly, he grabbed one of the shots and downed it. He look from T’Fearne to Syrex.
Evinrude: No one’s earned a penalty shot, I just wanted that, ::he explained, refilling the shot of tequila.:: T’Fearne, for the record I love the question. Alyndra, as our medical representative, how many bones do each of our species have?
Syrex: Or… We ask different questions in a circle? We could… Ah!
Alyndra picked up the stolen bottle of Picard wine, placed it on it’s side, and gave it a spin. T’Fearne was not well versed in alcohol types as they had a limited effect on her, but the bottle gradually gathering a static charge from spinning on the carpet looked rare and vintage. With a lazy arc, it landed with the neck pointing at Tess.
[TBC in Part 2]
============================
*Ensign Sybil Nemes*
Science Officer
USS Ronin
D239009VD0
&
Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14
&
Ensign Alyndra Syrex
Medical Officer
USS Ronin (NCC-34523)
R240107AS3
&
Ensign Tess Evinrude
Operations Officer
USS Ronin
R240111TE1