Cmdr. Alora DeVeau - " And The Beard On His Chin Was As White As The Snow"
Amanda Nordstrom
((Corridor Outside of Alora DeVeau’s Quarters, Deck 5, USS Thor))
Alora hadn’t expected a visitor, and she definitely hadn’t expected that visitor to be Santa. To be honest, she hadn’t realised that Santa was a Xindi, but in all fairness, neither did Shyla. The appearance of the insectoid humanoid bedecked in Santa regalia had thrown her for a loop, but once she not only realised why he was there (and how much his words didn’t quite match with the holiday), she laughed and immediately started playing the game. Inviting Naledi in, a flurry of bodies flashed by, encircled Naledi’s feet, then flew up to the back of the couch. Only when they stopped moving could they truly be seen. Both were felines, one was lavender, the other a terran calico, and they settled on the back of that couch, eyeing the visitor.
Alora’s quarters were not sparse. She had instruments in one corner, and wherever a shelf would fit, one was placed, and all of them were completely full of an array of plantlife, though a specific species outnumbered the others, with its fuzzy leaves and various shades of blossoms. She didn’t pay any attention to them at that moment, however, fully focused on her daughter and her visitor.
DeVeau: See, Shyla, Santa can find you anywhere!
Of course, Naledi didn’t leave it there. While his greeting might have been from the wrong holiday, he must have done some research when it came to music.
Naledi: Chirp Snap Pop Hiss… It senses when you are asleep, it is aware when you are awake.
Setting down the toddler now that they were away from the door, the little girl immediately made a beeline back over to Naledi and grabbed onto the hem of his coat while Alora giggled happily at the slightly altered lyrics.
Shyla: Abadabadasaioder, Santa!
Shyla: Abadabadasaioder, Santa!
When Naledi sat on the couch, Flora immediately retreated, unused to such a tall and…well, interesting looking person. Sachiko, however, settled herself down, feet tucked under her and tail curled around her body so she became a kitty loaf, completely unbothered by the insectoid Xindi. Meanwhile, Naledi lifted Shyla who, also completely unbothered by a giant insect Santa, lifted her arms and babbled happily.
Naledi: Chirp Snap Hiss Pop… Ho Ho Ho Little One, have you been a good human this year?
Shyla: Murashroaish reidnried haer dira heirehdnns dippqdapz!
DeVeau: I think that means ‘yes’.
Even as her mother, Alora didn’t always understand toddler-speak. While it wasn’t unusual to hear actual words in the ‘sentences’, that one was completely devoid of anything she recognised.
Fiddling with his beard, Naledi managed to adjust it just so, keeping it squared just so upon his face. Quickly, Alora rushed to her room and returned with a camera, capturing everything in a video.
Naledi: Snap Pop Hiss… What would it like for Christmas? Ho Ho Ho.
Shyal: Supda! Bafa bamda mif!
The child clapped her hands together, and Alora did her best to stifle the laughter that threatened to burst forth at the scene.
Naledi: Hiss Snap Crack... It sees, It knows.
Shyla: Dows! Dows!
At that, she lifted a finger to her own nose, then tried to do the same to Naledi. But Naledi didn’t have a nose, and all that it came into contact with was fuzzy beard. Evidently, it was enough for the child who clapped her hands together again then clicked her tongue in what sounded like an attempt to mimic Naledi’s language.
Naledi: Response
DeVeau: Did she manage to say anything meaningful?
Again, Alora giggled, a rather reserved sound considering the absolutely delight everything in front of her was. Grinning broadly, she moved to get a different angle of the two.
Naledi: Response
DeVeau: Well, she’s quite happy about your visit, Santa. Shyla, do you have anything else you want to say to him?
The toddler turned to blink at her mother, then tilted her head back to peer at the red eyes set in a green face, which coordinated nicely for the season.
Shyla: Sooda bala Santa!
With that, the child’s hand lifted again, but that time, it gripped upon the beard and pulled in a single, sharp movement.
Naledi: Response
-- Commander Alora DeVeau Chief Science Officer USS Thor & Matriarch of the 15th House Betazed M239008AD0