(REPOST) JP Lieutenant Is'Kah Xiron and Lieutenant (JG) Taj'el - Infinite Diversity, Uneasy Combinations Part 1
Kaitlyn Kalor
Lieutenant Is’Kah entered Valhalla and instantly felt a shiver run down zhen spine. It was as if Lady Hestia didn’t like zhen visiting the land of the dead, even in jest. As the Greek Goddess of the Hearth, she would have preferred the Vulcan hybrid visiting something dedicated to Frigga, and the petite officer knew that.
It struck Is’Kah how unusual zha was. A Trill/Vulcan with the soul of an Andorian, while carrying another Vulcan’s katra bound for Mount Seleya, and worshiping a Human Greek Goddess. If zha wasn’t a walking endorsement of Infinite Diversity, Infinite Combinations, zha didn’t know what was.
The room gave Is’Kah ideas for the Valkyrie’s own Valhalla Lounge, from the square tables that allowed clustering or separation depending on someone’s mood at the time. The stone walls were lined with shields in the style of the Vikings over a thousand years prior, along with period-accurate weapons. The was something strange about the helmets; they had horns attached to them. Not even zhen ceremonial Andorian Clan armor had those attached to the headwear
Is’Kah stood at 145 centimeters, had reddish brown hair that was shaved from the part line down, exposing purple Trill spots that contrasted with zhen golden fair skin. It also revealed zhen pointed ear with a bar through it two-thirds of the way up, while four other hoops curved down the cartilage. On either side of zhen nostrils was a piercing with a silver chain connecting the two across the bridge of the nose. Zha wore black eye shadow and lipstick, while a black choker wrapped around zhen neck.
The petite woman wore a black lace camisole that covered zhen arms and torso. The material diffused a tattoo on zhen left shoulder of a phoenix leaving a Borg’s mouth with April 12, 2401. The same date on which the hive mind took over the fleet’s young, nearly decapitating the Federation. As it was, the fleet was still recovering from the immense loss of life. Zha also wore a black skirt that came to just above zhen knees, along with a pair of boots with silver spikes. Zha also held a PADD in one hand.
After ordering dinner at the replicator, Is’Kah found an empty spot to sit where zha could watch the entrance. On zhen tray were diced roast lamb, spanakopita, kimchi, zucchini rolls, and a very cheesy tteokbokki. To drink, the petite hybrid had traditional Vulcan tea.
Taj’el had been in their standard uniform, as they had found it to be the most comfortable attire, even during off-duty hours. Their light brown, or light red, hair had been styled in a traditional Lir’tal cut. Their posture had been slightly tense, as they had not typically frequented the lounge. Their attempts to broaden their social horizon had been met with a degree of uncertainty regarding its value. The only notable distinction had been the standard-issue black gloves they wore, which they had idly fidgeted with as they approached the replicator.
Taj’el: T’khasi spiced tea, hot.
Turning around with their cup in hand, they had been uncertain where to sit, as it had been more crowded than they preferred and their usual companions had not been present. Studying those around them, they noticed a Vulcan-like individual seated not far away. Logically, that individual had seemed the most suitable choice for social interaction, and they had decided to approach.
Bowing their head as they sat across from them, they noted the individual’s notably unconventional appearance, along with the presence of Trill spots.
Once Is’Kah had resumed the novel zha had started the night before, the petite hybrid picked up zhen chopsticks in zhen left hand and started eating. It wasn’t long before zha noticed another Vulcan sit across from zhen, which drew a smile from the Trican.
Is’Kah: Hello there, I’m Lieutenant Is’Kah Xiron, stationed on the USS Valkyrie. My primary pronouns are zha/zhen, but she/her is also acceptable. May I inquire as to yours?
Zha bowed zhen head slightly to show respect to the older Vulcan.
Taj’el: I am Lieutenant, Junior Grade Taj’el, of the medical department. I use they/them pronouns.
Is’Kah: It is a pleasure to meet you, Taj’el.
Taj’el: It is a pleasure, Lieutenant. I hoped your time aboard the Thor will be educational.
Is’Kah: Have you been stationed on the Thor long?
Taj’el: This is my first posting, and I am still quite new to the ship. How about yourself and the Valkyrie?
Is’Kah: The Valkyrie was commissioned a few months ago, but most of the crew came from the USS Chin’toka.
Taj’el still knew little about ships and areas, and it had felt prudent to ask where the Valkyrie was located for the sake of conversation. Zhen seemed much more proficient in speaking than Taj’el, and they had not wanted to be a burden.
Taj’el: What region is the Valkyrie stationed?
Is’Kah: South of the Par'tha Expanse, in the Solerian Sector. It lies at the galactic edge, near the Alpha and Beta quadrant borders.
Taj’el: I admit I am unfamiliar with that location.
Is’Kah: It’s not far from the former Romulan and Klingon Empires.
Taj’el looked down at their tea, tapping it softly as they thought. They lifted it to take a sip; upon setting it down, they noticed the considerable amount of food their companion had taken. Raising an eyebrow, they noted the meat and other items. They were a hybrid and not confined to Vulcan tradition; however, they wondered whether their companion experienced emotional difficulties with their heritage, or whether nothing about it was unusual.
Taj’el: You seem very hungry.
Is’Kah: As the Valkyrie’s Chief of Security, I must be prepared for any potential problem. As such, I train extensively and require a substantial caloric intake, including high protein. Sampling many dishes during a meal improves nutrition and reduces food fatigue. Then, the best thing about replicator dishes is that they are completely vegan and do not violate Vulcan cultural norms.
The Trill hybrid took a moment to combine a sample of the rice cakes with a slice of lamb, using a pair of chopsticks, and took a bite.
Taj’el: Interesting. It appears you have given considerable thought to your meals.
Is’Kah: I have found that since I bonded with my Andorian partner, I have developed a desire for Red Bat kabobs. Strangely enough, it just so happens to be her favorite food. As in, that’s what she ate for every meal.
An Andorian partner, that was fascinating. Given their interest in other cultures, Andorian society was one they knew reasonably well, though only in a theoretical sense, having mostly book knowledge rather than practical experience. It was notable that some of their choices were influenced by their partner. Logically, this made sense, yet it was an aspect Taj’el had not previously considered: that taking a mate outside one’s culture would require a degree of compromise and adaptation. Even in simple friendships, such give-and-take was present.
Taj’el: Was it an attempt at understanding, or merely a sympathy craving?
Is’Kah: I wanted to broaden her surprisingly limited meal options, so I tried many dishes to find what she would enjoy. That involved trying a variety of replicated meats, which I ended up really enjoying.
Taj’el: So it was intended to expose them to new experiences. That is quite thoughtful of you. I had not considered eating, or what I consume, in relation to others.
Taking a moment to sip their tea, they considered the concept of bonding and partners. They wondered how such arrangements functioned with non-Vulcans. Their thoughts briefly turned to their own promised partner, a flicker of guilt surfacing before being efficiently suppressed. They looked back toward their table companion, carefully weighing what questions would be appropriate and which would risk crossing into undue personal intrusion.
Taj’el: If I may ask, what is your role aboard the Thor? I also assume you arrived alone, and not with your mate?
Without realizing it, Is’Kah’s face had slowly gone blank while zhen tone was more Vulcan.
Is’Kah: I am currently escorting a reporter from the Federation News Service. She has a list of individuals to interview, including your Captain. Additionally, I inquired with Commander Tam regarding her willingness to act as my child's guardian should any unforeseen circumstances arise concerning my partner and myself. I am grateful for her consent to do so.
Taj’el: You did state you are a security officer. You must be quite proficient in your duties.::noting zha height in relation to their own.
Is’Kah: I have been engaging in training to compensate for the complete lack of it because I graduated from the Academy as a Warp Core Specialist. I was reassigned to security duties one year ago. To facilitate this transition, my partner has been instructing me through our bond in various martial arts of the Andorian Imperial Guard. Do you practice any hand-to-hand defensive techniques?
Taj’el: I just practice Suus Mahna, primarily as exercise rather than self-defense. If necessary, I am confident in my hand-to-hand capabilities; however, my phaser proficiency is… lacking.
Is’Kah: As a medical professional, it is understandable to emphasize the importance of maintaining one’s physical health. Upon assuming the role of a security officer, my proficiency with the phaser was limited. However, through trial and error, I realized that aiming lasers at equipment for maintenance was fundamentally similar to targeting with a phaser. Ultimately, it came down to understanding how the scale changed. Would it be advantageous to conceptualize the weapon as a substantial laser scalpel to facilitate this?
The petite officer realized that zha had slipped into a Vulcan frame of mind and speaking habits because zha was thinking in zhen native tongue. It was fascinating how zha returned to habits created by decades of training simply by being around another Vulcan.
Taj’el: That is logically consistent. I possess strong precision in aiming; Vulcans have notably keen vision. However, when engaging moving targets, my timing tends to lag slightly behind. Additionally, after four years of medical training beyond foundational coursework, I have had limited opportunity to refine that particular skill.
Is’Kah: Based on my experience, the inability to adequately defend your shipmates is profoundly damaging to your mental health. An example is that due to my repeated missed attempts to shoot the mechanical spider attacking the bridge of the USS Ronin, I observed a crew member being stabbed and bleeding out immediately. It is not something I recommend repeating.
Taj’el paused, considering the statement carefully. Logically, they would not be expected to protect others, as their primary role was to treat the injured. However, they questioned whether they would accept an outcome in which another officer was harmed due to their own limitations.
Reflecting briefly on the body-swap incident, and how ineffective, even burdensome, they had perceived themself to be, they gave a slow nod, finding agreement with the Lieutenant’s assessment.
Taj’el: As a physician, I would be remiss if I did not ask, have you sought appropriate mental health support?
Is’Kah: I have sought mental health assistance for the purpose of addressing personal well-being concerns regarding the incident. ::Beat:: If you desire, I can evaluate your technique and provide recommendations for enhancement. ::Softer:: That way, you won’t find it logical to blame yourself if it ever happens to you.
Taj’el: I do see the logic in your words. It would be prudent. If you have the time and the willingness to assist me, I will accept your expertise.
Is’Kah: Very well, shall we then?
Somehow, Is’Kah had finished all of the food while they talked. Standing, not that changed zhen height, zha started collecting zhen plates to put in the reclaimer when a waiter came up to take care of it.
There was a sense of disbelief as the smaller Vulcanoid managed to consume a surprisingly large amount of food. Taj’el stood and followed them with their gaze, studying them as though attempting to determine where it could all possibly be stored. Perhaps it was related to their hybrid physiology.
Taj’el: Very well then.
Is’Kah: Please, lead the way to your range or holodeck.
Oh—right. Taj’el was actually more familiar with the layout than the Lieutenant. They weren’t entirely sure where the range was located, but they did know the holodeck. After a brief moment of consideration, they gave a small nod.
Taj’el: I suppose the holodeck would be the easiest place to set this up and begin. Fortunately, it is located on the same deck.
Is’Kah: That sounds perfect.
Lieutenant Is’Kah Xiron
Chief of Tactical and Security
USS Valkyrie, NCC-76418-A
R240101I14
Pronouns:
She/Her (Player and Character)
Zha/Zhen (Character)
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