New Beginnings

Posted on Sat Feb 15th, 2014 @ 9:16pm by Lieutenant JG Sharina Endilev & Ensign Sivity Dar-Barriun

Mission: Picking Up the Pieces
Location: A Bar

ON:

Naturally, Sivity had completely omitted to make a report of any useful substance whatsoever. She'd entered the bare minimum necessary to permit her to head for home. That had been yesterday. Today, she'd been free to explore and fill her time as she would. She trained and practiced: activities she enjoyed greatly. Having eaten, she dressed and headed out to a local bar. This was more from curiosity than anything else. She wanted to see what formed the typical personal of a Star Base.

Sivity entered the bar. Mere moments later the noise noticeably lessened and a great many heads swivelled to fully appraise her presence. She smiled sweetly. She was used to that response and actually invited it. She wore a ridiculously short, shiny grey-blue dress. Her legs were covered by black thigh boots with towering spike heels. Her armpit high gloves matched them. This outfit displayed her gorgeous figure very effectively. It also detracted from the numerous fetishes and charms that she wore.

Her wrists, ankles, throat and ears were adorned by a cornucopia of odd items: most of which would have little meaning to the untrained eye. To Sivity they were pivotal to her well being. They protected her from misfortune and brought luck in times of need.

She strode confidently up to the bar and ordered a small Andorian ale. Whilst the noise returned to its former levels, most eyes stayed trained on her exquisite and unusual form. However, she did not like drinking at bars: they invited too much of the wrong sort of attention. She turned and surveyed the area for a suitable spot to relax.

Sharina had had a tiring day. Needing a drink she headed to the local bar and entered, causing the atmosphere to die down once again. Rolling her eyes at the looks she received she shot a glare at the nearest male who quickly looked away. Taking his cue, many others did the same and soon things returned to normal. Grabbing one of the few empty tables in the place, the young woman ordered a glass of water as well as an Andorian Ale. Normally she would drink until she was hammered, but when she added water to the mix it usually meant she would also need a clear head if she were called early to her shift.

While waiting for her drinks she spied something that she didn't think was possible. Rubbing her eyes to see if they were playing tricks she found that they were not. Smiling the female stood and blocked the path of another customer.

"Another Andorian. I didn't think I would see one again so soon."

She held out her hand, "My name is Sharina. Sharina Endilev."

Sivity was as surprised as Sharina. She really hadn't expected to meet another of her race, even on the vast Star Base. After the surprise, her next reaction was one of relief; Sharina was very evidently female. Sivity took the hand with a winning smile. She did not shake it, but held it gently as she stepped in close and pressed her cheek to Sahrina's. Their antennae came very close. Whilst they'd pick up a few tell-tale emanations from each other, it was more about a display of trust.

Sivity stepped back to assess the newcomer. She immediately noted that both she and Sharina were of a similar height, but due to Sivity's perilous heels, she was the taller. Both had the same long silken white tresses. Thereafter, the similarities decreased markedly. Sivity favoured far more make-up and perfume. Sharina presented as very orderly and neat; something Sivity decidedly wasn't. She was though, extremely attractive despite her rather excessive make-up.

"I am pleased to meet you Sharina." She replied formally. "I am Sivity Kamarth Dar-Barriun. Please just call me Sivity. Even Siv' is fine. Are there many other Andorians here?" She asked with evident concern. "I've only just arrived myself and you are the first that I've seen." As with most Andorians, her voice was soft and almost a high pitched whisper.

Sharina shook her head and indicated the seat. "Why don't you join me? It will be good to get to know each other."

The woman took her seat and looked at Siv, "Actually, aside from myself, you are the only other I have seen. Though I know for a fact that we are not the only ones at all in Starfleet."

Andorians were few, but with her own half-brother in the Academy, Sharina knew of now a third Andorian in the Fleet... that she had seen anyway. She smiled at the other woman. Not many Andorians trusted each other, but seeing a "familiar" face of sorts did help things a lot in the long run. Sharina hadn't had that luxury when she had been at the Academy, but she had sent word that her brother would enter.

Low and behold he had. "And while you are the first I have seen in some time, I haven't been here too long myself. It's a good work place. Not much happening. Maybe get some training here and later return home to join the Imperial Guard. Who knows. For now... this is the life."

She took a sip of her drink that had just arrived and watched the other female curiously.

Sivity seated herself next to Sharina. One Andorian typically attracted attention. Two practically commanded it. They remained the centre of all the patrons' focus and undoubtedly the topic of all conversation in the bar. She was happy with that. What was the point in looking good if people failed to see it? At least that how she saw things. As for Sharina it was hard to tell, but that was to be expected. Andorians always trod carefully around each other. Etiquette helped prevent unnecessary violent outbursts.

"It is A life." Sivity conceded. "My apologies. I did not mean to dampen your enthusiasm. I had merely hoped to travel more and - the further from Andor, the better. Still, this may not be the punishment detail I had expected. I have some self defence classes tomorrow. That might prove entertaining. So, what is it, if I may ask, that you find 'entertaining' on a Star Base?" Sivity curbed her tongue thereafter. She wanted to ask: "Why engineering?", but held off.

The woman pondered the question. She laughed and waved away Sivity's apology, "Oh you didn't. It's kind of hard for that to happen. Though I must say I am very happy to see another Andorian again." It kind of made her miss her family back on Andor. It was alright though. Sharina kept them updated with what she was doing and assured them that when things "settled" in her life she would most likely return. However, she told them she couldn't speak for Tholos, it was his choice after all.

Her family had accepted her reasoning and only asked that she stay safe. So far that was working fairly well. "As for the Starbase. I was assigned here after two years on the USS Kevlar. I actually find it quite amazing. It's a completely different design than the Kevlar and you have more room here."

Sharina looked at her companion, "How about you? What do you think of a Starbase?"

"It's big and doesn't move very far." she answered almost dismissively. "Although it is, in all fairness, likely too soon to ask me that question. If I don't have to produce any reports I will be quite content, but I would like to travel more. Still, as you said: this is a good place to hone skills - I have more than a few that need improving, I assure you." Unlike Sharina, Sivity did not maintain regular contact with her family. Despite that, they still tracked her down and sent her updates of home. The messages only served to reinforce her decision to stay with Star Fleet and as far from Andor as possible.

"Forgive me for my forwardness, but do you not have offspring?" Sivity was curious. She wasn't sure, but guessed that Sharina was actually older than herself. If that was true and she had yet to have children, Sivity desperately wanted to know her secret.

Sharina shook her head. "No. I left home before I turned twenty. The need is still there, but not as strong as it seemingly is back on Andor. And I have been so focused on my duties lately that I hadn't really thought about it until you mentioned it." Sharina wondered how she did not have offspring yet. Andorians usually had them before twenty-three years of age and she was now twenty-five. Most likely too late for any kind of children, but Sharina wasn't upset by that. Maybe it just wasn't for her.

She looked at the other female curiously, "You?"

"I very much do not wish to be a birthing machine. I receive regular imprecations from home. There are all manner of suitors lined up already and have been for some time. I intend to enjoy myself for as long as I can. Besides, the spirits have sanctioned my choice; so it would be unwise to go against them."

Sivity played with the charms around her left wrist as she spoke. Many held some significance to Sharina, being tokens from Andorian days of old. To her it seemed the equivalent of humans cleaving still to Norse mythology or a better analogy might be to witchcraft. Certainly, it had no place in modern Andorian society. Yet that society was a fractured one and some off-shoots might perhaps still pay some heed to such superstitions. It was evident that Sivity did and did so unequivocally.

"But let us talk no more of children. You have been in Star Fleet far longer than I. What advice would you give foremost to another Andorian?" Sivity enquired. Unlike Sharina, she was showing a great deal of blue flesh and seemed to revel in the attention that her exceptional looks drew.

Sharina looked at Sivity, "Well first off, when you are on duty you have to stay mostly covered. A rule that some find constricting, but find a balance. And females either have to have short hair or their long hair pulled back in a ponytail or bun."

The woman thought for a moment, "Do what your superiors tell you. Try not to fight." Sharina pondered for a little more. What really would be of interest to Sivity, something she could use while in Starfleet? The blue skinned woman pondered for a moment then something came to her. "Try to make friends. Not romantic interests, but actual friends. I find that friends can help in sticky situations. It's like Earth saying "He with the most paperwork wins." In this case, friends. As you might know, no place is truly crime free. Say that you were with friends and there was a thief on the loose. They steal from someone and plant evidence in your quarters. Having friends and being with them, or on duty, during something like that could clear your name."

It was kind of an ironic example, but one that Sharina thought would provide the most help. While she had not experienced this before, she had heard stories from other officers of things similar. Not necessarily theft, but could extend to other things. Who knew. Maybe Sharina might gain a friend from this.

"I hope that you won't take too much offence if I only take some of your advice. I promise I will try, but I can't change too much at once - nor would I especially want to. However, your advice about friends is most certainly noted. It is something I shall strive for. Perhaps we might be friends? Yet, I should warn you, I'm not the easiest to get on with at times. Then again, it doesn't worry me." She shrugged. "I'm not a worrier: if I have a problem I fix it. If I can't fix it, I ignore it - or tell someone else. They can try to fix it. As long as the spirits are with me, there is no need to worry." She stopped talking and took a sip of her ale.

"I have done far too much talking. Tell me of you. What do you do to relax - other than come here?" Sivity was not career minded and didn't particularly wish to take the subject of work any further. Star Fleet provided an escape for her. She was grateful for that, but for the most part, she was still a square peg in a round hole.

Sharina pondered the question. "Well I read. Write to my brother back at Starfleet. I even have a meditation program to keep some of my emotions in check."

She gave a wicked grin, "No I am not a Vulcan. I just don't like how some of our race like shooting things so I wanted to try to keep those particular emotions in check when they aren't needed."

Taking another drink she pondered what else to tell Sivity about herself. "Hmmm... actually that's probably the extent of my off duty activities, aside from here of course. Though on occasion I will walk around and look out at space. And to answer your other question... I would be happy to be friends with you."

Leaning forward Sharina asked, "Now let me ask you. Some of those I recognize as ancient Andorian, but what is special about all these charms? Sorry if it seems... too personal, but I'm curious."

"No, I do not mind at all. After all, are we not now friends?" Sivity replied with a warm smile. "When I was younger, I was lucky enough to spend some time with a tribe of Aenar. It is they that introduced me to their faith. You see, there are spirits in all things: some good, some bad, most neutral or dormant. It is important to keep a balance and calm the angry ones and curry the favour of the good ones. These charms and wards do that for me. they have kept me alive so far. I never take them off." Sivity was used to other's scepticism of her beliefs, but she would not be shaken by any argument. Let others risk angering the spirits; she was not so foolish.

"But tell me, you are I think even shorter than I. Why is it that you do not wear high heels? they are an invaluable aid to giving us parity. It's really difficult to exert your authority when you are always looking up to others." Sivity was happiest in high heels. She felt woefully short out of them. Perhaps being small was an advantage amongst the engineers. It certainly wasn't in Security, although many of her superiors had disagreed.

Sharina let out a little laugh. "I don't wear heels because they make my feet uncomfortable... and the give me blisters. However, I do manage to exert authority when the need suits. If someone is tampering with something that an Engineer should access then lets say that things tend to get a little messy."

Taking another sip of her drink, a twinkle appeared in Sharina's eyes. "People tend to avoid my angry side and once, before I arrived here, I was asked to look at a malfunctioning replicator. While I was doing that a man just couldn't keep his hands off despite me saying no. The next thing he knew he was tossed to the side, striped, and hog-tied. I finished the repairs and left, calling security on him. There was no lasting damage, but needless to say word spread that I don't take things lightly and some people give me a wide berth."

Another sip. "I try not to use my anger and strength too often. It can lead to a lot of problems, but that one incident has given people the idea that I can be pretty authoritative when need be. Respect me, I respect you."

The woman did not show any skepticism about Sivity's faith. It was her choice and Sharina was fine with her own non faith. She wasn't going to join any religion at present time, but she also wasn't going to deliberately disrespect someone's Gods or Spirits because she didn't believe in them. They would judge her as they would when it was her time to join them. All Sharina wanted was to lead a normal life and do the best she could.

"What you say makes sense. I can see how that would work within an engineering setting. Sadly it is not so effective in Security. There are many that wish to challenge a reputation and just as many that are unaware of it. First impressions count and my appearance tends to ensure that others underestimate me. That and the protection of the Spirits has seen me safe so far. Oh, if you wanted to fight, that would be fun." She added the last with a broad mischievous smile. It would likely come as no surprise to Sharina that an Andorian would wish to fight, but the invitation did not seem at all serious. In fact Sivity had lost some of the necessary early formality and seemed quite relaxed. She paused for a moment and appeared to study Sharina. She then took three small bones from one of her many charm bracelets, shook them in her cupped hands and tossed them onto the table between them.

"Yes, it is as I thought: you will prosper here and be happy. The bones are in balance. So the Spirits smooth your path. I hope you do not mind the reading, but you seemed so positive, I felt obliged to do that." Sivity explained reattaching the bones to her bracelet.

Sharina smiled. "It is no problem. I try to stay positive. Helps me focus better. However, I thank you for the reading."

Sivity seemed like a good person and Sharina was looking forward to getting to know her more. Having possible found a new friend Sharina finished her drinks (the ale and water) and set them to the side. "I would be happy to fight sometime. Though for now I need to get back to my quarters and rest. It's been a long day for me."

Sharina stood, "It was wonderful to meet you, Sivity. I hope your stay here is wonderful. And if you need anything come find me." She stretched, getting the kinks out of her shoulders.

Sivity smiled up at her. "It has been a most pleasant surprise, Sharina. I shall see what further mischief I can get up to before retiring." She stood and kissed her on the cheek. "Take care." She said before heading back to the bar for a second drink

Sharina smiled and watched as Sivity headed to the bar before she herself left and back to her quarters for a good rest.

OFF:

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Lieutenant JG Sharina Endilev
Ensign Sivity Dar-Barrium

Starbase 332
Pegasus Fleet