Daily Logs 11-17-14

I. Retcon: Roca checks on Rorin soon after he's returned to normal...and he's not doing well
II. Joseph apologizes to Lisery
III. Marcella calls Zef in for a counseling appointment
IV. Retirement Bingo: Rala and Fallan meet



I.
[Retcon from Sunday morning]
Rorin: *it's Sunday* *after the fog-creatures left and he got to his senses, returned to his quarters right away, urgent!* *the door to his quarters is closed but unlocked: there's a blanket and several pillows on the couch; a half filled glass of water on the coffee table, tissues; a blanket in the corner of the room, several meditation items next to and on the blanket* *Rorin is in the bathroom and the bathroom door is open; he's wearing a red and orange piece of clothing (something like a dressing grown with Asconian markings), kneeling on the floor in front of the sink*
Roca: *at some point Sunday morning, pretty early, just after she got up around 5 am, sanuters through the corridor and stops in front of Rorin’s quarters, chimes* *Let the fun begin…*
Rorin: *ohhhh inconvenient! Whoever it is, please don't have a weak stomach* Yes? Is it urgent? *calling from the bathroom, sounding strained* *takes a few deep breathes* It's open! *and a few more, getting ready to get up from the sink*
Roca: *already on her way in* I figured. *stops in the bathroom door, leans against the doorframe with one shoulder, her arms crossed in front of her chest, and smirks* Just like that I’d find you here.
Rorin: *looks at Roca and stays on the floor, weakly strained but at the same time relieved small smile* I suppose it wasn't too hard to guess, hm? *isn't as pale as he was as a vampire, but still pale enough to look unhealthy* Hello.
Roca: *shakes her head* Drank too much blood lately, didn’t you?
Rorin: *distorted grin* I couldn't resist. *raises a hand as if to cover his mouth but stops, he's fine* It was just so tempti-ugh. *or not; gasps, covers his mouth after all*
Roca: *wrinkles her nose and snorts* Still? I’d bet the ammonia’s effect would wear off by now. *tauntingly, of course she knows it's something else that bothers Rorin's poor, tormented soul*
Rorin: *can't take his hand down for another few seconds, but eventually the sick feeling eases, takes a deep breath before he replies* Heh... My brain doesn't seem to believe that, yet. *small brief smile* We're arguing.
Roca: It’s winning.
Rorin: *small stubborn headshake* I won't let it win.
Roca: *snorts* Good luck.
Rorin: Thanks. I'll need it. *one more deep breath* It's not going well. *rubs his face with one hand*
Roca: Heh. *shakes her head with a humourless smile* As always. And as always am I here to keep you company while you vomit your heart out.
Rorin: *chuckles, a sudden strained and relieved sound, nods, his hand still on his head* Thanks. As always, I appreciate it.
Roca: Mhm. Us Cardassians feel very bound to traditions, you know?
Rorin: Then I'm sad to say *drops his hand weakly in his lap* I won't dress up as a vampire again. Or, just in case, as anything that feeds on blood or meat.
Roca: *snorts a laugh* Yes, you will.
Rorin: *raises a brow, looking at her and wants to protest, opens his mouth, closes it, exhales with a short laugh* Ehh... perhaps. Perhaps. *leans forward, sideways against the sink* Let me hope for the best...
Roca: *counts down* When I came on board, your mind was merging with an alien space dog who dared you to eat meat. Then you forgot who you are and, guess what: Ate meat! Now you thought you were a… what now? Vampire? *what even is that?* and drank blood all two weeks. Just face it, you’re destined to not be vegetarian.
Rorin: *closes his eyes, still feeling all sick but at the same time getting tired, listens to her and shuts his eyes more closely towards the end; nods, making a face* I suppose I have to work on my coping methods. But that's easier said than done.
Roca: Nah, you have to work on getting over your strange idea of being vegetarian. *casually*
Rorin: If I knew how. *small grin* I do like meat. *unfortunately his psyche doesn't agree and the mention of meat wasn't his smartest idea; the nausea starts a new attack and he chokes, pressing his hands over his mouth very tightly*
Roca: *smirks* Clever boy.
Rorin: *tries to fight the nausea down for a couple seconds, but is unsuccessful and scrambles up to the sink...*
[Roca stayed with Rorin until he was able to leave the bathroom. Then they settled down in the living room and she stayed for another while, until he was a little better.]



II.
Lisery:  *shoveling fruit salad into her mouth from what looks like a serving-bowl-sized dish in front of her, seated at a lounge table*
Joseph: *has spent the last day spending as little time outside of his quarters as possible, but has decided to venture out of his quarters, having used the (creeper) computer to track down a few people he wanted to apologize to...and decides that the lounge is his safest option at the moment* *enters the lounge, feeling a tad nervous, all things considered* *goes to the replicator and gets himself some coffee*
Lisery:  *waaay too busy stuffing her face with food, it's quite a serious matter*
Joseph: *once he gets his coffee from the replicator, he turns again to the room at large, takes a deep breath to buck up his courage to come over to Lisery's table* *hesitates* Uhm...L-Lieutenant Daart? *is a tad nervous, thankfully his voice is back to a New Zealand accent rather than British*
Lisery:  *looks up, cheeks bulging, some juice dripping down her chin, and when she realizes who it is, her eyes widen* Goo' eve'ing. *muffled behind her mouthful of fruit, which she hastily chews and gulps down*
Joseph: *doesn't show the awkward induced, victory number one* Erm, is this seat open? Ma'am. *gestures to the one across from Lise*
Lisery:  *stares at him* No. Didn't everyone go back to normal?
Joseph: *eep ._.* Yes, thankfully. I, uh... *how to word*
Lisery:  Then what are you calling me "ma'am" for? That's for old lady humans. *pauses* *glowers* I'm /not/ any older than you. *it's because I'm wrinkly isn't it*
Joseph: *ohcrap* *whadidIdo?* Well, erm, you're a higher rank than me, so I...I... *well this got awkward really fast* *also can't talk to girls worth crap*
Lisery:  So isn't that "sir"? *suspicious* *is not 100% clear on gender-based human terms of respect, other than seeing a few old movies and holoprograms where cowboys called the old innkeepers "ma'am"* *but /does/ know "sir" since it's used in Starfleet*
Joseph: W-well, Ma'am--Sir--the term "ma'am" is, at least in my experience *mostly* used with female officers. *not including the one that, frankly, terrifies him*
Joseph: R-right. *well that went well* *pause* I...uh, kind of wanted to apologize for last week, Sir.
Lisery:  *pause* You can call me Daart, if you want.
Joseph: R-right, Daart. *still feels awkward*
Lisery:  *realizes* You were in a costume last week. You didn't know anything. *meaning: it's okay*
Joseph: *relieved* *phew* Yeah...I still wanted to apologize for any weirdness I caused, regardless. *because I remember running around as that hyperactive oddball* *and the awkward he brought about* *seriously, you should've seen how red he turned when he got back in his own head*
Lisery:  *lifts her shoulders high in an expressive shrug* You couldn't have known.
Joseph: I know...that doesn't nullify awkward though. *shrugs as well* At least we're all back our own heads. *I hope*
Lisery:  Was it weird? Did you really not know you?
Joseph: *nods* It's really bizarre spending two weeks thinking you're a hyperactive Time Lord rather than an Ensign in Medical. It was.... *trails off, not sure /how/ to explain it*
Lisery:  *shoves another spoonful of fruit in her mouth to wait for him to find words*
Joseph: *crinkles his nose up as he figures out how to explain* It was like...I really /thought/ I was the Doctor. There were a few bits of me, Joseph Dover leaking through, but I had the memories and personality of the Doctor.
Lisery:  Was being him fun?
Joseph: *pause* *shrugs* I guess. It was tiring, yeah, but a bit fun, I guess... *except getting stabbed. That wasn't fun .__.*
Lisery:  Maybe it was all right, then. *puts more food in her mouth and chews, watching him*
Joseph: *nods slowly* It's still nice to be myself again, though. I don't know if I'd be able to handle being the Doctor for the rest of my life, though.
Lisery:  If you /were/ the Doctor you'd be able to handle being you.
Joseph: *chuckles* I'm not sure if my physiology would be able to keep up, though. The Doctor's got two hearts; me, only one. Plus I can't exactly regenerate if I get myself shot....
Lisery:  *chortles* You /are/ pretty skinny. Good thing there's no wind on the ship, you'd blow away.
Joseph: *._.* *I'm not /that/ skinny....* *looks down* Er, yeah.... *._.*
Lisery:  *proportionally skinnier than her hefty frame* *swallows another bite of fruit* You can go if you want. *geez he looks so uncomfortable*
Joseph: *that's because I /stink/ when it comes to talking to girls* *of any species* ...N-no, I'm fine. *sort of* *takes a drink of coffee, forgot he had it*
Lisery:  I'm not. You're making weird faces while I'm trying to eat. *:T*
Joseph: *._. oops* Erm...I guess I'll...see you around, sometime, then? *so awkward*
Lisery:  Only if you won't make faces. You're okay otherwise.
Joseph: Right, I'll keep that in mind. *if he's making an odd face, gets his face back to normal* *hides his awkwardness (again) with another drink of coffee*
Lisery:  *stares at him as she raises a colorful spoon to her mouth, noms and chews*
Joseph: *shifts his weight on his feet, not sure where to go now* *well this just got awkward* Well...uhm, I'll be going, then? *so much awkward* Glad to see you're doing well, in any case. *oh god has no idea what to say*
Lisery:  Yes, I am. Thank you. *not even sarcastic, how nice that someone noticed* *pause* Good bye.
Joseph: *nods* See you around, Daart. *turns to leave the lounge, draining what's left of his cup and depositing it in the matter recycler as he goes* *survived! Yay!*
Lisery:  *goes back to shoveling food in her mouth, he wasn't so bad after all*



III.
Marcella: *in her office after her last scheduled session for the day and the start of the open office hours, when there’s nobody yet arrived* Hm… Computer, where is Ensign Sanders?
Computer: Ensign Zefram Sanders is in his quarters on deck 7.
Marcella: *tabs her comm. badge* Marcella to Zefram Sanders.
Zef: *squatting in front of a desk drawer, looking for some specific PADDs he wanted; slight frown when he hears the comm, inhales deeply and tabs his combadge* Hi Marcella. What's up? *o__o;*
Marcella: Zefram, hey~. *cheery voice that dies down to a more sober tone quickly* Do you have a moment to stop by my office?
Zef: *quiet sigh; it's not that he doesn't want to but... you know? /But./* *hesitatingly* Yeaah, sure. Er, now? I could come right now. *gets up slowly*
Marcella: Yes, now would be perfect. I see you in a minute. *cuts the comm channel and waits for him, sitting on her desk*
Zef: *o___o; okay, okay Marcella is on his side, he likes her and trusts her and he can do this, it's okay, all is well* *closes the drawer, puts the PADDs he chose in a small dark bag but leaves it on the desk and heads for Marcella's office; takes a bit more than a minute but chimes soon after*
Marcella: It’s open if you’re Zefram. If not, it’s still open, but then I’ll have to ask you to come back in a bit unless you’re dying. *with a wide, open smile towards the door*
Zef: *he's Zef, right? Yeah, he's Zef* *opens the door* I'm Zefram, I guess. *slight insecure smile* *wearing comfortable civvies, uniform isn't comfortable enough*
Marcella: *gives him a long look with both brows risen, then nods* Yes, I guess so, too. Please, sit down. *gestures and returns the smile*
Zef: *enters, closes the door behind him and sits down; obviously somewhat uncomfortable and insecure*
Marcella: Zef… *sighs* what’s up? *was about to ask how he is after the recent phenomenon and how he’s coping, but seeing him made her ask another question*
Zef: You wanted to see me? *leans back in his chair*
Marcella: Yes. *and I start to think it was a good decision* I wanted to ask you how you’re doing.
Zef: Well, I'm... tired, I guess. Catching up on sleep and sorting some things out from the past two weeks. *nodnod* So... okay under the circumstances?
Marcella: *nods* You know I’m still here for you if you need me, right?
Zef: *looks down for a second, sighs, then looks at her* Yeah... yeah, I know that. *ghost of a smile* And that's good, really. Believe me. I guess I just didn't know what to say.
Marcella: *more soft expression* Do you know it now?
Zef: *slight slowly shrug* I'm... not sure. I guess... being Hyde was kinda intense. Hyde, you know? Jekyll and Hyde, I was Hyde. *in case she didn't notice: he was Hyde* So that's what I'm sorting out.
Marcella: *nods* I know that you were Hyde. And I know /you/, Zefram Sanders. *apparently feels the need to emphasize on his name* I know you don’t do well with mind alterations.
Zef: *yes, he's Zef, that's good* Well... right. I'm... *sighs and sinks, it's a mix of relaxation and defeat but not in a negative sense* No, I'm not doing well with mind alterations and being Hyde was intense. He's had... so many feelings or thoughts or I don't know that I've never known. *frowns, slight quick headshake* Was a lot of stuff to take in, I guess. Zef is, I'm very different from Hyde, but I was him, kinda.
Marcella: Yes. *grins* I was Frankenstein’s monster, I can relate. Torn between seeking love and hating the world, it was very pathetic.
Zef: *slight smile, still hesitant but less nervous, is slowly relaxing* That sounds intense. I, well. Hyde kinda loved life, but there was a lot of hatred. Or rather, y'know, something sinister.
Marcella: That’s kinda what Hyde is all about. The evil, sinister, er, compulsively wild and aggressive that’s lingering in the human mind. No? *don’t tell me that my research was wrong D:*
Zef: *nodnod* Yeah, that! Right. Exactly. *nods again, quiet sigh* Terrence was Jekyll and Hyde, well, hated him. But not just that. There was also... like? Care? I don't know. Maybe that part was me, I mean, /my/ mind, not Hyde's. It was all twisted and now that it's untwisted it's still twisted...
Marcella: Was there? Really? I didn’t remember a single thing about my past life, nor did I recognise anyone. Hm, but now that I come to think about it… *thoughtful expression* Joe, I mean, Mr Dover from medical *light flush, embarrassed smile, she’s just /too/ informal at times, but actually she also doesn’t care to change that, and hey, it’s a name she remembers* found me in his “The Doctor” costume. And called me “Marsha”. And it was an illusion, no? Created by the aliens from what was on /our/ minds. There’s just a lot that speaks for it having been a mashup, so who knows? *tilts head*
Zef: *thinks about it for a moment, then nods slowly* Mashup sounds good. I don't think Hyde liked Jekyll in any way or even cared for him. *slight shrug, another nod* Yeah, I guess that's what I'm sorting out. That mashup. And, y'know, what memory belongs to which version of reality. It's not always... clear.
Marcella: It isn’t? *huh?* *knew he had problems with mind alteration, but rather thought of the “What is really real?”-aspect of them* They get mixed up in your mind?
Zef: *slight nodnod* Some. Sometimes. I mean... *glances around the room for a moment, thinking, then back at Marcy* For example, it's rather easy with the memories that belong to the simulation we did on the Lina Sophia. There were inconsistencies /in/ the simulation and we were... basically plugged out in the end. But that time when I thought I was a doctor... same ship, same friends, still Starfleet, y'know? It was so similar to... this, here, now. So *clueless shrug* it mixes up. Sometimes. *and I'm crazy o_o;*
Marcella: *nod, nod* I understand. Hm… *takes a few second to think, purses her lips* But that situation was caused by a space anomaly that wanted to confuse and eat us all. And the jobs admittedly never fitted us, so there were inconsistencies, too. People felt like they had lost it. *didn’t you?-look*
Zef: *quick slight grin, nods* I often feel like I've lost it and that I knew nothing about my job was, I often feel like that about engineering, so... both departments are kinda likely.
Marcella: Eh? But you /know/ more about Engineering. Do you have any memory of ever messing up a medical exam or holodeck simulation? *he’s told her her messed up a lot at the Academy*
Zef: *inhales deeply and exhales slowly, thinking about it* Nnnno... no. I don't think I have any memory like that. But after we turned back to normal I really couldn't tell. It confused me so much, I had to ask...
Marcella: *smiles* Whom did you ask?
Zef: Terrence. I was in his quarters when we turned back.
Marcella: *so the head counsellor knows of this* And then he told you who you were, so to say?
Zef: *nods* Yeah, that he did. He took care that I didn't snap and treated my bruises and all. Hyde was wild.
Marcella: Hah! I can imagine. Is that also why you didn’t seek me out? *bluntly* Because he was already taking care of you?
Zef: Erm. *looks down* Not... really. We didn't... /talk/ much about it. After we turned back, I mean. We had been fighting, so were both exhausted. But he told me what I needed to know and stayed with me. *shifts posture, looks at her* Since then I didn't address it again, but I'm thinking about it. I just didn't know what to say... and I guess I was hesitating because *shrugs* it's crazy.
Marcella: *mock-serious* You’re right. Crazy things are the very last thing one should discuss with one’s counsellor. What will they /think/?
Zef: *slight grin* Yeaaah, see? I'm just so thoughtful. *sobers* No, I mean... I get it.
Marcella: I’m worried. *not in an uberly devoted way, but still it’s the right sentiment* I know you don’t do well after such events, and you just don’t show up. Can as well mean you’re lying somewhere, or are in hiding because you’ve decided you can’t trust anyone. *shrugs*
Zef: Oh... *perfect reply* *blinks* Well. I'm sorry. Thanks for wanting to see me, then. *honestly* *mumbles* And I, erm, well. I guess I really was suspicious yesterday. But not anymore.
Marcella: *nods* Good. That’s good to know. You’re recovering, then?
Zef: I think so. As much as I can. *because I'm never really sane* But I'm working on it and... I... *shrugs, slight smile* I /think/ I'm using some of the things you told me. *meaning: what they talked about during their sessions*
Marcella: Well. I certainly hope so. *grins* They were meant to help you, after all.
Zef: *smile wides a bit* Yeah. *raises a brow, nodding* I might understand /some/ things about myself, so... yeah, so /I/ can sort them. *instead of needing to talk about each step for hours with tons of explanation, because nothing seems to fit with anything*
Marcella: That’s what I’d call progress. No? *^^* *was that insensitive?*
Zef: *snorts an amused laugh, relaxed* Yeaah. *straightens* Oh! Maybe that's also why I didn't come...!
Marcella: *laughs* I see, you know yourself very well! *jokingly, of course* *she believes that he’s sorting things out better for himself than when they started doing sessions months ago* *he’s even proving it right now*
Zef: *amaze, he learned a thing!* *slight grin, joking too* Perfectly well. Dishonor to those who doubted me.
Marcella: Yeaaah, are there any?
Zef: If so, they better hide. *coughs* I guess I should go hide myself...
Marcella: *chuckles* Why? Maybe there’s some good staying from Hyde after all. *self-consciousness and lust for life*
Zef: *hide, Hyde* *slight grin* Some good staying from Hyde. Well, I'd like that. He liked his life even when he got beaten up. *and when /he/ beat people up, but yeah*
Marcella: *chuckles again* Did he get beaten up?
Zef: *nodnod* Yeaaah, more than once. But more often the other way round or both. I felt like I couldn't lose any battle and I wasn't afraid of getting hurt. So... I attacked quite many people. *quiet sigh* *is still somewhat worried over it, but it wasn't him so...*
Marcella: *doesn’t see a problem with it – doesn’t know of any official sanctions so far, and remembers very well how seriously she considered  ‘killing everyone’ if she wouldn’t be loved* *grins* That sounds like a pleasant feeling. *makes a face* Well, minus the attacking people part.
Zef: Right. I'm trying to find it in Zef, in me, but... *clueless shrug, slight smile* we'll see if I do.
Marcella: Ahem… are you /sure/ you have to talk about yourself in the third person and then correct it? *^^*
Zef: Weelll... I'm Zef. But I was Hyde. And sometimes I'm another Zef. It's confusing. Kinda.
Marcella: That’s mind alteration to you. *^^*
Zef: *sighs deeply, slightly smiling, nodding* Yeaah... you can say /that/. Let's not do it again for at least a month. *or forever, forever is good*
Marcella: *grins* I wished we’d get a say in that. *sighs* Have you ever considered making daily logs? They’d help you keep track of what’s been going on in your life and mind. And provide inconsistencies.
Zef: Oh! I make logs. Not daily, but...
Marcella: Oh? Personal logs, too?
Zef: *slight nodnod* Yeah, personal. But... a lot about work. Engineering stuff. Notes. Something like that.
Marcella: *nods* *smirks* You know, making personal logs about what’s on your mind can also help you sorting things out.
Zef: *o_o damn yes true* So should I write about that, too...?
Marcella: Write, or record it and listen to it again. It’ll give you some distance to look at it from a different angle.
Zef: *frowns blinking* I guess. True. *raises a brow* But I'll end up laughing about myself.
Marcella: *grins* So what? Just make sure the password’s good enough.
Zef: Well protected with my life and clearance level. *nodnodnods* But okay. I can try that. Okay.
Marcella: Awesome. Tell me if it works out for you~.
Zef: *slight nod and smile* Sure. *pause* So I guess that means I'll see you soon?
Marcella: If you don’t want to…
Zef: No, it's okay. I'll try it and tell you about it.
Marcella: Just so we’re clear: I’m not controlling you, or forcing you to anything. Am I?
Zef: *headshake, slight honest smile* No. That's one thing I like about you. There aren't many people who know that I'm crazy and still don't force me into anything. *unless it's necessary, but well*
Marcella: *yes, unless it’s necessary. One reason she was concerned about him hiding from her* Good. *smiles* We’ll meet again soon, then. Whenever you have time. Er… during my office hours, at best.
Zef: *amused* Pity. I thought of midnight or something. *gets up*
Marcella: Eh *e_e*, that’s a little too much Hyde there, you realise? *gets up, too, to shake his hand*
Zef: Okay, okay, normal office hours. *reaches out to shake her hand* Well. Thanks.
Marcella: You’re welcome. *shakes hand* Keep your chin up, Zef.
Zef: *shakes her hand* I'll try. *and lets go when they're done; friendly* See you soon, Marcella.
Marcella: See you soon, Zef. *sits back down while he walks out*



IV.
Fallan: *It has been a very rough past week for him. Though he's been adjusting well enough, he's still feeling a great loss. He was so sure that Ciarnan was a real world. He knows it isn't, of course, but it felt so real. He's sitting in a chair with his eyes closed, laid back and allowing himself time to meditate on the issue.*
Rala: *drops into the lounge on a mid-shift break and notices someone she doesn't know* *makes her way over to Fallan quietly and looks at him, contemplating whether or not to wake him from his nap*
Fallan: *He hears someone coming this time, and he's actually feeling a little sociable today. Anything to take his mind off this, apparently. He opens his eyes and sits up straighter to see who came in...He doesn't know this woman, but she's staring at him.* ...Is there something I can help you with?
Rala: *must be losing her edge, he heard her coming* *makes a mental note to work on her sneakiness* You are?
Fallan: Ensign Fallan-Ra-Gensolli. You'll pardon me if I looked as if I was sleeping. You caught me while meditating on a few things.
Rala: Is a public place truly the best spot for meditation?
Fallan: It isn't. I had thought that to meditate on something was a phrase that meant to think deeply on something or to reflect on something, but pardon me if I'm wrong.
Rala: It is, but in a public place there is much room for interruption, yes? As I have done.
Fallan: Oh, I don't mind interruptions very much. *Actually, he was sort of hoping he'd find someone to talk to, just to keep himself busy. If he sat in his quarters and thought, he'd be all alone with his thoughts.* Speaking of which, I don't think I've gotten your name?
Rala: Sati Rala. And I call you.... Gensolli?
Fallan: *He's not sure if he likes Gensolli more than Fallan, actually. He's been called Fallan so much that it feels odd using the last part of his name.* Well, Gensolli or Fallan, whichever suits you best. We're well-met, Sati Rala.
Rala: Indeed we are, Gensolli or Fallan. *sits down across from him, since they're having a conversation* It is good to meet someone who is not barely out of childhood here.
Fallan: *He can't help it, he has to crack a smile.* I would have to agree, though, you don't look very old yourself ma'am.
Rala: I will consider that as a compliment, but I have reached my forty-fifth year.
Fallan: Age has treated you well then.
Rala: *gives him a long look, because is he hitting on her please don't*
Fallan: *He seems like he's distracted by his thoughts. He is. His fiftieth is coming up here in, what, a month? Yeah, he'll be fifty. He wonders if he should celebrate by picking up a little sweet or something from the replicator, maybe some sort of Earthen wine...? Wait, do they celebrate birthdays on this ship? He hopes not.* I'm still relatively new onboard the ship. You don't mind if I ask you a question, will you..?
Rala: You may ask, but I do not promise an answer.
Fallan: How are birthdays celebrated here...?
Rala: Here aboard this ship?
Fallan: Yes.
Rala: I have heard that some people enjoy large celebrations here in the lounge, with food and drink and many people invited.
Fallan: *Well, he could deal with that. He doesn't want to, but he could deal with that.* I see. Well, that's nice...it's better than some birthday customs...
Rala: I don't believe one is forced to participate, however. What is your preferred custom?
Fallan: It's going to sound rebellious, but I like to sleep in five minutes late and have a donut in the morning. *What a bad boy.*
Rala: I cannot tell if this is a joke. *stares him down*
Fallan: *He's dead serious. That's how he's celebrated his own birthdays for a while now* Although I respect others and their preferred birthday customs, I prefer not to celebrate mine.
Rala: Does the donut have a candle in it?
Fallan: No.
Rala: *maybe she should explain* Lighting an object on fire and placing it in a sugary item is a Terran birthday custom.
Fallan: I understand, I'm told that you're supposed to have one candle for each year you have been alive, but I'll be hard pressed to fit fifty candles on one donut when my birthday comes.
Rala: It would have to be a rather massive donut. It may trigger an alarm of some sort.
Fallan: Oh of course, and that would be far too much donut for me to eat alone. In any case, sitting in a room with an oversized donut with fifty candles and the alarm going off is not how I enjoy spending my birthdays.
Rala: You enjoy a small donut and five extra minutes of sleep.
Fallan: Yes, a small donut and five extra minutes of sleep. Maybe a glass of wine before bed if I'm feeling adventurous.
Rala: Either your life is devoid of excitement and you enjoy it that way, or you have had your fill. Which is it?
Fallan: I've had my fill. I don't suppose you've ever been a part of a true Efrosian birthday celebration? Once you've been to a few, you've had enough celebration to last a lifetime.
Rala: Do I appear to be of your race?
Fallan: No, but I'm not the first Efrosian you've met, am I?
Rala: Do your people celebrate their days of birth with everyone they meet?
Fallan: With people they care about. Friends and family, mostly.
Rala: I have not been to such a celebration.
Fallan: I can see that. *She must be a little grumpy, to have given him such a rundown. Maybe he should stop talking about himself...* Well, how do you celebrate yours, if you do at all?
Rala: I am seeking information on your own celebrations, which you have not yet given.
Fallan: Hm? Well, what sort of information are you looking for?
Rala: What about them makes you finished with that way?
Fallan: Well, there are a lot of things. *Oh man, how does he explain this? It's like trying to summarize his entire geoscience education, it's just too complicated...* Well, we usually sing a lot during celebrations. We sing very loudly, too. And there was always a lot of touching and hugging at mine...
Rala: It sounds very friendly.
Fallan: Oh, it is, if a little invasive at times...
Rala: *raises her eyebrows and waits for him to go on*
Fallan: *Oh no, don't make him talk more.* I am to understand that many Efrosian customs--in general, not just relating to birthdays-- are considered not safe for a workplace environment.
Rala: Go on. *if anything he seems uncomfortable talking about this, which is funny and she wants to see how much he'll say before he doesn't want to continue*
Fallan: *He sighs. Oh well...* After one reaches of age, you and several other young adults your age all gather around any body of water nearby. The warrior-priest of our tribe would cast a talismin in the water and let it sink, and you raced the others to catch it. If you caught it, you would have a 'blessed' year. Mind you, my home planet is cold and it's not half as fun as it sounds to go diving.
Rala: *twitch of a smile* That is not the worst coming of age tradition I have heard.
Fallan: Oh, I'd like to hear worse. *He leans back and actually does smile. This is going to be good.*
Rala: The coming of age tradition on my planet is a long journey across dangerous terrain with few supplies and even fewer weapons as defense against the wildlife.
Fallan: I mean no offense, but that does sound much worse than naked ice swimming.
Rala: *casts a critical eye over him* I consider myself lucky having not attended.
Fallan: *He remains stoic-faced. This lady's intimidating, but not in a bad way. That doesn't even make sense. He just nods in agreeance.* I see.
Rala: I presume that you will be staying clothed upon your day of birth this year, whenever it occurs.
Fallan: It's next month, and I will be staying clothed. *He cracks a smile again.*
Rala: That is a blessing to all aboard.
Fallan: *Hey, I'm not that ugly, he thinks.* I should hope so.
Rala: On which day does your birth fall?
Fallan: Hm? Oh, the seventh of next month. Twenty days from now, actually.
Rala: If by that time I feel as if I know you well enough, I will procure a gift.
Fallan: *He smiles. He'd rather not have a gift, but maybe Rala won't know him well enough by his birthday to care much.* That would be kind of you.
Rala: It was good to meet you, Gensolli or Fallan. I will leave you now to your meditation. *stands*
Fallan: It was good meeting you too. I hope to speak to you again. *He stands as well, in order to shake her hand. Or try, at least. She's actually pretty cool.*
Rala: *accepts his hand, her own is small but her grip is firm and she gives it one shake* I must return now to my shift. *lets go and heads out of the lounge*
Fallan: *He shakes her hand, and as she leaves, he sits down. What a nice person. He should speak to her more often.*