Familiar yet unfamiliar

Posted on Fri Mar 25th, 2022 @ 1:14pm by Lieutenant Olivia O’Riley & Lieutenant JG Deezell Vox

1,508 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 112 - A Trip to Remember
Location: Counseling Department - SB400
Timeline: Current
Tags: Olivia

Deezell had finished sorting out her quarters and as her first shift wasn't due to begin early the following morning, she decided to take a stroll around. Still coming to terms with joining with virtually no training, she was still finding it difficult to balance her own personality with that of Vox and the 5 lifetimes of experiences and memories.

She noticed the sign for the Counseling Department and remembered Raekown's friendship with Ariana Monroe. She stepped into the brightly lit waiting room and approached a young Lieutenant at the desk, who she kind of recognised but was unsure.

"Excuse me, I am looking for Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe."

She announced.

Olivia smiled as she greeted the new arrival. "I'm sorry Ariana is off station at the moment, I'm Olivia I'm a counsellor here on the station can I help you?"

Deezell looked at the young woman's face. She was familiar. Then it clicked.

"Olivia, the red and blue swirl vase from Kentarus IV. Yes, you probably can help me. " Deezell smiled.

Olivia looked at the young woman in front of her curiously. “I’m sorry, have we met before?”

"Not exactly." Deezell smiled. "Let me introduce myself, I'm Ensign Deezell" She paused. "Deezell Vox. "

“Vox?” Olivia looked at Deezell in surprise. “No wonder you knew about my purchase, you’re a new host for Vox.” She paused. “May I ask what happened to Rae?”

"Sadly he passed away after he was badly injured when his ship hit a quantum filament on route to Trill. " Deezell replied.

Olivia shook her head. “That’s a horrible way to die. I’m sorry that memory must be horrible, so how are you coping with being a host?”

"It's something that every new host has to deal with. Luckily they get training on how to handle this during the Initiate Programme. Unluckily for me, I was never on the programme and being the only Trill aboard the Rotorua, when the symbiont's health deteriorated, I was obligated to preserve the life of the symbiont and so became the 6th host. I feel I am going to be here a lot." She sighed

Olivia nodded. "I honestly can't imagine what it must be like having 5 other lifetimes of experience in your head, however we'll do everything we can to help you."

"I appreciate that. I really do. I found it quite difficult earlier when saw the Gallery all closed up and the sign outside. 'Due to the passing of the proprietor, this shop is now closed and will soon be available for a new lease. '. " She sighed looking somewhat lost.

"Well as the new host for Vox wouldn't that permit you to take over the gallery? Only if you want to of course." Olivia smiled warmly.

"Not really. Each life should be new and different and continuing on somethings from a previous host isn't a done thing and is somewhat of a grey area in the rules of joining. Friendships, yes, are will be different simply because of the new host, but relationships and business are a definitive no. Besides, I am an engineer now and that's my passion. "

Olivia nodded. "I guess that makes sense, Rae will certainly be missed but it's good to have you here. I can imagine it's going to be difficult settling into a new life aboard a station that you already know through your connection with Vox and Rae."

"Absolutely. My shift starts early tomorrow morning so I hope my work will help me as well. Does Ariana know about the death of Vox?". Deezell asked.

"I doubt it" Olivia shook her head. "She departed station a little while ago so she probably hasn't heard."

"Okay. That will be an interesting encounter when she returns." Deezell replied.

"It will indeed." Olivia nodded. "So what is this change like from Deezell's perspective rather than Vox's?"

"It is taking time to get use to it. I haven't been female for a hundred and eighty three years. With Rae, there wasn't much I could with my hair but now, I have considerably more to contend with again." On hearing what she just said she smiled. "The balance between host and symbiont is improving but I do find I get confused. I have these memories of events and I struggle to work out which host they are from." Deezell replied.

Olivia nodded. "That's understandable. As you said the link between the two of you is new, and therefore it will take time to settle. Have you tried meditation at all? Just letting some peace and calm take over to allow your memories to merge?"

"No not really. Is it something you would recommend?" Deezell asked. She was starting to get hungry so she was considering asking Olivia if she would like to join her for a meal. But, she would wait for what she might say next.

"Well it would seem a logical way of relaxing, I mean I'm no expert when it comes to Trill joinings so I'm kind of winging it here!" Olivia grinned.

"You and me both. I did have an interest in joining but I put my career ahead of things. I never expected anything like this to happen. I have had some guidance but essentially, I am also winging it." Deezell laughed.

Olivia grinned. "Then I guess we're both learners together then!" she relaxed back in her seat. "Maybe Ariana will have more in the way of knowledge when she gets back."

"Perhaps. When are you due to break for dinner? Would you like to join me? " Deezell asked.

"Actually food sounds wonderful" Olivia smiled warmly. "How's about we take a break and go and get something to eat?"

"Great, where would you recommend?" Deezell asked.

“Let’s head down to the promenade and you can choose from any number of good food establishments.” Olivia smiled. “I don’t eat out much so I’ve not really got a particular one to recommend.”

"Raekwon use to eat out a fair amount along the promenade so unless there have been many changes, I should know what is down there. He was a fan of Klingon food but I'm not. I wouldn't say no to a spicy Hasperat." Deezell replied.

Olivia grinned. "I know the feeling! I can't stand Klingon food. I don't mind Vulcan dishes though. I tend to eat more of what's fattening, than what's good for me!"

"Don't we all." Deezell replied with a grin. "Although, Hasperat isn't all that bad for you. It all depends on how you make it. The Bajoran restaurant on the promenade grades their Hasperat with either a green, amber or red stickers. Guess what they mean and which one I tend to order. " She added with a wink.

"I'm imagining its in order of how powerful the mix of spices is?" Olivia looked at Deezell curiously. "I imagine you go for the green."

"Actually no. The colours represent both healthiness and spice so red is spicy and bad for you. If you ask them to spice it up more it's called a Red Alert Hasperat." She said.

“Really?” Olivia grinned. “Remind me to steer clear of that then! That’s good to know actually.”

"Well I will be ordering one " Deezell smiled.

“Then who am I to chicken out!” Olivia grinned. “I’ll try the mild version I think.”

"Right, shall we?" Deezell asked pointing towards the doors

“Indeed we will” Olivia nodded and smiled.

The two headed out of the Counselling Department and headed to the promenade. Once they arrived at the Bajoran restaurant, Deezell made the orders and they sat with their Hasperat at a near by table.

“This is a nice place, I’ll have to come here again with the family” Olivia smiled.

Deezell finished eating a big bite from her Hasperat before responding.

"It is. I only found it yesterday. This is quite spicy but its really good. " she said with a smile. She then spotted a familiar face. "Oh my, I've just spotted a customer of Raekwon's closed gallery. I, well, Rae was picking up an item for him from Trill but never made it. Do you think I should help him or would that be heading into the grey area of none continuance of another host's affairs? " she asked pondering the issue.

“Maybe you could answer the question of what happened to the customer’s item but it may well fall into the grey area.” Olivia tucked politely into her food.

"Perhaps I could advise them and state that there is not much more I can do personally. " She replied. "I mean I still know where to get the item and I could technically get it for them but I am not Raekwon and I am not obligated to help them. " Deezell added.

"If that makes you feel better" Olivia nodded. "At least the buyer will know what's happened rather than be left in limbo."

"Agreed, but I will talk to them later. Right now, I am enjoying this. " Deezell replied.

{OFF}

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