AT/D04 - Officer's Lounge

[Paul]

==

[Robin Mayfair]

== Some indeterminant time between launch and arrival at the nebula ==

The Deck 8 Starboard Lounge was one of the smaller ones scattered throughout the ship. While the Artemis (like many Starfleet vessels) had a large traditional Ten-Forward Lounge, this one had been unofficially adopted by the crew to serve as a different sort of gathering place. Drinks and food were available, but only through the standard replicator. Most didn't come to 8-Starboard for the refreshments, but for the vibe. It was considered the place for music. At all hours of the day or night there were crewmembers playing instruments, singing, and enjoying a bit of a coffee house atmosphere. Most came to listen, some to perform. By tradition the atmosphere was positive, with criticism kept to a minimum for any honest attempts to perform.

Robin Mayfair entered the lounge and gave a quick glance around. It was 1900 hours, and the CMO's shift was over. It had been a quiet one filled with routine physicals, aside from dealing with one crewman's unfortunate and embarrassing new 'social disease' that she preferred not to think about. She wasn't in the mood to go back to her quarters, but by the same token didn't want to go to the busy Ten Forward lounge. This was perfect, and as an added bonus no one was using the piano.

The perfectly-tuned antique upright was hand-crafted on earth and had been aboard the Gettysburg, the ship previously commanded by Captain Crawford. Some crew considered it a good luck charm. No one was playing at the moment so the purple-haired Augment headed over to the piano. A few of the lounge patrons took notice as she took a seat and tapped a few keys, testing them.

Robin's oddball genetics came with the ability to pick up new musical instruments insanely quickly, and she'd been working on the piano ever since the grim mission aboard the USS Brittany. It had been a joke, about learning to play ragtime, but she'd found she loved the style. She'd used a good chunk of her replicator rations after the mission to have a piano replicated for her quarters, but the nurse was tired of playing alone. She'd loved performing and hadn't gotten to do so for a good long while.

She turned to the lounge patrons. "Anyone mind me playing some ragtime?" No one objected, and Security crewman Khaz'kol gave her a thumbs up, an odd gesture for a Klingon. She gave him a smile and turned to the antique instrument.

OK, here we go.

The sounds of the "Pineapple Rag" by Scott Joplin (a late 19th-century composer) filled the lounge, giving the place a bit of an old-west saloon vibe. The CMO lost herself in the music, genuinely enjoying the experience.

== Tag anyone who wants to show up ==

[Hallowette Maxas-Darl]

16 hours was a long time for most any activity, but it was especially so when isolated to one location, being subjected to ongoing monotony. Hangar Bay 2 had been Hallowette’s duty station since coming aboard the Artemis, and this was just another in series of long days. Chief Petty Officer Garrett was a tireless man, one of strict standards born of years of war, struggle and political manipulation. it was his intention that his Hangar and the crew within it were going to be ready for anything that might arise.

Hally admired the veteran crewman; not only for his vigor and devotion to duty, but for his kind acceptance of those under his charge that may have come into his area and believed they knew better than him, owing only to high marks at a respected Academic institution. Luckily for Hallowette she hadn’t made a particularly bad impression, at least socially. She knew there was a lot she had to learn, it had just been CPO Garrett’s gentle attention that helped her to realize just how little she did know. 

The plucky Trill/Bajoran was never one to back down from a challenge though, especially in regard to a being she genuinely respected, so she had resolved herself to work every single minute of every shift the grizzled CPO did. Her body ached, her eyes burned, but she was learning, grasping at new concepts, and hopefully she was making the old man proud.

At least he wasn’t sighing at her as much. At least not lately.

So it was that after this particularly exhausting double shift that Hallowette changed from her dingy uniform and stood within the Midshipman’s berth looking upon herself in the mirror. Her normally vibrant eyes were fatigued and her limbs were heavier than normal, but for whatever reason she found herself restless. The 3 other Midshipman in her berth were chatting about how handsome the bar owner was, and one mentioned Commander Coleman as being particularly attractive before they began to gossip about Coleman’s removal from the ship, and how they heard this or that. Hally wasn’t one for that sort of thing, nevermind the fatigue her body felt, so given sleep wasn’t in the cards anyway, she decided to wander the ship for a bit.

It wasn’t long until the small boyish figured redhead happened upon Lounge 8-Starboard. It seemed low key and comfortable, almost like the Caff shop she frequented back in Cardiff on Earth. Humble, quiet and filled with a sort of familiar intimacy.

Because of Hallowette’s health issues she wasn’t able to imbibe alcohol, choosing to even avoid synthahol due to a particularly unfortunate incident at a party, so she ordered a simple caramel, vanilla and blueberry latte. She sat at a window looking out into the void and she allowed herself to simply be still for a few moments.

Hally was far away in thought when the sound of the piano lifted her from her daydream. The composition was upbeat, far different from anything on Trill, Bajor or Cardassia. She looked across herself at the stage half listening but growing more invested as she realized the skill on display. Whoever was playing was actually really good. She figured it must be a civilian entertainer, though she thought it odd that civilian’s would be aboard during a mission. She thought that particular Starfleet experiment had ended with the Dominion War, but she figured like with many things of late, she might just be mistaken.

Hally watched for a moment before she got a good look at the person playing the keys. A small humanoid, female maybe, wearing a starfleet uniform.

Purple hair. Cute. Human?

It couldn’t be.

Hally stood from the table to get a better look and cradled the cooling drink in her hands. She walked a few steps forward before she confirmed her suspicions.

Robin Mayfair!

Robin had been a classmate at the Academy, well an upperclassman at least, 3rd or 4th year to Hally’s 1st, but someone she had taken particular note of. Robin was the star of the Academy Choir, a person with an incredible voice and cunning intellect. As someone fascinated with language and voices, Hallowette had immediately become a fan, though at the time she hadn’t dared told her. Robin was an incredible example to the young Trill/Bajoran, and while Hally had little of Mayfair’s natural talent, she had been inspired to sing every time she watched the violet haired human perform.

Feeling reinvigorated by seeing a familiar face, Hallowette spent a few moments watching Robin play before she approached the piano, timing it that her arrival coincided with the ending of the ragtime melody. She waited for the music to fully leave Robin’s fingers before smiling broadly and giving a warm nod, applauding awkwardly against the beverage in her hand. 

“Bravo...” she grinned, teal eyes sparking happily, before she recognized that Robin Mayfair was now Lt. Commander Mayfair. “Uhm Commander.” she said somewhat sheepishly. She let the phrase sit for a moment before continuing, wondering internally if she was being too informal, “Uhm, you probably don’t remember me, but we were in the Academy Choir together back a few years ago. I’m very pleased to see you are still performing.”

==Tag Robin and all else!==

[Robin Mayfair]

Robin finished her song. She was reasonably pleased with herself. The piano was an instrument she'd taken to, even more than the guitar she'd been playing since she was young.

I think I have a new favorite instrument. I can really cut loose on this thing.

There was a smattering of applause, but the nurse was surprised to hear genuine enthusiastic clapping and a "Bravo!" She turned on the old spinning seat to see a young woman approaching. "Uhm Commander." There was a bit of nervousness in her voice. "Uhm, you probably don’t remember me, but we were in the Academy Choir together back a few years ago. I’m very pleased to see you are still performing."

Wow, that was me only a couple years ago. Afraid to even approach a superior officer.

She grinned. "Of course I remember! How are you doing, Hallowette? Do you still like to be called Hally?" She paused for a moment, realizing that since she hadn't changed out of uniform the Midshipman probably didn't know what to call her. "And I'm off duty. Call me Robin."

Pfft, how long did it take me to learn to do that with Tyra and the other department heads? Well, maybe I can make it easier on her.

She motioned to a nearby table and chair set, stopping only to order a coffee for herself from the replicator. While she wanted to play some more, it could wait. It was good to see a familiar face from the Academy, even if they hadn't known each other well. A bit of conversation and catching up sounded good. Besides, Hallowette was one of the few cadets who hadn't been standoffish or outright hostile to the young Augment.

"Truth is I haven't had much opportunity to perform lately, and that was my first time with the piano in front of an audience. Trying to get back into it. Oh, and welcome to the Artemis!"

== Tag Hally and all other peoples ==

[Hallowette Maxas-Darl]

Robin grinned. "Of course I remember! How are you doing, Hallowette? Do you still like to be called Hally?" She paused for a moment, realizing that since she hadn't changed out of uniform the Midshipman probably didn't know what to call her. "And I'm off duty. Call me Robin."

Hallowette beamed. She was thrilled that Robin remembered her, much less knew her name. "Oh, yes, I still go by Hally!"

She allowed the augmented medical officer to lead her to a nearby table and she sat as Robin did.

"Truth is I haven't had much opportunity to perform lately, and that was my first time with the piano in front of an audience. Trying to get back into it. Oh, and welcome to the Artemis!"

"Thank you...Robin." Hally said genuinely, still vaguely aware that she was sitting with a senior officer, and one that she had quite admired just a few years prior. "The Artemis is an incredible ship. I still can't believe I got her as my first assignment." She took a sip of her latte and placed her arms on the table before her, gesturing with a quick nod towards the piano, "By the way, I wasn't aware you are such an accomplished pianist. I mean, I knew you sing - I will never forget your solo during the Reman delegation visit. You were incredible!"

Hally's enthusiastic smile softened a bit as she realized just how much she had needed to see a familiar face.

[Aeryn Miller]

The sensible thing to do would be to go to her quarters, change, and relax enough to get some sleep before returning to the lab to finish the last remaining probe. However, Aeryn quickly decided that the sensible thing could wait, because she needed a change of scenery, and what better way to unwind than visiting the crew lounge on Deck 8, replicating something tasty, and hopefully bumping into someone she knew.

Sure she might look a little messy with the random hair falling from the plait she had worn that day, and her uniform jacket had been left unzipped, thanks to discarding it earlier to work on the probes, but considering she was now off duty, the redhead hadn't made an effort to rectify it. Upon entering the lounge, Aeryn smiled remembering the day she had first come across it, loving the informality it provided, although Ten Forward also happened to be a favourite hangout of hers.

Taking a moment to look around, Aeryn spotted Robin talking to a redhead she hadn't seen before, catching herself from trying to grin at how they seemed to be taking over the ship. Amused since she was counting herself, Aeryn waved at Robin, before walking over to an available replicator, where she proceeded to go through the selections and figure out what she was in the mood for.

After a few minutes of careful consideration, the Commander made her choice in the form of bacon, sausage, and pancakes, along with a black forest latte. Picking up a tray, Aeryn then began looking for a place to sit.

== Tags ==

[Robin Mayfair]

"Thank you...Robin. The Artemis is an incredible ship. I still can't believe I got her as my first assignment."

Me neither. But those were very different circumstances.

Robin's first experience aboard the Artemis had been during a life-and-death struggle against the Borg, and it had almost ended with her getting blown out into space due to a hull breach. She pushed the dark thoughts aside. The nurse felt that her job was to help new officers even when they weren't part of her staff. Trouble would come in its own time. It always did. 

"By the way, I wasn't aware you are such an accomplished pianist. I mean, I knew you sing - I will never forget your solo during the Reman delegation visit. You were incredible!"

The CMO smiled warmly. "Thanks! To tell the truth that was nerve-wracking. I mean, the Academy board was there too. I almost threw up before the concert." The experience had been a good one, though, and it had helped build the nurse's confidence. 

"And I only started the piano a few months ago. Just part of being enhanced, I guess." 

Robin always became embarrassed when talking about such matters. Her genetic enhancements allowed her to learn new skills incredibly quickly and retain them without effort, and music seemed to be hard-wired into her DNA. She could pick up new instruments with only a few months of study and sing without effort (or even warmup). Mara had (justifiably) chewed her out once when she had tried to downplay her abilities, but the thought was always there. She'd heard more than one whispered voice at the Academy saying that her talent came out of a test tube, and there was a lot of truth to it. 

Still, it was nice to receive honest praise. She wondered how much Hally knew (or cared) about her being an Augment. Many of the cadets had certainly cared.

Another redhead had entered the lounge. Aeryn looked like she'd had a long shift and was getting some food. Robin regretted that they hadn't had the chance to talk much lately, but trying to run departments was more than a full-time job. The purple-haired young woman waved her over with a smile. 

"This is Aeryn Miller, our Chief Science Officer and former Chief of Security. Aeryn, this is Hallowette Maxas-Darl, a new Midshipman and friend from the Academy. Wanna take a seat? There's more than enough room if you'd like some company."

Robin's strict upbringing had always called for proper introductions in the manner of the old United States south where her ancestors had lived. Truth was she liked doing them, viewing them as good manners in an era where such things seemed to matter less and less. 

The nurse scooted her chair over to allow her friend more space at the table. The food smelled amazing, and the perpetually-hungry Robin decided to grab some herself in a few minutes. 

== Tag Hally and Aeryn. And you, person reading this. Join us. ==

[Hallowette Maxas-Darl]

The CMO smiled warmly. "Thanks! To tell the truth that was nerve-wracking. I mean, the Academy board was there too. I almost threw up before the concert. And I only started the piano a few months ago. Just part of being enhanced, I guess." 

So the rumors were true. Robin really is an augmented human. 

Hally had dated a guy for a *very* short time who came from a family who was overtly anti-augment. Being non-human Hallowette had little in the way of a natural bias towards genetic augmentation, in fact she personally knew a Bajoran who had undergone gene therapy to treat a disease he had suffered from since birth. It had worked, giving him a quality of life that would have been undreamt of without. She understood why some species were wary, even frightened of augmentation - the Academy history classes had gone into extensive detail about the Eugenics Wars on Earth, but that was centuries ago. It wasn't like Robin had volunteered to become a super soldier...so far as she knew. Ultimately whatever reason Robin's parents had for augmenting her, she may have gotten a leg up here and there, but down deep she was still whoever she was before. Robin had always seemed kind, considerate and empathetic. If that is what augmented humans were like, then she knew quite a few humans, as well as other species, that could stand to undergo a tweak or two.

Besides, she really makes that purple hair work.
 
Hally smiled warmly, attempting to reassure her old classmate that she was never among her detractors. She cradled the remains of her latte in both hands, bringing the mug to her lips and engaging in a deep sip to finish the cup. Augment or not, Hally was just glad Robin was here. Somehow she felt safer knowing the woman was overseeing medical on the ship. Just as Hally set the cup down she followed Robin's gaze to the crimson haired woman that was standing at the replicator. 

Hallowette chuckled internally as she saw another redhead. One of the senior enlisted had made a joke on her first day that had taken some time for Hally to decrypt. She had just overheard him say to another something along the lines of, "Great, another member of the Red brigade. Before you know it, Captain's gonna require us all to get a dye job." Hally had begun to understand the man's tease. The Artemis did seem to have an above average number of auburn haired people.

Good for us!

"This is Aeryn Miller, our Chief Science Officer and former Chief of Security. Aeryn, this is Hallowette Maxas-Darl, a new Midshipman and friend from the Academy. Wanna take a seat? There's more than enough room if you'd like some company." her purple haired companion said as she waved the woman over.

Friend from the Academy! I didn't even know you knew I existed before tonight! Hally thought to herself with satisfaction.

Following Robin's prompt, Hallowette scooched over in order to make more room at the table. As she did so she stood, smiled and nodded sincerely towards the ship's CSO. "It's a pleasure to meet you Sir." She pulled a chair out from the table, offering it to the attractive senior officer.

==tag my table peeps et al==

[Aeryn Miller]

Aeryn wasn't surprised, to say the least, when Robin called out to her, grinning slightly upon hearing her friend's voice. Of course, the CMO wasn't going to let her sit by herself, not when there was a new person to meet, and the CSO didn't want to be rude or anything. Besides, it felt as though she hadn't seen Robin in ages, apart from the briefing, and Aeryn was no longer the type of person who would avoid being social.

The introductions were made as soon as Aeryn approached the table, and the woman gave her fellow redhead a warm smile before Hallowette stood and pulled out a chair for Aeryn to take.

" It's good to see you Robin, and welcome to Artemis Midshipman, although please call me Aeryn, we're off duty after all".

That was one thing that always mattered to Aeryn, regardless of rank, as she offered her thanks to Hallowette and took the offered seat, once she had placed her tray on the table.

" How are you finding the ship?" she asked with some natural curiosity, as she settled into the chair, genuinely curious as to how Hallowette was finding life aboard Artemis.

== Tags ==

[Robin Mayfair]

"It's good to see you Robin, and welcome to Artemis Midshipman, although please call me Aeryn, we're off duty after all," the CSO said warmly. Robin was glad to see it. All too many officers were dismissive of middies, forgetting that everyone started off at the bottom of the proverbial food chain, inexperienced and nervous. Aeryn wasn't like that.

Of course, not all of the Midshipmen we've gotten in the last few years have been winners. I don't think Hallowette here is going to start eating any random soup she finds in a supposedly 'abandoned' space station.

The thought was amusing. Robin had been trying to adjust to the turmoil aboard the ship, not surprising after the terrible briefing they'd been through not too long ago. With the command crew shakeups people were still walking on eggshells. The CMO hadn't yet had a meeting scheduled with the new First Officer, something that was a bit of a surprise. Word was he'd been rather standoffish with the Bridge crew. She wondered if she should push the issue, and then decided against it. He'd set up the meeting if he wanted. And if he decided to just put in his time on what might well be a temporary assignment then that was his concern.

And that left the issue of the Captaincy. Tyra Crawford was again sitting in the big chair, but Captain Givens was still on board. What was going on with that? Tyra had seemed as confused by the whole matter as everyone else when she had walked into the meeting. What weren't they being told. What was Tyra not being told? And there was no word on Elias or Coleman.

Matters for later. Her job was to keep her department running. The bizarre personnel changes were matters for others.

"Would you like another drike, Hally? I think I'm going to order some food, too, if you want anything."

== Tags ==

[Hallowette Maxas-Darl]

"How are you finding the ship?" asked the friendly woman with the light accented speech. Soon after Robin enquired if she wanted anything from the replicator.

Hally addressed her friends question first, figuring that Aeryn's would take a bit more thought. "Uhm, sure!" Her stomach ached hungrily with the mention of food and the aroma from that already on the table. "I'll take an iced sweetened black tea, maybe in the Carolina style? And maybe a taro root hasperat...if it's not too much trouble." She grinned sheepishly at her friend, taking note of Robin's purple irises...a feature she hadn't ever noticed before. "Thank you so much Robin..."

She then turned her attention to Commander Miller.

The CSO's question was one she'd been asked a couple of times now; once by the bartender up in Ten Forward, and once by the ships intake counselor. Both times she had been polite, giving the answer that most expected - That things were perfect and wonderful and she was living her dreams. 

Truthfully, while Hally was entirely gracious to be here, her first weeks as a member of the crew had been far from what she had anticipated. The fact that she was working as a lowly deckhand wasn't the issue. Hallowette understood full well that there was a ladder to climb, and a reputation to build. She was more than willing to work for her place - it was more so the odd sense among the crew that things just weren't ok. Not that she was an outsider per se, most beings had been welcoming - it was almost more the sense that they didn't trust...well anyone who hadn't survived their last mission. She heard hushed whispers about the senior crew, about how Starfleet had it out for the Artemis...that the ship was cursed.

I want to say it's a bit unsettling...sometimes... she thought to herself, letting the grin on her face soften.

"I think I am really lucky to be here..." she said with sincerity. Hally paused and caught her breath, glancing at Robin to measure how she might take this next part. "If I can be honest Commander....uhm, Aeryn..." Hally looked into the depths of her empty cup before bringing her teal eyes up, sympathy lining her gaze, "I know the Artemis hasn't had...the best go of things lately..." She brought a hand up, laying her fingers gently against the spots lining her neck, searching for the diplomatic, yet honest remainder of her thoughts. She returned the hand to her cup before beginning again. "I just want to contribute. To do my part and learn from everyone here. The crew I've met..." she nodded slightly towards her friend, "Robin, yourself, Lt. Grant, CPO Garrett...others...you are all remarkable people. The ship equally so." Hallowette smiled warmly, her eyes pinching at their sides boyishly, her youth and inexperience evident in her features. "I am really glad to be part of your crew. I'm very proud to be Artemis."

She settled her eyes on the older redhead and held it with assurance.

==tag tag==

[Louise Liu]

Though hardly her favourite place aboard ship, the Deck Eight Lounge was one of the few places where Louise could go where attention had a central focus, namely not towards her. Since joining the Artemis crew, Louise had tried her best to stay out of the way; as a new addition to a crew which desperately needed a top-down psychiatric review, her position as Assistant Counsellor, not yet in possession of a doctorate, had made her something of a target for those who resented mandatory therapy sessions, especially with a mere Ensign. Professional discourtesy she could deal with, Starfleet seemed to revel in such an attitude, but it was the way people looked at her that bugged her the most. Her resemblance to her sister was almost identical, save for the tattoos, hair and eye colour, and meant that veteran members of the crew often did double-takes when they passed her in the corridors.

She had deliberately used her birth mother's name and excluded her father from her application and service record to prevent the "family name" affecting her service, but one couldn't ignore genetics or the reputation of her older and far more notorious sibling.

Unfortunately that association, or the desire to avoid it, had meant that she had not struck up much of a rapport with the other members of the crew, even the other non-MD therapists that made up the bulk of the Artemis' counselling department. Alex had warned her that becoming the ship loner would be more harmful than beneficial, especially as a therapist, as how could she expect anyone to open up to her if she wasn't open to them? As she watched her Department Head enjoy a lighthearted conversation with the Chief Medical Officer and a Tactical Midshipwoman Louise had seen in her graduating class, she felt a twinge of envy at how easy they all found it.

It was easy to blame her social ineptitude on being bounced from duty station to duty station as a child, or her conservative adolescence on New Kanto, but deep down she knew that she was simply afraid that she'd be found out and inevitably compared to her sister. Her sister the rock star. The war hero. Wherever she went on the Artemis, there were reminders of her sister; it was said that even the piano that Commander Mayfair had been playing had been one of her favourite instruments, and that she'd been the one to sneak it onto the Artemis rather than letting it gather dust as part of the Gettysburg museum.

On one hand, people act like she walked on water. On the other hand, people label her a dangerous renegade. To me, she's just "the favourite".

As she sipped her tea, Louise continued to observe the group enjoying their conversation; part of her wanted to wander over, nonchalantly introduce herself, and see if she'd be invited. Self-preservation kicked in, however, before she made the attempt; Miller and Maxas-Darl were newer additions to the Artemis crew and had not served with her sister, but Mayfair had; the more time she spent with the Augment, the more likely it was that she'd figure it out (if she hadn't already), and once that secret was out there was no bottling it back up again. Captain Crawford and Commander Morgan knowing was quite enough.

And so Louise went back to people watching, content to observe her new crew as they went about their business. Though she was not yet ready to try and enter someone else's social discussions, she knew she would have to eventually. Until then, she guessed she would just have to hope that someone would take pity on her and begin the interaction, or remain content to be the proverbial wallflower.

[Aeryn Miller]

Aeryn didn't blame Hallowette in the slightest for answering Robin first, aware that the question she had asked, might take some time to think about. She hoped that she hadn't made things awkward for the new Middie. However, she would respect whatever she told her because it took a lot of courage to be able to be honest, especially with two senior officers present. Sometimes Aeryn forgot just how senior she was compared to others, and yet still presented that same warmth and approachability that she always carried with her, regardless of the rank she now held.

She wanted people to be open, to tell her straight if something was bothering them, or at the very least have an understanding, because it made for a better relationship overall. " Hasperat happens to be a favourite of mine too," the redhead remarked, thinking back to when Merle introduced her to it. The memory of that first time was one that Aeryn remembered fondly before Hallowette responded to Aeryn's question with warmth and sincerity.

The tactical officer wasn't wrong with her assessment of recent events, understanding how it might seem to someone new to be arriving after one of the more physically demanding and emotionally draining missions she had ever been a part of. Yet there was a determination and assurance that spoke of honesty and, despite the ship's reputation of late, Hallowette hadn't let it put her off. It was quite the opposite, which told Aeryn that she would fit right in with them.

" I appreciate your honesty, Hallowette, and from what you've said, I do not doubt that you'll fit right in here because even through the hardest of times, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than Artemis".

It was then that the CSO spotted another unfamiliar face, and broached the topic with those she was sitting with.

" It seems as though we have another newcomer. I think we should invite her over".



== Tags ==

[Lucy Devereaux]

Lucy entered the Officer's or Crew Lounge with a mixture of feelings, mostly shame. It was her own fault for not filtering herself. Comedy came from a sense of timing, which she was starting to feel she didn’t have. She was certain she didn’t have it. The right thing to do was generally the thought that you stop before you go to do something inadvisable. The clue was most definitely in the word.

There were a number of officers she recognised, but she needed to order something from the replicators. About halfway to the Hugora Nebula and the most dramatic things had happened during the briefing, It was definitely for the best. If the Cardassians got annoyed there would be more than sufficient drama. Lucy arrived at the replictors and placed her order. 

“Double cheeseburger, onion rings, fries and a strawberry milkshake, please.”

Her meal arriived on a tray with the milkshake in a tall glass. Lucy cautiously lifted the tray and looked for a group that wouldn't mind her joining them. She saw Aeryn, Robin and a new officer. She made her way through the tables and carefully set her The benefit of fries and onion rings was that they could be shared, Onion rings were an acquired taste, but she liked them.

“Hi.”

== tag. ==

[Robin Mayfair]

The lounge was starting to get busier, though it was by no means full. Not surprising; there had just been a shift change, and with the Artemis en route to its assignment there wasn't much to do that required officers to stay on duty.

Hally asked for some food, which the nurse was more than happy to grab for her. "I'll take an iced sweetened black tea, maybe in the Carolina style? And maybe a taro root hasperat...if it's not too much trouble. Thank you so much Robin..."

"No trouble at all. I'll grab them."

"It seems as though we have another newcomer. I think we should invite her over," Aeryn noted. The CMO saw the new arrival, a young Ensign in Medical teal, but who wasn't part of her immediate staff who she all knew by sight.

Must be a new counselor. Wow, she looks almost exactly like...

"I'll take care of it," the nurse said to her friend. She got up and headed towards the replicator. Lucy Devereaux had also come into the lounge and had grabbed some food, heading over to where the group had gathered. As Robin passed the Science Officer she grabbed an onion ring from the tray and popped it in her mouth. "Thanks," she said with a chuckle as she passed by.

Robin wasn't the type to hold grudges or be judgmental. She'd dealt with too many judgmental people to ever allow herself to feel that way for long. During the insanely tense briefing Lucy had proposed having a drinking game afterwards and had even asked Robin to officiate, an idea that had gone over as well as proposing to use the warp core for phaser target practice. Robin had been exhausted from a long shift even before the briefing had started, and it had taken all of her discipline to stop herself from snapping at the copper-haired woman. Lucy had a bad habit of failing to read the room. But truth was Robin had no hard feelings, and getting some sleep had helped immensely. It just wasn't that big a deal.

She stopped by the other new arrival. Robin gave her her best warm smile. "Y'know, by long Artemis tradition that I just made up wallflowers aren't permitted in 8-Starboard. Since this is apparently turning into a bit of a get-together to welcome new arrivals feel free to join us, Ensign...?"

== Tags ==

[Hallowette Maxas-Darl]

" I appreciate your honesty, Hallowette, and from what you've said, I do not doubt that you'll fit right in here because even through the hardest of times, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than Artemis"

Hally nodded respectfully. The CSO's words (as well as Robin's actions) were incredibly gracious, and the Bajoran/Trill hybrid felt their value more deeply than she anticipated. She realized validation had been somewhat in short supply since she arrived, so it was nice to hear those from the senior crew be so welcoming and warm. Hallowette hadn't expected such kindness, but she appreciated it deeply.


“Hi.” followed the gentle thud of a tray of food being laid on the table, and Hally looked up to note yet another attractive, copper haired female wrapped in science blue. 

She chuckled despite herself. (While red hair was relatively common among Bajorans, it was more or less rare among the Trill - having grown up on the latter, she had been an anomaly, a curiosity. Seeing so many Humans among the crew with auburn hues in their hair was a nice change.)

Hallowette gave a quick wave and returned the affectation, "Hi!" She checked the situation around the table, noting that Robin was speaking with another newcomer, an Ensign, maybe? She cleared a bit more space, hopping her chair a bit more towards Robin and Aeryn's chairs before addressing the science officer who had just joined them, "Now that looks good! I may have to get a milkshake myself!"

[Louise Liu]

"Y'know, by long Artemis tradition that I just made up wallflowers aren't permitted in 8-Starboard. Since this is apparently turning into a bit of a get-together to welcome new arrivals feel free to join us, Ensign...?"

Sipping her tea quietly, Louise had watched as the party of women at the table grew, and as Commander Mayfair rose, presumably to get another drink. She was surprised, therefore, to look up from her beverage to see the purple-haired Augment standing before her. For a brief second, Louise thought she'd offended someone by staring, but quickly reminded herself that not all cultures were as closed-minded as the one she had been raised in on New Kanto.

"Y'know, by long Artemis tradition that I just made up wallflowers aren't permitted in 8-Starboard. Since this is apparently turning into a bit of a get-together to welcome new arrivals feel free to join us, Ensign...?"

Louise suddenly felt the desire to sink into her chair, through the deck plating, and into the between-deck spaces where she could hide. Her face flushed red and the desire to run far, run fast flooded her system. Placing her tea down, Louise ran through a quick mindfulness exercise in her head that Alex had taught her when she had first moved to Earth. While she had hoped to avoid the attentions of the senior staff for a few rotations, maybe her entire tour on the Artemis, she had known deep down that this wasn't entirely feasible.

At least she didn't start with "Do I know you? You look familiar..."

Looking back up at Mayfair, Louise couldn't help but smile back despite her embarassed blush. Whether it was natural or a product of genetic engineering, Mayfair possessed a smile that was both warm and adorable at the same time. Almost like a pixy, but taller and sans-wings.

"Liu. Louise Liu. I joined the counselling staff while the Artemis was docked at Deep Space Nine."

Briefly, Louise considered rejecting the Commander's invitation. Remaining isolated from the crew would ensure she was left alone, but as Alex had said, a closed therapist wasn't an effective therapist; how could she expect people to open up to her when she was a closed book? Some of these people would probably need her services someday, either as a therapist or a field medic, and they needed to have faith that she had their best interests at heart.

"I'd be delighted to join you. I admit my social life has been...nonexistent..."

[Aeryn Miller]

" Thanks, Robin," Aeryn said as her friend offered to invite the other newcomer to their table, since the CMO was getting up to fetch food and drinks for both her and Hallowette. What had started as her simply wanting to have a bite to eat and unwind a little had turned into something better, and regardless of how she might feel following a long shift, the CSO was glad that she could spend some time with friends and potential friends.

However, they would be joined by someone else, specifically Lucy Devereaux, the Lieutenant under Aeryn's charge. While their last encounter had involved reading the junior officer the Riot Act, Aeryn wasn't about to get up and change tables or deny Lucy the chance to join them. Hallowette was the first to greet Lucy, before commenting on the milkshake she had.

" They're pretty good, especially the ones Orrin makes in Ten Forward" Aeryn revealed with a wink, before greeting her fellow Science officer. " Hi Lucy, this is Hallowette Maxas-Darl, our new Tactical Middie".

Continuing the introduction, Aeryn then told Hally about Lucy.

" Hallowette, this is Lucy Devereaux, one of my Science Lieutenants".

== Tags ==

[Robin Mayfair]

The young Ensign flushed red and for a moment looked like she wanted to be anywhere else. Robin was a bit taken aback for a moment. She hadn't really even gotten used to the idea of being senior staff, especially at her age, and it was intimidating meeting superior officers... especially in a social situation. She herself wasn't completely comfortable with it

I was no different. Meeting the Captain and First Officer as a middie at the wake after the Megasphere battle. And them asking to be on a first-name basis. That wasn't how I was raised.

""Liu. Louise Liu. I joined the counselling staff while the Artemis was docked at Deep Space Nine."

Her voice has a familiar tone, and this close Robin was sure of who she was related to. A sister? A cousin? It wasn't a matter for discussion here anyway, if ever.

Mama and Papa taught me never to pry into people's kin. If she wants to talk about it she will. Lord knows the rumor mill will start grinding soon enough.

"I'd be delighted to join you. I admit my social life has been...nonexistent..."

Robin smiled warmly. That was all too familiar. It'd been months before she started making friends. She'd felt like she was walking on eggshells for the first few weeks, and had almost entirely kept to herself. And the rumor mill had been going full time for her too. She heard it all, every whisper behind her back. 'The Augment.' The one who'd sued to get into the Academy. (She hadn't; she'd THREATENED to sue and hired a lawyer.) The cheat. The dangerous menace. It had only been when she'd met Beka that things had really started to change. If she could make things easier for the new counsellor she would.

"Nice to meet you, Louise. I'm Robin Mayfair, the CMO. Call me Robin. We're pretty informal off-duty on this ship. I'll introduce you to the rest of the people here. And you can help me grab some snacks for everyone over at the replicator. I'm thinking wings."

== Tag Louise ==

[Miles Grant]

Miles needed a drink.

With everything going on, especially with the Captain, Commander Coleman, and Commander Elias, there had been enough stress and anxiety to go around. On top of that, Miles was definitely getting a better hang of (and more understanding on what the Captain had meant by) the paperwork aspect of his position as a Department Head. He was, by his own admission, a man of action. He also understood the importance of paperwork, and knew how important it was to his position.

Nevertheless, his shift had ended, and it was time for a much needed decompressing. He could have easily gone to his quarters, but he felt like maybe, if available, he could socialize. That was why he made his way to the Officer's Lounge on Deck 4. Once he entered, he looked around. He noted a few members of Medical and Science, to include his contemporaries, but he also saw a newer person that he recognized from files as his new Midshipman. He hadn't had a chance to speak with her in depth, but it could wait. She was clearly in a good conversation that he did not want to impose upon.

As such, he made his way over to a spot and ordered a drink. He took a deep breath as he allowed himself to relax a bit, but showing he was open to conversation for anyone interested.

==Tag any. ==

[Lucy Devereaux]

It hadn’t been that long since she’d embarrassed herself in front of the senior and junior officers, or at least the ones who had been at the meeting, and yet Aeryn and Robin didn’t seem to be too put out by her appearance. Lucy smiled a little when Robin helped herself to an onion ring. It was a small thing, but starting from square one would take time.

Making some proper progression in social interactions was what kept Lucy moving. Maybe making some friends in the process. Also there was the small matter of learning how to fall in love again.

“Welcome to the Artemis, Hallowette.”

Lucy recalled that Hallowette had commented on the milkshape and so had Aeryn. Milkshakes were good. Homemade and a decent packet mix had their merits. Mixing fresh ingredients with milk and ice cream was always worth it if you didn’t get too experimental. Orrin’s milkshakes were excellent.

“Totally forgot about Orrin’s milkshakes. Do you think he’d be open to the idea of a Raktajino milkshake? Don’t know if the flavors would balance out. Certain culinary experiments should only be tried once and never repeated if they are a disaster. The replicator milkshakes are good, but sometimes a homemade shake can be special.”

Lucy grabbed her burger and took a bite. A mind could wander too far and she was somewhat afraid of rambling. She tried to chew thoughtfully and chased the burger with a gulp of her shake. It was really good. Diner food has a special place for Lucy and she wanted to clear the fog of emotions she was wrapped in before they arrived at the nebula.

[Hallowette Maxas-Darl]

“Welcome to the Artemis, Hallowette.”

Hally nodded politely and a genuine smile appeared on her freckled face.  "Thank you Lt. I'm proud to be here."

As the lounge began to fill, the young Midshipman cast a glance around the room, noting her supervisor Lt. Grant, as well as a number of others. While she didn't feel awkward, or like a fish out of water, she was more than aware of the history everyone in the room shared, and how far she might have to travel to earn their trust. The last months of the Academy were half optimistic hope for the future, and half horrific horror story, as it seemed a great deal of advice centered on biding one's time, not expecting to be fully accepted at first, and 'you better hope you aren't assigned to *this ship or that*'. 

To Hally's credit she had done her best to ignore that sort of thing, and just accept what her future held. Still, the Artemis was one of the most technologically advanced. It was storied, well known, and those who really knew of her history were aware of the reputation the crew and it's Captain had. Even when receiving her orders the administrative officer had arched a brow and said, "Artemis. Hmm. She has quite a crew from what I hear..." before moving on to the next in line.

Hally had been elated to get assigned here. She was on a top of the line ship with every opportunity to learn, experience and do. And so far, if the Officers at this table were any example, the Artemis' crew was more than welcoming (well, aside from those in Hangar 2) - and Hally wasn't really one to be shy.

"So, Aeryn...uhm..." she dared to call the new Lt. Junior by her first name, "and Lucy - what sorts of things do outgoing, friendly, and totally interesting redheads do on the best ship in the fleet when not saving the galaxy?" She grinned broadly as she allowed a bit of her personality to peak out.

[Aeryn Miller]

While Lucy and Hallowette spoke, Aeryn caught sight of one Miles Grant, something that the new Artemis Middie had also noticed, considering that Miles was her DH. Naturally, the CSO wouldn't let her friend sit by himself unless he wanted some alone time, which she would totally get considering what had transpired so far, and what was about to come. So, Aeryn immediately tried to get his attention, by waving him over, as Lucy talked about Orrin's milkshakes.

The idea of a coffee-flavoured one did sound appealing, assuming you could get it right. " I mean anything's possible, but I guess it would be trial and error when it comes to getting the mix and flavour right, I also don't mind the replicated stuff, especially if I don't have time to go to Ten Forward".

Replicated was a great alternative, and it had served Aeryn well over the years, considering she wasn't a good cook. Hallowette then brought up an interesting question, giving them a glimpse of her personality. A quality that was nice to see and perhaps a sign that she was getting comfortable around them.

" Lots of things" Aeryn teased. " When I'm not doing my part in saving the galaxy, I'm either spending time with my girlfriend Beka, who is also a redhead, keeping up with my fitness, somewhere like here or on the holodeck".

Aeryn tried to fit in as much as possible, preferring to keep herself occupied rather than dwell on anything unpleasant.

== Tag Hallowette, Lucy and Miles if you would like to join us :-) ==