Seven of Nine walked swiftly through the corridors of Voyager. Each step was precise and efficient. Even when other members of the Voyager crew were in the way, she adjusted quickly and minimized the lost time. She tried to be "polite" as she maneuvered around people but today all of her movements came off as slightly frustrated.
All she would have received for her behavior would have been a stern lecture by Captain Janeway but then the Doctor felt the need to offer a suggestion. She was somewhat puzzled by the idea of sensitivity training and was even more confused by the fact that Tuvok was to assist with her lessons. As a Vulcan, he should understand the unnecessary nature of emotions.
Arriving outside of Holodeck 2, she found Tuvok waiting for her.
"Seven of Nine, you are as punctual as ever. Are you prepared for your training?"
"Preparation is irrelevant. This exercise is a futile endeavor meant to punish me for alleged 'insensitivity'."
"Your comments made the Lieutenant leave the party crying."
"I honestly told her my beliefs about her promotion. Should I have kept silent when questioned?"
"It was a party celebrating said promotion. Perhaps a modicum of empathy would have been appropriate. While I suppress emotions, I am still sensitive the emotional state of those around me. This exercise should help to show you how empathy and kindness can lead to a better environment for yourself and for the crew."
Tuvok tapped a series of commands on the console to begin the program. As the doors opened, he gestured for Seven of Nine to enter. She moved in quickly with Tuvok close behind, so upset that she barely noticed the program around her. When she snapped out of her anger, she stopped suddenly and tried to take stock of the world around her.
Her ocular implant had difficulty with the environment she was being bombarded with. No planet she had ever visited had such vibrant color.
"I do not recall hearing of a program like this."
"That is because it was recently sent to us by Lieutenant Barclay. He personally recommended the land of Equestria for relaxation."
"This is a very strange place for you to teach me a lesson Commander."
"I will not be your guide in this exercise. My goal for the moment is to introduce you to your teacher. We should see her momentarily."
As soon as Tuvok finished his sentence, the arch that led back to Voyager dissolved and where it once stood was a small road with a creature gently trotting towards them.
Seven was struck with flashbacks of a life lived so long ago. Annika Hansen once held a childhood obsession with brightly colored animals. She would play with toys that had magical adventures traveling throughout the galaxy.
The purple unicorn that stopped in front of them looked like it came right out of the fantasies of young Annika.
"Seven of Nine, meet your guide, Twilight Sparkle."