Chapter 12
When Harry slipped away the next morning, Cassie made sure he was gone before she, too, got up. She decided she was going to do something useful today. Well, a little useful, at least. Seven had intrigued her, and today seemed like as good a day as any to talk to her. If she had the time. Cassie showered, dressed, and did her usual morning stretches. She programmed yet another recipe into the replicator for breakfast, if you could call a protein shake with only protein powder and milk breakfast, and took a swig from the bottle.
"Computer, where's Seven of Nine?" she asked.
"Seven of Nine is in Astrometrics."
"Thanks."
And so Cassie, protein shake in hand, set out for Astrometrics. She arrived outside the door and, taking a deep breath, walked in.
"Cassie. State your intentions," Seven ordered, turning as she heard the door open.
"I wanted to talk to you," Cassie answered simply.
"About what topic?" Seven insisted. Cassie chuckled.
"I don't know. Whatever you want. Jeez, Seven, loosen up. I can come back later if you're busy."
"I am not busy. I do not understand the term 'loosen up'. Explain."
Cassie took a few strolling steps around the room before finding an empty table and hopping up to sit on it.
"You know. Relax. Stop being so formal. Loosen up," Cassie explained. Seven tilted her head.
"That is not necessary," she insisted. Cassie shrugged, philosophically.
"You could say that about a lot of things. Just because you won't die if you don't do it doesn't mean it's not necessary. There's a difference between living and surviving, Seven. I'm not sure which one you're doing."
"Elaborate."
"Okay, it's like this. You can be surviving. You can be alive and perform whatever actions you need to on a day to day basis. You can eat and sleep and engage in minimal conversation. Or you can live. You can do things you enjoy, even if they aren't productive. You can eat foods you like because you enjoy it, not because you have to. You can talk to people because you want to build a relationship and get to know them and find comfort and contentment in being around them. You see the difference?"
Seven tilted her head and moved over, slowly, to sit beside Cassie on the table.
"I have not had access to this information before. I see the difference. But I am in the pursuit of perfection." Cassie chuckled and Seven furrowed her brow.
"Seven, no offense, but that's a really bad life goal. Admirable, sure, but ultimately open to interpretation."
"Elaborate."
"Okay, okay. Seven, perfection isn't a set standard. If you asked every member of this crew at what point they would consider themselves and their lives perfect, I guarantee you would get a lot of different answers. Just because it's perfect for one person doesn't mean it is for the next person. If there ever is a time in your life you feel like you've achieved perfection, someone else will still think you couldn't be further from it. You need to ask yourself the big questions, Seven: who are you, and what do you want?"
"I...I do not know. That is an aspect of my humanity I have yet to explore," Seven admitted, seeming befuddled.
"Do you know your own answers to those questions?" she asked after a moment of silence. Cassie sighed.
"I used to think I did. But then I woke up here. Everything is different now. I'm not sure I know those answers anymore," she admitted.
"You are...sad?" Seven asked.
"Yes, very sad," Cassie agreed.
"If someone had asked you those questions, before you woke up here, what would you have said?" Seven asked. Cassie looked thoughtful.
"I would have said I'm Cassandra Zemnieks. I love writing and baking and stick fighting and music. I'm terrible at art but I love it anyway. I would do anything for the people I love, even if it meant my death. I hate cold weather but I love snow. My favorite color is lavender. I want to own a bakery when I'm old enough, and I want to write books on the side. I want to marry Michael and have at least two children. I want to finally figure out how to make my art look the way I want it to. I want everyone to have the same basic rights and for those that need help to have it in a way that will benefit them in the long term. I want to be happy with what I have. I want to have the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can't, and the wisdom to know the difference. That's what I would have said, Seven."
"It seems the only things that have changed are your options. Who you are does not have to be different, if you do not wish it. Your goals may change, but you do not have to let your circumstances define you."
"Thanks, Seven. I think you know more than you think you do," Cassie said. Seven raised an eyebrow.
"Perhaps I do. I wish to...further explore my human nature. I have had difficulties rediscovering my own humanity and individuality since I have been severed from the collective. Your assistance would be...appreciated," Seven said finally. Cassie smiled.
"I'm happy to help you however I can," she agreed.
"Where do we begin?" Seven questioned, expectantly. Cassie looked over Seven.
"Hm. Why do you dress like that?" she asked, not unkindly.
"Why is that relevant?" Seven returned. Cassie sighed.
"Seven, I guess you don't see it a lot on a ship where everyone wears a uniform, but self expression is an important part of individuality. And one of the main forms of self expression is appearance, including clothing, posture, and expression."
"You do not believe my clothing is sufficient?"
"Well, it's functional, if that's what you mean. But as far as expressing yourself goes, I think you could do better."
"Explain."
"Seven, why do you dress like that? You never answered me."
"It is an efficient design. When I first came on board, this is the clothing the Doctor designed for me. It is functional."
"But do you like it?"
"Explain."
"Is it comfortable? Do you like the color? Do you feel like it suits you?"
"It is an efficient design."
"Seven, that's not what I asked. Come on, work with me here. Think about it. Do you like it?"
"I...I do not believe that I do," Seven answered finally, seeming shocked at the realization. Cassie clapped her hands.
"That's a start! Ok, let's start there. What would you be comfortable in? What color would it be? Would it be pants or a skirt? Tight or loose? Do you want to wear the same thing every day or something different?"
"I believe I wish to wear an identical daily outfit, as you do. I do not know what it would be. Something efficient, but comfortable. Something that...suits me," Seven said, softly. Cassie, grinning from ear to ear, hopped off the table.
"Come on. Let's go design you something, then," she said, bubbling with excitement. Seven slowly stood.
"I...okay," she agreed, tentatively.
She followed Cassie out of Astrometrics. Cassie led her through the halls and turbolift and into unfamiliar quarters. Seven assumed they belonged to Cassie.
"Wait here," Cassie ordered when they stood in the main room. Seven complied. Cassie went into her bedroom and emerged a moment later with a device Seven did not recognize in her hands. She sat on the couch.
"Sit down, Seven," she invited, patting the seat next to her. Seven sat. Cassie's hands flew over an unfamiliar device on the base of the object.
"What is this device?" Seven asked. Cassie chuckled.
"Oh, this is my laptop. It probably looks weird to you. I managed to program the replicator to make one like I had in 2020. It's a little nostalgic, I know. I had to do a lot of programming on it to link it into the ship's systems, but I figured it out."
"Why do you not simply use the Computer?"
Cassie shrugged, hands still flying over the keyboard.
"I like this better. It makes me happy," she answered simply. She stopped typing.
"Ah, here. Now, let's look through some pictures and see what catches your eye." Cassie slid the laptop over some so Seven could see the screen clearly. On it were four pictures of four different types of bottoms, all black on a white background.
"Am I supposed to choose the most efficient?" Seven asked, confused.
"Not exactly, no. Pick whichever you think looks the most comfortable. Pick the one you like."
"How do I know?"
"Follow your gut. Knee jerk reaction. Which one looks the most comfortable?" Seven looked skeptical, but pointed at the long skirt in the bottom right corner. Cassie smiled.
"A skirt. I think a skirt would suit you, and they are pretty comfortable. Moving on." Cassie ran her fingers over the keys and pulled up more pictures, still black on a white background, but with more detail in the skirts.
"That one," Seven said quickly, pointing.
Cassie typed again. This process continued for a while, until Cassie was satisfied with the type of skirt Seven liked. Then they moved on to tops. Then color and design. Then, finally, Cassie looked down at Seven's shoes skeptically.
"Do you like your shoes? I've always found heels that high to be sort of uncomfortable," Cassie said. Seven examined her shoes.
"I do not find them to be...comfortable. Nor efficient. I wish to change them, as well," Seven decided. Cassie grinned and started up the picture slideshow again, giving Seven tips and recommendations along the way.
Eventually, they had compiled a day to day outfit Seven decided she liked. She had opted not to wear the exact same thing every day, but to wear the same style dress and the same shoes, just in different colors. The dresses they replicated were soft linen. The top had a round neckline and quarter length sleeves that hugged Seven's arms at the ends but were somewhat loose through to the shoulders. There was a tie around Seven's waist to accentuate her figure and the skirt flowed down from there, ending loose around her ankles. Her shoes were low cut tennis shoes that were comfortable and looked cute with the dresses. Seven had asked Cassie to pick colors that would "suit her" as she didn't know how. Cassie had replicated red, pale pink, pale blue, and black. She said you can never go wrong with a black dress.
Cassie waited, bouncing on her toes, as Seven changed into the pale pink dress. As soon as the bedroom door opened and Seven walked out, Cassie was very glad Seven had let her help her change her wardrobe. The older woman looked so much more relaxed in the dress and tennis shoes than she had in the tight bodysuit, though she still held herself stiffly. Seven walked over to the mirror and looked into it, then half smiled.
"I...enjoy this outfit. I am comfortable, and yet it is still...efficient," Seven decided. Cassie, smiling broadly, walked up behind Seven.
"It suits you. I'm glad you like it," she agreed. Seven continued to study her reflection.
"I believe I wish to change my hair as well," she said after a moment.
"I was hoping you'd say that," Cassie answered.
By the time Cassie and Seven went to the mess hall together for lunch, Seven looked very different. The dress and the shoes had worked wonders, and once Seven decided to change her hair, her appearance had changed even more. It had taken a lot of time and more picture gazing before Seven had decided what she liked. Eventually Cassie had taught her how to dutch braid her hair about halfway and then tie it off into a ponytail, leaving some of her curly blonde hair down but keeping it out of her face. Seven had learned it pretty quickly, and she was already pretty good at it. Cassie and Seven walked into the mess hall, side by side, and more than one person stared. The ex borg and the time traveller together. Cassie didn't really blame them.
"Why, Seven, you look very nice today! What's the occasion?" Neelix asked as they approached his counter. Seven looked at Cassie and then back at Neelix.
"There is no occasion. I am simply changing my appearance. Cassie tells me that my clothing choice is an important part of expressing my individuality," Seven explained. Neelix smiled.
"Well that's great! Good for you, Seven! Your new wardrobe is very nice!" he exclaimed, sounding chipper. Cassie smiled and nudged Seven with her elbow.
"Thank you, Neelix," she said. Neelix smiled even wider, if that were possible.
"Of course. Now what can I get for you ladies?" he asked. Seven opened her mouth, as if to object, and then closed it again.
"I do not know. I wish to eat something I...enjoy, but I do not know what I enjoy," Seven answered, recalling her earlier conversation with Cassie about the difference between living and surviving.
"Well, let's see here. I'm not sure what you might like. Any ideas, Cassie?" Neelix asked.
"Hm. Well, everyone likes pizza. Most people do, anyway. We could start with that," she offered.
"Okay then. I'll let you replicate it yourself, Cassie, I can't leave this soup," Neelix said, gesturing to the large pot bhe had been stirring throughout their conversation. Cassie chuckled.
"Thanks, Neelix," she said, and led Seven to the replicator. She started typing in commands.
"Why do you not simply use the voice activation?" Seven asked. Cassie chuckled.
"Voice activation weirds me out a little, honestly. Plus, I'm pretty specific about my pizza. Trust me," she answered, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
"I do," Seven answered. Cassie smiled, continuing to press buttons on the replicator.
"I'm glad," she answered as something began to materialize in the replicator. Once it was complete, Seven studied it. It was a large round food item on a flimsy silver platter. Beside it sat a pitcher full of a clear liquid, two cups, and two plates.
"Here, you carry the pizza and I'll grab the drinks," Cassie instructed, picking up the pizza and handing it to Seven.
Seven took it and Cassie picked up the pitcher and stacked cups. They walked to an empty table and set the items down. They sat down and Seven studied the items intently. Just then, the doors to the mess hall opened and Harry Kim and Tom Paris walked in, chatting. Harry caught sight of Cassie and smiled, interrupting something Tom was saying to point out Cassie and Seven. They started towards them and sat at the two free seats at the table, Harry across from Cassie and Tom across from Seven in a square.
"Pizza!" Tom exclaimed, reaching for a slice. Cassie slapped his wrist and Tom pulled his hand back, looking both shocked and amused.
"Go replicate a plate first, at least," she scolded. Tom sighed but obliged, standing. Harry smiled at Cassie, then took notice of Seven.
"Seven, you look nice. What's with the wardrobe change?" he asked. Seven looked to Cassie, who nodded encouragingly, and then back to Harry.
"Cassie has informed me that choosing my own wardrobe is an important part of expressing my individuality. She assisted me in finding clothing I...enjoy," Seven answered.
"Yeah, she's right. I guess none of us on the crew really thought to teach you that since we wear the same thing every day, but that is important. I'm glad Cassie helped you with it."
"As am I."
Tom returned, two plates and two cups in hand. He set one plate and one cup in front of Harry and one of each in front of himself.
"Can we eat now?" he grumbled. Cassie chuckled.
"Sure," she answered, pulling a piece of pepperoni pizza off and setting it on her plate. Tom and Harry did the same, then started pouring Sprite from the pitcher into their cups and passing the pitcher around. Seven looked confused, and Cassie noticed.
"Here, Seven, you eat it with your hands," she explained, pulling off a piece and setting it on Seven's plate. Seven looked skeptical, but picked it up and took a small bite, chewed, and swallowed.
"That is enjoyable," she decided. Tom stared at her.
"Seven. What happened to you? I thought you only wore bodysuits and consumed 'nutritional supplements'?" he asked. Cassie rolled her eyes.
"People change, Tom. Seven is exploring her individuality. We talked about the difference between living and surviving, and now she's trying new things," she explained, figuring Seven was getting tired of answering the same question over and over again.
"Well good for you, Seven," Tom said. Seven nodded, and then went back to eating her pizza.
The group finished lunch, and Tom and Harry went back to duty. Seven turned back to Cassie.
"I, also, should return to duty. But we should spend time together again soon," she said. Cassie smiled.
"Of course. And try not to let all the people asking about your outfit bother you. You shouldn't be ashamed of expressing yourself, okay?"
"I am not."
"Well, good. I'll see you around, Seven," Cassie said. Seven nodded.
"I will 'see you around'," she agreed, turning to leave.
Cassie watched her go, then walked up to Neelix.
"Hey, you know where Naomi is? I was gonna ask if she wanted to play," Cassie asked. Neelix smiled.
"She should be with the Doctor. Usually someone would have picked her up by now, but her mother has a double duty shift and this soup is taking all my attention. I'm sure she'd be thrilled to see you," he said. Cassie grinned, her mood lightening some.
"Thanks, Neelix. I'll get her. See you around," she said, turning to leave.
"See you around!" Neelix called as Cassie left. She turned back and waved a little in acknowledgment.
Naomi was in sickbay, bouncing impatiently while the Doctor treated some ensign's headache. She knew her mom and Neelix were busy today and she would have to stay in sickbay longer, but she didn't have to like it. Just then, the door to sickbay slid open and Cassie bounced in. Naomi jumped up and ran over to hug her legs.
"Cassie!" she exclaimed. Cassie chuckled and ruffled her hair.
"Good to see you too, Naomi. What do you say we get out of here?" she offered. Naomi smiled and let go of Cassie, bouncing excitedly.
"Yes, please!" Naomi answered.
"Doctor, I'm taking Naomi. Bye," Cassie said.
"Bye, Doctor!" Naomi chirped, running out of sickbay with Cassie in tow.
"Where are we going?" Cassie asked, chuckling.
"The holodeck! There's a program I want to show you!" Naomi exclaimed.
A/N: How Seven is represented, especially in her clothing, has always seemed like an over sexualization to me and I hate it. Especially her shoes. If she's so concerned with efficiency, why does she wear crazy high heels every day? Why? That seems like it would be a hindrance to efficiency, if anything. I also always wondered what would happen if she had some sort of female friend and role model other than Janeway, one that was a little more philosophical, so that's the sort of relationship I'm trying to build between her and Cassie. I hope Seven didn't come off as too OOC, but I do plan for her to be a little more relaxed and willing to learn in this story than she was in the series.