Chapter two
Tarya walked purposefully into her quarters steeling herself as to what to expect, but she could breathe a sigh of relief, no-one else had arrived yet. Taking in her surroundings she noticed there was a spacious living area with a table and small, comfortable sitting area with replicator and cooking facilities. On the other side of the room were two sets of bunk beds. She winced at the thought of potentially never getting any privacy. The door to the right of the room housed the bathroom. She walked to the bunkbeds and placed her small bag on one of the bottom beds. She did not want to have to climb to sleep every night.
Opening the door to the bathroom she was again, pleasantly surprised. There were two sinks, a toilet and a large sonic shower. She looked at herself in the mirror that took up the entire wall atop the sinks. She stared blankly for a while at her reflection. She did not recognise herself. She was young, so very young. She hadn't been this young, well, she couldn't even remember. Her face was clean, her hair mousy brown to match her brown eyes. She had picked a very plain body and wore very plain clothes. It was a comfortable body to be seen in, but it just wasn't her. The reality was she could have passed for a human in her own body, with only a few slight alterations, but she didn't want to answer questions and her shrouding device also worked internally. After researching the academy and finally deciding she wanted to apply, she'd noticed that everyone enrolling was practically foetal compared to her. She was roused from her thoughts by the hum of the door opening.
A tall, slim human male walked in. He was already dressed in his Starfleet uniform. It was yellow, indicating an engineering role. He walked up to her rather sheepishly and held out his hand before quietly introducing himself.
"I'm Ensign Lee, Engineering." She retuned the smile.
"I'm Tarya, I'm a counsellor." After a moment of awkward silence, she quickly thought what else to say. "Um, I've placed my stuff on this bed. I hope that's okay?" She said whilst gesturing to her bag.
"No, no that's absolutely fine," he stuttered. "I will take the bed above you. The others have the option then." He smiled crookedly as he walked past and clambered up the ladder. As he was placing his bag, the door opened again. This time two ensigns walked in together.
The first to emerge was a loud, attention seeking human male. He had an air of confidence about him, possibly too much.
"Hello fellow bunkers." He quietened slightly after spying two rather stilted smiles on their faces. "I'm Tom, Tom Williams. I'm a Medical Intern who's very much looking forward to working with the esteemed Dr Crusher." He was still trying to bring some enthusiasm to the room. "And you are…" He felt like waving his arms and declaring, 'ta-da'.
"Sorry I'm Tarya." She said extending her hand which he shook. She then looked to the half Klingon female who had arrived alongside him.
"I'm Torres, B'Lanna Torres. Ensign, engineering." She was a little short in tone, though at least she was female. This made Tarya feel a bit more comfortable, even though B'Lanna had proceeded to barge passed everyone and throw her bag on the unclaimed top bunk. They all looked to Ensign Lee.
"Oh, yes, I'm Anthony, Anthony, Lee, but you may call be Toni." With that they all proceeded to go about settling into and exploring their new accommodation.
Later that evening, Tarya lay on her bed wondering what tomorrow would bring. Orientation with Commander Riker and an introduction to the senior staff. Humans fascinated her. They enjoyed order and keeping busy, but there seemed to be little time to stand and stare, though, as the species had such a short lifetime, was that any wonder. Her thought was interrupted by a body, flinging itself onto the end of her bed. She raised her head slightly and one eyebrow.
"Hi." Said Tom. "So am I the only friendly, communicative person in our quarters?" She couldn't help but smile and a slight wave of pity flew through her mind. 'Oh bless him', she thought. 'What if he was right? One outgoing personality stuck in a living situation with three seemingly quiet introverts.' She sat up right and tried to lighten up by drinking in his enthusiasm.
"Hi!" she replied. "I'm sorry. I guess we're all feeling a bit nervous about our new situation. It seems we all have different ways of coping. I take it you try and dive into everything head on?"
"Indeed I do," he said. "Can't see the point in not. Life's too short. I have three mantras. 1) Do anything and everything you want – within reason. 2) Do everything enthusiastically and 3) If you want something take it." She tried not to recoil at that last one. Convincing herself he meant it in an innocent and possibly naïve manner.
"Well, your mantras appear to be working for you so far. You've landed a job on the flagship of the federation and seem to be reaping the benefits."
"Indeed." He almost interrupted her. "Tell me, what do you do for fun?" She thought for a moment as he lay on her bed with his head in his hands, looking at her like a lost puppy.
"I like reading, studying, playing musical instruments and, well, that's pretty much it really.… How about you?" He looked deflated.
"Okay. What I really meant by that question was, what can we all do together, you know, to bond or get to know one another, possibly on a regular basis?"
"Oh." It hadn't occurred to her that was what he meant. "Well, I'm not too sure. What do you like doing?"
"Well, I like playing poker and drinking games. I also here this ship has holodecks. I'm sure we can all find something to do together. A fighting class perhaps. I bet the Klingon would be up for that." The other two ensign's ears had pricked to this conversation.
"Indeed I would Williams. I will gladly take you on, at anything, just name your sport!" It was definitely a statement from B'lanna and not a question. "Now, let's pipe down shall we. Early Start tomorrow."