JPL ~ aXO & CHelm ~ LtCmdr Hunter & Lt sh'Thrass ~ "A Taste Of The Crew"

Posted on 241501.09 @ 7:22am by Lieutenant Zhyalla sh'Thrass

Mission: Holy Cow

Finally Zhyalla's quarters felt like home. The grey and black fur rug in front of the couch, and the rainbow of silk draped from the ceiling and walls in the primary living space, conspired together with the silk covered couch, chair, and bright colored throw pillows to overwhelm the drab Starfleet design sense, or rather, the lack there of. To celebrate the victory, Zhyalla made her way to Shaker's to people watch and see if she could find a drinking buddy that didn't end up in sickbay after two Risan Sunrises.

She settled herself at one end of the bar, and sat so she was looking out at the people. In a hand she clutched her favorite pink skin drink, a root beer float — the alcoholic kind, not the sort that was served with a burger and fries. Her antennae curled contently as she just let the conversation around her wash over her.

Adrianna Hunter decided that after her first shift, she needed to see where the parties happened. Walking down in jeans and a tank top, she entered Shakers. The bar was super busy and she just about managed to squeeze in to a spot next to Zhyalla, "Can I get a pint of Guinness please." It may not have been an English drink, but it reminded her of home as her family used to travel to Ireland a lot.

Zhyalla perked up at the mention of Guinness. One of her friends on her last assignment had hailed from the emerald Isle, though she still didn't know why he called it that, but he'd been a fantastic drinking buddy and he loved to drink the black stuff, as he'd called it. Zhyalla's attention turned to the woman who'd squeezed in at the busy bar next to her. No uniform, certainly a good start, but left no clue who this was. Only one way forward, Zhyalla mused.

"Hi, I'm Zhyalla," she said, holding out a hand. "I figured since we're packed in like salamanders, I might as well introduce myself before I knock over your beer and have to replace it."

The young woman chuckled huskily, "I'm Adrianna, though people call me Adrian." When her drink arrived, she smiled and then looked back to the woman, "And I think you mean 'like sardines'."

"Sardines, Salamanders... your people packed them into cars and ate them both, didn't they?" Zhyalla grinned, and took a sip of her drink. "What brings you to the most popular spot on the ship?"

"Tins," Adrian grinned, "I've just finished my first shift and wanted to know where everyone hangs out and stuff. You?"

"You're like a universal translator of human idioms." The Andorian woman nodded, as if she were speaking a universal truth. "I just finished glorious battle with the horror that is starfleet design sensibilities. I figured I'd celebrate by people watching."

"People watching is fun," the woman agreed, "So what do you actually do here?"

"I fly the ship, and herd the crows that make up the department. How about you?"

"I'm the new XO," Hunter said quietly.

"Well, that's relieving. I was afraid they were going to leave Commander Dhej out here to sit on us babies all by himself," Zhyalla teased. An XO who can let her hair down enough to show up at the lounge out of uniform? An encouraging sign by Zhyalla's view.

"I'm sure he would be able to cope," the woman replied, "I won't be in here often. It's just because it's my first shift. It's kind of a tradition."

"Certainly can't break tradition, I suppose." Zhyalla considered as she took a sip of her drink. "If you don't mind me asking, what was your last assignment?"

Adrian smiled, "Chief of security, believe it or not, on base."

"Security has its excitement. Did you get tired of chasing criminals, and decided to start chasing officers instead?" Zhylalla winked.

"No, I needed a job that wouldn't mean I get home with bruises anymore," she chuckled.

"Where's the fun in that?" Zhyalla insisted with a laugh. "Besides, isn't that what the regenerator is for?"

"Yeah, but sooner or late someone will see you in between getting fixed up," Adrian smiled.

Zhyalla smiled back, not sure what to say to that. Humans were so odd, after all. "Is there anything else to this tradition?" she finally asked.

"Tends to be light flirtation, but I need to be focussed on my job and being able to wake up the next morning," Adrianna shrugged.

"Just don't bring them back to your quarters, so you can sleep. Might scare them away when you take them back to that big XO's suite on a first flirt anyways." Zhyalla's eyes skimmed the crowd. "What's your preference? I've been watching the crowd a bit, maybe I can suggest some candidates?"

"It's fine really," Adrianna said in appreciation, "I'll just have a drink and then get going."

Zhyalla pursed her lips, and only just bit back a remark about humanity being so silly about such things... but in light of this woman being her boss, she thought better of it. No need to make a bad impression. "In that case, it's nice to meet you. I look forward to working with you."

The woman smiled and finished her drink, "You too. If you need me for anything, My door is always open."

"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind." Zhyalla nodded her head politely.

"It was nice meeting you," she smiled and with a nod left, out of the place and back to her quarters. Adrianna had enjoyed her drink, but now she needed sleep, for a full day tomorrow.

=/\= End Log =/\=

Lieutenant Commander Adrianna Hunter
Acting Executive Officer
USS Enterprise

Lieutenant Zhyalla sh'Thrass
Chief Helm Officer
USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-F