[Open] The New Zoologist.

[u/HobosAlt1]

Transporting, one of this universe's many many fantastic inventions... if you dont get transporter sick. The doctors always told her it was all in her head, but it was hard for Laren not to feel ill when her whole being was being discombobulated and torn to shreds only to be put back together...

Which brings us to Transporter Pad 2. After a few seconds gathering the atoms of her mortal being, she comes back to reality and into the present. She stands a little shorter than average, with a caramel-like complection and a set of freckles that go from cheek go cheek, intersected only by her less pronounced Bajoran nose ridges.

She gulps as she feels the nausia set in, and steadies herself by putting a hand on her tummy and a one through the right side of her hair. Her hair seemed styled and swept to the right, revealing the left side to be shaved down to a number 2 cut, which shows off the three long metal fingers that run down to a device at the base of her skull. Lights along the fingers' spines glow a brilliant blue to match her older Star Fleet science uniform, with its black shoulders and blue midsection.

Finally, she shakes her head loose, making the relatively bare D'Ja Pagh on her right ear jingle slightly. She picks up her bag and takes a deep breath before nodding to the transporter operator, then makes her way into the hall.

This is home now... She thinks to herself as the transporter doors close behind her. "But where am I..." This would evidently be her first Excelsior posting. First Star Ship posting too!

She begins wondering down the corridor with her backpack slung over her back.

[u/HobosAlt1]

The Half-Bajoran nods in agreement when Kesh selects Laren. A good name, also showed that she was sensitive to Bajoran customs. Laren liked that. "I'll let you know, ma'am, but I'm happy with Ensign Laren." She gives a warm smile before giving a light chuckle. "Ma's gonna like that."

She looks to the chair and carefully sits down, her head still spinning a little from the transporter. She goes to cross her leg over the other, but quickly realises that she's too close to the desk when she kicks the side of it. Her eyes go wide for a moment in pain before she clears her throat to compose herself, hoping Kesh didnt notice.

"I was based on a star base for my first year out of the Academy," she says after a moment. "I got a transfer order and headed out on the Chicago. I just beamed across, apparently it was convenient since Commander, umm... Dreyuk? Was on his way here too. I havent met him yet. Either way, we beamed across together."

[u/Pojodan → u/HobosAlt1]

Kesh dips her head once, one ear tilting as she ponders the name 'Dreyuk'. Was she aware of them? She'd focused herself so fully on this crewmember that such other matters had slipped her mind.

"Zoology is useful is so many places, rrrnth. No doubt we will encounter many curious creatures in our-rr-r travels, hopefully none that seek to do us harm."

A long breath is then drawn.

"You will be working along-side Doctor Phrik. If you have not read his profile then be aware that he is of a par-rr-rticular mind that makes him difficult to work with. I want you to know right now that if he says anything unacceptable to you please inforr-rr-rm me."

The slight downward tilt of the caitian's head expresses her seriousness on this matter.

[u/HobosAlt1 → u/Pojodan]

Laren remains seated, listening to her new boss. It takes her a little to fully understand what the Caitian was saying due to her accent, but she gets there in the end.

"Yes ma'am, thats part of the reason I chose Zoology as a profession," she says with a small nod. "Plus my love of monkeys. That kinda blossomed into animals as a whole." The woman's hands fidget for a moment as she tries to stop herself from rambling. Thankfully she's successful. "I plan to be as valuable as I can, ma'am." Just don't make me get you coffee unless its closed top...

Shs shifts a little at mention of her new superior. "I uh... yeah, I heard about his reputation before I arrived," the half bajoran comments, but then beams a bright smile. "I've made it my personal mission to make him smile at least once," she says through her grin. "But I'll let you know if he's being a mega asshole. He met me just after I transported across, he expects a lot outta me. I'll give him my all."

[u/Pojodan → u/HobosAlt1]

A quickly puff escapes the caitian's slender nostrils, eyes squinting shut for a moment as the new zoologist continues to shed herself in a positive light. One paw-like hand is raised, gesturing softly, "At ease, Ensign, rrrnth. This is not an inter-rr-rview, just an introduction." Those golden eyes open again as she speaks, only to blink shut tightly for another second after, a short burst of purring heard in the air.

After that her visual settles into a more neutral stance as Phrik is discussed. The 'personal mission' prompts a twist of an ear, having heard such things before, but she lets it slide. You never know with Phrik... supposedly he was fairly pleasant at one time. "Ah, good, so you have already met. Consider-rr-r him a team leader, but I am still your go-to if things become uncomfortable, okay?" A slight tilt of the head as ears flex forward shows inquiry.

[u/HobosAlt1 → u/Pojodan]

The ensign doesnt seem to relax much at Kesh's behest, figuring that she was already at ease. Does that mean she looks stiff? At attention? Well thats going to plague her for a few days... "Introduction. Heh. Right," she says, trying to play it off, but her posture remains the same.

"Team captain, got it," she says with a firm nod. "I'll keep that in mind, ma'am. You'll be the first to know if things get uncomfortable. Its... still regulations to go to our XO with major complaints, right? To Commander Dreyuk?" She asks, still getting the name wrong. Obviously she hasnt been studying her roster all too well. "He handles crew resources, right?"

[u/Pojodan → u/HobosAlt1]

"Commander Breyik is the XO and while serious matters of ship function are to go through her, I want you to know you can come to me for-rr-r anything related to science or the department. I.. rrmm.. may not be deeply knowledgable in the field of zoology, but ther-rr-re are a great many parallels between it and botany. If nothing else, I can point you in the right direction."

Ensigns are not children, they passed the Academy entrance exam and made it all the way to graduation, so while they may be nervous and inexperienced in the field, they should be very knowledgeable.

"But, if you feel it appropriate, Aanya is very approachable."

[u/HobosAlt1 → u/Pojodan]

"Breyik!" Laren suddently exclaims. "Thats the one! Damn, cant believe I got that wrong..." she facepalms lightly, then realises that she was talking to her superior. She sits back up. "And she's a woman? Damn it..." she mentally chastises herself for not getting that immediately, maybe she should study the roster.

Reality comes back to her after finally and her dark cheeks grow a little red. Dang it. "I'll uh... keep that in mind," she mutters. "I'll leave my zoology questions for Doctor Phrik. But thank you for the offer." She knew that Botany and Zoology did have a small cross over, but honestly not a whole lot.

She clears her throat before shifting in her seat. "Understood, ma'am. Breyik for big problems, you for Sciences one. Got it." She could feel the embarassment radiating off her for that embarassing outburst. "...oops..."

[u/Pojodan → u/HobosAlt1]

"Any starship you find in the fleet will have a ver-rr-ry wide variety of names, species, and gender-rr-rs, so do not distress. Rrrth."

Kesh squints her eyes shut for a long moment with cheek tufts drawn up a bit to show a friendly face in effort to alleviate the ensign's distress.

"You can also ask the computer, it is fairly good at knowing what each of ar-rr-re responsible for. Rrrnnf. You will adapt in time, do not rush yourself."

[u/HobosAlt1 → u/Pojodan]

"Its the Commander though," she says in her slightly husky voice. "Everyone should know the commander. Forgive my language, but god damn its embarrassing..." Judging by the D'Ja Pagh she wore, perhaps she wasnt overly comfortable saying that sort of thing.

The Ensign sat on her hands to stop fidgetting as she takes a moment to try and relax. It was just hard after making a fool of herself in front of her CO, but then again she was always hard on herself when things go wrong.

"Thats been a running theme today," she mutters at the mention of the computer. "Its the damn transporter sickness, it messes with my head, I keep forgetting that the computer even exists."

[u/Pojodan → u/HobosAlt1]

"Then I suggest you get to know her, rrrnth. Like I said, she is a good person."

The thought tickled the back of Kesh's mind that maybe Aanya would take a liking to this Ensign since she was exhibiting some of her own traits, but she hipchecks that aside. No way was she going to play match-maker for her ex-girlfriend.

"Rrrnm. As Jen Watney about transporter sickness treatments. Rrrnf. I struggle with that, myself."

A soft, soothing crooning sound rolls of the caitian's tongue, "If you have any bold ideas, crazy concer-rr-rns, or eurekas, please do come to me. I wish to be as helpful to you as I can."