I read the fine print, did you?
Posted on Fri Jun 23rd, 2023 @ 12:09pm by Lieutenant Commander Faith Benson & Lieutenant Commander Viessa Kenobi & Lieutenant Siadra Molaur & Lt JG Adalyn O'Rourke Ph.D. & Ensign Nala Rider
Edited on on Fri Jul 14th, 2023 @ 12:36am
3,466 words; about a 17 minute read
Mission:
The Sins of History
Location: Holodeck 2 - Deck 4 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD003 0630 hrs
Kelly knocked on Faith's quarter's door. Yeah, yeah, there was a chime, but it was never loud enough. As soon as Faith opened the door, Kelly smiled. "Get dressed. We're going to the holodeck. Wear your workout clothes." Kelly herself was wearing leggings and a sports bra thing with a zip-up hoodie over that. She carried a blanket, which she used in place of a yoga mat. "And hurry. It's already 0630," she said, pronouncing it like "oh-six-thirty". "I was reading subspace messages and lost track of time." It was true; her niece had sent a long one and Kelly had had to think about her reply. She was technically John's niece but the woman was her last tie to him, and they were as close as anyone could be to Kelly. "I will use your replicator, if you don't mind." She pushed past Faith, and into her room, where she made straight for the computerized machine, and got herself some water. "We'll eat after. Yoga. Come on, I don't miss it."
"What... what what...what was all of that again?" Just turning around when Kelly got in and past her. "0630?" Faith said rubbing her eyes. Standing there in just pyjama boy shorts and a spaghetti strap pyjama top, both violet silk. "Okay, now just... hold on. What are you going on about, Kelly?"
Kelly looked at Faith, and raised an eyebrow. "It's 0630. We have duty in an hour and a half. We have a case now, remember? You're with me, not on the Bridge, and I'll fight Kidd about it if I have to," she said. "Why were you still asleep? This is why you're still a Lieutenant at 300 years old or whatever it is." She shook her head. Didn't anyone around here take anything seriously?! "Anyway. Yoga. Get dressed. We're going to do it. Together. It'll prepare us for the day ahead. And clear my mind, and we both know what I am like when my head is full of nonsense." To show she wasn't a COMPLETE monster, Kelly handed Faith a cup of coffee. "How do you take it, anyway?" Kelly took hers black, because what was the POINT of coffee if you added other things to it? "Come on, we only have the holodeck until 7:15. Something you can move in. You can change into your uniform later, or just replicate one in the office or something." She sighed. Why was Faith moving so slowly?!
Nala was unable to sleep and was wandering around the ship.
"I wonder if anyone else's still up?" Nala wondered as she neared Faith's quarters.
"Geeez.....okay. What have I gotten myself in to?" Faith went to get in her workout outfit, dropping the current clothes in a line behind her, in the bedroom. "Why at this time of morning??"
"What do you mean, "what have you gotten yourself into?" She asked, a hand on her hip. "And why not? It's not that early-I've already been up for an hour and a half. You're lucky I didn't come get you at 0500. Like I said, if you spent more time working and less time sleeping, you might already have your Lieutenant Commander PiPS." Kelly said. "You can sleep later. After work. Or at lunch. Whenever your off-time is." She said. "And hurry. I don't want to be late for work, and I don't want to skip this. It's the only thing keeping me semi-sane these days."
Coming back out, Faith gave a bit of a stretch. "Because I do my workouts later and not..yogo?" Coming over to where Kelly was. "Rank isn't everything you know."
Kelly sighed. "It's yog-UH, and I know that. But it also doesn't reflect well on you. You have the time in rank. Which means it's something else. We don't have time to talk about it right now. Let's go." She opened Faith's door, and bustled the other woman out. "Listen. I am sorry. It's just...this is important to me and I'd like to share it with you. Maybe not every day. That's fine. But just this once. For me. Please?" She sighed. She spotted Ens. Rider. "Hey. Want to join us on the holodeck for Yoga? It's an ancient Earth stretching exercise. Might help your sleep. I invited Lt. Molaur-for her, they're friends." Or so Kelly thought. Maybe it was Sorine?! She had no idea, actually. Still. It was an olive branch.
Nala eeped as Lt. Faith's door open and she was shoved out by Lt. Commander Miller.
"Ggood Morning, Lt, Lt. Commander. Sure, that sounds great! I can replicate some cloths when I get there," Nala eyed the other two's attire and compared it to her own.
Kelly just nodded. "Hurry to the Turbolift, then." She said. She led the way, speed-walking. She was serious about not wanting to miss it-it was a "live" holoprogram, and she hated being *that* person who interrupted.
It was a good thing that Faith was ready when she was basically shoved out of her own quarters. Turning into step with Kelly, "It's okay, and I'm glad you want to share it with me. Yes, I'll do it, or at least this time. The excitement and just busting in was kind of cute. You know instead of telling me about it first and asking."
Kelly shrugged. "You would've said no." She said. "Besides, it was a last-minute thing." She led the way to the Turbolift, and then to the holodeck. "We're in Holosuite 2. I don't know why the first one wasn't available this early in the morning, but whatever." She shrugged.
"Coming or not Nala!" Faith hollered back behind her.
Nala had kinda lagged behind as the two talked, not wanting to intrude.
"Ccoming Ma'am!" Nala eeped and scrambled after the two.
Siadra was waiting at the door of holodeck 2, dressed in black bo ho yoga pants and a loose blue tee shirt, which draped off her shoulder showing the strap of her red athletic bra top. "Top of the morning" she said cheerily, when the ladies arrived. "This was quite the surprise to be asked to Yoga. Thank you." She looked around, "Who else are we waiting for?"
Kelly was a tiny bit annoyed; she hadn't really meant for this to be a THING but she supposed it was what it was now. She shrugged. "I don't think anyone else was invited, unless you asked someone along," she said, opening the door and turning on the lights. "Computer, start the simulation." She smiled as the scene changed. They were transported to a sandy, bright beach back on Earth, a tall, dark featured woman at the front of the group. "Let's go."
"Me?" Faith pointed to herself. "You don't know if I'd said no. Also..um..I didn't invite anyone, I thought this was your thing, Kelly."
She made a face. "No, the monkey in your pocket. YES YOU." She sighed, but rubbed her head. She didn't want to fight with people today, so instead she changed the topic. "I think it's just the four of us, then. Stand behind me, spread out. You'll want space."
Nala looked around, taking a deep breath of the salty air as she felt her muscles start to relax.
Kelly got into position, already inhaling her breath deeply through her nose, holding it in her diaphragm for a four-second count, and letting it out with a soft "ahhh" sound. It looked-and sounded-ridiculous but she always felt better after a session, and she couldn't run anymore.
Nala replicated a leotard, then...while she thought it was goofy, imitated Kelly, and actually felt better!
"I forgot I left the monkey in there. Dammit.." Faith shook her head and watched for the moment. She'd try it she guessed. Moving where she could see and then mimicking Kelly.
The large doors swooshed open to reveal Viessa standing in somewhat loose but comfy clothing. She'd heard through Siadra that there was yoga going on and she had always loved that when she was younger and had been on Earth previously. It was one of the Terran activities she felt they got right. "Don't mind me, I'll just join in at the back."
Kelly fought the urge to make a face. There was already too many people. Still, she just nodded. "Welcome. Try to be quiet." She waited for Guru Shlya to begin. She settled down, cross-legged, on the floor. She was dressed in running shorts and a tight fitness tank top. Even though she was fifty-five years old, she still had a good figure and took care of herself. The instructor walked them through a set of breathing exercises to relax them and calm their muscles down.
Nala almost had a giggle fit at some of the exercises!
Nala followed along, trying very hard not to cause a ruckus!
Faith almost looked slightly bored at the first part, though that was because she knew these first ones, just from a different type of method.
Suddenly, the doors hissed open, revealing a very confused Adalyn O'Rourke standing there in a fortunately modest one piece bathing suit. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I thought this was suite one. I booked it this morning for a swim, but overslept." Suddenly realizing she had revealed way more than was necessary and was actually interrupting, she turned to go. "My apologies."
Nala eeped as O'Rourke entered, not realizing how into the session she'd gotten.
Kelly glared at the Counselor. "You can join us if you can keep your mouth shut, Counselor," she let out a deep sigh, indicating her annoyance. This was a terrible idea! She just wanted to do her thing and had thought that inviting people would be an olive branch. Instead, it was turning into her idea of a nightmare.
Adalyn was under no illusions about Kelly. She had her own interaction with her and heard enough buzz about her from the rumor mill to know the sort of outer shell she presented. That did not mean, however, O'Rourke was prepared to be treated in such a way this early in the morning and simply because she had inadvertently walked into the wrong place. "As I said, my apologies for interrupting your session and walking into the wrong place. I appreciate the invitation, Lieutenant Commander Miller, but it seems you've mistaken me for someone who will accept being told when I can and cannot speak. I can assure you, if I wanted to be treated that way, particularly during leisure time, I would've perhaps sought some sort of extreme BDSM scenario." Turning her attention to the other ladies in the room, she offered, "My apologies again for interrupting you, ladies, I do hope we can get to know each other another time."
This time, Adalyn did turn and she did walk away. Perhaps if she hurried, she could get to the first holosuite after all.
Viessa smirked as Adalyn left the holo suite. 'Good on her.' she thought.
Kelly's brown eyes flashed with fire, but she didn't say anything back or move, except into the tree pose. Let the Counselor do as she wished-it only proved her point that counselors were unnecessary and caused more issues than they solved. She wished the Fleet hadn't ever made that a thing ship-side. If someone needed a counselor, they could do it via Hologram or be dropped off on a Starbase until they were fit to serve.
Siadra was stretching out her muscles following the guru, she straightened up to take a look at Kelly, then towards the newest person to have arrived. She shrugged, turning to Kelly. "Next position please! Wouldn't that be partnering up for the stretches?"
"Um...by rank?" Nala was a bit worried.
Kelly fought an urge to scream loudly, and instead, simply shrugged. "I guess me and Faith, Rider with Moular and we'll switch off with the Counselor, ok? Get in position." She turned to Faith. "Lie back." It was time for floor exercises, and while she enjoyed having a partner for it, it was a bit more than she was ready for-TOUCHING people. Oh, well. Here she was.
"Ok...sounds good. Hey, O'Rourke! You wanna join Kenobi?" Nala was still a bit off balance, but it was getting a bit easier...most of the time.
"Um, you wanna be on the bottom first, or do you want me to be Lt. Molaur?" Nala turned to the woman, cocking her head inquisitively.
"Chief Medical Officer." Viessa corrected as she stretched by herself for a moment. She was no counsellor, at least not right now. It had been a while since she'd practised psychology. Ironically the mention of counsellor did make Viessa smirk as she felt Kelly could use one. The purpose of this 'yoga' was to be for relaxation and whatnot, Kelly was seemingly more agitated by the second, although she did seem to enjoy her partnership with Faith. "Or as we are off duty, Viessa is fine."
More in thought than she realized, Adalyn didn't get as far from the holosuite as she otherwise would have and that allowed her to hear the invitation to return from Ensign Rider. O'Rourke hesitated for only a second before making her way back into the room. Despite Kelly's sharp rebuke, Adalyn wanted to get to know the crew better without the pressure of duty or influence of counselor stereotypes. She smiled her thanks to Rider before quickly making an effort to catch up. Seeing everyone seemed to be partnered except for Viessa, O'Rourke approached the doctor, a friendly smile present despite Kelly's earlier rudeness. "Shall I follow your lead, Doctor?"
Viessa nodded and gracefully accepted the partnership with the good counsellor. "I'll let you lead."
Adalyn nodded and turned her attention to mirroring the pose without hurting herself or the doctor. This actually wasn't the first time Adalyn had tried yoga, it was just the first time she had participated in several years. She much preferred cardio exercises, but appreciated the value staying limber and practicing focus. She was reminded that although yoga looked easy and peaceful at times, it was actually a really effective and intense workout.
Kelly nodded, but sharply, fighting the urge to shush the woman. Why couldn't they just be quiet?! It was yoga, not mimosa brunch. "My apologies. Partner up," she said. She turned back to Faith. "You ready?" She asked.
"Right-o." Faith gave a last stretch a moment before she moved a little bit. Laying back flat and wiggling a bit to get comfortable. Folding her hands together on top of her chest.
She hadn't realized that partner exercises would be included in today's session. How embarrassing this was about to be. Still, she knelt, and manipulated Faith's leg into the proper position. They were close-TOO close-and she felt another twinge of...something she couldn't name. After a blush, she pulled herself together, and switched to the other side. Hopefully, the others were too involved in their exercises to notice her momentary lapse in professionalism. She should've worn sweats, too; she was suddenly chilly. "Let me know if you want more or less pressure," she said, quietly.
She was just carefully watching Kelly, more so her mannerisms, some of the while few, little things she'd learned so far from their interactions. Professional and otherwise. The blush obviously was a give away also instead of having to read her. "More pressure... more... little bit... there."
Nala gulped and got into position over Lt. Molaur...really hoping she wouldn't embarrass herself or the Lt..
Siadra gave an impish smile then she remarked, "Nala, it is going to be fine, lets start the stretches." deciding she'd be the one on the floor first.
Nala gave a sheepish smile as she started following the moves.
On the other side of the room, Kelly moved around a bit, readjusting her body so that it wouldn't be straddling Faith. Instead, she was off to the side. "Is that better?" She had pushed forward more, still gently, but with a bit more force than before. "Keep breathing!" Sheesh, she wasn't ready to haul anyone off to Medical.
Faith gave a little nod, Turning her head to look at the others. "Yes, that's better, thank you."
Kelly nodded at Faith. "OK. Twelve reps of each exercise. Go!" She said. She held Faith's leg at stomach level. "Tell me what you need," she said, quietly, so she wouldn't interrupt the others.
"Why does this feel more like backwards sit ups?" Faith giving Kelly a curious look.
"Because it basically is," she said. "Now be quiet!" She was fully exasperated now.
As Siadra was working on her stretches she must have moved wrong or something went wrong, she felt something pop and a searing pain run up and down her leg, she cried out. Clutching the part of her leg that was in agony. Tears were pouring down her cheeks. She gasped out "Sorry, Nala, I don't think I had better continue." she groaned out "Viessa, I think I need some assistance here."
"I...I'm so sorry, Ma'am!" Nala squeaked softly as she scrunched her shoulders and hurriedly backed away, afraid she'd hurt the Lt..
Viessa somewhat rolled her eyes, internally of course... she wasn't a monster. Moving over towards Siadra she knelt down beside her. Feeling the leg with a light touch, noting where the pain was most concentrated whilst doing so by gauging it on Siadra's face, she nodded once complete. "Pulled muscle. Nothing to be too worried about..." she felt Siadra look up at her. "I know you're in pain, that's not what I meant. I meant it was an easy fix but it's a sickbay job I'm afraid. Dangerous game this yoga." she attempted humour.
Siadra nodded, "Okay let's go, do I walk or do I get transported?? " the chief science officer asked. At the moment she wasn't really interested in walking with how painful the pulled muscle was.
"As much as I encourage people to walk I think the transporter is best right now." Viessa tapped her commbadge. "Transporter 1, two to transport to sickbay, medical injury." she spoke aloud and within seconds there was an acknowledgement and they were told to prepare for transport.
"Feel better," Adalyn offered to Siadra. The moment she realized someone had been hurt, her attention turned to concern. Part of her wish she could go with the two of them, but that would mean leaving others alone with Kelly, and in her mood, that wasn't a good idea.
"Sorry ladies, duty calls." Viessa said as the transport began and nothing was left but the empty void they once filled.
Kelly's attention was caught by Molaur's injury. Leaving Faith to it, she crossed the room. "A pulled muscle? That's terrible. Thank you, Doctor." Contrary to popular belief, Kelly DID have feelings and she didn't want anyone hurt. "Maybe we started with too much." She shrugged as the doctor and Lieutenant disappeared. She let out another sigh, but returned to Faith. "Do we want to just quit here and try again later? I'll tell you this time. Maybe get some breakfast instead." Her voice was louder as she was including the other two women. Olive branches and all. It was the best she could do for now.
Faith simply sat up where she was and just looked between them. Finally back to Kelly now, "If you want to swap it up, we can do that. No one has even worked up a sweat so we don't have to shower first either."
"I'm game for whatever you'd prefer," Adalyn replied.
She sighed. She DID want to keep at it, but it seemed to have fallen apart since the Lieutenant was hurt. "Let's call it quits for now. Get some breakfast? On me." In a rare show of comradarie, she offered that. It was all she had.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Siadra Molaur
Chief Forensic Science Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Viessa Kenobi
Chief Medical Officer/Medical Examiner, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Ensign Nala Rider
Facial Reconstruction Specialist, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Faith Benson
Chief Security/Tactical Officer, USS Artemis
Second Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Junior Grade Adalyn O'Rourke
Ship's Counselor/Profiler, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Commander Kelly Miller
JAG Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
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