Greetings, Cakes and blades,

Posted on Fri Jul 24th, 2020 @ 9:23am by Lieutenant JG Devin xi'Indrai & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Ensign River Lokaa

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Various
Timeline: A Few Weeks After, Tarts or Rolls and Lesson Learned
2963 words - 5.9 OF Standard Post Measure

- Lounge kitchen -

Devin looked over the tray of desserts she had gotten up extra early to make. Creme egg brownies, miniature cherry pies, miniature lemon meringue and a large carrot cake complete with sour cream icing between the layers and around the outside. She also had several cinnamon rolls and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. There were slices of apple, and blueberries in a bowl. She nodded as she picked up the tray and walked out of the kitchen.

- Gym -

Devin set the tray down on a table and walked over to the floor mats to loosen up with some light gymnastics, while she waited for River Lokaa and S'hib, and perhaps their head of department Commander Holmes, would like to join if only to try to other snacks. Devin had made plenty in either case so whatever was left they were certainly welcome to take to their office afterwards. Devin was wearing a black leotard and loose black pants, she left her shoes beside the mat, her weapons were in their sheaths beside her shoes. She wasn't certain what type of sparring River wanted to start with but Devin brought them just in case. If it was simply hand to hand that was fine as well. Her hair was dyed royal blue through and through today. The scarlet highlights finally washed out.

Walking alongside S'hib they had been chatting away during the whole journey from her quarters where she had changed into a pair of tight black running pants, grey tank top, and some trainers her usual circlet removed which made her head feel naked. "So, do you think she'll give me a run for my money?" She asked curiously.

S’hib glanced to his lift as River spoke, he had opted for something more traditional to wear today, edging the line between nudity and being somewhat modest. His chest was bare save for the light brown wraps around the length of his long arms, white hair occasionally poking through the gaps.

Around his waist however, just below his hips he wore a long ornate robe that flowed down to his hooves, brown and white patterns ordained its surface and left his legs exposed on either side, giving him an almost feminine appearance.

His mane and tail flowed naturally about, enjoying the freedoms of not being on duty.

“If she doesn't I’ll be rather disappointed.” He grinned as they walked into the gym.

About to object and declare the Sequus a heretic the doors opened and there stood Devin her voice stopping River from doing much more than listen.

Devin looked up at S'hib, with his height being well over seven feet she would have to ask if he minded her getting a step ladder before she even attempted to gently placed her hands on the very edge of his shoulders. She wasn't going to ask him to kneel down to her height, "If it won't offer offense I would be willing to try to greet you in traditional Sequus fashion, but since I would need a stool to do so is that okay?"

S’hib smiled, his eyes slowly blinking as he shook his head in dismissal. “No need, its a sort of unspoken rule that whomever is taller when greeting should be the one to accommodate... after all we greet Sequus children in the same manner and they are most certainly smaller than I.”

Devin nodded her head softly, "I hadn't considered that, very well if I remember correctly I am to place my hands on the edges of your shoulders and lean my head forward to allow our forehead to touch?" She added mostly because she didn't want to mess it up and offend the big guy.

“Very good,” S’hib smiled happily as he leaned his head down and bent his legs somewhat. “You have been doing some reading I see...” He added as he placed his stubby digits on her shoulders and pulled her closer stubbornly.

Devin let her head touch his, her hands looked very tiny on the edge of his shoulders the furr was soft and she had to resist in moving her fingers to pet it. She let S'hib step back first and looked up at him, "Reading is very different than actual practice so thank you for allowing me to try."

"No, thank you for letting me show you." S'hib smiled back in return.

River had already moved and wrapped her hand in preperation for the battle while her best friend and the new girl spoke. Holding her gumshield in her hand she sighed loudly "Are we here to learn about Sequus Customs or punch each other in the face?" He hands were crossed and she frowned, is this how she appeared when she first discovered S'hib and wanted to learn about his culture.

Moving away after greeting Devin S’hib turned to look at River, raising his brown slightly in amusement. “We can do both if you are patient enough...” He said, raising his head high and to the side, teasing her temper out.

She threw up her hands and turned around her hair a flurry behind her, "Whatever, let's fight" River walked quickly to the makeshift octagon in the middle of the room and entered through the door and across to the furthers corner away before turning around to see if her opponent had followed her.

Lia now chose this moment to enter, "Stand fast you pair, somebody want to explain just what the hell is going on?" She had only heard the words, "Lets Fight". As such, she was some what concerned about just what was about to happen.

“I’m running an unsanctioned fight club between departments, Commander.” S’hib beamed, grinning madly at Lia.

River watched the interaction from the inside the Octagon "This is the price for cookies" She added with a shrug and then looked to Devin.

A quick glare from Lia showed that S'hib's response wasn't what she wanted to hear, "You'd better be joking S'hib, or you'll be seeing a cell from the inside. And that'll go for you pair as well". The last comment was an answer to River's statement, she slowly moved into the center of the room. "Now before I have everyone placed under arrest, I will ask once again. What the hell is going on?"

River figured replying that she was technically already in a cell would no go down well and opted for something a little more sensible. "Sparring Practice, Lieutenant xi'Indrai wanted to get some in and hasn't had the opportunity to learn Elasian fighting techniques." It wasn't a lie, they were going to be sparring but for River and for example when she had 'Sparred' with the Marine CO she got carried away and most people underestimated her.

Lia just nodded, "Ok, that I fully understand and can get behind. Cancel my last and continue, oh River. Don't lose, or the brig will need a deep scrub". She smiled as she turned for the door, "S'hib, make sure she doesn't lose. Or you're helping her do that deep scrub, with clothes on".

S'hib simply turned his head to one side and snorted, his tail flicking out behind him in mock annoyance. "Stupid clothes, making me wear them all the time." He muttered silently to himself.

Devin looked at Lia, "I brought snacks as promised they're on the table," she got her shoes back on and walked over to the octogon to face River, "Sparring match only, no maiming," she said lightly as she promised to just spar, if River upped the ante she would follow but it wasn't supposed to be a K.O. or grudge match it was supposed to be a friendly match of skill and see about another's fighting style. At least that was what Devin thought.

Already padding over to the table S'hib has already forgotten about the sparring match, his stomach taking control as he eyed up everything on show. "Try not to hit each other too hard..." He said happily as his fingers clicked eagerly towards a slice of carrot cake.

Lia spotted S'hib heading for the cakes, "Stand fast Lieutenant S'hib, you have a match to control. Unless you really want to wear clothes and scrub out the brig, do you?" The last part implied that Lia wasn't mucking about, she then turned to watch the two girls face off. "Keep it friendly, don't rip each other apart please. I really don't want to have to fill all that paperwork, and the Doctor wouldn't be happy either".

Throwing his head back in indignation, S’hibs muzzle pointing the ceiling as he sighed loudly, turned on a single hoof and marched back to the octagon with a heavy set frown and a pouting upper lip. “You heard the Commander, now get to it.” he snorted loudly before swallowing the excess saliva that had been teased into action.

Closing the gate that Devin had walked through she cracked a smile, "Lets dance" The young Elasian lunged her right arm in a circling motion to her opponent's side, River was mindful of her foot work making sure her power came from her hips and not her arms.

Devin lunged left and aimed at kick, at River with her left foot. She was grinning as she watched the taller Elsiaian woman coming at her. She kept her hands loose and open ready to interrupt an incoming blow.
She was impressed with the speed the other woman moved.

Both woman attacks were blocked, River had used her spare arm and brought it down to her flank to stop the kick and River's brow creased, so perhaps her opponent was better than anticipated, at least so far on board she was the first person to really make her work. Using that momentum she spins on her left leg to her right arcing up and towards the woman's side.

Devin dove under the kick, rolling in a summersault to come up on her feet, just past River's left shoulder, she hopped back a few extra steps, to avoid what she thought would be an arm attack. River was definitely making her work to not get hit and so far Devin had been unable to land a strike of her own yet. Devin was enjoying the fight all the same, she was learning a bit of how River fought, and since she was supposed to be working with security and the Marines, she felt it was a good insight to start with.

S'hib was still grumpy about not being able to eat, watching the two with avid interest as they danced around each other with skilful footwork. "Good spacing both of you, River... keep your guard up more." He snorted, his arms now crossed behind his back with an ear tracking either one of them.

Having the opposite effect he likely wanted River was distracted by the Sequues motivational words and her right arm dropped as a punch from Devin streaked towards the Elasian hitting her in the ribs. She felt it too, the force spreading across her body, for a small woman she certainly knew how to punch however she had been hit harder. The arm that was originally astray clamped down the driving arm, against River's side trapping it as River pulled her opponent closer using her head to smash down onto the bridge of Devins nose.

S’hibs throat rumbles to life as he stomped forward with a single unimpressed hoof. “Ensign, stand down... that's enough!” He bellowed as he moved into the ring.

Devin had gotten a lucky shot but the fact that River had returned the action with a maiming attack to her face was a surprise. The pain from River smashing her head into her face put an explosive amount of pain splintering across her face. She inhaled through her nose, (habit and way of life for her in through nose out through mouth, kept ice crystal forming in ones lung in freezing air temperature), with shattered nose though it was a bad idea, the broken bits can move in weird or dangerous ways. As the pain seared across her face she felt a burning sensation behind her left eye, and a different pain followed with her eye feeling like it was on fire, she blinked shaking her head but the blackness that filled the area where she normally saw something out of her left eye was scary. She blinked at River as her legs gave out from under her. She hadn't been in this much pain in years. Devin tried to focus on River but as she tried to breathe again, she coughed and tried again.

The thump of hooves padded over as Devin fell, his large hand grasping River by her shoulder and throwing her backwards onto the padded floor. "Stay!" He snorted with a stubby hoofed digit pointing at her. Then turning quickly, tail lashing out behind him, he moved to Devin and helped her down to the ground.

"Lieutenant, I need you to lean your head forward and breathe through your mouth for me." He asked even as he placed a hand behind her head.

Lia went to step forwards then held back, she would let the three of them sort it out. They were officer's and it was beholding on them to show leadership qualities when ever they could. If requested, she would assist but they would take the lead.

River wasn't sure if she felt anger towards S'hib or to Devin, she could have blocked her headbutt if she had tilted her head down or pivot her body left or right the Elasian would have broken her own nose if the woman had been as good a fighter as she said she was. Then River felt worry for the woman, the way she had flopped to the floor having trying to stand she knew she had obviously caused some damage, sometimes River didn't know her own strengths and she had over appreciated how well of a fighter Devin was. She was left speechless on the floor Devin's blood splattered over her face and short front.

Devin breathed uneasily, her thoughts rolling in different directions. She had been taught to not hit folks in the nose unless she intended to maim or kill. Never for sparring match. The match between herself and River had been meant to be a test of skills and experience with likely some bruises or something but this result definitely hadn't been in her plans. She was confused had she not been clear about the intent of the sparring match? Or was River just that trained to be ready to maim or kill no matter the situation?

"Lia... we need to get her to sickbay," S'hib called out, supporting the weight of Devin in his arms. "She may have a concussion..." He added, looking back to Devin, the pool of blood on the mat between them growing worryingly large.

Moving forwards rapidly, Lia now used a tricorder on Devin. "Ensign Lokaa, you can help by cleaning up this blood. S'hib, can you manage to carry her or would it be better to transport?" She glanced round for something to place on Devin's face to stem the flow of blood, she picked up a towel. "River, soak this in water first please". She now glanced at the damaged nose, "Devin, your gonna have a lovely pair of black eye's very soon. Can you breath ok?" The first part of the statement was to inject a lighter tone to the situation, the second to check if the Lieutenant could breathe easily.

"I can carry her Commander." S'hib said even as he shifted onto his hooves, squatting in place as he moved an arm under her legs and gently stood, a gentle snort leaving his nostrils as he straightened his back.

River had taken the towel and moved to the far side of the room, their voices more of a whisper she couldn't grasp the severity of the situation, she wanted to spar, what was it with people on this ship they always wanted to fight her and then when things didn't go their way they go all the attention and she was the on that got made out to be the bad girl. Starfleet was weak, all wrapped in their bubble wrap.

"Ok S'hib, take her to sickbay, I'll stay with River. I don't think she understands what she's done, her people are warriors they fight for keeps", Lia pointed to River then to the door. She stood up and looked at River, "Do you have that towel River, S'hib is going to take Devin to sickbay. And we need that towel, and then we have to clean up".

Devin would have grinned under any other circumstances at the joke about having black eyes, she could well imagine the raccoon like Look her face was taking on, wait was she as trying to breath and not throw up. She gave an awkward thumbs up towards Lia, "Next time definitely ... Talking clear rules..."

"Yeah next time, duck and cover", Lia gave a small giggle as she replied. "Ok S'hib, get your skates on. Take her to sickbay asap". She looked around and shook her head, "River and myself will clean up in here, give us all time to calm down and think".

S'hib nodded without a word before turning and hurrying off with Devin at a light trot, careful not to create any vertical movement in his stride.

Off

Lt.j.g. Devin xi'Indrai
Infiltration specialist
USS Elysium

Commander Lia Holmes
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Elysium

&

Ensign River Lokaa
Security Officer
USS Elysium

&

Lieutenant S'hib
Security Officer
USS Elysium