A small place

[Eva Jaz 0]

Maturin Station was a nice change of scenery for the Manticore crew members hurrying off the ship. Shoreleave, even on a space station, was nothing to be frowned upon. Officers and enlisted personnel alike, some still in their uniform, some in more relaxed clothing, were seen mingling with the station's occupants, chatting casually at one of the bars or awaiting to be seated at one of Maturin's eateries.

Leaning against the bar of the smallest establishment of the promenade was Dr. Jaz, visibly trying to ignore her stiff Romulan colleague sitting on a stool on her right. A smile appeared on her lips as she entertained the thought of switching Dr t'Tamarak's drink for something a little stronger, loosening her up a bit while they were waiting for Vilanne. "So...any plans?" Eva asked, not really caring about the answer, only trying to make small talk to break the awkwardness of the situation . Spending time with Jayisa outside sickbay and without Dr. Chalice to keep them both civil was a potentially disastrous situation.

"Na particularly," Jaiysa answered absently, eying the drink she had ordered with mild skepticism. "I'm fairly sure Vilanne has every intention of finding something for me to do na matter what my opinions on the subject."

Half-listening for the Rihan doctor's answer, Eva scanned the promenade. She always enjoyed observing people. She noticed the young trill ensign walking by herself, the same she had briefly seen on Manticore as they were ready to disembark. "Probably new aboard," she thought. She didn't really want to play welcoming committee, but it would definitely be better than trying to make more small talk with Jaiysa.

Jaz lowered her empty glass on the bar before taking a step forward and flagging down the ensign with a hand gesture and a smile. Jaiysa raised her eyebrows slightly and turned to see what had attracted her compatriot's attention. "Do you know her?" she asked, glancing at the ensign in whom the Tr'hill maenek seemed so interested.

Without looking back Eva answered, "No. Do you?"

Jaiysa snorted. not bothering to answer that her chances of knowing anyone on this promenade were somewhere in the range of slim to nil. "

Asteria was slowly making her way down the promenade when she noticed another Trill gesturing in her direction. "Probably one of the Manticore crew members," she thought. Having been on board only for a short time, she didn't know many people. Asteria politely smiled and waved back, changing her course and heading for the bar her fellow crew member was sitting at.

Upon entering the bar, she noticed that the Romulan sitting next to the Trill looked familiar as well. Hoping she could possibly become friends and not be the "New Kid" for too long, she quickly smiled.

Eva bowed politely in Asteria's direction in a customary greeting. "Figured I'd welcome you aboard by buying you a drink, Ensign...err...?"

"Jaxa, Ensign Asteria Jaxa. Pleased to meet you."

"Jaxa!!!" Eva exclaimed before throwing her arms around the unsuspecting Ensign's neck. Quickly realizing that Asteria still had no idea of who she was, besides a crazy woman, she added, grinning from ear to ear. "It's Jaz! You're looking good for an old woman!"

All excited by this sudden reunion, Eva turned around to face Jaiysa, who was looking on bemusedly to this exchange. "I take that back, I definitely know her," she said, winking to Asteria as she did. "She was my roommate -- well, Jebel's roommate -- in medical school, and one of my best friends for, oh, 40 years!"'

"Ie, really?" Jaiysa asked, glancing at the young ensign for confirmation that she had indeed known Eva that long. "You have my sincere condolences, Erein Jaxa," she deadpanned with a faint smirk, finishing off her drink. Jaz rolled her eyes , letting the comment slide .

Eva turned around to Asteria, smiling like a kid on Christmas Day. "It's so good to see you!"

Asteria lit up "Jaz I can't believe it's you! It's been what ? a couple centuries ?" Eva nodded, a grin on her face .

"Dr t'T. You wouldn't mind explaining the situation to Vil, would you ? Tell her I'm sorry for bailing out. " She smirked before adding " on her ."

The two trills sat down around one of the bars table , reminiscing about past lives, hardly paying any attention to Jaiysa and her pointed looks, well into the night until the bartender politely ushered the two of us out at closing time.

****

Erein -- Ensign

ie -- yes

maenek -- doctor

na -- no, not

Tr'hill -- Trill