TEST DRIVE #2 - The Holodeck/Ten Forward

[tenforward_m]

Where were you a minute ago? Well, you aren't there anymore. Instead, you're standing in a very large, dark room lined with yellow. There are doors at either end of it.

Here's where things get a little choose your own adventure-y. You could:



1: Approach a console filled with buttons, located a few feet away. Press one, and it'll let you out of the room. Travel down a long hallway and you'll be in Ten Forward, the Enterprises' entertainment lounge. Have a drink, mingle and try to figure out why you're here.

OR

2: Maybe you just muttered some vague request under your breath. Maybe you wished aloud you were somewhere else. Or for help? If you did, might be in a fire station. Muttered something about killing whoever dumped you here? Surprise - you're in a slasher movie!

Though they're confusing, these visions feel about as real as they can be. And guess what - other people can experience those fantasies with you, as if they too were really there. How ever will you escape? Or do you want to?

[OOC: Welcome to the Holodeck! If you choose this option, whatever your character chooses to say out loud will cause a virtual reality program to load and play. While your character feels as if what they're experiencing and seeing is quite real, they're purely living through the latest and best in what he Enterprise has to offer in entertainment. Make sure to detail what your character's fantasy is, so that those threading with them will know how to react.

Open til next month's test drive!]

Comments

[tea_earlgrey_hot]

Picard leads the way, gesturing to either of the free seats facing his desk. His first order of business is retrieving a tea—Earl Grey, hot— from the replicator, and asking Terzen if he can offer him anything.

"This is the first time we've entertained one of the Trill on the Enterprise," he then says. "We are fortunate enough to have a Betazoid as this ship's counselor—perhaps you've met Counselor Troi?—but until this moment, knowledge of the symbiotic relationship the Trill share with their hosts was completely unknown to us."

[empathic_pathfinder]

Terzen declined politely, taking his seat opposite Picard's desk. He settles, mostly at ease, but still attentive. A learned skill in most Starfleet officers.

"I've heard of Counsellor Troi. Good things, I assure you." A pleasant smile. "The Trill are a lot like the Betazoids, captain. They're not a secretive race, they simply don't see the... need to reveal something that's completely normal."

[tea_earlgrey_hot]

"Hm," he nods, smiling politely. "Yes, I can understand that. And I do not mean to interrogate you, I assure you. I would simply like to know more about this relationship."

He has a sip of tea before setting the cup and saucer down on his desk. "Or perhaps you would be more at ease telling me more about yourself only?"

[empathic_pathfinder]

"Curiosity is at the forefront of what Starfleet exists for, captain. Don't worry, I would never think you were interrogating."

Terzen shifts in his seat to get a bit more comfortable before continuing. "Answering questions about myself means answering questions about T'Karr. The second we were joined, we became one entity. There's no... differetiation between us. Our bodies and minds were linked the second we were joined... It was something the Symbiosis Commission was concerned about, I'll admit."

[tea_earlgrey_hot]

"Fascinating," he says, his awe completely genuine. "Why was the Symbiosis Commission concerned? Is this not normal?"

[empathic_pathfinder]

"The issue was with my heritage. They were concerned that my Betazoid half would interfere with the telepathic and empathic connections between host and symbiote."

He pauses, frowning.

"There were no physical reasons, but they were concerned about mental and psychological problems. A union like this had never been attempted, and they were concerned it may cause rejection, or damage to myself or the symbiote."

[tea_earlgrey_hot]

He nods. "Yes, I see. With your heightened empathic abilities, forming such an integral bond with another individual, carrying their own memories and experiences, must have been quite a shock. But you were able to do so without complications?"

[empathic_pathfinder]

"They were worried that the strength of the bond would be too much and damage the brains of the symbiote or myself... or that the two would be incompatible and essentially nullify each other."

A slight smile.

"The T'Karr symbiote volunteered. It thought the prospect would be an experience, and it was willing to forgo the risk. Eventually, the Commission was persuaded to allow me to continue, and, no. No ill effects."

[tea_earlgrey_hot]

"An experience indeed, I should think," he says, smiling softly. "You must be quite the asset for the Pathfinder. Does the T'Karr symbiote find the life of a Starfleet officer to be challenging?"

[empathic_pathfinder]

And a wide smile, there. "An assessment like that coming from Captain Picard? Sir, you honour me." He does seem genuinely happy. Jean-Luc Picard was one of the most well-known officers in the fleet, after all.

"T'Karr gets as much out of the experience as I do. Any new experience is good for the symbiote, they relish variety. He finds my interest in Xenolinguistics quite challenging."

Being a comms officer, of course, means Terzen took a major in Xenolinguistics at the Academy. One might never know when the Universal Translator might fail.

[tea_earlgrey_hot]

He raises a hand to gently wave off the compliment. "I merely speak the truth for what I see, Lieutenant Commander."

He's made no secret of the matter that he finds Terzen's unique circumstances fascinating. He would be delighted for the opportunity to see how he handles his duties, as well.

"Mmm, I would imagine so," he continues. "For one seeking experience, there are few greater studies they could pursue. Language is ever evolving, and new ones are discovered every day. May I ask how many hosts T'Karr has had previously?"

[empathic_pathfinder]

"It keeps me busy, sir. One never knows when the Universal Translator can't pick up certain nuances of linguistics, or if it fails entirely..." He smiles. "Keeping on top of it is a full time job."

There's a moment's pause as Terzen remembers the previous hosts, their names, personalities, experiences... all bubbling up at a mere thought.

"Three. The first one was a Warp Field specialist, the second, a shuttle captain, and the third was a famous composer for Trill piano." A slight smile. "My mother was thrilled when she found out I was joined to Herath T'Karr."

[tea_earlgrey_hot]

"Really? How very interesting," he remarks, both eyebrows arched. "Then there have been other Starfleet officers previously?"

He realizes this is not necessarily the case, but if so it marks an interesting trend. For a lifeform that craves experience, joining with Starfleet officers certainly would provide.