Star Trek: Theurgy

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Isel looked down at the PADD she carried as she walked along one of the labyrinth of paths that criss-crossed the grounds of Starfleet Academy. She came to a stop in the middle of the path as she came to a point where five different paths met. Isel shifted the duffle on her shoulder with a shrug as she pulled up the map of the grounds that was loaded on her PADD. He tail swished back and forth in annoynce as she tried to figure out where the hell she was supposed to be going.

Having found her destination on the map, she turned left and continued walking in the warm September sun of San Francisco. She glanced down at herself, taking in the grey uniform tunic and skirt that she now wore.

Cadet Nix…

The thought brought a sour look to her face. She was back to being on the bottom rung of the ladder, having spent the past two decades as a fairly senior member of her old organization, the notion was not a pleasant one. She made sure to only use the words “old organization” as she thought of it, weary of the fact that some of the other Cadets wandering the grounds may be telepaths. It wouldn’t do for one of them who was careless with their mental barriers to hear someone’s thoughts of the Orion Syndicate.

Isel pushed the whole train of thought from her mind and glanced down at her PADD again, hanging a right this time. The admissions officer had informed her that she would be rooming with a third year Cadet whose roommate had dropped out of the Academy. Isel didn’t care much about her roommate either way. It would be unpleasant sharing a small dorm with another person regardless of what year they were in.

Stop beign so bitter, Isel! She chided herself, This is a fresh start for you. A new life! That thought finally brought a smile to her face as she approached a large building. A quick glance at her PADD told her this was her new home. She bounded up the steps and in through the doors, past a lovely blonde girl in the grey and teal uniform of a Science Department Cadet who was coming out of the building. Isel slowed as she passed the blonde, giving her a smile as she passed. The blonde returned the smile, though with a certain amount of uncertainty in her expression.

Isel had seen such a look enough times to know that it was most likely caused by her long canine teeth and furry white tail. At  five feet tall, Isel hardly cut an imposing figure. While in her Vulcine form she looked like a short human female at first glance, with long white hair and heterochromic eyes, one green and one blue. Then people would notice her fangs, furry white tail and somewhat pointed ears, and their expressions would change, usually to one of uncertainty. In her Natural form, the looks were generally much different.

Isel giggled as she moved away from the blonde and into the building, taking the lift to the third floor and making her way down the hall. She consulted her PADD once more before tucking it into her bag and glancing over the numbers displayed on the doors she passed.

313…315…317…. Ah! 319.

Having found the door of her new room, Isel hesitated for a moment, feeling somewhat nervous as she raised her hand. With a deep breath to steady herself, she rapped on the door with her knuckles, giving three sharp knocks. She figured this would be a better way to meet her new roommate, rather than simply barging in. Isel waited in anticipation as she heard the person who was to be her new roommate moving behind the door.

As the door hissed open, Isel gave a bright smile and spoke in a friendly voice.

”Hi! I’m Isel Nix!" She said brightly, smiling at the short brunette that opened the door as her tail swished excitedly behind her. "I'm your new roommate!”

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @Fife

Annika had arrived back at the academy a few days early before the new year started. She had been given the opportunity to do two training cruises that summer, sticking to the Sol system; before having a few weeks off to recoup prior to the start of her 4th and final year of the academy. Thankfully she had declined the opportunity; which more than likely had saved her life. During the summer, the Breen had attacked Earth and killed many Starfleet officers and cadets. Latest reports said that 2,147 people had been killed at the academy. This had put a damper on her excitement to return for her final year. 



When Annika arrived at the academy, she was impressed with how quickly things had been rebuilt. There were still signs of the attack, some of the buildings had changed and the Golden Gate Bridge wasn’t fully repaired yet. Starfleet seemed adamant at getting things back to normal as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately she had learned that her roommate had dropped out of the academy. It made sense, Michelle had always struggled with the course load and had been reprimanded twice.

A fish out of water..

Even though they had grown close over the previous three years, Annika wasn’t all that sad that Michelle had left. Annika felt that made her an awful person, but she just wanted what was best for Michelle, even if that wasn’t at the academy.

Annika had relaxed in her room for a day; enjoying the alone time and quiet. She quite enjoyed that. Especially gearing up to deal with one more year of the academy. She finally decided that she should set up the room the way she liked it. She glanced over to the other side of the room and noticed the empty bed. She sighed and wondered who’d she be stuck with next.

After setting up her side of the room the way she wanted it, she laid back on her bed to do some pre-reading before her first Temporal Mechanics class the next day. She half laid down, half sat up with multiple pillows underneath her shoulder blades.

She picked up the PADD and started to read it.

"Chapter One: No time like the present" is all she managed to read before three sharp knocks happened at the door which had slightly startled her.

Great timing. Must be the new roomie Annika thought as she put the PADD down and got out of the bed to answer the door. She walked over to the door and opened it; what she saw when the door opened startled her even more than the initial knock had.

Standing before her seemed like a short human at first with white hair and admittedly gorgeous eyes, but then Annika saw it. A tail…a fucking tail…. Annika was immediately creeped out; having an alien roommate made her day even worse.

Wonder if I can ask for a room assignment change, She wondered to herself as the alien started speaking.

”Hi! I’m Isel Nix! I’m your new roommate!” said the alien as…the tail again…what the fuck..

Annika stood there for what felt like minutes before stepping to the side to allow her ‘new roommate’ into the room; all while keeping her unblinking eyes on the tail.
”Annika Van den Berg. Sorry for staring” Annika said while finally blinking. This is one of the reasons she had joined Starfleet in the first place; to work on her xenophobia. However, Annika found it hard to deal with her deeply ingrained instincts. Nevertheless; this year would put Annika’s will and determination to the ultimate test.

Annika figured that if she could survive this year with her new roommate, she could do anything.

As long as the tail doesn’t touch me…

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Her new roommate seemed to stand in the doorway for a long time, her eyes fixed on Isel’s tail.

Ah, she’s one of those… Isel thought with a soft giggle. She gave her tail an extra swish, watching the brunette’s eyes follow the movements of the white fur. Finally her roommate introduced herself as Annika Van den Berg, and apologized for staring as she stepped aside to allow Isel into the room.

Isel smiled at Annika as she walked past her, the movements of her tail causing the white fur to lightly brush against Annika’s leg. Isel glanced around the room, unaware that she had accidentally brushed her new roommate’s bare leg. Half of the room was decorated, and was obviously Annika’s side. The other side was bare and unadorned, as though waiting for its next occupant to decorate the area and make it their own. Not that Isel had much in the way of personal belongings to contribute to the task. Isel moved to the empty bed and slung her duffle on the mattress before turning to face Annika again.

”Don’t worry about staring. I get that a lot.” Isel informed her roomie as she smoothed out her skirt and sat down on the mattress, kicking off her shoes and kicking her legs as they dangled above the floor. She brought her tail forward so that it rested on her lap and began to run her fingers through the soft white fur, a habit she had that came out when she was nervous or trying to calm herself down. ”I know my tail kinda stands out when I’m in this form. I mostly look like a Terran, so it sorta throws people for a loop.”

Isel gave Annika another smile as she studied the other woman. Annika was taller than her, but only by a couple of inches. She had brown hair that fell past her shoulders, and vivid blue eyes that made Isel’s breath catch as she met them now. Isel could see she had a nice figure as well, eyeing her hips as her eyes moved down to the bare legs that emerged from beneath the skirt.

This could cause some trouble… Isel thought to herself with a mischievous grin as she returned her gaze to Annika’s eyes, not bothering to try and hide the fact that she’d been checking out the other woman.

”Hey, you’ve got a different accent!” Isel said, giving Annika a friendly smile that left her fangs readily apparent. ”Where are you form? You’re a Terran, right?”

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @Fife

As Annika had moved to the side to allow her new roommate into their new shared accommodations, the things tail had gently brushed her bare leg. This sent shivers up and down Annika’s body. Annika had quickly realized what had happened at felt immediately creeped out. She quickly brushed the spot where the tail had touched her as if a way to get the alien off of her. Annika had hoped she did it stealthily enough that the new person was not offended.

She quickly realized that the alien had been saying things but wasn’t quite sure what was said. Annika stared at Isel and quickly saw that she had been sitting on the bed petting her own tail.

Well that’s weird.. Annika had thought to herself.

The newcomer had been moving her eyes, rather overtly, checking Annika out. She had usually enjoyed when people appreciated the beauty, but was rather put off at the moment.

”Hey, you’ve got a different accent! Where are you from? You’re a Terran, right?” The weird talking cat or fox or whatever that thing was asked.

Annika paused for a second and sighed slightly. She knew she had to live outside of her comfort zone if she wanted to succeed in Starfleet.

”I’m Human and I’m from a country here on Earth called the Netherlands”

Annika felt uneasy talking to her, but once again reaffirmed her vow to not be like her parents.

”And you? I’m not familiar with your race..” Annika asked in an attempt to be friendly with her new roommate that she would be spending the next 10 months or so with.

Suddenly Annika’s mind was fill with dread and fear when something that the new woman had said when Annika didn’t think she was actually listening.

In this form?....She changed forms? What the fuck?

Annika quickly realized that this year was probably going to be harder and worse than she could have ever imagined.

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @trevorvw

"And you? I'm not familiar with your race.. Annika said, her voice betraying the fact that she was a little bit uncomfortable around her new roommate.

"Me? I'm a Vulpinian!" Isel replied in a bright voice, "Though some of the Humans I've met have called me a Fox, whatever that is. Is that some kind of Earth animal?" Isel asked her new roomie, giving her a smile as she reached up with her right hand and tucked some stray white hairs behind her pointed ear. "Anyway, we're from the planet Inari Prime. It's the second planet in the Inari system, though I haven't been there in a really long time." Isel said, still smiling warmly at the other woman. "I guess there aren't many of us around here." Isel's grin took on a hint of cheekiness. "I understand that some people find us a bit... much... to deal with." Annika seemed like she might be one such person. Isel thought she still looked uncomfortable, her posture and facial expression giving away as much. Isel wondered why that was, knowing that with her small stature and current form she couldn't appear very intimidating. Well, not unless Annika somehow knew who she had once been. Isel doubted it.

Isel figured it might have to do with the tail. Annika had seemed pretty fixated on it ever since she had first opened the door, seeming to have difficulty taking her eyes off it. That thought gave Isel and idea. She jumped up off the bed now and took a step towards Annika.

"You seem a little weirded out by my Tail. You keep looking at it. Do you want to touch it?" Isel asked Annika as she stopped just in front of the Human, meeting Annika’s vivid blue stare with her own multicoloured gaze. "It's soft! And it might make it seem less weird to you!" As she said this, she brought her tail around in front of her and took hold of it with her hands, holding it so that it wouldn't sway involuntarily if Annika decided to touch it. "Don't worry! I won't bite! Well, I'll try not to..." Isel informed the other woman with a sly grin. "That usually only happens if I get too excited." Isel added with a mischievous giggle.

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @Fife

"Don't worry! I won't bite! Well, I'll try not to...That usually only happens if I get too excited.” the new arrival said to Annika as she was playing with her tail.

Touch it? Why the fuck would I want to do that?, Annika thought to herself all the while staring at the Vulpinian in front of her.

Annika sheepishly looked away from the alien.

”Uh…nooo..thank you”. She was weirded out enough having an alien roommate, but to touch her tail? That was a little too far for Annika. She looked around the room as to look for an excuse to stop talking to the newbie.

”Listen, if you need someone to show you around campus and help give the lay of the land, I can help you with that” which had been a big step for Annika to even say, ”But I’ll let you get to your unpacking and I’m going to do some pre-reading for class tomorrow.”

Annika then turned around and went back to her side of the room. She picked up the PADD off the bed and held it in her hand as she sat down at first, then laid half down, half sitting. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she heard Isel rummaging around and making noise on her side of the room.

Annika opened her eyes and saw that she had something on her chest just below her left collarbone. She reached down and plucked the object from her shirt. She lifted it up to her eye line and sighed. What she held between her index finger and thumb was, what could be best described as, fur.

Fuck

Annika sighed as she threw it in the waste basket beside her bed and then picked up her PADD to begin reading about temporal mechanics.

It’s going to be a long year…

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Isel could plainly see that Annika was uncomfortable with her new roommate, and looking for an excuse to stop talking to her. Isel was well aware that there were people on every planet that disliked outsiders, though the Vulpinian couldn’t understand why such a person would join Starfleet. They very nature of the organization was geared towards cooperation between different races. Isel guessed Annika must have her reasons. The problem obviously wasn’t the fact that Isel was Vulpinian, since Annika had admitted to being unfamiliar with her race.

Annika had awkwardly declined the invitation to touch her tail, to which Isel simply shrugged and let her tail fall back behind her. The Human had made an offer to show her around campus, if unenthusiastically, and then stated she needed to do some pre-reading in preparation for the following day.

”Ok, I’ll leave you to it then!” Isel said in a chipper voice, not being put off by Annika’s obvious aversion to her. ”I might take you up on that tour later!”

With that, Isel turned away from her roomie and moved over to her bed, unzipping her duffle and pulling out a bundle of uniforms and clothes. She went about stashing the garments in her dresser before returning to the duffle and extracting a framed photograph. She stood still for a moment, staring at the picture she cradled in both hands. The image shower Isel crouching down in a grassy park on Earth with three young children. Isel had her arms around a young Romulan girl on her right and a Bolian girl on her left. On the Bolian girl’s other side stood an Andorian boy, arms crossed and sporting a grumpy expression. Isel smiled down at the photo for another moment before opening the drawer in her bedside table and carefully depositing the photo inside.

Returning her attention to the duffle, Isel pulled out a toiletries bag, which she placed on top of the dresser for the time being, and a small dagger which she tucked into the drawer next to the photograph.

The empty duffle she dropped on the floor, kicking it under her bed. She retrieved some bedding from the closet and made her bed up, then glanced at Annika lounging on her own bed with a PADD held in front of her face.

”Uh… Annika?” Isel spoke softly, uncertain if the other woman would be upset at being disturbed. Isel was trying to remember the Federation Standard word for people who dislike other races, but couldn’t bring it to mind. ”Sorry to bother you, but there’s something I think I should tell you.”

Why was she feeling nervous about talking to this human girl? Sure, she was cute, but she could hardly be called intimidating. In her old life, Isel would never had hesitated as she did now.

In your old life, you didn’t have a roommate. Isel reminded herself, still looking at the attractive human lounging on the bed on the far side of the room.

”I can tell you don’t really like me much, and I’m guessing it’s because I’m not human…”

Xenophile? No… Xenophobe! The word finally came to Isel, causing a teasing grin to spread across her features as she turned her whole body to face the human and crossed her arms across her chest.

”I know this has gotta suck for you, a Xenophobic human having an alien roommate.” Isel’s multi-coloured eyes stared at Annika’s lovely blue orbs as she continued. ”I’m afraid it’s about to get a bit worse…”

Isel reached up and unzipped the jacket of her cadet uniform, tossing it on the bed behind her as she continued to speak. ”Vulpinians are kinda… shapeshifters. We can only take three forms though.” Isel took some slight pleasure in watching Annika’s expression as it slowly changed. ”This is the form I maintain when I need to wear my uniform or if I wear other clothes.” Isel reached up and unzipped the undershirt of her uniform, shrugging out of the garment and tossing it on the bed atop her jacket. The Vulpinian was now bare from the waist up, her toned stomach and perky breasts in plain view. ”My natural form… some people find alarming at first…” Isel unzipped her skirt and pushed it down over her hips, leaving herself standing completely naked before the human. Isel took a single step forward as she continued. ”I’ve heard some humans say we look like werewolves, whatever those are. Anyway…”

Isel trailed off as her form began to change. The change was a smooth transition rather than violent, but a drastic one nonetheless. Her whole body sprouted white fur, short on her torso but longer around her head and shoulders. Two more faint sets of nipples became visible through the short, soft fur of her abdomen Her pointed ears, which had previously looked similar to a Vulcan’s, seemed to shift upwards on her head and sprout white fur as they settled into a position atop her head. The structure of her legs seemed to change from a humanoid appearance, her feet growing longer and her weight perching on the tips of her feet, which had taken on the form of clawed paws. Her hands grew longer as the fur sprouted from them, and her fingernails elongated and took on the form of claws.

Her face was the most drastic change, however. The structure of her face seemed to elongate as soft white fur sprouted from her skin. Her nose changed into a canine-like snout, and turned black. The only thing about her face that remained unchanged was her eyes, the heterochromic orbs which peered at Annika looking just the same as they had.

Now, standing where the cute little human-looking girl had once stood, Annika now saw what appeared to be a white werewolf, or in this case more like a werefox, like something out of a myth. Or a horror movie.

”This is what I look like in my natural form.” Isel said, her ears laying out to the sides slightly in a visible sign of uncertainty. As she spoke, the movement of her mouth left her large, fang-like canines were clearly visible. ”I know it might look a bit intimidating,” Isel said, lifting her right hand and looking at the vicious looking claws that tipped her fingers. ”But I promise you’ve got nothing to be afraid of. I won’t hurt you or anything…”

Isel fell quiet, letting her hand fall to her side as she looked back at her new roommate, waiting for her reaction.

[ Cadet Annika Van der Berg | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @Fife

Isel had called Annika out for being a xenophobe. She thought she hid it well; as no one else had called her out on it, but nevertheless, Isel picked up on it.

Shit

The woman in front of her was talking about shape shifting and werewolves all the while undressing until she was completely naked whilst standing in front of Annika. Alien features aside, her new roommate was very attractive.

This is a weird way to flirt

This was even something Annika hadn’t expected. Her roommate then shifted forms in front of Annika, turning from a close to human facsimile to something, quite fittingly, wolf like.

The shock of seeing that had consumed Annika, this was definitely something she had yet to experience. Needless to say, it’s not something she wanted to experience again.

As Isel had shape shifted, Annika pushed herself back on her bed and held a pillow in front of her as a form of protection, even though a pillow would do nothing. Almost instinctively Annika tried to scream due to both the shear surprise of it, as well as fear. Her mouth was opened but all that came out were little squeaks, almost mouse like in sound.

”This is what I look like in my natural form. I know it might look a bit intimidating, but I promise you’ve got nothing to be afraid of. I won’t hurt you or anything…”

Aren’t the people that always say they won’t hurt you, the ones to be most afraid of?

Annika continued to stare at Isel. She noticed she was breathing at a much faster rate. The shocked woman tried to consciously control her breathing in order to calm down and collect her thoughts.

What the fuck! Annika thought to herself while trying to maintain some semblance of composure in front of her new roommate.

”Ummm…..well….umm wow” was all Annika could muster at first. She swallowed and took a deep breath. Isel had picked out the Xenophobia, so perhaps Annika could tell the alien the truth.

”A bit worse is an understatement. I..I’ve never seen anything like that” she said, stammering and tripping over both her words and thoughts.

”I’m so sorry for my reaction. Although, I’m glad you showed me, rather than me just showing up and seeing you in your natural form.”

Annika pondered for a few seconds before deciding to tell the thing in front of her about why she is the way she is.

”I guess I owe you an explanation. You see, my parents raised me to not like other species and to be distrustful of them. In fact, my father killed a Tellarite just for looking at him the wrong way. I would get in trouble for even talking to aliens when I was a kid. I joined Starfleet as a way to get over my xenophobia. It’s weird..I know, but I thought it might help me. My mother has never approved of me being in Starfleet. In my three years so far here, I haven’t heard from her at all.”

Annika paused and took the glass from her bedside table and took a sip before setting it back down.

”I guess what I’m trying to say is that you were honest and truthful and I wanted to repay that. I suppose that having you as a roommate will help with that or I’ll just have a bunch of panic attacks this year” Annika finished managing to eek out a slight chuckle as she waited for the reply from Isel.

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Isel watched as Annika’s brief bout of terror seemed to subside. The Human had taken several slow, deep breaths to calm herself down. When she began to speak, she stammered slightly. Then she apologized for her reaction, though Isel didn’t see the need for an apology. She knew the change she had just demonstrated could be shocking to people who didn’t expect it. She had been about to voice as much when Annika had spoken again, talking about her parents and the origin of her xenophobia. She had paused to take a sip of water before she continued to speak. Isel said nothing as Annika spoke, letting the human continue uninterrupted.

”I guess what I'm trying to say is that you were honest and truthful and I wanted to repay that. I suppose that having you as a roommate will help with that or I'll just have a bunch of panic attacks this year" Annika said.

Isel smiled at Annika, then raised her hands in front of her mouth and giggled loudly, seeing that Annika still hadn’t put down her “shield” from earlier, which was in fact her pillow.

”If the pillow will help with the panic attacks, I can get you a couple more!” Isel laughed, taking a couple of slow steps towards Annika. ”Though for now…” Isel reached the bed and leaned forward, plucking the pillow from Annika’s grasp. ”I don’t think you’ll be needing this.” Isel lightly swatted Annika on the side of the head with the pillow before tossing it back toward the head of the bed. ”I think you’ll do just fine without your shield.” Isel gave Annika a sly wink before sitting on the edge of Annika’s bed.

”Look, Annika. I know this is going to be difficult for you to get used to. But I’d like us to be friends.” Isel said, speaking earnestly. A hint of sadness seeped into her tone as she spoke again. ”If I’m being honest, I… never really had any... friends... in my old life.” Isel’s ears had dropped to the sides a little, giving her a sad appearance. The Vulpinian sat silently for a moment, then seemed to shake herself out of her funk.

”Anyway, I’m sorry I startled you so much just now. I know it was a lot to take in.” Isel said, her ears perking up and her voice chipper once more. ”Though I’ve gotta say, you’re adorable when you’re scared shitless!” Isel giggled again, running one clawed finger across Annika’s bare leg as she spoke. Isel stood then, turning away from Annika and padding her way back to her own bed. As she walked, she shifted back into her Vulcine form, the fur disappearing and her figure returning to that of a human with pointed ears and a furry tail. She put an extra sway in her hips as she moved across the room, stepping into her skirt and bending down to pull it up, glancing over at Annika as she did so.

”No peeking!” Isel teased the human, giving her a wink before straightening up, tucking her tail through the skirt and zipping the skirt back up. She picked up her undershirt and donned it, zipping it up halfway before turning back to the Human girl sitting on the opposite bed.

”So what do you think, Annika Van den Berg?” Isel asked, walking across the room once more and sitting back down on the edge of Annika’s bed. ”Can we try to be friends?” Isel held her right hand out towards Annika, giving the Human a smile while she waited to see if the girl would shake.

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @Fife

Okay...now I know she's definitely flirting

Isel had dressed as slowly as she possibly could and bent over and even looked back at Annika while doing so. She was weirded out by this, but she wasn't blind. Isel was very attractive, even if the she-wolf was an alien.

The shape shifting roommate made her way back to Annika's side of the room slowly when she started talking again.

"So, what do you think Annika Van den Berg?" she began as she sat down on Annika's bed again, "Can we try to be friends?". The alien extended a relatively human looking hand towards Annika.

The fourth year cadet sat and looked at the hand in front of her as she pondered the choices laid out. She felt like she sat there for what felt like minutes but in reality was only a couple of seconds. She took a breath and then verbalized her choice.

"Mmm..I can't promise it'll be easy or fun, but I think we can try to be friends" Annika told Isel as she reached out and grabbed the hand in front of her in a handshake motion.

Isel seemed to be made genuinely happy with the news as her tail started moving about more and more. She bounced up off the bed and started moving around the room in an annoying happy cat kind of way.

Ugh..the tail...

Annika then stood up from the bed and place the PADD on the bedside table. She turned to her new roommate and looked at her in the heterochromatic eyes and offered up the next suggestion.

"Well roomie! How about that tour?" she asked the new arrival. She figured that was the least she could do to get the newbie acclimated to her new environment. It'd be an interesting last few minutes and Annika not so secretly hoped that it would be a long while before having to endure that again.

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @trevorvw

”Well roomie! How about that tour?” Annika asked her after rising from the bed.

Isel smiled at the other woman and moved to her bed, zipping her shirt the rest of the way before picking up her jacket.

”Sounds good!” Isel told the Human as she shrugged into her jacket once again, ”Lead the way!”

As the two stepped out of their dorm room, Isel studied Annika. From what Isel understood, Annika was short by Human standard, standing only about two inches taller than herself. Isel could tell be her body language that she was still uncomfortable with her new roommate. While she had visibly relaxed somewhat, there was still obvious tension and uncertainty in her stance both as she had risen from the best, and now when she was walking. Isel knew that even if they became close friends, that tension and mistrust would take some time to fade. On top of that, Isel’s bubbly nature seemed to annoy the other woman to a certain degree, judging by the slight change in expression Isel had seen earlier.

Isel voiced none of this however, happy to allow people to think she was a happy, bubbly, oblivious sort of girl. The fact of the matter was, she was good at reading people. Years of working among the scum of the Galaxy’s criminal underworld had honed the skill, along with many others, which she now tried not to demonstrate. She was in the habit of measuring people up as a threat upon first meeting them and constantly being on the lookout for threats, a habit she was slowly trying to break herself of.

Annika hardly seemed a threat. Far from it, in fact, judging by the feeble way the Human had grabbed a pillow to shield herself from Isel when she had shifted just minutes ago. The memory brought a smile back to Isel’s features, which had turned serious for a moment. Now she turned her attention back to Annika, who was walking several step ahead of her, granting her a nice view of who the Human moved when she walked. Isel remained silent for a long moment, enjoying the covert observation of the other woman’s figure for a moment before taking two springing strides to bring herself abreast of the other woman.

”I’m sorry about your parents.” Isel began. ”Well, the not talking to them for a long time part. Now the part about them hating aliens.” Isel gave Annika a weak smile. ”Since I’m one of those aliens, I can’t say it feels good that people hate me.” Isel shrugged, then gave Annika a warmer smile. ”I think it’s cool you joined Starfleet! I means you really want to do something with your life, and that you’re serious about trying to get over your dislike of other species. None of that sounds like a bad thing, if you ask me.”

On the other hand, I feel bad for you. Isel thought, You’re stuck with me as a roommate, and to you I must seem pretty alien.

”That sucks that you haven’t talked to you mom, though. Especially being on the same planet!” Isel said, nudging Annika lightly with her shoulder. ”You should try and contact her again. I know I would, if I knew where my mom…”

Her words cut off and a large cadet walked past them, intentionally shouldering Annika hard and muttering the words “Get out of the way, midget!”.

”Hey asshole!” Isel yelled, a dark expression crossing her features. The large cadet turned in surprise, his expression changing to one of shock as Isel had strode forward and grabbed him by the throat. The Vulpinian shoved him hard against the wall, shifting forms as she did so. Her uniform didn’t fit properly in her Natural form, feeling tight, restrictive and uncomfortable, but she was willing to put of with that for a moment to teach this dimwitted fuck a lesson.

The male cadet was larger than her, and clearly human. He was also clearly terrified at the fact that a menacing looking canine jaw was now only several inches from his throat, the large, fang-like canines bared. That, as well as the fact that long claws were pressing in against the skin of his neck ensured his silent cooperation as Isel continued her little demonstration.

”That’s my friend you just shoved. And I don’t appreciate people treating my friends that way.” Isel growled at the cadet, who’s eyes were now wide with fright. ”I’ll make this simple, so even a limp-dicked fuck like you can understand. If you ever touch her like that again, or anyone for that matter, I’ll turn you into tiny little ribbons and feed you to a fucking Gorn.” Isel’s eyes narrowed as they watched the male cadet. ”Got it?”

The vigorous nodding, mixed with the horrified expression, told Isel that he had, in fact, understood.

”Good.” Isel said in a matter of fact tone. She released the boy’s throat and turned back towards Annika, shifting back to her Vulcine form as she did. She moved back to Annika’s side, linking her arm through Annika’s and giving the other girl a sly wink before turning her head back to face the male.

”Now fuck off.”

The male cadet fucked off, sprinting down the hallway and out of sight.

”You know…” Isel began, turning her head to face Annika again. ”I think he might have pissed himself…” Isel giggled then, giving Annika a warm smile. ”Sorry about that. I just hate assholes like him. You ok?”

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @Fife


"That sucks that you haven't talked to you mom, though. Especially being on the same planet! You should try and contact her again. I know I would, if I knew where my mom..." all of a sudden Annika's body shifted to the left from an impact with a larger cadet, seemingly intentional in nature.

The other cadet said in a snarky tone, "Get out of the way, midget!"

Annika had become accustomed to the fact that some cadets at the Academy were just assholes and there was nothing she could do about it. She thought that the psychological testing and evaluations would have weeded these people out, but alas no luck. The young lady was going to let the asshole behaviour slide again, when Isel did something that Annika hadn't expected.

Isel absolutely snapped on the larger cadet, pinning him to the wall while shifting into her she-wolf form. She started dressing down the male cadet in the way an officer would yell at someone who had royally fucked up. Annika hadn't exactly heard all of what Isel had been yelling as she was still creeped out and almost mesmerized by seeing her new roommate shift twice in less than ten minutes. Nevertheless, she picked out a few key words and phrases she had heard.

"...don't appreciate people treating my friends that way..."

I said we could try to be friends, but it seems like the werewolf has already decided

"...feed you to a fucking Gorn..."

Feed to a Gorn? That's both extremely aggressive and oddly specific

Isel then turned back into her, more humanoid form, even though the tail was still there. She strode over to Annika, whose brain hadn't fully registered exactly what had happened quite yet. The she-wolf then linked her right arm between Annika's left arm and her body and gave her a wink.

What is it with her and always touching me.., Annika thought to herself before Isel turned to the male cadet and told him to fuck off, which had caused him to go running off down the hallway about as fast as he could go.

"You know, I think he might have pissed himself" which in turn Isel giggled and Annika felt a smile start to creep onto her face, "Sorry about that. I just hate assholes like him. You ok?"

Annika sighed and then opened her mouth, "That's just Zach, he's always been an asshole like that. He thinks he some hot shot because his Dad is some Commander on some random ship" Annika took a breath and felt that her face was warm as she realized she was more pissed off than she realized. "He can go fuck himself! As for me? I'm alright. Little weirded out by your whole shape shifting thing again...I didn't expect you to get angry like that since you seemed so bubbly before"

Isel was about to say something when Annika cut her off, "You know, with you around, who needs a pillow for protection?"

The comment made both Annika and Isel laugh, which caught Annika by surprise. She didn't expect to be sharing a laugh with an alien whom she had just met fifteen minutes prior. 

The taller of the two women looked around and caught her bearings before figuring out what to show first.

"C'mon, I'll take you out to the courtyard...I always use that to orientate myself around here!" she said as the two strode out the doors of the building where their dorm room was located.

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @trevorvw

If what Annika said was right, Isel might end up getting in trouble for doing what she did. If Zach went running to his dad about what had happened, that is. Isel wasn’t too worried about it, knowing there was only so much trouble she could get in for standing up to an asshole like that. She was about to voice the thought when Annika spoke, saying she didn’t need a pillow shield with Isel around, causing them both to laugh.

Isel was still chuckling about Annika’s pillow comment as Annika led the way out of the dorm building. Isel let go of Annika’s arm as they made their way down the steps and out into the campus, enjoying the sweet autumn scent as she inhaled deeply.

Isel hoped she hadn’t made Annika too uncomfortable with her little demonstration. She knew she might have taken things a bit far with that human male, though the bastard had deserved it. She had no patience for pushy assholes like that.

Isel tried to put the thought out of her mind, instead glancing at the brunette who she now followed. She had to admit, she found the Human extremely attractive. The fact that they were roommates, and would be in close proximity to one another for the next year… well, that might make things a little tricky. The xenophobia wouldn’t help either. Regardless of the attraction she felt, Isel wanted to get to know the girl she’d be spending so much time with over the next year.

”So tell me more about yourself! You’re from the… Netherlands was it? Is that underground or something? You don’t look pale enough to have grown up underground. Is it close to here?” Isel asked, knowing they might well be stupid question. ”You’re not close with your parents, but do you have any brothers or sisters?” Isel stepped closer and nudged Annika as they walked, speaking now with a teasing tone in her voice. ”What about a boy? What is it you Human’s call it? A guyfriend or something?” Isel directed a sly grin in Annika’s direction. ”Whatever, do you have one?”

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @Fife

”So tell me more about yourself! You’re from the… Netherlands was it? Is that underground or something? You don’t look pale enough to have grown up underground. Is it close to here? You’re not close with your parents, but do you have any brothers or sisters? What about a boy? What is it you Human’s call it? A guyfriend or something? Whatever, do you have one?”

Does she ever shut up? Holy shit.. Annika thought, hoping Isel wasn’t a telepath.

The brunette collected her thoughts for a split second before replying to all those questions.

”Yep, I’m from the Netherlands! It basically means ‘low lands’ which comes from the fact that our ancestors actually blocked the sea off and reclaimed some of the lands that were underwater before. If that makes any sense.” she finished, hopefully answering the first question.

”I have a sister, but I don’t talk to her either. She shares my parents’…more conservative views…on aliens.” Annika shrugged at the thought of that as the two kept walking in the beautiful Autumn air and sunlight in San Fransisco.

”As for the last part, I think you mean boyfriend!” she said giggling at the off worlder, ”Nope, don’t have a boyfriend or a girlfriend. Not at the moment anyways!”

The two continued to walk along the path. It was only a few minutes to where Annika could show Isel the actual start of their tour.

”Well, I told you and now it’s only fair that you repay the favour! Where are you from? What made you join Starfleet? And do you have a boyfriend?”

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Isel listened as Annika answered her questions. She surpressed a grin as Annika admitted that she was single, as Isel was well aware of the fact that she was a shameless flirt, and that said flirting would make her Xenophobic new roommate uncomfortable. Isel also knew she was throwing questions as the other woman at a rapid-fire pace. It was partly due to curiosity about the Terran girl, and partly due to a conscious effort to maintain the persona she had created for herself since leaving the Syndicate. Isel Nix was not the scared, timid creature that Eira Saffir had been, nor was she the hard, dangerous fiend that Demetria had become.

”Well, I told you and now it’s only fair that you repay the favour! Where are you from? What made you join Starfleet? And do you have a boyfriend?” Annika asked, turning the tables on the Vulpinian. Isel smiled at the other woman as she considered her response, knowing she couldn’t reveal her true reason for joining Starfleet.

Well, after I ran from the Orion Syndicate and blew up my old employers base, I couldn’t very well go back. That and Starfleet Intelligence sort of made me join so they could keep an eye on me! Isel thought to her self with dark amusement, forgetting to guard her thoughts in case a telepath was nearby.

”Me? I was born on the Vulpinian homeworld, Inari Prime. I haven’t been there in a long time, though. I was… uh… taken away form it when I was young, around twenty.” Isel said as she turned her gaze to Annika.

”We age differently than you Terrans do. I was still considered a kit at that age.” Isel explained, ”Vulpinians aren’t considered adults until they go through a rite of adulthood ceremony. There’s no set age to go through it, so it’s undertaken whenever the kit feels ready. I never got a chance to go through it before I was taken, so I’m technically still a child as far as my people would be concerned, though I don’t really care. I don’t have any great attachment to the homeworld.” Isel turned her gaze away from Annika, looking at a pair of human cadets who were kissing on a bench under a large tree. The male human was certainly enjoying himself, though the female human looked like she was a lousy kisser. Her mouth was open too wide, making it appear like she was trying to envelope the male’s entire face with her mouth. ”I was sold of the Orion slave markets, so I haven’t spent any time among my own people since then.”

Isel looked at Annika again and gave the Terran an apologetic smile ”Sorry, it’s not really a cheerful story. Starfleet sort of help me get out of all that, which is why I’m here.” Isel’s smile turned impish as she reached out and grabbed Annika’s arm again. ”As for you last question, no guy… er… boyfriend. Or girlfriend. So you’re in luck!” Isel stepped closer to Annika as she spoke, bumping her body into her new friend. Isel giggled as she pressed herself against Annika’s arm, well aware of the fact that the action would make the Human uncomfortable. She stepped slightly away from the other woman but kept hold of Annika’s arm as the giggles subsided and she continued to speak. ”One thing I did pick up from my time on Inari Prime was my people’s view on relationships. Vulpinians are a lot more… liberal with physical interactions than you Terrans are. Physical relationships aren’t equated with commitment or love for us. Vulpinians form lifelong Mate bonds, much like you humans getting married, but besides that physical relations and emotional connections aren’t really connected to one another among my people.” A cheeky smile crept across Isel’s features and she glanced at Annika out of the corner of her eye to watch Annika’s reaction. ”Sex isn’t taboo like it is for you Terrans, either. On the Homeworld physical affection is commonplace, and it’s not uncommon to see people mating in public.” Isel thought for a moment, trying to remember the term she had heard Terrans use for this sort of connection. ”I think the term you Humans use for that type of casual thing is… friends with benefits? Is that right”

Isel turned a mischievous grin towards Annika. ”You doing ok? I know this must be shocking to a poor, innocent little xenophobe like you!” Isel teased, her tone making it plain she wasn’t being judgemental with the statement. ”Did the mean alien traumatize the poor, cute little Terran?” Isel squeezed Annika’s arm lightly as she asked the question, her eyes twinkling with mischievous delight as she tried to get a rise out of her attractive roommate.

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @Fife

”You doing ok? I know this must be shocking to a poor, innocent little xenophobe like you! Did the mean alien traumatize the poor, cute little Terran?”

Annika was caught off guard by Isel’s statement. She obviously said it in a joking manner and Annika found it quite funny which caused her to giggle outwardly. She hadn’t felt this comfortable around an alien so quickly. She wondered what it was about Isel, as Annika found the she wolf’s personality likeable, intriguing and intoxicating. It didn’t hurt that she was easy on the eyes, minus the tail of course.

”You really traumatized me! I need my pillow!” the taller of the two women said while breaking down laughing after the words slipped out of her mouth. The Vulpinian rested her head on Annika’s shoulder for a few seconds whilst the two were walking and lifted it as the two approached the centre of the courtyard.

The two stood in the courtyard as Annika pointed out each building that the new Cadet would have to know before starting classes tomorrow. The fourth year cadet didn’t want to overwhelm the newbie, but made sure she knew the major points. Annika figured they could do more tours if Isel needed. 

As a plus…walking beside her means I don’t have to see her tail!

As Annika finished pointing out buildings and explaining some of the lesser known rules at the Academy, she realized that she should really get back to her pre-reading for her class in Temporal Mechanics tomorrow.

”Sorry Isel, I’m actually truly enjoying your company, but I have to get back and do my reading for tomorrow”

Annika looked at the heterochromatic eyes of her new roommate as she said those words,

Those eyes are amazing

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @trevorvw

”You really traumatized me! I need my pillow!”

As the two girls shared in their laughter, Isel rested her head on Annika’s shoulder. Her nose was almost immediately filled with the scent of the human woman, an intoxicating mixture of scents that made the Vulpinian’s head swim slightly.

This human smells good… Isel found herself grinning at the thought, enjoying her close proximity with the other woman.

Isel listened as Annika explained the layout of the Academy campus, noting specific buildings she thought the Vulpinian would need to know. Isel didn’t have the heart to tell the Human that she already had a map of the campus with the buildings she needed to attend classes in marked out. Instead, she just enjoyed listening to Annika talk, noting that the Human seemed much more relaxed around her now.

As Annika apologized, saying that she really needed to get back to her reading for her classes tomorrow, Isel’s mouth spread in a cheerful grin. Annika was looking into her eyes, and the Vulpinian was enjoying gazing into the sharp blue pools of Annika’s eyes.

She’s going to be trouble… Isel thought to herself, her grin taking on an impish quality. Or at least I hope she will…

”I understand!” Isel said, taking Annika’s arm again as they turned and headed back towards their dorm. ”What are you reading? I didn’t actually pay attention to what textbook you had when I came in.” This was true. She hadn’t paid attention to the textbook, but rather had been distracted by the attractive being which had been holding the annoying book that had blocked her view of the Human’s form.

”Sorry if I’ve been distracting you…” Isel began, then paused. She seemed to be considering what she had just said.

”Actually…” Isel pulled Annika to a stop beneath the sweeping boughs of a tree whose branches draped strands of leaves downward like locks of leafy green hair. The setting sun basked the area in a dusky glow, casting half of Annika’s features in shadow.

”I’m not that sorry…” Isel stepped closer, her eyes locked on Annika’s as her impish grin growing more mischievous. ”I rather enjoy distracting you.” Isel chuckled, her eyes narrowing slightly as she watched the other woman. ”And traumatizing you.” She added emphasis to the word "traumatizing", her tone clearly teasing. Isel’s face was only inches from Annika’s now, which afforded her a close-up view of Annika’s reaction as Isel’s tail brushed against her bare leg for the second time that day, slower this time. And very much deliberate. Isel giggled as she watched Annika’s reaction, her wicked grin growing ever-wider.

”And for the record…” Isel added, speaking in a soft tone while at the same time leaning closer, twisting her body to lightly brush Annika with her shoulder. ”I’m more cuddly than a pillow. And warmer.” Her grin had taken on an alluring aspect as she spoke, and her eyes flashed suggestively. ”You should try cuddling me next time you’re traumatized.” Isel giggled and winked at the Human before reaching out and taking hold of Annika’s arm to guide her down the path as they set off in the direction of their dorm once more.

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @Fife

"I'm not that sorry..." as the new arrival moved closer to Annika. "I rather enjoy distracting you...and traumatizing you." she said to the xenophobic fourth year cadet as she slowly and deliberately rubbed her tail on Annika's bare leg.

Not the tail...

Annika winced as she felt the tail brush against her leg, she was immediately creeped out and she felt her fight or flight response kick in, as she took a step back as a way of trying to convince Isel to stop.

"You should try cuddling me next time you're traumatized."

Annika didn't say anything in response to that, as she would rather cuddle the pillow instead of this alien that had just arrived only an hour prior. The walk back to the dorm room had been fairly silent as Annika was still creeped out by the deliberate tail 'assault'. 

The two had made it back to their dorm room quickly as Annika had been walking fast in order to get back as fast as she could.

The young woman then plopped down on her bed and started doing her reading for her class which was due to take place the next afternoon. She picked up the PADD and sighed whilst staring at it.

"Alright...where was I?" she whispered to herself as she tried to forget the events of the last hour.

---

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Starfleet Academy | 2375 | Next Day ]

"Okay, you have your assignments due for next time. Class dismissed." the Temporal Mechanics instructor told the class at the pre-planned time for it to end. The rest of the class stood up and started making their way to the door as Annika put her things in her bag and stood up and followed the herd. All of a sudden, Annika felt someone run into the left side of her body, seemingly deliberately and forcefully. Along with that came the usual asshole sayings.

"Not so tough without your friend around, are you midget"

Fucking Asshole

She looked and saw Zach, who had clearly been unfazed by the incident with Isel in the corridor yesterday. She shook her head and tried to ignore him as he made his way to join the rest of his douchebag friends on the way out of class.

Annika was the last to leave the classroom and entered out into the hallway, to see Isel leaning against the far wall directly opposite the door.

She sighed.

Why...? Annika wondered why she couldn't have even five minutes to herself.
She approached the alien roommate of hers, feeling tired as she hadn't got much sleep the night before due to the whole, having a weird shape shifting alien in her room. As she got within two metres of Isel, she asked the obvious question.

"What are you doing here?"

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @trevorvw

”What are you doing here?” Annika asked. Isel could tell by Annika’s tone that the Human wasn’t overly happy at the sight of her. Anger flared inside Isel, the Vulpinian being well aware that most of Annika’s displeasure had more to do with her being an alien rather than anything she’d actually done to the Human.

Isel remained where she was, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed under her chest. She regarded Annika with a cool expression, her eyes narrowed slightly. ”He was being a dick to you again, wasn’t he?” Isel asked, not answering Annika’s question. She wanted to give her frustration time to ease a bit before she addressed the xenophobe’s obvious displeasure at seeing her. ”Zach. The daddy’s boy.” She clarified, ”I saw him leave the classroom a minute ago.” Isel’s voice carried obvious irritation as she continued. ”Why do you let a fuckwit like that push you around? You should stand up to him! He’s one of your people, so it’s not like you’re scared of some big bad alien.” Isel put an obvious negative emphasis on the “big bad alien” part, knowing full well that Annika had hoped to avoid her today.

”Anyway, to answer your question, I was going to ask you if you wanted to go have lunch together.” Isel explained, though her voice held none of the usual enthusiasm it had when she had been dealing with Annika yesterday. Rather, it carried irritation, and just a hint of sadness. ”Though I’m going to guess by your reaction that having lunch with an alien is the last thing you want to do.” Isel’s eyes narrowed as she studied the Human woman for a moment. ”You know, I’ve met racists like you before.” Isel shook her head and pushed herself off of the wall. ”I can’t say I understand it though. I’ve never hated someone without reason. Especially not because of what species they were born to.” A slight smile crossed Isel’s features as she remembered the last racist she had dealt with. It had been while she was still in the Syndicate. If she recalled correctly, she’d put him out an airlock for trying to cheat her in an arms deal. The last thing he had screamed before the vacuum had sucked the air out of his lungs was a not-very-nice, discriminatory phrase. Demetria had smiled as she watched him die.

Isel shook herself back to the present and glanced sideways at Annika as she made to leave, and the Human could see her expression held a hint of sadness. ”You’d better get used to being around aliens if you want to serve in Starfleet, Annika. There’s a lot more than just Humans out there in the galaxy, and a lot of them are way stranger than me.” Isel turned her face towards Annika. ”Unless you plan to carry your pillow around with you while you’re on duty.”

Isel moved off, striding down the hallway towards the doors which would carry her outside, leaving the human standing alone in the hallway. She smiled to herself as she went, wondering if that little lecture would force the timid Human out of her shell a little bit.

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @Fife

Isel was walking away from Annika after calling her out on her attitude. Annika was surprised that had even happened. She stood there trying to figure out what had just happened.

A racist? Me?

Annika thought for a few moments about what Isel had said to her. She figured that Isel was right, even though she went about it the way she did. Annika had joined Starfleet to not turn out like her parents. There was no way she wanted to be like them; however here she was, acting just like them. Hell, she hadn’t talked to her mom or her sister in over three years after deciding to join Starfleet.

Isel had called her out on her shit, and she was right. Annika felt a wave of guilt overcome her while having a tinge of sorrow. Her new roommate had been nothing but friendly and bubbly; and Annika treated her like a bag of shit. She knew that she had to right the wrong.

”ISEL!”

Annika then took off sprinting in the same direction that Isel had walked away.

It had taken around two minutes for Annika to find Isel. As she approached Isel, she slowed from sprinting to a more normal walking pace. She put her right hand on the Vulpinian’s shoulder as she pulled back to sort of turn the woman towards her.

”I…Isel” she said while breathing heavily.

I really have to work on my cardio…

Isel had stopped walking and turned around to face Annika; all while remaining silent.

”Isel, I’m sorry! she began, ”Listen, what you said was right. I was being an asshole to you and you don’t deserve that. Truth is, I joined Starfleet in order to not turn out like my family, but here I am, acting just like them. I know that’s no excuse, but I am sorry! You’re completely right with everything.”

Annika took a few breaths before continuing, ”Can you forgive me?”

The young woman decided to use some words the Vulpinian had said to her the day before.

”Isel Nix, can we try and be friends?”

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Isel had felt a hand take hold of her right shoulder, and felt the hand turn her to face whoever it was panting up a storm behind her. Having turned to face the sound, she found herself looking at a somewhat out of breath Annika.

”I…Isel.” Annika panted, trying to catch her breath.

Well, she’s panting and gasping my name… Isel thought, suppressing an impish grin. Though this isn’t quite the way I imagined it…

Isel remained silent, letting the other woman catch her breath. The Vulpinian listened as Annika apologized, explaining that she realized that she was acting just like her parents, then asking the Vulpinian for forgiveness.

”Isel Nix, can we try and be friends?” Annika finally asked.

Way to steal my line… Isel thought as a grin spread over her features.

”We are friends, Annika. Whether you want to be or not!” Isel said, her tone light and playful. She stepped forward and gave Annika a hug, squeezing the Human lightly before stepping back. ”Sorry, I know I’m probably more touchy-feely than you’d like. I can’t help it. It’s a Vulpinian thing.” Isel explained. ”Just be happy I don’t try and make up the Vulpinian way!” She added with a wink. ”Unless you want to…” Isel gave Annika a coy look, lightly running her finger along Annika’s collarbone.

The look of surprise on Annika’s face was answer enough.

The white-haired girl giggled again as she let her hand drop to her side. ”Oh well, it was worth a shot!” She said, giving Annika another giggle and a broad grin.
Isel was well aware of the fact that she was probably making Annika uncomfortable again, but the Vulpinian couldn’t help herself. Mischief was in Isel’s nature, and the Human girl who stood before her looked so cute when she was shocked, which only added to the fun.

”Look, I can’t say I know what it’s like being estranged from your parents,” Isel said, her tone turning more serious now. ”My dad died when I was just a kit, and my mother and I were separated when we were sold on the slave markets. I don’t even remember what they looked like.” Isel reached out and took Annika’s hand, the gesture one of friendship rather than another attempt to hit on the Human. ”I know dealing with aliens isn’t easy for you, and I know I’m probably harder to deal with than most...” Isel gave Annika a friendly smile, ”But we’ll work on it. Ok?”

Isel’s smile transformed into a mischievous grin. ”That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop tormenting you though!” Isel said, giving Annika’s hand a squeeze. Isel moved closer and ran the index finger of her free hand along Annika’s jawline, ending on her chin. ”You’re so adorable when you’re traumatized.” Isel let her hand drop away from Annika’s face as giggled as she turned away.

”Now come on, Fourth Year! You can show me a good place to eat!” Isel called over her shoulder as she walked away with a sway to her step, her tail swaying side to side in rhythm with her hips.

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @Fife
 
"Now come on, Fourth Year! You can show me a good place to eat!" Isel had said to Annika after agreeing to forgive Annika's awful behavior. The Vulpinian first year cadet had been not so subtly flirting with Annika. The woman shook the word subtly from her vocabulary in regards to Isel.

She was overtly flirting with me!, Annika had decided in her mind. The young woman was conflicted though as she was both slightly traumatized by the flirting she had endured, however at the same time she was intrigued by how it had made her feel. She had felt certain signs of arousal at the touches from Isel. She decided to ignore them, as it was just a physiological response to the touch, and not anything she was feeling or had the remotest interest in pursuing.
 
"I know this great Sushi place. It's been open for well over three hundred years, it's the best in San Francisco!" she had said to the Vulpinian that was staring at her, like Annika probably stared at her. "Trust me! It's my favorite!"
 

---

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Saru Sushi Bar | Noe Valley Area | San Francisco | 30 Minutes Later ]
 
"Kon'nichiwa! the hostess at the restaurant said as the two women entered the establishment. The women were shown to a table in the admittedly old restaurant. The restaurant had survived numerous earthquakes and fires in the area. It also survived World War 3 in the 21st Century, as well as the Breen attack just months earlier. This little place had become Annika's go to comfort food restaurant in her three years at the Academy.
 
The small and slender hostess of Asian decent had given the two cadets their menus when Annika replied.
 
"Arigato!"; which caused the young hostess to smile, slightly bow and walk away to get glasses of water for the two. This would also give them time to peruse the menu.
 
Annika flipped open her menu and started reading it, even though she had read this particular menu a few dozen times over the last three years.
 
"If you don't know what to order, I can order for you!" she said to isel as she saw the Vulpinian woman staring at the menu in what appeared to be a state of confusion.
 
Annika felt nervous being here with Isel at her favorite restaurant in the city. She wasn't entirely sure why she was nervous, just the fact that she was had her notice her heart racing.
 
Isel's touch on her collarbone, the touch on her face, the tail brushing up against her leg
 
Annika caught herself daydreaming while staring at the menu, she felt the blood rush to her face as her cheeks took on a rosy glow. She couldn't believe what she was feeling at the moment when coupled with the day dream. Despite her xenophobia and how creeped out she had been by Isel not even 24 hours before; there was no denying it.
 
She was attracted to the woman across from her.
 
What the fuck is going on with me?

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Saru Sushi Bar | Noe Velley Area | San Francisco | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Isel had been staring at the menu, unsure of what anything was yet recognizing some of the words. The Vulpinian language hadn’t been able to be verbally represented through the standard Federation translation, so the Vulpinians had borrowed words from the Terran Japanese language to help with the translation. Borrowing the words and understanding what the correlating food happened to be was a different matter, however. She had been trying to puzzle it out, unsuccessfully, by looking at the pictures when Annika spoke.

”If you don’t know what to order, I can order for you!” The Human offered, having obviously noticed Isel’s lost look.

”I think that might be a good idea…” Isel said distractedly, her eyes still scanning the menu. ”What’s this Tataki Beef? It almost looks raw!” Isel asked, her mouth watering at the thought. ”I have no idea what everything else is. You go ahead and order, but can we try that too?”

Isel looked up at Annika as she asked the question, hoping the Human woman sitting across from her wouldn’t be grossed out by raw meat. Then Isel noticed that Annika’s cheeks had reddened, which served to add a rosy glow to the slightly nervous expression Annika wore. Isel thought the Human looked slightly flustered, but also enjoyed seeing her with that rosy glow.

”Are you ok?” Isel asked, unsure as to why a Human would have this sort of response. She reached across the table and touched Annika on her forearm, a look of concern growing on the Vulpinian’s face. ”Is something wrong? Your face is all red!”

Then it dawned on the white-haired girl.

”Wait… Are you blushing?” Isel gripped Annika’s wrist tighter and leaned forward as she asked the question.  ”Did you see someone cute in the restaurant?” Isel pulled her hand back from Annika’s wrist and placed both palms on the tabletop and pushed herself up from her sitting position. Her head pivoted back and forth as she scanned the restaurant. ”Well, where are they? C’mon, you can’t keep them all to yourself! With a blush like that, they’ve gotta be cute!”

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Saru Sushi Bar | Noe Valley Area | San Francisco | 2375 ] @Fife

Isel had mentioned something about Tataki beef and Annika noted that she seemed pretty intrigued by it, so she added it to the mental order she was busy compiling in her head.

"Well, where are they? C'mon, you can't keep them all to yourself! With a blush like that, they've gotta be cute!" Isel had excitedly exclaimed after Annika noticed that she found the Vulpinian attractive.

Shit..she caught me.., Annika thought to herself after trying to come up with some lie to tell the woman across from her.

Annika shook her head in a side to side motion as if to dismiss what Isel had said while simultaneously buying herself more time to concoct a story.

"Oh, it was just some guy that walked by outside! He's gone now" she said hoping that the Vulpinian had believed her. As she finished her sentence, the waitress came around again wondering if they were ready to place an order.

Just in the nick of time!

Annika looked up at the Japanese woman who stood there with a PADD in her hand,

"Hi, could we get an order of Spider Roll, an order of spicy tuna roll and an order of Beef Tataki please?"

The woman finished inputting their order on the small PADD she held in her hand, bowed slightly and disappeared just as quick as she had appeared in the first place.

The young brunette decided to change the subject from the earlier subject so Isel wouldn't question it.

"You're gonna love it! If you don't, I don't know if we can be friends!" Annika teased the new arrival sitting across from her, which ended with a slight giggle.

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Saru Sushi Bar | Noe Velley Area | San Francisco | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Isel sat back down as Annika claimed that there ahd been a cute guy walking outside, unsure if she entirely believed the Human. The waitress arrived then, preventing Isel from voicing her suspicions. Isel listened as Annika ordered for them, saying something about spiders and tuna. It sounded strange, and Isel silently prayed the Human girl didn’t want her to eat bugs. Isel had tried Ferengi food once, and that had been a “never again” sort of experience.

As the waitress retreated once more, Annika spoke again.

”You’re gonna love it! If you don’t, I don’t know if we can be friends!” The brunette teased, accompanied by a giggle.

”As long as it’s not as bad as Ferengi food, I’m sure I’ll like it!” Isel replied, wrinkling her nose at the memory. ”Tube grubs are nasty!”

Isel looked up as she heard Annika laugh at her expression, causing a grin to spread across the Vulpinian’s features again. ”And I told you, we’re friends whether you like it or not! There’s no getting rid of me now!” Isel told the brunette, sticking her tongue out at the other woman as she finish. ”I apologize in advance for the fur. You’ll be finding it everywhere.” She added with a slightly guilty expression.

”So tell me,” Isel said, sitting forward in her seat and leaning her elbows against the table. ”What department do you want to join? I saw you were reading a Temporal Mechanics book. Yawn.” Isel teased as she rolled her eyes theatrically. ”Do you want to go into Science? Engineering?” The Vupinian cocked her head to the side as she asked the questions, studying the other woman. As boring as she found temporal mechanics, she found the girl across from her intriguing. ”I’m going to go ahead and venture a guess that xenobiology didn’t make it on your list.” Isel teased, leaning forward and poking Annika’s arm while wearing a shit-eating grin. ”Too bad, really. I could have helped you study!” The Vulpinian added in a suggestive tone, giving the Human a wink.

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Saru Sushi Bar | Noe Valley Area | San Francisco | 2375 ] @Fife

Annika pondered Isel's question about what department she wanted to join, and ignored the comment about Xenobiology and Isel being able to help her study.

Truth is, Annika had wondered about which department to join for the last three years, and she'd have to make a choice soon.

"Truth is...I don't know what department I want to join. I know not Science or Medical, 'cause they're sooooo boring! At least for me! I think either Engineering or Tactical would be good fits. I've excelled at those courses while at the Academy, but I'm still not sure, you know?"

Annika stared at Isel after she finished talking, but not staring at her, more like staring without seeing as her mind was thinking about what she would do. The last three years had flown by for the young woman, however she was now a senior cadet and would be a commissioned officer within a year...if all went according to plan.

The young brunette took a sip from the water glass that was on the table in front of her, and then set the glass back down on the table. She then snapped out of her thoughts and realized she hadn't heard anything Isel may have said.

"Sorry, were you saying something? I was lost in my thoughts! How about you? What do you want to do?"

Just before Isel had started to respond to the question, the waitress brought the food around and set it down on the table in front of them.

"Douzo" the waitress said to the two of them as she bowed slightly.

"Arigatou" was Annika's reply to the waitress as the Japanese woman scurried off to take care of other tables in the restaurant.

Annika turned her attention back to Isel before taking any of the food and waited for a reply to her question before she would take any of the food.

"So..? What do you wanna do in Starfleet?"

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Saru Sushi Bar | Noe Valley Area | San Francisco | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Isel listened as Annika spoke of her uncertainty as to which department she wanted to go into. When she finished speaking Isel saw her eyes take on a somewhat blank expression, the other woman clearly being lost in thought. Isel giggled as the absent-minded expression, watching as Annika moved on autopilot and took a sip of water. Isel crossed her eyes at the other woman, having fun with the temporary mental vacancy.

”Sorry, were you saying something? I was lost in my thoughts! How about you? What do you want to do?”

Isel has been about to answer when the waitress returned, carrying their food with her. As she set the dished down on the table, she and Annika exchanged brief words in the somewhat familiar language before the server retreated once more. As they had made the exchange, Isel had studied the food that now sat on the table between them. Much to the Vulpinian’s relief, the small rolls did not seem to contain actual spiders, which led Isel to question where the name came from. One roll seemed to contain raw meat that was a pinky-red colour, with a vegetable of some sort and sauce. The other had what appeared to be a deep-fried meat with several different vegetables, and some sort of glaze. The tataki beef looked the most appealing to her, thinly sliced bits of meat that appeared to be lightly seared on the edges and raw in the middle, sitting in a light looking sauce.

Isel turned her attention back to Annika as the Human repeating her question, asking what Isel planned to do in Starfleet. The question put Isel in a bit of an awkward position, a small amount of uncertainty showing in her features. If she talked about her past, it might prompt Annika to ask more questions, ones Isel couldn’t afford to answer. While she found the Human extremely attractive, Isel still didn’t know that she could trust the alien-hating brunette. Not that she planned on being very forthcoming with anyone about her previous… employment. Isel lifted her glass of water and took a long sip, buying for time as her mind raced to decide what to tell Annika. In the end, she decided on a simply vague truth.

”Well, I have experience with weapons and propulsion systems, and with piloting. I’ve always been interested in mechanics and weapons technology, but there’s nothing that comes close to the thrill of flying, so I’m hoping to get into the CONN department. Or maybe Tac Conn. I think flying fighters would be awesome!” Isel said, becoming rather animated as she spoke, excitement gleaming in her eyes. ”There’s something about piloting a small craft at high speed that really gets the juices flowing, you know?” Isel added with a sly expression. One particular incident came to mind, when she had been piloting a shuttle full of crates of Romulan disruptors that were to be delivered to a group of freedom fighters on some backwoods planet. The local government had apparently got wind of the deal, and Isel had ended up on the run, pursued by several small interceptor vessels from the local government’s military. She couldn’t even remember the name of the planet now, but she remembered the thrill of the chase, her heart pounding as she dodged the shuttle she piloted through an asteroid belt to escape her pursuers.

”There’s nothing like it. It’s a total turn-on.” Isel said, some breathless from the memory, her heart beating faster as she felt the excitement of the moment once again. She turned her gaze back to Annika, her pupils slightly dilated and her eyes burning hungrily, and gave the Human a broad grin. ”Have you every flown a shuttle or anything?”

Isel glanced down at the table, remembering the food. ”Oh, right. We should probably get started on this!” Isel said, looking between the three dishes. ”What should I try first?” Isel asked the other woman, finding herself distracted. She looked up at Annika again, looking slightly flustered. "That spider roll doesn't actually have spiders in it, right? 'Cause that would be fucking nasty..."

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Saru Sushi Bar | Noe Valley Area | San Francisco | 2375 ] @Fife

Isel had mentioned getting into Conn or Tac Conn, and then she talked about piloting fighters and shuttles and she became visibly excited. Annika had seen the Vulpinian excited, but never that excited. It was obvious that would be the best choice for the woman as it was something that actively excited her.

Lucky her.., Annika thought in almost a jealous manner as Isel seemed to have it all figured out on day one of the Academy, and here was Annika, still unsure as she started her fourth year.

”That spider roll doesn’t actually have spiders in it, right? ‘Cause that would be fucking nasty…” Isel had said, catching Annika off guard and causing her to burst into laughter which persisted for more than a few moments. She reached up to her eyes to wipe away the tears that had formed from her laughter. She hadn’t laughed like that in a long time.

”N..no it doesn’t! Could you imagine? That’d be terrible!” she replied when she could finally get a few words out.

She then reached forward and grabbed one piece of each dish they had ordered and placed them one by one on her plate. The young woman took a bite of a Spider Roll as she watched Isel putting the food on her plate, seemingly focusing on the Beef Tataki of which she had taken three pieces.

The young xenophobe watched Isel pick up a piece of Beef Tataki, held it front of her nose and smelled it before putting it all in her mouth before chewing and swallowing it.

”It’s so cool you’ve had the chance to fly a shuttle at high speed, I’m jealous!” she said as she looked up at Isel who had kept eating and seemed to be unaware that Annika had said anything.

She picked up the remaining piece of her spider roll and put it in her mouth, before chewing and swallowing it.

Just as good as always

She then looked up at Isel, ”Good, isn’t it?”

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Saru Sushi Bar | Noe Valley Area | San Francisco | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Once Isel had put the morsels of food on her plate, she decided to try the Beef Tataki first, picking up a piece and holding it up for inspection. The juicy meat certainly looked appealing, and a few sniffs of the sliced meat only added to her anticipation. It smelled amazing.

Isel finally popped the sliver of meat into her mouth, savouring the flavour for a moment before slowly chewing the delicate flesh. It tasted better than she had imagined, the delicate flavour and savoury juices filling her mouth as she worked at the meat with her teeth, rolling her eyes slightly in enjoyment.

”Fugh… thas gut…” Isel muttered softly, her words jumbled around the mouthful of food she still chewed.

”It’s so cool you’ve had the chance to fly a shuttle at high speed, I’m jealous!” Annika said, though Isel hardly heard her through the excessive enjoyment of the raw flesh.

”Huh, what?” Isel asked, looking at Annika and seeing she was chewing a piece of the nastily named Spider Roll.

Why would they call it that?!?

”Good, isn’t it?” Annika asked, looking up at her.

A grin spread across Isel’s face at the question. ”Oh, it’s tasty!” Isel said, continuing to stare at the Human. From the look in Isel’s eyes, she might have been referring to the food or the company. Isel dropped her gaze and selected a piece of the spider roll, eyeing the piece dubiously before hesitantly putting it in her mouth. As she gingerly chewed the piece, she was surprised to find  that it too was delicious. Her chewing intensified as a look of relief and enjoyment came across her features. She gave the Human a smile as she swallowed the mouthful. ”This is really good? What did you call it again? Suzie?” She asked as she picked up a piece of the spicy tuna roll, popping the small round piece in her mouth. Her eyes widened as she chewed the piece, the spicy mayo giving off a surprising heat. She quickly swallowed the mouthful and stuck her tongue out. ”Hot!” She said giving Annika a wide-eyed expression and panting like a dog as she reached for her water. ”They aren’t kidding when they call it spicy!” Laughed the Vulpinian, waving one hand in a fan-like motion in front of her mouth as she picked up another piece of spicy tuna roll with her other hand.

”What did you say earlier? Something about flying shuttles?” Isel asked, looking at Annika quizzically, peering at the Human over the piece of spicy tuna roll that hovered in front of her mouth. ”I used to fly them a lot when I was with the O…” Isel caught herself just in time, her eyes widening. She stuffed the spicy tuna roll into her mouth, her eyes widening at the heat once again as she chewed.

”At my old job…” Isel finally finished her sentence after swallowing the searing mouthful. She silently chastised herself for nearly slipping up, unable to believe the mistake she had almost made.

Great Isel. Just tell the Human who hates aliens you used to work for the Orion Syndicate. That’ll go over REAL well. Isel mentally berated herself, ensuring she kept her expression neutral.

 ”Anyway, that’s what I want to do in Starfleet. I like tinkering with engines and stuff, but I love flying.” She told the other woman, unsure of how much of the slip she had picked up on.

Hopefully not much…

”So you speak the same language as that woman who works here?” Isel asked. ”How many languages do you speak? Federation Standard and Netherlandese?” As Isel guessed at what the Netherland language would be called, she figured she might get it wrong, but if Annika was laughing as her mistake then she wouldn’t be concentrating on her slip up. Changing the topic while making a fool of herself was an easy way to take the other woman’s mind of what Isel had been about to say. Isel ate another bite of beef tataki as she waited to see if Annika took the bait.

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Saru Sushi Bar | Noe Valley Area | San Francisco | 2375] @Fife

”So you speak the same language as the woman who works here? How many languages do you speak? Federation Standard and Netherlandese?” Isel had asked, causing Annika to burst into laughter yet again.

Annika felt like it was a stupid question, but when she allowed her brain to process the question, it actually made sense for an alien to be confused.

”N..no. I speak only a few words of Japanese, which is what I was speaking to the woman here. I also speak Federation Standard and Dutch, otherwise known as Netherlandese to you!” Annika had explained while still trying to suppress her laughter and winking at the woman sitting across from her.

Annika took a bite of her food again before delving into something that Isel had started to mention, but didn’t finish the thought…verbally at least.

”You mentioned your old job…what exactly did you do? I hated my old job, working at an artisanal cheese place making cheese by hand; rather than, you know, using replicators!” Annika mentioned while rolling her eyes slightly and giggling.

”My old boyfriend got me that job while I was still in high school, but the work sucked and he was an asshole, so here I am! Plus he was lacking in some departments..”She said while holding the pads of her thumb and forefinger about 3 centimetres apart. The innuendo was highly implied, but left unsaid as most women in the galaxy would know exactly what they were talking about.

Annika popped the last piece of sushi into her mouth and quickly chewed it and swallowed it before apologizing to Isel.

”Sorry, I haven’t let you get a word in! Where are my manners? Tell me more about yourself Isel Nix!”

Annika then took a sip of her water as she awaited the reply from her roommate.

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Saru Sushi Bar | Noe Valley Area | San Francisco | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Isel giggled at her own foolishness as Annika corrected her about the language she had been speaking, as well as her native tongue, informing her that her home language was called Dutch. It didn’t make much sense to Isel, the language being called Dutch while the land was called Netherlands, but Humans were a strange bunch, so Isel decided not to question it too much.

Isel’s heart skipped a beat when Annika asked her about her old job, though she calmed down somewhat as Annika began talking about her own previous job and an ex-boyfriend, distracting herself from the initial question. Isel chuckled and popped another piece of suzie into her mouth as Annika said her old boyfriend was an asshole, and speaking of him being lacking. The Vulpinian let out a laugh and almost choked on her food as Annika held up her fingers, indicating the manner in which the asshole had been lacking.

”Sorry, I haven’t let you get a word in! Where are my manners? Tell me more about yourself Isel Nix!”

”That’s ok, I like listening.” Isel said as she considered the question, ”That’s too bad about your boyfriend. Or ex. The asshole part. And the tiny part.” Isel was buying for time, unsure of what she should say about her past. She’d already told the Human she’d been sold on the Orion slave markets, but she couldn’t very well tell her anything that came after that.

Well Annika, after I was bought by an Orion Syndicate boss, she freed me and I because her enforcer, then her right hand man. Or woman. Fox? Whatever. Either way, that wouldn’t go over well…”

”My old job isn’t worth talking about.” Isel lied as she gave the brunette across from her a smile. ”Getting to fly shuttles was cool, but that was the best part of it.” Isel’s mind was racing as she tried to come up with something else to say. She’d lost her flirty attitude at some point between being flustered and trying to think of something plausible to say. ”It was kinda lonely too. Most of the people I worked with were assholes.”

And I was their boss, for the most part…

”That’s why I left and joined Starfleet. Change of pace, change of lifestyle. You know?”

Did she buy it?

Isel lifted her glass and drained the last of the water before she continued, letting her heartrate return to normal somewhat. Her hand was steady despite her agitation. ”This suzie was good! We should come back sometime!” Isel said, feeling calmer now as she smiled at the Human. ”Do you have another class this afternoon? If not, we should hang out! Unless you want to go read some more.” Isel stuck out her tongue as she teased the other woman. It wasn’t that she disliked reading, she could just think of more fun things to study than Temporal Mechanics…

…Her new roommate, for one…

Isel’s eyes had narrowed slightly at the thought, a sly smile spreading over her face as she enoyed the mental image and waited for the Human to answer.

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Saru Sushi Bar | Noe Valley Area | San Francisco | 2375 ] @Fife

”Do you have another class this afternoon? If not, we should hang out! Unless you want to go read some more.”

Annika thought about Isel’s offer to hang out, but she wasn’t sure if she had another class that afternoon or not. She had to think about it for a few seconds before coming to the sudden realization.

Shit…I do have a class this afternoon! Annika thought quite worriedly that she was late, but realizing she still had half an hour before the class started.

”I do have a class in thirty minutes, but we can hang out afterwards! Your choice on where we go!”

Annika then picked up her glass of water, finished it and then stood up from the table. She realized they’d have to leave right away in order for her to make it to her class on time.

She looked at Isel and held out her hand to assist Isel up from her seated position. Isel took the human’s offer to help her up from the table, and unfortunately for Annika, held her hand a little longer than normal.

It was still weird to Annika, however she was starting to feel at ease with Isel, which was nice for a change.

The two then left the restaurant and walked down the sidewalk towards the transport train back to the Academy; making small talk along the way about the weather and how quaint the neighbourhood was.

Annika looked up and saw Zach and his friends headed right towards them, however it seemed that he didn’t notice both Annika and Isel there until the last moment. He looked up just in time to see the two women and immediately moved out of the way to avoid a confrontation. As the two well fed cadets walked past him, his only comment was ”Ladies.. as he nodded his head and let the two by both uninterrupted and unharassed.

Isel seems to have set him straight…at least temporarily

After they had passed Zach and his friends, Annika turned to Isel and mentioned, ”That’s nice for a change…thanks for taking care of that little problem!” and without missing a beat, she realized she forgot to mention the plans for tonight  ”Oh shit! There’s a huge party tonight for the new cadets…you in?? It’ll be fun. It was when it was my first year!”

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Saru Sushi Bar | Noe Valley Area | San Francisco | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Isel felt a pang of disappointment as Annika told her that she did have a class, though Vulpinian brightened as Annika suggested they hang out afterwards. Maybe the Human was warming up to her after all.

”I don’t know anywhere around here, but I’m sure we can think of something.” Isel replied with a grin as Annika held out her hand to help Isel up. Isel didn’t need the help, the Vulpinian being quite lithe and agile, but she accepted the help nonetheless, enjoying the chance to hold the Human’s hand. Annika usually seemed uncomfortable with Isel’s touchy-feely nature, and Isel wasn’t about to pass on the opportunity.

As the two left the restaurant and walked down the sidewalk, they engaged in some idle chit-chat, talking about nothing important. Isel was focused on her friend, and didn’t notice Zach and his friends until the last moment, noticing him just as he moved aside. The Human male simply nodded to them and gave a respectful ”Ladies” as they passed, though Isel could see one of Zach’s friends watching them walk away, seeming to focus on Annika as he asked Zach if that was the one he had been talking about. Zach glanced at Annika with an odd expression on his face, colour rising in his cheeks. One of Zach’s other friend was watching Isel, giving her an unmistakable look of interest, in response to which she swished her tail a little and fired off a wink in his direction, causing the Bajoran to colour a deep shade of red.

Isel smiled as she turned her attention back to Annika, a knowing smile creeping across her features as the Human girl thanked her for taking care of that “little problem”. Isel was about to reply when Annika seemed to remember something, talking about a party that was going on that night and asking if she was in, adding the promise that it would be fun.

”A party, huh? Sound good!” Isel said, a broad grin spreading over her features. ”Do I get to see you dressed up all sexy?” She teased, watching as the colour rose in her friend’s cheeks.

”Oh, stop blushing! You’re hot!” Isel informed the other woman, taking hold of Annika’s arm and hugging it with both of hers. ”Aaand…” Isel drew the word out, giving her friend a knowing look. ”I’m not the only one who thinks so!” She continued with a shit-eating grin. ”I don’t think the Daddy’s Boy the Dickhead is actually being a dick. I think he wants you!” She informed the blushing Human, ”He was totally giving you a look just now! That and his friend was giving me the eyes, too,” She added with a giggle, ”but that’s beside the point. I think Zach’s into you! Maybe he likes ‘em short!” Isel continued to tease, seeing just how red she could make her companion. ”Maybe you’ll see him at the party! You should wear a really sexy dress! That’ll definitely get his attention! And if not, it’ll certainly get mine!” Isel leaned against Annika as she said the last part, then finally released the Human as she let out a laugh.

”Are you ok? You’re really red...” She baited the Human, ”Should we take you to Medical?” Isel laughed softly, shaking her head as they made their way onto the train platform.

"Sorry, I know I shouldn't tease you so much." Isel admitted as they stepped onto the transport train which would take them back to the Academy. "I couldn't really have fun before. My old job was kinda serious. No-nonsense sort of stuff. I guess I'm having a bit too much fun with my new-found freedom." The Vulpinian shrugged, suddenly looking somewhat shy and uncertain as she voiced the confession to the Human. As the two sat on one of the bench seats in the mostly empty train, Isel made sure to tuck her tail on the side of her body farthest from the Human. "Do you forgive me?"

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Bay Area Transport Train | San Francisco | 2375 ] @Fife

”Ewww…Zach?? He can go fuck himself, because there’s no way I’d be into that!” Annika said initially making a disgusted look with her face, followed by some laughter.

Isel had mentioned that she found Annika hot. Despite never having trouble with men or women; it was the first time that an alien had described her as ‘hot’. As such, Annika was blushing, a lot. She felt her face was almost on fire from her blushing so much.

”Do you forgive me?” Isel had asked, which caught Annika off guard. She didn’t see what she had to forgive Isel for.

”Forgive you? For the teasing? That’s what friends do Isel! All good!” she replied to the Vulpinian, which ended with a half hearted friend hug.

[Now approaching Starfleet Academy. Doors to the left] came the announcement from the overhead speakers on the train. Both Annika and Isel stood up from their seat and made their way to the door as the train slowed while approaching the stop at the Academy.

As they stood at the door waiting for it to open, Annika turned to Isel.

”I should be back around 1800 hours, party starts at 2000 hours, so we’ll have plenty of time to get ready!” she finished saying, as the doors opened and the two parted company so Annika could get to class.

---

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Dorm Room | Starfleet Academy | 1832 hours | 2375]

Annika rushed through the door of the dorm room and threw her bag on her bed while announcing,

”Shit shit shit…Sorry I’m late!! hoping that Isel was actually there. She caught some sound of rustling on Isel’s side of the room. Annika darted through the clothes in her closet, looking for something sufficiently revealing and sexy enough to wear to her final first day party at the Academy. She finally found the little black dress that she liked, where the hem came to mid thigh and showed just the right amount of cleavage. She peeled off her cadet uniform and took off the standard issue bra and underwear.

Annika stood there, naked, looking at her dress. She was about to put it on when she realized she should take a quick sonic shower before she got ready for the party. She made her way to the bathroom and noticed that Isel wasn’t on her side of the room.

Where is she? she thought to herself as she pressed the door open button on the bathroom.

The doors slid open and she stood face to face with Isel who was clearly ready for the party. She looked good, sexy even; at least for an alien.

Annika made a feigned attempt to cover her naked body from the prying eyes of the Vulpinian standing before her.

"Hi!" Annika said in an attempt to sound embarrassed.

in retrospect though, Annika figured, It’s only fair to tease her back…

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Dorm Room | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @trevorvw

When Annika hadn’t arrived at 1800, Isel could only assume something had held her up. She’d had people severely punished in the old days if they were late for a rendezvous without a damn good reason for it, though that was the past. At present, the Vulpinian simply assumed Annika would get there when she got there, feeling no anger at the Human.

Maybe Zach finally grew some balls and actually talked to her… Isel thought as she opened the top drawer of her dresser. The drawer was only half filled, containing 3 sets of uniforms and a handful of civilian clothes. The other two drawers of the dresser remained empty, since Isel had brought little with her as she embarked on her new life. She pulled out several pieces of clothing, finding her clothes to be mostly utilitarian and as such unsuitable for a party.

”Well fuck…” Isel muttered as she pushed the drawer shut. With a sigh, the Vulpinian turned and made for the door, heading for the nearest replicator. ”To the replicator I go…” She said to herself as she padded out of the room.

---

20 Minutes Later...

---

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Back in the Dorm Room | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ]

Isel hurried back into the room, glancing around to see if Annika had made it back yet. She hadn’t. Good. Isel moved to her bed and laid out the newly replicated clothes. A black tank-top, though a little more intricate than the simple ones she had in her dresser, and a black skirt that would only cover the top third of her thigh. The clothes laid out, Isel disrobed and grabbed a quick sonic shower before dressing. As she stood in the bathroom, scrutinizing her outfit in the mirror, she heard Annika come barging into their dorm room.

”Shit shit shit… Sorry I’m late!!” She heard the Human call out, which caused the Vulpinian to giggle as she adjusted her shirt in the mirror. The black tank top looked good, form fitting and showing a nice bit of cleavage, with the shoulder portion consisting of two inch-wide strips which crossing in front of her throat and looping behind her neck rather than over her shoulders. The tank had two long trails of fabric at the bottom than wrapped around her abdomen in a criss-crossing manner, hugging her toned stomach. The skirt was short, but she liked it that way, and had little choice in the matter since longer skirts would get caught around her tail and annoy her.

Isel had just turned away from the mirror and was about to head for the door to go check on Annika when the Human came to her instead. The door slid open, revealing a surprised, and very naked, Annika standing before her. Isel’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment, then took on another look altogether as the Vulpinian let her gaze trail down over the other cadet’s body, which Annika was making a half-hearted attempt to cover with her hands.

”Hi!” Annika said, almost sounding embarrassed.

Not that she should be... Isel thought, her eyes enjoying the view of what Annika’s hands struggled to hide.

”Hi yourself!” Isel said as a sly grin spread across her face, her tone appreciative. ”I thought the party wasn’t until later…” She added, raising her ravenous gaze to meet Annika’s. ”You’re a bit late, but I have to admit… this was well worth the wait…” Isel said. She felt her heart beat faster as she took a step closer to the exposed Human, her tone low. ”Either you’re trying to tease me…” Isel mused aloud as she reached out and placed a hand on Annika’s bare hip, her multi-coloured gaze still locked on the Human’s, her eyes narrowed as she regarded Annika through her lashes, ”or I’m just a very lucky little Fox.”

Isel stood right in front of Annika now, her left hand still resting on Annika’s right hip. Her other hand hung at her side. She made no further move towards the Human, not wanting to push her too hard. This was still the same Annika that wasn’t at her best when around “aliens”. She was just much more naked than she usually was. And Isel, being Isel, had to struggle desperately to control herself and keep herself from pouncing on the Terran beauty.

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Dorm Room | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @Fife

Isel still had her left hand on Annika's right hip, which made Annika feel both uncomfortable and intrigued. She looked at Isel's eyes and then down to the hand resting on her hip. She hadn't been sure of which path to take. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"You'll have to stop.." she said whilst slowly biting her lower lip, "I need to shower and don't wanna be late!!" she finished as she side stepped the Vulpinian and headed for the shower. Isel mentioned being teased or being very lucky, either way, Annika added in some extra sway in her hips as she walked to the shower. She knew Isel was looking and didn't feel bad in the slightest.

As Annika stepped into the sonic shower and turned it on, she felt the grime and sweat from a long day disappear off her skin. She caught Isel looking at her as the alien left the bathroom, albeit slower than was normal.

Annika smiled slightly and sighed at the thought of toying with her new roommate.

---

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Dorm Room | Starfleet Academy | 20 Minutes Later | 2375 ]

Annika had finished in the sonic shower after about five minutes, and then spent the next 15 doing her hair and makeup. She had curls left in her hair from the previous day and threw her brown hair up into a messy ponytail. She liked wearing her hair in that way and as a bonus, it was easy. She walked out of the washroom, still wearing nothing as she had forgotten to bring her dress with her. She looked around and saw that Isel wasn't in the immediate vicinity, so she made a mad dash to her side of the room and slipped into her dress. The nice and soft material feel amazing against her bare and freshly cleaned skin.

She then reached down to put on her black high heels and proceeded to look at herself in the mirror.

Looking good as always! she thought to herself as she finished surveying her appearance in the mirror.

She hadn't seen Isel, or been hit on in 20 minutes so she called out to her roommate.

"Isel! Are you ready to go??"

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Dorm Room | Starfleet Academy | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Isel had felt a pang of disappointed when Annika had asked her to stop before side-stepping her and heading for the shower. She’d watched the Human walk away, adding some extra sway to her hips as she went. Isel stood for a moment enjoying the sight as Annika stepped into the shower, then slowly made her way out of the bathroom.

Having finished getting ready and finding herself with time to kill, Isel made her way to her bed and flopped down on the mattress before picking up the PADD which lay on her bedside table.

Might as well do something productive while she gets ready… Isel thought to herself as she pulled up the reading file for Astrotheory 101.

---

[ Cadet Isel Nix | Dorm Room | Starfleet Academy | 20 Minutes Later ]

”Isel! Are you ready to go?”

”Huh?!?” Isel blurted as she was jarred awake by Annika’s voice. The PADD that had been lying on her chest clattered to the floor as the Vulpinian sat bolt upright, eyes wide and mouth agape in her startled state. ”Fuck, what?” Isel asked, looking around the room in confusion. She looked down at herself, seeing the clothes she was wearing, and remembered that they were going to a party. ”Yeah, I’m ready,” she told the Human, wiping a string of drool off her chin as she rose from the bed. She stooped and retrieved the PADD from the floor, tossing it onto the mattress before heading for the door. She was wiping sleep from her eyes as she moved into Annika’s view, shuffling along sleepily.

”Sorry, I was trying to do a bit of reading while you got ready. Astrotheory is fucking boring…” She mumbled before lowing her hands and looking at Annika. ”Wow! Look at you all sexy and done up!” The Vulpinian exclaimed as she eyed the Human up and down with an appreciative grin. Mischief crept into her grin as she narrowed her eyes at the other woman. ”I bet Zach is going to be all over that!” She teased, giggling as she stepped towards Annika. ”Unless I fight him off and keep you all for myself!” She added as she linked her arm through Annika’s. ”Shall we go?”

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | Welcome to the Academy Party | San Francisco | 2375 ] @Fife

Annika and Isel showed up at the house just off campus around twenty minutes after the party was scheduled to begin. Annika had never wanted to be the first to a party; and this was no exception. The two walked up the front steps of the very large and old house. There was the sound of music coming from inside the house and there were multiple people arriving around the same time as the duo.

They stepped into the house and saw lots of cadets within the house; most of whom had began pre-drinking well before they showed up at the party. Most people were scantily clad and Annika noted that the vast majority of them were good looking.

If I'm gonna start this year off with a bang, this would be the place to start!

The diminutive brunette figured that she would let loose and try to have fun in her fourth and final year at the academy.

The two roommates made their way deeper into the party, snaking their way through the throngs of people milling about.

"Let's get a drink!" Annika said to Isel, unsure if the Vulpinian had heard her due to the volume of the music within the house.

With those ears, she probably did hear me, she thought to herself as they approached where the drinks were.

They arrived at the bar and saw a vast majority of alcohol to choose from. Annika had been thankful that there was none of the synthohol crap there. She poured herself a glass of whisky and sipped it while Isel decided what she was going to have.

After Isel decided what she was drinking and poured it, the two stood there surveying the room and looking to see where to go or what to do. They noted there were people partying inside and in the back yard. Thankfully both Academy Security and San Francisco Police allowed the cadets this one major party at the beginning of the year and didn't bother them about the noise.

Isel had said something to Annika, but she didn't hear what was said as the music was too loud. She leaned into the Vulpinian to ensure she would be heard.

"You said you're more liberal with relations than us Humans, so how about we find you someone to be more....liberal with! Wanna stay in here or check out the back yard?"

[ Cadet Isel Nix | “Welcome to the Academy” Party | San Francisco | 2375 ] @trevorvw

As they had approached the house where the party was being held, walking up the front steps and into the building itself, Isel couldn’t help but look at their surroundings with a growing sense of curiosity. Oh, she had partied plenty in her old life, in both higher circles and lower, but she had never been to a party on Earth. So far it seemed to involve a lot of loud music, alcohol and stumbling people. As they moved through the house she saw a number of people already showing signs of intoxication, some sitting and laughing on sofas, others dancing to the blaring music. She was happy to note that many of them were quite attractive as well.

Tonight could be fun… Isel mused as Annika leaned in and spoke in her ear, raising her voice so that she could just be heard over the booming sounds within the house. Isel nodded at the suggestion of a drink and followed Annika to a large table with a vast array of bottles arranged in a chaotic mass on either side of a large metallic cylinder. The cylinder had a hose protruding from it, and as she watched an already tipsy male staggered up to the table and used the hose to fill a red plastic cup with a foamy golden liquid. Once the cup had been filled, a little too much since the male sloshed some over his hand on onto the floor, he raised the glass to some friends nearby and stumbled away, singing the words “red solo cup” in a loud, drunken voice. And very much off key.

Isel picked up one of the red cups from a stack on the table, presumably the “red solo cup” referenced in the drunken idiot’s song, and filled it with the golden contents of the cylinder. She looked at the drink dubiously, sniffed it, and sampled the small amount of the liquid. It was some sort of ale, it seemed.

”Is this Human ale? Fuck, you guys are timid compared to the Andorians!” Isel yelled to Annika, unsure if the Human heard her over the pumping baseline of a song. She laughed and shook her head, then chugged the laughably weak contents of her cup. She turned her attention back to the table, picking up a bottle of a golden coloured alcohol and inspected the label.

What the hell is Tequila? She wondered before popping the cork and wooden cap off the top and pouring a generous measure into her now empty cup.

The cup half-full, she re-capped the bottle and set it back on the table, sniffing the new drink as she turned back to Annika. It certainly smelled stronger. Taking a sip, Isel found that it was a hard spirit, smooth and strong. Not as strong as a Saurian Brandy, but still not bad. She looked up at Annika and gave the other woman a crooked grin just an Annika leaned in and yelled in her ear, talking about liberal relations and finding her someone to be liberal with, before asking if they should stay inside or head to the back yard.

Isel was about to answer when she saw a group of four males walk in. It was Zach and his friends, including the Bajoran who had been checking her out earlier. Isel turned her gaze to Annika and grabbed the Human’s hand, pulling her out of the room and heading for the rear of the house. As they stepped out onto the back deck, squeezing past an already intoxicated pair of Humans who were making out in the doorway, Isel turned to Annika. Now that they were outside, the music was reduced to a level where they could actually be heard without resorting to yelling.

”Zach’s here.” Isel informed her friend with a giggle and an impish grin. She took a large swig from her cup and made a face, smiling as she scrunched up her face and wrinkled her nose.

This tequila isn’t bad!

”You should totally go get your flirt on!” She told Annika after letting out a small cough to clear the burning sensation from her throat. ”Man, this stuff’s good!” She added, looking down at her cup for a moment before returning her gaze to Annika. ”Seriously though! You should go talk to him!” She told the other woman, nudging Annika with her hip. ”Live a little!”

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | “Welcome to the Academy” Party | San Francisco | 2375 ] @Fife

”Seriously though! You should go talk to him! Live a little!”

Ugh..

Annika pondered the woman’s suggestion for a few moments before finally deciding that she was right. Isel was being very pushy in trying to hook up Annika and Zach, and Annika figured she’d drag Isel along.

Annika rolled her eyes and relented verbally to Isel. ”Alright fine! I’ll go, but sure as shit you’re coming with me!” she said while grabbing onto Isel’s left arm and dragging her along with.

As the two re-entered the house and they made a beeline towards the group with Zach and the Bajoran in it. As they approached, Annika wondered what the outcome of this encounter would be. Half of Annika hoped that Isel would make Zach piss himself.

They came to a stop just a metre from the four men, just as the men all turned in unison to look at the duo. The four men then proceeded to look up and down both Annika and Isel’s bodies. The men clearly enjoyed what they saw and made no attempt to hide that fact.

”Zach…I don’t think you two were formally introduced. This is Isel” Annika had said while putting her hand on the back of Zach’s upper left arm.

”H..hi” Zach replied seemingly giving zero fucks.

Annika and Isel stood there for a few moments before Annika piped up again.

”Gonna introduce us to your friends?” Annika said as a hint to get conversation going.

”Nah..you’re boring, I won’t waste their time”

Annika was a little repulsed at this comment and was surprised.

Boring?

She thought back to the last three years at the Academy, and this year she was determined to have more fun. As Isel said…live a little..

”Boring huh? Annika said as she turned away from Zach and his friends to face Isel.

She looked into her heterochromatic eyes which sparked like diamonds, Annika then reached up her right hand and placed it on back of Isel’s neck. The brunette then moved her head towards Isel, looking at the woman in front of her in anticipation. She saw Isel’s eyes dart around in anticipation. Isel’s aroma was intoxicating, even for an alien.

Annika’s lips landed firmly on Isel’s lips and the feeling was both electric and mesmerizing. It sent a warm and fuzzy feeling throughout Annika’s body. The kiss had lasted longer than she had anticipated, however in the moment, she didn’t care. She broke the contact between their lips, but lingered for just a moment just millimetres from her lips. The brunette bit her lower lip as she pulled back from Isel. Annika turned back to Zach and his friends who each had a look of shock on their faces.

”Yeah, you’re right. I’m pretty boring”

[ Cadet Isel Nix | “Welcome to the Academy” Party | San Francisco | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Isel had been amused as Annika, spurred on by her insistence to “live a little”, had grabbed her by the left arm and dragged her back into the house. The Vulpinian had laughed as she was towed along, pausing to take another large swig of tequila once Annika had stopped in front of the group of males.

Isel took another drink soon after they arrived in an attempt to hide her grin. She was well aware of the fact that the four guys were checking them out, and was enjoying the attention, even going so far as to give the Bajoran a wink when he smiled at her. Then Zach went and opened his mouth, as men had a habit of doing, and ruined the moment. Apparently she had been wrong, and Zach actually was just an asshole. And a rude asshole at that! Her amusement vanished when the asshole in question called Annika boring, the previous mirth instantly replaced by burning anger.

Who the fuck does this asshole think he is? Isel thought as she seriously considered shifting into her Natural form and tearing the piece of shit to shred. The Vulpinian was fairly certain she’d seen a Gorn outside that she could feed him to…

”Boring huh?”

Consumed with rage and murderous thoughts as she was, the Vulpinian was only vaguely aware that Annika had spoken, though her attention was drawn to the Human woman as Annika turned to face her. The Vulpinian was confused at first, having expected Annika to be upset, but instead she saw something else in the Human’s expression. Isel could only stare at Annika with a slightly puzzled expression as Annika reached up and placed her hand on the back of Isel’s neck. Realization dawned on the Vulpinian when Annika began to bring her face to meet Isel’s, a look of anticipation in her eyes. Isel was fairly certain her eyes now held a similar expression as they darted down to look an Annika’s lips, only to return to the brunette’s clear blue eyes with a hungry expression.

Isel’s heart skipped a beat as her lips met Annika’s, the Human’s enticing scent filling her nose and leaving her head swimming. She returned the kiss with enthusiasm, her tail wagging a thrill surging through her body at the sudden and unexpected change in the other woman. Isel reached out with her left hand and placed it on Annika’s hip, the hand lingering there only a moment before it snaked around to Annika’s back, pulling her in closer. He right arm was still holding her drink, and simply hovered out to the side, completely forgotten along with the boys for whom this display was being put on.

Isel felt a pang of regret as Annika broke the kiss, though as she slowly opened her eyes she found that Annika had lingered, and was biting her lower lip as her clear blue eyes met Isel’s own multi-coloured ones from point blank range. The Vulpinian let out a slightly ragged breath as Annika pulled back and turned to face the boys. Turning her own attention back to the asshole and his friends, she saw that one and all wore a look of shock on their faces. The sight brought a satisfied grin to Isel’s face, which only widened as Annika spoke.

”Yeah, you’re right. I’m pretty boring.”

The hell you are… Isel thought with growing desire, unsure if the slight dizziness she felt was the result of the kiss or the alcohol.

”I don’t think you’re boring…” The Bajoran began, taking a half-step forward toward Isel.

”Uh-huh… Hold this.” Isel said without looking at the Bajoran, draining the last of the tequila and holding the empty cup out towards the man. Seeming uncertain as to what was going on, the Bajoran obliged and took the empty cup. Isel, both hands now free, grabbed Annika’s hand and pulled her out of the room and into the hallway, pushing the Human woman lightly against the wall.

”Ok…”Isel said somewhat breathlessly as her eyes locked on the other woman’s. ”What the fuck was that? I thought you didn’t like aliens?” She reached up and cupped Annika’s cheek with her right hand, leaving the other resting lightly on Annika’s shoulder. ”That better not have just been for show, because you’re going to seriously mess with my head if that’s what that was!” She stared into those clear blue eyes with an almost desperate expression, lightly caressing the soft skin of Annika’s cheek as she spoke,  ”Seriously Annika, please don’t tease me like that!”

Isel fought an inward battle as she spoke, resisting the urge to just pin the Human woman against the wall and kiss her again. Normally she would have. It was only out of concern for the other woman’s unease around aliens that she held herself back, and even then, it took a great deal of restraint. The fact of the matter was, while Isel had been hitting on Annika since they first met, Annika had changed the situation by kissing her. Yes, the Vulpinian was a shameless flirt, but now she had Annika’s scent, and she couldn’t get it out of her head. Sure, that Bajoran in the other room was cute, and had made himself useful when he took her cup, but in this moment Isel had eyes only for Annika.

”You’re far from boring, by the way.” Isel added with a crooked grin. The Vulpinian blushed as she gave Annika’s shoulder a light squeeze, feeling her heartrate finally starting to return to normal.

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | “Welcome to the Academy” Party | San Francisco | 2375 ] @Fife

”You’re far from boring, by the way” Isel said after what had just happened between the two of them. Annika’s heart was still running at a high rate and her head was swimming. She wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or the kiss; or both. She knew as she looked into the beautiful heterochromatic eyes in front of her, that she had to respond. She tried to gather the thoughts swirling around in her head to make some semblance of it.

”Well..uh..honestly it was for show, at least at first. Then after I..uh..kissed you and you kissed me back, it felt more than that.” she said as she felt that her mouth had become drier than the surface of Mercury, ”It was electric! To be fair to you, I’m not sure why it happened, but I’m glad it did! I don’t want to lead you on or anything”

She looked at the Vulpinian in front of her and could see that Isel was looking for what to say as she stared right back into Annika’s eyes.

Just then, Annika noticed in her peripheral vision that Zach and the Bajoran were both peering around the corner into the hallway to see what was going on.

Probably hoping to see some hot girl on girl action, Annika thought to herself while mentally rolling her eyes.

”We’ll…uh..be right with you!” Annika called out to the two men who quickly scampered away.

Isel hadn’t said anything yet to Annika’s explanation of the situation or what was happening, but she found that okay. It was a lot to take in and things had just escalated very quickly. 

Annika’s thoughts drifted in two different directions at once. In one direction, she felt weirded out and unsure of herself due to kissing an alien. When she told herself that she wanted to work on her xenophobia, this wasn’t exactly what she meant.

The other direction her thoughts went though, were very erotic and just the mere beginnings of her thoughts affected her body. She felt blood rush to her face, her breasts and her groin. The scent of Isel wafted into her nostrils as she felt her face get warm and a moistness appeared around her groin. She felt ashamed for feeling this way about an alien, but her body had different ideas.

She snapped out of her current thoughts and thought about the boys that were waiting for them. Annika reminded herself that she was going to do whatever the hell she wanted to do this year.

I may not have been teasing Isel just now, but we can tease those dicks

”Wanna fuck with those assholes?” Annika had asked Isel, hoping that it would break the awkward tension that had grown while it was just the two of them in the hallway.

[ Cadet Isel Nix | “Welcome to the Academy” Party | San Francisco | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Isel’s heart sank as Annika admitted that the kiss had just been for show at first, though the Vulpinian brightened as Annika elaborated, referring to the kiss as electric and admitting she was glad it had happened. Then the Human said she didn’t want to lead Isel on, which left Isel somewhat confused. Did she mean she wasn’t leading Isel on? Or that she hadn’t meant to? Isel stared into the other woman’s eyes as she tried to puzzle out what Annika had meant. Isel was about to ask the Human which is was when something off to the side drew the brunette’s attention and caused her to turn her head. Isel’s eyes moved down along Annika’s slender neck for a moment before she, too, turned her attention to the side, curious as to what had distracted Annika.

It was Zach and the Bajoran, both of them peering around the corner to watch them.

Not so boring now, is she? Isel thought with a feeling of satisfaction. An impish grin spread over her features as she gently let the hand that still cupped Annika’s cheek slowly slide downwards, trailing her fingertips down Annika’s cheek and neck until it rested on her shoulder. Annika had wanted to give the boys a show, after all, so Isel was happy to play along. She kept her eyes on the two males as she moved slightly closer to Annika, and watched as the stupid expressions the boys wore grew more idiotic by the moment.

”We’ll… uh… be right with you!” Annika called to the two dolts, which prompted them to retreat out of view around the corner.

Isel turned her attention back to the beautiful brunette, he two morons gone from both sight and mind. Her eyes locked on the clear blue of Annika’s own, and she felt her heart surge again. She saw Annika’s face colouring, a rosy hue rising in her pale cheeks. It gave the brunette a certain glow that did nothing to dull Isel’s desire. The Vulpinians breath came more quickly, the deeper inhalations filling her nose with the Human’s scent as her chest rose and fell. Isel felt heat rising in her own cheeks, as well as between her legs. Oh, but she wanted this Human. She shifted her weight forward, moving herself closer to Annika.

”Wanna fuck with those assholes?” Annika asked, the sudden sound of her voice startling Isel and causing her to jump slightly. It took a moment for the Vulpinian to understand what the Human had said, her mind having been filled with thoughts of the two of them alone.

”What? Oh. Yeah, sure!” Isel stammered as she tried to get herself oriented back in the present. ”Just one thing first.” Isel had slid her hand up Annika’s shoulder as she added the last part, snaking her hand behind Annika’s neck and pulling the Human’s face to meet hers once more. She pressed herself against Annika as she pulled the Human closer, kissing her hungrily as they bumped back into the wall. Isel had Annika lightly pinned between herself and the wall now, and while she knew she was running the risk of spooking the timid Human, she couldn’t help herself. The kiss lasted only a moment, just one heart pounding, head spinning, breathtaking moment, before Isel broke the kiss and stepped back, brushing her fingers along Annika’s neck as she moved away from the Human. ”Fuck you smell good...” Isel told the brunette, slightly breathless. Her breasts heaved as she drew in a slightly ragged breath, her eyes focusing on Annika’s yet again. ”Ok…” She said, still slightly breathless, ”I’m ok. Let’s go.”

Isel turned and took several steps down the hallway before she stopped dead and turned to face Annika, her eyes wide with a confused look. ”Wait, you said fuck with, not fuck, right?” The Vulpinian asked, obviously confused about what she had heard. ”That Bajoran’s cute and all,” She continued as her eyes ran over Annika’s shapely body, the curves of which were so nicely accentuated by her little black dress, ”but I’ve kinda got my sights set on someone else tonight…”

[ Cadet Annika Van den Berg | "Welcome to the Academy" Party | San Francisco | 2375 ] @Fife
 
"Fuck with...or fuck..either way" Annika said to Isel as she winked at the Vulpinian standing with her.
 
Annika pondered for a few moments about how to fuck with the boys. Her first thought was that her and Isel could tease them so much that they'd have blue balls for a week. Then she thought about leading them on all night, but ditching them at the end. She wasn't entirely sure how she really wanted to proceed, but she knew that she wanted to do something, while keeping all of her options open.
 
She looked at the Vulpinian as she pondered the options flying through her head, but couldn't quite settle on one of them. She decided to give the newcomer the choice.
 
"So we could be cockteases, lead them on and then ditch them at the end of the night or something else you can think of. Zach's annoyed me for three years now and I finally want to get back at him. Hell, we could even sleep with his friends and not him. All I know is that I'm getting drunk tonight and wanna have some fun. Any ideas?" Annika finally finished talking and looked at Isel as she took a sip of her drink and waited for Isel's response with baited breath.

[ Cadet Isel Nix | “Welcome to the Academy” Party | San Francisco | 2375 ] @trevorvw

Isel gave her friend a grin which was laden with mischief as she listened to Annika’s idea for fucking with the boys. She very much enjoyed Annika’s thirst for revenge, and was happy to help the Human to that end.

”Well if your plan is to get drunk, drink up! By my count you’re way behind!” Isel teased with a giggle. ”As for your plan, we can do either. If we’re hooking up with Zach’s friends, then dibs of the Bajoran! I hear their nose isn’t the only place they have ridges…” Isel giggled again, giving Annika a suggestive look. ”We don’t have to decide right now. Lets go hit on his friends and see what happens!”

With that, Isel linked her arm through Annika’s and steered the woman into the other room, heading for the table which was laden with drinks rather than for the group of guys who watched their entrance with idiotic expressions which carried a mix of interest and excitement. As the moved, Isel sent a coy glance in the Bajoran’s direction, which caused him to perk up, then quickly blush as he realized how he had reacted. The sight made the Vulpinian laugh as the two women approached the drinks table.

”Ok what should I try next?” Isel asked as she looked over the vast assortment of bottles arranged on the table. ”The tequila was pretty good. But I want to try something else.” Isel turned to Annika to see if the Human had any suggestions, but was distracted by movement out of the corner of her eye. Zach and his friends were approaching the table as well. ”Incoming on your six.” The Vulpinian muttered, warning Annika of the approaching group. ”Let’s just freeze Zach out. Remember, the Bajoran’s mine.” She added with a wink, giving Annika a small grin.

”Hey ladies!” Zach said rather enthusiastically as the group came to stand by the two of them.

”What are you drinking?” Isel asked, peering into Zach’s cup. ”Is that beer?”

”Yeah, you wanna try it?”

”Hell no! I don’t know where you’ve been!” Isel said, wrinkling her nose as Zach and his drink. She turned her attention to the Bajoran, giggling a little as she noticed her still carried her empty cup. ”Aww, thanks!” She said sweetly as she relieved him of the cup. ”What about you, cutie? What are you drinking?”

”This is Bajoran Springwine,” The Bajoran informed her, holding out his own cup for her inspection. As Isel peered into the cup, she found that it contained a pale blue, semi opaque liquid. She leaned down to sniff the cup’s contents, placing her hand lightly on the Bajoran’s wrist as she did so. She felt the man’s forearm tense slightly as she touched him, though it relaxed a moment later. Isel sniffed the springwine and found it to have a tangy, fruity scent. She straightened and looked up at the Bajoran, who was a head taller than her, and smiled. ”Can I try a sip?”

”I offered you a sip…”

”Yeah, but you’re gross.” Isel said, barely turning her head towards Zach before turning her attention back to the Bajoran, who held out his cup for her. Isel kept looking at the Bajoran, staring into his eyes as she took the cup and sipped the pale blue liquid within. The drink was good, and the view wasn’t bad either. The Bajoran was far from ugly, and Isel found the ridges intriguing. They added a bit of character to the face that Humans seemed to lack. As Isel slowly swallowed the mouthful of the tangy springwine, she let the cup hover in front of her face. ”So what’s your name?” She asked with a giggle, stealing a glance over at Annika and giving the Human woman a mischievous look as she waited for the Bajoran to answer. She saw that another of Zach’s friends had approached Annika, a tall Human boy with darker skin and a nice build. Zach seemed confused as to what was going on, which Isel suspected would be a feeling that would continue into the night as she and Annika exacted their revenge.

[Cadet Annika Van den Berg | “Welcome to the Academy” Party | San Francisco | 2375 ] @Fife

”So what’s your name?” Isel had asked the Bajoran.

The Bajoran looked equal parts intrigued and scared as he answered Isel.

”Uh..Gale. Razka Gale” as he half heartedly smiled at the Vulpinian standing next to him. 

Annika moved to position herself in between Zach and his other two friends, with her back to Zach as she talked to the other two friends.

”Hey boys..” Annika said as she traced her fingers down the middle of their chests. They both smiled at Annika as they tried introducing themselves to her. Well, to be fair they did introduce themselves, but Annika wasn’t really paying attention. She glanced to her left to see that Isel was doing just fine talking to the Bajoran. She turned to the man on the right.

”Would you get me a drink?” she said adding with a wink as he scurried off as quick as he could to fetch Annika a drink.

”Listen bitch, what’re you doing?” came a protest from Zach behind her but Annika didn’t even acknowledge that he even said anything. All she did was lean into the rather attractive man in front of her and whispered in his ear.

”If you don’t want that asshole to be a cock block, I’d suggest you get rid of him” as leaned back from the man in front of her, she gently bit her lower lip and flashed a coy smile. She watched his pupils dilate as he processed what she had just said and he quickly moved towards Zach.

”Listen bro, you gotta get out of here” he said as he was pushing Zach away from where they were standing.

”What the fuck? You...You’re picking that loser over me?” Zach protested, his voice trailing off as he finally admitted defeat and walked away. Annika was sure that Zach would be finding away to make her life hell over this, but she didn’t care.

”Do you guys wanna get out of here?” Annika said to her new friend along with Isel and the Bajoran. Nods were exchanged amongst the quartet and they started to make their way for the door. Just as they were approaching the exit of the house, the other friend had arrived with the drink.

”I’ve..uh…I’ve got your drink”

Annika looked back over her shoulder at him, he looked on with eager anticipation.

”You’re the odd one out…sorry!” she said to him as they walked out of the house.

[ Cadet Isel Nix | “Welcome to the Academy” Party | San Fransisco | 2375 ] Attn: @trevorvw
[Show/Hide]As Isel studied Zach’s Bajoran friend, she noticed he looked a bit scared. Probably scared of upsetting his Prophets… she mused as she linked an arm through one of his. ”Don’t look so scared, Gale,” Isel teased the man, pressing herself against him, ”I promise I won’t bite too hard!” Isel grinned at her own little joke, flashing her prominent canines to the man. Gale seemed torn with a mixture of fear and arousal, which only spurred Isel’s amusement onward.

”Do you guys want to get out of here?” Annika asked, looking first at her own target, then at Isel and the Bajoran. Isel nodded at Annika, then laughed as another of Zach’s friends approached with Annika’s drink, and was promptly rejected.

Isel snaked out a hand as she passed him, lifting the drink out of his shocked grasp as she passed. ”Better luck next time!” She giggled, casting a glance over her shoulder at him. ”Zach looks lonely over there. Why don’t you keep him company?” She teased before turning back to the Bajoran. She gave the man who’s arm she still held a wink, then took a sip of the drink. She cast her eyes downward and looking into the cup with a disappointed expression. ”Damn. Beer.” She muttered, then shrugged and downed the cup’s contents before tossing the empty solo cup over her shoulder. She looked up at the Bajoran, who was staring at her in surprise, and grinned. ”So tell me… is what I’ve heard about Bajoran’s true?” The poor fellow looked confused, so she decided to elaborate. ”I’ve heard you guys have wrinkles in more places than just your nose…” Isel’s eyes narrowed as she made the remark, her suspicions confirmed as the Bajoran’s face turned a furious shade of red. ”I’ll take that as a yes…” Isel said, grinning up at him. She pushed herself up on her tiptoes and pecked the Bajoran on the cheek as they walked. ”Relax, Gale. Tonight’s going to be fun!”

Tomorrow might not be so good though… Isel thought to herself as she glanced ahead of them at Annika and her new friend, Zach might not be too happy with his friends… but serves the bastard right! Isel grinned at her mental remark, enjoying the revenge they had exacted for the asshole’s behaviour. The fact that they’d get to have a bit of fun that night was certainly a bonus as well…

Isel had heard a saying among the Humans, “revenge is a dish best served cold”. She couldn’t help but think that’s she’d be enjoying this revenge tonight, despite the fact that this particular revenge promised to be hot and sweaty.

It certainly wouldn’t be the first thing the Humans had gotten wrong…

-FIN