Post 246: Misfits Inc: Part One

Stardate:70624.00
Title: Misfits, Inc. Part One
Authors: February Grace and Lily T'Ana
Scene: Dining room at Seven
Time: A little while after "A Gesture of Remembrance"
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Jeaq' the flamboyant Maitre d' of Seven had listened intently to the story that Lt. Grace was telling. She opened her arms in a wide, sweeping gesture as the tale came to an end.

"And then, they made me their chief." February concluded, and Jeaq' began to applaud softly.

"Fabulous! I LOVE Trill! They tell such wonderful stories." Jeaq' sighed dreamily. "So many lives. So much romance. Such adventure!"

February seemed to wince as he spoke the word 'romance'. Lily noticed it, as she had also noticed February's plate of food had gone virtually untouched and came to her rescue, changing the subject.

"If you send that plate back to the kitchen with so much food on it Angus is going to have hurt feelings." She was only half-joking. MacDougal was nothing if not extremely sensitive when it came to his culinary arts.

"You better eat a little more. He's been especially touchy since he and Trick had the whole staff working overtime to prepare extra food to feed the people who came up from Bajor."

"That's the truth!" Jeaq' exclaimed. "What a sight he was. Covered from head to toe in flour from baking bread. Then he said he'd made so much chicken soup that if he never saw another noodle it'd be too soon." He noticed Trick eyeing him from the bar around the corner- he'd been lingering at the ladies' table far past his allotted break time. "Got to go. The ringmaster beckons."

"See ya later, Jeaq'." Lily waved as the man bowed, then left. "I just love him. He's so colorful."

"We're definitely quite a bunch around here these days." February observed. "Talk about your happy band of misfit toys."

"You remember Rudolph!" Lily giggled. She remembered the one year at Christmas time when she and Wen Grace had watched a showing of the centuries' old stop-motion animated movie with her family. Wen had never seen a Christmas tree before and the lights had thrilled her.

"Some days, I feel like I AM Rudolph." The Trill concluded, poking her food with her fork again. "I just don't fit."

"Hey, Rudolph was fine just the way he was. And he pulled the sleigh, didn't he?" Lily knocked her elbow into the arm of her friend gently. Next she picked up a small menu at the side of the table and declared, "Let's think dessert!"

"You go right ahead." February pushed her plate away, and looked up when she heard the doors to the dining room open.

One of the newer additions to the crew moved into Seven from the corridor. He spoke with Jeaq' a moment, and seemed to be torn between whether he should eat in the dining room or just head for the bar.

"That's Ensign Xhian."

"The one who helped so much in keeping the transporters running? I have heard a lot about him but haven’t really met him yet."

"He looks lonesome." February observed, keenly aware of that emotion herself these days.

"Let's invite him over!"

"You think he'd want to?"

"Come on, of course he would. We're fun!" Lily exclaimed. "Well, usually we're fun. Tonight, not so much. But we've had a lot on our minds."

Lily patted February gently on the head. "Still, couldn't hurt to ask. Go on, Bru. Ask him."

"Me!" February's shyness suddenly made her feel paralyzed. "Why me?"

"Because you don't want to."

February growled a little, and finally rose and moved over to where Xhian stood, looking over a menu.

"You can never go wrong with the fish and chips," she said softly, reaching out over his shoulder and gesturing to the item on the menu in his hands. "If you're hungry."

Xhian stared at her blankly, and she smiled nervously. "I'm Lt. Grace. Lt. T'Ana and I were wondering if you'd like to sit at our table? If you're going to eat."

"Why would you want me to sit at your table?" Xhian asked, blinking several times in surprise.

"Well. Huh. Um, why wouldn't we?" February fumbled a moment before continuing. She was caught off guard by the question She had observed him at times during his duty rotations on the bridge, noting that he seemed as if he liked to keep to himself. But she wanted to at least try to welcome him properly just the same.

She hoped that he didn't feel as if his experiences with the Borg would prejudice everyone against him. Sure, she'd heard a few people here and there whisper about what 'Ensign Xhian used to be.' But few people on this boat knew better than Grace did that if people judged you by appearances before they got to know you, they were incredibly shortsighted.

"We didn't see you come in with anybody, we thought you might like the company. But if you're meeting someone or you'd rather eat alone,"

"I am accustomed to eating alone," Xhian said emotionlessly, closing the menu.

"Oh. Well. Suit yourself. If you change your mind, we're just over there. Enjoy your dinner."

February moved back toward the booth, and shrugged as Lily's eyes asked why she was returning alone. Before the science officer could ask for details, the tall Andorian approached, shifting his weight uneasily.

"I would like to eat at your table." Xhian announced. "Thank you for the invitation."

Lt. February Grace
Helm/Flight Controller
USS Independence

Lt. Lily T'Ana
Science
USS Independence