nexus_crossings | Back To School Special

Storm? What storm? The inside of the library is as cozy as ever, comfortably warm and dry. In one corner of the study area, two aliens have commandeered a low table and some kind of soft, squishy seat that looks much like a couch made out of a giant bean bag. The table is heaped in books and datapads of various academic flavors, and Chanath holds another one of the devices, scrolling slowly through an introduction to warp physics. Unlike her typical manner of dress, the Shontin is wearing a red synthetic outfit tailor-made for her body shape, the golden delta of Starfleet perched on her collar. Her quadrupedal symbiont is sprawled out next to her on his belly, his long tail loosely wrapped around her waist, and between his forepaws is a hardcover book on the subject of basic intergalactic diplomatic techniques. Unlike his host, he wears no uniform, but there is a red band around his neck made of the same material, with Starfleet's symbol on it.

Studying from printed text instead of learning through song and speech is tedious, however, and not at all what they are used to, so it does not take long for Faris' attention to wander, finding people-watching to be of greater interest.

"If given an opportunity to study a new subject, would you take it?" he asks, of those who seem interested in conversation. "What would you wish to learn?"

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The uniform this woman wears is unfamiliar, but the insignia has become well-known to them both over the past year, and both host and symbiont look up curiously as she approaches. She is not a cadet, or she would be wearing red, but the lack of training in Starfleet etiquette means that neither of them salutes her or gets to their feet.

Faris does bow his head politely in greeting, however. "Any knowledge, or does a particular subject hold your interest?"

Fortunately, since most of her time on DS9 is dealing with civilians, other species, and her fair share of cadets... Jadzia is not worried about Starfleet etiquette being followed right now.

"While at the Academy, I earned Premier Distinctions in astrophysics, exoarchaeology, exobiology and zoology."

"And then I finally proved myself to become a joined Trill. And since then, so many more subjects and studies have struck my interest." Jadzia smiled.

It is probably for the best. Faris still has not figured out how he is meant to salute, lacking the proper shape of paws or forehead for the human gesture. That will likely come with later classes, or what is more likely is that Starfleet will decide a quadruped cannot be reasonably expected to perform the same ritual gestures as a biped. Either way.

Faris' long ears perk up immediately at the mention of her species, and Chanath's attention is also caught, her eyes widening a little. "We have been told of the Trill," the Shontin says, putting down her datapad on her lap. "You are also a symbiotic species?"

"Yes. We are. I am Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax. Seventh host of Dax." She places a hand over her stomach, where the symbiote exists inside of her.

"I serve on Deep Space Nine. An outpost situated near the mouth of a stable wormhole on the far reaches of explored space."

"We have only recently enlisted at the Starfleet Academy in San Francisco of Earth," Faris tells her, although from what he understands, their status as cadets should be obvious from their attire. Or, well, Chanath's attire. "I am Faris of the K'da."

"And I am Chanath, of the Shontine," his host adds, bowing her head politely. She does not bother to hide her curiosity about the other woman, fascinated by the concept of a symbiont that is invisible to all but its host. "You take your symbiont's name as part of your own?"

"Congratulations on enlisting. A lot of hard work will be waiting for you." Jadzia smiles. She is very curious herself about Chanath and Faris.

"Yes. It is tradition to honor your symbiont by carrying their name."

"Dax is over 300 years old. And carries the memories and experiences of each of the hosts that have carried the symbiont."

Faris and Chanath glance at each other, both contemplating how odd it would be to add each other's names to their own, before they turn their attention back to her.

"How much is shared between host and symbiont?" Chanath asks curiously. "I am told you do not separate as K'da do; you share all your time together?"

"I recently went through the Rite of Closure, where I was able to actually meet the past hosts of Dax. Their personalities and memories were embraced by friends of mine, so I could speak to them. In person."

"Dax would not survive without a host. I was separated from him once... when another Trill tried to claim him. But we were united."

Even though they know enough of Trill to know that their symbionts live far longer than the host, the mere thought of a symbiont surviving multiple hosts causes Faris to tighten his flexible tail around Chanath's waist, and she in turn places a hand on his scaly back, remembering how it felt those months that he was missing, stranded in the Nexus.

"I would not survive without a host either," Faris tells her quietly. "We were separated once also, and it was only thanks to a human who I now call friend that I survived to reunite with Chanath. It is... not something I would like to do again."

"You are able to survive off a different species? That is quite remarkable." Jadzia smiles in response. A little curious itself.

"The bond is something that is quite remarkable itself."

"It came as a surprise to myself also," Faris agrees, ears flicking forward. "But I am quite grateful that it was possible, or I would not be here now."

Disturbed by the reminder, Chanath tightens her grasp on her symbiont's back, just a little. "We have found few species compatible with K'da physiology, in all our travels. Including the Shontine, there are only three known compatible species, though one is known to us only in songs of our histories."

Jadzia watches how the bond between Chanath and Faris is displayed with little gestures. And she smiles. And she puts her hand over the place in her stomach where Dax resides.

"You keep your history in song?"

Faris dips his head in a nod. "We have found it to be better than mere recordings, to be read in isolation. With song, our people hear as one, as a community. It strengthens our common bonds and keeps our knowledge alive in the minds of all."

"I would love to hear some of those songs. It sounds like a beautiful way to keep history. Very familiar to Klingon culture in a way."

"It is a popular request of us," Faris agrees with a K'da smile, his jaw open. "Perhaps one day we must sing our greatest poems for the people here."

He certainly would not mind sharing his peoples' culture with those who are interested, if given enough time to prepare.

"I have not learned much of Klingon culture yet," Chanath adds. "They sing their histories also?"

"A lot of their history is either recorded in song, or poetry. Depending on the Stardate in your universe... it is possible that there is a rift between Klingons and Humans."

"But I know of Klingons who have gone to Starfleet. And have done well in the Federation."

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