The Comfort Zone
Posted on Wed Mar 26th, 2025 @ 1:41pm by Lieutenant James Constantine & Lieutenant Siadra Molaur
Edited on on Tue Apr 8th, 2025 @ 1:26am
2,092 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Sins of History
Location: Sidebar Lounge - Deck 5 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD011 1800 hrs
The Sidebar Lounge seemed to be a little bit busy, but that didn't deter Siadra. She liked to watch the crew that was serving upon the USS Artemis. In her hand, there was a daiquiri, with the Trill woman enjoying the flavor of the drink. She leaned against the bar, the metallic railing against her back, her bar stool turned to where she could watch those who came in.
The door opened to admit another patron to the busy bar. James Constantine glanced around before making a move, reassured by the buzz of the place. He wore casual clothing rather than a uniform, but they were still neutral in style. Black, simple, practical. Years of working in intelligence had taught him to go grey unless he specifically needed to stand out. His near black hair was neatly styled back behind his ears and his blue eyes were attentive as he crossed the room to the bar. He motioned for a tender, nodding firmly to one to get their attention. "An Old Fashioned, please."
"Old Fashioned, that is a lovely drink." Siadra responded, as the bartender prepared the drink for the man who approached the bar. "I am Siadra Molaur." giving a pleasant smile.
James looked to her with a small smile at the recognition. The old favourites weren't necessarily well known out in the void. "Fiery warm with a touch of sweetness, pretty perfect," he gave a half shrug as he chuckled, offering a hand out. "James Constantine, my boots have barely hit the deck."
Siadra took his hand and shook it. "Pleasure, I like to drink Long Island Teas at times, tonight though a raspberry daiquiri. Welcome aboard the USS Artemis. She is a lovely ship, and has had some battle damage."
"You were here for it?" he asked with genuine curiosity as he let an arm rest against the bar, turning his stool so he could face her properly. He didn't know much about the ship yet, or more to the point, its recent adventures. The more he could learn about the kind of ship it was and how the crew worked the better.
"Well I wasn't on the ship itself during the battle with the Breen. I was on a ship though during that. The Breen had attacked SB 50 aka Poseidon Station. It was quite the event. Thankfully the Breen were chased away." another sip of her drink through a straw after stirring it , the ice in her glass making a tinkling sound.
His expression was a suitable mix of surprise and respect at hearing how they had recently endured such a feared enemy. "Must have been a sight and a half. This must seem tame in comparison?" he chuckled softly, but very much with understanding, having had his fair share of scrapes over the years.
A soft chuckle, from Siadra, "Oh believe me when I say that I prefer it when there isn't that sort of excitement, it was exhilarating and also frightening to experience that. Definitely something unforgettable. The station took quite a beating as well, but those citizens came back to repair it, along with Starfleet."
"It's easy to forget how resilient people can be," Constantine observed softly, looking into the dark drink with a slight shake of his head, a frown forming. "Unfortunately, it usually takes a period of hardship to remind us of that."
"This is very true. I think that all of those here on the Artemis have survived some sort of hardship and are showing their determination and resilience in their lives so far. And that might be the same for you? Possibly? What drives you in your life, to come to this ship?" Siadra taking another sip of her drink, all the while her eyes not leaving his face.
Constantine chuckled gently at how delicately she had put it, respecting the skill. "I've always been driven by my work," he gave a casual shrug, because it was just a matter of fact for him. "When I left Intelligence, I needed to find a new vocation," he added honestly. It went against every natural instinct in him, to be so frank about his previous position. It had been difficult to leave the job, when it had virtually been his life, but it had been the only option left for him. And by forcing himself to be open about it, he cut any remaining threads of temptation to go back to it; he'd be too burnt to be of any real use.
"Going from intelligence to investigation, will it be a smooth transition? Since I've not had any experience in the intelligence field, I'd like to know what that would entail. The only sort of transitional experience would be compared to on my part. The transition of changing hosts, to another experience and vocation." lowering her glass.
"Hm..." Constantine sipped his drink thoughtfully, because the way she put it was a new perspective, but pretty close. "I suppose it's not so different, actually. You bring everything you learn with you, but it's not the same. It will never be the same again. In this case though, making that change...you step outside of everything you know, leave behind all of that confidence you've built up from years of experience that settles you in your comfort zone. And you have to start all over again."
"Yes, it is quite an experience. New host, fresh perspective. New knowledge. What more can a person ever want?" Siadra holding her drink in one hand and gesturing with her empty hand to one side, as she spoke. "It is a new experience for both host and symbiote."
"Hm..." the sound Constantine made was non-committal but also thoughtful as he tried to imagine it. There truly was no going back for them. "But what if a symbiote is happy in their current life? And doesn't want to move on?"
"Well, the symbiote will end up having to move on due to the natural end of the trill's lifespan." a small amount of sadness in Siadra's eyes. "I've not heard of one wanting to die when the host does. And it is a great loss when a symbiote dies along with the host. Such a rich history that will forever be lost if records were not being kept. I have been making my own records, and diaries as I learn more and experience, in my life time being partnered with Molaur."
Constantine nodded gently; he supposed that was where the symbiote experience differed from a human's version of 'starting again'. Because there was usually some kind of choice involved along the way. Which could set a person up for a lifetime of doubts and asking 'what if'. "The way your culture has developed, it makes you all come face to face with the limit of your comfort zones."
"Indeed it does, it is quite the experience. Now enough about me." Siadra giving a laugh, "I feel that you will be able to integrate into things upon the ship. You seem like someone who will be able to adjust, and will allow yourself to adjust. And you are not the only one who is new to this ship, And that is the XO, Commander Tao, then there is also the new Chief Medical Officer Lieutenant Canak. New faces to the ship, so, there you go you are not alone."
Constantine chuckled softly at the assessment, nodding to her with gratitude before slowly sipping his drink. "It certainly helps to not stick out, when there's a group of us. No one wants to be that one gazelle that's separated from the pack."
A quiet laugh at a memory arising from academy days. "When a Trill comes into academy, there is still a comment or a teasing query. 'How far do your spots run? Now that is an interesting question to be asked. And an age old one when those who aren't trill seem to ask when they first meet a Trill. This person said 'I'd like to find out and trace a dot to dot image of me' leading to your heart. I wasn't certain how to answer that one." Siadra finishing up her drink.
James actually cringed on her behalf, covering his face with a hand as he sighed and shook his head at the pick up line. "On behalf of all humans, I'd like to apologise for the unacceptable levels of saccharine displayed..." he was smiling though, shaking his head with a playfully disapproving tut.
Siadra gave out a hearty belly laugh, it was a true encounter that happened and his reaction was sublime. "You never know what will come out of peoples mouths it is astounding. And yet some gems can surface in interactions with others." Siadra looked at her now empty glass, then looked back up at James. "I probably should get going, I've got a project calling for me to finish, some threads to cut. If you ever want to come down to Science to have visit feel free to do so. Or even just have a chat. I'd like to see how you are faring with your travel on your new path."
"I'd like that. I mean...I am no Science expert, but I'm sure you can give me the guided tour?" he chuckled softly as he got to his feet to say goodbye. And it was true. While he knew some rather obscure things thanks to the old tradecraft, Science was not an area he had needed to dabble in. He still had a lot to learn.
" I would be delighted and with your new position you will be needing to meet those who are part of my team as well. Now you do have a choice of all at once or in small doses." Siadra giving a chuckle.
Constantine spread his hands to the side to indicate he didn't mind either way. "Honestly, whatever's easiest for you. Just treat me like I'm stupid and know nothing, and you'll have pitched it just about right..."
"I will not call you stupid at all. That isn't in my nature. However, when you come into science I'll see who is available and you can get the grand tour. Each person does have their own talents and skills. You know what? If you don't mind being stared at by my team which at this time is solely made up of ladies, then I can have you come to the science labs and you can get to know them. Sound good?" Siadra giving a laugh at her own tease.
"Well, that sounds about perfect," he chuckled softly at the image she painted, unconsciously adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves. "Thank you, honestly, it would be invaluable to get to know the scientific team. It makes a huge difference."
Siadra gave a nod, "Then I will get that set up, for now though I must be off, and check on things in the labs. Thank you for the enjoyable conversation. " the trill scientist rising from her chair. Then held out her hand towards Constantine, to shake his.
He shook the hand firmly before letting his own hands rest comfortably on his hips as he offered a nod of gratitude. "Let me know if you want me return the favour on the shooting range one day..."
"I would greatly appreciate that. I need to update my certification with the phasers. " Siadra nodding rather emphatically. "And getting practice would be very good to have. Also good handshake, you do not have a weak one, and that is good. A person can tell much about a person by the way they shake hands"
"Hm, thanks for the tip, I'll be more careful in the future," Constantine chuckled softly as he shook his head, clearly not meaning it though as a grin threatened on his features.
Siadra's eyes crinkled up with a return grin. "I will see you next time." she spun on her heel, gave a wave of goodbye, and left the Sidebar. She enjoyed the chat she had with Constantine, and she felt he was going to be a good addition to the crew. Well that is how she felt at any rate.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Siadra Molaur
Chief Forensic Science Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant James Constantine
Criminal Investigations Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
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