Old Family, New Beginnings

Posted on 30 Jan 2015 @ 1:30am by Ensign Ibrahim Dragovic

709 words; about a 4 minute read

starbase 84, Shuttle Terminal 4A

Ibrahim rocked back on forth on his heels in the waiting away of the shuttle terminal, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt that would charitably be called 'well-worn.' He felt his eyes unfocus as he starting getting bored of watching the stream of tourists disembark from the luxury liner's shuttle.

Suddenly he heard a shriek of "Eebs!" and caught a glimpse a careening blur that slammed into his stomach and restrained his arms.

"Er, it's nice to see you too, Kismet," he said as he tried to extricate himself from his cousin's embrace.

She scoffed without releasing him. "Don't give me that Starfleet starched collar formality, Eeb. By Stone, has Starfleet transformed you into a complete buzzkill?"

He managed to free his left arm and patted her bald, bulbous head amicably. His cousin was, of course, a full-blodded Ferengi.

"I am not a buzzkill, it's just... there are other officers around you know."

She let go and took a step back, scowling up at him. "Who gives a shale? You're on shore leave, aren't you? Or is that ratty-ass Vandals shirt part of your uniform. Speaking of, they completely sold out after they went on tour on Earth. Did you listen to their latest album? It's the same cookie-cutter mass market shale that poser Earth bands put out, trying appeal to broader Federation audiences now I guess."

Ibrahim sighed. "Give me a break, I've had it since high school."

She scoffed. "Clearly, it looks like you dig it out of a dumpster." She turned on a heel and started marching purposefully down the wide corridor. "Come. The closest thing this shale-hole has to a decent bar is Finnegan's."

Ibrahim fell into step behind her. "You know, I was surprised to hear that you were singing on a luxury liner. Did you go back to singing opera?"

"Oh no, this is a Gut Hole gig," she said without looking back. "Me, Karlos on bass, Maria on guitar, Wayne on drums..."

"Who the hell is Wayne? What happened to Amir?"

She chuckled and spun around as they reached to entry to the bar. "Oh Amir... Long story short he wanted to be monogamous."

Ibrahim rolled his eyes. His cousin's tales of her sordid romantic misadventures lost all their novelty long ago.

"Don't you dare roll your eyes at me. You're in no position to judge. What did they call you at the Academy? Easy Eebs?"

Ibrahim sighed again. "Yes, but I had the good sense to keep people I might have a lot of future contact with off-limits. You just rustled up a bunch of drama with one of Logan City's best drummer when you had a whole world to inflict yourself upon."

She smirked mischievously. "Maybe that's the difference between you and me. I think the drama is all part of the fun. Now," she waved her hand at the entryway, "are we going to get hell of shmacked or what?"

Ibrahim shrugged. "Eh, I can't indulge too much. I need to stay sharp tonight because I still need to set up my hydroponic kit in my quarters later."

Kismet's hand fell and she stared at Ibrahim, mouth agape for a moment before breaking out into a wide smile. "You brought Ol' Gnarly onto a Starfleet starship? Oh man, Eebs, I was worried they turned into a square but I stand very much corrected, guess your habit of keeping things from your high school days finally paid off. Forget this dump, let's hit up your quarters."

Ibrahim began to feel himself blush slightly. "What? It's- no! I want to use it for Novan herbs."

Her smile only widened and she waggled her ears conspiratorially.

He was certain his discomfort was fully visible now. "I- you know what I mean! Seasonings and spices! Novan Peppers, charrleaf, that sort of thing. Give that Federation standard replicator shale a taste of home."

Kismet assumed a more somber expression. "I know, Eebs, I'm just teasing. I'm sure you're homesick, because we all miss you back home too. Now come along inside, I've only got a few hours before the liner departs and we have a lot of catching up to do."

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