Coffee with Friends

Posted on Wed Oct 18th, 2023 @ 4:43am by Cadet Junior Grade Noxi Harrison & Cadet Senior Grade Riaothren(Ren) ch'Shaorhs & Cadet Senior Grade Ki'ana

3,010 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: 1 - Cruising through the galaxy
Location: Cafe De Casa, Castro District, San Francisco CA
Timeline: One week after Repercussions 3 months before assignment day

Thanks to Noxi's coaching along with acing a test and just generally having a few good days at school as well as some quality time with Jason, Ren had had five nightmare-free nights. So, he was in a much better mood than when he had stopped by the counseling office to meet with her.

He was in between classes, so he decided he'd stop in and just say hello and maybe invite her out for some coffee, or maybe even a late breakfast.

Running a hand through his hair, he stepped into the office a second time.

Noxi was behind the desk again. She was kind of an over-achiever; she spent most of her time studying or doing her internships in the Counseling/Medical wing of the Academy. She looked up when the door opened. "Hi, Ren! What brings you here today? Another session?" He had been back to see her, and that made her glad. She wanted to see all of her classmates healthy, happy, and thriving.

"Well, first I've been trying that breathing technique you taught me, it is working so far and I've had a good few days. I wasn't coming in for a session."

He flashed her a smile. "I thought we might go out for coffee."

Noxi smiled. "Sure, that sounds nice, thank you for thinking of me," she said. "Let me just send Dr. B a note," she said, tapping out a message on her PADD and then sending it off for the instructor. The old man was like a million years old and stopped caring a long time ago what the Cadets did, so long as they were there when it was important crunch time, essentially. She stood up and got her cap, just in case. "How are things? Are you sleeping better?" She asked him.

"I am. My boyfriend seems a little distant of late, but nothing too serious. What about you, how have you been doing?"

Noxi smiled. "Pretty good. Studying a lot! I want to graduate as close to the top of our class as I can," she said. "My parents would like that!" She said. "Are we going to go to the Lounge or out into the City?" She asked. There were several shops nearby that catered to the student population.

"I'm thinking out into the City, I don't have any classes the rest of the day. I kind of want to get off campuses for a while. I've been studying way too hard."

Noxi smiled. "Sounds good. Yeah, me, too, after my internship is done for the day," she said. "That's what I do in the Counseling office. I wanted to be able to start immediately after I graduated I didn't want to go for more training right away. Of course, I will start as a junior officer, but still. Having as much experience as possible when I start my first posting will be good," she said.

"I know what you mean," he agreed I've been spending lots of time in the holodeck. Not playing. Well, not justplaying anyway. I've been logging a lot of hours in a variety of different ships. And a lot of time flying shuttles."

"Any idea where you're going to be assigned?"

Noxi smiled. "The Stardancer. Cadet Chief Counselor," she said, proudly. It was a good assignment, and she was excited to get the posting. She had done it all on her own, as well. She hadn't asked her father to make calls or anything like that. It was just her on her own merit. "How about you?" She asked. "It will be different, and I am a little nervous."

"Wow," Ren said, "we're going to be on the same ship together, I'm the Cadet Chief Flight Control Officer. I'll actually be in charge of others, they'll be reporting to me. But Old Man Merriweather is going to be there holding my hand. Which means he'll be running the show and I'll just be along for the ride. I'm not really going to have a chance to prove myself."

"I'm not nervous though, well maybe a little, but mostly excited."

She nodded. "That's great. I will see you there, then!!" She said. "And yes! I think I might be the only cadet Counselor. There's not many of us," she said, "So I'll be the department head. The whole department, really." Oi, the thought made her nervous.
The walk wasn't far, but the trams would be faster. They hopped on one and were quickly at the location.

"So, what are you in the mood for here?" he asked as they stepped up to the door.

"Hot coffee and maybe a sandwich," she said. "How about you?" She asked. "Maybe some chocolate chip cookies, too!" She liked food. The sugarier the better. It was a bad habit she had.

"Ohh, I like the way you think. Cookie wise that is. I do love chocolate chip cookies myself, Ren replied as the door slid open and they stepped inside. "I 'm not much of a coffee person, so I'm going to get hot chocolate myself and maybe one of their breakfast sandwiches if they have any left."

Noxi laughed. "Coffee isn't for everyone. I usually mostly drink cocoa, actually, but I just had two, so I think something else might be better for now. Plus, I have an exam for my night class," she said. "So it will help me to study later." She pointed to a seat near the back, not too far back, though. "What about there?" She asked.

"That looks good," he replied walking toward the table. "I will drink if I have to stay awake, but I never developed a taste for it."

"Would you think it chauvinistic or too twenty-first century, if I held your chair for you?"

Noxi smiled. "No!" She sat. "Thank you." She said. "Chivalry is always appreciated, especially because you asked first," she said. "How have you been sleeping?" She asked, cutting to the chase.

"Much better," he said, "I've been using the exercises you suggested. They've been working. Plus I haven't been sleeping alone."

Noxi smiled but wiggled her eyebrows. "Oooh, so. Tell me about this mystery person. Male? Female?" Noxi asked. "I am glad the exercises are working!! We can practice a few more, if you'd like, too!"

"He's male. You may know him. His name is Jason Grosvenor. We've been together for almost two years."

"The exercises you gave me have been working quite well. But, I'm always open to hearing about ways to help me with my self-care. What about you, do you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend?"

Noxi shook her head. "No one serious. I've dated a couple of people, but I am focusing on school. There's plenty of time for me to meet someone when I join the Fleet," she said. "I've heard of him! We've had a couple of classes together. He's cute!! What's he like??" She asked.

Ki'ana chose that moment to burst through the restaurant door, panting and flushed with effort. Maybe she'd run all the way; she definitely looked the part. "Sorry, I'm late! I- had- classes on the other side... of campus..." She gasped. After taking a few moments to compose herself she glanced between the two sheepishly. "Ren invited me along. Professor Higgins simply wouldn't stop droning on about Talravian lotus flowers..." She sighed. "Am- Am I interrupting anything?"

"I was beginning to wonder if you'd make it. I was beginning to get concerned. How did it go? with your class?"

"Lovely, if a bit dry." Ki'ana turned to the other that Ren had brought along, and smiled at her. "And you must be... Noxi. I saw you at the party. I specified casual, but not too casual in the invite." She said dryly but with good humor. "Which isn't to say you didn't look fabulous. Oh, I do need a new dress..."

"What kind of dress are you looking for?" Ren asked.

Noxi laughed. "I am. Noxi Harrison, Counseling corps. I have heard that about Professor Higgins. My friend Aimee, the Klingon from the party, took his lab class last semester," she said. "We were just discussing food! I can go get everyone's orders. What will you have? Then we can talk about dresses," she said. "You'd look good in purple with your coloring," she said.

"Really? Aw, that's sweet." Ki'ana blushed lightly and sat at the table with them. "Oh, um. I'll have... uhm... their carbonara pasta? The one with the egg yolk sauce? I'm kind of craving it, actually."

"I'd like a Pao Corn Mortadela with bacon and two fried eggs for me," Ren replied. If they have any left. Otherwise, just some oatmeal raisin cookies. I'll stick with water for now."

Noxi nodded and ran off, returning a bit later with their food orders. "Ren, here's your Pao Corn Mortadella," she said, placing the plate in front of him. "And your Carbonara," she said, setting the food in front of Ki'ana, and then placing a plate of pancakes at her spot. "Be right back with the drinks," she said. She returned another moment later with tea, water, and her sparkling juice, setting in to eat. "Alright. Let's talk about dresses. Purple with your coloring. Or Royal blue, both would look nice. What's the occasion?" She asked.

"No occasion. I just want some new clothes. Most dresses look too weird on me." Ki'ana replied. "Too much of my legs stick out the bottom or I don't fill them out enough, that sort of thing. Plus. I'm not the best judge of color. I need to stop wearing blues, I think."

"You do know," Ren replied dryly, his expression completely deadpanned. "The whole gay men are all fashion divas. We're not. If you're asking for my opinion though, I can help out with that."

Noxi laughed. "I see. Purple then. If you're worried about your legs, maybe try a maxi dress. You can still get really cute long dresses, like the one I wore at the dance," she said. "It was more casual than you'd want, I am sure. As for filling it out, I have heard that if you put rice into a deflated balloon, it mimics the look and feel of real breasts," she said, with a shrug. She had no idea. She wasn't large-busted but she didn't really WANT to be.

"Well, you're still a person, Ren, with opinions on what flatters someone. That's universal, regardless of sexuality," she said. "We need a gay best friend, anyway, and Aimee's busy, so you'll have to come," Noxi said.

The look on Ki'ana's face was a mix of confusion and horror. It seemed like horror anyway. "I didn't know girls padded their breasts!" She protested. "And I like mine the way they are, thank you! Though I'm more than happy to try on something new, even if I don't fill it out all the way. I'm sure I can have the replicator replicate something to my measurements, can't I?" Poor country bumpkin. Maybe she did need a little more adjusting.

Noxi laughed. "It was just a comment!! Don't worry, your boobs are fine. Look at mine, I'm not very well endowed. I take after my mother that way she still managed to land my father AND raise three children!" Noxi said. "Of course, you can!! Or we can go look and see what the stores have and get an idea of what you'd like to replicate. Besides, it'll be a fun activity before we have to board the ship and start our cadet cruises and then go into the Fleet," she said. "If you want. I don't have classes for the rest of the day, I was just going to do some work in the Counseling office, but I didn't have anyone on my schedule," she said. "But I will need to be back by 1700-I have a girl's date with Aimee Back and one of her friends," Noxi said. "You ready to go?" She asked.

The Andorian's eyes cut back and forth between the two women. Their conversation was in no way offputting to him, he rather enjoyed their openly discussing it with him.

"Well I can definitely give you both my opinion, and..."

His words were cut off by a loud boom that could have been an explosion that shook the building they were in.

Noxi stopped speaking and looked at Ren and then Ki'ana. "What the hell was that?" She said. She stood up. "Either of you sneak a phaser out today?" She asked.

"I have no idea," the Andorian said as he stood to his feet. "I didn't bring a weapon, but I'm pretty good with hand-to-hand if needed.

Noxi nodded. "I have pepper spray," she said, extracting it from her purse. Yes, she carried one. It was for fashion, of course.

Ren almost suggested the women stay behind him, but only almost. It would have been a bad move to say the least. "Let's spread out," he suggested instead.

Looking behind him to make sure the group was staying somewhat together, he rounded the corner. "Oh shit," he exclaimed though it was in Andorian and his fellow cadets may not have understood his words, but they didn't need to. They all saw three, very large. very angry Nausicaans and a family of a mother, father, and three kids cowering before them.

"We need to run." Maybe it shouldn't have been surprising that one of the first words out of a Kelpien's mouth in the face of danger was to escape as fast as their legs could carry them. Which was very, very fast. Indeed, Ki'ana's ganglia were out and writhing as she took a step back, away from the Nausicaans. "Uhm. After we figure out how to save those civilians... um. Maybe we should create a distraction?"

While the Kelpian's instinct had been to flee, the Andorian's instinct was to fight and not only to fight, but to charge into the fight. Their Academy training kicked in stopping both of them. "I'm open to ideas," Ren offered.

Noxi followed quickly behind Ren but looked out for danger. "A distraction?!" She looked around. She spotted the replicator. "I have an idea. You two try to get as many people out of here while I work." She crossed to the replicator behind the counter. "Computer, replicate five gallons of Space Stew, unpackaged," she said. "RUN," she shouted to others nearby, as the greasy, stinky soup began to pour out of the replicator. It was her dumbest idea. It was her most BRILLIANT idea. She was going to smell SO bad.

Without thinking about it or hesitating Ren began pulling people away from the altercation. Glancing back as he did so, he had to bite his lip to keep from laughing.

Noxi started to help herd people out of the cafe. "It was the only idea I had!" She shouted to Ren and Ki'ana. Once people realized what was happening, most of them voluntarily left the Cafe. Thank goodness. She wished she had some kind of magic powers to stop the flow of the stew and the smell and clean it up. She'd figure out how to make it up to the cafe owner later. When they were safe.

Noxi's was partially successful. Two of the Nascuceans took off. Perhaps because of the disgusting odor coming off of their clothes and bodies. But the last one was only infuriated and he came charging towards the three cadets.

Ki'ana acted on instinct. She was skinnier than the Nausicaan, yes, but she was also much taller, moreso than Ren. "Get behind me," She wedged herself between the Nausicaan and her friends quickly, hoping to get him to back off.

Ren thought of resisting, thought of jumping in front of instead of behind Ki'ana. Instead, he jumped behind. her and waited to see what she had planned.

Noxi hid behind the Kelpien. "Here," she said, handing the other woman her pepper spray. "Right in his ugly eyeballs," she instructed.

Ki'ana accepted the little canister and stuffed it in her pocket. The best solution to this terrifyingly dangerous scenario was something that didn't involve conflict, she was absolutely sure, and where all of them walked away preferably without any blood lost - including this Nausicaan. Assuming they didn't first get a dressing down for the stinky soup thing, of course.

"Sir-" She held out her hands in front of her, hoping to placate the furious Nausicaan man. Had she thought it true entirely? Well, no. Not really. Was there a very real risk of them being tackled by an eighty-kilogram angry Nausicaan? Yep. "Please calm down, we're sorry, we were only trying to protect that family-"

The angry Nausicaan was indeed angry. and he wasn't listening to reasoning. He swung a haymaker toward Ki'ana. yelling, "Insolent fool!"

"REN! Get Ki'ana. I'll distract him!" Noxi thought for a moment. She moved quickly, knocking the Nausicaan over by jumping on him like she would've her brothers. She sat there. "Ki'ana! SPRAY HIM."

The Kelpian girl took advantage of Noxi's bravado and sprayed the Nausican right in the face. Ren finished him off with a knife hand to the face rendering him unconscious.

Noxi looked around. "Where did his friends go?" She asked. Things were getting too wild. The young woman preferred calmness.

"I'm not sure," Ren said, and I don't know that I care. I just want to go back to the Academy."

"Me, too," she said. "Let's go. We should also report it," she said. "Don't you think?" She asked. "Where's Ki'ana?" So much for the mall trip. They might be on lockdown now!

"We should definitely report this, though I am sure it already has been," Ren replied.

The three left the area, returning to the Academy. Once there, they broke off in respective ways, each heading to report their encounters.

Off:
CDT (Jr) Counselor Noxi Harrison

CDT (SR) Ren ch'Shaorhs

CDT(SR) Ki'ana.

 

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