CAPTAIN TEKIN's BIRTHDAY (and USS Discovery's too)

[Hrafn Falleg]

[Lieutenant JG Nira Said | Nira's Forensics Lab >- Ready Room | Deck Ten >- Deck One | USS Discovery NCC-78393-B]

"My apologies," said Nira, deciding she was seeing things and seeing the holodeck was occupied. Perhaps her mind wasn't in total alignment or working well, not after a night of pon farr with Savar. It'd almost be like a hangover without the headache and/or pain. Her own mind was still getting used to the mind link between her and the Vulcan. Nonetheless, she knew she had found the right man, and Savar himself had found the right mate himself.

She had just gotten to her forensics lab, figuring she could get into practice with the holodeck occupied, when she saw the message on her PADD. She raised it up and read it, her eyebrow arching so high, she'd be mistaken for a Vulcan herself...which would easily be the case, since she had impersonated something close enough (a Romulan) herself recently.

A party? For the Captain? she thought to herself in surprise. What's the occasion? There's a number of possibilities. Perhaps he got promoted, but that's unlikely; if Captain Tekin was going to get promoted, the whole ship would've heard about it sooner, not to mention he would've been removed from Discovery to assume his post as a rear admiral, unless he claims Discovery as his flagship. Perhaps it'll be his birthday...but why am I invited, when I don't know him as well as I should?

Nonetheless, she was invited, and by Torra of all people. It must be an occasion she was arranging, and Torra was Nira's best friend. Turning down the invitation would potentially hurt her feelings. So Nira called for transport to the Ready Room.

Upon beaming in, she found out the reason for the party soon enough: It was the Captain's birthday. Nira shrugged positively; she was invited by Torra, and now that she was here, perhaps it was an opportunity to get to know the Captain better.

[Holodeck]

"Oh no worries,.." Hrafn laughed.  "Like I said I don't mind being mistake for my daughter who is half my age, and the red hair does rather set us apart.  I'm glad to know she's made a hopefully good impression!" she smiled.

The CSO didn't mind cuz they she was just killing time until she got the all clear for her to go to the Ready Room with Nevir... she'd even been down previously to reprogram the holodeck so that while they would get maybe some bread rolls or sticks and a little wine, nibbles... they wouldn't get a main meal so the foods prepared for the party could be tucked into with gusto and they wouldn't already be too full.  Thus, Nira walking in was another few minutes 'killed' without any effort.

[Bridge - USS Discovery]

T'Lara was sat at the conn, almost in a meditative state considering the amount of activity going on which was close to nothing beyond routine. A welcome respite after the mission they had just returned from. The XO had been informed through various forms of communication from both Torra and Don about this party for Captain Tekin. Having been to only a handful of these occasions in her lifetime, she willingly accepted the invitation and agreed to the task assigned to her. She knew this event meant something to many people in Tekin's life and if she was to be included in that group she would not oppose. Her lack of enthusiasm about the matter had nothing to do with the amount of respect she had for her fellow commanding officer.

If she had anything to be pleased about, it would be that she wasn't expected to take part in the party preparations. The less amount of time she was expected to dedicate to the "fun" aspect of the festivities the better. More people were transporting into the ready room and she kept tabs on the room as she sat. The medical officers had not raised any alarms as far as the captain was concerned, so no worries there. Once everything was situated she would likely leave her post in order to be present in the party room before Tekin arrived, but she'd wait further instruction from the planners before doing anything. So she kept up a low-key appearance, (which wasn't any different from how she normally looked) and monitored.

[Ready Room > Bridge]

[Posting as NPC Tekin Nerys, daughter of Hrafn and Nevir]

A small head popped itself around the door of the ready room and stole a look into the Bridge.  Following the conversation with her Daddy when they had arrived and she tried to imagine herself working on that Bridge.  She knew big sister Ruthie had sat on that Bridge.

Nerys saw Lt. Commander T'Lara sitting there looking to her six year old mind, rather sad.  She snuck back into the Ready Room went to the replicator and got a mug of hot Vulcan spiced tea and a small paper bag.  On the way back she took two of Luby's cookies thanking her and slipped them into the bag so that she could 'spin' the corners into ears and have something to fit into the crook of her little finger so she could still put both hands around the mug to carry it oh so carefully onto the Bridge.

Getting almost to the command chair she stopped and said.  "Um Commander T'Lara?? I saw you from the Ready Room and you looked a bit sad.  I brought you some spiced tea and some of Luby's cookies to cheer you up.  You're too pretty to be sad!"

[T'Lara]

[Ready Room > Bridge]

[Posting as NPC Tekin Nerys, daughter of Hrafn and Nevir]

A small head popped itself around the door of the ready room and stole a look into the Bridge.  Following the conversation with her Daddy when they had arrived and she tried to imagine herself working on that Bridge.  She knew big sister Ruthie had sat on that Bridge.

Nerys saw Lt. Commander T'Lara sitting there looking to her six year old mind, rather sad.  She snuck back into the Ready Room went to the replicator and got a mug of hot Vulcan spiced tea and a small paper bag.  On the way back she took two of Luby's cookies thanking her and slipped them into the bag so that she could 'spin' the corners into ears and have something to fit into the crook of her little finger so she could still put both hands around the mug to carry it oh so carefully onto the Bridge.

Getting almost to the command chair she stopped and said.  "Um Commander T'Lara?? I saw you from the Ready Room and you looked a bit sad.  I brought you some spiced tea and some of Luby's cookies to cheer you up.  You're too pretty to be sad!"

[Bridge - USS Discovery]

Things were still pretty uneventful as T'Lara sat at the conn, which she supposed was a good thing since the real excitement was supposed to be saved for the unveiling of the surprise party. Frankly, she didn't want to be around for said excitement but she really didn't have a choice. Don, Torra, and Hrafn were very persuasive. It was actually eerily quiet on the Bridge, which was why the Vulcan's ears perked up at the sound of the door to the ready room hissing open. Figuring it was intentionally done, she let her gaze travel back to the viewscreen, but the hiss was uttered once more as a small child entered the Bridge and came to a stop just to the side of her seat. She raised an eyebrow at the sight of Hrafn's offspring, who she knew had an interest in the Sciences though she was only six.

"Bar-kas tei?" she responded, completely disregarding any comments on both her physical and emotional states and skipping to what she had been offered. She held a hand out to Nerys, taking the mug before the child dropped it and setting it on the arm of her chair.

"Thank you..." she waited for the girl to supply her name. "I believe I will forgo the cookies for now. I appreciate your hospitality, however I am not in the habit of partaking in such indulgences-" She knew her larger vocabulary would intimidate the child and could predict the crestfallen look that would likely appear on her face unless she'd been thoroughly briefed on Vulcan behavior, so she held out a hand to let her know she wasn't done speaking yet, "Perhaps that habit may be changed for just this once. I am on duty now, but save me a cookie for the party." She did her best to brighten her eyes in an approximation of a smile since her concentration from previous meditation actually quite prevented her from forming her mouth into a smile. She was really trying to get this flexibility thing down, and apparently that now extended to children. Something she had very little experience in.

[Hrafn Falleg]

[Bridge - USS Discovery]

Things were still pretty uneventful as T'Lara sat at the conn, which she supposed was a good thing since the real excitement was supposed to be saved for the unveiling of the surprise party. Frankly, she didn't want to be around for said excitement but she really didn't have a choice. Don, Torra, and Hrafn were very persuasive. It was actually eerily quiet on the Bridge, which was why the Vulcan's ears perked up at the sound of the door to the ready room hissing open. Figuring it was intentionally done, she let her gaze travel back to the viewscreen, but the hiss was uttered once more as a small child entered the Bridge and came to a stop just to the side of her seat. She raised an eyebrow at the sight of Hrafn's offspring, who she knew had an interest in the Sciences though she was only six.

"Bar-kas tei?" she responded, completely disregarding any comments on both her physical and emotional states and skipping to what she had been offered. She held a hand out to Nerys, taking the mug before the child dropped it and setting it on the arm of her chair.

"Thank you..." she waited for the girl to supply her name. "I believe I will forgo the cookies for now. I appreciate your hospitality, however I am not in the habit of partaking in such indulgences-" She knew her larger vocabulary would intimidate the child and could predict the crestfallen look that would likely appear on her face unless she'd been thoroughly briefed on Vulcan behavior, so she held out a hand to let her know she wasn't done speaking yet, "Perhaps that habit may be changed for just this once. I am on duty now, but save me a cookie for the party." She did her best to brighten her eyes in an approximation of a smile since her concentration from previous meditation actually quite prevented her from forming her mouth into a smile. She was really trying to get this flexibility thing down, and apparently that now extended to children. Something she had very little experience in.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

[As NPC Tekin Nerys]

"I'm sorry, I don't know Vulcan yet.  I know enough to recognise words as Vulcan, just not necessarily what they mean.  I've been trying to learn Romulan tho, are there any similarities?" Nerys asked with a smile.

"I don't normally eat too many cookies either.  Us Scientists know what sugar does to bodies, but being a kid and having two brothers I still run around enough to burn the calories off. I just thought they'd go well with the spiced tea! May I ask... what is your speciality Commander?? I know you are First Officer but both Daddy and Mammy say you were... are, cuz I don't think you really stop being one thing just cuz you're another, a Scientist!"

The young girl paused for a moment then said "Unless I'm disturbing you... if I am I can go back to Uncle Don and Auntie Torra and I'll see you when we surprise Daddy?"

[T'Lara]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

[As NPC Tekin Nerys]

"I'm sorry, I don't know Vulcan yet.  I know enough to recognise words as Vulcan, just not necessarily what they mean.  I've been trying to learn Romulan tho, are there any similarities?" Nerys asked with a smile.

"I don't normally eat too many cookies either.  Us Scientists know what sugar does to bodies, but being a kid and having two brothers I still run around enough to burn the calories off. I just thought they'd go well with the spiced tea! May I ask... what is your speciality Commander?? I know you are First Officer but both Daddy and Mammy say you were... are, cuz I don't think you really stop being one thing just cuz you're another, a Scientist!"

The young girl paused for a moment then said "Unless I'm disturbing you... if I am I can go back to Uncle Don and Auntie Torra and I'll see you when we surprise Daddy?"

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

T'Lara raised an eyebrow at this peculiar child. She had said she hadn't learned Vulcan yet, which meant she planned to learn it in time. The Vulcan had not expected an answer like that from someone so young.

"Yes, they are quite similar. My apologies, Tekin Nerys, I was simply stating the Vulcan words for what you have given me. 'Tei' is the word for tea, and bar-kas is used for any non-specific spice. I gathered that this is a spiced tea from the smell." She may be six, but the Vulcan was surprised to find that she could carry on a conversation with the girl quite easily and she nodded at the rather educated statement about how the body burns calories.

"Your question does not disturb me, Tekin Nerys, I am simply monitoring at the moment which requires minimum concentration. My official specialty is biochemistry, and I am also proficient in computer science. Is there a subject that interests you?"

[Don Damien Addams]

[USS Discovery -  ready room]

Don was adjusting the table where the Captain's birthday cake was as he saw on Nery's leave the room. His face turned white. The little one was going to ruin the surprise. He combed his hair with hands.

Think fast he was thinking. Then a idea popped in his head. "BINGO!" Don exclaimed out loud. There was an idea for this. Neyr was the one who inspired Don.

"Excuse me," he went to his sister twin. "Tidu, please come with me." He took the other sibling with him. "Lamar stay in here. Watch the cake for me. And I be back," he told Lamar.

He walked out of the bridge with Tidu and walked to the center where T'Lara. "Sir, can I suggest that you keep everything on the bridge," that was hint saying nobody talk about and not send messages to your friends. "As a secret. My other suggestion is use senors to know where the Captain is..." he saw people looking at him as what-the-hell? "And I will suggest to order these two start running around as the Captain enter the bridge and these two run in screaming..." he hoped that the rest was explainable. The kids will bait the Captain to charge after his kids.

"And you two can't say nothing about the party. All that work you did. We don't want it to be ruin."

[Danjar-Torra Addams]

Ensign Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Ready Room]

[Ready Room - USS Discovery]

[As the Falleg-Tekin kids]

"Do you have any of those long thin ones to make flowers and animals out of?" Tidu asked with an impish grin.

Lamar was walking around with 'claws' and play growling at everyone, which for a 2.5 year old was actually very cute.  He put his arms up when Don said he was going to be putting up the banner and felt very important.

"Me bigger than you-ou!!!" he called out to his older siblings in a sing-song voice.  "Auntie Torra, is me a big boy?!"

"Lamar, I am bigger, not Me bigger and am I...." Nerys said tutting totally being a deputy for her mother.  "And I haven't even started trying him with other languages, just standard!  Wait till Ruthie gets here, she'll get even madder!"

"No she won't, Rrrrruthie wuvs ev'rrrrrry one!" Lamar said over emphasising his R's so his sister didn't have anything else to berate him about.

"He's right, and she wouldn't care... it's a party Nerry... let's have fun.  I think that's the last balloon unless you want to make a balloon pit?! Or a net on the ceiling that they all fall from while we sing Happy Birthday?!" Tidu said.

"You just like work!" Nerys grinned, noticing a woman in teal beam in.

When she offered a cookie Nerys politely asked what each were, some were obvious but some weren't.

"...and I think you need to look after our Mammy, Lt. Falleg-Tekin, she had her knee operated on.  I'm Tekin Nerys, that's Tidu with the ginger hair,  I think he got 90% of Mammy's red hair and then that's Lamar with Uncle Don!"

Lamar came over and promptly tripped over a balloon that had been left on the floor falling on it and it exploding loudly, and bumping his head on the desk.  There was a collective gasp from both of his siblings who ran over automatically.  Surprisingly for Lamar, he sniffed a few times and then put up a hand like a policeman directing the traffic.

"I'm a big boy, I'm fine, I don't cry.  But can nice doctor ladies make sure my head is ok, I have heard Auntie Tess say if you bump your head it has to be checked. Can do sewious damage!" he said trying very hard.

"He was doing so well!" Nerys whispered to Grithaw beside her.  "We're trying to get him to pronounce his R's properly, I think we can forgive one as he might actually be hiding pain. Oh and Auntie Tess is the CMO and 2nd Officer on Katra."

To Lamar she said "You actually telling me you're refusing cuddles?!" she laughed.

"No... just not crying!"

Torra was glad that Don was such a good sport when it came to nit-pickiness when it came to decorating.

When Lamar looked to her as if in confirmation that he was a 'big boy' she of course nodded.  "You are and ever so helpful too".  She feared a crying fit when he took his fall but he handled it well, which mad her smile.

[...about 20 mins later - Ready Room]

There were still relatively few people in the Ready Room so Luby was worried she'd misread the message apart from the fact that there were decorations everywhere.

"Am I late?! Or early?" she said spotting Torra.  "I was making these, they're still warm they're that fresh, handmade by yours truly!" Luby said handing over a tray of cookies - double choc chip, oatmeal and raisin, regular choc chip, white choc ship, coconut and almond.

"Should I go and offer them to the Captain when he gets here?" she asked.  "Oh Hi kids, want a cookie?  And can you find somewhere that Roger won't find them?!" she said conspiratorially as the others from Medical materialised with their various offerings, Grithaw had managed to find random bottles of alcohol and brought them along rather than come empty handed.

"I brought some hypos of anti-sickness and sober up cocktails!" he said with a wink to Luby.  "We're ready for anything!" Turning to the kids he added "Oh are you the Tekins? We haven't had a chance to meet yet, I'm Nurse Rag, but you can call me Grithaw or Grith.  I'll hopefully be on hand any time you need a medic."

The arrival of Luby and a number of the Alpha shift medical staff prompted Torra into hostess mode and hurried about trying to make everyone comfortable.  She was a little disappointed that Dr. Thane or even Dr. Sluchaynyy hadn't show up but instead had chosen to send others in their place.

"You are right on time." she affirmed.
"Excuse me a moment while I let Hrafn know that everything is set."

Torra messaged Hrafn with a 'thumbs up' image.

[Ready Room]

Luby smiled at how busy it was getting and found Torra.

"I think at this rate we may need to decamp!" she said with a grin.  "It's a good sign tho, if people like the Captain this much."

Torra nodded at Luby's comment, "He his the heart of our upsol."

[Luby Wentock]

[Ready Room - USS Discovery]

[As the Falleg-Tekin kids]

"Do you have any of those long thin ones to make flowers and animals out of?" Tidu asked with an impish grin.

Lamar was walking around with 'claws' and play growling at everyone, which for a 2.5 year old was actually very cute.  He put his arms up when Don said he was going to be putting up the banner and felt very important.

"Me bigger than you-ou!!!" he called out to his older siblings in a sing-song voice.  "Auntie Torra, is me a big boy?!"

"Lamar, I am bigger, not Me bigger and am I...." Nerys said tutting totally being a deputy for her mother.  "And I haven't even started trying him with other languages, just standard!  Wait till Ruthie gets here, she'll get even madder!"

"No she won't, Rrrrruthie wuvs ev'rrrrrry one!" Lamar said over emphasising his R's so his sister didn't have anything else to berate him about.

"He's right, and she wouldn't care... it's a party Nerry... let's have fun.  I think that's the last balloon unless you want to make a balloon pit?! Or a net on the ceiling that they all fall from while we sing Happy Birthday?!" Tidu said.

"You just like work!" Nerys grinned, noticing a woman in teal beam in.

When she offered a cookie Nerys politely asked what each were, some were obvious but some weren't.

"...and I think you need to look after our Mammy, Lt. Falleg-Tekin, she had her knee operated on.  I'm Tekin Nerys, that's Tidu with the ginger hair,  I think he got 90% of Mammy's red hair and then that's Lamar with Uncle Don!"

Lamar came over and promptly tripped over a balloon that had been left on the floor falling on it and it exploding loudly, and bumping his head on the desk.  There was a collective gasp from both of his siblings who ran over automatically.  Surprisingly for Lamar, he sniffed a few times and then put up a hand like a policeman directing the traffic.

"I'm a big boy, I'm fine, I don't cry.  But can nice doctor ladies make sure my head is ok, I have heard Auntie Tess say if you bump your head it has to be checked. Can do sewious damage!" he said trying very hard.

"He was doing so well!" Nerys whispered to Grithaw beside her.  "We're trying to get him to pronounce his R's properly, I think we can forgive one as he might actually be hiding pain. Oh and Auntie Tess is the CMO and 2nd Officer on Katra."

To Lamar she said "You actually telling me you're refusing cuddles?!" she laughed.

"No... just not crying!"

Ensign Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Ready Room]

Torra was glad that Don was such a good sport when it came to nit-pickiness when it came to decorating.

When Lamar looked to her as if in confirmation that he was a 'big boy' she of course nodded.  "You are and ever so helpful too".  She feared a crying fit when he took his fall but he handled it well, which mad her smile.

The arrival of Luby and a number of the Alpha shift medical staff prompted Torra into hostess mode and hurried about trying to make everyone comfortable.  She was a little disappointed that Dr. Thane or even Dr. Sluchaynyy hadn't show up but instead had chosen to send others in their place.

"You are right on time." she affirmed.
"Excuse me a moment while I let Hrafn know that everything is set."

Torra messaged Hrafn with a 'thumbs up' image.

Torra nodded at Luby's comment, "He his the heart of our upsol."

[Ready Room - USS Discovery]

"Oh oh, let me check that head for you...."  Luby ran over to where Lamar had fallen.  "And your Auntie Tess is totally right, head injuries must be checked out, but such a big brave boy as you, I think you're ok.  I think the best prescription for this is a cookie and a special nurse kiss.  Bettina, do you think you could do the honours?!"

"Oh of course for such a handsome fellow!" Bettina said with a smile planting a kiss on his forehead.

"By the way, Dr. Thane said he might pop in later but 'someone' had to man the fort and he thought us 'kids' would have more fun and deserved to come to the party because of how hard we'd been working lately.  We're all technically on call, but he said he'd only call if the world ended or something!" Luby said explaining the CMO's absence.

"Oh and Nerys..." Luby was going to tell the girl what the cookies were but she seemed to have disappeared.  "Anyone seen Nerys?" she asked, concerned.

[Hrafn Falleg]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

T'Lara raised an eyebrow at this peculiar child. She had said she hadn't learned Vulcan yet, which meant she planned to learn it in time. The Vulcan had not expected an answer like that from someone so young.

"Yes, they are quite similar. My apologies, Tekin Nerys, I was simply stating the Vulcan words for what you have given me. 'Tei' is the word for tea, and bar-kas is used for any non-specific spice. I gathered that this is a spiced tea from the smell." She may be six, but the Vulcan was surprised to find that she could carry on a conversation with the girl quite easily and she nodded at the rather educated statement about how the body burns calories.

"Your question does not disturb me, Tekin Nerys, I am simply monitoring at the moment which requires minimum concentration. My official specialty is biochemistry, and I am also proficient in computer science. Is there a subject that interests you?"

[Bridge - USS Discovery]

[As NPC - Tekin Nerys][/b]

Nerys beamed and said "May I?" indicating sitting on the step beside the command chair.

"I learned some Vulcan words today, that's great! As for what I'm interested in... well xenolinguistics indirectly because Mammy and Ruthie have taught me a lot, but Stellar Cartography and Anthropology I think.  Auntie Zex ah... she's a Deltan from Katra, part of the Diplomatic Corps..." the girl said by way of explaination.

"...she even managed to get us, that's me and Tids, Tidu my twin, a tour of a Tholian ship, she's friends with a Tholian Ambassador.  I guess me and Tids growing up on Bajor and visiting DS9 a lot with our Mammy and grandparents and all the different species that visit there, and the fact that I'm Trill cross Bajoran cross Human cross Minardan... the Bajoran bit is Daddy obviously, the rest Mammy but even she didn't know where she got the telepathic abilities from until we met Grandpa Kurt... I mean she suspected but she's a scientist... we want proof!"

She giggled, more like the six year old she was, and smiled.  "So yeah... that's kinda why I think probably Anthropology, and the languages are part of that, I think it's rather useful if you can speak to people in their own tongue.  Much as I love Auntie Ujo, she's the school's headmistress as well as being Mammy's best friend on Katra, I'm hoping like Ruthie to get into the Academy early, Auntie Zex submitted a report we did on all the residing species on Katra, ones that have embassies or live there too.  How's the tea?!"

[Hrafn Falleg]

Ensign Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Ready Room]

Torra was glad that Don was such a good sport when it came to nit-pickiness when it came to decorating.

When Lamar looked to her as if in confirmation that he was a 'big boy' she of course nodded.  "You are and ever so helpful too".  She feared a crying fit when he took his fall but he handled it well, which mad her smile.

The arrival of Luby and a number of the Alpha shift medical staff prompted Torra into hostess mode and hurried about trying to make everyone comfortable.  She was a little disappointed that Dr. Thane or even Dr. Sluchaynyy hadn't show up but instead had chosen to send others in their place.

"You are right on time." she affirmed.
"Excuse me a moment while I let Hrafn know that everything is set."

Torra messaged Hrafn with a 'thumbs up' image.

Torra nodded at Luby's comment, "He his the heart of our upsol."

[Holodeck - USS Discovery]

[Hrafn]

"Well that was interesting... " Hrafn began referring to Nira, when she got a beep on her PADD.

Grinning like a Cheshire Cat she quickly sent a message to Torra saying 'Be there soon, I'll get us beamed to the Bridge first... stand by!' then stood and held out her hand to Nevir.

"Trust me on this one ja'lat, our evening is just about to become more interesting."

Two to beam directly to the Bridge... she said hitting her commbadge with her free hand.

She figured that would give the people in his ready room time to compose themselves and then shout 'Surprise!' or whatever they were going to do!

[T'Lara]

[Bridge - USS Discovery]

[As NPC - Tekin Nerys][/b]

Nerys beamed and said "May I?" indicating sitting on the step beside the command chair.

"I learned some Vulcan words today, that's great! As for what I'm interested in... well xenolinguistics indirectly because Mammy and Ruthie have taught me a lot, but Stellar Cartography and Anthropology I think.  Auntie Zex ah... she's a Deltan from Katra, part of the Diplomatic Corps..." the girl said by way of explaination.

"...she even managed to get us, that's me and Tids, Tidu my twin, a tour of a Tholian ship, she's friends with a Tholian Ambassador.  I guess me and Tids growing up on Bajor and visiting DS9 a lot with our Mammy and grandparents and all the different species that visit there, and the fact that I'm Trill cross Bajoran cross Human cross Minardan... the Bajoran bit is Daddy obviously, the rest Mammy but even she didn't know where she got the telepathic abilities from until we met Grandpa Kurt... I mean she suspected but she's a scientist... we want proof!"

She giggled, more like the six year old she was, and smiled.  "So yeah... that's kinda why I think probably Anthropology, and the languages are part of that, I think it's rather useful if you can speak to people in their own tongue.  Much as I love Auntie Ujo, she's the school's headmistress as well as being Mammy's best friend on Katra, I'm hoping like Ruthie to get into the Academy early, Auntie Zex submitted a report we did on all the residing species on Katra, ones that have embassies or live there too.  How's the tea?!"

[USS Discovery -  ready room]

Don was adjusting the table where the Captain's birthday cake was as he saw on Nery's leave the room. His face turned white. The little one was going to ruin the surprise. He combed his hair with hands.

Think fast he was thinking. Then a idea popped in his head. "BINGO!" Don exclaimed out loud. There was an idea for this. Neyr was the one who inspired Don.

"Excuse me," he went to his sister twin. "Tidu, please come with me." He took the other sibling with him. "Lamar stay in here. Watch the cake for me. And I be back," he told Lamar.

He walked out of the bridge with Tidu and walked to the center where T'Lara. "Sir, can I suggest that you keep everything on the bridge," that was hint saying nobody talk about and not send messages to your friends. "As a secret. My other suggestion is use senors to know where the Captain is..." he saw people looking at him as what-the-hell? "And I will suggest to order these two start running around as the Captain enter the bridge and these two run in screaming..." he hoped that the rest was explainable. The kids will bait the Captain to charge after his kids.

"And you two can't say nothing about the party. All that work you did. We don't want it to be ruin."

[Bridge - USS Discovery]

"I have no objection," T'Lara held out an arm to demonstrate her openness. She listened just enough to get the general gist of what the small girl was saying, a rather long-winded explanation for why she was interested in Stellar Cartography and Anthropology along with linguistics. The Vulcan had some proficiency in these areas, but only knowing about four languages fluently. She was more interested in the language of numbers and data, talking to people came second. But she wasn't about to reveal any of that personal information. She had taken a few sips of the tea which was at the correct temperature and, although it was not anything close to authentic, it had a nice flavour.

"The tea is acceptable, thank you, Tekin Nerys. You have a high range of understanding for someone your age. You parents should be proud."

At that moment Don entered the Bridge with Tidu. It seemed his surprise plan was soon to take place.

"Understood, Lieutenant," she said drily, casually wondering if she would be entering with the captain since she had to oversee things on the Bridge up until Nevir got here with Hrafn. It could be awkward, but only mildly. She didn't necessarily love attention, but she responded to it with Vulcan indifference. And anyway, all the attention would likely be on the captain and his wife.

She kept tabs on the guests of honour and when she saw that they were preparing to beam to the Bridge she in turn prepared the children to "bring on the trouble."

[Danjar-Torra Addams]

Ensign Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Ready Room]

[Ready Room - USS Discovery]

"By the way, Dr. Thane said he might pop in later but 'someone' had to man the fort and he thought us 'kids' would have more fun and deserved to come to the party because of how hard we'd been working lately.  We're all technically on call, but he said he'd only call if the world ended or something!" Luby said explaining the CMO's absence.

"Oh and Nerys..." Luby was going to tell the girl what the cookies were but she seemed to have disappeared.  "Anyone seen Nerys?" she asked, concerned.

[Holodeck - USS Discovery]

[Hrafn]

"Well that was interesting... " Hrafn began referring to Nira, when she got a beep on her PADD.

Grinning like a Cheshire Cat she quickly sent a message to Torra saying 'Be there soon, I'll get us beamed to the Bridge first... stand by!' then stood and held out her hand to Nevir.

"Trust me on this one ja'lat, our evening is just about to become more interesting."

Two to beam directly to the Bridge... she said hitting her commbadge with her free hand.

She figured that would give the people in his ready room time to compose themselves and then shout 'Surprise!' or whatever they were going to do!

Torra had just sent Hrafn the 'thumbs up' signal when she heard Luby question where Nerys was.   The Grazerite lifted her head to glance around the crowded Ready Room.    The child had been just here a moment or two ago.   She also noted conspicuously that both Don and Tidu were missing as well.   Where could they have gone?

Just as she was about to message Don via his comm badge, a ping sounded on her PADD announcing that she (Hrafn) and Tekin would be beaming in to the Bridge.

"Oh dear.  They're on their way! Everyone get ready!"

"Torra to Donny.  They're on their way."

[Don Damien Addams]

Ensign Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Ready Room]

Torra had just sent Hrafn the 'thumbs up' signal when she heard Luby question where Nerys was.   The Grazerite lifted her head to glance around the crowded Ready Room.    The child had been just here a moment or two ago.   She also noted conspicuously that both Don and Tidu were missing as well.   Where could they have gone?

Just as she was about to message Don via his comm badge, a ping sounded on her PADD announcing that she (Hrafn) and Tekin would be beaming in to the Bridge.

"Oh dear.  They're on their way! Everyone get ready!"

"Torra to Donny.  They're on their way."

[USS Discovery - Bridge]

Don got the message. "œOkay kids. When you see your parents see you. Don't say nothing. Just run into your daddy's room..." he then he turned to the room. "œCommander thank you..and we save  treats for everyone on the bridge..." then Don walked to the Captain's ready room.

"œOkay, we change the plan a bit. Get in places. Tidu and Nerys will come running in with your daddy and mommy in tail," he said to the young one. "œLamar you got to be the first one yells surprise okay...." he smiled. It was so much fun doing this. He was happy captain's family is here for this party. To have his family be here was great too.

[Hrafn Falleg]

[Ready Room - USS Discovery]

"Oh oh, let me check that head for you...."  Luby ran over to where Lamar had fallen.  "And your Auntie Tess is totally right, head injuries must be checked out, but such a big brave boy as you, I think you're ok.  I think the best prescription for this is a cookie and a special nurse kiss.  Bettina, do you think you could do the honours?!"

"Oh of course for such a handsome fellow!" Bettina said with a smile planting a kiss on his forehead.

"By the way, Dr. Thane said he might pop in later but 'someone' had to man the fort and he thought us 'kids' would have more fun and deserved to come to the party because of how hard we'd been working lately.  We're all technically on call, but he said he'd only call if the world ended or something!" Luby said explaining the CMO's absence.

"Oh and Nerys..." Luby was going to tell the girl what the cookies were but she seemed to have disappeared.  "Anyone seen Nerys?" she asked, concerned.

[Captain's Ready Room]

[As Tekin Tidu]

"I think I saw her go onto the Bridge... with a mug of all things.  I don't even know what she was up to and I'm normally pretty good at guessing!" Tidu said with a look that said he was clearly baffled.

"Girls!" he offered as an offhand dismissive comment afterwards like he didn't care.

He went to the door of the Ready Room and then grinned, and turned back to the adults thumbing over his shoulder.

"Yeah, she's talking Science with Commander T'Lara, looks like whatever was in the mug was for her too.  Oh and no I wasn't listening in on their conversation, Mammy says that's rude, but Nerry has her 'Science' face on.  She gets all flushed with excitement when she's talking about Science and her hands start talking too!!"

Ensign Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Ready Room]

Torra had just sent Hrafn the 'thumbs up' signal when she heard Luby question where Nerys was.   The Grazerite lifted her head to glance around the crowded Ready Room.    The child had been just here a moment or two ago.   She also noted conspicuously that both Don and Tidu were missing as well.   Where could they have gone?

Just as she was about to message Don via his comm badge, a ping sounded on her PADD announcing that she (Hrafn) and Tekin would be beaming in to the Bridge.

"Oh dear.  They're on their way! Everyone get ready!"

"Torra to Donny.  They're on their way."

[USS Discovery - Bridge]

Don got the message. "œOkay kids. When you see your parents see you. Don't say nothing. Just run into your daddy's room..." he then he turned to the room. "œCommander thank you..and we save  treats for everyone on the bridge..." then Don walked to the Captain's ready room.

"œOkay, we change the plan a bit. Get in places. Tidu and Nerys will come running in with your daddy and mommy in tail," he said to the young one. "œLamar you got to be the first one yells surprise okay...." he smiled. It was so much fun doing this. He was happy captain's family is here for this party. To have his family be here was great too.

"I'd better get out there then..." Tidu said looking at Torra and Luby.

[Bridge - USS Discovery]

"I have no objection," T'Lara held out an arm to demonstrate her openness. She listened just enough to get the general gist of what the small girl was saying, a rather long-winded explanation for why she was interested in Stellar Cartography and Anthropology along with linguistics. The Vulcan had some proficiency in these areas, but only knowing about four languages fluently. She was more interested in the language of numbers and data, talking to people came second. But she wasn't about to reveal any of that personal information. She had taken a few sips of the tea which was at the correct temperature and, although it was not anything close to authentic, it had a nice flavour.

"The tea is acceptable, thank you, Tekin Nerys. You have a high range of understanding for someone your age. You parents should be proud."

At that moment Don entered the Bridge with Tidu. It seemed his surprise plan was soon to take place.

"Understood, Lieutenant," she said drily, casually wondering if she would be entering with the captain since she had to oversee things on the Bridge up until Nevir got here with Hrafn. It could be awkward, but only mildly. She didn't necessarily love attention, but she responded to it with Vulcan indifference. And anyway, all the attention would likely be on the captain and his wife.

She kept tabs on the guests of honour and when she saw that they were preparing to beam to the Bridge she in turn prepared the children to "bring on the trouble."

[Bridge]

[As Nerys and Lamar, continuing Tidu]

"Thank you Commander, I guess I've always been exposed to Science and Mammy never that I remember talked down to us.  I fact I think the only one of us she referred to a small injury - a bruise, small cut - as a 'booboo' with was Lamar. " She shrugged.  "We were, are, normal kids, we run around and get dirty too but we, or least I, like learning and books too."

She turned to Don and said "Wouldn't we need an excuse to run into the Ready Room, Uncle Don?  While normally we'd get into trouble for doing so I think if Tidu 'tags' Lamar, and Lamar runs that direction, Tids after him and I can kind of look horrified - that's fine I'm always deemed the one that's trying to keep to all the rules... we'll be forgiven soon as Daddy sees it was all a ruse to get him into the surprise party... is that a plan?  And Uncle Don won't be in trouble cuz he '...was showing us around the ship and obviously the Bridge was part of the tour and seemed logical to be on the Bridge when at it's most quiet...' so we won't get Uncle Don into trouble either." Nerys then turned to T'Lara and gave a small inclination of her head in the Vulcan manner.

"Thank you for talking with me, perhaps we can do it again and you can teach me some more Vulcan words, Commander.  How do you say 'Thank you, and so long for now?' please?"

Lamar grinned but looked a little worried.  "Won't Daddy be very cwoss?!" he asked, missing an 'r' with his fright.

Nerys decided that both time was of the essence if their parents were on route, and while she had promised her Mammy that she'd try to correct Lamar if he forgot the 'r', she could understand that he was worried about Daddy being upset.

"Under normal circumstances possibly, Lambchops, but when he realises it was for the party stuff I think he'll forget and it'll all be ok.  Plus if you stand here then you've only got to go a couple of steps and you're not really running on the Bridge." Nerys said indicating a little space the boys could stand.

"Ready when you are, Nerry!" Tidu said, poised for running.

"I've been talking to Commander T'Lara, about Science, so that's my excuse for being over here since it's totally true!  Action stations!" she said quietly as she saw blue transport lights starting to shimmer.

[T'Lara]

[Bridge]

[As Nerys and Lamar, continuing Tidu]

"Thank you Commander, I guess I've always been exposed to Science and Mammy never that I remember talked down to us.  I fact I think the only one of us she referred to a small injury - a bruise, small cut - as a 'booboo' with was Lamar. " She shrugged.  "We were, are, normal kids, we run around and get dirty too but we, or least I, like learning and books too."

She turned to Don and said "Wouldn't we need an excuse to run into the Ready Room, Uncle Don?  While normally we'd get into trouble for doing so I think if Tidu 'tags' Lamar, and Lamar runs that direction, Tids after him and I can kind of look horrified - that's fine I'm always deemed the one that's trying to keep to all the rules... we'll be forgiven soon as Daddy sees it was all a ruse to get him into the surprise party... is that a plan?  And Uncle Don won't be in trouble cuz he '...was showing us around the ship and obviously the Bridge was part of the tour and seemed logical to be on the Bridge when at it's most quiet...' so we won't get Uncle Don into trouble either." Nerys then turned to T'Lara and gave a small inclination of her head in the Vulcan manner.

"Thank you for talking with me, perhaps we can do it again and you can teach me some more Vulcan words, Commander.  How do you say 'Thank you, and so long for now?' please?"

Lamar grinned but looked a little worried.  "Won't Daddy be very cwoss?!" he asked, missing an 'r' with his fright.

Nerys decided that both time was of the essence if their parents were on route, and while she had promised her Mammy that she'd try to correct Lamar if he forgot the 'r', she could understand that he was worried about Daddy being upset.

"Under normal circumstances possibly, Lambchops, but when he realises it was for the party stuff I think he'll forget and it'll all be ok.  Plus if you stand here then you've only got to go a couple of steps and you're not really running on the Bridge." Nerys said indicating a little space the boys could stand.

"Ready when you are, Nerry!" Tidu said, poised for running.

"I've been talking to Commander T'Lara, about Science, so that's my excuse for being over here since it's totally true!  Action stations!" she said quietly as she saw blue transport lights starting to shimmer.

[Bridge - USS Discovery]

T'Lara returned the small girl's bow.

"'Lesek' is the word for thank you. 'Ram-halan' is a simple way of saying farewell, otherwise you may say 'dif-tor heh smusma,' live long and prosper. I would not oppose meeting with you in the future to teach you more of the language." Once she'd ended her conversation with Nerys she had someone else take the conn and quietly walked over to enter the ready room since she was no longer needed on the Bridge. Making her way inside, she found a place where she wouldn't have to really talk to anyone and waited for the main event. 

[Alexander Graham]

[USS Discovery-bridge]

Alexander got the notification and he didn't really have an excuse to ignore it so he teleported over. He assumed that this must have been something important that he couldn't refuse. He found out that it was a party for the captain and he thought it would be a good opportunity to get to know the captain better. He didn't mind talking about science even though that wasn't his specialty. He always had a curiosity to know how each department would work together even if it was at different times. He had a science question that he had for one of the science officers. "œCommander T'Lara I don't mean to bother you but I just have a question in regards to Astrometrics."