Star Trek: Starbase 777 - rec-lounge-01

The day had been long and tiring for the Unified pair. Their first shifts were met with all kinds of problems. It was different from working at McKinley Station, where there were fewer “problems,” it was merely just checklists to get the new ships out and ready or checklists for maintaining vessels. But here, it was much more bustling about figuring out problems, fixing or replacing this. It was a busy station. Triple 1 wanted to stay inside and spend their time studying, but Triple 0 was adamant about Them seeing the Rec areas and trying to get out of their shell. So here they were as they walked in, hand in hand as they scanned the room, allowing Triple 0 to pull them.

Triple 0 had to admit that the shift had been long, but they wanted to try to make new friends here on the station. They had to practically beg Triple 1 for them to use their time at the rec hall. They entered hand in hand as they pushed the thought to their pair. “See? Tons of stuff to do and even some people here to meet.” They walked in tandem to the pool table area/3D Chess and started to set up the pool table. Once set up, they began to scan the area, catching the eye of someone who seemed to be looking for an activity or a group to join. Triple 0 smiled and waved them over. "Hey, would you like to join us for a game of pool? We need an extra player."

John had returned from his security shift. Things were going very smoothly for the time being, but that was what disappointed him the most. He hadn’t been sent on an away mission yet and the lack of conflict on board the station further compounded the lack of adventure he had sought when he had decided to join Starfleet in the first place. The most adventure that he had were in his holodeck simulations, but being the more earthly person that he was he saw them as no substitute for the real thing. He strode into the recreational area, his buckskin suit and sullen gaze in stark contrast to the lively and futuristic sights that were occurring all around him. He let his eyes wander for a bit before they landed on the Bynars. He had yet to meet much of them on this journey so this would prove to be interesting. “I will.” John simply said, his voice having a strong gravity to it as he spoke, every word having a heavy weight to it. He strode towards the pool table, his tall and imposing figure looming over the other spacers. “I have to admit that I am a bit inexperienced though. Pool is a game that I am not super familiar with.” He proceeded to place a hand at his chest as he realized that he had yet to introduce himself. “I am John Lightfoot.” He then waved his hand. “Nátsėhéstahe (I am Cheyenne).”

Marrok entered the rec lounge, he had no idea nor could he had imagined just how much things were stuffed in the room. Sadly he had no company with him both because he hadn't found anyone and he had yet to make any friends on this station so he shuffled over to the bookshelves to look through, he was amazed by how many books there were and in such variety but maybe it was to be expected for such a station like this. Marrok picked up a familiar book, Beowulf which was written in standard English, he took a nearby seat not yet opening the book for now he studied it's exterior feeling slightly nostalgic. He remembered it was something about a Hero, Beowulf coming to the aid to slay a monster.

Aria was personally unsure about how much she required relaxation outside of her work, which is to say she rarely took a break. She had spent the better part of the day filing paperwork, making sure the flu that one of her fellow ensigns was suffering from didn’t spread throughout the base. It was her first assignment! She was quite happy with herself, and felt as though she did quite well. She was told to go get some rest after her work, though, and didn’t…quite know what to do. The rec lounges were for recreation, though! This seemed like a fine place to get some rest. There was plenty to do here, though she was unsure of what all she’d do just yet. Wandering in, the new android ensign was quite the sight to suddenly see. Her skin was stark white, broken up by glowing blue joints and eyes. She strayed over to one of the bookshelves before noticing Marrok seated in the room as well. “Oh! Hello. I hope I am not disturbing you and your reading.”

Marrok looked up from his seat upon hearing a nearby voice that seemed to address him, he had yet to open the book and he was about to until he looked at the stranger with both an Engineers curiosity and amazement but only for a moment or two before clearing his voice awkwardly when he realised he was a bit to close to death staring a stranger that he was now quite sure of being an Android if his eyes didn't deceive him. "Oh- Sorry, and no not at all I haven't even begun reading yet, I was just.. thinking. Well you can have a seat if you like, I won't bite." Marrok smiled and chuckled at the end having been lost in his own train of thoughts again. His own eyes may not have been blue but they were a mix of silver but mostly green and had a cybernetic glow to them as well.

Aria titled her head slightly when Marrok looked rather closely at her, not too certain what he was doing before he cleared his throat. Perhaps he was just trying to recognize her? She was uncertain if she had already spoken to the seated lieutenant commander in the chatroom before. He apologized for something. Aria once again tilted her head, “I am unsure as to what you are apologizing for, so it is of no concern!” She plucked a book off the bookshelf, a small collection of poetry, and stepped over to where Marrok was seated, “I had not considered the potentiality of being bitten. Are there many individuals aboard the base that bite?” She paused, “Oh. Was this a turn of phrase?” (edited)

"Ah no matter." Marrok said with a smile, still a bit amazed over meeting an android, it had all been to long since that happened but it was very much welcomed in his opinion both as an Engineer and well just Marrok. "Bite? I hope no one will literally bite y- but yes I suppose, it's an idiom as far as I know. Well where are my manners, Lieutenant Commander Marrok-ion McGuire at your service." He said in a polite and cheerful way. He had been in a good mood lately since everything was going great for him so far, fresh start, again, meeting new people and work.

Aria took a seat across from Marrok, her arms crossed gently and the book of poetry held against her chest. She didn’t want to start reading if the two were going to have a conversation, which was likely what Marrok was doing as well with his own book. Aria seemed to recall being told about Beowulf when she was younger, though would hesitate to offer her opinion on the book having never actually read it. Her eyes flicked away from the title of the book to Marrok once more as he confirmed her question, “Ah! I apologize for misunderstanding. I have found that such phrases do not register as quickly within my mind as they do with others, but I am learning. I hope that my time aboard the base will facilitate further avenues of social study!” She nodded at his introduction, “Lieutenant Commander Marrok-ion McQuire. Affirmative! I am Ensign Aria. I do not believe I currently require engineering services, but I appreciate you telling me that you would be available for such things. Though I am designed for medical work, I hesitate to imagine that others within the medical division would be able to provide potential care in the event of my internal components malfunctioning.” She lets out a soft laugh, though it seems a bit practiced, “This is a joke! As I am an android.”

"There's no need to apologize I sometimes have the same difficulty. And I believe a starbase such as this most certainly will." Marrok said with his signature cheerful smile, nowadays it was rare to see him in a bad mood it'd probably take a lot or maybe not but meeting new people and learning just about anything always put him in a good mood. He raised his eyebrow in confusion, he hadn't meant it like that but he supposed he should maybe be a bit more literal from now on as to not cause any further confusion. Marrok's train of thoughts stopped yet again as he heard it was a joke, he laughed a little bit mostly at his own confusion. "Well, I think you'd have to ask an Engineer if the need ever arises however it is a pleasure to meet you Ensign Aria."

“Understood! I will do my best to lower potential apologies due to misunderstandings while in conversation with you.” The ensign nodded to punctuate her point. Her expression didn’t change much, remaining a soft, warm one with a small smile on her blue lips. Despite this, much like her body, it was very stiff. She was trying, at least! Marrok’s little laugh helped to deepen her smile, as it was confirmation that she had done a successful job a telling a joke! She didn’t quite catch the fact that he was laughing out of confusion, but at the very least it made her a bit happier, “It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Lieutenant Commander McGuire.” “Affirmative! The engineering division would likely be able to fix whatever problem arises within my components. You are a part of the engineering division, correct? I have not spoken to anyone from engineering since arriving, outside of the chatroom function found on my PADD. I apologize if we have spoken prior in there, but I have mostly spoken to members of medical, as well as a member of security and command, face-to-face.” She tilted her head, “How is engineering aboard the base?” (edited)

Not exactly what he meant by that but oh well he thought and shrugged a bit at that, though his cheerful smile remained plastered onto his face he could not help but stray into the ocean of his thoughts despite how interesting the subject may have been, but he still maintained some focus as he fidgeted with his foot a bit. "Yes I'm an Engineer, to be exact a maintenance engineer and I'm glad to be the first engineer you meet here in person. And chatroom? I can't say I'm to familiar with that function yet but I reckon I will be in due time." He paused for a moment thinking about the question, he didn't really know yet but it was almost the same as his prior assignments, almost, though not quite as large. "Well I've only been here for a few days now, this time at least but so far it's been great, a bit like my prior assignments though obviously not as large as this. Not sure what else to say, I could ramble on about the work I do but perhaps I'll do that another time." He chuckled, he often found strangers to become bored of him when he rambled about the work he did, if they were not fellow engineers but sometimes even they found it boring since well they already knew what he was talking about.

A maintenance engineer! This would certainly prove useful in the event that Aria's components were affected in some way. Not to mention that Lt. Cmdr. McGuire would be able to provide Aria with a unique perspective on the engineering division aboard the base! "Affirmative! There is a chatroom function that can be found on the PADD. This is how I have been introduced to multiple individuals aboard the base, as I have learned that there are many stationed here. I do not believe I have met even a fraction. It is quite helpful." She tilted her head as she listened to Marrok, a movement which she seemed to do often. She usually did movements like this to demonstrate that she was listening, or if she was confused, though Marrok hadn't managed to confuse her just yet in conversation outside of her misunderstanding of his play-on-words from earlier. This too was a practiced motion, like a lot of the things that she did to make herself look more lively. "I have only been present aboard the base for a small amount of time as well," She said with a small smile, "I am glad that you have been enjoying yourself while here. This is my first posting after graduation, so I have been rather curious about things at the base. If you wished to ramble at some point within the future, I would not be opposed to listening!"

Marrok raised both his eyebrows in surprise when he quickly checked his PADD about this chatroom function, this was something entirely new to him but he laid aside his PADD he would check it another time when he wasn't in the middle of a conversation no matter how tempting it was. "I saw, I'll have to check it out further when I have the time seems like an amazing function to have aboard. Well I think it'd take up a lot of time if you wanted to meet even a quarter of the station." He chuckled as he laid his PADD in strap again, always handy to have a strap or more of a holster for a padd never knew when it might be needed. "First posting? Now that's wonderful." He smiled half wishing that his first posting had been aboard a starbase as well but that was clearly not how things had went. "Thank you I will remember the offer for the future."

“It is indeed likely that I will only be able to become acquainted with certain individuals during my time here, as opposed to meeting every single Starfleet officer and citizen. However, as a member of the medical division, it is likely that I will encounter a fair amount. At the very least, I know for certain that I will become well acquainted with fellow medical staff!” Aria was quite the cheery individual, meeting the positivity that Marrok was giving her. When the lieutenant asked about the first posting in a clarifying manner, the android nodded, “Affirmative! I arrived here aboard the USS Mandelbrot, a training ship. This was, however, a temporary arrangement. Though I worked within the medical bay, I was not truly posted aboard the vessel.” She hummed, “What was your first posting, Lieutenant?”

"That is certainly true that you will, you'll probably meet more people than I will." Marrok smiled, it was fun to finally meet a potential future friend but nonetheless it was overall fun to just meet new people since a Maintenance Engineer such as him barely meet people mostly just non sentient machines and technology if he didn't need the help or other engineers needed his help otherwise it was up to him. "USA Mandelbrot? Not a ship I am familiar with. However I am glad you've found something more permanent." He paused for a bit as he heard the question, genuinly thinking as it had been a long time ago but he hadn't forgotten after all how could he with the gruesome end it succumbed to, the battle of wolf 359. "The USS Yamaguchi it was an ambassador class, truly magnificent."

“It is nevertheless important to facilitate communication between fellow individuals. Therefore, it is actively encouraged to participate in social interaction, if not just to further your own awareness of crew aboard the base, but also to aid in your mental well-being. I would not want anyone here to feel isolated.” Aria said a bit matter-of-factly, though it came from a place of empathy. She was a medical professional, after all! Mental health is very important when doing things out in deep space, and unfortunately, she spoke from experience about isolation. “The Mandelbrot is an Intrepid-class operating as a training ship for recent graduates. However, I only spent a short amount of time as part of their medical team due to the fact that 777 was my first posting.” She remembered her short amount of time aboard the Mandelbrot somewhat fondly, despite the mundanities of it, “I, similarly, am not familiar with the Yamaguchi. What led to your transfer?” (edited)

"That I can agree on, it is important to meet people, get to know who you'reworking with and such. And I am glad you do not anyone here to feel isolated, it is a noble goal and I respect that." He said smiling warmly knowing there was such a compassionate individual aboard this starbase, he himself was mostly a people person if you found him in a good mood which is rather common but there were times he could go for days and not have one simple conversation with anyone, spending time building his ships in a bottle. "Ah, Inteprid class alright." He repeated mostly to himself so he would remember. "Well I'd be surprised if you did, it was a long time ago that ship existed. And you could say I wanted a change of scenery along with something new."

“A change of scenery is something of importance. Though I have only served aboard one ship, I had often heard from senior officers that sometimes they suffer from cabin fever. This is why shore leave is regularly scheduled!” She nodded in affirmation. She was right, that was why! Shore leave was quite an interesting prospect to her, being such a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed ensign. It would be much like summer vacation for students in school, she surmised. “I have…often found that social situations can elude me, but it is important to engage within them. I would say that the prescription for potential social isolation is conversation. Though, I apologize for keeping you from your book for as long as I have via conversation.” She gave Marrok a small, apologetic smile, “I would not want to stand in the way of potential entertainment, even with conversation.” (edited)

"It is. Cabin fever? I've personally have never had a problem with that but I agree nonetheless that shore leave is important." Shore leave had been quite sometime for him and he'd love to visit his family back on Caldos or maybe even go too the beaches of Risa where the sun always shines. "I don't mind so no need to apologize for that, I was happy that we could have this conversation and if you want we can continue it but you do as you see fit." He smiled back warmly not minding at all if the conversation kept on going but if not he would start reading his book.

Aria nodded once more. Shore leave was indeed important, though she still had to consider what she was going to do for it…she was uncertain if she’d stay put, or head home. Being so new aboard 777, she was tempted to just spend as much time as she could here before the next time shore leave comes around the calendar, but it’s also her first shore leave! Would she be missing out on it by not going this time around? She glanced down at the book of poetry held in her arms, “Perhaps it might be pertinent to split for the moment in order to pursue the books we have currently selected from the shelves. This is not to say that I have not enjoyed speaking with you! I understand that individuals may find this sort of end to a conversation dismissive, of which I do not wish to be.”

"Alright then, sounds like a good plan and I enjoyed our conversation as well. Until later then." Marrok said with the same smile plastered onto his face and slightly nodded a goodbye, he hoped he would meet the Ensign again sometime since he had really enjoyed the conversation they had. He opened his book which had been in his all the time and began reading but his focus wasn't the best now that he had a massive amount of thoughts and some random ideas that had to do with his hobbies.

The recreation lounge was surprisingly quiet. Perhaps it was because the station housed numerous so-called rooms, or perhaps it was simply a busy time of the day and those that normally occupied the room were going about their daily duties still. Either way, Jari preferred it this way. Despite being a sociable and gregarious individual, his social battery was dangerously low after yet another long and gruelling shift. He had been on the starbase for less than a week, and in that time had insisted on picking up shifts and responsibilities almost immediately. There were things to be done, and he could not simply sit idly by twiddling his thumbs waiting for direction. PADD in hand, the young man was sat on a rather comfortable chair, legs up and head back. The aches that plagued his body from a long day on his feet slowly started to dissipate. Dressed in matching olive green sweatpants and a sweatshirt, this was one of the rare times he dressed so casually in a public area. It was freeing in a way, but his thinking capacity was so drained he barely gave it a second thought as he aimlessly sifted through different files on the small device. From reading a fictional book about magic to reading up on new medical advancements. But before long Jari found himself slowly nodding off here and there, barely keeping himself awake.

01:53

A quick glance up from his seated position, his honey brown eyes landed on the holo-projector and he contemplated it for a moment before swinging his legs around and pushing himself up from the seat with a slight groan. PADD slipped away into a pocket followed by a quick swipe of his hand and he had a game of pool set up and ready to play before him. It had been quite some time since Jari had last played, but there was a simplistic joy in relearning skills and revisiting the memories associated with them. Cue stick in hand, he wandered to one end of the table, swept a hand through his rather dishevelled hair, and lined up a shot. Right before he released, the doors to the room hissed open, and he gave a small nod to the individual that entered. "I could use a player two if you're keen?"

Ki'ana had, admittedly, not expected to come to the lounge for a game of pool. She'd just finished up at the gym, evidenced by the workout attire she was wearing and bag over her left shoulder, and had initially only wanted to come to the lounge to cool off - but hey, some unplanned games were never out of place, right? She smiled at the person who'd just invited her over and walked up to him, placing the bag she carried on the floor by the sofa along the way. "I could go for a few. Haven't touched pool in a long time, though." She said. "The name's Ki'ana. And you?" Kii blinked her large purple eyes at him as she looked over the table.

A stifled laugh slipped through Jari's lips at her comment, and he held shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "Look, you and me both, I don't get enough time to dabble very much in it." He swapped the cue into his non-dominant hand, and took a few steps towards her with his hand offered out politely. "Jair al'Tuim, I'm a recent transfer. Only been on 777 for about a week, still trying to figure this maze out." A soft smile crept across his lips after he introduced himself, and awaited a handshake in greeting. "Can't say I've ever met a Kelpien before, but anyways, we're here to have fun." He gestured lightly with his head and eyes towards the table that had been, expectedly, perfectly set up.

"Well, we're not all that common around here," Ki'ana said as she shook his hand and smiled. "777 really is a maze, isn't she! I've gotten lost a few times myself - you'll get used to it eventually." She glanced over at the pool table and let out an appreciative hum. "You clearly know your way round a pool table. I'd say you're practised at least, judging by the way you hold the cue. Am I right?" Her large purple eyes seemed to gleam with understanding just then. "Maybe you've competed at least once?"

Jari held up his hands in a mock surrender, joined by a cheesy grin across his face and a light dusting of red across his cheeks. "Okay, okay, you got me! I competed once or twice back in my Academy days, but I promise I haven't played much since then. Far too busy to keep up to date with my pool skills." Or rather, any recreational skills. He hadn't realised until now how hyper-focused he had been on his work since he had graduated from the Academy. Medicine was, admittedly, demanding and time-consuming. But in the same vein he had subconsciously forgone friendships, most hobbies, and even relationships to focus on his career. Now wasn't the time to mull over his downfalls in personal relationships, there was a game of pool to play and someone more than willing to converse through said game. Heavens knows he needs to make at least one friend in this huge space can. "Besides, you look like you kind of know what you're doing. I'll even let you have first shot in the name of new acquaintances." With that he gave her a small wink and paced around to one side of the table, chin leaning against the end of the pool cue with his hands clasped underneath. Tired honey brown eyes focused as best they could on both the table and his new opponent, his big smile now reduced to a more lazy smirk.

"Kind of look like I know what I'm doing? Oh, come on, now. Surely you don't have that little faith in my ability." KI'ana teased as she picked up her cue and maneuvred around the table to take aim. She didn't quite get the posture right, but at least the tip of the cue wound up where it should've been on her hand. "So, Jari, tell me more about yourself." She muttered as she aimed for the left corner of the pyramid.

"By all means, I hope you prove me wrong. In fact, I'm almost certain you will with that kind of confidence." There was a cheeriness that wove its way through his velvety words. Being charismatic and an easy talker had always come naturally to him, perhaps it was simply a by-product of being surrounded by parents that smooth talked nearly constantly. Still leaning against the cue, he let out a rather dramatic and overexaggerated sigh at the change in topic. Not that he disliked talking about himself, but because there was not really all that much to tell. At least not in his opinion. "Erm, well, I'm not that interesting in all honesty. Grew up on Earth, attended the Academy and graduated in the medical division. Did a few years of disaster relief, and then ended up here. Not much else aside from that I'm afraid." At least, not much else that he was willing to share at this stage. Some information didn't seem pertinent to the conversation after all. His eyes narrowed on her, watching as she lined up her shot. "And yourself? Surely you'd have a bit more of an interesting story?"

"I was born and raised on Betazed where my parents run a bakery. I was a counsellor first before being earmarked to go for courses to become a morale officer." Ki'ana said as she narrowed her eyes, aimed... and took her shot, sending the balls ricocheting around the table and pocketing one ball. "It's a strange start, I know. But I'm happy where I am,"

Hearing that she used to be a counsellor sent a shudder down his spine that he did his best to make as subtle as possible. It was a stark reminder that a stipulation of his transfer was that he would continue to undertake counselling, as much as he disliked it. But alas, orders were orders and like any good Starfleet officer he carried them out to the best of his ability. Either way he continued to smile and act jovially, moving around the table to where the porcelain-coloured ball had come to rest. "Nice shot, and strange start or not, a professor at the Academy always told me that everyone ends up in their position some way or another. Others just take a more interesting path to the destination is all." He relaxed his grip on the pool cue, pulling it from his side and lining it up in his grip against the table. One eye closed as he attempted to aim as precisely as he could, specifically for a ball that was only a few centimetres away from being pocketed. "I certainly couldn't have done, or do, what you do. Most of my social interactions are with patients that are sedated and ventilated, so they're not very chatty." Jari lightly chuckled to himself at the rather morbid remark. But that was medicine, if you did not laugh you simply cried. A moment later the cue shot forward with a resounding thud and the ball he was aiming for sunk into the pocket. "Maybe I still have it after all." There was a cheekiness to his tone as he stepped back from the table, giving Ki'ana free reign to line up her next shot.

Seeing this makes Ki'ana laugh as she maneuvers next to him with her cue in hand. "So you're a doctor. A medical officer. That's interesting." She noted as she bent to aim her cue at the white ball in hand. "At least, that's what I get from your explanation? Why'd you pick this path?"

Well, she had clocked him, not that he was exactly hiding his position on the Starbase. "Uhh, yeah, I am! Intensive care medicine is my specialty area!" Jari replied with a rather excited tone, smirk still spread out across his cheeks as he gazed between the game before him and Ki'ana. Once more he leaned on the pool cue, putting a concerning amount of his body weight on the object. "As for why, both of my parents are Starfleet officers, and my mother is also a doctor. So it kind of just felt natural to follow in her footsteps... I always looked up to her as a child. The only thing I didn't do was follow her down the surgical pathway." He gave a small nod, more to himself than anything. Smirk growing wider across his lips as memories flooded back through his mind. "And what about you? Why Starfleet in general?"

"I think Starfleet does a lot of good." Ki'ana narrowed her eyes, aimed... and was a little disappointed to find that she failed to pocket any balls with her shot. Her eyes settled on the number eight, though, precariously positioned just shy of the pocket. "Travelling, helping people out, making discoveries that can help everyone. Don't you think? I'm sure you feel pretty great when you help someone else."

The words that she spoke rang true with every fibre of Jari's being. Resonating for a moment with his moral compass and the foundational reasons on why he, himself, had pursued the career he was no neck-deep in. It is what the Federation stood for after all, for the most part. Universal liberty, rights, equality, and the sharing of knowledge and resources. The two of them were simply small cogs that played an undeniably important part in the machine as a whole. "Indeed, Starfleet is our best chance at continuing to do good amidst a galaxy that is fundamentally dangerous and unpredictable." He gave a slight shake of his head to himself, recognising the words came out more morbid than he had anticipated. Nonetheless, he stepped up to the table once more, cue lined up in his hand as he aimed up that same porcelain white ball. "But in saying that, the optimism of Starfleet is a breath of fresh air, and every person we help furthers all of our goals in some small way." His mind began to reminisce again, falling back to his time in disaster relief, and seeing the joyous faces of those that he had provided aid to. No matter how hard a day way, those smiles made every drop of blood, sweat, and tears worth it. With a quick thrust of his arm, the cue impacted against the ball and sent it careening straight into a pocket. "Well, crap. Maybe I have lost my touch after all?" With that he tilted his head and gave Ki'ana a small wink.

Kii's response was to smile and wag a finger at him as she lined up her cue for her next shot. "Nonsense. Like me, and everyone else, everyone has their up days and down days - we can't always control when those happen, but we can certainly try to make the next day better than the last." Her tongue stuck out of her mouth as she took aim, resting the cue between her thumb and index finger, sizing up her target... and was pleased to see the 8-ball fly straight into the pocket. "Like that." Grinning, she straightened up and raised an eyebrow at her opponent. "Your go."

Jari gave her a small a small clap as he approached the table, eyes scanning over its surface. "Wait a minute-" A large grin then formed on his face as he held a hand to his mouth in what could only be described as shock. He truly had lost his touch because it had taken him this long to realise that they had been playing the game slightly wrong this entire time. They were taking turns between shots, when technically, they were supposed to keep shooting until they finally missed. "Okay, so, I have good news and bad news. Good news is your pretty good at this! Bad news is we've been playing this somewhat wrong this entire time!" Jari then began to laugh at the situation, not believing how they had come this far without realising. "You know what? Who cares? We're here to have fun after all. Just can't believe I only realised it now-" With that he began to line up a shot. Guess they were playing with their own rules now, with the only rule being sink as many balls before the other person does.

"Have we?" Ki'ana seemed genuinely confused by the notion - though she soon shrugged and simply let the idea go, it seems. "Well, that's fine by me! Our game, our rules. So long as we both enjoy ourselves." She smiled and watched on, twirling her cue in her right hand. "Any highlights of your career so far, Jari? Surely there must be at least a few!"

Highlight of his career? To him, his entire career up until now felt like a highlight reel. Jari was doing things he had not imagined he would be able to do, and was constantly being exposed to new things and constant challenges. Which, thankfully, he thrived in the environment of. It's the reason why he enjoyed intensive care medicine so much, there were simply so many different variables in play at any point in time. He was not dealing with one area of the body, but rather each system as a whole in order to save and heal. "Well, I spent my first few years before this on a medical ship performing disaster relief. Mostly within the Alpha quadrant. It was certainly an interesting experience, and I... came close to harm myself a few times." Simply speaking about it was enough to send a shiver down his spine, and ignite the memories of his near-death experience to the forefront of his mind. Therapy had done an admirable job of allowing him to cope, but he still suffered nightmares here and there. "Aside from that I also provided medical aid on Qo'noS, though I'm sure you don't need me to recap you on why it was needed. And then that's how I ended up here!" With that, Jari sent his cue forward into the ball, pocketing another ball in the process as he lifted back up off the table. "Have you been stationed on 777 for long? I'm sure you've had your fair share of experiences."

"Hm? Long? No, not really. Barely a few months at best." Ki'ana replied. She maneuvred around the table and took up aim, resting her cue between her thumb and index finger. "There've been a few pretty big experiences here so far. For one there was a virus that made everyone act dramatic. Now that was hilarious." Ki'ana giggled. "Though I think the highlight of being here's been meeting my two girlfriends. They're both wonderful. Especially Copia, she's the sweetest."

"A virus that makes everyone dramatic?" Jari repeated the words back to her with a rather dumbfounded, but amused, look on his face. The mere thought made him wonder how he would react. Dramatics weren't exactly his thing, at least, not in public. It was an entirely different story when he was only with close friends and family, that's when his more dramatic and flamboyant side tended to reveal itself to the world. But he rarely nowadays ever got close enough to individuals to the point where he felt comfortable showing that side. Especially when they knew him from a more professional perspective. * "I could only imagine the kinds of things that happened when that was going around." *He chuckled lightly to himself. "And two girlfriends? Where do you find the time! I could barely manage having a singular boyfriend alongside studying and all the other aspects of life. Not that I neglected him, but life ended up taking us in different directions as it were anyhow." A soft sigh slipped through Jari's lips. Reminiscing for a moment on his first love before he let their image slip from his mind again. He moved to the ide of the pool table, and began to lean against it, pool cue nestles between his legs where it would not fall to the floor. "I will admit, I'm hoping to settle down a bit more now, but we will see."