New Roommies

Steven Hale, Sinon S'Faest'Saeihr, Tennyson Matthews and T'Liante

Note: This log takes place about 20 years ago and 2 years before Breaths of Fresh Air and Tonic for Weary Hearts

Sinon's dark eyes settled on the strange uniform that hung from a hanger on the wardrobe of the room he had been allocated at the Academy. Other than the pride he'd seen in his father's eyes, he was not, at that moment, entirely sure what had inspired him to even sit the entrance exams let alone actually sign up and join the Academy. His mother had tutted at him then ordered him a vast wardrobe of 'going to school' clothes, that seemed to include a vast array of these strange uniforms. She'd asked him if he'd temporarily taken leave of his senses and he had to admit at this moment he was wondering that himself. Four years, he thought with a groan, of sitting in classes and having to pretend these people could teach him something about the art of being an ambassador.

Admittedly becoming a Starfleet officer was the long way around to joining the ambassadorial corps of the Federation but it would give him such a vast experience of the Galaxy. At least, that's what he hoped. It's what his grandmother had told him, that was his father's mother. She was a Starfleet officer and a well respected Ambassador to the Rhean people. And yet the thought of being forced to dress like a clone of Jean-Luc Picard left him with cold shivers. Or worse, he thought with an actual shudder, Spock. He had been compared to that... old man twice already. Once in the interview when the Operations stream tutor had nodded his approval to the applicant and commented that Sinon would be an honour for all Vulcans, Spock included. And once by the fourth year cadet who had shown him around the campus. Now that obnoxious squib had had the arrogance to assume that Sinon was not only a hybrid but that he was half Human too. Of all the things.

Poking the uniform one more time, he glanced down at his dark outfit, so unlike his adoptive father Senar, too like his actual father's normal colours. Not that he knew, he had never actually met the Enarrain personally. But his mother still nagged him to have a little colour, a little sophistication in his attire. It was that end that had inspired her to purchase only non-black clothing for his time at the Academy.

"I bet no other cadet has a wardrobe that doesn't actually fit in his wardrobe," he grumbled as he padded into the shared common area. He hadn't met his three roommates but he had a feeling he wasn't going to like them. He rarely liked anyone, much preferring either his father Senar's or his own company.

"Well now ain't that a dare," a deep, Texan accent drawled from the door to the other pair of rooms. A sandy haired young Human with hazel eyes and a sparkle that even Sinon couldn't miss was smirking at him. "Name's Steven Hale, and yeah," he said as he recognised the look in the other man's eyes, "papa's Johnathan Hale."

"Illustrious," Sinon smirked back. "Mine is Senar of Vulcan and Ri'nanov is Dara S'Faest'Saeihr." With deep satisfaction, he saw Hale take in the names of two very impressive Ambassadors.

"Takin' the scenic route into the Diplomatic Corps?" Steven asked idly, wandering over to their small replicator so he could get himself a soda. "Get ya somethin'?"

"No, thank you," Sinon replied, bristling a little. "And yes, I will be joining my parents as an ambassador one day. I wish to know the people I will meet, see the galaxy properly first."

"Good for you," Steven grinned, taking a swig of his bottle and flinging himself onto the sofa. "Gotta make the moms and pops proud."

"As you say..." Sinon had already decided he did not like this Hale. He was brash and loud and entirely too... Before he could finish the thought, the main door swooshed open, revealing a creature of stunning, breath-taking beauty. Her cinnamon hair was a contrast to her olive skin and deep, dark eyes. It was hypnotic to him.

T'Liante observed the two men in the cabin and raised one eyebrow. She turned to her father, her face totally expressionless and said in whispery tones, "There appears to have been a mistake."

"What is that, T'Liante-kam?" the rigid Vulcan behind her said smoothly. His dark eyes took in the men and his eyebrow raised in tandem to his daughter's. "I see. There is little free room, daughter, perhaps this is the only room available. I will speak to the Commandant. Remain here until this can be cleared up."

"Yes father," she said smoothly, her face back to placid blankness. She swept into the room, taking in everything from the two young men who apparently couldn't take their eyes off of her to the view of the campus outside. It appeared as if she would be close to her medical courses from here but it was still unacceptable for her to be housed with even one male roommate, let alone two.

Just as Steven was about to be smooth with the new comer, their main door opened yet again and he sighed. "What is this, Piccadilly Circus?" he asked quietly in the words of his mother's friend Nat.

"Not quite," a dark skinned young man with a twinkle that outshone Steven's in so many ways and ridges above his nose that spoke if his part-Bajoran heritage. "More like the first day on campus for four young people." Tennyson beamed at his soon to be roommates, his green eyes dancing. He offered his hand out to Steven, recognising instantly that the two Vulcanoids would probably rather he didn't. "Matthews," he said with a smile and a wink, "Tennyson Matthews. Counsellor-in-training."

"Stevie Hale, Doctor-in-Training. And this is Sinon S'Faest'Saeihr, didn't catch a course," the sandy-haired man said easily. "And I believe our female companion's T'Liante."

Her eyes took in the new Human and knew her father would be most displeased with these arrangements but something inside her was warming to the idea of the three strange young men. "I am training to be a Doctor also, under the direct insistence of my father, Captain Sorrean."

"Well now," Steven grinned, "ain't we all the impressive lil group. Old Diplomat in the corner with his two Ambassadors. Personally, got myself an Admiral for a papa. Know who your papa is, Matthews; got himself an award for his counselling techniques, and then there's your daddy, Missy; got himself a commendation for dealin' with those refugees, didn't he?"

"Indeed," she said softly as she inclined her head. "You may call me T'Liante, though. I doubt my father will find me new accommodation so I will be here for quite a while."

Tennyson smiled at the Vulcan woman, his bright eyes softening for her. "That's not the end of the world. I can promise for myself that I've been brought up as a perfect gentleman. I'd like to vouch for my colleagues too. How about it?" He glanced at the two other men.

Sinon was the first to reply. He stepped toward her, his dark eyes full of deep sincerity. "On my family's honour, you will be safe."

"Sure thing, Missy," Steven said firmly. "Ain't nothin' in the world or beyond that could make any one of us harm you. Hell, we'll even make sure you're safe all over."

Sorrean stepped up to the door behind his daughter, staring at the young sandy haired Human and said, "That is a good thing as there are no further free rooms. I will speak again with the Commandant later in the year if you so wish, T'Liante-kam. For now, though, you must remain here."

Turning slightly, she nodded to him. "Thank you for trying, father. I will say goodbye to you and mother now, if I may." At her father's nod, the pair filed out, leaving the three men alone.

"Ain't that the prettiest Vulcan you ever did see," Steven mused with a fond smile.

Sinon's eyes flashed fire for a moment as he turned to stare at the Human. "You will not speak of her like that. You will not, under any circumstances, look at her like that. You will treat her with total respect at all times," he said softly and succintly.

Holding up his hands, Steven offered the other man his most innocent smile, right from his sister Evy. "I swear, I ain't even thinkin' dirty about her. Stunnin' she may be but she's not my type. She's all stiff and rigid."

"Part and parcel of being a full-blooded Vulcan," Tennyson teased from his place on the sofa.

"Exactly," Steven said with a firm nod. "I like my women with more..."

"Warmth?" their female companion said from the doorway, amusement showing in the pinch of her eyes but nothing more. "Am I too cold for hot-blooded Admiral's sons?"

"Er..." Steven blushed bright scarlet, running a hand through his short hair. "That's... that's not what I meant, Missy."

"I imagine not," she said, raising an eyebrow.

"I meant... y'know... that you're all safe and such," he stammered. "No offense, Missy, I swear."

"Do not swear, Steven," she said with a twitch of her mouth. "It is unbecoming as my father would say. Instead be clear as to your meaning. It leads to less misunderstandings."

"Y'know, y'all might be right on that one," he chuckled, his cheeks returning to their natural colour. "Lesson learned, Missy, my mouth'll be clean and clear from now on."