The Edge of Freedom #39"
By: Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Favor, Medic / Morale Officer, [PST]

Stardate: 58204.14 1825

The crush of people at Miranda’s was evident as Zoei opened the door. Taking short, quick steps to avoid contact with various crew members milling about, she wondered if she would be able to find a seat, or if she would be able to be served. Finally reaching the bar, Zoei smiled a greeting to Miranda. “It looks like everyone who is not at their duty station has congregated here tonight, Miranda.”

“Yes, we are pretty busy tonight, but we are only serving food. Intoxicating beverages are not allowed during yellow alerts, “ Miranda replied.

“I would imagine most people are here for the companionship, not the libations,” Zoei winked.

“Indeed. What can I get you, Counselor?”

“A bowl of your famous Broccoli Cheese soup, if you don’t mind, and a”, Zoei started.

“Glass of raspberry iced tea with two fresh raspberries,” Miranda completed the thought.

Chuckling, Zoie nodded.

“Coming right up, Counselor,” Miranda turned away to the replicator, placing the order.

Zoei surveyed the crowd. The only apparent vacant seat in the house was at a little two person table clear across the room. Glancing at the occupant of the table, Zoei noticed it was Ensign Favor.

“Go ahead and have a seat with Ensign Favor. I will bring out your food when it is ready,” Miranda smiled.

Sidling through a mob of young looking crew members, Zoei aimed for Ensign Favor’s table. For the amount of stress the crew was under, the crowd was remarkably in control of their emotions. Even those not at their duty stations were obviously ready for battle. A quick elbow to her back reminded her to keep moving.

“Ensign, is this seat taken?” Zoei smiled at Favor. Her friend’s hair was growing in. It still wasn’t a substantial growth, but it wasn’t the bald look she had recently been sporting.

Favor smiled at the familiar face. She tipped her bejeweled head towards the chair, the spiky locks formed into dark chestnut daggers, each tipped with a dangling crystal. "Howdy, Cookie," she said. "Long time no see. I've been cooling my heels in the slammer if you can imagine that. What a vacation! Did you get my holo-postcard?" She smiled when she thought of the video postcard transmission that she'd sent to her friend, that of a small cartoon prisoner, garbed in a black and white striped suit, banging a cup against iron bars. "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows my sorrow," Favor warbled, and then winked at the Counselor.

Chuckling softly, Zoei returned the wink. “You did have quite the interesting leave this time around. I have to say, I am quite relieved to have led such a boring existence in your absence. The fortunate side of my quiet stay is I have caught up on all of my paperwork. I can tell that makes you so envious of my fun.” Zoei winked again, while glancing at Favor ’s head.

Ensign Favor shook her head, and the crystals tinkled. "Do you like these? It's a Risan hair embellishment. Girls are given these head crystals as a rite of passage along with a makeup bag, when they turn sixteen." The hair crystals, each dangling from an invisible chain, held the colored lights of the place.

The Counselor couldn't decide whether or not Favor was joking about the makeup bag. “This is the first time I have seen you wear those adornments, Favor. Is there a special occasion?”

"Frankly, there is." The Ensign swigged several generous gulps from her beer. Bah! It was swill! She hated this faux hooch! Just another sacrifice that a military officer had to make for the war effort, Favor guessed, since she wasn't allowed the real thing during a yellow alert.

"I'm celebrating my freedom," Favor said. "And right now, I'm hoping to Gilead that the captain doesn't have me court-martialed. I was gone past my leave period, but that's because that rotten Nelken didn't post my bail bond in a timely manner." wadded up a piece of lint and flicked it at the counselor.

“Here is your dinner, Counselor,” Miranda said.

Smiling her thanks at Miranda, Zoei pulled the soup closer to her. Stirring it idly, she eyed the lint ball that had landed on the table just in front of her. “I think the Captain will be quite busy with the battle we are about to engage in, so, this could be your lucky day. I am not advocating spending your leave time in prison, mind you, but your timing may be all right this time.” Zoei winked again. “Prove yourself indispensable, while you are waiting for the Captain to schedule a meeting with you.” Suddenly, she reached the table and flicked the lint back at Favor.

Favor grinned, and tossed the lint away. She really needed to get back to Sick Bay, she knew, but she had missed the Counselor. She rose to leave, and impulsively flung one arm around the Counslor, hugging her fiercely. "It's good to be back, Counselor," she said. "Gilda, my jail cellmate, was nice, and all, but as I said to her, Gilda, I said, I know Patia Zoei, and Gilda, I'm sorry, but you're no Zoei!"

Then she jammed her hands in her pockets, and whistling, crystals a-tinkle, she strode across the dining room, and headed for the hatch.

Watching Favor leave the room, Zoei savored the flavor of the broccoli and cheese soup. The taste reminded her of home. The conversation with Favor had reminded her of her days back at boarding school. Some days she really missed those girls. It seemed likely, though, that Favor could be a friend like that. Surprisingly enough, even on the verge of war, she was at peace in a way she hadn’t been in a very long time.