Alterian rose water "
By: Jelly Goldman , nurse , [NPC]
Miranda, Lounge Manager, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58208.03 1055

"Me not knowing the Chain of Command," Jelly uttered while strolling through the Zion's corridors. I knew it, they all covering for eachother. I definately need a drink." She continued muttering while making her way to the lounge.

This was the first place she had memorized, thinking that she would perhaps spend most of her time there, but the opposite was true. That crazy redhead had kept her working all the time.

Nodding at other crew members Jelly managed to acquire a place at the bar. Still sulking she looked at the stars, waiting for someone to ask what she desired.

Miranda watched as Jelly entered the lounge and sat down at the bar. Miranda shook her head. It seemed to her that any time someone was upset they always gazed out at the stars while waiting for service. Turning around to face the various bottles behind her bar she selected a clear glass bottle containing a rose colored liquid. After filling a wine glass, she carried over to Jelly and placed it in front of her.

"Hello," said Miranda as she set the glass down.

"Hi," Jelly said giving a weak smile. "I didn't order anything."

Miranda smiled back. "Just try it. It's on me."

"What is it?" Jelly took up the glass and smelled it. A hint of fresh rose blossoms and something undefineable hit her nose.

"It's Altarian Rose Water," replied Miranda. "It's said to have a positive mind clearing effect. Each member of the Altarian parliament is required to drink this prior to beginning legislative work each day." Miranda chucked. "The murder rate among the Altarian parliament has dropped drastically since they started drinking this."

Miranda grabbed a second glass and poured herself a glass. Holding up the glass she said, "Cheers."

"Down the hatch." Jelly responded with a chuckle, she then almost downed it in one go. "Holy cow, now this is an eye opener," she said with a grin while her cheeks turned a slight pink.

Miranda took a sip of her drink, an amused smile spreading across her face, "You are supposed to sip it." Miranda filled Jelly's glass again.

"You invented this yourself?"

"Invented? Ah... No," she replied. "This is the top exported product of Altair four."

"Ah yes you said something about their parliament," Jelly chuckled as she now took only a small sip. "I wasn't listing. She let out a deep breath of air. "Wow this stuff is really relaxing. So you been here long on the ship?"

Miranda nodded, "Since its very first flight. My name is Miranda."

"Oh where are my manners, I am Jellizina Goldman. Nice to meet you. She stuck out her hand."

"Nice to meet you Jellizina," replied Miranda shaking her hand.

"Just call me Jelly." Jelly replied wiht a giggle

"Ok... Jelly...", Miranda resisted the urge to chuckle at her chosen nickname. "You looked a bit upset when you came in. Is every thing alright?"

Jelly shook her head. "It is not, but darned that... that.... that red haired woman drives me up the wall!" Jelly felt her frustration rise again and quickly took a little sip of the rose water.

Miranda decided she better just keep the bottle close at hand. Jelly still looked a little on edge, "You mean Doctor Dane? What is the matter?"

"She is a tyrant, barking orders. Telling people to clean up! I mean what is she thinking that we are her slaves or so....."

Miranda nodded, paying close attention, she waited for Jelly to continue.

"She asked me to re-arrange the various vials, well I put them on a colour coding scheme." Jelly took another sip. "I tell you Miranda, she nearly blew a fuse! Told me I had to do it all over again, but now by the medications which were in it. I mean putting them colour to colour makes the place brighten up right?"

"Well, that is one way of looking at it." Miranda took a sip from her own glass and pondered this new information. "I would imagine that each member of Dane's staff might have a different way to organize them wouldn't they?"

Jelly frowned. "Hmmmm, yeah I guess so."

"So if you organized them all by color and then someone from Gamma shift reorganized them by production stardate, I bet that would be pretty frustrating for you."

Jelly grinned. "Sure it will, then I have to do it all over again."

"So perhaps part of Doctor Dane's job is to make sure that certain standards and regulations are followed," suggested Miranda. She spoke in a soft friendly tone.

"So you guess the icequeen was right about it then?" Jelly asked Sipping her drink.

"I think she is in charge of the department and just expects that people will follow regulations," said Miranda.

Jelly huffed, "Rules and regulations, I had those at home too. Come on Miranda, there is not a hint of warmth in that woman," Jelly whispered.

"You know," began Miranda as she refilled Jelly's glass, "I do not know the Doctor all that well, but maybe you should try to get to know her a bit better. Maybe she just had a bad day."

Jelly shook her head. "I doubt that, she just has it in for me. She didn't have to yell you know." Jelly explained further. "You know I even went to the captain to complain about her.... But he told me to use the chain of command and gave me a third degree... only cuz I went to sit on his desk. I mean there is nothing wrong with that, is there? It's a great way to break the ice..." Jelly now smiled brightly.

Miranda paused for a moment. Inwardly she was stunned and perhaps a bit amused. She would have liked to have seen the captain's reaction when Jelly sat on his desk. She kept these thoughts to herself and took a sip of her drink.

"Jelly, I am surprised that you did not get tossed into the brig." Miranda made eye contact with her, "You need to be very careful. We are living on a Maquis military vessel, full of military people and are expected to behave in a military manner. I would not ever consider sitting on the captain's desk and I am a civilian."

"Well you know he... yelled and I ran off, he then had me dragged back by some security guys.. " Jelly sighed and slumped a little on the barstool. "Seems I have to learn a lot here, I don't know if I am made for this work." She glanced at her manicured nails which by now had lost their glance.

Miranda was amazed at Jelly's luck, she could not believe that this woman did not get tossed into the brig. "Well, Captain Hunter must have seen something in you that made him think you could handle it."

"You think so?" Jelly asked with a hopefull look in her eyes.

"Yes I do, if he thought you were not going to be able to fit in here he would have tossed you into the brig. The fact that he did not do that means that you still have a chance." Miranda took another sip of rose water. "Listen, you are in the Maquis world here... I would suggest that you try your best to play by the Maquis rules. It might be hard at first, but in the long run you will be happier. The captain thinks you can do it and so do I."

Jelly pouted her lips, "Thats good enough for me!. You think I should actually apologize to Doctor Dane?"

"I think that would be a good start," said Miranda as she finshed her glass. "I think the hardest part for you will be following the rules. You seem to be a rather free spirit. "

Jelly smiled as she finished her drink. Longingly she looked at the bottle close to Miranda's hands. "Well I am not too fond of rules, had to follow those at home too, thats why I ended up here."

"Well, this place is all about rules Jelly, so if you want to make it here you are going to have to adapt to them."

Jelly wrinkled her nose and chuckled. "Well I got to practise a lot then."

"What did you do before you joined the Maquis?"

"It's a long story I will tell you sometime." Jelly said sliding off her chair.

"If it helps, you can always come visit me to talk about it. I have plenty of rose water on hand too."

"Excellent, well wish me luck then." Jelly said adjusting her ponytail.

"Good luck Jelly," said Miranda as she watched the ensign leave. Miranda could not help but wonder how a person like Jelly had managed to get through the academy, but she was glad she did. She was a free spirit, and Miranda liked that. She hoped that, with time, Jelly would learn to recognize when it was safe to let her sprit out, and when it was not. Miranda finished her drink and then returned the rose water bottle to the shelf behind her.