Joint Personal Log - Capt Ivanova, LtCmdr Waterhouse - "I'm The Fox You've Been Waiting For"

Posted on Sun Dec 28th, 2014 @ 7:53am by Commander Amelia Waterhouse & Admiral Rochelle Ivanova

3,155 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: All Hallows’

Christmas was supposed to be the most magical time of the year and Christmas on Earth seemed almost unreal. San Francisco had been foggy San Francisco, but New York City was blanketed in snow. Where being a Captain had its perks, being a Queen certainly amplified and trumped them — the news had been leaked and red carpets had come out. Reservations for the holiday had been bundled, but somehow hers had been boosted to a penthouse sat high above Central Park South.

Red had become the color of the season, the festive bows and glass ornaments that carefully adorned the lobby and doors, even the poinsettia display that was tended to daily on the coffee table, all seemed to boast the bright scarlet hue. Seeing it had become secondary to Rochelle, but when she found it smeared across pillows scattered on the bedroom floor, she knew something was wrong. She'd expected Helsa to have cut herself on something breakable she'd knocked down, maybe eaten something she hadn't supposed to — but what she found when she finally located the little blue terrorist among all those pillows, down, and pillow cases truly set her off balance. "You minx." Rochelle shook her head and sighed. There, curled within the blue creatures furry ball, lay a little green newborn creature, eyes closed, ears flapped over and only the faintest promise of horn buds gracing its brow. Helsa had spawned.

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"Thinking about it retrospect I guess it makes sense." Rochelle shrugged as she set teacups down. She'd called Amelia almost immediately, birthing babies had been something she'd missed out on as a kid. Some had dogs or cats reproduce, others had horses. Rochelle had only squeamishly watched a video in science or two. Reproductive medicine simply wasn't her forte. "She kept dragging pillows and blankets and wires into nests. I thought it was just her being a pain in my ass and having to adjust to civilized life." She added and flopped into the confines of the couch. Outside the snow had let up and the sun had broken through enough to give a rather lovely view of the park and city below. "I kind of feel bad for the hotel. They were extremely accommodating, though." Her eyes quickly darted towards the large wicker basket that now housed Helsa and her little green son. Dried off he could have been mistaken for a bright green Tribble.

"Mama's cat had been fixed before she had chance to spawn, and she'd been older than Kahless when I was born anyways, I know I wouldn't have seen it either. Quite a way to hitch hike into a starship though," Amelia observed, leaning over to look into the basket. "An impressive color. I thought her blue was impressive, but I hadn't seen him yet. I wonder how the genetics works for their coloring?"

Rochelle nodded along with what her friend had to say. The two of them had been completely blind to every warning sign that Helsa had presented. Even the way the creature seemed to be heavier and rounded had been attributed to Rochelle's tendency to freely hand out treats. "Yeah... I think we just suck as alien fox creature vets." She wrinkled her nose in thought and folded her legs, looking away from the happily resting new mother. "I wonder if they're like birds, you know, sexually dimorphic. Females blue and males green or something like that. They're all I have to go by in that regard. It's possible he'll shed out to be blue and is only green to blend in with the foliage."

"The fleet is sending a whole gaggle of scientist to that planet, maybe they'll have more data for you in a couple years? If they even notice them, that is. I mentioned Helsa to Noah, and he didn't remember seeing anything like her while there, so the native humanoids may not be aware of them either." Amelia shrugged. "Maybe you can submit your own paper?" She smirked around a sip of tea.

"I know if I did that Andrea would be tickled pink. Might even die of a heart attack if I submitted any sort of science paper without her having to threaten to fail me." The redhead grinned mischievously and hid behind her mug.

"That alone makes me want to volunteer to help," Amelia returned with a giggle. "That, and having my name on a paper about something other than numbers would be interesting."

Setting the mug down, it was obvious that the smaller of the redheads was considering the idea with earnest, "If only to make her do a double take, you're on." Rochelle's grin broadened and then seemed to falter, "which brings me to my next thought. He's going to need a home and a damned good one at that... So... Merry Christmas a few days early."

"I don't have your present with me," Amelia protested, not fully processing what exactly Rochelle was saying. Then she blinked, looked over at Helsa and the little one sleeping together in the basket. "Wait, seriously? Is he even old enough to leave his mother yet?"

"Oh your official gift is hidden away." Rochelle's hands quickly waved away the thought of this being a gift exchange, she'd done a fair bit of shopping before settling on the perfect gift for her friend. "He probably won't be ready to go for a couple weeks, but when he's ready to go, he's all yours." She nodded affirmatively and once again looked over at the snoozing pair. "He's safe with you and I know you won't keep him too far away from Helsa." She explained further, leaning against the back of the couch.

"Oh, okay then. That makes sense..." Amelia agreed, leaning over to look at the blue fox thing and the tiny green one again. "Is she fiercely protective, or do you think she might let me get a closer look?"

"I think if you're quiet enough she'll be alright. She didn't do much more than make a bunch of noise and huff at me when I moved them into the basket." The little Captain shrugged and motioned for Amelia to get closer to the slumbering pair of oddities that had managed to barge into their lives for good. Helsa was an anomaly, her little green son was just proof that there were more out there... At least enough to create a third. "Seems a lot of life stemmed from that planet." Rochelle mused out loud. Helsa had snuck aboard, Noah had been rescued, Logan had come with him and in a strange round about fashion, Landon had been returned to them... To her. She smiled softly at the thought. How strange it was that one simple mistake had lead to so much adventure and so much happiness.

Amelia slid out of the chair she'd been perched in since not long after her arrival, and dropped to the floor on her knees to move closer to the basket. She held her hand out for Helsa to smell as she slowly approached. "Can I get a look at that little green fuzz ball you gave birth to?" Amelia softly asked the blue alien fox thing as she neared the basket.

Helsa's head lifted from her nest and she reached her nose out towards Amelia's outstretched hand sleepily. Her bat-like ears twitched and swiveled atop her head, but made no move to pin in threat. Instead the animal stretched and flopped over onto its side. Everything had been quiet and a roll of a bright gold eye affirmed that Rochelle was still close and comfortably watching from her roost on the couch. Attacking would have taken energy that Helsa didn't seem to care to muster and for now, aside from the fluffing up of her whiskers, she made no move to show any form of hostility towards the woman who seemed to show interest in the baby snuggled against her belly.

"Before you leave, make sure you give her a cookie or something. I try to reinforce good behaviors, though sometimes I think she just laughs at me when I scold her." Rochelle called from the couch. "I'd bet decent money she'd launch a full assault on Almar."

"That's not a bet I'd take the other side on. As I recall, he did chase her through the jefferies tubes as a welcome aboard of sorts. I am surprised he could move through a jefferies tube fast enough to keep up with this little terrorist though," Amelia mused, giving Helsa a friendly scratch on the head as she eyed the little green creature. "I spent enough time in the damn things as a kid when I thought my parents weren't looking, so I know what it's like to try to move through them fast." Slowly, patiently, she pulled her hand away from Helsa's head, and moved towards the little one to give him similar attention. "What do you think of the name Michaelangelo?" It wasn't clear if Amelia was asking Rochelle, Helsa, or perhaps even the little green guy himself.

"That man is full of surprises, he really is." The Captain chuckled and moved to tuck her legs up underneath herself. "I've only spent a wee bit of time in the tubes, but I'm hardly an Engineer. I think it's his own world and he's learned how to move through it as quickly as he needs to." Her head canted as she considered the Cardassian and his abilities, the very way the Vindicator seemed to hum and sing for him. Everything he did served purpose, but seemed so readily exacted by the most gentle and capable of hands. Amelia's voice brought her back from her tea warmth induced moments of repose, "He's green. It fits." She decided out loud. Helsa thrummed some sort of weird half-purr half-sigh and re-closed her eyes, content to just stay put.

"Not entirely because of the ninja turtle," Amelia protested, turning to look over her shoulder at Rochelle, not wanting to admit that was what brought it to mind first. The turtle was named for the renaissance artist, and so would the little green alien fox thing. "Are we just going to wait and see what common name they assign these creatures if/when they find them studying the planet, or should we submit something?" She turned her attention back to her little green fuzzy, scratching him under his tiny chin.

Rochelle immediately rolled her eyes as her first officer tried in vain to cover her nerdy tracks, "Uh huh. Sure." She said with a shake of her head. "We probably should submit something before they're given a completely ridiculous name."

"If I wanted to name him for the turtle, I would have just called him Mikey," Amelia protested again, though it was clear she wasn't even fooling the fox things. "You should name them after Almar, since he found Helsa?"

"Uh huh." Rochelle snorted again, happily teasing her friend. Her mug was set down when Amelia made her quip about naming them after Almar. "Almarian Fox." She mused out loud and smiled with a nod. "I like it."

"Flows off the tongue well. Shall we warn him, or wait until it's official to tell him?" Amelia sat down cross legged next to the basket, it was clear she wasn't in a hurry to move away but kneeling there wasn't comfortable. "Have you tried leash training Helsa? I think I'm going to try it with Mikey." She resigned herself to her transparency. She was about as transparent as her nunchuks after all. She'll list him as Michaelangelo Waterhouse in his info blurb in his microchip, but she'll call him Mikey.

"I think we can make it a formal announcement at the party." The diminutive one responded, flopping herself onto her belly and resting her chin on the arm of the sofa. Off the books girl chatter was off the books girl chatter, prim and proper just didn't cut it in the safe comfort of a Central Park penthouse. She was days away from turning twenty-seven, still so very much in the prime of a young life and rarely showed it. When her youth did bubble through, it managed to do so in fistfuls and laying there she wasn't a Queen or a Captain, she was simply Rochelle and Rochelle was in a good mood. "Bits and pieces. She'll sit and stay for food. I was actually thinking about employing Anne."

"Anne has done amazing things, bonding with Schlompi," Amelia didn't hesitate to respond. "Did you see his Superman costume at the masque? I don't know many pets, or animal companions of any level, that would indulge their person for such a thing." Amelia leaned back onto her elbows, hanging her head back to look upside down at Rochelle. "Mikey should be less of a challenge, since I'd be starting him off pretty much right away. Do you even know how old Helsa is?"

"I saw... I tried to dress up my aunt's cat when I was a kid. It didn't end well at all." Rochelle shuddered at the thought. She'd worn the battle scars for weeks and the memories still bore their own scars. "Not at all. For all I know she's over a hundred years old." She shrugged, shaking her head at the upside down inquiry and peeked at the resting creature, "Hopefully no where near the end of her lifespan."

"Hopefully," Amelia agreed, sitting up again. "Are we still on for Wicked tomorrow, with Andrea? You know, we should invite the Doc to join us."

Straightening her arms and planting her hands, Rochelle lifted her upper body up to gain a better view of Amelia and the Almarian fox pair. The musical had been something they'd planned for awhile — ever since they realized they were going back to Earth and had free choice to celebrate while the Vindicator was completely re-fit. Christmas on the little blue planet was always a delight. New York City in all of her holiday splendor was truly amazing... And what was a trip to New York without allowing yourself to be immersed in the arts and culture it so vehemently promoted? It was a sham, that's what it was. The little Captain beamed brightly at both the question and the suggestion, and nodded briskly. "Absolutely, to both. Make it so, number one."

Amelia gave the little green Almarian fox another head scratch, and followed up with one for his mother too, before standing up. "If I name drop you, they should be able to come up with a fourth ticket for us no problem. Though if my mother finds out before I sort the tickets, she's going to strong arm me into getting one for her too. Though if they put us in a proper box, there should be plenty of room even if Mama crashes," Amelia mused as she returned to the chair by way of a pirouette, swinging a long leg over the back, and plopping down sideways with her legs hanging over the arm.

"The more the merrier, Pond. It's Christmas and I feel like we have reason to celebrate at least a little bit." The beaming didn't seem to halt as Rochelle flopped down and twisted to be on her side. With her head on the cushioned arm rest of the couch, the entire length of her barely took up the two seater, her toes couldn't reach the other arm no matter how she stretched or tried — and she had. Behind the chair Pond had pulled up roared a fireplace and Rochelle had found herself happily forsaking her bed in exchange for lounging fireside. The emptiness of the night had given way to such experimentation, not that she'd ever admit to doing anything of the sort.

"Then I'll spare us my mother's gloating for crashing, and just preemptively invite her if I can square up a box in your name. Do you want to extend the invite to the Doc, or shall I?" Amelia stretched her arm out, and collected her neglected tea mug from the table. It had cooled, but it was still drinkable. She sipped it.

"Have it come from both of us." Rochelle nodded brightly, the idea of getting the jump on Diziara was a small accomplishment of sorts, the woman was full of surprises. "I suspect it'll be an entertaining night all around, I wouldn't want him to miss it."

"It'll do him good to get out and have some fun too," Amelia insisted with a grin. "And Mama should behave herself, since she really does enjoy the theater. She'll be hurt if she finds out we didn't invite her and Dad to join us for La bohème, so I suggest avoiding mention of it if we can. You can warn Andrea, right?"

"I'll do my best." Rochelle offered, a pissed off Diziara was hardly what she wanted to contend with while trying to get into the holiday spirit. Vacation was vacation. Pissed mother types were hardly relaxing.

"I'll sort out the change first thing tomorrow, shall we get dinner? I heard there's this chic little Vulcan inspired place that just opened, and reservations are nearly impossible to get," Amelia said with a coy smirk, looking knowingly at Rochelle.

"Vulcan?" Rochelle asked, her eyebrow hiking. "My better judgment tells me no, but I'll bite."

"From what I've read, it's mostly just vegetarian with some inspiration from traditional Vulcan dishes, but it's gotten good reviews," Amelia explained, turning in the chair to set her feet on the floor again. "The chef's son married a Vulcan, so she started to experiment, fusing her daughter-in-law's favorites with various human dishes. It sounds like it might be a little wild."

Skeptical as ever, Rochelle's brow now knit together in a fine furrow, "Fine. I'll try your find. If it fails, we find good New York style pizza. Sound like a plan?" She asked, moving to sit up in preparation to find her coat.

"When the Vulcan works out, I'll take a rain check on that pizza when we're preening for the Christmas party," Amelia insisted with a smirk. "Besides, my mother will be green with envy we tried it first, and it'll keep Daddy on his toes trying to get them in. He'll enjoy the challenge."

"Sounds peachy." The Captain rolled her eyes as she tugged her coat tight around her and slid her feet into insulated mules. Cold wasn't her friend. "Let's do this before I change my mind."

Amelia smirked, and moved to collect her trench coat and slip back into her leather boots. She stole another look at furry mother and son in their basket before the two red-heads made their way out of the penthouse.

=/\= End Log =/\=

Captain Rochelle Ivanova
Commanding Officer
USS VINDICATOR, NCC 78213-E

Lt Commander Amelia Waterhouse
Executive Officer
USS Vindicator, NCC-78213-E

 

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