Sirens of Legacy

Posted on Wed Apr 17th, 2019 @ 3:46pm by Lieutenant Jane Sinclair MD, DVM & Lieutenant JG Neza Glenn

1,919 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Mission 2 - Love ORION Mistaken
Location: Pool

A handful of people were enjoying a nice evening in the ship’s swimming pool area, in that window between when many officers, especially senior officers, finished their shifts but before they had dinner. Jane Sinclair, ship’s doctor and veterinarian, was among them. She staked a claim on one of the lanes and in her cute two-piece swimsuit and swam lengths to her heart’s content, having fun until the dinner rush passed and she could get some food. As she reached the end of the pool, she stuck her head out and saw a familiar face.

Never comfortable in two piece suits, Neza showed up in a green one piece to enjoy some swimming. With most of the pool filled and multiple people filling most lanes, she spotted Jane down in a lane by herself and put her towel over her shoulder before going down to the lane. She was most of the way back when Neza sat at the edge, tempted to stick her feet in so Jane would run into them. Instead, she waited patiently and smiled when Jane popped her head up. "I couldn't do laps in a two piece," is all she said.

Jane grabbed the edge of the pool and looked up to Neza and smiled. “It’s a bit weird sometimes, but I find one-pieces uncomfortable. How are you today, Nez? Care to join me?”

"I had hoped you would say that. I don't mind swimming in the busy lanes but not in the mood tonight." Neza stated as she slipped down into the water after putting her towel down and putting her hair up. She bounced a bit when her feet hit the bottom so she could get used to the temperature. "They can be, but I'm also a bit self conscious."

Jane scoffed. “You have no need to be self-conscious, darling. You look great and I’m impressed that you can touch the bottom.” She winked before putting her face in the water and pushing off the edge, swimming another lap.

Chuckling slightly, Neza let Jane get ahead a bit before pushing off the wall herself. It'd been a while since she'd done anything other than free swimming, so lap swimming gave her arms more of a workout than normal. The one thing she never perfected was the flip turns, no matter how many times she tried. On her way back, she did a backstroke, hoping not to run into Jane or the wall.

Jane stayed ahead of Neza and tapped her shoulder to make sure she didn’t bump into the wall. “A few more laps and then a soak in the hot tub?” she suggested.

Smirking, Neza stopped at the tap. “Tempting me with a hot tub visit? Well, of course. Though I should do a few more laps than you, seeing as you’ve been here longer.”

"Only a few minutes longer," Jane said. "Besides, I'm not done here anyway." She went back under and started swimming another lap, with intent to do a few more.

Raising an eyebrow, Neza ducked her head under the water for a moment then took off after Jane again. She sped up just to try to catch her on purpose, her height giving her a slight advantage as she got closer, touching Jane's toes as she did.

The feeling of a hand on her toes surprised Jane and she flailed in the water. The surprise made her breathe in sharply and took a mouthful of water. She reached for the edge and managed to pull herself to it as she hacked and coughed. She found herself laughing as she coughed. Neza probably didn’t intend for that to happen, just to catch the smaller swimmer, and it was kind of funny.

Stopping just short of the wall, Neza frowned. "Sorry! I was trying to be silly, as it's been a long day." Finally she realized Jane was laughing. "Can't be serious all the time, right?"

Once she caught her breath, Jane gave Neza a wide grin. “It’s fine. It was pretty funny, and I agree, you can’t be serious all the time.” She took the opportunity to splash her friend. “But screw the extra laps. I need my hot tub time now.” Jane pulled herself up to the deck, adjusted her swimsuit, and made her way to one of the vacant hot tubs, turning the bubbles on as she went. She sank into the water and closed her eyes, feeling the relaxation and bliss, and a bit confused as to why Vivyra didn’t appreciate this sensation.

Grinning, Neza followed to the hot tub. "Glad I'm not the only one who likes the bubbles. Some people just get in without them." She slipped herself down in and felt her muscles relax. "Should have done this after that night that caused issues with my muscles." She knew that Jane would know what she meant and let her shoulders go down under the water too, relaxing them.

Jane grinned. “That might’ve helped. Provided you either came here by yourself or there were plenty of others. Not sure that I’d trust you and him alone together in here.” She stuck her tongue out at her younger friend.

"And who was it who requested the whole area for a few hours?" Neza stated with a grin as she closed her eyes. "Don't think I didn't notice." She opened one eye. "Okay, I know I know, you were down here with our newest guest, but I still can't think things."

Jane blushed a very deep shade of red and looked away, smiling sheepishly. She didn’t say a word, knowing any lie she came up with wouldn’t pass muster. So instead she hoped that Neza wouldn’t notice her reaction, but she wasn’t confident that would go her way either.

Neza smirked. "Uh huh..that's what I thought. I won't tell. I might have done the same in another room with someone."

“Goodness, you and he can’t keep your hands off each other!” Jane said. “It’s good. I’m glad to see you happy. And thanks for your discretion about my night. People are going to talk, and I want to protect this girl. Not in the big-sisterly way, like with you, but still.”

"Err..it wasn't him," Neza stated as she bit her lip. "Before I met him, though not long before. Though I can't remember being happier with anyone besides Stephan honestly. Not that I haven't been happy with others, because I have but...there's just something about him." She shrugged, "But you didn't tell about us coming in with the sore muscles and such, I won't tell about you having your time with her."

A few dots clicked in Jane’s mind. “Oh! I thought you were talking about last night.” She leaned in a bit to speak more softly. “You’re talking about the gym incident, aren’t you? I’d heard about that one. Goodness, between the two of us we’ll have this ship mapped out. The pool. The gym. The music room.”

“Wondered when you’d catch on. Though...that with him in the gym...” Neza’s mind wandered a bit before she pulled it back from where it was. “Wait a second, music room?”

Jane stuck her tongue out at Neza. "Let's say we have a mutual acquaintance who really liked the way I tickle the ivories."

Neza bit her lip, “Oh...” she grinned. “That’s a good way to put it. But, now I’ve got my mind on Steff again, thanks.” She stuck her own tongue out at Jane.

"Well, when you're done in here, go find him," Jane suggested. "Don't change first. He'll like the choice of outfit, I'm sure." She closed her eyes and sank a bit further into the water, her mouth and ears still above it though. "Oh, are you feeling any better, by the way?"

"True, he would like this outfit," Neza said as she laid her head back against the wall of the hot tub. "I am. We both are, thank you. Not just for the help but for keeping it quiet."

"I wouldn't still have my medical licence if I broke doctor-patient confidentiality," Jane replied nonchalantly. "Besides, I wouldn't betray the trust of my little sister." She playfully and gently kicked Neza's shin in the hot tub.

Neza gasped and gently splashed some of the water at Jane, though not at her face since it was hot. "I'd never betray the trust of my big sister either."

Jane couldn't help but giggle, having fun with Neza in the water. "I want to sit here for the next several hours, but then I risk being steamed. Besides, I'm hoping to have dinner with our guest. What do you think of her?"

"I haven't had much interaction with her actually. I have nothing against her though, she seems nice enough." Neza sat back again and stared up at the ceiling. "I get why some would be uncomfortable around her though. Just what they know of Orions."

Jane sighed, perhaps a bit more dramatically than she intended. "I suppose. Terrans were supposed to be above judging people based on their species, but some prejudices run deep. Sorry, I don't mean you. You just said she seems nice and have nothing against her. That's among the better attitudes I've heard today. But those attitudes in the conference room this morning really bothered me. I should maybe speak with Cindy later."

Neza shrugged slightly, "It's just a thing. I'd say if it continues, the judging, that you say something. But, what do I know? I was just an ensign until recently," she grinned.

Jane thought for a moment and then nodded. "I think you're right. And don't knock your opinion because of your age or rank. Good points can come from anywhere." With that, Jane stood, stretched her back, adjusted the edges of her swimsuit bottoms, which rode up a bit in the water, and began to climb out of the hot tub. On her way out, she stopped and gently touched Neza's shoulder. "I should go find my new friend. Thanks for swimming and resting with me like this." And with that, she fully pulled herself out and found a nearby towel to dry herself. "We should do this again, yeah?"

Neza nodded and followed, getting out of the hot tub. "I...should go find Steff. And thanks, I needed the swim and relaxation a bit. Agreed, we should doing this often. I love swimming and such."

"Me, too," Jane agreed. "Reminds me of the lake near our family farm. It's the only exercise I care for, actually." After drying off most of the way, she wrapped her towel around herself and headed for the door. "And tell Steffan I said hello," she added, turning around and sticking her tongue back out at her little sister.

Gasping, Neza scooped up her towel and followed out. “Him seeing me in this outfit? I doubt he’ll even get to hello..” She stuck her tongue back out at her.

Jane laughed as she reached the door a bit ahead of Neza. "Good night, little sister." With that, she stepped out the door and made her way to the turbolift back to her own quarters so she could get showered and dressed for dinner.

“Night, Jane,” Neza said as she went off to go and find Steffan.

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