[Dvenn Sirol, Front Ear, XO’s office]

So far, Sirol’s… Integration… Had been decently uneventful.
Although not having particularly much to do except for making observations and filing reports, she generally enjoyed her stay here. The sheer amount and variety of people was challenging, but also fascinating. Over the last couple of days she had seen her first actual Humans, Bajorans and even a Ferengi. A meeting that had reminded her of revisiting the Rules of Acquisition.
While they were - mostly - not very useful for her own daily routine aboard, they still seemed like a unique and interesting way to kick start conversations with the Starbase’s locals. Or so she thought at least.

This evening however, she expected the conversations to be of less… Experimental… Nature, but rather formal instead. When she had received the invitation of the Executive Officer, her first thought had been, that maybe some of the metaphorical paperwork concerning her transfer had been incomplete, and that she was needed to fill in gaps, or - in the worst case - be sent back to Romulan territory due to legal unclarities.
Upon re-reading the invitation again though, it dawned upon Sirol that there was - most likely no such issue, and that it was more of a formality. It said lunch. And that meant the same in almost any culture.

She remembered all sorts of formalities like this from the time spent with her father on Romulus; The time and effort he took to arrange meetings with advisors and ambassadors from the most exotic places and cultures... A senator did wise to study the foreigners who’s affairs might be either beneficial or harmful towards the Empire, and the same was true for Starfleet and the Federation…

Because of this, Sirol had decided to ditch her utility clothing and rather slip into something more formal… She almost looked like what most non-Romulans would imagine when thinking of a Romulan: A dark blue jacket with the typical big shoulder parts, a silver-y, iridescent sash with the Romulan insignia attached wrapped around her right shoulder, tucked in military style pants, and clean, simplistic combat boots… It felt almost bizarre to not wear functional clothing, but Sirol wanted to make sure to not upset her host by potentially breaking Terran etiquette.

When she eventually arrived in at the quarters mentioned in the message, Sirol tilted her head, checked the time on her wrist-mounted PDA, then did a deep breath and straightened her jacket.
She activated the door chime, then folded her arms behind her back and waited...

---

Judith Eastman

[Dvenn Sirol, Front Ear, XO’s office]

As the other one welcomed her in and greeted Sirol, the scientist gave the XO a friendly, hailing nod.
As a matter of fact, she had not been able to filter out one specific and valid ‘official’ Earth greeting phrase, so she decided to let gestures speak instead.
The other one appeared of medium age, was a little smaller than Sirol, and her choice of Uniform was a little more casual than expected, yet from what she grasped within Starfleet standards.
It was ironic, but this indeed had been the first time Sirol saw someone wearing s skirt. Not a robe or a coat, but a legit skirt - Just like many Galae officers used to as well back in the days.
Her eyes were covered by what Sirol assumed to be a sort of HUD. Maybe the other ne was watching the station’s communications- or news feed, or she was running scans on Sirol?
She decided that it was pointless to question the purpose of it as of now, and instead gave the human a polite little smirk.

“Thank you for welcoming me aboard, Commander.
I was not expecting a formal interview, but I welcome the chance to learn more about Starfleet procedures and your Station’s role in this part of space.”
She paused and focused the Commander's face again, then slowly realised that those words coming from a former de facto enemy might sound… Concerning to a Federation citizen...
“...From a strictly scientific point of view of course.” She quickly added, then paused to have a little look around.
It certainly looked more like a welcoming, organically assembled living space than what Sirol had been used to aboard Galae ships.
She spotted books - many of them! And plenty of objects she was not (yet) able to properly identify, but assumed to serve aesthetic purpose, as well as pictures of many more humans. Sirol assumed that they were the Commander’s friends and family.
Her own recent quarters aboard the station - so far - paled in comparison.
Aside from a picture of her own family, a few starship models on her desk as well as a few bags of work material and clothing, she had not yet begun to make herself at home. At least not as aesthetically impressive as the commander did.

Eventually, she returned her focus back on the other woman, and remembered the two items she had brought with her, the first one being a little PADD, which she offered to the other:
“...I was not entirely sure what to expect, and could not find any precedents for this type of invite. So I was relying on my past transfers to Galae ships… Here are my service records and past projects, in case… It’s... Required.”
With a little nod she encouraged the Commander to take it, then straightened her posture a little.
“...Although I of course always welcome questions and dialogue to bridge the gaps, Commander.”

She then offered the second item: A little cylindrical bottle with that emitted a bright cyan reflection, and almost even seemed to glow.
In many cultures it was a common custom for the guest to bring little gifts; tokens of appreciation, when invited. And from what Sirol had learned, Humans were no exceptions from this custom.
"To my knowledge, Starfleet has strict regulations on alcoholic substances, and actual Romulan Ale is illegal within Federation space, so I brought the closest thing I could find, without the... Intoxicating.. Side effects." Once again, she politely offered what she held in her hands to the Commander.
"Helthei berry pale ale. I hope the taste will agree with you, Commander."

---

 Judith Eastman

[Dvenn Sirol, Front Ear, XO’s office]

Tilting her head and sparing the other one a polite nod, Sirol acknowledged the appreciation.
She was almost even relieved that her small present had proven to be a good choice, and the same could be said for the XO apparently showing interest in ‘getting to know her’ instead of any bureaucratic obstacles awaiting the scientist.
“Of course, Commander. I appreciate the chance to get to know one another. It is… A quite new sort of introduction, so please forgive me my confusion…
I am still getting used to the unspoken rules of Starfleet’s flexible formalities.
I have never been invited to anything… Resembling this here… On any of my previous assignments. But I very much appreciate the gesture.”

She once again tilted her head a little, and almost even smirked, then - after the Commander had taken seat - Sirol did the same.
The food on the table looked and smelled delicious, and Sirol could not help but curiously examine it, before she forced her focus back on the Commander.
Adjusting and straightening her sash, she made herself comfortable in her chair.
“I will gladly answer any questions you have. I like to think that speaking and fathoming a person in front of you gives far better insights than any service record could.” She paused for a moment, wondering as to whether her next question would sound intrusive and uncalled for, so it took her a second to find the right way to phrase it.
“...With that being said, do you  accept and welcome questions and commentary as well?"

---

Judith Eastman