trying for poly_chromatic

[aggressor]

Yes, this is exactly the most annoying thing you could be doing. Strangers staring, I can take. Kirk's crew will completely flip.

Whatever, do what you like. Don't expect me to play nice or pull my punches. And don't try bribing me with banana pancakes, either.

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[aggressor]

[ she wants to believe, really. it's all she's ever wanted, and she knows she'll never have it. normalcy. ]

People have been responding poorly to me since I can remember. First they see my face, and then... [ and then they see her personality. ] I'm just not the best candidate for ambassador for an entire race, is all.

[photonic]

People might say the same of me.

[ Even if it's not exactly the same. The Doctor didn't have to grow up with that kind of prejudice. It's still said with a certain kind of warmth, despite that. In many ways he's an ambassador for his own kind, nevermind the fact that he's had to face the sentience argument besides. ]

People will always judge you by what they see. Klingon, Vulcan--Hologram, Borg. The Federation, with all its worlds, makes ambassadors of all of us at some point or other. Although I must admit that we've done more than our fair share, traipsing through the Delta Quadrant like Lewis and Clark.

[ He sums it up. ] You'll do fine, Lieutenant.

[aggressor]

[ it is a little difficult not to smile. he's not wrong, and while that's frustrating it is also comforting. b'elanna had always thought her life had measured up to an angry woman looking for a fight.

maybe she can use that to find some peace, instead. ]

We've been through a lot, haven't we?

[photonic]

[ The Doctor knows her - and the rest of the Voyager's crew - more than that. They're a family; that's the word Janeway uses for it. It's accurate. It's hard to imagine there ever being a situation where they wouldn't pull together to defend one of their own. ]

That would be an understatement.

[aggressor]

[ their family was something b'elanna never thought she'd have. ]

I guess so. Does abyss of misfortune work? I'm not usually poetic but the Klingon in me is going for something fearsome.

[ her klingon heritage wasn't ever something she thought would sit right wit her, either. ]

[photonic]

An abyss of misfortune. [ The Doctor considers it, repeats it in a deeper timbre. ] The ABYSS of MISFORTUNE. [ And then he shrugs nonchalently. ] It fits all the necessary parameters for poetry, but I'm afraid it sounds more like the title of one of the chapters from Tom Paris' holonovel.

[ But she's trying, so he'll be nice. ]

I must admit it's an apt description.

[aggressor]

[ grooooan. ]

Oh, no. Is Captain Proton rubbing off on me? I just went through the one with them because they wouldn't stop talking about it and I figured I could spend some more time with Tom.

[photonic]

It isn't that bad. Maybe it's just the way I'm saying it? The abyss of misfortune. There--that isn't so bad.

[aggressor]

Please, just-- just stop.

[ she's so incredibly embarrassed. ]

Whatever I'm walking into, it's bigger than what we've been through. I might be gone awhile.

[ who will take care of her ship's guts? ]

[photonic]

[ He tried. ]

But at the very least, you'll be among friends. Captain Janeway will make certain that nobody gives you any trouble, I'm sure of it.

[aggressor]

And hopefully someone will still be here to keep Tom in line.

[ that's the closest she'll get to saying she'll miss him. ]

[photonic]

Until the two of you are reunited--one way or another.

[ Oops. Come to think of it, that sounded really grim. ]

That isn't to say--oh, nevermind.

[aggressor]

No, it's okay. [ she smiles fondly. ] He'd probably actually love it there. All the older machines and gadgets. He might not actually want to leave.

[photonic]

Which would be a problem in of itself. [ A considering pause. ] At the very least, you won't be lacking in things that make you think of him.

[aggressor]

I'm sure I'll find some kind of a distraction. Otherwise I might end up breaking a few more noses.

[photonic]

Yes, well. If you must break them, try to make it a clean, horizontal break. We don't want any accidents.