pNPCs Cadets Mareta and Liva - Toothpaste and Towels

[Sal Taybrim]

((Student Dorms, Starfleet Academy Campus - Starbase 118.))
 

It was early morning.

Very early morning and Mareta really didn't want to get up. She had no classes today, and in theory her schedule was devoid of absolutely any activities – both social and study – save one.

One that she couldn't have dreamed of in her studies last year.

She lay there for a few moments, and then her alarm went off. A long sigh escaped as she hit the snooze button.

It was on old 20^th Century-style alarm clock that had been a gift from her cousin Arturo. A bit of an in-joke between the two of them when she had been getting ready to start her first year of study.

Mareta was easily the least morning-orientated person in the galaxy and she sighed again as she rolled over and away from the alarm clock. Liva was still asleep, and Mareta snuggled in behind her as she tried to make the most of the ten minutes snooze time she'd given herself.

Liva was her dorm-mate, best friend and “secret” partner. The two girls found the student are-they-aren't-they gossip quite amusing, and they ignored it as the free drinks and attention from some of the boys on campus was rather flattering.

They had almost everything in common, even down to having relatives on the station. For Mareta, it was Arturo, and for Liva, it was Beatrice, her human half-sister.

 

What felt like barely a heartbeat later, that infernal alarm clock was making its teeth-grinding Bzzt Bzzt Bzzt noise again and Mareta reluctantly rolled over to switch it off. This time, Liva woke up as well, and she sat up. Shuffling backwards, Liva leaned against the headboard and rubbed at her eyes.

 

Liva: What time is it, Bee?

 

Liva's voice carried a strong accent of her home in Kendra Province on Bajor, and Mareta's own voice gave statement to her own birthplace in Italy. It made for a strange yet gentle contrast of tones when they spoke together, although it didn't help whenever the two girls tried to practice the others native language. As a result, there had been many laughter and wine-filled nights in their room as the pair each butchered the pronunciations of a new language.

 

Mareta: Seven thirty.

 

A massive, cheerful smile spread across Mareta's face as she clambered out of bed and disappeared into the small refresher. Liva picked up her PADD from her bedside table and began to scroll aimlessly through the student news pages as she heard the shower start up. You never knew when you'd stumble across an unadvertised – but very useful – seminar by one of the Academy Professors, or even one of the stations senior officers. When she heard the shower cut out, and the sound of damp feet moving about, she put down the PADD and flopped forwards on the bed, chin resting on her hands, feet up and crossed.

 

Liva: So what's got you so smiley this morning?

 

Clad in a wrapped towel, Mareta reappeared, scrubbing away at her teeth and Liva waggled her feet slightly.

 

Mareta: Nrp evry d'capn!

 

Liva: What?

 

Mareta: Mrtern d'capn tdy!

 

Liva began to laugh, and waved Mareta back towards the refresher. A few minutes later she reappeared and sat down beside Liva, who sat up and crossed her legs. Mareta bumped her playfully with her shoulder, her broad smile appearing once more along with an excited sparkle to her eyes.

 

Mareta: It's not every day you get to meet the Captain!

 

Liva: Really!? Your placement was granted? ::She shuffled a touch closer and put her arms around Mareta.:: That's wonderful!

 

Mareta: It's only one full duty shift every other week.

 

Liva: But still, it's a full shift with the captain! Think about all the things you'll get to learn directly from an officer who's really done it all!

 

Mareta smiled, giving Liva a hug in return before standing and heading for the far wall. She replicated a fresh uniform and pulled it on before moving to her bedside table and picking up the four elongated pips that marked her out as a final year Cadet. Liva hopped up and took her hand, before putting the pips on for her.

A long hug later, and Mareta was off out of the door and on her way up to deck seven of the command tower, and specifically the office of Fleet Captain Sal Taybrim.

As the door closed, Liva sat down on the bed again. What was she going to do with herself today?

 

Her PADD pinged at an incoming message and she reached over for it. Thumbing it to life she raised a curious eyebrow at the screen.

 

Message Received.

Text Only.

Sender; USS Narendra.

Lt-Commander Gogigobo Fairhug.

 

~*~

Cadet 1^st Class Mareta Bianchi.

&

Cadet 1^st Class Liva Jardel.

Starfleet Command School.

Starbase 118 Academy Campus.

 

Simmed by;

 

Lt-Commander Arturo Maxwell.

Chief Tactical Officer.

Starbase 118 Operations.

O239311AM0.