for ZEX, it's time to par-tay

[bornsnarky]

[standing at the bar, yanking on the collar of this damn dress uniform]

[reeeeeeally hoping these Thraddash people don't approach me, surely there're enough interesting people around here that I can just get convivially drunk with Scotty and ZEX and Uhura]

[I can see Jim in the corner being all charming and shit, and there're a couple more being entertained by Chekov and Gaila, excellent, maybe I can get out of this formal reception with my sanity relatively intact]

[then a gravelly voice behind me says he'll buy me a drink]

[...turning]

Ah. Um. Thanks, I guess. I'm Leonard McCoy.


[he says he knows]

Comments

[zexyandiknowit]

...

I readily believe this. How long have you known her?

[bornsnarky]

Head nurse in my sickbay needs to be able to hold her own. Unfortunately she's damn good at her job.

Ah, six, seven years? On and off, though. She left Georgia before I did, went into space with her fiance, then joined Starfleet and ended up on Enterprise.

[zexyandiknowit]

Have you been friends, this whole time? She is a bit... well.

Women with senses of humor, you know.

[bornsnarky]

Yeah, and despite what she might tell you, I wrote to her plenty.

What do you mean?

[zexyandiknowit]

Hee! Understood.

...The word may be "intimidating," to be frank with you.

[bornsnarky]

[sits up straight, turns to face you]
[blearily good humoured fascination on my face]

All women? Or just human women?

[zexyandiknowit]

All women with senses of humor. Humor involves wit and understanding, and a sort of--general knowledge of things. I have already met so many brilliant women that when they are also funny, I am a bit confused as to how this can be allowed.

[bornsnarky]

...huh.

That apply to men as well? Are VUX men generally funnier than women or something?

[zexyandiknowit]

Not at all. Men in general are just a bit less intelligent, I think.

...Is this a cultural thing? I have not examined it as such.

[bornsnarky]

[snorts] Ah, I get it. So it's okay if a man's funny, 'cos we're all stupid?

[torn between tipsily unfocused outrage and laughing my ass off, because I thought only I was this bad with people skills]

[zexyandiknowit]

No offense intended to doctors and the like, obviously.

Is this strange? This is strange, isn't it?

[bornsnarky]

There are stupid doctors.

'sunusual. But general respect for women's a good idea in itself. Especially if you don't want to get your ass pinched.

[zexyandiknowit]

While I would not mind that, exactly, I believe I understand.

[Siiigh and lean] You are not a stupid doctor. This is what matters. And you see now how I am not very good at this, actually, I have just been very lucky.

[bornsnarky]

[arm around you comfortably]

The butt pinching probably ain't the worse part. Just watch that you don't profess too much surprise at a woman being smart and funny, 'kay? I prefer you whole.

You are good at it. You're allowed to mess up. Once or twice.

[zexyandiknowit]

I would not, no; that is the same universally, I think. Regardless of whether or not I mean it as a compliment.

I will make a note of it.

[bornsnarky]

Good.

What kinda social cues would I need help with in front of VUX, by the way? Apart from the 'don't be a dirty human' one of course.

[zexyandiknowit]

...I cannot think of any that would apply to you, considering that one.

[bornsnarky]

[sigh]

I take your point.

[zexyandiknowit]

I can't think of any for me, either, to clarify things. VUX are... mmm.

Judgmental. Pre-judgmental, in most cases. If they are seeing you in person it is already too late to change your first impression.

[bornsnarky]

[shakes head] You really are different from the rest of your species, huh?

[zexyandiknowit]

[Laughs--not bitter, just a bit surprised]

I hope so.

[bornsnarky]

Yup. And I wouldn't have you any other way.

[zexyandiknowit]

[Hums and leans, absent-mindedly checking a clock]

...

When do you usually begin work? Near 0800, isn't it?

[bornsnarky]

[eyes mostly closed, comfortable as hell]

Yeah, my shift starts at 0800. I like to get there a little early. Catch up before I start.

[zexyandiknowit]

How early?