Things Are Fucked Up

Tal'Ara caught Falten's eye and smiled a tiny little smile.

She was so looking forward to their date. She hoped she looked okay...

Falten was surprised that Tal was acting so sheepish and sweet. She looked like a fucking bombshell, and was now a fucking Commander, what on earth was there to be nervous about?

She plucked at her tunic top, the sheen of Tal's form fitting dress still dazzling her more than a little bit. She should have at least TRIED to look nice - instead she would wind up going to dinner with this dangerous, edgy goddess while looking like a ventilation shaft skimmer. Great. What on earth did Tal see in her? An inky Andorian with a green thumb and shitty fashion.

She looked away, smiling nervously. Great, now SHE was acting like a fool.

"So! Officer Inabnet - how are you? Things getting better around here for you?"

T'Pren looked up from her drink in surprise, caught off-guard both by the sudden interest in her well-being and the subject of the question.

"Better?" she repeated stupidly, chasing it with another drink. She found herself completely at a loss for what to say. No, things were not better. But they were better? But they were also a lot worse. And how was she? A mess. But supported. A supported mess. The half-Vulcan looked at Rai for help without actually waiting for it. "I'm still standing," she decided with a helpless shrug.

Falten read the conflict, the hurt, the deep rush of feelings and the confusion in her worn out mind. She frowned, then offered a gentle smile.

"Sometimes that's all we can ask for. You been sleeping, at least?"

Falten glanced at Tal. This was another one who didn't appear to have slept much. Did no one sleep on this hunk of metal?

T'Pren let out a rough laugh at the question and tossed back the rest of her drink. "I don't sleep well surrounded by Cardassian architecture. But I'm Vulcan enough that it doesn't matter." Well. Not yet anyway.

Tal'Ara cleared her throat at Falten.

Was it time to leave for their date?

She didn't want to be the one to ask, but it was pretty clear what she was insinuating.