From: Christine Fontaine
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 11:50:11 -0500
Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: A New Arrival
<< NRPG >>
Hello Chesapeakeans! This post was meant to go out last night, but its been
sitting in my out-box... *growl* I forgot to send it on its way
before logging off. *sigh* Anyhow, it just introduces an NPC of mine. I'll
get to a 'real' post for Catherine sometime soon, now that she's been
officially assigned.
<< RPG >>
SD 90226.2108
Scene: Shuttle MICHAELIS, en route to SB DELTA
Jay couldn't help the smile of amusement that played across his lips, a
smile that threatened at any moment to burst into a tiny chuckle. Oh, Jay
knew he was being impolite, but the appearance and comportment of the
shuttle's other occupant was simply too entertaining for him to mantain a
straight face.
Watching her pace back and forth, back and forth, her golden tail
continually flicking from side to side, Jay wondered why she was so upset,
for quite clearly something had disturbed the young officer's equilibrium.
That she was an officer, Jay had no doubt, not with a Starfleet communicator
nestled within the soft folds of a blue uniform sash, the same sort of sash
that Rear Admiral FireSong to-Vensre had been sporting, when Jay had passed
through her office on Armstrong Lunar Base. Two golden pips, one solid and
one hollow, were also proudly displayed on the feline's sash, proclaiming
that her rank was that of Lieutenant, junior grade.
Jay attempted to unobtrusively study his fellow passenger, as she continued
to wear a path along the shuttle's floor. Intrigued by the golden felinoid,
he wondered if she were a Sivaoan, like Admiral FireSong. FireSong,
however, had been much larger in size than this tiny cat, who looked like
nothing so much as an overgrown Terran kitten, an image that continued to
conjure Jay's smile. Short in stature, the young officer couldn't have been
much more than a metre in height.
Despite her minuscule size, the feline was striking. A warm golden honey
undercoat shaded to a burnished solid gold at the points, her face, ears,
tail, legs and arms gleaming brightly. Jay, who had a degree in veterinary
medicine, remarked that her coat pattern resembled that of a Siamese cat, an
elegant and beautiful breed of Terran felines. Even her eyes were like
those of a Siamese, for they were clear sky blue, startling in that golden
mask. When you were expecting golden or green eyes to accompany such a
shade of fur, it was a captivating surprise to find cerulean orbs staring
back at you. A bit disconcerting as well.
Fascinated by the feline, Jay tried not to stare as he continued his study.
*At this rate* he mused *she's going to be exhausted by the time the trip
ends. I wonder why she doesn't take a seat.* Then, as he watched the tip
of her golden tail give a brusque flick, Jay nodded in understanding,
another smile playing across his lips. Shuttlecraft seats were evidently
not designed for someone with a tail. Something more had to be disturbing
the young officer, however. Uncomfortable seats, no matter how annoying,
could not possibly be the cause of her disgruntlement. She seemed a trifle
too upset for the explanation to be that simple. Jay shook his head, he was
being far too curious. *As curious at a cat!* he thought, laughing to
himself, then berating himself for the poor joke.
*** *** *** ***
Scene: USS CHESAPEAKE: Junior Officers' Quarters
MD 1.0930
Doctor DawnFire to-Ennien looked about her quarters with a critical eye.
Spartan and austere, the standard Starfleet quarters were far too drab for
the Siamese Sivaoan. Golden tail idlely flicking back and forth, the
unrelieved bare walls even seemed a bit oppressive to the Sivaoan.
Suppressing a shudder, DawnFire decided that it was time to remedy that
situation. After all, she had every intention of decorating her quarters,
imbuing the room with a personal touch and letting everyone know that this
was her personal space, her territory.
With a twitch of her tail, DawnFire reflected upon her assignment to the USS
CHESAPEAKE. Staff Physician. No more and no less than she had expected.
After all, the CHESAPEAKE was a Hood-class vessel, with several physicians
aboard. No doubt both the Chief Medical Officer and the assistant Chief
Medical Officer would be experienced Starfleet Officers, not young doctors
fresh from SF Medical or the Academy. Of course, there were also
experienced civilian doctors who were recruited by Starfleet. These doctors
did not have to go through the Academy and were usually commissioned as full
Lieutenants. DawnFire, who had gone through the Academy, did not have the
experience that these physicians might have, but her Academy education gave
her a better understanding of Starfleet.
At any rate, with her posting to the CHESAPEAKE she had begun her Starfleet
career. Now her brother StarChaser could no longer scoff at her, for she
had arrived. StarChaser enjoyed pulling her tail far too much for
DawnFire's comfort, and he certainly put a kink in her tail. Maybe now she
would finally have the chance to put a kink or two in *his* tail for a change.
Fur rippling in a shrug, DawnFire decided that there was no sense thinking
about her family right now. First, she had to finish unpacking and
decorating her quarters. Once that had been accomplished, she would make
her way to sickbay. No doubt there would be plenty of work awaiting her there.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris Fontaine
Lt(jg) DawnFire to-Ennien, M.D.
Staff Physician
USS CHESAPEAKE
<< NRPG >>
Hello all!
Just introducing an NPC of mine, who is most definitely a protected NPC.
Takako, I'm sure you'll recognize her as the PC I had hoped to bring aboard
the SARA...
Masako: If science ever needs the assistance of another linguist, I'm sure
DawnFire can be convinced to lend a paw. I enjoyed your post, btw. :)
GPA - great stuff! :)
Anyhow, DawnFire's bio is below (long for an NPC, I know, I'll come up with
something more appropriate (ie. shorter ) for the roster...)
Chris - wondering why all her characters seems to be in need of
counselling...
--- cut here ---
****************************************************************
* Official Starfleet Biography: Lt.(jg) DawnFire to-Ennien, MD *
****************************************************************
NAME: DawnFire to-Ennien
RACE: Sivaoan (felinoid)
GENDER: Female
EYES: Clear sky blue
FUR: Warm golden honey undercoat shading to a burnished solid gold at the
points (face, ears, arms, legs and tail)
Coat resembles the pattern found in Terran Siamese cats
AGE: 24 Terran years
HEIGHT: 1.2 m (~ 4 feet)
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: prehensile tail, photographic memory, perfect pitch
RANK: Lieutenant (junior grade)
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Medical Doctor (MD)
CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: Staff Physician, USS CHESAPEAKE
FAMILY:
BrightSong to-Sretalles (mother)
NightJewel to-Sretalles (father)
SongWeaver to-Vallrisa (brother)
SilverSong to-Ennien (sister)
FireDancer to-Vallrisa (sister)
NightSong to-Sretalles (sister)
Lt(jg) StarChaser to-Vensre (brother)
BACKGROUND:
DawnFire was born on in Sretalles, Sivao, the smallest kitten in a litter of
five, the only litter her parents ever had. DawnFire was always tiny, and
her Sivaoan childhood name translates into standard as "small one". Due to
her small size, DawnFire was always overlooked, and was mercilessly teased
by both her siblings and her peers. As a result, DawnFire developed a
fierce independance and an intense desire to suceed. She also was involved
in many scuffles as a youngster, as she objected to the teasing that she was
subjected to. DawnFire therefore developed the reputation of being a
"trouble-maker".
While she was still young, DawnFire became friends with a healer, Healing
Wind to-Tallsra, who soon became a mentor for the young Sivaoan. Under
Healing Wind's tutelage, DawnFire gained skills as a healer, and found that
she had an aptitude for medicine.
At an early age DawnFire also discovered that she had an ear for music.
Music was always an escape for the young Sivaoan, who found a refuge in
singing and playing. She could loose herself completely in the music, and
forget that she was the tiny "runt". When she played, she was anyone and
anything that she could possibly imagine. Her size no longer mattered.
DawnFire was delighted to find that only her talent, ability and skill were
important, when it came to things musical. Despite her talent, DawnFire
does not like performing in public, for she is very critical of
herself.
Sibling rivalry is common among kittens from the same litter, but this
rivalry seemed especially strong betwen DawnFire and StarChaser, who were
always striving to out-do each other. Ironically, the only time that the
two siblings have ever co-operated occured during their walk, when they were
forced to work together. The "walk" is the Sivaoan "coming of age" ceremony
in which a group of youngsters "walk" from one camp to another (further
information on the "walk" can be found in the cultural information included
below). Neither DawnFire nor StarChaser was about to let the other complete
his or her walk first, and so they completed it at the same time, as members
of the same group.
This sibling rivalry between DawnFire and her brother continued, as both
Sivaoans applied to, and were accepted at, Starfleet Academy. Once at the
Academy, they both chose different career paths, so the competition was not
as direct, although it was still present. DawnFire chose to study science &
medicine, whereas her brother, StarChaser, was drawn towards navigation &
engineering.
At the Academy, DawnFire discovered that she also had an ear for languages,
and is qualified as a linguist. She also continued her medical studies, as
well as minoring in sciences, with linguistics as her area of focus. After
completing her course of study at Starfleet Academy, DawnFire chose to enter
Starfleet Medical, to pursue a degree in medicine. It was partially a way
of avoiding direct competition with her brother, StarChaser, who graduated
from the Academy at the same time.
PERSONALITY:
DawnFire is driven to suceed. She is always striving to compensate for her
small size, even if that compensation is unnecessary. Outward, she presents
an attitude that some have described as "haughty", yet inside, she is afraid
of failure, and never feels that her accomplishments are good enough.
DawnFire always feels that she can, and should, do better. She is almost
never satisfied with her own performance. Given her background, it is not
surprising that she is very sensitive to comments about her size/height.
She has quite a temper, although she usually tries to keep it well under
control.
Many of DawnFire's personalities quirks can be attributed to being Sivaoan.
She is very sensitive with regards to her name. For Sivaoans, it is an
insult not to use an individual's full name: DawnFire to-Ennien, or Lt(jg)
DawnFire to-Ennien. A shortened version of her name, such as DawnFire, can
only be used if she has given that individual permission to do so. She will
also use the full rank and name of anyone she speaks with until she is given
permission to do otherwise. Even though she has spent the past several
years at the Academy and then at Starfleet Medical, on Earth, and she
realizes that other races do not regard names in the same manner that
Sivaoans do, DawnFire nevertheless believes that she should always be
addressed by her full name since she earned it. She will *always* address
any officer by their full rank and name, unless directly ordered to do
otherwise.
Another Sivaoan trait is that she cannot stand alcohol - it smells
noxious to Sivaoans. Ownership is also very important to Sivaoans, and
DawnFire would never use or modify anyone else's song or designs without
permission. DawnFire, like all Sivaoans, will explain not only what
happened when asked for a report, but how it happened including scents,
facial expressions and all the details of the event. She has learned to
temper her descriptions when dealing with other races.
HOBBIES/ACTIVITIES:
Like all Sivaoans, DawnFire has perfect pitch. One of the happiest moments
in DawnFire's life was when she was honoured with the title "bard". She is
a skilled musician and singer, but often has to be coaxed into performing,
due to her feelings of inadequacy.
While at the Academy, DawnFire was introduced to the sport of horseback
riding. Initially, the Sivaoan was reluctant to try the sport, for the
horses appeared to be huge creatures to her. However, after much coaxing,
she finally agreed to give it a try and has loved riding ever since.
STARFLEET RECORD:
61010 Graduated from Starfleet Academy
61012 Promoted to rank of Ensign
90108 Graduated from Starfleet Medical
90110 Promoted to rank of Lieutenant (junior grade)
90226 Assigned as a staff physician aboard the USS CHESAPEAKE
Cultural Information of Sivao & Sivaoans:
by: A. Rosina Bignall
http://lal.cs.byu.edu/people/bigna/rpg/sivao.html
Sivao was a distant planet at the time of TOS who's inhabitants had not been
encountered by humans before. But another planet, Eeiauo (sp?), that had
been colonized (3000 years previously) by outcasts from Sivao (the reason is
complicated and I won't go into it here unless someone wants to know) was a
member of the federation. Due to a disease that started on Eeiauo and was
spreading all over the Federation (it put Eeiauoans into a coma which with
proper care they would eventually come out of -- the problem was so many
would get it that there was no one to give proper care -- and deadly to most
other species), Kirk and gang went in search of Sivao based on a song Uhura
had learned from Sunfall of-Ennien, an Eeiauoan. So, they find the planet
and all ends well.
Sivaoans are a beautiful cat-like people who are very consciencous of their
planet. Thus, outwardly they appear to be primitive, but are actually
technologically advanced. They are a nomadic people, living in camps.
Sretalles and Ennien are two of the most well-known camps. Although mother
and father do not live together, they mate for life. Children are born in
litters of 3 to 5 and stay with their mother until they "walk." A child
"walks" to adulthood when he or she is in their late teens. In order to
"walk", a group of children get together and ask the leader of the camp they
live in, which camp is in need of their number of adults. Upon being given
the name of another camp (usually as close as possible), the children leave
for that camp. On their "walk" they may not take any technology. They can
only take whatever they can make and a "useful," a kind of beautiful and
warm blanket. Everyone in the group must make it to the destination camp or
they remain children. They may try to "walk" as often as needed to become
adults, but those that go more than 3 times are rare.
Upon reaching the destination, each child chooses their own name. A name
consists of what we would term a first name followed by "to" followed by the
name of a camp that they have some relationship with. The city is completely
up the the person's choice. Becoming an adult gives one full rights over
their name, which they can change later on if they wish. Normally, one keeps
the name they choose after the "walk" for the rest of their life.
In actuality, Sivaoans are very technologically advanced. They have all
kinds of sensors and computers, but they are very artistically formed so
that a person looking at them would not realize how functional they are.
Other notes on Sivaoans:
Ownership is very important to the Sivaoans. Permission must be explicitly
given for one to use something belonging to another. This extends to songs,
designs for objects, etc, it is not as strict for physical objects, though
it is still true. A Sivaoan would never dream of singing a song or using a
design developed by someone else unless the other person had offered its use
to them. And, one would definitely not change a song or design or even a
name without specific permission. A perfect photographic memory helps a
great deal in this regard. (Eeiauoans are much more relaxed on this point
and do not have a photographic memory)
All Sivaoans have perfect pitch. And a photographic memory. They tell "how
it happened," not just "what happened." "How it happened," includes facial
expressions of people involved, body language (ear placement, tail
movements, etc), and smells (both smells in the air and that given off by
those involved).
They have a well developed sense of hearing, which often causes them trouble
in working with humans and their intercomms. Smell is also a well developed
sense.
Like Terran cats, their saliva contains a disinfectant that helps wounds
heal, therefore they lick themselves when they get hurt. Licking is also a
social behavior that they engage in with close friends.
The proper address for a Sivaoan is to use their full name. In the case of
Sunbright, this would be Sunbright to-Ennien. Most Sivaoans give
their friends, and neighbors permission to use just their first name. The
full name must be used until given explicit permission to do otherwise as
this constitutes a change in someone's name. This is not generally known and
so most people call her Sunbright. In order to make it easier to
integrate with those she works with, Sunbright has adopted the practice of
using Sunbright (or just Sunbright) and allowing other non-Sivaoans
to call her that, except in cases where full names are required or when
someone is using the shortened version to insult her. Normally, such a
change in a person's name would result in disasterous consequences, as
changing a person's name without their permission is a major insult.
Sivaoans have very sharp claws which they will not hesitate to use when
needed (although they are very gentle in most respects).
Andrea Schalk has put together an excellent summary of Sivaoan body language
that you will find useful in playing Sivaoan characters:
Emotion expressed by might also mean
------------------------------------------------------------------------
excitement quivering ears/whiskers concentration/
anticipation
astonishment/ ears flicking back sharply
surprise
annoyance or tip of tail twitches or flicks impatience,
anger as it whole tail twitches possibly frustration
gets stronger tail lashes, hissing sound
distress gripping own tail and shaking/
wringing it
hostility tail stiffening, fur bristling fright, (frightened)
surprise
sadness whiskers, tail drooping disappointment
amusement, tail curling or looping into joy
Sivaoan form helix (the tighter the `corkscrew'
of laughter the more intense the feeling)
****************************************************************************
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