Edana

For a moment, Doctor Bashir gave serious thought to declining. He didn’t want to travel off-station. Not now. It was selfish, of course, why he wanted to stay–it felt like his friendship with Garak was finally starting to deepen a bit, to mean something, perhaps to lose the confusingly barbed edges–but damn it, why not be selfish? Just a little? It was a human instinct, after all, and should be an acceptable one for him to indulge in… but a young Starfleet doctor’s career was on the line, it seemed. As if my opinion will really mean anything.

With another sigh, he stood up and cleared thing away, then headed out onto the Promenade. There were a few hours yet before the shuttle he needed to be on was due to depart, and that meant there was time to find Garak and–

What, apologize? Say, Sorry, we won’t be able to have lunch together for the next few days because Starfleet’s sending me off to do some classified assessment they won’t even tell me the details on in advance? Garak wouldn’t care. It wasn’t like the two of them were–

Well.

He wouldn’t care, but telling him still meant something, to Bashir if no one else. Julian made his way towards the tailor’s shop–and smacked directly into a strange man who seemed to have just stepped out of nowhere.

“I’m so sorry,” he said, quickly reaching out to catch the stranger–although as he took him in, his eyes widened somewhat. Who… what race is he?

The stranger was a handsome man with broad shoulders and a warm smile, but he was also purple. A lovely, rich lavender shade. His eyes gleamed red–there was only a subtle difference between the sclera and the iris, and even his pupils looked red–and he had lovely curving horns growing on the sides of his head. A muscular yet graceful tail swished behind him. Gold jewelry glittered all over, on his horns, his hands, a few necklaces draped over his bared chest, because apparently he didn’t believe that buttoning his shirt all the way up was necessary. The man’s clothes were absurd. Stripes, stars, far too much ornamentation, a jacket that looked like it belonged on some ancient carnival ringmaster, a pirate belt, trousers that poofed out… There was a grace to the chaos, it somehow seemed to work together, but it was–too much. Far too much.

“Not to worry,” the stranger replied, his voice warm, a hint of an Irish accent–very Earth. “I did come out of nowhere. Are you hurt?”

Stolen, Julian immediately thought. The accent sounds good enough, but it’s not his. He’s not even emulating it. He… what am I thinking? He had to shake himself out of his thoughts. “Sorry. No. I’m fine. Just rushing, not looking where I’m going.”

“Ah, and where are you going? Perhaps I’ll go with you.”

“Perhaps you should,” Bashir said, before he realized exactly how rude it was. His smile was tight but polite, and he gestured for the other to accompany him. “I’m headed to–” Let down the man I’m most certainly not courting… “Ah, to the tailor.”

“Lovely. What’s your name?”

“Doctor Julian Bashir. And yours?”

“I’ll be glad to tell you,” the stranger said, and did not tell him. Looping his arm through Julian’s, he winked and nodded. For a moment, Bashir just stood there, trying to understand. Really? This was–this was really how today was going to go? This man wanted to just walk arm-in-arm together?

Another tight smile, a little less polite this time, and Bashir nodded again. “Right.”

-

“Garak? Forgive me for dropping by. I know we had plans to meet later, but… I was hoping you have a moment. And I’ve brought a–new. Person.”

“Mollymauk Tealeaf,” the stranger said, and he stepped away from Julian, releasing him in favor of giving the Cardassian a graceful bow with a flourish. “And it is a pleasure to meet you. The stars dance in your eyes, truly.”

Julian’s eyes might not have stars dancing in them, but they did have a plea: don’t be cross. I don’t know why he’s here, but I do want to talk to you. Whether or not Garak chose to understand or not remained to be seen; Bashir never really knew what to expect from him.

-

The poor doctor was bothered.

How did Garak know that? The same way he ALWAYS knew things - through the hemming of cuffs and the delicate embroidery of a coat.

A Classified assignment had been placed upon the doctor’s desk and, indeed, upon his capable shoulders; like the mythical Atlas the doctor had once spoken of. Perhaps an unruly comparison, facetious to many degrees, but to know Julian Bashir was to know that his responsibilities weighed as much as a collapsing star in his mind - and heavier on his conscious.

He’d be leaving, Garak gathered during a very intense round of pleating, to attend to the assignment - a VIP planetside, dealing with a small but unpleasant bout of food poisoning, was unhappy to be treated by local healers and was demanding a Starfleet doctor to tend to them.

If this had been a … different organization, they would’ve found a comfortable hole to bury this ill visitor in.

Starfleet chose to go down the path of diplomacy, and to send their charming human doctor to soothe the patient, which was undoubtedly an exciting adventure for the doctor in question. Oh, Garak was annoyed, very much so, at how this Chief Medical Officer would leap at the chance to run out on and abandon so many different opportunities but never, NEVER, his precious Starfleet. Like they served him at all.

The bushels of guilt and the mocking of sincerity that he could feed to Bashir over lunch would be delicious, absolutely succulent, and the reveal that he planned to go along for the shuttle ride would be even sweeter; that wide-eyed expression making an appearance, no doubt, as the doctor silently questioned who Garak had murdered or bribed to obtain this chance.

Really, was he that suspicious? Couldn’t a Cardassian tailor travel to sample wares without being accused of villainy?

Garak worked in his store with a lighter step that day, tending to customers almost pleasantly, unsure when he’d see the doctor but sure that he’d see him earlier than their usual meal. When the chime above his door sounded some time after the morning rush, his smugness multipled, and he didn’t look up from his pinning to greet the visitor. “Good day, doctor.” The Cardassian spoke warmly, ready to play out the drama he’d been plotting.

Then his story was interrupted, rather abruptly, by an unexpected actor on the stage. Cold and judging eyes shot away from the garment that he’d been preparing and onto the guest who was stepping towards him in an extravagant matter. One had thought that they’d surely consumed the worst atrocities to sensible fashion and good taste after witnessing the doctor’s wardrobe, but this man, this Mollymauk, was a category unto himself. Even accounting for culture, he was a headache of styles and colors, and Garak quietly mused if it was meant to be appealing or offensive weaponry.

He regarded this intrusion with the warmth one could expect from a rumored spy. “A pleasure? I suppose it must be, Mr. Tealeaf; tell me, are you interested in fabrics or in optometry?” Garak questioned him with a mild smile and an overall bemused expression; no anger to be seen but, certainly, no affection. He nodded when the other bowed. “We don’t see too many of your species out here.”

Julian’s attempt to pass a desperate message across was seen, and smiled at, but otherwise ignored. If he was here for him, why bring a stranger?

-

Bashir suppressed the urge to sigh. He’d upset Garak somehow, that much he understood, he just wasn’t sure exactly what had done it this time, or why. There would be time to sort that later, he hoped. With any luck, Mollymauk wouldn’t linger long, and they’d be free to talk. This strange man really was ridiculous company–albeit also intriguing. There was something off about him. Not just in the strength of his pulse or the utter calm of his respirations, but in a thousand little ways that, the more Bashir let himself notice, the more vaguely concerning they became.

As for Mollymauk, however, he didn’t seem to be perturbed in the slightest. If he even understood that Garak was casting a mountain’s worth of shade at him, the strange lavender man let it roll right off that muscular back of his.

“I don’t imagine you do,” Molly practically chirped. “No one sees much of me. And fabrics, my dear man! I’m interested in fabric. The fabric of a lovely outfit, the fabric that makes up our daily lives, what’s not to be fascinated by? The finest threads can weave the most unexpected patterns!”

“While that is true,” Bashir agreed, carefully modulating his tone to indicate that this was more of an observation, not a desire for further friendly interaction, “I would imagine the–”

“You know, Doctor,” Molly said, turning and pressing a finger to the pretty man’s lips, “you’re quite lovely.” The red-eyed stranger winked at him, gave Garak a quick but almost taunting grin, revealing a few sharp pearly-whites, and sauntered out, leaving the two of them alone in a space that suddenly felt much smaller, as if the air itself had gone out of the room.

Julian hesitated, then looked to Garak. “I’m sorry. He–I’m sorry.” He should come up with a better quip, he knew, make some more spirited attempt to fence with words the way that so delighted his friend, but for the moment, his spirits dropped enough that he couldn’t bring himself to. “And I’m sorry about our lunch today. I’m going to have to miss it–and may be gone for several days.”

He quashed the impulse to beg Garak not to be angry. Instead, Julian searched his eyes. Garak had immediately disliked that stranger–or disliked Julian bringing him here, at least, which was fair–and if he needed to be left alone right now, that was something Bashir could and would respect.

-

What upset? Garak was attending to a customer, that was all; the fact that Julian brought this man in, it didn't change the need for hospitality but it certainly wasn't meant to cause FUSS with his usual lunch companion. If the doctor wished to have the Cardassian's eyes solely on himself, then come alone.

Or wear another truly worrying shirt and short combination.

Garak was intrigued by this new man, however, and would confess to his focus shifting rapidly towards figuring him out. He almost looked like one of those characters in the Terran novels; the ones set in the medieval era, tales of chivalry and 'witchcraft', indeed. Thinly veiled attempts to deify and uplift the legends of the noble class - as any good Cardassian could recognize. Mollymauk spoke like one too; an inscrutable one.

His deflection was almost as good as the tailor's.

"Ah, so you're a philosopher? No wonder you and Dr. Bashir get along so well; he does enjoy a good problem." Garak said with charm to match his partner, all while he was taking careful mental notes on this man and his 'fabrics'. Part of his excessiveness was almost entertaining.

ESPECIALLY when Mollymauk would lay one of his fingers on the good doctor's mouth, shush him as one might shush a child, and compliment him; calling him 'lovely'. Relatively faint praise for Julian. Many of his partners, and even his good friends, had said far more enchanting things; Garak would claim to be in neither category but he had also noted upon the man's attractiveness.

By human standards, of course.

To a Cardassian, he was unlike anything else.

That grin that the stranger flashed seemed to imply something but Garak only gave back a curious expression; no clue what Mollymauk was so gleeful about. Had a joke been made? Those lips were nothing to laugh about touching but Garak still felt no particular way about his actions, and he wasn't sure why he ought to.

However, it wouldn't be unheard of if, during the occasions that this tailor might share a table with Odo, he should bring up a new customer he'd encountered. If, in some way, Odo should then take a look into the character, well, Garak hadn't caused it.

He'd only been talking.

The atmosphere in the shop was stiff, following Mollymauk's departure, yet Garak wasn't taking the blame for it. Julian was the one apologizing. "My dear doctor, what are you sorry for? That was a very interesting man," he claimed with gracious tone and a pleasant smile, expecting to hear more fuss or more apologies.

Instead, Julian cut to the point - a point Garak had briefly forgotten about until it was brought back up. Ah, yes, the shuttle trip ... he briefly patted the doctor's shoulder with a half-hearted and noncommital hand before returning to his pinning. Now didn't feel like an excellent time for drama.

Mollymauk had proven that an old man gesticulating would tire one quickly.

"A shame," he murmured. "I do hope there's nothing disastrous coming over the station, and only a well-deserved vacation being taken on your part! A few days, mmm, I'd say take a week; that should be just long enough to restore your missing energy!"

-

Julian didn't know whether to be frustrated or flustered or just plain flummoxed, but as that was often the case when he met with Garak, he settled on just accepting that all of the responses were likely the right response, and he let them settle away into him like silt in an otherwise pristine alpine lake. Mollymauk had flustered him, and left his skin feeling almost burned--not that there was any actual damage, of course, there was just something about that strange purple being...

But, aware that direct topics and lines of conversation rarely got him anywhere with Garak, he put on a small, patient smile and twitched an eyebrow, watching him.

"Nothing disastrous, at least there shouldn't be. Perhaps there are portents," he added dryly, an amused smile warming his lips, "but the appearance of devils and demons is such an unscientific method. No, I'll only be away for a few days. Most likely."

And I'll miss you, he thought, but couldn't say. Even as he thought it, though, he wondered, will I miss him? He's frustrating and inane and talking to him is like trying to coax a sphinx... But he would, of course. Julian might be someone people liked to call friend, but he wouldn't say he actually had many friends--there was a difference between being someone who came to mind for others, and actually having opened one's own heart up, however infinitesimal an amount, to another.

Garak was a problem and a headache and a beautiful distraction, and maybe a friend.

Sao (character blog)

A deeply remorseless asshole who refuses to put up with anyone’s bullshit OR to stop swearing and acting out, even when this attitude begins to fail them. They have dealt with a lot in life and feel like this has earned them nothing, gotten them literally nowhere, so while they continue to work hard, they expect nothing from others and nothing from life. A strong rebellious streak is in them, fighting and conflicting with their desire to see a more peaceful future; they take care of others around them, to the point of damaging themselves, but would never encourage their loved ones to do this. They like a dangerous life, a wild existence, but quietly hope for a calmer time where they won’t have to struggle so constantly. Traits: Big-Hearted, Capable, Self-Reliant, Outspoken, Funny, Stern, Amoral, Tactless, Obstinate.

Style/Aesthetic: Edgy, Black/Red/Orange, likes tight clothing.

Extra: Loves to cook, is scrupulously tidy, wants to have a large family. Enjoys everything orange (as in the fruit and the color). South/Southeastern Asian who was raised in a diverse culture by his single mother, might be a werewolf. 

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Ne (character blog)

The main thing to know about them is that they live under a fake name - a chosen name, even. They claim to be an open book, and are in many ways, but the answers always seem to be vague and open-ended. If that is an issue, they don’t care; their past is their past and they rarely want to go into it. A curious and experimental sense of humor and deep love of living make up their story now, and that is what they choose to focus on, like it or not. However, a natural distance seems to pop up between themselves and others, often without them meaning to, and a general but unrecognized detachment to their negative emotions seems to be the standing order. Traits: Witty, Accepting, Poised, Mysterious, Calm, Fun, Dispassionate, Impulsive, Unrepentant.

Style/Aesthetic: Androgynous, Black/White monochrome but with neon highlights, loves scene/punk/goth interchangeably.

Voyeuristic, is bored by the ordinary, and has no respect for the established. Wears a binder. Unknown heritage, might not be human.

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Oriole (character blog)

An energetic and upbeat type, far too determined for their own good. Loud and proud, never one to be ashamed - even when they should be - they take care of their family with a kind and loving heart. Sometimes, they can be a bit too aggressive and end up pushing people into untenable positions without meaning to. Endlessly looking forward to something better, whether or not they understand how to get there, they push themselves to their limits every time, and don't always recover. Traits: Idealistic, Nuturing, Brave, Excitable, Outgoing, Uninhibited, Stubborn, Unorganized, Insensitive.

Style/Aesthetic: Sporty, Blue/Purple, Cool but Practical.

Extra: Loves to exercise, loves the outdoors, is dangerously protective over their special people. Plays around with their hairstyle. South American, might be a mecha pilot.

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Pasha (character blog)

Warm and approachable, they’re as good of a person as you can be without trying too hard. Kind to animals, excellent at baking, there really isn’t much to complain about with them … minus their rampant naivety. Life dealt them a privileged hand and they want to make sure everyone gets that exact same hand - but too many people have taken advantage of that in the past, using them and their kindness to get whatever they want. You’d think this would harden someone up, and in many ways, it has; they are learning quickly about the unthinking cruelty of some people. But they’re still working to guarantee others get a better chance in life, no matter what it costs. Traits: Altruistic, Spontaneous, Cheerful, Guileless, Protective, Dedicated, Clingy, Impressionable, Nosy.

Style/Aesthetic: Cutesy/Pastel, Multi-colored, Leans Towards Femme.

Extra: Wants to be a vet someday, settles for being a dog-walker, is squeamish around blood and pain. Lives with their grandparents. European Immigrant, might be trans.

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Xi Yin (character blog)

As a child, living without a family, it was their biggest dream to become like royalty in a castle. Then they were taken in by a powerful family and realized it wouldn’t be that easy to sit on the throne. They quickly adapted to their new situation and became refined, poised, and capable - but it wasn’t enough for their detractors. Seems like there is always someone looking to take them down, at all costs, and no one to trust, no one reliable around that they can invest in. Money-grubbers, thieves, and those that would seek to steal the crown they never asked for. If this is the life that royalty has to live, they’re glad to live it. Draining though it might be. Traits: Chivalrous, Logical, Poised, Discerning, Wary, Opinionated, Detached, Quick-Tempered, Melancholic.

Style/Aesthetic: Old-Fashioned/Royalty, Red And Blue, Dresses To Impress.

Extra: Wants to live easily, hates complications, waiting for the day when they can just relax. Adopted. East Asian, might be a time traveler.

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Gyeon (character blog)

Disrespectful, completely, with no regard for rules or authority. If they can find a way to aggravate the people in charge, they’ll do it with a smile on their face. This has, expectedly, led to them getting in trouble again and again but they can usually find a way around - either with brains or with a bribe. Despite their anti-social origins, though, they remain lonely; searching around for a home that won’t judge, won’t discriminate, and won’t fight all the time. An unstable emotional center is covered up by shallow cockiness, and insecurity is covered up by natural (but remarkable) intelligence. Even so, none of this has made them happy. Or brought back the people they miss the most. Traits: Spirited, Unpretentious, Clever, Mathematically Gifted, Sensitive, Attention-Seeker, Resentful, Insecure, Cowardly.

Style/Aesthetic: Edgy but Colorful, Yellow/Black, Dresses Flashy And Loud.

Extra: Demands to be the center of attention, loves spicy food, likes to cause a scene. Has two dads. Korean, might be a mermaid.

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Shy (character blog)

Always quiet and impossible to find, a sudden onset of chronic illness in their teens and further isolation following that has left them metaphorically standing on the outskirts of polite society, lacking many social skills. Even in the cases where they have been able to adapt and push themselves in, such as at work, they still feel forced to perform and deliver on others’ demands, finding most interaction quite draining. However, a genuine desire to be with that ‘special someone’, be it family or friend, keeps them constantly trying; pursuing people who they can’t, or shouldn’t, be interested in. Traits: Sensible, Earnest, Patient, Private, Observant, Conformist, Nervous, Desperate, Gloomy.

Style/Aesthetic: Cottagecore, Green/Grey, Always Wearing Glasses.

Extra: Loves to read, gets nervous in social settings, will talk your ear off if it’s about something they’re interested in. Chronically ill. Parents are second-generation Japanese Immigrants, might be a ghost.

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Taro (character blog)

Offbeat and slightly strange but in a good way, they hope. With a generally positive nature, they navigate life with a lot of confusing advice; take things seriously but not too seriously, follow your dreams but not the ridiculous ones, and so on. They feel remarkably lost in adulthood and just want to be happy, trying everything and anything to achieve that unreasonable goal of being a ‘responsible’ adult. It isn’t going well. They feel burnt out and exhausted and typically hate their life, hate themselves, and hate that they can’t make any friends - but when they are more honest, more sincere, and acknowledge their wickedly awful hobbies and creative pastimes, sometimes, they find a certain kind of happiness. It might not make the most sense to his family, expecting them to ‘actually do something’, but all they’ve ever wanted is to draw out the dreams in their head and make it real. Traits: Self-Motivated, Easily Pleased, Loyal, Dreamer, Reclusive, Artistic, Avoidant, Anti-social, Depressive.

Style/Aesthetic: Gamer/Baggy, Blue, Likes to Wear Graphics and Fandom Clothes.

Extra: Loves to play games for fun, wants to be an artist as a career, ultimately does whatever their parents ask of them. Has two cousins. Is constantly moving back and forth between mother’s home and father’s home, might be an vampire.

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Eun (character blog)

Silent and dedicated, in every way, a person with strong motivation to help others and help the world. Despite a secluded upbringing, and a frequent ignorance of how more ordinary work, they’ve gained a strong amount of empathy and gentleness, perhaps because of how they were raised. However, their emotions can be difficult to express and slow to show, even when they’re comfortable with others, and these incredibly repressed feelings often present first as irritation or annoyance - due to how much effort has to go into sharing them. It’s an exhausting way to be and most of the time, they don’t bother to connect with others around them; working in the shadows and staying away for the comfortability of others. Traits: Kind, Eloquent, Romantic, Distant, Moralistic, Non-Reactive, Argumentative, Fussy, Humorless.

Style/Aesthetic: Academic/Layered, Brown/Red, Extremely Modest and Uninterested In Typically Showing Off Skin, Wears Clunky Glasses.

Extra: Loves a cool day and walking outside, dislikes the heat in any way, happiest by himself. Has an older sister. Korean but lives abroad, might be a dragon.

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Riri (character blog)

Unashamedly themselves and self-assured to the extreme, they have never meant a challenge they didn’t want to take on and conquer. That doesn’t always mean they succeed at it, and very often, they don’t; actual skills outpaced by their sheer belief in them. Despite their ego, though, they are generally easy to talk to and even charming, so long as you can stomach their contrary personality at the end of the day. They search for compatible allies, friends, lovers, in a world that seems to question whether or not they deserve it, and, occasionally, begin to ask that same question to themselves. Traits: Charismatic, Creative, Uncomplicated, Perceptive, Ambitious, Trendy, Controlling, Provocative, Boastful.

Style/Aesthetic: Colorful, Flashy, Citrus Colors And Beachy Themes.

Extra: Loves taking photos and videos, hates being corrected, enjoys makeup and painted nails but hates earrings. Plus-sized. Asian/American who lives near the beach and the coast, might be the grim reaper.

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Ferr (character blog)

Silent, inexpressive, and a difficult to love person - that is how their family might describe them. It might not be far from the truth but it is not the ONLY truth. They like to work with their hands and spend time outdoors, admiring nature, and that is their main source of peace. In a world of social-climbing cruelty in the name of earning money, they do what they can to help others; occasionally being manipulated but always being true to what they think is right. Anger is a natural emotion for them but they choose to express kindness most of the time and, when that doesn’t work, to stay collected so no one gets hurt. For some reason, perhaps that same rough upbringing, they are convinced that they are a safety risk to others - especially those that they care a great deal for. Traits: Sweet, Disciplined, Tolerant, Obedient, Quiet, Clumsy, Blunt, Forgetful, Pessimistic.

Style/Aesthetic: Forestcore, Green/Brown, Doesn’t Mind Getting Dirty.

Extra: Likes gardening, hates dressing up, does whatever the person in charge tells him to do. Has heterochromia. European/Asian, might be undead.

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Fio (character blog)

On the outside, relaxed and collected, very gathered and very friendly. They’ve lived their life pleasing other people and would like to keep doing that, satisfying others needs as much as they can. However, this is an expectedly heavy burden to take on voluntarily - and a deceitful, lying trick to pull on friends and lovers. Their dark side comes out far too quickly when the deception is seen through; an inability to cope whenever their little game is at all disturbed. Ultimately, though, they mean no harm to others and only want to be loved. Of course, when someone is their enemy … there isn’t a safe place in the world. Traits: Tactful, Gentle, Positive, Superficial, Meticulous, Daring, Pushy, Capricious, Extravagant.

Style/Aesthetic: Preppy/Old Money, Beige and Blue, Manicured and Tidy.

Extra: Loves to travel, hates the rain but loves a foggy day. Not born into money and is afraid to be poor again. European/Asian, might be a faerie.