Office Hours, Astronomy

[daxtastic.livejournal.com]

Office Hours
Professor Jadzia Dax, Astronomy
MW 3-6 PM or by Appointment

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Dax hung the sign outside of her office, then rearranged yet another pile of papers, determined to make the space more presentable. It was going about as well as one would expect.

She was wearing her uniform, for the first time in over two months. That morning, rooting through her closet, Dax had come to two realizations: First, that so much time had passed since wearing said uniform, and second, that she hadn’t noticed. No one could blame her, certainly. There were classes to plan, teas to host, and roommates to bother. She was settling into her new role as a professor, and that was perfectly understandable.

And somewhat terrifying. Still, she could mull over all of those things outside of work. She sat down, awaiting any students who  would care to learn.

Comments

[tactical-alert.livejournal.com]

"Not recently--not since we got back to Earth after dealing with the Xindi, anyway. Just the usual repairwork before we went out." He let out a frustrated sigh. "Perhaps the crew has already worked something out. But that's 150 years in the future."

[daxtastic.livejournal.com]

"I'm afraid not. The exploits of the first Enterprise are covered quite thoroughly at the academy, and there's no record of loosing a member of the crew to a temporal disturbance. Something like that would at least warrant a footnote." Another dead end. "And you're certain there were no...mold outbreaks on the ship? Given the chance, mold can do its fair share of destruction to the time/space continuum."

She may have been reaching. Just a bit.

[tactical-alert.livejournal.com]

Something he realized all too quickly. It was obvious from his look that the answer was 'no'. "I'm not surprised we're in the history books, but...it just sounds odd. Almost tempting to ask what happens to us, but I've already gone through that, even if it was a sort of...alternate timeline. Best not to damage time more than we already have, yes? Maybe you have no record of it because I get back, and quickly. You never know with time. The Captain and T'Pol had gone back to 2004 once, and Commander Tucker had informed me that they were only gone for two seconds. It's...a possibility, anyway."

[daxtastic.livejournal.com]

"It certainly is. Of course, then there's always the danger that we'll have aged decades while mere minutes have passed for our loved ones." And that was certainly not something poor Malcolm needed to hear! Dax cleared her throat. "Of course, that's only one of many potential outcomes."

[tactical-alert.livejournal.com]

Decades? He didn't want to be stuck here for decades! He'd be useless by then! He'd be older than his father! (Oh, and if the bloody man ever found out about that, there would be no end to the heckling...)

No. Wait. Calm down. Cool-headedness was key, like in any situation. "And we can only hope that that's not the outcome we're forced to arrive at."

[daxtastic.livejournal.com]

"Time travel is a very touchy thing. I wouldn't concern yourself with that particular possibility, if you can help it." Oh dear. She was not helping.

She put on her best 'everything is just fine' smile, usually reserved for new recruits and wayward Tongo sessions. "I think that's enough about time travel, for now. I'm interested to know how you've been settling in since arriving at the school. Do you need anything? Supplies? Books, perhaps?"

[tactical-alert.livejournal.com]

"Er...well I...can't say I've done much, to be honest. I'd kept on expecting to be out of here by now. I'm only really just letting it sink in that I could be here for quite some time, so I might as well something with myself while I'm here. I feel a bit useless, really. I haven't been the student in years." Oh, this was bloody ridiculous. "It's difficult to downgrade your way of thinking while at the same time expanding it. 21st century technology and magic. I mean, flying broomsticks, hocus pocus wand-waving...I'm a tactical officer, not a wizard."

[daxtastic.livejournal.com]

"I know precisely how you feel. I'm still a science officer, at heart." Or so she hoped. "And things happen here that constantly force me to revaluate my norms."

She leaned forward, and rested her elbows on the desk with a smile. "But you know what, lieutenant? If I can be a science officer and a Professor, perhaps you can be a tactical officer and a student. I think we both know that stranger things have happened."

[tactical-alert.livejournal.com]

He scoffed and smirked. "Like Andorians and Vulcans working together. I'm not sure how much my expertice is going to come in handy here...and I'd really not like to relive my schoolboy days."

He leaned back in his chair and considered his options. "I suppose...for the time being, I could...start again? I'm not saying this is like a second chance, because it's a bloody awful one, but...ah, well, it's just a learning experience. Yes, a learning experience, that's probably the best way to put it. It is a school, afterall."

[daxtastic.livejournal.com]

"Oh, Andorians." There was someone at the school who knew about Andorians and Vulcans! Dax couldn't help but be pleased, albeit selfishly so. "Lousy to drink with. There's always a chance of violating that intricate honor code. Lovely potters, though!" Yes, she was rambling.

"It certainly is. And you're never too old to learn something new. Besides, if you make it back home an adept wizard, there's bound to be a promotion waiting for you!"

[tactical-alert.livejournal.com]

"They've got good ale, though. Very easy to go overboard with that stuff." The feeling was mutual; at least there was someone who would understand his experiences.

"A promotion or the loony bin. Well. We'll just have to see, won't we? Strange things have happened, yes, but they've been mostly explained through technologically and biologically sound reasoning. Magic? T'Pol would have a field day telling me that I must be delusional and about the Vulcan science directorate's stance on magic."

[daxtastic.livejournal.com]

Dax laughed. "I fear for the sanity of all involved parties, should a Vulcan ever attend Hogwarts. It's a highly illogical kind of place."

[tactical-alert.livejournal.com]

"I think I'll fear for everyone's sanity at this rate. It's more like completely illogical."

[daxtastic.livejournal.com]

"True. I take it you haven't yet had a class with the estimable professor Homsar?"

Did he even hold classes? It was hard to keep track