Las'tai squirmed uncomfortably without sitting down. "Kloxna soldiers do not set down while interacting with a superior officer captain" She quickly rambled out.

Allowing himself a small smile, Eirik said "you are not a Kloxna soldier speaking to a superior officer. On my ship, you will be ensign...... It suddenly occurs to me I never got to know your name.. Well, no time like the present." He stood up from his desk and extended a hand" Hello, I'm Eirik, captain of the "Void Wolf". And you are??

Las'Tai was caught slightly off guard by the informal greeting but managed to respond "Eirik." The name was difficult for her to pronounce, but she made her best effort. "I am Las'Tai, Daughter of Tai'Tanu, 1st in line to take over my lineage at the time of my mother's death.. And, apparently, the newest crew member of the "Void Wolf" She said the last part while bopping her head back and forth, the humor thick in her voice. Reaching out, she grasped his hand in what she knew was a customary human greeting known as a handshake.

Eirik was pleasantly surprised at her attempt at a joke "Las'Tai, good to meet you. Good, humor will help you fit in with the rest of the crew. But I have to ask, what is the head-bopping thing?"

"That is the Kloxna way of conveying that a joke was made, or that we find something humorous and/or funny" Las'tay said. "how do humans convey that??"

Eirik smiled and explained "We Laugh. it's a universal thing amongst humans, I'm sure you have heard humans make that sound before, right?"

Concentrating for a moment, Las'Tai asked "is it that barking, repetitive sound I sometimes hear humans make??"

"most likely. In any case, back to business Las'Tai. you will be assigned to Internal ship security. This may seem odd, but it's the best position. As a member of internal security, my head of security, Jesper, will be able to monitor you during this probation period, and you will be surrounded by security at all times during work. This will also keep you out of the Areas mentioned before, as there will be plenty of trained personnel inside those rooms at all times, should a crisis arrive. As for the period of time you will have to be on probation, let's leave that one an open subject for now. I am very much aware of the possibility of you simply joining to find some way to leave or even to try and sabotage us from the inside. A sentiment I can most certainly respect, but will also do my very best to make sure does not happen"

Las'Tai was astonished at the number of faces the human in front of her went through as he spoke. from professional to concerned, to approving, to defensive. It all happened so quickly she wasn't sure she had really seen it and the ability of the human face to convey emotion was surprising, to say the least.

"However, you still have not told me your reasons for wanting to join up. now, please sit and tell me" Eirik finished.

Las'Tai slowly got on the chair, this felt so wrong.

"Well Eiri- Captain", She began, but Eirik interjected "Either is fine" "Well, Eirik", she decided to learn how to say these strange names of the Terrans. "I decided to join up because you were right. I DO want something more out of life. Something I cannot find amongst my own people. I have no idea what it is, but I'm going out to find it. I cannot return by my own power as that would be seen as a failure and thus, my station requires I am executed for failing. So here I am."

Eirik was silent for a long moment. "Pragmatic" he finally said. "I can work with pragmatic."

Rising from his chair he said, "Let us go on a tour of the ship then, shall we? I'm thinking we should start with your new workplace."

Las'tai got off her chair and followed Eirik.

_________________________

"HVAD FANDEN I HEDE HULE HELVEDE MENER DU MED AT...DEN..SKAL ARBEJDE I SIKKERHEDSAFDELINGEN!!!!"

[what in all the damn, flaming bowels of hell do you mean that...it..is going to work in the security department!!!!]

Jesper's angry shouts could be heard across most of the ship, as Eirik had told him of the plan.

"Jesper, would you please settle down and speak in a language our newest crew member can have translated. It's the best choice. this way you can keep an eye on her the entire time."

"I DONT GIVE A FLYING FU--.... that's..... actually a good plan captain.." Jesper cut himself off mid-tirade as he saw the wisdom in Eirik's words.

"What do you mean *actually*, huh Jesper," Eirik said sourly. "When have I ever failed you?"

Jesper smirked and declared "Let me get the little black book, we can spend a few weeks going over everything"

Rolling his eyes, Eirik finished off the conversation "Las'Tai will report for duty the day after tomorrow. And Jesper, you know my stance on differential treatment of crew members" A dangerous undertone crept its way into Eirik's voice and Jesper was quick to react to it.

"Yes Eirik, I will treat her the same as everyone, but also expect the same."

Meeting the rest of the crew went quite a bit smoother (most likely helped along by Jesper's attempt at emulating a concert speaker) and they finished off with a tour of the rest of the facilities.

"- and this is this pool area. It's great for cardio, relaxing and using muscles you didn't know you have and generally fun"

The Kloxna could swim, but they preferred shallow water.

"What are those doors in the back??" Las'Tai asked.

"Oh yeah, that's the sauna on the left and the jacuzzi room on the right. Let's take a look".

"What is a jacuzzi and a sauna??" Came another question.

Opening the right door, he pointed to the large bathtub in the middle. "that's a jacuzzi"

"What is so special about a bath that it deserves a different name?"

Eirik flicked a switch on the wall and the bubbles started in the bath.

Eyes going wider than he thought possible, Las'Tai turned to him in an instant and all but squealed "YOU HAVE A HOT SPRING ON YOUR SHIP!!!!"

Before he could comprehend what she had said he saw her drop down on arms and legs and scamper across the floor at speeds that would have made an Olympic runner jealous with envy before she lept straight into the jacuzzi.

Walking over to and around the jacuzzi, full of questions, when he saw her face he could not help himself from laughing. Her head was resting on the edge of the tub, the tongue was plopped sideways out her mouth, and her face a funny expression of pure ecstasy. "the water is sooooooo warm.." she half spoke, half drooled

"well, I guess I know where you are gonna spend most of your free time. I wonder how you are gonna react to the sauna then" Eirik reached into the water as he spoke and grabbed her. Pulling her out of the water she seemed to realize her mistake as her clothes and armor were now completely soaked, and she started trying to wring the water from the sleeves.

Eirik Laughed louder as he saw her antics and walked out and over to the left door. "Come on, you can wait in here while I get some dry clothes for you"

As she turned the corner, he opened the door and she felt the rush of humid hot air coming out of it. Hurrying up to get to the warmth she walked into the sauna and saw a room made mostly of stone with planks covering them so you could sit or lie down. There was a large pit of what looked like embers in the middle and to the side was an assortment of thin branches with green leaves on them. The air was so humid she could feel the water starting to form on her scales.

"What is this place," she asked, full of wonder.

"A sauna," Eirik said. "A place of rest and contemplation. the idea originated from ancient northern Europe, or so the most common theories amongst historians go. living in a cold environment made it hard to clean oneself without risking illness from cold. so the sauna was invented. bring embers into a hut with a tiny opening top, pour water or alcoholic beverages on them every once in a while to make the air humid, and let our sweating take care of the cleaning. There is a bucket of water with a cloth to wash you down with at the door when you are finished and the green foliage is used to lightly hit ourselves with to open up the pores in our skin, allowing accumulated dirt and filth to get cleaned out"

He grabbed a ladle from a small shelf, dipped it in the water bucket, and poured the water over the volcanic rocks in the pit that was being heated by a small gas flame underneath. Large clouds of steam immediately erupted from the stones and out of the corner of his eye, Eirik spotted Las'Tai making herself comfortable on one of the top benches, closest to all the steam.

"It's advised to remove clothing and armor before going in here, we wrap ourselves in towels instead. At least usually" he chuckled as she once again made that derpy face "I'll make sure you get the standard crew kit supplied. For now, stay here while I get you some dry clothes. Okay??"

he could barely hear her reply "more steam.. please."