#also I still want to marry jadzia and kira

[spongynova]

I finally have some time to watch DS9, and oh boy did I miss this polycule ✨

[leohtttbriar]

not done thinking about the impact of this decision to go back in time, within in the story--the drama, the implications, the existentialist commitment--so i wrote out a possible version of the letter jadzia records for her mother, right before they switch the helm to auto-pilot (metaphorically and actually).

To my mother:

I am sorry--for my incoherence. I normally have a script for this sort of thing, but today the scripts are lost. Maybe because now everything has already been scripted, in an impossible loop. So for this, I’m expressing some unique regrets. This is the message you never hoped you would get--a message you never hoped you would get that you will enjoy far less than that message you never hoped you would get. For that and many other reasons, I am of course sorry. I don't have long. But really, I have so much time and I do not want it. (Actually, I’m sorry for saying that. I want my time in life, I promise. I am sorry for causing you pain.)

Aren’t I just sorry about so many things, now? If I could look at myself from the outside, I would even venture to call myself pathetic. Perhaps that’s what Yedrin sees—the girl who couldn’t save her friend, the girl who couldn’t move on, the girl who is now him, the girl who caused this whole nightmare to begin with.

(I expect the mission briefing being transmitted with all our farewell missives will explain who Yedrin is for you. And what it is I have done.)

The fact is, mother, I am still alive. I am just in a place where you can’t reach me. Time is trapping me, as well as several thousand promises in the shape of people. They want to live and Kira wants them to live so now I will go back to ensure it. I will do what has been reported of their history to ensure that history is written. I will marry Worf and bear countless children and when I do eventually die a generation from now, Dax will go on to another—as is custom. So you see, I am still alive and will remain so long after you read this.

What should I even ask you to mourn, is the question. I’m already mostly absent from your life, at least physically. If I were not to go on this journey back in time, I would still be so far away from you, by so many light-years, that by relative standards we would still be separated by time. Distance is time and time is space—when dealing with quantities like this. Me in a starship, you home… listening to a message I recorded for you a month ago about some organic stone that grows like a plant. (I am sorry, that you have been even for a moment an afterthought to my curiosity. Or maybe I’m not sorry, for still I’ve been gone. Caring more about stones than anything else.) My being on this planet and deliberately stranding myself two hundred years in the past is hardly going to change the status quo, excepting a handful of visits.

Yet, I am sorry. I’m sorry, too, for even trying to pretend like this isn’t the end of something. You will probably not be satisfied to know I’m doing this in service to others. I personally can’t think you selfish for preferring your daughter in the same instantaneous slice of time. But I won’t waver from this, now that it’s decided.

It’s the end of Kira’s life and it is also the end of mine. You’ll accuse me of being dramatic, but I have no intention of labeling this next performance as something as wild and unique and fresh and interesting and fun as life. There’s no real death to it, either—for someday I am will come stumbling down onto this planet again and start this letter to you over once more. Maybe.

Do you remember when I told you about the proto-universe that we had to set back in the wormhole? You said it reminded you of working with delicate coral polyps in your garden, making sure there are enough of them upon each branch, that they are flowering and not crowding, that they are able to eat. That has stayed with me for longer than you know—the image of great dark-energy corals, holding little polyp universes on their colorful bones. And your work, it is something mundane, humble—you’ll call me elitist for saying so—but it’s true. Also true is the fact that I do not wish to do humble work, even if it is beautiful like your garden. I like gardens to stay where I can think about them—in the dark—not where I have to do the digging myself, where the digging is just for planting and not for studying. You’ll say again I’m elitist for drawing that distinction. But my place is in a lab, hitting my head on a fume-hood and taking my time stirring a solution with my glass-stirrer. Because I like the sound it makes against the beaker.

I will think of your coral garden for the rest of my life. I will think of Trill and its amethyst ocean and skies and grass. I will think of my dear father and sister and, of course, you, mother. I hope you will think of me too, doing something different than planting crops: maybe living a life off-planet, discovering a smart fungus that would make father scrunch his nose in distaste…and make you smile.

I would give so many things to return to you. But, alive or not, I am now lost.

I will try to be happy—I have been assured I will find some happiness, even if now it is hard to comprehend. And I’ll play the stone-tossing games, that you taught us when were little, with my own inevitable children. We’ll do what you always showed us how to do. We’ll have a lot of fun.

Your daughter, Jadzia.

[yeah-thats-probably-it]

More things I think would happen if Jeeves and Wooster were on DS9

Part 1 Part 1.5

It's a bit harder in space than in London for Bertie's relatives and school friends to track him down and beg for favors. Unfortunately, Jeeves’s reputation as a problem-solver has spread around the station, and the problems Bertie's NEW friends bring to him are even more ridiculous.

Week after week: "Help, I got Zanthi fever at the Gratitude Festival and now my fiancée won't speak to me"—"I love a girl from a few star systems over, but on her homeworld unmarried men and women are only allowed to communicate via each other's same-gender parent and her mom hates me"—"Your Uncle Tom wants a rare silver thing but this asshole Ferengi trader won't let him have it" (sometimes his relatives DO visit)

When he doesn’t end up with dubiously legal, stolen, or dangerous alien merchandise smuggled aboard his ship against his will (and also when he does), he keeps managing to stumble coincidentally into the exact combination of words and actions that make up some alien culture's courtship ritual (nobody told him that on Glorgon, pushing somebody into a body of water is considered the first step in a marriage proposal!)

The Gussie/Madeline/Spode love triangle follows him to space, obviously. No matter where he is in the galaxy, fiancé(e)s of the week will come and go, but the Gussie/Madeline/Spode love triangle is a universal constant. There is no galaxy or universe he can escape to where the triangle will not follow.

I feel like this goes without saying, but Gussie is a human scientist stationed on Bajor to study newts native amphibious life forms found in the planet's rivers. He and Bertie still went to school together. Spode is a firebrand Bajoran nationalist politician who had ties to the Circle before their failed coup, but not quite enough for anything to be proved against him.

Bassett Madeline is a Bajoran astronomer who writes poetry on the side and visits the station sometimes to help with research on the wormhole. She’s actually a very qualified scientist, but there’s nothing stopping her from knowing how the stars work AND believing they’re the Prophets’ daisy chain.

Kira really, REALLY wants to like her. She wants to like her so badly. Another highly accomplished religious Bajoran woman is visiting, she should be thrilled! They have so much to talk about! Madeline's fervor toward their shared faith is nothing less than admirable and inspiring and an example to us all, and not at ALL "mawkish" or "a bit much," JULIAN, and no Kira does NOT have a headache, but on second thoughts maybe she should head to the infirmary just in case.

Fortunately, Madeline is usually on the station to work with Jadzia, who regards her mushy tendencies with gentle amusement.

Kira eventually warms to Madeline somewhat when, one day, she (Madeline) visits the station after a fight with Gussie, and Jadzia, taking pity, invites her to play Camelot with her and Kira in the holosuites. Kira has to grit her teeth through the first half, but the three of them end up bonding when something inevitably goes wrong with the safety protocols and they have to fight a real dragon or something. Kira still wouldn't call Madeline her best friend, but she can find it in herself to tolerate the daisy-chain talk with a more bonhomous spirit.

Bertie has no idea any of this is happening, but is just grateful that Jadzia managed to whisk Madeline off to the holosuites before she could try to marry HIM again. He has the Bajoran Rite of Separation memorized by heart and he's running out of bowls.

He also isn't sure what all that was about when Jadzia assured him that she's got this, don't worry about it, you go on and spend some quality time with Jeeves, and then winked at him. Or why this made Jeeves tighten his jaw by the minutest degree and disappear to "supervise repairs," even though Bertie is almost certain there are no repairs left to be done.

It's all a bit rummy, but Jadzia is a dependable sort of cove, and if she says there's nothing to worry about then he trusts there's nothing to worry about. She's a bit like Jeeves in that respect, what? So he shrugs it off and goes to play darts with Julian and Miles instead.

Bertie is obviously a common fixture at the dartboard in Quark's. He also plays tennis with Julian sometimes (Miles being kind of done with tennis after what happened last time). Quark tried to start a betting pool on their games one time, but hit a snag when it turned out that many of the non-human bar customers had trouble telling the competitors apart.

Bertie once sat with Jadzia over a couple drinks as she patiently tried to explain the concept of joined Trill to him (he had been asking about why Sisko calls her "old man"). The discussion ended with Jadzia kindly patting him on the shoulder and inviting him to a game of Dabo.

As it happens, there weren't really any repairs to be done on the ship, but in pretending he was carrying out inspections Jeeves DID discover a hidden device on the warp engine that would have caused everyone on the station to hallucinate their worst enemy's face onto random strangers when the engine was engaged, so the day wasn't a complete wash.

(He kept the device instead of reporting it, naturally. You never know what might come in handy some day. But the plot would have fallen apart anyway, as the aliens who'd planted it suddenly found themselves succumbing to infighting after their first officer received an anonymous message alerting them to the fact that the captain had been planning to short the crew on their pay.)

[per1w1nkl3]

if there's one thing ds9 is good at is friendships, from the very beginning to its evolution to casual nods to offscreen adventures they're having. unfortunately if there's one thing ds9 is bad at is romance, especially with the female characters.

(spoilers incoming!)

jadzia and kira are probably the characters that suffer the most form this. kira's relationships before odo are so bland and boring and the show must know it, i feel like at some point they even stop trying- they didn't even show her breaking up with the last one we just got a passing mention!! and odo (although I have to admit i haven't got to the point where they really got together yet) most of the relationship seems to focus so much on him and so little on her.

jadzia's characterization is already not great when worfs comes into the picture and all jadzia episode become jadziaandworf episode its even worse. also. I really dont like their relationship, they are just too fundamentally different and they fight so often. i dont even think she wanted to get married, shes horny and very enthusiastic while he's horny and desperate to feel like a true klingon

keiko and miles relationship is... decent. imo sometimes they randomly decide they cant stand each other anymore and they both become whiny and unreasonable, sometimes tho they make it clear that that he's very much into her and shes just cool like that. still miles is much more fun when hes with julian! amd anyway keiko gets sidelined almost immediately (even the kira is pregnants with our child arc is good! this is proof deep space nine writers cannot write couples and they ultimately had to solve it by making it a polycule.)

sisko's relationship is really not given much space so i wont comment on it but you know what my favorite sisko scenes are??? those with jake and those where he's cooking for everyone.

julian's most important relationship is with garak tbh and oMG GARAK. DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED. they were so desperate to separate them he was given a relationship with such a different age gap she could be his daughter!!!!

anyway I dont know if this is a product of the casual misogyny/casual i hate my wife jokes from the 90s but its just ??? how can you fumble some arcs so much ????

[pulptrash]

Hrmmm... answering from my main because organization :-|

F/F pairs:

Kira/Cretak obviously and I like the idea of it being deliciously sordid and secretive though recent conversations have started making me think they might flaunt it. Probably the kind of relationship where they bang when they're in the same sector then go back to their own lives.

Tasha/Ro strikes me as a fun pair because childhood trauma warrior gal pals learning to be emotionally vulnerable and making the ships's counsellor really work to earn their keep. U-Haul lesbian couple.

Kira/Jadzia is fun, you fly I'll shoot. U-Haul.

M/M pairs:

Spirk. I am spirk trash. Let that Vulcan fuck that farmboy. Sassy old married gay couple in a somewhat open relationship because sometimes Spock needs a break.

Garashir because I am a simple tailor and I want Garak to have his twink and Bashir needs someone to put him in his place. Toxic chaotic couple. Garak is avoidant and Bashir is anxious.

Geordie/Bochra: I will be your eyes. First boyfriends, the sex is sweet and awkward and the breakup is emotionally devastating but the right move.

Straights:

Jadzia and Worf, which means I'm also very down for Jadzia/Worf/Kira. I like couples who wrastle. Wild kinky experimental sex, Worf still gets emotional and misty eyed after. Biggest conflict is Jadzia wanting to be open but since she'll have other lives to bang in she compromises for him.

Ben/Kassidy: I stan 1 traditional couple. Mostly vanilla sex, big dry spell after the baby. Sometimes incorporates food. Occasionally get spicy on risa. Have had sex in each other's captain's chairs without getting caught.

Michael/Book: Strar Trek is very bad at creating chemistry on purpose. Except here they knocked it out of the park. The sex is vanilla but they're both stunning so who cares. Grudge sleeps between them and frequently cock blocks.

I do enjoy an angsty TOS Chapel/Spock fanfic. Gurl he's gay.

Other:

The massive Keiko/Miles/Kira/Bashir/Worf/Jadzia/etc polycule. This station has the highest rate of horniness and commitment in Starfleet.

This year was rough for drawing, but here’s what I managed to finish.

Thank you all for the support ❤️❤️❤️ every reblog and tag warms my anxious little heart

[lorenzobane]

Rating the DS9 bridge crew’s skill in bed from 1-10 bc I’ve lost control of my life

1.) Jadzia Dax: Duh, she’s lived so many lives- she’s had so many bodies, and she’s fucked so many people... She’s an experienced legend. She’s a freak in the sheets and you just know it. IMMACULATE. You will think about the one night you shared for the rest of your sad cold life. 10/10 

2.) Julian Bashir: Listen, he’s a doctor, he’s genetically augmented (read: stamina), he’s got long fingers, AND he’s an obsessive people pleaser. The odds that he’s bad in bed feel low. However, he will make you listen to his stupid salutatorian story while he’s literally inside of you so we’re subtracting .5 for that and another .5 for the inevitability of the foot fetish (add back the .5 if that works for you). 9/10

3.) Ben Sisko: He’s a pretty busy and distracted guy, what with the war and everything. But he’s a sensualist- he’s the long and languid type. The only thing he eats out is his woman, and then he’ll make her gumbo. Still- all I can ever picture is him yelling “HA!” while he... 8/10  

4.) Worf: Kind of vanilla, and filled with sexual hang ups about being “a good Klingon” however, he DOES marry Jadzia. So that says something. Ultimately a solid lover who will get the job done, and becomes more impressive with a lover as good as Jadzia. 8/10 bc they weren’t married very long (10/10 if she hadn’t died and instead lived a long healthy and sexy life) 

5.) Miles O’Brien: Because I respect Keiko with my whole heart, I choose to believe he’s packing heat and he takes CARE of his woman. However, he is very often thinking about Julian and/or self-sealing stem bolts. Still. He knows how to please his wife very well, thank you very much. My boy loves a challenge. 7/10

6.) Kira Nerys: Woof.... I wish I could give her a high rating but her taste in men is “how close can they get to paint drying?” And she kept asking that question until she met a man who could literally become drying paint and fell in love. Sad but true. A bit vanilla and thinks about the prophets the whole time. Not “bad” but... not good. 5/10   

7.) Odo: Though he CAN shape shift into anything kinky you want him to, he won’t do it. Also he doesn’t feel pleasure of the flesh. And he’s kind of an awkward guy. The amount of “HMPHS!” in gruff tones you’d have to hear... 4/10 (however, if you’re another Changeling he can fuck for 3 straight days so... 10/10)

Non-Bridge Honorable Mention: 

Garak: He’s either the best you’ve ever had because he was a slutty spy, or he sucks and all he thinks about is Cardassia the whole time and can only orgasm if you sing the Cardassian national anthem. There is no in between. 6/10  

Quark: A selfish slut, but a slut none the less. He’s a bargain pussy and he’s not negotiating up. He will not pay for dinner and will charge you latinum if he feels unsatisfied (he will not offer you your money back if you are unsatisfied, however). 111/10. No notes.  

[animentality]

I had a very vivid dream we were married lol. We were getting ready and on our way to some kind of fancy premier for something that you'd had a hand in making. I was taking a long while to get dressed and put on these wicked heels with ribbons that tied all the way up the legs (you know how in dreams sometimes you just can't get something to work? I'm also transgender, so not used to clothes like that). So you walk in exasperated because I wouldn't let you help me put them on. And then I griefed you Jadzia-style: "What happened to NEW Worf? >:( what happened to FUN Worf with a sense of humor?" This was something I said whenever I was upset, and the phrase was a particular point of contention between us in our relationship because "If you're going to compare me to a stubborn or hotheaded trek character, it could at least BE THE ONE I'M NAMED AFTER!!" Then I started waking up, and my mind did that thing where you see a rushed montage of events as the dream begins to fade away. More bickering. Playful jabs about whose porn is more disgusting. Redoing my eyeliner when I cried as we laughed and made up. Driving off into the city.

So I think it is safe to say that you and ds9 are intrinsically connected in my brain 😂 also, sorry this is written like My Immortal. Descriptive writing is not my forté lmao. -star trek anon

No, this is beautifully written. I feel like I also lived it, and it was magnificent.

You have no idea how badly I want to marry someone who loves Deep Space Nine as much as I do. I yearn for it.

Ugh.

And also, I actually really wish I was named after Jadzia Dax? I love Kira and all, but Dax is a much more gender neutral name, plus Dax is a gender neutral worm, just like me....

But seriously, what a beautiful dream. Thank you for sharing it with me.

And i...i like that part of your dream was going to a premiere of something I wrote... honestly, I wish I still had hope in that dream, but... I think I'm a talentless hack, so.

It shall remain a dream.

But a wonderful dream.

[ocpdzim]

Actually, DS9 is pretty much the only show I have watched where I have had opinions on ships besides “I hate them” or “They seem good for each other so I GUESS it’s fine but I’d rather look at something else.” These are as follows:

Most of the canon endgame ships, including Jadzia and Worf because I think getting married and remaining married until one of you dies counts as endgame, are actually pretty cute and I did not hate watching them (this is high praise for a ship coming from me). My favorite of them from a character standpoint is Ben and Kasidy, which tbh is also the only one I wasn’t immediately irritated by when it first started. The others I was annoyed with at first but eventually came around to, and ultimately they are mostly pretty well written too.

The only major canon ship I REALLY DON’T like at all is Ezri and Julian. I feel like they will commit so many medical ethics violations because due to lack of other providers they are literally each other’s doctor and therapist and both have a HISTORY of committing medical ethics violations when treating people they are close with (Ezri just generally, Julian specifically with romantic interests). Also it was so forced and rushed. Maybe it could’ve been fine if they’d had like an entire extra season to flesh it out but I would honestly have preferred if they just didn’t do it at all. Also I feel like poor Ezri should’ve gotten like a year to just exist and figure out her issues before being shoved into any relationships AND before returning to work as a therapist because holy shit she fucked up administering therapy so bad so many times.

The one non-canon ship I most think should have been canon if the writers had dared to because it would’ve actually worked really well is the O’Brien polycule. Miles and Keiko clearly care about each other a lot yet have kind of an unstable relationship as it is, but every time they bring a third person into it, it seems to help significantly. They should stay married but Miles should also date Julian and Keiko should also date Kira who is also dating Odo. I think this would eliminate like 90% of drama in these characters’ relationships and generally improve station morale.

Julian and Garak was fun when I was watching the show and discussing it with friends, I guess I would’ve liked to see it in the show if it was handled well because they have an interesting dynamic and it would’ve presumably put an end to the parade of really insufferable “Julian has a crush... on DAX and/or a GIRL WE NEVER SAW BEFORE” events, but at this point I have seen way too many out of character incorrect quotes posts about it clogging the tag and so now I’m kind of tired of it. I get the appeal but let’s post about something else sometimes. Alternatively, let’s make posts about the ship that incorporate the characters’ actual personalities even a little bit. Either is fine.

Quark and Odo should NOT date because Odo would not treat Quark right and Quark would not treat anyone right. Quark wants a relationship so bad but I think he is just way too much of an asshole to everyone he cares about and should be banned from romance forever, sorry Quark. However, and this is crucial, the ship is such an incredible comedy setup that I am still generally happy to see posts about it anyway. “Quark and Odo try dating but they are really bad at it and have a nasty breakup” would also have been a viable episode plot and a fantastic addition to the “Quark fucks up an attempt at romance really bad” episode collection.

Sisko and Dukat is a terrible ship if it’s requited, because Sisko not only deserves better than that but also has too much of a moral backbone to ever even consider dating a person who sucks as bad as Dukat does. HOWEVER, it is funny when people write Dukat as having just an absolutely doomed and miserable one-sided crush on Sisko, who just straight up hates him and has no positive feelings towards him at all. And honestly? Considering what we know about Cardassian flirting and what we know about the horrendous way Dukat treats women he canonically has massive unrequited crushes on, you could make a good argument that "Dukat has a massive unrequited crush on Sisko and is handling it so badly and that’s at least partially why he did this” is a valid read of several of his actions in the show.

I have no real interest in a ship between Jake and Ziyal for its own sake; it’s been boring in every way I’ve seen it presented even though one could in theory do interesting things with it. HOWEVER since the writers were so determined to introduce weird fucking horrible to watch romance subplots for these characters (all of which were thankfully brief, but like, still awful), I think it would’ve improved the show if they were in a relationship simply by virtue of the fact that they were around the same age.

[deepspacedukat]

I do really want to know your reasoning on the Cardassians because sometimes I just go ✨PRETTY✨ and have absolutely no other thoughts. It’s a little embarrassing.

But also, if you were stuck somewhere for like a year who would you pick to live with from Trek and why? I’m picking Jadzia, Kira, Dr. Bashir, and Rom. Also Garak because then I could learn how to sew better.

-Horta-in-Charge

Look, honestly, sometimes the ✨pretty✨ reaction is all I have too lol. Okay, so for the placement reasoning:

Fuck: Garak - The man would absolutely know what he was doing, but I feel like because of his Obsidian Order past he wouldn’t necessarily feel comfortable with something as traceable as a marriage record revealing that he had a weakness (aka his s/o). The sex though...the sex. Not giving that up! Dukat - I mean, the man would know his way around, if you know what I mean. The guy has multiple children so obviously he knows what he’s doing. Might not be smart to marry a villain, but to be his good little slut...? *nods head sagely* Madred - Look, he’s evil. He tortured Picard. But...also...I would let him rail me till I couldn’t stand. No logic on this one. Just ✨dirty thoughts.✨

Marry: Macet - He doesn’t seem as bad as his cousin, and he’s still got the sexy voice, so um...Yeah. Not really any logic with this one either. Just would absolutely take pretty lizard’s last name. Daro - I mean, this one to me is obvious. He seems like he’d be sweet and protective and just perfect husband material, so...yep. We don’t even have an official first name for him, but I’d take his last name. Damar - Ok, so...no logic for this one either...He’s a big, pretty, square lizard. And I’d go there. Tekeny Ghemor - He’s a widower and he’s a very sweet man. 10/10 would call him daddy in bed and take his last name. He also feels like the type of person who would be v protective of the person he loved and since he’s obviously had a kid, he knows what he’s doing in bed...

Kiss: Telle - Tbh, he wasn’t my favorite Cardassian, but he was still cute and rather square. 100% would give this lizard a smooch. Boheeka - Look. LOOK. This man deserved better than the Order making him disappear for Quark’s requisition code. Add that to his slutty little comment about a Dabo girl almost bankrupting him, and I’d definitely kiss him. Also, he’s pretty, so... Ari - This good boy just wanted to protect Iliana!Kira and for Cardassia to have a better future. HE DESERVED BETTER. 10000/10 would smooch. Entek - Bad Lizard™ but would I let him pin me up against a wall and kiss me like a back alley whore? Yes. No logic. Only ✨pretty✨

Hug: Mavek - He was on Terok Nor during the Dominion’s occupation of said station, and he was sweet enough to bring Major Kira her coffee every morning. Look. Any guy who remembers AWAKE JUICE for somebody EVERY DAY has EARNED a hug. At minimum.

Kill: Evek - Look. I have strong feelings about Cardassians. For some reason, he evokes a very visceral reaction. Also I’m convinced he’s one of the ones who suggested the Central Command try to blame Dukat for the weapon smuggling in “The Maquis” Parts 1&2. R.I.P. Danar - Idk why I have this reaction with him?? So many of Vaughn Armstrong’s characters are calming or just give me a different reaction, but with Danar, I...I don’t know. Confusion lizard. R.I.P.

As for your second question, oooooh, I love that idea! I’ll do 5 people since you chose 5.

If it can be anyone from any Trek series, I’d say... Shran, Julian Bashir, Spock, Malcolm Reed, and Dukat (for chaos and laughs). Would we survive? Probably not. Would it be fun? Yes (for me; I guarantee nobody else’s enjoyment but my own).

If it can only be DS9 characters...Bashir, O’Brien, Martok, Garak, and Dukat (again, for chaos and laughs). 

Are both those sets reverse harem situations in my brain? ...Perhaps...

[magic-gps]

A definitive ranking of all the boyfriends in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Rom started a union, ran a successful strike, and changed career paths for his girlfriend. and then he married her and, stayed with her, and is still madly in love with her, last we saw

Sisko yeah, I'm as surprised as you are. this list originally got started because @featherquillpen and I said Sisko was the best boyfriend on ds9, but then he abandoned his pregnant girlfriend to go fuck off and become a god, so he got bumped down a spot

Jake truly an adorable boyfriend, but we only see him dating for three episodes, so he goes below Sisko

Quark a supremely awkward person and that bleeds into his dating life, but he doesn't push and has shown himself willing to take a bullet for his gf. multiple times

Julian all those weird one off girlfriends from early seasons, plus Ezri. the fact that he and Leeta were actually kind of cute together brings this up to "bud, why" territory

Miles yells a lot, but at least he doesn't actively sabotage Keiko's attempts to live her own life

Odo a truly terrible person and a halfway decent boyfriend. at least up until he cheats on Kira with a slime boy

Worf just an abusive shitbag. was jealous that Jadzia was having fun on vacation, so he decided to plant a bomb and blow up the place

Bonus: Garak 5.5. in between Julian and Miles. is a better boyfriend than Miles, but a worse person. has a truly Odd moral system and set of motivations, but once you figure it out (which would take a lifetime), you'd know exactly where you stand with him and what you'd have to do to change that. but also he tried to blow up a planet, so would you really want to date him?

[hi-my-name-is-dotdotdot]

combined jumbled ds9 I watched a lot today

mirror Kira. she- I- um. HELLO??

I wanna read like a character study now. also implications for non mirror kira???

got long again and this is about many episodes and it’s all jumbled up, so here’s a cut

I kept thinking that by the amount of times they said “no changeling has ever harmed another” that would change soon, and I was right. feel bad for odo :(

lotsa invasions happening. romulan-cardassian invasion of the dominion, klingon invasion of cardassia, when is the full out war gonna start? also the maquis still exist but they haven’t done much in a while

oh wait, except for when ruler version 2 (tom) pretends to be will and steals the defiant. also I never got to finish tng (it left netflix and I just never got around to watching it on my own on my laptop) so like what happened between will and o’brien?? like. that “I have nothing to say to you” exchange was SO unexpected.

also apparently the enterprise gets destroyed. that was news

back to ds9, umm oh we finally see the ferengi planet! andddd yep, seems right, pay to enter someone’s house, pay for an elevator, pay to sit, pay to stand, pay to find out who’s been charged with a crime and what the crime is, etc

quark and rom’s mother seemed quite interesting. kinda want her to pop up again, see how her secret financial empire is going

nog got into the academy!

rom stood up to quark!

that one episode that’s pov is old Jake and it’s the story of how ben dies but not really was. so sad. good thing his plan worked and it was fixed! but also, feel like it should come with a suicide warning? technically?

who in their right mind thought sending dukat on a mission alone with kira was a good idea? and then he had the nerve to say “actually, I think the occupation was good for Bajor but I’m not here to debate you on politics” THEN WHY’D YOU BRING IT UP, MISTER

also, dukat of all people was in love with a Bajoran? and has a half bajoran daughter? who he couldn’t bring himself to kill even with a weapon pointed at her for a few long minutes? surprising

don’t know if taking her back to cardassia is actually the best thing, sorry major, but I can’t believe most cardassians would ever treat her as equal or respect her. not to mention like. I’m assuming dukat would take her home to his home. and his wife and seven children. so not only would the rest of cardassia think she shouldn’t exist, she’ll probably have to live with people who resent her and just think she’s a “mistake” by dukat. who knows though, maybe cardassian “family is everything” values have a broader definition of family than I’d pessimistically include.

worf is here! funny thing - when we watched tng my mom never liked worf but now that he’s here she’s happy to see a(nother) familiar character lol

JADZIA AND LENORA AND DS9’S FAMOUS LESBIAN KISS why is this episode so tragic I wanted to cry

alsoooooooo I love how not a single complaint was they’re both women but only that they were married in previous hosts like yes go star trek written in the 90’s you did it

oh that reminds me! this was a few days ago, sisko and bashir were talking about reassigning an ensign because he’s “budding” and then have a whole, happy conversation about how “he’s pregnant?” “yes, twins” “well congratulation, of course he’s reassigned” “we’re having a baby shower for him” “I’ll be there are you getting him anything” that just made me happy

also I like how julian and miles’ relationship went from miles hates julian and julian annoys miles and then they grow to like and understand each other and sometime they start spending fixed times together (racquetball, darts) and go to each other with problems, become basically best friends to the point where when they get captured by some jem’hadar who want a cure to their genetic drug addiction and julian refuses to leave with miles because he wants to cure them, miles is willing to risk his career and everything to get julian back to their ship with him no matter what. even if julian’s his superior officer. even if he has to blast his work apart. even if julian might always resent him for it. (happily the end cues seem like they can start hanging out again in a few days, but I don’t think it could be quite the same as before after something like that, not so soon at least)

during jadzia’s (????) ceremony where she meets her previous hosts and curzon somehow joins with odo and both decide they want to stay in odo’s body but eventually realize it’s not for the best. I just. that was sad ok.

also, speaking of odo, he’s in love with kira? I feel like there are literally never signs besides like. two episodes. one is when it’s the bajoran gratitude festival and odo’s like “I was thinking of coming this year… I’ll see you there?” and kira said she’d be with bareil and odo was visibly disappointed

the second episode was when another changeling pretended to be kira stuck in a growing rock and odo admitted it when he thought she was gonna die. (also! I KNEW it was a trap, the second they split up something happens to her? really? also she sounded way too panicked to be kira over getting her foot stuck in a rock)

another point - because of odo I just assumed changelings are bad at being humanoid, but changelings besides odo can imitate humanoids (so far, one vulcan and maybe two humans? including scanning as that species with a tricorder!) so why can’t odo? does he just need more practice or is it some result of being separated from his planet and people so young? or maybe something to do with this great link?

oh and about that episode where odo and garak go off to investigate and then garak is like “huh! I can be a good cardassian again? I can be back in the obsidian order? yes!” like. dude. of course I understand his desire to go home and feel bad for him but do you really trust that? really?? you were EXILED for betraying this man and - even if you say you didn’t do it - you think he’s just gonna let you back into the fold? back into cardassia? after you ran off to save him from ab assassin only to learn he sent the assassin after you? really? I suppose he figured it out at the end, somewhat.

odo in that episode too. so when he can’t turn back to liquid he starts falling apart? like. geez that’s harsh. also why does he always wait until the whole 16 hours have passed? like, 16 hours is his regeneration period, it’s the longest he can hold a form, but wouldn’t it make more sense to go back to his liquid state whenever he has a safe few minutes time? that way his 16-hour “time bank” would always be as full as possible. or does it only count at the 16-hour marks?

also the scene when odo is flaking apart and looking in all sorts of pain and can’t stand anymore and garak runs over like “just tell me something! anything!” and odo bursts out with “I want to go home! not to the station, but to my people! I want to be part of the great link” and he sounds tortured and agonized over it. well. goodness, that hits right in the heart, doesn’t it? (the “goodness” makes me southern in that sentence, lol)

also the whole thing with “need to bleed to prove you’re not a changeling because when separated the blood goes to what I’m now calling default changeling mode (dcm?)” why oh why are they always making big dramatic cuts in their palms? a finger prick would work just as well! at first I thought, just yank out a strand of hair but then I remember wigs could easily make that useless. but seriously. finger pricks! also get something sterile, why is everyone in the room using the same klingon’s knife?

my dad promised to get paramount+ after wimbledon’s over, so I’ll probably finally actually finish tng before I come back to this. since I’m not under “BINGE BEFORE IT LEAVES” constraints it’ll probably just be one or a couple of episodes a day, which’ll hopefully mean I’m actually coherent if I’m possessed to write about it like this

[mouthmoodz]

Kira Nerys, Tasha Yar, and Data for the character thing. Pick one, or all.

ok i did all of them :o)

Kira Nerys

How I feel about this character: She is so good!!! She's kind of a ""strong female character"" but not in a bad way because we get to see her doubt herself and cry and scream and yell and stuff (but also not in a "god what a bitch" way).

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Jadzia!! I'm not devoted to this ship or anything but there is definitely something going on there. Also I support Kira joining the O'Brien polycule.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: I guess her relationship with Odo is kind of nice. they should've broken up and just been friends. i mean it's still kinda weird because of the "can't stand collaborators" (10 minutes later) "me and the bestie" thing but whatever.

My unpopular opinion about this character: This is very minor, but sometimes people call her a war criminal and I don't think she is?? Like can you even commit war crimes if you're not affiliated with an actual military of a recognized government? She may have done morally questionable things, but you can just call her a terrorist.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: She should have gotten to kill Dukat. You can't change my mind.

--

Tasha Yar

How I feel about this character: It's hard to have a strong opinion about her based only on one of the worst seasons of star trek ever made, but she seems cool.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: I believe it is conventional wisdom that Tasha, Deanna, and Beverly are 3 weed smoking girlfriends together.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Wasn't she kinda friends with Worf?? That was fun.

My unpopular opinion about this character: OK I FEEL BAD even saying this because it's not like they gave her much of anything to work with but I feel like Denise Crosby's acting as Tasha Yar was not that good. and clearly there was some nepotism going on there. BUT IT'S FINE!!!

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: Well obviously I wish she hadn't been killed by mr. goo man and had a windows xp funeral and become a romulan. I also wish she had gotten some character development and backstory other than the luridly awful descriptions of her home planet.

--

Data

How I feel about this character: I LOVE HIM MY SPECIAL ROBOT BOY. i never really considered anyone a "comfort character" before but i think data is mine. I want to give him a hug. i should get tested

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Data and Geordi forever, obviously, amen

My non-romantic OTP for this character: I really liked his relationships with Troi and Crusher. Especially Crusher, because it was amazing when she taught Data how to dance.

My unpopular opinion about this character: This is probably only an unpopular opinion among star trek normies because i don't think people on tumblr care, but I think it's fine that Brent Spiner got older over the course of playing Data and didn't stay exactly the same. There's inherently something charming about a human actor pretending to be an android who wants to be human, and I think it's okay, and good even, that you can tell he's a guy wearing makeup. And you don't have to acknowledge it in canon and say he has an "aging program" it's literally fine.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: I am the 100000th person to say this but I wish instead of the emotion chip he had come to accept himself as an android who has android emotions. I also wish that he and Geordi had gotten married and they adopted 10 cats and lived happily ever after. Actually that IS what happened I accept no information to the contrary.

[lady-sci-fi]

DS9 for the fandom ask

Send me a fandom/ship/character

Favorite character: Julian or Garak.

Least Favorite character: I don't think there's anyone I actively dislike, so I'll say the Founder Leader. She's probably the least "complicated" of the villains, which could make her seem kind of one-note for a while.

5 Favorite ships (canon or non-canon): Julian/Garak, Sisko/Kasidy, Kira/Odo, Jake/Ziyal is a cute idea, Damar/Weyoun is a funny one to think about.

Character I find most attractive: Julian. I've got a thing for the pretty boys.

Character I would marry: Julian or Sisko.

Character I would be best friends with: Jake, the more reserved and creative type.

a random thought: This show seriously has the best character development and arcs, for the regular AND recurring characters. Everyone has potential and they take advantage of it.

An unpopular opinion: I will watch most of the Ferengi episodes over any of the Klingon ones. I just find Klingon-centered stuff so boring for the most part.

My Canon OTP: In a way, I consider Garashir to be canon, in as much as they were able to get away with making it canon. When the actors, writers, directors, and showrunner Ira Behr were supportive of it and worked it in as much as they thought they could get away with, it doesn't have to be explicitly said in the show. Even after they were ordered to give them less scenes together, they still act like a couple when they are together.

My Non-canon OTP: See above. I don't have any other OTPs that would be non-canon.

Most Badass Character: I have to pick one? But most of them are. I'll pick Kira, then.

Most Epic Villain: Dukat is an amazingly-written villain. He's so well-rounded, capable of working with the heroes, his complicated relationships, his descent into madness, his ability to evoke sympathy and dislike at the same time...

Pairing I am not a fan of: Julian/Ezri, because it definitely comes off as a "pair the spares" thing without any real build-up. There's also a weird thing on Julian's part, where it comes off as he's trying to replace other people who are leaving with her. Miles comments on Julian "trading books" with her, because that's what he does with Garak. Then when Miles leaves, he pulls her into one of his "hopeless battle" games, which is what he did with Miles. They can't do something unique to them? Overall it somehow does a disservice to him, her, Jadzia, and Worf at once. It feels like the writers weren't convinced on it, and it shows.

Character I feel the writers screwed up (in one way or another): Julian in Season 7 specifically when it came to his relationships. It's like his romantic characterization got kicked back to early seasons. He's suddenly been pining for Jadzia for years even though he got over that quickly, he tries to rush into something with Sarina which nearly hurts her, and then Ezri partly because she used to be Jadzia? No thanks.

Favourite Friendship: Jake and Nog are just adorable together, and it's great to see two teens from different cultures meet and grow up with this tight bond.

Character I most identify with: Jake is the closest. Growing up in a military family and moving around as a kid/teen, creative person/writer, kinda reserved compared to others.

Character I wish I could be: I don't think like this about characters. Considering the shit they go all through, I don't want to be any of them :P

[fancy-a-dance-brigadier]

Also also 001 - DS9 for the ask thing (because we all love garashir, but what's up with the rest of the show?)

I don't think anyone knows what's up with the rest of the show, not even the people who were on it. That show is chaos personified I swear (and that's why I love it)

Favorite character: Julian!! That man walked onto the screen, made an absolute fool of himself, and from then on out I knew he was my favourite and latched onto him like a barnacle. He is an agent of chaos and I love him for it, and I find him to be such a layered and detailed character even though you might not realise it at first. I think also think his character arc is really tragic, and as someone who flies to angst like a moth to a flame, that very much appeals to me. I could go on and on about him, but I don't want to make this post any longer than it no doubt will be. Also he's pretty <3

Least Favorite character: The Female Founder. She was pretty good in the last few episodes of season 7, but every time she turned up before that I just couldn't stand her. Her plots just felt so repetitive and dull, and she actively made me dislike Odo, which I cannot forgive because I love that goo man and she really brought out the worst in him. So yeah, not a fan of her

5 Favorite ships (canon or non-canon): Garashir, of course, but I've also become a slave to the Siskoshir brain rot lately. Kiradax is definitely up there too, and Jake/Ziyal is very cute. I also like Kira/Odo, but only when it was one-sided on Odo's part - I never really thought it made sense for Kira to reciprocate his feelings, so I didn't like it so much when she did, as sweet as they were together.

Character I find most attractive: Julian and Jadzia worked in unison to remind me that I am indeed attracted to men and women, they're both so PRETTY. Honourable mention to Ezri, because she's adorable and Mirror!Ezri is really something else

Character I would marry: Probably Jadzia, or maybe Sisko. They just seem like good marriage material

Character I would be best friends with: Honestly? Jake. He just seems like a cool guy to hang out with, and his relative lack of baggage appeals to me

a random thought: I reckon it would've been neat if Keevan had got to hang around a little longer. It'd be interesting to see how they'd handle having a rogue Vorta around the station.

An unpopular opinion: IDK if this is unpopular or not, but I really don't care for the Ferengi episodes. There are some exceptions, of course (Bar Association, The Magnificent Ferengi, and Little Green Men come to mind as Ferengi episodes I enjoy), but I really don't vibe with them otherwise. The misogyny just gets a bit too much for my tastes, which is saying a lot since I tend to be able to handle that sort of thing. So yeah, even though I know it's supposed to be a send-up of extreme sexism, I just don't really vibe with it.

My Canon OTP: I really like a lot of the canon couples, so I don't know if I can choose just one! Definitely a tie between Sisko/Kasidy, Jadzia/Worf, and Rom/Leeta

My Non-canon OTP: You see, if I'd received this ask a week or two ago, I probably would've said Garashir. But at the moment, I really am kind of obsessed with Siskoshir - I think it offers more of what I like in a ship in general. Still love Garashir of course, but Siskoshir has my heart at the moment

Most Badass Character: Oh my god there are so many! But Kasidy springs to mind first, so I'm gonna have to go with her. Oh, and Kira too - both of them are brilliant and badass and powerful and I love them so much

Most Epic Villain: Damar!! I know he turns good at the end, but I don't care he's still great. Words cannot describe how much I adored that man's character arc, I was literally cheering whenever he stood up against the Dominion. Pour one out for Damar, he was a real one

Pairing I am not a fan of: Jezri, but that kind of goes without saying. I think I don't like that ship because I love both Julian and Ezri as individuals, and seeing them just get smushed together because they were the only two left without partners at the end just felt like a disservice to both of them. I think if they'd got a focus episode or two together, and if they based their romance on more than just Julian's old crush on Jadzia, it could've worked. But in the end it just felt rushed and shoehorned in, so yeah, not a fan.

Character I feel the writers screwed up (in one way or another): Julian in season 7, hands down. There was just SO MUCH wrong with how they wrote him in that season, from the rushed romance with Ezri to the way they handled Section 31. Ugh I have such a bone to pick with Extreme Measures - I firmly believe that episode would've been so much better if it was just Julian VS Sloan without the Miles buddy comedy element, and I think that would've done Julian's arc a lot more justice in terms of his loss of idealism. I've already discussed how I feel about Jezri, and don't even get me started on Chrysalis, or how cutting his relationship with Garak short damaged his character. But yeah - in season 1 it felt like they didn't know what to do with Julian in a fun way, but in season 7 they didn't know what to do with him in a not-fun way, and I think that's a shame.

Favourite Friendship: Jadzia and Julian, the bi buddies in blue!! I know we all love Julian with Miles and Jadzia with Sisko, but I just adore how their friendship grew from that awkward crush type thing in season 1 to the amicable companionship of the later seasons. And I also just have a fondness for strong platonic relationships between male and female characters in fiction too, so there's that. Honourable mention to Jake and Nog

Character I most identify with: I always struggle with these types of questions because I don't really think about characters in that way, but if I had to pick someone I'd have to pick Jake purely because of our shared love of writing.

Character I wish I could be: uuuHHH I have no idea. Someone who doesn't get traumatised?? Is there anyone who doesn't get traumatised on this show???? Again, I just don't think about characters in that way, so I have no idea how to answer this question.

Thank you so much for the ask!! This was a lot of fun (and I apologise for writing you a whole ass essay whoops)

[cakemagemaeve]

So I've been watching DS9 all the way through for the first time (yes, I know, what the fuck have I been doing with my life and how dare I call myself a Trekkie, but hey, at least I'm getting around to it now!) and all of the gifs and clips I've seen before simply do not do it justice. It's been a great distraction from all the shit I've been going through lately, and since I've got nothing but free time right now, I've been on a real binge. I've just started the episode where Rom is trying to start a union, and boy howdy is it as relevant today as it was when it first aired, just like so many of the other episodes I've seen so far. Side note, I did not expect to love Rom so much, and yet here we are. I just want to give the poor guy a big hug and a sackful of gold-pressed latinum just for being a sweetheart.

Anyway, here are a few of my other thoughts on the series so far:

-Garak/Bashir OTP. They're basically already married, but so far Garak seems to be the only one who realizes that.

-I would let Mirror!Kira do whatever she wanted with me.

-Same goes for regular Kira, obviously, but Mirror!Kira has the edge over her for being just so deliciously evil and hedonistic that she's basically irresistible to me. Gloriously flamboyant and campy female villains are basically like catnip to me, I can't help it.

-Jadzia Dax may also do whatever she wishes to me. That sexy spotted worm-lady is flawless and Lenara Kahn was a fool to give up on her, taboos or not.

-On a similar note, Dax/Worf is okay but not as good as Kira/Dax would have been.

-I still headcanon Worf as autistic. Captain Sisko, too.

-If DS9 didn't win any awards for "The Visitor" then there is no justice in this world. That episode BROKE me to pieces and then put me back together.

-Dukat used to be a legitimate threat but now he's kind of, I don't know, adorably pathetic? Like dude, Sisko and Kira are not going to fuck you. Move on with your life. Team Rocket has more dignity than him.

-Quark and Odo need to just fuck and get it over with.

-Miles O'Brien and Harry Kim need to start a support group for people who are the designated chew-toys of the universe, and Bradward Boimler from Lower Decks should join.

-This is one of those rare shows where I don't think there's a single character I dislike, at least among the main cast. Kai Winn can go fuck herself with something hard and sandpapery, though. Betch.

[lieutenantcharleslorem]

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Relationships: Julian Bashir/Elim Garak, Julian Bashir & Molly O'Brien Characters: Julian Bashir, Elim Garak, Kira Nerys, Jadzia Dax, Jake Sisko, Nog (Star Trek), Rom (Star Trek), Leeta (Star Trek), Molly O'Brien (Star Trek) Summary: Molly doesn't want to spend Halloween on the station with no human kids, so Julian offers to take her to Earth for the last week of October. Taking others with him to experience the holiday, he could probably relax and lean on them as fellow chaperones. But he has a full itinerary for Molly, with no idea she would have any plans of her own for him.

Note: Apologies for any mistakes, I wanted to get this up by the end of the month. Also, I took some liberties with Molly's personality, and by that I mean I gave her one. But hey, my mom thinks it's accurate to 8, so... 😃Oh, and I'm planning on this story remaining rather wholesome, but since there is a ship I've rated it teen just to be safe until it's all up and I have a better idea.

Quark shuffled over as Chief O’Brien and Dr. Bashir sat down at the bar a few seats away from Morn.

“Hello, boys!” he said, “Care to try our new drink for the hu-mon season? It’s called a Jack-o-lantern!”

Miles groaned and put his head on the bar. He was ignored for a moment while Bashir asked what was in a Jack-o-lantern.

“It’s a spiced rum drink, with pumpkin and carrot juice. Sure to remind you two of home! Plus it comes in these cute little face glasses,” Quark said pulling out a short glass with the black triangular eyes and a toothy grin of a carved pumpkin.

“Wow, you really went all in on the theme if you bought glasses, Quark,” said Bashir.

“Actually they’re sonic-dishwasher safe stickers. Leeta says she can get them off with her long fingernails when your creepy season is over… What’s wrong with him?” Quark pointed a thumb toward O’Brien who had lifted his head to listen to the drink ingredients, but still looked out of sorts.

“What’sa matter, Chief?” asked Bashir.

“Oh, I’m just stressing out about something that probably won’t end up mattering that much.”

“So the usual?” Quark said walking away and returning with two beers. They weren’t sure if Quark was saying Miles always worried about things that didn’t matter or just talking about their drink order, but he disappeared to help another customer immediately after, so they would never know.

“What’s the trouble?” asked Bashir.

“Keiko is really busy on Bajor and can’t take time off for Halloween.”

“Sort of an unusual Holiday to take time off for anyhow.”

“Sure, but now I have Molly because Keiko is so busy, and there definitely wouldn’t be any Halloween business on Bajor anyway.”

“That important, is it?”

“It’s Molly’s favorite Holiday. Last year Keiko took her to my parents’ house on Earth for the week. But I just can’t get away, not with the lifts acting up, and the power cells that went missing—”

“And no one else can do those things? Rom?”

“Oh… It’s not that Rom isn’t capable of being in charge, but he does get, you know, nervous when he thinks people have high expectations and… to be honest he’s been getting on my nerves lately. It’s not him. It’s all the things around here going wrong making me irritated with everything.”

“Do you have any plans?”

“Ugh, I think Keiko thinks I’ll try to make it special here. But Molly knows that’s a bust and isn’t being shy about it. There’s no other human kids here, Daddy. I’m gonna feel silly dressing up. She never used to feel silly being the only one doing something.”

“Well, she’s getting older.”

“Yeah but still so little. If she was older and making a fuss, I’d just send her on a shuttle by herself and have her Gran pick her up on the other side. Used to do that sort of thing when I was a kid, but not ‘til I was a little older than her.”

“Hmm… Well… Miles… I could take her.”

“What?”

“I have some leave. And unlike you I think my staff can handle things while I’m gone. I mean if some horrible disease breaks out, I’ll come rushing back. But it’s just a little trick or treating, right? I could handle it.”

“I… I guess you could. It’s just, there’s a lot of kids and a lot going on—”

“I did in fact trick or treat as a child, Miles; you’re not explaining it to a Vulcan.”

“Well I—”

“Oh! But I could take Garak with me!”

“Garak?!”

“Oh, he loves Molly, and he rarely gets to leave the station. I could show him a piece of human culture.”

“I wouldn’t say he loves Molly. He makes her clothes—”

“He adores her, and would sooner kill someone than let something happen to her. Hmm, I wonder if any other non-humans would like to come learn about Halloween? Kira would probably think it was a waste of time… Dax is probably quite familiar with it, but I’m sure she’d have fun. Oh! I bet Jake hasn’t had an authentic Halloween in years.”

“If you’re going to bring a huge party with you, it’s not really about Molly anymore, is it?”

“Nonsense, the more people I bring the more chaperones for Molly. Besides, I don’t know if any of these people will say yes. Maybe it would just be me and Dax or something. That would be very relaxed. I could do this, Chief, but if you’d rather Molly stuck around here and complained…”

O’Brien gave a hmf that could rival Odo’s. But he nodded, taking a sip of his beer.

“Alright. Not too much sugar, nothing too scary, bed by 9, 10 on Halloween if she twists your arm. Don’t let her wander off on her own, and keep track of her please and thank yous. I don’t want her getting used to being rude because she thinks she can get away with it with you. Call me if there are any problems, and, Doctor… Bring her back in one piece.”

“Can do, Chief. I’ll start asking who wants to come along, and you can lecture all of them too.”

“I will.”

 The next evening, Chief O’Brien ran into Worf on the promenade and stopped him.

“Worf, I was glad to hear you’re going on this trip with Julian to take Molly. I really appreciate—”

“Alas, I am not. Only Jadzia is going.”

“You don’t want to go with her?”

“I have duties here. And I’m afraid I will not get the same things out of the trip that the others will. I did celebrate Halloween as a child, if only because my brother did, and because… when in Rome as the humans say.”

“Right… Well… It’s just… I had hoped, because you’re good with kids…”

“Chief… I’m flattered to hear you say that. While I will not argue, I’m not sure that Molly is particularly enthused with me.”

“Perhaps, but you’re— responsible.”

“Ah, I see. Though I am not often one to praise the doctor, I do think he is up to the task.”

“I’m sure he is. I just thought you’d want to spend some time with Jadzia, and then you’d be extra help.”

“Admittedly, there may be another reason I have decided not to go.”

“Oh?”

“Major Kira has agreed to go.”

“You… you get along with her fine, don’t you?”

“Yes, of course, but with her, and Jadzia, and the chief medical officer gone, I believe someone should remain here. But additionally, when I met Jadzia, she was wearing some sort of fairy tale costume, as was Kira, I believe to play in a holosuit program. I got the impression that they had a friendship in which they embraced their femineity together, as well as other aspects of their personalities which they share. But they have done this very little since Jadzia and I married.”

“Oh! You just want to give her some space to spend time with her friend? That’s so sweet, Worf.” Worf stifled a groan. “And if Kira’s going, that’s a load off. But how in the quadrant did they get Kira to agree to come?”

“Your daughter. She was with the doctor when he mentioned it to us this morning. Kira did not seem interested when the doctor and Jadzia explained it, but Molly said please, and called her aunty and the major agreed immediately.”

O’Brien burst out laughing and said, “I swear she’s learning how to play people.”

  “Are you sure just you and Yoshi will be okay without me or Mommy around for a whole week?” Molly asked as Miles walked her to the docking ring.

“Molly, it’s been just me and Yoshi before. I think I can handle it,” he said with a smirk. “Are you going to be okay without Mommy or Daddy around for a whole week?”

“I’ve been by myself with Grandma and Grandpa before, I think I can handle it.”

“Good. You’ve got everything? You’re sure you don’t want to take an old costume with you?”

“I told you, Mr. Garak has my costume for this yeeaaaar.”

“Alright, alright.”

Waiting for them at the shuttle were Garak and Julian both holding duffle bags.

“Kira, Dax, and Jake are already aboard saving seats,” said Julian. “Ready to go, Molly?”

Molly nodded, but she didn’t let go of her father’s hand.

“Oh, good! We’re not too late!” they heard Rom’s voice from the hall as he, Leeta, and Nog approached.

“I told you the shuttle left at 1300 hours, Father. We’re right on time,” said Nog.

“Well, I still don’t want to be rude,” Rom said shyly.

“You’re going too, eh?” asked Miles.

“I hope you don’t mind,” said Leeta. Julian and Jake said they would show us a little bit of human culture. But we’re happy to be extra eyes too.” She glanced down at Molly.

“Yeah! Hey there-er-uh, Molly,” Rom said as if he’d never spoken to a child before. “I know you probably know the others better but if you need anything, Leeta and I are here for you too.”

If Rom was weird, Molly didn’t notice. “Thanks, Mr. Rom.”

“I want to see what else there is to Halloween beside academy parties,” said Nog.

“Are they still, a hundred people crammed into someone’s aunt’s house drinking cheep replicator beer?” asked Miles.

“Sounds about right,” said Nog.

“You… drank… at parties… at the academy?” asked Rom.

“Sometimes,” Nog admitted. “But, no offense to your people, Chief, but I don’t like beer.”

“Nog, if anyone tells you they genuinely like the flavor of barley beer, and drink it for no other reasons, they’re either lying to you, or to themselves.”

Nog threw his head back and laughed. “Well we better get going. I’ll get this,” Nog said with an air of sarcasm which didn’t make sense until they all realized what this was. He scooped up Molly and put her on his hip.

“Nog, she’s not a baby, you’re gonna hurt your back,” said Julian from the entrance to the shuttle.

“Nonsense. She’s not so big.”

“I’ve never been up, but still so low before,” said Molly, looking up at her father.

“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Nog chided with a smile.

“Alright, give Daddy a kiss and then you all better get to your seats.”

He leaned over and Molly kissed him on the cheek. “Bye, Daddy!” she said.

“Have fun, sweetheart.”

Rom grabbed Molly’s bag, and they all turned and shuffled onto the shuttle. The last thing the chief heard before the doors slid closed, was Molly saying, “I want to sit with Mr. Garak!”

“Why…” he whispered to himself.