Tender Introductions

Posted on Sun Jul 12th, 2026 @ 5:07pm by Lieutenant Commander Lin Yue & Lieutenant Commander Melanie D'BrooNi- Haistro

744 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: Sickbay

ON

It had happened suddenly, she had moved with grace but her body, or specifically her shoulder, disagreed that it was the correct move. Something had popped during her routine as she had rotated the Tessen in time with the Shamisen that was playing in the background. It had been the correct movement, one she had performed many times in the years since she had been an initiate maiko. She did not want to admit it but perhaps this was simply a sign of how out of condition she was having been on a cruelling assignment before Saratoga. She was also not willing to admit that she was also not as young as she once was.

Sickbay seemed quiet as she entered, navigating to the Doctors Office, her Tessen closed and both resting on the arm that she was nursing with her still good arm and shoulder.

"Doctor. Please forgive the intrusion... I appear to have done myself a mischief!"

Lin Yue's voice was gentle and unintrusive yet seemed to command attention.

Mel tried not to look amused. Few referred to their injuries when they came to her as "mischief".

"And how did this mischief occur?" she asked pulling her tricorder out to scan the newcomer.

"I was practising" Lin said, picking up the Tessen with her good arm, indicating them as she placed them aside so the Doctor could investigate the damage.

"And my last assignment I did some damage to my arm during an away mission... Perhaps I was doing too much too soon".

"I know nothing about Tessens Lieutenant but in any kind of fighting skills or martial arts, it is best to ease in slowly," Mel said. "You have sprained a muscle in your shoulder. The good news is I can start soothing that immediatly. Let me just get the right tool," Mel said. "So your new?" Mel asked as she went to the side and found what she was looking for in a drawer.

"My thanks... I'm surprised you know what this is Doctor." the slight Asian women observed. "Tessen and the martial art associated with them is not something widely used and taught any longer".

Lin couldn't help but smile.

"I'm a joined Trill. 8th Host. I've seen far more than you think," she grinned working on easing her muscle. "How did you end up learning?" she asked.

"I was trained as a Geisha from a young age. Different art forms were part of the core learning from playing the Shamisen to performing tessenjutsu, the art of the folding fan or Japanese Battle Fan".

Lin offered the Doctor one of the fans to look at and inspect properly.

"You see the metal ribs on the fan itself, well they are adorned with sharpened bladed points used for striking but the Tessen is actually predominantly a defensive form of martial arts. Most of the moved associated with it are for blocking, joint locks, and deflecting blades with a very small number for striking a combatant."

"It is very well balanced," Mel said taking the fan and moving it carefully. Leiko had danced with fans, so she set about a few moves from her host. "Tell me more about being a Geisha?" Mel asked. "How did you go from Geisha to Starfleet officer?"

"Geisha is about discipline, diplomacy and inclusive of ones culture. Earth has many cultures but non of them are like Geisha. For many generations the western cultures on Earth associated Geisha as prostitutes, women of the night but nothing could be further from the truth." Lin paused a moment, trying to form the words as to why she chose Starfleet.

"I decided to expand into Starfleet because it seemed like an appropriate place to continue my Diplomatic endeavour's and to bring my culture to others be they native to the Federation or not... It seemed only logical to me!"

"It sounds very similar to the Trill concept of Courtesan to me," she said. "Well I am sure Starfleet is very lucky to have you onboard. How's that feeling now?" she asked.

"Better" she said as she tested the shoulder by rolling the joint around. It was still tender but the pain was gone. "Thank you"

"Well that's what we are here for," Mel smiled. "Till next time then Lieutenant."

"Lovely to meet you Doctor" Lin smiled as she made her way from sickbay, tessen in hand and feeling as though she may have made a friend.

OFF

RSS Feed