poly_chromatic | action (and others)

[Action at the House // Open to Uhura]

[Many strange things have happened to Chekov during his time in the City. Waking up as a female, however, is a novelty, and he reacts by racing to Uhura's room (thank goodness for sleepwear with give). His female body is five-foot nothing and the shoulder-length curls are sticking up every which-way.]

Uhura? What do I do?

[Not the cleverest of questions, but he's surprised, his clothes are too tight in some places and too large in others, and it only makes sense to consult the closest woman.]

[Private Video // Filtered to Lucy]

[Do you know this curly-haired girl, Lucy? Hint: she's usually your boyfriend. Chekov doesn't appear overly upset about this curse.]

Lucy, this is Pavel. I may need more advice regarding this curse than Uhura will be willing to provide.

[Action // Open]

[After acquiring appropriate attire and getting over the initial surprise of waking up with a... ah, different body, Chekov spends the weekend playing a game of let's-see-who-can-recognize-me with acquaintances (when he's not at work, of course, as a gender swap is no excuse to call in sick).

He might be seven inches shorter and curvier than normal, but that accent is all too easy to identify.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[That look has never worked for him with Uhura or Lucy, which has led him to believe that only females can do it effectively. He has ignored the possibility that imitation is not his calling.

When Isaak guesses correctly, he puts a hand to his forehead in dramatic mock dismay and slumps in his seat.]

Ay, no one is fooled. Yes, and I think that, while this lasts, I am changing my name to Polina Andreyevna.

You're not a good enough liar.

[Which is a high compliment, actually. For all his own secrecy Isaak values honesty quite a bit, and the fact that Pavel is apparently terrible at lying is rather charming, in its own odd way.]

I suppose that suits. You look quite put together, has this happened to you before?

I knew there was something that I forgot to learn.

[He really is terrible. Consider it the result of coming from a family that considers honesty one of the greatest of virtues and a society that is more open than modern society.]

Thank you, but no, this is the first time. Uhura taught me to apply makeup and Lucy helped with clothing. I have been taught that it's important to embrace new experiences and to cultivate new points of view; I thought I would take advantage of this curse to do those things.

[He makes a face.] So far, I have learned that being female takes more time than I am willing to sacrifice.

[This isn't wholly accurate since his two mentors are rather particular about their own appearances. Their lessons had been very thorough.]

[Society and Isaak haven't always seen eye to eye on any number of things, but he'd like that aspect of Chekov's. Likely condemn it as impossibly idealistic, but well. Everyone is a product of his time, in the end.]

Somehow I'm not surprised to learn that. [He smiles, again, genuinely amused at 'Polina's' attitude.]

I can't imagine most people are so open-minded under those circumstances.

[He'd like to think he would keep his cool, but it must be dreadfully inconvenient to say the least.]

Which? That I am willing to apply makeup and wear a dress?

[He knows what Isaak was talking about, really.]

This isn't so bad, compared to other curses.

Nonetheless, I'm sure many Citizens wouldn't be so secure in their identity.

[Of all people, Isaak's possibly the least likely to make assumptions based on Chekov's enthusiasm for playing dress-up. A curse is hardly an excuse to be undignified, really.]

Other than time-consuming, how do you find the experience?

Being from the future helps, I think. Once Earth began interacting regularly with societies from other planets, many of the differences between humans must have seemed insignificant.

[Not that Starfleet wouldn't raise a few eyebrows if a human male began wearing female uniforms.]

Interesting. People don't react to me the same way. Overall, I'm finding that I'm considerably more comfortable in the body I was born with.

[He chooses not to tell Isaak that he's also very afraid of menstruation. That particular part of being female seems to cause Lucy and Uhura a considerable amount of discomfort and pain.]

[Men in those miniskirts would be terribly distracting.]

No wonder you're such an idealist.

[It's not derisive, though it easily could be. Perhaps in Pavel's world that sort of outlook works.]

That could be a matter of habit as much as anything, couldn't it? You've spent years being yourself, and only a few hours like this.

[He's just playing devil's advocate. Please don't bring up menstruation, he's quite content with not taking that concern under consideration.]

[So much hairy leg.]

Not all of that is the future's fault. I have been assured that I will be less idealistic after serving for some time.

[He doesn't mind either way. Chekov is happy with his worldview.]

That must be some of it--even simple muscle memory would be confused by a differently shaped body. But have you seen the shoes that some of them wear? They go beyond uncomfortable. They're hazardous.

[Why no, he wasn't very successful when he tried tottering around in a pair of Lucy's four-inch heels.]

[Come now, certainly some men in the future must have good grooming habits.]

Well, that seems likely.

[With a faint, indulgent smile, he has another sip of his coffee.]

I've never entirely understood the appeal, [he confesses, though really he's ill-equipped to judge women's fashion,] but I suppose there's no accounting for taste. I hope you've not broken your ankles, nor anyone's heart?

[The future of the space!future has great legs.]

Then you think it's inevitable?

[Slight disappointment.]

Lucy likes them because she dislikes being short. I managed to not break anything--ankles or hearts. I hope to keep it that way.

I think it seems likely, but I'm not inclined to try to hasten the process.

[Be an idealist, Chekov, someone has to.]

That much I can understand, I suppose. [he doesn't think he'd like being short, either. Though from Isaak's vantage point, most people are.] Who exactly is Lucy?

[He'll try.]

There are worse things to be than short. Crippled, for instance. [He brightens.] Lucy is my-- [no, not girlfriend, um] --my friend. She's a very good friend.

I see.

[Friend, eh. He rests a forearm on the edge of the table casually, leaning in a bit.]

Good of her to lend you a hand.

Yes, exceedingly good of her. It's fortunate that we are the same size when I'm female.

And fortunate that she doesn't mind giving up her clothes for you.

[He doesn't crack a smile. Perfectly innocent.]

[Chekov lacks that kind of self-control.]

The feeling goes both ways.

[Good for you, Chekov. That does get a short laugh.]

action (and others)

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