As if anyone here knows what a proper Trill is supposed to act like, said a not-exactly-voice inside her. Probably Curzon again. Especially not Major Kira. You don't need to impress her, you know.

You worry too much, said another voice. Audrid. It isn't the host's job to keep the symbiont in check, or vice versa. Don't fight your impulses so hard.

And don't be so serious all the time, someone added, perhaps Torias.

The voices blurred into a chorus.

That was always your problem. Too serious. So ambitious, so afraid of failure that you never had time to think about anything else. Working, working, working, all the time, never having any fun. Like Major Kira. Has she cracked a smile since you arrived on the station? Doesn't she look tired?

You think she doesn't look like she's having much fun, have you looked at yourself lately? When do you ever smile? When do you let your hair down? Maybe she is afraid to approach you?

Jadzia peered across to where the major still hadn't touched her food. She was frowning over the PADDs.

You can stop now, said the voice. You've made it. You earned premier distinctions in four sciences, you made history by successfully reapplying to be joined, you've risen incredibly quickly to be the chief science officer of one of the most strategically and scientifically important outposts in the entire quadrant.

It might be time to relax a little bit.

She hadn't noticed when it happened, but the voice that spoke was her own.

Besides, it continued, I think the Major needs some frivolity in her life right now, maybe even more than you do. And nobody parties like Dax.

'You're right,' Jadzia said, aloud.

A few people looked at her, confused. She grinned at them. And then she got up, picked up her torte, and went to join Major Kira.