Lt. Commander Anath G'Renn - Trying to Escape the Cold (Losaria)

[Anath G'Renn]

((Varoth Market - Irvaytho Proper, Losaria))

((Time Index: Several hours after the Columbia’s arrival at Losaria))

 

::Earth had sometimes been a bit colder than Anath was used to. It was understandable, of course. She’d been born and raised in one of the warmer regions on a desert planet. She’d expected that not everyone in Starfleet would share her opinions on what made for comfortable temperatures. At least she could keep the heat on in her quarters. She’d been told that Losaria was rather cold and she’d dressed accordingly. “Rather cold” didn’t quite do it justice.::

 

::Before beaming down to explore the alien homeworld of the Losarians, she’d prepared for the weather. Under her uniform, she wore a full-body thermal garment. Over her uniform she wore a heavy Starfleet-issue coat. She’d also replicated a pair of warm boots and thick winter gloves. Finally, she put on a Starfleet winter weather hat. Anath looked like a Starfleet officer ready for a perilous trek across the surface of Andoria.::

 

G’Renn: oO If I stay out here in the open another minute I’m going to turn into an ice sculpture. Oo

 

::She and Savok had beamed down half an hour ago and explored a market district a few blocks south of the Imperial Palace. They had met a few locals, found a small florist’s store tucked in the corner of a square where Savok could get a look at some of Losaria’s local plant life. They had even gotten a potted fern that could survive long periods without sunlight and the temperatures of Losaria outside of the tropics. He had returned to the ship, even less used to the cold weather than she was. Anath had decided to spend a bit more time exploring the market while Savok beamed back to Columbia with his new souvenir.::

 

::The road she was currently walking down led to a large open space between buildings. A steady stream of people walked through the temporary market stalls and storefronts like a river flowing through a valley between mountains. Not only were there Losarians, but other species that she didn’t recognize as well. Humanoids with orange skin and eyebrows higher up than a human’s, felinoid travelers protected from the snow by their fur, and at least five other alien species all mixed together in the crowd. However, Losarians outnumbered everyone else.::

 

::Anath kept to one side of the open-air mall, walking past storefronts. When she passed by a patio covered only by a metal awning and felt a gust of warm air, she stopped in her tracks. The overhang clearly contained some kind of technology that warmed up the air in front of the store. A welcome refuge from the snowy day in the Losarian city. She stepped under the awning and took a seat at one of the empty tables looking out at the street. Within moments a waiter approached her with a look of concern on his face.::

 

Waiter: Ma’am, are you alright? You’re shaking like a leaf in the wind.

 

::She hadn’t even heard him approaching. Apparently she was shivering a bit more than she realized. Anath forced her freezing face to form a smile.::

 

G’Renn: I am fine. It’s just that I come from a much warmer planet than this one.

 

Waiter: ::Noticing her forehead ridges barely visible under her hat:: Ah, an alien visitor! I take it this is your first time on Losaria?

 

::One thing about Losaria that had really impressed her was how welcoming all of the locals had been. From the harp player who had offered her and Savok directions to the elderly florist, everyone had been so kind and helpful. Clearly Captain Tarius Kaironn had not been an accurate example of the typical Losarian’s hospitality. Nobody was yet to attempt to rob her, so already the residents of the planet-wide city were making a much better impression than Kaironn and his band of pirates had.::

 

G’Renn: Indeed it is. I was just looking for a break from the wind and the snow.

 

Waiter: You need to warm up a little bit before you head back out there. I’ll bring you a cup of spice tea.

 

G’Renn: Thank you.

 

::The waiter bowed his head and turned away from the table. He slipped into the restaurant to prepare a cup of tea, leaving Anath to look out at the busy street to her right. Directly across from the restaurant a potter had set up a market stall to sell his wares. She watched as he unpacked the ceramics he had made and put them on the shelf behind him one by one and admired the craftsmanship that had gone into them. Each one had a different pattern painted on the surface in various bright colors. Next to the potter’s tent, another wandering musician was walking between the various vendors and playing songs for the passing crowds.::

 

::As interesting as watching the various shops was watching the shoppers passing by. Some were bundled up like her, with one man barely visible at all underneath his hooded fur cloak and multiple scarves covering all but his eyes and nose. Others were dressed in only a light coat and maybe a hat. Clearly they were locals used to such conditions. And passing by right at that moment, she recognized the unmistakable Starfleet emblem that the approaching pedestrian wore. Another member of the Columbia’s crew visiting the Losarian homeworld! Anath waited for them to get closer to the patio before greeting them.::

 

G’Renn: Hello there! ::Anath waved to her fellow Starfleet officer.:: Decided to explore the Varoth Market as well?

 

Any: ?

 

::Anath motioned to the empty chair across from her, an invitation to sit down. Before she could speak up and say anything, someone set a ceramic mug down on the table in front of her. She glanced at the mug of tea still letting off steam then looked up to see that the friendly waiter had returned.::

 

Waiter: Your tea, ma’am.

 

::She smiled gratefully and took a sip of the tea. It tasted incredible, and more importantly provided a feeling of warmth to combat the chilling temperatures she had been walking through for the past half hour. A cup of spice tea was exactly what she needed.::

 

G’Renn: Thank you so much, sir! I really appreciate your hospitality.

 

Waiter: It’s no problem. Welcome to Losaria! ::He turned to the newcomer.:: Can I get you anything?

 

Any: ?

 

::The Losarian man left to check on another table. Anath took another sip of tea before addressing her crewmate.::

 

G’Renn: So, what do you think of Losaria so far? I’ve liked it all except for the temperature.

 

Any: ?

Lieutenant Commander Anath G'Renn

Chief Medical Officer/Second Officer, USS Columbia

A239402AG0