[G-HOL] JP-DeVeau+Moonsong+Saveron+Greyson: Teddy Bears’ Picnic Part 3

[gemsong120]

((Holodeck 3, Park Simulation))

Saveron: One would assume that the hue involves food colouring. ::He said blandly.::

DeVeau: Don’t worry, the dye is all naturally derived from plants, I promise.  

Moonsong: ::faint sigh:: My current condition is regulating me to being a vegetarian. I miss meat…

:: Greyson’s brow quirked up slightly. He hadn’t heard of that development. ::

Greyson: Don’t tell me Dr. S took away your cheese burgers...

DeVeau: Wait...what condition?

::Was Raissa sick?  Had something happened?  Fortunately, the explanation was nothing of that sort.::

Moonsong: :: Cheeseburgers, steaks… all fried foods… ::she paused and glanced at him and then Alora.:: With the Community bonded to me, my system, we have trouble processing it. He didn’t exactly take it away, but we can’t handle it right now.

:: He gave a nod, understanding the medical side of it from an engineering perspective. ::

Greyson: I see.

Saveron: Interesting. ::That was an unforeseen development.::

::Without being asked, Raissa moved to the blanket and knelt down, and then started setting out the plates and cutlery.::

Moonsong: Perhaps after we eat, Carter can teach Saavok how to play frisbee since he was kind enough to bring one.

:: Carter regarded the smaller Vulcan with a curious raised brow at the mention of teaching frisbee, wisely deciding to say nothing. ::

::The boy looked up at Carter with the stoic look usual for his species.::

::She shot a more relaxed smile at him which widened at his expression.::

Moonsong: Don’t worry, Carter. Vulcan children are taught early not to bite.

DeVeau: I can’t say the same for some human children - who eventually turn into adults.

Saavok: ::Frowning slightly.::I would have no logical reason to bite a person. I am trained in self-defence. ::But Terrans said the strangest things.:: I would be interested to learn about the ‘frisbee’.

Greyson: :: with a nod and a smile. :: If there are no objections from Saveron, then I shall be delighted.

::With a toothy grin, Alora crouched down to assist Raissa in the set up.::

DeVeau: Come on, let’s eat before I starve.

Saveron: With the provision of fresh water you are capable of surviving for at least six days without food. ::Not that he would encourage such.::

::The lieutenant couldn’t stifle her giggle.::

DeVeau: It’s just an expression, silly.

Saveron: I see. ::He said gravely.::

::The adult Vulcan settled gracefully cross-legged onto the mat with the ease of someone accustomed to sitting on the floor, and after a moment his son sat nearby in the same manner, though the child was clearly paying more attention to Carter and Raissa than his father.::

:: Carter had a seat on the ground next to Ris, and smiled at the young Vulcan, deciding to engage him in conversation while they waited to find out what was for lunch. ::

Carter: Frisbee is akin to the ancient Greek sport called discus, of Earth. :: and held the frisbee for Savvok to examine in greater detail. :: Much like a metal discus of the time, it is round and curved. Unlike the discus, which is flat, you will notice that this frisbee is raised in the middle. Some of them are collapsible and made from cloth. I usually like something with a bit of weight to it, so I opted for plastic.

::The young Vulcan accepted the object gravely and examined it.::

Savvok: Interesting. What does one do with it?

Greyson: Throw it. It’s basically like a game of catch. Some people are fancy with their catches, some people aren’t. Some people actually lunge to catch it, and some people don’t.

Savvok: I see. It is a sport. I would be interested to learn it.

::He understood sport. Fitness and coordination were important.::

Saveron: Will you detail the nature of the ‘pies’ Alora?

DeVeau: Well those three are meat varieties, so I know you want to avoid them.  See the little tooth-like marks?

::Indeed, only those through had sharp, triangular shapes embedded in the crusts while the others had either oval or branch like patterns.::

DeVeau: Avoid pies with those marks.  That one is teracaq pie, that’s Ferengi crab pie, and that’s good old Terran chicken pot pie.

::She then shifted to the pies with the ovals etched on the edges.::

DeVeau: This is Bolian Tomato pie, Andorian Cabbage pie, and Crazy mixed up veggie pot pie.

Saveron: I was not aware that those species had analogs of those particular Terran vegetables.

::Or had Alora used Terran vegetables and recipes from those cultures?::

DeVeau: They’re all Terran veggies...I used my brother’s recipe.  Anywho the dessert pies are Uttaberry pie, Yigrish cream pie, and Devil’s Delight pie.  It’s basically Devil’s food cake, but pie.

::The Vulcan cocked his head slightly.::

Saveron: Is ‘Devil’ a Terran chef?

::Alora didn’t even attempt to suppress her amusement.::

DeVeau: No, it’s called that because it’s so delicious, it might be sinful.

::That earned her a raised eyebrow. ‘Sinful’ was not in the Vulcans vocabulary; he would have to look it up.::

::Raissa considered her options. She kept her expression neutral, but none of the vegan pies sounded appetizing to her. Devil’s food was primarily chocolate and she was beginning to wonder if she was the only person in the galaxy who didn’t care for it. None of the rest sounded appetizing either. But her appetite was starting to wane in recent days.::

Moonsong: I’ll try the ‘cabbage’ pie… Which leaves you and Carter left to consume three pies by yourselves due to meat ingredients.

::The older Vulcan considered the wide array of options.::

Saveron: I would be interested to try the Bolian Tomato Pie.

::Bolians were known for their cuisine.::

Saavok: I would be interested to try the Cream Pie. ::The little Vulcan said, with barely suppressed enthusiasm.::

Saveron: It may contain animal products, ::he warned his son:: and as I understand Terran tradition, foods containing simple carbohydrates are eaten last.

::The boy gave his father a long, expression unreadable.::

Saavok: I have observed that foods from many cultures often contain at least small amounts of animal-derived products. ::He hazarded.::

Saveron: Your observation is accurate. ::The older Vulcan agreed.:: Whether or not you choose to consume them is your decision to make, based on your own ethical and cultural considerations.

::His son knew very well why his people usually didn’t. Saveron would not forbid him the experience, only ask that he thought about it first. The child did indeed appear to give the matter deep thought. He looked up at Alora. ::

Saavok: I would like to try the Crazy Pot Pie please, and then a little of the cream pie.

::He glanced at his father with an equally thoughtful expression.::

Saavok: You ate meat whilst on Peppalexa. ::He pointed out, apparently having decided to push that particular boundary today.::

Saveron: I did indeed. ::He replied blandly.:: It was necessary for survival.

Saavok: What if a whole species decided that it was necessary for survival?

::That earned him a raised eyebrow from his father; he was bordering on cheeky.::

Saveron: Assuming a lack of replicator technology, if the population was small then such might be sustainable; if the population was large then their planet’s resources might not sustain the higher demands of meat-producing agriculture; such was the case with Vulcan’s delicate ecosystems.

Saavok: But now we have replicators, so meat has no more effect on ecosystems than any other foodstuff.

Saveron: Correct, although many species prefer unreplicated food.

Saavok: But if I were to eat replicated meat, it would have no more environmental effect than any other replicated foodstuff.

Saveron: That is correct.

::Both Vulcans seemed to be regarding each other thoughtfully; Saveron was interested in his son’s thought processes and Saavok was interested in possible new freedoms. The fact that he chose to have this conversation in public told his father that is was more about sovereignty than food.::

Saavok: What if a species needed to eat meat for survival but their environment could not sustain such?

::Were the Vulcans arguing?  With the calm demeanor they displayed, to say so might be construed as inaccurate.  If anything, it was simply a friendly debate, or perhaps a child exercising his cognitive precociousness and making full use of dialectic.  While she could certainly add her own insight, Alora elected to remain silent even as she sliced and served the requested pieces of pie.::

::Raissa shook her head slightly as she listened. The two vulcans were calm as they debated, but she recognized it for what it was. Saavok testing boundaries like any child. Vulcans had become vegan by necessity which developed into a cultural norm. It was not unheard of for them to consume meat, though in some ways it was difficult for their bodies to process normally. But at the moment, Saavok just wanted to test the limits of his culture and explore new things.::

::Meanwhile she left Alora to handle the pies as she poured them all drinks and made sure they had the right cutlery.::

Saveron: Then either they would need to limit their population growth, or their environment would limit it for them.

::Basic evolutionary pressures.::

::Apparently done with challenging parental authority, the younger Vulcan seemed to consider his father’s answer and his own question more carefully.::

Saavok: Do you think that, in such a situation, they might start eating each other? ::He asked curiously.::

Saveron: Cannibalism might well be a resort of desperation. ::He allowed.:: But it is not something polite to consider over lunch.

::Alien manners were still something that he was learning, so Saavok took the gentle admonishment at face value, accepting the plate of pie that Alora handed him solemnly.::

Saavok: Thank you. ::More alien manners.::

DeVeau: You are most welcome.  I’ve got more pie!

::As Alora waved one of the spatulas she used to scoop up the pie, she glanced from person to person as she waited for requests. Greyson accepted a piece of chicken pot pie and inhaled deeply before he raised his fork. The pie had a bit of bourbon in it, he thought. And carrots. Beyond that, he didn’t know. ::

Greyson: This smells delicious, Lieutenant.

Moonsong: ::She glanced a Carter and raised an eyebrow.:: I’m sure Alora appreciates it. ::She accepted a plate from Alora with the cabbage pie.::

:: The glance he got from Ris told him that this was a first-name basis picnic, and he corrected himself before Alora had the chance. ::

Greyson: Alora: Forgive me, I’m still not used to dropping the formalities of those with higher rank than me.

DeVeau: Rank, shmank, we’re not on duty.  Oh, drinks!  We should have the computer conjure up something.

:: Once everyone was served, Alora allowed herself a tiny piece of each of the main course pies and settled back between Raissa and Saveron.::

DeVeau: Mmm...piiiiiiiie.  Sometimes, things just taste better as a pie.

::Raissa nibbled at her piece. Mostly moving around on her plate::

Moonsong: You are a strange woman, Alora. Seriously, are you some kind of changeling?

DeVeau: Wouldn’t you like to know!

TBC

JP by

Lt. Cmdr. Saveron

Xenobiologist

USS Garuda

and

PNPC Saavok

Vulcan Child

USS Garuda

As simmed by Saveron

and

Lt. Raissa Moonsong

Counselor

USS Garuda

and

Lt. Alora DeVeau

Chief of Science

USS Garuda

and

PNPC Ens. Carter Greyson

Engineering Officer

USS Garuda

As simmed by Chythar Skyfire