Meanwhile, on Outpost 3 (Part 6)
richyulin
((Outpost 3, Day 14 of Roshanara’s Shore Leave))
Rahman: I miss this.
Core: What do you mean?
Rahman: You, me. *This,* silly.
::She chuckled, but there was sadness behind it.::
Rahman: I know we can do it--the long distance thing. I mean we *have* been doing it, but I guess I’m just selfish. I want you closer to me. To come off duty and enjoy a dinner together in the Captain’s Mess under the stars or just spend a night walking together through the corridors.
::She sighed.::
Rahman: I miss the simple things.
Core: It’s funny. I was just thinking about heading back to Earth.
::He took another sip of his tea, catching it before it went cold. When he put his mug down again, he had a surprisingly subtle grin on his face.::
Core: I feel cheated.
Rahman: Oh? How so?
Core: You’ve met my family. ::He coughed.:: Such as they were. But I haven’t met yours.
::Roshanara was glad she wasn’t drinking any more of the tea because she was sure she would have gagged upon hearing that.::
Rahman: Ahem. You *want* to meet my parents?
::She began to chuckle before the laughter got a bit louder.::
Core:::frowning a little:: Why are you laughing? Is that your culture’s indication of an absolute “no”?
Rahman: No, it’s just that… traditionally, on Earth the men in many cultures share a… trepidation on the prospect of meeting a woman’s parents.
::He blinked. Evidently, her culture’s customs were more confusing then he’d thought.::
Core: I don’t follow.
Rahman: Well, especially in my parents’ culture, there’s a certain implication… that if you meet them, then it’s pretty serious.
::She raised an eyebrow with a slight grin.::
Rahman: And that marriage is a definite possibility.
::That was a term he was far more familiar with. Humans were strange in that regard - pairing themselves together “officially” required copious amounts of celebration - not once, but twice. They needed rings, certificates, and several laws.
::Rodulans on the other hand . . . not so much. Not *nearly* so much. Exchange basotile, your partnership is complete. No ceremony, no jewels, no certificates, and bound by no laws whatsoever.::
Core: Wait a minute, is *that* why you were hesitant to meet my dad? Because it indicated-
::She gave a sideways glance.::
Rahman: No comment.
::He gaped at her for a few moments.::
Core: It’s been three years and we haven’t fixed this cultural thing. I’ll forward you materials regarding Artistry if you forward materials on your . . . complicated customs.
::Oh, Tristam. Ever the engineer.::
Rahman: ...or we could just talk?
Core: That, too. ::He paused.:: Is consideration of marriage really a requirement for meeting your parents? Not that I’m not for considering it. ::He added hastily.::
Rahman: Not really. Not anymore at least. Maybe back when Nani’s ancestors were making tea. But it’s still an important milestone. ::She smiled.:: At least for me.
Core: We’ve never discussed it. Not to my knowledge, anyway.
::Even if they *had*, she’d end up having to explain the whole thing, starting with the fundamentals and ending with the more complex pieces of information before they could even start discussing it in regards to themselves.
::Humans. Great people. Versatile, emotional to an extent, easy to get along with and quick to adapt. But their cultures made next to no sense to him when he’d begun his time at the Academy. It took him years before he’d even had the basics.::
Rahman: That’s probably right. ::She sighed as she thought about why that was.:: Truthfully, Tristam, you’ve changed me since we first started a relationship. Made me reconsider possibilities I’d put on hold for myself--if not outright discarded long ago.
Core: Not a bad thing, I hope. Everyone needs a little change every now and then.
::She reached out to hold one of his hands, the warmth of the cup transferring now to his skin.::
Rahman: No, not bad at all. I think honestly, I haven’t brought up you meeting my parents because of what that meant in my own eyes--more so than in my parents’.
::She squeezed his hand gently.::
Rahman: The last time I opened myself up, it didn’t end well, and just as you’ve taught me in these last few years to build mental walls to protect myself, you’ve actually been teaching me to also tear down a few walls I’ve built myself. I guess this is just one more wall that needs to be knocked down.
::The Rodulan smiled, moving his other hand to sit atop hers.::
Core: If you’re uncomfortable with this step, you realize I’m happy to wait. I can be surprisingly patient when it’s called for.
::She smiled back.::
Rahman: And that’s precisely why I am feeling more comfortable now.
::She shook her head, determined now to make this happen.::
Rahman: No, we should go visit them. A lot has changed since the last time I was there. And I think they’ll like you.
Core: How could they not? I’m charming, talkative, easily distracted . . .
::She could see his ego carrying him along now, long after his voice had faded.::
Rahman: Uh-huh. Just keep the beard. That will at least put you on my father’s good side when he first sees you.
Core: . . . not sure how confident I am about this, now.
TBC...
Captain Roshanara Rahman
Commanding Officer, USS Veritas
I238705TZ0
&
Lieutenant Commander Tristam Core
Components Specialist, Outpost 3
C238803SB0