JP: Lt (jg) Zenno & Ens Saava - Don't You (Forget About Me) (Part 3B)

[Tim]

((OOC This is Part 3B and is the last chapter. Here are links the previous ones, just for completeness.))
((OOC Part 1: She Ain’t Heavy, She’s my Sister, Parts 1A and 1B. ))
((OOC Part 2: Serendipitous Shuttle Shenanigans, Parts 2A and 2B.))
((OOC Part 3A: Don't You (Forget About Me) ))

((OOC: Thanks for having me, John! I very much enjoyed doing this together :) ))

((Spaceport , Dresk Junction, Qualor II))

Saava and Zenno had spent the remainder of their journey on the Ruby Liner indulging in reminiscences. Any other Vulcan might have found it illogical and inefficient to spend one’s time talking about the past without any aspiration to learn from it. But Saava had to admit that she always found it calming to her mind.

While Saava wanted to visit another restaurant, she had accepted that Zenno’s bowels were still fighting with the Peculiarities Platter that Saava had ordered aboard the Ruby Liner. She knew he was joking about the gagh Fun Box, so she had made a different selection to share. While she was eager to try everything, she now had to agree with her friend’s assessment that a Ruby Liner might not be the best place to try delicate dishes.

Thus the unlikely pair just sat in front of the gates at the Spaceport on Qualor II waiting for the departure of their flights. Saava studied the news on the Parrises Classic and skipped from headline to headline. She did not want to bother Zenno with everything she found, but they certainly had witnessed - or maybe caused - a historical event in their small niche of the sports world.

Zenno: Saava, I think we should go to the gift shop. Maybe I can find something fun.

Saava: ::looking up:: And who do you want to buy a gift for?

Zenno: I was hoping to bring back something for the crew. Maybe a game or a food sampler. I could also get something for Mother or my Sister. I don’t know. oO If I bring back something for the Security Team, perhaps it might be taken as a thoughtful gesture. That might be a good thing to do. Oo

Saava: I guess you worked through my food selections, so I can spend a couple of minutes in shopping futility. 

Zenno: ::nodding and smiles:: I appreciate your toleration, my friend. Let’s go.

Reluctantly Saava got up. Maybe this was one of the situations where she did not see the value of Zenno’s proposal, but it might create a memory that would be cherished afterwards. And although the Vulcan really had no fantasy how such a memory could be created in a gift shop, she had learned from experience with Zenno that he might just be able to make it happen.

As they headed down the concourse, they passed a food court and Zenno regretted eating on board the flight. There were several places he would have liked to have tried: Nibbles à la Bajor, Federation Fare & Fodder, and especially the one called Earth Eatables. He didn’t mention any of that since Saava was still feeling down and she had insisted on ordering earlier. Saava’s flight left first and he would still have several hours to spend here. He might return later and see what was available.

He steered them directly to a store that had a sign above its door that said “Klingon Kollectibles”, accompanied by a subheading reading “...and other Kuriosities”. Saava was not friendly to puns, she found them difficult to bear. They were witless and people seemed far too proud when making them.

Saava: Interesting choice.

Zenno: These kinds of places have the best stuff. ::thoughtfully:: You know, Saava, you might consider bringing something back for your crewmates, or even just the Medical team. Not like a gagh Fun Box or anything, but maybe some sweets. I bet they have some unusual things here. The other beings on staff may enjoy it. Building bridges and all that.

Saava: I will consider it if we see anything suitable. oO I estimate a very low possibility of that. Oo

They entered the shop and Zenno immediately began to browse. The Vulcan looked around the shop and found it cluttered. This definitely was Jazz, not Classical Music… maybe a good drill for whatever she decided to do with handling Doctor Selenka. 

So she just followed Zenno’s example as she did most of the times when he brought her into situations for which she did not have any purpose or appreciation. Her eyes scanned the shelves for something useful, relevant, or at least interesting. But she did not find anything. 

There was a small replica of a Bat’Leth on a stand titled “Sword of Kahless.” Next to it a small model of a Bird of Prey. A provisional-looking lettering read ‘Bounty’. Saava saw no use in these and went over to a stand with various tin signs on it. She started to read a few.

Keep calm and PetaQ on.

Today’s Menu: Bloodwine and Honor, no substitutions.

Don’t Klingon to the past; disrupt the future.

Kahless Kuts - We shave with honor, not foam.

I’m into fitness. Fit’ness this gagh into my mouth.

Puns - again. Her hand moved the circular stand just to find more of these. And again, she lost interest and turned around to look for Zenno who appeared to have found something. She went over to him.

Saava: Is the shop living up to your expectations?

Zenno: ::excited:: This is amazing! I’m getting this garment for my sister. She’s going to love it.

He held it up. It was a dark colored tee with a crudely drawn graphic of a Starfleet Science Officer of an unknown race bursting out of the background with a ridiculous grin and arms wide. And below in a kitschy font it said “Feeling Blue? Starfleet Science!”

Zenno: See? It works on so many levels. The uniform and well, ::indicates self:: blue! Hah! I can’t wait to give this to her.

Saava: This is why I am in charge of food selections.

Zenno: Ahhh. ::waves hand:: She’s my sister. We understand each other. She’ll enjoy it.

Saava: ::dryly:: Bolian familial relationships must be very peculiar. 

He ignored her quip, but Saava was pleased that she was now back in the lead. 

Zenno: Let’s look over there, they have blankets and beach towels. I could use some of those.

They walked over to some very narrow aisles, both sides having shelves crammed with every kind of novelty, souvenir, beach towels and tchotchkes. More items were piled on top of the shelves until almost the ceiling. A large family of Tellarites were arguing in one row about the various merits of the blue towels versus the green ones. The little ones were quite boisterous and set in their opinions about which ones should be purchased. Zenno and Saava stayed clear and went to the next aisle over. 

Zenno had found some Andorian Ice Pirates towels that had a fun design and he was considering a purchase. Saava, if Zenno could read her right, just looked bored. The Tellarites were raising their voices and causing quite the ruckus the next aisle over. One of the kids must have pushed the other into the shelves and a giant cascade of wrapped beach towels, toys, knick-knacks, and sundries fell upon the Starfleet Officers from the high shelves above.

The much-taller Bolian attempted to shield Saava from the onslaught of tourist trash, but he was mostly unsuccessful. The floor was littered with junk up to half a meter high and there was no sure footing out of the aisle.

Saava: ::still fighting against the towels:: There were no towels at the gate. 

Saava was on the fence of getting annoyed. An emotion that was sometimes harder to control than others. But she had decided to go with a sarcastic comment to vent.

Zenno took a wide step into an open spot on the floor, but Saava was still surrounded up to her knees with junk.

Zenno: May I assist you? ::offers arm for stability::

Saava took his arm and attempted to extricate herself from the giant mess on the deck by making a little jump to the clearing. Landing directly next to Zenno, with his arm still around her they both turn around to get out of the way of any other falling debris and immediately run into a couple who were coming to investigate the loud noise.

Zenno was dumbfounded as he saw an older Bolian woman and a Vulcan male, arm in arm, assessing them. 

Vixx: Oh look at these young ones, Selvok, my husband! They are so cute!

The Vulcan man looked at them coolly. Saava returned his gaze, feeling a little relief that one of the strangers talking to them was a fellow Vulcan.

Selvok: As you say, my wife. It appears that all have escaped from this calamity without harm. May we go now? I wish to meditate before our flight.

Vixx: ::Assessing Saava and Zenno up & down:: Never mind my husband. He always acts like he’s trying to win Vulcan of the year. ::To Zenno:: Does your clan approve of your mate? ::To Saava:: Does yours? ::Back to Zenno:: Which clan is it? I bet I can guess! :puts her finger to her lips and considers::

Saava looked at Zenno, and Zenno looked at Saava. Then they turned to the older couple.

Suddenly self-conscious, Zenno removed his arm from Saava’s shoulder, where it had landed after her jump out of the tourist trash pile.

Zenno: Uhh.. 

Saava: You have made incorrect assumptions.

Vixx: Oh! The clan doesn’t know! A forbidden love! How delightfully scandalous!!! ::conspiratorially:: Very well, I will keep your secrets. ::leans in:: But it pleases me that my husband and I are not the only ones to appreciate the hidden passions of this potent desert and sea combination! As the Caitians might say… Rawr! ::claw hands:: 

Zenno felt all the color drain from his face. Saava just raised a Vulcan eyebrow.

Saava: ::Dryly, deadpan:: Rawr? 

Vixx: Come now, my husband, and let’s leave these lovebirds to their songs.

The older Bolian lady turned to depart and Selvok looked at them both, gave an almost imperceptible shrug, then turned to follow his wife out of the shop.

The two Officers watched them go in silence, not sure what to say. Saava thought about what the couple had implied. She had never thought about Zenno in this way. Furthermore she had to admit she had never had thought about anybody in this way outside of her Pon Farr. The Vulcans believed their courtship to be much more intimate than what other races did. It was important to trust one another, and to appreciate each other’s presence. It was important to enjoy discussions with each other. And if she had to name somebody she would consider, it might even be Z… Her mind stopped, all thoughts suppressed in mid-formation. After a moment, she turned to her friend.

Saava: I suggest we maintain silence regarding this entire debacle and never speak of it again.

Zenno: Most wise. ::beat:: But I’m still buying the shirt.

((Brief Timeskip, Gate 39A, Spaceport , Dresk Junction, Qualor II))

Saava’s flight was the first to depart and boarding had begun. Yet she lingered.

Saava: In the limited span of time available, I want to express my appreciation for our shared journey. It has been a satisfying experience to traverse this path in each other's company.

Zenno: We did have a few rough spots, but the time did fly. Excellent company makes that happen. 

Saava: I will cherish the memory.

If Saava wouldn’t have considered it an impropriety of the worst kind, he would have hugged her. Instead, he tried to burn this moment into his brain, so he could resurrect it in the future when he missed her again.

Zenno: We shall have to tell Vratak and Grall all about our adventures, if they didn’t see us on the news already. Well, not all about our adventures, ::smiles:: we can leave some parts out. 

She looked at him, perhaps assessing the veracity of his intentions. She knew him well enough to know he’d be sorely tempted to share that embarrassing story at some point. Hopefully he would resist so that she would not have to return to those thoughts that troubled her back in the store. And then she changed the subject.

Saava: I would contact you about the results of my discussion with Doctor Selenka. 

Zenno: I welcome it. And I am certain you will achieve your goals.

Saava: My ship is slated for imminent deployment, rendering the itinerary highly occupied. It is unlikely that our schedules would align in the foreseeable future.

The Bolian felt his guts shift inside. For the past few days, he was able to relax and be fully himself. The worries of the ship and his department had not been his. Now, with the added pressure of being the Department Head, even in a temporary capacity, he felt like he had been playing and must continue to play a role that didn’t permit him to be himself on the Arrow. And he would soon be returning to it. 

Based on their discussions, it appeared that Saava felt much the same way about her situation. But he would carry the memories of this trip with him for a good long while, and even if he never got to see the Squares again, they could see each other at some point. He took comfort in this. It was his hope that she did as well.

Zenno: I understand. This parting is a sadness. I know you can’t say as much. But I feel it for us both.

Saava: ::Vulcan salute:: Live Long and Prosper, Lieutenant Junior Grade Zenno.

The Bolian realized that Saava had never made reference to his new rank, much less called him by that title. With surprising and uncharacteristic subtlety, Saava was showing respect.  He put his hand over his heart on the right side of his chest, as a sign that he understood the gesture and to show that it was received in the spirit in which it had been offered.

Zenno: May the winds favor your journey, Honored Friend Saava.

She paused for just a moment, looking at him, as perhaps she wished to remember something as well.  And then she turned and walked down the ramp towards her ship without another word.

As she walked away, Zenno thought to himself, “Perhaps… Perhaps I shall commission two Water Sculptures.”

[END]

Ensign Saava
Nurse, Medical Division
USS White Pine

As simmed by

Lt. Connor Dewitt
Engineer
USS Arrow
A239901CD3

And

Lt (jg) Zenno
Acting Security Chief
USS Arrow
A240006Z13