Ensign Meris - Even the Smallest Indulgence
Meris/Brian
(( Captain’s Ready Room – Deck 1, USS Artemis-A ))
The Captain had asked them what they liked to do in their downtime. Meris' answer required some serious consideration. While at the Academy, they'd been exposed to so much from so many different cultures, and they’d adopted some of what they’d encountered into their personal daily routine. It was a long list, but three things immediately came to mind.
Meris: I’m quite fond of abstract painting. I’ve also developed an affinity for Tamarian throat singing. I find their metaphorical speech and layered harmonics to be quite soothing. And, of course, there’s sexual intimacy, which I found to be quite popular and stimulating while in attendance at the Academy.
The Captain's eyes widened and Meris wondered if they’d said something untoward. But the slight smile that quickly appeared on Addison MacKenzie's face told them they were in the clear.
oO Hmm ... that smile's just like the one she is sporting on the cover of the current edition of Fleet Monthly. Oo
MacKenzie: Those all sound like perfectly reasonable things. I’m not familiar with Tamarian throat singing – I’ll have to find a recording to reference when I’m off duty.
Meris: What about you, Captain? May I inquire as to what you like to dedicate your free time to?
MacKenzie rocked her head back and forth. It seemed to be a physical tic the woman often fell back on. The Captain seemed to consider the question just as thoroughly as Meris had a moment earlier. Eventually, the Captain spoke again.
MacKenzie: I enjoy keeping up with the latest publications in the medical journals and keeping my surgical skills sharp in the holodeck. I also enjoy live music and eating. If you haven’t had much time to explore Deep Space 224 yet, I highly recommend Molly Malone’s. They have some of the best chicken wings this side of the quadrant.
Meris nodded and shifted back to their right foot, taking in what the Captain had just said.
oO Chickens are flightless birds on Earth. Why do they have wings to begin with? Oo
Meris: I find the human relationship with food fascinating. Among my own people, meals are rarely more than a matter of biological maintenance. Balanced nutrient schedules, efficient caloric intake. We’ve always approached it as necessity. But humans ... you turn it into ritual. Celebration. Comfort. Even identity.
Meris: At the Academy, I saw classmates describe their favorite dishes as if recounting a former lover - velvety, smoky, bold but grounded. ::frowning:: A fellow cadet once cried over soup. They said it reminded them of home. I didn’t know that could happen.
Meris: At first, I found it all rather excessive. Now, I think I'm beginning to understand. It's not just sustenance - it's connection. To memory, to culture, even to each other.
Meris: I still don’t know why your desserts require three types of sugar and fire, but I admit to finding it intriguing. Perhaps it's because, when time is so limited ... even the smallest indulgence becomes meaningful.
They paused to consider this and, after a moment, refocused their attention on Captain MacKenzie. They imagined their report back to the J’naii homeworld would likely contain an entire chapter on food and the various cultural relationships with it. Idly, they wondered if they might get the opportunity to explore the Klingon relationship with food. That would certainly be educational.
MacKenzie: Well, when you get to view things from up here, free time is more of a luxury. Time off isn’t time off: the ship still needs to run, Starfleet Command is constantly sending stuff across the desk of the flag officers that requires extra attention, and there seem to always be personnel issues that demand attention.
Meris: ::nodding:: I would say, 'I understand.' But, in truth, I cannot. Perhaps one day.
MacKenzie raised her arms with her palms toward the ceiling and shrugged slightly.
MacKenzie: I’m just lucky, I guess. Truthfully, command was never in my sights, I just followed the doors that opened for me along the way.
oO An interesting metaphor. Oo
Meris: That is good advice, as in most buildings on the J’naii homeworld, following through the windows that opened for you could lead to certain death.
MacKenzie: Response.
Meris then paused and changed directions in their questioning of the Captain.
Meris: If command was never in your sights then may I inquire as to why you accepted it when it was offered? Is that typical among humans? To pursue a path not because it was wanted, but because it was offered to you?
MacKenzie: Response.
Tag, and TBC!
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Ensign Meris
Helm Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240207M14