LtCmdr Salkath - Chowing The Fat

[Salkath]

((Second Promenade, Deck 227 - DS224))

In one of the rare moments of surprise for the veteran Vulcan, Salkath had been invited for repast with two of his colleagues, Jovenan and Talos Dakora. Considering that he had invaded their plans unexpectedly, and that Vulcans as a rule and Salkath specifically took time to warm up to, it was an opportunity that he was not willing to let pass.

Salkath: If you are certain that my presence would not disrupt you further, then I am amenable to joining you.

Jovenan: Absolutely certain.

With a nod of gratitude, he fell into step with the pair as they meandered further down the promenade. Salkath was curious about which dining establishment they had in mind, though considering his austere tastes, he was not going to push his luck by questioning their predetermined choices, if they had one. This was where colleagues would engage in 'small talk', so that was the tack he chose instead.

Salkath: I assume that you are both familiar with Deep Space 224, or at least more so than I? Our limited opportunities to visit here since I joined the Artemis means that I am not used to the ::waving hands absently:: crowds.

Dakora: No matter how far we go, we always seem to end up right back here. Believe it or not, it’s been long enough that I missed these crowds.

Jovenan: It’s good to see some new faces occasionally. On a ship, you don’t really get to see how diverse and lively people can be. ::to Salkath:: But as for the station itself, I’ve only been here a few time before, so it’s almost as new to me as it is to you.

Talos' response did not surprise the engineer; it did not take long aboard the Artemis to deduce that the man had a gregarious nature and would likely feel comfortable among and interacting with any number or types of people, Starfleet or civilian alike. Jovenan, however, was a mystery to him, in so many ways. She was one of a select few of her people, if he was not mistaken, to choose a vocation in Starfleet, so he did not have a frame of reference to gauge her by. Salkath would need to learn about her through social interactions, which he had not been fortunate enough to share with her before now, so he had to fall back to one of the old standbys. Talking about the weather was superfluous, thanks to being aboard a hermetically sealed, climate-controlled starbase, so the next logical step was to reference her known interests. 

Salkath: Considering that this station has a strong scientific mandate for the region, it must hold a certain appeal for you, Commander Jovenan.

Jovenan: I of course appreciate the scientific community present at the station, and I’m often in contact with them when it comes to research projects and sharing of results. However, I joined Starfleet to see new worlds, and the researchers posted here don’t get to do that as often. ::pause, smile:: It’s still an amazing place to visit and finally meet other scientists from the region.

Wanderlust. It was an appeal that the Vulcan could appreciate and relate to, and he nodded in understanding. It was not an uncommon goal of Starfleet personnel, and coupled with a complimentary goal of service to the greater good, one could apply these two traits to most officers.

Dakora: Now that you mention it Salkath, there is a place just up ahead that might work well for all of us. A little place called: “Yem-tukh Nar-tor'i.” I’m not sure exactly what the name means, but it’s a well-regarded spot, as far as I’m aware…

That elicited a raised eyebrow from Salkath. The restaurant could be translated as 'Acceptable Food'. Normally, a Vulcan restaurant would be named just Yokul-mahr-kel, 'Restaurant' or perhaps Yem-tukh Shi-Yem'i, roughly 'food dining hall'. Maybe in rare cases where several dining establishments congregate, the name of the chef or owner might be part of the restaurant's name to differentiate. To add a descriptive to the name of the establishment to denote the quality of food was oddly boastful in his culture.

Salkath: I am sure it will be... acceptable. As advertised.

Jovenan: Sounds good to me. I typically eat vegetarian, so I’d like to try out the variety that other like-minded cultures have to offer.

Dakora: I’m not vegetarian, but I don’t have a problem with a vegetarian meal now and then. You’ll have to give us some recommendations, Salkath.

He nodded in agreement as they continued along. 

Salkath: Certainly. They are sure to have pok tar or plomeek soup, but we will see what they have on the menu...


((Yem-tukh Nar-tor’i, Second Promenade - DS224))

Salkath recalled that there was a contingent of Vulcan Science Academy officials and scientists aboard DS224. Therefore, it was not surprising to see so many Vulcans present in this restaurant, especially considering how near the midday dining hour it was. Considering the clientele, it appeared that the proprietor chose to omit the Federation Standard names or descriptors for the vast majority of the dishes on the menu.

Jovenan: Here’s something called gespar. Would you know what it is like?

Salkath: It is a fruit similar to Terran citrus fruit, though I could not suggest a direct analogue. Should you choose the gespar salad, you will find fresh herbs and a mild spice vinaigrette contained within the dish as well. It is a favored dish, a sound choice if you are so inclined.

Dakora: response

Salkath was content to assist his colleagues with finding suitable dishes to meet their interests, much as he was certain they would be amenable to assisting him were their roles reversed. The engineer saw a pickled vegetable dish he had not had for an extended period of time, and chose that when the server wordlessly took their orders. Once the server left to fulfill the orders, the conversation turned back towards the personal.

Jovenan: Do I remember correctly that you joined the Artemis only after our shore leave to Betazed? So, this was your first visit to the Borderlands, or had you been here before in your previous assignments?

Salkath: That is correct. In my limited time aboard, we have served away from our normal theater of operations more so than within, so this is my first real experience here. During a previous posting, we had a temporary transit to the Celendri Nebula, but that was as close as I have been to the Borderlands before now.

Dakora: response

Salkath: ::turning to Talos:: And is it true that you were an intelligence officer prior to becoming the executive officer? That is an interesting career arc.

Most Starfleet ships had routine, predictable mission parameters. Inner worlds resupply, trade route patrols, long-term scientific forays. There was hardly any need for such specialized resources such as ambassadors, intelligence officers, or marine officers on many of these vessels, and that was the sort of Starfleet career that Salkath had experienced thus far. Service in border space, near volatile regions both political and astrological in nature, was a new experience for him. That the Artemis featured both aspects meant that officers of rare career paths were likely more common in this region. Though none of those alternate roles appealed to Salkath, he nonetheless found them fascinating.

Dakora: response

Jovenan: response

The kitchen was suitably efficient, as their plates were delivered post-haste. The briny, acidic tang of the pickling process used on his vegetable dish was pleasing to the nose, and though he did not partake in a midday meal often, Salkath found himself anticipating this feed quite readily.

Salkath: ::pausing:: Do either of you offer thanks or blessing for your meal? Feel free to do so, you will find those around us accepting of your needs.

As long as it was not too loud or boisterous, of course. A Nausicaan ululation in the quiet environs might garner a few grimaces, for example, but much less than that would be no issue at all. Plus, much like their dietary choices, Salkath could glean more about his colleagues through their cultural choice.

Dakora/Jovenan: response

TAGS/TBC

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Lieutenant Commander Salkath

Engineer, USS Artemis-A

A239111MT0