Ensign Jaran Jira - No Answers, Only Questions
Jira Jaran
((Sacred Marketplace, Ferenginar))
Jaran: Ok, you don't have to tell me, but you've seemed very on edge the entire time we've been there. Are you... safe? Is something wrong?
That must have hit a little too hard and a little too fast. Alex stopped moving, bottle halfway to her mouth.
Storm: You’re not going to let this go, are you?
Jaran: Well, of course I'm not going to push you. But we have a koala bond now, and I'm cursed with caring.
Jira saw the decision made in her sigh and in her eyes.
Storm: Fine. Then let’s start with the easy question. Yes, I am safe. I’m not afraid that anyone’s after me.
Alex's lips curled up briefly.
Storm: Well, maybe except for the Ferengi at that booth where I got this.
She gestured at her plush animal.
Storm: The Ferengi have got a wicked good memory.
Jaran: True enough. You really did commit their version of, I guess, a kind of sin. Religious societies rarely look kindly on that.
Alex nervously fidgeted, and looked over her shoulder. Jira leaned in closer to hear what she had to say, fully in the same sort of confidant posture that they would use when speaking to their flock.
Storm: This Koala is for my daughter. My husband took off with her two years ago, and they’ve been spotted nearby. I’m waiting for a transport to take me to her, but I’m not sure I can make it before they are scheduled to leave.
oO Oh. Is that all? Oo
Jira kept the sarcasm inside their head. That wasn't the sort of levity an admission like this called for. Instead, the correct serious and concerned face was maintained for this interaction.
Jaran: That's.. a lot. Wow. I'm not even sure where to start with that. Thank you for telling me.
They paused and processed what Alex had said, covering the thought with a sip of their kava juice. What circumstances even lead up to being in this place? But that doesn't matter.
Jaran: I hesitate to ask, but what sort of reaction are you expecting?
Storm: Response
Yeah, that checked out with what Jira would have guessed. They took another sip of kava juice. Then another. Family issues were always their weakest area when it came to pastoral care. They grew up with two loving parents and no obvious issues that couldn't be solved with a couple hours to cool down. Then they'd never had time to grow a family of their own to have their own problems to solve. So when people came to them with their concerns, it was often a struggle not to resort to aphorisms and vague feel-good talk. And yet, here we are.
Jaran: I'm going to level with you. Family drama is really far out of my realm of expertise. My instinct is to give useless advice, but that's really unfair to my new friend. So I'll just ask this. What's your plan? And how are you feeling?
Storm: Response
Tags/TBC