[JP] LT Gila Sadar & Kolya Aqila - The Old and the New

[LT Gila Sadar]

((The Sadar-Aqila Quarters - Compartment 83, Sector 03, Deck 6, USS Artemis-A))

Lyara: I’m not too early am I?

Gila quickly shook her head, smiling awkwardly. She was pretty certain the Ensign was early, but she’d rather people come quickly so they could leave all the quicker.

Sadar: N-No, of course, you’re more than welcome! Come on in. ::guides inside:: You remember Kolya, I’m sure.

She tried to gesture to her nephew, but the teenager - who followed the family standard of becoming very quiet and anxious in front of strangers - took to hiding behind Gila instead.

Aqila: :: smiles awkwardly :: We met on the shuttle, you are a Bajoran and you like Hasperat. :: hides behind Gila’s robe and whispers :: I don't know any songs?

Thankfully, Ensign Lyara didn’t seem insulted by his conduct, and instead smiled and waved at him.

Lyara: Of course I remember my little copilot! ::Putting her finger to her chin:: But I hear you’re an artist now. Ain’t that right?

Aqila: :: cautiously nods :: Uhm, yes :: looks to Gila :: I've been studying Betazoid art :: looks around :: Particularly renaissance :: a little more bolstered and hopeful :: I've also been reading about Bajoran art. 

Lyara: I’ve got a gift for the upcoming artist. Little something from Bajoran culture.

Ensign Lyara handed over a wrapped present for Kolya, making Gila blink. Presents? Was this a Federation custom related to the ‘housewarming’? She paled as she realized that by her inviting her senior officers, she might’ve inadvertently given the impression that she was expecting presents from them, and she felt her knees buckle at the idea. Not only because it was extraordinarily rude, and she couldn’t bear the idea of having to face Cmdr. Adea on her shift tomorrow if that was also his take, but also because she was deeply afraid.

Her quarters already looked like the dinner salon in a museum for the gaudiest period of the Betazoid Renaissance, and the idea of more furnishing of varying degrees of alien being added to that collection was not a pleasant one.

The young Mizarian held the gift in his extended hands, a confused expression across his face as he examined the gift box; he wasn't sure if he should open it now, his fingers eager to tear at the paper. 

Aqila: :: nods respectfully :: Thank you :: looks to Gila expectantly :: Welcome to our Aailudet, The Wheel has blessed us. 

This was when Ensign Lyara turned her attention to Gila, and the anxious Doctor did her utmost to calm herself. No. There was no guarantee that anyone other than Ensign Lyara would come with presents. It could just be a Bajoran thing, after all!

Lyara: And for a gift to the other officers I got some springwine and my Father’s kava roll recipe. ::fake whispering:: Family secret.

Gila blinked.

oO Oh no. Food too!? Oo

Sadar: Th-Thank you, Ensign. Uhh…

Evidently seeing Gila’s concern as she tried to locate some spare room at the buffet table, Ensign Lyara was graceful enough to assist her by finding some space for her kava rolls. Was this submission of a dish also custom for ‘housewarmings’?

Gila felt shame at her insufficient degree of preparation.

Lyara: Love the Betazoid art. ::She motioned to the walls:: I’ve always been fond of Betazoid culture.

It wasn’t a surprise to Gila that Ensign Lyara, with her exuberant personality and almost offensive cheer, was a fan of Betazoid art, and Kolya seemed excited at the idea of someone to discuss his obsession with.

Aqila: :: excited :: Really!? :: catches a breath :: I've been most interested in Clorian Dessai! Do you know them? They use bold colours and shocking imagery to comment on the hierarchical state of Betazoid politics during the renaissance. I've asked Dona if we can visit Betazoid one day :: more shy :: But I'm not taking my clothes off. 

Lyara: Response

That was the moment another chime announced a visitor, and Gila quickly left Kolya and Ensign Lyara to discuss Betazoid art to open the door. She had half-expected Sil-net to be the next arrival, but the one who stood beyond the doorway was a face she had only seen in his assignment papers.

Tarrik: Hi! I'm new on the ship, I was just sent here a few days ago. My name's Tarrik Tarkin, I brought Kimden Rolls!

The gold-shirted Engineer held the tray up with pride in his face, steam rolling up from the rolls in an inviting manner.

Sadar: Aah, uhh, yes. Welcome Ensign Tarkin. I’m Doctor Sadar. ::realizes he probably knows that:: Uh, I mean, come on in.

She guided him into the quarters, depositing the tray in a precarious position near the edge of the already overburdened buffet table.

Tarrik: Thanks, I appreciate the welcome! I love the decorations.

The Ensign’s compliments confirmed Gila’s suspicion that her discomfort stemmed from her Mizarian tendencies, and she smiled as Kolya’s choices were affirmed once more. This was part of the reason she wanted Kolya to make friends with the aliens aboard the Artemis. While she would be trying as best she could to encourage his freedom, she was still in the process of defining herself outside her Mizarian heritage herself. It would be much faster if he could find some support amongst the crew.

Ensign Tarkin smiled, displaying a set of sharpened teeth, and Gila blinked. Ah, right, something in his papers had mentioned him growing up amongst Ferengi, now that she thought about it.

Lyara: Response

Sadar: Ensign Tarkin, this is my nephew, Kolya Aqila. He’s residing with me while he studies. ::gestures to Lyara:: And this is Ensign Lyara. ::looks to the other others:: And this is Ensign Tarkin, our newest Engineer.

Aqila: :: a little more sure of himself :: The Wheel has blessed us with your presence, please enjoy our Aailudet. 

Lyara/Tarkin: Response

Gila tightened her lips slightly at that, her cheek ridges shuddering with concern.

Sadar: Did you have a safe trip from Starbase 118, Ensign Tarkin?

Thinking of Starbase 118, Gila thought back to her own stay on the Station during her time at the Academy. She wondered how Madi-net was handling her new everyday life, living with her girlfriend and their charge. She wondered how Commander Fairhug was acclimatizing to being the new CO of the Station... She hoped they were doing well, and not getting into too much trouble, though - knowing Starfleet - that was a pointless hope.

Kolya found himself slightly frustrated that the conversation had now moved away from Betazoid art to something far less interesting to him. He returned his attention to the gift that the Bajoran ensign had given him, he shook the box gently and attempted to feel what could be inside. It definitely had some substance and he felt the shifting of several items within it. His nuchal folds fluttered in a flash of unbridled excitement. 

Lyara/Tarkin: Response

With the buffet table being pulled back into focus, Gila shuffled slightly in place.

Sadar: I-I wasn’t anticipating- I mean ::clears throat:: On Mizar II, a, uhh, we don’t invite guests when we celebrate a new home, so I didn’t know what to expect.

Aqila: Dona do you not remember your Aailudet? At school, we got to meet our new group, especially our teacher and show respect to our better and more knowledgeable. The teacher read from the Kahlto, “Let the flow of the Wheel’s motion cleanse your heart-”

Sadar: “and lead you on a new journey towards greater understanding.” The Tenet of Entry. ::deep breath:: Right. I remember.

It had been years since she last celebrated a proper Aailudet - not since she moved into her own apartment in the Rise when she finished school. 12 years ago…

Sadar: ::to Kolya:: Thank you. ::to Lyara and Tarkin:: And thank you both for joining us. It’s still a short while until the designated time, but feel free to take food and refreshments as you please. ::to Lyara, specifically: We also have Hasperat?

Lyara/Tarkin: Response

TAG/TBC

LT Gila Sadar

Medical Officer

USS Artemis-A

A240006GS1

&

Kolya Aqila

Arts Student

USS Artemis-A

As simmed by

Lt.Cdr. Luxa Lorana

Science Officer

USS Ronin

A240004LL1