[JP] LT Gila Sadar & Kolya Aqila - The Warmth of Family, Best Shared?

[LT Gila Sadar]

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

(((OOC: This is the Aailudet/housewarming that I mentioned in my Sim with Cmdr. Adea earlier. All of the Artemis’ senior staff would’ve received an invitation, so if you have time and would like to join in, feel free.)))

Sadar: ... Do we have enough food?

It was not an unfamiliar concern for an Aailudet. Mizarians rarely splurged on anything - it was considered crass and improper to flaunt a family’s financial standing in such a manner - but the establishment of a new hierarchical unit, whether through marriage or through the birth of a new business relation, was one occasion where such behaviour was not only encouraged, but expected. The idea of ‘splurging’ while living in the Federation was a bit ambivalent, seeing as everything could be readily replicated, but Gila tended to err on the side of tradition, so she was currently looking at quite the spread of food.

Aqila: :: shrugs :: It looks like soooo much food.   How many of your friends are coming? 

Gila twisted her anxiety band. She knew that Kolya was most likely right - this amount of food was ludicrous when you didn’t even know how many people would drop by - but if there was one thing Gila wouldn’t stand for, it was Cmdr. Adea or the Captain stopping by and finding the table empty.

Aqila: This smells funny? Not really melhan but … strange. 

Gila looked at the dish that Kolya was examining and frowned slightly.

Sadar: It’s, uhh... I-It’s Hasperat. A Bajoran dish. Ensign Lyara and the Captain are both fans, so I figured it best to have some available.

While her nephew busied himself with the buffet table, Gila looked around the quarters. Her quarters. Their quarters? She shook her head. This definitely felt more like a ‘Kolya’s quarters where she’s residing’. The amount of color loaded onto every square inch of the walls overstimulated her ever senses, drapes and paintings filled with patterns and swirls and glittery clouds of nonsensical color mixes. She almost regretted getting that textbook on Betazoid painting techniques for Kolya last year, as that had only enhanced his fascination with colors.

How were the creators of these things even able to fit that much color into one article without it just turning into a muddy brown!?

Sadar: You didn’t have to get this much furnishment for our quarters, surely?

Aqila: :: shocked :: Dona, you don't like it? I think it looks like something from a painting. Don't you like paintings? 

Sadar: No no, it’s just- There’s really no more space in your own room?

Aqila: If it's in my room then how will you enjoy it? And all your friends. I can't wait to show Commander Adea. He's a Betazoid, isn't he? He will really like it :: stops to ponder :: Dona? Do you think Commander Adea would like to be my friend too?

Sadar: I’m sure he will, Kolya... But-

Gila sighed. She had told Kolya that he was free to furnish the entirety of the compartment - including their shared living space - and she wasn’t going to withdraw that permission. The whole point of him coming to live with her was to give him the space to explore, to discover what his version of being a Mizarian looked like, so for her reservations to limit him? No.

She wasn’t going to be like her father. Never.

Sadar: No. ::places a hand on his shoulder:: I’m sorry, Kolya, I-I’m just not used to... This. And besides, you’ll be the one using this space the most. You should decorate it how you like it.

She’d used her quarters on Deck 3 so little, it hardly felt like she’d even really lived there before having to move out again. The workaholic lifestyle wasn’t conducive to forming attachments to living spaces.

Aqila: :: looks around and smiles :: I really do like it. Ima wouldn't allow me to have colour. She said it was too much :: returns attention to food :: I'm glad your friends are coming to our Aailudet. You must have lots of friends to have this much food? 

Gila removed her hand from her nephew’s shoulder at his question, anxiety creeping back in as she was once again faced with the very real idea of someone other than her and Kolya participating in the Aailudet. On Mizabet, this would be an extremely private affair, reserved for only the members of the new hierarchical unit and their closest family - parents, spouses or children. For her to have extended invitations not only to her closest friends aboard, but to the entirety of the senior staff? Frankly, she was terrified.

Not just because she felt like she was doing something extremely improper, but also because this would be the first time she invited colleagues into her home. Ever. Had she ever done such a thing before? The only ones were likely Madi-net and Ladok, from back when they were at the Academy. Not even on Mizabet had she ever invited people outside her family to visit her home. She’d always been afraid of something about her apartment causing suspicion or discomfort, that - in some way - seeing the way she lived and decorated her most private space would be a dead give-away of how abnormal she was.

oO Well Oo she thought as she looked around herself at the explosions of color happening everywhere. The large painting of something resembling numerous humanoid anatomical drawings layered on top of each other in every possible color variance, the ostentatious vase of colorful feathers on the steel sideboard hosting Gila’s numerous copies of scientific journals - both of archaeology, history, political science and medicine - and the admittedly beautiful satin throwovers adorning her white couch. oO There’s no chance anyone would think Mizarians lived here now. Oo

Sadar: I-I think any moment now-

As though summoned by her words, the doorbell chimed, and Gila swallowed nervously, smoothing the front of her uniform. Kolya had - to his credit - tried to get her to re-don the dress that she’d received for the Award Ceremony last year, but she’d adamantly refused. She was willing to shirk some Mizarian customs in favor of allowing Kolya freedom, but she was on the Artemis, her place of employment. Being out of uniform simply would not do. So, the extent of her own color scheme for the day was the verdant green of her Yael-robe and the teal uniform. She was a boring blob in the midst of this menagerie of colorful abominations...

Aqila: :: excited :: Yes! Do I answer the door Dona?! What do we do? Do I have to sing?! :: deep thoughts :: Betazoids don't wear clothes … I don't want to take my clothes off :: frets :: We won't have to take our clothes off? 

Sadar: ::shrill voice:: WH-WHA- NO! ::clears throat:: C-Calm down, Kolya! N-No, I- ::deep breath:: I’ll get it. ::goes to open the door:: E-Ensign?

In Gila’s head, it had been a bit of a toss-up of which of her colleagues would be the first to arrive. She had only entertained the notion of no one showing up for one second, before realizing that on a Ship with Ensign Lyara Alroyo and Lieutenant Vitor Silveira aboard, she was at least guaranteed two over-eager guests, and her guess had evidently been correct.

Lyara: Response

Gila quickly shook her head, trying to replace her clear discomfort with a welcoming smile. She was very certain the effort was moot - she never was a very good bluffer.

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

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?

Lyara/Any: Response

TAG/TBC

LT Gila Sadar

Medical Officer

USS Artemis-A

A240006GS1

&

Kolya Aqila

Art Student

USS Artemis-A

As simmed by

Lt.Cdr. Luxa Lorana

Science Officer

USS Ronin

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