LT Gila Sadar - I Owe It All To You

[LT Gila Sadar]

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

Jovenan: Did someone tell you to try organizing the dinner?

Sadar: Lt. Commander Jashkaa. Thus far, she’s had me get a phaser recertification, and now, a dinner party... ::sheepish smile:: Suppose she’s trying to cure me of one anxiety source at a time?

The expression on her two friends’ faces was enough to tell Gila that this was, in fact, not standard counseling protocol, but just Lt. Commander Jashkaa’s way of tormenting her. Or, well, ‘improving’ her? ‘Helping’ her?

Silveira: Phaser certification? ::He winked.:: Well at least I hope we haven’t embarrassed you much.

Jovenan: Well, whatever the reason, I’m grateful for being invited. To think of it, if I had been told to organize a dinner for a few friends, you two would have been on the top of my list as well.

Gila’s cheeks flared slightly. She wasn’t sure she needed the specific brand of help that Lt. Commander Jashkaa forced upon her, but she would admit that she had welcomed the opportunity to enjoy a quiet evening with Sil-net and Lt. Commander Jovenan. It was surprisingly rare for the three of them to have the time, especially since Lt. Commander Jovenan took the Chief’s position.

Sadar: I am doubly grateful you accepted the invitation. ::hesitant smile:: I-I don’t mean to be rude, but if you had rejected it, I frankly wouldn’t know who else to ask.

Silveira: Do we have to write a report to Jashkaa? So far I will give you a straight A.

Gila brow ridges trembled slightly.

Sadar: N-No, I hardly think that’s necessary, and Lt. Commander Jashkaa won’t expect one, but, uhh,  thank you for offering.

Jovenan: Do tell the Counsellor that you officiated a Mizarian couple’s ritual for us and could adapt it to our needs, despite us being particularly difficult about it. I’m sure she’ll be impressed by your performance.

Gila smiled timidly at that. She still remained of the observation that she’d forced her own culture upon the two aliens around the table, but she was thankful that the two of them were such good sports about it.

Silveira: Then we must progress with this “active counseling session”. What’s the next dish?

Sadar: Ah yes, uhh... Th-This is Mizragavi. It’s boiled oyster shells stuffed with fried vegetables and melted cheese.

Jovenan: Looks interesting! But, uh, pardon my inexperience, but how do I eat the oysters? I don’t think I’ve eaten them before.

Gila hastily shook her head, alarmed. She had been unsure as to Lt. Commander Jovenan’s dietary restrictions, and how limiting it was. There was a difference between Gila’s pescetarian diet (which was enforced by her physiognomy’s ability to process heavier meats) and the vegetarian predilection many aliens held out of ethical reasons, but she was uncertain which one Lt. Commander Jovenan most resembled.

Regardless, Gila felt it well within her duty as hostess to assure the Lt. Commander that she need not challenge her belief system to please her.

Sadar: Oh, uhh, I-I know you have a vegetarian diet, s-so I don’t mind at all if you just eat the salad, Lt. Commander.

Silveira: Response

Jovenan: No, it’s quite alright! I must insist, you’ve gone through the trouble of preparing it for us, I have to try it!

Gila tightened her lips slightly, exchanging a glance with Sil-net. Then, she nodded and raised her hands to reach them towards the tray of Mizragavi, shining shells of black and silver balanced on a tray with cheesy vegetables atop the oyster itself.

Sadar: O-Okay, i-if you’re sure? ::picks up an oyster shell:: W-Well, there are two ways, depending on your preference. One way is eating it with a fork, which can help if you’re unfamiliar with it, but on Mizabet we eat it like this. ::holds it up:: The oyster itself is beneath the vegetables and boiling the shell will loosen its grip on the shell, so it’ll slide down if you tip the shell. J-Just, be careful, the cheese is still a bit hot.

She finished her demonstration by tipping the shell, letting the oyster within carry the cheese and small vegetable chops into her mouth. Calling the dish ‘savory’ would be wrong, though it certainly was the closest a Mizarian dish got to that, most certainly aided by the cheese. The taste wasn’t quite right yet, as she’d not quite been able to replicate the taste profile of Mizarian mountain cheese, but it was close enough to trigger a sense of uneasy nostalgia for the anxious Doctor.

Silveira: Response

Lt. Commander Jovenan mimicked her, and while she could tell that Lt. Commander Jovenan didn’t dislike the dish, it was evidently not a favorite of hers, as her immediate reaction was pulling the salad closer. Gila nodded with a smile, thankful for the Lt. Commander’s attempt.

Jovenan: Is there something else Counsellor Jaskhaa is making you go through? Perhaps either of us could help you with it. Going outside your comfort zone is much easier with a friend, I would imagine.

Sadar: N-No, there’s nothing else. For now. I-I’m sure she’ll just be happy with a successful dinner party. Th-Though, I’m sure come next shore leave, she will have figured something else out for me.

Silveira/Jovenan: Response

Gila nodded slowly, sitting properly in her seat.

Sadar: I-I thank you, friends... ::wrings her hands:: Y-You have both been so patient with me, and... I, uhh... I owe everything I’ve accomplished this past year to your guidance.

Silveira/Jovenan: Response

Gila smiled. Her friends always knew exactly what to say. It was a skill she had yet to attain, but maybe, one day... In another life.

She raised her glass of water to participate in the toast.

Sadar: To the Artemis-A.

End Scene for Gila Sadar

LT Gila Sadar

Medical Officer

USS Artemis-A

A240006GS1