Lieutenant Vailani Zoyara - The Nature of Science
Luxa Lorana
((Sunset at Temtibi Lagoon - Risa))
Dakora: Look, I'm sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way. ::He flashed her a tentative smile.:: I'm happy to take it from the top, if you'd like?
Zoyara looked at the Betazoid who's already removed his top. The Bajoran, who considered herself of the modest variety, looked at him aghast. Was he suggesting that she take her top off?
She knew that Betazoids had very relaxed clothing requirements but this was several pails too far.
Vailani: :: frosty :: I'm fine. I just think we should focus on the task at hand. Can't all be cocktails and surfing and hiking.
Perhaps sensing death by drowning on the horizon, Gila interjected.
Sadar: I-I’d welcome your help, Vai-net. ::scrambles for idea of how to distract her increasingly testy friend:: I-Is it possible you could gather some of the algae further that way, by those cliffs? Those would’ve been in the shade for half of the day, so I want to see whether there’s any difference to their luminescence compared to the others.
Zoyara hated that she'd made Gila uncomfortable but she was glad to have some respite from the frolicking Dakora.
Vailani: Gladly.
Zoyara pushed her float forward and used her legs to kick against the water to propel herself forward so that she was out of earshot. As she neared the cliffs she saw several small creatures gathered underneath the water, they appeared to be feasting on the algae.
They were colourful, the larger were more colourful and had tails that coiled and swirled in the water.
With caution, Zoyara dipped her hand further down into the water and they began to swim around it. The tails would brush against her hand, tickling her in the process.
She allowed herself to slip off the float and as she slipped into the water the creatures began to swim gleefully around her. Their mouths appeared long and curved upwards like a smile, paired with enormous eyes of a greenish blue. They were strikingly beautiful.
She kicked her legs and swirled along with them, only rising to the surface when she needed air. Thankfully her float remained floating nearby. The sight of the cliffs reminded her of her task. She looked below the water.
oO sorry little guys, duty calls Oo
She slipped her hand into her fold of her suit, where several sample tubes had been stored. After a few seconds she had gathered several samples, ensuring that she noted the location of each sample.
She laughed as the creatures mischievously tickled at her feet. She'd much prefer to spend time with these creatures than with Dakora. She knew that was unkind, and hasn't been trying to be at least understanding.
With a resigned sigh she made her way back to the others. It was clear that Gila had been offering an explanation for her apparent bad manners. She knew Gila too well to think that she'd not do so, especially with a senior officer. So when Dakora clearly switched the subject, Zoyara simply eye-rolled.
Dakora: So, anyway, like I was saying, there’s this great little place down the coast, near the Maklau Beach Resort called Harmadu’s Paint Your Own Horg’ahns. You two should check it out! They’ll show you the traditional way of decorating and painting these great little Risian statues.
As they were walking down here she had seen several signs displaying these horg’ahns and she had wondered on their cultural significance. Given her encounter with the lagoon creatures, she was beginning to regret her lack of interest in Risian culture.
Vailani: What is the significance of these horg’ahns? Are they an important part of Risian culture?
Sadar: Response
Dakora swayed back and forth in the warm, tropical waters before pulling himself up and onto the pink unicorn inner-tube float.
Dakora: You get those samples handled? ::He flashed her a wry grin.:: Leave it to Gila to find the only other person interested in sneaking a little science in on their vacation.
She wasn't sure if he was trying to mock her or compliment her. Being compared to Gila was most definitely, in Zoyara's view, a very good thing. She saw it as a Starfleet Officer's duty to pursue science, even when off duty.
Vailani: I collected the samples … but more interestingly I observed these curious little lagoon creatures :: points :: Look there's one there!
The small creature zipped between the three of them before disappearing into the depths of the lagoon.
Vailani: They aren't as shy over at the cliff, they were dancing in the water. I swam with them Gila-net :: to Dakora :: See Science can be fun.
Sadar: Response
He raised his hands in mock surrender. Shifting on his ridiculous unicorn-innertube-throne.
Dakora: I’ve got no problem with science. ::He shrugged.:: The science of data collection and analysis was– is my bread-and-butter as an Intel Officer. But I don’t know if you’d catch me sneaking a cheeky scan of some glowing algae, just for giggles.
Just for giggles! She couldn't believe what she was hearing so much that she was stunned to speechless.
Dakora: Bu-but I’m impressed by your curiosity! Both of you!
Vailani: I … I …
Thankfully Gila, being more wise to Dakora's ways, had managed to find words. Words that were far more gracious than she'd have mustered herself.
Sadar: Response
In the interest of Gila’s sanity, Zoyara thought that it might be best if they did go and paint some horg’ahns.
Vailani: Maybe we should paint these horg’ahns? I need something to put in my new quarters anyway. All of my belongings were blasted into space during the Siege of DS33.
Dakora/Sadar: Response
Vailani: I have room for one more sample, I figured we could take a sample from the dried kelp on the rocks as we leave?
Dakora/Sadar: Response
Samples in the Lagoon now collected, they began to wade back to the coast. Zoyara's legs kicked fiercely in order to keep up with her much taller companions.
Vailani: :: stubborn :: No :: heaves in a breath :: Don't slow down for me :: determined :: I can keep up.
Dakora/Sadar: Response
