LtCmdr Jovenan – End of a meal, beginning of a closer acquaintance

[Jovenan]

((Yem-tukh Nar-tor’i, Second Promenade, DS224))

Jovenan was learning a lot, both about her two colleagues and about the Vulcan cuisine. Granted, she hadn't known much about either subjects before this meeting. She had obviously talked with Talos on occasion, but personal matters had arisen to conversation only rarely. Meanwhile, Commander Salkath was almost a new acquaintance to her, so every nugget of information multiplied the pool of knowledge. However, the last few minutes had been dedicated to her recounting her life, her decisions to joining Starfleet and her service there. While the conversation about the Edo members in the ranks of the Federation’s exploratory arm had seemed to fascinate the two other officers, she doubted the same would be true for Vulcan and Betazoid officers and crewmembers, on the account that the multitude of very accomplished examples were considered general knowledge. Instead, she picked a more personal question to follow.

Jovenan: What about you two? What made you apply to the Academy? A childhood dream, curiosity, rebellion?

Dakora: Response

Salkath: My history draws parallels to Commander Jovenan's. Though rebelliousness might be too strong a descriptor, I too chose to discard the traditional Vulcan lifestyle and career path I had been on to join Starfleet, mostly to subject myself to more diverse challenges in the field of engineering.

Jovenan nodded along while taking the opportunity to eat the salad she had ordered. She listened keenly, noting how they were each from different cultures and different background, yet among the differences, she could spot patterns and similarities. Starfleet, besides allowing them to explore the strange new worlds and new civilizations, introduced them to the plethora of individual stories near and far. It was quite nice.

One line in Commander Salkath’s explanation caught her attention. After swallowing her bite, she continued with personal questions.

Jovenan: Oh? Do I understand that you had a career before entering the Academy as well?

Salkath: I served a similar role to my current one on a Vulcan High Command vessel prior to my decision to enroll to the Academy. My post-secondary studies on Vulcan were too specialized for a Vulcan vessel, however; there was little chance for advancement if I so chose, and the mission parameters I expected to see were highly sedate. Those factors precipitated my choice to try Starfleet.

Dakora: Response

Jovenan: Sounds like we’ve all made some right decisions on the way, since we’re all here.

She gave her two other Lt Commanders a smile before turning to the remains of her salad. Placing her utensils to the side, she was satisfied with the meal they had. Not only had the food been tasty, she had enjoyed the company. In particular, she now knew them both a little better. The next time Commander Salkath suggested going against the rules and accessing secret information, she’d know how to react: exactly the same, but at least she wouldn’t be as embarrassed of her reaction afterwards.

Salkath: It is insightful to learn how we all took distinct paths to arrive in Starfleet, and to our current positions on the same ship. I am thankful that opportunity brought us to our meal today.

Jovenan: As am I. And thank you for sharing your stories! And introducing me to Vulcan food, of course. It was delicious.

Dakora/Salkath: Response

The wait staff must have noticed that the three officers had finished their meals, as they came to retrieve the dishes without further interaction. In many other places, such efficient customer service may have appeared rude, but Jovenan could also see the positives of it. Besides being efficient, she was relieved she didn’t need to come up with something to say to the staff, nor had she embarrassed herself with accidentally asking if the waiter had also liked the food. After the waiters had disappeared again, she spoke to her colleagues again.

Jovenan: If I may still ask one personal question, how are you planning to spend the rest of the shore leave? Do you have any interesting hobbies, or will you be meeting with someone here?

Dakora/Salkath: Response

Jovenan: I’ll be continuing my tour around the station. I think I’ll at least go and check out the arboretum later. It’d imagine it is much larger than what we have on the Artemis. And… I’d like to meet up with, um, some other crewmembers later, but nothing has come up yet.

Dakora/Salkath: Response

TAG/TBC
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Lieutenant Commander Jovenan
Chief Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11