LT Gila Sadar - We're All Individuals, in the End
LT Gila Sadar
(( The Sadar-Aqila Quarters - Compartment 83, Sector 03, Deck 6, USS Artemis-A ))
Conducting Mizarian traditions was usually something Gila did privately. Her and Kolya’s Aailudet was the very first time she’d invited the crew of the Artemis-A to partake in her culture, and while that had been reasonably successful - barring some obvious frictions as Kolya got acclimatized to living amongst aliens - it was another thing entirely that she was trying to do now. She was emboldened by the faith that Sil-net and Lt. Commander Jovenan showed, in that she was the first to whom they revealed their new relationship status, and she didn’t mean to make them regret that choice.
Nevertheless, conducting the Zo’oghada for them - the ceremonial interview intended to verify whether a match was beneficial to both parties in the long run - was something she felt strongly about, and this was why she now took great care as she asked the necessary questions.
Sadar: Sil-net, in the truest words in your heart, what do you hope for from the future?
Silveira: I hope to be able to protect, help and love Jovenan.
Gila hoped her concern was masked by the formality of the event as she heard Sil-net’s hasty, but singular reply. She knew that aliens sometimes entered what was called the ‘honeymoon’ phase, where all potential issues and problems were overshadowed by the joy of a new coupling, and considering Lt. Commander Jovenan’s expression, as well as Sil-net’s fervor, this was very much what was at play here.
Sadar: Do you believe that the coupling with Lieutenant Commander Jovenan will be conducive to bringing you happiness and satisfaction of your goals?
Silveira: Yes I do.
Gila turned towards Lt. Commander Jovenan now.
Sadar: Lieutenant Commander, you have heard the truest words of Sil-net, a friend of mine whom I hold very dear. Assure me, p-please, with no uncertainty or cloud, that it is your intent to honor and defend his goals, as though they were your own.
Lt. Commander Jovenan - as true to her sensible and wise personality - took a few moments to properly consider Gila’s query before responding.
Jovenan: I’m not sure if I can assure you that I can defend his goal to protect, help and love me. I have placed myself in danger to protect what I’ve promised to defend, and considered the sacrifice of my own life in exchange for others’, and bound by my duty, I will do so again if I must. And a-after so long of thinking I’m… I’m unlovable, I can’t assure you that I can retain what he loves of me forever, because I don’t fully understand the source of it. But I want to do all those things. I want to come back to him after a mission without having to ever think if he would cry for me if I didn’t. I want to feel his embrace when carries me away when my strength has failed me, like on that one day. And I want to hold him, to kiss him, to feel his love for as many days our relationship and our lives permit us.
Gila nodded slowly, encouraging the Lt. Commander to continue, even as she seemed to struggle to find the words.
Jovenan: And I want to promise the same to him. The most in my life, I want to protect and help and love him. I don’t seek even scientific understanding more than that, I don’t want command nor fame nor prestige. I want to be his strength if he ever lacks it, I want to support him and embrace him when he needs it. That goes beyond our relationship, it won’t change. And I want to love him for as long as I only can. I do.
Sil-net was overcome with emotion, or at least that’s what Gila thought as she looked upon him, but who really knew? Sil-net’s degree of emotionality was hard to grasp at times.
Silveira: That’s… Is there more my friend?
Sadar: W-Well, usually, this is the point where Lt. Commander Jovenan’s friends and family ask the same questions of you, but I think the Lt. Commander got ahead of me on that.
She smiled at the blonde Edo, hopeful that this gesture assured her that Gila in no way considered that improper of her.
Silveira: Well, I am going to take a risk and say we are a good match… What do you think, Sada?
Gila shuffled slightly in her seat, uncomfortable with the question. She knew that this was the conclusion of the Zo’oghada, where she had to decide whether the match was preferable or not. For Mizarians, there were rarely emotions to be caught in the middle. Usually a potential match was sniffed out and the Zo’oghada conducted way before the individuals involved had the chance to develop feelings of attachment, and besides, no one dared utter a word against the leader of each family. Gila, however, was firmly aware that her ruling on the Zo’oghada would have an impact on her relationship with her two friends, seated around the table.
And yet, lying to them was one thing she could not do.
Sadar: I... I don’t know. F-Forgive me, my friends, but I don’t have much experience conducting the ceremony for aliens. ::considers:: H-H-However, i-if you’ll allow me a moment of candour, as a friend? ::wrings her hands under the table:: Mizarians are less emotional than most aliens, and as such, our evaluations aren’t meant to test emotional attachment, but to test whether lifestyles are compatible. I have no doubt that the both of you will protect and support each other, but I ask you to not forget yourselves or your personal goals, whether they be career-oriented or otherwise. A relationship is made up of two individuals, and no amount of love or affection can replace your individuality.
Silveira: Then my friend, since we are in your quarters, will allow me a display of affection and let me kiss my girlfriend. ::He looked at Nan’s sparkling eyes.:: My love?
Lt. Commander Jovenan sent her a glance, an expression that spoke volumes, and Gila slowly shook her head, standing from her seat.
Sadar: O-Of course. I-I’ll, uhh, I’ll fetch the next dish then.
Attempting to dull her tympani as much as possible, to allow the two aliens a moment of privacy, Gila withdrew the Mizragavi from the heating tray in which they had been set before setting them onto a serving tray, alongside the steel container of salad.
Jovenan: Love you.
Silveira: Response
She considered what drink may be most welcome for their alien sensitivities, given that Mizarians usually drank just pure water with Mizragavi, and ended up replicating a bottle of red wine. She’d heard somewhere that Humans liked red wine with savory dishes... Once she was certain she wouldn’t be stepping into a private moment, she rejoined her friends at the table, placing the tray, the wine bottle and the water decanter onto the table.
Jovenan: Thank you for officiating that, Doctor, it was lovely. I hope you weren’t forced to change the procedure too much for us.
Sadar: N-Not at all. Th-Though, I dare say, the two of you would make poor Mizarians. ::slight smile:: Too emotionally invested.
She hoped that her two friends would see her expression and realize that it, in no way, was meant as an insult.
Silveira: Response
Jovenan: Again, sorry for not telling you at some other occasion. ::looks at her soup:: You probably had a lovely dinner date planned for all of us even without this twist.
Sadar: As an apology, please remain my guests until the end of dinner. ::slight frown:: I’ve an, uhh, ‘vested interest’ in seeing this through.
Jovenan/Silveira: Response
Sadar: Mmh... Some counselors on the Artemis-A have an odd way of counseling?
Jovenan/Silveira: Response
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?
Jovenan/Silveira: Response
Tags/TBC
LT Gila Sadar
Medical Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240006GS1