[JP] PNPCs Luxa Lorana & LT Pantaz Asturun - The Diplocat Commissioning (Part 2)
Ava Munro
(( Luxa Lorana’s Office - Federation Diplomatic Service Suite, Deck 120, Deep Space 224 ))
Asturun: As the records may show, my species - the Pifili - and our worldmates - the Aarakocra - have had a, troubled past. The fact that we so often came to violent altercations rather than diplomatic ones is part of why our repeat attempts at earning Federation membership met with failure.
Pantaz did not look down in shame, but instead seemed to just stare into space, not making eye-contact with Luxa as he recounted Kaccla II’s failed first attempt at galactic diplomacy.
Asturun: In the twenty years that have passed since then, we have attempted to bridge the gaps - move forward not as Pifili and Aarakocra, but as Kacclans - but as we are two separate species, certain cultural elements have been difficult to account for. Scenting, being one. ::quiet inhale:: So while we have scented in the past, it is something we are trying to learn how to structure our society without, for our worldmates who can’t.
Luxa listened thoughtfully, allowing the Pifili to share. She remained quiet as his words hung in the air. Caitians knew the damage that division could inflict between species, even ones so closely related. They had lost so much of their own history, and stories due to the persecution inflicted upon them by the Kzinti.
Lorana: It says a lot about how far you’ve come that you are making accommodations such as this. And you have travelled all this way to expand your own knowledge, and here you will learn that co-existence can work. Not without its challenges but largely most agree that together we are more than the sum of our parts. Or at least that’s what the humans would say, and as much as they confuse me, on that point I agree wholeheartedly.
Asturun: The words ‘Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations’ were shared readily by the diplomats who’ve visited Kaccla II in the past twenty years. ::muzzle vibrates:: It is a worthy goal, though one hard to reach after so many years of conflict.
Lorana: The influence of the Vulcans is widely felt within Federation society, yet even they have more style than Starfleet.
Pantaz laughed at the return to less grave wordings. While speaking of his world’s problems did not touch him in the same way it once had, it was still a heavy one. Once, when he was younger, he would’ve wanted to stay behind, to help in even his own small way, but age had wizened him. He was a scientist, not a politician.
And now, he was here to be a bit of both.
Asturun: I read up on the founding species on my trip here, but after my Academic Exchange Access was approved, I have been a bit overwhelmed with all the new literature made available to me. ::tail whips once:: It’s exciting.
Luxa smiled at the excitement of the tail. Tails had a life of their own and her own would often betray her.
Lorana: Oh yes, I remember my own first time opening up the Federation’s Academic Exchange. Caitians have the ability to, mostly listen, to multiple pieces of information at once. I thought that I should read it all in one night. I was attempting to listen to 47 academic articles at once whilst reading 9 journals. One of which was Spock’s paper on unification - all 2600 pages :: laughs at herself :: I failed. Miserably. All I got was overstimulated, and I couldn’t focus for days.
Pantaz’ seafoam colored eyes had widened with interest as Luxa recalled the ‘folly of her youth’, which was a strange thing to think of the Envoy, as she was clearly still filled with youthful vigor. She had to have had an exciting career to speak of. He did find some consolation in the fact that 47 academic articles was too many for her to listen to at once. There had to be some fairness in a universe where telepathy, superstrength and reincarnation were real scientifically proven concepts.
Space was a wild place.
Asturun: ::overwhelmed awe:: Should’ve stuck with the audio articles. Letters are needlessly overwhelming.
Luxa nodded.
Lorana: On Cait, we don’t use words as such. Symbolism is important, like I said scent, and our bodies are an instrument of language. But I do enjoy reading. It’s a humanoid trait I find relaxing. But how they can only read one thing at a time and manage to get anything done is starkly an example of humanoid ingenuity. Their brains are so limiting, scientifically speaking, but yet they are able to perform the most incredible feats.
Asturun: If you use body language to a higher extent, that must make alien communication difficult?
Lorana: Yes, our language is mainly symbols and strokes. But the strokes mean nothing without the scent. The symbols mean nothing without context. So in communication with other species we find it’s easier to adopt their communication methods. Our ability to absorb and adapt to others is a reason why a lot of my people explore careers in language and communication within Starfleet and the Federation. The sum of our parts, remember?
Pantaz nodded slowly. He wondered what kind of positions a Pifili would lend themselves more naturally to, but having that kind of awareness about your own species was difficult, when you weren’t used to thinking of them in an intergalactic context. He knew the strengths of a Pifili when compared to an Aarakocra and vice-versa, as that was how his people had been used to thinking, but that was an old way of thinking. They weren’t Pifili and Aarakocra anymore, they were Kacclans.
Luxa could see the Pifili thinking, a more sombre look across his face.
Lorana: Everyone has something unique to offer. Including your people and one day I hope you do join the Federation.
And she meant it. The Federation wasn’t perfect. but it was a beacon of hope and unity in the darkness of space. She felt that Asturun’s people could use that.
Asturun: That’s our hope as well, Envoy. ::slightly more cheerful expression:: For that to happen sooner rather than later, I guess it’s up to me to show we can pull our weight around here. ::shuffles his stiffening shoulders:: I know that the work you do is as a diplomatic link between the Federation and a scientific organization?
Lorana: Yes, specifically the Caitian Division of Scientific Research, Exploration and Development. D-SRED, for short. :: pause :: For the humans, of course. :: sighs :: They do love their acronyms.
Asturun: Will I be assisting with this work as well?
Lorana: :: ponders momentarily :: I would have to petition the Caitian Prime Chambers and the Federation Diplomatic Corps, as it is a joint project :: smiles :: But I don’t see that being a problem. Naturally, I’ll need to review your credentials. A formality, of course.
Pantaz nodded readily. While it may be a formality, it was a reasonable one. He knew that the Federation prided itself on the quality of its educational facilities, and while Pantaz thought themself a capable scientist, they couldn’t escape the simple fact that the Kacclan education system was very isolated in comparison.
Asturun: The Kacclan- ::considers:: The, uhh, KAEB should have sent over everything, but if there’s any details still lacking, I’ll be happy to procure the relevant documentation.
He really needed to lobby for a less rude name than the ‘Kacclan Alien Engagement Board’... Whoever thought that name was a good idea ought to be sent on a Fliece Hunt to atone.
Lorana: I received your transcripts, I haven’t begun to convert them to Federation or even Caitian standards yet. Once I've done this, I’ll be able to determine your access privileges. Your security clearance will remain unchanged, unfortunately :: smiles :: I’m hoping we can learn from you. I’m sure there are marvels on your planet and I hope you can share that information with us.
Asturun: Of course, Envoy. While I know that I likely have far more to learn from you than vice-versa, what knowledge I have is at your disposal.
Lorana: It wasn’t ten years ago I was hauling transport across the galaxy. My exploration was deciding what trade routes wouldn’t kill us. Which, funnily enough, is what led to me joining Starfleet.
Pantaz tried to imagine the elegant scientist and diplomat lounging in front of him as a cargo pilot. It was, perhaps, a given that even the most decorated people in the vastness of space would have storied pasts, and it once again hit home how sheltered Pantaz’ life had been by comparison.
He might have been older, but was clearly far more inexperienced.
Asturun: It was, accidental?
Luxa remembered the events as if it was hours ago, the Starfleet vessel trapped within the Red Death nebula. The decision to help, against the wishes of her captain, who was smuggling illicit materials.
Lorana: Yes. I found myself without a home. A Starfleet Captain urged me to apply, and I found myself a year later beaming down to Starfleet Academy. :: shrugs :: I didn’t really fit in at first. :: more gentle :: So, I know how it feels. To be out of place.
Asturun: ::toothy grin:: How many doorframes have you knocked into in your time, Envoy?
Lorana: Door Frames, none. But, an engineer set my hair on fire once.
Pantaz wasn’t even conscious of how his arms reflexively moved to cover his broad torso, as though to provide an actual shield of his body.
Asturun: … I’ll stay out of Engineering spaces.
Lorana: Engineers are dangerous. Especially Starfleet Engineers.
Luxa laughed, and it felt strange. She hadn’t laughed so readily in quite some time. It felt that she’d been going through the motions for so long, that it almost took her aback to feel joy on its own terms. Disconnected and free from anything that had come before. She enjoyed this felinoid, he was good company.
Asturun: I’ll... ::nervous twitching of his whiskers:: Keep that in mind. ::blinks slowly:: While my academic data is translated, what should I do in the meantime then? It feels ::searches for the word:: wasteful, to just wait.
Lorana: Just wait? You lack imagination my new friend. There is so much to do on a station like DS224 and the surrounding areas.
When Luxa mentioned ‘surrounding areas’, Pantaz’ olive eyes glimmered. On Kaccla II, ‘surrounding areas’ meant rocky cliffs, vast open fields and deep caverns. In space?
It meant space.
Lorana: And furnishings. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about that. The replicators can do some of that but I’m not letting you fill your :: thinks :: Den? Apartment? Space? :: shrugs :: With soulless replicated tat.
The glimmers died down. He had never outgrown the perhaps childish distaste of shopping.
Asturun: ... I ::long, hesitant sound:: am in your care, Envoy?
Lorana: Yes :: beams :: You are in good paws.
And while Pantaz might not necessarily look forward to the no doubt long furnishing trip they were about to embark on, he found that he whole-heartedly agreed with Luxa on that.
This cultural exchange was shaping out to be very promising indeed.
END
Luxa Lorana
Diplomatic Envoy
FDC and D-SRED
Deep Space 224
as simmed by:
Commander Ava Munro
First Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240004LL2
&
LT Pantaz Asturun
Cultural Exchange Participant
FDC
Deep Space 224
As simmed by
LtCmdr Tamio K’Wara
Chief of Ops
USS Artemis-A
A240006GS1
