Ensign Miaxdiso Avoi - Quite a Striking Plum
D. Finch
((Sickbay, USS Gorkon))
In the clinical setting of Sickbay, a room not exactly designed with style in mind, but at least a degree of ergonomic comfort—missing all of the frills, embellishments and shimmers of the finest materials of Betazed and luxury colonies beyond—Miaxdiso Avoi, designated diplomat, and Ruwon, quite essential specialist of all things brain and heart, had joined forces as part of Orson Marshall’s extract and rehabilitate team.
As they waited for the first drone to transport over, they stirred in conversation with the blonde Betazoid delighted by her own recollection of what it makes to be a good host.
Avoi: Well! Your environment can often do half of the talking for you. The glitz of a chandelier, the safety of an open space. Even the power of a strategically placed bouquet of flowers! Although, ::she giggled, leaning in,:: Between you and I, learning the allergies of your visitors beforehand, rather than after, is far more preferable. Oh, the horror stories I could tell you!
Ruwon: Oh, do tell. I’m sure it was a valuable learning experience, if nothing else.
Ruwon leaned against the nearest biobed, his weight dispersing the cushioned top into an array of wrinkles. He was smiling, head tilted a little conspiratorially, accompanied by a pair of gleaming and glinting eyes; naturally he was eager to hear all about her horror stories, and likely knew full well that could tell him simply meant will tell him, and with added Idridian interest!
Avoi: One such situation sticks out in my mind rather vividly! A diplomats luncheon that ended with a world leader being rushed to Sickbay after inhaling a Lumerian dandelion of all things. We had to roll him out of there as if he were a gigantic snowball. And the colour of his face! My oh my, ::she giggled,:: quite a striking plum.
Ruwon: Good gods, that’s - well. And how does one recover from rushing a guest to Sickbay…?
Avoi: By upgrading said guest to the best suite available by way of an apology, of course! That and having Lumerian dandelions banned from all future diplomatic luncheons.
With a flourish of her hair, she and the Romulan beside her dissolved into laughter. He seemed to be mulling over a story of his own, but it was cloudy there in his headspace, as though he was trying to rationalise it in his mind, so she didn’t pry further. Instead she began lifting her eyelashes with the back of a finger, to give them an extra spring and bounce.
Ruwon: Thankfully, I’ve not had the opportunity for the Romulan equivalent. They tell - told, I suppose - all sorts of wild stories about the Capitol's parties. Having something a guest is allergic to would likely be on purpose. It’d be an easy way to remove a certain guest from the discussion without the faux paus of not inviting them.
She paused her lash lifting and leaned in, now with that same sort of conspiratorial air the Romulan had embodied earlier on, only hers was slightly more akin to a glamorous Tarsier with her oily eyes threatening to pop out of their sockets at a moments notice.
Avoi: By the Four Deities! How very dark and...intriguing.
Ruwon: Oh, I assume Betazed is much more…what’s the word? Kind, perhaps? I imagine being able to reach each other’s minds makes people behave themselves. It certainly makes it harder to lie.
She quickly wiped at the crimson shoulders of her uniform, followed by a slight dusting of the biobed they were situated around, and anything else she could perfect and fiddle with. Of course, Betazoids were not a monolith and opinion varied! But the usual consensus among her people was that their honesty and directness was indeed a kindness, unlike other species who so often preferred to keep secrets and maintain deceptions in order to keep a semblance of peace. Her time as a cadet had taught her so much about all of that and more.
Avoi: I wouldn’t want to speak for all Betazoids, but…by and large we are a very upfront people and we generally consider that a true kindness.
Ruwon: Response
She smiled widely and began wiping invisible dust from her moisturised hands, quite unable to keep still. The anxiety slinking its way through her skin kept her on the edge of her proverbial seat, and so her voice only undulated in bigger highs and lows as the minutes bled on, like an unfinished or undecided melody.
She took a step closer to Ruwon, now, and stared him directly in his mysterious eyes.
Avoi: I’m fascinated to hear more about the Capitol and its parties, Ruwon. You must indulge me. The Romulans are such an enigmatic people. ::She batted her shimmered eyelids and spoke her next words in a bit of a whisper.:: Sab khut hafeth. Frazhannempal was qailefeth.¹
She flicked her hair with a proud squeak.
Ruwon: Response
Avoi: I know just enough to get by, and what I do know rolls off the tongue ever so wonderfully. ::She smiled gleefully.:: Although I must admit that it’s a bit of a xenolinguistic hurdle at first due to its three dialects and similarity to the Vulcan language.
Just then she wondered whether any of the assimilated drones they were set to receive may be Romulan, or more horrifyingly, Betazoid. How terrible a prospect.
Ruwon: Response
¹ Romulan: Seize today, for we know nothing of tomorrow.
Diplomatic Officer
USS Gorkon NCC-82293
Simmed by
Assistant Chief Engineer
USS Gorkon NCC-82293
C239809SH3