Ensign Etan Iljor: The Land And The People Are One

[Michael Meir-Wright]

((The Home of Ambassador Sarep - Vulcan))

Adea: Good evening Iljor.

Iljor had been so intently observing his new shipmates (wondering how he was going to integrate himself into a cohort that seemed to be deeply connected with one another) that he had not noticed that Doctor Adea had sidled up beside him. The Bajoran’s heart skipped a beat and he almost jumped out of skin in surprise. Fortunately, he was able to save himself from embarrassment as he managed to avoid vocalising his shock for all and sundry to hear. He recovered his wits quickly and turned to his superior officer.

Etan: Hello, Doctor. ::he replied politely.:: I didn’t see you there.

He had not seen the ship’s chief physician since their initial meeting shortly after Iljor had reported for duty. The Betazoid had been assigned as his onboarding liaison and had performed his medical examination and booked him in for his initial session with Meidra a few days before.

Adea: That much is obvious, ::he raised his eyebrow.:: I wasn’t aware that you were going to be here tonight.

That made two of them. Iljor invite to the gathering had almost gone unnoticed, having been buried under dozens of well wishes from family relatives, friends and acquaintances in his inbox. But by the grace of The Prophets, it had caught his attention at the last possible minute. At first, shyness had taken hold and he had considered not attending- he knew few people aboard the Resolution and he had always found integrating into a new social structure daunting (rather ironic considering his speciality in Anthropology and Archaeology). However, after much mental toing-and-froing he had made the decision to attend. It would be an excellent- if somewhat daunting- opportunity to introduce himself to people outside of those mandated by the Resolution’s onboarding procedures.

Etan: I didn’t realise that I had been invited until earlier today after I returned from the Temple. I wasn’t sure whether to come or not since I don’t know Ensign T’Suran yet, but I figured it would be a good way to meet everyone.

Adea: And in their finery too.

Iljor felt his cheeks blushing with embarrassment. Looking at the assembled in their finery, he felt somewhat underdressed in comparison. He had opted for an open black blazer, matching trousers and a dark blue patterned suit with flourishes of red and white. He had affixed a small lapel to the collar of his jacket that had the Bajoran word for ‘grace’ upon it. He had forced his usual (and still somewhat) unruly hair into something that passed for neat, his fringe falling down the right side of his forehead while the left side he had tucked behind his ear. His shoes were made of black patent leather that reflected the room’s lighting.

The doctor himself cut a slender but well dressed figure in a deep blue robe and a contrasting light blue sash that was delicately wrapped over one shoulder and fell to his waist. He had seen such garments on Betazed (minus the sash) throughout his studies at the Academy, although the good Doctors appeared to be well tailored in comparison to it’s more casual counterparts.

Etan: I feel pretty casual when I look at everyone else. ::he inclined his head towards the rest of the crew.:: I know the Vulcans aren’t too bothered about how everyone looks, but still…. ::a nervous chuckle escaped his lips.::

Adea: I think you look perfectly adequate Iljor. At least you didn’t have to get the First Officer to dress you. ::he gestured to the sash.:: I thought this might be a bit… much for a family dinner but Addison insisted.

Iljor was not an expert in fashion- not by a long shot. His current feelings of inadequacy towards his own appearance that evening, he was not often bothered with how he looked. As long as he came across as presentable, that was good enough for him. Still, as he looked at Doctor Adea- he thought that the sash was a nice touch that livened up the outfit.

Etan: I think Commander MacKenzie was right to insist. ::he smiled, somewhat abashed.:: I think it makes you look…. Distinguished. ::suddenly concerned that he was close to overstepping his bounds with a senior officer, he quickly added-:: Sir.

Adea: Compliments will get you everywhere Iljor, I assure you that. With me, or with most of the senior staff.

Etan: I’ll make a note of that, sir. ::he replied in a tone of relief. He tapped his temple to indicate he had registered the joke.:: Perhaps we should join the others? ::he turned towards the rest of the gathering.::

They began ambling across the vast room towards the remainder of the assembled crew.

Adea: Well I just hope there’s plenty of vegetarian options. I know Vulcans aren’t big meat eaters, but even so.

Etan: Personally, I am hoping for some hasperat. I can’t remember the last time I had any!

In an effort to expand his horizons, Iljor had made the decision after enrolling at the Academy to try the foods of many different worlds. Betazed was a multicultural haven for such things. Up until he had left Bajor, his diet had largely been Bajoran as his parents were fiercely proud of their homeworld and its people. Even with his enlarged palate, there were still days where he yearned for his father’s homemade yucan hasperat.

Adea: Response.

Etan: My father was the cook of the household. My mother absolutely hated it. She preferred to toil over a replicator than a stove. 

He chuckled at the thought of his parents bickering endlessly about getting a replicator. His father was firmly against his mother firmly for. It was an argument that had last two decades- at least- and showed no sign of slowing down any time soon. Last he heard, his mother was threatening to have a replicator installed without any pre-warning.

Adea: Response.

Etan: They are farmers in the Tamulna Municipality. They love their land just as much as my father loves his stove. ::he smiled. Whenever he pictured his parents, it was always toiling in their fields, smiling and full of joy.:: I think they were accepting of me becoming an archaeologist because to them, I’d still be toiling in the dirt.

He had never bothered to correct their layman’s view of archaeology. As long as it kept them onside, he never would.

Adea: Response.

Etan: What about your family, what do they do? ::beat:: If you don’t mind me asking of course, sir?

Adea: Response.

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tags/tbc

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Ensign Etan Iljor

Science Officer

USS Resolution

C239203TW0