Ensign Meris: Cultural Exchange, of Sorts
Meris/Brian
(( Promenade – Deep Space 14 ))
Meris had not expected to be caught sketching, much less by the very subject of their drawing. What could have been an awkward encounter instead became something strangely grounding - a quiet exchange between two officers who, at first glance, seemed to share little in common.
They found Naledi’s curiosity disarming and their manner refreshingly direct, a contrast to the subtle evasions that often filled social interactions with other species. Offering the sketch had felt natural, a small gesture of respect and connection that they hoped the insectoid would appreciate.
Naledi took the offered drawing gratefully.
Naledi: Crick Snap Pop... Thank you. Allow me to fully savour it.
Meris’ eyebrows rapidly flicked up and down once, uncertain what Naledi meant. Perhaps it was an issue with the universal translator…
Meris: Savor it?
Naledi pressed the paper against their face, rubbing it against the contours of their exoskeleton. As the paper creased, their antenna twitched. Their mandibles took a neat swipe from the edge of the sketch, and Meris watched in silent disbelief as the drawing began to dissolve in insectoid saliva before disappearing entirely down Naledi’s esophagus.
Naledi: Crick Hiss Snap... The paper had a coarse roughness that this one appreciated. Snap Pew... The graphite did not taste pleasant.
Meris stared for a long moment. Their mouth wasn’t quite agape - more hovering somewhere between astonishment and existential crisis.
oO Did they... just eat it? Oo
Meris: That... that was not what I expected. Do you not have artwork among your people?
Their tone wasn’t reproachful, merely curious. Meris recalled a philosophical concept about Known Knowns and Unknown Unknowns. This particular moment seemed to fall firmly into the latter category. If Naledi had never encountered humanoid art before, how could they know it wasn’t meant to be... digested?
Naledi: Crick Snap Pop Hiss Crick Pew… This one cannot begin to apologise. Insectoid art is tactile-based. Hiss Pew Hiss Snap Pop… Compound eyes do not appreciate humanoid art well.
The corner of Meris’ mouth twitched upward slightly. Had they been human, they likely would have been laughing uncontrollably by now at the situation. Being J’naii, Naledi would have to settle for one slightly upturned corner of the pilot’s mouth.
Meris: Not at all, Lieutenant. Please, don't be embarrassed. It’s as much on me that I didn’t properly or fully explain it. ::pause:: Although, I must admit that I find the idea of your tactile-based artwork intriguing. If an opportunity should arise, I would enjoy it if you could show me some Xindi artwork. Perhaps on the holodeck.
Naledi: Response.
As they continued talking, Meris’ combadge chirped.
Crewman: =/\= Ensign Meris, you're late for your phaser recertification in Security. =/\=
Meris: Oh dear. =/\= I’m on my way. =/\=
They scrambled to gather their things, trying not to look too flustered.
Meris: Lieutenant, I do hope you’ll forgive me, but I must rush off. I need to be requalified before we depart Deep Space 14, or the Commander might leave me behind. But I would enjoy continuing this conversation another time, if that’s acceptable. Perhaps in Valhalla - when an opportunity arises?
Naledi: Response.
Meris: Great, then it’s a date!
Naledi: Response.
Meris froze mid-step.
oO Wait... do Xindi-insectoids have romantic dates? Oo
They glanced back, realizing that what had been intended as a friendly idiom might have just turned into a cross-species diplomatic incident. They thought to clarify, but time was not on their side. With a quick half-trot, the J’naii hurried off toward Security, leaving behind the insectoid and the faintest whiff of graphite in the air.
(( Tags/End Scene for Meris ))
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Ensign Meris
Helmsperson
USS Thor
A240207M14