Lieutenant Commander V'Nille - Otter Hospitality
V'Nille
(( Near the port of Tseraiq, Qareluun, Aelkuun ))
S’Relaai: I am curious if there is anything you wish to see first?
V’Nille looked at the others. She had no preferences. Everything looked interesting.
Reine'X: Definitely the market, the city itself. Meeting and talking to more of your people, if that’s alright with you**.::** she smiled, and ever so slightly nodded her head**::** And then I’d like to try whatever you personally enjoy doing for fun. In your off hours, let’s say, when you’re not working. Any food, hobbies, or places you would like to share with us? ****
Aleron: I, for one, would love to visit a beach, but I’m not quite dressed for that. But that water looks amazing.
Orla: I want to visit a BAKERY!!!!!
Well, the woman definitely seemed excited. S’Relaai looked expectedly at V’Nille, who shrugged back at him.
V’Nille: I am willing to try anything. Food does seem like a good start.
S’Relaai: Food. Okay. ::to Aleron:: You are always welcome to come and swim in the waters. That spot there near the marina is a popular spot and there is also a lake further in on the other side of Tseraiq that is also a good swimming spot. I’ve been there myself.
Aleron: I also think I would like to try some of the local cuisine. I am interested in what your people enjoy eating.
S’Relaai: Hmm. Honestly, I am a little confused. I am not sure I know what a bakery is.
Orla: What about desserts? Sweet flavored things?
V’Nille: If you don’t have one around here, any food will do, I’m sure.
Aleron: That sounds like fun. Let’s do it.
Reine'X: I'm in too!
The K’tsélai looked at them thoughtfully, then at the city. It was clear that he was considering where to take them. He rubbed his paws together and nodded at last.
S’Relaai: If you want sweet foods, then I think I know where to go.
V’Nille: Lead the way then, S’Relaai.
Orla: Oh!!! I nearly forgot!!! I wanted to give you this!
S’Relaai paused and turned back around to look at the eager ensign. V’Nille stepped to the side to ensure a clear line of sight between the two, and watched her curiously.
Aleron/Reine’X: Response
The heavy backpack made a thumping sound as Orla put it on the ground and pulled out one of apparently many small packages wrapped in a brown paper … bag? Was that a bag? She offered it to their K’tsélai guide.
Orla: This is for you! It’s a cookie!
S’Relaai: For me? I am honored, Nelis Orla. Thank you.
S’Relaai carefully grabbed it from Orla’s hand and pulled out the contents - a single round cookie. He sniffed it and looked at it curiously, flipping it over as he inspected it thoroughly.
Aleron/Reine’X: Response
Orla: It’s one of those baked desserts I was talking about! My people got the recipe and started making them after… ::smile faltering:: after… after we met humans! ::smile right back to full brightness::
V’Nille: It is fully edible and should be reasonably safe to eat.
Or so she hoped. V’Nille wasn’t sure if Nelis had a chance to double check if her cookie recipe had any known allergens or, really, if the ship had any information on potential K’tsélai allergens. The peppy ensign seemed like the type to at least check, though, so the chances seemed to be on Starfleet’s side this time around.
S’Relaai: I see. It smells good, though I am not familiar with some of this scent.
He took a bite out of it, chewed it thoroughly, then swallowed.
S’Relaai: Oh, I see. I like how it tastes. My thanks again. With certainty, I know where to take you now. Please stay close.
V’Nille: Oh, that’s promising!
Aleron/Reine’X: Response
S’Relaai finished off the cookie as they waited for Nelis to be ready to go again, then walked off after carefully folding the paper sleeve for easier storage into a small pouch that V’Nille hadn’t even seen. It was hidden under the wrap. The K’tsélai led them into the city proper and looked back frequently to make sure he hadn’t lost his guests as they navigated the growing crowds. The trip afforded V’Nille a closer look at the squat buildings that lined the streets, and she noticed that though the materials were definitely recognizably modern, there were decorative details that gave the facade a look that reminded her of coral. The signs near the entrances showed a flowing script of rounded glyphs and symbols that looked a lot like different types of waves. Both were clear connections to the K’tsélai’s own connection to the sea, as were the small decorations that many buildings and stalls sported of shells and rocks that were likely from the nearby beaches.
Their destination was a two-story building with a rounded roof and a small chimney through which a thin stream of smoke was coming out. A chime rang as S’Relaai opened the door and held it open for the four of them to go into. Inside was an arrangement that V’Nille immediately recognized as fairly similar to a bakery - tables with chairs and a long counter with shelves that showed various food items. It seemed some things were more or less universal. What surprised her the most was the Valcarian manning the counter. He looked well at least, with a tan and clothes that suggested he had lived here a while.
Valcarian: Oh, we have guests, I see. Good afternoon! What can I do for you?
S’Relaai: Hello, Varbuk. Yes, these are from Starfleet. They wanted to visit a bakery.
Varbuk: Ah, baked goods. I see, I see. Do not worry, Starfleet. The K’tsélai make some excellent pastries out of what they can grow and gather here. Honestly, I work here so I can learn how to make them on my own! Let me grab the master baker so she can give you the full tour.
S’Relaai: I would be pleased if you did that for me, Varbuk.
The Valcarian nodded amiably and walked to the back of the building.
V’Nille: I wasn’t aware you already had some other outsiders living on Aelkuun, S’Relaai.
S’Relaai: There are a few, yes. Most here are visitors like you, but some like Varbuk have been granted permission to live here in Tseraiq. It has given us much to learn about both their peoples and the space beyond our system.
Aleron/Reine’X/Orla: Response
S’Relaai: This is true. It has been an adjustment but it is one we welcome.
Another K’tsélai came to the counter from the back. This one wore no wetsuit, but rather what looked like a long tunic tightly wrapped around her torso, but let out into a flowing skirt below the belt that secured it to her body. She put down a towel next to the door to the kitchen and took up the space that Varbuk formerly occupied.
S’Relaai: Allow me to introduce you. This is K’Saalit, the master of this shop. She makes all of the food here. It is very good. K’Saalit, this is V’Nille, Isara Aleron, Reine’X, and Nelis Orla.
It took him a moment to remember all of their names, but impressively enough to V’Nille, he managed it on the first try. This was clearly not his first time introducing people with foreign names. The baker’s gaze lingered slightly on V’Nille, as if this was the first time she had seen an offworlder like her. That wasn’t surprising to the Caitian. A distressing number of species in the galaxy seemed to be more skin than hair or fur. It probably didn’t help that Caitians were clearly predators, but that seemed to be something that they shared with the K’tsélai, given the sharp teeth and claws V’Nille could see each of them sport.
K’Saalit: I would hope you like it, S’Relaai, given how often you come here! I am honored to have you all as guests.
V’Nille: And we are honored to be here as well. If the smells here are any indication, I look forward to having a taste.
Aleron/Reine’X/Orla: Response
The K’tsélai both wiggled their ears and, more subtly, their tails in response, seeming to be pleased by the greeting. K’Saalit waved at the counter.
K’Saalit: Anything you see here is what we can make. Please choose any that you would like.
V’Nille nodded and walked to another section of the counter to take a closer look at some pastries that looked like thin flaky breads with some sort of powder on top.
V’Nille: You three go ahead. This is a tough choice to make.
Aleron/Reine’X/Orla: Response
(( OOC: K’Saalit and Varbuk, if you want to bring him back, are both general NPCs. Feel free to write their responses. Or S’Relaai’s, if you’d like as well, honestly! ))