[USS Charon, recreation deck]
"Fascinating" she said, giving the human one of those looks through which the amusement was absolutely not supposed to show, but somehow still managed to.
Sakarra finished her tea before it lost the last of it's soothing heat and carefully set down the glass.
"And you need not worry about offending this particular Vulcan by displaying a smile, Paul Jennings. It is difficult to not be tolerant of such human idiosyncrasies after one has lived on Betazed. I may often not be able to correctly interpret emotional displays and may occasionally be inundated by them, however I seem to have inherited my mother's ability to 'put up with it' as it were."
Her fingers traced the ka'athyra strings with a light, tender touch, producing a low and pleasant hum. Still a little off, although none but another Vulcanoid would be able to notice. It was simply too cold in here, but maybe she should attempt to get some rest anyways. Giving a soft exhale, Sakarra tilted her head at the Commander again. Well, he seemed slightly more at ease than he had earlier, which was certainly gratifying.
Sakarra finished her tea before it lost the last of it's soothing heat and carefully set down the glass.
"And you need not worry about offending this particular Vulcan by displaying a smile, Paul Jennings. It is difficult to not be tolerant of such human idiosyncrasies after one has lived on Betazed. I may often not be able to correctly interpret emotional displays and may occasionally be inundated by them, however I seem to have inherited my mother's ability to 'put up with it' as it were."
Her fingers traced the ka'athyra strings with a light, tender touch, producing a low and pleasant hum. Still a little off, although none but another Vulcanoid would be able to notice. It was simply too cold in here, but maybe she should attempt to get some rest anyways. Giving a soft exhale, Sakarra tilted her head at the Commander again. Well, he seemed slightly more at ease than he had earlier, which was certainly gratifying.
Unable to refrain from smiling at the young woman's comments, the counselor allowed himself to crack a grin, "Thank you for your understanding, Miss Sakarra. I'm definitely not accustomed to working with Vulcans of your...distinct heritage."
Raising an eyebrow in a questioning look as she strummed her instrument he asked her, "And how have you faired through all of this?"
Raising an eyebrow in a questioning look as she strummed her instrument he asked her, "And how have you faired through all of this?"
Sakarra slowly dropped her hands into her lap, interlacing her fingers as she pondered her response. Her level gaze never left the counselor's face and the young woman sat in silence for several seconds.
"I should think that depends on one's point of view, no?" she finally said, a mild undertone in her voice. "From a Vulcan's - adequately, all things considered. From a human's… I would not like to venture a guess."
There was just the briefest flicker of humor mixed with exhaustion on her otherwise perfectly serene features when she continued.
"Do not mistake composure for ease. However, it is not the Vulcan way to burden another with things one is perfectly capable of dealing with."
There was just the briefest flicker of humor mixed with exhaustion on her otherwise perfectly serene features when she continued.
"Do not mistake composure for ease. However, it is not the Vulcan way to burden another with things one is perfectly capable of dealing with."
Continuing to give her a questioning look, Paul countered, "But if one is not required to bear the burden alone, but instead has people around to help her, would it not be the logical choice to accept their assistance?"
For once, she had seen this one coming a mile away. And it was difficult not to be… well, touched, by the earnest tone of his voice.
Although Sakarra was not one afraid to occasionally admit to a weakness, she was as stubborn as any Vulcan when it came to protecting others from the potential fallout of a personal issue.
Although Sakarra was not one afraid to occasionally admit to a weakness, she was as stubborn as any Vulcan when it came to protecting others from the potential fallout of a personal issue.
"Your logic would be sound," she said levelly, her hands again tuning the lyre's strings with slow, practiced movements "if you were not speaking of a race renowned for their ability - and preference - to overcome adversity by seeking solution from within."
Another light touch on the strings produced a rich, resonant sound that finally satisfied the young woman's sharp ears.
"Yet would it surprise you if I told you that the offer alone carries as much meaning as any assistance you might be able to render?"
Another light touch on the strings produced a rich, resonant sound that finally satisfied the young woman's sharp ears.
"Yet would it surprise you if I told you that the offer alone carries as much meaning as any assistance you might be able to render?"
She was treading precariously close to matters that one could consider private, but there was something about the human Paul Jennings that suggested it was possible to trust. Not merely the counselor bound to an oath, but the person. Her curiosity sparked, she fixed an inquisitive gaze of her own on the man sitting next to her.
"Not at all," he said, meeting her gaze. "In fact the humans have a saying for such a situation: 'it's the thought that counts.'" Not letting her too easily change the subject he held up a hand, "But, do I really need to bring up that just because a group of people are...inclined towards a certain action, it does not affirm it's validity as the right choice?"
He leaned back in his seat and took a long drink from his mug before adding, "I mean, for centuries humans were inclined to see violence and war as the way to handle disagreements; however, it's now obvious to us that our beliefs were misplaced."
He leaned back in his seat and took a long drink from his mug before adding, "I mean, for centuries humans were inclined to see violence and war as the way to handle disagreements; however, it's now obvious to us that our beliefs were misplaced."
"A rather 'big leap' to compare C'thia to the course of human history, no?"
Sakarra was fully aware of the abundance of misconceptions humans and Vulcans had about one another, some plainly hilarious in their absurdity and others more subtle but no less leading to one misunderstanding after the next.
Sakarra was fully aware of the abundance of misconceptions humans and Vulcans had about one another, some plainly hilarious in their absurdity and others more subtle but no less leading to one misunderstanding after the next.
"But even so, I understand that from your point of view the Vulcan way must seem strange, unhealthy even. And if my earlier comment has caused you concern for my well being, I must ask you to accept my apologies. The simple truth is, if I were indeed in need of assistance, it would mean that I were no longer able to find C'thia and in such a case…"
She tilted her head at the Commander again, a gentle smile shining in her eyes "the effects would be as obvious as they would be … unfortunate."
She tilted her head at the Commander again, a gentle smile shining in her eyes "the effects would be as obvious as they would be … unfortunate."
Damn her un-Vulcan-ness, he thought to himself as he attempted to judge the look he saw in her eyes. Reading a true Vulcan was hard enough, but when one came across any Vulcanoid who acknowledged their emotions event the slightest, all bets were off.
"And if I offered insult into your own insights, I apologize as well," Paul quickly replied. "I only meant that sometimes it makes a difference to gain an outside perspective on one's situation, thereby expediting you towards your solution."
"And if I offered insult into your own insights, I apologize as well," Paul quickly replied. "I only meant that sometimes it makes a difference to gain an outside perspective on one's situation, thereby expediting you towards your solution."
"Nam-tor ri thrap wilat nem-tor rim, Hassu." (There is no offense where none is taken) she answered in her low, melodious voice and inclined her head gracefully. How could one be insulted anyways, when behind the words was a sincere desire to help?
"You are quite correct that outside perspectives are a valuable resource one would be wise not to dismiss. And I will readily admit that human logic, as puzzling as it can be, does have merits a Vulcan would do well to pay attention to."
"You are quite correct that outside perspectives are a valuable resource one would be wise not to dismiss. And I will readily admit that human logic, as puzzling as it can be, does have merits a Vulcan would do well to pay attention to."
Sakarra knew she would have quite a few matters to meditate about later on, but for a change those would involve the puzzle and delight that came from new experience and insight. Finding herself unusually at ease in the company of one who by all accounts had been a stranger only a short while ago, her touch on the lyre produced a low, soothing melody, barely loud enough to be heard by a non-Vulcanoid.
"For example the ability to seek out and embrace diversity, undeterred by what may seem bothersome obstacles. And the willingness to offer one's own diversity for the benefit of the other."
This time, the smile in her eyes showed at the corners of her mouth for just the briefest of moments.
"Surak himself would have to approve. As for me, I can only offer my gratitude."
"For example the ability to seek out and embrace diversity, undeterred by what may seem bothersome obstacles. And the willingness to offer one's own diversity for the benefit of the other."
This time, the smile in her eyes showed at the corners of her mouth for just the briefest of moments.
"Surak himself would have to approve. As for me, I can only offer my gratitude."
"Well," he replied before emptying his mug. "Should you change your mind, my diversity is always at your disposal, and not just professionally. My ears work just as well off the record as they do on." It had been very nice to have a casual conversation with someone, even if the conversation had been waist deep in topics his current profession dealt with. It had been refreshing to get to know another member of the crew so well, especially one so intriguing as the Lieutenant.
"I will remember" Sakarra favored the counselor with another polite incline of the head and watched him walk towards the doors after he had gotten up to bid her a most courteous good night.
The noise in the recreation deck had mellowed somewhat by now and so a few heads turned towards the corner where the young half-Vulcan was sitting as a soaring and achingly pure soprano rose over the resonant sound of the ka'athyra.
[End Log]
Commander Paul Jennings
Chief Counselor
USS Charon
&
Lieutenant Sakarra Tyrax
Chief Helm Officer
USS Charon
Lieutenant Sakarra Tyrax
Chief Helm Officer
USS Charon
(Hassu = lit. honored healer, commonly used to refer to a physician or counselor)
