[I'Rak Prime]
"You have changed little Shiarrael." Itsak studied Sakarra for a moment but then nodded his head and led them through the gardens. Torches lined a small pavilion where a table was neatly set up and furbished with an assortment of delicate china. He beckoned the two Starfleet officers to sit before taking his place across from them. Servants rushed in with several dishes. All of them exotic and fancy. As the table of set he looked at the pair "it must be difficult to serve the Federation."
"As easy as it is to serve the Empire." Shiarrael answered.
"It must be difficult serving under her?" Itsak's gaze was now on Sakarra "she had quite the reputation in the Galae, Riov Yhisu- are you familiar with the terminology lady Vulcan?"
"No more so than most other ship's Commanders I should think." the young Vulcan gave a brief, appreciative nod towards the servant bustling about behind her, hoping it would make him either leave or at least settle down somewhat. She was accustomed to being attended to, however having a complete stranger do so, and a mildly hyperactive one at that, was enough to make the most stoic Vulcan blink.
"In fact, it is rather refreshing if one's commander is clear about her wishes." Not to mention that she was quite used to demanding superiors.
"In fact, it is rather refreshing if one's commander is clear about her wishes." Not to mention that she was quite used to demanding superiors.
Sakarra let her level gaze linger on the assorted dishes for a few moments and found them interesting, if somewhat excessive for three people.
"And yes, I am familiar with it." her eyes returned to the man across the table, a trace of mild humor shining in the dark pools. "Although her new crew has taken the liberty of selecting their own name for their Captain."
"And yes, I am familiar with it." her eyes returned to the man across the table, a trace of mild humor shining in the dark pools. "Although her new crew has taken the liberty of selecting their own name for their Captain."
"What is that name?" Itsak asked, his eyes were sparkling in the torch light. Servants continued about bringing more food dishes to them.
With the evening breeze having gained some momentum, Sakarra was quite grateful for the heavy fabric of her overcoat, although in the unexpected torchlight the red hues became rather pronounced, reminding the young woman of T'Khut's fires reflecting off a dark surface.
"I am certain you are familiar with the terran concept of a tyrant, yes?"
Goodness, one could only hope these people had heard of another concept as well, notably a simple glass of water.
"I am certain you are familiar with the terran concept of a tyrant, yes?"
Goodness, one could only hope these people had heard of another concept as well, notably a simple glass of water.
"You are quite curious about me Itsak." Shiarrael's violet eyes seemed to glow with each flicker of the torches. Her hands rested in her lap as she poured her gaze over the assortment of dishes "roasted hlai meat, grilled tolekrya, boiled lyhori, this is quite a feast you have assembled for only two people." She gazed at him curiously "not that I do not appreciate such things- but this will be a waste." One of the servants' brought a large bottle to the table and set it down in front of the Shiarrael, she glanced at the label and then looked at Sakarra "rylhrhr- sweet like nectar and much less intoxicating then ale" she glanced at Itsak "you always had a weak tolerance."
"And you've always had too strong of one. Whether it is your Komerek matches or the bottles of rhennish you indulged yourself in. It is very surprising that you haven't burned a hole through your gut sipping that acid." He stood up, reached across the table, and grabbed the bottle. Popping off the lid he filled his glass and then the others. "So you have children now, with a hevam no less. Not that it surprises me. You have been rebelling against your parents ever since you slipped out your mother's womb. Never any concern about your house or clan- always about Shiarrael" he looked at Sakarra again "she is indeed a tyrant- especially towards her own kin."
This was quite obviously an old argument, picked up where it had been left off. Still, Sakarra could not help but raise an ever so lightly amused brow at the Vaek'Riov's last statement "While I cannot comment on my Captain's past, I believe I should point out that the bestowing of a 'nickname' as it were indicates a certain amount of affection, at least where Starfleet crews are concerned. If the nature of the name also implies a certain … dread … one may safely assume it was chosen to emphasize that the Captain in question prefers an efficient crew."
The young Vulcan gave the beverage a critical look and decided that no matter how high or low the tolerance of the two Rihannsu, hers was certainly going to be put to the test. And she was not merely thinking of alcohol at the moment, although that particular issue was at the forefront of her mind. As the sweetness of the rylhrhr reached her nostrils, Sakarra had to suppress a small sigh. It was vaguely reminiscent of pla-savas, although without the tart note, and she would have to be most careful not to … overindulge.
"Always concerned about me" Shiarrael mocked. She resisted the urge to sigh remembering vividly the testy argument they had when she was still in the war college. "Though, I am glad to see you are doing so well" she looked at the selection of courses and sliced herself a small piece of the roasted hlai and took a forkful of the boiled lyhori.
Itsak's hard expression softened. He sliced a piece of the hlai meat but instead of placing it on his plate her pushed it onto Sakarra's "try, it is a specialty and one of my favorite dishes." He sliced himself a piece and gingerly bit into it as his eyes lingered on the Vulcan.
He had to know. It was one of the few things most people actually did know about Vulcans. So either he was deliberately trying to offend, or it was a playful way of gauging her reaction. The latter, Sakarra had an abundance of experience with, although mostly with humans.
For just an instant, the shadow of a smile played across her serene features and then she inclined her head as gracefully as a matriarch who has been offered a new house by her devoted family but declines in favor of the one she is accustomed to.
"It is most gracious of you that you would wish to share your favorite, Vaek'Riov. However, there is a high probability it will not agree with me, even if my personal preference were not a vegetarian diet."
For just an instant, the shadow of a smile played across her serene features and then she inclined her head as gracefully as a matriarch who has been offered a new house by her devoted family but declines in favor of the one she is accustomed to.
"It is most gracious of you that you would wish to share your favorite, Vaek'Riov. However, there is a high probability it will not agree with me, even if my personal preference were not a vegetarian diet."
"Humor me." His eyes narrowed at her plate "Vulcans- creatures with no sense of flavor. The lack of taste as true as it is to their lack of emotion. They pretend to be without- such a perverse custom. Dare you reject my hospitality?" Itsak's expression was now as loathsome as his tone.
Shiarrael dropped her utensil onto her plate and glared at Itsak but even she had some curiosity. 'How will Sakarra react?' She wondered. Though her eyes focused on her cousin, her periphery keenly watched the Vulcan helmsman.
"Humor you." Sakarra's voice was still as calm and cool as the breeze, and her deep, dark eyes rested on the Vaek'Riov's expression with the emptiness of a desert night before sunrise.
One accustomed to desert nights might have known that at this hour, the merciless sun was not far.
Slowly, the young Vulcan stood up, causing the little servant to back up rather hastily, and let her fingertips rest against the expensive tablecloth as lightly as a fallen leaf.
"I had assumed it was not your intention to offend one you had invited to your home. If that assumption was incorrect, I should appreciate you clarifying the matter."
She did not bother to point out the absurdity of his other statements, they were clearly designed as further insults and therefore not worthy of comment.
One accustomed to desert nights might have known that at this hour, the merciless sun was not far.
Slowly, the young Vulcan stood up, causing the little servant to back up rather hastily, and let her fingertips rest against the expensive tablecloth as lightly as a fallen leaf.
"I had assumed it was not your intention to offend one you had invited to your home. If that assumption was incorrect, I should appreciate you clarifying the matter."
She did not bother to point out the absurdity of his other statements, they were clearly designed as further insults and therefore not worthy of comment.
Itsak stood up and looked down the bridge of his nose at the Vulcan. He was angry and did little to hide it. He focused a hot glare at Sakarra, a sharp look that outlined the thin ridges that crested just above his brows "sit down and eat Vulcan." His hands twitched as he tugged on his belt. The servants were frightened, terribly so, they stood back anticipating something awful. He waited silently, his eyes watching Sakarra like a predator would its prey.
[To be continued ...]
Captain Shiarrael t`Rehu
Commanding Officer
USS Charon
Lieutenant Commander Sakarra Tyrax
Chief Helmsman and Acting Executive Officer
USS Charon
Chief Helmsman and Acting Executive Officer
USS Charon
Vaek'Riov Itsak tr`Sahen
Leih
Galae'Krha-Sei
Leih
Galae'Krha-Sei
