Posted by Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Deck 4 Garden- A Picnic

Posted by Civilian Sair Songz (Counselor) in Deck 4 Garden- A Picnic

Posted by Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Deck 4 Garden- A Picnic
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

An hour later, after sending the captain the note, the family was set-up with a large blanket nestled under the large trees and overlooking the pond. Koro was poking at the edge of the water with a stick and Sair was close by, keeping a cautious eye on him. Kel was setting out a wide variety of foods they they had been experimenting with, since there were only a handful of Kobliad foods in the replicator. They weren’t members of the Federation but there had been enough cross-over with the medical exchange program that some accommodations had been made they didn’t have the wide variety they might be used to. But that usually meant fun trying new things. Kel suspected that it was the culmination of these tiny changes that were quietly overwhelming her daughter since the novelty of working on a Starfleet facility had worn off during Sair’s first stint with the exchange program.

Beside Kel was a hard dark brown case about the size of a Terran zither, closed and secure.

~Sair & Family

Digging the stick in, Koro managed to get it stick in a submerged container that housed a type of water grass. Peering closer, Sair could see that the pond was in fact a giant pool with a liner and all the planting were in open cage baskets. It was a fascinating feat of engineering and she was rather impressed. “Here, let me help,” she said in their native tongue, reaching into the water and twisting the stick out of the small opening and handing it to her toddler.

“Stick!”he said, making Sair laugh.
“Yes, stick.”

Meanwhile, Kel watched the two interact with fondness. Bringing Koro was the right decision but she couldn’t help but feel maybe they had waited a little too long. Perhaps Sair had needed her son’s presence as a stabilizing influence. There was nothing wrong with wanting to make sure Sair had been settled first, but maybe her son’s needs would have helped her settle in better. Sair had fought such a battle to hold that babe in her arms that any time away had perhaps done more damage than it had helped. Perhaps. She wasn’t sure just yet but call it a mother’s intuition.

~The Songz family

“And a stronger testament to the necessity of such a garden I can’t possibly imagine.” said a voice from behind Kel.

The speaker was a human male, brilliant blue eyes intensified by the jet black hair. He was wearing a red uniform with four solid pips surrounded by gold brackets on his collar. He smiled at Kel and said “Good afternoon. I am Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane.” and he extended a hand to her. “I was told that this might just be the best place on the ship for a picnic.”

Cochrane, CO

Kel rose to her feet and took his hand in hers, closing her other hand top and gave a squeeze in the Kobliad style of greeting. At least amongst friends. “I scoped it out pretty quick and it’s become a regular spot. It’s nice to meet you Captain. I’m Kel-” She went to say more but her attention was drawn by a squeal as Koro was chasing Sair and then tackled his mother’s leg, toppling the woman. Sair just laughed. “Help, it’s a Koro-Monster!” she exclaimed. Kel laughed. “You already know my daughter, but the monster there is Koro. Sair…” she called out.

Sair was pushing herself upright and saw that Cochrane had arrived. She flushed slightly, knowing this wasn’t exactly the most professional way to appear before the captain, but at the same time she was off-duty. Scooping up the toddler, she made her way over, mussing his mope of dark hair. “Good day, Captain. I’d like you to meet my son Koro. Koro, this is Captain Cochrane.”

Koro was generally shy around strangers, but that didn’t stop him from eying Alex rather intently. “Hi.”

~Sair & Family

“Hi yourself, Koro.” Cochrane said with a smile and shook Koro’s hand gently. “And you can call me Skipper, okay? Only the very best of my crew get to call me that.” and he smiled warmly at the child. He then looked at Sair and said “Thank you for the invitation, Counselor. And I’m glad to see your family arrived safe and sound.” He looked back at Kell and said “How did you like the trip through the worm hole?” and gestured for everyone to be seated.

Cochrane, CO

Sair set Koro down on the blanket and settled cross-legged. For her part, Kel’s expression was one of awe. “I have no words, except that it was extraordinary. Just being in space at all has been eye-opening. It helps me understand Sair’s desire to be out here.”

Cochrane opened his collar and took a seat. “It is an experience many take for granted. But I tell you… every time I look out a window, I am in awe.” and he smiled.

“Mother’s never been off Kobliad until now. So it’s newness all around,” Sair said as she began to uncover dishes. There were some obvious salads, and an assortment of items to make sandwiches with, plus a couple of fingers foods that were of Kobliad origin. She pointed to one that was a small and round pastry item. “Just so you know, this one has a small amount of heat, while the other one is not at all, but is still pretty savoury,” she said as she handed Alex a plate. Sair was trying to just relax but she was nervous for a reason she wasn’t entirely sure of just now. But like anything, sometimes the observation was enough. Analysis could come later.

~Sair & Family

“Oh, heat I like.” Cochrane replied excitedly. “My best friend - who was our Intelligence Chief Intelligence Officer and who just got married right over there a few weeks ago -” and he pointed over the pond, “- she made this dish that would blow your mind! If you like heat, I can try to make it for you all sometime. It’s called hasparat.” Cochrane smiled at the memory of Faye and the cooking and the dancing. He missed her, but he was happy she was happy.

Cochrane, CO

“Hasperat,” Sair repeated, rolling the word over her tongue. “I don’t know it but I am willing to try it. I don’t know how much heat I can tolerate, but it would be an experiment,” she added, her eyes lighting up.

After putting some things on a plate for Koro, Kel was filling her own and looked over at the spot that Alex had pointed out. “A wedding. It would be a really lovely place for one. Reminds me a bit of the park Sal and I had our union. It was right behind the the music academy where we met.”

“My father is professional musician,” Sair said, her smile and honest one.

~Sair & Family

“Excellent! I am guessing since you met at a music academy that you play?” Cochrane asked Kel.

Kel laughed. “Oh goodness no. I was a nursing student at the time and there was a bit of a mishap that required some medical attention for Sal’s friend. But… we connected,” she said with a smile.

“I play some myself. Music was always playing in my home. My twin sister didn’t take to it much, although she has an incredible voice.” He looked at Sair and said “Do you play as well?”

Cochrane, CO

Sair reached behind her and patted the case. “I play and sing, though I would not say my instrumental skills are exceptional.”

“Well you certainly didn’t get any skills from me,” Kel said.

Sair chuckled as she broke up a sandwich for Koro into some smaller pieces. “Yes, you were banned from singing at the hospital for good reason.” She was entirely teasing and it was clear Kel knew this. “What do you play?” Sair asked Cochrane.

~Sair & Family