Posted by Commander Shedda Mal’athar (Executive Officer) in Deck 4 Garden (Open to All)

Posted by Ensign Ka’sora Pru’moa Daveyla (Science Officer) in Deck 4 Garden (Open to All)

Posted by Commander Shedda Mal’athar (Executive Officer) in Deck 4 Garden (Open to All)
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Watching the XO put her pass away, Ka’Sora was torn. She understood that the downtime of the senior officers was i and if the commander didn’t want to interact with her she would have ended the conversation. Or at least that was the assumption she was making in this moment. Besides, how often did a brand new ensign get to have a personal conversation with their first officer?

“May I join you? The tree climbing can wait and I’m trying to meet as many people as I can. I feel this would be a terrible opportunity to waste,” she said with a grin. “But you absolutely can tell me to go away and leave you be and I promise I won’t take offence.”

~Ensign Ka’Sora

“Absolutely you may. Come have a seat,” the XO sat up and moved her legs to make room on the end of the long lounger. “How are you settling in?”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

It wasn’t until the invitation hit her ears that Ka’Sora realized she was suddenly nervous beyond getting some social mores wrong. But still, this was both a social interaction and a chance for her to understand another species she really knew little about. “So far, it’s been wonderful! Overwhelming, but wonderful. I’ve been meeting different people, and that makes it feel less lonely. But I’m trying hard to not treat every interaction as research.” She smirked. “And if I do that here and it’s unwelcome, by all means, tell me. I don’t mean harm or offence. I’m just trying to understnad how similar and different I might be to those around me to help with context for different situation and comments. If that makes sense?”

~Ensign Ka’Sora

Shedda laughed quietly. “Not unwelcome at all. I have duel degrees in archeology and anthropology. I love learning about new people and cultures. Tell me about yours.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

There was so much to say, but Ka’Sora was well practiced at giving people an easy snapshot that might pique their curiosity and have them ask questions about the things they were most interested in. “Well, we Zaharans have a communal society, though depending on the type of kijia you live in- that’s what we call our communities- the degree of communal living can be more or less. I am from an arboreal kijia and we share in everything. No one goes without and no one is left to handle challenges on their own, unless they truly want to. Even child rearing is communal. Mothers birth babies and are considered the primary caregiver, but beyond that everyone raises the younglings of a kijia.” She paused and chewed on her lower lip for a moment to consider what else to say in this moment. “We are still fairly new to galactic travel and it was quite sometime before we realized that our own gravity was much lighter than many Federation worlds deal with.” Her golden eyes lit up. “Oh! As an archaeologist, you might be interested to know that the prevailing hypothesis is that a warp capable species made contact with early Zaharans and shared their knowledge with them. Just enough that it accelerated our evolution. Very against the Federation’s Prime Directive, but I can’t complain because it means I get to be out here with you all.”

~Ensign Ka’Sora

Shedda smiled, “Really? That would fascinating to read about.” She nodded, “Many societies want the Federation to give them advanced technology. Even Earth asked the Vulcans to do that when they first met. It is a hard directive to follow sometimes, but we have to remember we aren’t gods and shouldn’t interfere. We shouldn’t take away free will.”

“How are you doing, being out here away from your Kijia?”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Her smile faltered for a moment. “I mean… I’m still settling in and I’ve spent quite a bit of time away from Zahara while I was doing my training, but I was just home for a long visit and it’s more of a challenge to adjust here than I was anticipating. I’m more keenly aware of the differences.” She shifted her position, settling in more. “Don’t get me wrong, everyone has been very friendly and welcoming. But a truly communal society lives very different than how things operate here. I’m alone more than I am used to, even when I am around other people. If that make sense?” she said, tilting her head slightly.

~Ensign Ka’Sora

The XO nodded, “It does. We can be alone in a crowd, and surrounded and connected when on our own. Is there anything we can do to help you adjust?”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

A grin lit up her face. “You are not the first person to ask that this week, and I think my answer will be similar. “I’m not entirely sure, but I suspect it will be realted to my being able to share my culture with others while I learn about theirs.”

“When I was on my way to the Manhattan I had this idea of cooking for people in my quarters, but then I got here and got the changes made and well”-she chuckled-“the layout does not quite allow for it. So instead, I think I might need to rely on the holodeck. I had this idea that I might run a program of an arboreal kijia from my world on a semi-regular basis and make it open for members of the crew to participate. They could experience what my world is like, gravity included, and interact with other Zaharans, even if they are holographic. If they can’t find me, of course,” Ka’Sora said with a giggle.

~Ensign Ka’Sora

Shedda smiled, “I think that would be a lovely idea. I know I would enjoy that. If you are wanting to cook, the kitchen in the lounge is always available, but the holodeck can create whatever you need as well.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Her ears perked up and twitched as Ka’Sora sat more upright. “There’s a kitchen I can use? Oh, that could work really well then!” She grinned. “I saw the one in the mess hall but I haven’t been to the Lounge yet.”

the thought of the holodeck program and immersing herself and others in Zahara was a very enticing idea and she knew that regardless of where she chose to cook for people, she would do the open program days and see what happened.

~Ensign Ka’Sora

“Chef stays very busy in the mess. So we make sure that the lounge kitchen stays available for people to cook if they wish. There is a calendar on the ship’s computer and you can sign up for a time to use it,” Shedda informed her. “I would love to try something if you ever decide to make something to share.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Ka’Sora wiggled her fingers as her ears twitched, which was about as excited a gesture as someone else clapping there hands while bouncing. “Oh! See, the counsellor and I have planned to swap cooking for each other as well, so maybe when it’s my turn I do something for everyone? Well, anyone who wants to,” she said with a laugh. “But what to make. I am aware that there are many preferences and outright dietary issues to factor in.” She pressed her finger tips to her lips. “Hmm, well, something to research and consider before I decide what to make. Though I’ll take any suggestions for what to avoid if you have them.”

~Ensign Ka’Sora