Posted by Civilian Marishka (Lounge Host) in Going for a drink in the lounge (Shock/Marishka)
-snip-

Shock attempted to analyse the reply. What had astonished her? Questions about heritage were normal, not astonishing, he’d thought, and not necessary related to sex – but that’s where Marishka took it. Why had she? Was she attracted to him? If so, why? And how? Surely she would know that Vulcans are immune to Orion pheromones? Or perhaps she has had experiences to counter that – perhaps the pheromones had been altered through her Klingon heritage, and the way that she was conceived. So he should not be certain he would be immune. But perhaps he was not the point or object of the attraction, but rather a partner in conversation. He had after all pushed to get to know her more. What she had defined as ‘advantage’ was nuances beyond what he would think of. This was an interesting but confusing topic.

“Yes, indeed,” he said.

He was uncertain whether he should continue on the topic of sex or if he should move to what he had originally intended – how she honours her lineage and different cultures and species, how she carries their stories with her, how she consolidates her own identity, for example, by being here on the Athena, belonging to two non-Federation species on a Federation ship. There was much he wished to know – but for what reason? Why was it so important for him to form a connection with her?

He took another sip of the blk water, and thought of how culture and sexuality interlink. When in the Academy, he had heard of the nightclub running a ‘pon farr night’ (no Vulcans obviously attended), the experience of how people would often misinterpret Vulcans as rigid and cold devoid of sexuality, love, and feelings. It was not always easy to navigate the stereotypes and speciesist attitudes. Perhaps it was something similar for Marishka, too.

“I apologise for my question. It appeared more oblivious than I intended. I did not wish to venture into the realms of stereotypy and assumptions. You can imagine, I am sure, what Vulcans might experience in terms of stereotypes and assumptions on sexuality.”

– Shock

Marishka had watched him as he thought over her remarks. She had become quite good at reading people but not everybody was an open book and she wasn’t free to explain how she knew everything that she did.

“We all have stereotypes to overcome. I think one of the ways we do that is by answering questions that are put to us as honestly as possible even if that means going outside of our comfort zone or putting the questioner outside of theirs. I never assume, just because you are Vulcan, that you don’t have the same desires that anybody else might have. That’s none of my business unless you choose to make it so.”

• Marishka

“I quite agree,” Shock replied while holding the glass in his hand. “Is there anything on your mind you wish to ask?”

– Shock

As Shock was speaking Jeffry, one of Marishka’s longest serving kitchen staff, silently approached with a tea cart, removed a few empty plates and glasses, indicated a few things to Marishka on the cart, and left without saying a word. Marishka stood and looked down at the cart to get a better view of what he had been talking about.

“Actually yes, I do have a question. Red, black, or white? Jeffry was kind enough to bring us a tea service with a selection of honey because blk water is not something I have a lot of and I have a sense that tea and honey are to your liking. So, red, black, or white?” she asked indicating the three tea pots.

• Marishka

Shock supposed this distraction saved him from the uncomfortableness of the previous topic of conversation.

“After all this sweetness, I would like some black tea, perhaps without the honey though. Thank you, it is very kind of you.”

The gesture also indicated to Shock that Marishka wanted to prolong their meeting. Tea was to Shock a slow drink, as she might remember from their breakfast together. It was not at all unagreeable to stay a little longer. And some tea would be good. The best tea is shared.

– Shock