Posted by Lieutenant Shock (Chief of Security) in Going for a drink in the lounge (Shock/Marishka)

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

Posted by Lieutenant Shock (Chief of Security) in Going for a drink in the lounge (Shock/Marishka)
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
-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

Marishka placed the two tea cups on the table and poured two cups of strong black tea from one of the pots sitting on the tray. She picked up a small jar of honey and ladled a scant spoonful into her cup and set the one without honey closest to Shock. The conversation had been long and winding. She reflected it had covered many topics and, perhaps, it was getting to an uncomfortably intimate point when Jeffrey arrived with tea. The subject matter wouldn’t have bothered Marishka but, Shock was her guest.

“I believe this particular tea comes from a planet near form where I hail, at least sometimes. So while the plants my originate from Earth, this particular plant wasn’t grown there.”

• Marishka

As he took a sip of the tea, he noticed the difference. The leaves were definitely tea – as in Earth botanical terms, Camellia sinensis, but having grown in a different environment, a different ecosystem with other kind of soils and animals and pollinators and environments, it had a different flavour. It was almost salty – but still not salt – and there was a smokiness to the bitterness, at the same time as there was a hint of acidity and sweetness – ever so slightly, most might not notice it.

“This tea,” he said, needing to pause, “is exquisite.”

He took another sip, savouring it in his mouth before swallowing.

“What planet did you say it was from?” He tried to place it. He remembered the earlier conversation, some weeks ago, when Marishka had said that she _ grew up between Qo’nos and several Orion homeworlds, whatever was at the whim of either of her parents_, with emphasis on “whatever was the whim of her parents”. He cared to know more, but was not sure how to venture there. Vulcans prided themselves on their privacy, and Klingon culture emphasised honour above all – and some questions about the past might sniff out dishonourable things, matters that the person might not wish to surface – while Orions had a terrible reputation (even though it was at times, for many people, completely unwarranted). It can’t have been easy for Marishka, growing up in two opposite cultures, often at odds with one another, and moreover, with the Federation. Yet, she found herself a posting on a Federation ship, catering to Federation people’s needs. She was an intriguing character, one he wished to get to know more, but how would he go there.

Perhaps he could offer something more about himself.

“Vulcan tea is quite varied – each family has its own recipe, and during one of our courtship ceremonies, we should make our future spouse’s family tea to perfection, so that we might be accepted into their family. I was once betrothed, but we never came that far into our courtships, as we were very young when we agreed to break our betrothal. But you can see how important tea is to our culture. As I then moved to Earth to study, I found great joy in sampling Earth teas, and found the Camellia sinsensis the best plant in the universe so far to give us tea. It pains me, if I may I use a human metaphor, that I, a Vulcan, would even prefer Earth’s teas over my own planet’s. Would it be common knowledge back home, it would be something they would use against me.”

– Shock

Marishka gave him a slight surprised look. That last bit of information could quite have emotional ramifications. She knew that most Vulcans had a taste for tea, sometimes bordering ont he obsessive but, this conversation put quite a different perspective on the subject.

“I’ve never been to any ceremony like that or asked to perform one on the Athena. I’ll have to research it. As far as where this tea is from, I don’t actually remember the name for the planet but it is on the outer edge of an orion controlled colony.”

Marsihka knew that was truthful and safe to say.

• Marishka

It did not go as Shock had expected. He thought that by letting some details about himself – ever so innocent – he would be able to build on the rapport with Marishka, and that she might reciprocate. This was not the case. Perhaps he had been too obvious, maybe it appeared artificial to her. It was difficult for him to read people, especially non-Vulcans and people of species he was not too familiar with. Moreover, Marishka’s unique biology would make her incredibly difficult to read. Yet, he wanted to be her friend – but where did this want come from?

Perhaps it was a sense of solidarity – they were both non-humans on a human-centric ship. He had very little in common with the El-Aurians, who could easily pass for humans were it not for their unique longevity and non-ageing, and thus more in common with Marishka.

He understood his failure, though, and would leave it to that.

“Perhaps an occasion might arise one day for you to observe such. The holodeck might give helpful pointers, too.”

He straightened his back, rolled his shoulders back, and looked Marishka in the eye.

“Thank you for the water, the condiments, the tea, and the conversation. I must now attend to my duties.”

– Lt Shock (COS)

Marishka could tell by Shock’s actions that she had brushed him off too quickly. That hadn’t been her intent but she was a very guarded person.

“You’re very welcome. You are always welcome here as a guest and as my friend.”

• Marishka