Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Umbri Zayne (Weapons Officer) in Deck 6 – Trying to blend in (Tag: Zayne, Sega’a)

Posted by Ensign Kastarak (Doctor) in Deck 6 – Trying to blend in (Tag: Zayne, Sega’a)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Umbri Zayne (Weapons Officer) in Deck 6 – Trying to blend in (Tag: Zayne, Sega’a)
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Kastarak tried to prepare for his trip to Risa. It was a planet he had only really heard of in passing, and from books and so, but he did not have a visualization of what it would might be. His astronomy social sciences teachers back in school would gloss by Risa, saying simply it was a planet whose niche economy was relaxation and pleasure. A physics teacher had expressed some interest in the terraforming aspects of the planet, how seismic difficulties had been overcome and weather stablized to be as pleasant as possible for as many species as possible. Other than that, Kastarak hadn’t known much about it.

But now was time for his first ever vacation. Vulcans don’t normally do vacation; there is a purpose to everything, something logical. Of course, Kastarak knew there was logic to his endeavour. The logic here was to experience what so many others experience, what a vacation is. To simply enjoy doing nothing. He had to do some meditation, of course, and perhaps some reading on Risan history and language and on the terraforming aspects, but he was going to try to blend in with the other tourists and experience what being a tourist in a pleasure paradise might entail.

But what should he wear? What would be appropriate? His robes, as what Vulcan men normally wear? A T’pol-like catsuit for extra comfort and ease of movement? Maybe something in between, smart casual? Wide shoulders for good movement, full texture-fabric for comfort and ease on the eyes… Kastarak visualized what that would look like: A Romulan officer. Nope. Not going to happen.

He needed some fashion advice. Sega’a seemed to know fashion. Same with Umbri. They were both very skilled at these things. He needed something smart-looking, but not Star Fleet-y, not overly Vulcan, but also he didn’t want to look like a Romulan. What would good vacation wear be for Kastarak? He needed help.

Kastarak sent them a message on the internal pad system: I have checked your rosters and you are both free tonight. Would you like to come to my place at 1800 hours for tea? I would like to seek your advice on fashion.

– Ensign/Dr Kastarak

“Sega’a…”

“Wait…” Sega’a pinched his nose, “let me get this straight. Leshki allegedly died in a standoff, right? The family grieves, there’s an unhealthy dose of chaos, and life continues. Okay, fair. But then a woman who looks more like Alieth’s sehlat than Leshki shows up on their doorstep, claiming to be their wife. Huh? Where did you come from, ma’am? Have you been hiding out while your entire family grieves for two years? I get you had a target on your back, but why come back at all? And with a new face?”

“Sega’a…”

“But that’s not all!” Sega’a thrust himself from his chair and began to pace. “It turns out this person isn’t Leshki, but her ‘long lost twin sister’ who conveniently showed up with all of Leshki’s memories implanted in her head. Okay, so where’s Leshki? And why would they do something so heinous to the poor lady? Did she consent? I think not! What kind of protection scheme involves violating another person? She could’ve just stayed on that colony until the threat was gone. But no… it had to be more dramatic, lest it wouldn’t be a soap opera, eh?”

“Sega’a!”

“Huh?” He snapped from his plothole induced fury and turned to face his companion. “Sorry, Yasmeen…” he rubbed the back of his neck to distract from the tell-tale green flooding his cheeks. “What’s up?”

“Your PaDD pinged,” she snatched the device from its perch and tossed it to him. “I figure you’d want to confirm it wasn’t a message from Taggart or some important yeoman business. You know… before diving any deeper into your lecture on the impracticality of modern soap operas.”

“Oh - quite the opposite!” He assured as his abject grimace dissolved into a broad, enthusiastic grin. “I’ve been summoned to offer some much-needed advice on a friend’s wardrobe.”

“Someone needs your fashion advice?” Yasmeen furrowed her eyes, pulling a sceptical grimace that refused to touch the laughter in her eyes. “Advice… from the man who wears four kinds of print… in the same outfit?”

“I cannot help that someone appreciates my taste in style,” Sega’a huffed and slapped a ‘humbled’ hand against his chest. “You know… your wardrobe is a little outdated. And by outdated, I mean ‘ancient’—“

“Oh, no you don’t!” Yasmeen leapt to her feet and waved her hands in vehement objection. “Your grubby little fingers better not come anywhere near my clothes. Got it?”

“Yeah, yeah…” Sega’a quelled the petulant urge to roll his eyes, “your loss.” He plopped into his chair and typed a string of commands into his PaDD to pull up a new message:

Kastarak - I never thought you’d ask! I’ll be there at 1800. Shall I bring a test outfit or two?

— Sega’a

Kastarak was slightly surprised by the quick response from Sega’a, but felt a sense of security at the affirmative response. Now Kastarak would get help. Logic would prevail.

Thank you, Sega’a, yes, I would appreciate that. After all, I think we are somewhat the same size. I will see you at 1800.

Kastarak went over his cabin (he still hadn’t been assigned a bunkmate), checking for errant items. He wanted things to look good, he wanted to make a good impression on his friends when they would come. He went to his shelf, picked out a blend of green tea from Earth’s “East Asia” region (Kastarak struggled to picture where that region was, but he had heard the best Earth teas are from there, and it was similar to his own experience). It was evening after all, and even though the small amounts of caffeine in green tea would not affect Kastarak (as a Vulcan, as caffeine in no doses affect Vulcans), he wanted to ensure that he would not intoxicate his guests with sleep deprivation. Perhaps he should offer a non-caffeine version? There was a pleasant-tasting Andorian shrub he could offer too. He considered his options, then went back to his bed, straightened out the blanket and sheets.

“Computer, what time is it now?”

“It is 15:47”

One hour and thirteen minutes to go.

His legs felt restless.

He decided to sit on the floor (and not upset his pristine bed) and meditate until the appointed hour. Hopefully he would receive an affirmative response from Umbri too, but maybe they don’t keep their pad close when off duty, Kastarak mused. An hour or so of meditation would bring him back to a serene and logical state. Important topics would be discussed – how he would present himself to an outside world – and logic and clarity of mind was necessary for that.

– Ensign Kastarak (Dr)

friendly bump for Alison - 10.3.2022

As the time approached 18:00, Kastarak had still not received a reply from Umbri. Perhaps he had got their schedule wrong, or maybe they’re busy swimming or playing instruments as was often the case with them, Kastarak would remember. He still prepared three cups along with the pot (he did not have any Earth-style pot or cups, so they would have to make do with Vulcan-style pots and cups – perhaps not a bad compromise, after all, he was Vulcan and it would be appropriate to show something of Vulcan hospitality, and it was the first time since Umbri had moved out that he would receive guests), and got himself some 80-degree Celsius water from the dispenser into the pot, put the tea leaves in from his jar.

He checked the time. It was now 17:58, and the leaves would have to steep in the water for five minutes. That would make the best serving time 18:03. If his guests arrive at 18:00 sharp (as would be logical, it was the time of the invitation after all), it would allow for three minutes of pleasantries before serving of tea. That seemed like an appropriate window. In the worst case, he could pour the contents of one pot to another at exactly 18:03 to allow the tea getting too bitter, but he would risk losing some degrees of temperature in so doing. However, a slightly cooler tea would be better than a too bitter one.

Now the time was 17:59. He straightened his shirt, paced around the room a bit more, checked his face in the mirror. Yes, nothing abnormal there. His fringe was cut perfectly straight, not a piece of hair in disarray, and he had no mucus in his eyes or nose. His lips were of the right hue, neither too dry nor too oily. He was presentable. His mother and father would have approved.

He waited.

– Ensign Kastarak (doctor)

Umbri had just gotten done with yoga when they finally saw Kastarak’s message. Their eyes widened. ‘Crapadoodle!’ they thought as they quickly changed into their uniform and sprinted over to Kastarak’s quarters, pressing the chime while trying to catch their breath.

Lieutenant (j.g.) Umbri Zayne, Weapons Officer

The door chimed, and Kastarak checked the time. It was exactly 18:00.

“Enter.”

“Umbri, you are precisely on time. Sega’a has yet not come. Please come in.”

– Ens/Dr Kastarak

Umbri sighed in relief as they entered Kastarak’s quarters. “Sorry I didn’t respond to your message sooner. I was doing yoga. I may not have much fashion experience, but I’m willing to help where I can,” they said.

Lieutenant (j.g.) Umbri Zayne, Weapons Officer

“Any advice is welcome.”, Kastarak said while gesturing to Umbri to sit down. “I’ve worn uniform, one way or another, almost all the time since leaving Vulcan.”

He paused.

“And you remember what I wore when I was in gym. It is not appropriate for a vacation resort, for the beach. I need all the advice I can. Let’s see what Sega’a might bring. I think he and I might be the same size in clothes....”

Kastarak was suddenly deep in thought, and then he turned back to Umbri.

“What is the purpose of being on the beach? Why do people do it? What do they get out from that? What should I wear? What should I do?”

– Ens/Dr Kastarak