Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Solomon Kane (Tactical / Medical) in Lounge - After Show Drink (Tag CMO)
Snip

T’Aria was not positive of what this relationship was or what it might become. Although, in these fine moments, she did not particularly mind. It was odd, spending time with someone aboard the ship. In the two (plus) years she had been aboard the Chernov, her personal time had been spent solely on her own, unless some event deemed that unnecessary. Generally, she warded off all personal contact, yet, this one somehow felt different. Kane did not repulse her, he did not make himself out to be.. Well, like most humans. It was almost as if she was beginning to enjoy his company. However, she wasn’t as far as to trust that thought, yet. “Our father of logic, Surak, once said: ‘Ideally, do no harm. . . As far as possible, do not kill.’” She began, “From this sprung our dietary restrictions, which later came to impact us internally. Now, it is no longer a choice, as most Vulcans cannot eat meat without having a gasterointstinal response to it. Much like Humans and those who are lactose intolerant or those who cannot consume gluten.”

Dr. T’Aria

Kane’s mind shifted from thoughts of the future to medical mode. “Wait. You are saying that a cultural choice to vegetarianism led to a species-wide physiological adaptation that now requires you to not eat meat? How long ago was this Surak guy teaching? I thought is wasn’t all that long ago. But for that kind of change, we would be talking a minimum of what? Several thousand years, right?”

Kane, Tac / Med

“Two thousand years ago, Surak was born. The year 279 for humans, and he died during our 4th century. Thus, he lived two thousand years ago, almost precisely. On Vulcan, there never was much meat to consume, beyond Sehlat, Le-Matya, Vulcan mollusks, and several others. Most of them had meat that was almost inedible, or they lived in the shallow depths of Vulcan’s tumultous oceans. Not to mention, the wild Sehlat and Le-Matya are especially difficult to hunt down and kill, considering their size and speed in relation to the Vulcan physique. When Surak begun his teachings, around 312 A.D. he was said to have begun studying, he began to emphasize the cruelty of killing animals for food, proposing an alternative choice. As Vulcans began to commit to these teachings, and the Romulans became a seperate race, our diets began to change. There are Vulcans who seclude themselves from our society, who still practice the ways of our ancestors. They are not necessarily violent, but they do not believe in the teachings of Surak. These people are still capable of eating meat, as they never hindered their ability in doing so. For the remainder of us, we can eat meat, but it generally gives us something comparable to a stomach ache. After all, our bodies have begun to evolve over time to begin rejecting meat, much like any herbivore.” She explained.

Dr. T’Aria

Kane quirked an eyebrow at T’Aria and said “So you are saying there is something like… what? Aboriginal Vulcans? How does the rest of Vulcan society view them? And did they make it through the destruction?” Kane’s questions were from a point of scientific curiosity, not anything else. But as the last question left, he paused. “Hey, look. I’m sorry if that last question was… you know… rude or whatever. Never really dealt with someone who had lost their world until right now.” Inside he thought “Smooth, jackass. Nice move.”

Kane, Tac / Med

T’Aria stared at him for a few seconds, opting to say nothing. Shaking her head, she whisked away the question, recognizing the illogic behind growing upset over a simple mischoice of words. “It is quite all right. Most Vulcans have come to accept the destruction of our homeworld, and it no longer impacts us to speak of it.” It was a lie, something Vulcan were supposedly incapable of. However, it was logical, as it prevented vulnerability to the public. And vulnerability, to a Vulcan, was lethal. “We view them much as your society views your own aboriginal people. We accept their existence and respect it. While we may not agree with their ways, it is not our place to judge.” She paused, “I do not know how many survived the destruction of the planet Vulcan. They live beyond civilization, in ones of their own, they would have been fortunate to have made it to safety.”

Dr. T’Aria
CMO

Kane caught the look and the pause and looked down after she spoke. Through the strands of hair, his voice cold be heard very softly say “T’Aria. I don’t say this much. Probably not as much as I should. But… I’m sorry. Sometimes my mouth doesn’t know when to just shut the hell up and eat.” and with that he stabbed a bit of salad with an attitude of punishing it for some past offence, and took another bite.

Kane, Tac / Med

“Thank you, Kane.” A soft breath escaped her lips, the closest thing she could offer to sigh. Glancing down at her plomeek, she silently returned to her meal. For a second, she seemed preoccupied with the meal before her. “I am certain your salad, if sentient, would not appreciate your anger,” Her voice was soft, expressionless, but intended to ease away from the awkwardness of the pause. Stealing her glass from the table, she took a sip, glancing over at him.

Dr. T’Aria