Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Sloane Square- Saturday Farmer’s Market

Posted by Lieutenant Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Sloane Square- Saturday Farmer’s Market

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Sloane Square- Saturday Farmer’s Market
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“I know what you mean,” a fond smile appeared and warmth of a happy memory suffused her being. “We ate all our meals together. My father is an agricultural specialist. He helped rebuild the farms on Betazed after the Dominion War. We never had a replicator, always ate fresh foods and together as a family. I miss it.” Another seemingly random, chaotic event, that their first real interaction together, Markus had been cooking. It was the first real meal she had eaten with anyone since the Ark Angel. “Sharing a real meal together is such a moving emotional experience. Helping to prepare it, even in a small way, is an honor.” One she hadn’t been aware she was missing out on because of her mother’s strict precautions.

“I agree,” Dsasca said, her tone slightly more soft, reflective. The last few years had been lonely that way. She had been always away (her own choice) and there hadn’t been time for cooking that way. Her and Cory had tried, but the more they fought, the less they wanted to sit at a table together. The last eighteen months had been even worse and that had bene her own doing as well, as she had retreated a bit socially to regroup. At least she had had Caridee and Kian- they had been the subtle constant in her tumultuous life.

“When I finally manage an edible dish, you will have to join us.” It was a sincere and open offer. It was strange to Sharah though. She had made so few personal connections in her life. She had always been isolated from others, but she was learning how to manage spreading her wings a bit.

The smile on Eela’s face was as genuine as the offer. “I’d really like that.

The next stall held more of a variety of produce, but the one past snagged Sharah’s attention. Tomatos! Bushels of them. Markus was always going on about making sauce from scratch. Sharah probably purchased more than he needed, but she could take the seeds and grow her own afterwards.

Sharah

Eela smiled as Sharah moved excitedly on. There was a rhythm to their progress through the market. Each stopped at stalls that intrigued them without worrying about being in lockstep with the other. Eela sipped on her latte as she gathered greens, root vegetables and herbs. She was definitely looking forward to having a kitchen garden on the patio and just being able to step out and grab a few things as needed.

Interspersed with the food stalls were arts and crafts and Eela had stopped at one that had an astonishing array of hand painted silk scarves and other accessories. Setting the coffee cup safely on the ground near the leg of a table (she didn’t want to accidentally spill that anywhere near the items), she let her eyes take in everything before she gently let a finger touch the delicate and soft material. It glided under her fingertip, the subtle silver flowers painted over a gradient beginning with indigo. “These are beautiful. Are they your own?” she asked a young man.

He smiled warmly. “Yes. I deal with the weaving and raw materials and my sister does the painting.”

“You are both very talented,” Dasca said. “Are you here often?”

He nodded. “Most weeks, yes.”

“I’ll definitely have to come back then,” she said with resolve, knowing that she’d want to come with the intention of purchasing one when her hands weren’t full of items that might damage or stain even a well wrapped object.

Sharah had found a stall with 20 different types of bread on offer and another with cheese. That one made her wonder a bit, but the samples were very good so she got some. Perhaps she has the makings of the perfect grilled cheese.

Moving on, she caught up with Fayth. “I don’t know that I’ll be able to come out here every weekend, but I suspect it’ll start being one of my rituals,” Eela said, a subtle joy infused her relaxed mood. After a terribly long and hard week, she was determined to make the most of this brief time and she suspected that times like this would sustain her during the harder days of being Lieutenant Governor.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Dasca’s approach was felt and recognized, but she caught Sharah in a moment of overwhelm. She had, by experience, found a spot out of the way where she could close her eyes. She was lea ing against the trunk of a tree, her focus turned inward. Eela would feel the struggle but also a note of soft joy and compassion. Sharah loved plants, and the tree was old, for the colony, and strong and steady, welcoming the fall type weather.

She opened her eyes as Eela spoke to her. “It is lovely. And a wonderful way to breathe and stretch. It’s rather relaxing despite the crowd isn’t it? I think you should tell your assistant to block out this time every week.” Then she mock whispered with a laugh, “I can give you a doctor’s note.”

Dasca snorted. “I might need one.” She wasn’t joking either. “Sadly, the days of my doctor getting to be the final arbiter of my days has come to a close. We now have to compromise to the work. No Starfleet regulations to fall back on,” she said with a gleam in her eyes.

“You know I would argue this is work. A necessary part of it. It’s…” Sharah closed her eyes a moment gathering her thoughts and what she was sensing, “This market is important to Oed and more than just commerce, it’s…community. A very strong one. It’s a community event. It’s not just the stalls, but the children playing, the parents socializing, the sharing and creating of art and food. And not to put a downer, but people are watching you. How you interact with not just the sellers but the other people here to buy and what you are looking at. They want to now what you find interesting because they want to know you. The booth owners feel great pride that you have noticed their work, even if you don’t buy today. I would say becoming part of the community and not just visiting is very important.” She grinned then, “But I am more than happy to write a doctor’s note saying it is necessary for your health. I can make it stick.”

She finished the last bit of her hot chocolate and disposed of the cup in a waste bin. The next several stalls all had seedlings in offer with their other goods. Seeing the spices and herbs Dasca had picked up, she asked, “Do your accommodations provide for space to have plants? I could help you set up to grow some of those.” She pointed at some of the things the Lt Gov had purchased. Sharah spent a decent amount of time at these stalls, the solid bottom basket she carried was soon filled with seedlings of all types. Sharah was very picky and hummed random tunes while she examined the plants. “Our quarters are on the ground floor and there is a small area right outside that I am going to plant a garden. My own little sanctuary.”

Fayth, SFCMO

“That will be lovely, I’m sure. I actually have a large patio off my living area that I intend to install some planters and grow both food and flowers. But you know what? I physically can’t do all the work myself, and I was going to have someone install and fill the planters anyway, but dealing with the planting I could definitely use some help with. I was intending it to be a project I work on on the weekends when I don’t have special events to attend.”

“My father was a herbalist and I’d actually like to grow some of the herbs he used to use in the teas I liked. I’ll have to make a list and make sure I look for them specifically, but for now, go ahead and toss stuff my way. I’m always up for new things and it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to grow anything.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Sharah did not need to be asked twice. She loved plants and it poured out of her in warm waves. “What kind of tea? I’m actually familiar with a lot and their properties and components. I had a DH who was BIG on tea and I spent my time with him sampling all kinds. He was convinced he would find a tea from somewhere that would help me. We might find what we need or good substitutes.”

Sharah listened as she walked back and forth between the stalls and soon had quite the collection of plants for the herbs Eela wanted. “The others I actually have already and can get you some clippings. I am happy to help with the planting. We could maybe even convince Jal’na to consider it your session for the day.” She paused and looked around and made a bee line to a stall across the way that had a beautiful lily type flower that was fuchsia with edges of light lavender. Sharah bought five of them. “These are lovely, and smell spicy.” She set them in her basket, moving a few things around.

Sharah