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

(snip)

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.”

“Sharah, I have no doubt you could. And you’re right about the community part. It’s the thing I’m striving for most right now as I navigate all the rest. And it was one of the things I wouldn’t budge on with my security detail. I can’t be who I want and need to be here if I’m shut away in my apartment or home. And that involves a measure of risk.” Eela flashed a grin. “But risk has been a part of my entire adult life, so I’m comfortable with it.”

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.”

“All kinds actually. Before I discovered coffee at the Academy, I drank teas for everything from tiredness to insomnia to nervousness. It sounds like my father and your DH had a lot in common.” Eela absorbed the feelings that Fayth was giving off because it was just so nice a feeling and it also was about something they had in common. Connection.

“The base leaves that Betazoid jestral tea is made from make a really good starting point. I’ve often just added extra spices or herbs to complement the flavour and cause the effect I’m hoping for. I love mints and citrus flavoured herbs. Also things with a bit of spice or bite can be really nice.”

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

Eela’s bags were getting full and she was just plain happy. “They look beautiful. In fact, it reminds me that I would actually love some cut flowers in my place. Bring the outside in and all that. I’m going to see if I can find someone selling bouquets. Be right back,” she said as she moved off in hunt of pretty things. She needed more of that in her life, more reasons to have beautiful things just because she could. The last few years had made that impractical and her apartment in Paris barely saw her after she moved out of her and Cory’s place. Setting down roots meant allow all the parts of her to be seen and present.

Roots. Seeds. Dasca almost laughed aloud as she made her way over to a florist’s table. That damned mystic. Looking back in Sharah’s direction, Eela felt intense fondness for the younger woman who was helping her do the exact thing she was warned she needed to. It was a just a moment though and she continued over to the table and eagerly spoke with the man selling an array of flowers.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.