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
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
(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.”

“Cmdr Zarath, Andorian and absolutely convinced tea could solve any problem, no matter what it tasted like.” Sharah smiled the memory overwhelming for a moment. She wondered where he was now. “I have a plant at home that I can start a cutting for you, then you can grow it. Jestral is very hardy and can survive over watering but not under. We can rig something up if you think you won’t be home often enough. It’s not difficult, buuuuut....” and she reached over and snagged a package near the back of the table, “Dried Jestral leaves.”

“Perfect! Should tied me over till I have my own fresh supply. And anything I can automate works in my favour, but you already knew that answer before you suggested it,” Dasca said teasingly. Her being home often was a rather unlikely thing, so anything that could make her life easier was welcome.

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.

The intense feeling from Eela was like an arrow and immediately got Sharah’s attention amognts the noise and crowd and she turned, and found Dasca across the way in the crowd without falter. Was Eela alright? It didn’t appear that anything was wrong. Sharah smiled and then turned back to what she was doing, which looked like she was shaking hands with each of the plants in the stall until she found the one she wanted.

She made her way over to the florist and grinned, “My bags are full, straining at the seams and even if I had room I don’t think I can safely put any more weight in the bags.” The florist smiled, “That is what we like to hear. That you found everything you needed and then some.”

Sharah looked down at her bags, “I did. It’s wonderful.” Then she turned very serious suddenly. “Do you deliver to the hospital?” The man nodded and Sharah pointed to a bunch of what looked like Earth Easter Lilies but in an amazing metallic pink color. “Would you deliver 3…no 4 of those to Mr. Yaimix Kigg in room 2417? No card. Just the flowers.” Sharah paid for them and then moved out of the crowd to the more clear green space beyond the stalls.

Sharah

Eela too was carrying full bags, though most of them weren’t too heavy. Tucked into one hanging off the crook of her elbow, were an abundance of flowers in a variety of colours but collective they had soft and romantic feel. Nothing too hard. Just lots of contrasting textures. The smiled had not left her face either, though it was tempered by something deeper: contentedness. She was truly enjoying herself.

Moving back to Sharah, the older woman looked more relaxed than she had all week. “Yep, it’s decided. Baring events I have to be at, even if I have to work on a Saturday, I’m giving myself two hours in the morning to be here and just be.” She gestured with her head. “Looks like you made out well also.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov