Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Eela’s Apartment- Compelling Things to Grow

Posted by Lieutenant Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Eela’s Apartment- Compelling Things to Grow

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Eela’s Apartment- Compelling Things to Grow
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“Oh please.” She passed her two hard bottomed tote baskets filled with seedlings, “I’m afraid I am going to tip them over.” Then she adjusted the other bags with a grin. “I may have gone overboard. How are you today?

Carrying the totes with care, Eela moved through the large dining room which was an open space adjacent to the living room, but was separated by two large smooth structural pillars and a clear glass fireplace. A large dark wooden table with ten wooden chairs took centre stage atop a geometrically patterned rug in creams, greens and blues. Flowers from the market filled a couple vases on the side board and a large arrangement was crafted in a piece of round pottery.

“I’m doing well, actually. Slept really well and getting to sleep in was novel. Only had to field three calls from the office too. I consider that a win,” Dasca said over her shoulder as she moved around the table.

“How are you?” Eela asked.

Sharah was careful as she moved around the table, giving her totes a wide berth. Nothing would damage Eela’s table but for Sharah having made it this far without knocking things over inside the tote it would be a shame for that to happen with only a few feet left to go. “This week has been much better than the last two. I am happy to say that all my patients are showing improvement, and I can’t ask for more than that. I still haven’t found the right place to hang my painting, but the effort has proven to be diverting, and our schedules have evened out enough I’ve managed to spend time with Markus rather than a passing wave between shifts. So I would say I’m doing well.”

Eela felt a swell of happiness for the pair. “I’m glad you two are getting time together. It’s so important for couples and sometimes it’s so very precious,” she said with a deep knowing, the kind that came from both a positive and negative place.

Sharah nodded, “It is. I’m glad that we had so much time before we came here. It was personally necessary but it was good for us too.” Sharah knew Eela was right and her words carried life experience. Even for two people like Sharah and Markus, who were so telepathically and empathically connected, time for to be just them together was important.

Following Eela toward the patio Sharah breathed it in. “This is lovely, so much light and the view is wonderful. Oh,” she turned about and glanced at the sun. “You’ll be able to get full and partial light out here. Wonderful.” Sharah’s enthusiasm seemed boundless when it came to plants.

Fayth, SFCMO

“Right? I was very excited when I first moved in and saw the potential right away. The patio is big enough that I can have little outdoor rooms. Still lots to do on that front, but I had to let security do their thing first, which is why I’m glad I waited till now to do any gardening related tasks,” Dasca said as she set the totes on a pale coloured round wooden table and gestured to the edge of the exterior patio wall. It was hard to see since it was designed not to obscure her view, but there was a very slight shifting when you moved your head that was caused by a large transparent sheet that spanned the entire edge of the patio. Designed to prevent projectile and energy weapons from penetrating, it meant there would be no resting arms on the edge and looking over.

“You know, at first I was a bit miffed at the imposition but it is far better that I can read or dine out here on a nice day and not worry about my safety.” Eela planted her hand on a hip and shook her head. “I will say that that is probably one of the biggest things I’ve had to get used to. On a starship, everyone is cleared and secure. I could walk any of the 30 decks of the ship and not worry. And though I was used to security being around when I was on diplomatic assignments, it’s just so much more intense here. We spoke a bit about the necessary paranoia, but it’s hard to get used to.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov

Sharah set the remaining totes on the table or ground. “Hmmm it is a little hard to get used to. I’m used to calling security for any problems with a simple tap of my combadge, but I can’t do that now. I have to take into account who the patient is and which medical staff is involved and then call any and all of them. I have been very lucky that General Tenkiller is not just competent and self assured but also smart and doesn’t really have any arrogance. He’s been wonderful to work with as far as the special security goes.” Scanning the patio again Sharah pointed at the farthest corner that was still shaded. “That will be the perfect place for all these herbs. I remembered you said you like tea and cooking when you can so…” Fayth started digging into one of the bags that Eela had carried out and pulled small seedling containers out…16 of them. “So we have here 2 of each because that’s the minimum for pollination and growth. We have Jestral, Kezeraway from Ur-rota, Star Petal, Mint, Terragon, Oregano, Pata Husk, and Cinnamon.”

Fayth, SFCMO

Lovely!” Dasca said with genuine enthusiasm. She gestured to the large rectangle wooden planters. “I had them fill the planters only three-quarters of the way so that we could amend them with organic matter or other things as necessary, because I know not everything likes the extra nutrients and some prefer poorer soil, though to be fair I don’t off hand which is which for most of these. Theres a little nook on the opposite side where I had all the potting mix and told stashed until we needed them. But I also have garden cart so we don’t have to carry the bags around, just pull them.” Dasca spread her hands to the sides and grinned. “You’re in charge here, Sharah. You’re in charge and I defer to your expertise so just put me to work. All I ask is that we mix edibles with the ornamentals as much as possible. Practical but still pretty is what I’m going for.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Sharah looked around as if imagining it. “We’ll start with the herbs while it’s still cooler. Their roots don’t like being exposed to heat. Though it’s not hot to us.” She found two long but shallower planters and then a square one that was deeper. “Alright so Jestral grows a bit taller than the others so we’re going to put them in the far end of this long planter and place the planters so that end is near the windows, allowing the others to get more of the soft light. Then Kexeraway and Star Petal require different nutrients to grow. So we will put all three in the planters together and they will help balance the soil out for each other.” She lifted the planter onto a table and set out several tools. “You only need to dig a hole and put the whole plant in. You don’t need to loosen the seedling soil. The Jestral needs to be at least 3 inches apart. The Star Petal likes to grow together so you can put both of those in the same hole and the Kexeraway needs a inch an a half between them.” Sharah pointed to each as she explained.

Then she opened a bag at her feet and started pulling out tubbing and sensors and wires connectors and sealant tape. “While you do that, I’m going to set up the automatic irrigation system for this planter.” Using a small laser drill Sharah began making holes every two inches along the lower back side of the planter and then feeding flexible tubing into them. Suddenly she stopped, “Whoops.” She moved around to the small nook and looked at the different bags of soil, grabbed one that was half empty and brought it back. “Here you go. That one should be a good filler for those.” Then she went back to work feeding the tubes into sturdier pipes and feeding sensors and wires through them. “These will detect the nutrient levels in the soil and the moisture level. When we’re done it will be automatic. The system will add plant food and water as needed. All you have to do is make sure the reservoirs stay full so the system can work.”

Fayth, SFCMO