Posted by Civilian Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi (Governor) in Friendship and Raw Fish

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Friendship and Raw Fish

Posted by Civilian Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi (Governor) in Friendship and Raw Fish
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Kenzo looked at her and simply raised his eyebrows slightly and smiled slightly. He shrugged and said “Well, your schedule has been very full lately.” and he took a piece and popped it in his mouth. He then poured two glasses of whiskey.

Kenzo

“I know. I really should do something about that,” Eela said, maybe talking about expanding her culinary horizons, or maybe not.

She lifted the glass to her lips, sip deeply, and allowed herself to relax into into the propped up lounge chair. Her thoughts were relaxed and far away from the Vren or Starfleet or anything else work related. “Is there anythjj in g you want to make more time for?”

~Eela

Kenzo was silent for a long time. He drank a few times, looking out over the garden, before he said “I… would like to not be alone outside of work. It has been some time since I was intrigued enough by anyone to consider investing time in a relationship. And I have no prospects, of course. I just…” He took a long drink. “I am tired of being alone, I think.”

Kenzo

Oh, how she understood! Loneliness could be a deep pit to live in even if the rest of your life was seemingly great. She had not only explained her species need for connection, but showed him. She drank more of the whiskey pondering how to respond. “It’s hard, especially for us. There’s a natural boundary between the job and the people we serve. Even when you can sense sincerity or not, there’s still the uneasy thought that there are ulterior motives. Relationship can mean so many different things as well. Finding someone who is in the same place in their life, who wants the same things, and who also understand the factors someone in your position must consider, well, I agree it’s hard.”

“And even if a more serious relationship isn’t the goal, if you make a connection and want more from it, depending on your culture it can be so unnecessarily awkward. I always appreciated the Risian approach actually. For a non-psi species, they are surprisingly open and pragmatic about asking for they need. Being in Starfleet, I was often the only Haliian on my postings, and I will say I benefitted from R&R there as much if not more than others I served with. Navigating all the cultural mores amongst the rest of the crew could be so exhausting. It was nice not to have to deal with that from time to time.”

~Eela

“I have never been.” he said softly. “But I certainly understand the exhaustion from navigating inner-species communication and social interaction.” He took a drink and then looked at her. “Di you House Duroc has around five hundred members on Oed? And in that small demographic, they represent almost a hundred different species?” He looked back out over the garden. “Our office has almost two thousand on staff, and we barely break thirty species. And it’s still so complicated that we have an entire office of mediators just for the staff.He shook his head and sighed slowly. “I do not know ow how he does it…”

Kenzo

She smiled as she gazed up at the stars starting to appear. “It’s a skill for sure, but with all things, a common goal can help immensely. And he inspires loyalty in those who otherwise would no have a place wherever they are. As someone who felt shoved off to the side, deemed less useful than before, I can understand gravitating towards a place where you can belong. I think all the different cultural differences are easier when you’re coming at it from it being the norm in that scenario. I would love to be a fly on the wall and watch him mediate disputes though,” she said with a gleam in her eyes. The psychologist in her loved observing how others handled different situations.

~Eela

He ate another mochi and chewed slowly. He took another drink. “What about you? Have you thought about pursuing a private engagement that would otherwise preclude you from spending long nights working or sitting here getting drunk with me while we commiserate about working?” and he chuckled softly.

Kenzo

Eela drank more heavily from her glass, letting the warmth spread through her. She laughed, partly at his question, partly at his earlier evasion turned back on her. “Ohhh, yes. But like so many things it feels more complicated these days. Before my accident I wouldn’t have hesitated. But now? You would think since the divorce I would relish the freedom and not having to factor Cory into the equation. I mean, I know myself and that because I have been through much these last few years that jumping into anything serious right away would be a mistake. Nor do I think I’m looking for a lone long-term partner. Been there, done that. It’s not where I’m at right now. So intimacy, companionship? Yes, that’s what I need. And yet I’m hesitant. Hell, I’d even say I’m scared and I’m not sure why exactly.”

She closed her eyes and just took a moment to let that feeling of being wanted, desired, wash over her. Her lips curled upwards into a smirk. “There’s possibly even an opportunity. Right now it’s just a flirtation, but one I’m greatly enjoying. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like that.” She opened her eyes and took another sip. “I used to be fearless with my heart. I still believe as I always have that the heart has an infinite capacity for love in all its forms. And yet, I’m hesitating, not because of the person, but because of something with me I haven’t figured out. Aside from one night after I separated from Cory, there hasn’t been anyone since the Steadfast. Given what I’ve already told you about connection… it’s a long time for me. And yet, I’m stuck.”

~Eela