Posted by Civilian Jeannette Mathis (Federation Ambassador) in Farmer’s Market- Casual Saturday Diplomacy

Posted by Civilian Griget Kek (Vren Ambassador) in Farmer’s Market- Casual Saturday Diplomacy

Posted by Civilian Jeannette Mathis (Federation Ambassador) in Farmer’s Market- Casual Saturday Diplomacy
Posted by… suppressed (19) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Having reached out to Kek and pitching the idea, Jeanette found herself in a good mood the next Saturday as she and Ren made their way over to Sloane Square. the market was in full swing and the content and happy energy from the market goers was infectious. She would be taking Kek through the market (with unobtrusive guards in tow on her part), and Ren was going to head off to the artist supply shops to get some of the things they needed to finish supplying their new studio.

The agreement was to meet in the Square by a set of benches off ot the side where they could greet each other without being in the way of others.

This was not some show they were putting on, though Revna’s suggestion to be seen together in public was an excellent one. The way Jeanette saw it, they needed a relaxed meeting with low stakes before they all sat down at the table for formal talks. Showing Kek the market was a great way for him to get to know Oed’s people and culture a bit better, and for the people of Oed to see that there was nothing to worry about. Or perhaps, less to worry about than they might be imagining.

After kissing Ren on the cheek as they headed off, Jeanette wandered over to one of the benches that seemed to be occupied. The person sitting there got up adn casually moved over to lean against a tree while she took a seat on the bench. She draped the long dark blue open cardigan over her legs. She was dressed for comfort, but still looked her usual polished self in royal blue linen trousers and a drapey white top made of a t-shirt material. Her long blond hair was loose.

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador

The obvious lowering of volume in the crowd was the first indication that something wasn’t normal. Then the crowd further down the path from the Ambassador parted to make way for a lone figure.

The Vren Ambassador was dressed in a loose fitting robe and walked with an ornate walking stick in his left hand. His head didn’t move, but his eyes did, seemingly taking in everything around him. He was quiet noticeably alone, odd considering the amount of people and public exposure he faced. He approached the bench and then gave Mathis a half-bow. “Ambassador. I thanks you for the invitations to accompany you. The market seemses to be quiet lively, today.” His facial expression was far to unknown to read, but the tone in his voice jovial.

Kek - Vren Ambassador

She rose with an easy smile on her face that was actually genuine. Despite how hard recents times had been, she was eager to get to know Kek better. Besides, they all could use a break and a chance to interact without so many stakes on the table. Today was not about negotiations, it was about connection and camaraderie. “Indeed it is. So far I’ve managed to stop by a few times and it seems to vary. It’s good to see people out and out.”

Jeanette drew closer. “I’m glad you agreed to join me. I thought we could just wander and chat. Do you have public markets like these back on Tutsikara?”

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador

“Oh yes!” Kek said excitedly. “In our capital we have a continuous market that never closes. Some of our ecology is strictly nocturnal-night, so we have vendorses who only sell their wares at night.” He turned and matched her walking speed as they began to move into the market area. Kek seemed completely nonplussed at the obvious stares, shocked expressions, and even a few glares. “It is a wonderful place to find almost anything our home provides.” The eyes rotated this way and that and he asked “Is this standard for your people’s cities?”

Kek - Vren Ambassador

She loved his enthusiasm. As they moved into the market, she walked at a relaxed pace, unhurried. “It depends on the planet and the various cultures found there. Across the Federation, many different people have markets like these, though some do not. If you mean specifically Humans, then yes, among a great many different Human cultures, markets have been an essential part of life. Even after we took to the stars and settled elsewhere, markets tend to pop up, even if what they offer can differ a great deal.”

As they started along the perimeter, she gave curious onlookers a friendly smile and a nod and then returned her focus to Kek.

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador

“Most fascinating.” Kek said. As they passed the stall of a local bakery, Kek stopped. His eyes focused on the various sizes and shaped loaves of bread, and his nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. “Oh… oh my.” and a soft chirrup issued from his throat. “What is that? It smells amazing!”

Kek - Vren Ambassador

“It’s called bread. It’s a leavened dough that is baked. Usually the most basics ingredients are flour and water, and from there other things can be added to change the taste or texture,” Jeanette explained. “And yes, the smell is intoxicating. I’m not sure if it’s something you can digest or not, but if you’re interested in trying some, I can purchase some and your people can check to see if it is something you can tolerate. If so, it could be quite the interesting experience.” She was mindful of what Vren physiology she knew thus far, and at the gala she hadn’t seen any of them veer away from their own carefully curated food. Yet, Kek was more adventurous them most of contingent, so if there was anyone who might try, it was him. She just wanted to be safe and not make him ill because they didn’t take precautions. That would be a nightmare.

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador

Kek looked at the bread as she spoke. The eyes then rotated and fixed on the stall owner. “Apologieses. I do not knowing if there is offenses to me scanning your wares? Just to see if I can try some?” The vendor, who was openly staring at the Vren, finally shook his head and said “Oh! Um… naw. I don’t suppose that would be an issue.” He looked at Mathis and then Kek, then back and forth again as Kek reached into the left sleeve of his robe and produced something that looked like and old Earth ultrasound wand and he held it towards the bread. A soft sound like one of the old tricorders from Star Fleet’s early years issued forth. After a few seconds, Kek stopped and looked at a display screen. He watches the display for a few moments and then a loud chirp came out of him. “I think we are okay!” He looked at the loaves on the counter and then said to Mathis “Do you utilize currency or virtual payments here?”

Kek - Vren Ambassador

She grinned. “Depends on the vendor, but you’ll find both across Oed. In this market though, Federation credits are usually preferred.” Mathis pulled out her card and handed it to the vendor. “The Ambassador will have that one, but I’d like one as well.”

The vendor put the two loaves in small bags and handed one to each diplomat. Kek immediately reached in and tore a small piece off and held it flat on the palm of his hand. His lips parted, there was a bright blue flash as his tongue shot out and the bread disappeared. He stood motionless for a few moments and then he let out a slight, low chirp. The eyes fixed on the vendor and he said ” Fantastical, truly. Please prepare sixty of these for transport. I will have someone’s comes to you and lift it with their hands… I mean ‘pick it up’, apologies.”

Jeanette quirked her eyebrows upwards slightly as she broke into a half-smirk. “Bread take hours to prepare, because it involves a living ingredient called yeast.It requires time to activate so it can rise, or grow and puff up so it becomes less dense. So sixty loaves is a lot unless you have a large operation and more prep time.” She turned to the baker. “Is sixty loaves manageable? And in what time frame?” She wanted to be fair to the baker and not assume.

The baker blinked and drew in a deep breath, glad Mathis intervened a little. “We just have a small kitchen and bake in batches. Our small commercial oven can do 9 loaves at a time.” The baker went quiet for a moment, looking off to the side as they calculated times. Finally, they looked at Kek and tried to maintain their nerves. “We can do 49 loaves for pickup or delivery tomorrow? Any more than that and we’ll need more time.”

“Take all the times. Comm our ship when yous are done and we will come.” Kek said excitedly.

“Bread can be used in different ways for different meals. It can be warmed up and served alongside other dishes. Some people like to to put different spreads on it. You can toast slices, or put layers of fillings in the middle for something we call a sandwich. The ends can be dried out and toasted to add to other dishes as a way to thicken them, or as an outside coating on meats. Most Humanoid cultures have some sort of bread, as it’s one of those developmental things that occurs in our evolution. Learning to move from hunting and gathering to cultivating agriculture and combining things into multi-ingredient dishes is an important step in building our civilizations.”

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador

Kek looked at Mathis and said “A versatile food, indeed. And so very deliciousness.”

Kek - Vren Ambassador

Jean grinned. “I’m glad you like it. You’ll be happy to know then that there are many different types and there are a lot of different flavours that can be added that can enhance the experience.”

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador

Kek almost bounced in delight and said “I cannot wait to experiences all of them.” He turned away from the bread stand and began walking deeper into the market. As they walked, Kek watched the many species interactions and then said to Mathis “How do you maintain such… what is word… ‘decorum’… with all soany species here?”

Kek - Vren Ambassador

Jean nodded slowly as they meandered. “Most colonies require cooperation as a starting point, even if they aren’t a part of a larger organization like the Federation. Oed Five is quite special. There are a lot of people here you wouldn’t find on other colonies. As I understand it, law enforcement has had their hands full with issues from time to time. No place is perfect, especially this far away from other Federation worlds. At its heart Oed, and the Federation have core values in common. That’s what keeps most of the people here working together. They value collaboration. Are there those that would try to take advantage of that and sow discord, but the people of this colony are especially adverse to those that want to harm what they’ve worked so hard to create.”

“Such as the Vren.” Kek said flatly. “Myself and those whose shared my same point of view are too much aware of the history between us and the colony. It is a black mark on our history.”

Jeanette took in that statement with a steadying breath. “No one will disagree that is was not a great time between out peoples, Ambassador. But that was before, as you said, it was the past. We aren’t going to pretend it didn’t happen, but it serves no one to stay rooted there. This moment now is far more important, and so far I see so much heop, even amongst the challenges. Don’t you agree?”

“What about on Tutsikara? How do you handle conflict amongst yourselves?”

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador

Kek topped and looked at a stand filled with homemade jewelry. ” That depends on many factors. What is the nature of the offense between the parties, what laws may or may not have been broken, and how much restitution the wrong party wishes.” He lifted a necklace and peered at it intently. “And our society, the punishment and method of such is dictated by the victim or the wrong individual or group. This has led to feuds and long-standing bloodline clashes throughout our history.”

Kek - Vren Ambassador

Mathis took these details in stride and it was a very good thing to remember when it came to the Vren. Their sense of justice approached things from a different place, and that was an important perspective to keep in mind as they went forward with negotiations. “I can see how that would shape your sense of situations, including the one here,” she said, reaching for a silver ring with twisted braids. There were several dark green stones alternating around the braid and she thought it was something Ren might love. Perhaps an anniversary gift?

“What I hope you will keep in mind is that your offer of restitution was accepted,” she said, mindful not to speak in details of it aloud. “In our mind, we begin in an equal position now, and one where we can help figure out solutions to a difficult issue for you. That, I believe, is the ultimate show of faith on both our parts.”

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador

“Equals.” Kek said and then was silent a moment. “Our society is very caste-centric, so that concept is hard for me to grasp at times; but I believe that is a good place to start, yes.” He looked at the vendor and said “I admire most great your art. Please… select a few pieces that I may take home as gifts.” The head and shoulders of the Vren Ambassador turned slowly towards Mathis. ” And please include that ring. The Ambassador seems to have likening to it.”

Kek - Vren Ambassador

Gifts could be a delicate and tricky area in diplomacy, but her instincts told her that this was nothing more than. a kind gesture. An important one too. Jeanette bowed her head. “That is very kind of you, I’m honoured. I was thinking my spouse might like it. They are an artist themselves and rarely wear jewellery on their hands, but they will for special events. We do tend to have more than a few of those with my line of work,” Mathis said, smiling.

The artisan flushed with both pride and the sheer adrenaline of having such an important event taking place right now before her. “I’m very happy to do so Ambassador,” she said to Kek, trying hard not to stare before she zipped into action, gathering boxes and bags to hold the items. In total, there was a bracelet, two intricate necklaces in differing styles, a larger arm cuff, and the ring Mathis was inspecting. She put it all in a cloth bag and offered it to Kek. “I hope those who are the recipients of the gifts enjoy them.”

Jeannette Mathis, Federation Ambassador

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