Concerns

Posted on 09 May 2012 @ 10:04pm by Ensign Im'er Mor'an & Ambassador Si'tar Del'an
Edited on on 10 May 2012 @ 10:33am

1,177 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 01 - Project Sienna
Location: Mor'an's Quarters - USS Galileo
Timeline: MD3: 2120 hours

[ON]

Meditating is one of the most rewarding habits, in Mor'an's experience. Usually, when she was engaged in such an act, nothing bothered her. However, there was one thing, or rather one person, who shook Mor'an out of her steady meditation like nothing else. The young cadet did not need to open her eyes when she felt the familiar presence behind her. How her mentor, for that was exactly who it was, entered without her hearing the door was beyond Mor'an's understanding.

"You have been away from your own people for too long," Del'an said as if her presence was perfectly normal and expected. She sat down cross-legged on the floor across from her student, her dark robes spilling around her and onto the floor like a small pond. He soft smile graced her lips and she reached for Mor'an's hand. "You act like them sometimes. You think like them sometimes."

"I do not mean to stray," Mor'an replied, not sure whether or not she was being reprimanded. "I still hold to our teachings, but sometimes I forget myself. I like this life, these people. The humans are not like us, but they mean well. The Federation is not as bad as you think."

"I do not think them bad," Del'an replied. "Few of our people are willing to communicate with the Federation. I have spent some years with them now as well. If you need guidance, you may always speak with me. I do not want you to forget who you are."

"I will never forget my roots," Mor'an assured her mentor, "Of that you can be certain. I want everyone else to understand and appreciate our culture. That is why I want to stay with Starfleet as long as possible. I am the first of us to go through the Academy and I hope to lead the way for others."

"I have spent my time in the Federation learning to know them. They are complicated and I do not know what would happen to our culture if we allowed them into our world. When cultures touch, they eat away at one another."

"Or they could become one with each other peacefully," Mor'an replied. She rarely contradicted her mentor, usually accepting whatever Del'an said without much thought.

"You think further ahead than your eye can see," Del'an replied. "But enough of this talk. I am here to see you. I want to know what your life is like here."

"It is different," Mor'an admitted, "I think differently than most of the other security and operations officers. But the crew has accepted me. They have never had anyone who could see IR, so I was an assent on one of Orexil's training missions. As a whole I like Starfleet and being part of the Federation."

"Of course they would appreciate you," Del'an said with a smile. "Oh, Mor'an, I have missed having you as my student. I will take another soon. Tell me, would you ever take on an apprentice or does your Starfleet not approve such things? It is important to hold your culture and pass it on to our younglings."

"If Starfleet does not approve than I have never heard of such a thing," Mor'an replied, "However, as much as I would enjoy becoming a mentor to a youngling, there is simply no time. I will after my time with Starfleet is over."

"When you become a more powerful member of our order, we will expect you to follow your responsibilities to us as well. But you have time before you are that experienced."

"I know, Ton'vora'a," Mor'an replied, the name of affection sliding off her tongue out of habit, the name she had used for Del'an as a small child. "I will honor my responsibilities, you know that. But sometimes..." She didn't want to continue, but now she knew she had to. "Sometimes I wish I could stay with Starfleet and train a youngling in a way that melds the two worlds together."

"When you are ready to have a student of your own, you will understand why our ways must come first. Only then may one understand the ways of others properly and without corruption of who they are. I have another question for you though."

Mor'an sat in silence, waiting for whatever it was that Del'an was about to say. Whatever it was, it couldn't be good.

Del'an fix the younger woman with that soul-piercing look she could call upon at will. "Do you still perform all of our rituals and adhere to our customs? There are many temptations here. It would be a simple thing to pass over the rituals before you eat, or to engage yourself with one who is not of our people."

"You are the one who trained me," Mor'an said, keeping her voice level. "You taught me all of our customs, our rituals. Do you have so little faith in both your teachings and in me to think I would dare do such a thing? Were you confident in me you would never ask such a thing."

"You know that is not true," Del'an said evenly, "If you are strong no test should disturb your serenity and what is a test of words from one who cares for you? A gentle rocking on a calm inlet. It may seem like a small concern, but I have studied these Federation people. It is as easy to fall into their chaotic ways as into their ordered ways."

"I understand your concern," Mor'an replied, "But I have lived within the Federation, been part of it. Nothing has ever shaken my serenity, and I do not plan on letting it be shaken in the future. I will be ready to take on a youngling -- being part of the Federation will never change that."

"I knew you would feel that way," Del'an said with a smile. "let us talk about less serious matters. What do you think of your first assignment?"

"I like it as of yet," Mor'an replied, relieved to be talking of something that caused less tension between them. "I am performing to the capacity of my abilities and so far my superiors have not complained. They seem to like me well enough."

"Do they push you?" she asked, "It is only in being pushed past our limits that we become limitless. I observed the teaching they provide in Starfleet Academy when I visited you."

"Of course they do," Mor'an said, sifting her position slightly, "Red Squad has pushed me further. I enjoy everything they put before me. They make me think and act."

"Good."

Silence settled over the pair. Del'an's eyes met those of her student and she looked at her without a word.

These were the times that occurred between two Ta'rkan that other races do not understand. No words are needed to communicate. The two simply stared at each other for a time.

[OFF]

Cadet Senior Grade Im'er Mor'an
Red Squad Intern
USS Galileo

Si'tar Del'an
Mission Observer
played by Chauncey William Remington III

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