The Path Not Taken: Dinner With The 'Enemy' (Part 2 of 6)

Posted on 24 Feb 2024 @ 9:34pm by Ensign S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor & Lieutenant JG Montgomery Vala

3,341 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Episode 19 - Tomorrow's Galileo
Location: Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, Earth
Timeline: Early 2396

Previously on The Path Not Taken: Dinner With The 'Enemy'

Sera watched him intently as he turned around for her, showing off his rather fascinating outfit…it fit him well. Quite well.

He lifted an arm and his hand easily swept out of the sleeve, he raised his hand and lightly touched her cheek with the back of his fingers, "Ouye, you look radiant, e'lev."

It was not often that she was caught off guard, but his honest compliments thrilled something within her. She dipped her head slightly and leaned ever so slightly against his touch on her cheek.. “As I am not capable of luminesce, your statement is illogical, Adun.”

Vala made to speak, but decided not to. He'd never really understood why humans used that term either. She was beautiful but she did not glow.

“I can see why your robe was so fascinating to Fvilleh…the subtle movements of the feathers are quite interesting.” Sera added, wondering how she was going to keep the cat off of his hemlines tonight…or her own fingers.

There wasn’t time to say much more as the iron bell gonged again, announcing someone at the door. “Will you see who is at the door?”

Vala bowed his head a little towards his ailhun, before sweeping around dramatically to walk to the door.

And Now, the Continuation...

[ON]

He slid it aside to reveal a tall Rihannsu, relatively elderly and grey. They were wearing a long dark navy garment that had an asymmetrical hem, with sleeves to the elbow and trousers beneath. Vala smiled and stood aside, his feathers rustling, "Jolan'tru, Imin. Welcome to our home," he allowed the man to enter, "Thank you for coming. This is my ailhun, S'Ers-a."

Sera had stopped a few steps behind Montgomery, but she did not hide behind his form. It was just what was considered appropriate in Vulcan culture.

Raising her hand in the traditional Ta’al, Sera intoned, “Peace and Long Life.”

“Aefvadh i mnei ei'krih.” She then added in accented Rihannsu. It was a Jirani accent, which let Imin know that whoever taught her came from that region.

Imin was seasoned enough that not much surprised him. This…this surprised him. Montgomery had aligned himself in such a manner with a Vulcan?

He studied the young woman, and responded appropriately to her welcome. It gave him a few seconds to study her. She was exotic to Rihannsu sensibilities. Perhaps that was the draw for Rh'vaurekorn? Imin couldn't think of a less desirable species to seek out as a mate.

Imin extended a wrapped bottle to Sera. “A token of thanks for such a thoughtful invitation. Narat wine. Made from Lehejme fruit. I have been saving it for a special moment…however, I have considered that as my life is slowing down, how many more of those do I still have in me?” He smiled warmly as Sera stepped forward, now side by side with Rh'vaurekorn–no further–and took the wrapped bottle with both hands.

“Does it require chilling?” Sera asked in the bland tone of voice most Vulcans parlayed in.

“I took it out of stasis right before coming. It should allow time to breathe, so no further chilling is required.” He responded amiably enough as he watched her gingerly remove the wrapping and study the printed label on the bottle.

Imin took his shoes off and placed them where pairs of Rh’vaurekorn’s and S’Ers-a’s were and was then ushered into the house by his colleague, and Sera followed, her eyes still on the label. He wondered idly what she was doing exactly.

“This wine is from ch’Rihan…this is priceless.” Sera said with a brow raise as they arrived in the main seating room. “Are you certain Rh’vaurekorn’s company is commiserate with the loss of this?”

The bark of laughter from Imin caused no reaction in Sera, but inwardly she was satisfied. Her attempts at humor were often met with mixed reviews. Apparently she had the appropriate components in her statement this time to be successful.

“If we don’t drink now…then when? Better amongst friends than enemies.” Imin replied and Sera tilted her head in response.

“Is this a drink that can be enjoyed prior to the meal? Or is it more of a digestif?”

“Now would be fine, my dear.” He responded and Sera dipped her chin in response--a gesture of assent--and padded off to the kitchen to remove the corking and pour some glasses.

Once far enough out of easy earshot, Imin turned and looked at Rh’vaurekorn pointedly. “I believe in our many discussions of your ailhun you have never once mentioned her…heritage.”

Vala raised an eyebrow conspiratorially, “Well we have the same… heritage. Just removed by… a couple of thousand years.” He laughed lightly at his own wit. It was pleasant to be socialising outside of the sterile canteen of Daystrom. “She is not a usual Vulcan,” he said gesturing to the central seating area, “There is something about her. A wonderful… edge.”

Sera was in the kitchen, but she heard everything that Montgomery said to his colleague. An edge? Not a usual Vulcan? Silently chastising herself for listening in on a conversation that wasn't meant for her, Sera instead focused on opening the bottle.

Imin raised his hands in mock surrender. Ah, the follies of youth. It was his relationship after all, and he seemed content. But Imin would agree that Rh’vaurekorn’s ailhun was different. It felt like a sliver underneath the skin. A subtle irritation of sorts. This would be a most entertaining night, he could feel it in his bones.

“Edges are sharp and they can cut. Be careful you do not lose any important pieces, Rh’vaurekorn.” Imin retorted with a smirk of amusement.

Vala chuckled, “Wise words,” he nodded, “Truly I have had more added than cut away.”

Sera efficiently returned from the kitchen holding a tray which held small sake cups. She was certain this was not the appropriate container to serve the Narat wine, but she could only use what was available.

She knelt to the one of the low tables near where Montgomery and Imin were still standing engaging in a verbal back and forth and she poured the liquid into two of the small cups. It smelled very fruity…and it was quite strong.

The tone of the old iron bell rang out again, and Sera glanced up to Montgomery.

He nodded to his mate, then eyed the wine before heading to the door. The heady notes of a ch’Rihan vintage played on his senses. It was certainly a profound sensation given the destruction that had been visited upon there only years ago. And now with this new war… many on Earth might consider it profane. But such a delicacy was to be honoured, and Imin too for giving it as a gift.

Vala slid the door open for the second time in the evening to reveal a somewhat diminutive Klingon, with a short beard and long black hair which was tied back. He was wearing a rather eclectic outfit. It was an unusual blend of the traditional armoured garb favoured by their kind with characteristics of the ancient warriors of Earth’s Japan. Leather shoulder pads gave way to an armoured robe of sorts, with reds and golds accenting the arms, lapels and an elaborate belt which featured two knives in sheaths.

“nuqneH and Jolan'tru Vala!” K'ratak called out with flawless Rihannsu and a typical Klingon energy. He stepped forward and gave Vala a firm slap on the upper arm, “You have more feathers than a waqboch but your beak is not so long!” He broke into a fit of laughter and stepped inside as Vala moved to one side to admit him.

“nu-qn-e-H K'ratak,” he butchered the pronunciation, “It is an honour to have you join us here.” He watched as the Klingon paced into the room, “Welcome to our abode,” he swung a great feathery sleeve to gesture at the two already present, “Imin you know of course, and this is my mate, S’Ers-a.”

“An honour to meet you S’Ers-a!” K'ratak’s accent once again managing the complex linguistics with ease, “And Imin it is always a pleasure to see you are yet alive!” He laughed deeply and made his way into the middle of the room.

Sera finished pouring servings for 3 and placed the bottle of Narat on the table and stood with the tray. Imin did not have to be told twice and took one of the small cups from the tray and thanked Sera with a nod. She then walked over to Montgomery and K’ratak.

“I have never had an opportunity to meet a Klingon scientist. I must inform you that that combination does feel somewhat incongruous.”

He gave another hearty laugh, "Many of my brethren believe blood must be spilled for a battle to be won. yabDaq San vaQ cha, pu' vISuv," he called out assertively, "Where there is a mystery, there is an opportunity to fight! Science and discovery is its own battlefield."

Sera raised the tray she was holding to K’ratak. “A small offering of Narat wine. Imin was quite generous to provide it. I do not believe what I am offering would be detrimental to your person, K’ratak. However, if this does not suit, I managed to procure two bottles of blood wine if that is more to your liking.”

His eyes widened, "That is most generous of you S'Ers-a," he smacked his chest with a fist, "Blood wine is a rare delicacy on Earth of late, you honour me with your attentions." He took the small glass, "I shall try this Romulan drink but no doubt blood wine will be my drink of choice.

“It is nothing. We have invited you to our home. It is my duty to see that you are made comfortable.”

K’ratak bowed his head, which he believed was a sufficient sign of gratitude. Such a gesture was almost worthy of an utterance of qatlho, though he was determined to reserve that for a situation with a good deal more mortality.

Finally, Sera turned to Montgomery and offered him a cup. Her eyes all but twinkled with unspoken mirth - remembering back to when they first met and almost immediately ran into cultural entanglements. Now such worries were behind them. It was more than appropriate to offer this to her mate.

Vala bowed his head deeply and took the cup with both hands. The receiving of a drink from S'Ers-a was always a moment of affirmation for both of them, and he could feel the warmth of it through their bond. "Khnai'ra, e'lev," he said softly, his eyes affixed to hers, "Do you not wish to try some?"

Sera raised a brow. “I will sample the Narat later. It smells quite intoxicating and I still have to provide the meal. I am uncertain how efficient I might be if I start imbibing now.”

He smiled and laughed lightly, "Perhaps that is wise. I suspect it is most potent." He smelled the drink deeply, allowing the melancholy and nostalgia wash over him. It was a drink from a different time. Before the war. Before Hobus. For him it was a drink from before even the Dominion War. He took the smallest of tastes and allowed the burning liquid to slowly move over his tongue. He closed his eyes and allowed the flavour to transport him back to ch’Rihan for a few moments.

–-

Imin sipped from the small cup that held the Narat. Its potency was still something to behold, even after all these years. He smiled to himself as he walked around the main room looking at the various items displayed that helped make the space feel ‘homey.’ However, as he got to the corner and saw a low chest made of S'Vekhara Hemlock.

”Now why would you be here…?” he said to himself in soft Rihannsu. This was not an object he would have associated with Rh’vaurekorn. He crouched down and looked closer at it. A picture of a stylized Aen'rhien. It was the clan symbol of…which one now…ah, Nerik - once one of the most powerful houses with the Jirani clan on Ch’Rihan. He raised a brow. He knew a Nerik, once. A most promising young female, just starting her career within the Tal Shiar.

By the elements, what an unusual piece to be found in a humble home of a bastard and a Vulcan…

Imin downed his Narat in one large gulp, and immediately paid for it. He grimaced and coughed as the fumes entered his lungs. Once his eyes cleared, he saw Rh’vaurekorn’s ailhun standing next to him with a glass of water. He did not hear her approach. That did not happen very often.

“Oh, child. Now you are just humoring an old man.” He graciously took the water and began to drink, and used the moment to passively study her. S’Ers-a’s expression remained completely serene. The female gave away absolutely nothing.

“Perhaps the Narat has already impaired your judgment. I am Vulcan. From what I understand, humor comes from a response to the recognition of unusual patterns or connections. As I do not recognize an old man before me, I find your statement illogical.” Sera responded.

“My. Rh’vaurekorn was correct. You are an unusual Vulcan.” Imin replied, his dark eyes assessing her in the same manner she recognized her foremother use from time to time.

Not knowing what to say, Sera merely raised a brow at Imin, and respectfully left his presence to return to the kitchen where the appetizers were waiting to be served. She did not dare to look behind her. Although Montgomery spoke very highly of the man, Sera felt unnerved by him. He had eyes that saw everything, just like her Komehk-il. It might have been the way he was studying the chest too...

–-

The iron bell rang for, what Vala assumed would be, the final time this evening. He swept over to the door, his feathers rustling, and slid it open, revealing the last guest of the evening. It was a Rihannsu woman, slender, with tightly tied long black hair and a slightly flinty expression. She was wearing a simple dress made up of several earthy tones, secured with a leather belt.

"Jolan'tru, Vala,," S'anra said looking him up and down, "Are we to partake in some sort of ceremony this evening?" She gave a wry smile, "Priests of my ei'krih wore less elaborate garb.

Vala stood back to allow her to enter, his arms making an audible swish as he did so, "You only have your forefathers to blame for that, S'anra. I believe it was the Khelliana who settled Dhaelthra in the first place, and this has become fairly normal garb for the summer." He chuckled lightly as she entered, "Though I will admit it is rather more elaborate than I remember."

S'anra stepped cautiously through the threshold and into the main room. The party was now complete.

"S'anra, you know Imin and K’ratak well," he switched to standard for the benefit of his Klingon friend, "but this is my ailhun S'Ers-a." He gestured to his e'lev.

Sera again held up the ta’al, and offered customary greetings. She did not often stand on such ceremonies but given the variety of guests she was reminded of IDIC.

"You are not Rihannsu." S'anra stated, slightly taken aback, as Vala walked away, "I had assumed… You know the way Vala speaks of you… One might assume you were of our people."

“Rh’vaurekorn often makes the point that we are of the same people, essentially. Which, as a Vulcan, I must say is…ignoring a great many of our differences. Culturally, socially, physically, spiritually.” Sera paused for a moment. “Although I must admit that he is somewhat better at the delivery of that sentiment. It almost makes me believe him.”

Sera did however raise a brow at the Romulan woman’s comment. She was curious about what her mate had told his colleagues about her.

“I do believe you hold me at a disadvantage. I know very little of you other than the collective discontent over your treatment since the beginning of these hostilities.”

“A similar story to Rh’vaurekorn’s no doubt,” she said, subtly examining S’Ers-a’s features, “We all fled the Star Empire due to various injustices and found a place in the Federation.” Her head moved slowly to the side, and she gazed into Sera’s eyes, “We were lucky in some twisted way, you know. Being forced back to Daystrom, all together… It's the first time any of us have spent time with other Rihannsu for years. We had been starved of culture.”

Sera understood to an extent what S’anra was describing, although she considered any culture shock she endured to be an inconvenience compared to losing one’s home planet, language, and one’s very cultural identity.

Glancing over to Montgomery, Sera remembered his explanation on why he had changed his name to something more ‘human’ sounding. It was an attempt to find a measure of belonging in a place that was utterly alien.

She was struck by a sudden thought. Even she had taken on a ‘Federation’ name. It had been necessary to simplify it for the humans, mostly. It was a compromise; One of many she had to make in order to adapt to the foreign world within ‘Starfleet.’

“Indeed. All of us have been made to adapt to the human-centric culture of Starfleet in some form or another. They are quite forceful in the expectation of acceptable behaviors which are often based on their own customs and beliefs.”

"The Federation is the Human Empire by another name," S'anra responded, her tone making it clear that she did not have a shred of doubt in the statement, "There may be rights, freedoms and advancement available for other species but Earth is the seat of power. Their culture dominates, trade spreads their way of life far."

She looked into S'Ers-a's eyes, "Since learning of the history of this planet and the Federation I could never understand why your people, our distant kin, did not assert themselves more. Vulcans held all the cards, yet they allowed humans to rule. It is… curious to me."

“I have no suitable answer. I am not the best spokesperson for the mindset of the Vulcan people. Perhaps they saw what the humans were capable of, having introduced themselves shortly after one of their major ‘world’ wars. Or they simply bowed to the inevitable. Humans are…rather pervasive.”

Sera looked over her shoulder to Montgomery. His shoulders had tightened up imperceptibly, and simmering anger trickled through their bond. “I should probably serve more drinks.” Sera said to S’anra. “The mood of the evening is quickly turning to darker emotions. That will not serve to help all feel welcomed and relaxed. I have observed that usually more drinks help?”

S’anra’s lips formed into a small smile, “Help or hinder, they make things more interesting,” she laughed.

To be continued...

[OFF]

--

LTCMDR Montgomery Vala
Chair of Xenogeology
Department of Xenogeology, Daystrom Institute

S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor
House wife of Bise Village

Dr. S’anra Krotash
Entomologist
Department of Zoology, Daystrom Institute
[PNPC Vala]

Dr. K'ratak of House Grevaq
Algae Engineer
Department of Microbiology, Daystrom Institute
[PNPC Vala]

LTCMDR Imin Volskiar
Senior Botanist
Department of Botany, Daystrom Institute
[PNPC S'Ers-a]

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