The Path Not Taken: Dinner With The 'Enemy' (Part 4 of 6)

Posted on 26 Feb 2024 @ 10:47pm by Ensign S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor & Lieutenant JG Montgomery Vala

4,058 words; about a 20 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'

“Imin saw the chest…I had not considered. It is not an object that generally would be found in an abode such as ours.” Sera said finally by way of initiating conversation. “Imin had…questions.”

His eyes narrowed, she was being circumspect. Evasive. His eyes glanced to the thin line of green on her neck, “You are wounded,” he stated, concern welling up within him. “What happened here? What did he do?” He bared his teeth a little.

“It is nothing. I have sustained worse, adun.”

Aggression. It rose again, although it was not from her. Irrelevant. Her hand trembled as she gripped his wrist.

“Varin…it is alright. He was concerned for you. He was ascertaining whether or not I was a threat to your safety.”

Vala shook his head, “It is far from alright,” he closed his eyes, “It is a dishonour. You are my ailhun. It is… it is an insult.” He growled.

Sera reached up and gently ran the fingers of her free hand down his brow and cheek in an attempt to soothe, much in the way she had calmed Fvillhu earlier. It would be all too easy to succumb to whatever was coursing through them.

“It is…and no doubt will you speak with him at a more appropriate time. For now, however, I think he will behave himself.”

Montgomery opened his mouth to press his outrage, perhaps, but Sera halted him with a rather uncharacteristic display of affection by capturing his mouth in a kiss that proved quite satisfactory in releasing the pent up energy between the two of them. Although…it also proved quite satisfactory in creating a new problem.

She regretfully pulled away, ending the exchange with a playful nip of his lower lip. “We have guests to entertain…and I do not believe we discussed that kind of entertainment for this gathering.”

“I have the Kali-fal chilling in the stasis unit, and the trays of ‘finger’ foods are ready for the table, if you would like to assist?”

Vala blinked a few times, his mind rapidly trying to reconstruct rational thought after the sudden show of affection from S’Ers-a. She was right - whatever was going on with Imin… it could wait.

“Of course, e’lev,” he spoke a little breathlessly, still grounding himself, “I will deal with him later.” He took a deep breath, shaking the stronger of his passions away, “I shall not forget this,” he raised his hand and stroked along her jaw to her lips, “Or that.”

With a raise of his eyebrow he collected a couple of trays and left the kitchen for the festivities.


And Now, the Continuation...

[ON]

K’ratak raised a cup to Vala as he re-entered the central room, “'IwlIj jachjaj! It has been many cycles since I have had a drop of such fine wine, you have my gratitude!”

“You must thank S’Ers-a, K’ratak, I’m afraid I am not such a conscientious host as she,” Vala replied as he placed the trays on the table, all the while avoiding Imin’s gaze.

“Well it is very much to my liking,” the Klingon replied jovially, his eyes shifting to Sera as she walked out of the kitchen, “S’Ers-a this blood wine is magnificent, choquvmoH! You honour me!” He bowed his head deeply in her direction.

Sera dipped her head in a respectful nod to K’ratak. Given Klingon gastronomic…peculiarities, obtaining the blood wine was the only compromise that Sera’s stomach would tolerate. It was quite fortuitous that items like gagh were now impossible to procure.

Placing the trays of bites on the low table in the dining room, Sera nudged things here and there to ensure that everything was laid out just so. Imin came up to her and reached his hand out as she was attempting to de-cork one of the kali-fals.

Sera allowed him to take the bottle from her and with a surgically precise twist, the stopper was removed. She could tell he wanted to say something, and raised a brow in encouragement.

“I must apologize. I behaved as an untried youth, although perhaps that may be a bit of a stretch.” He smiled slightly, causing the age lines to crease in a more visible manner.

“Expect a discussion with Rh’vaurekorn, Imin.” Sera answered serenely. “You managed, rather succinctly I might add, to uncover quite personal details I would rather not have become public knowledge.”

Imin frowned. “I know nothing of what you speak, S’Ers-a.” The frown melted away to a very conspiratorial smile. “We must stick together, all of us.”

S’anra wandered over, her eye drawn to the tray of food, “May I inquire as to the nature of this food, S’Ers-a?” She asked, gesturing to the trays.

Sera looked down to the tsuki-dashi and raised a brow. It was an assortment of common Japanese small bites that had been modified with things that Montgomery had let her sample over the years. “Tsuki-dashi…perhaps with a Rihannsu twist?”

Sera pointed to the bowl of edamame. “That is salted edamame…soy bean pods. Rh’vaurekorn is fond of them, and they are quite palatable, even though you must use your hands to effectively shuck them.” Her finger hovered over to another plate. “These are shumai…of a sort. They are usually made with a small crustacean and chopped vegetables…I substituted the wonton wrapper for Yelath leaf, and inside is a mixture of grilled Yeltran root and it is served with a fire-bloom salsa.” Sera had prepared them for the first time as an experiment. They were quite satisfactory.

“The platter holds some sashimi that I procured from a local eatery. Animal protein is an important facet to everyone’s dietary preferences here; I wanted to ensure there were…options.”

“Yeltran root… you are versed in Rihannsu cuisine,” S’anra nodded, impressed, “Vala is very fortunate, not all appreciate our… superior palate.” She glanced at the sashimi, then the edamame, “I am also fond of these Earth dishes. Raw seafood was a delicacy of my clan. I was quite gratified to find it was available so close to the Institute when I first arrived.” Her eyes slid up to S’Ers-a’s, “Did you prepare anything Vulcan for us to try?”

“I did not.” Sera replied. “I did not consider that anyone here would desire to try such cuisine. It is vegetarian.”

“You would be surprised,” she said in her usual matter of fact tone, “One of my lovers is a vee-gan. Are you familiar? They do not eat meat or any product of a beast. Even nectar from insects!” She snorted a little derisively, “I have eaten his food and it was quite impressive for something without anything related to animals in it.”

Sera raised a brow in surprise. It wasn’t the mention of veganism that did it; it was how easily S’anra spoke of her having multiple partners…at the same time. How…different.

“My clan did not engage in that strict of a dietary regimen. The region my clan inhabits can be quite unforgiving. We do not have the luxury of eschewing all animal products.”

“Meat is important to Rihannsu,” S’anra said simply, “But when in the Federation, one must adapt.” She fixed Sera with a pointed gaze, “Next time you must share your culture’s food. It would honour us all.”

“If you wish. The next gathering I will prepare some Vulcan dishes.” Sera replied. She had become quite proficient at a number of Vulcan dishes since moving back to Earth.

S’anra leaned forward and lightly gripped Sera's upper arm and smiled, “Imin and I, at least, may appreciate a taste from the land of our forebears,” she glanced away, “Connections are important and… well you know what happened to Romulus.”

Sera nodded solemnly in response. “My clan would accept you, no doubt.” Sera said after a moment’s worth of deliberation. She may have been speaking somewhat out-of-turn, but if any clan would be accepting of erstwhile ‘cousins,’ hers would.

“They would?” S’anra’s face shifted to curiosity as she withdrew her hand, “Why? I was always taught that your people did not… gel particularly well with our kind.”

“Surak often lamented about the sundering of our peoples. He felt that failing to prevent the schism was his greatest…failure.”

“S’Task too…” S’anra said softly before wistfully looking into the distance, “Who knows where this path will lead. For it to end up on Vulcan would be unusual, yet… apt.”

Sera looked thoughtful, but her placid expression clouded momentarily. It had been a conundrum she had meditated on a lot lately, and with finding her travel restricted to the island - Sera was concerned with the possible end-game for all of them. By her bond with Montgomery - she was one of them, now. It filled her with a grim determination.

“It is something that should be considered. Although perhaps…premature, I have some concerns over our presence here. I will be contacting the Matri…” Sera paused, as if gathering herself, “I will contact my mother tomorrow, to discuss potential options.”

S’anra nodded. Her position up until now had been reasonably secure, but the way things were sliding meant that having an option, any option, would be preferable to none if it came to the crunch. "As my father was wont to say, ‘A single door closed is a hundred paths forgotten; keep the key within reach.’"

–-

K’ratak and Vala, meanwhile had taken a position near the open door, looking out on the small ornamental garden which was basking in the silvery moonlight.

“Vala, this setting is truly serene, you have done well finding this little village,” K’ratak spoke thoughtfully, observing the stillness outside, “It is a stark contrast from the Institute. And what’s going on up there…” He indicated the stars above.

“I came here back in ‘73 when I was released by Starfleet Intelligence,” Vala responded, glancing sideways at the Klingon, “Back then people in the city were not particularly tolerant of Romulans. Out here… I don’t know why but people seemed to not mind too much. I’ve always stayed in this area on my return to Daystrom.” He took a deep breath of the sea air, “It is tranquil… but I would sooner be aboard a ship.”

K’ratak nodded, “And I too. Not much to terraform here!” He smiled and chuckled lightly, “I do not know what my people seek to gain from this war. It does not seem right that such a formidable alliance be broken and turned upon itself. Then for the High Council to ally your Star Empire,” he bared his teeth, “I do not wish to offend but the thought leaves the bitterest taste in my mouth.”

“None taken, my friend,” Vala said with a smile, “They are not mine. It is as strange to me from the other perspective.” He allowed silence to fall for a few moments, the breeze lightly buffeting his robe’s feathers, “I hope the Federation will find its faith in me. In all of us. If not… where else can we go.”

“reH bang vIlegh! There is always a horizon,” K’ratak’s hearty Klingon echoed, “We will seek it out if we must!”

Vala smiled, then turned to look back inside, “Wise words as ever, K’ratak. Let us go and join the others.”

With that they both proceeded towards the table.

–-

Sera had begun pouring glasses of Kali-fal to go with the meal. Fvillhu chose to make his appearance at this time, jumping up on the low table and snagging a piece of tuna sashimi. Sera sighed softly and put the bottle down and picked up the feline who still held the piece of fish in his mouth. “Fvillhu, Rai.” She admonished.

“A most skilled feline,” S’anra observed, her mouth forming into a smirk, “Adept as any member of the Tal Shiar,” she laughed, then sipped her drink. “Its name would ruffle many if we were in the Star Empire though. I like that. Was it Vala’s idea?”

“It was not.” Sera said in a satisfied manner as she recalled the memory. “The cat’s initial demeanor conveyed ownership over this domicile. This was his territory. I greeted him deferentially as duty required, and gave him a suitably noble designation, and he acquiesced to let us into his territory. I am hopeful we are proving to be suitable caretakers as courtesy demands.”

The cat made a muffled sound with the fish in his mouth and Sera placed him on the floor. Fvillhu trotted over to the covered deck outside of the dining area, dropped the piece of fish, and began feasting contentedly.

S’anra chuckled, “You have quite the sense of humour, Vulcan. Your kin at the institute would surely be scandalised.”

Sera raised a brow. “No doubt, S’anra. From numerous angles.”

“Angles?” S’anra responded, her voice dripping with curiosity. But before she could probe further, K’ratak and Vala returned from their visit to the garden door.

“What a fine spread of things,” the Klingon observed before turning to S’Ers-a, “You must join us for a drink, Vulcan, such food cannot be eaten without appropriate libation. Have you ever tasted blood wine?”

“I…generally do not ingest intoxicants. It affects my control.” Sera responded honestly. “And, No. I have never had blood wine.”

“Well perhaps take a draft. It would probably be unwise for me to consume the entire stock,” he laughed deeply, “I doubt that would end well.” He smacked his chest with some enthusiasm.

“Your offer is quite generous, K’ratak.” Sera replied. Although she had no desire to ever sample Klingon blood wine; she knew enough of Klingon culture that to refuse would be an insult. “So as to assist in ‘wise’ decisions, I accept.”

K’ratak broke into a wide smile, “Qapla'!” He turned to the others, “Imin, perhaps you can gather a cup of Blood Wine for our host,” he gestured to Sera, “You poured it most finely for me before.” He raised his glass.

Imin bowed slightly. “Of course. I have had many years to perfect my craft.” He moved off to the kitchen, and Sera forced herself to not watch him. She knew Montgomery had his watchful gaze on the older scientist, anyway.

She instead turned her attention back to the table. Everyone was seated –save Imin– and appeared comfortable. There were open bottles of libations, and all of the appetizers were in place. Sera had a few moments to relax and listen to Montgomery’s colleagues before it was time to bring out the main courses.

This social engagement made her realize how isolated she was here. Montgomery was her only social outlet. Sera frowned slightly, but only for a moment. Her isolation was most likely intentional. After being forced to resign in order to remain near her mate, Sera had subsequently been unable to obtain gainful employment.

Resourcefulness had kept her mind and body busy here, but after discovering she was restricted to the island, Sera surmised that the noose of the snare was slowly tightening.

Imin returned with her drink, and placed it on the table in front of her. She nodded to him in thanks, and he bowed slightly in return before sitting down at the table as well.

Well…moment of truth. Sera looked down at the mug holding the rather questionable beverage and without any further vacillation, tilted it back and took a hearty swallow. A small sip would not suffice with a Klingon.

Sera’s eyes went wide, and she did all that she could to not outright sputter and cough. The stuff was most…potent.

Vala smirked a little and watched on fondly. He was reminded of her first taste of Kali-fal. Now that had been a… memorable occasion.

A jovial laugh rang out as K’ratak raised his cup to Sera, “MajQa'! You have the stomach of a warrior, S’Ers-a!” He took a swig of his own wine, “I have seen many non-Klingons gag on their first taste. Kahless smiles upon you Vulcan.”

Sera nodded while trying not to grimace. “Indeed. How…fortunate.” She looked down at the dark ruby liquid and understood just what she had gotten herself into.

Sera raised the cup in a silent toast and tilted back the vessel and drank the remainder down. She slowly put the empty glass on the table. The expectation was to drink the bloodwine. As it was not palatable, it was only logical just to get it over with.

K’ratak watched, his eyes widening as the empty cup hit the table. Silence fell for a moment, then he broke into a mighty cheer, “MajQa’!! MajQa’!!,” he cried excitedly, “If I died now I would die happy!” He laughed loudly once more.

Vala cocked his head to the side, attempting to comprehend this turn of events. He shook his head slightly, a smile forming before he broke into laughter alongside the Klingon.

“Perhaps you should fetch the whole bottle, eh, Imin,” S’anra said with a smirk.

“The…whole…bottle?” Sera said haltingly as she struggled to keep from…well…allowing the blood wine to make a second appearance, really. She took a few cleansing breaths and brought her traitorous stomach back under control.

If kali-fal effects rushed over her like a wave of heated air coming in off the desert, Blood wine hit like a hammer between the eyes. Oh. This was not one of her smartest decisions, that's for sure.

“Uh… yes I too would like to try some, K’ratak,” Vala intervened, sensing his mate’s ailment, “I should see whether I have the iron constitution of my ailhun,” he laughed nervously.

K’ratak, beside himself with glee, smacked Vala on the back, “Very good, very good. Imin if you would oblige us.”

Imin smirked as he stood up and walked to the kitchen to procure the bottle of blood wine. He figured he should probably bring in another bottle of kali’fal as well; it was only prudent.

Ah, the follies of youth. He thought silently as he completed the errand and returned with the bottles. Well there was nothing else to be done about it. He would simply have to join in.

“It doesn’t seem fair that only the Host and Hostess should sacrifice for their guests. We should support one another!” He looked over to Sera as he dipped his head in silent salute.

Vala inclined his head slightly, still harbouring serious concerns about Imin but also relieved that he would not have to risk making a fool out of himself alone. He watched as a cup of blood wine was poured for him, deeply envying the beautiful luminous blue Kali’fal only inches away from it.

The cup was slid over to him, and he watched S’Ers-a receive a topup. Imin and S’anra both claimed the blue nectar and K’ratak happily received another full vessel of Blood Wine. An open flame in the vicinity of the table would, no doubt, be disastrous. Vala smirked a little at the thought then looked down at the liquid. It was not appetizing.

“'IwlIj jachjaj! May your blood scream!” K’ratak called out as a toast and replicated Sera’s motion of consuming his drink in one.

S’anra followed suit. Kali’fal was a sipping drink, but she had taken it this way many times during festivities in her youth.

Vala hesitated but knew that it was a moment which could paint a picture in the future. He took a deep breath and allowed the blood red liquid to flow. It was utterly repulsive. Its only saving grace was that it had a fairly…normal texture. The less said, or thought, about the rest the better. He held his nerve, and his bile and tried not to wince as he finished the cup.

They all partook of their individual intoxicants, and the collective mood seemed to lighten. Sera watched Imin reach across the table to take Sera’s cup of blood wine and switched it out with a glass of ice-blue liquid. “I have never had blood wine, S’Ers-a. Surely you do not mind?”

Sera studied Imin for a moment. Was this an attempt at a mea culpa? If so, it was…acceptable. “I do not, Imin. By all means, partake.” Sera reached out and took the cordial glass that held the kali-fal, and brought it close to her chest. She was not about to let Imin change his mind.

Imin nodded and bowed in a courtly Rihannsu manner and took the blood wine away from her. He raised his glass to Sera, and she responded in kind.

The two drank back their respective beverages with no further fanfare. Imin completed his task but lurched forward slightly as he fought with his stomach.

Once he was certain he would not make a fool out of himself, Imin responded. “I have no idea how you can drink that, K’ratak. It is simply disgusting…but damn, and it pains me to say so, it is STRONG!”

The kali-fal, meanwhile, went down much easier than the blood wine did. In fact, in comparison, the Rihannsu liquor was downright palatable.

Sera looked across the table at Montgomery. “At this rate this will be a dinner without a proper meal.” What kind of hosts would we be? She directed to him silently.

Vala laughed lightly, “I think for some this might actually constitute a proper meal.” If everyone is entertained surely we have been excellent hosts. He gave her an encouraging look, You did well with the blood wine. It was awful.

I must agree. I have some Aesollh in the stasis unit - it could serve to…cleanse your palette? She raised a brow in silent question.

Save it for later. Kali’fal will suffice. He took a bottle and poured a cup of the blue liquid, sipping it to purge the rancid taste of blood wine from his mouth. His head felt a little… light.

Imin watched the rather unconventional couple have a seemingly silent conversation as they sat across the table from one another.. Montgomery’s facial expression changed in minute ways, and Sera’s did too…so many tiny movements that meant nothing to an outsider–such as himself.

There were old Romulan tales that spoke of the mental disciplines their Logical cousins purportedly possessed; disciplines that were lost in the process of becoming Rihannsu. Imin personally knew about something called a ‘meld’ where thoughts could be exchanged - but learning more about the Vulcan people had not been a particular priority to him.

“Well as we all have appropriately exchanged our… cultural libations,” Vala said to the group, “I should very much like to propose a toast to my ailhun, the founder of this evening's gathering. Mhiohs!” He raised his cup then drank deeply from it.

“Mhiohs!” S’anra cheered, giving S’Ers-a a smile with a glint in her eye.

“Mhiohs! Mhiohs!” K’ratak yelled out loudly, sloshing his blood wine a little as he took a gulp.

Sera tilted her head in acknowledgement and watched her guests down another round of rather intoxicating liquids. Food. More food was needed…

Rising from her knees, it took longer than normal to find equilibrium. Her head was swimming and she felt off-balance. Was this normal?

To be continued...

[OFF]

--

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

S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor
Caretaker of the furry overlord 'Praetor'

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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