Posted by Commander Luka (Executive Officer) in Holosuite Two- A Dinner

Posted by Fleet Captain Ghubari Koraia (Captain) in Holosuite Two- A Dinner

Posted by Commander Luka (Executive Officer) in Holosuite Two- A Dinner
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Mukin practically flew down the path in pursuit of the stick, his strong hind legs sending him bounding across the dirt. His wings flapped, giving him short bursts of speed and slightly more airtime.

The little alien creature pounced on the stick and shook his head slightly to show it who was boss before returning to the women, at a notably more relaxed pace - somewhat necessary given the large stick he was now carrying.

Luka tilted her head just slightly at Ghubari at the mention of her companion. That wasn’t the first time it had been mentioned. Although she was curious, Luka didn’t think it wise to press on something that might be a sad subject and a raw pain for the Captain, and she let the topic slide past without comment.

“The human equivalent to the domestic borkin in regards to behavior and place in society is apparently a small canine called the domestic dog. I have encountered them… Briefly. The dog did not react well to my presence.”

Luka, XO

Ghubari quirked a bit of a smirk. “I can imagine. Stark had an opposite reaction when I brought him to the real Tanzania several years ago. All the large predatory cats and he felt like they were calling to him. I like visiting home for that reason. There is something about being a small insignificant being amongst all the life that roams those plains and savannahs that is… special. Probably more so for me as an empath.” She glanced at Luka. “If we are ever back at Earth and you are interested, I’ve love to bring you to the real Makonde Plateau.”

She held out a hand to Mukin to see if the borkin would give up the stick or not.

Fl. Captain Koraia, CO

“I am most certainly interested. I might not bring Mukin, though. Or keep his harness clipped onto a leash. I would rather not see him become a meal to predators,” she chuckled slightly. “Although perhaps they would be so confused by his biology that they would not see him as food.”

“Hard to say. Sometimes prey is simply seen as prey. I mean, if a large predator is hungry enough, they’ll take down things much bigger than themselves, though it might sometimes require help from other.” Koraia smiled softly and looked at Luka. “So many of the lessons of life can be learned out here. Not on the holodeck, but out in any wilderness. If we step back and take ourselves out of the equation, what’s left is often enlightening.”

Mukin looked at Ghubari for a moment, then slowly put down the stick, backing up and looking at her intently.

Luka and Mukin

She couldn’t help but laugh as she bent and picked up the stick. “Rinse and repeat, huh Mukin?” Ghbari said. She carefully aimed the stick for a less dense section of the grassland and sent it flying.

Fl. Captain Koraia, CO

As Mukin dashed off in pursuit of his ‘prey,’ Luka paused in thought, looking around the simulated environment. “You speak truths. So many times I have come into an environment that is like wilderness to me and found it to be much wilder and more complicated than I had expected, and yet, almost contradictory in how familiar it is. No matter where you go, there are lessons to be learned. Although no more so than in a place without the comforts and safety provided by modern technology.” She blinked slightly. “A bit off topic, but I thought it was relevant. At least partially.”

Luka, Rambly XO

“Not off topic at all,” Ghubari said with a slight grin. “I tend to get philosophical at times, and it’s only made worse after particularly difficult events. And though reality and philosophy rarely play nice together, it’s good to remember your roots. Values can shift as you get older, but they will always be informed by your experiences. The way I see it, we wouldn’t be in Starfleet if we didn’t want the experiences. And that can only lead to more opportunities for growth.”

Fl. Captain Koraia, CO

Luka nodded slightly. “Certainly,” she agreed, just as Mukin returned from his ‘hunt,’ stick carried proudly in his mouth.

She looked at the little Borkin, noting how he was panting. “Well… I suppose it is probably best that we part ways. I have had a lovely time, Captain. I hope we can have another one of these chats later, when I have gotten to know the Athena and her crew a little better.”

Luka, XO

Ghubari smiled and crouched down to pat Mukin on the head and offer another scratch. “My door is always open, Luka, always. And that’s not a platitude either.” It was important that her first officer understand her sincerity but also her need to have that connection. And it was about more than just a good working relationship, too.”

“Enjoy the rest of your evening. I think I’ll spend a bit more time in Tanzania before I turn in,” Koraia added, gazing over the vast plateau of her childhood.

Fl. Captain Koraia, CO