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Going to the mess hall -everyones welcome-

Posted April 22, 2022, 11:41 p.m. by Ensign Todd "Shocker" Applegate (Communications Officer) (Christopher Logan)

Posted by Ensign Kastarak (Doctor) in Going to the mess hall -everyones welcome-

Posted by Crewman Ngokav Sega’a (Yeoman / Steward) in Going to the mess hall -everyones welcome-

Posted by Ensign Kastarak (Doctor) in Going to the mess hall -everyones welcome-
Posted by… suppressed (11) by the Post Ghost! 👻
(snip!)

Kastarak went over what Applegate had said. Applegate’s parents had been killed. And while he had not heard of Michael Burnham, Kastarak knew that there were humans on Vulcan, and that some, indeed, lived among Vulcans. He had never heard of Vulcans raising human children though, but it did not seem unlikely. Humans were Vulcans’ most intimate friends, as a species, and the one with which Vulcans had had the best relationship with. Despite their tremendous differences, Vulcan society and human society seemed to have a degree of understanding for one another.

“The Vulcan High Command’s charitable arm stretches a long way,” Kastarak said. “I should like to trade some stories of our Vulcan upbringing at some point. Feel free to come by my room any time when we both are free. Perhaps we will find solidarity with one another, and a way for us, perhaps, to put our experiences into context.”

– Ensign/Dr Kastarak

“That I would agree doc. Always willing to do so. In fact Michael Burnham was aboard the Discovery. Her parents was killed and Ambassador Sarek and Amanda, are her foster parents. It’s in starfleet history and records.” He said to the doctor. He was just thinking that it’ll be a good little homework for him.

Applegate

“I look forward to it,” replied Kastarak, sure also to look into other humans raised by Vulcans. But more importantly for Kastarak was the potential of making a new friend from his home planet.

– Dr Kastarak

“I agree doc,” he replied. Applegate could use a new friend himself. He was very surprised.

Applegate, Ensign

Sega’a relaxed into his chair and sipped idly at his lukewarm tea. Though he listened with an attentive gaze, he resisted the compelling urge to offer his unsolicited input. He was born Orion and raised on a colony light-years from Vulcan. Truthfully, he only knew what he gleaned from literature and past connections. He was isolated and would never understand the depth of their experiences. He refused to suggest that he could. Resting his eyes, Sega’a observed from his distance and appreciated what he knew and adored: the bonds forged between people. There were, in his experience, few things more integral than friendships on ships like Chernov.

“When are you both free?” He asked, the makings of an idea creeping into his thoughts.

— Sega’a, Chef

“Well I am free now Sega’a. I don’t have anything to do. After I’m done here I’m planning on going to my quarters to get some rest. But I could stay there and stay awake unless needed.” He said to Sega’a.

Ensign Applegate

“As am I,” replied Kastarak. “I’ve had the nightshift, and just woke up. I’m scheduled to return to Sickbay at 21:00. What do you have in mind?”

Kastarak took another bite of his potato. He really did like the sensation of the chewiness required to break down the potato skin. With the added oil, it was an interesting sensation of slipperiness and chewiness.

– Ens./Dr Kastarak

“Fantastic!” Ngokav clapped as a dimpled grin brightened his eyes. “I doubt it’ll be ready tonight,” he cautioned, “but I am refining my Pok tar recipe. If you two are free, say Thursday evening, I would appreciate your feedback. I think it’s okay, but I haven’t eaten enough Pok tar in my life to know.” Sega’a glanced between them, the excitement evident in his face. “What do you say?”

— Sega’a, chef

“I’m free Thursday. After my shift on the bridge I’m free all night. I have day shift.” He said.

Ensign Applegate.

“Then I shall endeavour to make it as relaxing an evening as Orion-ly possible,” he delightedly replied.

Kastarak was intrigued. An Orion would cook Vulcan food for a Vulcan and a Vulcan-raised human. Curious, indeed. Secondly, while Sega’a appeared visibly emotional about the prospect of the three of them eating pok tar, Applegate, the human, did not express any kind of emotional interest in this. That said, he obeyed the vulgar Vulcan maxims of conversation, whereby the answer will infer an acceptance, even if no acceptance was actually indicated. It was fascinating to observe.

Kastarak remembered that as a child in school, his teachers would correct him whenever he employed this form of vulgar speech. “It is not logical,” said the teachers, “it is not clear enough. Clarity of language will help the logic move forward.”

He wondered for a second about his teachers, his fellow classmates. Were any of them still alive?

Most probably not. They probably all died in the fireball implosion of his planet.

Kastarak found himself moved back to that time, to chaos of his planet being destroyed in matters of minutes. Why had he survived, when so many others had not?

Kastarak’s gut turned. He felt sick.

“I am free on Thursday evening, too. I have the nightshift though, so I will have to return to Sickbay by 21:00. If this arrangement is acceptable, I accept your invitation, Sega’a.”

“Oh, of course!” Sega’a pondered a moment, curious when there was time between the day and night shifts for them to gather. He worked an extended dayshift from 0400 to 1600. If Applegate got off around 1600 and it took an hour to prepare… “I’ll ask Captain Taggart if we can commandeer the private mess for a few hours. We could meet around 1700, if that works for everyone?”

He wanted to leave them, he felt too sick, but he had already told them he was free. Perhaps if he could walk to the canteen, get his brain back in order, then the emotional reaction of the flashback might be regulated and he could return to himself. For now, he could mask it, but for how long? He needed to do something, he was awfully restless.

“I am going to get a cup of tea. Can I get either, or both, of you something to drink?”

– Dr/Ens Kastarak

“I wouldn’t mind a black coffee if you wouldn’t mind. I’m about to be back on shift soon anyways.” He said.

Ensign Applegate

“I don’t mind at all, I will get it to you shortly,” said Kastarak just as he was standing up. Had he had better faculties at this moment, he would have said something about Applegate’s differing plans. Earlier in the conversation, Applegate said he was free this afternoon and planned to do rest, and now he said that he had a shift shortly. Kastarak just did not know how to approach that, and therefore let it slide. Perhaps it was human forgetfulness.

“Sega’a, can I get you anything as well?”

– Dr/Ens Kastarak

Confusion swept through his face, but it was difficult to discern whether Applegate’s shift plans or something else that muddled Sega’a’s mind. “What?” He blinked and shifted to Kastarak. “Oh, sure…” he glanced at his empty teacup, “I would mind some tea. Whatever flavour you’re having works for me.” Sega’a offered a tiny smile. “Thanks, Kastarak.”

—Sega’a, Chef

Kastarak walked to the galley again, and made a small pot of da hong pao, a Chinese tea that he had become accustomed to while in Star Fleet Academy in San Francisco. The perks of being on a human-centric ship was that there was a wide variety of Earth teas, foods and beverages, and while most Earth foodstuff did not agree with him (except potatoes, and some other vegetables – fruits were too sweet and dairy, even if synthesized and not taken from a cow, still seemed barbaric and self-infantalizing), tea was the main thing he took away from Earth, and would even miss. Next time he’d go to Earth, he’d promised himself, he’d go to East Asia and seek out the tea plantations and explore the history and cultural significance of them. The pot was enough for two cups, which he put along with the pot on a small tray. Finally, he poured some coffee for Applegate in a cup, and carried the tray back to their table.

“Seventeen hundred hours is acceptable,” he said, “here, this tea is for us to share, it’s from Earth’s Asia region. Mr Applegate, here is your coffee.”

He poured a cup for Sega’a and then one for himself, and handed Mssrs Sega’a and Applegate their respective cups.

“You will let us know where we meet, I take it? Once you have arranged for a location for our Vulcan dinner. Do you require, or desire, my assistance in any of the preparations or logistics?”

– Ens Kastarak (physician)

“Thank you doctor. Well I’d say in some ways since you are vulcan yourself, you must know some good foods that we eat. As human raised on Vulcan, it helps to know from a fellow Vulcan.” As he looked at the doctor smiling.

Ensign Applegate


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