Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Pawl Batario (Chief Engineer) in Breakfast (Kastarak/Batario)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Kastarak (Doctor / Counsellor) in Breakfast (Kastarak/Batario)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Pawl Batario (Chief Engineer) in Breakfast (Kastarak/Batario)
Posted by… suppressed (30) by the Post Ghost! 👻
On this morning, Kastarak had not slept at all. It would be his third night without sleep. The captain had been advising him the other day, but still, it didn’t seem to help much at this point. Kastarak felt distracted and his head wasn’t working properly (did it ever though?) and with a pad in his hand, he suddenly stopped in his tracks, three centimetres from meeting Pawl Batario’s forehead.

“Mr Batario,” he said, “Forgive me, I did not see you. Are you alright?”

– Ensign Kastarak (Physician / counsellor)

“I am ok Ensign I should be asking if you are ok?” Pawl asked calmly and serine. “Whats on your mind Doc.?” Pawl asked carefully not trying to pry into the mans thoughts.

Pawl Batario - Engineering Officer

Pawl’s calm and serene state of mind surprised Kastarak, but in a good way. It gave him a sense of peace and calm, too, and he felt some of the anxiety (that he had apparently felt but not registered) subside.

Batatio’s question was an honest one, he could feel, not one asked for politeness, and therefore Kastarak ought to answer it with the same dignity that Pawl’s question was asked in.

“Very good. Thank you for your concern, Mr Batario. I have been unable to sleep lately, and that is why I have been absent-minded. Did I startle you?”

He felt an urge to ask Pawl to join him for breakfast, but knowing nothing of Pawl’s schedule or desires, he could not think of a socially acceptable way to frame that question, and stayed quiet on it – for now.

– Kastarak

“I am sorry to hear that Doctor. Let me know if there is anything i can help you with to help you to sleep.” Pawl said calmly to the man. “And no you did not startle me. I guess I was a bit lost in thought to.” Pawl said feeling a bit hungry. “Have you eaten yet i mean breakfast?” Pawl asked quickly but calmly to the man. ” I could use the company since i dont know many here on ship and most have already eaten.” Pawl said logically to him.

Pawl Batario - Engineeering Officer

There was something intimate to Pawl’s words. Let me know if there is anything i can help you with to help you to sleep. What could he, as an engineer, do to help him sleep? As such, there must be something deeper in what Paul meant. Kastarak made sure to remember this thought, and perhaps, he could pick up on it. Moreover, had Pawl ‘listened in’ to Kastarak’s thoughts? Sometimes telepathy was unconscious – not so much ‘hearing’ but rather picking up cues. And Kastarak wanted to spend breakfast with Pawl, the image of it seemed lighter, more serene. And moreover, he did need carbs to start his day. Maybe carbs would help him concentrate better, to continue yet another day in Sickbay.

“Thank you, Mr Batario,” he replied. “I should like that”.

He reached his arm out, indicating a direction for mess hall. “After you, sir.”

– Ensign Kastarak (physician / counsellor)

“please call me Pawl.” He said calmly to the man. “Thank you.” he said quickly. As he started off towards the direction of the mess hall. As he took it calmly walking the corridor so he would not loose the doctor. The walked down the corridor quietly was almost odd in the way this was going.

Pawl Batario - Engineering officer

“Yes, thank you, Pawl,” he said, as he was walking, tasting the flavour of saying Batario’s first name. “My name is Kastarak,” he countered, reciprocating the gesture of informality.

It was strange walking the corridor, it was strangely empty. Was it earlier than Kastarak had thought? Had he lost track of time? In any case, neither did matter. He felt warm and there was a sense that nothing mattered, except carbs and some company.

They reached mess hall. It too was empty. Out from the mess hall windows, he could see the stars flashing by, the warp effect giving a slight hue of colour on it all.

It was quiet. Only the slightness of the fans from the life-support system could be heard. Otherwise, it was as if each step Kastarak took, a small echo could be heard.

He walked to the food synthesiser and indicated plomeek soup, with bread, some oil, and fruit which he took from the basket next to it. He waited for Pawl to make his order to, and then for Pawl to decide where they would sit.

– Kastarak
Pawl attempted to speak the mans name. “KAstarak?” “I hope i got it right it is still difficult for me at times to pronounce things.” PAwlsaid calmly to him. “I dont think they got betazoid dishses into the units yet. All i am seeing is human selections and vulcan and other odd dishes.” Pawl sighed. “I might have to provide the cook or the computer with the programs to make betazoid dishes later on others might like to try a sampling from my homeworld.” As he grabbed a card for breakfast items Country Scrambled egg burrito and hashbrowns. Large OJ. As he heard the unit come to life as it prepared the items he asked for. Pawl added. “you might like some of the betazoid selsctions there vegitarian meals are good.” Pawl said kindly as the machine beeped as the food was done as the door opened to reveal his food choices as he grabbed some silverware and napkin. And followed the doctor to a ner by table they could share.

Pawl Batario - Engineering Officer

“Your pronunciation is tolerable,” Kastarak said, “perhaps one day, I could teach you some basic Vulcan, should you be interested, perhaps as we eat the dishes from Betazed. As much of Star Fleet, Chernov, too, is rather human-centric. I believe this attitude is endemic throughout the Federation, for better and for worse.”

Kastarak took his tray to a small two-person table by the window. He liked being able to watch the stars and nebulas and other things beyond… the vast emptiness of everything… it was soothing, almost as watching the sea back home in Raal, on Vulcan.

Suddenly, before him, memories of the destruction of his planet flashed by him. He winced slightly from the shock. It was getting harder and harder to regulate, but hoped he could mask it well enough for Pawl not to see.

“What do you make of the human food you’re eating?” he asked, curiously.

– Kastarak

Pawl nodded with a half smile. “I will try and do better.” Pawl said with a straight face. “The food is really different and refreshing to me basically a new twist on old favorites. I am actually enjoying some of the meat i have tried but still liking my veges.” Pawl told the officer. Pawl felt a change in him but did his best to hide the fact.

Pawl Batario - Engineeering Officer

“I see,” Kastarak replied. “I’ve never wanted to try meat. I follow a mostly vegan diet. If you like vegetables, perhaps you might wish to try my own plomeek soup and gespar at some time? Are there any Betazoid vegan dishes perhaps?”

– Kastarak

Bump

“There are quite a few dishes that are vegan in betazoid society. Oscoid for one is a green leafy vegitable with sweet sap runing its veins. alone with other foods.
Like blue-leaf salad. those are some off the tip of my mind.” Pawl said calmly.

Lt Jg Pawl Batario - Engineering Officer

“I should like to try that. Perhaps I’ll learn more about your culture then,” Kastarak replied. “I should like to get to know you, too, more.”

– Kastarak

“thank you doctor I would like that too.” PAwl said with a smile. “I will do my best to answer what i can .” pawl said kindly to the officer.

Lt Jg Pawl Batario - Engineering officer

The way Pawl phrased it, with his kind beaming smile in front of Kastarak’s face…, made Kastarak reminisce about something in Star Fleet Academy. There was a freshers’ party (his roommate, Shravyk, had convinced him to go as an “anthropological exposé” – which was both true and false at the same time), where the participants would choose someone else in the party. That second person would have to choose whether to perform a task (a “dare”) or answer a question of private and personal nature truthfully (a “truth”). Kastarak thought this game might help Pawl and Kastarak to get to know one another better. He thought the dares were irrelevant, so he adapted the rules, before proposing the game to Pawl:

“Would you like to play a game?”, asked Kastarak. “The rules are as follows. I will ask you a question, which you must answer truthfully. After which, you will ask me a question, which I will answer truthfully, but the question may not be the same as a previously asked question.”

– Kastarak

“ok?” Pawl said quickly a bit confused but did not feel it was a a trick or alterier motive. “A game??” PAwl listened to him. “I will do my best to do follow the rules.” PAwl finished with a straight face. PAwl ordered a extra pitcher of orange juice and some ice. He thanked the Cadet that passed by taking the order. This way he could focus on the subject matter at hand. “I owe you one Cadet.” PAwl said kindly as he turned and focused on the doctors game and him.

Lt Jg Pawl Bataario - Engineering Officer

Batario did not seem too excited about the idea, or maybe he was simply mirroring Kastarak’s Vulcan demeanour.

“Let us begin,” he announced solemnly. He decided on a question that was specific enough but not too difficult to answer. “Can you tell me about one event that has helped shaped you into the person you are today?”

– Kastarak

“An Event???” Pawl thought a bit. most big events happened in his past or before he was born. “I cant think of anything ? Sorry?

Lt Jg PAwl Batario _Engineering Officer

Kastarak felt heat in his forehead and around his sinuses. It was not fever, he was sure. There had been miscommunication. Perhaps he should go.

“There is nothing to apologise for. ” he said. He gave the baton, so to speak, to Batario. Batatio would determine the next step in their interaction. Kastarak had taken the lead and he had failed to make it meaningful.

He purged the heat away, but really wished he and Batario could connect.

Being Vulcan was lonely.

– Lt (jg) Kastarak

“Well, what made you decide to become a doctor?” Pawl asked him. Hoping this was an ok question. He felt like he was out of place with this game.

Lt Jg Pawl Batario - Engineering Officer

“After some years in school, as a child,” he said, “it was found that I had a proficiency for biology, anatomy, physiological functioning, and empathy. As such, it was only logical that I would embark on that career. When I was 12 – in human years –, I was an intern at a clinic, my first hands-on experience with medicine. I did well, and so my career was decided for me that way. I don’t think I ever consciously decided to become a physician. It simply was decided for me.”

– Kastarak

“Was there any other career path you would have liked to try? My Parents especially my mother are known for trying to dictate my life. I am lucky I never got into an arranged marriage.” Pawl said calmly to the doctor. “I believe the Vulcans have a similar custom about arranged marriages too?”

Pawl

Perhaps they now were connecting. Kastarak was hopefull.

“I have never considered the question of what I would otherwise have done. It is an interesting one. Perhaps I had become a scientist of some sort, a researcher – I was fascinated with flora and fauna as a child. Languages… maybe a teacher? These are all things I can do today in my work today, too, so it has worked out well.”

Kastarak took another sip of his tea.

“Would you like to tell me more about your parents, and your relationship to them? Indeed, my parents arranged for me to be betrothed to S’parek from an early age, she was as old as I was.”

– Kastarak

“Mother is a person of high opinion she is the head of the household and deals with most of the decision-making for our family. In the Betazoid Councel. My father works as a Doctor at the University of Betazed. He is a bit softer-spoken man with a lot of feelings and cherished the ground my mother walks on. I believe my mother does too. They were in love forever its one of the strongest bonds I have seen with betazoids.” Paul said kindly to the man. “I guess I was a bit more lucky than most in my family all but myself and one other sibling were not part of the arranged marriage or bonding.” Paul said with a small smile to the man. “Is there anything in particular that you wish to know?”Pawl asked c asually.

PAwl

Kastarak listened. Progress was being made. He was interested in Pawl’s stories of his family and his own background. He was satisfied that Pawl was willing to share.

“Your parents’ bond sounds strong and intimate. Has there ever been anyone in particular you have wished you could marry or with whom you could be bonded?” He asked.

– Kastarak

” And yes my parents are strong in their bonding of love and intimacy. I never really had a special connection to most of the people I dated for a future of marriage or bonding not as of yet.” Pawl stopped speaking a moment. “I have met a few people here that might be interesting to get to know.” Pawl did not go into details.

Pawl

Kastarak nodded. “Is that something you’d like to talk about?”

– Kastarak

Pawl looked at the officer for a good minute before he spoke. As Pawl’s face did a slight change in color then returned to normal. “Betazoids are more open-minded by love and relationships. But some races may consider things a bit odd or taboo from my views of being in love or wanting love from the same sex?” PAwl was feeling a bit on edge with all the differences in human society and other races’ conditions of loving.

Pawl

Kastarak rembered that Pawl had brought up same-sex attraction in their first meeting, when Kastarak, as counsellor, performed Pawl’s medical and psychological evaluation. Back then, Pawl appeared candid and open. He did not now. Was he shy? Was there something wrong Kastarak had done?

At the same time, Kastarak thought of his own mental coming-out and admission of his own same-sex attraction, which he had told no one but Umbri so far. Would now be a good time to share? Would Pawl already know, given his telepathic abilities? It was confusing.

“It is far from a taboo for me,” Kastarak tried to reassure. “It is a perfectly normal variation in dimorphic species’ sexual attraction. Among humans, among Betazoids, and among my people, the Vulcans, too. I know of your previous struggles, you told me before. How are you feeling now?”

– Kastarak

“I am doing ok doctor? I do have a shy moment from time to time.” Pawl said kindly to the officer. Trying not to hide behind false pretenses.Or using humor to hide things from the officer. “I try to think of others’ feelings before opening myself up to them since sometimes they get tense or uncomfortable with questionable talk about sexuality etc. or taboo subjects to make sure I don’t offend them or others.” Pawl added calmly and collected. “At times I feel a bit lonely but I do my best to social interaction with the crew and other officers for social interactions even though that nothing would come of them may be a friendship and more than likely nothing mere.” Pawl said as he felt more from the officer. “I feel there is something more on your mind?” Pawl asked calmly. “I am sorry I was not trying to pry.” feeling a bit ashamed. Pawl said with a half-hearted smile.

Pawl

“Please, do not think you are prying. You may ask me whatever you wish,” Kastarak replied succinctly. He tried to convey warmth and safety, but it was hard for him, being Vulcan and emotionally closed. “I am curious to getting to know you more, and not as a client or even a colleague. I should like…” he said, paused, “a friend.”

– Kastarak

Pawl listened to the doctor’s comments carefully. As he let the words sink in. “Friends??” He whispered to himself. He spoke a bit louder now.”Friends?? I don’t see any issues with that Doctor.” He said with a kind smile. “But I have a feeling your meaning possibly more to this friendship.” He said softly. “Its fine doctor. I am open to getting to know you better.” Pawl said with a sincere look.

Pawl

“What do you mean, ‘more to this friendship’?” asked Kastarak immediately. He felt a surge of adrenaline in his body and could not figure out why. Pawl was no threat, he was a friend. Why was Kastarak prepared for flee or fight? One part of him wanted to leave the conversation to go meditating, to make sense of all the sensations he experienced, but another one simply wished to stay.

He obeyed the latter.

– Kastarak