Posted March 16, 2023, 2:37 p.m. by Civilian Karilan Massat (Owner, Quill and Parchment Books) (James Sinclair)
Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Unpacking More Than Books -
Posted by Civilian Karilan Massat (Owner, Quill and Parchment Books) in Unpacking More Than Books -
Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Unpacking More Than Books -
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻(snip)
Karilan eyed her like they were an art critic… and then they smiled. “Perfect. Let’s go.” they said and took her hand and half-led her out the door and into the elevator.
Something about the forthright way they took her hand and just carried on made her smile. Again, so much touch lately. Even earlier when Karilan had their hands on her face had added something to her experience of them. These small things, tiny moments, were tethering Eela to her life and to the vibrancy that was Oed even more than she could have ever imagined. And there was something just lovely about walking hand in hand with someone that made her beam.
When they hit the street, Katilan shifted to interlocking elbows and they said “So here we are, in the world. If it gets too much, say the word and we are right back here with the books, okay?”
Karilan
Eela nodded. “Sounds good. And now, lead me to the Bajoran food my friend. It’s been awhile since I’ve had good Bajoran cuisine.” The usual sunshine warmed her skin and she focused on breathing deeply as they meandered arm-in-arm, her mind aware of people around her, almost protectively so.
~Eela
It was a three block and wholly uneventful walk to the ‘Pub’. The outside was bright red wood surrounding heavily tinted windows with gold lettering that read ‘Delnot’s Public House’ in big block letters; and in smaller letters underneath ‘Bajoran and Human Food and Spirits’. Karilan led them inside and they got a booth at the far back. The place wasn’t crowded, but it had people. Tables were occupied and other booths full… and three tables by plain-clothes members of Eela’s security detail.
The booth was deep and soft cushions covered in leather and Karilan slid in one side so Eela could be seen by her protectors. A server came to the table and gave them real menus and told them about the specials, and Karilan ordered a glass of Bajoran blue wine.
Karilan
“Kava juice, please,” Eela said with a light smile to server. She was very aware of exactly where her team was and was for a moment amused by what seemed like an excessive number of them. But with the Vren also due to arrive in a few days, this was likely to be the norm so she knew to just suck it up and get used to it. At least having a detail in the first place had become just another process of her work. It would never cease being odd but it didn’t bother her at all.
“Anything you recommend?” she asked Karilan. “I can handle some spice but I don’t like being overwhelmed by it.”
~Eela
Karilan smiled and said “Try the potato and leek soup. Its a human dish, but they do it very well here. And their Bajoran rajeek is to die for.” The server came with the drinks and set them down. Karilan looked at Eela and said “You go. I’m torn on a few things.”
Karilan
The joke in the office was that when she was in a rush or couldn’t decide what to eat Eela just grabbed soup. So no soup today. But the rajeek looked interesting. “I’ll have the rajeek,” she said, meeting the server’s gaze.
“So how are things at the shop the last few days? I know I’ve monopolized your time with the renovations so I hope it hasn’t been too much of an issue,” Eela said before sipping on her juice. It was sweet and refreshing and exactly what she needed at the moment.
~Eela
Karilan waved off her concern. “The shop is fine. It can probably run itself, in all honestly. I’m there just to get in the way and talk to customers.” and they laughed. “Or to take care of special requests… present company most joyously included.” and they smiled slightly. “I am glad to see you back in your apartment, though the Governor said that you spent a few days with friends. I hope that helped.”
Karilan
She nodded slowly. “It did. I just… I couldn’t be in there another second, Karilan. I’m sure you of all people can understand the emotional wake a person can leave. He made my place feel… unsafe, dangerous. I couldn’t breathe properly in there after they escorted him out. It’s why I asked your help to find the book. I made a couple of the recipes and even if it was just a ritualistic thing and doesn’t actually do anything in reality, I needed to cleanse the place of any of that energy.”
“I can absolutely understand the need to do that.” Karilan agreed fervently.
Eela took another sip. “Not going to lie though, I keep having moments where something in me forgets he’s gone and I don’t have to compensate. That my space is mine again. It’s very… surreal.”
~Eela
Karilan sipped their wine and then said very softly “May I ask a truly personal question?” and without waiting for an affirmative response, said “Did something happen between you and the Governor?” They leaned in and said “I am not trying to pry and I swear on my life I would never betray your trust. But when I met him at your apartment, he seemed… well… more angry than a co-worker should have been. And I hadn’t known he was an empath. But while we were looking, there was a brief.. well… explosion of emotion from him. I hadn’t realized the barriers he had. And they slipped. He was furious… and really concerned about you. Thats why I asked.”
Karilan
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