Posted March 20, 2023, 4:26 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 (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻(snip)
Karilan stopped eating and thought for a long moment. “Well… I really want to say no; but I think that would be me lying to myself. Star Fleet had always been a goal… but once I made it into the fleet I have to say I was not a fan of the utter regimentation. I loved the work… but all the rest was irritating at times. But back then, I would never have considered not being in Star Fleet. When I went to the Daystrom Institute, I think I 3as trying to find a balance between the pure application of learning I received at the Academy and the desire to do more… creative… expressions of myself.” and they laughed. “So in short, I probably would have stayed if she had not passed. But I learned with her passing that life is too short to not do.”
Karilan
Eela nodded. “I can understand that. It’s not unlike when I turned down being promoted after my accident. Yes, I could have stayed in uniform, and yes I agree that I could have made a great member of the brass. But when it came to Starfleet I knew that first day I sat down in as a captain in that centre seat that that is where I was meant to be while I was in uniform.” She gestured with her fork. “Don’t think the irony of my becoming an administrator here is lost on me.”
“Its not lost anyone that knows you, Eela.” they said with a grin.
“I was just thinking of your love for finding creative engineering solutions, like for making my nook accessible. You know, there’s definitely a place around here for a lot more of that,” Eela said.
~Eela
Karilan shrugged and said “One would think. But between the Star Fleet Engineers looking at me like I betrayed them somehow by leaving the uniform and the civilian sector just wanting to say ‘We have a Daystrom Awardee on staff’, I have been hard pressed to find an outlet that would just let me create. But I am not giving up. My best friend once said to me: Maybe I need to call back some of the pieces of myself I’ve left behind, allow them to propel me into new things.” and they grinned.
Karilan
She chuckled. “I have no idea what it would look like but I see you doing something uniquely your own without joining something others are already doing.” Eela shrugged. “You have a thriving business already, Karilan. You don’t need to do anything, but that doesn’t mean you should have some fun and play a little.”
Karilan’s eyes flashed and they said “Listen, just because you have a stable of willing playmates does not give you the leeway to tell me I need to enjoy myself.” and they laughed softly.
Eela threw her head back and laughed openly before she leaned in whispered to Karilan, “A stable is quite the exaggeration, I assure you. I was just talking about engineering. You’re the one with your head in the gutter, as I heard someone phrase it once.” She flashed an impish grin.
“The gutter… I like that description. Yes, I will be using that form now on, I think.” Karilan said with a smile. “And stable is the right term. Just because you don’t have the stalls filled, doesn’t mean you don’t have the stable.” and they laughed.
Her attention was drawn by someone being focused on her. Eela turned her head in that direction and gave a tiny smile at a woman who just discovered that yes, her guess was right. It was Eela sitting at the table. With a subtle nod, Eela focused back on Karilan, amusement in her eyes. “I think that’s a record for how long I’ve gone unnoticed in public,” she said quietly, breaking into a grin. Karilan had been right that it was going to be fine. But that wasn’t the point. It was one of a series of firsts she had to experience after her life got tumbled around. Sometimes it was simply a matter of confirming that, yes, she really was standing on her own two feet again.
~Eela
Karilan smiled and said “See? I told you. You really should trust me more… I am very smart.” and they grinned. A few moment later, the server came over and said very quietly “Excuse me, ma’am. The young woman was wondering if she could have a picture with you. Not now, but when you are leaving. She doesn’t want to interrupt.” Karilan looked at Eela and smiled.
Karilan
Eela smiled at the server and nodded. “Tell her I would be glad to.”
Once the server stepped away, she smirked. “See, I knew it was a good idea to change. And I never doubted your intelligence my friend. This was entirely being nervous about where I was at, but I am glad we came out. One, to spend time with you, but also to know that tonight when I’m actually putting in a public appearance, it’ll be fine.” The company she’d have tonight certainly didn’t hurt either.
~Eela
“Of course it will be. You are you. You may get knocked down, but by the gods you will slap on that dress and make sure the galaxy knows it can’t keep you down.” and they grinned. “Thats a job for Mr.- Mr. Joooones.” they sang somewhat loudly while grinning.
Karilan
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