Ensign Rayek tr'Lhoell and
NPC's
Phara t'Movel and
Karinne t'Movel[Katra Station - Deck 20 - s'Movel quarters](beginning of June)As much as Rayek had enjoyed the company of the s'Movel couple out in the arboretum following the Orion Wing-slug celebration, he had been initially hesitant and wary at being invited over for a traditional Romulan dinner. His however tempered his reaction at seeing Tess' obvious delight at the invitation and as with all things of late.... he deferred to her decision. Though he did caution her that the elder Karinne would also be present - not having a clue that the interactions between the two had improved to much more than just feigned politeness.
However, it seemed Karinne was capable of at least following proper Romulan etiquette when it came to guests. It was considered the height of dishonor to insult, much less harm a guest while they were under your roof. Karinne had managed to keep her acerbic comments limited to mainly just her son's salvage business and Phara's cooking, the comment of which Rayek found to be ridiculous since the homemade meal was much better than anything the replicators or he could prepare - when it came to Romulan dishes. He would need to get her recipes.
When Phara rose to begin clearing plates, Rayek initially started to rise as well being the one at home to do most of the domestic chores, but Tess vocalized an offer to help so he remained seated allowing the two women to move off with the stack of dishes. That left Rayek alone at the table with Lared and Karinne. The former who was sipping the last of his
Romulan wine and the latter who was observing Rayek closely but hadn't yet spoken on ill word of his the entire evening. He bet it was nearly choking her to have to keep so silent.
The three children - Tordel, Cemee and Jinsux - had politely excused themselves after finishing their meals a short while before. Rayek found them extremely well-behaved and respectful, which he expected was likely due to the firm yet supportive parenting that he observed from both Lared and Phara. Tess had seemed to connect with the children almost immediately. She was so good with children.
Rayek sipped slowly at his own wine, which he had barely touched throughout the meal. Not because he didn't like its taste but because he didn't want to become drunk. The beverage was potent - moreso than Romulan ale but went down so much smoother. It was easy to over imbibe without realizing it.
"So as I was saying, with a bit of feedback from you and Phara I can easily edit the Romulus holodeck program to add in personality traits to a few of the character templates to better reflect individuals you feel your children should know." At the same time he would remove all references to his own family. While it was likely they had put one and one together with his clan name his choice of honeymoon location, he didn't need to give them proof of their suspicions... especially Karinne.
He glanced over towards the elderly Romulan woman and noticed her watching him intently.
"Yes? Is there something you wish to say, lhhei?"Karinne narrowed her eyes at the former station Executive officer. She'd been amused to hear of his incarceration when gossip of it had first ran through the station. She'd known it was only time before the Feds took back the authority they'd given their Romulan stooge. That his demotion came on the heels of Leyton's takedown was not lost on the shrewd woman.
Starfleet only had need of their pet Romulan Commander when there was a threat to the Alpha quadrants peace. Now that the threat was gone it didn't surprise her at all that the man had been cast aside. Yet from his attitude - he didn't even see how he's been used! Well, she wasn't going to the one to educate the traitor. She might have a tentative truce with the man's wife but the respect she gave the doctor did by no means transfer to her husband.
He, of course, had noticed her staring. The man was the most alert individual she'd seen in years.
Karinne didn't bother feigning a smile. As long as she didn't insult him the dictates of host/guest would be met.
"If Ki Baratan is the main city in this program.. Can I assume that that Hall of State will be fully detailed? This 'holiday' my son has planned might as well be used to educate my grandchildren of their illustrious history."She met gaze with the traitor. She may be old but as a proper Romulan she recalled who the Praetor and Proconsul were for the entirety of her life. So she recognized the name tr'Lhoell.