Author Topic: Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)  (Read 2940 times)

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Offline Judith Eastman

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Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)
« on: January 28, 2020, 07:51:42 pm »
[NPC - Slate to-Allanien - Puzzles, Deck 230, SBC]

Slate's world had been so thoroughly upended in recent times, he hardly knew his tail from his nose. He had left Sivao, where he had been a healer for some time, in order to join the Federation in the field of elder care. After months of training, he found his first job on the Starbase Columbus, where the Starfleet crew had come from.
Initially, he had thought the job would be to care for one of the crew's apparent elders, Judy Eastman, usually Professor, formerly Commander, sometimes Doctor, but he had found to his surprise that he was caring for her grandmother, Estelle Roth (or Your Honor, or Judge Roth). He couldn't help but wonder if all human women over a certain age collected more names.

The presence of another Sivaoan, one with the unusual moniker "Descant to-Harmony", seemed like a potential for steadiness in a world that sometimes confused Slate, so he reached out to her, through Professor Eastman, to arrange this dinner date.

He sat in a booth, looking around with his bluish-greenish eyes, waiting for a face that, only compared to the humans, was familiar.
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Offline Descant to-Harmony

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Re: Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2020, 09:00:59 pm »
[Puzzles]

Descant paused just outside the entrance of Puzzles, smoothing a claw through already neat fur. As soon as she stepped inside, her nose told her where the other Sivaoan was. Descant was excited to see one of her own people after so many months, but so nervous that he would look down on her for the mannerisms that she'd picked up from the humans and other species on the station.

She was still grateful Judy had set up this meeting, though she actively fought the urge to grab her tail to hold on to like a child.

Descant approached the table where the grey, striped Sivaoan male sat and stopped in front of him. Erring on the side of formality, she raised her arms to just above shoulder height, left slightly ahead of the right, fingers and claws extended, then bent her fingers and retracted her claws. Greetings, Slate to-Allanien. Welcome to starbase Columbus.


Offline Judith Eastman

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Re: Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2020, 09:28:14 pm »
[Puzzles]

Slate returned the greeting, a little out of habit after the many months.

"Descant to-Harmony, it's a pleasure to meet you," he greeted. "Professor Judy Eastman Williams says you were in the group that won us the right to leave Sivao. I should thank you for that."

Slate couldn't contain his admiration for that act of going against their people's orthodoxy, which he had come to disagree with but didn't have the guts to stand up to.
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Offline Descant to-Harmony

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Re: Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2020, 05:56:42 pm »
[Puzzles]

Descant ducked her head in embarrassment at the other Sivaoan's praise. She slid into the booth across from Slate as she said, I hadn't really thought of it in just that way. It was something I wanted to do, and I didn't realize what an impact it could have.

As she finished speaking, a waiter approached. Good evening. What can I get you two to drink?

I'll have kava juice, Descant said. Have you had a chance to try many foods? I can help you pick something if not, she offered.


Offline Judith Eastman

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Re: Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2020, 08:54:19 pm »
[Puzzles]

"I'll have a ginger ale, please," Slate answered. Then, he turned to Descant.
"I spent 8 months on Earth studying, so I've gotten to know the food. I really like Klingon food, which most humans don't seem to."

Most beings, in fact, were disgusted by the idea of eating live worms and the like, but Slate liked it. It was a unique sensation.

"What foods are your favorites?"
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Offline Descant to-Harmony

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Re: Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2020, 10:19:23 am »
[Puzzles]

The waiter nodded and left, and Descant answered, Ohh! I want to visit Earth. I've only been here and to the planet below, though I've visited some Earth environments in the holosuites.

Klingon food's not bad but not my favorite. So far, my all-time favorite meal is hasperat. It's a Bajoran dish and it's very spicy if made right. I also like all kinds of fruits and vegetables I've tried. We've also been eating tribble meat for the last couple of months. That's pretty good.


The waiter returned then with their drinks, setting the fizzy, clear liquid in front of Slate and cold, orange-colored juice in front of Descant. What would you to eat? he asked. Or do you need some time to look over the menu?

I'd like to look for a minute. Might try something new, Her whiskers quivered slightly in amusement. How about you? she asked Slate.


Offline Judith Eastman

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Re: Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2020, 12:41:50 pm »
[Puzzles]

"You said hasperat and tribbles?" Slate asked rhetorically.

He looked over it some more.

"Let's get two dishes and share them together. I'd like to try the chef's special."
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Offline Descant to-Harmony

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Re: Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2020, 07:27:25 pm »
[Puzzles]

Ooh! Descant's ears perked up. I've had quiche Lunn before, but that's a new variety. Sounds good!

The Sivaoan looked down at the menu and thought quickly about what else might be good for Slate to try. Fish and chips! That'll be perfect. I don't think it goes with the quiche at all, but there are great flavors and textures to try. Can we get that with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce and malt vinegar?

The waiter chuckled lightly at Descant's enthusiasm and said, Of course. I'll get that right in. He collected their menus and headed for the kitchen.

Descant took a sip of her juice and turned back to Slate. Her tail flicked lazily against the side of the booth as she leaned her cheek on a paw.

Will you tell me how it happened that you came to be here?


Offline Judith Eastman

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Re: Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)
« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2020, 09:46:54 pm »
[Puzzles]

"I think more foods go with each other than we realize," Slate answered. "Sometimes, the dissonant flavors are pleasing too."

Then, he turned to the other question.

"I came upon a job offer here, and since I remembered this crew had come to Sivao, I chose to take it. I didn't realize the human who put out the offer had been on that team. Do all human female elders use many names?"

He had not seen anyone use so many names as Judy Eastman and Judge Roth.
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Offline Descant to-Harmony

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Re: Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)
« Reply #9 on: January 31, 2020, 09:07:22 am »
[Puzzles]

They are very fond of their names and titles, aren't they? Descant's whiskers quivered and her tail coiled with humor. But no, I think it's mostly just them. For Starfleet people, using the proper rank is important when addressing them, unless they give you permission otherwise. That's kind of like home, but they won't cuff you like one of our people would if you use the wrong name. At least not with a paw.

Descant gave Slate a sly look. Has Judge Roth cuffed you with words yet? She can be a tough one to deal with. She rubbed her ear as if remembering just such a cuffing.


Offline Judith Eastman

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Re: Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)
« Reply #10 on: January 31, 2020, 01:04:10 pm »
[Puzzles]

"She has, several times. She is very particular about what she wants," Slate answered.
"On the other hand, I think it's refreshing how she speaks her mind very directly. One knows where one stands with her."

You also knew where everyone else stood with her, where they slept, and with whom. She seemed to enjoy spreading that information.
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Offline Descant to-Harmony

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Re: Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)
« Reply #11 on: February 01, 2020, 02:20:25 pm »
[Puzzles]

Descant nodded sagely. She'd experienced Estelle's directness on a number of occasions. That is very true. It's quite difficult to tell with some people, and some whole species, what they're thinking. So many different scents that change in different ways than I'm used to when their emotions change.

They often don't realize that I can tell when they aren't being honest. That's especially helpful when I'm treating children. Many times they lie about what they ate or did that made them sick or hurt.
Her whiskers quivered again in amusement. The children could be so fun and funny sometimes, especially their awe when they first saw her. Some of the very young children were a little frightened of her at first, but Descant always took the time to make them comfortable before she began her examination.

But I love working with them. Dr. Trenzal let me try out a lot of different areas working in Sickbay before I decided on a specialization.


Offline Judith Eastman

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Re: Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)
« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2020, 07:33:13 pm »
[Puzzles]

Slate's whiskers quivered as well.
"I haven't interacted much with children, but human adults seem to either believe their lies, or they believe they are good at lying. Perhaps to other humans, who can't smell like we do, they are good at it."

It was amazing to Slate that a society so fond of fibs and mistruths could nevertheless lead the pluralistic, open Federation that he'd witnessed.

"They're a most peculiar people, aren't they?"
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Offline Descant to-Harmony

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Re: Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)
« Reply #13 on: February 03, 2020, 09:04:53 am »
[Puzzles]

Very, Descant said with feeling. But they think we're just as strange, really. Her tail looped with humor.

Just then the server returned with two plates. Quiche Lunn a la Bajor, he said setting the first plate in front of Slate. And fish and chips with malt vinegar, tartar sauce and cocktail sauce. He set a bottle of vinegar and two cups with the sauces beside the plate loaded with three pieces of golden, batter-coated fish and crispy fries. Let me know if I can get you anything else, he said cheerfully before scurrying to another booth that was hailing him.

Oh, this all looks good, Descant said sniffing appreciatively.


Offline Judith Eastman

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Re: Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)
« Reply #14 on: February 03, 2020, 02:16:03 pm »
[Puzzles]

"Very appetizing indeed," Slate agreed, before taking a knife (in the proper human manner) and splitting the quiche neatly down the middle. He proceeded to further subdivide it into slices, all relatively even.

"To be honest, I don't know quite what a Tribble is," he admitted. "Have you seen one?"
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