Far From Home (Descant & NPC Slate)

[Descant to-Harmony]

[Puzzles]

Descant's already looped tail coiled tighter as she cut one of the pieces of fish in half, revealing the flaky interior, and separated the mound of chips roughly in half, pushing the plate toward the center of the table.

She took one of the salty sticks and threw it whole into her mouth, chomping once and swallowing before answering, They're little round, fluffy creatures that do nothing but eat and breed. We had an invasion awhile back and while many of the tribbles just got beamed into space, Lea and some others kept some for food and to use the fur. I think Judge Roth actually has a tribble fur coat or something.

Descant broke off a piece of fish with her fork and dipped it into the tartar sauce, humming in appreciation, even as she hissed lightly through her teeth to cool the bite.

[Judith Eastman]

[Puzzles]

Slate's whiskers pricked slightly forward.
"I think I've seen that coat. Most humans I've seen seem to prefer synthetic materials, but she doesn't," he observed, as he picked up a slice of quiche.
Promptly, he ate it. It was very decadent, with a pleasingly strong spicy component to it as well.

"The quiche Lunn is delicious," he said. "It's a different spiciness from our tail-kinkers, but it's quite spicy."

[Descant to-Harmony]

[Puzzles]

Have some of this, Descant offered, gesturing toward her plate. She grabbed the bottle of malt vinegar and upended it over her half-piece of fish, letting quite a lot soak into the fillet before setting it aside. She used her fork to cut off a large bite and popped that into her mouth.

Mmm, so the vinegar gives this a bit of a sharp taste. I wasn't sure how I felt about vinegar until I tasted this kind. It has a lot of qualities similar to alcohol. The cocktail sauce, she continued, pointing to the red sauce, is a little bit spicy. Not usually eaten with fish, I'm told, but I like the taste. One shoulder lifted in a shrug. And the tartar sauce is a little bit creamy and pickle-y.

Descant ate another french fry, then reached for the quiche with her fork. Into the mouth went a large bite, and the Sivaoan's eyes widened in delight. That's good!

She took a few more bites, going back and forth between her own plate and Slates, then Descant paused for a drink of her juice. She set down her fork and examined her fellow Sivaoan.

So what do you think of the starbase so far? Have you had much chance to explore?

[Judith Eastman]

[Puzzles]

Slate sampled the flavors one by one, in succession.

"They're very varied and quite delicious," he commented.
Then, Descant asked about the station.
"I've only explored a little bit, beyond the areas Judge Roth frequents. There's so little greenery around, which is a little off-putting at times."

[Descant to-Harmony]

[Puzzles]

Oh, I know, Descant said as they continued their meal. But you must not have been to the arboretum yet! They cram so much nature in there. It's really quite nice. There are chances to go down to the planet sometimes, and the holodeck is good for some running and climbing, though the scents are off.

I actually have got my quarters set up a little like home - some floor to ceiling poles with platforms and even a sort of a swagger-lair. It's definitely not the same as being outside, but it's great to get up.

[Judith Eastman]

[Puzzles]

Slate's ears flicked back, and then returned.

"That sounds like one heck of a set-up. I'll have to try and get something like that for my quarters, and I need to check out the arboretum too," he answered. "Perhaps we can go together, after we finish dining."

He helped himself to more of the quiche Lunn, enjoying both the strong spiciness and the savory, decadent undertones of cheese and meat. It was a heck of a meal.

[Descant to-Harmony]

[Puzzles]

Sure! Descant said excitedly, her tail looping with joy. She hadn't realized how much she missed being around her own people and what an impact it would have to have someone here.

I'd love to show you the arboretum. And if you'd like help planning your quarters, or want to see my set up, I'm happy to help. It was kind of a fun project and the engineering department helped build it all.

The waiter returned then with a PADD, which he set on the edge of the table. Your check whenever you're ready. No rush.

[Judith Eastman]

[Puzzles]

Slate's tail looped as well, and then the bill arrived.

"Allow me to pay," he asked Descant when the bill came. "As I understand, it's a human tradition that the males pay. Or perhaps I misunderstood their tradition. They are a confusing people at times."

Humans were very confusing indeed.

[Descant to-Harmony]

[Puzzles]

Descant's ears flicked back briefly and she chuffed gently. I was going to treat you as a 'welcome to the station'. I think males paying is the usual for humans, but we are not human, so I hope you will let me take care of it.

She reached for the PADD even as she spoke, hoping to preempt any attempts at what humans called gallantry. With quick fingers, she added a tip for their waiter and pressed the pad of her finger against the sensor.

[Judith Eastman]

[Puzzles]

"You can pay this time, if you let me pay next time," Slate answered, with a slight quiver of his whiskers. "That's only fair."

At last, he stood up, ready to head onwards. He couldn't help but notice the swelling crowds.

"It seems to be very busy here," he observed.

[Descant to-Harmony]

[Puzzles --> Promenade]

Descant led the way out of the restaurant with a nod. Fair, she agreed.

As they stepped out into the crowds on the Promenade, Descant's tail looped behind her. This is probably the most active part of the station. Nearly everyone comes here for something nearly every day. There was just a shift change, so the Starfleet activity has gone up, too. Officers like to grab something to eat or do some shopping right after they come off duty.

Come this way. Descant gestured toward a turbolift. The arboretum is on deck 39.

As they entered the lift, she said, I was shocked to see such a massive structure just hanging in space when I first got here. I was used to the ships that go back and forth between Sivao and Eeiaou, but they are like canoes compared to the starbase.

[Judith Eastman]

[Puzzles -> Promenade -> Lift]

"I noticed that, from what I've seen. Judge Roth spends a lot of time out and about here, when she's not planetside. I think she's mostly looking for trouble," Slate answered as they walked.

Then, the lift started.

"It is incredible, isn't it? You really expect it to fall down any moment, onto the planet."

The planet itself was something that had struck Slate's fancy. It itself was red, but its moon seemed lively.

"Have you ever been to the planet?" he asked.

[Descant to-Harmony]

[Lift]

The technology is truly wondrous. It was strange to me at first, all the conveniences, but I've gotten used to it, some at least. I still miss real forests and nature, but the medical technology is so advanced. We can heal most of the same things, but their technology does it better. Their machines have to remember things for them, though. If you ask someone how it happened, they can't tell you exactly. Her tone was slightly scandalized.

She went on, I've been to the surface a couple of times. There have been evacuations, and I got to visit Judy and Max's vacation house once. They had to explain what a 'vacation house' is. One shoulder lifted in a shrug.

[Judith Eastman]

[Lift -> Arboretum]

"They're paradoxical," Slate agreed. "They can do incredible things in their society, but none of them individually has the faintest idea how."

Then, Descant used an odd term.

"And what is a 'vacation house?'" Slate asked her, perplexed.

[Descant to-Harmony]

[Lift --> Arboretum]

As the turbolift slowed to a stop and the doors opened, Descant's tail corkscrewed yet again at Slate's words.  It's a home that one keeps for visiting sometimes. No one lives there most of the time, but whenever Judy and Max decide they want a break from the station they can go there.

She led the way down the corridor which had windows that showed the heavily-planted arboretum on their right. They reached the doors, which opened to emit a blast of warm, humid air as the Sivaoans entered.

Judy and Max often invite their friends to visit. The next time they ask me, I'd be happy to see if you can go, too. They have a good bit of land with trails.