by Commander Salvek
80728.2300
After Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
-=The Tryst Residence, Betazed=-
80728.2300
After Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
-=The Tryst Residence, Betazed=-
Salvek placed a gentle hand on Arie's shoulder, as Kellyn talked of the importance of family. He then looked to his right at the Captain. He could tell her mind was engaged with curiosity over this Betazoid Duel that Siter had proposed.
She had a gleam in her eye that Salvek was encouraged to see, and the Vedek as well looked as if the blade that had been implanted in his gut for days had finally been removed. She felt his gaze and looked back at him. Her expression seemed to say "Can I help you?"
Salvek merely nodded respectfully. She signed back at him with her hands close to the table where only he could see.
[[I understand.]]
"Salvek, your people are highly artistic. I've always been curious about Vulcan art. I have not had the chance to see many pieces." Orynn prodded.
"Unfortunately I chose a path in the sciences, my exposure to the arts has been minimal. My prerequisite studies did include several of the masters. Surely your vast University Archive’s computer interface can provide you with images."
"It's not the same." Orynn continued. "We Betazoids are a very tangible people. A photograph of a work of art is not as personal as the actual work of art itself."
"Have you ever considered a trip to Vulcan? Our museums are vast and could easily occupy you for months, if not years."
"I suppose that's not a bad suggestion. Can you tell me what you remember of the class you took?"
"I can tell you every detail." Salvek said flatly. "Vulcan art is dominated by images of rural landscapes and empty urban areas. Serenity is the key and our art is therefore often times an integral part of our meditation."
The Tryst and Mazen families both listened intently as Salvek continued. "Obviously it was not always that was on my world. Before the philosophy of logic was instilled in our people, the images were much more graphic and violent."
For the sake of the child at the table Salvek spared any further details on the matter.
"We do of course keep these works of art on display as well. There are those that believe they should be destroyed, but most believe the best way to embrace logic is to remember the destructive qualities that the lack of logic brought to Vulcan."
"It must give you great peace to be in complete control of your emotions." Siter noted. He sensed an immediate change in Salvek, as if that observation were a little too personal for the Vulcan's taste. "I meant no offense."
Salvek took a fork full of his meal before continuing on.
"None taken. In answer to your question, the level of emotional control I choose to exert does bring me great peace, as you surmised." Salvek left the matter open ended, figuring he had given them enough information. He felt no shame in discussing the matter further; it was simply none of their business where he did or did not control his emotions.
"And you are a research engineer, as Vol introduced you? What exactly are you researching?" Orynn asked, turning his attention to Lair Kellyn.
Zanh Liis cleared her throat from the end of the table. Kellyn heeded the warning even thought it was not really necessary, or helpful. As soon as the question was asked the answer of transwarp technology had jumped into everyone's minds. The proverbial cat was out of the bag, but those assembled around the table from the Tryst and Mazen families were harmless enough and likely didn’t even know what transwarp meant exactly.
“I’m afraid that’s classified, but let’s just call it ‘theoretical propulsion design’.” Kellyn said with a smile. “It’s something Salvek and I both do when he’s not taking his normal shifts on the bridge.”
“And what do you like to do, little one?” Siter asked Lair Arie.
“Reprogram things.” The girl replied succinctly.
“Yes, she comes by that honestly.” Kellyn said. “She’s definitely a self-starter as well. She seems to have an affinity for altering holographic character parameters.”
Arie blushed, knowing her mother referring to her skill at tinkering with holocharacters, often without permission. She pushed the green vegetables around on her plate, and bravely popped several into her mouth. Her mother normally didn’t force her to eat what she didn’t want to, but Arie wanted to be proper and respectful in front of Vol’s family and friends.
Salvek once again looked in Zanh Liis’ direction. The Captain was now holding Jariel’s hand with one of hers, and the other supported her chin. She was listening intently to Kellyn speak with pride of their daughter’s accomplishments, how fast a learner she was, and how she took so naturally to anything she tried. Salvek knew what it looked like when an idea was coming together in her mind, and he couldn’t help but wonder what the Captain was thinking at the moment.
“This food is off the hook! It’s like there’s a party in my mouth, and everyone’s invited!” Reece declared with glee, drawing Salvek’s attention back to the other end of the table.
“An unusual expression, but I assume it’s a compliment.” Valerie said.
“So what do you do for after dinner fun around here?” Reece asked, as he finished the last of the food on his plate.
“Well,” Said Vol, “Perhaps you have a suggestion for us?”
“Hmm,” Reece stroked his chin, “Let me give it some thought.
Siter felt a wave of nervousness from his brother.
*What’s wrong?* He thought to Vol.
*Nothing, I’m just not sure what exactly I opened us up for just now.*
Vol made a silent promise to himself that if the words “slip and slide” were uttered from the lips of Dabin Reece, that he would bury his head in the nearest potted plant.
Salvek looked around the table. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Vol’s fiancée seemed to be a fine young woman, and each of their families seemed to adore the other. Everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion, just as one would expect.
That was, until Dabin Reece came up with a suggestion.
“Charades?”
“I beg your pardon?” Siter asked.
“It’s a game! We can play it, if everyone’s done.”
Dabin looked around at the empty plates, and figured everyone had finished.
“How do you play?”
“Well,” Dabin started. “You think of something like a song title or movie title, or some sort of action to perform, then you act it out. You can’t speak, and the people on your team try to guess what you are acting out.”
Dabin stood up, and rubbed his hands together. “First we need to split into teams.”
“Mr. Reece, I believe there is a flaw in your choice of activity.” Salvek noted.
“Nonsense, they are going to love it. Okay, let’s make it simple, shirt’s versus skins. No, there are children present. How about Betazoids, and Misses Tryst versus Sera crew?”
“Where does that leave me?” Vol asked.
“By all means, team up with your fiancée.” Reece said. “Vedek Jariel, you should start for our team.”
Normally the Vedek would have insisted they go on without him, but he was game tonight to try it out. He stood up from his chair, and thought of something to act out.
“Ok, ready?”
“Ready!” Reece said.
Jariel squatted into a mock sitting position, and began tapping his fingers on an invisible computer screen.
“You’re giving someone a massage!” February blurted out.
“No he’s playing the piano but he lost his bench!” Dabin said.
Liis just shook her head and grinned, amused by the absurdity of it.
“He is piloting a shuttle, and based upon the positioning of his hands on the panel it appears he is trying to activate the self destruct sequence. The shuttle’s heading, assuming he is facing forward, appears to have him en route to Ferenginar I would also add.” Salvek said.
“Ferenginar?” Liis said, with a sideways smirk. “Not my destination of choice.
Jariel shrugged. “Salvek is right.”
“Ok, Betazoid team!” Dabin said excitedly.
Salvek sighed “This is not going to work.”
Vol took it upon himself to stand up and be the actor. “Ok, I have something.”
“You’re swimming across the lake at four in the afternoon, and there’s a weed wrapped around your ankle.” All the Betazoid’s said in unison.
“You cannot play this game with a group of telepaths.” Salvek noted.
“Oh.” Reece said. “Ok, worst idea ever. My bad. Maybe we should just chat?”
-------------------------
Commander Salvek
Executive Officer
USS Serendipity/Alchemy
Commander Salvek
Executive Officer
USS Serendipity/Alchemy