Business before Pleasure

Posted on Tue Jan 25th, 2022 @ 2:45pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Lieutenant Aiko Kato & Lieutenant L'Rissa

Mission: Respite
Location: Starbase 21

L'Rissa ringed her hands as she waited for the turbolift to get her to her destination. Seeing a commanding officer was easy. The fact that this commanding officer was her mother made this difficult. Aiko had done her best to ensure L'Rissa looked as polished as possible, but it was going to take more than just looks to get through this meeting. The turbolift stopped and the doors opened and as she stepped out she heard and saw the various crew hard at work. She took a quick survey of the area, essentially the command center of the station and seeing her mother's office, she made her way towards it, trying to avoid everyone present in the commander center. Her mother looked to have a rather Caitian-centric crew, seeing that seven of the dozen crew being Caitian.

A large Rigelian security officer stepped in front of her as she neared the office door. "Who are you and what is your business lieutenant?"

"L'Rissa, and I'm trying to report to the station commander as requested. She happens to be my mother."

The noise level in the commander center went dead silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. L'Rissa could feel all eyes on her as the Rigelian stepped aside to let her pass. L'Rissa walked to the door and hit the chime, waiting for the doors to open.

The doors parted and L'Rissa entered, standing at attention in front of her mother's desk as she listened for the door closing. "Lt. L'Rissa reporting as ordered" she said crisply.

Her mother stood and walked around the desk and embraced her daughter tightly, which caught L'Rissa completely by surprise. "It has been too long L'Rissa. You don't visit, you don't even call. I should think you don't want to be part of your family."

"It isn't that at all" L'Rissa said in a light protest. "I spoke to C'Raal just a few weeks ago when the Akira was working with the Washington. My duties keep me busy mother. We don't often get very close to home. I think the captain made special arrangements so that we could get leave as it is. He hadn't been home to Andoria in over a year and he has family too."

Her mother seemed less than convinced. "I still think you could at least call. All I have gotten from you over the last year is a few letters, usually as simple responses to messages I sent you. Family is important L'Rissa."

L'Rissa could feel the guilt building inside her. Her mother was right, but L'Rissa didn't want to admit why she really didn't she her family often. "I will make the effort to keep in contact with you and father more often."

"You can start with having dinner with me tonight" her mother replied bluntly.

"Well, I would like to..."

"Don't mince words L'Rissa" he mother said bluntly.

"I'm not here alone."

Her mother's eyes got large. "You have a mate?"

"No mother. I came with a colleague, a friend. Lt Kato is my superior on the Washington. She had never seen Cait and I offered her the opportunity and she agreed. It would be rude of me to skip out on her."

"Then bring her with you. Dinner is at 1900. Don't be late."

L'Rissa knew when she was beaten. She was one step away from it becoming an order. "Alright mother. I will see you tonight for dinner." She hugged her mother once again and then turned and exited, her mind racing on how to explain things to Aiko.


Elsewhere, Aiko felt like she was lost in a winter wonderland...or perhaps a summer wonderland was more apt. She was grateful for the forewarning L'Rissa had provided her and was not caught off guard by the heat. It was not unpleasant or uncomfortable but it was a bit more than Aiko was used to, having lived on board a starship that more or less maintained a temperate environmental setting in common areas.

Even though she was not on Cait yet but on the starbase a short distance from the planet, Aiko was still able to get glimpses of the planet. So far, nothing was like what she had imagined. The holopics and holovids she had looked at prior to coming here did not do the planet justice. She took in all of the sights, smell and noise of her environment with an open wonder that made it abundantly clear that she was a tourist.

The station inhabitants she interacted it were kind enough to point her to the bar where she was to meet L'Rissa. However, Aiko took her time getting there. She had first been side tracked by an open architectural exhibit that proudly displayed notable Caitian heroes and when she had done that she somehow found her way into an open market of sorts where she spent a significant amount of time looking through trinkets and gadgets of various kinds- and managed to purchase a few.

Finally, she found her way to the bar, and was politely greeted by the barkeep who proceeded to ask her what she would like. She ordered a drink native to Caitian and asked the barkeep to have a baileys on the rock ready for a friend who would be joining soon.

L'Rissa walked slowly through the promenade of the station towards the bar. She knew she had to tell Aiko about the dinner "invitation" but she really didn't know how to brooch the subject. As she reached the bar she saw Aiko sitting at a table. She made her way over noting that it was beginning to fill up with patrons.

She smiled seeing Aiko had indeed gotten her a drink and had it waiting. She sat down and took a strong slug of her drink, "I have never needed a drink so badly." She was determined not to make things awkward, even if she felt that way. She had to just be upfront and open. "So, I don't want it to be a big surprise. My mother has invited us to dinner tonight. I had to agree to avoid her making it an order." She again took a sip of her drink, hiding herself behind the glass as she waited for Aiko's reply.

Aiko smiled. "It went that well huh?" she replied. She paused before replying. "I'm happy to join the dinner...that is, if you don't think I'm intruding."

"Not at all. As I said, it was practically an order." L'Rissa sipped her drink. "But enough about the stuffy things. How are you enjoying the station?"

"It's been pretty good so far," Aiko replied. She hurled up a few bags of trinkets that she had purchased. "My purchases to date...and I'm not even on Cait yet." She laughed as she took a sip of her drink. She forgot what the bartender had called it but it had a smooth milky flavour, not unlike the Bailey she had ordered for L'Rissa, but this taste was distinctly different.

The two continued to enjoy each other's company and that of the establishment for a hour before returning to the runabout to prepare for the soon to come dinner.

Aiko was not accustomed to what was appropriate when invited to dinner. Her query of the computer had caused more confusion than helped. It seemed there were several customs depending on various scenarios. It was customary to bring gifts yes, but the nature of the gift appeared to vary.

Her search of the computer had also raised another subject that she was not quite sure how to raise with L'Rissa. She wondered if L'Rissa's family saw her simply as a fellow officer who served with L'Rissa or if they saw her as L'Rissa's mate. That rather important distinction had not been quite clear in her understanding of the context around the dinner invite and Aiko did not want to make assumptions, just as she did not want to make L'Rissa feel uncomfortable by asking outright.

Aiko had finally resolved to say nothing and chose to "cross the bridge" when the issue came up. She was fairly good on her feet on most days.

For dinner with L'Rissa's family, she had settled with a bottle of wine she had picked up on the station. It was not spectacular, but she was also not going to be showing up empty handed. She decided to keep her attire fairly casual for the dinner, opting for a semi-formal civilian attire in place of her uniform.

She chose a form-fitting blue sleeveless fleece dress matched with black knee-high boots. She pulled her hair behind her in a single strand and skipped jewelry, opting for more of a natural look. Satisfied with her appearance, she went looking for L'Rissa to start what was likely to be a very interesting dinner.

L'Rissa ran into Aiko just outside her compartment. She looked over what Aiko was wearing, and took note of the bottle of wine. "Good, I meant to mention that. Thankfully you already got something." She continued looking and was relieved she wasn't wearing jewelry. "No jewelry, good. Don't want to do anything to offend my mother. Jewelry is only worn by females in a relationship, and while open to certain differences, I don't want the uncomfortable situation that would arise with that suggestion. Besides, I made it clear to my mother you were a colleague. We should get going. We are meeting my mother at our family home on the surface."

Aiko nodded, relieved and proud of herself. Despite mostly winging, she had actually been on track with the gifts and attire. Additionally, it seemed there was some clarity in how L'Rissa's family would see her. But most of all, she was excited to be beaming to the planet and having dinner on Cait.

The sun hadn't yet set as they materialized just outside the house. The house was a large structure with several large trees around it and open plains. The view on either side of the house looked similar to the open Serengeti of Earth. As they approached the door L'Rissa looked to Aiko, "Point of reference, think state dinner. My family is considered VIPs and you will be treated like an honored guest. Thought I should warn you." She hit the chime and waited for the door to open, looking like she was trying to not hyperventilate.

The door opened and their stood Captain M'Ress looking all types of intimidating. "Please come in." she purred.

Aiko nodded slightly which turned into more of a a slight bow than she intended. She mentally kicked herself hoping that did not violate some sort of cultural practice. Belatedly, she realized that she was actually quite nervous. She supposed being told that she would be treated as an honored guest rather last minute was a bit disconcerting. But there was also the fact that she was worried that her lack of familiarity with the cultural practices did not reflect badly on L'Rissa.

"Captain M'Ress," Aiko nodded, finding her tone and mannerism slipping into her military discipline and tradition. At least that was something she shared in common with the Captain. "Lieutenant Hinata Aiko. Pleasure to meet you ma'am."

She paused only slightly to extend the beautifully wrapped wine bottle. "A small token to thank you for inviting me to your home."

M'Ress took the bottle and took a quick glance and then gave a soft purr. "A fine gesture lieutenant. I assume my daughter has told you of at least some of our customs. It is a pleasure having a colleague and fellow officer at my home. Please come with me, dinner is ready." They were led into the dining area where a large circular table sat in the center of the room and several large meat dishes sat upon the table along with a few small dishes with simple vegetables. As everyone sat down M'Ress looked to her daughter, "How go your duties aboard your ship?"

L'Rissa took a moment before answering. "Things are going well. The Washington has been quite active as of late. We recently discovered a trafficking and smuggling ring that was being used with the Orion Syndicate on New Krakow and was sending people to the Breen to be experimented on. The captain took matters quite personally." She reached for what looked to be a large beef like item and cut a slab and placed it on her plate before passing it towards Aiko.

Aiko took the beef and did the same. She had been surveying what was for dinner and so far, it looked like it was going to be rather enjoyable. The trick, she surmised, was going to be to try and keep her decorum in the company of such an assortment of new food.

"And you lieutenant, how do you find your time aboard the Washington?" M'Ress questioned.

"Exciting," Aiko replied truthfully. "My previous assignment was mostly patrol duty near the Cardassian border. It pains me to say this now, but it was a mostly boring assignment though the crew was lovely to work with and we all got along. Since coming on board the Washington, I...and your daughter, have had various opportunities to make a difference, including the dismantling of the Syndicate crime ring your daughter referred to. We have an excellent Captain and the crew is top notch, so on a whole, I feel lucky and blessed."

M'Ress took the plate with what looked like a type of fish and served herself a pair of smaller items before passing it in the direction of L'Rissa. "I would agree. Captain Shran has made a name for himself in StarFleet. I am certain your family is proud that you are serving aboard such a distinguished ship. I know my husband and I were quite proud when L'Rissa informed us of the posting."

L'Rissa had a look of surprise come over her. She had no idea her parents felt that way about her serving aboard the Washington. "Seriously? I had no idea."

"Any posting would generate pride, but being personally selected by such a prominent captain to serve on their ship is quite an achievement L'Rissa. It can lead to you getting promoted into the higher ranks with even more difficult assignments."

Aiko nodded as she bit into a rather delectable piece of meat and then politely wiped her mouth before speaking. "Indeed, although rather selfishly, I hope L'Rissa stays with us for some time still. She is a highly valuable member of our flight team."

"I would hope so. Her grandfather was a pilot, and she showed aptitude for it since she was just a cub."

Aiko smiled as she looked from M'Ress to L'Rissa. "I guess that's one thing we have in common." She turned to M'Ress. "Forgive me for changing the topic Captain, but as I still have a few days on Cait, I am wondering if you have any top recommendations of places to visit."

M'Ress swallowed one of the fish. She took her napkins and wiped her mouth. "Yes, L'Rissa told me you have never been to Cait. I would suggest a few different places. The Caves of Rawr are considered a must see. The great statue of Tigra in capital city is certainly inspiring, along with the great museum there. Personally, I have always found the views at Leopra to be inspiring, as well as quite beautiful. I'm sure L'Rissa could show you all these places and several others of her personal favorites."

L'Rissa nodded and gave a small smile. "Absolutely. It would be an honor to show you my world."

"You see lieutenant, it is settled. L'Rissa will take you on a trip in the morning. And you will both return here in the evening for dinner." She looked at L'Rissa, "I insist" she said with a smile.

L'Rissa was aware she could say nothing but agree at this time. She was moments away from this becoming an order. Her mother was nothing if not strict and blunt. "Of course mother" she said meekly.

"Very good. If you will excuse me, I must be going. Please enjoy all you wish. I promise I'll be far more present tomorrow." M'Ress stood up and acknowledged them both and then exited.

L'Rissa sat quietly feeling like she did when she was a child. She had just been given orders indirectly, and though they didn't upset her, she felt small at this moment.

Aiko studied L'Rissa for a few moments before speaking understanding how she felt. Although in Aiko's case it was her grandparents, her grandfather in particular that made her feel that way.

"So where exactly should we visit first tomorrow?" Aiko asked hoping to at least give L'Rissa a little reprieve from the moment.

"The statue of Tigra and the museum in capital city I think you would enjoy, and then it is just a short transport trip to Leopra to take in the scenery. I can point out a few things there I think you might enjoy." L'Rissa was happy to have the reprieve from her own thoughts. Being with Aiko here certainly allowed her to feel more at ease. She continued discussing the history of her world and what they would see at these locales they planned to visit as they continued the meal together. Overall, the night was a bit commonplace, but none the less enjoyable.