What A View

Posted on Fri Apr 14th, 2017 @ 4:47am by Lieutenant Ryan North

Episode: Fishing Expedition
Location: Coral Vandana City - Canals
Timeline: MD-08, 2030

Ryan was enjoying his time in Coral Vandana City, despite the high work load that he and Theo had been under over the course of the past few days. They had been working almost thriteen hour days, side by side with their counterparts. So far they hadn't made all that much progress in their research but tomorrow they were going to head out into hte depths of Verona IV to get a look at the biological life in their natural environment. 

The sun was just starting to set when Ryan wandered out of his temporary quarters into the canals that criss-crossed the massive city. Theo and Vex had headed off to one of the more... interesting clubs. They had extended an offer to Ryan to tag along, although he suespected the two really wanted some time alone. He was starting to wander how much longer Theo was going to wait before telling him about his relationship with Vex.

Ryan stopped and leaned against the window, taking in the setting sun and the smell of the clean, sea salt air.

"Mr. North?"

Ryan turned to see Farondis standing there. The young N'Taulon looked much different in his causal attire than he had in his black and grey jumpsuit. He was wearing shorts, very form fitting shorts, sandals that looked like something out of ancient greece. His short consisted of a shimmering vest that showed off his muscular and lean torso and chest. A necklace of glittering beads hung aorund his neck.

"I see you," Ryan said, addressing Fardonis in the traditional greeting of his people. "And I welcome your voice."

"I see you and I welcome your voice," Farondis answered. He smiled thinely and went to join Ryan at the railing. "Where are your colleagues, I thought you would all be taking in all that our great city has to offer."

"Oh they are," Ryan said, turning to face Fardonis. "Theo and Vex went off to some of your more... lively establishments. I decided that I would take a walk along the canals instead. It seems pretty quiet out here."

Farondis nodded. "It is, the night is still young. This area will get much more busy in an hour or so."

"You guys like your late nights," Ryan said. "What are you doing here?"

Fardonis indicated a shop down the canal. "My husband and second wife enjoy trinkets from that shop. We have a celebration called the Feast of the Waves in a few weeks, it is customary to give small tokens of appreciation."

"Ah, we have similar customs back home," Ryan answered. "Forgive me for asking but how many... partners do you have?"

Farondis smiled tightly. "We have learned that not everyone understands our interpersonal relationships, it can make some feel uncomfortable. But, I have one husband and two wives. We have no children together, at least not at the moement. A family is something that we all want someday. And what about your Mr. North, you have no betrothed."

Ryan shook his head. "I was married once, he died on a mission."

Fardonis stopped and bowed his head. "May his soul soar among the stars."

"I believe he is doing just that," Ryan responded. "I wanted to thank you for all the kindness and geneorsity you've shown me and my staff, as well as the research team. You might give the Ferengi a run for their money on the hospitality gambit."

"Ah, yes the little green men," Fardonis said, with a nod. "They are a revolting speices that seem to have little in the way of redeeming qualities."

"Some of them aren't so bad," Ryan admitted. Although if he was honest with himself he could see Farondis's point. Truthfully, the Feregni seemed to be doing nothing to change that opinion as well. "But they are a bit of an acquired taste."

"You eat them?" Farondis asked, his face going wide with shock.

"What? No, we don't eat them," Ryan said. "Oh wait, sorry that's an expression that we often used. It means that they take some getting used to, that's all."

"That makes more sense."

"I'm a scientist, I should have known that particular phrases don't translate well."

"An easy mistake," Farondis said. 

"Your city us truely wondorous," Ryan stated, as they continued to walk. "And the way that you've taken care of your oceans is amazing. It's something that my people struggled with for a long time."

"This planet gave us life," Farondis said. "It is only right that we treat it with respect and dignity. We've always tried to develop technologies that would be beneficial to us both. We conduct our most dangerous experiments in space or on the nearby lunar colony."

"Sounds like wise precautions," Ryan said. "I only wished the people on my homeworld had thought of the environment like you do. We almost desetroyed our planet with the damage we did to it."

"But you did not," Farondis pointed out. "Your species managed to reverse the damage that it did. Dwelling on the past is not a way to make steps toward a future."

"A wise man," Ryan answered, with a nod. "I shouldn't keep you, I would hate to be the one that caused you to get in trouble with your mates."

"I hardly need any help in that department," Farondis said, with a smile. "I will see you tomorrow."

"See you in th morning," Ryan said. 

"Do enjoy yourself," Farondis said, as he started to walk away. "Our city has much to offer you."

"I'll do that," Ryan nodded.

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