Scented Rituals

Posted on Tue Nov 13th, 2018 @ 5:34am by Captain Taliserra Tigran & Lieutenant Commander Radak

1,243 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Negotiations and Apothecaries
Location: Yatal ambassadors quarters - Deck 4
Timeline: Shortly after meeting the ambassador

ON:


Al'mek had a ritual. Everywhere he went. It was both tradition and something he enjoyed. Fortunately, there were a lot of little shelves in the quarters that they were given by the Starfleet people. There were certain scents that the Ambassador liked to have all the time. Some were for the ancestors, some were for the coming negotiations, some were for protection. Only the ambassador knew which was which.

The case the bottles were in was rather elaborate. When opened it was rather like a toolbox, except instead of being stacked with trays on just one side, it was stacked on both sides. The case had to be opened very carefully and it only closed one way properly as well. Even though the case of vials was showing signs of wear the ambassador insisted that it was brought with him everywhere that he went.

These talks were especially important. So he brought his full repertoire of scented oil. He carefully opened the case and began to select the oils from it, placing them on the table for his aide to put on the small shelves once he had made all of his selections. These selected now would serve them for the entirety of these talks.

Then the door chimed.

Al'mek smiled to himself and called out, "Come in!" He was feeling organized and collected. Hopefully, these talks would go well.

The door opened and Ran'ai took a few steps inside, she carried several small bags of the ambassadors things.

"Ah! Very good. You will unpack them, but first I would like you to place my scent bottles on these shelves," Al'mek instructed. He waited a few moments for her to put things down and set about her tasks before asking, "What do you think of our hosts?" In here, he felt he could ask her opinion freely.

"They are unusual," Ran'ai said as she started to stack Al'mek's chosen bottles. "Many different species all working together for one goal, while we can't always get all the tribes to agree on one thing."

"It is something to aspire to," he replied. He was still looking around the quarters he would be using. They were very stark. He supposed they were that way because they allowed their people to decorate how they wished. "Do you... believe it has something to do with structure? Or control?" What he was asking was if she thought all these people worked together because of rules. Or if she thought there was more motivating them. Incentives perhaps.

"They must have a very good structure in place, but the Captain did say that the Federation provides then with everything they need. They might see it as a... duty to serve in their fleet," Ran'ai replied, carefully placing the last bottle on the shelf.

Al'mek nodded and surveyed her work with a smile. He went back to his scent bag and pulled out three more bottles. "I believe we should anoint the tables with these." The ritual he had talked about earlier was a very simple one. He was not quite sure what the Federation officers were so excited about, but if they wished to see the momentary ritual of anointing the table and chairs they were welcome.

"I agree," Ran'ai said, although Al'mek barely ever sought her opinion. "The goljala scent is very appealing."

"I agree. I find it very soothing and I think we will all need as much of that as we can get over the next few days," Al'mek said, his back to Ran'ai as he continued to look through the bag. He seemed to be organizing it, perhaps even making mental notes of what he needed more of soon. "I will say this. I do not wish to be on the bad side of these Federation people." He lifted a mostly empty bottle into the air and gazed at the contents.

"Why do you say that?" Ran'ai asked, the Wolff was a large powerful looking ship but powerful ships were not everything.

"Because they have the cooperation of many races and their ships are impressive. Two things that we have not managed... as of yet. It is not that I am unsatisfied with our progress as a people. It is quite the opposite, but now I see even more potential." He turned and looked at Ran'ai with a smile.

"You think we could eventually get all the tribes to agree on things? Eventually work with the Kurai and our other neighbours and have our own little federation of systems?" Ran'ai asked. "I highly doubt the Kurai would live up to any agreement we make."

Al'mek looked thoughtful for a moment and then he nodded. "I do believe it to be possible. Right now though?" He looked at her. "Right now, people are offended. Offended people do not listen well. You have to be patient and wait for them to calm down again, before you can attempt to speak to offended people. Both sides of this situation with the Kurai are offended. I am hoping that Starfleet may add the voice of reason and put us past our offenses."

Ran'ai shrugged slightly. "This is a good first step, but I still have my doubts."

"I know that this has not been your favorite assignment, but I think it is important that you see these talks through with me. We must establish peace. We cannot keep living like this," Al'mek said.

"Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy working with you," Ran'ai said, then quickly added, "and I do agree with you, after the losses we took at Tvulnala we can't keep fighting but..."

Al'mek set the bottle, that he was currently looking at, down on the table in front of him and turned his gaze to Ran'ai. "Speak your mind. Please. I wish to hear it."

"I don't think this is going to work, we made peace attempts before and even met with an ambassador," Ran'ai said although she knew Al'mek already knew it. "That did not end well."

"It did not end well," Al'mek agreed. "Which is why it is important that we involve someone outside of the conflict. I believe that with the Federation's help maybe we will get... somewhere." He sighed and straightened his robe. "Although, may I remind you that we still do not know that our Ambassador is dead. He was never recovered. We must try, Ran'ai. What else are we to do?"

"You are right," Ran'ai said nodding slightly. "High Chief Tarieal would say keep fighting but he has always said fight every time he was asked. The majority want peace, so we have to try."

Al'mek nodded. "Yes, we must." He seemed satisfied that the conversation was over and turned back to his bottles.

Ran'ai saw the visual clue that the conversation was over. "Will you excuse me Ambassador? I have my own baggage to attend to, if I am no longer needed."

"Of course... do as you like," Al'mek said. It might have seemed like a rude remark to someone not familiar with their culture, but the Ambassador was merely dismissing her as he would any other night. "We should attend to the negotiation room as well. If not tonight then tomorrow." He did not expect a response, as he was only stating fact.

Nodding Ran'ai turned and left the ambassadors quarters and went with her escort back to the shuttlebay to gather her own belongings.

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