WhY did I get a Ferengi? 2

Posted on Wed Oct 3rd, 2018 @ 5:59am by Lieutenant JG Teenah Spartacus

1,098 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Food for the Gods
Location: Counselor Offices

OLD

"You again are very kind." He watched her pour the juice and prepare him a small plate.

NEW

"I do hope you enjoy it, It is as fresh as I could arrange." Spartacus wanted to slap him but he took care not to 'accidentally' touch fingers as he accepted the plate. "Now before I interrupt the taste of the first bite I feel I should ask my initial question before you have food in your mouth." She smiled like a feline over her lashes. "Please tell me something you do not want me to know?"

"Excuse me..." Gink almost had his mouth agape. "Something I do not want you to know ... " He managed not to stammer, he could not give her classified information . "Do you mean s-something like how your skirt accents your legs and that your uniform is quite the attractive change that you wear well?" He blurted out. "I-I mean y-you look quite attractive over the other females and it is nice to see a female take pride in her attire and not go for the ..." He had to think fast ow that he had opened his mouth. "Overly adorned females trying to attract the attention of males. I-I like to admire female clothing ..." He shook his head. "I-I mean the way clothing accents each female in a unique way..." He sighed.

"Please go on with that thought." Spartacus had to admit a bit of being intrigued by his answer; it did not take her heritage to know he was speaking reactively but truthfully. "I will hold full judgement until you get a .. clear thought across."

"I-I mean that female with clothing." He corrected. "In the Federation females choose clothing to -to fit a mood or a feeling they possess I believe." He tried not to stutter or stammer. "Through my observation of Fleet uniformed females, the individual replication of a uniform..." He almost looked sheepish towards Spartacus. "Your uniform is a hand sewn and tailored with very vibrant style material not standard to fleet ..." He looked in her eyes. "Well within the regulations ..." He added quickly. "It is just made to be more of a complement to you, not audacious as some custom attire but meant to flow with the regulated uniform and still be of unique cut to .. you." He never looked below her waist wit his quick evaluation. "It looks like a form of dyed silk?"

"Vulcan -silk." Spartacus told him with a slight surprise. "Not many catch that right off, you are observant and know materials." A sly smile came to her. "Do you take care in your off-duty attire as well?" She knew he wore a replicated uniform but he had it adjusted with each fitting; he took care to be presentable without too much ruffle.

"I have an image to express." Gink replied. "I represented the Federation with my interactions on Vulcan; it was not like a star ship where fellow Fleet personnel were whom I talked to on a daily basis. I had to be with Vulcan representatives everyday being on their soil. I could not allow myself to be of a negative image to the society and fleet that I serve." He thought for a second. "I do not think I am excessive, but I understand that a 'disheveled' appearance would reflect badly upon the pride I take in my citizenship and especially my professional representation of my station."

Spartacus eased back slightly in her chair as she pondered that statement; from a Ferengi no less, and her own 'standards' came to light. She wore the Skirted uniform option as her way to be both feminine over those 'unisex' choices that just do not set well with her, but also in a way to show respect for the officer of other times that had to wear very revealing uniform that are decidedly female and still managed to excel in their careers. Being feminine and successful can be done. Not an all that opposed vantage point than Gink, Spartacus is constantly aware that her appearance as both Officer and Orion female heritage does play in the image she projects.

"Having pride in one's appearance is not a negative ..." Spartacus began and raised a finger for emphasis. "If kept from going over-board." She corrected and thoughtfully glanced his direction. "So I take it you are very dedicated to your duty and tasks?"

"There one might say I am obsessive." Gink replied before properly thinking. "I mean I have been told I am quite... through when it comes to my processing of data." He hoped it came across correctly, the latent image in his head of the woman's knees and shapely legs were a distraction still and he had to keep proper decorum by focusing on her eyes as he spoke. "I know that my evidence is on average a minimum of 60% of the case when presented on average." He explained. "Some would say in many cases a higher percentage, but I am not a prosecuting or evaluating person, I am only the Processor of the evidence and author of the evaluation and observations."

The man was quite passionate about his work; a good sign for a person with his responsibility weighing on the outcome of an investigation or inquiry. Spartacus was looking at his expressions; Ferengi are harder to read but with her experiences and observations thus far the man Gink seemed to be quite sincere; a new trait for a Ferengi, and she had to make sure this is not an act. She can only do this through questions and watching his reactions.

"That must be somewhat stressful; I mean you are a high percentage of the investigation’s evidence, how does that make you feel?" Spartacus asked.

"That is what I do." Gink seems to have been asked an obvious question and almost insulted by the reaction. "Accurate knowledge is the keystone to all; business of instigation or even life itself." Gink interjected. "How many times is the word 'know or known used in the business. Know your customers, know the market; Sun T'Su said 'to know your enemy and know yourself." Gink rattled off. "Profits are made by knowing your market share, innovations are made by knowing how to achieve the results required and even in the mating most females; by my experience, want to 'know' they are cared for and thought to be special?"

Spartacus nearly took in a breath at the last point the man made, Gink watched and noted all the things around him it seemed and kept a tally of it.

TBC

 

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