Similarities and Differences

Posted on Wed Feb 9th, 2011 @ 5:14am by Lieutenant JG Talri & Helen Archer [Jones] & Lieutenant Serena "Seren" Jones

1,418 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Forests of Mythraeli
Location: Lounge
Timeline: Current

It was only sensible to know one's way around the ship one lived aboard, thought Talri, and since her shift had finished, she had been taking a look around, familiarising herself with the locations of the different departments.

After a while, she reached the lounge. It was going to be only a perfunctory stop; there was nothing much of significance there, after all. However, as she made her way through, a blonde, human woman caught her eye. The resemblance was obvious. She was clearly the sister Lieutenant Jones had mentioned.

She was almost obliged, now, to introduce herself. Talri stepped closer to the woman and enquired politely: 'Ms Jones?'

Helen looked up from what she was doing and stated," O hello. O its Mrs. I'm married. Can I help you with something. Food or Drink?" Helen then gave the Vulcan a warm smile and waited for her response.

'Actually,' Talri said honestly, 'your sister said to me that I ought to make your acquaintance. I am new to this ship,' she explained. 'My name is Talri.'

"Its nice to meet you Talri. I'm Helen Jones Archer," she stated warmly, "But you just call me Helen. My sister usally dosn't send just anyone my way. So why don't you find somewhere to sit and I'll get you something to eat or drink and we'll sit down and chat for a few minutes."

'Very well,' Talri agreed readily, indicating an empty table. 'Do you have Vulcan spiced tea?' She wasn't exactly adventurous when it came to food or drink, preferring to keep as close as possible to what she was used to at home.

"Coming right up," smiled Helen. She turned around went behind the bar and made Talri's tea. Once she was done, Helen came back and sat the tea infront of Talri and stated, "I hope its how mother use to make?" Then she sat down across from Talri, "So tell me of your self."

Talri tasted the tea. 'It is very good,' she told Helen approvingly. The spice blend wasn't quite exact, but it was close enough for Talri, who took another, longer sip before continuing. 'As for myself? I am a stellar cartographer. I worked at the Shi'Kahr Institute for nine years before joining Starfleet, and this is my first assignment,' she told Helen.

"Aw, I see," stated Helen intrested, "That must be something. I personally is just a simple house wife that works at a lounge. It must feel different being on assignment then in an institute."

'It is different,' said Talri. 'I have not been here long enough to say more than that with certainty. You, however-' she tilted her head slightly, '-do not say it that way. Do not denigrate your work. Your sister told me you are raising children, is that not so? It is in itself a worthy task,' she told her. Talri herself had cut down to part-time consulatancy work while her children were very young. She knew well the importance of those first years.

"I'm not," smiled Helen, "I'm just saying compared to what you do. My work is just simple. And yes I have two children a daughter named Meggan who is eight and a son named Aden who is three. They are my life, what of your children? Are they here with you?"

Talri shook her head. 'Liet is six, and Amril four,' she said, 'and they are living in the village I grew up in, Korindet-Sivek in the desert on Vulcan, in the house of my mother,' she explained. 'Sovrek - my husband, their father, he is with them.'

"Wow that must be hard being with out them," stated Helen, "I couldn't be with out mine. Well hints why there with me. There father is off scouting out Romulus right know. I don't want them traveling all the way back to Earth. So there with me." Then she smiled to herself, "So I know were they are and stuff."

'You certainly could not send them back to Earth alone,' Talri agreed. 'It is true that I am unused to being without Liet and Amril's company,' she went on. 'It was not the easiest thing, to leave them. However, it was necessary. They are young, and have much to learn, and it is better that they are given the opportunity to do that in a familiar and nurturing environment, would you not agree?'

"I guess so," replied Helen, "You wanted whats best for them. It must be nice to know that you have people watching over them. That will love them and give them what they need." She smiled at the Vulcan woman, "It goes to show how different we are."

'We both want what we believe to be best for our children,' said Talri, sipping at her tea again. 'There we are perhaps not so different. Tell me,' she said then, 'what is your husband doing out by Romulus? Is he in Starfleet?'

"Yes," stated Helen, "He's Captain William Archer of the USS Hellstorm. Apperently Romulus is no longer for some sort and he's going out there to aide people. If it wasn't dangerous I would be with him. What of your husband what dose he do?"

'Sovrek is a writer, and I suppose you could say a philosopher,' said Talri. 'He has spent a great deal of time in study at our most renowned temples.' She thought for a moment. Personal matters were often difficult ones to discuss, and Talri had a habit of letting her intellectual curiosity get the better of her, but knowing the extent to which human customs differed from her own on the subject, she had to ask. 'How long have you and Captain Archer been married?'

Helen folded her hand and placed him in front of her, "We've been married for I would say six years. You?"

'We were married twenty-one years ago,' Talri offered in return. Six years did not seem long, but then Helen was likely much younger than her, even if she did not look it.

"Wow congrates you and your husband for keeping the flame going," stated Helen excited, "I hope someday William and I will be married that long." Then Helen over heard someone call out for a waitress. She looked over to whom it was and held up her index finger for one minute. "Well Talri I have to go back to work," she said sadly, "But I would love it if you came over for dinner. My treat."

For a moment Talri was unsure of how to respond. She did not wish to be impolite to Helen, who had shown kindness towards her. However, the idea of visiting for dinner, when she was still so uncertain about everything here? She could foresee difficulties. Talri said, carefully, 'Regretfully I must decline that offer; I have rather stringent dietary requirements and I do not wish to put you to any trouble. However, if it would be acceptable to you, perhaps I might visit you one afternoon, and meet your family?'

Helen put on a pouty face then quickly went back to neutral, "Well thats alright, what ever makes you feel comfortable. Saturday would be nice. I don't work and Meggan dosn't have school. If that would be fine with you?"

'That would be very good,' Talri agreed readily. 'I shall ensure that my shifts are arranged to give me some time to visit on Saturday.'

Helen stood up and said, "I'll see you then." Then held out her hand to the Vulcan, it was only natural for her do so, being a Captain's wife, she had lost count on how many times she's shook peoples hands.

Talri blinked, and then shook her head fractionally. She knew that humans had little-to-no mental shielding, and in such cases she preferred to avoid physical contact, particularly when the other individual was potentially unaware of her telepathic abilities. Instead, she held up one hand, fingers parted in the traditional Vulcan salute. This time, however, she eschewed the traditional phrasing in favour of, 'Indeed. It was good to meet you. Goodbye, Helen.'

After her goodbyes, Helen left Talri to finish her drink and went to go help the person who was ready to order a meal or drink.

____________________

Posted by:

Helen Jones Archer
Waitress/Bartender
NPC by Haleigh

Lieutenant JG Talri
Stellar Cartographer

 

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