A Sociable Afternoon

Posted on Fri Mar 25th, 2011 @ 9:16am by Lieutenant JG Talri & Helen Archer [Jones] & Lieutenant Serena "Seren" Jones

1,574 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: The Forests of Mythraeli
Location: Helen's quarters

ON:

Helen was quite busy getting both her children dressed and ready as well as getting their quarters looking some what clean for their guest coming over for lunch. After she managed to wrangle the children to where they were fully dressed, she cleaned up a few things around the house. When the quarters were spotless, Helen sighed after she had everything done.

Talri, meanwhile, was trying to decide what was culturally appropriate for a social visit to a human family. Unfortunately, the information in the databanks seemed lacking in some places, and contradictory in others. Hoping she had made the right decisions, she headed to Helen's quarters, wearing a Vulcan robe in the formal style she would choose for visits at home. Precisely on time, she rang the door chime.

Picking up her little toddler she stated, "Come." To the door bell chime. She walked a little to the door to greet Talri. "Welcome to my home," she smiled sweetly, "This little blonde hair girl is Meggan."

"Hi," stated Meggan with a big cheery smile.

"And this little guy is my son Aden," Helen continued. Aden just burried his face in his mothers shoulders only having one eye looking at Talri. "He just got up from his nap," Helen confessed, "May I offer you anything?"

'A glass of water, please,' replied Talri. 'I am pleased to meet you, Meggan,' she said to the little girl. 'And your brother. Your mother has told me what good children you both are.'

Helen sat Aden down in a chair and she watched him curl up in a ball in the corner or the seat. Then she walked over to the replicator and got Talri her drink as well as her families.

Meggan blushed to what Talri told her and stated in a small voice, "We try."

Helen walked back with a few drinks and stated, "Sit. My home is your home. Make yourself comfortable." Then she handed Meggan her drink and then handed Talri her drink over to her.

'Thank you,' said Talri. 'Set it down there for me, if you would.'

Helen found it odd that Talri refused to take the drink from her but she gave a small smile and sat it down on a small entable for her to take. Then with a sippy cup she handed Aden his drink as well.

Talri took a seat by the table. 'It is very kind of you to welcome me to your home, Helen,' she stated. 'I have read that it is a human custom to offer gifts when visiting. I brought these for you and the children.' She set a basket of small cakes down on the table. 'These are very sweet. My Liet and Amril are quite partial to them.'

Meggan's eyes widen to the basket, she wanted one so bad. She looked at her mother and asked, "May I?"

Helen looked at her daughter and replied, "Only one."

Then Meggan walked over to the basket and looked what was inside.

"Thank you ma'am," Meggan blurted out picking out a small cake, then sitting down to eat it.

"Talri you shouldn't have," smiled Helen, "But thank you thou just the same. I hope things are going well for you on the ship?" She asked before taking a sip of drink.

'You are welcome,' Talri replied, before considering Helen's question. 'Yes, although I am still in adjustment to living aboard this ship, I would say that it is going as well as anticipated. It is an interesting shift of perspective, to look at images of certain star systems that I have seen many times before and realize how much closer I am to them now. It is, in all probability, a similar experience for anyone leaving their homeworld for the first time.'

"I know the feeling," stated Helen, "But as times passes by. You'll find that the ship will start feeling like a second home to you."

'Perhaps you are correct,' Talri agreed. 'I have my work here. That is what is important.' She picked up her glass and took a sip of water, before asking: 'Did you always intend it, yourself? To live and work aboard a starship?'

Helen thought for a moment then stated, "No. I was planning to stay on Earth and just be a house mother. But I fell in love with an adventurer and married him and bore him two children. Life is never what you plan it to be but its a life I wouldn't change."

Falling in love, thought Talri, was one of the more peculiar human expressions. As if it involved falling from a great height. She nodded. 'Indeed, life can be...unpredictable,' she offered. 'If you are content here now, then it was the right decision for you.'

"I'm only content because my husband appointed me here," Helen stated, "But I would be much more happier if I were with William. I worry for that man everyday. Going into dangerous territory. But I guess that is what I signed up for when I said 'I Do'".

'You are very devoted to him,' said Talri quietly. 'He must be a remarkable man, to be deserving of such loyalty. However, you made the right decision in remaining here. While I do not doubt that you could face the same dangers he does, the same cannot be said for your children.'

Helen nodded her head and stated, "True, my children do come first in my life. So have you heard of your family recently? I mean how are they? If you don't mind me asking."

'They are well,' Talri replied. 'I contacted Sovrek to let him know I had arrived here. I spoke with my children then also. Sovrek is a good father,' she continued. 'I know that he is taking care of them.'

"I'm glad to hear of it," smiled Helen to Talri. Then she drew her attention to Meggan who engulfed the dessert.

"What are your childrens names," Meggan asked, "Do you have daughter? What does she like to do?"

Talri turned her attention to Meggan. 'My son's name is Liet,' she told her, 'and my daughter is Amril. Amril is likely somewhat younger than you. She is four years old. I taught her to play chess, before I came here. She liked to play. She is good at it, too, for a child her age. Amril and her brother also like to play outside. There is a lot of open space near our home,' she explained. 'What do you like to do, Meggan?' she asked then, politely.

"Well I like to play outside as well," squeeked Meggan, "But sadly its helo suite not real. But I like being outside and go on imaginary adventures. Um.. I like to draw things that I see and help mommy cook sometimes or play dress up."

'Those sound like interesting things to do,' Talri told her, with exactly the level of attention she would have paid to an adult. 'What is your favourite meal to cook?'

"I like to make cupcakes," Meggan blushed, "I like eating the batter and stuff. And put the sprinkles on it too."

Talri nodded. 'Amril likes to help her grandmother prepare meals sometimes, too,' she told Meggan. 'I trust you are very careful when following the recipe? Cakes turn out best when the quantities are exact.'

Meggan blushed a little and stated, "I try. But mommy is always behind me making sure."

Helen smiled and looking at Talri she stated, "Do you need a refill on your drink?"

'No, thank you, I have quenched my thirst,' Talri told her. 'You are fortunate to have such a bright and articulate daughter,' she said to Helen then. Having heard some odd stories about human children, she was pleasantly surprised by both Meggan's manners and her conversation. 'Meggan,' she asked, turning back to the girl. 'Tell me, what would you like to do when you are older?'

Meggan thought for a moment before she answered. Then she came out in a young girls voice, "I would like to be an explorer like my daddy. Travel threw the galaxy and meeting new people."

Talri nodded. 'If that is what you want, I am certain you will accomplish it, Meggan Archer,' she said.

"Tanks," smiled Meggan. Helen looked at the time and she stated, "Talri it was quite wonderful that you've come to vist me and my family. But sadly I must start getting ready for my shift. A life of a mother never ends," Helen giggled.

Talri nodded. 'Thank you for inviting me,' she told Helen. 'It was pleasing to see you again, and to meet your children.' She stood up. 'Goodbye,' she said. 'I hope that the rest of the day goes well for you.'

"As I for you," stated Helen escorted her guest out.

"Bye," Both children stated insynce with one another.

When Tarli and Helen reached the door Helen stated, "I'll get a hold of you when can have another get togeather." She watched Talri nod and then leave the room. Helen turn to her kids and stated, "Well what do you think?"

OFF

Lieutenant JG Talri
Stellar Cartographer
USS Calypso

Helen Jones-Archer
Bartender/Waitress
USS Calypso

 

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