Ferengi Territory

Posted on 12/07/2021 @ 10:22am by Captain Cara Letsul

1,788 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: The Mirror’s Edge
Location: Ferengi Embassy
Timeline: 15.00

Ooc: Ferengi Embassy - Reception Room | Brek’s Office

Should Cmdr Letsul be on time, she would be responding to his invitation to visit the Ferengi Embassy at 15.00 today. In 15 minutes then. If on the other hand she took advantage of her privilege, as a woman, to be as late as she wanted, he could be left a long while marking time and twiddling his thumbs and his thoughts. For he couldn’t help wondering why, on their first encounter, she had chosen to remind him of the ultimate power that counselors possess. Had it been said in a jest, or as a warning? At the slightest sign of ‘madness’ she might tell him that he had become persona non grata and had 72 hours to vacate the embassy.

As he continued to pace the reception room, he wondered aloud: “Where does madness start and stop, though?”

Slumped on the black sofa, Jez the dog produced a strange little noise that sounded like a sigh.

Brek winced. “You can talk, Jez. You’ve got an easy life. Nothing to worry about. If you had to work for your keep, you wouldn’t be so contemptuous.”

Cara arrived five minutes before the appointed time, carrying with her a bag that held several items. One was a metal container with beautiful artwork and filled with Scottish shortbread cookies, there was also, some cold tube worms and some spore pie. Given that she truly didn't know what Brek's favorite foods nor his preferential types of food. ( besides the Scottish shortbread) She also brought with her some Slug-O- Cola. Cara determined that she might go well with what she brought. Thankfully there was a shop on the promenade that had these goods there, and that these were not replicated.

When she first stepped inside, she gazed at the reception room, its colors definitely rather bright with the varying shades of orange, and the tastefully done furnishings. She smiled at seeing it, and not the drab colors of what the walls normally would look like. Then her gaze turned to Brek and his assistant.

"This looks marvelous Ambassadors. I do love the colors of a sunset and this to me looks just like that. I have brought you some house warming gifts to welcome you to the station." Walking towards him with the bag in hand.

“I’m glad you like the design of this room, Cmdr, but really you shouldn’t have troubled yourself with gifts,” Brek said, whilst at the same time taking the bag. He examined its contents and instantly forgot all he had been thinking about superpowers and madness. “That’s... that’s quite generous of you.”

Razir, who had followed him like a shadow, looked both surprised and baffled (baffrised? surffled?), for if there was one thing that was never seen on Ferengi territory, it was benevolence. As for Jez the dog, she sat beside Brek, taking the stance of a ‘great observer’ which she often adopted when there were no disruptions at the embassy.

“Cmdr Letsul, let me introduce you to my cultural attaché, Razir, and also to Jez the dog, who thankfully is in a polite mood today. Razir, this is our esteemed guest, Cmdr Letsul, Chief Counsellor and Operations Commander”

Brek had sent Envoy Vlum to a complicated errand on the station, making sure she wouldn’t be back for hours. Having her around the Counselor would have been a recipe for disaster.

Razir bowed down, and, taking a cue decided earlier this morning, he vanished to the kitchen, reappearing seconds later holding a tray with three cups, three glasses, and a bottle - not of rum, sadly.

“Do you feel brave enough to try a Ferengi herbal tonic, Cmdr? I have prepared a concoction that, with a bit of imagination, tastes like licorice tea, with hints of nutmeg and ginger. If not, my backup plan is a crushed lime and mint cordial. But first, let’s sit down”. He indicated the black couch, ornamented with orange cushions.

“Or... there is also the Slug-O- Cola, that’s in the bag,” Razir suggested, this time without manners.

Cara took a seat, not really minding the dog being near. "I would love to try your herbal drink, Ambassador, and thank you." she was amused with the eagerness of Razir, whom she surmised that he was wanting some of the Slug-O-Cola. "I will still say you have done wonders for this room."

“I’m really glad you like it, Cmdr,” Brek said. “I think it fits my personality to a T. It’s bright and original. Also, I could stare at the drawings behind us for hours.”

The herbal tonic consisted of a hot liquid as black as a pool of ink, and Brek placed a cup in front of everyone, adding the bottle of Slug-O-Cola for Razir, for he didn’t want to look stingy in front of the Cmdr.

“Now, Counselor, I was wondering... but don’t answer if you feel that I’m being too intrusive... During your career, how have you coped with your double heritage: the Terran and the Betazoid one. Do you favor one above the other?”

Cara took a sip of the beverage, letting it set on her tongue as she allowed the whole experience of the tasted dance over her taste buds. With her knowledge of herbs and having had to make concoctions to help out an ailment, she actually loved the taste of it. "This is good." she responded, then took another sip while Cara contemplated Brek's question.

"The question you have asked, there really isn't an easy answer, both human and betazeds are passionate beings. I have the abilities of the Betazed, so on that side, I have to utilize skills I've learned to keep myself shielded from the thoughts and emotions I can pick up."

"I do not favor one over the other, I embrace them both, as they are a part of me. If I were to allow myself to be at war within myself, I couldn't be a counselor. I would be a hypocrite."

Brek, who had been about to sample the herbal tonic, smiled. To his ear, the Cmdr’s phrase sounded like one might become a hypocrite by profession. Which, on many levels, was true of course. He drank all of his tonic, and was reminded of Ferenginar and its incessant curtains of rain.

“The Ambassador asked this question because, although entirely Ferengi, he feels torn between different cultures,” Razir said, in another fit of boldness. “Chiefly Terran and Romulan, from what I have heard.”

“There is nothing wrong with preferences,” Brek remarked. “I once knew an Andorian who was fascinated by Mexican art. Do you have any cultural preferences, beyond your double heritage, Cmdr?”

Having had finished off the herbal drink, Cara thought once more the answer to give to Brek. He was certainly making her truly dig into who she was. "My cultural preference. I do not think I have one preferential culture I value highly more than others. If I think about it though, I may tend to lean towards the more of Oriental culture. This is due to their healing capabilities, and the way that they work on the balance of the body. I work on both the mental and also healing of the body with my skills in massage therapy as well as aromatherapy."

She turned her gaze specifically towards Brek. "You did see the books I had on my bookshelves in the office, the other day. I don't just stop there, I also look into the herbalism of other races as well." Cara replied.

“You caught me slacking here, Cmdr.” Brek admitted, nonplussed. “From what was on your bookcase, I mostly took notice of your collection of Shakespeare books. ’The Merchant of Venice’ was my very first insight into Human psyche. ...Terran oriental herbalism...” He mused, aware that he knew next to nothing on that topic. “I’ll make sure to remember that, and find something unique in that line, to thank you for your excellent gifts. Well,” He got up, “since we have finished our tonic, let me show you my office, now. It’s not as lively as the reception room, but it will have to do.”

Cara rose up from the sofa, ready to follow Brek into his office. "Thank you, and it needn't be as ostentatious as the receiving room." she responded with a smile, "Everyone has their own style in how they decorate their office. I think that it maybe a reflection of you, Ambassador Brek."

When she stepped inside his office, Cara's mouth opened, she walked in the center of it and turned slowly around to get the whole 360 degree of it. The book shelves that were there, the desk and the chairs, it was amazing. She felt it had been tastefully furnished as well.

"This is amazing!" Cara breathed out, taking a look at what there was. She was definitely impressed.

Imitating the Counselor, Brek also stepped into the office, as if he too was seeing it for the first time. Then he nodded his head, in approval of the Cmdr’s words.

“It was designed to this effect. I’ll be like a king in Versailles in this office - hopefully not the royal who lost his head. Anyway, I find that an office always remains a work in progress, so as my role within this embassy develops, I hope to furnish it further with more books and mementos.”

This would be easy as pie, since, when it came to antiques and valuable objects, he was a horrible hoarder.

“Well,” Brek added, “this concludes our little tour of what is, for you, foreign territory, Cmdr. I hope you will keep a positive memory of this remote corner of Ferenginar, and the quirkiness its inhabitants.”

"Ambassador Brek, or should we dispense with the formalities, with you calling me Cara, and I call you Brek?" Cara remarked with a smile. She cast another look around the office. "It is amazing and I enjoyed the tour. This most certainly has given me a positive memory of this visit. I would like to come visit again and see the changes you've made between now and when the next time I come to visit."


“I would like that very much - Cara,” Brek said, hesitant. In 20 years spent among various species, he had never been allowed to call a woman by her first name. “I look forward to showing you how this embassy is evolving.”

..................................................
Commander Cara Letsul
Poseidon Operations Commander
Chief Counselor
Starbase 50

Ambassador Brek
Ferengi Embassy
Starbase 50

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