#112 Friends In The Making

Posted on Thu Jan 5th, 2023 @ 4:19pm by Chief Warrant Officer Niraasha "Nira" Whisperwind & Lieutenant JG Ainkara "Kara" {Meji}

Mission: BUGS OH NO!!
Location: Main lounge
Timeline: current

ON:

Ainkara had taken her lunch break and went to the main lounge. Entering and stopping just inside, she let her eyes scan the room for a place to sit. Over by one of the large viewports she could see Chief Nira and, what looked like, a smaller version of her species. The two of them were at a table normally for four, but with the amount of empty dishes yet to be collected by the servers they apparently needed the extra space. And, their table was one of the aloof ones, set away from others for a more private dining experience. Being curious, and having met Nira on a couple of occasions, Ainkara decided to go over and see what the new face was all about. She noted that both Nira, and the younger version of Nira, so it seemed, quirked an ear her way as they sat and talked, with the youngling shoveling copious amounts of ice cream into her mouth. Both Puazi looked her way at the same time, with almost exactly the same head movements and posture.

"Hello, Nira," said Ainkara, looking back and forth between the two. "Agreeable to see you again. I was curious as to who the new crew member was." She gave a grin to the child.

"Please, sit." Nira offered, motioning to the seat to the right of her daughter, and directly across from her, and also bereft of any empty crockery. Once the Voran woman sat down Nira continued. "This is Sera, my daughter. Newly arrived as of today."

"It is agreeable to meet you, Sera." Ainkara gave a nod, her own eyes scrutinizing the young lady. She definitely looked like her mother, almost exactly, which told Ainkara that her development was not all natural. Being used to Iconian mischief with races she knew all too well how cloning worked for some species. Even the Dominion used cloning. And, to top it all off, the little one wore the same bikini style outfit as her mother had on.

Sera swallowed her mouthful of melted ice cream, not suffering brain freeze, then dabbed her mouth with a cloth napkin before speaking. "You, as well. I like your ears."

Nira smiled at her daughter's knowledgeable, yet childlike, mind.

Ainkara also smiled. "Thank you, I like yours, too. Your eyebrows, however, really make you look pretty."

"Thanks," said Sera, smiling. She pushed her bowl away and stood up, getting closer to Ainkara, scrutinizing her face and head. "You are not Vulcan but I like your cheekbones." Sera tapped her own cheekbone with a finger, meaning she liked the cartelege pattern on Ainkara's face.

"You're right, I am not Vulcan. My people are called Voran, from a world known only in memory as Vora'neet. As for my cheeks, thank you. All Voran have them." Ainkara was at first nervous when the child got so close but after realizing it was out of sheer curiosity and exploration she settled her inner spirit.

Nira, for her part, let the two conversate and get to know one another. If Sera was to find her place on board then she would need the independence to meet and greet anyone she wanted, in her own way. It seemed that her curiosity was an endearing quality people seemed okay with.

"Can we be friends," asked Sera. "Mother has many friends so I would like to have some too."

"I would like that very much," responded Ainkara. "Perhaps, when you start your schooling, I can assist with your lessons. Then, I can visit you and your mother."

Sera clasped her hands together with an excited clapping noise, smiling broadly. "Yes!" She turned her head to look at Nira. "Is this okay, Mother?"

Nira gave a light chuckle. "I think it's perfect. The two of you seem a good match as friends."

Those blue-glow eyes showed Sera's happiness and without warning she gave Ainkara a hug. "I see you," she said as she stepped back.

Ainkara had hugged back while the girl grasped her around the neck and then when she stepped back and said what she said, Ainkara raised an eyebrow, not understanding. Nira cut in. "I see you is a Puazi way of saying she recognizes you as who you are, her friend. I would say the same to my mate Sean Silk, to recognize him as my lover and life partner."

Ainkara gave a nod and looked at Sera and with all seriousness returned the gesture. "I see you." She reached out a gentle hand and stroked the girl's cheek, speaking in her mind. ~I see you forever, Little Sera. Always.~

Sera's eyes got big as she realized that was done in her mind, not out loud. "Mother!" She hissed out, remembering that mom had told her to keep her Eldritch Magick skills to herself unless absolutely needed. "She has magick!"

"No, no, Sera. It is not magick, as you say. It is merely a trait of my people. An advanced form of mind meld like our Vulcan cousins." Explained Ainkara. "We can also move things with our mind, a natural telekinesis. It can be taxing if used too much. During my meditations I use it to lift objects around my quarters, while in deep meditation, to stay in practice and keep up my endurance."

Nira had not been told this, but then again, she had not got to know Ainkara that well up until this moment, having been suspicious of the woman in the beginning. "Something she obviously likes to keep hidden, Sera. Be respectful and honor her wishes."

Sera had returned to her seat as the servers came and removed all the dirty crockery. "I will, Mother." Looking to Ainkara. "I practice my magick when I can, too. We have not gone home yet so I haven't practiced today."

"We will head to home once we are done here," said Nira. "Your father should return shortly and I want everything to be acceptable to his return."

Ainkara did not want to breach a subject that could cause anxiety in either of them, but she had to say it. "I don't see her father in her at all. Is that a part of the genetic process? Did his genetics get removed? I am not trying to start a fight or pry."

Nira knew Ainkara was a science officer, and part of science was chemistry and biology. She could not get angry over curiosity since it had been asked with respect. "His contribution is still there, just buried within the Puazi genetics. As Sera grows we will see what effects it may bring her."

"Momma says my dad is tough for a human. A true warrior and a healer. I am proud to be his daughter and can't wait to meet him in person." Sera seemed excited by the prospect, and being talked about like a lab experiment right in front of her seemed to not bother her in the slightest. "I got to meet his hologram back on Puaza, in the Andromeda galaxy, while I was being seen to by our healers and the high priestess."

Ainkara noted Nira's ears and browse drooping slightly, a sign that she missed her mate terribly. "I have met Doctor Silk. Yes, he is all of those things and much more. A good man with the heart of a sentinel."

Nira gave a smile at hearing that. "All the things that made me love him."

Sera could feel the sadness coming from her mother, and she could read Puazi body language better than anyone else. Her mother was showing the signs of missing him deeply so she got up and went over, leaning into her mother's side and giving a brief half hug, remaining in place as her mom put her own arm around her daughter's shoulder's. "It's okay, momma. Like you say, he be home soon. Then we both get our hugs!" She laughed and hugged her mom again.

All three of them gave a laugh, continuing to talk as the time passed. Ainkara decided to mark it as a half day for the department, deciding instead to spend more time with these two wonderful individuals.

OFF: