Here's to Friendships

Posted on Wed Jul 5th, 2017 @ 9:48pm by Lieutenant Valeria Mordin & Lieutenant Commander Ziyal Tajor
Edited on on Wed Jul 5th, 2017 @ 9:48pm

Mission: Awakening
Timeline: After the briefing

After the briefing, Ziyal headed to Valeria's office. She held a small bottle of Ts'usugi Sake. It was replicated, but hopefully it would be the thought that counted. She was also carrying a replicated leather bound padd, containing her grandfather's book. Valeria had taken a beating in the briefing and the following days would be difficult for everyone, but most especially her. Ziyal's perspective was slightly different from everyone else's, her world had joined the Federation within living memory and most of her race was still outside of it. She paused outside the door and rang the chime.

In her office Valeria was actually organizing a few files on PaDDs, to hand out to those that couldn't make it as well as some reminders of things to avoid while on a Ts'usugi or a Dalacari craft. It wasn't anything new, she just wasn't sure if some of her crew could restrain their technological enthusiasm. Focusing on the task was really the only thing keeping her from remembering what all happened in that briefing, and the circumstances under which the briefing was put together. The chime from her doorway broke her from her organizing, though before she could dwell on the moment she gave a nod to the door. "Enter," she called out, remembering to use Federation standard this time.

Ziyal entered and moved to take a seat. "The briefing looked to be pretty tough on you, so I brought you something you might want." She said indicating the bottle.

It was a rare sight for the rabbitess to show any emotion beyond the ghost of a smile, or the hint of a flirt. The smile she showed Ziyal was wider than most had seen, and true. "Thank you. It was more difficult than I was ready for, but then again who really can prepare for a primer on how to counter your own defenses and cripple your own people?" she mused, and rose to claim the bottle. When she saw what it was, her smile actually widened into a proper grin. "My eldest brother taught me how to drink. Well, how to properly drink and not make a fool of myself." she giggled, remembering, "No sister of his was going to be caught drunk and vulnerable. That's what he'd say."

"I don't have any siblings, I was taught to drink by Starfleet analysis and well, lets just say that needing new livers is something of an occupational hazard." Ziyal said as she sat.

"I want this all to be over and behind us, but I'm so insanely curious as to the resolution."

"You and me both." Ziyal agreed as she passed the bottle over to Valeria. "It's going to be the kind of thing we tell our kids about when we're older, but is going to be hell to get through. No matter how you analyze it, it's a tough situation."

Valeria gave a nod as she went to the wall replicator and conjured forth two glasses, chilled to the touch. She poured herself a decent amount, then offered some to Ziyal. "It's stronger than it looks. I'll pour you a small amount if you want to try some." she offered, as a good hostess to a guest should.

Ziyal nodded, wanting to try a bit of it. "I've never had Ts'usugi Sake, so I would like to try some." Ziyal said, then accepted a glass from Valeria.

"Children." she almost giggled at the thought, "Not until I'm home. Then I'll tell this story, and many others, to my sisters and my little brothers. Then if I ever do have children of my own, they'll hear these stories." and the rabbitess took a swig off the chilled glass and made a face.

"I had forgotten that burn."

Ziyal sipped at hers, it was strong, and not to her liking personally. However, she guessed that her taste buds and Valeria's did not line up perfectly. "You know, speaking of children and family, what happens here will probably impact the Empire's decision to join the Federation."

"Oh without a doubt. How we handle ourselves, how we respect wishes and traditions, how quick we are to jump to warfare or to avoid it." she rattled off a few examples, "Once we arrive, we'll be under constant scrutiny. If it wasn't for the presence of the Dalacari I'd almost say this were a test. Their presence here validates is as an arbitration." she mused.

"If it's one thing I've learned in life, it's that you should never be more alert than when someone tells you to relax." she giggled, taking another generous swig.

"Words to live by." Ziyal said as she took a sip of her Sake and considering what to say next. Part of her wanted to ask who Valeria was referring to when she said 'we', the Federation or the Empire. However, Ziyal knew it was both. "Do you know why I'm a Federation citizen?" She asked quietly.

"So that when asked who your allegiance is to you give the expected answer?" a pause, "I'm sorry, that was bitter and spiteful. You didn't deserve it. I've just been... pressured, I guess is the proper word. I'm expected to give everything I hold dear to the symbol on my breast, and give nothing to the heart that beats beneath it."

She paused, poured herself another bit of Ts'usugi sake, and took a sip. "I apologize." she cleared the air, "Why are you a citizen, Ziyal?"

"Because someone like you made a choice. A choice to join the Federation despite it going against the very grain of their nature. In the darker moments, I'm not sure I can say with certainty that they were right." Ziyal paused, taking a sip of her sake. "I suppose I should back up a bit."

"I'm a Cardassian, I always have been and I always will be. My heart beats deeply for my people. Before the Dominion war, there were border skirmishes between the Federation and the Cardassian Union. You can look the long story up in the history books. Suffice to say, when all was said and done my homeworld had a decision to make about if they should join the Federation or stay with the Cardassian union. My grandfather was a leader in the group that was advocating for us to join the Federation. It was his choice that meant I would be a Federation citizen. He could not answer the question with his duty to his family, or even the goverment that he served, but what was right for all Cardassians that would come after him." Ziyal paused, taking a sip of the Ts'usugi sake and thinking.

"He could not answer it with his duty to the Federation, they were a foreign power and not his people. It couldn't be answered with his duty to the Cardassian Union, because the choice was if they should leave the Union. He could only answer it from his own heart and mind. Because the future generations couldn't tell him the answer with certainty." Ziyal explained.

Ziyal took off her badge and set it next to the bottle of Ts'usugi sake. "I can't tell you the right answer because no one can." Ziyal tapped the commbadge gently. "The decision you have to make can't be answered here, with your duty to the Federation. We are not your people." Ziyal tapped the bottle of sake. "It can't be answered here, with your duty to the Emperor. Because the right choice may be to disobey him." Ziyal tapped her own chest. "It can only be answered here, in your own heart and mind. Because the future generations are not here to tell you what the right decision is."

Every motion the rabbitess made told Ziyal that she was the focus of the Ts'usugi's attention. Her ears were perked and directed towards the Cardassian, her shoulders were loose but shared that same focus. When she spoke, it was soft. As though saying the words too loud would shatter them.

"In two minutes, you've made me feel more at ease, and more welcoming of my decisions then anyone else in the Federation has in the entire time I've been here. In eighty words, you've set my heart and mind at ease in a way that innumerable discussions and meetings have failed to do."

The moment turned lighter as she smiled, "You have a Ts'usugi's way with words. Which helps me know that you meant every word."

"Thank you." she said after a pause, "I needed the company of someone who's opinion I value. I needed the company of someone who saw me as a friend. I felt alone in there, drowning in the dark except for a few beacons of light."

Ziyal nodded, smiling at her friend, "I know the feeling. I felt alone and drowning in the dark for a long time at headquarters after my father disappeared." Ziyal said rubbing the stump where her finger used to be unconsciously.

Valeria returned the smile, honest and bright. It didn't quite reach her eyes, but that was more because Ts'usugi eyes didn't reflect anything. Just pools staring out into space. She took another slow sip, just to remember. It was a few moments before she spoke again, "Regardless of how the universe turns, I'll always call you a friend. If such is outlawed, well it wouldn't exactly be the first time I've ignored the rules." she smirked.

Ziyal sipped her drink, considering what to say for a moment, "Enemy lines have separated me from more then one friend. I've found that true friendship survives such trials. True friends are never apart, even if the light-years separate them. I will be glad to call you friend."