JDL|Cmdr. Dhej and Xue|"Just Smile"

Posted on 241503.17 @ 12:07am by Civilian Xue'Daio Nox

Mission: Holy Cow

=/\=Corridors=/\="Commander Dhej I presume." A voice that chimed like church bells rose from the depths of the corridors. Some people stopped, some continued to walk, but eyes, nonetheless, fell on the albino Princess as she approached the Trill. She smiled as she observed him, her head tilting in some softer form of greeting. The Trill was joined, according to the information she'd received, and held a collective consciousness that spanned for hundreds of years. While she truly believed the Federation to be of little value -- outside of their technology -- there was something about the philosophic race that intrigued her. "You've been a busy man. I meant to meet with you upon my arrival, but you were busy on the planet. Is now a decent time?"

Karim had been en route to his quarters after a series of meetings. After everything that happened with the battle, he couldn't think of anything else except a shower and a long sleep. Duty called however. Forcing a smile he said "Of course Your Majesty. Please follow me." Soon they were entering a formal meeting room reserved for special dignitaries. Gesturing for her to sit, he waited until she did so, and took his own seat. Not knowing where to start he said "Forgive my ignorance, but I've only recently been back on board. May I ask why you have joined us on our vessel?"

Taking an offered seat, Xue crossed her ankles and folded her hands on the table in front of her. "To learn and be learned from, Commander. The Stenellian Ascendancy truly believe we can take away a lot from one another." She smiled, every bit the picture of a perfect little diplomat.

Suppressing a sigh, knowing that his needed sleep would be far off, he replied "I am hopeful of that as well Your Majesty. I trust that recent events on board haven't caused you too much difficulty? They are part of life aboard a Federation starship."

With a tilt of her head, the star child regarded the weary Trill with a waning amount of interest as he spoke. He was tired. Weary even. "Your First told me as much, though a bit less delicately. You really should wash her mouth out with soap." She replied, using the Terran phrase with a surprisingly practiced ease. "I found the ordeal disturbing and just that." Xue's shoulders rose and fell in a shrug, "Sleep can be resumed at any time."

Nodding, and choosing not to respond to her comments about Hunter, he replied "Again, I hope beyond that disturbance the remainder of your time aboard our vessel has been pleasant."

"You could say that." The Princess nodded, "I have heard telling of Romulan presence aboard this ship?" She queried gently, watching the haggard officer's expressions ever so carefully, "My people were under the understanding that the Federation and the Rhiannsu weren't..." She paused, conjuring up the proper Standard words and phrases, "Bed fellows." It suited and would have to do even if there was a flare for the dramatic. Dramatic and colorful was what Trill did best, like bright scaled tropical fish. Someday she'd have several of time dancing in a tank of some format... Unless, of course, they managed to prove themselves worthy to the Ascendancy over time. So much life. So much knowledge. So useless in any other capacity than free and living and experiencing.

Smiling cooly, he replied "The Federation and the Empire have made strives to become more friendly politically. We are very pleased to have one of their officers aboard as an exchange officer." He could tell she was examining him with a strange look, but in the interest of diplomacy, tried to ignore her stares.


The albino blinked slowly and the skin over her delicately tapered nose wrinkled ever so slightly, "Along with a house full worth of servants." Xue countered with a tilt of her head, "I won't begin to claim I understand your politics, Commander Dhej, but I can assure you that the Ascendancy is less than inclined to wine and dine with our traitors. The Romulans have not posed a threat to us and so my interest in why the Federation grants them so many chances is purely curiosity."

Biting back a somewhat undignified response, he smiled warmly and said "Was there anything further we need to discuss before I take my leave Your Majesty?" He hoped she wouldn't pick up on his annoyance with her pretentious attitude.

"That is all." Xue shrugged gently and offered the Commander a smile.

Nodding, he stood and said "Well then, please excuse me, I have other matters to attend to. I look forward to speaking with you again Your Majesty."

=/\=End Log=/\=
Commander Karim Dhej
Acting Commanding Officer
USS Enterprise NCC 1701-F

Xue'Daio Nox
Crowned Princess of the Stenellian Ascendancy
Lady of Aleine
Regent of Apsha
Stenellian Ambassador to the Federation