JL | Lt. Keál, Princess Xue'Daio - "Daisy Chains"

Posted on 241508.26 @ 10:53am by Lieutenant Keál & Civilian Xue'Daio Nox

After Keál finished the grafting procedure on Lieutenant Wright he retreated to his quarters for a much needed rest. Though he could endure many hours of constant alert time, he, as well as the rest of his species, required short periods of R.E.M. sleep to maintain their mental acuity. Humans had often referred to these periods as "cat naps" a term that while fitting, often did not sit well with most Caitians. Now three hours after he had sent Jonah Wright on his way looking very much like a natural born Stenellian, Keál was clean, energized and ready to explore the planet below. He made his way to the transporter room on deck 10 where the crewman on watch was more than happy to beam him to the Stenellian capital.

The whir and chime of the transporter sat him down just inside a richly decorated transporter room within the main level of the Royal Palace of Aleine. The room was warm and well lit with intricately decorated and arched screens along the walls. The floor was tiled in large foot square pieces of a natural marble like material that was interspersed with flecks of golden glittery material. The transporter room was currently empty which Keál felt was slightly odd but with the crew of the Enterprise having been given unrestricted access to the palace and the planet, perhaps it was a show of good faith.

Looking around, he took his first breath of an air rich with humidity and the smells of life. The aroma of food, present in nearly all sentient settlements, as well as the smell of less pleasant things were always strongest. It was the subtle and delicate smells, never noticed by life forms with lesser olfactory senses, that peaked Keál's interests. Somewhere nearby there had been a person struggling with apprehension and the acidic aroma of that moment still hung in the air. The smell of the sweet aroma of vegetation in bloom drew Keál down the long corridor, he assumed was the main hall, past a formal state dining room, ballroom and a vast curved staircase leading up to a no doubt elegant infinity. Light shining through a beautifully stained glass window at the end of the hall, drew Keál ever on and finally out into a lush paradise of green growing things.

The doctor and scientist ingrained in him saw him reach for his tri-corder and begin scanning the unusual botanicals as he strolled through the massive multi-acre garden. More than an hour later he had collected readings on over 600 varieties of flora of which more than 90 were as yet unclassified or unrecorded by Starfleet. He now found himself stooped over a beautiful eight pedaled flower which seemed to change color as he moved closer and then further away from it. As he leaned in the flower turned a deep purple almost on the verge of black and as he backed up it lightened to violet and then a range of light blue. "Truly rrremarkable." He said to himself as he again stepped back. The feel of something warm and solid brushing against his tail reflexively caused Keál to spin on the balls of his feet to face what his instincts subconsciously classified a threat. What he saw was a flower of a very different kind.

Each species had its prim and proper place within the garden. Never allowed to wander, never allowed a natural existence, the Empress had done well to rule them with a heavy fist – the same one she’d used to govern the Stenellian Ascendancy and the strange white creature she begrudgingly called ‘daughter’. Even still, knowing as she did that the gardens were yet another one of her mother’s strong holds, the young Princess felt at peace in their sun warmed depths.

That day was no exception.

The rich mauve and peach silks of her caftan shone brightly in the noon-hour sun, as if whispering promise of their wearers own ethereal glow. They seemed to giggle, more than sigh, as Xue moved through the foliage with no small amount of grace. She’d stooped to caress the glowing turquoise petals of what could easily have been mistaken for a Terran Hibiscus but the feel of something out of place brushed against the hint of her calf, the folds of her robe-like garment having given way with just the slightest sliver of bare alabaster skin. Fur. Warm, living fur. Animals were strictly forbidden from the garden, not even the Empress’s hounds were welcome within the pristine acres’ holds and Xue, momentarily forgetting her blossom, turned to scold the beast for being there.

Her tongue quickly stilled, however, when she was suddenly brought face to ‘face’ with the Federation uniformed Caitian’s chest and quickly tipped her delicate skull back to bring set her rose colored eyes on his. Confused, she silently questioned him – her brain whirling to connect his presence to some task or another the Federation would have been likely to send him off on as their errand boy. Tri-corder in hand, the cat-like officer was far from threatening. “Botanist?” She asked, the fingers of one hand wriggling in gesture to the plant-life all around them.

Keál became acutely aware that his mouth was gaping open as the delicate snow-white woman before him asked if he was a botanist. Quickly he recovered his wits, closed his mouth, stepped back just a bit, and said, "No, botany is just a hobby of mine. I am the Chief Medical Officerrr of the Enterrrprrrise." The roll of his R's were gentle but gave the auditory illusion that a house cat was purring in the vicinity.

Her face was somewhat child like delicate, soft, with a curious, kind, and serious look about it. Keál studied her for a second feeling that he should know who she was. Like the peal of thunder after a flash of lightning, the realization that before him stood the Princess Xue'Daio came close to making Keál flinch. Remembering his manners and protocol, Keál gave a small bow from the waist. "It is a pleasurrre to make yourrr acquaintance, Your Highness. Forrrgive me for the intrusion into your garrrden and forrr failing to rrrecognize you prrroperly before speaking." With out a doubt if Keál had been a native he would have been beaten or worse for his breach of protocol. He hoped his host would have the grace to forgive his misfortunate slip and that it would not jeopardize future relations with the Stenellis.

As he waited for her to acknowledge his apology, Keál took in the larger picture which his nose allowed him to view in finite detail. He could smell her, a complimentary fragrance amongst those of the flowers which surrounded them. A tinge of something Keál couldn't put his finger on also permeated the air around her, like the smell of the air after a lightning strike. No pheromone triggers signaled Keál that she was angered or frightened by his forwardness, that at least was good.

The albino blinked as the Caitian spoke – a slow and languid movement that could easily have been mistaken for boredom, or lack of care, if it wasn’t for the fact that she seemed content to study him with the eyes her thick silvery lashes hid, momentarily, from view. While she stepped simply off to the side to give the man-beast a wider berth, she released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding; “You were doing your duty, Lieutenant.” And released him of whatever slight he seemed to feel it ever so necessary to apologize for. “Many have done much worse than forget to bow and humble themselves.” She added, doing her best to keep up the air of diplomacy that seemed to be demanded of her. But there was a degree of heavy honesty there; much worse had been done. The Arrain that shared ranks with the Caitian had done something that could have been considered cruel, something that had brought about the most unnatural responses from the moon-hued regent, all but unseating her from her high perch. The thought she’d readily give it up to free him from their psychological bonds, however, had and would continue to cross her mind.

“It seems we share the…” She paused, chasing the vision of the shadow-prince Romulan from her mind as she sought the standard word she needed, “The…” She grimaced a small, almost apologetic laugh. “Hobby? Yes. Hobby of botany.” Finally. “Most of what you’ll find here are species from our world and the core worlds we trade with. The Empress has a collection of Terran species as well, namely roses.” She offered, quickly making up for her blunder over such a simple word.

Keál felt much relieved when the Princess made light of his blunder. Her words were clear and concise unlike his imperfect basic and he envied her that despite the fact that she had stumbled to find the right word. In the air rose a new scent and one Keál knew well, that of apprehension. In an effort to ease that apprehension he said, "I have a collection of Terran iris rhizomes amongst my belongings on the Enterrrprrrise. I must admit, they were "borrrowed" from the garden at Starrrfleet Academy. I have cultivated them for many yearrrs now and they have prrroduced many wonderful hybrrrids. It is a flowerrr that trrruly lives up to its name. The multitude of colorrrs do rrremind one of a rrrainbow. Perhaps I could make a gift of several if you are interested?" Keál hoped this gesture would smooth over and erase his poor manners and ease the apprehension he had picked up on.

"Irises?" The strange white creature's interest kindled anew, sparked by the news of highly sought after specimens she'd heard tale of, seen holopictures of, but had yet to touch. Not even the resourceful little Ferengi traders had managed to bring back live specimens, likely due in part of their lack of care. The flowers were a delicate homage to the regal and tedious nature of a time steeped in bloodshed... And glory. They promised freedom even to the aristocracy, and Xue had long prized them for it. "A gift wouldn't be necessary. I'm sure would could arrange a mutual trade of one species for another. I'm sure the Federation would prefer it that way." Ever the delegate, she replied with a degree of collection that came as no surprise. She'd long since learned how to repress the excitement that came hand in hand with youth, and while she was still ever leery of the Federation and their so-called progress, she wasn't stupid enough not to act when the bargaining chip was there. Sent to gather information regarding their technology, and succeeding, Xue knew that the 'gift' of the holy-grail of garden blooms had been well earned by her experiences aboard the Enterprise.

"Perrrhaps we can trrrade, Prrrincess. As much as I would love nothing morrre than to visit this garrrden for the rrrest of my time herrre, I have been tasked with visiting yourrr medical facilities. Is there any way you could point me in the dirrrection of a knowledgeable tourrr guide?" Keál regretted asking almost as soon as the sounds left his lips. "Meralw rrr Ess" he said quietly to himself, cursing his stupidity. He had noticed the sent of anxiety was now replaced with that of excitement and hoped his transgression would truly be forgotten. He determined to have one of all twenty-three varieties of iris he owned beamed down as soon as possible.

The regent nodded, further working to curb her enthusiasm over the prospect of her seemingly good fortune that rode astride a chance meeting with one of the Federation’s more obscure races. “Indeed. When you discover a specimen worthy of the trade, have me informed and I’ll see to it that it becomes yours. The garden is open for you and the others to explore, no areas off limits and I’m sure you’ll have time to explore it in whole.” Her hands folded delicately in front of her, giving rise to the perfect poise she knew was to be expected from one of her high stature. The Caitian was nothing more than an officer, a worker bee buzzing away at the nectar of life in order to take information back to the hive – and still she wondered what great information they could possibly use from the garden. “As for the medical facilities, the main hospital is across the city square. It is run and staffed by Mith’ra Nem, the second seat of the Ma’Raydio caste. She’ll be pleased to show you around and likely want to pick your brain concerning your medical technology.”

"If you are available to come along, I will have the rrrhizomes beamed down to the hospital. I have found flowerrrs tend to cheerrr the ailing amongst most species. It would be nice to have the Federrration's ambassadorrr along to keep me out of trrrouble." Keál chanced a smile, a not all to pleasing thing for most humanoids to witness. his sharp pointed teeth and elongated canines often gave non-Caitians the feeling they were about to be attacked. He took note of her posture and her even steady tone, wondering if it reflected her status, caste, or just her personality. Few people he had come across could maintain such stoicism while extruding the range of pheromones she had.

For a moment there was silence as the alabaster Princess considered her options. The ‘smiling’ Caitian was a shrewd being, almost Ferengi like in the way he baited her with the promise of having her precious irises beamed down to the medical center – and she couldn’t help but mentally sigh. To blow him off could easily prove problematic, a chance at offending a member of a species the Stenellis knew so very little about, but the Federation deemed trust worthy enough to heal their ill. All the while, Xue longed for precious solitude, far far away from the aliens that had turned her life completely upside down and inside out with their bravado and idealistic Utopian nonsense – but that solitude laughingly eluded her. “I’m free for a short while.” She finally admonished him, tethering herself to the man-beast for a time longer, “The Empress requires my presence for tea.” Rallied the diligent explanation that would be both a blessing and a curse, “The quickest way is through the gardens to the south wing court and out into Aleine from there.”

Keál reached up and tapped his commbadge. "Lieutenant Keál to Enterprise. Could you send the bio-containerrr marrrked TB-125 to my coorrrdinates, please. It will be amongst the containers on the shelf in my office. Keál out." With that the Caitian tapped his commbadge a second time terminating the connection. He looked at his young escort and the heiress to the empire he now strode about and amongst. She was as striking and beautiful as any flower in the Royal Botanical Garden and unique amongst her people. She carried a weight Keál hoped never to shoulder and yet did it with a poise and composure unmatched by any other species he had come in contact with. She was a key element in understanding her people and her culture and Keál could not have been happier to be spending time getting to know her. He held up his hand pointing in the direction she said they should head indicating she should lead, as both her status and his lack of knowledge suggested, and said, "I am at yourrr serrrvice, Highness."

=/\= End Log =/\=

Lt. Keál
Chief Medical 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