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Post by possum3 on May 1, 2011 4:53:20 GMT -5
OOC: This is set after the staff briefing... I sort of missed those two threads, so we'll say she was indisposed? If she was meant to be in attendance, which I'm not sure she was XD
Mirax was always a little indisposed when she began in new places. It took a while to work out how to tune out the buzz of thoughts from fresh minds, and Delta One was noisy to say the least, because everyone was excited at the prospect of the unknown. She usually spent the first day in a dimmed room, trying to find the strength to meditate -- she didn't understand how Vulcans did it, meditating was dull. Nevertheless, what amounted to an excellent perception of people and places when visiting alien ships was quite detrimental if one was going to be staying in a place long-term.
She had a list of things she had to do, which included visiting Cadfael in the Inn; if they were to be diplomats together they would first have to be diplomatic with each other, naturally. She was looking forward to meeting him, she had never met a bar tender she didn't like -- but she was saving it for later. Now she was exploring the station, she wasn't nearly so quick to settle as those accustomed to Starfleet standard, and this one wasn't even standard anyway.
The observation deck had to be her favourite so far, though. The view was spectacular. Mirax thought that she was most certainly going to like it here.
TAG Any!
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Post by Commander Arthur Ashbury on May 1, 2011 5:26:53 GMT -5
// Ops to Commander Ashbury, sir, sorry to interrupt your freetime... // came the voice of crewman Chambers, whose duties included making sure the Command module was shipshape, through the comm. Oh, I wish everyone would stop sirring me like that! Arthur thought, but shrugged it off. "Any time at all, crewman. It's what I'm here for. What's the crisis?" He chuckled. He knew there would be no crisis.
// No crisis, sir. Just an Ullian just entered the Observation Deck. // "An Ullian?" Arthur replied. "Must be Ambassador Mirax, our Diplomatic Officer. I'm on my way." He turned around towards Ops, and while he took the turbolift, made a last statement to Chambers. "And crewman, calling me "sir" a single time is quite enough in a conversation." Or not at all, at least not in every sentence!
The pale-skinned Ullian stood out against the blackness of space with the occasional sun. Younger than he was, she still would have intimidated Art had he not been through her duty record extensively.
"Ambassador Mirax, I presume?" he said charmingly, and smiled. "Welcome to Delta One." He wondered why she wasn't at the briefing, but he was sure she had her reasons. If she apologised to him, he would tell her it was alright but he wouldn't bring it up. "Have you settled in?"
Tag: Mirax
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Post by possum3 on May 1, 2011 5:37:25 GMT -5
Mirax sensed him before she turned around, and she knew at once that he was there specifically to see her. She did try not to go poking around in other people's thoughts, but new people were almost impossible to resist. He was cute, she didn't need to look at him to know that either -- he certainly knew it! Mirax was amused. Despite that she had no sense that he was anything less than a good sort, and that was what mattered the most.
She turned and smiled.
"Commander," she greeted him, and extended a pale hand, "a pleasure to finally meet you. I apologise for missing your briefing, and tour -- I am always a little overwhelmed by new places. A filtering issue, you understand."
She gestured with her free hand towards the side of her head, and shrugged delicately. It occasionally felt unfair that her greatest asset was also her biggest weakness, but she supposed that there would always be such a price to pay for talent.
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Post by Commander Arthur Ashbury on May 1, 2011 5:51:35 GMT -5
When he looked into her eyes, Arthur knew for sure the Ambassador had sensed him coming. It was just a sort of very stubborn hunch that he couldn't quite get out of his head. He dismissed it by telling himself that's what Ullians did. He shook the hand she extended. "The pleasure is mine..." he said. "May I call you Mirax?" It was always polite to inquire.
She told him about her 'filtering issue' that had made her miss the briefing. Wait, how did she know about the tour? Arthur realised, a bit startled. Think, Ashbury, think! She's Ullian, she can read minds like they're holonovels! He did what he had resolved to do earlier. "Even if your reason were more mundane," he told her with a smile. "I don't need any apology, because you had your reasons." He realised he'd have to make clear he had regretted and would regret her absence. "Not that we don't miss you when you are absent," he added. He didn't mean that as a flattery, but it probably came out that way. Ah well.
Tag: Mirax
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Post by possum3 on May 1, 2011 6:02:46 GMT -5
"People always want to be missed," Mirax said, with a little smile, and confirmed with a nod that he could use her given name without impunity. She was naturally friendly, and a natural flirt -- it would have been very easy for her to have been cold and uninviting, given that she had unfettered access to the thoughts of those around her, including their opinions on Mirax herself. But she didn't let it bother her.
She understood perfectly well, now, the difference between human thoughts and human speech. She understood that thoughts had no intention, no bearing, and that they had very little control over them at all. The thought process in a human was drastically different to those of an Ullian, or any other telepathic race. Humans were inelegant, and it was what they said that counted, far more than what they thought. Human behaviour was distilled and refined (...most of the time). Human thought was like standing in a rainstorm.
She had resolved long ago to try to take people at face value, but even if she hadn't, she would have been pleased enough with the Commander's attitude. Good leadership required confidence and humility in equal measures, after all.
"I think this deck is my favourite, so far," she told him, gesturing at the spectacular view. "Although I hear that the Portal Inn might rival it," she joked.
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Post by Commander Arthur Ashbury on May 1, 2011 6:16:55 GMT -5
"I think this deck is my favourite, so far," "Although I hear that the Portal Inn might rival it," Arthur laughed. So she was probably fond of the pub atmosphere as well. Time to find out. "I hear Cadfael's done a good job of making the place a legend already!" he observed with a chuckle. "If you like the cosy atmosphere, pub sports and good conversation of a 20th-century English pub, it's definitely the place to spend your free time." He looked out of the window. "Funny fellow, old Cadfael. I've known him for quite some time and he still surprises me..."
He thought for a while, then started laughing. "I'm sure he'd say the same about me," he explained, still laughing.
Tag: Mirax
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Post by possum3 on May 1, 2011 6:26:32 GMT -5
"Maybe," Mirax raised her eyebrows, a little suggestively. "I've never met a bartender who didn't have excellent secrets."
She turned and moved to walk slowly around the observation deck, encouraging him to follow her with her body language; she twisted to look back at him, turning as if they were dancing, almost. If there was one thing to be said about Mirax, it was that once she had decided she'd made a friend, it was as if she'd known them a century.
She flashed him a wicked smile, openly teasing him: "How long did you say you've known him, Commander...?"
The implication that she might well root out some embarrassing nugget of information was plain.
Tag: Art!
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Post by Commander Arthur Ashbury on May 1, 2011 6:37:44 GMT -5
The dance around the Observation deck, as it were, had Arthur follow Mirax around as if she had worked a spell. The movements had a certain grace and pattern that he appreciated. He had never met someone who was so open about everything and made friends so fast. Well, except Celestia, he thought. She considered herself a friend of mine remarkably fast after we first met.
Then Mirax flashed Art a wicked smile and attempted to tease him by inquiring about the length of his acquaintance with Cadfael. "Let's see, we met aboard the Kirk..." he thought aloud. "Must be... 8 years, I think." I wonder where that came from?
Tag: Mirax
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Post by possum3 on May 1, 2011 7:01:45 GMT -5
"Eight years, hmm. There must be something good in there," Mirax said brightly, though she was most definitely only kidding -- testing the waters, so to speak, to ensure his good humour would extend the distance. She could read thoughts, but only as they happened -- it still left her with no way to predict him. She bit her lip. She was being irresponsible, and he was the Commander -- she should probably at least ask him to go over the pertinent points in the meeting.
"Maybe you'd like to fill me in a little, on what to expect in the briefing report?"
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Post by Commander Arthur Ashbury on May 1, 2011 13:49:21 GMT -5
"Can't you just read me for that?" Art said jokingly. "I thought the Ullians were in the memory business." He nevertheless gave her a brief summary. "I welcomed everybody to the Station," he explained. "We discussed the Rathren, a welcoming party of whom is due to visit the station tomorrow, and..."
The comm bleeped, interrupting him much to his initial irritation. // Commander, this is Ops // came the voice of Crewman Chambers through the comm. // We are receiving a communication from Elder Guide S'bos. // The irritation soon made way for amusement. "Well," he told Ambassador Mirax. "Makes my point!" Then he tapped his commbadge. "Put it through to the Observation lounge, Crewman."
The face of Elder Guide S'Bos appeared on a screen on the other side of the room. "Elder," said Art. "Always a pleasure to speak to you. As it happens, Ambassador Mirax and I were just discussing your visit tomorrow."
"Can you two read minds, Commander?" said Elder S'bos, though he did not smile. "That's exactly what I wished to talk to you about."
I can't, thought Arthur with a smile. But she can. "Ambassador," he told Mirax. "May I present Elder Guide S'Bos of the Rathren Grand Circle?"
Tag: Mirax
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Post by possum3 on May 1, 2011 14:03:46 GMT -5
"Can't you just read me for that? I thought Ullians were in the memory business."
"Mm. We're not supposed to, remember? It's naughty. Besides which, you people keep your memories like a teenager's bedroom, I'd have much easier time finding your first kiss or -- any other significant first contacts you've made. You only categorise them by personal importance."
Mirax looked nonchalantly at her nails, without a hint of a blush on her features. She was alert as his comm badge sounded, however, and immediately adopted a more serious position when it became apparent they were going to be contacted by the Rathren now.
"Elder. Always a pleasure to speak to you. As it happens, Ambassador Mirax and I were just discussing your visit tomorrow."
"Can you two read minds, Commander? That's exactly what I wished to talk to you about."
Mirax straightened her shoulders and presented the Elder with a relaxed, friendly smile. Any trace of mischief was absent from her facial expression, even though she was tempted to laugh as she overheard the Commander's thoughts.
-I can't. But she can.-
-Yes, and you'd best tell him so before he comes here,- she projected back at him. -People don't often like to be surprised by it.- She looked across at him, and raised her eyebrow.
"Ambassador," he told Mirax. "May I present Elder Guide S'Bos of the Rathren Grand Circle?"
"An honour, I'm sure," Mirax said, facing the screen. "And I am looking forward to meeting you in person, Elder S'Bos. I hope you are not calling to cancel."
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Post by Commander Arthur Ashbury on May 1, 2011 14:15:51 GMT -5
Arthur was little bit startled when Mirax projected a thought into his mind. Can't she at least warn me before doing that? he thought. And why didn't she tell him about her reading minds, if she thinks it is so important? "I share Ambassador Mirax' sentiments," he said. Quite literally, she also shares mine, he added in thought. "Oh, and about reading minds... I don't know if it was the case now, but Ambassador Mirax can, in fact, read minds." He didn't inform Elder S'bos of the Federation rules on telepathic ambassadors: he thought they made rather dull reading.
"Just joking, Commander," said Elder S'bos. "You'd notice by the really funny scent, if you were here. I was actually calling to ask you if we can bring more people to the meeting tomorrow."
"The more, the merrier I guess," said Art laughing. "We're quite an open station."
"I'm afraid you don't understand, Commander," said the elder. "This is a serious request. You see, your space station is in a neutral region between the Rathren and the Myenn peoples. Tensions have been rising between us and the Myenn, and we were hoping we could use the Federation's mediation. From the files we received from the Orion, you seem to be quite good at it."
Art looked at Mirax with a 'what do you think' expression.
Tag: Mirax
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Post by possum3 on May 1, 2011 14:40:47 GMT -5
-And why didn't she tell him about her reading minds, if she thinks it is so important?-
-Because he trusts you, and if I told him, it would look as though you hadn't, Commander.-
Mirax knew it would make him uncomfortable the first time it happened, and if he were to ask her to never do it again she would absolutely respect his wishes. She also knew her role aboard this station was to make Commander Ashbury look good. If it made diplomatic sense for him to take credit for her ideas, then that is what would happen.
"I'm afraid you don't understand, Commander. This is a serious request. You see, your space station is in a neutral region between the Rathren and the Myenn peoples. Tensions have been rising between us and the Myenn, and we were hoping we could use the Federation's mediation. From the files we received from the Orion, you seem to be quite good at it."
Mirax wished they were in the same room, or that there was any way to tell if a Rathren was lying without being able to smell him. Tensions. That could be nothing, or it could be everything -- either way it seemed unfair to bring in another race when the Rathren relationship with the Federation meant they could be perceived as impartial.
-Be careful what you agree to,- she advised the Commander privately. -Don't let him think we're going to fix it for him. My advice would be to say he is welcome to use our facilities but make no promises on the outcome, or on our involvement. The Myenn people aren't likely to consider us objective.-
Aware that if she was going to have a telepathic conversation with Art, the Elder would be left sitting in obvious silence, Mirax addressed him with characteristic directness, though her tone was gentle enough:
"If you don't mind my asking, Elder, tensions over what?"
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Post by Commander Arthur Ashbury on May 2, 2011 2:49:38 GMT -5
She's having second thoughts? Arthur thought in astonishment. The thought had never once crossed his mind (which she probable knew anyway) that there was anything to be said against helping the Rathren. Second thoughts about protecting the peace? No way that's going to persuade me. When Arthur had made a decision about his own opinion, he stuck to it. In the meantime, Mirax continued her conversation with Elder S'bos.
"If you don't mind my asking, Elder, tensions over what?"
Elder S'bos didn't look the least bit like he minded (truth be told, that was because he was a Rathren). "Oh, I don't mind. The Myenn and the Rathren have had... reversals in our relationship quite frequently. They are quite a proud people and what's worse, they distrust us because they lack a sense of smell and thus see no emotions on us. This has made dealing with them rather difficult. What's worse, we have been having disputes over trading rights recently."
"We'll be glad to offer mediation, Elder," said Art immediately. "The Federation is very much in the business of peace. Although I must say we can't promise anything." Arthur looked at the time. It's my dinner with Celestia! he thought, suddenly realising he was off-duty and late for dinner. I wonder if the Ambassador can take it from here. In the meantime, the Elder nodded.
"Elder, could you excuse me?" he asked the Elder. "I have an appointment to keep, so if you don't mind continuing the discussion with Ambassador Mirax..."
The Elder looked at him from the viewscreen. "Of course not, Commander," he said. "Though it is always a pleasure to deal with you, you are a busy man. I can discuss the details with the Ambassador."
Before making to leave, he asked Mirax: "Could you work out the details, then deliver the report to me? I'll be in the Portal Inn, get it to me there. Cadfael could offer us some advice on how to proceed, give us a second opinion." When he had received the answer, he hurried off to the Portal Inn.
Tag: Mirax, then End Arthur (I will continue as S'bos on an NPC account)
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Post by possum3 on May 3, 2011 18:36:21 GMT -5
No, not second thoughts about promoting peace, but certainly second thoughts about jumping into this situation without first assessing it from all the pertinent angles. Mirax did little more than quirk an eyebrow at his thoughts this time, however. She knew that it was a wasted effort to argue every point mentally. She also knew that Commander Ashbury was more inclined towards acting than not acting, it was why she was the diplomatic officer and he was the commander.
Mirax didn't object as he went, nor did she take much time to ponder over what the Commander was rushing off to. She had more important things to think about, then.
"You must forgive me if I appear reluctant, Elder, it isn't through a lack of willingness. Only a responsibility to ensure our position truly is objective in matters such as these. With your permission I would like to contact the Myenn myself as soon as we are able, I hope you understand that I have no wish to approach them as though we mean to browbeat them on your behalf. I'm sure we can open an honest dialogue so long as we keep everyone informed."
Mirax wasn't suspicious, exactly. It wasn't the word for it. She had slight misgivings, as a relative outsider to the Federation herself, that the Myenn might see the connection with the Rathren as more of a threatening alliance than a peaceful cooperation -- or that the Rathren might unwittingly expect the negotiations to be slid in their favour, whether it was intentional or otherwise.
The fact was, she had known she was going to see the Rathren. She'd read about them. She knew how to put together a perfume of smells and phermones so potent the Elder would probably want to marry her -- but that left her completely flying by the seat of her pants with the Myenn, and while that might suit Commander Ashbury... she preferred to be a little more prepared.
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