Personal Log for Stardate 40849.1

Posted on 18 Jul 2020 @ 1:08am by Lieutenant JG Elise Auray

Another day of shore leave had been surfed, splashed and sipped away. Evening was beginning to cast upon the beach and Elise decided it was time to get back to somewhere she could sleep. Still damp from her spectacular display of hoverboarding, she packed her belongings and said her farewell to the remaining crew before leaving for town. The beach was a convenient location and she would not have to do much walking. So she chose to record with her PADD as she walked.

"Personal log for Stardate 40849.1. Trill is so wonderful that it demands a cutting loose. So, I did! Captain Lenar is nodding with approval somewhere. Maybe not entirely with approval.."

The oncoming night air was still warm, and the friendly streets of Hoobishan were welcoming but Elise had to give in to exhaustion at some point. Although that 'point' was repeatedly being pushed further off into the distance as new ways to absorb Trill culture propped up along the route. The quaint lodging she had chosen for her shore leave was masterfully located deep in the heart of tourist town.

"But Moi'ra and Madame Kilrai went through great lengths for us! All the glorious food! And then Joe's sudden revelation? What was I supposed to do? Calmly, dryly congratulate him? No. Then there had to be wine."

The souvenir and gift shops knew exactly how to appeal to a young Starfleet officer. Elise neglected her recording several times during her walk in order to be lured in for another decorative article or trinket. All the drinks she had consumed prior were not helping with her judgment.

"How exciting! What a beautiful wedding this will be! And what is more: Joe spent much time on Andoria and so is familiar with their customs. He said the ceremony may be a cultural joining event.."

By the time she reached her destination, she had amassed great treasure. Not since trading for ancestral Hayari goods would she be returning with such a large haul. The desk clerk at the inn took immediate notice of Elise's many full bags and excess of accessories hanging from her wrists and neck. Yet the still fairly intoxicated officer noticed no such clerk, and went on heading for her room and recording.

"Though it is reminding me immediately of the one Human-Andorian wedding that I have attended.. and how that was quite nearly a disaster."

The clerk's polite offers of help went unheard, and were given up quickly. Elise eventually found the room, and from within continued to record as she unloaded her bags. The accommodations were stated as being 'highly traditionally Trill', but Elise had found things in this case were generally not much different from a human hotel.

"So I kept my mouth shut about it. But.. this is different. Joe probably does not come from people who are too rigid and too proud to let their own just be happy."

She wasn't certain how she would store all of these things in her already cramped quarters. Tressyl would have to surrender even more space. And as she organized her new collection of tacky, handmade jewelry and clothing, she continued to descend into a mini-rant.

"Ones that would rather sulk to themselves while the happy bride and groom dance alone in the centre. Despairing at the most petty of things. Clumped on opposite sides of the hall like some children at school function.."

She had gone off on a tangent but was not about to have her night spoiled by unpleasant memories. With her new cache packed away, she cleaned herself up and clad herself in a warm robe. She then settled into the cozy seat beside her bed with her PADD.

"..So as I said earlier: it will be a beautiful wedding! And a chance to finally meet T'Pora. If I am invited of course. Yes this will be a grand ceremony.. grand.."

She frowned. She was certain Joe's wedding would proceed without a hitch. It was the one that didn't that she was now thinking of. It was the aforementioned bride and groom on her mind. Her mind still fairly addled from the beach party, she sat there for several long and contemplative moments before finally deciding. Then she tucked the PADD under her arm, and reached her other, quite unsteady arm to jab ineffectually at the room's interactive console.

"U.S.S. Merritt.. Lieutenant.. "

She muttered mostly incoherently as she went about using the system. It took her longer to punch in the button sequence than it should have, even considering the alien technology. But she managed to pull up a call window on the console screen. Elise then weakly dragged her chair infront of the screen. When moments later she saw an Andorian woman's face appear on the console, a goofy and surprised but also very drunken grin came to her. And the woman on the other end looked quite pleased too.

"Elise! Kelthreh! We were beginning to get worried! It is so good to see you!"

"Bonsoir, Nissil! I am well! And in Federation space finally! So here I am calling, but where is my brother?"

An unfortunate hiccup by Elise gave a bit away. The Andorian woman, called Nissil, tilted her head and gave Elise a concerned stare. She also gave the Ensign a moment to explain herself, but nothing came of it.

"Axel will be off duty soon. Are.. are you drunk? Where are you calling from?"

"No I'm not drunk! I'm on Trill! I was only recording my log for the evening and then thought of the two of you.. we are leaving soon so this may be my only chance!"

Elise was on the defensive but her slurred voice had clenched to the point where only hiccups were getting out smoothly. For a brief moment the hazy image of her Andorian sister-in-law on the screen focused enough to the point where she could see the worry.

"..and I miss you all?"

Nissil smiled warmly but her expression of concern didn't completely leave her face. An awkward silence grew between them as Elise wound her hair around her finger nervously. In the end, Nissil only smiled again.

"Little challorn, I've missed you too.. both of us have. More than you may realize. But all the same.. one day you must gather the courage to speak to me sober."

"I have spoken to you sober! What a thing to say! What about when we first met?"

"You were not. You had a lot of that ... lovely wine that you begged me to try. Your aunt's?"

"Yes.. well.. We spoke at your wedding too.."

"I spoke. You could barely string a sentence together. Sort of like right now, only thankfully with much less crying.."

A flustered and blushing Elise hid her face behind her PADD and whined. Nissil's broad grin implied that she seemed to quite enjoy tormenting the ensign. Her boistrous chuckle that followed only affirmed it. Elise huffed before confessing.

"My friend announced his engagement! We weren't going to celebrate with water! Besides that is why I called, because it made me think of you two!"

"That is why, hmm? Very well. Your brother will be here in a moment I'm sure.. and.. you aren't still recording that log are you? The red light on your PADD.."

The 'log' entry came to an abrupt end when Elise subtly nudged the record button with her hand. She resolved to thoroughly edit the entry as well as do future post-party logs with the assistance of the Boston's computer.