A Chance Encounter

Posted on Fri Aug 1st, 2025 @ 7:35pm by Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [Taylor] & T'Sai

Mission: Season 6: Echoes of the Zynari
Location: Arboretum
1804 words - 3.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Savar and Alicia had taken Soral out for the day of just the three of them Connor was with Gary and N'vea was with Kara and Malakai. They had started their adventure in the arboretum to let Soral became familiar with the trees and plants there along with the varied assortment of birds. "Come Soral we have just started our trip. We have a lot to see and do. Pay attention and when we are finished we will all go to Cosmic Confections for treat." Savar told their son as they stopped in front of a large pine tree.

"That will be most agreeable father." Soral replied before turning to his mother, "What will you get mother?" He inquired.

"I’m not sure yet to be honest” Alicia smiled at her adopted son. “I’ll see what I fancy when we get there.”

"Hello," said a voice from up in the tree, "I do not want to startle anyone. I am coming down," said T'sai as she climbed down from the upper branches. The young Vulcan was wearing a utility jumpsuit and a belt with many pouches hanging off it. She jumped down the last three meters, landing easily.

"Good afternoon," she said. "I am T'sai. I think we have met before at one of the school functions."

Savar nodded at at girl as she landed in front of them. "It is agreeable to see you again T'sai, You remember Alicia and this is our son Soral. We were just touring the arboretum would you care to join us?"

T'sai checked her chronometer. "I have some time before my next class period. Company would be pleasant." She took off her climbing gloves and tucked them in one of the many pouches on her belt. "Do you often visit the arboretum?" she asked politely.

"Not as much as we would like. We are usually come every five weeks. We are here today to show Soral the diverse nature of the arboretum." Savar admitted. "What of you T'sai? Do you often come here and climb the trees?"

"It is one of the few places that you can get a feel for what nature on a planet is like, though it is excessively orderly by comparison to an actual wilderness," T'sai replies. "I try to stretch my physical abilities, you never know what may happen in the future. I try to keep myself prepared."

"A very true statement both in regard to what nature is like as well as an environment you can stretch your physical abilities. Being prepared is indeed a very good habit however you should realize that no one can be prepared for every continency." Savar replied.

"That is a logically true statement," agrees T'sai. "While it is impossible to prepare for all contingencies, it is possible to train oneself to be mentally aware and physically fit. Fortune favors the prepared mind, after all."

"The Humans have a statement that is as follows, Fortune favors the bold, and that is essentially true. One must be bold in actions and thoughts when the situation requires such action." Savar replied.

T'sai nods. "That is why I am training myself to be prepared to act if the situation demands such boldness. While not every accident or harm can be prevented or mitigated, I would find it very harmful to my mental state for such a situation to have happened when I could have intervened in a positive manner."

"Your thought process and logic is flawless T'sai, you are to be commended on both." Savar replied. "Your training I would speculate is a combination of both mental and physical training that includes different scenarios or alert words to spur you into a specific thought or action." Savar stated.

“May I ask when you take time to simply be yourself?” Alicia asked T’Sai curiously. “As much as preparation is good, you also need time to just enjoy yourself.”

"I find such actions to be enjoyable even if they have another end as well," replied T'sai. "Climbing the tree was quite exhilarating." She smiled. "I have seen so much more of the ship since I started preparing for problems and met so many more people." Her smile got wider. "Of course, they have mostly been escorting me out of places I was not supposed to be."

"It is important to be well rounded in your endeavors and it seems you are. However, care must be taken that you do not abuse the good will of those around when you engage in the activities you enjoy." Savar pointed. "Have you tried using the holodeck to pursue an activity such as climbing?"

"Such trespasses have been mostly unintentional," T'sai replied. "While, yes, I have used the holodeck it is not as satisfactory as actual things, like free-standing trees. Also, it is hard to get time on the holodeck, so I use what time I can get for more exotic scenarios."

“Perhaps we could arrange something more satisfying for you” Alicia offered. “There are those who enjoy sparring sessions, and various other activities that may interest you.”

"An excellent suggestion Alicia." Savar replied. "Perhaps T'sai instead of climbing trees, you turned your attention to mountain climbing of course you would have to use the holodeck with the safeties on while you worked and improved your ability."

"I am always interested in new opportunities to improve myself and I would like to get to know more people," replied T'sai. "I would be honored to join in such."

"I believe an endeavor such as mountain climbing will certainly present you with ample opportunities to both improve yourself as well as meet new people." Savar observed.

T'sai nodded. "Please let me know when you wish to do such and I will make sure to adjust my schedule accordingly."

"I shall certainly keep you apprised T'sai and your participation would be most welcomed. For now we are on our way to Cosmic Confections to get a treat, you are most welcome to join us." Savar replied.

"Oh," T'sai said, pausing for a moment. "Yes, I would like that, it has been a long time since I last visited Cosmic Confection." She lapsed into thought for a moment.

"Excellent." Savar replied. "Lets us be off unless there is something else you wish to do or climb T'sai." He looked to Alicia and Soral. "You two can think on what you wish to get from Cosmic Confections when we get there."

"I am done climbing for the moment, thank you," said T'sai. "Let us just walk together to Cosmic Confections."

Alicia smiled warmly for anyone else an outing with Vulcans might not seem particularly enjoyable, but being married to Savar she had found just how special he, and his people truly were. “I’ve no idea what I want, but I’ll no doubt find something that leaps out at me when we get there.”

"I have no doubt you will find something that satisfies your craving or desire Alicia." Savar replied with a light air of jesting with his beloved wife.

"I wonder if they still have chocolate chip ice cream? I remember liking that," said T'sai quietly.

"I feel quite confident in saying this. I am sure they will have chocolate chip ice cream." Savar replied as the group headed for their new destination.

"I am pleased to hear that," said T'sai quietly. It had occurred to her that they if had not, she was likely to break down in tears. The weight of her lost parents suddenly weighed very heavily on her slim shoulders.

Savar caught the subtle change in T'sai's reply as well as the change in her stature as she seemed to draw in on herself. "Tsai, is everything alright? I do not mean to cause offense but your last reply causes me to ask."

T'sai stops and closes her eyes tightly. "The sadness of losing my parents is suddenly crashing down upon me. It is difficult to keep calm, sir." She breathes deeply and keeps her eyes closed, her fists clenched at her side.

"Losing one's parents no matter what the circumstances is a life altering event. To be emotionally compromised is not unusual nor should you stifle your emotions T'sai. These were your parents not strangers. You should celebrate their life and their love for you. Do not minimize their lives or their influence." Savar answered and then added, "If Alicia or I can help you in any way we will."

T'sai nods and steps off the path. She sits down on the grass and just starts to cry, deep heart-rending sobs as she gently rocked back and forth. As the pain of her loss rolled over her in uncontrollable waves.

Savar let her cry. He makes no attempt to stop T'sai. It is best for her emotionally to face this tragic loss now head on.. rather than holding it in and facing more serious issues later. After she has cried, he speaks softly. "T'sai. perhaps you would like to consider having a celebration of your parents lives and their influence on yours. It is only a suggestion."

T'sai pulls a cloth from one of her pouches and dries her eyes. "Yes, I think that would be good." She slowly stood up, a little unsteadily. "Would you, all of you, wish to attend?" she asked.

"I believe I can speak for Alicia and Soral say we would be honored to attend. " Soral nods his head. "It will be my privilege to attend such a celebration."

"Thank you, sir," said T'sai, slowly reestablishing her composure, "I apologize if my display of emotion upset anyone," she was looking particularly at Soral. "It was not my intent to cause distress." She bowed in apology.

"No apology is needed or required. I am quite sure I would react the same way if I was in a similar situation. Your intent is appreciated but not required as no distress was caused." Soral replied meeting T'sai's gaze.

T'sai nods politely. "Thank you for understanding. It is a hard thing to bear at times. I will never miss them less, but the hurt associated with that is becoming less. Slightly."

"You will always miss your parents. However, the pain and hurt will become less debilitating as time goes by." Savar replied "And you will be able to cope with that hurt and pain more effectively."

T'sai nodded thoughtfully. "I will do my best to remember that. It has been some time since I was so overwhelmed by sadness." She gives a brief and weak smile. "Shall we continue on our way?"

Savar nodded in agreement. "A most logical statement. By all means let us continue, our snacks await us."

“No matter what you can always talk to us T’sai” Alicia smiled warmly. “Our door is always open.”