Pleased to have found a group of people to eat with, Cchaaneh pressed their middle four fingers together in a happy gesture. “I look forward to getting to know you all over the course of this journey. It is my job, after all,” they said with a deep, raspy chuckle. To Sivwikkas they added, “Ah, you are a recent graduate? I am a graduate student myself. The research I compile here will go towards my thesis.” They smiled again, enjoying the displays of beautiful color on the frightened helmsman’s skin without realizing what those colors meant.
“Shall we four sit, then? I’m eager to see what food awaits us. It will be interesting to see what culinary traditions are represented for this little celebration of our voyage.”
“Shall we four sit, then? I’m eager to see what food awaits us. It will be interesting to see what culinary traditions are represented for this little celebration of our voyage.”
Talk of academia calmed Sivwikkas down somewhat. Even though what Cchaaneh studied was probably totally unrelated to computer science, school was still a shared experience. "I thought about graduate school," Wikkas said as they finally padded into the mess hall. "But I decided I just wanted some real experience first. What's your thesis gonna be?"
They found a table large enough to fit themself, Chaaneh, James, and Itsuki if he still wanted to join them. The meal itself Wikkas dreaded a little. Most human fare was too greasy to sit well with them, so they hoped there would be some options. They glanced around to determine if there were droid servers, or if there was a buffet. Either way, they intended on waiting for the captain to get her food first.
They found a table large enough to fit themself, Chaaneh, James, and Itsuki if he still wanted to join them. The meal itself Wikkas dreaded a little. Most human fare was too greasy to sit well with them, so they hoped there would be some options. They glanced around to determine if there were droid servers, or if there was a buffet. Either way, they intended on waiting for the captain to get her food first.
Itsuki sat with the small helmsman and the reptilian member of the crew, waiting for James to join them too.
He pulled out his cube when Sivwikkas started speaking to Cchaaneh and began overseeing the ship's systems and their maintenance; if his newfound companions hadn't already known, this was a big hint at his workaholic nature.
He was satisfied so far with his staff and Sivwikkas, when he would come to help, seemed inexperienced but willing to learn. Itsuki hoped that this voyage would go smoothly for the young ensign; the void of space could prove a constant threat and he had seen ensigns resign quite early in their careers for this reason.
He pulled out his cube when Sivwikkas started speaking to Cchaaneh and began overseeing the ship's systems and their maintenance; if his newfound companions hadn't already known, this was a big hint at his workaholic nature.
He was satisfied so far with his staff and Sivwikkas, when he would come to help, seemed inexperienced but willing to learn. Itsuki hoped that this voyage would go smoothly for the young ensign; the void of space could prove a constant threat and he had seen ensigns resign quite early in their careers for this reason.
Cchaaneh's eyes lit up as they launched into an explanation of their work. "My research concerns the interplay of alien cultures in enclosed, long-term settings, such as space voyages. My people historically have had little interest in what goes on between other species, but I have always found you all to be fascinating." They grimaced before continuing. "Some of the leading minds in my field have theorized some unsavory things about what happens to an individual with extended exposure to aliens. I seek to make a dent in that with my thesis, so I requested permission to do some fieldwork for a time to gather evidence. And here I am. I admit," they added with a sigh, "that it is risky for my academic career, but science should not be driven by politics. I love my people, but we have been wrong before."
As they wrapped up their little speech, they looked around hungrily, wondering what sort of food lay in wait for them. They had little experience with alien cuisine, but so long as there was plenty of meat they figured it should be pleasant enough. Resting their gaze first on the captain, then James and Itsuki, they supposed the meal might be dominated by human fare. Humans were omnivorous, right? They had good teeth for tearing food, at least in the front, they'd noticed. Surely that was a good sign, but they wanted to wait for the rest of the crew to make an appearance before making a final judgement.
And then there was Sivwikkas. After pondering the meaning of their lovely color display, it dawned on Cchaaneh that the ensign might be afraid of them. The prospect was most amusing, and they had little intention of attempting to reduce that fear. For one thing, such action would taint their data, and for another...it had been a while since someone was afraid of Cchaaneh. It was a nice little boost to their ego. They pulled their cube from their pocket and recorded the revelation in their personnel notes.
As they wrapped up their little speech, they looked around hungrily, wondering what sort of food lay in wait for them. They had little experience with alien cuisine, but so long as there was plenty of meat they figured it should be pleasant enough. Resting their gaze first on the captain, then James and Itsuki, they supposed the meal might be dominated by human fare. Humans were omnivorous, right? They had good teeth for tearing food, at least in the front, they'd noticed. Surely that was a good sign, but they wanted to wait for the rest of the crew to make an appearance before making a final judgement.
And then there was Sivwikkas. After pondering the meaning of their lovely color display, it dawned on Cchaaneh that the ensign might be afraid of them. The prospect was most amusing, and they had little intention of attempting to reduce that fear. For one thing, such action would taint their data, and for another...it had been a while since someone was afraid of Cchaaneh. It was a nice little boost to their ego. They pulled their cube from their pocket and recorded the revelation in their personnel notes.
James joined them at the table, nodding at each.
"I can't wait to eat. I hope they have steak and mashed potatoes. And I hope they have... whatever you all like to eat," he said, glancing around at the diverse faces and wondering what their normal cuisine looked like.
He listened to their talk of work, interested, but not chiming in.
"What do they think happens, exactly, with too much exposure to aliens?" he asked.
"I can't wait to eat. I hope they have steak and mashed potatoes. And I hope they have... whatever you all like to eat," he said, glancing around at the diverse faces and wondering what their normal cuisine looked like.
He listened to their talk of work, interested, but not chiming in.
"What do they think happens, exactly, with too much exposure to aliens?" he asked.
A number of small robots came filing from the kitchen carrying plates of food from all around the galaxy. Every plate was catered to each species needs - as well as gave others the chance to try foreign foods should they so choose.
Vail was quick to grab a couple of rolls that were offered, as well as some strange, pungent item that highly resembled oysters - only much larger and a strange shade of purple. She knew a speech would have to be made soon, but waited for the rest of the crew to take their meals before beginning.
Vail was quick to grab a couple of rolls that were offered, as well as some strange, pungent item that highly resembled oysters - only much larger and a strange shade of purple. She knew a speech would have to be made soon, but waited for the rest of the crew to take their meals before beginning.
Cchaaneh opened their mouth to respond to James when the serving robots arrived. Delighted by both the technology and the food on display, they piled their plate high with a bit of every form of animal product available. As they had heard is customary, they waited for the others to be served before digging in, taking the time to answer the question.
“There is a phrase in the Low Tongue, hrefné shiih varsit, which describes the concept of losing one’s nature as a varsit. My people have not taken kindly to the idea that we should walk as equals amongst the species our ancestors sought to rule. So it is commonly believed that any varsit who subjects themselves to the corruption of the xeno will lose their...” Cchaaneh trailed off, flicking their forked tongue in and out. “Your language fails me. Lose their...their cultural identity, their values and morals, their identity, sometimes it’s even extended to sanity or souls. Ironically, souls are an alien concept themselves.” They sighed. “My people’s history is full of hipocrisy. Maybe it served a purpose once, but it’s holding us back now.”
“There is a phrase in the Low Tongue, hrefné shiih varsit, which describes the concept of losing one’s nature as a varsit. My people have not taken kindly to the idea that we should walk as equals amongst the species our ancestors sought to rule. So it is commonly believed that any varsit who subjects themselves to the corruption of the xeno will lose their...” Cchaaneh trailed off, flicking their forked tongue in and out. “Your language fails me. Lose their...their cultural identity, their values and morals, their identity, sometimes it’s even extended to sanity or souls. Ironically, souls are an alien concept themselves.” They sighed. “My people’s history is full of hipocrisy. Maybe it served a purpose once, but it’s holding us back now.”
James stared at Cchaaneh, captivated by his explanation of his species' xenophobia.
"Your species is not that different from ours, in that way, Cchaaneh," James said. "Some people of earth went to the moon and began a colony that forbid technology. Other humans created colonies on other moons that do not welcome other species. They are on the outskirts of human society, and we don't think about them much, but such movements exists among humans too. "Cultural Identity" is the perfect word for it. The only difference between Earth and your world is that on Earth, those who did not fear different cultures won the debate, and those who lost it, left or had to adjust. We are not so different."
James grabbed a plate of steak, potatoes, and fried okra. He eyed the purple oyster-looking things and decided to play it safe for his stomach's sake.
"Your species is not that different from ours, in that way, Cchaaneh," James said. "Some people of earth went to the moon and began a colony that forbid technology. Other humans created colonies on other moons that do not welcome other species. They are on the outskirts of human society, and we don't think about them much, but such movements exists among humans too. "Cultural Identity" is the perfect word for it. The only difference between Earth and your world is that on Earth, those who did not fear different cultures won the debate, and those who lost it, left or had to adjust. We are not so different."
James grabbed a plate of steak, potatoes, and fried okra. He eyed the purple oyster-looking things and decided to play it safe for his stomach's sake.
Tula took too long on the bridge. It had taken time for Tula to connect and synchronize her systems to the ships before establishing a wireless connection. Once that was finished she disconnected herself from her console and begun to head for the Mess, stopping briefly to look over the bridge before continuing on.
Arriving at the Mess, Tula sees that food is already being served. While she herself did not eat, she was socially obligated to at least be present. Taking a seat across from Vail and Aimee, Tula gives a questioning look at the Captains choice of food before asking "Captain, May I ask what it is that you are eating? That...shade of purple nor smell appear to indicate a healthy, edible meal."
Arriving at the Mess, Tula sees that food is already being served. While she herself did not eat, she was socially obligated to at least be present. Taking a seat across from Vail and Aimee, Tula gives a questioning look at the Captains choice of food before asking "Captain, May I ask what it is that you are eating? That...shade of purple nor smell appear to indicate a healthy, edible meal."
Sivwikkas peered up at Cchaaneh--way, way up--as the varsit explained what they meant about the influence of the "xeno." Isswasi history stood in stark contrast, for the little amphibians were highly social and cooperative. What would have happened had the varsit found Tapipipi? It was an uncomfortable thought that they pushed away by serving themself.
Wikkas wished they'd had the foresight to bring their booster seat, for it was difficult for them to reach everything. They leaped at the chance to get some isswasi food: a heaping helping of insects that looked like a cross between a waterstrider and a cricket, sauteed and coated with a fiery red spice; an assortment of steamed tubers and wilted kale-like vegetation; some mysterious chartreuse jelly; and mollusks in the shell. As an afterthought, Wikkas also took some of the captain's purple oysters and James's potatoes and okra.
Wikkas wished they'd had the foresight to bring their booster seat, for it was difficult for them to reach everything. They leaped at the chance to get some isswasi food: a heaping helping of insects that looked like a cross between a waterstrider and a cricket, sauteed and coated with a fiery red spice; an assortment of steamed tubers and wilted kale-like vegetation; some mysterious chartreuse jelly; and mollusks in the shell. As an afterthought, Wikkas also took some of the captain's purple oysters and James's potatoes and okra.
Cchaaneh pulled out their cube again and typed furiously as they took notes on what James said. “Fascinating! I’ll have to ask you later how that happened. I don’t suppose you’re well-versed in your people’s history, are you?” They asked the question in a hopeful tone. Looking around the table, they added, “If any of you have something similar in your history, please let me know. Such information would help reinforce my argument that aliens are not so different from varsit, and be invaluable to my work.”
Sivwikkas’ uneasy gaze did not escape Cchaaneh’s notice, even as they typed. The small alien’s fear was doing nothing to quell their ever-growing hunger, and the pile of food on their plate was too tantalizing to ignore. After they finished typing and another look around confirmed that everyone had served themselves, Cchaaneh picked up a cut of something resembling steak with their bare hands and bit off a chunk. The flavor was a bit strange to them, but meat was meat. As they ate, they turned a curious eye on Tula. Android technology was something the varsit has outlawed, so Cchaaneh had never before met a Doll, or any other type of android for that matter.
Sivwikkas’ uneasy gaze did not escape Cchaaneh’s notice, even as they typed. The small alien’s fear was doing nothing to quell their ever-growing hunger, and the pile of food on their plate was too tantalizing to ignore. After they finished typing and another look around confirmed that everyone had served themselves, Cchaaneh picked up a cut of something resembling steak with their bare hands and bit off a chunk. The flavor was a bit strange to them, but meat was meat. As they ate, they turned a curious eye on Tula. Android technology was something the varsit has outlawed, so Cchaaneh had never before met a Doll, or any other type of android for that matter.