Just Routine

Posted on Fri Mar 5th, 2021 @ 1:34am by Lieutenant Commander T'Par & Lieutenant Lily Marlow

Mission: A Day In The Life
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: MD-6
1578 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

T'Par showed up for her first physical from the ship's new CMO, a woman she had already met during the rather unrelaxing shore leave aboard the space station. She wore her generally unmoving stoic expression and walked with a steady gait as she made her way inside. "Good afternoon, Dr. Marlow," she said by way of greeting.

Lily looked up from the notebook binder she had been reading, and waved. Placing the large binder down on her desk. The title on the binder was 'Recipes for Salves, balms and ointments, and essential oils.' Lily rose and went to meet T'Par.

"Salutations, Lieutenant T'Par." giving a warm smile. "How are you doing?"

"I feel well," T'Par said. She glanced at the notebook with an inquisitive arch of a brow. "Paper?"

"Rag paper, made of linen. It's made to last, and at times technology can glitch out and if that happens, I still have some of my notes here." she said with a smile. "By the way, would you like to have some fruit?" Indicating a bowl that had several oranges and apples in it.

"Interesting," T'Par said. She reached forward and picked up an apple when Lily offered. "I remember finding these palatable when I was at the Academy." She took a bite.

Lily smiled, "The apples were grown on my family's farm, and the oranges were grown on my aunt's citrus orchard. They do have cherry trees, but didn't send any of the cherries, for these fruits tend to travel better than the others."

She gazed at T'Par contemplatively, then asked, "How did you like attending the academy on Earth. Did you get to explore some of the planet when you were there?"

"It's not replicated?" T'Par asked, giving the fruit another look before she took another bite. "They are fine fruit," T'Par commented. "It was interesting living on Earth. I saw many of the interesting historical sites as well as much of the local wildlife and cultural festivities. It is on Earth, perhaps more than anyone else, that one sees the many cultures of the Federation intersecting."

Lily smiled giving a nod. "I still find places I've not visited on Earth, compounded by the planets I've passed by. So many places to possibly have the chance to explore and learn from the various people there. That's something I like to do is continue learning. I know very well that I do not know everything in the known universe. That would be so arrogant on my part to think that I know a lot. Life can be a continual learning adventure, at least it is for me."

"There is always far more we don't know than we do," T'Par agreed.

"T'Par, I was wondering, what do you like to do when off duty? Any interests, hobbies that you like to do?" Lily asked.

"I read," T'Par answered. "I meditate. I enjoy chess, kal'toh, Go, and a number of other games. I correspond with my husband and my parents. How about yourself, doctor?"

"I garden, cook, sew, play the piano. Love to read. Due to the proximity my family's home to the ocean, I've surfed, gone fishing and swimming. My brothers and sisters insisted that I learn Tai Chi as well as dancing. I didn't them insisting that I experience that." She chuckled. "I do miss them but we do correspond frequently. I also love to hike, especially when looking for herbs."

"Kal'toh, I've watched but not played. I've played chess, what are the other games you like to play?" Lily added.

"I also play Strategema, tongo, dom-jat, kadis-kot, and mancala," T'Par said. "You seem to have a great affection for plant life, doctor?"

"Probably stems from where I grew up." Lily responded. "They are healing in their own right. I get pleasure being around plants and gardening is a good way to take care of stress."

"What made you decide to leave?" T'Par inquired.

"Leave home and join Star Fleet? Well I felt drawn to it, plus I have two brothers that are in Star Fleet and my uncle is an instructor at the academy. I also wanted to gain more knowledge in different races natural medicines that they use. Using the natural medicines helps when the modern medicines don't help. " Lily replied.

"I can understand how that follows," T'Par agreed.

"What made you join Star Fleet?" Lily asked. She was definitely happy getting to know T'Par.

"I was curious about the workings of other minds," T'Par answered her. "I was especially fascinated with what I regarded as the internal logic of alien belief systems."

"What have you found out so far?" Lily asked, picking up an orange and peeling it. She pulled out a gauzy bag where she placed the peels inside once she was finished, the scent of the orange permeating the air with is fragrance.

"A great deal," T'Par said. "Including what seems to be a common, if not universal, human fascination with the concept of authenticity. While it is not entirely dissimilar to some elements of Vulcan culture, it seems to be more generalized, expressed in varying ways and areas by different individuals."

"Peoples beliefs in certain things do vary. It also varies in how they worship or show signs of respect. It is really interesting on that point. " Lily taking a section of her orange and popping it into her mouth.

She is quiet for the moment, pondering over several matters. The she spoke, "What sort of healing practices do you believe in utilizing? For an example, do you do meditation to balance the mind?"

"Do you worship a deity?" T'Par asked curiously. Then she nodded to Lily's inquiry. "Yes, I do meditate."

"I believe in a deity. And yes I worship Him. I refer to him as my Heavenly Father." Lily stated. "I also meditate. It helps me to keep myself focused and balanced." she looked at T'Par. "Do you worship a deity?"

"No, I don't," T'Par said. "The Heavenly Father...That is..." T'Par paused as she tried to remember things she'd learned long ago. "Christianity?"

"Yes it is." giving a nod, "And in that generalized category, there are different views as to what He is like. Sometimes, some call him a vengeful God, where they preach hellfire and damnation, shall be placed upon the unbelievers. And there are those who say he is a kind and loving God and would prefer us to be happy. I prefer that interpretation, a kind and loving God." Lily stated. "This reminds me about a book I read, called Pollyanna. A girl who played a game called find something to be happy about. Her father had taught her a game. He was a minister, And the game was called the Glad Game. I try to play that game as much as I can, especially when faced with dire times. I will confess I don't always make it through that game. I fail but must press on."

"I shall read it then," T'Par said, finishing her apple. "Where do you need me for the examination?"

"Let's head out to the bio bed, then I can run the scans." Lily stated, finishing up her orange, and cleaned her hands from the juices. She picked up the medical scanner and walked out to the main area, where she directed T'Par to take a seat, and began.

"If you ever feel stressed, I do have other treatments I offer. Acupressure, and Acupuncture, plus massage, oriental medicines which balance the body. Vannan before she left had set my other room up so that I may do those treatments. Felt it was necessary to have a more private area where it is safe and secure, and generate a balance for the mind and body."

"It is not something I struggle with," T'Par said, mostly truthfully, as she walked over to sit down on the biobed. "I do appreciate the offer."

"You are welcome." Lily stated, then went silent as she ran the full diagnostics. When she was done, Lily looked at the readings.

"So far everything appears to be at normal status." Lily remarked, "Which is good, considering what we went through on the station. Do you have any current concerns on your mind?"

"No, doctor, I feel healthy," T'Par assured her.

"Okay that is good." Lily said with relief. "Do you have any other questions for me, you'd like to ask me?"

"Not at this time," T'Par answered.

"I have a question for you, I have heard we are going to a space station after this, do you have plans to do anything or are you planning on staying on the ship when we get there?" Lily asked thinking of what she could do when they reached a station that wasn't run by holograms.

"I have no specific plans," T'Par said. "I might get a meal on the station."

Lily nodded, "I plan on actually relaxing for a day without worrying about whether we're getting trapped in some strange twisted demented game."

"Is there not a human custom about 'tempting fate?'" T'Par asked.

Lily nodded, "yes there is but I do really want to go to an actual spa with real people."

"That would be preferable," T'Par acknowledged.

Lily looked around, then back at T'Par. "Since everything looks good on your examination, How about we go to a different area and chat some more. If it isn't taking you away from anything at the moment."

"Certainly," T'Par agrees.