Connecting Conversational Tea

Posted on Tue Jan 7th, 2025 @ 9:55pm by Lieutenant Lily Marlow & Lieutenant Commander T'Par

Mission: A Day In The Life
Location: Lily's quarters
Timeline: Before the Holiday setup
1652 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Lily wandered the hall almost aimlessly, deep in thought as to what else she had found out. Then memories triggered in her mind that of her talking with T'par however long that had been. Way too long since she had spoken to T'par. She tapped on her commbadge,

"Commander T'par, its Lieutenant Marlow. Are you busy? Do you have time for a visit?" Lily was hoping that she did have time.

"I have time, doctor. Where would you like to meet?" T'Par answered.

Lily thought over possible places to speak, then decided upon a place that would work. Her quarters. "My quarters please." That was a good place in Lily's mind.

"As you wish," T'Par agreed. "I do not believe I have previously visited your quarters."

"I've not had many come to my quarters. I will see you in a few then." Lily responded, " And I will have the door in readiness for you to just come inside."

"That sounds rather appealing. I would love to find out more about Guardian. Just that whole connection between him and T'seng. And how he got to the station. Hopefully we'll get more answers when we get to our next destination of where we are taking the Holo-sentients to."

"As you wish," T'Par said. "I will be there shortly." She headed into the turbolift and, a few moments later, she was at the door to Lily's quarters.

The door opened and there stood Lily, giving a welcoming smile to T'Par.

"Thank you for coming. Would you like some tea?" she asked as she moved from the doorway into the room.

"I would, thank you," T'Par said as she stepped in.

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Lily's quarters

From standing in the door, to the left would be seen a small desk for Lily's work she does there. To the left of the desk would be a small dining table where four could fit. Along the right of the dining table would be a small kitchenette, complete with a small two burner stove and an oven on an island plus a sink against the wall and a small 'fridge'. Somewhat dividing the kitchen and the living room is a planter which has herbs growing in it with a grow lamp to help the growth. A sofa is on the other side of the planter which curves around slightly to where the stars could be seen. This gave enough room, to the right there is an electric piano, and on the right of that set into the corner is a sewing machine, with some shelves against the wall which separated the living room from the bedroom.

Directly to the right of the door, is what looks like a wall but instead it is the back of a book shelf about six feet in height and four feet in width. Lily had created her own little book nook area with a holographic fireplace and a comfortable chair where she can read books. Lily had also gotten herself a tub along with a sonic shower wanting to have the capability to have a soak.

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The water for the tea was put on to heat up, "Is there a particular tea that you prefer to drink?" Lily asked getting herself some green matcha tea ready.

"Whatever you're having," T'Par said.

"Sounds good." Lily replied . When the tea water was ready, Lily mixed the powdered green tea in the black teapot which had a hummingbird poised above a red hibiscus flower. then served it in the cups she had for that, bringing over the black teacup which had a red hibiscus upon it as well. After pouring herself some tea, Lily held the cup in her hand, feeling the heat from it and blew into the cup to cool the contents slightly, then took an exploratory sip.

Leaning back in her chair, Lily asked, "How is your investigation into Guardian coming along, T'Par?"

"Slowly," T'Par admitted and took a sip of tea. "What we have discovered, however, is rather fascinating. Guardian has had a storied history."

"Oh really?" Lily shifting her seating as she leaned forward slightly this catching her interest." What sort of storied history?"

"One filled with unexpected twists and turns," T'Par admitted. "Just recently, we were able to contact someone who had studied him before. However, he does remain something of a mystery."

Lily's eyes went round at this bit of news. "That is amazing. Sounds like we've got a possible mystery to solve once the holo sentients are taken to their home." she took a sip of her tea her brow furrowing with worry, "T'Par, remember when I spoke to you about my mind having been tampered with, dampening memories? Those memories have been opened up even more."

"I think we might," T'Par said. The Vulcan woman watched Lily intently as she shared this new information. "I see," T'Par said. "What have you remembered?"

"That the friend who I thought was dead, may well be alive. The explosion of that cabin she had been in, she wasn't in there. In fact, she and one other person had made certain that I got help when I had gotten caught in explosion." a wave of emotion welled up inside her, causing her cup to shake. Setting the cup down, Lily drew in a couple of steadying breaths. "I don't know why that happened. All I know is that I feel some relief in having the knowledge that she hadn't been killed in that explosion." a sip of her tea then she continued. "I feel strongly that I will meet her once again, and that will close the book where Annabelle is concerned and settle my mind."

"That is good news," T'Par said, "but it also makes me wonder. Why do you think you previously misremembered the incident?"

"Perhaps hypnosis putting up mental barriers had something to do with it? Also coming here to the Majestic, I had dreams of seeing my friend, waking me up and telling me that it was all a dream, and yet I feel that I had some insight into a parallel universe. Of which I found out that the Majestic had gone into one before I arrived. Just so many factors have made things troubling and yet fascinating." Lily's hands steadying now.

"Someone hypnotized you?" T'Pol asked. "What logical motive could there be for wanting you to believe your friend dead?"

"That I do not know, it doesn't make sense but with memories having been restored, I feel the puzzle pieces are starting to come together and the questions I have the answers will fall into place. I felt I needed to talk to you about this, and thank you for listening."Lily giving a little bit of a smile.

"How can I help?" T'Par asked. She thought she should be contributing more to Lily's issue, but she was unsure where to begin. Without more context, it did not seem logical.

"I am starting to think that maybe my friend's fiance' was maybe in intelligence. I am not certain as to why but, the memories that are now coming to where I can access them, are starting to connect. My ex boyfriend, he seems to have been popping back up into view as well. " she drank of her tea then placed the now empty cup to one side. "It has been a bit of a tangled mess. And I am not one who is connected with Intelligence, so I don't have a lot of knowledge there."

"I was in intelligence," T'Par said. "Perhaps I can assist?"

A confused expression crossed Lily's features. "I-I had no clue. Then again from what I have heard from different people, that one never knows who is in intelligence unless it is seen by their uniform. Lieutenant Prenar, he is in intelligence, that is from the manifest and well, there is his uniform. I can't truthfully go on and assume if I were to have met him when he is out of uniform, that he was in intelligence. It to me would have been rather presumptious for me to assume that. After all there are Cardassians who are farmers, skilled tradesmen." she paused there trying to reel in her meandering thoughts and words.

"I used to be the Chief Intelligence Officer," T'Par noted. "I transferred to science when the department was eliminated and I remained in science when it was recreated. I prefer it. One shouldn't, of course, make assumptions, but it is truly not a secret."

"Well this means I have a blind spot." Lily responded, "Ah well once I figure out which way I am needing to jump, I will most certainly get your help. I do have an image of my ex boyfriend, and also of my best friend and her fiance'."Lily drew in a breath.

"Please let me know what you decide," T'Par said.

"I though am thinking that he maybe tracking me, my ex. I don't know his true name, I only knew him as Eric Lereaux. It is frustrating to me, realizing that I had been duped. My not knowing that he could have been targeting me for some reason. Such a tangled web that is surfacing." Lily breathed out a sigh of frustration. She worried her lower lip, then her eyes lit up. "I am wondering if you can find out any information about a Johnathan Parker, he was the man who was dating my best friend. I do know he was in science, very big in geology. This though was twenty years ago though."

"I will see what I can find," T'Par agreed, "though Lieutenant Prenar might be more helpful. His sources would be more current."

"I will be certain to ask him, it though doesn't hurt to gain information from different sources, right?" Lily giving a smile. "Thank you, I appreciate having your help."

"Of course," T'Par said. "I will speak to you soon."