Turning Cheek

Posted on 11 Feb 2013 @ 4:03pm by Raifi Zaren

3,032 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 2, Mess Hall
Timeline: MD 03: 0900 hrs
Tags: press, rumor

[ON]

Jool sat without preamble and placed a PADD on the table before her. "Do you know what your problem is, Zaren?" she asked. "Other than looking like something scraped off someone's shoe somewhere? You have this nasty belief that making people feel bad about themselves will get them to make the galaxy a better place. I wonder, does your slug wake up every day and weep for the loser it got this lifetime?"

She glared at the man, trying not to equate the way he looked with the way he smelled. "You look down your nose at the rest of us who actually like being pleasant and beautiful. You think it somehow makes us lesser people because of it. You want to try to enforce this bohemian lifestyle of 'truth, love, beauty' on the galaxy but think beauty means everyone must be sad for everything all the time. You think that making people feel bad for a people who spent centuries trying to subjugate the rest of the galaxy is going to somehow change everything overnight."

She pushed the PADD across to Zaren, hitting a function. "Here's a story that's already filed and aired."

Jool is seen on a backdrop reminiscent of a Romulan refugee center. Prominently displayed in the background is the Ferelex Corporation relief resources.

"In a stunning move, shares of Ferelex corporation had a late rally just at the end of trading. After taking a nosedive, the company's stock value ended up four and an eighth. This on the strength of a late day announcement by the Samaritan Group that Ferelex was considered viable for investment.

"The Samaritan Group, headed by Dom Weir, stated they had never before considered a Ferengi corporation as part of their trade portfolio, but the company's recent charitable works have not gone unnoticed. The Samaritan group's announcement rallied Ferelex stocks. Ferelex is expected to open the market up eight and a half due to after hours, intergalactic trading.

"A Ferelex spokesperson said they were pleased that the Samaritan Group noticed a new way of Ferengi business model and the influx of capital will help them to continue their relief efforts for displaced Romulans on MS1. Even though they still face stringent sanctions from Ferenginar, Ferelex says they will be able to continue doing good works because of intergalactic support.

"This is Jool Fenta reporting."

the angle cuts to a typical anchor, handsome and plastic smile

"Jool, how does this affect the relief efforts, exactly. Even though Ferelex is doing this awesome job of helping with the relief effort, how does that help them?"

"Well, Nek," Jool is seen to say. "Ferelex is able to funnel part of their resources from their galactic business concerns right here - as well as their work with the ongoing Bajoran and Cardassian recoveries and their many other charitable works. Ferelex says they were built on the idea of a new business model. Oddly enough, it was this social responsibility that brought them to the notice of the Samaritan Group - who base their investments on the social responsibility of a company."

Nek says, "What does this mean for Ferelex's ongoing aid to the Romulans?"

Jool, "That depends on just how much their stock rallies. If they can become completely self-sustaining and break from the Ferengi Commerce Alliance, they may be able to increase the nature of support, maybe even to the point of bringing in several more industrial replicators to help ease water and material shortages."

"Wow, what a great story! Just goes to prove that individuals can help!" Nek says. "Stay tuned, when we come back, we'll tell you about other efforts that you can be involved with to help ongoing galactic relief efforts - most from your own home."

the story ends and the screen fades

Jool eyed the pile of drehn before her, waiting for his typical response of how 'corporations' were the problem in the galaxy.

"Good morning to you, too, Jool," Zaren murmured pleasantly, taking another sip of his mostly chocolate mocha. "That was.... really lovely reporting there. I'm glad you've taken such an interest in my work."

She snorted. "Your work? As if you have some sort of monopoly on the story of the fall of Romulus. So, what was all your heart bleeding able to accomplish?" she asked. "A few phone calls and I get a company back in the game. Do you know how much I'm personally responsible for raising for various galactic charities last year alone? Fifteen billion credits. That's a billion with a BILLION. Yet here you sit thinking you're so great because you get a few people to weep."

She took back the PADD. "I make a few phone calls and manipulate stock prices. Why? Because I understand the way the galaxy works far better than you ever will. People don't care about feeling good about themselves. They care about what's in it for them. Ferelex stock is expected to end today up twenty seven points, at least. Why? Because people will see that report and all they'll hear is "stock down - rally - stock rising" and they'll want in. Ferelex makes money, investors make money and sobstories like you get to feel as if the galaxy is a decent place again. And Ferelex is now locked into aid to MS1 or risk a downward turn which will ruin them. Remember that as you keep thinking you're somehow some great hero of the downtrodden. You make a few people weep, I've made it possible for Bajorans to attend university with secured grants and guaranteed offers of jobs, on Bajor. You remember Bajor right? I know it's no longer the cause celeb but they're still recovering - not from their centuries of killing people but their decades of oppression. When was the last time you cared about them?"

Zaren listened with half an ear as she tooted and squealed. By the stars, the woman could talk, couldn't she? "This morning," he murmured absently, continuing to eat his breakfast of eggs and sausage with sliced lida calmly. He just didn't feel the need to scream to the rafters about every single thing he was up to. Where had she pulled this fantastical 'hero complex' notion from? Were his ratings actually threatening her in some way? That would be strange, he hadn't done anything to cause a surge recently. "I am pleased you're taking more and more of an interest in improving the state of things." He nodded to her lack of food or tray, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day."

She snorted. "More of an interest. What I've done to make this a better galaxy outweighs your piddly little 'protest persona' at any time. You just don't consider it the same because I don't look like a walking freak show. But, however, that's not my point. Your precious little Romulan savages are being taken care of - again - for awhile. Now you can stop whining about them and concentrate on what's important. The here and now.

"What do you know?"

The sausage was excellent. Moist and spicy on the inside with just a bit of crispy smokiness on the ends. And combined with the salt of the eggs and the sour of the lida, it was just about a perfect meal. With the chocolate added, it was perfect. Smooth, salty, spicy, sour, sweet. Everything his tongue could possibly desire. "About what?" he inquired.

"The price of children's entertainment objects on Ferrelinar Six," she said, eying the disgusting plate of 'food' he had before him. "Or, what do you know about how easy it will be to dump Ferelex stock as easy as it was to build it up?"

Zaren took another bite of his sausage and said nothing. She'd get to her point eventually. He hoped.

Jool waited. She'd played this game far too often. See a pretty face, assume it had a less intelligent mind behind it and then treat it like it was worthless aside from its looks. How did Zaren think she got to where she was at in her career - and only rising further - if she were just the vapid socialite he wanted her to be?

The Trill continued to eat, perfectly happy to give her time to calm down.

She took out her compact and checked herself, twisting a few strands of her hair and noticing how her new foundation really set her eyes to sparkling.

"So," she said, "How long have you let your liberal guilt get the better of you? Poor little rich kid playing defender of the downtrodden and oppressed?"

Zaren's casual checks on Jool's progress paused, his gaze growing suddenly intent on her face. "You have an exceedingly low opinion of me; you don't find it tedious - inventing these false intentions and opinions?"

"I'm sorry, I thought that's the game we were playing - judging the other? I know you've done more than too much of it toward me. So, did I just 'win' since you came out of the game and complained about how it was played?"

The Trill sipped his chocolate thoughtfully. "You feel as though I'm judging you?" he asked curiously.

Jool closed the compact and stuck it back in her small bag. "No, I'm saying you have. From the moment you thought you got stuck with me on this. Deny it all you want, I'm not the judge of your kahenu but I am observant. I didn't grow up wealthy so had to learn to be self absorbed."

He thought about the fact that he'd practically had to beg her to join them on the story and stifled a sigh. It was tiring dealing with so much insecurity in others, but it was a part of youth. That dependence on how others saw you. He remembered it well, from every lifetime before Joining. Correcting her wouldn't do any good since she was convinced of her own false perception. Zaren folded his hands gently on the table. "What is it that you want, Jool?"

She grabbed her items and stood. "Not here," she said, giving him a sneer. Then raising her voice, "and I'm not one of your trelk boys so the next time you want to proposition someone, throw a bit of cash at them for more rented love."

Trelk? he wondered, watching her stalk off, and gave a shake of his head. Proposition her? With latinum? Why on earth would he ever pay for sex, let alone pay her for sex? Not that she didn't have some noticeably fine assets, but the brain was the most important sex organ and, while she was very intelligent, she'd never shown any fondness for him; he wasn't in the habit of seducing women who would sooner cut him than kiss him. That, he thought as he took a last bite from his plate and gathered his things, or just talk endlessly about herself. Pride was an excellent thing, but it had to end at some point to allow for empathy. He left his tray in the reclamator, carrying his hot chocolate with him, and found her out in the corridor. "You couldn't just pass me a note?" he wondered aloud.

"For your sake," she said leading the way to her VIP suite, "no."

"For my sake, you yelled at me for..." he checked the time on his watch, then looked back at her, "almost half an hour and then said... what is a trelk?"

"You would incorrectly translate it as a whore," she said, glancing down the hallway before hitting the code to open her quarters.

"Since I'm not translating it, maybe you could do it correctly," he encouraged.

Glancing at him, "Well, tomorrow morning, roll over and see what's also in your bed and you'll understand." She smiled sweetly as she went into her quarters.

He followed her, stopping just inside and leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets. Clearly insulting him didn't tire her. Where had she gotten the impression that this was what they did? She insulted him. He let it pass. He kept letting it pass because she was a relative child and maybe she would see what she was doing with her attitude. But learning and self-awareness were a lengthy process; he couldn't really expect she'd have an epiphany in the next couple weeks. So he remained silent and waited for her to get to whatever she wanted. Unless her whole point had been to get him here so she could insult him more in private. Or claim that he was trying to pay her for sex and get him locked up in the brig so she could have the story to herself. But considering he hadn't been doing anything to step on her toes with regards to her interview, he didn't see why she'd do anything of the sort.

As soon as the door closed, Jool picked up a small device and pressed a button. Her low cut, tight, black leather outfit shimmered and changed to a simple dress of pale blue silk. She rubbed her head while looking for the small hypospray containing a pain reliever. "Now, Zaren, what have you heard about this ship?"

Zaren laughed outright. "Oh, kid. Oh... kid. We're sharing now? After all that?"

"Keep your frelling voice down! These walls are thin, and yes, we are sharing now. After all, you're the one that said we should all work together." She sat in one of the overstuffed chairs, indicating Zaren should take the other one.

"If I remember correctly," the Trill murmured, still laughing under his breath, "I also said we should treat each other with respect."

"Then stop whining and colloborate."

Was he whining? he wondered. He didn't feel particularly whiny. He felt like rolling around on the floor laughing for a while at how wonderful she was and she didn't even realize it. Hilarious and lovely and so very bound to being 'fierce'. So much energy wasted on something so trivial. He pressed his knuckle against his lips, still chuckling. "Sure. Why don't you start?"

She waggled a finger. "Because I asked first and I'm a lady. And I'm doing all the work around here to make it easy for you."

Oh, she was a glorious fury, but he wasn't sure 'lady' was exactly the word that applied. "You know you're supposed to be interviewing the crew, not me, right?"

"Interviewing the crew I can do in my sleep. Which is probably what I will do. Most of these people are so boring and the interesting ones are...reluctant. Though I am tempted to let you have the snooty Science officer. Wicked Witch of the Terran West would want to bitch slap some personality into her. But...must keep up appearances that it's all about this great and joyful survey! Now, I believe you were trying very hard not to be a hypocrite?"

"It can be a challenge," Zaren agreed on a sigh. So Jool hadn't been able to get through to Maenad Panne. That was interesting news. "As always, I am happy to take whatever stories you find less interesting." He yawned, setting his emptied mug on the table as he passed it, lightly touching objects in the room as he passed. "I like you, Jool. Always have. Not always super fond of your tactics or your subjects, but that doesn't mean I don't see the value in your angles. They're just not for me. That's not a judgement on you, kid. That's subjective interest. I'm telling you this, because I want you to try to hear this next part without these defensive walls you've built up around yourself." He looked at her soberly. "You'll get more out of them by being honest. By being on the level. Not false flattery. Not showmanship. That's not what these people are interested in. They've been through hell. They deserve gentleness and respect. You treat them well, they'll tell you what you want to know." He stopped beside her, "That's what I've learned about this ship, Jool. And everything else? All the juicy details? Those you're going go get for yourself. If you listen." He winked at her. "There. That's my sharing for the day. Now if you'll excuse me. I've got a date with an engineer."

"No, Zaren, they continue to think of me as the self-absorbed, vapid, diva bitch that everyone expects me to be, you'll learn what we want to know. Stay away from the science officer. I'm having fun with her. Though I'm also taking notes on being self-absorbed cause she's teaching a master class."

"No one knew who you were before you stepped on this boat, honey. What they you as is up to you. You're the one who controls the focus. If you talk to them, and listen, they won't see you as anything more or less than who you really are." He looked at her seriously. "And who you are is smart and driven. With awful fashion sense. So show them that side. They like smart and driven." He headed for the door, pausing as it opened, "And you should know better than to tell me not to do something," he grinned at her over his shoulder. "I'm very rebellious. See you soon, love." He gave her a wave and slipped out of the room, hands in his pockets.

Jool rolled her eyes as Zaren left. She didn't think he was so frelling clueless. Baker, yes, but not Zaren. Then again men never were known for critical thinking skills. But that was okay, she knew what she was doing even if he was too stupid to listen to her.

[OFF]

Raifi Zaren
FNN Journalist
USS Galileo
(pNPC Lilou Peers)

Jool Fenta
FNN Journalist
Federation News Network embedded USS Galileo
(Starring Jeremy Stone as Jool Fenta)

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