Portraits (Sarela)

[Professor Mors]

"I'm glad the menu is to your liking", Vassyl smiled in earnest, "There aren't many intergalactic gourmands that would bother with a nameless outer rim system such as ours. Still, for us locals, nothing beats a traditional meal- especially when work frequently takes one far from home". "Still", Doren continued, his complexion disquieted some given the less-than-ideal circumstances of Sarela's travels, "I would think the standard quality of our specialty dishes ranks a touch above the other destinations you mentioned before". "In any case", the Captain smiled once more, "This particular ensemble was hand selected by our chef with the express purpose of enhancing your recovery: its rich diversity of vitamins and antioxidants makes its as practical as it is tasteful".

Pressing his thumb and forefinger into his chin, Doren sat back in a quasi-meditative posture, and began to address Sarela's follow-up inquiry, "In truth, my intended arrival time was coincidentally aligned with your own". An irritated twitch overtook the Captain's brow for a moment, as he elaborated further, "At the insistence of my bridge staff and naval regulations, I'm to indulge shore leave for the next two weeks. After which I'll be due back aboard the Reverent, and bound for the Mid-Perlemian". Yet again, Vassyl's somewhat unpredictable temperament softened, and with a soft sigh he concluded, "Nonetheless, I am most grateful I was able to be here in your time of need- that has made the compulsory vacation all the more validating".

"No doubt you must be wondering about your own departure from this place", the Captain carried on, begrudging himself a second serving of tea, having lost his usual battle of wills with the pleasant aroma, "This much I shall say upfront: if your treatments bears fruit within acceptable parameters, I see no issue in our returning to the Reverent together". "However", Doren quipped with a serious air, an emphatic finger leveled at his ailing guest, "If you are still on the mend at that point in time, you are to remain here until a courier is sent to retrieve you". "Hopefully things work out in favor the former", Vassyl cooled down, stirring a single lump of sugar into his brew, "Once aboard, it will not take long to get you put into the system: the first step will be an non-commissioned internship, which I have every confidence you will excel in".