Cultural Exchange

Posted on Mon Dec 7th, 2020 @ 12:43am by Lieutenant Commander Tyroh Vantic
Edited on on Tue Dec 8th, 2020 @ 10:58pm

Mission: Healing of Minds
Location: USS Liberty - Vulcan

ON:

Tyroh was patiently, painstakingly folding an edge of the slatani metal to his latest Saitee project. The security chief had decided to try and emulate the look of a Sehlat, in honour of the Liberty being in orbit of Vulcan for crew leave. A particular style of Angosian music - with a driving, complicated bass section supporting a lively melody and an artist lyrically spouting words at a fairly wicker pace - boomed over the speakers of the officer's room. The music may have been distracting to some, but Tyroh found no problem melding the art of Saitee - a task similar to Earth's Origami - with the briskly paced music.

The security officer always found Saitee peaceful and relaxing, regardless of what was going on around him. The music was from one of his favorite Angosian artists, Malo Lakuma, who's beat-heavy, driving musical style was practically a direct contrast to the art of Saitee. Tyroh thoroughly enjoyed the music, though, so he had no problems making the two things coexist in the moment.

Creating a Sehlat for his Saitee project was proving to be a challenge. Trying to instill the essence of a living creature into an artform who's final rendering was often considered to be abstract was a task Tyroh was more than eager to try and accomplish.

He was carefully starting to fold over another edge of the slatani metal - a thin, pliable metal used in the art of Saitee - when his comm went off. He glanced momentarily at the monitor on the desktop across from him to see who was calling, then turned back to his task as he answered.

"Go ahead," Tyroh called to the monitor, his screen lighting up with the face of one of the Liberty's junior communications officer.

"Commander, we have a transmission from Vulcan for you," the junior office stated. "It's in response to an earlier inquiry of yours."

"Excellent. Put it through, please," Tyroh stated, still focusing on his own task.

The face of the junior officer was replaced by that of an elderly Vulcan with bronzed skin and a not insignificant amount of age lines on their face. The Vulcan gazed back at Tyroh, working on his project, with calm yet intense green eyes. She paused a moment, watching the Angosian work for a bit, before she spoke up.

"Tyroh Vantic," she inquired, her voice deep and rich, her diction perfect. "Chief of Security of the USS Liberty?"

"Yes," Tyroh finished his latest fold, than carefully pulled away from his project. Content that the slatani metal he'd been working with wasn't going to collapse, he turned is focus to the Vulcan on his monitor. "My apologies. I was at a delicate moment of my project. Are you Teacher T'Nath?"

"I am," the Vulcan replied, raising an eyebrow. "I believe you were looking for me. May I ask for what purpose?"

"Yes, Teacher," Tyroh folded the fingers of his hands in front of him, leaning a little towards the monitor. "I obtained your name from a former associate of mine on a former posting. Senak?"

T'Nath's eyes lit up a little, showing as much emotion as a Vulcan of high standing would allow. The expression practically screamed at how much T'Nath regarded the name Senak.

"Yes, Senak," T'Nath's deep, rich voice softened just ever so little. "He was one of my best students. I have not heard from him in some time. It is my hope that he is well."

"When I last spoke to him about six months ago he was, Teacher," Tyroh explained, his dark features serene. "And he tasked me with expressing his respects to you should I cross paths with you on Vulcan."

T'Nath bowed her head slightly, accepting the offered respects, then regarded Tyroh with sharpened eyes. "You had called for other matters, if I recall correctly. How may I be of assistance?"

"Teacher T'Nath," Tyroh began, "Senak informed me that you were the one to approach about learning certain aspects of Suus Mahna. I was hoping, if you had some time over the next few days, to impart some of your knowledge to me. I know my time is limited and your time valuable but I would be most appreciative."

The elderly Vulcan's eyes narrowed slightly, her lips pursing. "Suus Mahna is a martial arts form that requires dedication and time to master. I very much doubt that I can 'pass on' anything of value in so limited a time."

"I am aware, Teacher," Tyroh stated respectfully. "And it is not my intention to master Suus Mahna but, rather, incorporate one or two aspects of it as part of my training regimen for my staff. Starfleet security training is complex as it is, sometimes unnecessarily so. I get new members in my department almost more consistently than other departments. These members are often recruits and non-commissioned officers who are given minimal training before getting to me."

T'Nath nodded, comprehension forming on her features. "You would like to be able to train them at a quicker pace than you have been able to, at least in regards to the martial arts aspect of your position."

"Correct, Teacher," Tyroh spread his hands on the desk before him. "A couple of techniques that are simpler than what is currently offered but, in many ways, extremely more effective in high stress and often unexpected situations. I would be willing to exchange Angosian martial arts techniques in return."

The aged Vulcan pondered the request a moment, her eyes drifting back towards to Saitee project Tyroh had been working on. After some silence, T'Nath took a deep breath and turned her attention back to the Angosian officer.

"I no longer teach Suus Mahna," she stated, but quickly put up a forestalling hand upon seeing Tyroh open his mouth to say something. "However, I would be willing to impart to you some knowledge of certain techniques that may be beneficial to you...in exchange for information on that project you were working on when I called."

Tyroh's brows came together momentarily, turning from T'Nath on screen to his project then back. "You mean Saitee? You have never heard of it before?"

"You, Mister Vantic, are the first Angosian I have ever met," T'Nath stated. "My knowledge of Angosian society is limited. As I no longer teach Suus Mahna, I find my interests in the arts have increased of late and your project...Saitee? Seems intriguing."

"I would be honoured to share with you all I know, Teacher," Tyroh stated, pleased with how things were turning out.

"How soon can you come down, Commander," T'Nath asked.

"As soon as you are able to receive me, Teacher T'Nath," Vantic said.

"Very well. I will forward you my coordinates. Meet me in an hour and we shall begin."

OFF:

Lieutenant Commander Tyroh Vantic
Chief of Security/Tactical
USS Liberty