The Enterprise had become accustomed to the flow of dignitaries and important political guests in and out of her hull. She was accustomed to dress uniforms and formal addresses. She was accustomed to every change, but often the crew was not. No matter how many ambassadors, leaders, experts, and noteworthy celebrity sightings took place aboard the flagship, the people aboard couldn't help but buzz with each new arrival.
There had been an exchange of officers one time. A Klingon had come aboard, bringing his stark and brutal command style. That had been an interesting load of ship's gossip. As was the gossip surrounding Troi's miracle baby, and that surrounding Keiko and Chief O'Brien's wedding day shenanigans. The Enterprise was, still, accustomed even to the chatter and gawking.
Captain's Log, Stardate 44709.2: Recent events and stresses have led Starfleet to call the Enterprise to Earth for repairs and much-needed shore leave for the crew. However, given our proximity to Partia, a planet home to many of great esteem, we have been instructed to give safe passage to their Chancellor, Lellee Sull, and a Senator, Dell Lem. Partians are well known to have an almost unending life span and slowed aging process, allowing them to be living historical records, an important vocation to say the least. The Chancellor herself is approximately seven hundred years old and one of the most involved diplomats and public servants in the Federation. Due to the sociability of Partians, Counselor Troi has suggested we hold a reception party, but treat their passage as an informal... visit... of sorts, transporting as guests to Earth rather than formal dignitaries.
The Captain, his First Officer, and Counselor Troi walked toward the transporter room.
"Try not to be anxious about meeting the Chancellor, Captain. You have nothing to fear." Troi moved closer upon noticing Captain Picard adjust his dress uniform gruffly.
"I shall try my best, Counselor," he mumbled.
"I'm rather excited, sir!" Riker almost skipped. "She's seen everything. She was among the first alien visitors to Earth following first contact. I mean, she was one of the first of her people to join Starfleet!"
"I am very aware of her extensive... experiences, Number One." The Captain paused and dropped the tone of his voice. "Frankly, that's what makes me nervous. Did you know she has been aboard the Enterprise more than once before?" He stopped walking. The Counselor and Commander Riker turned.
Riker stepped forward, "Oh really?"
Picard began to walk again. "She received passage to Vulcan aboard the Enterprise during the Five Year Mission, under Kirk himself."
"Yes, two famous libertines aboard one ship! Though she has seen more than one Enterprise," Troi continued with a smirk. "She also briefly caught passage to Khitomer, acting as a Federation Ambassador following peace talks with the Klingons."
"I didn't know that!" Riker exclaimed. He thought briefly of Worf, wondering what he would think of her presence on his home before the slaughter.
"I find the more I learn the more unsure I feel." Picard turned as the doors of the transporter room opened.
"I think you struggle with the idea of Partian personalities more than anything, Captain." Troi stepped closer to him. "She will certainly not find you inadequate. You know that. She will lavish praise on you, on all of us. But she will also respect you as a Captain, and personally as a modest and controlled man. You needn't fear being embarrassed."
"This isn't Mrs. Troi after all," Riker giggled and Troi scoffed playfully. The Captain relaxed some.
There was more troubling the mind of the Captain that day. Though Counselor Troi recognized the depths, she did not engage them lest they be brought to the surface. Picard nodded to Transporter Chief O'Brien who stiffened formally at the sight of the dress uniforms.
"Remind me of how to behave myself, Counselor."
"You needn't worry too much about strict formalities," Troi said, kindly, "Partians are extremely hard to offend. In fact, it's probably their biggest weakness. It took a long time for Klingons and other more stern species to accept them, see them as something other than frivolous. But Partians are strong and honorable. Those qualities as well as their practically unlimited life spans make them excellent ambassadors, diplomats, and public servants."
"It seems strange for anyone to consider such a well-accomplished race frivolous." The Captain furrowed his brow as the Chief announced the Chancellor would be beaming up within a few minutes.
"It's not terribly strange. To human culture they seem boisterous, social, extremely enthusiastic, and motivated. Such qualities are often associated with children. One way in which humans in particular and other new members of the Federation have come to respect them is through their long-term ties to the Vulcans."
"A logical planet, they say, Partia." Riker leaned in close to Troi.
"A reasonable planet, they say, Commander," Troi corrected. "They value reason and courtesy above all else. This has allowed them to maintain their emotions and enthusiasm under the pressure of responsibility and ambition."
"So how do I speak to her, Counselor?" Picard asked frankly.
"Just be happy to see her," Troi replied. "Enjoy yourself. Allow her to dote on you somewhat. Partians have a social hierarchy based on achievement. In many other cultures that would give dignitaries and the elite a sense of distance, accepting subservience offered by others. Partians conversely serve because they love to serve. Thus, those who have achieved the most have earned the privilege of serving the most. A great example I find quite wonderful is that professional organizers are practically celebrities and highly respected; and these are people who clean homes for a living." She smiled. "Partians also find it most reasonable to make situations as positive and efficient as possible."
Troi paused as she saw the Captain obsessing over these things. "Captain, she will recognize how humans may be uneasy around someone so old and accomplished. She will want everyone to relax. She will want everyone to feel happy, content, and part of a community. Also, Partians don't believe in false manners. If she offers you a gift, a drink, or a kind word; accept it. Do not deflect her compliments. It will hurt her feelings. It would be the only true offense."
"Point taken, Counselor." The Captain stood ready as the Chief signaled the arrival of the Chancellor.
The pad flickered to life and the column of light brought forth two individuals. One was a tall, broad shouldered man. His face was playful and handsome, messy black hair falling over gray eyes.
The other figure was clad in a flowing white linen frock. She was small, comparative in height and proportion to Troi. Her skin was pale, but her eyes and hair were nearly black. Her face was angular and pretty, youthful with only subtle smile lines. Riker thought briefly of her pictures scattered throughout the history of Starfleet and the Federation. He hadn't thought of her as beautiful, but here in person she was different, less simple. She beamed upon seeing them all, and that warmth simply made her seem more striking than in her pictures. Here, in the flesh, he found her so much more attractive.
"Chancellor Sull, I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Welcome aboard the Enterprise." The Captain uncharacteristically stepped aboard the pad and offered her his arm. Troi smiled, pleased at the Captain's relaxation and ability to embrace Partian style.
"I am so thrilled to meet you, Captain. I have barely been able to sleep for the excitement of meeting you. It makes being back aboard the Enterprise so much more special." The Chancellor slid a long slender hand around the Captain's bicep and stepped off the pad.
"May I present my First Office, William Riker." He gestured to the commander.
"It is a true pleasure, Chancellor." Riker bent as he took her other hand gently. She wrapped her thumb around his and he blushed.
"I've followed your career as well, Commander," Sull said, "I hope you won't mind telling me first-hand some of your favorite stories." She sighed as if her heart swelled.
"I'd be happy to," he said, smiling. "Hopefully you'll honor me with some of your adventures as well." Riker turned toward Troi and the Chancellor left the Captain's arm.
"Counselor Troi!" Sull exclaimed. She took the lovely Betazoid's hand in the Partian style. "May I call you Deanna?" The Counselor nodded. "I've just had a communique from your mother." Troi turned red. "No! Nothing embarrassing!" Sull laughed, waving away the thought. "She said I would have a wonderful time aboard the Enterprise with you here. Indeed, it's so. You are, as far as I know, a born diplomat."
"Thank you, Chancellor; that's immensely gratifying to hear you say." Troi let her eyes flicker to the handsome companion who'd already introduced himself to the Captain and Commander.
"This is Dell Lem," Sull said. "He's a relatively new Senator and my friend." The Chancellor extended a hand to him after he'd introduced himself to the men and he approached both women, towering over them with great care so as to not intimidate this new charming acquaintance.
"I've heard much of you, Counselor." He took her palm, wrapping his thumb around hers in the affectionate Partian style, "I hope to earn your friendship, and the friendship of the fine Commander and Captain of this prestigious vessel." He pulled his hand slightly to his chest. This time Troi sighed. She had not seen his pictures before and even if she had, she couldn't have imagined his considerable physical charm.
Riker flushed a little at the sight. But the moment was interrupted as the Chancellor returned to the Captain and took his arm with both hands. He swallowed hard for a moment and said, "We have very fine quarters reserved for both of you. We have adjusted the temperature controls to better reflect your preferred colder climate."
"That is very considerate of you, Captain." He led the Chancellor through the transporter room doors. "I am so excited I can barely contain myself," she breathed.
As they walked through the corridor the Senator dropped back slightly and indicated to Troi that he wished to speak with her discretely.
"What is it, Senator?" Troi asked, sensing that he was uneasy.
"Please, call me Dell," he said, lifting his hands up. "There is no cause for alarm, but I believe I have an injury to my third hip that needs treatment. I did not wish the Chancellor to hear as she would have been concerned that I did not see to it before we arrived on the Enterprise. I am afraid I must impose on your sickbay."
Troi smiled, giggled even. "I understand. I would be happy to escort you there, and I believe Dr. Crusher, the Chief Medical Officer, would be very excited to meet you." She turned to nod at Riker who seemed concerned they were leaving. But he relaxed as Troi's remarkable body language indicated that their separation was innocent.
"You think she would? Well, I didn't realize I'd be meeting Dr. Crusher. That is amazing." He placed a hand on his hip and Troi realized he'd been hiding a limp and more than a little discomfort. "My father is a medical doctor," he chirped. "As I was preparing for this trip he was absolutely envious that I would be aboard the same vessel as Dr. Beverly Crusher. I find that humans are sometimes put off by being admired. I don't know why that is. Do you think she will find my attention bothersome?"
"I promise she will be happy to meet you. Though, it is unfortunate that your meeting is under these unpleasant circumstances. You would've met her anyway as she will be attending the reception tonight in Ten Forward." Troi took his arm to make him feel more at home. He smiled and immediately relaxed, biting his lower lip to stifle giggles that Troi had already sensed.
Elsewhere, the Chancellor seemed to float into her quarters, leaving behind the Captain's arm to briefly take in the spacious accommodations. "This is truly wonderful. You have been so gracious to the Senator and me." She turned suddenly. "Am I keeping you from your duties?"
The Captain raised his brow and stole a glance at his First Officer. "No," he said, "not presently, Chancellor. We would be happy to leave you, however, should you like to settle in."
"I think that would be of some benefit to you as those dress uniforms are frightfully uncomfortable. Or at least they were back in my day." She stepped closer to the two officers. "Have they gotten any more bearable?"
"No, they haven't, I'm sorry to say." The Captain smiled, showing frankness that Riker had never seen him display to such a prestigious guest.
A melodious laugh followed. "Oh, goodness," she said, clapping her hands together. "Starfleet should make their tailors try on every uniform before approval."
"That seems like a good idea," Riker chimed in. "I think I will vacate mine so that I may send it to the seamsters on Earth."
"Very good, Commander." She patted his arm gently as he turned to leave.
"Yes, I agree," the Captain began. "I hope these quarters serve your needs. Please enjoy all the amenities of the ship. We are all happy to have you aboard."
"I hope we will have the chance to talk more at the reception and somewhat further in the coming days," Sull said. "I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to get to know you."
"And I you, Chancellor. Good evening." With that he turned and fled the room. He tried to shake off his stage fright as he retreated down the corridor.
"You seem displeased, Captain," Riker commented as they both entered the turbolift.
"I am fine, Commander," Picard replied curtly.
"Forgive me, sir. I was only concerned." He folded his hands in front of him and looked up, trying not to smirk.
After a pregnant pause the Captain looked over, "No, Commander, I'm sorry. Once again the Counselor is right. The Chancellor... gushes... and I have never truly been able to bear such attention."
"I think she's very sweet, sir." Riker smiled.
"Of course," he said. "She is. She's a very pleasant woman."
"But... "
"But..." He punctuated with an over-pronounced T. "She is a Chancellor, an ambassador, a living ethnographic treasure. I expected that. She's seven hundred years old for goodness' sake. Her status is inherent and I expected her to be an authority."
"But she's not acting like one," Riker interjected.
"No, Number One, she is not."
"Is that such a problem?"
"No it isn't," he spat.
"But... " Riker leaned his head forward and smirked at having to drag this conversation out of the Captain.
"But!" Picard found himself smirking as well. "It would be easier if she weren't quite so lovely."
Riker left the turbolift with a burst of laughter. He attempted to straighten himself, but found it unnecessary as he saw immediately, shockingly, the Captain was actually chuckling.