Voyager was in orbit of an M-class planetoid where Captain Janeway, Chakotay, and Neelix had spent a two-day trade mission. The people who inhabited Two Tannairb had been more than willing to do business with Voyager. Since their world was actually a farming colony and had little industry, they were interested in replacement technical parts and medical supplies. One Tannairb sent a supply ship once a year there to pick up the colony's produce and brought needed supplies. A violent storm had caused damage to one of their irrigation system controls and some Tannairbians had been injured.

Negotiations had taken nearly two days but ended in a contract that both parties were happy with. A dinner party was held in honor of the successful agreement. The Tannairbians invited the whole crew, so that night, everyone, except for a small complement of personal, attended. The celebration gave the crewmembers a chance to try out some of the foodstuffs they had traded for. Besides sampling the food and local wines, they were entertained by musical and acrobatic performers.

The event was held in an octagonal sunroom. The Trade Administrator Rynnij told them it was a multipurpose facility, some times used as a hothouse for raising seedlings ahead of the growing season and other times for social gatherings. The walls on all sides but one were made a clear glasslike material, as was part of the ceiling. The only solid wall connected to the rest of a large building.

The captain and first officer enjoyed watching their crew relaxing. The Tannairbians mixed well with the Voyager people. The meal had concluded with an exotic tasting dessert served with wine.

"Do you think it was the wine?" Kathryn grasped at any clue.

"No, I don't. Everyone at our table had at least two glasses, like you and I did, and some had more." Chakotay voice was low, as he said again, "No, I'm sure it wasn't."

Kathryn sighed in response. "Well, let's keep thinking."

After the dinner Kathryn and Chakotay stayed to make sure everyone was transported off the planet and that there was no last minute problem with the trades arrangements. Rynnij and her mate Etep, stayed late as well. The Tannairbian pair stood listening to Chakotay answering their questions about Earth and the Alpha Quadrant. They were especially interested in the farming practices of his home planet.

Kathryn felt relaxed as she only half listened to the conversation. Her eyes kept wandering to the windows as she was close enough to see the moonlit garden just on other side. Tannairb's bright moon illuminated the fountain. Having never experienced moonlight bright enough that a person could see colors, she longed to explore. When there was a lull in the conversation, Kathryn asked, "Would you allowed us to take a stroll in the garden?"

"Of course, Captain," Rynnij said. "It's a lovely time of the night for a walk. The Kmik lunar mists are just forming now." The alien guided them to the entrance, touching a pad that caused the glass to open. "We will wait here. You will find it more fascinating on your own."

Kathryn's eagerness to get to the garden distracted her enough, that she didn't question the administrator's comment. She took Chakotay's arm and impatiently walked through the doorway. The shadows and contrasting muted colors of the flowers reminded Kathryn of an illustration in a favorite childhood book. As they drew closer to the fountain in the center, a pinkish mist arose from the ground and wound around their feet like an affectionate family cat. Only this feline-like vapor didn't trip them, it twisted and swirled about them, hiding their feet from view.

Kathryn sat down at the fountain's edge and Chakotay joined her. Taking a deep, exhilarating breath of the night air, she looked down at the miasma. "I've never seen anything like this." She reached down and was able to lift some of the thick mist before the warmth of her hand melted it away.

"Me either," Chakotay said quietly, "It's so eerie and yet so beautiful."