# Chapter 6 – Dinner on Ramura
Seven walked down the corridor towards the turbolift on her way to holodeck two. Instead of her normal biosuit, she wore an outfit Kellin described as a Ramuran hunting dress. The fabric was soft with a muted brown and blue pattern, and a sheen that indicated it was somewhat water proof. Exactly what you would hunt in such a dress, she couldn't fathom, but it was for the celebration after the hunt that she was invited and going to attend. She and Kellin had been having fun touring the various parts of the holoprogram she created of Ramura, but for the last week Kellin was making some adjustments on her own in preparation for this event. Apparently, Kellin loved the annual tradition on Ramura of the celebratory meal after the last hunt of the season. This afternoon, when her shift in astrometrics ended, Seven had returned to her quarters to find an invitation and the dress waiting for her. Fortunately the corridors were relatively empty, but Seven imagined curious stares from the crewmen she passed. She stepped up to the turbolift and it opened a few moments later. She started to step forward into the lift but stopped short upon seeing Chakotay already inside.
"Off to the hunt?" he said and stepped back to make room for her. Chakotay was dressed in what must be the male version of a Ramuran hunting dress, although she suspected it wasn't called that. In Earth parlance, perhaps a Ramuran hunting kilt was a more appropriate name. Chakotay's outfit had a similar, although not identical color and pattern.
She had to try hard to suppress a laugh and stepped in beside Chakotay. "I think the hunt has already completed, and we're going to attend the celebration that is held afterwards." She decided she should have waited to speak, for her voice gave her away.
Chakotay frowned. "I'm sure on Ramura I'll fit right in, although the jacket seems to be a size or two too small for me and I never realized just how drafty Voyager is."
Seven shook her head and couldn't help but laugh. She wondered if she should tell Chakotay about what she knew of Ramuran fashion for males, at least what Kellin had told her. She decided against it. He would find out soon enough.
The turbolift doors slid shut and they swiftly made their way to deck six. "We haven't bumped into anyone else in Ramuran garb; I wonder who else was invited?" Chakotay mused as they approached the holodeck.
"I know Kellin has been planning something big and even enlisted Neelix's help to program authentic Ramuran meals into the holodeck's food replicators."
The doors to the holodeck opened and they entered onto a busy street along the side of a harbor of what must have been a Ramuran seaport. Ocean going vessels of all sizes appeared along the docks, many still with large gray sails fluttering in the light evening breeze. On most, colorful long and thin pendants also waved from the tops of the masts. Ramuran men and women walked about, all in similar hunting outfits as to what Seven and Chakotay wore.
"Oh, I see," Chakotay mused. Seven noticed, along with Chakotay no doubt, that all the men wore their upper garment unbuttoned, as she suspected. Chakotay discreetly unbuttoned his shirt as well. Apparently the buttons were only for decoration, a curious habit for garments, but common to many species and cultures. When he was done, it indeed fit him much better, although she found it a little more distracting. The evening was warm, but not too humid, and the sounds of celebration and laughter floated on the wind.
"Do you suppose the hunt was on these boats for some sort of sea creature?" Chakotay wondered.
"Possibly," Seven remarked and then pointed to one of the smaller vessels close at hand. "Examine those poles leaning up beside that boat. The barbs on the end indicate they may indeed be a spear of some sort. I know Kellin has been attentive to details. She has wanted to particularly get the animal life and sea life on Ramura just right."
The holodeck arch disappeared into the wall of the building beside them. Chakotay looked up and down the street at the crowds. In addition to some wheeled vehicles, he noticed that some Ramurans were also riding atop large lizards. "I think these lizard-like creatures are called wolmalings. Kellin spoke of them being domesticated to use for labor and transport."
"You are correct," Seven stated. She pointed to a child who led a large rodent attached to a string. "Ramurans have domesticated a wide variety of animal and sea life on their planet for all sorts of functions, including keeping as pets. Kellin was speaking to me the other day about the possibility of keeping a pet of her own in her quarters."
Chakotay nodded. "She asked me the same thing not too long ago. I brought it up with the Captain, and she said she'd give it some thought." Suddenly Chakotay seemed distracted. "Is that Chell?" Seven turned to look, and sure enough, someone walking towards them indeed looked like their shipmate Chell, but not quite. The pointed ears, and hair, distinguished him as definitely Ramuran, but also with the unmistakable blue skin of a Bolian. Chakotay looked intrigued. "Do you know where we're supposed to go?"
"I would guess the tavern is not too far off," Seven said. She too looked both up and down the street, but didn't see Kellin or anyone else she recognized. The general flow of the people, however, was down the street to their right, and it appeared there were a number of businesses in that direction that could very well be eating establishments. She was about to suggest walking in that direction when Kellin appeared out of one of those buildings.
"Seven, Chakotay, down here," Kellin called, and they both moved off in that direction. Kellin was in an identical dress as Seven, and when they approached, she came up and hugged them both. She then stepped back and appraised their outfits. "The colors and patterns are from my clan, and you both look great."
Inside the tavern was crowded and noisy, and Kellin led them to a small round table with just three chairs. Seven looked at Kellin quizzically. "It will just be the three of us for dinner," Kellin said.
They each sat down. "I thought I saw Chell out on the street, but it turned out to be one of the Ramuran townsfolk in the simulation," Chakotay said. "I didn't know some Ramurans had blue skin."
Kellin laughed. "Oh, they don't really. Ramurans are all pretty much alike, with just different shades of tan and brown as with humans. Ramurans live in a closed society that is suspicious of differences outside what's considered normal." Kellin countenance took on a whimsical look. "I've taken some liberties with who I've populated this Ramura with. I thought some more diversity in appearance would be nice. They're all still Ramuran, but with some broader parameters. If you look over by the bar, you'll notice someone who looks like Lieutenant Commander Tuvok."
Sure enough, there was a gregarious Ramuran with short hair cut in a typically Vulcan style, but otherwise with features and dress like the other Ramurans in the room. He seemed to be engaged in a game that involved tossing rings with a group of other young men. Periodically one or all of them would cheer and then drink from a glass filled with a frothy liquid. Seven could only speculate what the beverage contained. Presumably, they were celebrating a successful hunt and the end of another season with games and drink.
Seven looked about at the other patrons in the tavern. "I don't suppose there's a Ramuran in the simulation that was once a Borg drone," she asked jokingly.
Kellin brightened. "Now that's a great idea. I want all my friends to feel welcome. Ramurans know of the Borg, of course. Parents use tales of the Borg to remind their children how dangerous the rest of the galaxy is. I think a Ramuran who is an ex-Borg drone would make a excellent addition to the town. Perhaps we should have a Ramuran with a facial tattoo as well?"
"It only seems fair," Chakotay put in.
Kellin raised her hands and clapped them loudly twice. From the shadows near what looked like the area of the kitchen, a child about the age of twelve Earth years came to the table. He wasn't wearing a hunting outfit as most everyone else in the tavern, but what looked like a long blue-green cloak with an intricate design. He bowed slightly to Kellin and then to Seven and then returned his attention to Kellin. "Have you made a selection?"
Kellin turned to Seven, "I only have two Ramuran meals programmed in the replicator so far. One is a vegetarian meal, a sort of seaweed salad, which I'm assuming Chakotay will want." She turned briefly to Chakotay and received a nod of confirmation in response. "The other is the freshly caught meat from the hunt we're celebrating served with some grains, a sort of rice."
"I think I'll have the salad with Chakotay," Seven responded.
Kellin turned to the young Ramuran. "Two scallib plates and a small serving of the yint. And please bring us some drinks as well, the local variety would be fine."
The Ramuran bowed again, and returned to the kitchen.
"The cook owns this establishment and that was his apprentice," Kellin commented. "Usually they choose someone from their clan, and most likely a relative. I tried to make him look like my brother when he was that age, but I didn't get it quite right." She looked about the interior of the room. "This is very much like an actual tavern in the port near my home. I used to love coming here, particularly after the hunt."
"Is a yint some sort of sea dwelling creature?" Seven asked. "Chakotay and I were speculating that perhaps the hunt you speak of is more of a fishing expedition."
Kellin considered her response. "Yints aren't exactly fish, but you are correct that they are from the ocean," she finally said. "Much of our food is derived from the oceans. Ramura is over eighty percent covered with water. All of the land areas on my world are islands in extended archipelagoes."
"I remember you speaking of sailing…" Chakotay began, but then cut himself off abruptly.
Kellin didn't appear to notice the pre-Tracer gaff, if you could even call it that now. Seven noted that over the past several months, Kellin had become better at accepting that there were some things that others remembered about her from the five years before the Tracer. Instead of appearing upset, Kellin actually laughed a bit.
"I've been trying to put some sailing into this program, but it's been difficult to get it to feel authentic. I might need your help Seven."
Seven actually felt a little apprehensive, not being too familiar with swimming, but the thought of sailing excited her, something new to experience. "I would be happy to comply," she responded, "but only if you agree to take us sailing on your vessel."
"It's a deal!" Kellin replied. She appeared genuinely happy.
The chirp of Kellin's comm badge interrupted their conversation. "Lieutenant Commander Tuvok to Kellin."
"Go ahead."
"There appears to be something wrong with the cloak. Your assistance is required in engineering."
"Oh Tuvok, I'm just about to eat dinner. Can it wait?"
There was no response for a long moment, and then Tuvok repeated, "your assistance is required."
Kellin looked a little embarrassed and stood up. "I better go down and see what's going on," she said. "You two start without me." She hesitated for a short time, as if she might say something else, but instead moved to the door of the tavern. She turned for a final wave goodbye, and then headed out into the street towards the holodeck arch.
Chakotay had stood when Kellin left and Seven wondered if he was also intending to leave, but after Kellin disappeared out the door, he sat right back down. Apparently he had no intention of leaving. The young Ramuran from the kitchen came to the table, bowed slightly to Seven, and then placed a plate and drink in front of each of them. He also discreetly removed Kellin's place setting and then moved back to the kitchen. The plate she was given was filled with dark green and red leaves, evidently Ramuran seaweed, and appeared to be topped with other vegetables and grains. All of it was covered in a creamy sauce. She picked up the single utensil that was supplied, a two-pronged fork with one edge serrated about midway down the prong, obviously to use as a knife if required and stabbed at a leaf with some sauce. Seven then glanced at Chakotay who had done the same and was apparently waiting for her before taking the first bite. They both placed their seeweed into their mouths. It actually tasted quite good, and Seven looked up to see Chakotay nodding approvingly.
"I was talking to Ayala about our recent away mission," Chakotay said and took a drink from the cup that had come with the meal.
"Oh?" Seven responded. She knew that Chakotay and Ayala were good friends, from their time together in the Maquis. Chakotay stayed close to all the former crew of the Val Jean, but to Ayala particularly because he had been Chakotay's first officer. Perhaps she should have read Chakotay's report to see how he explained their long absence for such a simple mission.
Chakotay smiled. "He has this interest in all the varied life in the galaxy, and I thought he'd appreciate some of the things we saw."
Seven nodded. She could tell that Chakotay had enjoyed their day together as much as she did. She had even found herself describing the planet to Icheb in Astrometrics the other day, perhaps unconsciously wanting to relieve the experience. During the past week, both she and Chakotay had been making tentative steps towards a closer relationship.
It was getting darker outside and the streets were less crowded. The other patrons in the tavern seemed to be quieting down to their meals as well. As they ate, another server in the tavern, this time a young girl, came to their table and lit a small candle at its center.
Seven looked about the room. "Kellin has really thrown herself into this holodeck project," she remarked. "It has inspired me to recreate the Tendara colony, the world on which I was born."
Chakotay brightened. "Do you have memories of your childhood there?"
"A little," Seven replied, and tried to grasp at those memories now. There were just a few, and they were elusive. A happy memory of sitting on her father's lap, and he was singing a song to her. And another of a storm at night, and she distinctly remembered the lightning cutting the sky in half, and the tremendous boom of the thunder a few seconds later. How precious those fleeting memories were to her now. Just a few vignettes of an abbreviated childhood she held close to her. "We left when I was three. They are my earliest memories. I think my first memory is of my father singing. I remember the colony was dry and hot, but with ferocious summer storms."
"I've read that Tendara is a desert world."
"That is correct. I'm generating the details from what is contained in the Federation database," Seven continued. "My hope is that perhaps the sights and sounds will illicit the recollection of memories long forgotten. If you are interested, you could accompany me on my tour when it is complete."
"I would like that," Chakotay said. "Perhaps you could help me write a holoprogram of Darvon Five and I could return the favor."
Seven sipped at her drink. It tasted fruity, but fortunately she detected no signs of fermentation. She wondered if she should divulge that she had already started a holoprogram depicting Darvon Five as well. She had been interested in researching Chakotay's home world. Well, time enough for that later. "What is your earliest memory?" Seven asked as she put down her drink.
Chakotay looked off in thought, and then rubbed his chin. "I think I remember a time when I was two or three and my mother was carrying me. We were at a bonfire. It was cold that night, but the fire was almost too hot in contrast. I was bundled up in a blanket and she held me close. I can't be certain, however, because there is a holoimage of that night and I might simply be remembering the stories told when I was older."
Seven tried to picture Chakotay as a baby cradled in his mother's arms, so small and vulnerable. It was hard to imagine the man sitting across from her as a tiny baby, but of course, everyone was once. As she considered it, everyone was once a single cell, and grew in a maturation chamber of sorts that was their mother's womb. And before that, there was a time for everyone when they didn't even exist. What a strange and convoluted path that had brought the two of them to this dinner table on a simulation of Ramura within the holodeck of a starship so far from home. "It is curious, how we live so much in the moment," Seven mused. "Our past is slowly lost with the passing of time, and our future is never certain. Some of us live long lives, while others are lost soon after conception. From the moment we are each created, we never know which it will be." She glanced at Chakotay, and he was looking at her intently. He seemed to be hanging on her every word. His attention to her was pleasurable, but also a little disconcerting. She smiled and took another sip from her drink.
"There's a story I heard when I was a boy, told to me by one of the elders in my village. He called it 'Coyote, the Cardassian, and the Shower of Stars.'"
"This doesn't sound like a very old story."
"When he told it to me, he said he had heard it when he was a boy during the time Darvon Five was first settled, but for all I know, he made it up the night before." Chakotay smiled and continued. "Coyote stories are sometimes about tricks and pranks, often alternating between cleverness and buffoonery. Most times his stories are cautionary tales, and this one falls in that category. Anyway, here goes.
"One night Coyote was walking with his friend Iktome. They had heard from the Great Mystery of a shower of stars to occur that very night, and so they looked towards the sky in anticipation. The stars twinkled in the heavens and marched along their path through the sky. Now Coyote often played tricks on the Cardassian who lived nearby, but this night he was excited about the upcoming shower of stars, and so wanted to tell the Cardassian about it. They came upon the house of a Cardassian and knocked on his door.
"'Come outside and watch for the shower of stars with us,' Coyote said.
"'Nonsense,' replied the Cardassian, 'stars do not fall like the rain. You are trying to lure me out of my house so you can sneak inside and steal from me.'
"'Not at all," replied Coyote. 'Come out with me and my cousin Iktome and watch the show with us. The Great Mystery has told us a shower such as this only occurs once in a lifetime.'
"The Cardassian, however, would not budge. He stayed in his house, filled with the things he had spent a lifetime acquiring. The treasures he had stolen from other worlds and kept hidden in a box in his cellar. And the exotic beasts from other lands that he kept locked in cages in his attic. 'You have nothing,' the Cardassian said to Coyote, 'and all you want is to take what is mine. Go away.'
"Coyote actually didn't want anything that the Cardassian had; he just liked playing tricks on him. And so Coyote and Iktome left. Iktome was looking up at the sky when the first star fell. 'Look my cousin,' he exclaimed, 'the wondrous event has started, just as the Great Mystery said it would.'
"And Coyote and Iktome watched as stars fell all around them. They danced and howled and cheered all night. At the end of the show, a star fell and landed on the house of the Cardassian. The house was destroyed, and the Cardassian and all he had acquired were gone."
"It was a meteor that destroyed the house, not a star," Seven commented.
Chakotay smiled. "Well, yes. But the lesson the elder was trying to tell me was to live in the moment and make every moment count."
Seven remembered something Chakotay had told her weeks earlier, about when some people find that one person who they are compatible with, they don't hesitate. Now his story about Coyote had a similar message, to make every moment count. In her thoughts, the two became connected, and she couldn't help but think of Chakotay and herself. "Hold perfectly still," she whispered.
Chakotay was already leaning over the table. He had been that way most of time as they conversed here in the Ramuran tavern. How wonderful this evening was turning out. The meal was gone, but Seven didn't want their time together to end. She leaned over the table to close the gap between them. His eyes flickered in the candlelight and she imagined she was gazing into his soul. Her lips seemed inexorably drawn to his mouth, and so she finished closing the gap and pressed them to his. He tasted of salt, and it was as if the whole universe was stopped at that moment and focused on this kiss. The unmistakable connection she felt with Chakotay was amplified as their lips touched. After a long moment, she pulled back and opened her eyes, not realizing she had closed them. She noticed Chakotay was also opening his eyes.
"I apologize," Seven began haltingly. "I…"
But before she could finish, Chakotay reached across the table to embrace her and kissed her again. It was as if to say there was nothing for her to be sorry about. That this was precisely what he also wanted.