JMJ

Chapter Two

Among Eloquent Voices

"This Alliance was born as a place of opportunity…" said Rom with care after shoving his PADD back into his safe-pocket— or the inner pocket of his coat nestled next to his heart as was usual with Ferengi coats. His heart was drumming harder than rain in a glebbening and not from lack of profit.

He was trying very hard to remember everything from his speech, and the speech notes were accidently deleted from his PADD.

How did this happen?

Oh, probably because he hated speeches, especially making important ones, especially important ones that actually were changing the entire planet from what his mother and Zek had instated. Not a lot was changing actually structurally, but it was a change, a change as momentous as that of his mother's.

But Rom was not like Zek who could talk to an angry horde of Klingon if he had to as confident and calmly as though he was speaking to a group of drinking buddies and even add a little humor. He was not like Ishka who could scold a rabid krelo bear from Bajor into submission at her feet. He did not have the personality to be casual and chummy with strangers like Quark did. The only thing that kept him from having a heart attack was that he felt that what he was doing was for the best. At least he wanted to.

Oh, and Leeta's encouraging smile as he glanced at her helped.

With a return smile, he held out his elaborate Nagus' coat, and forgetting the PADD and the notes, he forged ahead like an eel diver in ShasLeeza bay.

He cleared his throat. "…For you and me and everyone else. Over a millennia ago, our ancestors may not have always had good intentions, but whose race can say that there isn't people with bad intention? But the Alliance to those who founded it was freedom, though— y'know, before the trials, before the civil disputes— and that freedom was carefully crafted together to be through representatives from your town, to your region, to your planet whether… the Great Bayou or ShasLeeza, Ferenginar or out to the Jewel Mountains of Tarahong to come to this Tower— this Tower originally called the Tower of Opportunity as even Grand Nagus Gint upheld. So, in that tradition that was almost forgotten in more ways than one, I honor this evening for the first ever in our grandparents' grandparents' lifetimes, the proposition of a planet to join the Alliance! The planet Pelipa."

The clamor on the table was all around as it was not so much clapping one's hands that was common among Ferengi but the pounding of whatever was in front of one, and since most business was done at table, then the saying "I pound the table" was a saying of Ferengi agreement.

"Good speech, Nagus!" congratulated Ferengi guest.

"Yes," teased another. "Much shorter than the last one."

Rom's ears burned as they laughed, but their laughter was "all in good wine" as Pel said the Pelipans said.

What was best, however was that Mr. Frukus Aploos, the representative of Pelipa was the one pleased and amused. Even his wife seemed to ease from her original apprehension.

Well then! A fruity wine instead of synthahol as Rom had originally suggested turned out to be a good thing. Arookay, in fact— very rare and expensive was what Quark had suggested.

Unlike Human toasts, Ferengi usually had at least one glass before honoring anything at the table as proof that the drink was good to drink to and also traditionally as a way to know one was not going to be drugged into slumber before making an official deal. Not that he was going to tell the Pelipans that.

Just as long as nobody picks their pockets. Or nobody tries to sell them something junky overpriced or… or does something too… what Ferengi have made their reputation out to be, Rom thought nervously.

The other Ferengi guests were mostly trustworthy in this regard, but one could never be one hundred percent certain. As his brother had so aptly stated to Meegs, satisfaction was not guaranteed. Despite himself, he only felt safer about it with Leeta and Dr. Bashir there too. Bashir in fact seemed more comfortable among the Ferengi than Rom did himself especially in his new dapper Ferengi-inspired coat with some sort of traditional Earth design from his region. It was funny seeing a Human dress like that when they were usually much more interested in clothes that were simply functional, smooth, and formfitting. Even their black suits with plain ties were so very conforming.

Not like the Pelipans, who although not quite as "clashy" as Ferengi, still enjoyed bold color and patterns, especially in blocky geometric shapes like the pixel-like triangles with red insides and black outsides surrounded by a turquoise blue, which adorned Mr. Aploos' long sleeveless jerkin and was echoed in fainter colors in his pale tan shirt and frilled chocolate leggings cut off just after the knee to allow his fur-tufted legs room to breathe right down to his shoeless hoof-like feet. But what most important of all, of course, was that bold and fruity smile that adorned his long soft face and the twinkle in his fawn-brown eyes.

"Well put, Lord Nagus!" he said holding up his glass

Rom grinned but looked down sheepishly.

"And I admire the…" Aploos' pause made Rom hold his breath with anticipation, short though it was, "cordial approach to Ferengi entertaining."

Rom hoped he did not display too much of his surprise. It was obvious to any Ferengi ear that everyone present was just as much surprised by the choice of words. It was true that traditional Ferengi entertaining of guests was always a more casual approach than other societies. Even speaking with the Grand Nagus had always been more like speaking with a very important great uncle than a king, but traditional Ferengi entertaining, whether filial in its approach or not, was always done for a price. It made Rom question his own motive right now as it was. Certainly, they did not dare make Mr. Aploos pay a tribute at the door other than the gift he brought of his own accord, a princely ruby jewel from the heart of Pelipa, but was this homey entertainment out of any sort of brotherly love or only because of the payment that was not latinum which Aploos' approval would give them— something that Ferengi had not had since Rule of Acquisition Rule Number 189 had been set to paper by Grand Nagus Kevoola: "Let others keep their reputation, you keep their latinum".

For the first time in such a long time, Rom felt, the Ferengi were putting more value on their reputation, and it was time to prove to the universe this fact. It would solidify it.

"To sit at the table of the Grand Nagus is sit as among family," Traymak assured him.

The irony of that was, for at least some hundred years, there was that rule about treating those in one's debt like family and exploiting them, but Rom said nothing about that either.

Actually what he should talk about instead of what he should not was evading him like sugarmoths in a rainless vapor.

The only thing that did console Rom about his second-guessing of his own race was that in all fairness the Ferengi had not in the least expected to be noticed by any sort of outsider. Their self-respect was for themselves, and had only just become a more proper concept since the defeat of the Keeoopii— since the true amends between himself and his brother before the whole Alliance.

Since the Ferengi decided that there needed to be a true balance, maybe?

Well something that was neither allowing oneself to follow one's whims and greed unchecked about the universe anyway it turned and allowing oneself to be raised like some races raised cattle that had to be babied their whole lives in order to be protected from themselves? Well, since the Ferengi desired to make themselves as individuals responsible for their actions towards others was probably the best way to put it, right?

Anyway, here they were with a race that had long upheld such ideals as free will and the responsibility that went with it coming to see for themselves whether the Ferengi were worth not only to trade with but to be friends with. Why they were giving the Ferengi this chance was amazing in itself. He almost believed what Quark had said, that it was a sign that they were moving the ship of Ferenginar in the right direction.

If only the Ferengi did not mess this chance up!

Rom swallowed hard. He was at the wheel, after all.

"Yes!" he said suddenly, not knowing exactly why, "and Arka Days is a time of special significance to eat with the Grand Nagus."

Quark gave him a funny look, but kept his promise to keep his mouth shut so far.

"Is it today?" asked Mrs. Aploos.

"Oh, well, it isn't," insisted Rom. "But I feel like this is celebrating early."

"Arka is a time that's also being rejuvenated during our cultural renewal," said Leeta in her sweet candid way.

"Before it was a day to have super sales, it was a day of great meaning," Rom said. "I mean! It was a day even then as a time of great importance since it was a day to gain extra for the Divine Treasury. I mean…"

"I think!" said Quark suddenly holding up his finger-tongs for emphasis. "And the Grand Nagus can correct me if I'm wrong, but I'll venture to speak for him by saying that it is a day that means something to us no matter the time period, and like everything in our cultural renewal we're exploring what it meant to our ancestors, its origins, its evolution through the ages, and what it means to us today."

"Yes!" Rom sighed admitting defeat.

"What is the Day of Arka?" asked Mrs. Aploos with great interest now. "When I looked it up, I believe the meaning of 'Arka' is 'Star'."

"Star Day, yes," said Rom. "Even though we usually use the word 'jetaroo' for star, which is probably why the UT didn't just translate it for you easily. The day (or days actually) is fully called Arka pe bett Sharo ga. It celebrates our connection to the Great River and a star that shows the light to our home along it."

"So is 'arka' then your pole star?" asked Mrs. Aploos.

"Yes!" Rom said and he laughed a little. "It's kind of strange to say, but Dr. Bashir could probably explain it better than me."

"Dr. Bashir?" asked Mr. Aploos with surprise.

Dr. Bashir who had been speaking with Pel suddenly looked up at the sound of his name with some embarrassment. "Yes?"

"Oh, don't be like that," said Leeta to Rom. "You can tell the legends of Bajor to your own children. I know you can explain your own."

"Ah!" was all Bashir said with a polite nod of understanding now.

"Maybe he's too close to it," teased Mrs. Aploos.

"Maybe that's it," Rom said shaking his head bashfully.

Quark laughed a little before taking a sip from his glass. No irony. Just… weird.

"It's a day and a meaning as interconnected to our people as the symbolism of the kabyu is to the Pelipans," said Quark. "For nearly ten thousand years we would say 'the home of our physical birth may be where our heart is, but the stars are made of latinum', and although the commentaries may have differed over the ages, the idea of following the stars or the star, a pole star, has been ingrained into our very veins, so to speak. The original legend is of one following a star that led one to be reunited with his maker and thus the Great River was populated and busy once again after its original loss to mortals. It's incorporated into so many names, places, and products over the centuries it's difficult to know where to begin.

"Take even the Grand Nagus' son Arkos. When choosing a name to mean something of significance to both Ferengi and Bajorans, Leeta and Nagus Rom came together with the name of the pole star together half Ferengi and half Bajoran. 'Arka' in Ferengi and 'Durakos' in Bajoran. 'Durakos', of course meaning, 'sky lamp' for, especially bright stars. Isn't that right, Leeta?"

Leeta gave him a wry smile, which read instantly that even though she had never heard him speak so delicately about Bajoran language or speak about understanding anything in Bajoran at all, she was not at all surprised that he knew what he did and knew how to use that knowledge now to show off.

For a split second Rom's brow clouded as he wondered why Quark was going off in this fashion at all, but as he took note in Mr. Aploos speaking with Bashir, he suddenly recalled that Quark was using all his skill as a bar tender, because etymology was a passion of Gratsyoda Aploos.

"That's so lovely!" exclaimed Mrs. Aploos.

"Well!" said Rom sagely folding his hands over the table, "it was also because my brother's named after that too. His full name would be stretched out to 'Va-quazila pe bett Arka pe'. 'that seeker that is of the star'."

"Lovely," said Mrs. Aploos.

Quark nodded slowly, though not without a sideways glance to Rom.

"And he sure fit himself into that name literally too," Rom teased ignoring Quark's inquiring stare.

Quark shrugged as he turned back to the lady with a grin of full good humor, "I guess you could say, the trouble was I was in such a hurry to follow any star, I didn't know which one I was after cuz once you're out of the atmosphere a pole star looks like any other."

"Well, I do believe that names shouldn't be given lightly, and are important to one's life forever," teased Mrs. Aploos over her glass.

"That names are divinely given, you mean?"

"But not as literally as some as with others."

"Of course," said Quark.

"But I do have a question, if it's not too much trouble, about the word 'bett'."

"Yes?" asked Rom rather confused.

"Isn't 'bett' in, at least Saleable Ferengi, only used for the ownership of someone that can 'acquire'? Why isn't it in 'Star's Days' 'voo', as is used with inanimate objects or living things not sentient enough to acquire as with attributes or flourishes, but instead 'bett'?"

"It's the spiritual realm, Mrs. Aploos, and it is Home Ferengi in which most names are concocted," said Quark. "Either way, even in salable, a spiritual star can acquire more than a seeker for a star."

Mrs. Aploos smiled, a queenly sort of smile.

Past her prime by some years, she was still quite regal. Although all Pelipans were taller than any Ferengi and were taller than most Humans, she was especially tall. Even her husband was only slightly taller, yet she carried that seemingly abnormal height with such poise and elegance, and in a chair that was somewhat too small for her besides. She had a long neck and a glittering silver mane, braided near the ears and going well down her back behind the v-neck collar of her dress. Her ears were also very keen, Rom could not help but notice, as they were always moving at the top of her head with the precision of a cat to all that went on around her as she continued to have a full engaging conversation with those in front of her.

A multitasking listening of the highest degree!

But as usual his brother somehow had a way with such cultured and intelligent people when he wished just as well as he could guffaw with a low-life drunk half-witless at the counter when he needed to be. Mrs. Aploos was completely charmed, and Rom had to wonder why he was married and his brother was not.

He didn't mean to be, but he was incredibly envious of Quark's ease with just about anyone when he was not being an upstart or crabby about something, which had gotten him into such trouble in the past, but now that he was in such good spirits lately he was better at it than ever, especially with women for some reason. Rom didn't used to be so envious, but then again that particular virtue was not one Rom used to need so badly. Also again, Quark had not always used his tongue to better himself but rather feel good about himself in the old days (or to gain more latinum). It had not been uncommon for Quark to have been socked in the face for an overabundance of cheek. Who could be envious of that? At least he was here to help the dinner go well now.

Rom had to remind himself how much Quark's change meant to him. After Quark shunning him for years only to come humbly before him with a lappet behind his head and a sincere bow to his younger brother, how could Rom feel any misgivings towards him? But he did.

"That's what I thought," said Mrs. Aploos. "Much like the language of the Kaitians."

"I'm afraid you're going to lose me there," Quark laughed then breaking his atmospheric aura he had gathered with his last few counters into candid good humor again.

It's like a dance with words instead of feet with different moves in a rhythm, thought Rom quite impressed.

"I only know some random names of Kaitians," Quark went on lightly, "But I hear you've taken it upon yourself to learn at least five off-world languages eloquently not including the several languages and dialects you used to teach from Pelipa. That's quite impressive."

"Six off-world language," said Mrs. Aploos not without amusement. "And you're making me consider adding a seventh."

"Well, I may not be the right person to give you an opinion on that for the biasness on my part, but I fully encourage it! Learning Ferengi will open the door to the Alliance with such opportunity to a dozen other planets and give you special insight into finding your way around all the traditional Ferengi loop holes lost in translation."

"So I've heard."

"Well, as for things lost in translation," Rom tried to cut in, "I think a better way to translate his name would honestly be simply, 'Seeker's star", the star itself without all that 'va' business."

"Wonderful! Thank you," said Mrs. Aploos.

"What's your name mean, Mrs. Aploos?" asked Leeta.

"'Grace on the gentle breeze,'" said Mrs. Aploos.

"Befitting," said Quark.

"Now, might I ask, if it's not considered a rude thing to ask among Ferengi…" she turned suddenly to Rom.

"Oh, I'm sure you couldn't ask anything rude!" Rom insisted.

"The Grand Nagus must have a name of deep meaning."

Rom winced. "Uh… well…"

This was the first time Rom's name had ever been a topic of embarrassment. He had always been proud to have a name that meant so much to his mother even when Quark had teased him about it once he knew what it meant when they were little. No one else ever had. It was not exactly a traditional Ferengi name but had been placed together like a modern female name even if it was masculine in its appearance. Apparently his mother had given up being conventional even by the time Rom was born. After giving Quark a common ancient name out of a few Keldar and her had set aside, Ishka felt it was her turn to name. She had always told Rom to consider it special, and yet telling people the translation of "Rom" was basically "snuggle bug" did not sound right at all out of the Ferengi language.

Most of the time Rom did not consider the Universal Translater. Almost everyone who left the planet had it implanted just like everyone else in the universe so it was little thought of and yet the first thing he had noticed when the Pelipans arrived was that they had their Universal Translaters trucked behind their ears instead. The necessity of understanding different languages could be so critical at times and maybe the Pelipans had the right idea not to rely upon a computer like another appendage. He was almost considering right then and there to have the device outside of his ear too instead of just inside his head.

"Difficult to translate," said Quark suddenly.

"It means very roughly, 'a mother's love'," said Leeta with a smile.

Quark shrugged. "Yeah, that'd probably be the best way to translate it."

"I didn't mean to embarrass you," said Mrs. Aploos taking in Rom's face. "I don't think there's anything to be ashamed of in a name that signifies the deep and intense love of a mother; though…" and in her very gentle way she tried brighten it, "I may be too biased on that subject as a mother myself."

And she smiled ever-so-tenderly and sincerely, so that Rom could not help but feel more self-conscious than not even if he perfectly forgave her. Now, it was not so much his name that made him feel uncomfortable, but the Nagus' coat he wore and the staff he held and the shells and compasses jangling from his coat's chest-strap. Almost seven years had he held that staff and still he felt just like plain old Rom speaking with this cultured intelligent diplomat, but then did rulers thrust into their positions as he ever feel like rulers?

Was that even the secret to Zek's success?

He knew he should be paying more attention to the conversation that his brother and his wife, Bashir, Pel and even Traymak continued with the Aploos couple without him, but he considered briefly that the casual nature that Zek had always displayed since he had ever known him was him using the asset of feeling just simply like "Zek", no matter the coat or the position, to his advantage. He rode the waves of distraction and fear with the ship of his mind instead of trying to steer that ship, which could result in capsizing more often than not.

As Leeta always told him, "Just be yourself."

But what did that mean when it was obvious that being himself would be him not being the Nagus in the first place. He had only just realized so shortly before he became Nagus that he was a mechanic not a bar tender. He felt like he should still be a mechanic or even a chief programmer or starship's head designer if he had to be in charge at all. He was more interested in the Pelipans' version of a universal translator than anything else being discussed at this table. All in all, even though he was honored to serve his own people, in way he felt that he would much rather be talking straight-forward numbers and equations and chemical reactions with Miles O'Brian, the Human chief engineer who had been stationed at DS9 back when he basically lived at that bar with Quark. Etiquette, finesse, and even finances were never his forte and to have Quark there with him now, it was like Quark and Leeta were running everything anyway and he was just another decoration on the wall of the Chamber of Opportunities or like the statues of ancient businessmen out calculating the front steps.

He felt more useless now than he did when he worked for Quark.

At the moment, he almost wanted to stand up, hand the staff to Quark and the shells with the four compasses on their little chains and tell him to be Nagus from now on instead of him, while Rom went to go tell a Bajoran bedtime story to Arkos. This would be to make himself feel better more than his son and distract himself from all this overwhelming business. Of course, he did not. He would not dream of actually doing it. Besides the embarrassment of the Ferengi court, for the sake of this opportunity with Pelipa, he dared not.

At least Mrs. Aploos found him a gentle and kindly ruler. That had to at least count for something even if she found him quaint. Quark sure told him it would, but if he was seen as a pushover that wouldn't do any good either. Quark would equally agree with that!

Rom poured himself another glass of wine and smiled nodding to the conversation he only half had been paying attention to and longed for the dinner to be over.

NOTE: I have been making notes of my own about how I view Ferengi language. It's sort of a combination of what Ferengi sounds like in DS9 and in Enterprise, and just sort of my own ideas. There are two main versions of the language "Home", which is more traditional with limited letters and vocabulary, and there's "Salable", which is not too different from "Home" at the core, but has many more letters and a lot of added vocabulary. These two versions however should not be compared to languages that have "formal" and "informal", because the times and places to use "Home" Ferengi and "Salable" Ferengi are different from that.

I'm trying to imply the story being somewhat more directly translated than being translated from a standard Universal Translator.

Bashir, for instance, has learned Ferengi the rest of the way from how much he knew of it from mind flashing in the first story anyway, which was one of the reasons why I went with the idea of being a little more literal with the language. And I just love languages. Ha, ha!