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((Secluded Bench in the Enchanted Forest, Holodeck 7, Starbase 118))
::While Ara was eating the food scavenged from the table, Brek was looking at the floor, trying to ignore the crunching and slurping noises that his grandmother was producing. Until now he had been able to ignore his worries, but with the party now over, they were creeping back into his mind, demanding that he take action.::
Ara: ::Handing him a bag of some denomination.:: What's that?
::The diplomat glanced at the product with a heavy sigh, hoping she would understand that it was about time that she goes to her bed and there, snore to her heart's content.::
Brek: Marshmallows. It's a confection of some sort, made with syrup and gelatin.
Ara: ::Taking the bag back, she squeezed its contents.:: Are you sure those things are edible? They look like fluffy toys to me.
::The question being an insult to his knowledge on everything Human, Brek ignored it and returned to his reflections. Some time passed by, and then the elderly Ferengi spoke again.::
Ara: ::Sounding like she had more than one marshmallow in her mouth.:: Whash twoublin' you, Bwek?
::How could he single out one trouble out of a gazillion of headaches? There was his dislike for Ara. His contempt for his whole family. The fear that he was acting more and more like a human, abandoning his Ferengi heritage behind. The concern that Agurtha would not recover speedily... and the list went on and on. He remained silent for a whole minute, and then opted for what he had discovered this afternoon..::
Brek: I lost a friend.
Ara: My condolences.
Brek: I didn't mean lost in that way. I don't know where he is, or where he took one of my shipments.
::Brek observed his grandmother as she was busying herself with the Marshmallows, separating the pink ones from the white ones. Surrounded by trees as they were, and in the semi-darkness afforded by the holoprogram, she looked like a mad woman.::
Ara: Tough for the shipment. As for friends... it's about time you learn that such a thing doesn't exist. It's another one of those hewmon inventions, like these marshthingies here. ::For good effect she waved a handful of marshmallows in his direction.:: You want one?
::Brek shook his head, both at her offer and what she had just said about friends. No one could survive without reliable contacts. At her age, Ara was bound to have had many of them. The only difference was that she probably called them associates. He also knew for a fact that she had married, and survived, an awful lot of those business partners.::
Brek: His name is Soberbia Ila. He was heading for Constanthus, a Romulan colony, with building supplies.
Ara: ::With a mocking tone.:: Really? My grandson, interested in the fate of Romulans? I would never have guessed!
Brek: ::Ignoring her cynical comment.:: I was thinking that with all the people you know, you might be able to trace him. He means a lot to me.
Ara: ::She looked at him, as if she didn't recognize him.:: It's your shipment which should mean a lot to you, little beetle.
Brek: ::Holding her stare.:: Shipments can be replaced. Ila can't. He helped me on several occasions in the past. Trying to find him is the least I can do.
Ara: Oh well... if it's like that, I suggest you use Starfleet's resources. I'm sure they can find anything anywhere, and beyond. They certainly boast enough about their magnificent powers!
::This time Brek nodded his head, thoughtful. He would do just that, obviously. But it would have to wait until tomorrow. He had seen Katy and Collim leave the holodeck together earlier on, and disrupting their evening was not an option. Well, unless he wanted to be yelled at, which from his perspective, could be fun. But since he would need their help later on, he would rather give that extravagance a miss.::
Brek: I see. I'll find help elsewhere, then. Have you finished making a mess with your food? It's been a long day, and tomorrow promises to be even longer.
::The old Ferengi stood up, and bits of food that had been collected on her robe fell on the floor.::
Ara: For once you are right, Brek. You have a good night sleep, and I will see you tomorrow, at 1200 for our business meeting. I'll ask Lundberg to fetch me.
::Brek contemplated her and tried to say goodnight to her. He found that he simply couldn't, so he walked away, quite relieved he wouldn't have to tuck the old bag into her bed.::
tbc
Lt Cmdr Brek
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Excalibur A
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