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#51
Regina is played, IIRC, by Gigi Edgley, who played Chiana in Farscape. I'd have to go back and find my old list to be sure, but...there are worse candidates to have a drink with.
#52
Curzon's smile broadens as the others engage. "We definitely have our work cut out for us, Mr. Cole, but this little conversation makes me glad I picked you all for this mission.

"Now," he says, "it's time to put away our thinking caps and break out our party hats. No more shop talk for the rest of the night. Cheers." The Trill raises his glass to salute the others.

OOC: Feel free to do a little chit chat and describe what your character is doing for the evening.

At some point during the revelry, Cole's communicator beeps. When he answers, he hears, "Oi, Banana Bender*! Fancy a few drinks with a Top Ender?" The voice unmistakably belongs to Regina Waymire, the captain's chief yeoman and fellow Aussie (from Alice Springs). It's possible that she may have already had a drink...or two...

* For those not familiar, a "Banana Bender" is Aussie slang for someone from Queensland, which references the state's significant banana farming industry (the joke is that Queenslanders spend all there time bending bananas into shape). "Top Ender" is likewise someone from the Northern Territory (although Alice Springs itself is very much near the center of the continent). -Ed.
#53
"Thank you, sir", Cole answers in response to Tobin, "I get the picture. Sounds like we may have our work cut out for us here to come away with the result we're hoping for."
#54
OOC: Agreed, that was excellent stuff
#55
Quote from: Nolmir on February 18, 2025, 04:41:53 PMTobin takes a deep breath...

OOC: For this incredible answer, I'm going to grant Tobin a meritorious point of Determination for use in this episode.
#56
"It seems to me," adds Chev, "that the best course of action might be to not mention it at all, and to talk around it if it comes up in conversation. To be purposefully obtuse, you might say. That way we're making it clear that we're aware that the subject is completely off the table, and we're making no attempt to say otherwise."
#57
As they all processed Tobin's words, Voshen found himself swallowing a bitter taste in his mouth.  Religion.  A inwards-facing culture serving to isolate and stultify, replacing reason and wonder with complacent faith.  Too close to home.  His home, and all the reasons he left.

Seeing no diplomatic benefit to bring this up and many against, Voshen set his reservations aside for the moment.  "Extending the analogy, Ambassador Voliax would also appear to be one of the devotees of this particular "creed" of secrecy.  I sincerely doubt we could sway her to divulge her personal beliefs further, so our overtures to her would involve assuaging her doubts that Federation membership would necessarily involve exposing Trill beliefs."

He spread his long fingers, gesturing.  "Federation medical and cultural protections seem to be stable on this matter.  Citizens are free to keep their personal and medical information to themselves.  Whether this is a danger is judged after the fact, not prior."
#58
Tobin takes a deep breath.

"I'm afraid it's not quite as simple as that, Lieutenant," he says, speaking somewhat slower than usual as he chooses his words carefully. "There are certain practices which are deeply engrained in our society. Though Mr. Dax is correct in saying they are not precisely religious in nature, it could be helpful to compare them to one.

"In my readings on Earth anthropology, I have learned some about the Druze, a fascinating group. They keep most of their religion secret. There are facets of their religion a layperson will never have direct experience of; only certain devoted members learn their full teaching. And of course outsiders are strictly forbidden from this knowledge. Historically, as a religious minority, this was in part to protect their community from persecution. But for those who still practice the faith, it is simply part of their identity.

"Without going into details, Trill society has some parallels. Mr. Dax would be among these devoted members, in this metaphor. Revealing the full truth of our culture to non-Trill could cause the unraveling of our society, or so some say. I would have once shared this concern, but my experiences in Starfleet have changed my perspective. Nevertheless, my view is in the minority. If Trill society is to become more open regarding these practices, it will have to happen slowly. I doubt the Trill delegation would be willing to do so in the context of this conference."
#59
Quote from: Davy, aka GM on February 17, 2025, 11:25:47 AMDax meets Tobin's eyes briefly then answers, "All governments have their secrets, even among the founding bodies of the Federation. But, my best guess is that he sees certain practices amongst many of our leaders - especially those in more senior Federation roles - and believes we have something to hide."

"He means that some Trill, but not all, will not use a transporter, and only Trill medics can treat them," Miguel adds. "I know Tobin's not one of them, but I suspect you are, Mr. Dax."

Curzon nods his affirmation. "We don't consider it a religion, but these are certainly ethical practices we follow."


"Sir", Cole begins hesitantly, feeling somewhat out of place in the realm of diplomacy," I mean no disrespect but could the Trill delegation not simply clarify the reasoning behind these practices to show openness? If secrecy is at the root of the distrust, then would showing that that there is nothing to hide not remove the barrier?"
#60
Dax meets Tobin's eyes briefly then answers, "All governments have their secrets, even among the founding bodies of the Federation. But, my best guess is that he sees certain practices amongst many of our leaders - especially those in more senior Federation roles - and believes we have something to hide."

"He means that some Trill, but not all, will not use a transporter, and only Trill medics can treat them," Miguel adds. "I know Tobin's not one of them, but I suspect you are, Mr. Dax."

Curzon nods his affirmation. "We don't consider it a religion, but these are certainly ethical practices we follow."

The analyst looks to Tobin again.