Just Another Discussion of LiteratureTitle: Just Another Discussion of Literature Author: Kathryn Ramage Series: DS9 Codes: G/B Rating: G Summary: Julian has been reading some unusual Cardassian poetry, and Garak wonders why. Paramount owns Star Trek, DS9, and the characters. This story was written purely for entertainment purposes. Copyright July 1998 -*|*-|*-|*- An ordinary day. Lunch at the replimat. "So, Doctor, have you read any good books lately?" The doctor appeared flustered by the innocuous question, which piqued his companion's interest. "If you want to know," Bashir answered after a pause, "I've been reading- ah- a Cardassian work." Intriguing! But why this unaccountable embarrassment? "You've been reading Cardassian literature?" "Poetry, actually," the doctor said. Then he added: "_Torold and Elshar_." Garak didn't know whether to laugh at this odd confession or to express sincere surprise at his friend's choice of reading material. "May I ask why? _Torold and Elshar_ is considered an inferior work. It's a long and tedious ballad of love, betrayal, murder and suicide. Self-indulgent romance, and the poetry is pedestrian. When I offered you writings of much more edifying content, you always seemed bored." "I started out reading the poems you recommended," Julian answered. "But they were so oblique, I couldn't understand what was happening half of the time. At least I could follow this." "Its simplicity is its greatest weakness. Cardassians prefer subtlety. In addition, some passages are rather graphic. The consummation of Torold and Elshar's love approaches pornography." He said this primarily to observe Bashir's response; the doctor blushed obligingly. "Maybe," Bashir replied. "But it answered my questions." "Questions?" Dr. Bashir smiled, if a little nervously. "Can I ask you about that? Is that sort of thing representative of Cardassian sexual practices in real life? The lovers slap each other, throw each other against the walls. It all seems rather brutal." "By human standards, perhaps it is brutal," said Garak, and watched his companion with increasing speculation. "But to answer your question: yes, it is an accurate representation. You must understand, Doctor, that Cardassian skin is much thicker than human skin--tougher, less sensitive. It requires more intense stimulation. All this slapping and pushing is perfectly normal foreplay." Bashir seemed to consider this information seriously. "Don't Cardassians kiss?" he asked. "I haven't seen one word referring to it. They bite a lot." "Cardassians kiss," Garak answered. A solution to this intriguing little puzzle had occurred to him. "It's an imported custom, from our interaction with other species. We've had to learn not to use our teeth." *I could kiss you for hours,* he thought. *I could cover you with kisses, and not draw one drop of blood.* But he didn't say it out loud. He was not going to commit himself without a definite declaration from his charming but exasperating companion. Cautiously, he tested his premise: "May I ask, Doctor, why you're reading such graphic material? "I had some- ah- practical questions. As you say, interaction between different species requires some accommodation. You can't simply let nature take its course, since there's nothing natural about this- er- it." Garak said nothing. Bashir plunged on: "If I have a human lover, there are certain things we understand about each other without having to say a word. How we flirt. When it's appropriate to kiss. The way we touch. So many little things we take for granted in a relationship. When it's someone else-" "Someone Cardassian, for example?" "Um- yes. All those comfortable cultural assumptions go out the window. Now, the literature of a culture reflects the values of its people. Even if it's not true to life, it reflects our fantasies of what *could* happen, gives us guidelines on how we're supposed to behave if we ever find ourselves in that kind of situation. I was- um- hoping to learn something about how Cardassians behave in romantic situations. What to expect." "Doctor," Garak leaned across the table and asked in confidential tones, "why this particular interest in Cardassians?" Julian met his eyes for an instant--shyly, hopefully (flirtatiously?)--then looked quickly down at the plate before him. "I've been curious," he admitted. "Understandable," said Garak. "Can I ask you a personal question?" the doctor ventured. "Is that--all that slapping and pushing and biting--is that what *you* like?" "It was what I was once used to," Garak told him, although it had been a very long time since he'd enjoyed the company of another Cardassian either socially or sexually. "However, I have had many opportunities to travel around the quadrant since my youth and I've had some rather fascinating encounters with other species. I've learned a thing or two." He began to swirl the syrupy red juice left in his glass. "It may interest you to know, Doctor, that I've read a few human romance novels, purely for educational purposes. I thought I ought to know something about human courtships--just in case I happened to become involved with a human." He glanced up over the rim of the glass into Julian's eyes. "It's cloying stuff, mostly," he continued. "Dreadful dialog. Implausible situations. I find it hard to believe that this is really what you humans expect from your sexual encounters. Tell me honestly, dear doctor, has anyone ever swept you off your feet and carried you up a dark, curving staircase in a castle tower to make love to you rapturously in the midst of a howling storm?" Bashir laughed. "No." "Would you like someone to?" He was still smiling. "It might be fun." They had nearly reached an unspoken understanding. The doctor had that playful, impish look as he considered his next move. "I have another question," he began. "About betrayal. It happens all the time in Cardassian literature, doesn't it?" "It is a standard theme." "Even when Elishar and Torold first embrace, they know that when they have to choose between their love and loyalty to Cardassia, they'll betray each other for the state. They expect it to end that way." He twisted his fork into the half-finished food before him. "I couldn't enter a relationship without a certain amount of trust." He glanced up to observe the impact of his words. Point taken. "But surely, Doctor, in human relationships when one must choose between love and duty, love does not always win? What if you were asked to choose between a lover and your career in Starfleet, for example? Which would you choose? And don't forget-- Betrayal is a theme in *your* fiction too." "Well, yes," the doctor answered reluctantly. "You might not expect it, but it is always a possibility when one decides to commit oneself to another. We all take the chance." "Er- yes." "No one can promise the outcome of any venture. You might call it trust--I call it lack of foresight. The question is whether or not we wish to take the risk. Your poem, for example," he smiled. "Both Torold and Elshar, knowing what will happen at the end, do not let it impede their pleasure of each other while it lasts." He set down his empty glass and rose from his seat. "I must say, Doctor, I've enjoyed this literary discussion immensely. It's been most enlightening. If you don't object, I'd like to continue it sometime soon. Over dinner tonight? My quarters?" The doctor nodded. "Yes, I'd like that." "Bring your copy of the poem with you. Perhaps we can go over the more...difficult passages together? I believe I can answer your questions regarding how Cardassians behave in romantic situations with a few practical examples." Another bout of shyness, and Julian asked in a voice low with apprehension, "Not too rough?" Ah, well, he *had* told the doctor that that was an accurate representation of Cardassian sexual practices. "I can be as gentle as you wish," Garak replied reassuringly. Bashir seemed relieved. "By Cardassian standards, I may be a disappointment," he admitted. "My dearest doctor, you can't possibly disappoint me. Rather, I am afraid I won't be able to fulfill all the requisites you've come to expect from your human romantic traditions." In response to this, he received a delighted smile. "I think I can manage without the castle tower and the dark and stormy night." The rest of it--*as long as you make love to me rapturously*--remained unsaid, but Garak understood. "Tonight then, Doctor. I look forward to it." -*|end|*- Kathryn Ramage kramage@erols.com -*|*-|*-|*-*|*-|*-|*-*|*-|*-|*-*|*-|*-|*-*|*-|*-|*-*|*-|*- "It's about Garak...I'm afraid this relationship has gotten a little out of hand." - Dr. Bashir, Past Prologue