@nashforhire // Liz ;; continued from here
Funny she should phrase it like that. He was the station’s only Cardassian, a fact that he was reminded of nearly six thousand times a day as he passed the usual inhabitants of DS9. He was never one to turn down a compliment though.
“That is true,” he agreed with a smile. Exhausting indeed. “It is rather tiring, and yet we somehow manage.” She could be devious. It was rare to meet a human with the same charm and cunning as one of his own people. Conversations were enjoyable as they often ran like a game. Neither one of them said what they meant, but a mutual understanding led to the elucidation of their intentions.
Garak’s eyes grew wide at the sight of the gift. A certain anxiety pierced his chest momentarily when she confirmed its origin. She had been to Cardassia Prime then. And recently, if the strong odour of the leaves was any indication - they were quite fresh. How he longed to know what was happening in Cardassia City...but he would never stoop so low as to ask. Especially not an outsider.
“Red leaf tea...” he muttered aloud as she tapped the pouch. And chocolates. Mouth still open slightly in false amazement, Garak directed his attention - and a smile - to Liz and slid around the table to approach her. “My dear Elizabeth,” he said “What an extraordinary gift! I can’t thank you enough for thinking of me.”
Nothing ever came for free. Garak knew that, and the idea that there was some greater plot attached to this truly grand contribution was enough to press his smile even wider. “Now what did I do to deserve such a splendid treat?”
