18

Picard and Sulel were back on the floor of the temple. The crowd had settled; attendees and guests looked listless and bored rather than panicked and desperate.

“Captain, I appreciate your help these last few hours,” Sulel said. “I know you would much rather have been aboard the Enterprise.”

Picard didn’t want to answer, only in that he had no desire to say something sharp to the ambassador. It was late, he was exhausted, and his dealings with the House leaders had tested the limits of his patience. Still, he appreciated the acknowledgment.

Finally, he said, “It’s certainly been an interesting experience.”

Sulel studied him. “It is the interesting experiences that shape us, do you agree?”

Picard tugged at the ridiculous costume he was still wearing. “I can’t say I disagree.”

Sulel regarded him for a moment. “I was uncomfortable with all this… ceremony.” She gestured out toward the temple, and Picard looked out at the attendees in their elaborate finery, the guests in their extravagant historical costumes, still sitting in their assigned places. Security had paused the questioning when the Enterprise left to capture Aviana Virox.

“What changed your mind?” Picard asked.

Sulel tilted her head thoughtfully. “I participated in a ceremony with a similar structure to this one. The five guest groups, the endless pageantry. It was much smaller—a local celebration.”

“Did Ambassador Troi rope you into it?” Picard said before he could stop himself.

To his relief, Sulel smirked. “Yes. She said it would be good for me.”

“She says that a lot,” Picard muttered.

“It was good for me,” Sulel continued. “I was asked to stand in for a Music Guest. Lwaxana had heard me play the Vulcan lute. As a child, I used to play constantly, to soothe my emotions.”

Picard raised an eyebrow and Sulel let his observation go. “I had to dress up in an Lestai-era costume. Are you familiar with that one?”

“No.”

“It involves corsetry and quite a lot of capes. I found it all absurd. Why all that work to clothe your body? It was illogical.”

Picard smiled a little.

“But as the Federation ambassador,” she continued, “it was my job to ensure I understood Betazed. I did as I was asked. I wore the costume, I participated in the dances”—she looked sideways at him—“which were much more highly choreographed than yours.”

Picard felt himself blush.

“I also had to perform in public,” she continued. “Something I had never done before.”

“I’m sure you played beautifully,” Picard said.

“Thank you, Captain.” Her eyes sparkled. “It was an unparalleled experience. It showed me that I can learn from the Betazoid people. How much I can learn from Lwaxana. She is a friend.”

Picard turned his gaze back out to the crowd. Sulel and Lwaxana had been working together to convince him to stay. He knew it.

So why wasn’t he angry about it?

A figure in a white-and-gray uniform strode through the crowd—Commander Rusina. He lifted his hand in greeting as he approached the captain and the ambassador.

“Commander,” Sulel said. “Have you received word from the Enterprise?”

“They are still in pursuit,” the commander said. “I have spoken with my officers, and we have decided to lift the temple lockdown. We know that the culprit, whether it is Virox or someone else, is no longer here. There’s no point in keeping people here while we wait for answers.”

“A logical decision,” Sulel said. “Captain, what are your thoughts?”

Picard managed to keep the glee out of his voice. “I agree. I’m sure the attendees”—he paused meaningfully—“and the guests would appreciate a chance to rest.”

“Certainly,” Rusina said. “It’s been an exhausting night.” He tapped his combadge, turning away from Sulel and Picard, murmuring instructions softly. A few seconds later, the force fields dropped, and cries of surprise went up from the crowd as they stirred in their seats.

“Can the Enterprise contact you in your quarters?” Sulel asked Picard.

“Of course,” Picard said.

Picard felt a long, deep surge of relief at the thought that he would no longer have to wear these white pantaloons. “Thank you, Ambassador.”

“You were very helpful today,” Sulel told him, “and I hope you found this experience helpful as well.”

Picard found himself grinning at her. “Ambassador,” he said, “I believe I did.”