Chapter Text
When Garak first arrived on Terok Nor – he heard the name would be changed to Deep Space Nine – he had to figure out what his profession would be since he highly doubted that there would be much call for a gardener or spy. Especially considering the fact that he was soon to be surrounded by people who mistrusted and despised him. He sat in Quark’s looking into his mug of the most pitiful excuse for Tarkalean tea this side of the quadrant. Replicators were remarkable pieces of technology, but they did usually leave something to be desired. I mean, what could possibly be so hard about steeping tea the correct way?
He tried to focus on his occupational options in order to ignore the nasty glares that he received from both the embarking Cardassians and the Bajorans clambering out of the shuttles funneling onto the Promenade. He was stuck between the two groups, groups who used to fear and respect him. The short bar owner – a Ferengi – strode over to where Garak was sitting.
“Are you going to be nursing that all day? I would rather you not waste space for other customers.” The Ferengi was being annoyingly optimistic, Garak thought as he had already taken account of the mostly empty bar. Garak gave him a tight-lipped smile, slightly tilting his head to the side adding a hint of a threat. The small man coughed and raised his hands in a defensive posture.
“Not that you are a waste – could I get you anything else? If you do need anything, just call for me, Quark.” With that the large-eared guy scurried away to the other side of the bar. As Garak watched the Ferengi practically sprint across the room he took another sip of his tea and choked.
“Oh for the love of Cardassi!” He pushed roughly from the bar, causing the stool to make an awful screeching sound underneath him. Garak fumed as he stomped out of Quark’s to his quarters in the habitat ring. The whole trek he cursed and grumbled. What kind of ‘tea’ was that? Is THAT what people are expected to drink on this blasted station?
Garak could not, and would not, let that happen! The next day Garak began making preparations for his new shop.