Something for Lia

Posted on Sun Jul 24th, 2022 @ 2:07am by Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Gary and Lia's Quarters
Timeline: After A Special Night for the Taylors
2694 words - 5.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary was busy in the kitchen, he was preparing a Japanese beef dish call Gyudon for Lia. The dish consisted of a bowl of rice topped with beef and onion and simmered in a mildly sweet sauce flavored with dashi, soy sauce and mint. Gary had also gotten creative and topped the bowls with some poached eggs and grated cheese. he just hoped Lia liked it. As he worked, he had the Japanese song Sukiyaki playing in the background with both the original Japanese lyrics and one with English lyrics.

Japanese Lyrics
Ue o muite arukou 上を向いて歩こう
Namida ga koborenai youni 涙がこぼれないように
Omoidasu haru no hi 思い出す 春の日
Hitoribocchi no yoru 一人ぼっちの夜

Ue o mute aurkou 上を向いて歩こう
Nijinda hoshi o kazoete にじんだ星を数えて
Omoidasu natsu no hi 思い出す 夏の日
Hitoribocchi no yoru 一人ぼっちの夜


Shiawase wa kumo no ue ni 幸せは 雲の上に
Shiawase wa sora no ue ni 幸せは 空の上に

Ue o muite arukou 上を向いて歩こう
Namida ga koborenai youni 涙がこぼれないように
Nakinagara aruku 泣きながら 歩く
Hitoribocchi no yoru 一人ぼっちの夜
(Whistling)

Omoidasu aki no hi 思い出す 秋の日
Hitoribocchi no yoru 一人ぼっちの夜

Kanashimi wa hoshi no kage ni 悲しみは星の影に
Kanashimi wa tsuki no kage ni 悲しみは月の影に

Ue o muite arukou 上を向いて歩こう
Namida ga koborenai youni 涙がこぼれないように
Nakinagara aruku 泣きながら 歩く
Hitoribocchi no yoru 一人ぼっちの夜
(Whistling)


As the song played, Gary took a taste and smiled in approval. "Not bad there Gary." He congratulated himself, all that remained was for Lia to like it. he looked around to see if he had forgotten anything. He has Sake in the fridge, the main meal was simmering nicely. All that remained was Lia to arrive.

Lia heard the song as she entered, "Computer, replay Kyu Sakamoto, Ue o Muite Arukou again please." The song began playing again and Lia began to ad-lib a sort of traditional dance following her Geisha training, as the Japanese dance more with their arms than their feet. All the meaning was in her hand movement, which because of her learning how she managed to relay the song pretty well.

"Something smells nice, are you trying to impress me Gary San?" She finished her little dance and turned to see Gary standing in the kitchen, with her hands together she sank gracefully to the floor ending up on her knees and heels Geisha style.

Gary beamed in delight at Lia's dance. When she had finished and sank to the floor on her knees and heels, his hands reached for her, and gently lifted her until she was standing in front of him. "I sure am trying to impress you, oh wonderful wife of mine. "How am I doing?" He bantered before leaning into her and kissing her passionately. As the kiss broke, he leaned back, "It's Gyudon. I was looking for a Japanese beef dish and found this, I hope you like it. Hell, I hope we both like it.""

Sniffing the air, Lia smiled. "Well it smells delightful, and your doing just fine. But do you want to tell me why your trying to impress me?" She turned to the bedroom and headed for it, "I'm going to change, won't be long." disappearing into the bedroom she now dressed in her blue Kimono, the Sakura and Cranes picked out in orange around the hem. Just minuets later she re-appeared and headed for the kitchen, "Can you manage by yourself or do you want a hand?"

Gary admired his wife in her blue Kimono, she was the very picture of female beauty. "I can always use a hand. Was going to add some soft poached eggs to the meal, can you help me with that please? Oh, as to why I'm trying to impress you, it's simple. it's a husband's job to impress his wife." He said with a chuckle. Thinking of the elegantly wrapped box he had stored in the closet, a present for Lia.

"Poached eggs coming up, and you don't need to impress me any more. But don't let that stop you trying, a girl just loves a man who try's you know." She picked up a couple of eggs and then a pan of water. Adding salt to the water and a little vinegar, she waited for it to boil. When it did, she stirred the water into a whirlpool then cracked and dropped the two raw eggs into the boiling water. "They should only take three minuets, how long before your beef is ready?"

Gary was stirring the rice and checking the beef as Lia asked her question. "Just about the same amount of time. So, this will work out perfectly. Don't worry, I will always try to impress you. Oh, I've got some Sake cooling in the fridge to go along with our meal."

"Then I will go rescue it from that dark cold place, and pour two glasses for our enjoyment. Can you plate this up on your own or do you want me to help?" Lia took the Sake from the fridge and poured it, then took a small sip and smiled. "I think that Sake is just right for me."

"Yes, I can plate this up for both of us." He said with a grin. "You handle the Sake. Just right huh? Then it's perfect for me." Gary replied as he was putting the beef, rice and poached eggs into two bowls. "Where do you want to eat at?" He asked as he picked up the bowls and chopsticks.

Pointing at a small square table low to the floor, Lia answered. "Lets eat Japanese style, down on the Horigotatsu." Lia checked the recess below the table was clear, she had put stuff there more than once. Preparing the table quickly she placed the Sake in the centre, small tatami mats sat where a person was to sit. This was one of Lia's favorite bits of furniture, "Pick a spot and lets eat."

"Sounds like a good idea to me sweetie, go ahead and lead the way and I'll follow with the food." Gary answered as he waited for Lia to get herself seated at the table before he handed her a plate and sitting down himself. "Dig in Lia." He said as he grabbed his chopsticks.

Sliding her feet under and down, Lia now sat opposite Gary. She made sure that he would have plenty of room when he put his feet under and down, being of Japanese origin the Horigotatsu wasn't really made made for the larger Westerner. "So are you going to say just what this is all about? Have you been promoted? Or redeployed?"

Gary got down and got himself comfortable then looked at over at Lia. "No, haven't gotten promoted, still a commander and definitely haven't been redeployed. Can't a husband do something nice for his wife?" He grinned at her.

Giggling, Lia looked at Gary. "Do I sense a little disappointment in that voice?" Unable to keep a straight face any longer, she now fell in to a fit of laughter. "Sorry, sorry. I just couldn't resist, but you're up to something Mr. Taylor. Don't ask me how I know, I just do." Lia now blew Gary a kiss, "I can wait, I have food and Sake. What more does a girl need?" She started giggling again.

"No disappointment Lia." Gary favored her with a look, "Me? Up to something? Whatever do you mean Mrs. Taylor?" A bemused smile on his face.

Taking a sideways look at Gary, Lia answered. "And there we have it, you see whenever you say that. I know your up to something, I've said before and I'll say it again. Your a soppy bugger Gary Taylor, but I wouldn't have you any other way. No matter what your up to."

"A soppy bugger? Is that the same as a romantic clod?" Gary bantered. "Finish your dinner and you can see what I've been up to." He tossed out to her as he used his chop sticks and grabbed a piece of beef.

"Romantic clod?? Don't think I've heard that one before, but I'll say its a possible yes." She picked up some meat and then continued her train of thought, "So I can see what you've been up to? Looking at this table and the food that's on it, I can already see what you've been up to. Now your hinting at more? I can't wait, Mr. Taylor."

"Maybe I should say, romantic sap but I'm pretty sure it's the same thing. So to make everything clearer, I'm saying there is definitely more waiting for you Mrs. Taylor. That's if you want what's waiting for you and I think you will." Gary replied cryptically.

"Ok Gary, you have my undivided attention. After we're finished eating, we'll move on." She flashed a wide smile, and went back to her food.

"Darn right." Gary replied simply as he used his chopsticks to grab some beef. A satisfied smile on his face as he pictured Lia's reaction to her surprise.

Lia glanced up at Gary's response, "Oh yeah! It's that good is it?" She finished eating and put her chopsticks down, "Do we have a pudding? Or are we going without?" She giggled at her question.

"Do we have pudding? Did you just ask do we have pudding?" Gary repeated Lia's question with a smile. "My dear Lia, we not only have pudding we have chocolate, vanilla and butterscotch pudding. Which would you prefer?"

Putting her hand to her forehead, Lia closed her eye's. "Let me think now.....How shall we put this.....CHOCOLATE!" A wide smile now appeared on Lia's face, and she then blew Gary another kiss.

Gary laughed at Lia's theatrics. "Okay some chocolate pudding coming right up." As he got up and went into the kitchen a few minutes later he was back with some chocolate pudding topped with cream and a cherry.

"Well would you look at that, cream and a cherry. Now dearest husband, are you after something??" Lia sat looking at Gary, then unable to to keep her face straight she started to giggle again.

"A special treat for a special lady." Gary exclaimed with a smile which blossomed with Lia's giggling.

Taking the pudding, Lia put her spoon in and tasted it. "Nice, you've done yourself proud there Gary dearest." She raised her glass and took a drink, "I still haven't seen the CMO yet. So no news on that front, so you must have some news to warrant this celebration."

Gary shook his head, "Glad you approve Lia and nope, I don't have any news other than I wanted to do something nice for you. and to that end when you finish your pudding, if you get up and go to the hall closet, you'll find something for you."

Climbing out of the table pit, she made her way to the shoe locker by the door. A long box of about three feet eight inches sat snuggled within. Removing it, Lia felt the weight. "Gary is this what I think it is?" She took the box back to where Gary sat, and proceeded to remove the wrapping. A plain box was now exposed, "I see, keep me guessing." She quipped, flashing Gary a smile. Opening the box her eye's now widened, an ebony Saya (Scabbard) and handle with a Tsuba met her gaze. Picking the Katana up she looked at the Kashira (Pommel), she ran her hands over the Tsuka-Ito (Handle) a wide smile now blossomed on Lia's face. She now slowly drew the sword from its Saya and looked at the blade, she sheathed the Katana and replaced it in the box. Lia now moved to Gary and hugged him tight, "I've always wanted a true Katana, and thanks to you I now have one. Thank you very much." She now kissed him passionately, and hugged him close.

Gary watched as Lia opened the box to reveal her Katana. Saw the love in her eyes for the workmanship and beauty of the sword and it was beautiful beyond the shadow of a doubt. It was elegant and deadly like Lia. "I'm glad you like it Lia. I know of your love of Japanese culture and especially their swords. This sword is a perfect match for you. A beautiful sword for a beautiful lady." He replied as he returned her kiss with equal passion, followed by a loving hug.

"I was thinking of getting one last year, but things got in the way. And the length is just right for me, I nearly got a longer one I'm glad now I didn't." She spoke as she glanced around the Tea House, Lia wanted to display her Katana but it needed to be a good place so everyone could see it when they entered. Her eyes settled on a low cupboard under the windows, "It can sit there on its stand, and this time I'm keeping the sword you've given me." Lia was talking about the Rapier Gary had given her many years ago, it had been stolen when the ship had crossed into the mirror universe.

"I think that is an ideal place to display your sword, Lia. It's on full view but doesn't take up any living space and people don't have to move around it when they come into the room. I'm glad you didn't get a longer one. I think this sword suits you perfectly. "I'm going to replace the Rapier that was stolen, then you can display it alongside the Katana and that will be impressive."

Turning back to face Gary, Lia shook her head. "No, please don't. It wouldn't be the same, but I do have one request." She now pointed at the Katana laying in the box, "you could always find and obtain a wakizashi to go with the Katana, that way I'd have a complete set." Lia looked at the floor then back at Gary, "But don't feel you have to, just don't buy another Rapier please."

Gary was silent for a moment and then nodded his head, "Alright, I won't get a Rapier. I'll get you a wakizashi. So, you can have your set. Lia, it isn't a matter that I have to buy you it, its I want to buy it for you. Seeing the happiness you get, makes me happy." Gary replied "And isn't that what marriage is about ?"

Lia now fell forwards and kissed Gary on the lips, "Yeah I've heard something like that, it takes two. And if you think about it, we've come along way since you bought that Rapier. That's why I said no, I want to go forwards not back."

He wrapped his arms around her and held her in a loose hug. I do think about it, and you are absolutely right, we have come a long way and it's only going to get better Lia. We will go forward together and face whatever life throws at us together."

Returning Gary's hug, Lia laid her head against his chest. "Well after what we've been through, I think the universe owes us."

Gary still held Lia in his embrace as he kissed the top of her head. "Darn right it owes us Lia and its time we collected".

"I'm gonna collect big, I think we deserve happiness." Lia hugged Gary tight.

Commander Lia Taylor
Chief Security Officer
USS Elysium

Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium



OOC: Here is the translation of the Japanese lyrics. The English version of "Sukiyaki" recorded by A Taste of Honey doesn't have a literal translation.

English Version
I look up when I walk
So that the tears won't fall
Remembering those spring days
But I am all alone tonight

I look up when I walk
Counting the stars with tearful eyes
Remembering those summer days
But I am all alone tonight

Happiness lies beyond the clouds
Happiness lies above the sky

I look up when I walk
So that the tears won't fall
Though the tears well up as I walk
For tonight I am all alone
(Whistling)

Remembering those autumn days
But I am all alone tonight

Sadness lies in the shadow of the stars
Sadness lurks in the shadow of the moon

I look up as I walk
So that the tears won't fall
Though the tears well up as I walk
For tonight I am all alone
(Whistling)

 

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