Making New Friends - Part 3

Posted on Sun Nov 3rd, 2024 @ 8:44am by Lieutenant J'airesh Mora-Heath & Lieutenant JG Zac Smithson & Master Chief Petty Officer Chuck Finley [Reece] & Senior Chief Petty Officer Emily Charles {Kelea-Salik}
Edited on on Sun Nov 3rd, 2024 @ 8:47am

Mission: Season 6: Episode 5: A church beyond heaven
Location: Holodeck
1701 words - 3.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Previously:

J'Air grinned, very happy that the four of them were here in this idyllic place, getting to know each other better.

Now:

They were getting closer to the little remote shack in the dip of the hollow in front of them. "This is lunch, I think" J'Air said as they approached and wispy smoke could now been seen from the chimney of the little building. Peering inside, J'Air spotted a cute fireplace type of old-fashioned structure with a small log fire just giving off enough heat to seemingly be cooking some skewers above a grid at the top, giving off delicious cooking smells.

Around the whole of the main room of the shack had been laid out a feast of fruit, salads and tender vegetables, looking very tempting. There were four baskets with little napkins lining them and forks inside, waiting for the guests to come and fill them with delicious lunch. There was also a kettle on a stand at the side of the fire, just about to boil and some teas, and herbal drinks nearby.

At another side of the room were cold drinks and edible flowers and herbs to be added to any combination of items chosen to eat, and aromatic little pots of spices as well for anyone with a more adventurous taste.

There were juices of several unknown but delicious fruits and further savouries and pastries as well. It was a handsome spread, fit for very important guests!

Chuck looked in the window with J'Air. He smiled warmly as he spoke, "Well now, darlin', you certainly went all out on this program." He kissed her cheek, then continued. "I am very impressed."

"Thank you." J'Air glowed with pride and warmth at Chuck's praise. "Let's go on in and see if it all tastes as good as it looks, shall we?" she held out an arm to invite Emily and Zac to go first through the doorway.

Emily smiled as she took the first step to head inside, holding onto Zac’s hand as he followed on with her.

Zac stood in silent amazement at the vast variety of food, drinks before them and the wonderous aromas they produced. It was an impressive sight. "Wow J'Air! You went all out for this. This quite impressive. Thank you for the thoughtfulness and care you put into this." He looked at Emily and returned her smile, following her inside.

"You're most welcome" J'Air replied, delighted herself with the lovely results of her program.

Following Zac and Emily inside, J'Air went over to the plates at one side - She let Zac and Emily go first to take plates and then took two herself, handing one to Chuck as they all moved around the tables, selecting delicacies that took their eye. J'Air began with some Hasparat Soufle and topped it with Cardassian vegetables and an interesting Andorian sauce.

Emily looked at what was on offer a little wide eyed. “There’s so much to choose from, I don’t know what to pick!” She looked towards Zac. “What do you think Zac?”

Zac looked over the wide assortment of food before he turned to Emily. "I think we start by taking a little bit of the food that looks interesting, then after trying it we can always go back and get more."

Emily nodded in agreement. “Good idea Zac, I’m a little funny with some things I eat so trying things is a better idea.”

"Not funny at all Emily. don't want you getting sick over eating something new. Better to be safe then sorry." Zac replied as he looked over the wide assortment of food ton choose from. 'Anything interest you Emily?"

Emily nodded. “Definitely the Vulcan food, I’ve tried a Vulcan salad before it was pretty good. Anything like that is good for me.”

"No salad for me but those Vulcan jumbo shrimps look good." Zac observed as he put a few on his plate and looked for other food to add to his plate.

Chuck looked over the spread, then asked J'Air, "Would you like me to make you a plate, Darlin'?"

J'Air's eyebrows rose curiously. "Yes please, handsome. I think I'd like to see what you choose for me". She tilted her head and smiled broadly. "if you don't mind?" she added, just making sure he really had meant her to accept that offer and hadn't just asked in the sure idea that she'd say no.

Chuck's eyes glistened slightly as he returned her grin. "One plate fully of yummy food, coming right up!" He then made his way along the impressive spread, picking an item here, a couple there, until he had a plate filled with delicious food. After putting the plate on the buffet table, he grabbed a second one and filled it as well. Once both were done, he picked up the first one and carried them both over to where J'Air had sat down, handing her one, he said, with a playfully smirk, "For the Mademoiselle."

J'Air took the proffered plate with a very straight face and said "Why thank you kind sir". She looked at it and then at Chuck and returned his smirk.

"This looks very tasty." she said, her eyes sparkling at him. He had done well with his selections and it really did look very tasty indeed. They found seats at the nearside of the room where four bar-stool style seats were set up facing onto a quite high square table. Waiting for Zac and Emily to select their food and then join them, J'Air got back up and said. "Oh wait, I'll get drinks!" she looked at Chuck first and asked him what he would like to drink and then turned to Zac and Emily to ask the same of them.

Chuck told J'Air what he would like to drink, a simple mojito, then looked over at Zac and Emily, to see what they would want as well.

Zac was in the process of finishing up deciding what to put on his plate as he stood beside Emily as she made her choices. He looked over to J'Air as she asked what he and Emily wanted to drink. "Oh, tea is fine for me, thank you J'Air. Emily, what would like to drink?"

“Ohh err...a Risan sunset please” Emily smiled warmly as she made her food choices.

Zac looked over Emily's selections and smiled. "Just seeing what you are selecting Emily, I may want to nibble off your plate." He teased her.

“I don’t mind sharing” Emily grinned playfully. “It’ll give me an excuse to put more on my plate.”

"Well, load that plate up Emily!" Zac said in good humor because I plan on nibbling off your plate. Anything you want me to put on my plate so you can nibble? I mean fair is fair." He chuckled.

TAG Emily

J'Air grinned and approached the replicator subtly disguised in theme at the side of the fireplace. She ordered tea for Zac, turning to confirm with him "Terran, with milk?" she asked, still smiling at the gorgeous pair, bantering quietly over their choices of food and Zac's pretence at an intention to steal some of Emily's.

Zac shook his head, "No thank you J'Air just some sugar please." He replied to her question about wanting milk for his tea.

J'Air repeated the request to the disguised replicator and with that drink supplied and delivered over to Zac, J'Air began the request for the Risan Sunrise which arrived appropriately in two glasses, ready for the recipient to blend together at a speed and dilution they should choose. She took both over to Emily, unable to resist a little swirl of the first glass which already contained a first mix of ingredients, waiting for the second to be added to initiate the stunning effect of the changes that would occur, notoriously, once all were together and interacting.

Returning to order her own Terran Tea, with milk added to the top, she passed Chuck as she walked back and softly sneaked a peck on his cheek. "And for Your Grace?" she grinned cheekily, addressing him in an ancient form of Terran respect for the Upper Classes, particularly those titled with Peerages or High Church positions.

Chuck grinned softly as he considered how he would reply. Finally, he beckoned her closer, then whispered into her right ear. "I already made my request, Darlin'. Are you telling me that you already forgot? It was less than two minutes ago." There was a hint of playful teasing in his eyes as he spoke.

"Not at all!" she said, wrinkling her eyebrows and giving it some thought. ~Yes, it was true, she did remember what he had asked for - the question was why had she asked him again? That was very odd!~ Shrugging off the mystery, J'Air laughed and went back to the replicator to request the simple Mojito that was the 'forgotten' item in question.

Returning it to Chuck she presented it to him with a flourish and a huge smile. "As IF I'd forget YOURS!" she dismissed the idea.

Chuck grinned happily as he took his offered drink. "Thank you, Darlin'. Now, come sit and eat." He patted the seat next to him as he spoke.

J'Air took a quick look at Zac and Emily to check they seemed to be happy with everything and, satisfied by their happy smiles, she sat down next to Chuck, sipped her drink, put it on the side table and tucked into her delicious meal.

"I hope we can do more things together in the future" She commented happily hovering with the first forkful almost at her mouth. "This has been really great! Thank you all for coming".

Zac smiled broadly at J'Air. "Well, I don't want to speak for Emily, but I believe I can safely say, thank you for inviting us J'Air. This has been a tremendous and enjoyable outing. Thank you for your consideration and your hard work. I definitely would like us to all get together again. Perhaps Emily and I can host the next together. It was nice meeting you as well Chuck."

tbc