Arborecultural - Part 3

Posted on Wed May 28th, 2025 @ 9:20am by Lieutenant JG Aurania (Rani) Anderson MD & Major Kett V'Laass

Mission: Season 6: Echoes of the Zynari
Location: The Ship's Arboretum
Timeline: (Backpost)
756 words - 1.5 OF Standard Post Measure

PREVIOUSLY:

"Excellent" Kett said flatly. The refreshment facilities, were on raised, split oak decking, The tables looked like rooted tree stumps. But each had a small touch screen LCARS display built into it to order food. At the centre of each tree stump was a small replicator disc padd to replicate drinks and small food orders. Kett sat down on a log "What would you like to drink?"

"Deltan Dewberry Lemonade please!" Rani replied. "I really have worked up a thirst. What are you having Captain. "

CONTINUED:

"Water Room Temperature please." He watched as the doctor ordered the drink "Yes I do find a vigorous activity can create a pressing need for hydration."

Rani nodded. She was mentally exhausted trying to keep her replies both meaningful and contextual. "Yes, I'm thirsty too" she agreed, downing the much needed refreshing drink and breathing deeply in an attempt at some mindfulness calming techniques.

"I believe it is customary to proffer a toast" He clinked his glass against hers. "Thank you for your pleasant company. It has made the afternoon far more stimulating. I may still be lost in those woods if it was not for you."

"You're too kind, I'm sure you would have been okay but I'm glad to be able to help if I did. I enjoyed your company as well" Rani responded. It was true, she really had, despite the differences in how they communicated - it was tiring but that made it more interesting she decided. Wondering if he was about to leave, Rani offered a reason to stay a little longer.

"I wonder if you might like a snack to go with our drinks? They do really tasty Delta Pastries here and Andorian ice-cream too"

Kett who had been unsure if he had outstayed his welcome with the doctor, found himself oddly appreciative of having Rani's continued company. "Though I have not sampled Deltan Pastries I have had the chance to try Andorian ice-cream, though it was replicated. I believe i had the rum and raisin? Though I did then have to go and check what those were. It is a universal constant, that were you have civilisation you have fermenting of some kind."

Rani had to adjust her feelings about ice-cream for a moment until she could eject the 'Fermenting' comment from her formerly delightful mental image. "You could always try a fruit flavour?" she suggested gently, forcing the wince that had been thinking of forming into her expression involuntarily. Smiling so as to keep her face busy she went on. "I think there's almost universally a Terran Vanilla flavour and usually chocolate in one form or another?" her stomach regained its stability at the introduction of preferable images of flavours that she liked herself

"Hmmmmmmm" said the Vulcan thoughtfully, in his usual deadpan manner. "Yes Chocolate would be......." the Vulcan trailed off a little as he searched for the right word "....would be most favourable." He paused another moment before speaking again. "Terran chocolate is a most fascinating substance. Used in so many recipes and creations. Did you know in some Terran cultures , they use chocolate as a mating tool."

Rani choked on her recently ingested sip of her beverage. ~A mating tool?~ she knew what he meant of course but the phraseology and the serious way he brought it into the conversation attempted to end all future attempts to breathe for Ravi.

There was, at least, a silver lining to the unpleasantness of choking in that she was therefore incapable of having to answer that yes, she did indeed know this and that it wasn't limited to Terran cultures alone. Thanking the Goddess for that small mercy, she coughed until her throat cleared and by then it was long past the point at which Caj would still be looking for an answer or comment on the many and varied uses that chocolate could enhance.

"Are you ok Rani" asked the Vulcan as h replicated her a small glass of water to sip and clear Rani's throat with. "It was not my intention to cause distress. I can change the subject if you like?"

"Thank you" Rani tried to reply and eventually got it out. "I'm not distressed, I promise" she reassured him. " like chocolate flavour too, I'll order us one each" she stood to do exactly this and had got her rebellious grin under control by the time she returned with the ice creams. "I hope they are as nice as they look" she said and handed him one.

tbc.....