Checking In

Posted on Tue Aug 20th, 2019 @ 10:49am by Commander Liselle Qwyyn

Mission: Mission 2: Heaven On Earth
Location: Liselle's Cabin
Timeline: During R&R
740 words - 1.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Jessica appeared in front of Liselle's cabin. She hesitated for a moment but she decided she had come all this way, she might as well ring. She was still wearing her work outfit, but also carrying a basket covered with a piece of cloth.

The doors parted and immediately Qwyyn froze at the sight of her guest. She looked Jessica over, unable to keep the bewildered confusion from her eyes as she spoke. Her eyes lingered on the basket. "Did I...? Did we have an appointment?"

"No", Jessica said. "And we haven't met before. I came aboard after you left." She held out her hand. "I'm Jessica Clarke, I tend bar, and make deliveries."

Slowly, carefully, Qwyyn took the offered hand, shaking it delicately as though this woman were about to clamp down and drag her out into the corridor. "Liselle Qwyyn. I think you have the wrong person, though. I didn't order anything."

"No, you didn't", Jessica said. "I know that. But I thought you might still enjoy this." She pulled away the cloth covering the basket.

Qwyyn blinked. "Bolvanna leaf. How did you..?" Without realizing what she was doing, she lowered her fingers to the thick purple leaves. Her eyes closed briefly as she brought one to her nose and inhaled. "How did you know?"

"You did order them from the replicator a number of times", Jessica explained. "These are the real deal, the quartermaster managed to get some from the Trill embassy." She smirked. "Just don't ask me to share a bite." Definitely an acquired taste, and Jessica was used to eating some fairly unpalatable things, by human standards at least.

Liselle lowered the leaf. "This is...unbelievably kind of you. But why are you doing this? It's not my birthday or anything."

"This might not be a huge help", Jessica said. "But since you've just been through some unpleasant times, I thought you might want to indulge yourself?"

Qwyyn suddenly felt tears burning her eyes, and she turned her head away in embarrassment. "I'm sorry," she said, as she brought a hand to her eyes. "I...I don't know what's come over me. Oh Gods, yes I do. I've been an absolute wreck since I got back." She laughed, despite how utterly foolish she felt now. "I don't suppose you have any advice to go with the Bolvanna?"

"I might", Jessica said. "Though, I think the best thing you can do first is talk. Maybe if we sit somewhere, I get you something to drink with the food?"

"Yes, of course. I'm -- I'm sorry. Please come in!" Qwyyn stepped aside and gestured for Jessica to let herself in. "I don't really have anything to offer except the replicator, I'm afraid." She looked down into the basket again. "And a few Trill delicacies that...you probably won't like."

"I've eaten a few strange things in my time", Jessica said. She placed the basket on the table in the living room area and started turning its insides into a properly laid table. "Few people understand that I enjoy Ferengi foods."

"I don't think I've ever really tried Ferengi food before," Qwyyn admitted. "I have to say, it didn't exactly look appetizing."

"I've had much worse, so it was a welcome treat", Jessica smiled. "Snail steak especially. It might not look that good, and admittedly, it is slimy. But once you get past that, it tastes like shellfish." She brought two glasses from the replicator and pulled out a bottle of wine. "My first advice, enjoy your food with this wine."

She couldn't help but crack a smile. "You're very good at this," she remarked as she watched Jessica pour. She took a glass and held it up to her nose. "Aldovi fruit berry. I'm beginning to think you know me better than I do. There was a time when I thought I'd never taste it again."

Jessica nodded. "It is a great relief, being rescued. It takes a while until you can fully realise what's happened." The scar where her ear had been, due to be replaced in a few days, was the last remaining bit of superficial evidence.

The words were not lost on Qwyyn. "Rescued?"

"I thought that's what you wanted advice with, not the food?" Jessica asked.

"I just - - it sounds like you're speaking from personal experience," she ventured carefully. Her guard finally down, she gestured to the couch. "Okay. Let's talk."