Dinner 3

Posted on Fri Apr 5th, 2024 @ 3:21pm by Commander Gabriel Stewart & Lieutenant Dr. Nairut Noxi

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: USS Deliverance Maiden Voyage
Location: Nairut's Quarters
Timeline: Before The Breen are discovered

Nairut had invited Gabriel over. They had had a slow day, for once, in-between launch and missions, and she was looking forward to the distraction. She had left the Sickbay, and hurried straight to her quarters to freshen up. She was now reading a burgundy sleeveless dress with a full skirt, matching high heels, and had put her hair back. A small bit of makeup had enhanced her ridges, and she felt good. She was going to make Ratamba Stew today, and introduce him to a traditional Bajoran dish. Except she forgot to ask him if he could handle spicy things. Besides her, of course. She poured out two glasses of Springwine, and then took a breath. He should be there any time.

Gabriel finished up his review of the day's activities and gave a summarized report to Larson. He then went to his quarters and put on his blue shirt and black trousers, which seemed to be appropriate for the occasion. Well, it was what he picked out at random, so he deemed it appropriate.

Making his way to Noxi's quarters, he pressed the annunciator button and waited.

She smiled, and quickly glanced at her appearance in the mirror she'd hung by the door. She looked good, still, and then she let him in.

"Hi! You look nice," she said. She was still a little nervous around him, much like a teenager with her first beau. It reminded her of the early days with Ben, before everything had gone to hell. "How are you?" She asked, kissing his cheek. After the door closed, she led him to the table. "Springwine?" She asked him.

Gabriel stood near one of the chairs, and replied, "Springwine sounds great." After sniffing the air, he commented, "Something smells delicious."

"Ratamba Stew," she said, while she poured out some wine, and then brought it to the table.

After Noxi returned with the wine, he held her chair while she sat down, then he sat down in the chair net to her. She sat back down.

He picked up his glass, and held it out toward her. "A toast."

"A toast!" She said, holding her glass up. "To...you," she said, with a chuckle. After a sip, she smiled. "Sorry it was so sudden. I needed a distraction," she admitted.

Gabriel grinned at Nozi, then replied, "I think I can provide a good distraction." He looked at the bowl of stew, gave it a leisurely sniff, then said, "Very interesting. Shall we dine first?"

Noxi nodded. "Sure," she said. "I hope you can," she said. "Ratamba is a Bajoran delicacy," she said. "Similar to Earth's kale, perhaps," she said. "The color is gorgeous, isn't it? I make mine usually with sausage and potatoes," she said. "Today, I put it over rice, but I know it's' been served over pasta and corn before," she said. "I hope you like it. It can be a little spicy, so I hope I didn't over spice it," she said. She had put some extra seasoning in a small dish on the table between them. "We use a plant similar to chilis to spice it, like we do for Hasperat," she said. "I think it pairs nicely with this wine." She finally stopped speaking and took a small bite. She had also put a small basket of dinner rolls on the table, fresh from the replicator. She wasn't much of a baker.

Gabriel listened to Noxi, then took one of the dinner rolls, broke off a piece, and dipped it in the Ratamba stew. He tasted it, then looked at Noxi and said, "This is very good. I like it over the rice." He picked up his glass, raised it again, and said, "To a wonderful beginning to a wonderful evening with a wonderful woman."

Noxi lowered her gaze a little. "Thank you," she said. "To a wonderful evening," she said. Of that, she was certain. Even if nothing happened, that was fine. It was nice to have company. She just wasn't used to compliments.

Gabriel enjoyed the meal as they continued with small talk. After they were done with dinner, he stood up, went to the replicator, and quietly ordered dessert. As he returned to the table, he placed a small plate in front of Noxi, along with a fork to the side.

Sitting down, he told her, "I wanted to share one of my favorite desserts. German chocolate cake."

Noxi smiled. "Alright," she said. "I don't think I've had that!" She said. She looked at him. "Do you want some more wine? Tea?" She offered.

Gabriel smiled. "More wine would be wonderful. We can take it and go sit on the couch, if you like. Or wherever you would like to go."

She smiled and nodded, and stood, heading for the kitchenette to pour some more wine. "The couch is fine!" She said. She met him there.

He took the glass of wine, then, patted a spot on the couch next to him. Then, with a sheepish grin, he kind of blushed. "I don't know why I did that. I feel almost like an awkward teenager. Sounds silly, huh?"

After a few sips of wine, Gabriel looked at Noxi. "It's not often that you have a chance to just relax." After a short pause, he continued. "Tell me something that I don't know about you. I want to know more about you."

Noxi nodded. "I understand," she said. "And yeah, things have been pretty busy," she said. "Do you really think it's the Breen?" She asked. She didn't know much about the Breen. She would prefer the Cardassians. At least she'd know her enemy, in that case. She sipped her drink, and took a small bite of the cake before responding. "When I was a child, before the war, my mom's family had a small Springwine winery and vineyard. I used to get in so much trouble because I'd try to climb the spring berry bushes." She smiled.

"If it is the Breen, why would they risk starting a war? What would they have to gain?" After a short pause and another sip of wine, he continued. "Those sound like good memories." Another pause, he raised his wine glass to Noxi, and said, "To good childhood memories, and future memories."

Noxi sighed. "Some men just like war. War amasses power. Power equals wealth-whether monetarily or in resources. Likely, there's something in this quadrant they think is valuable," she said. She paused, but smiled lightly. "To good memories," she said. "And enough talk about war," she said, taking a small sip before settling back against Gabriel.

Gabriel liked the way Noxi leaned back against him, enjoying the thought that she could feel relaxed enough to feel comfortable in his arms, Gently putting his arm around her, he kissed the top of her head, then glanced around to see if there was a blanket or shawl within reach in case she fell asleep like this. He didn't have anywhere he needed to be, and even more so wanted to be nowhere else but here, so he settled into the comfy couch and took another sip of wine, watching her closely in case she drifted off, and he needed to take her wine glass.

Noxi sighed again, but this time, from exhaustion. She didn't sleep much, and when she did, it was fitful and restless. She was never calm enough to sleep deeply except when she was heavily medicated or injured or sick. She just couldn't turn off the memories that haunted her late at night. "My son might call..." she said, drifting off into a nice, light snooze. He was warm, and safe, and she was so tired...

Feeling her relaxing against him, Gabriel gently removed her wine glass from her hand and set it in the nook of the couch. He then took the shawl that was draped over the couch and covered her with it, Once more with a kiss on the side of her head, then he laid his head gently against hers and all but nodded off to sleep himself. Then he whispered quietly, "Computer, dim the lights by 80%.."

---------------------
Lieutenant Dr. Nairut Noxi
Chief Medical Officer
USS Deliverance NCC-90210

Commander Gabriel Stewart
Executive Officer
USS Deliverance NCC-90210

 

RSS Feed