Dinner Party

Posted on 10 Aug 2012 @ 10:42am by Tarishiana Barel & Command Master Chief Markum Quinn & Lieutenant JG Kestra Orexil

4,075 words; about a 20 minute read

Mission: Episode 01 - Project Sienna
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3, Barel/Quinn Quarters
Timeline: MD08 - 1930 hrs

[ON]

Tarishiana stepped out of the shower wrapping a towel around her form as she moved towards the mirror. She couldn't wipe the grin off her face as she listened to Markum whistling and singing to himself in their bedroom. She had meant to take a shower earlier in her pre-party time, but certain events had prevented that.

Kes should be here soon... She thought towards Markum as she began to dry her hair. "I am looking forward to spending some time with her." She emerged from the bath room and easily approached the closet with a bounce in her step.

Markum smiled at Tarish as she bounced towards the closet. He gave a cat-call whistle at her as she passed. I bet. It's all you've thought of the past hour....well, not all. he added with an amused smirk on his face. "She is a nice person. We had fun on the Engineering tour I gave her to show any security concerns. I showed her my hide out in the port nacelle I use for my quiet study time." That reminded Markum he had an exam coming up soon via subspace feed.

Tarishiana gave Markum a little wink over her shoulder at the little whistle before returning her attention to the closet in question. "It isn't very often that I get to have a proper Betazoid dinner." She started as she pulled out her emerald dress. It was a simply yet elegant wrap dress that accented her curves in just the way she liked it too. Kes and I joked about the chime. My mother loved that pomp and circumstance but I hated it.

Markum walked to the top of his dresser and took out a rectangular, silver colored item. He smiled at it. I have something better than a chime my love. he said just before he let rip a few cords to his and Markus' favorite Blues song.

Tarishiana started humming slightly and moving to the music. It was a song that she had heard before and it was one that she loved. She grinned over at him as she finished brushing her hair and pulling it up. As long as your don't use it to accent each bite of a meal. She easily moved over to the man she loved and gave him a quick kiss. "I will smash it with a hyper spanner." she grinned almost sarcastically.

He smiled and gave a playful wink. "You know how I like it rough." he said with a chuckle and a big hug as he kissed her neck. I'll behave myself, as best as I can.

Tarishiana let out a laugh, "That is highly unlikely." She smiled, And I wouldn't change it...one bit. She gave him another kiss before moving towards the dining room. "Kes should be here any minute...what do you want to have for dinner anyways?"

Markum scratched his beard for a moment, "Hmm," Since I already had dessert, I guess perhaps a lamb dish with a cranberry-mint sauce with wild rice and asparagus would be good. "Nothing too fancy." he said as he went to their personal corner cooler. He reached in and pull out two beer bottles. Then walked over to Tarish and handed one to her. "I got the beverages."

Kestra arrived at the appointed time barefoot in a diaphanous black gown built of gauze and silk, half of which seemed to think it was a casual knee-length billowy sleeved day dress with the other half convinced that it was a floor-length strapless gown. It was demure as far as her non-regulation wardrobe went, which was her intent. She brushed her fingers over the chime with a small smile. She was so pleased to be spending an evening with friends after the last few days.

Markum went to the door with an extra cold beer in hand. As the door slide open he smiled broadly and offered the chilled bottle. "Kes! Damn good to see you again. Want a beer? It's the real stuff, not that synthahol junk."

"Thank you," she took the bottle and kissed his cheek, a love of her own variety pouring out in the gesture. Under her arm, she held a long opaque ebony wood box with a sliding panel. And I, too, am pleased to see you, as always.

Tarishiana practically floated towards Kes. She wrapped her arms around her friends neck. I am so glad that you could make it. She grinned as she gave Markum a kiss and returned to what she was doing at the replicator.

Marum looked at the box with interest. "C'mon Kes, have a seat and make yourself at home. Mi casa es su casa!" Markum walked with her and sat down on a chair. "Am I glad it's you that we are having dinner with. I was worried I would have to behave." he said with a playful smile on his face. Then he whispered to Kes, "But I promised to only try and be good."

She chuckled, sinking into the chair across from him and taking a sip of the beer. It was chilled, a little sweet, but pleasant enough. By the Four Deities, it was nice to relax for a moment. To have this moment with them in the privacy of their quarters, with a cold beer and- she took another sip of the beer and closed down hard on her thoughts, humming a few bars of an old folk tune to clear her head. Musn't ruin the surprise, she thought idly. "Please, let's not be good, just the once?" she asked stretching her bare feet out in front of her. It's so stifling behaving all the time. For who, I ask? Isn't all this behavior really just getting in the way of people being who they would be naturally?

Markum smiled and raised his glass towards Kes. "You are my hero Kes. I hate being good, I'm so much better when I'm bad, just ask Tarish." Then raised his voice for Tarish to here. "Imzadi, it would be rude of me to behave and upset our house guest." he said with a smile and a wink.

Tarishiana finished placing the plates on the table when she heard Markum call to her. She grinned as she moved behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Boy Kes...what would my mother think if she knew how rude my Imzadi had thought of being." She asked playfully. Using her fingers she turned his head to face her as she placed a deep kiss against his lips.

"We could find out quite easily," Kestra murmured, pleased to witness and experience their affection for one another. It might have been vicarious, but she honestly didn't care. Joy and love weren't something she got to feel most of the day; it was a nice change. "Take this," she said, offering the ebony box to Tarishiana. "I've been carrying it since the last time I was on Betazed; now it's yours. In honor of your union, from the Thirteenth House to the Fourth." The box contained a chameleon rose. It had been a sweet reminder of home, but its place was with lovers and she was glad to have found two so worthy to take it from her.

Markum smiled and look at the flower inside the box. It's beautiful Imzadi, almost as beautiful as you. "It smells so sweet. I've never seen one of these."

Tarishiana was a little shocked. She had noticed the box but hadn't thought much of it. With the wonderful interactions between Markum and Kes she had assumed it was something she was going to show him. She had never expected this. Thank you Kes. Tarishiana smiled as she looked down at Markum. She understood the symbolism of the gift. "I don't know what else to say...other then thank you."

"You're welcome," Kestra smiled at them, then winked at Markum. "It's a chameleon rose," she explained. "A feature of our home world. It changes color according to the deeper emotions of the person holding it. Sometimes we get lost in surface emotions, losing sight of the things that bind us together. Let this serve as a reminder to you should you ever worry that you've lost sight of one another." She let that sit a moment, and then lifted her glass, "May you have many fat, happy, gifted babies. What's for dinner?"

Markum blushed at the mention of babies. Mainly because of his recent conversation with the Skipper on how much he'd love to have more kids, as he felt he was robbed of Markus's early years. Markum had thought often of children, but....he wasn't sure it would even be possible. "Umm...I'm not sure what's for dinner." He had a brief vision of he and Tarish being woken early Christmas morning by a onslaught of children bouncing on their bed. He snapped out of it, realizing his drifted thought was more than likely seen by the other two. "Imzadi? Are we having a lamb dish with a cranberry-mint sauce with wild rice and asparagus, or is it Brauts with sauerkraut, chili, cheese, and onions with extra mustard?"

Tarishiana grinned at the thought passing though Markum's mind. She had had a similar thoughts over the last few days. Well in all honesty she had always dreamed of being smothered by children in the mornings and the joy she felt with those thoughts had only been amplified when the thoughts changed to involve Markum's and her children. "The first one...with lemon lime cheesecake for dessert." She gave him a kiss on the cheek before motioning towards the table. "Let's eat."

Markum held onto Tarishiana's hand for a moment, I love us, no matter how sickening we are to everyone else. then let go and grinned and shrugged his shoulders to Kes, followed by a wink. "I guess fine cuisine like loaded brauts are best eaten while on duty in the port nacelle."

Kestra watched them fondly, and unapologetically, chuckling at the image of all those children surrounding them. So much love and hope to come. She'd been invited in; unless they asked, she was taking a temporary break from her careful shielding. For a little while, within this room, she was planning on letting her senses stretch. "I've never had a braut. Another time, perhaps," she smiled, sipping more from her beer as she stood and crossed to the dining table. She brushed her fingers over the place settings and smiled at Tarishiana. "You honor me with your finery, Rishi."

Tarishiana smiled, "Maybe my mother has rubbed off on me a bit more then I would like to admit." She said easily as she took her seat. "Besides, if I don't use it for a good friend...what reason would I have to use them?" She asked playfully. "Please eat...before it gets cold." She motioned to both Markum and Kes to dig in.

Markum smiled. "C'mon Kes, she is the best cook in three quadrants." he stood up, "Want another beer Kes? I have plenty." he asked as he walked past Tarish, stopping long enough to kiss the back on her neck, Just wait until later when I have seconds on the dessert.

"Not yet, give me time," Kestra murmured, smirking at Tarishiana with a little waggle of her brows. When Markum had returned to the table, she stood up. "In the name of those lost, those present, and those yet to come, we eat and honor the bonds of friendship and love," Kestra murmured, flicking her nail against her bottle to make a quiet knell, then took a sip and her seat and speared her lamb and took a generous bite. And if either of you feel a hankering for your dessert, feel free. I am fully capable of making myself scarce.

"Markum will just have to wait." Tarishiana said with a grin as she took a sip of her wine. She liked having her friends with her and she loved that Kes and Markum got on so well. I am so lucky she thought as she took a bite of her succulent lamb.

Markum smiled as he took another bite of his meal. He loved having guests over, especially Kestra. He seemed to get along since their very first meeting, they formed a quick friendship. And of course his Imzadi, Tarishiana. It was truly love at first sight. He stood up after swallowing his bite. "I'd like to make a toast. I'd like to make a toast to family. You may not be able to choose your relatives, but you can choose your family, and you are my family." he finished with a raise of his glass

"To family," Kestra agreed, lifting her bottle.

Markum smiled and took a sip of his beverage. "This is the good stuff."

I wanted to thank you both for keeping your heads this morning. She sipped her beer and cut another bite from the lamb.

Markum nodded as he swallowed his tasty bite. "Of course. No need for thanks, Kes. How is everything in the world of Security?"

Kestra smiled and lifted her brows. "Secure," she murmured. "So far. Peace never lasts as long as we wish it would." She finished off her beer and toasted him with the empty bottle. "How is everything in the world of Engineering?"

Markum stood up and walked over to a small cooler and exposed two more bottles, handing one to Kestra he returned to his seat. "Good. Busy as usual. Trying to keep the new girl together, and still exploring all the new systems and components. Funny that all those years ago when I was with XRD, I'd just now start seeing some of what our research developed used as everyday functions."

"Such as?" Kestra asked, accepting the new bottle he offered.

"The neural-gel packs. Only special ops had them originally. They were very difficult to replicate all the appropriate parts. The some of the newer Warp Drive Systems for one. Not so new really. Just new to standardization. We were working on the theories behind them a long time ago."

"Fascinating. I've always wondered why it is that some items are so difficult to replicate. I mean, I understand the security restrictions of certain chemicals, parts, etc, but those aren't because of any particular difficulty with the replication so much as a security decision." Kestra smiled as she sipped, flicking a warm look to Tarishiana. More and more, I see what you love about him.

He is pretty great. Tarishiana thought as she gently picked up her fork. She was loving listening to them both. "Replicators use a molecular re-sequencer...which restricts the type of molecules that it can process." she grinned as she looked from Markum to Kes and back again. "I remember when I working in Operations I had to deal with another officer who tried to replicate a substance that reacted badly with the stasis field and she almost lost her arm."

Markum raised an eyebrow as he slugged his beer down. "The whole arm?" Markum asked in amazement. Shit, that had to suck he thought. "Back on the Galaxy, a hundred years ago? We had a Warp plasma leak, after a misunderstanding with a Gorn Battle Cruiser. The spray literally evaporated whatever it hit. Amazing."

"Wait, wait, what substance was she trying to replicate that caused that?" Kestra asked, looking between them. "Then I want to hear about that Warp plasma leak."

"Honestly...." Tarishiana started with a laugh as she took a bit of her meal. "I don't remember the exact compound but if I remember correctly it was some sort of genetic gel compound." She followed the bite with a drink. "I have to admit, I want to hear about this leak as well." She gave Markum a wink as she finished speaking.

Markum held a finger up as he downed the rest of his beer. He placed it on the table and nodded. "Okay. So it was Twenty-three Sixty-seven. I was stationed aboard the USS Galaxy. We were patrolling the Gorn-Federation boarder, as we received that another possible Borg attack would spearhead through that area. Since the Gorn weren't the most talkative group around, we sat and waited, just in case the intel was accurate. So, anyway, a Gorn warship shows up demanding that we surrender to them as we were in their territory. Needless to say the shit hit the fan, and we started shooting at one another. Our ventral shielding failed and we were boarded. Naturally they transported right into Main Engineering. We fought those snakie bastards for almost five minutes. And most of that was hand to hand. So, I get picked up and tossed right against the Warp Core. I hit so damn hard that I crack the thing. Luckily though as the sonofabitch picks me back up with one hand, a phaser goes off and hits the exact place I hit and cracked it. Then," Markum jumps up and hollers as loud as he can, "BOOM!!! The damn thing blows a hole out the size of a turbolift, and the warp plasma shot out like a scalded dog. Howe it missed me, and landed directly on that green bastard, I'll never know. He simply disappeared. He was completely destroyed, right down to every last atom and molecule in his body....except for the grasping hand still around my neck." Markum sat down and smiled.

Kestra listened with rapt attention to the tale, then leaned forward, "What about the hole in the core? How did you manage to patch it up without turning into... well... particles?"

"Ahh, yeah." replied Markum as he grinned. "Well, we used a high intensity force field to keep the the hole in our hull from causing use to instantly decompress and implode on ourselves. We jettisoned the core....well, more like I did with that stupid Gorn's arm from elbow down still grasping my throat." Markum chuckled a bit, "Ya know, I still have that damn thing in a box somewhere."

"You kept the arm?" Kestra asked, horrified and amazed.

With an innocent shrug of his shoulders and his childish grin he answered, "Sure, why not. How many people can claim to have a Gorn arm? Besides, once I show the arm to others, they never again question again any story I tell them." He leaned excitedly forward over the table. "Wanna see it girls?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

"Yes," Kestra answered without a pause. "Yes, I do." She took a deep swig of her beer and shook her head, grinning back at him, "Then I want to know how you got it past the ship's scanners."

You have a gorn arm in our quarters? Tarishiana thought with a large grin. She couldn't quite decide if that was cool or if that was icky. "I wouldn't mind seeing it." She said very nonchalant.

"Yeah. I guess I forgot to mention that." he replied with a grin as he stood up and walked into a small closet. Moments later he returned with a massive green partial arm. Setting it on the table he sat back in his chair. "I got it on before even the first walk through I did with the CO and XO. The dockmaster owed me a few favors after I cleaned him out in a game of poker. It's been stuffed and no longer really live, but it makes a great conversation piece."

Kestra hiccuped a laugh, eyeing the green arm. It looked so fresh, like it might start moving at any moment. "This is profoundly twisted, you know that right?"

"Yeah," smiled Markum mischievously, "Every Halloween I find some poor unsuspecting bastard that deserves to be scared out of his mind, and well, place it some where he will never forget." Markum let out a bold laugh, followed by a snort. "This one time, this one time....I had this pain in the ass Second Officer back on the Thor. Well, he fell asleep on duty officer watch on Halloween. So me and an ensign from engineering laid it across the arm of the chair and rested the hand on his crotch. He screamed like a wailing banshee. Ah, shit. I almost got a court martial, if the CO didn't find it so funny."

Halloween? Kestra glanced at Tarishiana, wondering if the other woman knew what he was talking about.

Tarishiana thought for a moment, Small children in costumes...begging for candy? she answered as best as she could remember her human holiday rituals. Her lips broke into a smile soon followed by a laugh.

"You were on a ship with many children?" Kestra asked.

Markum chuckled out loud. "The Thor was a Defiant-Class I served on during the Dominion War. Only Fleeters on board, no civilians. We were purely made for seek and kill roles."

"My last posting had a rather large school age population." Tarishiana started with an almost absent smile. "That is how I know of most of the playful holidays that Terran's celebrate." She reached over and touched Markum's hand softly. I plan on costumes and candy...just so you know.

"I'm sorry," Kestra shook her head, "if the holiday is for children, for the sake of role-playing and sugar ingestion, why were you playing tricks on other crew members." She looked between them. "Am I missing something?"

Markum laughed out loud for a brief moment, then tried to compose himself. "Because it's fun, Kes. It's all about having fun, and watching that S.O.B scream like a girl."

Kestra smiled, sipping her beer, "I'll take your word for it. Just... warn me before you go playing tricks on our crew that make them scream? I don't want to call an alert that's unwarranted." She winked at him, and returned to her lamb. The idea of scaring someone for fun was a foreign one, but she didn't judge.

"Yeah," smiled Markum, "I'll be sure to let you know.....maybe." Markum chuckled.

"Trouble-maker," she admonished lightly. "Any other Terran customs you'll be introducing us to?" She took another bite of lamb, considering the green arm resting on the table between them.

Markum could only smile broadly. "It's a skill I acquired as a youth. You two haven't seen anything yet."

Kestra lifted a brow, beaming at him as she opened her sense of anticipation, humor, and small twinges of concern to the room at large. "Rishi is quite a trouble-maker, too. Remember the incident with the black vases, Ri?"

Tarishiana almost choked on her lamb as Kes brought up that particular memory. "I thought we agreed not to speak of that again." She finally said when she caught her breath. "Mother was furious with me." She added.

Markum placed his utensils on the table and smiled as he rested his elbows on the table, and his chin in his hands. "Now this...I gotta hear."

"Of course you do." Tarishiana smiled with a wink. She took a sip of her drink before looking over at Kes. "Would you like to tell the story or shall I?"

"We agreed not to speak of it again planetside," Kestra corrected her with a small, mischievous smile. "I doubt a mention now will get back to your mother. So," she began, rolling her bottle absently between her hands as she set the scene. The day was a precious one, rain misting the scene like a diaphanous shell, and our picnic on the nines had been cancelled because of it, which made very little sense to me as we always went to the nines to run through the foliage hydrators anyway. We were - "What? Five? Six?" she checked in with Tarishiana.

Quinn smiled as he took another bite from his plate. "You two, are you sure you are not sisters? Twins even?"

[OFF]

--

LTJG Tarishiana Barel
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

LTJG Kestra Orexil
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

CWO Markum Quinn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galileo

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