Dinner with Allyndra

Posted on 23 Jul 2016 @ 6:41pm by Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant JG Eelim Galan
Edited on on 28 Jul 2016 @ 4:39pm

2,124 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 11 - Divinum Mundi
Location: USS Galileo - Allyndra's Quarters
Timeline: MD 22

[ON]

Galan had finished painting the Commander's picture. He'd followed the water dancing sketch to the tee and had used the colours and blends to give Allyndra an ethereal glow. He hoped she liked it. He'd wrapped I up and added a ribbon the colour of her wings. He'd let her know it was done and had planned on sending it down to her but she insisted that he meet her for dinner. He hadn't had a home cooked meal in a long time so he'd agreed.

Now he stood nervously outside her quarters. He cleared his throat and then rang the chime.

Allyndra had gotten the call and made a date and time. That allowed her to prepare some things and she had decided to make Polpette di Bollito as an appetizer. A sort of beef croquette, with tender beef inside a crispy shell.

For the main she had decided on a cognac shrimp with Beurre Blanc sauce and then followed up by mocha pots de creme. She would offer both a red and white wine since the meal was mixed but also had the replicator ready in case there was something special that Eelim had a taste for. Things were well in hand when the chime sounded and she called out, "Enter!" The pots required keeping and eye on them for a moment longer.

Galan entered with the painting. "Hi." He wasn't used to having dinner with crewmates so he hoped his rusty social skills were not going to give him his usual foot in mouth issues.

"Welcome, I will there in just a moment, finishing up on preparing the dessert. I have white or red wine or feel free to select something else." She said looking over her shoulder. "Help yourself and I will be a proper hostess in a moment."

Galan leaned the painting up against the wall near the door and then was drawn to a small painting on his left. He went up to admire the work. "This is a wonderful painting of you." He called out

"That is what my husband painted of me. Only one I ever kept though other of his work is elsewhere on the planet." Allyndra replied and whipped her hands on a towel and then came over. She noted he had not taken anything yet so she refrained as well. So far he had not noted that there was only one place setting as well. She was fairly sure that he knew nothing of her particular physiological status.

"I should have kept more I suppose but when he passed I could not bear to be reminded. That one escaped my....implusivness. Sometime we do things that we later regret. Ah well.....now what have you brought? I am terribly curious to see it." Allyndra changed the subject. Memories could still sting a little but it was better.

Eelim sighed. "Yes no matter the species impulsiveness seems universal. " He looked at the painting he'd brought. "Well let's see if you like it."

He'd taken care with this one. He'd made it almost three dimensional through the use of colours and the ethereal glow was artists prerogative but he hoped she liked it. He turned the paining and removed the cloth. "Here it is."

Allyndra looked at the the painting, it was not exactly the scene but as he mentioned he put his own creativity and imagination into it. She beheld it for several moments looking at the details.

"It is rather stunning and I wish I really looked that good," she finally said. She suddenly made a quite formal curtsy and said with a solemn tone, "Thank you sir, a most gracious painting from an Expert of his craft." It was a bit formal but it would be something she would have said to one of the artist guild on her own world.

Eelim smiled. "I'm glad you like it. You do look very good ma'am. I made it as accurate as I could. There is something...divine when you dance. Almost as if you are surrounded by an ethereal glow. I tried to paint that in."

"If you keep saying that I am going to get offended," Allyndra said that in a light tone. "Allyndra, is fine."

She straightened again and then took a chance and touched him. "Come, hopefully my slight culinary skills might be something of a gift in return." She lead him toward the table and said, "Before you ask, due to some physiological differences, I cannot partake though I find the exercise of cooking fun and the smells stimulating."

He smiled. "A home cooked meal is always a gift. I haven't had one in...years actually." He sniffed the air as he went over to pull out the chair for her, ever the gentleman. "It smells great but...ma'am...um Allyndra. What will you have?"

"Some wine and I can have the dessert," she replied and got the appetizer before taking the offered seat. She waited until he got sat and then nodded her chin, "Polpette di Bollito, braised beef in a pastry shell. "The reduction sauce is simmering and should be ready." That was just an opening and she waited while he had a chance to sample the appetizer.

Eelim had to admit it smelled wonderful. He took a bite of the appetizer and closed his eyes savoring. It was like an explosion of heavenly delight. A groan of pure pleasure rumbled from him. He opened his eyes and looked at the CMO his spoon like indentation and neck ridges flushing red. "I'm sorry...I couldn't help it. This is divine. I now understand the phrase nectar from the Gods." He took some more and when he was done he said, "I haven't had a home cooked meal in 17 years. This is soooo good."

"You are too kind Eelim. I am glad you like it. I forgot to ask if you had a shellfish allergy but very few Cardassians do." She knew she should have asked things.

"No allergies here." He said between bites.

"Good well, main dish is Cognac shrimp with Beurre Blanc sauce. A sort of butter sauce with a bit of vinegar and shallots." She stood and went to fetch the dish and made the final preparations. "As far as nectar I do have Blood Flower juice if you would like to try it. Native to my home and no it does not taste like blood." She chuckled as she worked.

"Sounds amazing! Yes please. Juice would be nice." He smiled waiting for the next dish like a kid in a candy store.

Allydnra nodded and prepared the main dish lading on the sauce a bit thicker then called for but hopefully Eelim was not too picky a gourmet. She served the dish and then went to a small refrigerator. While normally she would have Bloodflower replicated she did keep the real deal for special occasions. Replicated was good but there was a subtlety to the undernotes that replicated never seemed to capture. She poured two glasses and then went back.

"P’ule’a M’aho’lia a’mai an’oia," She said in full sing song Akkadian and then translated. "Blessiings of the Twins be with you."

While Allydnra was getting the juice he tasted the main course and figured he'd died and gone to heaven. "This is sooooo good."

He watched her sit and tasked the sweet juice it was an explosion of flavour unlike he'd ever tasted. "This is amazing!" He then remembered her words..."Umm... Pulea maholia ami noja." He hadn't said it right but he tried to return the cheer in her language...he just hoped he hadn't mushed it enough to say something opposite.

Allyndra clinked her glass to his and then settled back sipping the chilled juice. She closed her eyes a moment as the wonderfully sweet taste hit her palette. There were not many others that liked Bloodflower for they found it too sweet.

She then opened her eyes and regarded him a moment. "The Twins is a vernacular for what we call the twin suns. In olden times they were regarded as a dieties, well maybe demi-gods. They are sometimes called the Lovers. The old story goes that they were once mortal but because their love was so great the gods grew jealous and put them in the sky where they could see each other but not touch. Rather then their love dying it grew greater until they shone with a brightness that put the gods to shame." She waved her glass a moment. "So tell me Eelim is their someone in your life that stirs the fires?"

He sighed as he took a sip of the wonderful drink. He liked that story. He was a sucker for romantic stories. He devoured Dora Gale books like they were candy. He looked down pushing at his food with his fork. "I do...I did. We...we just broke up the other day. She... It wouldn't have worked out."

"Oh?" Allyndra replied but obviously there was a bit of prodding needed. "What was the problem," she ventured after a moment or two of silence.

"Well she was Bajoran. She wanted to live back on Bajor but," he shrugged. "I'm a Cardassian. It would not have worked out. Besides she's so pure, and loving, and caring, and kind. She deserves someone like that."

"You appear to meet all those qualities. I suppose the problem is that too much in recent memory makes it more problematic. We have a saying that from a height all the ocean looks the same, but one must look closer to realize it is not. I believe the Terrans say something like not to paint with too broad a brush. One must look at the individual not presume that all are the same. I am so sorry Eelim, it hurts doesn't it when we loose one close to the hearts. It was the same for me and my Gerrin, my husband. I never thought so much about how we had become close until the day he was not there anymore. A stupid silly accident took him away and I thought my life was basically over. Instead, here I am out amoung the stars, learning and now head of my Guild as well and guiding my people. Life gives us pain at times but it can also give us surprises, things that suddenly make life worth it all again."

He smiled at her. "You are right." He stayed quiet for a bit his face taking on a serious and sincere expression. "I'm sorry you lost your husband."

Alyndra made a small nod of the head. "Thank you, it has been awhile now." She thought it strange, it did not hurt like it once did. The winds blow all things away was an old saying and perhaps it was true. "I am sorry for your loss as well," she said and then raised her glass. "To seeing past sadness and looking that gods will bring joy once again."

He toasted to that. "I will toast to that."

She nodded and then added, "The tail of the Lovers, well after the shame the gods felt for what they had done, they could not undo but realizing their mistake, they set it so that once when the two great planets, the Lock and Key align the Lovers could touch and kiss and one goddess took the moon and fashioned it into the great set of rings to show their promise never to do such a folly again."

"A beautiful story. I have no words to tell you how much tonight means. I do not make friends easy for obvious reasons but I would be honoured to count you as my friend." He smiled at her. "I do not even know if I am asking right."

"Nor I but I too would be honoured Eelim. Too friendship, but let us celebrate that over some dessert." She rose easily and went to fetch the little cups of mocha pots de creme. It was soft and that was something her system could handle. She placed one in her spot and then other in front of him and retook her seat.

"There now we can seal it properly with a shared enjoyment."

He grinned. He took little bite clearly savouring every little bite. "This is sooooo good and I have a sweet tooth." He grinned and all but licked his plate."

"And so much better with friends," Allydnra said after taking a bite. "So much better and sweeter."

OFF:

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LCmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

&

Lt. JG Eelim Galan
Security Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

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