Vulcan Cuisine Day (Part 1 of 4)

Posted on 20 Oct 2024 @ 2:41pm by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Lamar Darius & Ensign S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor

3,881 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: Episode 20 - Reconstruction
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 4, Sera's Quarters; Deck 2, Mess Hall
Timeline: MD 03, 1658 hrs

[ON]

Sera paced a small living space, her arms bent at the elbows and clasped behind her back (ala Spock).

"How could he have done this?! Am I not acceptable? I am still the chosen heir! That...that he would associate with a komihn? They are so soft and weak. How could a human female survive his attentions let alone desire more it???"

She would have to be strong now. Per Viruk's woman, Sera was already cold. Strength was needed to in order to survive this world.

~~

Tumultuous and vivid visions permeated Chief Warrant Officer 3 Lamar Darius' subconscious REM sleep. Deep, innate visions which barely resembled his recent hallucinations in both intensity and fervor forced his sleeping body to splay and toss within the bed sheets while a sheen of light sweat coated his torso and legs and soaked into the mattress. He mumbled incoherently to any Human who might be present in the room, but the occasional Vulcan word escaped from his mouth devoid of context and purpose. He was having a nightmare. Or was it?

His tossings incrementally increased over the course of a quarter-hour until his eyes snapped open with a sharp inhale and panted to catch is breath. Darkness surrounded him, only punctuated by the bright nebulous forms of starlight and hydrogen and helium penetrating the large window above the bed. Where was he? Atop something soft. A bed. But not his. The scent of the room was different. More...Vulcan.

Sera, he remembered.

After her failed attempt at meditation, Sera had returned to bed to capture a few more hours of sleep, however any additional 'shuteye' alluded her. Giving up, she rose from bed and gathered an exquisitely crafted comb and the container of pins from the bathroom and returned to bed to proceed with methodically combing out and braiding the snarled tresses.

Her attention was diverted as Lamar shifted, his eyes still closed. Sera watched the human male's movements and change of breathing. He appeared to be experiencing...something. It did not appear comfortable. Was this a normal part of the human sleep cycle? His eyes opened suddenly and within a few breaths he appeared to have settled. "Lamar...are you alright? Were you..." There was a hesitation in her voice as she struggled to find the right word. "...dreaming?" I was uncertain what to do. You appeared somewhat distressed."

He blinked while his dilated pupils observed the room around him. Someone had just spoken to him. Looked over to the source to see Sera beside him, observing his form. "I, uh," he swallowed a dry lump in his throat then ran a hand over his face, "I don't know..." That was a prudent question he really didn't have the answer to. "I think I'm fine," he then added before closing his eyes again for a short moment.

Her head tilted further in a gesture of curiosity/concern. He did not know? He thought he was fine? And then he shut his eyes again? "Shall I call for medical assistance, Chief Darius?"

"Medical assis...what?" Lamar quickly became more alert and pushed himself up on his forearms. That would be a terrible idea. More embarrassing than anything else. "No, no," he mumbled with a groggy shake of his head. "I'm just feeling a little discombobulated."

"Ah. I know this word. Yes. It may be due to the meld. It should...dissipate." Key word, should. "I accept responsibility for any ongoing discomfort, but...Lamar...I did caution you." Sera looked away in guilt and worried on her lower lip with her teeth. This was all uncharted territory as far as she was concerned.

He lightly wiggled his head from side to side. Accept responsibility? "Takes two to tango." He reached out and laid a hand atop her shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I don't feel...discomfort, just weird. A little different upstairs." The exact words to describe his mental perturbation were almost impossible to articulate without context, and in his case, he had none with which to compare aside from his routine state of mind. "Do you feel any different?" he curiously inquired.

His touch of reassurance felt electric, and she leaned her head down towards the direction of hand in an automatic manner. It was a balm, in the moment. But, what a question, and how to answer him...Did she feel different? "Yes. I do." It was not logical to dissimulate, especially given...things. "I have never engaged in such behavior. It is not very Vulcan-like. I feel dis-com-bob-u-lated, also."

A nonplus frown appeared within his dark eyebrows while he shifted to sit fully upright with her bed sheets dropping from his chest to pool at his waist. Never engaged in such behavior before? "You...never had sex before?" his brain translated. "Are you-were you a virgin?" Oh no...

"No. I have never had sex with an alien before." Sera drew up, appearing rather prim and perhaps only somewhat imperious. "I do not find you to be an agreeable person at all..." None of it made sense. They had been at each other's throats, metaphorically speaking, since the moment they met. That this was the outcome...she was at a loss.

The shift in her body language conveyed to Lamar that she didn't approve of his question. As did the word 'alien'. He wasn't an alien, she was the alien. With her pointy ears and pretty face and long, beautiful hair... "I didn't mean it like that. Sorry." He wanted to kick himself again, always shoving his foot into his mouth at the most inopportune times. "I find you a little weird too, but not dis-agreeable." He presented a small, candid smile to her.

Again a subtle shift occurred. Vulcans were not automatons...at least the non-Kohlinaru...they had their own micro-expressions and gestures to convey mood and mental state. "I do not speak to elicit an apology. I am simply...trying to understand. Your behavior was antagonistic was it not? That was how it was interpreted. Is...is it how humans demonstrate sexual interest?"

"No. Not really. Sometimes." The metaphorical toes were returning to his lips. Lamar glanced around her bedroom with night-adjusted vision and spotted his clothes jumbled along the baseboard of the wall. He pulled the sheets off his nude form then stood and stretched his arms before wandering over to where they lay to retrieve them. "We're not Tellarites; every Human is different and I didn't mean to sound hostile." He turned to face her while momentarily leaning against the wall to observe her elegant features again. Don't say it, Lamar. "I think I have more than just sexual interest in you."

"Is that so? What kind of interest are we speaking of?" Unusual blue eyes tracked the human male as he got up off the bed to gather his clothing. When he turned to face her, leaning against the wall momentarily, Sera leaned back on the bed on her elbows, staring at him with her legs akimbo beneath ripples of black silk. Was he leaving? Rather conflicting sensations coursed through her at the thought.

A ripple of desire surged through him despite the latent fatigue he still felt from their heated joining session hours prior. The manner in which she laid on her mattress, so Vulcanly seductive, was almost irresistible. Almost. The soft rumbling in his stomach demanded a different sort of compensation, one which might afford him the opportunity to answer her question more...appropriately. His eyes looked to the nearby chronometer. Almost 1730. "I'll tell you over dinner. I'm hungry and I think it's Vulcan Cuisine Night in the mess hall. And since I don't know much about your people, how about introducing me to some of your food?"

Sera pushed herself off of her elbows to sit up properly. "Vulcan cuisine night. I had not heard of this." It as accompanied with a raising of her brow. He was being imminently logical, but that didn't mean part of her was slightly peeved at not taking what was offered. Nonetheless, the moment had passed. Sera stood up and walked over to where he stood. "Do you wish to go directly from here or do you need to return to your quarters first?"

The sight of her naked body approaching and caressed by the window's incoming starlight was breathtaking. His primal urge to take her again here and now threatened to consume him. Lamar stepped forward to meet her and slid one of his hands gently down the side of her torso from her armpit to her thigh. "My clothes are here. You're here." His features softened with a discreet smile while he leaned in to kiss her on the lips before they made themselves publicly presentable with garments.

Sera made a soft sub-vocal oscillation as she made physical contact with him again. Oh, the urge to take him, here, right against the wall was a siren's song that she reluctantly refused to give into. Pulling away, Sera responded, "But food is not. I shall dress." A few steps over to the replimat, and Sera obtained and donned undergarments and a pair of thermal leggings and an overlarge sweatshirt bearing the Galileo's name and designation.

It didn't take long for Lamar to retrieve his clothing and follow suit; briefs, socks, T-shirt and athletic shorts. And shoes. Those were important. He pulled his commbadge from his pocket and pinned it to his chest in case he was unexpectedly summoned for an emergency, then moved toward Sera's single exit/entry door. "Ready? I'm starving."

She had efficiently dressed herself and was currently standing in front of the mirror in restroom, working on coiling her braid up into a tightly pinned bun when Lamar's voice called out to her. "I require 36 more seconds."

The proscribed time had elapsed and Sera exited and walked over to where he was standing. "I am not...starving. However, end meal would be acceptable. I had not budgeted our...energy expenditures into my caloric requirements for the day. I am running a deficit."

Before Lamar was even able to take a step, Sera's sudden burst of movement found himself staring directly at her face as she took up a position between him the still closed quarter doors. "I am a private person...and what we engaged in was exceptionally private. My expectations are that this remains between us; a 'Silence' of sorts. Is this within your capabilities?"

It was borderline astonishing how quickly she'd been able to move and intercept him before entering the corridor. Vulcans possessed great speed and strength which was often kept under disguise until needed - and her demonstration and resolute words combined to form an intimidating display. "Yeah. Sure. Lips are sealed, ma'am."

She regarded him for a long moment before nodding once in acceptance. "I presume you mean metaphorically, yes? Otherwise I do not accept the parameters of this Silence." Sera tilted her head while she awaited an answer. The hallway outside was empty of any other crewmen for the moment. She stepped backwards and the doors hissed opened allowing the two to exit into the corridor.

"Metaphorically, yeah," he chuckled while following her out of her quarters into one of Galileo's straight passageways. "You'll have to work a lot harder to shut me up for good. I like to talk, if you haven't noticed."

"I had not. I was too consumed with deciphering your motives to have made that determination." She began walking towards the direction of the turbolift to take them to deck 2.

Following a short wait after summoning the lift and entering, the door swished closed and the interior lights began to pulse. Lamar stood in silence next to Sera for the five seconds it took for them to be deposited two decks above, then exited trailing closely behind her. The mess hall was a familiar location for all crew members and they both found themselves passing through the dining facility's slim double doors following a short walk.

The chronometer along the wall read 1728 and already present was a conglomeration of civilian scientists and NCOs mulling about while the first round of dinner service chafers were delivered from the galley. Blue and yellow-collared individuals from various species mingled with each other until the evening's specialty meal options were delivered by a very noticeable young Orion sous chef. And then the food rush commenced, with a line quickly forming when the covers were removed and the first round of Vulcan Cuisine Night was reveal in its steaming glory.

It was a curious thing...to have forgotten smells of home suddenly permeating a space aboard a Starfleet vessel. She experienced a sensation akin to longing, but had no word to name what was felt. What an unexpected novelty.

Sera walked over to the serving line that held a number of traditional Vulcan dishes crafted with varying degrees of authenticity if the visuals--and more discrete smells--were any indication. Rich, warm tones were a staple of the dishes presented; there were even the flower garnishes that lent blues and purple pops of color against the backdrop of hues that skewed towards the Autumn tones of Earth.

Lamar followed her lead and stood in line directly behind her. It was only natural to allow her to observe and inspect the offerings inspired by her home world's cuisine, but the truth was, he had no idea what any of these culinary dishes were. "So, um...what are we looking at?" he asked. "I think that one has rice...yea, definitely rice. With something. Oh! Is that other one deep fried?"

"I believe that is Pre tarmeeli...with the rice. A most unusual pairing. It is a vegetable stew, and depending on the regional variation can be quite spicy. It is normally paired with a type of noodle. The deep fried one appears to be a wheat fritter. It is seasoned in a savory manner, generally, and sometimes stuffed with a vegetable and cheese mince." Sera then gestured with her hand to one of the trays that he had not commented on. "That is Shur t'bertakk stew - it is made with a fungi quite like Earth mushrooms. The last tray...ah. Pok tar, with mollusk if the shells in the pan are not merely affectation. It was served at the banquet the other night. I found it quite palatable."

So many options. All of it strange food he'd never encountered before denoted by foreign words. Lamar wasn't the most adventurous culinary individual but he wasn't a picky eater. His stomach was still grumbling and the smells of the freshly prepared dishes enticed him. He just had trouble knowing where to start. "I, uh," He observed the different choices she'd explained to him. "...Should I try it all? Which ones have meat?"

"Of course. It would logical to sample all of the dishes provided to determine whether or not you find it palatable. Regardless, secular Vulcan society has adopted a vegetarian diet. There are very few animal products used at all. Most would tell you because it is illogical to eat the flesh of animals when the same nutrients and minerals can be found in fortified grains and plant products." Sera handed him a plate and took one for herself and placed it down on a tray and began taking portions of all of the offerings.

"...Vulcan society has adopted a vegetarian diet." Time slowed and transitioned to a deep abyss of torture not dissimilar to the entities he encountered on Cold Station 31 from another dimension. A terrible dimension. "Vege...tarian?" he repeated, suddenly remembering similar statements from his old Vulcan colleagues in the Corps. Of course, back then they'd all eaten what was available in short supply, personal desires excluded, but now...when choice existed... "Okay..." he weakly said, taking her offered plate and loading it up with appetizer-sized portions of each. When in Risa.

Sera walked down the line, finding the soups to be typical Vulcan fare as well. Plomeek...and Barkaya marak - a soup made from a peanut-like legume and was blended to a creamy bisque consistency. She obtained two small servings of it and handed the second one over to Lamar. "I do not care for Plo'meek, and the Barkaya marak will be more to your liking." How exactly she knew that...well, better keep moving.

He accepted the offering of more vegetables from her while continuing to follow her in a semi-detached state of mind. Could he order a cheeseburger afterward? Would that offend her? What if he wanted to cook bacon and eggs in her quarters in the near future? His present life had just been drastically turned upside down. "Barkaya marak. Sounds Polish," he pondered out loud.

"Your pronunciation is satisfactory." Most humans she had encountered tried--and failed--to pronounce Vulcan words in her presence...but Lamar's attempts had been more than adequate. That was rather curious, wasn't it? "Apologies. Polish? What is that?" Sera responded with a brow raise, and then segwayed momentarily, "Ameelah. Take." The small bowl was handed over, filled with small fried dough balls. "You will prefer this more than the Prusah kisan, that is, if it has been prepared in the traditional manner."

"Amy-la," he repeated the name of the unfamiliar food within the bowl which he took from her, now making both of his hands full of unfamiliar Vulcan cuisine. "Polish is an Earth language; some say it's the hardest to learn and speak and write. Nothing like Standard," he followed with a casual explanation for the foreign Earth tongue.

In response to his satisfactory pronunciation, Sera dipped her chin in a small sign of approval. "Ah. Yes. Your species is quite heterogeneous. Much of my culture is much more...uniform. Any deviations outside of proscribed norms are inherently suspect."

"What would you like to drink? A Vulcan version of mocha, Vulcan tea, Birkeen infused water...it is a sweet herb used to flavor water...from ancient times it was used mask the taste of dissolved minerals in the water. Our purification systems have advanced quite significantly since then, but it is still a pleasant taste. The last is K'vass...I have read that humans say it tastes like 'buttered rum.' However, as I have never had such a drink, I cannot speculate." Sera did not add that it was an intoxicant to Vulcan physiology. Ironic; Such temptation on a dry ship. She reached out and filled her glass with the infused water and then looked back to Lamar expectantly.

Too many choices. Too many unknowns. Tea? He wasn't a connoisseur nor did he enjoy the thick taste of the few buttered rum bar drinks he'd had to endure in his earlier years of life. "What you're having...the Beer-keen." When in Risa. With your partner. "I hope the ol' Gal isn't as bad as ancient Vulcan." Standing closely behind her in line, one of his hands purposefully and discreetly grazed the outline of her tightly formed bottom, unseen to those around them.

Sera almost dropped her tray but managed to control her hands so that only a small bobble was seen. What she couldn't control was her gasp of breath. In the instant she wasn't sure why she made such an inhalation. Was she feeling scandalized from such a touch in a public, or the sudden rush of desire the source of her sudden exhalation. Looking over her shoulder, Sera regarded Lamar and very pointedly raised a brow.

A pearly smile and wink from one of his dark brown eyes conveyed his teasing nature to her in reply. He remembered what she'd said several minutes ago - about her desire for privacy. Well, everything was private until it wasn't and how long he could control his PDA desires remained to be seen. In the meantime, however, their hands were full and they jointly moved to a vacant nearby table upon which he set his food tray and beverage. "I've never had Vulcan food before. Not the real stuff, like this," he admitted.

Sera set down her tray and took a seat, arranging herself just so before reaching out and taking a sip of the infused water. The ratio was off...it was far too sweet for her liking. Nonetheless, she surely appreciated the gesture of making popular foods of her home world. With her thirst slaked for the moment, she turned her attention to Lamar to see what he thought about the dishes...hopefully they were accurate enough and...and that he found it agreeable. Wait. Why would he opinion of Vulcan cuisine--one way or another--matter? Tastes were subjective, and this was going to be alien to him...just as it was for her after arriving on Earth.

"I am uncertain yet if these dishes are accurate representations. It would appear that both of us will engage in a mission of discovery...of sorts."

He draped a napkin across his thigh then looked across the table to her. "Only one way to find out." One of the deep fried wheat fritters raised up in his hand then was half-devoured with a prominent crunch accompanied by further chewing. Lamar's facial expression remained neutral while he processed the flavor profile of the unique seasoning and vegetable-cheese mix contained within. He spoke no words while he chewed but his rapid retrieval of a second fritter betrayed his approval.

Watching a human eat was a strangely fascinating repast. They used their hands for just about everything...it was considered crass and suggestive to eat with one's hands. So many differences...and yet - his resampling of the fritter bite was a favorable sign. Picking up her fork and knife, Sera cut the small fritter in half and took an experimental bite. It was satisfactory. Inwardly she was pleased...on both counts.

"You have taken a second bite. That is promising. The first human food I ever tried was iced cream. I did not realize it was a frozen food item. I spat it out."

He continued to chew several large morsels of his remaining fritter before swallowing a healthy chunk and bringing his napkin to his mouth to wipe his lips and fingertips. "Ice cream," he casually corrected with a now-amused expression across his features. "What'd you expect? Ice means frozen, right? Even on Vulcan? You don't like frozen foods?"

"Ah...I had never eaten anything frozen before that. I did not know what to expect. It...burned, but in a most discomfiting manner. Is that what snow feels like? Does it burn with cold where it touches your skin?" She took a spoonful of the creamed soup and her eyes widened. This...this was actually quite good. She took another quick bite and closed her eyes finding satisfaction in the taste and the warm feelings the flavor engendered.

To Be Continued...

[OFF]

--

Ensign S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor
Chief Engineer
USS Galileo-A

&

CWO3 Lamar Darius
Conn Officer
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Tarin]

RSS Feed