Posted by Cadet Mara Oxton (Engineer) in side-sim Nine Forward

Posted by Cadet Sharah Fayth (Doctor) in side-sim Nine Forward

(snip)

The Caitian’s ears and tail flicked as his face pulled into an amused expression. “I would be absolutely delighted to tell you all about Caitian culture, just as soon as I experience any.” He gestured to the earring on his right ear, Bajoran in design. “I was orphaned toward the end of the Dominion War, and uh, I grew up with adopted parents on Bajor. The first time I saw Caitians since I was a kitten was when I got to the Academy.”

He was clearly not upset by the question, taking it all in stride.

Cadet Satyol Kastyi

“Really? You seem to have enjoyed it,” Sharah commented taking into account his amused expression. “Shall we grab a table? I know I”m going to grab food as well.”
Cadet Fayth, Doctor

Mara smiled sadly, she wasn’t sure how to handle the situation but looked up at Satyol with comfort in her eyes.

“Mind if we experience them together then? I’ll be happy to find a book on Caitian culture somewhere and read it with you?”

She then turned to Sharah and nodded, apparently in her rush to finish the book, she hadn’t actually thought of food for quite a while.

“You know… I really miss my mum making meatloaf for me back home! Maybe I can have that?”

~ Cadet Mara Oxton {Engineer}

“I’ve never tried…meatloaf? What is it? I like trying new foods,” Sharah said to Oxton. “What about you Kast? Anything in particular you like?”

Turning back to Oxton, “What other cultures have you studied? Any one in particular that you like the most?” Sharah turned to the replicator and input her order, once the tray materialized she stepped aside to let Oxton and Kast get their food.
Cadet Fayth, Doctor
Cadet Fayth, Doctor

Mara looked genuinely excited, so many questions! So many questions that she actually knew the answers to!

“Meatloaf is like a collection of different meats with onions and spices, it’s called a meatloaf because it looks like a loaf and us made out of meat!”

“That sounds intersting. I think I’ll order that and try it,” Sharah said. She always liked to try new foods. “I always thought that trying food from different species was a good way to learn about them.”

Giggling a little bit at her poor attempt at a joke, Mara thought for a second. Which one did she like the most?

“I’ve studied a lot about the different cultures and languages back on Earth. Then Vulcans, Klingons, Bajorans, Andorians… I think my favourite so far are Klingons, I like how they revolve around combat and have clans and how some choose to stray away from that path and join Starfleet. They’re quite interesting!”

She looked over to Satyol before punching a few buttons on the replicator, “Meatloaf, and caramel coffee, 2 and a half sugars!”
She had spent quite a bit of time on The Challenger now, but was still undeniably impressed at how the replicator just replicated everything.

~ Cadet Mara Oxton {Engineer}

Sharah watched the replicator and shook her head, “Anyone get the idea that we’ve tricked ourselves into believing the food is there and we’re just eating air?”
Cadet Fayth, Doctor

Mara shrugged, and began pushing her fork into the meatloaf.

“Even if we’re imagining it all, still tastes great and I ain’t gonna complain about that”

In Mara’s mind, food was food whether it was fake or not.

~ Cadet Mara Oxton

Sharah took a bite of the meatloaf taking time to savor the spices and texture of the dish. “Oh that’s really good. ” She continued eating in silence. She was horrible at conversation. She hated small talk, it didn’t reflect what people were really thinking and that frustrated her, so she avoided engaging in it.
Cadet Fayth, Doctor