Posted by Lieutenant Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in Side Sim: Friends and good food -what else does one need?

Posted by Lieutenant Faye Calloway (Mission Specialist) in Side Sim: Friends and good food -what else does one need?

Posted by Lieutenant Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in Side Sim: Friends and good food -what else does one need?
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“That is … awkward,” Kiama replied while cringing a little, though also looking sympathetic. “How are feeling about it all now?” she continued gently. What she also wanted to know was who the person was she had asked to stay. But she didn’t want to prey. So she kept her curiosity in check. At least for now. And even if she’d eventually ask, she knew she wouldn’t push it, if Faye didn’t want to tell. It was something very personal after all and being rejected was always painful. Even though it seemed that the pain she felt wasn’t too strong at the moment.

“Still processing, but the awkwardness between said person and myself has been sorted out,” Faye said, almost unable to contain her smirk nor the shiver of pleasure even the memory of the other night induced. She leaned in towards Kiama and whispered. “I slept with Lieutenant Wyatt the night of the ceremony. Took celebrating to a whole new level,” she said with a throaty chuckle.

Kiama felt her jaw drop and simply stared at Faye for a moment or two. When she finally found her voice again, “Lieutenant Wyatt? I heard rumours the two of you don’t get along.” Shaking her head a little, she continued, “Sorry. I can tell you’re happy and that it was … good … right.” She stumbled a little and then laughed softly. “I’m happy for you.” With a warm smile she reached for Faye’s hand and gave it gentle squeeze.

Faye couldn’t help but laugh a little. “I’m glad it happened and it was very good,” she said with a tiny bit of glee. “But it was nothing serious and we can talk more about that later,” she said conspiratorially.

Stirring the curry again, she felt like it was almost done. Reaching for the lime juice and zest, she poured it carefully in as she continued to stir the dish slowly and methodically. “The curry needs about five more minutes, I’d say,” she commented.

~Lt. Naim, CSO

Peeking at the rice again, Faye nodded and turned off her burner. “Rice is done. Just needs to rest for a few minutes, so it’s perfect timing.”

~Faye Calloway

“Awesome!” Kiama grinned. “Do we want to eat here or go my quarters? What do you think?” she asked. Personally, she leaned towards going to her quarters as they wouldn’t have to worry about being overheard. And as much as she felt at ease on this ship, when being around the crew her upbringing still kicked in hard and she was rarely able to full relax and, as they said, let her hair down. But she was fine either way.

~Lt. Naim, CSO

“Definitely your quarters,” Faye said with a nod. “Though we better clean up before we go so Harv doesn’t come hunting us down,” she added with a grin as she started hunting through cupboards for dishes to put their meal in so they could could get it down the one deck to Naim’s quarters.

~Faye Calloway

“My quarters it is then,” Kiama grinned. “And yes, we should definitely clean up or I’ll never be allowed near this kitchen again, which would be a shame,” she added with a chuckle.

It didn’t take them long to fill everything in containers, place them in the basket (though trying to do so without Faye seeing what was in there was a bit more tricky) and clean up. After a final look around and the basket now dangling from her right arm, Kiama led the way to her quarters.

While most of the furniture and layout of the room were that of a typical senior officer’s quarter, it was obvious at first glance that Kiama had made it her own. On the wall next to the entrance door stood a bookshelf made of glass and grey metal. There were several actual books in there, but also photos and various objects. Non of which seemed to go together. There was a piece of red rock, the model of a brain, a delicate glass vase, something that might be some sort of animal made of clay, an antique clock. The photos showed different people. Couple with a much younger Kiama. An older woman with the same dark complexion and a very stern expression. A photo each of her graduation from the University of Betazed and Starfleet Academy. One that looked fairly recent of herself with an auburn haired woman about 10 years older than Kiama. There were a few plants throughout the room, all of which looked a little sad for one reason or another. One of the standard armchairs had been been replaced by scarlet winged chair with matching foot rest and a fluffy, navy blue blanket thrown a little carelessly over it’s back. There were a couple of pillows on the couch, matching the winged chair and blanket in colour, though not in shade. And the wall next the door to her bedroom was adorned with a large photograph of a beach on a stormy day with beams of sunshine breaking through the thick cloud cover.

Setting stuff down, Faye took a moment to wander the space and peer at the photos. It was always interesting to get a glimpse into someone else’s life and she had always envied people their freeness in offering. After all, even if the intention was solely for oneself, you didn’t put things on display without being okay that someone might see them. Sentimental though she might be, Faye had few objects she valued enough to drag along with her through her life and there were no pictures she displayed.

Pulling two plates, glasses and cutlery out of small dresser next to the dinning table that had what looked like a traditional Betazoid gong on it, Kiama asked, “What would you like to drink? I have a bottle of real Rosé wine or anything the replicator has to offer.”

~Lt. Naim, CSO

“Syntheholic rosé from the replicator suits me just fine,” Faye replied as she came back to the table and starting unpacking the food she had carried down. “Want me to grab a pitcher of water to share?”

~Faye Calloway

“A pitcher of water would be nice. Thank you,” Kiama replied as she finished setting the table and placing serving spoons in the bowls; pondering whether she wanted to open the bottle if it was just her drinking from it. She hadn’t had a real glass of wine in ages. Yet drinking alone felt awkward. And after such along time without having had any alcohol, she wasn’t entirely sure how she would handle it. So keeping it for another time might be the better idea.

Faye moved over and a moment later carried a pitcher of cold water to the table.

Walking over to the bookshelf, she took down a candle holder with a long, ivory coloured candle. “You know what, I’ll join you with the syntheholic Rosé,” she said with a smile as she lit the candle. “Do you need a hand?”

~Lt. Naim, CSO

Calloway cast a look Kiama’s way, her brows slightly knit together. “Don’t feel like you can’t drink because I’m not. Do what you want. I promise it’s fine with me either way.” Just because Faye was rebuilding her boundaries when it came to alcohol, didn’t mean people had to refrain in her presence. And she at least was beginning to understand the other woman’s sense of propriety and how it had been constructed through her family and their sense of what was ‘correct’.

~Faye Calloway