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 Lieutenant Faye Calloway (Mission Specialist) in Side Sim: Friends and good food -what else does one need?
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“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

“Oh, I didn’t think you would mind if I had a glass of that wine. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make this awkward or upset you,” Kiama replied, her expression apologetic. “I just don’t feel like opening the bottle just for myself and I wouldn’t drink more than a glass or two anyway, I think. And who knows when I’d actually drink the rest. So I feel like it would be best to leave it for another time.” Holding back a sigh, she hoped that her decision didn’t have any (lasting) negative effects on their mood and this evening. She could kick herself in the behind. Yet she also knew that dwelling on this wouldn’t help. So she fiddled a little with the plates and silverware instead; a little obsessively making sure that everything was perfect.

~Lt. Naim, CSO

Faye gazed at Kiama for a moment, her mood pensive. She replicated two glasses of syntheholic wine and brought over to the table. Setting them down, Faye reached out and rested a hand on Kiama’s encouraging her to stop. “It’s good enough,” she said with a warm smile. “This evening is already great. Enjoy it,” she said with a knowing wink before removing her hand.

Turning her head to look at Faye, Kiama returned the smile and nodded, “You are right of course. I’m sorry. I will enjoy this evening. In fact, I already. A lot.” As Faye moved her hand, Kiama wrapped her arms briefly around her friend and gave her the lightest peck on the cheek. “Thank you Faye.”

Each time she went moved through the actions of a hug lately, something tiny shifted inside her. Faye wasn’t sure entirely what it was but she was beginning to be able attach a word to the feeling: surrender. Surrender to the contact. Surender to the emotion. Surrender to the message that she was safe here and loved. “You’e welcome,” she said softly.

Removing lids from their dishes, the aromas wafted and melded. “Oh yes, I am glad I am hungry. This smells great!”

~Faye Calloway

“It does!” Kiama grinned and then chuckled as she heard her stomach grumble a little. After sliding gracefully onto one of the chairs, she reached for the water and filled both their glasses as she pushed the bowl of rice towards Faye.

~Lt. Naim, CSO

Accepting the rice, Faye made a small mound on the middle of her plate before setting the bowl down. The fragrant vegetable curry went on top and she passed it to Kiama. “So what else do you like making?”

~Faye Calloway

Filling her own plate with some rice and curry, Kiama replied, “When it comes to main dishes I like to make things I had as a child, but I also like to try new things when I get the chance. But it’s not terribly often that I cook these days. And I love making cakes and sweets. Lately especially those that don’t require baking as I can make them in my quarters.” She laughed softly and placed a a bit of Raita on her plate as well before pushing the bowl towards Faye. “How about you?”

~Lt. Naim, CSO

“I love making bread, but my favourite thing to make is hasperat or a really good stew. Comfort foods really,” she said also grabbing raita and naan.

“And you’d be surprised what you can make in your quarters with a little ingenuity,” Faye said with a wicked gleam in her grey-green eyes. “I actually have a functional little pizza oven I concocted when I hosted a pizza night in my quarters. Given I had invited the CMO, CE and the captain, no one said anything,” she said with a laugh. “I also learned the secret to making a mean personal pizza for Alex,” Faye said before frowning slightly and lifting her pointed index in finger. “Err, Captain Cochrane.” She didn’t know how many people knew they were actually friends or how close they were, but it was weird to talk about him so causally around someone else.

~Faye Calloway

Kiama had no idea that Faye and the Captain were friends, but somehow she wasn’t surprised. There had been something between them the other day, but she hadn’t paid any attention to it; thinking it had to do with the relief of the whole mess being resolved. Though with Faye’s casual use of his first name, Kiama had an idea that they were closer than just Captain and senior officer. A warm smile played across her face at that revelation. She was happy for her. Even though all her conversations with him had been rather brief, she always got the feeling that he was not only a good Captain, but someone to rely on, to trust completely. Everyone deserved to have people like that in their life. “A mean personal pizza for the Captain?” she asked with a wide smile and a soft laugh.

“I have been thinking about that. Building a small kitchen, I mean. But I have a feeling I wouldn’t get the permission for it. Or else all senior officers would have to be allowed to. And I don’t like to do it behind the Captain’s back. I really don’t want to get into trouble,” Kiama admitted before helping herself to a forkful of curry. ‘Yes, this had turned out really good. Another thing to be glad about,’ she thought to herself.

~Lt. Naim, CSO