Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in Lounge - Icebreakers and Appetisers (TAG Kiama)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Namid Argimeau (Scientific Intelligence Officer) in Lounge - Icebreakers and Appetisers (TAG Kiama)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in Lounge - Icebreakers and Appetisers (TAG Kiama)
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Her question tempered them with nostalgia. Crabcakes by a dying flame, fresh salmon from the nearby waters, and stew whenever the cold crept in. For a moment, they contemplated her question.

“My family loved to cook,” they smiled, “sometimes my Ma drew from Andorian culture or Trill; other times, she stuck close to home. But I do recall stew, fresh fish and game, and seemingly endless loaves of bread.” They chuckled. “So, how about three sisters stew? It’s corn, squash and beans with a protein of your choice. Simple, but hearty and great for a chilly Autumn day.”

Her smile softened as Kiama sensed Namid’s emotions. “That sounds delicious and as far the protein goes … maybe some chicken?” she pondered.

“I cannot say we’ve used chicken before,” they wrinkled their nose, somewhat amazed by the thought. “But that’s even more a reason to give it a try!”

A few minutes later, they posed the same question: “Would you mind choosing something special to you for me to try?”

— Namid Argimeau, scientific intel

“Of course,” Kiama nodded and then it was her turn to become pensive and a little nostalgic even as she thought of the countless hours she had spend in the kitchen with Reenan. After a few moments she said, “I’d suggest the hearty pie Reenan often made in the colder months. It has a flaky crust and is filled with different vegetables from Betazed. Including something that is very similar to potatoes. It also has some ground meat in it. And the whole filling is mixed with a rich, creamy sauce. Does that sound like something you’d like?”

~Lt. Naim, CSO

Namid was simple in matters of telepathy, but it didn’t take profound emapthy to appreciate the flicker of nostalgia passing through her features. And when the words fell from her tongue, they could’ve sworn they felt the sentiment behind them. It left them wondering who Reenan was and what other fond memories they shared. But, they swept the thought away in favour for Reenan’s creamy, pot-pie sounding dish.

“Reenan’s pie sounds divine,” their stomach rumbled at the thought of it. “Shall we get these replicated an dig in?”

— Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel

“Yes,” Kiama nodded and laughed softly, her nose wrinkling slightly as she did. Turning towards the replicator she ordered the pie for Namid and a glass of sparkling water with a little rhubarb juice for herself. She then took a step away so that Namid could order the stew and something to drink for themself.

Namid hummed, securing both Kiama’s stew and a cup of Tumeric hot chocolate. They meandered forward, curling their fingers around the tray’s edges, and turned to Kiama. “Ready when you are,” they nodded.

Once they both had the trays in hand, Kiama led the way back to their table where she sat the plate down in front of Namid’s chair and the glass in front of her own. After putting the tray aside, she settled back down; automatically and as always with prefect posture.

Namid followed suit and relinquished the tray onto Kiama’s before moving to take a seat. When they settled, it was with a similar poise infected by years of artistic neglect. But their wavering posture couldn’t shake the endearing smile plastered to their dark lips. Instead, it fueled it with a comical reminder of what life had been like before Starfleet.

“What is your favourite place you have ever been to? And where would you like to go you haven’t been to yet,” Kiama asked curiously as she raised her glass and took a sip.

~Lt. Naim, CSO

“Hvanthe II,” Namid hummed after a second’s deliberation. “Not many people live there, mostly farmers and merchants, but the community bustles with life. Markets, seasonal festivities, events for just about everything — it’s a neat colony.” They closed their eyes, drumming tattooed fingers against the table in thought. “My father and I spent a couple of months there. While he rehearsed and did his actorly thing, I explored. I’m not sure whether it was my ten-year-old charm or the colonists’ pity that awarded me fresh fruit and countless stories; but, some of my best memories were born there.”

Namid eyed the mug, a sentimental smile flickering across their lips. “Including this. My father worked late one night, and I was the kind of child who refused to go to sleep alone. Y’know… monsters and all.” They chuckled. “So, I pulled on my slippers and went to visit one of the elders, a woman I’d come to know as ‘Big M’. She convinced me that this drink – ‘elixir’, she called it – would protect me from all the things that went bump in the night. Of course, I believed her.” They took a sip of their ‘elixir’ and smiled. “Maybe a part of me still does.”

“Anyway, Hvanthe II for favourite place and…” they clicked their tongue in a failed attempt to subdue their blush “…I wouldn’t mind visiting the Tenaran Ice Cliffs on Trill or Mount Tar’Hana on Vulcan.”

“Why those two places?” Kiama asked curiously.

“They’re magnficent,” Namid smiled. “Not just for their features, but their significance to Trill and Vulcan cultures. They’re not sacred in the same way as the Caves of Mak’ala or Mount Selaya, but they are windows into their peoples’ soul. And I find that…” they shook their head without a proper word to describe the feeling “…remarkable.”

“Now that I’ve rambled your ear off,” Namid grinned. “What is your favourite place? And where would you like to visit?”

— Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel

While Namid had talked, Kiama had listened attentively, her eyes never leaving her new friend’s face. At the same time she had managed to start on the stew and not make a mess of things. Reaching for Naimd’s hand with her free one, she gave it a gentle squeeze and said, “You haven’t. I could listen to you talk forever, I think.” As blood rushed to her cheeks as well, Kiama felt suddenly a little shy and dropped her gaze.

Namid’s gaze drifted to their fingers, their cheeks ravaged by a roseate flame. Though a trace of bashfulness betrayed them, Ami didn’t pull away. They instead coaxed their free hand from their lap and gave hers a hearty squeeze. After a moment, they hummed, “likewise.”

“Uhm,” Kiama laughed softly and shook her head. “To answer your question: I think my favourite place right now is this ship,” she admitted, suddenly turning a solemnly. “It hasn’t always, but now it really feels like home and … like I belong. Like family. I haven’t felt like in a very long time.”

“As for where I’d want to visit: That list is endless,” Kiama chuckled. “Most of the Federation member worlds are on that list plus numerous other places. But on the top is probably Xahea. I’ve only seen it photographs and read about it, but it seems like an absolutely fascinating place. And the connection Xaheans have to their planet … it blows my mind and I’d love to study that.” Her black eyes sparkled with excitement as she thought about that.

~Lt. Naim, CSO

Namid absorbed Kiama’s words with notes of intrigue and warmth. They hadn’t commented when Kiama discussed her relationship to Manhattan and her crew, but the fleeting concern that melted into compassion spoke volumes they could never reach. Without realising it, their smile spread to the corners of their face, shedding its impish glint for harmony.

“The Xahean’s connection to their planet is… unfathomable and beautiful. I could only imagine experiencing it first hand,” Namid lowered their spoon, having spent several minutes trying to avoid splatters of cream on their uniform. Noticing the excitement gracing her eyes at the prospect of research, another question fluttered into their mind: “When are you happiest?”

— Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel