Posted by Civilian Sair Songz (Counselor) in Officer’s Mess- Dinner with the Captain

Posted by Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Officer’s Mess- Dinner with the Captain

Posted by Civilian Sair Songz (Counselor) in Officer’s Mess- Dinner with the Captain
“You look fine! Stop fussing,” Kel said, shaking her head.

“It’s dinner with the Captain, it’s a big deal,” Sair said, finger combing her newly dyed hair. The lilac had faded quite a bit and she needed a better pop, so she’d gone with a slightly more pink tone that suited her naturally blond hair. Her hair was also fairly short and exceptionally straight so there was only so much she could do with it.

Kel came to stand behind Sair, already dressed in wide legged black pants, a semi-sheer black tunic and a black and gold coloured wrap that was wrapped over one shoulder and around her body. One version of Kobliad formal wear. Resting her hands on Sair’s shoulder, she kissed her daughter’s cheek. “You’re nervous because he wants me there too. But we can tell him we talked and that we have an understanding.”

Songz grumbled. “It’s not fair.”

“I know sweetheart, but it is life and you and I have been in deep in this battle a long time. I’m okay with this. I know you’re not, but we always knew this was how it might go, even when you left for the exchange program the first time. I’m just glad we got to have this time with you. And your father will come out and visit himself when it’s time, if you’re still okay with it.”

Sair turned. “Of course.” She inhaled a deep breath to steady herself. “I understand reality, but don’t ask me to be okay with it. I can accept but that’s as far as I can go right now.”

Kel leaned her head against her daughter’s. “I love you and Koro with everything I am. Come on, go get dressed before we’re late.”

---

Before she had gotten ready for their dinner Sair had taken Koro to the childcare centre and sat in the room while he explored and met the other children. Then she let him know she would be gone for a bit and back to put him to bed. She hung out a little bit longer outside the room until she was certain he was okay with her leaving. Go figure, Koro hadn’t even fussed. Her child was exceptionally amenable to situations- he just went with things.

Sair was in a similar silky suit but hers was in a vibrant magenta wth black embroidery along the edges of the wrap, which crossed her body in an X in the front and the ends fell over her right hip, pinned together with a silver and pink jewelled clasp.

They reached the Officer’s Mess and Sair stopped abruptly, her body tensing.

“What is it about this place that makes you so uncomfortable?” Kel said.

“Words matter. This is an Officer’s dining space. I am not a Starfleet officer and it just feels… wrong.”

Kel smiled. “But the Captain is an officer.”

Sair glanced at her mother. “Yes, and that is the only reason I agreed to it,” she said before stepping through the doors for the very first time. Her mother followed.

~Sair & Kel Songz

The room was pleasant and open with tables throughout, some occupied and some not. There were people in uniform and in plain clothes. Some were alone, some with friends… some obviously on dates. The door into the Mess was at the interior side of the room, away from the hull and the large windows at the far side. It was here that table had been set and single figure sat and looked out the window. As the Songz women entered, Cochrane stood and smiled and waved them over. He was wearing a dark gray, almost black, suit with a pale blue shirt beneath, unbuttoned at the top with no tie and black polished leather shoes.

As they approached, he said “Good evening, ladies. And might I say that you both look positively amazing. I should have worn a tie.” and he smiled and pulled out the chair for Kel first, then Sair. A few of the people in the room watched and whispered. Cochrane sat after the ladies and then sighed. “Scuttlebutt… the lifeblood of any ship’s crew. By this time tomorrow, I will probably be engaged to one or both of you.” and he shook his head but grinned slightly. “And that will be the tamer of the stories, I’m sure.”

Cochrane, CO

Sair laughed openly. “I can imagine. The rumour cycle at a hospital is no different, trust me.”

“Yes, but I didn’t go out my way to encourage it either,” Kel said, a gleam in her brown eyes.

“Hey! You make it sound like I did it on purpose,” Said said, clearly not miffed at her mother’s teasing and she shook her head and smiled. “But in any case, you do look rather dashing yourself, Captain.” And he did. Cochrane was a good looking man to begin with, but there was something slightly different in his demeanour that Sair guessed had to do with being out of uniform. She herself had relaxed a bit too, though the laughing had helped with that a lot. She still felt rather awkward being in this space, even if she had bene specifically invited.

~Sair & Kel Songz

“That sounds like a story. Do tell.” Cochrane said with a twinkle in his eye. At that moment a server appeared and filled wine glasses with an amber liquid that seemed to have multicolor motes of light dancing inside it as the liquid moved in the glass. “I hope you don’t mind, I had the wine ready. Antarian Gem wine. It was a gift from a freighter captain we assisted a few months ago. If you’d like something else, just ask and I’m sure Chef Harv can get it for you.”

Cochrane, CO