Posted by Ensign Oliver Loughty (Science Officer Botany & Ecology) in Side-Sim Deck 15, an unresolved question… [TAG OLIVER, RUNA]

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The scientist had been watching her as he took his own bite and swig, well more of a gulp, Oliver was suddenly feeling the wash of nerves flow over him. “Good isn’t it, I can’t take all the praise for the combination a good friend of mine is a bit of a wine connoisseur and spent years trying to teach me what goes with what. At the time I wondered why I’d ever need to know but I guess now I do.” He put the glass to his lips and took a sip this time enjoying the flavors himself.

• Oliver Loughty

Runa nodded, “It’s very good. I will leave you in charge of all menu options from now on.” Was that presumptuous? They had agreed to no cap on their dates but then she hadn’t seen him again. The holodeck had been closed for maintenance or something. He had come to help with the school’s mini arboretum. She’d enjoyed watching him with the children. He was very good with them and was an excellent teacher. She blushed, was she the reason he needed to know about wine? That’s what it sounded like, but she could be wrong. “What else did your friend tell you?”
Runa Edman

Her blushing didn’t escape Oliver keen eye but the reason behind it did, he wondered if he was doing something to cause the reaction but to him he was just eating and talking. “Well, just what wines go with what meats and how to cook a fine garlic buttered ribeye steak” He chuckled recalling all the culinary lessons he had received. “what about you? Culinary minded or more of a replicator girl?” Olly took another bite and sip of his wine.

• Oliver Loughty

Runa had just taken a bite when he asked the question. Wasn’t that how it always worked, you stuff your face and then you are asked to speak? She finished the bite and took a small sip of the wine. “Actually I love to cook. The problem is that cooking over an open fire is frowned upon on, on a star ship. We always cooked, well usually, outside on a camp fire. Mom had a large kitchen, but she preferred to be outside. Da eventually built her a brick oven outside. So I can cook over a stove, but my best dishes aren’t done justice that way.” That’s what she had planned when she’d asked him to dinner. “But when it comes to all the children, the replicator is my life line,” she laughs softly, “I’d be cooking all day otherwise. What about you? Other than garlic buttered ribeye steak, do you cook?” Runa took another bite of her lasagna.
Runa Edman

As he finished his mouthful he nodded, “Well I like cooking too. I don’t always do it though I’m afraid, either because I’m to busy with work or just to lazy. Whenever I can though I’d always try and eat out at Starbases or off-planet. I’m a sucker for home cooking” He admitted smiling as he picked up his glass and drank it, his plate was all but empty and his glass was getting there too.

• Oliver Loughty

Runa’s eyes twinkled, “If I had known you were coming, I would have cooked. I prefer it.” Oh, well that wasn’t tactful. He’d been tricked into coming hadn’t he? Well she had too, but she couldn’t quite figure Oliver out. The flowers had been his friend’s idea, and that was okay, but it also meant he hadn’t planned on seeing her. And half the time he seemed relaxed and enjoying her company, and then he looked like he couldn’t wait to leave. Her stomach churned a little with doubt. Revna would have a field day with this. Runa wasn’t usually shy. She tended to make the boys shy, at least when she was younger. Then she got older and she’d realized how childish her behavior had been. And she wasn’t really shy, but she didn’t like making others uncomfortable either. “Next time I’ll cook.” If there was a next time? Knock it off Runa. You should like your right out of college again. Take a deep breath and act your age, she berated herself internally.

She cast around for something to talk about. She thought about asking him about the Caribbean pirate program, but when their time had been cancelled for maintenance he hadn’t offered to go at a later time, so maybe he hadn’t enjoyed it as much as she did? He loved plants. She knew that from the way he talked about them when he brought the plants for the classroom. So, maybe that would be a safe topic? “The children have really loved the plants you brought us. They are a little impatient to see the seeds sprout that they planted. I caught Aubrey digging hers out of the soil and showing everyone this morning. They were fascinated by the root and stem that had popped out, but I’m afraid the poor thing won’t survive. Their little hands were too rough on the it, I believe.”

Runa finished her plate and took the last sip of her wine. “Would you like a refill or something else to drink? What about desert?”

Runa Edman

“I’d love something to finish this off, surprise me,” He said smiling and then thinking back to all the time he had avoided her, it wasn;t that he didn’t enjoy her company he loved it actually, without saying the *’its not you, it’s me” cliche it was him. Oliver just didn’t know what to say or do and he was a work-aholic. “I’d love to come back, under our own terms and try your cooking,” He said before really thinking about what he was going to say or do next as his hand reached across the table and rested gently on top of hers. “I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you lately, It’s just I’m not too great at this kind of stuff” He exclaimed sheepishly

• Oliver Loughty

Runa took the empty plates from the table contemplating a desert as she did. She settled on something lighter after the heaviness of the lasagna. She came back with two Zabaglione With Berries a homemade light custard made with egg and sweet wine and then served with raspberries and strawberries and served it with a glass of Riesling. “I’m not quite as good with the wine pairings, but I’ve had this before. I hope you like it.”

A genuine smile of delight crossed Runa’s face at his suggestion. “You are welcome to come back, any time, Oliver, and I will cook for you. Just a fair warning though, if I’m not here, I’m probably at my desk in the school room. Sometimes I loose track of time when I’m working. I get a little involved when I’m planning new projects.” She glanced at his hand on top of hers and turned her hand over palm up, in his. Though Runa no longer made it a goal to embarrass the ‘boys’ around her, she usually spoke her mind. “Really? I thought your table manners and conversation were excellent,” she teased with a slight blush. “Honestly, though, I thought maybe I had offended you by being to forward asking you to dinner.” Her genuine honesty probably reminded Oliver of someone else he knew. Still leaving her hand in his, she took a bite of her dessert.
Runa Edman