Posted by Colonel Jaxon “Hawk” Hammond (Commander, Air Group (CAG)) in T’Leia’s Quarters

Posted by Lieutenant T’Leia (Chief Science Officer) in T’Leia’s Quarters

Posted by Colonel Jaxon “Hawk” Hammond (Commander, Air Group (CAG)) in T’Leia’s Quarters
Posted by… suppressed (19) by the Post Ghost! 👻
T’Leia’s shift on the bridge had ended smoothly, her mind already drifting toward the evening ahead. As she walked the corridor, she found herself considering the dinner menu she had carefully planned for her supper with Hammond. He struck her as adventurous in most matters, but when it came to food she would err on the side of diplomacy—selecting dishes that honored Vulcan tradition while remaining approachable to human tastes.

Stepping into her quarters, she went first to the refresher. The day’s routine washed away beneath warm water, and she emerged with deliberate calm to dress for the evening. Her choice of attire was thoughtful yet unassuming: a layered robe and tunic in muted sage green and deep brown, soft boots to match. Rather than her usual chignon, she left her dark hair gathered in a queue that fell gracefully down her back—an understated departure from the structured precision of her duty shift.

Her wardrobe dissolved into the background as she moved into her main living space, where her personal aesthetic spoke with clarity. The room bore the unmistakable stamp of Vulcan design: low, functional seating and smooth-lined tables, softened with earth-toned throws for both comfort and visual balance. Tapestries hung along two of the walls, each a vivid portrayal of Vulcan’s vast desert expanses. The third bore her most treasured piece—a painting of Lake Yuron at dusk. Its shimmering surface marked the meeting point of lake and desert, with the Cliffs of Surak rising watchfully nearby. A small Vulcan dwelling sat nestled against the shore, the fading light of a red sun casting everything in a glow not unlike the muted amber ambiance of her quarters.

The environment settings reflected her preference as well—air a little drier, a little warmer, reminiscent of home.

With measured intent, T’Leia crossed to a recessed niche in the wall. From within, she drew out a meditation lamp, striking a small flame and placing it carefully at the center of the table. Its steady light lent the space a sense of grounded serenity.

She then approached the replicator and began to call forth the evening’s meal. First, a Vulcan brandy, accompanied by the customary offering of fresh water—no Vulcan host would set a table without it. The appetizer was Tevmel-with-Halak, delicate flower-shaped pastries filled with fruit and crushed nuts, garnished with a bright curl of halak. The main course featured jumbo Vulcan mollusks sautéed lightly in Rhombolian butter, served with roasted Vulcan tubers and a crisp Yorakor and Tabsheel vegetable salad. For dessert, a Perach Kisan pastry, its tender crust brimming with the sweet complexity of native Vulcan fruit.

As the table filled with the evening’s fare, the setting itself began to settle into harmony—food, flame, and atmosphere carefully aligned. It was not simply a meal, but an offering, a gesture of welcome, and a glimpse of Vulcan through her eyes.

Lt. T’Leia CSO

Hammond had researched through out his day when he had a moment or two for how to even approach a first date with a vulcan. After his shift he and kilo got ready. He had not asked if Kilo would come but she seemed to like her so hopefully it would be ok. Hammond put on a nice blue tunic with the collar open, and a pair of dark trousers with a nice belt. It took him to figure out the robes, which were a plain blue as well simple was what the information had said. He decided to follow an earth tradition. He replicated a bottle of white wine, synth of course, and hoped it would go well with what ever dinner she had planned. He also replicated a small bundle of field flowers wrapped with a lace ribbon.

Hammond and Kilo walked down the halls, there were some looks by folks him in his Vulcan robes, wine and flowers in hand. Kilo took a seat when he came to the door. He checked himself quickly and then rang the chime. He was 5 minutes early.

Colonel Jaxon ‘Hawk’ Hammond
Commander 7th Marine Expeditionary Unit “Iron Valkyries” (CAG)

It took a few moments but the the door whooshed open and T’Leia stood framed just within it, dressed in her own tunic, pants and robe set in sage green and brown. Her long, straight ebony hair was pulled back into a queue down her back, tied with a matching sage green ribbon at her nape.
“Good evening, Colonel. Come in, please and welcome.” She said as she stepped back to allow him to step in.

Lt. T’Leia CSO
Hammonds breath caught a little at the sight of her, he had not expected her to be so beautiful. She was pretty in her uniform for sure but something about her in the tunic took his breath away. He swallowed a little harder than he should.

“Thank you, I brought Kilo, and wine for dinner, I hope that is ok?” he said stepping in and removing his shoes by the door. “These are for you” he said holding the flowers to her, he was nervous something that was not normal for him.

Colonel Jaxon ‘Hawk’ Hammond
Commander 7th Marine Expeditionary Unit “Iron Valkyries” (CAG)

T’Leia was a bit surprised at his gifts but assumed it might be a human custom. “Thank you, of course it is acceptable.” She accepted the wine and flowers, and looked at the flowers curiously. “Do I put these in water?” She asked seeing that the flowers were cut. She seemed at a bit of a loss, not knowing what she was to do with the flowers, or wine if it came down to that. She assumed one just opened and poured the wine but it had a strange top to it.

Lt. T’Leia CSO

Hammond smiled relieved that the gifts seem to be ok, “Kilo,” he pointed to a spot on the ground and she went circled three times then laid down with a herumph escaping her snout. “Yes we normally put them in a vase and place them on the table or on a nearby surface. ” He said noticing her look at the wine. “Its a cork, would you like me to open it?”

Colonel Jaxon ‘Hawk’ Hammond
Commander 7th Marine Expeditionary Unit “Iron Valkyries” (CAG)

“Ah. I can replicate a vase.” She said as she walked over to the replicator. “Computer, create a vase 12 inches in height, filled with water and nutrients for cut flowers. Make it in a Vulcan pottery style.” She ordered and waited for it to create it as she looked over her shoulder.

“What do you need to open the wine? Did you want to order it from the replicator?”

Lt. T’Leia CSO

Hammond had not realized she might not have a corkscrew. “Yes please, a corkscrew” he requested, and looked around the common space a little. “I love how you have decorated your room, It feels a little like Vulcan but little not all at the same time” he noted.

Colonel Jaxon ‘Hawk’ Hammond
Commander 7th Marine Expeditionary Unit “Iron Valkyries” (CAG)

T’Leia ordered the corkscrew with two additional glasses for the wine. She already had glasses on the table for the Vulcan brandy and water. They would have a lot of glasses, good thing her low table was fairly large. She picked up the corkscrew and then carried over the wine, base and glasses to the table. She set the vase in the middle near the meditation candle and set the wine and glasses down with the corkscrew near Hammond’s place. There were two low, comfortable chairs, almost like the human pillow chairs on either side of the table. She took a seat on hers after indicating Hammond his across from her.

“Thank you. I like my quarters to remind me of home when I am so far away from it. I do not get back as often as I would like.” She looked at Kilo, “Does Kilo need anything? I could replicate him something.”

Lt. T’Leia CSO

Hammond took his seat and smiled. “Oh Vulcan brandy, I love it” he said genuinely. “She is fine, she’ll come nudge us if she needs something” he said looking over at her. “Well I’m afraid my quarters is rather plain, I’m not very good at decorating I never seem to be able to translate what I see in my mind to something that actually looks good in reality. ” he noted.

Colonel Jaxon ‘Hawk’ Hammond
Commander 7th Marine Expeditionary Unit “Iron Valkyries” (CAG)

“Why do we not have the wine with the dinner and save the brandy until after dinner with dessert.” T’Leia suggested as she poured water into their glasses from a pitcher and then picked up one glass and held it in her hands as she said.

Hammond smiled. “Wine with dinner it is” he said smiling. His eyes watched her as she picked up the water and listened intently wishing he had actually study the traditions and not just the clothing.

“On Vulcan, the offering of water is considered one of the most sacred gestures of hospitality. It is more than refreshment—it symbolizes peace, welcome, and respect.
The phrase we use in the giving and accepting of the water is deeply tied to Vulcan philosophy: it reflects the paradoxical Vulcan view of logic and emotion, separateness and unity, distance and connection. By reciting it, we both affirm a temporary bond of trust and mutual respect.” She held the water between them as she recited.

“Parted from me and never parted, never and always, touching and touched.” She then held the water toward until he accepted it.

Lt. T’Leia CSO

He took hold of the water. “Parted from me and never parted, never and always, touching and touched” he repeated hoping that was what he was supposed to do, he was really enjoying himself the smile reflected clearly on his face.

Colonel Jaxon ‘Hawk’ Hammond
Commander 7th Marine Expeditionary Unit “Iron Valkyries” (CAG)

T’Leia released the glass and nodded in approval before taking a sip of her own water. Setting down the glass she picked up the dish with the appetizer which was Tevmel-with-Halak, delicate flower-shaped pastries filled with fruit and crushed nuts, garnished with a bright curl of halak.
“This is Tevmel with Halak. It is a common appetizer that we serve at special dinners.” She set some of the bite sized pastries on each of their plates.”

Lt. T’Leia CSO

Hammond smiled, then took a sip of his own water. “They look very good” he noted as she distributed them, he had warranted a special dinner that was at least a good sign. “Thank you for going to all this, for our time together” he thanked it was special to him that she took the time to think through explaining the why behind what she chose.

Colonel Jaxon ‘Hawk’ Hammond
Commander 7th Marine Expeditionary Unit “Iron Valkyries” (CAG)

T’Leia inclined her head then picked up her folk at speared one of the Tevmel, of which she took a delicate bite of.
“Do you have any special foods that you like to eat, Hammond?”

Lt. T’Leia CSO

Hammond followed her lead, he did not want to over indulge as he had heard the Vulcan’s eat slowly being mindful of what they are tasting. He took a similar controlled bite though a bit less practiced. “I’m afraid my pallet is earth simple, but I do rather enjoy this” he said happy with the flavor. His eyes smiled in thank your. “I’m excited to try what you have made it all looks amazing.” he noted.

Colonel Jaxon ‘Hawk’ Hammond
Commander 7th Marine Expeditionary Unit “Iron Valkyries” (CAG)

T’Leia nodded, not quite sure what he might mean about simple. “Tevmel is made up of Vulcan fruit, nuts and halal. All in a pastry shell, halak is a type of herb.”
She finished the Tevmel piece she was eating and picked up another. “I like the contrasting flavor with the nut and fruit.”

Lt. T’Leia CSO

“Indeed” he noted, ” you made something that i like very much, its like a little surprise in every bite ” he smiled “you are a very good baker.”

Colonel Jaxon ‘Hawk’ Hammond
Commander 7th Marine Expeditionary Unit “Iron Valkyries” (CAG)

T’Leia arched a brow, the subtle Vulcan gesture carrying the faintest ripple of amusement. Her tone was dry, measured, yet not without warmth.

“Unfortunately, I did not create these—other than to tell the replicator what to prepare. My only contribution was in describing accurately what I wished it to do. Still, I am gratified that you are enjoying them. I must admit, I experienced some trepidation in presenting a fully Vulcan menu to you.”

Hammond smiled turned a little crooked wondering if she would get the joke. “Oh no reason to be nervous, I’m really honored that you would put so much thought into our first meal together. ” he returend. “though I must admit I was nervous as well, I wanted things to go well to night. ” he finished looking at what she was setting before him.

As the last of the Tevmels was finished, she rose with her customary grace, gathering the empty plates and returning them to the replicator. With the same precise elegance, she retrieved the next course, setting before them plates of Jumbo Vulcan mollusks seared in Rhombolian butter, accompanied by roasted Vulcan tubers. A smaller dish followed—a colorful arrangement of Yorakor and Tabsheel vegetables—placed neatly between them, completing the next chapter of their meal.

Lt. T’Leia CSO

“This looks amazing” he said his eyes widened and nostrils flared at the aroma, “Is there a specific way to eat the Mollusks? ” he asked ”

Colonel Jaxon ‘Hawk’ Hammond
Commander 7th Marine Expeditionary Unit “Iron Valkyries” (CAG)

T’Leia sat down and picked up her fork, “They are not in a shell, of course because they were replicated. So just dip pieces in the butter and enjoy it.” She said picking up a bite size piece herself,—they were all bite size pieces— and she dipped it in the butter before eating it. She then sliced up her tubers into bite size pieces as well. The salad was glazed in a fragrant oil dressing which was very tasty as well.
T’Leia picked up her wine glass and took a sip, the deep red wine was a beautiful compliment to the mollusk, adding a richness of taste.

Lt. T’Leia CSO

Hammond wondered about and traditions that may go with the meal. He took a Mollusk and dipped it in the butter, the bite melted in his mouth. He too took a sip of wine the flavor adding a nice ending to the bite. Ass he cut the tubers, he spoke .”On earth we have oysters, it’s been a favorite dish for millennia, ” he paused wondering if she would want to know the lore. “Some of the properties were believed to be an aphrodisiac and they were used as such” he said with a slight laugh. “Are their similar beliefs around this dish?” he asked.

Colonel Jaxon ‘Hawk’ Hammond
Commander 7th Marine Expeditionary Unit “Iron Valkyries” (CAG)

T’Leia blinked then arched an eyebrow again though it wasn’t apparent this time what this may have denoted.
“Not as far as I am aware.” Moving on she looked at Hammond curiously. “I am curious about you,Hammond. What was your childhood like? Where were you raised?”

Lt. T’Leia CSO