Posted by Chief Petty Officer Sam Nazarian (Host of Florence’s) in Gamma Tiltium IV- Tropical Chemistry

Posted by Lieutenant Navale Huzzen (Engineer) in Gamma Tiltium IV- Tropical Chemistry

Posted by Chief Petty Officer Sam Nazarian (Host of Florence’s) in Gamma Tiltium IV- Tropical Chemistry
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

As they came closer to the small bay, there was an obvious dock jutting out into the water. The dock led to a small sandy beach in front what seemed to be more of the jungle. The sun was still slowly sinking but it looked like they would have a little while yet before it was truly dusk.

The boat slowed and came to a stop alongside the dock and boat slip. Sam rose, seeming at ease with the slight sway of the water. The dock was floating but it was well anchored so it wouldn’t shift position even as it had enough give to allow for tides. Sam smiled at Navale as Ridley hopped onto the dock and tied the boat. “Welcome to the Cas’suan Marine Preserve,” Nazarian said with a grin. “Visitors are allowed, but there are lots of restrictions. However, having a meal on the beach is perfectly allowed so long as we take everything with us and don’t alter the area by creating a fire pit and what not.”

Navale turned her attention to Sam, away from the beach. “Well that’s as it should be. I used to go hiking at the Academy, and I had a guide. His rule was take nothing but memories and leave nothing but for prints.”

Sam stepped one foot up onto the dock, leaving his other on the stairs, and then offered her a hand. “Here, it’s not swaying much but there’s a little give on the dock. Just go slowly and don’t make any large sudden movements.”

~Sam, Host of Florence’s

Navale was not as steady as Sam with the boat and dock rocking. She gladly took Sam’s, grateful for the assistance. “So I shouldn’t dance or somersault my way to the beach?” She asked with a teasing glint in her eye.

“I mean, depending on your skill you could backflip the whole way, but I can’t help you with the running start,” Sam quipped.

The sway and rock wasn’t too bad, it was the slipperiness from the water that was dangerous. It was a bit like a cat walk, and Navale made it to the beach with no problem.

Lt. Huzzen, Engineer

Ridley set things on the dock and soon Sam was joining Navale with a medium sized cooler , a small backpack, and a large open tote. As his feet touched the sand, he just stared a moment at her before smiling and moving along the sand, careful of his step. “Dinner awaits,” was all he said.

About ten meters from the dock, Sam stopped and set down the cooler and then pulled out a rolled item from the tote. Undoing the velcro strap that secured it, Sam unfurled a water-resistant-backed blanket that was easily big enough for the two of them to stretch out on. “Any concerns or objections to dining on the beach before I start pulling out more stuff?” he asked, though his tone was teasing, almost as if he already knew the answer.

~Sam, Host of Florence’s

Navale wasted no time in sinking onto the blanket. “No objections. I do have a question, though,” she looked up at him, “Are you defending me and our meal from curious crabs and sea birds pr am I? Because I came unarmed.”

Lt. Huzzen, Engineer

Sam held up a finger. “Ahhh! Don’t you worry my dear, I am fully prepared to ward off those that might want to intrude upon our evening. Including the bugs you didn’t’ inquire about,” he said with a wink.

“Oh my Kasala. There are giant bugs??” Navale whipped her head around scanning the jungle. She didn’t look scared, but rather intrigued. Unless they flew. Flying bugs freaked her out.

Sam tried to stifle the smirk but wasn’t entirely successful, though he didn’t add any further clarification.

Using his toes to pry off the opposite shoe, he stepped onto the blanket with barefeet and set down the rest of his baggage. The backpack was unzipped before them and inside was a set of dinnerware, including wine and water glasses, and linens. From the tote he pulled out a wooden item and, after unfolding it and locking it in place, flipped out some legs and set it in the middle- an impromptu table. “Why don’t you set the table for us while I get other things set up?”

“Oh, your going to let me help?” She winked at him and dug into the bag. She found a small cloth that worked as a table cloth. She found linen napkins and a selection of cutlery. She laid that out with the glasses and then folded the napkins into linen origami fish and set them to the side of the small table.

He flashed her a grin. “Well, it does seem only fair. But I promise I won’t make you wash the dishes after.”

Navale laughed, “My mom and I had a deal. Whoever didn’t cook, washed. So I’m happy to help.”

Sam pulled out four small cylindrical objects and with each he pressed a little bottom and a spike popped out. He drove each into the sand a small distance from the corners of the blanket and then lit a small wick. Heat and insect repellant in one.

“Now, I brought a couple options, so we can go with whatever you feel like, but I have a chilled sparkling wine as well as a non-alcoholic punch. Plus water. What are you feeling like this evening?”

~Sam, Host of Florence’s

“Mmmm. Well let’s start with the punch, then we can move to the sparkling wine. Or, I can go with your advice, since I already know when it comes to food, I would be sorely mistaken to ignore it.”

Lt. Huzzen, Engineer

“Punch it is!” he said, stooping to open the cooler. He pulled out a tall thermos and set it next to the table, letting it lean against the side.

“So, we’re not having as many courses as we did the other night, but hopefully, this meal will be just as interesting.” Sam knelt and pulled a small container out and held out a tiny vase with a single green orchid. “And in keeping with the theme, it seemed such a shame not to to have flowers on the table, especially given the tropicalness of the locale.” He gazed over at her and for a moment just watched how the light from the torches played in her eyes.

~Sam, Host of Florence’s

Navale took the small vase and sniffed the flower. “It’s lovely. Is this a local flower, or did this come from Ogawa’s arboretum?” Wine, flowers, picnic, on a beach, at sunset. Sam was really pulling out the stops.

“Local, but I can’t guarantee it was grown here. There’s a flower seller that comes around the resort a couple times a week. I got it from her on a recommendation from a friend,” Sam said.

“Oh? Well tell your friend it was a good choice,” Navale said before tipping her head to sniff the flower again.

“Well I will admit I was stuffed last time, but it was very worth it.” She placed the orchid on their small table. “I am sure whatever you planned will be delicious.” Navale caught his gaze and held it for a moment.

Lt. Huzzen, Engineer

He grinned, holding her gaze for a moment before he opened the thermos and poured them some punch. It was a vibrant red colour but smelled faintly of citrus and pineapple.

Reaching into the cooler, he pulled out another container. “So, last time I gave you coconut shrimp. A beach dinner almost requires seafood, so I thought I’d play off another old favourite.” He opened the container and used to fork to lift a modest-sized, disc-shaped breaded object. “It’s a crab cake. Fresh, local crab with lemon, a touch of dijon mustard, tarragon and a bit of green onion.”

“Mmm, well it smells delicious, I can’t wait to try it.” Navale gazed at him for a long moment. He didn’t order this. He cooked and packed it himself. That was, in her opinion, the sweetest thing ever.

He lifted his punch glass. “So, what should we toast to?”

~Sam, Host of Florence’s

Navale lifted her glass and swirled the punch just a little. “Hmmmm,” she gazed back at him, her eyes dancing over a flirtatious smile, “How about to shared adventures.”

Lt. Huzzen, Engineer