“Leaving so soon, T?” Sega’a heaved a batch of monstrous blueberry biscuits from the Galley oven. “I was under the impression…” he shot her a dubious look, “…were going to hang around for tea and biscuits.”

“Oh.” T’Aria furrowed her eyebrows and consulted the nearest chronometer. “I’m afraid I do not..”

“Then take some with you!” Sega’a wore a delighted grin. “I’ll fetch you a create and you can take some to whatever fancy-schmansy meeting you’ve got lined up.” He ducked beneath the countertop. “I’m sure the folks will go wild over them! They’re a family recipe, you know?”

T’Aria’s lips parted in protest, but the chef’s incessant chatter refused her a moment to speak.

“I’ve got extra tea cups, too!” He shot his gaze over the countertop, shook his head, and returned to scrummaging. “Nah, that’s too much to carry. Ah! Here we are.” Sega’a dislodged a silicone crate from the cabinet, bouncing on his heels to transfer it to the countertop.

T’Aria stood with her hands stuck firmly behind her back. She tilted her head, watching and listening as Sega’a serenaded every biscuit with his chatter. Seconds passed before her bimbled over, crate in hand, and thrust it toward her.

“If that’s not enough, come back and I’ll give you more.” Sega’a hummed. “Anyway, I should probably let you go. You seem busy!”

“Sega’a…” T’Aria adjusted her grip about the crate, lifting her gaze to find the Orion staring expectantly at her. “…Thank you.”

“Sure thing, Commander! Let me know what they think.”

And so, it was with biscuits in hand and a vaguely amused expression on her face that T’Aria sauntered into Sickbay. She searched for somewhere to relinquish the chef’s goods, but eventually opted to approach Symar’s office. Lifting her elbow, she turned slightly to the side and pressed it to the chime.

— T’Aria, XO