Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in The Arrival of Leah Hart

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Leah Hart (Nurse Practitioner/Counseling) in The Arrival of Leah Hart

(snip)

“Nice!” she said, bobbing her head. “I mean, I was expecting a lot of adjustment when it came to my down time, but it’s nice to know there’s some socializing happening.” Leah suspected there would be no dance nights, but that was okay. She’d just have to keep it up some other way.

Rand knew a lot of people liked to socialize. It wasn’t that Rand disliked people, but she got overwhelmed a lot. She preferred her interactions small. “That’s just this week. There is always something going on, and we also have regular whole ship gatherings for holidays and such. We clear the gym and decorate. There’s music and food and dancing. Chef Gorshin always makes a special meal and dessert for people’s birthdays and anniversaries.”

She beamed but it was a softer expression. “That’s lovely.” Something about the mention of holidays made her momentarily nostalgic and maybe even a little bit sad. She was so grateful for her abuela though. She made special days like that actually something Leah wanted to participate in. Here though? It was hard to say how it would go but it did seem promising. As she often was reminded, chosen family could be more reliable and uplifting than those with whom you shared DNA.

As they stepped out of the rec room and headed over to the galley, Leah had a thought come to mind. “Um, so I’m used to an apartment setting, and my quarters will be similar, but are there restrictions on decorations?”

~Leah Hart, NP

“No,” Rand shook her head. “Well as long as it doesn’t damage the structural integrity there are no restrictions. But you are responsible for taking care of it, and setting it back to standard before you transfer out.” They entered the Galley, and it was only occupied by a few people. Directly across from the door was a long counter that operated like a buffet table. Behind it was a huge kitchen and an older male officer was puttering around, chopping, mixing, kneading, and making a mess. He was alternately humming and whistling to himself.

Hart’s mind was pulled away from decorating ideas to another space she’d likely spend quite a bit of time in.

Rand wove her way through the tables to the counter. “Gorshin.” The man paused and turned and smiled hugely. “Rand! Is it lunch already? It’s not ready.” Rand smiled, flushed a little, and shook her head. “No, it’s not. We have a new officer. Lt Hart, this is MCPO Gorshin. He’s our chef and a the ship’s best kept secret.”

“The good ones always are,” Leah said with a grin.

The man grinned, “And don’t forget it either.” He wiped his hands on a towel hanging from the tie of apron and held out a hand. “Pleasure Lt. Hart. Tell me, what’s your favorite food?”

Chef Gorshin

Leah have an enthusiastic shake in return and smiled. “Oh, well that’s a hard one. It’s a toss up between a good paella and my abuela’s alfajores. It’s a good thing I’m used to eating all sorts of foods though. I’m pretty adventurous.”

~Leah Hart, NP

“Well I certainly can’t compete with anyone’s abuela, but I think I can manage a decent paella.” Gorshin grinned, “What about desert and drink?”

Gorshin, chef

“Hands down it’s lemon meringue pie and I’m unashamedly addicted to coffee, so I drink it in all its many forms. My favourite off-duty form is an espresso martini, but there is something comforting about just a plain espresso,” she said with a grin. “Fortunately it doesn’t bother my sleep. Then again I’ve been a nurse for long enough that sleep just happens because I know that might be it for awhile,” Hart added with a light laugh.

~Leah Hart, NP