Posted by Lieutenant Commander Avik (XO) in Nine Forward - A Girl’s Got to Eat

(snip)

Given that her hands were full of the dish containing her own meal, Lia hooked her foot around one of the legs of the chair and nudged it enough for her to slide into it, finally resting the plate, glass, and utensils in front of her as she sat opposed the XO. She twirled her fork in her pasta and then neatly move the bite to her mouth, chewing methodically as she studied the XO and her hamburger. A slow sip of water later, she went for the obvious question, “are the gloves to keep your hands tidy while eating a potentially messy meal?”

Adrie, Sec

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“Yes. It has many reasons, usually to keep things clean and sterilized. Ever consider what you touch with your hands? How many others have touched the same thing and what have they touched before that? The cleanup is also much easier while not compromising the ability to manipulate the food.”

Before taking another bite of the burger, Avik gestured with it. “Take this for example. It can be eaten with a fork, but it isn’t designed for that. Could you see me trying to eat this without my gloves then trying to touch a datapad shortly after? The state of the screen would be greasy.”

Avik bit and chewed thoroughly, letting the officer absorb her logic. Then she swallowed and added. “It’s also cultural based. Some of our food requires a grip to crack open and enjoy.”

–XO, Avik, Lt. Cmdr

Lia’s nose wrinkled slightly as she contemplated the argument presented by the XO. The corners of her eyes crinkled to match briefly before the expression left her face and she focused on the burger that was the topic of their discussion. Picking up her bowl of pasta, she collected the napkin that had been stored underneath and held it up. “I find these help,” she commented, her voice remarkably unironic given how many ways the comment could be taken. Without missing a beat, she placed the napkin on her lap and stabbed a bite of the pasta with her fork, twirling it skillfully around it before leaning forward to scoop the bite into her mouth. She chewed for a few moments and then swallowed, washing the bite down with a sip of her beverage before asking, “how long have you been on board the Europa?”

Adrie, Sec