Breaking the Bread

Posted on 06/29/2020 @ 10:41pm by Captain Cian D'Anvers & Lieutenant JG Rafael de Vega

Mission: S1E3: Visit to Starbase 375
Location: USS Crazy Horse | Deck 02 | Captain's Dining Room
Timeline: Day 4 at 2000

Lieutenant Jodon Joral had made it a bit of a personal mission to get to know the crew, but that meant more than simply mingling with the Department Heads and staying atop of personnel matters, disciplinary or otherwise. He had two individuals in particular that were of utmost importance to get to know: Commander D'Anvers, Commanding Officer and the junior grade Lieutenant de Vega, Second Officer. The one his superior while the other his subordinate.

Together, this trio comprised the USS Crazy Horse's command staff. The starship ran because of them. J.J. had made arrangements to make use of the Captain's private dinning room. He was not sure if the man had even set foot in it the entirety of his comm and of the Crazy Horse. When J.J. walked in the room was as sterile as Sickbay and as inviting as waste reclamation. He ensured that the room would be prepared for an evening meal, enlisting the assistance of a materials officer.

Later that evening, after sending the invitation to the Captain and Second Officer, J.J. walked into the same room with an entirely different feel. A satin tablecloth frapped over the table, placements for the three officers, the right illumination, and mock candelabra. The materials officer had clearly gone all out. It was as though they were hosting admiralty. He was very impressed and waited for the two men to arrive as he examined the gaggle of bottles: wines and spirits from across the galaxy.

Cian had never used his private dining room; did in fact have to consult the computer as to its location. But that had been before. Now, he would take his meals here; Operations had already been notified that he would no longer be needing the kitchen Leonie had requested. He entered and stopped, surprised, at the sight that greeted him. "If its always like this," he said, "I might make it a habit to come here." His gaze made the circuit of the table and came to rest on his first officer. "Good evening."

J.J. turned to greet the man. "Good evening, Captain" he said respectfully. J.J. was a bit of a traditionalist or at least the Joral symbiont was. He followed maritime tradition in that regardless of rank the ship's CO was recognized as 'Captain' and he'd address the man as such.

"I suspected you had not used this room. It was very sparse when I came in earlier to check. They went a bit overboard tonight with the decor but it most certainly can be maintained per your request. No reason for you to replicate yourself some rubbery noodles in salty broth and dine isolated in your quarters" teased J.J. "The academy days are behind us."

His expressive features responded to the memories of bad food and long study sessions and he found himself nodding. "If the Chef could be persuaded to serve something in here every night," he said. "I'll have to remember to speak to him and I do appreciate the reminder of the good use this room can be put to."

"Hey, that is the purpose of the room" noted the First Officer. "It's your privilege as the Captain to have your own place for dining. It may be a good idea to at least use it every so often, perhaps if we have any distinguished guests aboard. Though at this rate we're more likely to be forced to make it into a kid's playroom."

"Not likely," Cian said. "This ship will be headed into an area of space known for privateers, Breen and Orion. I've done what I could to ensure the safety of the four we have aboard. They'll just have to make do with what they have. Also," he flashed a dimpled grin at his first officer, "they can't have my dining room. Now that I've found it, I'm keeping it."

Rafael was the last to arrive. He glanced at the chronometer in the corner of the padd, as the doors parted for his entrance. 'A tiempo,' the thought to himself, carelessly trudging into the private dining room. "I'm sorry gentlemen, to keep you...," he paused as he observed the thoughtful care that had been placed in the organization of the room and ambiance. "Que susto," he stated, eyes wide in surprise. "I wonder what what my wife would think if she caught me here. We haven't had a meal like this, since our daughter was born."

"Caught you," Cian asked. "An interesting choice of words." He sat in one of the chairs at the table, admiring again the elegance of settings, and thought how he would definitely take his meals here. He'd never been able to cook himself. His appreciation evident in his smile, he turned toward the ship's first officer and said, "So, what's on the menu tonight?"

"I left that up to the chef, though I believe that I saw..." said J.J. as he trailed off and retrieved it. "Ah yes. Here we go, Sir. A PaDD containing menu options. Most of it is actually grown on ship or imported as cargo. They wanted to lessen the replicated items."

"Then pick something interesting, Number One," Cian said as he poured himself a glass of water. "And one day soon, once I've had a conversation with Chef, I'll return the favor."

J.J. nodded and headed to the table to take a seat. "I'll get a little bit of everything. Meat be it synthetic or not is just not my thing" he said and gestured over to bottles. "Help yourself to the wines and spirits. I think I saw some interesting things over there."

Cian poured himself a glass of a decent Sauvignon Blanc, inhaling the aroma with his eyes closed, before returning to the table. He was surprised a bit that the kitchen was willing to go through so much effort; surprised but also a bit pleased as well.

"This is excellent," Cian said as he took a sip. "What about you, Lieutenant," addressing himself to the silent de Vega, "what are you having?"

Rafael was simply along for the ride. Such leisurely meals and settings were quite common in the European continents. It had been sometime since he had been able to enjoy such a setting with colleagues. "I'll take a little of that Sauv Blanc," he replied casually extending his glass for a pour. "I think I could get used to this gentlemen; a little taste from around the galaxy every now and then." Such meals, in Spain, centered around family and relationship building. 'We should bring this back," he quietly thought, "for Isabella now that she is older.'

Nodding, Cian rose from his seat, found the bottle and poured a glass for the Lieutenant, before returning to his own seat and the enjoyment of a better than average glass of wine. He could already see how this would work. The Chef to prepare the meals without him having to think about it; just show up and eat what was put before him. The idea had some appeal. For the moment though, he settled back, relaxed and at ease.

Before long the steward arrived and began setting out a number of serving dishes on the sideboard. He moved with a quiet efficiency that Cian could appreciate having been in a similar position once upon a time. When the steward was finished, Cian murmured his thanks and was rewarded with a quick smile. "Let us know if there's anything else you need, Sirs," he said before exiting the room.

They sat down to eat amidst pleasant conversation. It was the first time the Captain's Dining Room had seen use but it would certainly not be the last.

A Post By:

Commander Cian D'Anvers
Commanding Officer
USS Crazy Horse

and

Lieutenant Jodan Joral
First Officer
USS Crazy Horse

and

Lieutenant JG Raphael de Vega
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Crazy Horse