An evening with...
Posted on Thu Sep 21st, 2023 @ 6:41am by Commander Jade Troconis & Lieutenant JG Steffan Moller
2,116 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Raising the Mast
Location: Station
Timeline: Before setting off on journey
Jade was ready just a bit before 1900, her hair was brushed to a glossy sheen, minimal makeup on, just enough to highlight her natural features. Jade wore a light purple summer dress which flowed around her knees when she walked, upon her feet were a pair of black sandals, which laced up her ankles. Since she didn't quite know what sort of dinner Steffan wished them to be having, Jade opted for the dressy casual look.
A simple gold necklace with teardrop shaped amethyst, hung around her neck ending just above the v shaped neckline of her summer dress. Around her left wrist was an amethyst bracelet that had been made by her mother. So she was ready for whenever Steffan would arrive.
Steffan approached the first officers quarters with a fresh bunch of lily's in his hand. He had spent the last hour getting himself ready, he'd even shaved his stubbly face and had his hair trimmed. He had showered and changed into a casual pair of black trousers and a lemon polo shirt.
He arrived at the quarters at the designated time and pressed the door chime.
The door opened, and there stood Jade, with a smile. "Hello and oh, you brought flowers how lovely. Why don't you come on in while I find a vase to put them in." stepping back to let him in her quarters.
Jade walked over to a cupboard and opened it to locate her vase. She found one, it being made of a faceted glass, and brought it over to where she could get some water to fill it, and placed the vase upon the table where she could put the lilies in.
"Where will we be eating at?" Jade asked.
"I wasn't sure if you fancied going for a look at what McKinley Station had to offer. I've heard they have some nice eateries." The Doctor replied.
Jade checked the calendar, to see when they were going to be heading out on the Victory's maiden voyage. It looked like they would have time.
"Okay sounds like a solid plan, what sort of food place do you like to eat at? As for me, I am someone who enjoys good food." Jade giving a smile, "This includes pizza."
Steffan smiled, "Pizza sounds good, shall we?" He said before offering the Commander his arm like a true gentleman.
"Of course." linking her arm with his. He was most certainly acting like a gentleman.
They arrived at the place to where they would have pizza, Jade looking at the restaurant, and giving a smile. It was reminescent of the old pizza parlors back in the day and it smelled divine. "I think they cook the pizza in a brick oven here. I am so looking forward to that. Oh they even have a salad bar. I love it!"
A hostess came up and asked the couple. "Would you like a booth or a table to sit at?"
"A booth please." The Doctor said taking charge of the situation.
The hostess smiled and motioned for them to follow her, which they did. Steffan let Jade go first before following close behind. He let the Commander sit down first before joining her at the booth.
Passing them both a menu, the hostess then pulled out a pencil and notepad. "Can I get you something to drink while you look through the menu?"
"Ladies first." Steffan said with a warm smile.
" I would like a ginger ale please, with a couple of slices of lemon." Jade requesting.
She adjusted herself, and also remarked to Steffan "what sort of pizza do you have in mind to indulge in." giving a slight laugh.
"A whisky on the rocks, please." Steffan ordered before looking at Jade. "Probably, cheese and tomato. Pizza isn't my go to food, if I'm honest."
Jade looked at Steffan then at the waitress. "Would you come back in a few minutes?"
The waitress gave a nod, then walked away.
"Steffan, what is your go to food. What do you like to eat? Just because I mentioned pizza doesn't necessarily mean we have to have it. I do like other foods besides pizza. So... tell me what do you really want to have for dinner." placing her elbow upon the table and supporting her chin in the palm of her hand.
"I like Indian food, personally, but I'm not opposed to having Pizza though." Steffan replied. "And of course, it's ladies choice, which is fine by me."
"Well then if it is ladies choice, lets go get some Indian food. Tandoori chicken, Naan, Curry..." Jade immediately moved from the booth. "lead on my good man, lead on." flashing a smile. "I am in the mood for Samosa"
The Doctor couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in surprise. "Erm, sure but I thought you wanted Pizza?" He asked as he stood from the booth.
"It was merely a suggestion as per my not being a choosy eater when it comes to eating good food. I do take into consideration what others want to eat. Their idea of what they would like to eat, may end up sparking an even better suggestion, much like now." Jade giving a smile.
"Curry it is then. I believe there's an authentic Indian restaurant further down. Shall we?" Steffan said as he stood up and offered the Commander his arm to take.
Taking his arm Jade walked alongside Steffan, having a bit of a smile, as they left the restaurant. "What I have found is if the company that I share a meal with doesn't like what they are eating, it makes for an unpleasant date. So my recommendation is when you go out on a date, discuss the foods and share what the foods each other likes."
She perked up even more when she caught the savory scent coming from the Indian Restaurant they were heading for. "Oh that is making my mouth water." giving a light laugh.
"That does smell good." Steffan said as he took a small sniff of the air. "Come on, let's see if they have a table for us." He added with a small wink.
He led Jade to the Indian restaurant entrance, where he left her enter first.
"Good evening, madam, sir." Said the greeter, a typical Indian restaurant waiter with a white cloth dropped over his right forearm. "Table for two, yes?"
"Yes, please." The Doctor said with a smile.
"Excellent. Right this way." The waiter replied before he walked towards the seating area. "I have just the table for such a lovely couple." He added as he walked passed the various of different sized tables. He led them into the far corner. "Here we are. Nice and quiet here." He said as he pulled the chair out for the lady to sit down.
Jade took a seat, adjusting her skirt so that it wasn't bunched up beneath her. She looked around with delight at the decor of the restaurant. "I do like this much better, very lovely."
As Steffan took as sit the waiter was already handing a menu to Jade. "I'll let your look over the menu while I get your jug of water then I'll take drinks orders, OK?"
Steffan nodded as he took his own menu. "Thank you." He said before looking towards his date. "So, what takes your fancy? Anything to start?"
Having looked at the menu, Jade came up with a decision. "I will be having some Samosa as an appetizer and then for the meal, Tiki Masala along with some Naan, And a Kati roll. For dessert, Mysor Pak." one more item she wanted to have, "I will also like a tamarind ginger margarita besides the water we have."
"You read that already?" Stef said as he quickly glanced over the menu to find the foods Jade had just said.
"I am a bit of a quick reader, and those foods I just ordered, I like them." giving a light laugh. "I was glad to see them offered on the menu." Jade reaching out to take a sip of her water.
Steffan couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm for Indian food. "I'll have Onion Bhaji to start, then I'll have a chicken tikka madras with mushroom rice and bombay aloo on the side and a plain naan. Could I also have a cobra larger too please."
The server noted down both orders before taking the menu's from them and headed off to the kitchen to place the order.
"So, tell me a bit about yourself?" He asked, genuinely wanting to know more about the woman sat before him.
"What exactly would you like to know?" Jade giving a bit of a teasing smile. "When someone asks me that, it makes the mind go blank for a moment. Like a deer being caught in bright light. Oh are you referring as to something besides the vitals and medical statistics you have on record? On that note you are actually ahead in the game of getting to know me." grinning.
"Well, I suppose I know everything about you medically. Of course, patient confidentiality will be kept." Steffan replied with a warm playful smile. "But who is Jade, the beautiful first officer of the USS Victory?"
"Oh flattery, and thank you." Jade giving a light laugh. "Do I have family? Yes I do, a mother, a father. Grand parents and siblings. How about you?" Jade turning the questioning back to Steffan.
"Ma and Pa both work at the University of Munich. Ma is a professor of language and Pa is a Doctor of Science. They wanted me to follow them into teaching but I'm more of a doer than a teacher." Steffan said as their drinks arrived. He thanked the server before taking a sip of his cold beer. "I do have a younger brother, not sure what he is up too, we haven't spoken for a few years."
"Did you have a falling out with him? Or did he just get busy with life?" Jade was wondering about that. She took a drink of her beverage, as she waited for his answer.
"Seems life has gotten in the way for both of us. Every time I think about messaging him it gets to a few weeks or months later before I remember then it happens again. I'm sure he's fine, my parents haven't said otherwise." Stef replied.
"My family we are close, family is very important and we like to keep in touch. Though we do give each other space as well. Too many interferences can make things go too sour in my opinion." Jade answered.
"I agree, being too close can make things difficult. My brother and I were inseparable when we were growing up but we've just gone our separate ways." Steffan said as he thought about it. "Perhaps I should try and touch base before we depart?"
"That would be a very good idea to do." Jade remarked, with a small smile. "What made you decide to ask me out to a dinner? I am not minding it though."
"You're a beautiful lady." Steffan replied genuinely. "If I'm honest I was expecting you to say no but thought I'd ask anyway." He smiled as he looked into her eyes.
A soft chuckle from Jade. "Well, the way you had asked I found it rather clever. And definitely rather subtle, so subtle I hadn't even caught it at first. You are an interesting man, not a stuffed shirt. And this is a good way to get to know you as well, Steffan." her smile broadening. "And you are also getting to know me as well, besides my more delicate matters." teasing Steffan a little bit. "However let us eat, enjoy our food and go from there."
Jade had said goodbye to Steffan at her door, her giving him a kiss on the cheek saying, "I had a lovely time thank you." And stepped inside, the door closing behind her.
She did have a lovely time and Jade enjoyed having dinner with some pleasant company. However, her smile faded away. Tomorrow was a new day and also the ship would be heading out for who knows what will happen. Jade was going to have to really concentrate on being an XO. When it comes to romance, only time will tell. She felt that she and Steffan could be friends, but anything beyond that, Jade didn't think that it would go any further. And on that note, she prepped herself for bed, and went to sleep.
Doctor Steffan Moller
Chief Medical Officer
USS Victory
Commander Jade Troconis
Executive Officer
USS Victory
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