Breakfast

Posted on Sun Aug 8th, 2021 @ 9:19am by Lieutenant Commander Yivliph Ra-Gruvloveii & Lieutenant Amanda Rose
Edited on on Tue Aug 17th, 2021 @ 3:31am

3,406 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Out of Time
Location: Amanda Rose's Quarters
Timeline: Backpost

The away team mission had ended. Yiv went his way and Amanda went hers. Work had to be done and she was a Starfleet Officer, so she was going to do it. Sure, she could be brave but she felt like she did it for others and not herself.

Thinking about the away mission, she had to wonder how reckless the XO had been. Was all of her actions warranted? True, they would not have found out to the greatest extent what they were up against but in the end, they nearly got captured and for what? Such thoughts made it difficult to fall asleep. However, the secret smile that she shared with Yiv comforted her. Thinking about that helped sleep come.

The next morning, she was tired. However, it was nothing that coffee would not cure. She ordered some from her replicator when she had a sudden thought, I went to Yiv's place. Perhaps I should invite him to mine? Smiling, she hit her commbadge and asked, =^= Lieutenant Ra-Gruvloveli, this is Counselor Rose. Would you join me in my quarters?=^= Ohmigod! NO! That's not what I meant =^= For a continental breakfast before duty. =^= Phew! Saved that!

'Counselor Rose,' Yiv's voice crackled over the comm link, smile evident in his tone. 'Sounds good - will I need to dress up if the breakfast proves as formal as the invitation?' He was thrilled that they happened to serve the same duty shift this rotation. He himself had yet to get out of bed, the comedown from the excitement of the Away Mission having hit him hard. Stretching, he got himself in a seated position, and brushed the errant strands of his moustache, 'give me ten and I'll be right over?'

=^=No need to dress!=^= Amanda blushed furiously at the innuendo that she did not believe was intended. =^= Just come as you are. It is just informal. =^= She blushed harder. =^= I mean, don't make a fuss, alright? Ten minutes will be fine. =^= What in the world is wrong with me?

'I, uh, I don't think Security will be happy if I come as I am, Counsellor,' replied Yiv with amusement in his voice, 'I'll be there in a minute now.' The Efrosian hopped out of bed, and sprang lightly to his morning routine of sonic shower, beard brushing and dressing. He was more than ten minutes of course, but you had t get the eyebrows just right, otherwise what was the point? He made his way down the corridors of the ship at a quickstep, making sure he was only fashionably late instead of rude.

He chimed the door.

The thought of Yiv being naked made the Counselor feel more than a little warm. She was glad that it was going to take Yiv a bit of time to get himself appropriate attire because it gave her a few moments to calm her nerves and maybe even clean her quarters a bit.

By the time that Amanda had heard the chime, she had cleaned enough to make herself and her quarters presentable. On a small table was a small vase with a single pink carnation in some water. Her heart started to beat a little faster as she met Yiv at the door. "Hi!" was all that she could utter with a stupid grin on her face as she met Yiv at the door.

'Well good morning,' replied Yiv with an easy smile. Standing in the corridor just short of the threshold he asked, 'to what do I owe this particular pleasure, Counselor?' As he caught the colour of her eyes and the curve of her lips as she smiled, something stirred within the Efrosian. Somehow, I have to have her, he thought, almost forgetting that Percy wanted her for himself.

"Um, well, I was just thinking about the shuttle," she paused and then said, "I mean not the shuttle, but that you had introduced me to your quarters but I had not yet had you to mine." She started to feel much more hot and her face gathered a pink color. Why don't you just throw yourself at him, Amanda? Oh, my God! Get yourself together!

"Um, won't you come in?" she finally asked, realizing he was still at the threshold. She moved to one side of the door, not sure of what she should say or do next.

'Of course,' Yiv flashed a smile, stepped through the threshold and glanced about, standing in the middle of the room, wringing his hands nervously. His attention settled on the pink carnation in the vase. 'Hey is that real?' he asked with interest, 'can I have a look?'

"It is real. It is picked from the Arboretum, but it is real." God, I sound so stupid. "Feel free to look at anything that you would like." Her cheeks tinged pink again. Really, Amanda? What has gotten into you?

Teasingly, Yiv's eyes flicked towards the bedroom compartment of an officer's standard quarters, 'anything?, he asked with smile, before moving to the carnation. 'It's a remarkable flower, well grown,' he looked at her, 'you have good taste. The person who gave it to you must think highly of you.'

Amanda giggled at Yiv's glance but returned back to more polite conversation. "Well, I don't think very highly of myself, but I like to have some pretty things in my quarters. Starfleet standard quarters are so sterile." She pointed to her walls where there were numerous art works. Most were of landscapes but there were a couple of Monet replicas. The overwhelming theme of Amanda's quarters seemed to be in various hues of reds, pinks, and purples.

She gestured to Yiv to sit at the table. "Can I replicate something for you?"

'Some tea? Maybe a danish? I've developed quite the taste for them over the years,' Yiv said with a smile as he looked around the room. 'That's an Earth artist, right?' he pointed at the Monet, before carrying on looking about the room. 'Your quarters are certainly not sterile, Amanda. In fact, I'd say you have a good eye.' He pointed at his eyes, 'even with a pair of Efrosian eyes I can tell you've marred everything together well.'

"Well," Amanda replied with a slight blush at Yiv's compliments. "I mean, the quarters are sterile until you dress them up. I'm hoping that I have a reason and ability to stay here for some time." She looked away from Yiv to avoid blushing harder and looked at the Monet. "But you know how Starfleet is. We could be anywhere tomorrow. This, though," she said pointing at the painting, "is Monet, and yes, he is an Earth artist. He's quite famous for impressionism and his landscape paintings. I have always felt that bringing nature onto a ship makes the ship feel more, um, homey."

Moving to the replicator, she asked, Yiv, "Is there a particular tea that you enjoy? Or danish?"

'Any tea is good, Counsellor. But a Danish with cinnamon and raisins would hit the spot,' Yiv smiled. 'And yes, the Monet does bring a dash of life. Don't have to tell you how I feel about plant life and starships.' He processed the comment about reason and ability required to stay, but said nothing for now. 'Is he your favourite artist?'

Laughing at being addressed as Counselor in her own quarters, she said, "Oh, my, Yiv! Please call me Amanda. There's no reason to be formal, let alone here." She looked at Yiv, with a pleased smile and said, "Monet is definitely one of my favorites. I'm rather fond of Georgia O'Keeffe, as well. I am not so attached to artists but how they make me feel."

Turning her back on Yiv, she consciously tried to slim her backside while she told the replicator, "Computer, two danishes with cinnamon and raisins, light raisins on one. Also, a kettle of apple cinnamon tea, hot, with two glasses." All of the food appeared. Amanda carried over the two plates of danish, putting the light raisins by her seat and placing the other in front of Yiv. She then walked back for the tea. Placing the two tea cups on top of each other in her left hand, she walked slowly and steadily towards the table. She placed the kettle in the center of the table, but in doing so, one of the empty tea cups tumbled into Yiv's lap.

Amanda gasped. "Are you OK? Did it break?"

The cup tumbled into his lap, and fell through his legs as he made a ham-fisted lunge for it, clutching at air, and thumping his forehead into the table as he scrabbled at it. As it settled on the floor, he picked it up sheepishly, before inspecting it.

'No damage done, Amanda,' he said with a slight smile, 'the greatest damage is a bruised ego.'

"I'm such a klutz. I'm sorry," she replied sheepishly. "Maybe I can pour the tea better than I can hand out cups...unless you think it is better that you handle that?"

He shook his head, not wanting to damage her confidence further. 'No, not at all. I'm sure you're perfectly capable,' he said with a kind smile. 'Accidents happen, and this wasn't a major one. I've lost count of the times I've brushed past a glass or vase and knocked it over.'

"You were keeping score?" Amanda asked with a small chuckle. She took the tea kettle and gestured for Yiv to put his cup out so that she could pour for him.

He chuckled, ''not quite.' Yiv put his cup out to the center of the table, waiting expectantly. Looking up at Amanda it struck him she was incredibly pretty. But then ... Percy had an interest in her. 'So, settling in on the ship well?' He asked lamely.

"I am," she replied. "But, I've been rather busy with all of the mandatory psych evals. I'm rather hoping to get through those soon, so I can have more free time to spend with people." She poured the tea into Yiv's cup, and smiled warmly, as she did so. She then turned to her own and started pouring tea in it as she continued, "I'm not much for the larger groups, but these one on one meetings are rather nice. I bet that sounds strange, a counselor who prefers not to be in group settings."

'Not at all. Everyone is different. Some prefer the superficiality of larger gatherings,' Yiv pointed out with a smile. His smile grew sly, 'besides in group settings people's guard is more likely to be down, and they let slip this and that piece of information.'

"Maybe for you. However, I have never seemed to have that problem. People have generally found it easy to talk to me and in a one on one or small group setting, that's not a problem for me. When it gets larger, well, I tend to get very quiet."

'It's not for everyone,' Yiv repeated gently, 'and I was talking in my own work context.' He looked at her for a moment before saying, 'I'm really not surprised that people find you easy to talk to. There's something disarming about you and your attitude ... it invites a secure feeling. I'm sure you even have Tellarites eating out of the palm of your hand.'

Amanda laughed at that. "Not at all," she insisted. "And they can be quite troublesome to counsel, especially for me. I really don't like to argue."

'Isn't it necessary? Culturally, they love,' Yiv winced as he realised he was talking a lot of shop. 'Sorry. We should probably move on to talk about other things than work.'

"I don't really know that it was about work, but I'm happy to talk about anything." She sampled her danish. "Did I replicate you a decent danish?" she asked realizing with horror that she just talked while shoving a bite full of danish over to the side, puffing out her cheek.

Yiv chuckled at the sight. He didn't think Amanda appreciated how cute she was. 'Yes the danish is very pleasant,' he said as he took a bite. 'Almost as pleasant as the company.' Taking a sip of the coffee he nodded, 'the drink is great too.' Looking around the main room he saw that there wasn't much he hadn't spotted when he came in. 'Do you like to read?'

Amanda started to feel much warmer when Yiv mentioned that the company was pleasant. Her cheeks started to pinken. "I do like reading. I hardly find the time to do it anymore, though. How about yourself? Is there a particular genre that you enjoy?"

'Crime novels, thrillers. Anything really if it's in an audiobook format,' Yiv smiled, warming to the subject. 'You'd be surprised how many books still aren't published as audios still, though. The horticulture collection is one I'm really proud of, though. It's not been easy collecting them. How about you? Any genres you particularly enjoy? Hmmm ... romance maybe? Something with a dashing hero?'

"Am I that transparent?" Amanda asked with a short giggle. "I guess it is somewhat cliche, too. But, what can you do? Ultimately, though, if there's drama and a mysterious stranger, I'm hooked." She tapped her finger on the table, took a sip of her tea and then said, "But, do you know what really is fun for me? Dancing? There's nothing better than a nice tango or rhumba to get your heart beating." The Counselor's eyes got a far away dreamy look as she finished her last sentence.

Yiv shook his head and chuckled. 'No, it's not about being transparent. You're just talking to someone who's trained to look at a person and try to see to the best of their ability their true selves. Mostly for ... unsavoury purposes. But in this case, it's pleasant that I'm right.' He took a bight of danish and hummed appreciatively. 'That really is good. Now i wouldn't have had you down as a fan of dancing ... that is a surprise.'

"Certainly you have nothing unsavory in mind for me, do you?" Amanda asked with s private giggle. "And why would you not have figured that I liked to dance?" She rested her elbows on the small table, interlocked her hands and rested her chin on them. "I'm rather curious about that, Yiv."

'Well, I can't know everything from a few glances.' Yiv looked around, 'unless I'm mistaken there's nothing to show interest in dancing in your quarters - unless you have a few outfits in your wardrobe I've not been lucky enough to see yet,' he grinned. 'Secondly, I'd guess from your interests that I have seen and discussed, painting and books, that you would enjoy something quieter with a partner like a walk in nature or perhaps a visit to the theatre. And if a Romulan held a disruptor to my head I'd hazard that you enjoyed ballroom dancing, not latin. More controlled, refined and cultured pursuits than latin dance.' Yiv petered out, realising he was talking too much and showing off. Perhaps not in the best way either.

"Oh, I do enjoy ballroom dancing. But you're incorrect to assume that Latin dances are not part of ballroom dancing. There are competitions in them, you know. As to the lack of dance items in this area, well, there are areas where it becomes more obvious," she replied, blushing and turning away.

As she looked away Yiv assumed he'd insulted her with his reading of her personality, so he changed tack somewhat. 'Do they have dance classes or clubs aboard the Ontario? You must attend frequently if you enjoy Latin dance that much,' he said warmly.

Turning back to Yiv, her face less flushed, Amanda answered, "Honestly, I have not had the time to check. Going through the entire crew for their psych evaluations has kept me rather busy. That and the away team.... I've been trying to get to know everyone. It is a tall order, but I take it seriously."

He frowned slightly, 'not to lecture you during this wonderful breakfast, but you should make time for yourself. You'll burn out otherwise.' He shrugged, 'we wouldn't want that now, would we?'

"Of course not. That's why I invited you for this lovely breakfast," she informed Yiv. "I mean, I had been at your quarters, so the least that I could do was invite you to mine." Am I repeating myself? Do I sound stupid?

'Oh ... I thought that was a business call,' replied Yiv brightly to disguise the surprise he felt that she would describe the visit as a personal trip. 'We did do it in the middle of my evaluation. I assumed ... that you were assessing me, given I'd stated my dissatisfaction with the previous tour. It was an effective session. Seeing someone appreciate the horticulture was nice.'

"You do very well with your plants," Amanda complimented Yiv. "Your evaluation was done when we left the counselor's office. I'm sorry if I was not more clear." She cast her eyes slightly downward and bit into the danish.

'It was my fault for assuming,' replied Yiv evenly as he took a sip of his coffee, the conversation dying down a little. 'Thank you for the complement about the flowers,' he said after a moment's silence. 'It's good to know that it wasn't just a ... professional opinion you could say.'

"Complimenting flowers is a professional opinion?" Amanda asked with a giggle. "Now, I have to admit that's a first."

'Well I only mean,' Yiv paused, unusually struggling for words. 'I mean, I must have assumed that you were still in Counselor mode and encouraging me. You know, making me feel good for having a constructive hobby and being able to expend my frustrations in a healthy manner.' He chuckled. 'I suppose that I didn't really get the memo for the purpose of the visit.'

"I enjoy your company, Yiv," she informed him with a blush. "And I certainly enjoyed the show and tell. I would encourage you both as a friend and as a counselor. I think it is a beautiful hobby."

'Thank you - you're always welcome to come and have a look at how it's going.' Yiv smiled as he took more of the breakfast. 'It'll be nice to have someone who appreciates horticulture having a look over what I've been doing. It's been a ... lonely hobby. Even some of the botanists seem to only take a professional interest. Percy, though seems to really enjoy it too.'

"Really?" Amanda asked interested. "That's somewhat surprising." She switched back to the flowers, not wishing to talk about anyone else but her and Yiv. "When would be a convenient time to drop by? After shift?"

'Uh,' Yiv looked at her, momentarily taken off guard. 'Not tonight, unfortunately. I have a, uh, prior arranged appointment with our Chief Science Officer. Would you care to come over tomorrow evening? It'll be nice to talk horticulture and ... dance. Not that I know anything about dance,' Yiv chuckled awkwardly.

"I'm sure that you could be taught," Amanda told him with an amused smile. "Tomorrow night would be lovely. Thank you, Yiv."

'You're entirely welcome. Would you like to eat beforehand? Nothing major, I thought I could replicate some stuff up.' He pointed to the breakfast. 'It won't be as nice as this I can guarantee you.'

"I'm sure that whatever you do will be lovely," Amanda replied, her heart leaping into her throat. "Besides, this was really nothing."

'Well, it's appreciated,' smiled Yiv as he looked at the chronometer. 'Almost time for shift change ... this has been too short. But a pleasure, Amanda.'

"It has," Amanda answered with a cheery tone in her voice. "Tomorrow evening, then."

'That sounds good to me,' smiled Yiv in reply as he turned to finishing his breakfast, a happy energy in his movements.

 

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