Meet the Chef

Posted on Tue Mar 28th, 2023 @ 7:36am by Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey & Captain Xavier Carey & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Lieutenant Talsi Carey & Lieutenant Commander Rutherford (RJ) Milton & Pix Osheena

Mission: Shoreleave
Location: Mess Hall
Timeline: First morning of Shoreleave

Robert came into the crew lounge to grab some breakfast to start his first day Kiera would join him shortly. But was surprised to see a large crowd around the kitchen as if they were all awe-struck by something.

Kiera walked through the doors wondering what exactly was going on. Walking across to her husband she motioned to the crowd. “I hope this isn’t a regular occurrence, any idea what’s going on?”

Robert shrugged his shoulders. "Not sure," He replied taking her hand into his. "Let's find out." Gently pushing thru the crowd Robert with his beautiful wife in tow worked their way to the front. Only to discover something never would of saw before a giant octopus-like alien cooking away in the kitchen.

“Well I wasn’t expecting that today” Kiera grinned as she looked at Robert. “All those arms must come in handy in a place like this.”

Robert recognized the alien..""I'll be haven't seen one of those since I was a kid it's a Moncalore. Had one as a executive Chef at our family restaurant."

Milton entered the Galley with his empty mug in hand, Pix rode on his left shoulder ; her glow flaring just a notch as the warmth of the people aaround her gave her a warmth.

"Well might have to wait that Breakfast speciaal Pix." He said to her, knowing she would not partake.

"Hey Pix, doc." Tony said with a smile as she entered the lounge still in her civvies. She tried to be more active and taking her breakfast with the crew was a good way of starting the day and staying in touch with the crew. She nodded at Kiera and Robert.

The Moncalore noticed the crowd and gurgled at them. "I have no idea what it said think the universal translator is broken."

"He said he don't understand why everyone is staring at him." Robert replied.

"You understand him?"

Robert nodded as he gave the Chef a nod. "Moncalores language is too complicated for the translator you have to get them to program a software update for it. I had mine done when I was a kid back in Texas."

“In that case maybe you’d best tell him that it’s because he’s so unique” Kiera smiled at her husband.

"Actually they can understand you, Sweetheart."

“Really?” Kiera looked at her husband surprised.

The Chef gurgling again caught Robert's attention. "Oh, right...." Turning to the crowd he started to clear his throat. "Look guys I know it's not every day we see something like this but the Chef would love it if you go back to eat and stop staring at him."

Kiera smiled as she headed for their table. “Choose me something nice please Imzadi.”

Robert nodded turning to the Chef and left for a moment to check on him.

Tony had just picked up some breakfast and found a quiet spot to eat.

Robert returned to Kiera who sat in the table next to Tony with two coffees and took a seat handing one to his wife. "Chef, is whipping up something special for us," He took a sip. "Ready for your first day?"

“I most certainly am, actually I’m pretty excited about it.” Kiera smiled.

Robert took a sip. "Not sure what I am in store for but hopefully the Captain and Commander will be on board with Chief Hamilton wanting to do a minor refit of engineering."

Tony could not help but overhear but she hesitated. She had not met the man who was speaking yet and she was not on duty.

Pix launched off Milton's shoulder and was hovering on the patron side of the counter with the brightest smile on her face. She waited to meet the chef's look so she could see through the gateways to the soul, it was a surface connection she could do with anyone. Feeling that which a Betazoid might feel then taking up a notch where she could relay the images that her people used for communications. Her language was comprise of vivid images that pass between her and the the Hosts that her people choose; the other beings of various species; mental pictures relay understanding to the animals or even the people Pix encounters.

SO not to be a strain Pix gave the simple name in her language to the chef and then she started out with an images of the breakfast of Biscuits and Gravy with eggs over easy and a small fruit cup that Pix could enjoy as a request. Then Blew a kiss in thanks to the chef before.

The Chef gurgling started another pan.

He had understood wat she relay of her intensions and was finding them a table. It would have been nice if Diane and Toby could have been here. Milton would as permission of his Grandparents to bring Toby to meet the new chef, might be good if Pix was there to help with translation?

"Thank you Pix, good to know we will get a good breakfast." Milton noted.

Xavier and Tal walked into the mess hall. "Sorry we are late... what did we miss." Xavier replied noticing everyone sitting and enjoying themselves.

Robert was in the middle of taking a sip when he noticed the Captain. "Oh, shit... that's the Captain!" He whispered to Kiera.

“It is indeed” Kiera smiled. “Captain... would you like to join us?”

Robert's eyebrows raised up as his eyes widened wasn't exactly what he was expecting Kiera to do. Instead he just quickly slouched in his chair and took a long sip.

Tony had to laugh at that. She was now pretty sure that he had no idea who she was or he would probably have ducked from her as well. "Care to join me." she whispered in his direction.

Robert didn't even think twice he just grabbed his coffee and joined the woman still making sure to stay small as possible.

"Hiya, we haven't met yet." she said. "I'm Tony." She was really enjoying herself. "Not too fond of the brass?"

"Not exactly..." Robert looked at the Captain. ""It's um... complicated."

"No need to tell me." Tony said gently. "None of my business. So you are new on the ship? Engineer?"

Robert began to relax a little he took another sip of his coffee. "Yeah, I am the new assistant Chief Engineer." He replied.

"Nice to meet you. I am on sick leave at the moment." Tony admitted. "How are you settling in?"

Robert set his drink down rubbing his chin not sure if it was wise to share all the details of him and Kiera 'breaking in' their new home. With a shrug and a smile just make it simple and short. "Fine, a few adjustments here and there but nothing to worry about."

"So, Commander, I sound like someone who has a issue with the brass?" Robert asked obviously he knew the moment who she was after turning to face her better after asking him to join her.

"Well the way you looked at the captain." She grinned. "But you don't seem to have a problem with me and you obviously did recognize me after all."

"No please don't think I have a problem with the Captain it's just... complicated about handling something I learned about him." Robert lifted his mug to the server motioning for a new coffee. "I actually do my best to get along with everyone and I do my homework on the people I will be working with."

"I hope you will give the captain the benefit of the doubt. Hearsay is very often wrong." Tony was much more serious now.

"So he is not in a polygamous relationship?" Robert asked.

Tony blinked. This was the last thing she expected in this day in age. "Do you have a problem with polyamories relationships?"

"I...am not really used to it I come from a backwoods part of Texas I was raised old school per se."

"And what do they say about this kind of relationship in backwoods Texas?"

Robert swirled his drink looking at Tony wondering if he should answer the question. "You think I am an asshole is that it?"

"I haven't known you long enough to make up my mind about that." She said honestly. "I like to get to know people before I pass a judgement like that."

Robert smiled slightly raising his cup to her. "I am glad to hear you say that, Commander," He finished his drink before a new one was set down before him. "I try to not be judgmental myself just give me some time I am sure I will get used to it."

"That is good to hear. I like people who have an open mind." She smiled again.

"Well of course I do in this line of work you never know what is going to happen or who you meet."

"Very true." Tony agreed. "I have met all sorts during my years in star fleet. It's what makes the job o great I think."

"I'll drink to that." Robert said lifting his glass to Tony. "Though I don't see much happening in engineering always busy fixing some piece of crap or other."

"And we thank you for it." Tony said. "Though it would be good to socialize as well. Get to know the rest of the crew."

Finally Robert got his food steak and eggs with hash browns and Texas toast. "I will." He looked at the Captain. "Uh, just need some time to adjust."

"Good. And if you need to discuss anything, my door is always open." Tony was eating a light breakfast herself. "I am half Southern myself, and my grandfather is very old fashioned."

Robert perked up. "Oh really?" Where you from?"

"Savannah Georgia."

Robert pointed to himself. "Fort Stockton, Texas not much to look at but plenty of land to raise cattle."

"Your folks have a cattle ranch? I come from a military family many generations down on my mum's side."

"Yeah, we also have a line of restaurants perhaps you heard of it Carver's Steakhouse there is one in Savannah."

"I've been there, they are good. I love a good steak." She grinned. "Next time you are in town you must do the ghost tour in my ancenstral home. I have never seen anything myself but my grandma used to swear she saw ghosts." Talking about her family still hurt but by now she has doing a good job in not showing it.

"I tend to stay away from the restaurants we own my parents are still not quite happy I left the family business." Robert confessed.

"Yeah I get that. My grandfather was not happy that I chose the navy." She admitted.

"The Navy?"

"Yeah that is what my granddad calls starfleet. To point out they are inferior to marines." She rolled her eyes. "Don't ask."

Robert poured some Tabasco ketchup and steak sauce on his food. "Shit, seems like our families get along till MACO was disbanded there was always a Carver in the armed forces or running the family business. My grandpa was starfleet back in the late 23rd early 24th Century."

"Mine have been in the army since the 19th century. I guess that's were it comes from, my granddad stressing the army links."

"Mine have been in the military since the French-Indian War."

Kiera had watched as Robert had skipped tables the moment she’d offered to let the Captain sit with them. It seemed Robert had found Commander Stoffels someone he could talk to. With the Captain busy, she finished off her drink, rose from the table and left Robert to his conversation.

Robert noticed Kiera was about to leave. "Hey, Kiera, come here you gotta meet the XO she's a ball of fun." He pulled up a chair for her. "You got to meet my wife she is great." He said to Tony.

"I think we have met already." Tony said with a smile. "And we even have an appointment this morning."

"Oh really?" Robert looked at Kiera as she sat down. "Making friends already?"

Kiera nodded. “We met when I reported in. It’s nice to see you again Commander.”

Robert leaned to her. "Sorry for jumping tables I didn't want to be rude to the Commander."

Kiera nodded. “We’ll talk about it later.”

Robert went pale knowing he might of screwed up. "Yes, dear."

"I asked your husband to join me." It was not a complete lie. She was the one who initiated the contact. "I am very sorry if that is a problem."

“It’s not a problem Commander” Kiera offered a polite smile. “Robert had yet to be introduced to you anyway.”

"I like her," Robert began. "Better than, Commander Sommerfeld, now he wasn't a real friendly type kind of sad when I first met him there was a pool amongst the crew when that stick in his ass be removed."

Tony smiled. "Oh that is so not me. Maybe because I came up through counselling."

Kiera's breakfast arrived as did a round of fresh cups. Robert took a bite of his eggs. "Kiera is the same way she is the most understanding woman I met."

"It's so good that the two of you can serve together." Tony said. "I know starfleet does it's best but it is just not always possible."

Robert looked at Kiera and smiled before turning back to the Commander. "Well, if I had to I would resign just to be with her," He took another bite. "But I miss out meeting people like you, Tony "

"Wow, that is very romantic." Tony had to admit. "My mum just put her career in a lower gear for my dad. But I don't think she would have resigned."

Robert merely shrugged. "I love, Kiera, she is my universe."

Kiera couldn’t help but smile, Robert had a way with words that soon melted away any annoyance she had.

Tony could only smile at the people who were so much in love with each other.

Robert leaned towards Tony. "Trust me, Commander, this beautiful female specimen is my rock and I am hers. I am sure someone out there is destined to be yours. But take it from me it's like... Kiera filled this hole I had in my soul and I filled hers it's great."

"I have already found mine." Tony said. "We just don't show or talk about it that openly." It was not in her or Ren's character.

Robert went pale in his face realizing he had maybe upset the woman. "Oh, and here I am talking about this kind of personal stuff like a idiot."

“No, not like an idiot” Kiera smiled. “Like a man enjoying his conversation, and the subject it involves.”

Robert kissed Kiera on the cheek. "See what I mean? She's my rock when I need her most." He took a few bites.

Tony just smiled and finished her food.

Robert looked at the time. "Well, I have to go first day of work so Kiera I'll see you at lunch, Commander, it's been a pleasure you are welcome to come by our place anytime." He ate the last bite off his breakfast then washed it down.

"Thanks for the offer. I may take you up on it." Tony replied.

Kiera smiled. “Please do Commander.”

{OFF}