The Kit and Caboodle

Posted on Tue Jul 18th, 2023 @ 4:39pm by Lieutenant S'Tera & Lieutenant Rowena "Rena" Campbell
Edited on on Wed Aug 2nd, 2023 @ 9:57pm

3,158 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Good Will Tour: Mountain Home [Part Two]
Location: Base Lounge-Habitation
Timeline: day before Song and Dance

On:
After they were done with the strange, headache inducing Candy Man, Rena led them on towards the Lounge. The hostess, a young CarJoran called Lissa, smiled at them. "Table for two, ladies?" Rena just nodded. She was really quite nervous, and she was happy that neither Cardassians nor Bajorans were empathic races. They were led to a booth, near the Dabo dable, and settled in. Rena smiled.

"Thank you. Can I please have an Uttaberry tea, please? Iced!" She looked at S'tera to go next, after making sure she was still breathing. Yes, all good.

S'tera reached over bad Took Rena's hand. "Relax. You're fine!" she looked at the waitress "I'll have the same please."

Rena smiled. “Yeah. I’m fine…” Was she, though? Well, she better pull it together. “What do you think you’ll have for dinner?” She asked. “I wonder what the special is.”

"Well let's ask and find out." she waited f the waitress to come back so they could look at the menus and see what the specials were.

Rena nodded. “Of course!” Finally, the woman reappeared. She placed their drinks in front of them, and then asked if they’d like the menus. Rena said yes, and a moment later, a PADD was placed on the table. “Ooh, Hesperat! I like that. But maybe the fish?” She couldn’t decide. “I’ll have the Hesperat and some salad.” She said.

S'tera looked at the menu "Fish sounds good. Remind me, what is hesperat?"

Rena smiled. "It's actually a Bajoran dish; a native rodent that they cook and blend into a spread that they make a wrap sandwich out of. Sometimes they also soufflé it. It's VERY spicy, but I like spice." She said. "Betazed food is mostly vegetarian. I eat it usually so when I don't cook myself, I like to experience other races' foods." She said.

"I think I'll pass tonight. Not in the mood for a wrap. Ahh but they do have tarokian steak. That sounds good!! I'll have that!" S'tera said.

Rena smiled. "What is THAT?" She asked. It was her turn to not know something!!

"Tarokian's are a flying reptilian species from the world of Tarok. The steak are made from their meat. It's spiced with carlana spice and roasted slow over an open flame until it is well done and nice and tender. Oh very nice! One of my favorite dishes." she licked her chops at the thought.

Rena gave her a tight-lipped smile. "Flying...reptiles?" Ohhhkayyy. She let out a breath. She was going to have to be a bit more open minded if this was going to work, she supposed. "It sounds....disgusting but I am going to keep an open mind." On the other hand, being mostly vegetarian herself, most meat products sounded disgusting, so she would probably have that reaction anyway. "How was your day?" She asked, changing the subject before she embarrassed herself.

"It may sound bad but oh so good to eat! Well pretty good. Found some new specimens for study. Things are going well. A lot of good research opportunities here! I think this is turning out to be a fantastic opportunity. What about you? how are things going for you?"

Rena smiled a little. "Besides keeping Max afloat and entertained? Not much. Since the new CMO has onboarded, my duties have lessened. I can just be a Counselor, and not have to be a full Department head." She was the Chief (and only) Counselor, but she'd fold in under Dr. Greene for future "serious" things. "Are you excited for the new base?" Their food appeared then, and Rena was grateful for the distraction.

"Nice! This looks good! I am hungry!" she digs into her steak and it is so delicious. "mmm, this is sooo good! How is yours?"

Rena smiled. "Nice and spicy!!" The sandwich was SOOO good. "I should try to make this myself someday." She said. "I don't cook much but I try to on weekends and my days off." She explained. "I'm glad yours is good. Can I try a piece?" Rena asked.


"Of course you can hon! Go ahead! I love to share!"

Rena took a small piece of the me
at after cutting it carefully away. She chewed it slowly to get the full taste. "Not bad!! I'd add that in to my diet sometimes!!" She said. "I know we're mostly vegetarian on Betazed, BUT my father was human and he was a meat guy!" She exclaimed. "At least once a week, he had a whole Sunday dinner type of meal-usually chicken or some kind of poultry, with potatoes and vegetables. My mother was very tolerant of it, even though you could tell it turned her stomach." Rena shrugged. "When we got older and went to the school on ships or bases, we learned to share lunches with the other kids, and I think that's how I learned to like Hesperat. One of my mother's close friends and fellow nurses was Bajoran."

"See? you never know until you try! I know some cultures a vegetarians but not caitians. We're carnivores! We need meat! Now I'm not picky. I like to explore different types of meat dishes. Since your dad is from earth, maybe you've tasted meatloaf? Mmm, very good!"

Rena smiled. "Yes, he'd have that sometimes, as well. Always with potatoes." She laughed. "His family was from the American South, so he ate a lot of hearty, "comfort food" type of meals. On the occasion that we'd visit our grandparents, it was always some kind of meat with a potato and some kind of pasta or side with it, no matter what meal. For example, breakfast would be sausage, eggs, toast, and fried potatoes. Lunch would be a ham sandwich with chips and then dinner would be meatloaf with macaroni and cheese, and usually some kind of vegetable like squash or something. My grandmother grew a lot of her own foods. Eventually, they DID add in some Betazed stuff like Jumja plants but it doesn't grow super well on Earth-or at least, not in Texas. I think it's too hot."

"I have been to texas and it is hot and humid. Same with Florida! Ugh! Now australia is really nice! Great for surfing too! Hawaii can be really nice as well. I actually ate Kangaroo meat in Australia. I thought it was good!"

Rena nodded. "It is very hot, indeed." She replied. "When did you go there?" She asked. "Ooh, kangaroo meat? But they're so cute!!" She said. "I couldn't eat anything that cute!!" She smiled. "But I hear some species eat...cats." She said with a smirk.

"Oh funny Rena! So very funny! Nobody better try and eat me. At least not unless I invite them.' She said wiggling her brows with a big smirk on her face.

Rena laughed. “Exactly.” She took some time to eat a bit, calming herself down more. “What do you usually do for fun around here? Myself? I like to use the Holodeck to watch movies and play games. Usually, I’m just in my house, though, reading books or some such.” She said. “My brother sends me holograms from other places; his Starbase is in the DQ and there’s planets I haven’t seen yet!”

"I bet! Well , I like surfing, watching movies, swimming, reading sometimes. Playing sports, spending time with someone special! Like you!" S'tera said with a smile.

Rena blushed a little. "Aww. That sounds like fun. We should watch a movie or two on the holodeck!" She said. That would be a fun date. "I have a holoplayer, too, of my own. I bought it on Earth, after I graduated from the Academy as a gift to myself for graduating." She explained. "What kind of movies do you like?"

"Hmm what kind of movies? Well, I like mysteries, action adventure, especially if the hero or heroine is a real swashbuckler." S'tera said. "Occasionally a nice romantic movie is nice too! What about you?"

Rena smiled. "Mostly romances, too, but some action and dramas! I also like documentaries about animals," She said. "Maybe we can watch one after!" She said, but then blushed a little bit. Was that too much?

"Why not? It sounds like fun! Any particular movie you want to watch?"

Rena shook her head. "Nope. I have a small collection, or we can bring up something on the library," she said. "Most of mine are Earth movies from the 20th century," she explained. Truly one of the best eras of movies.

"I love 20th century movies. I'd love to see what you have!"

Rena smiled. "OK! You will have to come back to mine, then, and we can do that." Oh, S'Tera in her quarters? Alone? Oh no...She ran a quick mental check to see if anything embarrassing was out. "I can't wait to show you." Oh nooooo. She was going to panic a little bit again.

"Now that sounds like fun! I can't wait to see what you have!" S'tera said. "I'm sure we can find something good to watch!"

Rena just nodded. "Yeah! I am sure we can find something fun!" She said. She ate a little more. "What are you going to do with all of your candy?! I wonder if the kids will like the candy drop tomorrow..." She said.

"Oh I bet they will. Most kids love candy! As for mine. I will eat it slowly but it will be eaten, over a matter of weeks if not months I will treat myself. Ought to be fun!" S'tera replied. "What about you hon?"

Rena smiled. "Some of it will go in my freezer but most of it I'll put out in the office for people to take during sessions," she decided. "And maybe I'll send a few pieces home. We'll see," she said. "I'm overdue for a call to Earth, anyway. Us Counselors also have our own Counselors and mine is at the Academy's HQ," Rena explained. She had had a LOT to discuss with him lately.

"Sounds good! Candy can be nice for patients. Especially if you're a dentist. candy is great for business. So about that movie?" she said with a grin.

Rena laughed. "I suppose it is excellent for a dentist." She said. "I don't know, what kind of movies do you like?" She asked. "I watch mostly romcoms but I have a few action movies. Have you ever seen The Three Musketeers?" She asked.

"Which one? there so many version? I like the one with Michael York best though. I will say my favorite movie though is 'Robin hood' with Errol Flynn! Captain Blood is great too!"

Rena smiled big. "It IS the Michael York version. I didn't know there were others, except an animated one. I too, like Robin Hood." She said. "I also read the books! I have not seen the Errol Flynn version of Robin Hood, only the one from Earth from the 1990's, with Kevin Costner. He was SOOOO cute," she said.

"Well I saw that one. It was ok, but I prefer the Errol flynn Version. i twas a lot more fun! Olivia de haviland was gorgeous!"

Rena nodded. "Yes, she was!" That was true. "Well. Do you want to watch it?" She asked.

"yes! Let's watch it!" S'tera said excitedly.

Rena smiled. "Ok! Hurry up and eat, then!" She said, taking a few more bites of her meal. She wasn't super hungry, but knew she'd need something because she would vomit from the nerves if she didn't.

S'tera smiled as she finished her meal. It was good. She enjoyed Rena's company although she was a little tightly wound but maybe she would loosen up in time. Still all in all she was enjoying it.

Rena was really enjoying herself, even though she was still nervous. She was trying to calm down. She was finishing her dinner, and soon, it was almost time to leave. She ran a mental check of her quarters-everything was tidy, as she was, but she couldn't remember if she'd left a cup out or something. Sometimes she rushed around in the morning. Nothing of note came to mind, so she was OK.

"Let's pay the check, and then...do you want to come to my quarters or go to the Holodeck?" She asked.

"Why your quarters of course!" she said with a mischievous feline grin.

Rena shook her head. "Ok, then!!" She flagged down the hostess. "We're done, I think, unless you want something sweet?" Rena asked S'Tera.

"Oh yes!" She says looking at Rena. "I think something or other someone sweet would be nice!" S'tera said with a wink and a wicked grin.

Rena blushed a little bit, but stood up. "Come on, then." She led S'Tera out of the room after putting some money on the table.

S'tera followed Reena out of the restaurant and back to her quarters. "Not Bad Rena. Not bad at all!"

Rena smiled. Her quarters as senior staff were a bit nicer than the others. "Thanks. Get comfy!" She said as she found the data crystal for the hologram machine. Once it was ready, she sat down next to S'Tera but not TOO close. "Do you need anything?"

"Umm no, not right now. Since we just ate, I'll pass on the snacks for now. Ohh a soda would be nice though!"

Rena nodded, and went to the replicator. A moment later, a soda appeared, and a tea for her. "Here you go," she said, handing the drink to the Caitian. "Let's get started," she said, turning on the holoplayer.

S'tera sipped her soda as the titles started. She loved this music. She loved the whole movie! Such a wonderful movie! This was going to be fun, watching it with Rena!

She sat back down. She couldn't really focus on the movie-she was too nervous. Having ANYONE in her quarters was new-as a senior staff member, she had her own bungalow, and here she had her own single quarters. A nice upgrade from the Jr officers' quarters and an even BETTER upgrade from a shared bunk when she was an Ensign. But S'Tera here? That was...something else. She smiled at S'Tera. "If you get cold or something, let me know." She turned her head back and tried to watch the movie some more.

"I'm good thanks hon!" She could tell Rena was nervous. Perhaps next time s'tera would suggest ore neutral location where she would be less nervous!

"Ok, good," she said. She tried to settle in, slowly inching back so that her back rested against the back of the couch/bench thing. Why was she so nervous?! It was just S'Tera! She'd made it through a meal already.

"Man,he had star power for sure! So did she for that matter! Olivia de Haviland and Errol Flynn were great together onscreen together! She continued eating her meat snacks. She did love this movie! "relax Rena. Everything will be ok!"

Rena sighed. "I am trying!!" She said. "I don't know what's wrong with me. It's like my brain is back to age 16 again." The nerves. But why? She didn't know yet. She sipped more of her tea, hoping it would help, and said a quick prayer that the Heiress's would help her out.

"Hey it's ok. I understand. Maybe it's because it's our first date. The first of Many I hope! Just do your best to relax hon. You're worth it."

Rena smiled. "Thank you. It is because it's our first date. I've had a lot of first dates. It's second dates that are the problem," she said. "Well. Not a LOT. I am not that kind of girl!" She said. Oh, lord. She needed to stop talking!

S'tera chuckled. "I understand. Hey you got a lot going for you! You're beautiful and smart! I do like you a lot! You'll be fine! We'll be fine!" her tail flicked back and forth. She found rena's reaction rather amusing. She would take it easy. Rena would be ok. She felt better about it now!

Rena smiled. "Thank you. You're right. I'll try to calm down." She took a few breaths in. She was being very careful tonight, having turned her brain "off" because she thought it was rude to read people she was dating at first without permission and it was too awkward to ask on a first date. So she really had no idea what S'Tera was thinking.

"You'll be ok. Just relax. I liked you enough to ask you out didn't I? That should let you know that i think you're pretty special!"

She smiled and nodded. "I guess so. I think you're pretty special, too," she said. And at least she didn't blush this time. Again. A good sign she was finally able to relax a tiny bit.

S'tera smiled. "Thank you." She took Rena's hand. "I'm glad we're here, together. I enjoy your company and find you very lovely!"

Rena smiled. "Do you want some more tea?" She asked. She moved a little closer to S'Tera. "Because I do. It helps to keep me calm, I think!" She should drink a bucket.

"Sure. I'd love more tea!" she said with a smile. Rena was so sweet. Nervous, but sweet. Well usually the first date will make a lot of people nervous. No big deal. She was confident Rena would calm down in the future.

Rena stood up and crossed to the replicator. She made some more tea for them, and then returned to the couch. "Here you go," she said, handing it off to S'Tera. She settled back in next to her, closer this time. She was going to be OK, she decided. She was a counselor, an adult woman, and a Starfleet officer. No need to worry about anything.

Thank you!" S'tera said smiling sweetly at Rena. Se noticed Rena had sat down closer to her. This was progress. She wouldn't say anything. Why bring attention to it. S'tera just smiled at Rena and continued watching the movie while she sipped her tea.

"You're welcome." She focused on the movie now. She tried to make her breathing regular.

S'tera looked over at Rena and smiled then returned to watching the movie. It was near the end. She so loved this movie. The company tonight was very nice as well!

She watched the rest of the movie without incident, sipping her tea and relaxing. It was going to be difficult for her going forward, but she was going to try hard to not make it awkward. When the movie was over, she smiled at S'Tera. "I had a nice evening," she said.

"So did I! I would very much like to do it again!" she said softly looking into Rena's eyes. "I would like to do it again soon!" she took rena's hand in hers as she smiled.

 

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