Saying Thank You - with a Meal - CFO and CAG

Posted on Tuesday 10 January 2017 @ 20:15 by Captain Melody Jones & Commander Save'ena (Sav) Tillatix

Mission: Intermission
Location: Melody's quarters
Timeline: MD9 Evening
2351 words - 4.7 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

To say thank you for the night when Sav had been there for her when Melody was feeling rather vulnerable, she had decided to make a special meal for Saveena. She had made a deliberately vague invitation and now was preparation time. Instead of just replicating the entire meal, she decided this needed a more.......... Personal touch.

She had poured over several databases regarding Mephetian food for over a long time and finally had found the perfect dish, a Schtarksian stew. Some of the meats would have to be replicated, but most of the vegetables she had found growing in the ships areoponics bay.

When she had got off duty, her work table in her quarters had been turned into an impromptu kitchen. From the ships stores she managed to get a hold of a large cooking pot and a heating plate. The recipe was quite straight forward and soon Melody's quarters were filled with a very aromatic smell.

The meal cooking, Melody decided to have a quick sonic shower before changing into a casual red dress. She had just dug out her last bottle of Aldeberan whisky from its hiding place when the door chime sounded.

Sav remembered the night when she allowed Melody to talk, relax, and fall asleep on the couch under her protective care. Melody said she would invite her to supper later, and Sav had paid it no mind as many times, promises in an inclusive environment were forgotten. However, just yesterday, when Melody came to visit to show she was off training, Melody had again invited her. Sav hrmphed out in gentle humor at remembering Melody rushing out after letting her know some Mephetian friend actions, and the subsequent apology on the bridge that day in the ready room.

So, she was having a meal with her best friend on board the Merlin. Sav was grateful, and happy, to have a friend for a change, and a good one at that. She smiled to Melody as the door was opened, "Hey, Stranger. I overheard an invite to grub? Can I join in on that invite?"

"Hello Sweetie, come on in. Would you like a drink?" Melody embraced her as she entered. "Now this has been a bit of an experiment for me so I hope you like it. I thought I would make something special to say thank you for your kindness and support. It will be ready in about ten minutes so just grab a seat and relax."

Sav came in, happiness and pleasure being seen in how she carried herself. "Thanks, Melody, and sure, I would love a...." She stopped, closed her eyes, and smelled, just smelled. She opened them, her joy shining bright, as she grabbed Melody into a hug, "That smells like Schtarksian stew. Melody, You're The BEST!" Sav could not believe how many good memories that smell brought to her, as well as the mouth watering delights waiting in such a feast. She realized she was holding and stroking over Melody and finally released her, blushing. "Ummm, sorry, I was over excited at the smells?"

Melody chuckled "It's ok. It does smell rather good. Also someone else is eager to see you again. From the sound of it I think you'll find her running on her little treadmill in the Habitat over in the corner."

Sav gently churred as she grinned to Melody, "I think you're right. Mind if I get her out for a bit before we set the table?"

"Sure, go ahead" Melody said as she picked up a frosted green bottle and poured herself a large glass of red wine. "Sorry I didn't catch what you wanted to drink."

Sav moved over to the habitat, but looked back at Melody as she did. "Hey, a glass of what your having would be great. I love Shiraz, Sangria, and Red Mixes."

As Melody poured a second glass for Save'ena "I think you'll like this then. Its' called A Faustino Number 1 Gran Reserva. Its a rioja. Not quite as heavy as a shiraz but a cheeky little number never the less" She handed the glass over. "This little lady hasn't had her dinner yet, you can get it if you like. Just ask the replicator for hedgehog supplement number 3 and pop it in front of her. If you give her food, she'll be you friend for life."

Sav churred gently as she took the glass from Melody, saying, "Sure thing. I'll do so when I put her back into her cage so she can eat in peace."

Sav turned back to look at the habitat, grinning at seeing the thoughtfully laid out items to keep the hedgehog busy with both body and mind. She opened the latch and door, then put her hand inside. She was pleased when Nibbles climbed right into her palm. She brought her out and cuddled her against her muzzle. Then, she was surprised then Nibbles began to rub right behind her whiskers, and then realized the little critter probably smelled her marking musk and was making sure to get it onto her.

She turned around to come over to Melody, taking a sip of the wine. "Hey, this is good, thanks." She felt more of the rubbing from Nibbles. She grinned, "I think Nibbles found my musk glands." She moved Nibbles away from her muzzle and held her out for Melody to smell. "Mephetians have musk glands just behind their whiskers to mark close friends and family with, just as felinoids have them by their eyebrows. Vulpinoids have them in their cheek fur. My scent smells like Vanilla and cinnamon spice, or, at least, that is what I have been told."

"Mmmmmmm, I love vanilla, may I?" Melody asked.

Sav yiffered in light humor, "Sure, you can smell." She raised an eyebrow, "So, Nibbles.. or me?"

Melody leaned in close to Save'ena's muzzle and sniffed. She smiled and closed her eyes. It did smell like vanilla and cinnamon. She smiled as it reminded her of a little bakers shop she used to walk past. The owner used to slip her a cookies every Saturday morning.

Sav moved closer and turned her head for Melody to more easily smell her scent. It used to be all a person had to do was get close, but, for the last several years, her scent had been very muted. Only the musk glans in her muzzle kept the scent going. She sighed gently in pleasure, remembering when greeting other Mephetians and they would give each other a 'sniff' behind the whiskers to get the scent.

Opening her eyes again, she blushed as she realized she was still only millimeters from Save'ena's face. ".......Sorry," she stammered as she moved back and brushed a strand of her red hair out of her face.

Sav did a questioning Churr, "Sorry? Nothing to be sorry about. How else can you get ta know mah scent?" She grinned, "Besides, it reminded me of home, so thanks."

With Melody now having her scent, Sav looked around and churred gently, "What can I do to help?"

"Just sit down and relax my friend, everything is well in hand. The stew should be almost ready. I thought about what you said," Melody pointed over to a sealed container with a Starfleet emblem on it. "The case of my parents things. After dinner, I'm going to open it and I want you to be here, please."

Sav churred out in pleasure, "That.. is.. soo.. AWEsome. Good for you, and, thanks for having me along for the ride into memory lane." Sav rubbed her nose against Nibbles, "Common, squirt, time for din-din." Placing her glass of wine onto the table, she went to the replicator and asked for hedgehog supplement number 3. Shortly, the replicator opened and Sav picked up the food. She went over to the habitat and carefully put Nibbles in first, then put in the food. Nibbles went right for it. Sav stroked her a couple of times, then shut and latched the door. She went over to a chair to sit down in, grabbing her wine along the way. She sipped it, breathing in its taste, and then said, "Nibbles is one very happy hedgehog right now. All she is missing is a tiny glass of wine to go with her supper."

Melody chuckled "That's all I need, a drunk hedgehog. Come on, I think the stew is ready". Melody pulled out one of the chairs at the table for Saveena." She gestured to the chair "Please."

Sav moved over to the proffered chair and sat down, saying "Thank you" as Melody seated her. She grinned, blushing lightly, "You're making me feel like I'm out ona date, ayuh." Some of Sav's swamp dialect came through as she was relaxing more around Melody and the situation.

Melody smiled as she brought the large pot over from the hot plate and set it down on a mat in the middle of the table, removing the lid. A glorious aroma filled the room. She then picked up a ladle and a bowl and started filling it "Say when you've enough."

Sav watched Melody ladle the thick and delicious smelling stew. That it was thick was a great sign, with plenty of veggies to extol out the carbs of the broth/gravy and the protein of the meat. She closed her eyes and just smelled of the delicious scent wafting about the table that the simple act of putting the stew into the bowls incurred. She raised her hand when the bowl was two thirds full, "Gud." She grinned and said, "Melody, t'is smells soooo good. Yah did gud, Girrl."

"I'm glad to hear it, I just hope it tastes as good as it smells" she said as she placed the first bowl in front of Save'ena and then proceeded to fill one for herself.

Sav bowed her head in a quick, silent prayer to the Creator, and then dug in with gusto. She smiled to Melody, "Say, sourdough bread goes great with Schtarksian. Got some?"

"I'm sure that could be arranged" Melody stood and walked over to the replicator "One loaf of sourdough bread." She came back over with the loaf which she tore and passed half over to Save'ena.

Save'ena blushed as half of the loaf came to her as she churred out in gentle humor, "Ah hope yah don't think Ahma gonna eat t'at much." Sav tore a section off, then tore that down into pieces. Taking up a chunk, she now used it to help hold stew on her spoon as well as soak up and hold the gravy/broth. She about melted as the sourdough complemented and enhanced the smells of the stew. "Yah, really, really gud."

Melody also found the bread complemented the stew nicely. She used a large chunk to clean out her bowl, before adding a little more from the large pot. "Please help yourself to more" she told Save'ena as she place the ladle back and turned the handle towards her.

Sav indulged in Melody's invite. After a bowl and a half, she put the bowl, with spoon and napkin, aside. She could not believe she ate that much. She usually ate just several small meals, and that only because she had to, on this one, she was able to fully taste and appreciate the food. Probably because of all the pleasant memories behind the meal. She picked up her wine glass and took a sip, enjoying the gentle aftertastes the wine invoked. "That is more than I have eaten in a long time, Melody, so that really says somethin' about yer cookin', as in MMM MMM Good."

"I'm glad you liked it, I'll have to keep the recipe somewhere safe." Melody stood and picked up the empty bowls.

Sav sighed out in pleasure, "Not teasing, you did awesome, especially not having the actual critters here." She glanced at the kitchenette, "So, need help putting things away, or am I to stay in this chair till your done?"

"Thank you for the kind offer, but you are my guest. Besides it won't take me two minutes to clear up."

Sav nodded, "But, if you need anything, please, holler." She watched Melody for bit as she settled more into her chair. As she did, her eyes momentarily closed as a full tummy, good company, and no stresses, caused her to drift off. Her breathing went shallow as she floated just below awake and above dreaming, her body relishing the rest without nightmares.

While Melody cleared up she looked over to Save'ena's resting form and smiled to herself, an idea forming. Then whispering to the computer "Computer, play Brahms piano lullaby, 30% volume." Very soft, soothing piano music started as Melody continued to clear away. It didn't take her long at all and when she had finished she want over and found her last bottle of Aldeberan whisky. She poured two large glasses and sat down in the seat next to Save'ena, placing one of the glass on the table next to her. The other she cradled in her hand and just sat and watched her friend. She looked so peaceful so she let her drift for ten minutes or so while Melody sat and listened to the music. She cleared her throat softly and leaned over to Save'ena "Hey there, sleepy head."

Sav's eyes snapped open at hearing Melody's voice. She blinked, then realized what happened and she blushed. "Wow." She stood up and shook herself, "Sorry about drifting off like that. I don't sleep that well, and, umm, just, thanks." Sav couldn't really say more right now as she didn't want to belabor Melody with anything about Sav's past, especially as almost everything she could say was lies anyways. She smiled and glanced at the packages. The meal was over and next was to open them.

>> TBC in Unlocking the Past - CFO and CAG <<

OFF:

Lieutenant Melody Jones
Flight Control officer / Second officer
USS Merlin

Lt. j.g. Save'ena Tillatix
CAG/Squadron Leader Uroboros
Bridge Command Specialist
USS Merlin