STF

Captain's Quarters - Side Sim

Posted Sept. 23, 2020, 4:28 p.m. by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) (James Sinclair)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Zef Rollo (Counselor) in Captain’s Quarters - Side Sim

Cochrane scowled and his jaw clenched. “Is albinism that uncommon that your very own people would sell you into slavery to the rich and powerful? Why not just pay for the genetic modification?” The question was logical… the tone was barely suppressed anger. Few things immediately set off Alex’s temper… the practice of slavery was two of those things.

Cochrane, CO

“Yes, I’ve read some of the history that befell your Azj’don ta. They make up less than six thousandths of a percent in your species numbers. The Azj’don ta on Baj make up around 1.5 thousandths of a percent. We are rare and during certain feasts, even venerated—because we are thought to bring good luck to our surroundings. But those with no ethics wouldn’t think twice about making a small fortune by kidnapping us.” The dark thoughts were messing with the pleasant buzz from the wine. In an attempt to keep it going, she emptied her glass.

“Its so strange…I never thought this disturbing part of our history would touch me…” Zef held out her glass for a refill. Everyone had bad memories. She knew that. As she gazed at Alex, she wondered what terrible things he kept hidden from everyone, afraid to admit to them because it might give someone else power they wouldn’t otherwise have had over him.

Alex poured some more wine in her glass and said “Any culture’s history has a bad habit of reaching through time to effect its people. Universal truth.”

As he filled her glass, Zef shook her head. “I never expected to talk about this with anyone on the ship. I’m not in danger or anything…I mean, maybe from Kalig, but it isn’t something that hangs over my head all the time.”

—Zef

He smed a wry smile as he topped off his glass and leaned back. “Nothing a few photon torpedoes wouldn’t solve.” and he looked at her and grinned wickedly, but with no small amount of humor.

Cochrane, CO

She smiled and bit her bottom lip. The wine was having the desired effect on her, making things soft around the edges and letting private thoughts slip though sober barricades. “Awwwww, would you do that for me? Would you blow my ex brother in law to smithereens so I don’t ever have to worry about him again?” The smile traveled to her eyes as she teased him.

—Zef

Alex tossed his head back and laughed. “Oh, I would do it for you and myself as well. No offense to your extended family… but your brother-in-law is a d$#k.” and he smiled as he took a drink.

Looking at Rollo, he said “I was just about to make myself something to eat. Want to join me? Not to brag, but I’m not at all a bad cook.”

Cochrane

“Mmm hmm.” Had she eaten lunch? Access to her brain was just foggy enough with the alcohol in her bloodstream, that she really had to think about it before remembering a cup of coffee had been all she’d had. “I actually skipped lunch today, so the wine is making itself known—but it feels really good.” She wasn’t drunk and her speech wasn’t slurred, but she felt very relaxed and quite happy to be in Alex’s living room.

“Is there something I can do to help?” Not much of a cook, herself, she could take direction and be the sous chef during preparation.

—Zef

Alex smiled and said “No, no. Just sit. But I am bringing you some water. Had I known you hadn’t eaten, I wouldn’t have cracked open quite as potent a vintage as that one.” and he winked at hwr as he stood up and made his way to the replicator and returned with a glass of water and some bread and loghtly-herbed butter.

“Here, put something in your stomach. It will help keep you comfortable.” and he went back to the kitchen and began cooking. Soon, the smell of cooking meat and onions and seasoning wafted through the room.

Cochrane, CO

Zef gave him a look that said ‘Really, I’m fine’ before he left for the kitchen. She took a few bites of the bread, but skipped the water. She was feeling really relaxed and all over good at the moment and didn’t want to lose the feelings of warmth and emotion that were near the surface instead of buried deep under layers of protocol. Instead, she swallowed a couple more mouthfuls of wine and then padded to the kitchen on bare feet.

Seeing Alex in a domestic role was oddly satisfying. Walking over to where he stirred some wondrous smelling concoction in a pan, she stood very close. “It smells heavenly, Alex.” It was the first time she’d used his given name, but the timing felt right. Her gaze shifted from the food to his profile. “I like seeing you like this. I like even more, that I’m the one you’re cooking for.” It was honest. It was truly what she felt, but the alcohol made her brave enough to say it out loud.

—Zef

Without taking his eyes off of the skillet, he smiled slightly and said “You might want to hold onto that opinion until after you eat. You never know, I could be the worst cook ever. I mean, an Engineer I worked with taught me a lot about cooking. That should scare not just because he was an Engineer, but he was a Bolian Engineer.” and he laughed. He stirred some more and then poured in some kind of white, thick liquid which made the herbal-onion-meat smell become a rich, decadent aroma.

Cochrane moved to the replicator and in a few seconds two plates of wide egg noodles appeared. He set them by the cook top and spooned the concoction from the pan over the noodles. He glanced at Zef and said “Ok. Have a seat. Dinner is served.” and he picked up the plates and headed back to the sitting area, setting the plates on the carved demonic-faced table.

Cochrane, CO

It smelled delicious—her stomach thought so too as it growled with appreciation. Zef followed him back into the living area and took her place on the couch once again. “Back home we have something like noodles, but they aren’t quite the same as yours.” She twisted her fork around in the plate, winding pasta and sauce onto it like an expert. When the first bite hit her tongue, Zef smiled, delighted with the blend of flavors. “Mmmmm yummy. I guess that Bolian knew what he was doing.”

For a few minutes, the only sounds were the two of them taking advantage of the meal. When her initial hunger was sated, Rollo set her fork down, exchanging it for the untouched glass of water. “What do you think? Should I inform Kalig that I won’t be joining him, or do you want to make more of a statement about mercenaries and pirating and such?”

—Zef

Alex finished his last bite and said “Well as this, at its core, is a legal dispute between two of your people, I will let you break the news to him. After that, he and I will have a discussion about proper hailing protocol… and some advice on how not pissing off the Captain of a Star Fleet vessel may be in his best interest going forward. Sound good to you?” he asked as he sat back and sipped his wine.

Cochrane, CO

“Sure, that sounds alright.” She took another bite of the noodles and chewed slowly, a thoughtful look on her face. Following the food with a sip of wine, Zef caught his gaze with her own. “Sooo…did you have anything in mind for…dessert?” As much as she tried to steer clear of any thought that included Alex and her in bed, naked and breathless, they just kept popping into her mind. She wanted him—that was the bottom line. He’d made it clear that he didn’t want a long term relationship, at least not with her, but that didn’t do anything to suppress her desires. She could handle a one night stand without getting clingy, and she could keep things professional when others were around. But here they were, unexpectedly alone in his quarters, relaxed and sharing dinner. And Zef found herself wanting to test the waters.

—Zef

Alex looked at her and certain realization came through his eyes as he said “Zef… you do remember that we discussed this, right?” and he took a drink and his eyes stayed on hers as he sipped and then leaned forward and set the glass on the table. “Look. You are an amazing woman; smart, strong… exceedingly beautiful…” he said with a slight grin, “… but as I said, I am not looking for something with anyone right now.” and his eyes flashed and he smiled broadly. “Besides… you do realize that you are a little drunk, don’t you?” and he chuckled. His tone was non-judgemental, no hint of awkwardness or discomfort. Indeed, there was a part of him enjoying seeing the normally reserved Counselor being so… comfortably open.

Cochrane


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