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Risa - Trust Me, I'm a Chef (Tag Kastarak, Serral)

Posted Oct. 17, 2022, 4:54 p.m. by Lieutenant Junior Grade Serral Echei (Science Officer) (Lucas Foxley)

Posted by Ensign Kastarak (Doctor / Counsellor) in Risa - Trust Me, I’m a Chef (Tag Kastarak, Serral)

Posted by Crewman Ngokav Sega’a (Yeoman / Steward) in Risa - Trust Me, I’m a Chef (Tag Kastarak, Serral)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Serral Echei (Science Officer) in Risa - Trust Me, I’m a Chef (Tag Kastarak, Serral)
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
(Snip!)
(OOC: I do too… Just having trouble keeping up everywhere.)

IC:
Serral shook his head, “I’m not sure Hago’s people are doing much inventing of foods. Unless you’re into raw meats.” Serral’s implication being that it was merely an animal which hunted to live. He made an effort to smile, not wanting to ruin Sega’a’s mood. “Whatever the food is I am sure we can give it a try.”

~ Serral

Sega’a coughed, “…yes, exactly. I prepared a blend of Earth and Orion foods to honour her culture and mine. They’re plant-based, save Hago’s seafood cake, so I hope there is something you’ll each enjoy.” He returned Serral’s smile and made a swift gesture to the corner table. “Let’s eat!”

(OOC: reposting the foods available!)

He led them to a table, where there were ratatouille-like dishes with Orion fruits, grilled roots with candied nuts and a dark drizzle that looked like a red-tinted balsamic, a poofy fried bread and various dips, and many smaller appetizers that ranged from stuffed fungi to fritters. Then, of course, there was an intricate “cake” that Sega’a whipped up with Hago’s beloved meats, notably local fish and shrimp. He paused by the chair and fished the plates and utensils from a wooden crate and offered them to Kastarak and Serral. “Please, take as much as you like. There’s water and unsweetened ice tea in those canisters,” he waved a hand in the general direction, “and there are seats over there.”

— Sega’a

Finally Kastarak understood Hago was an animal, but not any kind of animal, but a special one to his friend Hago. Hago was a family member – indeed, a companion – to Sega’a, and this importance was something Kastarak had to respect, even if he struggled to understand the hows and whys of it.

This was what Serral was having trouble understanding. Raised on Vulcan, bonds with ‘lesser’ intelligent creatures were seen as pointless. He would, however do his best to remain respectful, especially considering he barely knew anyone here. It was… A tad awkward.

He did not expect them to understand his bond with Hago. In his travels, animals were a source of sustenance and a sign of wealth. They provided nourishment, oils, sinew, warm furs and hide, and bones on which many cultures were partially built and sustained. His included. While plant-based and, more recently, synthetic materials replaced those from animals in the Federation, he suspected past beliefs surrounding the cognitive differences between ‘us’ and ‘them’ still influenced their interactions with animals. They surely influenced his. Sega’a wasn’t sure about Vulcan beliefs about animals and their relative standing compared to more ‘cognitively advanced’ creatures, but he assumed it was similar, if rooted in more logic than the Orion’s.

Sega’a could not bring himself to ruminate on it, though, as their consideration for his love of Hago and their willingness to partake in these festivities with them was more than enough for him. He valued their presence.

He looked down at the growling creature before him, nodded, as if seeking Hago’s permission to speak a little privately to Sega’a. Kastarak walked up close to Sega’a, close enough that Kastarak could feel Sega’a’s heat radiating from his warm body. To Kastarak, it felt comfortable and secure – it was similar to the serenity achieved by full logic and emotionless. But he was not void of emotions now. He felt touched by witnessing the interaction between his friend and his friend’s companion.

Sega’a stood with his face away from Kastarak, but there was an unmistakable twinkle in his eyes when he noticed him approach. For a moment, he relished his closeness in comfortable silence before turning to him.

Kastarak spoke softly to Sega’a, still being physically close to him.

“I see how important Hago is to you. You honour me with your invitation to attend this reception, introducing me to this private part of your life. We Vulcans are very private, and once invited to a private sphere, we take it seriously. I do not know your culture very much, but I would like, at some point, to explore the meaning of your relationship with Hago, and also the relationship which you and I share.”

If his six-valved, green-tinted heart could flutter, he was almost positive it would. Kastarak’s friendship meant everything to him. He cherished their bond and the time they shared, and he held his opionion in the highest regard. So, his interest in what Sega’a adored only deepened the attachment he felt to him.

“I would like that very much,” he smiled but kept his voice at a whisper.

Raising his voice back to normal, Kastarak continued “In the meantime, I shall avail myself of the opportunity to sample some of the Orion foods you have provided. What do you recommend tasting?”

– Kastarak

“I usually recommend the bread to anyone unaccustomed to Orion flavours,” he indicated poofy bread dusted with some tangy-smelling Orion spice blend. “If you do not mind a little sweetness, try this…” he lifted the plate of roasted fruits coated in a blue-ish sauce resembling a ratatouille. “It’s based the only dish my father knew how to cook. I don’t quite remember what he called it, but he said his mother used to prepare it for him in the summers. The other dishes are mostly Terran-influenced, but I would be delighted to prepare a true Orion supper for you in the future. Maybe when there’s less ‘extra’ stuff happening.”

“Thank you,” Kastarak replied. “I would look forward to the Orion dinner, too, should you decide to act on it once I return to the Chernov.”

He snatched a plate to fill, pausing when another thought crossed his mind, then glanced at Kastarak.

He took the plate, and tasted it. It was not what he would usually eat, but the colour was fascinating. As he chewed on the foot, savouring the flavours, he thought of the story that this was Sega’a’s family’s summer dinner. A family recipe, a dish without a name, that possibly helped anchor Sega’a with his family, despite the long distance from them. He had rarely heard Sega’a talk about his family before, and this helped Kastarak see another part of Sega’a’s identity – important enough that Sega’a would cook the dish, and relate the story. Perhaps some time, when Kastarak and Sega’a would be alone, he might ask Sega’a about his parents and identity.

“Oh, and Kastarak?” He pursed his lips in brief hesitation. “Thank you.”

That last uttering from Sega’a confused Kastarak. He did not understand why he was thanked. Yet, it seemed improper and illogical under the circumstances to enquire. He decided to save it for later.

Serral chose the poofy bread food, helped himself to a cup of iced tea, and then took a seat while Kastarak and Sega’a spoke in what looked to be a more private conversation. The food was, surprisingly, to his tastes and quite nice, really and while he ate he watched the strange cat like creature.

~ Serral

After filling his plate with one of everything and retrieving a glass of water (from which he removed the ice cubes), he plopped onto one of the many lattice chairs and directed his attention to their newest coworker.

“So, Mr Echei…” he balanced the glass on the uneven floor, “we – well, I – dragged you into this celebration before we got the chance to be properly acquainted. As I understand, you’re joining the Chernov, eh? If you don’t mind my nosiness, what do you do?”

— Sega’a

– Kastarak

Serral looked at Sega’a and if he weren’t so well trained in the Vulcan teachings of logic, one might swear he grinned a little bit. “I design prosthetic limbs, for amputee patients. I’m the designer of the internal components and external look of these devices, doctors handle the medical side of it.” Serral often worked closely with medical doctors. He could go on much longer but instead he managed to stop himself there and looked at Sega’a.

~ Lt JG Echei, Science


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