Ensign Kivik: Food For Thought
Keegan Flick-Parker
((Conference Room, Science & Research Section, Amity Outpost))
As the train rolled into the terminal, Ensign Kivik finished the last sip of nir raktajino. The barista had suggested that the trip ‘down’ from Amity’s Mezzanine to the station’s Science & Research Center – which some had taken to referring to as “The Basement” due to its location at the tip of Amity’s ventral tower – should take just enough time to finish a 12oz beverage before it got cold. The junior science officer smiled at the particularly satisfying timing as the train came to a stop.
The day promised to be interesting. Already, in some areas, there had been some contention between the existing Civilian personnel and the new Starfleet Science crew regarding the allocation of space and resources. The station had, of course, originally been commissioned as a research & development facility focused on anti-Borg technology. As such, there were ample lab and work spaces designed with this purpose in mind. However, this presented numerous challenges to the crew as they looked to diversify the type of work being conducted in The Basement - challenges which were quickly turning into conflicts.
As an Anthropologist by speciality, Kivik had found nemself caught up inadvertently caught up in the middle of one of these disagreements. The room ne had been assigned to, along with a handful of other biological / anthropological researchers had, originally, been a prototyping facility and still contained a good deal of equipment which was deemed simultaneously too valuable to dispose of, too delicate to move, and too hazardous to remain. Somehow the responsibility of figuring out how to make the space work - without removing the equipment - had fallen on Kivik and an unwitting Civilian researcher.
As Kivik passed the Conference Room, nir exasperated thoughts were suddenly interrupted by an unfamiliar, and yet deeply appealing, aroma emanating from within. Ne stopped and, after a momentary pause to confirm that ne was in fact smelling something delicious, ne stepped backwards until ne was parallel to the door again, which slid open. The unmistakable smell of sweet syrup, chopped nuts, and chocolate wafted from the room and made Kivik’s stomach grumble greedily.
Drakos: Dr. Aleksandrov… A good idea you’ve had here.
Aleksandrov: I certainly hope so. ::she smiled at the Bajoran biologist:: A food fight is preferable to a territorial spat over beakers.
Kivik, unfamiliar with the two scientists in the room, hesitated a moment, before making the decision that socializing with strangers would be worth it for the chance to find out what enticing treats ne was smelling.
Kamoyo smiled when she saw more entering the room, drawn to the food.
Aleksandrov: Welcome. Help yourself to the food and drink.
Kivik: ::Raising a hand in greeting:: Good morning! Thank you - I couldn’t resist… I may not know exactly what that is, but if it tastes half as good as it smells, you may wish to rescind that open invitation. ::Whispering to nirself while patting nir stomach:: Easy now…
Aleksandrov/Drakos/Any: Response
Kivik: Ensign Kivik. ::To Drakos:: I believe we may have met (very briefly) during our orientation, Ensign. ::To Aleksandrov:: It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m sure we’ll have many opportunities to work together, given the geological significance of the region!
The J’naii looked over the available options, noting the anticipatory gaze from Aleksandrov, as the Geologist waited to see what Kivik would select.
Kivik: I should probably stick away from the chocolate variety - though they do look very nice. My species and chocolate don’t mix during work hours.
Aleksandrov/Drakos/Any: Response
Ensign Kivik took a slice of the offered - oO What did they say it was? Baklava? Oo - and served it onto a small plate. The flaky pastry provided a delightfully inviting envelope for the rich filling.
Kivik: ::Mouth full:: Thith ith delithiouth! ::Swallowing:: Ah, sorry! I was trying to say that this is delicious - you’ll have to share the replicator pattern with me.
Aleksandrov/Drakos/Any: Response
Kivik blinked, struggling to process that such a beautiful concoction could be prepared in one’s own kitchen. The J’naii scientist had never been much of a cook and had completely abandoned the notion of home cooking (let alone the far more complex art/science of baking) during nir time at the Academy.
Kivik: You mean you made this? As in, with your own hands? From the base ingredients? You cooked this yourself?
Aleksandrov/Drakos/Any: Response
TBC