LtCmdr Jovenan – Reverse cooking date
Jovenan
((Corridor, Deck 6, USS Artemis))
Jovenan encountered her boyfriend on the corridor to Doctor Sadar’s quarters. He came his own way from the opposite direction, dressed in a smart suit and white shirt. To Jovenan’s eyes, he looked particularly good dressed up in a step more formal civilian outfit than he often otherwise donned. He always looked good, very huggable and kissable – now that she could admit that to herself with their decision to start dating – but the suit made him look great. The widened smile added to the outfit, and something similar rose to Jovenan’s face as well.
He stepped closer to her, and they both stopped. He reached for her hand and pulled her closer, leaning in for a kiss. Had she not found kissing him so delightful and distracting, she may have been more concerned about who might see them in the corridor. Then again, did it matter? They were a couple now, they were allowed a loving kiss every once or twice, and even if they hadn’t yet made their relationship public, the word would be spreading anyway… and that would make it just easier for them to reveal it.
Silveira: You're beautiful as ever my dear. Have I said I love you today?
She straightened her pink dress with a single motion of a hand. She had worn it before with him, so either he was not entirely sincere with the compliment or he really liked it – her usual anxiety would have been screaming the first, but with him, now, she didn’t even consider it. Her wardrobe didn’t have too many galactic (that is, human) standard style clothes, far fewer suitable for the occasion. Of course, she could have replicated more of them, but with that many options to choose from, she had gone with the safe and familiar.
Jovenan: Not plenty enough times, love.
Silveira: I love you. I was surprised by this invite from Sada. I am thinking perhaps we should reconsider not telling her. ::he shrugged:: I don’t know, I don’t want to keep secrets… ::He winked at Nan:: And I want everyone to know that my girlfriend is the most amazing in the Universe.
They were still holding hands when they resumed the journey to Doctor Sadar’s. She had been surprised too when the Doctor had suggested just a dinner instead of a cooking night like the last time. Jovenan wasn’t objecting, after all, this was one more opportunity to spend time with her boyfriend before they’d leave for the survey mission for weeks, and even if Doctor Sadar was there too, it was almost like a date.
Jovenan: And I’d like to announce to the galaxy that I have the best boyfriend. But we have time. Besides, this is her party, maybe she’d want to talk about something specific with us.
Silveira: Good point… Let’s just be discreet, if the subject comes up we tell her, what do you think?
She stepped a little closer and tilted her head against his shoulder for a moment. Telling about it to their friend made it feel like more permanent, official, but then again, why should that have been a problem? They had already decided to be a couple! Yeah, that was what she wanted to, they didn’t have a reason not to reveal it to Doctor Sadar first if the conversation went that way.
Jovenan: Sure. Maybe she’ll bring something relevant up, if we’ve been as obvious about it to her as we were to everyone else.
Vitor nodded, and when they reached the correct door, let go off her hand and chimed the bell. It took the Doctor a while to answer it – Jovenan hoped she was still preparing for the dinner instead of the alternative of being so overtaken by anxiety that she couldn’t respond right away – but soon, the door opened, and they were greeted by a familiar face in an unfamiliar outfit.
Silveira: Sada, good to see you. I love your outfit.
Doctor Sadar’s out-of-duty robes were certainly an eye-catcher. She had worn something similar to the awards ceremony on Earth if Jovenan could remember correctly, and back then, the lack of uniforms had made the poor Doctor uncomfortable with herself. Perhaps being in her own home with just the couple of her friends would be less awkward.
Jovenan: Hello, Doctor. ::looks up and down:: It really is beautiful, suits you well.
Sadar: W-W-Welcome... U-Uuh… Th-Thank y- No, wait... C-Come inside first!
Oh, poor baby. The Doctor stepped aside, and Vitor let Jovenan step in first. She hadn’t had the opportunity to see her friend’s quarters – nor any of the other family quarters – before, so she looked around while walking in. The quarters were larger than hers, which was given considering that there were two people living there, with separate doors for the respective residents’ sleeping berths. There were curtains and other decorative objects around the room; Doctor Sadar was obviously a better interior designer than Jovenan with her quarters suffering from her procrastination.
Jovenan: What a lovely place!
Vitor followed in after her and demonstrated his familiarity with the room and his keen eye for details.
Silveira: Nice, you have some new things.
Sadar: Oh, uhh... Y-Yes. K-Kolya’s decorating skills are, mmh... W-Well... They’ve started expanding a bit.
Ah yes, the nephew. Jovenan hadn’t met him yet, although she supposed he was the young Mizarian she had caught a glimpse of in the corridors on a few occasions, and judging by his absence, she likely wouldn’t be meeting him now either. After straightening her robes again – was it that distracting when Jovenan did it? – Doctor Sadar gestured towards the table.
Sadar: Th-Th-Thank you for coming. P-Please, take a seat. Uhh, th-the first dish will be out soo- Wait, that’s not where I’m supposed to start! ::wrings anxiety band:: W-Would either of you like any refreshments?
Jovenan walked to the table, and before she could even pull out a chair for her, Vitor was already on it. He helped her sit down like a classic human gentleman he was, before taking his place as well.
Jovenan: It’s quite alright! Thank you for having us.
Silveira: First, thank you for having us. Second, calm down Sada. You look even more nervous than usual. It's us, your friends, we have done this before.
Sadar: Response
Jovenan couldn’t tell what was causing Doctor Sadar to be so nervous this evening. Maybe she did indeed have something to tell them and was feeling anxious about their reactions. Jovenan hoped it wasn’t because of her: Sadar had never been good with the higher ranking officers, and Jovenan was now a Lt Commander. But Sadar was also a Lieutenant, the one rank step separation had been steady for all these years. Hopefully she’d relax over the evening, that usually worked when Jovenan was feeling nervous about something.
Silveira: Sada, it's ok, there isn’t exactly a script for a dinner with friends.
Jovenan: If it helps, think of this like the cooking meeting we had a while ago, but without quite as much cooking.
Vitor nodded.
Silveira:
If I didn’t know you better I would think you're about to reveal a
deep secret…
Something like…
Jovenan tilted her head and raised her eyebrows. She knew him well enough to tell that whatever he was about to say, it was going to be interesting.
Silveira: Something like you started dating Gnai… I mean he does have a Starflirt profile. ::He knew that because it was actually Vitor that set that up as a stupid joke. That also reminded him he needed to take down his own profile.:: I mean once you work with someone and get to know them better… And you share some rough moments… ::He looked at Nan and his smile widened, and he inadvertently began to lean in her direction.:: Then you start to realize, that the friendship and the bond that unites you, becomes love.
oO Real subtle, love. Oo
Jovenan didn’t know if she should giggle or plant her face to her palms. She considered doing both. Although Gnai and Gila would have undoubtedly made a lovely couple, it was obvious that he was talking to her instead of Doctor Sadar. With him leaning towards her, she, perhaps unconsciously, perhaps deliberately, mirror him and inched closer to him.
Sadar: Response
Jovenan: ::looking at Silveira across the table:: It can be scary to try and form a romantic relationship with a friend, though. ::smiles:: But it can be rewarding. The best partner is both a lover and a friend, and when you love a friend, you’ve found him.
Silveira/Sadar: Response
Looking at Doctor Sadar, Jovenan didn’t feel like they were doing a particularly good job at helping her relax.
Jovenan: Sorry, Doctor. But you can tell us if there is something you want to tell us or if anything is troubling you. And it’s okay if you wanted to just have dinner with us. I love that!
Her eyes darted briefly to Vitor at the “I love that”, but her gaze returned to Doctor Sadar quickly after that.
Silveira/Sadar: Response
Jovenan: Are you sure you don’t want help with the foods? I don’t want to make you to serve us, we don’t have to be so formal about the dinner, do we?
Silveira/Sadar: Response
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Lieutenant Commander Jovenan
Chief Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11