LtCmdr Jovenan – Friends forever
Jovenan
((Sadar-Aqila quarters, Deck 6, USS Artemis))
Much had happened during their brief dinner together, but Jovenan was happy that they had been able to talk about it all. She and Vitor would have revealed their relationship to Doctor Sadar anyway, on a later date, but this had turned out to be the best possible occasion for that. Doctor Sadar’s admission that she was organizing the dinner because of a request by Counsellor Jaskhaa made her unusually gripping anxiety more understandable, and Jovenan and Vitor were more able to support her knowing that. In the end, Jovenan felt closer to them both and was happy when they could resume the dinner itself, with the next dish being presented.
Jovenan: Looks interesting! But, uh, pardon my inexperience, but how do I eat the oysters? I don’t think I’ve eaten them before.
Sadar: Oh, uhh, I-I know you have a vegetarian diet, s-so I don’t mind at all if you just eat the salad, Lt. Commander.
Silveira: I can have the oysters if you eat them my love.
The other’s care of her dietary preferences was admirable – and Vitor’s offer was adorable and lovely – but she shook her head and waved her hands to sign them that they didn’t need to care for her on this occasion. The vegetarian diet was cultural and something Jovenan was flexible about when she had a good reason to deviate from it.
Jovenan: No, it’s quite alright! I must insist, you’ve gone through the trouble of preparing it for us, I have to try it!
The two others exchanged looks and they both nodded. Jovenan raised an eyebrow and smiled at them. It was almost as if they were scheming together, and she would have preferred to be in on it. Doctor Sadar reached out for the tray of the Mizragavi.
Sadar: O-Okay, i-if you’re sure? ::picks up an oyster shell:: W-Well, there are two ways, depending on your preference. One way is eating it with a fork, which can help if you’re unfamiliar with it, but on Mizabet we eat it like this. ::holds it up:: The oyster itself is beneath the vegetables and boiling the shell will loosen its grip on the shell, so it’ll slide down if you tip the shell. J-Just, be careful, the cheese is still a bit hot.
Doctor Sadar demonstrated the correct way to eat the oysters by tipping the shell and letting the oyster – the meaty part of it – to slide out of the shell with the cheese and the vegetables. Jovenan followed her curiously, unsure if she’d consider that manner to eat elegantly clean or something that was carried from the respective cultures’ equivalent to the Chaotic Times.
Silveira: I like this way better.
Well then, Jovenan had to try it out. She followed Doctor Sadar’s instruction and example and brought the oyster’s hard outer shell to her lips. After a second of hesitation, she mimicked Doctor Sadar and tipped the shell. The oyster and the accompaniments poured out to her mouth, instantly spreading their flavour. It was quite an interesting taste, the cheese and the vegetables had a more or less familiar flavour she quite liked, and the oyster itself had a nice, not quite savoury taste to it. However, as soon as the oyster fell onto her tongue, the texture of it caused a negative reaction in her which she had to contain. She hoped that her companions didn’t notice the subtle change in her expression when the remains of the slimy creature slithered down her throat. Not wanting to cause an insult, Jovenan chose not to comment on her experience and instead changed the subject and pulled the salad closer to her.
Jovenan: Is there something else Counsellor Jaskhaa is making you go through? Perhaps either of us could help you with it. Going outside your comfort zone is much easier with a friend, I would imagine.
Sadar: N-No, there’s nothing else. For now. I-I’m sure she’ll just be happy with a successful dinner party. Th-Though, I’m sure come next shore leave, she will have figured something else out for me.
On her side, Vitor smiled and continued eating the oyster. Jovenan was relieved that he could shower Doctor Sadar in admiration of her traditional foods for the both of them. The salad was delicious, too, although she still felt bad of her reaction to the oyster. She wondered if she would have appeared more polite if she had taken the offer not to try them.
Silveira: We are here to help you if you need.
Jovenan: Absolutely. Just let us know when you need anything.
Sadar: I-I thank you, friends... ::wrings her hands:: Y-You have both been so patient with me, and... I, uhh... I owe everything I’ve accomplished this past year to your guidance.
Jovenan placed her palm on her upper chest to express her gratitude for the kind words, while Vitor was shaking his head and waving his hands.
Silveira:
No, no, no… All your accomplishments are your own merit, we might
just gave a little help, but the brunt of the work is yours.
And
I thank you the patience and friendship you have for us.
Jovenan nodded. She could always trust Vitor to find just the right words to support anyone. The poor, nervous, anxious Doctor had been subjected to a lot over the last year or so, from CloQ’s machinations to the Frontier Day and the perils of the Genesis Planet, and still, she had achieved great feats. As much as Jovenan would have wanted to be there for her more often to support her and to protect her, Doctor Sadar had always come out of it as the champion regardless.
Jovenan: That’s right. You have worked hard for your achievements, and you should be proud of that – I am, we are. You have been a good friend to us as well, whether you realised that or not. Thank you, Gila.
The Doctor smiled. She had quite a nice smile, too. They raised their glasses for a toast. Jovenan looked at her beloved boyfriend and her good friend. This was a moment she wished to remember and to cherish until the end of her life.
Sadar: To the Artemis-A.
oO To the friends, forever. Oo
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Lieutenant Commander Jovenan
Chief Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11