Ensign S'Rorr - Crunchy Spider Snacks and Funny Fear

[S'Rorr]

(( A "Trusty" Diner, Carbon Creek, Pennsylvania, Earth ))

Seleya: I’ve been locked in classrooms recently, so it will be nice to get it. Are you from this area, commander?

Ada: No, but ever since I first saw the Poconos, I knew I wanted to backpack in the region. Just never got around to it. And Carbon Creek isn't too far from the Poconos, so here we are preparing to ascend White Dial on a winding path to the top.

Seleya: Is that a place of significance on Earth?

S'Rorr was also curious if it was a place of historical or spiritual significance.

S'Rorr: What's at the top?

Ada: It's just the nearest mountain range to where I grew up. The Pennsylvania wilderness is familiar to me, and I miss it sometimes. And Rory, the peak is at the top.

Rory's head and ears both drooped. Of course, the peak.

Seleya: I am assuming a good view, and a sense of achievement.

Ada: That too, if we're lucky.

S'Rorr: So you're telling me the goal is to walk all the way up to the top, with no vehicles, and when you get there you get to... look around? And then walk back the same way?

Seleya: Indeed Doctor, it is enjoyable and good exercise.

Ada: The goal is to go on the hike.

S'Rorr: Thrilling. Do they at least let you catch your own snacks?

Seleya: I am unsure of Earth’s laws regarding hunting wildlife.

Ada: Hunting is considered a cultural practice, you are free to do so.

Rory nodded and sat back in his seat as the server arrived.

Waitress: Have y'all decided what y'all like?

Rory collected the menus after everyone was finished, stacked them neatly all in the same orientation and passed them to the waitress who tucked them into an apron pocket before jotting down the orders.

Seleya: Yes, I will have the egg combination plate. Scrambled, with sausage, wheat toast and a fruit salad. I would also like water, please.

Ada: I'll have biscuits and gravy, please. Vegan.

S’Rorr: Pancakes with maple syrup and two orders of bacon.

The server took those orders and hurried off to have them filled, calling out to the cook some of the main elements as she walked.

Seleya: So, how does this hike typically take, Commander?

Ada: 3 days, or 4 if we go the long way.

S’Rorr: D-days? Days? That.. oh. That makes sense.

That explained the tent in his backpack. S'Rorr quickly did some mental math about how much he had packed and how much he may need to replicate going forward. It's a good thing that his schedule had already been cleared. He was certain he would have been told how long the hike would be and chewed himself out silently for not paying close enough attention to the messages he receives.

Seleya: Unfortunately, I do have to report back to Starbase 1 for training on Monday morning.

Ada: Then well take the typical route.

S'Rorr: Hope the weather stays fair.

Seleya: Response

The server arrived carrying everyone's order all at once, far more plates than hands, and set them all down confidently on the table. S'Rorr smelled the hot bacon and maple syrup covered pancakes and changed his mind about historical north american diners.

Ada: Oh! Thank you.

Waitress: Mmmhm... Y'all need anything else? Hot sauce?

Seleya: Response

S’Rorr: Glass of water.

Azura reached for the salt shaker.

Ada: I'm fine, thanks. ::The server left.:: This is going to be great. So many good birds, and forest critters. ::She took a bite of her breakfast.:: And bears. But they'll leave us alone.

S'Rorr: ::piling his bacon onto his pancakes:: What's a bear?

Seleya/Ada: Response

S'Rorr: Really? How big do they get?

Seleya/Ada: Response

S'Rorr had thrown his crispy bacon on top of the pancakes and covered both in syrup, then dug in with the fork and knife provided. His senses lit up immediately with the bright cloying taste of SUGAR. The replicators on the ship forbade him from having this amount this quickly, doctor's orders, but there were no replicators here. Just pure, natural, unhealthy SUGAR.

He ate perhaps too quickly.

S'Rorr: I might need to replicate some extra food before we get started. I'm not sure I packed enough and locals tend to get a little weirded out if I eat wildlife. Humans are SO strange sometimes. Oh, I mean no offense, Commander.

Seleya/Ada: Response

S'Rorr: A human friend from medical school took me to his family's home in São Paulo, down in the Ribeira Valley, where they grow these huge banana trees. That man would peel a banana and put it in his MOUTH and eat it ::said as if this was the most unthinkably horrendous thing a person could do::, and I mean, all day, think nothing of it, but I pick up Brazilian wandering spider out of a bunch and eat that and suddenly everybody's gagging and looking at me funny?

Seleya/Ada: Response

S'Rorr: What.. ? bananas are creepy.. they're just.. ughg.. and they smell.. and the.. uh uh. I don't even like being near them. That whole trip was kind of nightmare fuel, haha. What about you two? Got any "funny" fears?

Seleya/Ada: Response

Ensign S'Rorr

Counselor

USS Chin'toka

A240206S04