JP: Lieutenant (JG) Is’Kah Xiron and Ensign Ezra Zerva - Dinner for Three Part 1
BC Cooper
((Trill-Thai Restaurant. San Francisco, Earth))
Ensign Ezra Zerva had arrived back on earth the day before his scheduled dinner date appointment with his mother. It was her idea and she had penciled in her own son, so of course it would be considered an appointment. They had talked about it on the way from the Alpha Isles to Earth. She had called him, something he was surprised about, given her busy schedule at the Trill Embassy. To hear from his mother, especially after his recent away mission, gave him the hope she would be more welcome to communication between them. At least he hoped it would lead to that. His conversation with the ship’s counselor Lt Jacin about his family was helpful. Unfortunately his mother didn’t seem to have a lot of empathy for Ezra losing his Chief Petty Officer Vanta or for his counseling appointment.
Ezra stood outside the small, but quant restaurant Trill Thai. A place that served a mix of Trill and Thai cuisine. It was his mothers idea and Ezra was willing to give it a try.
Seeing his mother, Ezra wanted nothing more than to give her a hug, but she had always resisted such effections. Instead she reached out with her hands and took his hands in hers for but only a couple of seconds with half a smile before letting her hands drop to her sides. Ezra returned her half hearted smile. He wanted to tell her so many things. Things he was feeling and what he had been through since his last away mission. He wanted to tell her. He knew this wasn’t the time or place. He was hoping they would get the chance while he was here on earth before his shore leave would end.
Kala Zerva: Ezra. It’s good to see you.
Did she mean it? The tone in her voice might say otherwise. Ezra stayed reserved and cautious. In truth he wanted to let his guard down and tell her everything that happened on his last mission. To have her understand and listen to him when he needed her the most. To tell his mother that he loved her and wanted nothing more than to have her tell him that she loved him too.
Ezra Zerva: ::nodding:: Thank you. I… I’m happy that you’ve giving me some time in your busy schedule
Kala Zerva: Oh nonsense Ezra, I am happy to spend my time with you. Where is the adorable little dog of yours?
Ezra Zerva: Foxy Lady is currently resting in my quarters on the Khitomer right now. I wanted to bring her, but didn’t think this was a good place for her. Most restaurants frown upon you bringing your pets along, unless it’s a service animal. I’ll try and stop by at home before shore leave ends, so you and the rest of the family get to meet her in person.
Kala Zerva: I’m sure your father and brother and sister will be thrilled to see your little Foxy. Come on, let's go inside and talk about all your adventures in the Alpha Isles while we eat.
Ezra wondered if that included discussing Chief Vanta’s death and his part in the last mission that ultimately got her killed. It wasn’t his fault and he had been assured by his ship’s counselor that it wasn’t, but that still didn’t change how he felt deep down inside. A small part of him would still feel like he failed the Chief and wondered if there was something more he could have done.
Ezra nodded and the two walked into the restaurant. As they made their way inside Kala gestured towards the table she had taken the liberty of getting for the two of them, or so he thought. Sitting at the table was the one person he didn’t think he would get to see while on shore leave as he knew she was busy with her duties on the USS Chin’toka.
Kala smiled and gestured to the table. A petite Vulcan/Trill hybrid was sitting across it, wearing a floral sleeveless dress. The left side of her head had been freshly shaved, showing off the spots on her head and the bar that went through her ear. On her upper arm was a phoenix tattoo rising out of a Borg’s mouth with the date for Frontier Day written below. She was already rising when Ezra noticed her.
Ezra Zerva: ::surprised:: Is’Kah? ::smiling:: It’s good to see you. What? How? ::turning to give his mother a look:: Mother. What did you do? Did you call her?
Kala Zerva: Yes. That shouldn’t be a surprise. :::innocent eyes:: What? Can’t a mother invite a guest to dinner with us? ::smirking:: Come now, let's enjoy shore leave before you both have to go back to work.
Is’Kah: I heard it was your birthday, and your mother discovered mine is a month and a half later. She was quite :: beat:: insistent that I visit to celebrate with you.
The diminutive hybrid picked up a small package wrapped in white wrapping paper with Christmas trees adorning it, with a little bow on top. Coming around, she wrapped an arm around Ezra and handed him the box with engraved dog bowls inside, along with several dog toys.
Is’Kah: Happy birthday, Ezra. I trust you will find this ::winces at sounding too Vulcan:: I hope you like it.
Ezra Zerva: ::hugging:: Thank you. ::sits down:: It’s pretty paper and I like the bow. :: begins to open his gift::
Is’Kah: I am sure she’ll love it.
She grinned at her friend before returning to her seat, grateful she was sitting on a thick cushion. Otherwise, she’d barely sit high enough to eat.
Kala Zerva seemed to be fixated on Ezra’s present as he pulled off the bow. Sensing his mothers eyes upon his gift, he looked up at her.
Ezra Zerva: Something wrong mother? ::eyes the half opened gift:: You can’t spoil this gift can you? ::to Is’Kah:: She hates surprises.
Is’Kah: I could, but I won’t.
Kala Zerva: I do, but she did say I’m sure she’ll like it. Besides, I'm only a little worried about what’s inside.
Ezra Zerva: Mother! Don’t help spoil the surprise. It’s not like she brought in contraband. It’s a restaurant. Can’t you just take one day off? ::to Is’Kah:: This is what she does. Even with gift giving. For as long as I could remember as a kid. She felt like turning a year older was enough. No need to make a big deal out of it.
Is’Kah: ::Eyebrow raise:: So do most Vulcans.
Kala Zerva: Well your grandfather didn’t think it was a big deal. See? Even Is’Kah agrees. Spending time on Vulcan I would think, would get you into that mindset.
Ezra Zerva: ::to his mother:: I am sorry that your dad didn't give you gifts on your birthdays. ::to Is’Kah:: When my father convinced her to give us a gift, she decided it was the one time we could spend our allowance on a gift for ourselves.
Kala Zerva: It’s fine Ezra, I got used to not getting gifts. ::to Is’Kah:: When else would my children spend it?
Is’Kah: On candy and video games.
Ezra Zerva: ::looks at his mother:: I like candy and video games. Well when I was younger I liked both. ::to Is’Kah:: Whenever she bought a gift for us, it wasn’t wrapped. She felt it wasn’t necessary. When she agreed to wrap the gifts, she had father do it. Because it was a more effective use of her time and more efficient.
Kala Zerva: Well it is more efficient.
Is’Kah: Are you sure you’re not part Vulcan?
Ezra Zerva: But then she told us what was inside. Thus spoiling the surprise before we finished opening it.
Kala Zerva: ::to Is’Kah:: I’d like to think my time on Vulcan taught me a few things. Some life lessons I’ve learned since then. ::to Ezra:: I’m saving you time and money by not wrapping it. ::smiles at the wrapping paper and bow:: It’s pretty. I like the choice of paper and bow. ::to Is’Kah:: I can see how skilled you are at gift wrapping.
Is’Kah: Thank you, it is much like a paper art I know of. One thing I’ve learned about emotional beings is that the suspense of opening gifts builds anticipation, and the gift giver gets satisfaction from watching the person’s face light up. Rip that paper off, as that’s the best way to end the suspense.
Ezra Zerva: ::smiles:: I can do that can’t I? ::grinning:: I don’t know, I kinda like leaving my mother in suspense.
Kala Zerva: ::frustrated:: Oh just open it already. Or would you like some help?
Ezra Zerva: I’ve got it. ::finishes ripping off the paper and then opens the box:: Ohhh how pretty. ::smiling:: Foxy will love this. Thank you Is’Kah.
Is’Kah: You are welcome; she deserves a special gift.
Ezra Zerva: Awww. That’s so sweet.
Kala Zerva: I know you’ve met Ezra’s Foxy Lady in person. He hasn’t brought her to meet me.
Ezra: ::eye rolling:: You never liked dogs or any pet. We couldn’t even have one as a child.
A rumble came from Is’Kah’s stomach, causing her to flush green. Tucking her hair being her right ear, she smiled at the mother and son.
Is’Kah: I guess that means we should order something?
Ezra saw her blushing after her tummy rumbling. He tried his best to act like he didn’t notice. It was the tucking her hair behind her ear that caused him to blush himself. There was something cute about her doing that that made him smile on the inside.
Ezra Zerva: I can eat. ::picks up a menu::
Kala Zerva: ::nods:: The food here is excellent.
Is’Kah: Kala, what would you recommend? I didn’t get to visit this place while at the Academy.
Ezra Zerva: This my first time here.
Kala Zerva: The pork Thai-Trill is a personal favorite of mine. This is my go to spot for my lunch break.
And yet Ezra was never invited to eat here before? What gives? Why now? Was it more than just his birthday? Or Is’Kah being here? Or was it something else?
TBC
Lieutenant (JG) Is’Kah Xiron
Engineering
USS Chin’toka
R240101I14
Character Pronouns: She/Her/Zha/Zhen
and
Ensign Ezra Zerva
Security Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
A240101EZ2