Lt JG Tess Evinrude - Conversational Deflectors

[Tess Evinrude]

((Clean Hall Lounge, Deck 6, USS Ronin))

Evinrude: I'm afraid the broiler isn't ready yet, trouble adapting the fuel supply safely. But we've got some solid equipment installed, surely enough for such an...accomplished chef.

Thoné: Well, that’s bitter lemon man. But a chef never blames their equipment, only their ingredients and customers.

Tess was nonplussed. He was trying to help the woman, not insult.

Beck: Okay, then… do you have any specialties? I am a bit of a foodie myself, so I'm willing to try something I've never had before.

oO Naturally, she would have something up her sleeve--er, wing? Oo

Robin smacked her wing against her face, and for a moment Quentin's cheeks flushed, and his expression became mollifying. Evinrude was honestly touched by the man's attempt to be considerate in such a chaotic environment - it reminded the junior officer that, even if a diplomatic envoy was annoying, they were still a guest.

Robin: You… You shouldn’t have said that, sir.

Thoné: Ah a foodie! Finally, someone on the ship who makes sense! You’ll have to come back, alone. Yes?

Zeyva flew off, metaphorically, disappearing for the time being. Tess...was just along for the ride, mildly confused but hiding it well. This chaos was par for the course.

Beck: So… what's the occasion? I've never been pranked into a dinner before…

Now that was an odd turn of phrase.

Evinrude: Wait...pranked? ::Tess smiled, ignorant to the circumstances.:: Do tell...

Robin: ::Bluntly:: She thinks you two are gooey lava cakes for each other.

Quentin blinked. Tess blinked. They looked at Robin, very confused.

oO Gooey lava cakes... that must be a Klowahkan turn of phrase.  Right? Oo

The lieutenant tried explaining, in as little detail as possible.

Evinrude: ::Looking more confused, but still smiling.:: Oh, no no, Quentin and I are...acquainted. We shared a rather...intense experience on Bajor, some time ago.

Robin: Oh, a holiday? A Lover's retreat?

oO Gooey...lava...cakes. Oo

Om-Zora: I don’t think they’d call it that.

Quentin raised his hand to rub his palm over his face. Tess was turning red, but his posture remained professional.

Beck: Quite the opposite, actually. I don't want to get too deep into it, but we had to deal with… let's say mortal enemies.

Evinrude: ::Quietly, loud enough that everyone could hear but clearly to himself.:: Immortal enemy, more like.

One of the dinner guests was at least polite enough to attempt to put an end to the thread of conversation.

Robin: Ah, my apologies.

The other was not.

Om-Zora: I wouldn’t apologize. Beck certainly has a reputation. It’s an easy mistake. And they are… a handsome couple now that they’re here. By human standards, anyway.

Tess picked up on Beck's uncharacteristic loss of words, and something about the reaction prompted a friendly protectiveness in the lieutenant.

Evinrude: ::He narrowed his eyes, smiling at the bird-persons, and smoothly deflected.:: And what about yourselves, hm?

Robin gazed at Om-Zora, putting her wing around their back. Om-Zora continued looking...neutral, perhaps somehow defiant.

Robin: Yeah, we’re an item. He’s my little sour-cake.

Robin kissed Om-Zora gently on the head. They weren't the least bit abashed about the revelation, which was, in all honestly, charming.

Om-Zora: Thank you.

Beck: Like mother, like daughter, mm? Sour-cake, lemon man…

It seemed that Beck's sense of humor had returned, and that play on words brought a laugh out of Tess. He decided to play along.

Evinrude: Does Zeyva approve of this...flavor combination?

Robin: Response

Thoné: Response

Suddenly, their host reappeared and presented them with glasses. The bottle of blue came back out, now opened, and he nodded his thanks.

Om-Zora: Well, typically, I don’t like drinking for a first outing. But I suppose the point of this is dinner. So pour me one. ::a beat, realizing a distinct lack of politeness on his part:: Please.

Quentin tilted a healthy pour into Om-Zora's glass before repeating the process for the others, managing to fill them all roughly equally without so much as a trickle spilling down the bottle's side.

oO Impressive hosting buddy! Oo

Beck: A toast?

Everyone raised their glasses in turn.

Beck: To… new friends. And to finding a way to navigate the… unexpected.

The doctor's toast carried quite the weight, and it was not lost on Evinrude. But, here they were, in the company of fantastic food, wine, and...honestly decent company. Always one to support a friend, Evinrude turned on the charm and added to the gesture.

Evinrude: Hear hear! I'm glad we found the time.

The severity of what they had all been through settled onto Tess' shoulders a bit, and he found that he really meant the sentiment. To a degree.

Om-Zora/Robin/Thoné: Response

Glasses clinked together with formality. Evinrude sampled the wine, and found that it was to his liking.

Beck: While I do consider Tess to be someone I can trust to the end, I'll have to dispel the idea that we are anything but friends. Not that he's a bad looking guy - far from it - but my tastes tend to run a little more… pointy-eared. ::a beat:: Or furrier. ::a beat:: Look, I dated a Caitian for a while.

Quentin's explanation contained several compliments, and none of them were lost on the lieutenant - particularly "trust to the end." But Tess had to admit - he appreciated the way the man deflected away from the misunderstanding by offering some personal revelations.

Om-Zora/Robin/Thoné: Response

Beck: Om-Zora, you're Science, right? Working with V'Len?

Om-Zora/Robin/Thoné: Response

Evinrude: Operations? ::Tess took another sip of wine, a rather long one.:: I have to admit, it's...odd, operating without a permanent department head.

Om-Zora/Robin/Thoné/Beck: Response

Evinrude: ::With a small, genuine smile.:: Honestly, I have enjoyed the remodel of the Lounge. It makes me feel...like I'm helping out the crew, in a direct way.

He turned to look directly at Zeyva, face neutral but...there was some steel in his tone.

Evinrude: ::Firm, yet pleasant.:: I don't want this place to fail. I want my crewmates to feel comfortable here. With...everything going on, the ship needs more warm places. To gather.

Om-Zora/Robin/Thoné/Beck: Response

[Tags/TBC]

--

Lieutenant J.G. Tess Evinrude

[he/him]

Operations Officer

USS Ronin

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