Ensign Gideon Hughes - Dinner with the Xirons
Kevin Day
((Xiron Quarters, Deck 7, USS Valkyrie))
Dinner had been going better than Gideon could ever have hoped. The feelings of anxiety had been replaced with cautious optimism and growing confidence.
oO This has been so great! I feel like nothing can go wrong at this point! Oo
Xiron: That is very generous of you. Sounds like you got a version of the Andorian clan multi-family living. Smells really good. Do you need a hand?
Hughes: I think that about does it. Shall we eat here at the bar? or the table?
Xiron: The table. It seems we are all in the family feels, tonight.
Is'Kah: That sounds delightful.
Gideon: Please be honest about what you think. After all we learn more from our failures than we do or successes. ::He looked and smiled awkwardly at Ghee'looth:: I feel the same about my work as an engineer, once I'm officially on the job.
Xiron: You will find that I am not shy about my observations in the Engine Room.:: She smiled as she helped herself to some of the cheese and tubers.:: That is really good! You got that crunchy outside with the soft inside. Is’Kah, you have to try this.
Gideon held his breath as the small Trican woman took a bite of his cooking.
oO Please like it! Oo
Is'Kah: Oh, this is wonderful.
Xiron: This food really brings me back to home with the family for the Festival of Light
Is'Kah: It does. Didn’t you give me something like this from one of the street vendors?
Gideon sighed in relief at another positive reaction to the home cooked meal. The smile on his face was so wide it almost seemed painful to maintain. He looked between the loving couple as they spoke and ate, hoping that his dreamy gaze didn’t come off as creepy or voyeuristic.
Xiron: ?
Hughes: I’m sorry ::he apologized with a relaxed laugh:: I can just see how happy you two are. It's infectious.
Is’Kah: Gideon, you’d love walking the streets of Andoria, just being a foodie. So much amazing cuisine.
Xiron: ?
Hughes: Uggggg, don’t tease me ::he said sarcastically, sounding pained at the prospect of so many new, delicious tapestries of taste::. Now that I’m in Starfleet though, I’m sure I could make my way to the Homeworld some day.
Is’Kah: I am planning to go to the next festival, as the family will want to meet Ghee’looth’s child. You’d be welcome to come with us. Maybe you’ll get to meet more of your family who still live there.
Xiron: ?
Gideon blinked with surprise, his utensils pausing mid-way through cutting another bit of the white, flaky eel flesh as he considered the offer.
Hughes: Wait.. really? ::He looked to Ghee’looth to see if Is’Kah’s offer was serious:: I would hate to intrude on such a special holiday?
Is’Kah: Delightful. What’s the next course? Is’Hari is hungry tonight.
Gideon shared a laugh with Is’Kah just as the egg timer he had set for the baking went off.
Hughes: Perfect timing! No dinner is complete without a proper dessert. This was one of my Chada’s favorites too! ::He rose and made his way back to the Xiron’s kitchen::
Xiron/Is’kah: ?
Hughes: Nonsense! You both sit and relax, I can handle these souffles on my own.
Xiron/Is’Kah: ?
The moment that Gideon popped the oven open, the smell of baked Andorian Beetle Cream Souffle flooded the pair’s quarters, leaving no escape from the intensely sweet aroma. Slowly and surely, Gideon transferred the piping hot ceramic ramekins to a serving tray and delivered all three to the dining room table. Once he successfully set the souffle’s down without deflating the fragile little desserts, he beamed at both Is’Kah and Ghee’looth.
Hughes: These are my Magnum Opus for tonight's meal. What do you think?
Xiron/Is’Kah: ?
Ensign Gideon Hughes
Engineering Officer
USS Valkyrie-A NCC-76418-A
V240304GH3