PL - Dinner In Tycho City (First Assignment Part 3)
Posted on Tue Jan 24th, 2023 @ 3:52am by Ensign Kato Reon
1,076 words; about a 5 minute read
PL - Dinner In Tycho City (First Assignment Part 3)
By Ensign Kato Reon
Reon and Shalean materialized onto a transporter platform which led to an open area on Tycho City which was one of the cities on Earth's Moon. Once they both stepped off, they looked at each other, both in civilian clothing, smiled, then took each other by the hand and proceeded out. It was a vast city covered by a clear dome that had to have been at least a few thousand feet high. It was quite industrialized with buildings, roadways, and aircrafts that cruised nonchalantly in the sky. Of course, beyond the dome showed the black and starred sky of space which could be seen through its clarity.
"Say," Reon began, "You want to get something to eat? I have to admit I'm getting kind of hungry."
"Oh of course..." she replied, "What are you in the mood for?"
"Well, let me ask you first, what kind of food do you like? I'm always willing to try something new. I've tried a lot of things from Bolian Kallek to Ferengi Lento Moss."
"Honestly, my species don't eat much."
"Really?"
She nodded, "We have an implant that feeds our bodies deuridium in small doses and at spaced increments. It's a substance our cells need to continue thriving. Usually eating orally is something we do in very scant amounts if anything."
"Wow, I didn't even know that..." Reon had to admit, "And I got an A in intraspecies comprehension."
Shalean smiled, "It's okay. It's been a huge barrier as to why there aren't many of us in starfleet until today. I've made it work though. Anyway, I think there is a Vulcan restaurant about half a kilometer down that path. There's also a Tellarite diner somewhere in the southern quarter. Made my friend Mara sick though."
He cringed, "Really? Never tried their food. Come to think of it, I don't think I know anyone who loves it either."
The two of them came to a corner then turned and saw a small building with a flashing sign that said "Earth Cuisine, American Variety! Come to Row's!" when they laid eyes on it, they looked at each other, then proceeded toward it. When they walked in, they looked around and saw there were a good amount of people inside, mostly human but with individuals of different species in there. He saw a Trill and a Human eating at one table. There was a Caitian and a Rhineri at another table.
A middle-aged human male approached them. They could already tell he was an employee in the restaurant. He was about the same height as Reon. His skin was pale and somewhat wrinkly. His hair was bald on the top and thick on the sides and back. He wore an apron over his shirt and vest with his sleeves rolled up to almost his elbows. With his bright blue eyes, he gave out a friendly smile to the two, "Hello, welcome to Row's. I'm Rowland. Rowland Myers. How many?"
"Two?" Shalean replied.
"Great, this way." he guided the two to a table in the corner which had two chairs and a console in the center. He gestured to the setting and waited until he helped her sit then sat himself, then put his hands together, "Do you two need a minute? Or do you know what you want?"
Shalean looked at him and shrugged, "I'll just pick from your plate, if that's okay?"
Reon nodded, "Sure," he looked to Rowland, "Okay, I'll have a double ribeye-steak burger with a side of steak fries."
"Wow that's a nice choice," commented Rowland, "And for the drinks?"
Reon looked at her and she shrugged again to him, then he looked to Rowland, "A couple of Iced Teas with lemon."
"Sounds great. Won't be long." he turned around at headed deeper into the restaurant.
Shalean looked at him with a smile.
He looked to her then smiled back, "What?"
She giggled, "Nothing... It's just... You ordered that like a pro. It's impressive. But, aren't Bajorans all vegetarians?"
He gave her a raise of an eyebrow almost Vulcan-like form, "No. Where'd you hear that?"
"I don't know..." she had to admit, "I just thought they were. I've tried hasperat which doesn't have any meat. I've tried Kava, Moba... Feravi Wraps."
"You sound like a Rikantha Farmer," Reon said jokingly, "No, we eat meat. In fact, during the occupation, in many of the caves, my people lives on Palukoo."
"Palukoo?"
"Yeah, it's a kind of.... Spider-like creature. They didn't get to eat much at all during those fifty years, so they had to make due with what they'd find in there. I've actually tried it. It's really not that bad, if prepared properly."
Now she cringed, "Ew, I'll say this. I'm glad your people had the intelligence and resiliency to survive. My people have had their trials as a race as well, but that was really something to learn about in history."
Rowland brought their drinks over and placed them in front of each of them and let them know their food will be coming out shortly.
"I got lucky," he said in a lower tone, looking away from her for a moment, "I didn't experience it. My parents' spent their childhoods through it and they've told me stories..."
There was a slight silence. Shalean looked at him and noticed he had gone quiet and started staring off. When she realized he was distracted at that moment, she leaned to the side, trying to see what was truly in his eyes across the table, "You okay? If you don't want to talk about that, I'd understand. I-"
"Hmm? No, not at all," he assured her. He took his iced tea then held it up, "In fact, I'd like to make a toast. To Starfleet, to my people, and... to you."
She held up her drink, "Me?"
Reon nodded, "Absolutely. Not knowing when I'll be able to put my training to use, not knowing what to do, then you come along and be the incredible person you are and take me out on a nice outing for dinner and a holoplex program when you could have been doing something else somewhere else. I am grateful to you, Lir Shalean. The prophets blessed me today."
Shalean smiled, "You're welcome." she clinked classes with him then they took a sip of their drinks.
TBC
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