Telaran Bloom Tea Part II
Posted on Sat Dec 14th, 2024 @ 6:54am by Lieutenant Narin Valen & Ensign Millicent Ambrose
Edited on on Tue Dec 17th, 2024 @ 10:34pm
1,706 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Kashintei Tea House - Promenade - Empok Nor
Timeline: MD003 1300 hrs
"Oh oh thank you, though, I would feel more comfortable in waiting until your food arrived. And will make it to where I don't singe my tongue, its not a pleasant sensation." Millie was trying hard to not focus upon how handsome Valen was. there is more to him, than just a pretty face. feeling a bit frustrated with herself.
"Ah, good point. You probably should wait. A medical emergency over tea might be a bit much," Narin replied with a smile. Just as he was about to shift the conversation, the waiter arrived with his miso soup and dessert. Narin thanked them as they placed the dishes on the table before quietly stepping away.
"There we go now you've got something to eat, and I can now eat as well. Its cool enough." Millie's eyes crinkling up with a smile giving a laugh before she began eating. It was very apparent that Millie was enjoying her food, and the food was good.
Narin smiled watching her dig in. “Looks like we both made good choices.” He said, taking a few bites of miso soup. “It’s nice to slow down a bit and enjoy something simple.” He glanced around the teahouse, appreciating the atmosphere, and the company he was enjoying a meal with. “How’s yours?” He asked.
"It is very good, and I am glad I got the selection that I did." reaching over and taking a forkful of her fish to have a bite. The fish so tender and the flavors having a slight lemony flavor to it, with a slight amount of lemon zest in the form of a minute curl of the rind. "So glad we came here. To me, this food is edible art. "
“Yes, I’m glad too. Thank you for inviting me.” Narin had finished his soup and turned to his dessert and the last few sips of his tea. As he enjoyed the remainder of his meal, he couldn’t help but observe her. She seemed more at ease than he’d seen her before. Less nervous, more relaxed. It was a pleasant change.
Millie gave a nod towards Varin, "You are very welcome. Guess we both needed a place to relax away from... the ship. A friend of mine had told me, that in order to get a more clear head its good to step away from something that has given you great concern. And what happened on the ship, that was really rough. I actually got too focused on what is happening to me. My normal personality decided to hibernate for a long while."
Narin nodded. “Your friend has a point. Sometimes stepping back is the best way to gain clarity.” He finished his meal, pushing his dishes aside before turning his full attention to her. He didn’t ask for details about why her normal personality had hibernated. It was obvious that she had faced something difficult. He decided to be supportive instead. “If I can help in any way to help you feel more like yourself, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Millie met his gaze, color rising in her cheeks. "P-perhaps I will. I-I won't promise anything but I will consider it?" her voice hesitant, making a determined effort to not be pulled back into her own mental cave. She reached down to pick up her dorayaki and taking a small bite of it. Breaking her view of Varin's eyes.
Narin nodded. “No pressure.” he said with a smile. He’d been navigating his own struggles lately and found comfort in knowing there were people he could lean on if needed.
"No pressure..." Millie softly said, raising her eyes once more. "I do hope that you will get some sleep tonight, I truly do." Her dessert was finished. The tea was gone, as well as the rest of the meal. I think I am ready to go into a food coma, so probably should go take advantage of that." the corners of her mouth curving upwards into a quiet smile.
Narin smiled. “I hope so too.” Noticing that both of their plates were now empty, he glanced at Millie. “Are you ready to head out?”
"Yes I am, and this was enjoyable. Thank you." Millie replied with a smile, feeling a little bit more comfortable with Valen. "I-I do apologize for how i acted before. Handsome men tend to make me very nervous." her cheeks flushing a dark pink when Millie realized what she just said.
Narin blinked in surprise, feeling a bit caught off guard. His usual confidence wavered for a moment as he considered how to respond. “There is no need to apologize. It was never my intention to make you feel nervous around me.”
"I-it isn't your personality." Millie leaned in, giving slight nudge with her shoulder to Narin. "Your personality is not bad at all, and I really can't ask you to erm... tone down how handsome you are." Millie going a little bit more redder in the face, feeling a bit bashful. "Sometime I will tell you why I am this way. I will say this though, just how you are, its taking away the...hmmnn how shall I say this, worry I have. Its a personal issue I am working on and you are helping me to step away from how I have been feeling. Which is a good thing."
Narin felt his cheeks flush slightly at her words. Normally, he was better at keeping his composure, but recent nightmares had left him feeling a bit off balance. “It’s a good thing you’re not asking me to tone it down. It might be a bit impossible.” He smiled, his teasing meant to lighten the mood. “I’m glad I can help, even if it’s just a little. That’s what friends are for, right?”
"That is what friends are for. And just a little bit is actually a whole lot. I've not uh... dashed away from the table. I've done it before with others. Or even made excuses to not go out and do something, so a little bit" holding up her hand with her index finger and thumb having a space between them, " goes a looong way." her arms now spreading wide. "That is how I feel."
“I’m glad I could be here for you,” Narin said with a genuine smile. “Thank you for inviting me. It’s been really nice.” He glanced around the tea house, taking in the ambiance one more time. “It seems like this was something we both needed. And, as I said before, I’m here whenever you need a friend.”
Millie nodded in agreement with Narin. "Yes this definitely was just what was needed. And the same goes for me, whenever you need a friend." reaching out a hand towards him, to shake his. "Until next time."
Narin smiled as he took her hand, holding it a moment longer than intended. “I was planning to head back to the Pioneer. Would it be alright if I walked with you?” he asked. Realizing their handshake went on a bit too long, he released her hand, waiting for her response.
"oh right." Millie giving an awkward giggle, "For some reason thought you might have wanted to go explore Empok Nor, and I was thinking of going back to the ship. Sure you can walk with me back to the ship. Shall we? " gesturing with her other hand towards the direction of the ship.
Narin shook his head. “No exploring right now. I think I’ll try to catch a nap instead.” He gestured for her to lead the way, falling in step behind her as they exited the tea house.
"Hopefully you are successful at it." Millie commented as they made their way to the ship. "And hopefully you will be able to do something fun during this shoreleave. Um I do have a question. Where did you serve before coming to the Pioneer?"
“I appreciate the optimism,” Narin said with a small smile. “Before the Pioneer, I was stationed on the USS Van Atreides, a Sovereign-class ship. We were on a five-year mission in the Gamma Quadrant What about you?”
"Before the Pioneer, DS9 was where I was assigned first then, happily, I got assigned to the USS Pioneer where I am not stuck in one spot. I love the Pioneer, its been a blessing to be on the ship." a sense of relief and happiness emanated from Milie.
“Serving on a station versus a ship certainly has its differences.” Narin remarked as they stepped into the station’s lift. “It really depends on what you value in an assignment. Exploration and travel versus stability and familiarity.” The lift started moving toward the Pioneer “What’s been your favorite part of serving aboard the Pioneer so far?”
"I uh truly can't say I have a favorite part, well maybe that is wrong. Just being able to serve on the ship and Elen giving me the time and space to work through my troubles. Its been great working on Deck Five, the quietness allowing me to concentrate on something I can fix and eventually fixing myself. Hopefully." Millie giving a small smile.
“That sounds like the perfect environment for you.” Narin said as the lift came to a stop. The two of them stepped off and made their way onto the Pioneer. Narin paused, turning to face her. “Thank you for inviting me. I had a good time.” He smiled before adding, “By the way, the tea I dropped off earlier is Telaran Bloom Tea. It has a light floral aroma and a faint iridescent glow, but don’t worry, it’s completely safe to drink.”
A Joint Post By
Ensign Millicent Ambrose
Engineering Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Narin Valen
Assistant Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer
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