Food For Thought
Posted on Mon Feb 17th, 2025 @ 9:10am by 1st Lieutenant Marjani Smith
Edited on on Mon Feb 17th, 2025 @ 9:05pm
1,720 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Back To Basics - Empok Nor Episode 3
Location: Empok Nor Promenade/SS Lafitte
Timeline: MD003 0600 hrs
Beep, beep, beep the soft sound of her alarm woke Marjani up. She quickly shut it off, before it disturbed Connor. A soft and gentle smile showed,then it disappeared, She had a breakfast appointment with her Aunt Janeen. Marjani wasn't certain how it was going to go, when she meets her Aunt Janeen. Dressed and a note left for Connor, to let him know she had left, Marjani made her way to where her Aunt waited for her. the host leading Marjani to where her Aunt was seated. The restaurant, Milliways.
A carafe of coffee was upon the table, still piping hot, with white coffee cups waiting to be used. Upon Marjani's approach, Janeen turned and gave a small smile.
"Hi Auntie, I am here." Marjani leaning over to give her Aunt an embrace, feeling her embrace tightening. this concern Marjani. There were also some tears in her Aunt's eyes.
"Okay, what is wrong? Are you okay?" Marjani taking a seat alongside Janeen in the booth they were in. Marjani listened to the sounds of the restaurant, soft murmurs from other patrons as they ate as she waited
"Well, I am okay and then I am not. Oh and I already ordered breakfast, your favorite. This place serves an excellent steak non replicated. It is steak and egg breakfast with southern fried potatoes." Janeen giving a watery smile. "When I saw you with your boyfriend, and I figured that he was on shoreleave, I didn't want to give you the news during our meal."
Marjani's eyes widened, "Okay what happened? D-did someone die? " reaching out to hold her Aunt's hand.
"Almost, Grandpa Joe he was flying that P-51 Mustang and it crashed. Right now there is an investigation as to why the crash happened." Janeen opening the carafe and pouring some coffee for the two of them. Sliding a cup over to Marjani.
Marjani was a stunned with this news, and stared at her Aunt. No words would come out. Janeen nudged the coffee towards Marjani, adding some sugar and cream to it. The Marine pilot lifted up the cup, and took an exploratory drink of it. The heat of the liquid helped to revive her a little bit.
Lowering the coffee cup, Marjani gave out a sigh, "This id perfect coffee. I am sad that Grandpa Joe got injured but I an glad that he is alive. And dang it, that Mustang-" Marjanis voice quavered, "Grandpa and I, along with Uncle Henri brought it back to life. " Another sip of her coffee, "I just... I need to contact Grandpa, just need to talk to him." feeling the strong need to see him. Uh can we get this to go?"
Aunt Janeen chuckled, "Its already to go,figured you wouldn't want to just sit and eat in the restaurant." Janeen seeing that other people were filtering in.
"Auntie you are the best. C'mon where will we be contacting him?"
"My ship, I would have suggested your room on the station but, you've got company. " Janeen giving a saucy wink. " I am sure you kept him a bit busy during the night."
"Aunt Janeen!" Marjani just staring at her Aunt.
Janeen laughed, "Come now you are a grown woman, and the same with me."
The food arrived, and the two women picked up their meals and left the restaurant.
Once they arrived to Janeen's ship, the SS Lafitte, Marjani followed after her aunt, to the Captain's office. She keyed in a code and in a few minutes later, there could be seen Grandpa Joe.
"Hey Joe, just as I promised."
Marjani almost broke down in tears seeing the snow white hair and his snow white short beard, against his dark skin. She also could see some bruses and healing cujts on his face.
"Now now, mon petit, don' worry about me, I walked away and I am alive." Joe's New Orleans accent coming out strong. His voice was husky filled with emotion at seeing his grandaughter. " Have you been kicking butt while you are out there flying amongst the stars. I heard about your flying diplomats to important meetings. I am proud of you, Chere. Very proud of you."
That was when Marjani's eyes overflowed with tears. She croaked out, "Thank you Grandpa Joe. Thank you. " dabbing at her eyes.
"You are welcome now though my pretty nurse is coming to take care of me." Grandpa giving a huge smile and holding out his hand towards...
"Grandma May?" Marjani exclaimed.
The woman who had mocha-colored skin, chuckled at Marjani's reaction, leaning in to give her husband a kiss.
"Yes its me." A brilliant white smile showing. Grandma May was a beauty, her dark hair having some silver and white to it.
"She's the prettiest nurse i've even known." Grandpa Joe grinning ear to ear.
"I can's argue with that at all." Marjani's eyes crinkling up with her smile.
"Now go eat your breakfast,before it gets too cold." Grandpa Joe making a shooing gesture.
"Yes Grandpa and good to see you Grandma May. " Marjani exclaimed.
The view screen went blank and Marjani turned to give Janeen a heartfelt embrace. "Thank you for this."
"You are welcome. Now, lets eat this good food and not let it go to waste." Janeen handing Marjani her to go box and pulling hers in front.
The two women ate their meal in relative silence,they both were rather hungry. Once their appetite was sated, Janeen began to catch Marjani about how things were at home, Marjani listening eagerly. Laughing about an antic one of her cousins had done. Jimmie doing well with his marine flight group. Marjani enjoyed the conversation.
The conversation wound down, their meals finished, Marjani leaned back in her chair, patting her now full belly, giving a satisfied belch.
"Okay so now tell me, what do you do while your boyfriend is off gallivanting around the galaxy. I know you are not assigned to Connor's ship. And I do know that Pappy is having your take some time off. Do you have any plans beyond taking diplomats to their important meetings? And just how serious is this relationship between you and Connor?" Janeen sitting back in her chair, her arms across her chest.
"Connor and my relationship well, its new well sort of new. We're serious enough to where I am acknowleging him being my boyfriend." Marjani spluttering a little bit at the questions that are being asked.
"What happened to that one pilot who helped you protect that cargo ship going to that colony, what was his name. Oh! His name was Lieutenant Pete Mitchell but his friends call him Maverick, that's what you told me. And you were truly head over heels for him." leaning in to pat her Niece on the leg. "What happened? "
"Well nothing, and that is the case, I did nothing and let a good man slip away. And where he is concerned, it will be the biggest reget in my life. Guess the Voodoo isn't working too well for me. Maybe someone put a gris-gris on me and that is why things don't work out too well for me." Marjani sighed feeling rather dejected.
Janeen gave an understanding gaze to Marjani, "Darling, you can't blame bad luck or a curse for missing the boat where a good man is concerned. Maybe take it as a life lesson, and move on. Just next time make certain you pay attention-"
"Next time? What do you mean next time? I-I am in a relationship right now. " Marjani began.
"Yes, you are in a relationship, how long will it last? What with you traipsing all over the place, can it last? Sometime you may want to set down roots, be at the helm of a ship besides flying in your fighter. Or create a business for yourself. Maybe one day come work with me, Or have your own ship. There will come a time when your reflexes may end up not being as sharp as they are now. One minor mistake, and your life is ended." Janeen giving a rather pointed look at her niece.
"I am good at what I do. Are you trying to put a curse on me, Aunt Janeen? " Marjani spluttered, getting up from her seat and began pacing back and forth in her Aunt's office.
"I am not, I am just, giving you some things you may need to put more thought into. You know as preparation." Janeen's voice having a soothing tone to it. "Just think about it, okay?"
Marjani abruptly quit pacing and looked at her Aunt, realizing that was something her own mother would tell her. She drew in a breath counted to ten, then letting it out slowly. "Okay, I get it." her shoulders drooping slightly. "And you have given me a lot of food for though. "
There was bleep then over the intercom, "Captain, you've got a meeting in just a few minutes. "
"Thank you Cogsworth, I'll be there shortly." Janeen replied, then turned to her niece. "Let's have breakfast together again tomorrow morning, just you and me. Just need to spend a little more time with you, before I head out. And also got some gifts to give to you from your mom and dad, sound good?"
Marjani nodded giving a small smile.
Janeen got up and went around the desk sweeping her niece into a warm embrace. "Keep your chin up my dear, things will work out how they are supposed to work out. Take care." placing a kiss upon the top of Marjani's head. "That is from me, and this one" brushing her nieces hair from her forehead, then placed a kiss there. "That is from your mama. Now off you go, my meetings about to start."
A chuckle from Marjani giving her Aunt a heartfelt embrace"Thank you and thanks for the words of wisdom. I'll be thinking of what you had said." drawing in a breath, Marjani's head held high. She left her Aunt's Office and headed back to the Promenade.
A Joint Post By
First Lieutenant Marjani Smith
Pilot
Aunt Janeen Labeau
Civilian
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