Bittersweet

Posted on 24 Mar 2016 @ 6:51pm by Jynn & Lieutenant JG Lenaris Marika

1,128 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 2 - Mess Hall
Timeline: MD93 - 1145 hours

[ON]

With every table in the mess hall at least somewhat occupied Jynn was feeling stuck. He didn't want to talk and the problem with sitting with people was that the possibility of talk as time went by was exponential. But, all other variables taken into account, he picked the best spot he could and sat down at the table the Bajoran that he had met once before was. Funny, he used to be so talkative, but now all he wanted to do was to sit with someone who wouldn't say a word to him. Maybe for better or worse their first meeting had had a profound impact on each of them. Maybe this meeting would be the same, everything being said with words unspoken. Or even better, nothing said at all literally or figuratively.

It was nice, the anticipation of silence, but almost immediately his mind began to wander. It didn't take long before he began to wonder just what was on her mind. In the dead quiet of another's company it didn't take long to attempt virtual mind reading. It was all guessing, really, and at this point he couldn't even read her mind if he wanted to. He was no longer the holder of such abilities. Instead, he just looked up briefly at Marika's head as she took a bite of her whatever stew and imagined what she was thinking.

He could tell by the look on her face. She was just enjoying her meal, but something was going on within that head. Surely she had heard the news. What else would she be thinking when the heretical Deltan stat down in front of her? 'Just finish my food and move along,' he thought she thought.

Marika looked up and smiled. Of course the man was so intent on his food he couldn't see it, but she was happy. It was about time he got out of his self inflicted isolation. At least, it was self inflicted from what she heard. He had been cleared to interact with others, hadn't he? Of course, otherwise he wouldn't be here. She wondered if he liked cheesecake. He looked like a cheesecake kind of guy. That had to be her favorite desert she'd discovered.

Taking another bite, the young Bajoran wondered what could possibly go on in that head of his. She was glad he had chosen to sit with her. Although she really wanted to ask, something about his bearing indicated to her she should probably just let him be. Had he wanted to talk he would have wouldn't he? Yeah... definitely a cheesecake man. Now which kind?

She didn't seem to mind the silence, thankfully. Maybe it wasn't as uncomfortable to her as it was for Jynn? Or maybe she just wanted to avoid saying anything bitter to the unpalatable Deltan. It couldn't have been anything sugar-coated going through that head of hers. Probably something more akin to sour grapes than something as sweet as pie.

She mused for a few more moments and came to the conclusion it had to be raspberry cheesecake. Just the right amount of sweet with a little kick for an aftertaste. But surely he went for chocolate cheesecake at times too. She could see that happening. It felt right.

Taking another bite, she looked back at his head. Maybe he would let her draw something there sometime. He did seem to enjoy marking his body with permanent images. Perhaps she could draw him something too. She felt curious as to what secrets he could hide under those clothes. Tattoos and people, really were like dig sites and artifacts. Both could bring up some very interesting discoveries. Maybe he was a black forest cake kind of person. It merited more thought.

She was looking at him again. Looking through him. Like she was studying his many layers trying to find what lay beneath his decorated exterior. It was beginning to become unsettling, though he wasn't quite sure exactly why. The curious glimmer in that Bajoran's eyes made it seem more like she was an archaeologist eager to excavate or some cake connoisseur ready to dig in. How tempting it was for him to just tell her to get on with it and ask whatever questions were surely baking within that head of hers, but instead he let it go. They obviously weren't done yet.

Lemon cake? Nah! He was not a lemon cake man. Maybe she had this all wrong. What if he was a pie person? Then she'd be screwed. All her thoughts and observations would be null. She stared at her own meal for a moment, trying to come to a decision on the matter. Of course asking would have been the easiest solution, but easy had never been her way.

Her eyes shot back with a winning smile. Dark chocolate strawberry cake! Why had she not thought of that before. Of course! It was everything this person was. It called to spring and romance, and that buttercream chocolate frosting was ... well just about as sweet and wild as he had shown to be. Definitely! Now the question was... did he know he was a dark chocolate strawberry cake?

The tension continued to rise within Jynn like a foul batter in a far-too-hot oven. The lack of speech was almost worse than any question she could have asked. Was she judging him? Criticizing him? And what was with that sarcastic smile? She was reading him like a recipe card that did nothing more than conjure up one's own bile in reflexive disgust. Two parts spontaneity. One part allure. A bit of sexual tension and a splash of attraction. A pinch of lust and a dash of excitement. Add sin and dereliction of duty to taste. Mix liberally and quickly and allow to bake in the heat of passion in a bedroom for two hours. She probably knew just like everyone else on the ship just how awful a recipe that was.

He couldn't take it anymore. Standing up abruptly from his seat he made his way out of the mess hall, but not before stopping for some comfort food to take with him back to his quarters where he could be alone with his feelings. Dark chocolate strawberry cake. That'll do the trick.

Perplexed, the young woman watched her companion go. Maybe he wasn't in a desert mood after all. Or perhaps he simply needed a good flambe. Nodding to herself with a grin, she promptly sneaked out, leaving her meal unfinished. She had a mission, and very little time!


END

Jynn
Support Craft Pilot
USS Galileo
PNPC played by James

Ensign Lenaris Marika
Archaeologist/Anthropologist
USS Galileo

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