An Odd Pairing For Brunch (part 2)

Posted on Sat 28th Sep, 2019 @ 11:34pm by Krell House of Mer'uk & T'Vala & Tessanna (Tessa) Valeri

1,625 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: A Diplomatic Affair
Location: Orchids & Jazz, Deck 600
Timeline: MD 8, 1100

Previously at the entrance to Orchids & Jazz, two ambassadors have met ....

Krell glanced over at Mr. Velasquez, "I believe we are ready to be seated."

Reon beckoned to Jenna Clark. "Please show the ambassadors to table 23b, in the back."

Jenna smiled at the two and said, "Right this way." She led them around several tables, going close to the bar and toward a round banquette with a high back. Two tall orchids further screened for privacy.

"I hope this is satisfactory. Most of our tables are fairly private, but this one does have a privacy screen you can engage by pressing the blue button at the bottom of the menu on the side wall." She pointed out the button. "You may peruse the lunch menu, or order our daily special." She waited as the two slid into the soft black cushions.

"Today's Blue Plate luncheon special is roasted ham, French fries or mashed potatoes, fresh string beans cooked with bacon and pearl onions, fresh yeast rolls with real butter, and a slice of apple pie," Jenna informed them. "If you'd like a few minutes to look through the menu, you can order drinks, and I'll bring those first."

"Thank you, but I know what I want." The Vulcan inclined her head toward Jenna. "I would like sweet wine and a salad. Plenty of fruits and vegetables, but no meat."

Jenna was distressed, it was obvious. "I'm sorry," she spoke to the woman first. "This is our luncheon menu and our chef isn't here this time of day. We have a very limited menu, which you haven't viewed, so you wouldn't know that salad isn't on our luncheon menu at all, and only on our dinner menu on occasion. After 4, we do have appetizers which include fruits and vegetables, and after 6, when our chef is available, we could probably accommodate your request, but at lunch it isn't possible. The best I could do is get you hearts of lettuce, with whatever dressing you might like, and there may possibly be fresh fruit in the kitchen, but I can't guarantee which ones." She brightened slightly as she added, "I think I can get you sweet wine, but I need to know if you have a favorite brand."

T'Vala raised an eyebrow. "Your menu is in the station's computer. It does not contain an adequate vegetarian option for lunch. I hoped there would be more in the kitchen to put together a salad. My apologies. I will take the hearts of lettuce with vinaigrette and the bacon and tomato minus the tomato." She gave the waitress a kind nod as she had not meant to distress her. "For the wine, I will take whichever is most convenient."

Jenna was relieved and nodded, "I will tell Miss Lantz your thoughts on the luncheon menu." Then she turned to the male ambassador and waited for his order, hoping it would be something on the menu.

“And I would like blood wine, sweet and young if you have it. If not then prune juice.” Krell thought for a moment. “I will try the Corned Beef and Smoked Salmon on Rye.”

"I think you will enjoy both, Sir. I know we have blood wine, but I don't know about it's aging. I'll bring you a glass, and if it displeases you, then I'll bring the juice, at no charge for either one." She sent the order back to the kitchen, and went toward the bar herself to get the drinks.

When the waitress left, T'vala turned to Krell. "To what do I owe thanks for this invitation?"

Krell looked up from the menu that he had still been going over to see what he might like for another time, “I appreciate your company over humans and I do not like to dine alone."

Truth was, she was a complete opposite of what he was. He thought with his heart, and wore his honor right next to it. His temper could flair up very quickly depending on the circumstances, whereas T’Vala thought with her mind; she was cool, collected and logical.

"I do not enjoy dining alone when I am in public, either," she admitted. "However, I do question your logic of asking a Vulcan. We do not generally eat meat, we do not shout our battle cries, and we are generally considered staid and boring. Are you sure you are well?"

Krell stood up, raised his arms and yelled out loudly. “Ahah, ahaha!” He sat back down as if nothing had happened. “I don’t remember yelling battle cries during a meal, but hopefully that will suffice. As far as eating meat, you’re not a Klingon, so I wouldn’t expect you to if you didn’t want to. Granted, you are much different than humans and even more different than Klingons, but to be ... friends, you don’t have to be alike.” Krell paused for a moment, “If you are uncomfortable with my presence or prefer Vulcan logic while dining, then we can part ways.”

"More fool me if I expected you to behave like a Vulcan," she said, sighing with exaggerated patience. "I have attended Klingon dinners where your people get drunk and shout a great deal--generally when boasting of their deeds." She raised an eyebrow. "Can you deny it?"

Krell shook his head, “If I was on board my ship with my crew perhaps, but not here. It’s not appropriate."

"Furthermore, if I found your company tedious or irksome, I would not be here," T'vala said. "I was clear enough on that point. I do not see the need to repeat myself, nor do I understand why you question my desire to dine with you." She spoke calmly, although there was an ever-so-slight hint of irritation that he should think she was lying. Vulcans did not lie. The occasionally prevaricated, but only for the best of reasons.

Krell threw his head back, laughing. “Then why question me, Ambassador. I explained that I find you ... interesting to be with, almost annoying to a point.” Krell gave a half-smile to hint that he might be joking.

She much preferred his laughter. "Because no sane Klingon would willingly ask to keep company with a Vulcan," she said primly. She noted his half-smile and leaned closer. "I find algae interesting, but I do not invite it to brunch." There was a tone to her voice that hinted at irony.

Krell laughed again, “At least the algae won’t talk back to you, Ambassador.” He couldn’t believe that she compared him to algae.

She shook her head. "I much prefer your company. Talk and all."

“Good, I would hate to be replaced by a plant.” Krell laughed.

"Rest assured, you will not." This time, one corner of T'Vala's mouth definitely quirked up in a brief smile. She found his laughter enjoyable. It as illogical, but then, so was he. "Nor am I likely to forget to feed you." That was definitely tongue-in-cheek.

“Well that’s good, I get a little cranky when I’m not fed on time.” Krell almost smiled again.

"As do I, Ambassador. Something we share in common. May we find many more." She put both her hands on the table. It was unbecoming for a Vulcan to bandy words in public. "What else stirs the Ambassador?"

"Some things that I think Vulcans would find unbecoming, like a good fight or a good battle or perhaps a good death, but that last one I can only do once. I enjoy Klingon Opera ..." Krell stopped himself. "And you, what does T'Vala enjoy?"

"A good symphony, a good scientific or cultural lecture, a good book." She almost smiled. "Good conversation. I prefer ballet over brawling and a good death should be conducted on the stage. And yet, here we are."

At that moment, Jenna showed up with a large tray carried by Podkayne. "I hope everything will be to your satisfaction," she said, setting plates in front of each ambassador. "Jade has included a cheese dish you might find delectable, free of charge. She'd like your opinions on it, if you don't mind. It is being considered for the lunch menu. Is there anything else for now? She set new drinks on the table, exactly the same as the first she'd had Podkayne bring over while their meals were being prepared.

"Thank you," T'Vala said. "That is most kind of her." She looked at the cheese dish. It did look good.

“It looks adequate for a sample.” Krell said as he sniffed the plate from a distance. The Klingon sense of smell was better than humans, roughly that of Vulcans, maybe only slightly better. The heightened sense of smell served the Klingon well during hunting.

T'Vala tried some of the cheese and nodded. "I approve. You should try some." The salad was decent but simple. The lettuce and tomato were better than she expected.

Krell took a bite of the salmon on rye before washing it down with some blood wine. He took a small piece of blue cheese and tossed it into his mouth. Human type of food was nothing like Klingon food, it lacked zest and flavor, but he knew that coming here. He wanted to broaden his taste for other foods. “I’m sure everything is well prepared,” he said.

"Indeed." She inclined her head in agreement. "For human cuisine, this is quite good."

“Huh...” Krell grunted as he took a bite of the Corned Beef.

T'Vala fell silent as she ate. She found Krell frustrating at times, amusing at others, and yet she enjoyed his company. It was most illogical.

 

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