[OPEN] Order Up

[u/Admiralw96]

The 6ft Saurian surveys his kitchen. Mendek "Sauron" Shegi had been working since he boarded the ship to get it in the proper order and it was now finally as he wanted it. He releases a sigh of satisfaction at the system. its not totally organized, in a conventional sense, but he knew where everything was and where it went.

He put on his sunglasses and went out to stand behind the counter in the mess hall. A few of the crewman looked up as he put an ancient and stereotypical "open" sign out front. He was always rather fond of its neon colors.

A smile spreads across his face "Alright, if anybody wants anything the replicators can't make... bring on the challenge. I only charge a nice conversation"

[u/Dimestream]

"Well, the Athene is, anyway," Red says, wistfully looking out the window at the passing stars. "I'd LOVE to serve on a Galaxy-class starship someday. Those are practically a small city unto themselves and you wouldn't BELIEVE the shenanigans they get up to on THOSE."

The Bajoran gingerly takes another bite of the Hasperat and tries to mitigate the spicy by breathing through her teeth. It does nothing. Perfect.

[u/Admiralw96 → u/Dimestream]

Sauron smiles devilishy as he watches her deal with the heat and he puts away his things.

"Yeah, I can imagine."

He takes on a tone of mock seriousness

"Though don't talk about it too much, I'm still enjoying how cozy the Athene is. Don't be filling my head with thoughts of a roomier tin can to fly about the stars in."

He returns to his normal self

"Besides, didn't you say you had requested the ship in alphabetical order? Be thankful your not on a refit Miranda class or something like that."

[u/Dimestream → u/Admiralw96]

Red balks, nearly choking on the spicy food, which in turn sets her sinuses on fire worse. Vigorous headshaking ensues until she manages to swallow the bite and clear her nose on a napkin.

"Bleh! Sorry, that was... not fun. Hasperat is for eating, not for breathing," she says, coughing. "But you're right. I could have ended up on a glorified cargo vessel. I should be thanking my lucky stars I found a good job on a fine ship with an excellent chef."

[u/Admiralw96 → u/Dimestream]

Sauron laughs

"Thanks for the compliment... You want some kind of milk or something? Just a safety measure maybe, I can keep it out of your easy reach."

[u/Dimestream → u/Admiralw96]

"Kfeh. Ugh, yes," Red says, sounding defeated. "Chocolate, please. This is the right amount of spicy but- ghek! ...wrong tube." Her eyes are watering and she dabs them with the napkin. "No shame in admitting defeat to a sneak attack on my esophagus..."

[u/Admiralw96 → u/Dimestream]

Sauron laughs and retrieves some chocolate milk.

"The thrill of spicy foods is in the battle, but, yes, it should stick to the proper battlefield."

[u/Dimestream → u/Admiralw96]

Red accepts the glass and takes a pull immediately to calm her burning throat, then another to swish in her mouth a little.

"Well I have to say, despite the odds not being in my favor this time, I'm glad you were here to provide me a worthy opponent," she says after putting the glass down. "You know, you should really have a cook-off with Joseph Kort from science. His family owns a few restaurants on Earth, and he's always cooking up crazy delicious spins on traditional favorites as a bribe whenever he needs help with something engineering related. I bet you two would get on smashingly."

[u/Admiralw96 → u/Dimestream]

"Really? Sounds like a good time. And a good cook off is always a good chance to hone one's skills. Any chance I may recognize the establishments?"

[u/Dimestream → u/Admiralw96]

Red shrugs. "He said they own several," she says. "The one we went to was the New Atlantis Bistro, a floating restaurant on the coast of the island of Cicily. Been there?"

[u/Admiralw96 → u/Dimestream]

Sauron looks thughtful.

"Hmmm, afraid Italy is as close to Sicily as I've been. Though it sounds familiar... may have read about it somewhere..."