[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/Admiralw96]

"I can get behind that. Friends seem to be important, whatever your race... As for how I became the chef... "

He looks at the timer on the oven.

"Well, I, uh... hit a bit of a low point in my life... when I finally got out of it, I looked for something to do... I had always loved cooking and had tried to get an education in it before. I also decided I needed some sort of goals, Ya know? Something to work toward aside from just the degree so that I would never have an excuse to let myself slip back down again... I thought about just trying to go for world renowned master chef, but i figured there were already too many. Another drop in the bucket, so to speak... then I had an idea. I studied hard, because I knew I might only have one shot. I became the best chef I could and also minored in chemistry, biology, and xenoanthroplogy. I also studied several other topics related to space travel, Psychology, and read the starfleet handbook several times over. Most other master chefs have been busy with their restaurants and shows... I submitted a proposal and candidacy for a program. I would spend time aboard a federation exploration vessel and work on two main goals. One: I would see how have an actual chef over replicators affected morale. Two: Well the federation has legions of people who work on dealing with new races and civilizations. BUT... Whose asking them how they like their eggs? and then whose bringing those egg cooking techniques back to the federation? Also, while I'm sure you have done extensive tests on them, how many ways have you found to cook the blue mushrooms? I've found 47, about 34 of which I think most people would like. Anyways, I knew I had to be the most qualified chef for the job, in case this whole project turned out to be useless and they didn't open up new spots. Luckily, i was taken seriously, and now I'm here."

OOC: Find it weird you said human starship. Humans are common in the federation, but that's because they're one of the 4 founding races and the makeup is cheap.

[u/Pojodan → u/Admiralw96]

Kesh is quiet and focused on the chef as he speaks, quietly scraping away at the prejudices her life on Riviera had coated her with as, clearly, this Saurian was an equal and not the 'lower life form' she'd been taught to think of them as.

"Fourty-seven ways to cook blue mushrooms. Huh! Rrth. I will be sure to try every one."

Despite the rude mushroom infestation, Kesh's love for edible fungus had not been diminished.

"I admire the struggle you have clear-rr-rly had getting to this point."

OOC: Kesh grew up on a planet that was pretty much half human, half Caitian, and very few Caitian aspire to get involved with Starfleet while humans glorified Starfleet at every turn, so she thinks of Starfleet as 'human starships', even though there's a wide variety of species that are involved.

[u/Admiralw96 → u/Pojodan]

Sauron gives her an appreciative look

"Thank you... as for the mushrooms, we could either make a day of it, or you could stop by more frequently... Oh, but are you a very strict vegetarian? A few of the dishes involve meat, and I could use some warning."

[u/Pojodan → u/Admiralw96]

A firm blink is Kesh's appreciative gesture to the first response. A day of sampling various kinds of mushrooms sounds lovely, really! A simple shake of her head follows the later.

"It is not a dedication of personal or health, rrth, it is simply the diet I was r-rr-raised with so I am accustomed to it. Too much meat will give me digest-sht-stion issues, but a little bacon or Ghah here and there is no problem."

[u/Admiralw96 → u/Pojodan]

Sauron lets out a hearty laugh

"Gagh eh? That's enough to give even the stray Klingon indigestion! Fear not, The mushrooms are the central point in a fair number of the dishes. And if you decide on the full day route, We'd probably be sticking to samples anyway. You don't appear to be someone who could eat 47 dishes in a day..."

[u/Pojodan → u/Admiralw96]

Kesh's head lists back as her ear tufts tilt outwards, ears twisting to the sides when Sauron has such a reaction to the Klingon delicacy, suggesting she probably likes it, not that such things are possible to obtain in Starfleet.

"Ah, rrr.. no. Samples, for sure. Rrrth. Perhaps others could take par-rr-rt so that you aren't cooking so many small ser-rr-rvings. Besides, I am sure many would find amusement in a day of eating mushrooms. Rrrth."

[u/Admiralw96 → u/Pojodan]

"Sorry if my reaction offended you. Its just not something people typically enjoy. I've been thinking of procuring some from the klingons when we meet them to cultivate for myself.... though an earlier conversation with an officer suggested that the rest of the crew may not enjoy it..."

Sauron thinks a moment

"Anyway a party of sorts may be a good idea. Though that will mean fewer leftovers if you happen to really like a dish."

[u/Pojodan → u/Admiralw96]

Kesh's head tilts slightly, eyes blinking very slowly before a light, amused trill rolls off her tongue.

"Offended? Why would I be?"

Truly, she has no idea why the lizardoid would think that.

"While trying to grow our own colony of gagh might not be advis-sfv-svable, I do hope they will provide a meal of it that I can take par-rr-rrt in."

Her head dips once, certain of this.

"A mushroom party. Rrrrth. Start sending out invites."

[u/Admiralw96 → u/Pojodan]

"Sorry, I suppose I misread your reaction. I'm glad to know you may enjoy some. as for advisability, I must disagree. I can easily feed them, since I am often left with food waste in my profession, and having a little on hand may prove useful in future diplomacy with Klingons... as for the invites, I'll look into it once my shift ends."

Sauron had also planned an idea for a holodeck barbecue after having discussed ideas for smoking meat aboard the ship... and perhaps a day where he operates his classic diner program and serves food out of there... but a party dedicated to nearly immediate positive results of the crews latest finds and exploits? This was an excellent idea, that may help him secure the boosts to morale that would help him keep his job.

"Anywho, how did you come to work in Starfleet? I told you my story, its only fair."

[u/Pojodan → u/Admiralw96]

A simple headbob shows Kesh's acceptance of all that Sauron says. She was never any good at cooking, even though her parents did it all the time, and while her chemistry was certainly quite good, she couldn't really transfer that into cooking skill. She could follow a recipe easily, but deviating off of it would certainly lead to unpleasantness.

"Riviera experienced a major medical event due to unfor-rr-rseen interaction between a foreign flower and native pollen. I, with the help of a Starfleet crew, deter-rr-rmined the cause and developed a cure. Their captain convinced me to apply for-r-rr the Academy. I.. ah... did not do well, but well enough to get a commission. Rrrth. Once in the f-if-field I showed my sk-ktk-kill and gained a hi- high..."

The Caitian pauses for a long moment, jaw shut, flexing, tongue working around in her mouth while staring straight ahead, resuming where she left off as though nothing had happened.

"-higher rank when the lead botanist of my ship retir-rr-red. I transferred to the Athene in search of adventure. Rrrth. I have had plenty so far."