Dinner for Two? - Part 2

Posted on 02 Nov 2016 @ 10:33pm by Lieutenant Commander Alexei Joran & Chief Petty Officer Bianca Donati
Edited on on 18 Dec 2016 @ 2:46am

1,420 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Errand of Mercy
Location: Lounge
Timeline: Current - MD 4 - Evening - Immediately after Dinner For Two? (Part 1)

ON:

OLD:
"You're doing fine--and you will learn with time," he said as their server presented them with menus. "So what looks good to you this evening?"

"Nothing, since the menu just arrived... Though the cover is quite striking."

Alexei grinned at her. "See, you're learning already. That was quite clever. "Ah, chicken Kiev..." he said. "From mother Russia. I believe I'll have that with rice and green beans."

NEW:
"Why do they call it that? Mother Russia I mean. It's not like an ancient country actually birthed anyone." she muttered as her eyes flicked over the menu, trying to find something appetizing

"I honestly don't know," Alexei said after a moment of thought. "Perhaps it's because it was the birthplace of the belief in Socialism. I have Russian heritage in my ancestry but I was not born there and have only been there a very few times."

"Is one of your ancestors human?" she asked quietly as she found something that interested her on the menu.

"Yes," Alexei answered. "My father is full Betazoid. My mother is half Betazoid and half human--Russian, to be specific." He smiled at her. "So while I do possess the abilities of a full Betazoid, sometimes they are not as strong as they would normally be."

"Interesting." she murmerred tapping the side of her head "Complete blank. No telepathic center at all" shrugging she ordered the spicy sausage ravioli and potato soup.

"Really?" he asked. "I've never met a full Betazoid who had no telepathic abilities. I would ask what it's like, but if you've never had the abilities then you have no frame of reference." He thought for a moment, then asked "I understand that means you cannot read anyone else's thoughts but I wonder--would you be able to receive if I projected a thought to you?"

"You can try if you'd like. Noone's ever been successful." she shrugged, glancing down at her drink, so as not to express just how ashamed she was of her lack of ability. She wasn't even a proper member of her own Species.

Alexei thought for a moment, wondering what he should try to send her. Then, thinking that if she could receive his thought, that this would be a good way to find out how receptive she might be to his attentions, he projected to her ~~~I think you're very beautiful...~~~

She simply sipped her drink, oblivious to the thought that she'd been sent. She had no telepathic receptors in her brain at all. She literally could not receive.

Alexei looked a bit dejected as he realized that she had not received the thought he had sent. 'Damn...' he thought to himself. 'I had hoped...' He didn't finish the thought but simply looked at her for a moment. "It was worth a try..." he said slowly.

She snorted at him "I did mention to you that I'm mind blind?"

"You did." he agreed. "But sometimes there ARE exceptions to every rule."

Nodding her acceptance of that explanation, she turned her attention back to her drink. Her breath came out in a puff of smoke, that made her smile.

"What amuses you?" he asked as he saw her smile. He thought she had the most captivating smile he had ever seen.

"I like....visible, tangable things. The eddies in the smoke and the feel of the cold meeting hot in my mouth. It is pleasing. "

"I see. You have a wonderful smile," he said. "I like it very much."

Her fingers came to her lips, as if surprised by her own smile before covering it a moment and shaking her head. "I...Thanks?"

"You're quite welcome." There was more he wanted to say to her--much more, in fact. "I think..." he began, but quickly fell silent, unsure if he should finish his thought or not.

"I am sure you think a lot of things, but they might be outside of the 'first date protocols' " she chided him gently, not able to listen to more compliments and praise of herself.

"I do think a lot of things," he agreed. "And is it so wrong to say them if they are the truth?"

A slow nod was his only answer to that question. Bianca's hands trembled as inside her mind she poared over every book on etiquette and interpersonal relations that she'd ever read. She couldn't find an entry on how to deal with a situation like this.

Alexei was at a loss for words. For someone who was mind-blind she sure seemed to pick up on what he was thinking then. While it was true he wanted to tell her how beautiful he thought she was, it was obvious to him that she didn't want to hear it so he had no choice but to keep it to himself. Perhaps fortunately, it was just at this time that their server appeared with their orders.

"Chicken Kiev for you sir..." she said as she set the plate in front of Alexei, "...and spicy sausage with potato soup for the lady. Is there anything else I may get for you?" she asked the both of them. "Nothing else right now for me, thanks..." Alexei said, then looked at Bianca. "Anything else for you?"

"N-No thank you" she whispered as she picked up her fork and turned it between her fingers. "I'm doing this all wrong aren't I?"

"No, not at all," he said as he picked up his fork as well. "You're doing just fine. Why do you think you're doing things wrong?"

"I only ever read..." she gestured to the table with her fork and all she could do was shrug. Bianca was not sure she could articulate herself properly, so she turned her attention to her food.

"I don't see anything wrong with what you've done this evening." He knew she was uncomfortable and he was doing his best to try and put her at ease. "I know you've said that you're not very experienced in social settings such as this, but all it takes is a little practice." He started to reach out with his free hand and touch her but stopped, awkwardly dropping his hand back into his lap.

"I never really was interested in getting the practice. One of my failings I suppose." She smiled again hesitantly at her dinner companion "Reading sure, but actually doing? Not so much"

"But it doesn't make you any less of a person because you don't have the ability," Alexei said. "I often wish I didn't have it because sometimes I pick up on things that I wish I hadn't."

"I wish that I agreed with you" was all she said, an ache rising in her chest. If that was true then her family would not have abandoned her to the Guardians. It was a pleasant way to grow, but she speculated that having a family around was most different.

"I wish you did also," Alexei said slowly. "Then you might be able to see your true worth--not only to our people of Betazed, but to your shipmates and, more importantly, to yourself."

Normally Alexei would not attempt to read anyone who did not wish to have their thought known, but right now he wished that he was able to read her. He could tell by her body language that something was troubling her--and he thought that it was more than just the fact that she did not have the same abilities as other Betazoids. He wanted to know what was troubling her, but he would not pry. If she wanted to tell him, however, she would--and he would be more than willing to listen.

Raising her dark eyes to his, she met his gaze for a moment before returning to her food. They ate in silence for a while. "I didn't expect socializing to be...interesting"

"Socializing can be VERY interesting," Alexei answered. "Especially if the person you're socializing with is interesting to you. And by socializing you may find that you have many likes and interests in common."

"Like I said...Interesting" she smirked at him "Your food is getting cold."

He grinned, knowing fully well that she was right, but, unable to resist getting one last compliment in. "I'm not worried about it. After all, it's not just the food that makes the meal--it's who you share your table with as well..." he said as he began to eat.

OFF:

LtCommander Alexei Joran
Chief Engineer
USS Redemption

CPO Bianca Donati
Diplomatic Officer
USS Redemption

 

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