A Proper Date, Part 2

Posted on Wed May 29th, 2024 @ 1:12pm by Lieutenant Eirly Andersen & Lieutenant JG Malcom Beckett M.D.

1,449 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Menagerie: side stories & mischief making
Location: Deck 11, Rhythm Kitchen
Timeline: MD 9, 1930, After Part 1

"My turn now is it. Thinkin' of the questions may turn out to be the hard part. Let's see. Do you have a favorite movie or holodeck program?" Malcolm asked,

"Oooh, now that's a good one!" Her eyes went wide with joy at this question, just as the waiter came over with their drinks and they thanked him, "I know I act all hard-core and whatnot, but I'm a sucker for a soppy kind of drama or romance film. Holodeck programs though, I love programs where I can dance in an empty hall or at a ball with a fancy dress, but other than that, I enjoy the holodeck programs where it's just nature and I'm top of a hill or in a forest or something like that, ya know?"

"You will have to show me this hard core side of you, that you're speaking about. I don't think you've given me the pleasure," Malcolm said with a wink.

She bit back a smartass response and opted for something nicer, "Maybe one day. I'll admit now that I'm not a fan of horror or thriller movies though, I get scared too easy with them." She was happy to admit that much, "What about you? What are your faves?"

"Aye, the outdoors. I imagine serving on a Starship was bit harder before holodecks and arboretums, don't ya think?" Malcolm asked. "It's exciting to be out here, but I don't think we were meant to be away from nature for that long."

"We're born into nature, no matter where that may be for a person, and we return to nature upon the end of our lives." Eirly nodded and replied thoughtfully.

"As for movies, I don't really care for most horror myself, I see enough of well, ye know at me job, and the jump scares are always so obvious. But I don't mind a thriller if it's well done," Malcolm admitted. "Have you seen the action-comedy movies? I'd take one of those after a long day."

"Action movies? I really can't say I've watched many of them. They're more my brothers' genre." Eirly took a sip of her drink and added, "I do remember though, this one night where we watched this old earth comedian named Robin Williams and he was absolutely hilarious to the point I was almost crying from laughter."

The waiter came over with their food and put both dishes in front of them. Both looked divine! "Oh this looks amazing! Here's hoping it tastes just as good!"

Malcolm enjoyed seeing Eirly's face light up at the plate of food in front of her. The way she would get excited about the small things was a breath of fresh air and a bit contagious.

Malcolm's own plate was placed in front of him, long hollow noodles in a green sauce. The noodles surrounded an assortment of pieces of squid like seafood and vegetables. "My plate looks interesting, aye? Just what I was hoping for... a little adventure. Why not?"

"Don't you know that life itself is an adventure?" Eirly replied in a whimsical tone. Her own dish looked and smelled amazing and she couldn't wait to start eating it.

Behind Malcolm the band began to set up on stage. "Living in Starfleet, it most certainly can be," Malcolm agreed. "You best take a bite before it gets cold." Malcolm winked her as he grabbed one of calamari pieces with some pasta, and tried to figure out how to get the fork to his mouth without looking too clumsy.

Eirly watched Malcolm and stifled a small laugh; she'd been taught from a young age that it was rude to laugh at people, and she definitely wasn't going to laugh at the guy she liked. Wait, did she actually just admit that in her thoughts? She decided to watch as the band set up and then tucked into her own food, lest it got cold.

She could taste the almonds, the cinnamon, the sweet, the savoury all blending together in one amazing taste. Lucky for her, unlike Malcolm, her dish was mostly rice. "How are you going with yours?" she asked after a while.

Malcolm chuckled. "I dunnae ken how to describe it. The pasta is a bit more slippery than an Italian dish, but the flavor is quite nice. Would you like to try some?" he asked.

"Be careful not to drop in on your sweater, it's too nice to be ruined by food." Eirly commented with a smile and nod as she took up the offer. It was so nice! "That's really nice! If you like that, you should try this then."

"Are you kidding me? The ship's laundry refreshers can work miracles. It would take more than a little spill to ruin a sweater," Malcolm jested.

Malcolm reached over the table to put a small bite of Eirly's dish on his fork. When he tasted the food, he couldn't help but laugh, and he tried not to choke as he gathered himself to chew and swallow.

"Sorry, just a wee joke went through my head."

Eirly raised an eyebrow in response and grinned, "Are you alright?"

"Aye, of course. I just found it remarkable how much your meal tasted like a dessert is all, and I found it quite endearing," Malcolm stating looking for the right words to not get in trouble.

"You should know by now that I like the sweet things in life." She shrugged in response as she watched him, "Is it too sweet for you then? Because it's fine by me."

"Not at all. It's delicious," Malcolm said with a smile. "Just taking notes."

The band had started playing by the time they were finished eating and the servers had taken their plates away and refilled their drinks.

"Continue twenty questions, fancy a dance, or would you like to move along from here?" Malcolm asked.

Eirly smiled again, "I choose the dance option." She blotted the napkin on her mouth and then put it on the table while waiting for Malcolm to get up and offer his hand, to which she accepted, and they walked out onto the dancefloor. The band was playing a somewhat familiar jazz tune, as promised.

"I'm having a lovely time so far tonight, and those orchids are absolutely gorgeous." Eirly admitted.

"Have you talked with your family lately?" Malcolm asked, reaching his hand across the table for Eirly to hold.

Eirly nodded, "Yeah, I spoke with Kas just the other night. He's really interested to meet you and see if you're a keeper for his little sister." She rolled her eyes at even just mentioning it. "I still find if funny he calls me his little sister even though we're twins. But other than that, I'm expecting one of my other brothers, or at least one of my parents, to call sometime soon."

"Aye, so what do I need to know to win the approval of big brother then?" Malcolm asked a glimmer in his eye.

"Treat me like our father treats our mother, which is with love, respect and devotion, and that will about do it." Eirly said with a light smile as she looked at sparkle of her rings on the hand that was in his own before looking at him directly, "And if you can engage with him in medical talks or a conversation with our father, then that would win him over."

"What would it take to win over your family?" Eirly asked, just as curiously. She could get used to doing this more often, the dinner and the dancing. "Or even just your sister?"

"I imagine they will be impressed with the fact that you tolerate me," Malcolm said with his usual hint of playfulness.

"I like to think I do more than just tolerate you, and I'm sure that if I meet your family, they'll see just how much I would love and adore you." She smiled sweetly and planted a small kiss on his cheek.

"Well that would touch me mother's heart for sure," Malcolm responded, warmed by Eirly's tender words. As the band started to play a slow song, Malcolm extended his hand. "May I?" He asked.

She placed her hand in his, "Of course," and she let him lead her out onto the dance floor.

On the dance floor Malcolm put one hand into the small of Eirly's back, and with his other hand he took hers in his. As they swayed along with the music he thought of their answers to the game they had played. Getting on with Eirly was easy, it was hard to believe it had just been a few days.


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