Chapter Text
U.S.S. Arcadia
Stardate: 77153.8
Aryan approached the door to Torias’s quarters. Before the start of their shift Ken passed on an invitation from Torias inviting her to the Trill’s quarters for dinner with the two of them as well as Saya and Ashen. The Bajoran pressed the intercom next to the door to announce her arrival.
“Come in,” Torias called out.
Aryan entered Torias’s quarters and looked around at the Trill’s room. To her left Torias was wearing a pale green tunic with tan pants and was standing in front of a countertop that lay on top of a small fridge and three kitchen cabinets. Sitting on top of the countertop was a small sonic dishwasher, a mini oven and a hotplate that the Trill was currently using to cook something.
She turned her gaze clockwise towards a short-legged table. There were five cushions surrounding the table, one looking brand-new compared to the other four, Ken and Ashen were seated against each other immersed in a PADD the Andorian was holding. Ken was wearing a blue graphic t-shirt with a silver delta splayed across the front and black cargo pants while Ashen was wearing a black long sleeve and tactical pants. Saya was seated opposite of the two with her back towards the door wearing a casual beige robe with rust red trimmings.
Moving her eyes further clockwise she saw Torias’s bed, a bedside table, a set of drawers and a wardrobe. Leaning against the wardrobe was a guitar case and on top of the drawers was the oversized wizard hat that the Pakled they met on Station 25 gave to Commander Tiran, although it looked like it had been thoroughly cleaned before being handed over to Torias.
“I didn’t realise there was a dress code,” Aryan remarked glancing at the uniform she was still wearing.
“There isn’t one,” the Trill muttered his eyes focused on whatever he was cooking.
“We merely chose to wear casual clothing,” Saya explained, “The fact that the four of us chose to change into casual clothing is merely a coincidence. Please take a seat,” the Vulcan gestured towards the cushion towards her right.
Aryan sat down on the cushion her back facing the bed. She looked towards Ken and Ashen and heard the Andorian muttering about ‘heat sinks’ while focusing on the PADD.
“So, what are you two working on?”
“Personal project,” Ashen answered not moving his eyes away from the PADD.
“We’re making progress,” Ken added, “We’re already working on a prototype. Though I’m not sure if it would be feasible.”
“What matters is if it could work,” the Andorian responded.
“How about you put the PADD away?” Torias suggested as he placed several bowls and plates on the table.
Four of the plates were bare and placed in front of Aryan, Ken, Ashen and the empty cushion where Torias was going to sit, A fifth plate with a stack of tortillas on it was placed near the centre of the table next to a large bowl filed with seasoned minced beef. He set a bowl containing a salad in front of Saya. The remaining bowls were each filled with different ingredients like shredded cheese, lettuce and diced tomatoes. There was also a gravy boat filled with taco sauce.
“So, tonight we’re having tacos,” Torias announced while Ashen had already scooped a couple tablespoons of meat onto a tortilla and was now adding cheese on top.
“Ash, you’ve used half the cheese,” Ken told the Andorian as he took hold of the cheese bowl, “Leave some for the rest of us.”
“Says the guy who only has the meat on his tortillas,” Ashen retorted with a scoff.
“Is it necessary for the two of you to rehash this conversation every time we have tacos?” Saya inquired.
“You’re one to talk. You’re not even eating the tacos!”
“And waste Torias’s effort in making this salad?” Saya questioned the Andorian.
Aryan turned towards Ken, “Should we do something?” she asked the Human.
“Don’t worry about it,” he assured her, “It’s just banter. They’re not upset with each other.”
“I apologise if we gave you the wrong idea,” Saya told the Bajoran as Ashen began to add more cheese to his taco.
“It’s fine,” Aryan assured her before turning towards the Trill, “So, how often do you do this?”
“We try to do it once a week,” Torias answered, “One of us, usually me, would cook something up for dinner.”
“A couple weeks ago Saya made plomeek using a recipe from Raal,” Ken added.
“I see, but why do you cook instead of using the replicators?”
“There’s just something different about eating food you cook yourself,” Torias answered, “Even if you use replicated ingredients.”
“It is the minuscule imperfections from cooking that makes the meal taste more authentic compared to replicating it,” Saya added, “The same thing applies when using non-replicated ingredients.”
“Not that we really have access to non-replicated ingredients,” Ken added, “Why waste storage on fresh ingredients when replicators are readily available? Personally, I prefer non-replicated food and drinks.”
“Well, I can understand that,” Aryan remarked, “Bajor still gets most of it’s food from agriculture. After all what would we do if something happened to the replicators?”
“And that is why despite how widespread replicators are, many of worlds within the Federation still utilise agriculture with some planets even being devoted to it,” Ashen added having drowned his tortilla in cheese.
“And there goes all the cheese,” Ken remarked.
“Anyway, Aryan if you want you can join us next week,” Torias told her, “Ashen is planning on cooking something up.”
“Hope you like seafood,” Ashen added.
“I’d like that,” Aryan answered, “Just let me know when.”