"Dinner Date"

Posted on Tue Apr 12th, 2022 @ 1:09pm by Lieutenant Nikosh Targus

1,560 words; about a 8 minute read

__**"Dinner Date"**__
Joint Personal Log, SD 202204.11
Capt. Ravynn Phoenix and
LtCmdr. Adonudo T'lanuwa

. LtCmdr. Adonudo T'lanuwa, formerly the Chief Counselor of the *USS Roddenberry*, and Capt. Ravynn Phoenix, formerly his Commanding Officer on that fine ship, sat at a small table at an ice cream parlor on the Promenade of Deep Space Nine. Cmdr. Oliver Queen had left them a few minutes earlier and they were enjoying the last of their sweets.
. Suddenly, Adon made a slurping sound sucking the last of his now melted ice cream through a straw, then looked up with a grin on his face. "Sorry," he muttered.
. Ravynn gave a small chuckle, "Don't apologize for enjoying yourself. The milkshake was really good. What would you like to do now, or do you have other plans?"
. "No plans, really. I heard from Starfleet Command that I have to wait for some freighter to take me off into Cardassian space and then transfer to some Ferengi's luxury yacht, and from there I'll find out what my next connection is. Seems like the *Penumbra* is living up to its reputation for 'secret missions'. I can't just go straight to where they are." He pushed his chair back a notch. "So, since we've had dessert first, care to get some dinner? What do you feel like?"
. Ravynn studied him. While she knew he was quite a capable officer, and technically no longer her responsibility, a feeling of protection edged its way in. "Um ... yeah, sure, dinner sounds great." The idea of dinner was in fact what she was hoping for. However, she wasn't sure she liked her number-two officer being shuffled around like that. "Hmm ... they do have some nice places to eat, shall we walk and pop in the first place that catches our eye?"
. Adon's eyes sparkled a moment. "You're assuming I'd be paying attention to my surroundings and not distracted by something a bit closer!" He stood and offered her his hand, "But I'm sure something will pop up. There's a place down this way that does decent seafood. I've heard they serve a fried fish that rivals Earth catfish, complete with hushpuppies and French fries!" He paused, "That is, if you're into seafood, of course."
. Ravynn smiled sweetly and blushed softly as she took his offered hand. He was not usually so bold and wondered where this side of Adon had been. She quickly dropped the thought as it was probably meant as nothing more than a polite compliment. "That sounds perfect, lead the way."
. Adon took her hand and tucked it into the crook of his elbow and started off down the Promenade. He felt strangely euphoric, like he was walking on air. A huge grin spread across his face and he felt like he was seventeen again! As they walked he glanced over at her. "You know, it's strange. I've served with you for what ... a year or more, now? And it seems as if I hadn't even gotten to know you? I'm guessing it was due to the Command Detachment syndrome. As Captain, you have to appear ... well, beyond us regular officers. Am I right?" He didn't wait for a reply, "And now that I'm no longer part of your crew, you seem like ... well, a normal person!" He chuckled as he said that, "Well, not normal ... I mean, ... you know what I mean!"
. Ravynn frowned slightly. "Hmm, maybe this is something I need to change. I had never meant for the rank difference for my crew to ever think we could not talk or be friends." Her brow creased a little. "I'm deeply sorry if you felt you could never approach me as a friend. Yes, when on duty there has to be separation so I can properly do my job, but after hours I would hope my crew would feel that they could just chat or have drinks. Does everyone on board feel this way?" While not overly upsetting, it did bother her to think her crew felt she was unapproachable.
. Adon stopped and turned to face her. "Well, Captain, I hadn't planned on slipping back into Counselor mode." He smiled at her, then continued their walk down the Promenade. "I don't think it's anything you actively project. But I do think many on the crew see you as the stern matriarch they don't want to cross, and that sometimes comes across as distance. If it's not something you want, you might need to take steps to make yourself a bit more approachable. Let Ollie be the bad guy!"
. "I suppose you're right. How about we find something else to discuss. I don't want you feeling like you're working this is to be fun, casual and relaxing. Two friends enjoying each other's company." Her shoulders relaxed as she shifted her thought process to dinner and good company.
. Adon grinned at her again, that stupid teenager's grin he couldn't seem to get off his face. "Excellent!" He stepped up to the host at a podium near the door. "Table for two, please." The host checked a seating chart and smiling said, "Right this way." Adon escorted Ravynn across the dining room to a small table in the back against a wall. The aromas of cooked fish and baked bread wafted all around them. "Man, my mouth is watering already!" he said.
. Smiling brightly, she took her seat, "It does smell really good." Looking to their waiter she said, "I will have iced tea, unsweetened please." She then looked back to Adon. She was going to miss him. She'd looked forward to seeing him daily, and the fact he was quite handsome didn't hurt either.
. Adon also ordered unsweetened tea and thanked the waiter as he moved off to get their drinks. He stared across the table and gave an inward sigh. He'd miss this woman. He had to find a way to stay in touch in spite of the restrictions placed on his whereabouts on a ship like the *Penumbra*. "So ...," he began, then trailed off having no idea what to say.
. Ravynn raised her left brow. "So? What's on your mind?"
. Adon blushed, then blushed harder when he realized he was blushing. "Wow, shoe's on the other foot now, isn't it?" He joked about how the Captain had asked the Counselor what was on his mind. But he continued, "I was just thinking that as much as I want to see Tsuna, or Jackal as she's now known, and Travis, I'm going to miss not developing more of a friendship with you, Ravynn. Sometimes it takes separation to truly see what one values in life." He turned to look up as the waiter brought their drinks and asked if they'd decided on their entrees. Adon smiled, "I want the fried filets with hushpuppies and fries! Ravynn, what are you having?"
. She turned from looking at Adon to the waiter. "I will have the same please." With a nod, the waiter left. Ravynn took a sip of her tea. "Mmm, yes." She sat the glass down and said, "I will miss you being around. Each leg of your trip, would you please let me know you have arrived safely? I know once you get to the *Penumbra* it may be difficult, but hopefully they will extend the courtesy."
. "I'll try to stay in touch, Ravynn." He paused, considering, then pressed on, "You know, I was surprised, as you can imagine, that my assignment to the *Penumbra* was approved by Admiral Sulyk himself! He used to be in Starfleet Intelligence and was a Commander when I served as Corpsman with Patterson's squad of Marines. I didn't think he'd even remember me, but he arranged my transfer personally! Apparently, he'd worked with Patterson through the intervening years and figured the old Leatherneck could use a friend who's also a Counselor!" Adon chuckled. "I think Sulyk expects me to keep Patterson out of trouble!" He paused then added, "But, since I got Sulyk's OK, I think he'll be somewhat understanding if I communicate outside the *Penumbra*, so long as I don't reveal sensitive info."
. "I'm happy you were able to get everything approved smoothly." She gave a small chuckle. "Seems you might have your hands full and be quite busy. If you can't, or don't have time, I completely understand. You will have new adventures to occupy your time. Not always the best to look backwards when you have new adventures laying ahead of you." The whole time she talked, she looked at him but occasionally looked at the napkin corner she was worrying between her finger and thumb.
. "Often enough, one needs to look back to see how one got where he is!" He paused, watching her rubbing the corner of the napkin. "You know, if you're trying to unravel that thing you should try working the seam rather than the surface." He grinned at her.
. Before Ravynn could respond, a thick waft of steam came up from behind Adon. He turned and watched as the waiter placed a large tray with two overloaded platters of fried fish and french fries topped with several roundish balls of some kind of fried bread onto a portable stand. "It's here!" Adon exclaimed, making room on the table in front of him. "About time too, I'm famished! That ice cream only stoked my appetite!"
=== END LOG ===

 

Tags: Adon Ravynn

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