[Citadel/Nimbus] A Party On The Rocks (closed)

“Alright then.” Arina entered the elevator for the quick ride down. “I saw the entertainment system in there earlier.” She nodded towards the cabin. “Maybe we could look up what’s in the ship’s vid library?” looking over at Rahi, she added with a low voice and a wink: “I do hope there’s not only material for lonely long range trips…”

A bit louder she added: “Or anyone playing Kepesh-Yakshi? There is a desk in there as well.”

"Long r- uh, oh," Rahi stammered, blushing, and not looking entirely innocent. "No, I mean, yes, there's, the media library is... Ahem, fully stocked." She cleared her throat, not quite able to look the diplomat in the eye for a moment. "The crew bay turns into quite a comfy little cinema, but the regular screens are good as well, and that way we don't need all the lights turned down..."

She flicked on her omni-tool as they reached the main deck and queried the consumables database, 'swiping' the screen from her tool to a free-floating display above the kitchenette counter for Temria to consult.

"They loaded us up with one of the more extensive catering packages in Epira," she explained. "Given that we'll be transporting a matriarch, of course. But uh," she grinned slightly, "we'll have the opportunity to restock at Parnitha fleet station before our next transit, so don't feel obligated to leave it all alone." The kitchenette meanwhile unfurled various food processors and workspaces, transforming from a serviceable daytime meal prep area to a full-featured, if compact, kitchen.

If the doctor needed any help, Freh’ya was sure the matron would just ask for it. She doubted though that the four of them could chew down all the supplies on board in one meal. The ship had all the nifty equipment one would expect from such a luxurious vehicle. You rarely saw something like this on the frigates that brought commandos to and from drop points. Maybe this would also be integrated into future designs? But who wanted to make it too comfortable for the dirt movers anyway? Get too comfy and you slack, she had to think and chuckle, at least it was what the drill officers used to say.

Now that that she herself was one, she was saying it herself. After a short holiday on Illium she was already looking forward to work with her girls on Nevos again.

“I’d be up for a game, Arina. I haven’t played in a while so don’t expect too much from my skills, I may be a bit rusty.” Make the enemy think she’s superior…

Temria laughed aloud at Rahi's embarrassment, nudging Arina with a smirk, "That settles it, lets review the young maiden's viewing history, I'm sure we'll find something... illuminating. Won't we, pilot?" She giggled despite herself, reluctantly allowing the materials list her undivided attention...

The list wasn't anything extravagant to be sure, though here and there little luxuries were listed off with little marks beside them, signifying specially procured items for the trip. She made a mental note to avoid them, at least for the trip going in, best not to mess with anything intended with the Matriarch in mind. Lets see... An assortment of fish was to be expected, dried to last, it'd require some work... Grasping Lizard meat was listed there, she noted with some surprise, and even more shocking, Harpatan, a six-limbed cephalopod that could break an unlucky fishers arm if they weren't careful...

Her eyes returned to that one, tapping it faintly, "I know just the thing..." she said with a playful smile, turning to the others "How do you all feel about something with just a little hint of spice?"

A burst of chuckle escaped Arina - the poor Rahilan! "Yeah good idea, maybe there's Matrons in Heat or Wet'nWild on Kahje.... a deranged movie night." She fell into laughter and nudged the smaller pilot a bit, before hugging her shoulder. No joking on behalf of someone without giving something back after all.

She leaned to the wall observing Temria taking over the kitchen.
"Spicy is fine with me." In fact, what was dish without a delicate assortment of well chosen spices? Arina thought of herself to be culinarily well travelled. Her various postings had exposed her to basically all the cooking there was in the known galaxy. Not that she had liked it all - oh goddess, no, but she had long since found it was not worth the hassle and always search for the most exquisite but follow the heart and stomach. If it tastes good it is good, no matter what it is. Asari stomachs were second to krogan only after all.

"Great, Freh'ya, just one match, I promise I won't keep you up all night with that." she winked playfully. I'll crush you in nine, my dear commando friend.

Rahi accepted Arina's hug with good grace, letting out an audible sigh of relief; her eyes had gone quite wide at Temria's suggestion. Not that she felt any particular shame about her private activities, but she was one for whom they were quite definitely private, and added to how acutely she felt her youth on the mission... She ventured a shaky grin, reassured her momentary panic hadn't been warranted.

"Spice," she echoed. "Of course... chef's choice, naturally." In fact she had something of a tender palate where bold seasoning was concerned, but she could stand to be adventurous for a good meal provided water was to hand, and she didn't hesitate in deferring to Arina's preference.

With the diplomat and the commando trading pleasant barbs - her mentor back in the Reach was an accomplished Kepesh player, and she thought she recognised in both asari her the mental back-and-forth duel for psychological position that preceded a serious contest on the board - she sidled up to the kitchenette.

"I'm not in your way?" she asked politely, being sure to stand well clear of where the action was taking place. "You've served on a ship before - did you regularly cook then?"

Freh'ya was just chuckling over all the jokes on Rahi's expense. She looked like someone who probably had no trouble attracting company in any port though. A few nasty remarks went through Freh'ya's mind but she didn't add to the insults, just enjoyed the view of the blushing pilot.

"Spicy is alright." she said as she settled in just behind Rahi. Their hight difference allowed her to easily look over the pilot's head. "I've been trated with too many rations lately, you know how bland they are. Also, I was finding the human food fantastically simplistic." Okay, given the circumstances down in Ozymandias that was no surprise. She had been hgetting used to way too good food with Taleeze and Skylar working in the kitchen.

"Yeah, let's hear, doc. Where do you originate from actually, any local treats you have for us?" A matron like Temria must have so many stories to tell. Freh wondered if there was someone waiting for her at home. That reminded her of sending a priority burst to Illium when they were passing through Parnitha.

Were she not already caught up thinking about what to use, what layers upon layers of distinct and intriguing spices listed among the ship's supplies and what order she could apply them in, Temria might have noticed the hesitation in Rahi's voice and taken it into consideration. Alas all she heard were three agreeing voices and at once she was plotting the whole thing out in her head.

"Oh yes, this won't be boring, I promise." she nods to Freh'ya with a smile, "I've had one or two interesting dishes in my lifetime that I'd just love to try recreating myself..."

Turning thoughtfully into the kitchenette, she began highlighting items in inventory on the list, activating the heated pallet as she went as though she'd been practiced with it for centuries. Checking the list again, she hesitated and stepped back, adjusting the temperature before going back on her way to collect the ingredients. She'd do it in the traditional style, she reasoned, broil the meat, then bake the spices in, that way she wouldn't have to worry about them being cold inside or catching fire!

"Oh no, by all means." she smiled at Rahi, "It'll be good to have a second pair of hands around... I haven't cooked on a ship that often." the memory made her shrug, in fact, she rarely ever got to cook, "Maybe once or twice on any given ship I've served on, I was on rotation during the off hours, but things would get in the way, you know how it is. People get injured, unexpected battle stations notices, that sort of thing. I'm just unlucky that way, I guess."

Freha’ya was slightly alarmed by the ‘love to try recreating’ part.
“And here I thought we would either be treated with hometown cooking or some well known spaceship stew.”
Maybe not. Now she was for experimental cuisine and put the thought to rest, the matron must after all know what she’s doing.

“I am sure nobody will call us to battlestations in the foreseeable future. But you gave me an idea. I should hold an alarm drill some time. And while at it, we could combine it with an evacuation drill….” She was saying it dead earnest but of course she was half joking. Half only because she had indeed thought about it but since it was not mandatory given the crew’s rating, she had dropped the idea.

“.. but not for now.” She closed with a hideous smile. “In fact I offer my expertise with sharp objects. I don’t want anyone to get hurt with a knife so if any cutting needs to be sliced professionally, I am happy to be of service. Or do we only have these nasty onmi-cutters in this kitchen?” While being en-vogue and practical, omni-cutters lacked style, totally!

“Not handing out the kitchen secrets, are we?” One or two interesting dishes, I bet Temria had more than she could remember.

Arina sadly had to think about her own kitchen. It was just as expensive as the rest of the apartment but saw so little action. “I will watch and take notes, if you don’t mind.” She said, grinning. “hmm… is there someone you cook for at home, Temria? “ A bit of a bold question but why not getting to know the people better? “My own place sees so little action, I am way too much getting used to eat out or just snack may way through a weekend. I should try my hands on something turian some time though… ” she should invite Sulla over the next time he had leave. Maybe he would appreciate it but she had to practice a bit. Cooking food you can’t really taste is not that easy. Looking at Freh’ya she sighed. Sharing kitchen time with loved ones was quality time and he had to admit: She was missing it. But the assembly in the small kitchenette of the shuttle made her smile again. An assembly of nice people, with a culinary experience on top of it. She should at least do more away work like this.

“Aw, don’t overdo it, Freh, do we really not to all these drills?” At first she wasn’t sure if the commando was serious. When noticing that it may have been a joke, she relaxed. “Yeah, maybe you cutting up vegetables will qualify as combat exercise in the mission report.” She watched as Temria was doing her thing.
“I wonder if we have to cook for the matriarch or if the assistant will do that. I didn’t think about that.”

Temria looked at Freh'ya thoughtfully, stew had potential too... something with a kick, by her standards, something with proper Cyone spices... the commando looked like she could take it, but the other two... She shrugged, smiling. "I'm thinking the Harpatan will serve just fine. I presume it's already dead so we can refrain from omni-blade applications... unless you really want to." she winked at Freh'ya.

She smiled thoughtfully, "I mostly cook for myself, and friends on rare occasion." she shrugged, Sam had been quite eager to sample her cooking once, thus satisfied she'd always insisted they eat out from then on out, she always presumed it was a human thing...

"Though I usually insist I do so in private. If you're all going to crowd around you're going to make yourselves usefull... Arina." Hefting a metal pot and handing it to the other asari delicately, "Fill this, two thirds... Freh'ya, could you collect the fish, it should be just... over there?" Unsure, she looked to Rahi for guidance as far as stowage, before leaning forward a bit to smile at the pilot with her full attention. "And what would you like to have as a side, pilot?"

"Here, yes," Rahilan nodded, extending a hand into open space beside the kitchenette and lifting it; a storage module, containing a dozen or so stasis-sealed ingredient containers of various sizes, rose up out of the floor in response to the gesture. She stood out of Freh'ya's way, returning to the other side of the kitchen bench where she wasn't in anybody's way.

"Oh? Um - well," she ventured, at Temria's query, "call me pedestrian in my tastes, but I've always liked baked wedges with seafood. There's papa in the vegetable storage set, if that suits you. Actually I can prepare them, if you'd be happy concentrating on the main course? It won't take a moment."

“Hey, we just want a bit of your magic to rub off!” Freh’ya said with a perfectly straight face. She went over to the cooler and opened the hatch. Lots of white fog was obstructing the view but after a second she could see the shrink wrapped packages. It was dead alright, filets only, ready to use on a ship. She had expected a whole fish in there but just realized how impractical that was on a space ship. She took out four filets, weighing it in her hand. With a raised eyebrow she took out a fifth and set them down on a prep area next to Temria.

Starting to remove wrap of the frozen pieces – white meat with tender blue and orange patterning – she asked: “What’s next? Do you want them cut small or leave them as big pieces?” She had the urge to cut stuff for a strange reason whenever she came into a kitchen. Perhaps because the first thing at home always was Taleeze handing her a knife and putting a mountain vegetables in front of her so she was occupied.

Arina was chuckling at the image of Freh’ya wielding an omni-blade in the kitchen. For a moment she had the mental image of the huntress not being satisfied with any food unless she had killed and disemboweled it herself and then prepared the fire with a flint stone. It also involved a jungle and Freh’ya in tiny pieces of fur (of animals she had skinned herself – small animals but still).

A kitchen was like a ship. There could only be one commander!
When Temria pressed the kettle to her stomach she just grabbed it and nodded, “Yes ma’am” and went to the sink, moving around Freh’ya. After filling the pot two thirds she went back and put it on the stove. “Here you go. So rare occasion friends we are, I like the sound of that.”

Temria smiled at Rahi's suggestion, nodding sagely. "That sounds lovely, I'll leave it to you to prepare them to your liking." She turned back to the arangement of supplies before her, deftly picking up small canisters, tall and each the width of a wrist and loaded with spices, and arranged them chaotically on the countertop for use.

She eyed Freh'ya playfully when she began talking about wanting to attack the meat already... actually, that wasn't a bad idea. "Absolutely." she said definitively while handing her a thin knife, "Just give them a few good deep cuts in the center for the heat to get in, and after they're broiled you can cut them again."

Bumping the commando playfully with her hip, she grinned at Arina's positively predatory expression, eyeing the commando as she was. "Yes, thank you, Arina." she hefted the vessel gingerly in hand and set it down gently on the cooking surface, not even waiting for it to come to boil before she began checking the spice containers again, looking to each with newfound recognition, and occasionally adding a dash, or two, or a much more liberal dose into the water...

Freh'ya jolted lightly at the unexpeted hip-bump! But then playfully bumped back. "Careful, knifes in action!"

She rotated the knife around her finger with a quick and well practiced movement. With great concentration, she deleivered five deep and exactly paced cuts on each filet. She did miss Temria's selection of spices being focused on her task.

"here you go."

Arina was watching askant as Temria was spicing up the soup. Not that she had any idea about the finer arts of spicing but the sheer amount was interesting. But the matron sure knew what she was doing and Arina was getting very hungry and excited about the meal.

"I'll go lay the table" she announced.
The common table in the crew quarters was large enough for six, so the quartet had enough space.

"Excelent, thank you." she nodded to Freh'ya, gesturing for her to drop them into the pot while she added a pinch more hanas spice...

She turned, nodding to Arina, "That would be helpful, or would you rather we eat and watch something? I have no preference." she bowed her head graciously, turning back to the broth in progress and immediately found herself unable to remember if she'd already added the hanas... oh well, she reasoned, adding another dash to it, it'd just make it the tiniest bit more sour, not reason to fuss over it.

“Oh, yes, a bit of entertainment sounds good. Rahi, would you like to help me look something up?” her grin said ‘… so I am not digging through the files and eventually come up with something inappropriate’.

Arina took some silverware and other equipment from a cabinet and put it on a tray.
“Let’s see what we can find.” With that she carried it across the hallway into the cabin. When finished setting four seats up properly so they could be facing the vid screen, she was curious.

“Hm, what do you think… something like ‘Vaenia, homecoming’ or maybe more of a comedy like ‘failing biotics’? Or do you have something I haven’t seen yet? But please, something that’s not going to give you bad dreams” , she said with a giggle.

Freh’ya put the filets into the sauce to cook. The steam was making her eyes water from the sheer intensity of the spices but she told herself that this probably was to dissipate when everything is cooked and mingled properly.
“Phu…” she wiped her face “That smells interesting. Where is the recipe from, or is that a secret?”

Many colonies had developed their own distinct cuisine, characterized by the produce and meat that was available. Freh’ya had encountered many styles but could not identify this one.