A Much-Anticipated Dinner (Part II)

Posted on Wed Jun 30th, 2021 @ 7:56pm by Lieutenant JG Ronen Kym & Lieutenant Remy Boudreau
Edited on on Wed Jun 30th, 2021 @ 8:08pm

1,601 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Caverns of the mind
Location: Lounge

[PREVIOUSLY]

'It's a really good combination - best consumed on a pristine Greek beach, with a nice cool drink,' Boudreau chuckled as he politely waved a waiter over and asked for a pair of salads to start, thanking them as they took the order.

[CONTINUED]

"I'll have to take your word for it," she said. "I've been to Italy, but not Greece."

'No?' Boudreau thought for a moment, 'if you went to Italy for the architecture and history, you might enjoy Greece. And the country itself is beautiful if you like hiking through the countryside - the southeastern parts are quite wild, rugged and remote.' He shook his head, 'I've only ever had a short stopover in Italy, in Sicily, but I would love to go back.'

"Venice is amazing. they've reconstructed most of the villas. I like the art and history as much as the architecture," she said. "But if we get to earth, I'll show you Italy if you show me Greece."

'When we get there, that certainly sounds like a plan,' Boudreau replied with delight, 'there's this great little island out in the Aegean, very quiet, very private that we could end up at. Absolute heaven on Earth.'

She smiled. "That does sound lovely." Especially if they went together. "What other things do you like to do?"

'I enjoy a good book,' Boudreau said with relish, 'especially if it's bad weather outside. Cooking, dancing, all that good stuff. How about you?' He asked as their salads arrived, 'when you're not out and about looking at Venice history and art, what do you like doing?'

"I enjoy reading, too. And classical music," she said. "I also like camping and kayaking."

'You do?' asked Boudreau, ears perking up, 'I love a good camp out under the stars - as far away from civilisation and City lights as possible.' He was glad that they had so much in common, 'kayaking was a big part of my growing up too, down on the bayou back home. It's a great way to get around.'

"I haven't been to the bayou. I've been on lakes and rivers. Occasionally I enjoy white-water kayaking." She grinned, happy to find another thing they both liked. "I like to take a kayak or canoe when I go camping."

'White-water kayaking isn't something I've tried, yet,' Boudreau drawled in reply, 'you'll have to show me the ropes one time, and in exchange I can take you down the bayou. Take a tent and head far away from civilisation if you'd like.'

"I would like that." She smiled. "Getting far away from civilization definitely has an appeal."

'It's always nice to get away from the console,' Boudreau observed, as he took a bite to eat. 'Just ... no caves for a while I think,' he concluded with a rueful chuckle. 'Could I be forward enough to assume that a trip down the bayou would be a third date?'

Kym blushed. "If you want it to be." She concentrated on her food to get her face back under control.

'I think I very much do, unless we meet up before we get back to Earth,' Boudreau smiled to himself. He ate his food quietly for a few moments. 'Classical music then,' he said carefully, knowing he would immediately be out of his depth, 'Earth composers or from other places?'

"I like string and orchestral music. Mostly Terran, Vulcan, and Bajoran, but I like bits and pieces from other places. What type of music do you like?" The salad was good, but the company kept distracting her. But then, he seemed to distract her from a lot of things, even her work.

'Mostly blues and folk,' Boudreau replied, 'when the mood strikes, some Andorian Electronic music is good too. Y'know, I don't think I've ever heard any Vulcan music. At least not that I remember.'

"They have some lovely chamber music with harp, lyre and lyrette," she said. "I'll introduce you to some, if you'll introduce me to folk and blues."

'Of course,' Boudreau said with a big grin, 'I'd enjoy that, I think. But no Andorian Electronic?' he teased gently.

"Maybe a little," she rejoined, her eyes sparking with humor. "If I'm feeling daring."

He chuckled, 'for someone who likes white-watering, it's not so bad once you get used to the slight variance between our hearing range and the Andorians. I went to a music festival on Risa when I first heard the stuff and it was a lot of fun.'

"White-water rafting and kayaking is a challenge. I'm not so sure I'd put Andorian music in the same category, but I understand the comparison." She smiled. The idea of spending more time with Remy made her happy. She looked down at her plate and realized she'd finished most of her meal without paying much attention to it.

'Hmmm, perhaps you're right about them not being the same challenge,' Remy concluded with a grin. 'Reading and white-water rafting certainly isn't in the same league. Do you like fiction or non?' Remy wasn't surprised that Kym liked reading. From his personal experience most officers did. He did enjoy the fact they had something else in common, however.

"Both, actually. I like a variety of books. History, psychology, fairy tales, fantasy. It depends on my mood and if it's for work or play."

'That's a really broad range there,' replied Boudreau with delight. 'I have to admit I really enjoy a good technical manual or paper. Folklore is dead interesting as well if you have time for it.'

"It is. You can learn a lot from folktales." There were so many interests the two shared, or things they wanted to share. It made her hopeful the relationship would continue to grow. ""You know, one folktale before bed isn't too much."

His eyes lit up, 'no, one folk tale is never too much just before bed.'

Kym felt her cheeks grow warm again. She picked up her drink to give her a moment. She chuckled and set her glass down. She looked at him, momentarily speechless. "I...uh. Yes."

He cleared his throat and winked, hiding his own nervous thrill. Boudreau mentally reminded himself to slow down and not race to the finish line.

"So, we've covered music and literature. Should we move on to science?" she asked, trying to get the conversation back on track. Not that it had been derailed, but the emotional levels were getting a bit...strong. This was only their second--or was it third--date. It felt like she'd known him a lot longer than a few days.

'Science is a good one - you have an interest I take it? I don't think it would take much to work out that I do have an interest in the sciences - being Chief allows me to dabble in a broad range of fields,' Boudreau smiled warmly and leaned in to hear her response, glad for a less charged topic.

"Science has the widest range of fields and abilities. I'm always interested to see what's going on here, but my knowledge is limited. Except for history. I love history, and I enjoy learning about how people from the past lived."

He smiled as she talked about it, passion evident in the way she spoke, 'that's fantastic. Have you ever been able to apply your learning professionally? History isn't exactly my strong point ... but I'd like to hear more of it from you.'

"Occasionally. Sometimes if I use a historic event to illustrate a point, I can help someone understand from a different perspective. It's outside themselves, so their innate biases don't compensate for the behavior or ideal. It's much like reading speculative fiction. You're looking at something outside your world view so you can see it more objectively." She shrugged. "At least that's how I see it. We learn more from the past if we can use it to change our present and future." Kym blushed. "Sorry, that was a bit more than you asked for."

'Not at all, it's attractive to see someone's passion about a subject. I don't think you should apologise for talking about it at all!' Boudreau replied, 'learning from the past, and improving our present situation, while keeping the best of what we've learnt, is what it's all about - and the more people you can get to understand that, the better.'

"I agree." She picked up her glass and watched him over the rim.

It was his turn to blush as Kym looked at him. 'I, uh, yeah.' It took him a moment to regain his composure, and he flashed a smile, 'so does your interest in history extend to archaeology as well?'

"A little, yes." She was feeling a little flushed. The change back to science was a welcome diversion. "I like seeing the architecture and learning a bit about it along with the history. Even the old ruins are fascinating."

'Old ruins can be some of the best attractions,' replied Boudreau, 'they can be a little melancholy, but there's something oddly comforting about them. The quiet I think. And I do enjoy the fact that holo technology has come along enough that we can recreate accurate representations of the ruins in their heyday. Brings a little something different.'

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant Remy Boudreau
Chief Science Officer
USS Aurora

Lieutenant JG Ronen Kym
Counselor
USS Aurora

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