What's cooking?

Posted on Sat Dec 11th, 2021 @ 2:07pm by Lieutenant Darru & Kyle Cranston

Mission: Mission 5 - Babel
Location: Ship's Galley
Timeline: Day 270 15:00 Hours
1134 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Music sounded throughout the galley to the tune of 'Hooked on a feeling' as the Terran cook known as Kyle Cranston mouthed the words and danced to the music as he worked on the large bat of mashed potatoes. The smell of chicken originated from the nearby oven. It was times like these that made Kyle forget about their current situation.

Darru stood in the doorway to the galley watching the less than silent scene in front of him. He had spoken many times to the man but now he was not sure if he should interrupt him or not.

“Pardon my intrusion in your performance Mister Cranston.” He called over the music hoping he was not intruding when there was no other time he could go over the next batch of people he had been looking into. It was easier this time as people were more open to the idea that they would be stuck out there with only the people onboard.

Looking over to where the voice came from, Kyle spotted the source that he recognized as Lieutenant Darru. He reached over and decreased the music's volume from a control panel on the back bulkhead. "What can I do for you, Mister Darru? Special request for a Vulcan dish? Saffir? Just don't ask me to make lirs, I still haven't been able to get the texture right."

The Vulcan shook his head. He was not there for him but the man. “No… no, my palate is adjusting to human food. It is palatable now I do not need special favours.” Darru quickly assured relieved that the music was quieter. “Your attempts have been appreciated though.” He added as a compliment to the man.

"Glad to hear," he commented with a smile. "So if you're not here for my awesome cooking, then what can I help you with?" Kyle asked, looking up at the Vulcan as he moved to remove the chicken from the oven, donning oven mitts.

"Well last time I was here you wondered why you had not been paired up with anyone as some people had been." The Vulcan ventured. He had been doing it female to male crew members but as people were rejected it was becoming easier to run tests as he had been given permission to do so.

"Ah, I've heard the rumors. So, what? I'm the alternative choice?" Kyle asked, annoyed and placing the tray of chicken onto the counter and removing his oven mitts.

Darru quickly shook his head. It could have been assumed but the man had never tested due to his situation. "No... I never did you as you were unconscious, and I never did the other person as I did not think she could really entertain it, but I believe she could now." He murmured holding out the PADD to the man to see who was there and who was genetically his match onboard.

Kyle took the PADD and looked at his match that was contained in it. Upon seeing the name, he burst into laughter. "Captain Leroux?! Is this a joke?" Sure, the woman was attractive, but he didn't see how he would be a match for her. "And why do you think she would entertain the idea now?"

"It is not a joke Mister Cranston. Your genetic make-up is a perfect complement to her own." Darru said not reacting to the laughter. It was a better reaction than the hate and scoffing. "I believe that she would entertain it now due to how much better she is looking and sounding. You were not awake to see how strained and ill the Captain had been looking up until now. Maybe it is your cooking." The Vulcan offered lightly. He knew how to joke; it was not just a wholly human concept.

"Possibly," he shrugged. "But anything is better than field rations and resequenced garbage. Why so interested in this matchmaking scheme of yours? Why not just let people hook up with whomever they want to?"

“You underestimate what a good meal can do for someone physically but more importantly mentally Mister Cranston,” Darru commented knowing that even himself felt healthier with the food that was on offer now that they had a chef again. It might still be resequenced garbage but it was better quality now like the chicken that was on offer that day. “Limited resources require stronger people to survive.” He said simply.

"And you believe that the captain and I would make strong people?" he asked, fighting back more laughter. "Have you mentioned this to her?"

“I do know this. My speciality is genetics. I know what I see and what I know.” The Vulcan said simply. Why was it so hard for every other species to understand the concept of genetics and strength? “She is fully aware of my studies and my attempts to aid our survival more than the here and now.”

"Aware of your studies but not who you matched her with," Kyle concluded. "So you just want me to approach the captain and tell her 'Hey Captain, Lieutenant Darru matched us so let's hook up?'" he smirked, letting out a chuckle. "I can't see that working out well, especially aboard this ship."

Darru just stared at him raising an eyebrow at his approach. He hoped that was not how he was going to approach things with Leroux.

“I cannot imagine a human male of your age does not know how to approach a woman without scaring her off for romance.” Humans really were like a bull in a China shop or at a standstill. He shook his head at the thoughts that sounded far too human from his conversations with Ensign O’Connery.

"Oh, now I'm being called old?" Kyle asked, mocking incredulous at being called old. However, the idea of romancing the captain was beginning to grow on him--he had always enjoyed a challenge.

“I believe I said you had experience on your side.” Darru countered as noises could be heard from outside where people were starting to want to be fed. “You have the information, so it is up to you what you do with it, Mister Cranston.” Darru could not help after that.

"I'll think about it, alright?" he stated, giving a sigh and a shrug before moving to the serving area. "Now, unless you want something to eat, I have to treat the crew to the best food they've eaten since they came in for breakfast."

Darru said nothing just turned on his heels leaving the man with his thoughts. He had to return to the science lab to finish his assigned duties for that day in scanning the planet's surface. If anyone was going to be able to go down properly it needed to be completed.