Food, Family and Friendship

Posted on Thu Nov 8, 2018 @ 10:51pm by Lieutenant Martha Cusack & Lieutenant JG Lucia Cusack & Ensign Gaalen Tholav & Elsie Cusack

Mission: An Oceanic Shoreleave
Location: Jennita, Pacifica
Timeline: MD38; 19:30

The Cusacks had thoroughly enjoyed their visit to hi'Leyi'a earlier that day. After returning to their hotel room to drop off their things they walked down the street towards the restaurant they had selected. Just as they entered the restaurant Martha saw a familiar face sat at the bar by himself.

"Oh there's Gaalen" Martha said.

Lucia smiled. "Should we ask him to join us? He looks a bit lonely sat there by himself"

"Are you sure?" Martha asked.

Lucia nodded. "Martha...I know he's your friend so of course I'm sure. I'll go and ask if there's a table for four while you go and ask him"

Martha nodded gratefully before going over to see the Andorian man she had already started to call her friend despite not knowing eachother for that long. Normally Martha took a long time to build up trust - but there was something about Gaalen which made him easier to trust.

"Good evening Gaalen. How are you?" Martha said.

A surprised Gaalen turned to face Martha. He was just about to go and sit at a table and order a meal - but he decided to offer to buy his friend and her family a drink first. Martha had told Gaalen a day or two ago that she was planning to take shore leave on the planet with Lucia and Elsie.

"Hello Martha. I'm well thank you - how are you and your family? Can I buy you all a drink?" Gaalen replied.

Martha smiled. "I'm fine thanks. That is very kind of you - Lucia and I will have whatever you are having and a soft drink for Elsie please. Would you like to join us for dinner?"

Gaalen ordered a cocktail pitcher for himself, Martha and Lucia and a fruit juice for Elsie. He was surprised by Martha's offer to join them - particularly as he was rarely invited out for a meal - so he gratefully accepted Martha's offer.

"I would like that - thank you Martha. I'll bring the drinks over in a moment" Gaalen responded.

Martha was pleased her friend would be joining them for their evening meal. She went over to the table which Lucia and Elsie were sat at - confirming Gaalen would be joining them and bringing drinks over in a few moments.

"Who's your friend mum?" Elsie asked.

Martha replied. "That's Gaalen - he's a helmsman who asked me to help him with a model he is building. I don't usually make friends very well but we seem to share similar interests. He came over to our quarters for dinner when you were at work"

"That's good. I'm glad you've made a friend" Elsie replied with a smile.

A few moments later Gaalen brought their drinks over and poured a drink for himself, Martha and Lucia before sitting down. He was usually a little nervous around new people but Martha's presence was reassuring in this situation. Unusually Gaalen decided to try and break the silence instead of waiting for somebody else to speak.

"Is there a menu we can look at?" Gaalen asked.

Elsie nodded and smiled. "Here. I've already decided what I'm having"

Gaalen thanked Elsie and accepted the menu before browsing the various dishes on offer.

"Did I ask how long have you been on the Triumphant when you came over for dinner Gaalen?" Lucia asked.

Gaalen replied. "I don't think you did - I've been on board since we launched. I transferred to the Triumphant after serving on the Lexington for just over a year. It seemed like a good opportunity and I'm pleased I transferred"

"I'm glad it's working out for you. We're enjoying serving on the Triumphant too" Lucia responded.

Around five minutes later a waiter came to take their food order. He said it would be ready in around fifteen to twenty minutes before disappearing to the kitchen.

"When did you arrive on the planet?" Martha asked.

Gaalen replied. "At around lunchtime. I wasn't planning to leave the ship but I changed my mind. I went to the aquarium in hi'Leyi'a this afternoon and it was fantastic. I'm planning to go there again before we have to go back to the ship"

"Oh we went there. It was so cool" Elsie replied.

Martha nodded. "It was indeed. I would like to go back but I'm not sure we'll have the time"

"You should. Elsie and I can sit on the balcony - we do have a few free days in our schedule and it would be a shame not to go back to the aquarium if you want to" Lucia commented.

Lucia and Elsie looked at eachother before Elsie looked at Martha and nodded.

"If you want to come along you'd be welcome to. I'm also planning to visit the museum as well - I'm not sure if you've been there yet but I've heard it's interesting" Gaalen said.

Martha wasn't sure about leaving Lucia and Elsie by themselves - but after they reassured her they would be alright the Tactical Officer agreed to join her friend. After fifteen minutes or so their food arrived and they all began to eat whilst discussing their plans for the rest of their holidays.

"This food is amazing. Can we come here again tomorrow?" Elsie asked.

Martha shrugged. "I don't see why not. I don't think we planned to go anywhere else"

"I have to agree with you Elsie. A porter in the hotel recommended I come here - I will have to thank him" Gaalen commented.

Lucia asked. "Where are you staying Gaalen?"

"It's the one a few buildings up from here. I was surprised I managed to get a reservation actually. Very reasonable considering what's on offer" Gaalen replied.

Martha smiled. "We're staying there too. What do you think of it?"

"I like it so far. I'm thinking about trying out the jacuzzi when I get back" Gaalen responded.

After twenty minutes or so the waiter came to collect their empty plates and took their dessert order as well as another round of drinks. They passed the next half an hour or so talking about the food they'd eaten and the current events in the Federation.

"I'll have to ask for the bill" Martha asked.

Just as Martha was about to get up Gaalen raised his hand.

"I've already taken care of it" the Andorian said.

The surprised but grateful Cusacks thanked Gaalen for paying for their meal and drinks.

"It's my pleasure" Gaalen replied.

Martha smiled. "Unless you have a very good reason you're joining us tomorrow - and I will be paying. No arguments"

"I would like that Martha - thank you. I have enjoyed this evening and am very grateful to you all for your friendship. It means a lot to me that I can consider you all friends" Gaalen said.

Martha was humbled by Gaalen's words whilst Lucia and Elsie both smiled.

"Any friend of my mum is a friend of ours" Elsie said.

Lucia nodded in agreement. "Absolutely"

After another ten minutes of conversation they all decided it was time to call it a night. They walked back to the hotel together - with Gaalen parting ways with the Cusacks in the reception area as his room was on the other side of the hotel. They had all thoroughly enjoyed the evening and were looking forward to the rest of their respective holidays.