Apu Barnum, at your service (part 2)

Posted on Tue Jul 9th, 2013 @ 7:49am by Master Chief Petty Officer Apu Barnum & Gaia

915 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: What Dreams May Come?
Location: Bazinga's

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]

The dark haired woman opened the bottle with a loud pop and professionally poured the wine and set it in a cooler. The color of the wine was a light raspberry color and the aroma could be smelt as it sat in its glass. The fizz in the wine was delicate and light. Gaia lifted her glass up and smelt her wine and then took a soft sip and smiled this was one of her favorites. "Well?"

[NEW]

Apu swirled the wine in the glass for a moment so he could smell the bouquet. Then he took a careful sip, enjoying the flavor. "An excellent choice. My compliments to the host."

"How would you like to move to the table and we can talk some more." Bazinga's proprietor asked as she gestured to the table a few steps away. It was her own table and seldom did Gaia invite people to it as it was often for private people or business meetings or Commodore's.

Apu nodded to her, recognizing the gesture for what it was. There were few people he truly enjoyed doing business with. This woman was fast becoming one of those.

Gaia sat down and crossed her legs an smiled "Tell me about bit about yourself."

"I am from India, Earth," he said, smiling brightly. "As you see, I am a businessman. I am also Quartermaster. What specifically do you wish to know?" he asked.

Gaia shrugged lightly "How or perhaps what made you decide to do what you are doing?"

"Part necessity, part determination, part luck." He shrugged. "Fortune favors the bold. I took what I knew, learned how to turn it into a business and then decided to take that business on the road, so to speak. Starfleet lets me work on the side as long as I do nothing overtly illegal. And you? Why would a lovely lady like you choose to run a restaurant?"

"Because I love dessert!" Gaia grinned from ear to ear "and I learned form an early age that if you enjoy something your should learn to do it yourself. So I learned to cook. Then my grandfather took me under his wing to learn the family business and, well a Starship in a new endeavor at trying to establish different locals."

Apu nodded. "Yes, it is always good to follow what you love. Doors open when you do."

Apu's meal arrived and was served it steamed. Gaia waited for him to take the fist bite, a mixed expression flickered across her face, it was happiness at knowing what the flavors were, the joy of how it intermingled on the palate and her own inner happiness at having someone try her creation.

He took a bite, taking time to savor the combination of flavors and textures. It was quite good. No, it was better than that. "Excellent. What made you choose such a dish?"

Gaia shrugged "The seared meat is a specialty among the tribes of Tiuse, the marinate is made with a vinaigrette and spicy peppers, although for some reason the heat of the peppers dissipates with the wine. The vegetables simple every day kitchen vegetables steamed to a delightful crisp."

"I come from the land of curry and peppers. This is quite good."

Gaia laughed lightly "Good then next time I will turn the heat up just a tad for you." Her smile stayed on her face and her eyes were all lit up. She leaned slightly forward he had her complete attention and she flashed her grin at him once more. "So does that mean you have some family recipes that I could add to my collection?"

Apu leaned forward and smiled. Yes, it might be very interesting to see her turn up the heat. "I might, for the right incentive."

Gaia raised her eyebrow "What did you have in mind?"

He thought about that for a moment. He discarded his first though as being one she would likely reject. "Knowledge. A recipe of yours, some unusual historical data, an old journal. It doesn't even have to belong to your family. I collect unusual things."

Gaia wondered briefly what he would think of her and her heritage. She smiled "I have a very old journal that used to be long to some relatives of a..." She paused "friend." It contained some history of his family it was no longer important as he had left it and her.

Apu nodded. "That will be perfect. I'll bring you the recipe tomorrow. Perhaps I'll add a drink, if I can find the one I'm thinking of." He finished the delightful meal and put his utensils down on his plate. "Thank you."

Gaia smiled as she picked her wine glass up and took a swallow not sure what to think about this man exactly but she knew that she wanted to see him again tomorrow. "I look forward to our time together and our future business adventures."

"As do I." Apu finished his drink and stood. "Until tomorrow." He took her hand and bowed over it before turning and heading out the door.

Gaia sat there a long time in thought her fingers lightly running up and down the stem of the glass. Jenna elbowed Mojo and nodded at Gaia. "How long has she been that way?"

"Since that mon left." Mojo chuckled at Jenna "No worries it probably means nothing."

OFF

Gaia
Bazinga's Owner

Master Chief Petty Officer Apu Barnum
Quartermaster

Mojo
Host/Bartender

 

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