Invitation to Dinner

Posted on Thu Oct 31st, 2024 @ 10:20pm by Lieutenant JG Zai & Lieutenant Adrianna Baciami

1,376 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Location: Stabase 2 | Chief Engineer's Quarters

ON:

Zai had sent an invitation to Adrianna to join Sabastian and him for dinner. Sab was in Engineering helping a new Base update and would join them shortly, until then Zai sat waiting for Adrianna.

He was feeling a bit different today, with his and Sabastian's conversation with Alexander. He decided to go low key tonight opting for casual black pants and an emerald shirt that brought out his light lavender eyes. His black hair was braided and down his back and he looked relaxed and content as he sat waiting for his two dinner mates to join him.

Adrianna decided to accept the invitation. She wasn't sure if it was because he wanted to know about the other night, or not. She'd not told him about what had happened with Jason, wanting to keep him calm because of his heart. Bottle of a Baciami red wine, she sounded the chime. She kept it casual otherwise, just leggings and a nice top and cardigan. For a change, she wore her hair down, allowing her natural curls to bounce as she moved.

Zai waved at her sitting at the table looking calm and content. "Hello there! Welcome. Sabastian will join us shortly he had to run to Station engineering, they are doing some upgrades there too."

Adrianna smiled and handed him the wine, "not what the family specialises in, but it's good." She paused, "are you feeling better? More like you?"

He smiled as he accepted the wine. "Honestly, I feel like I'm truly exploring me. Sounds stupid, doesn't it, learning about yourself at my age but it's like for the first time in all these years I'm asked what do you like, what do you need to be done for you." He shrugged. "It's a bit scary." He placed the bottle on the table and pulled out her chair for her.

Adrianna sat down, "well, no need to explore whether you like the wine... I'm telling you that you will like it." There was a dark humour in her tone and a mischievous grin across her lips. She chuckled and concluded, "honestly, it's not stupid. It's good to see."

She paused, "before Sabastian gets here..." She reached into her cardigan picked and pulled out a small data pad, "a gift for you to watch-- alone." Whilst Adrianna didn't want to get involved in the Fang/Zai drama, she did feel a sense of duty to at least give Zai a heads up as to what was coming for him, equally a warning about potential death. That said, she thought he would take amusement in seeing Fang getting beat up by a 'girl'. "Just don't make me regret showing you, ok?" She warned.

He smiled. "Will do." He took it and stood walking to put it with his stuff. Just as he got to the table the door opened.

"Darling, I'm sorry I'm late. We had an issue with the stabilizers." He walked into the dining area and stopped. "Ms. Baciami. Welcome." He gave a small bow feeling kind of awkward.

Zai laughed. "I want you two to get to know one another, you all got off on the wrong foot."

Sabastian gave a nod. He walked over to Adrianna and held out his hand. "Let's start over. Hello, I'm Sabastian Gabriel Walker. It's lovely to meet you."

Adrianna stood up, shaking his hand, "Adrianna Nani Baciami." She sat back down, "I think we're even after the hospital and airlock incident, hm?"

He sighed gave a nod.

"Sit. I'll get the food." Zai said. He looked at Sabastian "See she doesn't bite."

Sabastian countered immediately, "No Darling that's your job."

Zai's eyes widened and he blushed. "Getting food!"

Sabastian laughed. "He is absolutely adorable when he blushes."

Adrianna snorted, watching Zai blush. She shook her head, "if I cannot be a third wheel, that would be perfecto." Adrianna then added, "also, I do bite, but only when provoked. The engineers under Zai's care will tell you that. Just don't tell Zai."

He laughed. "I love teasing him." Sabastian looked towards the kitchen, love clearly shining in his eyes. He turned back to Adrianna. "I really would love to get to know Zai's friends. I'm honestly glad that he has begun to make them. He was always so closed off. Zai tells me you know his true identity so you know he's been through a lot." He paused. "Thank you for looking out for him."

Adrianna nodded, "he's known me longer than I have known him. We have a mutual friend. Honestly-- this friendship started out because he threatened me." She chuckled, "still, it's what I needed to hear at the time." She sighed, "you were right about one thing though-- I am close with Fang. Our parents are friends and by default, we are too. I want you to know though-- when it comes to whatever is going on between the three of you, I have not, not will not, get involved. I have my own chaos to deal with."

He gave a nod. "I can understand that. In all honesty Lee and I were in the same class and were friends until I saw how he treated Zai. At first it looks okay but when you look closer, and being an empath I can sense how hurt Zai was at times. The worst of it is I don't think Lee is a bad guy just...clueless and he's got a lot to learn about people." He sighed. "But I appreciate that you are friends and I wish to leave the issues with the three of us behind and focus on Zai, and knowing his friends. I have loved him so long I wish that which is between the two of us to be long term. For life in fact. So when things get serious enough for that I am..." He looked around. "I trust this will stay between us?"

Adrianna waved him off, acknowledging that it wouldn't go further. "Just one favour," she asked, lowering her voice, "if I hear about another physical altercation between you and Fang that isn't self defence, I'll be coming for both of you-- Zai's wellbeing be damned. Am I clear?"

He gave a nod. "I shall do my best to no throttle the man. As I was saying if things go well I am considering resigning my commission and joining Zai wherever he wishes to go." He looked down at the table. "I have had a ring for him since the Academy it's high time I work towards giving it to him."

"Let me know if I can help," Adrianna nodded, "I've been in a similar position in the past-- willing to give everything up for a man."

He smiled. Before he could say anything Zai came back with two plates. Perfectly cooked stake and greens, home made fries. After a couple of trips the table was loaded with a feast.

"My God. Top engineer and he can cook too! I think in the last couple days I've gained more weight then in years."

Zai laughed. "Well I had to learn. In the Academy my Roommate would eat nothing but noodles and fast food. After six months I thought I'd die I needed some real food so I learned how to cook. It's ... relaxing."

Sabastian reached over and squeezed Zai's hand. "And you are a very good cook. Now can we eat I'm starving."

Zai laughed. "Dig in everyone." He looked at Adrianna. "How are you doing?"

"Si, looks delicious," Adrianna smiled, easily returning to focus as if nothing had been said between Sab and her, "and si, I'm fine. Why?"

"I know how stressed you've been and Vance keeps bugging me asking me if he's freaking you out. He's actually on shore leave starting next month. He said he'll be on Betazed, something he needs to get."

"A lot has happened in a very short space of time," she replied, "I am a little distracted, but it's being handled by the right people. Vance is not my reason for -- wait--wait--" she paused, "Betazed?" Adrianna stood up, "merde-- merde! I'm sorry, I have to go. Zai. I'm sure food was amazing."

Zai smiled. "Well she seemed excited?"

OFF:

 

RSS Feed