one more day in paradise (forward-dated to sunday)

[chakotay]

When; February 9th
Rating; let's say PG-13 for the half-Klingon being in the same room as the omnipotent being. There might be an honor issue in here somewhere
Characters; Chakotay, Kathryn Janeway, B'Elanna Torres, Harry Kim, Pavel Chekov, Hikaru Sulu, and Q. Yes, even Q
Summary; Chakotay decided that it would be nice for both crews to get together and talk / bond. And Q would've turned up to party crash anyway.
Log;


They were all going to meet at Chekov's little cottage in the woods for this get-together and Chakotay hoped it would be a success, if not a smashing one. He was well aware that it might be a slightly more volatile situation than any of them really wanted simply because Q would be there -- and he knew Q would've been there even if he hadn't been invited -- but he had to hope that everyone would be able to keep their tempers in check and Q would take what he'd said about respect to heart. Maybe then they would be able to enjoy this dinner without hostilities.

Chakotay had done a good part of the cooking. Anyone else was welcome to have cooked or brought something -- no dishes by the captain please -- but he was ready and willing to bring the majority. Cooking was something he was used to and he'd come to like it, especially in this place. It meant he could provide something interesting and it took up a good part of the time he might otherwise spend working in the labs or just being bored. Or trying to meditate or contact his spirit guide. That had been hit or miss lately and he had a feeling that had more to do with the City itself and less with him in general.

But none of that mattered. What mattered was this dinner and how everyone would take it. Hopefully it would all work out. With the food all set out now they just had to wait for everyone else.

Comments

[chakotay]

"Sometime I'd like to taste some of that cooking," Chakotay comments, completely serious about that. It might be interesting to compare dishes sometime. Chakotay is always willing to try things. "I don't mind the cooking. You can rest assured that it's not a chore to me and your hospitality is much better than a lot of people I've known."

It really depended on the culture, but some people in the Delta Quadrant would rather skin them alive than talk to them.

[candothat]

"You would?" Chakotay gets a mildly skeptical look. Chekov isn't a bad cook, but the things he cooks have a way of scaring off company. Who knew that so few people appreciate beets? "I am glad that my hospitality is not the worst. Do you do this often? Cooking?"

No one is in danger of being skinned alive by Chekov. That much is sure.

[chakotay]

"As long as it's vegetarian-friendly, I would," Chakotay answers honestly. "I don't mind trying new things, especially where food is concerned." It at least makes a tasty alternative to other things they could be doing.

"I do when it's necessary. Admittedly, that isn't often when we're on Voyager, but it's come in handy sometimes." Like when things go nuts in the mess hall and Neelix needs a little back-up. "I've done it here since I arrived in the City. What about you? Do you cook often?"

[candothat]

Vegetarian gets a raised eyebrow, but only because Chekov cannot personally conceive of a diet that doesn't include animals of some kind. (Do fish count? He particularly likes fish.) "You eat no meat at all?"

What are you, Vulcan?

The ensign shrugs. "I am capable of cooking, but I see no reason to when I eat alone." When Uhura first arrived, she was rather alarmed to discover that Chekov was surviving almost exclusively on ketchup and pickle sandwiches and coffee. Food isn't a big priority when he's alone. "Sometimes I cook when Lucy is having dinner with me, and she is kind enough to sample most of the things that I make."

[chakotay]

"Not if I can help it. My people believe in the sanctity of all life." Every part of the animal must be used, etc. It's just easier sometimes to be fully vegetarian. But hey, at least he's not vegan.

"Maybe next time you and I sit down for a chat, we can trade cooking secrets," he jokes. Chakotay can understand not wanting to be fancy when it's a one person meal, but sometimes it's nice to have someone to trade and cook with. "I doubt there's much that can compare with what we have to deal with in the Delta Quadrant."

Sure, they miss Neelix and Voyager in general, but there's nothing like a meal that wasn't replicated and is completely devoid of leola root.

[candothat]

"That is admirable. The most I do is apologize to the animal that I am eating and thank it for its sacrifice." And while he is being cheeky, he does think that Chakotay's people have a very valid view, and one that is much nobler than the Russian view, which is more like if it will not kill you when you eat it, eat it.

"I would rather talk about the Delta Quadrant," Pavel admits. "Although that is something that you cannot tell me about, probably. What is it that you have to deal with, aside from a scarcity of replicated food?"

[chakotay]

"I think my people could live with that," Chakotay admits with a smile. "It's better than most people do." Cheeky or no, that would actually work with the ways of his people.

"You're right: there's a lot I can't tell you about the Delta Quadrant. A lot of that has to do with the Temporal Prime Directive, though I will admit that there are some days I wish I didn't have to follow it so closely." If he were still a Maquis captain and not a Starfleet Commander, this wouldn't even be an issue and he would happily talk about the Delta Quadrant because it wouldn't matter in the long run. As it is, he considers what he can say, wanting to give something and not disappoint someone he has come to see as a friend. "We've had a lot of first contact situations, many of which involve cultures we've never encountered before, ones that have differing ideals and beliefs to any we've known."

He almost wishes he could talk about the Vidiians.

"I will say that if you ever hear someone mention a dish made of leola root... that you run in the opposite direction."

Totally teasing and yet totally serious at the same time.