Tea for Two Ladies

Posted on 09 Dec 2020 @ 12:12am by Lieutenant Xu Chang Lau & Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov

Mission: R&R - after facing the Planet Killer
Location: Holo-suite #3
Timeline: Sometime before new mission
1838 words - 3.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Michael's thoughts had turned towards the party that had been held on the USS Merlin, there had been some breaking of ice thanks to Gwen, but he felt that there needed to be more. Sometimes there needed to be a bridge to open the line of communication between individuals, much like what had been done with Xu and C'Tora. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Even with him not being chief of operations anymore, he still felt there was more he could do. After all, he did promise the Captain to help Xu out in matters. He also felt that Rose needed to connect more with others of the crew. He could hear his sisters calling him a busybody. He couldn't help himself, it was in his nature to see about making the work environment more cohesive.

They might not appreciate what he had in mind, he felt that maybe he was overstepping what he was thinking but, looking at things in the perception of ops and engineering, he liked it if there was some sort of a working relationship between those he worked with. Like making certain the ship's equipment were operational. It could also be translated where people are concerned.

He booked some time for the Holosuite, pulling out a program he had designed a few years back. It was a japanese garden set not to far where you could look out upon water. There were things he had included in that he loved.

Michael left a message for Rose and Xu, a scroll made of rice paper with a red silken cord tied around the middle of it. These were left on the desks of their respective office. When opened the scroll would have an invitation penned in beautiful calligraphy,

"Invitation to a teahouse, holo-suite #3 Time of your hopeful arrival, Evening.

Your host, Michael Vincent Hawkins. "

Michael didn't know if they both would come. He could only wait and see.

The word 'Teahouse' was enough to convince Xu, not to mention her frustration at the trial run on the engineering portion of the Bridge Officers test. She had spent most of the day going over ever millimetre of the engineering specs, tracing the ODN lines from stem to stern, examining the warp core ejection systems, the plasma venting systems... The only thing she could see was getting someone into the jefferies tubes to fix the primary relays but in her examinations she had also turned up that with that order she would have likely killed the engineer in question so it became a mute point... Then it hit her. That was the answer and it chilled her to her very core.

She had entered the holodeck but nothing around her had registered, her pleading eyes intent on Michael. "I had to order that women to her death didn't I?"

The scene that the ladies had come into, was that of a Japanese style garden a stone pathway which led to the teahouse. From the open sliding wooden doors a historical Japanese ship was seen moored at a wooden pier. Michael was dressed in a simple dark blue kimono with a black obi about his waist. Upon his feet were simple black tabi. He smiled seeing the two ladies arrive.

He didn't answer Xu's question, though there was a slight sadness in his eyes. He couldn't tell her, for she had the correct answer. His eyes quickly changed from the sorrowful expression, to one that was pleased to see Xu.

"Thank you for coming." giving a low respectful bow.

A few minutes later, Rose walked into the holodeck holding the scroll. Although she wasn’t unfamiliar with clandestine meetings, it was strange to receive such an invitation from a member of the crew. Spotting Michael and Xu, Rose took a deep breath and walked over towards them, “alright Hawkins, what’s this all about?”

"I simply wanted to have both of you come have tea with me." Not exactly answering Rose's question, he waved towards where a low lying table was set up, beside it was another which had traditional sweets to go with the green tea.

Namagashi, Daifuku (Mochi), small steamed dumplings on a stick (Dango) and Dorayaki. which looked like two pancake patties with sweet bean paste between them.

"Also hopefully you like the sweets that I prepared." he looked at them both. Michael then took a kneeling position on the other side of the low table, giving them a nod.

"This isn't a formal tea ceremony." he stated, "But I will be serving the tea as I am the host." then looked over to where the water was heating up on a brazier. "It looks like the water is becoming ready."

The tea pot that was near was black in color with a hummingbird hovering above a red hibiscus flower. The patterns on the teacups had the same flower which was on the teapot.

The slight Asian women recovered before Lieutenant Belikov could see the hurt she was feeling which had pierced her to the very core of her being. She was also glad she had changed into a simple Kimono of a vibrant burnt orange colour and gold obi along with the simply wooden sandals with her hair pulled up into a simple bun.
"You know I will be judging you on the tea ceremony Lieutenant?" she gently teased, hoping her eyes could convey her apology for her opening reaction.

Looking between the two of them, Rose gave a sigh before sitting down next to Xu with her legs crossed. it felt a little strange sitting at such a low table but surely there was a reason behind all of this show, so she figured she'd see it through, "well I'm not one to pass up a good cup of tea"

Michael chuckled at Xu's response giving a her a slight nod at her unspoken apology. "That's something Firefly would say.." moving to prep the instruments needed. Not commenting anymore about Firefly. Though, there was a tone of affection when he said the name.

He looked at both Rose and Xu when he turned back to the table, he picked up the tray that held the sweets holding it out towards them. There were tongs that would be used for them to make their selection. There were small plates on the table where they were sitting,

"The teas I have are varied, and some I've ground them up into a fine powder. Green Tea, Oolong, to name two for start. Perhaps you will find some that you would like, or name something you like and I will see if I have it."

Xu was pleseantly surprised at Michaels attention to detail, so much so that he had surpassed her own attempt at delivering the full tea ceremony to Oliver on a few days past bt she couldn't help but feel overly curious about why this was taking place. She didn't begrudge it at all, and it would be nice to finally get to know another member of the crew and someone of the female persuasion. She shared a brief look with Lieutenant Belikov, communicating her confusion at the meeting and asking if she knew why without exchanging a single word all while she selected a small collection of the sweets which really did look delicious.

Michael watched the two ladies, noticing Xu's questioning look towards Rose. He chuckled,

"I won't keep you in suspense as to why I requested you two to come. I wanted us to get more acquainted. And what better way to do so than with tea. Plus, this is my way to celebrate the friendships that are being developed." grinning.

Once the ladies helped themselves to the sweets, Michael dished himself up some too. Then he popped one into his mouth, closing his eyes, as he enjoyed the flavor. He opened his eyes saying.

"Oh good... I followed the recipe right, at least my taste buds say that i did." He looked over towards Rose and Xu. Hopefully they liked them. " Tell me what you think?"

Rose thought for a moment as she rolled the sweet around in her mouth, “well it is rather sweet. Though usually I celebrate a new friendship with a stronger drink than tea”

"I welcome any time spent with friends, be they old or new" Xu motioned towards Lieutenant Belikov with the latter part of her statement. "If I can ask, what made you bring us to this tea garden. It's beautiful?"

"This program I had created for someone I cared about a few years back. Plus I liked it very much and several other friends had said it was relaxing and nice scenery to talk about whatever one wishes." Directing their attention to the ship outside of the teahouse, he said. "That also is a rare red seal ship, my mother had taken me to see on one of her archaeological historical trips. Its a red seal ship, a ship that carried a letter from the Japanese Emperor to give them permission to sail the seas."

He looked at Rose, "And what sort of strong drink are you referring to?"

"Oh nothing special, Romulan Ale, Aldebran whiskey, though i haven't had the opportunity to do so in some time"

"Those are heavy hitters." Michael stated. "Might have a drink of those sometime."

"It is the wrong side of the ocean" Xu jested at the fact she was Japanese and not Chinese "But it truly is beautiful, I don't often get a chance to explore the history of the Asian cultures beyond my own little corner of that history of course!"

Michael chuckled, "meaning? That ship is actually a bonafide replica of an old Japanese ship. Mother took me all around it when we were on tour in Japan. Lovely country."

“Truthfully I haven’t seen much of Earth outside of the Academy. Marine Corp training is quite full on and tends to chew up any spare time you might have”

"Well perhaps, Xu can show you some of her country via Holodeck." looking at Xu. "What do you think?"

"If you want to see my country then it would need to be period... In other words you" she pointed at Hawkins" would need to come attired as a Samurai while the two ladies would need to come attired as Geisha... Fancy a visit to a Geisha theatre, I can help you both with the correct clothing... in fact I have a stunning red kimono that would suit you beautifully Lieutenant!"

She was looking directly at Rose, assessing the women's complexion, height and which makeup colours would add to her appearance.

"Very well, I like that idea." Michael replied, the thought appealing to his theatrical side.

Rose nodded, "sure, if you believe that will be enough to get the experience across."

"It's also another aspect to get to know each other more, too. " Michael commented. "Let definitely plan on doing what you suggested Xu. I'm looking forward to it." giving a smile.

END