Unloading the past (EA, D10)

[Djanik]

Djanik didn't expect to end up on that end of the kiss.

He was, in some distant way, impressed by her ability to move him so suddenly, but as a more pressing matter, he was very distracted.

Enjoyably so.

Eventually, he realized he was probably kind of heavy. It might have been a few seconds, or a minute, he couldn't tell.

Taking back his footing, he pulled away long enough to straighten, brushing her hair away from her face, saying softly, "Great Maker... Ela, I love you."

[Elaranu]

"You have indicated that sort of thing before, even if less directly."

The temptation to help with her hair was strong, but she resisted. She was curious what he was thinking behind his emotions, but it seemed crass to rush. After all, he seemed happy, and that was what was important to her right now.

"And I care for you greatly as well, riddnathsar. Though I think your should start with your own hair; It is quite disheveled."

[Djanik]

"Oh... all of me is disheveled."

He laughed, but pulled his own hair back, adding, "We must make quite the pair."

Collecting himself, he added, "You'll have to tell me the roots of nath and sar some time, but first, if you have questions for me, I shouldn't monopolize the conversation, no?"

As he was starting to come to his senses, he added, "... and I don't know about you, but I haven't eaten a thing in half a day - I could carry on this conversation over lunch, if you like."

[Elaranu]

"I have consumed tea and fruit since waking, so something more substantial would be nice. I hear the bistro is having a special on cased animal sausage rolls with various vegetable toppings that I would be interested to try. I thought it was some sort of heated canine meat, but I was told that is a misnomer."

[Djanik]

"Ah. Hot dogs."

He smiled faintly, remembering his own introduction to the food. "A very misleading name, I agree. My squadron convinced me they were something rather rude, until my captain took pity and told me the truth."

"Yes, I could happily go for just about anything cooked, at this stage."

Picking up the scrap of metal, he set it on the small foldout table by the bunks in his ship, and then tapped the door panel, closing the ship behind him.

"Shall we?"

Gesturing toward the bistro, he offered his arm, perhaps in jest, perhaps out of habit, it was hard to say.

[Elaranu]

She knew enough about these things by this point to take the arm in her own, though he seemed to know where they were going, so she decided to let him lead. It was probably to the bistro, since that had been mentioned, but she had definitely learned not to assume things with non-Chiss. Especially Djanik.

[Djanik]

With a broad smile, he added, softly, "If you prefer, the chef owes me some favors after I fixed their gas piping... I know they have some steaks in - and I could go for something hearty today."

Leading the way, he headed toward lunch, and wherever their conversation might lead.