She refilled both their glasses from the second bottle and set it back on the table and looked at the viewport and the planet turning below and then back at him. "You mentioned history" she said. "Earth history specifically. That is an unusual focus for an engineer." She picked up her glass. "Tell me what draws you to it. Not the general answer. The specific one."
Avery acknowledged the refill of his glass and tried to reassure her of his intentions. “Thank you….very well, we can stay as long as you like. As this is our second meeting, I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable. After all, we have almost finished off the bottle here and I thought a walk would do us both some good. However, I respect your feelings and judgment. I don’t think I need to question that. Where were we? Ah….my Earth history interests. Call it an escape. Some people run marathons, some ride bikes, some surf on the ocean. The manner in which someone ‘blows off steam’, if you will, is not confined to one occupation or vocation. Engineer, pilot, starship captain, homemaker——can’t one choose how to spend their free time? I enjoy looking to the past. To learn from it, to understand what it must have been like to live in those times? Romulus had a turbulent past. Haven’t you ever wondered what life was like for your ancestors? You’re probably going to tell me doing so would be a waste of time, resources, and energy, but I don’t think so.”
She made note of the defensive response in regard to the history and wondered if he saw the parallels she did to her own consumption of knowledge "I don't recall showing that the study and consumption of history or knowledge is a waste of time. As I said, I read random books and understanding one's history of their people is very important, no matter the side. The last 80 years of politics and in our quadrants have shaped much of what we are escaping from here. And an opportunity to better one's self beyond. I can understand the desire for an escape, the places I find to read on my own provide me a similar headspace."
T'vara returned to her own meal and finished up the lamb, and she had maybe half of the vegetables left. It was quite a good meal, one she would consider looking up the recipe for.
“I can appreciate that perspective. Both our cultures have had difficult and controversial episodes in our history, especially politically.”
Avery noticed that T’Vara had almost cleaned her plate. “We’re almost finished with dinner. What about dessert? Maybe you can pick since I picked dinner. What do you say?”
"Honestly dessert is not something I partake in very often. I am quite full from the meal and the extra sugar I usually avoid. but I have enjoyed our conversation this evening, learning about other crewmembers is always important especially if you are going to potentially be working together. Although there likely won't be much needed joint interactions between medical and engineering. Time will tell though." She took another sip of the ale and again thanked him for it "I really have appreciated this drink, it forces ones pallet open quite nicely. An excellent pairing with the meal."
“That’s all right. I’m pretty full, too. I usually like to top off a good meal with a little something sweet. Maybe even a cup of coffee or raktajino. You also may never know when we could cross paths during the normal course of a day. There might be a medical emergency in engineering and your services may be needed. Time will tell, right? Isn’t that what you said?” Avery said lightly.
“Thank you for coming this evening. Talking to you….with you …has been very enjoyable. I certainly hope we can do it again. Can I walk you back to your quarters? No ulterior motives, I promise. It’s just the gentleman always walks the pretty girl home. Traditionally speaking.”
"There certainly is a likelihood of crossing paths working on the same ship. It is only natural that it would happen." She considered his statement and request for a moment and found it a bit odd "I naturally would be here since I sought you out earlier to share a meal with you. It would be weird if I didn't show up without a reason to cancel. As for the escort back to my quarters, in my culture we do not typically share such travel time before and after social interactions like this or even romantic ones. It can be construed as an inability to look after one's self." T'Vara slid her chair back and stood up "I do want to thank you again for the ale and the choice in food. I think learning a bit about one another and our cultures will help us to work better together in the future and during our time on board the ship. I am always happy to share in time around my crewmates and a good drink.
T’Vara was lovely. She was also being remarkably open and honest. He was confounded by the effort it seemed to take to get her to warm up to him. “We are social beings, T’Vara. We long to be around other people. It’s only natural for us to share time….drinks…..feelings with each other.”
Avery put his hand on the table and reached for T’Vara’s hand. “I understand this might be difficult, even awkward for you. But….put your hand in mine. Please, T’Vara. Feel the warmth of my flesh. Feel my pulse here. Do you feel it? Look….I asked to spend time with you because I like you. And I think you like me. I’m not asking for the universe, a commitment of any kind.”
T'Vara withdrew her hand before he finished the sentence.