Love at First Bite (reworked)

Posted on Sun Nov 8th, 2020 @ 6:55pm by Alden Loxley & Kindra Graham

Mission: Fortune & Glory
Location: Cicada Transport Ship, en route to Pelorum
Timeline: 2514 - Summer

NB: First posted on Geronimo 1st Oct 2020. Modified for Fortune's Echo.

IC:

The shuttle, new to Kindra but old enough to be the grandparent of the last shuttle she flew, was far from ready to host a client, but Kindra was satisfied with her progress so far. The last thing she unpacked from her suitcase was a box of frozen Anpan that Margaret had somehow arranged to have waiting for her with the postmaster just before she boarded the Cicada. Although the confections were still cold, they weren't frozen anymore.

Kindra took the box to the galley, the prospect of flying the shuttle on her mind. Most of the crew seemed to be sleeping, but after a few minutes of exploring and poking around in cupboards, she set the twelve buns on a tray to bake. Fifteen minutes later, the Anpan buns were a golden brown and smelled heavenly. For a woman with no skill in the kitchen, she sure could heat up something that was already made. Kindra moved them to a plate and headed down the stairs to the middle deck, then down the forward stairs to the observation gallery and cockpit.

Someone was cooking food. Sweetly delicious bread products of some kind, if his nose didn't lie, and the scent of warm dough freshly coming up to perfect eating temperature made Alden's stomach rumble unashamedly.

"Sssshhhh," he told it. "Not for you, buddy."

But damn, that siren call was irresistible now, wafting through the vents to him unkindly, taunting his lone presence with the promise of someone else's snack time. He stood up, paced about a bit and then stared out at the stars.

"Nah," Alden chastised himself. "Better stay here, keep an eye on things." He rubbed his belly as it growled and sighed softly, but he couldn't bring himself to sit still, so he was still pacing the bridge's wide open space when Kendra walked in.

Face to face with a slim, mocha-skinned angel, Alden froze in place, but adopted the broadest grin his face could accommodate. That pure happiness broke into his gaze and coloured every motion he made towards Kindra, even as he held up both hands, palms outward in surrender.

"I love you..." Alden said, with a passionate reverence, words directed down to the tray of Anpans.

Kindra's serene smile shifted to bemused surprise. The lustful gaze this man laid on the baked treats made her question her belief that cooking was not an essential companion skill. She held out the plate to him. "Please, help yourself. I would never stand between a man and the objects of his affection. You're Alden, right?"

He took two, one for each hand, because - well - the pretty lady with the tray of food told him to and because it had been at least an hour or two since he'd last eaten. Alden looked upwards then, mouth full of brioche bun and nodded enthusiastically in response to her question. It bought him enough time to finish that first taste.

"Yes, chef," he teased, knowing at least that she wasn't if not who exactly she might be. "Alden Loxley, last minute and unexpected pilot of this fine vessel. And, who might you be, shiny lady?"

The expression on Alden's face was one she'd seen often on men's faces… just not when they were eating. She refrained from reminding him they'd met briefly in the dining area at the end of the Captain's pep-talk. "I'm Kindra. I'm a companion, renting the shuttle. A pleasure to meet you."

Kindra shifted the plate to one hand, picked up a bun and took a bite. Subtly sweet and a little savory, it was like a taste of her childhood. "I have to confess my stepmother's cook made these, I only put them in the oven. An old family recipe, apparently. She makes the red bean paste filling herself."

He'd remembered her name, but didn't recall Ms Graham stating her profession last time, still there was more to who someone was than merely a name and an occupation.

"Interesting," Alden said, allowing himself an indulgent grin as he offered to take the tray from her. "You can put that down here, if'n you want, Kindra," he suggested, then indicated the co-pilot chair. "Take a seat?"

Then he chuckled. "So, five minutes in and we're already offering up confessions?" Alden said. "Sounds like we need a Shepherd." He frowned lightly and wrinkled his nose in thought. "Did this wicked stepmother teach you to cook, or simply send you out into the Verse with nothing but your looks, feminine wiles and tempting treats to sucker in us poor hungry Border folk?"

She perused the ship's controls for a moment until his soft laugh brought her attention back to him. She decided this was not the time for protesting that Margaret wasn't wicked and Kindra would never use her professional feminine wiles to manipulate the unwary.

"My, but you make me sound like a villain from an Earth-that-was fairy tale, here to take advantage. Truth be told, I can't cook, but as a confession I suspect a shepherd would find that… incomplete." Kindra handed him the plate, then took the offered co-pilot chair. "It's a good thing I came prepared with distracting treats to ask a favor, since you are clearly armored with a charming boyish grin and witty banter."

"Lot of truth in fairy tales," Alden said, flippantly, and that grin only broadened as Kindra kept talking.

His laughter was warm and open as she spoke of inadequate confessions, and as he placed the tray down (within easy reach of his own seat), Alden nodded with a mock seriousness, resting his chin upon the tips of his fingers as if considering the deeply serious nature of this discussion.

"Many fair, fierce and deviously cunning females have tried and failed to resist this unfair combination of winning charm and fancy words, it's true," he lied, proudly and with the utmost confidence, yet completely unable to maintain a straight face as he did. "Ah... who am I kidding?" Alden shook his head and levelled his gaze on those soft, dark brown eyes of hers. Maybe this one was different? He lived in hope.

"A favour?" He asked. "That's why you're here?"

"The main reason, just now." Kindra propped her chin on her hand and gave him a long appraising look. If women weren't falling for him, it had to be because he hadn't really been trying. "Though, I must say Alden, despite your self-deprecating and humorous manner, I'd hazard to guess that once you set your heart on a woman, she won't be able to resist, no matter how fierce and cunning she is."

Kindra turned her attention back to the ship's controls and gestured to them but didn't touch. "Cicada's shuttle is somewhat older than the shuttles I've flown before. I thought you might have some advice for me. Is there anything special I should know about flying her?"

Alden beamed a big dumb grin as the young Companion checked him out, overtly and without any apparent disappointment. He tilted his head downwards in a comical gesture of mock humility then came back up to regard her with a mixture of more complex emotions in those dark blue eyes.

"Well, thank you... I've had my moments," was all he said to that. And though he suspected Kindra's official training would root more out if they spent enough time together, Alden had no plans to take that conversational road.

He watched her regard the co-pilot controls and wandered over to stand beside Kindra again. "Well, now, that's something we'd have to look at together," Alden admitted. "On account of I haven't flown this old girl's shuttles yet either. But, be happy to help," he smiled. "If you don't mind me invading your personal space?"

She huffed a soft laugh at what she took for an invitation to respond with flirtatious inuendo and looked up at him through her lashes. Tempting as it was to engage in a dance of wits with a skilled flirt of Alden's caliber, that kind of teasing was dangerous ground for her as a companion. Underneath his brash, gregarious outer shell might be a gentle-hearted core, and she didn't want to risk hurting Alden's feelings.

"Of course I don't mind. Besides, wasn't that you, singing on the intercom? Your delightful singing voice has already been there." She paused to consider the logistics of the ship's pilot leaving the cockpit. "When it's convenient for you. And when you're off duty, I would imagine..? The shuttle has a couple of – what appear to be – extra controls. Will we need to wait until Cicada arrives on Pelorum before flying it?"

Her laugh made Alden smile, but those dark eyes gazing up at him from under luxurious lashes threatened to steal his attention for a longer while. He doubted this little lady had any issue with keeping up a lengthy client list, and admired the easy way Kindra held her ground.

"Delightful?" Alden hit her with a coy smirk that wasted little time in morphing into a big open-mouthed grin. "Do I sense a fellow musician?" He asked, well aware from past experience that most companions learned at least one instrument.

He nodded amicably as Kindra kindly considered his current occupation and position, then looked back at the Cicada's controls. "I'm sure the Captain can spare me for a little while, auto-pilot can handle our girl here, but, given the recent nature of my current employment," Alden explained withi a smile. "I'd prefer to ask before I wander off."

"Extra controls?" Dark blue eyes regarded her from beneath long lashes of his own. "As in some you don't recognise, or as in co-pilot? And no, we shouldn't need to get all the way to Pelorum before taking a shuttle out. Again, with the Captain's permission of course."

"Some controls I don't recognize. And please, whenever you can fit me in. I wouldn't want to get you in trouble with the Captain. He seems rather, well, cantankerous." She shrugged to indicate she didn't expect him to say anything against his boss. "Possible I caught him at a bad time."

She thought on his fellow musician comment. "I suppose I am a musician. Harp." She held up her hands, palms in to show her short nails, then palms out to show her fingertips. "Takes a lot of practice to maintain these calluses. How about you?"

Alden nodded. Figured. Likely Kindra was more used to shiny new shuttles back in the Core, but he hadn't wanted to assume that until she'd spoken up. Folk had a way of surprising fools who assumed stuff without due cause to.

"He does, doesn't he?" Alden agreed with a chuckle. "Tight-lipped, sternly serious and permanently in a suspicious mood. I guess he's justified," he said, with a cant of his head and a friendly grimace. "But I wouldn't know why, 'cept for the manner of how I came to be gainfully employed here. I'd tell you more, but I'd have to end you," he added with an impish wink.

"Don't worry, I'll find some time," he promised, then grinned as Kindra held up her hands to demonstrate her musical commitment. "Harp?" Alden confirmed. "Show-off," he told her, his grin comically offered. "I'm just a lowly guitarist."

Alden rubbed his thumbs over the tips of his other fingers, lost in a quiet moment of introspection briefly, before looking up at Kindra once more. "I'd show you," he teased. "But might be considered inappropriate to serenade a professional such as your fine self."

"Nothing lowly about a guitar, they're lovely instruments, I'm sure you play as well as you sing." Kindra looked away from Alden, slipped out of the copilot's chair and moved as far forward as she could, to look out at the black in contemplation. Space was vast, mostly empty, harsh and uncompromising, and yet so peaceful.

"You brought up the appropriateness of serenading a professional like me." She turned away from the black to meet his gaze, her tone soft and a little rehearsed. "To be clear, I maintain firm boundaries between my personal life and my professional life. As a companion, I would not accept you or anyone on this ship as a client. In my personal life, the nature of my professional services can add unpleasant complications to certain relationships. So… I'll ask you not to serenade me as a companion."

"At the end of the day, in my personal life, I'm just a woman who likes to play music." She gave him a warm but uncertain smile. "If you feel like playing together sometime, guitar and harp, I'd enjoy that."

"I'm gonna take that as a compliment," Alden decided out loud. He gave Kindra an upward nod and a lopsided grin. "So thank you, ma'am." A light shrug followed, then he watched her facial expression, her stance and paid particular attention to her tone as the young Companion set her line in the proverbial sand.

Alden held up his right hand, palm outwards. Stop. Listen.

"Clarity duly noted," he returned, serious now. "And teasing aside," Alden continued. "I meant no disrespect and no dishonour to you or your station, Kindra, personal or otherwise. Sorry if I concerned or offended you."

He let those words hang there in the air between them, wrapped in honour and sincerity, coated with integrity, and returned her uncertain expression with a confident, friendly smile full of warmth for his fellow human.

"I am one hundred percent up for a jam of the musical variety," Alden confirmed then, genuinely happy at the thought. "Sure we can find some time along the way, it's a good few days' travel to Pelorum and I suspect the Captain will want to spend a little time at his own helm."

A light frown marred his features for a moment then, and Alden spoke softly. "I've travelled with Companions before," he told Kindra. "Some have been excellent listeners, others have betrayed my trust and let me down, but none of them have brought me food while I worked before. Thank you for your kindness, and rest assured, the action is taken as just that and nothing else implied."

Kindra listened with care and deep attentiveness, thinking not of her response but only absorbing Alden's words, his expression, his overt and subtle body language. She let his sincere concern for her feelings, his respect for her vocation, his endearing compassion, wash over her. When he stopped speaking, it took her a moment to formulate her thoughts.

"I did not think you meant any disrespect or dishonor to me. Truly Alden, I'm not offended at all. That's not why I clarified my boundaries." Eyebrows knit together, she bowed her head. Attempting to explain might just add more complication, and she feared she'd already damaged their rapport. "Since you've traveled with companions, and have known some well, it seems I was delineating a line you were already aware of. It was not my intent to question your honor. I do apologize."

She straightened and allowed an authentic reflection of her complex emotions to show in her eyes and small smile. "As for bringing you this plate of Anpan, for the sake of full disclosure, I admit that asking you for help with the shuttle was my ulterior motive. Though I also intended a kindness, and your reaction was so gratifying I'm almost ready to consider learning how to cook." The corner of her mouth quirked. "Almost."

Like the young woman before him, Alden took time out to hear her words rather than merely waiting for his turn to speak. People were important, their views, their voice, their actions and especially since he was now sealed into a ship with a bunch of strangers, it was vital that he understood as much as he could about each of them.

Kindra, as it turned out was personable and friendly, yet neither overbearing or effusive. Her company (as expected yet not guaranteed by her vocation) was easy yet guarded with regards to the personal detail. Just how Alden liked it himself.

He smiled, nonchalant happiness radiating from his entire being as he leant back in his chair. "Received and duly understood," Alden said. "And no apology needed. Sometimes it's better to let strangers know where the line is, never hurts to remind us big dumb guys of such things," he noted, that warm smile gone, but still colouring his words. "And bribery? Especially with food, it's always welcome."

Alden reached over and took a third bun, held this up in a physical gesture of thanks and then bit deeply into it. The pilot took his time, but once that mouthful was finished, he looked again to Kindra.

"Just so happens I can cook a little," he told her, modestly. "So, if we could say - make a deal that I help you sample the results - I'd be more'n happy to teach you some?" Alden raised both eyebrows in his best innocent expression. "Should your consideration become more than a maybe, of course."

Kindra took an Anpan bun from the plate and settled back into the co-pilot's chair. Now that she understood Alden a little better, she felt confident she needn't worry about misunderstandings. She could relax and simply enjoy Alden's company and infectious good humor… and even some lighthearted flirting if he was so inclined. She bit into the sweet bread and red bean paste and chewed thoughtfully in affable silence, considering the serious turn their conversation had taken, and the pleasant outcome.

Although she hadn't taken the classes herself, the culinary arts were a subject taught at Madrassa, since the comforting, pleasurable, and even erotic impact of food on the mind and body were well known. She pictured Alden teaching her to cook in the Cicada's kitchen, alone or with the crew members she'd met so far, and grinned.

"I would deeply enjoy learning how to cook from you, Alden. And just for the record, I disagree with your 'big dumb guy' self-assessment. And I'm going to assume that when you say you 'can cook a little' what you mean is you're quite skilled in the kitchen."

Feet up on the console, well away from anything important, Alden rested comfortably, his gaze occasionally skimming across the screens before him. All remained well, peaceful and as it should be. Made a welcome change from the normal chaos, that was for sure.

He turned back towards Kindra, enjoying the simple pleasure of watching her eat. Seemed they both valued the delicious combination of sweet and savoury, her stance notably more casually confident now rather than marginally concerned. Alden had wolfed down the first bun, then slowed with the second, the third he luxuriated in. Soft, delicious...

"Should we be saving some of these for the others?" He asked, his question clashing with Kindra's own words briefly. Alden stopped, lowered his head and apologised quietly, then considered his company's words with amusement.

"Ah, believe me," the pilot noted. "I can be pretty dumb. But thank you, kindly Kindra. I'd rather prove you right than me, but we'll see." Alden shook his head lightly. "Eh, I have my moments, be my pleasure to pass on some of my better ones." He held his hands up and beamed a grin. "Culinary ones," he added.

"Won't be as fancy as your schooling likely was," Alden noted, "but good old wholesome ranch food s'my specialty." He raised an eyebrow and let his mouth ask the mischievous question that dropped into his mind. "Any skills you're allowed to share?

"Allowed," said Kindra slowly, and ran her tongue along her lower lip as though tasting the word's flavor and seasoning, "Allowed isn't quite the right word. Choose is better. I have skills I may choose to share when…" She lowered her eyes and tilted her head away, a gesture on the edge of shyness. "If we get to know and understand each other very well."

In spite of her vocation, or because of it, Kindra was intentionally cautious when it came to the smallest hint of potential romantic interest. She liked to keep things straightforward and honest. Uncomplicated. She'd only just met Alden, and she liked him, but the man was over six feet of personable complication.

"Despite our short acquaintance, I feel that we're already friends, Alden. You've offered to help me with the shuttle, promised to teach me culinary arts, and even said you'd like to jam with me and my harp. I would enjoy sharing some of my oral skills with you…" She returned his mischievous expression with one of her own, and leaned toward him, lips slightly parted. "Storytelling, for example."

Her coyness was as interesting as the way she licked her lips, but Alden maintained his safe distance and simply enjoyed the pleasure of Kindra's intelligent company. Anything else was far more expensive than he could afford, either financially or emotionally, but he had little doubt that many would disagree with him there. Kindra was, as stated, and without doubt, off limits and forbidden definitely made it all the more attractive.

Romance was far from his mind though, complications even further and here and now, pleasant company was enough. Hell, anyone who wasn't about to abandon, shoot or punch him would do plenty fine for a while.

"Friends sounds good to me," Alden conceded with an impish smile. "I could definitely use a friend on this trip, thank you." His words were all sincere, genuinely, and devoid of sarcasm.

"And a bedtime story would be more than welcome," he added, tone warm while his nod and grin remained as innocent as he could possibly muster. "My thanks, ma'am." The raised eyebrow might have been a little much though, as Alden chanced his luck. "I'll make us hot chocolate - with or without marshmallows?"

Kindra leaned back in the co-pilot's chair and laughed. Lighthearted, warm, and deep. Alden's charm was downright relentless. She turned her head to face him, grinning. "Aw, now you've stumbled upon my personal weakness - hot chocolate with or without marshmallows."

She quirked an eyebrow, and laughter lingered in her tone. "I'll need to think on what kind of bedtime story is worthy of such a trade. Perhaps a fairy tale… the kind with a lesson for naughty young men. Or maybe a ghost story to inspire hiding beneath the blankets and keeping the lights on."

Kindra stopped herself from bringing up tucking him into his bunk after the story. Complication, she reminded herself. Her gaze fell on the chronometer - time had slipped by so fast and she'd spent much longer with Alden than she'd first intended. "I should have asked this before now, but will you get in trouble with our Captain, if he finds me lingering in the copilot's chair?"

Something beeped on the panel before him, and Alden reached over to check it. Nothing dangerous, just a reminder that he hadn't course corrected for a while and to make sure he was still happy with their current trajectory. He told it 'yes' and leant back in his chair, boots back up on the edge of the console.

"You can tell me any story you like," he answered Kindra, and the grin was broad enough to suggest Alden meant it. "I'll listen." Hidden meanings, scary stories, reprimands or comeuppances, he'd hear her out.

As Kindra's gaze sought the readouts, Alden frowned lightly, but her question brought forth a nod and gently offered smile. "No idea," he told her honestly. "I've worked for him for less than 24hrs at this point. He'll probably be madder at me for resting my feet up here," he continued, showing no sign of moving them down. "You have somewhere else you need to be?"

Kindra hesitated, thinking of somewhere else. It could mean so much more than the confines of the cockpit, or the ship. "I think… I'm right where I'm supposed to be."

Her brow furrowed. This whole time talking with Alden, she had been completely distracted from thinking about the things troubling her, and her old mentor's advice. There was something so earnest and sincere in the way Alden offered to listen to any story, she felt that she could tell him almost anything. As much as she'd like to stay for the rest of Alden's shift just enjoying his company, she needed some time alone - to think.

"But I wouldn't presume to overstay my welcome, and I haven't finished putting my shuttle in order." She slid out of the copilot's chair with intention mixed with sincere regret. "I would very much enjoy hearing your stories, later. Especially the autobiographical ones."

He stood up as Kindra shifted position, leaving the crash couch empty and lacking in her fine, delicately strong presence. And as the young woman made her excuses, reasons that were minor but sufficient to facilitate her immediate exit from the area that had become his world for the foreseeable, Alden presented Kindra with a flourish of a proper bow. Scruffy as he was, he knew a trick or two for proper society, rare though such manners might be in actual use.

"Well, thank you for the company, the good food, and the entertaining conversation," Alden noted with sincerity. His grin was warm as he stood back up straight. "And if I'm allowed a break at some point, I'd be more than happy to trade stories," he promised. "Until then, walk safely and be well, Kindra. And come visit me anytime you wish."

-----