Dinner at Giuliani's (Part 2)

Posted on Thu Jun 18, 2026 @ 1:40am by Lieutenant T'Lul

2,253 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Jubilee
Location: Giuliani's
Timeline: MD01 - 1920

[LAST TIME ON DINNER AT GIULIANI'S]

"No, this is the first time I've seen her. She seems to be a nice girl, and so far she's been polite, and professional. Of which you had stated. The evening is young so...more could be found out during dinner? By observing."

Raiden decided to see just what T'Lul was going to be like during the dinner. One thing that he was figuring out, T'Lul could be focused, and he wondered what the connection to Naomi was. Though, possibly, it could be a puzzle that T'Lul had come across as part of being a counselor. Those three people who had been mentioned, had all come to this restaurant, and perhaps had Naomi as the waitress.

And there might be another focal point as well. There had been only one male who had been mentioned. Ace Cannon. Did Ace go out on dates with the two women. One, Brianthe, and the other Matilda? That must be it. And Naomi was the waitress. Fascinating, two common factors.

"That was my thought," T'Lul confirmed.

[AND NOW FOR THE CONTINUATION]

Naomi soon returned holding a glass of wine and cup of tea. "Here you go," she started. "Vulcan port for the lady," she stated putting the port about arm's length from T'Lul on the table. "And, green tea for the gentleman." She placed the tea slightly closer to Raiden but purposely so it was not near the edge of the table. "I will be right back with your appetizers and some bread. Is there anything else that I can get either of you in the meantime?" she asked in a cheery but professional tone.

"Thank you, Naomi, I also hope you are having a good day so far." Raiden deciding to open up a conversation with her. He picked up his tea to have a sip of it. "This is good. Might I have a pot of green tea for the rest of the meal?" he asked with a warm smile.

It was only a second but Naomi's eyes looked puzzled at Raiden, but she answered good naturally, "I am, thank you." She then looked over at T'Lul curiously, while T'Lul merely continued to look back at Naomi. The waitress considered, Does the Vulcan approve of Raiden's behavior towards me? That's really odd that he should speak to me like that when they're on a date. She decided to merely answer pleasantly, "If you would like a pot of the tea, I could get one. However, the pot might cool. If you prefer, I could just come back more frequently to keep your tea refreshed."

"That would be lovely thank you." Raiden had been taught to be respectful and he always was respectful to those who served those in the workplace. "I didn't wish to trouble you," he added.

Raiden turned his gaze towards T'Lul, she was beautiful, and he didn't mind looking at the vision before him. He wondered, did she realize how pertty she was? A brief mental scoff, she was Vulcan, vanity didn't seem to be in their makeup, well not that he'd really noticed. He had asked her out to dinner. This was a date, and yet he'd not truly been upfront about why he asked her. Even though it was at first a rapayment for her helping him out of his difficulty. He though did notice her natural beauty.

Tonight was proving to be unexpected. He wondered just how the evening would end up. What sort of conclusion would T'Lul come up with her gathering of information.

Naomi answered, "It is no trouble. Just let me know when it is cooling and I will be back. Also, I will be back with your appetizers as soon as they come up." She favored Raiden with a warm smile in the candlelight and disappeared.

T'Lul concluded, "She's thoughtful and observant."

"Yes she is." Raiden responded.

While waiting for the appetizers, Raiden decided to pull out his padd to check to see who these people were she was talking about.

He looked at Ace the man wasn't bad looking, the looks were something that the females would probably fall for, though he did notice that there was also the glint in the eyes of this Cannon eyes and the lift of his lips denoted that he knew how good looking he was. Yes the man was full of himself. Though would it be fair to even make that judgement before he even spoke to the man?

Then there was Brianthe, pretty woman, her eyes were incredible. There seemed to be a natural grace to her, and a gentle look in her eyes.Her hair honey colored.

Then there was Matilda, lovely red who had fire in her eyes. Okay so there was the connection to this Ace. He put in a mental note to go to the arboretum. He'd not been there yet, and he liked going to places where there is nature there.

"Naomi was giving me a quizzical look when I was polite to her. Makes me wonder if she's had some rather rude customers and isn't used to someone being nice and complimentary."

"I do not know," T'Lul answered. "If you are interested, perhaps you should inquire when she returns. I know that you have considered your options for a main course. Have you made a decision?"

"Yes I have, I will be going with the eggplant parmesan, along with the caprese salad, both sound tasty and I am rather hungry. What about you? Does any of those dishes soiund good to you?" Raiden did want to know.

"I had considered the eggplant parmesan but upon reflection, I will be ordering the mushroom ravioli," the Vulcan answered.

"Good choice, I have eaten that before. Tonight, it is the eggplant parmesan, of which I've not had in a long while." Raiden thought for a moment or two, then quietly said, knowing that with her hearing she'd be able to hear him. "Thank you for helping me clear my mind." Raiden knowing that T'Lul would know what he spoke of.

"I have had better sleep than I have had in a very long time." A warm smile appearing. And yes Raiden did look like he has had better sleep.

"You are welcome," T'Lul answered simply. She considered the low tone for a moment and told him, "It is my job to assist but I must wonder why you have decided to whisper suddenly."

"It was my choice to do so as I felt it more confidential. This was due to my referring to our counseling session. Therefore it wasn't for any other's ears but for yours to hear." Raiden answered.

"It is rather quiet in here," T'Lul observed. "The lighting is low, as well. It is unlikely that you would be heard. Though, I do understand your rational for discretion since you chose to thank me for it. Again, though, it was my job. I would not opt to not help you."

Raiden gave a nod towards T'Lul. "This is true, though there were several others who weren't able to help." His tone shifted to where it was more normal.

"T'Lul, do you know how to play an instrument?" Raiden seeing a pianol that resided in the restaurant, where someing was playing a soft and romantic melody.

"I do. Musical training is part of standard Vulcan education. Music and math have strong correlations, so musical talents are valued on Vulcan." The conversation was an unusual change. "Is there a reason for the inquiry? Do you have musical talents?"

Before Raiden could respond Naomi reappeared. "Parmesan cheese crisps and foccacia bread," she informed both of them, placing them in the center of the table so they could both choose what they pleased. She then placed a small plate in front of each of them and asked, "Are you ready to order your main courses now or would you prefer me to return after you've dipped into your appetizers?"

"Eggplant parmesan please and the salad as well." Raiden responded.

He thought to ask Naomi about how her day had been, then decided not to pursue that line of questioning.

T'Lul told Naomi, "I would like the mushroom ravioli, please."

Naomi wondered at Raiden. At first he was rather inquisitive but now he was polite but dismissive. Did the Vulcan say something to him about it? she wondered. It would make sense since they are on a date. "Very well, I will place your orders." With that, Naomi turned on her heels and left the two to their own devices.

Raiden did answer T'Lul's question,"I have taken up the Erhu, I am not professional grade but, its coming along, I think."

That caused T'Lul to raise an eyebrow. "That is a Chinese bowed string instrument that requires precision to play. I cannot say that I have ever seen one played."

"It has a beautiful haunting sound. If you would like, perhaps we perform sometime." Raiden then picked up a roll putting some butter on it taking a bite,he closed his eyes, enjoying its warmth and the buttery taste.

"That could be interesting," T'Lul answered before taking a piece of foccacia bread, dipping it in some oil and chewing it thoughtfully.

"Doing a bit of thinking, a few rehearsals and we can maybe do a performance for others in the Promenade." Raiden offered.

T'Lul tilted her head to the side. "Are you comfortable with that?"

"I am comfortable with it." Raiden responded, smiling a bit. "I don't think that there are very many who have heard the instrument played. I could be wrong though."

"I would suspect that you are correct. I believe that you are the first to have told me that you play that instrument." She chewed more of her foccacia bread that she had already torn off.

Raiden contemplated what T'Lul had said, chewing another bite of his piece of bread. He looked towards where Naomi had disappeared. He took a sip of his tea, Raiden thinking of how this date was turning out to be something he wasn't anticipating.

The moment that Raiden thought of Naomi, she magically appeared. "Hello again!" she told the two. "I'm just checking again to see if you need anything."

Raiden was quite surprised at the reappearance of Naomi when he was just thinking of her.

"Welcome back, Naomi. I had meant to ask you a little bit earlier about your day as in, were you having a difficult time with other guests, You seemed to be a bit surprised when I spoke to you and was congenial."

"Few ask anything about me personally. To them, I am an intermediary between their conversations and food. So, most are polite and cordial and do not chat with me much other than to order. That is fine. I am happy to serve," Naomi told Raiden with a bright smile. "But it is even much more rare when a man talks to me when they are on a date with a woman."

"Date?" T'Lul asked, her left eyebrow raising.

"This is not a date?" Naomi asked.

"I was not aware of that," T'Lul answered, looking at Raiden for confirmation. "This was just an appreciation dinner after I assisted him with a problem."

Raiden didn't blush, didn't flinch.

"I had thought this was a date that I asked you on, T'Lul. I could have lied and said it was just a dinner in appreciation but, I dressed up, you dressed up, and we are here at a very fine restaurant. This is what I would consider a date." Raiden giving warm smile.

He turned to Naomi, "As for my talking to you, its something that I do, I don't do this to make my date jealous, I don't play games like that. My parents taught me to be respectful to those who serve." Raiden giving a nod. "After all, servers are people too."

T'Lul's eyebrows raised towards Raiden.

Even in the dim light, Naomi's blush was evident. "I was not concerned about you making your date jealous. I was more concerned for your date. I did not think it was appropriate to chat another woman up while on a date, but since there seems to be some confusion, um, maybe I should not really be here at the moment...."

Raiden was a bit perplexed at Naomi's reaction.

"I wasn't chatting you up, I was just carrying on a polite conversation." he was dumbfounded as to this turn of conversation. "Well, you are entitled to your opinions. Thank you though for your concern as to my date." Raiden's voice going calm cool and collected.

T'Lul looked at Naomi for a long moment and said, "You seem to have a unique insight into people. Do you remember all of the people that dine at your tables?"

Naomi answered, "Not all of them, but I do remember many."

"Do you remember an Ace Cannon?"

If it was possible, Naomi blushed even harder. She swallowed heavily. "Why do you ask?"

"He apparently had you as a waitress with two women and I was curious as to your impressions."

Naomi wished that she had some water to try and compose herself. However, she was not about to take her guests' drinks. "Um, well, do you really want to know?"

T'Lul affirmed her statement with a small nod.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

Lieutenant T'Lul
Chief Counselor
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant Raiden Kosugi
Figher Pilot
Deep Space 5

 

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