Dinner at Giuliani's (Part 3)

Posted on Thu Jun 18, 2026 @ 1:42am by Lieutenant T'Lul

1,868 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Jubilee
Location: Giuliani's
Timeline: MD01 - 1940

[LAST TIME ON DINNER AT GIULIANI'S]

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.

[AND NOW FOR THE CONCLUSION]

"Well, Ace is a very charming man." Her face started to turn even more red. "The first time that I met him, he came here with a woman named Bri. I felt really badly for him. He was doting all over her and she was, well, not overly accepting of his charms. She did loosen up later into their date, but by the end, they both insisted that they were just friends and Bri asked him to dance with me." She swallowed heavily. "He's got a very nice voice and is a very good dancer. It feels like you're gliding when you're dancing with him."

Naomi shuffled slightly before stiffening, as her eyes narrowed. "The second time that he came her, he came with a redhead. I think her name was Tillie. She was very rude. She made it a point of trying to claim Ace right in front of me and her overt sexuality was really tacky. It was like he was her prey and she was some predator. I did not like her at all."

"Ace is not in any sort of trouble that you ask, is he?"

T'Lul shook her head. "No, not at all. Thank you for this information, Naomi. You have been a big help."

Naomi bit her lip. "I probably should not have said any of that. Please don't think less of me because of it. Um, I think I have already made things uncomfortable enough for everyone. Um, I'll be back as soon as your food is ready."

With that, Naomi departed and left Raiden and T'Lul to themselves.

And there it was, the whole reason why T'Lul was willing to come with him on a date. And seeing Naomi's reaction when speaking of Ace her blushing and her protectiveness of him, from this Tillie person.

Raiden commented. "I believe that our waitress is in love with Ace" he said reaching over to pick up another piece of bread to dip it into the olive oil.

"Certainly infatuated," T'Lul answered. She then turned directly towards Raiden and said, "Why did you believe that this was a date?"

"It is because I asked you to dinner and, us coming to this restaurant both of us being dressed nicely, and eating here. Its a date." Raiden responded. "If this were a casual thank you dinner we'd be eating at a Ramen place. Not at a five star restaurant like here."

"That seems to be quite the disparity in genres," T'Lul answered. "However that that the misunderstanding has been clarified, I must ask, why would you ask me on a date? We had no social interactions. Our only interaction was you seeking assistance in my office. It is not logical."

"Social interaction needs to start out somewhere, in some way. Yes, you helped me, however I wished to get to know you away from professional surroundings. I didn't notice you as a counselor at first. I noticed your beauty, I am quite well aware that isn't something that people of your race would dwell upon. I, though, recognized that I was going into your office in a professional aspect; therefore, I didn't flirt with you. This was out of respect for you and the need to get rid of that unwanted intrusion of my mind." Raiden reached out to take another sip of his green tea.

T'Lul shifted in her seat and sat up straighter, not certain of how she should proceed or respond. It took a moment before she finally inquired, "Then why here? Why not the ramen place or the arboretum or somewhere else?"

"Perhaps part of me wanted to impress you, another part wanted Italian food and I wished to dress up. I had researched this place and I like the ambience, and wanted to give it a try." Raiden giving a warm smile.

"Raiden," T'Lul started, trying to come up with the best words. "We shared a mind meld. Some of me was shared with you, as we were one. Certainly, we spent more time fighting what was in your brain. However, I would have thought that you could have ascertained that I do not desire or seek to be impressed. Those emotions have no value to me. The rest is understandable."

"What you say is true, T'Lul. I just didn't peek into your mind even though we were connected." he went quiet for a moment as if to find the words he wished to speak.

"There is still the desire of a human." He struggled with the words slightly. "Well, perhaps impress was the wrong word to use." Raiden paused then spoke quietly. "I think it was more of, that my taking the time to dress up, would be my desire to look my best for who I have asked out to dinner. Dressing appropriately for the occasion."

"I understand that. I researched the attire for this restaurant before dressing," T'Lul answered simply.

He reached out for an other piece of bread, his own already having been eaten. Mentally Raiden was thinking that this date was turning out to being an interesting one. Now though he was hungry and wished to get his food and eat it.

He wondered if Naomi was going to show up just after he thought of her.

"I do hope I've not made our server uncomfortable with my attention. I am wishing for a bit more tea and our meal." Raiden decided to voice his concerns.

As if on cue, Naomi reappeared, this time with their food. She quickly glanced at both Raiden and T'Lul announcing, "Here you go, miss. Mushroom ravioli for you." She placed an elegant dish before the Vulcan. The ravioli had a cream sauce on top of it. "If you would like me to grate some fresh parmesan cheese for you, I can when I return momentarily. I see that the gentleman requires some more tea."

T'Lul nodded and said, "I think I will take a bite prior to determining whether it is preferred."

Naomi said, "Very well, and for you, sir, here is your eggplant parmesan. Do be careful, it is rather hot. It just came out of the oven." She then pressed her hands together and looked between the two. "Is there anything else that I can get you? Does everything look alright?"

Raiden, gave a gentle smile, then took a bite of the eggplant parmesan.

His eyebrows lifted, the taste of the dish delicious.

"Naomi, the food is exquisite, and my compliments to the chef. Also your service has been exemplary. I will make certain to let the manager know."

Naomi blushed visibly in the dim light. "Thank you, sir. I will get you some more tea and check on you soon. Anything for you, miss?" she asked T'Lul.

"No, everything is satisfactory. Thank you," T'Lul returned.

With that, Naomi disappeared again.

T'Lul told Raiden, "She blushed again. I do not understand that."

Raiden leaned back in his chair, dabbing his mouth before answering T'lul.

"I think she liked being complimented since it was an honest one. There are those who do. it brings the a sense of accomplishment as well as perhaps some pleasure." Raiden responded.

"I have read studies that demonstrate that people who blush are rated as dramatically more trustworthy, reliable, and as someone others want to cooperate with more. Empirical evidence also suggests that it is a marker of prosocial behavior." After considering the topic silently for a moment longer, "I believe that I have come to my conclusions. Thank you for assisting me tonight, Raiden."

"You are welcome, T'Lul, and I am glad that you were accepting my invite to dinner. even though I have noticed that you hadn't realized that I had asked you on a date. This could be considered your first date?" Raiden responded.

"My first date?" T'Lul asked. "I have dated before, so this would not be my first, if this were to be considered a date."

"Apologies, I wasn't aware that you have had others, I had spoken out in ignorance." he gave a wry smile. "And here I assumed. Forgive me."

Raiden decided to enjoy his meal,taking a few bites. He wasn't certain if she would wish to go out on another date with him. He was making quite a few faux pas on his part.

Then again this was only the first date. Could there be another? Would there be another? He couldn't truly call this a disaster.

There though was something else that concerned him. This date turned out to be more of investigating Naomi. And would things be different if he were to, this time ,officially ask T'Lul out on another date. Would she even be interested.

"T'Lul, I was wondering if you'd like to go on another date. This time, I am making certain to be more direct in my asking." Raiden remarked with a smile.

"It is not my intention for this to sound offensive, my words might be interpreted in such a fashion, but I am uncertain if it would be appropriate. I must wonder if your interest is not a side effect of the mind meld. It is a rather intimate experience. I have learned more about you today and I admit that there are some commonalities that could be intriguing. However, it might be wise to allow some time to pass to determine whether your interest is truly because of your own interest or if it was fostered by the mind meld. Given the depth of the meld and the stressors involved, I might suggest a week delay."

There wasn't a twinge of hurt at all, Raiden saw the sense and logic in what T'Lul had said.

"What you have said has a valid point, and I haven't taken any offense to it. It is direct and that is something I value. We can revisit the question, in about a week or so. Especially with the comet coming this way. A lot will be happening." Raiden paused, then gave a slight laugh.

"It already is, let's finish our meal and, then say goodnight, shall we?" Raiden picking up his fork and resuming eating his meal.

"That would be satisfactory," T'Lul answered, satisfied that Raiden understood and wondering how she would handle Brianthe, Matilda, and Ace now that she had the final piece in place.

Lieutenant T'Lul
Chief Counselor
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant Raiden Kosugi
Figher Pilot
Deep Space 5

 

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