What The Candlelight Brings.

Posted on Sun Oct 21, 2018 @ 11:00pm by
Edited on on Fri May 3, 2019 @ 9:23pm

Mission: Falling Star
Location: Promenade
Timeline: MD 34 || 1630 Hours [Backpost]

Antonio had finished his shift and decided to browse what the Promenade had to offer. Since getting on board he'd not really explored must wanting instead to get settled and get to work so after a shower and a shave since he'd forgotten to do such in the morning he pulled on a simple blue tshirt, white pants with blue shoes. It was simple yet presentable since he was not sure what he'd find on the Promenade or what he might do there, eat, shop or simply browse.

As he left his quarters it was a bit of relief as he felt himself and not a Doctor, taking a moment for himself to unwind and relax. The Turbolift was short and shared with a few others getting off at different decks, only one other got off when he did and before him was presented an array of shops of all kinda, busy with people, families, officers and ratings too no doubt as he took his first steps in the vast expanse of convenience.

There were all kinds of shops, clothing, food, wares and people in each. It reminded him of times when he would visit a shopping precinct when on an assignment, or the promenade on a Starbase, this was no different. It was hard to pull himself away from some shops, finding himself drawn to one thing or another. One shop however stopped him with ease, the smell of wax. He couldn't believe that he was about to walk past it unnoticed but the smell of candles was a little treat. Antonio enjoyed candles, the scent of them, the innocent flame as it burned expelling the aroma into the air. There is a purity about them, they served a purpose, some people took different things from candles but Antonio could happily get lost staring into the flame, wondering, relaxing into its bright yellow and orange glow.

He walked into the shop and saw all kinds of candles, people apparently liked the shop too as he was not the only customer present but he almost felt like a kid in a sweet shop and the parents were distracted.

Chloe stood at the counter discussing a Vulcan meditation candle and various scents. When she spots Anthony, she excuses herself from them while the two Vulcans nod and go back to discussing the item.

"Hello and welcome to Sweet Scents," she said with a smile. "I'm Chloe Rhinehardt, the owner. Can I help you find anything?

"Grazie." Antonio spoke, the UT translating. "Something, aromatic, gentle, floral. Something....subtle, lavender perhaps." He could see candles of all different colours, lengths and sizes. Something with elaborate decorations on them, other plain.

"I certainly have that and an assortment of candles in floral scents from across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Were you also looking for a warmer?" she asked as she headed for the floral section.

"That would be lovely." He followed her as she walked to a different section of the shop. He was making sure as he walked to avoid brushing against other candles, white pants would show any stain with embarrassing ease. He looked up and something caught his eye, a warmer that looked to have a Coffee theme to it. "How jovial." He remarked as he looked at it.

"We have a wide variety of warmers as well, and something from almost every culture," Chloe said. "I can order nearly anything else and prefer to use handmade items in my shop instead of replicated." She stopped in front of a candle display and touched a small PADD beside of it. A force field glimmered before it came down and she presented a shelf with over fifty different kinds of floral scented candles from all over the quadrants ranging from a Klingon Crocus to an Earth Lily and everything in between.

"What would you suggest, I'm relatively new on board, I'm looking for something to help create a more homely feel to my quarters. I'm a Doctor so something to distract myself from the sterile smell would be welcome." Antonio explained. "I do like your dress, if you don't mind my saying." He added, at this moment in time its contrast with the various candles added to its visual.

She selects a cinnamon, a vanilla, a lavender and a lemon candle to show to him. "We also have apples and many other scents. Each of these will produce a different scent but each has relaxing properties." She brings up a guide to the scents on the PADD to show him.

Thinking about his options he figured since he was here now, why settle for just one. "Perhaps one vanilla and one lavender?" He began. "Maybe something similar for the warmer too?" Sometimes while a candle was nice, the warmer was more suited.

Chloe activates the force field again after putting the others back, then leads him to the warmers. The first one she shows him is a crystal shaped purple warmer. "This one will last for a week before needing a charge which can be done through any interface charging unit." She pointed to one that was older looking mini fireplace that had holographic flames dancing on the side and top of it. "And this one requires one fuel pellet a month."

It came without question that the fireplace one was the one for him. Even if he couldn't have real flame, it would suffice enough and give the pleasant aroma. "I think I will take the fireplace one, and how many pellets does it come with? Can I come to you for more or ordered in?"

"It comes with a dozen," she replied as she deactivated the force field and pulled out one still in the box. "They're inside but you can buy more separately. Perhaps I could interest you in something special?"

"By all means." Antonio replied with a smile. It seems his visit was turning out well and the scents were very relaxing, which he guessed was not just him as he saw several others doing the same thing, lifting a candle to smell it.

Chloe led him back to the counter and pulled out a small dragon warmer and set it on the counter. She put a small candle in the holder and smiled. "Say Actualis Flamma," she told him.

He leaned forward to look at the dragon, a wonderful design, he did like dragons, the fire helped too. He repeated the words just as Chloe did, eager to see what it did, wondering what would happen.

The dragon's eyes lit up emerald green and it's sinuous neck curled around towards the candle. It's jaws opened and a holographic flame shot out of it and began to warm the candle. The candle began release the scent of chocolate and coffee and the warmer under it glowed red as if being heated from the dragon's breath.

"I'll take one, take it." Antonio had to have it, everything all wrapped up into one and voice activated, who could argue with that. "And vanilla and lavender to suit." His face lit up with a smile.

She gave him a warm smile and reached for a box under the counter with a new one in it. "It will never need to be recharged as long as you keep it clean and invite me to dinner," she said before she realized what she said and blushed.

That little slip didn't go unnoticed. "Done." He replied almost selfishly quick to prevent her from backpedalling. "What time do you finish?" His voice thick with accent and a smile to suit.

"Do I finish?" Chloe echoed, not understanding him at first but his accent definitely got her attention. "Here? Oh." She glanced at a chrono behind the counter. "About half an hour. I don't have an assistant right now to keep it open twenty-four hours."

"Then pick a time that suits you." Figuring that Chloe would want to go home, freshen up, change first. "And I will be here, or where ever we decide to meet." He didn't mention her quarters, he didn't want to be creepy.

"Say...eighteen hundred hours at The Black Hole? she suggested. "I heard it's really nice there and the Commodore's sister-in-law owns it."

"I have heard good things about that establishment from my staff, eighteen hundred then." It was a date, he would of course arrive a little early. "Would you like me to reserve us a table?" Having never been before he was not sure if that was required or they could simply turn up.

"No reservations are needed," Chloe told him. "They're open around the clock and can fit about three hundred people at a time. I'll meet you there, Mister....?"

"Antonio, Antonio Giovanni." The accent thicker at the pronunciation of his name. "I will meet you there." He put his hand on the box. "To pay for this?" Wondering if there was a handheld padd available to scan a thumb or a console to enter details.

She handed him a PADD for authorization of payment and smiled. "A genuine Italian name with a matching accent. I couldn't forget either, Antonio. I'll see you then."


===[The Black Hole 1800 hours]===

Antonio stood waiting, he'd changed into something a little more suited for dinner, a black shirt, white tie and black pants. He tried to not seem fidgety but he was honestly looking forward to this, not in any way how he expected the rest of his night to go, but he was not going to complain.

Chloe came around the corner a few minutes later wearing a strappy black dress that showed off a lot of leg and a little cleavage. She smiled when she saw him and moved up to him. "Don't you look very debonaire," she said with a wink.

"I hope it's not too much?" Though in saying such he looked her over with an appreciative smile. "Sei bellissima." He spoke slipping back into his native language again instead of English.

"Not at all," she said and blushed as her translator interpreted his words. "Thank you. Shall we?"

"Yes, yes please." He stepped aside to let her enter first, she was right when she said that the venue could hold a substantial amount of people. "Where would you like to sit?" He offered letting her pick a place of most comfort.

Chloe looked around and was impressed at the decor and posters from the twenty-first century. "Oh wow..it's like being back on Old Earth before the wars," she breathed as she continued to look around. "And they have a place to escape," she said as she pointed out a red neon sign near the back. "This place is amazing. Let's just pick any table."

Picking a table between the bar, should they want a drink and the dancefloor should the mood strike them Antonio pulled a chair back for her. "Per favore." He could see many others talking, enjoying a social time and eating so it seemed like this was a good choice for dinner. He then sat himself and began to look at the menu. "A first for us both." He spoke. "Eating here." He added to clarify.

A waitress with a The Black Hole black hole on t-shirt and black pants on. "Can I interest you in some drinks or appetizers while you decide?" she asked.

"I'll have a Risan Mai Tai, please," she said. "And Maryland crab cakes for an appetizer."

"And you, Sir?" the waitress asked Antonio.

"Samarian Sunset made in the traditional fashion and Chicken satay sticks please." Antonio replied with a smile.

"They'll be out shortly," the woman said before she turned and headed back to the bar.

"This place looks and feels like it has everything," Chloe said. "I heard the food is real, too."

"I've heard my staff talking about it, almost felt the odd one out having not tried it myself until now but they have all mentioned how good the food was and the atmosphere." Antonio replied with a smile as they waited. "So, how long have you had the shop?" Even now he could remember the scents of all the varieties of candles and melts. "Must get busy at times, hard to miss it with all the scents wafting out the door?"

"Like I said, it's open around the clock and look how big the place is," she pointed out. "Not everyone is off on the same shift, so it takes the load off the place except around lunch and dinner times, or people getting breakfast....then again, it's busy all the time."

"So uh, with us having dinner I don't have to worry about some guy that's bigger than me tapping me on the shoulder with an angry look on his face am I?" Antonio grinned. "A friend had that happen to him, it was a long 2am treating him."

"No, you won't have to worry about that," Chloe responded. "There won't be any massive women coming after you, either."

A slight shoulder drop and breath of relief. "That's good then." Last thing he wanted was to get between people. "So, aside from candles, what else do you like to do? Hobbies or anything?" Figured he'd make small talk while they waited for drinks and snacks to arrive.

"Not much, really," she said. "I'm a simple girl and mainly swim and dance when I'm not making candles and working. I never really had time for hobbies or interests with three brothers and a sister."

"Any of them on board too?" He asked as he looked around to see if drinks or appetisers were on the way.

"No, just me," Chloe said. "I was the bold one to go into space."

At that time, the waitress returned with their drinks and appetizers. "Here we are," she said as she gave them each their orders. "Just let me know when you're ready to order."

"Thanks." Antonio replied with a smile as he picked up one of the satay sticks. Now they were alone again he could return his attention to Chloe. "So why the stars? Why not some grand location, major city, another planet maybe or a Starbase?"

"Because the stars is where it's at," Chloe responded. "Always moving from place to place, getting to see new worlds, meet new people and explore life to the fullest. Like when we were in Romulan space and the red alert sounded. Did you know that we civilians have a bunker that we have to go to?"

"I do, part of my emergency procedures." Antonio spoke. He could understand her comments about the stars. That was part of what drew him into service, and moving about to see new places and people. He pulled off a piece off his satay stick and ate it. "How is it?" Pointing to her food. "This is really good, not too dry, nice flavours."

"Very good," she said. "They use real food. Nothing here is replicated at all and the owner does most of the cooking herself. I just wish I had came here before, but then I wouldn't have such a pleasant dinner with a gentleman like you."

"A gentleman, why my lady you flatter me." Antonio smiled, almost blushed at the compliment. "I have little doubt that even now targets are being painted on me for sharing a meal with you." Implying that she herself was a beauty and that he was lucky to be with her at this moment.

"Why would there be targets on you?" Chloe asked after a bite of her food. "I'm nothing special," she told him even though it made her feel special to hear his words.

"But you are quite a beauty." Antonio replied, his accent thicker than usual when he spoke a little softer. "If, you don't mind my saying."

She smiled and blushed. "Well, thank you Antonio," she said. "You're very handsome and quite a catch yourself."

With a broad smile Antonio ate his starter. "Careful, you will make me blush." He replied looking down at his meal.

Chloe grinned and giggled, then ate another bite of her meal. "A point for me, then?"

"Oh, already keeping tally." Antonio smiled. "I see." Not that he minded, her company was pleasant, the meal was great and she was rather attractive. It didn't take him long to finish his small starter meal and he'd wait for hers to be finished before waving down someone.

She laughed. "Would I do that, Antonio?" she asked with a teasing smile. "I mean, we just met and all."

"Such a lady." He smiled. "I don't mind really, most people are put off because of my accent, they find it hard to listen to." He knew Italian was not the easiest to listen to, somewhat musical yes but for conversational purposes, some found it grating on the ears.

"I happen to like it," Chloe said. "And it's far easier than listening to a Klingon on a good day. They sound like they're choking on bad gagh."

"That's not a pleasant sight, believe me, been there." There were some things during his career that he could have done without seeing but that was all part of the job. "Did we want to order mains while you finish up?"

"We can certainly do that," she said as she indicated the PADD in the center of the table. "I believe we can order from here if we want to."

"Great." With that in mind, Antonio ordered what he wanted after some thinking. He leaned back into his chair and gave a brief look around so he didn't appeal to be staring at Chloe as she ate.

Chloe placed her order and leaned back for a moment. "I never thought I'd meet anyone as sweet as you, Antonio. I don't get out much with running the shop by myself, then I usually head back to my quarters to think of new ideas I can come up with for the shop before sleep comes. What do you normally do when you're off duty?"

"Well, I like to play the Violin, I love to cook when I can, when time permits and if you can keep a secret, singing Italian opera." Antonio spoke with a hint of rose to his cheeks at the admission. "Cooking and singing at the same time can be enjoyable but distracting, which can sometimes earn me burnt food for my zealous efforts."

"I never would have guessed," she said with a smile. "I'd love you hear you do either some time. I've never listened to opera before and with your voice, you could probably raise the deck."

"I don't think the deck is ready for that kind of trauma and I'm definitely not ready to treat that many people at once if I'm the cause." He joked. "A single person audience however I'm sure I can manage."

"So does that mean I get an invite?" Chloe asked as their meal arrived, a filet mignon steak wrapped in bacon and loaded baked potato for her.

"If you think you can manage listening to me while I cook." A subtle hint that dinner would also be on the cards if she wanted. "Any particular likes, preferences?" His own meal placed before him and it looked good, which made him wonder how he would compare after this kind of bar raising food.

"As far as food goes, I'm definitely a meat and potatoes kind of girl," she said. "No salad and water for me. If you can grill it, fry it, or make it any other way and it's meat, I'm all for it."

"I'm sure I can think of something to suit the taste." Antonio smiled as he tucked in to his meal, also to hide the ever growing smile that was widening across his face. "What about pasta?"

"I can get down with it if you don't mind a quirk that I have about it," Chloe said.

"Well I am sure that I can create something to suit what you like." He was confident of it, his culinary creations were many and varied and often to suit the more select of tastes. "And any particular drink to accompany?" He asked as if already piecing together the nights food and drink in his head.

"Surprise me," she said with a grin. "As long as it isn't prune juice and I don't care if it's a warrior's drink or not."

"I'll see what I can do." He smiled, already conjuring potential options. "Any thoughts on the main course?"

"Filet me non," Chloe said before her brain could stop her mouth and she blushed while hoping he thought she just mispronounced filet mignon.

"Felet Mignon." His thick Italian accent adding a bounce to its almost musical pronunciation. "You should try it with a mushroom and wine sauce."

She gave an inward thanks to whoever was listening that he didn't comment on her wording. "Fungus?" she asked with a wrinkle of her nose. "I think I'll pass on mushrooms. What about baked baby potatoes in seasoned herbs?"

"I will be sure to add them to what I cook, they would compliment it well." A smile on his face as the pieces of the meal came together. "So tell me about you, what you used to do that brought you to here now."

"I'm afraid it's really mundane," Chloe said. "I was the youngest of five kids and got doted on a lot. Encouraged to do whatever I wanted and I settled on candles and went from there. I got tired of Earth and wanted to see the galaxy while I'm still young and here I am."

"I have a brother, Roberto and sister, Sofia. He is a Chef, she is an artist." Antonio began. My Father, Marco, was a Chef but now plays music." A slight pause followed. "My mother was a dress maker, and she was good at it until her passing." A smile on his face followed. "She made dresses for Sofia all the time." /

"I have three older brothers, David, Michael, and Samual. My older sister is Alice. They all help my parents run the family business of running supply ships to various worlds in the Federation," she told him as she cut into her meat.

"Star seekers themselves it seems." Antonio spoke. "It must be very relaxing for you in the shop surrounded by such scents and aromas of the various candles. I find it rather soothing and calming myself."

"It's a scent of home, but I do it to meet so many interesting new species and learn about them," Chloe said with a smile. "It's expanding my mind beyond simply running supplies. It gets old running the same safe routes. Here, when the ship goes to red alert, it means it isn't safe. Yeah, they send us civilians to the Bunker to be protected, but it's still thrilling."

"New experiences. A very luring ideal." Part of the reason he joined the service. "I'll admit I didn't expect to be Chief Medical Officer on a ship this big but I like the challenge. Like you said, meeting new species, new people. Seeing the stars, ticks several boxes in one posting." Antonio spoke.

"So what do you have planned for the future?" the willowy brunette asked him as she took a bite of her food.

"Experience has taught me that plans can change from day to day. The impact of one effecting the other. I like to live for today, hope for the best and take what may come my way." Antonio replied as he also ate his meal. "What about you? The store going to be one of many for you on other ships or stations?"

"I doubt it," Chloe said. "I make each and every one of my products. I just can't see making enough to spread out across multiple ships or stations and I really don't want to teach others how to make what's my creation."

"I can appreciate that." Antonio spoke. "Have to have pride in our work, if its copied by others then the enjoyment you have in it is lessened." He ate some more of his meal, glancing around, seeing who was about. He saw the odd face that he'd remember from a sickbay visit or treatment but drew no attention. "So, any plans for after dinner?" Hoping that he was not being too forward with such a bold question.

"Probably go home and soak my feet and check to see if there's new scents that people may be interested in," she replied. "How about you?"

"Home, maybe a shower, a shave, catch up on a few things before bed." Not exactly the thrilling end of the pleasant evening but it was something better than medical journals and readings.

"I've had a really nice evening, Antonio," Chloe said. "If you want, we could go for a walk or maybe have a drink in one of the lounges."

"You know, that actually sounds like a really good idea." Antonio replied, inwardly chiding himself for not coming up with that idea.

"I hear the Arboretum is really nice," she said after another bite of her food.

"I've been meaning to go there since I got on board, but yet to do so. Just been so busy." It didn't take long for him to finish his meal, years of practice of eating quickly because he never knew when he'd be called for an emergency.

Chloe finished her meal, then came to her feet. "Now to split the bill and we can get drinks to go," she said.

"No no, I have this." The gentlemanly side of Antonio coming out. "Food was great though, full of flavour." Standing up to join her.

"Are you sure?" she asked. "I have the credits and don't spend much on myself as it is. A handsome gentleman came by today and really brightened my mood, too."

"Adulatore." He spoke, his thick Italian accent showing itself stronger than usual. "It will not however get you into paying into the bill."

"Then I surrender it to your hands," Chloe said. "As long as I get to pick up the drinks."

"Affare fatto." He spoke, his hand out to lead the way to the bar where he could also pay for the meal.

She smiled at the small win when she really had just hoped to be able to spend more time with the handsome doctor. Going to the bar, she selected a white white and two glasses, then looked over at him. "Is white okay?"

"White is fine." Having paid and smiles all round he followed her to the exit. It seemed that just as they were about to exit more people were keen to get in. "Lead the way."

Chloe headed out of The Black Hole and looked over her shoulder at him. "Would you prefer to start at the top and work our way down, or ground level and work our way up?" she asked him.

"Bottom to top, save the best for last." He replied with a smile as he followed her. A pleasant woman, sweet, friendly, considerate and a pleasure to be sure spending dinner with.

She lead the way to the turbolift and then looked over at him. "IS that so?" she asked with a sly grin. "Does that mean you're a leg man or more into the face?"

"That would be telling, this man has his secrets." Antonio smirked as they waited for the turbolift. "Since you asked, what about you?"

"As you said, that would be telling," Chloe responded with a cheeky grin as the turbolift showed up and she requested deck six. "It's hard to believe that they wound the Arboretum through six levels of the ship."

"IS that so?" Returning her earlier comment. "I see how it is, information gathering. I get it." He smirked. Then listened to her comment about the scope of the Arboretum. "Considering the size of the ship, it does not surprise me." Taken in awe at the size of it, having never been here before.

"It's not so much fun when the shoe is on the other foot, is it?" she asked as the turbolift slowed to a half and the doors opened. She stepped out with the wine and glasses in the take out box, then laughed. "And for the record, I'm more of a personality type when it comes to knowing what I like."

"I see." A grin plastered on his face as he followed her out of the turbolift. "So, where would be a good spot for us to enjoy this wine of ours?" The view was incredible, rather peaceful and aura of tranquillity about it.

Chloe walked down the corridor and stopped at a double door with the title Arboretum Ground Level on it and they opened silently. A rush of fresh air rich with uncycled oxygen came out along with the scents of many different types of flowers, trees and water. She inhaled and stepped into it onto a path which wound through a parklike setting which easily took up half a deck of the massive starship. Some trees grew forty feet into the air while numerous smaller ones grew along the path dispersed around beds of flowers from different worlds. A few benches lined the path in different locations and the sound of a babbling brook was heard from somewhere.

"Let's just walk until a spot feels right," she suggested.

"Alright." Antonio followed, taking in the views, the various levels, the flowerbeds and everything that made up this room. He could smell the fragrances of flowers in the air. Were it not for knowing he was on a ship it could almost pass for being on Earth in a park.

As she walked along the path, other civilians, officers and enlisted passed them by in one direction or another, but she was too lost in the views. "It's absolutely beautiful," she said as she turned her face up towards the simulated sunshine and let a generated breeze blow through her hair and ruffle her dress.

Antonio looked at it all, some parts reminding him of his home town, others of flowers he liked as a child. He was not surprised that others were present, with such beauty all in one room how could they not enjoy it for themselves. "It is." Even the breeze had just enough to add that cool embrace, relaxing, soothing, calming.

Chloe saw a bench set a bit back from the path and looked at him. "This looks like the perfect spot to enjoy some wine and each others company," she said.

"Very nice. Good choice." Flanked by flowers, away from the path, almost like a little get away. "Being my first time here, this place really is amazing. Maybe I should point people here for recovery of mind and soul in some cases."

"It would do them a world of good," she said as she opened the wine and let it breathe for a minute. "This is my first time here, too, and it's amazing. I may have to sneak a mattress in here and set up a secret quarters."

"Maybe a tree house and charge for nightly sleeping arrangements." Antonio smiled. "A friend once did the 'sleep with a tiger' thing at the zoo, she stayed in this small hut but there was a glass wall where the tiger slept so you could see and watch it."

Chloe poured two glasses of the wine and offered him one. "It's kind of creepy charging someone to watch me sleep," she said.

"I didn't mean watch you sleep no, I meant that you could build it in the trees and charge people to sleep in it for the night." He replied taking the glass. "A view of the stars, the outdoors to a point, a break from the confines of quarters."

She shook her head. "No," she said. "If I did it, it would be just for me and whoever I invited to share it with me. If I started charging people to sleep there, it wouldn't be mine."

"True point." It was a fair point to boot and he couldn't argue with that logic. "I wonder what a picnic would be like here, like those in stories with blankets, a basket full of food." He grinned as it reminded him of the small yard at home that would overlook the city with the rolling hills behind it.

Chloe took a sip of her wine and leaned back. "It's a good idea," she said. "A shame we ate at The Black Hole instead of getting it as a picnic lunch for here."

"Maybe next time we can do just that." Antonio spoke sipping his wine. "Sometimes it's nice to just sit, do nothing, forget Starfleet and duties, just relax and clear your mind." Another reminder of home, a place he'd been thinking a lot of late.

"Next time?" she asked with a smile and a teasing tone. "Are you that confident there'll be a next time, Mister Giovanni?"

"Sperare il meglio." Antonio replied. "Hope for the best." He finished. "Besides, if I were so poor company, you would not be here now after the meal we just ate." A smile on his face as he revealed his logic.

"Well, you won't have to hope because I was hoping to see you again, too," Chloe told him with a shy smile. "I enjoy your company and that sexy accent."

"It is hard to miss." She was not the first to comment on his accent nor would be the last, but flattered she thought it was sexy. "I remember a few times that I had to slow down when speaking to people, claiming they didn't understand or I spoke too quickly. I suspect different motives." He chuckled. "Oh, I should warn you that when at home I take the badge off, while I can speak English I find my own language better at home."

"It's a beautiful language, but I'd be lost without the universal translator," she replied as she took another sip of her wine. "I'm surprised that you still have your accent considering how widely you must travel in space. I've heard most people lose them."

"I listen to a lot of Italian programs, music and news so it keeps me topped up on accent for when it's needed. That and I revert to Italian when I'm at home instead of English as I said." Antonio replied sipping his drink. "I do worry about losing my accent though."

"I may have to learn it," Chloe said. "Would you know anyone who could teach me, Antonio?"

"Well, since you did mention it I do just so happen to know a native Italian on board. He is a duty officer on board so his schedule just might require some flexibility and recent rumour has it that he's a bit of a looker too." He replied with a grin, even as he tried to sip his drink as he made eye contact.

"Oh?" she asked after taking a sip of her wine. "Is he someone you know?"

"I do." He said as if a matter of pride. "You just happen to be enjoying a drink with him." He placed his glass on the bench next to him. "Me stessa"

"You Stessa?" Chloe jokingly asked. "Me Chloe. Although this seems a step back in learning a language. Me try."

"I thought the same when I had to learn English in today's age of translators and while the second language has helped in some situations , I find speaking my native language easier for me to get information clearly across and letting the UT do the work." Antonio replied.

"Aww. You didn't laugh at my really bad joke," she mock moaned. "Now I have to drink myself to sleep tonight knowing that I failed to make such a gorgeous specimen of manhood even chuckle."

"I can't make it easy for you now can I?" Antonio smirked. "The best things are those that are worked towards, if it were easy, would it be worth it." Turning to her. "Would I?"

"If it's that hard to get a chuckle, maybe I should look for another teacher," Chloe said. "I work enough during the day."

"Oh I think you will find the result worth it." Antonio answered. "Besides, you get to be cooked for, listen to Italian and lets not forget the company."

"Okay, you win this time, Mister Giovanni," she said with a smile. "More wine?"

"Please." He offered his glass for the refill.

With a smile, Chloe refilled his glass and looked forward to what else the candlelight might bring.