strangecompany | RP: OPEN GEN POST

I beg your pardon. You should know by now that Vulcans do not joke.

[ Really now. Accusing him of joking. Spock shoots a look at Jim, almost a glare.

But the food is good, and he does enjoy the chance to savor something not replicated, although he would not admit such a thing, and he does not feel the same connection to food as many humans. But it mellows out his glare and his lip curls up just the slightest, a fleeting smile that is quickly repressed.

He is almost tempted to point out the flour but refrains. If Jim does not catch it later, he will mention it, but for the moment, he suspects he will only get a sigh. ]

We will see. At our next starbase stop, I will make inquiries about possible upgrades. In addition, I wish to investigate alternate means of power for the science labs. A number of our experiments would be improved if we can divert more energy to the lab.

[ Of course he is not going to mention the still on the reports. It will not go over very well with the admiralty. ] There will be no need to mention it. It is simply a starting point.

I beg to differ. Your humor is just as dry as the desert. It's still humor.

[ Don't think he didn't notice. Hush with that eyebrow game and eat your food. Jim has a good connection with it, mostly cause it reminds him of better times in a large chunk of his life that was not ok. Learning to cook with his aunt is one of the best memories he has. He often wonders if she'd be proud of the man he became.

Which is probably another reason why the flour doesn't bother him. He got doused with it the first time he tried to bake on his own. ]

I like that idea. Both of them, actually. Do you think there's anything we can do until our next stop? We've got a few months before then, don't we?

[ He asks it as he picks up a piece of fruit from his plate, and chews. ]

There is no Vulcan who ever lived who put store in humor.

[ You are imagining things, Jim. Both the humor and the eyebrow thing, because Spock would never.

The food is pleasing, and rather than simply consuming the exact amount needed to sustain energy and satisfy nutritional needs, Spock actually reaches for another pancake, topping it with sliced fruit. ]

It is possible we can take on produce from this world, if the merchants would agree, and create a storage unit for the perishable items. The actual production of food might prove more of a challenge, but there are the hot plates. [ Spock cuts into his pancake and takes a bite, chewing thoughtfully. ] I shall contact Mr. Scott and Mr. Chekov, they can engineer the needed items.

I bet there's at least one. Has to be. Before you guys got all uptight about everything.

[ He can imagine a lot of things, but this isn't one of those things. He's right. He knows it.

Jim maybe preens a little to himself though when Spock helps himself to more. It's nice to be able to just enjoy a meal with someone who is obviously enjoying the food as well. It's quite the compliment too. ]

We could. [ He says, washing down a bite with a bit of the flavored water. ] Is this your way of saying it's good and you'd like me to cook it again?

If there was, and it is doubtful, they left no trace behind.

[ But that is an intriguing possibility. There are histories Spock has yet to read, poetry left behind - maybe a project for another day.

If they still have such records. ]

You are fishing for compliments, Jim. You know very well your cooking is more than acceptable. [ He is not going to actually say it is good and wants it again, because that would be expressing a preference. ] It would beneficial for the humans on the ship to have a variety of food in their meals.

I think you're just saying that to get me to let it go. There's probably some stand up comedian type in your past that's just an embarrassment to the rest.

[ Okay, okay, he's teasing. A lot. He'll dial it back now, but the fishing compliment earns a shrug, and a chuckle. ]

Fine, maybe. I'm allowed, I think when I'm pretty sure my aunt would have never figured me for ever being able to cook anything by myself without setting something on fire. Or dousing myself with baking flour. [ Jim nods. ] Well, the Fleet will argue that they get plenty of variety and nutrients from the replicators on board. And that there is no practical reason to keep fresh stores on board when it can just be made with a couple of buttons and a mild energy drain.

You know I'm not wrong.

Vulcans do not have stand-up comedians. Were we to have any versed in comedy, it would be in the form of literature. Possibly a play but more likely poetry.

Not that we have comedians.

[ That is possibly a hint. Probably the only thing Spock might say about such things, but it is a starting point to start looking for those rare instances of Vulcan humor. ]

You have surpassed her expectations, as nothing is on fire and this is an impressive meal. Indeed, I fear it is wasted upon me. [ Spock simply shakes his head at that smile, and the flour, but one corner of his lip curls slightly. ] You are correct, Jim. But they forget that we do invite foreign dignitaries to the ship, who might object to replicated food. Thus it behooves us to have fresh stores on the ship and people skilled at preparation. And it would be impolite to treat only dignitaries to freshly prepared food.

So while it might not happen daily, there is a reason.

Maybe it's just some deeply buried dirty secret that they don't want anyone to know about. [ But then Spock mentions poetry, and it gets Jim's attention. ]

If there aren't comedians, are there poets?

[ That compliment has Jim halting briefly before he reaches for his glass to take another drink. The smile that comes to his face is warm, and crinkles the corners of this eyes. ] You flatter me. She wouldn't say it was wasted, and neither do I. A meal shared with friends or family is never wasted.

[ He sets the drink away after a moment, and cuts up some fruit. ] That's a very compelling argument in our favor. I'll put it forward for review when we get to Yorktown, but it won't be for a few months.

I'm sure Commodore Paris will be amused by the idea.

We are not uncultured, Jim. [ If most of their poetry is somber and dignified, then it is simply because they are a somber people. Especially now. ] Simply not comedic. Though you are welcome to try to find such a secret, if possible.

[ If Jim wants to look, he is not one to stop his captain. There are other Vulcans who might do that, and Spock almost finds the idea of Jim trying to charm another Vulcan entertaining.

Not that he would admit such to anyone. Especially not Jim. ] Incorrect, Jim. I do not flatter anyone, I simply state the truth. [ He was not one to say that which was not true, especially in a situation like this. Spock might be better at obfuscating the truth in certain circumstances, but never with those he considered a friend. ]

Perhaps, but is not amusement a benefit in this situation?

RP: OPEN GEN POST

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