The Promised Dinner (Part 1)

Posted on Sat May 3, 2025 @ 3:53pm by Ensign Matilda Cromwell & Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon
Edited on on Sun May 4, 2025 @ 5:16am

1,645 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Tergum In Tempus
Location: Giuliani's
Timeline: MD03 - Evening

Matilda walked with confidence, having a natural swing to her walk, approaching the place where she was to meet Ace. She knew that she looked good. With it being Giuliani's, a five-star restaurant from what she was figuring, she put effort into what she wore. The dress she wore, a halter top style dress, gently hugging her body, the material soft and flexible. There were two slits on either side of her thighs. Gold arm bracelets adorned her upper arm and on her feet golden sandals. She had the minimum touch of makeup, not bothering to hide the freckles which bridged her nose and her upper cheeks. The color of the dress made her eyes look greener in color, framed by her long lashes.

"Hello, is Ace Cannon here at his table?"

From behind Matilda, a man with a purposely scruffy beard, short immaculately maintained brown hair, and green eyes appeared. He was wearing a black suit that had a light grey striping, a white shirt and a grey and red striped tie. "No, but he is behind you. I always have liked a good view and I have not been disappointed this evening," he told Matilda. "Looking good, Red. However, I would never go to my table without my woman by my side. That would be impolite."

Matilda gave a soft chuckle as she turned to greet Ace, giving him a peck on the cheek, and linking her arm with his. "Now that is a sign of a true gentleman." She took in his outfit, admiring the fit of the suit on him and the tone of his arm. She was impressed. "You look magnificent, and you definitely take good care of yourself."

Inwardly, Ace smiled heavily. So far, everything was going as planned. If only it had been so easy with Bri. Stop that! Don't think about her now. She'd laugh her head off at you, especially since you have a sexy redhead on your arm who is ready to play. "I do my best. I must say, though, Red, you clean up nicely, yourself. The dress suits you well." He looked her over and silently said to himself, No comments on the physique, Ace. You can rock it later. "It makes your eyes look greener - a closer match to my own." He favored her with a mysterious smirk.

"Why, thank you." Matilda's cheeks turned a rosy pink at the compliment. "What sort of scenery will we be having while we dine? Do you prefer a view of the stars, with us being bathed by their soft glow? Sounds romantic." She wondered just what sort of moves Ace was going to make on her. She was interested to find out. He seemed to be well versed in that sort of thing from what she had observed during her first contact with him. A match of wits or an exciting game of chess or cards.

"I have all the scenery that I require right next to me," Ace answered simply and with a sly grin.

The hostess came up to them and asked, "Can I help you?"

"Yes, we have a reservation for two. Name is Cannon. I believe that I had requested Naomi's section."

"Oh yes," the lanky hostess answered. "I have it right here. Semi-circular booth on the side but closer to the piano. Follow me, please."

Ace did as he was told, escorting Matilda as he did so. When they arrived at the designated table, obviously meant for couples to be closer together, Ace turned to Matilda and said, "After you."

Matilda gave a gentle smile at his words. Ace knew exactly what to say, combined with his dashing good looks and that come hither look in his eyes. Ace certainly was well practiced. He reminded her of other suave debonair men she'd read of and had met. When you are with them, they are focused upon the lady they are with, making the lady feel very important and wanted even if it is for one night. She slid into the booth, gracefully. Admiring the fact that they were near the piano. "Thank you."

"Naomi will be right with you," the hostess responded, as Ace slid in neatly next to Matilda, but not so close as for her to feel crowded - yet. "Here is a list of wines on this PADD. Have a good evening."

Ace answered, "That is what we all hope for, is it not?" The hostess then left with a hidden smile.

Turning to Matilda, Ace asked, "So?"

"I do like this very much, near the piano and yet not to near where a person can't hold a conversation." Matilda smiled with approval. "And candlelight for a pleasant ambience." Matilda noted how he kept a respectful distance and yet not too far away. Just right. "Since you are a regular here, do you have a recommendation that will tantalize my tastebuds, and a wine that would go with the meal?

"I would not say that I'm a regular. I just happen to know a couple of people here. Sometimes it offers me a few perks." He shrugged nonchalantly. "If you're planning on something with a red meat, then I would say something red. Otherwise, white."

"What do you like to order off the dinner menu? I would like to know, as what is here looks delicious, and I can't decide at the moment." Her glance slid towards Ace, then back to the menu. An impish smile appeared.

"Well," he replied with an equally impish smile. "I know what I like off the menu, but as to dinner, well, the food is Italian, so no matter what you order here, it is likely to be delicious. The last time that I was here, I ordered the Vitello Scallopini Rosamarino and shared some meatballs for an appetizer. Do you have preferences for food?"

Matilda gave a wink to Ace at his comment. "The only preference and requirement I have is that, it tastes good." Matilda giving a chuckle. "And from the delicious aroma I am detecting I will say the food will be rather tasty. And what you have mentioned, that sounds scrumptious. Please that will work for me." She moved slightly closer to rest her shoulder against his. When the food arrives she, decided that she would move over to not crowd him while they ate.

Ace put his arm around Matilda's opposite shoulder since she already was falling for the patented Ace charm. He smiled inwardly to himself. This is definitely going to be a rewarding evening.

"Good evening. Is this your first time here? Can I get you anything to drink? Or appetizers?" She then noticed Ace's arm around Matilda and gave Ace a questioning look.

"It is Matilda's first time," Ace informed the waitress, who he knew as Naomi, as he favored her with a secret smile. "Is there something that you would suggest for her?"

The waitress gave a small smile, her green eyes sparkling in the low lighting. "As to drinks, we have a lovely Perricone from the Sicilian region of Italy. It is a full body, earthy red wine. IF you prefer something lighter in red, we have a Torgiano Rosso Riserva, from the Tuscany region. For whites, if you are not having a meat dish, I might recommend a Friulano from Collio. As to appetizers, I might suggest some foccia bread, meatballs, or crostini." Once she stopped speaking, she waited patiently for Matilda to make a choice.

"I will have the Vitello Scallopini Rosamarino, the meatballs, and the foccia bread." Matilda stopped and remarked to Ace, "Just to let you know, I do have quite the appetite; don't be too surprised. I tend to burn off what I do eat." She turned her attention back to Naomi. "I would also like the Perrocone from Sicily. It sounds like something I would like. And for dessert, an Italian Ice, strawberry please."

The waitress looked over at Ace quizzically, as if exchanging a secret message before her face became impassive and asked, "For you, sir?"

"Let's start with a Barbera wine for myself, and then I'll share the meatballs and foccia bread with Tillie, here. I know your portions are generous." He turned and smiled winningly at Matilda. "Does that work for you, Red?"

"Yes, that works out great." She bestowed a brilliant smile on Ace. It wasn't lost on Matilda the exchange between Ace and Naomi. There was the sense of both of them having some familiarity with each other. Matlida didn't say anything, she reached out for the glass of water that had been provided for them. 'Tillie' she thought to herself, 'I won't squawk. I do like that name, and it has been used off and on in my life,' she continued in her mind, while sipping at her water.

Putty. She's putty in your hands, Ace. Tonight, we will find out just how wild she can be. Feed her, wine and dine her, and then do her. Happy Ace. He sighed pleasantly.

Naomi left the table, saying, "I'll place your orders. I know that your lady was ready to place the entire meal, but we shall see how she feels after appetizers and wine." There was something slightly conniving about the waitress' tone or was it snide? Whatever it was, there was extra meaning as Matilda could see a slight eyeroll as the waitress left.

Ace, however, was oblivious to it. He tested the waters further with his nicknames for Matilda, "So, Tillie, why don't you tell me more about yourself. I was not certain what I was going to do with you, the other day in Ops."

[TO BE CONTINUED]

Ensign Matilda Cromwell
Operations Officer
Deep Space 5

and

Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon
Assistant Chief Operations Officer
Deep Space 5

 

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