Food and information [Part One]
Posted on Fri Jun 20, 2025 @ 11:25pm by Commander Cara Letsul & Colonel Nicholas Means III & Civilian Geral Lasuma & Civilian Sha'rae Astare
1,561 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Time After Time
Location: Lasuma's
Timeline: MD 12 Evening
The visit to Pangaea was lovely and it did help with Cara's stress level, but when Cara, Liam and T'mpest went their separate ways, Cara could feel the stress level rise once more. Then again, perhaps it was more of her being hungry. Her stomach rumbled as if in answer to her thoughts. There were different places to eat,upon this station, there was the cafe she ate at with Vex, but she didn't want to go there. She was wanting something with a little bit of spice to it, something like the Big Easy Bistro. However, that was somewhere else, back on Poseidon Station. The Big Easy Bistro, run by her friends, Alphonse and Lisette Bacchus. Cara's mouth began to water just thinking of it. While she was thinking of her friends and their wonderful food, there was a ping which indicated that there was a message for her.
Cara pulled out her PADD and took a look at the message, it was from Lisette. The message read.
Dear Mon Ami,Things have changed here at Poseidon Station, it isn't the same without you and others there. Alphonse and I wish to find another place to set up a restaurant. I hope that this reaches you and that you have found another place where you can call home. If you have found a place, perhaps you can find somewhere we can get a fresh start as well. Highest regards,and love, Lisette and Alphonse.
Cara took a seat upon a nearby bench gazing at that message,frowning a little bit. She didn't know if there was room for this to be accomplished here as she was just getting to know this station. There was however, someone who she could talk to. Geral after all, he was the leader of the Merchant's Association on the station. Plus she was hungry, so killing two birds one stone,while she ate some delicious food, she could talk to Geral as well.With that in mind, Cara headed towards Geral's Place, Lasuma's
[Lasuma]
Cara stepped inside, breathing in the delicious aroma of the food being prepared. Her mouth started watering once more. Her dark eyes scanned the restaurant taking note of those there, and also looking for either Geral or Shar'rae.
A server saw the woman take a seat in her section and headed over. "Welcome to Lasuma's, my name Sh'arana, is there anything I can get you?"
Cara looked at the menu, and chose something that looked good and something she'd not had in awhile, "I would like a bowl of Ratamba stew and make it spicy please. Also I'd like some groat cake as well. And to drink, some Cela tea please. And one other thing is- Gelar around? Please let him know that Cara is here." she wasn't certain if Gelar would remember but perhaps he will.
Sh'arana tapped in the order but when confronted by the last request she stammered. "Gelar...OH you mean Mr. Geral! Uhhmmm...I'm n-not to sure where he is, not something they fill us peons in on, but I will see what I can do."
"Ah yes Geral, not Gelar." Cara blushing as she had mixed up some letters in his name. "yes please do, and thank you in advance." resolving to leave a sizeable tip for the waitress. She reached out to pick up the glass of water to take a sip of it while she waited.
[Lasuma's - BTV]
Geral clapped the Colonel on his shoulder as he showed him the old school cigar lounge that was apart of his newest location. Standing by the entrance as Means put his current cigar down in one of the ashtrays and entered the large walk-in humidor scanning the huge variety available. Once out of the humidor looked at the bank of 'member lockers' that had been mentioned, seeing a polished name plate with his name engraved on it "Colonel Nicholas Means III". Looking back at the Bajoran.
Geral shrugged, "It was the least I could do for the man that lead the defense of the planet..."
He was cut of as one of the clerks came in. "Excuse me sir, but word just came in from the cafe that Commander Letsul is looking for you."
"Thank you." Looking back to the Colonel, "Enjoy yourself."
The Colonel grinned. "Ohh I will."
As he turned to leave he spoke to the clerk still by the entry to the lounge. "See that the Colonel has a drink to go with his cigar."
"Yes sir."
[Lasuma's, Cafe' area]
Returning to his main shop Geral walk into the cafe' area seeing the Commander enjoying her order. Stepping up to the side of her table he smiled, "Back so soon?"
Cara looked up, smiling and yet being caught once more as to his resemblance to her long time friend. She drew in a breath, pausing as she caught the scent of something that reminded her of a campfire mixed with the scent of creosote. She knew this scent, it was of a cigar, which had various scents to it. "Geral, do you happen to smoke a brand of cigar--Maduro? " Of course that was not an answer she should have come out with. Then she said. "And yes I have returned. I was in the mood of something spicy."
Pulling out a chair. He would have normally asked to sit but since he knew she was looking for him, he made the assumption. Surprised as the precise narrowing of the type of cigar he had been around. "You have a good nose for things, but I wasn't the smoker. Colonel Means likes maduro style cigars of various brands. I had heard of his habit and did some checking there are several others on the station and even a few Starfleet Captain's, that use the station that are into cigars so I made sure my new storefront had a cigar lounge."
That piece of information about Colonel Means, Cara filed that in the back of her mind. "I will have to see that sometime down the line." Cara responded with slight smile. "Besides coming here to enjoy your food, this time in a more calmer mind; I've come to also get your help, some insight for some friends of mine." she took time to have another bite of her food. Before continuing. "My friends are owners of a restaurant, named The Big Easy Bistro. They have reached out asking if I've found another place to call home, and requested that if so, they wished me to find a place for them if that is possible. With you being the one to come to...What are your thoughts as to this?"
Geral look at her as she ate and spoke. He was actually surprised she even bothered as the station was theirs to control. if they wanted to permit a shop to operate it was their to approve or not. Her being here spoke to the weight they gave to him and his opinion and influence. "The Big Easy Bistro....big easy....the big easy..." He knew that phrase and he ran through his memory to place the phrase. Snapping his fingers, "The Big Easy, New Orleans, Earth...a cajun or creole restaurant?"
"Yes! And also yes to both. Alphonse and Lisette Bacchus. I've known them for a while. The food is delicious as well and they are down to Earth people. And I think that you and Alphonse even Lisette would get along quite well, talking about cooking and recipes." her eyes sparkling with fondness as she thought of her friends.
"With you being, how I feel the leader of the Merchant's Association, plus you knowing the ins and outs of the station. You would be the one to talk to. When I was on another station, where I was the admiral over all, we had a merchants association as well. And it was rather well organized."
There were more than a few vacant spaces available. Some in less popular areas of the promenade...a new draw would be just the thing to boost the area. "So why are they wanting to expand their operations or just relocate?"
Cara took a moment as she thought over the message Lisette had sent. "From what Lisette my friend had said, I am gathering that things are different on the station. You see, I've been friends with Lisette and Alphonse for quite sometime. I was surprised when they came to Poseidon Station but was happy to get them set up there. They had made connections there then people left. I can in some aspect compare how they are feeling, as to how I felt when those I had strong connections with left. And our leaving was rather sudden, being assigned to other places. Like a family having become uprooted and scattered to the winds."
"I think most can relate to having people, friends and family, moving out of their lives." Gesturing to her, "Especially those those in positions where transfers are a regular part of life. Seems a rather expensive business model to move ones business just to maintain those day to day connections. Now if the differences on Poseidon are becoming unfavorable for business, that's a different situation entirely."
Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5
Geral Lasuma
Owner - Lasuma Enterprises
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