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+--- Thread: ZE/D02 - Captain's Stateroom (/showthread.php?tid=577)
ZE/D02 - Captain's Stateroom - Morad Ameen - 05-22-2025
== The Captain's quarters ==
RE: ZE/D02 - Captain's Stateroom - Morad Ameen - 08-17-2026
The Captain’s stateroom on a Zephyr-class destroyer was a study in efficient, utilitarian design, compact compared to the sprawling quarters found on a heavy cruiser or a Sovereign classed starship, but structured to maximize every centimeter of space. Ameen had customized the standard Starfleet neutral-grey bulkheads, softening the sterile environment with warm, earthy tones, subtle ambient lighting, and physical touches of home.
A shelving unit held an eclectic collection of items: a mechanical watch repair kit with specialized loupes and tweezers, a few data slates, and a framed physical photograph. A small, beautifully detailed scale model of the USS Intrepid sat neatly on the shelf next to the watch repair kit and the framed photograph. Crafted with precise metal plating and bearing the classic Starfleet registry lines of an early heavy cruiser, it was a piece of history and a deeply personal memento. The model was a parting gift from Captain Gabriel Archer, Ameen's very first Commanding Officer, given to him when he completed his initial tour as a junior officer on a ship. It served as a quiet reminder of where he started before he end up in the center chair of his own destroyer.
The low hum of the ship’s life support and warp core vibration was masked tonight by the deep, soulful resonance of classic Arabic tarab, the gentle strains of an oud echoing quietly against the bulkheads, and the rich, savory aromas wafting from the compact kitchenette alcove. Ameen had spent the last hour working off-duty, trading standard replicator rations for authentic preparation. Two traditional Syrian dishes sat warming on the counter: a fragrant, herb-infused shish barak in a silky garlic-yogurt broth, alongside a spiced plate of muhammara paired with freshly warmed flatbread.
He dimmed the primary overhead optics to a warm amber glow, setting a quiet, relaxed atmosphere away from the rigid demands of the Bridge and First Contact protocols. With the table set for two, Ameen stepped back, smoothing down his navy blue shirt just as the chime at the stateroom door sounded.
She's here!...
"Come in!" Morad said and the door was unlocked.
== Tag Amila (Welcome to dinner!) ==
RE: ZE/D02 - Captain's Stateroom - Amila Ra'an - 08-17-2026
Amila's eyes darted around the corridor outside of Morad's stateroom until the doors opened for her and she was safely inside. She smiled brightly, though also somewhat shyly when she saw him standing there, his mere presence magnetic. She let out a soft sigh, relaxing into the atmosphere as she took in the relaxed atmosphere and the way his navy shirt softened the edges - the wall between them when they were in uniform.
She took a slow step toward him, her hand out subtly, a slight reach for his. She had worn a lavender dress in a soft, silky fabric that draped below her neckline, and hugged her curves, showing off her waist until it fell loosely around her hips. She'd never been one to wear dresses much, but something about him and this date in particular made her want to wear something special.
"Hey, you," she said softly. "Looks like we're finally alone." Her eyes twinkled as she spoke.
She knew it had been hard on both of them - keeping a professional distance in public, now that he was the Captain. Though she had to admit, there had been more than once where he had surprised her with as close as he was willing to get, even in the public eye.
==Tag Morad (All the flatbread!)==
RE: ZE/D02 - Captain's Stateroom - Morad Ameen - 08-18-2026
Morad’s expression softened instantly at the sight of her, the lingering gravity of the Bridge washing away completely. Stepping forward to meet her halfway across the compact stateroom, he took her outstretched hand, his thumb gently brushing the back of her knuckles.
I didn't realize how much I missed her touch...
"We are finally alone," he echoed, a warm, genuine smile breaking across his face. He let his gaze linger for a moment, taking in the lavender dress before stepping aside to gesture toward the small dining table. "And trust me, the professional distance was wearing on me just as much. Come in, get comfortable."
He led her toward the small table where the deep, resonant notes of the oud continued to drift softly in the background. Pulling out her chair, Morad made sure she was settled before taking his own seat across from her.
"I hope you're hungry," Ameen said, reaching over to pick up a piece of the freshly warmed flatbread. He tore off a piece and scooped up a generous portion of the spiced muhammara, offering it to her across the table. "I traded a few favors with the replicator techs to get the ingredients right for this. Let's see if it tastes like home."
== Tag Amila (Tastes good I hope?) ==
RE: ZE/D02 - Captain's Stateroom - Amila Ra'an - 08-18-2026
The way Morad was offering to feed her from across the table made Amila let out a joyful laugh before she leaned in to take a bite. Out of caution she put her right hand under her chin as she pulled away, worried that she might make a mess of the richly colored dip. She savored the sweet and spicy meld of the flavors of the dip. And the flatbread. He'd introduced that to her before, when it was warm like this, it was a treat just on its own.
"It's really good," she said covering her mouth as she spoke, worried that she still had food in her mouth. "A perfect amount of heat, I think a chef might say."
"You tell me, does it taste like home?" She watched him with interest as if eating had now become a spectator sport.
She loved to watch him when they were together, to pick up on his reactions, to see the way he took in the world around him, the way he looked at her. She used to watch him discreetly from the Bridge, back when she had what she thought was an unrequited crush. Now, she found herself avoiding looking at him altogether when they were on duty. An awkwardness that she was sure that they would grow out of if they were allowed to continue to work together. But she wasn't in a rush for the newness, the novelty of what they had to fade away either.