At 1800 hours on the dot George and his wife knocked on the Ryuchanda's quarters. Winona smoothing out the wrinkles that George himself couldn't see but he certainly wasn't going to point that out to his wife.

Voh'Rex opened the door and smile brightly at the two. "Winona Kirk." He nodded to her, and she blinked in surprise at being addressed first. "My daughter is giddy with anticipation in sharing her gift with you. Lt. Commander Kirk" Voh'Rex nodded in greeting which George returned warmly.

"Please, on off duty hours George is just fine. Or if you have to stand on ceremony like a few of the others insist on themselves, Mr. Kirk." Voh'Rex nodded and gestured for them to follow before turning and heading back into the unit.

Their living quarters were standard for families. But George noticed the dinning room was larger. The table was long and rectangular, similar to those in the conference rooms. But each place was set elegantly with a simple candle centerpiece, adorned with artificial cranberries.

The viewing screen on the wall was set to play a crackling fireplace, and a soft string melody played faintly. Voh'Rex led them to one end of the table, where Dr Sonita and a few of the other medical team sat chatting with Shi'channa, who sat at the head of the table. The captain and engineers who managed to come sat across the table from them.

George helped Winona down into her chair. Before sitting beside her. Voh'Rex sat to his wife's right. Through the doorway that led to the kitchen George could just make out Dru'Kenna flitting back and forth between several pots and pans in the kitchen. She almost looked as if she were dancing. Closing his eyes, George could just pick up the faint sent of cinnamon, some kind of meat, and onions.

Shi'channa stood drawing everyone's eyes as she held her hands out to her sides. "It warms our hearts to be welcomed so warmly in our new home. And my Coixia and I are eager to show our skills. But tonight, is not for us. Tonight, Dru'Kenna has poured her soul into this, as a show of her joy at being one of the first of our people on Starfleet ships. I hope her soul's fire resonates with you."

While she spoke, Dru'Kenna darted out from the kitchen carrying a tray filled with covered plates. She meticulously set one in front of each person before stopping behind the spot to the left of her mother. She quickly took her apron off and hung it on the back of her chair, straightened her clothes, and met their gazes beaming.

"I discovered my soul's fire when I was ten. For the last five years I have been learning the culinary arts from any and every teacher I could find. The words that resonated with my soul the most however were, 'If you really want to make a friend, go to someone's house, and eat with him… The people who give you their food give you their heart. Food can be very transformational, and it can be more than just about a dish. Food is not rational. Food is culture, habit, craving and identity.' I hope I have read you all correctly and you enjoy your meal." She bowed before settling herself into her chair, practically vibrating with excitement.

Her mother smiled fondly at her before gesturing to their guests. "Please enjoy."

Taking that as his que George reached out and lifted the silver plate cover. And nearly dropped it again in shock. Since joining Starfleet, he had become accustomed to replicator food. It took a lot of programing to add new foods and flavors to the machine and while it was sufficient, it had its limitations. On his plate was something he hadn't seen since his childhood at his grandparents home on Earth. The bacon wrapping the pork loin still sizzled and popped. The golden brown corn fritters with flecks of green onion, and roasted green beans had him salivating in anticipation. He quickly picked up his utensils and dug in. it was a struggle to bit back the moan of bliss as he took his first forkful. The bacon was crisp with just enough give, the pork loin was so tender and moist it dissolved on his tongue, leaving a peppery, smokey flavor to play on his tongue. He dug into the corn fritters next.

The outside was crisp, with the fresh burst of the corn flavor. It was warm and the onion complemented it well. The green beans where fresh and had an amazing bite, must have some red pepper flakes. Each bite pulled images from his mind, summers at his grandparent's country home in Iowa. Taking Winona to the county fair and sharing corn fritters and elephant ears. Camping trips where his father insisted on starting campfires from scratch.

As he opened his eyes, George felt a peace settle in his chest. A contentment that he hadn't felt in a long time. It was only now that he glanced around the table seeing each of the others tucking into their food with just as much enthusiasm as he had. The captain had some kind of curry if the smell was any indication. One of the Vulcan engineers was enjoying some Vulcan mollusks sauteed in Rhombolian butter. George barely kept a straight face when he saw Dr Sonita's food. It was some form of giant bug, served in its blue shell, with the little black legs still on the side, steam wafting up from some yellowish blend at its center. The Dr and a fond smile on her face as she sipped at the filling with a bamboo straw.

A sniffle to his right brought his attention quickly back to his wife. Winona was wipeing at her eyes. George turned and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Winona?" he asked concerned.

She waved him off and lifted her head. A small smile gracing her features. "I'm sorry its just…..I cry so easily these days…." She gestured to her plate. George took notice of a colorful array of sliced vegetables layered in a red sauce. Winona also had a pink drink with green flecks scattered about it. He raised an eye brown questioning. Winona laughed breathily. "It's ratatouille" she supplied, "I haven't had this since college. The drink I don't recognize though."

Dru'Kenna perked her head up, beaming brightly. "it's a strawberry mint milkshake." She supplied. "Mint is good at soothing digestive and stomach upsets. So, I figured it might go well with your meal. One of my chef instructors was pregnant at the time she was training me and she said mint was the only thing that allowed her to eat." She nodded deeply to Winona. "You honor me with your joyful tears. A chef's greatest achievement is to touch the hearts of her guests."

Dru'Kenna popped u from the table, hurrying back toward the kitchen. "Oh! I forgot the breads." She was back in a flash setting down two trays in the center of the table. "Focaccia bread and cranberry orange. One savory, one sweet." She nodded, satisfied and went back to her plate.

George grinned, scooping up a piece of Focaccia almost as soon as Dru'Kenna had set them down. "Kid, you've got a gift. I haven't eaten like this in years." the others around the table quickly nodded in agreement. "And to create personalized dishes for everyone, I can't even fathom how you had the time." Dru'Kenna blushed picking at some pieces of food with her fork.

"It was my honor." She mumbled shyly and her father ruffled her hair with his tail.

Kirk lifted his glass in her direction. "Well, it was our honor to experience this. A TOAST!" the others around the table quickly raised their glasses as well. "To our newest friends and crewmates! And to their talented daughter. She's ruined replicator food for all of us." He smiled teasingly and the Ryuchandas laughed.

"Cheers!"

George leaned back contentedly in his chair as those around him dissolved into their own small conversations. He leaned over to Dru'Kenna and whispered. "Ya did good kid! Anytime you wanna cook for us we'd be thrilled."

Dru'Kenna light up like a star and spiraled into an in-depth rant about her preparation methods that George nodded politely at, but couldn't follow.

George looked over their latest editions to the Kelvin family and smiled. The Ryuchanda had certainly made and impression. The year was looking bright.