The chime at the door is not something that Rangin is expecting, least of all the call of "Dinner's up" said in a jaunty accent.
Rangin cringes inwardly, it would be Johnson with the meal, that meal, that he and Kylah were meant to share earlier that evening, that Kylah had asked for especially for him. With a heavy heart, he calls out "Open" and watches as the door slides quietly open and the tall figure in whites wanders in with a covered object.
"Evening Sir, I believe this is for you, courtesy of Ens. Kylah." Johnson says, before pulling the cover off with a flourish obviously learned from many hours practice and placing it in front of him. Rangin can't help but start salivating at the aroma drifting off the plate as memories of home flood back from just seeing the dish in front of him.
"That must be one hell of a favour Kylah owes you to make this," he can't help but ask while his stomach turns cartwheels in anticipation of the meal in front of him. "I can't accept it though, it just wouldn't be right."
"Too late," comes the cheery reply from Johnson, "she owes me and in fact I'm on my way over there now to collect."
"What exactly did she offer in return?" Rangin voice fills with concern about what Kylah may have done.
"She doesn't know and didn't ask, she just wanted to get you that meal. Damn, she must like you something chronic." Johnson shrugs. "But that's between me and her."
Rangin looks at the meal torn between his guilt over how he treated Kylah this evening and the heavenly smell that permeated the air.
"Go on tuck in", Johnson tempts him, "she's going to want to know if you like it or not. Actually, I want to know if you like it or not."
Rangin picks up the fork and takes a taste. "Oh grief, it's as good as I remember. Rathan Sweet Fritters. I remember you asking about my favourite dish, I didn't realise you could make it." He takes another mouthful savouring it slowly as if trying to make it last forever.
Rangin puts the fork down and looks back up at Johnson. "Seriously, just what did it cost her? What are you going to ask of her? I don't think she is going to be that receptive tonight."
Johnson raises an eyebrow. "So that's why I'm delivering here is it?" before sucking his breath through his teeth, "Don't want to know what happened between you, none of my business."
"Could you, could you put it off a day, wait until morning at least?" Rangin asks more in hope than anticipation.
"Excuse me, oh alright, alright, it can wait. She probably wouldn't be in the mood for what I want her for then," Johnson says in resignation as he sees the look on Rangin's face. "Enjoy it, anyway." he gestures at the meal before heading out the door.
Rangin's face darkens as he wonders what exactly Johnson had in mind, was he another one, or was Rangin just clutching at straws?
He picks up the fork, but it drops from his fingers onto the plate as he thinks about Kylah. She cared, she so desperately cared, and maybe she thought it was love. Rangin could see that, but could she ever love him as he wants to love her.
He picks up his communicator and taps out a message trying to get his feelings out.
Kylah, forgive me. You are not the only one who has answers to give and I hope that perhaps some day I may be able to tell you what you need to know. Velir
He looked at it, he hadn't done anything wrong though, had he? What was he apologising for. He erased it and started again.
Kylah, I hope you're all right, I didn't want to upset you. I wish things had gone differently but I don't think either of us is ready until we know each other much better. Velir.
It wasn't much better, but he sends the message off. Wondering when she will receive it, Rangin picks up the fork and slowly begins to eat again. The taste of sorrow in this mouth slowly replaced by a warmer, homely feeling, but the worry still foremost in his mind.