It's All About The Dance

Posted on Sat Jan 11th, 2025 @ 6:26am by Lieutenant JG Ruby Rojas & Lieutenant Amy Gordon

2,805 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: The Foragers
Location: Never Winter

A man dressed in the complete outfit of Dread Roberts all authentic looking. After all the wearer of the garb wanted to make certain it looked good and proper. He stood there looking at the dance set up, watching the dancers as they moved to the music. A pair of bracelets had been given to him; their function having been explained. A grin spread over the lower part of his face, catching sight of the Latina bombshell having a bit of fun. To the air he rose after stepping into the field. The music, the beat, the sonics of it taking hold.

To the woman in red, ( Ruby) he made his way there, "Care to dance oh lovely one?" holding out his right gloved hand.

Ruby straightened, the air around her stopping her as she looked at the man in black. He was cute. Even more, she loved the mystery of his costume. Who couldn't resist a dark, handsome stranger sweeping her off her feet? The fact that she was literally off her feet didn't count. "Yes." She put her hand in his and giggled, then smothered the sound with her free hand and laughed.

A flash of a delighted smile, 'Roberts' lifted Ruby's hand to his lips, gently kissing the back of her hand, "Then we shall dance." with a simple motion tugging her towards him where she was nestled against his chest, moving in time to the music before he gently nudged Ruby and put her out into a spin still holding onto her hand.

She liked to dance, but having the freedom of weightlessness was intoxicating. Ruby spun out, keeping her legs tightly together so her skirt flared around her. When she stopped, she raised her free hand in the air in a brief pose, before dancing back to her partner.

Roberts watched Ruby's movements with an appreciative light in his eyes, when she drew near to him, once more he pulled her close. Even though there were other music being played, the beautiful Latin woman, brought to his mind a song. Roberts began to sing softly,' La Isla Bonita' where only he and Ruby could hear. Her hand in his, his left hand at her waist, Roberts began to lead them into a slow Samba.

She loved the Samba, and her masked partner was a good dancer. She smiled flirtatiously and threw herself into the dance.

The Samba smoothly transitioned to swing steps, Roberts being skilled in this, drew her into some fancy steps. Guiding Ruby through the steps moving her behind him, to the other side, to where he leaned Ruby into a sultry dip, holding her with one arm, running the back of his hand along her side to her waist, then pulling her back upright. To where she was up against him. Giving a smile, "You dance beautifully, and with great passion." he whispered in her ear.

"I'm a Latina. We do everything with passion," she said, trying to keep a straight face and not giggle. He was terribly romantic. "You're a wonderful partner." He made it easy for her to follow him and to add her own flair to the dance.

"Thank you Let us dance amongst the stars and catch a ride upon a comet." Roberts visualizing the very thing he spoke about. He was feeling the music, becoming one with the music. Caught up in the moment. Another twirl, another dip, enjoying the way he and Ruby were moving together. "Care to have a lift?" Guiding her hands to his shoulders and his hands to her hips, he wished to have Ruby soar through the stars, to hold her above his head and turn slowly around. When he felt that she was ready, Ruby was lifted into the air, his arms and hands steady and sure.

She held straight to make it easier for him. But in this rare space she didn't have to. She knew if he let go of her, she'd still float. To test it, she put both feet on his shoulders, pushed off, tucked into a somersault, and landed back on his shoulders. Then she took both his hands in hers and did a handstand. "This is awesome!"

Roberts laughed in delight, "This is amazing, guess we've been thinking happy thoughts so we can fly." giving a wink. he gave a little bit of a push off his hands to where she rose in the air, bringing his own hands down in a motion used in swimming, giving himself a little bit of a lift to where he, too, flew into the space they were in, he floated around her having a boyish smile then said "we can fly we can fly. Second star to the right and on until morning."

"I refuse to be Tinkerbell. I always wanted to be one of the lost boys." She grinned. "But then they'd be lost kids."

"This is true, when Wendy arrived in Never Never Land, she was a girl therefore, she broke the mold of just the lost boys, as she was then a lost girl. Therefore, your desire could be made valid being a lost kid." Roberts chuckling. then gave her a spin. "Tell me, do you wish to dance the night away or go sit down and just talk. I am game for both."

She was going to argue that Wendy, John, and Michael were never "lost" like the Lost Boys were. They were invited to an adventure and always intended to go home. But his second question caught her interest and she gave him a cheeky grin. "I want to do both. But I admit I don't think I could stay out here all night. Something about this place is making me feel tipsy and I could swear I just saw a pirate ship in the distance."

Roberts was feeling the effect, which was going to his head like a strong whisky, as if having had several. His eyes were drifting towards her soft lips, seeming so inviting and so near. And her eyes... sparkling like emeralds in the sun. Green like the peaceful trees and yet such fire within them. He reached out to play with a strand of her black luxuriant hair with highlights of red, will he get burned? There was no answer from Roberts being lost in the pools of green. Without thinking, he leaned in to kiss Ruby.

Ruby hesitated only a moment. She didn't kiss strangers. To be honest, she hadn't kissed a man in a while. But there was something in his eyes, something that drew her to him. Something almost...magical. So, she put her hands on his chest and kissed him back.

Roberts held Ruby close but not too tightly, enjoying the connection and the honeyed taste of her lips, their lips parted, he looked into her eyes, his eyes filled with wonder. And mouthing a wow. Wonder at both her kiss and at the fact he actually kissed someone after a long, long while and her kiss was divine. Not daring to say anything but Ruby could see how much he enjoyed the kiss. Taking her by the hand he moved to where they could take off their bracelets and find a place to sit. He dared not speak yet for fear he'd stutter.

Ruby was practically bouncing. She knew that she might not see him again after tonight as the Valiant would be leaving soon, but just the fact that a charming, good-looking man actually wanted to kiss her--did kiss her--was incredible. And best of all, he was nice, too. She could tell by his eyes. And now, she had a chance to get to know him, which was an extra bonus.

When their feet touched the floor Roberts caught the eye of those whom he came with and giving a smile mouthing, 'have fun'. Once the bracelets were off, Roberts gave Ruby one more spin having a warm genuine grin. "You are an enjoyable and incredible dance partner." Spotting a table he led Ruby there, still holding onto her hand. "What do you say to something that has crushed ice and nothing alcoholic? I am in the mood for a lemon ice."

Zhara noticed the kiss, but wasn't going to comment on it. She was pleased that Edmund was finally in a place where he could be interested in a woman. She knew he had feelings for Rowena, but this just showed her that there was every hope things would work out. She smiled at him and turned back to her partner.

"Yes. I don't want anything with alcohol right now. I'd probably start giggling and no one wants to see that." Ruby grinned. She had a tendency to giggle when she was nervous as well. "My head is already buzzing from that music. A lemon ice would be perfect."

Roberts gave smile at her answer, and ordered two lemon iced drinks. Just as the waitress left to get their order, another man came towards where they were. Spotting someone approaching, Roberts looked at Ruby. "I will be right back." moving from the table to meet the other man. They exchanged a few words, the other man left to rejoin his dance companion. Roberts moved back to Ruby.

"That was my friend letting me know he was leaving the club." taking a seat once more, giving a genuine smile.

"Do you need to go with him?" Ruby wasn't sure if she wanted him to go or not. Both, if she were honest. With her luck, he was bound to leave as soon as they started talking.

"I don't need to go with him, and I would like to continue to talk with you." Roberts had a warm gaze, and a charming smile. "Besides, we haven't had our lemon ice as of yet, and I am loathe to step out from this wonderland, not at this time. "

"Great! I mean..." She smiled. "Okay, it is great. I like lemon ice, and I like talking, which can be good or bad, depending on who I'm working with." She took a sip of her drink so she wouldn't giggle again.

A twinkle in Roberts' eyes as he gazed at Ruby, then took a sip of his own drink, lowering his glass, "To start off a conversation, the table is open for questions to be asked. I have one question to start things off. Would you like me to reveal my identity or keep it a secret?"

She considered him for a moment. "That's up to you. Do you want to stay the illusive pirate or not?" She leaned closer and whispered. "I'm not going to out you if you don't want to out yourself. I mean, this is your fantasy, too. Right?"

Roberts reached out and took one of Ruby's hands placing a kiss upon her knuckles . "Dear Lady, it is midnight somewhere and at times that is when the mask comes off." a smile going from one corner to the next. Placing another kiss upon Ruby's hand, Roberts releases it, then slowly removes his mask. "Even Dread Pirate Roberts removes his mask as well."

Ruby sighed. "You're definitely cute. I can see why you want to hide your face." She grinned, then removed her own mask. "I can't say the same, though."

Roberts was riveted by her loveliness, his eyes memorizing her features in order to immortalize her upon a page of his sketch pad. "I can see why you hid your features as well. You are stunning and exquisite; your outward beauty matches your inner beauty." Roberts giving a warm, genuine smile. "I feel most fortunate that you had a mask on, otherwise I would have had to fight off a few men wanting to dance with you, and I not been able to be your dance partner."

Ruby laughed. "Thank you for your kind words, but I would be doing somersaults or sitting at a table by myself if it weren't for you, mask or no mask." She put her elbow on the table and rested her cheek on her fist. "So why are you here alone?"

"I-technically didn't come here alone. I brought my two friends with me, as I felt they needed to come and have a little bit of fun as well. We went through a bit of a rough time before we came to Empok Nor." Roberts picking up his lemon ice, and taking a bite of it. "Why are you here alone?" turning her question back to her.

Ruby nodded. "Yes. Sometimes letting your hair down is just the stress relief you need. Me, I'm having some fun before I go to my new assignment." She took another sip of her drink. "I hope you're having fun here."

"I most certainly am having a great time, all thanks to you. " Roberts responded, "You've helped boost my flagging spirits, including this club. Good Medicine and good stress relief." another sip of his lemon ice that was melting a bit more. He then placed his right elbow upon the table supporting his chin upon his closed fist. "Tell me, would it be too nosey to ask what assignment you are going to?"

She shook her head. At this point, Ruby figured they were becoming friends, so she didn't mind telling him. "I'm going to the Valiant. What about you?"

"The Valiant." he mused. "I don't think I've heard of the ship before. Then again there are quite a few ships out there in the galaxies. I am from the Pioneer, and another revelation, my name is Edmund Merrick. I am part of the Cure , and part of the command team of the Marines there. What is your name?"

"I've heard of the Pioneer. Not much, but the name is familiar." She smiled. "I'm Ruby. Ruby Rojas. I'll be the assistant chief operations officer. I don't know much about the Valiant myself, but I'll find out tomorrow when I check in."

"A pleasure to meet you, Ruby." a delighted smile from Edmund at having found out her name. He was curious about the Valiant, but since she didn't know much about it either, he will find out more sometime later. He would love to find out more about Ruby, however Edmund didn't want to sound like he was putting her through an interrogation either. And he was realizing that the hour was getting late. Another drink of his lemon ice, lowering the almost empty glass. "So many questions I could ask to get to know you better, what your likes and dislikes were. Just that, I do need to get going. I feel you are someone who I would like to talk to until the sun rises."

Ruby just nodded her head. She liked Edmund. He was fun, and she, too, wanted to get to know him better. But he probably had to get back to his ship. "Thank you. For dancing with me. For being nice."

"You are very welcome and thank you for dancing with me as well." he drew in a breath and let it out slowly. "If you wish to keep in contact, get in touch with me via the Pioneer." He finished off the rest of his lemon ice. "Would you like me to escort you somewhere?"

"Sure. I have a room on the station." She liked that he was a gentleman. "It would be nice to not walk out of here alone." Which was what she'd expected, but it would be nice to have an escort from her new friend. "And you can reach me on the Valiant. I like making new friends."

Rising up from the table, Edmund offered his arm to Ruby. "My dear lady, shall we leave? And I too like making new friends." giving a smile. "We do need to keep in touch, who knows, we may end up crossing paths at some point in time."

Ruby bounced on her feet and grinned before taking his arm. "Yes. Yes we do." He was sweet and a perfect gentleman. If they were on the ship, she'd probably develop a crush on him. Or they'd just end up friends. She decided that being friends was probably the better option anyway. It lasted longer.

Making a path towards the exit, they stepped outside of the club, Edmund looking back towards the inside. "Never Winter, I would say it has a little bit of magic." smiling at Ruby while they walked towards her room on Empok Nor. Edmund had a great deal of food for thought. And he also felt he needed to talk with Zhara at some point, as to this night.


OFF

Captain Edmund Merrick
XO of The Cure
USS Pioneer.
(Written by Lieutenant Amy Gordon)

&

Lieutenant JG Ruby Rojas
Assistant Chief Operations Officer
USS Valiant

 

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