Observations

Posted on Tue Feb 4th, 2020 @ 12:08am by Lieutenant Ainsley Shaw & Lieutenant Day Smith

1,950 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Aftermath and Downtime
Location: Starbase Promenade
Timeline: MD03

The beating of her heart was like a drum being hit by an overenthusiastic young kid in the back of a music class. It was starting to settle down now that she had been standing there, looking over the promenade from a couple of minutes. Maybe it was the people. The fact that she wasn't in control of them. Or the fact that it was difficult to predict what they would do next. Recent events also made her a little more apprehensive going through thick crowds like this. Despite that she had ventured out here, not really due to an inherent curiosity but as part of what she considered an extension of her therapy. If she wanted to be more like them, fit in with them, she should know what they behaved like.

Day took in a deep breath through her slightly opened mouth and looked as two men walked down the promenade below, hand in hand, as they browsed the various shops that lined the corridor. It was odd to see people have affection for each other to such an extent that they felt the need to hold hands. She looked down at her own hand, infested still with the Borg implants. She could barely bring herself to shaking someone's hand, let alone imagine holding someone's hand for an extended period of time.

The men walked out of sight and she laid her eyes on someone seated at a table alone, tablet in one hand, a steaming beverage in the other. The antennae on their heads didn't seem to focus on whatever they were reading, jumping around anxiously on their heads. Andorians were always a riddle to her, they were always giving up so many mixed signals. She wondered what they would be reading. Were they alone at the table by choice?

Her eyes drifted away as someone walked by, an arm full of flowers. A thick bouquet of colourful plants that undoubtedly smelled wonderful. She had a plant in her quarters, it didn't really do anything. It just sat there. From time to time she plucked its yellowing leaves. Every three days she watered it. She'd been able to keep it alive with the help of a special lamp built to emulate sunrise and sunset at the appropriate times during the life cycle on the ship. She used the light to wake up to, they had told her it was a natural way to manage her sleep cycle. Many mornings she lay awake in bed waiting for the light to come on as an indicator that she should get up. She could only see the back of the long-haired individual that carried the flowers, but she was sure that they'd be smiling. She tried to force a smile on her features herself. At the thought of their happiness, then at the thought of getting flowers. All that she accomplished was a strained grimace.

Ainsley bustled long with the crowd, consulting a PADD in her hand, even as she watched the shops she walked past and kept a weather eye out to avoid running into anyone. She caught site of one of Valiant's crew standing to one side, apparently taking in the crowd and the cook steered toward her.

"Why, Lieutenant Smith. Lovely to see you? Are you taking in the sites or waiting for someone?" Ainsley bubbled? Her blonde hair was tied back in a pony tail and she was wearing a simple jump suit and boots with a pack slung over her back.

Day's heart immediately started to race again as she turned and looked at the person that mentioned her name, "Oh. Hello. Miss Shaw." It took a moment for her to realise that the person that approached her was the ship's Chef. Day shook her head, "I'm not waiting for anyone. Just. Observing."

"Ooh?" Ainsley inquired, a smile playing across her lips. "Anyone interesting in particular, Lieutenant or are you just browsing?"

She caught site of a Gallamite dressed in a tight fitting jumper and her grin widened as she indicated the man as he passed. "Now he's fairly cute. And they're always good sports when you tell them that you can see what they're thinking."

Day frowned, "Nobody in particular," she looked at the Gallamite, who didn't seem to do anything to hide his transparent skull, "Intriguing. You can't actually see their thoughts any more than you can see people's tastes by inspecting their tongues."

"Is that a hobby, Lieutenant?" Ainsley queried with a playful tone. "Or perhaps you aren't looking for someone to spend your shore leave with?"

"I do not know these people, are you suggesting I simply walk up to someone and ask them to spend time with me?" Day looked around again, she wasn't sure if the Valiant's chef was pulling her leg or if she was legitimately trying to help her integrate better, "Is this something Starfleet personnel do normally?" In her previous posting there had been some people that would not return to the ship during the entirety of shore leave, she always wondered what they would've been doing during that time, "What am I expected to do during the time I spend with them?"

The chef took stock of Valiant's Operations officer for a few moments then said, "There is something to be said about spontaneity, Lieutenant." She said, maintaining her cheerful tone. "And in a fairly cosmopolitan atmosphere like this Star Base, I wouldn't doubt there are any number of individuals thinking the same thing about you. And yes, spending time with other beings is generally how we get to know them and broaden our own horizons. It's hard to fear, distrust, or hate...as a general rule...someone we've chatted with; shared a meal, or woken up next to after a playful romp around the bed chamber."

A passing gaggle of cadet/midshipmen goggled slightly at that and three actually giggled as Ainsley gave them a cool eyed once over then winked at them. More giggling ensued and as the youngsters drifted off, she commented, "Ahh to be younger again. We're more willing to ride that thrill of the unknown than to mistrust or misunderstand it."

Day shook her head, "I do not consider myself playful," they had of course spent time explaining the intricacies of romantic relationships to her during rehabilitation but she had never seen the need for it, "I have also never encountered someone that would like to explore that side of interpersonal relationships with me."

"Darlin," Ainsley said with a smile, "Sometimes we just have to look a little harder. You're pretty and exotic. You just have to be able to recognize the signs and be willing to put yourself out there. That comes with it's own dangers of course, but getting that personal touch down and can help us better understand who we are. And where we want to go."

Ainsley took a moment to look over the crowd and asked Day more pointedly. "So Lieutenant. Have you ever contemplated your type. Have you ever had someone strike you as very interesting and leaving you wanting to know more about them. Maybe even intimately?"

A deep frown formed on Day's features, "They told me that it is likely that I develop these feelings. They never specified much else. They told me I would know it when it happened." Then a shrug, "I guess it has not yet happened." She looked around the crowd and wondered if there were people that were looking at her in that same light, "They also said it is okay if it didn't happen, for some people it does not." She looked back at Ainsley, a slight twinkle of hope in her eye, "Maybe for me it will not happen." It seemed simpler that way.

The Chef made a disapproving noise and shook her head. "While that is all true, you're special Lt. Smith and need to try some things to know if you would or wouldn't like things. Just assuming things would be fore the best by not exploring them is denying yourself." Then she grinned, "And not nearly so much fun. I do have an idea, however, if you're open to suggestions?"

"I would be happy to follow any suggestions you might have in this field," Day didn't expect any harm would come to her in a simple social experiment, which is what she was going to be approaching this as.

"Excellent, Lieutenant!" Ainsley beamed at the brunette Operations officer. "May I call you Day?" Ainsley linked her arm through Smiths and got them moving into the stream. "I was just heading to a Spa and they always have openings! It'll be fun...and maybe Seela will be available. She's a whole bunch of fun!"

"You may," Day startled a bit at the sudden touch of Ainsley, "What can I expect in this spa?" She wasn't familiar with the concept and wondered what the chef had in store for her, "Is there food available there? I was looking to get something to eat before you came across me."

"Oh most definitely Yes!," Ainsley gushed as the two women made their way. "Chef Travak makes very tasty morsels we can lounge about in the sauna, take a mud bath, get massages. All sorts of pampering. Living aboard Valiant makes one feel the need for some relaxation, don't you think?"

"Not really." Day wasn't really overworked on the Valiant and she kind of liked the fact that it was a small vessel with few crewmembers on it to get used to. They entered the spa and she was immediately hit with the smells of various natural oils and soaps, "So, how does this work?"

"Vell dahlings," a sonorous, a highly pierced, tattoo'd and mohawked, very tall dark skinned humanoid woman said as she emerged from a doorway, "Ve start with checking you in. Good to see you again Ms. Ainsley," the woman proclaimed with a large smile. "A double today?"

Ainsley nodded and met Day's eye, "Lieutenant Day Smith, this is Organizer Shv'var."

Looking to the tall woman, the Valiant's chef said, "I don't think the Lieutenant has ever had the experience of a Spa, Shv'var. So, the works for both of us?"

"Delightedly so!," the woman boomed, her smile widening. She looked back and forth between the two women and asked, "Do you beings have a preference, gender-ly speaking, as to your masseurs today?" Winking her large black eye toward Ainsley, she said "Both Daveed and Yonnia are available, my dear."

Day looked over to Ainsley, then back to the woman. The whole thing was a bit overwhelming to her. She then realised that both of them were waiting for an answer from her, "Oh. I. ehm." A frown, she wasn't sure if it mattered to her. This was going to involve someone touching her for an extended period of time, "I think I would prefer a woman?" Nothing about her words or her tone of voice told them that she was certain of the choice she had just made.

Ainsley grinned and looked back to Shv'var, I think Daveed will be fine for me and Yonnia can see to our Lieutenant. I believe this is her first time being pampered so be gentle?"

Shv'var clucked and nodded, "Of course, of course." Turning to Day directly, Shv'var told her, "Now Lieutenant, if this is your first time I ask you to trust us. We won't do anything you're overly un-comfortable with...but do give us a chance."

Ainsley nodded and patted Smith's shoulder, "Let yourself go Lieutenant. It'll be an experience!"

 

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