Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Solomon Kane (Tactical / Medical) in CMO’s Quarters - After Show Drink (Cont’d)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade T’Aria (CMO) in CMO’s Quarters - After Show Drink (Cont’d)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Solomon Kane (Tactical / Medical) in CMO’s Quarters - After Show Drink (Cont’d)
Posted by… suppressed (18) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Kane looked at her for a few long moments and then said “Scientific purpose. Yeah. Got it.” and he looked around as the room had begun to fill up. “Show must’a let out. Would you be interested in continuing this conversation somewhere else? I have a good bottle I save for special occasions, and I have some topics of conversation that would be better for fewer people around. I can run and grab it and meet you somewhere, if you’d like?” he asked. It was then he realized that his words may be taken in a way that he didn’t, at least consciously, intend and he added “You name the place, and I’ll meet you so we can talk. If you are up for it. I don’t sleep much, but with the show and all if you want to turn in…”

Kane, Tac / Med

“That is all right, Kane. Our conversation seems to be more productive than sleep would be,” She nodded. She did not often find herself sleeping, as it wasn’t a necessity for the young doctor. Although, her meditation was, but that seemed as if it could wait an hour or so. “I believe one of our quarters would be better suited for such an occasion. Unless you prefer to head to my office. Albeit, there would be a higher chance of interruption there.” T’Aria took things at face value, which sometimes acted in the favour of the situation.. Much like it just did. She did not read into his words, nor assume much by them, considering the event as it was stated, not as what the imagination could create.

Dr. T’Aria

Kane nodded. “I have a roommate, so your place it is. I’ll meet you there in, say, 15 minutes.” and he stood and picked up both of their plates and cleared the table. Looking at her he said “See ya then?”

Kane, Tac / Med

“Indeed,” T’Aria rose to her feet, straightening her clothes with a curt nod. Without another word, she turned on her heel and depated the lounge, heading to her quarters.

Dr. T’Aria

Kane watched her leave and then drained his drink and took the plates to the recycler. Walking out of the lounge, he made his way to the turbolift and then to his quarters. Walking in, he found his roommate busy organizing his side of the room. Kane had little use for the fastidious Science JO, and most of the time they simply ignored each other. As Kane went to a drawer and retrieved a bottle that was covered by casual clothes, the Scientist said “You need to clean your side of the room. I’d expect a doctor to be more clean and organized.” It was true that Kane’s side of their shared space was a disheveled mess. Random pieces of clothing and various PaDD’s and things lay scattered across his bed and chest of drawers, and his uniform lay wadded up on the floor. But the slight derision in the word ‘doctor’ caught his attention. Looking at the Lieutenant JG, Kane said “Tell you what. I’ll put my title up against yours. And when the dust settles, I will put the training behind to use putting you back together. Deal?” His tone was deadpan and his look was predatory. The young Scientist swallowed hard, and then took a step back. Kane grinned. “I’m just messing with ya. I don’t have time for that.” and he lifted the bottle “Date.” and walked to the door. Turning around he said “But if you ever talk to me like that again? I’ll make sure no amount of medicine will help you. Got it? Good.” and he walked out the door. He walked briskly to the turbolift and took it to the deck T’Aria’s quarters were. Walking up to the door, the bottle surreptitiously hidden in his jacket, he hit the chime.

Kane, Tac / Med

T’Aria’s quarters were not nearly as disheveled as Kane’s. Then again, her over compulsive complex tended to make absolutely certain everything had its place, and saw to it residing there. In the time it had taken Kane to return to his quarters and retrieve that bottle, T’Aria had managed to return the myriads of PaDDs back to where they belonged. The doctor had little time on her hands, but when she did, she admittedly spent it finishing up mundane work. Boring, she knew, but it was ethical. Crossing the room, she stopped by a game of tridimensional chess, studying the move the computer had made hours prior. Picking up the equivalent of a knight, she deliberately placed it in front of the computer’s rook, on the second tier of the game. “Your move, computer.”

Before the computer could respond, the sound of her chime had caught her attention. Straightening her posture, she found her way to the door, opening it. Pleased to find it was Kane, she stepped to the side, hospitalbly gesturing for Solomon to come inside. “Hello; please, come in.”

Dr. T’Aria

Kane stepped in and let the door close, and then reached into the jacket and pulled forth a green glass bottle with a dark liquid inside. “I couldn’t grab glasses. They clink too much, and I didn’t want people seeing me walk to your door with a bottle of booze.” and he looked around. “Nice digs.” he said as his gaze fell across the room and then to the chess. He looked at her and said “You play for distraction or exercise? Trust me, I know better than to ask if you play for fun.” and smiled a bit. It was a teasing statement, but he was a bit unsure if she would catch that.

Kane, Tac / Med

“Not to worry, I have glasses which might suffice. Although, I must warn you, they are not exactly traditional human glassware.” Listening as the doors hissed shut, she turned her attention to Kane.

Her quarters were not nearly as dull as one might have expected them to be. In fact, they were quite exotic in their interior. Vulcan artifacts were amongst the most prominent addition to the medium-sized residence. Upon a shelf, situated just above a slim couch, suited to the compact size of its surroundings, several small, intricately designed pieces of pottery stood erect, their colourful faces appearing almost Aztec in nature, but the evident designs across their bodies gave way to their true origin. Situated just beside the couch, laying somewhat haphazardly albeit still orderly, was a small, folded wooden chair, a slim lyre leaning against its back. Beyond the living room, her sleeping area was decorated accordingly. Red, the prominent colour of her clan, seemed the trademark hue. A single, oval shaped pillow lay atop a thin, ragged blanket, apparently woven from a harsh fabric. And upon the nightstand, more diminutive artifacts found a home, just before a picture of a stoic couple, their hair tainted slightly grey in the auburns and reds of their hair. They bore no readable expression, but their eyes seemed to hold some sense of.. Adoration, perhaps.

“You may have a seat wherever you wish,” T’Aria hummed, glancing over at the tridimensional chess set. “Both, I suppose.” She caught his razzing, but gave only a quirked eyebrow in response.

Dr. T’Aria
CMO

Kane nodded once and walked towards the couch. “Hell, doll. I don’t typically use a glass anyway, so anything is better than what I am used to, I suppose.” he said as he walked, stopping and looking at the game as he did. His eyes darted back and forth for a few seconds, and then a single soft ‘heh’ sounded from his throat. He then took a seat on the couch and, grasping the bottle neck with one hand and the stopper with the other, twisted and pulled in a single deft motion and the bottle opened with a soft popping sound. He looked up at T’Aria and, gesturing to her with the bottle, said “Ready when you are, doll.”

Kane, Tac / Med

‘Doll’ was a new one, but not entirely revolting. She had never heard such a term before, unless speaking of a miniature, humanoid toy, which she found females of various species had an odd obsession with. Muttering a soft phrase of consideration, she ducked beneath her desk, pulling out a pair of stained glasses, each bearing otherworldly designs. Closing the cupboard, she rose to her feet, sauntering over to the couch, where she placed the apparently delicate albeit truly durable glasses. “Stained glass, from my homeworld. My father was quite the artist, he believed it was the greatest method of meditation. Thus, for my departure to the Academy, he gave me these, an expression of affection.” Quietly, she sat down beside him. “It is the closest action to a hug one might ever receive from a Vulcan,” despite her stoicism, her eyes seemed to glimmer when she spoke of her father.

Dr. T’Aria
CMO

Kane picked up one of the glasses and looked at it closely. “Wow. That’s beautiful. He does good work. And you can tell he put some thought and care into it. And look at it like this: it’s a hug that you can any time, no matter where you are; right?” and he then poured a quarter of the glass full and handed it to T’Aria before doing the same for the other. He held his glass to her and looked directly at her. “To… whatever this may turn out to be, I guess.” he said softly.

Kane, Tac / Med

“He was a Craftsman, obvious in every creation he made, from the spinning of yard to the delicacy of blown glass,” T’Aria agreed, her voice assuming a solemn undertone. Reaching over, she retrieved the glass, nodding discreetly to him in gratitude. “A positive outlook, Kane.” She agreed, considering his suggestion. Glancing down at the liquid which only partially filled the slim glasses, she brought it forth, tilting it to him. “To the unknown,” She returned, gently.

T’Aria

Kane gently tapped his glass to hers and said “Bourbon. Earth drink. But this is from the firehouse back in New Detroit. I’ve had the Earth stuff, it’s ok. This I think is a bit more smooth. The guys make it with a blackberry and plum hybrid. But it’s not sweet. Hope you like it.” and he took a small drink. Leaning back, he looked at her and said “So I need to tell you something. But I’m not sure how to say it. It’s not anything bad, it’s just…” and he paused and shook his head and looked down at the floor for a moment. He then looked up and at her, and said “I want you to know that I haven’t had a lot of relationships. And damn sure not with my boss. That doesn’t bother me, though. I just don’t want to put you in an awkward position. Not in any way. And no matter what happens here…” and he pointed between the two of them, “… I will make damn sure it stays between us. I just don’t want you to think me being silent about it is me being embarrassed. ‘Cause I’m not. In any way. Hell, you are a smart and beautiful woman. Who would be embarrassed by that?”

Kane, Tac / Med

A Terran drink; T’Aria had not been exposed to many alcohols from the blue planet, but this seemed a good place to start. Taking a sip, she set the glass down and crossed her legs at her slim ankles. The bourbon lingered on her tongue longer than she had expected it to, its smooth taste adding to its flavour. “What is it then?” She inquired, softly. “We share that trait, Kane, and it is nothing to be concerned about. As humans say, we should take this as slow as we need.” A sense of understanding came across her, “Your confidence would beg to decline any embarrassment,” T’Aria nodded, getting where he was coming from. “Thank you,” She hummed, but it was hard to tell if she meant the compliment or the fact he was as concerned about putting her in an odd position, as she was, him. Though, anyone who knew her, would understand what she meant.

“I have a single question, though.” T’Aria fell quiet for a second, attempting to pull together the question in a logical manner. “Vulcans find difficulty in expressing affection, and when we do, it is much different than what humans might be used to. I do not wish for you to feel as if there is disdain or anything of the sort, for there will not be. Are you all right with this?” T’Aria knew there would be incredible cultural differences between them, but she hoped they could get through them.

Dr. T’Aria

Kane looked at her for a few quiet moments and then said “Well, I wasn’t sure about that myself. I know physiologically and genetically humans and Vulcans are… let’s just say ‘compatible’… in that arena. And you might have to explain to me what those expressions could be so I don’t misinterpret. Hell, doll. I didn’t expect this to be easy.” and he chuckled and mischievous twinkle danced in his eyes. “Didn’t expect you to be, either.” and he gave her a wink. “I’m okay with whatever we have to do to give us a shot.” and he cocked his head to the side, a strange appraising look coming over him. “I’ve never met anyone like you, T’Aria. And that’s a good thing, trust me.” and he took a drink.

Kane, Tac / Med

“As proven by several subjects in the recent past, yes. Although, I believe only a select few have survived to adulthood.. a medical anomaly, yes?” She questioned, the doctor in her heart coming through. Brushing it away with a subtle flick of her wrist, she nodded to say she had caught his drift, knowing exactly what he meant rather than how it came across. While his eyes danced with the mischief few would know, T’Aria’s seemed to almost smile at the possibility of their future. Almost. “I do not believe anything has ever come simply to either of us, Kane; I would not expect such a trend to begin with this.” She subtly gestured with her head, to them. “The same can be said for you, as well. May it be a good thing.” Her words could have been teasing if not for that stoic expression.

Dr. T’Aria

Kane smiled and shook his head, his hair falling across his face as was his norm. “Well, I’m tenacious when I see something I want. And I don’t back down from a fight, I’m sure you may have figured that out by now.” and he took a drink. “We’ll take this at your pace. I’m the one who rushes into crap all the time. So with…us…” and his voice trailed off as a small smile formed. He liked the way that sounded, out loud, not couched in hyperbolic terms and side comments dancing around the fact that they were slowly becoming an ‘us’. “With us, you set the pace. I’m not gonna push you or expect anything other than what you are comfortable giving me. All I ask is for you. In private. Like this.” and he gestured around. “Whenever we can. I know our job is gonna keep us busy, that’s fine. It is what it is. But I don’t want us to miss any opportunities to spend time together. That work for you?”

Kane, Tac / Med

“Your tenacity is part of the reason you make such a competent doctor,” T’Aria observed, recalling the surgery a few weeks prior; tenacity had played an incredible role in that procedure, if only the outcome had been far more prosperous than they received. The sound ‘us’ met her ears in its soft presence, there was no need to comment, no need to make the word anymore known to the world, for she assumed it had been said clear enough for them to hear. And they,in this moment, were the only two people who mattered, in their tiny world, in their small corner of nowhere, amidst millions of others just like their own, yet strikingly different. “Fortunately, we work in the same department, thus we can spend time together, even if busied by our tedious jobs. Although, the similarities in our professions do make it easier for us to find the time, as our duty shifts run near the same.” T’Aria quirked a brow at her own useless rambling, assuming he already knew this. “I suppose I was intending to say: yes, that can be arranged.”

Dr. T’Aria

Kane looked into her eyes and smiled. “Well, you do make the schedule.” and he blinked and looked away. He sat the glass down on the table and turned back. “Thanks. It’s good to just hear you say it.” and he looked away slightly and quickly, but not before a small amount of redness could be seen across his cheeks. He cleared his throat a bit and then took a breath and turned back to look at her. The redness faded quickly, but it was noticeable. “I don’t scare, and I don’t get nervous about stuff. At all. Never have… until just now. I don’t know what it is about you but whenever I look at you, I mean really look at you, I… i dunno. I just get…” and he let his voice trail off as he searched for the right words.

Kane

Was it fluster? The plaguing red dusted across his cheeks begged it to be. Was it embarrassment? The skittishness of his gaze dare tell such a truth. Whatever it was, it rested secure against his skin, a noticeable scarlet in contrast to the paleness of his features. She had not thought to take a moment to appreciate his traits, merely writing them off as she would anyone else. But as she tried to decipher what had caused his prominent blush was, she subconsciously found herself taking a closer look into his broad figure. Messy hair, the same golden brown as his ‘clean-cut’ beard, bore a greater significance to the almost animalistic appearance of his faint scarring and eye-catching tattoos. To T’Aria, this nature was rugged and unpolished, but Kane pulled it off in a way leaving her without even the thought of those words. Sui generis, the only phrase that came to mind, the Latin words crisp, cultured.

Following his gaze, pale eyes did their damndest to keep up with his own. She did not speak, offering a softened look that spoke greater volumes than she was capable of. She listened.

Dr. T’Aria

Kane struggled with himself for a few long moments. He was absolutely conflicted. He enjoyed her company, and that was fine. But there was something else, something… more. He couldn’t describe it, and it made him feel vulnerable. Every fiber of his being, every instinct he had beaten and burned into him over the course of his life told him he was in danger. But there was something else that said the danger was missing out on what was here.

He finally looked at her. His jaw muscles were working overtime as he clenched and unclenched his teeth. If anyone who had not been a part of their conversation up to this point was to look at him, they would probably think he was about to explode in anger. But then he said “You scare me. You make me think that I can… I dunno… be happy. Happy with you. That’s not a position I’m used to… at all.” and he picked up the glass and took a big drink. “I know you aren’t emotional… I mean, I know you don’t express emotion like I do.” and he smiled at her slightly. “Which is probably a good thing. Two of us acting like I do would probably blow up the ship.” and then the smile faded. “I just don’t want to overwhelm you. Or make you uncomfortable with me. Or… or make you think this is a mistake.” and he looked away and out the window for a long moment.

“Wow. Hell of a conversation for a first date, huh?” he said sarcastically, still looking out the window.

Kane, Tac / Med

There was conflict in him, she would be a fool not to see it. Although, she could not help but feel perplexed at why there was such a battle between himself. Kane had always been a man of great confidence, it was hard to imagine him any different. Then again, she had never seen him in a light so personal as she had this evening.

“We work for an operation where we are constantly placed into situations where we do not belong, or feel uncomfortable within. Somehow, generally out of perserverence and the will to succeed, we manage to get through them; in our case, to help those who are ailed or injured.” She began, doing her best to reassure him, when her emotional capacity made it nearly impossible. Although, contrary to popular belief, she did care. It was merely showing it, that would prove to he difficult. “If you can perservere through the discomfort of unforgiving predicaments, then I see no reason why we cannot work through this, together. It will be difficult, for both of us– neither accustomed to being in a relationship, albeit, perhaps that is all a part of the adventure, as they say.”

Tilting her head, her gaze focussed on him, rather than the window having caught his attention, she nodded. “Perhaps. Although, there is no specific agenda of conversation, for first date, correct?” She pointed out.

Dr. T’Aria
CMO

Kane turned and looked at her, his eyes more open and relaxed than most anyone had ever seen. “T’Aria, that’s the thing. I’m not uncomfortable around you. I don’t feel like I have to fight. And doll, I feel like I have to fight everyone.” and he turned to fully face her. “But not you. Not from the first moment I saw you in your office when I got here. You just made me feel… comfortable. And that’s something I don’t I’ve ever actually been.” and he cocked his head to the side slightly. “Does that make sense to you?”

Kane, Tac / Med

“I should.. hope,” The word tasted odd, an uncertainty for her use of it briefly plaguing her features, if even only the slightest furrow of her eyebrow gave it away. “Yes, hope, you never feel as if you have to fight me, Kane.” Falling silent, she found she did understand what he was saying, a rarity that had become more common, the longer she listened to him. “Affirmative,” She responded, out of habit, leaning to the cushion of the chair, until her back was properly alligned with it. “In all sincerity, your feeling is reciprocated. You are one of the few people that does not warrant the same external facade, as do the others.” She explained, briefly. “It must be peculiar, feeling at ease when you are accustomed to constantly feeling the urge to pull up a sheild or defend yourself against others.” She seemed to sympathize, in her own emotionless way. “Perhaps, in the future, that feeling will change and morph into something better.”

Dr. T’Aria

Kane watched her closely, listened to her as she spoke. He thought he could feel what she was saying more than actually hear it. He let he r words linger for a moment and then said “I think it is already, and that’s whats throwing me.” and he leaned in closer to her, but not too close, and said “But don’t worry, doll. I’ll be fine. As long as you are.” and then he grinned and said “And they don’t try and transfer you without me.” He suddenly released a great deal of tension, and he rolled his shoulders slightly to loosen his knotted up muscles.

“Wow. I don’t think I have said that much to anyone in years.” and he smiled a genuine smile. “I’m glad we are here, T’Aria. Can’t think of anywhere else I’d like to be.” and he picked up his mostly empty glass and held it to her. “Or anyone else I’d like to be with.”

Kane

“Command would be bold to transfer one of us, without the other.” T’Aria remarked, but she knew Command would do whatever they needed to as to maintain a starship with a full, efficient crew. Although, the Chernov seemed set for her medical department; Sickbay performing at peak efficiency, when not littered with Ensigns trying to get out of maintainance duties in Engineering.

T’Aria could sense the tension leaving his body in a wave of quick release, the thickness of the air slowly dissipating with it. Reaching over, she retrieved her glass, holding it gently between her fingers, as if it were a fragile artifact. “Nor can I,” She agreed. Kane would not be her first relationship, for she had once been betrothed to Soril, a Vulcan Scholar. However, Kane was the first person to ever elicit a spark within her, to ever make her feel something. She wasn’t certain what it was yet, as it remained hidden beneath the tempestuous waves of her emotional blockade. Yet in her ignorance to the truth of how she felt, she knew the feeling was pleasant, even if it bore no name.

“Thank you,” She began, without any context, at first. Glancing down at the glass in her hands, its base still filled with the tainted liquid, she continued. “You have already given me more in a single evening, than many have in the years I have known them.” Her gaze caught the chronometer, but the time made no difference to her. “As simple as logical prediction can be, I admit, I have little sense of where our relationship will lead. Although, it does seem to have a positive outcome, at some point in the future.”

“It is quite late for most humans, you are more than welcome to stay here for as long as you want, or I could walk with you back to your quarters, should you wish to turn in for the evening.” She offered, knowing human sleep schedules to be a fragile thing.

T’Aria