USS Dark Fire (IC)

[The_Weeping_Angel]

“It wouldn’t be advised, you already have enough lead in your ass,” Yito said before she processed that it could be taken as an insult rather than the joke she intended.

Sighing, she stood slightly straighter, ready for the verbal barrage.

“I apologize for my words, and actions, the other day. I should have left the data padd here and not taken it to you during your off-duty hours. The resulting argument was my fault. I also should not have kissed you. It was an assault on your dignity and individuality. It won’t happen again.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

His eyebrows shot up. Back to normal, he supposed.

Araiza disposed of the bag and returned to the ensign, arms loosely crossed as he listened to her speak. He never quite knew what to do with his hands.

“It’s fine. I mean, I didn’t appreciate the rest of it. I don’t know how to drill into people that I honest to God wasn’t trying to be rude, but with my rep, well…” he shrugged. “But you were trying to do something helpful. I could’ve just stepped away earlier.”

All the apologies he was getting recently felt so peculiar. “I won’t say it’s okay, ‘cause I’m still not happy that it happened, but I do forgive you. I definitely could’ve been less…” What word had the counselor used previously? “Reactive.”

“And I’m trying to work on that, or at least in saving all that ‘til I’m not with someone else. I also know I started off really flirty, but I could’ve been more clear. It’s not your fault that I didn’t explain myself appropriately.”

“So I’ll do that now,” he offered. “I think you’re great, I’m flattered, but I don’t want to pursue something except friendship with you. It’s nothing that you did or anything, either. Is that cool?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

“Yes,” Yito replied. “I thought you wanted to at least have a casual hook-up with me but as that is not the case, I understand.”

“If you’re ready to return to duty I can leave so I don’t bother you.” Pausing for a moment she added. “But you do kiss better than a Ferengi, I think, but I shouldn’t have done that. I just thought that if we were going to die in this Galaxy, or the Wormhole, I wanted to know what it was like to kiss someone, and you’re the only one that showed interest in me. Even if it was just my misguided hope."​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

“Maybe it started that way, but I can confidently say I don’t anymore.”

Now he felt like a dick. Maybe he should be feeling that more often. “Well, the fact that others haven’t shown interest in you just means they’re out of their minds. Don’t give up hope, either. Hey, maybe there’s some Dark Fire speed dating night that we’re unaware of or something.”

Araiza inched towards some shelves, starting to gather a few wrenches he lacked in his quarters. “Nah, I’m gonna squeeze all the solo time I’m being granted. Who knows when I’ll get another one.”

“And seriously,” he grinned, “you’re a catch. Don’t let yourself be held back just ‘cause some primate didn’t go for it, alright?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

“Primates are uncivilized,” Yito replied. “And apparently I’m not that much of a catch.”

Staying where she was she watched him. Nobody else even tried talking to her. Most of the ones she worked with knew what she was. And dating a robot was out of the question. A few had even called her a talking sex doll, with less intellect.

“I’ll stay out of your way then.” She said watching him collect tools. He could probably build himself someone more compatible. She wouldn’t go back to the cafe either, seeing that atmosphere was depressing. “I’m avoiding the cafe and the red section, so you're safe if you want to go to them again. I won’t go into either location anymore.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

Ouch. Araiza felt the guilt creeping in. “Well, if you’re avoiding them for my sake, I don’t have a problem with you going in there. The Red Section lost its touch, anyway.”

“But assuming it’s not for my sake,” he carried on, inching backwards to the door, his eyes still fixed on the woman, “then I do hope you find some place you feel comfortable. I really would like to be your friend.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

“People aren’t friends with robots, no matter what we look like.” Yito replied. “As I do not require fresh made meals, or beverages, I’ve relegated myself to replicator food. The computer is more than capable of providing me with the nutrients I need. And I no longer find the locations comfortable, and I never saw the point of the red section before. It’s just alcoholics, prostitution, and illegal gambling. And the occasional assault/death.”

“As I said, I’ve never had lunch with anyone before. And based on my interactions with you, I see no reason with repeating the action.”

Looking up at him she kept her face as emotionless as possible. “I hope you find happiness, Lieutenant Araiza.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

He pressed his lips together, humming while he let her finish talking. Did the counselor do drop-bys? All he could offer was a nod in acknowledgement.

“Oookay…” he trailed off. Araiza wasn’t really sure what else he could say. Maybe he also needed to give her some time. “Well, I’ll see you around then.”

Unsure what else he could contribute, he turned on his heel and left the workshop, more tense than when he had first entered.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870606.1201

Reeves:​

He’d spent the rest of the morning doing reports and other paperwork. This was the boring times. The space between star systems that he found the most annoying. There was nothing to do except paperwork. Reading reports, writing reports that no one would ever read.

With all luck the Seja/Araiza problem was resolved. And there were no other complaints from anyone, including about the Captain.

He’d confirmed with Dark Fire that the Counselor would be going on lunch shortly, so he headed that way.

Stopping outside the door he tapped the doorbell and waited for her to allow him entrance. When he did, he noticed the mouse was gone. Had she moved it, or had it died? As he didn’t wish to upset her if it had died, he didn’t ask.

Gesturing to the more comfortable session chairs he said. “I’m here to answer your questions. L’Sa told me about yesterday.” He wasn’t angry or even upset. He and L’Sa had spoken of such a potential interaction on several occasions.​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

While the counselor knew her actions would be no secret, she felt queasy all over again. Some part of her felt guilty regardless, another felt impatient, and another realized the conversation she was so eager to have was unwanted after all.

With the typical formality she used with the man, she found it odd that he didn’t want to talk at her desk. “Okay,” she said, relocating.

She waited until he took a seat. “Are you alright?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870606.1205

Reeves:​

“I’m fine. I’m sure you have questions about a relationship with L’Sa and myself.” he said calmly trying to speak in the tone he used at home. It was hard being in uniform and outside the residence speaking about relationships.

“I’m assuming you’d find these more comfortable for this conversation.” he added. “Unless you’d prefer the desk.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

“No, these seats are fine.” She let out some air. “Listen, Jordan, I have a mountain’s worth of files to fill and sort through but enlongating any doubts is just going to make all parties uncomfortable so please, just tell me what you came to say.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870606.1210

Reeves:
“I’m here for you. As I’m sure L’Sa made things confusing and stressful about relationships. I have no doubts about this circumstance, other than if you are willing to also have a relationship with me?”

“If you don’t, it’s understandable. Relationships are complicated enough without adding another to the mix. But as long as YOU and L’Sa are comfortable, so am I.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

Xiana put her head in her hands, then pushed her hair out of her face, groaning. “It’s not you or her, it’s just, I’ve never done something like this. I don’t know if I’d be good for something like this. I value the two of you so much. You’re some of the closest people I hold dear on this goddamn ship. I don’t want to lose you.”

“I’m always going to be the odd one out, you know?” she said, eyes troubled. “You two have a decade of being together. You bonded. I mean, for God’s sake, you crossed a desert for her! That’s a bar I don’t think I can reach, nor is it one you’d reach for me.”

“I don’t care if it sounds like it’s too soon to bring up, but what about our futures? Do you know how sick I felt knowing you went on that short mission recently? And that was just in the relationship of a friend. L’Sa will see both of us die of old age if we’re lucky. Every other week we run the risk of seeing you die.”

She caught her breath. “And what if it fails, huh? Then I’ll have to remain here, constantly avoiding two people in both my workplace and my home, who would still be together because how couldn’t you? I’d be alone. Again.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870606.1215

Reeves:​

“And I worry every second of everyday that she’s be exposed to some virus or contagion or disease that will shred her apart on the biological scale. And that I’ll die and leave her alone. Leave her to walk for another hundred years alone without friends or companions.”

“It may not work out, but what if it does?” He shrugged softly. “What if everything works out? This ship is made of hopes and dreams and will exist long after L’Sa has died of old age.”

“This entire ship is full of people that give their hopes and dreams a chance. And yes sometimes they don’t work out, but sometimes if you care, they do.”

“But nothing comes easy. It’s always work and patience. It took time for me to Learn Vulcan so I could propose to her properly before her people. I was forced to fight a Vulcan I didn’t even know about just to speak those words to her. And I only crossed that desert because I had come to know her and love her the way that I do.”

“And you won’t be alone, because even if this doesn’t work out, I’m sure we’re all mature enough to be able to handle a little uncomfortable situation now and then.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

He had a point. Nothing worth it ever came easy or without struggle. She had always believed relationships were supposed to be easy, though. Had she been mistaken? Or had those relationships been not as serious as the one she was walking into? They surely were less complex.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” Xiana asked, eyes so fixed on the other person that she couldn’t blink. “Will you truly be okay with sharing the affections of your wife? Are you sure you want this with me? What would the ideal day in this scenario look like to you?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870606.1220

Reeves:

“The emotions of a Vulcan are vast and complicated and interesting. And there re more than enough to share. The big question is can you handle sleeping three to a bed? Can you handle me kissing L’Sa in front of you? Making love to her and you.”

“An Ideal day? One with excitement and energy and thrills. Because I hate being bored. But an average day? After work we eat and meditate or read, sometime if we’ve planned it we go to a holodeck and stay in a beachfront hotel, or hunt a Kryak dragon in the Desert Dunes. We’ve gone rock climbing. We’ve cuddled together before a fire on a Minnesota Winter night with marshmallows chocolate and graham crackers.. it’s Vulcan safe though she did get intoxicated and rather amorous off the marshmallows and chocolates.”

“But mostly we read or talk. We each cook one meal a week. But she’s not allowed to cook hamburger or hot dogs any more. But she does better than me with most other things. I tend to cook a steak or chicken on my nights, just so I don’t forget what a home cooked steak tastes like.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

“No darling, the big question is making sure you’re doing this because the feeling is mutual and not because it is convenient. Sex is one thing, dating is another. Please just promise I wouldn’t be wasting my time with you. Not L’Sa. You.”

The descriptions of the activities sounded pleasant, it was hard to argue otherwise. She’d do anything to shake off her hesitation. Yes, maybe it would be just fine. But what if it wasn’t?

Then again, what if it was?

“One last time… are you sure you want me to join you two?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870606.1225

Reeves:
“I’ve never been in a relationship with two women at once, yes I’ve had a three way. Several times. But even though her and I have discussed such a possibility, we’re open with each other about everything. It comes with being bonded. I’ve never thought it would happen. Just like I don’t think I’ll ever make Admiral, even though it could happen.”

“But I’d like to work at this, at us.” Standing up he walked over to her, holding out a hand.​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

She took a few seconds to stand, extending her own hand and shaking it. Quite a unique approach after discussing having a threeway, but she had certainly experienced worse.

“Okay, I’m in,” Xiana answered, letting go of his hand. “This might be the first time I’ve entered a relationship where the deal is sealed with a handshake.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870606.1230

Reeves:
“Well, I was planning on pulling you to your feet,” he said moving closer and resting his hand on her cheek. “And maybe being allowed to kiss you as well.”

“Unless it would be too weird for you.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

Whoops. She had completely missed the cue. “That makes more sense.”

Similar to the night before, she could feel her heartbeat in her head. It was as equally anxious, but slightly more excited. “Not at all.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870606.1230

Reeves:​

His face softened for a moment as he stepped into her bubble, his fingers sliding to caress the back of her neck as he leaned down and kissed her. It was no wonder L’Sa had done the same thing to her the night before, Jordan did it to her, so she’d copied the move.

Holding the kiss he just listened and felt her mood. Her emotions. He wasn’t as good at it as L’Sa and he needed to be in physical contact, and he’d never be able to read her mind, but at least he could feel how she felt.​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

Chills returning to her skin, she fluttered her eyes shut and brought her hands up to the sides of his face, trailing them from the corners of his jaw and up to his hair. She held them in place, maintaining a soft, delicate rhythm in the kiss.

Xiana felt similar to the previous day, after she and L’Sa had finished. Serenity. Calmness. Comfort. She wanted that feeling perpetually, with the two of them.

It wasn’t long before she withdrew slowly, seeking in the man’s blue eyes with her relaxed appearance. “I would like for you to do one more thing for me.”

Trading in the affection for humor, she patted the man’s chest twice before walking over to her desk. “Let me get back to work. The sooner I get my responsibilities done, the sooner I can join you two by the beach.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870606.1235

Reeves:​

“Very well, come to dinner tonight. And bring some clothes. Swimming. Sleeping. And for tomorrow’s work shift. Don’t want people noticing the lack of alternate clothes. It’s easier for me. All my clothes look the same.”

Stepping back, he moved towards the door. “I believe this will be good for all of us.” Giving her a nod he left and returned to his office, ordering food to be ready by the time he got there.​