A Walk in the (Artificial) Moonlight - Part 2

Posted on 10 Mar 2017 @ 1:30am by Lieutenant Commander Alexei Joran & Chief Petty Officer Bianca Donati
Edited on on 10 Mar 2017 @ 1:49am

1,105 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Errand of Mercy
Location: Gardens
Timeline: Current - ED 5 - Evening - Immediately after A Walk in the (Artificial) Moonlight (Part 1)

ON:

OLD:
"It's lovely. Does it come in other colors?"

"I think it does," Alexei said. "I've seen one that's red on the outside and white down in the bowl. I don't know about other colors. I'm more familiar with flora from Russia."

"Interesting" came the quiet comments from the Marine. Her mind spun, as she gazed at the multitude of plants

"They do have quite an assortment of plant life here..." he said as he gazed around the area. "Some I recognize from Russia."

"It is lovely. Which ones are Russian?"

NEW:
Pointing to a group of yellow and white flowers, he said "These are Matricaria Recutita, better known as Camomile." Then, pointing in succession, he added "And these are Rhizomatous Perennial, Crocus, and Arnica Montana."

Briefly she was impressed by his knowledge. "Any function besides their beauty and their scent?"

Alexei thought for a moment. "Well, as do all living plants, they take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen which we need to live," he answered."That's why it's especially nice to have gardens and arboretums aboard starships. They help to replenish the oxygen supply along with the oxygen generators."

Bianca giggled and shook her head, "I understand the basic science of course...I meant traditional ones. "

"Oh, okay..." Alexei said. "Well, for instance Chamomile has excellent relaxation capabilities and some flowers' scents are used in the manufacture of perfumes while other flowers are used for cosmetics and such.

"Interesting. Do you enjoy it's taste?"

He thought for a moment before answering her. "I haven't really tasted any flowers although I hear that there are many that are edible. My grandmother used to make something she called rose petal jelly and I have to say that I didn't like that very much. Didn't go with peanut butter at all..."

"I shall have to make a note to find out more. That intrigues me."

"What intrigues you? Rose Petal jelly or mixing it with peanut butter?" he asked, curious as to what she was thinking.

"The idea of other species edible plants. I should like to try them."

"But keep in mind that some plants, while edible for other specie, could possibly sicken or even kill humans," he said. "You might want to do some research before sampling."

"I am not a human but I will take that under advisement."

"I'm only half human," Alexei said. "I simply meant humanoid. I mean, I'm sure there are things that a Gorn could eat that we could not."

Bianca could only nod. She knew that it was likely that he was correct. She did not want to have GI issues.

Have you seen the waterfall and the grotto?" he asked. He had not seen it either but he had heard about it. Seems there was a place behind the waterfall where people could go for a bit of quiet relaxation.

"Having previously mentioned that I have never seen the gardens...you should assume not."

Having forgotten that she had said previously that she had not seen the gardens, Alexei mentally chastised himself. 'Smooth move, brainless wonder...' he thought. To her he simply said "Oh yeah--I forgot about that." As he turned hopefully in the right direction, he reached for her hand to lead her, hoping she would take it but not knowing for sure.

She shrugged and reached out her hand to slide into his. It couldn't be so bad to let him lead her into the unknown.

As he led her down the path, he could hear the faint sounds of the waterfall. "I think it's over this way," he said as he turned off the main path and followed the sound. In just a minute or two they reached the area he was looking for. It was only a small fall about fifteen feet high and a pool of water about thirty feet across with a little alcove behind the falls. There was a bench there and he led her over to it and said "Why don't we sit a while and enjoy the peacefulness of the falls?"

Bianca leaned in to brush the spray of the waterfall with her fingertips, delight and wonder etched on her face.

"Nice, huh...?" he said as he admired the view, both of the falls and pool as well as of her. "It can almost make you forget that you're on a starship and not some planet somewhere."

A soft sound of agreement emerged from her mouth.

As they sat together on the small bench, Alexei couldn't help but be mesmerized by her closeness. She was a stunningly beautiful woman, of that there was no doubt, and it was taking everything he could muster to resist leaning in and kissing her. But he was not sure of what her reaction would be.

Bianca was quietly calculating the possible outcomes of this encounter in her head. She knew he found her attractive and was likely looking for sexual gratification. While Bianca wasn't a virgin, she knew enough to know that she enjoyed bedroom activities. However, did she want to deal with the emotional mess of the day after?

He continued to look straight ahead at the waterfall while at the same time stealing glances at her when he thought she wasn't looking. Based on her body language he figured she was thinking about something. The question was--what? Even if he had been predisposed to--which he wasn't--he would not have been able to read her thoughts. So he did the most obvious thing. He asked.

"A credit for you thoughts...?"

"I am not certain they are worth that much. I am thinking of the possible outcomes of this evening."

"I see..." Alexei said slowly. "And what are you thinking are the possible outcomes?"

"Well there are several in various levels of probability. The first being that nothing happens, and you continue to pursue me. The second, we could end up in bed together. This tends to be messy, and I am not entirely certain that the act, pleasurable though it is is worth it. Three, nothing could come of it and you would not continue to pursue me. Four, we could become...friends and see each other socially

"Ask a straight question, you get a straight answer, I suppose..." he muttered, half to himself. To her he said "In that case I have to ask--which of those four choices would you opt for?"

"Inconclusive" her response was quiet as she looked at him, a half smile on her face.

To be continued...

OFF:

LtCommander Alexei Joran
Chief Engineer
USS Redemption

CPO Bianca Donati
Marine/Diplomatic Officer
USS Redemption

 

RSS Feed