The Beach

Posted on Thu May 13th, 2021 @ 3:50am by Nollel Livaam (*) & Chief Engineer Michael Burnstein

Mission: Mission 13: Stowaway
Location: Freecloud
Timeline: MD -13 23:00
1226 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Nollel sighed happily as they strode along the snowy path and stopped at the observation path. She squeezed the man's hand and moved to sit on the bench to watch the Perfume Sea spill into the ocean.

“Thank you for this evening. It has been wonderful.” It had been wonderful from the hot chocolate bar to wandering around the markets to find the perfect fireworks. She had learnt so much about Freecloud. It was more than wonderful but she was not sure what else she could use to describe just how happy her heart was despite the chill that was around them. It was a truly spectacular setting, covered in snow and ice ninety per cent of the time and Nollel could not help but feel lucky to be there.

"Thank you. This has been wonderful," he said settling beside her. It was cold, but not much worse than New York in mid-winter, and the snow and the water were dazzling in the moons light. As was Nollel. He smiled at the wonder in her expression, the happiness in the moment. "The view here is really amazing."

"Can really see why freeclouders do not leave normally and why they do what they do." She admitted with a bit of a smile at the ocean before looking at the man again. "If I did not have a home I would look at this place as somewhere to go." She admitted with a nod. She could do art and enjoy the rest of her life there easily.

It would be nice, someday when port hopping on Rosie wasn't a fit anymore, either because he got too old or Rosie did. "A lot of merchant crew retire here," Burnie mused. "We could look at a few of the cohabs - I know some of them are art focused, but I figure any of them could use an engineer. Or the militia could; tons of weapons development done here." He stopped mid-daydream, realizing he was projecting a future waayy beyond anything they'd discussed, let alone that she'd agreed to. "...of course, that would be a lot of years in the future."

Nollel looked at him aghast for a moment as he stunned her with his thoughts before she grinned and nudge him. “And you say you do not know how to woo a girl.” She laughed trying to avoid any awkwardness but it was nearly impossible with what she said.

"Just, you know, daydreaming," Burnie chuckled, if a little nervously.

“You know something we have never discussed our future.” She ventured finally.

"Yeah... That's my fault, I guess." He pulled at the back of his neck a moment. "But you know why now and by some miracle you haven't decided to run," he half-joked. "Having a life with you in it is a future I'd like to dream about, but..." The engineer paused, looking out at the water pouring into the sea. He could formulate how to calculate the force, velocity, volume of water per minute. Formulating what to say, how to express what he felt... that was an equation that always stymied him. "You know how you felt ...uncertain... knowing I had lost someone I loved? I sort of feel like that knowing you haven't been with anyone else, haven't seen so much of what's out here for you. I..." he looked down. "I don't want to lose you, but I also don't want to hold you back."

Nollel laughed softly and pressed her lips against his cold cheek and shook her head. “Not your fault and not mine just one of those things.” She whispered hoping he could hear her over the dull roar of the ocean. She pulled back just a little to turn and look at him properly. “Some people find the one and that is it.” She said simply. “Michael you have never held me back from anything, nor to I think you will in the future.”

The idea that she thought he was 'the one' for her was thrilling ....and a little terrifying. "I never will if I can help it all," he said sincerely. "I just want to make you happy."

"Me too." She kissed his cheek before letting the comfortable silence descend of them for a long moment as they processed what had been said. It was quiet and Nollel enjoyed the sound of silence more than she expected before a loud bang and sudden lights lit up the nights sky illuminating everything. "Fire works." She grinned.

"Ooo!" Burnie grinned back at her and wrapped an arm around her before looking back up to appreciate the show. Fireworks in snow always caught the light in different ways, diffracting and holding their glow longer than on a clear summer evening. Fireworks, Nollel beside him - despite the cold, he was filled with warmth. "Those are some good ones - that's a rainbow nebula. Those are illegal a lot of other places..."

Nollel said nothing for a moment as she wondered if it was midnight on New Year’s Eve but then realised it was likely just a practice as the sky returned to its darkness. She was worried she had lost track of a day and had forgotten the traditional gift you got people as the year changed. “Isn’t that the one you got?” She indicated to the package at his feet with a smirk. “Or was it the Andorian crossette?”

"Actually..." Burnie ducked his head a little. "I got both of them. Can't have too many fireworks," he explained, looking back up at her with a mischievous grin. "Plus, getting a bunch of them helps to hide the illegal ones."

"I am pretty sure here nothing is off-limits even before Romulus was destroyed they respected everything here." Nollel reminded grinning back at him. She loved that he loved fireworks and anything that went bang, it was something exciting and charming at the same time. "Or are you trying to hide them from Gregnol?" She wondered teasing just a little.

"...Um..." Actually, yes, but he didn't necessarily want to put Nollel in a position where she might have to deny knowing that. "Can I take the 5th?

Nollel laughed as more fireworks lit up the nights sky for a second before settling back down. "I do not know what the 5th is so go for it." She grinned wickedly thinking teasing him was one of the few things only she got to do and see him looking flustered.

Burnie pursed his lips and tipped his head side to side as though weighing am idea. "Probably best if you don't. Plausible deniability." He gave her a wink and laughed. "I do want to put on a fireworks show outside the ship sometime. As stunning as these are, seeing them against the pitch black of space takes it up a whole other level."

Nollel just laughed. He wanted to protect her which was adorable. “Well you name the date and time and I’ll bring snacks.” She assured thinking it was a good compromise.

"Deal." Burnie grinned and squeezed the arm around her in a one-armed hug. If he picked the right moment, he was sure he could get Gregnol to go along with a little fireworks display - as long as it was far enough from ship.