Some explaining

Posted on Sun Oct 23rd, 2022 @ 6:18pm by Nollel Livaam (*) & Chief Engineer Michael Burnstein

Mission: Mission 16: Hysperia
Location: Senior officers quarters
Timeline: MD02
1439 words - 2.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Noelle was confused as she suddenly had the smell of smoke and sulphur surrounding her pleasant dream so much so she awoke with a start and looked around confused around her bedroom. She glanced at the clock, it was only after midnight but she noticed that the lights were on in the living area and the smell that had woken her up was coming from there. Was there a fire that the computer had not dejected? She grabbed up her communicator and stepped out there confused.

What?” She wondered as she took in Burnie stood there which was not strange, they spent most of their time together in one or the other quarters but it was odd for him to sneak in after she had gone to bed without letting her know. She wondered often if they should just share quarters instead of switching between them. “Are you okay?” She wondered blinking a little to wake up better.

Burnie blinked too, surprised he'd wakened her. The only reason he hadn't showered and changed first was that Leiddam had made it sound like she was worried. Apparently not. Which was fine. He hated to think she'd been afraid he'd gotten torched or something. "Yeah. Just had a little misadventure looking for dragons."

Nollel raised an eyebrow as she noticed his deer-in-headlight expression."From anyone else that would sound worrying or worst but you seem to be in one piece if not a bit smelly." She wiggled her nose finding the source of the smoke and sulphur smell that had woken her up.

"It was nothing - mama dragon had nested waaay outside the area on the map and got protective. But I wore my fireproof jacket, so all good." He flipped a brief thumbs up. "...other than getting arrested for disturbing a protected species, but that got cleared up once they checked the GPS from my comm. Not a big deal, but you're bound to hear some jokes about dating a jailbird, so that's why."

Nollel looked alarmed and rushed over putting down her communicator in her rush to look him over properly. She stroked her hands down his arms checking him over with her own eyes. She could tell him how foolish upsetting a mother dragon would be but it was Michael and the fact it was a dragon would have been foolish to anyone other than him. “I think we are past dating but I am sure there will be many jokes. I am glad you humoured me with that jacket.”

"It was a good suggestion for sure," he agreed. "In fact, I may join Liha in looking for a dragon scale jacket, though after what we heard at the police department I'm going to be extra careful to be sure the maker uses only naturally shed scales."

Nollel nodded and sat down on the sofa with a yawn as she still decided to try and think through what had happened with the dragons. “Her jacket is nice.” Nollel conceded thinking it might be a good option for the man seeing he could not stay out of trouble.

"I'll look for a different color though - she wouldn't be happy being twins with me," he chuckled, then decided it was probably best to get off the dragon misadventure subject. "So, how did your spa day go? Hopefully no fire involved?"

Nollel nodded. Matching clothing would only irate the woman but she could see him wearing a dark red one or somethigg no in a more autumnal themed colour. “Well my day was a lot more relaxing.” She assured. The massage had finally gotten the knot that had been in her next since the events on Holoworld. It had been hurting more and more recently making her toss and and turn whilst trying to sleep.

"I'm glad." He ran a hand along her shoulder and smiled at the lack of tension. "And I'm sorry I woke you when you were finally getting some decent sleep. I should probably let you get back to it. I need to shower and change anyway." He wrinkled his nose. "Much as I like fire, sulfur is not great smell."

“Could stay? You can go shower and we can watch a film and fall asleep?” Nollel offered quietly as she looked up at him. “Thank you for the spa day.” She added. It had been thoughtful and just what she had needed.

"Of course." Burnie smiled, surprised but very happy at the invitation. "I'm glad you enjoyed the spa day. No more deserves it more." He kissed her cheek, and then headed toward the bathroom. "I'll be back in minute."

Several actually minutes later, he returned, freshly washed and dressed in some of the pare clothes they each kept in one another's quarters, and settled onto the couch beside her.

“I sometimes do wonder why we have separate quarters still.” She said as leant over to grab a cardigan to wrap around herself as she realised the heat level in the quarters had dropped thanks to dry dock not having as much systems on whilst she had been lost in her thoughts.

"It does seem odd, especially after cuddling together in a tent while the ship was nearly shutdown." He looped an arm around her, looking at her directly. It was a big step, but one he, at least, was more than open to. In fact he'd been thinking about since their trip to earth. "Do you want to move in together?"

“I was thinking more as we’ve been together a year and practically living together anyway. I do miss the snugness of our tent not quite sure it is so easy to replicate .” She admitted and nodded. “I really do if you feel like you are ready for it.” Nollel knew they were two very different people with different hobbies and skills who somehow worked together.

"I am," he affirmed sincerely. He worried about his clutter and odd hours becoming a problem, but he could find workarounds. He'd once practically moved into an engineering lab as a ensign to keep his Academy roommate from contemplating murder. Not that it would come to that. Nollel had already dealt with worse stuck with him in that little tent. He flashed a quick grin. "Though anytime you want recreate the snugness of our tent I can always pitch one in the formal room and turn off the heat off."

“Or we could just go camping.” She told him giggling as she snuggled closer and leaned her head against his shoulder. She could not imagine anyone else she would rather share a room with. “So leads to the question of who’s quarters?”

"We both have senior staff quarters, so the size is about the same," he observed. "I could go either way."

Nollel glanced at him and shook her head. That was no help in the slightest.“Well okay who has the more comfortable bed?” She questioned just looking for silly things to decide when she did it mind either way herself. Maybe they could decide by Rock Paper Scissors.

Burnie laughed. "Any bed you're in with me is the most comfortable," he teased, leaning over to kiss her and grinning to show that he knew perfectly well he was adding to the comedy of indecision, or rather of wanting to let the other decide. "Honestly, until the last couple years on Rosie, I changed bunks so many times I can sleep nearly anywhere. Pick which bed you prefer. And pick which location - we can always move the bed."

“Fine you can help me move into yours. I at least know everything works in yours without hesitation or persuading.” Nollel declared taking the decision from him firmly. His quarters was more logical involved less moving and it did not have the strange swishing sound of water moving around the ship that hers did.

"Sounds like a plan," Burnie agreed with a smile, happy to have a decision to work to. "I'll get to work on moving my stuff to make room for yours." He stretched, cracking joints stiff after the day's adventures. "Tomorrow. Right now, I think nothing but another angry dragon would make me want to move."

“Maybe you need those massages tomorrow.” She teased a little as she heard the sounds of him popping joints. She pulled the controller towards her on the old fashioned screen to look for something to watch.

"Mmm, worth considering." Burnie relaxed into the cushions. "Though right now I'm content to enjoy a last night in your quarters."

Nollel just grinned and snuggled down. It was perfect.