Dance In The Garden

Posted on Wed Jun 14th, 2023 @ 3:02pm by Ka'see 'Cassie' Anderson (*) & Executive Officer Jake Ford

Mission: Fractures
Location: Hysperia
1574 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

They had not had much alone time since the mind meld so it was nice to just have a moment together without other people offering comments or sly grins. The dress she wore was the sorceress dress minus the belt for her staff with heels instead of boots and with a dark purple mask over her face that covered her expression for the most part as they weaved through the crowds.

“So does this make us kind of official?” Cassie asked as she took the offered hand from Jake to safely maneuver the marble stairs as they walked outside for a moment of fresh air. It was packed inside and had been so much fun so far but she needed a moment with some fresh air and no one bumping against her.

Moving his hand from hers to her waist, he guided her to an open space, not entirely away from the masquerade but enough so that she would have some freedom of movement. "If you ask me, that ship sailed a long time ago," he said. His eyes looked odd, peering down at her behind a simple black eyemask with minimal added design to it. With that said, he'd made sure Delaney had delivered a costume that made him look something not entirely unlike a prince from one of the old Disney movies. "Besides, we agreed before that it doesn't matter what other people think..." he pulled her close and kissed her gently on the lips. "Just that we figure things out for ourselves."

Cassie was not so sure that the ship had sailed but it did make her feel something in the pit of her stomach that felt nice and comforting that he felt like that. She leaned up and stroked a thumb along his jaw trying to not be distracted by how good he looked dressed up like that. "Well I do not know some of the smiles and glances back there made it pretty obvious that not everyone was fully aware." She commented before his kiss cut off her argument. "I know but still..." She let the thought drift off.

"With everything that's happened over the last few months, I feel like I'm more convinced of this than anything else," he said. "But I don't think tonight is really about getting into that deep a conversation. It's about having fun, right?"

“Deep and meaningful always has a place but completely for fun.” Cassie teased leaning up to wipe the lip stick from his own lips. “Not your colour.” It was a shocking pink that stood out compared to the all black that she wore.

"Definitely looks better on you," he agreed. "Feels like Reuben is going to be calling time on our stay here soon. In some ways, it's been good to take a moment to pause. On the other hand, I think I might have had my fair share of parties and celebrations and festivals. Seems like they don't need much of an excuse on a planet like this one."

"Well, what happens when you get comfortable somewhere." She commented with a glance around at the opulence of the building and surrounding gardens. The Hysperians for all the old-fashioned put on an amazing show. "I cannot say I have had my fill of the place yet going back to Earth but I think I will be happy to get back to some normality. I do not feel like we have had that in while. We have been existing in a bubble."

"That's what it feels like," he agreed. "Like I said, sometimes you need that. But I think I'm ready to get back to work." He paused, glancing back through towards the larger gathering. "If this is our last couple of days on Hysperia...how about one more dance?" he suggested. "I'm not sure I'll get the chance to see you look this good again for a little while," he added, indicating the stunning dress she was wearing.

“What you mean I don’t look good all the time?” She demanded before laughing in a very unlike her way before she held out both her hands to him and tugged him towards her.

"Hey, I could try to convince Reuben to change the crew's dress code," he chuckled. "Maybe we can insist on a uniform that requires even less material..." he added with a wink.

"I am sure going into Jefferies tubes and the inner workings of the ship my body would not appreciate the cuts and bruises that would cause." The woman replied dryly even if the grin on her face assured him that she was grinning at him. "It would only be fair if everyone went around in that kind of uniform."

"Oh I could never do it quite as much justice as the woman standing in front of me," he gushed, moving with her to the music. "Maybe we'll have to organise another dance on the ship sometime. Lots of space in the cargo decks now we're not having to live in them. Remember all those fine clothing we found that the Collector just abandoned there? Maybe something will fit."

"Sappy not at all like you." The woman smiled resting her head against his shoulder. The music was distant but perfect standing there in the gardens without a care in the world as they moved in time to the music. "I had forgotten all about the collector." She admitted thoughtfully. It was hard when he was continued threat and oozed from every part of the ship thanks to the automation.

"I can't believe we still haven't catalogued everything he left behind. Imagine there must be all sorts of things left over in those cargo bays that nobody knows is there. Eventually we'll get someone brave enough to make sense of it all." He smiled. "Don't worry, I promise I won't volunteer you."

Cassie gave him a small smile before she opened her mouth to admit something. "I use to catalogue in there as a hobby." It had given her something to focus on when she had been feeling down over the state of her life or when things had gone wrong and she needed somewhere to hide. "I have tried but it very much needs more than one Vulcan-human hybrid trying to escape from life."

"Hopefully you don't have anything you need to escape from now." He smiled. "You've got Maras. And me."

“I have not seen to since before we drifted other than when you snore.” she teased him just a little as he span her away as they swayed to the distance music. It was lovely just to spend some time together but she could not help but agree she wanted to get back to business soon. Hysperia was making her complacent to emotions that were unexpected but it was nice, she was just not sure how to process the simplicity of feeling settled.

"We'll have you back out among the stars soon," he promised. "Did Maras say whether she was staying on for a while?"

"Good, I miss the view of the stars. Not been on a planet so long since I was on Vulcan with Tevir." Cassie leant up and kissed his chin softly before settling to swaying again as she thought about Maras. "I think she will. She needs to decide her future and what she wants. She needs time to heal." It was a sad situation with her bond mate and then her grandfather so it made sense her approach to wanting a new start.

"Don't we all, in our own ways," he agreed, matching her gentle movements. "And she'll need you for that process. And, if you both need me, I'll be around somewhere. Probably putting my foot in it or creating some new problems for us to overcome," he added with a grin.

She smiled back at his grin, his emotion was infectious. She had always tried to be Vulcan but maybe the human side was where she needed to go to find more of herself. “I know. One of the many reasons I brought her home with me. I know what it is like to loose a bond mate and her grandfather.” She said softly.

There was nothing but sadness and grief where Tevir was concerned. He had been a good man but time and situation had taken her away from the potential life but she did not dwell too much on it as the man had lived a long and happy life. She could not mourn that only the potential of what if. “I need you.” The last couple of months had proven just how much she needed the man. “But maybe could we keep the trouble to the minimum for a little bit?” She asked.

"You know I don't like to make promises I can't keep," he said, knowing deep down that the nature of their ship and crew meant that staying out of trouble was highly unlikely. "But I can promise that I'll do my best to be by your side through the worst of it. Or even right in front of you, if need be."

“All I need.” She said simply. She leaned up and kissed him gently. “I make that promise straight back Jake. Me and you.”

Was she really promising him that? Where had that come from? She did not know but it felt right. For once saying that felt right.