Two of a Kind

Posted on Sat Aug 20th, 2016 @ 5:23pm by
Edited on on Sat Aug 20th, 2016 @ 5:24pm

Mission: Mission 2 - Contagion
Location: Lounge
Timeline: Previous Mission
1074 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Lysina had just finished on the bridge. Yes, they were docked, but communications still needed handled between the ship and the station. Lysina still had a duty to perform. The duty ended at 16:00. Now, she was headed to her quarters to relax for the evening. Maybe she'd sit back with a glass of wine and a book. Maybe a nice hot soak in a bubble bath. Whatever the means, Lysina was going to relax.

Erim, on the other hand, was bored. Very bored. Something about this ship seemed extremely boring to him and he was looking for someone to talk to. Anyone to talk to, really. But when he bumped into a beautiful woman in the hallway, he was pleasantly surprised. He recognized her immediately of course, the only other Bolian on the ship. She was in fact quite hard to miss. Literally, it seemed.

"Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going." he said, trying to brush it off, "I think we met at the bar? How are you?"

Lysina giggled at that. She didn't think at all, she knew. They had a nice chat; he seemed an interesting man. A man of multiple talents.

"Yes," she replied with a huge smile. "You are Erim. I'm doing well; just got done duty shift on the bridge. How are you, my fine blue friend?"

"Bluer than ever!" he said, returning her beaming grin, he meant it before when he said she could light up the room, "I was just going to see if I could procure some coffee. Would you care to join me? That is if you aren't busy?"

She enjoyed being with Erim. It was something more than being with one of her own kind. Erim had a certain charm in his ways. Secretly, she had hoped to run into him in the corridors.

Her smile brightened as she responded, "I would be happy to."

"Well I bet there is something approximating coffee in the mess..." he said, looking around for a moment to decide which way to go, "Which if I remember correctly, is this way."

Lysina latched onto Erim's elbow. "Lead the way," she replied. Her orange eyes were attentive to him. Her bright smile shone forth from the blue background of her face.

Erim felt queasy at Lysina's touch, but in the best possible way. He hadn't felt this way in years and he didn't want the moment to end. He thought how silly that was, but he didn't even care. She reminded him of a long lost girl from his childhood. Eleven years old with scraped knees and sneaking off into the woods together for hours and hours, catching bugs and sharing secrets. But this was a starship and they were sneaking off to the mess for coffee instead. Even her scent reminded him of home.

But then the moment ended and they got to the messhall. He broke free of her clutch as they entered the narrow door. The side entrance, which was always less crowded. There was no one there, save a sketchy looking Trill he didn't recognize.

"It's probably in the kitchen. I'm sure no one will mind if we help ourselves."

Lysina followed Erim into the kitchen area. She saw a Tellarite inside, who introduced herself as Nann and pointed in the direction of several coffee warmers. To her, the adventure of the past year was continuing. Although now, it was becoming pleasant and she no longer feared as much. She was beginning to be at ease with her new ship mates, especially Erim.

He opened a few cabinets and rifled through them, picking up various containers, peaking inside only to be disappointed. After a few minutes he finally came across a small metallic bag shoved in the back corner of a shelf. Inside was a black powder that smelled both spicy and pungent. Absolutely delicious to his Bolian sensibilities.

"This probably isn't coffee, but with any luck it's caffeinated." he said, walking over to a table covered in various appliances and devices. He found a french press, placed the black powder inside, and poured hot water from a nearby spicket into it.

"Did you grow up on Bolarus?" he asked as he waited for the substance to steep, searching the cupboard for cups.

"Yes," Lysina admitted. "a town not far from the Cliffs of Bole." Her eyes saddened, remembering she would see them no more. Or her family. "My father runs a restaurant there."

She turned to Erim and forced a smile. If there were anyone that understood her, it should be him. "How about you, Erim?"

"I grew up on Bolarus, but unfortunately I'm not exactly welcome there anymore." at least not until his treatment was considered successful. Which so far it hadn't been. He longed to see the countryside of his homeworld once more, but he knew it wasn't a realistic prospect. He was an outcast, even in his own family. His criminal predilections had caused so much harm that it seemed completely irreparable. "My parents were farmers, torva root. Not the most glamorous, but definitely tasty." his smile was gleaming as he remembered his childhood. Though tumultuous, he had many pleasant memories.

Lysina smiled as Erim smiled. Perhaps they wouldn't be able to go back home, but at least they could bring a small portion of home to each other with their memories. It was nice to have another Bolarian on the ship, especially one that was so handsome and sweet.

"We'll just have to be outcasts together," Lysina said with a warm smile.

Erim returned the smile but pulled away shyly. Who was this woman and what was she doing to him?

"Our 'coffee' is ready." he said, changing the topic and handing her a cup.

He took a sip and gagged. Then suddenly he enjoyed it.

"The initial taste is disgusting but then it's quite pleasant." Erim noted. "Just like real coffee."

Lysina took the cup, her hand pausing as it brushed against his. Her face turned a few shades darker blue as she added cream to her cup, then one spoon of sugar. Maybe that would tame the initial taste of the coffee.

"Thank you," she gratefully replied. She took a sip and considered how he described the flavor. "It's better with the cream."

::TRUNCATED

Lysina Chawat
Communications/Linguistics Specialist
SS Mary Rose
(PNPC Joss)

Erim Gleb
Thief
SS Mary Rose