Unpacking

Posted on Sat Aug 15th, 2020 @ 3:03pm by Nollel Livaam (*) & Chief Engineer Michael Burnstein

Mission: Mission 11 - Prospecting
Location: Deck 5 - Crew Quarters
Timeline: MD 04 01:00
1580 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

It was the dead of night and Nollel look at her quarters trying to make sense of it all and all the items that the crew had retrieved from her home whilst they had gone off to rescue successfully Gregnol. Nothing had been missed but she had no idea what to do with it all, it all seemed useless with her new job as secretary on the ship that had changed her life the first time. It was like the ship had pulled her back to it when it was time to change things up again. She was safe but had no idea what to do with it all. The blonde turned at the door chiming and frowned as she thought she had been quiet as the ship had seemed all asleep when she had finally found her new quarters. She moved to press the door chime instead of calling out and stopped surprised at the man in her doorway.

"Welcome wagon," Burnie announced cheerfully, and held out a covered plate. "It's a little late for a casserole, but I figured chocolate cake is good anytime."

Nollel stepped back to let the man into the chaos that was her quarters. It was pretty snug inside but the sofa was free of boxes and random things. "Chocolate cake is good at any time that is correct." She mused softly.

"I'm glad you think so." Burnie nudged a box to the side on the coffee table and put the cake down. "It would hard to not look disappointed if you wanted to put it away for later," he said, taking the cover off and setting out two plates. "How big a piece would you like?"

"Just a small piece please." It was late after all and despite believing that she might not sleep much she potentially had to sleep some to be up to talk to Gregnol and decide her future. "Your crewmates did a good job of clearing my place. The one called Cassie is very efficient." She admitted following him to the table sitting cross-legged on the couch.

"She's good people," Burnie agreed, cutting a slightly less than normal sized slice which by his standard for chocolate cake was small, and then a regular slice for himself. After the last couple days, he figured this was healthier than the stiff couple drinks he might be having otherwise. "Looks like you have organizing to do though. Do you need any help?"

The woman took the offered plate but did not start eating as she sat there looking at the organising that she needed to do. He was right there was some organising to do. "I guess I do. I just do not know where to start. It feels weird, it is all my stuff but I did not pack it or move it. Just feel a little disconnected from it all." She shrugged a little and looked at the man.

"This has all been a..." he shook his head, the word not quite coming for a moment, "...whirlwind. And uprooting so fast is hard," he added sympathetically before looking around, his engineer problem-solving side taking over. "If I know Cassie, she organized the boxes by type of contents and/or location depending on what seemed most logical. So we should be able to look in box, decide if it's something you need in the next couple days or something you can wait to unpack, and then put the boxes in two groups based on that and work from there."

"That is almost logical for both you and Cassie." The woman mused as she stood and looked at the closest box and saw that it seemed to be all art supplies. They would not be needed for a long time if she was sure of herself. She did not feel like creating anything at all at the moment. "What about that box nearest you?" She wondered thinking she needed to find something to wear to bed and some toiletries for a shower.

Burnie leaned over and opened the box, then closed the lid, blushing slightly. "I think I found your lingerie."

Nollel turned and saw the man blushing. "You are blushing but have seen me in less." She grinned at him feeling a little bit of the weight she had been feeling leaving her.

"Hence the blush," he replied with a small grin. "Couldn't help but think of it, but I don't want you to think I have ulterior motives here. I really did come by to help you settle in and make you feel welcome."

“Ah.” The woman realised his trail of thoughts and nodded. It made sense but she did not blush but did wink at him. “Well at least I know I have clean underwear for the morning. Positive.” She knew he had come to see her and nothing else than that but it was easy to assume for other people.

"Always a good thing," Burnie agreed with a laugh. He handed the lingerie box to her and figuring Cassie had had a system, opened the one it was stacked on. Yep. "Looks like you have some clothes to cover them too, or at least tops."

Nollel giggled at the man and how it should be awkward with them there like that but it was not. She found it endearing that the man had bothered to come and check on her and was trying to help her out. "Tops are good." She replied taking the box from him chucking it along with her lingerie into the bedroom area. "I think I like this Cassie." She murmured as the last box had the remaining items of clothing she owned.

"I'm sure you will when you meet her. She's been a good friend since I signed on," he replied, beginning to look into other boxes. Searching for packed things was kind of fun. Not romantic exactly, but a lot better than a second date turned into raiding an evil underground lab. "Let's see, Coats. Shoes - you'll want those, or at least one fresh pair, tomorrow," he said, handing the box over.

"So it looks like I can at least face the world tomorrow with some dignity." She mused looking at the other three or four boxes. "Those ones can wait." She mused shaking her head. They would just be bits and bobs and art supplies, nothing that she urgently needed. She looked at him and smiled sadly. "Thank you." It was a small phrase but meant so much more than two little words.

"Least I could do," Burnie said, smiling kindly. He knew this was hard, and he just wanted her to feel a little better. "And you shouldn't worry about tomorrow. We wouldn't have Gregnol back without your help, so frankly, someone should be down here installing a thank-you chocolate fountain in this room." He paused and looked around, mentally mapping what connections were behind the walls. "you know, I could do probably figure out how to do that..."

"No thank you." Nollel laughed a little as he zoned in on a section of her wall considering options for a moment. "I am not sure I could drink chocolate every day but it is very nice to think that it is an option. If I ever get gluttonous." Would the ship really survive that being added to it after the maid on the outside.

"Just say the word if you change your mind," Burnie laughed. "Though you might need bigger quarters then. Word would get out and you'd be very popular."

"I think I was lucky to get these quarters so I should just keep it the way it is." She assured grinning herself. Slowly she moved over to where he stood and wrap her arms around him. "I really meant it Michael." She whispered wanting a hug from someone for a moment. She needed a moments proper comfort after all that had happened in the base.

Burnie folded his arms around her and pulled her close. He'd wanted to do that since he came in and saw how lost she seemed, but even if they'd been together before he didn't want her to feel pressured or obligated because he'd insisted on giving her a berth here. "We were lucky you were willing to help. I mean that, Nollel. Don't feel like this is charity; you deserve a place here and probably more."

"Oh it is charity tonight but tomorrow I earn my keep." She replied not at all ashamed of that because she knew deep down he was right. They were here because she had gotten them into the building and gotten them far enough down to find everything out. It was just a weird everything, she was just glad they had not been caught and were getting out of there like many other ships as Starfleet were not their way.

"I'm sure you will. But tonight you should enjoy the 'charity'." He smiled down at her. "Like more chocolate cake or anything else you might want."

The woman pulled back and looked at him. She caressed his cheek and shook her head. "Just the cake and maybe you to the night?" She wondered knowing they had already jumped the gun but she did not want anything other than him to hug her and remind her that she potentially was not alone that night.

Burnie smiled and kissed her lightly. "Like I said, anything you want."