First Date Part I
Posted on Tue Aug 15th, 2023 @ 3:38pm by Ensign Connor Turner & 1st Lieutenant Marjani Smith
Edited on on Wed Aug 16th, 2023 @ 12:49am
2,813 words; about a 14 minute read
Mission:
Episode 14 - The Poseidon Adventure
Location: Marjani's Quarters - Deck 3 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD013 2030
The door swooshed open to her temporary quarters and Marjani stepped inside, walking over to place her tote bag upon a nearby chair. She stretched a little bit, then turned to watch Connor.
Connor had gotten rather acquainted with holding Marjani's hand, so when she broke to place her tote bag on a chair, his face soured slightly. He had been in these quarters before but this time, he was here as Marjani's boyfriend. This raised new questions, what were the expectations? Marjani took a shower while he was in her quarters but he sat uncomfortably on the couch. Now, though, what was he to do.
He looked at Marjani and his face melted. "So, where should I put this?" he asked slinging his backpack off of himself.
"You could put your pack right by my tote bag." Marjani giving a smile to him. She had noticed Connor's expression, when she released his hand. She also had noticed his looking around her quarters, she also looked about her quarters as well. "This seems almost like a dream, Connor. When you first came here to pick me up for our date, I wasn't expecting to come back here having a boyfriend," she told him, giving a slight laugh. "Yet here we are, I am your girlfriend and you are my boyfriend. This is certainly something pleasantly unexpected," she said giving a gentle smile.
"You and I have been able to carry on some lovely conversations so, and even asked questions of each other. Do you have anything that we need to speak about or get informed on?"
Connor tilted his head curiously, not certain what Marjani was asking. "I'm not sure. Is there something on your mind?" He put his backpack next to Marjani's tote bag.
"Well first off do you want to have the first shower? And what do you want to eat? And do you want to spend the night?" Marjani, deciding to put it right out there directly. She couldn't remember if she had invited him to do so earlier. Now though, they were boyfriend and girlfriend and, she was worried about messing things up.
What the heck am I being worried about? He has a girlfriend. It is me now. That means he isn't hands off now, though... She did sort of hold herself back when she thought he had a girlfriend. Right now though. What happened to my confidence or is my brain still catching up to the fact of I have a boyfriend??!!!
"The first shower?" Connor considred hesitently. He had hoped that Marjani would take the first shower, though he was not certain why. Was it because he did not have a change of clothing? Should that matter? They were dating. "Um, I guess I can do that," he answered.
"To eat?" he asked Marjani, "Um, anything is fine. I'm not too picky, as long as it is not spicy. Doesn't sit well with me."
As to the third question, he rememberd that even before he declared (or asked or both) Marjani to be his girlfriend, she had asked him to sleep over. He never answered then, but now that they were dating, it would not be inappropriate. But, what exactly did that mean? Just sleeping together or SLEEPING together? He would have to consider that later. "And, yes, I would love to spend the night with you, Marjani."
Marjani gave a happy smile, "Let's see: a shower, a change of clothing, some food-" she paused suddenly, going over what she had just said. Marjani gave a slightly embarrassed smile towards Connor. "Would you like to get yourself a change of clothing? I hadn't even thought of that until now."
"We could replicate something here," Connor responded simply. "Does your temporary quarters not have a working replicator?" he wondered. Leaving meant spending less time with Marjani and that did not seem enjoyable.
Marjani blinked, she had forgotten about it being able to make clothing. "Oh! Yes the replicator works. I've always gotten my clothing via shops and such. But yes, the replicator works, which is how we'll be getting food to eat. Oh gosh I forgot about that ability of the machine. It's a habit of mine to carry my clothing with me wherever I go."
Connor chuckled. "I guess you really do like doing things the old fashioned way.... Clothing shops...?" He walked over to the replicator and said, "Computer, would you please access human dimensions for Ensign Connor Turner and replicate some clothing for me? Something casual? In blue?" Nearly instantaneously a set of folded clothing arrived in the replicator. "I guess that I will take these and change into them after my shower then, right?"
He paused and asked, "Do I need to replicate a towel, as well?" He thought about it for a moment and said, "I guess I would, since you have been here alone." He turned back to the computer and said, "Also, if you could please replicate a blue bath towel for me, Computer?" Instantaneously, a blue towel appeared. "I'll just take this, then, and um, shower, then?" He moved up to Marjani and gave her a quick kiss.
Marjani returned the kiss, and caressed his cheek. "I guess I do like the old fashioned way." She chuckled softly. "If you don't mind chicken pot pie with a salad on the side and some sort of dessert. Would that work for you?" It was something simple, something home like sort of dish. "I'll have it programmed. And you can choose the dessert?" She asked flashing a smile.
"That sounds wonderful," Connor informed Marjani. There was something about her touch that just melted him and made him feel safe. "Though, you might want to wait on dinner until you've showered.... Unless you want to go first?"
"Nah you go shower first, and yes it can wait until I get out of the shower I just need to pick out an outfit I'll be changing into. So you showering first will give me time to figure that out." She gave Connor a grin. "I don't mind."
"Alright, then." He gave Marjani a quick kiss on the cheek and let his hand linger on her arm as long as he could before finally parting for a shower. He tucked his clothing and towel under his arm as he walked away reluctantly.
Connor did not take long in the shower, but made certain to scrub away all of the citronella and smell of sea from him. Once he got out, he changed into his blue casual clothing. There was nothing special about them, but they fit comfortably and moved with him. Having realized that he forgot a comb or brush, he ran his fingers through his hair and decided he would fix it up further when Marjani was in the shower.
He came out of the shower and said, "All yours, Marjani. I'll just have this towel atomized while you're in the shower and replicate something to fix my hair." He beamed a warm smile at his girlfriend.
Marjani enjoyed the sensation his touch brought to her, and also was very pleased that he was feeling comfortable in making advances of his own volition, that he was being bold.
Marjani moved to give Connor an embrace then paused, "I will give you an embrace after I shower," she informed Connor, giving a chuckle. "Don't want to get you all sandy after you've already gotten cleaned up." With that she quickly disappeared behind the curtain, to get her shower and get into a change of clothing.
Connor placed his towel in the replicator to return it to an atomized state. He then replicated a comb and set about refining his hair so that he was a bit more presentable. However, these actions took little time and he was forced to sit and wait for Marjani. Whatever could he do?
He listened helplessly to the shower as it ran. Just inside, was his girlfriend, completely bereft of clothing. That thought sent his heart pounding. It had been approximately a year since he had seen a woman naked. Was he ready for this? Was it even appropriate? They just started dating. Steadying his nerves, he went back to Marjani's fridge and collected a beer and started drinking it. God, she is going to think that I'm a complete lush.
The shower turned off, a few minutes later, the privacy curtain which was added separation from the divider, opened up revealing Marjani in a pair of light dark blue shorts, a red tank top which was beneath a cream white oversized tee shirt. which had the neckribbing cut off. She was bare foot and her hair was loose, and flowing.
"Okay so shall we get dinner ready?" Marjani coming over and wrapping her arms around Connor. With one hand she stole his beer, and took a drink from it. "Mmmmm tasty," then she kissed him.
How does she do that? Connor wondered, as they kissed. She's always so comfortable and makes things look so easy. She flows like a river and walks like a dancer. "Dinner sounds good," he told her, his eyes wide. "Can't wait. Can I do anything to help?"
"Well, since we sort of talked about what we'll have for dinner, I hadn't even thought about what to drink with dinner or even dessert. So you get to choose," she told Connor before giving him another kiss and taking another drink of his beer and returning it back to him. "May end up needing utensils. I normally recycled them once I was finished."
"Well, pot pie.... We'll need a fork and knife at least," he considered. "As to drinks, well, let me think.... I could replicate some ale. 'Course it would all be synthahol, unlike this beer, but I think the company is intoxicating enough."
"You find me intoxicating?" Her eyes widened then Marjani gave out a delighted laugh. "I feel the same way when you kiss me. I wanted to tell you that your lips should be registerd weapons." She gave him a sultry wink, "as they make me weak in the knees." She then stole a kiss before moving away. "Hmmnn ale sounds good and there is the salad with what sort of dressing for it? I like having a honey, vinegar dressing. However the pièce de résistance, a dessert. What would you pick for dessert?"
Connor could hardly believe what he was hearing. His lips? Registered weapons? Making her weak in the knees? But he was just a geeky engineer. Of course, Holly said he kissed well. Maybe it was true. "Um, dessert?" He bit his lip. Part of him felt like he should be cheeky and answer "you," but he was not that confident and it really only was their first date. Would that not be too fast? "Let's see," he started, stalling for a little time. "How about, uh, um, some treacle tart?"
Marjani thought for a moment, it was something she'd not heard of before. "Treacle tart. I've not actually had that and sad to say, I've not heard of it either. It sounds really good though. I would like to try that definitely. Looks like you get to introduce me to a different food or even foods." She gave him a firm nod but also a look of excitement and interest as well.
"If you have not had a treacle tart, then you have been sadly deprived of one of life's pleasures. I'll replicate one when we're all finished with the rest of the dinner."
"That sounds splendid." Marjani's face lit up. "Well, now let's get to cooking and then get to eating." Even if they were just putting in an order for the replicator to make the food, it was still cooking, in essence. And she just liked the sound of the words as well, due to Connor being here with her.
While Marjani was working the replicator, Connor asked, "Do you need me to get anything to set the table? Is there anything more that you want from the refrigerator?"
"Setting the table will work. There is a small cabinet that has dishes and flatware plus a table cloth. And there is a holo candle there too. I did go snooping around, I just didn't want to pull out those settings. Now though we can use those items." Marjani looked over her shoulder and gave Connor a smile. "I am feeling that we're getting fancy here. Even if it is just simple items."
Doing as he was instructed, Connor went to the cabinet and got out a couple of salad plates and dishes that were appropriate for the meals. In the other hand, he gathered some a dinner fork, a salad fork, and a knife. He placed them all in the center of the table before realizing that he forgot the holo candle. He obtained that from another cabinet and carried it to the center of the table, moving the other items to the side. He then placed the holo candle in the middle. This is definitely a huge romantic setup. I thought she might have been more spontaneous, but this shows some planning and care. Am I that special? We just met the other day.... She did mention other bad relationships and one night stands. How am I different? Well, I would never have a one night stand, but why would she engage in that? IT does not compute. She could have anyone she wants. So, why me? While thinking all of this, he finally placed the plates and flatware out as he had been taught in his youth. "I fancy you. Does that count?" he asked, regarding getting fancy.
As the dishes requested from the replicator appeared, Marjani turned to place them on the table pausing for a moment to see what Connor had done. "That looks fantastic." she smiled at his comment. "I fancy you as well, Connor and that does count," she replied, setting the salad upon the table, along with requested serving utensil for dishing it up. She turned to get the chicken pot pie next, then paused, "Connor, what sort of salad dressing do you like?" She had already gotten her dressing but had not asked what he liked.
As Marjani waited for his answer she retrieved the chicken pot pie and then got the drinks. I am glad that there were items in the cupboards there, the table looks so fabulous. I wasn't even going to use those items, hadn't planned on using them. After all, they were there for a possible nice dinner for whomever would be having the desire to utilize them. And during the time I have been here, I didn't hook up with anyone. Hadn't thought of doing so, well not until I met Connor. He had a girlfriend and I wasn't going to have him cheat on her. She mentally sighed. Plus there were other things I was able to indulge in, Even went out dancing, went and looked at the museums. Exercised, plus had to do business calls with Pappy and the others. Those took hours to get through.
"Whatever salad dressing that you're having is fine with me. I thought that you had one picked out already. But, I'm not too fussy about food. Company on the other hand...."
"Well for me it was but, not everyone likes the same sort of dressing on their salad. Hence my asking you." She paused and looked at Connor. "You are selective as to who you are associating with. I am glad I am someone you do want to be around." She gave him a happy smile. The dressing was now ordered, she setting it on the table and the drinks were next. Along with a carafe of water with lemon slices in it. Chilled. She also ordered two glasses for the water as well.
"Do you need me to help you carry any of that to the table?" Connor offered.
"Yes please." Marjani simply stated with a smile. "Thank you for asking." She picked up the glasses and headed to the table, placing the glasses down.
Connor picked up the salad bowl and brought it to the table. He sat it between them and smiled at Marjani. So, what should I say? I was never good at small talk. "So, here we are.... With food...." He smiled at Marjani, hoping that she could find something for them to talk about while his brain was refusing to cooperate.
A Joint Post By
Ensign Connor Turner
Computer Systems Specialist, USS Pioneer
First Lieutenant Marjani Smith
Pilot
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