New Faces

Posted on Wed May 12th, 2021 @ 8:48pm by Lieutenant Damian Mateo & Lieutenant Commander Felicie Rivero

Mission: A Day in the Life
Location: Promenade

Felicie stared at her reflection in the full length mirror on her bedroom wall, almost not recogising herself. She couldn't actually remember the last time she had made the decision to take some down time, but tonight especially she felt the need for it. Her appearance was about as far from her usual every day uniform. The long patchwork skirt brushed against her ankles as she walked, teamed with a simple white tshirt that hugged her curves and some strappy sandals on her feet. Even her long red hair, instead of being pulled back neatly, had been brushed out and left to fall freely down her back.

Tonight, she didn't want to be the Chief of Security on Starbase 332. Hell, she didn't even want to be a Starfleet Officer.

She just wanted to be Felicie.

Walking slowly through the promenade, she paused intermittently, staring into store front windows, admiring different bits and pieces before moving onto the next. No real goal or aim, just, enjoying the fact that she was blending in with the civilians, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity she didn't have people staring at her with distaste.

Damian had finished getting things settled in the Hanger bay, sorting out his locker then making his way to his quarters. The rooms were not as spacious as he would have liked but other pilots had to settle for spartan quarters, Squadron Leaders had extra perks. He remembered seeing the station on the transport inbound and the sheer size of it, this would be a new step in his life for him and one he was looking forward to.

As he changed into a set of black trousers with a white shirt almost, but not quite done up to the next he figured he'd scope out what the station had to offer for the little luxuries. He'd brought very little with him because he was told space was limited on the transport so he'd need more to make up for what he had to leave behind.

The Promenade was perhaps the best place to start with, shops were available for both civilian and service personnel so it was bound to cater to both and in quantity. He had some ideas of what he'd need but was in no particular rush, he was due to report for duty tomorrow morning, he had time.

Though she hadn't spent a lot of time on the promenade, there was definitely a few stores she had glanced at more than once while patrolling the promenade. One of them was a shoe store. While some of the designs were completely unrealistic and things she would never wear at all, there were definitely a few pairs of shoes she had eyed off more than once.

With a wistful sigh, she turned suddenly and took a step away. Almost instantly she felt herself collide bodily with a very solid figure. Without thinking, she grabbed hold to steady herself before she looked up. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, tearing her gaze away from the most piercing green eyes she had ever seen. "I wasn't paying attention..."

Damian was not overly paying attention himself as to where he was going at least until he bumped into someone. Out of reaction and reflex he reached out with his hands to prevent who ever it was from falling over, his hands found her hips and held on. "That's alright, nor was I really." His hold was firm but gentle, when he saw she'd recovered he'd released her.

"I'm Damian." He introduced. He figured he'd better since they just bumped into each other and he had his hands on her.

"Felicie," she said with a smile as she looked up at him. "I do know how to walk, I promise... I was just... well..." She sighed, waving her left hand slightly in the direction of the shoe store. "I was distracted by all the pretty shoes and forgot to give way."

"That's alright, I was distracted in general, I just arrived." Damian spoke with a soft smile. He knew it would take time for him to get some measure of familiarity of the station and all its many locations but he had time to spare.

She smiled warmly as she took a tentative step back from him. "I haven't been here for long, but I'm pretty familiar with the station. If you want a guided tour I'd be happy to show you around," she offered.

"Sure, love to." It beat getting lost alone and it never hurt to get the inside scoop on whats good, whats not and what it best to avoid outright.

Felcie laughed softly. "Anything in particular you want to see?" she asked. "I mean, the promenade is pretty self explanatory. Lots of shops. If you want good clothes..." She turned, casting an eye over his form before nodding slightly. "You'd want to go to T'Kekkick for anything that isn't off the rack. His attention to detail is exquisite, but you do need to book in advance. You can find him..." she turned until her back was to him before she pointed to a store front across the promenade.

"My first day here, so I'm in no rush. How about the popular spots and work from there?" Damian asked as he looked around to where Falicie was pointing. When her back turned to him however, far be it for him to ignore such beauty as he let his green eyes roam from red hair to strap shoe feet.

"Popular spots?" Felicie paused. "Well, I guess it depends on what you consider popular. Tell me what you like, maybe I can make some suggestions?"

"Well I'm going to need clothing for sure, space was limited for what I could bring with me. A few good eating spots and maybe a place or two for decorating a very itemless quarters." Damian replied as he thought about the needs that were most pressing.

There was another soft laugh. "So for decorating, I suggest Madame Thredbeaux, she has a great eye, even for the smallest of spaces. Clothing, as I said, anything that isn't off the rack I recommend T'Kekkick but for anything else..." she paused. "Want to walk with me?"

"By all means." Damian's voice soft and gentle. Despite the scores of people around them it seemed his voice carried enough to be heard. "So what do you do here on this station, besides play tour guide to the new and lost?"

"Mostly play tour guide to the new and lost," Felicie replied with a smirk as they walked. "They call it Security. So what is it that brings you to 332?"

"Assignment actually. My pilot posting was set here and so here I am." There was that keen eagerness, the type that was always there with new assignments that didn't have the dread and doom rumours about it, plus his position as a Squadron Leader helped sweeten the deal.

"So you're one of those flyboys we good girls get warned about?" Felicie raised an eyebrow slightly as she glanced toward him before looking back along the corridor. "332 isn't a bad place at all, it definitely has a lot of old school charm about it." She smiled. "I'll be honest, it's the first starbase I've served on, I kind of like the structure of it."

"Well that does seem to be the rep we pilots get landed with but we are not all bad I can assure you." Having listened to her explanation of her experiences on 332 it was comforting to know that there were some positive elements to the station. "This will be my first permanent assignment to a station, my priors have been brief lay overs or duty assignments relating to what I do."

"Well, welcome to 332. Avoid the crew mess on any day that ends with a Y. All the best food is definitely on the Promenade. If you like coffee, I strongly recommend Kirrily's, it's the only place on the station that grinds their own beans. Their cupcakes are decent too. If you like Burgers, I recommend Buffalo Bills. Actually the only place I avoid on the promenade really is the Klingon place. Gagh.." She shuddered visibly at the thought.

"Klingon food has never really been on my list of 'must try' thankfully." Though he was sure to make mental notes of her other suggestions should the need arise to make use of them.

"Holodecks, definitely book early, they get booked out pretty quickly. It'd be nice if some were set aside just for crew use, but it is what it is." She fell silent for a moment, contemplating. "Mostly though this is pretty much like any other posting. I assume you've already got your quarters assignments and everything set up?"

"Yeah, that's where I just came from, pretty empty but I'm sure given some time it might fill up with something other than smelling like its just had the carpet laid." Daimian spoke as he followed behind, meandering through the crowds of people and shoppers with bags and items in hand and arm.

"Well, this would be a good place to start." She motioned to the store front they stood in front of. "Don't let the Ferengi store owner put you off, but don't let him screw you either. He has a tendency to try and take newcomers for a ride. I get called down here at least once or twice a week."

Damian took a look at the shop front and the things that were on display, a few of the people around and Felicie herself. She was clearly knowledgeable of the settings on offer on the Promenade. Heeding her advise and keeping on his toes he was at least about to obtain a few things that would take up some of the spare space within his quarters.

Felicie lingered near the door, leaning against the door frame, her hands clasped behind her back, watching him as he moved about the store, his attention moving from one item to another. There was a definite air of confidence that he possessed, something she imagined came hand in hand with being a pilot. Confidence would have to be key. A sudden movement meant that she caught herself acutely aware of the way his muscles flexed beneath the fabric of his shirt and silently cursed herself for such attention to detail as she looked away, turning her attention instead to a shelf of books near the door.

When Damian returned it was his turn to observe the otherwise distracted Felicie. He couldn't as yet see what had caught her attention because of the other patrons but a he drew closer he saw that it was books. "Anything catch your eye?" He asked taking a look himself as well.

She smiled, looking up at him. "None of them are quite my style, but the coverings are pretty," She shrugged slightly. "I like old books, pages made of paper that you can touch with your hands, that you can smell." She sighed wistfully before realising she was rambling. "Sorry," she grinned. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

"A couple of things, to break up that quality of spare room." He answered at least briefly. "Puzzles for me. The old Earth cardboard cut up one's" while he could her the replicator to make one or nerve hurt to check out what was publicly and he enjoyed it too

"Well, if you're not in a hurry to go back to your quarters and put your treasures away, we could grab something to eat?" Felicie proposed. "I can introduce you to the staff at Bills... unless of course you have other plans?"

"Sure, something light would work." While not overly hungry he could use a little bite to eat before they continued. "Got to watch what I eat, otherwise l won't fit into the fighter."

She cast another gaze over his form. "I don't think that's likely to become an issue," she said with a shake of her head. "They do great wings, but if you're *really* that worried, you can stick with a salad," she teased.

Thankfully Bill's was not totally packed full of patrons which made the meal a little more enjoyable, especially not having to talk loudly over others to be heard. A little over an hour later the two walked out, fed and content.

"I'll have to remember that place, was better than I expected. "

"I eat there much more than I should," she laughed and shook her head. "Thankfully flowy skirts are very forgiving! Now, did you want to look at anything else before you're done?"

He smirked, he might have been guilty a time or two of using an untucked shirt to hide his new size after a larger than expected feed. "No l think that about covers it, that shop is dropping my things off, saved me hauling anything around." A small mercy to be sure. "I've not kept you from anything have l, playing guide?"

"Yes, you have, a mountain of paperwork that will still be there in the morning because no matter how much I try, I can't seem to hide from it, it always finds me in the end," Felicie shrugged. "Have you been up on the observation decks yet?"

"Actually no, I hear there are many of them." He wondered how busy they would be, disliking crowds. "Do they look inside the dock or outside the station." Damian asked, He did like a view, that sense of freedom, space.

"How early is your bedtime?" Felicie asked with a grin. "Got time for a walk?" She suddenly found herself hoping he would say yes, having thoroughly enjoyed his company. Especially lately, people enjoying her company seemed few and far between.

"I have plenty of time, kinda passed the age where I have to be in bed by 10pm." Damian grinned. He was no stranger to all nighters, strange early starts and late finishes, it came with the job. While he wouldn't begin official duties till tomorrow morning he did sleep on the transport so he was pretty away for a walk and a view.

The small talk continued as they moved through the station until finally they reached an unmarked door, the doors hissing open as she stepped in front of them. "They never seem to use this for anything, it just sits here quiet and dark." Felicie stepped to the side, waiting for him to join her before she looked toward the far wall, or, at least where the wall would have been. Instead, there was a panoramic view of the stars beyond the station. "I guess it's not pretty enough. Personally I think this is the most amazing view on the entire station."

Damian followed, mentally etching the route to memory. When he walked in and the doors closed behind him he was greeted with stars. A smile on his face, as this was a very familiar sight. "Just like being in a fighter, but bigger." Inside the cockpit was where he felt most free, a thin shell of a fighter being the only thing keeping him alive from the harsh realities of space. From here they could see the ships in orbit of the station waiting to dock, those leaving, the planet to one side.

The room wasn't exactly spacious, which was probably part of the reason it wasn't often used. A table and a a few chairs were to one side of the room, but closest to the large windows was a comfortable couch and a coffee table. Judging by the positioning of the couch, it had been moved for optimum viewing pleasure. "The replicator works, the couch is comfortable." She smiled. Clearly this was somewhere she had more than a little time. "I was going to convince Captain Vonn to let me move my office to here, but... well..." She sighed. "How about coffee?"

"Sure." Coffee was a good start Damian spoke as he walked to the overly large window that cast his view beyond. "I can see why you'd want your office here, with a view like this and all. I think it would be more of a distraction though that anything." There were a few times he'd zoned out amongst the stars because of the view.

"Milk? Sugar? Flavour shots?" Felicie asked as she moved to the replicator, ordering a caramel latte for herself while she waited for him to answer.

"Sugar, black." He replied but his gaze not peeling away from the stars. He watched a large freighter lumber slowly closer to the station, his guess was the space doors were not far from them.

Ordering the second coffee she carried it carefully across the room and handed it to him, wrapping both hands around her own mug and blowing softly across the top. "It would be a distraction, a welcome distraction," she smiled. "The stars are a lot nicer to look at than some of my coworkers," she smirked.

"My 'co-workers' are typically fighters or the occasional crew chief." Not that he minded, at least fighters didn't argue back. Though it was not as if Felicie's appearance was forgotten about, he might have been guilty of taking another look or two, pretty confident in assuming she'd one the same to him too. Holding his cup he sat on the sofa, it was comfy, more so then he expected.

She sank down onto the couch next to him, turning her gaze to the stars for a long moment before she turned on the couch so she could better face him. "So what made you decide to be a pilot?" she asked curiously.

"Well at first it wasn't by choice." Damian told the story of his stealing a fighter and the chase, how he was given a choice and he took the only viable option to him. While it was perhaps not the best of starts it got him to do what he enjoyed most and that was flying. Even if telling her the story filled the 'bad boy' rep that pilots got he'd been good and clean since joining up and hes never looked back since.

"Oh, but you're not a bad boy at all," she laughed softly and shook her head. "At least you found your calling, and judging by the sound of your voice it seems to make you happy."

"It has, I've enjoyed my career so far and as I've gotten older I've thought about my future which I guess has lead me here, the next step in it." Damian spoke, he stole a glance at Falicie, she seemed comfortable, relaxed, obviously enjoying her time given she was still here. He was trying not to be obvious but sometimes it was difficult, women were very, very few and far between in his life.

Felicie held her mug to her lips for a few moments before she took a sip. "I can't fly to save my life, literally. I only scraped through the subject at the Academy, but, I guess, almost crashing a shuttle doesn't help," she grinned as she lowered the mug. "Hey, in my defence, it wasn't my fault the Academy Commandant put his house there!"

"Well that's sure to leave a note in a record." Damian perhaps had not done anything that bad, but he'd skirted the rules a time or two before. The stars were nice though, pleasant, soothing, calming. This was why he flew and with places like this, with views like this it made it all the better.