Relaxing in Warp 12

Posted on Fri Aug 7th, 2015 @ 10:51am by Colonel S'er'in'e & Samanthia Akiashiro & Lieutenant JG Erica De'Havean & Cadet Senior Grade Errowyn St. Cloud

Mission: By Dawn's Early Light
Location: Warp-12 :: SB 332

Erica was happy to be back to the station, even though she loved to fly the USS Jackel. After stowing her gear in her quarters aboard the starbase, she headed on out to relax with friends and acquaintances. After meeting up with a few friends, they took off to the Promenade Decks.

As typical females, they talked about fashions and men as they window shopped.. They laughed and giggled as they made their way though the Promenade's Main concourse. Entering a few stores at random when something caught their eye.

Errowyn scampered through the station free of classes and exams and glad to be back on the station. With a few friends, the seasoned Cadets were in high spirits and congratulating each other for successfully completing the Fleet Branch Academy Courses and Cadet cruise for herself.. It may not be as prestigious as the one on Sol-3, but the accreditation were the same as if they had went there. Even though they was out of uniform, wearing comfortable clothing. Their pride in being Starfleet officers could be seen. Even though they was on the very bottom of the chain of command as every officer, famous or not had done before them.

Samanthia stood in her lounge, looking out the big observation window out into space during one of the more quiet times between the rushes of personnel. She was lost in thought as she listened to the staff go about their business. It was a rare moment that even the stage was empty. It seamed that everyone was someplace else. She spun on her feet to look over the vat room. Seeing a few patrons lingering over their meals and drinks engaged in conversation going on spread out over the place.

Erica and her friends entered Warp-12, discussing the latest maneuvers as they moved to a table that could hold the three of them. Erica paused as she looked around. She sniffed the air, looking a bit puzzled she sat down. Soon forgotten the odd scent that attracted her attention as conversation resumed.

Errowyn and friend came into the Lounge giggling and talking about some gentlemen they'd seen a few shops back. Teasing each other and claiming that they saw the gentlemen in question first. She separated from the rest to pause at the bar to place their order and have it brought to their table.

Samanthia turned from woolgathering and the view to make a tour of the place. Taking note of a few officers and cadets had shown up to relax. She nodded to them as she passed their chosen seats. Seeing that service was prompt and friendly. She continued to the Bar and settled in her customary seat to look over the ledgers and inventories.

S'er'in'e walked into Warp-12 and looked around to seek a table, ignoring those already there until a table was seen. He wondered if he should tell Samanthia about what was told to him during his appointment.

Clearly something was going on but what he was not sure, investigation was not an issue but with the stakes that high surely something had to be done or said. As his tail coiled about his waist tucked under the gold and green two piece attire he had chosen for today along with his customary ear sheaths traditional to his caste. He continued to ponder, he strongly doubted that such an act would be asked of him of that importance to a family without assets.

"Caitian dish number 23, a bowl of water and napkin with a cup of spiced tea please." S'er'in'e ordered. He turned and saw Samanthia, she seemed busy but the question remained.

Looking around he noticed a few individuals but for the most part was ignored, he expected it, given the time most were just finishing a shift or running errands for themselves and lacked time to be social.

That scent hit Erica causing her to stop in mid speech. She looked around and spying the tall Caitian male in green and gold. She blinked as she wondered when he arrived to the Star-base. She looked him over from ear tip to feet. Taking notice of the deep traditional Ear Sheaths of the Ancient Warrior Sect of Cait. Few of the older Clans still held to the old ways. But those were getting far and fewer as time marched on. "Miaow." Softly escaped.

The bartender nodded and as he took S'er'in'e's order and sent it back to be made and served. "10 minutes sir." Acknowledging the order from S'er'in'e and letting him know when it'll be ready. "Bar or table?" Looking at S'er'in'e.

Errowyn with her friends broke out into a peels of laughter as one of Cadets she was with, expelled his drink out his mouth and nostrils in force due to a perfectly timed joke making everyone laugh even harder.

Samanthia hearing the laughter breaking out, smiled as she looked up from her ledgers. Looking around, seeing S'er'in'e. She gave him a nod with a warm smile, as she returned to her books. She wasn't looking forward to the next part of doing the books, the inventory.

"Table would be fine." The laughing caught S'er'in'e's ears causing them to twist to face the source then his head soon to follow. A group of females accompanied by a few males, young males at that given the rank insignia he saw. His view of Erica was blocked by one cadet so he only saw another, a Trill enjoying the company of those around her. His gaze then caught Samanthia as she appeared to busy herself with something, he smiled, tilted his head forward slightly to greet her as he would any female. Once again a question that he'd managed to tame and keep at bay reared its ugly head to the front of his thoughts.

Cadets settled down after their merriment as the conversation moved on to what the future held for them. Most wanted to serve on ships, others more close to home. They shifted in their seats. The one that made a mess took off to get cleaned up.

Erica returned to her conversation, explaining the finer nuances of flying a Defiant and a shuttle. Her eyes darted to the big Caitian male, curious as to what had brought him all the way out here when Caitians were more comfortable sticking closer to home.

After the returned greeting from S'er'ine, Samanthia stood up and headed into the back, carrying another ledger as the bartender put away the books she had left behind. As much as she wanted to stay and talk, business needed to be looked after before pleasure.

Having been lead to a table S'er'in'e smelt something and it wasn't his food. It tugged at him but he was not sure what the source was. When seated he got himself ready to eat, the dish came with cutlery due to the presence of others and even if they were unwieldy they were an unfortunate necessity. Food first, he'd speak to Samanthia later, he made his choice but it was not what he originally had in mind, but something else.

As Erica enjoyed the conversations with her fellow pilots, she kept an eye on S'er'in'e to see where he sat and if he had company. But when he gotten served, she knew he was alone. Her friends noticed that Erica's attention had drifted and followed to where she kept glancing.

"Go for it, Erica." One of her friends motioned her to go. "I know you're curious and whont rest till you know everything."

"He is Caitian, like you are," Another spoke up. Encouraging her. "We got your back if he causes trouble."

"Merrrow!" Erica exclaims a bit loudly, "He's probably a diplomat on a tour of Star Bases! Why would he want a ..." Erica voice softens, "...Halfbreed?"

"Oh don't go pull that slick! Any man would like to have you! Besides he would like the company of another Caitian." One of her girlfriends spoke up. "I know I would like to hang out with another of my species. Besides, you now know you aint alone on the station."

Erica sighed as she was out maneuvered. "Okay okay! merrrrrow!" She stood up and marched over to S'er'in'e table. She stopped a few paces away in his view. > "Greetings Warrior. May I have the honor to spend a few moments with you?" < Using the more traditional way of greeting that would be somewhat proper. Even if she was a bit rusty and forgetful of the Caitian traditions.

S'er'in'e looked up and saw the female that spoke to him, immediately standing. He greeted her as his caste required, in Caitian as it translated to 'Honoured One' accompanied with a deeper bow than most got in light of being a fellow Caitian. "I would be honoured if you were to grace me with your presence." He stood upright but didn't look into her eyes, that permission had not been given. "How may I be of service?" He asked. His ears twitched as he could hear voices, light glinted off his sheaths as he did so but his guest had his attention.

Erica sighed as this what drove her from Cait, as protocol would demand, "I'm Erica De'Havean of the Blackfur Pride." Using her mother's Maiden name instead of her fathers as half-breeds weren't allowed to use their father's surname. "Would it be okay we convers for a bit." Giving the hand signal of permission for him to make eye contact with her.

"I welcome it." S'er'in'e replied as he looked into her eyes. "I am S'er'in'e of the Sha'lee'it Caste. Would you like something to eat, drink?" He offered.

Erica slid into the seat with ease, making sure her tail was out of the way "What brings you to this out of the way Star base?" Subtly dropping the protocol act by not continuing the opening polite talk that protocol demands.

"I used to be a Marine in Starfleet, I have only recently resigned." S'er'in'e replied. "When I left the Homeworld I wanted to do something greater than myself, to contribute to something larger. Starfleet was that something. When I left the Homeworld...." He trailed off, taking the two sheaths off his ears and holding them in one hand. "One for training, the other for reaching the point where I could go no further in it and I was being encouraged to accept tradition, accept a selected mate to continue my caste's ways. Starfleet was an exit for that." He placed back the sheaths on his ears. "I suppose in a way they are a reminder of who I was, why I am who I am and why I am uncertain I can return."

Erica looked at him thoughtfully, "Oh you can return. If your service was honorable. Or is some queen keeping you from returning?" She leered at him softly, not to offend, but in a more inquiring manner. He was quite handsome and wouldn't mind a few long moments alone with him. It was obvious by her uniform colors, she was a pilot and also authorized wings stating that she served with the Caitian Aerospace Defense force.

"Nothing prevents my return, my desire to return in light of what it would mean hinders such a step being made." S'er'in'e answered. "I am currently seeking other avenues to keep myself busy and on the station." He added. He hoped to stay on the station as returning to the Homeworld would mean doing things he was not sure he was ready for or uneasy at being forced to do.

Erica nodded, looking down a t her hands. Softly. "I know what ya mean. Arranged Marriage or escaping a Brothel Contract. But then it's easier for a tom to escape one than a female." Making a motion that caught the eye of a waitress to bring her a drink.

"When I left the Homeworld the Elders were unhappy with my choice, they felt my leaving was taking away from the whole. I had met my arranged Mate and we did not get along during the introduction. It was at that time I felt I had to leave but in doing so, sacrificing the chance to find one to call my own." S'er'in'e spoke softly, a sore matter that he didn't want to broadcast to the ears of others.

Erica listened with interest. "You'll find another. A tom with honor to stick to his beliefs and caste." She shook her head in disbelief at him losing the option to get mated. "You big cat need to get out and sample what is out there. You only live once. Even non-Caitians females are checking you out. I've heard the rumors floating about the Station." She gave him a smile and purr, while accepting her drink from the waitress.

"Checking me out?" S'er'in'e asked. "Rumours?" He added. "May I ask what kind of rumours?" He concluded. Was this something non-Caitians did? The only two people to really spend any time with him was Corrine and Samanthia. Then it dawned on him, perhaps the things Jazz had been saying earlier had flown around the station more than expected.

Erica gave a soft laugh. "Of course. As for the rumors, some are wondering if you made some higher ups mad at you to send you all the way out here. Fleeing some heinous crimes or some past deeds. Maybe you're exiled." She shrugged as she took a sip of her drink.

"I can assure you that is not the case, some may have been displeased at my leaving the Homeworld but I am certainly not exiled." S'er'in'e stated. It seemed things were not as bad as he expected, though completely in a different light than he thought. "Your friends seem curious as to how you are fairing, they keep glancing this way."

Erica looked back over at her friends and glared at them, baring her teeth at them to mind their own business. "They seam to think I'll have a better chance at finding someone to be with since both of us are Caitians." She smiled at him with a bit of challenge to see if he took bait or not. "You'll have the same problem if you're planning to stay for any length of time here on the Station."

"The convenience of ones own species does afford a marked degree of comfort." S'er'in'e answered then sipped his drink though the cup left only part of his feline grin unhidden from view. He put his cup down having looked at her over it as he drank. "I've no doubt, to be expected when in one location for any length of time ." He smiled again though he focus more attentative, centered on her. "I hope your male friends dont object to my being here with you, I wouldnt want to impose should they harbour an interest in you."

Erica snorted a bit, "I wouldn't worry about that to much. I'm not mated to them." She relaxed in her seat as Errowyn and her friends walked by, rough housing a bit, enjoying the grab-ass play.

Errowyn tripped and crashed into S'er'ine, "ooooooof!" Making him spill his drink onto the both of them. The rest of the Cadet froze in horror at what they had caused. They quickly helped Errowyn up off S'er'in'e. "We're sorry sir!" "Should've been more carefull!" "May you live long and prosper!" "Are you all right?" Need me to get a Medic, Sir?" The Cadets chimed in, some overlapping the other as they spoke.

Erica shook as she watched the bumblings of the young Cadets, trying to look stern at them. But wasn't working as the situation was humorous to her.

Once Errowyn was extracted from his person he stood up brushing what liquid he could off his clothing but some had already stated to stain the attire. It came as no surprise that it was the very group of Cadets he'd witnessed earlier laughing and conversing with each other that suddenly appeared, no doubt to see or eavesdrop on how Erica was fairing with him. Towering over the group of them he looked at them. "I am fine." He answered. He turned to Erica and in Caitian he spoke. "Interesting friends you have, do they often spy on what you do and with whom?" His voice very feline, a series of whines, purrs and other sounds to communicate with Erica. Then turned to face the group again.

Erica just shook her head no, as she spoke. "Those Are Cadets and they should be someplace else?" Glaring at group of Cadets. It was obvious by Erica's demeanor that these Cadets only connection to her was that they was in Star Fleet. Erica's Friends were at their table looking amused at the developing situation.

Errowyn looked at the both of them, "I apologize for interrupting your social time, Lieutenant and Sir. We just gotten carried away. I hope I've not injured you, Sir Caitian." Giving each a formal bow. Then fled with her group of Cadets out from Warp-12.

Samanthia stepped out from the backrooms, returning a ledger to bartender. Looking over her domain. Taking notice that the Cadets had left. Erica was with S'er'in'e. She smiled and moved to the bar to help out as the shift change rush began.

S'er'in'e sat down again having salvaged what he could of the mess imposed upon him. Mildly flustered at what had happened and that now he was subject to being seen by others in a state that he didn't want to be seen in. "Where were we?" He asked.

Erica turned her attention back to S'er'in'e, "No. I'm still single and not seeing anyone currently. Unless you want to hang out with me during my off time. Which is near non-existence do to me being on call for the USS Jackel and shuttle piloting." She ignored the stain on S'er'in'e's outfit, seeing his discomfort at not looking his best.

S'er'in'e was surprised to hear she was single and to reveal such private information so casually. "So I am entertaining you during a rare moment." S'er'in'e was happy of course to do such. "Do you enjoy flying, it must be exhilarating to fly a Defiant class starship?" S'er'in'e asked.

"It is wonderful. If Cait had a few of them, I'd never have transferred from Cait Defensive Force to Starfleet." Erica smiled, showing her love of flying. "It's a good ship with an excellent crew to be part of. Crew is small and intimate in a comradely way that everyone's like family."

He understood that, marine life was very similar as the others had to work together to stay alive and complete a given objective. "I often wonder what the Homeworld would be like if it adopted technology such like Defiants into its service. I've little doubt things could be better for everyone there." Cait waz however stuck in its ways of fearing contamination of its culture by too much offworld involvement.

"Definitely put our more warlike kin, Kzinti, second thoughts about trying to bring us back under their control." Erica spoke softly. She took a drink and set the glass on the table. "I must be going. Got a scheduled flight to Archa IV."

S'er'in'e stood. "I enjoyed our time together, I hope your flight is a safe but swift one." His hand out to, if she wished, help her up from her seat.

Erica smiled as she accepted his gentlemanly help to stand. "Thank you. I've enjoyed the time also. Hope we can have more of them." She gave him a quick bow, then took off, meeting up with her group of friends and leaving Warp-12. She glanced back at the Big Caitian, and gave him a shy wave before disappearing.