The Date

Posted on Sun Jul 9, 2017 @ 3:47pm by Commodore Michael Aravan & Lieutenant Commander Kelani Tetanal

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: Hawaiian island of Maui
Timeline: MD 14 || 1900 Hours

Kelani gazed at her image in the mirror--the time for her date with Aardan was fast approaching and she felt a fluttering nervousness. It had been quite some time since she had had a date.....

She examined herself carefully. She wore a soft lavender sundress with strappy silver sandals. She had brushed her hair to a gloss, and allowed it to fall down her back.

She smiled and smoothed the folds of her dress, then settloed down to wait for Aardan.

At seven sharp, there was a knock at her door and Aadran stood there wearing a pair of black pants, black dress shoes, a white button up shirt with a tie and a black vest over it. He smiled when he saw her. You look lovely, Kelani, he mentally her.

Kelani smiled in pleasure replying And you are so handsome Aadran She stepped out and stood beside him, smiling.

I'm ready, Aadran she told him, reaching shyly for his hand.

He brought a hand out from behind his back and presented her with a blue orchid with a wrist band for it. For you, he replied as he slipped it over the hand she had been reaching towards him.

It is beautiful! Kelani responded, a delighted smile on her face as she watched him slide the orchid on her wrist. Thank you!

She stretched up and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. It is as beautiful as you are handsome.

Aadran smiled. Shall we go, my island flower?

Kelani smiled back Yes indeed, my island Prince. She looked around, puzzled. Where is this restaurant? I'm very curious..... She looked up at him, her eyes twinkling.

It's only a few blocks from here, he said as he offered her his arm. Shall we?

Yes, let's Kelani replied, looping her arm through his. Lead on, my Prince.

Aadran walked with her to the Napua restaurant and confirmed a reservation under his name and they were seated quickly in a quiet corner by a hostess.

A waitress brought them fresh spring water and offered a menu to each of them. "Would you care for appetizers or drinks before you order?" she asked.

"A glass of white wine, please," Kelani said, smiling at Aadran.

What are you having, Aadran?

She smiled at him as she raised her hand to sniff her corsage.

"I'll have a red wine and the Ahupua’a house salad, please," he said. Once she left, he turned to Kelani. "I suggest that while we're here, we speak out loud. Some people can be disconcerted if they see a couple people not speaking out loud."

"Of course, Aadran,". Kelani replied with a smile. "It makes sense, after all--only in a world full of telepaths would we be unnoticed."

She looked around as they waited. "This is quite a lovely place. I think this is going to be an extraordinary evening," she said with a soft smile.

"As do i," Aadran said. "What is it that you do on Triumphant, Kelani?"

"I'm the Chief Science Officer,". Kelani told him. She drew a shaky breath, continuing, "Our last mission was--rather harrowing...". She lowered her eyes, her voice just above a whisper, "It is haunting me......"

"Can I asked what happened?" He asked softly as he reached for her hand.

Kelani took a deep breath and began to speak, holding tightly to Aardan's hand, "We found an ancient probe and brought it aboard for study. Shortly afterward, the ship's systems began to go awry, attacking us--at one point a hologram of my assistant attempted to choke me to death....as it turns out, the probe was inhabited by an energy being who became angry at our actions....the being eventually realized that it had allowed its anger to overshadow reason and surrendered, but there had been a great deal of damage and loss of life....". She tried to smile, but the smile did not reach her eyes. "There were so many lives lost, so much damage to the ship...the peace here I believe will help, there has not yet been enough time...."

She bowed her head...

Aadran gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "The loss of life is never easy," he said quietly. "The alien turning itself in is a step, but only time will lighten the burden. I am certain that it was not your fault, Kelani."

"Thank you, Aadran," Kelani said softly, Aardan nearness and gentle understanding soothing her. "Someone of my unique heritage tends to feel these kinds of thing more, I think." She smiled up at him as she continued, "How fortunate was I to meet you when I did. You have made me remember the joys of life..."

"Just take it one step at a time," he said. "Remember that there is still good in the galaxy and that not all is darkness."

Kelani smiled again, more confidently this time. "You're right, Aadran. There is still a great deal of good in the universe." She squeezed his hand as she said with a gentle smile, "You would make an excellent Counsellor, I believe...."

You have certainly helped me, my Prince

Aadran smiled as the waitress returned with their wines and his Ahupua’a house salad. "Let me know when you're ready to order," she said before she headed off again.

"Not me," Aadran said with a laugh. "I have no patience for solving problems that I barely understand."

"Understood". Kelani replied, laughing in her turn. "You are a good listener and you aren't judgmental--that means a great deal to those who have need of a Counsellor."

He ate a few bites of his salad and took a sip of his wine. "What got you interested in the sciences?" he asked her.

"I have always been interested in the why of things," Kelani replied as she took a sip of her wine. "After my parents died, it seemed as if Starfleet was the right place for me. Being on a starship is thrilling--even though there is a great element of danger..." She shook her head for a moment, then continued, "There are always puzzles to solve, things to learn..."

"And you?" She asked. "Are you assigned to a starship or....?

"No," Aadran replied. "I've always been a wanderer myself. I could never settle down in one place for too long. Every time things start to feel old, I'm back in my yacht and heading for a new location."
L
"That sounds like fun,". Kelani replied, her smile bright. "On many ways being on a starship is like that. There is always something new and different. It was just unfortunate that this last mission went sideways."

"You still have people and friends around you, though," he said. "When I'm out among the stars, it's just me." He finished his salad as the waitress came up again.

"Are you ready to order?"

"That's true,". Kelani said quietly, "But is it not risky to travel in space alone? What would happen if there were engine trouble?"

As the waitress came back, Kelani returned her attention to the menu, pondering, flicking a glance to Aardan as she did so.

"I'll have the duck confit and another glass of wine, please," Aadran said with a smile to the waitress.

"I'll have the seared ahi and another glass of wine, if you please," Kelani said, also smiling at the waitress.

Once the waitress had left, Kelani leaned forward, her eyes twinkling as she said, "You did not answer my question, Aadran...avoiding the issue?"she asked archly.

He looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "No, but I was ordering dinner," he pointed out. "In answer to your question, I have a bit of engineering knowledge and contacts in just about every base between here and Betazoid, Vulcan and Pacifica. It pays to know people and have a place to dock if I need it."

"I see," Kelani said softy. "That is good...."

She held back a sigh, thinking, A tease gone flat

Aloud she said, "I'm glad you're safe when you're alone on your yacht....."

"As safe I can be," Aadran said. "Then again, there aren't too many desperate people out there that would want to bother me if I do get stopped."

"That's true," Kelani replied. "Just remember, there can be a rogue group out there--please be careful." She gazed up at him earnestly.

"I'm always careful," he said with a strange look in his eyes.

"What shall we do when we finish here?" Kelani asked, as she raised her glass for a sip of wine.

"How does a walk on the beach sound?" Aadran asked her.

"That sounds wonderful!" Kelani replied, a delighted smile appearing on her face. "I think that would be perfect."

He smiled as their food arrived. "I think," he said with a smile. "This is going to be the start of a wonderful time."

"I think you're right," Kelani agreed with a bright smile. She raised her glass saying," A toast--to fortunate meetings and happy times."

"To fortunate meetings and happy times," Aadran agreed as he touched his glass to hers.

Kelani smiled again, raising the glass to her lips.