And There's A Time For Coffee

Posted on Sat Apr 15th, 2023 @ 7:46pm by Captain Natalya Markova & Michelle Erilin

Mission: Trade And Tribulations
Location: Chimera's Bridge / Holodeck 2

The turbolift opened and the young woman stepped out onto the nearly empty bridge carrying the small tray. Michelle checked to be sure that the cup was still covered, keeping in the steam from the cup of coffee that had most definitely not been ordered by anyone up here. "Ensign, Petty Officer." She greeted the two junior watch standers as she passed them and approached the command chair, "Lieutenant Markova? I figured that you've been up here for most of the day and thought you'd like a cup of coffee? Not replicated, ground the beans myself and added a little something to it." Her eyes shone blue as she proffered the tray towards the Marine, removing the cap to the cup, releasing a plume of steam and scent.
Nat glanced at the woman, both eyebrows raised. She recognised her, though it took a second to... Oh. Right. Faith's ex. Nat now vividly recalled kicking the man's ass. It felt like a lifetime ago now. "Actually, it's Ca-" her words were cut off when the aroma hit.

If there was one thing a Marine knew about, it was coffee. The scent was real as hell, all right. A rich, smokey aroma that spoke of the flavour that would follow.

Reaching out a hand to accept the offered mug, Nat took a deep inhale. "Michelle, right?" Her memory of the whole event was a little distant. "You just made a friend for life." She grinned and nodded to the empty chair, usually occupied by the Counselor. "Have a seat, there's a shift change in ten, we can get properly introduced."

Indeed, the duty officers on the Bridge were spending the last of their watch running diagnostics, and preparing for the hand over..

“Thank you, Captain.” Michelle placed an emphasis on the rank, feeling stupid about having made that particular mistake, but seating herself in the counselor’s seat, albeit on the edge, “I figured that a little pickmeup would be of some use this late in the shift and since Aun- Captain Skyie gave me permissions to come up here, a little surprise just sounded like it was in order.”

"Oh, believe me, it is very much appreciated." Nat reassured the woman. She leaned in, to not be overheard by the Bridge crew. "Nothing quite as boring as a ship in orbit over a dull planet."

"For someone used to going places and seeing new things, certainly." Michelle matched the tone of voice with Nat's, "But I've lived most of my life, and just about all of what I can remember, on a single planet or a single space station. Okay, I did take a trip out to a nearby star system, but it was less than a week and it was a special request." The civilian gave a wistful smile, "So this is plenty interesting for me."

The last ten minutes passed by, and with her relief now settled in on the Bridge, and the rest of the officers departed, Nat stepped into the turbolift with Michelle. "The lounge?" The Marine inquired, "or something else?"

"Oh, it doesn't much matter to me." Michelle chuckled, "I've been most everywhere on the ship so far, or at least places similar to others. Not engineering, of course, or any of the really sensitive-information places. Made a delivery to your section once when someone ordered a few hand-made pizzas, but since I'm a civilian, there's only so many places I can go."

Nat looked at the woman for a moment, considering. It had been too long since she had fully unwound. Correction, since she had 'allowed' herself to unwind. "Tell you what. I have something that could be fun. Give me about thirty minutes, and meet me at Holodeck 2."

Her eyes danced over Michelle's figure, not without some appreciation. "Smart casual. Nothing too serious or fancy."

"Holodeck Two, thirty minutes, got it." Michelle gave a bright smile, "I look forward to it." She was used to people checking her out and truth be told, mostly enjoyed it aside from the real creepers. Yet she was also good at reading the people behind the looks and didn't put anything extra as she walked off towards her quarters. Certainly what she wore right now was far too formal for what was planned, but that was the bonus of doing what she did: An extensive wardrobe program.

Michelle showed up to the holodeck twenty-eight minutes later, plus about thirty seconds so as not to look like she'd been waiting for a long time or been in a rush to get there. Smart casual had been the operative word and she wore a pair of shoes of a neutral grey color that had an inch of practical heel with an additional half inch lift overall. That would bring her to within a couple inches of Natalya's height, minimizing that without looking like she was trying to match it. Blue jeans that fit rather well, but not super-tight like some women thought the fashion was meant for, with a grey top with loose sleeves that came down to the elbow, a double-wide loose turtleneck that showed her throat with the slightest tease of her front neckline, then gradually tightened up as it went down. It was a great outfit for many occasions.

Nat sauntered around the corner. She had black, flat shoes that were more comfortable than the standard issue duty ones she wore. Both hands were in the pockets of a pair of black, slim-fit jeans. For some colour, the navy blue button down shirt had the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. The shade of blue set off her bright, hazel eyes.

Her smile brightened a touch when she looked over Michelle's choice of wardrobe. "I like." The Marine nodded.

She stepped up to the controls of the Holodeck, and started inputting commands for the program. "I found this place when I was working as a security officer on Earth. Nice little out-of-the-way place you'd miss if you didn't know it was there."

"Since I've never been to Earth, I'm sure that I'd have been one of the ones to outright miss it!" Michelle's blue eyes glittered with a grin as she looked over Natalya surreptitiously, the colours of her outfit definitely matched and she looked rather nice in it. "I think we make a lovely pair right now, this is just one of my standard go-to's for when I want to look nice but not go over-the-top. Airy and comfy." She reached up to adjust the collar slightly. Where there had been a necklace before on the bridge, there was none now.

Looking back over her shoulder, eyes showing appreciation. "We are quite the pair." She agreed with a warm chuckle.

The panel showed the program was ready. Stepping to the doors, Nat watched them open. The staircase before them led down, switching back on the right hand side. Art deco walls, with framed depictions of food, in pencil sketch, paint, and glossy photo. The carpet was a stiff, coarse, neutral cream. The lips of the steps leading down had LED strips, helping to prevent patrons from falling in either direction.

Nat led the way down, one hand trailing lightly on the wooden rail. At the very bottom, frosted glass double doors opened.

The decor continued the theme of the staircase. A waist high counter of dark wood cordoned off the front left corner. A set of old style brewery taps were atop the counter, and at the end, a large machine for the purpose of making overly fancy coffees. An array of two- and four-seat tables littered the area, with a single eight-seat in the far corner, two sides being made of a plush corner couch against the walls. An upright piano sat, currently unused.

Across from the bar, through a wide opening in the wall, larger tables were placed, for more formal dining.

"You let me have some of your coffee." Nat said with a grin. "Lemme show you some of mine."

"This place looks somewhere that you take someone on a real date!" Michelle chuckled, "But for that, I'm sorely underdressed. I could just imagine," She framed the piano in a finger-camera, "In a dress, all surly with the cutouts in all the right places, a singer in heels with someone playing the piano.." Her eyes glittered in a memory of her own, "It's really a nice picture."

Nat looked across with an impish grin. "I could easily see you in that picture." She nodded to one of the tables. "Shall we? It feels improper to loiter in the doorway."

"Right, sorry, my bad!" Michelle laughed and linked her arm into Natalie's as if she'd known her forever for the few steps towards the table and she released the Marine before sliding into a chair at the indicated table, "So, I gotta ask, how does a place like this really stay off the radar? Does it have a dedicated clientele?"

Nat had to laugh. "No. No sordid stories. Honestly, it's just off the beaten path. The front door is literally on an alleyway, it's one of those Catch-22s, you have to know where it is, to be able to find it."

"I'll admit, I've known a place or two with an entrance in an alley, but they're not really a high-quality place. This one definitely looks different." Michelle chuckled, "But not having been here before... What's the best thing to order?"

"Depends what you're in the mood for. When I would visit this place back on Earth, it was usually this amazing vodka martini they call a Nova Bomb. Makes the tips of your fingers feel like static."

"Sounds like a good plan, then." Michelle agreed, "The Nova Bomb... I've heard of it, if I remember right it's got a strong orange taste with a hint of vanilla?" She cocked an eyebrow in question, "It's definitely one of the more obscure drinks."

Natalia held up two fingers to the waiter behind the bar. "So, I wanted to ask you." The Marine began. "We've never really had chance to talk since the crazy events on the Starbase before. You come out okay?"

Michelle made a mild gesture to wave the concern away even as her memory went back to the man called David. She'd walked away worse for the wear, but even as she made the gesture, her hand went up to her face and the reconstructed eye socket, "I'm as good as I ever was, really, and I've dealt with my fair share of assholes, but that... Was the worst. I never got the chance to thank you properly for saving my life. Got to meet my aunt for the first time." She chuckled, "Not really the way I'd hoped for it, but still."

Nat shrugged a little self-consciously at the gratitude. "I was in the area, and couldn't exactly ignore what I was seeing. The Corps doesn't train us to turn our backs. I'm just glad I could help."

"Me too... And I think Dad would have done the same if he were in your shoes." Michelle said, "He was a First Lieutenant when the Dominion War started, didn't make it. I never got to meet him, but from everything I heard about him, you did him proud."

The drinks were delivered, and Nat raised the almost luminous orange drink. "Cheers."

Michelle looked to the drink and raised it as well, "To the Corps."

"Semper Fi."