The Road So Far [3/4]

Posted on 18 Aug 2022 @ 6:18pm by Lieutenant Aria Rice
Edited on 18 Aug 2022 @ 6:25pm

2,451 words; about a 12 minute read

2386 – San Francisco, Earth

Blame the whiskey on the beer
Blame the beer on the whiskey
Blame the mornin' on the night
For whose lyin' here with me
Blame the bar for the band
Blame the band for the song
Blame the song for the party that went all night long - Brothers Osborne, ‘It Ain’t My Fault’

“Please Sir, may I have some beverage?” Aria fluttered her lashes at the barkeep, who rolled his eyes before refilling her glass.

“What about him?” the Orion cadet next to Aria asked, her dark green hair falling over her shoulders, caressing her skin. Like her fellow cadet, she was in her party outfit, in this case a little black dress.

Aria put down her shotglass, looking over at the man watching them with a smile. He waved at them, and Aria turned her face away. “Noo…no, when God was handing out brains, he took a second dick,” she said, bluntly, before she grimaced. “Besides, he went bow-chica-bow-wow with Em in Medical last week. Broke her little heart into itty bitty pieces.”

“Oh…” Nava sighed, shaking her head before she leant on her elbow against the bar. “You know everything about everyone, Aria. I mean, maybe I should like slow down, take it nice and easy and keep my own bed warm with myself…maybe read some self-help PADDs.”

Aria looked at her, her eyes widening at that. “Hello, wonder-snatch…have we met?” she motioned between them before laughing when the woman hit her shoulder. “Owie! Anyway, we can find you some darn handsome man-meat here…” she looked around, noticing the two men at a table. The dark haired kept looking over at them, checking Nava out, the tall curly-haired one just kept on the conversation. Alright, so Nava had a handsome man there checking her out, but most likely kept being seated out of some friendship stuff. She could relate. But if she had to hear Nava go on for another evening about the lack of bed-action, Aria might snap and improvise a weapon out of stuffed toys. And Mister Snuffles would really hate being shoved down someone’s throat. “I gots this,” she pushed herself off the barstool, taking a deep breath. She loved her boots, all high heeled to give her a few more inches. The tight, tight trousers and the corseted top were part of her party-outfit. As was the streaks in her hair, green today. She tugged her fingerless gloves before she winked at Nava.

She walked over to the table, leaning forward, her hands planted flat on the surface. “Alright, listen…” she said, managing to keep her voice even despite the tequila. Proper alcohol too here, not synthahol. “My friend over there, Nava, she’s like…all types of amazing and smart. And I had to twist her arm to come out…” she looked at the dark-haired man, looking into his eyes. “But I don’t think she is enjoying my company as much as she would yours, you know?”

“I…” he swallowed, looking at Aria nervously and then back at the Orion who was currently eating an olive. “I mean, you think she’d…talk to me?”

“Totally,” Aria said and pushed herself up. “She’d talk to you. And you know, she could really need a sweet, sweet guy taking an interest. Just…” she sighed dramatically. “Like, she is ever so sweet. And on my babushka’s grave, she has a heart of gold. Go and talk to her, strike up a conversation…”

He looked at Aria before over at his friend, before he got up and walked over. Aria smirked, reaching for the now abandoned glass, lifting it to sniff before she grimaced and put it down. “Want a drink?” the curly-hair man asked, watching her with an easy smile.

Aria looked at him before she slid into the chair, watching him. “Your friend, he a good guy? Not going to break my friend’s heart?”

He looked over at the bar, where Nava had started talking to the man. “Harry? No, no he is a good guy. A bit of a fumbling mess sometimes, but a steady guy. Won’t hurt her, might just fall in love and marry her,” he said, before he leant closer to her. “Somehow, I don’t think you’re a local.”

She watched him, before she motioned for a drink from the bar. “I’m not. I’m Aria,” she said, watching him for a long moment. “You got a name? A rap sheet? More replicated leather in your wardrobe?”

He laughed quietly, looking down at his outfit. “I’m Aleksei,” he said, shaking his head. “And you somehow disapprove of my outfit there, Aria?” he asked, taking his beer to take a sip.

“No, not disapproving. I sort of like the fetish noir look,” she waved her hand over him, her eyes shining as her drink arrived. She took it, sipping it as she watched him. “Besides, we all got different styles, Aleksei.”

Aleksei nodded, watching her for a long moment. “I’m a professor. 20th and 21st Century history and culture. So…I like the old look.”

“Shut up!” Aria laughed, her eyes wide. “Is that even a job? I love 21st Century! I mean, there’s this whole subculture that gets inspiration for it. It’s where I replicated these boots from,” she swung her legs, to show him.

Aleksei smiled, watching with appreciation. “I can see the influence,” he said, thoughtfully. He looked over at Harry and Nava at the bar. “So are you the distraction? Making sure he doesn’t feel guilty of ditching me for your friend?”

Aria gave him a friendly smile. “A good wingman does all they need to ensure that all parties are happy,” she said lightly, knocking her drink back. “And Nava, she deserves it. Also, she needs this. Tough exams and all that.”

“And what do you need?” Aleksei asked, leaning closer, his hand touching her boot, studying her. “Aria?”

She looked at him, surprised, taking a deeper breath before she chuckled. “Oh, I’m not looking for a hook up. I am strictly here on sidekick business…and watchdog. And making sure that everyone plays safely.”

“Hm,” he nodded, sipping his beer for a moment before he shook his head. “Why? Why can’t you be the hero of this story?”

She thought about it before she reached to pat his hand. “Because, my handsome new friend…I just don’t do that. I know my limits, and trust me, hitting the fun and games and all that is not really what I am about. I got enough going on.”

“Won’t you have any regrets?” Aleksei asked, his voice deep as he held her eyes, searching them for a long moment.

“Regret is for suckers,” Aria countered, shaking her head as she stretched out in her seat. “Me, I am just living my life right now.”



2387 – San Francisco, Earth

Uh-oh, we're in trouble
Something's come along and it's burst our bubble (yeah, yeah)
Uh-oh, we're in trouble
Gotta get home quick, march on the double - Shampoo, ‘Trouble’

“Good morning, Cadets. My name is Professor Aleksei Snorre, and I am your guide to the 21st Century. As this is an elective, I am unsurprised to find the majority of you being humans…”

Aria’s eyes widened as she stared at him from the back before she ducked her head, grimacing as she looked to her left. “No, no, no, no…” she breathed, unable to stop it. Not him. Beside her, Conan gave her a look of confusion before hushing her. “Don’t hush me!” she shot back, in a whisper-shout.

“Is there a problem, Cadet?”

Aria looked up, slowly, swallowing. “No. Noooo. Nope. Sorry, Professor,” she said and straightened in her seat, looking at him. She mouthed sorry when he recognised her, before ducking her head again. This was going to be a long, long semester.



2387 – San Francisco, Earth

you can see her
whenever it rains
from Rome to New Orleans
dancing on the graves
burden by the heart she loves her
sunglasses after dark
and every single day her
little life falls apart - The 69 Eyes, ‘Gothic Girl’

“Rice!”

“I’m up!” Aria fell off the sofa, hitting the floor with a groan. She opened an eye slowly, before she grimaced and touched her head. “Ouch!”

The shadow that was cast over her was a Trill, watching Aria with mild amusement. “Wow, it lives…” she said, kneeling and helping Aria sit up. “Any reason you’re still here? Everyone else has gone for the holidays now.”

Aria swallowed, grimacing, and ran her hand over her mouth. “Why do I taste like shampoo?” she asked herself, before the question registered. “Oh. I…I am staying here, so…I suppose no one wanted to wake me.”

“After all the Romulan ale you consumed? I think people were worried about waking you…” Bau said, shaking her head before she touched her hair. “You look dreadful.”

“I look like the Academy…” Aria groaned, shaking her head before stopping and holding her hands out. “Careful, or I’ll vom…” she warned, but managed to sit up. “Oh, my head is pounding harder than Marines on shoreleave…” She let out a soft breath, sighing with warmth when Bau put a hypo to her neck. “Oh…oh, I love you, marry me please.”

“No, you drink too much,” Bau said playfully, smiling warmly as she stood. “You need something to eat. Sit down.”

“Just…just coffee,” she said, looking around for a moment. “Why aren’t you going home? I mean, I know December is always a, you know, weird time. But it’s Earth so…you know…ho, ho, ho.”

“I am going later today,” Bau said, smiling as she replicated her a coffee, carrying it over. “Have a good drink of that, Rice. You’re a Luna girl, thought you’d head back there.”

Aria shook her head, slowly, taking the coffee to sip. She sighed contently, relaxing at the bitter taste that felt like a warm hug with a side of cuddle. “Nah, better to be here. I was going to go to England, see if I could have one of those ancient Christmases, you know? Holly and all that sort. Midnight Mass and the weird human rituals.”

“Oh, sounds like such a party,” Bau said before she shook her head, walking to get her stuff. “You just stay out of trouble, Rice. You have the marksman exam when you come back, you know.”

“Yeah, yeah…” Aria did a fingergun at her, winking before she sat back. “No, I’ll be chill for it. Pinkie promise.”




2388 – San Francisco, Earth

The herald of my bad ways
Came tumbling down to haunt me
And I knew it couldn’t last

Staying wild and carefree
Focused on the wrong things
Made me dwell on the past

I spent so long
Running out of options
On those nights alone
No one to bounce ideas off of

And I just felt stuck
But now I see - Wolf Saga, ‘Ma Vie’

“Congratulations…Ensign Rice.”

Aria beamed in her dress uniform, walking quickly to Aleksei. “I know, right? Graduated and everything! I know there were times it was touch and go, but woooow…we got there, Aleksei! High five!” she held up her hand, laughing when he hit her hand. “And fist bump…” she made a fist, laughing when he did it. “And bring it back…boom!”

“You know, you might have to grow up one day, now you’re an officer,” Aleksei said before he pulled her close, hugging her. “I am proud of you, Aria.”

“Yeah, well…” she closed her eyes, hugging him back, her cheek against his chest. “Maybe I studied harder than I let others think. You know, the usual stuff. It’s all the way it was.” She pulled back, looking at him for a moment. “You know, Nava has graduated as well now…”

He let out a breath, moving a finger to her lips to silence her. “Not meant to be. Harry is going to propose to her. I know they have been on and off for ages, but…I can’t step in there. He’s my friend.”

“Yeah, but you are like six foot three of hot, hot manliness,” she said, pulling back before she nodded. “But hey, I get it. Sometimes, you sort of…have to let go, you know? Even if it hurts. Especially, if it hurts.”

Aleksei let out a soft breath at that, shaking his head. “You know, sometimes, I wonder where you came from, Luna girl.”

“Oh, I am a riddle cloaked in a mystery wrapped in an enigma me,” Aria shot back with a smile, before she hit his chest. “So I am going to get changed, and then we’re hitting the town. Orders will be coming soon and trust me, I need to let out some steam before I go onto a Starship.”

“I feel like all you’ve done these last years is punish your liver,” Aleksei said, shaking his head thoughtfully. “And hiding behind jokes.”

Aria looked down with a small, almost shy smile. “Aw gosh, now you’re making me blush,” she said before she smiled. “Besides, my Mama always said to find the toughest kid in the playground and make friends with them.”

“No, she didn’t,” Aleksei said, before he touched her cheek. “I can tell when you’re joking, or lying.”

“Yeah, well…” she leant into the touch for a moment, her hand touching his chest. “Maybe that’s why I am leaving as well. Before this…” she gestured between them, giving a shrug. “Becomes something it wasn’t meant to be.”

“Would it have been so bad?” Aleksei asked, his voice a low rumble as his green eyes held hers, questioning.

She let out a soft breath, giving a small nod. “I suck at coupledom,” she said, before she pulled back. “Aleksei, you are…handsome, smart…and you’ll find someone who makes you happy. It isn’t me, any more than you’d make me happy. I…I want to go out there, not be shackled down on a planet. And certainly not this planet.”

“Hey, I was born here,” Aleksei laughed, but there was pain in his eyes. He could recognise a goodbye when he saw one. “Alright, Aria Rice. But…remember something for me, will you? When you find what makes you happy, fight. Fight for what makes you happy.”

[TBC]

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