Round the Clock

Posted on 07 Sep 2012 @ 7:31pm by Commander Scarlet Blake & Lieutenant Aria Rice
Edited on on 08 Sep 2012 @ 9:57am

1,907 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 01 - Project Sienna
Location: USS Galileo - Mess Hall
Timeline: MD 10: 00:15

ON:

It was nice to catch some time to herself. Aria smiled as she looked around the lounge/mess hall/whatever Aria called it in her head, her hair free, wearing black trousers, a dark red loose vest that went to her hip, a waist clincher belt and her heels...heeled boots and she loved them to bits. She smiled with excitement and got herself a drink...and then the excitement faded. It was really quiet. She sighed and sipped her drink, collapsing into a chair. Okay, Beta shift bad idea. Should have become Chief, gotten the Alpha shift.

"I love your boots," a voice sounded from a little way across the bar. Scarlet was sat by a viewport, a long drink in hand as she smiled to her, eyeing up the boots with clear appreciation.

Aria smiled as she looked at her, lifting her leg up. "Yeah? It took me three months to get them...just getting them on a ship was difficult...but I feel like I can walk all over the bridge in these puppies..."

Scarlet tilted her head, watching with a small smile as she chuckled. The lass was petite, she could see why the heels would appeal to her. "I can see why, they could be offensive weapons."

Aria smiled as she pushed herself up and walked to her, sitting down in the seat next to her. "And they pinch a bit, but I am walking them out," she said with a wink.

"You could dance them out, but," she looked around with a small, half smile. "There doesn't appear to be much of an active dance floor." She paused for a moment, looking her over and taking her in. "No offence, but I think you must be the most petite security officer I have ever met."

"I usually get that," Aria said and smiled gently. "But you know, we do other stuff than tackle people down. And besides, got the big strong men for that!"

"All you need is a phaser and skill, yes?" Scarlet smiled gently as she sipped her drink, watching her. "So why security out of everything you could have done?"

She watched Scarlet with surprise at the question. It was personal and real. She gave her a small smile. "My Dad was a Marine. I knew I couldn't meet the requirements there, but...I could in Security."

"Ah," she smiled at that, nodding with understanding as she set her hands on her knee where her legs were neatly crossed. "I can understand that."

Aria smiled weakly before taking a long, shaking breath, perking herself back up. "Right, I deserve another drink..." she smiled as she watched Scarlet, with easy warmth.

"Well, then so do I," Scarlet laughed warmly, nodding firmly, her eyes shining.

Aria smiled warmly as she stood. "Sure thing, sweetie...what can I get you?" she asked with a warm smile, taking her glass and knocking the drink back.

"Mine is a long island iced tea," Scarlet admitted with a soft chuckle, almost embarrassed at it as she offered her glass to her.

"Good going..." she said and smiled warmly, taking the glass before walking to the bar. She returned with two long island iced teas, her eyes warm as she sat down. "I love how much stuff goes into these...bottom of the liquor box, sort of thing..."

"You can shake one up with anything you have left in the cupboard," Scarlet agreed with a soft laugh, arching an eyebrow. "And trust me, I know."

Aria nodded, her eyes warm as she sipped hers through the straw. "I know too. Although I end up making the weird shots..."

"You are a party girl then?" Scarlet asked lightly with a warm smile, even though she was pretty sure she was by now.

She nodded weakly and shrugged. "I like having fun," she said with a warm smile. "I also like to work and play rough. I'm young...got time..."

"Just how young?" Scarlet asked curiously, leaning forward with her elbow resting on her knee and her chin in her hand. She realised she'd never asked before.

"23," she admitted as she held Scarlet's eyes, her own warm despite the pale colour. "Almost fresh out of the Academy."

She shook her head, covering her face with a laugh. "I knew I shouldn't have asked."

Aria laughed warmly and poked her. "Girl, you need to spill your age now...come on, don't have all day..."

"I'm 28," she smiled softly, meeting her eyes with a gentle laugh. "I feel older most days."

"Don't look it," she said and smiled as she reached out, unable to resist touching the dark hair. "This is so soft."

Scarlet laughed softly with surprise, smiling warmly as she shook her head gently. "I see you like the dark look too," she motioned to the jet black hair of the other woman. "And it suits you."

She laughed warmly and nodded, her eyes warm. "Fake colour. I am a bit lighter than you naturally."

"I guessed," she admitted with a small smile of amusement. "You are pale."

Aria blushed and looked down, sipping her drink. "Not used to the sun, as they say on Luna."

"I think it is natural," Scarlet said softly, holding her eyes with playful accusation.

She smiled as she watched her, arching an eyebrow. "Well, I suppose I am pale all over anyway," she laughed and sipped her drink.

"Well so am I. I don't get out under the sun much anymore," she said lightly with a small smile.

Aria smiled as she studied her, with interest. "You still look pretty good," she said and finished her drink, sighing contently.

"Why, thank you," Scarlet laughed gently, looking down for a long moment, taking a soft breath. She sighed as she glanced at the time. "I have to get back to my quarters. You'd be free to join me if you would like another drink in a...non...empty...room..." she looked around the deserted mess with a small smile.

"I would love that," she said and smiled, standing as she watched her.

Scarlet led her out with a small smile, shaking her head as she took a breath. "Sorry for the sudden upheaval, but I have someone waiting. I promised I was only going to pop in for a drink to relax." As Scarlet led her into her quarters, she smiled to a woman sitting on the sofa. "Thanks, Jane, I'll see you soon..." she said softly as the other woman kissed her cheek and left quickly.

"Mummy!" her young daughter ran out of the bedroom, hugging her quickly as she smiled up to her.

"Lily!" Scarlet laughed softly with surprise, but hugged her back all the same. "You should be asleep, young lady!"

The girl tilted her head up to watch Aria with wide, curious eyes. "Aria's here too!" she exclaimed with a smile.

Aria smiled as she watched the child and she knelt, easily, with no hesitation. "Hi, sweetcheeks," she said and held her hand to her, palm up and a warm smile on her lips.

"Aria," the girl repeated the name fondly, before leaning to kiss the palm. "Pretty princess Aria..." she watched Aria's wide eyes and dark hair with awe. It was a striking look for anyone, let alone a young girl.

"Come on. I'm home now. Get back into bed and get to sleep or you'll be too tired tomorrow," Scarlet smiled softly, kissing her cheek.

Lily nodded gently before looking to Aria and waving cheerfully before trotting off back to her bedroom.

"I'm sorry, I thought she'd be sound asleep by now," Scarlet laughed gently to her, moving to get them a drink. "She should be sound asleep by now."

"No, she's...absolutely lovely," Aria said with awe and stood, her eyes warm. "And bright, for her age" she asked gently, looking down at the hand the girl had kissed.

"Yes, four going on twenty," Scarlet laughed gently as she sat down, motioning for her to join her. "She'll be asleep again already. She drops down like she needs another turn of the key."

Aria moved to sit down with her, her own eyes warm. "She's absolutely beautiful," she said softly, holding her eyes. "This must be an adventure for her."

"Maybe. I hope so. I was on a ship when I was her age, so," Scarlet gave a half shrug as she smiled gently. "I know it is a risk, but I have to do something."

Aria watched her, her own eyes gentle. "They allow kids here. And also, it's...well, better to have her with her Mum than alone, right? And there's no father in the picture."

"No," Scarlet shook her head gently, sipping her drink carefully. "Never has been. She seems fine with it though. She knows I work, but I always try and make sure it's while she's got her lessons."

Aria nodded gently, her eyes warm. "A good mother can raise a child just as well. My Mum did that for the majority of my life...I turned out okay," she winked and sipped her drink. As you know, my father was a Marine...and my Mum refused to travel with him. So I only saw him for leave."

She nodded softly, watching her for a long moment before taking a breath. "It was the war, wasn't it?" she asked gently.

"Yes. He was killed in action during the Dominion Wars," Aria found herself knocking back a mouthful of drink after the words. Almost to wash it away. "I was nine and...well. From there it was just me and my Mum."

Scarlet frowned, looking down as she took a deep breath. The war seemed to have taken so much. "I'm so sorry, Aria. He sounds like a hero."

Aria smiled gently as she watched her. "He wasn't a hero. He was a man. He was tall with dark hair and he laughed a lot around me...but I don't think he was a hero. Just...doing his duty. Or maybe that is heroic?"

"I think it is," Scarlet said quietly, looking down as she took a tight breath. "Fighting for something like that."

Aria looked at her before reaching to touch her chin. "Hey...don't you get all down on me, Scarlet. Because then I have to get down and then we get the tequila and we will wake Lily up by the time I have rocked out 21st century style..."

Scarlet looked to her with surprise before laughing warmly, nodding, her warmth returning at the light natured words. "Yes, you're right. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up. I'm just a curious creature I suppose."

"Well, I have no probs telling," Aria winked as she watched her, pinching her chin teasingly. "Part of me. And besides, it's okay. I am okay."

"Good. You seem okay. You seem very happy actually," she laughed gently, watching her with sparkling eyes.

Aria sipped her drink, nodding at that. "Girl has to be. I want to enjoy life...and work...and making new friends."

"Well I hope I can help with the last of those at least," Scarlet laughed fondly, watching her with warm, dark eyes.

"Of course...we're already bonding. Your daughter loves me," Aria winked, her eyes shining as she finished her drink.

OFF:

Ensign Scarlet Blake
Counsellor
USS Galileo

&

Ensign Aria Rice
Security Officer
USS Galileo

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