EXETERRPG: (1 - 1604) CO Cpt Trip Williams and Civilian Waitress Addison Queen

[Mark Howard]

Mission: Auld Lang Syne

Day:01

Stardate: 2445.12.28



(Risa–Suraya Bay Resort, Conference Center- CO, Captain Trip Williams and
Civilian Addison Queen- 16:04)



After his run, Trip had showered, changed, and made his way to the
conference center. He was wearing sandals, khaki slacks and a white linen
button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He wasn’t looking forward to
being in a lecture, but it was the sacrifice he was willing to make so that
his crew could unwind. Of course he was weary with the romantic atmosphere
in the air, and was a bit worried about how many messy interpersonal
dynamics were about to be created.



The issue between Ire and Greta was lingering on his mind. It was a rather
public breakup, and while it didn’t disrupt Greta’s workflow, it had caused
Ire to lash out, punch both Ravok and Trip, and spend 21 days in the brig.
But on a ship of 500 people, hook ups were going to happen. It was
inevitable.



Still as he walked through the conference center lobby, and walked by a
giant dance floor with people his age, scantily clad, having fun, he
couldn’t help but feel like a giant bore. He wanted to ride jet skis, swim
with Risan sharks, play with monkeys, bungee jump. But he had work to do.
He hadn’t felt that itch in awhile, but as he walked through the conference
center, he couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if he was young
and not tied down. Could he pick up any stranger on the planet?

He sat down at the lobby bar for a Risan Sangria when he noticed a familiar
face.



“Addison, hey, what are you doing in the conference center lobby?”



Addison turned delicately, somehow, the top half facing him before her
legs. Even then, they swung round with a grace that belied her station.
“Oh! Please...forgive me Captain. I come here as the bar is open all
evening, the art is reflective, and once all of you are in your silly
conference, I have the entire building to myself.”



“I guess it does have the shortest line at the bar. How’s your vacation?”



She motioned around. “It’s amazing. I’ve seen beaches aplenty, but I love
these kind of things, it’s a far cry from what I grew up with.” She smiled
carefully.



“Yeah, and what was that, if I can ask?”



Addison’s face drifted out of the room. “Pictures that everyone deemed
‘perfect’, but all of them lacking expression.” She waved around. “Same
subject, but all of them are so different in their execution. It’s
beautiful.” She looked at the Captain. “I’m sorry, i lose myself. Are you
okay?”



“Sorry, just trying to get some exciting questions out before the
conference. I hate conferences. Sure I am a science major, astrometrics,
lots of boring lectures there, I cut my teeth with flight missions. No need
to go to conferences when you are flying valkyries.”



Addison smiled. “You’re a fish out of water.” she observed. “Here.” She
handed her drink over. “I’ve not touched it.”



“So what are we drinking?”



“Something I read about. ‘Risan vodka, Trillian Ultra-dry Vermouth, a shot
of lilet blanc and Terran Sicilian Lemon peel.’ I’ve had nine of them, the
barman keeps looking at me really weirdly.” Addison looked puzzled at the
Captain.



“Are you drunk Addison?” Trip asked as he took a sip of the drink.”



“No.” She shook her head demurely, “not yet.What do you think?”



“It’s tasty.” He said smiling.



“May I talk to you Captain?” she asked.



“Isn’t that we are doing right now.”



“You seem like...Ah...what’s the expression? Like you’re stuck ‘twixt a
rock and a hard place?”



“Well I’m the youngest one here. Only took it because I had to and wanted
my guys to have a break. Everyone is running around scantily clad, and I’m
here in a conference with a very pregnant wife in a bungalow a few meters
to the west. And I’m wondering, man, why did I never come here single.”
Trip took another sip.



Addison raised an eyebrow. “I am single, believe me, this place is a blast
but it’s all an illusion.” She regarded him. “Do I smell regrets? Even over
the over-shaken vermouth?” She lifted her glass, and sunk number ten.



“Sorry, I love my wife. Just, feeling my age. Young and stuck.”



“Permission to speak to you informally?”



“Shoot.” He said trying not look lower then her eyeline. It was hard
because he was so much taller.



“Strikes me that everyone wants what others have? Possess? It’s...basic
biological necessity, procreational need. Puritanical morals were a method
of control.” She motioned to the people around them.



“So what you’re saying I should dip my wick in more than one wax?”



“You’re worried about being an old man in a young man’s body.”



“Well when you have a young heart and mind, in this body, yeah.”



“Here’s what you need to do...may I whisper?” she moved closer, her chest
pressing briefly against his, her breath on his ear. “Don’t let it go
stale.”



“Excuse me?” he whispered back, unsure what she was talking about.


~Is she hitting on me? Am I hitting on her?~



Addison nodded to the barman as she stepped away, regarding him. “A lady
likes knowing that she’s desirable, no matter what.” she winked, then
turned, every step supermodel perfect, a foot placed along a line with the
previous.



Curious Trip followed her. But also, he felt like he needed to set
boundaries. Had he been single, they’d probably be in a closet somewhere,
or a quick beam up to the Exeter. But he wasn’t, he was married, and he was
feeling guilty for how alluring he found her.



“Addison, err Miss Queen wait up.”



“Trip?” She turned and regarded him, her skirt twirling around her upper
thigh.



~Don’t look, don’t look.~



“We umm, need to talk.,..about boundaries.”



“I don’t understand?” Addison flicked her eyes up. “I thought you were
asking for…” she nudged her head. “Advice?”



“I do. I mean I did. I mean yes. But...just look. We’re both two very
attractive people. But I have a very pregnant wife. Whom I love dearly. Who
is your boss. And while you are easy to talk to and we could surely be
friends, some of your advice is well...suggestive, and I can’t tell if
your, coming on to me.”



“Captain...I...don’t…” she looked at him



“And I’m an empath, and I know….emotions. Just want you to know, as much as
I value your company and advice, your insight. This, you and I, not gonna
happen. So boundaries. Unless I totally misread this.”

~But I didn’t I can sense her emotions. But at the same time, they’re off.
Like they’re here, but not.~



“I’ve been a bother, and I’m sorry, I thought that I could help you.” she
blushed horribly. “Please forgive me.”



“No wait.” He said, feeling guilty, maybe he had misread her.



“I should go. I’ve upset you.” she looked at him, then half turned.
“My...apologies.” she smiled gently, before swinging around and stepping
back toward the bar.





“Hey look, its on me anyways. I misread. I’m sorry. I’ll let you get to it.
But I misread. Sorry for being a pig.” Trip extended his hand.



She took his hand, “If she were me?”



“Yes?”



Smiling with some naughtiness, “spice it up, let her out for the evening,
and try and pick her up. Let loose. If you lose and not pull her, you still
get the girl, but you have to work for her…” she smiled.



“That could work.” He smiled. “Anyways, I need to go sign in. Thank you.”



“Have fun Captain.”



“And Addison, have fun. For the both of us.”



“I will Captain.” she picked up the drink that the barman had passed her
“L'chaim.”


Addison turned to the barman. “Do you know anything? Never shake a mix of
spirits, STIR ONLY!” ~I'm surrounded by incompetants~



(Reply none)

(Posted by Will and Mark)
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