EXETERRPG: (1 - 1906) FO Cmdr Alex Jones & CSO Lieutenant Erin Cortez

[Jaclyn Smith]

Mission: Space was cool before it mattered


Day: 1


Stardate: 2446.04.25



(USS Exeter - Holodeck 2 - FO Cmdr Alex Jones & CSO Lieutenant Erin Cortez
- 1906)


As it finally dawned on her what the scene was that lay before her, Erin’s
eyes grew wide as she took in the scene. The children running about on the
frozen river, the stall with the stall holders shouting their wares and the
people skating… the scene was so perfect and exactly like the stories her
mother had told her about when she was little.


Looking around, it felt almost like a dream. Taking a minute to gaze upon
the vista of the city of London in the far ground and sight of the fair on
the ice, she turned to Alex, her eyes gleaming and a wide smile on her face
and said, "How… my mother told me stories of this… how did you know?"


Alex watched the vista swim over Erin’s face. The changing emotions perhaps
either the well of a tear, or a touch of smog dust in the eyes. “I’ll not
lie, I had help. This isn’t something I know anything about, at least until
someone told me about it.”


"But… No-one knew about this…"


“You. You said it yourself.” He took a breath and sighed. “I’ll confess you
caught my eye at the Barbeque. You mentioned that it was your dream to
visit…something like that.”


Erin looked back at the river, frozen solid and took a breath in an effort
to collect her thoughts. The fact that he had, not only heard that, but
remembered it was just amazing to her.


Looking back at him, a soft smile on her face, she loosened her arm from
his and took his hand, "You did all this just off that one comment? And I
will stop asking why I promise… this is just… amazing. "


He noticed her change of grip, enjoying the feeling of her warm little hand
in his. “I didn’t write this, so let's clear that up, I am nowhere near
this talented. Seems that you’re not the only one interested in this.” He
sighed, the touch of her hand on his making him happy, he squeezed gently
as he motioned toward a ramp of steps the top of which stood a young girl,
stood in dirty clothes, and tattered shoes.


“Sixpence for the ice?”


Alex nodded, and after dipping into his pocket, handed over a few small
coins, then led Erin down the steps. “Ready?”


Erin nodded slightly as she took a step onto the ice. Part of her expected
the tales from her childhood to be just that. Tales and not reality. But as
her weight shifted onto the frozen river and she realised that widely the
ice wasn't cracking or breaking, she couldn't help the smile that flew
across her face.


Standing on the frozen river in the middle of London in Victorian times,
the almost childlike happiness filled her and she giggled a little. Letting
go of Alex’s hand for a second, she walked a few steps ahead and just
stood, looking around and taking it all in.


Alex regretfully let go of Erin’s hand, but his heart was filled as he
watched the glee that so obviously soared within her, an almost childlike
explosion of happiness was palpable in her eyes. He watched as she simply
looked at her feet on the thick ice, and then lifted his gaze as spun her
attention around her, her eyes gasping in awe.


She turned back to look at him and smiled

widely, "This is amazing. You have no idea how long I have wanted to do
this!" She grinned again.


Slowly he stepped over toward her, his heavy boots crunching underfoot.
“You can call this a shot in the dark, but you seem happy?”


"Happy is not the right word for this." She smiled as she leant up and
kissed his cheek gently, ".. thankyou."


Alex felt the kiss on his cheek, the burning sensation warming his soul.
“Wh…I…ahem….” he tried to pull himself together. “I’ll take that as a yes?”
He smiled and thought about holding her hand once more.


"We should explore. I …" she paused, realising that she was mumbling and
said, "I'm sorry if I seem … exuberant. I'm so touched that you thought
about this from that one comment.."


Sighing happily, as they stepped carefully on the hard frozen ice. He
motioned toward a bunch of stalls a short way up, and carefully took her
hand again, with a shy smile.


Feeling his hand in hers, Erin returned the smile and gripped his hand
gently. As they began to walk, something about the whole scene made sense
to her. Whether it was the setting or the company, she wasn't sure but she
felt something that she hadn't felt in a long while. She felt safe.


A pair of other walkers came the other way, and the gentleman, older, his
clothes well tailored, doffed his top hat to them, returning the
compliment, Alex nodded, and briefly pulled at the front of the bicorn hat
that formed part of uniform of a Commander in the Royal Navy at the time.


Nodding to the gentleman as he doffed his top hat, she smiled at Alex as he
returned the gesture. "Quite the gentleman  Commander." She winked
playfully.


“Why thank you Miss Cortez.” He winked.


Looking at the stall to her left, Erin’s senses were immediately heightened
as she could smell a sweet and nutty aroma. "Oh… I think that's roasted
chestnuts. We used to have those at Christmas. My mom insisted on having
them every year. Fresh not replicated mind you." She laughed as she walked
to the stall.


“Come…” He motioned toward a clearer area a short way up. “Chestnuts and
then…well. I hope this hits all your expectations."


She nodded, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Oh yes it certainly does
and then some."


With his hand in hers, there was a feeling in the air to her that was
almost palpable. That this was how a date should be. Not the scene or the
setting but the fact that someone had taken time to prepare something and
taken time to just plan this. To her, that spoke volumes of the man she now
held hands with.


“I hope you’ll forgive me, as you know Ailynn helped me out…with the
costume, I assure you no impropriety was intended.”


"Do not worry, kind sir. No need for any apology at all."


“Good. good.” He blushed, but then motioned to another stall, “skating?”


"Yes, although I should warn you. Whilst my aim with a bow and arrow is
straight and true… my balance on ice may not be as good. Horses I can deal
with… ice is a whole different beast entirely." She replied honestly. "I
just hope not to make a fool of myself. "


“The main thing…my lady” he said, on a whim placing a kiss on the back of
her hand. “Is that we have fun. In all honesty the ice terrifies me, I grew
up in a place where ice was put in drinks…you may need to carry me at this
rate.” He chuckled.


Still feeling the touch of his kiss on the back of her hand, she smiled,
"Same for me. I think it's why this has always fascinated me. Santiago
rarely gets frost never mind ice. This…" she looked around her, "...just
seemed so magical as a kid." She blushed a little as they made their way to
where a woman was handing out skates.


Alex nodded a thanks to the woman as she gave the pair of them and after
helping Erin with hers, slipped his own onto the soles of his boots, then
stood up unsteadily. Laughing as the pair of them gingerly made their way
across the ice. Holding her hand once more he looked at her, her ecstatic
girlish excitement infectious.


Erin smiled as they moved slowly across the ice. Looking at Alex, she leant
up and kissed him softly on the cheek, "Honestly this is just perfect."


Alex blushed at the contact, and looked at her as they skated gently,
enamoured by her beauty. “Yes, it is.” he managed, shyly, then slowly
leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.


Realising that he kissed her, Erin returned the gentle kiss and smiled
softly at him. As they began to skate, the fact that he had kissed her so
gently and holding his hand, Erin felt so at peace. Smiling, she looked
around at the others skating and took in the vista.


(Reply none)

(Posted by Jackie and Mark)
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