EXETERRPG: (1, 1815) ACFO, Lt JG Clint Hale and Science Officer, Ensign Gabriella “Bella” De Luca

[Will Banowsky]

NRPG: Bellia is italian for beautiful


RPG:


Mission: Space was cool before it mattered

Day: 1

Stardate: 2446.04.25

(USS Exeter -Starlight Lounge-ACFO, Lt JG Clint Hale and Science Officer,
Ensign Gabriella “Bella” De Luca - 1815)

Clint sat at the bar of the Starlight lounge when he noticed his old friend
walked in. There were multiple dining establishments on the Exeter, but in
scouting locations on where his hangout should be, he liked that the
Starlight Lounge made him feel fancy.

Walking up to her he smiled. “I guess you found your way to the Starlight
lounge too.”

“Girl’s allowed some glamour now and then, this place is gorgeous.” She
raised a hand, ordering a cocktail off the specials menu. Smiling as she
was handed back that could only be described as ‘blue’. Taking a sip, her
cheeks puckered at the tart sweetness that made her eyes twinkle.

“So, here we are, first day here, me permanently, you for like a week. So
what are your thoughts on my new home, because I’m having a hard time
trying to figure her out.”

“Oh? How so?” She managed with a gentle cough and a smile.

“I dunno, I guess its just shipboard life versus being on a planetary base.”

“Is it that different?” She asked, genuinely interested.

“Well, kind of yeah. I mean, on Mars, right, people lived on base, but they
also lived off base. There were more families, there were more civilians,
and I guess just more people. But there was more to do, more to see, you
could go into town. I dunno, everyone just seems so bored. There is no
escape, and the places they do have is shared with 500 people. So I guess
its like being stuck in a floating high school.”

“High School? Ugh. I remember it all too well.” Gabbie entoned.


“And just like high school, people may know who everyone is, but that
doesn’t mean they know everybody, doesn’t mean that everybody is friends
with everybody, or likes everybody.I mean that would be a miracle that any
small group of people beyond 10 were all rah rah kumbaya.  But unlike Mars,
you can’t run to New Ares City or Minvera City to get away from folks.
Dunno, just kinda feels small. Ya know. Trapped. I guess. I guess I miss
the open skies. I guess I never really realized how imprisoning space would
feel. I hope I didn’t make a mistake.”

Gabbie sighed. “I’m sure it’s not as bad as all that. You ever notice that
a lot of people who find a home in the fleet disliked high school? Mix it
up with your squad mates, it’s still early days. Did you meet your section
chief? What are they like?”

“Lt. Frost? We overlapped a little on Mars. Fiery red head or so they say.
Really hot, but not like I’m gonna go after my department head. Just
appreciating the female form.”

"Looking at other women? Should I be jealous?" She chuckled, teasing him
gently.

“Don’t worry Bells, I think you’re hot too, but not that I am going to go
after my good friend either. Just appreciating the female form.”

"You're incorrigible." She blushed.

“Besides, after dating L’Ze. I think I need a break from the game. Leave it
to me to date the most illogical Vulcan of all.”

"On that I won't disagree. Attractive girl and pleasant enough, but mad as
a box of frogs."


“Yeah, I know. Only person I know who was sent to Starfleet because they
failed the Kolinar, TWICE!” Clint laughed.

Gabbie laughed. “Surely not.”

“How’s things with your fancy science time and Commander Fancy pants. She a
good boss?”

"Yeah, I caught up with the Commander. Can't make her out. Seems nice in a
wierd way, but has an aura about her that's sort of unsettling."

“Why do you say that? Is it cause she’s pregnant? Am I insensitive for even
saying that?”

“Perhaps, but that’s not what I meant.” Gabbie drew a breath. “It’s more
the way a room reacts when she walks into it, like the air distills around
her. Her eyes miss nothing too. But like I said, I’ve seen her being really
silly and playful too.”


“Are you jealous?” Clint asked.

“Noooo….Yes…Okay a bit.” She stuck her tongue out. “Shush you.” She smiled.
“Its just that some people seem to do things so naturally that others have
to seriously bust their balls to even get halfway close to.”

“Like the person who can just wake up and ace an exam, while the rest of us
have to study our asses off?”

“Exactly that type, and no, that was never me either. Countless hours of
study and hideous amounts of coffee.” She remembered her finals with a
shudder it had taken days to get over the near caffeine overdose, or would
have if she hadn’t partied so hard after doing the exams.

“Well if it makes you feel any better, I think you’re prettier,” he said
with a silly tone.

Blushing gently, she smiled. “Why thank you. Get you, complimenting a near
married woman.”

“Well, complimenting you isn’t a crime.” Clint said with a laugh, “Besides,
I’m sure Adam doesn’t see me as a threat. He knows you aren’t my type.”

“Ugh don’t. He is still unbelievably pissed with me. I don’t get it. Two
weeks without me badgering him about leaving clothes and stuff everywhere,
two weeks where he can literally do his own thing and be left alone, and
it’s a bad thing?”

“Yeah, but he always struck me as the jealous type. It’s two weeks away
with all sorts of unknown men who could sweep you up and take you away.”

“I spoke to him an hour ago, I even told him to go to a strip joint with
his friends, but apparently that wasn’t funny.” She sighed, and giggled
slightly, she’d made the suggestion knowing that it would irritate Adam,
but in all seriousness it wasn’t something that she was particularly
prudish about and if he did, it wouldn’t bother her.

“I mean, there is no guarantee that y’all won't be separated even after
you’re married. I mean, marriage is taken into account, sure, but that
doesn’t always mean you will be assigned to the same place. Especially if
one of them has a specialty that gives them different assignments. Have
y’all talked about that?”

“Of course, however you know how he is, any conversation that deviates from
the image in his head is me ‘just being difficult’ or ‘now you see that
won’t happen because of this reason’ I have tried to suggest that
things maaaaay
not go according to whatever the plan is.”

“I mean, maybe it won’t be an issue, but this is good practice for marriage
right? Learning how to be apart.”

“Absolutely, and you’re correct. Breathing room is important, regardless of
how well you get on, everyone needs ‘me space.’” She smiled gently.
“Anyway…being seen with me too much won’t get you a new romance, even one
of the short term variety.” She winked playfully, she observed her empty
glass, and his. “You want another?”

“Another romance, no thanks.” he said laughing, “but a drink, sure. But
only one more, we don’t want a repeat of that night we spent at Jupiter
Station.”

Bella smiled, and nudged him with her shoulder, then held a hand up to gain
the barman’s attention. “Same again please, and one for yourself for when
you’ve finished shift.” She winked.

(Reply none)
(posted by Will and Mark)
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