Decisions, Decisions

Posted on Fri Mar 29th, 2019 @ 10:58pm by Lieutenant Commander Shaille Levine & Warrant Officer Koh Otassu

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: Quarters

Shaille stirred, instinctively rolling toward the warm body of Koh, a smile forming on her sleepy lips. "Morning happened again..." she murmured sleepily, with a soft laugh. "You know it's making a bad habit of that..."

Pulling his arms around her and snuggling in close, she smiled again. "Do you want to come down to the Dalacari world with me? she asked quietly. "I'd love for you to show me around... or... you know... we could always just stay here," she said with a cheeky smile. "I don't mind either way."

"This time, no whiskey. I like that part." he chuckled softly, content to just lay there. His quarters were far less impressive than her's, but that's just cause he had less belongings to transfer. Bed was longer, though. Couldn't imagine why.

He gently tightened his grip around her, nothing constrictive, but he certainly wasn't pulling away anytime soon. "You'll like Dalacar. The planet is full of Dalacari." he chuckled. "They're some of the most interesting people I've ever met, and at the same time some of the most infuriating. Curious, brilliant, decadent." he described them. "I'm certain we saved them from themselves with the accord."

"Their drones. Wait on them hand and hand and foot and foot." he chuckled, "But, get past that, and they have such marvels to share. Get past their drones, and their fabrication stations are practically worth joining the army for. I mean, if you like food that is." he smirked, gently resting his head against her's. "I know I do. Besides, I'm technically a citizen of Dalacar with the accord. Gives me a few extra privileges. Still wouldn't recommend jumping the fence, though."

With a smile, Shaille started tracing small lazy shapes on the back of his shoulder with her fingertips, content to remain in his arms, savoring the contact between them. "Well I'm more than happy to give up the Whiskey, Gods know, never again! But food on the other hand... well..." she laughed softly between words. "Giving up food would be about as easy as giving up you," she said softly.

"So what do you recommend we see down there?" she asked quietly, smiling as she spoke. "And what happens if you go beyond the fence? They seem so polite and friendly, it's hard to think they could be particularly punitive."

He smiled, "Oh their food is incredible, though it's hard to get the full effect. See, everything of their's that's a delicacy is served in twos. So to get the full effect, folks like us would have to eat two pieces together. Whereas they just, each eat one piece and let their weird cloud brains mix the flavors." he smirked, intending no disrespect.

At her question about the fence, though, he chuckled. "Oh them? Oh no no no, they're the nicest folks in space. that fence is just there to let us know where the gravity index is. See, here's the trick. Your Subcomma... No that's the wrong word. Second Officer, yeah. Your second officer or your commanding advisor, Rostra was her name, right? Next time you get the chance, watch her lift up something." he suggested. "Dalacari are deceptive in that regard. Dalacar is at almost one and a half terran gravity, which is about the same as Ts'usu gravity. I think it's closer to one and a third, but still. Don't get involved in an elbow wrestle with her. OR... find someone who needs to be taken down a peg, and have her elbow wrestle them." he suggested with a smirk.

"Hopping the fence can result in injury. The drone forces are there to prevent injury, so they'll suggest that we don't. WHEN someone does, they'll bring them to the nearest wellness center. That's the other thing Dalacari have down nice: Healthcare. I suggest you stub your toe and find out how well it works. Most of the time it's completely automated, sometimes though you get an actual doctor. Some of the best bedside manner I've ever experienced."

"Also please don't tell the subcommander that I called their biology a weird cloud brain." he chuckled.

"Weird cloud brain..." Shaille laughed openly at the remark. "Oh, don't worry, I wouldn't dream of telling Commander Tang that you think she was a weird cloud brain, but I love the term..." she ran her hand slowly along his back. "Definitely the most apt description I've heard yet."

"But I'm sure Commander Tang will cover the importance of the fences at the briefing, I just hope none of the crew get the bright idea to go beyond. The last thing I feel like doing is dealing with the fall out from abject stupidity."

With a contented sigh, she closed her eyes again. "So what do you suggest we see on the planet? You know, for the first time I think I'm actually looking forward to shore leave, especially having my own personal tour guide for this one," she murmured softly with a smile.

"They're a race consumed by their passions and their curiosities. We should have dinner at a different place every night, and maybe see a show. On a stage, or film really, though Dalacari Stage Theatre can be a bit confusing. At least I find it confusing." he admitted. "If there's a demonstration and you want to catch it we can, but having flown with Dalacari drones before I just... I dunno, they kinda creep me out a little." he continued the train of confessions.

"I mean, I understand why, but still just... I dunno. A machine built to decide who lives and who dies. Count me out." he gave a little shiver. "The beaches are nice, but the water's thicker than normal due to the planetary gravity so, diving is a bit tougher. Easier to float, though so there's that. A nice relaxing soak after a long day of doing nothing." he chuckled. "If there's a town or a villa or something nearby, we can go shopping. When you shop at a Dalacari store, everything is two for one." he said with a corny smirk.

"So, no drones, check," Shaille said with a smile. "But all the rest sounds amazing. Everyone keeps talking about how good the food is down there, I think I might need to consider a diet when I get back to the ship," she said with a laugh. "It's probably a good thing the water makes it easier to float too," she grinned.

"I definitely want to do some shopping, but if you don't want to be dragged along I'm sure Renee won't mind coming with me. I want to get some stuff for my quarters as well. So many options, I don't even know where to start." Shaille laughed. "I do like the idea of going and seeing a show, but honestly, I think it's hard enough to keep with with Commander Tang sometimes when she talks, I can't imagine trying to keep up with a whole stage full of them. Are their films all cast by Dalacari as well?"

He smirked, "Oh no, dragged off to find cute outfits by my ..." and he paused, "Is it too soon to call you my, oh what's the word... Girlfriend." he asked, unsure if that was even the right word.

"Cause I'd love to go clothes shopping with my girlfriend, if that's the word. All those cute outfits, and just spending time together." he stated with a nod, "See if Renee wants to tag along to. I'm sure there's stuff about wardrobes and such that I just couldn't properly answer." he said with a smirk, "I just know what looks good on you."

"Though, with a few exceptions their cinema is pretty much entire Dalacari cast. There are a few crossover pieces with a few up and coming Ts'usugi stars, and there were a few movies that actually starred a drone. They were a series of comedies, and they were fun to watch." he paused, and his expression drooped a little as he remembered, "There was one movie of theirs I saw, oh feels like ages ago. Saw it once and that was too much. It was a documentary piece, highlighting being Single in Dalacari society. They interviewed dozens of Single Dalacari, the ones that were cleared for social contact mind you. Not a dry eye in the room." he shook his head slightly, "And honestly, after seeing that film I had a much deeper respect for them as a people, and a lot of the questions I had about them as a power in the universe were pretty much answered."

"I recommend against seeing it, only because you *will* cry." he paused, "I know I did."

"I've wondered about that," Shaille said softly. "I've seen the way they act just during every day stuff, they're so entirely dependent on each other, I can't imagine what they must go through when they don't have that." She shuddered almost involuntarily. "Came close to finding out first hand once, would rather not do it again."

Drawing in a deep sudden breath, she pulled away enough that she could look up into his face, reaching up, her fingers gently stroking the length of his long ears before touching his cheek. "You know, I really like the way it sounds when you call me your girlfriend. But then again, I haven't found anything about you yet that I don't like," she said with a smile.

He gave her a smile, his ears twitching at her touch. The misery and depression of the topic of Single Dalacari was banished by her contact. "Then if you'll have me, you're my girlfriend." he said with a bit of ceremony to it.

"If I'll have you?" Shaille asked with a soft laugh. "I wasn't aware that was ever in doubt. You know, we should spend more time on shore leave," Shaille said quietly as she snuggled in the comfort of his arms. "I like these lazy mornings. It wouldn't be very productive and I don't think Starfleet would be very happy... but it'd be much more relaxing don't you think?"

Koh gave a smile, content to just hold her close. "Of course. Do you know how rude it would be for me to just assume?" he gave a gentle chuckle. "Maybe Starfleet should adopt a more relaxed approach. Happy workers work better, after all." he kept that smile up, "Maybe seeing how the Dalacari do things will inspire them? Or, actually on second thought, that my be TOO much relaxation." he chuckled again.

"A month or two I would have agreed with you... but I'm learning a whole new appreciation for relaxation, especially when it's with the right person." Shaille smiled lazily. "So when do you want to go down to the planet?"

"Three hours after everyone else." He said with a smirk. "To beat the rush of the crowd." he smirked as he leaned in against her, his head gently resting against her's.

"Mmmmm..." Shaille murmured softly, closing her eyes at his contact. "So what I'm hearing then is that we have plenty of time...." her voice took on a teasing tone as she spoke quietly.

=/\=

Warrant Officer Koh Otassu
Fighter Pilot
USS Wellington

Lieutenant Shaille Levine
Chief Security Officer
USS Wellington