Something for Shore Leave

Posted on Wed May 29th, 2019 @ 7:06am by Warrant Officer Koh Otassu & Lieutenant Commander Shaille Levine

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: Dalacari Planet

Shaille turned to face Koh, looking up at him, laughing as she brushed hair back from her face, suddenly wishing she had remembered to grab an elastic before she left. The gentle breezes that seemed to be everywhere were a novelty not afforded to those who spent most of their time on a starship.

"Alright," she said lightly. "What do you want to do now? We can explore the beach? Or we can go shopping? Or we can go find coffee? Just no more food, I'm completely fooded out, well, that is, unless there's chocolate cake?" She finished with a grin.

There was definitely a notable level of excitement in her voice, likely because this was the longest she had been off the Wellington since she had come aboard, and definitely the first time she was truly enjoying the benefits that shore leave had to offer. "So what do you suggest?"

Koh gave a smile, looking at her excited face in the sunlight. "Okay, if we go to the beach, we'll fall asleep on the sand and with all that food in me, I might not wake up for weeks." he teased. "Now, there COULD be chocolate cake, there could also be shopping." he pointed out, then motioned across the way a bit to a small cafe. At least, it looked like a cafe.

"There's also coffee. Well, they don't call it coffee, but it's essentially the same thing. Except it's blue. I don't know why it's blue, but it's blue." he mentioned. "Though, it's coffee. Just blue." he chuckled. "The beaches of Dalacar are incredible, but mostly during sunrise or sunset. Just turns the whole sky red, and then as the sun dips lower and lower it just goes dark. On a clear enough night, you can see the lights on their lunar colony."

He chuckled, "I had six weeks of boot here. We used to use spotlights to send coded messages to the lunar camps. Nothing serious, in case others were... you know... looking up into space at the time. We'd send silly jokes or measurements for... you know, jets and stuff." he chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "We could go check out the shopping scene. You know, everything here on Dalacar is buy one, get one if you're not a Dalacari." he chuckled.

"Okay, well, how about some shopping, to work off all the food we've already eaten, and then we can do coffee and chocolate cake," Shaille replied with a grin, reaching out, sliding her hand down his softly furred arm before she entwined her fingers with his. "So, where do we begin?"

He took her hand in his, and gave her a smile, "Let's just roam around, I'm sure we'll find something."

The streets were full of Dalacari, but it never seemed to feel cluttered. There were drones everywhere, but they never seemed to feel congested. Everywhere the two went, they were greeted warmly. Such an inviting people, and their drones were just as friendly. Always with a pleasant greeting, or an offer to be of assistance.

"Watch this." Koh offered, and the next time a drone greeted them, he returned the greeting. "We feel very welcome in your city. We may need directions in an hour, but until then we're very at home. Thank you."

The drone replied with a nod of its head, "You are most welcome citizen. Be well." and Koh then lead Shaille towards the next street intersection. There was, as expected, a drone there. The difference is, when they pair approached, the drone didn't greet them like the others had. It noticed their presence, gave a nod, and then returned to its duty.

"They're all networked. In exactly an hour, the next drone that notices us will ask if we need directions." he explained. "That's how the Dalacari get to relax and enjoy life so much." he smirked, "I mean, don't get me wrong, it's pretty impressive but still, something about it doesn't quite sit well with me, but it's just something I have to accept." he gave a smirk. "Either that, or lead a one man crusade." he chuckled, "So, shopping. How about that little place?" he motioned to a little shoppe, with some mannequins in the window showing off some nice casual wear.

Yes. Dalacari mannequins came in pairs.

"So, you gave one drone a piece of information and suddenly every drone in the area knows it?" Shaille asked quietly. "Seriously?" She stopped, shaking her head quickly before she looked toward the store front he had pointed out. "Sure, that looks fine. So how prolific are the drones here? You said they pilot all the military craft, they seem to be in every business and house, are they all interlinked?"

Koh gave a nod. That slow kind of nod that told exactly how scary that thought was, and the answer that went with it.

"Dalacari drones are linked to massive computing systems called Thinking Engines. Each Engine is, in turn, linked to other Engines locally or across subspace bands. Every. Drone." he made that point clear. "So, suppose we rob a bank. A drone sees us. In twelve seconds every drone in the city knows our face. By tomorrow, everywhere on the planet and every ship in orbit. In a few days, every Engine in the fleet knows us."

He paused, to let that sink in for a moment. "Now, imagine a military with that. A drone is snuck up and attacked from behind. The local security forces are alerted to a problem. Everything is on alert, looking for someone that probably doesn't want to be found." he paused again. "Now, they aren't truly intelligent. Mostly because we asked them very nicely not to invest in Artificial Intelligence research, and they obliged."

"Because if their military woke up and realized that drones exist to ensure that actual Dalacari lives aren't lost, they'd be understandably upset."

"I guess I just feel a bit off about the idea," Shaille shrugged slightly. "I mean, honestly, when you first told me about the drones I thought you were exaggerating, but now..." she shook her head, reaching up to tuck her hair back behind her ear to stop her hair flying into her face. "My father told me that knowledge is power. He who has the knowledge has the power. Besides, I watched those movies at the Academy, I know how these situations play out, and the killer robots always win!"

"That's hardly funny." Koh said with a smirk, then motioned to the store. "Shall we? I mean, we came all this way."

Shaille bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. "Sure," she said, "I'll stop talking about killer robots taking over the universe." she teased lightly. "Let's go shopping."

Upon entry, the service staff were mostly drones, with a live Dalacari serving as a host and greeter. "Oh, welcome guests." she started with a pair of friendly smiles. "Welcome to Tia Dia's. My staff and I are at your call." she said, a sales pitch and greeting that was marvelously rehearsed. The interior had all the latest trends and fashions, complimentary outfits designed to be worn by Dalacari, but individually didn't look half bad. "Blue and orange are in style this season, with purple expected to make a strong comeback this winter." she advised.

While the tops and accessories were freely wearable by non-Dalacari, the pants and shoes would be a challenge. Walk a mile in someone else's shoes, after all, and you find out how many ways there are in the universe to make a foot.

Picking up one top that appeared to be a particularly lurid shade of orange, Shaille held it up and turned toward Koh, one eyebrow raised as she tipped her head to one side slightly. "I can see why this color is in style this season," she said, trying to keep her voice level. "It's such a classic color. What's not to love about it?"

"Oh it's simply perfect on you." Koh offered with a smile. "Orange is such an underrated color. It's just good that three species, separated by such distance, can actually all appreciate it."

The saleswoman actually smiled. "You are SO right. I didn't even think of that." the concept of color recognition through the species kinda blew her mind.

"Though, perhaps a touch darker of a shade of orange, dear." he commented back to Shaille. "Ts'usugi eyes are quite sensitive to bright intensities."

Setting the top back down, Shaille moved across to an array of accessories, admiring the pendants, bangles and other pretty objects. "Now this is pretty," she said holding up a long chunky silver necklace with a chunky purple and black swirled stone on the end.

Koh glanced over her shoulder to look at the jewelry and accessories. "Oooo, now those, yeah." and in a hush he whispered, "Much less orange." before returning to a conversational tone. "Anything you see, let me know. I think, and don't quote me on this, but I THINK the Ts'usugi koku trades a little more favorably to the eBit than the Federation... Whatever you use."

He thought about it for a moment. "Seriously, what DOES the Federation use?"

Shaille laughed and set the necklace down, turning to face him. "We don't really have money as such, we're supposed to be above all the trivial issues that come with the desire for money and 'things', and I guess, given we have everything we need at our fingertips, there's not really a lot of need for it? For instances like this though we an use Federation credits. We can convert the credits into what ever currency we want to deal in." She shrugged slightly. "Honestly, I've never thought about it a whole lot. Shopping and spending money isn't something I do a whole lot," she said with a smile, reaching out and slipping her hand into his again. "The necklace is cute, it will clash horribly with my uniform."

He gave her a smirk, taking her hand and gently bringing it up to hold against his cheek. "I think we'll be alright for shopping. Pilots get paid a ransom." he smiled, "As for the necklace, well, you probably wouldn't be wearing it with the uniform." he said with a chuckle.

"Though..." he gave some distant matter some thought, "You do put a good spin on it. With fabricators and such, who needs money." he paused for a moment, "Though, even still, when we trade with the Dalacari for materials and such we trade back with either currency or cubes of elemental metals. Usually osmium, I think is your terms for it. Dense, stable, durable." he commented.

He shook his head a little, "But, we can talk politics and commerce later. Much later." he smirked, "Pick up the necklace, it looks nice on you." he commented.

Smiling warmly at him, her thumb gently brushed across his cheek momentarily before her hand fell away. "Alright, I'll get the necklace, but then I think I'm all shopped out," she said softly. "How about that chocolate cake?"

He gave a smirk and a nod, and handled the transaction swiftly. There was no physical exchange, just a scanning of a simple handprint. Then the necklace was boxed and wrapped. The cheerful saleswoman gave a nod and a smile as she handed the bag to Shaille, "An excellent choice. Now, if I heard right and it's cake you're after next, there's a lovely place down the road. Third left." she suggested.

"Can't go wrong with a local." Koh offered Shaille his hand, "Shall we?"

Sliding her hand into his as she took the bag, Shaille looked up at him, smiling. "Thank you," she said softly as she squeezed his hand gently, her smile turning into a grin. "Now, about that cake."

"To cake." he said, like on some grand adventure. A few steps out of the door of the shop, though, and he just smiled to her, "I want you to know, that gift is a gift. I bought it for you, because I want you to have it. No obligation, no debt." Koh mentioned, with some weight behind his words. "From one Ts'usugi to another, giving a gift is a big deal. From the thought of a return gift, down to the notion of favors unspoken, it's rare on Ts'usu to just get a gift without any rope attached."

"But, this isn't Ts'usu." he said with a nod, "And there are no ropes attached. Just that I think you're very special to me, and I want you to look as beautiful as you feel."

Without speaking a word, Shaille turned into him, putting her arms around him, her head resting on his shoulder. "The fact that it comes from you is what makes it priceless," she said softly, pulling away enough to look up at him. "I love it."

He looked down at her, his eyes lusterless... shineless... alien eyes that viewed the world, now only viewing her. Hearts separated by trillions of miles, stood together on an alien world. Soft fur met with hairless skin, long ears heard the soft words the human spoke. Trillions of miles, countless decisions made by their DNA across their respective histories.

All brought them here, together, under an alien sun. On a street swept by a drone. The most unlikely of conditions, in the most impossible of combinations. All brought to this one moment.

"I love you." he said softly, as though any louder would shatter the moment that held it. "That night, the whiskey gave me haste, but it didn't give me ideas." gently, he brought his forehead to rest on hers, his eyes slowly closing as the contact occurred.

In the moment it seemed like everything else in the universe had fallen away so all that remained was the two of them, the feel of his touch, his forehead against hers, his warmth, and his words. Three tiny little words spoken so softly that had yet managed to take her breath away with such intensity. "I love you too Koh." Her hand moved carefully to the back of his neck, her fingers caressing his soft fur gently.

"Now, about that cake." he whispered, daring to peek through half-opened eyes like a child sneaking a peek at a gift.

Shaille laughed softly, unable to help herself. "Yes, that cake," but she made to effort to move away from him, her fingertips still moving in soft caresses. "We keep talking about that cake..."she murmured.

"You know, if this keeps up..." Koh softly spoke, hardly even audible. This moment could last forever for all he wanted. This moment, this touch, this feel, this...

"Pardon the intrusion citizen. Did you require any further assistance locating anything?" came the vocalization of a drone.

"Guess it's been an hour." Koh muttered with a chuckle.