Tropical Nights

Posted on Sunday, 15 November 2020 - 9:42am by Lieutenant Alex Kingsley & Commander Soral

Mission: Operation: Ouroboros
Location: Jupiter Station
Timeline: 2393

“Is this really necessary?”

Ignoring her daughter’s question for the moment, Laura Kingsley knotted the blindfold in place and quickly checked to make sure the strip of black satin was effective. When there was no reaction to her frantic waving and the faces she pulled - beyond a childish giggle from nearby - she nodded to her two assistants to walk ahead and open the doors. “It’s to add to the air of mystery,” she finally replied, guiding Alex through the house and out onto the deck.

Holding her finger to her mouth to urge Soval and Severine to stay quiet, the woman paused to admire her handiwork. Of course she had two very formidable helpers, and while not telling him why, she had enlisted Soral’s help in keeping her daughter away from this part of the beach for a while.

Gone were sandcastles, in there place was a small campfire off to the right while straight ahead an old style projector was set up to play a movie. Some sleeping bags were laid out and some seats too, along with food and drinks and small tea lights in multicoloured glass jars... it was simple but perfect. Overhead, the night sky was full of stars.

“I thought we could all unwind,” she said as she tugged free the blindfold, letting her daughter take in the sight before her. “You always loved camping out, I thought a beach would be better than our old living room.”

“It’s perfect!” Alex grinned, turning to hug her mother. As Soral emerged she grinned, “is this why you wanted to walk a million miles after dinner?”

"Indeed. I am not good at distractions...it was the only thing I could think of." Soral had been happy to see the children excited over something. It was...at that time that he'd felt the family vibe that he'd been missing most his life.

"Oh you can be very distracting," Alex teased him quietly as she reached for his hand.

Laura rolled her eyes and slipped away to join Severine and Soval, helping them sort tubs of popcorn and letting them decide on the movie choice. All of them, she quickly assured Soral, were family friendly. Alex didn't dare point out that her mother's idea of family friendly may not be the same as Soral's but that was perhaps best. "Okay, take your pick children," Laura told the twins as she handed them a tablet which listed each movie and a brief summery. "We have the Disney movie catalogue queued up. Superheroes to Star Wars, princess to under the sea. Animated to live action. There is no bad choice. I'll go fetch the blankets while you pick."

Both children seemed to take to the task. They carefully read and reread the descriptors. Each child chose one and showed the other. There was a moment of quiet and then both kids smiled. "Mulan." They both said as Laura came back.

Laura grinned, wondering if they realised how they had announced their choice in perfect synchronicity. "Well, I think that is a wonderful choice," she told them as she lined up the movie. "Make sure you have your drinks and snacks, and get comfortable."

The kids followed her instructions to the letter. Severine interested in the story and Soval and the warrior aspect of it.

Tugging Soral's hand, she led him to the large blanket her mother was laying out. Sitting down she smiled up at Severine as the girl appeared beside her, handing over one of the tubs of popcorn she carried. "Why thank you," she grinned, watching as both children decided they two would sit on the blanket with them. She glanced at Soral and squeezed his hand, hoping he understand it as a good thing, even if Soval was perhaps only following his sister's lead.

"Come on mum, there's still a little room," Alex called over her shoulder as the screen came to life, shifting closer to Soral to make space for her mother to sit. It was not lost on her that, while they had so much space, they were crammed into one little spot.

It was perfect.

Soral felt a certain contentment that had eluded him. He wished his bond with Alex was still active so she could feel it. Instead he put his arm around her and settled in.

OFF