Red Liquorish (Part 1)

Posted on Wednesday, 25 November 2020 - 2:32pm by Lieutenant JG Adrianna Eberhardt & Crewman Leopold Eberhardt

Mission: Operation: Ouroboros

Adrianna had decided to brave it, though far from alone. She wanted to reach out and see her mother. It was dangerous, but seeing Giovanni, albeit under negative circumstances, really made her homesick. The longing to see the one person who was positive towards Adrianna’s actions, was now overwhelming.

The Italian wore her civilian clothes but underneath was well armed inconspicuously. Daggers were placed strategically at the base of her back, hips and ankles with a small phaser at her back too. She was heading into a dangerous situation and internally refused to go down without a fight. Her heart pounded and Adrianna's stomach turned. Wrapping a scarf around her neck and mouth to be a bit more subtle in appearance. Adrianna pulled it down to reveal her face to her companion, "ok, I'm ready." The woman didn't really feel it, but it would be wrong of her to not at least try.

Leopold smiled as he caught sight of his girlfriend. "Wowza," he said practically salivating, his eyes studied her up and down. To say he found her attractive was an understatement. He awkwardly held a PaDD near his groin. "You...you look incredible" he professed. "

"Verzehren!" he exclaimed in excitement, it was like a dozen butterflies had awaken within his chest. His face flushed a warm rosé. "Ja, if looks could kill, das bodies would mound."

Adrianna blinked, stunned to silence. She looked him up and down, trying to put pieces together. "An armed woman gets you going?" she half teased, "Gawd don't go flirting with my mother."

"I think the expression is, I'm not into cougars," he replied with a childlike expression etched into his face. He sucked in his bottom lip and examined her. "It is not that you are armed that turns me on, it that you are stunning and I am yours."

This seemed like an odd statement from Leopold. She clocked her head to the side as if a puppy trying to figure out what on earth his master was saying 'sit' for. "Are you alright?" she asked, a little concerned.

"Yes," he replied simply. "I think so. I just...your brother rattled me more than I cared to admit. He does not believe I am worthy of you, and I already have admitted that to myself. It is different hearing someone else point that out, reaffirming what I already feel."

"I'm not sure I understand," Adrianna looked confused, but started heading for the door, "my brother was toying with you to make me miserable. He has grown out of love for me, it has now turned to hatred." She paused and looked to Leopold, "you misunderstand, it is I that does not deserve you."

Leopold shook his head "No, no. Why would you think that?" he asked genuinely. "You are in intelligence. You get to examine data and play a strategic and vital part on aspects of ship missions. I work on lower decks and haven't been on an away mission yet."

"You listed rank for reasoning," Adrianna chuckled, "I couldn't do your job as much as you couldn't do mine, but we are both needed. Now come on, let's go."

I really do not do much he thought to himself but knew it was a losing battle to try and go against Adrianna. "Ja, I am nervous, but I know you will keep me safe," he said taking a deep breath. "It is always frightening meeting the family of someone you are dating, but it is not every day they will literally try to kill you. I am fairly certain your brother would have, but I suspected you were very near. You would not have allowed anything to happen to me."

Adrianna smiled," it's only my mother, I hope. Anyone else and we may not make it back. Plus, we have to pass through Rome, so you can see how close the holo was too." She took his hand and pulled up her scarf, back over her nose," you stay close and try not to look paranoid. Let's go."

"Lead the way," he said nodding. "I will try not to look paranoid or say or do anything that will get us killed. I am just glad you are from Earth and not from some world like New Sydeny, Freecloud, or Turkana IV" he added. "Those worlds are rough and I would not feel safe on them. At least Earth is not so bad...usually. At least from what I've heard and my brief time there."

"Hey, there are good and bad parts of everywhere. Free loud has a great tiki bar," Adrianna teased, as they headed for transport.

***

Before they knew it, they were in Rome. Walking towards trevi fountain. Adrianna took in a deep breath and looked around in awe. It was still as she remembered. The warm smells and hotter temperature,crowded beyond belief but she knew the path to take to maintain hidden within the crowds in order to get to the transport she'd hired to get to Orte.

They had to blend in as if tourists.She quickly asked a member of the police to excuse her as she accidentally bumped him. He simply smiled though did do a double take at the woman's eyes. Her face was covered otherwise, so Adrianna didn't feel it would be an issue and the man backed away with a smile, evidently used to tourists, but grateful of hearing the excuse me in non-bastardised Italian.

She held Leopold's hand and placed a coin in it. She leant in so Leopold could hear her in the loud hustle and bustle, "try not to give anyone concussion this time." She'd managed to find a path all the way to the Trevi fountain edge. In daylight it looked spectacular. Ever inch of it so finely crafted out of marble, it was a sight to behold.

"Stillwater to Baciami and Vali," Came Stillwarter's voice through her badge. "If you two have a moment, I believe your presence would be valuable in San Francisco right now. I am at Starfleet Head Quarters with Admiral T'Arev."

Adrianna came through quickly, though in Italian at first. She then corrected, "sorry, sir. I'll be there soon. I'm just in Rome. I'll be there shortly." She looked around, seeing the police officer have a form of recognision on his face. She cut the comm and looked to Leopold, "maybe a quick wish then we need to move."

Leopold made the wish, tossing the coin which hit the water perfectly. He looked at Adrianna. "See, I did not hit anyone this time," he added teasingly. "How about I walk you to the nearest public transportation hub, you can beam over to San Francisco and I'll roam around Rome," he said with a small chuckle. "I doubt they will need you for long. We are on Earth after all."

"You should come with me," Adrianna looked past Leopold at a few people coming towards them, "they know you're with me." She pulled at his arm, "come on, we need to move."

He had to concede at that point. He was vulnerable without her. "You're right. It isn't safe for me to be alone," replied Leopold. Together, they traversed Rome to the nearest transporter hub. Before she stepped forward onto the pad though, Leopold pulled her close and kissed her.

He held her in place for a moment, then slowly released his grasp. His eyes on her. "Adrianna, there's nobody I'd rather spend the rest of my life with, this risk is well worth the reward. I have fallen in love with you."

Adrianna blinked at him. Her heart pounded, but silence overtook. She searched his eyes for honesty and found it. Her eyes suddenly darted to behind him and her hand reached out past him, a dagger dropping from a stranger's hand, falling on the floor between the couple. Her focus shifted and she pulled a phaser with her free hand, pushing it straight to the man's brow, "you're going to take a few steps back and let us go, or so help me!" She practically growled the words in her native tongue, her expression cold and someht murderous.

Leopold sighed. Life with her was exciting, but sometimes the excitement with Adrianna was a mood killer. "This is life now? Everytime we are off the ship someone may try to kill us?"

"Only on Earth," she smiled, though still keeping her eyes focused on the man. Before she knew it she had a punch blind sided her and she grabbed Leopold so as to not fall over. Her phaser scattering to the floor.

"Adrianna!" exclaimed Leopold. He was more concerned with her than of the phaser or his well being.

Adrianna quickly recovered and threw a punch back before pulling at Leopold so they could leave that second. She'd have one hell of a black eye at the meeting, but she was fine. "Move!" she commanded, though somehow didn't sound panicked.

...