Masquerade Ball - Part II

Posted on Wednesday, 5 May 2021 - 12:27pm by Lieutenant Alex Kingsley & Commander Soral

Mission: Operation: Neu Reich
Location: Star Base 21 | Various
Timeline: 2394

ON:

Alex and Soral walked hand in hand towards the club known as Dark Angel. As the got closer there seem to be a mist that filled the hall way slipping under the door. Two guards stood at the door handing out masks and checking people in. The line wasn't overly long but it was still robust enough. "It seems to be popular,” he said to her.

“How did you even know about this place?” She asked curiously as they waited in line. The whole place seemed to have a dark, almost gothic vibe.

"Hamura was here the other day said it opened up and does these masquerade Balls every so often." He looked around. "It has a very...interesting vibe to it."

“We don’t have to go inside,” she offered. “I’m pretty sure I could think of ways to pass the time.”

"We have two nights and two days to pass the time that way." He pointed out.

“Like that didn’t just jinx it,” she muttered under her breath, pouting.

"Now now, one must not pout." He said as they stepped up to the door. Each was handed a mask and their ID's checked and they were ushered inside. The room, much like the outside, was misted. There was a gothic air to it. The music was slow and instrumental. Couples danced on the floor and others sat at tables drinking or having a light meal.

"Fascinating," Soral said as he put on the mask which covered just the eyes.

“Indeed,” she grinned as she carefully positioned and then secured her mask as she checked in her bag at the security desk. The thin wristbands serving as their ID and for payment if they wished to eat or drink. But she wanted to dance and her bag, including the gift from Soral, would not be good for that. Taking his hand she tugged him towards the dance floor, “dance with me?”

Soral followed her onto the dancefloor sweeping her into his arms. "Something new to discover. You like to dance." The rhythm was slow and they swayed to the music which was fine with him.

“I do,” she admitted. “More so when I was allowed to quit dance classes to focus on gymnastics.”

The music changed to a waltz. "Do you know how to Waltz?" He asked.

“Is that a challenge or an invitation?” She asked as took his hand while the other rested on his arm, “just remember, I’m in heels and a little drunk,” she warned him.

"Excuses." He said and began to spin her around. He lead her around the room like a practiced dancer, the waltz was the one dance he'd learned well and it was one he often practiced on the holodeck as a way of calming himself. It truly did bring him inner peace.

Of course he was a perfect dancer, moving with confidence and ensuring the breezed around the dance floor and the other dancers. It was so simple to stay practically glued to his side. “You’ve been holding out on me,” she accused playfully as the music shifted.

"I love the waltz. In the Vulcan defense academy, believe it or not, they teach you to Waltz first. A graceful fighter is a successful fighter. Ever since then I have loved it. It is what brings me inner peace."

“The waltz is good,” she admitted, “it’s precise, elegant, graceful. Although I usually prefer Latin dances…. Those are a little more… wild. Full of energy and passion.”

"I see. Wait one moment." He left her on the dance floor and then after a minute he returned. The Waltz was still playing and he was able to take up from where they left off. "Sorry I had...something important to do." There was a mischievous glint in his eye.

“Soral…? What are you up to?” she demanded.

"Nothing at all my wife." He said not quite meeting her gaze. The waltz ended and he bowed as was fashion. His gaze, wickedly settled on her as the music changed. The DJ's voice came out.

"This one is for Alexandra!" He called as a hot Latin track began to blast.

"You were saying..." Soral said.

She was laughing as she took his hands, pulling him towards the middle of the floor, kissing him before she winked at him, “now this, this is Samba music! It’s perfect! Just listen to the music and have fun,” she told him.

While it shared little in common with the waltz, as she danced he watched and learned quickly. She took her own advice, combining styles so it was more fluid and natural, but allowed her to still keep him close and entertained. As the music ended she spun back into his arms, breathless as she kissed him far longer than intended or was probably polite when surrounded by strangers.

He lead her to the bar where they sat down. "That was fascinating."

“Fascinating?” She asked as she sipped her cocktail, the icy coldness sending goosebumps down her arm but the delicious blend of flavours was just too good.

"Indeed. I believe it is a lot less active then what we do when we are alone." He slipped in as she took her drink.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of energy left,” she whispered in his ear.

"Indeed." He said. They danced the night away and he had to say it was amazing to just be with her as a couple with no talk of work or the ship or family just Soral and Alex. By the time they got to the holo-suite that would be there home for the next couple of nights they were both all danced out. The program was of a luxury hotel with all the works.

As they entered Soral looked around surprised at how nicely the program was designed.

"This is... amazing," Alex whispered as Soral led her through the lobby to the reception desk. Everywhere was beautiful pearlescent marble , from the pillars positioned throughout the large open space right down to the reception desk which dominated the room. As they walked, the marble seemed to subtly shift colour under the lights. Or maybe she had just had too much to drink. Probably that.

She heard the woman behind the desk assure Soral they could call day or night and wishing them a pleasant stay and they were escorted to their suite. Which, she soon realised, was way bigger than their quarters on the ship.

"No way!" she breathed as they were escorted inside, a lavishly decorated room welcoming them. Floor to ceiling glass windows offered views of a cloudless, starlit sky while a small fireplace was lit nearby, ensuring the room was comfortably warm for their arrival. As she edged closer to the windows she realised they were overlooking a private beach beyond a terrace which was lit by tiny lights which managed to make the space softly lit. It was beyond perfect.

"I thought managing to book a surprise dinner was doing good," she lamented aloud. This was a whole other level.

She forced herself to look away from the view, and from the temptation of the hot tub on the terrace, as she heard the door close with a reassuring thud that confirmed they would absolutely not be disturbed. "This is amazing," she told Soral as she peeled off her shoes, dropping a good few inches in height in the process. "Thank you for doing this."

"I believe that with all that has happened we could both use this." He'd seen her look at the hot tub. "If you wish we can utilize the hot tub. It would be nice...especially since I feel perpetually cold."

“And here I was about to suggest some fun with ice cubes,” she teased as she took his hand, “hot tub it is.”

Once they were settled in the tub Soral put his arm around Alex. "You were right. We must do this often. I believe that with everything that has happened and been happening we merely existed through our day. I feel as if it has...pulled us a little farther away from one another and I do not want that."

“Then we don’t let it,” she said as if it were the simplest thing in the world as she leaned against him. “We find time. I won’t be doing any more research for a while and have zero plans to go anywhere. My priority is you.”

"And mine is you." He said kissing her temple. "I have seen a Vulcan doctor on the station as to my condition."

“And?” She asked hopefully - and with no small amount of impatience - as she turned a little so she could face him. He was far to casual when it came to his own well being and way off the scale when it came to hers. “What did the doctor say?”

"There are options. I feel that I must tell you the doctor was Dr. Selin, you met her a while back." She had been the one he'd had a few dates with. "She gave me some medical options as did Captain Stillwater. She just confirmed his … suggestion."

“Okay meeting with an ex - in this particular scenario - is allowed,” she clarified, “but what do you mean? What suggestion?”

"I had to inform the Captain of my condition as it progresses. Should something happen he must find a replacement for me. He suggested Cryo-stasis and Doctor Selin agrees. If done in stage two it will be effective long past the medical aids."

"Or," she countered as she moved to sit on his lap facing him, "or, you stop being so over protective and we at least try Soral. Cryo-stasis... for what? A few days, weeks, months? Years?"

"It will not be that long. Your progression is remarkable in terms of healing." He paused. "I cannot risk hurting you. I understand that at times I am over protective however this time it is just the right amount of protectiveness. This weekend we will try to meld just to see but I cannot form the bond just yet. When we return we will have Doctor Rose review our case again, I promise."

"And he will want us to wait, and wait some more," she protested, almost pleading as she put a fingertip to his lips, willing him to let her speak. "But think about it. T'Lanna's outburst or whatever that was... it helped. Maybe... maybe being so cautious is the wrong thing to do? Be honest with me. Is that you really can't try to form another bond - you, not me - or that you wont?"

"I can try but I do not wish to hurt you. But...there is something we can do if you are willing."

His answer had clearly saddened her, but she pushed it away. She had asked for honesty and gotten it. "What's that?" she asked him.

"There is a Vulcan delegation here healers, monks, I was raised with them. They will be able to give us a good assessment as to what is happening and perhaps a time line. Will you see them with me?"

"If you think it will help," she agreed quickly.

"It will, and Alexandra I saw it on your face. Do not take my not wanting to initiate the bond now as something against you. You are more precious to me then my breath and I cannot loose you. If the bond is initiated too soon you could become trapped in your mind for ever. I cannot risk that, on the account of myself, your parents, our children, and this crew and ship."

"I'd rather risk that than you suffering, you dying," she told him.

"And I'd rather risk myself then you dying." He smiled a little, a tired smile. "So you see we are both stubborn that way."

"But I am a special red headed kind of stubborn," she grinned as she kissed him.

He kissed her back. "I know." He said standing with her in his arms. "I think it time for us to move this inside, do you agree?"

"Thought you'd never ask," she teased him. "Now, about those ice cubes..."


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