Two Spooks Meet In A Bar... Part II
Posted on Fri May 5th, 2023 @ 4:03pm by Captain Edmund Merrick & Petty Officer 1st Class Kaylara Loran
Edited on on Wed May 10th, 2023 @ 12:08am
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 14 - The Poseidon Adventure
Location: The Repulsive Sailboat Bar & Holodeck - Poseidon Station Promenade
Timeline: MD004 2330 hrs
Kaylara thanked the security officer before turning to Stefan, smiling. "I can take care of myself. But I do appreciate that you almost decked him." Her smile broadened. "Still want to take me on that pirate ship?"
"Now more than ever." Stefan's grin broadened even more. "Let's go and I can change out of my escort clothing." he held out his hand to Kaylara to see if she'd take it or keep things at a more casual state. Either way, they were heading for the holosuite.
This time she took his hand. "Yes, let's get you out of that and into something less proper." Her opinion of Stefan had improved since she first met him. "As for food, you know the promenade, so I'll let you decide."
"All depends on what you are in the mood for. I like to get food at the Big Easy Bistro, getting their jambalaya, along with their beignets. Those are really good." he answered.
"I have never tried jambalaya, but it should fit with the pirate theme," she said. "And definitely beignets."
"All right then it is Jambalaya and Beignets. To drink? Some real stuff if you want to go real pirate, Grog which is very tasty, lime juice, Brown sugar, Dark Rum and water. Some nowadays have it with ice but I prefer to drink it just like back in that era, the era of the tall ships with no ice."
They arrived at the Big Easy Bistro, it not taking too long for the order to get done. The Bistro looking like something straight out of New Orleans, with the soft jazz and music being played in the background, and the owners calling out to each other their accent from that city of Nawlins.
Kaylara enjoyed the music as she looked around the Big Easy, taking in the decor and the people working there. It had an interesting atmosphere. Then again, so did the entire station. It was a place she wouldn't mind visiting again, if she had the chance.
A clay jug was brought over with the grog inside along with the Jambalaya, and two tankards.
"laissez les bon temps rouler" was said to Stefan and Kaylara.
"I certainly hope it does. Let the good times roll." Stefan said in answer, then grinned towards Kaylara. "Let’s be off now."
"Come back sometime!" Lisette called out after the departing couple.
"The program that I'll be activating is a war sloop, called the Black Fury. It has the speed and the ability to go into shallower waters than the heavier ships. It had been the rival of the HMS Terpsichore back during the era of the tall ships. " Stefan related to Kaylara as they walked along the thoroughfare of the Promenade.
"It sounds like a good ship. How many crew do you have?" She liked tall ships, although she hadn't been on one. She was looking forward to the adventure, especially as Stefan seemed to be an excellent partner for it.
"Well, the crew for this ship, 99 besides me." Stefan answered. When they stopped at the holosuite door, he keyed in the code for the program. "Black Fury, Zamfir" he stated. Then the door opened and he stepped inside, beyond the arch was a bay named Guanabara. "Welcome to Rio de Janeiro."
At the moment there wasn't much activity going on in the program. The sun was just peeking above the bay's horizon, all was still and quiet. A warm breeze wafted its way towards where Stefan and Kaylara stood, bringing with it the scent of jasmine. The tops of the palm trees swayed with the breeze as well.
"Here we are, now to change into something more comfortable. My ship isn't too far away, it's waiting for me to get there well, for us to get there. "
Kaylara nodded. "Good. A corset and leather skirt are not appropriate for a pirate ship."
Stefan taking a look at her outfit gave a nod. "I've heard that it’s not easy to move around in a corset. It looks good, but if you need to get out of the way of a sword or do a tuck and roll, that won't work." Looking around Stefan called out. "Computer clothing shop for costume change. A shimmering effect and a clothing shop came into view, it matching the buildings nearby. "Shall we?" gesturing towards the now visible wooden door, and held the door open for Kaylara to pass through.
The outfit he was planning to wear, would be a poet’s shirt white, with most of the leather lacing undone. Black slops (pants that hit just below the knees) with a dark red sash around his waist. the final pieces would be a red kerchief around his head, a pair of knee high boots and a sword plus dagger at his side.
She looked at the outfit he picked out and nodded. She chose something similar, except instead of a sash, she chose a red vest to add a bit more protection. She'd used the kerchief to keep her hair out of her face and picked a sword and dagger that fit her size. A quick glance assured her the clothing would fit, then she turned to Stefan. "Is there a changing room or do we just turn our backs?"
Stefan gave a slight chuckle. "Well, we could do that, but...there is the changing room." Motioning towards the corner of the shop. "Much like it was back in that era they do have changing rooms. And it’s something I believe in utilizing. There is yours" giving a nod towards the one he directed her attention to. "and that is mine." pointing to one on the right, and proceeded to move in that direction.
Kaylara just grinned and headed for the changing room. She carefully folded her clothes and set them on the counter before changing into the pirate costume. She made sure they fit properly and were comfortable before walking back out.
Stefan stepped out shortly after Kaylara did, adjusting the sword and the dagger to make certain they set well in their places. He looked natural in the outfit, the whiteness of the shirt against his sun browned skin. It wasn't a dark tan that he had but it showed he'd been out in the sun before. He paused to admire Kaylara and the outfit she was in, a half-smile gliding across his lips.
"Aye, you are a sight to behold." Stefan breathed out appreciatively, walking over to where she stood, his eyes drinking in the wild beauty, of Kaylara. He then reached out as if to touch her cheek, then moved his hand to retrieve the bags which held their food and drink, picking them up. "We'll dine in the captain's dining room upon the Black Fury, then we'll go hunting down a prize ship." giving her a flirtatious wink.
Kaylara had been admiring how he looked in his pirate gear as well. She smirked when he almost touched her and didn't. "Aye, Cap'n. At your command." This was going to be fun.
As they stepped outside of the shop Stefan led the way down the cobblestone walk to the wooden dock area, the scenery took on life. People began to come out of their abodes and places of business, the characters calling out greetings, one passed by,
"What oh Captain Marku, I see you've got another crew member!" the man who was slightly rotund and wearing a knit cap, called to Stefan, "The ship she is waiting for you to step upon her deck. "
"Thank you, Hansen, tell the missus hello for me!" Stefan called out as he strode past the man, his gait confident and self-assured. Another thing that could be seen was he was seeming to be a bit more easy going, his stride more flowing, almost like a cat as it moves.
Kaylara was fascinated by the scene around her, the hustle and bustle. She also enjoyed watching Stefan turn into the captain of the ship. This persona she found intriguing. He seemed to become another person as he interacted with the people around him.
As they were drawing near the dock where a dinghy awaited him, an old woman tottered her way out in Stefan's path he abruptly stopped, so as to not knock her over.
"Why hello Granny what can I do for you?" he asked of the old woman, who was wearing a light blue shawl.
She crooked her finger for him to lean over, and in a quavering crackling voice she quietly said, "Marku, don't forget to take some violets with you." handing him a hanky which had violets embroidered upon it, and it also had the scent of violet upon it.
"Why thank you Granny." giving her a simple kiss upon the cheek which caused her to giggle and blush and she moved out of the way for him to proceed forward. He laughed, and continued on. Over his shoulder he said to Kaylara. "My brother had told me that one must always kiss Granny, otherwise bad luck would arise. I actually didn't kiss her one time, and boy did ill luck plague me in the program." giving a laugh.
Kaylara watched the old woman for a minute, then smiled at Stefan. "Being nice to the elderly is always good. They deserve it."
"I do agree with you on that." The two of them arrived at the dock where a dinghy was waiting there.
A swarthy individual was waiting, dressed all in tan, with a knit cap over his hair, he was playing a sea shanty upon a harmonica. He stopped when Stefan approached, leaping up from the crate he was seated upon.
"Are you ready Cap'n? The crew is restless and ready to sail." the man getting ready to cast off the line connecting the small boat to the dock. "We'll be rowing out to her."
Stefan easily swung down to the dinghy then held out his hand just in case Kaylara needed it though he doubted she would. Just in case though...
She didn't, but she briefly debated if she should just take it for appearance's sake or swing down herself. She decided this time, she'd take his hand. There would be time later to show what she could do. "Thank you," she said with a cheeky grin as she stepped into the boat.
"You are welcome." Stefan flashing a return grin. This was a part of his play as well. He knew she was an independent woman, especially indicated by how she handled that person back at the bar. And he liked how she was playing along.
"Okay Henry, let’s be off." Stefan gave out his command once he and Kaylara were settled down safely upon the bench of the dinghy.
With a nod, Henry settled into the position where the oars were, grabbing them and gave a mighty pull once the blade caught the water and they were already pulling away from the dock and out towards the ship. His arms were muscular from the hard work he did, and he was very good at the rowing. A few minutes later they were nearing the ship, Henry bringing the dinghy up against the side of the Black Fury where a rope ladder was sent down for them to climb up.
Stefan scaled the rope ladder, rather quickly, despite him carrying the food and drink over his arms. As soon as his feet touched the planks of the Black Fury, a bosun's whistle sounded and a voice called out, "Captain on the deck!" and there was the sound of pounding feet of the crew being there to greet him, to stand for him to inspect.
Kaylara waited long enough for the captain to be recognized, then climbed the ladder after him. She stayed in the background as she considered herself another lowly crewman. This was Stefan's show and she was going to enjoy watching him as much as she enjoyed participating.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant JG Stefan Zamfir
Of SB50 Intelligence
played by:
Captain Edmund Merrick
The Cure Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Petty Officer First Class Kaylara Loran
Data Systems Analyst, USS Pioneer
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