[TF] Sam

[writes_with_digital_ink]

after this:

Last date Gaila had been on had been back in San Francisco, with Jim Kirk. A lifetime and a whole alternate reality and over six months ago (not to mention Jim was a Grade A Jerk). This date is more of a whimsy than that one, so she doesn't exactly spend a lot of time preparing. Given the current ship-madness, she keeps the leggings and boots but swaps the jacket for one of her tunics (gold and patterned), makes sure her underwear matches, and puts in some nice earrings. And grabs the nerf gun because, well, why not.

So it is that around dinner-time, she buzzes the door to Room 762

Comments

[immutablysam]

"I... don't have even a clue what that means. Code?"

[writes_with_digital_ink]

"Right. Sorry. Mixing up metaphors and technology." She leans against a chair and taps it with her long green fingers.

"Do you know the computers and machinery here? I'm a programmer and engineer specializing in dealing with that. The computer reads instructions, which is in a language we call a code. Need me to backtrack on anything?"

[immutablysam]

"I think I get the basic idea, anyway... not so much metaphors... more... we didn't even have the idea of computers. All I've figured out so far is the voice commands, and that they work."

[writes_with_digital_ink]

"Yeah, I do the stuff behind the scenes that makes the voice commands work, basically. You curious about learning more, or just...okay with getting it to work?"

[immutablysam]

Sam grins and shakes her head. "I never did figure out how to even make most of the Coltranes' stuff work. Airships and all. Harriet taught me to fix Bubsy, but that's about it. I think I'd take forever to figure out any of this computer stuff, long as it keeps working. There is one thing I wanted to do, though."

[writes_with_digital_ink]

"And what's that?"

[immutablysam]

Sam steps up to grab Gaila, at least a bit careful of the clothing, to kiss her, hard.

"No magical whatsit involved. Just wanted you to know it may have helped, but I didn't exactly object."

[writes_with_digital_ink]

"Well," she says, sliding a hand up Sam's chest to the neck, "I just wanted to make sure. Gotta be careful."

So, she's going to kiss Sam back now.

Very. Thoroughly.

[immutablysam]

Sam is quite pleased with this result, and returns the kisses. Dinner, computer discussion, and the rest can all wait.

"I suppose. But now you know. In case of any more magic whatsits."

[writes_with_digital_ink]

Gaila drops her mouth to Sam's jaw, then neck.

"Mmm," she hums, her free hand to starting to wander. "Meant what I said, too. You're interesting."

[immutablysam]

"Mmm, if this is the result, I'll take interesting." She tilts her head back a bit, allowing free access to her jawline and neck, and letting that hand wander as it will, while Sam's own strong hands settle on Gaila's hips.

[writes_with_digital_ink]

Gaila laughs softly, and then almost pointedly traces the edge of Sam's binding.

"How far do you want to go?" she asks, kissing Sam's collarbone. "My people kinda treat this as having another form of conversation, which apparently isn't normal for like, most people in the Federation or on this ship? So. What do you want, Sam?"

[immutablysam]

"There's no objection here to you spending the night. Maybe a lot of nights if it keeps going this well. But let's do dinner. Chat a bit, get our strength up, since the meat is mostly ready to go. If you're still up for another form of conversation after dinner, we'll have a lot to talk about."

[writes_with_digital_ink]

This time, her kiss to Sam's jaw is butterfly light, gentle.

"Dinner," she says, and moves off to acquire the rest of what she had planned from the replicator before she got so nicely distracted.

[immutablysam]

There was definitely temptation to just forget dinner, and take Gaila straight to bed. But there'd been plans for this dinner, and even now, it occurs that they should talk a little more first, at least.

Sam checks on the pork, and starts cutting it up, hands with two knives moving almost faster than the eye can follow. The pork itself is nothing fancy, but the preparation would be something to watch.

[writes_with_digital_ink]

Gaila laughs, delighted, and then dips Sam a little bow.

"Where did you learn that?"

[immutablysam]

Sam glances at the knives a little oddly, all of this second nature to her.

"When I quit using guns, mostly, I suppose."

[writes_with_digital_ink]

"Really?"

She props her chin on her hand, expression thoughtful.

"Long range weapon changing up to short? Or am I thinking of something else?"

Pause.

"Not that I'm objecting. I like a person who's good with their hands."

[immutablysam]

"Mostly, guns got too easy. I can still shoot and all, but don't see much cause. More fun this way too."

[writes_with_digital_ink]

"I think I can understand that," Gaila says, thoughtfully. "At least a little bit. In training for Starfleet, we're tested and train under different conditions. You know, being spun around, or hung upside-down, or the gravity goes off...

Wouldn't always want to do it, but the challenge is fun.

Most of the time," she concedes. "Being spun around while upside-down trying to fix a computer isn't my idea of a good time."

[immutablysam]

"Can't speak on fixing computers, but sounds sort of like trying to patch up an airship in the middle of a storm. I'll have to look into some of these tests, bet they got a few of 'em in those fancy holo-whatever rooms of yours. Could be fun."

[writes_with_digital_ink]

"Mmm, they should," Gaila says, thoughtfully. "It's a key part of training, so I'd be really surprised if they didn't."

Pause.

"Airship?"

[immutablysam]

"I spent most of the past four years as the wilderness guide for the crew of the Dame Fortuna, James Coltrane's airship."

[writes_with_digital_ink]

"...And if I say that sounds exciting, you gonna agree or give me a look that says 'no, actually, it's dead boring mostly'? What are airships like, anyway?"

[immutablysam]

"Oh, most of the trip, lots of fun." She cuts off at that for a few moments. "Definitely not boring. Sort of like sailing ships, but bumpier. If you want to help program it, maybe I an show you in one of your... whaddya call 'em? Holo-decks?"