A Night On the Holodeck (Part VI)

Posted on Sun Nov 6th, 2022 @ 10:44am by Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani & Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver

1,217 words; about a 6 minute read

[PREVIOUSLY]

Vincent smiled, nodding his head, allowing a slight laugh to escape his lips. "Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” He said before looking to Daniel. "I like her."

[CONTINUED]

Daniel smiled, looking down a bit.

Meghan chuckled. "I like you, too," she said to Vincent. "Not many people still quote Shakespeare." She wondered how much Shakespeare Daniel knew as this was his program.

Vincent returned the smile and gestured to a booth against the wall, red curtains having above it for privacy. "Have yourselves a seat, if you wish. Drinks and food are on me." As he placed his hand on his stomach, there was another glint in his eyes, just before he bowed towards the group. "Welcome to Elysian."

Meghan took a step closer to Daniel. "Thank you."

Daniel walked with the group to the booth, opening the curtain and allowing the others to slide in, before taking a seat himself by Meghan. He looked over to her and smiled as he looked out towards the slightly empty room. "We need more activity. Computer: Move the program ahead two hours."

The computer let out a tone in response as characters vanished before appearing, along with a mixture of people and creatures, while the music began. The club was now alive with people dancing and talking. Tables, both sitting and standing, were filled. The patrons were even more interesting. There were a mixture of humanoids and odd-looking creatures. Although, it was hard to tell if the humanoids were even human at all from where they were, but they all seemed to be enjoying themselves and having a good time.

"That's better." Daniel shouted, looking over to Meghan. "I'll take this over that boring dinner any day."

"I don't know. I've had some interesting conversations over dinner--usually involving science or archaeology." She grinned. "I know, it makes me such a geek."

Daniel chuckled slightly. "I don't think you being a geek is a bad thing." He smiled back at her before adding. "I meant that Cadet dinner we left. I didn't like being there. Felt like we couldn't be ourselves in there. Like there were too many eyes on us, you know? Here... even with the loud music and creatures scattered all over the place... I feel more like myself."

She nodded, her eyes still looking at him. "Yes. It felt...awkward. And too practiced. Like he's given that speech a dozen times before." She raised an eyebrow. "He has, hasn't he?"

He let out a bit of a laugh before looking away slightly. He observed the crowd in the club, the ones he could see from the booth anyway, before looking back to Meghan. He slowly eased closer and finally leaned his head by her ear before replying softly. "It’s one of his go to speeches when it comes to talking to Cadets or new officers. He feels that, the right words, will inspire them to be better officers and better people. He a few different ones depend on the occasion." Daniel paused for a moment, holding back a laugh as he added. "I've probably witness him practicing them in front of a mirror since I was a kid. Drove my mom nuts."

She tried not to laugh, but she couldn't keep the smile off her face. "I guess it's effective, for anyone who isn't paying close attention to his body language. He's far too practiced for it to appear spontaneous. No wonder you want to disappear if you've heard this for most of your life."

"My Dad comes from a long line of Starfleet Officers. Captains no less. So, naturally, he thinks it’s my turn." Daniel said in her ear. "Which is why, despite being in Security, are on a Cadet Cruise in the Command course. A Cruise I never signed up for, and if I did sign up to be on the cruise, it wouldn't be in the Command course." For a moment, he allowed his hand to slide next to hers as he put his arm on the cushion behind her, which positioned him to ease closer to her. As he continued to speak, his index finger would rub against hers, as if playing with it slightly. "Don't get me wrong... I don't regret being here... I just wouldn't have come here under the Command course."

"I'm glad you're here," she whispered, feeling a slight blush creep up her face at his nearness. "I think you'll do well in whatever course you choose. But..." She looked up at him again. "Will your father let you choose for yourself?"

"Hey Lovebirds. Should we find another booth?" Emma asked sarcastically. "What do you say mister Vulcan?" she asked curiously. "Should we leave these two to 'socialize' without us?"

Meghan blushed, but didn't move away from Daniel because they had nothing to be ashamed of. Honestly, she would rather go somewhere quiet right now where she and Daniel could talk. She raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a problem with quiet conversations?"

Daniel looked at her, raising a brow slightly, before his brain kicked in and he realized what she meant. A smile formed on his face before he nodded his head and leaned in slightly. "Not at all."

She smiled at Daniel, then turned to Emma. "It's okay. We'll go somewhere more conducive to conversation."

Meghan stood and waved to Emma and Shafin. "See you in the morning." Maybe Emma was the one who wanted to be left alone. If so, this would be her chance.

Daniel stood up with Meghan and placed his hand on her lower back as he looked around the club for an empty table. He gestured to one at the other end and leaned in as he whispered. "Over there. Do you see it? That one’s opened and it’s for two people."

She nodded. "Yes." She walked with him through the crowded club to the table. She hoped the other two didn't mind that she wanted to continue the conversation she and Daniel were having while she had the chance. She had no idea how busy they'd be once the cadet cruise started.

He walked with her to the table. As soon as they arrived, Daniel pulled out her seat for her and waited for her to sit down, before pushing it in slightly. He then walked around and took the other seat across from her. "Do you want anything? Drink? Food?"

She considered that for a moment. "I'll have whatever you're having." As this was his program, it was a good way to learn more about him. And she figured he'd pick something she'd like.

Daniel nodded his head before looking around. He raised his hand and motioned for one of the waitresses to come over.

The woman approached with a smile. She had on a short skirt, heeled boots, and red top. She had shoulder length black hair and green eyes. The woman looked human, but the tribal tattoos there were visible on her skin which seemed to have a slight bluish glow before going back to their faded black appearance, said otherwise.

(To be continued...)

Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver
Command

Cadet Junior Grade Emma Mendez
Engineering

Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani
Science

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