In For a Penny

Posted on Thu 20th Jun, 2013 @ 4:03am by Lieutenant JG Lys Greystone

1,270 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: http://sb109.sim-station.net/index.php/sim/missions/id/4
Location: Orchids & Jazz, Deck 400/Cargo Bay 350, Deck 1300
Timeline: MD02, 1700

Orchids & Jazz was in that quiet time before serious Alpha Shift dining began. At the door, Reon Velasquez watched the clock. He was off shift at 1800, and he had tickets for the circus at 2000. Two tickets, in fact, and that was the problem. He didn't know what had possessed him to spend good latinum on any ticket to the circus, let alone two. Currently, he was not dating anyone, and the only one he'd seen come into the jazz club who looked interesting lately was the science officer who shared some heritage with Jade Lantz.

Several people entered the restaurant as he thought about the Chief Science Officer. There was something a little sad about her, though he'd seen her smile and even laugh once. She came in fairly regularly, but they hadn't exchanged many words. Still, he wondered if she had been somewhere in his subconscious mind when he'd bought two tickets. His mind wandered a little as he automatically sized up people arriving and leaving. The Cymbidiums played in the background, but he tuned out the music and let his mind float.

At first, he thought he had somehow conjured up Lys Greystone, that she wasn't really entering the club. When she spoke to him, he knew she was real.

Lys smiled softly as she tilted her dark head to meet the eyes of the doorman, his name started with an R... she remembered that. Her smile slipped as she tried to remember his name. The name was on the tip of her tongue but she couldn't quite grasp it, and she didn't want to be nosy and pry for it. "Hi, is Orchids & Jazz open, or am I too late?" She smiled another flash of her soft smile at him. "Wait," She glanced at his attire. "You're off duty aren't you. I am sorry. I shouldn't have bothered you about work during your off hours."

"Not quite off," Reon said. "Soon. Orchids & Jazz stays open until zero two hundred, but the kitchen closes at midnight. Did you want dinner tonight?" He picked up a menu, glancing at the clock. He saw his relief walking toward him and nodded to him. Taking Greystone's elbow, he turned her into the restaurant. "Let me show you the best table in the house." This just might work after all, if the God he didn't believe in were kind tonight. "My table," he said, pulling out her chair at a table right in front of the stage.

Lys laughed softly, "After all the times I've been here, Reon, you never told me you had your very own table." She had finally remembered his name as she sat she slid her hands down the back of her dress out of habit as he pushed her chair in. How nice. she thought Considering that most men didn't bother with such things any more

Reon smiled at her banter as he went around the table to the other side. "I don't tell all my secrets right up front. Have to save something for the second date. Mind if I join you?"

Lys laughed softly, her smile hit her eyes and lit them up briefly. "Please do. Since this is your table. I would hate for you to not partake of its use."

Velasquez sat down across from the scientist. "Thanks, I haven't had dinner myself. The chef makes a great eggplant lasagna. Or if you're more the meat type, the mixed grill is really good. He has a wonderful meat rub he uses on the lamb and pork, and the liver and onions add just the right extra flavor." He grinned at her. "Of course, I'm a dessert man myself, and the magic lemon pie is my choice of energy for a good workout."

"They both sound delicious," Lys replied as she studied Reon's face for a moment. She was not used to seeing him still, but always in a flurry. It was nice. "But if I understand you correctly, I should really start with dessert and work towards the main course." The corner of her mouth twitched with humor; as she laughed lightly her voice rang out soft, musical and full of delighted humor.

Reon couldn't help but smile. The woman's laugh couldn't be denied. "That would be my advice. Meat abounds, and vegetables, but who knows where your next dessert is coming from?"

Jenna stopped by the table at that moment. She was tempted to make a comment, tease the doorman who usually kept to himself, but she bit her tongue and resisted. "What can I get you folks?" she asked.

"I think we're starting with dessert," Reon raised a questioning eyebrow at Lys.

Lys smiled and laughed again. She really loved to laugh and it had been a really long time or at least it felt like it and nodded, "Please, the lemon pie that Reon suggested and coffee, rich and dark." She licked her lips in anticipation of the dessert and the coffee. A good balance she thought.

"Make it two, but I'll skip the coffee," Velasquez said.

"Two magic lemon pies coming right up," Jenna said, flipping the order back to the kitchen. "I'll get water for you, too."

After Jenna left, Lys turned then leaned forward slightly towards Reon. She tilted her dark head slightly, her eyes bright and curious, and she touched him lightly on the arm. "Tell me does the circus come to the base often?"

Reon wondered if this was his opportunity. In for a penny, in for a pound. Isn't that what Grandma Walker always said? "First time in my years here. Are you interested in going? Because I have two tickets for the showing that starts in a couple of hours. Jade went. She said it was very entertaining, and occasionally heart-stopping."

Lys's eyes opened wide with happiness. "I would be most honored to attend with you. I have never been."

Grinning, Velasquez said, "Then we'll do it up proper, with cotton-candy and Cracker Jacks."

Jenna appeared, setting down two glasses of water, a bowl of lime slices, and a cup of coffee. "I'll be right back with your pie," she promised, disappearing almost as quickly as she'd come.

The jazz combo swung into one of Reon's favorite jazz numbers, "What a Difference A Day Makes." In for a penny, he thought again. "Would you care to dance while we're waiting for Jenna to arrive with the desserts?"

Lys had lifted her coffee to take a small sip, and the aroma of it was delightful. Jazz was one of her favorites: it could be soft, it could be loud, it could be wonderfully slow or viciously full of life. She stood and grinned and held her hand out to Reon to lead her to the floor. Lys probably stood a bit too close, but she was nervous, her left hand on his shoulder. She smiled softly as she met his blue eyes, such a nice color to gaze at.

Moving around the small wooden dance floor, Reon felt content. He liked to dance, but rarely found anyone he wanted to dance with, so this was a treat. The scientist was easy to move around the floor, following him adeptly, and she was easy on the eyes, too. He found himself wanting to get to know her better, but he decided to wait a little longer. Another of his grandmother's sayings came to mind. Slow and steady wins the race.

Lieutenant. jg Lys Greystone CSciO

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Reon Velasquez, Civilian - Orchids & Jazz

 

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