LtJG Kayla Drex: Christmas in Inlet PT1 (NT, JP backsim with Eleanor Alexander)
Kayla Drex
((Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Earth))
((Stardate: 239412.08))
::For the last couple of weeks, Kayla and Eleanor had been spending every spare moment together - either in a holosuite working out the specific nuances of their ship design or poring over schematics they’d revised so many times they bore only the vaguest similarity to a Veritas class starship. Their friendship had grown quickly as the two girls became more deeply engrossed in the work. Kayla was grateful not only for the incredible help Ellie had been, but also for the company.
::The last five hours had seen the two in their usual holosuite in the Academy Commons. Now however, they were walking out of the large bustling building in search of food.::
Drex: So I think we’re getting close. Your idea to stack the nacels was brilliant. I gotta hand it to you, Ellie, you’ve got an instinct for engineering.
Alexander: Oh well, I picked it back up at home, I had to do something to occupy my time and for some reason I always loved taking things apart to see how they worked, it was just like a hobby really.
Drex: Oh quit being so modest! ::playfully nudging Eleanor:: You’re amazing, and you know it.
Alexander: I wouldn’t go that far, you know sometimes I do still get an odd left over part that I really shouldn't have.
Drex: Well, if you made it work without the part, it probably wasn’t really critical in the first place. You’re probably just making it more efficient by accident. See what I mean? You’re amazing, Ellie. ::beat:: Pizza or sandwiches?
Alexander: Oh, I do not know about that, Chef wasn’t too amused when the thermal array in the kitchen overloaded and vaporized an entire roast, simply because I had the capacitor left over, so the thing did not trip out. ::Pausing for a moment:: And given the choice pizza or sandwiches, come on Kayla you know me far too well to even propose that question ::nuding her back::
Drex: Ok then.
::Five minutes later, the two were seated at a booth in the back corner of the best taco establishment in San Francisco. Kayla knew what Eleanor had been hinting at, but she felt it was important for some reason to nudge her friend gently out of her comfort zone. At least they were seated in the back. It’s not like they were on display while they ate.::
Drex: Y’know … ::wiping salsa from the corners of her mouth with a napkin:: I was thinking. Christmas is only a couple weeks away. You probably already have plans, but it would be so much fun if you wanted to come with me back to Inlet. I know my family would love you, and we always have such a nice time.
::Kayla shuffled her feet nervously under the table. She didn’t want to let on, but she desperately wanted Ellie to say yes. If she still believed in Santa Claus, it’s what she would have asked him for this year.::
Alexander: ::Both her hands holding a taco, taking a giant bite out of each one, salsa and garlic herbs smothering around her mouth, she glanced at Kayala before muttering:: Did you say Christmas ::she asked, before taking another bite::
Drex:::giggling at her friend’s enthusiasm for tacos:: Yeah … it’s in like … two weeks, El.
::Had Eleanor really lost track of that much time, well they had been ploughing every spare minute into this project and the days were just merging into one another. Again she pondered her face remaining expressionless, she was just planning on staying at the Academy over the festive period, after all it was a long trip back home plus she would be inundated with duties and balls::
Alexander: Will there be turkey ::she asked, with just a hint of excitement in her voice::
Drex: Are you kidding? Mom pulls out ALL the stops. Turkey, stuffing, the BEST gravy you’ve ever tasted, so many roasted veggies it’s a wonder our table hasn’t broken, and the PIE, El. The. Pie. Pumpkin, Apple, Pecan … and then of course there’s Christmas DAY! But … I don’t want to spoil the surprise - if you’re coming. Please?
::Kayla did her best sad puppy impression for Eleanor.::
Drex: oO please please please please please please please please please Oo
Alexander: ::Her face still maintaining her neutral composure:: I would be honoured to accept your graceful invitation, you actually had me sold when you said there would be Turkey, I’ve always wanted to try Turkey ::a soft sparkle in her eyes:: and what is your custom, should I buy gifts for your family, or do they require a special dispensation for anything, or ::she looked towards her friend for guidance::
Drex: REALLY!?
::Kayla actually squealed with glee, causing a few of the restaurant’s other patrons to turn curiously toward the till-now silent corner booth.::
Drex: ::realizing her impropriety, and blushing furiously:: Sorry. Really? You’ll come? Ellie! You don’t even know! This is the best! It’s going to be the best Christmas ever.
::The pace of Kayla’s speech started speeding up in her excitement.::
Drex: As far as presents go, please don’t feel obligated to do anything. They’ll all be thrilled that you’re there. I’ve talked about you so much, my mom actually asks about you nearly every time I call. ::another blush::
Alexander: Yes, really. I was only planning on staying here at the Academy anyway.
::Eleanor clearly saw the excitement in her friend, but now she had to plan on what to get the family, of course she felt obligated, they were welcoming her into their home and one couldn't simply say thank you, especially at Christmas::
Alexander: So, whom will be attending, we need to go shopping and buy everyone gifts, and hush, I want to, ::Holding up her hand gently, in a way to silence any objection:: my way of saying thank you for having me.
Drex: It’s just us - my parents, brothers, and me, but there are seven of us, El. Shopping sounds like fun though. We’re really pretty low-key when it comes to presents though. Mom’s an artist - she’s been sculpting more than anything as of late, Dad’s a scientist of course, Braiden is a security officer at the Midway Repair Facility, Philip is a musician - classical guitar mostly, Michael is a diplomat in the Starfleet Diplomatic Corps, and David is a marine biologist.
::She paused for just a moment, considering the size of her family.::
Drex: Really though. If you wanted to bring a nice cheese or bottle of wine or something like that, it would be more than enough. You’re gonna get spoiled rotten. ::another small squeal:: I can’t wait to tell mom!
Alexander: ::Eleanor almost scoffed at the idea, seven certainly wasn’t a large number, infact if only Kayla knew: One is not brining a cheese board or bottle of wine, wouldn't you parents love a nice trip ro Risa, I suppose I could get Braiden a nice new phaser or something, Philip a duet with a famous musician, David a whale or something, Michael erm, diplomat so maybe a spa treatment or something to relax and you, well I know what I’m getting you ::She said a small smile appearing::
::Kayla gaped at her friend for a full 5 seconds before deciding that she had to be teasing her. She knew Ellie’s family had means, but this was just silly. No matter. The Drex family would welcome her with open arms even if she showed up with a sack of dirty laundry.::
Drex: Risa? A WHALE? Oh very cute, El. Ok, go ahead and tease. Just don’t worry about it, ok? We all really just want to celebrate with you. That’s what’s most important. You’ve already given me the thing I wanted most by saying you’ll come, and as soon as we’re not both covered in taco debris, I’m going to give you the biggest hug of your life.
::Eleanor again started to ponder, she wasn’t teasing about the gifts, and well Kayla hadn’t object so she would go ahead and make the necessary arrangements.::
Alexander: Oh this is going to be the best Christmas I’ve had in years ::before devouring the last piece of taco and picking up another::
Simmed by:
Lieutenant JG Kayla Drex
Science Officer
USS Eagle, NCC-74659
Image Collective
Writer ID: E239510KD0
Science is life, art is soul, love is home
~and~
Ensign Eleanor Alexander
Engineer
Embassy Duronis II /USS Thor
C239509EA0