LtJG Kayla Drex: Christmas in Inlet PT4 (NT, JP backsim with Eleanor Alexander)
Kayla Drex
((Christmas morning))
::Kayla awoke to the sounds of clattering in the kitchen downstairs and the mingled smell of fresh coffee and cooking bacon. It was Christmas morning. Any thought of rolling over vanished from Kayla’s mind, and she sprang from bed sending the comforter flying.::
Drex: ELLIE! IT’S CHRISTMAS!
Alexander: Christmas :she moaned out groggily while lifting the eye mask:
Drex: Come OOOOnnnnnnnnnnnn….! ::beat:: PRESENTS!
Alexander: Presents ::she said sitting up immediately, with a smile on her face:: PRESENTS
::When they came downstairs, they saw (to Kayla’s surprise) that is was Michael in the kitchen. He looked a little silly wearing his mother’s apron, but there was no denying: the bacon and omelettes he was making smelled incredible.::
Drex: Michael? When did you learn to cook?
Michael: Merry Christmas to you too, twerp. Mom’s been sending me pointers since summer. I can even make a roast without drying it out too bad now!
Drex: ::looking mildly gobsmacked:: Will wonders never cease?
Alexander: Nice apron ::she teased gently as she followed her friend::
Michael: You think so? I wasn’t sure if I could pull off the floral design, but I think it brings out my eye color. What’ll you have? Pancakes? Bacon? Eggs? I could get out the waffle iron if that’s the lady’s preference?
Alexander: Oh, no thank you, I’ll just have a coffee. ::She replied, noticing that her response had attracted Kayla’s gaze.::
Drex: Ellie, I know he looks like a goober in that thing, but the food smells edible. You sure you don’t want anything?
Alexander: Honestly I’m fine, I normally only have coffee for breakfast.
Michael: If that’s what you’d like, that’s what you’ll get. May I at least make you a nice latte?
Alexander: That would be nice, thank you.
:: Eleanor had always maintained a fine balance of been borderline normal / underweight, it had never caused her any great problems apart from the odd occasion a lack of energy, but she wasn’t going to get into it over Christmas. Christmas was a time that she loved, the season just made her feel so warm and fuzzy. In all honesty she was still like a nine year old child when it came to Christmas, she loved the decorations and the tree and this year it was even more special, she was spending it with her new best friend and her family, and they treated her like an adopted child and she had certainly spoilt them.::
Alexander: I can’t wait to give everyone their presents ::she said in an excited voice::
Drex: Yeah?
Alexander: I put a lot of thought and effort into each and everyone of them, I just hope you all like them.
Drex: Ellie, you didn’t go completely overboard, did you?
Alexander: ::Shrugging her shoulders:: I might of………
Drex: Eleanor Alexander … ?
Alexander: Don’t worry they are simply gifts of affection, appreciation and love. Nothing I couldn’t afford or negotiate on. ::She said reliasing she might of overdone it a little.::
::Kayla just stared blank-faced at her friend. What did she do? Kayla had no idea what to expect, but something told her it would be … memorable.::
::Eleanor simply gave Kayla a quick smile::
Michael: One Large, double-shot, ristretto latte especially for the lovely Miss Alexander.
::His cheeks were slightly pink as he set the mug down before turning quickly back to the pan of frying bacon. Kayla had just enough time to glimpse a heart in the foam of the cup before Eleanor picked it up and sipped, maring the design. Kayla wasn’t even sure she’d seen it, since El’s face remained impassive. Michael however … He kept stealing glances in Eleanor’s direction. She thought about pointing this out, teasing her brother, but the spirit of the day must have gotten hold of her, because she simply smiled to herself and let it go.
::Leanna and Gulliver walked into the room, both dressed in garishly-patterned flannel Christmas pyjamas. Leanna had run a comb through her hair, but Gulliver’s stood out from his head at extravagant angles.::
Leanna: Good morning, darlings! Merry Christmas!
Drex/Michael: Merry Christmas!
::They sounded like kids greeting their parents, barely able to restrain their festive glee::
Gulliver: Do I smell coffee, Michael?
Michael: You do indeed. And bacon and eggs and pancakes and …
Gulliver: Let’s start with coffee, bud. We can discuss food once I’m back in the land of the living.
::Michael poured his father a cup of hot coffee. He took it black, just like Kayla did. The rest of the family filed in one by one over the next half hour. They sat at the bar separating the kitchen from the main living area while they ate the fruits of Michael’s labors.
::Then it was time for presents. Kayla practically bounded into the living room, and all but dove under the tree to find a very specific gift. She emerged from under the pine boughs holding a small package wrapped in silver paper, and topped with a green satin bow.::
Drex: Ellie, open mine first.
::Not waiting for a response, she took the other girl’s hand and placed the package into it.::
Alexander: ::smiling:: What could it be :gently removing the bow and slowly with precision unwrapping the silver paper. Mounted on a dark wooden base was a baseball sized ball, Eleanor gently looked into the ball, snowflakes were fluttering over a lake and.:: Is that this house ::she said with a smile before turning her attention to the inscription ”You're forever my sister, Love Kayla.” I love it, she yelled ::jumping to her feet and virtually tackling Kayla.::
Drex: ::laughing from under her friend:: I’m so glad, Ellie. I wanted to give you something to help you remember that you’ll always have a second home here. The seasons will change in the globe, so if you ever feel like a visit, it will look pretty accurate.
Alexander: Thank you, thank you so much.
Leanna: ::to Eleanor:: She speaks for all of us, dear. You’re always welcome here. ::to Kayla:: Are you going to open your gift, Sparks?
Drex: You bet!
::Kayla held the package, about the size and shape of a textbook, wondering what could be inside. The paper wrapping was shredded and removed in the blink of an eye. Inside was a box that when opened, revealed an elegant slip of slightly shimmering paper and a second, smaller box. She plucked out the note first and read aloud::
Drex: “Greetings, Ms. Drex, my name is Gerard LeLique. I have recently had the honor of speaking with a friend of yours. She speaks highly of you, and has commissioned my services to create a unique piece specially for you. Please find my contact information below. I look forward to speaking with you soon. Sincerely, G. LeLique”
::Kayla looked up at Eleanor, her mouth hanging agape. Leanna’s face was practically a perfect mirror of amazement as she held out her hand to Kayla to hand her the note, as if wanting to verify its authenticity.::
Drex: ::handing her mother the note:: Are you serious, El? THE LeLique?
Alexander: ::Slightly blushing:: THE LeLique, I didn’t know what style you would like, so I thought I would let you create your own unique piece. But don’t forget the second box ::she said nodding her head::
Drex: What? Oh yeah!
::In her amazement, she’d forgotten the second item in the box. Lifting it out now, she opened the velvet clamshell box to reveal a black half-sphere pendant hanging from a shining silvery chain. An inscription on the back read: “With you, I don’t have to be perfect. That is love.”::
Drex: ::a bit choked up:: El, it’s lovely!
::Eleanor reached to her own throat and lifted out an identical pendant and reached out for Kayla’s. The flats of the two dark translucent stones pressed together, they made a flawless sphere. In the very center, Kayla saw a tiny glow begin to grow. Within five seconds, there was a tiny nebula swirling in the inky depths.::
Drex: ::barely able to speak:: Ellie … I ...
::She gave up all attempts at finding words, and simply hugged her dear friend.::
Alexander: Merry Christmas ::she whispered, as she hugged her friend, her own eyes welling up, she had never had a friend as close as this and for once in her life, it made her happy::.
Drex: Response
Alexander: Don’t worry everyone, your gifts are just as fabulous. I think that Mr and Mrs Drex should be next ::she said smiling as a single envelope with their names on, rested under the tree::
::Eleanor couldn’t help but smile, it wasn’t a time to be hiding emotion, it was Christmas, and the expressions on the peoples faces just made her melt inside, perhaps she had certainly gone overboard but for her best friend and their family, it was totally worth it, although it certainly may raise some uncomfortable questions, but after all, it wasn’t as though her family couldn’t afford it. She watched with bated breath as she watched the two of them slowly open the golden envelope and then a gasp from Mrs Drex filled the room.::
::Leanna held the note, written on matching gold-hued paper, out so her husband could read what it said. Though he didn’t read it aloud as Kayla had, the change in his appearance when he looked up conveyed the surprise and mild disbelief that the promises made in the note could be real::
Gulliver: Eleanor, this is … well, it’s not often I find myself speechless.
Drex: What is it, Daddy?
Leanna: She’s giving us an all-expenses, first-class, month-long stay on Risa.
Gulliver: There’s no way we can accept this. It’s too-
Alexander: ::interrupting:: Don’t be ridiculous, of course you can accept it. I would be highly offended if you didn’t and a little bird told me that you didn’t get much time to relax and unwind together.
::Kayla looked at her friend, wondering how all this extravagance was to be funded. The trip alone would cost more than she cared to imagine. The fact was sinking in as well that Eleanor - sweet, quiet, unassuming Eleanor - was somehow well-connected enough to commission a commission from Gerard LeLique … not to mention a hand-written note from the elusive designer himself. Who was Eleanor?::
::The gears in Michael’s mind whirred as he tried to piece together what exactly was going on here, but to no avail. He could not suss out the connections. It was Christmas though. Time to enjoy being the giver and recipient of generosity. He eyed Eleanor suspiciously for a second longer, but the young woman’s bright smile quickly drove all else from his mind. His own face breaking into a wide smile, he added his two cents to the conversation::
Michael: She (and the bird) aren’t wrong. You guys never stop. I say you say thank you so as to not offend such generosity, and start packing asap.
::Leanna and Gulliver shared a moment’s silent conversation in the space of a single glance, then in unison stood from their places on the sofa, walked over to Eleanor, and hugged her while thanking her for such a thoughtful gift.::
Alexander: Braiden, the same little bird ::glancing and smiling at Kayla:: told me you were in security, I hope that large case under the tree, certainly helps you out.
:: The case was silver and rectangular, two biometric thumb readers, one at each end were in place.::
Braiden: Sounds like a noisy bird. ::He cocked an eyebrow at Kayla who looked away, feigning innocence.:: What’s in the case?
Alexander: You’ll have to open it to see
::Again, smiling widely, Eleanor gently watched as he seemed a little nervous, Kayla’s parents still whispering behind her as he slowly placed his thumbs onto the readers, the keypad turning green and the sound of clunking as the locks disengaged .::
::There was a soft hiss as the pneumatics released and the lid hinged open. Braiden had always been a careful person. That meant he was rarely surprised. The phaser rifle he now saw was one he’d read the specs for not three weeks ago. He lifted it from the case and felt the weight. Perfect balance, shorter muzzle than a type 3, adjustable stock for distance accuracy or short-range maneuverability, and more setting possibilities than any preceding rifle.::
Braiden: ::Looking at Eleanor with bald shock on his face:: Is this a Mark4?
Alexander: Yes, or so I’m promised.
Braiden: They only just approved the prototype for production! I read there was a year-long waiting list to even put an order in!
Alexander: I know the waiting list is particularly long, and it is a limited edition rifle but I managed to pull some strings, and don’t forget the little note.
::He hadn’t even seen the note before she mentioned it. Now he picked it up and read aloud::
Braiden: To: Drex, Braiden. You are to report to the coordinates below on stardate 239502.01 0400 hours for a special training camp arranged for you. You are to bring a weapon of your choice. That is all you are permitted to bring. Signed: Wilt Gr’sha, Commandant Federation Allied Special Forces, Delta Team
::He continued to stare at the slip of unassuming paper as Philip spoke up.::
Philip: Who’s Wilt Gr’sha? What’s this Delta Team?
Braiden: Put simply, they are the most bad-ass fighters in the Federation. The Delta Team stopped accepting awards and commendations because it was getting repetitive. Am I reading this correctly? Am I training with them?
Aleander: Well I had to ensure that you learned how to use that new rifle from the best, plus I’m sure they will put you through your paces.
Braiden: I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous. Eleanor, this is an opportunity any security officer in Starfleet (and most out of it) would kill for. How…? You know what? I almost don’t want to know. Thank you. A thousand times, thank you.
Drex: Are you tearing up, Braiden?
Braiden: Maybe. Shut up. ::chuckling::
::The next hour was spent in much the same way. Each member of the Drex family had picked out a gift for each other including Eleanor that spoke of their unique personalities. The rest of Eleanor’s gifts for the Drexes were just as flabbergastingly generous as the first couple had been.
::Philip had been given a beautiful new guitar, hand-carved by the luthiers on Pollux IV and strung by the leading Vulcan master harper. When he plucked a string, testing the tone, the note that emanated immediately ended every side conversation in the room. When he read the accompanying note, entitling him to an hour of time with his favorite musician, he nearly fell out of his chair.
::David was given a gift that would set his career up for guaranteed success and prestige. He would be the first human to work alongside the Xindi-Aquatic on one of their new homeworlds for a six-month research project. The position was completely unprecedented as the Xindi did not often extend hospitality, let alone make such enormous concessions for a “primate.” As a marine biologist, he could spend the rest of his life analyzing the data he’d gather during these six months.::
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