JP - Lt. Talos Dakora, Lt. Robin Hopper, & Lohani Vananth-Polgonz: Revelations (Part 2)
Robin Hopper
((Three Hours Later – Habitat Ring, Amity Outpost))
Robin found herself intrigued by the enigmatic Talos who, she reasoned, was not on Amity for a mere vacation but had some sort of other business visiting the distant outpost. Not that it really mattered. What did matter was that she found him charming, and witty, and dangerously hot – and he’d been more than happy to go along with her hair-brained schemes.
She giggled, a little drunkenly, hanging onto his arm as they walked down one of the Merchant District’s lanes.
Hopper: So… ::Laughing:: How would you say this vacation’s treating you so far? Worth the trip?
Walking arm-in-arm with a beautiful stranger after one of the wildest and most fun nights in recent memory, he grinned, feeling warmth in his cheeks from the non-trivial amount of drinking he’d done as he replied.
Dakora: Hands down, this is the most fun I’ve had in ages. ::He cast a sidelong glance at his companion.:: and it’s almost entirely thanks to you.
Since leaving the Glommer and Beagle, the next several hours felt as though they had flown by. After hastily finishing their drinks, they’d explored some of the ‘alternative’ offerings of the offbeat Merchant District… A Ferengi fortune teller, Sikarian blackjack, window shopping designs at the Tellarite tattoo parlour, a game of anti-gravity billiards against a group of encouraging Talaxians, weighing the feasibility of purchasing themselves a ‘lightly used’ yacht, and so on…
Shots had followed, at The Terrible Targ, of some indiscernible black liquor which had continued to propel them forward. There had been an arm wrestling match – the results of which were lost now to fuzzy memory – and someone had deftly taken, without using their hands, a candied uttaberry from between the others’ teeth while a party of amused Klingons cheered them on.
Robin shrugged, tilted her head, and took the compliment with a smile.
Hopper: I can’t take all the credit. You certainly weren’t lying about having a variety of skills... I’m curious. ::Poking his right forearm:: This is a Marine Corps insignia… But Starfleet hasn’t assigned any marines out this way, given the diplomatic nature of the mission here…
More than once, he’d seen her eyes linger on the gaudy tattoo on his forearm. It was an artifact of a younger version of himself who somehow managed to make worse decisions than the current iteration did.
He considered what he knew about her; Her first name. That her eyes were big, and blue and when the light hit them just right she could probably get him to agree to anything. That she’d matched him drink for drink, wild act for wild act on what was shaping up to be an extremely memorable night. And last– and most importantly– that she seemed to be enjoying his company almost as much as he was enjoying hers.
He cocked his head slightly, letting his smile go just this side of devilish. Sometimes the mystery was more fun.
Dakora: Me? I’m just a guy on vacation. ::He shrugged.:: Besides, there really is nothing more boring than the truth. Right?
As they continued their inebriated stroll, Talos appreciated the stark contrast between the well-manicured walkways of the Habitat Ring and the much more unorthodox vibe of the Merchant District where they’d spent the bulk of their time together.
Hopper: Well, if I can’t get any more information out of you – maybe I can at least find out if you have any other tattoos hidden somewhere.
She bit her lower lip subconsciously. oO You show me yours and I’ll show you mine… Oo
Talos felt his spine stiffen slightly as the feelings associated with her words washed over his mind like a warm, tingly wave. For the umpteenth time, he found himself smirking uncontrollably.
Dakora: There are definitely a few that you’ve yet to see. ::He cast a suggestive look in her direction..:: Though I’ll gladly submit to a more thorough investigation…
Hopper: ::Hopefully:: I, uhh, wonder if I might drag you to one more place? A little ‘speakeasy’ I know of, in the Beijing district..?
He nodded enthusiastically.
Dakora: Please. I’m not in any hurry for this night to end. ::He gestured onward with his off-hand.:: Lead on.
((“Speakeasy” - Beijing District, Habitat Ring))
They’d carried on the increasingly amorous conversation until they’d arrived at what looked, to Talos at least, very much like an apartment building one might find on Earth somewhere. Robin turned to him with a cheeky smile then, stepping backwards over the threshold, ushered him inside.
Hopper: Best gin joint in town.
Talos felt his own excitement building as his hopes of where the night would go seemed to have aligned with where it appeared to be going. The possibilities provided a buzz that all the drinks they’d shared couldn’t possibly match.
Hopper: Computer — ready program “Tap & Barrel”… and delete the bartender.
Immediately, the apartment faded away, replaced by the moody, candlelit interior of a very old-school-looking bar. Appropriate jazz music played quietly from some ‘unseen’ band.
Modeled loosely on a speakeasy from Prohibition-era Los Angeles, the specially built-in holoemitters did an excellent job recreating the atmosphere of the old bar around her existing furniture. She made her way to the kitchen island — now a bartop with several taps — and leaned against it casually.
The bar was empty, save for Talos and Robin, and he joined her at the long, well-worn, wooden bar.
Talos let out a descending whistle.
Dakora: Holy strokes… This is your place!? ::He craned his neck as he tried to take it all in.:: Alright, I’ll admit it. I’m impressed…
He smiled and nodded his approval, but as spectacular as the holo-decked apartment was, Talos was finding it harder and harder to keep his eyes off of her. The dim lighting playing across the cutouts on her dress was positively dangerous. Though, as beautiful as it was, he very much hoped he’d be seeing it hastily discarded in a heap on the floor in the near future.
Hopper: Life in the Delta Quadrant has its perks… ::Looking around, pleased:: I pulled a few strings… I visited a place just like this in California.
Dakora: Perks, huh? ::He smile:: We don’t get perks like this- ::He caught himself about to reveal his secrets and raised an index finger with a mischievous grin.:: Wherever it is that I came from.
Robin mouthed an intrigued ‘ahh…’ and made her way around the other side of the bar, indicating the taps by running a hand along them. She intended to uncover at least a few of the mysterious visitor’s secrets.
Hopper: So, what’s it going to take to see the rest of that ink, Talos? Name your poison.
He let his gaze find hers and raised a curious eyebrow. The sensation of her mind brushing up against his was more intoxicating than anything they’d had tonight. Lost in the moment, he let some of her thoughts merge with his before he caught himself and pulled back.
Smirking, he replied.
Dakora: I’ll have whatever you’re having. ::He leaned toward her just a little.:: But if you want to see the rest of mine, you’re gonna have to show me yours. ::He beamed.:: Yeah, the little one you just thought about.
Hopper: ::Squinting at him playfully:: Alright then…
She walked to the tap at the end of the bar and held a stemmed glass under it, filling it with a light sweet sparkling wine. Looking up at him as she did, Robin took a moment to really take him in again. It was funny. He was practically a total stranger yet she felt comfortable in his presence. Thinking about it for a fleeting moment, she supposed he reminded her a little of other men she held in high regard.
She passed Talos his drink and poured herself a glass of rosé, refocusing on the present and the bubbling excitement within her.
Hopper: Cheers — to the most fun you’ve had in ages.
He took the offered glass, clinking it against hers gently. All alone in the apartment bar, Talos felt his heart race just a little. There was a tension building between them that was reaching a tipping point. Every time his eyes settled on her, they found something new to appreciate like the shape of her mouth when she smiled, or the way her chestnut brown hair caught the light, or…
He took a breath and reigned himself in, just a little.
Dakora: Cheers to you.
As she took a sip and moved back around the bar, setting her glass on the island, Robin felt her breath catch for an instant. She stood in front of him, biting her lip, and slowly reached up to his chest, undoing the first button of his shirt. Reaching for the second, she looked up at him and spoke softly.
Hopper: May I?
She stood so close he could feel the heat of her body against his, her fingers tracing the exposed skin of his chest near his collar. His hands found a place on either side of her hips, pulling her closer and zeroing out the distance between them.
He could hardly respond fast enough.
Dakora: Please.
Robin grinned and continued unbuttoning the hawaiian shirt – and, though it was agonizing, she took her time, if only to drive the man a little crazy with the waiting. With one button left, she stopped, and looked up at him once more, furrowing her brows.
Hopper: There’s… just one problem.
There was an eagerness to her thoughts that washed over him like a wave, leaving him with the impression that it was a problem that he could handle.
Dakora: Guarantee I can solve it.
Hopper: Well, you said if I wanted to see the rest of yours, you’d need to see mine – and you haven’t even tried to get my dress off yet.
The look on her face faded from faux concern to impatient amusement, with a little roll of her eyes. Then, she turned around and brushed her hair out of the way of the zip that ran up the back of her dress.
His eyebrows rose to new heights as his hands moved to eagerly comply with her demands. After a moment of large hands fumbling with the small zipper, he began easing it down gently. Each centimeter the zipper lowered revealed more and more delicate, soft skin.
Anticipation building within him, he reached the bottom of the zipper, revealing the dainty little monochromatic symbol nestled on her back, between her shoulder blades.
It was a letter… or part of the Greek alphabet? Theta, maybe? Talos’ mind was too busy trying to maintain basic function in light of all that was happening to recall things he’d studied over a decade ago.
Dakora: Beautiful. ::He traced the tattoo lightly with a finger.:: What does it mean?
She peeked over her shoulder at him.
Hopper: It’s to remind me of home… I haven’t been back in almost ten years – but, no matter how far life takes me, that’s to keep me grounded.
Cautiously, his fingers explored her back beyond the confines of the cute little marking.
Dakora: Mine all have meaning too. ::He smirked.:: Even if I decided it after the fact.
She spun around to face him once more, no longer interested in delaying things for the dramatic tension. She quickly undid his remaining button and reached up, brushing the shirt off his shoulders, letting her hands follow the lines of his arms.
Talos shrugged off the shirt, his motions developing an increasing sense of urgency. A half dozen distinct but complementary tattoos that spilled across his muscular chest, shoulders and back were now plainly visible.
Their hands explored, pulling each other ever closer.
Hopper: ::Breathy:: I’m ready for the tour now.
And that was it. Any last reservation was gone. Any barrier that he may have been in place was demolished. He had every intention of seeing this thing through to whatever glorious consequences awaited on the other side.
In one broad gesture, he swept the bar top clear, sending the holographic glasses crashing to the floor before they shimmered out of existence.
Dakora: So am I…
Gently, he placed his hands on Robin's hips and lifted her effortlessly onto the bartop, never breaking eye contact as he moved in closer. Robin felt her heart rush for a second as he lifted her, the effects of the nights’ drinking making her the slightest bit lightheaded.
Talos leaned in, his lips pressing gently against hers as all of the tension that had been building between them reached critical mass. Robin's hands tousled his hair, deepening the kiss, as she grabbed his back and pulled him closer.
Their bodies pressed together, and again, Talos could feel the heat emanating from her, stoking the fire within him to a roaring inferno.
As they broke the kiss, Talos looked into her eyes, his breath just a bit ragged with desire.
Dakora: I've been looking forward to this since the moment I laid eyes on you.
She chided him once more.
Hopper: Then stop wasting time talking.
With a smirk, Talos leaned in once again, their lips meeting in another scorching kiss. As the kiss escalated, their bodies entwined, hands tore at clothing and Talos knew with certainty that the memory of this particular night would be the cause of many more sleepless nights in the future.
TBC in part 3/6…
Lt. Talos Dakora
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Artemis-A
O238811CD0
&
Lt. Robin Hopper
Chief Science Officer,
Amity Outpost
V239806K11