PNPC Ens Kliss'lai - Providence on the Promenade
notyourfrog
((Promenade, Cait Spacedock))
Gelato procured, the pair thanked the girl behind the counter and exited the shop for a stroll along the Promenade. Kliss was finally starting to relax into Jozial's presence. She was still utterly bewildered how she'd been so lucky as to be on a date with this amazing woman, but had chalked that up to random fortune. That settled, she was starting to allow thoughts of future dates - should fortune continue to smile on her. Then Jozial turned to her and returned the question she'd asked earlier.
Renirs: So, what about you? What’s your favourite thing there is?
Kliss’lai: Ymr eees?
She was INSTANTLY the darkest blue she'd ever been in her life. She felt the sweat break out through literally every pore in her body as though even IT didn't want to be in her skin anymore and was making a mad bid to escape. Had she really just said, "Your eyes" in response to the question? Kliss'lai looked around for the nearest airlock. It was the only realistic option at this point.
Then she realized - as though noticing the fact about another person rather than herself - her spoon was sticking out of her mouth. It wasn't possible for an Andorian to be any darker than she already was, but she willed her hand to remove the utensil. Maybe it had saved her? Maybe Jozial hadn't understood the obscurred, mumbled, reactive response? If there was any goodness in the universe, she begged all of it for this one boon.
Renirs: What was that you said? Imreese?
Kliss'lai: oO Oh sweet spoon! You saved me from my own mouth. Oo I ... uh, said ... I said ... dragonflies.
Renirs: Dragon… flies?
YES! Dragonflies! The most wonderful, delightful, angelic creatures ever to grace the universe with their presence, and Kliss' personal savior from her own ridiculous, impulsive answer! She was unable to speak for a moment, afraid that she might correct the cover and blurt out, "No, I said 'your eyes,' Jozial. They are sublime, mysterious, and entrancing. I want nothing more from life than to be allowed to gaze into them and forget such vulgar things as nebulas and sunsets. They are to me twin pools in which my soul could swim for eternity, yet never tire or feel at all as if I know them any better."
Yeah. Better to just keep those lips zipped, Kliss.
Renirs: I’m not sure what those are but they sound… awesome! Like, please tell me they’re like, shuttlepod-sized insects that breathe fire and hoard gold and eat maidens or something.
Kliss felt her heart leap and flip-flop inside her chest as Jozial started getting visibly excited at the prospect of what dragonflies might be. She was not only incredibly cool, but also completely adorable.
Kliss’lai: ::giggling:: Unfortunately not. They're about this big ::holding up her free hand with forefinger and thumb about eight centimeters apart:: and have two sets of lacy wings, and come in a whole rainbow of colors. I saw a few in person last time I went to Earth. Have you ever been?
Renirs: ::shrugs:: Never been there. Kinda weird name if they don’t do any of that, but you make them sound pretty cool anyway. Maybe you could show me one day.
Kliss’lai: oO I'd go anywhere with you Oo I would love to.
Her antennae quivered happily at this subtle indication Jozial wanted to spend more time with her. That old floaty feeling had come back.
Kliss polished off the last of her gelato, and noticed Jozial's cup was also empty. She held out a hand to take the empty container, deposited them in a reclaimer, and turned to continue their aimless stroll. Why were her palms sweaty? Absentmindedly, she ran them over the pleats of her skirt under the pretense of smoothing them, but ultimately to rid her of the clammy giveaway that she was still somewhat flustered to even be here.
Renirs: Kliss, uh, do you have plans for the rest of the shoreleave? Or, a lot of work when we leave the Spacedock?
Kliss’lai: oO Work? I have a job? Oh right! Starfleet! Oo Well for starters, I have to contact your supervisor so you don't get in trouble. Other than that, um ... ::hopefully:: I don't have any solid plans. Do you?
Renirs: I have work, but I can be flexible with it. What I really wanted to ask was, umm, if you and I, we, could go and have food… again, someday. And maybe do something else too. If… If you have the time, and if you want, of course.
Kliss’lai: YES.
She's blurted out the single syllable without hesitation. When her brain tried to find purchase in the word on which to build a monument to mortification, it found none. For the first time all night, she'd said and could stand by exactly what she felt. There was nothing whatsoever she wanted more than to spend more time with this pink-haired firebrand.
Kliss'lai: Sorry, what I meant was: I would very much like to spend more time with you, Jozial. This evening has truly been incredible ::blushing slightly as she added:: and that's not even considering the food.
Renirs: Response
They walked a few steps further. Kliss noticed they were making slow but steady progress back toward the Artemis, where she supposed the date would end. She didn't want it to end though. She ran her hands over her skirt again before acting on the thought that was causing her pulse to thrum loudly in her head.
Kliss'lai: Jozial? Would ... would it be ok if I ... can I hold your hand?
Renirs: Response
TAG/TBC
Ensign Kliss'lai, PNPC