LtCmdr Jovenan – Just two friends on a romantic date
Jovenan
((Silveira’s quarters, Deck 3, USS Artemis))
Why was she this nervous? It was just Vitor, they had known each other for a couple of years now, they had even met earlier the same day. Jovenan had been slightly nervous but more excited to witness his project he had asked her to come and see, and the arcade had turned out to be much more fascinating than she could have wished for. Now, she hesitated. One might have thought that asking was the most intimidating part – Captain MacKenzie had spared them both the effort by ordering them to have dinner together – but actually ringing the bell and entering was difficult for her as well. She wanted to meet Vitor and eat and talk with him without risking anyone barging in and interrupting them, but still, for whatever reason, she considered cancelling. But she couldn’t do that to him, and to herself, could she?
When the clock approached 1900 hours, she gathered her courage and pressed the button. During the short while it took Vitor to reach the door, Jovenan nervously adjusted her pink dress and tried to calm her racing heart. Maybe he had forgotten? She could still walk away and… The door swooshed open, and other thoughts escaped her mind upon seeing in front of her.
Jovenan: Hi. ::attempted smirk:: Reporting as ordered.
It was a poor attempt of humour, but Vitor responded to it anyway, straightening his back and gesturing her in.
Silveira: Welcome Commander. Please be welcome into my quarters. ::he couldn’t keep up the fake formality for long though.:: You look stunning Nan.
Jovenan blushed a little and instinctively swiped the skirt of her dress, as if it had wrinkled in the short while she had managed to keep her nervous quirk at bay. She hadn’t known what was the dress code for a dinner like this, but his charming yet simple combination of grey trousers and white shirt suggested she had chosen right. Two of his shirt buttons were unfastened, a detail that in its casual allure suited well his personality she so much adored.
Jovenan: Thank you. You look amazing.
Trying not to overanalyse her awkward contribution to the dialogue, she stepped in before Vitor closed the door behind her. She hadn’t been to his quarters before. Besides a portrait of a child, she spotted the other doll they had found earlier – she’d have to figure out where to place hers, it’d have to sit on her bedside table until then. And among the soft chimes of music, she looked at the table for two he had prepared, before turning back to him and allowing him to reach to her hands and take them. The feeling was becoming familiar to her, but his hands never lost the warmth that made her feel happy and safe.
Silveira: Nan… I have a few things to say before we… Well you know… First I haven't cooked dinner. The replicator recipe is mine, but I don’t have a proper kitchen here. I hope you don't mind. And if you want I can turn the music off.
Jovenan: Vitor, it’s alright. This all came so quickly anyway, and I’m sure your recipe will be amazing. And the music is fine as well!
Vitor smiled and nodded. Jovenan wasn’t there for the food, specifically, anyway, but for his company. As much as she loved his cookings, she didn’t mind a replicated meal if it meant she could spend more time with him, no matter how nervous she had been. He had a deep breath and squeezed her hands, suggesting to her that there were more things he wanted to say up front, maybe something that was more serious than the origin of tonight’s meals.
Silveira: OK, thank you. Second… I think we should postpone our… Talk. Things are going a little faster and I am afraid you feel pressured. Let's take out the pressure, let's enjoy ourselves and let things flow naturally, without worrying or overthinking. Let's have dinner, chat and enjoy each other's company.
For a moment, her expression was more serious as she listened to him explain himself. The Talk. The prospect of the Talk had kept haunting her almost every time she had seen him, but it had become easier and easier to push away. After they had failed to communicate the first time, they had agreed to be friends and just enjoy each other’s company until the Talk, and, by what Vitor suggested, whatever they were doing now would still classify as such. Jovenan smiled cautiously when he finished.
Jovenan: Agreed. We don’t have to make things more complicated than they are.
Vitor was visibly relieved.
Silveira: Good.
Slowly, they got closer to each other. Jovenan could feel her the comfort slip into her mind now that they had managed to press the uneasy thoughts away; they were just two good friends, enjoying each other’s company on a dinner, just the two of them, drawn into each other’s eyes as the computer played them songs about love. Over time, his very proximity had changed from slightly awkward to a safe and pleasant thing they just sometimes did — and then he rushed even closer and closed her in an embrace.
And Jovenan hugged him back, closing her eyes and turning her head so that her ear was against his chest, allowing the universe to vanish outside the two of them. Her only sensation was the warmth of his body and the sound of his beating heart, the clock without which there was no time to measure. Even the music slowed down and became merely the background radiation of their microcosm. It was almost as she was asleep, dreaming of this moment and not wanting to wake up but instead allow her consciousness to slip away again and again.
Eventually, he had a deep breath, and soon after, Jovenan felt him kiss her forehead. She smiled widely before they leaned back and she opened her eyes. The cheek that had been against his chest felt still warm when she looked up at him.
Silveira: And that's the third thing. Forgive me, but I couldn’t resist hugging you.
Jovenan: I didn’t mind it.
“Didn’t mind it” was putting it lightly. She wouldn’t have minded staying there for the rest of the evening. Maybe she would have tired of standing up for so long, though she would have had Vitor to support her, so maybe not. The food would have got cold, but again, she wasn’t there just for the food. Jovenan could feel that the serious topics were already behind them, so it was easy for her to give him a relaxed smile.
Jovenan: Is there a fourth thing you want to tell me?
Silveira: Response
They eventually had to let go off each other; eating a dinner while hugging would likely turn out to be cumbersome business. Jovenan walked to the table and sat down before looking what Vitor had prepared for them today. It was pasta of some sort, though Jovenan had already learnt, there were too many types of pasta foods for her to memorise.
Jovenan: Looks amazing! What is it?
Silveira: Response
She tasted the food. Though Vitor hadn’t made it by his own hand, his culinary expertise was obvious in it; the hot, creamy – or was it egg or cheese? – sauce over the pasta and the meat made her hum approvingly.
Jovenan: Mmm… This is delicious! ::pause, eats some more:: The next time we have a cooking date, I want you to teach me how to make something like this. It’s not fair that only you get to surprise me with good food!
Jovenan hadn’t meant to imply that she felt like Vitor was doing much more effort for her comfort than she was for his, although it was partially true. He kept surprising her with holodeck arcades and dinners like this, so she’d have to think hard how to repay the effort.
Silveira: Response
Jovenan: ::laughter:: Okay. You can come visit me to the astrometrics one day if you want. The stars are much more beautiful when you get to float among them. Or you can come with me for a run in the Fitness Centre or in the next shore leave destination if you think that would be more romantic.
The word “romantic” slipped from her, though she didn’t mind. She was way too comfortable and relaxed with him to let the earlier nervousness to nag her about what to say to him. Friends could still go on romantic dates together, right?
Silveira: Response
TAG/TBC
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Lieutenant Commander Jovenan
Chief Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11