LtCmdr Jovenan – With all due respect, sir, could you please learn to knock first!
Jovenan
((Holodeck 1, Deck 2, USS Artemis))
Silveira: See, now you can group them.
Jovenan: Okay, I got it now.
Jovenan tried again. She adjusted the firing mechanism and took aim before pressing the button. The bubble flew through the board and burst upon contact with the two others. The tiny baby Pahkwa-thanh reloaded a new bubble, and Jovenan released it as well, this time collapsing the entire structure, which made her laugh gleefully. The next level started, and Jovenan tilted her head to the beats of the music.
The game Vitor had chosen for her had proven enjoyable. He had been correct that it was adorable, but she soon also understood the challenge it presented, as each successive level became harder to complete. Despite all that, what really made the game so attractive and pleasant to her was that he was there with her. She focused on the simplistic console with crude, cute graphics, but at the corner of her eye, she saw that he was standing very near to her and watching her play. It was enough for her to make her want to squeal out of joy, even when she burrowed her brows, concentrating on not losing the game against a stack of bubbles.
Eventually, she hit a bad spot. The bubbles were almost reaching the baby Pahkwa-thanh, marking the end of the game. She made an involuntary whimper, not wanting the game to end yet and having to move on from Vitor’s side. She wasn’t a good shooter, but luckily, she knew a tactical officer. Not thinking it too much, she quickly grasped Vitor’s hand and brought it around her and over her left hand on the control stick and tucked the arm under her right arm. She couldn’t see his face behind her, but she could feel his breath on her neck.
Jovenan: You gotta help me out.
At first, he didn’t do anything, but then, she felt him move the control rod in her hand, aiming the bubbles. He got even closer, and his head was just next to hers. She could almost feel the beat of his heart against her back, and her breath grew faster.
Silveira: I will try.
He kept moving her hand and the control rod before placing his other hand over her hand on the buttons. Jovenan found herself entangled in his arms, and he pressed her hand on the buttons, firing a bubble. The calm and security she felt between his arms allowed her to focus on playing the game with him, together moving the controls. Another tap on her hand, and she fired.
Silveira: There, this one to the left but so it can hit that block. The next is red and we take it to the side.
Jovenan: Can we make it?
Nothing more was required, since they were running out of time before the bubbles would reach the end. The next few moves they made in unison were quick, but the bubbles got aligned perfectly, and the entire threatening structure popped. They had managed to take it down together. Jovenan could feel Vitor’s chest heave as he inhaled deep.
Silveira: Damn that was close…
He lowered his head against her shoulder. Jovenan realised she was holding her breath. The gentle weight on her shoulder made her heart race, and she wondered if he heard it too.
Silveira: Ready for the next level?
Jovenan turned her head slightly, and their cheeks touched each other for a moment. His short stubble was coarse, but his skin was warm against hers. If only they both turned their heads some more, they could—
Jovenan: I think I…
MacKenzie: Mr. Silveira, just what is all ::gesturing wildly:: this?
Jovenan almost ripped herself out of Vitor’s embrace and away from the console, stepping aside and turning to face the source of the voice. Her heart had missed a beat and was now pumping blood faster than earlier, and for a different reason now.
Jovenan: Captain?!
Her voice came off squeaky. Her reaction to being startled embarrassed her almost as much as being walked in on. Their earlier discussion about people’s reaction to Captain MacKenzie walking into a room may have been valid, but it certainly didn’t help that she literally sneaked behind them when they thought they were alone!
Silveira: Response
Captain MacKenzie raised an eyebrow. Jovenan tried straightening her knit vest and her skirt, moving her hands almost obsessively against the smooth fabrics. Captain MacKenzie’s gaze jumped between the two as Jovenan felt blood rush to the small veins on her cheeks before the Commanding Officer pointed at the machine next to her.
MacKenzie: What’s that there??
Jovenan: This? ::looks and points at the console, then turns her head back to MacKenzie:: This is, uh…
She had forgotten what the game had been called. The fat baby Pahkwa-thanh were waiting for her to continue playing. Jovenan looked over at Vitor to help her out.
Silveira/MacKenzie: Response
Jovenan: Vitor, uh, Lieutenant Silveira was showing me his new project, sir. Uh, Earth… cultural… history…
Jovenan knew she wasn’t doing a very good job explaining it, but then again, she only knew that it was called an arcade and it had old game consoles in it. Besides, she was the only non-human present and was therefore in disadvantage to start explaining the representations of human artefacts around them.
Silveira/MacKenzie: Response
Jovenan: The Lieutenant had actually picked a game for you, too, sir. Maybe you would want to see it?
Jovenan
nudged towards Vitor without actually touching him. Anything that
could get Captain MacKenzie from asking further questions. Please.
Silveira/MacKenzie: Response
TAG/TBC
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Lieutenant Commander Jovenan
Chief Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11