LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - And…What About The “Future?” And Us Two!
Lhandon Nilsen
((Botanical Arboretum, Lower Level, Deck 9, USS Octavia E. Butler))
Lhandon had felt a sense of "this is actually happening." He had hoped that Eli didn't mind him describing him as "this handsome fella" a few moments ago when they ran into one of the arboretum staff. After they sat down, his mouth went dry and he had used the pouring of the Mavrodafni wine as an excuse to try to alleviate some of that. It hadn't worked, and as such, he resorted to plan B: the charm offensive.
Nilsen: So erm…hi
Which…didn’t work and Lhandon laughed just a little, with no idea what to say. It didn’t really matter in the long run, because Eli for the moment took the lead.
Kovacs: ::laughing softly:: Hi, yourself. This is… this is really nice. I’m glad we decided to come here. (awkward pause) And, I think the shuttle-watching will make a good second date when I haven’t gotten cabin fever from being there.
Nilsen: Me too. We can do shuttle watching any time but, maybe somewhere on New Bajor or DS14 next?
He realised that maybe talking about the next date was a little bit of putting the cart before the horses. Besides, what if Eli isn’t into this as much as he is. Lhandon quickly changed the topic to their common connection.
Nilsen: How’s it er…How’s it going down in engineering? Is Josh looking after you all?
Kovacs: Yeah… he’s a bit of a hardass but I think he’s just trying to live up to what Corelli left behind. Even with a new ship, it must be daunting to be put in charge of such a large department. He just needs to learn how to trust the people under him. How about working with Chief Arlill?
Nilsen: Josh? Hardass? He wasn’t like that when he came to the OC last year. But Tox? He’s ::leaning back:: he’s stressed, he’s trying to take on everything, nothing short of perfection from him. I’ve been taking work from Tox when he’s not looking, just so he can get out of the OC before 23:00.
He sighed.
Nilsen: He’s putting too much pressure on himself, The whole project fort thing and our OC being the first one to be created from scratch by fort, he is determined to not have it fail but…Sounds like both our bosses are erm…what’s the phrase? Stressed?
Kovacs: Response.
Nilsen: But erm…let’s just for one night forget about them…I wanna just talk about you Mr Kovacs.
He looked at Eli right in the eyes, gave just a small smile, one that was followed with the mental thought of; o0 you’re damn hot 0o
Kovacs: Response
Then a second thought o0 I really really like you. You’ve made me so happy. 0o
Nilsen: You’re real cute you know. I…L…Like did you always wanna be an engineer?
Earlier during shore leave, Nilsen had received some lessons in diplomacy and he was advised to apply them whenever possible. He liked to think he had been trying, but this situation was different. This wasn't a typical trade deal or political alliance, this was the highest level of negotiation - that of the heart, and suddenly, all those rules no longer seemed applicable.
Kovacs: Response
Nilsen: We gotta get you promoted soon then, get that second pip on you, then it's only five more to over take your ma and pa right?
He let himself have a little laugh, knowing Eli would appreciate the comment. He was trying to think how to get this conversation to where he wanted it to go, to be able to ask Eli that very important question.
Nilsen: Reckon they'd like me? I know my little clan would you love you to bits.
He hadn't remembered this consciously, but without thinking, he then started to metaphorically met Eli in the middle, just like they discussed in his lessons.
Kovacs: Response
He put his hand out, to reach for Eli and nudged himself a little closer and maybe one of those lessons did come in hand here.
Nilsen: And…what about the “future?” and us two.
But then there was a moment, not quite of panic, but one where he had spoken more quickly to ensure he wasn't misunderstood, and also in case he had just said something wrong and was about to drive Eli away from this whole thing.
Nilsen: I mean that’s if you’re thinking the same as me, because these past few months of dating you have been ::beat:: the best ever.
Kovacs: Response
He had loved how "Eli & Lhando" sounded, it had felt right. This thought had brought him joy, excitement, and a desire to become a better man. Since this thought had occurred to him, his previous self-doubts and the weeks of discussions and therapy with Salo about his worries that he was a bad person had suddenly seemed unnecessary. All he had needed at that time was to be better than he was the day before, and to be the best he could for Eli.
And in that moment, his breath was short, his heart pounding at 500 beats per minute, and all that had mattered was that hella cute engineer sitting in front of him, but was he moving too fast?
Tags/TBC
Lieutenant JG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
HCO & Acting Asst. Chief
USS Octavia E Butler
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)