[sb118-khitomer] Lieutenant (JG) Ezra Zerva - Have Fun Storming the Castle
BC Cooper
((Deck 14, Room 141. Ezra Zerva Quarters, USS Khitomer))
Ezra entered into the lounge area of his quarters after handing Lera one of his t-shirts while he was changing in his bedroom. She stepped into the lounge area and spun around to show off how she looked. It was one too many sizes bigger than Lera, but it looked good on her. Maybe a little too good? It was one of his plan colored shirts, this one in command red. He did contemplate the possibility of giving her one of his dojo shirts or some other more causal shirt, but changed his mind at the last second. She then sat down on the sofa. He could get used to this. Perhaps a weekly movie night could become a thing?
Michaels: You mentioned popcorn earlier.
He then walked over the counter top next to the replicator.
Zerva: Seeing how I ate most of the last batch, I figured I’d make some more. I like to make popcorn fresh from scratch instead of replicated. ::starts to pop the corn in the kernel maker:: Hey Computer ::bloop:: Play the Princess Bride. ETA in five minutes.
After the lion made it roar, the black rectangle tv screen went black again before the words "The Princess Bride" appeared and then stopped.
The popping sounds and the aroma of the popcorn filled the air.
Michaels: If this movie consists of nothing but the title, I am afraid you will be asleep in just a few minutes.
Zerva: ::laughs:: You might be right on that.
He placed the bowl of popcorn between them on the table as he sat next to Lera. She snuggled up against him and they both took a couple of bites of popcorn before he resumed the film.
Zerva: Computer ::bloop:: Resume film.
If this had been a couple of months ago, the thought of the two of them sitting this close while watching a movie would have made him nervous. He’d be sweating and his left hand would likely be twitching. But here and now he felt relaxed with her next to him. Something about it felt nice. To enjoy something with someone without the pressure of worrying it could lead to more. Then again, they did try to have “more” earlier in the day with a kiss. Perhaps it was the thought that they could die at any moment, knowing that most of the crew doesn’t make it. Perhaps it was the amount of time they’d spent last shore leave that got them closer? Whatever it was, he wasn’t complaining. He was enjoying this.
As the movie resumed, they both heard the sounds of coughing and then they saw a kid playing a ball game on an old earth video game console.
Michaels: Pause the movie for a moment. :: the display froze:: that may be the most primitive game display I have ever seen. It looks like something out of Earth's nineteenth century. :: She turned to Ezra and briefly scowled at him. :: Hold it. What is this? Are you trying to trick me? Coughing and ancient video games?
Zerva: ::chuckles:: No. The kid is home sick entertaining themselves while they recover. My brother got me and my sister to watch it when we were kids on earth. ::yawns:: You are correct, it is from earth’s past, but it’s the late twentieth century. 1980’s to be more specific.
Michaels: Oh. I see. A sick child playing a video game.
Zerva: ::raises a questioning brow:: Are you going to make the computer stop the film every couple of minutes? ::yawns:: It’s a movie. Let’s enjoy it for what it is. If you have questions, I can answer them along the way.
Michaels: Very well. Less talking. More watching.
The movie resumed. A couple of minutes later, he found himself so comfortable that he began to doze off.
Michaels: If I said to you something like "Farm boy. Fetch me more popcorn," what would you do, Ezra? :: beat :: Ezra? :: Ezra's eyes were closed and his breath was smooth and even. :: Ezra?! Did you fall asleep already?"
He had barely dozed off and was about to dream of princesses, sword fighting, giants and five fingered men. It was inconceivable that he would be awaken from his REM sleep.
Zerva: ::half awake:: You keep using my name… I do not think it means what you think it means... ::eyelids heavy:: I’m not asleep. I’m mostly awake, watching the film…
Michaels: Response
Zerva: ::barely awake:: Stop saying that… ::snoozing::
Ezra started to nod off once more. Foxy Lady came over jumping up in between them. She looked at Ezra and Lera whining.
Michaels: Response
Zerva: ::eyes opening a bit:: Foxy. Over here. ::to Lera:: Sorry…
Foxy decided to snuggle next to Lera on the other side instead of next to her papa who was now beginning to snore. Foxy made a point to cuddle right up on the opposite side of where Lera sat snuggled against Ezra, who’s head was resting upon her shoulder. Lera was pinned between the two of them. His breathing switched between gentle breaths and snoring. He was out like a light.
Michaels: Response
In his dream, he was Westley and Lera was Buttercup. The whole crew then joined in on the fun. Ras was Fezzik and Richard Inigo Montoya. The Captain was Prince Humperdinck and the XO was the Five Fingered Man. Doctor Ohnair was Miracle Max and Thomas Melville was her husband. Semara was the Impressive Clergyman. Vizzini? Even though they had not yet meet, Stros. Connor and Ayemet were the king and queen. And Othin? She was the Albino. Foxy, Anubis and Hairbrush, were the Rodents of unusual size. Statler was a shrieking eel. Sofia Davenport 1 & 2 were all the horses. And the rest of the crew were all the background characters.
Since the invention of dreams, there were five that were rated the best, this one left them all behind.
The End.
Tags/END
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Lieutenant (JG) Ezra Zerva
Security Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
A240101EZ2