Lt. JG Alix Harford - All Dolled Up
Meri
(( Corridor, Outside Room 149, Deck 14, USS Khitomer ))
The end of shore leave usually brought Alix a familiar wave of anxiety. A new mission always made her nervous. But not this time. Today, she felt a restless energy, ready to get underway and back to the real work of her calling.
No, today's anxiety was for a much different reason. A party.
She smoothed the deep red, patterned fabric of her dress, the material a comforting echo of home. She couldn't very well skip it when her friend had hand-delivered a calligraphy invitation, could she? And knowing Amelia, "a relaxed get-together" would be quite the affair.
Alix paired the dress with knee-high leather boots and kept her makeup and hair simple. If she had to socialize with this new crew, she at least wanted to be comfortable and feel like herself- or, as much like herself as she could outside her lab coat.
Taking a steadying breath, she wondered if it was too late to feign a sudden illness or pick up a late shift in Sickbay. Anything would be easier than what she was about to face. She pushed the thought away, forced a smile, and pressed the chime for Charles' door. As long as she didn't have to face it alone, she could do it.
The door slid open, and Alix's smile faltered. A pit formed in her stomach as a new worry took hold. What if he left her standing here, all dolled up and alone in the corridor? Before her nerves could completely close her throat, she jumped into the conversation.
Harford: Please don’t make me go to this thing alone.
She blurted out her plea, holding up the fancy invitation, then took a moment to take the sight of him in. They were just friends, but she couldn’t help the little summersault her stomach did just being this close to him. Charles looked good, he always had, but the beard he’d grown since joining the Khitomer only added to his alluring presence, framing his strong jawline and contrasting with the dark intensity of his eyes.
Charles: Response
Harford: We can arrive fashionably late and leave early, I promise. Plus, if we have each other to talk to, maybe we can avoid having to socialize.
Charles: Response
Harford: Please, Charles. I don't really know anyone here yet…
Charles: Response