JP - Lieutenant Madison Marsh & Ensign Alix Harford - "Christmas in Vegas" - Part II
Madison Marsh
[JP] Lt. Madison Marsh & Ensign Alix Harford - Christmas in Vegas Part II
((The Strip, Las Vegas, Nevada, Earth))
((Timeskip- Later that Evening))
As they walked the strip they came upon one of the most famous resorts in Las Vegas, Caesar’s Palace. It did have quite a few renovations over the past few centuries, but it kept its ancient Roman theme since the place opened. It was quite a sight to behold and definitely a place to check out for new visitors in the city. Madison tugged on Alix’s arm and gestured toward the entrance.
Marsh: You need to come check out Caesar’s Palace, it’s a Vegas icon resort. There is a mix of everything in here, let's go!
Looking up at the iconic building in front of her and then back down at Madison, Alix couldn’t help but grin. Maddie had been trying to get her to the Strip every visit back for years, and Alix had never given in. Now she wished she had, because her friend was so adorably excited to share all her favorite places. With a broad smile, Alix let herself be dragged into the resort by her much smaller, but spunky best friend.
((Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, Earth))
Madison led the way following the signs that guided them to a place called The Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace. The resort was so tremendous in size that it had a shopping mall connected to the casino along with bars and restaurants mixed in the journey. It was a long but visually pleasant walk to their destination. She wanted to look for a promise ring for her Haukea and who better to assist than Alix? It would be helpful to have a friend’s feedback on the style.
Marsh: Remember me telling you about the promise ring that Haukea gifted me with during our trip together in the Valley of Fire?
Harford: Yeah, of course. So sweet of Haukea and I know it made you feel special.
A smile was evident along the corners of her lips as she was close to blushing. She wanted to extend the gesture to her girlfriend, by providing her with a ring of her own to show her commitment going forward. Madison wanted to surprise Haukea when she returned home after shore leave.
Marsh: I want to return the favor, mind helping me pick out a nice one? They have a jewelry shop or two here in the Forums.
Harford: Of course! I think I know a bit about Haukea’s style from you and from the pictures I’ve seen. I can at least try to keep you from buying something too pink and girly. ::sticks her tongue out at Maddie::
The Forum Shops had the same Roman theme with statues of Ancient gods and goddesses all over the place. Madison’s favorite part of the entire experience was the painted sky on the ceiling above them. It was old-fashioned without holos and unique for its time style-wise. They stopped in front of a jewelry shop called ‘Tiffany & Co’. It was a boutique styled shop and they carried rings in stock that would suit her needs.
Marsh: Here is the place, time to find us a ring.
Harford: Yeah, looks like they will have plenty of options.
Upon entering the shop Madison greeted the associate working there and approached the ring display counter. Her head loomed over the glass as her ocean blue eyes carefully evaluated the ring options available for purchase. She eventually shifted her gaze over to Alix and perked a brow in curiosity.
Marsh: Do you see any that stand out to you? I’m looking for one that is not too basic, but not overly extravagant. Something unique would be ideal.
Harford: Uh, well… I’ve seen a couple I think you might like, but I think you’ll have to be the one to ultimately decide. She’s your girlfriend after all.
Madison’s eyes widened expectantly as she tilted her head slightly. She set her hands on her hips as she looked up to meet Alix’s gaze. She shrugged her shoulders and gestured with her head to the ring options. Her tone was a knowingly sarcastic type of response, which was typical for her.
Marsh: Well, um, yeah she’s my girlfriend, duh! Go on, show me the options, of course I’m going to choose silly. What do you have for me?
Stepping aside, Alix gestured to the three small ring boxes that she’d had a store attendant pull out for her as they’d been browsing. All three were good options, but she knew which one she liked the best. It was Maddie’s choice though so she didn’t say anything and let her friend take a look and form her own opinion.
Harford: ::after a few moments:: Well? What do you think?
She carefully reviewed the ring options for a few moments. They each had their own pros and cons, however, it was not like she was shopping for an engagement ring or wedding band. Heck, she would prefer Haukea be the one to propose to her anyways, because that was just how she rolled in their relationship with one another. She nudged Alix’s side softly with her elbow softly.
Marsh: Hold tight, I’m almost there. ::Chuckled wholeheartedly:: Don’t rush me, we have all night. ::pointed her left index finger at the ring on the right side:: I think I’m going to roll with that one. ::Paused for a moment:: Yeah, let's go with that one, what do you think?
The ring Madison had chosen was a thin white gold band with a gentle swoop to it that reminded Alix of an ocean wave. The peak of the wave curled around a small diamond and three smaller stones accented the band like seafoam. It really was an elegant little ring and considering their recent purchase of a beach front property, Alix thought it held a bit of special significance for the couple.
Harford: ::smiling:: Oh good, that was my first pick too. I think she will love it! Do you know her size?
There was an instant response from Madison as she knew her girlfriend all too well. She was the type who recalled more details then she let on for the most part. Her memory was one of her strengths as a person overall. In fact, she knew all of her partner’s dimensions from clothes, jewelry, and shoe shopping together in the past.
Marsh: A size seven. ::Winked:: I know all of her dimensions quite well. ::Laughed:: Alright, with that being said, I’ll get that one.
Harford: That was easy. I sometimes forget how decisive you can be when we’re shopping.
After checking out with the jeweler, she placed the box in her small purse, and looked up at Alix. There were plenty of other places to shop if it tickled her friend’s fancy. She wondered what her friend was in the mood for next, so it was time to probe for that.
Marsh: What were you in the mood for now? Have any shopping to do?
Harford: Why don’t we save the rest of our shopping for a couple days after Christmas? I’d rather go check out a casino I think.
Marsh: I always have shopping to do, but we can knock it out later on. Sure, that sounds like a solid plan.
((Quarks, Las Vegas, Nevada, Earth))
((Timeskip- A Few Hours Later))
A bit tipsy after having a couple drinks, the pair of girls giggled as the lights and bells of slot machines lit up their eyes. Having visited a few casinos already, and been politely asked to leave one of them because Alix was counting cards at a Blackjack table, they’d ended up at the largest Quarks in the Alpha Quadrant. Turning towards Madison, Alix leveled a furrowed brow and repeated her astonishment for not the first time this evening. Her speech, while not slurred, had taken on a bit more of her Texan accent than usual.
Harford: ::Texan:: I still don’t understand how counting is frowned upon. In a deck of 52 cards, there are only 24 which statistically favor the player in trying to reach 21. Even in a shoe of 6 decks, that's only 144 cards. With a simple positive - negative - neutral point system, anyone can easily keep tally and count to 144. So what am I meant to do? Play dumb?
Madison raised her glass and took a sip of her Old Fashioned. The bourbon was strong, but she enjoyed a stiff drink every once in a while. However, occasionally that would lead to her clearing out her sinuses as well. It never seemed to put hair on her chest though as the saying went. She set her glass down on the table and looked at Alix expectantly.
Marsh: It’s because the house always wins, duh! They have to make their profits at the end of the day.
Harford: Absurd! ::pouts:: At least they let me keep the latinum…
She chuckled for a moment and let out a high pitched hiccup only once fortunately. She cleared her throat and then raised her glass for another sip of her drink. At this point Madison was drunk, but in a fantastic mood.
Marsh: Yes!
Just then the bells and lights on the machine in front of Madison went wild and Alix jumped out of her seat from the sudden noise. Since coins were no longer prevalent in 2401, there wasn’t a rush of silver and clanging metal, but the racket coming from the machine still did a pretty good job of drawing attention to a jackpot.
Harford: Umm… Mads! I think you won quite a bit there.
At the same time a group of handsome men passed by their slot machine and Madison was more focused on them. She did not realize that she had won a small fortune on the spin just yet. She lifted her glass as she was about to leave the machine to follow the guys.
She stood up and waved her hand casually. Her tone was silly and it was obvious that she was under the influence.
Marsh: Hi guys! Want to party with us?
Alix took two or three long strides and put herself between the now drunk blonde and the men whose attention she’d just drawn. With a don't even try it look and her arms crossed over her chest, Alix spoke up defensively in a way that very few had ever witnessed.
Harford: Sorry, fellas. She's got a girlfriend.
A couple of them mumbled apologies, one of them suggested something rather lewd that confused Alix, but with little more discussion they moved on. She spun around to face her friend.
Harford: Madison Nova Marsh! You have a girlfriend!
Madison’s eyes darted upwards to make contact with Alix’s. She knew that she had a girlfriend, but her mind was a tad bit hazy at that point in time. It would have been fun to have a party on the strip with plenty of eye candy to go around. A grin was now evident across her lips.
Marsh: Yeah, I just asked them to come party with us, not sleep with them. ::Patted Alix’s shoulder:: Relax killer.
Harford: You're drunk, it's time to get you home. ::points to slot machine:: You won a literal ship load of latinum by the way.
She spun around reading the screen and then clenched her fist in victory. That latinum would certainly help her with investments later on. Perhaps she could purchase a shuttle or a second home on Velestus, the options were almost limitless on location.
Marsh: Yes! ::High-fived Alix:: That’s amazing, woohoo!
Harford: Cash out and let’s go collect. It’s better to end the night on a win anyway.
Madison danced around a little bit swaying her hips after collecting her player’s card and then cashed out. She transferred the latinum to her bank account and offered Alix a few bars as well. It was a nice gesture to provide her friend with a tip as well.
Marsh: Some latinum for you as well my friend. Go buy yourself something nice okay? Now, we better head home, you’re right. I’m starting to feel a little queasy anyways.
Harford: ::laughing:: You’re a brat, Maddie, but I love you.
Alix gave her friend a hug, which was a rare gesture from the touch averse doctor. Between the latinum she’d won at the blackjack tables and the bars her friend had offered, she’d have a pleasant little sum to tuck away. Not enough to buy a shuttle, mind you, but maybe enough for a nice vacation or investment portfolio.
As the two women left Quark’s, Alix’s stomach growled.
Harford: I bet you’re queasy because we haven’t eaten. We should grab something to eat before we beam home.
She looked around the strip at the various food trucks and stalls available to them within a quick walk and hooked her arm around Maddie’s shoulders steering her towards a Bajoran stall and ordered them both hasperat.
Mission Specialist
Starbase 118 Ops
O240006MM1
and
Medical Officer
USS Astraeus, NCC-70652
D240104AH2
Mission Specialist
Starbase 118 Ops
ID: O240006MM1
