Come, Enjoy Yourself

Posted on Sat Aug 8th, 2020 @ 6:45am by Captain M'Mira & Lieutenant Tristian Hudson & Petty Officer 1st Class Grace Hudson

2,896 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Mission 3: Diplomacy, what’s that?
Location: Hudson Quarters

{ON}

The time was nearly 1900 hours. The Hudson's were relaxed as the quarters was ready. Canapes, refreshments and drinks were all replicated and set about. There was candles lit, with eclectic local selections of music from the Faltan Station artists and culture.

"You look stunning, as always dear." Tristian peeked around the corner to see Grace gently putting herself together. She had replicated a dress to wear that he had not seen her wear before.

Grace smiled as she turned to look at her husband. “I’m glad you like my dress, I bought it from the maternity wear shop. I thought you’d like it.”

"Would you think that encrusted Salmon with Cat Nip for M'Mira would be a slap in the face?" Hudson asked his wife. "I had the station Chef work up a menu, 5 course, with lots of alcohol." He winked, rubbing her shoulders relaxingly.

“To be honest I think perhaps the Cat Nip might be a tad too far. The Salmon will go down a treat though! From what I hear she does love her drink so make sure you get her favourite one right when you make it.” Grace smiled. “Once this evening is over you can massage me all over with those wonderful hands of yours.”

M'Mira was displeased that she could not make the dinner arrangements a couple nights prior. She knew that the Hudsons would understand but that did not make her feel better. It made her a poor guest and she would have to make up for it somehow. So, to make up for it, she had a colorful bouquet of flowers made up for the Hudsons.

Whatever the night held, it had to be better than Earth fictional creatures appearing or Ferengi Ambassadors showing up unannounced. Before coming over, she made sure that she decorated her nails so that they were a ruby red and had tiny snowflakes in random amounts on each nail. She knew that Tristian appreciated her nails, so she may as well dress to impress. On her tail, she had placed a golden ringlet that swayed a little as she walked but stayed near the end of her tail.

Upon arrival, she rang the Hudsons' chime.

Grace looked at her husband. “That will be M’Mira” she smiled. “Let’s not keep her waiting.”

Tristian opened the door. Little surprise, M'Mira was dressed up quite well. She certainly wasn't invited to her first evening dinner. "Commander. M'Mira. It is a sincere pleasure to have you join us this evening." He stepped aside, revealing the spartan, yet tastefully decorated quarters. Most of their trinkets and items on the shelves were Grace's choices. Tristian went along with Grace, as long as he could have his medical journals stacked in a corner in their office.

There was gentle candles lit, some music on in the background. A generous area for seating was set up, in an open conversation style.

"Please come in."

M'Mira handed the bouquet of flowers to Tristian. "These arrre forrr you and yourrr wife." She smiled over at Grace and said, "Ahhhh!" her tail swishing. "I did not put it togetherrr until now. The two of you arrre marrrrried and with the cub on the way. How wonderrrful!" M'Mira lazily stalked through the quarters. "Please tell me that all of these arrrrrrangements arrre not just forrr me." M'Mira seemed more than a little pleased that they were taking the time to pamper her appropriately.

Grace smiled warmly as she took the flowers from Tristian to put in water. “Thank you for the lovely flowers Commander they’re gorgeous. Please feel free to make yourself comfortable, Tristian will get you a drink.” She looked to her husband.

"Thank you for the invitation," M'Mira purred. She then started looking around for somewhere appropriate to lounge and for the moment settled on a couch, curling her tail around her. She made sure that her nails were visible for Tristian to see, knowing how much he appreciated them on their last meeting.

Hudson attended the bar. A traditional Old-Fashioned glass to start, Tristian added the premium vodka and coffee liquor, gently blending them first with a cocktail spoon. Adding a few choice cubes into the mix, he then poured half and half cream. Some recipes called for milk, but now wasn’t the time to cheap out.

He was handing the glass to the Commander once she had relaxed into her seat. He noticed her nails once more. He winked at Grace, as he added “M’Mira. Your nails, they are exquisite tonight.” He smiled.

While M’Mira tended her drink, Tristian poured a vintage don Perignon in a tall flute glass for his lovely wife, Grace. He handed the glass to her and motioned. “Please sit down and enjoy yourself, Hun. Tonight I host.”

M'Mira looked at the Old Fashioned skeptically. However, her mood noticeably improved and her tail swished when Tristian noticed her nails. "Why, thank you, Doctor. I spent a little extra time on them today. I would not want to come to your quarters looking like a ragamuffin." Her tongue snapped out lightly to taste the Old Fashioned. She gave a toothy smile when she tasted the cream inside it. "What is this unique drink?" she asked him.

Grace looked at Tristian curiously, she wasn't sure exactly what drink he’d made for M’Mira so she was just as interested to find out.

"Oh dear." He feigned. "I should have used milk." He went through the directions in his head. "This /was/ supposed to be a White Russian M'Mira. He immediately offered to refix the drink. It was not a faux paux, it was serving the right drink.

He went back to the bar and offered M'Mira a new drink, this time with the right amount of milk.

"Try this now?" He was interested. He took a drink from his own flute, and then gave a desired smile at Grace. "Ragamuffin, you. That's not what I hear around the station? Your one of the best dressed. And of course my Wife." He sat down beside Grace, as they enjoyed the music.

"This is delicious," M'Mira told Tristian. "Could prrrobably use a bit morrre crrream, though," she purred happily. "I apprrrreciate the efforrrt." She sighed and stretched out her legs one at a time before relaxing more into the couch. "I'm one of the best drrressed? That is what you hearrr?" Another purr escaped her lips and her tail curled around her. She stroked it lightly. "I guess that it has been a long time since I have mingled with the crrrew...."

“Might I suggest that perhaps you spend a certain amount of time exploring the station? People will have a chance to get to know you better that way.” Grace smiled warmly.

"I used to prrrowl the station much morrre when I was merrrely the Operrrations Chief. When I was the Executive Officerrr, I was busy dealing with some rrratherrr exigent circumstances, including the attack on ourrr Chief Engineerrrr and last Commanding Officerrr. Now, I am stuck in my office, which in of itself is not horrrrrrible. Sometimes I can get in a nap." She laughed daintily. "I prrrobably could use a yeoman or two," she admitted.

Tristian enjoyed the conversation. He looked at Grace and placed his hand in hers and rubbed it. “So far, I think Faltan Station has been a welcomed post for us. We have plans for the little one on the way, and hopefully, everything will turn out well. The Medical Facilities are the most up to date I have worked within years.” He remembered other posts in his younger days having had to do with less than the desired tech.

“Do we have any more information regarding our visitor?” He looked at Grace and M’Mira while he then took a drink, enjoying the excellent wine relaxing back.

"No," M'Mira responded, her tongue wrapping itself around the inside of the cup trying to lap up any stray remnants of milk. "And what is surrrprrrising is that all has been fairly quiet herrre for severrral months. I don't think that the Falteans have technology like this orrr the knowledge of this Santa Claus."

"What about this Ferengi character that wants to see Grace?" Tristian frowned a bit.

"The supposed Ferrrengi ambassadorrr? I don't know. She did not eitherrr."

Tristian nodded. He would have to speak to the Ambassador himself next time. "I think it is time for dinner." He looked at Grace, and M'Mira. "I cannot cook. However, Grace here. She is the best cook. She replicates masterpieces, I swear by it." He got up, and followed his Wife along with the Commander to the table. Again, the chairs were comfy, and the lighting then dimmed as candles were lit. Just then, some of his Medical Staff had been ushered to deliver their plates. Grace did not cook this evening, as she was to relax.

“As much as I’d have liked to cook for you Commander, my husband can be quite firm when he has to be.” Grace smiled at Tristian.

M'Mira told Grace, "Everrry once in awhile, you have to let them win a battle, just so they do not feel completely inferrriorrr, I am told," M'Mira replied with a hissing laugh. "I am morrre than cerrrtain that when you arrre able, that you will make marrrvelous food for me in the futurrre. I shall look forrrward to the little cub being borrrn."

Inside, Hudson could not help but chuckle. Tristian liked the term cub, as it was familiar to Caitians. He took a drink of cold water, in his glass, swallowing it. As he did so, he eyed Grace.

"We are quite anxious to bring our little cub into this world." He added.

“Well it won’t be that much longer now, another three and half months or so.” Grace smiled at Tristian. “I’m looking forward to it.”

"Tell me, is it uncomforrrtable? M'Mira asked. "I've not been prrregnant, obviously, but Mint was and she seemed so tirrred and distrrracted all the time."

Grace looked at M’Mira. “It is tiring and yes, uncomfortable with all the weight of the pregnancy out front it puts a lot of strain on my back.” She smiled. “Not that i’d change anything. It’s an amazing experience and to feel our baby kick is incredible!”

"Can I feel it?" M'Mira asked anxiously. "And is yourrr husband taking good care of you? I'll make him take time off if he is not."

Tristian smiled. Grace was a hard-working mother in and out of her job. He was so proud of her, and it meant a lot when they felt comfortable, Grace felt comfortable enough to let someone on the station feel their baby kick.

“Tristian does nothing but take care of me” Grace grinned. “He’s very attentive. As for feeling ... place your hand, sorry paw right here and wait.”

M'Mira did as she was told and waited for a kick. It was not long in coming. She removed her paw and put it to her face excitedly. "Tell me, is this going to be a trrraditional human single cub litterrr or will you have morrre coming at the same time?"

Grace smiled. “It’s just one”

"Just one child. To be born healthy and happy, we will be ecstatic." He held his excitement down under his calm exterior. "I want to play ball, teach him hockey." Hudson slipped, only to rephrase. "Him or her."

“Well I’m sure you’ll get the chance to do just that.” Grace smiled warmly.

"I think yourrr husband has a prrreferrrence," M'Mira purred and laughed. "Perrrhaps he should have figurrred out how to prrroduce only males?"

“Don’t give Tristian ideas!” Grace grinned. “He’s seriously that clever.”

"You do not want a male?" M'Mira asked curiously.

Hudson laughed at the comment smiling at Grace. "Clever enough to try. However, I would never tempt the fate of our child." He reassured. "If it is a girl, I will be there teaching her Soccer or Hockey just as well. And love her just as much."

"M'Mira, would you ever consider having a child of your own?" He intoned, "Father or no Father, you would have a lot to offer a newborn Cub of your own?"

"Oh, goodness!" M'Mira reply playfully pawing the air towards Tristian. "You arrre the flatterrrrerrr. I am a rrraatherrr busy commanderrr rrright now. I do not know whetherrr I could even find time to date, not that I would mind, mind you. A nice, well positioned, handsome Caitian...." M'Mira purred. "Is that too much to ask forrr? But without time to date, time forrr a child...unlikely."

“You should make some time for yourself Commander.” Grace smiled warmly as she looked at M’Mira. “This is time you won’t get again, don’t work your life away and regret what you didn’t get to do later on.”

M'Mira fidgeted and then curled her legs under her on the couch, after deftly removing her boots in a single move. "Oh, believe me, I take everrry second that I can to take wonderrrful naps."

"Ah. Napping. That is the best, isn't it." He relaxed and poured some more wine in to Grace's glass and in his own. He handed a chilled and topped White Russian again for M'Mira. The candles lit the room with the sound of relaxing piano music.

"Currrling rrrright on top of the desk is verrry cozy. At least my office desk. Therrre's a sun spot that is just perrrfect if you time it rrrright."

"Faltan does have great sunlight. I really would like a chance to get out on the land and relax." He said.

Grace smiled as she left the glass of wine to one side. “We’ll have to take a trip home sometime and then you can do that.”

M'Mira lapped up more of her White Russian. "Unforrrtunately, the Faltean goverrrnment does not allow us to set foot onto theirrr land."

"That would be great." He nodded to Grace and smiled. "Certainly they must see that we can offer support if needed."

"The only perrrson that the Goverrrnorrr has been willing to allow outside of this station to be in Faltean lands is Candy Templeton, the FNS Rrreporrrterrr," M'Mira grumbled with a low guttural growl. "It is most unusual."

Grace nodded. “It does seem unusual, they must have some sort of agreement. I take it the Government do not trust anyone from the Federation?”

Tristian furrowed his brow in thought. "What reports does Mrs. Templeton report on?"

"Wellll..." M'Mira started, sprawling further on the couch and then propping her head up on an elbow. "The last rrreport that Ms. Templeton did caused Captain Rrrefelian to ban her from all access to the Faltan rrrecorrrds. It was laterrr rrreinstated by Commanderrr Prrrescott. But Ms. Templeton exposed the rrrelationship between the Captain and Commanderrr Prrrescott. She also informed the public about the Klingon ship that had issues herrre and accused the Lieutenant Tendai, the forrrmer Chief Engineer of arrriving, late."

M'Mira started giggling loudly. "That was trrrue, even if she said it was not. Then she accused me of being lazy and self involved. Nothing could be furrrtherrr frrrom the trrruth." Her tail lazily curled around her and she sprawled further onto the couch. "She has some nerrrve! And I thought that she was nice beforrre that. But, as you can see, she's quite talented in coming to conclusions."

Grace nodded. “Then I’ll be sure to be wary of her.”

"That is prrrobably best, but not so much as to avoid her. That will just make herrr hungrrrierrr, I think. Computerrrs have also shown that she has been visiting with the Rrromulans as of late. I don't know why."

Tristian relaxed, feeling the wine. He smiled. “Mrs. Templeton may be keeping in contact with her sources. In war and peace, intrepid reporters are essential.” He offered.

“I keep my news to federation sources lately.”

"Believe it or not, she is a Federrration News Rrreporrrterrr," M'Mira told Tristian. "She just seems to have a grrreat deal of latitude."

"And attitude?" He chuckled, he turned to Grace and gave her a gentle nudge. "Eh. Grace Latitude, Attitude." He enjoyed his corny joke.

Grace grinned and shook her head. “It depends on how far that latitude goes as to how much trouble she could be. Don’t you think so Commander?”

"Indeed. I think that we have to take the good with the bad with Miss Templeton. She has a nose forrr trrrouble and finding the sourrrces. As I said beforrre, she corrrrrectly discovered Rrreffelian and Prrrescott's rrrelationship and much morrre."

Grace looked concerned. "So she likes digging up dirt on people, I can't say I like the sound of that one little bit."

"Perhaps she can dig up information regarding the Santa figure. How is Security on the investigation? Word is beginning to spread." He was concerned.

"I saw herrr interrrviewing people afterrr he left. I have no doubt she is doing the same thing we arrre rrright now. But no, therrre is no worrrd frrrom securrrity or anyone else with a clue, as farrr as I know."

"Hudson nodded." He agreed that things on station were far from being simple.

 

RSS Feed