Clubbing in Secret

Posted on Sun Jun 11th, 2023 @ 10:02pm by Candy Templeton & Ensign Dramin
Edited on on Mon Jun 26th, 2023 @ 7:07am

3,061 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Mission 4 - Like a Thunderbolt
Location: Mels' Cabaret
Timeline: MD06 1930

Dramin had debated with himself at length as to whether or not to visit the newly opened entertainment club on deck fifteen tonight. He'd wanted to settle himself in, find his office and then find dinner, preferably in that exact order. It kept things nice and tidy for him and besides, it made a good first impression on superiors. It showed dedication and eagerness to get to work.

In the end, though, his curiosity ultimately won out, and he decided to forgo the very last thing to pay the establishment a visit - and oh boy, the queue just to get in was absolutely massive. He shouldn't have been surprised, really, given that it was opening night and that the club's welcoming sign had promised a good show and drinks to all who came. Who'd turn down an offer like that?

He had to admit, he quite liked the atmosphere inside after the agonizing two-hour wait in line. The club was softly lit and had an ambience that simply invited conversation and intimacy among its patrons, in spite of the sheer volume of people inside. Somehow. Each table was lit with a small candle, the kind you'd put on when on a date with someone you liked.

Except, of course, Dramin was alone tonight, standing out like a sore thumb amongst the other patrons seated solo at his table with a drink in hand. Not that he minded.

Candy had to admit that she missed the days of partying and she still did it when she could. However, between her, well, she did not know what to call her relationship with Connor and all the havoc that was going on with the Base and now Station, there was little time for frivolity. Her memory went back to when she arrived at what was then called Faltan Station and now referred to Faltan Base, the planetary base that was attacked. (OOC - https://faltan.rpgwriting.com/index.php/sim/viewpost/158 ) She absolutely terrified the then commander, Abigail Prescott, known as Mint to her friends and frenemies. It was enjoyable.

Well, with hardly anything open on Faltan Station and the promises of a good show, Candy's curiosity could not be contained. With her news credentials, she did not have to wait in the two hour line and she busily started looking for a story anywhere. But time dragged on and she realized that she had been doing so much work that the place was filling up.

Time to play the game. Got to have a seat for the show. And so, with that thought, Candy started looking around for a target. She found the perfect one, a Kelpien male. Such a naive race. They had no idea that their own ganglia fell off naturally and let themselves be suppressed for generations. Putting on her best Valley Girl voice, the blonde haired Candy, went over to the Kelpien's table and exclaimed, "Ohm'gosh! I'm so glad to see you! My name is Candy." She then sat down in a seat next to him. "Was this seat taken? I do so hope it was only by me." She gave a short half-giggle, half-laugh before prattling on, "I didn't bring a date today and just the place looks SOOOOO amazing, don't ya think?"

There was something about this attractive blond human woman that felt a bit off to Min. Maybe it was the energy and voice. What did humans call it, dumb blonde? The persona some blonde Caucasian women played up to attract attention because apparently men found it appealing. This woman clearly wanted something. Out of him specifically, maybe, or perhaps out of this party, and wanted to use him, and possibly her body if need be, to get it. If this woman thought he could be hoodwinked so easily he intended to prove her wrong.

At least she didn't make his ganglia squirm. Yet.

"Well, it wasn't taken before you joined me." He said, putting on a kind tone of voice for her. "I came here alone. You are most welcome to stay, however. I do not mind company. My name is Dramin."

He glanced her up and down, taking in her features. A lot of men would've been distracted by her, he had to admit that. Looks made you a lot in the universe, or so he'd learned. "This place is quite pleasant, yes. I find it quite cozy and rather appropriate if one comes here seeking respite from their day. I'd hardly be surprised if it remains as popular even when it isn't offering such tempting deals."

"You said you were glad to see me. Is there a reason why?" He was trying very, very hard not to make their conversation sound like an interrogation - which it wasn't. As much as he didn't trust this distractingly beautiful woman he wasn't here to question the truth out of her like an attorney in court. Which he was.

"But of course there's a reason!" she continued in her nuanced 'dumb blonde' voice. "Because I've never met a Kelpian before and because you had a seat available. So, thank you, Dramin. YOU are my hero!"

She put her elbow on the table, then leaned forward, allowing her cleavage to show, and put her chin on her hand's palm. She had no idea if Kelpiens were interested in human chests but it did not hurt to find out. "So, tell me, Dramin, whatever brought you out to these far reaches of space. I always understood that Kelpiens who still had their ganglia avoided places that were not safe."

She clearly didn't just want to find out more about his people. If so she wouldn't have been leaning across the table with her ample cleavage directly in his line of sight. Starfleet officers knew a lot of things - including some things that ought to remain within their heads unsaid. Perhaps she intended to take him to bed, give him an unforgettable night - and in the process steal whatever little nugget of information he'd let slip by accident. He even found it slightly amusing that she'd try.

"Not all of us who still have our ganglia are entirely afraid of venturing into the unknown and scary." He responded politely. No use getting angry over a sterotype that was frankly quite true all things considered. "I decided to leave Kaminar in search of a new life and the promise of new frontiers to experience. That's all." There was more to it, of course, but he wasn't about to spill the entirety of how and why he'd gotten here to a complete stranger with dubious intentions. "It takes great courage and resolve to take such a life-changing step, of course, though the same can be said for all species, Kelpien or not." He met her in the eyes, fingers loosely steepled together. "I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say so."

"I don't know," Candy replied airily. "I just live in the moment and go wherever the stars may take me. Today, they took me here," she replied beaming at Dramin. "So what brought you here?"

"I came to see what this... cabaret..." God, that word was really weird to say. "...is all about. Word about it is abuzz throughout the entire station, especially so where I work." Best not to tell her too much about what he did, he reckoned. "Talk of a good show for opening night, and all that. I thought I might as well come and see. Why waste the opportunity?"

"Oh, pardon my manners. May I order you a drink?" It was basic courtesy, after all, though he felt slightly guilty that it took a waitress clad in a decidedly abbreviated outfit to make him remember that.

"Indeed, why waste the opportunity? Seize the day and all that, right?" Candy added dumbly. "And if you're offering a drink, who am I to refuse?" She favored the Kelpian with a sly smile. "But really, what brought you here? I mean, this station has not been open but for a minute, so you must work here, right? Whatcha do?"

Min studied her with unblinking, analytical baby blue eyes. Words that don't really go together, really, but for him they worked. Sort of. "I am a junior attorney with the Judge Advocate General's chambers." He replied smoothly. "What kind of drink would you like?" She hadn't specified what she wanted. That seemed a little odd to him.

"A JAG, huh?" Candy asked, making a mental note of this information. "That should be an easy job here. Not a lot of trouble when there's not a lot of military here yet. Right?" She giggled lightly. "But, maybe you meet a lot of troublemakers?" She then made another sharp laugh. "But you said something about a drink. Oh, I'll have an Andorian Sunrise."

"I do like those. There are many Andorian dishes that I enjoy very much, actually. One of my best friends at the Academy was Andorian. People would see us study together and assume we were a couple." He remarked before placing her order. His glass, on the other hand, was half full of a swirling purple liquid that smelled very much like grapes. "As to my duties, well, I did only just arrive early this morning." He said with a slight smile. "I haven't had time to familiarize myself with the station or its crew as of yet. Though I intend to over the coming days."

"How about you? How long have you been aboard this station, and what do you do on board?"

M'Mira decided that she would get creative with the truth. "My girlfriend invited me. I'm just a civilian. I do and go where I please." Well, this is all true from a certain point of view. Good for you, Candy.

"Ah! I see. How are you finding the station so far?" It'd be good to get an outsider's perspective on the place - which would give him a better idea of what to expect from his job.

Before she could answer, though, the music playing overhead changed dramatically, slowing down, switching to soft, sensual violin. Min sighed. "Something tells me the show for the night is about to begin."

Candy grinned at Dramin. She had gotten much of what she wanted out of the Ensign for the night. After all, it was good to know who was who. The drink and the show were just the proverbial cherries on top for the evening. And who knew, maybe she would get some interesting story out of this yet. "I always like a good show," she told Dramin, turning her attention forwards.

Dramin turned his attention forward as the overhead lights dimmed to a soft amber glow, and a soft, euphonic female voice sang out over hidden speakers: "Dear guests, a very warm welcome to Mel's Cabaret! We are so pleased to have you with us on this momentous day! For you, our valued patrons, we have lined up the most scintillating performance! To all the men in here, this is for you! Ladies and gentlemen, it is my utmost pleasure to present... the ___ Troupe!" (OOC: I'll find an appropriate word to put there later!) The shimmering velvet stage curtains flew apart to raucous applause from the crowd, and oh god Min had never blushed harder in his life.

When the announcer had said that the performance would be well liked among the men in the audience, she'd been really very on the nose about the nature of it. The much anticipated opening night performance was a burlesque show. Poor Dramin sat glued to his seat, blushing a vibrant shade of pink and trying not to have his mouth hang open in shock as a pair of beautiful Andorian women clad in scant yet elegant outfits that left tastefully little to the imagination emerged from the wings and began to perform an elaborate dance routine.

This was a performance troupe, right? A troupe definitely had more people than just two, right? Which meant there were more to come. Which meant... well, suffice to say he was going to be here for a good while.

It might be dark, but Candy could read people and watching Dramin squirm and obviously blush was most amusing to her. Time to have some fun. She moved her seat closer to his and breathlessly whispered into his ear, "If you think that is something, you should come by my quarters later on...."

No. No no no. This wasn't possible. She didn't actually want him. She wanted him for what he knew. That had to be it. He wasn't interesting enough for anyone otherwise. They'd get into a passionate twist, he'd let something slip and that'd be it. He couldn't do that!

Besides, didn't she just tell him a few minutes ago that her girlfriend had brought her here? He refused to ruin her relationship like that. Never. No. It'd live with him for life.

"Ummm. No thhhhank you...? I- I have work tomorrow..." He stammered, slender hands balling into fists under the table. He had to resist. He was better than this. He was supposed to be better than this...

The dancers pranced off stage then, sashaying into the crowd with sensually choreographed grace. One of the two Andorians breezed past the two of them, got so close to Min his line of sight only contained her ample cleavage for a moment, brushed her fingertips gently across his jawline, and just like that, gone, off to dazzle another hapless table of patrons.

Why did his cheeks hurt so much? Why were they so hot?

Candy was enjoying watching Dramin but she did not like hearing "no." In fact, saying no, only meant that she had to try harder. It was one thing for her to reject someone or something, but not the other way around. THAT was unacceptable. She purred, "Did you think, when I said, 'girlfriend,' that I was in a relationship with someone?" She giggled sweetly. "Oh, no, my dear Dramin. I did dabble with that in my past. She's just a friend that happens to be female. We're close, but not in that way."

Ah yes, the nuances of Federation Standard, and the colloquial uses of the myriad of words it had. Why couldn't she have just said 'girl friend' with a space in between and cleared up some of the initial confusion?

Which still didn't detract from the massive amount of awkwardness that was slowly piling onto his shoulders. Clearly this woman really, really, wanted something or other from him and wasn't going to stop at anything to get it. "I have work tomorrow. My superiors want us all to be there for an important meeting!" He insisted breathlessly. "I- I'll get you a meal we can share together, will that do?"

"But you are not working right now," Candy replied, letting her fingers walk up Dramin's arm. She was thoroughly enjoying herself now, watching the Kelpien become uncomfortable. "And a meal will be nice. Dessert might be better, though." She gave Dramin a knowing wink and smile before turning slightly away to watch the next act come on.

Well, she seemed to have broken off - for the moment, at least - though she did still seem quite interested in familiarizing herself with him. Sexually, it seemed. Dramin tore his eyes off the attractive blonde and glued them to the stage, where the two Andorian sisters had regrouped with a flourish. They then began to sing together in perfect harmony a song that carried through the entire cabaret like the soft, sensual caress of fingers on your skin. Like Candy's fingers on- no, stop it. Come on.

"I don't mind visiting your quarters. But only for a meal and dessert." He insisted stubbornly, seemingly ignorant of the implications of what he'd just said. Oops!

"Wonderful," Candy replied getting up and linking her arm within Dramin's. "Let's get started, shall we?"

Dramin ignored the occasional catcall and jealous looks thrown their way as he allowed her to lead him out of the establishment, into the turbolift and into the civilian habitation decks, where they paused in front of her quarters. Just what had he gotten himself into, he wondered for at least the third time tonight. Dessert, drinks and be very, very careful about what he let slip. How hard could it be?

"You have very nice quarters." He commented as the door clicked closed behind them. "Mine are barely decorated. I haven't had the time to properly unpack just yet..."

Candy laughed. "You like my mess?" she asked showing him further into her quarters where clothing was strewn about. "You have a very unique sense of style for a military man. Do all Kelpiens like things untidy?" she asked with a sly smile.

"It's... homely! And unique." Min ad-libbed. God, how tje hell was he going to worm himself out of this big mess? And what was with that smile? "Uhm. What would you like for dessert? And drinks?"

Without a word, Candy immediately wrapped her arms around Dramin's neck and kissed him. Her mouth barely left his lips as she purred, "This is just the beginning of dessert." Like a tigress who had her prey, she continued, "And I plan on devouring it this evening."

Dramin had, honestly, expected to have to make her actual dessert. Something chocolate, hopefully, he loved chocolate. Then Candy's searing hot lips closed over his own in the best kiss of his entire life, and suddenly the whole world melted away, leaving the sensation of just her, heat on his lips and the scent of something else almost cloyingly sweet in the air.

Ah, yes. She'd wanted this kind of dessert. He should've guessed.

Not that he seemed to be resisting her advances - if anything he melted into them like candle wax to flame, wrapping his arms round her rear end with a soft whimper of bliss.

Candy grinned like the cat that ate the canary. "I told you that you could have better than on that stage...."

 

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