First date

Posted on Tuesday 23 April 2019 @ 19:56 by Commander Caroline Miller

Mission: The New Collective
Location: Holodec
Timeline: Before Home fires posts
2178 words - 4.4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Galeraz was dressed in a chiton (a pleated linen tunic) with shoulder clasps for men, meaning to his knees, and then with a many colored green wool chlamys (a blanket sized robe) over this, with a sashe at his waist. He had on leather boots. His style of dress was for a rich merchant class of the time period adventure he was taking Caroline on.

He held out his arm for Caroline as the doors opened upon the scene before them.

"Oh my gosh. I always thought when I droned on about Greek history your mind was .... well very much in the present," Caroline grinned as they walked into the holodeck into a villa overlooking hills and lots of houses. The vista was beautiful.

"Well, my mind was on others things as well, but I always enjoy listening to you talk about your interests Caroline, always. Common, let's enjoy ourselves," replied Galeraz.

"So this is why you requested I wear this dress," she said excitably. The white and gold flowing number was beautiful but had gained her several stares making the trip down to the holodec, especially the split to her thigh.

"So what are we up too?" she asked smiling. The holoprogramme had very much impressed her.

Galeraz returned her smile, looking over her dress, to then remark, "I love the beauty of the scenery before me, and the countryside almost compares, but not quite." He returned his eyes to the village they were about to enter. "We are here to check up on our workers, check the books, and partake of the current harvest of foods and wines. Quality control, you know." Galeraz had made sure to pick a holodeck with a replicator in it so that any food and drink they partook of, or wares that they bought, would be real for this date and not just a holographic representation. He hoped that would make this date extra special for Caroline.

Caroline actually felt herself flush at his statement saying she was beautiful. He had said it many times in the past at certain outfits and functions they had found themselves at but that had seemed out of politeness or just part of his ladies man persona. This was different. He meant it.

A male servant, seen by his plain clothing with a loop belt around his waist with two markers upon it, came up to them. "Master Galeraz, Mistress Caroline, please, this way. Master Evanetus is waiting for you in the counting house."

"Of course," Caroline smiled at the other man. She looped her arm in Galeraz's allowing him to take the lead playing along with the programme pretending to be his wife or consort.

"How has the harvest been this year?" she asked. She smelt olives and lemons. And could see in the distance grape vines a plenty. "Everything looks healthy and smells wonderful. I am sure the Master will be very pleased with your efforts, she informed him.

"I wonder - Have we made the quote to send off to the senate," she looked at Galerez, "Perhaps you shall be in good stock this year my love and be invited to Ecclesia."

He smiled to Caroline even as he motioned to the estate manager to come over.

The scenario for the holovid was that he was an up and coming trader who was helping out family farms and getting them into a gathered estate, under a manager with representatives of each farm, with Galeraz being head of it all. He made sure to have him and Caroline be considered Spartans as women in Greece could not drink wine, but Spartan women could, as well as Spartan women took combat training, in the nude, just like Spartan men. While not Aristoi yet, he was being noticed and the last sendoff should have put him near, or into, their company.

The manager came over with the books. Galeraz smiled to him and said, "Evanetus, any further troubles with Hylas mistreating his douloi?" Evanetus shook his head, "No, Galeraz. I took him on a tour of the other four farms and he saw none of the other douloi retaliating against their farms as they were treated well, and in turn did even more than asked. His harvest was up this year. We sent in 15% more than asked to the Prytaneis, besides having each farm put in their 30% for trade, and having enough with reserve for this winter, just as you instructed. The artisans and wives have been adding to the trade goods as they know they will get return their investment. All in all, sir, it has been a good year."

Galeraz pulled out a couch for Caroline to lounge upon. "M'Lady, for you, we will be having refreshment shortly."

Caroline smiled enjoying this immensely so decided to take the role of wife, she took the offered seat carefully crossing her legs but the split in her dress put a lot on show. "You honour me, my husband."

Galeraz smiled at the shown skin and then sat down on the couch at the head of the table. Making sure Caroline was comfortable, he now clapped twice. Two ladies came over and he said, "I need to sip of the new crop, and bring Mistress Caroline a glass from five seasons past, she deserves it." Neither balked as both had seen the spartan symbol upon the clasp of her dress denoting she could have wine. Galeraz opened the books, then looked over to Caroline, "Please, if there is anything you're wishing for to partake, ask and they shall bring it for you... just include and extra portion for me."

"I would like to sample the honey crop," she smiled. "My husband enjoys honey cakes. Does the kitchen have any? It would be a nice accompaniment with the wine."

The younger lady looked at the older, who nodded. She looked to Caroline and replied, "Yes ma'am, there are honey cakes in the kitchen, along with mashed Tubers with figs and cheeses, olive toppings, and fresh bread. Would Madam and Master enjoy a luncheon sampling of the crops?"

Caroline looked to Galeraz very impressed at the detail in this holoprogramme. "Yes, that sounds delicious. If the men can spare the time of course," she added. She may be a spartan woman in this holoprogramme but although they had more power than their Athenian counterparts it by no means meant she was equal in statue to the men.

Galeraz caught the pleased look from Caroline and positively glowed by it. It was one thing to be in the know to get into a ladies panties, quiet another to be in the know to impress a lady for a longer term relationship. He was becoming enamored with the impress for emotional bonding rather than just the physical.

Nefeli looked at Amara once more, and the older lady gave her nod of approval once more. Nefeli answered Caroline, "Yes ma'am, the time can be spared. The flock has been thinned and the harvest gathered, it is a time of celebration. We will bring in the foodstuffs, deserts, and breads as soon as Master Galeraz gives the word."

Galeraz barely held in a caught off guard snort. He was getting into the holoprogram and forgot that the ladies couldn't do anything without his command. While Caroline was a strong, independent, and resourceful woman, in Ancient Greece, that meant nothing as it was the men who were in command, even if he gave her all the rights of a Spartan women, and that was few. He now gave out a soft humorous chuckle, then added, "By all means, please, Nefeli and Amara, let's get our meal started. And, please, bring in Lurcher, Keeper, and Dash for cleanup." He saw the look that entered their eyes, so he added, "You may partake of what is left.. I do not have my servants or douloi eating off of the floor.. they do too much good around here for that type of treatment, understood?"

The two ladies perked up and positively beamed, then ran off with Galeraz's orders to bring in the food. Galeraz looked over at Caroline and asked, "How are you feeling, my wife? Do my instructions meet with your approval?" Evanetus perked up, along with his servants about him at the Master of the house not only taking care of the lesser, but then asking of his wife when there was no need to.

"Very much so my husband," she smiled. Standing up she brushed round him and went to pour a goblet of the wine in the room, "A contented household is far more than just happy masters. You are wise to show kindness and generosity," she walked back to him and handed the wine over. "Perhaps later I will respond in kind. The moon is to be full tonight. Surrounded by this beauty and you in such good humour, the gods, they may smile upon us gifting with a son to further the destiny of Sparta."

Galeraz gladly accepted the goblet of wine from Caroline as he lazed on the couch. He held it up towards her to toast her beauty and words as she continued speaking to him. He brought it back to his lap, not taking a sip until inviting her to take one with him. And, as his mind caught up to the meaning of what Caroline was saying, was glad he hadn't, as his entire body jerked in surprise, and then a smile broke across his face. Sure, he and Caroline had been intimate before, but never in a context as a couple.

He responded, "My lovely wife, a toast to you, your beauty, your charms, and your wisdom. May the Gods have heard and decide to smile upon us this evening." He drank from his goblet, then held it out to Caroline, "Please, my love, partake of my cup. As we share in many things, the little things that lead to happiness and blessedness are values to be enjoyed in life."

"You honour me," Caroline smiled. He really was getting into this. It surprised her very much.

Evanetus was slightly shocked at the offering, but then its meanings for Caroline, and also for the household staff made their way into his mind. He said, "I am very glad I left Perauntic's employ to come run your estate, Galeraz. I can definitely see how you run your estates is how you are in family and friends, and a nice change from so much bodies politics. I will go check on our foodstuffs coming in. Be right back." He left to fine what was taking Nefeli and Amara so long.

Galeraz stood up and came over to kneel before Caroline. He took her hand into his as he gave it a gentle kiss. He said, "I am half tempted to fast forward to evening with such a smorgasbord of delights you have placed into my head, but I had real foodstuffs brought in for our supper and desire to see what you think." He kissed her hand, then continued, "This evening, if we shall choose to enjoy of each other, it will be more than the past. Tonight will be for you, not just with you, my Darling Caroline."

"Oh get up you big softy," she grinned pulling him up and planting a kiss on his lips before adding. "Come on lets try these honey cakes and go from there."

Galeraz gladly let her pull him up to her, adding his own imputes for her ease. He gladly enjoined in the kiss, loving how this adventure was going. He nodded to her and replied, "Yes, lets. They are for our enjoyment, aren't they." He sat back down upon his couch and clapped his hands.

Nefeli and Amara came in bearing the honey cakes, along with dried gourds and vegetables, fresh grapes, and breads. Another followed, a house male, bearing wine and water casks. The ladies setup the beginning of the feast while the male setup the casks upon their holders and tapped them for use. After setup, Nefeli brought Caroline a just out of oven honey cake, grapes, and a wine goblet. Amara brought Galeraz his. Nefeli bowed low before Caroline, "These are gifts of the household, may they please thee, Caroline, wife of our master Galeraz."

Caroline smiled. "They do. Very much so. Thank you." She bit into a honey cake and her smile got bigger. "These are delicious. I think I am going to really enjoy playing a Sparta woman."

Galeraz smiled wide as she tasted of the real honey cakes. He was glad he found that Culinary Petty Officer who was from Greece on Earth and loved cooking handed down recipes. It was worth the holodeck time he gave her. He chuckled as he said, "You mean, being a Sparta Woman, riiiiight?" He looked forward to the rest of the evening and the delights it would bring.

OFF:

Dr. Galeraz Zephyr
Xeno Doctor
Visiting Consultant
USS Merlin

Commander Caroline Miller
Chief Counselor
USS Merlin