Getting reaquainted

Posted on Wednesday 21 December 2016 @ 18:34 by Captain Melody Jones & Commander Save'ena (Sav) Tillatix

Mission: Old, New Ship
Location: Save'ena's Quarters, deck 2
Timeline: MD9: Mid Evening
1998 words - 4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Melody was walking as fast as she could, without running. Her hands were trembling slightly. She stopped just outside the doors and took a deep breath. She could pilot a starship the size of a city at speeds faster than light without breaking a sweat and yet this......... she was nervous, excited. She had not seen Sav alone since the incident and since she had just been cleared to see her alone she was not wasn't any time.

She pressed the chime and waited, quietly drumming the fingers of her left hand on her thigh.

Sav had just sat down after shooing off Brenda and Wyn. She was immensely glad the two had helped her move to her new quarters on deck two. It was always more fun to move when friends were involved. And, she heard the door chime. Groaning lightly, she pushed herself back onto her feet. She came to the door, and as it opened, asked, "Can I hel.... Melody?" She moved forward and glommed onto her, "MELODY!!"

Melody smiled and drew Save'ena into a hug, all bad memories and feelings disappearing in a instant. "Hey Sweetie, How ya feeling?" Melody was relived that there were no hard feelings between them and hopefully they could draw a line under and forget all about 'the incident'. Melody knew the Sav was still repressing something but there had to be a better way of dealing with it than she had done last time. Right now, though she just wanted to be near Sav.

Sav moved back a space to smile at her bestest friend, "Doing better, now that you're here." She glanced behind Melody, then said, "Hey, pretty lady, no escort. So, I gather Lieutenant Scarlet was successful in getting the restriction removed." She grabbed Melody's hand and led her into her new quarters. "You missed the 'fun' in helping me move, and meeting new friends of Crewman Brenda Aumento and Crewman Wyn Rhoderick."

After the door shut behind them, she turned and once again took Melody into a hug, "Better late than never, eh? Or was that the plan, just miss the moving part to just get a slice of Pizza and a beer?"

"Well, that does sound pretty good but I'm sorry I missed all the fun. Yes as of now, all my trials are over and we can return to sanity." she brought her hands up and gently cupped Sav's face just wanting to look at her for a moment.

Sav churred out a questioning 'ehrmmm?' at the cupping of her face, but held the pose so Melody could get a good look at her. It was with precedence, the cupping and looking, for wives of a male to check out a possible female for another wife or concubine, and so to Sav, was a 'standard protocol' reaction. She now asked, to find out why for the cupping, "Sanity is good. And next?"

"Two things actually. First, I still owe you a thank you from that night you looked after me so perfectly so I've come to see if you'll come to my place for dinner. I've got something........ Special lined up. I wont say anymore than that" she added with a twinkle in her eye.

Sav 'ooOOoooed' out loud and nodded. "Most assuredly, I would love to come by for dinner, especially as you're cookin'."

"Secondly, I've been thinking. During your off hours how would you like to come and spend some time on the bridge at the helm? You get a chance to get some more time flying this grand lady" She stopped short of adding that it was a way of Melody spending more time with her when she had to be on the bridge. "What'cha think?"

Sav just about jumped up and down within Melody's arms. "I love love love love that idea. I really want to join and fly with her some more, honest." She hugged Melody some more, then asked, "Want to sit down? Together?"

Melody snuggled down on the sofa and cozied up to Save'ena "Hey, we're en route to Starbase 306 for some R and R and I believe we're getting a shipment of new single man fighter shuttles. I'm sure I can arrange some time for the two best pilots on board to get some quality time with them."

Sav's tail wrapped around to be covering Melody. Sav churred at the thought of flying new fighters, "Yeah, that would be good, flying with new companions and figuring out what they can and cannot do." She giggled slightly, "I wonder if I can break any speed runs or obstacle course runs in one?"

Melody snuggled in Sav's rich, soft fur. "Well, you do have that the advantage of knowing a ship better than anybody."

Sav snored out in humor, "Yeah, I have an advantage, so sue me." She got a retrospective look upon her muzzle as she continued to speak, "My looks and smarts have gotten me into trouble and almost killed before, so please let me enjoy having a chance to fly and be one with an understanding ship now, okay?"

"Sounds good to me Sweetie, so my place tonight for dinner? And I think I remember a slice of pizza and beer mentioned earlier, Melody looked at her and battered her eyelashes.

Sav, in thinking about Melody, remembered the entire fiasco with the XO and Scarlet. She sighed, "I have to apologize, Melody. I almost got you in trouble with the XO, all because I didn't remember the slap you gave me as part of Fleet Commands unconventional stress testing." Sav swallowed, "I.. my past.. my dreams... I... am so sorry, I blanked on it. Can you forgive me?"

Melody's face blanched and her mouth moved but no sound came out. "Sweetie....... I............" Her mouth went completely dry as she tried to think of what to say without lying to Save'ena again or triggering another 'incident'.

Sav's heart skipped a beat at the hesitation in Melody's voice. She was expecting a quick 'yes, sure, you got it' or something similar, not a hesitation. Sav's tail moved in closer over Melody as she said, "Hey, it's okay, you're my friend, I understand." Not that she really did, but to support Melody, be a friend for her, she would do what she could.

Melody took a deep breath, took Save'ena's hands and looked her square in the eyes "Sweetie. I'm the one who's sorry. I was under orders and......" she was getting tongue tied and flustered. "Can we just forget about it, please?"

Relief showed over Sav's face. Now she truly did understand. Melody hated that part of the orders, and was not expecting her to faint over it. Heck, neither was Sav. She churred gently, nodding, a grin across her face, "Most definitely, forgotten about. In the past, and we have the future."

Melody visibly relaxed again and almost kissed Sav then and there, but stopped herself as she realized what she was about to do and instead snuggled back into the crook of Sav's arm.

Sav saw the almost reach in for a kiss and began to respond. In her culture, it was fine for close girl friends to give a kiss to show affection. There was nothing wrong with it, and no further commitment shown or understood. But then, it seemed that Melody thought otherwise and turned to settle back into Sav's side. So, Sav fluffed her tail over them and relaxed, enjoying this time with Melody. However, she carefully watched Melody's facial expressions, just in case. Sometimes, Terrans seemed to attach so much to flirting and affection moves that they lost sight of future and family.

Those feeling for Sav were starting to stir in Melody again as she just sat next to hear listening to the rhythm of her heartbeat and breathing. What was she going to do? Was this real? Was she bring silly? After the incident could she trust herself? What would Sav think? The thought of loosing Sav before had almost cost Melody her career To tell her and have her be rejected would be even more devastating. Maybe there would be a way to tell her, without really telling her. Melody decided to shelve the issue for later and just to enjoy the moment.

Sav knew what time it was and then decided to take a risk. She said, "So, a meal. Depending upon prep work, it could possibly be tonight, even though I hate to eat too late. Tomorrow would be better, if we have time before getting to the starbase. What do you think?"

Melody remained silent, lost in thought, and Sav realized something was wrong, and probably having to do with the almost kiss. It was time to make sure Melody knew she could without feeling she had to commit to something she might not want. After all, their friendship was still growing and they had only known each other for a few days.

Sav now shifted to be facing Melody more. "Say, Melody, I realize how convoluted things can be for Terrans, how something innocuous like a kiss can be construed as sexual relations, which is usually far from the case. I noticed earlier you seemed to want to kiss me, then, backed away. I... in my culture, for good friends, sharing a kiss is just fine. It shows affection and acceptance, and does not mean 'going steady'. Umm, there are further reasons for such as well, and I can tell them to you later, when we have more time." Sav sighed, then continued, "So, did you want to share a kiss? Or, was it something else that stopped you from it? If so... I understand."

Melody's heart jumped into her throat, however the part about 'not going steady' caught her. Would she not return her feelings? She felt like her stomach has been hollowed out. Her head was swimming, her hands started to tremble slightly. She hesitated for a moment then lent over an gave Sav a peck on the cheek.

Sav felt Melody moving and started to turn her muzzle towards her, when, Melody butterfly kissed her cheek. The move caught Sav off guard, easily allowing for what happened next without impediment.

Melody quickly then rose and headed for the door. Turning at the door, she spoke quickly as well, almost rushing to get the words out.

"So dinner at my place. Lets say tomorrow night? I need some time to prepare, If you want to swing by the bridge tomorrow afternoon when you come off duty I'm sure I can arrange some helm time for you. Should be fairly routine en route to Starbase. See you later Sweetie."

An with that, she turned and headed out the door before Sav could see the tears starting to well in the corners of her eyes.

Sav was left flabbergasted on the couch. 'What the HECK?!?' crossed her mind. She sat upright, the feeling of Melody tucked in her embrace already fading. She looked over at the door, then said to herself, "Yeah, it was something else, and no, I just don't understand." She got up and went into the kitchen to get herself a cup of tea.

As she waited for the pot to boil, she looked at her reflection on the table used for working an eating meals. "Yeah, definitely other. Why would a Terran want a muzzled skunk with probably nastiness as a close, personal friend? A hang out friend, yeah, but not a bestest one. Face it, Sav, her always calling you Sweetie, like a grandmother, should have tipped it off. You're her protege, her sidekick, her kitling to watch out for."

She held up her teacup, "Here's to friends, and acceptance as far as that 11 and a half foot pole will allow. Salute, Sav, Salute."

OFF:

Lieutenant Melody Jones
Second Officer / CFCO
USS Merlin

Lieutenant Save'ena Tillatix
CAG / Uroboros Squadron Leader
Bridge Command Specialist
USS Merlin