The Walk

Posted on Thursday 12 December 2019 @ 22:45 by Lieutenant Commander Hayley Godding & Captain Melody Jones

Mission: Ghost Ship
Location: Risa
Timeline: SL Day 3 0855
2432 words - 4.9 OF Standard Post Measure

OOC: I thought I'd get this one started. I know we technically don't need to do it, but I thought it'd be good for character development.

ON:

Hayley arrived outside the Jones/Draxx villa at 0855 as she had promised she would to Sansa the night before. Wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans and brown ankle-boots with a black backpack, she looked every bit the rambler this morning. You would never tell from her appearance that she'd had a very rough night the previous night. Her mind had simply refused to switch off, caught up as it was with her own internal struggles and debates over her actions, feelings and intentions. It had gotten to the point that Hayley was seriously considering speaking to the ship's counsellor about her concerns, but she'd dismissed that as she seriously just thought that it was all over-thinking of a situation that probably wasn't even there! She really needed to get a grip. Tapping the chime, she waited to see who'd open the door, secretly hoping not to have a run-in with Lieutenant Draxx, who would no doubt still be displeased with her over her unwillingness to let him hear the whole story.

Sansa rushed to the door and opened it. The weather on Risa this morning was beautiful and she was dressed accordingly. She was warning bright yellow hot pants which showed off her long legs and a crop top tee shirt with a bare midriff. Her long red hair was tied back in a ponytail and on her feet were some walking shoes. Slung over her back was a small backpack containing a bottle of water and a tricorder. A pair of sunglasses was resting on the top of her head. She grinned “Morning Hayley! I’m ready if you are. Mom and dad are still in bed.” She mused for a moment “I never knew Mom was into ancient Earth religion. Last night she kept calling out Oh God! Oh God!” She shook her head and chuckled to herself as she pondered, then looked back to Hayley. “I’ sure it was nothing. Shall we?”

"Yes, lets." Hayley said quickly, rather than continue on that conversational thread. Was Sansa really that naive about how things were? It just meant more than ever that Hayley needed to reign in any latent feelings she may have for Sansa that went beyond friendship. She seriously doubted she understood properly what a grown-up relationship really was. "Well, this was your walk, lead on - ma'am." She gave Sansa a playful wink as she eluded to the fact that Sansa was in charge.

Sansa kept Hayley’s gaze for a moment. She was trying to keep an innocent look on her face before bursting out laughing.

She wiped tears from her eyes “I had you going there, didn’t I? Of course I know what they were up to. Mum gets her command. Of course they are going to.... Celebrate.” She said with a twinkle in her eye. “Even if she had just talked dad out of killing that Ferengi.” She batted Hayley on the arm playfully before grabbing her hand. "Come on. Let’s leave the love birds to it.” And pulled her off in the direction of the woodland trail.

Hayley chuckled and allowed herself to be dragged along by the playful teenager. "You're such a tease!" She shouted laughingly at Sansa. Truth be told, she really had been got, because she'd simply assumed she was operating with the mentality of someone of four years of life. That was a very foolish thing to assume as Sansa really was a bright and alert young girl. "I'm so going to get you back for that!" She laughed.

The air was crystal clear and the woodland setting could have easily been taken from an idyllic painting of a forest on earth. There was a gentle breeze that was not too cold, bird song could be heard from the treetops and hear and there, small animals that looked like earth squirrels darted about.

Now on the trail, Sansa stopped for a moment and took a deep breath. "The air here is just so... fresh. The ship's air is ok but it doesn't compare to this. And the holodeck can create stunning vistas but this feels more real. The path meanders through the forest for a couple of miles and comes to this beautiful secluded beach." She stopped talking for a moment as she looked at Hayley. "Your hair looks so lovely in the sunlight."

Hayley blushed slightly at the compliment. "Thanks..." She said, looking away. What was that? Was Sansa flirting with her?! No... you're looking for things that aren't there again, Hayley Godding! She's being a girl and complimenting your appearance. That's what girls do with their friends. Not that she'd actually know, but she had often said such things to her sisters and there was no romance there. Deciding to focus on the topic of the air quality, she turned back to Sansa. "Nothing can truly replace the feel of proper air on a planet with atmosphere. Life support systems can only go so far, but the real warmth of a sun beating down on a planetary body, the feel of the crisp air in woodland from natural trees... this is what it's all about..." She lamented with Sansa, noticing how her smile dazzled in the environment, as if somehow she were a small sun providing all the light in the area. "You look radiant out here..." She said, before she caught herself. Well, it had been said now, best to cover it. "I mean, being outside really improves how you feel and look, right?"

Smooth Hayely. Very smooth. You idiot.

Sansa blushed slightly at her comment and smiled a little wider but said nothing. She carried on walking at a leisurely pace thinking she liked this woman. She had a few friends on the Merlin and she was looking forward to including Hayley in that group. There was something else at the back of her mind. Something she couldn't process at this moment.

As she walked Sansa kept stealing glances towards Hayley. She stopped for a moment to admire the view when she felt a tickling sensation on her leg. She looked down and one of those small squirrel-like mammals was climbing her leg. She laughed softly at the sensation. "Look like I've made a friend."

"Seems you attract attention wherever you go." Hayley smirked, watching the little furry creature, but keeping herself ready to snatch it off her the moment it did anything remotely dangerous. It was Risa, nothing here was lethal near the guest resorts, but you didn't make a life for yourself in security without planning for any possibility.

The small creature carried on up her leg, over her pants and disappeared under her top. "Hey, hey... Buy a girl a drink first." She pulled the neck of her top open and reached in, pulling out the small creature and stroking it. It started almost purring.

"Lets put you back where you belong." Sansa placed the creature back on the rock and it promptly scurried off. Sansa started walking again, making sure Hayley was with her.

They finally reached the beach area. It was as Sansa had described it, very secluded and beautiful with warm, inviting tranquil water lazily lapping at the shoreline. They were the only people on the beach. Sansa stopped near a palm-like tree and took off her backpack. She had a drink of water then offered the bottle to Hayley. She then opened her tricorder.

"It's as I imagined it..." Hayley said, awestruck as she looked around her, taking off her own bag and putting it with Sansa's before taking a deep pull on the bottle of water. "You'd think somewhere like this would be packed..."

"No one for miles. Perfect!" She then pressed a series of commands and next to them a transporter effect kicked in leaving a large 24 century style picknick basket. Inside was some food, drinks, 2 towels, and a large blanket. She laid the blanket down she placed the box on the blanket to keep it in one position then looked at the water.

She kicked off her shoes and socks and peeled off her top and pants revealing a small black 2 piece swimming bikini with string ties on the sides. "Join me for a swim before we eat?"

Hayley stopped herself when she saw Sansa in her bikini, completely unable to tear her eyes away at the goddess who was now before her. However, she snapped herself out of it and stepped out of her jeans and tossed her t-shirt down beside it, leaving herself in her red bikini, which was very plain and simple compared to Sansa's racier variant.

"Sure, let's go!" Hayley said, then called out. "Last one there has to rub suntan lotion on the winner!" She said as she started running for the water.

Sansa grinned and ran after her. She was catching up and about to overtake but she slowed up just a fraction so she followed Hayley into the water. The water was the perfect temperature.

"Oh darn" she exclaimed, feigning an upset tone. "Looks like I lost." She dove under the water and swam gracefully over to her surfacing right next to her. "So, is this your first time on Risa?" she asked as she took the bobble out of her hair and let it out, running her hands through it."

Hayley grinned at Sansa's playfulness, admiring her as she flicked her hair out. "Like a mermaid..." She said, sighing to herself. "Actually no, this isn't my first time here." Hayley responded. "I came here once before with... someone I cared deeply for." She said, her gaze going off into the distance, her mind remembering a time in her past with a blonde haired beauty...

She snapped herself out of her daydream and focused back on Sansa. "But it was a long time ago. I almost didn't come this time, but I'm glad I did now."

Sansa watched her face and picked up on the tone of her voice. "It must have been someone very special and something must have happened to make you not want to come back." She said softly "But I'm glad you came. Would it help to talk about it?"

Hayley smiled and placed a hand on Sansa's arm. "I wouldn't want to ruin your vacation by talking about my sadness. But if you could imagine what your mom would be like if something bad happened to your dad and he wasn't around anymore, that's what I went through." She sighed. "But it was a few years ago now, but somehow I struggle to get past it."

Sansa placed her hand on hers. "I understand. If you ever want to talk, I'm here for you." To brighten her spirits, Sansa gestured to the shore. "Come on, Let's go have something to eat. There's a bottle of vintage lemonade in there as well. It's really refreshing." As Sansa tried to put her feet on the bottom and stand up but she lost her balance and ended up falling into Hayley's arms. She brushed the hair out of her eyes and just looked at ther for a moment.

After what seemed like an eternity. She finally found her voice. "Thanks for catching me." She said, embarrassed.

There was a moment there, a definitive moment, where their eyes met and Hayley was absolutely sure there was a look. It was a look that Hayley had seen before, but hadn't expected to see. Maybe she hadn't wanted to see it, so determined she was not to see more than friendship there. In that moment, Hayley wanted nothing more than to lean down and kiss those lips, to taste Sansa's taste... but no... stop it Hayley! She blushed a deep red and helped Sansa to her feet. "Don't mention it." Hayley said, looking down. "I... I'd like-... lemonade!" She said suddenly, and moved quickly towards the shore.

Sansa remained still for a moment, the only sounds she could hear was the gentle lapping of the sea, her breathing and the pounding of her heart like a bass drum. What was that look? She took a breath and started back to the shore.

She followed Hayley back to the beach and pulled out a towel for herself, throwing the other one to her. Looking in the basket “We have chicken sandwiches, I’ll pour the lemonade.”

Sansa sat down next to Hayley, eating her own sandwich and admiring the sun slowly creating the sky over the tranquil water. She leaned in slightly closer.

Hayley could feel Sansa's warmth getting closer, but she focused firmly on her sandwich, trying not to think about the extremely attractive woman sitting next to her. This was her friend Sansa... She needed to keep things in perspective here! "Nice sandwiches!" She said.

Suddenly her communicator beeped. Sansa looked at Hayley Surprised before she picked it up and pressed it. “Hello?”

Melody’s voice came over the device “Hey Sweetie. Sorry to interrupt your walk but we need you to come back to the villa and get changed. You’re going to a wedding. Me and your father need some witnesses.”

Sansa let out a big squeal and hugged Hayley. “Can I bring a guest?”

Melody replied “Sure Sweetie but hurry up, you’ve got 30 minutes to get ready.”

“Will do.” Sansa pressed her comm badge to end the transmission. She looked at Hayley “Will you come with me?”

Hayley thought about that for a moment. "If you want me to..." She said, suddenly concerned about being in a highly romantically charged situation with Sansa. She had no idea how Sansa felt about her, but Hayley's heart was doing 100 beats a second being in her presence. "You sure? It sounds like a family thing..."

Sansa nodded “Of course I want you to come.” She stood and held out her hand. “We can use this site to site transporter to get back to the villa. I hope you’ve got a nice dress.” She picked up her tricorder. “You ready?

Hayley didn't have a nice dress, but that was what the replicator was for. She took Sansa's hand and felt an electric thrill up her arm again. Ugh, she needed to get a grip of herself! "Ready." With that, they dematerialised off the beach.

OFF

●○ Lieutenant JG Hayley Godding
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Merlin


Sansa Draxx-Jones
Civilian
Npc Melody