Posted by Lieutenant Corinne Dalton (Scientist) in Resort- Finding Our Own Paradise

Posted by Commander Dr. Royal Sinclair (Executive Officer) in Resort- Finding Our Own Paradise

Posted by Lieutenant Corinne Dalton (Scientist) in Resort- Finding Our Own Paradise
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Sharing a room seemed like such a natural next step, but they were taking it slow and there were too many implications and assumptions about sharing a room. A part of her thought that maybe they could do as before and just share a bed for sleep, but Cori knew that too much of that would make her want more and more was a bit dangerous just now.

Something had happened in the crisis on the ship that she was still processing, and thus as she rested her arms on the balcony of her and Royal’s adjoining rooms, Cori was lost in thought. Her raven hair fluttered in the breeze, along with the sheer tropical patterned sarong tied around her hips. The vibrant sapphire bathing suit hung from her neck with a halter tie, forming a deep plunging neckline that with her smaller chest was not so reavling but still enticing. The one-piece suit had a flareout at her hips that also fluttered in the breeze.

In her right hand was a fruity drink that she took a sip of as she waited for Royal to arrive. She wasn’t sure which door he would knock on or exactly how this vacation time would go, but she was happy to spend any time with him, especially since they could have a bit more privacy here than on the ship. Sort of. A lot of the crew was milling about places and she had no intention of hiding out here the entire time.

~Corinne Dalton

Bump

Lips softly kissed the back of her neck and a familiar voice said “This is a view I could certainly get used to.” It was almost unnerving how such a sizable man could move that quietly; but it was a talent he had put to use several times in surprising Cori over the past few weeks of their burgeoning relationship. Royal smiled down at her and put his hands on her hips and looked past her at the vista before them. “Helluva view, love… how’s your room?”

Royal Sinclair, XO

She closed her eyes as his lips found her neck and as his hands made contact with her hips, Cori leaned into his fingers just enough to enforce the contact. “Lovely,” she said with a warm smile, turning her head to take him in with her vibrant sapphire eyes.

“I love having a balcony to venture onto if I wish. How is your room?”

~Corinne Dalton

Royal chuckled. “There’s a bed big enough to hold a room gby match in and a fully stocked bar. Everything after that is just window dressing.” and he chuckled. He look d down at her for a long moment and then said “And my neighbor seems pretty interesting. I’m thinkin’ of asking her out to dinner.”

Cmdr. Royal Sinclair, XO

Cori lifted her brows. “Really? And what sort of dinner proposition are we talking here? There’s plenty of options here. I think at least two restaurants, a café… not to mention places on the beach. Your neighbour is pretty lucky too. You seem like great company.”

~Corinne Dalton

Royal grinned and said “There are three restaurants, but one isn’t advertised. Very posh. Very elegant. And very strict on the dress code. Black tie and the like.” He let go of her and said “Be right back.” and he walked off the balcony and into his room. A moment later he returned with a large box which he set on the bed. “Happy vacation, Cori. I’m really happy to be here with you.”

Cmdr. Royal Sinclair, XO

She didn’t even try to mask her surprise as she lived over to the bed and rested her hands on the box. Cori wasn’t used to getting gifts, and in fact it was so rare that she could remember each one given even if it was in the form of an experience.

Cori lifted the box to see what inside.

~Corinne Dalton

Inside was a deep blue evening gown with a soft iridescent sheen, and a pair of matching heels. “Made just for you. I hope you like it.” Royal said. “Oh, and there’s something else. Underneath. Be careful when you open it. It may have shifted a little.”

Cmdr. Royal Sinclair, XO

She broke into a grin and lifted the lid gently. Setting it to the side, she unfolded the tissue on top and gasped, her eyes going wide. The swath of beaded sapphire material shimmered in the natural light pouring in from the windows and balcony. With a delicate grip, she lifted it, the subsequent dress unfurling swiftly, the weight more than she had been expecting. Cori took a step back, holding the dress up to her body, the little cap sleeves she could tell would sit just off her shoulders. “It’s sunning!” she breathed, looking up at him with awe. “I’ve… never worn anything like this before. Costumes for dance, yes, but not a gown that I wear out. Thank you,” she said, stepping over and planting a tender kiss on his cheek.

With great gentleness, Cori laid the dress on the bed and went hunting for the other item he had mentioned.

~Corinne Dalton

The other item turned out to be a wooden box. It was polished a deep, dark red and there were no visible screws or nails. Even the hinged side of the lid seemed to be carved out of the wood itself. On the top of the lid was a large tree; one that was familiar because Royal had a framed picture of it on his bedroom wall: Yggdrasil, Tree of Life, The World Tree.

The lid rose smoothly to reveal a bed of crimson satin. Nestled inside it was one of Royal’s models that he made as a hobby… it was the Ogawa. “Pull the saucer straight off.” Royal said quietly.

When the saucer came away from the rest of the ship, it revealed a small brass hook on the inside; on which was hooked a delicate silver chain. As the saucer moved away from the body, it became apparent the body was hollow and the chain had been laid inside. When it finally came free, there hung a pendant with a single stone of brilliant blue surrounded by a setting of silver, copper, and gold all put together in a Damascene fashion.

“All of that is the processed remnants of the cube.” Royal said and he stepped towards Cori and set his hands on her shoulders. “I had the parts recycled into the stone and the setting. Because while it may not have seemed like it at the time… that cube wasn’t a prison. It was a gift. And it was because it brought you back to me, Cori. And that makes it beautiful in my eyes.”

Cmdr. Royal Sinclair, XO