Posted by Lieutenant Navale Huzzen (Engineer) in Gamma Tiltium IV- Tropical Chemistry

Posted by Chief Petty Officer Sam Nazarian (Host of Florence’s) in Gamma Tiltium IV- Tropical Chemistry

(snip)

Somehow, her silence was the perfect response. He wrapped his arms around her, letting their body heat stave off the slight chill from the wind out this way. Sam rested the side of his head atop her and simple watched the dance of the light in the water.

For several minutes he said nothing, until he finally broke the silence. “We can stay here as as long as you like. The boat isn’t going anywhere without us.”

~Sam, Host of Florence’s

Navale’s arms were testing over the top of his. She liked the way he was holding her. It was like they weren’t sharing the experience side by side but as one single person.

When he spoke, her lips pulled up in a grin and she patted his hand playfully. “Shhh,” she whispered, “we’re having a perfect moment.”

Lt. Huzzen, Engineer

“Yes, Ma’am,” he quipped before shutting up. Technically she did not only outrank him, but she was an officer and him a retired NCO.

She smiled and turned her head to look at him and winked before turning back to the view. She wasn’t thinking about rank or NCO vs Officer. That sort of thing didn’t matter to her.

Sam went back to enjoying their silent enjoyment and if the wind had gotten colder at all, he couldn’t tell. He was suffused with not just their combined warmth, but the feeling that he hadn’t been quite this at peace in a long time. Oh, the worst of the demons had been fought off long ago, but every time the ship went to red alert, he had to steel himself. It was the constant conflict he could never quite let go off. But here in this moment, such worries didn’t exist, and even if they did, they were in another galaxy far from anything that mattered.

~Sam, Host of Florence’s

The moment was like a dream. It was beautiful. It was unbelievable. Navale had never seen anything like it. Growing up in the Shanty town on Corridan… well you couldn’t imagine things like this there. Nothing wondrous existed there. Her childhood self would never believe this. She sighed a little, the sound full of wonder.

Navale wasn’t sure how long they stood there watching the jellyfish and the stars reflect in the water. The temperature was dropping, but she didn’t notice.

Lt. Huzzen, Engineer

It sucked to have to break the spell, to pull them out of this moment. But it would only get colder and the lantern at their feet gave off mostly light and scent to keep the bitting bugs away. He snuggled in closer and hugged her with his arms as he whispered in her ear. “Take a mental picture and hold on to it. When the days are hard and you’re struggling to find a way through, come back to this and remember that there is beauty and wonder in the galaxy. We should get back to the boat, but would it make it easier to leave if I promise that we can come back here the next time the Ogawa come to Outpost 42?” Preferably, next time without having blown a three-deck hole in it’s hull.

~Sam, Host of Florence’s