Posted by Lieutenant Zoi Haven (Chief of Security) in Starbase 157- Gym

Posted by Commander Dira Myqian (Executive Officer) in Starbase 157- Gym

Posted by Lieutenant Zoi Haven (Chief of Security) in Starbase 157- Gym

(snip)

Zoi was silent for some time as she took in this revelation. Living through the death of a partner was a very difficult thing. Though Zoi had never lived through it herself, she had known others who had. For some, the process through mourning and into living life with a new partner was short. For others, it was long. Some would never try to find or want to find a new partner. She felt rather lucky that Dira was not in the latter group.

She felt the kind of sadness that one should feel at hearing a friend struggling with grief, but Dira’s smile and final comment was enough to pull her out of it. Her smile gave Zoi a bit of hope that they are on a good path for them both. “Ten years is as long or short as you feel it is. I can imagine that grief has its own timeline. BUt I am glad you are feeling positive about your future life. Perhaps thats the endorphins of a good run?” she said with a grin

Haven, CoS

Good, they weren’t going to dwell. That suited Dira just fine. As the path opened up slightly from the forest, it curved around a light elevation that allowed them a wonderful view of a wildflower meadow all but engulfing a small river wending its way through the landscape. The scene provided a much needed distraction from the response she wanted to give Zoi. Something about not needing a run to prompt endorphins. It had been obvious within seconds of them beginning this little joint activity that they, while having fun, weren’t playing. Not in the way others might think. The game of seduction could be a very serious business as people, if not careful, could get hurt. And thus, her and Zoi tempered their responses while probing to see where the other’s boundaries were. They were rather far from hitting them, even if Dira herself had dropped her little bomb about Paige. Zoi had taken it easily in stride and Dira had in truth expected no less.

Though the scenery provided a necessary distraction, it was brief. Myqian cast a mischievous glance Zoi’s way. “I was feeling pretty positive about it before the run.”

Commander Myqian, XO

Zoi allowed herself to blush a little at that, though it could be mistaken for a runner’s high flushing her cheeks soft pink. If they had been two random people on the street with no connection to one another, it would be easier to navigate getting to know one another and flirting. However, Dira was the XO on the same ship that Zoi was serving as Chief of Security. They did not have the luxury of being laissez faire about the possibilities before them. Both had to enter into each encounter with the understanding that their jobs came first. Their service to the ship and Star Fleet would always come first.

But her physical attraction for Dira was unquestionable. There was a spark and a zing that she knew boded intense attraction. Zoi wanted to stop in the beautiful meadow, pull Dira to her, and kiss her until they forgot themselves and their surroundings. She had been thinking of it since they met. Zoi bit her lip in an unconscious expression of her thoughts. This wasn’t the place for such actions, but she enjoyed the moment of fantasy before returning focus to her running. “I have too. Its been a long time since I looked forward. I think I like it.”

Haven, CoS

Was it their proximity or their growing familiarity with each other that made Haven seem more transparent to her? The COS definitely had a stronger lock down on her mind, but the increasing ease with which Dira could read her was leading her to believe that maybe Zoi was doing so on purpose. That or Dira was keeping off balance just enough that Zoi stopped thinking about needing to keep her mental shields up. Either way, Dira felt this small wash of thought- an image was far too strong for what she had allowed herself to ‘see’, and all she needed to know was that Haven had briefly entertained taking things a step forward. And then it was gone. A wonderful shiver ran down her spine.

Picking up her own pace and knowing she needed to not let her own mind drift down a similar (but welcome) path, Dira smiled. “It’s called hope Zoi,” she said gently. “And it’s a beautiful and wonderful thing.”

Commander Myqian, XO