Posted by Commander Richard “Ricochet” O’Shea (Cmd Air Group (CAG)) in Side sim - Dinner and dreams (Tag Ric)

Posted by Lieutenant Alexandra “Little Sehlat” Primage (Pilot. Grn Squad Ldr) in Side sim - Dinner and dreams (Tag Ric)

Posted by Commander Richard “Ricochet” O’Shea (Cmd Air Group (CAG)) in Side sim - Dinner and dreams (Tag Ric)
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
It had been three days since the mission was over and the kids resettled elsewhere. Xandra had stayed in her room the first night afterwards using lack of sleep as an excuse to not stay with Ric.

Last night she had managed to work in the sims long enough that Ric was passed out in his room when she’s checked on him. It had given her the excuse to go to her room alone once more.

But tonight she’d had no excuse. Ric and her were both off and he’s invited her to dinner. They’d been nearly inseparable for a couple months now so the ‘yes’ had been automatic but welcome on her lips. She missed him terribly. And besides, maybe in his bed tonight she wouldn’t have the nightmares. Wouldn’t have to explain them, or explain her reasons for not waking beside him to mornings in a row.

She tapped the chime panel and raised a hand to check her coiled braid. The sapphire tunic and skin tight leggings made her look long and lean. The calf high black boots finished the outfit. A gold torc at hey neck and small gold dangle earrings matched the gold twined serpent coiled around her left bicep. It was subtle but a look she knew he liked on her.

Lt Xandra Primage
Pilot

Ric replied, “Enter”, and as the door slid open, his jaw dropped when Xandra entered the room. When he was finally able to speak and regain his senses, all he said was, “That is nice!”

He pulled out a chair for her to take a seat at the table. When she was comfortable, he walked back to the kitchen area, explaining his plans for dinner. “I was in the mood for some Southern food today, seeing as my momma considered herself a Southern Belle, having grown up in Georgia, we’ll start with a drink.”

He brought out to glasses filled with alcohol which had a minty scent to it. “A mint julep,” he explained. “Some good bourbon, some rum, and topped of with some mint leaves.” Ric set one glass down in front of Xandra and the other near his seat.

“And for the main course–some southern fried catfish. Unfortunately, the catfish had to be replicated. It’s kinda hard to get fresh catfish out here.”

Ricochet (CAG)

<bump>

Xandra’s worries and fatigue disappeared as Ric looked at her that way. She felt the color rise on her cheeks but didn’t care. “I thought you’d be pleased. Too many days of jumpers and uniforms.” She kissed him before settling into the offered chair.

As the drink and dinner were explained, she smiled. “Southern Belle, huh? That explains the charm. Knew yours gotten it somewhere.” She winked, laughing, and took a sip of the drink. Licking her lips, she nodded in pleasure. “Mmmm I like this one. Better than that weird tequila mix concoction you made the night we were experimenting.” She set the glass down and smiled appreciatively at the spread.

“Grew up on a southern plantation just outside of Atlanta. Been in my mother’s family for . . . generations. Probably at least a dozen. Her family has tried to keep the southern traditions alive, other than the slavery and starting civil wars, of course. And all four of my sisters were raised that way, too.”

“Mmmmmm I hear watering holes out this sector are more heavily guarded than black holes. So I’m guessing just as rare.” She let him serve them both and a few minutes later settled into eating. The silence helped her relax and she watched him way like any woman in love did. With the gaze of someone memorizing every motion, every look, every word.

Xandra

Ric dug into his meal, enjoying every bite of the southern cuisine. After a few moments of devouring his meal, he sensed Xandra focusing on him. He put his utensils down and gazed back at her with a somewhat serious look.

“What’s up, lover? You haven’t eaten much, aaaand, you’ve got a look. . . .”

Ricochet (CAG)

She smiled, blushing as she turned away and had another bite to give her a moment to gather her thoughts. “It’s nothing. I guess I just keep picturing you with those kids. What they went through, what they ‘will’ go through…” she sighed and leaned back pulling her glass closer before taking a sip.

“Hopefully, the worst of it is over for them. Now they can get back to their families, and people that will care for them like they need.”

She smiled and leaned over to take his hand. The smile was soft, but if he looked closely under the well placed makeup, there were bags under her eyes. She wasn’t sleeping well. “I just want you to know how proud I am of you taking those kids and making them laugh. It’s nice to see that side of you.” She didn’t realize that in moving closer, hoping to instill a calm in him, he would sense the tension in her and everything she had been keeping from him the last few days.

Xandra

“God know, most of them had probably never laughed, or had a reason to. I’m not even a father, and even I know that the pure innocent laughter of a child is infectious. I’ve got a couple of nieces and nephews, so it’s not like I’m completely unaware of what it’s like to be around children.”

He pulled her hand closer to his mouth and gently kissed it. “But, there’s something else. You look tired. And when you’ve been sleeping here, you’ve been restless all night. Tossing and turning. Talk to me, Xandra. Whatever it is, let me help. That’s what lovers do, help each other.”

Ricochet (CAG)

She would have been able to lie, push him off with excuses… but then his lips touched her hand and she gave up. “It was sleeping in the cargo bay. Their fear of being jettisoned in the middle of the night. I see it happening. I’m on a cot, and the doors slowly open. I can feel the oxygen leave the room, I can’t scream… but they are. They are screaming and reaching but the loss of gravity lifts them and decompression pulls them into space. But there aren’t any stars.” The last is said with such fear underlying it that her breath catches.

The hand he is holding is shaking. Her whole body shudders as if even there, in his warm quarters, the cold of space is seeping under her skin. “They are screaming… but I can’t. I can’t catch my breath. Then suddenly I ‘can’ scream… but it’s too late. I’m dragged into the darkness. When I finally scream, I wake up.” She pulled her hand from his and raised it to wipe the moisture from her cheeks. A smile quickly covered her face and she shrugged as she stood up. “They are passing, though. I’ll be all right. A couple more nights and I am sure they’ll be forgotten completely.” She moved around the table away from him and reached for the bottle at the end of the table. But even as she lifted it, it wavered in her hand till she had to set it down, both hands resting on the table to keep from trembling.

Xandra