Posted by Captain Rende Asam (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim - They Won’t Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Posted by Lieutenant Xam Ra’Ti (Tactical Officer) in Side Sim - They Won’t Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Posted by Captain Rende Asam (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim - They Won’t Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Posted by… suppressed (41) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Rende continued down the path. “Now, how shall we sneak you past the authorities at the hotel?”

Rende

Xam smiled knowingly. “Oh, I don’t foresee that being an issue. But we shall see, I suppose.”

The walk back was pleasant and filled with small talk and small laughs, and soon the lights from the hotel spilled over them. As they approached, it was oddly calm for there having been a murder there not some few hours prior. However, a single individual- Risian female and definitely law enforcement- approached them and said “Excuse me. You are Captain Rende Asam and Lieutenant Xam Ra’Ti of Star Fleet, are you not? I am Detective Drecul, Risian Police Division. I was hoping I could ask the both of you some questions?”

Rende nodded, “We are.”

Xam smiled and said “Of course, Detective. Should we sit? Or would you prefer to take this upstairs?” She looked at him and said “A table here should be sufficient, sir. I do not want to take up any more of your evening than is necessary.” and she gestured to a nearby table.

Xam

Rende followed Xam toward the table, but very subtly sat just after the detective. She keaned back, slightly at ease, and clasped her hands. “What can we help you with, Detective Drecul?” She asked, initiating the conversation.

Rende

The detective set a PaDD on the table and said “If you don’t mind, I will be taking notes.” more as a statement of fact than asking permission. Ra’Ti smiled and said “Oh, of course. So… what can we do for you, Detective?”

“Please do so,” Rende said.

The Detective read something and then said “You are both guests of the hotel, are you not?” Xam nodded and said “We are, yes.” She nodded and then asked “And what brings you to the resort, may I ask?” Ra’Ti grinned and said “Our starship.” and his eyes gleamed mischievously.

Ra’Ti

If Rende had a drink, she might have spilled it from suppressed laughter. Xam was a firecracker! “Well more specifically our excellent pilot, Lt. Laredo and the transporter. I really wouldn’t want to bring the Sentinel to land here.” Rende said dead-pan. “In all seriousness, Detective, the moon is quieter than Risa itself. Risa is lovely, but I prefer the quieter, more relaxed, and private atmosphere here. Plus most of my crew went planetside. If I am here, they can’t accidently run into me.” She nodded her head at Xam as if to say, ‘See what I mean.’

Cpt. Asam, CO

The Detective looked at Xam and said “But you are here as well.” She looked back and forth between them and then said “Was that planned?” Xam smiled and said “Just a most delightful coincidence.” He leaned forward and said “So can you tell us what all this is about? I mean, I am quite curious; but also wondering if this will take long. We had…” and he gave Rende a look, “… ‘plans’. And I would hate to postpone those because someone lost their favorite earrings somewhere between the pool and the restaurant.” The Detective gave him a glance and said “Actually, sir, we have reports that there was a murder on the premises.”

Rende’s brows went up. “That is most serious. We have been out by the lake and dinning at the restaurant on the far shore. We left about an hour after I checked in, and just returned.”

Xam’s feigned shock was actually close to authentic. “A murder?!” he whispered and looked at Rende. “Then as the most senior officer at the hotel, Captain; I insist that I accompany you to your room when the detective is done ad remain with you for the rest of the evening. For security purposes, of course.” His eyes almost glowed with sarcastic wit and mischief.

Ra’Ti

Rende patted his hand and smirked, “It’s alright, Lt. I’ll protect you. You were told at the Academy space travel was dangerous. I seriously doubt they want anything to do with us.” She looked at the detective, “Unless…?” she left the word hanging, waiting to see what else the woman knew. It sounded more like she was wondering if the perpetrators were after them.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam grinned at her and set his hand on hers. “My hero.” and he batted his eyes at her. He then looked back at the Detective and said “Well, while that is most unfortunate, I don’t really see what that has to do with us. Unless you suspect one of us?” and he laughed loudly. “I mean, we’re on vacation. From Star Fleet. It’s not like we have any real say in where we go and when. I mean, it would have to have been the absolute height of coincidence for Star Fleet to send us to Risa and for one of us to forego the pleasures of the planet to come to a secluded and little-known resort on one of the less popular moons just to run into someone one of us wanted to kill.” and he laughed again. “So tell me, Detective. Who was killed? Do they have any connection to either of us?” he asked. The detective shook her head and said “No, sir. At least, not that we are aware of. We don’t actually have a body to confirm that there was indeed any kind of foul play, so all of this is just standard procedure. We are asking all the guests if they saw anything.” Xam smiled and then looked at Rende and gave her a blatant and wholly obvious up and down look. “I haven’t seen anything… yet.” and he winked and then looked back at the Detective. “But I promise you, Detective; if I discover anything amiss in my impending investigations of the Captain, I will contact you immediately.” He looked at Rende and smiled a truly wicked and wholly hilarious smile. “And I will be sure to interrogate the good Captain with both vigor and thoroughness. And I am sure she will reciprocate the due diligence of such an investigatory endeavor with the same… attention to detail… that has garnered her the sterling reputation she currently holds.” and he leaned in and delicately kissed the side of her neck before leaning back and looking at the detective. “Will there be anything else?” he asked innocently.

Ra’Ti

Rende kept his hand, “If we hear or see anything we will certainly let you know. I’m booked for the week if you need anything else.” She stood with Xam, “Butas you can see, I have a protection detail to personally see to. Is there anything else?” She slipped into the curve of Xam’s arm as she waited for the negative answer so they could see to their plans.

Cpt. Asam, CO

The detective stood and said “No Captain. Lieutenant. I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. If I have anything further, I will… um… call first.” She inclined her head and turned and walked back towards the main hotel. Sam chuckled and then looked at Rende. “Well… I’m awake. Wanna go and not make a liar out of me? Or we could always just strip down here and go swim in the lake.” and he grinned.

Ra’Ti

Rende looked up at the sky, “Not close to feeding time, so it’s probably safe to go swim. It won’t bother the local wildlife. Your eyes might burn out if your sockets.” She headed toward the lake. The water was gorgeous, deep, and pleasantly warm from thermal vents underneath with a pebbled bottom. Rende tossed her shoes, top, and the rest to the shore and dived in without hesitation

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam watched her, his Captain, strip down and plunge into the water; and he smiled. He took of his shoes, shirt, pants, and the rest in a slow and deliberate manner; folding all the clothes and setting them on his shoes before walking without embarrassment into the water and then diving in and under the water once he was up to his waist. He surfaced close (but not too close) to Asam and smiled. “Well, my eyes are still intact… and after that sight, I very happy they are.”

Ra’Ti, Tactical

“Jo’naly you are irrepressible,” Rende shook her head with a grin and dancing eyes. She moved through the water with power and grace. She was neither embarrassed nor ashamed. Her body was fit and young, except for the scars. There weren’t many, but they were each significant. Her movements were neither to tempt nor flee, she simply enjoyed being in the water. “If you built your house up there in the woods, you could do this every day.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

He grinned and ducked under the water. The lake went still for a long moment and then he was behind her. He didn’t grab her… didn’t make any movement that was too forward; but his presence next to her was definitely no longer platonic. “I sincerely doubt that I could do this everyday. At least… not exactly this.” His lips brushed her shoulder and his fingers grazed the outside of her thighs, and then he was gone… only to resurface in front of her. The mischief was in his eyes, but for the first time since she had met him, his face was completely sincere. “I learned a long time ago to know when I was being fortunate and not to expect that condituon to be a permanent fixture… so just enjoy it while it lasts.” He moved very close to her, his eyes locked onto hers. “I also know when it’s time to shut up and just be in the moment.” He put his arms around her and pressed himself against her. He smiled and then slowly leaned in and kissed her, careful to make sure the gesture was returned.

Ra’Ti

Ah they had moved from playful semi-undercover banter to something more serious. She liked him. He made her feel young and reckless again. He’d chased away the deep loneliness with his banter and playfulness. Xam was absolutely correct, the moment was all people really had, and it should be experienced fully. Rende pressed closer, putting her arms around him, and freely returned his kiss. She liked him, a lot. It wasn’t unheard of in her species to have multiple liaisons/loves in a lifetime. It had never quite been that way for Rende.

After a long private moment, she sighed, eyes closed, forehead resting against his. She looked femine like that, just a woman and not a star ship captain with a very interesting past. “I’m deeply lonely and being in this place makes me grieve. I respect you too much, Xam, to use you to keep that at bay.” She didn’t make an effort to move away either.

Cpt. Asam, CO

He pulled her closer to him and smiled. “Well I am huge proponent of equality between genders, so allow me to have a say in this. I do not, nor will I ever, feel like you would be disrespecting me if I was able to even temporarily ease some of that grief and loneliness.” He laughed softly. “Well, I wouldn’t feel that way unless you gave me a less than glowing review of my abilities. But that isn’t a possibility.” He lifted her chin so she was looking at him. “I’m not suggesting that we fall in love and become a couple and live happily ever after together. You and I both know that you have commitments like that elsewhere… and I am not the ‘happily ever after’ type anyway. You already saw when we arrived here. My past may be behind me; but it’s not behind a lot of others. And it never will be. I’ve become fine with that… but I would never think about dragging someone else into my s#!t-show of a life.” and he laughed again. “So how about we just enjoy this? Do what we want, no expectations or conditions for the future. Just you and I, nothing else for a few hours? And when it’s over, it’s over. Or… it’s over until you need some respite again.” He grinned. “I’m telling you that… for you, at least… I don’t mind being used.” He pushed away from her but kept her hands in his as they tread the water slowly. “After all, more than once I have been called a tool.” and he winked at her.

Ra’Ti

Rende laughed, “Oh, I bet you have. I very seriously doubt I will.” They had led very similar lives, and she was self-aware enough to know that sometimes having someone who understood even briefly, was a gift. However that gift manifested itself. Her eyes glittered wickeldy with a hint of gratitude, “In that case,” Rende tugged until they were pressed back closely together. “It’s mutual you know… for you I don’t mind being used either.” Her hands slid up and over his shoulders as she kissed him with exquisite delight.

Cpt. Asam, CO

He kissed her back for a long time before pulling away and saying “And they say ‘used’ with such disdain. A good ‘used’ is worth it’s weight in dilithium.” He grinned and ducked beneath the dark water. Several intimate touches and few playful pinches later, he surfaced a few meters form her, closer to the shore. “Well? What are you waiting for? A gold-inlayed invitation? Let’s go!” and he turned and began swimming back to shore; taking great pains to ‘moon’ Rende on his way.

Ra’Ti

Rende was skilled and comfortable in the water. She was also lazily relaxed as he went about his antics, giving as much as receiving. “You swam away, I thought you changed your mind. I know some people can be intimidated by the experience of the ‘used’.” Rende floated, watching him for a moment before cutting powerfully and lithely through the water to the shore. She walked onto the lake shore, obviously comfortable in her own skin, and unconcerned with the few knowing glances they were getting. It was Risa after all. She ruffled her hair to shake the water out before slipping the shirt and pants on over her damp skin. The rest she simply held in her hand.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam walked out of the water and smiled at her, obviously unashamed (or maybe confident?) in his appearance with not a stitch of clothes on. He shook his head and water sprayed lightly off his white hair and mustache. Like Rende, he had his share of scars. Most prominent were three wide, diagonal lines from his left shoulder to his right rib cage; and his right shoulder carried burn scarring coming g over the top of his shoulder from his back. He started getting dressed, his eyes never leaving her. “So now the question is… your place or mine? But just so you know, I have an extra-large bed and a hot tub in my room.” He pulled his shirt on, the water on his skin making it immediately cling to him. He walked up to her and kissed her lightly but with great promise and then pulled back just long enough to say “And in case I didn’t say so before… you are absolutely gorgeous.”

Ra’Ti

A smile played across her lips. “And you are devastating, and you know it. Which makes you dangerous and irresistible, you rogue.” She kissed him on the corner of his lips. It was a teasing caress, and her voice feathered across his ear, “I can protect you anywhere, but I don’t have an extra large bed.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam laughed. “My place it is, then.” and he took arm and set it inside his and they walked towards the hotel. As they did, a few late night strollers saw them, both soaking wet, and stared. Xam grinned at one couple and said “Careful. Buncha kids with water-balloons are running amok!” .” and he waved as they continued on their way. They couple immediately changed course and wen the opposite way they had been heading. Xam chuckled. “Sometimes it’s just so easy…”

Rende laughed. Her head tilted toward him allowing the conversation to take on an intimate tone. “Most people only observe superficially. They are willing and do accept whatever plausible explanation is given. Just think how scandalized they would be if you told then the truth, and how envious that they weren’t adventurous to do the same.”

A few minutes later they arrived at his door. He pulled Rende close and said “This is it… last chance to back out. Because once this door closes behind us, I am not going to keep my hands off of you. Well… also my hands.” and he grinned wickedly at her.

Ra’Ti

Rende stared into his eyes, she pressed closer, and then set a single finger against his lips. “Xam, it’s time to shut up and just be in the moment.” She kissed him, slowly, full of possibility, while he used his key card to open the door. She had no intention of letting either of them keep their hands to themselves.

Cpt. Asam, CO

The door slid open and Xam reached down by running his hands down her back and across her firm, err, ‘aft section’… and then grabbing the back of her thighs just above the knees and lifting her up and throwing her legs around his waist while walking them into the room.

He carried her into the bedroom, and he wasn’t lying. The bed was absolutely massive. Big enough for four, he turned so her back was to the bed and he lifted her and tossed her into the middle of it. He grinned, but didn’t speak. He simply moved forward, climbed on top of her, and *kissed * her with as much passion and desire as he could convey with that particular contact.

Ra’Ti

Some time later…

The night life had long since quieted and the natural sounds of night on the Risan moon had taken up their nocturnal activities. Rende stretched languidly on the massive bed and smirked at the sound of Xam’s deep sleeping breaths beside her in the dark. Her ears picked up the slightest sounds beyond the door of his suite and from the balcony. Centuries of experience told her what each sound and flash of shadow most likely was. For the moment there was nothing to disturb the contentment she had in the moment. She smiled with ease and yawned as she rolled to her side and fell asleep.

Rende

Xam had arisen early and, to his credit, managed to sneak out of the room without waking Rende. He returned half an hour later carrying a large tray on which sat a pitcher of fresh fruit juice, a pot of coffee, pastries, yogurt, finger sandwiches, Risian bacon and sausages, and some smoked fish. He set the tray on the end of the bed, returned to a state of dress that matched hers, and proceeded to start kissing softly down her spine.

Ra’Ti

Delightful shivers followed his lips, even as the ends of his long white hair brushed and tickled at her sides. “Mmmm,” she inhaled contentedly. “Xam, how am I supposed to keep you safe from viscious murderers that leave no trace if you sneak out for breakfast?” There was amusement and delight in her tone. She rolled to her back, reaching for him and pulling him closer. “Besides, I’m not in the mood for food,” she stretched up and indulged in kissing him.

Cpt. Asam, CO

He grinned against her lips and then said “Then kick it all to the floor and show what exactly you are in the mood for, then. Besides, it will give the assass8ns in the shadows something to trip over.” and he went back to kissing her.

Ra’Ti, Tactical (or in this case. ‘Tactile’)

Rende levered up to sitting, still kissing him. “I’ll move it. I promise we’ll need it later,” she gave him a hot visual caress. She stood lithely grabbing the tray and moving it. She gave a soft chuckle as she looked at the tray and using tongs placed two items on a plate and returned. She slid onto the bed sitting directly in front of him. “This is Þynavian Eziaku.” On the plate were two small round fruits about the size of a grape, fushia in color, with a hard spines like a dragon fruit. “You may know that this is considered an aphrodisiac. It’s been transplanted all over the quadrant, but very few actually know how to properly experience it. The Þynavians were very secretive about it.”

“Then at some point you will have to tell me how you learned the ‘proper’ technique.” Xam said with a sly grin.

Rende’s eyes smoldered with delight. “Take one and hold it between your palms, and keep your eyes on mine.” Rende took one and cupped it between her palms while she locked eyes with him for several anticipatory minutes.

He did as she instructed, holding one of the spiny fruits cupped between his palms. He stared at her intently, the desire to touch her almost overriding his desire to see what this was all about.

“Now, set it against your lips and taste it with the tip of your tongue.” She set hers to her lips and tasted it briefly, it was sweet and light, the spines pricked delicately. “Now, we feed each other, but we hold it don’t eat.” She set the small Eziaku against his tongue.

He held the fruit between his lips and felt the small spines against his lips, lending a sensory aspect to the sweetness of the fruit. His eye opened slightly and he smiled around the fruit. He then set his against her lips and smiled at her, teasing her with the small spines for a moment.

When he’d given her his Eziaku, she pulled him towards her and kissed him. When their lips met the Eziakus burst into a heady vapor that mingled between them and had a very lasting and heady effect on them both.

Cpt. Asam, CO

A long, low moan escaped Ra’Ti as their lips pressed together and he pulled her against him, his hands running over skin and up her back until his fingers were in her hair and he kissed her as they slowly laid down and experienced the effect for a long while…

After a long while…

Xam laid on the bed with Rende’s head on his shoulder. It was early afternoon, the tray of food long since consumed, and he sighed. “you know… if I had known old ladies were so amazing, I would have started dating septuagenarians a long time ago.” and he chuckled.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Rende laughed softly, “You’d have to add oh…about 350 years to that before you found another old lady who had my experience. We are extremely rare.” Her lips moved delicately across his neck. “But really it is all about the partner, and you are wonderful. I won’t even attribute it to the Eziaku. That was just a bonus.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam turned and looked at her, and gor once he was absolutely serious. His finger traced her cheek and he said “Extremely rare, indeed.” and he leaned in and kissed her… a gentle kiss, not one of the (many) hungry ones they had shared previously. A surprisingly intimate kiss. He slowly pulled back and laid his head on the pillow. “And to think… I almost turned down the Sentinel.” He looked back at her and ran his eyes up and down her body. “What a foolish thing that would have been to do.” and he chuckled softly.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

“I’m glad you didn’t. I needed a Tactical Officer, and despite the gaps in your file, you were the best.” Her hand rested on his chest as she lifted up took at him. “Little did I know your Tactical skills weren’t limited to ship engagements. I got very lucky.” Her fingers speared into his hair gently. She kissed him just as sweetly, just as intimately as he had her before laying back against his chest.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam sighed and then said “Yeah… you did.” and then pinched her playfully in a very non-officer to officer place. He chuckled and then said “So… we gonna stay in bed for the rest of our leave? Or go out do things to make us want to come back and stay in bed?” He smiled and then said “Oh! I know! I can show you my property. And then we can jump the falls. What do you say? And then come back after dinner for more ‘protection detail’?”

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Rende nipped his shoulder playfully when he pinched her. “Oh that sounds like a good idea. We definitely need more protection detail.” She sat up slowly, her hand trailing over his side and down his leg as she slipped off the bed. “I also promised you a luxury camping trip. I might need a few things to make it secure.” She walked into the bathroom and stepped into the shower.

Cpt. Asam, CO

He watched her leave and heard the water begin. He gave her a few minutes to get relaxed and then quite expertly moved silently into the bathroom. “Lieutenant Ra’Ti, reporting for duty.” he said with a grin as he stepped in the shower behind her. Soon the steam from the water wasn’t the only cause of the condensation on the glass walls.

All of the hot water later…

As he got dressed in light linen pants and a loose button down shirt, he said “If you are serious about camping, I know a place we can get some gear. And I might also have some necessities stashed up there already.”

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Rende slipped the same clothing on from the day before. She’d step next door and and fix that momentarily. She looked at him and laughed, “I thought you might. If you want to, I’m game. I like roughing it.”

Less than 15 minutes later, she was changed into lightweight cargo pants, a moisture wicking tank that clung to her curves and a open button up flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up. She had a pack on one shoulder and locked the suite door. “Ready?”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam looked her up and down and said “You’ll need to be more specific. Ready for what?” and he chuckled mischievously. “Come on. Shopping first, then we’ll head up.” He said and offered her his arm.

Rende put her hand on his arm and leaned in, “Oh no, I think I will let your imagination mull over it for a bit.”

Ten minutes later, they were inside Risa Guide and Exploration Seervice and Supply, a large facility near the spaceport. Multiple moons and some areas of the planet below were ideally suited for more ‘rustic’ vacations, and RGESS was the place that outfitted vacationers for them. You could even hire guides for all areas of the non-developed areas. As they walked in, a wide array of items were organized into various sections and displays. To the novice, ot was a cornucopia of must-haves and top-tier equipment and gadgets designed to make traversing and vacationing in even the roughest terrain as easy as a hotel. To the practiced and experienced eye? Mostly garbage.

The displays made her laugh with amusement and no bit of pity for those hurrying to purchase the items. The sad thing was, some of them were truly trying to learn and make smart decisions. They would learn…

Xam said “Follow me.” and led her straight back through the ‘cutting edge camping technology’ and to the far back of the store. They approached the Guides Services desk and Xam said “HI. Is Gasbriel available?” The Rian male looked at Xam in an appraising fashion and said “He’s here, yeah. But he doesn’t take on inexperienced travelers.” Xam smiled again and said “Just tell him Xam is here.” The Guide snorted and stood up and walked through a door behind the counter. Xam looked at Rende and said “By the way… I really enjoyed last night. Well, last night, this morning, and this early afternoon.” and he laughed softly. “Can’t wait to see how creative you can get in a sleeping bag.” and he winked at her.

Her eyes warmed as she looked at him. “I did as well, very much. As for the sleeping bag, well that will depend on what kind we get, and whether or not we are sharing.” She winked at him and then her gaze fell on the opening door.

The door opened and large Antican male came out. His canine face erupted into a huge grin and threw a leg over the counter, twisted his hips, and turned across the surface to end up standing in front of Ra’Ti. He reached out and wrapped Xam in a huge bear (dog?) hug, lifting him up off the floor, and started laughing. “XAM! BY THE GODS, BOY! I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU’RE HERE!” he yelled and started bouncing Ra’Ti up and down like a rag doll. Xam laughed at first and then said “Gasbriel. Gasbriel! GASBRIEL! STOP! I CAN’T BREATHE” and the Antican laughed and set him back on the floor. Xam shook his head and chuckled and said “Damn, Gas… that hurt.” and then he laughed. He looked back at Rende and said “Rende Asam, Gasbriel Vorst. Gas, this is Rende Asam; my… friend.” Gasbriel held out a hand to Rende and said “Hey. Nice to meet ya.”

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Rende shook his hand and then spoke in flawless Antican. Which was a series of guttural growls and yips and a slight snarl or two. “I lost a bet, and now I have to take him camping. I’m not having him excited on my watch, and he’s hard enough to keep an eye on.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Gasbriel laughed loudly and responded “Yeah, he can be more than a handful. But don’t the charming rogue act fool you. He’ a lot smarter than he acts.” and he laughed again and then looked at Xam. “So I’m guessing not a social call? Hey, that’s ok. I got a group I’m leading out in six hours anyway. What can I do for ya?”

Rende laughed, “I am figuring that out.” She had yet to meet any rogue who wasn’t smart. Xam was in a league of his own.

Xam smiled and said “First, both of you can go right to hell and not stop for directions.” and he laughed. “So she and I are gonna go up to the land for a few days. Need a kit to make it…” and looked at Rende and grinned, “… comfortable.” Gasbriel smiled and said “Oh… oh yeah. I can swing that. Tell ya what. Why don’t you two go grab ya some groceries and head on up. I’ll have everything staged for ya when you get up there. Sound good?” Xam smiled and said “Yeah, thanks Gas. It’s good to see you.” The Antican grinned and said “You too, kid. If you ever do or can, tell your dad I miss him, too.” Xam shook his head and a profound and almost palpable sadness came over him. “Part of the deal that got me in Star Fleet. No contact.” Gasbriel put a hand on his shoulder. “How about your mom?” Xam nodded and said “I’ll tell her you said hello.” Gasbriel squeezed Xam’s shoulder and said “You do that. Now…” and he released Xam and smiled broadly, “… you two go and get the stuff you wanna eat while you’re up there. All the gear will be there get there.” Xam smiled, the previous dark cloud seemingly never having appeared over him, and he said “Thanks, Gas. We’ll talk soon , yeah?” and Gasbbriel turned and said “You bet! Have fun!” and he disappeared into the back of the store.

Xam turned and looked at Rende. “Now you are in luck. I am not just dashingly handsome and great in the sack… I’m a helluva cook.” and he smiled his trademark rogues’s smile.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

“Smart, devastatingly handsome, devishly charming, rogushily sensual, and you can cook?” Rende fanned herself with her free hand and batted her eyes at him. “How could I resist?” She was being outrageous, but she wasn’t lying either. So far Xam had been an unexpected and wonderful companion. “But if your friend sets us up with some sort of luxury glamping experience, I will hike all the way back to the resort.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“Since I don’t even know what that is, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say you don’t have to worry about that.” Xam said with a grin, and he set her hand on his arm and began walking them back out of the store. As they did, he said “You sure you ready to go? Last chance to buy a…” and he looked to the side and said “Stereomagnimomitor for uninterrupted fishing and chilling of beverages.” He picked up the device that looked like the handle of a fishing pole, but with two reels; one on either side of the bottom of the handle. He held it towards her and said “Now, I don’t know exactly how this would work… but it doesn’t look like it was designed for fishing.” and laughed. He suddenly stopped and his eyes went wide and he looked at her with wickedness in his eyes. “Maybe we should get one. You know… try it out.” and he grinned a wholly sarcastic grin.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Rende looked at the thing he was holding. “The only thing you might catch with that is Rho Mu dancer, and that’s because they trip into anything.” Rende shook her head at the various ‘necessities on display. She picked up a canister, “Ptnemisr Digestive Powder. Sprinkle on anything found around your campsite to instantly turn it palatable for consumption.” Rende put it down, “People are going to die. Anything else you want to investigate?” Some things were pretty useless but could have potential fun. It was vacation after all.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam grinned. “Well, you are right… it is vacation.” A few laps around the store and they had gathered a few items that, while wholly useless for camping, had potential ‘alternative uses’ that could be explored.

They left RGESS and Xam hailed a taxi. “I know a really cool place.” The taxi pulled away and began to drive. Xam spent the ten minute trip testing just how ticklish Rende was through her clothes in places. When the cab stopped , Xam exited and held his hand out for Rende. “My Lady, welcome to Corbette & Towns; elite grocer and purveyor of fine and rare foods.” The outside of the store was made to look like a late 19th century Earth grocery store. The door swung rather than slid, and when it opened and a Deltan man walked out, the inside filled the sidewalk with a plethora of scents and smells. Spices, cured meats, herbs, floral scents, heady aromas of alcohols and others swirled around and Xam smiled. :”When we were doing really well, I’d contract with these folks for stocking the kitchen.” he whispered to her. “Come on.” and hebheld the door open for her

The inside was amazing. Antique shelves stocked with every food imaginable and some even Rende hadn’t heard of were everywhere. There was an entire row dedicated just to coffee. Another to canned fish. Another to hot sauces. Xam smiled like a kid in a candy store. He looked at Rende and said “This is legitimately one of my favorite places in the entire galaxy.” He turned to face her and put his hand on her arms. “So what would you like to eat the next few days? Anything you want. I guarantee they will have it.”

Ra’Ti, Tactical