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

Posted by Lieutenant Kreed (Chief Medical 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 (53) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Xam looked deep in her eyes and he sighed heavily and smiled at her. “I’ve never wanted to live forever, you know. And I’ve never been scared of dying. I’m still not… but I think I would regret it now.” He moved her so she was all the way on him and he kissed her; slowly… gently… with less urgency but more desire than before. And as his hands began to move across her again, it was less physical… and much deeper than their previous encounters. Not love… but not just lust, either.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Some people believed that as long as someone remembered you, you never really died. Rende would live a long time, and so, if that was true, Xam would live as long as she did. She kissed him back with equal amounts of care and growing affection, her hands memorizing the closeness between them. This was a bad idea, but it was far too late to turn back and Rende didn’t want to.

Cpt. Asam, CO

The shift was subtle and easy… a dangerous proposition for them both. But even after… and after they were dressed and moving out of the cavern with the pool… Xam didn’t regret a moment. He was fully aware their fun tryst and romp in the woods had had an effect on them, but he grinned his mischievous grin at her and said “I wonder what kind if trouble we can get into when the place has actual furniture.” and he laughed.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

That grin only seemed to confirm the effect the last days had had on them. As they came out of the narrow passage, she slipped an arm around his waist and brushed a gentle touch of lips over his neck, “Oh a lot. We could really test out our mutual flexibility then. Until then… are you hungry?… for food.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam laughed and said “Well I’m glad you specified; otherwise we’d never get outta here.” He looked at her a moment and then kissed her. He pulled back and said “Yeah… we should go.” and he laughed and led her outbof the caves and back up the ledge. He looked around, at the view in front of them, and said “Picnic here?”

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Rende gave him a look, they may never get out of there anyway. She followed him out and back up to the top of the cliff. She looked around, “Yeah.” She swung her pack off her shoulders and reached in for one of the blankets, shook it out in a quick flick and it fluttered to the ground. She grabbed his hand and tugged him down to sit beside her. She leaned in and brushed her lips slowly across his.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam’s eyes locked onto hers as her lips sent shocks of electricity through him. “You keep doing that-” he whispered, “- I may start thinking you’re liking this more than just a stress relief…” His hand moved up her back and onto her neck; his fingers weaving into her hair and he pulled her face against his as he kissed her deeply, and a soft moan escaped him.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

She really should heed that warning. They were both already in too deep. His moan was answered with one of her own. Her hands smoothed over his shoulders, urging him closer. There was no urgency, just a deep desire to prolong the connection of the moment.

She kissed him between words, “If anyone … asks… I have … decades … of … pent … up … stess … to re… release.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“Then… allow… me… to… help with… that…” Xam replied and then pulled her against him and rolled over so she was laying on her back. He looked down at her and grinned. “Relaxing beautiful women who find me irresistible just happens to be a specialty of mine.”

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Rende’s eyes didn’t leave his. “Lucky for me you didn’t realize our waitress found you just as irresistible as I did.” She was teasing, but she was also serious. She held his gaze for long moments, soaking in the closeness, the warmth, and the comfort of being with him.

Cpt. Asam, CO

He brushed her hair back with his fingers, staring into her eyes, and said “Oh but I did… but I was far more interested in you than I was with a quickie by the valet station with a waitress.” and he brushed his lips softly against hers and whispered “And I still am…”

Rat’Ti, Tactical

Tbat gentle brush if his fingers had a noticeable affect on her that he could clearly see in her eyes. He could feel her smile against his lips. It wasn’t teasing though, it was feminine and soft. “Now who sounds like they like this more than just stress relief?” Her breath fluttered against him, “Glad it’s not just me.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“He smiled against her lips and said “I knew you couldn’t resist…” and his lips moved to her neck.

Later that evening…

The sun was getting low as the stew in the iron pot over the fire outside their tent slowly cooked. Xam was sitting a pair of loose fitting pants in a camp chair, a glass of a brilliant blue liquid in his hand. He smiled at Rende and said “How about we just stay here and don’t go back, hmm? I mean… look at this! This beats the mess any day of the week! Except when there’s tacos. The Sentinel’s taco night is unmatched.” and hebgrinned even as he did a chef’s kiss with his fingers.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Rende was wearing a pair of light flowing palazzo pants, that gave a peak of her legs any time she moved. She wore a short off the shoulder top. She had a glass with a shimmering metalic colored liquid in it, resting on the arm of her camp chair. “Oh don’t tempt me, Xam. I could stay here and never regret it. I wouldn’t even miss taco night.” There was no teasing to her voice, she was serious.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam smiled and said “Well, this place and I are a package deal, so unless you are saying that you could tolerate me enough to have this place, I’m afraid you are outta luck.” His smile became more flirtatious- but with a sense of seriousness- and he said “Unless, of course, you are saying that you could tolerate this place just to stay around me; which of course would make much more sense… to me, anyway.” and he laughed.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

“Makes more sense to me that way too. I mean the whole allure of this place is that you are in it.” She swirled the drink in her glass lazily before taking a sip and then letting it dangle from her fingertips over the edge of the chair. “Of course of equal curiosity, is could you stand to have me around for more than a couple of weeks without it ruining the allure of this place for you.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam’s eyes narrowed and his grin shifted to one of peaked curiosity. He set his drink aside and he looked at her for a long time and then said “Capt-… Rende… what are we talking about here? No, wait. Let me rephrase that. What are you and I talking around here? And do you really want me to answer that question? Because if I do, and I will if you say so, then all of this-’ and he gestured back and forth between them, “-is gonna switch from… from… oh what the hell do the humans call it… OH RIGHT!… ‘friends with benefits’ to something else entirely.” He leaned back and looked at her, the smile not slipping and his eyes sparkling like she had never seen them do up to this point.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

“We are dancing around something more long term than a ‘what happens on Risa stays on Risa’ vacation. Something completely opposite of what we agreed to.” Rende took another sip of her drink, staring into the fire and then looked back at him. “Why are we dancing around it? Because we are considering it. Why are we doi g that? He!! if I know Xam.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam regarded the amazing woman seated before him. She was right, that was certain. Something in them had shifted the past few days, and it was obvious. Xam stared at her and then said “True. I agree with all of that. But, and I cannot stress this enough, you are actually married. And yeah, I am considering something more long-term. But to be a bit selfish a second… what happens when he comes back? Because contrary to popular belief, I actually do have a heart… and I’d like it not to get stomped on if I can avoid it.” He took a drink and then sighed… and took another large drink and refilled his glass.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

“I don’t want that for you, Xam.” She’d told him that in the lake. “I shouldn’t have done this. It’s not fair to you. Maybe what I deserve, but not you.” Rende downed her drink and then started to stand but instead leaned elbows on knees and stared into the flames.

Cpt. Asam, CO

“Whoa whoa whoa… uh-uh.” Xam said. He stood up, walked over to her. “You dont get to drip a bombshell like that on me and then just wave it off. Dropping bombs is my job, dammit.” He grabbed her chair and drug seated in the chair across the dirt so she was seated in front of his chair. He sat down and looked at her.

She looked up at him and grinned. “And you are very good at dropping bombs too.” Her eyes widened but she didn’t say anything as he drug her chair across the space.

“You said it. We’re both thinking about it. Now, I will be completely honest with you and say that thinking ahead about relationships and such has never been a strength for me. Probably why no gorgeous but vapid heiress has managed to land me yet.” he said with a grin. “So instead of playing to my weakness in this… let’s discuss it.” He leaned back and he grinned at her. “And then we can celebrate whatever we decide with round two in the hammock.”

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Rende sighed, “I told you I was grieving and lonely. That I didn’t want to use you. You asked what happened when he left, and there is more to it.” She lifted a shoulder, “He’s not coming back.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam sat in silence for a long time. “I’m really sorry to hear that, Rende… truly.” For as infectious and fun as Xam was when he wasn’t being serious; his sincerity was just as touching. He took her hand and said “Tell me. And then tell me how I can help you. And, and I’m just gonna throw this out there, he’s a fool.” and he smiled at her.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Rende smiled slightly shook her head in denial. “It was a long time coming. After we lost our son…” she shook her head again. “We tried to put our life back together, but I guess we had very different ideas of what that looked like. I mean, it’s really not so odd for two people to grow apart. We live centuries, eventually we change too much. We both decided to serve again, give ourselves focus and clarity and then go home again. But we don’t have the same ideas of what that looks like anymore.” She sighed.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam looked at her and then said “Okay. So are you no longer married? Or are you taking a break? Or changing to an open relationship? Or are you sticking to him by letting me… well” and he grinned that grin.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

“I wouldn’t do that. Besides, I’m not angry at him. He was honest and open with me. It hurts, but I’m not angry. As to the other,” she stood and went to her jacket and reached into a pocket. She came back and sat. Resting in her palm was an earcuff in a geometric looking mobius strip. She reached up and removed a similar one from her right ear. Hers was slightly smaller. “Pthyrams. Like Earth Wedding bands. He said we both deserved to move on, but that wasn’t together anymore. So he returned it.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam looked at the objects and then reached out and took them in his hand. With the other hand he lifted her chin so she was looking at him. ” You deserve to be happy. These used to mean that, but not now.” He dropped them back in her hand and closed her fingers over them. “You said you were grieving. Okay. You do that. And if I can be any kind of salve for that pain, I will. And then, when you are ready to move on, let me know and we can continue this talk. Until then…” and he grinned and kissed her. “Until then use me however you need or want to. Because I am interested in you, Rende. So there. And now-” and he stood up and then said “Hammock. C’mon. We’re gonna figure out exactly what we’re gonna do when we get furniture in the cave.” and he walked past her towards the ladder.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

She didn’t follow him right away. She watched him climb, then carefully banked the fire - old habits died hard. She made her way over to the ladder and scaled it with a minimum of disruption to the hammock. She lifted herself over the edge and laid back, looking up at the sky. “Hammocks. Lots and lots of hammocks.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam smiled. “Anything the lady wants.” he said. “And I do mean anything.”

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Rende turned her head to look at him. She reached over and combed the length of his mustache. “When the lady figures that out, she will let the irresistible gentleman know.” Her head rested on his shoulder as she looked up at the sky. “So explain to me, kidnapping with intent to marry.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam smiled and said “Well, it turns out that the Crystial people of Drulj VII have this weird law on the books that is a throwback to their ancient history. Back then, they were divided into tribes. They had an issue with genetic diversity; or rather the lack thereof. So the tribes raided each other. They’d take young women and men, bring them back the respective tribes, and they had a lunar month to convince them to stay. If they did, they got married and so on and so forth, eventually having kids with the genetic input from other places. But if the original tribe caught someone trying to kidnap their people, they got to use them as forced labor for a year. So… kidnapping with intent to marry. Seems that one young lady decide that I, of all people, was the one she wanted to be with. So she stowed away on the Ebony Rain. Didn’t know till we were out of the system. Found her, went to take her back, and wouldn’t you know it?” and he laughed. “They tried to arrest me for kidnapping her!” and he laughed. “Pretty sure that if they knew I had a price on my head, they would have tried a lot harder to keep me.”

Ra’Ti, Tactical

“Oh dear. What a conundrum for you, but I can’t fault her taste.” Rende grinned wickedly at him. “I bet it broke her heart when she had to go home. I mean with you being so irresistible and all. But if anyone comes looking to collect on that bounty, I’ll protect you,” and she winked at him.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam grinned and said “My hero!” and batted his eyes at her. “But however will I repay you for such dedication?” He patted his pants and said “I seem to have left my wallet in my other star ship.” and thebgrin turned as wicked as hers.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Her laughter bubbled up and out. “Oh I think we can find a better way for you to express your gratitude than money.” She turned on her side, one hand smoothing over his chest as he lips brushed over his in long slow contact. “You are an amazing cook after all.” She laughed teasingly.

Cpt. Asam, CO

He chuckled softly and said “You think that’s good, you should get a load of my knot-tying skills. For instance…” he said softly as he began to kiss her neck, “… I’m fairly certain… that if I try… really hard…” and the kisses began to move lower as he gently moved the fabric of her clothes out of the way in small spots; “…I can… tie you… in some… really interesting knots…” and his head disappeared under her shirt as soft kisses began to cover her stomach.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

“Oh by all means demonstrate.” She laughed, really more if a giggle, as his long hair tickled her skin.

Sometime later, they lay in the hammock as the wind changed and carried the smell of the stew to them. Her stomach rumbled softly. “That smells great but I’m too relaxed to move, and I will protest loudly if you do.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam grinned and said “That isn’t the only thing you do loudly.” and he laughed. The smell of the stew made his stomach speak up as well, and he said “You just stay here, I’ll get dinner.” and he rolled towards the ladder and climbed down.

He went down the ladder, and as promised Rende protested loudly. “XAM RA’TI GET BACK UP HERE. I am neither pleased nor relaxed up here all by myself!” A few birds took off from their perches, startled in the sudden shatter of the stillness and she laughed. She rolled over and looked down, “Get back up here, I am NOT above making that an official order. Ohhhh…hmmm that’s a d@mn good view. No, doesn’t make up for being up here alone.”

A few minutes later the small bucket that was attached to the pully on the far side of the hammock rose up; and in it were two heaping bowls of the stew, utensils, a smaller chiller bucket with two bottles in it, and some dark bread. Xam’s head appeared on the other side and he grinned at Rende’s form stretched out on the hammock. “Well I know what is for dessert.” he said and then lept onto the hammock and slid in next to her.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Rende sat up, crossed her arms, and glared at him. “That stew better be ambrosia or no desert for you for leaving this hammock.” She lifted the bucket into the hammock and passed him his share, making quite the show of how lonely she was for those very short minutes. Her eyes danced the whole time.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam smiled and said “I promise to make it up to you. I mean, how callous of me to leave you all alone while cooked, cleaned, got drinks, and figure out how to move stew thirty feet up to a hammock without spilling it.” and he tore off a piece of bread and dipped it in the stew. When he took a bite, he closed his eyes and moaned. “Okay… be mad all you want. This is ambrosia.” and he grinned.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

A smile broke across her face and laughter bubbled out. She hadn’t laughed this much in a long time. “Oh I don’t think I can stay mad at you.” She broke her bread and watched him as he took another bite, “Of course it is, I dropped a secret ingredient in when you weren’t looking,” she joked. She dipped the bread in the stew and took a bite. Her eyes closed and she moaned happily. “Alright, your fired, and I’m rehiring you as ship’s chef. No captain’s chef. I’m going to be greedy.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“Add ‘Personal Masseuse and Playmate’ to that title, and I’ll take it.” Xam said and dipped another corner of bread into the stew and ate it. “Oh, I forgot.” he said and reached over her (stealing a kiss as he did so) and he pulled out the two bottles. He opened them up with a soft pop and handed her one. “Risian Sparkling Lemonade. Super refreshing and hydrating. And I have set up some things in the tent… for later.” and he grinned and took a drink while winking at her.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Hmmm… I’m not sure I can get command to approve all that. But I am most certainly willing to add that to your unofficial duties.” She took the bottle, set the chilled glass to her lips, and took a long pull. “Hmmm it always amazes me how truly pleasurable everything on Risa is no matter what sense you are indulging.” She gave him an appraising look, “So is that your way of telling me to drink up because I’m likely to be dehydrated later?”

Cpt. Asam, CO

He looked at her for a long moment and then said “It’s my way of saying I want to take care of you.” with not a hint of sarcasm or humor. He leaned forward and kissed her gently and then leaned back and took a bite of the stew. “You know, I really should get paid more. I am just way too talented and versatile to be stuck where I’m at.” he said, the sarcastic wit and humor back in place as if the first comment had never happened.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

Rende watched him with deep intent even as she responded to his humor, “Well if the promotion board recommends you a raise will come with it, but maybe until then we can come up with a different compensation.” Then she downed the rest of the lemonade, her eyes locked on his.

Cpt. Asam, CO

“Really? Do tell.” he said, his gaze never leaving hers. It was as if he was daring her to respond. The smile hadn’t left his face, and the mischievousness in his eyes was almost blinding in the fading light of evening. “And be careful… whatever you say, I’m gonna hold you to.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Well, I was thinking that I know a geologist who owes me a favor. I could have him out here to widen the passage ways and some of the caverns, even make a few. Wouldn’t cost you a credit.” She grinned as she popped a piece of bread into her mouth. She finished the bite, “OR were you thinking something more… personal?”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“I’m fairly certain that you know me well enough by now to know the answer to that.” He leaned in and stared at her. “But if you don’t… maybe you need a refresher?”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Oh, I do know, very well. But I can pretend not to, if you would like to remind me.” She leaned in, her voice teasing at his ear. “Perhaps we could arrange that when you are feeling particularly under compensated, we could repeat that activity that left you devoid of any vocabulary whatsoever.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“A generous offer, Captain.” he whispered against her ear. “But I should tell you, I feel ‘particularly under compensated’ quite often.” and he softly nibbled her earlobe. “Very… very often.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

Her eyes closed as shivers chased across her spine. “Well I can’t have you feeling under valued. I mean who will protect me from vicious pirates when they come after me?”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam smiled as he continued to nibble. “I don’t know, but they are doing a terrible job. I mean…” and the nibbles went to her neck, “… the viscious pirate is already here.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

The shudder that went through her was as noticeable as the soft gasp that rushed over her lips. “A terrible job. I am completely at his mercy then.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“What mercy?” he whispered, and the nibbles became more… insistent.

The next morning found them laying in bed inside the tent. When- and how- they managed to extricate themselves from the hammock and make their way down the ladder was lost to Xam in a myriad tapestry of hazy memories of limbs, flesh, pleasure, and a growing sense of emotional investment in his companion. A companion who was currently draped over him, snoring softly. Xam grinned and looked at the tent’s roof, and shook his head slightly. You are a fool, Ra’Ti. he thought to himself. She’s your Captain, and she is using you to get over her marriage ending. the practical voice in his head said. And that’s all well and good. Gods above know we don’t fault her. But catching feelings? Really? You are supposed to know better. Xam inhaled a silent breath, nodding a barely noticable agreement when the OTHER voice in his head spoke up. She’s smart. Tough. Brave. Super hot. Strong. Knows what she wants… okay okay, mostly. And just because she was lonely and sad doesn’t mean she might not feel the same about you. Don’t f^<k this up. You’ve never met one like her before. And we ALL know we damn sure won’t meet one like her again. Xam took a deep breath and absentmindedly brushed his fingertips gently up and down her spine. His other hand brushed the hair back that had fallen across her face. He looked at her for a very long time, seeing her as she was: relaxed, content, and happy. At least for right now. His jaw set and he came to a decision. If she wanted to use him to fill the void left in her heart, he would let her. If she decided at the end of their R&R that this couldn’t continue, he would agree with her. And if, should the gods and fate decree it so, that she wanted him in her life as more than a bandage for a broken heart, he would make sure he would never let her regret that choice. He smiled. Not a cunning or mischievous or sarcastic smile; but one of happiness. No matter what, he was now tying himself to the most incredible woman he had ever met. And nothing in him regretting that conscious and deliberate choice.

He was in love with her. And someday he might even tell her so.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

Rende hadn’t slept that well in quite awhile. Normally one to wake instantly and alert. Today was slow and lazy, a rare indulgence for her. The first indication she was awake was a change in her breath and cessation of the soft snoring. A moment later her arm tightened around him and she uttered a single word. It was filled with happiness and sounded like a caress. “Xam.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam smiled broadly at the sound of his name on her lips, but when he spoke it was just soft and comforting. “Good morning, beautiful. How did you sleep? Well, once we got to sleep, that is.” and he kissed her shoulder long and softly as he pulled her closer to him. Unbeknownst to him, his heart was racing… in a good way.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

She held him tighter as she inhaled, “Mmmmm, wonderfully.” Rende pressed kisses into his neck. She could feel his heart racing under her ear, and knew hers was moving at the same pace. She was quiet for a bit before pressing another gentle kiss to his skin. “Mmmm, if that is the salary compensation you want, I am happy to agree. But I won’t have the energy to command. I’ll be removed and then where would we be?” She was teasing, but there was an obvious seriousness to a longer agreement. “That vicious pirate might be better off kidnapping me,” and she pressed even closer.

Cpt. Asam, CO

He held her close, his embrace more than just the need to feel her against him. “Kidnapping, huh? Well, I told you what happened the last time someone accused me of that.” and he laughed. “As for where we would be? Probably right here. And thats just fine by me.” he added softly. He leaned in and kissed her softly, but it lingered for a very long time as he held her to him. As he pulled back and opened his eyes, he looked into her eyes and he smiled, letting himself get lost in them for as long as he could. No matter what his mind said or what flirtatious cover he put on it, it was obvious something in him had shifted.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

She stared back into his eyes. There was a difference in her gaze. It was softer, earnest, and clear of the concerns of the previous days. She slipped to his side, one hand threading into his hair and slowly pulling him towards her. “It’s not really kidnapping if I’m a willing captive.” She kissed him with desire that had nothing to do with the physical attraction she had for him. She offered herself over to him, poured all of herself into the contact: the captain everyone saw, and the woman most never bothered with. She was potentially the universe’s biggest fool. She’d always been brash and sure of her choices, and she was now. As long as Xam didn’t get hurt in the process.

Cpt. Asam, CO

The intensity of the contact almost overwhelmed Xam, but instead of fighting against, he let himself drown in it. And not one time did he want someone to save him.

Afterwards, and after they had finally managed to get out of bed and make a late breakfast, Xam finished washing the dishes and he said “What do you want to do today? I mean, we only have a few days left and I don’t want to waste any of it. But I also don’t want you to think that the hammock, bed, and cave are the only places to see.” and he chuckled.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer