Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Social Obligations

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in Social Obligations

Posted by Captain Rende Asam (Commanding Officer) in Social Obligations
Posted by… suppressed (20) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Roman was home, and Rand was elated even though her anxiety made her worry about everything. That night, it was the evening’s activity.

Captain Asam had ordered her to help Lt. Hart schedule and plan social functions for the crew. Rand liked Hart even though she was always nervous around the Lt. Rand was always nervous though. Rand liked planning events; she just didn’t like attending. She had to though. She and Hart had planned it together, well Rand had helped, and it would be rude to not show up. However, she was going in uniform. That way she was working and no one would want to be friendly.

It would be different if Roman went, but he didn’t want to do much lately. Which was okay with Rand. She hated going out. She would rather stay home, but she didn’t think that was good for Roman. So after they ate, she went into the bathroom and put her hair back up, made sure her uniform was immaculate. When she came out, she sat down and started putting her boots back on.

Yeoman Rand

Roman was still feeling… Well, not good, and his schedule was all messed up and he wasn’t quite back to work. In two days, though. Then he’d be allowed to work half-days, only. Of course they had spoken, a lot, and Rand had caught him up on all the ship news.

Roman watched her get ready. “Isn’t it a dance? You’re going in that?” Roman looked at her. He actually stood, went over to her, and set his hands on her shoulders. “You can’t go in that, Miranda. You’ve got such lovely dancing gowns.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand looked up at him, so clearly nervous and worried. From what she should wear to what she was going to say to people, to what topics would be safe to bring up so she didn’t have to discuss things she didn’t want discuss. “It’s not that kind of dance. It’s more contemporary.” Which wasn’t an excuse. Rand could dance anything from formal ballroom to contemporary. She’d been taught lots of different styles and come close to mastering them all. And she had plenty of clothes to choose from. “Besides, I won’t be dancing.” Rand loved to dance, but Randy was gone, and she knew Roman wouldn’t want to go, so she’d rather just be ‘on duty’ than have to worry about it.

Yeoman Rand

“No?” Roman asked. Would she ask him? Did he even want to go? He wasn’t sure. He… He didn’t really want to be seen the way he was. But he wanted to dance with Rand. And he hated watching her be so anxious. “You can’t be at a dance and not dance. You’re far to good at it, Miranda.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand blushed. They way he said her name, in that posh English accent, always did that. Her ancestors were probably rolling in their graves. She didn’t care. She wanted to ask, but she just couldn’t be that selfish. She didn’t want him to worry though. He had enough to worry about. Rand did something she hadn’t done in front of Roman in many many months. She pulled out one of her characters. It would be the only way to convince him, and herself. It was a twist on a scene between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy, but it worked. “I shall recite poetry instead. So as to assure to kill stone dead any vague inclination of affection from the crowd. Even if one’s partner is barely tolerable, dancing is the surest way to encourage affection.” She smiled up at him, enjoying dropping into a familiar role that she adored so much. More than that, she was enjoying flirting with him slightly. “And my Dear Cmdr Alden, there is only one man’s affections I wish to encourage.”

Yeoman Rand

It had been a long time since he’d seen her pull any characters. It made Roman smile. He took her hand and squeezed, “Then miss Miranda, allow me to accompany you to this dance?”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

The delight on her eyes was impossible to miss. Her expression stayed softly flirtatious as she dropped a gracious curtsy. “I would be honored and delighted, Cmdr Alden.” Rand couldn’t help but be excited. Dancing with Roman was always magical. She hurried to the closet. She wouldn’t wear a gown, tonight was too casual for that, but she did pick a dress. A simple green a-line with drop sleeves and a full skirt. She took her hair out of the normal bun and then pinned up just the sides with two rhinestone clips. Years of costume changes made her fast, so she was ready quickly.

Yeoman Rand

Roman picked a nice button up and a pair of slacks. He grabbed a decent pair of shoes that would look good, but also be good for dancing. Then he went into the bathroom. Rand could hear him in there, muttering to himself, but he was taking a long time. And it didn’t sound like he was using it, just getting ready.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand didn’t rush him or ask if he was alright. She had a feeling he was nervous and trying to talk himself into going and not backing out. Or Roman’s version of it anyway. So she busied herself with cleaning up their meal and settling Pipkin in for the night. She had missed them both terribly while Roman was gone. Their quarters had felt so empty she’d actually gone back to her yeoman’s quarters one night. It hadn’t really helped at all.

Yeoman Rand

Roman finally came out, his hair a greasy mess, looking annoyed and… Well, stressed. “Miranda, can you help me for a minute?”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Thank goodness for acting lessons. Rand didn’t even blink at the totally disheveled appearance that was so unlike him. Not even when he was in sickbay for his heart did he look that bad. She got up and walked over to him, “Of course. What can I do?”

Yeoman Rand

“Just.... Get my hair to cooperate… Please?” He asked and looked at her. “I think I’ve got too much product… I don’t know, I just…” And then he gave her a long sigh. “Sorry.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

“Of course.” She kissed his cheek then pulled out a chair for him. “Have a seat.” She went into the bathroom and grabbed a couple of towels and his brush.

She wrapped one over his shoulders and used the other to soak up the excess product in his hair. She had a moment of mischievousness where she considered ruffling his hair and giving it tiny spikes. She thought he’d look extremely roguish like that. Rand didn’t though, Roman was already stressed enough. Luckily Rand had helped Randy many times, so she knew what to do with the product.

Rand got the excess product out and then brushed and combed his hair into place the way he liked it. She walked around in front and brushed back his hair at his temples with her fingers and then nodded. “There, go take a look. Make sure I did it right.”

Yeoman Rand

Roman was a perfect subject for hair work. He sat absolutely still until she was done. Then he looked in the mirror and nodded. “Fantastic, thank you,” he said, sounding relieved, and then hugged her tight.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand laid her head against his chest, her arms wrapped around him, and squeezed. “You are very welcome.” She was in no rush to leave. She didn’t want to go, but she was supposed to.

Yeoman Rand

“Come on. We’ll be late.” Roman said, letting her go. “I don’t want to be late.” He took her hand and squeezed it.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand nodded, “Alright.” She moved toward the door and out into the hall. As usual this deck was quiet. It was never very busy. Unless there was a meeting in the conference room, it was just the transporter Chief up here.

Yeoman Rand

Roman followed her out and headed towards the turbo lift, still holding her hand. It would look normal, they were engaged after all, but it was also to comfort both of them.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand’s fingers laced with his. It was comforting. They shared the lift with a few people. They were all polite. Greeting Cmdr Alden and speaking briefly with him. They all greeted Rand too, but after this long everyone knew about her Social anxiety. So they did their best to be careful not to overwhelm her.

Yeoman Rand

Roman spoke politely, but when they got off the lift, he whispered to Rand, “They know, they know.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand squeezed his hand. “No they don’t. Cot Rende made sure everyone was told you were working on classified material with medical. It was top priority and you were not to be called until the work was finished. They are just glad to see you again. You are the only consistent leader since the Sentinel left space dock.” She turned down the hall and headed towards the gym.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Roman followed her. “Yes, Rand, and people talk.” He whispered harshly. They hadn’t, but anxiety was telling him otherwise. The difficulty was, he wasn’t used to these kinds of intrusive, anxious thoughts.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand stopped and stepped in front of him and hugged him. Right in the middle ofbthe corridor. “There is nothing for them to talk about, but I also know what it is like to worry. What You need is distraction so you don’t dwell on it. Which is why we are here.” She let go to wave behind her at the gym door. “Do you think dancing with me will be distracting enough?”

Yeoman Rand

Roman smiled at her. “What sort of question is that?” He asked her, as he took her hand and led her into the gym.

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO