Posted by Civilian Kristina Cosgrove (Student, Public Relations Intern) in Swing on By - More than Music

Posted by Civilian Michael Conrad (Owner- Black Sparrow) in Swing on By - More than Music

Posted by Civilian Kristina Cosgrove (Student, Public Relations Intern) in Swing on By - More than Music
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Conrad had shown up early to his destination. Swing on By was a somewhat new venture that had opened up. Michael had never been, but he did his research beforehand. He donned grey slacks with a buttoned up white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. With the top button undone, he wore a black vest over the shirt. And on the top of his head was a black fedora.

Michael sat on one of the stools at the curved bar that happened to look like a piano. Behind him and to his left was the corner stage that had been framed by luscious dark green curtains. A jazz quartet happened to be setting up when he arrived, though he wasn’t terribly early. The gold surfaces were reflecting the dim light cast by candles and sconces all around.

The bartender strolled up. “What’ll it be?” he asked, clearly a phrase that rolled off his tongue here.

Conrad looked up. “Water for now,” he stated. Upon seeing the bartender’s expression, he added, “I’m waiting for someone. Don’t want anything too strong unless the evening lends itself that way.”

The bartender grunted a laugh as he set a glass down and poured a water.

Meanwhile, Conrad continued to observe his surroundings.

-Michael Conrad

A few more people came in while he waited, but it wasn’t long before she arrived. Kristina stepped in behind another couple and had to peer around them. The hostess greeted her. “Do you have a reservation?”

“I’m meeting someone her,” she said, and then she saw him as the other couple moved forward into the lounge. She grinned in his direction, but spoke to the hostess. “And I’ve found him.”

She had pondered how serious to take this as far as a date went. But when she had suggested dinner, and then he suggested this place, well, she knew it was a proper date. As she moved towards him in high heels, her navy blue lace dress hugged her body, ending just above the knee. With small cap sleeves and a moderately high neck, it seemed rather modest until she passed near light and you could see skin beneath the lace at her midriff and above her chest.

Joining him at the bar, she reached up and tapped the brim of the fedora. “I like the hat,” she said with a grin.

~Kristina Cosgrove

Michael had seen her approach out of the corner of his eye, but he kept his gaze ahead as though he were focused on his drink. He grinned when he heard her familiar voice and the light touch of the fedora.

He turned and soaked in her look and presence. His eyes started at her body and quickly moved up to meet her gaze. He grinned. “I’m glad! It felt appropriate to be fair. Almost considered it as a Conrad staple. Haven’t made the jump yet.”

He paused a moment. “You look exquisite! I don’t know whether to stay here and we eat in plain sight or if we should find a table with less prying eyes.” He gave a slight inidcation to behind her as one younger man quickly turned back to his meal, having been caught staring.

-Michael Conradd

Kristina peered over her shoulder before returning her gaze to Conrad and smirking. “Well, I suppose I’ll take the compliment. As for where we sit, I suppose it depends on if you’re a jealous sort of person Conrad. Or maybe we just let the host seat us and risk it,” she said, breaking into a wider grin, her blue eyes gleaming.

Conrad smirked. “One, please, call me Michael, or Mike, or anything else you wish to. I save the last name for business associates. And for the moment,” he said as he brushed a strand of her hair off of her shoulder. “This isn’t business that I’m doing right now. Second, jealous is an interesting word. I’m not about to get in your way of what decisions you make for yourself, but…if we’re here, getting to know each other more…well, I’m going to fight for that time then.” He gave her a wink before seeing the host stroll up.

She gaze deepened as he moved her hair. “Hmm, guess I should be mindful of that then, Michael.” Mike seemed… odd to her it. It just felt incongruous to the man before her. It wasn’t about formality either, but that ‘Mike’ wasn’t enough name for the enigma of a man she was on a date with.

The sound of his name from her lips sounded like sweet music to him. Few called him that, and few ever would.

“Sir, your table is ready,” the host said, carrying a couple of menus, he led them to a table towards the back of the lounge, not too far from the dance floor and one that had a view of where the band would play as well. It wasn’t so close that they couldn’t converse though.

Kristina walked smoothly in the heels, and managed to not peer back at Conrad as she strutted ahead of him.

~Kristina Cosgrove

Conrad paused for the briefest of moments, quite content to let her lead the way. His eyes took in her every move as he nearly walked right into the same young man beginning to peer past his companion at his own table. Having nearly bumped into him, he gently smacked the man on the shoulder and pointed to the man’s date right in front of him, of whom was clearly miffed at the strange sequence of events.

Michael left the embarrassed man to address his lady friend as he quickly caught up with in quiet stride behind Kristina. He tried keeping his eyes looking ahead, but he couldn’t stop making several glances to her posterior and enticing legs. He looked up just in time to stop himself from bumping into her.

He smiled broadly as he moved past her and pulled a chair out. He pulled his hat off his head and gestured to the offered seat. “For you my lady!” he said with a quiet, yet intentional grandeur. He wasn’t out to make a scene, just an impression…and hopefully a good one.

-Michael Conrad

It was as if Kristina was oblivious to the effect she was having on others, but as he pulled out the chair, amusement swept over her face. “Oh, we’re going old school chivalry I see. Alright, I’ll bite,” she said, slipping into the seat as he pushed it in for her.

He gave a light chuckle in reply as she took the offered seat.

After Conrad sat, the host filled their water goblets. “Our specials today are a Bajoran shrimp linguine with a spring wine cream sauce, and a sweet potato, beet and darva root pavé with an oskoid and pine nut salad. Your server will be with you shortly to take your drink orders,” he said.

The food special sounded perfect to him. He could already taste the shrimp and spring wine sauce in his head.

“Thank you,” Kristina said with a warm smile before turning her attention to Michael and the menu. It was filled extraordinary sounding food. Nothing pretentious though. You could recognize all the ingredients and there were descriptions in case the name wasn’t familiar. “So, here we are.”

~Kristina Cosgrove

After the host left, Michael set the closed menu down. “Yes, here we are.” He leaned on his elbow a bit and stroked his chin absentmindedly, his eyes never leaving hers. “You know I never expected to actually have this opportunity. I mean…when you were on the ship with the rest of the crew…You were quite the looker then. But nobody captain’s the Black Sparrow by throwing caution to the wind. And back then, it wouldn’t have been appropriate I’m sure. Halai wouldn’t have been thrilled I imagine.”

He paused for a moment before adding, “I’m glad for this though. I like the chemistry so far. And I like you so far.” He gave her a grin that reached his eyes as he took a sip of water.

-Michael Conrad