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 Civilian Michael Conrad (Owner- Black Sparrow) in Swing on By - More than Music
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

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

She matched his grin. “Well, I for one wasn’t expecting anything to come of this when I ran into at the hospital, but…” Kristina traced the bottom edge of the goblet with her index finger. “I suppose I can admit to you know that I had a small crush on you back then. And you’re right, Halai wouldn’t have approved, and she’d have been right as well. I was too young, too naive, really. But that’s the beauty of growing up and sometimes the difficulty. But you know, I like who I am becoming. She sees things much more clearly than before and understands that people are a lot more complicated than they might seem on the surface.”

~Kristina Cosgrove

Michael gave a chuckle as she finished. “Well, I can’t really say who you were or are becoming, but…” he trailed off as he used his eyes to briefly roam her dress before snapping back. “I’m liking it too.” He was clearly flirting at this point.

Kristina eyes were alight as she lifted her glass to her lips, and gazed at him over it.

However, he reigned it back ever so slightly. “People are definitely more complicated. I can speak with experience in that regard. I’ve come to enjoy figuring out the details though.” He paused, considering his next question. “So, you up for 20 questions?” He said with a mischievous grin. He was willing to stick his rather vulnerable neck out for her, to know her. She was having quite the effect on him, and others who knew him would likely think he was sick or something. But this woman had his total interest.

-Michael Conrad

She grinned as she set the glass down. “I’m game,” she said with a chuckle.

Their server came by with a gracious smile. “Good evening. My name is Samara and I’ll be your server this evening. Can I get you any drinks to start?”
“I’ll have a glass of your white wine. Something on the drier side,” Kristina said.
“Any preference for type?”
Kristina shook her head. “No, surprise me.”
“Alright.” Samara turned to Conrad. “And for you, Sir?”

~Kristina Cosgrove

Michael looked to the server. “I’ll have what she’s having to drink,” he said, keeping his eyes on Kristina. “All the better to know what its like to walk in your shoes in a way?”

-Michael Conrad

“Careful there. Who knows what sort of trouble that might get you in to. Besides, didn’t you know it takes practice walking in heels?” The banter was great and it was nice to see that it continued past the Black Sparrow.

“Well, trouble does sometimes find me, so…” he said trailing off with a smirk on his face.

“So… twenty questions. Are we going to start with simple things, or jump right into the good stuff?” Kristina asked.

~Kristina Cosgrove

Michael laughed. “You can start however you like. We’ll take turns. I’ll even let you ask first. Although I’m very curious what you mean by ‘the good stuff’.”

-Michael Conrad

Kristina smiled. “Well, there’s the very basic vital statistics type questions. Where were you born, what did your parents do, any siblings? Things like that, that are quite important. Can’t skip the basics. But there’s no rule you have to get through those first before asking much deeper questions. Besides, you already know way more about me than I do you. I feel there’s an unfair advantage if we keep to simple stuff first.”

~Kristina Cosgrove

Michael kept his smile as thoughts streamed through his mind. She was right after all. He did indeed know far more about her than she knew about him. And it was this moment that he realized how much he kept to himself. The questions would surely get him in trouble. What was he thinking? Sure, yep! First night out together and I’ll tell you everything! Am I fool, or can I really trust her with this stuff?

He put up his hands in surrender, the grin still on his face. “Well, you’ve got me there. What sort of questions could possibly be plaguing you, Kristina?” he said with a mischievous smirk. Though his exterior was composed and flirty, inside he was nervous.

-Michael Conrad

She studied him for a moment, twirling her water goblet slowly on the table. “Plaguing? Nothing at all. Curiosity would be a better word for it, but I also am okay just learning a few basics to warm us up. So, parents? Siblings?”

~Kristina Cosgrove