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 (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snips)

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

Micheal took a swig of his drink as he considered what to say. Without giving away that fact, he spoke up as soon as he finished his swig. “Parents are passed away and I have a sister. Though I’m not sure where exactly she might be” He spoke as though his family was a far away thought. He mentally kept it that way so as to keep the pain of losing his parents at bay. And as for his sister, he still…to this day…had not yet found any trace of where she had been taken too when their family’s ship had been raided by the Orions.

-Michael Conrad

It didn’t surprise her that even seemingly simple topics would be complicated. As sheltered as her own experiences had bene growing up, the lives happening around her had bene complicated and that had led to complicated relationships. “I’m sorry about your parents. Is your sister older or younger? Unless you don’t want to talk about her? I don’t want to pry if it’s too much.”

~Kristina Cosgrove

Conrad gave a half smile. “I don’t mind talking about her with you. I told you 20 questions, and I’m a man of my word. She was…is…younger than me. I don’t remember much of her. Light hair and always loved laughing. Last time I saw her, I was ten and she was seven. You can thank the Orion Syndicate for that.” It was strange for him honestly. He never opened up like this to other people. And yet, with her, it felt so natural. Their chemistry was something he had not yet experienced with another. Sure there had been others he had gotten along with, and even spent a good night or two with. And there was even one other who knew him probably too well for his own liking. But this, with Kristina? Unlike any other before, and he was opening up bit by bit. For the briefest moment, it scared him. But he kept that thought from surfacing in to his face.

-Michael Conrad

The Orion Syndicate. Of course. Her face etched into a sad frown. “How terrible, and for you both to be so young. Do you believe, deep down, if she is alive?” she asked gently, momentarily forgetting about the menu. She instinctively moved her hand on the table but stopped mid-way, not wanting to rush or force anything between them.

~Kristina Cosgrove

He shrugged, keeping his emotions still in check…for now. “Alive? Yeah, I could see it. Free? Don’t know. I’ve had no leads so far. The trail just dead ends. People who would have known are dead, and the exceptional few remaining ones are in hiding. So, its basically been a dead end for the time being.” His hands were on the table as he had set down the menu momentarily to speak with her. He made no motion to retract from her.

He sighed. “I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone about this one a first ‘date’ as it were. I don’t even necessarily know why I’m opening up now. Something about you makes me feel like I can trust you though.” He paused as his eyes settled on hers. They said the eyes were the windows to the soul. And he took a good look into them before continuing.

She met his gaze with both curiosity and care. “Then I’m glad for that. I like that I’ve become a person worthy of trust.” When she was younger? Yeah, she hadn’t seen herself as being wise enough to handle much of anything. That had changed. His comments also told her that her instincts about them were correct- something had been there between them and it was worth exploring.

“So…what else would you like to know?” he said with the slightest grin, hoping she wouldn’t retract from the sudden intensity of his answers so far.

-Michael Conrad

She picked up her menu again and her eyes flitted back and forth between dinner options and him. “Hmmm, what else indeed. Well, here’s a potentially easy one. Or not. The mystery is the best part. So, have you been in love? And if so, what the was first time. How old were you, who with, how did it end, those things,” Kristina said as she looked at the menu. Her eyes shifted back to Michael. “Oh, and you are allowed to ask me things too. Just because you started out this date knowing more about me, doesn’t mean you know everything.”

~Kristina Cosgrove

Conrad considered her first question about love as she added on to her statement. He grinned with a quick reply. “Duly noted.”

He took a moment to look over the menu as he put his words together. Once he knew what he wanted, he set the menu down and brought his eyes to her own. “That’s quite the loaded question. Have I been in love? Yes. But it was more than just a simple feeling at the time. Sure there was infatuation, and I certainly did care for her. But I would go the extra mile to help her. I was young, early adulthood. She was an orion named Vashki. I was certainly enraptured with her at first. A man certainly didn’t easily turn down a pretty orion who chose to flirt with him. She was the daughter of the commander who had taken my family in as slaves. Her father was the one who fired on our ship, took everything we had, including our lives. But she was different. She wanted to be free of him, and she wanted to see me free too. We loved each other deeply. Or so I thought. I helped get her free and she insured that I could go with her. But her intentions were to keep me bound to her, serving her purposes. She wanted a business of her own. She wanted to keep me as employment. Everything changed when she was finally free. It was a whole new fight for freedom for me, going from one master to someone else. I managed to get out, held my ground and defied them all. Ever since, I’ve never really gotten back into any serious relationships. Most relationships were about what I could get in return. But…that could change.”

He gave her a grin before adding. “And what about yourself? Should I be worried about any crazed lovers finding us in a public place like this?” he said teasingly.

-Michael Conrad