Dinner Date

Posted on Fri Oct 21st, 2022 @ 7:32am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Emily Charles {Kelea-Salik} & Harper o’Leary

Mission: Season 5: Time Warp
Location: USS Elysium the New York
Timeline: 28/07/2397 - 19h00
2541 words - 5.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Harper, dressed in a forest green wrap dress which swished around her knees and slender matching high heels stopped outside Emily's' cabin on deck 13. She wore her favorite perfume and wore her long red hair down and pinned back from her face by a emerald hair clip. She hit the chime and waited.

Emily had practically turned her wardrobe upside down looking for the perfect thing to wear for her date with Harper. Choice finally made she answered the door in a three quarter length, figure hugging red dress with plunge neckline completing the look with red stilettos. Her hair tied up all bar one long curl that draped down one side of her face. She smiled as she greeted Harper at the door. “Hi Harper, you look wonderful.”

Harper stared at Emily. "Hello" she managed to get out. "You know, you are making it very hard to be good around you." Harper reached out and took Emily's hand as she leaned in and brushed her lips across Emily's. "Very hard to behave indeed. You look spectacular Emily."

Emily returned Harper’s gentle kiss then smiled, “I wanted to look pretty for our evening out.”

"You suceeded very well" Harper stepped back and held out her hand. "Shall we?" She asked with a smile.

Taking hold of Harper’s hand Emily stepped out feeling a little nervous, she hadn’t been out in public looking like this before. “I’m not afraid to admit I’m a bit nervous, but as long as I’m with you I’ll be fine.”

Harper gave Emily's hand a squeeze. "You will find that everyone is nervous when going out." Together they went to the transporter room and beamed down to New York.

As they left the transporter terminal Harper linked arms with Emily. Around them, people swarmed and chatted. Smiling, Harper looked around. "So full of life down here" she said to Emily as they walked towards the restaurant.

Emily nodded, “Yeah it is isn’t it?” She held tightly onto Harper not wanting to get separated in the crowd.

The walk took about 5 minutes and then they were stepping into the entrance of an elegant italian restaurant. A lift took them up to the restaurant proper several floors up. Harper gave her name to the maitre'd and they were shown to a table by the wide windows looking out over Times Square. It was a private table. The waiter seated them, and left them with the wine menu.

“Wow! This is amazing!” Emily looked out at the view, then back at Harper. “Thank you so much for this Harper! So...what wine do you recommend?”

Harper blushed. "I would recommend the shiraz. Its a nice vintage. I learned a lot a few years ago and this place has the best risotto outside of Italy."

“Then Shiraz it will be.” Emily put down the menu. “I’ll try that risotto too, to be honest it’ll be the first time I’ve ever had risotto!”

Harper smiled and when the waiter came back they gave their drinks order and their food orders. The man nodded and left them alone. "This was my favorite place when I lived around here."

“I take it you’ve been a lot of places? What about now?” Emily looked at Harper curiously. “Will you be staying aboard the Elysium, or is it a short term plan?” Emily gave Harper a curious look, she really wanted to hear that Harper would be staying long term.

"Mainly around Earth. Elysium is my first time off world really. My.. mother raised me in a traveling carnival." Harper said. "I like being on the Elysium. I think it will be long term."

Emily nodded. “I hope so.” She smiled warmly then politely started eating her food. She had to admit the food was absolutely delicious!

They passed their meal chatting easily and looking out at the view together. Once they had finished and Harper had settled the bill, she insisted as it was her treat, Harper looked at Emily "Would you like to walk down to the park?"

Emily nodded, she was enjoying this evening with Harper, so much so she didn’t want it to end. “I’d like that, I’m not ready for tonight to end yet.”

Harper slid her arm through Emily's as they walked from the restaurant and onto 7th Avenue, heading north. "Its a few blocks but its still doable or we can transport there" Harper suggested.

“You choose” Emily smiled. “I’m not averse to walking if you want, though transporting would get us there quicker.” She shrugged her shoulders.

Harper looked around and led the way to the nearest transporter padd and soon they were walking through the south entrance of Central Park. "Our Carnival came here one year. I was....14. It was a great time."

“What was it like? Being part of a carnival?” Emily looked at Harper curiously as she held onto her arm. “What made you leave?”

"In some ways it was fun, in others, painful. Moving from place to place, never knowing a proper home. The Carnival is very low tech. Old Fashioned horse drawn wagons. Like the gypsies of old." Harper said. "I... was a palm reader, fortune teller"

“Really!?” Emily gave Harper a curious look. “Can you truly read palms? Could you read mine if you wanted to?”

Harper lifted Emily's hand to her lips and kissed her palm. "Now why would you want to know the future?" she asked softly. "And a lot of times, its a trick. The cards are much more easier to translate"

“I guess you’re right there, I’m happy not knowing what the future might hold for me.” Emily smiled warmly as she looked at Harper. “Right now I’m happy starting a new future here with you.”

Grinning Harper replied. "I like that idea a lot Emily." Sliding her arm around Emily's waist she brushed her lips across Emily's.

The kiss made Emily forget all about the fact that they were kissing in public, she returned the kiss just as gently. As their lips parted she smiled. “We’d better go for that walk, before I suggest we go home instead.”

"hmm both ideas have merit. But yes the walk. The ice rink is up ahead." Harper smiled.

“Are you expecting me to skate!?” Emily looked at Harper wide eyed. “I’ve never skated in my life! I doubt I’d be any good at it.”

"We don't have to skate. Just watch" Harper said with a smile.

“Thank goodness for that!” Emily grinned. “But, I don’t want to spoil your fun!”

"I am having fun." Harper said softly. "Being here with you is fun Emily. I spent all day looking forward to this."

Emily grinned. “Me too! This is so much fun, being here with you it’s...special.” She smiled warmly as she took hold of Harper’s hand.

Harper smiled as they continued their walk. New York was pretty in the summer time. She knew a little about Emily's past so she figured Emily had not had a lot of nice times. "Maybe next time we can go where you choose?"

“Sure” Emily nodded. “I’m not exactly sure where I’d suggest to go, but I’m sure I could think of something. Actually I’ve always wanted to go to Niagara Falls.”

Harper smiled. "Now that sounds wonderful." She agreed. "And better in real life I bet than the holodeck."

Emily nodded. “We could make it a full evening? Take the transporter to Niagara, see the falls, maybe stay the night as well? We could get a room with two single beds” she grinned.

Harper grinned back at her. "Sounds like a great evening." She replied. "When you are available let me know i will close up the store for the next day."

“What about tomorrow?” Emily grinned. “We’re on Shoreleave, I have the time if you do?”

"I have the time." Harper smiled. "If I didn’t have to do stocktake tomorrow I would suggest going now." As they reached the rink she paused and spotted a bench for them to sit on. She led Emily over to it.

“To be honest I was hoping!” Emily grinned as she took a seat on the bench. “This has been such a lovely evening Harper, I don’t want it to ever end!”

"Well I agree its been a lovely evening. " Harper sat beside her. "Maybe it can end on a high note." And she kissed Emily gently

Emily returned the kiss as she gently held Harper close. Her head was swimming, she just wanted to lose herself in this time with Harper.

It was getting harder for Harper to keep her head and keep things at the current pace with Emily, because she found herself wanting to be with her. Gently she broke the kiss and caressed Emily's face with her hand. "You are beautiful Emily" she said softly. "I am glad you agreed to come out tonight."

“Thank you Harper” Emily smiled as she gently returned the gentle caress of the face. She wasn’t used to being romantic with anyone, but Harper made her feel special. “You make me feel special Harper.”

"You are special Emily, to me. Its why I want us to do this properly, get to know each other, spend time together, before we move to the next step." Harper said softly. "If and when we do, I want it to be special to the both of us."

Emily nodded. “I know, I’m sorry if I sound like I’m trying to rush things I’m not. I’m just... not used to feeling like this! I haven’t had a boyfriend since... Well since a long time ago, I’ve never trusted any man since. As for a girlfriend, this is all new.”

Harper smiled at her. "It maybe new to you but you sure know how to make it hard to be on ones best behaviour, sitting around naked in a hot tub" Harper leaned in and kissed Emilys cheek. "When we get back to the ship, i would like to kiss you some more if thats ok?"

“Are you kidding!?” Emily practically nodded like a old noddy dog toy. “Don’t be surprised if I get carried away, it’s a learning curve I’m enjoying very much.”

Harper smiled. "I just hope your brother does not think I am taking advantage of you Emily."

Emily shook her head. “I don’t think he will, George is very protective of me but I think he’ll trust my judgement. I’ve no doubt he’ll want to meet you though.”

"Of course, any time." Harper said softly. "I have no issue with meeting your family." as they spoke, Harper's fingers were toying with Emily's hair.

Emily nodded. “No rush, I’m just enjoying getting to know you like this. I’ve never met anyone like you Harper, you make me feel so at ease. I feel like... no matter what you’d be there.”

Harper smiled at her. "Of course, no matter what."

Emily smiled. “I can’t put into words how much this all means, I wish this evening didn’t have to end!”

Harper grinned. "Well thats for tomorrow night remember?"

Emily nodded. “You bet I do! Roll on then!! I’ll be in a daydream all day just thinking about it.”

Smiling Harper slid her arm around Emilys shoulders as they sat there and watched the skaters. "Its nice here." She said softly.

“Yes it is, so relaxing.” Emily watched the skaters as they travelled across the ice. “I never ventured out on my own to go see places, at least not very often. This is making up for a lot of lost years.”

Harper nodded. "So do you want to try skating?" She asked teasingly.

“Seriously? I’ve never skated in my life I won’t be able to stand up!” She grinned a wry grin. “Unless you’re planning on kissing my bruises better?”

Harper gave her a impish grin. "Hmmm tempting indeed." She mused. "Emily, if I was to kiss your bruises, I might not stop at them." She lifted Emilys chin slightly with two fingers "As it is, I struggle to stop kissing your lips." And she punctuated that with a kiss that had her tongue flicking across Emilys lips teasing. "I should get you home before I break my word."

Emily smiled. “To be honest I don’t care if you do.” She toyed with Harper’s hair. “I’ve never felt like this for anyone, I just want to enjoy every moment I have with you. Call it wreckless, but it’s how I feel.”

Harper nodded and then stood and pulled Emily to her feet. "Lets go back to the ship, I think I can give you some happy thoughts to help you sleep."

Emily nodded in agreement. “That sounds good to me Harper.”

Together arm in arm they walked to the nearest beam out point and soon they were walking down the corridor to Emilys quarters. Pausing outside the door, Harper took Emily's hand and lifted it to her lips and pressed a kiss to her fingertips. "You are beautiful Emily" she said softly, honestly it was clear. "Before i head back to my cold lonely bed, may I kiss you goodnight?" Harper was asking to make sure Emily was okay with things.

“Of course you may” Emily nodded as she gave serious thought to asking Harper inside. She didn’t want to rush things between them, but it was a struggle not to want to invite Harper in.

Smiling as if she knew the struggle inside of Emily, Harper brushed her lips across Emilys and rested her hands on Emily's hips, gently drawing her close as she kissed Emily good night. When they were pressed against each other, Harper slowly kissed Emilys cheek and jaw and then her neck, all the while holding her close. Then she stopped lifted her head and said "This dress you are wearing Beautiful is not helping keep me at arms length so I am going to kiss down your chest before I leave you for the night. Right here, out in the corridor..." and so saying she lowered her lips to Emily's collarbone and then slowly, gently trailed kisses down the plunging neckline of Emily's tight red dress.

Emily was completely lost, she didn’t care that they were standing in the corridor she just wanted to enjoy Harper’s kisses. “Ohh boy....if you keep doing that I’m dragging you inside!” Emily smiled as she ran her fingers through Harper’s hair.

With a smile, Harper lifted her head and brushed a light kiss across Emily's lips. "That should hold us both until next time" she whimpered. "Niagara?"

Emily nodded. “Tomorrow...I can’t wait!” She smiled as she slowly backed towards her door. “If I don’t go now, I never will.”

Harper grinned and winked at her. Then she blew her another kiss and headed down the corridor towards the turbolift.

{OFF}