Gerard and Miran

Posted on Mon Dec 4th, 2023 @ 8:17am by Cadet Junior Grade Gérard Dirsye [Reece] & Miran Lalor [Lalor] HRH

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: USS Elysium, various locations
Timeline: MD5 in Prior Mission
2947 words - 5.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Miran looked around the small berth she and Tristi were sharing down in the cadet area. It was small but nice, she admitted. Phoenix had always told her that when she turned 18, if she was still ship side, she would have her own quarters. This was a good stepping stone. Grabbing her jacket, she exited the cabin and looked around. She was bored, and wanted something to do.

So she started to walk.

As she walked, she passed by a group of cadets that were finishing up a repair job. The person leading the team was Gérard himself. "Alright everyone, great work today. Go get some rest, you earned it." As he turned, his eyes caught sight of a familiar face and he smiled. "Mir! How are you settling in?"

Miran smiled back. "I am settling in well. Smaller than my old room, but nice to be a bit more independent." She leaned against the wall. "I see you have been busy."

Pulling a rag from his back pocket, Gérard started to wipe the grime off of his hands and face. Once done, he nodded and put the rag back in his back pocket. "Yeah, as there are currently no classes being given, all of the cadets are assisting in repairs. My team was just working on reinforcing the patched hull breaches for the port side of decks four and five."

"Well, Phoenix said that the repairs are almost done. So you must be doing a great job."

Gérard gave Miran a lop-sided grin as he chuckled softly. "It's a team effort. Though, I will admit that I have been very motivated to do the best I can on my own little part."

"Everyone is," she agreed. "No one wants to be stuck in another galaxy." Miran had been through it before. She hated the Deja Vu.

"True," Gérard nodded in agreement. They started to walk together towards the nearest turbolift. "Though, it would be different if we weren't hurting like we currently are. Imagine all of the new discoveries we are making every day that we are here?" His eyes sparkled a little in wonder.

Miran had heard a lot of people speak that way once they got over the trauma. She had seen it in Andromeda but had been a lot younger then. "So, you have finished your shift right?" she asked curiously.

Giving Miran a grin and a nod, Gérard replied. "I am. Did you have something in particular that you wanted to do?" Truthfully, he didn't care what it was, so long as they were together. While their age difference was small, she was still considered a minor, he felt drawn to spend as much time with her as he could.

"I was going to go to the arboretum. Apparently there are some samples there from the Ice block that Science brought back. I was going to see if they were worthy of sketching."

"Sounds fun," he replied with a smile. "Perhaps, we could get a bite to eat afterwards? I heard about this Irish pub, that's apparently been on the promenade since the ship first launched on her maiden voyage."

"Sure, sounds like an idea," She replied with a smile. Family dinner could happen another night.

Gérard grinned. "Good! Tell you what, why don't you head up, while I go get cleaned up and changed, and I'll meet you there, in say, thirty minutes?"

"Thirty minutes is a good timeline," Miran agreed. She took a chance and stretched up and brushed her lips across his cheek. "See you then."

Putting his right hand on the small of her back, Gérard gently pulled Miran closer and returned the tender gesture, his own cheeks blushing slightly from her kiss. "Until then, my lady," he whispered into her ear, before releasing his hold on her and letting her move away. He watched her until she was in the turbolift and the doors slid shut, before hurrying off to his shared quarters and got ready.

Miran rode the turbolift to the required deck in silence as she contemplated the events. She was enjoying exploring this new relationship.

A few moments before the thirty minute deadline, Gérard entered the arboretum and made his way over to where Miran was standing. "See anything interesting yet?" He whispered to her as he moved behind her, from her left, to stand on her right side.

Miran flashed him a smile and shook her head "No, nothing I have not already sketched. I am going to use my replicator credits to get some more art supplies. I miss painting." she admitted.

"I could loan you some of mine, if you're interested. My quarters weren't damaged like yours were, so I still have my supplies." He grinned slightly as he continued. "Of course, your room was probably larger than the small space I have, so I might not have everything you need." He shrugged slightly as he spoke.

She smiled at that. "Thank you for the offer but it's ok. I have a few things in storage, the main loss was a few paintings I had done of my homeworld." She leaned into him. "I am sure there will be things to sketch and paint in this new galaxy."

Lifting his left arm, he wrapped it around her back, his hand lightly resting on her left hip. "I'm sure there will be. Like I said before, after everything we see while we are here, I have no doubt that every art studies school in the Federation, will be clambering for you to attend."

Miran shrugged. "Maybe. After this, I am not sure I want to leave the Elysium and let's be honest, who knows if we will get home."

Nodding slightly, Gérard replied. "If you do choose to stay, you could take courses here, even teach some, if that interests you." He got quiet at the second part of her statement before responding. "The odds are definitely against us on getting back. However, we can't lose hope."

She gave a slight shrug. "Phoenix told me when I turn 18, if I am still on board, I can get my own cabin."

Gérard grinned slightly as Miran spoke. "Would you want to have your own, separate, quarters?"

"Sure, no people around, having my own space sounds like a great thing." she smiled. "Privacy."

Nodding slowly, Gérard replied softly to her. "Privacy is a very good thing." As his eyes locked with hers, he sent her a feeling of warmth and happiness over the mental link they had started to create.

They would need to discuss things, Miran knew but she was not sure that conversation was that urgent. She smiled at him and then took his hand. "Shall we walk?"

His smile growing warmer when he felt Miran slup her hand into his, Gérard nodded. "I'd like to. Do you want to go straight to the restaurant, or enjoy a walk around first?"

"A walk first will be good. Unwind then eat." Miran said. Plus it would give her more time out of the cabin.

Gérard nodded slightly, then the pair started to walk through the large arboretum. Sometimes, they would be hand-in-hand, other times, they would be a bit closer. The few times that there was no one around, they even stole a few kisses from each other.

After their walk, they made their way to the restaurant that was newly reopened.

As they entered, they were directed to take any table they wanted. There were a few small tables in the middle of the pub, plus more secluded booths along the bulkheads. Gérard looked to Miran and said, "Lady's choice."

"A booth?" Miran suggested and pointed to one towards the back.

Gérard nodded once, then led her to the chosen booth. Once there, he allowed her the choice of which side she wanted to sit on. He then slid into the booth on the opposite side of the table from her.

Miran picked up the menu, it was old fashioned, using paper. "Well the menus survived." She commented.

Grinning slightly, Gérard nodded. "And the food selection sounds interesting. Do you know what you'd like to start with?"

"Hmm. I think the stuffed mushrooms. "

Gérard nodded as he replied. "Those sound good. Perhaps we should also get the loaded potato skins?"

"Sounds good." Miran smiled. "Shared plates?"

Gérard nodded and grinned. "Good idea! That way, we can both try a few more items. Personally, after looking at the menu, I'm curious to try the shepard's pie."

"Ah I have heard of it. My sister said it was nice. But she also said that Irish Stew is just as good."

Gérard looked at the menu, finding the stew option. "Hmm," he mused. "Why don't we try the stew this time and the pie next time?"

"That works," Miran said with a smile. She was pleased with the thought of another 'date' with Gérard. "I am sure though my Sister and Brother in law will want you to come for dinner one night."

Gérard sat up a bit straighter, then relaxed again as he reached across the table to gently hold Miran's hands in his own. "If it's what you want, then I would be honored to dine with your family."

"You may regret that." Miran teased lightly.

Gérard grinned softly, his cheeks redding a bit at her words.

The waiter came up and took their orders and left them alone again.

"Phoenix and Mattias have asked about you. When they are not dealing with Tristi and the twins."

"I'm sure they have," he replied as he took a sip of his drink. "It's important that I make a good impression with them both. Besides their ranks and positions over me, I do respect them greatly for the people they are and the experience they possess." He paused, taking another sip of his drink, before asking, "How are your nieces and nephew doing?"

"The twins are fine, they are too young to really know about things. Tristi, on the other hand, seems to be as okay as can be expected." Miran said softly.

"And you?" He asked softly, concern for the young woman in front of him clear and evident. "How are you faring with things?"

"Am going ok. Things will get better for us. Maybe we will find a way home sooner than later." She was trying to be optimistic.

"Anything is possible, Mir." Gérard gently squeezed her hand. He was about to say something, but stopped when the waiter returned with their drinks and appetizers.

After the waiter left, Gérard lifted his glass, a human drink called a piña colada. Since attending the Academy, he had become a fan of much of the Human cuisine. He was always trying something new. "To the adventure ahead of us, wherever it takes us."

She raised her own beverage, a virgin strawberry daiquiri to his and agreed. "And however long it takes us."

They tinked glasses, then took a drink, their eyes lokked on one another. Afterwards, once Gérard saw that no one was watching, he picked up a piece of the appetizer and held it up to Miran, offering to feed her from his hand. "Before you become uncomfortable, it is Betazoid culture for the man to serve the woman, especially when they are courting. It dates back to when we were savages and the males would bring back their kills. They would offer the best piece of the animal to the woman that he wished to..." he blushed slightly as he continued, "...to mate with. The woman had the choice, she could accept, granting the male another chance to win her favor, or reject him, and he would be cast out from the clan." He smiled softly.

"Of course, as we became more civilized, it turned more into a tradition, where the male offers first taste of the food, to show the woman he is with that he wishes to court her further."

"Court?" she asked with a smile. "Is that the term you would use? In my culture that has a very important connotation."

Gérard smiled softly as he continued to hold the food for Miran, waiting for her to accept it. "Don't get me wrong. It is still a very important step in how relationships are done with my people as well."

She considered it. "Okay, well if you are courting me you best speak with my guardian then." She accepted the food with a smile.

The smile on Gérard's face grew larger, reaching up to his eyes as he nodded. "Then that is what I shall do. Don't misunderstand me, Miran, I intend to do this correctly. I respect you and your family too much to cut any corners." He paused slightly before adding, "I hope that is alright with you?"

She nodded. "It is alright with me" She assured him honestly.

This brought forth another warm smile from the young Betazoid. "Good! Now, as for speaking with your guardian, should I make an appointment during duty hours to see her, or would after hours be more appropriate in her opinion?"

"Hmmm" she smiled. "Office hours."

Gérard nodded and grinned softly as he took a bite of the appetizer. "So," he paused to wipe his mouth. "Are there more traditions that I should be aware of, as we move forward in our courtship?"

Miran tilted her head. "Not really. My Sister and I do not prescribe to our culture's ways in many things."

"Then we shall simply move forward as we see correct, my dear." The biggest issue before them, was her age. As she was still technically considered a minor, they couldn't do more, physically, than kissing and holding hands.

Miran smiled and nodded. They ate their meal while conversing softly for the rest of their time. Once done, they paid and left the restaurant together.

Walking hand in hand along the promenade, Gérard asked Miran a question. "When the time comes, how do you see you life when starting your own family?"

"I have not really thought about it. I was hoping to go to school in Paris, I was going to rent an apartment in the artistic sector, live there, away from Starfleet." She shrugged. "Nothing more than that."

He grinned softly as he pressed on. "You mean to tell me, you've never thought about getting married, having children of your own?"

She shook her head. "No. Any child I would have would have a price on their head, regardless, and be seen as a bastard to those of my race, even if born within the confines of marriage - My brother and Father would make sure of it."

A soft growl of protection rumbled in Gérard's chest. "I doubt very highly that they could reach you or any children you may have. Afterall, no harm has befallen your sister or her children." He gently squeezed her hand. "If I were honored enough to be by your side at that point in your life, I can promise you that no danger would befall any of you."

"My sister has precautions in place when we are in Federation space. And I think she has allies back on Erisia that makes it so she knows when things are about to happen. She told me that when I turn eighteen, in July, she will let me in on the arrangements. "

Raising her hands up to his lips, Gérard looked deep into Miran's hypnotically beautiful face. "I would do anything to keep you safe, Miran." His voice was soft, yet full of promise. He then gently kissed her knuckles, his eyes never leaving hers. As he did so, he sent over a quick image of him, dressed as a knight of old, defending her against all who would attempt harm to her.

She laughed softly. "Impressive, but I like you just as you are."

He gave her a lop-sided grin as he straightened back up. Lowering her hands down, he interlocked he fingers of his left hand with her right. They continued to walk, talking about their lives and dreams. Finally, at the end of the evening, when they had returned to her quarters, Gérard smiled again. "I had a wonderful night, Mir. I hope you did as well?"

"I did." She was honest about it. "We should do it again."

Smiling again, Gérard dipped his head respectfully. "I'll put in the request to speak with your sister tomorrow, when I get back to my cabin."

Miran opened her door and saw a pair of boots laying there. Tristi was back. "Good Luck with her." She said with a smile to Gérard.

"I'll just be my honest, charming self," he replied with a self-assured grin. He then leaned in and gently kissed her on her lips. After, his smile softened. "I'll let you know what happens as soon as the meeting is concluded." He then leaned in and kissed her again. While it wasn't a highly passionate kiss, it held the promise and desire for more, when the time was right. "Good night...Imzadi. Sweet dreams."

Miran smiled and replied "Sweet Dreams" before she slipped into the cabin.

After her doors slid shut, Gérard let out a happy sigh. The night had been wonderfully perfect! Now, of course, came the truly stressful part...speaking to the Commodore and asking for her permission to begin courting Miran. Everything would depend upon the outcome of that conversation.

~OFF~

 

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