Housewarming Gift

Posted on Mon Apr 1st, 2019 @ 12:25am by Lieutenant Danica Kovitz
Edited on on Sun Apr 28th, 2019 @ 2:46pm

Mission: Season 2: Episode 3: Determination is not always a good thing
Location: Danica's Cabin
Timeline: after evacuation
1399 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure

After a chance to clean up thoroughly, Anya had put on some nice clothes, which for her meant another dress, this one royal blue silk and short enough it might have been worn as a uniform in the 2260s. With a box in hand, she approached Danica's door and rang the bell.

Dani had just finished changing out of her uniform and showering. She'd thrown on a comfortable t-shirt and jeans. The chime of her door completely caught her off guard. Still toweling her hair, she shook it into a vaguely respectable position and answered the door. As it swished open, she was pleasantly surprised to see Anya outside her door. "What a nice surprise," Dani said with a smile.

Anya came in and hugged Dani, not minding the wet hair at all. "I brought you a housewarming gift", she said. "I figured you'd enjoy some things, settling in." She didn't add the 'after you've lost everything with your last ship', but it was certainly part of the thought that went into the gift selection.

"That's very sweet of you," the blonde replied. Danica lifted the box curiously, but didn't want to be rude. "And yes, as you may have noticed, I don't have much to move into this room." She led the other woman into her quarters gesturing to her couch to plop down, as she returned the towel to her bedroom. "So should I open this now or later?"

"I would hope you're curious", Anya said as she held the box out to her. She had been as thoughtful as possible, for what little time she'd known Dani. She was just hoping they could get their relationship to the next level. Which in their case meant getting to properly know each other, as they had rushed things a bit.

"I'm nothing if not curious," Dani said with a mischievous look on her face. She took the box from Anya and lifted the lid. Inside, a beautiful red orchid sat in a small pot. She looked at it, admiring the flower. "This is lovely!" She gave a warm smile toward the woman.

"You mentioned red was your favourite, so I asked around if someone could spare a real red plant", Anya said. "Didn't want to get you a replicated fake."

"I appreciate it. Real flower makes a big difference," Dani said as she reached in and retrieved the plant, placing it on the shelf next to her window. She knew it wouldn't provide 'sunlight', but it felt right. However, she noticed the box was still heavy. As if there was more in it. She realized the second layer was actually a small, thin box. She gave Anya a suspicious look before opening it to see an array of chocolates. "Very classic," she said teasingly. "But good classic."

"I didn't want to go overboard and include something overly suggestive", Anya grinned. "Friend of mine, on her third date, got a riding crop and a wooden paddle. She was pretty freaked out after that."

Dani snorted as she tried to contain a laugh, but failed. Getting her control back, she noticed the box rattled slightly. Her eyes narrowed again. Reaching in she pulled out a small, lightweight box. Inside were some fancy, if skimpy red piece of clothing that she definitely wouldn't be showing many people. "A bit more scandalous with this one, huh?" She winked.

"Something I'd love to see you enjoy", Anya grinned. "You'll look great in it, I promise." She'd made sure, after all. She put her arm around Dani and pulled her close. "Want to tell me what interesting things you found down in the caves? There's got to be a story, right?"

Danica plopped down on her couch. "Oh, it was the strangest thing. They seemed to be doing some deep core mining. Real dangerous stuff. Think Praxis level of recklessness."

"Ouch", Anya said. "What was down there to be worth that risk?" She figured it was always easier and safer to get pretty much anything from asteroids. There were very few things so valuable they'd have to bother mining a habitable world for it. Those environments were always worth protecting, especially a place as fertile as this world.

"In my own personal opinion, nothing justifies that risk. They had some dense mineral deposits, but nothing valuable enough to justify plasma injection mining. The weirdest thing though, is that there appeared to be old Cardassian tech. Like...old. The mining was old too. I wonder if many of the recent inhabitants were truly aware of how deep their mines ran. If they did, they may have been hesitant to have such a large city on top of it."

Anya nodded slowly. "I know there was some corruption in the government, though I didn't get to look into it in detail. It's above my pay grade, as they used to say. But I know one thing for sure, many of the people I met down there had no idea. Those Home Guard, most of them were just trying to help each other survive. Did what messed with our sensors prevent them from finding the mines before they built the town?"

"I'm going to be honest, we're not positive. But we think the issue was related to the mining. If we're right, they probably couldn't detect the depths of the mines. Though honestly, that'd spill over into general issues with sensors as a whole," Danica shrugged. "I guess we'll find out over time."

Anya frowned. "If you're prefacing your statement by declaring you're going to be honest, does that mean you're not usually honest with me?" She tried hard to hide her smirk, wondering whether she could bait Dani.

Danica squinted at her. "I suppose you'll never know," she said teasingly.

"Good thing security officers are the naturally suspicious sort", Anya concluded, poking Dani in the side.

"Speaking of which, what have you all been up to since you got back from the planet? I imagine it gets quiet when people aren't shooting at you," Danica said with a chuckle.

"I've had barely enough time for a shower, a change of clothes and getting you a gift", Anya admitted. "Though, I've been granted 18 hours for rest and recreation before I have to go back on." She smiled at Dani. "Have you possibly got any idea how that time might be spent?"

"I have...a few thoughts. Depends how badly you need that rest." Dani winked.

"I should definitely be getting solid eight hours before going back on duty", Anya grinned. "But if you can find a way to prevent me from nodding off too soon, I'm certainly game."

"No, you need your rest, especially after everything you went through" Dani smiled. "I'll catch up with you tomorrow, once you've had a chance to catch your breath."

Anya made a face. "You're sending me home?"

"Just so you could get some sleep," Danica said, giving a teasing nudge. "You're also more than welcome to stick around as long as you don't mind me making some noise as I decorate this place. I'm going to be calling home to my parent's tomorrow, and I want them to think I actually live somewhere again."

Anya nodded. "I suppose that makes sense. Wouldn't do at all to have a passed out, naked NCO in the room with you while you're calling home."

"I think my mom might have some questions that I'm not quite prepared to answer just yet...or ever. There are some conversations mom and I don't need to have," the blonde laughed. She had little doubt Anya would intentionally call attention to herself somehow.

"I'm sure your mother's done similar things", Anya teased. "Or still does. But you're right, I don't discuss those issues with my parents either."

Dani shook her head in an overly theatrical fashion. "I know that there is substantial evidence to the contrary, including my own existence. But I will forever refuse to think of my parents as anything other than sexless celibate beings. So I will have none of that talk." She pointed her finger menacingly at Anya, though she couldn't hold a straight face.

Anya laughed. "Okay, okay. I'll go. You know where to find me. Oh, and I've got a fantastic holodeck programme for the two of us to put our costumes to use."

"I look forward to it," Dani smiled.