Date Night Preparations

Posted on Sat Sep 20, 2025 @ 5:22am by Civilian Geral Lasuma & Civilian Sha'rae Astare & Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Edited on on Sat Sep 20, 2025 @ 11:33pm

2,132 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Timeline: MD21

[Lasuma's, one week earlier]

Traxx had finished the holo-model for the new suit for Lasuma and several options for the dress to go to the Commodore. He was very excited about the project and the chance to make something extravagant and get away from the run of the mill alterations he'd been stuck doing lately.

As he deactivated the hologram he heard a voice behind him.

"Well Traxx, what do you got for me?"

"Mr. Geral..."

"Traxx, please. You've worked for me long enough to drop the formalities. What have you put together for me?"

"Well. I wanted to give you a new look sooo... I wanted your opinion on these for your new suit."

Lasuma took a seat, got comfortable and nodded. "Okay...show me."

Traxx activated the holomodel of himself wearing the last suit he had had made. "This was the last suit made...still sharp but so two years ago."

Pressing the control the image shifted. "Here is..."

"Nope." Lasuma sat there shaking his head.

Looking at it, he waved his hand, "You're right. Definitely not for you."

The next option was more along his lines but he wanted to change things up a bit. "I like it; but I'm thinking of something different than what I would usually do."

Looking back at his boss, he grinned. "Out the comfort zone then...okay." He scrolled through a few of the options and selected the option.

After the image shifted he stood, walking around the hologram nodding approvingly. "I like it...old school and different at the same time. Let's do it. But loose the bow tie, same fabric but a full regular full length tie."

With that done Lasuma took his seat and Traxx got him a drink as the dresses were up next and that had more options to pick from...a lot more.

Quite some time later they had narrowed it down to six options in what Trax had categorized as classic, elegant, daring, and fun.

letting his head drop back his neck crack. "Scroll through them all again."

As Traxx scrolled through the options "She's going to look fabulous in whichever one you pick."

"I know. That's the problem... Huh."

Standing he stretched and poured himself a refill. Returning to Traxx's side. "You know...do them all. With shoes and a hand bag to match so she can have a place for her combadge."

Traxx's eye' widened. "All, aaa, all six and your suit?"

"Yes. How long do you need?"

[0800 - T'mpest's quarters]

Tonight was the big night and Traxx had everything competed and boxed per his instructions, only one thing left to do. Tapping the comm panel in his shop, "Traxx to Commodore Michaels."

T'mpest was going over the latest plans for the science colony on Pangaea, using Lasuma's suggestions, when she got the call. "Michaels here."

"Good morning Commodore. I have something for you. Would you be in your office or your quarters?"

"I am currently in my quarters. What can I do for you?"

The staff he had acquired entered the clothing shop. "Not a thing ma'am I have a delivery for you. Give us a few minutes and we can bring it right up."

It was sooner than she expected, but she was curious to see what he designed for her. "All right. I will be waiting for you."

"Excellent...I'm so nervous. Be there in a few."

When the comm channel closed, T'mpest gathered up the maps and diagrams, then put them back in a desk drawer. She might pull them out later, but there were still other priorities for today, and tonight...tonight was her date with Lasuma. A smile spread across her face at the thought. She told herself she had to think of something else or she'd be useless for the rest of the day.

Closing the channel he clapped his hands. Let's go, let's go..."

Each person grabbed a box and followed Traxx. The train of people left the clothier, through the promenade, ignoring the curious glances, and proceeded to a bank of lifts and to keep the boxed level they took of three lifts and they all met up on deck 14. Once they were all back together they once again followed until Traxx came to a stop.

Pressing the chime, he waited nervously.

They arrived faster than she expected. T'mpest took a slow breath so she didn't appear too eager to see what he'd designed for her. "Come in."

Traxx came in holding not only a vase, but a small crystal bowl and was followed by each of Lasuma's employees he appropriated to bring the dresses over. Each box classically simple was tied with an elaborate bow with two roses tuck within as well as a small decorative mesh bag with two of fine chocolates.

"All this?" T'mpest asked. For a moment she couldn't keep the surprise from showing on her face. "Thank you... but it is more than I expected." She glanced at each of the boxes. "I am...overwhelmed."

"Well, to be honest, neither I nor Mr. Geral could make a final selection so he, ahhh, said to do them all." Setting the vase and bowl down.

"As you can see there are six...three what I would call 'classic', one 'elegant', one 'DARING', and one 'fun'. The question is which do you want to see first?"

"The fun one. Can I put the roses in the vase first? They are too lovely to not treat them with care." While T'mpest wanted to see the dresses, she also wanted to preserve the roses for as long as she could. "The chocolates...might not make it through the day."


[Lasuma's]

Strolling in he and Sha'rae took his regular seat in the Café and as the staff brought their usual morning beverages he thumbed towards the main shop. "Looks a little shorthanded in there. Where is everyone?"

"Morning sir, Traxx had to borrow a few people to help him with your order."

He smiled. "Ahhh..."


[Commodore's Quarters]

Traxx chuckled, "Ohhh, I know what you mean. I looove chocolates!" Picking up the vase and bowl, "After you."

T'mpest carefully removed the roses from each package and set them in the vase, then filled it with water and set it on a side table where she could look at them.

Then she collected the chocolates and held the bowl for Traxx to take one first. "After this, we will turn our attention to the gowns you created.

He took one, careful not to get anything on his fingers as to be sure nothing would get transferred to any of the dresses. Moving to the middle of the row, he gestured to the box with the 'fun' dress.

T'mpest carefully took a chocolate, careful to keep her fingers clean. It was some of the best she'd eaten Then she took the bowl over to the side table, wiped her fingers on a tissue, and turned to Traxx.

As he lifted the top of the box, "This one will be perfect for either a nice evening out or a party night."

A slow smile spread across her face as T'mpest watched the gown emerge. "I love it."

Holding it out. "As you can see, the front is higher cut than the back and the short sleeves are off the shoulder so with the right hair-do you can show of that neck and shoulder as well as lots of leg."

T'mpest looked it over carefully. "Yes. I see why you say it's the fun dress. I will enjoy wearing that." She smiled at Traxx. "Thank you. What else have you created?"

"Well let's take a look at the classic evening gowns next." Now that one was out of the way, he had an extra pair of hands and as he opened the others he'd have even more.

Guiding her to a seat, he lifted the tops of the first 3 and one after another the full length gowns were displayed for her.

Each gown was exquisite. The problem, she now realized, was trying to decide which one she liked best. Or, rather, which one she would wear tonight. "I love those, as well." She could already imagine herself wearing them. And there were still two to go. "What are the last two?"

Pointing to the right, "That I would call elegant." He then pointed to the box on the left, "That one...'Daring'." He was getting really nervous about the last two.

"I am curious about what you consider daring. Shall we look at that next and leave the elegant gown for last?" She could see that he was nervous, but wasn't sure why. So far, each gown was beyond reproach.

He stood, swallowing hard, and took the box and placed it on the coffee table near her. He took the top off and lifted the delicate dress from the container. "I know it looks transparent, but the underlying fabric mimics your skin tone to create the illusion of transparency...even though the back is considerably open."

T'mpest raised an eyebrow as she looked it over. "That is...definitely daring." She wasn't sure she'd wear it in public. Not as the station commander. But she could definitely see herself wearing it for a private dinner with Lasuma. "The craftsmanship is lovely." She smiled her appreciation. She didn't want to disappoint the tailor. "Now, what did you save for last?"

Opening the last box he removed the final gown.

T'mpest spent a long moment just looking it over. "This is incredible. But they are all lovely dresses. Thank you." She paused. "In your opinion, which one would go best with what Lasuma will be wearing tonight?"

Looking to the others he let them go so they could get back to work and so the conversation would be more private. "Thanks everyone."

T'mpest added her thanks as well.

Once they were gone he took a seat near her crossing one leg over his knee. "You are going to look fabulous in all of them but how do you want him to react?"

"The gowns are all exquisite, and I look forward to wearing each of them. But for tonight...for our first public outing together, I want to make a statement. I want us to be seen as a couple." T'mpest smiled. "And that is why I want to know if there is one dress that will be better for that than the others. If not, I may just have to pick one at random." But not the daring dress. That she would keep for a private dinner with Lasuma.

"I can understand that. "Can't have the Commanding Officer looking like she's flashing her bit everywhere. Those 'classic' one would work for a formal night out, still turning heads...but still the boss. But since you wanna make a statement...I would recommend the black 'elegant' option. It's shapely, with the one bare arm and just a bit of transparency to tease the hip. Feminine yet badass."

"That is quite the combination." T'mpest nodded. "Thank you for your advice. I appreciate it. And I appreciate that you brought the dresses." She would definitely put the elegant dress on the top of her list.

He reached out to just briefly touch her knee. "Just call me if you need anything. There are matching shoes and bags of each as well. I will get going, I'm sure you just other things to do than gab with me."

Stealing another chocolate with a grin as he made his way to the door. "If you want, I can have someone come up to help you get ready, do your hair, whatever you want. Just let me know."

Standing in the doorway he waved. "I'm so excited...You're gonna look gorgeous."

"Thank you." She had an idea of what she wanted to do with her hair, although she appreciated the offer. "And thank you again for the gowns."

She walked with Traxx to the door, then turned to look at her dresses again. Her first priority was to hang them up. Fortunately, she didn't have many dresses and there was plenty of room.

After looking at the dresses again, she decided she agreed that the elegant gown was the best choice for that evening. She carefully packed it in its box, put her shoes in a bag, and headed for the command center to try and get some work done--try being the operative word. She was both anxious and excited about her official date. Anxious because she wanted to look her best and excited because it was the first time they were going out publicly.

A post by

Geral Lasuma
Lasuma Enterprises

Traxx
Tailor
Lasuma Enterprises

Sha'rae Astare
Assistant
Lasuma Enterprises

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

 

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