Date Night - Part II
Posted on Thu Sep 25, 2025 @ 6:30am by Civilian Geral Lasuma & Civilian Dorian Torel & Commodore T'mpest Michaels
1,940 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Time After Time
Location: Anatole's, Box of Delights - Holosuite 4
Timeline: MD21 - evening
[PREVIOUSLY]
Anatole backed away, "I have the perfect tablet set for you and my Chef has been preparing all day to ensure your night is le meilleur!" There was a string quartet playing as they crossed dance floor to their table. Most everyone in the restaurant looked towards them. as they were seated at a quaint table for two. Anatole pulled out the chair for T'mpest and as she sat he removed the card that read réservé.
[CONTINUED]
T'mpest smiled her thanks as she sat and let Anatole help her adjust her chair.
At a gesture another man approached and was introduced. "This is André, he will be your waiter tonight. If there is anything I can do?"
Lasuma nodded. "I'm sure everything will be perfect. Thank you."
With that, Anatole left and André took over. "Is there anything I can get you to start with? Olive Tapenade, Brie with Pesto, or perhaps some Smoked Salmon Canapes?
She looked at Lasuma. "What do you prefer?"
He grinned as he looked from T'mpest to André. "How about a little of each?"
"Not a problem at all. And to drink?"
Lasuma gestured to T'mpest, "Ladies choice."
T'mpest chuckled. She made him choose the appetizer. It was only fair she pick the drink. "I think we will go with a rosé." It seemed like a good choice.
André nodded smiling, "Right away."
Lasuma's head turned from side to side to see more than one person's head turn away. He also saw two familiar faces there to make sure nothing happened. He grinned as a string quartet took their place and began to play. "Looks like we got here just in time."
"Somehow, I feel that any time we got here was just in time." She smiled and squeezed his hand to indicate that she appreciated what he'd set up, then pulled it back. "The timing is perfect."
Returning the squeeze with one of his own he smiled. But looking away there was a nod from the quartet and he rose, moving to her side he offered her his hand.
Without hesitation, she put her hand in his and stood, letting him lead her to the dance floor. She'd danced at social and diplomatic functions. This was different because it was Lasuma.
As they stepped out on the floor he took them to the center of the floor. Extending his left arm, he put his other behind her.
She stepped closer so she could put her left hand on his shoulder and put her right hand in his in a formal ballroom position as the music began to play The Sleeping Beauty Waltz.
They swayed with the opening notes then stepped off with the music. As the faced each other circling, "You said you wanted to make an impression."
"True." She smiled as they spun around the floor. "But I am learning that you always make an impression." He made a definite impression on her.
"It's a gift," he said coyly.
The quartet played and the pair spun, swayed and danced their way across the floor with an occasional dip and twirl mixed in. As the song drew to a close they danced apart joined only at the fingertips and as she slowly turned back to him they came together with her back to him, his arm holding hers as they wrapped around her.
T'mpest leaned back against him and held the position for several seconds, then sighed and turned to face Lasuma and smiled. She had no words to express how much she enjoyed dancing with him.
He breathed in the scent of her hair before she turned and as he looked into her eyes slowing leaning in; but a round of applause rose from the other patrons. He dropped his forehead to hers smiling. "That should give them something to talk about."
T'mpest took a long, slow breath to center herself again. Dancing with him was intoxicating. "That is what you get for being so devastatingly handsome," she teased. Then she stepped back and curtsied. "Thank you."
"I have a feeling it has more to do with the devastating & mysterious new station commander in that breathtaking dress."; bowing with her curtsy. They returned to their table where their ordered appetizers awaited and after helping her to her seat he glanced out to see several familiar faces, one in particular. Seems Shar was making sure this didn't end like his last date. Taking his seat, he picked up his water before trying one of the salmon canapes.
She saw his eyes pause on someone in the crowd and casually looked around out of curiosity. But with the growing number of people here, she wasn't sure who he looked at, although it was probably one of his people. Then she picked up a canapé. "I agree with the need to make a public appearance, but I admit, I prefer somewhere quiet with just the two of us." She smiled, knowing it wasn't always possible. "Perhaps next time--as long as there can be more dancing."
Lifting his wine glass. "Done and Done. Just say when." After tasking a sip of his wine, "I can't believe I almost forgot...". He turned and gestured to Andre who came over quickly.
"Yes?"
"I'm terribly sorry, but something has come up." Rising as he placed his napkin on the table. Reaching into his coat he pulled out a bar of gold press latinum. "This is for you and have Mr. Anatole come see me tomorrow and I will settle everything. Again, my apologies."
Looking to T'mpest, he took her hand, wrapping it around his arm.
She had no idea what could have come up to change their plans. As far as she knew, he received no message or signal from anyone in the restaurant. She smiled politely to Andre and stood, ready to follow Lasuma wherever he led and ask questions later.
Leading them out of the restaurant amid puzzled looks, Dorian intercepted them as they stepped back out onto the promenade. Lasuma whispered instructions to him and he immediately pulled a padd and set to work as the pair walk deeper into the promenade, another following them not far behind.
T'mpest looked up at him and raised an eyebrow in query, but said nothing. There were too many curious eyes on them and she wasn't going to add to the gossip. Besides, she trusted him and would wait to get wherever they were going for him to explain. But she was definitely curious.
As they walked, he leaned closer, "Sorry about all that, but your comment reminded me of our original plan for this evening."
"Ah, yes." She put her other hand on his arm. "I did wonder."
It wasn't long and they were nearing the Box of Delights had Sha'rae met them at the entrance. "My my...Traxx certainly out did himself. You both look stunning."
"Thank you. He did an excellent job." T'mpest glanced at the man beside her. Lasuma did look stunning.
She handed them each an elaborate mask matching their clothing. "Everything is set and you'll both be needing these."
T'mpest nodded her thanks, put on the mask, and waited for Lasuma.
After a short trek through the club, they were on the upper level nearing the holo-suites. Their additional stroll and then the obvious use of the suites was going to set the gossip mongers into overdrive but he could care less. Opening the suite, they stepped onto the ancient cobblestoned streets of Venice during Carnival. In many cases they stood out, not being in costume, but they would blend well enough in their formal wear and masks.
As was tradition, there would be performances, parties, balls throughout the city. It wasn't quite dusk yet so there was plenty of light to take in all the regalia.
T'mpest turned a full circle, taking everything in. There was so much to see and explore that she had no idea where to even begin. "I know little about this place, so I will put myself in your capable hands."
"Well, to be honest I only know what was on the outline for the program directory when I first started looking at various ideas. So...", taking her hand, "...let's check things out shall we?"
"Yes. I like a little adventure." She smiled at him through the mask. "What strikes your fancy?"
"Hmmm..."
Before Lasuma could reply an elaborately costumed couple stopped. With a heavy Italian accent, "Scusi. First time to carnevale?"
"It is." T'mpest had no doubt they looked a little lost.
Leaning towards Lasuma, with a wink from behind his mask. "Trust me...start with the pageantry of the street shows, then a sunset gondola ride through Venice to the opera house for the evening gala and Don Giovanni."
Grinning, "That sounds perfect. Grazie."
It did sound perfect. "Grazie." T'mpest loved that here, they were just a couple enjoying carnevale together.
They made their way through the plaza. They paused to watch acrobats and performers, in one area they watched Masquerade from Phantom of the Opera performed and applauded when the Phantom vanished at the end of the scene.
They purchased meat pies and stopped to watch an old-fashioned puppet show with the puppeteers inside a small rectangular stall where the audience could see a 15-minute show every half hour. T'mpest had read of such shows, but this was the first time she'd watched one.
There were stalls and vendors with various crafts, food, and other delicacies with everyone dressed in elaborate costumes and masks.
T'mpest stopped at one stall and purchased an elaborate fan of feathers that matched her mask so she could play with it, flicking it open and closed, or fluttering it as part of her "costume." She wondered if it would stay with her when they left the holosuite. If not, she would get the replicator to make one for her.
He chuckled as she played with the fan, "It suits you."
Lasuma was still torn between two elaborate canes, both with ornate head pieces. Both were chess pieces. One was a knight's piece; the other a king. "Which one?"
She considered both carefully. "The knight. It's more useful, versatile, and harder to track." She grinned and kissed him on the cheek. She almost--but didn't--add like him. "And I think it looks better."
"The knight it is," Handing the other cane back to the vendor. They were approached by a woman without a costume with some kind of imaging device he was unfamiliar with. Regardless, he looked to T'mpest, smiling, "Shall we?"
"Yes." She moved closer to him, curious to see how this device worked. She'd seen something like it before, but was not familiar with the mechanics.
The woman smiled. "Excellent. Look at the birdie." Then there was a flash of light from the device and a small, slightly rectangular piece of something slid out of the front. The woman pulled it off and looked at a watch on her wrist. "Un minuto." A minute later, she pulled a slip of paper off the front, slipped it into a paper frame, and handed a photo to Lasuma.
After finishing with the vendors, they continued their walk when they came to the Rialto. The bridge was crowded but to either side of the bridge were gondola docks. Looking towards the closer some sort of booking agent noticed and waved to them. "Buonasera signorina e signore...come, see Venice as it was meant to be seen."
(To be continued...)
Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5
Geral Lasuma
Owner Lasuma Enterprises
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