Date Night - Part III
Posted on Thu Sep 25, 2025 @ 6:31am by Civilian Geral Lasuma & Commodore T'mpest Michaels
1,920 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Time After Time
Location: Box of Delights - Holosuite 4
Timeline: MD 21-22
[PREVIOUSLY]
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."
[CONTINUED]
T'mpest looked at Lasuma with a raised eyebrow. "We were told to take a gondola ride before the opera."
She turned to the gondolier. "Do we have time before Don Giovanni begins?"
"Of course, signorina. I show you Venice, then drop you off with time to take your seats."
She'd read about the gondolas of Venice and wanted to have a look at the city from the water. She turned back to Lasuma. "Yes?"
"Absolutely."
After stepping in first he reached out to help T'mpest into the Gondola but he chuckled.
She held on to his hand as she stepped into the gondola, careful not to stumble. "What?" she asked, wondering why he chuckled. With a flick of her wrist, the fan opened. She fanned herself for a moment, then closed it. She was having a little too much fun with it. "The gondola ride, or my not wanting to miss the opera?"
Sitting next to her putting his arm around her as they pushed off. "Neither. The image of us walking out of the holo-suite soaking wet."
That made her laugh. "Yes, that would cause a stir." She leaned against him. "But not until after the opera." She grew quiet as they listened to the gondolier point out different villas and historic sites as they passed.
The sun was beginning to set when they had but now the sky was ablaze with colors of orange, red, blue, and purple. He didn't say a thing as he pulled her closer. Their gondolier began to sing.
T'mpest caught most of the words, but that wasn't the point. The sunset filled sky with color, the city glowed with lights, and sitting here, with Lasuma, was exactly where she wanted to be. It was perfect.
But, after a while, the gondolier stopped in front of the opera house. "Signore, signorina, the opera will begin in fifteen minutes."
Even though he had been tempted to skip the opera and stay in the gondola holding T'mpest, he stood, helping to secure the boat before she stood.
While T'mpest waited for Lasuma to get out first, she asked the gondolier, "Do you also do moonlight trips? Could you pick us up afterwards?"
"Sí, sí. I will be here. I show you my city by moonlight, then drop you off at your hotel."
T'mpest turned to Lasuma. "What do you think?"
He looked at her, as he reached over to help her out of the gondola, his heart beating faster. "Sounds perfect."
Once on their way, arm in arm, towards the steps of the opera house. They didn't have any hotel reservations within the program, but that wasn't anything that couldn't be fixed. But that was a tweak he could make during intermission.
They picked up their tickets and were led to box seats above the orchestra pit where they had an impressive view of the entire stage. T'mpest took her seat on the front row and opened her fan to look coquettishly up at Lasuma.
He smiled as she batted her eyelashes over the top of the fan. Her other hand still in his, he lifted it, kissing it slowly.
She never quite understood before now how kissing a woman's hand could be so sexy. But the simple gesture definitely got her heart beating faster.
"You know, there's just something...that fan...very sultry..." He was going to continue but the house lights went down as the orchestra began.
T'mpest had to bury her face against his shoulder to keep from chuckling out loud. At the same time, she wanted to use her fan to cool the blush she felt creeping up her cheeks.
When she had control of herself, she turned back to the stage to watch the opera.
In all his travels he had seen several performances but never and traditional old earth opera. In first ordering the Venice Carnival program he had seen the title and had heard of it before but never really gave it much thought. After looking into it he had been shock that it was still highly regarded even after more than 600 years since it was first performed.
Leaning towards T'mpest, he was intrigued as the story unfolded and how, regardless of his actions, Giovanni, at least so far, always got away.
She watched him for a moment and smiled. she'd looked up information on the opera when he told her what they were seeing so she could be sure to follow the story, even though the program had sufficient notes. Still, she enjoyed watching Lasuma's reaction as much as she enjoyed the stage production. As long as the opera was, she was still surprised when the lights came up for the intermission.
"The pageantry is impressive."
"Very. But that Giovanni...does anything to get what he wants.
If you'll excuse me, I'll be right back."
T'mpest nodded in agreement to his words about Giovanni, and that he'd be right back. She smiled as her eyes followed him out of the box, then turned to her program. While she enjoyed the comedic elements, she wasn't sure she liked Don Giovanni himself.
He followed several others and found a restroom stepping into a stall and pulled out a control padd to research and after finding a suitably ostentatious location and making a few adjustments to the program he pocketed the padd and left.
Returning he found her still in their box. "There's a balcony on the other side of the corridor. Wanna get some air?"
She set the program down and stood. "Yes." T'mpest hadn't even considered there would be a balcony and she wanted to have a look at Venice by moonlight. She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and smiled. "Lead the way."
Together they crossed the corridor and joined others who had stepped out to enjoy the night air. The balcony stretched on, but he led them to the stone railing, pot marked by age. One hand he set upon the stone, the other he wrapped around her.
T'mpest slipped an arm around his waist and leaned against him. It was a beautiful night, made more so because of her companion. There were words she wanted to say, but with people milling around, it didn't seem the right time. For now, she just enjoyed the view and his company.
Looking out at the ancient city spread out around them he tilted his head towards her, breathing in the scent of her hair and perfume. "Nice view."
"Mmm." It wasn't very articulate, but she was enjoying the moment. "It is a lovely night," she added quietly. Then the lights flashed off and on to let them know it was time to go back to their seats.
"Shall we? Or do you wanna just take another ride?"
"If we could find the same gondolier..." They had asked him to meet them. But she would stay if he wanted to. "We can stay if you want to see the rest of the opera."
He thought for a moment, sure any of the gondoliers could get them where they needed to go but she had really like his singing. "Well, he did say he would meet us, so, let's head back in then."
It was a silly thing. They were in a holosuite and everyone here was a character, but T'mpest didn't want to ask someone to meet them and then not be there--even if she knew he could get another fare. She nodded her head and the two made their way back to their seats for the rest of the opera.
She did like that Giovanni had a fitting end--she even chuckled when the demons carried him off. But she was definitely looking forward to another gondola ride with Lasuma.
Looking over to he as the lights rose. "Laughing at someone getting what they deserved?"
"Alas, yes. But in my defense, it is a dramma giocoso."
"Well look at you. Going all Italian. Come on mia signora, I got a surprise for ya."
She raised an eyebrow. As far as she knew, they were going on another gondola ride, then back to the promenade. "Now I am curious." She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm--she liked being able to do that. "I am all yours."
They moved with the mass of people after the opera, many were going to meet with the performers but they joined those exiting the opera house. Making their way down the narrow walk of the 'Calle del Caffettier' they came to the bridge they had been dropped off at.
True to his word their gondolier was ready and waiting. "Buonasera signorina e signore (Good evening Miss & Sir). Your gondola awaits."
Once T'mpest was seated Lasuma whispered their destination.
Grinning, "Molto bene signore, I can take you as far as the ferry launch."
Taking his seat, they set off down the waterways of Venice. They heard the sounds of fireworks as they floated down the Rio di San Moise to the mouth of the Grand Canal across from the Basilica Santa Maria, where the sky was lit by fireworks.
The historian in her was aware this program was not an exact replica of the ancient city, but there was so much to experience and enjoy that T'mpest refused to think about anything but the beauty of the city and the magic of the night. She turned to Lasuma. "Thank you."
Pulling he closer to him to keep her warm in the chill of the air coming off the water. "The night isn't over yet."
tag?
The water taxi took then across the larger spans too wide for a narrow gondola too cross. Fireworks continued to brighten the sky as they approached their destination. As they were tied up a concierge met them. Offering his hand to T'mpest as the boat was tied up. "Buonasera signorina, welcome."
T'mpest greeted him, then stepped aside to give Lasuma space to get out of the gondola, turning her attention to the building in front of them.
As Lasuma stepped onto the dock the concierge shook his hand "Ahhh... Welcome signore Geral to the Hotel Cipriani. As you requested the Palladio Suite is ready and a light meal prepared."
Turning back to Lasuma, she raised an eyebrow. She'd been thinking that she wasn't ready for the evening to end, and this sounded perfect. He was a considerate, thoughtful man and there were far too few like him--and none she would rather spend time with. "What a lovely surprise."
"Well, we left the restaurant so quickly I needed to do something. And this seem better than trying to get something at the bistro near the opera house."
As the entered the suite a bottle of champagne and been opened and two glasses had been freshly poured. There was even an ever so slight remnant of the layer of froth. Out on the patio were candles and a setting for two with a crock with steam rising from it, a plate of meats and cheeses, another of fruits, and a basket of breads.
(To be continued...)
Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5
Geral Lasuma
Owner Lasuma Enterprises
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