Time to Relax

Posted on Mon Oct 8, 2018 @ 12:27am by Lieutenant Colonel S'er'in'e & Commodore Michael Aravan

Mission: Falling Star
Location: Marine Country
Timeline: MD 35 || 1000 Hours

Once he had a chance, Commodore Michael Aravan signed off on the last of the department requests, then went to the replicator. He searched through it and made a few inquiries, then settled on a red bottle of some dark liquid and left his office.

On the bridge, he turned the conn over to a duty officer and headed for the turbolift with the bottle in hand. He wasn't sure if his idea was going to work, but it was worth a try, he mused as he ordered the turbolift to take him to Marine country.

As it came to a halt, the Commodore stepped out and waved a Marine off as he headed directly to the Marine Commander's office. Once he was there, he entered his override into the panel and stepped in. "Secure your desk, Colonel and consider yourself off duty for the time being."

"Commodore?" S'er'in'e spoke as he stood up since the Commanding Officer had just walked in. The feline was fortunate he was not doing anything important. "Off duty?"

"That is correct," Michael said. "Could you please replicate a couple glasses for us? I found a vintage I think you'll appreciate." He held up the red bottle that he had brought with him.

Still somewhat confused he S'er'in'e walked to the replicator, two glasses later he returned. "May I ask what brought on this change?" Off duty, just like that, it had to be something serious indeed he thought as he stood, glasses in hand.

"Commodore's prerogative," the human said simply. "You need some downtime, Colonel."

The idea of downtime did appeal, time thus to spend with his Mate. "Is that for me alone?" Wondering if Kasia would be granted such time too. He knew he tended to work hard and long, sometimes sacrificing time he could otherwise spend with his Mate. This downtime he could use to make up for time lost prior.

"Both of us, but you may try to take it from me once you get a taste," Michael said as he opened it and the scent of brandy and catnip came out of it. He reached for the glasses and poured two, then handed one to the giant Caitian. "Here you go, Colonel."

The strong aroma of brandy was easy to detect with his sensitive nose but so to was something, different, different in a good way. He inspected the liquid, swirled it around the glass, took in the scent of it. "Thank you." If S'er'in'e's observations were correct, he'd wait for the Commodore to sip first before he did, or at the same time.

"You're welcome," the commanding officer said as he raised his glass. "To a mission well done and shore leave on the horizon."

"Mission and shore leave." S'er'in'e raised his glass then sipped the aromatic beverage. The drink was rather pleasant, the warmth instantly noticeable as it went down but so to a sort of soothing, calming effect. A few moments later, mostly due to the small size of the glass, he finished the rest of his glass in one go. "Quiet the beverage." Just what was needed to take the edge off his normal routine after a difficult mission.

Michael took a sip of his and watched the Marine. "It's called...Here Kitty Kitty," he said with a mild look of amusement. "It's brandy infused with catnip."

"Another, please." The look that S'er'in'e gave his Commanding Officer was one of 'I'll let this one slide.....this time.' A smile on his face however as he felt that pleasant burn inside and the relaxing effects of the other ingredient.

The Commodore laughed and poured S'er'in'e a double shot since he was so big and then topped his own off. "I didn't name it," he said. "But I figured you'd be appreciative of it all the same."

"I can only imagine how our respective Mates would act if they caught us doing this." Picturing a stern faced Kasia, arms folded and a scornful look in disapproval to his actions. He felt the drink warm him, he knew its effects wouldn't take long to kick in but already the warmth brought with it an uplifting feeling.

Michael, however, slumped down in the chair with a slightly dreamy look on his features. "Spencer will be okay with it," he said casually as the catnip relaxed him and the brandy warmed him. "Speaking of mates, how is yours doing? I haven't seen her lately."

"Kasia is well, busy as one might expect but....she..." He sat himself after winding his tail about him so not to sit on it. "She is everything I could want or need in a Mate." He paused for a moment as he thought back to the visit to the Homeworld. "Knowing the dangers I pose to her because of what I am, she had little hesitation to stare down my superior...." Then realising the Commodore might not get the reference. "My father when he'd wronged us."

"I wasn't aware that she'd met your parents," the human said as he topped off their glasses. "I never got a chance to go to Cait, but I've heard it's beautiful and very matriarchal, so I can see how Major Petrova would stand up and stare down anyone."

"Its beauty is rivaled only by its culture." S'er'in'e spoke. "I admit seeing her bask in my ways, she seemed almost suited to it. Wearing the clothing, walking the streets, the markets. Other females were welcoming, males respectful though I did notice she did earn more than a glancing view from a few males."

"She's certainly unique and able to blend in with her surroundings," Michael said after a sip of his drink. He had to admit that he was feeling very relaxed and hoped the rest of the day wasn't hectic as it had been.

"She does indeed." S'er'in'e replied then sipped his drink. "You are a Mate and a parent. Do you find it challenging to be all you need to be, to everyone given the profession you have chosen?"

"It can be very challenging," the Commodore replied. "But at the end of the day, it's also very rewarding. Coming home to see Spencer and the kids, knowing that the Federation is better off and that I can relax without worrying. There's nothing like it. You just have to find the right balance."

"I often think what it would be like to be a parent." Only thought, knowing the dangers that Kasia would face for a mix species offspring.

"It's a wondruffle exsperiance," Michael started as his speech slurred. "Wonnerful experiennnce. Nothin' like it, I'm tellin' you. The looks on their little fashes...priceless."

S'er'in'e could hear the difference in speech, he too had at times to take extra effort when talking, to pronounce so that the UT would translate. "I am not sure the ship could handle several little feline hybrids, nobody would get any work done."

"Are Caitians and humans compat...combative...able to have offspring without medical help?" the human managed after a moment.

"Possible...in most casess." The large feline answered. "It would be easier and more comfortable for her though with hormonal suppliments and treeatments."

Michael looked at the bottle, then slid the rest over it over to S'er'in'e. "Question is...would they be Sphynx kittens or furry humans?" the alcohol asked.

"They would have feline features, but to what degree, is unknown." S'er'in'e replied seeing the bottle be passed over to him. He wondered if Kasia would like to try some with him later tonight. "Should I contact your Mate to come collect you?" A grin on his face picturing a tipsy Commodore on the shoulder of his Mate. "Or perhaps a transport from here direct?"

"For what?" the Commodore asked as he slumped down further in the chair.

"For the one very relaxed Flag Officer in my office." Though he could feel that warmth gradually wrap around him. Made him wonder the reaction he'd have if someone were to come in now, especially Kasia.

"Not needed anywhere so why not?" Michael asked and tried to shrug, but he was too far down in the chair.

S'er'in'e relaxed himself, only a little as too low in the chair and it would be uncomfortable on the base of his tail. He sipped his drink again as he stared out the window of his office. "In some way it is strange to find myself here instead of where others want me to be. I displeased many when I left the Homeworld and yet here I am, in command of many on board a respectable vessel in the service of protecting an ideal and yet I feel better here than I did on the Homeworld. I have purpose here."

"And I plan on keepin' you, too," he said. "Damned rare to get a big fucker like you on the ship." He hiccuped. "'scuse the language."

"I am no doubt the largest on board." He ginned, somewhat relaxed to see this different side to the Commodore. "And the heaviest." He stroked his stomach, wondering if he'd put some weight on or he was still within his limits. "The Doctor is keen to remind me to observe my dietary requirements."

"'zat's right," Michael slurred. "Doan eat any crew and you can stay."

"And where is the fun in that? The fear of death is a good motivator. Being stalked by me a pleasure, every meal my banquet." He joked. "It's not the first time I have used what I appear to be as a motivational tool to get desired results from my men."

"Do that to mah brudder an he'll skin yer furry ass," the Commodore said. "Dumbass thinks he lives in my shadow and hassa prove himself instead of bein' his own man."

"It is often the envy of sibblings to seek and obtain the fortunate lifestyles of others which they lack themselves. Something I do not have to bear any thought to." S'er'in'e answered, a perk of being an only surviving child.

"He ishn't lackin' nuthin' but the...somethin'," Michael said. "Do me a favor...need coffee."

S'er'in'e rose from his chair more cautiously this time. Balance was critical for Caitians as a fall could be crippling given his substantial weight. His stride was shorter, pace slower. To the replicator he went and fetched the Commodore a coffee, a strong one at that. "Here." He held the Coffee out to the man, the scent of it and the alcoholic beverage in the air.

"Thanks," the Commodore said as he made an effort to sit up straighter in the chair and took the offered coffee. "I'm gonna need a bucket of this sctuff," he theorized as he took the first drink.

S'er'in'e walked back to the replicator, replicated another Coffee for him only this time a cup suitable for the Caitian. He walked back to the Commodore holding the massively oversized mug in comparison, and with a trading hand gesture, he offered it to him.

Michael handed the smaller cup over and took the much, much bigger one in both hands. Despite being six foot four inches and a solid two hundred pounds, the cup dwarfed him. "Sweet baby Klingon!" he exclaimed. "Where in the name of Godzilla did you find this?!"

"You should see the cutlery I use to eat." When he was not using his claws for such a task and even then, only in the presence of Kasia. "I learned when I joined that the need for much larger items to suit my needs was required. Within my first days I had already programmed several replicator selections, such as cups and cutlery to suit my evidently much larger size."

"Isha big bish," he said before he took a drink and tried not to spill it on himself. "Whatsit, a four liter mug?"

"A mug that keeps me from inflicting harm upon those that test my patience." He replied as he returned to his seat. "You may take that one with you or I can send you the program and you can create one yourself for those times when you are in the Ready Room alone."

"Appreciate it," Michael responded after another swallow of coffee and felt the effects of the catnip infused brandy start to wear off around the edges. "Though the Marine image might give my brother ideas." He looked at the mug, then back at the huge Marine. "Harm? You could beat someone to death with this."

"Better that, than me." S'er'in'e replied. "That could render someone unconscious with a single blow, I am not as forgiving." He smiled, the tips of his fangs appearing from under his lip.

"Neither is my ready room door," the human replied with a direct look at the Caitian.

"Or the carpet when I had to save my Mate from the hologram version of me." S'er'in'e added remembering the tearing and claw catches on the carpet during the fight. He also remembered the half hour repair time he spent on his claws following his encounter with the door.

"Carpet's easier to replace than a ready room door, Colonel," Michael said. "But you really can't be blamed for that considering the circumstances that it happened under." The coffee was definitely sobering him up and he appreciated it as he took another drink. "How are things with you and the Major?"

"Well." The Caitian spoke. "We are progressing at a steady pace, she is helping me understand Human elements to relationships and she seems to be enjoying parts of my culture that focus on her." He smiled as he looked at the wall. "She does not fear me, but respects what I am capable of. She understands the dangers I pose just being with her, but accepts me for who and what, I am."

The Commodore smiled and set the oversized mug down. "She's a true Marine, able to adapt under any circumstance. I'm really happy for both of you, Colonel. It makes for a truly united force."

"She does enjoy the substantially larger bed." Considering the size of him, there was little to doubt that his bed was considerable in size over the standard bed sizes available.

"Lalalala!" Michael said and jokingly covered his ears. "I don't need to hear that stuff."

S'er'in'e, not understanding the joke said. "We have not mated in that way." Totally misunderstanding the situation but trying his best to correct any misunderstanding he may have caused himself.

"And that is exactly what I didn't need to hear," the human said but still laughed. "Some things are personal between mates, Colonel and not for public consumption. I was making a joke about her sharing the bigger bed with you. Not anything personal." Although a stray thought went through his mind wondering how that would work considering how big the Marine was.

There was some confusion in S'er'in'e, the intricacies of Human social interaction still somewhat of a relatively unexplored field to him, though Kasia was helping him. "I see, my apologies." S'er'in'e sipped the drink again in silence as he considered a bigger bed probably would be more ideal currently.

"It's a human thing for privacy," Michael explained as he drank more coffee. "Some information, particularly intimate, isn't shared with others unless you're close and even then, it's not actually acceptable unless it's the person you're with."

"I see." He replied. "Human social interaction is much different to those of the Homeworld." Then again it could be argued that much was different and not strictly in a good way in a dominantly matriarchal society."I should warn you that at some point my Elder may contact you, its typical of her to want to know about what I do, how I conduct myself and my treatment of my Mate." Letting the man know what could happen. "My Mate will also be contacted." He himself would be left out, the Elder has no need to talk to the Caitian male.

"Your Elder may contact me, but I'm not at liberty to disclose a single thing about you," the Commodore responded. "They will have to go through the Commander of the Starfleet Marines via official channels in order to get any official information about you. You have those rights as a citizen of the Federation and as a Starfleet Marine."

S'er'in'e knew he'd have to get Kasia to relay that, for him to do so to the Elder would not go well. "Understood." He sipped the drink again, its warm edge flowing, filling him with a pleasant feeling of ease and relaxation. "Probably should not tell Kasia of this, she may like it, or displeased we did this without her."

"The drink sharing?" Michael asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Kasia likes to maintain a professional stance while on duty or uniform, to see me such as I am would no doubt disappoint her." S'er'in'e answered. "That said I am sure she would be understanding with you present."

"Tell her you were under orders," the Commodore joked as he looked into the coffee cup and realized that he had barely made a dent in it.

"In that case, I had best retire for the night, having consumed such a beverage I am not fit for my present duties and I would not wish for anyone to see such a current state." Last thing he wanted was for his troops to see him in such a state, it would be very poor leadership indeed if they did.

The human laughed, displayed teeth entirely unlike the Caitians and much smaller in comparison. "Night? Colonel, the day has just begun. Have some coffee and don't leave the office until you feel ready," he said as he came to his feet with the mug in hand. "I thank you for everything."

"You are most welcome." S'er'in'e replied though the suggestion of Coffee, though welcome would not be entertained. Such an aroma, taste, he wondered how they could drink such a beverage. While he had other selections that would help him settle, Coffee, no matter the brand or flavour never took to him and so while content to let others enjoy it, he would pass.

"If I don't see you before then, enjoy your shore leave on Pacifica," Michael told him before he turned and headed out.