Late Night

Posted on Sat Sep 4th, 2021 @ 11:29pm by Lieutenant JG Elizabeth Stone & 1st Lieutenant Dahlia Acker

2,376 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Out of Time
Location: Corridors, USS Ontario
Timeline: [Backpost]

One of the things that Dahlia did when she couldn't sleep was to run. She would exhaust herself and take a shower then fall into bed, her brain quiet again. Because her brain was an a-hole. It would tell her all her failures, belittle her or remind her of things that weren't important, making them into a big deal. Even when she knew better. Blocking the voice was tiring though, but running? It cleared her mind. It was late in her shift cycle, technically she should be sleeping...yet here she was, sweaty, running as if she could run from her nightmares.

She turned a corner and saw a very familiar figure, loose pony tail and all, ahead of her. Running as well. Siren's shift pattern meant it was late at night for her too, so...what was she running from? She smiled and tried to sprint to catch up, her breathing loud in her own ears.

Siren turned in minor alarm at the noise coming up behind her. She realized it was Dahlia though, and stopped running. It was probably a good thing, Siren felt a wave of slight light-headedness, and realized she'd been running for almost 2 hours, and hadn't had any water. "Hey." She smiled at the Marine woman. "What are you doing so late, or early..." She was winded, but not completely out of breath as she talked.

Dahlia stopped as well, breathing hard as she caught her breath. She smiled to the other woman, shaking her head. "Trying to outrun that annoying little doubting nagging voice in my head that kept me awake. You?"

"Oh. It must have run from me to you then." Siren commented with a small smile. "Yeah, couldn't sleep."

Dahlia nodded in agreement before she looked at the other woman, taking her in. "Been running for awhile?" she asked, curiously. She stretched, groaning softly.

"Yeah, a couple of hours. I lost track of time." Siren realized Dahlia had the right idea, and began stretching as well. "You want to try that chocolate cake I told you I had the replicator codes for?" She grinned. "We've clearly earned the calories."

"Yes! Please!" Dahlia said and smiled warmly, nodding. "Chocolate cake sounds...pretty amazing right around now." She had to admit, she was feeling tired, so the sugar kick would help. And there was something so comforting about it.

"Alright. It does sound pretty amazing." They made their way to Siren's quarters, and walking in Siren looked around. "Ummm, ignore the mess."
She had a painting of an otter on the ground against the wall. It was framed, and about 4 feet long and 2 1/2 feet high, but had yet to be put on the wall. And setting next to it was about a 5 foot tall cactus. The cactus, and it's very 'ahem' creative pot design made the whole thing look very phallic.

Dahlia looked around, taking it in before she shook her head. "Nice pot," she said, with a warm chuckle. "So found a spot for you otter yet?" she asked, remaining standing, muscles relaxed.

"Right there, but you know, actually up on the wall. I just haven't gotten around to buying a frame holder." Siren chuckled as well. "Thank you. I got razzed for having empty quarters, so I thought what the hell." She waved at the cactus and the painting. "And that happened." Siren then headed to the replicator and grabbed two slices of chocolate cake. "Milk?" She asked Dahlia.

"Water for me, thanks," Dahlia said and smiled warmly, walking over to her. "I...too am getting used to having quarters that you can have things in. I think I am getting there though."

Siren handed over the cake and water. "Yeah, it's a bit strange, not in a bad way though." She got herself a glass of coconut water. Then she headed to the couch. She downed the coconut water, knowing she was dehydrated, then started in on the cake. "So, have you found anything for your quarters yet?" She asked curiously.

Dahlia sat down, smiling as she drank half the water first before she nodded. "Yes...cushions and blankets..." she smiled and tried the cake...moaning at the taste. "Oh my...that's really good."

Siren raised a brow at the cushions and blankets comment. It wasn't her thing at all, but to each their own. "I know right. It's like getting laid, only you don't have to sneak out of bed after." She grinned and took another bite.

"You and me have different getting laid experiences," Dahlia said with a warm laugh, shaking her head. "I have never done a sneak out before. Usually always breakfast before going at least."

Siren looked a bit wistful for a moment. "Well, it's the least they could offer." She quipped. "So, tell me about these cushions and blankets? Are they just..decorative?" She changed the subject.

"Well, sometimes I curl up under them..." Dahlia said lightly, shaking her head. "It's wasted items. The stuff I never had before in my career because it takes too much space for no real use. So...now I make a point of having them. Same with...vases. No real use, but they look pretty."

"Oh ok. I can understand that." She pointed towards her otter painting and the frankly ridiculous plastic cactus. "No real use but they look pretty." She snorted. Neither were actually pretty. The otter was certainly adorable, but the principal still remained. No real use....

"And I think...it shows you are settling," Dahlia said and finished her slice, sighing contently. "You know, into your role, your slot on the ship. It's good. It's a positive thing."

Siren shrugged. "Well I don't have much choice. But yeah. It's getting better. I mean the more I study the LCARS and the you know sciency bits, this flying mini city isn't all that bad. I mean, she's no fighter mind you, but she's got some gusto to her. And I have to admit, having this much space to myself is nice. Lonely, but nice." The last part slipping out. Siren realized and went quiet.

Dahlia nodded with understanding, watching her for a long moment. "Not sure how it is for you pilots, but even for officers in Recon we...are all billeted together. So you are used to people being around you at all hours. I...struggle falling asleep in silence."

"I was on a large ship. We had a full Wing. I had my own quarters, but was rarely there. You know how it goes. Tall Dark and Handsome. But yeah, I get it. You get used to barracks living, the silence can be." She paused, then said honestly. "violent." She sat back into her couch then. "But hey, it's a great excuse to stay in shape. I mean running half marathons at 2am and all."

Dahlia looked at her with a small smile, watching her. "So you're using exercise to replace physical closeness?" she asked bluntly, curious. "Because...I know the feeling, if that helps. Replacing one thing with another."

Siren just shrugged. "Hey at least this way I can eat whatever I want and still fit into my pants. Plus, I really do need to keep working on my hand to hand combat. I wasn't the only one running." She quipped at the end.

"I get...awkward with sex," Dahlia said before she gave a small shrug. "Attach myself too much emotionally and don't see the danger signs that it is just a one time deal. Besides, it was difficult with the Marines. Never really time for a steady relationship..."

"I get that. I think we are all kind of married to the Marines first. Or divorced now in my case." She snorted. "So you haven't found Mister right, yet. You could always settle for mister right now, at least you'd be on the same page. Wait, no that's a horrible idea, I'm sorry. Geez." She sighed. "I really need to stop trying to give advice, considering I can't even get my own life together."

"Who said I'd look for a Mister?" Dahlia said playfully before she shook her head with a smile. "I'm open for anything. Or nothing. I don't need a Mister or Misses right...not really..." she tilted her head, just studying the other woman. "You seem to have your life pretty together to me though, Siren."

"Thank you." Siren grinned. That was actually flattering to hear. "And whatever floats your boat. Excuse my heteronormativity." She teased. "You are right though. You don't need it, but it's nice." She shrugged. "You seem pretty put together to me too by the way."

"Thanks," Dahlia chuckled warmly as she watched her for a long moment. "Fake it until you make it, as my uncle used to say. Although that was about general confidence, not my entire life."

"It works for life to." Siren said. She then tried to think of what to talk about. It had been a long time since she tried to do something other than small talk, or seduction. "So, did you know this ship has hydroponics and an arboretum?"

"I...sort of do know, but to be honest...I haven't looked yet," Dahlia said and rolled her eyes at herself. "See, typical. I can tell you the layout and hiding places and weakspots of the ship, but have I physically been there? Nope. Are they nice?"

"It's ok. I only know because Merkara took me." Siren shrugged. "If you like flowers and plants. The industrial replicator was much better. I mean I always knew they existed, I just never dealt with them in person. Next, I'm going to see if the ship has a library. If I study here, I tend to snack, and that just ruins the point of the bags."

"Flowers and plants are fun..." Dahlia said and smiled, looking down for a moment. "You ever seen a real life vineyard?" she asked softly.

"No. I can't say that I have. I have seen endless fields of wheat, but no grapes. I bet the grapes are more exciting than the wheat."

"Well...not that exciting. What was exciting was the roses. It was in England and the roses kept the pests at bay. Also used as control plants...they got sick before the vines did," Dahlia said thoughtfully. "I spent some time there during the Dominion Wars. My father was active duty, as was my uncle, so I went into Federation care."

Siren listened intently. She wasn't quite sure how to respond, but she was happy to listen. "Like taking a canary into a coal mine." Siren smiled, she'd always found that bit of history fascinating, but wasn't sure why.
"What about your mother?"

Dahlia smiled gently, watching her. "Died when I was young. Ion storm and shuttles don't always mix," she said and let out a breath. "So my Dad raised me, mostly anyway."

"Oh. Sorry." Siren regretted her poorly thought out question. "I bet they would be proud of you though." She smiled. "Marine XO on a ship like the Ontario is quite the feather in your hat."

"Well, my father was a Colonel, so until I hit that rank or beyond he won't be..." Dahlia said playfully before she gave a small shrug. "What about you though? Any family?"

Siren had to grin. "Sounds like a Marine dad. My parents are both still alive, as far as I know. I left home at 15 and never looked back. No siblings though."

Dahlia grimaced before she gave a small smile, almost apologetic. "Sorry. You had your reasons. I'm an only child too, so I guess that is why I don't always play well with others."

"It's ok." Siren shrugged. "We never saw eye to eye, and I really hate North Dakota. But you might be onto something there. Luckily play nice isn't really part of the Marine playbook. I wonder if there is a higher percentage of only children in the Marine core." She idly wondered.

"I also think a large percentage of people without families. And humans," Dahlia said and shook her head with a small smile. "Maybe it is those 20th Century lessons they have at school that makes humanity romanticise it. You know what they made me read in OCS? The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane. And then Norman Mailer's The Naked and the Dead. To try and strip some of that from me...I think they should have made us read Wilfred Owen instead...He was a poet and a soldier during World War One on Earth. Now that stuff would make you think twice about signing up."

"Or Albert Camus." Siren added with a grin. "The myth of sisyphus would really bring down enrollment. I know I read red badge, but I don't remember it. I had my eyes on Tommy Chalmer all through that literature class."

"Not sure you missed much," Dahlia said as she grinned back at the other woman with humour. "I am more into factual than fiction nowadays anyway. But I do crack out the Iliad at times just to try and conquer it."

Siren hopped up and grabbed a PaDD. "I'm downloading it. 2 weeks, then we can have a book club." Siren smiled. "I'll make tea and scones, and we can discuss the book and turn our noses up at enlisted ranks, do it up proper book club style."

"Oh! I like that..." Dahlia said and smiled warmly, nodding. "Okay, so...we have a book club. Two weeks to get through a book. Sounds like a good plan and distraction for two Marines feeling a bit...out of sorts."

Siren nodded. "I have good plans now and then." A yawn suddenly snuck up on her. "And I think right now bed is one of them. Feel free to crash on the couch if you are feeling lazy, it's actually comfortable."

Dahlia stood, shaking her head as she watched her. "I appreciate the offer, but I think I need a shower and get some paperwork in before I go to sleep. It's been nice, Siren...see you soon?"

"Cya." Siren waved, and didn't bother walking Dahlia to the door. A shower was probably a good idea before she flopped into bed.

 

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