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Post by LucianG on Feb 23, 2007 6:30:14 GMT -6
After calming down a bit, Roxzanna-Rizou had done the best she could with her face using the few remaining intact containers in her makeup kit, avoiding the rest of the debris. “It’s a good thing I have great genes,” she muttered, as she admired her face and her handiwork. As she resealed the bag, she thought, “I may kill that idiot N’Rondar yet. I can’t believe he broke over half of my makeup containers!”
With living space in extremely short supply on most ships, and with most ships’ production facilities and shops primarily devoted to creation of larger and more complicated equipment and specialty parts (with particular emphasis on new replacement parts required to keep the Fleet moving), mom and pop entrepreneurs had banded together on many ships to create little “factories” for manufacture of many of the amenities and luxuries that people desired including makeup, jewelry, candies, clothing, and certain electronics products, among others. Many of these little production facilities that wouldn’t fit in living areas were designed to be easily set up in a corridor each cycle, and taken back down and placed in a wide variety of ingenious storage areas each evening. Roxzanna-Rizou’s makeup bag would be sent back to one of the little factories where it would be carefully vacuumed and cleaned, and then returned to her. The trash would be carefully sorted and sifted, with the remains of the makeup separated from the glass, plastic, or other solids. The makeup would be refined, recolored as needed, and repackaged. The solids would be recycled appropriately, with some, perhaps, even becoming parts of new containers for new makeup.
After finishing in the turboflush, she washed and dried her hands, picked up her bag, and walked out of the restroom. As she did, the men in the shuttle repair crew started to whistle and catcall again. She motioned for N’Rondar to join her as she approached the repair team. They suddenly became very quiet as they realized she was coming over to them, and a couple even pretended to return to work on the shuttle repair effort. After all, the shuttle was needed back on line to assist with last centon pre-jump deliveries.
“Hello, gentlemen,” she said, giving an enticing smile to the men while ignoring the two women who were also part of the crew. “I’m Roxzanna-Rizou of the IFB. I think one of you contacted me about something earlier this evening. Who did that?”
Immediately, six hands shot up as all six men shouted “Me!” or “I did!”
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Post by Brie on Feb 23, 2007 9:54:26 GMT -6
Brie paused for several microns, knowing that this could be a life changing moment. Slowly, carefully, she opened the box. She stared at the bracelet, speechless for a micron. She took it out of the box and held it in her hand. "It's exquisite," she said, admiring the quality. She knew that things like jewelry were usually slapped together since the fleet had been formed, trying to meet a demand for something that reminded people of the lives they had left behind. This was different. It was true quality, made by someone who took pride in his or her work, and made with rare, precious metals. It must have cost JustinB a fortune. "Would you do the honors?" She handed him the bracelet and held out her wrist. He placed it on her. "I've never owned a piece of jewelry my entire life. Thank you."
Totally lost in the moment, Brie kissed JustinB with all the emotion that she was feeling. It didn't matter how crowded the room was or who was watching. "Hey, break it up you two," a voice said. "Now, or you'll be escorted out."
Brie pulled away but wasn't embarrassed. She smiled at JustinB. "We said before that we've each had one previous serious relationship. So does this mean we're both officially entering our second?"
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Post by Brie on Feb 23, 2007 9:56:02 GMT -6
They had danced halfway across the dance floor. "Holt" was trying to not be obvious, not let Challa know that they were headed in a specific direction. He twirled her around, she giggled that annoying laugh of hers, then he turned. Wait a micron, he thought to himself, Where the frack did Brie go? She’s not there anymore! Controlling his rage, he danced Challa around in a circle. She seemed none the wiser. He scanned the crowd as they moved. Finally, he saw Brie and JustinB at a table on the side. They were kissing. Ewww, gross. Holt was amused to see someone had to break them up, finally someone putting the Widow in her place. The Widow. Seems like she’s forgotten all about that no-good loser that she was sealed to. And I thought that they were supposed to have shared a once-in-a-lifetime love. The song ended, and another one began. Holt turned his attention back to Challa. "Another dance, my pet?" Without waiting for an answer he drew Challa closer and prepared to have his feet stepped on again.
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Post by LucianG on Feb 24, 2007 10:59:59 GMT -6
Roxzanna-Rizou still wasn’t exactly sure who had contacted her since it had been an anonymous call, but all six males and the two females had either seen JustinB and the mystery lady leave the shuttle and the bay, had discussed it extensively with those who had, or had heard both sides of the call. More likely, the first and probably the last options, she decided. All of them had volunteered information, about the couple. Unfortunately, some of it was contradictory, but in the end, she had little more than she had at the start. She’d graciously thanked each of them, including the women, all the while wishing to escape from the glorified grease monkeys before one of them touched her arm, or worse, her dress, with their grimy hands. The stain might never come out! True, only a couple of them were actually messy since they purposefully tried to keep things as clean as possible, but working with moving parts requiring lubricant, she was sure that all of them got grime under their fingernails from time to time. Disgusting! she thought. Who would really want such a job? They’d never be able to have an even half-way decent manicure!
N’Rondar followed Roxzanna-Rizou as they made their way to Restaurant Row on the upper level. He was smiling the entire way, partly at the way she’d dealt with her “little people,” but mostly because the turbolift was being utilized for delivery of supplies, and they’d had to take the stairs. While he didn’t particularly like to climb stairs, the forward view was delightful…as long as hurricane Roxzy didn’t catch him ogling her backside as they climbed. Recalling the pain caused by her knee and the claw of death just a little earlier, he was careful to glance away frequently, just in case.
A few centons later, they entered the first restaurant. It was getting late, but there were still a number of diners in the main room, and most probably several in the private lounges surrounding it. Roxzanna-Rizou approached the greeter, an older gentlemen in a tailored burgandy and gray uniform. The balding man's remaining hair was short on the sides and a slightly lighter shade of gray than the trim on the suit, but the top was an altogether different story. The comb-over was quite long, and looked so ridiculous that it was all she could do to keep from bursting out laughing. Stifling the laugh and turning into a huge smile, she said in cheerful voice, “Hello, Sir, I’m Roxzanna-Rizou of the IFB. How are you this evening?” Then, lowering her voice, she said, “I’m following up on a very important story this evening, and I think may be able to help me. I understand that Major JustinB of the Callisto’s Black Squadron may be dining with you this evening? If that’s correct, it’s very important that I speak with him at once regarding a top security matter related to the story.”
Though the man’s eyes widened at her tale, he seemed confused, and said, “Uh, I don’t know….”
“You’d have my undying gratitude for your assistance,” she purred softly as she took his reasonably well-manicured hand and led him to the registry….
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Post by JustinB on Feb 24, 2007 22:27:01 GMT -6
"We said before that we've each had one previous serious relationship. So does this mean we're both officially entering our second?" Brie said with a smile.
I was shocked at what Brie said although I didn't show it. Talking about taking things at her pace. I honestly thought it would take at least three dates to get to this stage.
"I guess it does Brie. I have deep feelings for you Brie and i will be honoured if you let me show you how deep they run. So does it scare you at all going into a new relationship with me or are you just like me grateful for a second chance?"
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Post by Brie on Feb 25, 2007 8:35:26 GMT -6
Brie wasn't sure if she saw something on JustinB's face. Did he flinch? Was she pushing him into something that he wasn't ready for? But he did seem genuinely happy, and he had just told her that the time that they had been friends was the happiest of his life. They had talked about Brie’s pace, what about JustinB's? "So does it scare you at all going into a new relationship with me or are you just like me grateful for a second chance?"
Or maybe she was worrying about nothing. "Both," she replied truthfully. "I know that this is our first date, but I feel like you and I have been connected for a while. It's not like we don't have a history." She paused for a micron. "Just don't die on me. Come on, let's dance again."
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Post by JustinB on Feb 26, 2007 6:51:43 GMT -6
"I won't and yes lets dance again."
As I held Brie close there was something different in the air. No, it wasn't in the air it was just that a fresh breath in our relationship and I could literally feel it. Our steps were like we were dancing on clouds. We danced as one and it felt great.
We danced for a few centons when I noticed a couple following us around the dance floor. As quick as I noticed them, I dismissed it as coincidental. Nothing was going to ruin this night.
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Post by Brie on Feb 26, 2007 14:37:26 GMT -6
Something was different. Brie's entire life had changed that evening. She had thought that she would probably have a good time on the date, but hadn't expected things to become serious so quickly. She was the one who had kept telling JustinB that they should just be friends, but now, in his arms, she suddenly had a future, a reason to keep on going. How things would work, being competing squadron leaders, she had no idea, but at the moment that didn't matter. She closed her eyes for a micron, enjoying the moment.
Crash! Someone had danced right into them. "Oh, I'm so sorry," a woman in a brightly colored dress with puffy sleeves said, embarrassed. Her dance partner, a man in a gray suit that didn't quite fit, didn't say a word.
"Don't worry about it," Brie replied. She was holding JustinB's hand, and just wanted to start dancing again.
"Say..." the woman started apprehensively, "...aren't you Major Brie? I remember seeing you on IFB..."
The last thing that Brie wanted to think about was how the IFB had spread lies about her during her Tribunal and during the Agro Ship debacle. "No," Brie said quickly. "I've had some people tell me that we look something alike, but I'm not her. I mean, can you imagine Major Brie wearing a dress like this? I've heard that her own squadron calls her 'The Ice Princess' behind her back! She's probably on her battlestar right now, doing paperwork."
The woman chuckled. "I guess you're right. Again, sorry for bumping into you. Enjoy the rest of the evening. You two look very happy."
Brie smiled as the couple started to dance again, heading in a different direction. "I am happy," she said to JustinB. Once again he took her in his arms, but this time Brie decided to keep her eyes open. "The squadron does call me that, although they think I don't know. Most of them would be VERY surprised if they knew what I was doing right now."
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Post by Brie on Feb 26, 2007 14:42:54 GMT -6
Mission accomplished "Holt" thought to himself. He hadn’t wanted to cause any real problems, just mess up Brie's evening a little bit. He was very happy with himself. He led Challa to a different part of the dance floor, he didn't want to seem obvious.
"You were wrong, honey," Challa said. "That wasn't Major Brie at all, just someone who looks like her."
"Just because someone says they're someone else doesn't make it so," Holt replied. He was thinking not only of Brie, but of his own masquerade as a janitor. He wondered briefly what Challa would do if she knew that she was actually with Pierce, a god, and future ruler of the human race. "That was the high and mighty Major Brie. Her date is Major JustinB, also from the Callisto."
"Oh, I remember seeing something on IFB about him too!" Challa exclaimed. "He was missing or something. Well, they make an attractive couple."
"Not as attractive as we are together, my pet," Holt lied. As soon as he was able to secure a few more cubits, he was going to buy Challa a new dress and burn the ridiculous one that she was currently wearing. And maybe a bracelet. Something not as flashy as the one the Widow was now showing off from her wrist.
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Post by JustinB on Feb 27, 2007 2:58:38 GMT -6
"The Ice Princess eh! I guess then that I have managed to melt that icy heart of yours then Brie," I said with a cheeky grin.
Brie kept quiet on that comment, so I decided to play along a little.
"Would the Ice Princess like to take a break and have a refreshment?" I asked squeezing her hand.
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