Gods, Snowshoes, and Sex on the Beach

Posted on Sun Dec 8, 2019 @ 2:35am by Lieutenant JG Camille Lévesque PhD

2,817 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Nibiru
Location: Camille Lévesque's Quarters
Timeline: The day after "Lunch After the Battle"; before departure from DQ8

ON:

T'Mira opted for a new outfit the evening of her meeting with Camille. She had seen one of her intel staff wearing something called jeans. She had to admit, now standing here in the mirror, that she liked it. The material was quite comfortable. In addition to that she'd added a simple black sleeveless top that had a shimmery silky affect and she'd tied her hair in a messy bun. She was still a little uncertain about this meeting.

In fact she'd prepared for it. She'd read anything she could about friendship talks and something called girl talk. She had even made notes that she'd bring along to help her. Social situations did not come easy to her.

One final look and she headed to see Camille. It didn't take long to find herself by the woman's quarters. She rang the chime.

Camille was ready. She wore jeans as well, and short-sleeved black shirt with a print of a brown cartoon fennec fox and several strange creatures that appeared to evolve from it, each a different colour (blue, red, yellow, black, pink, blue-gray, green, and white-pink.) The shirt also read 'You could be whatever you want.' On the coffee table was a six-pack of a bottled alcoholic drink, next to bowls of different snack foods and ample napkins. A monitor had been set up across from the couch.

When she heard the chime, she stood and called out "Entrez!"

T'Mira came in. "Hello." She seemed a bit nervous. "I do need to warn you...I am not good at this." She held up a PADD. "I did however download all the instructions on girl talk and subjects that are covered on girls night. I have studied it and I believe I am prepared." She was rather pleased at her research skills.

Camille grinned brought the PADD closer for inspection. She adjusted her glasses so she could read it properly. "Hmm," she said as she read. "Okay, well, points one, two, and four sound like fun. Point five is usually good but we'll skip it today. Three...hmmm...let's say that some girls' nights can include that but this one won't. Good research! And in accordance with Point number 2, we will enjoy these as we talk." She gestured to six glass bottles on the coffee table. "Now come in, sit, and take one. There are three flavours we'll get to try. Which would you like first?"

She studied the bottles. "What is Cherry Blossom? Is that not a flower?" She picked it up drawn to it. "I assume there is alcohol in this and it is not Synthehol?"

“You assume correctly,” Camille replied. “And Cherry Blossom is a flower, but also a sweet mixed drink that you can sometimes buy in bottled form. It’s pink and sweet and yummy and we’re going to enjoy them.” She picked up a bottle of her own, opened it, and clinked its neck against T’Mira’s. “Where I come from, we say ‘santé to cheers the person we’re drinking with. Is there a similar word or phrase in Vulcan?”

T'Mira tilted her head to the side, "I do not believe so." She paused and then, "Sante." She took a small mouthful of the drink and then coughed. "It is....potent."

Camille took her own sip and made a face. “That it is,” she agreed. “So, next step is to talk. Tell me about Xander Tokai.”

T'Mira swallowed the drink wrong. She coughed a bit. It was...unexpected. Why would she want to know about the diplomat? There was confidential stuff she could not reveal as head of his security but... "He is half Vulcan and Half Betazoid with full telepathic abilities. He has many siblings. He is an accomplished blacksmith. He is the spitting image of the Vulcan lord of the dead. He has served in many diplomatic posts and is a trained chef as well."

"Uh-huh," Camille replied. She wasn't sure if her friend was being intentionally obtuse or legitimately couldn't see what was happening. She needed to push further. "Many diplomatic posts, chef training, an accomplished blacksmith. I bet it's really nice to just talk to him. Listen to his stories. He must have some amazing stories."

She shrugged but couldn't help but take the hook. "He is an excellent diplomat. I was quite fascinated how he handled negotiations. In terms of blacksmithing. I've seen him work once...by accident." She unconsciously fanned herself a couple of times. "I was coming to call him for the meeting. He was at the...what did he call it...Forge."

Oui, forge sounds right,” Camille conformed, still smiling. “I’ve not been to a forge since I was a girl. Must be quite warm, non?”

T'Mira unconsciously fanned herself. "Yes he was...I mean the forge....it was hot. The forge." She sipped her drink. A greenish blush creeping into her cheeks.

“Indeed,” Camille observed. “T’Mira, you’re blushing! I insist you tell me more!”

She coughed a little. It took a moment to get a hold of herself and then she sighed. "Very well. We shall talk about it...I must warn you I am not good at this...'girl talk'. "

“You don’t need to be,” Camille replied. “So, you’re attracted to him. Do you have serious, romantic feelings for him? Or do you just want to jump his bones?” She took another sip of her drink, watching her friend for a reaction.

T'Mira was glad she hadn't taken another drink. Camille certainly was direct. She appreciated it though. "I do not know. When I first saw him he looked so much like the Vulcan God of the .... Perhaps I should start at the beginning." She told her about the Vulcan Forge and about meditating at the T’Klass Pillar on Mount Seleya. She told her about getting pulled into the Pillar and seeing Sha Ka Ree. She told her about Shariel the Vulcan God of the Dead and how he looked almost exactly like Xander.

She sighed, "My people...they focus on Logic. The old Gods are forgotten and here I was faced with one and when I saw Xander at the forge...it was like seeing Shariel. I... do not know what I feel. I am drawn to him but is it him Xander, or is it his resemblance to Shariel or is he Shariel in solid form?"

Camille was entranced by the story. She had heard of the seemingly-paranormal encounters that manifested around Vulcan (and some other species) spiritual beliefs, including the storing of a person’s ‘essence’, for lack of a more technical term, to resurrection. It wasn’t something humans experienced much anymore. The scientist in her had so many questions. But the friend in her took priority tonight. And the friend in her had just one question. “Does that affect your decision? It seems like you’ll only find answers if you explore these feelings with him. Would him being the real Shariel, or Shariel taking his form knowing you would meet him, to it all being a coincidence, change that?”

She sighed. "I do not know. I have had one relationship in my life. It did not...end well. At that point I made the decision that relationships perhaps were not for me." She stood and walked over to the bigger table to picked up another bottle to bring back. She'd left her jacket back in her quarters so the little bits of colour from her tattoo peaked out.

"You shouldn't let one bad relationship spoil future ones," Camille suggested. "Before coming here, I had a boyfriend who turned out to be a huge jerk. Put me off dating for the rest of that assignment. I didn't intend to fall in love with Nicole, but here I am. Bad experiences shape us as much as the good experiences. Maybe more so. But you can't let them preemptively ruin something that might be very good. Oh, get me one too, please?" she asked when T'Mira got up to get another drink. That's when she noticed some of the art on her back. She couldn't see much of it, but she recognized wingtips and fire. "Is that a phoenix on your back?"

T'Mira grabbed the two drinks and returned. "It is. I have an IDIC on my wrist as well." She showed her the simpler tattoo. "I got the IDIC before I left Earth after the Academy. It was a reminder that above all I was Vulcan. It...kept me grounded when I was prisoner. The Phoenix...it was done on Bajor while I was recovering."

Camille nodded as she took the offered bottle. She didn’t know what had happened to T’Mira, and assumed it was a sensitive subject or classified. Or both. But she did put together the basics. “Whatever happened was destructive. It should have killed you but you came out alive and stronger. A perfect Phoenix metaphor.” She opened her drink. “This is a bottled version of a cocktail called a Sex on the Beach. If someone ever offers you one but makes a ‘hold the beach’ joke, walk away. He or she isn’t worth your time.” She clinked her bottle against T’Mira’s and took a sip.

"Fascinating. I have always been puzzled why Humans, and indeed, Solarians choose to name their drinks after...intimate subjects." She put the drink down. "I believe it is customary for both of us to share details of ourselves. I believe it is your turn." T'Mira was awed that for the first time in a long time she felt at ease. "After you have shared I will tell you the misunderstanding I once had with this drink."

"Well, what is it you'd like to hear about?" Camille asked. "I'm happy to share, but I don't want to bore you with something uninteresting. I can tell you about my time with Nicole visiting Earth and Rigel? Or something more recent, like moving in together? Or more details about when we first started? Or a love from before my time here?"

T'Mira gave a nod. "All of the above then or whatever you wish to share. Everyone is entitled to their secrets." She studied Camille and was again fascinated that she could say that she trusted her completely.

Camille smiled. She had never had a friend who was a Vulcan, but had heard that they sometimes had a hard time connecting with people. That T'Mira seemed so relaxed with her felt fantastic.

She regaled her friend with the story of the time when she and Nicole went snow-shoeing in a holodeck re-creation of Mount Royal park in Montréal. Nicole struggling with the cold, but pushing through it anyway, saying Camille shouldn't compromise her home for anyone. The beautiful view of the lit-up city from the observation platform. Cups of hot chocolate and the warm fireplace in the chalet, where they made love and then really started opening up to each other. The seeds of their relationship had already been planted, but that night they began to sprout.

"When we were on Earth," Camille said, by way of conclusion, "we made a point to visit the observation platform before boarding our transport. There wasn't any snow, and it was still light out, but I was glad we could spend a moment in the real place."

T'Mira sipped her drink. "It sounds as if this is what Vulcan's call buk, fate. You and Nicole I mean." She tilted her head. "We are...friends correct?"

"We are," the blonde scientist replied.

"Will our friendship harm the relationship with yourself and your partner. Doctor Anderson....does not like me very much. Will she be angry I was here?"

Camille shook her head. "Non, non, non. First, she knows you're here. I wouldn't keep that a secret, and it doesn't need to be a secret. Second, we have our own friends, and we're under no obligation to like each other's friends. Third, I don't think she doesn't like you. I think you got off on the wrong foot. I mean, if something happens between you and Xander, we won't rush to suggest a double-date, but I don't think it's as bad as you think it is." She smiled and gently touched T'Mira's arm. "Thank you, though, for considering that."

She gave a nod. "I do not wish you to ... hurt because of me." She sighed. "As for the Ambassador...nothing can happen there. He is still a beloved son on Vulcan and if it were known that he was with me it would bring disgrace on him." She said cryptically.

Camille was curious, but suspected that it was something much more personal. She'd let T'Mira explain if she wanted, but wouldn't push too hard. "I don't know why it would disgrace him. But I have an idea, one that might seem strange. Why not let him make that decision for himself?"

"I shall consider it. It is...complicated." She sipped her drink. "Camille..."

"Oui?"

"Thank you."

A brow furrowed under glasses. "What for?"

"For being my friend. I have never had a real one. Someone who did not seek friendship without a reason I mean."

Camille smiled warmly. "Any time, T'Mira. Is it alright if I give you a hug?"

She thought a moment. She was not one for physical contact but somehow she didn't mind Camille hugging her. She gave a nod. "Yes."

The blonde set her bottle down and wrapped her arms around her friend. "Thank you for being my friend, too."

T'Mira allowed herself to smile as she hugged Camille back.

After a moment, Camille released T'Mira and pulled back. She grabbed her bottle off the table and took a drink. "Now, you need to tell me your Sex on the Beach story!"

She gave a nod. "I was guarding a Denobulan Ambassador. He was fond of human drinks. I was not .... familiar with them. We were at a conference on Risa and when he said he wanted to see if they had Sex on the Beach. I went off to investigate. I told him that I did not think so. I was ordered by Starfleet to find a way to give him what he wanted. What I did not know was that they were referring to the replicators that were available to Starfleet." She actually smiled. "I went out and bought many Horcrox Statues. I brought them to the beach and then him. I told him the statues were meant on Risa to attract a mate and if he sat surrounded by them he might attract one that was willing to spend the night with him on the beach. He was not pleased. Neither was Starfleet. I...have a way of taking things literally. I did not understand it was a drink at the time."

Camille laughed throughout the story. She paid close attention but she couldn’t maintain any kind of composure. She could just imagine T’Mira holding Risian statues, trying to get the ambassador laid, confused by his negative reaction to it. “Mon Dieu, T’Mira, that’s one of the best Sex on the Beach stories anyone has ever told, I think.” She took off her glasses to wipe her eyes. She slowly regained her composure. “I’ve never been to Risa. I’m not sure how much I’d like it. I burn easily. Give me a ski holiday anytime. A day on the mountain or in the woods. Maybe around five below zero Celsius. Only the lightest snowfall. Evenings spent by a fireplace or in a hot tub or sauna.” She stared off into space wistfully.

"Winter can be fun too. Risa is...an acquired taste. I have only been there for conferences and on assignment." So far the night was turning out good. She felt herself starting to relax a little. Perhaps she could get some sleep tonight as well. Her tiredness was slowly coming in. "I am enjoying tonight."

"I am, too," Camille replied. "Thank you for coming here tonight." She finished the last of her second drink and gestured to the remaining bottle each. "Do we finish these off tonight, or save the last two for another time?"

"Another time. I should go. I have a briefing in the morning." She stood. "Camille...."

“Hmm?” Camille said, looking up to T’Mira’s eyes.

She thought again about it and decided that now was not the time. "Thank you again." She headed through the open door and slowly made her way to her quarters.

Left alone in her quarters, Camille set about cleaning up their empties and tidying the room. A great night with a new friend, and the promise for future fun.

:OFF

 

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