=/\= USS Charon, Deck Three =/\=
He was polite and waited for Sakarra to sit down and begin to eat before he did the same. He had a hard time concentrating on his meal though. He still ate with gusto and drank of the wine. He watched her though almost the entire time, his eyes having a hard time moving away from her except to aid in his eating. "You're up to something," he finally said as his steak was almost completely gone. "As much as I would never complain about you looking so incredible... You're up to something," he said with a certain tone to his voice.
Vulcans do not lie. As far as generalizations go, this one has more basis in fact than most. What people fail to understand is that Vulcans can dissemble as well as anyone else, if not better. Much better.
Sakarra was too much her mother's daughter to any but abhor the former, and had a lingering distaste for the latter, although she grudgingly acknowledged that on occasion it was a wise course of action.
Not this time.
"Yes. I am." She stated it as plainly and calmly as if she were confirming that there was a touch of basil to the breadsticks. Undeterred, she pushed aside her empty plate and savored the taste of the spices still lingering before the prospect of chocolate icecream and mango became too tempting to ignore. There were even dips of whipped cream here and there, just enough to compliment the already harmonious mix of flavors and Sakarra nodded in answer to Brent's earlier statement.
"We should. I have in fact taken the liberty of arranging deliveries with Miss Betty, time and schedules allowing. It would appear that she is so delighted by the circumstance I am entertaining company in my quarters, she has merely asked for regular appearances in the lounge in return."
A spoonful of fruit and chocolate disappeared between lips that curved into yet another fleeting smile and Sakarra motioned towards the second bowl of salad after licking an errant speck of cream from the corner of her mouth "It is quite agreeable. And you were rather hungry, yes? Whatever I am 'up to' as you put it should not cause such excellent food to be ignored."
Though truth be told he was not making it easy for her. Every time she only did as much as shift her weight, his deep blue gaze would unfailingly seek out the sensual curves displayed by the silk clinging to her figure. And there was a hunger glinting in that gaze that had little to do with the food spread out between them.
Almost like a touch, lighter than a breath, the way his eyes lingered where the deep red fabric covered an elegantly rounded shoulder and traveled towards the soft skin of her throat, down to where the dress again threw warm shadows under a low neckline.
Clinging to her composure by virtue of remembering that he well deserved to be kept in a state of suspense, Sakarra quirked a brow and pushed back the warmth rising in her blood.
Unreadable dark eyes, luminous as black pearls, glanced up at the Marine and then pointedly returned their attention to dessert.
Brent nearly choked as she answered him in the positive. He looked at her for a moment and shook his head. He poured himself another glass of wine before offering the bottle to her. "Can I offer you a refill my dear?" he asked as he watched her motioning at her glass that seemed almost all the way empty. He was having a hard time concentrating on what was going on outside of her and the wine.
He idly wondered just which one of them was the greater distraction. Watching her every move Brent had to shake his head to clear his thoughts. He wondered if this was some new form of the apparent bond that they were developing... "Oh? More meals here then I take it," he asked her. He liked the idea, the chef there was quite nice and seemed to have a great skill for the kitchen. He wasn't so sure that he liked the idea of not going out with Sakarra though. "Do you not want to be seen together? To avoid rumors," he asked her.
"Please do." Sakarra nodded at the wine which had yet again proven an excellent choice. Having inflicted serious damage on dessert, she could certainly use the counterbalance of the rich, heady beverage.
"From your tone of voice I gather you are in accord with Miss Betty that we should … I believe her choice of words was 'Go out and break some hearts'. Although I am not entirely certain what she meant by that."
She swirled the deep red liquid in her glass, casting a glance at the Marine through half closed eyes. Well, spending some evenings in the lounge was not an entirely unwelcome prospect, but there was something to be said for being able to move from dinner to … other things … without interruption.
Sipping the wine that held a beautiful undertone of spice and berries, the young Vulcan wondered not for the first time what it was about this male that inevitably sparked her desire time and again. She would have been alarmed by the sheer intensity of her response to him, had she not known that this specific trait at least was … running in the family so to speak.
She set down the empty glass and noted the food was all but gone and Brent's focus was now almost entirely on her. Good.
A picture of innocence and serenity, Sakarra got to her feet and started to neatly stack the empty dishes back onto the tray, making sure to move with nothing but her usual fluid grace. Still, it was enough to let a predatory light appear in the Marine's twilight eyes, and she would have chuckled had it not ruined her carefully plotted plans.
With the same easy stride as if she were crossing the bridge towards her station, the young Vulcan finally moved towards the bedroom, stopping right in the door and casting a glance over her shoulder that sent a few loose sable tresses tumbling over a silk covered shoulder.
"Would you accompany me?"
"I just don't see the point any more in avoiding letting people know that we are together. Breaking their hearts or being happier as a result," he said waving off her suggestion. However he didn't want to continue the conversation just now, it would be best to discuss things later. Perhaps when they were both a bit more relaxed. He wondered if she was afraid of their involvement being well known? It was rather late for those kinds of thoughts, but still women could be odd at times... This one more than usual.
Now however was not one of those times that Brent felt that she was acting odd, she was in fact acting quite clear. It was the clarity that actually made Brent a little bit worrisome. He knew that she was up to something but he had no idea what. The look that she gave him just now though, he had no intention of turning down such a look as he set his napkin down on his plate and stood up, moving over towards her in the doorway. "I'd be delighted to my dear."
Nodding with the perfect equanimity of the Vulcan who had expected nothing other than her Companion's acquiescence to a logical request, Sakarra walked on, her bare feet soundless on the soft carpet. She did not need to look to know Brent followed steadily, though there was just the tiniest suggestion of hesitation in his steps.
The copper brazier nestled inside an archaic statue was lit with sure, swift movements and slowly a subtle, relaxing scent began to spread through the room, echoing of tall conifers and warm spices. Quietly, Sakarra smiled but set her features back to utter calm before turning back towards the Marine watching her with more than just a little tension in his stance.
"One might almost think you fear I would hurt you. Almost."
The art of dressing and undressing another was considered a desirable skill on her homeworld, though this too was not one of the things shared freely. Developed from the simple logic that tending to another – be it in the bath or before an important function – should be done with grace and ease, it had become an art form unto itself over the millennia. And though Starfleet uniforms were not precisely elegantly flowing robes, Sakarra made the best of it, savoring the experience as she went.
"Such tension." She murmured as tender fingertips traveled lightly over a muscle armored chest.
"Should I consider it a compliment or be concerned?"
Finally, she could no longer hide the mischief twinkling in the depth of her eyes and smiled up at the face watching her carefully. "Although I do have to commend your restraint. It shall serve you well, since the 'brute force' you mentioned will be of little help with what I am 'up to'."
There was a high probability he would continue to be the impossible male he was, no matter what she did. But she could at least be so polite and demonstrate the possible consequences.
Marine Commander
Lt Cmdr Sakarra Tyrax
Chief Helm
USS Charon
