Day One and Still Here -- So Far

Posted on Tue Apr 12th, 2022 @ 4:32pm by Lieutenant Commander Amaya Capac & Lieutenant Cyrus Jericho

1,795 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Mission 8 - A Blast from the Past
Location: Capac's Quarters
Timeline: 2296/03/12 1800 hours

ON

Maya's first day on America had not gone well. The Captain didn't like her first because she was an academic and then because when the avian Captain showed interest in the holographic image of a Romulan, Maya told him that Starfleet would send people to see how they could help. While it was true that once a planet achieved warp, they were considered technological enough to meet the neighbors. Help could be offered, up to the level of their technology, but in her attempt to be vague, Maya had not been clear enough, and she hadn't asked O'Connor for permission first. But if it wasn't this, it would be something else. Maya appeared to be destined to tick off O'Connor no matter what she did.

Now, she wondered how soon she'd be sent packing. Probably as soon as the Captain could arrange for another shuttle. The only regret she would have about leaving was that she didn't want to leave Cyrus. He should have been the first officer. But if he was, she wouldn't be here at all.

"Computer, play Andean Folk Music." The sound of wooden pipes began to play over the sound system. At least she could unpack what her mother sent and make her quarters look a little more like home. It wouldn't be enough, but it might help her feel better.

She spread a blanket with a llama over her bed, and a light blanket with a condor over the back of her couch. A wooden bowl with Incan pictographs went onto her desk and a plush llama sat on top of her small bookcase with her sampoñas and flute.

Finally, she took off her shoes and climbed onto the back of her couch to hang a print of the Andes.

Cyrus walked down the corridor, finally in uniform, as he made his way to Amaya's room. He gave his uniform jacket a slight tug as he continued, nodding to a passing officer, putting on a smile to hide his discomfort. Once he reached the outside of the doors, he tapped the chime to notify his arrival.

"Come in," she called, turning her head.

Cyrus walked into the quarters and stopped in front of the opened door. He took a moment to look around, taking everything in, before hearing the door close behind him. With a slight smirk on his face, he turned to look to Amaya. "Yup... this is definitely what I imagined your quarters looking like. Although, you're missing the life-sized model of dinosaur bones. Which is slightly disappointing to be fair." He gave her a smile before approaching her.

She chuckled as she stepped down off the couch. "I'm not a paleontologist, but I did have a scale model of Tenochtitlan."

"You both dig in the dirt. Do you blame me for the confusion?" Cyrus replied with a laugh before walking over to her. "Do I even want to know what a Teno-chit-chat or whatever it was?"

She gave him a quick kiss. "It's an ancient Aztec complex near Mexico City and I don't blame you at all."

Cyrus kissed her back, taking his hands in hers, before replying, "And I am sure it’s a fascinating place." He gave her another smirk just as he brought her in for a big embrace. "So... what have you dug up for us tonight? And by dug up I mean cook?"

"Do you like taco salad? Or tortillas?" She wasn't sure what he liked to eat. Not yet, anyway.

"Never heard of them, but I am sure they are delicious." Cyrus replied with a chuckle.

"Then we'll have a bit of both. Have a seat, I'll be back in a few minutes." She slipped away to go to the tiny area she used as a kitchenette.

She'd picked up lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and tortillas from the mess earlier, along with hamburger and beans she could cook later in a sealed container.

The meat and beans had been cooking over a hot plate with spices she brought from home. She mixed everything together in a large bowl and brought it, along with a pile of tortillas, out to the table. "Dinner's ready," she said cheerfully.

Cyrus removed his uniform jacket and placed it onto the couch arm. He smile upon hearing the food was ready and proceeded to the table. "Everything looks and smells good." He said as he took his seat.

"Thank you." Maya poured the chilled sangria into two glasses, then set a tortilla on each of their plates and piled the mix on top. "This is one of my favorite meals. It goes with anything."

She smiled as she sat down opposite him. "I'm glad you're here. How did your afternoon go?"

"Fine." Cyrus replied, leaning slightly against the back of his chair. "Met the Chief. Very... interesting Officer."

Maya scowled. "I met him, too. What happened with your meeting?"

"From the moment I got there he accused me of being an Officer who took unnecessary risks with no regard for everyone around me. Then he got mad because he thought I didn't send him my report on our meeting with the Bird people. He obviously didn't read it, because when I mentioned the Romulan language thing, he had no idea what I was talking about." Cyrus chuckled slightly, smirking a bit, before looking to Amaya. "Clearly, he is the wisest and sharpest tool in Starfleet Securities shed."

"He didn't make a good impression when I spoke with him today, but yours..." She shook her head. "I have no words." She put her hand over his free one. "Except maybe I'm sorry."

"He was here before we arrived, so I don't blame you, I blame the idiot who approved his graduation from the Academy." Cyrus gave her a smirk before raising his glass. "So... enough about the petty stuff... let’s eat and be merry."

She raised her glass. "To good food and good company." She would gladly stop talking about Adams to talk more about Cyrus.

"The food has yet to be judged." Cyrus replied, holding up his glass, before smiling back at her. "And the company isn't good... its great."

Her smile softened. "The company is the best." It was the first time they'd been alone together and she looked forward to the evening ahead.

Cyrus smiled back, finally taking a drink from his glass. He thought, the moment he got on board the America, he would start to feel homesick. More than he did when he was at the Academy at least. However, meeting Amaya, was making things much easier for him. Having her around, someone to talk to and spend time with, would make his time here and dealing with the Chief of Security bearable.

She found herself gazing at Cyrus. She set her glass down and turned to her food before it got cold. There would be time to talk after the meal and just enjoy being together.

They focused on the food, occasionally making conversation. When they were both finished, Maya took their dishes into the kitchenette. "Do you want dessert now, or later?"

"Whenever you feel up to it." Cyrus replied, looking over to her with a smile.

"We can move over to the couch for a bit and talk, then we can have dessert later." The more she got to know Cyrus, the more she liked him. And after today, she needed polite company.

"I hope its comfy." Cyrus joked as he got up and smiled. "You lead the way."

"I think it's comfy, but then, I haven't slept on it yet," She grinned and led Cyrus back to the living room, sitting down on one side and turning to face him.

Cyrus smirked a bit, following her to the living room. "You have to sleep on it just once. Want to make sure, if you have guests over that can't make it home on their own two feet, that at least they have a good night’s sleep." He let out a bit of a chuckle before sitting down away from Amaya. He looked at her, smiling pleasantly at her, before sliding close enough to place his hand on the top of the headrest so that his arm was extended slightly passed her. "One day gone and no boom. No boom today. Maybe boom tomorrow. Always a boom tomorrow."

"No boom, but it came close." She grinned. "At least not with our respective superiors. For the other, well, it would depend on who was sleeping over."

Cyrus nodded, smiling a bit, before quickly adding. "I am sure the bed is just as comfy." Before she had a chance to reply with a quip, he said. "All the rooms seem to look the same, so I am just speculating."

"It probably is like all the other beds on all the other starships," she replied. "I'll get one night, at least, to check it out." She sighed. "While the Captain has a good opinion of you, she does not feel the same way about me. I'm just hoping I last out the week."

"You'll be fine. All you need is your moment, that’s all." Cyrus replied softly. "Besides... seeing as what she had to work with before I got here... a Pakled with one good leg, one good eye, and narcolepsy would have impressed her."

She couldn't help laughing. "You're not wrong. I hope Lieutenant Adams improves with time." She put her hand on his arm. "How are you and Gypsy settling in?"

"I can't get a word in. She does all the decorating. Hardly any room for my stuff. She can be such a diva." Cyrus looked at her firmly before laughing a bit. "We're fine. Gypsy walked about the quarters, to get used to it and to find the best hiding spots, while I was impressed I didn't have a roommate and it wasn't falling apart."

"I'm glad you're both settling in." She smiled again. "And I'm glad you came over for dinner." It made the day better by ending on a positive note.

"Well..." Cyrus said, looking over to her with a smile, as he nodded his head. "As long as I have an invitation to come by... I will always be happy to come over and help with making you happy. Especially, when you need it."

"You're always welcome to come by." She leaned forward and kissed him. "It's an open invitation because you do make me happy."

____
OFF

Lieutenant Cyrus Jericho
Chief Security Officer
USS America

Lieutenant Commander Amaya Capac
Executive Officer and Chief Communications Officer
USS America

 

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