Meeting the Princess

Posted on Fri Mar 20th, 2020 @ 2:32am by

Mission: Cruel Meridian
Location: VIP Quarters
Timeline: MD1, evening
1725 words - 3.5 OF Standard Post Measure

After finally getting past the security detail which stood guard outside Princess Leyana‘a quarters. Herbert allowed the doors to close behind him and calmed himself from the heated discussion he’d just had before he spoke. “Princess Leyana? I’m Herbert Barr, I’m the Starfleet liaison officer assigned to you for this mission.” He said, looking around the main living area of the VIP quarters she had been placed.

The orange skinned beauty turned, a pleasant smile on her face. "Ahhh," she remarked, "you managed to get past those loons out there. Good job..." She approached and held out her hand towards him. "I'm Leyana. So, you're assigned to me hm? What exactly will your duties be?"

“The gentlemen outside are only doing their jobs, albeit far too aggressively.” Barr stated. “I’m here to serve as liaison between yourself and Starfleet. My other duties will include making sure your needs are met. Anything you need, I’ll make sure you get it in good time, m’lady.”

"Anything?" Leyana put on her most charming smile. "Anything at all?"

Bert resisted the urge to role his eyes. “Anything within reason, m’lady. If you require me to keep you company I can do, if you don’t want to see me for the rest of this trip that’s also fine, but I am here for you.” He explained in a calm and quiet tone.

"Just company?" the young woman pouted as she ran her slender fingers across his shoulder, "what if I want to play games? Or want to see things? What if I want more than just company?"

“I’m pretty sure I can accommodate games, trips the holodeck or even a tour of one of Starfleet's finest vessels.” Bert replied, something about the princess he found attractive. True, she was good looking but there was something deeper.

"That's not what I mean," Leyana pouted, letting her fingers run down his arm. "What if I need a friend? Someone to confide in, or to have fun with?"

“Princess, I don’t mind being your friend, your shoulder to cry on or a games partner. Starfleet wants me here to keep you happy and that’s what I’ll do.” He replied keeping his tone even and ignoring the touch on his arm.

"And what if what I want, is something that goes against your principles? Will you still do it?" She looked utterly serious as she regarded him.

“Of course that wouldn’t happen.” Barr replied coolly. “You’re about to start a journey into the world of marital bliss. I’m sure you wouldn’t do anything to risk that.”

"pre-arranged, and I don't know if it'll be bliss," Leyana scoffed, "it's something I have to do, that doesn't mean I'm entirely looking forward to it." She dropped her hand to his lower arm. "What about deception...will you play along with a ruse?"

“A ruse?” Bert asked raising an eyebrow.

"Hm-mm..." She noticed the raising of the eyebrow and she reached up to trace its outline. "Why do you do that? What does that mean?" she asked curiously.

“It’s a sign of curiosity. What are you planning m’lady?” Barr asked, trying hard to ignore the touch of the princess.

"I want to see how people respond to the mere suggestion or idea that I would be well... spending too much time with an individual male." She cast.him her most charming smile. "A little public affection to fuel the suggestion but nothing more." She shrugged. "From what I understand my intended is older than I and a bit of a bore and I want to have some fun while I still can."

“Well, I can help you to a point, m’lady. But I won’t cross the line.” Barr replied coolly.

"Well ofcourse not," Leyana smiled, her hand traveling up to touch his cheek. "I'm merely intending to study how people respond and learn from it. You did read into my background, didn't you? I don't intend for anything to happen that crosses any lines though you'll have to teach me a thing or two here. I know nothing about... you're Human right?"

“Unfortunately, the information I received was very limited about you before arriving.” He replied as the hairs in the back of his neck stood on end at her touch. “I’ll endeavour to help you as much as I can. You are correct, I am a human.”

"So tell me a little more about Humans? What do they do for fun? What about pleasing them? What pleases you?" She had a great many questions and equally not as much time to ask them. "What do you think people would do if they saw us together?"

“There are lots of things humans like to do, cooking, exercising, socialising, games... It’s a pretty extensive list.” Barr replied as he crossed his arms. “I like to eat different foods and I enjoy rock climbing and cycling. I think people would just assume I was following my orders if we were seen together, although that depends on what we were seen doing.”

"What is normal for Human couples to do in public?" Leyana pressed, "or really close friends? I like to try different foods too but I don't know what this... cycling... is." She looked up. "Can you show me?"

“Couples can hold hands, walk arm in arm, kiss and hug in public. Close friends just tend to maybe greet each other with a hug maybe a kiss on the cheek but that’s it.” Bert replied. “As for cycling, I’m sure the holodeck can come up with somewhere interesting to ride a bike. Perhaps that’s something we could do tomorrow if you’d like?”

"I'd like that," Leyana smiled, "would you agree to holding hands in public? All for the purpose of studying the response of others, of course. Anything you're uncomfortable with, you need to tell me. Your response too is of value to me."

Barr started to feel uncomfortable, he was here to help the Princess on the journey but he was in enough trouble without more rumours starting. However, if this was a social experiment then what would be the harm. He slowly nodded, “Ok, I’m sure that’s something we can do.”

"You don't like this," she observed, "why? I promse it's harmless and I'm not going to do anything untoward. It's not like I plan to share my bed with you." She arched a single eyebrow at him. "Unless that's something you would want?" Just holding hands in public was perfect for her little experiment, she wasn't after anything beyond having a friend, despite public appearance.

Barr swallowed hard, the Princess was beautiful and there was something about her that was alluring but he needed to stay professional. “I’ve hit a rough point in my career with Starfleet. I won’t bore you with details but I’d prefer to keep gossip and my name to a minimum for the moment.”

"If I am going to be queen, then details and boredom are something I should be able to endure." her hand slid down his arm and she let her fingers fold around his to end up holding his hand. "Tell me what happened," she insisted, "perhaps talking about it to a total stranger may help?"

Barr sighed, he knew arguing with the Princess would be pointless. “My previous mission went south, the diplomatic team I was meant to be protecting got killed. The blame was mine, if I’d done a better job then it wouldn’t have happened. There is more to this story but I can’t...won’t talk about it.”

"Could you have done it better?" She released his hand, reaching up to touch his cheek with the palm of her hand. "What would you have done different? Nothing is perfect, you can't predict every little detail. It's impossible."

“I believed too much in the mission rather than keeping a level head and keeping an eye on the Breen. I should have seen they were up to something...” he trailed off as he relived what happened in his mind.

"Could you have seen?" Leyana pressed, stepping a little closer, making him look at her. "There's nothing wrong with believing in what you do or have to do, but we all have limits. We can't foresee everything. Could you have foreseen?"

“Knowing the Breen I should have had an idea of what they were up to.” Bert replied as he looked deeply into the Princess’ eyes. A few moments passed before he shook his head. “Still, hindsight is a wonderful thing. It’s been a long day, perhaps I should get some rest and report to you first thing?”

"That's up to you. But you're welcome to stay here and keep me company. Or perhaps I should keep you company because it sounds like you could use a friend."

“I probably won’t be much use to you until I get some rest. I had an early start and I’ve not really stopped since.” Bert replied. “Once I’m rested I can take you for that bike ride in the morning on the holodeck.”

"Are you sure?" Leyana cast him the sternest look she could muster. "Who said you have to be of use to me, I sure didn't. Where are your quarters? Are they far away?"

“I’ve been placed in crew quarters on deck 5 so 3 decks down and my orders are to be of use to you so I need to be useful.” He said with a smile. “Unless you need me for anything now, m’lady, I’ll take my leave from you.”

"I have more use of you when you're on the ball," Leyana smiled. "Come here tomorrow morning and we'll have breakfast. We'll go over our schedule then." She waved him off with a flick of her hand. "Go sleep, I'll see you in the morning."

“Good night, m’lady.” Bert said as he took a step back from the Princess and gave a respectful nod. Before turning on his heel and left the Princess for the evening.

Princess Leyana
Royalty Guest
npc Lhaes

Herbert Barr
Mission Advisor