It's Okay To Open Up
Posted on Thu Aug 20th, 2026 @ 3:04am by Lieutenant JG Nathaniel Wolffe & Lieutenant JG Aurora Winters
1,525 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2: Mine of Taurus
Location: USS Scharnhorst, Lounge
"Do you mind if I join you? I couldn't sleep, that's why I came down to the lounge tonight. The whole idea of going into the Taurus II System frightens me a little bit. I know you're off the clock and I'm not trying to start a counseling session, I'm just looking for a friend to talk to. And I like talking to you." He said what the warm smile as he slowly reach out his hand to grab hers, Nathaniel remember the last time they talked, they had a nice moment together.
"Have a seat," Aurora replied "I'm a tad bit nervous of going into that system too. We have to trust the captain for what he's going to get us into," she giggled. "I come here after hours, I love looking out at the stars." she took his hand in hers. He had warm hands and she liked that.
"Well if you want to look at the stars, my quarters have a pretty good view." He said being a little cheesy, hoping that she didn't think that was too forward or aggressive.
"I'd like to see that," Aurora replied. "When would you like to show me?"
"Really?" Nathaniel said a little surprised, but in a good way. He didn't mind being surprised like that. "Typically most girls wouldn't want to go over to a guy's quarters, especially after knowing each other just a short time."
"Really, I'd love to see the stars from your quarters," Aurora replied
"Maybe over dinner tomorrow, right now I think we already have plans to enjoy the night." Nathaniel said, in reality his room was a little messy because he had diplomatic files all over his sofa and on the table. He been trying to get ready for the Taurus II system mission. You know the chances of him meeting anybody during this mission would be complicated, so you wanted to make sure he was prepared for it.
"Tomorrow it is," Aurora replied. "Let's just enjoy the night and the stars. They're so peaceful."
"Today or shall I say tonight, we can get to know each other better here in the lounge." Nathaniel suggested to her, hoping she would stay and continue talking to him.
"Why not say both?" Aurora asked. "I like talking to you."
"Doesn't the old proverb go, some things are worth waiting for. We can enjoy tonight, have a good time. And then we can stargaze another night. I think that stargazing night will be something worth waiting for." Nathaniel said trying to sound smooth in his approach.
"I think your right," Aurora agreed. "The evening is perfect and so is the company."
"You know the lounge isn't really my thing, would you be interested in maybe going on a walk?" Nathaniel said, not really wanting to suggest going back to his quarters cuz he want her to think he was a gentleman. And he did his best to be a gentleman.
"I'd love to go for a walk with you," Aurora replied.
Nathaniel took her hand, as they left the lounge area. "It's a little rowdy in here, do you want to go to the arboretum?" He asked, with a warm smile on his face.
"That sounds so peaceful, I don't get in there enough," Aurora replied.
"Then I would be happy to show you around, I've been in there a few times. I think you'll like it, it's very relaxful." Nathaniel said, as he took her hand and they started to make their way towards the Arboretum.
Location: USS Scharnhorst, Arboretum
As they both walked in, Nathaniel immediately looked over to Aurora space to get her first looks, he wanted to see the joy and amazement in her eyes as they walked in. "What do you think?"
"It's so peaceful, Birds chirping, frogs croaking and the sound of a stream trickling. My office should be this relaxing," Aurora said as she nodded to a bench, "Let's go have a seat and just enjoy this and each other."
"Is it ambiance noise or is there actual birds?" Nathaniel asked, not realizing they would be holographic birds. He did not know that birds have migration paths and starships do not allow for migration paths.
"I don't know if the birds in here are real or not. All I know is I love hearing them sing, chirp and all of the other sounds i here." Aurora said as several hummingbirds could be seen drinking from the flowers.
Nathaniel grinned for a moment, before going on to say. "I am with you on that, the birds are very relaxing to hear. Especially in the morning. I wonder if they play crickets at night for the same ambiance factor."
"Good question and I wonder if the lights in here dim to resemble night," Aurora wondered.
"Maybe we can find out together in the best future." Nathaniel asked, trying to sound smooth. He felt a little out of his element. He hoped it did not show.
"I'd like that, it will be interesting so see and hear and see if this transitions to night time," Aurora said.
"That's another time, for now we should talk about where the day is going to take us?" Nathaniel asked, trying to be smooth with his delivery line, hoping he did not fumble it up.
Aurora smiled and reached for his hand, "Where would you like the day to take us? It's so peaceful here."
"That's a dangerous question to ask for a man trying to be a gentleman." Nathaniel said, with a big teething grin on his face. He smiled, and they went on to say. "Maybe we can get a hold of that reservation, that would be the ultimate goal. Maybe not tonight but soon."
"I'd like that, and you are being a gentleman," Aurora assured him.
"Good, glad to see you that I'm not wasting my talents." Nathaniel said playfully.
"What talents would that be?" Aurora asked matching his playful tone. She was anxious to see where this evening would go."
"Being a gentleman, being a compassionate person. Being reasonable, good at listening. Should I keep going on?" Nathaniel asked with a warm playful smile, trying not to sound to boastful.
Aurora giggled and smiled. "Your fun to be with, you can make me laugh and you are a gentleman. I enjoy time with you."
"And you are warm and compassionate. You actually listen to me without trying to analyze me. And if I may be bold, very pretty." Nathaniel said to her, hoping she not be freaked out with him calling her pretty.
"Thank you for that." Aurora said, "No one has called me pretty in a long time. As for analyzing someone I try to separate my position from my personal life. I've found it that people will talk to me better once they realize that I leave being a counselor in the office unless I need to be one after hours."
"I have no doubt that Counselor Winters is a good counselor, however I want to get to know Aurora Winters the person behind the counselor." Nathaniel said with a warm smile on his face.
"Off duty I like hanging out with friends present company included, I love trying new things, I also love to cook." Aurora said. "To name some things that is me off duty, Does that help?"
"A little, I prefer a good holodeck program or a book. Both allow me to utilize my creativity." Nathaniel suggested to her with a warm smile. There was more to him, that simply playing in the holodeck, but it was a good start for them to build off of.
"I try to read a chapter or two in a book before I go to sleep. A holo deck program sounds great, would that include a nice walk on the beach and maybe a picnic too?" Aurora asked.
"Don't tease me, I hope you plan on backing up that suggestion." Nathaniel said with a big warm smile on his face. The idea of being alone with her a holographic beach, sounded very nice.
"It's not a tease, I'd love a beach picnic with you. Swim attire is a must." Aurora said.
"I was not going to mention it, but something tells you have a story to tell me." He said, wondering why she referenced that swimming attire was a must.
"I do," Aurora nodded. "I want to play beach volleyball, and go swimming, Something I've not had a chance to do in some time."
Nathaniel could not help but grin. The idea of. Seeing her in a swimsuit was appealing. "Swimming is a great idea, been to long since I played in the ocean." Nathaniel suggested.
"I love the water, been a while since I swam too." Aurora said. "I'm looking forward to it."
"So do you want me too book the reservation?" Nathaniel asked, hoping she would say yes. She was leaning in the direction of saying yes, he had a feeling.
"Yes by all means book it!" Aurora said.
Nathaniel smiled, as the scene starts to fade with the two of them talking.
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