Shall we dance?

Posted on 03 Oct 2020 @ 12:50am by Civilian Iola Hawkins

Mission: R&R - after facing the Planet Killer
Location: Holosuite
Timeline: R&R Day?
3896 words - 7.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Michael sat in front of the computer screen, going over notes he took to help him get ready for his upcoming examination. He still needed to go to C'Tora to brush up on medical terms and his first aid. Studying, it was necessary, and he really wanted to pass. He pulled up his notes but his mind began to wander there was someone he hadn't seen in a little while. It was Iola, he remembered the shopping trip they had on the holosuite. He wondered...would Iola like to try out one of her dresses and learn to dance? It would probably help him to take a break from his studies. Plus, his acting troupe would probably love to meet her, and he felt it would do Iola some good to meet them too.

"Yup that will be good." pushing away from his desk, Michael twirled around in his chair, then got up and slid it back into its place. He sent a message, "Iola would you like to learn to dance? Put on one of your pretty dresses and I'll be by to pick you up, in a few minutes."

On that note he got himself ready and headed off to Iola's quarters, pressing on the chime to let her know he had arrived. He was dressed in a short sleeved dark maroon shirt with black slacks, and his black dancing shoes.

Iola had perked up at the request, and was busy hoisting herself in her favourite yellow dress. She'd just pushed her arms in when the chime went. "Come in!" she called, smiling brightly at him. "help me with this?" she then requested, turning for him to do up the dress.

Michael stepped inside and obliged Iola's request, zipping the dress up. "There you go." he said, "a beautiful dress for a beautiful woman." He looked around for her shoes, "Have you had anything to eat yet? Tonight it will be some dancing and having dinner. How does that sound?"

"I have not eaten," she confirmed as she slipped her feet into her shoes. "Michael... I not know how to dance... Never learned how." She bit her lower lip as she looked down at her feet. "Slaves not dance," she said softly. "Never had time."

"I planned on teaching you, though I feel you will be a fast learner. I noticed when we went shopping and your movements, while twirling around to see how the dress fit you. You are graceful, and I feel, a natural dancer." he said, "My theater-dance group will be where we are going, and I'd like you to meet them. They are a nice group of people. Though a couple of them maybe a bit... down to earth or rough around the edges. Sometimes they can say something without thinking. If they get out of line, I'll deal with them."

"Actual people or those holograms?" Iola asked curiously, though she felt a little anxious about having to meet with people she didn't know. "How do you deal with them? Do you...flog them?"

"They are real people, and if they do act wrongly, I don't flog them but they will know that I am not pleased with their actions. And they definitely don't want to get in the ring with me in the gym."Michael stated simply. "I will watch out for you. Besides, you are not a slave here, you in reality are more of a diplomat. A very important person. " he said with great assurance.

He offered the crook of his arm to her, "Shall we?" with a warm and gentle smile.

She took his arm. "I am a diplomat," she repeated. "What is difference between envoy and diplomat? my Don said I am envoy."

"An Envoy and A diplomat have relatively the same job. Essentially an envoy is a representative of a person, a messenger or a diplomat. Most times, a Diplomat is a representative of a government. And so both words can be used to describe what you do. You are an important person, one that the Don trusts to be his representative." walking down the corridor to the turbolift to take them to Deck 11 where some of the holodecks are.

"He is like father to me," Iola said simply, "known him all my life." And she was adamant to keep his secret, never revealing his true identity unless explicitly given permission to do so. "Tell me about your dancing. What is this troupe?"

Michael nodded at her words. "The troupe is basically a group of people who love acting, dancing and singing, and likes to perform for an audience. It's just a way for people to express themselves creatively. And to give people a chance to step away from regular day to day life. We haven't done a performance yet, as we are practicing. And still debating on just what sort of play or performance we want to do. Several want to do a romance, others are wanting an action adventure sort of play. Several want to do a musical, so things are still in the discussion stage."

The lift doors open and they proceed down the corridor to the Holodeck is at. Michael paused at the archway, looked at Iola. "Ready to go inside?"

Iola hesitated, then nodded, firmly. "Isn't being an envoy an act?" She asked uncertainly, "I not used to talking to people. Always watched people, listen to them. Made sure Don had people he trusted." She glanced over at the gathered people as the doors opened.

"It could be considered that, but not necessarily." Michael stated. "And you won't have to talk much here either, you can observe the people here, they will come say hello, so just say hello. Besides we'll be eating and then I will start the dance lessons. And my troupe can also demonstrate how the dance steps work from a different perspective. This way you can learn both from my instructions, and from watching."

They stepped in, Michael making a sweeping motion to the scene.
"To the left is a bar, where we get drinks from."It being populated by both holograms and real people. "over there," motioning towards the stage set up directly across the room."Is the stage where there is karaoke and people sing there. And over there " motioning to the right."Is the dining area, and right there." pointing to the wooden floor area. "Is where the dancing takes place. As you can see, there are people dancing there all ready."

At the moment there were several couples waltzing in time to the music that is playing.

"How do I know who is real and who is not?" Iola asked as she let her eyes roam across the people present, her eyes finally settling on the dancing couple. "They are so graceful," she breathed, "will we be like that?" She took his hand, pulling him towards the dancefloor. "How does this work?"

"What they are doing is the waltz, and the people there, two couples are real, the other two are holograms. " going with Iola to the dance floor. He nodded to the couples who looked over with curiosity, then went back to concentrating on their dance.

"We can be like that. Just takes practice." Michael stated. "For your first dance lesson, I'll teach you what is called the box step. Once you get familiar with that, we will proceed to where both of us will do the box step together." smiling at Iola. "First things first" Michael showing her the steps having her mirror his movements.

"Oops," Iola giggled as she misstepped onto his toes not once but several times. She rested her hands on his shoulders, keeping her eyes firmly on their feet in the hope of not bruising the poor man's toes any more than she had done by now. "This is fun," she finally said, looking up to meet his eyes, "but always same. Can we change?"

"Well that was just the basics, but there is a simpler step I totally forgot to show you. Its the two step, and then, I can show you the swing."nodding towards the dance floor where two people were doing a fast paced dance. "Or I can even show you something even more different, some disco. Or even freestyle dancing." he smiled. "There are plenty of styles of dancing I could show you. There is even a dance I learned when a child, the hokey pokey."

"I like this gliding," Iola said with a smile, hanging on tightly to him, their faces almost touching. "This close together dancing." She pulled him closer as if to make a point. "Faster but...flourish?"

Michael eased Iola into the one step, to where they were gliding across the floor, at a faster pace, he had forgotten that ultra simple step which was good for beginners. He had her hold one of his hands to where an arch was made with their connection, moving her through it, and he following after, then guided her to where she went behind him, he switching hands bringing her back to where she was facing him. Another move he did was place one arm about her waist, his other hand behind her knees, sweeping her off her feet to twirl them around in a semi gentle spin. He looking into her eyes.

"Is this a good enough flourish?" he asked, smiling.

Iola smiled brightly at him, wrapping her arms around his neck to keep herself from falling. "More than enough," she beamed at him, slowly wiggling her feet. "People are looking at us... seem to.. expect something?" She looked him right in the eyes, not quite sure why they were staring. "Are we not doing something? What do they expect?"

Michael blinked and looked over to where Rascal One and Rascal Two were staring at him and Iola. Rascal Two was pantomiming for Michael to kiss Iola. Rascal One slugged Rascal Two in the shoulder then dragged him off to the corner.

Michael chuckled slightly, then turned his attention back to Iola, feeling his heart start to race, his cheeks turning a light pink. "Um well...some of them are hoping that I will kiss you." he said softly. "I don't know how you would feel about that, though. A kiss can be something personal, especially the first kiss. It's something that should not be taken by force."

She could feel his heart thumping against his chest, being so close in his proximity. "I think you should," she finally answered, after staring at him for a full second. "I do not know how, but I don't understand why they expect it. I want you to, but I don't understand." She felt a flutter in her stomach that she couldn't explain as she continued to look up at him. "I like you...very much. You make me feel funny, when we are together. You always there for me, you special."

Michael smiled at her, "Let's go out of their sight, I don't think it is any of their business to see whether we kiss or not. A kiss on a stage when in a play is one thing, but this... your first kiss, is not theirs to watch." Michael said, "Would you like to take walk on the beach? There is an outside part of this holodeck program, that you might like. We can go out that door over there, we can walk, or I can carry you." giving her a teasing smile. "it is your choice."

"I walk." She beamed up at him as he led her away from their spectators. "I like beach. When I was small, my Don allowed me to go to beach. Sunset is magical so many colours." Her smile brightened as she wrapped her arms around his neck once more. "You very strong," she said, "better let me walk, don't want you get hurt carrying me."

"I won't get hurt carrying you, but yes. Let's walk through the door."

Michael carried Iola to the door, then gently lowered her feet to the floor. He opened the door which led to an outdoor scene. Just outside of the door was a wooden deck, with benches and chairs for people to sit on. Brightly colored paper lanterns swayed gently in the soft breeze, the light inside dancing. A wooden path led down towards the beach, lit by solar lights shaped like butterflies. To the right was a white gazebo with red climbing roses in full bloom. Small lights reminiscent of stars, glowed nestling in the roses and intertwined with the gazebo.

Michael took Iola's hand leading her down the path towards the beach. The sun was lowering itself into the ocean,a light breeze playing with wisps of hair, rustling the leaves and fragrant white blossoms of the dark green bushes, nearby. Michael plucked a flower, placing it in Iola's hair, smiling then continuing on. At the end of the path, Michael stopped to take off his shoes, rolling his pant legs to just below his knees. He fully intended on walking where the water lapped at the beach. He smiled looking at the setting sun, its colors tinting the sky and the white clouds that were present. He looked over to Iola, to see her reaction to the scenery.

Her eyes were wide as she took in the scene, taking in the scent of the flowers and feeling the wind tug at her violet hair. She turned her head when he tucked a flower in her hair and her hand went up to gingerly touch it. She kicked off her shoes, not needing to roll up anything as her dress wasn't all that long. "Beautiful," she whispered, not specifying whether she meant the scene, or the company. She stepped closer to him, watching him in expectation. "You said something about kiss," she reminded him, "I not done this before..."

Michael nodded slowly, her first kiss. This had to be done right. He scanned the area, bench, small stone wall, his eyes stopped on a flat rock just the right height near the water's edge. The rays of the sun changed to a darker gold, with a touch of red, and purple to it, the water reflecting the brilliant colors, the ocean spray shimmering like jewels.

Taking Iola by the hand, Michael led her there, he assisting her on the rock, now they were standing eye to eye level. Michael gazed into her eyes, feeling his heart beating rapidly, feeling like his breath has been taken away. She was so lovely, so beautiful...He cupped her cheeks in both hands, ran one thumb gently across her lips, they feeling velvety soft like the petal of a rose. He drew near gently kissing her, his lips warm and tender.

Iola held her breath, feeling like it literally was stolen from her. She closed her eyes as she felt just that little bit faint, her own heart racing. She reached up, mirroring the gesture, as if she didn't want him to stop. But she needed him to eventually as she did need to breathe. Gasping and wide-eyed, she stared at him. "You good at this," she said, her voice barely a whisper, "it feels very good. Can we do again?"

This time, she leaned forward, looking him right in the eyes. Was she doing this right? Was the angle right? What if she went too fast? What if...? So many questions milled through her head that she misjudged the distance and lost her balance, tumbling right into his arms.

Instinctively, Michael wrapped his arms around Iola, pulling her close to prevent her from falling, lowering his lips to hers. The kiss lasted a little bit longer, then Michael lifted his head, speaking softly"That was a fantastic kiss, Iola." his voice a bit husky. He turned with Iola still in his arms walked a couple of steps from the flat rock, then gently lowered Iola's feet to the sand, releasing her from his embrace.

He was grateful he had gotten a shot from C'Tora, and that he has a strong willpower, for he'd be losing his head at this time, if he didn't have those things combined with respect for Iola. Iola's kisses were potent.

"You need to be careful where kissing is concerned Iola, your kisses, are so wonderful, that people might want them more and more." looking at Iola, his eyes and smile, tender.

"Why do I need careful? I use inhibitor for these... pheromoons?" She paused, hanging on to him. "Do you want them more?"

"Your kisses, are wonderful."Michael stated, feeling himself on some shaky ground. "I do want more kisses but, Iola, I am not about to take advantage of you. A kiss can lead to.. romantic feelings, and at times hurt feelings if one person doesn't feel the same way, that another person feels about them." his eyes growing rather serious.

"You feel not same way then?" She raked her fingers through her violet hair as she watched him, "you do not feel as I do?"

Michael closed his eyes for a moment mentally groaning, this was so difficult. "Just how do you feel about me? Do you feel a fluttery sensation in your stomach, you said you feel safe, and protected when I am around. I am so clueless.." he said softly. "well was clueless. "thinking back over past details he for some reason missed. And he thought he was someone who noticed things. "I do like you, Iola, I am not certain as to the extent of my feelings. I am not a man who will play with your affections, and this sort of conversation is difficult to have." Michael stepped away from Iola to take a seat upon the rock she had been standing on, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm sorry if I am causing some confusion."

"I feel flutter, do you not feel flutter?" she asked, sitting down as well. She gave him an earnest look, though there was a hint of hurt. "Or do you feel flutter for someone else?" Her eyes grew a touch harder now. "People talk, people say you seen with others."

Michael looked directly at Iola. "I am attracted to you, and other ladies. Iola. Now whether I am in love with them or you, I don't know. I can't really say I'm in love with anyone as of yet. I don't want to hurt anyone, nor do I want to be hurt either. No matter how careful anyone is, someone will eventually get hurt." he sighed in frustration. " I was in love once, and that person... just up and left. No reason, just left. Left before we were to be married. To this day, I don't know what happened to her, nor the reason why she left. It haunts me still."

"I do not know love," Iola admitted. "It is more than care for, is it not?" She arched an eyebrow at him in question. "I would not leave you. I would ask my Don if I could stay with you. I..." She paused, nervously twirling her fingers through her hair. "I think he would allow it... My Don is different, he not like others. He good person."

"Caring is a large part of it. There are different types of love. Love for your family, love you have for your friends, love you have for that someone you would sacrifice anything for them. A romantic love where the fires of passion can send you to the heights of heaven and back. Then there is the long lasting love that a couple has that goes beyond the fires of passion, which lasts through the good times and the bad. " he paused, and looked at Iola.

"You would ask your Don, to stay with me, as you are feeling something stronger than just caring about me? I would love for you to stay as a free woman, and not as a slave. I want you to be free, without any sort of chain on you. No more title of slave. I want you to experience things as a free woman. Be the diplomat you already are." his fingers mussing up his hair as he floundered to convey what he was trying to say.

"I don't want you to be bound to anyone, least of all to me, until I sort out my heart and feelings to learn how to love more than what I do. I want you to be free to choose. I don't know if I am making any sense, but part of me wants to talk with your Don, to ask him to set you free."

"I would stay with you," Iola answered honestly, gently pulling his hand away from his mussed up hair, and holding it between both her own. "You make me feel funny, inside. Make me want to be with you more," she confessed. "I believe, my Don would want me to be happy. Don's home is my home, always be my home. I think...he sent me to learn. He not ask me any time to come home, return to be his assistant. Never ask me." She was speaking faster, forgetting words as she went. "I do not know love.... I do not know how to say things... But with you, I be me... no pretend, not just... pretty girl?"

"You aren't just a pretty girl. I always thought you to be intelligent." he answered, "Seems to me that you and I both will be on a journey together, to learn things." Michael stated softly. "at this point in time, maybe another woman's perspective might help explain how you are feeling." placing his other hand over hers, " I can only tell you what my sisters had told me when I wasn't certain as to what I was feeling for the woman, that was to be my wife, they said that I was in love. I felt the same way you are currently feeling."

His eyes were filled with sincerity, " Since I have been through the hurt of a broken heart, I just don't want to do that to you at all. That's why I've been keeping things at a low key"

Though Michael was starting to wonder, was he feeling more for Iola than just friends? He probably is, but, that is something he was going to analyze the heck out of. There was also something else that was holding him back, a feeling that he couldn't put a finger on yet. Just the inkling of something ready to pounce on him. He didn't know who, what, where or how or when this was going to occur. He felt his skin prickle up, and a slight shiver overtake him.

"Learning is good," Iola answered with a smile, "and fun. We learn together, yes?" She looked at him with a hopeful smile now. "I not leaving, I stay here," she added, "I sent here, I not going anywhere." She tapped his chest with a single finger. "You not go anywhere either."

Michael chuckled, "I don't plan on going anywhere."

"Good." She gave a satisfied nod, then pulled him back onto the dance floor. "Now we dance."

Michael laughed, not resisting Iola taking him back onto the dance floor. This was definitely something he loved, dancing.