Unwinding

Posted on Thu Jul 17th, 2025 @ 3:33am by Commander Maxun Spello & Lieutenant Chrysanthe Capulet

1,721 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Gone, Without Ever Knowing the Way
Location: Barisa Prime
Timeline: MD 1 / 1400 hours

After the Astria had been docked, and the crew released for some well-deserved R&R, Maxun sent a message to Chrysanthe, asking if she would care to meet him later that afternoon, on the planet below. That way, they could enjoy some time alone, away from the rest of the crew.

Chrys' reply was quick and to the point. "of Course. See you there" with a old fashioned smiley face.

After Maxun received Chrysanthe's reply,he grinned to himself. He then booked a suite at one of the high-end hotels, hoping to spend all of their free time together. Once the reservation was placed, he made a few other service orders, smiling by simply doing something wonderful for the young woman who had quickly started to bring joy to his life.

Once everything was set, he went to his cabin and packed a bag. He then beamed down to the hotel and, after he had checked in and his bag was sent up, he made his way to the bat, where he would wait for Chrysanthe.

Chrys arrived a short time later, dressed down in white capris pants and a pale blue tank top under a white lace button down shirt. Carrying a duffle in her left hand she walked up to him, her sandals clicking slightly as she reached his side. "Hi" she said with a smile.

Maxun saw Crhys enter and approach, his smile growing warmer, the closer she got to him. "Hi yourself," he replied happily. He then signalled to a member of the hotel staff. A young man approached smartly.

"How can I be of assistance, Sir?"

"Would you please take the lady's back up to room 227?" He handed the young man a credit chip, containing a very generous tip.

"Yes, Sir!" The staffer replied enthusiastically. He then turned to Chrysanthe. "Ma'am?" Ge asked politely, holding out his hands for her bag.

Chrys smiled and handed over her bag. "Thank you." She said with a smile. Then she turned to Maxun. "So what are we going to do?"

Once they were alone at the bar, Maxun slid the drink he had had prepared for Chrysanthe, over to her. "Well, that's entirely up to you. We could stay down here and enjoy some drinks in public, maybe have some dinner and go catch a show or something..." he then leaned in and whispered into her right ear, his warm breath causing goosebumps to form on her smooth skin, "Or, we could just go up to the room that I got us, lock the door, and don't come out until shore leave is over."

He gently kissed her neck, then sat back, as he awaited her reply.

"Hmm tempting as that is, let's explore.. then we can go back to our room," She whispered turning to face him with a smile.

Maxun nodded, then asked, "Where would you like to go first then?"

"I hear there is some nice... private... beaches near by.," Chrys smiled. "We could walk along the shoreline."

Maxun smiled as he listened. "That sounds perfect, sweetheart." He paid the tab, then stood. "Shall we?" He asked as he offered Chrysanthe his left elbow.

Smiling she took his arm and let him led the way out of the bar area. "I hear the sunsets are glorious as well."

Nodding as they walked, Maxun replied. "I've heard that as well." They made their way to a swim suit shop, and made their way inside to buy appropriate clothing for beach and water fun. A few moments later, Maxun stepped out of the dressing room, with a pair of navy blue trunks, and a black tank top, which hugged his muscular torso like a second skin. Over which, he was wearing a white, short-sleeved, button-up linen shirt, with all the buttons undone. After he paid the tab for their new clothes, towels and beach bag, he waited for Chrysanthe to exit her dressing room.

She exited her dressing room in a dark navy blue bikini with a matching wrap around her waist. Chrys smiled at him as she picked up a wide brimmed hat as well to protect her skin. Chrys walked over to him to pay. "Hmm, nice," She whispered to Max as she stepped to his side.

Moving his eyes down, then up her body, Naxun smiled as he appreciated the view. "Look who's talking, sweetheart. I very much approve of your choices."

Once the bill was fully settled, Maxun picked up the bag with his right hand, then offered his left to Chrysanthe, and they left the shop, stepping back out into the sunlight, and made their way to the beach that she had spoken of.

Chrys was silent, but it was a content silence as they walked. She was not showing any signs of looking around but it was always a thing with her. She was relaxed but watchful.

Maxun could hear her silence clearly. "I'm glad we're able to relax like this, Chrys. Who knows what will happen tomorrow."

"Something always will happen." Chrys replied with a smile . "What is that saying, gather ye rosebuds...or something. "

Maxun continued to walk, holding her hand, and thought for a moment, then replied. "It's actual a poem, by Robert Herrick. He was from Earth, the poem was titled, To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time. It was originally published....I believe...around the mid 1600s." He smiled at her as he added, "I enjoy old Human literature. Now, let's see, I believe the poem went....

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles today,
Tomorrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he's a-getting:
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best, which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst,
Time still succeeds the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry;
For having lost once was your prime,
You may forever tarry."

Chrys smiled at that. "Very nicely done, Sir," she said the word Sir with her teasing lilt. "Though I bet after 400 years you know many poems."

Maxun grinned and shrugged slightly. "I may have picked up a few things along the way." They finally reached the spot that Chrysanthe had indicated on the beach, and Maxun laid out the blanket. He offered his hand to help Chrysanthe brush off her feet and sit down, then he joined her. "This is a great spot, sweetheart."

Chrys relaxed on the blanket. "Hmm, I normally can pick a great place." She smiled looking out at the water.

Maxun closed his eyes and enjoyed the warmth on his face as he laid back on the blanket. Taking in a deep breath, he held it for a beat, then slowly exhaled through his nostrils, before speaking. "I could get used to this," he said softly. "Enjoying a tranquil location, with you by my side." He opened his eyes and looked up at her.

Chrys turned and smiled at him. "Why thank you Sir," she teased. "We really should enjoy the time while we have it."

He smiled up at her as she smiled at him. Though they had only known each other a short time, he was quickly finding it difficult to think of his life without her in it. He sat up, gazing into her eyes. "I love you, Chrys," he said softly, before leaning in to gently kiss her lips.

She was startled. Her blue eyes widened and her lips curved into a shy smile. "I.. Max... are you sure?" She asked softly.

After pulling back slightly, he gave her a gentle smile. "I'm old enough to know when I have found someone very special. One that I want to get to know better, and spend my free time with. You. Chrysanthe, are that person." He let out a soft breath, before continuing.

"I'm not saying this to force you to say or do anything, my love. I'm just telling you how I feel." His face was open and full of truth as he spoke.

She reached out and touched his face. "Max, you are wonderful you know" She said softly. "But you are going to live for centuries, my life is not like that." she whispered.

Turning his face to gently kiss her palm, he then turned his head back and looked into her eyes. "No one is promised tomorrow, sweetheart. All I know, right now, is that I want to spend the moments of my life, that I have now, with you, getting to know who you are, and sharing my life with yours."

Chrys smiled at his words. But in the back of her mind she wondered if he would fee that way once he found out about her family. Well about the really bad side of her family.

Looking into her eyes, Maxun could sense a sadness deep inside of her. In a voice clearly full of warmth and affection, he said, "You don't need to hide anything from me, my love. There isn't anything you could say that would make me love you less. "

"Don't make promises that will be hard to keep" Chrys whispered. "There are things in my past that are not in my file."

Maxun reached out and gently caressed Chrysanthe's face. "Everyone has something that they keep private. It's only natural." He leaned in and kissed her gently. Though it was very tender, it held the promise of unconditional love and acceptance.

Chrys smiled faintly and kissed him back. "Shall we swim?" she asked with a grin. "Have some fun in the water?"

Maxun smiled and nodded. Standing up first, he then helped Chrysanthe up to her feet, then commenced to chasing her down the beach, into the surf, laughing with her, as they enjoyed the spirited play.

For the next few hours, the pair enjoyed their time together, alternating between silly games, and several long moments of tender romance. When the sunset arrived, they gathered up their things and made their way back to the hotel.

~OFF~

Cmdr Maxun Spello
Executive Officer
USS Astrea

&
Lieutenant Chysanthe Capulet
Chief of Science
USS Astrea

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