An Afternoon Hike: Part 1 Imaginary Dragons

Posted on Fri Oct 25th, 2024 @ 12:26am by Captain Remy Johansen & Civillian Samuel Wynters

1,479 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Shore Leave & Ship Repairs
Location: The woods near Remy & Samuel's Cabin
Timeline: MD 3, Noon

"How deeps are these woods?" Remy asked. "Think we should take a tent?" She looked at Samuel her eyebrows raising as a playful challenge as she examined the wooded area outside of the cabin.

Samuel grinned as he replied. "Like I said we we first got here, it's three days hike, in all directions, before we'd reach another homestead. And, as far as a tent goes, that is entirely up to you, sweetheart."

"You wanna rough it with me under the stars or trek back here to our cozy little cabin?" Remy asked in a happily playful voice. The time at here had given her an opportunity to shed responsibility for a bit, and making decisions wasn't on her list of things she wanted to do.

"Oh, I'm sure we could gave some fun roughing it, "Samuel replied with a grin. "I could teach you how to hunt and cook over a campfire."

"Hunt? I don't want to kill anything that doesn't have to die," Remy gave Samuel a pout. "We have plenty here, maybe we should circle back. Campfire out here if we aren't sick of the outdoors by then." Remy reached for his hand.

Samuel gave Remy a soft grin. "My love, when I do hunt, it is never for sport. And, and animal I kill, I make sure every bit of them is used in one way or another. Nothing goes to waste." He then exhaled softly, forgetting for a moment that she came from a time when hinting was no long necessary. "Not everyone eats and drinks from a replicator, even today."

Remy sighed. "I know... But, you stocked the cabin with food already. Which I'm sure includes real meat? We can let these animals here live in peace at least from us. We're not really roughing it out here."

Samuel considered her point for a few beats, then dipped his head respectfully. "As you wish, my love. I give you my word, I will not harm a single hair on any animal on this planet."

It wasn't the first time that Samuel had responded to her in such a way, still she found herself somewhat bewildered when he spoke to her with such deference. It felt from another time. Of course he was from another time, but he had also lived well through this one.

"Uh, okay. Shall we see what kind of wildlife we might find then?" Remy gestured to the woods, an indication she was ready to start walking.

Samuel nodded and smiled softly. "Do you have a preference on wildlife that you find more appealing to see?" As they started walking, he interlaced the fingers of his left hand with her right hand.

"Preferable nothing that wants to eat me for dinner, unless it's from a distance," Remy said looking over at him with a smile. "I didn't think to research what might be here, so I guess we'll have to see what we come across. I do think it's sweet when certain animals learn to not fear people - use them for resources even. Sometimes in disasters like floods or fires, even the wildest of animals might seek out people for help in distress," Remy commented as they walked.

Samuel nodded as he listened. "It goes to show that a balance has been made, between nature and....for lack of a a better word...man. When the animals no longer fear being eaten, then they do tend to get calmer, even amongst themselves." He chuckled softly as he added, "Though, I doubt a herd of antelope will ever truly be calm around a pride of lions."

"Nor should they be," Remy answered dropping her voice to a quieter timbre, hoping to not disturb the nature around her. "Is there anything you want to do this shore leave, while you have me?" Remy asked. "And don't say me," she interjected quickly with a stern look. "Something fun for you."

Giving her a loaded grin, Samuel thought about the question for a few beats. Finally, he replied. "Truthfully? I'm really just wanting to spend time with you, getting to know you better. And I don't mean just sex, my love. I want to experience life through your eyes. Whatever we do, just being here, by your side, sounds like a wonderful time."

"I realize that I am pretty amazing," Remy responded facetiously, "But, I know your interests extend beyond just me. And you might not get me planet-side on shore leave again for a while. At least I hope the ship stays in one piece for the foreseeable future." Remy leaned her weight into him, arm to arm while they still held hands.

Smiling softly as he looked down at her, Samuel replied honestly. "I will admit that, being down here, without any responsibilities or demands on either of us, is wonderful. However, I understand who you are, and that, for the most part, your ship and your crew will come before us. So, any time, anywhere, that we can be just a man and woman in love...that's what interests me the most. Again, even if all we are doing is just being silly with each other."

Remy contemplated Samuel's sentiment in silence for a few minutes as they walked deeper into the woods. She'd been in one long term relationship in her adult life, and it had been full of arguments, mostly over how her career kept her on the move. He was Starfleet too, but much happier in stationary postings than she would ever be. She hadn't really experienced a healthy relationship, and she and Samuel were still so new, it hadn't become a habit for her yet.

"This is a bit new for me," Remy finally spoke, looking over at Samuel with a sparkle in her eye. "You are the complete opposite of past relationships. Old habits. Expectations. Whatever you want to call it."

He smiled warmly as he released her hand and slid his left arm around her shoulders, holding her against his left side as he responded. "I know we will have our disagreements. Every healthy relationship has them. So long as we promise each other to keep working to strengthen our bond, the rest will just fall into place where and how it should."

"So let's pretend we're somewhere wild," Remy suggested. "Dragon hunting maybe." She had a mischievous look in her eye as she started bouncing with energy.

Samuel arched his right eyebrow. "And dragons are okay to kill, but forest animals aren't?" He smirked playfully as he finished speaking.

"Imaginary dragons. And we shouldn't have to kill them. What if we tame them, and they'd like to become our pets?" Remy suggested taking on a playfully regal tone.

A warm grin spread across his face. He then slipped into character, remembering something he had read, hundreds of years earlier. "Well now! In that case, we should be cautious. For as you know, these woods belong to the Dragonriders of Pern, and they do not take kindly to trespassers. Unless, of course, we find a dragon who accepts us."

"Do you know then the secrets of these woods?" Remy asked much more demurely than one would ever see her behave in real life. "Would you be so kind as to share them with me and escort me on this journey? I should rather like to find a friendly dragon."

Samuel stopped walking, then turn to face Remy, stepping back and bowing with a regal flourish as he replied. "My dear lady, it would be my honor to be your champion in this noble quest."

"Excellent, we should get started right away so we can make the most of the daylight. Which is the best way to travel from here?" Remy asked staying in character, looking at Samuel rather innocently.

Standing back up, Samuel offered his left hand to her. "This time of year, m'lady?" He made a show of looking around before replying. "If we are cautious and quiet, we might be able to reach the hatchling nursery this way." He then led her deeper into the woods, helping her over larger roots and exposed boulders when they came to them.

"Do kids even play much like that anymore do you think?" Remy asked softly after a while. "Probably not on Astrea with a holodeck on every deck." She nudged him and pointed to the trees. The foliage here was more colorful than on Earth, and the animals had adapted. There was a squirrel-like animal, nestled in the leaves, with colors that still seemed alien to her for fur no matter how many places she'd travelled.

Samuel looked up and caught sight of the small creature, before it scurried away. Looking back down at Remy, he replied. "I'm sure some do. It all depends on their imagination."

~tbc~

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