Station: Punk The Junk & The Mysterious Frenchman

Posted on Tue Aug 5th, 2025 @ 9:33pm by Captain Taavis {SF/Meji Intel} {Meji}

Mission: Stellar Problems
Location: Promenade
Timeline: Current

ON:

Captain Taavis, now freshly showered and after a good amount of sleep after last night at Bliss, walked casually along the Promenade's upper level. As she went she would stop and window shop, not really looking for anything in particular, just occupying her mind. As she walked along Taavis was ready to pass by a curio shop with the colorful name of "Punk the Junk". Stopping and turning her head and face to the right she looked inside at what she could see. There were antiques from various eras on Earth, a large portion of which was Victorian. However, when one looked close enough, the antiques were not antiques at all, but copies. Walking within the Captain's ears were met by the pleasant music of The Hollies; The Air That I Breathe. Always a favorite tune for relaxation. Taavis enjoyed the ambience while perusing the aisles and shelves. She had logically deduced the name of the establishment after a closer look at all within, especially the Victorian style items. All of it, every piece, was done up steampunk style to enhance the Victorian aesthetic. And, being a fan of steampunk deco, Taavis began to scrutinize various items as she sought to enhance her own quarters on the USS Capernum.

The Captain was in uniform as taavis had decided that as a starship CO she needed to be ready to go at a moment's notice, and also to show her crew that she was dedicated to the position she had been granted. That, and Taavis had always felt at home in her uniform; a part of something greater than herself. Even now, walking through the starbase, she did not wear the equipment belt and lightsaber that would show she was Meji. Her ally was the Force and that was all she would need in the day to day business of mundane life. Being half Vulcan she had come to grips that she was what the Meji teachings referred to as a Consular. Green had named her a Meji Champion, but that was for the guardian branch of the Order. Taavis felt more at home in meditation due to species, it came naturally, but knowing the Force had driven her to delve back into the practice as often as she could. In her mind Taavis was not a Meji Champion she was a Meji Mystic, one seeking knowledge of the Force and its secrets, as much as, the galaxy at large. As the Meji code stated:

There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the Force.

Taavis had taken that code to heart as much as she had taken her Starfleet oath to heart. Ex Astris Scientia: From the Stars, Knowledge. Each of her oaths complimented the other. Dahl and Vehn would probably find this thought amusing, but it was a symbiotic relationship between duty and a way of life. The Vulcan half found it agreeable. The Romulan half found it joyous. She had finally, after many years, discovered who she really was, honoring both sides of her ancestry without letting one side of herself have too much sway over the other. There were times she was a wild, emotional creature, then came the days where she enjoyed quiet contemplation and meditation over anything else. A balance people rarely found in themselves throughout life.

A male voice with a soothing voice tone came from her left. "Is there anything I can help you with, Captain?"

Looking left, Taavis saw a man who appeared Human. He stood roughly six feet tall, had pitch black hair that was shoulder length and parted down the middle and feathered back just right. His eyes were a piercing, deep blue. His body, though he wore a well-fitted black vest, and suit with tapered pant legs, was in good shape by the way his shoulders stood broadly out from the V form of his torso to the waist. He was, in every sense of the word, immaculate. His golden tan skin color seemed to be all natural and his smile showed white teeth that had not been denied proper hygiene ever. He was handsome and seemed to draw in one's attention. "I am just browsing for now, Mister...?"

"Omar, Captain...?

"Oh, yes, of course." His looks had made her forget her manners. Just looking at him gave Taavis the tingles in a good way. Something that had only ever happened once before in her life. "Taavis. Captain Taavis, Mister Omar."

When Omar reached out to shake hands Taavis did not hesitate to accept. His touch was soothing and cool compared to her hot blooded Vulcan biology, so he was either Human, or possibly El-Aurian. If she were to bet latinum on it, she would pick the latter. He shook the hand with a firm yet gentle motion, then turned his hand palm up so the back of her hand was more exposed as he lifted it towards his face, bending slightly at the waist. The last few inches he adjusted the grip to allow her knuckles to come forth more prominently, kissing her hand between the knuckles for her first and second finger. Perfect etiquette. Once the kiss was done he released and stood up straight.

"A pleasure, Taavis. Now, to my earlier query. Is there something you need help with?" Omar looked her in the eyes, only glancing away as he motioned to the shelves and items briefly, but when that was done his gaze came back to meet hers head on.

Taavis gave a slow nod, her eyes lingering on his before she found the will to look away and towards the items around them. "I was looking to enhance the aesthetic of my quarters, both here and on my ship when I'm away. This whole section appeals to me." She held her arm out and made a circular pattern to show she meant the whole section that was before them in this aisle.

Omar gave a light whistle. "A woman of refined tastes. We should dine and chat some time. But, a discussion for another time. As for this whole section, that would be carry a steep price I'm afraid. The labor I pay for to create these exquisite enhancements is not cheap, because cheap labor means cheap products."

"I know where you're coming from, Omar." Taavis admitted. "I did run with vagabonds for a while. Took time out of Starfleet to enjoy myself. Let's just say I did enjoy the finer things in life, and owning them, too." She smiled. "I had a good time. My twin sister runs the business now since I came back to Starfleet."

"You have a twin?" Omar laid his hand on his chest in a mock swooning. "Mon Dieu. Quelle chance pour l'univers (My my. How lucky for the universe)." He said in French. He then gave a light gentlemanly laugh. "Apologies, Taavis. I hope I did not offend with my antics. You are ravishing due to a natural refinement. I find it...soothing."

"The feeling is mutual," Taavis said, still smiling. She had enjoyed his little mock theater on her behalf. Ravishing? Not a word that had ever been applied to her before. Even her Vulcan side found that most agreeable. Her Romulan side wanted throw caution to the wind and drag him into the back room for some privacy. "You are...riveting. A man who knows what he likes and is not afraid to speak of it. I find it refreshing. That, and you are very easy on the eyes, my friend."

"Oh, ho! So, we are friends now?" Another over the top dramatic moment, done with mirth but meant to convey a truth, came forth. He looked up at the ceiling, both hands coming up like a person of faith talking to their deity. "I have been blessed this day, thank you." His hands dropped and his face came down to normal even as he chuckled and smiled. "Je m'excuse. Je peux être assez excentrique, parfois (Apologies. I can be quite eccentric, at times)." He said in French, showing his country of origin or, at least, a love for the language. Taavis had learned French for times when she was on Earth, in the capital city of Paris. It was easier to walk the streets and visit the markets when one spoke the local lingo.

"Aucune excuse nécessaire (No apology needed/necessary)," Taavis replied, returning a wide smile. She gave a cute, sexy giggle when his eyes lit up upon hearing her speak the language.

"Two blessings in a single day," Omar responded. "You have brought joy to a lowly merchants life, Dear Taavis. I would be remiss to not offer at least a cup of espresso to show appreciation for your visit."

Deciding to play the game of cat and mouse, Taavis decided to pour on the charm from her side. "Hmm. I don't know...you look like a man who spends a lot of latinum on espresso for the ladies." There was no mistaking the look of interest for this man coming from her eyes and expressions.

"Only the good ones," Omar admitted, though in a way that said he had done this before, but he was only interested in a select type. He then gave another quiet laugh. "Look at this, you have made me spill my secrets." His posture and stance changed to that of an Alpha male with a sense of humor and a growing interest for the woman in front of him. "All joking aside, Dear Taavis. If you ever want to grab a bite, or maybe a drink some time, I would be honored by your company."

"I think that can be arranged, Omar." Taavis said. "As for the section; all of it. The sofas, the chair set and table. All the nick-nacks. Pack them up and have them ready when you can and I'll stop by and hand you a transporter tag to have them all beamed directly to my quarters. Sound good?"

"Perfect, except for one thing."

"Oh," Taavis inquired. "What did I forget?"

"A transporter tag for me," Omar teased, raising his eyebrows in mirth even though his eyes said he would very much like that opportunity.

Taavis gave a slight laugh. "You, Sir, are a bad man. Plucking strings and seeing what tune you can get out of it. Very forward of you, Dear Omar."

"What can I say" He shrugged nonchalant. "I know what I like. As for your goods, let us make the exchange and then I will get them prepared for transport. My hopes will ride with this transaction, just so you know." They moved to his small business kiosk and began to exchange needed information.

While Omar dealt with the currency exchange, Taavis picked up a PADD from a stack provided for customers, small palm PADDs for people to make notes on as they shopped. Tapping on it for a few moments, she then handed it over by setting it on the other side if his monitor, away from the currency devices; a private spot. When he looked up grinning with an askance expression, she answered. "My personal comm code, and an invitation to tour the USS Capernum. I shall personally provide the tour as your guide."

Hearing that, Omar picked up the device with her data and slid it into a hip pocket, snug and secure. "I will use it well, Captain." He stood up and clasped her hand, once again going through the motions of kissing it. "Until we meet again, Mon cher (My dear)."

Taavis smiled and kissed him on the cheek, giving a husky whisper in his ear. "Au revoir." With her goodbye conveyed, she spun about and walked out with measured steps, knowing he was watching her as she left and providing him a view she knew he would find pleasing. Women's Starfleet uniform pants tended to be form fitting more so than the men's. Sexist to a degree, maybe, but worth it. As she continued her walkabout, Taavis found herself feeling a bit light on her feet. It had been a while since she engaged in a proper courting.

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