"A Promenade Stroll"

[Avery Tynte 0]

<<OOC: This is virtually a joint log with another STSFer who wishes to remain a mystery at this time. Many thanks to my Mysterious Guest Star.>>

 

After excusing himself from the bar, Avery began to walk around the Promenade. He moved in and out of a few stores, before finally coming to a footwear shop owned by a Bolian. He sat down on a stool, and began trying on a pair of boots for size.

 

Naara sat on the edge of the barstool, languidly sipping her Andorian Ale. The sinewy Orion female gazed across the smoky bar at the Bolian's shoe store across the way, barely paying attention to their clientele until she saw what she had been looking for all day: Fresh Meat.

 

Deciding to purchase the boots, Avery stands and walks to the counter. "170 Strips GPL." The Bolian said.

 

"100" Avery bartered.

 

"120"

 

"Deal" Avery laid the strips on the counter, and exited the store, pausing at a directory of the Promenade.

 

Naara, clad in the traditional attire of her species' females, snuck up behind the unsuspecting Starfleeter. Young one; a junior lieutenant by the pins on his collar. Unsuspecting. She'd probably be the first Orion he'd ever laid eyes on. Throwing her arms around his neck, she whispered in his ear. "Looking for someone special, Handsome?"

 

Avery raised an eyebrow. He recognized the skin on the arms hanging around him. Orion. "Actually, I was looking for a good apparel shop." He said as he turned, her arms falling off of him.

 

Utterly unsuspecting. Would be eating out of the palm of her hand within seconds. "Well, that's absolutely splendid! I know the best shops around." Eventually, if they had time, she might take him to a clothing shop.

 

"Is that so?" Another raised eyebrow. Avery had heard stories of Orion females at the Academy. There were two schools of thought. One was that Orions were traitorous, always with an ulterior motive. To put it plainly: not to be trusted. The second was that Orion females were some of the most fun to be had in the galaxy. The latter was a belief held mostly by young, male students, the kind that tended to be juvenile and incredibly gullible to a pretty face. "I think I can manage on my own." He said, with a polite smile.

 

Naara made a pouting face for a moment and then smiled seductively. "You don't really mean that, do you?" She playfully started to run her finger along the ridges on the Bajoran's nose. "All alone... no escort? Not even a friend from your ship?"

 

"I suspect you insist?" Avery said as he turned to walk in the direction of the nearest apparel store.

 

She let her smile become even sweeter. "I absolutely insist, Mister...?"

 

"Tynte, Dr. Tynte." Avery was not sure why he told her his name. "Miss...?"

 

"Naara, but you can call me whatever pleases you." She was charming him, she could tell. Pulling on his arm, she whispered in his ear, "Let's get a drink first, sweetie."

 

"I just came from a bar. I was really hoping to get some shopping done." Avery paused at a window, looking at a display. It was of the newest in a line of a well-known Betazoid designer.

 

"You like that, eh? Beautiful cut... it would look astonishing on you! We can head inside, if you want. There are some beautiful Risan designs for females that I've been just itching to buy, but I haven't had anyone with your chivalry who was willing to purchase them for me before." Naara practically pulled him into the store.

 

Inside the store, Avery looked around. The prices were...elaborate, to say the least. He had to admit however that the clothes were of good quality. "And what makes you think I have any intention of purchasing anything?"

 

She looked shocked. "Are you suggesting that you aren't even planning to reward me for my time with you?" She feigned hurt before becoming coquettish once more. "But of course you aren't. That wouldn't be polite, would it be?" She walked over to a rack of extravagant robes from Betazed. "Now, Doctor, these would be stunning on you."

 

She thrust one of the bejeweled garments into his arms. "Now, stay right there. I'll be back in a moment." She trotted towards the Risan dresses at the opposite end of the store, picking an outrageously expensive and outrageously revealing Risan negligee. Gliding back to Doctor, she held it up. "Won't this look spectacular with my coloring?"

 

"I never have been much of a robe person." Avery said, looking at a rack of dress shirts. He turned as Naara thrust the garment in his arms, only to see her, wearing the most revealing thing he had ever seen. He was a doctor however, and he had long ago adjusted to all manners of species. "Yes, the coloring is perfect." He said calmly and evenly.

 

Naara smiled. "I knew you'd love it. So, what are you buying? Make a choice soon, because we want as much time together as possible before your ship heads out."

 

"I did not say I loved it, madam. I merely stated the coloring was perfect." Again a calm, even tone. "Besides, do you really think I can afford all this? I am a doctor...not a playboy."

 

Naara moved closer to him, then suddenly kissed him passionately on the lips, then whispered throatily, "You don't have to be a playboy to appreciate me." The Orion smiled. "Now, enjoy your shore leave, pick up some comfortable clothing, and sample the station's most skilled female."

 

The two separated from the kiss. Avery replaced the garment in his hands to the rack. "You really have no idea how I am, Naara." He turned smiling. "Trust me, this is not the kind of thing I do."

 

"Loosen up! It can't be healthy for someone to be so repressed all of the time!" She started massaging his shoulders as the other customers stared in mute horror.

 

Avery shrugged away from the massage and faced Naara. "Look, I do not mind a little company. But I am not looking for a 'Good time' as you put it."

 

She frowned. "Well, even your Prophets enjoyed themselves once in awhile. And indeed you need some company. And, hopefully, by the end of the day, you may have changed your mind about a 'good time'.

 

"We shall see..." A shirt hanging on a far rack caught Avery's eyes, and he walked over. It was a deep blue dress shirt, part of the Betazoid's collection. "I think I can afford this." Avery said, then not wanting to seem in polite he added. "I can probably afford something about this price range for you as well. You have, after all, at the very least livened up my shoreleave."

 

Naara smiled. "I'm glad that you at least think that much of me." She brushed her hand across a delicate blouse by the same manufacturer as the one that Doctor had selected. "This is beautiful, and it's not as expensive as some of the other merchandise..."

 

Avery nodded and the two headed to the checkout kiosk. After the transaction was completed the two walked out onto the Promenade each with a new bag in hand. They walked off in down the corridor. "So...you said you knew the best shops?" Avery smiled as he noted that, taken with care and proper tact....even an Orion could be a safe companion.

Edited January 11, 2006 by Avery Tynte