Well, this is my attempt at one of the challenges I created. Hope you like it. It's a P/C story. Thanks to Nightwolf, my 14 year old son, for video games that might be still played in the 24th century. lol This story is PG-13.
Things needed for this challenge story:
1. A computer game x
2. An animal (pet or wild, real or imaginary. Maybe in comp. game if you choose.) x
3. A book (Titled or untitled) x
4. Another man or woman (can be a friend or a romantic thing your choice.) x
5. Music (can be in comp game or whatever setting you want, new or old music) x
6. Flower(s) x
7. Box of candy x
8. Candles x
Games People Play
Wesley had been playing a computer game all day. At least it seemed that way to Beverly. The redundant battle music was starting to get on her nerves.
"Wesley, would you please turn the music off if you are going to continue to play that game." His mother requested. "It's really starting to get on my nerves."
"Mom, I can't do as well without the music."
"Funny, I play Digimon World all the time without sound and I do just fine."
"That's you, Mom." He said. "Besides, that's a kids game. I'm too old for those games."
"Really? Too old for cute little animals?"
"Mom, those animals can turn ugly in battle."
"Oh, so it's a battle game just as that one is?"
"Not exactly. More of a kid's battle game."
"Still, I can play it without the sound with no trouble." Beverly stated. "I find I do much better without that disruptive music. You might find that after a while you do too."
"Mom!" Wesley exclaimed. "The battle music helps you do better in Boulder Gate. Just ask Worf."
"Oh, so you have Worf playing the game now, too?"
"He says, 'It's a warrior's game'."
"I bet it is." Beverly said wryly. "Why can't you go for games with cute little animals like cats or bunnies?"
"Mom!" Wesley exclaimed again. "Damn! I missed!"
"Wesley!" His mom exclaimed as the death music to his game played over the computer. "Please watch your language!"
"Why mom? You say it too."
"Touché" Beverly did not know how to respond to her son's observation.
The music to his computer game continued. Beverly wanted so desperately to pull the plug on his game, but the old adage did not apply to this generation. So rather than get upset, she left her teenage son to his game to visit Jean-Luc.
"The witches were only trying to get revenge." Stated Ensign Ariel Gentries.
"No, I disagree. I think Shakespeare had more meaning to the witches in 'Hamlet' than that." Jean-Luc replied as he sat in his Ready Room discussing his book with the ensign.
It was an old hard cover book from the twenty-first century. The colour was a very deep dark green, almost black looking in certain light, but if the light hit it just right one could tell it was a very deep dark green.
"I still find the story very interesting, even if it is in a difficult language to read." She stated.
"Ah, yes. Old English. Hasn't been spoken for centuries, but yet still intrigues us." Picard responded.
The chime to his Ready Room rung.
"Come."
Beverly entered. She saw the ensign sitting beside Jean-Luc on his couch with his book in hand. "Am I interrupting something?" She asked.
"Oh, no." Jean-Luc replied. "Ensign Gentries and I were just discussing 'Hamlet'."
"I see." Beverly frowned. "Maybe I should go."
"No, no. Beverly." He quickly said. "Really, please stay."
"I think I should go." Ensign Gentries stated. "It was nice meeting you, Sir."
"Yes and I enjoyed talking to you." He said as she departed.
Beverly waited until the door closed. "New love interest? She seems awfully young for you."
"Beverly, she new aboard. I called her to my Ready Room to meet her. She saw my book on 'Hamlet' and we got into a very involved conversation on the book."
"Yes, I know your passion for Shakespeare."
"Beverly, it's not what you think."
"Well, since I do know your passion and how you get when someone shows an interest in it, I'll take your word for it."
Jean-Luc sighed. "We still on for dinner tonight?"
"I don't see why not. How about your quarters? Wesley has been driving me crazy today on my day off. It would be nice to get away from him."
"He has no plans for tonight?"
"My son the genius? Not unless it's with a Science experiment. In this case, the experiment is trying to figure out the fastest way to kill people in your way."
"Ah, that game. I've heard about it."
"You have?"
"Worf, it seems is really into it on his off duty hours."
"So, I've heard. It's a real warrior's game."
"Yes." Jean-Luc agreed. "Beverly, is there anything you wanted to discuss with me?"
"No. I'm just trying to get away from that game. That's all."
"I see. I'm off duty in about five minutes. Why don't we have dinner a little early?”
Beverly smiled. "I'll go get ready."
Jean-Luc smiled back and rubbed his hands together. "Great! I go prepare our dinner. See you in about an hour?"
"Sounds great." She said with a smile. Then she practically danced out of his Ready Room.
An hour later Beverly arrived at Picard's quarters and rang the chime.
"Come." She heard Jean-Luc say.
She entered and saw how he had decorated the table. It had a bouquet of flowers as a center piece, with a candle on each side of it. The flowers were a mix of red roses and baby's breath. The table cloth was ivory in colour and the plates were a royal blue. Soft music played in the background. It sounded like romantic French music, but Beverly was not certain of it. All she knew was, everything sounded and looked wonderfully romantic to her.
She smiled broadly as she viewed the scene. "Looks wonderful, Jean-Luc. Very romantic."
"The flowers are yours to take home with you later as well has these."
She turned around to see what 'these' were. "Jean-Luc! You didn't have too! You're so sweet!"
"I try to be." He replied as she took the small box of chocolates from him. "I know I may not be the most romantic man around though."
She smiled at him lovingly. "To me you'll always be romantic."
Then she planted a loving kiss on his lips and he savoured the moment for as long as it lasted. A moment they both wished could last forever.
End
