Eyes and Ears and Pins and Needles (Backpost)

Posted on Fri Oct 16th, 2026 @ 4:09am by Lieutenant Kally Kellerman & Captain Calypso Skyie & Petty Officer 3rd Class Fulvia Benvenuto & Crewman Apprentice T'Vel

5,809 words; about a 29 minute read

Mission: Die Hard: Chimera Edition (side posts)
Location: Holodeck 1
Timeline: Evening before reaching the Station

So, I asked Fulvia if she and T'Vel wanted to have dinner with us, and she suggested we do something fun during it. Good idea, right? I suggested skinny dipping, but she said she had something 'even more fun' in mind, which better mean a Risian erotic massage, because I could really use one after the day I've had," Kally said, walking next to Cally. She'd worked her already pert ass off all day and had taken ten minutes to shower and change into shorts and an off-the-shoulder shirt in her office before rushing out the door to make her date.

The sky blue tank top and the dark blue skirt that Cally wore were not what would usually be worn by a Captain, but here, she was just Cally. To remind Kally of that, she smacked Kally on the rear end at the suggestion of the massage, "Or you know, I could take you back to my quarters and give you a proper spanking instead?"

"Don't threaten me with a good time," Kally said, then gave a single-shoulder shrug. "Maybe after," she said, cheekily. As the doors to the holodeck opened, Kally looked around and did little to hide the disappointment on her face. "Okay...not quite massage-parlor-looking."

"You're right this isn't." Cally stepped off to the side to get a better look inside the holodeck, "What in the seventh layer of hell is this?" She gave a glance at Kally and shook her head slightly, "This looks like a medieval place of horror. Don't ask me why, but that's what it looks like to me."

The holodeck was full of light and colour, and the noise that came from the bustling of a few dozen holographic patrons walking, talking, and playing the game they were all there to play. Every few seconds, the din was interrupted by the echo of wooden pins being knocked down by a heavy plastic-and-mineral ball.

"Hiya dolls!" Fulvia waved at them from her perch on a hard plastic bench. "I reserved us the best lane! Come on up here!"

"I have so many questions," Kally said, stepping up into the play area. She looked at the pins at the end of the lane and around at the other patrons. "Target practice?" she guessed. She leaned down and kissed T'Vel hello, then gave Fulvia a hug and kiss as well.

"I've got a question too: What is this?" Cally asked, giving Fulvia a gentle embrace, but not the kiss because two weren't yet checked off of her own personal list, "I admit, it looks like it could be fun, but I've never done.... This before."

"Not a familiar phrase for any of us," Kally said, grinning wickedly.

"It's bowling, doll!" Fulvia exclaimed. "Sorry, I forgot none of us is properly Terran. I figured you'd know it. Friends took me once or twice while we were in basic training. It's fun! And I'm told it's a good double-date activity."

"I don't believe the NPCs are needed, however," T'Vel said, gesturing to the holo-players enjoying the other lanes. "Unless others want them around, perhaps the bowling terrain may be just for us four?"

"I'm good with a quieter room," Kally said, listening to the thunder of the other balls rolling along. "Cal?" she said, looking over at her other half.

"Ohh yeah, because we girls are going to want to talk and I do want to hear Fulvia and T'Vel cry when we beat them!" Cally grinned widely at Kally.

"So, how do we play? I assume the goal is to throw a ball and knock the white things down?" Kally said.

“Yeah basically,” Fulvia said. “You get two tries. You roll it along the lane here and try to knock the pins down, as many as possible.” She laughed. “Oh! And there’s beer and snack foods. It’ll arrive later.”

She deactivated all holographic characters except those preparing their food for later. “It’s ten rounds. It’ll probably be a little over an hour, maybe more since I expect we’ll all suck at this, except maybe Ears here.”

“I’ve not done this either,” T’Vel protested.

“True, but I’ve seen you hustle at pool, doll. Maybe you’ve never played this but I expect this not to challenge that impressive brain of yours.”

T’Vel blushed slightly at the unusual compliment.

Cally perked up and smiled, "Well, tell you what, I'll even go first! You know, Captain's prerogative, right?" She didn't even wait for anyone to object, humming as she went to pick up a ball with a 12 on it, hefting it for a feel, "I think I can do this." She said to no one in particular as she lined up in one lane, then started forward, swinging the ball forward before swinging it hard around behind and overhand, sending it sailing almost a third of the way down the lane before it bounced HARD on the boards. She planted her foot to stop herself and lost her balance, falling forward on her face and bouncing once herself.

When the ball flew through the air, Kally watched it in slow motion, her jaw dropping. She and T'Vel quickly covered their ears as it hit the lane, and when Cally went down, Kally let out a squeal of concern and jumped up, rushing over to her. "Are you okay?" she said, checking Cally for injuries.

Cally lifted her head before letting it fall to the ground again, "The only thing injured fatally is my dignity, other than that, I'm perfectly fine." She finally pushed herself to her knees and then to standing again.

Kally let out a sigh of relief. "Good, because that was absolutely hysterical, and I'd feel so bad laughing at you if you were seriously hurt." She laughed and hugged Cally tightly.

"I'm sure I'll look back at this and laugh too." Cally looked over and gave Fulvia a look. "Did we forget something?"

Fulvia had stood up when Cally had gone down, but didn’t approach, in case Kally needed her to do anything. Her eyes went wide at the question. “Oh shit, yeah we did! Computer! Four pairs of bowling shoes measured to our sizes.”

Eight shoes materialized on an empty bit of flooring. “These stop you from sticking to the ground,” she explained. “Sorry, Cap,” she added sheepishly.

Kally looked at the shoes that matched her size. "Interesting style," she said, looking at the garish colors and pattern. She swapped them out for her flats and took a few experimental steps.

Looking back at the end of the lane, Cally was surprised to see 4 of the sticks missing as she took off her own shoes and replaced them with indifference. "It looks like I got four of them, is that good?"

"It's forty percent of the way," Kally said, supportively. "And Fulvia said you get a second try, right?" she said, looking at Fulvia.

Fulvia nodded. “That’s right, two tries. Oh, and, ah, roll underhanded,” she added.

Cally looked at her sheepishly, "Oh... It did seem to be a bit awkward. Soo... Rolling it underhand. Are there any other rules I should be aware of?"

“The most important rule is to have fun!” Fulvia answered cheerfully. “There might be more, I’m not sure, but those are the basics.”

The Captain moved up again and took a couple steps and rolled the ball slowly towards the pins. Halfway there, it fell off into one of the gutters and past the remaining ones and the lane swept them off. "Well... Maybe I should throw it overhand then."

“I think it’ll just take practice,” Fulvia suggested. “You and Angelface have never played, I’ve played maybe four times and not for years.”

As she spoke, T’Vel collected a ball and coolly bowled a strike.

“Aaaaaand of course Ears would be a natural,” Fulvia said.

“The game would not challenge a Vulcan child,” T’Vel explained.

“So the rest of us are competing for second,” Fulvia joked. “Your turn, Kally With A Kay!”

Kally With A Kay picked up a ball with a bee put her fingers with an eff into the holes with an aych. She walked up to the line, hefted the weight and tried rolling it. Unfortunately, she didn't release it as smoothly as she'd hoped, and it spun, slowly curving to the side before striking the leftmost pin.

"Okay...one...." she said, sounding annoyed.

"One is better than none!" Fulvia cheered.

"Okay...second try," Kally said. She picked up another ball, stepped up, took aim and let it go. This one was a bit more true and struck the right side, knocking down two...three....five more pins. Kally grinned and spun around. "Okay, got the majority!" she said.

Cally raised her hands in excitement, "Better than me!" She looked at Fulvia, "And you're last it looks like, but.. Are there any other rules we don't know about yet?"

"Well..." T'Vel volunteered. "Fulvia and I discussed the possibility of additional rules. To keep things interesting."

Fulvia grinned, loving that it was T'Vel mentioning it first. "It was all Ears' idea," she joked. "But I figured neither of you would mind too much." She tapped some commands on her keyboard and brought some text on the overhead screen.

Kally read through it and grinned wide. She leaned down and kissed T'Vel hard. "This is why we're friends," she said, then turned back to Fulvia. "Okay, Hot Stuff, you're up next."

“Clearly I didn’t wear enough clothes for this game.” Calypso deadpanned, then gave a laugh, “And what happens when we run out of things to wear? Maybe if I’m good and distracting enough, then, I can still make a good showing at it.”

"Oh, I promise we will think of ways to earn your clothing back to keep playing," Kally said, grinning. "That or the game just rapidly becomes more fun for us."

"Alright, let's see what I can do," Fulvia said. She picked up one of the bowling balls, assumed a stance similar to how she remembered playing during training, and rolled the ball fast down the lane.

It stayed mostly true down the middle and took out six pins on the right. "Not bad," she observed to herself.

Kally watched the ball roll then looked at Cally. "Yeah, we're screwed," she said.

Fulvia picked up another and threw it fast and slightly left, picking up the spare. "Hey! I got 'em!" she cheered.

"You did," T'Vel said, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. "Pardon me Captain, but I do believe you are one article heavy."

“So I am.” Cally gave T’Vel a mock glare, which was softened by a giggle and she slowly spun as she teased them all while taking off the tank top, revealing that she’d ‘neglected’ to wear a bra for this outing. She tossed the light blue tank top to T’Vel, “To the victor goes her spoils!”

Kally put her fingers to her lips and gave a not-subtle wolf-whistle before winking. As Cally sat back down, Kally got a mischievous glint in her eye and leaned in, whispering in her girlfriend's ear.

Cally nodded, her own eyes shining as she nodded fractionally, then smiled and winked at Kally as she once again got to her feet at an impatient but still interested look from Fulvia, "I suppose it's me again?"

“Yeah it is! And may I say Captain, damn!” Fulvia said, unable to take her eyes off Cally.

Picking up her ball, this time Calypso put a wiggle into her bottom as she stood there, then with a rush, threw the ball as hard as she could down the lane. Enthusiasm apparently counted for much as it hit the mass of pins and eight of them went flying, leaving two of the front-most still standing. "YES!" Cally jumped as she turned around, dancing as she made her way to the ball return for the obvious pleasure of her audience.

Kally gave another appreciative whistle and clapped. "Good shot!"

“Every shot an improvement!” Fulvia said. T’Vel simply watched, transfixed by the movement.

Cally picked up the ball again and focused on what she was doing, throwing with about a middle-strength on it and sending it almost straight down the middle, but close enough that it nicked the front pin, making it wobble while taking out the second pin. The front pin rocked for a couple seconds before it finally gave up the ghost and fell. Cally danced again for a couple seconds in excitement before rushing back over to the nearest person, which just 'happened' to be T'Vel getting up for her next throw, then threw her arms around the Vulcan and gave her a smoldering kiss.

A kiss which T’Vel melted into, standing stunned when the kiss finally broke.

Kally bit her lip to stop from laughing at the look on T'Vel's face and finally cleared her throat. "Your shot, sweetie," she said.

Fulvia sidled up to Kally as T’Vel found her ball. “That kiss your idea? You know her so well.”

Kally grinned and put her arm around Fulvia, giving her a hug. "Well I had to do something to even the odds," Kally said. "And, to be honest, it's not just for T'Vel's benefit."

The distraction worked, as T’Vel’s first throw went neatly into the left gutter. The Vulcan blushed while Fulvia had a good laugh. “Methinks my girlfriend has a lot on her mind right now.”

"I sure hope so." Cally settled in on the opposite of Fulvia, "Just know that you can be next if you want to be." She whispered in a sultry voice into Fulvia's ear before stepping away again.

"And wait'll you see what I can come up with to distract you two," Kally said, kissing Fulvia's cheek before getting up to stand by the scoring computer to watch T'Vel throw.

T’Vel took a moment to tamp down her urges and regained a semblance of control. She took a breath and threw again. This time the three pins on the left went down.

Fulvia took her hand and led her back to the bench. “They got you good, Ears. Come sit with me and watch. Angelface is up.”

T’Vel nodded and sat with Fulvia, putting her hand on the Iotian’s thigh as they both watched Kally get ready.

Kally tried to get out of flirt mode and get her head back in the game. "Okay," she said, "so, more power, more confidence, more thrust did the trick for you, hm?" she said, looking at Cally.

"Always with the thrusting..." Cally giggled with a glance towards Fulvia, "Makes me wonder if she wants a guy in bed with us more often."

“I’ve enjoyed her collection too, Cap,” Fulvia said. “That purple one, when she’s using it, thrusts just fine.”

Kally rolled her eyes and picked up a ball, getting into position. She swung her arm hard, releasing clean and throwing it with more force than before. The effect was very apparent as the ball flew faster, harder, straighter.....and slammed into the far left pins, knocking two down.

"You know, sweetie, more would go down if you aimed properly." Cally catcalled with a laugh.

Kally didn't turn but stretched an arm behind her making a rude gesture. "Okay, I got this," she said, taking a deep breath. This time, she stepped back and adjusted her stance, angling her body to compensate for her aim. She approached and threw, her ball still rolling with a bit of a curve and hitting the central pin, hitting a glancing blow and knocking it down, but the other seven remained standing.
She let out a huff of frustration and turned and went back to the chairs. "Your turn, hot stuff," she said, giving the Iotian a friendly slap on the rear as she passed.

Fulvia found her ball on the return rack and brought it to the line. Sticking her tongue out in intense concentration, she threw the ball down the centre line and knocked down all the pins. “Eeeeeee!” she squealed. “Gotta love beginner’s luck!”

Cally sighed in relief after glancing up at the board for the rules once more, she was safe for this round at least.

Kally and T'Vel glanced at each other and Kally folded her arms. "Why do I feel we're being set up?"

“Now I do think that Ears and Angelface both did the worst that round, am I right Cap?” Fulvia observed.

"I think you're right, doll." Cally stood up and dragged Kally to her feet in the process, no real resistance from her girlfriend. "At least it's not me... Again."

"I dunno, I kinda liked when it was you," Kally said, purring slightly and grinning.

“C’mon you two, you know the rules,” Fulvia said. “Hell, Ears, you chose your outfit while suggesting the rules. It was a stylish as hell dress but off it comes.”

Kally raised an eyebrow at T'Vel, impressed but, upon reflection, not surprised.

T’Vel sighed. “I had however anticipated doing slightly better at the game.” Her green just-above-the-knee A-line dress with the black accents came off and was added into a pile with Cally’s top. Like the Captain, she wore no bra that day, leaving her simply in a small pair of black lacy panties, underdressed compared to the others.

Fulvia couldn’t help but wolf whistle. “Goddamn I love your sense of adventure, Ears.”

"I wholeheartedly agree," Kally said, grinning.

Cally gave T'Vel a low whistle as well. "And just where have you been hiding yourself?"

Kally looked at her girlfriend and stood up on her tiptoes, giving her a tight hug. "She's not the one who's been hiding," she whispered quietly in Cally's ear. "That's why we're here." She kissed her sweetly and then pinched her rear playfully before letting out a resigned, overly dramatic sigh and unbuttoning her shorts, dropping them to the floor and stepping out of them, her lilac underwear peeking out from under her shirt. She smirked at Fulvia and kicked them over to the pile before walking over to T'Vel and standing back on tiptoe, kissing her as well. "Thanks," she said, hugging her friend.

Cally reached out to run a finger down Kally's spine ever so gently, "Looking good as always."

Kally shivered against T'Vel and turned around, grinning at Cally. "Likewise," she said.

She was up again, Calypso turning to take a look at T'Vel once more and winking at the Vulcan before doing what she did previously and chucking the ball down the lane. It was a sharp angle as it ran into the gutter halfway down, then rocked and came back out, taking out the left-side pins, five of them falling. Cally turned around and wiped her brow theatrically.

"Well at least one of us is getting the hang of it," Kally said.

“She is improving steadily,” T’Vel agreed.

"I know, right?" Cally said, picking up her ball again and turning once more, wiggling her butt once more in what was becoming habit for this game--making Kally shout, "stop teasing us! Wait, on second thought, don't!"--taking a couple steps forward and hurling the ball straight at the center pin. It ricocheted off and took another three pins with it, leaving the last two standing.

“Good job, Cap!” Fulvia cheered. “Keep playing like that, you might keep your shorts!”

"I hope not!" C/Kally said in unison, Kally grinning at her and giving her an elbow bump as Cally sat down.

A chime played over the loudspeaker. “Benvenuto, party of four, your food is ready for pickup.”

“Hey that’s us!” Fulvia said. “Angelface, come with me to get it?”

"Can do!" Kally said, jumping up and following her friend to the food area. "Good luck, T'Vel," Kally said, then whispered something in her ear as she passed, squeezing T'Vel's hand and grinning wickedly. She followed Fulvia, swaying her hips teasingly.

As they reached the dining area, Kally looked around with mild concern. "This food is...safe...right?" she said. "My knowledge of Terran cuisine didn't seem to include this much...." she ran a finger along the counter, "slickness."

“Safe? Absolutely,” Fulvia answered. “Healthy? Listen just don’t tell my doctor. Oh wait.” She grinned and laughed. “It’s deep fried goodness. All vegetarian too, to accommodate Ears.”

Kally gave a shrug, trusting her friend. She wasn't above some good junk food, heaven knew. She looked back at T'Vel as the Vulcan took her shot, dropping seven pins. "I like you two together," she said, nudging Fulvia. "You're cute the way you keep holding onto each other."

Fulvia blushed and smiled as she looked away. “She’s just so holdable, you know?”

"Preaching to the choir, sweetie," Kally said, grinning.

“Someone once told me that we should live life so our strengths bolster our loved ones’ weaknesses,” Fulvia continued. “I think I found that with her.” She looked over at T’Vel and smiled a bit wider as she noticed the way her lips curled up slightly when she bowled the spare. “People judge me by human standards even though I’m not one, I just look it, and they judge her by Vulcan standards even though she’s not like the rest of them. Here, in our Misfit-shaped box called Chimera, we see each other as we are. She tamps down my more self destructive tendencies, and I help her cut loose in ways she can control.”

Kally gave her a warm smile and nodded. "Self-destructive is what's been on my mind," Kally said, her smile faltering. "I've sabotaged every relationship I've had. I tell myself this'll be different because I want this one, but I still get scared." She looked at Cally teasing T'Vel and her smile came back. "Then I look at her and how brave she is..."

"They both are," Fulvia observed. "Not the least for living their lives on their terms while the rest of the galaxy tells them not to."

Kally looked at Fulvia and leaned over, kissing her warmly. "Pretty brave, yourself there, smuggler," she said, smiling. "Just another reason I adore you both."

Fulvia blushed a lovely shade of red.

The food arrived as a holographic bowling alley staffer placed it on the smooth plastic counter. Four paper-lined rectangular open-topped cardboard boxes on one tray, and another two accompanied by four glasses of synthale on a second. Each tray had a pile of napkins and wet wipes handy.

Fulvia picked up the tray with the drinks and gestured for Kally to take the other one and follow her back to their lane. Kally picked it up, waiting until Fulvia's back was turned before sniffing at it experimentally.

With the other two players away gathering sustenance for them, Cally had high-fived T'Vel for her spare and then invited the slightly smaller Vulcan to sit on her knee to which she had hesitated a moment before a question was asked and then she'd done so. Cally's arms went around T'Vel hugging the slight woman to her, lots of skin on skin contact and T'Vel flushed bodily at it.

T'Vel said something and Cally laughed at it before pressing her lips to T'Vel's shoulder and made another comment that had T'Vel's head snapping over towards her.

"Well, well," Fulvia said with a smirk as she and Kally reunited with Cally and T'Vel. "When the cats're away, am I right, Angelface?" T'Vel shot to her feet as the other two had approached, to the grin of Cally.

Kally pretended to think it over. "Well, they both are rather playful, and T'Vel does have a heightened appreciation for cheese." She grinned and set the food down, kissing both of them.

“I believe it is your turn,” T’Vel said to Kally as she took a seat near the food. “Did you get—”

“Yes, dear,” Fulvia teased. She pointed to one of the apps. “These are the jalapeño ones. These are the mozzarella ones.”

"What other booty did you bring for us?" Calypso asked, smacking Kally on the ass as her girlfriend passed her on the way to the balls, "Besides hers, that is."

Kally gave a squeal and a grin at the look on Cally's face. She stepped up and picked up her ball. She stepped back and focused, taking aim, straightening her wrist and letting go. The ball sailed straight, but veered slightly, taking down six pins. She jumped and pumped her first in the air while she waited for the ball to come back. Once it did, she adjusted her angle, focused again and the other four pins met their fate. "Now that makes me feel better!" she said, walking back over.

"Great shot!" Fulvia cheered, giving Kally a quick smooch when she returned. "And here we have a variety of deep fried snack foods for us to sample." She pointed to each. "Mozzarella sticks. Jalapeño poppers. Breaded cauliflower. Breaded artichokes. Onion rings. And an Earth tradition so old that it got exported to Iotia: the mighty French fry."

Kally recognized three of the items, and had no objections to the other two. "Cally introduced me to fried zucchini. That was delectable," she said, grabbing a small pile of fries, and some artichokes, then kissed Cally on the cheek as she sat down on T'Vel's other side.

Fulvia kissed T'Vel as she got up to go toward the lane. "Just so you know, Cap," she said, "T'Vel enjoys attention here and here." She gently touched a specific spot on the Vulcan's neck and thigh.

"Not fair," T'Vel quietly said, longing in her eyes.

"Not to mention here," Kally said, tracing a fingertip along T'Vel's regally-pointed ear, grinning as T'Vel's pupils dilated. She kissed T'Vel's cheek and returned to her snacks, watching Fulvia throw.

"That's good to know." Cally grinned, reaching out to pick up one of the jalapeno poppers, taking a bit of it before she stood and sidled over towards where T'Vel sat, holding it out near her lips, where she bit it out of her fingers.

Fulvia's first throw went straight but then veered at the last minute, taking out only one pin. Her second throw was somehow worse, arcing smoothly into the gutter.

"Welp," she said, "I guess I'm a bit rusty." Off went her skirt, leaving her in a tight short-sleeved top and panties matching T'Vel's.

Kally's eyes narrowed. "I think someone was feeling left out," she teased. She moved to the other side, letting Fulvia sit next to T'Vel and taking a spot next to Cally.

Fulvia squeezed in next to T’Vel, playfully nudging her with her bare hip as she sat down. “Dig in, ladies. But try to avoid oil drips on bare skin,” she joked. “Do you want a bib, Ears?” she teased.

T’Vel shot Fulvia a look that to a stranger might have appeared cold but those gathered recognized its playfulness. “Do not underestimate my tolerance of heat. And I trust there are people to assist with cleaning if I spill on myself.”

"I am pretty sure we'll be arm wrestling for the chance," Kally said before taking a bite of one of the 'poppers.' She paused as the heat kicked in and made a face, swallowing as best she could and putting the rest down on her plate before grabbing a few French fried potatoes and shoving those in her mouth, then drinking some of the water provided. "Okay...that was...interesting," she said, going instead for some onion rings. She looked at Cally and kissed her, a grin back on her face. "You're up. Show no mercy."

"Arm wrestling? Sure, you and Fulvia can arm wrestle, I'll clean her up." Cally laughed as she licked her fingers clean of the grease that now covered them, "But maybe if we use some candle wax? Dripping freshly melted candle wax is exquisite." She picked up her ball, took a couple steps forward and the ball slipped out of her hand as the grease caused her to lose her grip as she brought the ball forward. It bounced hard on the lane once and Calypso grimaced. It rolled straight and impacted the pines, all ten going down in one quick sequence. "Sweeeeet!" She did a dance as she turned back to everyone else.

Kally's instinct was to call BS, but then remembered they were on the same team. "Okay, so we know the secret: Oil you up. Honestly surprised I hadn't thought of that sooner."

As T’Vel went to pick up her ball, Fulvia cleared her throat and spoke up. “You know, Cap, you’re gettin’ pretty good. I wonder if we should raise the stakes a bit.”

"And just what do you mean, up the stakes?" Suspicion was fully in Cally's voice, this was an Iotian wanting to up the ante? What wasn't she getting?

“How about this?” Fulvia said with a laugh. “Whoever comes last… does just that.”

T’Vel raised an eyebrow as she held her bowling ball. It was a very Fulvia thing to suggest. A very T’Vel thing too if she was being honest. And she had been doing decently… “I will agree to your terms if others do too.”

Kally had mastered the innocent-yet-evil grin long ago and smiled at her two opponents. "I'm good with it," she said.

"I'm not so sure..." Cally glanced at Fulva, then T'Vel, then looked at Kally, "This doesn't feel right."

Kally leaned over and whispered in Cally's ear. "Trust me. Even if we lose, we'll win," she said, cryptically, her eyes flashing something wicked as her plan formed.

That would seal it. If Kally said it was okay, then it would be. "All right. You have a deal, Fulvia, let's do it!"

With their raised stakes agreed, T’Vel threw and knocked down three pins, followed by five more.

“Angelface is up!”

Kally stood up and kissed her index finger, touching T'Vel's cheek as she passed her. She picked up her bowling ball, aimed and took her shot, knocking down two pins. Her next shot wasn't much better. She turned and gave a shrug, sauntering back to the others.

Fulvia was up and effortlessly bowled a strike.

"Yerunda!" Kally shouted.

"Wait a second," Cally held up a hand, "That wasn't the way you did it before!" She looked at Kally, "Hon, I think we're being swindled here."

"I believe the word is 'hustled'," Kally said, giving a knowing smirk to Fulvia.

“No idea what any of you broads are talkin’ about,” Fulvia said. “So two of us got strikes, I think that means two people should lose somethin’. Do you agree, Cap?”

"Oh, I agree entirely!" Calypso grinned at Fulvia, "I was going to pick you, but I suppose I can't since you got the other strike." She crooked her finger to T'Vel, "Come on over here, I think I'm going to enjoy taking off something from you this time."

“You heard her, Ears,” Fulvia said, grinning, giving T’Vel a gentle pat on the bum.

With only one thing left to take off, T’Vel nodded—shyly? Fulvia thought—and followed the Captain’s beckoning.

Kally looked at her best friend's self-satisfied grin and stood up, quickly shucking her shirt, leaving only one last piece of cloth on her hips between her and failure. "I'm going to get you back for this," she said, walking up to her and leaning towards her ear. "After I'm done thanking you," she whispered, kissing Fulvia's ear.

“After, I think, you’ve given me cause to thank you, Angelface,” Fulvia said.

Calypso hopped up onto the lane boards again, picking up her ball. A couple quick strides and the ball flew down the lane, slamming into the pins and taking out six of them. She grinned and went to the ball return, picking up again and lined up, taking a mental aim at where she wanted to throw. One step and a moan came from behind her. Her head turned slightly and the ball entered the gutter a mere four feet from where she let it go.

“Oh, sorry, Cap,” Fulvia said, taking a break from kissing T’Vel’s neck. “I didn’t think she’d be that loud.” A twinkle in her eye suggested she might not be telling the truth. “Off you go, babe.”

Wearing only the bowling shoes, the Vulcan attempted to centre herself, but given everything that was going on around her, she expected it might be difficult. Perhaps too difficult to be worth it. Still, she did her best. She threw her first ball and it knocked down four. Her second got the rest. A spare.

"This is so unfair," Kally said.

“Players’ gonna play,” Fulvia replied. “You don’t like that I hustled you, doll?”

"No, not the hustling. The fact that I actually bothered to wear underwear," Kally said, smirking. "I could be off to the side having fun with T'Vel right now but instead I have to keep 'trying to win.'" She picked up her ball and glanced back at the other three, then smirked and rolled it right into the gutter, watching it sail uselessly to the side. "Oops!" she said in an exaggerated tone. "Let me try that again." She picked up another ball as the pins dropped again and didn't even look where she was throwing it as it went right to the gutter again. "Darn," she sighed dramatically, sitting back down next to Cally.

"What's that all about?" Cally whispered in a voice only Kally could hear, "We won't stand a chance."

"Trust me," Kally whispered back in Cally's ear as quietly as she could, "losing gracefully is going to backfire on them spectacularly."

“Methinks that someone isn’t taking this game seriously!” Fulvia said with a laugh. “Or that I mishandled this play spectacularly,” she added before throwing another strike.

Kally grinned and immediately matched T'Vel and snuggled up next to her. "Oh I'm never not serious about a competition," she purred. "You and I just have different definitions of winning." She popped half a French fry in her mouth, and offered the other half to T'Vel.

Without missing a beat, T’Vel bit the other side, kissing Kally, and ate her half-fry.

"Ladies," Fulvia said, coming to sit next to T'Vel, "the game is over. I know you're having fun but I won the bet and I'm here to collect." T'Vel broke the kiss and leaned back into Fulvia.

"Perhaps," Kally said, wrapping her arms around Cally, "we should officially retire this gathering to my quarters."

 

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