An Un-Conventional Couple (captain_Bond x EtherealElvenEmpress)

[captain_bond]

The first mornings of conventions always gave Sean Dougherty a thrill. The first time seeing everyone's costumes, the chance to meet new people, the way everyone chattered excitedly...it was a great time indeed. Particularly since this was only his second convention dedicated mostly, if not completely, to Star Trek, which was one of his favorite shows. In his hotel room across from the convention hall, he looked at himself in the mirror one last time. He honestly wasn't too terrible-looking, despite his lack of social success back at university. He just had the unfortunate label of 'nerd', and apparently his schoolmates had failed to grow up from the high-school mentality that nerds were anathema.

Looking in the mirror, he combed back his sandy blonde hair, cut short and styled to look like one of the renditions of Captain James T. Kirk, famous for commanding the Starship Enterprise, of course. His blue eyes were often obscured behind wire-framed glasses, but he had contacts that he used for special occasions, and this certainly applied! His clear face (clear of acne, anyway; he'd shaved his facial hair just this morning, rendering him even more unrecognizable to those who'd last seen him sporting a full beard) dipped down a pale neck into a high-quality gold-colored Starfleet Captain's uniform. He had debated with himself about whether or not he should choose the one from the Original Series, from Strange New Worlds, or from the "Kelvin timeline" movies with Chris Pine. He ultimately settled on the SNW variety, as that was new, canon, and not an alternate timeline.

Regardless, besides the uniform top he wore a pair of black slacks (obviously) and a pair of replica Starfleet-issue boots. He slipped his phone, wallet, hotel room key and receipt of convention admission payment in his pants pockets, before adding the final touches. He opened his suitcase and pulled out a phaser, communicator and tricorder, all high-end replicas from the new show, and soon he was ready for any away mission the world could throw at him.

Or so he thought...

 

[EtherealElvenEmpress]

Erin Nakamura had booked her own room and this was not her first rodeo…err….convention. She was an avid cosplayer though this was new for her. Moving into sci-fi she was worried if she could do it Justice. Choosing Uhura a character she admired for years this was her debut.

Fixing her outfit she took a look in the mirror and did a few turns making sure her hair was perfect and touching up her make up she would eventually leave her room to find her convention buddy. She was worried that her body type was not perfect and it stood out in the red skin tight outfit she decided to wear. She did not have any pockets so she had to carry a purse with her but that would be something easy enough to hide for photos.

Once in the hallway she would look around and make her way down to the lobby of the hotel and where the convention is being held and to be honest she could get lost in the crowd considering it was all Star Trek. So many people had really amazing costumes and now she was second-guessing herself and maybe she should’ve picked a different character but she loved his character!

She would make her way to the main desk to pay for her badge for the weekend which was easy enough but for now she lingered around when she got her entry pass looking at what tables they had set up and sizing up the competition. Her heart was beating so fast she was worried it was going to beat out of her chest. Normally Erin would not worry about such things but seeing everyone in their costumes she feel like she just didn’t do enough. Even though she was a bombshell herself she couldn’t help but me nervous as she waited to see if she can spot her friend go to be honest with so many people dressed so I can a crowd she was worried she wouldn’t find him at all and maybe she’d be left alone here and had to fend for herself….

 

[captain_bond]

Sean headed down to the convention, softly humming the theme to The Next Generation. He went over to the line where those who already paid for admission could pick up their badges, and he hung his around his neck and started to mill about the crowd as everyone waited for the doors to open. He spotted someone in a Lt. Uhura outfit, and upon closer inspection, he realized it was Erin from back at school! So much for being the only person from the university here, he thought as he started to slowly make his way over towards her, admiring how her costume fit her as he did so. I always thought she was pretty, but damn!

"Excuse me, Lieutenant. Have you seen Spock anywhere?", he asked with a smile on his face. "It's good to see you, Erin. How's your math class going?" He put his hands behind his back, at a sort of 'parade rest' stance as he waited for Erin to respond.

 

[EtherealElvenEmpress]

Kirin was looking around trying to see if you’re online friend was going to show up anytime soon here she was waiting for him to pop up and say hi and every minute that passes she felt more and more embarrassed and sorry to regret going to a sci-fi convention.

She kept herself off to the side with her phone in hand which looked out of place in uniform but the badges were great they were made like badges they would wear on the show so we could go next to you or with their badge already with her cosplay. It took her a minute to realize someone was speaking to her before she would actually respond before looking up. “On the bridge …” before she can complete her cents and she looked up and looked a bit confused seeing someone she wasn’t expecting to see here. It looks like a possible classmate but she didn’t quite recognize him.

“Matt? Josh? Sean?” She threw out three names but at least one of them is correct but she really had no idea if she was a bitch in math class and those are the only three she could think of. “What are you doing here?” She was quite curious and looked a bit embarrassed especially since if he was from her math class who else could’ve seen her or what she was thinking was if this got out it would make her look bad since sci-fi was for the dorks and she was a cosplayer that was something completely different! She wasn’t mean she was just shocked to see him here and she wasn’t quite sure how to talk to him as she looked around a bit to see if any of the other people from her university were here and there goes her plan to hide in the crowd!

“Math is okay. The test really threw me for a loop but I hope I passed it how about you?” She’s trying to make conversation as she looked a bit fidgety and nervous especially since she was outted right then in there.

 

[captain_bond]

"Sean. And I tutored you last semester. I'm doing pretty good, and judging by how you were looking around, I don't think anyone else from the university is here. You waiting for someone?" Sean moved to stand beside her, to both avoid possibly letting his eyes wander where they shouldn't, as well as to get out of people's way. "How long you been a Star Trek fan?", he asked, as if it was the most normal thing in the world. Being judgmental wasn't in his nature, and he didn't really make a big deal when he saw her, like he saw her in Star Trek cosplay every week or something.

He wasn't sure if she was waiting for someone, but if she was, it seemed like they weren't gonna show up. Hopefully, he'd be able to help Erin navigate the convention, as she looked like a fish out of water.

 

[EtherealElvenEmpress]

“Sean…. Thanks for your help math it’s not an easy subject for me I appreciate that.” Keeping the Conversation light as she continued to look around. She was looking for someone and she didn’t know what he look like but he said he will be wearing a captains uniform but so many people were even Sean was!

“That’s a good thing. You better not tell anyone you saw me here.” She said quietly but not in a mean way. It was more embarrassment and shame. When he moved outside she followed to keep out of the way as she would continue to look towards the entrance trying to see if she can spot her online friend. “I’ve always liked it I just never dressed up for it I feel a bit weird maybe I should go… looks like he’s not coming. I got here early and maybe he got busy or something or he just forgot….” Erin didn’t notice how he was checking her out but she looked a bit sad that she would meet her online friend especially after getting dressed up for it and it was his idea and he bought her outfit!

 

[captain_bond]

"Hey, you don't have to go. Just because your friend stood you up, doesn't mean you don't deserve to have fun. Why don't you and I go in together?" Sean gestured towards the doors where the gathering crowd would flow through once the convention got under way. Right now they were closed and convention volunteers with red Starfleet uniforms--the color usually worn by security--stood ready to unlock and open them at the appointed time. One of them turned their back and the word "SECURITY" could be seen printed on the back of the uniform in white. Below it was printed, "NOT EXPENDABLE THIS TIME." Still, Sean thought they usually got a lot of red shirt jokes directed at them.

"Tell you what. We can hang out here and let the crowd go in ahead of us, give this person a bit of extra time and that way even if they don't show, you don't have to be in the middle of the rush. You won't be missing anything. And, if they don't show up, we'll go from there. Sound good?"

 

[EtherealElvenEmpress]

If you looked at Erin and he could see how nervous she was. Her online friend was a no-show and he left her hanging right there in complete embarrassment even though she looked stunning in her uniform. At least when they went through security she chuckled at the Sharon but she didn’t say anything especially since she didn’t want to seem like too much of a nerd. She couldn’t let her image be ruined in front of her math tutor could she?

“To Be honest he’s the only reason I’m here I didn’t hear this is not my normal crowd to be honest…” she confessed. Crossing her arms under her large chest. “Didn’t you come with your friends and if your friends are from our university I might have to hide. Change that I will have to hide I can’t let anyone from University see me or even though you see me here I’m going to swear to secrecy.” Even though Sean was quite nice she was afraid of being caught here or anyone outing her since even though she herself was a geek this was a whole other level of that and she was afraid to let that get out.

“Do you think you can hide me or let me know if you see anyone else from the University? I wouldn’t mind looking around but I feel like a fish out of water without my friend I’ve never been to one of these before at least not on this side. I’ve been anime conventions but this is completely different I have no idea where to go. Trust me once I find my friend and scream at him for doing this to me I’ll get out of your hair I promise.” Even though she was a bit snippy and courteous but he could tell she was super embarrassed by the way her face was flushing to the shade of a red shirt.

 

[captain_bond]

"Erin." The way Sean spoke her name was soft, understanding and yet also commanded her attention, especially since he spun around to face her and gripped both her forearms gently, looking into her eyes and attempting to ground her. "If there is a problem, I will do my best to help you. I will guide you through all of this. But worrying about the bad things that might happen, will keep you from enjoying the good things that do happen. And you will learn that Star Trek fans are some of the most non-judgmental people ever. If someone else from the university is here, that means they will keep your secret if that is your wish. Okay? So, forget about that idiot who doesn't know what he's missing, take a deep breath, and enjoy yourself." His lips curled into a slight smirk as he added, "That's an order, Lieutenant Uhura."

 

[EtherealElvenEmpress]

The moment when he said her name firmly it got her to stop and slow down as she let her dark brown eyes look up and meet his. For once she was actually quiet and listening as he held her gently keeping her in place. “You make a good point captain but keep in mind this is my first mission and I’m understandably nervous about this.” She responded in a cute way but he could tell that she was slowly starting to relax as she took a deep breath and slowly blew it out.

Her Internet date was not looking good and with him not showing up it did not give her any confidence especially since she was alone but at least now she had a classmate who she didn’t really know well but seemed pretty nice and he was pretty smart at math. “ i’m happy that you’ll keep my secret captain because if you didn’t I might have to let the tribbles get you.” Erin said as she chuckled and it seem like some of her nervousness was melting away thanks to him.

“To be completely honest I would’ve never expected you to be a captain Kirk with how smart you are I would’ve thought you would’ve chosen Picard.” She stepped out of character for a moment but in her own way she was complementing him and hoped he wouldn’t take offense to it.

 

[captain_bond]

Sean was glad Erin was starting to relax, he was worried that she'd be a ball of nerves the whole time. When she got in character and talked about Tribbles, he chuckled and said, "Well at least we'll know if there are any Klingons nearby. Don't worry, you're doing just fine." Clearing his throat when she broke character, he said, "Aw, well thank you. But the smartest character on any show was Data." He made a good impression of Brent Spiner as he said, "Curious, I have read numerous treatises on the subject of humor, yet I cannot seem to make you laugh. I must be malfunctioning." Returning to his normal demeanor, he continued with, "I've always wanted to use my natural hair color and what not with costumes, rather than dye it or wear wigs. And I've always had the sort of basic Kirk look, but I always wear glasses so no one ever really notices. I pop in my contacts and suddenly I'm not so bad-looking, right?" Now it was Sean's turn to be a little nervous because he was self-conscious about his appearance (what nerd wasn't?) and really wanted some validation for what he thought was an improvement. If she said it looked good, he might start wearing contacts all the time.