Drink date [Torra only for now](COMPLETE)

[Danjar-Torra Addams]

PO3 Danjar-Torra
[Discovery - Deck 6 - Holodeck]

Her interjection seemed to make a difference in how she was treated by the man and she was glad she spoke up.

She and Don followed the man to their 'ride'.  Torra smiled at seeing the foreign animal and reached out a hand towards it curious about what it's hide felt like.  She turned her amazed smile towards Don as he asked about the change in her department.

Torra gave a slight shrug.  "When I joined I asked the enlistment officer what was the quickest way to join with the least amount training.  He suggested Enlisted with Security as a department so that is what I selected."

She pet the elephants trunk gently.  "When I got transferred to Discovery there was some clerical error and I got assigned to Medical. I brought it up with Dr. Sluchaynyy and he said he would see what could be done to fix it but I think the man was merely saying that to keep me content so as not to bring it up to Commander Galloway."

She leaned forward and placed her forehead against the truck of the elephant a moment before moving to the bent knee the elephant was presenting as a 'step-up'.  Only after she was seated up on it's back did she continue her answer to Don.  "Now I'm not sure what department I fit best in.  I have very little experience in the medical field and I can't take the required 3 years of training to become a doctor....  My time to serve is short comparatively to yours. I could retire in 10 years - to spend 3 of that just training seems a waste." 

[Don Damien Addams]

PO3 Danjar-Torra
[Discovery - Deck 6 - Holodeck]

Her interjection seemed to make a difference in how she was treated by the man and she was glad she spoke up.

She and Don followed the man to their 'ride'.  Torra smiled at seeing the foreign animal and reached out a hand towards it curious about what it's hide felt like.  She turned her amazed smile towards Don as he asked about the change in her department.

Don had never seen a creature so huge before. The creature seemed to be gentle. He placed his hand on the side of the rough dry skin. It was warm. He was expecting to be cold.

Torra gave a slight shrug.  "When I joined I asked the enlistment officer what was the quickest way to join with the least amount training.  He suggested Enlisted with Security as a department so that is what I selected."

He smiled. She was not different from him. He had try the fast route himself when he can.

She pet the elephants trunk gently.  "When I got transferred to Discovery there was some clerical error and I got assigned to Medical. I brought it up with Dr. Sluchaynyy and he said he would see what could be done to fix it but I think the man was merely saying that to keep me content so as not to bring it up to Commander Galloway."

She leaned forward and placed her forehead against the truck of the elephant a moment before moving to the bent knee the elephant was presenting as a 'step-up'.  Only after she was seated up on it's back did she continue her answer to Don.  "Now I'm not sure what department I fit best in.  I have very little experience in the medical field and I can't take the required 3 years of training to become a doctor....  My time to serve is short comparatively to yours. I could retire in 10 years - to spend 3 of that just training seems a waste."

The Elephant trunk had smacked Don on the shoulder. It was gentle like buddy hitting you on the side. "Okay, I am climbing buddy," he told the Elephand. He climbed up and sat behind Torra.

"Interesting Torra. So are you happy where you are? Is this what you want?" He asked. He was fascinated by her.

[Danjar-Torra Addams]

PO3 Danjar-Torra
[Discovery - Deck 6 - Holodeck - Africa - riding an elephant]

Torra had smiled when the elephant seemed to insist that Don get on by nudging Don with it's trunk. When Don settled in behind her, Torra was careful to keep her head lowered slightly so her horns wouldn't block his view or accidentally knock him.

She considered his question a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I believe I am.  I miss my friends and upsol on Challenger.  But I am making a new upsol here on Discovery... with you, Dr. Ren, Dr. Sluchaynyy, Lena, even Commander Galloway.  I am happy here." She stated the last with an affirming nod and smiled.

"What about you Donny?  Are you happy where you are at? We aren't going to lose you to the smuggler life are we?"

[Don Damien Addams]

PO3 Danjar-Torra
[Discovery - Deck 6 - Holodeck - Africa - riding an elephant]

Torra had smiled when the elephant seemed to insist that Don get on by nudging Don with it's trunk. When Don settled in behind her, Torra was careful to keep her head lowered slightly so her horns wouldn't block his view or accidentally knock him.

She considered his question a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I believe I am.  I miss my friends and upsol on Challenger.  But I am making a new upsol here on Discovery... with you, Dr. Ren, Dr. Sluchaynyy, Lena, even Commander Galloway.  I am happy here." She stated the last with an affirming nod and smiled.

"What about you Donny?  Are you happy where you are at? We aren't going to lose you to the smuggler life are we?"

[USS Discovery - Holodeck 6 - holoprogram in Africa]

It was amazing how grace the big creature walked. The guide was escorting the elephant down a hill on a path. There was clear skies ahead of them. The handsome man saw there was a line where the ocean met. It seem this journey was heading where he wanted it. It was going to the beautiful sandy beach.

Don smiled. "I believe I am starting to like my upsol too," he had hoped he had used the word properly. "I don't think I have the heart to be a smuggler again. Not sure about being happy," he said. His thick eyebrows shot up for a second. "You can say I am content."

"Yes, I reckon the Discovery is my new upsol. Man, I repeated myself. What a dufus of me. And, Yes, Galloway is an interesting man. You know, he knows pretty all lot about Eath's history in World War II. I bet he would love to have a new person to join us. You have any flying experience?"

[Danjar-Torra Addams]

PO3 Danjar-Torra
[Discovery - Deck 6 - Holodeck - Africa - riding an elephant]

Torra found the movement of the elephant's stride very roll-y and she had to move with it swaying from side to side or risk feeling a bit off-balance.   When their guide led the elephant down hill,  even the slight grade had Torra leaning back, lest she feel like she would topple over it's head - she was head-heavy after all.  As such, her back ended up pressed against Donny's chest for the duration of the walk downhill.

His use of the grazerite term had her turning her head slightly to smile back at him.  She was glad that he wasn't likely to become a smuggler again...  not that she'd honestly thought it possible.  Who would want to be a smuggler when they could be aboard a starship? The idea was laughable to her.  But his comment that he wasn't happy caused a slight frown.  Content and happy were very different things and she wondered what was keeping from letting happiness into his life?  What was he missing?

Then after commenting that Discovery was his new upsol he berated himself for repeating a sentiment.  She frowned slightly wishing he wouldn't be so harsh with himself.  "There is nothing wrong with expressing a truth more than once. Especially when it is something important to us." she commented quietly.

Donny's comments about the Commander were interesting.  She shook her head at his question. "I don't know the first thing about flying." she answered honestly. "Is it hard to learn?"

[Don Damien Addams]

[Holodeck 6 - Africa]

"May I place my arms around you?" He asked her. To him it would be a violation to do it without permission. He had respect her all lot. They might be on a drink date, which was like a date. Plus he was rather do things proper. After all he would not want to chase her off.

He gave a few minutes to think of what Torra mention about truth of life. "I guess, I am still trying to figure where I fit in the universe," he admitted to her. One of those things you wished to keep yourself.

One of his habits was want to be the best and he beat himself for failing. Deep down he believes that he has to prove to himself that he could be good as his mother. So he expects more the out of himself. When a superior was not happy with him. Then it was a wound move to his ego. Where he felt he had to work on and be better to go up.

It was a slow ride cause the hill was a long way down.

"I was always a pilot in most my life. You had been security and gone to medical. You seem to be a fast learner. So maybe you pick it up real fast. You want try to join us? Ian. I mean Commander is very good about it. Truth, he is a total different person in that holoprogram. And I can tell you why call him Daffy and he call me Duck," he gave a small chuckle. Man, he really enjoy the program with Ian.

[Danjar-Torra Addams]

PO3 Danjar-Torra
[Discovery - Deck 6 - Holodeck - Africa - riding an elephant]

His question was answered with a quiet "yes" and a slight nod of her head. She felt a bit shy at his queston but was happy that he thought to ask first.  As his arms wrapped around her, Torra laid her own hands atop his, holding onto him.  This added contact made her feel better.

For a few minutes, no one spoke and Torra was fine with that.  The swaying movement as they continued down hill was rather peaceful.  So peaceful, that when Don finally spoke commenting replying back to her own comment it took a moment to Torra to recall the topic... oh yes expressing one's truth.    She thought about his reply and it's truth for him.  She considered reassuring him that he would find his place (hopefully in a place that aligned with hers)...  but then thought perhaps he wasn't looking for reassurance from her but just wanted to share.  So after a moment she answered his admission with a slight acknowledging nod and a squeeze to his arm under her hand.

He continued on afterwards talking about how he was piloting since he was young - Torra smiled at the fanciful imagining of a young Donny piloting a starship.  Then he was commenting that she might be able to pick up flying fast, and asked she would like to join him and Commander Galloway in their holodeck simulation of Earth's World War II.  He seemed so enthused about the idea, she just had to agree and so nodded.  "I'd be willing to give it a try if you think he wouldn't mind." 

[Don Damien Addams]

[Holodeck 6]

It was nice to have his arms around her. Cuddling was something he had enjoyed. Sadly he could not remember it. As a smuggler Legs was not into cuddling. She was right to the point. Rough and fast which he comply with her. It was fine, but no meaning to it. Legs just had her way and got what she wanted.

Holding Donjar was nice. Then he had liked the small quiet time as they rode down. The they exchange some words.

"Oh, trust me, Ian will love it," he replied.

On the way down, there was some men banging drums and Don quietly sang part of the song cause he knew it. There was building like a lounge. The men playing the drums were wearing very colorful clothing and their drums too. The Elelphant was walking with the best too. Don was smiling too.

https://youtu.be/9HKNAhAxMAk

[Danjar-Torra Addams]

PO3 Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Deck 6 - Holodeck  - Africa]

Torra was immeasurably happy in that moment.  The sway, his arms... the music - which he sang along with.  She was too distracted to catch the meaning of the words but found that he could sing very impressive.  She liked his voice.  It was rich and expressive.

When the song ended, Torra turned carefully to look over her shoulder at him.  "That was so wonderful.  Do you sing often?"   Grazerite singing was more like chakra OM chanting - and was certainly not as upbeat as what Don had sung.

"Do you know other songs... that you could teach me? Something simple to start with.  A children's song perhaps?"

[Don Damien Addams]

PO3 Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Deck 6 - Holodeck  - Africa]

Torra was immeasurably happy in that moment.  The sway, his arms... the music - which he sang along with.  She was too distracted to catch the meaning of the words but found that he could sing very impressive.  She liked his voice.  It was rich and expressive.

When the song ended, Torra turned carefully to look over her shoulder at him.  "That was so wonderful.  Do you sing often?"   Grazerite singing was more like chakra OM chanting - and was certainly not as upbeat as what Don had sung.

"Do you know other songs... that you could teach me? Something simple to start with.  A children's song perhaps?"

[Holodeck 6- Africa program]

"Uhm...let me think of a song," he answered her.

There was a few lyrics in his head, but he could not remember them all. The guide who was flirting with Torra had turned to look up behind him. "I can help you. Do you mind?"

"Oh please help me," Don had replied.

The guide started to sing "Are you my Sunshine". The musicians started to play the song.

"I remember this song," Don joined them. He squeezed Torra's waist gently and lovely.

[Danjar-Torra Addams]

PO3 Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Deck 6 - Holodeck - Africa program]

Torra thought the song�s tune was very lovely especially through the chorus. She was a little disappointed that it was the guide who had thought up of the song-idea.  She had been hoping for something from just Don.

Picking up the tune quickly, Torra sang along as they repeated the chorus and then started the song all over again for her benefit.

�You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy when skies are grey.
You�ll never know, dear, how much I love you.
Please don�t take my sunshine away.�

As the song�s lyrics continued though, carried mostly by their guide, Torra wasn�t sure how appropriate a song it was for a beginning couple.

�But now you�ve left me to love another.
You have shattered all my dreams�?

Torra frowned.

�How about something more pleasant and positive please?� Torra suggested.

[Don Damien Addams]

PO3 Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Deck 6 - Holodeck - Africa program]

Torra thought the song's tune was very lovely especially through the chorus. She was a little disappointed that it was the guide who had thought up of the song-idea.  She had been hoping for something from just Don.

Picking up the tune quickly, Torra sang along as they repeated the chorus and then started the song all over again for her benefit.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy when skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away."

As the song's lyrics continued though, carried mostly by their guide, Torra wasn't sure how appropriate a song it was for a beginning couple.

'But now you've left me to love another.
You have shattered all my dreams'?

Torra frowned.

"How about something more pleasant and positive please?" Torra suggested.

[holodeck]

Sigh. Donny figured he had made a big mistake. Torra had not liked that song. She wanted something positive. So he thought of 'Johnny, Johnny Yes Pappa'. That had some twist to it. Little baby was sneaking and daddy was not happy. Then he thought about the five ducks. All the ducks seem to vanish from their mom and daddy called them back. That was not a good one either. All lot of kid songs had twist with sadness to it. He never seen them that way  until now.

He remember his grandfather love to sing Grandmother Got Ran Over By Santa Clause. She used poke and run after him for that. Saying you going to be bad like his mom and dad with bad songs in his head.

Then Don remember the song his grandmother song which had a nice up beat.

Possible he was thinking a long time if Torra was waiting. Then Don squeezed her. "Okay I believe you like this one," he shared.

So he sang,

When I was a little bitty boy just up off the floor
We used to go down to grandma's house every month end or so
We'd have chicken pie, country ham
Homemade butter on the bread
But the best darn thing about grandma's house
Was the great big feather bed
It was nine feet high and six feet wide
And soft as a downy chick
It was made from the feathers of forty 'leven geese
Took a whole bolt of cloth for the tick
It could hold eight kids and four hound dogs
And a piggy we stole from the shed
We didn't get much sleep but we had a lot of fun
On grandma's feather bed
After supper we'd sit around the fire, the old folks'd spit and chew
Pa would talk about the farm and the war
And granny'd sing a ballad or two
And I'd sit and listen and watch the fire till the cobwebs filled my head
Next thing I'd know I'd wake up in the morning
In the middle of the old feather bed
It was nine feet high and six feet wide
And soft as a downy chick
It was made from the feathers of forty 'leven geese
Took a whole bolt of cloth for the tick
It could hold eight kids and four hound dogs
And a piggy we stole from the shed
We didn't get much sleep but we had a lot of fun
On grandma's feather bed
Well, I love my ma and I love my pa, I love granny and grandpa too
I've been fishin' with my uncles, I wrestled my cousin
I even kissed Aunt Lou, ew!
But if I ever had to make a choice I guess it oughta be said
That I'd trade them all plus the gal down the road
For grandma's feather bed
I'd trade them all plus the gal down the road
It was nine feet high and six feet wide
And soft as a downy chick
It was made from the feathers of forty 'leven geese
Took a whole bolt of cloth for the tick
It could hold eight kids and four hound dogs
And a piggy we stole from the shed
We didn't get much sleep but we had a lot of fun
On grandma's feather bed
We didn't get much sleep but we had a lot of fun
On grandma's feather bed——"

Then he stopped and chuckled. "I forgot that is a fast song, let me see if I can think of another one."

Then he started to sing PUFF THE Magic dragon. "No. You won't like that one too. Kid songs are not the greatest to sing....let me think of another one."

They he went back thinking as the Elephant was moving. Man this was tough.

"Okay try this one," he said.

So he sang "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood"

[Danjar-Torra Addams]

PO3 Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Deck 6 - Holodeck - Africa program]

Torra, being held in Don's arms, waited in anticipation for the song the Don was going to teach her.  She had no idea her request for a positive children's song would be so difficult.

Eventually he started off with a fast-paced folksong that Torra immediately took a liking to.  She particularly liked hearing about the 'piggy' that was stolen from the shed.  By the second verse, Torra was clapping in beat to the tune and trying to hum along ... since she didn't know the words.  However during the chorus she was happy to be able to join in the with the "piggy we stole from the shed"

When the song came to a close with a repeating of the chorus, Torra laughed and clapped,after having tried her best to sing along with the last few lines.  "Oh I really like that one!" she commented with a wide smile.

He started another about a dragon but stopped claiming that children songs were not the greatest to sing.  She found that odd, but nodded and waited patiently for him to come up another song, the 'Feather bed' song still playing happily in the back of her mind.  It had catchy tune.  She would have to find a copy of it and add it to her musical playlist she listened to when she was feeling like music.

Finally, Don settled on another.  This one was slower placed and shorter but still upbeat and she liked the positive message about wanting to being neighbors.  "Thank you Don.  Those are so wonderful!"

She considered. "I could try to sing one of my people's songs but they are very slow and monotonous in comparison.  The closest I've found in the Challenger's database is Tibetian Om chanting.  An average song will last about 2 hours."

[Don Damien Addams]

[holodeck]

Don mouth drop. "Wow. Two hours seem a long time," he replied. "That makes me more curious about your people."

The Elephant had traveled down the hill down to the beach area. There was a very colorful tent with many colors. There was three palm trees hanging over giving it shade. The sea breeze was clean and freshening. The water was very blue and clear. The water was calm too. Little waves lapping on the shore. There was no way for a rip tide.

"Wow. This is almost beautiful as you he replied. The guide offered Torra to come down first.

Don hesitate when he had to get down from the elephant, but the Elephant was elegant to kneel for both of them to get off.

Eventually the guid had left them.

"We are alone," he told her.

There was a small robot for serving food and drinks. There was no personality to it. Don had not thought about that.

There was a tin metal lid with sticks on them. Drum sticks. And there was an acustic guitar. Don was fascinated by the drums. They were on the up front right side of the tent.

"I know this is far from being a camp site. We can enjoy each other," he shrug his shoulder. Then he looked out the ocean. "I bet I can get lost in your eyes," he turned to her. "The ocean has many miles as space," he then looked down, blushing, and combed his hair. He picked up his chin a bit as he was looking under the hood of his eye lids. "Lost of words," he said. He mumbled under his breath not realize he did so. Can't even speak a sentence, he softly mumbled.

https://youtu.be/7VeaMEiWo-4

[Danjar-Torra Addams]

PO3 Danjar-Torra
[USS Discovery - Deck 6 - Holodeck - Africa program]

Torra glanced back towards Don, who rode behind her, his arms wrapped bout her waist to keep steady on the elephant.  She liked the fact that he was interested in wanting to learn more about her people.  "I could perhaps see for our next date, if the holodeck archives have anything on Grazer. I'd love to share my people's customs with you."

As they neared the beach, Torra raised her head and sniffed at the air.  The smell of salt water was something rare for her.  She looked over the colorful tent and the palm trees and whole beach which was empty but for them.  It was perfect!

Don's comment made her lower her head self-consciously in embarrassment.

Getting off the elephant was trickier than getting on, though it helped that the elephant knelt with a one knee up...and allowed Torra to grip onto it's trunk for support.  While she waited for Don to descend, she looked over the beach area set up.  It looked so peaceful.  The musical instruments set by the tent caught her attention momentarily.

Then Don was by her side commenting about this not being a camp site.  Torra smiled.  No certainly not a campsite.  "I enjoy things for what they are...  not for what they are not." she offer sagely as she reached for his hand.

For a moment they both watched the ocean waves quietly, then Don, in his way made a slightly awkward compliment comparing her eyes to that of the ocean's vastness.   It was actually a rather romantic comparison and when he looked down blushing, Torra dipped her head along with him trying to catch his eye reassuringly.  "Thank you. That is sweet of you to say."

Then since it seemed that Don was too uncertain and at a loss for words, Torra figured it best to just show him how she felt.  Everything she'd read up and seen on human dating customs - implied that if the pair liked one another then at the end of the date - they would share a kiss.  But Torra wasn't human and Grazerite customs were often more about mating than dating so most didn't apply to this.  But Torra figured she could make use of at least one part of it.  She would make it plain that she chose him above all others in their Discovery upsol.

When he raised his head slightly to look at her, she leaned her head down to kiss him.