Star Trek: Starbase 777

Holodeck two was a replica of a massive museum on Risa, displaying ancient Risian artifacts and art, as well as donated pieces from all over the Federation dedicated to love and attraction in all shapes and forms. There were stations with snacks and drinks, only possible in a holodeck art gallery, designed to make Hal and Terahl's visit as pleasant as possible.

Hal Gertie entered the holodeck, trying to decide if he was more hoping that he was first in or the last. He hadn't been expecting to be nervous, but it had creeped up on him either way. Maybe it was the 'blind' part... or the fact that this would be the first date he had been on after the death of his previous partner! Still, he was happy to be getting out and hopefully meeting someone new. Despite the fact that he knew they would be inside, he'd chosen to dress appropriately for Risa warmth. He ended up going with a button up adorned with a number of green lizards and a pair of darker green shorts--not exactly tropical, but certainly not every day wear either. He'd blend in with the leaves outside if he stood up against them. Seeing he was indeed the first in, he immediately gravitated towards the snacks. Going through the museum without his date would certainly be rude, but... having one of the snacks while he waited couldn't hurt. He picked up a small bite sized truffle pastry from one of the snack stations and popped it into his mouth.

How had he missed this last year...? He'd been around for well over a year at that point, and these sort of events were right up his alley. Terahl considered himself someone with a damn good memory, but he couldn't recall for the life of him what he'd been so busy with that he didn't have time for a fun little date. When was the last time he'd been on a proper one, anyhow? Nothing in the past six months, that was for certain. Terahl, dressed in an unbuttoned navy blue polo and beige pants, ran his fingers through his hair, scanning the quiet gallery for his date. His antennae perked up as he spotted him— handsome, tall, broad shoulders tense with nerves. Both of them had white hair, but the man in front of him kept it short and neat compared to his. Twirling a little cube of cheese skewered on a toothpick, Terahl offered a warm smile, inclining his head. "Nothing like a vacation, right?" he mused playfully, ever-present sunglasses not doing much to mask the hungry curiosity in his gaze. "I haven't been to the real thing in ages, though. Terahl," he offered his hand and a lopsided grin, "it's nice to meet you. And you are..?"

“Nothing like it,” he affirmed, taking Terahl’s hand. He pushed his nerves down and returned the smile. “You can call me Hal Gertie. Nice to meet you, too.” He let go of his hand after a moment, and let his eyes roam around the space again. "I've never actually been to Risa. I've heard about it of course, but... never visited myself." The museum was peaceful, an alcove sheltered from the noise and activity of the simulated beach outside. It was cool and dry, and he had to imagine it was refreshing after being in the warmth outside. All in all, he thought it was lovely for the occasion. Like a little corner of the planet that was just for the two of them. "So," he turned his gaze back to his date, making gentle eye contact through the sunglasses, "Terahl. What do you think? Is it all it's said to be?" He inclined his head just so.

With his gaze lingering on Hal Gertie for a moment too long, Terahl's reply was "I think it's fantastic," and a cheeky little grin before he gestured forward, starting to walk around the exhibits. They were even themed after love and attraction. Wasn't that cute? "Honestly, it's the vacation planet for a reason, you know? It's beautiful. The resorts are incredible. The people are incredible," he shrugged, tucking his hands into his pockets. "I think I'd like to see the real museum, someday," he mused thoughtfully. "I love this kind of thing. History, art. Proves people have been creating as long as they've been alive... Maybe I'll save my philosophical ramblings for when we're past the first five minutes of a date, huh?.." A little blue in the face out of embarrassment, Terahl chuckled, popping the little cheese cube into his mouth. "Where do you usually go for vacation, then? Or— better yet, what do you do? I'm a journalist, myself."

Taking a long step to catch up with Terahl, Hal Gertie inspected the first exhibit they came to. His attention was quickly brought back to his date though, and he turned just to catch him flush. "Oh no, I get what you mean. Gives you a sense of... belonging, I guess, when you go to make something next. And..." His seemingly ever present smile turned slightly mischievous. He held eye contact as he continued. "It's cute that you like it." It was both a genuine sentiment and playful flirting. He lingered on Terahl for a moment more before continuing with the conversation. "I'm in Starfleet, stationed here. Security." He ignored the question about where he vacationed--truthfully, he couldn't remember the last time he had gone anywhere off-station. "My position is technically as a crisis and hostage negotiator; it means I'm more equipped for deescalating situations, but there's not too many hostage situations on the station so I mostly end up doing standard patrolling. Luckily." He added on. He didn't want there to be more crisis situations of course. "Journalism, huh? Any specific kind? I don't know very much about what goes on behind the scenes, but I do try to make it a point to read some articles and opinion pieces when I have the time."

A lopsided smile tugged up the left corner of Terahl's mouth as he averted his focus, fixing on the intricate pottery in front of them. Charmer versus charmer, huh? "A security officer?" His eyebrows arched, the curiosity that had glimmered under the surface starting to overflow, trickling outward through a sparkle in his eyes and restless fingers that drummed against his side. "You probably have some interesting stories to tell. Maybe I'll hit you up for an interview later," he joked, gesturing for them to move on to a painting on the wall. "Let's seeee..." His antennae wiggled as he thought, reaching up to scratch at his cheek. "I don't know what I'd call it, really. If anyone asks, it's mostly photojournalism. I work in disasters— natural or man-made." His cryptic fascination with them could be politely omitted from the conversation for the time being, in fear of his date thinking, understandably, he was weird as hell. "I've been all over, but I think I'm finally starting to settle down. Focus more on the photo part." Still twirling the toothpick between his fingers, he leant over, inclining his head towards Hal Gertie. "You look like you'd make a good model," he chirped playfully, just to get a reaction. "Nah, I'm kidding. I suck at photographing people." He could do landscapes marred by war and storms and everything in between. He could do the stars. But he never could quite capture a person right... Maybe there was something philosophical and deep there, but he didn't really feel like lingering on it.

"Maybe I do," he replied coyly. "An interview could be fun. I wouldn’t be opposed to it at least.” In reality, he preferred not to talk too much about work while off-duty. It was hard enough keeping work and personal life separate when he patrolled the same halls that led to his quarters. But that would be a problem for future him, so he decided not to worry about it. He fell in step with his date briefly as they moved towards the next painting. Hal Gertie listened patiently as Terahl explained, very politely not watching his antennae. “I’d love to see your work some time. If you’re willing to share it, I mean. I love looking at things like that which… is probably how we got matched up, now that I’m thinking about it.” He wasn’t quite sure what settling down on a starbase meant for a photojournalist; did he travel frequently or simply have a focus on disasters that happened on-base? He pressed his mouth slightly as he thought, making a mental note to ask later. Too many questions and it would turn into an interrogation rather than a date. He feigned confusion at the why Terahl would say he solid make a good model, narrowing his eyes just so. "Oh? And why'd you say that?" He wouldn’t be flustered so easily. Without breaking concentration, he reached over and plucked the toothpick from the man’s hand. Then he pulled away as he straightened up and tossed it into a nearby trashcan.

Terahl paused, completely still— the touch was nothing but a graze, there and gone in an instant, and his cheeks still flushed a brilliant shade of blue, giving the journalist no choice but to laugh it off and avert his eyes as if nothing had happened at all. "Well," in need of something else to fidget with, he plucked a pen from his pocket. "Alright. I'll bite. I'm fine saying I think you're cute, if you'll forgive me for jumping the gun a little..." It was nothing but playful, but jeez, he forgot how terrible his jitters were on dates. He liked playing the part of the suave smooth-talking journalist, but he wasn't exactly complaining. It was just a little embarrassing, that was all. And Hal Gertie was handsome! Which didn't help him in the slightest. Despite this, conversation flowed easily; Terahl made a mental note to send Hal Gertie a message after all was said and done, offer to get coffee or something. Get to know each other a little better and see if a second date was in the cards. Right now, though, he was having a wonderful time.