Lakes and Recreation - Artemis Shore Leave

[Tyra Crawford]

== Shore Leave Subplot ==

[Aeryn Miller]

== Grasmere, Lake District - Earth ==

Grasmere, known as the poetic heart of the Lake District and once the home to Wordsworth and his wife, still stands as though time had forgotten about it. The village is also named after the lake adjacent to it and boasts stunning views in every direction. From its quaint little cottages, shops, guesthouses, restaurants and pubs, to the historical attractions,  there's plenty to do. Not to mention the numerous hiking trails that take you right up the fells from which Grasmere nestles at the foot of them, particularly Helvellyn or Helm Crag. It doesn't stop there, with numerous activities available on the lake itself, including boating, lake cruises, kayaking, swimming, and paddleboarding.

[Aeryn Miller]

Standing just beyond the shore of the lake, Aeryn took a moment to breathe it all in and appreciate her surroundings. This was something that the redhead used to do whenever she got the chance to visit the Lake District; however, Grasmere had to be her favourite, and not because it was the home to her two oldest friends, Mitchell and his now husband Gray. There was just something special about it that Aeryn couldn't quite explain, and even after several years since her last visit, nothing had changed. So when Artemis returned to Earth, and the crew was dismissed for shore leave, the CSO knew exactly where she wanted to spend it, while also thinking it would be the perfect place to hold a get-together for the rest of the crew.

After their last couple of missions, spending time in a place that time forgot, with all of its charm and activities, could only be a positive experience and allow them to relax and enjoy themselves while being surrounded by what Mother Nature herself had created. Having arrived a couple of days before to catch up with her friends and to go over the final plans, everything had come together nicely, as the waft of food cooking on the two BBQ's permeated her soul, and caused her stomach to grumble.

Alongside the BBQ's, there was a gazebo with two long tables, filled with sauces, condiments, salads, buns, wraps and every accompaniment you could think of, as well as four large coolers, two containing beer, the other two soft drinks, and other non-alcoholic beverages. Tables made out of blue, durable plastic and comfortable chairs had been set out, making the most of the stunning views. For those who wanted to be a little adventurous, hiking gear was available to explore the many hiking trails, along with wetsuits, towels, if people wanted to swim or avail themselves of the many watersports on offer. 

It didn't stop there with the village within walking distance, and several boats and kayaks bumping against the shore. All in all, Aeryn figured that the crew would be spoilt for choice, whatever they decided to do, even if it involved just sitting, talking and observing. Turning back, Aeryn dressed in pale blue denim shorts and a matching off-the-shoulder top, sandals and with her red hair pinned up with two loose curls left dangling on either side of her face, walked towards the gazebo, and grabbed herself a beer. Twisting the cap off, she took a sip and waited for her guests to arrive, having sent invites out to everyone she knew.

== Tag all ==

[Ardanna Svenson]

When Ardanna first received the invitation from Chief Miller, the younger officer was unsure whether to attend. However, once she had done some research into the area, having never been to that part of Earth before, she decided it would be worth going for the scenery alone. In a way, it reminded the brunette of her family's roots, where her ancestors thrived for generations until the stars beckoned them. Arriving a little earlier than intended, the security officer had spent some time exploring the village. Finding it quite adorable, and a million miles away from what she was used to, almost as if this was some elaborate holodeck programme.

She knew it wasn't, but she had to admit that she was impressed by it all, as she wandered the quaint little streets, earmarking where she wanted to return to later, to perhaps buy some trinkets and souvenirs. Then again, she didn't have to rush, having made the sensible decision to check into one of the guesthouses so that she could make the most of her time in this part of England. Ardanna was also dressed appropriately for the weather, favouring an olive-coloured linen halter jumpsuit, which was light and breathable, along with a pair of black flat sandals.

Comfort was key, and that's how Ardanna felt as she followed the path up to where Aeryn had told them to be.

[Mara Calleja]

The restlessness that had defined the trip back to Earth was still permeating Mara’s life now that she had time to kill between missions. She’d been to Copenhagen to check in on her apartment and 3 members of the wider Sydesh clan that were living there. She’d been to the Academy complex in San Francisco to see a couple of old friends. She’d made plans to go and see her favourite music teacher Fabi in Switzerland. And so far today she’d already walked most of the trails around Grasmere as well.

I have to figure out how to calm my arse down. That 3rd pip… Fuck, that was a thing that happened. Still feels like I’m wearin’ someone else’s tunic. I know I’m not. I know I earned it. But yeah. Lieutenant Commander Calleja is gonna take some gettin’ used to. I probably need some time with friends or family or a counsellor before I end up letting the insecurities burn me out again.

Physical exertion apparently wasn’t going to help any time soon. Despite a heavy lifting session first thing and then a whole lot of hiking, the Security Chief had barely broken a sweat. Her Amazonian physique had taken it all and was still going. All Mara had managed to do was make herself mightily hungry, but that was much easier to deal with.

Calleja was dressed down. Heavy knee-length black shorts and boots, and a loose long-sleeved cream top that was just cropped enough to show off the odd flash of chiselled abs under caramel skin. The skin on the right side of her head had been freshly shaved, and her hair was braided and hanging down to her left shoulder.

She didn’t waste time. At her request a pair of freshly-cooked ribeyes were cut up and jammed into crusty bread with a lashing of hot sauce, and another plate was loaded up with pasta salad. Carrying both plates in one hand, Mara plucked a bottle of cola from one of the ice buckets and then headed into the gazebo where Aeryn looked out anxiously.

“Sup,” the Bandaran said in greeting. She climbed up onto the nearest bench, sitting on the table with her boots on the bench as she laid down her pasta plate and drink before ripping into one of her steak sandwiches.

“OK, that’s fuckin’ good. Whoever you got on the grill needs a pay rise,” she said with a grin. “How you doin’? I still remember gettin’ conned into that Artemismas thing. Bein’ responsible for people havin’ a good time was a new kinda pressure. You look like you’re copin’ better than I did.”

== Tags Aeryn! ==

[Robin Mayfair]

I needed this. I needed this so badly. 

Robin had finally dried off from her dip in the lake, more or less. Her dark blue denim shorts would take a while longer than the purple one piece swimsuit she was wearing (one that conspicuously matched her hair and eyes) but it was getting there. It was warm enough that having a wet butt didn't bother her. She could have peeled the shorts off, of course, and most people probably would have (or wouldn't have swam in them in the first place), but the tiny nurse was still ridiculously modest sometimes. Her pixie cut was completely unstyled and had been towel-dried and left to its own messy affair. She was barefoot, though she had a pair of sandals in her bag. There was just something about walking barefoot in grass that she loved. They didn't have it on Iota Tau and she'd spent most of the years since leaving the colony living on ships or at the Academy. 

She'd spent the early part of the day in Grasmere eating and shopping and eating. She'd tried a couple of the local restaurants and one of the bakeries, and each and every one had been a treat. All of her loot (including the good-sized bag of chocolates she's procured) had been beamed to her small home in West Virginia. But now the Augment was starving again, as usual, so of course her first stop were the tables of food. It smelled wonderful.

She considered for a moment, then went for a medium rare double cheeseburger stacked with the classic Jimmy Buffet loadout (lettuce, tomato, Munster, steak sauce, and an onion slice) along with a pickle spear and some potato chips... 

This is the UK. They're crisps.

And a cola got her started. She'd be back. 

Mara, Aeryn, and one of the Security team (Ardanna Svenson) were already at one of the gazebos, and more Artemis crew would be arriving shortly. Robin joined them. She needed to socialize. Her nightmares of the horrible cloning facility had been frequent and she'd returned to Sickbay in a funk, barely socializing with anyone during the trip to Earth. Even after the ship had reached the Federation capital she'd spent her time cooped up in her house doing some basic chores and wasting time watching the latest holodramas. That wasn't like her and she knew it. Ordinarily Earth was like a giant theme park, filled with endless things to see and do. So this was a good start, a sort of refocusing of self.

"OK, that’s fuckin’ good. Whoever you got on the grill needs a pay rise. How you doin’? I still remember gettin’ conned into that Artemismas thing. Bein’ responsible for people havin’ a good time was a new kinda pressure. You look like you’re copin’ better than I did.”

She's selling herself short. That party was a blast.

"Hey, how's everyone?" Robin said as a standard-issue conversation opener. In the few steps between the grill and the gazebo several large bites had mysteriously been taken out of her burger, and she wiped her mouth with a napkin and swallowed before continuing. The poor thing wouldn't last long. 

Oh man that's so good. 

"Aeryn, this place is amazing. It's so green. I love it!" Greenery like this wasn't something she was used to. The weather was perfect and she appreciated the warmth. The Artemis always felt cold to her. "And I'll second Mara's comment. That's some good grilling." The Security chief had a ribeye sandwich, something that sounded like a great second helping. 

== Tag everyone ==

[Aeryn Miller]

The beer was going down nicely, and yet Aeryn found some solace in simply looking out and remembering why she had instantly fallen in love with this area when she had first visited all those years ago. Sometimes it was hard to believe what she had made of her life since then, the ups, the downs, the victories and the losses, yet she had survived them all. That was quite the achievement, really, considering she had just turned thirty, not that she had told anyone. She didn't feel her age either, something a much younger Aeryn would have scoffed at once upon a time, but not now.

Turning back with the intent of availing herself of the BBQ and the tables filled with food, the redhead smiled when Mara approached, complete with two plates and a bottle of cola. "Hey, Mara," she replied when the Bandaran greeted her, and got herself comfortable on one of the tables. The steak sandwich she had looked good before her friend and fellow DH complimented the chef, and asked how she was doing, along with how she appeared to be coping better than she had when it came to organising an Artemis get-together.

" Mitchell and Gray will be pleased to hear that, and I'm doing okay, although you should have seen me yesterday panicking that I'd missed something, but I'm pleased with how it all turned out".

Robin soon joined the pair, having also taken advantage of the BBQ and food on offer, and she too was full of compliments, which did Aeryn some good to hear, considering the effort that had gone into organising everything.

" I'm glad you like it here. I found Grasmere when I first came to the Academy and thought it was the perfect place for everyone to enjoy, and I can't take all the credit, my friends do BBQ's and cook all the time with them having a pub in the village".

A pub that Aeryn hoped they would eventually end up in, at least for those who wanted to carry on and not necessarily head home or wherever they were staying during shore leave.

== Tags ==

[Ardanna Svenson]

Once Ardanna had arrived at the meeting place, the brunette couldn't decide what she wanted to do first, before noticing who was already there. Chief Calleja, Commander Mayfair and Aeryn herself were all gathered in the gazebo, and as much as she got on with Mara and Aeryn, she decided not to go over straightaway. It was also reassuring that she hadn't been too early or too late, as she looked around and figured she might as well explore the lake, maybe take out one of the kayaks or go for a swim, glad that she had put on a strapless swimsuit underneath her jumpsuit just in case.

Then she could come back and reward herself with some food and perhaps an alcoholic beverage as she walked towards the lake edge, offering a wave to the other three women in greeting as she passed the gazebo.

Upon reaching the lake edge, Ardanna smiled when she saw the towels, wetsuits and everything else one might need after taking a plunge or using the paddleboards or kayaks. While she wasn't exactly shy or got embarrassed easily, Ardanna made use of a privacy screen to change into a wetsuit, putting her jumpsuit neatly into an available storage crate to keep it safe along with her sandals. Satisfied that she was ready, the Ensign guided a blue kayak into the water and got inside it. Then she was off, unsure how far she was going to go, but at the same time, it didn't really matter.

== Tags ==