Star Trek: Eventide 777

Narrator BOT 18-Dec-21 12:38 AM

To the far right of the events hall sat the lounge. This area had been partitioned off by screens and glittering blue curtains which had been accented with frost at the bottom – the effect seemed to grow upwards with the falling of the holographic snow. This section had been designed to be quieter and muffled against the chatter of outside; somewhere that you could find a peaceful moment underneath the tree centrepiece while still enjoying the winter theme

Lieutenant Georgia Hill | TAC BOT 19-Dec-21 02:57 PM

Georgia walked into the lounge with Micheal by her arm and sat down in a nearby chair, just looking out, into the lounge as she thought for a moment. "It really has been a long time since we went to a ball, hasn't it been?" She thought towards Micheal, laying her head on his shoulder.

Michael Hill BOT 19-Dec-21 02:59 PM

"It really has been, yes. Though it's nice to be able to join one again." He thought back to her, putting an arm over her shoulder as they both looked at the scene. Sometimes peace was more welcoming than the crowd that was on the ballroom floor.

Lieutenant Samantha Voxellus | SEC BOT 19-Dec-21 10:35 PM

She let herself be guided inside of the lounge with a smile on her face. "What do you want to talk about then?" She said curiously, raising her eyebrow slightly.

Kh'reyah | CIV BOT 19-Dec-21 10:43 PM

"Whatever you want." Kh'reyah swept her dress back around her legs and sat on an empty seat with Samantha next to her. Her arm stayed where it was however. "Or perhaps simply enjoy each other's presence seeing as you now have the chance you've been seeking for all those years."

Lieutenant Samantha Voxellus | SEC BOT 19-Dec-21 10:46 PM

She smiled and gave Kh'reyah another soft kiss before pulling back again. "Well, for that we should've gone to on of our quarters. So let's just talk for now, ok?" She blushed a little and scooted closer to the Klingon, putting her arms around her waist.

Kh'reyah | CIV BOT 19-Dec-21 10:49 PM

"I am agreeable to simply talking." Kh'reyah agreed. "I assumed you would still want to enjoy the party of course. So tell me - at what point during our first meeting did you realize you desired... this?"

Lieutenant Samantha Voxellus | SEC BOT 19-Dec-21 10:53 PM

"Well, remember that during the session you beat some bragger with relative ease and basically acted like it was nothing? Yeah, that's the moment that I kinda got very interested in you. You already caught my eye before hand, because a Klingon on Earth is super rare. But that beating probably pushed me over the edge." She chuckled a little, smiling softly at Kh'reyah. Who knew she'd end up with a Klingon by her side? It was probably the last thing she expected.

Kh'reyah | CIV BOT 19-Dec-21 10:55 PM

"And you didn't think to simply come up to me and tell me right then and there after class." Kh'reyah chortled. Humans could be so amusing sometimes, especially whem it came to the targets of their affection and expressing said affection.

Lieutenant Samantha Voxellus | SEC BOT 19-Dec-21 11:00 PM

"Well, I didn't know how you'd respond. And even back then you had a lot of admirers. So I just thought I'd wait for when I got back to Earth. But low and behold, you're on the station I get posted at- which turned out for the better." She smiled softly. "But what about you? What made you interested in me?"

Kh'reyah | CIV BOT 19-Dec-21 11:02 PM

"Being my best student - and being the attractive woman you are - did. Most of my trainees pale in comparison." Kh'reyah shifted Sam into her lap and pulled her close so that her head was on her shoulder.

Lieutenant Samantha Voxellus | SEC BOT 19-Dec-21 11:07 PM

She smirked a little at the sudden movement, but wasn't against it. "Why thank you~ Personally I thought I was one of your lesser students." She chuckled a bit and layed her head on Kh'reyah's shoulder, looking at her.

Kh'reyah | CIV BOT 19-Dec-21 11:08 PM

"Nonsense. You downplay your own abilities, human. I'm disappointed," Kh'reyah laughed out loud.

Lieutenant Samantha Voxellus | SEC BOT 19-Dec-21 11:12 PM

"It's called being humble. I'm not one to brag all the time." She chuckled softly and sat up straight, putting her arms around Kh'reyah's neck and smiling softly before leaning in and giving her a loving kiss. "You're really sweet for a Klingon, you know that?"

Kh'reyah | CIV BOT 19-Dec-21 11:14 PM

"I was raised on Risa. You will find that I can be sweet in many ways - or wild in many ways if that is what you want." She teased through the lip contact. "I don't want to start throwing you around of course, we are at a party and I wouldn't want to cause disorder."

Lieutenant Samantha Voxellus | SEC BOT 19-Dec-21 11:18 PM

"We'll see what happens after the party." She smirked a bit and looked at her, raising her eyebrow slightly. "Why do I get the feeling you're gonna do that the moment we'll be completely alone?"

Kh'reyah | CIV BOT 19-Dec-21 11:29 PM

Kh'reyah blinked hard. "What? No, not at all! You do know we've only just decided to try and pursue something of a relationship - don't you?"

Lieutenant Samantha Voxellus | SEC BOT 19-Dec-21 11:31 PM

"I know, I know. I was just teasing." She chuckled softly and leaned back slightly. "Don't worry about it. We'll take it nice and easy."

Kh'reyah | CIV BOT 19-Dec-21 11:32 PM

"For your benefit," Kh'reyah chuckled. "I've learned that most humans prefer their relationships to proceed at a more manageable speed."

Lieutenant Samantha Voxellus | SEC BOT 19-Dec-21 11:46 PM

"That's true. People like it when things go slow and steady. And luckily for us, I'm one hell of a patient person." She smiled and layed her head on Kh'reyah's shoulder again, letting out a content humm.

Kh'reyah | CIV BOT 19-Dec-21 11:52 PM

"Good." Kh'reyah wrapped her arms round her and pulled her close, buring her nose in her hair with a content growl.

Lieutenant Samantha Voxellus | SEC BOT 20-Dec-21 05:51 AM

She chuckled as she got pulled in closer, blushing a little bit. "You really like it when I'm all pressed against you, don't you?" She looked at her and smiled softly, laying her forehead on Kh'reyah's. "Not that I mind, or anything."

Kh'reyah | CIV BOT 20-Dec-21 05:53 AM

"What can I say. You are very comfortable." She laughed. "We can leave if you'd like, and move to one of our quarters."

Lieutenant Samantha Voxellus | SEC BOT 20-Dec-21 06:00 AM

"Yours?" She asked as she raised her eyebrow slightly, smiling happily as she sat in Kh'reyah's embrace. This really was quite nice.

Kh'reyah | CIV BOT 20-Dec-21 06:01 AM

"Mine." The Klingon agreed with a sharp-toothed wide grin. "I could carry you all the way there if you'd like."

Lieutenant Samantha Voxellus | SEC BOT 20-Dec-21 06:04 AM

"Oh please no." She said with a laugh. "As long as I can walk, I will walk." She smiled brightly and gave Kh'reyah a quick kiss before getting up from her lap. "Shall we then?"

Kh'reyah | CIV BOT 20-Dec-21 06:05 AM

Kh'reyah didn't need to give her a verbal answer. Sam already had her mutual agreement. She linked her arm through the humans and paraded her back out to the #entrance.

Lieutenant Samantha Voxellus | SEC BOT 20-Dec-21 06:08 AM

And so she followed along, pressing her shoulder against Kh'reyah's.

Lt. Cdr. Vialara Dreaxa | MED BOT 21-Dec-21 06:16 PM

Despite the fact that Vialara had entered the ball near the start of the evening, she had not exactly spoken to many people or did much socialising. Despite everything that was going on, there was one part she felt missing, despite the fact almost all of the crew of the 777 and Eventide was here, there was one person who was missing. Somebody who deserved to be here, with most of the crew now filtering out of the event, since the evening was winding down, Vialara stood from the lounge and headed back towards the #entrance again.

Commodore Aleto Treville | CMD BOT 22-Dec-21 02:51 AM

Navigating her way to the right towards the side that housed the lounge was done with a practiced ease considering she had been here for a fair part of the events team setting up everything here, creating walkways and faintly-marked partitions between the different sections. Despite having missed almost everyone there it did have an advantage: there was no requirement to shout over everyone to be heard. There was light background chatter and the soft instrumental from the band but that was it; nothing compared to the ruckus it would have been earlier in the evening. "I was more talking about it seeming as if I wasn't interested in attending with you," she replied to Dreaxa whilst neatly side-stepping around two approaching crewmen who were volunteering as waiters for the evening, heading into the lounge which was out of the way of people beginning to tidy up. It seemed that the high heels didn't faze her at all. "I'm aware that I had told you that you don't need to attend with anybody, but you had still asked. I had tried to get in touch but no one has their commbadge or PADD with them -- you'll have a message waiting for you, I should warn you in advance. But yes; I don't want to make it seem as though I was trying to stand you up. I promise that wasn't my intention."

Lt. Cdr. Vialara Dreaxa | MED BOT 22-Dec-21 02:56 AM

"Oh, well thank you, Commodore. I know that I might have seemed a bit disheartened about you not appearing." She said with a chuckle. Finding somewhere to sit at one of the free tables. She slid past a few of the remaining occupied tables before she finally found a nice quiet spot in one of the far corners of the room. She pulled a seat out for Aleto, before sitting down herself. "I will admit I was a little upset that you didn't show, but you don't need to make it out like you were standing me up or anything." She said with a chuckle. "You were under no obligation to show. It's not like we're on a date or anything..."

Commodore Aleto Treville | CMD BOT 22-Dec-21 02:56 AM

The Commodore gave an appreciative smile and a slight nod at the way Dreaxa actually slid a chair back for her in the far corner of the lounge -- chivalry wasn't dead, it seemed! Tucking the skirt of her dress beneath her so it wouldn't get crumpled, she took her seat neatly with one ankle tucked behind the other, back straight, and hands placed neatly in her lap. She listened politely while Dreaxa spoke and took her own seat, and at the final statement she was quick to offer a lighthearted laugh and disambiguate the situation. It was with complete diplomacy that she spoke - those years of practice had made her eloquent and unfazed externally in even the most stressful situations - but internally she couldn't help but feel decidedly awkward. This... This wasn't a date, was it? Dreaxa hadn't specified, and she hadn't asked clarification, and... Oh, no, surely not. Relationships were something she hadn't cared for at all in this lifetime and she was just being paranoid. "Oh, no, of course not; not attending when I said I would simply would have been rude, that's all. It wouldn't exactly be a good display in how to build rapport between your staff. I am sorry that things were left so late - and I'm sorry to disappoint. Did you at least manage to enjoy yourself and speak to the others here? From what I heard there was quite a number earlier on."

Lt. Cdr. Vialara Dreaxa | MED BOT 22-Dec-21 02:57 AM

"It was a little noisy, but I spoke to a few of the crew. Not as many of the senior staff as I'd liked to. But I definitely spoke to some people." It was not entirely a lie, she had spoken to a few people who had been wondering why she was sitting by herself, they had been quickly dismissed by the doctor with a smile and 'Oh, I'm just waiting on somebody. They should be here any minute.' Only for them to still not appear as the hours slowly dragged by, Vialara slowly losing hope of her ever actually turning up... But now she was here, Vialara's heart was racing and she was so glad to have the company of her CO yet again. When Aleto had first entered the woman was stunned than anything... It was clear from their first few meetings that Vialara enjoyed the company of the Trill, but tonight had made things even more clear that she wanted more with the woman. The entrance alone nearly knocked the Betazoid off her feet, after an evening of waiting for her, Aleto showing up had filled a void in the woman's heart that she didn't realise until now that she needed filled. Even the commodore's outfit alone had left her rather red in the face...and to be honest the woman was rather happy she was now sitting opposed to standing before her. After a few moments of silence in which you could clearly see the woman had been thinking for some time, she finally glanced up and replied. "But now you're here. We have hours of conversation to catch up on."

Commodore Aleto Treville | CMD BOT 22-Dec-21 02:58 AM

"I did hear that not too many of the senior staff attended," she replied, brow furrowing as she cast her gaze out over the remnants of people there. Most were finishing up drinks and heading out, and here and there staff had began to clear tables entirely. Efforts to get the events hall back to normal would take quite some time and it was evident that the sooner they got started, the better. "I know that they're all busy, but you would have thought that they might see it as a chance to relax or get to know their staff outside of work... Or both. Ah, well; I'm sure there will be other opportunities." "At least you managed to make it okay," she stated and offered a smile to Dreaxa. For the first time she actually spent a moment taking in the woman's appearance, having so far paid no heed in favour of navigating her way into the events hall. "I hope it doesn't sound strange at all if I complement that dress of yours. The embroidery is so detailed - and hand done, I would wager to say? Can I ask where you got it?" There was a pause and then she laughed a little, eyes crinkling up at the corners in that sort of slow, happy blink that seemed to be customary to her. "This is the part when you tell me that it's from the replicator, isn't it?"

Lt. Cdr. Vialara Dreaxa | MED BOT 22-Dec-21 03:12 AM

"I am surprised there was not more people in attendance." She said with a somber smile. "I guess people are still recovering from the recent events. Not everyone will feel up to the level of excitement of a winter ball." She stopped a moment, again blushing a deep red as the commodore regarded her outfit. "Well...It is actually hand done, you're entirely correct, Commodore. I made it myself, over many hours of free time between shifts." She paused for a moment, letting the commodore believe she was telling the truth, before she let out a chuckle. "You know that's not true, I bought it on the promenade a few days ago, well. I had one made for me, needed to get it to the right porpotions and replicators often dont get along well with hand-made items. It ruins the whole hand-made quality, doesn't it? Even if it's only readjusting sizing." She smiled and ran her hands down her sides towards her hips. "I think it suits me well, don't you? The light blue is very wintery feel, also matches my medical colours."

Commodore Aleto Treville | CMD BOT 22-Dec-21 03:49 AM

The Trill - having spent this lifetime training to be perceptive and pick up on cues such as facial expression and body language - certainly did notice the dark colour which suddenly graced Dreaxa's cheeks. Treville's initial response was concern but when the medical officer kept talking away quite fine she brushed it off, attributing it to the dull blue lighting in the room. Instead she listened in awe to the story of how the woman had made the dress herself, eyes widening and lips parting ever so slightly in complete astonishment. Despite knowing that there wasn't a large amount of free time between shifts she trusted the answer implicitly - so when Dreaxa revealed it to be a joke she leaned back in her chair, throwing her head back incredulously. "You had me entirely convinced!" She exclaimed, having sat forwards again to fix the Betazoid with a half betrayed, half amused look. "I wouldn't have doubted that for a second, you know. I suppose it would make sense for you to be good at something like sewing or embroidery, steady hands of a surgeon and all." She shook her head slowly, looking down, but the smile upon her lips clearly betrayed her amusement. "Well no matter who the dressmaker was, it is a lovely design. You're right in that the colour is thematic - and evidently you're not the only one sticking to your division colours," she then added with a gesture to her own dress. For a moment she held a brief pause before laughing lightly. "How embarrassingly Starfleet of us."

Lt. Cdr. Vialara Dreaxa | MED BOT 22-Dec-21 04:00 AM

"Don't be embarrassed, Commodore. I think the colour suits you wonderfully. I love the snowflake pattern along the mid-section. Really hits home that wintery feel! The red and gold compliment your skin tone nicely, plus I'm sure many are used to seeing you in command red." She smiled and regarded the commodore with a inquisitive look. "May I also enquire as to where you got your dress from? You seemed to brush off my earlier comment but I can't let you away with saying that dress is anything but stunning. Every little detail works on you, right down to the thigh slit showing off those wonderful white trill spots of yours. I must say, the fact that the trill spots adjust naturally to stand out on every skin tone amazes me. I really must do some thorough research into the science behind that." Did she just genuinely say that to her commanding officer? Vialara, what are you doing? Why did you just say that, out loud, to another sentient being?

Commodore Aleto Treville | CMD BOT 22-Dec-21 01:37 PM

It wasn't a secret that people always seemed to be fascinated by Trill spots. The difference was that generally speaking, most people kept that opinion to themselves instead of commenting on it. The mention of her 'wonderful' Trill spots made her shift awkwardly. It wasn't often that something would leave her not knowing how to respond and yet here she was, stunned into silence. She sat there simply staring for a moment before practically having to force herself to reply. "I- Well... Thank you, I suppose. I promise that this dress isn't any sort of effort to show off anything at all-" there was a distinct hint of awkwardness or embarrassment there, "I just like the design. I've actually had it for a while, it was for the after-party of a winter conference agood few years ago now... I'm very lucky that it still fits," she then added with a slight laugh, tugging at the fabric a little.

Lt. Cdr. Vialara Dreaxa | MED BOT 22-Dec-21 02:57 PM

Immediately, Vialara could sense in the way her body language had shifted and the wave of embarrassed energy coming from her that she had made a massive mistake in her words. "Sorry, Commodore- I wasn't trying to imply you were showing anything off, I just- Apologies, I can see that was a rather rude comment to make about my commanding officer." She went kind of silent there, looking down for a moment. "I'm very tired and been a long evening... But that's no excuse. I just love your outfit, that's all." She said, putting a hand to the back of her head with a sheepish smile. Mentally scolding herself for making such a dumb comment.

Commodore Aleto Treville | CMD BOT 22-Dec-21 04:18 PM

"Please, there's no need to apologise," she swiftly interjected with a smile in an effort to remedy the situation. The tension between the two was palpable and she had rather not turn what had so far been a pleasant conversation into one that went tumbling downhill. "I know that's not what you meant, I'm sorry for implying it - I've always just been so awkward with that sort of thing; you know... Dressing up, showing a uhm, bit of skin, as it were. I don't think it would be surprising to anyone if I told them that in my zhian'tara and subsequent convenings with my predecessors I have been told to stop 'being such a prude.'" She sat back in her chair then, resuming a slightly more relaxed posture in an effort to clear the air. "If you do want to talk about the spots, though - and on a scientific basis as you said - then I'll easily oblige. The theory is that they originally existed as a sort of camouflage; like in animals which have spotted patterns as well. Over time as we evolved we didn't need that any more so spots started to change from just being black. I know some people with darker skin who have black spots, some with grey; I know people with lighter skin who have grey spots, especially looking washed-out if they're unwell. And then you have people who decorate their spots; make-up or body paint, or some even have them tattooed over in different colours." She feigned a shudder at that. "I feel that would take far too much time and be too painful for my own tastes, though."

4

Lt. Cdr. Vialara Dreaxa | MED BOT 22-Dec-21 04:47 PM

"Oh, I've seen those online! People really do have a lot of time on their hands don't they? Some people get really decorative with them." She said with a slight chuckle, nervousness easing slightly at the Commodore's earlier statements. "So you're saying the colour of your spots aren't necessarily tied to skin colour? I had thought they colour change might be associated with the same chemical changes that effect skin tone. I might have do some looking into it to see exactly what chemical changes are behind it all. From what you've said, it seems almost random? Do genetics play any part in spot colour for example, like do you have the same patterns as your parents?" She said, now again going on her usual rambling pace as she did when she was talking about something she was curious or passionate about.

Commodore Aleto Treville | CMD BOT 22-Dec-21 08:47 PM

"I'm no geneticist, so my opinion is probably completely wrong, but from what I've seen your spots generally contrast with your skin colour. The shade - tone? - can vary, however. Light enough to be considered white is relatively rare but both my sister and I have white spots. Our parents both have more of a grey. I'm sure there's some sort of... How is it that you work out genetic inheritance? A punnett square? I'm sure you could put it into one of those and work it all out - or I'm certain there are more scientific methods than the secondary education one - but I wouldn't know." Having delved into the topic - largely because Dreaxa had seemed passionate, and that passion seemed contagious - she was silent for a moment afterwards before offering the Betazoid a smile. "You science types never cease to amaze me when it comes to your curiosity, understanding, and intellect. The number of things you know that the rest of us would never manage to comprehend: it's incredible. And as much as I don't understand any of it, your own understanding of it all is exemplary. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't in awe of all of you - and of yourself in particular, of course, Doctor. I can't begin to imagine the level of comprehension required for surgery."

Lt. Cdr. Vialara Dreaxa | MED BOT 22-Dec-21 09:06 PM

"Well, I will most definitely be having a read through my trill anatomy and genetics after tonight, I need to know more on the topic." She smiled in return to the commodore, leaning forward in her chair. "Us science types really are special indeed, not to brag or anything, but most of us here in Starfleet have had four years of academy training. But to get where I am today I had to go through nine just to be qualified as a graduating surgeon, then we can do upwards of six years worth of specialist training as we pick what specialisation we want to go for. So as you can imagine I have a fair amount of knowledge of the body." She chuckled "It's not all up here however, most of the time we have a EMH assisting to provide surgical analysis and help remind us of the various delicate procedures that certain species either require or are incompatible with. Nobody is expected to remember every little detail of every species in the federation. But thankfully medical technology works wonders nowadays."

Commodore Aleto Treville | CMD BOT 22-Dec-21 10:01 PM

"It isn't bragging at all," Treville replied in reassurance, but something about the medical officer's confident tone indicated to her that the reassurance wasn't required. It should have to have been either; even if it could have been considered as bragging then it was more than justified. "And even if you were bragging, I feel as though it's warranted. Most of us barely managed to drag our way through the four years at the Academy, never mind any further extended study. Well, some do -- it's always medical officers, scientists, and the occasional engineer. You don't see anyone from Command being so eager to do further academic learning," she then added at the end with a light laugh. "And technology or not, it's still yourself and the other officers as the minds behind all of the research, planning, and the physical work. You're all practically performing miracles every day; it isn't something that any other person could do. It's impressive -- genuinely, I mean that."

Lt. Cdr. Vialara Dreaxa | MED BOT 22-Dec-21 10:13 PM

"Thank you, commodore. I appreciate the admiration you have for us medical folk." She said with a gentle smile, leaning forward to prop a elbow on the Table as she looked over at Aleto as the band that was playing had changed to a much slower song. "I have an idea, not sure if you're up for it or not, but I'm feeling like dancing. I have absolutely no clue how to dance, but I want to dance." She said, sliding her chair back and standing up with a smile. She held a hand out to the commodore. "Would you care to join me?"

Commodore Aleto Treville | CMD BOT 22-Dec-21 10:25 PM

From past the opening to the lounge she could see that there were only two sets of people who occupied the ballroom floor now; one civilian couple and a group of three young crewmen who seemed decidedly tipsy, holding hands and spinning in slow circles instead of attempting anything else. It was certainly encouraging to see that Dreaxa's demeanour towards all of this had changed significantly. At the entrance she had seemed entirely downtrodden but now the 'feeling like dancing' certainly spoke otherwise, and who was she to deny the doctor the chance to make the night even more fun? Neatly sliding from her chair with a polished grace she accepted the outstretched hand. "It would be a pleasure, Commander; but only if you allow me to teach you," she stated before leading the two out of the lounge in the direction of the #ballroom-floor.