Star Trek: Starbase 777 - ┆magna-roman-exhibit

No one questioned why Bellona was seen pushing a grav sled covered in what appeared to be some sort of embroidered cloth draped over the items below. Maybe they'd simply assumed that she were moving training stores from one part of the starbase to another. You know, as she was known to do. What they might not have expected, however, was for her to take the sled down decks and into the exhibition hall, where she'd been given a booth to attend. She removed the cloth, folded it neatly and placed it upon the table, for that was one of her exhibits - to reveal a set of gleaming golden and lapis blue armor below, consisting of a sleek Roman style helmet, breast plate, pauldrons and what appeared to be some sort of armored skirt. Memories raced through her head as she picked up the helmet, careful not to leave any marks behind, and set it on the table. Fulminata, they used to call her. Powered by lighting. So named for the ferocity and agility she'd once demonstrated in the arena. The pauldrons followed, then the breastplate, and finally the skirt. Each piece of armor was polished so that they glowed in the overhead lights. She'd used to intimidate her opponents that way - some of them took the condition and shine of her armor as a blessing from the goddess for whom she was named, which was more than enough to make them think twice about underestimating her.

That was not all, however. Next to come off the grav sled was a wooden sword stand, simply crafted and without embellishments. This too she placed on the table, followed by the last item on the sled: a sword about two feet long, contained in a leather sheath. Grasping the handle almost gingerly, Bellona seemed almost hesitant to hold it, even. Time seemed to slow down as the memory of this very same blade running through the chests of opponent after opponent, straight through the heart every single time. That had been a much nastier time in her life, one she didn't like (or want) to think about. Until today. Her past was the past, she thought to herself. She might not have been proud of everything she'd done with this sword, but that was but a small part of her, as was everything else she'd done since turning away from that life. Grasping the handle more firmly now she drew the sword and touched the hilt to her lips, as gladiators did before every match. The blade gleamed golden, polished to a mirror shine at all points - except the tip, which remained stained red. Bellona had had no intention of cleaning away all the sins of her past life. This, to her, was the best way she could have paid homage to her past. Bellona spoke a murmured prayer over the sword and placed it onto the stand, along with a small stack of PADDs. Showtime.

After the conclusion of the Energizers' show, Amanda stopped by each of the booths in a routine checkup during the event. But she forgot that Bellona herself had a booth, just a quick space-out of that detail, but she noticed Bellona and approached her calmly, and with a kind smile. "Heyyy Bellona! How's your booth coming along so far?"

"It is going quite well. Excuse me." Bellona had to turn away for a moment to retrieve her helmet from one of the guests, who'd been admiring and touching it like the most beautiful treasure in the world. It was now covered in oily fingerprints and god knows what else - ew. Bellona barely skipped a beat polishing it with a soft cloth. "People find my armor interesting, at the very least. And the sword. I trust your performance went well."

With a snicker, Amanda approached closer. "Eh, it wasn't my performance, but I at least made sure it went well, but yeah, it did! Thanks for asking," Amanda remarked, as she looked at the helmet that Bellona now held in her hands. "This is your personal armor? I do have to say, it's really eye-catching for me. Did you forge it yourself? Sword and all?"

"Gladiators do not forge our own armor. This set was given to me by a sponsor - Gods know who she got to make it for me." Bellona remarked. She made a pass with the cleaning cloth and set the helmet, which now shone just as brightly as before, back on the table. "As much as I would like to, I've never possessed such skill in metalworking."

Amanda looked on in awe as Bellona displayed the helmet as well as explained that she didn't make her own armor. "Ah, no worries! I was just curious!" Amanda replied. "Whatever the case may be, I'm happy you're able to express yourself and your culture unapologetically. I'm... proud of you for taking this step. It lets everyone, not just me, see this side of you and appreciate you and your culture for who you are."

"I thought I may as well." Bellona responded plainly. "There is no other opportunity. Simple as that. Magna Romani are rare to see nowadays, after all."

Having quietly asked Telim to let him see,Vara'l narrowly avoided a close introduction with a wall. Re-adjusting he'd then turned and entered the exhibit with Telim still on his shoulders. As he started to look around, Vara'l slowed his pace slightly and engaged his son in some conversation about each different things they saw as they started to look around. A query about talking to the exhibitor met with a comment that it seemed like the exhibitor was busy. They could talk to her in a moment, if they wanted to or at least..greet them. For now, he looked around, not minded to interrupt the duo as they spoke. "Lets let those two officers finish their conversation, Telim.. I know you want to say hi, but we can greet them and such in a mo." (edited)

Telim accepted what his father said about a good chunk of what they discussed and his father commented about but not all of it. He enthusiastically waved to the duo of other officers in greeting, a greeting that could be offered without speaking, one that hopefully hadn't interrupted the two adults conversation too much. (edited)

Amanda's head tilted in confusion. "There aren't many Magna Romani around anymore?" Amanda asked. "Just curious, why is that? I feel like you should have more of a place in intergalactic society!"

"Not that I can find." Bellona glanced quizzically at the little Romulan boy waving at them. Typical childish behavior, she thought. Nothing unusual to it. He certainly didn't seem to be in distress. "Though I suppose some integrate into human society and are simply never outed as Magna Roman."

Amanda approached Bellona slightly closer, to examine her armor in detail a little more, before she looked back up at Bellona. "If you don't mind me asking, is there anything I can do to help? Be it directly or just to help spread awareness?"

Vara'l continued to head around the exhibition as he looked around, one proverbial eye kept on his son as the duo moved their way around the exhibition. As they moved and briefly approached the duo while they looked at another part of the exhibit, Vara'l noted the response.. or lack of response to how his son had acted and noted how the pair had acted so far. Like people who seemed to be engaged in a private conversation. One that it probably behoved the duo to not interrupt as it seemed.. quite involved. So, he instead turned slightly and inclined his own head in a greeting and a thank you to the duo as the exhibit had been good and informative. Once he'd done that, he asked Telim softly. "How you holding up, ready to move on or do you want to see more of this exhibit?"

Telim briefly looked crestfallen by the total lack of response to his waved greeting. A expression that held very briefly before his attention was grabbed by something interesting in the exhibit. By the time his father asked him their question.. he was ready to move on. After all, he'd seen all of the exhibition he'd wanted to see and it looked like the adults were busy with adultly things full of talking and long words. He wanted to move on, see something else. Maybe the Romulan or the Reman exhibit? Both sounded interesting...though the Romulan one presented a opportunity to ask more about Hara traditions and Romulan cultural..stuff. So.. when Vara'l asked what they asked, Telim quickly responded. "I'm game to move on dad, can we...go to the Romulan exhibition next, pleaaase?"

Vara'l nodded slightly at his sons request and mustered a smile. "Of course we can, Telim." He smiled before he started off in that direction, Telim still perched on his shoulders.