Parks & Recreation (Part 6 of 6)

Posted on 15 Oct 2016 @ 2:36am by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Chief Warrant Officer 3 Lamar Darius & Commander Langdale Wiggins & Commander Luke Wyatt & Lieutenant Amaranai Franklin & Lieutenant JG Drusilla McCarthy & Lieutenant JG Braxton MacKenzie & Lieutenant JG Jonas Flynn PsyD & Ensign Miraj Derani & Lieutenant Commander Ryan Alexander
Edited on on 15 Oct 2016 @ 2:42am

3,421 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Episode 12 - Recluse
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 7, Callisto Bar
Timeline: MD -03 - 0210 hrs

Previously, on Parks and Recreation (Part 5)...

Amaranai wasn't much into parties - she had had to attend some when she was growing up because her parents were wealthy and threw extravagant parties for their friends just to show off their money. When she had heard about the party being held in the bar, however, Amaranai knew it was her chance to get some fun in before the responsibilities of her position dragged her down to the I'm drinking to not think about anything, level. And so Amaranai got out a black dress that barely covered her from her torso to her ass and headed to Callisto Bar.

And Now, the Continuation...

[ON]

Callisto Bar

Before she entered, Amaranai adjusted herself one more time. She was used to walking into parties and having a good time but she was unsure what a good time was on this ship. Most things that she used to consider fun were no longer on her radar so she really wondered what was going to be happening inside.

Stepping in, the brunette noticed the large group of crew already enjoying the party. She moved to the bar quickly, determined to get buzzed as quick as possible. She was caught off guard when the commander ordered a drink and then smiled.

"I'll have the same," she said.

"I wonder what his favourite drink is," Wiggins said leaning his head towards Amaranai as if sharing a secret.

Amaranai heard the commander's words and smiled. After a moment, she turned to look at him.

"I know I just got here," she said. "And this would be the best place to make a great first impression." She looked out to the crowd for a moment and then back to the commander. "But I just feel like I need something really strong so I can enjoy the night."

She looked back to see if the drink had arrived yet, though when the bar was empty, she turned to the commander.

"What's your favorite drink?"

Wiggins grinned but didn't look at her at first. He actually found it hard looking at the younger woman too long. She made him feel old, and he was far too vain to like that. "Betazed Illusion," he said with a chuckle. He turned instinctively to reach out and take the drink from the bartender before it was placed down. How he knew the bartender was reaching out with it was anyone's guess. "Do you usually need a stiff drink at social functions?" He asked curiously, wincing at the taste of the concoction the bartender gave him.

The commander reached without looking and found his drink waiting for him. That was a power that she needed to develop. Perhaps with enough time she would get to know the bartender and how long it took him to fill orders. Then she would look as cool as the commander just did.

The question caught Amaranai off guard slightly but she covered her surprise with a smile.

"Well, commander," she started as she saw her own drink placed in front of her. "If I'm going to function socially . . ." she paused to down the entire drink in front of her and then motioned to the bartender for a second. "I'm going to need to have a few of these."

Amaranai took the second glass and downed it as well. She shook her head quickly to get past the initial shock and looked at the bartender one last time. She looked at the drink in front of her and then to the commander.

"That one's going to have to wait," she said and paused awkwardly. "Did I answer your question?"

"Not exactly," he said. The corner of his mouth rose in amusement, but he did look at her with a raised eyebrow that threatened to leap off his face. "You said the 'what', but not the 'why'." He sipped his drink reluctantly. Being more than used to social occasions, he knew how to time his drinking and pace himself. He didn't need it to socialize, and had a hard time understanding someone who did.

Amaranai had a nice buzz going and she didn't want it to fade away just yet. When the commander elaborated on his question, she took the glass and drank it whole and placed it down on the bar and flipped it over indicating she was done for the night. Her buzz was just enough and now she could function with what was going on around her.

"Let's just say that growing up, my parents had a lot of parties," she said. "When I was a kid, it was fine, but as I grew up, more and more people wanted to ask me questions that I was not comfortable answering. My parents let me drink at a very young age, so I just started taking sips to avoid answering questions. Eventually, it was the only way I could get through their parties or any party." She paused. "I've learned my limits, though, but I'm able to be more social now."

A thought crossed her mind.

"Don't tell the counselor any of this," she said. "I don't want any of them to analyze me unless they have to." She smiled and looked out at the rest of the bar. "This is nice," she said after a moment. "It's a nice thing to do for the crew.

"Yes, it always gives a good boost of morale to hold these on occasion." He didn't tell her that he probably analyzed people more than any counselor he ever knew. Which he'd already done so while she was talking. Rather than say anything, however, he filed the information away for later use. He wondered what kinds of questions people could ask her at a party that made her uncomfortable. His instincts told him she was probably adverse to personal questions, given the need to have to drink during social occasions. Having seen the redish glow of her buzz on her cheeks he figured her inhibitions were loose enough for him to at least ask, "Are you settling in well on Galileo?"

When Amaranai was younger, she would drink until she couldn't remember things. It had gotten her into trouble, of course, but as her parents didn't really parent her, trouble was all that she knew. Once at the Academy, Amaranai knew that she had to change her ways when it came to drinking, so she slowly cut back and was able to find a balance where she could drink and not get drunk enough to not remember what was going on. So when the commander asked her the question, she was ready for a response.

"Yes," she said. "It's definitely smaller than my last ship, but I find it cozy. The people that I have met seem pretty cozy as well."

Her ears heard what she had said but her brain didn't feel like correcting herself. Instead, she smiled and giggled, chalking the comment up to the drinks.

A little too cozy, he thought as he recalled some of the crew he'd already met. Instead of voicing that, he simply nodded in agreement making it unclear if he were agreeing to the size of the ship, or the cozyness of the crew. Again, reluctantly sticking to less personal questions, he asked, "You were on Gemini before here, right? Who was the XO when you were serving?" Wiggins made it a habit of knowing most of the XOs in the fleet by name or reputation. Having a drive for advancement, meant he tried to keep close tabs on his competition and he was unfamiliar with the Gemini.

Amaranai nodded at his question of her previous post. "Yes, sir," she said. "But then some things happened and I felt the need to transfer." Another pause. "Not that anything bad happened to me or anyone else. Just some stuff happened and I decided it would be better had I transferred."

She had heard the question and thought for a moment. "A new XO, Lieutenant Commander Maxwell Karr, had arrived shortly before I left the ship. I had only talked with him a couple of times. He seemed like a good guy. I can't remember the previous XO before him. Can't even remember what happened."

"Ah, I don't know him." Good, Wiggins thought. Just a Lieutenant Commander. He desperately wanted to ask her about the 'stuff' that happened to make her want to transfer from a ship. The gossiper in him had a need to insert himself in other peoples business. He didn't want her to close up though, and instincts told him asking her might do that. She wanted her to enjoy herself at the party, rather than have to divulge personal information. He kept to lighter conversation. "What is your favourite part of working in Security and Tactical?"

Amaranai was buzzed, she wasn't drunk. Even if the commander had asked her about the Gemini, she probably wouldn't have said much, leaving it to the commander to find out anything he wanted from other sources. Instead, he asked her about her job and what she liked about it.

Smiling, Amaranai looked at him. "Well," she said. "I think one of my favorite parts is just being able to defend myself from bullies. I have more confidence to stand up to bullies, too. Or I just beat them up."

Her smiled widened hoping to make the commander wonder if she was being truthful or not.

Luke had made his way round the bar socialising and catching im up with new and old members of the sconce vessels crew. He hasn't drunk much and his second glass was still half full. Out the corner of his eyes he could see pink bunched hair. Miraj. Images of the their training session burst to the forefront of his mind and for a moment Luke could have left the party instead he changed his heading and bearing. "Hello" he managed standing behind her, the ability to string together a sentence beyond his current capability. What would he say anyway?

She hadn't heard him come up behind him and when he spoke her eyes went wide, and she felt rooted to the spot. She couldn't have run even if she wanted to. Her brain supplied her with a dozen possible scenarios for the next minute, all of them on a theme of public humiliation as he tried to be polite but tell her that whatever had happened, nothing more was going to. Glutton for punishment, she finally managed to get her legs working enough to turn around. "Er. Hi. Commander." she added hurridley, not wanting to seem to familier.

Luke frowned, looking around as if to make a point he spoke "You know it's an informal event, you don't have to call me Commander." He motioned for a seat "Sit for a moment?" He asked before continuing "How is your night going?"

She sat down, suddenly conscious of just how short her skirt was and fidgeted with the hem. "Okay. I fixed Mimi up with a scientist and I had a... slightly terrifying..chat with the admiral. You?"

He looked over his shoulder to where Mimi was "Ah so that was your doing?" He teased before turning back "Honestly? I'm having a pretty mediocre night. The drinks not cutting the music isn't helping my mood either" he said sadly. "You left in quiet a hurry the last we... Urm, saw each other"

Miraj suddenly yearned for a crisis. Helm failure. Warp field collapse. Borg invasion. Anything but this. "Yes. I. I'm sorry. That thing won't happen again."

Luke's frown deepened "I think you understand what I am saying, none the less I think we should talk about it." He looked around "When were don't have so much company, and just for your own piece of mind Miraj" He cheeks burning as he said her name, it rolled so well of his tongue. "I don't regret it" He paused for one moment longer "and I still expect you to be ready for your training tomorrow ensign"

He didn't regret it? He didn't regret it! She burst out into a smile as bright as the sun. And thent he rest or his words sunk in. "Tomorrow?" She was already tired and achey from using muscles she barely exercised, even if it was a good ache. "You really are trying to kill me."

He chuckled, "Kill you? Perhaps. That was just the beginning more of a warm up than anything you're going to hate me by the end of it but you'll also be stronger and fitter you've ever felt" Luke smiled "Until then, would you like a dance?"

She nodded and stood up, "Definitely." She looked down and checked out his shoes. "though I hope you've got steel toe caps, because this might hurt."

Before the couple could move, Eric moved up behind Miraj and draped his arm over her shoulders, "Not intruding am I? I'm still waiting on that flight lesson you know Madam?" A cheeky grin hid the nurse's complete unawareness of what he may have just interrupted.

Miraj held still not wanting to look like she was throwing him off, but not wanting to encourage him either. "I know. I'm sorry. Its been busy."

Luke looked between the two "I'll leave you two to discuss your lesson plans, I really should go speak to some of the other crew." He said smiling as he nodded to them both raising his glass "Have a good evening," He turned to Miraj "You know where to find me, and I do expect you to be there tomorrow morning" and with that he left slightly dishevelled, had he been such a fool or was it just a innocent offer to give the young man lessons in flying?

Miraj gave a moments consideration to murdering eric where he stood a she watched Luke move away. Ugh, her life! It was nothing but scuppering, becalming and getting holed below the waterline. She was own Jonah. She'd really really wanted to dance. She turned on Eric with a sigh. "So, when are you free?"

With a yawn, Jonas entered Callisto. He had dozed off waiting for the party to start and as a result felt a little out of sorts from jolting awake. He ran a hand through his messed hair a scanned the room, seeing Brax and giving him a nod, but moving over to the other side of the bar. He wasn't trying to avoid his new friend by any means, but the two had already spent some time together and he was looking forward to chatting with some of the crew he hadn't already gotten to know.

As he waited for a free bartender, Jonas scanned the menu, not entirely sure what he was in the mood to try.

Braxton gave a nod back at Jonas. He became fidgety and nervous. He stared at Jonas as Jonas walked to the bar...Braxton's blood heated. What the heck was going on he wondered. His yes drawn to the rather tight outfit Jonas was wearing. He watched someone walk up to Jonas and both men seemed to laugh. Suddenly thrown for a loop Brax stood up. His eyes narrowed on the man standing beside Jonas.

Braxton kept his gaze on the man next to Jonas who seemed to be leaning in probably from the loudness but Braxton's logic had long left. He did, however, speak to Mimi, "I'm sorry Ms. Mimi I have to go. Please come by my office my resources are yours we'll find your home world."

Braxton headed towards Jonas. They locked eyes and suddenly not wanting to seem like a Neanderthal he decided to leave the bar when all he really wanted was to walk over to Jonas and say MINE! so the other man would run screaming and he would have Jonas to himself. Freaked out by his own feelings he decided it would be wise to just leave. Maybe a meditation program.

"Hey, Brax!" Jonas smiled, waving him over. It had seemed like something had upset him and that he was about to leave, which was a shame because Jonas had just arrived. Just because he wanted to mingle with others didn't mean he was about to ignore his new friend.

Dru was just having thought's that perhaps this was one of the worse decisions she had ever made in her life. There was of course the fact that the decision to attend the party hadn't been hers...she'd been herded out the door by Eric; but now that he had disappeared the opportunity to escape was one she couldn't keep under wraps.

As the room seemed to close in around her, the breathing in her chest coming harder and faster;the young woman made a dash for the door, colliding with a solid body just as she stepped into the corridor. "What...huh...ah..." The impact left her momentarily dazed.

Braxton was jolted by someone bumping into him. He put out his hands to steady the woman who seemed to be trying to make a hasty retreat, much like he was. "Are you alright?" He asked the woman. Being part Betazoid he sensed her confusion and claustrophobic feelings.

"You both okay?" Jonas asked, having helplessly witnessed the collision from afar. He had grabbed a towel from a bartender in case either party had spilled something on the other or themselves, and offered it with his left hand.

Braxton was torn between the woman who's emotions were overloading his senses and Jonas. He turned to Jonas, "yeah I'm...I'm okay." He turned again to the woman. "Ma'am?"

Ryan watched the growing party with interest. For some reason he hadn't felt the need to mingle so much as watching the crew interactions. He slowly moved towards the bar, just so that he could get a better angle on the crowd.

Lamar continued to wander through the bar while nodding and smiling at the few people he recognized. Eventually he found himself back at the counter top and turned to look at the man next to him. "Hey," he said to the dirty blond, blue-eyes man. He looked barely familiar but then again, with the number of personnel coming and going on an almost weekly basis combined with his own solitary duties in the main shuttlebay, it was probably just a hunch. "Helluva night, right?"

Ryan turned his attention to Lamar, and smiled. "Yes, it has been. I don't think we have meet. Ensign Alexander." He said, extending his hand in greeting to Lamar.

"Chief Darius. Lamar Darius, support craft pilot," the warrant replied while extending his own large hand and clasping the officer's for a quick shake. "A pleasure, sir. Guess you all have been staying busy since we left Celes?" he wondered.

Ryan shrugged. "Its a pleasure Chief, and not particularly. Sure we got some new crew aboard, but really its getting to back maintenance projects that we hadn't been able to get to because of Ceres. I can't tell you how many Chips that I have had to pull and check out since we left." He said with a smile. "What about you? When Shuttle Ops aren't on going, what do they have you doing?"

"Nothing really," he shrugged before taking a sip of his cognac to think about it more. When he wasn't on duty, he was usually in the gym, his quarters, or sleeping. Life had become pretty boring for the middle-aged man, he realized. "A few hours in the holodeck here and there, maybe a jog around Deck 4. A couple calls home here and there. You know, the usual shit," he elaborated.

Luke had made his way around the bar speaking politely to people he hadn't met yet and caught up with those who he had, one person however he couldn't seem to find. After his tour in the engineering department he found the chief fascinating, not in the creepy way but the in a way that the way she spoke and exerted herself put on such a positive spin to just about everything, even about the wonderful mysterious world of engineering which he had no love for. Looking around he still couldn't spot her so continued to make small talk with passing crew members.

[OFF]

--

All Galileo Crew

and select PNPCs

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