Launch Party, Part 6

Posted on 16 Oct 2018 @ 7:09am by Lieutenant Lake ir-Llantrisant & Lieutenant JG Matthew Plumeri & Chief Warrant Officer 3 Azra Ghoc & Chief Warrant Officer 3 Alexion Wylde & Laeon Wylde & Petra Varelli Ph.D. & Petty Officer 1st Class Heinu Reteif
Edited on on 16 Oct 2018 @ 7:10am

2,440 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Episode 17 - Crystal of Life
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 2, Mess Hall
Timeline: MD -182 - 2342 hours

[ON]

Azra weaved through the crowd, brushing against the odd person in the densely populated corridors. The mess hall wasn't meant to hold the number of people in attendance at this party, and the adjoining corridors had been annexed. It was a clever solution.

The faint scale-like texture that covered Azra's shoulders and the backs of her arms was exposed. She was off-duty, and a black tank-top was the most comfortable choice, at least to her mind. Combined with a pair of simple jeans, it was absolutely relaxing.

The music was not as relaxing. If there had only been one style of music at a time, she could have handled it. Three at once was a bit much. She browsed the room, looking for someone who wasn't otherwise engaged in conversation.

Suddenly, clumsily, Matthew was jostled by a group enjoying a loud laugh and he stepped into Azra's path. He was sweaty from dancing, his skin glistened and he excused himself, "Oh hey. Sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you. Watch your step as they say. I'm new to the ship. Matt Plumeri" he said over the music in greeting.

"Azra Ghoc," she said over the music. It wasn't loud enough to damage hearing, but it did make it so that she nearly had to shout to be heard. "I'm new aboard, as well. You're a science officer, right?" His sweat left a cooler patch on her skin as it evaporated. Not exactly pleasant, but only to be expected in a crowded room with people dancing.

He nodded, "Science. That's right!" he said as he took note of her. She looked Cardassian in the light. It was too loud for him to hear if she had an accent at all; most Cardassians these days did not preferring to using a more modern dialect. With the black tank top and the jeans she certainly was influenced by the Federation and she probably had an interesting story to tell. She was old enough to probably remember what it was like during the Dominion War. Still, that's not a good line to lead with and so he opted for, "I'm in Marisa Sandoval's area. Ancient and Alien Civilizations. Nice to meet you Azra! I like the top and the jeans. You look good in them."

"Thanks," she said, "It seems like you've been enjoying yourself." She glanced meaningfully at the beads of sweat at the sides of his face. "I just arrived, and it's a bit chaotic. Where should I start?"

"Well, ha-ha-ha! I guess I have" he said as he wiped the beads from his forehead onto his palms and removing a handkerchief from his back pocket, wiped the perspiration off as he looked 'round the room. "Well, you got a dance partner? Just jump in the fray if you want to dance. That's what I did. I see you have no drink? I could use one if you'd like to start off at the bar?"

"Okay," Azra said. She thought for a little while. The music didn't appeal to her, but dancing could be fun, and it might even help the music grow on her. On the other hand, getting something to drink did sound good.

"Food," she said, "I think I'll get some food and maybe a drink. It's been great to meet you Matt. Have fun."

He asked, "Well hey? I was going to come with? I mean, unless you would rather not? No hard feelings; it's all good. I'm going for a drink anyway' he said as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh," Azra said, and stopped mid-step, "sorry. You can absolutely join me." They approached the bar. On one edge there was a tray of somethings. Azra picked one up and took a tentative bite. It was good. Really good.

"Matt, you have got to try one of these," she said around another bite. A few pastry crumbs escaped her lips and she caught them in her hand, which she promptly used to cover her mouth. After she swallowed she picked up another one. "They're incredible."

As the tray came within his reach and using the dexterity of a magician at a poker table, Plumeri snagged three of the delicious looking tarts. He popped one in his mouth and the taste was amazing! His face lit up, "Oooooo...YUM!" He produced another tart for Azra grinning, "Try another?"

---

Petra moved from drinking to dancing. She'd had enough drinks to not care if she danced with anyone or not. She picked the area that had the best music and joined the throng on the dance floor.

---

Heinu carried a tray full of bite-sized goodies down the hallway. Technically, it was two trays, but one was stacked on top of the other in such a way that it wasn't accessible. He moved slowly, taking time to smile and greet everyone on his way.

"Yes, how are you?" he asked a crewman who stopped to grab an hors d'oeuvre. By the time he finally reached the mess hall, most of the tray was empty. He was very pleased.

He found his way to the bar looked at Lake, hoping not to interrupt his conversation for long. He silently held up the platter and looked down at the bar with a slight shrug. The look clearly asked, "Where should I put this?"

Lake ir-Llantrisant had no intention of being subtle. As soon as he noticed the server, he abandoned a couple of drinks on the bar and swung over in Heinu's direction. Lake offered up his full attention. Leaning over the bartop, Lake said, "The kitchen staff can't keep up." --He used the word kitchen staff loosely, because the food was all replicated-- "Don't worry about the trays. Recycle them over there," Lake said, pointing to the replicators set into the nearest bulkhead.

Heinu stared in shock at Lake, not even attempting to move. "This tray's only mostly empty," he said in dismay, "and there's another full tray under it. Where should I put the trays so people can enjoy? There's no way I'm tossing out he product of the Yllredgrian Vine I've cultivated for eighteen months." He set the tray on the bar and picked up one of the bite-sized morsels.

It looked a bit like a small tart, with a pastry bottom and an orangish gel filling the bowl. On top was a small arrangement of three purple edged leaves.

Although Lake hadn't noticed the second tray, he leaned into his mistaken opinion, rather than explain the misconception. "There's no room for it here," Lake said, elongating the final vowel, as if that would make his point. He swept his arms out wide to indicate that here included the entire length of the bar. "We have a thirsty, thirsty crew here," Lake affirmed. "Maybe-- over on the table near the mechanical bull? The line-up might appreciate the snacks?"

"Taste it. If you don't like it, I'll eat my shoe," Heinu said. He would have looked deadly serious if it was possible.

One never had to ask Lake more than once to put something in his mouth. He chomped on the tart in one bite and chewed it well. Even before he fully swallowed, Lake asked, "You grew that?" with more than a little incredulity. The layered flavours of the tart had slowed him right down. "You grew the ingredients in that tart yourself?"

Heinu lowered his voice to a conspiratorial shout, "I actually replicated the shell. I'm no good with pastry, but the filling, that's all me." He grinned. His teeth shone in the faint black-light. "Since you don't have room for them at the bar," he said, and moved to pick up the trays, "I guess I could just set them over by the bull." The tall man's tone clearly suggested that that would be a shame.

On this night, Lake had little patience for innuendo and supposition. "However," Lake said encouragingly, "It sounds as if you have a better idea...?"

Heinu grinned and leaned over the bar, nearly nose-to-nose with Lake. "You're busy, yes, but if you clear a space for these goodies I can maybe give you an advance taste of my next culinary creation. I've got something I think will be truly exceptional on the plans for the next couple of weeks." He tapped the trays. "And if everyone enjoys these as much as you seemed to, they won't be in your way for long."

"Okay, okay," Lake interjected the end of the sales pitch with no attempt to hide his exasperation. He raised his arm to the right and pointed with his index finger. "You can take that edge of the bar," Lake allowed, "but I warn you I take no responsibility if a drunken ensign knocks it down in his quest for a beer."

"Of course not," Heinu exclaimed, "I wouldn't dream of it!" His toothy grin was completely good natured. "Have another one, my Romulan friend, and enjoy your party. You've done an exceptional job."

---

"...We're here now, what's the point in going all the way back to change?"

"So you can put something more appropriate on."

"Appropriate? If a party isn't appropriate for these, I don't know what is."

"You just answered your own question..."

"You didn't specify what I could or couldn't wear."

"I didn't know you were going to dress like....like..."

"Dad," Laeon Wylde just laughed, pushing his father's arm where they were stood in the doorway to the lounge. "They're just jeans."

Alexion watched him at a loss for a moment, because his son was right. They were just jeans. But...that wasn't the point. He finally shook his head with a sigh, relenting as he motioned for Laeon to go in with him, heading for the bar. "Next time, I choose the tailoring of the jeans."

Laeon made a play of looking his father up and down, as if critical of Alexion's trousers, shirt and waistcoat. "No thanks..." he shook his head, but his smile was playful.

Alexion shoved Laeon's shoulder lightly, a small smile pulling at his lips all the same as he leant against the bar, lifting a hand for a drink. "Can I have a brandy from Earth please? And Laeon's going to have fruit juice..." he ignored the slight roll of his son's eyes.

Alexion may have ignored his son's eye-roll, but Lake ir-Llantrisant made a meal of rolling his own eyes. It took a full ten seconds. "Fruit juice?" Lake replied acidly, as if there was literally bile rising in his throat at the thought of it. He made no move towards the brandy, which was still sitting on the bar from a drink Lake had mixed earlier. Instead, Lake balled his hands on his lips. "As in vodka with a splash of orange juice?" Lake suggested.

"No," Alexion planted both hands on the bar to lean against it, meeting the other man's eyes firmly, his eyebrows lifted as he watched him. "As in, if you give my son alcohol, you'll be seeing a lot of me in Sickbay over the next week...."

Laeon glanced between them for a long moment, amusement in his eyes and pulling at his lips as he shook his head. "You say that like it's a bad thing," his voice held playful sarcasm, not unlike his father's often did, only it didn't have the same acerbic edge to it. Laeon's humour was more gentle in nature than his father's sharp tongue.

Staring down Alexion with pursed lips, Lake chimed in with a petulant, "Exactly." He shared a quick look with Laeon, to communicate their solidarity on this topic. Although, when Lake locked eyes with Alexion again, it was likely Laeon wasn't about to agree with him much longer. "When you put it like that," Lake said, in reply to Alexion's threat of seeing a lot of Lake in Sickbay, "it only turns me on."

Alexion arched an eyebrow as he pursed his lips, musing on the man's return. He glanced down the room for a long moment, then to his son who was distracted with watching the dancing, before leaning closer over the bar to Lake, lowering his voice as close to a whisper as he could get away with considering the music. "And here I was thinking you were too delicate and fragile to like it rough."

In tandem, Lake leaned over the bar so he could hear those whispered words. Lake even turned his head to point his ear in the right direction. As he did so, Lake leaned close enough to press his cheek against Alexion's parted lips. Lake made a point of not moving away, not immediately, to make it clear it was no mistake. Only as Lake started to pull away did he whisper back, "What part of me looks fragile to you?"

Alexion had felt the man through the touch, really *felt* him with his Transference skill. He remained close enough to him for his breath to play across the other man's warmed skin, showing no sign of pulling away as he watched him boldly. "All of you would look fragile, under my hands."

"Uch," Lake spat out, as his shoulders jumped up to join his pointed ears. Lake recoiled from Alexion in a pantomime of disgust, and yet his grin never left his lips and his eyes hardly blinked. A blink would interfere in Lake drinking in the sight of Alexion's handsome visage. "You're so creepy," Lake teased Alexion. "Do all surgeons make small talk like serial killers?"


[OFF]

To Be Continued…



Lt. JG Aria Rice
Security
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Vansen]

Lt. Tris Shizn
Conn Officer
USS Galileo-A

LTJG Matthew Plumeri
Science Officer
USS Galileo-A

Lieutenant Lake ir-Llantrisant
Chief Counselor
USS Galileo-A

PO3 Constantin Vansen
Operations
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Vansen]

CWO2 Oliver Sylver
CONN
USS GalileoA
[PNPC Vansen]

CH Verity Thorne
Chaplain
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Blake]

CDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo-A

PO1 Gabriel Stark
Security
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Blake]

Dr. Alexion Wylde
Medical
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Blake]

Laeon Wylde
Civilian Dependent
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Blake]

Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Second and Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo-A

Crewman Draia Theroh
Engineer's Mate
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC ir-Llantrisant]

Chief Petty Officer Kala Gorvel
Engineering Officer
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Wyatt]

LuAnn Lovegood
Counselor
USS Galileo-A

Lieutenant Marisa Sandoval
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo-A

 

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