Bright Ideas - Party Before the Fight
Posted on 17 Apr 2019 @ 5:42pm by Captain Akio Tachibana & Commander Juan Zamora (Dec [CDO]-Jan 2389 - TRSNFR to Gorn Dip.) & Lieutenant Commander Iria Taltos & Lieutenant Amiri Aldana 365, D.V.M., M.D. & Lieutenant Commander Rafe Cassidy (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Lieutenant Deeli Kosu (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Lieutenant Commander T'Lara & Lieutenant Junior Grade Eira Cortez & Lieutenant Harry Stevens & Lieutenant Jinn Tevran (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Lieutenant Junior Grade Steven Bernard, Ph.D. & Gunnery Sergeant Kyle Walken & First Lieutenant Gregor Goss (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Lieutenant Junior Grade Geneviève "Jenny" Lassonde (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Ensign Rora Tai & Ensign Spencer Griffith-Bailey & Ensign Graham Beckett, Ph.D. (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Lieutenant Junior Grade Anyi Nila & Yeoman 1st Class Halona Grayson & Hospital Apprentice Quinn McCoy (Jan 2389 - KIA Gorn War) & Luuna C.G.CA/U & Sombra C.G.CA/U, C.PSA, C.ESA
Edited on on 17 Apr 2019 @ 5:43pm
Mission:
Ka Hakaka Maikaʻi - The Good Fight
Location: Lounge
Timeline: Before Arriving at the Battlefield
Tags: Luuna, 7F03YTY836M, Sombra, 3CW4YMF696F
The lounge was decked out for a party, there were balloons, streamers, even small presents on every table. The food was a fine mixture of everything from regular Terran food, Andorian, Vulcan, Betazed, Trill, Romulan, Cardassian, and many more.
There was a stage set up for a band to play, with a grand piano and a few other musicians to join in. Two microphones were placed for singing, as well.
Everyone was invited, Fleet, Marine, civilian and even kids were allowed as the only drinks were sythahol for the night. No real alcohol would be allowed since the Hawaii would be arriving on the battlefield in a matter of days.
Kyle Walken was sitting on the stage they had set up, but he held a small flask in his hand, he was not about to play the piano in front of a good portion of the crew and not have real alcohol. ‘Remember the basics.’ He thought to himself as he pockets his flask and stands up waiting to see who would show up.
Walking into the room Deeli was steaming off looking around seeing Kyle “You! Did you see Taltos?!” She was getting impatient “Lieutenant Iria Taltos! She locked me from my office…” Deeli was not amused and wanted to strangle her assistant.
Kyle laughs aloud, “Oh man that is classic Taltos, sorry Lieutenant I can’t help you find her since I haven’t seen her in a while.” The Marine looked at the Chief Engineer despite her working on the Gorn armor and being in a meeting with her this was the first time he had addressed her. “Well if Iria locked you out she did it for a reason. Why not sit down, have a refreshing beverage, and relax. She will pop up soon enough I’m sure.”
The idea to socialize made her shrug, with a man even more, but she had a long day and the offer of a beverage was something she could use as she walks to the bar and took a bottle then pops it up and took a large sip of it. The bottle was soon empty and Deeli puts it down “Damn that woman…”
Luuna casually walked in carrying Inky and sporting a well brushed and glistening clean coat. Her tail was wagging happily, and she pranced about sniffing each of the guests to show up so far, and trying to encourage them to feel her soft, clean, spring coat. After her ordeal with Masterson, she had been quite dirty and dusty, so she hadn’t needed to be coaxed into the shower for a change. She found a mustard-shirt female she hadn’t worked with yet who seemed cranky and decided she might like cheering up. Approaching the woman – whom turned out to be Deeli – slowly with head down she tried to look as friendly and non-threatening as possible.
Immediately after Luuna, Alpha (Doctor Aldana 365) and Sombra entered. Sombra had too been recently groomed and brushed as the springtime was causing him to blow his coat. He was without his vest, but he was still on partial duty. Alpha had just thought it would be nice if he could socialize with those other than hirself and Luuna for a change if he wished.
Amiri wore something light, casual, and breezy, which allowed room for hir tail to swish about freely. S/he looked to be sure where Luuna was before selecting a light fruity soda from the bar and joining her. “Hello, I don’t believe we’ve met before. I’m Doctor Amiri Aldana.” S/he introduced hirself to Deeli. “This is Luuna,” s/he added, indicating the canid by their feet.
Looking at the dog then at Amiri and sighs as Deeli looked at the bottle “Kosu,” she shrugs and walks away from the conversation resuming her search for Taltos to give her an ass whooping.
Aldana felt ignored and rejected. This was supposed to be a party, and s/he felt Kosu was being inappropriate. S/he was dumbfounded by Kosu’s behavior and wasn’t sure what to do next. S/he looked down at Luuna, “Sorry girl, maybe next time.”
Aldana and Luuna sauntered over to a near-by table and sat down.
Sombra sniffed about and wondered over to Walken whom he’d enjoyed meeting before. He sat near him, and gazed up at him, trying to get his attention.
Walken gently pats Sombra on the head, “Sorry can’t play too much, I got to play music for two perfect singers and not mess up. Odds are stacked against me.” The Marine laughed before he sits back on the stage since it seemed Kosu was done talking to him.
Sombra cocked his head. He didn’t really care if the man played with him. He’d just sensed something was wrong, and he hoped he could help in some way. He licked at his wrists getting a feel for his elevated blood pressure. He tried to nuzzle his crown under the man’s hand in order to encourage the man to pet him. Sombra knew it could have a relaxing affect. He wanted to help. He lay down next to him on the stage and nuzzled his hand even more, getting under it and resting his chin in the man’s lap. He wished to convey that he could be there for him.
Walken pulls his hand away from Sombra after he licked his wrists, “Come on, I don’t have time to play.” He pat the dog once and gave him a scratching behind the ears. Kyle opens up the top button of his dark green flannel before tucking it back in his dress pants.
Sombra waited patiently. Just listening and hoping Walken will talk. He doesn’t want to play. He is just there for him. All ears. He wags his tail gently and lazily.
Bernard, the black and white man, walked in wearing a dark green suit with a black collared shirt with a forest green tie. He’d done his hair up in a top knot. He scanned the room, hoping to talk to a pretty girl tonight. He took an orange cream soda from the bar, then settled on a vantage point that he could both see the party but give another his full attention once he or she arrived.
Sombra soon grew bored waiting for Walken stood and turned to gaze about for Alpha again. He lopped past a new scent and regarded the Black and White man for a moment but continued on to Alpha and Luuna. He plopped down to next to his sister in a huff laying all the way down, ~New person.~ He remarked, board.
Luuna a beautiful and lovely female cocked her head listening and scanned the room to spot the new person for herself. Spying him, she took up Inky and trotted over to him. She sat in front of him and regarded him.
Bernard was pleasantly surprised to see that the medical dog had taken interest in him. He smiled and chuckled a bit to himself. Then he looked down at her: “Hello, Darlin’,” he said, “are you my pretty girl? Can I get you a drink?”
Luuna barked once while managing to hang onto Inky and gave a nod.
Bernard walked to the bar and said to the bar tender, pointed down to Luuna and said, “I’ll take her usual, please. Nothing for me yet.”
Luuna play-bowed and circled joyfully. Inky was absorbent and her mouth was getting dry.
Meanwhile Doctor Aldana had been watching the couple. Soon s/he approached them, Sombra in tow. “Excuse me sir, what are your intentions with my partner.” S/he joked with a smile and a nod.
The black and white man smiled, it was a funny situation: “To be fair, Doctor, she approached me, and I have no friend to ask her that. Perhaps we’ll have a dance or two and she’ll give me a peck on the cheek and leave early.”
Aldana smiled, knowing how Luuna could be, “Just be sure to let me know if she keeps you out past midnight.”
Bernard nodded, his face adopting the most trustworthy I-will-make-sure-nothing-happens-to-your-daughter face. "I'll have her back home by ten." He said.
Juan strode into the lounge with an air of confidence. He’d dressed for the occasion in a grey-green nehru style vest, over a shirt of a lighter green shirt, and grey linen pants. He flexed his toes, enjoying the freedom offered by the simple sandals he was wearing, at least one benefit of having his daughter light years away was that she couldn’t heckle his fashion choices anymore. He surveyed the room and then went over to take a drink from a tray, taking an exploratory sip, he found it to his liking, and set off to mingle. It felt good to be doing something he was familiar with again, and he was eager to see if he’d gotten rusty at all after all the fighting of the past month.
Jenny stepped through the entrance with a small scowl on her face. At a loss for what to wear, the few civvies she’d brought along from her last posting were probably all too casual, work-stained, or covered with pockets, or with a crude joke written across the front. So here she was, in her uniform, like that was the best she could do. Oh well, it was time to make the best of it.
“Ms. Lassonde,” Juan greeted as they brushed past each other.
“Commander,” she replied automatically.
Eira Cortez was the next to walk in, sporting a tight fitting dark red dress that came to just below the knee and showed off her figure perfectly. Her makeup was light, and her hair was dead straight. “Yet another party with no one to talk to. Excellent.” She said to herself with a smile as she made her way towards one of the seats.
And yet, she was intercepted once she’d sat down. “Fancy seeing you here, Trouble.” Cassidy was laid-back in a loose shirt under a flight jacket, ship and project patches embroidered onto the shoulder from past assignments and test flights in an old-fashioned style, an old-fashioned display of pride. He still shamelessly pulled up a chair with Cortez and had a swig of beer. “I thought you had to be locked up or going through delicate, classified information, not being let down here in the lounge where you might be a real danger.”
She had always liked Cassidy, so there was always plenty of time for him, “Haha of course I’m going to be even more dangerous tonight being in this outfit than usual.” Eira laughed genuinely, “like they say, Cass, all work and no play makes people very easily bored. Whatcha drinking?”
“Nothing more exciting than a synthale. But I agree, it’s a good outfit,” Cassidy said cheerfully. “Spooks going to do anything they can to keep us on the back foot, huh?”
Across the room, the doors swished open to let in young Ensign Beckett. In uncertainty of what his new assignment considered appropriate for a party, he’d hedged his bets for a smart casual look. Dark trousers and a grey waistcoat, the collar on his white shirt loose, the sleeves rolled up. It was still only one part of a wider uncertainty and apprehension about diving into an unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar faces.
Instinct took over rather than something sensible, like finding a new colleague to socialize with, and the new arrival headed to collect himself a drink; fruit juice, for preference. When it came to synthahol he preferred to either have the real thing or nothing at all. But it was all Beckett needed to be armed for finding a discreet spot in the bustle of socializing to do some serious, awkward lurking.
Jinn strode into the lounge confidently, a smile on his face. He wore a slim-fitting plum suit, white dress shirt and matching plum tie. His pants had no break in them, his ankles visible between the pants and his brown shoes paired with no-show socks. A purple pocket square with pink polka dots completed the ensemble. He never missed an opportunity to dress up, one of the few things he missed from his youth.
He nodded acknowledgements to people as he passed them in route to the bar, whether he knew them or not. He was disappointed they were only serving synthehol, but he supposed it made a certain amount of sense. He found a spot where he could lean while he surveyed the room. Noticing his fellow Intelligence officer seated with a man he recognized from his file as their Chief Conn Officer, he caught Cortez’s eye and raised his glass as a hello.
Cortez saw and raised her own glass with a smile in response, motioning that he was more than welcome to come and join her and Cassidy.
Halona came in on the heels of someone wearing a plum colored suit, her dress was a vivid Blue and her hair was in a loose French twist.
Nila walked inside, dressed in a burgundy half sleeve lace dress. Her hair was done in a braid as it rested over her left shoulder. She felt stupid as to why she came. She had only just arrived and hardly knew anyone here. She chooses to sit alone focusing on the stars outside rather than anyone in particular inside.
Rora came in a few minutes after a young woman wearing a burgundy, half sleeved dress, Rora was wearing a emerald green and black dress, her hair was in curling waves around her shoulders.
Bernard had been watching the beautiful women come in through the door, wondering if he was being rude or just enjoying life. When he saw Nila come in, looking a bit unhappy to him, he looked down at Luuna.
“Hey girl,” he said to Luuna, “You can stay or come with, but I might have found some company.” He got up and crossed the room to intercept Nila.
“Ensign Anyi,” he said, “you look lovely tonight. Would you like to join me and my date?” He motioned to Luuna and smiled.
Luuna had accompanied the ‘Bernard’ and sat at his side wagging her tail looking friendly and cute.
Nila was lost in thought, thinking that since she showed up for a few minutes she could just slip out unnoticed. That was until she hears someone calling for her. Looking up it was the same Ensign who had visited her earlier in the day. She looked to where he pointed and noticed the dog, “Thank you for the compliment Ensign Bernard but dealing with Stevens and his dog is more than enough for me right now.”
Bernard nodded. What the heck is up with her and Stevens? He didn’t ask out loud because this as a public party, and it would be out of line because Nila and he weren’t even friends yet. “Um, cool. See you around.” He walked away. “Hey Luuna, wanna see what Beckett is up to?”
Luuna responded with a slight ‘wuf’ and a play-bow with a wagging tail.
Bernard found Beckett. “I’m thirsty. Can you recommend anything that won’t make me sad that it isn’t alcohol?”
Beckett quirked a quizzical eyebrow at the question but did give a small smile. He stood and leant down for a moment to fuss at Luuna, ruffling her fur in greeting. “Rather depends on what you like,” he said to Bernard. “I’d usually grab an iced tea. Some fruity ones are a bit more mellow or sweet depending on what you want. You’re not comfortable with synthehol?”
“Comfortable but—” Bernard shrugged, “who doesn’t want the real thing sometimes.” He walked to the Bartender, “Two Long Island ice teas.” The truth was, even with Luuna’s company, he felt like he was striking out.
Luuna wouldn’t mind the ‘real thing’ either, whatever that looked like given her circumstances. She picked up on The Bernard’s disappointment, and wanted to help cheer him up. She tried to distract him by trying to press her toy into his ‘paw’ for play.
Bernard looked down and took Inky from Luuna. He smiled, then cocked an eye brow: "Are we allowed to play fetch at the party?" He tossed the toy about two and a half meters away and whispered: "Go get it!"
Quinn walked in a few minutes afterwards, she was wearing a red and black dress, her hair was pulled back in a bun with a few tartan colored ribbons twisted around it.
The ever-cocky flyboy turned CONN Spencer Griffith-Bailey was, by the looks of it, one of the last ones to arrive. He’d thrown on a pair of dark dress pants, a nice red and black plaid button up shirt with rolled up sleeves and a dark vest to match it with some dark dress shoes. His hair was styled with the top being straightened and pushed to the right. Surveying the room quickly, he spotted Cassidy talking with Cortez and someone else and laughing, and then he spotted Rora Tai and man did she look beautiful tonight.
As Harry, T'Lara and Lady Sif approached the Lounge, Harry knew that this was important to make an entrance worthy of the gossip that he knew would ensue. However; T'Lara had dismissed the notion as Harry Looked at T'Lara as they stood outside the Lounge Door, as Harry offered his hand to her. As she placed her hand in his, Harry looked at her once more in the cocktail dress and knew this was it as he said, “Shall we?”
“Yes,” She simply said. She hasn't been to a social gathering since her graduation. She also was never in mood of celebration as the humans called it. She looked around as the room at the present people, as she walked in.
Bernard looked up to see Harry Stevens walk in. Ah, he thought, So that is the boss’s girlfriend. Good to know.
Gregor entered the lunge in a fair amount of discomfort, wearing boots, heavy, utilitarian black pants, and a simple white t-shirt. He stepped over to the bar and grabbed a bottle of synth-beer, wondering if he should have stayed in.
Adrian Masterson tugged at the tails of his shirt, adjusting them for the thousandth time as he tried to steady his nerves. “Just breathe,” he told himself. He took another breath but couldn’t stop himself from nervously playing with his beard as he stepped inside. He was contemplating the advantages of going over to glue himself to one of the walls, when he spotted a familiar looking canid underfoot. Seeing another, and the figure they seemed to be following, he decided to introduce himself.
“Um, hello, are you Dr. Aldana 365?” Masterson asked hesitantly.
The femininely dressed Kazarite-hybrid noticed Mister Masterson. “I be.” S/he hugged him, “so nice to meet you!”
“Oh, yes, nice to meet you too,” Adrian replied a bit stiffly. “Your Luuna really is special, she was a sight to see working during the battle. You must be very proud doctor.” He’d loosened up a little by this point, having something to talk about helped.
“Well I’m still a little fuzzy on the details of her adventures while she was loose, but we have worked hard on her training. Thank you.” Aldana replied.
“Well it’s really paid off, I wish I could be as calm under pressure,” Adrian offered in return.
“Well did you discover her technique for helping you with that too?” Aldana smiled.
“Um, the pressure you mean; I suppose so, yeah. I feel like I got to know her pretty well, when we were together.” Adrian replied.
Aldana smiled. “Well I’m glad you could take joy form your situation. Luuna can do her job well, Mister…”
“Um… yeah, I guess so.” Adrian replied awkwardly at first, then he realized he’d been asked his name as well. “Oh, I’m Ensign Masterson, Adrian Masterson,” he added.
“Well, we’re at a party, may I call you Adrian? I get the feeling you’d be more comfortable if we found someplace more secluded to talk?”
The two took up a post in an empty corner.
Finally, it was time, Kyle climbed up on the stage without saying a word. He took a seat on the piano bench taking a moment he noodled around a bit before he began to play La Campanella. A classical song from nineteenth-century Earth.
A holographic lady, appeared as Kyle started playing the piano, she walked towards one of the microphones with a smile.
A man also appeared, and he began playing the violin in accompaniment to Kyle’s piano playing.
Iria walked out from left side of the stage wearing a red lycra dress, her hair was in a loose french twist.
Dr. Ward stood a short distance from the stage taking in the performance with arms crossed. His expression and body language stayed neutral, but he remained where he was, not going back off to carry on mingling.
Akio decided to stop by very briefly. He had heard a party was going on, yet he wanted to allow the crew to relax and be themselves. For some, it may be the last time they saw each other.
Akio approached the center of the room. The only reason he stood out was that he had four pips on his collar and was one of the older people around. The music naturally paused.
“I know we all have been working hard, yet tomorrow, that work will pay off. Not everything will go perfectly, yet with some luck, and us trusting each other, we will get through the days ahead. We are all far away from home. In many ways, this ship is our home and each other our family. I have no great wisdom and I have already said more than I wanted. Enjoy yourselves and be merry! Tomorrow is the beginning of judgment for the Gorn,” Akio bellowed.
Walken raised up his flask, “To the Fleet, blast the Gorn ships to hell. And of course, to my brothers and sisters in the Marines. Tear them a new one for every inch we are going to take back from them.”
“To the fleet! To the Marines!” Gregor and Jenny cheered in unison, raising their glasses, Adrian was a little out of step with the others who joined in, beginning and ending a second too late.
Juan raised his drink in silence, dreading the prospect of more days of fire and blood.
Akio's eyes met Juan's as the two drank. Akio wondered what was in store for their nascent command.
OFF:
Akio Tachibana, CAPT, SF
CO
Juan "JJ" Zamora, CDR, SF
XO
Halona Grayson, YN1, SF
ADMIN
Rafe Cassidy, LT, SF
CONN
Rora Tai, ENS, SF
FCO
Spencer Griffith-Bailey, ENS, SF
FCO
Deeli Kosu, LT, SF
CHENG
Iria Taltos, LT, SF
ACHENG
Harry Stevens, LTJG, SF
TACSEC
Graham Beckett, Ph.D., SF
ATACSEC
Anyi Nila, ENS, SF
OPS
Steven Bernard, Ph.D., SF
TAO
Luuna, K9, SF
SWDR
Jinn Tevran, LTJG, SF
INT
Eira Cortez, LTJG, SF
AINT
T'Lara, LT, SF
CMO
Amiri Aldana 365, D.V.M., M.D., LT, SF
ACMO
Quinn McCoy, HA, SF
HA
Sombra, K9, SF
TA
Geneviève "Jenny" Lassonde, LTJG, SFFC
FLT 801/CO
Gregor Goss, 1stLt, SFMC
3MSOT/TL
Kyle Walken, Sgt, SFMC
2MSOT/EL
