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Side Sim - The Black and Silver Ball... Promotions, and Revelations Galore! (All Hands)

Posted May 14, 2021, 9:34 a.m. by Ensign Shon Baht (Medical Officer) (Ben Z)

Posted by Warrant Officer Walker Darach (Chief Operations Officer) in Side Sim - The Black and Silver Ball… Promotions, and Revelations Galore! (All Hands)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Zef Rollo (Counselor) in Side Sim - The Black and Silver Ball… Promotions, and Revelations Galore! (All Hands)

Posted by Ensign Alyssa Williams (Security Officer) in Side Sim - The Black and Silver Ball… Promotions, and Revelations Galore! (All Hands)
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻

The Arboretum had been decked out to the nines. Black and silver streamers and globes hung through the space, and the deck had been checkered in the same colors. A long table held a plethora of food stuffs, and servers in silver shirts and black ties waited for the guests to arrive. Soft music played from nowhere and everywhere, and Chef Harv stood ata carving station with six… six… different roasted meats.

Captain Cochrane made the rounds one last time, looking much different than his norm in his black Mandarin-collar tuxedo with silver filigree embroidery. Once he was satisfied that everything was ready, he looked to the doors and nodded.

It was time for the festivities to begin.

Cochrane, CO

The first to arrive was a certain Chief Science Officer. For those who knew her, it probably came to know surprise that picking a dress for this occasion came fairly easily. And while she had hated being forced by her mother to attend balls and other formal events, she had always loved dressing up and going to a ball when it was her decision. So here she was: Her black hair pulled back in elegant updo and with several tiny, silver stones pinned into it. Her dress was floor length and black till just above her knees from where it slowly faded into a silvery grey. The skirt was wide and flowy, suggesting that it was not only made of multiple layers, but that she was most likely wearing some sort of supportive undergarment underneath; like a hoop skirt and petticoat. The dress’s bodice was snugly fitting, strapless and had a black satin ribbon around the waist. Apart from the ribbon, the whole dress seemed to sparkle with every movement she made. Almost as if someone had managed to turn the night sky into fabric.

Spotting Alex, Kiama made her way straight towards him, moving in a way that showed that this was not the first time she wore a dress like that. “Good evening Captain,” she greeted him with a warm smile and then added with an encompassing gesture, “This looks amazing. Thank you for going through all the trouble of organising this.”

~Lt. Naim, CSO

“No trouble. All of you have worked so hard, you deserve a break. I am glad to see you here, Lieutenant. Keep yourself available, won’t you? I will have need of your help in a little bit, if you don’t mind.” and he smiled.

“Of course, Sir. I’m happy to assist in any way I can,” Kiama replied while wondering what he might need her help with.

Ensign Shon Baht ducked into the holodeck, a brilliant grin spread across his face. He did a little shoulder shimmy of excitement as he took in the decorations, smells, and music. It had been a while since he’d been to a party, and he was in the mood to boogie.

He was dressed for the occasion as well. Of course Shon couldn’t quite be all black and silver… his blue skin was a vibrant splash of color against the greyscale background around him. But he’d donned a sequined black shirt under a reflective silver vest that looked like it had been sew from the outer layer of a disco ball. His shoes were made of a similar material and clacked as he made his way across the floor. He swiped a few finger foods on a plate before spotting Kiama. He made his way toward her, refusing to let himself be intimidated by entering the same circle as the captain.

“You two look great,” he said over the music after swallowing a morsel.

(Ensign Baht, Medical)

Cochrane smiled and held out a hand to Baht. “As do you, Ensign. Welcome. I hope you enjoy the party. And excellent choice of attire. Very eye catching.”

“I concur,” Kiama beamed and leaned forward to give her friend a hug. “It’s good to see Shon. We should meet for lunch or dinner or something one of these days. It’s been too long that we really had time to talk and catch up.”

By the time Zef got to the arboretum, the place was full of beautiful people. Standing far enough inside the doors that she was part of the festivities, but not blocking anyone, she took a few moments to just look around and get a feel for the grandness of the setting. It was wondrous. Crystal sparkled everywhere you looked and the crew had taken the “Black and Silver” part seriously. An event like this was how you began to get a personal sense of people. Their style of clothes, how well they mingled, who was dancing, etc. Standing there in her silver, strapless gown with the black chiffon overlay, patterned sequins glistened on her shoulders where they lay on top of the sheer material, she smiled.

Feeling very feminine, Zef began looking around for Alex and spotted him talking to Ensign Baht and Lt Naim. He looked positively regal in the very modern tux he wore. It looked like a designer piece, not something standard.

She walked up to the group smiling and hoping she wasn’t interrupting anything.

“You all look fabulous!”

—Rollo, CNS

Alex gave her an almost overly zealous look up and down and smiled broadly and said “As do you, Counselor. That is quite the look. Maybe I should consider a uniform change for the CNS.” and he chuckled as he looked at her.

Cochrane, CO

“Thank you COunsellor,” Kiama replied with a warm smile. “And so do you. It’s a magnificent dress that suits you very well.”


“Come on, I’m wearing heels and I refuse to drag you even though I’m fully capable,” Shara said, highly amused.

From the bathroom, Faye grumbled. “I think I’m going to put a limit on large social gatherings. One per year and if they want me to go to more they can suck an egg.”

Shara laughed. “Oh, I dare you to say that Cochrane in front of the others.”

Faye merged and snorted. “Too late, the man can practically read my mind at this point. It’s very annoying.”

The elder Calloway smiled warmly at her daughter. “Well, you look lovely, now let’s go.”


Slipping through the large double doors and into the Garden, the Calloway women were definitely not dressed at they normally were and definitely fit the setting. Shara wore a black tulle sleeveless ballgown with a high scoop neck and a racerback. The bodice was covered in a silver filigree lace that flowed out into long spaced out strips that touched the floor. Her dark hair was elegantly twisted and pinned up and her makeup simple, except for a rich purple-red on her lips.

Faye went for a cross between elegant and comfort. Her black jumpsuit had a sleeveless halter neck with a wide band of silver sequins that also went along the armholes and pockets. The material hugged her lean body and flared out into wide legs. Dark shadow graded her lids and her signature red-black lipstick was on her lips. She moved easily in her outfit and it felt more natural for her than what her mother wore, but as she looked at Shara she couldn’t hep but think her mother had never looked more beautiful.

“Why is it the more I insist I hate parties, the more I find myself having to endure this particular torture?” Faye said as they approached the group. She checked herself as the words flew out of her mouth. Too soon? Nope. Who would have thought. It didn’t make her uneasy at all, much to her surprise.. Then again she had been on and off the ship for leave and was in a particularly good mood lately.

“Don’t mind her,” Shara said with amusement. “What she means is, good evening. You all look fantastic.”

~Faye & Shara

Zef had just taken up the space to Alex’s left and turned to see mother and daughter joining them. Shara’s gown was impressive, something a dark princess might wear.

“Thank you Commander. You do as well,” Kiama replied with a wide smile before turning her head slightly to look at Faye. “And you as well my friend,” she continued and then stepped forward to give her a warm embrace.

~Lt. Naim, CSO

Faye hugged Kiama back without missing a beat. How things had changed.

“This was a wonderful idea. Everyone looks absolutely fabulous!” She aimed a whisper at Alex, ‘especially you’.

Alex looked at her and smiled and winked.

T’Lara had received a notification on her PADD which informed her that it was mandatory for department heads to attend the Black and Silver Ball. The instructions indicated that she was required to wear formal attire and she made it a point to adhere to those guidelines. She sported a silver colored beyip which was a light robe wrapped around her body with knotted buttons on the right side along with a black osan-wun wide sash composed of three bands across her flat waist. In addition, she donned an opelal, which was known as a heavy black formal robe with long sleeves with an optional hood lying at her back that she would not utilize for this specific occasion and wore soft black boots. Her opelal was worn over her beyip with it open at the center to display the contrast between silver and black which met the formal dress requirements exceptionally.

After entering the Arboretum, she scanned the area with her hazel eyes observing the rest of the crew that had arrived. She had recognized most of the senior staff that was there already, but was still familiarizing herself with the rest of the crew. Her demeanor was calm and there was no known expression on her face whatsoever. T’Lara eventually spotted Captain Cochrane and walked to him with the intentions of introducing herself to her new commanding officer. She stopped in front of him, her posture was relaxed, and she tilted her head just slightly, “Captain Cochrane, I am Lieutenant T’Lara, your Chief of Security. Thank you for the invitation to this social gathering sir.” Her tone was rather bland, but if one were to read her eyes they would indicate that she was without a doubt intrigued about having her first interaction with the Captain of the Manhattan.

  • Lieutenant (j.g.) T’Lara, CoS

Cochrane nodded once to T’Lara. “Welcome aboard, Lieutenant. Du dor etek k’ ish-veh la’es (You honor us with your presence).” he said with flawless Vulcan tenor and inflection; and he raised his hand in the proper Vulcan greeting. Turning to face the ensemble, he said “Ladies and gentleman, allow me to introduce our new Security Chief, Lt. T’Lara. Lieutenant, this is…” and he introduced each member of the crew in turn.

Cochrane, CO

“It is nice to meet you Lieutenant,” Kiama greeted her, her hand raised in the Vulcan salute and her head bowed slightly. “I hope you’ll settle in smoothly and quickly on the Manhattan.”

~Lt. Naim, CSO

Both Faye and Shara gave a respectful bow of their heads as they were introduced to T’Lara, though Shara clarified that she was just a guest on the ship. The new COS would likely be at least loosely read in on the recent situation, but that was not for tonight.

Spotting one of the wait staff with a full tray of drinks, the counselor motioned him over. “Let’s have a toast to a special evening.” She took one of the champagne flutes and encouraged the others to join her.

—Zef

Cochrane took a glass and waited for the others to retrieve one as well.

Once they had their drinks, he raised his glass to the assembled officers and said “To the crew of the USS Manhattan. May we continue to boldly go and represent the best of what we are.”

Cochrane

Shara took a glass and discreetly nudged Faye’s elbow as she asked the server for a sparkling juice so that Faye didn’t have to make a thing out of not partaking in whatever alcohol might be served. While she knew Faye didn’t mind if others drank around her, she also knew it could be hard to be the odd one out sometimes.

“Thanks,” Faye said softly as she accepted the drink that was brought to her and smiled at those gathered. “Cheers!” she said and sipped on her bubbly juice.

~Faye & Shara Calloway

Pretha smoothed the front of her dress one final time and sighed. She had tried several times to take a shift to cover for another crewmember to go to the ball. But each time she asked, she was informed they had taken over for someone else and weren’t interested in trading again.

Her black dress with silver applique down the shoulders and front (*) looked back at her ask if daring her to think anything negative of the reflection. Slipping into the simple black heels she could kick off in a moment if needed, she moved to the door and headed for the ball.

As she entered, the CRIT Leader looked around the room. She smiled at folks here and there and responded to hails and greetings with a smile and wave. Getting a drink, she headed for the large bank of windows and found a place, where her back was to the wall, where she could see the majority of the crowd. She recognized most everyone. But having not been on the ship long before the latest crisis had occurred, she still saw even more faces she didn’t know. A brief ache of missing Vash went thru her as she took a sip and moved that memory down. She hadn’t minded being alone before him. Yet now, seeing folks in pairs and groups, she suddenly realized that being alone wasn’t a good feeling at all.

Lt Pretha Oberon
CRIT Ldr/Sec
(*) Dress… https://cdn-3.jjshouse.com/upimg/l/4c/1c/26ec4e62a752d5f53c23e934527e4c1c.jpg

Namid roamed into the Arboretum moments after Pretha, wonder swimming in their charcoal eyes.

At first glance, their outfit was decidedly simple — a three-piece suit, dark shoes and a blue-and-black tie. But upon closer look, all that changed. Abstract, orca-like designs enunciated the onyx fabric comprising their suit jacket and — though obscured from view — the inner frame adorned navy blues and blacks in a similar pattern. Their trousers, tapered at the ankle, bled into sneakers that dared to masquerade as higher-end shoes. And from their crown, a pair of leather-black braids fell along either shoulder, tails swinging joyfully at their waist. They certainly looked, as their sister had mentioned over an earlier transmission, snazzy.

Immediately drawn to the foodstuffs, Namid wove their way through the crowd and helped themself to a few random morsels that just looked good. In raising what they assumed was a stuffed vegetable, Argimeau noticed a woman standing alone by the window bank. Tempted to offer her a crooked smile and move on, they thought better of it and, with a soft breath, made their way over.

“Hey,” they greeted, “you look like you could use some company. Mind if I join you?”

— Namid Argimeau

As the ensign came into the room in a nice blue dress she saw a new person someone she wasnt familiar with. She also walked up to the ensign with a greeting as well “Hello ensign. My name is Alyssa Williams. I myself am also a ensign on board. Thought I might join you and Namid. You know how people would get they get lonely. They need someone there to keep them occupied as a friend and a fellow officer I feel like as a junior officer, I should make another person feel like they are home.” She said as she greeted the ensign. She knows well enough to make someone feel like home. She doesnt like seeing someone sitting alone st all and just having Namid sitting there with the ensign. Williams thought why not just join them and so she sat down and joined them.

Ensign williams

Zef had just happened to be looking in the right direction to see Pretha Oberon enters the Arboretum in a dress that made her wonder about her own choice. She’d been wanting to talk to the woman ever since she’d been tasked with putting the CRIT team together. While the others talked, she kept a cool eye on the officer and saw her settle herself over by the viewports. Now was as good as another time. “I see someone I need to talk to.” She whispered to Alex. “I’ll be right back.” Making eye contact with the others gathered around, she mouthed, “Back in a minute…” and headed over to where Oberon was. By the time she got there, a few others had also gathered around the security officer

Still carrying the champagne, Zef looked at all of them. “My don’t you all look splendid!”

She waited a moment for small talk and then looked at Pretha. “Lt, I was wondering if I could get a word with you? It isn’t an emergency, so I could make an appointment, but I thought you might be free.”

—Rollo, CNS

While it was a little bit later then the invitation has stated, Walker finally made his way into the Arboretum. Despite what the Captain said, some people on the ship still actually had work to do, and couldn’t just duck away whenever they wanted for a party. But, the Captain had also explicitly told him, that in no uncertain terms was he to miss the event. It was almost like he could read his mind…

Even though he had plenty of other things to do, there wasn’t a good reason not to dress up for the party, and as he looked around at the guests he was certainly glad he did. Dressed in an all black suit, with a black shirt and tie, Walker had just a few hits of silver on his outfit. A set of silver cufflinks, a gift from his last Captain, a silver tie clip, and a silver watch that had belonged to his grandfather.

Looking around he noticed that the line at the bar was suspiciously short at the moment, the perfect time to get a drink before ‘mingling.’ Side stepping a couple, Walker stepped up to the bar. “Bourbon, on the rocks.”

Drink safely in hand, it was time to take a look at the festivities the Captain had lined up.

WO Darach - COO

Shon raised a glass to follow the captain’s lead with his toast to the crew. But part of Ensign Baht felt out of place, and he receded a bit to the outside of the circle as his blue cheeks darkened slightly to indigo. He was mingling with a lot of senior staff, and although he knew that it shouldn’t matter… Shon was humble to a fault. At least Kiama was there. His friendship with her made him feel like a little bit less of an outsider.

Shon leaned to his side to talk to Kiama out of the corner of his mouth. “A meal sounds great. We should exchange stories about Graven, from what I gather we both had quite the experience.” He smiled quizzically and glanced at his friend with a hairless raised brow.

(Ensign Baht, Medical)


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