Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade T’Lara (Chief of Security) in Side Sim - The Black and Silver Ball… Promotions, and Revelations Galore! (All Hands)

Posted by Lieutenant Celina Rodriguez (Chief Tactical Officer) in Side Sim - The Black and Silver Ball… Promotions, and Revelations Galore! (All Hands)

Posted by Civilian Revna Freya McKenzie (Diplomatic Attache) in Side Sim - The Black and Silver Ball… Promotions, and Revelations Galore! (All Hands)
Posted by… suppressed (12) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“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

If one read her eyes, they would see a look of surprise in response to hearing Cochrane speak fluent Vulcan. T’Lara then tilted her head slightly and furrowed her brow as Cochrane provided her with a greeting in line with her culture. She definitely did not expect his actions, but one could see appreciation in her eyes in response, “Thank you Captain.” She raised her right hand and returned the favor with a customary Vulcan greeting in acknowledgement of Cochrane. T’Lara then set her right hand back down resting it at her side. She pivoted off of her back heel and turned to face the rest of the crew members that were being introduced to her. Her face was stoic as ever and maintained a calm demeanor throughout the duration of the introductions.

• Lieutenant (j.g.) T’Lara, CoS

“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

“Same to you Lieutenant.” T’Lara raised her right hand once again and greeted her in the customary Vulcan way, “Agreed.” She nodded once in response to the Chief Science Officers kind words.

• Lieutenant (j.g.) T’Lara, CoS

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

T’Lara took hold of one of the glasses, raised hers in response to the Captain’s toast, brought the glass to her lips, and took a sip of the beverage. Over the course of her life she had grown used to various cultural phenomenons of other species and the ‘cheers’ one was one of those that she knew to follow along with to be respectful to other alien cultures.

• Lieutenant (j.g.) T’Lara, CoS

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)

“Uh-huh,” Kiama nodded, “That sure was one interesting and intense mission.” Well aware of his unease, she nodded towards the buffet and said, “I forgot to eat again. Would like to accompany me to the buffet and grab something to eat? Chat a little before the festivities fully start?”

~Lt. Naim, CSO

As more people gathered, even if they weren’t in the immediate group she was in, Faye felt that uncomfortable feeling flood her body. “Finding air,” Faye whispered to her mother and Shara gave her a knowing smile and a nod.

Slipping over to the bar, Faye stood next to Walker leaned back against the bar, exhaling. “I don’t mind gatherings as much but I really hate large parties,” she said, just putting that statement out there. “Calloway looked Darach over. “You clean up nice,” she said with a smirk.

~Faye Calloway, Data Specialist

Just outside the ball, Jack and Celina were making their way as Celina could be seen fussing with Jack’s collar as he clearly seemed upset at her picking of him. Jack was wearing a suit and vest combo that had black and purple highlights in the vest and tie with a large black coat with fur. Along with his hands were golden rings and a golden wristwatch that stood out.

“Okay, so you know the saying I make everything look good,” she pulled his collar to the right and then the left as if it was actually able to move off his coat like a scarf, “this carpet around your neck makes you look like a pimp.”

Why Jack was wearing the overcoat still perplexed Celina. It was an indoor event with no chance of the temperature dropping unless the environmental systems went on the blitz. There was only one feasible answer. “Babe,” she took a step back scrutizing him as if he were a small child needing inspection before leaving for a formal event, “did you really mean to buy this entire ensemble,” she made a circular motion with her palm flat facing him, “or was this just another Terry cloth hoodie incident?”

“It’s part of the outfit, they said it was an assembled piece at the store, and you always love what Enrique picked out for me whenever I went to the Orion Circle Square Mall.” Jack said with a slanted look. He felt it was a great overall look, even if it wasn’t quite normal.

“Enrico never stuck you in that jacket,” she laughed. “If he did I am so gonna have a chat with him.”

For all the power, authority, and intelligence Jack possessed, the one thing he did not have a good understanding of was fabrics. So when he purchased a new hoodie for down time in the apartment, he never thought to question the title. He needed a hoodie. He liked the color. He bought the hoodie, and yet when it arrived, it was far from what he had imagined. Celina could only guess that this coat had to be along the same lines. His suit was immaculately tailored fitting him perfectly. The colors accented his skin, hair, and eyes, but that collar. That collar was going to be a sticking point for her this evening.

“نه نه نه نه ، تو زن شیطان! خوب به نظر می رسم” Jack said in Farsi as the translator began to pick it up for Celina. He was clearly getting irritated the more she picked at his outfit.

After being bustled by two other officers stepping around them to enter the room, Celina slid her arm into the crook of Jack’s arm entering the room. Looking around at all the people in the room, she let out a huge sigh, grabbed two drinks downed one and then motioned for Jack to follow her to a corner. Moving in front of him, she locked eyes with a firm stare. “Lose the jacket Jack,” she said calmly setting one of the drinks down and held the other tightly in her hand.

“You don’t just lose it instantly, you are supposed to let people see the outfit first… let them see how it looked as a piece. You know this, you make me watch Latin Designers on OMAP Network.

“So you are trying to make a statement,” she raised an eyebrow looking at him.

“I am in red,” she motioned down the front of her body. Her dress was simple but what it lacked in adornments was well made up for in how it fit her body. Thick bands of red fabric held the dress on her shoulders giving it a strapless feel without the need to tug up the bodice all night. The neckline scooped her bussom which created and accented her breasts to perfection. A slit up the left side of her dress, ending at the middle of her upper thigh gave the feeling of a the fabric flowing as she walked instead of moving with her body. “Every other chick here is in black. I am literally the scarlett lady with a date wearing a coat with a fur collar, gold watch, and gold rings. John,” she pointed to him and then pointed back at her naming herself, “Jade. Jade,” she pointed back at Jack, “John. Lose the jacket. so I don’t look like a strumpet!”

“What have I told you,” Jack said as he pulled his hand away from Celina, her as he moved his hand in front to show off the intricate rings which had Persian iconography engraved on them. “Family heirlooms, these were passed down by my ancestors. If you can have creepy demon dolls that will kill us in our sleep at our wedding I can have some of my heritage once a year at a fancy ball.” Jack said as he began to straighten up his coat.

Creed, XO

“One…you can have one heritage ring and for the record, no one calls them that. You’re just doing this to piss me off and it is not going to work,” she set down the glass and exchanged it for a third from a passing waiter. “You are going to lose that jacket and we are keeping the creepy dolls.”

“This literally as an engraving of the Anunnaki from ancient Sumerian, which was part of Persia,” Ardashir said as he took off the ring as he turned it so she could see better. “You always told me how much you liked these rings for their history… and that if we ever found out that the Anunnaki were really some ancient aliens that visited Earth this might keep them from killing us. I wear it to keep you safe.”

“Anunnaki…you don’t believe in St. Drogo or St Isodore but you are all in on the Anunnaki. The beings that genetically altered us to provide a slave force to mine gold but the patron saints of coffee and the internet are a stretch,” she cocked her head sideways to prepare to listen to his response.

Celina Rodriguez

Cochrane saw the XO and his wife-slash- Ship’s Tactician walk in and almost shot champagne out his nose at Creed’s jacket. Composing himself he waved them over.

When they arrived he looked at the XO and shook his hand. “Good evening Commander Creed… or do you like it when we call you ‘Big Poppa’?” and then he looked at Celina.

Celina broke out laughing as she held a hand over her tummy. “And people think you don’t have a sense of humor,” she smiled at the captain. Holding up a hand she waited for the completion of the high five signaling she approved of the quipp.

“I can’t airlock you sir and get away with it, so I am begging you, don’t you give her any encouragement sir. Jack said playfully as he saw a waiter walk by as he quickly grabbed a drink and began to down it.

With a straight face and flat tone he just nodded once and said “Vixen. Good to see you.” and then tried not to laugh.

Cochrane, CO

“That’s so much better than Lolitta,” she laughed giving Cochrane a slight courtesy. “I know the invitation said black and silver but I’m Latina. We don’t blend in anywhere so I figured if I am coming I might as well stand out and be me hence the red dress. I just didn’t think Jack was going to show so much of a fashion.....flair.”

“And Godammit it’s an ensemble piece… it goes… f**k it fine, fine…” Jack said as he put the glass back down on the waiter’s tray as he began to take the coat off as he wrapped it around the waiter as he patted him on the back. “Enjoy, real selkhat fur, 3,000 energy credits it’s yours,” Jack said as he took back his glass and finished it off before placing it back down as he grabbed another.

“No way,” he said with an almost excited tone adjusting the neck. “God this fits like a glove. The tailor must be a magician and the selkhat fur is extraordinary.”

A gurgling and gagging sound erupted from Celina’s lips as she watched Jack and heard how much he had paid for the coat. In a very unladylike maneuver, Celina spit out the sip she was drinking back into her fluted cup. “You paid how much for that thing,” she directed a lacquered nail at the waiter now wearing Jack’s coat. “Excuse me the Commander is going to need that back,” she looked at the waiter.

Taking a step back, the waiter looked almost helpless up to the XO. “You said it was mine though right…sir?” He wasn’t sure if this plea would hold up but the coat was amazing and he did not want to give it back.

“Are you serious? You are planning on keeping the coat. Just like that,” she stared at the man in disbelief.

“Well I don’t know the tailor and he does so if you want one you can just get another one…ma’am..right sir,” he looked back at Jack hoping to still have an ally for the magnificent coat.

“Jack…get the coat,” she said reaching forward for a drink. It was not hard to notice that as she shifted forward, Jack shifted in the same direction. “Jack what are you doing,” she asked crossing her arms.

“If you want one I need my money first woman,” Jack said as he eyed Celina, who he felt was going to try and get a drink too as he blocked her from the waiter.

Creed, XO

“For a drink or the coat,” she chewed her lip.

Celina Rodriguez CTO

---

Revna stood by the door where she’d just closed it as Krissy left, again. A black and silver ball, invitation directly from Cpt Cochrane. She was expected to be there as part of the crew. Dress code: formal, black and silver. In the ship’s arboretum. Okay then. “Mike! Honey, how much do you love me?” The question was followed by laughter. “We gotta get you a tux, unless you’ve got one hidden in your guitar case.” She walked over to the wooden chest and pulled out a smaller hand carved box and opened it. Inside sat a set of black onyx rune beads for her hair.

---

Revna stood outside the doors to the arboretum, a few minutes later than the start time, but it was a party for the current crew to relax after their last mission. And the counselor in her wanted them to have those first few moments, she knew how important they were.

Her hair was braided as always this time with black onyx beads, hand carved with Nordic Runes etched into them, woven into her hair. The braids were twisted and coiffed on top of her head. The beads were connected by delicate silver chains. Revna had chosen to switch the color scheme around. Going for a silver base and black accents. The dress itself was a deep silver satin covered in matching sequins with a sweetheart neckline, it hugged her curves and then dropped gracefully to the floor. The dress was over laid by black chiffon weaved through with black metallic thread. It was gathered at the waist by a wide black satin and chiffon ribbon. The shoulders were decorated with a black sequined vine design. The overlay flowed and swirled around as she walked.

She glanced up at Mike and smiled, slipped a hand through his elbow and stepped with him through the door. She took in the decorations and the people, spotting one Captain Cochrane among a gathering she moved that way, for a moment allowing the nerves to race through her before taking a blessedly deep breath.

Dress: https://imgur.com/a/T7ZSRQm
Revna, I’m really in the deep end now

Shon led Kiama to the buffet table he had perused earlier, more than happy to go back for seconds. He tried to pick out combinations of food that most species found complimentary. His bolian digestive system was hardy, but he didn’t want to be off-putting in such a fancy environment. As he picked out a couple of the different meats he let out a breath he had been holding. He looked sideways at the Manhattan’s Chief Science Officer and smiled, happy to have her companionship. “You know, last time we partied it up in the holodeck, it didn’t end to well… but at least if anything goes haywire this time, we’ve got backup.”

(Ensign Baht, Medical)