Posted by Lieutenant Sage Brennan (CMO) in After Mission Party

Posted by Lieutenant Dagen Thor (CE) in After Mission Party

Posted by Ensign Reia Shandy (CIO) in After Mission Party
Posted by… suppressed (14) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Dating in public was still a little new to Reia. Mostly her affairs had been quiet accept for the time she had dated Chrissy, on Risa, for about three weeks. That had been a disaster of epic proportions.

Perhaps Reia should have waited for Dagen. Perhaps she shouldn’t have changed outfits six times. Perhaps she shouldn’t have come at all.

Sighing, she stepped through the holodeck doors hoping he would be there already and may have just forgotten to tell her.

The sand felt good on her bare feet as she strolled through the scene waving hello to crew members and smiling pleasantly but her love was not in sight.

Absent mindedly, she accepted a drink from a passing ensign. Raising it to her lips, she stopped at the first scent of alcohol. Definitely not the fake stuff. Frowning, she looked around for someone to hand it off to. Waving, she called out…

“RJ. RJ. Could you come here please?”

The tactical ensign was only too happy to be summoned by the pretty CIO and made his way quickly towards her.

Dagen was running late. Literally. He leaped from the turbolift like one in a race and sprinted the corridor toward the holodeck, remarkably only losing one loose sandal on the way which he left behind. It was replicated anyway. The door was open when he arrived and he skidded to a halt behind a pair of crewmen who were receiving flowery things around their necks. He noted the grass skirt and wondered if that was a required dress. As he was ‘adorned’ he scanned the crowd, first for Reia, and then to the other ‘deck people’. They all had grass skirts. Hoping nobody was watching too closely he flipped the other sandal to the side. He’d not need it here. As he scanned the ladies doing what looked like a rather quick belly dance he pondered Reia in one of those. Breaking off from that he noted some others. The Vulcan medic did stand out. They usually did. His loose shirt was not as colorful as most but the shorts seemed to fit in, unless one needed the grass skirt.

Without thinking he leaned in close and put a hand on her back.

There! Uhhh …

“Can I help you Ms Reia?” he asked looking down at her.

She nodded and handed him the glass. “I just can’t.” she said.

• Reia

Dagen crossed the intervening distance trying to think reasonably. With Thor’s help he succeeded. Mostly. A drink was passed over. He took a calming breath. “Hey,” he said with a smile, though though that it came out a little forced. Closing the distance he just overheard that. Was he trying to pick her up? Reaching out Dagen took Reia’s empty hand and leaned in to kiss her. “Sorry I’m late. Sandal scavenger hunt.” Given the normal ‘state’ of his cabin that was not surprising. He smiled into her eyes then to the other fellow. “Hi. Do I know you?” Definitely not engineering. Outside of that, Dagen had little clue. He didn’t hold out his hand as it had Reia’s in it. A smile would have to suffice.
- Dagen

It wasn’t until Reia’s had was in Dagen’s that she realized RJ’s hand was on the small of her back at the waist line of her tightly corseted strapless dress. This caused her to freeze for several seconds. It was exactly the type of scene she was trying to avoid.

“This is RJ. He works in tactical. We cross paths every now and then. I accidentally picked up the wrong drink and you weren’t here but, now, I think Mr. Jameson should remove his hand, take his drink, and go elsewhere.”

Dagen hadn’t expected quite that reply. It explained everything; still his heart was beating a bit too fast for his liking and his fingers tightened a little more around her hand. He had expected ‘RJ’ to reply and his eyes flickered between the two. She had warned him of these kinds of things with her pheromones fluttering about. One of them had to hold that together … he supposed it had to be him.

Turning slightly, she smiled at RJ, the purple ribbon in her hair fluttered slightly in the breeze.

The ribbon was close enough to tickle at his nose and his other hand came up to shift it away while letting his fingers trail along her hair. Idly he thought that might be a kind of possessive motion but .. whatever.

“Thank you very much, I appreciate it. I don’t drink in public unless I’m with my fiance.”

Dagen froze. That was the first time ‘he’ had heard that and it caused a thrill and shock to roll down his spine. Oh that felt good ..

With that, she turned back to Dagen, stepping close to him, reaching up and kissing him warmly. While doing so, she was trying to keep a multitude of thoughts at bay. Scenes like this had angered several people in her life before and she hoped Dagen wasn’t angry with her.

• Reia

When their lips touched it was perhaps the sweetest kiss he had ever had and it made him relax. There was still some background emotions rolling about in the ‘cave man’ part of his brain stem but he pushed them back in the face of this. “I have only one question from this,” he began after their lips parted, and it sounded at first serious. Then he broke into a crooked smile and tipped his head to the dancers. “Do we need a grass skirt?”

As Reia and Dagen kissed, RJ’s twin sister, Mary, raced to his side and hooked her arm through his in an attempt to drag him away and whispered loudly in his ear.

“Robert Kord Jameson… You’re worse than cousin Donnie.” she said ushering him away.

Reia smiled up at Dagen and shook her head.

Dagen watched them go and gave a small shrug and tip of his head.

“There’s no way you’ll catch me in one of those tonight.”

The Trill wasn’t so sure but kept that thought in mind. “I wonder if they itch,” he mused, then caught Reia inspecting her own deportment.

Reia looked at herself and realized she was over dressed. Her strapless corset dress when to mid thigh and looked like a water color done in many oceanic hues. If Dagen looked closely he might even find the Trill sea in her cleavage. The fabric was slightly sheer and would billow nicely in a slight breeze.

“I guess next time we do anything like this I’ll just come to your quarters first.” she said shyly.

• Reia

“Then we’d be late,” he replied with a smile that said that that would not phase him. “You look great,” he said in earnest. “If they were looking for specific dress they’d have sent along a note in the invite. His hand dangled the lei around his neck, then hooked his finger into her and gave it a tug to pull her close for a kiss. “Come on, let’s take a walk by the food table and see who we meet.” After her ‘claim’ earlier Dagen too wanted so show Reia off.
- Dagen

Sage entered the holodeck dressed in a green and gold sarong, with an orange lily tucked behind one ear. Her hair was down and brushed to a glossy sheen, and keeping with the luau theme, flowers also adorned her wrists and ankles. She accepted a lei from the greeter as she crossed the threshold into the party and began her search immediately. First—a drink. She found one of the bar staff circulating with a tray and helped herself to one of the glasses. It turned out to be something too fruity for her taste, but it would do until she made her way to one of the bars.

With a new goal, Sage began scanning the crowd for her husband. He was usually easy to spot, but there was a lot going on in the holodeck and she had no idea what he was wearing for the after mission party—it certainly wouldn’t be a grass skirt. She laughed quietly to herself at the image as she continued to wander through the beachgoers.

===Sage

Magnus arrived a little later than he preferred, he had spent some time deciding what to wear. After some internal debate and a subspace call to Outpost 42 he had decided on a salmon pink shirt and light pants. He also grabbed a brown belt and matching leather shoes, something breathable as the program seemed to be in a hot place. Lastly he grabbed his analog watch and a small notepad with a pencil and put it in his pocket, who knew perhaps he would need it. After a few minutes, he’d arrived in the holodeck and looked around. It took him no time to move to the bar and grab a drink. Sweet fruity and with real alcohol, his personal preference outside of wine. He fiddled slightly with the ‘lei’ He had never worn a garland before so it was an interesting experience. He found a familiar face in the Chief Medical Officer and moved to her “Doctor Brennan” He said with a smile as he moved to the woman “Sage, it’s good to see you”

XO

Hearing her name, Sage swiveled around to find the speaker. “Cmdr Peturrson! Well don’t you look festive. I love parties like this for the opportunity to see the crew as the true individuals they are.” As she said this, she pointed in the direction of a security ensign who’d been through sickbay earlier in the week with a bad hangover. He was dressed in Hawaiian garb, including a grass skirt and coconut bra. She chuckled as the XO looked on. “I expect I’ll be seeing HIM in the morning.”

Magnus stifled a laugh, although this was a relaxed setting he still had an example to set.

The first officer was much taller that Sage so she aligned herself beside him. “Tell me, can you see my handsome husband anywhere?”

—Sage

Giving the large area another once over “I believe I noticed him speaking with a junior Officer, Vulcan still in her uniform” Memorizing every person in a room was a fore of habit for Magnus that prooved mostly useful as a neat party trick more than anything else “Although I don’t see him where I did earlier.”

Even though it was hopeless, Sage had risen on her toes to try and be tall enough to see Cal. “You know, that’s probably the most difficult thing about him being Captain…everyone wants a few minutes with him. Always. Oh well, I’m sure he’s making the rounds like a good officer.”

She stood flat footed again and smiled at Magnus. “Okay, there’s no telling when we’ll actually catch up to each other so I’m going to get a real drink while I wait. This fruity concoction is a little too…sweet for me.”

—Sage

Tom entered the luau. He was wearing black shorts, a scarlet tank top, and no shoes. He was ready for a tropical beach, he just wasn’t sure he was ready to interact with the crew he’d served with for five and a half years. None of then would remember any personal interactions with him though a few had recordings or journal entries but, those were all encounters when he was in his duty uniform.

He saw the sandy beach, the food, the dancers, the platform. He ducked the lei as he stepped in. He didn’t know why he came. Probably more out of curiosity than anything else.

He moved through the crowd to the pit and started getting himself some food.

• Tom

Reia’s lips lingered on Dagen’s for several seconds and, as they parted, she slipped her small hand into Dagen’s, the Dangling cord of her intricately woven leather bracelet brushing against his wrist. She wore a matching one on the other wrist and the cords were long enough to be tied together if one were so inclined.

Dagen had missed the bracelet, no bracelets, and only noticed them as the light brush against his hand. He could be forgiven after - after all, Reia’s chosen dress for tonight was stunning and drew the eye. Their kiss reminded him of her wafting pheromones; he would be keeping close to his love tonight.

“Yes actually. I’m starving and thirsty. You know how I get on days like these. I forget to eat, I don’t drink like I should, because I’m trying to look nice for you love.” she said with a teasing smile up at him.

“And totally succeeded!” he said. “And most appreciated.” His hand squeezed hers in silent assent while his eyes lingered on hers heartbeats longer than necessary. “Then we must satisfy your cravings before you faint.” He looked in her direction and saw the foods heaped on it. Holodecks were good for that - never a lacking in food. Real parties like this would be generous but not heaping. The breeze off the water brought the scents his way; he was hungry too.

Glancing towards the tables, she recognized most of the people there. Perhaps tonight she would tell the XO that he was actually as handsome as he thought himself to be. But who was the man in the black shorts?

Turning back to Dagen, she raised an eyebrow and pointed at Tom.

“Who is that? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before.” she said as the smell of roast pig made her stomach growl.

• Reia

Dagen shrugged. “Don’t know. Not in my group,” he replied. “New maybe.”

A rather stout middle aged lady in a grass skirt came up with a tray of the roast pork, already sliced. “Would you like to have a roast pork bruschetta?”

GM

“Roast pork bru .. what?” Dagen replied. Studying it he shrugged mentally. Looked like a meat and vegetable mix on bread. “I’m game,” he replied to the woman. “Is this a native dish?” he asked as he plucked one from the tray with his free hand. He scanned past her to others. It wasn’t hard to not see Tigress and Ben and Sage stood out. Passing by him being pulled by Sheeah was Chan. Evidently the food was a big draw. “Hey Chan,” he said as she passed them by. Taking a bite his tastebuds were assaulted by a variety of tastes. Ultimately the mix worked but he was on the fence at the first taste. He’d need more. He knew the taste of pork; it had never been a strident favorite of his. Here the other flavors masked it making it more palatable. He’d try anything. Perhaps that was something Thor saw in him to add to the slug’s own experiences. He suspected that Reia would make this a pit stop as well - a snack before the feast.

Dagen

The woman affirmed that it was a Earth Polynesian way of roasting the pork but given a little lift by offering it on some toasted bread with a drizzle of simple dressing. Then she moved away to offer the fare to other guests.

GM

There was a kind of spicy aftertaste that Dagen did like. He wondered if that was Polynesian or something that was dressed up with it.

Reia had taken one as well and was already half finished by the time the server disappeared. Sighing, she nodded and smiled instantly feeling a bit better.

“That’s better for starters. Actually bruschetta is just what you call the bread. You can pretty much top it with anything and it’ll still be bruschetta. At least that’s what somebody who taught a cooking class, I tried to attend, told me.”

“Is bruschetta then a Polynesian food?” Dagen asked, noting the connection. Lin was a consummate Trill cook and didn’t venture out beyond, as was Thrace. Before that, well, it wasn’t terribly clear what was from where. The name sounded more European in a way but he wasn’t going to wonder too much about mixed regional foods. When it came to Earth food, Dagen was simply not very clear.

Reia paused and finished her snack licking bread crumbs from her fingers.

“I don’t care who we see this evening although we should probably, at least, have a word with the Captain, you know?”

He watched thinking how feminine she could be in simple acts of eating. “You’re right. Let’s start there.”

Reia actually blushed a bit and turned away shyly.

Smiling at her blush Dagen squeezed her hand encouragingly and looked around for any sign of the Captain in the mix of people. It didn’t take him long. He was standing beside the Vulcan doctor who herself stood out among the people there.

“Unless, of course, you want somebody else to perform the ceremony. Right now I just want to enjoy myself, enjoy you, have fun.” she said with a smile.

• Reia

He did ponder the question and couldn’t think of anyone else off the top of his head. “No, the Captain is fitting. Come on. Let’s do this and then we can relax for the rest of the night.” Telling she was nervous was not difficult. He himself was feeling it too but trying to stamp it down. The Dagen in him was nervous. The Dagen that had the experiences of three previous Trills had been on the receiving end and giving end of proposals and this next step. He strove to be as even as he could be, though, with the Dagen style of ‘heart worn on sleeve’ sense he wasn’t that successful.

Giving Reia an encouraging look he guided her along toward the Captain. He looked somewhat engaged in a talk with her though too he didn’t look entirely invested in it. Moving into a ‘polite’ distance Dagen made it known that they wanted to address the Captain, though not invading the space. On the upside they were closer to the food table.

Dagen

Chan entered the room and looked around she hadn’t really come too many parties she had kept herself to herself. She knew it was safer but she had started to feel a little lonely. She doubted many of the crew would talk to her, but at least she could enjoy the atmosphere. She wore a long white dress with silver details, she also wore her family crest necklace. Chan always liked the royal design so when every she got the chance she wore it. Of course next to Chan was Sheeah she was wearing a silver dress with white details. He hair was in a pony tail. Once she saw the food she virtually dragged her mum to the food table.

Lieut Chan (Sub DH Robotics)

Tigeress smiles at Ben park. “ no I’m not hungry it appers there are some new faces” she said her tail twitched as she scanned the crowed. Her ears settled at an unusual angle somewhere between pined back agents her head and half rased. There was a definite tension to her. She never did learn to trust most people. Ben was one of very few exstentions to the rule.

Ensign Tigeress

“Yes. Do you want to go great them?”

Ben

Magnus noticed the two Andorians enter the room and gave the mother-daughter duo a friendly wave. Next to the buffet, he saw a face he didn’t recognize immediately until he remembered the notebook in his pocket Must be Jarvis he considered, he had no memory of him but his notes told him they had a handful of conversations, the only evidence was his own handwriting in his mother tongue, written in a slight code making sure he knew it was from himself. He smiled at the man, as far as he understood he’d liked their conversations.

XO

She nodded. “I was born on Vulcan, although I spent the majority of my youth on Earth. How was the colony, if you don’t mind my curiosity.” She found herself quite pleased with the Captain. He seemed open, although it was strange to her that he was spending time with her.
-T’Lora

“Lethal.” Marius responded coldly. It didn’t take an empath to determine she touched a subject that held a lot of emotional baggage for him. The dangerous glint left his eyes, it was a moment that conveyed way too much information, pain, anger, and the coldness of a man who had seen death and had dealt it. Marius forced a half smile on his face… an expression of positivity that was rare for him.

“Why did you leave Vulcan and reside on Earth and then join Star-Fleet?” He reversed the question and paused. If the Vulcan responded completely she would be occupied for more than a few moments.

Marius CO

David had considered not even attending the party, but as a senior officer, such things were expected and often required. He knew the theme was a luau, and as tempting as it was to just cop out and go in his uniform, he decided against it. He replicated an authentic looking Hawaiian button down short sleeve shirt and he wore that over a pair of khaki shorts and donned flip flops on his feet.

As David entered the gathering, he saw a few new faces in the crowd. He vaguely remembered seeing a memo about new crew transfers, but hadn’t really paid it any mind. Wandering aimlessly through the crowd, he soon found himself standing next to Dagen and Reia, who seemed a bit anxious and appeared to be waiting for something, or someone.

“Am I interrupting?” He asked the pair, raising an eyebrow. No one had seen much of David since the disappearance of Riley, so they might be as surprised as his sudden appearance as he was to be here.

-David Michaels, CSO