Oceans of Destiny
Anomaly TrekMUX Episode (#01-009) 8/13/00
Jade emerges from the Neutral Zone, arms swinging loosely by his sides, then turns into the mall in the direction of the Turbolift himself. Oddly distracted, it seems, it takes a few moments before the usually attentive man notes Tyler standing in wait. At the recognition, he accelerates, maneuvering around those in his way, half raising a hand as if to attract her attention when he grows reasonably near.
Tyler smiles bashfully at his approach. She offers a little wave to him. She skips the turbolift as it arrives, and waits for him to fully approach.
**Tyler**
Her long, straight straw-blonde hair is tied back in a floppy ponytail. Her blue eyes are the color of ice, the sparkle of youth still entrenched there. Her nose is a slender slope, bracketed by high cheekbones and a very attractive smile. She tends to blush a lot. She's pretty, and has an attractive figure, but she looks.. Well, she looks a little young.
She is wearing a tailored, durable black jumpsuit over a blue turtleneck undershirt. Along the collar is a single circular gold pip. The shoulders of the jumpsuit are padded with a medium grey ribbed material and a single blue stripe encircles each cuff. A stylized silver chevron on a matte gold rectangle is attached to the upper left side of the jumpsuit, just below the shoulder padding. The legs of the jumpsuit are fitted snugly over a pair of polished black half boots via stirrups.
Tyler is carrying the following:
Comm Pin.
Jade almost responds to the smile in kind, though not quite, and not as bashfully. His hands slide into his pockets as he slows a few metres away, stops a little closer. A pause, just momentary, for him to catch his breath - he moved at some pace to ensure arrival in time - and then: "Hey... wasn't sure I'd get you. I was actually... just thinking of coming to find you." Still occasionally he needs to draw a breath, having gone from a light jog to a rapid flow of speech. "In case you fancied that dinner tonight...?"
Tyler considers it for a moment, as if looking for an excuse not to, perhaps. Finally, "All r-right," she says softly. "Wuh-where to?"
A beat. "You know... you really don't have to." Jade raises a hand, runs it back wards through his hair, rarely completely dislodging the cowlick from his forehead. "It was just a thought. I'd cook in my quarters, if you're up for it."
Tyler says "I.. I've b-been wuh-warned to stay away from you.. B-but... Let's go ."
Jade is actually momentarily speechless at that, lines emerging with unprecedented speed from his facial muscles. He mouthes, then catches himself: "Right." Then turns towards the, mercifully recently arrived, turbolift.
Tyler touches the pad beside the turbolift door.
Tyler summons the turbolift.
The turbolift doors slide open with a hiss.
**Travel**
You head into quarters 403.
Crew Quarters 403 - Station 419 - [IC]
Ensign Tyler's room is very spartan. The only adornment on the walls is a c lear fluid-looking wave carved from transparent aluminum that hangs across from the bed. A stack of datapadds sit in a disorganized pile on a glass coffee table which sits in front of a boxy-looking couch. A large white plank, rounded on the ends, is propped up in one corner behind a chair. The bed and bath are separate, and her bed is unmade. A rumpled uniform lies in the doorway between the two rooms.
+roomhelp is available here.
Contents: Tyler
Obvious exits: Out <O>
Tyler wrinkles her nose, rushing over to the datapadds and scooping them up. She drops a few and they clatter to the floor, but she manages to get the others to a shelf.
Jade steps inside, still seemingly stunned by this turn of events. Seemingly about to speak before the exit from the turbolift, he pauses in the doorway, glance s from the corridor to Tyler before stepping inside. "Uh..." At the sight of the fallen datapads, he steps forward and kneels to pick them up, saying as he does so: "Your quarters? You are sure that's alright?"
Tyler nods. "Yuh-yes," she says. "I guh-guess. Though it's m-messy." She shrugs helplessly. "Sorry."
"That's fine, if you have some ingredients...uh..." Jade picks up the datapads, face down, and passes them in a small stack to Tyler. Then, after swallowing, and as he glances around the quarters for the first time, "Why have you been warned against me." A beat. "And more importantly, who the hell warned you?" Not angry, or sharp, but with a genuine expression of concern.
Tyler tucks a rogue lock of hair behind one ear and moves toward the couch. She sits down and crosses her legs indian style. "I'm n-not really hungry, t-to tell you the truth. B-but I figured thuh-this was a b-better place to talk." She sighs. "S-some of my cuh-collegues think you're a 'snake'. And th-that I should wuh -watch out for you. I defended you, though, so d-don't worry." She smiles to him .
Jade tilts his head down, raises a hand to his forehead and then runs a hand, once more, backwards through his hair. His eyes are downwards as he draws a breath , and murmurs: "Thank you. But..." An exhalation, his eyes and head tilt skywards . "Alright, Wendy, I'll level with you. The truth is that we don't know that much about each others pasts... and there's a couple of things you -should- know."
Tyler frowns, looking to that extremely interesting spot on her boot, at which s he starts to pick. "I guh-guess so," she says softly.
"I sell information." Jade half whispers. "It's my trade. I offered my skills to Starfleet as a member; they declined. So I went freelance. I've worked for and against numerous Empires and civilizations... and though I've never betrayed the Federation or broken any of their laws, I have investigated matters which they most definitely would rather I had not. Using methods which were unconventional and risky if not openly illegal." Alex begins to pace. Unsure of what to do with his hands, he begins to slide them into his pockets, then folds them over his chest. He is avoiding looking at Tyler. "Starfleet Intelligence investigated me. Since I still operate, you will guess I was not indicted with anything." He swallows, finally turns to the Ensign and watches her, carefully. "But that's it. I' m no more a 'snake' than that. I never break contracts, or what friendships I make, or honor. So... you can trust me."
Tyler continues to pick at her boot, the frown remaining. "Is thuh-that why you' ve b-been so nice t-to me? To get information from me?"
Jade actually smiles, tilts his head down, shrugging his eyebrows. "If that was the case, would I be telling you all this now?" A beat, then: "I approached you first because it's always a good idea to know those around you when you move into a new area of operations. But..." Now, sensing the importance of the moments, he steps forward, eyes not leaving the face of the young woman before him. "After then, you frankly began to fascinate me. Then intruige me. Then warm me. And after a very little while, and now... I have purpose behind getting to know you other than knowing you."
She bites her lip and looks up to him. "I d-don't understand why. I'm huh-horribly /nobody/." She takes the two padds that he handed her and stands, putting them on top of the pile of others at the shelf. "I d-don't know what to suh-say."
"You think the only people I wish to know are ones who are senior? Cosmically 'important'?" Jade shakes his head, slowly, swallowing as he pauses, pursing his lips. "That's not the way I work." A shrug of his eyebrows. "Well, not with you. Ambassadors, informants, data pirates... these people I need to know." His head tilts once more and Tyler is regarded through whisps of hair. "You I want to know. So... I'm asking you... please trust me."
Tyler turns back around. "Oh, I huh-have more information than you cuh-could sell in a lifetime. B-but that wasn't wuh-what I meant." She sighs. "I'm just.. Me. Nothing special. Nuh-not really worth knowing beyond what I huh-hold in here," she says softly, pointing to her temple.
"That's exactly what I want to change..." Jade murmurs, a smile tugging at the edges of his lips. "I'd like to get in there, to understand. Because... in the same way you see the shadow cast by a form or shape without seeing it... I get the impression you are 'worth knowing'... even if you do not."
Tyler starts to fidget, her hands twisting across themselves. "I.. Yuh-you know I'll huh-have to tell my suh-superiors what you do," she says softly. She's still not made eye contact with him. Obviously talking at this sort of personal level, even if not quite that personal, is bothersome for her.
"I've made no secret of it." Jade replies, shrugging, hands arcing outwards, pal ms upwards. "Holliday knows...uh...Accolon, I think, Ghorev, just about every member of Starfleet around. My file probably reads with some kind of caution, I don't know. So..." He stops speaking, slows down. In all these words, something's lost. His hands drop, his head tilts down and to the side, eyes falling. Voice lower: "So...tell them whatever. Whatever." He steps forward again, now, but slow er. Weary?
Tyler sighs softly. "Yuh-you promise nuh-never to ask me about thuh-things?" she asks, looking to him finally. Her eyes plead. She wants so much to believe him.
Jade pauses, looks over, head still slightly tilted away, though his eyes meet Tyler's. A moment of that, of holding the gaze, before he nods, and utters, "Yes. " Firm, clear. "I promise. Curiosity will burn me at times, but I will ask you nothing. However... I... do need to know two things." pose adds quickly, "Unrelated to your work." Jade adds quickly, "Unrelated to your work."
Tyler nods, and looks to him. "If it's nuh-not about work, that's okay. Wuh-work I can't talk about, even t-to Cuh-commander Balin."
Jade narrows his eyes, clearly supressing the need to ask why, but then diverts the usage of his drawn breath to ask instead. "Firstly... the... 'journey' you s aid you would take me on. Something to do with the soul. Is that something else about which I can no longer ask? And secondly... who said you could not trust me ?"
Tyler sighs and moves back to the couch, sitting down again. It seems Jade's hav ing to chase her about the room. She looks to him. "About th-the first.. B-be pa tient. About the suh-second.. I d-don't want to tell you thuh-that. It's nuh-not that important. I.. I'm huh-here, aren't I? Suh-so obviously I believe you and not huh-him."
"You're right." A sniff from Jade, a nod, a shrug of his eyebrows. Strange. Sinc e the turbolift, whatever key locked away his facial expressions, body language, reactions, seems to have been turned. They are fluent. "You're right, on both c ounts. On the first, I will be patient and not ask again. On the second..." Anot her sniff. "I thank you for your trust, Wendy."
Tyler smiles to him. "Thuh-tha nk you for.. For b-being so nice."
"Don't..." Jade murmurs, now smiling. "It's not something to be thanked for. It' s not for charity, it's because I like you."
Tyler chuckly dryly. "You're th-the first on the stuh-station. Muh-maybe besides Accolon. Everyone else cuh-calls me names."
"I don't know why." Jade takes a step back, hands sinking into his pockets, lean ing lightly against the wall. "I mean... why?" He narrows his eyes, furrows his brows. "I know I don't work with you, but..."
Tyler pokes her tongue out in a 'bleah' face. "Oh-okay.. I'm chronically late. Duh-despite huh-having written two puh -papers on temporal mechanics, I huh-have a terrible sense of tuh-time. I stuh-stutter." Duh. "I'm nuh-not really Starfleet material. I don't belong here. I never graduated Starfleet Academy. Muh-my job is shrouded in muh-mystery and secrecy. I... I.." She freezes up on the last, pulling her knees to her chin and biting her lower lip. She goes quiet and peeks up at him through her bangs.
Jade's grin fades, his eyes fall. A moment more, and he shoves forward from the wall, steps over slowly, eyes on the girl before him and a gentle expression, if not a smile, on his face. His hands emerge from his pockets to steady himself a s he crouches to one knee close by, watching her reaction carefully for signs of distress, saying as he goes, "I don't know much about your background... but if you're where you are... then you're there on your own merit. And you're wanted here so much, valued so highly, that Starfleet doesn't -care- if you were at the academy, if you're late..." His eyes fall once more. "But I know that... doesn't help much. If no one here can see that...maybe time will make them realize how much they need you."
Tyler smiles to him, ever so gently. Her cheeks flush a deep crimson, and she nods. "Muh-maybe... B-but you stuh-still don't understand everything, Alex."
"I know." Jade replies, after a bare moment's pause. His gaze is insistent, eyes animated now, but his tone is calm, even soft. "But then no one can ever completely understand anyone. I don't think, at least..." That said shifting his head away, looking to the floor, wall...then back. "But it'd be good to get to know you -better-. Over time. What you can tell me, I mean."
Tyler nods. "Wuh-will you stop b-being so.. So.. Secretive with me? I wuh-want you to trust me, too."
A pause, then, "I'll try, Wendy..." Jade murmurs, eyes falling once more. He sag s, crumpling from bended knee to a half-sitting position, before running his hand once more through his hair and exhaling. "To...be frank it doesn't come easily . It hasn't for a while. But I have no sworn secrets... so I'll try."
Tyler smiles and reaches out, touching his cheek. "I'll truh-try not to be an idiot around you, then." She grins then.
Jade's eyes slide upwards at the touch, and as if to check its substance, he too raises a hand to briefly place it atop Tyler's. "You won't have to try hard." A smile spreads across his lips, then face, then penetrates his eyes. A beat, the n, "Just...ask whatever, whenever."
Tyler says "I w-wish I could give you the same latitude, Alex."
"If Starfleet had accepted my application, our roles just might have been reversed." Jade murmurs in reply, brows rising, his hand falling from Tyler's but his gaze not moving from hers. "Let's not begrudge fate. It's just a case of... hauling my curiosity into long overdue control..." Another spark of a smirk.
Tyler grins at that. She reaches down and tugs at his hand. "Wuh-want to go to t he holosuite?" she asks him. "Since I'm nuh-not hungry, and all."
"Alright, sure. Though dinner is postponed, not cancelled..." He starts to rise, hand clasping at Tyler's to help her up as he does so. "I'd love to. Lay on, Macduff." ooc Do you mind if we do the Holo scene a different time? Rather than rush it in to an hour...? Like, retro RP it?
**At the reception of the Romulan Ambassador**
Tyler heads into the Neutral Zone, the doors sliding open at her approach.
Tyler has left.
You head into the Neutral Zone, the doors sliding open at your approach.
The Neutral Zone - Station 419 - [IC]
Walking into the bar brings with it the usual experience of walking on bare deckplates. Each step is marked by a small clink as boot strikes against metal. The walls of the bar, in the tradition of such places from earliest Terran history, are lined with various objects of interest contributed by the crew and visitors. Here is a Cardassian Gul's rank-pin. Over there is the bridge alert indicator from a Jem'hadar battle cruiser. And in the center of the room, clearly in p ride of place, is the actual bar itself. Made of gleaming metal, it takes a moment before it is recognizable as a piece of the hull of a Galaxy Class starship. Careful examination would be required to determine its origin, although the bar' s frequent patrons might be pleased to share a wild story or two about it. A series of trapezoidal viewports offers a view of surrounding space. Suspended in th e black void is something far more enigmatic than all of the odd artifacts in th is bar. Looking almost like a miniature star, the anomaly quietly flashes alternately blue and white.
There are views here. '+help view' for information on views.
Places are available. '+help places' for more information.
+roomhelp is available here.
Contents: Tyler Nevaren Nedrev Holliday
Obvious exits: Back Room <BR> The Mall <O>
Nedrev slowly rotates while moving forward gracefully, to casually take in those who are entering through the doorways.
Nevaren steps out of Tyler's way, obviously trying to keep clear of her. He sees Holliday and smiles, walking to him
Tyler comes in tow with Jade - literally - they are holding hands. She's giggling at some joke he made outside of the NZ as the doors close behind them.
Jade's expression sobers quickly upon entering the Zone, though his pace matches that of his companion. Ghosts of what was when he stepped inside a full-blown s mile, still linger at the edges of his lips. Still, his eyes slide around the pl ace from face to face, lingering on that of the new Ambassador, as he follows Ty ler.
Holliday nods, quirks him mouth beneath the moustaches, and smiles lopsidedly. " Right.." He says slowly, then with a perhaps facetious formality: "Yes, I'm afraid the Commander is.. indisposed, and unable to greet you personally tonight.." He gives a nod and a half wave to Nevaren, Tyler and Jade, then adds, "What can we get you to drink, Ambassador.. Nedrev?" He seems unsure of the pronunciation of the name.
Nedrev's eyelids flicker closer together for a moment, taking in the giggling woman and her companion. The smile grows a bit wider, but doesn't remove the squint.
Nevaren see's the new Romulan Ambassador by Holliday and stops. He looks around, obviously feeling slightly.. trapped. He turns around and walks to the bar, quickly, to get himself a drink.
Tyler glances at Nedrev and blanches. Romulans. Oh no. She breaks from Jade's grasp and makes her way straight toward her favourite table. Which just happens to be occupied by an Andorian. So she decides on the second-favourite, and slides down in her seat. Maybe the Romulan won't notice her.
Nevaren orders Whisky. The computer responds, "That item is not on file."
Nedrev turns back to Holliday, as if never having looked away. The smiles doesn't fade in the slightest, "NEDrev, yes . You would not happen to have Jheruel, would you?" His head tilts slightly, "I wouldn't expect it.. But iced rattegino would be suitable. The Commander is not to be here, then? He is a busy man, I expect. Please convey my appreciation to h im for the preparations?" He doesn't seem to be offering any sarcasm whatsoever, merely benevolence. , sliding his hands again into their usual home in his pockets, makes his way
Nevaren grabs his glass of whisky and skirts around the edge of the room. He passes a group pf his engineering team, saying hi, and finds a place to stand by the viewport. He stares out at the anomaly, quietly sipping his drink..
Jade's joviality of expression is not improved by the reaction of Tyler. He slow s, stops, as he departs towards the tables, following her gaze to the Romulan, t hen looking after her, a frown gracing his brow momentarily. Then a glance downwards, and, sliding his hands again into their usual home in his pockets, makes h is way towards the young Ensign.
Tyler tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and glances about the room.
Tyler sits down at Square Table.
Holliday looks to Nevaren, trying to wave him over. That seeming to fail, he get s the attention of one of the waiters. "Right." Again, slowly. "Jheruel? If you have it, or iced raktajino if you don't. Whatever you bring, bring two of 'em."
Nevaren sees Holliday out of the corner of his eye and sighs, shaking his head. He turns and slowly walks towards the doctor, ending up standing beside the doctor.
Jade slows on the way, intercepting a different member of the bar staff, passing her an account chit and murmuring to her, presumably a drinks request. That don e, with the greatest possible haste, he strides up towards Tyler's table and, choosing a chair which affords a view of the rest of the room, seats himself.
Nevaren nods to the doctor "Good evening, Doctor. How are you tonite?"
You sit down at Square Table.
At your table, Tyler frowns to herself. "Ruh-r-romulans scare me," she whispers to him.
Prior to Nevaren's approach, Nedrev speaks quietly, "The tension is more than I had imagined, it seems." He looks to Nevaren as he approaches, tilting his head slightly with a smile.
Holliday smiles crookedly again, his gaze crossing the bar and returning to Nedrev, and he chuckles. "Well, it's less than I was afraid to expect, maybe. Any non-opely hostile relations are a good start at this point though, perhaps? Care t o sit?" He gestures to nearby table..
The Bolian girl goes to the bar, ducking down and vanishing from sigh t for several minutes. Then she reappears, shaking her head and raising her hand s in a gesture of futility. She goes over to what looks like a cross between a Braun coffeemaker from old earth, and a medieval torture device and draws two cups of the liquid over ice and returns. She doesn't say anything, just offers the d rinks with an attempt at a smile.
At your table, frowning, Jade reaches out a hand, places it on Tyler's nearest, a s his eyes dart briefly and sporadically towards the source of her discomfort. " Well... I've dealt with them, never too -fond- of them... but why scare you?"
At your table, Tyler shrugs a bit. "B-because.. They're.. Evil, aren't th-they?" She's obviously a victim of someone's propaganda.
At your table, Tyler says "Them and the Jem'Hadar."
At your table, Jade hazards, slowly, brows rising, "Because... of the threat to this place?"
Nedrev accepts the glass gingerly, holding it before his chest in his left hand. The last wisps of steam from the liquid hitting the ice waft about slowly, as Nedrev inhales. Pleased, he says, "Remarkable." and offers a gesture of thanks with his right hand to the Bolian girl as she departs.
At your table, Tyler nods a bit, shifting in her chair slightly. "Yes. And because of wuh-what they've done to us so far. We've huh-had a few Mexican stuh-stand offs with them."
Nedrev nods firmly. "Yes, that would be excellent. I will wish to become familiar with the inhabitants of..Fore-won-nine," he makes an attempt to pronounce it like the Doctor did before, "So anything that doesn' t end in my joining my ancestors is a favorable step forward."
Holliday sniffs his drink gingerly, decides it's safe and might be good, and takes a sip. He smiles, and says, "I have no idea whether this i s any good for raktajino or not, but it seems palatable enough. Almost spot in f or a turkish coffee in a pinch." A pause. "So what would Jheruel have been?" He now looks to Nevaren, and smiles. "Can't complain, Nev. Or I -could-, but I guess I won't. You? How're things in the 'tubes?"
At your table, Jade glances sideways, then back to Tyler, tightening his hand for a moment on hers then releasing it. "Don't worry. You may not like or trust this Ambassador... but they're unlikely to destroy the station with him on it, if you think about it...he, here, now, is nothing to worry about."
Nevaren smiles slightly. "That's good to hear." Nev then turns slightly to face the romulan. "And good evening to you, Ambassador. It is an honor to have you with us. I am Lieutenant Nevaren. Junior Engineer."
At your table, Tyler smiles to him. "You think so, huh?"
At your table, Jade nods, gently, slowly, sitting back. "He's one being. Look at him. What's to fear? Don't give them the satisfaction of spooking you out..." T hat last with a flicker of a smile at Alex's lips.
Tyler talks quietly, almost conspiratorially, with Jade at her table.
At your table, Tyler's smile fades a little. "I juh-just want to see the end of the war so I can go home. And l-leave the Romulans and the Juh-jem'Hadar behind. " She sighs and blows her bangs out of her eyes as she does so.
Holliday steps towards the table, a twitch of his head indicating Nevaren should join them if he's so inclined. He pulls out a chair for himself and uses his fo ot to drag another chair out for Nedrev. (The move looks practiced- adopeted for maintaining scrub sterility maybe?) He then snaps his fingers, "Ah! I got so bu sy as the senior officer here trying to welcome you I forgot to introduce myself . Pierce Holliday, MD, CMO, AAGG." He half-extends a hand cautiously, not sure o f Romulan custom..
At your table, Jade shifts topics; "Where's home? Earth, or...?" Alex rests one elbow on the arm of his chair, rubbing forefinger and thumb together, vaguely th oughtfully. A sniff, a shortlived, but real, grin. "It's just occured to me how little we know of one another?"
At your table, Tyler nods. "Earth. Actually, there's no real one place, per-se. I grew up on a boat. It's luh-likely I'll return to it."
Looking downward, Nedrev smiles, "Jhereul is a c ombination of the juices of several fruits indigenous to worlds on our side of t he Neutral Zone. It was perhaps insensitive of me to ask for it. But this raktaj ino is quite acceptable. It's something I have become familiar with it over the last few years." Following the doctor to the table, he smiles at Nevaren, "Good evening, Lieutenant. A pleasure." Turning to the doctor, Nedrev accepts the hand . Either it is acceptable to Romulan custom, or just to him. "I did not want to presume to ask out of turn. A pleasure to meet you Doctor Holliday." The spread of his lips seems perfectly genuine.
Nevaren smiles back ever so slightly to the romulan, nods, and takes a seat at t he table.
At your table, that seems to key something in Jade's memory and he glances down with a curt exhalation, even as a glass of water and something purpleple and fro sted, likewise in a glass, arrive. "Wendy...that reminds me. The other day... in the Holosuite." He glances up, and to her, as he passes the water over. "I spok e falsely. The ocean... though I've never loved it... I've always seen as more r eal, more alive than space. Space isn't just somewhere to get lost in, either. I t's... a road. What's important in it is the end, the destination, not the void between you and it." Another beat and he waves a hand. "But... I'm sorry to hija ck the conversation... tell me about your 'home'."
Nedrev takes the proferred seat, gently setting his cup on the table. His moves are a bit stiff, perhaps a residual formal reaction.
Holliday smiles, gaining confidence to return the other's handshake. The grip is precise- firm without being crushing. "Likewise." His words similarly seem sinc ere. Now he glances at Tyler and Jade, and then leans over to Nevaren and whispe rs something at his slightly pointed white ear, indicating the couple slightly w ith a tip of his cup
Holliday mutters to Nevare n, "... think he... something... but... usually wants...".
Jade still seems engaged in close conversation with Tyler at their table, only o ccasionally sweeping the room with an impassive gaze.
Nevaren looks at JAde and Tyler a moment, squinting, then whispers back to Holli day. Nevaren mutters to Holliday, "WHo... what he want's... I... like... bag... vole gibblets".
Nedrev ignores the whispers politely, hiding any reaction by tasting his raktaji no, finally.
Nevaren looks back at The ambassador. "I apologize, sir, for our rudeness. We we re just.. gossiping. We do that a lot out here, this far from home."
Holliday chuckles softly in response to the reply and murmurs a few words back. Then he frowns, and shakes his head. "I'm sorry Ambassador Nedrev. Yes, please e xcuse our indiscretion." He chuckles again. "Yes, just some local scuttlebutt- l ooks like tyler might be getting his class ring soon. Or maybe the other way aro und.."
Nedrev raises a broad hand delicately, "Oh no, Doctor. No need to apologize. Thi s is no council chamber or conference hall, and the formalities are hereby relax ed. I'll make it an injuncture if you say otherwise." The Ambassador grins.
Nevaren takes a drink of his Whiskey.
Holliday mutters to Nevaren, "... of... cautionary, and slightly...".
Drixx comes into the bar from the back room.
Drixx has arrived.
Poole arrives from the mall, the entrance's double doors sliding silently closed behind her.
Poole has arrived.
Nevaren smiles a bit more, relaxing slightly though somehow he never seems all t he way at ease. "SO, ambassador. Are you from the Romulus proper, or one of the colony worlds?
Nedrev is currently sitting with the Doctor and Lieutenant Nevar en at once of the tables, all 3 with a glass of something in front of them.
Jade sits aside from the bulk of guests, with Tyler, in subdued conversation.
Drixx arrives from the back room...quite pleased at the large crowd gathered. Hi s two cronies...errr employees follow him out of the back room. A large bolian m ake takes his familiar position behind the bar, and an attractive bolian female grabs a tray and begins making her rounds throughout the tables taking orders.
Gwen makes her usual entrance, not much cerimony. She sends a pleasant glance, o bviously forced, to the Romulan ambassador, along with a polite nod. Then she he ads for the bar.
Various people are gathered in the NZ tonight, presumably in order to a ttend the reception of Romulan Ambassador Nedrev, though that man now sits at a table with Holliday and Nevaren, and most of the other patrons go about their ow n buisness. A long table of buffet food gives an indication of the event though. Holliday waves to Gwen as she enters, and then calls to Drixx and the large boli an. "Evenin' barky'p! How's buisness? And how're you, B.B? Back on the job I see ..."
Nedrev looks to Nevaren, smiling again, "Yes, actually. I was raised at the hear t of the Empire."
The large bolian just nods.
Sor Aedar arrives from the mall, the entrance's double doors sliding silently cl osed behind him.
Sor Aedar has arrived.
Drixx looks around the crowd and smiles to himself, "Yes....business seems to be picking up."
Nevaren nods, slightly interested. "DO most of the ambassadors hail from the cor e of the Romulan Star EMpire?
Sor Aedar enters the bar with a smile on his face. He glances around and gives Drixx a small nod if he catches the man's eye. Nevaren as well. He walks towards the bar as soon as he gets his bearings.
Gwen smiles genuinely at the doctor and heads on over to him, declining to step up to the bar. She moves to stand near the table that the doctor, the ambassador , and the young lieutenant Nevaren are seated at. Then she waits to be addressed .
At your table, Tyler smiles to Jade. "That is very beautiful, Alex. You're a rom antic, I knew it." She gives him a gentle push on his shoulder. "I grew up w-wit h my brother on the 'Ten Toes On The Nose'. We suh-sailed around a lot. I attend ed a luh-lot of classes via suh-subspace."
Nedrev looks down at his cup, his smile broadening a bit. It returns to its mild quality as he looks back up, "No, not most of them. It depends upon training an d familiarity with ...alien cultures."
Drixx nods in response to the Vedek's. He offers him a gracious smile in retu rn.
Nedrev sees the arrival of Poole, his eye s widening briefly as he stands with a return to formality.
Holliday notices the bajoran's entrance and nods to him. "Lotta people I don't r ecognize in here tonight.. I'm gonna be busy running DE physicals, looks like.." He smiles, and stands, drink in hand. "Evening, Gwen. Or are we being formal to night? Care to join us?" He puts his hand on the back of an empty chair.
At your table, Jade tilts his head, smiling at the push, glancing down at Tyler' s comment and almost, almost, reddening. Almost. "Really? So... how... did you g et from there to here? It sounds like a leap..."
Nevaren looks up at Poole, smiling (though you can tell it's slightly forced). " Good Evening, Lieutenant Poole."
Nedrev smiles, inclining his head. "This must be the esteemable Lieutenant Poole , as Lieut. Nevaren identifies. A distinct honor."
"I suppose we'd best be formal, doctor." Gwen rewards him with a grin, she nods to Nev and says, "Evening, Lieutenant... Thank you for those generators." Then s he lights her eyes on the ambassador, smile still in place. "Greetings, Ambassad or. Let me officially welcome you here to station 419."
Sor Aedar returns Drixx's smile. He does notice the eyes on him, but figures it is just part of being one of the 'new guys' on the station. When he reaches the bar he takes a seat and swings around on the chair so he can continue to watch everyone else in the room.
Drixx walks over to where the Vedek is standing at the bar.
Drixx mutters to Sor Aedar, "... when... Romulan... away... station... days.".
At your table, Tyler says "I was always good at temporal mechanics. I helped put together the Starfleet curriculum for temporal mechanics, time travel theory, and temporal regulations by the time I was twelve. Admiral Sinclaire kind of talk ed me into the Academy, and then she pulled me out to bring me here." She shrugs slightly and looks to him. "Here I am."
Nevaren leans back in his chair, sipping his whisky.
Sor Aedar gives a small shrug to whatever question Drixx has asked, "I was busy moving in and didn't notice..." He turns a little to give Drixx more of his attention, "Perhaps we were not meant to notice, eh?"
Nedrev bows slightly at the waist. "My gratitude, Lieutenant Poole. I have extended my thanks through the Doctor here to your Commanding Officer for the preparations. A pity he could not attend, as well."
Holliday nods, "Formality it is then, ..Lieutenant Poole." He enunciates each syllable carefully, grinning. He pulls the chair out for Poole and then sits back down and takes another sip of hi s drink.
At your table, Jade's eyebrows hike further up his brow at every step of the resume, though his expression is also laced with a thinly veiled admiration. "Indeed... here you are... and sitting with a researcher who feels utterly out of his depth!" That delivered with a grin, a flash of Alex's eyes. Then a sip from his drink. Which, with a glance to a chronometer nearby, becomes a heavy gulp. "Oh.. .dammit...Wendy, I'm sorry, I have to head."
"Yes, regrettably, he had duties that simply had to be attended to... I hope my attending is an acceptable solution?" Gwen takes the seat pulled out b y the ambassador and sits with her hands folded in her lap.
Drixx so what will be having tonight Vedek, "The spring wine is i n fresh this morning directly from Bajor."
*** Drixx just looked at you.***
At your table, Tyler nods to him. "I understand. I shuh-should go too." She prob ably doesn't need to - but with the crowd and all, she's beginning to feel a mit e uncomfortable.
Nedrev lowers himself into his seat again, while waving one hand dismissively, "More than acceptable, Lieutenant. As I was musing to Dr. Holliday earlier, this is perhaps more cordial than the moment would warrant.."
Sor Aedar nods a little to Drixx, "Spring wine seems a fine thin g to accompany the ... mood of the evening, sir. Please."
Nevaren takes a drink of his Whiskey.
At your table, Jade nods. "Alright. I have to meet someone on the cargo level. I 'll walk you to the turbolift...?" He starts to rise.
Drixx orders Spring Wine. The replicator activates and in a moment, Drixx has his order.
Nedrev quickly corrects himself, "Or rather, more cordial than I had any right to expect. I am rather warmed by it, actually."
Drixx gives a Spring Wine to Sor.
At your table, Tyler nods and smiles. "I'd like that."
"Oh..? In what way?" Boy, when she wants to play coy, can she do it. Gwen looks curiously at the Doctor, sending him a disguised 'what did you tell him' lo ok.
Jade seems to conclude his conversation with Tyler, standing slowly and polishing off the reasonable remainder of his drink in one gulp before turning to his companion and awaiting her.
You stand and leave Square Table.
Sor Aedar accepts the spring wine from Drixx with a muttered 'Thank you' and the n watches Nedrev speak with the others in the bar. He twirls the glass idly in h is finger as he watches... and listens as best he can given the distance.
Nevaren grins a bit, more to himself then anyone else.
Tyler stands and leaves Square Table.
Tyler takes Jade's hand in hers and gives it a squeeze. She smiles to Poole as she walks by her CO.
Poole nods back to Tyler, perking one eyebrow at the couple.
Nevaren 's grin fades as Tyler passes, he turns his head from her, trying to ignore her presence as "nicely" as possible.
Tyler blushes under Poole's scrutiny, and heads out with Jade.
The Bolian serving girl walks up to the table with Holliday, Nedrev, Nevaren, and Gwen, checking the ir drinks, "Can I get anyone another drink?"
Jade watches the reaction of the other Starfleet to Tyler's passing, noting with no great amusement that of Nevaren, then glancing from Poole to Holliday, and a round...and even to the Ambassador, for whom now no greeting is now spared. Soon enough, and silently, the duo reach the doorway.
Nedrev's eyes flicker from Poole to the Doctor, taking the opportunity to sip his iced raktajino.
Tyler heads out and into the Mall.
Tyler has left.
You head out of the bar and into the Mall.
Mall S1 - Level 7 - Station 419 - [IC](#0RJM)
Mall Level/Sector One is probably one of the busiest intersections on Station 419. The gunmetal-grey corridor of the mall is much more spacious than any of the other station corridors, approximately ten meters across and two decks high . There is no upper level, but the raised ceiling gives one more of an 'open air ' impression. Large, elliptical transparent aluminum viewports overhead provide a spectacular view of the stars, contributing to the simulated outdoor impression of a perpetual night sky. The whole impression of the mall is one of passing through a garden. Planters throughout the corridor, blooming with all sorts of st range and exotic flora, give a gradual 'winding path' effect which tends to break up the monotony of the circular corridors. The fresh oxygen that the plants provide carries with it the smell of food and drink, coming from the direction of The Neutral Zone, one of the station's busiest establishments. All manner of sentient beings can be seen moving through the Mall, heading into a shop, loitering at one of the smaller kiosks, or dropping in for a drink at the Zone. In the center of this section is a large three-sided black pillar, topped with display un its - the station directory.
Shining through a viewport is a stunning view of the anomaly. It flashes with streaks of blue-white light, silently illuminating the dark void.
There are views here. '+help view' for information on views.
Contents: Tyler
Obvious exits: Clockwise <CW> The Neutral Zone <NZ> Turbolift <T> Counter-Clockwise <CCW>
Tyler makes her trip extra-slow as she strolls toward the turbolift with Jade. " I cuh-can't do anything tomorrow," she says to him. "I've guh-got an experiment that I h-have to run and will be couped up in the luh-lab." She smiles up to him . "But maybe the next d-day?" she asks of him.
"Definitely." Jade murmurs, with a glance towards Tyler, beside him, which becomes a prolonged look. Head tilted, eyes considering through a dark-haired haze. T hen, as if aware of his silence in the pause. "I'd like that, yes. The Holosuite perhaps?"
Tyler shakes her head. "Nuh-no. Food. You puh-promised."
Jade smiles, an expression which takes time to spread onto his face, as if his reactions were dulled. A sniff. "Alright. I'd love to cook for you - just let me know what kind of thing you like beforehand. Message me with what you might fancy, that morning, maybe..." Nearing the turbolift, Alex's words sound more grasped at, like an attempt at extension of the conversation.
Tyler grins, nodding. "Seafood. I luh-like seafood."
Jade smirks, brow shrugging once, nodding himself, as the two step into the turbolift. "Yeah. That figures..."
