Pride and Feathered
Episode Name: Pride and Feathered Written By: Starfleet Cast: Alarcon, Balin, Claness, Dovoro, Foster, Gellan, Ghorev, Golden,
Harris, Havaris, Idrani, Javits, Jiasha, Lao, Medes, Miguel, Nevaren,
Park, Poole, Sharei, Spect, Starfleet, Takamura, Turtledove, Tyler,
Va'tol and Vimes. Produced By: Starfleet Directed By: Starfleet Aired On: Thu Apr 17 14:08:58 2003 Stardate: 53148.9
Time: Wed Apr 16 21:39:55 2003
Stardate: 53147.3
The Observation Garden is spruced up for the formal Starfleet gathering to present promotions. Strings of lights have been hung among the trees, and a long table with snacks and cake has replaced a bench. A podium is set before the windows, and the flag of the Federation has been placed at one side, and Starfleet's colors are represented on the opposite side. Balin is one pip heavier himself, having been made full Captain by Starfleet Command. He stands beside his first officer, Lt. Commander Ghorev, talking with the Andorian. "And that's when the Commandant walked in on us," he says, finishing an Academy story. "I still remember the look on Admiral Jhrosa's face. To this day I'm sure she was wondering what we were doing with the goat."
Making his way through the opening in the hedge surrounding the garden, Vimes can't help but pause when he realizes just what it is he's decided to show up for. The head-honcho of the station himself is here, as are several other departmental big cheeses. Well, let's get down to brass tacks, shall we? Time to mingle.
Tyler is sitting with Park on one of the benches, talking quietly to him. She has her hand in his and in addition to her dress uniform, she wears a wide smile.
Javits conceals his Tricorder.
Nevaren sits to end of an empty bench, humming quietly to himself.. some old tune.. He's working out a bit of nervousness, tapping his hands on his knees. music to preoccupy himself by.
Javits conceals his PADD.
Ghorev looks at Balin incredulously for a moment. Then says: "I heard a very mutated version of that story, as a 'campus legend', during my First Year. That was *you*?"
. o O Ghorev feels impressed.
Sharei comes making his way in, rubbing his temple. The wallflowerest of the Betazoids does what he does best--he finds a corner and fades into it, watching the goings on in the garden. Though he still wears that ever-present smile of his, it has a noticably strained, almost forced quality to it today.
. o O Ghorev thinks "I didn't think the Old Man had it in him."
Harris is settled on a bench, making up the official branch of S419's loner's club.
Foster comes into the garden through the hedge.
Foster has arrived.
Hey, free food and drinks. Vimes heads that way first. Little sip of courage before nodding towards Sharei, and then to Lieutenant Golden, the only two faces he's had formal meetings with since arriving.
Turtledove strolls from the buffet, meanwhile, with two glasses of punch. Headed straight for the loner's club, of course. Grinning, she offers Harris one of the drinks. "Glad to see you made it. Punch?"
Poole comes into the garden through the hedge.
Poole has arrived.
Not another one of these party things. Ah well. Atleast this one is in the Garden for a change of pace. Foster makes his way to the punch. And, as is his custom, hovers around that area.
Javits stands off to one side, drink in hand, watching the intermingling of so many officers. After a moment, he takes a long draught from his glass and approaches the station's senior officers, "Good evening, sirs. It's been a while since I had the opportunity to pull out my dress uniform. I'd dare not miss this one."
Balin can't help but laugh at Ghorev. "They still talk about that, do they? I'm sure its mutated wildly in the retelling," he says to his Executive Officer. He hefts his cup to his lips and regards his assembling crew.
Nevaren is about to check his chrono when Gwen finally arrives. The nervousness evaporates like the morning mists (if there were morning mists on a deep space station) as he stands and walks over to her, tugging the bottom hem of his dress whites to straighten them.
Golden is sitting on a bench near the front, by himself though he looks approachable. His expression seems relaxed and upbeat.
Gellan wanders over to the table and moves along in the little forming line. A glass of punch and a piece of cake, and she's set. Now to find a place to sit and..Reaching the end of the table, she follows behind Javits towards the command officers. A smile flashes. "Congratulations, Captain. Commander."
Ghorev takes the opportunity to pull his attention from Balin for a moment, to face the approaching Javits. "Not at all, Lieutenant. The Captain was just admitting guilt in the infamous 'Four Goatmen of the Apocalpyse' legend."
Also standing by the punch bowl at the moment is Vimes. At Foster's approach, the new junior dispatcher offers a nod in greeting to the man while extending a hand, "Ensign John Vimes. Pleased to meet you."
Foster looks probably about as approachable as Golden - but the way he's drinking punch, it may need to be in the bathroom. Taking a sip from his third cup of punch in as many minutes by the bowl, he takes the Ensign's hand. He flashes a grin. "Johnathon Foster. Assistant Ops Manager."
. o O Gellan feels a bit nervous. Its a crowd. A top heavy crowd at that.
Javits gives Balin a sidelong look as a rather conspiratorial grin spreads across his face, "Really, sir? That's still a legend back at the Academy."
Claness comes into the garden through the hedge.
Claness has arrived.
Idrani comes into the garden through the hedge.
Idrani has arrived.
Poole enters quietly. Or tries to. But it's kind of hard to miss her, even given her stature. She finds a little spot to stand out of the way near the entrance, looking for a seat.
Ghorev smiles at Gellan. "Counselor. Good evening, and thank you."
Harris glances up at Turtledove, smiling. "Sure," he replies lightly. "I'm a big fan of punch."
Nevaren walks up to his wife, tapping her on the shoulder. "Sure you don't need an anti-gravity skiff to help carry those around?" he asks, pointing to her medals on her uniform.
Claness walks into the area with Idrani, his hrisal clinking softly as he moves. He offers a smile and nod to the general group, then moves towards an empty spot behind a bench to stand, his hands clasped behind him at the small of his back.
Balin clears his throat. "It was a long time ago," he says to Javits. He offers a wide smile to Gellan. "I'm glad to see you've come back home, Counselor. I hope you didn't miss us too much."
Both of Vimes' brows rise as Foster introduces himself, "Well then, definitely good to meet, Lieutenant Foster." and then gestures towards the gathering with his drink-laden hand, "Quite the event here this evening. Looks like I transferred at just the right time."
Idrani walks in with Claness, in her dress whites. She likewise gives a general smile to the group, following Thalev Claness to the empty spot behind a bench.
To those who know him, Foster doesn't stick out at all. He's one of those wallflowerpunchbowltable types, it seems. He does stand apart from some of the crowd do to the decorations marking the left breast of his dress uniform. Nowhere near as heavy as Poole's, but they are there. And they make the man who wears them smile. "A pleasure, Ensign. If you'll excuse me, I have a Commanding Officer to congratulate. And don't say that. They throw these things all the time." With a wink, Foster breaks from the punch table (after a refill of course) to the congregation around Balin & Co.
Park tosses Poole a wave from where he is sitting with Tyler.
Sharei sidles over to the punch bowl. Mm. Punch. He dips himself out a cup. As an afterthought, he snags a cheese and cracker, then sidles back towards a corner, doing his best to be stealthy ninja nurse the entire time.
. o O Idrani feels subdued and a little disappointed, though she is happy for her friends that made the promotion cut.
Tyler follows Park's gaze and gives Poole a small smile and a single, respectful nod.
. o O Balin is sincere in his pleasure at seeing Gellan.
Poole offers a wave to Park before she looks to Nevaren, pausing in her search for a chair. A smile lights up her face, "/Ha/ /Ha/."
Vimes nods as he steps aside a little, "Of course. I'll wait a while. Let them have a little break and breathing room before I move in on them." and returns to perusing the selection of hors-d'oeuvres available.
Javits steps back a bit for others, taking another sip from his glass as he observes the interplay of the various conversations.
Nevaren grins. "Or I could melt them down and use all that metal to relaminate the Aegi's Hull."
. o O Sharei's ambiant feelings of jealousy, frustration, and self-depreciation get squashed with discipline and speed that would make a Vulcan turn green with envy.
Gellan grins, her eyes alight with humor. "I missed you all horribly. Dulcais is practically boring in comparison," she says lightly, and lifts her glass aloft in a faux toast. Taking a step aside, she slips over to make room for the growing crowd. "It is good to see you," she adds warmly with a nod before slipping a bit further away.
Turtledove passes a cup to Harris. She sips and smiles and looks around the garden... her eyes rest on Golden, and she stops sipping. Watching Golden, she says to Harris, "I'm sorry I had to leave so abruptly last night. I am absolutely useless if I don't get enough sleep."
Claness notices who is sitting on the bench in front of him and smiles. Tapping Lt. Golden on the shoulder, he asks "May we join you?"
Golden sits military erect at his seat on the bench... then turns at the tapping to offer a sunshine smile of orderly white teeth. "Or course," he says gamely. "How are you this evening?"
Tyler perks up when she hears mention of the Aegis, but lets the comment slide as she returns her attention to the station's CMO.
Foster smiles in his approach to Balin & Co. "Sirs," he nods respectfully. "I must say I would have rather you worn your golfing attire, Captain. However, the dress uniform is rather fitting." He grins, turning to Ghorev with another nod. "Congratulations on the promotion, both of you."
"Ooo... a comedian tonight," says Poole, tilting her head slightly to the side. "Nice pip," she adds, reaching up to Nevaren's collar to finger it. The pip.
Idrani seats herself on the bench near Golden, absently smoothing her uniform. "Congratulations, Lieutenant." She says to him, giving him one of her small smiles. "And you also, Lieutenant Turtledove." Another smile is given to the human female.
Idrani sits down on Bench 1.
"Understandable," Harris replies lightly, sipping his punch.
Claness notes the small bench and the lack of space for the burly Andorian. Of course, he could sit and "skootch" over, spilling Lt. Golden onto the floor. But that wouldn't be very formal of him. Still, the very thought brings a devilish smile to his face. To hide the prankster in him, Claness says "I'll go get us some punch." and he heads off towards the refreshments table.
Nevaren looks down at his pips, raising an eyebrow. "They will be even nicer and happier when they meet their newest brother." he touches the empty spot on his collar.
Balin smiles and gives Foster a respectful nod. "Thank you, Mr. Foster." He looks towards his First Officer. "I think it's about that time, Mr. Ghorev."
Ghorev says, "Thank you, Mister Foster." A smile. "I'm going to have to get used to people saying 'Commander' and meaning me, but I suppose the Captain is now undergoing the same type of readjustment."
. o O Claness thinks "tee hee. tee hee hee. Golden on the floor. tee hee."
Turtledove beams cheerily, not far from Golden and friends, in response to Idrani's congratulations, and offers a friendly nod to both Claness and Golden. Just in time too, because it appears the formal aspects of the event are about to commence.
Foster grins, taking another punch sip. "I'll be sticking with Lieutenant when, or I should say if, I ever get that second pip filled in." He looks curiously to Balin, after his comment to Ghorev. Not so sure what time it is.
Harris adds as an aside, "I wouldn't want to rob you of your rest, after all..." to Turtledove.
Idrani catches sight of Foster and nods amiably to him.
Foster nods from across the room to Idrani, upping the ante with a smile.
"Does this mean you won't call me ma'am anymore at home?" Poole asks of Nevaren, careful to be quite straightfaced.... though hints of a grin threaten to break the mask.
Golden "Congratulations to you on your first contact mission, rumor has it that it went well." He pipes down though as it seems the formal festivities are about to commence.
Gellan wanders over toward the benches, and more familiar faces. Murmered 'good evening's flow from her as she makes her way to the bench at the far end.
Ghorev turns back to Balin. "Aye, Sir." Then he steps forward and to one side, giving him a better view of the room at large. It looks like he's going to say something.
Hearing that the ceremony is about to begin, Vimes clears away from the refreshments table and finds a place at the back where he can stand, leaving the benches available for the higher ranks in attendance and also allowing him to take a sort-of on duty status as security for the proceedings.
Idrani murmurs quietly to Golden, "I was pleased, yes." She falls silent, getting the cue that things are going to start.
Foster sees Ghorev move off and turns to find his own spot to view the formal aspect of the congregation.
Tyler turns her attention to where Ghorev and Balin are. She squeezes Park's hand and gives him a smile.
Sharei slinks back to the back of the garden, wolfing down his cheese and cracker as he goes. He's just fine with standing in the back. It lets him exercise his incredible wallflower power.
Park grins like a fool at Tyler and then whispers says something quietly to her.
Claness comes back with three cups of punch, offering one to Idrani and the other to Golden. He then takes a parade rest position behind the two, his attention going to Lt. Commander Ghorev.
Nevaren rolls his eyes. "No /ma'am/. Of course I wouldn't, /ma'am/." He motions to the benches, grinning. "Shall we, Lieutenant, /Ma'am/?!?"
Javits makes his way back among the assembled officers, giving the station's senior leadership plenty of space to proceed.
Golden nods thanks for the punch, and tries to consider if he can move over enough to allow the bear of and Andorian to sit down, finding that impossible, he rises and gestures for the Andorian to take the seat he just occupied so he might sit beside his escort. He then smiles and sips his punch. Mmmmm punch.
. o O Golden thinks "Mmmmm Punch."
. o O Golden feels yum!
Idrani takes one of the cups from Claness, very careful not to spill any punch on her Class A's. She murmurs a 'thank you' to him, in Graalen.
Ghorev makes a trilling throat-clearing noise, as if to test the acoustics, then proceeds with a loud, Academy-style parade ground summons: "Lieutenant Gwendolyn Tyler .... front and center!" Wow. Ol'-Spit-an'-Polish, that's Ghorev.
Turtledove's eyes go to Tyler. She gives the girl a bright grin and a sort of ocular thumbs-up.
Medes comes into the garden through the hedge.
Medes has arrived.
Claness offers a nod of thanks to Lt. Golden, then quietly takes a seat next to Lt. Idrani.
Golden stands and leaves Bench 1.
Park lets go of Tyler's hand and watches her walk forward.
Claness sits down on Bench 1.
Poole makes a face at Nevaren. "Don't crack wise." She grabs Nevaren's hand and makes her way over to the benches, making him sit with her at one that doesn't have anyone else at it.
Poole sits down on Bench 2.
Harris falls silent, turning his attention to what's going on.
Balin stands to the side of the podium, and awaits Tyler's approach.
Tyler almost yelps at the barking order and she scrambles out of her seat. She makes her way forward briskly, embarrassed that she was startled by Ghorev's command. She approaches Captain Balin and Commander Ghorev, taking a position of attention.
Nevaren sits down on Bench 2.
Gellan finally finds a bench to stand behind, which happens to be behind Harris, Golden and the others in that area. Silently she sips at her punch, her attention turned to the front and the presentation.
Standing at the back of the garden on a self-initiated watch duty, Vimes suddenly can't help but break out into a grin as he spots the diminutive catastrophe on two legs walk in, also known as Medes, card-carrying member to bio-bed 3 of the infirmary from what he's heard.
Nevaren is just sitting down when Tyler is "summoned". He chuckles faintly and nudges his wife ,motioning to Tyler.
. o O Gellan feels cheerful and uplifted. Happy.
Medes, running a little late, steps into the Observational Garden with as much dignity as she can muster; however, her quickened breath would tend to imply that she just stopped running right outside the Garden, and the grime still under her fingernails explains her reason for lateness. Whups. Glancing to the side at the unknown security officer on self-imposed watch, she raises an eyebrow slightly, nods her head once, and moves around the Garden toward Nevaren and Poole's bench.
Poole nods, looking over to Nevaren with a smile. She whispers something in his ear.
. o O Turtledove feels happy, for herself and for her friends among the promotees. She is also proud to be a part of something so significant. The most obvious emotion is a sense of joy, to meet the expectations of her peers and superiors, and to make them proud.
Alarcon comes into the garden through the hedge.
Alarcon has arrived.
Poole whispers to Nevaren, "Little sister is growing up."
. o O Idrani feels a sudden rush of affection, closeness and comfort that probably has nothing to do with the ceremony at hand.
Nevaren nods at whatever Poole whispers to him.
Balin takes a small box off the podium and hands it to Lt. Tyler. "Lieutenant Gwendolyn Tyler," he says. "For your service, dedication to duty and commitment to the ideals that the uniform of Starfleet stands for," he says, casting the briefest glances at Ghorev at that. "I hereby confer upon you the breveted rank of Lieutenant carrying all right, responsibility and privilege that it so entails. As you were, Lieutenant."
Tyler gives the Captain a single nod and accepts the box. She turns on her heel briskly and walks more casually back to her bench, carrying the small box and its precious cargo back to where her fiance sits.
Golden finishes his punch and sets the cup beneath the bench where Idrani and Claness sit, lest he get caught with it in hand when he needs to go forward.
Alarcon runs a hand over her short hair to smooth it down somewhat, joining the assemblage and trying to be quietly inconspicuous. Not that she's a little late or anything.
Takamura comes into the garden through the hedge.
Takamura has arrived.
Harris folds his arms over his chest as he watches, eyes twinkling brightly. Could it be that it warms the old man's heart to see all these young kids getting promotions? Or is it that he has dust in his contacts? Only he knows for sure.
Ghorev continues his parade-ground impression, though now the feel for the acoustics allows him to lower the volume slightly, while still maintaining the emphasis on the ceremony: "Lieutenant Dylan Golden ... front and center!"
Idrani gives her friend a smile, as his name is called.
Claness turns to watch Golden.
Medes rounds the bench on which Poole and Nevaren sit, scooting up next to the former and tapping her on the shoulder. A silent gesture asks: mind if I sit with you guys?
Foster mutters very softly from his far corner. While enthusiastic about this for his friends, he wishes inside his name would be called.
And Poole's quick answer? She tugs Medes onto the bench with her and Nevaren, smiling all the way. Elbowing them both gently, she nods up towards Golden.
Turtledove's eyes sparkle as they shift to Golden. This is it, TC.
Golden clicks his heels then moves forward with direct speed, coming to a stop in the designated location he comes to a full attention posture so sharply he almost quivers like a door stopper.
Tyler gives Medes a smile as she passes, then settles down at her bench. She pops open her case and gets Park to help her with her pips.
. o O Gellan thinks "Easy there, champ. Don't run down the Captain."
Balin repeats the gesture of removing the box from the podium. Another glance to Ghorev, then he offers the box toward the RRT Command officer. "Lieutenant Dylan Golden. For your service, dedication to duty and commitment to the ideals that the uniform of Starfleet stands for, I hereby confer upon you the breveted rank of Lieutenant carrying all right, responsibility and privilege that it so entails. As you were, Lieutenant."
Gellan looks on calmly, the hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
Miguel comes into the garden through the hedge.
Miguel has arrived.
Medes offers a brief wave to both Park and Tyler as she settles down, turning her eyes and attention up to the podium, then. An abbreviated smile of thanks is given to Poole.
. o O Poole thinks "And the award for dramatic irony go to Golden and Tyler. Starfleet /indeed/."
Takamura slides into the garden as Golden receives his pips. Quickly glancing around, he makes his way over to stand next to Turtledove.
Idrani gives Golden an approving smile, closer to one of her rare grins, actually.
Park gives his resident patient a smile and a wave after pinning the pip on Tyler's collar.
Nevaren whispers to Poole, "I wish my father had stuck around another week or two."
Medes sits down on Bench 2.
Miguel's late, but that should be of no suprise to anyone here who might be expecting him...namely Alarcon. Slipping in, he keeps himself quietly lingering towards the back until he can ascertain whether he has missed anything that will get him sent to the seventh plane of marital hell.. But seeing as she is just standing in the back as well, he appears to be alright.
. o O Medes watches Golden receive his rank pips with the kind of apprehension that's so actively denied she likely doesn't realise she's feeling it.
Foster goes home.
Foster has left.
Va'tol comes into the garden through the hedge.
Va'tol has arrived.
Alarcon shoots Miguel A Significant Look, then sidles over to stand near him, elbowing him gently in the ribs as she does so. Otherwise, she goes back to giving the promotions ceremony her full attention.
. o O Miguel has that resigned feeling of marital duty all over him. It's the kind of feeling one has when they don't necessarily want to be someplace but, for reasons that could involve a skillet and alot of screaming, must be present.
Va'tol stays behind the crowd, watching quietly the ceremony over their shoulders.
Golden takes the box with smooth decorum nodding thanks and then pivots on his heel and moves formally back to his previous position. When he comes to a stop though the unrepentent smile on his face is nova bright.
. o O Golden thinks "YEEEEEEEEEEEEES!"
. o O Golden feels Complete Elation
Ghorev repeats the style of call: "Lieutenant Junior Grade Hiroshi Takamura .... front and center!" He *looks* like he's trying to vary it a bit, in volume ... maybe it's a subtle difference only the antennae can detect?
. o O Golden mental happy dance, arm pumping Whoo Hoo Whoo Hoo.
Medes, shockingly evidencing no /actual/ injuries at this /particular/ time despite her oft-referenced status as a part-time occupant of biobed three, continues to watch.
From behind the bench, Gellan flashes Golden a smile. His elation is infectious.
. o O Sharei's jealousy surges to the fore again, this time tinged with anger. And it's all directed back at himself.
. o O Sharei thinks "What is _wrong_ with me?"
Poole nods to Nevaren, shrugging her shoulders as if to say, 'oh well.' She sighs and does her best to sit up straight and look prim and proper, English and a Starfleet Command Officer... Bah! Who's she kidding? She reaches into her pocket and pulls out, THE BEST LOLLYPOP EVER. It's apple caramel, which she unwraps quietly and puts in her mouth. Yes, that's it, more sugar for the one with obsessive tendencies and a knee with a hair trigger.
Takamura snaps to attention, and marches forward to the podium. His face is fixed in a stoic expression. When he gets to the podium, he comes to an abrupt halt, standing at attention.
Idrani smiles as Takamura approaches the Commanding officers, happy for him.
Again with the box and the podium thing. And another glance to Ghorev. He turns to regard the big man, and gives him a single nod as he offers him the box. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Hiroshi Takamura. For your service, dedication to duty and commitment to the ideals that the uniform of Starfleet stands for, I hereby confer upon you the breveted rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, carrying all right, responsibility and privilege that it so entails. As you were, Lieutenant."
Claness nods approvingly as he watches Ghorev call forth the newly promoted. His antennae are picking up the subtle variations loud and clear. The big Andorian seems to be enjoying the ceremony thoroughly.
. o O Idrani thinks "I like Takamura. He's a good sort."
Nevaren whispers to Poole, "And.. I am sorry. for everything the past few days."
Dovoro comes into the garden through the hedge.
Dovoro has arrived.
Turtledove watches Tak receive his rank with a bright, cheery grin.
Medes watches Takamura's approach of the podium with pride that she doesn't even /try/ to conceal. Her future brother-in-law's personage commands her attention, and a wide, wolfy grin splits her face in two.
Dovoro slips in quietly and finds herself a spot near the back of the crowd to watch quietly.
Dylan's state of apparent elation and happiness is only augmented as Hiroshi is given his promotion.
Takamura ceremoniously receives the box from Balin. He nods curtly, replying, "Thank you, sir." Then with the box securely tucked under an arm, her does an about face and marches back to Turtledove. Only then, does he break the stoneface, and beam proudly.
. o O Medes /adores/ Takamura. That much is crystal clear.
Ghorev turns his head for a moment to give Balin a brief smile. Hey, doesn't *everyone* have fun with ceremonies? A single nod, as well. Then he turns back to the room at large. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Tera Turtledove ... front and center!"
. o O Idrani thinks "Ah. Good for Tera. She worked very hard for this."
Turtledove straightens-up like a compass finding true North. She gives Harris and Takamura an energized grin and wink, then she walks post-haste to the podium, past Ghorev (who gets a quick glance and cheery nod), to stand with quiet confidence and pride... in front of Balin.
Poole sighs, looking Nevaren's way as she whispers to him.
Harris returns TD's smile, nodding approvingly.
Poole whispers to Nevaren, "For what? You haven't done anything wrong."
. o O Golden feels fraternal pride exuberance
. o O Golden thinks "Huzzah Hiroshi! Hoo-Ah Tera!"
The Captain takes up Turtledove's pip box and turns to her. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Tera Turtledove. For your service, dedication to duty and commitment to the ideals that the uniform of Starfleet stands for, I hereby confer upon you the breveted rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, carrying all right, responsibility and privilege that it so entails. As you were, Lieutenant." He hands her the box.
Alarcon grins happily as she watches everyone else being promoted. She's all proud and stuff, and stands with her hands clasped neatly behind her back.
Idrani smiles at Turtledove, happy for her achievement.
Takamura can not contain his joy at seeing his teammate get her promotion.
Medes politely ignores the spousal whispering going on next to her and stares up at the podium, beaming at Turtledove as she receives her promotion.
. o O Alarcon hopes, HOPES that she doesn't trip and fall or anything when it's her turn. She's filled with excitement and very slight anxiety and bursting with pride for everyone who's getting pippified.
Nevaren squeezes Poole's hand. Nevaren whispers to Poole, "It doesn't matter. I'm sorry regardless." He smiles and looks back to the proceedings.
. o O Balin's mind is wrapped up in his pride for his crew. And a growing anticipation.
Turtledove beams quietly at Balin as she takes the box in hand. She gives the Captain a precise nod. "Thank-you, sir." With little more fanfare, she spins on her heel and rejoins Tak and Harris by their bench, grinning and nodding to those well-wishers that she passes on the way.
Ghorev says simply, now finding his rhythm with a rare smile, "Lieutenant Nevaren ... front and center!"
Miguel continues to stand in the back near his wife. His own hands are clasped in front of him and he leans back against the sturdiest piece of scenery, so he can have that pleasantly relaxed feel. As people are being called up and given their pips, he occasionally glances over towards Alarcon to give a smile and a nudge. Yeah, he's a little proud.
Poole smirks, with the lollypop in her mouth, as Nevaren is called. "Go get them, tiger." No, she doesn't swat his bottom as he leaves. Though her hand does twitch reflexively from where it lays on the bench.
Dovoro twiddles her thumbs as she watches quietly.
Nevaren squeezes Gwen's hand once more and stands. He tugs his uniform straight and, with purpose, strides towards the Podium. He nods to Ghorev, returning the smile, then comes to attention, rigid as a flag pole, facing the Captain.
. o O Turtledove feels energized. Juiced-up. Her adrenalin is peaking, basically, and threatening to burst her quietly contained composure.
Golden slips over to the bench where Turtledove has just retaken her seat and hunkers down to whisper something.
Golden whispers to Turtledove, "May I pip you Miss?"
. o O Medes watches Nevaren with reserved pride and a tenative, uncertain sort of affection.
Balin offers a box to Nevaren. He gives the half-Romulan - nay, then Engineering officer - a nod. "Lieutenant Nevaren. For your service, dedication to duty and commitment to the ideals that the uniform of Starfleet stands for, I hereby confer upon you the breveted rank of Lieutenant, carrying all right, responsibility and privilege that it so entails. As you were, Lieutenant." He hands the man the box.
Turtledove's grin reaches maximum safety levels, and exceeds them! She promptly hands the pip box to Golden. "Nothing would please me more, Lieutenant."
Sharei lifts a hand and rubs his temple, wincing slightly. His ever-present smile starts to fade, ever so slightly, being replaced by a deepening look of troubled concern. And the exhaustion starts to show, bit by bit. Despite that, he tries to bear up and be stoic, taking a calming sip from his punch as he watches his fellow crewmen be recognized.
Medes reaches over to grab Poole's hand and squeeze it tightly, offering her best friend a brilliant grin as she does so. Heee! She leans over to whisper briefly, then goes back to watching the proceedings. Medes whispers to Poole, "Thank you, by the way."
Nevaren recieves the box, with a smile that threatens to break into a large grin, with a scarred hand. He thanks the captain, giving a salutary bow, then gives one to Ghorev, before making his way back towards the bench where his wife and friend sit. He gives Poole a wink and sits down.
Ghorev says, "Lieutenant Commander Doctor Aaron Park...." Quite a mouthful, that "... front and center!"
Golden takes the box from Turtledove and removes the pip, measuring the distance with his finger tip he carefully applies it to her collar with a beaming smile of his own.
. o O Takamura feels pride and joy for his teammates and the other officers getting promoted.
Gellan glances down the benches to Park, breaking into a wide smile. She beams.
Poole smiles proudly up at Nevaren, leaning slightly over to Medes and speaks quietly, her smile quite knowing, "You're welcome." As Nevaren returns, she holds out her hands for the box.
Tyler beams with pride at Park. She gives his hand a squeeze before he goes up.
With a last glance at Tyler, Park moves forward toward the two senior officers. Not exactly one to hide his feelings, he grins like a fool all the way up until he stops in front of Balin.
Park is still smiling, too.
Jiasha comes into the garden through the hedge.
Jiasha has arrived.
Golden looking to Hiroshi he then asks, Golden whispers to Takamura, "May I, Hiroshi-san?"
Balin gives the Chief Medical Officer Lieutenant Commander Doctor Aaron Park a nod, and a box. "Lieutenant Commander Park, M.D. For your service, dedication to duty and commitment to the ideals that the uniform of Starfleet stands for, I hereby confer upon you the rank of Lieutenant, carrying all right, responsibility and privilege that it so entails. As you were, Lieutenant Commander." He hands the man the box.
Nevaren grins and slides the Box into Poole's hands.
Takamura looks over to Golden. "Actually, sir. I was hoping to have Jiasha do the honor. No offense, sir." He smiles sheepishly and notices his betrothed slip into the garden.
Medes looses Poole's hand so as to allow her to fuss over her man. She goes back to watching and grinning like a wolf hopped up on X. Without the wide anime pupils, of course.
Turtledove grins as Golden turns to Takamura. She watches the exchange with quiet pride.
Park accepts the box, grinning from ear to ear. He nods and says, perhaps a bit more loudly than the situation calls for, "Aye, Captain." He takes a step back, spins on his heel and walks back toward the bench he shares with Tyler.
Golden actually looks crestfallen but he musters quickly, "Of course I understand."
Miguel leans over a little bit and unfolds his hands so that he may place one upon her shoulder. Miguel whispers to Alarcon, "Just remember when it comes your turn. You're the prettiest damn thing in the room." This is followed by a soft kiss on the cheek and then a resumption of his folded-hands and leaning back.
Ghorev waits until Park retakes his seat. His eyes fall on Alarcon and her husband and he smiles for a moment, as if privy to something. Then, "Lieutenant Isobel Alarcon ... front and center!"
. o O Golden thinks "Ouch"
. o O Turtledove feels immensely proud and deeply moved, especially with respect to Takamura and Golden. Her pride and happiness seem to amplify in their presence... sort of a synergy.
. o O Golden feels momentary disappointment.
Poole takes the box from Nevaren and pops it open. She takes the pip and half-turns to her husband on the bench, cocking her head to the side just slightly as she places the pip with pinpoint accuracy on his collar, the tip of her tongue sticking out as she does so.
Alarcon was distracted for just a moment by Miguel's whisper, but snaps to attention when her name is called. Good thing Science Officers don't blush. At all. Even slightly. So the rosy tint to her skin must be... ah, sunburn. That -must- be it. Leaving her husband's side, she quickly makes her way up front and snaps to attention there, too... definitely not blushing. AT ALL.
Park kisses Tyler on the cheek as he sits down and hands her the box. As he did for her, she pins the pip on his collar.
Balin gives his new science officer a nod and reassuring smile. Oh! And a box, too. "Lieutenant Isobel Alarcon. For your service, dedication to duty and commitment to the ideals that the uniform of Starfleet stands for, I hereby confer upon you the rank of Lieutenant, carrying all right, responsibility and privilege that it so entails. As you were, Lieutenant."
Nevaren closes his eyes, hoping that Poole stops short of the jugular with that pip.
Alarcon takes the box from Balin, and returns the smile, now, relaxing slightly. She gives both Balin and Ghorev a respectful nod. "Thank you, Captain." Unable to stop grinning now that she's let herself begin, she makes her way back to her husband.
Alright, so Miguel pushes to a non-leaning position so he can pay real close attention to this one. So much so that he is almost at attention and ready to spring. His hands come undone once she thanks the captain and begin to clap very intently. There's always one...and this one knows how to do that annoying whistle where you stick fingers in your mouth...
Jiasha comes to stand beside Takamura, making herself quiet as a churchmouse, due to tardiness.
Hey, at least he didn't start yelling and whooping.
Poole pulls her hands back, satisfied with her pip placement. She takes the lollypop out of her mouth and leans in to give her husband a kiss on the cheek. "Done." Then she returns to her sugar consuming.
Medes turns her head and blinks at Miguel, twice. There's one in every crowd.
. o O Miguel feels is just as proud as can be. It fills him up so much he can't even supress it on the outside.
Harris continues to smile as he watches. How long can this guy keep that up?
Turtledove's beaming smile falters a bit. She glances at Tak, then to Golden... Hrm. With a slight softening of her expression, she indicates Golden's box. "May I sir?" Her grin grows a touch amused. "I've never pipped anyone so fine and charming as you before. It would be an honour." The last part is undeniably intoned with significance and sincerity.
Javits casts a glance in Miguel's direction, a slight smile coming to his features.
Alarcon turns scarlet. SCARLET. She was three-quarters of the way back to her quiet spot at the rear of the crowd when her husband started... /clapping/. And /whistling/. She hurries, now. Upon reaching him, she shoves the pip box in his hands. "Here, you," she mutters, but is unable to keep the grin from her burning face.
Golden gallantly reponds in a soft tone, "It would be my distinct honor for you to do so." He reaches up and removes his black filled second pip then offers his box to Tera.
Balin stands beside the podium and awaits Ghorev's final business before he speaks again.
Tyler helps Park into his pips and gives him a firm kiss on the cheek. "You look smashing, Doc."
Takamura smiles as Jiasha arrives, reaching his hand out to greet her.
. o O Golden thinks "Ah, Hiroshi, I was going to give you my pip. Does this just mean you are in love, or that you are switching camps."
Turtledove takes the box with an easy grace, fingers moving quick and light, and Golden is pipped before he knows it. Eyes move from Golden's collar to his eyes, regarding her team commander with a quiet awe and friendly warmth. "That's. Just about right. Sir."
Jiasha clasps hands with Tak, smiling faintly as she comes to rest there by the cult of RRT.
Miguel has his wife's box shoved into his hands..and like a good husband takes and holds it. Before she has a chance to pull away, he leans in for a quick kiss on the cheek and leans back again, trying to look cool and relaxed after having suddenly turned into That Guy. Miguel whispers to Alarcon, "It was like watching a cherubim getting promoted to seraphim."
Alarcon speaks very quietly to her husband in the back of the crowd, still grinning. With every passing moment, it seems less and less like her head will spontaneously combust, which is probably a good thing. Alarcon whispers to Miguel, "Would you just put this on my collar, please? Ah, Miguel. Tu es adorable, pero tanto."
Takamura holds out the box to Jiasha and softly asks, "Would you honor me by placing this pip on my collar?"
Golden whispers to Turtledove, " Thank you, I'm sure it's perfect."
Golden smiles boyishly and then returns his attention to the presentation, his little team moment concluded for the nonce.
Miguel just looks hap-hap-happy at whatever it was that Alarcon says to him. "Of course," he says softly before opening the box and going about the honor of pipping his wife.
Jiasha eyes Takamura like he's bizzare and overly formal. Because let's face it, he is. She opesn the box, handling the pip carefully, and licking her mouth. Yes. Er. Techno. She peers at the thing, placing it on Takamura's collar. Just a bit too far to the right.
Ghorev clasps his hands behind his back, in his own rest-stance, "Also to be recognized tonight are three more men, one who is here, two who are not. For the first, we lack the proper insignia, but one is en route for private ceremony." He turns to face the bench where, oh look, Claness and Idrani sit. "/Shaklas/ Thalev Claness of the Andorian Defense Forces, your peers salute you!"
Havaris comes into the garden through the hedge.
Havaris has arrived.
. o O Ghorev a slow burn, however. But keeps it cool.
Balin gives the Andorian man a single nod from his position at the podium.
Turtledove turns back to the precedings as well, turning her attention to Claness with a grin.
With pride virtually beaming out of the ADF officer, Claness stands up and walks crisply to stand before Captain Balin and Lt. Commander Ghorev. He offers them both an ADF salute before coming to attention. "Thank you, sir." he offers to Balin. "Thank you, sir." again to Ghorev. He then does an about-face and moves back to his position next to Idrani.
Idrani beams up at Claness, eyes sparkling.
. o O Ghorev feels twitchy.
Medes sits next to Poole and Nevaren on a bench, formal in her dress uniform and grinning widely. Her hands are clasped in her lap.
Alarcon stands very still, tilting her head back, closing her eyes. Thus she stands as her husband affixes the pip to her collar, and for a moment after that. She finds his hand as it tries to leave said collar, catches it in her own. Opening her eyes, she smiles and leans in close to him. Alarcon whispers to Miguel, "I had to put on a dress uniform. My hair had to look relatively nice. And you CLAPPED. You'd better make all this up to me afterward."
Takamura smiles at Jiasha, then kisses her cheek aftershe's finished placing the pip. "Thank you." He then snakes an arm around her wiast and watches the remainder of the ceremony.
. o O Idrani feels a great outpouring of love and pride for the big Andorian next to her.
Late as usual, Havaris appears at the back of the gardens in his standard duty uniform. Busy man, likely stealing some time from Operations or similar. He hovers at the very edge of it all, trying to get some sort of view of the proceedings.
Alarcon whispers to Miguel, "You even WHISTLED! I can't -believe- you whistled."
Miguel looks like he might be really apologetic for a moment, but finally just shrugs and nods his head. Miguel whispers to Alarcon, "Look at it this way, I dodm"
Vimes remains at his post by the back of the garden. However, he can't help but let a slight smile tug at the corner of his mouth as he watches all of the promotions being awarded. Nodding his head in approval of what's being said, he's definitely glad he came to see this take place.
Miguel looks like he might be really apologetic for a moment, but finally just shrugs and nods his head. Miguel whispers to Alarcon, "Look at it this way, I didn't call you science buns like I wanted to." He pauses to look at the rest of the people. Miguel whispers to Alarcon, "Besides, it's a promotion ceremony. I didn't realize that you needed to be a corpse to attend one..." A pause and a sigh, Miguel whispers to Alarcon, "I'll pinch your little nipples later."
Ghorev continues, pulling his gaze fromthe other Andorians. "Lastly, we honor two men who are not here with us tonight:" He looks around the room, clearly himself getting caught up in the ceremonies or something. "Lieutenant Philip James Laco, Planetary Sciences. Lieutenant Junior Grade Doctor Craig Malloy, Rapid Response Team Medical officer. We offer them, as we offer the rest, our most heartfelt congratulations."
. o O Takamura thinks "I wish my parents were alive to see me now. Promoted to Lt. jg. Engaged to a wonderful woman. And about to become a father. I think they would have been proud."
Poole hasn't stopped her looking at Nevaren. She's making the eye contact. Mmmm. Then she crunches her lollypop into nothingness. That's CHEATING, yes, but it was taking to long to get to it's oh so good center. She makes the little lollypop stick disappear before sliding a bit closer to Nevaren on the bench: bumping him with her hip.
Balin says, "Hear hear!"
. o O Turtledove thinks "Ah, Malloy. I can't believe you missed this! Congratulations, wherever you are!"
A single brow arches as Vimes turns to look towards Miguel after catching the last bit that was whispered from him to Alarcon.
Golden now applauds -- applauds for Craig, a doctor at last, applauds for his new Lieutenant, applauds for his boss... ah yes, much applauding.
Park claps loudly for all his fellow officers who received promotions. Yep, he's still grinning like a fool.
Harris breaks into applause, still. Smiling.
Tyler claps for her colleagues, loved ones, and herself. She smiles widely.
Jiasha claps, Bajoran style. Backwards.
Claness takes up the call. "Hear hear!" he says in his bellowing voice, his own two hands slamming together in celebration.
. o O Medes watches Ghorev with the absolute adoration that goes along with total hero worship. She's like a puppy. Wow! Boss! Boss is the coolest! He's the best Engineer there is!
. o O Sharei feels White anger, black hate, and red rage all surge to mingle into a slowly simmering haze.
Idrani applauds as well, smiling.
Alarcon turns scarlet and places her hand over her face for a long moment. She removes it only to clap.
. o O Sharei thinks "Mother was right. I don't belong here."
. o O Alarcon is currently mortified by her husband, and the things he is inappropriately whispering.
"See? Now their clapping," Miguel says in that way that means that everything he has done to date is all better. "I'm a trend-setter."
Havaris mirrors Jiasha's method of applause, despite the apalling lack of line of sight of anything /like/ the awardees.
Vimes is still intrigued at this talk of nipples going on, but then remembers himself and turns his attention back to the ceremony, smiling suddenly as if a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar as he joins in the applause.
. o O Jiasha thinks "Nipples. That's a word I'm going to have to ask Medes for a translation of."
Gellan applauds with the rest of the group, a careful balancing act with her punch glass nestled in the crook of her arm.
Ghorev puts his hands together, then separates them, then puts them together again. In short, he does what everyone else does until the Captain needs silence to continue his remarks.
Balin applauds, too, then at its height he makes motions with his hands for everyone to settle down. "Before we get back to the food and drink," he says, "I have a few words to say."
Takamura now begins applauding as well, celebrating his fellow officers.
Va'tol isn't much for cheering or applauding, but acknowledges the new officers in his own special way, being silent and immobile..
Medes applauds as well, having not noticed her husband lingering in the back of the room. Her attention is entirely on Ghorev. That is, until it's on Balin. The grinning? It continues.
Sharei lifts his hands to clap, only to suddenly go pale. One hand moves to curl fingers into his temple, while the other fumbles in his breast pocket for a slender airhypo, which he uses to quickly dose himself. Hopefully, nobody noticed the wallflowerest Betazoid as he slides the airhypo back into his breast pocket.
. o O Sharei thinks "Weak. Idiot. COWARD."
Javits gives Miguel a rather odd look, but it is cut short as he joins in the applause, managing to hold his now empty glass against his uniform with his forearm.
Nevaren blinks at Poole, then quickly looks back to The Captain.
Park takes Tyler's hand and turns his attention to Balin.
Alarcon focuses on the Captain, as well, as best she can, raking a hand back through her hair. With as short as it is, it stands up here and there, giving her a slightly Mad Scientist sort of look. She's still blushing, mind you, and taking pains not to look directly at her husband.
Harris finishes clapping.
Miguel's work here is done. He's managed to make his wife's rank presentation an event that she, and most likely he, will never forget. Sliding the box to one hand he reaches up to readjust the newly added pip so that it is prefectly in place. This brings him close enough for a kiss on the cheek and another whisper.
Miguel whispers to Alarcon, "Te amo."
Alarcon whispers to Miguel, "And you're damn lucky I love you back."
Miguel raises an eyebrow so that the wink he gives can be exaggerated, Miguel whispers to Alarcon, "Luck is only part of it."
Lao comes into the garden through the hedge.
Lao has arrived.
Lao walks into the observation garden, still doing up the top button of his dres uniform, with a rather harried look. He looks around as he walks in.
Havaris shortly grows frustrated with the prospect of trying to see through a sea of tall people. So he begins circling the back of the gardens and examining the crowd. If he can't see, he'll not see with company. And in so doing does he eventually spot his wife and her company on their bench, which naturally has him heading in that direction in short order.
"First," the Captain begins as he looks out over the sea of faces that is his crew. "I want you all to know how proud I am of each and every one of those who earned promotions. You are all exemplary examples of officers, and yes, I mean you, too, Mr. Poole," he jests at his second officer. "I am proud of all of my officers. Four One Nine's entire crew is the finest crew among which I have ever served."
Nevaren grins at Balins joke and nudges Poole with his elbow.
Lao notices Medes, Nevaren, and Poole at about the same time as Havaris, and heads over their way as well. He looks over as Balin speaks, and smiles.
Poole peers up at the Captain when she hears her name, grinning and blushing at the same time. She gives him a wink, then nudges Nevaren back. 'TIS WAR.
Idrani listens quietly to the Captain.
Turtledove's pride nearly leaps out her eyes, manifesting as a zealous grin otherwise, as she listens and watches Balin.
Claness listens silently.
Medes reaches her hand up to Havaris when he draws up alongside their bench; as a matter of fact, she stands from said bench in order to stand next to him, given that there aren't enough seats for all of them. She slides a hand into his and stands on tip-toe to kiss his cheek before turning her attention back to the Captain.
Takamura holds Jiasha close to his side as he watches and listens to the Captain speak.
The Captain continues, "The uniforms which we wear carry a burden to an ideal, and the duty is often not easy. We have lost those that we love, among us, at home, on the front of a bitter war... Let not those heroes be forgotten in our minds and hearts."
. o O Medes's glee is briefly interrupted by the intense worry she feels over her husband.
Medes stands and leaves Bench 2.
Gellan nods solomnly, silently, as she listens to the Captain speak.
. o O Takamura feels a little saddened at the last words Balin has spoken.
Lao had just reached the bench when the Captain said that one, and looks over, an uncustomarily grim look on his face. He nods, once, in the Captain's direction, as if to affirm that he didn't forget any of the ones lost. He looks down to Nevaren and Poole then, and grins, leaning in to mutter with mock incredulity, "They promoted -you-?"
Havaris offers Poole and Nevaren a lift of the hand in silent greeting while Lao receives a more conventional nod. He smiles sincerely as Medes rises up to stand with him, receiving his smooch to the cheek gladly. He snakes a hand about Medes' waist in time to hear Balin's newest words. His upbeat expression falters a touch at the reminder, but he nods his head all the same.
Golden sobers at the Captain's speech.
Ghorev shuts his eyes once, takes a breath, and then opens them again at the mention and memory of the departed, and continues to listen.
In a dip in the crowd, the tall Havaris Jiasha thows a wink at her little-big brother. Hello, how are you, how do you do. Hand in hand wiht Hi-ro-shi.
Nevaren grins over his shoulder at Lao, mouthing three words... Waste Reclaimation Duty, then nods to Havaris, finally, looks back at the captain, his grin fading and becoming serious as he, too, thinks about those no longer with us.
Turtledove's eyes remain proud, though her expression relaxes markedly, into a presentable vision of solemnity. But make no mistake. She is proud to serve, inspite of what is lost to the grim reality and ravages of time and war.
Idrani listens, expression solemn.
Takamura takes a deep breath and bows his head as he remembers those they've lost.
Balin lets that sink in a moment. Or is he watching Lao? He offers words of advice to that, "Never forget the true weight of your pips - the weight in lives. Never forget the ideals to what your uniform stands - the ideals that make this Federation great. And never let your resolve or principles falter."
Harris closes his eyes and bows his head, his smile vanishing. Even though he's in a room full of people, he is suddenly and inexorably alone.
Dovoro closes her eyes and bows her head slightly.
Claness listens, his head nodding faintly as Balin speaks of resolve and principles.
Golden strightens up a fraction more because that was all that was left and sets his jaw before jutting it out, Balin's challenge one he's ready to shoulder apparently.
Sugar + Sad = Pout. And so Poole pouts, without really meaning to, as she's reminded of those lost. And those she's lost personally. The rest of Balin's words don't seem to faze her as her eyes sort of glaze over a little. A sad dreamy look is on her face.
Lao feels the weight of the Captain's gaze, and something is his expression softens. He nods, again, as if the Captain were speaking directly to him, and expected an answer.
Nevaren slips his arm behind his wife's back and holds her.
Medes leans her head on Kusto's shoulder and listens, her gaze skittering from one person to another in silence. She idly reaches her free hand up to scratch at her opposite bicep.
Havaris spots his Sister across the way and offers her a brief smile and little more. His attention is elsewhere by necessity. Balin's words don't elicit much response from the Bajoran, quite honestly. Not his closing remarks. No challenge to rise to, no goal to be met, apparently. He treats it, seemingly, as though he'd been told to remember to breathe.
Jiasha stifles a sneeze, otherwise remaining quiet.
"Now," the Captain says. "I have one final thing to say." He flashes a smile, trying to ease the mood a little bit, which rightfully has grown somber.
. o O Medes is, indeed, saddened, but more than that, her worry over Havaris has grown acute with the Captain's words. How is /he/ reacting to them? There's a pang of remembrance and loss, too, deeply held and laid over greatly by time.
Takamura lifts his head to return his gaze to Balin. Meanwhile, he gives Jiasha's hand a slight squeeze.
The Betazoid Commanding Officer taps his badge. "Engage, Mr. Byjos." The sound of a transporter can be heard from above in the rafters and suddenly a thick black viscous fluid is dumped from the sky in a raining sheet. The target is everywhere in the room except for the Commander himself.
Harris lifts his head again, the cheerfulness in his eyes gone... and then he vanishes in the stuff.
Dovoro says, "Blurb!"
. o O Idrani thinks "Never send a Betazoid to do an Andorian's job. They never get the timing right."
Javits freezes in place as the goo rains down, then slowly raises his arms as he looks at his uniform in horror, trying in vain to shake the viscous goo from his sleeves.
Nevaren blinks and, instinct taking over, quickly stands and shields his wife. Just what the hell is going on?!?
Sharei's reaction time is somewhat slowed by the meds. Thus, he's just looking up at the sound of the transporter effect. He's only just able to get his arms up before he's covered. He makes his first sound of the evening--an enraged shriek.
Spect comes into the garden through the hedge.
Spect has arrived.
. o O Nevaren thinks "Oh My god.. we're under attack!"
Balin pushes a button on the podium. The front of the podium clicks open, and falls forward from the base at about a forty-five degree angle. He pushes it a second time and there is a muffled 'kathoom' as the whole Garden is sprayed with feathers. They consume the universe for a few moments, in addition to the goopy tar.
"EXPLETIVE! EXPLETIVE CENSORED EXPLETIVE DRESS UNIFORM! ----ING EXPLETIVE!" (That would be Medes. And yes. She is actually /saying/ 'expletive censored.') "Is it not enough that I was /electrocuted/ this week?" She stands very, very still. Well. That's /one/ way to end a party.
Golden looks more the fool by shifting as the fluid drops to try to shield the Bajoran bearing his right hand's child. This leave his covered in goop, her less so. "Well," he says. "I guess my worries about my boots being black enough is no longer -- ah, of course. The Feathers."
Andorian eyes go wide as a blanket of black falls onto the ADF officer. Glop. From this tip of his antennae to the toes of his boots, Claness is covered in the stuff. Only two blinkty-blink eyes are visible. Then, a beaming white smile appears under the eyes, just in time for the feathers. Claness laughs.
Spect enters fashionably late. With a huge smile and a pep in his step. Congrats to all.
Jiasha's dress actually comes open. She wasn't wearing something that exactly holds up to a large bout of downward moving high viscosity and hevy stuff. Luckily, it is black. And she's got fast hands. Whoop. She closes herself up with a long, long scowl. Bolian. silk.
Lao is duly soaked. He looks down at himself, and then around the room, and then says to Nevaren and Poole. "Excuse me. I'm a man with a mission," he says with a grin. He starts to stride across the room, just in time to get hit with the feathers. And this only stops him for a moment. He makes his way to Dovoro, and says, "Beg your pardon, ensign. I know a wonderful way to get this goop off. Interested?" His grin shines through the tar and feathers.
Turtledove's eyes widen, white orbs with brown irises, peping out from the ebony mire. And then. Feathered. She regards Balin as if he has lost his mind.
Idrani just sits calmly, letting herself get tarred and feathered with a sort of grave dignity and solemnity. She manages to get her hands inside the pockets of her uniform before the black stuff hits, leaving them clean as to wipe her eyes. "What's with the feathers?" she asks, genuinely confused.
Gellan freezes, looking around in shock at the goop that now covers her dress uniform. And everyone elses. She turns her face up to the rafters just in time to see the feathers raining down. "Holy rings.." she mutters to herself and her shoulders slump. Not that it can be seen under all the feathers.
Poole is used to unpleasant situations. So, the goop doesn't bother here, plus she's partially shielded and misses most of the feathers. It breaks her out of her sad reverie at least. She just sits there and starts laughing. This is, of course, akin to British humor.
Dovoro raises an eyebrow at Lao's approach, and quirks her lips into a smile through the messy stuff. "What've you got in mind, Ensign?"
. o O Gellan thinks "Someone..is going to pay dearly for this little prank. Dearly."
Tyler yelps at the initial glooping, but can't help but laugh by the time the feathers rain down. She makes her way carefully over to Turtledove.
. o O Sharei feels Blood-red rage cascades through jumbled memories. The sound of malicious children laughing accompanies the coal-black hatred of murderous rage.
Golden exhales a breath with force -- the feather perched gloppily on his lip flutters but remains present, he turns his ooze impaired vision towards the Captain. A long moment of intense silence from him, then he laughs. A short almost abortive bark at first, but a full guffaw as he wipes his eyes with the arm of his sleeve.
Jiasha squints, drenched, looking at Golden for some sort of.. explanation. As if he, like, knew what was going on. Because tar and feathers really just flies over her head. Humans. Psht.
Va'tol merely quirks a brow. Hopefully he was far enough from the podium to avoid most of the feathers.
Balin dusts off his hands and makes his way for the hedgerow entrance while the chaos is in full swing.
Lao continues to grin like the Cheshire Cat at Dovoro. "I've made certain...modifications to my shower," he says, as he wipes above his brow to keep the goop from rolling into his eyes. "I'd be happy to share it with you." A pause. "The modifications. Or the shower. Your choice."
Spect freezes at the entrance and grins..."What a party!" he says under his breath with a raises eyebrow.
Takamura tries to make sense of all this, but just shakes his head. He much preferred being bombed by fish, At least you could eat them.
Ghorev, covered in goopy blackness and yellow feathers, like everyone else except Balin, considers. He says in Andorian, "I should hug that man." And someone, it almost seems like a threat.
Turtledove's eyes shift to Tyler. She still looks faintly shocked, and temporarily mute for that matter. Tyler's laughing has an interesting effect... through the goo, her lips twitch into a grin.
Havaris similarly glances upwards at the signature as it appears. And so it is that he's covered in tar from the head on down. He steps away from Medes before uttering the most caustic invective his native tongue provides at the top of his lungs. He's here in his duty garb, after all. If there's a humorous side to this particular eventuality, he's blind to it. The feathers that blast out as he's fuming only serve to anger him further. His first order of business is cleaning his compin off and checking to make certain it's functional before giving his phaser a similar inspection. Satisfied, he says nothing further to anyone at all and turns to drip and gloop his way towards the mall.
Va'tol turns to look at Spect. "Your definition of 'party' still baffles me..How can you consider ruining a perfectly good uniform 'fun?" inquiries the Vulcan.
Javits squeezes his eyes shut as the feathers explode forth, sputtering an bringing a hand up in an attempt to wave them away from his face, which only helps even more to get stuck there. At this point his glass slips and crashes to the floor. Looking about the garden in rapt shock, his expression turns from annoyance to glee, after which he collapses in laughter, tears streaming down his fac as he makes his best attempt to remain standing.
Dovoro puts one hand on her hip, and runs the other through her now very-messy hair. "Well, I suppose I'll need all the help I can get to wash my hair..." She pauses for a moment before continuing. "I suppose that depends on what the modifications are," she finally grins.
Slowly coming to his feet, Harris doesn't laugh. Doesn't smile. On the other hand, he doesn't look upset. He just is.
Sharei scrapes glop off his arms watching Balin leave. For just a split second, it looks almost as if the wallflowerest Betazoid is about to do an impersonation of his favorite Klingon. His hands clench and unclench into fists, which shake with only just-suppressed fury. How he manages to restrain himself is anyone's guess--thus, he gets points off for his Klingon impersonation.
. o O Golden thinks "All we need now is the Chicken Dance to cue up."
Spect quirkx his other eyebrow in his best Vulcan imitation, "Well." he pauses, "It is like this. Anytime something unexpected happens...well..it is somtimes funny." then lowering his eyebrow and raising the other he says, "It isn't fun getting your uniform dirty, but it is fun to watch."
Lao says to Dovoro, "Well, I could explan them to you here...but it'd be far more effective to show you." His grin widens. "But they are -excellent- modifications. I assure you."
Nevaren stands up straight, looking down at Gwen, a perplexed look on his face. In his life he has been told many times by commanding officers (his fosterfather included on a bad day) that he would be tarred and feathered... He just never thought any of them would actually go through with it. He wipes the.. stuff.. from his eyes and doesn't know whether the laugh, be angry.. or ask to be dipped in corbread batter and deep fried.
"I think we should /all/ hug him," scowls Medes. Mutinous hugging, ahoy! She watches Kusto leave with an expression that can't be really at all determined from underneath the tar, and stands still for the moment. "----ing... I tell you what."
Idrani takes off her uniform jacket... or rather, peels it off. She uses the inside of it to try to clean the tar and feathers off her face. "I still don't get the feathers." she comments, rhetorically. Then, she peers at her goop-covered companion. "Are you in there, Thalev?"
Dovoro crosses her arms over her chest and smirks. "Ohhhh no. I've heard plenty of *those* stories in the Academy, Ensign," she chuckles. "I want schematics." REPORTS: Comments added to report 445 by Zuh'raah'do.
Jiasha says, "Hiroshi? I don't understand. Can we go home? Please?""
Gellan has feathers in her hair, covering her face..well, about everywhere like everyone else. Her eyes track Balin's progress toward the doors, even while she chuckles to herself softly. She agrees with Medes, speaking up cheerfully. "Yes, Thea. A group hug is in order. Provided you can catch him before he escapes." Ahem.
Nevaren looks over at Medes and Ghorev. "I think I should redesign his command chair to hold him down, spin him at mock four, while being sprayed with quick drying resin and purple dye."
Harris starts to wade toward the door. Silent. Cold. Calculating. One can almost hear the gears ticking in his head.
"I still can't seem to grasp your concept, Ensign." he turns around, hands clasped behind his back. "..but I suppose it would be for my best *never* to learn it.." he adds.
Claness continues chuckling as he turns to face Idrani. Face in a directional-sort of way, since most of his features are covered. "I do not understand the feathers either. I assume it is a right of passage or an initiation." He giggles, a funny sound coming from a hefty beefcake type of Andorian. "You look funny."
"I still can't seem to grasp your concept, Ensign." he turns around, hands clasped behind his back. "..but I suppose it would be for my best *never* to learn it.." Va'tol adds.
. o O Harris thinks "How hard could it possibly be to reprogram a replicator to give everything a shot of laxitives?"
Lao undoes the mess that is his dress jacket, reaches inside, and pulls out a PADD. "Give me thirty seconds," he assures Dovoro, and starts typing madly.
Dovoro watches Lao in silent amusement.
Golden lifts his voice and folds his arms to his side like wings. "Dunna nunna nunna nuh," he begins. "Dunna nunna nunna nuh," he flaps his "wings". Yes, it is the chicken dance song.
Tyler wipes her hands futilely on Turtledove and Golden's jackets. She snickers at Golden's chicken dance.
Through her laughter and the goop, Poole spots Havaris beating that glorpy retreat towards the mall and purses her lips. Except, it's hard to tell that, what with the GOO all over her. She tugs off her jacket and wipes at her face, struggling to stand. Moving suddenly close to Nevaren, she kisses his cheek and says, "Hon... I'll be back..." all this before she pads after Havaris.
Takamura chuckles. "I'll explain it to you on the way home. Let me just say goodbye to my teammates."
Idrani smirks, deliberately removing two of her feathers and sticking them to the tips of Claness's antennae. "There. Now, so do you." She shakes her head. "Now, on Fimdari, the /fish/ made sense. The feathers must be a Betazoid thing."
Nevaren sighs, trying to stifle the smile that finally comes to his face as he wipes the cheek where his wife kissed him. "Okay. COme back quickly though. You didn't get enough feathers on you and I have more then enough to share."
Spect shrugs all human like and grins, "I think that humor is something you should maybe study Va'tol. Isn't social interaction something you would like ot learn alot about." Spect strikes the heart of vulcaniam there..or so he thinks, "I see that I have much to teach you grasshopper." Spect idly wishes that he had his phaser so he could cook the goop off of everyone.
Lao spins his PADD about and hands it to Dovoro. "These are the modifications," he announces proudly. Ooooh. Multiple massage settings tied into the room's stereo system. Whacka-chicka-whacka-chicka bum bum!
Havaris stalks out of the gardens, muttering vociferous invective all the way to the corridor.
Havaris passes through the hedge into the mall.
Havaris has left.
Poole passes through the hedge into the mall.
Poole has left.
Claness nods, causing his feathers to move in the breeze. "The fish were appropriate." A meaningful glance towards the dancing Golden. "Now I wonder what rules of engagement are in place for this joke?"
Medes eyes Gellan. Eyes Balin. Eyes Ghorev. Eyes Gellan again. Glances at Turtledove. Stalks toward the exit. Whether she's on Captain Intercept or Husband Pursuit is not immediately clear.
Golden between chicken singing and dancing says to Tyler,"I don't suppose we get to retaliate like we did on Colonel Kor do we?" --nunna nunna nunna nuh -- nuh nuh nuh.
Harris slogs his way out of the mess, still very quiet.
Harris passes through the hedge into the mall.
Harris has left.
Nevaren is about to ask Medes to start drawing up schamatics for an appropriate revenge prank when she ups and walks away.
Turtledove's eyes flick between Golden and Tyler. It's just too absurd. She shakes her head, grinning and grinning. As Medes glances over, she grins and shrugs to the small engineer, still shaking her head.
Gellan smirks and sets down her featherfilled glass of punch. She follows Medes, yanking on the flapping Golden's jacket on her way by.
"No.." states Vulcan. "If socializing means throwing feathers at others and laughing at it..I do not see how that can be considered even remotely interesting.." Va'tol lowers his brows. "I should return to my post. Have a good evening, Ensign Spect.."
Ghorev makes his way for the hedge-gap. He says in Andorian, "I've just been pranked by the Third Goatman of the Apocalypse. And Father Kolex said I'd never have any fun once I got my third pip." He shakes his head, makes a trilling sigh, moves at as brisk a pace as the tar will allow.
Golden looking toward the tug, he winks gamely at the Counselor, but this does not deter his embrace of absurdity of this situation and making with the chicken song dance -- surely somewhere Ifni is pleased.
Sharei simply lets his glop-filled punch glass drop to the ground. He says in Klingon, "Now twist the knife _counterclockwise_, you miserable bastard," he hisses quietly, his tone icy and murderously cold. With that, the turns on his heel and begins stalking out of the garden.
Spect glances back at the leaving Va'tol with a grin, "Have a good night Ensign." he says a bit loudly over his shoulder as he continues to watch this scene unfold.
Nevaren says, "Hey... How am I supposed to enjoy food and drink while covered in fowl feathers and petroleum by product?"
Va'tol strides out, puzzled by the whole scene. Well, he'll have to think about it later. Now it's time to work.
Tyler looks to Poole and flings goop off her hands. "Lt. Poole knows him better than I do," she says, answering Golden. "You should ask her. It'd probably be taken in a better light coming from her anyway, considering she saved him off Betazed."
Va'tol passes through the hedge into the mall.
Va'tol has left.
Takamura looks over to Golden, Tyler and Turtledove. "Congratulations to you all. But, if you will excuse me, my fiancee would like us to go home and get cleaned up."
Ghorev passes through the hedge into the mall.
Ghorev has left.
Sharei passes through the hedge into the mall.
Sharei has left.
Idrani gets to her feet. "Well, shall we go clean each other off..." she pauses. "So who gets assigned to cleaning up all of the footprints that will be left on the floor...?"
Jiasha holds her dress closed. Gooily, finally, tyring the bow that holds it. She carries about ten pounds of gunk on her front. Looking remarkably confused. For those unenlightened as to what a chicken -is-, see. And rather fully furious. Cause she doesnt' get it. At all.
Spect glances longwasy at Golden..I love that guy.
Tyler grins at Takamura, then replies to Golden, "I bet Gwen Poole could pull one off." She glances over to anything that is goopy, feathery and Poole-shaped.
Claness grins. "That sounds like an Operations job. A /Starfleet/ Operations job."
. o O Idrani feels tenatively appreciative of the prank... though since she doesn't quite understand the meaning behind it, also puzzled.
Dovoro glances over the PADD, glances back up, and smirks. "Which quarters?"
Golden says, "See... this was a great lesson! On one hand we learn that if we work hard and stay true to our ideals -- we can ascend the ranks -- but then the second lesson was even in our own success we must keep in the mind the price that came with it, and what we may have to bear in the future... and then the third lesson, the Universe is always ready to throw a curve ball at you no matter how successful, or sober. So you can roll with it, or be buried under it. It was perfect." He winks to Hiroshi, "You'll have to thank him later for giving you the opportunity to clean each other up." Feathered bedecked brows wraggle."
Lao's smile is gigawatt. "820. I'm on my way there now, actually..." Please. Please, God. Please. His expression says all that.
Takamura doffs his jacket and drapes it over Jiasha's shoulders. He just shakes his head at Golden. "I'll have to protect him from those who don't get the joke, first."
After being covered in tar, and then feathers, Ensign Vimes is still standing there while he tries to process all of this. Listening to Golden's explanation, he nods slowly before making his way to the exit...but not without indulging in a chicken-strut along the way. Ladies and gentlemen, Colonel Saunders has left the building.
Time: Thu Apr 17 00:52:38 2003
Stardate: 53147.6
Javits tries his best to pick his way through the goo as he heads for the Mall, though he still slips on a few particularly thick puddles.
Javits passes through the hedge into the mall.
Javits has left.
Idrani looks over at Golden. Ohhh, so /that's/ what it means. A little belatedly then, she smiles in appreciation of the prank. Andorians like that sort of thing, but reciprocation of pranks is also a cultural tradition. Back to Thalev, "Definitely not a diplomatic job." She agrees, wholeheartedly. She extends a goo-covered hand. "Let's get out of here before someone changes their mind."
Dovoro smiles sweetly. "See you shortly, Ensign." She gives him a wink, and waits until he's out of earshot before asking softly, "Anyone interested in helping me prank a sexually frustrated human male?"
Spect sides steps all leaving. To keep himself clean of course.
Lao walks out, smiling in a vaguely dazed fashion. He Has No Idea. The poor schmuck.
Turtledove flicks a look at Takamura. "Yes." Ok, so the formality of the occassion appears to be somewhat lessened. In spite of it, she straightens up and gives her team-mate a presentable military nod. "Congratulations to you too, Hiroshi." She squares her shoulders, and looks around the immediate area, to Dylan, to Tyler, to Claness, to Nevaren... "Congratulations to everyone." A bright, cheery grin. "Now. Who has a remedy for removing tar... from one's hair?"
Lao passes through the hedge into the mall.
Lao has left.
Medes is apparently not on Captain Intercept, rather on Husband Following.
Medes passes through the hedge into the mall.
Medes has left.
Claness splats his goo-covered hand into Idrani's goo-covered hand and walks towards the turbolift, his hrisal no longer clanking. He calls over his shoulder towards Turtledove "The transporter will do the trick. Or, a partner to help you in the sonic shower." He gives Idrani's hand a squeeze, although it's impossible to notice under the tar and feathers, and walks out with her. REPORTS: Comments added to report 504 by Idrani.
Claness passes through the hedge into the mall.
Claness has left.
Idrani follows Claness out. "... so does the /kind/ of feathers mean anything?" Always interested in the semantics.
Idrani passes through the hedge into the mall.
Idrani has left.
Gellan would be on Captain Intercept, but its all she can do to walk through the sticky, slippery mess and not fall on her backside. Mince. Mince. Door. Mince.
"Congratulations, Lieutenant, Lieutenant, Lieutenant." Dylan says to Tyler, Takamura and then Tera. "
Gellan passes through the hedge into the mall.
Gellan has left.
Nevaren shrugs. "I think you use beer, Idrani."
Spect shrugs and grins again, "Back to Ops." he says to himself and heads out.
Spect passes through the hedge into the mall.
Spect has left.
