Lt. Robin Hopper: Another Town, Another Train
Lt. JG Kivik
((Amity Outpost – Peace Park))
Hopper looked forward to writing her log entry that night. After three monotonous weeks aboard a quantum slipstream transport, her first hour on Amity had already proved to be quite interesting.
Flirting with the Ambassador’s husband was hardly the first time she’d proven herself outgoing to a fault – and it would almost certainly not be the last. In moments like these, she could only shrug and laugh at herself.
Rivi, however, seemed unperturbed. If she had sensed any of Robin’s embarrassment, she hadn’t made it known. Either way, it was clear to Robin why she had been put in charge of Amity Outpost. She founderself charmed by the Ambassador’s easy and friendly demeanor – and her worries about ‘first impressions’ began to melt away.
Vataix: So, a new transfer... I believe I saw your name earlier... science, yes?
Hopper: ::Raising her hands to her hips:: Well, as unorthodox as this meeting is, I’m happy to ‘talk shop’ if you like, Rivi. ::Smiling:: I’m buzzing with excitement to get started, actually!
Vataix: Wonderful! Our science department continues to grow every month with new officers and civilian scientists. What brought you out here?
Hopper: ::Smiling:: Two years aboard a deep space science vessel has me excited to ‘spread my wings’ a little, so to speak. I hear your Science Center is fairly expansive – a far cry from our cramped quarters aboard the Wall Street. ::Waving her hand playfully:: Not that I would take any of it back!
Rivi chuckled and Robin joined her, enjoying the easy rapport. Ambassador Vataix was certainly nothing like Captain Sh’Torn. The Andorian Scientist-turned-Captain had taken great pride in running the USS Wall Street as a ‘tight ship’ – and rarely, if ever, laughed.
Vataix: I imagine as a science officer you have a particular interest or project you're working on?
Hopper: I’m happy to speak to any of that. What would you like to know?
That was Hopper’s attempt to stop herself from ‘gushing’ about work. Rivi’s interest seemed genuine, but Robin had long-since learned that an invitation to talk about her work needn’t become a flood of theoretical physics talk.
However, the Ambassador surprised her. An excited smile spread across the blonde Betazoid’s face as she extended a most unexpected invitation.
Vataix: Why don't you come join us for dinner!
Hopper: ::Hand on chest:: Me? Join you two for dinner?
Her thoughts ran back-and-forth from how glamorous Rivi’s dinner parties must be, to how careful she would have to be with her thoughts around a table full of Betazoids, to how exciting the opportunity was to sit so informally with her commanding officer, to how much pressure that could be…
Hopper: I mean, if you’re serious, I’d be thrilled!
Rivi turned to her husband.
Vataix: Yes, tell the staff at once to prepare for another seat at the table.
Tidrid: Of course, Imzadi. I'll get the boys ready.
Tidrid turned to look at Robin, giving a slight shrug as he smiled and reached out to take her hand. Robin happily obliged, glad to be ending their interaction on a positive – and entirely professional – note.
Tidrid: It was nice meeting you, "Robber." ::winks:: I'll see you later tonight.
oO Yes, that’ll be another one for tonight’s log… Oo
Hopper: ::Laughing:: Thank you Tidrid. ::A look to Rivi:: Your husband is very gracious. ::Back to Tidrid:: I look forward to it.
Tidrid: ::heading back towards the two hover ball playing kids:: All right, come on, boys!
As the trio ran off towards the field to resume their game, Robin followed them for a moment with her gaze, enjoying the adorable scene, before turning back to Rivi. The two of them began walking at a leisurely pace back down the path towards the train station.
Vataix: Do you have any dietary restrictions or preferences?
Hopper: I’m vegetarian – though I certainly won’t begrudge anyone else their replicated ‘rib eyes’ or whatever. ::Chuckling:: …Are you sure I shouldn’t be getting the formalities sorted? You know, security clearance, medical check up, meet the staff and so on?
While Robin certainly wasn’t looking for an out – there was a small part of her that had wanted to get the drop on Ikaia Wong before he knew what hit him. All the same, a dinner with the Ambassador would certainly take precedence, if it was what Rivi wanted.
Vataix: Well, why don't you go ahead and settle in, and we can go over all those details later?
Hopper: Sure. ::Shrugging, smiling:: You won’t have to twist my arm. After a month of replicated salads I’d fight off a mugato for a seat at that table.
Vataix: And you know what, I'll ask some of your new colleagues to join us. It'll be fun!
Hopper: That sounds great!
As they walked, Robin placed one hand on her hip and spoke openly with Rivi – sensing that the request to ‘speak freely’ with her commanding officer was hardly necessary.
Hopper: You know, I figured things would be different here – but this is above and beyond my wildest expectation. Rivi – I really feel like I ought to be calling you ‘Ambassador’ – is this… normal? I haven’t accidentally been switched in your daily files with some visiting dignitary, have I?
Vataix: Response
Hopper: Well, I’m certainly not complaining! ::Changing topics:: You mentioned settling in – who should I speak to regarding quarters? From my reading it looks like there’s a pretty sizable ‘habitat section’?
Vataix: Response
Hopper: ::Pondering:: Well, I enjoyed my time in California greatly – but I should probably try to branch out. ::Smirking:: Laibok and ShiKahr sound a little too hot-and-cold if they’re anything like their real-world counterparts… Which district do you live in, Ambassador?
Vataix: Response
Hopper: Sounds lovely.
Robin could see the Peace Park train station growing closer and decided to ask one more question of the Ambassador while she had her ear. Hopper imagined that, if anyone aboard Amity would have their finger on the pulse of things in the Delta Quadrant, it would be Vataix.
Hopper: If you don’t mind me asking, what’s the current ‘buzz’ around Amity? I’ve taken a look through some of the recent F.N.S. articles, but is there anything going on that I ought to be caught up on that might not have made it back to the Alpha Quadrant just yet?
Vataix: Response
TBC
