Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper – So Many Things To Do
Robin Hopper
((Aitas’ Home, Shi’Kahr District – Amity Outpost))
Iko: Robbie, where’s your favourite place?
Robin opened her mouth to answer before stopping and furrowing her brow a moment. oO Shoot. This is actually a hard question. Oo
Hopper: Well, hmm. I mean, my go-to answer is the botany lab – but I’ve already recommended that one to both Aitas and Ensign Bryn, so I kinda feel like that’s a bit of a cop out. ::Rolling her eyes:: Ugh, okay, I have my answer. It’s cheesy, so forgive me for being sentimental. I’m going to say The Cellar – the Ancillary Support Section, tucked right under the SRC.
Iko: Response
Bryn: Wait, why is that cheesy?
Blushing slightly (the colour only enhanced by the half-a-mimosa she’d already consumed), Robin explained as briefly as she could without seeming like she was trying to dodge the question.
Hopper: It’s where Nathan – ::explaining, for Bryn:: my big lunk of a husband – and I first met… He was working on rebuilding a McCall class shuttle from scrap and I volunteered to help with the operating system. We didn’t really ‘get together’ for a while after that, but we did spend a lot of time down there getting to know each other.
Aitas: I see no flaw in being fond of somewhere where you ‘got to know’ someone important to you.
Bryn: Definitely. That’s so cute. What does your husband do on the ship? Is he an Engineer? Mechanic?
((OOC – I am adding in a response here from Robin, because it would be weird if she didn’t answer this direct question; Generally we try to avoid creating a need for ‘back-tags’ where folks have to fill in responses prior to the their last dialogue in their last sim if possible, but this one’s pretty easy to slide an answer into.))
Robin chuckled at the idea of Nathan being a mere ‘mechanic’ (though honestly that idea would probably amuse, and maybe even appeal, to him).
Hopper: At the time, he was an Engineer. An Ensign as well, like yourself, Saelis. For a while he was Amity’s Chief of Operations before being transferred to the USS Shelby as its Chief Engineer… at Ambassador Turnbull’s request.
Iko: Response
As she prepared to dive back into the relative safety of her drink, Robin decided to shove Bec back into the hotseat.
Hopper: Okay, your minute is up, Bec! Answer time.
Bryn: Yes! ::she turned, enthusiastic:: What’s your favorite part?
Iko: Response
Robin clicked her tongue in appreciation of Bec’s answer (honestly, there were few ‘wrong’ answers, she supposed to the question at hand).
Aitas: ::lightly:: There are far more perilous games to play out there.
Bryn: Yeah. Like Amity Bingo, I’ve heard.
Hopper: ::Eyebrows raised:: Amity what now?
Having joined the crew of Amity Outpost as a Lieutenant, coming in as the new Chief Science Officer, she was aware there were a number of ‘initiation rituals’ that she had missed out on… The USS Wall Street had their own version of this – the “Wall Crawl” as it was known there. Was this “Amity Bingo” anything like that?
Hopper: Bec, do you know anything about that?
Iko: Response
Aitas: Oh, the thing with such games is that any question you ask is likely to be turned right back on you. Unless it’s a reporter, in which case, well…
Robin’s brows, which had just begun to drop back to their normal place, rose again as she titled her head towards Aitas.
Hopper: ::Inquisitively:: In which case…? ::Chuckling:: In my experience, the press is always looking for the story in-between the lines of whatever we say. Sometimes that’s negative, sometimes it’s positive, but it’s rarely straightforward… Have you been keeping all the straight-shooting journalists corralled somewhere, Aitas?
Iko: Response
Bryn: Wait, do we even have reporters all the way out here?
Robin nodded emphatically, and took another large sip of her drink.
Aitas: We do have a small contingent of them aboard Amity. Some more insistent than others.
Hopper: There are a number of Federation News Service reporters who rotate in and out periodically, I guess to keep perspectives fresh – and also since civilian operators rarely like to be this far from home for an extended period of time… There are also a few independents, including some who are locals. ::Rolling her eyes:: If you get cornered by a Mr. Summerside, don’t give him anything of substance unless you want it distorted.
Iko: Response
Bryn: Fascinating. Is there an Amity Times? Maybe I should read it to catch up with things.
Robin shook her head, then paused.
Hopper: Hmm. Not that I’m aware of. We get a fair amount of space in the monthly FNS coverage – it helps that we’re the only major Starfleet presence in the region. But it’s predominantly high-level reports on what’s happening out here. ::Considering:: I haven’t seen anything entirely focused on Amity, like a– ::searching for the word:: –a newsletter?
Aitas/Iko: Response
Pointing a finger at Bryn in a manner she hoped would read invitational, rather than authoritative (as this was definitely not an order), Robin gently suggested…
Hopper: If you have any interest in journalism or writing, Ensign, maybe you should consider starting something up. ::Shrug:: Or even if you just want to be in charge of distribution. That might be more up your alley as an Engineer.
Bryn: You said it, not me. ::she chuckled::
Shaking her head emphatically, but grinning despite herself, Robin flatly refused.
Hopper: Oh no. I have enough PADDwork to do in a typical day. I’m not spending any more time than I absolutely have to on my work devices. The second I finish my daily reports, that PADD gets left in my office and I am off. When you live and work in the same place, it’s very important to maintain those sorts of work-life boundaries, Ensign. Especially as you continue to move up in rank and position.
Robin’s personal motto had long been Work Hard, Play Hard, and becoming the station’s First Officer had done nothing to dampen her enthusiastic commitment to that ethos.
Hopper: There are lots of other fun things to do around here, though. Something for just about anyone, I’d say… Do you have any other hobbies you enjoy, Ensign? ::To the others:: Bec, Aitas?
Aitas/Iko/Bryn: Response
Hopper: Well, when I do go out, I’m a sucker for Wet Goods – that’s the local Karaoke bar. They have good curly fries, too… I’ve also organized a Community Gardening initiative in Peace Park – Bec helped me scope the location out in the Mackinac biome… The Science team also has a volleyball league – and I still attend those games even though I am no longer in blue.
Aitas/Iko/Bryn: Response
Raising her mimosa glass, Robin gestured lightly indicating limitless possibilities.
Hopper: If you run out of other ideas, there’s also always the Holodeck. I’ve got a few favourite programs – maybe we should do one together some time.
Aitas/Iko/Bryn: Response
TBC
