Arthur Summerside: Continuing to Evolve and Iterate

[Lt. JG Kivik]

((Lighthouse Restaurant, Amity Outpost)) 

Summerside: Well, I’m going to grab a drink. What’s everyone else having? 

Arthur began to stand to head to the bar. He’d had just about enough ‘barbing’ the flatfoots. The last thing he needed was to make enemies out of… whatever they were to him now.

Wong: I'll take a glass of red wine if you don't mind. Thank you for doing this, Mister Summerside. 

Ukinix: Another one of these blue cocktails.  They’re delicious.  Thanks, Arty.

Summerside looked back, surprised at the Commander’s informality then, as Keehani indicated a second with her own warm smile, he felt himself compelled to grin back.

Summerside: Right then.

Continuing to stand, he turned towards the bar.. oO What the hell was that? Oo ..and absent-mindedly bumped into the Ambassador’s giant husband.

Tidrid: Don't worry about me, my good man. ::Holds up his drinks.:: I'm all taken care of. 

Summerside: ::Looking up at him:: Of course you are.

Arthur patted the large man on the chest and rushed off to the bar.

oO What the hell was that?! Oo

Tidrid: Well, Happy New Year, everyone! 

((A the bar))

Arthur walked to the bar as quick as he could. He couldn’t quite wrap his head around what had just happened. Could it be that Commander Ukinix… Wil? oO No, Commander Ukinix Oo wanted to be friends with Arthur? And Keehani Ukinix - why had she been so friendly… and helpful before, at the entrance? None of it made any sense to the reporter.

Arthur: A red wine. One- no, two of those ::waving a finger towards Ukinix:: blue thingies. And a whiskey. Bourbon, if you’ve got one.

He leaned against the bar and looked around. He hadn’t spotted Lorqui Kansatsu-sha… he hoped the Pygorian wasn’t stuck downstairs. That Clerk seemed to have been scared into nonchalance about the guest list.

Standing beside him at the bar, he noticed an unfamiliar Betazoid woman wearing a particularly expensive-looking dress. She sipped on a martini and seemed nervously transfixed on something across the room. For just a moment, he thought about Betazoid weddings and caught a look of annoyance from her.

He turned sheepishly back to the bartender as the drinks were deposited before him.

Arthur: Uhh, could I trouble you for a tray or something, my friend?

As the Bartender nodded and left to grab a tray, Arthur turned and looked the other way. A rather eager looking young man in dress uniform sat at the bar. He seemed as if he were waiting for someone.

Bartender: Here you go.

Arthur: Thanks, pal. Happy New Year.

((Back at the table))

Wong: In a few hours from now, we'll be in the new year and the eve of a new century. Hard to believe 2400 is just a year away.

McLaren: Yes, I truely cannot believe that.

Keehani: ::Staring at Wil, unimpressed tone:: Neither can I.

Wil didn’t respond; he just took a big swig from his drink. Arthur returned just as the Commander finished his drink.

Summerside: Here you go, Commander. And you, Miss Ukinix. Lieutenant Wong… ::A look at Tidrid:: And for you, the ‘nothing’ that you ordered.

Summerside retook his seat and set the tray on the table. The bourbon went down smooth. Almost smooth enough for Arthur to relax. But not quite enough.

Wong: I can't help but to reflect over the course of the past year and where it's brought us. For myself, I've learned a lot over the year.

McLaren: I totally agree with you Ikaia, I still owe you my life for rescuing me on Antor II

Ukinix: ::Smiling:: We’re lucky to have you here, Evelyn.

Arthur shot the Commander a look as he nursed the drink in his hand. Surely, Ukinix didn’t know that he and Evelyn had been getting on– but then, maybe it didn’t matter. Maybe he’d been foolish after all. Wouldn’t be the first time. Evelyn had accepted the invitation after all - and why not? She was a free woman.

Summerside: ::Taking a large sip:: Mmm…

Wong: Hm! Indeed!

McLaren: Now I am here. It has been a great year for me.

Summerside: Has it?

Wong: I don't suppose anyone has come up with resolutions for the new year? Or even something someone would like to learn?

McLaren: I want to learn on how to become a better leader, and also maybe explore the Delta quadrant a bit more.

Ukinix: I’m going to stop drinking coffee.  I started a few days ago, so far so good.

Keehani: Wait. So… you’re all making some sort of promise to yourself, to do something that will make you a better person.   Why do you wait for a specific date on a calendar to do that?

Summerside: It’s the one day of the year that it’s socially-acceptable to get so drunk you can’t remember your own promises. Very low stakes. ::Looking at Wong:: You brought it up, what are you ‘resolving’ to do?

Wong: Me? Honestly, I would like to get better with shuttle craft. Specifically, smaller shuttles if I can. Oh! And I'm hoping to finally get the first aid course I'm developing off the ground!

Tidrid: Shuttle craft, you say? I'm actually a former fighter pilot for the Betazed planetary guard and a trained test pilot. I'd love to take you out there into the black, sometime, man. 

Arthur was beginning to wonder if Mr. Vataix might be more interesting to interview than Mrs. Vataix.

Wong: Response

McLaren: Wow, Ikaia that is a big change for you! 

Ukinix: ::To Tidrid:: Reckon you could teach me a few skills?

Summerside: ::Chuckling:: Is there anything you can’t do, Mr. Vataix? 

Tidrid: The only way to get more comfortable at something is practice. There's no magic secret beyond that. 

Wong: Response 

McLaren: Wise words.

With that, Arthur spun the remaining whiskey in his glass and tipped it back. How right Tidrid Vataix was. But it was more than just practicing to become good. It was never becoming complacent, continuing to evolve and iterate. The practice never stopped, because what it meant to be ‘good’ never stayed the same.

((OOC: Things have moved on here to get us closer to midnight.  As we are approaching the end of shore leave, feel free to jump forward to the midnight countdown in your sim!))

((Observation Deck, the spire – 31 minutes to go))

Pix had made his way upstairs after guests stopped appearing at the front door. According to the Talaxian, even the Clerk had eventually ‘called it a night’ and headed up to the restaurant to take in the excitement. Arthur supposed that meant that, at least if Lorqui had decided to come, he would’ve made it in.

Since then, he had taken some time to chat with his ‘partner in crime’. The two of them had spent a great deal of time travelling together through the Quadrant to rendezvous with the new station. Since arriving. Pix had been keeping himself quite busy, finding plenty of things to take pictures of - and not just for the Briori Sun. At that news, Arthur had found himself strangely overcome with pride for the man.

Despite his constant ribbing, he had a certain soft spot for the furball - and he was happy for his success.

Arthur: You want to know my resolution, Pix?

The softspoken Talaxian nodded his agreement while sipping on one of the ubiquitous blue thingies.

Arthur: Success. I’m done with failure. I’ve got to change if I’m going to survive in these shark-filled waters. Success, Pix, whatever the cost - even if it’s my past… or my dignity.

With that, he heard a sudden roar of excitement behind him. Apparently it was only thirty minutes until the ‘big event’ and some sort of dancing competition was going to take place. Commander Ukinix had insisted on chewing up the dance floor - though who had taught the man to dance Arthur couldn’t tell. Still, he admired Ukinix’s courage.

Despite his better judgment, Arthur found his feet carrying him over to the dance floor.

McLaren: Is that dance battle still going to happen? I think Keehani should pair up with me? Ladies vs men?  

Ukinix: ::Jumping around, slightly panting:: I’m already dancing!

Keehani: ::To Evelyn:: I think that’s a good idea, Evelyn.  ::To Arthur:: Would you like to join us, Arthur?  I’m sure ::pointing top of head deliberately in direction of Evelyn:: people would enjoy it.

He thought about bowing out, but a glance back at his eager Talaxian friend reminded him of the arrogant words he’d spoken just moments before.

oO Success at any cost… even my dignity. Oo

Summerside: ::Setting down his empty glass on a nearby ledge:: Eh, what the hell?

Tidrid/Wong: Response  

McLaren: Awesome, I am totally ready for this to happen!  

Ukinix: ::Still jumping around, slightly panting:: But I’m already dancing!

Arthur smirked. At least he wasn’t worried about Ukinix wooing Evelyn with his fast feet anymore.

Keehani: Wil.  ::Grabbing Wil’s arm::  Wil!  That’s not dancing!  That’s a workout.

Summerside: Mr. Wong? Mr. Vataix?

Tidrid/Wong: Response  

McLaren: What should we do?  

Keehani: We’ll break into teams. ::Gesturing:: You boys, over there.  Females vs males.  ::Grabbing Wong’s arm:: Except for you, Ikaia, you’re an honorary daughter tonight.

Wong/Tidrid: Response

Summerside: Well, with the talented Mr. Vataix on our side, I expect a landslide victory.

(( Men’s team huddle, “west side” of observation deck))

Ukinix: ::Scratching head:: Why are we doing this?  OK… You ever heard of an old Earth dance called the “bus stop”?

Summerside: I can’t say that I have. My knowledge is limited to the ‘classics’ if you catch my drift.

Tidrid: Response

Ukinix: ::To Tidrid:: I showed it to Rivi at the Liberation day celebrations at your estate.  It’s easy, just follow my lead.  I’ll go ask the composer.

Wil made his way through the dancing crowd, and introduced himself before making a song request.  The composer nodded, before madly flying their fingers across the console’s screen and projected holographic displays.

Summerside shared a brief look with Mr. Vataix, feeling a mix of amusement and confusion.

Ukinix made his way back to the group where they had all re-assembled.

((Dance floor)) 

McLaren: You boys ready?

The music changed to the song the Commander requested.  The beat became simple, slow, and the rhythm repetitive.

oO Probably for the best Oo Arthur mused to himself, awaiting the emergence of the ‘dance’ he would need to imitate.

Ukinix: Here comes our music!  ::To Tidrid and Arthur:: Here we go chaps.

Wil began the moves.  Four steps to the front, clap, four steps to the back, clap, repeat, then two foot taps forward, two back, one foot tap forward, one back, turn to the to the right.  Then do the whole thing over again. Summerside did his best to follow and, before long, he began to catch the hang of it. A glance over to Tidrid told him the Ambassador’s beau was a natural - as he’d suspected.

Summerside: What have we gotten ourselves into?

Tidrid: Response

Some people on the dance floor gathered around to watch. Two groups began to split along gender lines and had separated to either side of the dance floor. Meanwhile, the ‘Daughters’ (honorary and otherwise) cheered the men on. Arthur suspected it was only a matter of time before they’d be wiping the floor with the men.

oO Might as well enjoy it while it lasts… Oo he said, thinking primarily of his bourbon-fuelled buzz.

Keehani: ::Clapping hands:: Woooh!

Wong /McLaren: Response

Paarus: ::putting his fingers to his mouth and whistling:: Yeah! Woot! Woot!

Kivik/Iko/Reade: Response

Wong /McLaren: Response

The music began to build and Arthur sensed that soon their turn would be up. oO Why not add a little flair before it’s all over? Oo

With a wink to the watching Pix, he nudged Ukinix and Tidrid and showed them his own favourite dance move. One which his Talaxian friend had taught him. A traditional and beautiful dance from their culture.

As he kicked off his shoes and wiggled his feet, he looked to Ukinix and spoke over the music:

Summerside: Just like the day we met, Wil.

Ukinix/Tidrid: Responses

The dancing continued for a few more beats before a record scratch brought the music to a pause. Then there was a dramatic change in both lights and music and suddenly it was the women's turn to take to the floor.

Kivik/Iko/Reade: Response

Wong /McLaren: Response

Summerside: Well, fellas. It’s been an honour. Now, let’s sit back and let the dames crush us, shall we?

Ukinix: Response

Tidrid/Any: Responses

TBC

==

PNPC Arthur Summerside (he/him)

Civilian Journalist,

Amity Outpost

V239806K11