Lt. Robin Hopper: The Gift of Gab (Part 2)
Robin Hopper
((Amity Outpost – Habitat Ring, Scotty’s Apartment))
She hadn’t exactly meant to invite the Lieutenant out for lunch, but considering that her actual gift for him stood a reasonable chance of being revolting, she supposed it may help to smooth things over. oO Besides, I am trying to get to know the senior staff better… Okay, sure. Oo
Hopper: That sounds great!
Reade: Awesome, can I get you anything to drink, while we wait for her to arrive.
Robin crossed her arms and took a few more steps into the small apartment.
Hopper: I’ll get something at lunch – maybe a glass of water though?
Reade: Sure thing.
Scotty moved to the little kitchenette at the end of the unit, setting the unknown bottle aside to replicate her water. Robin, meanwhile, took a seat on the small sofa on the other end of the room, crossing one leg over the other and resting her hands on her knee.
The door chimed.
Reade: Oh, that must be Evelyn, come in!
As the door slid open, a dark-haired and dark-eyed woman entered whom Robin did not recognize. She paused and looked down at Robin, evidently slightly surprised to see someone else there. Robin looked up at her and smiled, not entirely sure what to say. After a second, Evelyn seemed to accept the sudden newcomer and offered a quick greeting to Scotty before introducing herself.
Beake: Hey love. :: walking in:: Oh, we have never met before. I am Lt.JG Evelyn Beake, assistant engineer on the Kitty Hawk. :: putting out hand:: Its lovely to meet you.
Hopper: Ahh – that explains why we haven’t met then.
Robin stood up, smoothing out her skirt, and took Evelyn’s hand in a gentle shake. She noticed that she was not only dark-eyed, but that she bore the telltale Betazoid black irises.
Hopper: Lieutenant Hopper, Chief Science Officer.
Reade: Oh. Hey Eve! I see you have met Robin. I asked her to join us out for lunch, I have someone else joining as well. Sorry Amity’s been busy since we had our last mission.
Beake: No problem.
Reade: Shall we head out?
Hopper: Lead the way!
As they left the apartment behind, Robin watched curiously as Reade tapped his combadge – wondering who else would be joining them. Truth be told, she had never particularly enjoyed dining alone and, while she’d gotten more used to it over the years during her time in Starfleet, sitting down for a meal with friends – or even just colleagues – was nearly always more pleasant.
Reade: =/\= Hey Ensign S’Raga you want to grab lunch with me and Robin? =/\=
S’Raga: =/\= Hi, Scotty! Right now? Yeah, I can definitely join you! =/\=
oO Oh, yay! Oo Robin was already quite fond of S’Raga. Not only had the younger Caitian man been very helpful and charming thus far in all their interactions, but the time spent together in the ‘crucible’ that was their recent mission to Idrustix had solidified him in her mind as someone she greatly enjoyed working with. oO He still deserves a proper camping trip… Oo
Reade: =/\= Great, meet you at Wet Goods Tavern. =/\=
Robin felt her stomach flutter at the mention of Wet Goods. The last time she had been there, several weeks ago, had been with Nathan. While she had walked away from it with a good friend in Richards’, things had not exactly gone to plan. In fact, she’d been a little uncertain how to just ‘let go’ of the attraction she’d felt for him and seeing him regularly around the station, while lovely, was also a constant reminder of what almost was between them. What they had – quite rightly – decided should not happen, given the differences in their ‘romantic priorities’.
oO Then again, Oo she supposed, oO Maybe doing something else there will actually help me stop thinking of it! Oo
((Shortly Thereafter – Back on the Grand Mezzanine, Wet Goods Tavern))
As they walked into the somewhat-familiar bar, Robin looked around curiously. It felt different during the ‘day’ (not that it was actually “daytime”, but rather, the middle of a duty shift rotation), but there far fewer drunken karaoke singers and far more Starfleet Officers and Civilians there for lunch and socialisation. If it weren’t for the decor, she’d almost think it was a different establishment.
The three of them had only just entered when Robin heard Scotty call out, and she turned around to see Amity’s fluffiest Ensign approaching.
Reade: Hey S’Raga!
Hopper: Look who it is!
S’Raga: Hi! Thanks for inviting me! ::To Evelyn:: And hello! I'm S'Raga. I don't believe we've met yet.
Reade: Oh, this is my girlfriend Evelyn, she is stationed on the Kitty Hawk.
Beake: Nice to meet you S’Raga.
S’Raga: And very nice to meet you, too, Evelyn!
Reade: Shall we?
With introductions out of the way, Scotty motioned them further in towards a table. Robin once again smooth the front of her skirt. She felt a little overdressed – still wearing the black-and-white outfit she had worn for her appointment with Carter and the Mezzanine shopping trip she had intended to carry out afterwards – but at least she wasn’t in-uniform.
S'Raga: By all means!
Hopper: Happily! ::To S’Raga, with a slightly embarrassed chuckle:: I’m glad you could make it – I hate being a third wheel!
S’Raga sat first, taking the seat by the wall across from Scotty, and patted the seat for Robin to sit beside him, which she gladly accepted. Evelyn sat opposite her.
Hopper: Okay, I already know that this place has good curly fries, so I’m just going to order a basket and you guys can help yourselves if you want.
As Robin entered the appy off the table’s central console, S’Raga picked up the conversation with Evelyn and Scotty.
S'Raga: So, Evelyn! How long have you and Scotty been together?
Beake: Response
Reade: Response
Robin listened, trying to focus on getting the order in properly – put on her bill rather than split amongst the four of them – but couldn’t help but be distracted by the answer. She felt a little lump in her throat at the thought of trying to maintain a long-distance relationship for so long. It sounded torturous to her – but it had clearly worked out for the two of them.
Hopper: That’s ::brows slightly raised:: very impressive. Good for you guys!
S'Raga: ::To Evelyn:: And what do you do on the Kitty Hawk?
Beake: Response
Reade: Response
Hopper: It must be nice to be a bit closer now? When the Kitty Hawk is docked here at Amity, you can even get together for lunch – I imagine not having to wait a few weeks for messages to travel back-and-forth is a relief too!
Beake/Reade/S’Raga: Response
Hopper: Oh, S’Raga, I wasn’t expecting to run into you today but I’m buying your drinks – if you want any. Consider it an extra thank you for your help. ::To Evelyn:: Actually, that’s why I was at Scotty’s place earlier. I was stopping by to drop off a bottle of… ::Chuckling:: Something… These two have been very helpful getting my place set up.
Beake/Reade/S’Raga: Response
Hopper: Was the Kitty Hawk your first assignment out of the Academy, Evelyn – or did you transfer when you found out it would be posted to the Delta Quadrant?
Beake/Reade/S’Raga: Response
TBC
