Lt. Robin Hopper: Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
Robin Hopper
((Amity Outost – Beijing District, Chief of Mission's Accommodations))
Having just arrived at the Vataix’s dwelling, after a very long day of ‘firsts’, Robin felt an intoxicating mixture of exhaustion and excitement flowing through her. As the door slid open she smiled, doing her best not to look too tired, but she maintained her grip on the CMO’s arm to help maintain the illusion. Ikaia was both an old friend and an excellent prop to lean on.
Hopper: Hiii! ::Looking inside:: Oh my god, your place is amazing!
As she peeked her head in, hoping to look around the Vataixs’ apartment for design inspiration, she caught sight of another dinner guest and was pleased to see that it was another familiar face – Nathan Richards, whom she’d seen only a couple hours earlier.
Richards: ::To Hopper:: Well hey, long time not see!
He seemed to have cleaned up a bit since she found him rolling around on the floor under the shuttle in the Cellar. oO Well, hello handsome… Oo
She stopped herself mid-thought. No, that wouldn’t do. She’d already barely escaped the frying pan earlier when Rivi had practically ‘walked in on’ her flirting with Tidrid in the park. She wasn’t about to toss herself in the fire and prove herself utterly unprofessional in front of the telepathic Betazoid Ambassador – even if it was just in her thoughts.
Hopper: ::Politely and professionally:: Oh, hello again Ensign Richards. Nice to see you. ::Looking up at Wong:: Ikaia, do you know Nathan?
Wong: ::Glancing at Hopper:: Yep. Sure do! We’ve had a chance to share some dinner together. ::To Richards:: Aloha, Nathan!
Richards: ::Smiling warmly:: Heya, Ikaia!
Vataix: Aww, I'm glad you all know each other already. So no ice breakers needed.
As they stepped over the threshold and into Rivi and Tidrid’s well-appointed home, taking their shoes off and leaving them by the door, Robin chuckled and patted Ikaia on the chest affectionately.
Hopper: Oh sure, the two of us go way back. We’ve been close ever since the Academy. ::Taking a sniff:: Whatever’s cooking smells amazing, by the way. Thank you again for having us all over. I can’t wait to eat a proper meal.
Wong: It’s nice of you for having us, Ambassador, Mister Tidrid. Thank you for the invite.
Richards: ::Smiling:: Yes, thank you. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know anyone else was invited, and I though maybe I was in trouble! ::chuckling::
oO Do you need frequent scolding, Mr. Richards? Oo She bit the inside of her cheek and scolded herself instead. oO Stop that! Oo
Tidrid: Honestly, I've been looking forward to something like this... something a little different from all the formal dinners and speeches...
Vataix: Yes, please make yourselves at home and comfortable. This is *not* a work function.
What a relief! Robin made her way to the nearest sofa, trailing Ikaia behind her by the hand. She sat down – perhaps flopping more unceremoniously than she’d intended – but stayed upright. She leaned an elbow on the arm of the couch and rested her hand in it, hoping it would help her stay ‘attentive’.
Hopper: Rivi, Tidrid, I get the feeling I’ll need to pick your brains about furnishing! Soon I’ll be decorating my own place. ::Sinking into the couch a little more:: You have great taste.
Her comment about ‘great taste’ seemed to remind Ikaia of something. Now freed from being Robin’s prop, produced a bottle of wine and handed it to their hosts. Internally, Robin chided herself for not thinking to bring something as well.
Wong: Oh uh! I brought you something!
Richards: Oooh… Fancy. ::smiling::
Wong: I didn’t know what everyone’s taste in wine is. So, I just went with the red. I hope that’s fine with you.
Vataix: I'm always up for trying something once!
Tidrid: You know damn well, imzadi, that you've tried that before--oww!
Tidrid rubbed the side of his ribs from the elbow poke from his wife. Robin smiled. The two of them were very sweet together. It was impressive, considering the demands put on both of them by Rivi’s work with the Diplomatic Corps – but she took it as a good sign.
Hopper: ::Chuckling:: I’m certainly not above trying it as well – but just a little.
oO If I have more than small glass, Ikaia will have to carry me home! Oo
Richards: I’m not much of a wine drinker, so more for you guys I guess! ::smiling, chuckling::
Their hosts and Ikaia set about taking the bottle to the kitchen. Whatever was cooking smelled divine and Robin felt her stomach rumbling in anticipation.
Wong: I have to say you have a lovely place here. I really appreciate what you’ve done with it.
Hopper: ::Nodding, suppressing another unwanted yawn:: Very eclectic – which seems fitting for an Ambassador! What were your inspirations?
Vataix: Yes, I wanted to bring of course a bit of our Betazoid home into this place as well but also marry it with the Earth cultural traditions of this neighborhood. I hope I succeeded...
Wong: I’m uh…. Not much of an art guy. I mean, Robin has seen my stick figures! ::A chuckle::
Hopper: ::Grinning evilly at Ikaia:: Pfft. I’ve seen better cave paintings!
Richards: Stick figures can be art too. ::smiling, winking::
Hopper: Kidding, of course. Ikaia’s art is very… expressive.
Wong: Response
Richards: I consider feats of Engineering art personally. Like this station itself is art in a way. ::smiling:: Is that strange?
Robin turned her attention to Nathan, subconsciously tucking her legs up onto the couch under her. She may not have realized it but her tired nesting brain was kicking in, thanks in no small part to the Vataix’s exceptionally cozy sofa.
Tidrid: Not at all... there's nothing more beautiful than a well-sculpted fighter craft... what's that expression? "Form meeting function?"
Hopper: I completely agree – at least with the notion that the art of design extends beyond traditional concepts of art. The beauty of the Mezzanine is enthralling.
Wong: Response
Richards: Glad I’m not the only one. ::smiling::
Tidrid: But enough chatting, let's get started on this fish…
Tidrid moved about the kitchen, preparing to serve their dinner. Robin, coming to her senses, put her feet back on the floor and stood up – a little wobbly – and followed the others to the dining table eagerly. As they sat, Mr. Vataix arrived at the table and placed the sizzling fish in the center of the table. A moment later, he returned with a dish of sautéed vegetables, placing it closer to Robin.
Tidrid: I heard you might appreciate a slight variation...
Hopper: Mmm... Thank you so much. ::Glancing at the fish:: That jumper does look amazing, though. ::To Richards:: There you go, another unconventional art form!
Wong/Richards/Vataix/Tidrid: Responses
As they all tucked into their dinners, Robin could barely contain her joy. After three weeks of eating cold replicated fare on a transport, the hot flavorful sautée was simply divine. It was going to be difficult to pace herself. In an effort to do so, she took a sip of Ikaia’s contribution. The wine paired remarkably well with the meal, considering one typically paired a white with fish or veggies.
Hopper: ::Trying not to talk with her mouth full:: This is lovely. Mmm. Words can’t express.
Wong/Richards/Vataix/Tidrid: Responses
Hopper: I’d love to know more about the goings-on here on Amity. I feel like I learned a lot today already, but surely there is so much more happening. I keep hearing murmurings about noble Betazoids and upcoming birthday parties… What’s everyone up to?
Wong/Richards/Vataix/Tidrid: Responses
Robin listened intently, soaking in the news while stacking slices of mushroom, asparagus, and pepper to skewer with her fork.
Hopper: Well, with a station this size I can only imagine there’s always more going on than one person can keep track of! ::A glance to Nathan:: Oh, you should tell them about the progress we made today on your shuttle!
Wong/Richards/Vataix/Tidrid: Responses
TBC
((OOC Note – Left a few more tags than usual to try and help bring the scene towards a close, since we’re coming up on the mission!))
