Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper: You Must Be At Least This Tall
Robin Hopper
((Hopper’s Apartment, Beijing District, Habit Ring – Amity Outpost))
Vataix: Peace Park sounds like a good choice. Plenty of open space.
Robin nodded cheerily. After the dreariness of their recent mission to that dreadful alternate universe and their time aboard cramped ships, shuttles, and stations, the thought of getting out in Peace Park’s wide open spaces, fresh air, and (artificial) sunshine seemed like heaven. However – a larger ‘do’ would also mean more logistics, more planning. Perhaps they needed an additional co-conspirator.
Hopper: In that case, is there anyone we want to loop in on our scheming? ::Grinning:: Maybe Keehani?
Vataix: You know, I think that wouldn't be a bad idea. She's also someone getting a surprise from me.
Robin’s curiosity must have been obvious. Before she could even ask what Rivi meant, she’d leaned in and announced it excitedly.
Vataix: I'm promoting her to Envoy and making her my chief of staff!
Hopper: ::Clasping her hands together:: Oh, that’s so exciting! And again, I have to say, Madam Ambassador, that you have an excellent eye for talent. Keehani’s the best, isn’t she?
Vataix: Don't tell her anything if you see her before I do.
Robin bit her lip absent-mindedly, as she looked off into the distance, nodding. Keeping secrets from a Betazoid was no easy task.
Hopper: I’ll have to avoid her… Which might not be too challenging, given how busy we both are these days.
oO And… How things went down the last time we talked. Oo
The truth was, that while Robin had oodles of respect for Keehani – both as an FDC professional, and as a person, and plenty of love for her as a friend… She hadn’t yet had the chance to clarify with Keehani that friends was all they were, and were ever going to be… A conversation that needed to happen some time. But then, when was the right time for that?
Hopper: There, you see what I mean? You probably just got ::indicating her head:: all of that, didn’t you? ::Grimacing slightly:: Sorry – the point is, yes. I will keep the secret until you get the chance to tell her.
Rivi crossed her own legs, mirroring Robin now as she rested her hands on her knee – hopefully planning to move on to discussing a less personally-compromising element of the party planning.
Vataix: You know Nathan better than I do... what kind of social activities does he enjoy?
oO Drat! Oo She shook her head, chuckling slightly at the absurdity of it all and doing what she could to muddle her thoughts on him – which, to be fair, were already pretty fairly muddled. Besides, it wasn’t like Rivi hadn’t been in the room when she and Nathan had materialized in front of them all, holding each other, lips locked–
oO Answer her! Oo
Hopper: All kinds of things!
There was a brief pause as Rivi awaited a more specific answer. Finding none, she prompted Robin.
Vataix: Music? Dancing? ...games?
Hopper: Oh. Right. Right, yes, sorry. ::Shaking her head:: I just mean that he’s a very easygoing person. I think he’ll just be happy to have an excuse to let loose with friends. ::Thinking:: But I can vouch for his dancing, and singing – and he can play a few instruments… Honestly, I’m not sure there’s much that he can’t do… I mean, not much that he wouldn’t enjoy doing. To celebrate.
She felt her cheeks warming. She used to consider herself good at being discreet, keeping secrets. Lately it felt like everything had gotten messier…
Hopper: I think karaoke would be lots of fun – maybe we can even have a live band. There must be plenty of capable musicians on the station.
Vataix: Response
Robin stood, walking through her apartment a little as she thought aloud.
Hopper: I remember hearing that when the station first launched, you held a celebration where there were stalls with food from all across the Federation – maybe it’s time for a redo? Maybe even invite some of our Delta Quadrant friends to take part, this time? ::She spun around, one finger up:: Maybe not the Hirogen though?
Vataix: Response
Suddenly, a vision sparked in Robin’s mind. A way to tie it all together, and perhaps add a splash of new excitement to the occasion.
Hopper: Oh! Oh! Rivi, have you ever been to – or, heck, maybe this is just a human thing – have you ever heard of a “Carnival”?
Vataix: Response
TBC
