Lt Cmdr Robin Hopper: Making A Splash
Robin Hopper
((Earlier, Hopper’s Office, SRC – Amity Outpost))
Ylvor: Ensign Torvi Ylvor, Security officer, good to meet you ma'am.
Robin cringed a little, inwardly, at being called “ma’am.” She knew it really shouldn’t bother her as Second Officer of the station – and when she’d worn the red uniform on the bridge of the Jemison it had almost felt comfortable (almost) – but somehow, here on Amity, it still felt wrong.
Hopper: Oh, please, just pick any one of “Robin” or “Hopper” or “Commander,” if you really want to keep it formal. ::Taking her seat, chuckling:: Anything but “ma’am”. Gives me the willies… May I call you Torvi?
Ylvor: Sorry Commander, I don't mind at all.
Robin nodded, grateful that the new security officer was willing and able to adapt. She knew from her own experience, transferring from the Wall Street, that Amity’s casual atmosphere could take a bit of adjustment after time aboard another vessel – but, ultimately, it was liberating.
She passed the PADD she’d been looking over for Torvi to examine. On the PADD, Hopper knew, Ylvor would find a meticulous report/complaint written by one of her most challenging staff members: Crewman Furahl Ygrix – the Edosian computer scientist who was dead set on avoiding any sort of interaction with any other member of the crew. (Or at least, that was how it felt, at times). As the security officer began skimming it, Robin offered her a bit of reassurance.
Hopper: You can read the details in your own time… Maybe get a coffee first – ::smirking to herself:: – or a cocktail. The short version is that Furahl there is one of our computer scientists and he’s convinced that after I permitted him to complete seventy-five percent of his duty shifts working remotely from his quarters, that someone has been… ::sighing:: sabotaging his experiments when he’s out of the lab. According to him, he keeps coming back to find unexpected errors and damaged equipment.
Ylvor: I understand Commander, ::Her tone seemed downbeat:: Sure, I will look into it.
Robin sipped at her drink as Ylvor responded, nodding slowly as she listened. Setting the glass bottle down, she leaned back and criss-crossed her fingers in front of her, resting the edge of her hands on the desk surface.
Hopper: I promised to look into the matter personally, but that didn’t satisfy him. Someone from your department was therefore needed… ::Leaning forward, furrowed brow:: I won’t lie, this won’t be a very interesting or fun assignment – which I suspect is why dispatch saddled you with it.
Ylvor: I think I need to make some friends in dispatch, or it could be hazing.
Robin smirked.
Hopper: I don’t think Commander Iovianus would let that sort of thing happen under his watch. I think everyone else has just already had their fair helping of Mr. Ygrix.
Ylvor: This crewman, not a fan of people huh?
Hopper: ::Considering her response:: He’s very good with computers.
Robin shook her head, and laughed genuinely, if a little beleaguered. Thankfully, Torvi laughed along with her. From experience, Robin knew that it would take an ability to find the silver linings (and some morbid amusement) in the situation to handle working a case for Furahl.
Hopper: Look, I do want to take this seriously. But – ::leaning forward, cupping hand by mouth:: – between you and me, this is not the highest-priority task. Read the report later, seriously consider that cocktail ‘cause it might help, then figure out where you’d like to start your investigation and get back to me tomorrow. Right now – I’ve got plans… ::Pause, curious eyebrow raised:: Has anyone told you about the party?
Ylvor: I will let you know what I find out, and no.. I am very new to Amity, what party?
Hopper: Oh, how exciting! ::Grinning:: I hope you packed your swimsuit!
((Later – Sub-Tropical Biome, Peace Park))
Richards: Come on in, the water is fine!
Robin crossed her arms and shook her head, but began walking down the sand towards him. She hardly needed the invitation. The water looked very inviting after a long morning of PADDwork – and besides, she was happy for any excuse to play with her favourite boy in public without feeling they were completely ‘giving away’ how they felt about one another.
Hopper: ::Grinning, despite herself:: Alright, alright, I’m coming… Hold your seahorses.
Much to her amusement, Nate started collecting imaginary seahorses, reaching out in the water and pulling them in towards her chest. Her attempt to seem stern was entirely undercut by the giggle that escaped her lips, though she tried to contain it (poorly).
However, just as she felt the warm water creeping up her right calf, Robin paused – noting a couple other figures nearby who seemed a little out of place. She held up a finger to indicate she’d be just a moment, then walked over to them, resting her hands on her hips.
Hopper: Well, hello again, Ensign. Glad to see you made it!
Ylvor: Torvi, please, I didn’t bring my pip, this place is gorgeous.
Robin smiled and nodded. Sounds like Ensi– Torvi – was already getting the hang of things… and she had an excellent fashion sense judging by the swimsuit she’d brought with her. oO Ooh, I might need to trade replicator catalogues with this one… Oo Robin thought, admiring the unique cut of her outfit and how it tastefully showed off her spots.
Robin realized she had been looking at the woman’s spots for slightly longer than she intended, and quickly looked up at the other women who had come along – Ensign Esma. One of Nate’s people, who had joined them a few months prior, just before their mission to the alternate universe.
Hopper: Hiya, Esma! Having fun yet? ::Wink::
The Engineer, who had been politely (if unenthusiastically) waving to Nathan, met Robin’s gaze and replied flatly.
Esma: No.
oO Oh. Oo Robin’s smile wavered ever-so-slightly. oO Okay. Oo
Richards: Is she capable of having fun? ::Chuckling, shrugging:: Kidding, of course.
Robin looked over her shoulder, wondering if Nate should really be making such jokes. Not that she was entirely sure he was wrong. Robin wasn’t so familiar with Vulcan philosophy that she could say beyond a doubt ‘having fun’ wasn’t precluded from their logic-based way of thinking. Then again, Esma wasn’t fully Vulcan was she – did she even prescribe to Vulcan philosophy.
oO I really don’t know much about this woman at all. Oo
Torvi, blissfully unaware of Robin’s inner thoughts, had already walked up to the water’s edge.
Ylvor: How is the water?
Richards: Uh, refreshing!
Ylvor: Sounds great!
The Trill ensign moved further into the water before submerging herself briefly and then coming back up again. Robin couldn’t help but feel a slight pang of regret. She should have just gotten in the water and enjoyed herself. But, part of her role was knowing her fellow officers and making sure everyone felt welcome and taken care of…
Ylvor: Hi, I’m Torvi, new to Amity.
Richards: Nice to meet you. Nathan Richards, Chief of Operations.
Robin turned back to Esma, wondering how she might ensure the young woman – wait, how old was she? Vulcans age slower than humans. She could be older than Robin – had a good time.
Hopper: Whaddaya say, wanna go for a dip?
Esma: I was planning to minimize my participation in water-based activities.
oO :| Oo
Hopper: At a beach party? ::Searching for something encouraging to say:: But your suit’s so cute.
Esma: Swimming... is not one of my stronger skills.
Hopper: Oh, um, that’s alright. Just keep to the shallow water and you’ll be alright – trust me, you can still splash around and have plenty of – ::pause, trying to think of a term other than ‘fun’ – pleasurable experiences.
Not good at all.
Robin’s concentration couldn’t help but flit back to the conversation happening in the water behind her. Nate’s natural baritone voice was hard to ignore, and while they were only making introductions and small talk, they seemed far less strained than the interaction the naturally-outgoing Robin was having with the seemingly-reserved Esma.
Richards: Well, welcome to Amity. How are you finding it?
Ylvor: Response
Richards: ::Nodding:: Good, I’m glad to hear it. ::Looking up towards Robin:: I thought you were coming in!
He splashed some water their way, and Robin looked back at him, playing aghast. Her cheeks reddened slightly.
Hopper: ::Mock outrage:: Naaaathaaan… How dare you! ::Chuckling, turning back to Emsa:: Okay, well, you do you, Ensign – but I can’t let that sort of behaviour fly without retaliation.
With that, Robin turned and made her way back down towards the water, rushing in quickly until it was up to her waist. Nate, meanwhile, leaned back in the water and swam out a bit – no doubt to escape her vengeance. As she waded further in, she slipped an elastic off her wrist over a bundle of hair to form a ponytail.
Hopper: Hey! Stop escaping! ::Chuckling:: That’s an order!
Ylvor: Response
Richards: Less talk! More swim!
As she passed by Torvi into the slightly-deeper water, her collarbone now dipping beneath the surface, Robin glanced at the Trill and rolled her eyes.
Hopper: ::Smiling:: I’ll let you know if I need your help detaining that runaway.
Ylvor: Response
She pushed off the bottom, launching herself forward into the water – taking a deep breath before sliding gracefully under the surface. The water in the lake was clean, fresh, and crystal clear, so she opened her eyes – able to spot her ‘prey’ from meters away.
While she surged forward, Robin realized how she’d missed this ‘weightless’ feeling. It had been years since she’d really been in the water like this – back in San Francisco, probably. But she’d grown up not far from the reservoir outside of Port Hibbings and swimming was a great way to cool off during the long Thetan summers. Her human family came from Minnesota – the self-proclaimed Land of 10,000 Lakes – and, according to her mother, Ansyra, her Centauran heritage meant that her blood was part seawater. Both spurious claims… but ones which resonated with her all the same as she sailed gracefully through the water.
All that grace, however, was set aside as she came up on Nathan and gave him a playful bite on his side, just below his ribs.
Richards: Response
Hopper: ::Emerging from the water with a wicked smile:: That’s for teasing.
Ylvor: Response
Treading water, Robin exchanged a few splashes with Nate before lying back and kicking off back towards the shallower waters and the trepidatious Ensign Esma. She glided towards her on her back before flipping around and touching the sand beneath her with her tip-toes.
Hopper: How’s it going? Not so bad, hmm?
Esma: Yes, this is good. It is not traumatic.
“Good” and “Not traumatic” were hardly synonymous in Robin’s book.
Hopper: Hey, don’t worry. You’ll be fine. ::Waving Richards and Ylvor over:: Why don’t we all have some fun in the shallows for a bit? ::Back to Esma:: You know how to ‘cannonball’?
Richards/Ylvor/Esma: Response
As the others came closer, Robin swam over to Nathan and put an arm around his neck, resting her side against him – an almost-amorous gesture, until her next words.
Hopper: How far do you think you can throw me?
Richards: Response
Ylvor/Esma: Response?
Hopper: ::Wink, to Richards:: Give it your best shot.
She tucked her legs up, into her best impression of a ball, and waited for the inevitable launch (followed by a significant splash).
Richards/Ylvor/Esma: Response
TBC
