(Backsim) Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper: You Should Be Dancing
Robin Hopper
((OOC – Pushing to a close on this sim, as shore leave is ending.))
((Lake, Sub-Tropical Biome, Peace Park – Amity Outpost))
With Nate having wandered off with Ensign Ylvor to find a replicator, that left the junior Engineer in Robin’s ‘care’. Never one to give up on a challenge, she was determined to ensure that Esma had a fun time celebrating the start of the Federation new year with the rest of them – even if the Ensign seemed presently rather wet and miserable.
Hopper: Well, Esma, looks like you get a reprieve from the aquabatics… What sorts of things do you enjoy? Aside from Engineering, that is.
She smiled, trying to put on her friendliest manner, laying back in the warm water, floating lazily as she propelled herself backwards in a wide circle around the other woman.
Esma: I enjoy logic puzzles.
Robin slowed, pondering just how substantially different ‘enjoying logic puzzles’ was from ‘enjoying engineering’, barely noticing as Esma popped her ears. oO Surely, Oo she thought, oO there must be something else! Oo
Hopper: ::Nodding, amused:: What about activities one might typically find at, you know, a party or a celebration? You know, fun cocktails, socializing, playing cards, singing… What about dancing?
Esma: It is not one of my regular activities, no.
Hm.
As the discussion continued with its minimal back-and-forth, Robin noted the conspicuous lack of music at the party. There was a distant melody playing from somewhere – perhaps some smaller speaker system beside the grill – but the atmosphere felt otherwise rather quiet and serene, considering they were all enjoying a barbecue in the park.
Hopper: Do you play any instruments?
Esma: The Vulcan lute and Terran cello.
Now they were getting somewhere! Robin stopped her gentle backward circling and stood again, her feet on the soft sandy lake-bottom.
Esma: However, my proficiency in both instruments is only to an intermediate level. Unlikely to draw the interest of males.
oO Oh… Oo Robin tried to contain her rather bemused expression – most likely failing. oO That’s an interesting priority to bring up… Oo She wondered whether Esma was particularly interested in finding companionship and, given her negative tone, if she was maybe frustrated with her lack of success.
That was something Robin could definitely help with! Amity was filled with eligible bachelors – though Esma was unlikely to meet any stranded here in the water with the Chief Science Officer. No, they needed to get her out of the water and over where the other Ensigns were partying it up.
oO Time to put that bathing suit to work, Esma! Oo
Hopper: Well, let’s get you out of the water and go mingle with the others then. I’m sure we can rustle up something fun for us to do.
She led the way up the gentle sloping shore, back towards the table where their towels were waiting for them, wrapping her own towel around her waist and tying it off. The subtropical biome air was pleasantly warm as they began to walk along the shoreline towards the others.
Esma: What of yourself? What are your interests and “social activities”?
Hopper: Oh, I have too many, really! I love a good novel, and I dabble in holoprogramming as a hobby… But, since we’re talking ‘social activities’, I think I’m happiest on the dance floor, though I’d consider myself a decent karaoke singer as well.
Robin smiled, the warmth of her features matching the warmth of the air as they strolled together.
Esma: From my studies, I have observed that dancing is a common form of mating ritual shared across many cultures.
Hopper: Uh-huh… Yes, I guess that’s true. ::Chuckling:: I mean, I can’t deny that’s definitely a part of it. I think you can learn a lot about someone on the dance floor, about your connection. It can be pretty.. oO erotic? Oo ..intimate.
Esma: Perhaps you would not be surprised that it is not a practice typically observed among Vulcans.
Robin shrugged casually.
Hopper: Well, who needs dance when you’ve got neuro-pressure exercises? ::Fondly remembering:: My roommate, when I was a junior officer aboard the Wall Street – T’sel – gave the best massages. She must have been studying a book on them or something, ‘cause she always wanted to show me the ‘new techniques’ she’d learned…
Saying it out loud, Robin suddenly wondered if she’d misread that situation.
Trying to remain present, she cleared her throat and looked side-to-side, crossing her arms in front of her.
Hopper: But that’s neither here nor there. So – um, you aren’t much of a dancer?
Esma: My mother, however, is a practitioner of Romulan classical dance.
Hopper: That’s fun! I’ll bet if you were interested we could find some sort of training holoprogram on that – maybe we could take it together. ::Grinning:: Or we could just hit up one of the local spots and I can teach you how to ‘hustle’.
Esma: Response
Hopper: Don’t worry, Ensign. If there’s one thing I know how to do – aside from physics– it’s having fun!
Robin offered Esma a cheeky grin, hoping she wasn’t overpromising. But, at that point they had reached the gathering and there were now other matters to attend to, such as picking some music to play.
Hopper: Esma, any requests?
Esma: Response
Hopper: Fun! ::Setting the song to play:: Not necessarily what I was expecting, but if it makes you happy, I’m happy… ::Turning to face Esma once more:: Now – what do you say I teach you a few moves?
Robin held out her hands to Esma, hoping the Ensign would find it in herself to let loose.
Hopper: ::Winking:: I promise, this is not a mating ritual.
Esma: Response?
END Scene
