Lt. Robin Hopper: Novel Conversation
Robin Hopper
((Amity Outpost - Copernicus Center, Level 14))
Keehani: So, c'mon. ::Smiling:: Tell me about you. The interesting stuff I mean, tell me one thing about you that would surprise me.
Robin had always considered herself very ordinary. Painfully ordinary, sometimes.
Hopper: Uhhh… Hmm…
Robin had always considered herself very ordinary. Painfully ordinary, sometimes. Keehani took a sip of her tea while she worked out an answer.
Hopper: I’m fluent in both High and Low Centauran. My other mom is from Velestus. She taught my sister and I to speak the language – but, to be honest.. ::chuckling:: ..we mostly used it to fight in public.
Keehani: Oh interesting. I love hearing new languages. Can you give me a sample?
That she could do – though High Centauran would simply be converted by the Universal Translator. It was the more derived of the languages, which Robin had always thought ought to have been named “Old” and “New” Centauran, rather than “Low” and “High”, respectively.
Hopper: ::In Centauran:: Ekko kousei ti Palla Velestos paravotan tin elliki a'tos protos Humanei exrenitii… ::Smiling:: That’s Low Centauran – the UT doesn’t translate it as it’s no longer really in use. I said, umm, “I have heard that Low Centauran was mistaken for Greek by early human explorers…”
Keehani: ::Squinting eyes:: “Greek”…
Robin shrugged and smiled, missing Keehani’s befuddlement over the ancient Earth language.
Hopper: It’s not a very useful skill, but nobody expects it, either. They say Centaurans are ‘the most invisible people in the Federation’.
Keehani: Oh really? ::Small chuckle::
Hopper: So they say. Most aren’t perceptive enough to notice the subtle differences between them and Terrans – and biologically, they’re quite similar. Then again, to an Andorian, I’m sure you and I probably seem quite similar as well! ::Chuckling:: I’m looking forward to getting to meet more of our galactic neighbors here on Amity.
Keehani: Have you spent much time in Peace Park?
Robin thought back to her first visit to the station and her encounter with Tidrid Vataix with a mix of amusement and embarrassment.
Hopper: Some. ::Smiling, slightly pursed lips:: I’d like to see more of it though, really explore the biomes. I’m hoping to take a walk ‘round the whole thing soon.
Keehani: I love it there. There’s a bench near the waterfall that I love to sit at, and read a book on a PADD. It’s so relaxing.
Robin took a sip of her tea and leaned back slightly in her seat. That did sound quite cozy!
Hopper: Oh, really? Read any good books lately? I’m a sucker for a good story.
Keehani: I’ve been reading a story ::Reaching for PADD:: that’s called… ::tapping screen:: “The Second To Last Game”. Murder mystery.
Robin accepted the PADD as it was handed over by Keehani, looking at the cover of the book which evoked the subject matter vividly – the title written in big bold tall writing, with a red smear underneath as a background, and a rose in a circle underneath the title. At the bottom was the Vulcan author’s name, “Smarnokk”.
Hopper: With a Vulcan author, I’m sure it’s all air-tight too. Not known for leaving plot-holes! ::She flipped to the fourth page, briefly scanning the table of contents:: Not a short one, either. Mmm – I should add this to my list. ::Passing the PADD back with a smile:: I love a good mystery.
Keehani: I’m only about halfway through, I’ve been reading it on and off for months. It’s set in the 2280’s about a detective “Brashnish”, hunting down a serial killer that’s leaving clues as part of a game for them. Far-fetched, but it’s still a good story. I’m told there’s a holoprogram of it too. ::Pursing lips:: Apparently not as good.
Robin cocked an eyebrow.
Hopper: ::Drawn out:: Reeealllyyy…? ::Intrigued:: Well, maybe when we’ve both finished reading it, we should check out that holoprogram. To keep it fresh, we could always tweak the settings to adjust the mystery a little – give us something less predictable.
Keehani: Response
Hopper: ::Chuckle:: I dabble in holo-programming as a hobby. It’s what got me into studying physics initially, actually. When I was younger, I had an internship at a publishing house and wanted to understand the mechanics behind the stories.
Keehani: Response
Hopper: You said you recently graduated from University… Were you studying politics? What drew you to that realm – ::considering:: or was it sort of ‘expected’ of you, given your noble heritage?
Keehani: Response
Hopper: ::Brows raised:: Oh, I see. Well, you seem very good at your work. I’ve been impressed with everything I’ve heard out of the Delta Quadrant since Amity first launched here. You certainly don’t have a simple or straightforward mission out here.
Keehani: Response
Hopper. Given my own family history with the FDC, I guess I’ve always felt some draw to be more political, but, honestly, I don’t think I’d make a very good diplomat. My sister Keri is hoping to follow in our mom’s footsteps… I just try to keep up with current affairs. ::Shrugging:: I read the news.
Keehani: Response
TBC
