Ensign D'Cyra Varati - There she goes
D'Cyra Varati
((Wet Goods Tavern – Grand Mezzanine, Amity Outpost))
((A few minutes later than the last time))
Varati: Oh, are they playing West End Girls?
Hopper: Miss Varati! I knew you were a historian, but I wasn’t aware you had such an eclectic familiarity with vintage tunes – ::smirking:: or is it just the Pet Shop Boys who’ve earned your appreciation?
D’Cyra was startled and visibly flinched when Robin suddenly addressed her as "Miss Varati" so loudly that almost the entire bar heard it.
Niev always talked about data; she didn't actually do it, but she could still spend hours scouring databases for the most trivial and oldest details. And once you found some kind of anchor point, you always returned to it. And yes, there was some truth to the old cliché that Orions had a weakness for the nature and culture of Earth's people.
It took her a few seconds to thaw out of her shock and realize that Robin's exclamation was one of joyful surprise.
Varati: I… I… That is the sound? I first heard it a few years ago while doing research at the academy. It simply touched me and moved me. And after one song, more and more kept coming, as if there were no end to the databases. With Denise, Iria, Sam and others, we often celebrated retro parties at the academy. Well, not on campus... otherwise, none of us would be here today. So there. And elsewhere.
But why was Robin looking at her so strangely? It was a mix of surprise, astonishment, a "better not" and a challenge. But why?! She looked bewildered into her tumbler. No, she'd only had a sip to toast their anniversary.
Hopper: Well, if you change your mind about the whole ‘no karaoke’ thing, you let me know… ::Brow furrowing, playfully:: So what sorts of things do you enjoy, D’Cyra? You know, hobbies, interests…? Besides ‘chocolate’ – I know that one – and I’m gathering, from your ensemble this evening, you enjoy a bit of fashion?
That was the wrong way to talk her out of it. She'd clearly struck a chord with Robin about the music. Yes, rumours about wild karaoke parties were everywhere, about every superior officer. And if the news from DS9 ever reached Amity, she'd be screwed anyway.
Varati: Yes, the thing with Thalian chocolate will haunt me forever... What can I do if the cocoa beans fermented for four hundred years taste so good?
She wasn't ashamed to like this insanely expensive intergalactic delicacy.
Varati: Oh, and my ensemble today... well, not really suitable for this bar either. Mostly mementos... of my family, of Rasz, ... And that lace dress is simply adorable ::smiles::.
Hiding the enormous pieces of jewellery was pointless. And the black lace dress and heels... not exactly appropriate for a karaoke bar either. But somehow, she didn't really care what other people thought about her clothes and her penchant for unusual jewellery.
((OOC – Feel free to add additional back-and-forth tags here, if you want to elaborate on D’Cyra’s interests or background; I’ll gladly backfill a few!))
Hopper: Response (?)
But D’Cyra preferred to change the subject; today wasn't the day to dwell on sad memories. Especially since the anniversary of her childhood sweetheart's death was approaching. But life went on, and someone else had recently touched her heart.
Varati: I did have a whole lot of tropical, or rather rainforest-like plants flown in for my apartment (she didn't mention how, and the crewman at the terminal was also "supplied" with a bottle of Mandisa and sufficient gold-pressed latinum). I just need something that reminds me of the woods back home... everything on the holodeck is sterile. The fresh forest floor, bark mulch, after a gentle morning rain – and then a little sprint to the pond. Taking a running start on the jetty and then a big splash into the fresh water! ::pause:: The Peace Park is great, but some kind of arboretum would be wonderful, don't you think?
Hopper: Response(?)
But she had barely waited for Robin's answer and had already jumped to the next thought that somehow arose from it.
Varati: It was just an idea, maybe I should ask Dezyil, she'll definitely know about this kind of thing! ::pause:: I think it would be lovely if the whole science team could get together sometime. Just like that, maybe once a quarter? I'd even cook something myself! No, not chocolate pudding... I once visited Italy during one of Earth's winters, and I was particularly taken with the country's cuisine oO and the wine Oo.
Such small soirees were always a welcome change at home.
Hopper: Response(?)
Only now did her gaze fall upon Robin's charming dress. A combination of classic and modern elements. The plum-like colour exuded coziness, while the square neckline and silver belt conveyed modern simplicity. The soft light reflected off the satin, creating beautiful plays of light.
Varati: That's a really beautiful dress you're wearing! Like I said, there are far too few occasions to wear such lovely clothes! When is your wedding party, by the way?... And yes, I miss my wardrobe from home! Even though I had a few more closets installed in the apartment, there really isn't much space... and Saavei needs her space too. And all the other things take up space as well. I think quite a few clothes have been floating around in a moving box for a year now, somewhere between Earth, Orion, Starbase 118, and here. Maybe I should offer a reward for their return?! ::starts laughing::
Robin nodded in agreement and occasionally took a small sip of her drink. Where were the fries? Did the potatoes have to be grown first?
Hopper: If you’re ever looking for someone to drag around the shops – or be dragged around the shops by – I’m your girl. Though, I’m sure Keehani or Charlena could be persuaded to join us. ::Thinking:: I wonder Lael would enjoy that… Have you met Commander Rosek-Skyfire?
Haha! She absolutely couldn't take Robin to the designer shops on Botchok; no shore leave would have been long enough to try on or combine all the individual pieces... You could spend a fortune there in no time and still hardly buy anything.
Varati: Yes, I gave Keehani some lovely Orion jewellery for our Secret Santa event last year, and in return I received this huge potted plant. It's now on my apartment patio. Have you ever visited me? I think Charlena still believes that I want to steal Kaito from her, just because we were on the beach together on Idrustrix and I brought him some beach towels... I have only met Commander Rosek by chance at the Lighthouse Restaurant so far, when we both asked for Italian groceries in the kitchen. Dolce vita, you know?
Hopper: Response
D’Cyra had tried Robin's Moscow Mule, but it wasn't quite to her taste, even though the small copper mugs looked extremely pretty. The ginger ale and brandy created a sweeter, less intense blend, while the dash of Angostura bitters added a subtly tart and spicy top note. She hadn't yet verified whether the neck of a land horse actually tasted like that.
In any case, Robin's casual remark had spurred her on, and when the next familiar song started playing (and the fries still hadn't been served, let alone the extra ketchup), she jumped up, took the last sip of her drink, and pulled on Robin's hand:
Varati: “There she goes!”, ::broad smile:: we two, too!
The guitar music and bass had already started when D’Cyra walked the few steps over to the small stage (without heels) and grabbed one of the microphones. oO Hopefully, the DS9 surveillance videos would remain under wraps for a long time?! Oo
Hopper: Response
Varati: :: starts to sing with a lovely soprano voice that almost reaches a mezzo-soprano::
There she goes
There she goes again
Racing through my brain
And I just can't contain
This feelin' that remains…
Hopper: Response
TBC
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