Lt. Robin Hopper: Cool
Robin Hopper
((Three Stripes Bar, Grand Mezzanine - Amity Outpost))
Finding Ikaia sitting alone in the bar on his birthday, seemingly drowning his blues in his booze, made Robin’s heart ache for her friend. She knew that a life in Starfleet could, at times, feel mighty lonely, even when surrounded by your colleagues and friends. Sometimes the presence of strangers, even a distant presence, somehow felt more invigorating… she couldn’t help but figure that’s why he’d come here. It was certainly why she had come here in the past seeking the company of strangers.
But Ikaia Wong deserved better than that, especially given he was currently grieving a relationship – and doubly-especially because it was his birthday. She was not about to let him drink himself into a stupor and wind up in sickbay, or – perhaps even more regrettably – drunkenly stumble into some sort of rebound.
Hopper: Well I’m glad I found you. You shouldn’t be alone on your birthday – you should be with your, um, what’s the term? Ohana. ::Nudging him with her shoulder, a little smile:: Even if it’s a small family reunion all the way out here in the DQ.
Wong: Yeah…. You’re right. Usually, I’m the one reminding everyone else about that… I think I needed the reminding this time….
Hopper: You know, you’re the closest thing I’ve got to family out here too. That means we need to stick together, you and me. ::Softly singing a little ditty:: I'm stuck on you, Whoa-oh, whoa-oh, Stuck like glue – You and me baby, We're stuck like glue…
She was doing her best to cheer him up, give him room to talk about something else – but as she paused to sip her drink, she hoped he knew he could talk about anything with her, if that’s what he needed. Ikaia also stopped to take a sip of his own drink, seemingly pondering how to proceed.
Wong: And you… you are family at least to me. I’m glad to have you out here, you know that? I didn’t think I’d get to see you again after the Academy.
She nodded, appreciating the truth in his words, the nod devolving into a shake of her head as if to say “Yeah, me neither.”
Hopper: The odds were astronomical, you could say.
Wong: With how big Starfleet is and how much it covers? I think you can go for years before you can bump into someone you graduated with. Which is also why I’m glad you’re with me.
She held her glass aloft and held it out towards Ikaia, clinking it gently against his.
Hopper: Here’s to unlikely and lovely coincidences!
As they finished off their beverages and set the glasses down on the bar top, Ikaia seemed to sit up a little straighter.
Wong: So what do you want to do? I mean I’m not so sure that sitting around drinking is the best thing right now.
Hopper: ::Smiling:: I’m glad to hear you say that. It’s probably not a good sign when I can walk into a bar and order “the regular”... ::Rolling her eyes:: Especially when there are so many other options on this station.
She absent-mindedly twirled the straw in her now-empty copper mug, then pushed the cup aside.
Hopper: Speaking of which – why don’t we do something new? Surely, there’s something you haven’t done yet here on the outpost, even after all this time…
Ikaia considered for a moment before coming to an idea.
Wong: I’ve never been to the snowy section of Peace Park. Honestly, it just makes me think back to when I wanted to see snow when I was a kid. I remember pestering my parents about it because I wanted to build a snowman. Until finally one year they took me to Banff. It was ah…. Not the experience I was expecting to say the least. Spent far more time indoors than outside. That was when I really learned that cold weather and Klingons don’t mix so well.
Hopper: ::Grinning:: Great idea! We just need to dress appropriately. ::Looking down at her own athletic wear:: If I went dressed like this, I’d freeze my butt off. After being stuck on the South Pole of Idrustix I looked up a few replicator patterns for thermal gear, just in case. I can whip us up some toasty bun-warmers in no time, if you don’t mind swinging by my apartment en-route to the park!
Wong: Response.
She hopped off her bar stool and took Ikaia by the hand, leading him confidently towards the exit. No friend of hers was going to wallow on his birthday. If Ikaia was in the mood for snow – then snow he would get.
Hopper: Come on, it’ll be fun! We can try, umm, snowshoeing maybe. That’ll get your hearts pumping. Before you know it, you’ll be sweating! ::Thinking for a moment:: Klingons do sweat, right?
Wong: Response?
((Cherry Blossoms Biome – Just Outside Lor'Vela Biome, Peace Park – Amity Outpost))
The two old friends stood just outside the passable force field that separated the frozen Andorian landscape beyond from the temperate cherry tree-filled biome behind them, a few steps off the path. Following a brief stopover at her apartment, where they replicated and changed into appropriate cold-weather clothing (Robin opting for a thick coat with interior heating panels and faux-fur-lined boots) and looked up the necessary gear to traverse the ice and snow, they quickly made their way to the park.
Hopper: Ready to brave Andoria? ::Winking:: If we change our minds, we can always turn tail and run for the Talaxi Palms’ jacuzzi.
Wong: Response.
She nodded enthusiastically, trying to boost Ikaia’s spirits and confidence. She was certain they would have fun, even if all they managed was clumsily traipsing about in circles until they were ready to make a run for it.
Patting him on the back, she took her first steps into the frozen biome beyond – the cold air hitting her face and making her blink. Gentle snow was falling all around them.
Hopper: ::Looking to Ikaia:: I’ve heard rumours that a holographic makra occasionally wanders through the biome – just to add a bit of authenticity to the biome. These rumours are unconfirmed, mind you.
She stuck out her tongue and caught a snowflake on it.
Wong: Response.
TBC
