Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper – Smelling the Roses
Robin Hopper
((XO’s Office, Level 3, Copernicus Center))
She slipped the ring on – it fit loosely, perhaps needing a little adjustment. Furrowing her brow further, Robin looked up at the junior lieutenant with an expression wrestling between surprise, embarrassment, and gratitude.
Hopper: This is really special. Thank you. I– I’ll admit, I didn’t expect this. Not at all… And I’m sorry that I was a bit pushy before. About the message. I can see that this was really important to you and I should have been more sensitive to that.
Varati: ::with a gentle voice:: I'm even happier when it makes you happy! That was all I wanted: to give you a lovely gift that will always remind you of this special day. ::pause:: My messages are sometimes perhaps a little... cryptic? ::soft chuckle::
Robin smiled. Though she was still somewhat flummoxed and feeling that she really hadn’t done anything to deserve something so nice, that didn’t lessen her enjoyment of the gift itself, nor her appreciation of D’Cyra’s intentions.
Hopper: Well now I’ll have to start thinking about what gift I’ll give you when you tie the knot some day. ::Considering:: If that’s even something you want for yourself, that is.
D’Cyra seemed to have only heard the first half of what Robin had said, judging by the shift in colour on her cheeks and the sudden flustered change in the cadence of her voice–
Varati: “To tie the knot?” ::surprised cough:: I, well... I think... I think there's still some time left? Yes, exactly, it's not that far off yet! Besides... Besides, you need a partner for that, don't you? A wedding without a groom makes for a bad marriage?!
Robin held a hand up, reassuringly.
Hopper: Plenty of time, D’Cyra – if you even want it. Though if my experience is anything to go by, you may find yourself doing it whether you think you want it or not. ::Smirking:: There’s no rush, and if you don’t want to get married, I’ll… ::Shrug:: Be sure to get you a special birthday present.
Varati: In any case, you don't have to give me a gift in return; it's not meant in the sense of “koledru venari” (a gift for a gift). It was your wedding, and chance played a part. Perhaps it was fate? And a gift that comes from the heart needs no reciprocation. You either give willingly, or you don't.
Robin wrinkled her nose in mock disagreement.
Hopper: Obligation and reciprocation are hardly the same thing – besides, you wouldn’t want to deny me the enjoyment of finding something nice to give you, now would you? I’m not saying today. I’m not saying tomorrow. Just some day. Maybe.
She turned, crossing the room towards her bookshelf on the opposite wall, which housed a few old books, some records, and a number of knick-knacks…
Hopper: ::Speaking to Varati, while she rummaged:: And since there wasn’t a reception, you weren’t even there to get a shot at catching my bouquet – do you know that old superstition?
Varati: There is also supposed to be a vine that grants eternal life, Angala dant Forisia, - but I don't know if that's really a gift, or rather a punishment... And no, the right partner hasn't crossed my path yet. Some things are simply beyond your control... Perhaps I'm simply sending out the wrong signals – just like with the messages. ::start to giggle:: Or maybe I should stop using the anti-pheromone pads?!
Robin found what she was looking for and turned around, holding a book in her hands as if it were a precious artifact.
Hopper: D’Cyra – you just keep doing you. When you’re open to it, the right person will come along at the right time and catch you totally by surprise… That being said.
She held out the book.
Varati: Response
Hopper: ::Chuckling:: Oh, no not “” – Open it. There’s something in the middle making a little space between the pages, see?
As the book opened, it revealed a single pale yellow rose – stem and flower – along with a few springs of pale blue lavender. They were pressed and dried between the pages, but they still retained a subtle pleasant aroma.
Hopper: Golden gate rose and sweet romance lavender. A bit cheesy, maybe, but these were the florals on our wedding arch. I kept a bunch of them, most of the books on that shelf have a set like this pressed between them – but they’re still rare. I’d like for you to have a pair.
Varati: Response
Hopper: I insist. It may not be a bouquet, but it’s something.
oO And don’t think this makes us even! Oo She thought to herself silently, squinting as she smiled.
Varati: Response
Closing the book, Robin returned it to her shelf, removing the thin transparent sheets she had placed between the flowers and the pages as protection, and sticking them into the replicator for matter recycling.
Her desk comm chimed, and the secretary spoke over the line again:
Secretary: =/\= Sorry to interrupt, ma’am. You wanted to be alerted when the Stal̕əw̓ was boarding. =/\=
Hopper: =/\= Oh! Yes, thanks. =/\= ::Apologetically to Varati:: Sorry, D’Cyra. I’ll have to run – the transport that’s taking my parents and sister back to the Alpha Quadrant is leaving soon. Gahh– If I’d realized this wasn’t really a work-thing, I might’ve… Well, anyways, I have to go see them off.
Varati: Response
She offered D’Cyra a genuine smile as she plucked her PADD from the desk and tucked it under her arm.
Hopper: We’ll have to get together again sometime soon. Maybe bring along some friends. Have some fun out on the station? And figure out how to get Nathan his ring – he’s going to love it by the way.
oO Hopefully he doesn’t try to take it apart just to see how it works… Oo
Varati: Response
As she began to move towards the door, she stopped herself, and turned around to share one more thought with D’Cyra.
Hopper: It’s… easy to get caught up in our work, Lieutenant. Easy to forget to slow down and connect with the people around us sometimes. I’m definitely guilty of that sometimes. Your thoughtfulness and attentiveness to others is a character strength that, I think, will take you far.
Varati: Response
Hopper: Thanks for helping me slow down and smell the roses today.
Varati: Response?
END Scene
