Lt. Robin Hopper: Celebrate Good Times, Come On! (Part 2)

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Robin Hopper

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Dec 10, 2022, 1:01:18 PM12/10/22
to Amity Outpost

((Amity Outpost – Habitat Ring, Beijing District, Chief of Mission’s Accommodations))


Robin took her duties very seriously. During her studies at UC Berkeley, she had taken on an unofficial mantra of sorts – one which spoke both to her rigorous dedication to her studies and her naturally-whimsical demeanor… Work hard, play hard. And she had carried that mantra (or perhaps it had carried her) through Starfleet Academy, two years aboard the USS Wall Street, and now to Amity Outpost… and tonight’s duty was no different: Keep Wil Ukinix toasted.


It hadn’t exactly been an order – but the conviction with which she had been encouraged to make sure the newly-minted Commander’s glass was never left wanting for long had been sufficient for her to go ‘on notice’. It wasn’t every day you were promoted to the rank of Commander, and she wanted to do her part to make sure Ukinix enjoyed himself properly. It hadn’t been long since the cork flew off that first bottle of champagne and already he’d polished off two flutes of the bubbly French wine. 


But of course, Robin may have also had her own purposes for ‘minding’ the Commander’s glass… With each trip over, she grew a little bolder – the notion growing in her head that she might eventually ask Wil about his good-looking Commodore friend – though she hadn’t yet worked up the courage. Instead, she stood across the room filling her own glass of rosé while her hips swayed slightly to the music.


S'Raga: Hey!


Robin nearly fumbled the bottle of wine she’d been pouring from. She’d been busy thinking about potential ice breakers – how did one approach a Commodore anyways? – when the unexpected voice of the Caitian Ensign brought her back to reality.


She carefully returned the lid to the bottle and set it down on the table, turning to face him with a relieved smile. Then she saw his dress whites.


Hopper: Wow! Look at you, all spiffy!  ::Indicating her far-more-casual outfit::  I sort of went the opposite approach.


oO Ironically, he looks far more prepared to chat with a Commodore. Maybe I should change. Oo


Hopper: What’s new, S’Raga?


S'Raga: Not sure if you heard, but I was issued a Temporary Duty Assignment to Betazed.


Hopper: ::Nodding, taking a sip of rosé, then smirking::  You think I wouldn’t know my three besties were going away together?  ::Tilting her head to the side teasingly::  I’m a little jealous. I hear Betazed is gorgeous.


S’Raga, however, seemed a little tense. Then again, perhaps it was just his formal attire amidst a sea of midriffs and bare legs.


Hopper: You feeling okay about it?


S'Raga: Yeah, so I just wanted to make sure I say goodbye before I leave tomorrow morning!


Hopper: Awww. That’s so sweet.  ::Putting her free hand on his shoulder::  At least you know that, without our helm officer, we’re not going anywhere!  ::With a wink::  I’ll try to keep the place from going to Gre'thor while you’re away.


That seemed to ease his worries. Before she knew what hit her, Robin found herselves enwrapped in the arms of a warm Caitian embrace. Ensuring she didn’t spill rosé down the back of his whites, she carefully wrapped her arms around him and returned the gesture. 


S'Raga: Don't start that holonovel without me!


Hopper: ::Still hugging him::  Oh, I wouldn’t dare… Don’t have too much fun on Betazed without me.


S’Raga: Response


Hopper: I’ll know if you do.


She released him and took another sip of her drink while giving him a playful/menacing look.


S’Raga: Response


Hopper: I expect things will be pretty quiet here on Amity anyways. Routine, you know? Plus - if you’re still in the Alpha Quadrant when your next shore leave begins, maybe a chance to see home?


S’Raga: Response


((OOC – Can continue to backsim here if you want to!))



((A Few Minutes Later))


Another top up on Ukinix’s glass complete, Robin set her sights on a nearby spread of appies. Being part of the ‘set up committee’ (as she had decided to call it in her own mind), she had ensured an ample supply of her personal favourites – curly fries and jalapeno poppers – as well as some of the Aussie classics she’d been assured Wil enjoyed. These included “sausage sizzles” which, to Robin, really just seemed like a meat tube on a slice of bread, as well as some sort of chocolate-covered cookie called a “Tim Tam” – which did seem considerably more appetizing.


Noticing that the tray of crudité was beginning to empty, she stepped over to the nearby replicator.


Hopper: Another bunch of prepared sliced vegetables, assorted.


As the food flashed into existence before her, conveniently resting in a clear plastic tray, she scooped them up and carried them to the table and began transferring them onto the serving platter with a small set of tongs. All around her, music filled the air and people chattered happily. It was an atmosphere she had sorely missed since leaving Earth behind over two years ago to begin her first deep space mission as a Starfleet Officer… and now, here it was again on the farthest-flung Outpost. She couldn’t help but smile to herself as she unloaded the last of the baby carrots onto the platter.


Relocating an assortment of veggies onto a small plate, Robin turned to scan the room for Wil, when instead she saw Scotty – and he was talking to Commodore Handsome…  oO Does Scotty know him too? Hmmm… Oo  She bit into a slice of cucumber as she decided this was as good a moment as any. Veggie plate in one hand and a glass of cider in the other, she made her way over towards them.


((OOC – Not including the earlier tags from this conversation that Robin wouldn’t have heard))


Reade: Yes exactly. ::taking sip of drink:: Oh, hey Robin. 


Hopper: ::Grinning::  Hiya Scotty! Enjoying the party?  ::A flirtatious glance towards Kells::  Hi, I’m Robin by the way.


She would have offered a hand, had they not been preoccupied. She briefly glanced around for a surface.


Kells: Response 


Reade: I do not think you two have met? 


Hopper: Well, we have now, right?  ::Taking a small sip, then setting her glass down on the side table next to her::  How do you two know each other?  ::To Kells::  Were you previously aboard the Veritas as well?


Kells/Reade: Response 


Hopper: Well, um, how long will you be staying on Amity? If you need anyone to give you a tour around the station some time… I know how busy Rivi and Wil can get.


Kells: Response


Not wanting to ignore her colleague, Robin steered the conversation back to Reade for a moment, placing her now-free hand on his arm.


Hopper: How’s Evelyn doing? Have you two been up to anything fun in your last few days of leave?


Reade: Response


Hopper: That sounds nice. You two are so cute together!


Her eyes once again strayed to Kells, as she absent-mindedly nibbled on a baby carrot… Which, as she thought about it, might not be the most attractive choice.


Hopper: So, the Thor. That must have been an interesting journey. Any fun stories from the trip out to the Delta Quadrant with both crews?


Reade/Kells: Response


((OOC – Can continue to backsim here if you want to!))



((Several Hours Later))


Someone – possibly Wil himself (Robin wasn’t sure, as she’d been distracted making sure drinks and food reserves were staying topped up throughout the large one-story house) – had set up a makeshift karaoke machine in the living room… and she’d found herself ‘summoned’ by the sound of someone drunkenly covering ‘Bad Romance’.


A few minutes, and a few tequila shots, later and she was now standing barefoot on a coffee table, microphone in hand. Wil had made the mistake of asking her to perform a duet, but allowing her to choose the song. While not a duet in the typical sense – ABBA’s “Super Trouper” did feature the vocals of both Agnetha and Anni-Frid… so it counted.


Hopper: ::singing:: All I do is eat and sleep and sing, wishing every show was the last show…


Ukinix: ::singing:: So im-a-gine I-was-glad-to-hear-you're co-ming, Sudden-ly... I-feel all-right…


Hopper: ::singing:: And it’s gonna be so different when I’m on the stage toooniiiiiiight!


Ukinix: ::singing:: To-night, the suuuu-per, trou-per, where’s my poo-per scooooo-per ::snickering::

Hopper: ::simultaneously::: To-night, the suuuu-per, trou-per, lights are gonna find me shining like the–


She shot an unimpressed look to her co-vocalist for his scatalogical lyric change. Rolling her eyes, she did her best to continue without cracking up, but it was not easy.


Hopper: ::singing::  Tonight the super trouper beams are gonna blind me, but I won't feel blue…


Ukinix: Response


Hopper: Like I always do, ‘cause somewhere in the crowd there's you…


Ukinix: Response


As the short music break cut in, Robin gave Wil a playful ‘whack’ on the chest – smirking at him the entire time. The rest of the song continued with much the same goofy energy. But somehow the managed their way through it without Robin breaking down laughing or strangling him.


As they stepped down from the table, their song over, she was only able to locate one of her boots. She looked around for it in confusion.  oO How did I manage to mis-place a knee-high mint green go-go boot? Oo


For now, she decided to just go barefoot. The other boot would surely turn up later and she didn’t think walking around all wobbly with just one. After the tequila shots she was already starting to wobble enough.


Ukinix: Response


Hopper: Well, congratulations, Commander. Not only have you been promoted, but..  ::looking around at the party::  ..you’ve got a lot of friends happy to see your success. What more could a man ask for?


Ukinix: Response


Hopper: ::Smirking::  And perhaps some more champagne?


She quickly found a bottle and filled glasses for both of them, handing Wil his and holding hers up in a little ‘cheersing’ motion.


Hopper: Here’s to you, big ears!  ::Pausing::  That doesn’t sound right. Is that the saying? 


Ukinix: Response


oO Add that to the list… Oo


((OOC – Can continue to backsim here if you want to!))



((Several More Hours Later))


Robin sat next to Rivi on the couch, a glass of sparkling water in hand. By this point she’d lost both her boots and decided she’d just find them in the morning when she came back to help with the cleanup… which was definitely going to be an endeavour. As the two women chatted, Robin began to feel quite cozy.  oO Save some mental pictures… Oo  she thought, trying to imagine how she might translate some of Rivi’s design choices into her own home.


Vataix: So I saw that you have a new person in your department.


Hopper: Nadeshiko?  ::Smiling::  Yes, she’s officially on the roster now – in the civilian branch.


Actually, Robin had been meaning to talk to Rivi about the possibility of designating some sort of ‘assistant’ to help her with administration, given the size of the department’s civilian cohort. But this didn’t seem like the time, as Rivi seemed focused on discussing their latest addition instead – the rather unique and enigmatic android.


Vataix: I was surprised how quickly after the synth ban was lifted that they would send out an android here. But I think it's a good thing... what do you think?


Hopper: ::Thinking for a moment::  Well…  ::Sipping her water::  I’d always thought the ban was a little heavy-handed, but it happened when I was just starting high school. I don’t think I really understood all the complications… I just thought Data was cute and the thought of ‘banning’ people like him–  I dunno.


Vataix: Truthfully, I've never really interacted much with one before, so this will be a new experience for me!


Hopper: Same here. But I’m open to it. As far as I’m concerned, Nadeshiko’s going to get the same support and attention that I would give to any member of my team.  ::Smiling::  I’m sure we’ll both have plenty to learn from each other.


Vataix: Response


There was a brief pause as Robin looked around at the party, which had finally begun to wind down – though it was certainly not yet over.


Hopper: I’ll swing by in the morning to help you and Tidrid with the cleaning up, by the way.


Vataix: Response


Hopper: Oh, it’s no trouble. Honestly, I love this sort of stuff…  ::Blushing::  …and I may or may not feel a little obligation.  ::Squeezing her eyes shut::  I may have inadvertently flirted with your husband when we first met.  ::Opening them and looking at Rivi, a little glassy-eyed::  Of course, I didn’t know who he was at the time. I’m sorry.


Vataix: Response


((OOC – Can continue to backsim here if you want to!))



((End of the Night))


Robin had found one of her boots… Intriguingly (and frustratingly) it was the first one she had misplaced. Now, however, the other one had made itself scarce.  oO Ugh, I should just replicate myself another one and go home. Oo


Rivi had gone up to bed a minute earlier, Robin given leave to keep searching as long as she wanted – or at least while Tidrid was still getting a ride wine stain out of the carpet on the other side of the house. But she was growing tired as well. Even the short walk home was beginning to feel like a burden. She sighed, carrying her one boot over towards the door and setting it beside the entrance – so at least she’d be able to locate it in the morning.


As she opened the door, she turned around and smiled at the scene. It had certainly been quite the party. She hoped Commander Ukinix had enjoyed himself. Dimming the lights, she turned and stepped out of the door, taking in the cooler external air for a moment. As she shut her eyes and took a few deep breaths (which then turned into a yawn), she missed the slight visual distortion that flashed, like a bubble, around – and through – the Vataix household.



((The Next Morning))


oO That champagne was not synthehol… Oo 


Robin’s first thought raced screeching into her brain as she woke up the following day in her still-under-decorated apartment. She turned to the empty space, with the extra pillow, in the queen-size bed beside her and sighed.


oO I really wish someone were here to make me breakfast right now… Oo


It was still early, but her headache wasn’t going to let her sleep in. So, instead, she hauled herself out of bed – having slept in her ‘space girl outfit’ – and did what she could to mitigate. A replicated cappuccino, omelet, and three glasses of water helped take the edge off. After showering and changing into fresh clothing, she made her way down the stairs and trudged around the corner to Rivi’s. A moment after she had rung the chime, Tidrid opened the door, surprisingly-fresh-faced.


Tidrid: Response


Hopper: Good morning. How’s Rivi faring?


Tidrid: Response


Hopper: ::Smiling::  Well, let’s not wake her just yet. We can at least get a good portion of the cleanup done first and surprise her.


Tidrid: Response


Hopper: ::Confused::  Umm… From the party.


Tidrid: Response


Hopper: The party that happened last night. For Wil...  ::Peering around his torso into the sparkling clean apartment::  …What the?  ::Wide-eyed::  How long was I asleep for?


Tidrid seemed as confused as she was.


Hopper: ::Shaking her head::  Well, did you at least find my other boot?


Tidrid: Response


As she poked her head inside, she looked down to the side of the door and saw her mint green go-go boot was nowhere to be seen. It had vanished, along with all traces that a party had ever occurred.


oO What the hell? Oo



TBC…



==

Lt. Robin Hopper (she/they)
Chief Science Officer, Amity Outpost
V239806K11
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