Lt. Robin Hopper: Distract Me, Please
Robin Hopper
((Hopper’s Apartment, Beijing District, Habitat Ring – Amity Outpost))
It was the nicest place she’d ever lived… Of that, there was no doubt. Hell, it was practically perfect. From the bungalow-style layout, to the bright ‘sunlit’ windows filled with tropical plants, to the cozy den with built-in conversation pit… It far outclassed any of her previous digs.
And yet, something about it felt off. From the moment she got home after work, to the moment her head hit the pillow, Robin felt the space of the apartment more than its warmth and charm… She chalked it up to how new it all still was, and figured she’d settle into it, but it continued to gnaw at her.
She’d tried using her built-in holoemitters to simulate a lively environment – a speakeasy modeled after a place she’d visited once in California. Chatty patrons, a friendly bartender serving virgin cocktails, and a quaint little jazz band… But it all felt hollow. Background noise, not background life.
Still, she pressed on, and did her best to work through her shore leave PADDwork curled up on the sofa sipping on a lemonade. She’d just finished reviewing a request for 10 hours of solitary uninterrupted access to a computer lab from Furahl Ygrix – oO Denied. That’s crazy. Oo – when the subject line of the next communication caught her by surprise.
Recipient: Lieutenant Robin Hopper, Amity Outpost
Subject: RE: Still Alive? Well duh.
She was suddenly aware of her heart pounding in her chest. Weeks ago, before the new year, before the Hirogen had come to Amity, she’d sent a letter… A letter she wasn’t sure would be answered. Keri had written her back.
She sat up straight, gathered her courage, and opened the file.
// Begin Message //
Recipient: Lieutenant Robin Hopper, Amity Outpost
Subject: RE: Still Alive? Well duh.
Hello Kino. Never in my days did I think you would ever call yourself “Banana Face”. How times change.
You shouldn’t close down the ice cream shops – because I owe you an ice cream, and this time not to your face. I’m sorry for how I behaved on Earth the last time we saw each other. I look forward to eating one with you. That doesn’t mean I won’t give you $#%&, though, by the way.
My university course is taxing, but I’m learning so much. Tellarite diplomacy is interesting, but I’ve discovered I fit in well on Tellar Prime. I’m doing great with my grades, and can’t wait to shove them in the faces of The Mothership. And yours of course, Banana Face.
Your timing is perfect. The University here doesn’t normally get first-round invitations for Federation Diplomatic Corp internships, but for some reason we did this year – onboard Amity, no less, for 10 weeks. So, I am going to apply. Do you think you could put in a good word for me? Unless you don’t want your bratty sister living in the same quadrant as you for a few months. In which case, up yours Banana Face (sorry, just practicing my Tellarite diplomacy).
Write me.
Zoi
P.S. That turntable is mine, &%@#, and I want it back.
//End Message//
Robin sat in silence for half a minute, blinking at the wall across the room, before groaning and uttering the only thing she could.
Hopper: You’ve got to be kidding me…
Blessedly, her combadge chirped from the office. After a brief hesitation, she answered.
Hopper: Computer, take the call.
Richards: =/\= Hey, Rambo. What are you doing right now? =/\=
Robin glanced at the message from her sister again… oO Ten weeks??? Oo …Then she tossed it aside, onto the armchair across the coffee table from her, and rubbed her eyes.
Hopper: =/\= Uhh, just… Doing some PADDwork. ::Beat:: Nathan… Did you program me into your combadge as “Rambo”? =/\=
He evaded the question.
Richards: =/\= Well, here is your chance to drop that, and come have lunch with me. What do you say? =/\=
oO Yes. Get me out of here. Oo
If there was one thing that could get her out of this rut, it was probably the ever-entertaining and adorable Nathan Richards. And he was at his most adorable when he was squirming. She lay back against the arm of the couch and smirked, her mood shifting in a decidedly-better direction.
Hopper: =/\= ::Coy:: Mmm… I don’t know. I’m so busy… I’d need to be persuaded. =/\=
Richards: =/\= Are you going to make me beg? Do I need to come down there and drag you away? =/\=
Hopper: =/\= ::Chiding:: Am I going to need to call security on you, Mr. Richards? =/\=
Richards: ::Chuckling:: =/\= I’m joking, gees. But if you want to, I will be at the Glommer and Beagle in like 20 minutes. =/\=
Hopper: =/\= Twenty Minutes?=/\=
She took one more glance across the room at the PADD, sitting on her armchair.
Hopper: =/\= I’ll be there. =/\=
TBC (in a forthcoming JP)
((OOC -- Also, thank you Danny for the letter from Keri!))
