Lt. Robin Hopper: Sitting in the Palmtree
Lt. JG Kivik
((Amity Outpost, Peace Park))
Robin could see the Peace Park train station growing closer and decided to ask one more question of the Ambassador while she had her ear. Hopper imagined that, if anyone aboard Amity would have their finger on the pulse of things in the Delta Quadrant, it would be Vataix.
Hopper: If you don’t mind me asking, what’s the current ‘buzz’ around Amity? I’ve taken a look through some of the recent F.N.S. articles, but is there anything going on that I ought to be caught up on that might not have made it back to the Alpha Quadrant just yet?
Rivi took a breath, letting her shoulders relax a bit. Robin wondered if perhaps that had been a more troubling question than she’d intended, but listened intently all the same.
Vataix: In truth, it's been a journey this first year. If you've seen the articles, then you know the press hasn't been going easy on us--not that I want them to.
The two women paused, not far at all from the train station now, engrossed in their conversation. Rivi grinned leaning her head slightly towards Robin, whose eyes widened a little bit.
Vataix: Although don't tell my aide Keehani Ukinix that. I suspect she's pulled out her fair amount of hairs at some of the things that have been reported.
She had seen some of the articles – at least those published by the FNS. They hadn’t seemed overly flattering, but Robin had assumed that was just unbiased reporting. Had she missed something?
Hopper: Honestly, I think that the popular opinion back in the Alpha Quadrant is still largely positive regarding Amity and its mission out here. ::Shrugging:: Nobody’s expecting miracles – though, frankly, from what I’ve heard, you may have worked a few already! ::Smiling:: If the biggest news of the day is that you couldn’t please everyone managing a delegation of Vidiians, well… That’s not so bad.
Vataix: The biggest news is that our first officer Wil Ukinix has had himself split into two transporter duplicates of himself. Ukinix is--was a human/Betazoid hybrid, but now there's a fully human Wil and a fully Betazoid Wil.
Hopper: Oh. ::Pursing her lips in mild consternation:: That must be so weird for him. Them. I assume Science is working on this already…?
Vataix: Well, our chief medical officer, Lieutenant Wong has been examining them. I'm not even sure yet if we are going to try to reverse what happened--that's not the precedent in previous cases from what I've read.
Hopper: ::Nodding:: Kirk, Riker, et cetera?
Rivi nodded but then waved off further talk.
Vataix: But we can talk more about this later… in fact, I'll be sure that Ikaia joins us for dinner. He might have more details he can share.
Robin was thrilled at that news! Truth be told, she had been a bit concerned about sharing a table with the Ambassador and her husband after her earlier snafu. The thought of having an old friend there to ‘have her back’ so to speak was a relief – especially since Ikaia had been on Amity for some time now. Plus, she just enjoyed his company.
Hopper: ::Grinning:: Oh that’d be awesome! I’ll go see him in Sickbay right away then and pass on the invitation.
Rivi reached out and clasped Robin's hand in her own.
Vataix: Welcome again to Amity Outpost, Robin. I'm glad you're here!
Hopper: Aah!! ::Holding Rivi’s hand tightly:: Not as glad as I am! ::Genuinely:: Thank you so much for your gracious hospitality, Rivi.
Vataix: See you tonight!
Hopper: I cannot wait!
((That Evening – Paxau District, Talaxi Palms Hotel))
It had proven to be an exceptionally busy day for Amity’s newest Science Officer. Already, Robin had managed to explore Peace Park, bump into and accidentally flirt with her CO’s husband (yikes!), get her medical clearance with her old pal Ikaia, acquire her security clearance, receive a tour of the SRC (no, the Basement) from Amity’s senior science officer, and then spent a few hours tinkering at Richards’ shuttle in the Cellar.
Needless to say, when she had finally called it quits, picked up her checked belongings from the Grand Mezzanine train station, and made it to her temporary accommodations at the Talaxi Palms Hotel, she had practically collapsed on the bed after shutting the door behind her. Were it not for the unhealthy number of colas she’d consumed earlier in the day, she wasn’t sure that she’d have made it… and now, she was so exhausted she was almost considering canceling her evening plans.
But there was no way. Not only would that leave a very sour taste in her mouth – and likely disappoint Rivi immensely – but there was no way in hell Robin was going to turn down a home cooked meal after three weeks of ‘replicator salad’ aboard the QSD transport. Nuh-uh!
So, instead, she peeled herself off the bed and dragged herself into the sonic shower. Afterwards, she decided to dress up a little, leaving her skant uniform behind in favour of a slightly-retro 2260’s-inspired dress. It was about knee-length, sleeveless, and sectional – featuring bold panels of azure blue and magenta broken up by thick black lines, with a modest-enough v neckline. As she looked herself over in the mirror, she did a little twirl and enjoyed the easy sway of the dress. Lastly, she slipped a silver bangle over her left wrist and put on a little makeup – a simple berry-toned lipstick, light mascara, and a touch of sparkly eyeshadow.
((Shortly Thereafter – Beijing District, Chief of Mission's Accommodations))
Hopper: Oh, yeah, the Beijing district is definitely where it’s at. I’ll have to speak to Commander Carter about it tomorrow. Look how cute this place is!
Wong: Response
Robin and Ikaia walked side-by-side towards the Vataix’s front door. The old Acadamy friends had met up at the nearby train station and walked the rest of the way together, continuing to catch up. As they neared the door, Robin tucked her arm through Ikaia’s, resting her tired head on the tall Klingon’s shoulder.
Hopper: ::Looking up at him with a smile:: You don’t mind do you? I’m just trying to stay standing up.
Wong: Response
Hopper: Thanks, buddy. ::Trying half-successfully to contain a yawn:: Okay, let’s do this!
Wong: Response
As they chimed the door, a chorus of familiar voices from inside ushered them in.
Vataix/Tidrid: Responses
The door slid open revealing their hosts and their well-appointed home. Robin smiled, doing her best not to appear too tired, but she kept her grip on the CMO’s arm to help maintain the illusion.
Hopper: Hiii! Oh my god, your place is amazing!
As she peeked her head in, hoping to look around the Vataixs’ apartment for design inspiration, she caught sight of another dinner guest and was pleased to see that it was another familiar face – Nathan Richards, whom she’d seen only a couple hours earlier. He seemed to have cleaned up a bit since she found him rolling around on the floor under the shuttle in the Cellar. oO Well, hello handsome… Oo
She stopped herself mid-thought. No, that wouldn’t do. She’d already barely escaped the frying pan earlier when Rivi had practically ‘walked in on’ her flirting with Tidrid in the park. She wasn’t about to toss herself in the fire and prove herself utterly unprofessional in front of the telepathic Betazoid Ambassador – even if it was just in her thoughts.
Richards: Response
Hopper: ::Politely and professionally:: Oh, hello again Ensign Richards. Nice to see you. ::Looking up at Wong:: Ikaia, do you know Nathan?
Wong/Richards: Response
Vataix/Tidrid: Response
Robin chuckled and patted Ikaia on the chest, affectionately.
Hopper: Oh sure, the two of us go way back. We’ve been close ever since the Academy. ::Taking a sniff:: Whatever’s cooking smells amazing, by the way. Thank you again for having us all over. I can’t wait to eat a proper meal.
Vataix/Tidrid/Wong/Richards: Response
TBC
