Lt. Robin Hopper: Show Me The Goods
Robin Hopper
((Betazoid Bob's Used Yacht Emporium – Merchant District, Habitat Ring, Amity Outpost))
As they entered the Betazoid yacht merchants’ shop, Robin looked around. There were plenty of brochures and little holographic displays – many of which were intercut with sales pitches delivered by none other than “Betazoid Bob” himself – but she couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed. She’d been hoping to walk into a hangar full of beautiful sleek vessels fit for visiting royalty.
She turned to the yacht-mongers and held her hands out in incredulity.
Hopper: What gives? Where are the yachts?
Bob: Ohhh! We keep our yachts in one of the docks. Afterall, this place is far too small to fit in something so grand! But we can go on a virtual tour with one of our holosuite showroom.
Olivia: Mhm.
Robin crossed her arms and pouted, rather dramatically, with a “hmmph.”
Hopper: Well, I’m certainly not going to be purchasing any ship sight-unseen. How about a tour?
Bob: Olivia, would you kindly show Hopper our holosuite showroom to give the tour? I'll be right with you!
Olivia: Of course! ::to Hopper:: Come along.
Hopper: Ooh, yes, that sounds like fun. ::Grinning:: Take me to your most expensive yacht! ::Excitedly:: It has to have a hot tub on board, right?
Bob: We have yachts to fit everyone's needs.
Olivia: That we do.
Bob: I'll be riiiight back.
While the Orion woman took her hand and began leading her further into the store, Robin looked over her shoulder in curious trepidation, as the shifty shopkeeper disappeared into some sort of back room. It suddenly crossed her mind that, were they in fact up to some sort of properly-shady business, she might be a bit out of her depth… But then, nobody truly dastardly would have been able to maintain a business on Amity for so long… Right?
Olivia: Don't take too long!
Hopper: ::Slightly uncertain:: Yeah, uh, hurry back.
It did not ease Robin’s mind that “Bob” then leaned in and whispered something into Olivia’s ear, glancing at Robin in the process. oO Uh oh… Maybe I shouldn’t have led them on so far. Oo
Olivia nodded, and turned to Hopper, gripping her had just a tad bit tighter oO Yikes! Oo and leading her to a little corner of the shop through an aisle of overflowing boxes and spare parts that wasn't quite big enough for two people to comfortably walk alongside one another. Robin felt the Orion’s body press against hers as they squeezed through… oO Just go with the flow… Go with the flow… Oo
At the end of the retail alleyway was a rather-decrepit looking Holosuite, tucked into the back corner. Olivia gestured for Robin to enter. Robin stepped closer, examining it carefully. It appeared to be a fairly standard-looking holosuite… But then, without safeties on, even a regular holosuite could become the site of a grizzly murder.
Looking over her shoulder and offering one more half-hearted smile, she decided to take the plunge and step inside.
((Some time later – Within the holosuite))
Robin was pleased – and more than a little relieved – to find that she had not been surreptitiously knocked off, but instead, treated to a guided guided tour of several faithfully-recreated yachts. After fearing for her life (for a moment), even the dingiest of the yachts did feel luxurious. Still, she’d done everything she could to maintain a tough bargain-hungry facade to keep the tour rolling.
Olivia: Oh yes, I do like this one. Although the hot tub seems a little worse for wear.
Robin ran her hand along the edge of the hot tub, warm water roiling away within. It was a little gritty. Which she could imagine would not be especially comfortable, at least not on human skin.
Hopper: I can imagine a Gorn skipper soaking quite happily in this one. ::Smiling, indicating herself:: But, you know, half-human. ::Leaning in, as if telling a secret:: And the other half is not Gorn… Anything a bit ‘ritzier’?
Olivia: How about this one.
The Orion shifted the program to a different interior - one with wooden floors and a soft, aesthetically pleasing couch that could easily sit 16 people comfortably and a fluffy charcoal-coloured rug that sat underneath both the couch and the colour-changing chandelier. Robin looked around the room before gazing, slightly mesmerised, at the chandelier for a moment.
Olivia: This is the "After Party Boat".
Hopper: Ooooo… Now this is more like it. ::Hands on hips:: I could get used to this. It’s, mmm, roomy.
Olivia: Oh yes of course. Should we go see the bedroom?
Before Robin could answer, the door to the holosuite opened in the middle of the room, and Robin’s jaw dropped. The audacity! She was shocked. She was amused. It was like a shuttle crash. She couldn’t look away. Betazoid Bob – in the buff.
oO Oh… My… God… Oo
Bob: So do you like what you see so far?
Robin felt, rather than saw, Olivia’s gaze turn to her. Hopper’s eyes never left the Betazoid man’s body – finding one thing after another to stare at in disbelief. He clearly wasn’t ashamed. Neither was she. But she was utterly caught off guard.
oO This is one hell of a sales tactic… Oo
Olivia: Oh you love it, don't you dearie?
Hopper: Well… ::Finally tearing her gaze away, looking back to Olivia:: You two certainly have my attention.
Bob: Response
Olivia: We were thinking this one or "Monochrome Majesty". Though, I do prefer this one.
The door shut behind Bob, who stepped a little closer into the Afterparty’s living space. Robin’s eyes widened, ever-so-slightly as she tried to avoid staring again.
Hopper: ::Containing nervous giggling:: Hehhheehhheyyyeeeah… I mean, umm, yes. That’s right. ::Fervently looking back and forth between their eyes:: Personally, I’m leaning more towards this one. I like how spacious it is and the chandelier really sets the nude– UH, MOOD. ::Awkward smile::
Bob/Olivia: Response
It was painfully hard to avert her gaze, or her thoughts, from the traditional Betazoid formal wear to her left. She shifted her attention back to Olivia, relegating Bob to her distant peripheral vision.
Hopper: So, um, given that this is the “After Party Boat” I assume there’s a bar? But I don’t see a hot tub.
Olivia/Bob: Response
Hopper: Oh, I see. Well, then, I guess lead the way… Or, um, why don’t you point me there and I’ll lead the way?
She figured the view from the front of the conga line would be less revealing than from the rear end.
Olivia/Bob: Response
Hopper: Through the bedroom – which is just over here? ::Pointing to the door:: Okay, um, everyone follow me!
Olivia/Bob: Response
TBC
