Ensign Maria Alvarez - Made Possible by Viewers Like You

[Max]

(( Genti II - Grand Central Establishment, Federal District.  Brynja Bairiri Hall - Southern Wing "Food Court" ))

Alvarez: Wait, when you say "byproduct" you mean...

Maria was steadily getting the sense that the beverage she had just quaffed was better enjoyed with fewer details known.

Alvarez: You know what, I think I'd rather not know.

Maria laughed at the tall security officer's unconcerned shrug in reaction to learning the source of the beverage.  She supposed it really wasn't that big of a deal, so long as no one ended up in sickbay after getting a little too curious about the local foods.

DeBarres: Perhaps not tasting local food without a guide first in the order of the day. ::Now looking a bit green. ::

Then again, DeBarres looked like she was going to be sick just from the thought of it.

Alvarez: :: Still giggling. :: Maybe I should just preemptively put in a work order with the quartermaster for the bathrooms ship-wide...

Serinus: That's practical for any new encounter with foods that are unfamiliar.

DeBarres: Perhaps we should employ a local to tell us was it is first.::Gaining her stomach back again.:::

Serinus: That seems like a good idea. Perhaps it's even better to befriend one. It would be more in the spirit of the Barairi, I imagine. ::break:: On the other hand, rejecting an offering once we know about it, might be considered uncouth.

Any: Response

Alvarez: See, would have tried this if we knew what it was, though?  Maybe experimentation isn't a bad thing.  What's the worst that could happen?

Serinus: That's a good question. There are various interpretations. Some say that ignorance is bliss. Others say that forewarned is forearmed.

DeBarres: Perhaps we do a scan of this stuff first.::Feeling a bit queasy.::

Any: Response

Alvarez: To each their own.  :: She shrugged. :: I suppose it would be nice to find something with a bit of potassium before performing though.

Ordinarily she would have sworn by bananas to help with the pre-performance nerves and keep the threat of muscle cramps at bay, but who knew if she'd find equivalent fresh produce here.

Serinus: Response

DeBarres : I guess. Perhaps the vegetables or fruit might be better.

In the distance, there were sounds of a band warming up to play on the main stage.  Maria lit up - she had been looking forward to seeing what this performance would have in store since the moment she'd decided to propose a Bairiri.

Alvarez: That sounds good, but we shouldn't take long.  Sounds like Lieutenant Rodan is getting warmed up to play.  I wouldn't want to miss that!

(( Timeskip! ))

(( Genti II - Grand Central Establishment, Federal District.  Brynja Bairiri Hall - Main Stage ))

A couple minutes, and a couple snacks later (nothing too heavy, she'd have to dance!), she found herself alongside the motley crew in front of the stage.  Maria was about to strike up a conversation when Rodan took the microphone and introduced himself and his holographic band.  Maria had to laugh - it was a sight to behold.

Rodan: Uhh… Hi. I’m Maz Rodan, and this is my band, The New Breed!

Maria put her hands together and whooped encouragement as if it were a concert back home.  Several Gentii looked back at her as if she'd lost her mind, which was more than enough signal to pipe down.

Rodan: We’re from the USS Arrow - Starfleet's finest - and we are here to ROCK Genti II, three, four!

What followed had to be some of the most anachronistic music Maria had heard in a long time.  It might not have been entirely her taste, but she embraced it and did her part to help the Gentii around her in the audience understand Maz wanted them to clap along to the beat.  They had no trouble executing it, but clearly didn't understand the social value of doing so, which only made Maria grin.

After a moment, what many across the Federation would have considered rather tongue-in-cheek music the Gentii started to take on with utter seriousness.  Maria supposed that having never heard a saxophone before in their lives, this was at the pinnacle of musical taste for the musical instrument.  She grinned at an elderly Gentii man who was altogether far too into the music.  She supposed, in a way, it was the best saxophone music for this time and place.

The music continued with all band members playing their best, and then gradually, they faded out to the final notes. The audience erupted into applause and cheers all around, with Maria joining in on the fun.  Rodan seemed to soak it up - as he should.  Maria made a mental note to thank him - and everyone - that participated.

Rodan: I guess some of you aren't ready for that kind of music on Genti II yet... ::Beat:: But your kids are gonna love it!

Maria laughed.  As the Trill exited the stage, Serinus took his turn to go up to the stage.

Serinus: That was ::break:: interesting.

Maria snorted and shook her head, unable to stop smiling.

Alvarez: That was excellent.  Thank you!

Then, Serinus took the stage.  As he did, a fanfare announced him like he was a conquering hero or epic olympian.  Fitting, Maria supposed, despite how little she cared for the self-aggrandizement.  She had to confess a curiosity as to what Serinus had prepared for this event.  The security chief had probably spent an amount of time working on this similar (or even greater) to what she had.

What followed was a rather impressive athletic, gymnastic display - however much Maria didn't care to admit it out loud.  It didn't attract the same energy as Maz's performance, but it wasn't supposed to.  Instead, it elicited a couple gasps and more than a few pairs of white knuckles holding on to loved ones, praying the Magna Roman wouldn't hurt himself.  The strength and precision required to execute was nothing shy of exemplary.

Maria smiled as he exited the stage.  No doubt he'd be very proud with himself.  He had every reason to be.  It took a moment, but stunned applause took up across the hall as the Gentii absorbed what they'd just seen.

The applause died down, and a short lull ensued as the stage was changed out and the next performers prepared.  In the quiet, she spied and waved over Lieutenant Caden, who she hadn't seen since beaming down.

Alvarez: Good afternoon, Lieutenant.  Find anything interesting in the displays?

Caden/DeBarres/Any: Response

Alvarez: They really do have a different way of looking at things.  Have either of you decided if you want to try doing something on the stage?  Even reading a story or poem would be fascinating for them.  No pressure, of course.

Caden/DeBarres/Any: Response

Alvarez: Rodan and Serinus have definitely represented us well.  I'm glad we have such diversity to show :: She smiled nicely. ::

Caden/DeBarres/Any: Response

Alvarez: Well, if nothing else, it should be interesting what the Gentii present.  I have to admit I'm curious what such a studious and precise culture thinks of as art.

Caden/DeBarres/Any: Response

(( OOC: If anyone else feels they want to contribute, even one sim, now's the time!  To everyone that already has: thank you!  You rock! ))

Tag/TBC...

Ensign Maria Alvarez
Ops Officer, USS Arrow
A239710MA0
Wiki Operator