[JP] Lt. JG Natasha Cole and PNPC Nadevia Virtavi-Yaros - New Possibilities
Natasha Schell
(( Elysium - Main Level, Deck 6, USS Artemis-A ))
((( OOC: This JP takes place during the Artemis’ last shoreleave while in orbit of Ferenginar. )))
Virtavi-Yaros: Excuse me, but if I might intrude for just a moment? I shall endeavor to be brief.
A familiar set of phrases that dominated most of Nadevia’s time in Elysium, though even she had to admit, she was starting to run out of prospective Flirters for the platform. Not for the first time since the Artemis had arrived at its current stop in orbit around Ferenginar, Nadevia thought to herself that she ought to take her enquiries planetside, but she had to admit to a certain level of apprehension. While she had nothing personally against the Ferengi - indeed, they were a most entrepreneurial species, and she remembered many of her ancestors quite liking their ways - she somehow always seemed to become the prospective customer rather than the solicitor when encountering one of their kind.
Perhaps this was her failing as a negotiator.
When another attempt at recruiting a Flirter met with failure, Nadevia retired to the bar with a thoughtful gait to her step, her long green and muted indigo dress following her movements with a flutter.
Virtavi-Yaros: Hello Adehn, dear. A tall glass of Batonian Sparkles, if you would be so kind?
The bartender nodded readily, aware that Nadevia was having a rough go at it that night, as they headed for the replicator. Somewhere off to the side, Nadevia heard an unfamiliar voice make an order, and she looked over.
Natasha had just finished doing a full inventory of all the weapons in the armory, and submitting work orders for a handful of phasers that needed recalibrating, along with a request for better holsters. The ones they had were impractical and likely could lead to someone shooting themself in the foot.
She decided that she was going to let her hair down, so to speak, and wore a pale blue wrap around dress that stopped just above her knees with a pair of tights and a simple heel. Leaning on the bartop she waited for the bartender to finish waiting on the Kantare, who she vaguely remember seeing in the halls, but didn’t know her name.
Cole: Smoked Old Fashion with Blood Orange twist, thanks Adehn.
Natasha turned so the bar was to her side as she waited for Adehn to work their magic. She people watched, as she often did. While doing that she noticed the Kantare looking at her, she wondered if something was off with her outfit choice. Glancing down at herself she didn't see anything amiss and looked up in time for Adehn to place her drink down as the unknown woman approached her.
She hesitated for a moment, which was unlike her. She was certain that, if she headed down to Ferenginar, she would get a multitude of opinions on the most appropriate way of opening a conversation with a prospective member of Starflirt, but alas - she hadn’t made it this far by second-guessing herself, and she would in no way start now. Especially not with Ihana aboard the vessel - she refused to allow even the slightest moment of doubt to sully the decision she had made.
So instead, she accepted the tall glass of rose liquid that the bartender soon deposited by her, and walked towards the redheaded officer who’d approached the bar.
Virtavi-Yaros: Pardon me, but I was wondering if you might be open to some conversation along with your drink?
Cole: ::glancing at her drink:: I’m sure it won’t mind, nor do I. ::letting out a small laugh:: I prefer to not drink alone.
That comment alone lit a spark of hope in Nadevia.
Virtavi-Yaros: I do hope you’ll forgive me for being direct, but I am in the enviable position of serving aboard this proud vessel as a representative of the public social engagement platform known as Starflirt. Perhaps you might have heard of it?
Natasha gestured towards a nearby table, and Nadevia followed her readily.
Cole: ::sitting down:: Vaguely, that’s a dating service of sorts right? ::setting her drink down:: How rude of me, Lieutenant Junior Grade Natasha Cole. ::offering her hand::
Nadevia reached for the extended hand across the table as she took a seat.
Virtavi-Yaros: Nadevia Virtavi-Yaros. I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Lieutenant Cole.
Cole: Lets hear your sales pitch. ::sips her old fashion::
Nadevia’s full lips spread into a smile at that invitation.
Virtavi-Yaros: Well, first, allow me to assure you that this conversation shall be entirely devoid of binding obligations on your part. This is nothing more than my fullest attempt at explaining the necessity for Starflirt’s presence within the grander social world of Starfleet, and while I do hope you will deign to give it serious consideration, I understand any hesitancy you might feel. I merely hope to spark your imagination, to instill within you the hope for something more - to fill your days with joy and true connection, rather than to spend untold evenings with PADDs alone to keep you company. ::shakes her head:: That is, if I may be so bold, no way to live.
Natasha crossed her left leg over her right knee and leaned relaxed listening to Nadevia Virtavi-Yaros’s StarFlirt pitch.
Cole: Can I be honest with you Nadevia? ::looking at her over the rim of her glass::
Virtavi-Yaros: Naturally.
Cole: I am interested, I’ve been making friends aboard and who knows what those relationships will bloom into, but why not try this out. What’s the worst that could happen, right? Though I may have some questions.
Nadevia sat up straighter, her dark eyes alert. Could it be? Genuine interest? Not the half-hearted interest forced by decorum, but a true interest in managing one’s social life with attention paid to one’s own mental health?
Why, she’d never!
Virtavi-Yaros: ‘Tis a most prudent path you have chosen for your tenure among us, Lieutenant. We pride ourselves on accommodating the unique temperament of every Flirter - be they in search of mere congenial companionship, an intellectual equal for the exchange of ideas, or a spark of true connection and sentiment. Pray, be assured that you are the absolute master of your own engagement with our platform, and I am entirely at your disposal to address any concerns you might harbor regarding your comfort.
Cole: Well you answered my first question. Which was going to be if this was exclusively a platform for dating. While I am open to it, dating wouldn’t be the only reason I’d want to join.
Nadevia nodded, pleased that she had managed to answer one of the youthful Lieutenant’s worries so quickly.
Cole: I’d be remiss as a security officer if I didn’t ask this one. What protocols do you have in place in the event of something … undesirable happening?
Nadevia thought about this one. It wasn’t an unfamiliar question - especially new officers tended to ask it - but it was still an odd one to respond to regardless.
Virtavi-Yaros: Starflirt extends its services to any individual member of the Fleet wheresoever they may find themselves stationed. We take no responsibility for what may transpire in private encounters between officers, as we expect our Flirters to conduct themselves in a manner befitting their station. Within events hosted by Starflirt itself, there are chaperones hired to ensure decorum, and we are under obligation to communicate to the Operations Departments aboard any vessel if any officer of their employ should forget themselves as to engage in unbecoming conduct.
Cole: Does this auto-translate flirting, or does it leave the awkward pauses intact?
Virtavi-Yaros: ::giggles:: I fear, Lieutenant, that the Universal Translator’s unfortunate shortcomings in translating veiled meanings is a grievance we must endure even here; Starflirt, alas, enjoys no special exemptions to such misunderstandings.
Natasha nodded, it seemed like even technology couldn’t help with someone's awkwardness.
Cole: Do I have to list a rank, or can I just be… a person?
Virtavi-Yaros: While your particular rank need not be a matter of public advertisement, it is essential that you register it regardless. Many among our Flirters are quite rightly concerned with the preservation of propriety; they wish to avoid any entanglement where a disparity of rank, be it with a superior or a subordinate, might lead to an improper outcome. Thus, for the sake of addressing these concerns, we must insist upon this confidence.
Cole: That makes sense, finding one’s self in a relationship with a superior or subordinate can get … messy. Are there many success stories of individuals that have used this platform?
Nadevia went quiet at that, but not with dejection. Instead, she deliberated. She knew little of this redheaded Lieutenant seated before her other than her propensity for questions, and as such, would not know what she considered a ‘success story’.
Virtavi-Yaros: Many Flirters among our number make desirable matches, though what may be considered a ‘desirable match’ depends on the individual and their intentions. Many find lifelong friends with whom to spend time, or dalliances with whom to regain a spark in their lives. While we do offer a medium for this search - and do on occasion host events to assist - ultimately our function within the Fleet is only to serve as a platform of contact.
Cole: I see. Is there a way to say ‘this is who I am’ without turning it into a teachable moment?
To Nadevia, this seemed a weird question. Is learning the intricacies of a new person not inherently a teaching moment? At this point, it felt less like the Lieutenant was asking about how Starflirt worked, and moreso was asking for advice on how to set up her profile.
A development that Nadevia would in no way find disagreeable, of course, but it was a bit surprising.
Virtavi-Yaros: There are many, I am sure. I have even encountered profiles where the inventive holders have written their biography entirely with the medium of emoticons. ::slight smile:: One must admire their creativity.
Cole: ::leaning in:: Followup question, would ‘explosions are my love language’ too much on my profile?
Virtavi-Yaros: Indeed, considering your previous apprehensions regarding undesirable conduct as a result of using our services, I believe you have hit upon the truth: it would be a most dubious signal to send. Though, the wit of it would no doubt find favor with the younger Flirters.
Cole: ::smiling:: That is reassuring.
Virtavi-Yaros: Humor remains the most well-tested form of icebreaker, though I would be remiss to not warn you that it will be unlikely to translate well to Flirters of some species, like Vulcans or Tellarites.
Cole: Got it, so I might have to familiarize myself with some cultures.
Virtavi-Yaros: ::slight smirk as she sips her Sparkles:: I trust Starflirt passed your thorough cross-examination, Lieutenant?
Cole: You know, I believe it did.
Natasha kept her legs crossed as she continued to listen to Nadevia. She was genuinely interested, and hoped her impromptu interrogation hadn’t dissuaded the woman that sat across from her.
Virtavi-Yaros: I am gratified to hear that.
Cole: I know my questions may have seemed odd, I’ve had less than stellar luck in the past making connections with people … mostly before joining Starfleet.
It wasn’t that Nat was against finding meaningful and real relationships, heck since graduating the academy she made several meaningful friendships, and had likely started more than she realized.
Roy had become her best friend. Samantha, a sister she hadn’t realized she was missing. Alex, a confidant and Charlotte … well that friendship would never be easy to quantify. She smiled idly as she sipped her drink.
Virtavi-Yaros: Then, if I may take a stance of some presumptuousness, I consider myself fortunate that I was able to make your acquaintance today. Perhaps we together shall, mh, ‘come out ahead’ of this particular difficulty of yours?
Cole: ::smiling at the potential wordplay:: I look forward to it. Stepping into the unfamiliar is kind of exhilarating.
Nadevia smiled, reaching towards the Lieutenant with a hand, her flawless manicured nails glinting slightly under the dim lights of Elysium’s ceiling.
Natasha reached out across the table and met Nadevia’s hand, being sure to not grab it like she was disarming her, but more allowing herself to be gentle. Alex had reminded her recently that sometimes it’s just nice to feel like a woman.
Virtavi-Yaros: The pleasure is entirely mine, Lieutenant Cole. ::shakes hand:: I shall have the necessary documents forwarded to your personal console immediately, so you may peruse them at your leisure.
Cole: Thank you. ::raises glass:: To new possibilities.
Virtavi-Yaros: ::raises glass:: And new acquaintances.
THE END
----- ◌● -----
Lt. JG Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4
and
Nadevia Virtavi-Yaros
Starflirt Representative
as simmed by
LT Tamio K’Wara
Chief of Ops
USS Artemis-A
A240006GS1