LtCmdr. Talos Dakora - Sunset Conversations
Travis
((Sunset at Temtibi Lagoon - Risa))
As the twin suns of Risa slid down slowly toward the horizon, Talos had followed the advice of one of the other tourists he'd encountered on the South Shore Beach.
Apparently, there was a lovely little lagoon where some kind of glowing local kelp, –or algae or whatever it was– lit the water from below in a fantastic underwater light show.
There was, of course, a little tiki hut bar located conveniently near the beginning of the trail down to the lagoon. That was where he was when Talos had spotted Gila and that new Operations Chief whom he hadn't really gotten to know yet walking down the path to the lagoon. He ordered two more fruity little cocktails to go with his whiskey-and-coke, placing all three on a tray, and headed for his shipmates.
Vailani: Gila-net … it's so … it's beautiful.
Sadar: It really is! The research documents conducted by local biologists state that the light of the suns gets absorbed during the day by algae in the water, and then once we’ve passed sunset, the algae continue glowing for a couple of hours. ::references her PADD:: They do say that the effect is most visible during the colder months... I wonder why? Perhaps there’s some studies I could-
Talos overheard a bit of their conversation as he approached and called out to Gila.
Dakora: I’m glad to see you here– but I hope you aren’t trying to turn this into a work trip, Gila…
The poor Mizarian doctor nearly jumped out of her hooded robes as she spun around to face him. Her surprised expression didn’t fade as she took in his colorful Hawaiian shirt and the tray of drinks that he offered the two Artemis Officers. She cast a nervous glance at her companion before replying.
Sadar: S-Sorry Commander... ::accepts the drink: A-And, uhh, th-thank you. For the, uhh, ‘suggestion’.
They both took the fruity cocktails and he discarded the tray on a nearby table. Leaving him with only his own drink in hand.
Vailani: :: takes a sip a little cautiously :: Thanks.
He bowed his head slightly, with a grin.
Dakora: You’re very welcome. ::He shook his glass, letting the ice cubes clink against the sides.:: It’s important for the full Risa-experience, I think. Let’s go!
He led the way down the path toward the water's edge, not really giving much care to the fact that he hadn’t really been invited to join their group. That was probably due to the fact that this wasn’t his first– or even his second– drink that night.
They’d nearly made it to the water when the suns managed to dip below the horizon and the glow of the algae beneath the surface became the dominant source of illumination.
It was gorgeous. For all its artifice and superficial, hedonistic pleasures, Risa did have its share of natural, beautiful places.
Vailani: Have you spent much time on Risa, mister Dakora?
Her words drew his gaze away from the glowing waters and he turned to face the blonde Bajoran. Her modest swimsuit seemed practically scandalous next to Gila’s full-coverage outfit, but then so did his half-unbuttoned shirt and board shorts.
Dakora: I haven’t left the planet since we arrived! ::He flashed her a warm smile.:: I’ve been surfing and hiking and ugh… ::He tried to think of another word for drinking:: relaxing every day. This place is great.
A slightly judgemental, pursed-lipped glare from Gila had him taking mental bets with himself about the subject of his imminent mini-lecture.
Sadar: I hope you’re minding proper skin coverage, Sir. While skin cancer no longer poses the danger it once did, the sun’s rays - particularly those of binary suns - does severe damage to unprotected skin-
He raised his hands in mock-surrender.
Dakora: I’ve been using Starfleet Desert Away Team-issue sunscreen, I promise. ::He shrugged.:: Besides, I know a great doctor that I’m sure can take care of any damage I inadvertently cause to myself.
Vailani: Response
Sadar: Mmrph...
Having arrived at the water's edge, Talos took in the scene. The ethereal blue-green glow of the algae beneath the surface lit a handful of other visitors who waded, treaded water, and floated on a variety of inflatable objects. It wasn’t crowded and there was plenty of room to find a private spot for each group.
Dakora: I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely going for a swim. The water looks amazing. ::He furrowed his brow.:: You two can swim, right?
Vailani: Response
Sadar: W-Well, I, uhh... I swim... ::realizes how lame that sounds:: I-I mean, I’m a decent swimmer. Mizarian school children do multiple summer excursions to the oceanic bluefarms, so it’s obligatory for us to learn how to swim.
He tossed back the rest of his drink and set it on one of the nearby picnic tables and smirked.
Dakora: Great, so you’re in, then? ::He pointed to Vailani:: How about you?
Vailani: Response
With that he pulled his shirt off, up and over his head, discarding it on the table, and stepped out of his flip-flops. He stepped forward into the water, cautiously at first, until the perfectly warm water touched his skin and increased his pace. Once he was waist-deep, he turned around to face the others.
Dakora: Holy strokes, the water feels amazing!
Vailani/Sadar: Response
The sounds of quiet conversation, local insects chirping, and the gentle lapping of the gentle waves of the Lagoon provided a perfect, relaxing ambiance that Talos thought even Gila had to be calmed by.
Before long, they were comfortably treading water, or holding onto one of the various inflatable tubes and floats that were available as the glow of the algae lit them from below. He paddled closer to Gila and the Artemis’ most recently arrived Lieutenant.
Dakora: So, Zoyara, How are you finding the Artemis, so far?
Vailani: Response
A tube floated by and he snatched it up and pulled himself up into the center of it and laughed.
Dakora: You’ll find that Captain MacKenzie likes to make a strong impression on all our new arrivals.
Sadar/Vailani: Response
He waggled a finger between the two of them.
Dakora: So, how do you two know each other?
Sadar/Vailani: Response
TAGS/TBC
LtCmdr. Talos Dakora
Intel Officer
USS Artemis-A
O238811CD0