Lt. Cmdr. Lhandon Nilsen - I’m sorry I’m late
Lhandon Nilsen
((OOC: Wibbly wobbly timey wimey. This is after Lhandon returns from Amity. So way after broroomies and close to the awards))
((The Celestial Temple Pub, Deep Space 14))
Lhandon liked this pub. It was a really nice establishment with a dark oak bar and a small stage that always reminded him of an old blue-eyed friend who could sing really well. The lighting was comfortable as well, and unlike the big chain pub, which had sticky tables and the same blue plates wherever you went, be that Amity, 118 or DS14, the Celestial was a nice little independent venture.
He had just returned from a temporary assignment on Amity, where he had helped to establish an embassy on Idurix and facilitate the move of over 150 diplomatic personnel from Amity Outpost to the Embassy on Idrustix. He was considered Ambassador Turnbull's (or as some called her "Ambassador Stormcloud") right-hand man.
But he had to come home, and he was grateful for his Amity time...and grateful to be the big fish again.
He was also grateful to have had the gap of time between the Grinners and whatever would come next. Amity had made that gap feel long and the Grinners so much further away, another thing he would be grateful to the outpost for.
Eli had a glass of spring wine on the table and was there before he was. Lhandon wasn't late late…but he was tired, it had been a long journey back to DS14, and he was glad that the ship was where he had left it. He didn't know if he could face a longer journey back without a six-month nap.
His boyfriend stood up for him, and he smiled.
Nilsen: I’m sorry I’m late, the transfer at DS9 was the worst.
They hugged; they had been apart for way too long, and the hug was catching up for lost time.
But they didn’t kiss, neither going for that display. Eli was never a fan of public displays, and Lhandon was just tired.
Kovacs: Not at all, I arrived early, so I decided to sample the local offering. ::tilting his head, using his nose to point to the glass:: And, they’ve got a decent selection on offer.
This news, however, had perked Lhandon's mood up just a little. He appreciated drink as well as food, the two often being a marriage made in heaven. The right meat with the right wine, a full-bodied red like a Sauvignon, Malbec, or Bordeaux blend so well with steak or a roast.
Nilsen: Oh, sweet, they’ve got some great stuff here. How have you been Eli?
Eli took his seat, just like Lhandon did, and they looked through the menu together.
Kovacs: Busy. Extremely busy. In fact, I haven’t had much time to think since you went on a temporary assignment; it just seems like a blur.
There was a slight nod and the curl of a smile.
Nilsen: It really has been.
Eli showed Lhandon an item on the self-order device that stood out: I-Kiyoan Spice Petals.
Kovacs: Have you seen this?
Nilsen: I ain’t. You wanna try it?
That they did. And the order was put through soon after, alongside a nice IPA for Lhandon.
Kovacs: Response
Then there was a moment of silence between them. Lhandon was unsure what to say, so he started small
Nilsen: I like it here; this is a nice little spot.
Kovacs: Response
He then nodded.
Nilsen: If anything, it won me lots of brownie points with the FDC, and it's not every day you get to be an ambassador's right-hand man and move 150 people to a new job. Didn't think Ops and Diplomacy would ever cross.
Kovacs: Response
Nilsen: I did do some other things, but I can’t talk about them here. You know it’s other governments and all that….But I did make the news, though.
There was a lot Lhandon couldn't talk about openly regarding his job. He was often privy to interesting and important information that many governments would prefer not to get out, and the pub wasn't a secure location. Even this far away from Amity, any mention of the details of what happened on Amity, which was outside of the normal channels, could have caused issues for the Federation, the Klingon Empire, or anyone else who would find that information useful.
And he had never told any of it to Eli, as they had established, duty first. Always duty first.
What he could, however, show was an article.
Nilsen: I got the quote right at the end.
As part of the restructuring, Amity Outpost has been redesignated as a Federation Consulate, with Consul Keehani Ukinix assuming leadership. While the transition has sparked some uncertainty, many aboard Amity remain optimistic.
The establishment of a new embassy is always a great step for the Federation Diplomatic Corps,” comments Lt. Commander Lhandon Nilsen, a Diplomatic Officer who travelled the region as part of Turnbull’s entourage. “Amity, of course, played a pivotal role in laying the groundwork, and now it’s time to grow bigger and beyond the Outpost. This embassy signals the FDC’s commitment to serving the Delta Quadrant.
Kovacs: Response
Nilsen: It’s erm…yeah, it’s a good thing. I'm basically a diplomatic rockstar now…I don’t mean to handbrake turn, but I’ve missed you. I don’t think I’ve said that yet.
He had smiled faintly. Lhandon had seemed a little calmer than what others were used to, as if he had found his slightly tired groove. He was still Lhandon, but like a Lhandon who had read more and had gained just a little more experience.
Kovacs: Response
Nilsen: Yeah, I'd normally have said it a hundred times. I guess that time away helped make me a little less neurotic. So erm...What's new in your life?
He laughed just a little bit, but his hand didn’t reach out like he used to. He was just tired from the journey.
Kovacs: Response
Tags/TBC
Lieutenant Commander Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
Senior Diplomatic Officer
USS Octavia E Butler
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)