Lieutenant Laria Herren - Spotting Spots
Laria Herren
((Castrum Hibernum Portum - Monkbel Foothills, Arentis))
While talking with some of the regular guests and staff of Arentis, several of them had recommended that Laria visit “the castrum”. It was a fort carved of ice that remained forever frozen in the Monkbel Foothills overlooking a large frozen lake. So, she had decided to make some time to visit the venue owned by a Magna Roman man named Lucius. She had opted for a fleece sweater and a stylish winter jacket, accessorizing with a knit cap and Starfleet-themed scarf. When she got her first full view of the impressive walls of the wintery fort, she was certainly impressed. Even more so as she stepped inside.
Lucius was waiting at the front, wearing several layered tunics and a fur mantle and shawl over them all to keep warm. The Magna Roman welcomed guests in and down the main hall towards the event spaces or upstairs to the Castrum’s restaurant. She admired the columns and busts carved from solid ice. The thick, cloudy ice was a decent simulacrum of the marble construction of ancient Magna Roman style. The hallway ended at an archway held up by a man and a woman carved from the ice. A ballroom, conference rooms, and other event spaces were beyond, and two ramps on either side led upward to the second floor of the icy palace.
Herren: oO This is incredible. Oo
She followed one of the snowy ramps up to the second level. Even the tables and chairs were carved from packed snow and ice, although they were covered with fur so as not to freeze anyone sitting there. She scrolled through the datapad menu, watching tiny holoemitters bring up images of some of the restaurant’s top dishes. As she considered it, a younger Magna Roman woman wearing a similar fur mantle approached her with PADD in hand.
Portia: Welcome to the Castrum Hibernum Portum, what can I get for you?
After perusing the menu for a moment she settled on her choice.
Herren: I’ll have the roast pork with the savory mini cheese tarts, please.
Portia: Excellent choice, ma’am. Would you care for some wine?
The wine list was extensive and conveniently organized by planet of origin. She noticed that they had Juilea-based wines, including one of her favorite amber wines from the wineries of Holtin House. She decided to pair a taste of home with the Magna Roman lunch.
Herren: I’ll have the Actani, please.
Her waitress nodded, jotting down her order.
Portia: Of course.
While waiting for her meal, Laria’s eyes wandered and she looked around the room. The restaurant had vaulted ceilings and more scrollwork and decorative reliefs carved into its walls. Closest to the front wall, an archway opened up onto a balcony. She looked out and saw the afternoon sunlight reflecting off the aptly-named Mirror Lake below. Further off towards the horizon, some of the larger mountain ranges could be seen. As she gazed out at the winter wonderland something else caught her eye. A dark-haired man with distinctive Trill spots. And she vaguely recognized him, having spotted him aboard the Enterprise.
Surely her waitress would be able to spot her if she moved to a different table. Laria stood up and approached the table on the balcony where her Trill crewmate was sitting.
Herren: Hi there, can I join you?
She smiled brightly, reminding herself to loosen up a bit when introducing herself. During her skiing lessons with Ba’el, she had introduced herself by rank rather than by name. Even on a beautiful snowy resort planet she felt on-the-clock and introduced herself formally. Just like calling Jalana by her first name, it was something she had to consciously focus on so she didn’t default to formality.
Yirah: Response
Herren: I’m ::She paused, reminding herself not to use her rank.:: Laria Herren. Also from the Constitution. I saw you on the fake Enterprise when we were getting back on the shuttles. But I didn’t get the chance to say hello.
Seeing another Trill was exciting, but nobody was eager for a meet and greet after going through everything they did on the Iotian ship. She knew that she would have another chance to meet him. And that other chance had presented itself.
Yirah: Response
Herren: Always glad to see another Trill around. After so many assignments away from home I thought I wouldn’t see another member of my own species until I went back home on leave. And now I’m on a ship with a Trill commanding officer and multiple other Trills on the crew.
They had only just said goodbye to Trill science officer Maz Rodan. And here was another Trill science officer! At least she would have other people to talk to on board if she ever got homesick.
Yirah: Response
Laria sat down opposite Yirah, trying to maintain eye contact without getting distracted by the beautiful landscape over his shoulder.
Herren: How’s the Constitution been treating you so far? I don’t believe I saw you at the initial mission briefing, so you must have arrived right at the last minute.
Yirah: Response
Lieutenant Laria Herren
Mission Specialist
USS Constitution-B
A239402AG0