PNPC Ambassador Ashana - Champagne, Bloodwine and a Barrel of Ke'ToQ Fish (Turner/Oddas/Parker/Oth.)

[Savan]

((Ashana’s Quarters, Federation Embassy, Duronis II))

::Ambassador Ashana of Ardana was busily preparing for Spa Day on the Thunder. Not only was she thrilled that someone at the Starfleet Corps of Engineers had the sense to put in a spa on a starship—obviously,  someone with a degree of civilization—she was impressed that a Starfleet admiral had the good sense to have a spa day for her hardworking officers.::

::In fitting Ardanan fashion, she also wanted to do something special for everyone.::

Ashana: Keris, did the Ke’ToQ fish come in?

Keris: Yes, Ambassador… just in time. But believe me, it was not easy. We had to pull a few favors.

Ashana: I’m sure… thank you, Keris. Well done. Tell me, where are they?

Keris: Well to be safe, they are a transparent aluminum casing under a containment field. Starfleet and the Laudean authorities wouldn’t want them to accidentally be released into the environment.

Ashana: A wise precaution, those poor Laudean fish would not know what hit them.

::There was only one person probably who knew what Ke’ToQ fish were, and that would be Major Parker. Despite their gruff exteriors, Klingons did have their own range of what could be called health, wellness and even beauty practices. Of course, the Klingons would never call such practices “spa treatments,” like the Terrans. The term that her ex-husband’s sister taught her before their wedding on Qo’Nos was roughly as translated “the ardent quest of shining endurance.” Apparently, Klingons believed that one also had to suffer for beauty. And that, the Ambassador, much younger then, had learned. Nevertheless, she found that, despite their brute character, much of the treatments were effective, once the occasional bruising and abrasions had gone down.::

::As for libations, she made some plans as well. There was of course authentic Champagne from Reims in France. And for Commander Parker and whoever else survived the Ke’ToQ fish, a blood wine of the finest vintage. After their “arquent quest of shining endurance,” she thought they would very much deserve it.::

::Then there was one special drink that she had once created with a bartender in Stratos City. It was a called a Floating Cosmo. The ambassador had been inspired by a Terran drink from centuries before, made with the juice of a fruit called cranberry and a citrus vodka.::

::The bartender in Stratos was too far away to bring, but her faithful aide, Seval, with all his Vulcan discipline and skill, had learned how to make the challenging cocktail that required a knowledge of both chemistry and anti-grav mixing equipment.::

Ashana: Seval, is everything prepared for the bar station?

Seval: Of course, Ambassador.

::Seval motioned to complete floating bar set, replete with glasses. As for the Vulcan, he looked especially sharp. She knew that he dressed in such a way out of duty and respect for her, and she was grateful. He still had not gone back to the Vulcan bowlcut, but still sported the same look she had designed for him in Paris.::

Seval: Would you like to test the Floating Cosmo before we leave?

::The Vulcan aide was dead serious. He took to his bartending duty with the same rigor he did to his diplomatic work.::

Ashana: I’d be delighted.

::Seval got to work and he whipped up what was one of her favorite drink. He passed her the concoction which glowed like a sunset. Upon the first sip, part of the liquid instantly transformed into an effervescent gas. The overall effect was delightful. ::

Ashana: Excellent, Seval! I highly suggest you consider bartending as a future career.

::Seval duly responded with a raised eyebrow.::

Ashana: Everyone, let’s be prepared to leave in 30 minutes, we’ll be directly transported to the Asgard Spa entrance.

::The Ambassador went into her quarters and did her final costume change. She had brought a vintage pant suit from Balenciaga. And the latest leather stilleto boots from Chanel, now in its fifth century of existence.::

::After some final touches to her makeup, Ashana met her crew. There were Keris and Seval, along with Pierre and a group of spa aides for the day. Pierre had made sure they could perform the traditional mani pedis; hand, neck and shoulder massages; and a classic Ardanan mist facial.::

((Asgard Spa, USS Thor))

::The group was beamed en masse to the entrance of Asgard Spa. They were of course fashionably late. They entered and saw the gathering was in full swing. It appeared the admiral had smartly ordered bites. Ashana always thought of drinks and never food.::

Ashana: Admiral Turner and Commander Oddas! This looks wonderful!

Turner/Oddas: Response

Ashana: I’ve brought some drinks and some spa technicians for the mani pedis and some other treatments…

::Seval and servers walked in with the anti-grav bar. A barman immediately started passing flutes of Champagne. The Vulcan aide began to get to work, but Ashana would explain the Floating Cosmo later.::

Turner/Oddas: Response

Ashana: And a virgin bubbly for you, Admiral… Cheers!

::As Ambassador Ashana toasted with Oddas and the Admiral, then Keris entered with the floating tank and an engineer making sure the fish remained where they were.::

Turner/Oddas/Kamela/Parker: Response

::Some of the guests looked curious, if not concerned.::

Ashana: Oh you mean those little fish, in the transparent aluminum case in the containment field???

::Keris moved so all could see what was like a tempest in a tea pot, or creatures from the deep.::

Any: Response

Ashana: Those are Ke’ToQ fish from Qo’Nos… I’m sure you’re familiar with them, Major Parker?

Parker/Any Others: Response

Ashana: I believe something similar was used in Terran spas. Tiny little fish who eat away dead skin from the feet...

Any: Response

Ashana: Well, the Ke’ToQ fish do something similar… but they are more like miniature… what’s the name of the fish, Keris, the one similar on Earth but larger…

Keris: I believe they’re called piranhas, Ambassador.

Ashana: Ah yes, miniature piranhas! Ke’ToQ are like miniature piranhas!

Any: Response

Ashana: ::taking a sip of  As my step mother used to say ::in Klingon and then in translation:: Ke’ToQ fish, there is NO FINER EXFOLIATOR! ::taking another sip of Champagne:: Or a more invigorating one, I should add.

::At that moment Pierre brought in the barrel of bloodwine.::

Parker/Any Others: Response

Ashana: Yes, but the bloodwine is reserved only for those who survive ::in Klingon then in translation:: “the ardent quest of shining endurance. ::aside to Admiral Turner and the First Officer:: That’s what Klingons call their beauty treatments. ::turning to Major Parker:: So Major, are you up for the ardent quest?

::Ashana had laid down the gauntlet. Would Parker now pick it up?::

Ashana: I'll took off my boots to join you.

::Ashana remembered the first time she experienced the Ke'ToQ. She released a blood curdling scream and stopped the procedure at 9.3 seconds. Now, she didn't actually find it that bad. The treatment was more dependent on the spa technician who had to time the procedure carefully, lest a visit to sick bay would be required.::

Parker/Kamela: Response

Ashana: And Admiral, where is your husband?

::Ashana thought Major Parker should not endure the quest without a good friend.::

Turner/Others: Response


TAG/TBC


PNPC Ambassador Ashana
Federation Envoy to Duronis II
https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php/Ashana

as simmed by

Lt. Commander Savan
Chief of Intelligence
Embassy of Duronis II/USS Thunder-A

Writer ID: E239303S10
http://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php/Savan