Lt. Ryden Sylvax - Let's Go Down to the Starlight Ballroom
Ryden Kel
((Corridor, Deck 499 – Outside the Starlight Ballroom))
Ryden Sylvax rounded the corner, adjusting the cuff of his charcoal suit for what was probably the fifth time in as many minutes. He'd debated wearing his dress uniform before ultimately deciding on something a little more comfortable. Now, on the way to the celebration, he was beginning to wonder if he'd made the right choice.
The familiar sound of footsteps approaching drew his attention.
Sylvax: Alok!
Lieutenant Alok Munshi looked up.
Munshi: ?
Sylvax: Apparently we had the same idea... and the same timing.
Munshi: ?
Ryden glanced toward the ballroom doors and chuckled.
Sylvax: If we're the first ones there, we can just pretend we were helping Foster set up.
Munshi: ?
Sylvax: Exactly.
The two officers continued down the corridor together, chatting easily. Ryden had come to appreciate Alok's company over the past several weeks. Conversation never felt forced between them. Sometimes they talked, sometimes they simply walked in comfortable silence.
As the ballroom doors slid open, both men instinctively slowed. The room beyond was stunning.
A polished wood dance floor stretched across the center of the ballroom beneath a collection of chandeliers, one magnificent centerpiece glowing like a small sun while smaller lights orbited around it. Rich maroon draperies framed the walls, intertwined with delicate white flower garlands that softened the formal space. Along one side, an enormous viewport overlooked the steady stream of ships arriving and departing StarBase 118. Opposite it, the bar and buffet stood ready for the evening, while a podium waited patiently in the corner for whatever speeches... or surprises... the night had in store.
Sylvax: Wow...
Munshi: ?
Ryden took another slow look around the ballroom before his eyes instinctively drifted back toward the entrance behind them.
No sign of Tori.
He hadn't expected him to be this early, but part of him had hoped anyway.
Foster: Well hello and welcome!
Commander Shar'Wyn Foster approached with his trademark grin.
Sylvax: Commander. This looks incredible.
Munshi: ?
Foster: Of course you're early! But you already knew that, right? And I opened the doors, so life is beautiful and you should come on in!
Ryden laughed.
Sylvax: We were actually trying not to be the first ones here.
Foster/Munshi: ?
Sylvax: It's certainly kinder to our pride.
Foster/Munshi: ?
The three stepped farther into the ballroom together. Ryden admired the decorations once more, but every so often his eyes wandered back toward the entrance.
He knew Tori would arrive when he arrived.
Still... Every time those doors opened tonight, Ryden suspected he'd be looking.
Any: ?