Lt. JG Lopez & Ryzek Xerion - "An Important Matter" (NT)
Amanda Nordstrom
((Starbase 118 - Outside Formal Ballroom C-10))
The trip to Starbase 118 had been uneventful. Disembarkment had remained as such. Ryzek had taken the time to inquire as to the whereabouts of the woman he was searching for before making his way to the quarters he’d been assigned for as long as he was staying on the base. He hoped it wasn’t long.
Carefully putting away the trunk that held two boxes within, he made sure everything was in place before leaving his accommodations. With luck, he could be on the next flight back to Betazed in the morning. First, however, he had to find the one he sought. The officer at the dock had indicated she was attending a Gala. It was, perhaps, bad timing, but Ryzek wanted to finish his mission and get back home. So, unconcerned about said timing, he made his way directly to the Ballroom.
Already, people were gathering and he could hear the murmur of a mass of voices coming from within. The doors were open, the light inside bright and inviting. Well, that was well and good because Ryzek was inviting himself. Without hesitation, he stepped inside.
One of those guards, a rather burly Human male who’s size made him rather intimidating enough without the security uniform or the holstered phaser, sent a hand out sharply just ahead of the strange looking Betazoid just before he crossed the threshold of the gala’s entrance. This guy definitely looked like he didn’t belong, as his dress was plain, nor did he appear to know exactly where he was going.
Lopez: Sir… invitation, please?
The gruff demand was less a question and more an insistence, underscored by a bored growl.
Ryzek cast a glance over at the man, but only briefly. His eyes were scanning for the face that matched the image he’d seen. Surely she would be easy to recognise.
Ryzek: I’m not here for the event. I’m just looking for someone.
Lopez: This is an invitation only event. No invitation, no admittance.
The other guards kept their attention elsewhere, meanwhile. Ryzek sighed, his black gaze shifting back to the guard for yet another brief moment. He didn’t need an invitation, he wasn’t planning on officially attending, he just had to talk to someone.
Xerion: I’m looking for Commander Alora DeVeau. I need to speak with her.
Lopez: I’m sure you do… ::clearly not impressed by the explanation:: … I’m also sure that it can wait.
Xerion: It’s actually rather important.
And Ryzek had other matters to attend to. He needed to do what he came to do and get back home - likely to implement new orders.
The Human security guard chuffed loudly, eyebrows knitting together.
Lopez: Sir, if we just let in *anyone* who claimed to have a beef with our highest ranking officers on the station during the reception of a formal gala, do you think we’d still have our pips the next day?
For emphasis, he pointed somewhat rudely toward his own neck at the pips adorning his uniform collar.
Lopez: No invite. NO entrance. No exceptions.
Xerion: A beef? No, no, this isn’t what you call ‘a beef’. I have no beef to give her. I just need to talk to her about a rather important matter.
But Ryzek wasn’t about to go into details with him - no, this was for her ears, not his.
Lopez: You can leave a message with her staff. She’ll get back to you when she’s able.
Xerion: The problem is, I need to be on a ship out first thing in the morning. So the sooner the better.
Once more, Ryzek turned his gaze to the crowd. Most people were dressed in elegant fashion, a few in officer whites, the Starfleet version of dressy uniforms. Then, he saw her. She was in white, but it wasn’t a uniform. Her hair was carefully styled, but let free, waves cascading past her shoulders. Gloves adorned her hands, matching the hue of her dress, and a bright smile was offered to all those around her.
Xerion: There she is. Excuse me.
Immediately, Ryzek made a beeline for the woman he had finally espied.
The motion was extremely quick, decisive. Not overly forceful, but forceful enough that when the guards grip wrapped the fabric of the back of the Betazoids collar that it halted his forward motion. Then the guard pulled him backward, again with measured but purposeful strength, until his feet were back behind the threshold. The motion attracted the attention of a second guard, who stepped forward but stayed clear, just in case the first needed a hand.
Lopez: Your schedule conflict is *not* the Commanders problem. You, however, are *mine.* ::to the other guard:: I’ll be back. ::then in Ryzek’s ear:: We’ll be visiting the brig. Which is a shame. I’d have spent my short free time in Little Risa.
Ryzek barely managed to suppress a groan. The last thing he needed was to be incarcerated, but regardless, the man was overstepping his bounds.
Xerion: I am well aware of my rights, sir, and you know very well you can not throw me in the brig for this. I am trying to bring a very important matter to the First Officer of a personal nature. Now, if you will not allow me to speak to her, would you at least let her know that someone is outside with said important matter and let her make the choice?
Lopez: ::more annoyed now, though he released the Betazoid’s collar:: Attempting to force entry into a private event gives me the right to detain you at my discretion. We’re under orders not to disturb the event, save for actual emergencies. ::dark brown eyes leveled on him harshly:: So unless the Borg are parked outside the docking ports, you’ll wait to speak to her elsewhere... or you can wait in the brig. Your choice.
Xerion: I assure you, what I need to discuss with her will have no bearing on the event itself. It is a personal matter for the First Officer alone. If you could just get a message to her..
The guards hostility seemed to ease off a bit, but not in a positive way. He glanced at his fellow security officer, and they exchanged knowing glances tinged with calm annoyance. Then he set brown eyes on the Betazoid gentleman once more, his lips pursed with annoyance before speaking again.
Lopez: You’re not used to being told “no,” are you.
Xerion: Not when the matters are important and concerning an entire House, no.
Now the burly Human just looked at him, his expression unchanging, and obviously his mind was unchanged as well. “House” business or not, it was irrelevant. He had his orders.
Another frown turned down Ryzek’s mouth. He glanced toward the First Officer and sighed, then turned and headed out the doors. He could not understand why he couldn’t simply discuss this with her. It was not as if he were attempting to take over the entire gala. However, he didn’t want to extend things any more than necessary, and going to the brig would certainly cause a delay.
Stopping in the hallway near the wall across from the ballroom, Ryzek leaned against it, crossing his arms over his chest. It was going to be a long night.
~*~
Ryzen Xerion
Steward
15th House of Betazed
&
Lt JG Lopez
Security Guard
Starbase 118 Ops
C238211TZ0