Lieutenant Commander Divya Tam: The Mystery
mrsciroth
((Backroom, The Starlit Decanter, DS14))
The unexplained draw toward a bar on A space station was unusual. The four officers debated the trustworthiness of the circumstances that led them there and of the place itself. Some happened past the bar and were pulled in; one came in search of a friend, and one felt an unexplainable pull. Thus far, there was little to explain why they all ended up together this night, but there was not enough to call the pull nefarious. In the end, the group decided to go along with the game until something more happened.
Meris: I will start the bidding at one hundred.
Caras: Bet, raise $700
This is exactly what Divya had been talking about earlier. If the stakes in this card game were real to her, she would fold.
Tam: Bet, raise 2,500
When Is'Kah pushed twice that many chips to the center of the table, she was happy that either her good friend or her new friend would have a dramatic win.
Is’Kah: I’m going all in for 5,700.
Meris: Well, that is one way to ensure a quick resolution to the game. I will call.
Caras: Guess that puts me all in. If you win this hand, Is’Kah, I’ll give you that tour.
Tam: That should be a fun tour for you, Caras.
Is’Kah: Full house, sevens over twos.
The small woman put down an impressive hand.
Meris: That beats my fives.
Caras: Only a straight, the best straight Ten to Ace, but alas.
Divya put her cards down face up and drank her whiskey in one gulp.
Tam: I'm going to save these cards from the embarrassment of showing themselves in front of the company.
Meris: I suppose now, all that is left is to deposit our tokens?
Caras: Sure. I guess I do have something. Not sure what it’s worth to anyone else, but I suppose that might be the point of this.
Looking around the walls, Divya saw expensive bottles and gadgets, but she also saw a group photo. She walked to that section of the wall and noticed several other, less expensive trinkets. A leaf was placed on a small rock in one display, and she very much wished she knew that story.
Tam: From some of these display items, I don't think value is the same as worth to the proprietor.
Is'Kah: Response.
Meris: What will you each deposit?
Tam: My doll-sized crochet Starfleet jacket will have to do, it's all I have on me. I'll come back in a month to see if it has been displayed, and where.
Caras: Well I did have a specific program I wanted to try at the arcade tonight. Somewhat one of a kind, I made it myself, Possibly the best one I’ve ever made. But I will say, occasions like this are pretty rare too. Good snacks, Good drinks, and dare I say… new friends? Hard to put a price on that.
Tam: I'm sure that will be more difficult to recreate than mine. If you would like help creating a new version, let me know.
Is'Kah: Response.
She watched the engineer deposit an unfamiliar black box. Divya would have to learn more about arcade programs. Meris then made an unexpected move. They took the pips off their uniform and placed them in the cabinet.
Meris: I hope the Proprietor finds what they are looking for.
Caras: Call enough people to this place, I bet they will.
Tam: Meris, that was ::she had trouble finding the words:: meaningful.
Is'Kah: Response.
Caras: Well, Proprietor, I thank you for a wonderful evening, filled with good times and a bit of mystery.
Divya looked at the cameras and smiled. A few minutes ago, she might have waved to be silly, but the mood had shifted to one of reverence that she wanted to soak up and remember.
Meris: Indeed.
Is'Kah: Response
Caras: Well, We all got here separately, but how about we all leave the same way? I think that will be more emblematic of the night.
A section of wall slid open to reveal a lift. She wondered how she had missed it. Caras went in and looked to the rest to see if they would follow.
Meris: I do hope this lift is safe...
Divya pondered it for a moment and followed him in.
Tam: I can take one more chance tonight.
Is'Kah: Response
((Alley, Promenade, Deep Space 14))
The lift opened onto a small corridor just off the Promenade. The typical chatter from a crowd of shoppers and tourists was missing. The quiet somehow topped off the night perfectly. It had been a while since she walked home in the stillness of the early hours of the morning.
Caras: This is close to where I came in at. I will say that it was an interesting night. Some of it kind of magical in a weird way. Meris, do you still feel that the proprietor is an adversary? Not that I can blame you, consent is core to a trust relationship. I still don’t know how they knew all those things, but then again, I lost so maybe i’m easier to read than I thought i was.
Meris: I did not think of them as an adversary, nor do I now. Only as an unexplained variable that has not fully earned our trust.
Tam: That is an excellent way to think about it, Meris. So much of our jobs and our training is to find out everything we can right away. It's nice to let a mystery play out without intervention for once. I also remain undecided, but am okay with that, for now.
Meris: Well, I suppose this is where we part. It has been... an interesting evening. I thank you each, but I believe I will return to the Thor now to reflect on what has transpired.
Tam: It has been unique and enjoyable. Thank you, Meris. You have given me much to think about.
Is'Kah: Response
The helmsmen looked at each person, purposefully and thoughtfully.
Meris: ::to Tam:: Commander. ::to Caras:: Commander. ::to Is'Kah:: Chief. If I do not see you again before you depart, it was a pleasure meeting you and getting to know you. Good evening to you all.
They inclined their head and Divya returned the respectful gesture before they walked away.
She winked at Caras and laid her arm on the Trican's shoulders.
Tam: Good game, Chief. We will have to play again. ::to Is'Kah:: I'll walk you back to your hotel, old friend, and you can tell me why you're really here.
Is'Kah: Response
The two women waved to their new friends and walked arm in arm down the Promenade, debating finding an open stall for a late night snack. The night had been strange and wonderful, and they did not want it to end. On the way to the hotel, they looped around and caught a glimpse of the front of The Starlit Decanter. Standing in the window, watching the stragglers slowly make their way home, was the Proprietor. There was something about him that made Divya stop and watch the watcher. She couldn't tell what had drawn her attention until he tilted his head a certain way. She leaned her head and took in the whole scene. This was the first time she noticed the interwoven lines that made up the stylized shop sign. Those lines flowed all the way around the entrance. It suddenly clicked, and she patted Is'Kah on the shoulder.
Tam: The entrance and the sign. Does that remind you of anything?
Is'Kah: Response
((End Scene for Tam))
Lieutenant Commander Divya Tam
Chief of Operations
USS Thor
A240104DT4
She/Her (character and player)