Parks & Recreation (Part 1 of 6)

Posted on 15 Oct 2016 @ 2:10am by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Lieutenant JG Braxton MacKenzie & Ensign Splendora Nightingale & Petty Officer 1st Class T'Lin & Jesra Moore & Korre Barras (KIA)
Edited on on 15 Oct 2016 @ 2:13am

2,131 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 12 - Recluse
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 7, Callisto Bar
Timeline: MD -03 - 0000 hrs

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Ever so slowly, Lirha stood in front of the full-sized mirror in her quarters' bedroom and twirled around to get a good view of how her dress was fitting. The mid-sized bump in her belly was definitely noticeable but not as prominent as she'd predicted. The sleek form-fitting black fabric of her backless garment exposed much more green skin than it covered, but Lirha preferred it that way. She noticed her chest looked fuller than usual and there seemed to be more definition to the cleavage where gold her necklace and Orion amulet lay situated. She paused to take in her appearance while scanning below the waist to make sure there was enough of her toned thighs showing for her satisfaction.

A final check of her latinum earrings and golden arm gauntlets ensured that she honored her family's Orion heritage for no social party would be complete without them. Her dark hair -- usually kept in a high ponytail while on duty was now let down and flowed gracefully just over the tops of her shoulders. The rear admiral took a soft breath and smiled in anticipation of a night of pleasantries, then grabbed a small shoulder bag containing her commbadge, a PADD, and a few other personal items.

"All hands, this is the captain," she said over Galileo's intercom while walking out of her room towards the turbolift. "Callisto Bar is now open for our crew gathering until 0200. I will see you all there," she said somewhat excitedly.

Allowing the woman to close the channel, Jesra moved up behind her lovely as she gently cradled the woman's belly from behind and nuzzled against the woman's neck. "You know noone will notice if you're a little late."

A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of Lirha's gold lips. She leaned back gently into the arms of her partner and tilted her head to give Jesra more exposure to her green skin. "Ten minutes," she conceded. That would hopefully be enough time for the two of them to quickly indulge themselves before attending the party.

Laughing lightly, Jesra pushed the woman's hair away from the side of her neck before allowing her hands to move a little lower. "More than enough time my dear..."


Deck 7, Callisto Bar

Peering about the environs of the lounge, Korre twitched her lips in something of an exasperated sigh. While the Galileo didn't have the crew compliment she was used to on larger starships, there were still a damn lot of them to be crammed in here all at a once. Still, she had made the best of things - having Doyle help arrange tables and chairs to provide the most space possible - even if a majority of it proved to be standing room at best.

"Ethan, how are those drinks coming?"

"Gettin' there." The voice was muffled, coming from the back as it was, but Korre took faith that it was with intent as she poured over the preparations in her head. There were minutes only before things started, but the truth of the matter was, Korre lived for moments like this.

Down on Deck 7 across from the makeshift gym area Galileo's crew had installed, the bar/lounge entrance was an inconspicuous door which didn't contain any other markings or flair aside from its standard room number nomenclature. However, the prudent observer could hear the ever-so-slight thump of bass drums through the deck plating as they approached, and once the door parted for Lirha, she had set foot into a different world.

The dull white lighting of the Nova-class' corridors and offices had been replaced by an upbeat blend of greens and purples -- the walls themselves were not the drab metallic gray found within the bridge or personnel quarters, but rather a finely-replicated composite which reflected the nearby ambiance with perfection. The bar counter was long and slender and conformed perfectly to the shake of the room to allow patrons access to drinks from anywhere within the vicinity. LCARS monitors were embedded into the walls and a couple hung from their ceiling, each displaying a different channel sourced through the Starfleet uplink while varying between sports, news, and local entertainment.

The open area in the middle of the room was dotted with several short-top tables surrounded by plush chairs and booth combinations while the seating at the bar was a mixture of standing room and high-top stools. Several large windows on the far side of the expanse provided a breathtaking view of the cosmos and exposed every guest to the hypnotizing star-streaks of warp travel. Perhaps most importantly, the aroma of delicious bar appetizers from the small kitchen in the rear was seeping out into the larger area.

This was Splendora's second time at the Callisto Bar. Tonight, because it was a special occasion, a time to spend getting to know the crew, she had chosen her favorite dress. It was ruby red and started as a halter top dress with a V that dipped deliciously deep into her ample bosom. Like a bathing suit top it covered her chest but just barely. A thin strip of fabric about three inches across dropped down from her bosom down her stomach connecting it to the bottom of the dress which hugged her hips and leaving her sides and back on delicious display. The dress was long and had a slit on each thigh clean up to the hips. She slipped into her red stiletto heals and she'd let her black hair hang in loose curls around her shoulders. Red lipstick finished off the outfit and a dark black eyeliner that made her emerald eyes appear almond shaped. She looked at her reflection before she left her quarters and headed down to Callisto's Bar.

As she entered she smiled. She noted a few people were already there. Walking over to the bar she decided to order a Vulcan Death Grip a drink that had three layers of alcohol, one green, one black, one white, all mixed to create a beautiful tasting drink. "Bartender, I'll have a Vulcan Death Grip please."

Admittedly Ethan Prost was something of a pro when it came to bartending; granted, he'd only run the drinks a year at most, but he'd grown up in the life and knew most blends as well as his own family tree. Flashing a grin to the woman now standing across from him, he couldn't help but admire her get-up as he started pulling down the bottles to mix up her request. "Starting off on the right foot tonight, ma'am?" Topping off the mix, he handed the glass over.

Braxton had showered and changed into his black dress pants and black silk shirt. He would stop into the bar and have a drink and then come home. It took only a few minutes for him to reach the bar. He entered and looked around for a moment before heading to pick up a drink. He sat down beside Splendora. “Hey Wall tap buddy.”

Splendora laughed. “Hi Braxton. What are you drinking?”

“Green Alien. It’s got a hint of mint.” He smiled and held up the luminous green liquid. “How about you?”

“Alcohol all the way. None of that virgin stuff. I’m drinking my second Vulcan Death Grip.”

Braxton laughed. “Nice. I guess we should go and mingle.”

She smiled. “Go on then. I’m going to be nursing this drink for a while.”

T'Lin knew from her father that diplomatically one was expected to attend these functions though to her they made little sense logically. The only concession she had made to the whole affair was to let her light blonde hair down from its normal tight braids. The length was still a reminder of her time at the Temple and her training there. She spotted the head of her department. They had not had time to interact and again her father's words reminded her that amoung others it was necessary. He had a partial Vulcan look to him but she was not sure exactly how much he followed the Path. None the less she thought it would be alright to greet him traditionally.

"Lieutenant Braxton, live long and propser," T'Lin said in a emotionless cool voice practiced over decades of time along with the salute also practiced over decades of time. The next though came from her diplomat father, "I do hope you are enjoying the party."

Braxton recognized T'Lin, a new member of his department whom he hadn't been able to speak with in detail. He returned her greeting as was proper for Vulcans. "Peace and long life T'Lin. Just Braxton is fine." He then gave a bow as was appropriate for when greeting a priestess. "May I get a drink for you?"

T'Lin made a small nod of the head. "I am Temple trained but did not follow such a path," she replied referring to his manner. "Water is fine," T'Lin then added. She then thought to add, "Though my father is a diplomat and used to dealing with many others, I have not managed his level of rapport, you must forgive me if I seem abrupt. A fault I hope to correct." She contemplated a moment if one looked really closely one might see just a tiny quirk of smile. "In the Academy I earned the monikor of the Ice Queen."

Braxton was a notice. He noted the smile. "Somehow I doubt that's true. I doubt you deserve the name Ice Queen. Frankly others see us, Vulcans as unfeeling. We're anything but T'Lin. We're passionate, loving, kind, but we choose not to wear that out on our sleeves. In fact I would say we feel more intensely then any other species.

"An interesting philosophy sir," she replied. "It was not my experience on the path to Kolinar at the Temple. However, as you have indicated our history and our cousins have indicated that strong emotions are a part of us. It should prove something interesting to contemplate, perhaps sometime we can discuss further?"

He smiled. "Yes, anytime. It's been long since I was on Vulcan. I miss it. "Do you by chance play Kal-toh?" He asked.

"I am familiar with the challenge, but do not consider myself an adept. Still if you need a partner, I am willing."

Braxton smiled. "It will be great to have a challenger. How are you finding the ship so far T'Lin?"

"The ship seems to be operating well. I am not an engineer though."

He laughed. "No T'Lin I mean how do you like the ship so far. Are you adapting well to being here? It's smaller then a lot of ships out there."

"There are no complaints. The use of real incense and candles for mediation would be preferred but one learns to adapt. And you? How do you fair? You have the look of lack of sleep though I will admit I am no doctor, one learns certain things along the way. In the Temple one learned much about one's body and mind."

He smiled. "I admit that sleep has been an issue that I have filled with work. As for candles and incense you could still do that. Holodeck on has a system that filters the smoke out. If you try Braxton Delta one program it's the P'Tranek Monastery and you will find the replicator will supply candles and incense before the program runs." He said.

"I can function without, but perhaps sometime instead sir, you might allow me to show you some techniques which many help."

He smiled. "I would like that. It has been a while since I was able to devote to meditation and emotional control and trust me...I need it. So I would very much appreciate it. And call me Braxton or Brax or Mac. I'm not much for formality and am always up for making friends."

"Very good, Braxton. When you and I can coordinate schedules we can work together." T'Lin made a small nod of the head..

He smiled. "Count on it." She might think that she was all Vulcan and not emotional but he sensed something from her. Knowing Vulcans didn't like to be called on emotions he simply let it go. "So have you made any other friends since you came onboard?"

"I have not had sufficient time," T'Lin responded though it was close to the same question that the Counselor had asked her. She did not think it worth the time to explain that friend meant something deeper then just knowing someone.

Braxton smiled. "Go ahead and mingle, enjoy the party T'Lin, let your hair down a bit."

To Be Continued...

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