USS Boudicca Compile 01-07 December 2008 Part 1 ========================== The Loudest Silence, Day 1 Stardate: 2408.06.21 ========================== (USS Boudicca - Deck 04 - Main Shuttlebay - QolloH - Day 1 - 1408) "Thank you, Mister Kollok," said Len. "We could do with the assistance. There's a spare set of tools in the bay over there," she nodded to the left, "and there should be some sets of overalls in the lockers there too. Third from the right should have some extra large ones. Crewman Boni is about your size, and he won't mind you using them. Report back to me when you've got the overall on and picked up the tools and I'll put you to work. Call me Len, by the way." She stuck out her hand, one comrade to another. "len?" QolloH said, then he chuckled. "What a wonderful irony! The only one I've seen working on this ship is named Len." NRPG: len is the Klingon word for recess, or break. RPG: QolloH went to retrieve the tools and suit up in overalls. "I am QolloH, Son of DI'al," he announced once he'd returned to the Stallion and his 'co-worker.' (Reply Len, any) (Posted by Frank) ====== (USS Boudicca - Cargo Bay 3 - Con/ops Ensign(jg) Micheal Orion - 1533) ~ Loqi was found. ~ the thought came to him and a wave of relief washed over his mental form has he found his way back to his body, and slowly over the next few minutes came out of the mental trance. His hand loosened around the Obsidian and it fell in pieces to the floor, the stone shattered it's protective properties gone. Orion left the cargo bay then, quietly and with out much to say. He cared little about what Loqi looked like, only that he was found and safe so he could be returned to his family, and that the mission at hand could be finished he hoped with little futher insident. So it was with that in mind Orion made his back to the bridge to retake his place at the helm. ( posted by Matthew Locke) ( reply any.. ) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - CEO Lorimar - 1823) "Greetings Bob." Arania cheerfully greeted him and leaning over the bar, standing on her tippy-toes, she gave him a kiss on his cheek. He went instantly from an evident sickly appearing pallor to a hugely embarrassed flush of his cheeks and ears. He could easily feel the heat rising from his neck up, and that only made it worse. He quickly resigned himself to ride it out as best he could. After Arania bluntly told him he didn't look well, his smile faded. "Lassie, tis' nothing contagious ah assure ye. Just a bad day. Mah stomach is a bit off... ah was wonderin' if ah might trouble ye for a bit of dry wheat toast and tea? Ah know its nae mah usual fare, but ah need tae see how ah react tae that afore ah eat anything else, alright?" (Reply Arania iyw, Room for more) Just when he thought he might get the flush of embarrassment under control, Arania gave her rather effusive introduction. He turned in the direction of the young science officer and tried to put a smile back on his face. ~Ye dinnae want her thinkin' yer some sort of creature from the lower decks, now dae ye? Fool!~ "Sir," she said with a nod. "It's nice to meet you." "The pleasure is mine entirely." He paused and looked around with mock interest, as though searching for something. "Ah dinnae see any command types aboot... its Bob, alright? That 'Lieutenant' stuff is a bit formal for mah taste." (Reply Rel) He nodded and smiled, warmly quickly to the friendly new face. "So how long hae ye been aboard? Enjoying yer stay wie us so far?" (Reply Rel, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - ASCO Ensign (jg) Ayslin Rel - 1824) "Sir," she said with a nod. "It's nice to meet you." "The pleasure is mine entirely." He paused and looked around with mock interest, as though searching for something. "Ah dinnae see any command types aboot... its Bob, alright? That 'Lieutenant' stuff is a bit formal for mah taste." Ayslin shrugged, "You're the senior officer...Bob." It was always interesting how many engineers hated being called sir. Maybe she was just used to being called Doctor prior to Star Fleet. Titles didn't mean much in the Sciences, they were simply used as a method of pointing out who had the highest degree and generally conferred absolutely zero respect unless it was earned. He nodded and smiled, warmly quickly to the friendly new face. "So how long hae ye been aboard? Enjoying yer stay wie us so far?" "I've been aboard exactly..." Ayslin said, making an exaggerated motion of looking at the nearest clock, "6 hours. My time so far has been...interesting to say the least. Is every mission around here this, how do I put it...of script? As it stands I've already had to send one message back to the Symbiosis Commission concerning some side effects of our telepathic guest." (Reply Lorimar) (Posted by Patrick D.) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - CEO Lorimar - 1825) "I've been aboard exactly..." Ayslin said, making an exaggerated motion of looking at the nearest clock, "6 hours. My time so far has been...interesting to say the least. Is every mission around here this, how do I put it...of script? As it stands I've already had to send one message back to the Symbiosis Commission concerning some side effects of our telepathic guest." Bob resisted the urge to scratch his head, despite his confusion. His normal reaction was honesty, and he went that way now without much thought. "Beg your pardon? 'Of script'? Ah'm nae sure ah understand yer meaning there." (Reply Rel, Room for more iyw) "I can only speak from my own limited experience. Ah came aboard as an ACEO during the Civil War, prior to the final push on the Mars Defense Perimeter and the assault on Valhalla itself. That was... interesting, ah guess ye could say." ~And far too bloody,~ he thought but didn't add aloud. "Never really had anything resembling a 'normal' mission if that's what ye mean lass. Always something interesting aboard, ah can say that wie certainty." He smiled at that, thinking of the many and varied missions so far in his short career. He looked more closely at her now, finally noting the interesting skin markings which, he remembered, were common to Trill hosts. That plus her reference to the symbiosis commission got him thinking. "Forgive mah curiousity," he began quietly, "Ah've nae had much interaction wie yer species. If this is too personal ah apologize... but ah've heard ye... Trills, that is... can recall everything, or nearly everything that previous hosts experienced, along with your... 'symbiont' -- forgive me if thats nae the right term -- is that true? If so ah imagine that must be pretty interesting... but is it confusing?" (Reply Rel, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - ASCO Ensign (jg) Ayslin Rel - 1827) "Beg your pardon? 'Of script'? Ah'm nae sure ah understand yer meaning there." "You know, not according to plan...Did I get it wrong? Jeven was always trying to learn new idioms." Ayslin said, Jeven may have learned them, or so he thought, but Ayslin still slipped up from time to time. (Reply Lorimar iyw) "I can only speak from my own limited experience. Ah came aboard as an ACEO during the Civil War, prior to the final push on the Mars Defense Perimeter and the assault on Valhalla itself. That was... interesting, ah guess ye could say." "Never really had anything resembling a 'normal' mission if that's what ye mean lass. Always something interesting aboard, ah can say that wie certainty." He smiled at that. "Forgive mah curiousity," he began quietly, "Ah've nae had much interaction wie yer species. If this is too personal ah apologize... but ah've heard ye... Trills, that is... can recall everything, or nearly everything that previous hosts experienced, along with your... 'symbiont' -- forgive me if thats nae the right term -- is that true? If so ah imagine that must be pretty interesting... but is it confusing?" "Don't worry, it's a pretty common question. We used to be secretive about the whole symbiont host thing, paranoia I guess, but we got over it. The pronoun usage is also...interesting, Rel is the symbiont, Ayslin is the host, but for all intents and purposes we are a single individual. The memories and experiences of each host are passed on via Rel, who is the sum of all of those lifetimes on top of their own personality. Every joining therefore creates a new and unique individual, I am therefore Ayslin Rel, who is the sum of Ayslin prior to joining with Rel, every prior host of Rel, and Rel itself," Ayslin said, knowing she wasn't explaining it very well. "As for the memories, it can be odd sometimes. I do have access to all the memories of each of my three previous hosts, I remember as much as they did about their lives. It isn't photographic by any means, and is still subject to the normal self delusion and deception that we all deal with, I remember my first hosts 10th birthday, and I remember what it felt like to my first symphony as first chair. I think it has to do with the joining, but I don't get my memories mixed up if that's what you mean. Those three lifetimes prior to this one were me, but they weren't, and I'm able to keep them compartmentalized for the most part. However it's also odd in that I remember how to pilot a shuttle, but you stick me in the cockpit now and I'm not better than any academy grad. I could probably pick it back up better if I wanted to, but while I have access to the memories here and maybe in a no stress, take as much time as I want situation, in the heat of the moment I'm not the person you want at the helm. I think it has to do with the fact that those memories that are from previous hosts are stored, biochemically speaking, within the biological organism of Rel, not up here," Ayslin said tapping her spotted temple. It means there isn't a direct synaptic connection between memory and action." Ayslin suddenly realized she was basically giving a superior officer a lecture on Being A Trill, and blushed to match her hair. "Sorry, I tend to explain things a little too thoroughly sometimes, just stop me in the future when I go off like that. In summery, yes, I do have access to the memories of my three previous hosts, and no it isn't confusing, although I'm not sure there's an easy explanation as to why it isn't," Ayslin said with a smile, brushing a loose strand of red hair back over her ear. (Reply Lorimar, any) (Posted by Patrick D.) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - CEO Lorimar - 1830) Bob listened with rapt attention and genuine interest to Rel's response to his question. He was polite and absorbed enough to not interrupt even once, merely nodding several times as he listened. "Sorry, I tend to explain things a little too thoroughly sometimes, just stop me in the future when I go off like that. In summery, yes, I do have access to the memories of my three previous hosts, and no it isn't confusing, although I'm not sure there's an easy explanation as to why it isn't," Ayslin said with a smile, brushing a loose strand of red hair back over her ear. He smiled warmly back at her, all thoughts of his discomfort chased away by this evidently outgoing and pleasant young officer. "Ah must say... ah think ah've just learned more than ah did in all my exo-biology courses in the academy... tae say nothing of the lecturer being much more pleasant and interesting." He seemed to search within himself a moment, then focused on Rel once more. "So... call me thick but ah must just make sure ah hae this correct, okay? As ah understand it, 'Rel' is your symbiont," he thumped his chest lightly with an open palm for emphasis "the part of ye which transfers from host to host, aye? And 'Ayslin' is yer host, correct? So essentially when ye are joined ye become a single being, both sharing and benefiting from the memories and experiences... and the capabilities to some extent of the other?" (Reply Rel) "What about addressing ye? Ah mean... what is the proper and polite form of address? Unless ye wish me tae call ye by yer rank... though that's a bit formal ah suppose..." (Reply Rel, Any, Room for more if you wish) (Posted by Russ) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - ASCO Ensign (jg) Ayslin Rel - 1832) "So... call me thick but ah must just make sure ah hae this correct, okay? As ah understand it, 'Rel' is your symbiont," he thumped his chest lightly with an open palm for emphasis "the part of ye which transfers from host to host, aye? And 'Ayslin' is yer host, correct? So essentially when ye are joined ye become a single being, both sharing and benefiting from the memories and experiences... and the capabilities to some extent of the other?" Ayslin blushed a little at the previous compliment. "Correct, both philosophically and legally. Neither a host nor a symbiont can be held to any contract or oath made prior to their joining. I actually had to be sworn in as an officer for the second time after my joining," Ayslin said with a smile. "What about addressing ye? Ah mean... what is the proper and polite form of address? Unless ye wish me tae call ye by yer rank... though that's a bit formal ah suppose..." "Well, either works really, and I will answer to both Ayslin and Rel without being insulted. I guess Rel is slightly more formal than Ayslin..." Ayslin said, she'd never really thought about what name she was referred to as, either people didn't ask or she was on Trill and it wasn't a problem. "It would all be simpler if you have known Ayslin prior to joining or Rel in a past host, I'd just tell you to use Ayslin or Rel respectively," Ayslin said, thinking for a moment. "How about you call me Ayslin unless it's either a formal situation, or I'm in trouble," she said with a grin. ~~Maybe making friends here won't be as hard as I thought.~~ Ayslin thought (Reply Lorimar) "Well, as only seems fair, you're going to have to tell me something about yourself other than that you're the Chief Engineer," Ayslin asked, with a friendly smile. (Reply Lorimar) (Posted by Patrick D.) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward – Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1900) Out of uniform, hair down, and ready to demolish some food, Denise entered ten forward. Light blue jeans that could have been painted on were frayed in a couple of places, but went with the checkered button up shirt. She wore a pair of sandals that seemed to be in conflict with the jeans, but in reality, it's what she wore wading through the Mississippi when wanting to fetch her own dinner. Denise grinned at those she knew, waved to those she didn't who looked her way anyway, and grabbed a table near the windows. Two seats, and a great view. All she needed was to snag some innocent to chat up and keep her amused. In the meantime, she turned her million credit smile to the waiter who came her way. His look wasn't particularly appreciative, so she decided not to waste her efforts on him. "One bourbon, straight up, to start. Spaghetti and Meatballs with a white sauce for the main meal, and breaded shrimp for the appetizer, pretty please. I'll have white tea sweetened with honey with my meal." (Reply server, if any) Denise thanked her waiter and decided it didn't look like entertainment was about to present itself quickly. She pulled a PADD out and started going through the list of courses and manuals she probably should have already taken and already known to get the job she was currently doing. "Ugh, I'm gonna need a bucket of water to wash this down with." She grumbled at the PADD that should have been wrinkling up from the dryness of the content. (Reply any in 10-F) (Posted by Lorna) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward – CIV Cy Tudor - 1902) Tearing his eyes away from his hear throb, Cy watched a woman who was dressed as if she was going to a beach clam bake or a lumberjacks' corn boil, breeze in to the lounge, waving and grinning, and head to a table near the windows. He looked around to see if Mu'Shu was going to serve her, but unfortunately Mu' was nowhere to be seen. ~ Probably skiving off in the washroom again. ~ He thought. Arania was busy behind the bar so with a sigh of resignation, Cy walked over to her to see what she wanted, not appreciating the once over she gave him as he did so. ~ Hmm someone's on the prowl and I am obviously white meat when she is hankering for red meat. ~ He gave her a friendly smile and she gave him her order, which he tapped into the PADD in his hand as she did so, everything except the drink, which he would get right away. The food data was transferred immediately to the kitchen where it was being processed as she spoke. //Breaded shrimp to start.\\ //Spaghetti and Meatballs with a *white sauce* \\ ~ Never heard of meatballs in white sauce before! Well that's the cook's problem.~ //White tea sweetened with honey.\\ "I'll be right back with your bourbon, Miss." He told her and was back within seconds with her desired drink and the breaded shrimp. When he returned the woman was reading a PADD. "Ugh, I'm gonna need a bucket of water to wash this down with." She grumbled. "Big bucket 5 gallons, or small bucket 1 gallon? And would that be with ice or without?" Cy smiled sweetly at her, on hand on a hip and tossed his just below shoulder-length, raven black hair. It was hard to tell by looking at his face, if he was being factitious or serious. (Reply Lebranski, any in 10-F) (Posted by Sal) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1904) "Big bucket 5 gallons, or small bucket 1 gallon? And would that be with ice or without?" Cy smiled sweetly at her, on hand on a hip and tossed his just below shoulder-length, raven black hair. Denise laughed, blue eyes flashing as she looked up at the server, deciding her waiter had a sense of humour. "To wash command procedures down? I think it would require the Mississippi at full course." (Reply Cy) She was more than willing to play along, "So how does a man like yourself going from being a fashion model to lounge morale improver?" (Reply Cy) (Posted by Lorna) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - CIV Cy Tudor - 1904.5) Cy smiled sweetly at the young woman dressed like a lumberjack, one hand on his hip as he tossed his just below shoulder-length, raven black hair. His dark brown almost black eyes twinkling at her as he joked about her wanting a bucket of water. She laughed, blue eyes flashing as she looked up at him and Cy was relieved to see she had a sense of humor, she looked like someone he'd rather be a friend to than to have as an enemy. "To wash command procedures down? I think it would require the Mississippi at full course." His smile turned into a grimace and he shuddered dramatically. "Euwwwww you poor thing, it's bad enough having policies to adhere to around here! Luckily there are less to learn with our new manager, she's such a sweetie." Cy pulled out a chair and sat down, one thing Arania encouraged was for her staff to actually have conversations and fraternize with the customers, providing service to others wasn't being neglected. He cupped his face in his hands, elbows resting on the table and gave her a dimpled grin. "So how does a man like yourself going from being a fashion model to lounge morale improver?" Sitting up straight, Cy gave his head a little toss, sending his hair swirling around his good looking face and pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Hmmm.....Well ducky, I must say it wasn't an easy decision to make, oh no, no, no, not easy at all. I mean after all, what gay guy in his right mind would *ever* really want to give up fame and fortune, for a chance to work for minimum wages and double shifts on a starship? Fortunately for the USS Boudicca I've never been in my right mind, left minded, that's me! Oh by the way, my name is Cy Tudor. Cy is short for Cyril - a name I really never liked except the shorter version, which I like a lot, it is sooo moi." Leaning back, he tilted his head slightly. "What's a down-to-earth woman like you, doing flying among the stars?" (Reply Lebranski, any) (Posted by Sal) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - CIV Cy Tudor - 1905) "Hmmm.....Well ducky, I must say it wasn't an easy decision to make, oh no, no, no, not easy at all. I mean after all, what gay guy in his right mind would *ever* really want to give up fame and fortune, for a chance to work for minimum wages and double shifts on a starship? Fortunately for the USS Boudicca I've never been in my right mind, left minded, that's me! Oh by the way, my name is Cy Tudor. Cy is short for Cyril - a name I really never liked except the shorter version, which I like a lot, it is sooo moi." Leaning back, he tilted his head slightly. "What's a down-to-earth woman like you, doing flying among the stars?" "Oh, well, I was kidnapped at an early age to a strange port where I was kept in the Governor's mansion as a cleaning maid.." Denise tilted her head to one side in thought a moment, "Oh, no, wait, that was the HoloNovel I was slogging through. My life is a lot less exciting - family history in star fleet, yada yada. I failed the academy, joined the enlisted ranks, met a Captain who felt I should be an officer anyway, and here I am. One Denise Lebranski, at your service." (Reply Tudor) Denise leaned forward, "But I'm thinking you know who all the hunky playboys who would be more interested in me than you are on this ship. Dish!" She mock-ordered with a grin (Reply Tudor) (Posted by Lorna) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - CIV Cy Tudor - 1905.5) Listening to his, dare he think it - 'new friend', give a completely fabricated and exaggerated tale in reply to his innocent question asking how she got to be flying among the stars, he cupped his face in his hands once more, elbows resting on the table, slowly crossing his eyes until she finished with: ".... I failed the academy, joined the enlisted ranks, met a Captain who felt I should be an officer anyway, and here I am. One Denise Lebranski, at your service." He extended his right arm across the table to shake her hand. "How do you do, pleased to meet you I'm sure." He said politely. "You don't sound to thrilled to be an officer anyway, but I can't say I blame you if you have lots of boring text to read." He wrinkled his nose. Denise leaned forward, "But I'm thinking you know who all the hunky playboys who would be more interested in me than you are on this ship. Dish!" She mock-ordered with a grin. Cy grinned right back at her, "you'd better believe it doll-face! I have an eye for male eye-candy, and I tell you without a word of a lie, that I have seen hunks galore on this ship as most of it comes here sooner or later, and they are absolutely to die for. I've had to pick myself up off the deck several times because I got all weak-kneed over a few. Mmmm mmmm just plain droolishious." He sighed heavily with disappointment. "But you're right, they've all been hetro and I know, believe me, 'cos I've flirted with them all. That is until this evening, I actually have a date, I finally found another gay guy who makes my heart go pitter-patter!" Cy laughed softly, not an unpleasant sound. "But I digress girl friend, you asked about hunks suitable for you, well you could do far worse than set your cap at Mister Lorimar over there at the bar. Not only good looking but very smart and very clever with his hands, so I hear." He gave Denise a saucy wink. "Or if you prefer the more macho type and don't mind forehead ridges or lots of hair, there's always Mister Trei from Security, and Parr'Z...he's a Caitian and definitely the cat's meow, all muscles, fur and brains, but I think he's already spoken for." (Reply Lebranski) (Posted by Sal) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1906) "But you're right, they've all been hetro and I know, believe me, 'cos I've flirted with them all. That is until this evening, I actually have a date, I finally found another gay guy who makes my heart go pitter-patter!" Cy laughed softly, not an unpleasant sound. "But I digress girl friend, You asked about hunks suitable for you, well you could do far worse than set your cap at Mister Lorimar over there at the bar. Not only good looking but very smart and very clever with his hands, so I hear." He gave Denise a saucy wink. "Or if you prefer the more macho type and don't mind forehead ridges or lots of hair, there's always Mister Trei from Security, and Parr'Z...he's a Caitian and definitely the cat's meow, all muscles, fur and brains, but I think he's already spoken for." "Klingons are a bit too much man for me," Denise said with a grin and a swig of drink. "And I'm thinking our Chief Bob is making his claim to our science officer," She said nodding towards the bar. "Now, if you weren't the luckiest man on the ship who'd found himself a date, I'd ask for a troll through the marine deck. Eye candy is always enjoyable even if you can't touch." (Reply Cy) She could see the servers at the bar were starting to glare their way, "How about I drag you off for a late breakfast tomorrow and you can tell me all about your date while you show me around the best views of the ship?" (Reply Cy :) (Posted by Lorna) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - CIV Cy Tudor - 1907) "Klingons are a bit too much man for me," Denise said with a grin and a swig of drink. "And I'm thinking our Chief Bob is making his claim to our science officer," She said nodding towards the bar. "Now, if you weren't the luckiest man on the ship who'd found himself a date, I'd ask for a troll through the marine deck. Eye candy is always enjoyable even if you can't touch." Cy's eyes took on a far away dreamy look and he sighed blissfully, "mmmmm ooooh yessss, that would be an absolute hunkfest and I'd have to keep pinching myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming!" Denise glanced over Cy's shoulder. "How about I drag you off for a late breakfast tomorrow and you can tell me all about your date while you show me around the best views of the ship?" Following her gaze, Cy twisted his head around and poked his tongue out at his co-workers. "Yes I s'pose I'd better get back to work, but they're only green with envy." Standing up, Cy walked around the table and lifted La Belle Denise's hand to his lips. "What a lucky gay I am, two dates in one evening. I will be happy to break my fast with you, say around 11? Right here, mademoiselle?" (Reply Denise, Any) (Posted by Sal) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1915) Dinner arrived about the same time as an enlisted in yellow. Denise had been trying to get in good with the enlisted since stepping foot on the ship. The enlisted had all the fun, the officer get togethers were just stodgy. If she wanted to hang out at parties her parents friends would throw, she'd be on Earth for pete's sake! "How can you eat?" Dave McKay asked. "Easy, I open mouth, I put food in." Denise answered blithely, putting the PADD she was going cross-eyed over. Was this stuff REALLY necessary? She looked up at his expression, "I know what you meant." She sighed and put down her fork. "Look, I refuse to worry about what I can't change. I refuse to think about the past other than to learn from mistakes make. Since I can't change what our little guest went through and passed on to us, I can only recommend to HQ better scanning of crated materials from planets and move on. I'll try and push through a measure to see it doesn't happen again, but dwelling on the lonliness and misery won't help me any." Dave echoed her sigh and played with the corner of the table with his finger. "I was standing in a room full of people and.." he trailed off. "Oh, you wouldn't understand." He got up and wandered off. Denise deliberated following him, but really, he was right, she didn't understand. She just wasn't of the type to wallow or review what she considered pointless to review. She didn't find it necessary or enjoyable. Instead she whipped off a quick note to the counselling department advising that they may want to send someone to track down the technician. Hell, they probably wanted to have group counselling sessions, but the second officer knew more about crew morale and mental health than Denise could have filed. She picked up her fork again. She didn't think she was getting an invite to the enlisted card party any time soon at the rate she was going. (Reply any in 10F) (Posted by Lorna) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - QolloH and leqSI' - 1919) QolloH, heavy with fat and muscle, entered 10FWD wearing his armored vest, kilt, and boots. At his side, stood leqSI' -- his bride. She had on a version of her standard Klingon uniform that showed her flat, toned midriff. The two, husband and wife, stood just within the entrance and peered about the large room as though they were assessing their chances of doing combat successfully against those assembled. But their apparently combative bearing was abruptly changed when QolloH spotted the bartender. "I shall have your finest bloodwine," QolloH shouted across the room even as he began to make his way toward the bar. His wife approached a table and sat down in a vacant chair -- without regard for whether or not the other chairs at that table were occupied. (Reply any in 10FWD) (Posted by Frank) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - Bar Manager Arania - 1920) Tucking her head under the counter looking for the missing mouthpiece for her bagpipes as she felt strongly like playing a few stirring tunes, the sound of someone shouting for her finest bloodwine, made her rap her head on the counter as he startled her with his loudness. Arania yelped and carefully stood up, cussing softly in Iradonian, rubbing the sore spot on her head that was beginning to feel lumpish and scowling at the offender who caused her pain. There stood a large, heavy Klingon dressed in an armored vest, boots and... ~ Oh my Goddess, a Klingon in a kilt! ~ Arania rubbed her eyes, surely she was hallucinating, it had to be concussion from the blow to her head. She was surprised to see that the hallucination was still there and that a female version minus the kilt, had stalked over to a table and was sitting down. Perhaps she wasn't seeing things after all. ~ I am wondering...He has a kilt on, surely then he must enjoy hearing the bagpipes! ~ "My finest bloodwine coming up, sir." She stated and beckoned Cy over to carry the pitcher of bloodwine she quickly filled from a keg beneath the counter, and two large pewter tankards, over to the table the two Klingons were sat at. Arania grabbed her bagpipes from under the counter and a sudden thought had her patting her pockets. Feeling inside one she drew out the missing mouthpiece and attached it to the bagpipes, then slipped out from behind the bar. Normally when entertaining the patrons, she'd climb up on the stage, but with the bagpipes she felt more comfortable walking around the tables. Putting the bag under her right arm and the mouthpiece in her mouth, she began blowing up the bag with long breaths into the mouthpiece and blowpipe until the bag was filled. She called to the computer to play drum selection Ara five, starting with melody three, gave the bag a squeeze with her elbow and it wailed and droned, then she held the chanter in her hands and began to play a fine tune she had heard and only called Braveheart, that seeing the Klingon's kilt had reminded her of. (reply anyone) On the tail of that tune she picked up the tempo with Scotland the Brave and followed that with several fast reels, actually managing to jig now and then as she played and then some slower melodies but just as toe-tapping. (reply QolloH, Any) (posted by Sal) ====== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - QolloH - 1927) "My finest bloodwine coming up, sir," said Arania as QolloH seated himself. As soon as she produced bloodwine and bagpipes, QolloH grinned broadly -- from ear to ear. "maj," he said approvingly. The ex-Captain of the ex-ship the Chalche'yon drank a hearty swig and then leaned forward in his chair, listening intently. When the piper began 'Scotland the Brave', QolloH sang the words -- in Klingon. And when the reel began, QolloH demonstrated an understanding of how to properly dance to it. After dancing, QolloH abruptly hoisted his flagon up swiftly enough to splatter a portion of bloodwine on the ceiling of Ten-Forward. "A toast! To any and all who's souls are stirred by this! Drink! Show me that your hearts contain the bonfires of the land that spawned this music! We Klingons have an instrument very like these. We call it the DIron. A member of the Federation connected in some way to your Starfleet's Corps of Engineers taught me how very much the Scot is like the Klingon ... or would very much like to be. He drank once with my father -- at the very center of the galaxy! -- though he had never before that moment ever thought he would! He and my father lived in times when our peoples were at war! Now we fight alongside one another as brothers! Yes, drink, and show me that your blood sings!" QolloH then approached Arania. "And their blood shall sing for my father," he said. He put his arms forward and added, "If I may... The engineer who taught me of this, and who whisked my daughter away to your Academy, would be honored as well by my addition to your performance." (Reply Arania, any) (Posted by Frank) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - Bar Manager Arania - 1937) Arania was most gratified to see the massive Klingons were enjoying her bagpipe music, and was more than a little surprised that the male knew the tune to 'Scotland the Brave', although it didn't sound like the accent Bob Lorimar had, the words the Klingon was singing sounded... well, Klingon to her, but strangely enough they fit well with the tune. But when he got up and began dancing she just about split a gut, but being the professional bard that she was, she continued playing as if it was the most normal thing imaginable. A Klingon doing Scottish dancing? Yes of course, what could be more natural than that apart from an actual Scotsman dancing to her tunes. QolloH pronounced a toast after his impromptu dance, hoisting his tankard up so quickly that bloodwine spattered on the ceiling, causing Arania to glare at him. What was it with Klingons, they had no concern about any mess they made, and they invariably made messes, and usually not just small ones either. Would she ever get used to it? "A toast! To any and all who's souls are stirred by this! Drink! Show me that your hearts contain the bonfires of the land that spawned this music! We Klingons have an instrument very like these. We call it the DIron. A member of the Federation connected in some way to your Starfleet's Corps of Engineers taught me how very much the Scot is like the Klingon ... or would very much like to be. He drank once with my father -- at the very center of the galaxy! -- though he had never before that moment ever thought he would! He and my father lived in times when our peoples were at war! Now we fight alongside one another as brothers! Yes, drink, and show me that your blood sings!" To Arania that was a revelation and an explanation why this Klingon could sing and dance to Scottish music, but her eyes grew wide and she backed up a couple of paces as he loomed closer to her. What did he want? "And their blood shall sing for my father," he said snf put his arms forward and added, "If I may... The engineer who taught me of this, and who whisked my daughter away to your Academy, would be honored as well by my addition to your performance." ~ What? He wants to play *my* bagpipes? ~ Arania backed up two more paces as she wasn't sure whether she trusted the big fellow with her precious bagpipes, after all she didn't know this man and besides, her dear friend Bob had made them specially for her so they weren't as big as regular sized bagpipes, and it had taken him hours of patient work to make them; if anything happened to them she would be very sad and also very, very angry. ~ But he says he knows how to play, so most assuredly he knows to treat them with respect and care. ~ With less than enthusiasm, Arania stepped forward. Staring into his eyes Arania told him, "is a precious gift from a dear friend. You break and I break your kneecaps!" Tenderly she held the bagpipes out to him. (reply QolloH) The Iradonian Bar Manager hurried over to the stage and jumped up on it. "Computer...Please to make holographic program 'Musical instruments Variety One', she told it, and an assortment of wind, string and percussion instruments materialized on the stage. Looking them over, she picked out an Irish Bohdran hand-drum and beater and toe tapping, began playing it in time with the tune the Klingon was playing, that she recognized as 'Flower of Scotland'. The second tune he played, she didn't recognize at all, but after a long introductory piece, once it was actually sounding like a melody, she had picked up a tin whistle to accompany him, as it seemed to fit in well. So far her concerns about her bagpipes were unnecessary, he was playing them well and being respectful to them. For the third tune, she found it almost dirge-like and she felt that no accompaniment was needed, so she just stood and listened to it, expecting to get her bagpipes back when it ended, but she was mistaken, the Klingon began playing another tune for which she used the Bohdran again. Hopefully that would be the last tune he'd play. Again she was mistaken. He started playing once more and by now, Arania really wanted her bagpipes back but she continued playing the hand drum, vowing to herself that she'd get her bagpipes back after this song, even if she had to bite him to get it. Fortunately she was not driven to such drastic measures for he held it out for her when he'd done. She gave him a bow and graciously thanked him for his renditions, which the audience on the whole, seemed to have enjoyed. Taking her pipes back she wiped off the mouthpiece and began to play an upbeat and blood stirring tune. (Reply Any) (posted by Sal) ===== (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - Bar Manager Arania - 1938) With very obvious trepidation, Arania stepped forward. She explained the pipes were "a precious gift from a dear friend" and added the very clearly intended 'threat' of "You break and I break your kneecaps!" QolloH chortled in response. He tried to imagine her making good on the threat as she tenderly held the bagpipes out to him. "I would sooner assist you in breaking them," he said, glancing downward, "than to dishonor a precious gift." The Iradonian Bar Manager hurried over to the stage and jumped up on it as QolloH made sure the pipes were inflated enough for him to begin playing. He started with Flower of Scotland, a tune taught to him by his earlier acquaintance. He nodded enthusiastic encouragement to Arania when she produced an instrument with which to accompany him, particularly when she used a tin whistle for her contribution to the ghaIDa', a Klingon piece. QolloH then played a true dirge, for his father DI'al, which leqSI' stood for and sang along with. After this, and sensing Arania's anxiety, the Klingon male closed with two brief pieces intended to lighten the mood. He then handed the instrument back, smiling broadly as he gazed down at the woman. "Thank you," QolloH said. (Reply Arania) Taking her pipes back she wiped off the mouthpiece and began to play an upbeat and blood stirring tune. (Reply any) (Posted by Frank) ===== (USS Boudicca – Deck 10 - Sickbay - ACMO – Ens. Tau Renora – 2000) The calm of the morning notwithstanding, the afternoon had been beyond hectic. Through his brain was still spinning in overdrive mode, Ens. Renora Tau had gone through his second and third winds already. Unfortunately, this medical crisis couldn’t have come at a worse time, as most of the medical staff was already overworked from the Captain’s bout with the flu. But sure enough, the quell of patients dried up and eventually (though in the heat of the moment, he couldn’t tell you how long) he looked around, to be greeted with: no one. Renora took a deep breath, and it felt as if it was the first he had in hours. What had started as a total gong show was made somewhat better when, while attending to the influx, his irrationality and despair seemed to wash away. Dr. Tau assumed it was the work taking precedent, and though nothing of it. The Ensign was discharging his last patient and setting up for the night team, his brain tantalizing him with thoughts of a cold drink, when he heard, “Captain Rivers reporting for discharge, Doctor.” Inside his body, his skeleton jumped a little as he was caught totally off-guard. He turned around, trying to hide his own sheepish smile at being startled. Sure enough, in front of him stood his Captain, in full uniform. Capt. Rivers did indeed look a thousand times better than this time last night, and when she had earlier stated her intentions to be back to work tonight, Renora was astounded by the speed or recovery, (or perhaps the legendary stubbornness of Starfleet captains to show weakness). Nonetheless, it seemed to have been her expected attitude, as one of the doctors had already had a PADD or do’s and don’t for her. “Captain, it’s good to see you back on your feet.” Dr. Tau responded, reaching for his medical tricorder, just to verify her temperature, heart rate, a few small things to ensure her condition was indeed in remission, and not about to flare up again. “Now you know this isn’t a carte blanche; you’re still going to have to restrict yourself to light duties for the first few days, and if you start to feel worse, I want you to come back here immediately.” He continued. Sure enough, though, she was seemingly on the mend for good, and he closed his tricorder. Captain Rivers nodded and held up the PADD given to her earlier. "It's all here," she said. "What I should and shouldn't eat, how much exercise I should take, and so on. I promise to be a good crewmember and obey the instructions of my medical officers. So please, may I go home now?" “Well far be it for me to turn down such a politely worded request.” Dr. Tau smiled. “I declare you ‘clean’. Besides, you’re probably sick of these lights by now.” Renora began to wonder if anyone would ever invent noiseless lights. (Reply Rivers iyw) (Posted by Rori) =====