Promotion Party

Posted on Tue Jun 4th, 2024 @ 1:19am by Lieutenant Commander Rin & Captain Gary Taylor & Commander Kyle Reece & Commander Sthilg & Lieutenant Anna Esquivias & Consul Andrinn Orin & Captain Samuel Woolheater & Lieutenant N'vok Holv & Teevs Dosivi

Mission: Season 6 HIATUS
Location: Somewhere Good
Timeline: Some days after the away mission
3272 words - 6.5 OF Standard Post Measure

N'vok made sure that the disco ball was properly hung and able to rotate properly. The lights were set up. Everything was analog, no holographic simulation here. He stepped down from the ladder and folded it up.

The food he had brought, pizza, three types, and Vulcan fruit stars, was attractively displayed on multicolored cloth. He checked that the surprise, which he suspected was in extremely poor taste, but Rin had said to run wild, was ready and waiting.

He took a sip of Andorian The and waited for the others to arrive.

When Teevs entered the room, he was surprised by the setup. Lots of lights on strings, and a mirrored ball hanging from the ceiling? Spotting N'vok, he offered a smile, as his hands were full. "What a fascinating setup. Is this normal for celebrating a promotion, Mister N'vok?" The invite said to bring a food or drink to share, so he made a dish that looked like kebabs. the replicators were doing a much better job of creating the food from Niea IV, thanks to months of small adjustments and analyses of the food he had on the Spheia before they were consumed. The kebabs had a variety of purple, blue, and orange chunks, with some herbs as garnish.

Gary came in next, he was carrying two large pans of BBQ spare ribs covered in a thick BBQ sauce. he saw a table with food on it and headed there. As he got closer, he saw N'vok and Teevs talking. "Hello N'vok, hello Teevs, he greeted the men pleasantly. "Looks like there is already a good sample of food to choose from." He noted.

Behind Gary was the new Betazoid counselor. She toted a giant container of popcorn, and an Uttaberry pie. The red berries were a delicacy on Betazed, and she loved them and missed them. She also had brought along a small flask of regular Earth vodka, in case anyone wanted to REALLY party. She wasn't much of a drinker, but a party called for it sometimes.

"Welcome, welcome," said N'vok. "I hope you are all willing to dance the night away to celebrate Rin's well-deserved promotion."

Gary smiled. "I'm afraid I haven't done any dancing since....." he voice trailed off. He hadn't danced since he and Lia's wedding. However, he didn't want to mention it or bring others down. Instead, he offered a smile and continued. "A long time."

Sam arrived before Andrinn by a few minutes. He had heard that on the planet some of the fruits were quite good. So, he gathered up two different kinds, one of the fruits looked like purple flowers and the next looked like eggs with kiwi style inner flesh. Both were delicious. Tart and sweet. He had a gift box in his left hand. Inside was a marble like stone. Red and yellow, layers of gold and black. It was about the size of a medium paperweight. He had carved the stone from a sample in a vein of rock. He had smoothed the surface to a mirror shine and on it he etched with a laser in elegant lettering, "Eden's Reach - Stardate 75535.7" He looked for Andrinn as he needed to sign the card. So, Sam went to the food table and set down th tray of fruit from Eden's Reach. The party atmosphere was lively and it was pleasantly decorated. He saw Gary, N'Vok and a civilian that he had not met before. He looked at the assembled table of food stuff and it all looked so good.

Andrinn came in a few moments after Sam and was talking to someone on the comms as he entered the reception for Rin. As he entered, Andrinn was saying, "Well, just take care of it. I've got a very important function to attend to. Just make sure it's all in the report. Andrinn out."

Andrinn tapped his combadge and closed the comm channel as he stood in the doorway and looked around for a moment to see that Sam was getting some food. He walked over to Sam and kissed him on the cheek before saying, "Glad that I get to see a good looking Marine like you in a place like this. Glad that you could make it."

Sam felt Andrinn's touch and it melted him. He felt such a joy stir in his heart. He looked at Andrinn with his goofy smile. He smiled understandingly - - much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced - or seemed to face at least - the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on Andrinn with an irresistible prejudice in his favor. He was truly glad to see him and to be here. Sam's warmth enveloped Andrinn, like a blanket on a rainy day. Comforting and soothing. It understood him just as far as he wanted to be understood, believed in him as he would like to believe in himself, and assured him that he had precisely the impression of Andy that, at his best, he hoped to convey. He said, "There you are. Look at you, so good lookin'!" He kissed him back and just beamed at him a moment. He then showed Andy what was in the gift box for Rin, "Do you think she'll like it? I kind of had to hurry?"

N'vok had moved over to one of the walls where a "Congratulation LIEUTENANT COMMANDER RIN" banner was hung and adjusting it slightly so it would better pick up the light from the disco ball. "I am going to give the sound system a test, it should be easy to hear on the dance floor," he gestured to a cleared area, "and muted everywhere else so that people can talk. Let me know if there are any problems." With that, the system started playing the Beatles' Octopus' Garden.

The door slid open as the gorn stepped through carrying two stasis field covered bowls. " Room for a little home made food?" He asked the room.

Sam noticed Doctor Sthilg enter carrying additional bowls of food. He said to Andrinn, "Shall we mingle? There's new people I haven't met yet." Sam heard the music start although he didn't recognize the music. He gave a thumb's up for the sound check to N'vok.

"Always room for more food, good Doctor," said N'vok pointing to the table.

After getting a little bit of food from the table and talking to Sam for a moment, Andrinn heard some music playing and since it looked like the party might've been disco themed, he walked over to N'Vok and said with a small chuckle, "Are we doing some disco or are we going to do some DISCO? I've got a band that is totally disco for you!"

"Well, I am waiting for Rin's triumphant arrival before moving to the dancing stage of the party," said N'vok. "But I am always happy to learn about new music, what do you recommend?"

"Have you ever heard of the Earth band called 'Abba' Mr. N'Vok? They would be amazing!" Andrinn replied as he punched in a few commands into a nearby PADD that wasn't being used and brought up their profile for N'Vok.

N'vok nodded. "I would almost think you are accusing me of not doing my research," he said with a raised eyebrow. With a gesture he called up a holographic display showing the set list for an hour of dancing, ABBA's Dancing Queen being placed as the second track after Lipps Inc's Funkytown. "I can add more ABBA if you have a particular favorite."

This was definitely a cultural experience for Teevs. He had no idea what 'disco' was, but he was sure he'd find out. The music was also rather strange, perhaps somewhat ritualistic? He couldn't quite identify it, but it had a very specific cadence.

Kyle was the next to enter, carrying a cooler full of drinks, both alcoholic and non. "Wow! Place looks festive!" He looked over and saw N'vok. "Where should I put this?"

N'vok nodded to Kyle and pointed him toward the table of increasingly more interesting foods.

Turning around, Teevs saw Kyle and gave him a wave. "Hello, Mister Chief of Kyle! Can I assist you with your container?"

"Hiya, Teevs!" Kyle called out in reply. "No thanks, I got it." He then hefted the cooler back up onto his right shoulder, and carried it over to where N'vok indicated. Once he got to the table, he lowered the large cooler back down to the deck at the end of the table. That way, people could grab a drink, after they have their food.

Rin finally arrived, slightly embarrassed to have been late. She was dressed in the short, burgundy and black dress Myne had helped her pick out during the shopping excursion she had talked Rin into. Her shoes had tiny one inch heels, which was still an inch taller than just about anyone had ever seen her wear. The dress was sleeveless, meaning the implants on her left arm were in clear view. She didn't seem to care.

She had expected some sort of gathering in a bar, maybe a restaurant. This....well, N'vok had threatened to "go wild" with his planning. Mission accomplished!

Rin walked up to N'vok. "Uh... was I supposed to bring something?' she asked.

N'vok turned to Rin. "Just yourself. We have food and drink," he gestured to the table laden with food. "And a place to dance," another gesture to the open area. "And a surprise later." For that, he did not gesture.

N'vok dropped the volume on the music and clapped his hand for attention. "Everyone, our guest of honor has arrived! Let us give the new Lieutenant Commander Rin, a warm welcome!"

Rena smiled. She'd been standing off to the side-she hadn't met many people yet, but Commander Rin had been one of the first. She figured this party was a good time to meet people. She had purposely "turned off" her mind for the event, but she could still tell that the ex-Borg was startled.

Kyle clapped and whistled as the rest of the group apaded as well. It was always nice to see someone get the recognition that they deserved.

The applause was loud and Sam joined in it. Adding his claps and his voice to the congratulations, "Yyyyeeeeaaaahhhh!!!! Woo-HOO!!" he said as he smiled and just enjoyed the moment. It seemed such a long time ago now, another lifetimne perhaps, when he first met the Intelligence Chief. Rin had made a promise to him then. Most importantly, she has kept that promise. Not to send Marines, or anyone for that matter, into a situation based on bad intel. Intel that had not been checked or vetted. Not to treat Marines, or anyone, as fodder or 'expendable'. She has kept her word and for that, earned the respect and admiration of the 62nd Marines. Sam whistled and hooped it up a bit more as other people congratulated and celebrated the commander.

Andrinn joined in with the clapping and festivities as he heard the Rin had made it to the party in her honor. As the clapping calmed down and there was a chance for Andrinn to make his way over to Rin, he did so and said, "Congrats on the promotion! I know you deserved it quite a bit!"

Rin literally didn't know what to say. No one had ever thrown something like this for her. She rarely was the center of attention, and certainly not to this degree. No one had ever put her name on a banner. And definitely no one had hung a disco ball for her.

Well, except once. At a wedding. A long time ago...
Well, that was an interesting memory to resurface.

She shook her head slightly to clear it. Too many feelings. Way too many feelings. Warmth, happiness, surprise, confusion, awkwardness...Focus on just one she reminded herself.

Rin laughed, openly, gleefully laughed like no one here had heard from her.

"Thank you," she said to everyone.

Sam said aloud, "Is this food for lookin? Or for eatin'? And who do I thank for the beer?"

"Eat, drink, and be merry," replies N'vok. "Rin do you wish to start? We have a variety of foods from a variety of cultures."

" Congratsss on the promotion my friend. " Sthilg said as he walked over. " Beware though the paperwork monssster will be right behind yo sssoon."

"Thank you. I'll consider myself warned," Rin assured him as she moved over to the table of food, plucking a taste of just about everything onto a plate. She'd hate for anyone to feel slighted.

N'vok took a drink of his The and watched, it was good to see Rin out among her friends. He glanced over to the disco ball and beyond. Still more excitement to happen as well.

Commander Rin had her promotion a while back; Sam had even had to ask Andrinn for a reminder when the invitations went out for a party. Sam waited in line as people congratulated and spoke to Commander Rin. When it was his turn, "Commander, you've heard congratulations so many times today. So one more couldn't hurt. Third officer ain't too shabby! Oh here..." he handed her the gift box with the carved marble stone and engraved lettering on it. "For later, when you have time. Again, congrats ma'am. Well done. You earned it." And then he made way for the next person who wanted to offer their best wishes as well.

As it was "for later," and Rin wasn't quite sure what that meant, she set the box aside before grabbing a beer and taking a seat at a table so that she could eat... and so could everyone else, since they seemed to have been waiting.

For Teevs, it was cultural for the one being celebrated --in this case, the promotee-- to have the first meal, and it seemed to be more or less observed by the other species present as well. Through some mingling earlier, he learned that the hanging glass ball was a disco ball, and that it was meant to decorate a dancing space with colorful reflections. He would have been concerned if it was something to smash, like a pinata. He leaned over to Kyle, "so what happens now? You seem knowledgeable of events like this."

Gary spotted Rin as she entered. He hadn't spoken to her since the meeting they had in office. A meeting that had gone wrong. Still, he was here to congratulate her, not bring up other still sensitive topics. He walked over to her and stopped in front of her. "Congratulations on the promotion Ein. It is richly deserved." He stated honestly and sincerely.

Rena slipped away from the wall where she was watching the others, and headed for the food. She smiled at N'Vok, glad to see someone she knew! She quietly waited. She wished she was like the other women sometimes-outgoing, friendly. She was quieter-she always had been. Her brothers had always bothered her about that. Still, she would start. She turned to the person standing next to her. "Hello!! I am the new junior Counselor! Rena Campbell," she said. Hopefully that didn't sound as brainless as it seemed.

Rin looked up from where she she was eating. "Thank you, Gary."

Gary nodded and said, "You are most welcome Rin. If you get the chance, try the spare ribs."

Andrinn couldn't help but chuckle as he walked back over to Sam as they watched the festivities commence. Andrinn watched as Rin began getting stuff to eat and drink, as did the others that made their way over to the party. He looked over at Sam and said, "Could you believe that, two years ago, we didn't even know any of these people. Now, we're here to celebrate one of their promotions?"

Sam was about to answer when a new person said, "Hello!! I am the new junior Counselor! Rena Campbell." Sam dabbed the fruit juice off of his fingers and smiled and said, "Well hello there, junior counselor Rena Campbell" Sam said as he extended a welcoming hand, "I'm Sam. This is Chief Consul Andrinn Orin."

"Nice to meet you both," she said. She was careful to keep her mind "off"-she tried not to read people without their permission, and this was a party anyway. "I met the Lady of Honor briefly at lunch the other day, but my boss extended the invite. I figured I should come and meet some of the crew..." When Rena was nervous, she prattled on.

"Welcome onboard Counselor! I'm just glad that you're able to join us on such a fine evening!" Andrinn said with a smile, as he talked to the new Counselor. He knew it must've been hard coming out of stasis like she had, so he didn't want to pry too much into right away.

"Thank you!!" Rena said, with a smile. "Chief Counsul, huh? Has the Federation needed that recently?" She asked. There had been so much change...she was unsure now.

"Well, the Federation knew that ships and starbases could use diplomats onboard, just in case things got a little bit too hairy for them. So, that's why I'm onboard!" Andrinn asked as he saw everyone mingling in the party.

"Thank you for introducing yourselves. I should go say Hello to the Lady of honor, and my boss," she said.

Meanwhile, Rin worked her way over to N'vok. "Thank you for this. My last promotion...my head was in a different place. I saw it as a measure of how much I could contribute. This time... it's more personal. Its an accomplishment, and I appreciate that others appreciate that too."

"It is, you have worked very hard to get here, Rin," said N'vok. "We all know that and wished to let you know how important you are to the Elysium and her crew." He paused and adjusted his glasses. "So, do you know how to dance?"

"I know how to dance badly," Rin answered. "I can keep a rhythm, but I don't really know what to do with it."

N'vok nodded. "I will teach you some basic disco moves after everyone has had a chance to get something to eat. A little food and drink relaxes the atmosphere."

Anna found herself standing around at the party. She had brought some refried bean dip and was dressed in a rather modest black dress that left everything to the imagination. She had spent too long on display. It might take awhile before she started doing it on her own terms, again. She also didn't really know anyone here, though she had brought a refried bean dip and some heated corn chips.

N'vok noticed Anna and waved her over to where he was talking with Rin.

Anna walked over, smiling. "Hello."

N'vok nodded. "I am sure you remember Commander Rin, I expect she debriefed you after the rescue, yes? A rescue she was a vital part of, I should add. She received her promotion just before that mission so we did not have a chance to celebrate until now."

"Thank you for the rescue, ma'am," Anna said, "and congratulations on your promotion."

"It was well earned," said N'vok. Looking to Anna, he asked, "Do you know the Terran dance tradition of the discotheque, Ms Esquivias?"


Post will continue in "The Commander Dances"