Ceremony After Party: Part 1
Posted on Fri Dec 21st, 2018 @ 2:28pm by Captain Horatio Refelian & Vice Admiral Yewande Banda & Commander Abigail Prescott & Major Michael Tritter & Candy Templeton
2,332 words; about a 12 minute read
Mission:
Mission 2: Into The Breach
Location: Function Room, Diplomatic Hub
Timeline: MD03 - 2030 Hours
Mint looked around the room and frowned. Normally she would love to mingle and chat, but today the various scents were bothering her. Seeing a relatively clear area, she headed toward it. However, on her way she noticed Admiral Banda and decided to detour to her instead. "Admiral Banda, that was a wonderful speech," she said as she approached.
"Why, thank you," Banda smiled humbly.
Appearing from behind Mint, a familiar jovial voice bubbled, "Indeed, Admiral! I was hoping that you might want to go into more detail about it and your feelings on this station." She gave Mint a small tap on the opposite shoulder of the side that Candy appear at. "Oh, Mint! So, good to see you. I was meaning to have an interview with you, too.... After the party, then?" she asked with a knowing smile.
Banda noticed that the civilian had called what seemed to be an Orion hybrid by the color of her skin and was not completely sure how she felt about it.
Trying hard not to shudder, Mint felt her smile falter a tad. She turned so she was facing Banda at an angle now, and able to see Candy as well. "Candy... wouldn't it be more interesting to interview the Admiral than me? I'm sure Admiral Banda has some great insights into this momentous occasion."
"Of course, Mint!" Candy said happily. "That's why I said we should do your interview AFTER the party. I can speak with the Admiral here and I'm sure that your insights would be appreciated, too. Who knows? Maybe we could knock out both at once, right?!" She happily bobbed her head like a ditsy bimbo.
"Oh, I do not know if I deserve an interview," Banda chuckled. 'Of course the press would be here,' she thought.
"Interview the more important people here, we can set a time for my interview after the party," Mint said wishing Candy didn't have to ruin everything for her whenever they were in the same place at the same time. Why could this woman not leave her alone already? Forcing the smile on her face to brighten more, she turned back to Banda. "I'm sorry, Admiral, we didn't give you a chance to respond," she flicked her eyes toward Candy briefly, but returned her gaze to the Admiral.
"Oh, you're very important, Mint. Do not short yourself. Executive officer on the station and...." Candy let the sentence dangle, implying she knew much more. "Right now, you are correct, though. Admiral, do tell what you think of Faltan Station thus far."
"It is an important base for the Raeya Sector, especially with all the recent events," Banda noted.
"Which recent events are you specifically referring to, Admiral?" Candy replied most interested. "Would those be here or those elsewhere?" Continuing the babbling bimbo routine she finished, "A girl really should know these things, should she not?"
"I am sure you recall the shooting of Captain Rafelian? It actually delayed this ceremony," Banda replied.
"Oh, yes. I'm quite familiar with the shooting of Captain Refelian. I've actually been conducting an investigation into it." Candy gave a meaningful grin at Mint while keeping her effervescent and air headed voice evident, making it sound like she would conduct a search as a puppy might, while tripping over its own ears.
"Oh? What has the press uncovered so far?" Banda wondered aloud.
"Nothing reported, so far, Admiral. I'm gathering all of the facts as we speak. I met with the Captain earlier today."
"Understandable," Banda said, which is basically what she expected.
Candy could not wait until the Admiral saw what her precious Captain was not accomplishing at Faltan. Best she be surprised. She clearly did not want to talk further, so Candy moved on, while telling Mint, "We'll catch up after this. I have some other folks to talk to. Toodles!" she told Mint happily as she wandered off to gather more information.
Mint shook her head and smiled to Banda. "I should mingle more as well," she said with a shrug. "Being the executive officer doesn't always have perks," she grinned. "Have a good evening Admiral, I hope you enjoy our party."
"Thank you, it has been a wonderful celebration," Banda said as she also moved to the next group.
Not far from them, Mika took a swallow of his drink, having been walking around, content to observe the various groupings: the way others gravitated towards each other. This had included Candy's approach to Mint. Watching, having sensed Mint's frustration with the reporter, he made the decision to join them and started casually heading over there.
“Is Miss Templeton causing problems?” Refelian asked the Chief Science Officer discreetly.
Having stopped at the Captain's approach, Mika replied just as discreetly, "I'm not sure, Sir. But I have this feeling that the Commander could use some support."
“Off you go, Doctor, I’ve already had my dose of Miss Templeton today.” Refelian said with a smirk.
His brow furrowing, Mika half smiled in return, and then nodded before continuing on his way. Considering what the Captain said, he hoped he wouldn't regret it.
Mint heard someone approaching and turned to see Rai'z coming up to their group. "Ah, Doctor, good to see you," she said with a nod, grateful that there was now another person for Candy to latch on to.
"Thank you." Mika smiled back to her, a knowing look in his eyes. He then introduced himself to the other two women. "Hi, I'm Doctor Mika Rai'z, Faltan Station's chief science officer." His handsome smile widened as he transitioned to speaking to all three of them. "I hope everyone's enjoying themselves?"
"So far, I am," Mint nodded. "But I would rather not be in dress uniform anymore," she smirked. "Are you having a good time?"
Looking amused, he tugged at his collar and grimaced, "All things considered, I'm having an alright time. But then good company makes a good party and I've just been walking around. It should get better now."
"Did I hear good company?" Candy asked, walking back up to this part of the party. She sidled up to Mika and asked, "Now, Mint, you can't have all the good looking guys. Would you mind leaving this one to me?" She placed her hand flirtatiously on Mika's side. "Or maybe you could introduce me to him, or he could tell me who he is." Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back as she looked upwards into Mika's eyes with her own brown eyes that could make a man feel as if he was swimming in them.
Rolling her eyes, Mint bit her tongue for a moment, not trusting nice words to come out. "This, Miss Templeton, is Doctor Mika Rai'z, Faltan Station's Chief Science Officer," she said finally. "Doctor, this is Miss Candy Templeton, the FNS reporter assigned to cover our grand opening." She didn't sound particularly interested in this introduction. "If you want to interview him, I shall go mingle further. It was nice chatting with you, Doctor," she smiled.
Candy purred. "Oh, yes! I would definitely like to take him away from you, Mint, er, I mean interview him." She looked at Mika, pleased. Turning back to Mint, she said, "Do not worry. I have not forgotten about our date after this party."
Looking between the two ladies, Mika managed to return Mint's smile, understanding she most likely needed a break. "You too, Commander." he said before she was able to reply to Candy's reminder.
Candy continued to fawn over Mika and gave a petty smile over at Mint when Mika was not able to see her.
Mint shook her head and rolled her eyes at Candy's behaviour. She looked around, but didn't see anyone she hadn't spoken with in the general area. Her stomach was starting to bother her, so she went to find a replicator to get a tea to help settle it.
Once Mint left, Candy got bored of Mika and tagged along after Mint. "And just where do you think you're going?" Candy asked curiously, noting that Mint was not mingling further.
"To grab a drink and then mingle more," Mint said simply, reaching the replicator and inputting her tea. "Is this a problem for you, Candy? Don't like that I didn't react there?" She turned to Candy and smiled sweetly. "If you insist on following me around, I'm sorry to say, you'll be quite disappointed and bored."
"I've never been bored with you, Mint. I'm not sure why you're so caustic with me. After all, I'm just here doing my job. Are you really still stuck on the past?" she asked innocently.
After retrieving her tea, Mint turned and took a step toward Candy, making sure she could whisper and no one but Candy would hear her. "If you'd had your way in the past, I wouldn't be here right now, I wouldn't have a career. All because you got some bug up your arse about me having an open relationship with your brother. So yes, I don't like you and will be caustic to you," she hissed before stalking off toward the food tables.
Candy followed. "My brother is happily married and I'm happily reporting and you're, well, here. I'd say that things worked out just fine. You have to let go of the past, Mint. It will eat you alive, otherwise."
"Yes, I know your brother's happily married," Mint turned and watched Candy as she spoke, knowing where to look for those telltale cracks in her mask. "He and I still talk, despite your attempts to destroy our friendship. And I know his wife too," she shrugged. "They were the only ones who believed me when you spread your lies."
"And what lies would those be?" Candy asked curiously. "Such venom! Tsk tsk tsk. I guess some people do not grow up. What a shame! And here, I thought we could celebrate those good times and not dwell on poor history."
Mint gave Candy a grin of pure ill intent and leaned forward slightly. "Don't play dumb with me Candy, I know exactly what you're really like, don't forget that," she then smiled sweetly and leaned back. "Now, go interview someone else, you'll get your interview with me after the party." Before Candy could react, Mint started walking away again.
Candy laughed. "You think you know. Such a static mentality. But yes, I will be looking forward to that interview."
Banda smiled at the banter. "It was nice meeting you all and I hope you enjoy your time at Faltan," she said raising her glass a little before joining back with Refelian.
"Us senior officers have to stick together," Banda chuckled as she joined Harry's side.
Refelian smiled, “I’m not a senior officer until I get Admiral bars on my collar.” He replied with a smirk. “Thank you for coming and doing this, Admiral. It means a lot and keeps up morale after what has happened here recently.”
"That is what you think, yet you are senior. Look at your uniform and my uniform compared to the other officers," Banda gestured. Refelian and her's were white while the dress uniforms of the officers below Captain were grey. "It is my pleasure to do it, especially for an old friend, Harry," Banda smiled before leaning in to an almost whisper, "I need you to stay alive though and figure out what is going on out here."
“I appreciate that, Yewande.” Harry said lowering his voice. “We are working on it, but I think there is something bigger happening in the Raeyan Sector Block than we are aware of. I feel you may be making regular visits to Faltan in the weeks and months to come.”
"As long as it's not for your funeral," Banda muttered back before breaking out into laughter. It was humor that kept the stress of possibly dying in-check for command officers.
Mint saw Harry talking with Banda and decided not to interrupt. She still needed to mingle, so she set off to find someone else she hadn't spoken with yet. A quick pit stop at a table to snag something to eat and a drink allowed her to get a better scan of the crowd. Spotting Tritter, she decided to head over and speak with the man, see if he was enjoying the party. She felt like she'd not interacted with him much yet.
Coming up beside him, she smiled. "Evening, Major Tritter, enjoying the party?"
The Major noticed someone walking up towards him, he than shifted his focus towards her. He than pondered for a moment and than replied with "I believe the phrase is not my cup of tea" The man's tone was very matter of fact, although his heavy accent made it slightly... interesting if you will.
"Used to be mine, back in my Academy days," Mint smiled. "But now, not so much. I'll be glad when I can change out of this dress uniform and relax," she looked around the room. "How are you liking the station so far?"
The Major was never the social type, but by her current demeanor, he picked up she definitely was. He let in a rare bit of insight into himself with the following, "I would agree with your statement. I have not had much time to get acquainted" Truth be told, he'd rather avoid the "down time" and has preferred to keep himself busy.
"Ah, well, I hope you do have some time to get to know the station," Mint smiled. "It is a rather lovely place, once you get past all the surface issues." She scanned the room as she spoke, not because she was not interested in the conversation, but because she didn't want to get cornered again. "But at least the basic repairs to the station are complete, and she's starting to look like an active station instead of an abandoned one."
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