The Diplomatic Summit (open to all)

[Kirok]

[The Aqua Lounge]

Zex had been tasked with planning the diplomatic summit and had been told to use one of the lounges or station designated rooms for the meeting.  She was initially disappointed with the limitation on the location of the party.  But he parents had taught her to make the best of every situation no matter the obstacles.

So, Zex decided to use an under the sea city, Atlantis, type theme to the party to make it stand out from any other party any of the participants had attended.  The observation windows were fitted with fish filled aquariums with a blue green back drop that filtered out blackness and stars.  The room was similarly decorated in blues and greens with seaweed hanging from the ceiling and sea plants grouped in areas on the floor.

Food items that had been requested by the six embassies where on six different tables around the edge of the room.  In the center was a seafood buffet.  Specific music, requested by each embassy, was set to play as each delegate entered the room to mark their specific presence in the party.

Zex was satisfied overall with the look and feel of the room.  It truly felt like she was in a city like Atlantis which was rumored to have been a city under the sea.  To accent the effect, she wore a beautiful iridescent dress that slightly changed color when she turned this way or that - just like the mermaids she had read about.

She stood near the door.  Proud of the work she had put in.  Waiting for the others to arrive.

[Solluk]

Katra Station - 'The Aqua Lounge'

It was not long before diplomats and other VIPs arrived at the meticulously redecorated lounge set aside for the diplomatic function.  It was a welcoming event for all of the embassies that had been established on Katra station.  The far-flung outpost at the edge of explored space was becoming quite the diplomatic powerhouse.

Solluk arrived at the same time as others.  He did not normally attend these kinds of functions, but it was a reality of his position that he'd have to do so from now on.  As the station commander, he could not hide in his ready room until the event was over.  Not without his absence being noted.

As he walked in, he saw Vilka, the Lod Qan's tactical officer, tapping at a glass fishtank with her finger.

"How do we get the fish?"

"I believe those are for entertainment only," Solluk said, "Perhaps the buffet?"

Vilka looked over, her face scrunching up.  "Those are long-dead."

Solluk shrugged, "A culinary adventure?"

Frowning, Vilka went over to try some of the cooked seafood on offer.

[Kirok]

[The Aqua Lounge]

Zex smiled and greeted people as they arrived.  "Hello.  Thank you for coming" she said.

"Good to see you again.  The seafood buffet is in the center of the room.  The specialty dishes are one the perimeter of the wall" she said between greetings.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Ensign Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Aqua Lounge]

The notification that morning of Rayek's temporary reassignment to the Diplomatic Protection Service to act as security for a diplomatic function was received by the Romulan with annoyance and dread.  As dull as Cargo Customs security was, Rayek much preferred the tiny hole where few of his former colleagues could witness his disgrace, but additional security was needed and it was easier to pull from Customs directly than shuffle people around.

Not only would his former peers be present but also those Embassy staff - Ambassadors and Aides with whom he'd once conversed with as equals.  It was a hard pill to swallow.  He wondered if his assignment to the security detail was an indication that the Atrosians would be in attendance was well; to prove to them that the hot-headed Romulan that attacked them without 'sufficient' provocation had been suitably punished.

However, as much as he was going to loathe being there, Rayek prepared himself as best as possible to do an outstanding job.  An hour prior to the official start to the event Rayek scanned the lounge.  Then rescanned it again at a finer resolution. He looked for recording or listening devices, explosives and poisonous residues within the room and outwards to 100 m of the function.  All was clear.

Then, hoping to be less noticeable to the first arrivals - no doubt that would include Solluk and Tess - Rayek decided to do an intensive security sweep of the attached kitchen.  Rayek hadn't had opportunity to forewarn his wife of his reassignment to the summits security though he did suppose she had been informed of it... likely even before he had.

Unfortunately, Rayek was too efficient, especially when he was feeling agitated which he certainly was, and his check of the kitchens was completed quickly.  With nothing valid to keep him from his specified duties, Rayek emerged from the kitchen, tucking the scanner into his duty belt and looked over the room.

There was Zex.  She'd been present for a while already.  He wasn't overly concerned with her.  She'd only ever known him as an Ensign.  He noted Solluk was present, talking to the Klingon Vilka.  There were a few others present but no Tess, not yet anyways.  Breathing out slowly to settle his nerves, Rayek tried to tell himself that the evening would go fine, no one really looked at the nameless security personnel at these sort of functions...  it was quite likely his presence would go unremarked.

Rayek then headed to the opposite side of the room from the Captain.  It wasn't that Rayek was trying to avoid the Vulcan, it was just the best vantage point from which to observe the room.  Rayek had even programmed earlier the lighting in that corner to be 30% dimmer, keeping him more in shadow - less noticeable.

Once in his corner Rayek assumed a Stand Easy stance and kept watch.

[Kirok]

[The Aqua Lounge]

Zex had seen both Solluk and Rayek enter the room.  Solluk was already engaged in conversation with someone, so she did not interrupt them with a 'hello.'  To have done otherwise would have be rude and a possible broach of coc.

Rayek seemed to have arrived before her, or possibly at the same time.  She was not sure.  She nodded a 'hello' in his direction when he looked over to her.

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell (6 months pregnant)
and
NPC Sub Surchid Jedem of the Wadi

[Katra Station - Aqua Lounge]

Tess was tired. It had been a rough long day and currently it meant at the end of the day not only her feet were aching but also her back. She had no idea how it would become as the baby grew more. While Solluk surely would have let her rest at home instead of attending the diplomatic summit, her sense of duty pushed her on to at least show up for an hour. She knew Rayek would be there as well since he'd been assigned for security service, so she thought they could be there together, at least for a while.

The sight of the Sub Surchid approaching the lounge made her push those thoughts aside. Putting on a smile she greeted him as they both stopped in front of the door. "Good evening", Tess greeted him.

Jedem stopped and bowed his head politely. The dark blue and beige attire he wore shimmered slightly. "Good evening, Commander", he greeted.

Tess eyed the man with a sparkle of curiosity in her eyes. The Wadi were always up for some surprises for sure and she wondered if he' brought a game with him. Noticing that Jedem made a gesture to let Tess step inside first she thanked him and entered the lounge with him. The sight was amazing and Tess' eyes lighted up for a moment. Jedem too seemed to like what he. The often stoic expression of the Sub Surchid showed a slight smile.

As Tess took in the scenery she noticed Zex first since she stood closest to the door. She smiled at her. "Good evening, Zex, it's good to see you." She hesitated briefly, before she went on, "I'm not entirely sure if you have already met. This is Sub Surchid Jedem of the Wadi. He and his people had held a game tournament on Katra back last year." She smiled, although that Chula game held not only good memories for her.

While the introduction went on Tess looked about the room and spotted Solluk with Vilka near the buffet table. Her gaze moved on and finally found Rayek standing in the corner of the room, observing the situation. She smiled as she tried to catch his eyes before she would be drawn back into the conversation.

[Kirok]

[The Aqua Lounge]

Zex's eyes lit up a bit when Tess stopped by to talk with her.  Finally some form of interaction beyond the repetitious 'hellos' and 'welcome' greeting she had been giving.  Still the Deltan remained professional despite the growing friendship between the two.

"Good evening, Tess.  Thank you for coming" she said sincerely.  Her friendly demeanor reached her eyes.

She had not yet met Jedem, but was aware of his presence on the station given her position.  "Sub Surchid, it is a pleasure to meet you.  The Wadi specialty food is right over there" she said and then pointed out the area.

"But of course you are welcome to try any of the foods on display.  It is encouraged in fact.  Maybe you will even find something from a different culture that you like" she added.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Ensign Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Aqua Lounge]

[The Aqua Lounge]

Zex had seen both Solluk and Rayek enter the room.  Solluk was already engaged in conversation with someone, so she did not interrupt them with a 'hello.'  To have done otherwise would have be rude and a possible broach of coc.

Rayek seemed to have arrived before her, or possibly at the same time.  She was not sure.  She nodded a 'hello' in his direction when he looked over to her.

Rayek noted the counselor's nod towards him and the Romulan returned the greeting with a professional nod back.  Security procedure dictated what was permissible and what was not, as forms of acknowledgement, in this type of situation.

His glance then turned to the doors as they opened to allow entrance to the next participants.

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell (6 months pregnant)
and
NPC Sub Surchid Jedem of the Wadi

[Katra Station - Aqua Lounge]

Tess was tired. It had been a rough long day and currently it meant at the end of the day not only her feet were aching but also her back. She had no idea how it would become as the baby grew more. While Solluk surely would have let her rest at home instead of attending the diplomatic summit, her sense of duty pushed her on to at least show up for an hour. She knew Rayek would be there as well since he'd been assigned for security service, so she thought they could be there together, at least for a while.

The sight of the Sub Surchid approaching the lounge made her push those thoughts aside. Putting on a smile she greeted him as they both stopped in front of the door. "Good evening", Tess greeted him.

Jedem stopped and bowed his head politely. The dark blue and beige attire he wore shimmered slightly. "Good evening, Commander", he greeted.

Tess eyed the man with a sparkle of curiosity in her eyes. The Wadi were always up for some surprises for sure and she wondered if he' brought a game with him. Noticing that Jedem made a gesture to let Tess step inside first she thanked him and entered the lounge with him. The sight was amazing and Tess' eyes lighted up for a moment. Jedem too seemed to like what he. The often stoic expression of the Sub Surchid showed a slight smile.

As Tess took in the scenery she noticed Zex first since she stood closest to the door. She smiled at her. "Good evening, Zex, it's good to see you." She hesitated briefly, before she went on, "I'm not entirely sure if you have already met. This is Sub Surchid Jedem of the Wadi. He and his people had held a game tournament on Katra back last year." She smiled, although that Chula game held not only good memories for her.

While the introduction went on Tess looked about the room and spotted Solluk with Vilka near the buffet table. Her gaze moved on and finally found Rayek standing in the corner of the room, observing the situation. She smiled as she tried to catch his eyes before she would be drawn back into the conversation.

He was a bit surprised that Tess seemed to arrive with Jedem, the Wadi ambassador.  It was an unwelcome sight and he smothered the spark of jealousy that it caused.  But he couldn't deny that sense that it should have been him escorting her in not the playboy Wadi.

Seeing Tess in her formal dress whites, it was hard for the Romulan not to stare in amazement at her.  She was positively radiant in his eyes!  The red at her collar suited her - though she herself often expressed her doubts to him in the evenings, when he tried to help her unwind after a long day.  He wished she would believe him when he said that she was a far better First Officer for Katra than he had ever been, but he suspected she thought he was merely trying to make her feel better.

A smile formed on his lips when she took notice of him in the corner and smiled at him.  He offered a slight bow towards her, knowing anything more personal would be frowned on.  He would have to wait until this function ended to hold her in his arms. 

[Kirok]

[The Aqua Lounge]

When the income traffic took a momentary dip, Zex took a peek out the door.  She had leg Eydis know of the meeting and wandered if the Tholian was coming.  She really hoped Eydis showed up.

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell (6 months pregnant)
and
NPC Sub Surchid Jedem of the Wadi

[Katra Station - Aqua Lounge]

[The Aqua Lounge]

Zex's eyes lit up a bit when Tess stopped by to talk with her.  Finally some form of interaction beyond the repetitious 'hellos' and 'welcome' greeting she had been giving.  Still the Deltan remained professional despite the growing friendship between the two.

"Good evening, Tess.  Thank you for coming" she said sincerely.  Her friendly demeanor reached her eyes.

She had not yet met Jedem, but was aware of his presence on the station given her position.  "Sub Surchid, it is a pleasure to meet you.  The Wadi specialty food is right over there" she said and then pointed out the area.

"But of course you are welcome to try any of the foods on display.  It is encouraged in fact.  Maybe you will even find something from a different culture that you like" she added.

Tess had caught Rayek's smile and slight nod back at her, knowing he couldn't do much more right now.

Her attention then was on Zex and Jedem again, happy about the kind and open nature of Zex. When Jedem was introduced to the Deltan, he made a distinct greeting gesture - both hands raised to the spot between the eyes, fingertips touching, and then lowering them in a graceful arc along with a slight bow of the head. "It is my pleasure to meet you", he replied. "The Wadi are a people of adventurous nature, so I would love to go on a journey of trying unfamiliar food. Is there something you can recommend?" He looked around the decorated room, as he took note of the familiar faces of Solluk and Rayek. The Klingon he didn't know yet.

Someone from Hospitality Services approached them with a try and offered drinks to them. It looked like some kind of champagne. "Wonderful!", Jedem exclaimed as he grabbed one of the glasses without hesitation.

"These over here are non-alcoholic", the man offered helpfully at seeing Tess' obvious condition.

"Thank you", she smiled and took one off the tray.

"The decoration is very nice", Jedem complimented as he looked around. "Very inspiring."

Tess sipped her drink as she looked at Jedem. If a Wadi found something 'inspiring' it probably was time to watch out.

[Eydis]

Eydis would enter the room with four other tholians who tower over the smaller captain. In the center of the four Eydis would scan the room encased in hir environment suit. It was certainly not tholian architecture and design.

Shi looks around gathering all the strange faces there, recognizing zex shi gives the deltan a nod. "hello zex the deltan of the federation."

[Kirok]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell (6 months pregnant)
and
NPC Sub Surchid Jedem of the Wadi

[Katra Station - Aqua Lounge]

Tess had caught Rayek's smile and slight nod back at her, knowing he couldn't do much more right now.

Her attention then was on Zex and Jedem again, happy about the kind and open nature of Zex. When Jedem was introduced to the Deltan, he made a distinct greeting gesture - both hands raised to the spot between the eyes, fingertips touching, and then lowering them in a graceful arc along with a slight bow of the head. "It is my pleasure to meet you", he replied. "The Wadi are a people of adventurous nature, so I would love to go on a journey of trying unfamiliar food. Is there something you can recommend?" He looked around the decorated room, as he took note of the familiar faces of Solluk and Rayek. The Klingon he didn't know yet.

Someone from Hospitality Services approached them with a try and offered drinks to them. It looked like some kind of champagne. "Wonderful!", Jedem exclaimed as he grabbed one of the glasses without hesitation.

"These over here are non-alcoholic", the man offered helpfully at seeing Tess' obvious condition.

"Thank you", she smiled and took one off the tray.

"The decoration is very nice", Jedem complimented as he looked around. "Very inspiring."

Tess sipped her drink as she looked at Jedem. If a Wadi found something 'inspiring' it probably was time to watch out.

[Katra Station - Aqua Lounge]

Zex watched the Wadi as he made his greeting.  She replied in kind.  She put her hands together and raised them to a point between her eye and then lowered them.  "The pleasure is mine, indeed" she replied softly.

She slowly lower her hands after that.  But her attention was still focused on the man.  She was glad he had asked for some advice in terms of what to eat.

Zex had sampled most of the dishes that were available.  So she was well prepared to answer the Wadi's question.  And so she did with a well rehearsed response.

"I have a few recommendations that are arranged by degree of flavor in the same way the dishes are arranged - from mild to extreme.  Sushi is on the mild end starting with imitation crab to a bold tune, just know that some of these dishes are uncooked" she said using quote marks to highlight the word bold.

In the middle, and one one of my personal favorites, is boiled octopus with a bit of lemon.  This is a dish so simple even I can make.  And full of flavor without being overpowering" she said.

"At the end are they spicy selections.  There is a shrimp enfuego that is designed to set your mouth on fire at it highest hottest rating.   So, I would suggest trying it, but start with the 1 hotness rating and work up to what your pallet can tolerate" she added.

[Kirok]

Eydis would enter the room with four other tholians who tower over the smaller captain. In the center of the four Eydis would scan the room encased in hir environment suit. It was certainly not tholian architecture and design.

Shi looks around gathering all the strange faces there, recognizing zex shi gives the deltan a nod. "hello zex the deltan of the federation."

[Katra Station - Aqua Lounge]

"Eydis of Tholia.  I am so very happy that you joined us!" she said.   "And I am equally glad to see that you guards are here with you" she said.

Zex nodded her head to each individual guard.  "If you will allow me, I would like to escort you into the hall" she added.
Zex crooked her arm so that the Tholian could like an appendage threw the hole. 

[Rayek trLhoell]

Ensign Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Aqua Lounge]

Eydis would enter the room with four other tholians who tower over the smaller captain. In the center of the four Eydis would scan the room encased in hir environment suit. It was certainly not tholian architecture and design.

Shi looks around gathering all the strange faces there, recognizing zex shi gives the deltan a nod. "hello zex the deltan of the federation."

As would be expected the arrival of the Tholian Ambassador with xir guards caught Rayek's attention immediately.  Xir... no that wasn't it. The Romulan had been instructed prior to the Summit on the proper pronoun with which to refer to the genderless species. What was that term again?... oh yes.. Hir.  Hir guards thankfully had foregone the large bladed pikes and Rayek didn't immediately see the crystaline sword he had been forewarned to expect.

He watched keenly as Zex approached the Tholian Ambassador and offer hir her arm in escort.  He would not have expected that.   With the Tholian being attended to Rayek turned his attention back to roving over the others present... the Captain, Vilka, Jedem... Tess.

Movement of the Lounge doors drew his attention and he noted the two Numati staff arrive.  Ambassador Benvinnot and his aide Farinne.  Rayek made sure that his mental shields were tight and observed the pair as they accepted a drink from a passing Hospitality staff who greeted them with an offer of a selection from his tray.

Tapered Romulan ears, tilted at just the right angle to better hear, picked up the conversation across the Lounge even despite the music being played.

 
"I don't see them here yet." The Ambassador said as he seemed to look over the room.  Rayek willed the man's eyes to skim over him in his shadowed corner.  Which they did seem to do, not pausing at all at the Romulan's 'hiding spot'.

"With any sort of luck, they won't show up at all.  Anyways, you go mingle. I'll double-check the safety of the food in the buffet.  We don't need a repeat of the Greek cuisine mishap."  Farinne commented.

"Farinne, that wasn't food poisoning.  I merely ate too much, because calamari is just that good.  You really should have tried some!"

The woman gave a laugh "And spend the next 18 hours on the toilet... no thank you." she said quite a bit quieter, so much so that Rayek was actually forced to decipher what was said mostly by reading her lips.   He was fortunate that the Numati were choosing to converse in Federation Standard rather than their own tongue which there was no chance Rayek could have eavesdropped on. 

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell (6 months pregnant)
and
NPC Sub Surchid Jedem of the Wadi
[Katra Station - Aqua Lounge]

[Katra Station - Aqua Lounge]

Zex watched the Wadi as he made his greeting.  She replied in kind.  She put her hands together and raised them to a point between her eye and then lowered them.  "The pleasure is mine, indeed" she replied softly.

She slowly lower her hands after that.  But her attention was still focused on the man.  She was glad he had asked for some advice in terms of what to eat.

Zex had sampled most of the dishes that were available.  So she was well prepared to answer the Wadi's question.  And so she did with a well rehearsed response.

"I have a few recommendations that are arranged by degree of flavor in the same way the dishes are arranged - from mild to extreme.  Sushi is on the mild end starting with imitation crab to a bold tune, just know that some of these dishes are uncooked" she said using quote marks to highlight the word bold.

In the middle, and one one of my personal favorites, is boiled octopus with a bit of lemon.  This is a dish so simple even I can make.  And full of flavor without being overpowering" she said.

"At the end are they spicy selections.  There is a shrimp enfuego that is designed to set your mouth on fire at it highest hottest rating.   So, I would suggest trying it, but start with the 1 hotness rating and work up to what your pallet can tolerate" she added.

Jedem listened with interest while he followed with his eyes where Zex was pointing at. "You make it sound like a challenge." He gave the Deltan a smile. "I shall try some of it." With that he walked off and approached where Solluk stood with Vilka, offering both of them the same greeting gesture.

Eydis would enter the room with four other tholians who tower over the smaller captain. In the center of the four Eydis would scan the room encased in hir environment suit. It was certainly not tholian architecture and design.

Shi looks around gathering all the strange faces there, recognizing zex shi gives the deltan a nod. " hello zex the deltan of the federation "

[Katra Station - Aqua Lounge]

"Eydis of Tholia.  I am so very happy that you joined us!" she said.   "And I am equally glad to see that you guards are here with you" she said.

Zex nodded her head to each individual guard.  "If you will allow me, I would like to escort you into the hall" she added.
Zex crooked her arm so that the Tholian could like an appendage threw the hole.

Tess watched the Sub Surchid walk off to meet Solluk and the Klingon female when Tess was distracted by the arrival of the Tholian envoy. Tess had not met hir as yet, so she smiled at her in anticipation of an opportunity to introduce herself. When Zex entered with hir, Tess took a step forward. Admittedly, the sight of the Tholian was something to getting used to since it very much resembled Terran spiders. But Tess tried to look past that. "Good evening, ambassador", Tess addressed Eydis. "I am Lt. Commander Tess t'Lhoell, the station's Executive Officer. It is a pleasure to meet you. I have heard that your quarters and offices needed some special adjustments to them and hope that everything is satisfactory for you."

Ensign Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Aqua Lounge]

...
 
"I don't see them here yet." The Ambassador said as he seemed to look over the room.  Rayek willed the man's eyes to skim over him in his shadowed corner.  Which they did seem to do, not pausing at all at the Romulan's 'hiding spot'.

"With any sort of luck, they won't show up at all.  Anyways, you go mingle. I'll double-check the safety of the food in the buffet.  We don't need a repeat of the Greek cuisine mishap."  Farinne commented.

"Farinne, that wasn't food poisoning.  I merely ate too much, because calamari is just that good.  You really should have tried some!"

The woman gave a laugh "And spend the next 18 hours on the toilet... no thank you." she said quite a bit quieter, so much so that Rayek was actually forced to decipher what was said mostly by reading her lips.   He was fortunate that the Numati were choosing to converse in Federation Standard rather than their own tongue which there was no chance Rayek could have eavesdropped on.

Shortly after Tess noted the arrival of the Numati ambassador with his aide. Tess had mixed feelings about the Numati. They were no doubt always kind and friendly and she also knew that two of them were not enough to influence other people's minds. But the event of being under a delusion caused by the greeting touch of that species lingered in the back of her mind ever since.

Nonetheless, Tess turned to them with a bright smile. She had noticed the somewhat worried looks of them and Tess believed to know why that was - the Dord were not fond of telepaths and that was what the Numati were. "Ambassador, it's nice to see you here tonight", Tess greeted him, making sure to keep some distance so they wouldn't accidentially touch her forehead in greeting. Instead, Tess offered to shake their hands. "And you too, Miss Farinne", Tess added. She glanced over to Zex with a smile should she be free to greet the new arrivals. Tess as XO and as CMO had made sure that all new personnel were briefed about how to interact with the Numati and that touches to the foreheads by them were meant as a greeting but could cause delusions and were to be avoided.