Holo, Nice to Meet You! (M'Kurn/Lori Weston )

[Qozwyn M'Kurn]

[M'Kurn's Quarters, Deck 197]

Ensign M'Kurn stepped out of the refresher and toweled off before giving his fur a quick brush and pulling on a loose-fitting sweat suit and comfortable sneakers. From there he picked up a long box, tucked it under his arm, and exited his quarters.

[Lower Prominade, Deck 311]

Several corridors, a turbolift, and a bit more walking brought M'Kurn to the holodeck he'd booked for the next ninety minutes. Upon entering, he set the long box down and proceeded to quickly strip off his shoes and sweats before opening the box. From it he pulled what might be considered a uniform of some type, with a grey bodysuit, and what appeared to be a long blue cape and cowled blue mask, along with matching blue boots, gloves, and a wide yellow belt covered in pouches.

M'Kurn laid the individual pieces out on the floor, and had just bent over, clad only in a pair of purple boxer briefs decorated with yellow polka dots, to pick up the bodysuit, when the doors behind him opened with a hiss.

[Leanna Mazal]

[Lori Weston - Lower Promenade, Deck 311]

With having a much needed day off, Lori had done very little as she was saving her energy, for a few hours in the holodeck. Normally it would be just some random programme, but not this time, thanks to a friend who had gifted her a popular beach programme with some added extras.

However once the doors to her booked suite hissed open, she was surprised to see someone else there. Wondering if she had the right time, before she decided to walk in further. Upon realising that the Caitian was in a state of undress, Lori was glad that she wasn't the type to get embarrassed easily.

" Excuse me, but this is supposed to be my slot".

[Qozwyn M'Kurn]

[Lower Prominade, Deck 311]

M'Kurn turned quickly at the sound of the female voice, holding up the bodysuit to cover his undressed form. His sight was greeted by a Human woman with light brown skin, black hair, and brown eyes. He blinked twice, looking around for a moment, before replying.

"Nnnnno, I think you'll find I've reserved this room at this time, I'm afraid. Under M'Kurn. I'll leave you to work it out yourself. Exit's right behind you, thanks." The Caitian was clearly uncomfortable with a complete stranger barging in on him in his underwear.

[Leanna Mazal]

[Lori - Lower Promenade, Deck 311]

The way that he quickly covered himself up, when he realised that he wasn't alone, almost made Lori grin, until he told her that he had already reserved this holosuite. Her good mood, threatening become one of frustration and anger, especially with the attitude he had. However decided not to argue her point with him, once she realised what had happened and her anger turned to Walker, who ran the suites, instead.

" I know where it is, but this isn't my fault, blame Walker who obviously double booked this particular suite, he's a right idiot and now I'll have to wait for my next day off, to try out my new programme. Anyway I'll let you get back to it and enjoy your holo time".

Disappointment had began to creep in, but Lori wasn't about to show it, as she turned back towards the exit and made her way to the doors.

[Qozwyn M'Kurn]

[Lower Promenade, Deck 311]

Humans certainly didn't have the same ability to convey meaning with body language as Caitians had, but M'Kurn could detect dejection when he saw it.

"Walker is a bit...absent-minded at times," he called out to Lori's back. He'd been tempted to say idiot is an understatement, but he was still new to the station, and didn't want to jump to conclusions. "Um, okay wait, did you say 'new programme?' I also have new programme. Just arrived from some...friends of mine that operate a freighter from Grave's End to the Horchata cluster." M'Kurn didn't add that some of the holo programs they provided to him we not only illicit, but strictly forbidden, and that he himself had altered the surface programming to get them past station security, and that he was then re-selling them at a healthy profit here on the Lower Promenade. Spending a bit of his time at the Landing Strip had made for some rather interesting connections for an enterprising and capable Caitian like himself.

It wasn't, however, one of those programs he'd brought along for himself. No, this one was personal.

"Look, maybe we can work out a compromise. How adventurous are you? I'd bet I can combine our two programs together. Sort of a mash-up. Take the best and the worst of our stories and put them together. Mine's a mystery, with crime-fighting and costumes and fast driving of surface vehicles. Possibly some swinging from lines across buildings." He held up the bodysuit further, revealing a black symbol in the middle of a yellow field across the chest. "This is a outfit of an ancient Terran crime fighter from illustrated stories called comic books, though some of them aren't funny at all. I was going to portray the one known as Batman. Many times he has what's called a sidekick. What do you think? Want to be my sidekick?"

[Leanna Mazal]

[Lower Promenade, Deck 311]

Lori was just about to call for the exit, when she stopped and turned as M'Kurn, made a comment about Walker. That was putting it mildly, before he mentioned his new programme.

Whilst that was interesting, she didn't see how that concerned her or having her day off ruined. However she didn't move, becoming intrigued as he suggested a compromise.

A little unsure if it would work or not, not to mention the thought of swinging across buildings or wearing a costume. Still whilst it might not of been what she had planned, decided that she might consider his proposal, after all, she didn't get many invites to be someone's sidekick.

" I appreciate the offer and mine doesn't sound as exciting as yours, unless you like beaches, alcohol and .... well you get the idea".

Lori looked at the costume again, before she added.

" But nevermind that, as I think it's a great idea and I'm saying yes to being your sidekick".

[Qozwyn M'Kurn]

[Lower Promenade, Deck 311]

...beaches, alcohol and .... well you get the idea.

M'Kurn got the idea very well indeed, and had he been of a species that was able to, he might have blushed a bit. Instead, he smiled at the Human. "I do," he admitted with a nod. "If I could ask a favor, could you step out for ten minutes? I just need to merge these two programs, and also put on some clothes. I'll send the specs for your Robin costume and you can get them replicated. Don't worry, it's rather like a swimsuit already, just with a cape and gloves and a mask. Oh, sorry, I've given you my name, M'Kurn in case you've forgotten, but I've not gotten yours yet?"

[Leanna Mazal]

[Lower Promenade, Deck 311]

There was a small amount of internal embarrassment, after sharing what her programme could entail. Thinking that until now, it had been kept private, out of fear for being teased about how she sought solace from a holodeck.

Then again, it wasn't as if she wanted to be single and ..... and now she supposed it didn't matter. Deciding to just go with the flow and hopefully have a different kind of fun. So when M'Kurn smiled and didn't pry further, Lori felt a little better, before he asked a favour.

It was the least that she could do, considering she had caught him undressed. Although at the mention of her outfit, she wondered if she could alter it to her preference, before he introduced himself again and asked for her name.

Okay I can do that and I didn't, M'Kurn, my name is Lori, Lori Weston and I'll see you in ten minutes".

Lori then smiled again, before exiting the holo and not long after was able to replicate the Robin costume. Adjusting it slightly in the process to her size and making it more feminine, before stepping into one of the changing areas, to get ready.

[Qozwyn M'Kurn]

As the doors hissed shut behind the former-intruder-now-partner, M'Kurn took Lori's beach program and his own crime fighting scenario and moved to the holosuite's computer terminal. In moments he'd accessed the data ports and began integrating the two programs. Of course there was a firewall to get past as these programs were written to specific specifications and were never meant to be merged, but the Caitian had no difficulty. After his more recent escapades with holo programs, bypassing a simple prevention protocol was not much of a challenge.

So, he thought, 'Batman and the Beach.' He didn't have time to rewrite a detailed synchronous merge of both programs, so instead he simply merged both whole-cloth, then removed any incompatible elements, favoring one or the other as the mood struck him. After running a quick diagnostic to confirm the simulation wouldn't crash, the engineer rebooted the program. That left him just enough time to don the bat-suit he'd brought with him.

As he dressed, he thought of the Human woman who'd chosen to join him. He had to admit, on thinking about it, that she had a good sense of adventure. Many people would have simply left, or continued to argue with him about who had the right to the deck. Instead, she'd decided to go along. It was a trait he appreciated. Given what might happen next, he gave a small smile and hoped it was a trait that would continue to show itself.

[Leanna Mazal]

Not one to be shy, Lori pulled on the boots that had been provided and took a last look in the mirror. Smiling to herself at how she had customised the costume, wondering what M'Kurn would make of it, as she exited the changing area.

Luckily there wasn't too many people around, although did grin at the looks she received, before returning to the holo suite.

" Well I'm ready when you are and you look good" she said, as she saw his costume as opposed to him, only being in his underwear.

Hands on hips, Lori waited for him to turn around and comment about her own outfit.

[Qozwyn M'Kurn]

[Lower Promenade, Deck 311]

"Not as good as you, I'd wager!" replied M'Kurn with a grin. "You certainly have the legs for that costume!"

Seeing her pose in what the Caitian took to be something of a flirtatious manner, he gathered his cape, draped it across one arm, and turned slowly in a circle for her. M'Kurn certainly was not a speciest; though he'd mainly dated Caitians in the past, there was one Andorian girl he'd had several dates with, and the one curious Vulcan that had made him feel like a lab experiment, not to mention several holodeck scenarios like the one that Lori herself had brought. M'Kurn wondered if that was the main reason holodecks existed. For all the historicals, mysteries, and serials, sometimes a being just needed some no-strings-attached physicality.

"So the quick overview: I'm a superhero named Batman. His parents were killed by criminals, and he devoted his life to combating them. The costume is meant to strike fear into their hearts. He's known as the World's Greatest Detective. His sidekick's name is Robin, which is why you have a big "R" on your vest. Robin was a boy acrobat in a circus whose parents were also killed. Batman took him as his ward. Any questions? Also, can you do me a favor and turn around?" he added playfully, wanting to see if his partner looked as good from the back as she did from the front.

[Leanna Mazal]

[Lower Promenade, Deck 311]

It was taking all of Lori's resolve not to grin too much as M'Kurn complimented her and her legs. " I must admit, I haven't shown them this much outside of a holodeck".

She had no problem being honest, after all, he knew what programme she had intended to use, so any inhibitions were null and void. Although as he gathered his cape and draped it over one arm, she had to admit he looked intriguing.

Still as he spoke and explained more about their characters that intrigue continued to increase. However any questions were quickly pushed out of her mind, when he asked her to turn around.

" Interesting and no questions as such, I trust you and since you asked so nicely, sure" She replied as she turned around.

[Qozwyn M'Kurn]

[Lower Promenade, Deck 311]

"Yes," said M'Kurn in a mock-serious voice, "Yes, I believe that will do nicely. He cleared his throat. "For the stimul..simulation."

He clapped his gloved hands together, his long black tail swishing behind him. "Right. Computer,  initiate program."

Instantly the drab, grid-lined deck, walls, and ceiling of the holosuite vanished, replaced by a large-ish dingy-looking office. All but one of the lights were out, and further investigation showed that the bulbs had been broken by someone or something. Shards of wood littered the floor, which was also decorated with triangular white tags, individually numbered, that stood next to small pieces of metal. Also on the floor were three drawings that appeared to be outlines of humanoids of some sort, drawn in chalk.

A rather handsome, middle-aged man wearing a rumpled suit and tan trenchcoat sucked on a pipe thoughtfully.

"As you can see, Batman, Dr. Reece looks to have used the machine gun into the others in the room, then just emptied it by spraying the rest of the office until the magazine was empty. From there he took a revolver and shot himself in the head. Seems a bit extreme for a 'Stop Smoking' session."

The man with the pipe looked over at Lori, his eyes widening. "Oh, hello, Robin," he said, in a voice that sounded a bit warmer than business-like.

[Leanna Mazal]

[Lower Promenade, Deck 311]

The fact that he done this to check her out, hadn't gone unnoticed by the dark haired beauty. Wanting to say something playful and decided to add a quick quip before the programme started.

" Yes for the simulation, although I know what you really wanted to say".

A playful wink followed, then focused a little more as the programme was initiated, especially after catching the way his tail had swished. It was a good thing too as the scene transformed around them, taking in every detail in the process.

Her focus shifting from the outlines on the floor to the handsome middle aged man, spoke to M'Kurn/Batman, before he looked at her. That look was one that she knew well as he greeted her warmly.

" Hello" she replied, her smile reaching her eyes as she greeted him back.

[Qozwyn M'Kurn]

M'Kurn/Batman tapped his lips with a forefinger as he looked around the office. Though the shades were drawn, he could hear what appeared to be a carnival or the equivalent outside, and a slightly salty smell to the air, mixing with aromas of food. Stepping to the window, careful to avoid any evidence, he pushed the shade aside slightly, confirming his suspicion. The office they were on was on the second floor of a building facing a boardwalk, overlooking a beach. An amusement park stood to his right.

"There's your beach," he said to Lori with a smile, before remembering Batman didn't smile. Taking on a serious demeanor once more, he picked up a pamphlet from the desk top.

"Quit Smoking, Quit Drinking, Quit Everything!" he said aloud. "One simple hypnosis session. Held every Friday at 1:00pm."

"That would have been today," confirmed Commissioner Gordon.

M'Kurn nodded. "Hypnosis. But why these men in particular?" He looked to Lori. "Well, Robin? Any ideas?" He was happy to include his partner and draw her into the story with him.