Helping herself to a slice of lemon drizzle cake Harry would move to join Will, purposefully standing so that she couldn't see Lizzy and Karl "well this kicks the hell out of my birthday's for the last couple of years" Harry said with a smile as she tucked into the decidedly more-ish lemon drizzle cake "...if I was lucky I'd get a cupcake with a candle in it before getting wasted on cheap booze" she laughed, though it was clear that those particular memories weren't as fond as she was making them out to be.

Roy grimaced slightly at the question.  " Sorry to report, Captain, that Captain Maris chose to resist being escorted off the ship.  It did not turn out well for him...he's got a med-tech baby-sitting him on the hangar deck with  med-tech shuttle inbound to take him and his personnel to a hospital ship.  Not sure if he'll be able to continue as a flight instructor...depends on how well they do reconstructing his right hand."  Force of habit kept him from including reference to having been stabbed...the med-tech had said he'd be fine, just no fighting...there was no reason he should fight anyone until after the ball tomorrow night...and that was a maybe.  Since the injury wouldn't affect his ability to perform his duties until then, it didn't need to be said...

Sharp eyes, though, would notice a slight stiffness in his left arm, and the fact that, while he left with a duty-uniform jacket on, he came back in a t-shirt...and, occasionally, the derma-plast was visible...

  Will smiled,..had a cake once... Think i had to share it   with my cousin or soemthing.. it was the last family thing we did...

 ..dont know  how many of them, if  any are still alive.... he  took a big bite of  cake, and opted for  come chocolate  Milk to go with it...I guess i gotta make sure  my  Full dress is already for tomorrow

 Music   was  softer in the back round  as they waited  for  the  cake eating to be  done.. Civies  were smiling  as they sat  with or near  crewman  talkign about things that happened in the last few  days.

............

 Shadow   went  down  to the cake , almost be dragged  By  Ellen as they got in line.. Beth and Flores   looked at him with raised  eyebrows... he shrugged , helpless ly  , then concentrated on the flaover of  cake.

Karl kept things simple...basic white cake with a mixture of fruit sauces drizzled over it.  He took his cake and stood next to Lizzy as they ate, grinning at her obvious delight at the whole spectacle.  It struck him that, while the party may have been her father's idea, the things that were making it memorable were all contributed by the Hermes...likely without her father's knowledge, and he found himself musing for a while at what would have been if Captain Maris had been left to his own designs.  Large and lavish, no doubt...but likely not particularly fun.  He was pretty sure the cake wouldn't have been anywhere near as imaginative.

He grinned a little at that thought, and bumped Lizzy with his hip.  "Hey...happy birthday," he said, just loud enough for her to hear over the noise of the party, before giving her a kiss on the cheek and putting the last bite of cake in his mouth.

  Hack  once  more  looked from Roy to  Nil , Then took a sip of his  drink.

 The CAptain  had a thin smile, saying,..ahhh..well.. that happens from time to time. Poepl in the rear, don't grasp  what people  at the front deal with...shame..really... tsk...tsk....Please, Go have some  cake , Let  the Borthday Girl see you and the LC are here...sort of..'finalize'  the deprature for  her.

 Lizzy eats her cake with Karl right next to her, she wanted to make a move but she would wait for the right moment. Then he bumped her and said Happy Birthday to her, she had a huge smile on her face and he kissed her on the cheek. Lizzy turned to Karl and said," Thank you very much Karl, I am so happy right now." Once Karl finished his cake she would take the plates and look for a trash can, as she does Lizzy sees Shadow and Lizzy will say to Karl, " I need to talk to LC I need closure on the asshole, please come with me?" Lizzy will hold out her hand for Karl to follow her to see Shadow.

 Lizzy would walk up to Shadow, a big smile on her face," LC Sir, is that poor excuse for an Officer going to bother us any more tonight, sorry everyone had to deal with him. The Hermes is my family now, and thank you Sir.." Lizzy had a real smile on her face and was truly happy and enjoying her party. As Lizzy waits for Shadow's response will see Harry and Will eating their cake and she will smile and wave at them both.

Karl took Lizzy's hand, letting her steer through the crowd.  He grinned when she asked if Maris would be back...Karl's experience with Shadow was such that he was quite certain, were Captain Maris to be a potential issue, Shadow would not be at the party.  He glanced around, noticing the Sgt Major talking with Captain Si, and nodded.  Both men were there, after having been ordered to remove Maris from the ship.  He wouldn't be back...

"So are you from a big family then?" Harry asked in response to Will saying how he had shared his birthday cake with a cousin with her realising that she didn't really know very much at all about his family or where he'd grown up "...I didn't have much in the way of family, daddy wouldn't talk about his side of the family, and I only saw mummy's parents two or three times when I was young...it was mainly just me and Julie" Harry said as she continued to work her way through her slice of cake, a sad little smile appearing on her face at the thought. She wanted Julie back, it had been so long since she'd last seen her older sister and she wanted to make amends for the way she'd treated her before she'd disappeared into a world of drink, drugs and crime.

With the topic moving to that of Will's dress uniform, Harry would softly chuckle as she replied "that wouldn't be a bad idea, as I can't see the Burian Palace being ok with you showing up to the ball in jeans and a T-shirt...especially the one with the fighter print!"

  There was a bit of a smile there  was  me   and my parents...... but  we had to move to the city.... so we stayed  with my Uncle and Aunt.. My couisn  had a Birthday  a day before me.. so for , like..3  years.. we shared a  CAke…. then.. My Mom and  dad  were  killed in a car  wreck..My Uncle  sent me out to  another   aunt  or  uncle..I dunno… In CA?.. it was neat there.. got to see those  fighters, flying all over the sky?  who knows..maybe some of these  folks  were there?... I couldn't  cut it to be in the  academy… so I went to the marines.

…………….

 The Board  Members  , the Captain and the Admiral all said  personal  'goodnights ' to Lizzy... then  went  up  to go to the Admrial's Mess.

 When the  Brass moves off, Shadow smiles,  he's on his w ay to meet his   crewmen , and head back to  Fuji...whether   we  see he again there, or not?  will come down on what  charges might be brought  against him..

 Lizzy will say goodnight to the Captain and the Admiral, giving Captain Si another hug, and thank you. Shadow will tell her about her Father, It could have been worse, from the rumors she has heard about Shadow and what she has seen, he is lucky to be alive.
Lizzy will respond," Thank you Sir, well Sir he deserves whatever he gets, he shouldn't have said those things of my crew mates and flight mates. In my eyes he is not the man I knew as my father, that man is dead. Thank you again Sir. Time to have some fun Sir."

 Lizzy smiled and then said to Karl, " Oh Karl I have an idea, come with me I need help." Lizzy's head was all over the place, the party was amazing, she was staying on the Hermes, it was her birthday, and she was with Karl which she really really liked, a lot.
 Lizzy grabbed Karl's hand and they went over to see Harry and Will, once there Lizzy would say," Harry I want to do something but I need your help, will you come sing with me? Please!!!!!!" Lizzy was smiling and was in a very happy place, she beamed with joy, and her green eyes sparkled with amazing happiness.

 Lizzy let go of Karl's hand and held her hand out for harry to go with her.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:27, Tue 20 Aug 2019.

  Shadow   smiles  as  Lizzy Bubbled  away... well.. until   Ellen finished her  cake, and  puled him out to the   'floor'.

   Maria  was grinning  at  Beth  and  Flores, Lyri came over  sipping on a  scotch and   soda.

  ..the LC, he  says  to shut of camera's.. Ellen she  won't  do it... LC..makes  deal..and?  there  he is...  she  giggles.

 A soft drawl came  from near them as Dixie  says, well, Honey? At least he keeps his words?  Not many men like these  now-a-days...

Karl gave a soft, amused snort as he was apparently dragged over to Harry and Will to be moral support to get Harry to go sing with Lizzy.  He looked over at Will and gave a shrug, indicating he had no idea what was going on...but he certainly didn't look upset about the situation.

Harry quietly listened as Will told her of his childhood. Of how he'd moved around and went from one set of aunts and uncles to another before signing up as a Marine, with Harry recalling from a previous conversation how he'd had little choice in that matter. Having finished her piece of cake she'd slip an arm about him and give him a reassuring squeeze.

It was then that an extremely bubbly and excitable Lizzy would arrive asking Harry to help her sing something. A look of pure terror would appear on Harry's face "you want me to sing in front of all these people!?" she squeaked, knowing already that she had little choice but to go along with it as saying no to Lizzy whilst she was in such a mood would be like kicking a puppy "I guess I could give it a go" though I may faint halfway through she silently added as she took Lizzy's hand and allowed herself to be pulled to where ever it was Lizzy wanted to take her.

 Lizzy took Harry's hand and her face lit up even more. She would then kiss Karl on the cheek, and say,Be right back hope you enjoy this.

 Lizzy would lead Harry all the way to the stage and the band. Lizzy stepped away from Harry and talked to the band leader. He smiled and chuckled a bit then nodded we can do that.

 Lizzy then pulled Harry onto the stage and gave her a mic. Lizzy just so happy and bubbly says into the Mic,Hi I am Lizzy, thank you everyone this has been amazing, but I need all the Ladies out here, please. Lizzy will then wait and smile at Harry, then signal the band.
They started to play, Girls Just want one have fun, Lizzy will try and sing but mostly she will get the ladies to join in and sing with Harry as Lizzy shows off her dancing skills in high heels. Lizzy will dance and sing with Harry, and then she would have them both join the other ladies.

 After the song was over Lizzy smiled at Harry and gave her a huge hug. Thank you for being a friend Harry, I am so happy right now, this is amazing, did you see the cake, Karl is amazing, you look amazing, my feet hurt and I haven't had a lot to drink yet. Lizzy just spewed out as they walked back to Will and Karl.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIb6AZdTr-A
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:44, Tue 20 Aug 2019.

  Will Looked  at KArl  and Shrugged  as the  two went on their  way.

  Shadow  was Dancing  with Ellen, who was still in her armor, and smilign   like a  nut job. Shadow, for   his   part smiled too.  Though he  seemed  a bit  more..uneasy.. then he normally does.

   Beth  sipped  from her  drink, along  with  Flores. Lyri looked at the two  and said off handedly,..well he did   sorta  save her...got her on the  Hermes  and all that? she slyly looked  at the othe r two  with a  quick sidelong glance before , covering a growing smile with her  mug.

   Abby   stepped up by them and shook her head,..who's   this then?...  is there  any  woman that don't  bother him?

 Beth  smiled a bit, her answer was,..lots....  folks only notice the ones that pop up around him... there  are lots  that don't like him....

 ..Like?  Lady V....

 Kay  walked by, peering   around  Flores,..Da..is  true... many do not like him... those... you  do not want to trust....though , it is also true.. that some of them have good reason not to!

 then  they all  went out  to dance  with the song

  The Admiral  waved  to Sarah , to see if she  wanted to  come to the  Admiral's Mess or  whether she wanted to stay.

Standing on the stage like a deer in the head lamps, Harry would watch as Lizzy spoke to the band before addressing the horrifyingly large crowd of people currently watching them. So stunned was she by the sheer number of people currently looking at her it took Harry several moments to realise that the music had begun playing and that she'd spent the first line standing there in stunned silence. Thankfully however Harry was able to force herself out of her trance and begin singing, finding that if she concentrated on either Will or Lizzy that she was able to block everyone else out and concentrate on her singing.

Although she was no Cyndi Lauper, Harry would do an admiral job of singing the classic with her even managing to hit the high notes as she danced with Lizzy. Upon finishing the song she would find herself being hugged by an excitably Lizzy who may or may not have noticed that her friend was trembling as she babbled away in her ear.

Once again finding herself being pulled through the crowd by Lizzy they would return to where Karl and Will were standing, with a traumatised Harry throwing her arms around Will and burying her face in his chest as she fought to calm herself down asking in a muffled voice "oh gods, how bad was it? I think I blacked out halfway through"

 Will  Patted her   back, he grinned at  Lizzy and Karl,..you weren't  bad?.. I pretty  sure you have the LC  beat!

 Other Ladies  Fanned out... heading back to thier places..Ellen Kept Shadow out on the floor , she was goign to milk her   'hour  off'  to the max.

 Abby   abled over to   Harry,..I see  Mum  and Dad  didn't make  you  enter Drama studies...  she giggled.

 Lizzy was so excited and happy, but when they got to Will and Karl, Lizzy noticed Harry was trembling,  Lizzy looked worried about her friend. Harry you okay,  you didn't hurt yourself, that was amazing, thank you so much. Lizzy was flying high, and having a blast.  The band played a slow song, a real nice romantic slow song, she almost thought of taking Harry out to dance to help her relax, but Lizzy had other things in mind. First though she went over gave Abby a big hug and said,Thank you Abby for coming, having fun.

 Lizzy then went over to Karl and said,Karl would you dance with the amazing birthday girl. She had a huge smile on her face , as she waited for his reply.

Taking slow, deep breaths, Harry would feel herself begin to calm down even if her heart was still doing ten to the dozen "Singing lessons Abby...Mummy made me and Julie take singing lessons so we could be little pop princesses and follow in her footsteps" she replied to Abby's comment in an unsteady voice, recalling how she had collapsed thirty seconds into her first ever school talent show, a feat she would repeat on several other occasions before her mother gave up on that particular dream.

Twisting her head ever so slightly so that she could offer Lizzy a reassuring smile as she asked if she was alright she would give a quick shake of her head as she replied "No I'm ok love...I just get real bad stage fright is all" she said before watching as Lizzy gave her sister a hug before returning to Karl's arms asking if he wanted a dance. Deciding that the last thing she wanted to do was watch Lizzy dancing with Karl she would look up at Will and saying "maybe when I've settled down a little you'd like to take me for a spin on the dance floor?"

In reply to Zobaich (msg # 916):

Melia grinned, "before Orria I just ate on the rec deck for everything. Junk food mostly, since her, I typically cook at home and don't really stock snack or sweets all that often." She says a snippet of an old, old memory grazing the surface of her mind. A child searching a cupboard  for something to eat and only finding ingredients, then outside with a piece of fruit half eaten. Melia's eyes widen, suddenly she remembers. "Who would've thought I would turn into my own mother. She never kept snacks at home either." Melia reminisces softly.

---ORRIA---

Orria saw Shade looking at the poster, and asked Shade buzzing and whirring with an assorted whistles if he wants to fly like Shadow or be a Marine like Roy.

---MELIA---

Melia helps herself to a drink off a tray, and then sputters as she discovers its actually a mixed drink punch the taste of the alcohol while subtle overwhelming her sense of taste causing her to cough.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:55, Tue 20 Aug 2019.

In reply to Field (msg # 927):

Sarah accepted the offer and informed Captain Si, and Admiral Hack that she'd be bringing one of her prospective staff officers along on a trial basis before joining the board and retiring to the Admiral's quarters.

"It would be an honor and a pleasure," he replied with a broad grin.  "If you'll excuse me, Will, Harry, Abby...duty calls..."

He stepped over to Lizzy, taking her by the hand and leading her out to the dance floor.

 Sam was enjoying the party but she was very happy when Sarah was asked and accepted to head up to the Admiral's Quarters. Sarah had told to her to come with her as her N2 so Sam followed her Captain as they headed for the Admiral's Quarters.

---------------->>>>>>>>>>>> To Admiral's Quarters.

 Lizzy would smile at Harry and say," Okay I am sorry I didn't know, but you did amazing thank you again Harry. You are such a true friend."

 When Karl said it would be an honor and a pleasure to dance with her, Lizzy's face lit up and her smile was like ear to ear. Lizzy will let Karl lead them to the dance floor, she was so happy at this moment. It was a slow romantic song, so Lizzy got close and danced wrapped in his arms. It felt so good and he was strong like a Marine should be, but he was also a pilot so he would understand that part of her, which was good.

 Lizzy wasn't sure when to make her move, Karl was a gentleman and a very good dancer.
As they danced real close Lizzy would say," Karl this is great thank you for being my date tonight, sorry I have been dragging you all over the place but I am the birthday girl. I am so happy Harry got us to dance at the After Party, I hope you are having fun, and there is more to come." She will keep smiling until the song ends.

 Right as the song ends Lizzy will reposition herself and then she will give Karl a loving, caring,and passionate kiss right in front of everyone. She will keep the kiss going until Karl stops her or until she slowly pulls away, with a huge smile on her face, and a look in her eyes of she was willing to offer a lot more than a great kiss later for sure.

 Lizzy was so happy she didn't pay attention to where her heels where when she went to move, her heel got caught on the side of the field, she felt a twinge in her ankle and she began to fall. She would try to grab Karl but she was in the wrong position. Only Karl could catch her before she planted her face onto the track.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:42, Wed 21 Aug 2019.