===== SHARIK AND INDY AT THE SALAMANDER SPA'S NEPTUNE SUITE =====

"Absolutely." Sharik replied primly and curtly, though there was just enough of a tinge of eagerness.  She snapped her fingers and the lighting lowered to a much more intimate level.  The water churned and bubbled lightly as it circulated, adding a little ambience to the background.  Shar used the holographic projectors to put a nature scene with a high canopy of leafy trees and a gently babbling brook up on the walls.

Padding lightly after Indy up the few textured granite steps which she'd lightly dusted with Invermorian rose petals, Sharik tossed her robe aside as she entered the naturally-scented-oil-infused bath.  She expected to be a prune by the time they exited.  Taking another sip of champagne, the thin dilettante also expected not to really care at that point as they weren't to be disturbed for the rest of the night.

She also expected a late wake-up call for their late morning massages.  A wake-up call accompanied by a light breakfast of rich, buttery pastries and dark black coffee.  And more chocolate.  And mimosas.

As always, Sharik was serious about her recreation...

---

[OOC:  See everyone in the morning - 'cause Shar and Indy are occupied (it says so on the door to not disturb)!  Shar expects Vo to check into the spa sometime in the morning; and has left detailed instructions with the front desk in any case on what she believes that Vonon would like (according her own two decades of knowing him, as well as anything that he has explicitly told her upon their arrival in Invermory).  He should be in the best Vargr-centric amenities room they have, and have a doggie baggift basket waiting for him ;)]

Ok, based on what Starmaster said before (msg 868), and the fact the guy I was playing this time was the previous champion (so probably a 2 in skill, and maybe a +1 in stat), gonna assume that Sam lost. Unless anyone else objects

OOC : I think that makes sense.

The wake-up call arrives. Inderpal gets up and answers it. Then she wakes up Sharik to make sure that they are decent for when the masseuse arrives.

The night had been some serious recreation, that's for sure.

In reply to Inderpal Kumar (msg # 896):

Sylvester spent the next day taking care of the drives in the morning and TAMI in the afternoon. He took his brandy and a cigar or two and went in search of Serge to find out if he wanted to share in them for an hour or so before he went to spend the evening with Val.

ooc - Think Napoleon Brandy and a Cuban Cigar for quality, he spared no expense for them! He has a gross of Chocolate Chip cookies too!
This message was last edited by the player at 15:42, Sun 20 June 2021.

Damn! I meant to post a response to Sam back then, but apparently forgot to do so. And now I've forgotten what I was going to post.

I have it in my head, though, that I was going to say that Sam won again, or else I was going to make a dice roll. It probably gets down to simulation vs. reality.

So, here's the dice roll: 12:10, Today: StarMaster rolled 8 using 2d6+3 ((1,4)).

Ha-ha-ha! It's a draw!

In reply to Sylvester Jinx (msg # 897):

Some brandy is a nice thing, Serge did appreciate that.
Sylvester found Serge on the bridge as usually, he was running some sort of a combat simulation on the ship's computer, but interrupted the process when Sylvester appeared.
- So, Sly, what's up?

In reply to Serge Baklanov (msg # 899):

Sylvester held up a cigar and the brandy! "Want a treat? I got them on Cassandra, paid a premium!" Smile on his face with a cigar in his mouth.

In reply to Sylvester Jinx (msg # 900):

- Sure! Why?
Serge made an inviting gesture towards the next chair.

"What would you like to do, Sly?" Val asked Sylvester when they got together. It was obviously a loaded question, and she knew what he'd probably say.

"I don't suppose you'd be interested in an opera? How about an operetta?"

"Maybe a concert? Classical or rock? Or a play? And there's always the cinema. I don't believe Invermory has a large cinema industry, but they produce a new one about every month. And there's always the imports. We could see what's come in while we were gone."

"I'm sure we've got them in our archives now, but sometimes you just need to see a movie on the big screen, not to mention in Sense-o-round."

"Or we could hit one of the casinos."

"I'm starting to get the impression that the Invermorians are trying too hard to be... cultured. Oh, some of them are genuine, but the rest I'm not so sure about."

========== JACK BLACKWOOD AT THE TREVELLYAN THINK TANK ==========



"If you are planning on approaching Shogi on your own, you won't get anywhere. That's the reason you came here. None of what we've just discussed is out in the open. It only happens behind closed doors... doors, I might add, that will only open to know persons. Whatever talents you may have, it won't be enough to get you in."

"If this is still something  you wish to pursue, I can get Shogi's head of R&D here within the hour. Do you have the information about your concerns with you?"

In reply to Serge Baklanov (msg # 901):

Sylvester sits and has a snifter with Serge and a cigar. They are his vices, those and beautiful women. They make small talk about Vonon and the brandy.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:07, Sun 20 June 2021.

"I think I can survive Imperial culture, sounds a lot like Darrian. I'm up for whatever pleases you, a movie, concert or opera."

He holds up the bottle of brandy, "I have the nightcap for later too." he says with a grin.

"I like most music, old Terran movies are best I hear when it comes to movies, though some of the modern special effects are spectacular!"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:12, Sun 20 June 2021.

ooc
Apologies for delay in posting - RL is busy with toddler twins. Gonna wrap it quick and then move on

The race started well for Sam, but the kid had obviously been watching her, as he seemed to anticipate some of her moves as the race went ahead, gradually catching up. The noise around them swelled as the locals egged on their champion, and at the end they crossed the line neck and neck - a flat out draw. Everyone seemed confused by this - it wasn't something that had happened before, and no one seemed sure what to do. There was talk of a re-match, but no-one was keen on that - least of all Sam. In the end, the management returned everyones stakes, and no one won. Sam used that as an excuse to bow out, and once Dieter had cashed out, they made a quick exit and headed to another dive for a few more drinks, so Sam could unwind a little. After another couple of hours, Sam told Dieter she was heading back to the ship to sack out. It had been a good night, but she was not the party animal she used to be.

Lumper headed back with Sam. He had run out of places he knew anyway and he was not keen to end-up being left behind for failing to report on time. He was surprised by what happened with the race. A draw had been the most convenient result for 'the house', he wondered how much of all that happened was rigged.

Anyway, questions for another time. He learnt very little about the crew, even less about the ship he just signed with, made no money on his bet and paid for the meal. He was not sure he had even broken even this time.

In reply to Sylvester Jinx (msg # 905):

"One of my favorites is an old war film, called Sahara, it starred an actor named Bogart. A man's man. It was filmed in Black and White amusingly enough! Gone with the Wind I heard was good too, and Titanic. The movies made on Regina are pretty good I hear as well. Titanic is a romance disaster film!"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:06, Mon 21 June 2021.

===== SHARIK AND INDY AT THE SALAMANDER SPA'S NEPTUNE SUITE =====

Sharik stretched out on the silken sheets of the bed, letting the general feeling of contentment and the specific floral smells of a romantic evening wash over her.  She watched languidly as Indy puttered around, before wrapping one of the sheets around her like a toga and moving into the fresher to get herself more 'presentable'... which, she honestly didn't think that her companion needed, at al; a gentle squeeze and a quick kiss as her fellow ex-Scout passed by made sure that Indy knew how Shar felt.

Then, having found her robe from the previous evening tossed somewhere about the suite - and ensuring that it wasn't worse for wear, Shar tied the belt around the waist and sauntered over to tray of pastries and drinks that had been delivered to the suite.  She greedily started to partake, pouring two cups of coffee and two flutes of orange juice (spiked with a new bottle of champagne) even as she munched on bite-sized fruit tart.

Passing a bagel smeared with copious amounts of lox and cream cheese to Indy, the auburn-haired socialite stifled a yawn and laid out another bagel for herself.  She was famished, which was likely to due to a certain lack of sleep - but she also didn't want to be too full.  There were massages coming.

Checking her messages quickly on her dataglove, Shar plopped down on the couch next Indy. Shifting to rest her head on her comely companion's shoulder, Sharik propped her legs up on the arm of the couch as she ate and drank.

"Oh that would be just stellar. Would it be possible for the R&D of Shogi to meet at my ship. The Captain should be involved in such matters"

In reply to Sharik Kaagira (msg # 909):

Indy checks her own messages briefly to see if there is anything important. She's otherwise just content to have Sharik resting on her shoulder.

She tasted the orange juice.

"I normally wouldn't drink champagne this early in the morning... but for you, I will make an exception..." she says, stroking Sharik's hair.

There is a knock at the door.

===== SHARIK AND INDY AT THE SALAMANDER SPA'S NEPTUNE SUITE =====

Shar gave Indy a dopey, 'Ah, gee, golly, I like you, too' grin, moving her head down to her companion's lap so that they can share the playful expression.

When the knock came at the door, Sharik raised her head to give Indy a lingering kiss; one just long enough for the auburn-haired astrogator to taste the orange juice and champagne on her friend's breath.  Then she stood, brushed off the crumbs from her robe, and stuffed the last bite of her bagel in her mouth while moving to answer the door.

She was still chewing when Shar reached the handle to the door.  "Who is it?" the cosmopolitan socialite sounded sweetly, checking the peephole and video feeds to see who might be on the other side.

========== JACK BLACKWOOD AT THE TREVELLYAN THINK TANK ==========



"I'm not so sure that's a good idea," Idina replies. "My concern is security... if you catch my drift. This place is secure. If your captain can come here, that would be much better."

"Understood... I'll make the call and see if he is available" Jack walks a little distance away.

"Oh, I know you're hoping for a romantic date, Sly," Val responds to Sylvester, "but I'm in the mood for fun and entertainment."

"I saw that the local theater group is performing a new operetta by Brannigan and Carlyle--Patience of Penzance. Early reviews have said it's very funny."

"Besides, you said you've got a nightcap for after the show."

In reply to Valeska Brandenberg (msg # 915):

Sylvester smiled and led the way to the operetta. "Sounds fantastic Val, shall we head to the theater?"

In reply to Sharik Kaagira (msg # 912):

Inderpal, meanwhile, smartens herself as much as possible for what she expects are their two masseuses. After the massage, she has some other ideas for a fun and enjoyable day with Sharik.