Whoever is going to the dinner should post here.


The reservation for 7 had been made for 20 hundred hours, but if more came, there'd probably room for them. The restaurant might expect a large tip if less than 7 show up, and certainly allowances are made for that. Just don't make it a habit!

The dinner group disembarked from the Vultan once again and headed for the hotel to freshen up in the rooms they'd already checked in to. Nothing was mentioned anywhere about the Blue Diamond requiring formal wear, assuming anyone on Theev even bothered with that fashion. Still, you didn't want to show up looking like dregs just off the street.


The Blue Diamond was on the first two floors of the Kwon Building... a 20-story skyscraper that stabbed into the Theevian atmosphere like a sword held up in victory. It wasn't the tallest building in Blacksand City, but there were no other tall buildings near it. It's other noteworthy feature was its sculptural architecture. Rather than the plain, flat, gray-white plasteel-and-ferrocrete facade, the Kwon Building had been 'sculpted' to look like waves or flowing water. Blue lighting helped the effect in the daytime, but at night, the light was more fluid to enhanced the waterfall effect.

Normally, you'd expect such a restaurant to be on the top floor... for the view. But this was Theev--there was no view. No ocean, no beach front, no amber fields of grain or swaying forest... just the bleak and deadly endless black sand that no one wanted to be reminded of.

Likewise at night, there was no street life that warranted being able to look out the windows to watch it go by. Instead, the windows were viewscreens where the management could display whatever panoramic scene tickled his fancy that day. If was a bit disconcerting if you weren't expecting it or familiar with it. Tonight's scene was an underwater one as if you were in a submerged restaurant. An assortment of coral could be seen among which swam dozens of species of fish. Because of the motion of the fish, it wasn't immediately obvious that the scene was moving as well... as if the restaurant was rotating. It was slow enough so as not to be disorienting.

Somewhat oddly, the restaurant wrapped around three sides of the elevator stack in the building's center with the fourth side being the foyer access from street to elevators. You could enter from either side of the foyer or from the opposite side of the building.

Inside, the elevator stack was flanked by escalators that took patrons up to the second floor. However, there was a security bot 'disguised' as a roboserver that barred your way if you didn't have a reservation for the second floor.

As you walked in, you notice that no one going to the second floor is actually stopped and asked for a reservation name or number. This hinted at two things: that most patrons using the restaurant knew better than to try and go upstairs if they didn't have a reservation, and that a visual scan was probably being used to identify those who did try to go upstairs.

Thus, as you head up the escalator, the roboserver just gives you a slight nod and says "Good evening, Captain McFarlane. Welcome to the Blue Diamond and thank you for choosing us for your dining experience."

Your reservation was confirmed via text and your reservation number was 210... indicating Table 10 on the second floor.

Teddy walked into the restaurant, holding Ingrid's hand, looking around in wonder. He looked to RayJay and Ghent and the others that came along with a sparkle in his eye and a bounce in his step. He made sure to look professional in his uniform but a big grin still crossed his face, he carefully followed protocol for his station so he wouldn't be dismissed out of hand.

"Well ladies and gentlemen, what do you think? Hungry dear? I'm famished but a little anxious at meeting the Admiral, it has been a long time. What do you think, go upstairs straight to our table?" He asks Ingrid and the rest.

Zhouth had dressed up for the occasion.

Of course he had.

The screaming sunset coat-cape had put in a reappearance, but this time it swirled over an oppositely-swirling tunic in the same style but colors of ocean spray; the color mismatch was merely odd, but the contrary patterns were just shy of what a funhouse mirror effect might produce, to the distress of any thither-oriented eyeballs, and it wasn't helped by the "matching" autumn meadow colors of the trousers; actually, it was also more the pattern there that was to blame, being thin vertical stripes... well, thin vertical stripes as they might look if they were all a-wobble from being violently shaken to the point of snapping here and there.

At least the shoes were quite normal, being black dress-style ones. If you ignored the obviously superfluous brass buckles and triple fins running up the sides, that is.


"Straight upstairs, I think?" Zhouth replied with a smile as he broadly swept one arm in the direction in question (thankfully somehow aware enough not to inadvertently clobber any passersby in the doing). "But no reason to worry about coincidences on a night like this, right?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:50, Thu 17 Nov 2022.

Rayjay would do a little researching before the dinner to discover the restaurant's policy on side arms, specifically swords such as his rapier. And assuming it was permitted he would wear his rapier while eating, otherwise he'd be sure to check it in if that was the only option or simply leave it back on the ship with his accelerator rifle and boarding armor, instead relying on his far more subtle TL12 cloth armor worn under his more flamboyant normal attire and snub pistol and knife slipped into his jacket and sleeve respectively.

Once properly arrayed he would of course wear a cream colored puffed shirt beneath a navy blue slashed jacket, pulling the fabric of the shirt out ever so bit particularly around the collar and unbuttoned front, very much giving him the appearance of an ancient Landsknecht or particularly flamboyant Napolean duelist. At least from the waste up, because as confident as Rayjay was, comfort was also important so he wouldn't be wearing any of the courtly hose, but rather some of his favorite and matching bellbottoms with a sturdier pair of platform shoes. After all, while one must preen to present oneself as a proper gentleman, style wasn't everything if it came at the expense of one's personal comfort.

"Thirsty as well, I wonder what selection they have. Though one should perhaps make oneself known, introduce ourselves to the other movers and shakers? Make it seem more a protocol when and if we should run into the Admiral rather than having solely selected him out from the crowd, though perhaps we should approach him first all the same? After all he is perhaps the most important one present." Rayjay advised with his usual courtly accent in full swing.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:17, Thu 17 Nov 2022.

"What if we go straight to our table and ignore the other patrons and let them come to us? I'm not sure which course to follow." He held out his arm and hand for Ingrid to place her hand on his arm to escort her upstairs, he waited for ideas and replies.

"I think Ingrid on your arm with us as your entourage should be more than sufficient to get tongues wagging," Ghent said as he took the lead up the stairs.

Ghent, it turned out dressed up quiet nicely for a scruffy, muscle man. If anyone had a weapon, Ghent might be the first to be checked if Raj had found that they were allowed to carry. He would have his hand on his katana's pommel and a few daggers concealed on him. However, it was clear he was the muscle, his eyes darting to and fro as he took in the room and the people as they made their way to their table, "but this isn't a social affair. The rest of the patrons are here for a meal and an evening out, not to socialize with everyone in attendance. Besides, if our entrance doesn't get noticed, you can bet everyone's attention will be on you when you set-up to propose."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:38, Fri 18 Nov 2022.

Teddy followed Ghent up to the top level, nodding to the 'guard' at the stairs, Ingrid on his arm as they went.

"Opinions Zhouth? RayJay, Ingrid, Ghent? Anyone lay their eyes on the Admiral? Suggestions?" he asks as his eyes wander over the clientele.

Ingrid had greatly enjoyed the opportunity to dress up. She liked her engineer work, but that didn't mean she didn't like feeling beautiful too. Women's fashions at home trended towards the Victorian; not in being prudish, but in extensive dresses, petticoats and wide skirts, and usually that was her favorite style too. For this occasion, Ingrid had gone with something quite different: a slinky black dress, sexy but not slutty, the sort of outfit that would make sense for a nobleman's' trophy girlfriend. "If it doesn't, I'm not doing this right" she replied to Ghent's comment. "I suppose I could have gone with the social secretary role, but I suspect Teddy's idea of a secretary outfit would be, ah, chilly to wear" she teased her fiancée.
She held Teddy's arm and practiced the subtle art of attracting attention without being seen to attract it, a key skill of a young woman of the Sword Worlds

Ghent doesn't spot anything or anyone that looks like instant or immediate 'trouble' but, as expected, everyone in the restaurant seems to be armed even if with only a saber.

There are three other groups at tables on this level at this time. The only lone diners you saw were on the lower level.

The tables on this level are spaced rather far apart... a bit more than a normal restaurant would do or need to do for safety regulations. Each large round table could seat 8 people comfortably, though none of the groups currently here are that large.

At the top of the stairs, you are met by a robo-server who has a curved screen for a face on which is shown an image of a real person. Presumably the face can be changed as desired, but it does speak.

"Right this way," the female face/voice says and leads you to a table.

None of the other groups, however, appear to be the Admiral.


By the time you sit down at your table, Ghent realizes that either the Admiral is not going to show up or, as is probably more likely, is just running late. No doubt he has a 'reserved' table of long-standing, so it's not like the restaurant is going to seat someone else at that table, even if the restaurant was that busy... which it isn't at the moment.

Because of the 'O'-shaped layout of this level, there's always the possibility that the Admiral is at one of the tables on the other side.

The motif for the windows on this level is a panoramic sunset on a tropical island. It looks like you are all sitting in the middle of a small island because you can see the ocean all around you (except for the elevator bank in the middle which has been obscured by a painted mural and actual living plants). You also realize that it even smells like fresh sea air.

It's a pleasant enough view but you quickly realize that it's a bit disconcerting because it hides the fact that it's actually night outside here on Theev. It also doesn't take long to further realize that the sun in the view is never going to fully set--it's not static (you can see the waves on the beach and trees waving in a breeze that you can't actually feel), but it's in a sophisticated seamless loop.

The table has a real table cloth with real cloth napkins, the serving ware is nice but probably not expensive, and there is real glassware.

The robo-server automatically pours ice water into your water glasses before speaking again.

"What type of meal are you interested in this evening?" she asks. A holographic display appears in the center of the table that lists several different choices: breakfast, brunch, lunch, appetizers, dinner, supper, entree, 5-course, 7-course and 10-course.

Ghent helped Ingrid and Ted into their seats, being used to waiting on people of interest. "Personally, a five-course meal might be perfect for tonight," he said before turning to the droid and asking where the bar or washrooms were (if only to get a reason for snooping around the other side of the restaurant).

"The bar is here at your table," the roboserver replies to Ghent. "Any drink you require will be brought to you. If you are referring to a place where you can socialize, this is not that kind of establishment."

"The washrooms are around the corner in the central column."

"I was asking about the drinks, not the social definition," Ghent replied with a smile. "I just like to know where both are, since drinking invariably leads to needing the other."

Zhouth seated himself, smiling around at the diorama, presumably out of appreciation for the artistry of it rather than due to any lack of worldliness.

"Five-course all around sounds like an excellent plan, considering the evening," he observed with a good-naturedly meaningful glance toward Ingrid and Theodore before turning his attention to the server-bot and appeared to grow slightly concerned. "Though since I've seen them done both ways, is it a set ensemble or will we be making all kinds of little decisions about it?"

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 13):

"yes, that sounds good Zhouth, 5 course all around?" he asks those around the table, finishing with Ingrid. "Want anything special dear? We'll get fat we eat here very often I'm thinking. Been awhile since I had a feast. Anyone see the person we're seeking? I don't"

"I don't think that they're likely to just show up here, you know?" Zhouth replied offhandedly as he pulled out his comm and started tapping away at it. "I know that you're all eager about that offer, but tonight is a different appointment and you should really stay focused on her." He paused on the comm long enough to flash a smile at Ingrid, making it clear who he meant.

“How about we start with drinks first,” Ghent suggested as he ordered a bottle of champagne and semi-expensive bottle of red wine for the table, “and it looks like we’ve settled on having the five-course dinner.” He looked up at the droid, “We’ll start with an assortment of amuse-gueules; I’m not sure what my friends would like, but I haven’t had an onion soup au gratin in forever, so I’ll have that, which should be enough to get us started. We can decide on our entrées after we’ve wetted our appetites.”
This message was last edited by the player at 18:22, Sun 27 Nov 2022.

Rayjay followed along, listening intently to what was said, particularly by the staff, though couldn't help but smile at the suggestion that a high-class restaurant wasn't a place for socialization. "Five course it is then, and I would recommend Champaigne given the occasion, though if you two have a preferred wine or other spirit that might be best. Afterward we can order independently for the meal itself. Sound like a marvelous plan Captain?" Rayjay asked after making his suggestion for the night's meal, all the while keeping an eye out for the Admiral.

Teddy squeezes Ingrid's hand in his and turns to her with a huge smile and answers in the affirmative! I think that would be an excellent idea Rayjay, Ghent, Champaign followed by something else. What do you want after Champaign dear? Wine? A harder liquor, or just plain good beer?"

Ingrid smiled. "Thank you, Zhouth. And it's a lovely plan." She was having such a wonderful time it was hard to even think of the mission.
She looked up admiringly at Teddy. "Red wine, please."

In reply to Ingrid Gustavdottir Sigar (msg # 19):

"Excellent choice dear, a good Red wine, not too sweet, not too bitter." he says to the robot.

In short order, the robo-server returns with a bottle of Cruz Starfire Cabernet Sauvignon and the amuse-gueules--an assortment of appetizers.

As per custom, the robot pours Theodore's glass first to let him sample it in case he feels it's not up to par or he feels it isn't the right wine.

If Theodore approves it, the robot then pours a glass for everyone.

"Are you ready to place your order now?" it then asks.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 21):

Teddy smells the wine, swirls it and tastes it, he pauses savoring the head and flavor, then nods his approval. I'll take a Filet Mignon, steamed broccoli and a baked potato. Dear? What would you like?"

As they waited for Ingrid to make her choice, Ghent was eyeing the wild deer served on a bed of beetroots & blackberries, deglazed in a rather sought out premium whisky.

"I understand Ingrid's hesitation... So many good choices!" Ghent said as he pointed on the item menu for the droid to register.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:48, Tue 06 Dec 2022.

"Oh well. Guess it's not the five-course." Zhouth observed, sounding more indifferent than disappointed. That was followed by a quiet, "Hmm," as he ran his eyes down the list.

"Whatever it is Zhouth I'm sure it'll be delicious." He said sampling an appetizer as he looked over the menu, torn between the steamed eel and roasted duck.

Zhouth's eyes suddenly lit up and his ears sprang ceilingward as he spotted something on the menu.

A smile spread across his face and the careful precision with which he spoke did nothing to conceal the jubilation in his voice. "Aua’ka pasanda? Oh, yes. I have to try that."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:24, Wed 07 Dec 2022.

Once the table had finished ordering, Ghent got up to 'stretch his legs' and check out the other customers.

He left, taking the long way around to the washrooms, would then enter said washrooms, wash his hands and continue back to the table.


11:59, Today: Ghent Bel-Andis rolled 8 using 2d6+3.  Look for their target.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:00, Wed 07 Dec 2022.

Ingrid looked over the menu, noticing how homesick she was getting for the tastes of the Sword Worlds. She ends up ordering a steak too. "Just don't say it's better than my cooking, even if it is."

In reply to Ingrid Gustavdottir Sigar (msg # 28):

With a truly horrified look on his face, Teddy responds, "It could NEVER be as good as yours dear! What a terrible thing for anyone to even consider!"

Ghent doesn't spot the Admiral or his entourage at any of the other tables.

Once he returns to the table and everyone's order is placed, it takes only about 5 minutes for the food to be brought to the table.

As it's being served, you can't help noticing when the Admiral and his entourage arrive. The 8 of them walk directly to a specific table and sit. They aren't escorted and no server shows up. After a minute or two, holographic menus pop up at the table.

"No big fusses please. Better that we eat first and someone say hello later," Zhouth stated quietly and with a smile - once the server-bots were gone and no one beyond their table could reasonably hear him. "You know, after already having received an after-dinner yes that you can talk about?"

"I agree, plenty of time to enjoy a meal, make a scene, then introduce our selves, so no reason to rush things." Rayjay added, also quite interested in the quality of the meals of the restaurant.

Ingrid giggled. "I appreciate that, but you don't need to overdo it." she said to Teddy, then nodded to Zhouth a bit shyly. She studied the admiral. "Interesting that he doesn't have a server"

In reply to Ingrid Gustavdottir Sigar (msg # 33):

Teddy made small talk through the appetizer, talking to everyone at the table, getting to know them a little better.

He savored his steak, baked potato and steamed broccoli! It was simply delicious. After the plates were removed by the robo-server, Teddy pulled a little box from his pocket. He got on his knee next to Ingrid, and nervously proposed! "Ingrid, dear love, I'm not worthy to even walk behind you, but, will you consent to be my wife?" He says as he opens the box and shows her one of the finest diamonds ever. It was 2 carats and perfectly clear! A fine specimen!

Then he put the ring on her finger and sat back as he held his breath waiting for it to be official!

As everyone at the table watched the couple, Ghent started tapping his knife on the wine glass in front of him. It was an old tradition requesting that the couple kiss. It usually caused a raucous, particularly if the other tables joined in. It also served as a way to get everyone’s attention on the table. He nodded towards the others seated with him to join him.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:00, Sun 01 Jan 2023.

This being one of the Imperial customs that he was familiar with, Zhouth quickly - but carefully, so as not to create a comical distraction from the main event - joined in the glass-tapping.

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 36):

Teddy leaned in to kiss her on the lips, by the gods she was beautiful and he was a very lucky man!

Ingrid covered her mouth and stifled a gasp. She wasn't surprised by the proposal, of course, but she was surprised and touched by how romantic Teddy had made it. It took her a moment to find her voice and she could only nod as Teddy took her hand and slipped the ring on. "Yes, Teddy, I will. Of course I will!" she said emotionally before happily slipping in to Teddy's arms and kissing him lovingly.

Teddy squeezes her tight and holds on! He kisses her deeply and passionately! Then he comes up, "She said yes!" he says overly loud!

"Congratulations Captain." Rayjay said as he joined in the glass tapping.

Teddy, with a grin from ear to ear, gave her a big kiss! "God I love you girl!"

Almost before anyone realizes it, the Admiral walks over to your table.

"So someone has finally made an honest man of you," he addresses Theodore as he holds out a hand. "Congratulations, Captain McFarlane."

"So what brings you to Theev? Not exactly a honeymoon destination, is it?"
This message was last updated by the player at 17:01, Thu 19 Jan 2023.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 42):

Teddy rises, "Admiral! It has been a long time sir, how have you been?" he asks as he reaches out his hand to shake the Admirals hand. My now fiance for sure, Ingrid Gustavdottir Sigar, this is Admiral Darokyn, these other gentlemen are members of my crew on the Vultan. Zhouth, Ghent Bel Andis, Rayjaynal Brown."

"My ship brought me sir, it isn't exactly a honeymoon sight, but I have to pay for the ship, and the new wife. That takes money. We're buying and selling, acting as a courier and a few other things. Zhouth, my 2nd Officer explains better than me. How is the family sir?" He said with a grin
This message was last edited by the player at 17:18, Thu 19 Jan 2023.

With a small but bright smile, Zhouth held up one hand and performed a rapid wrist-only wave at the admiral when he was introduced. It was a bit of an understated gesture by his standards while being energetic by anyone else's. Faux pas (and random bystander impalement) potential was also avoided by his apparent presence of mind enough to not use the hand that was still holding his knife, which returned to the table in the meantime!
This message was last edited by the player at 10:18, Thu 19 Jan 2023.

"Given interstellar distances, I suppose they are as well as can be expected," the Admiral replies. "They... got left behind when the Navy and I parted ways. Regrets, yes. Some bridges just need burned."

"I don't have much to do with trade these days, but if there's anything I can do for you, just ask. Old acquaintances are few and far between."

"Thank you very much sir. Old acquaintances and friends are hard to find sir, sorry about your family situation, I would help if I could."

"Sir." Rayjay says nearly snapping to attention and saluting before catching himself and making a bit of a show of it as he crosses the arm across his chest and bows respectfully instead.

Ingrid smiled up at the Admiral. "A pleasure to meet you sir." She giggled when Teddy mentioned he had to pay for the new wife. "Well, we probably can't have a big wedding under the circumstances but I'm still going to get a nice dress"

She didn't outwardly react to the Admiral mentioning he had parted from his family, but inwardly she was shocked. The Sword Worlds was very family focused; even criminals tended to value their kin.

"The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Ingrid," the Admiral replies, using the neutral form of address.

"I'll let you get back to your celebration."

He nods at Rayjaynul and Zhouth, gives Ghent an appraising glance, and then turns and walks back to his table.

Ghent nods politely as the admiral scrutinizes him, and waits for him to be out of earshot before speaking up again: “I don’t think the Admiral knows that Silverhand is dead, yet. Interesting.”

In reply to Ghent Bel-Andis (msg # 50):

"I don't think anyone knows it yet, she did hide pretty damn good!"

"Then we are even more fortunate today." Rayjay said taking another sip of his drink in turn.

"One more thing to celebrate, right?" Zhouth held up his glass in a salute toward Theodore and Ingrid.

Ghent raised his glass in a salute to Ingrid and Theo, smiling good-naturedly. “Don’t know about you all, but I’m ready for dessert! Aren’t you two happy that we’ve managed to underline the grand event though?” He placed his wine glass down in front of him and considered the holo-menu for the dessert options. “Oooh, spicy chocolate mousse served with fresh berries and goat cheese… sounds very interesting…”

“I wonder how the others are doing…” Ghent said out loud.

"I'm certain they're having a grand time of their own." Rayjay said enjoying the last of his champaign.

In reply to Rayjaynul Brown (msg # 56):

"I know we're doing good, a vertable feast, good times and good company! Let us drink to success and pray for Varca and his group to get the job done!"

Zhouth heaved a heavy sigh and swiped his free hand sideways as if tossing some unseen item aside. "Well okay, but could we please stop talking about business during our relaxation time?"

Ingrid giggled "It does look like a great dessert selection, but that's not what is exciting about this event for me."

"May the Emperors Past grant them success" Ingrid prayed in response to Theodore.

Zhouth snapped his fingers and set down his glass, setting forth a different question as he returned his attention to the food. "Never mind emperors, even current ones. Unless they relate to this question, anyway: what's the honeymoon plan?"

Rayjay chokes on his drink as Zhouth asks such a personal question. "Zhouth, I do believe that may be an intimately personal question you just asked." Rayjay said before catching his breath with a throaty chuckle.

Zhouth shot a startled glance toward Rayjaynul, coupled with an incredulous, "It is?" One hand then thumb-hooked toward an unseen point which, if anyone cared to work it out, would be in roughly the direction of the Domain of Deneb. "Everyone I dealt with in the Imperium was all eager to talk about the vacations they'd booked for them? I mean, I know that we can't really just drop someone off for a couple of weeks and then pick them up later without disrupting everything, but I'd have thought there'd be something similar planned with this, you know?"

Ghent had a sudden far away glimmer in his eyes when Zhouth brought up the possibility of dropping off someone in a secluded spot for a few weeks. He mentally went down a list of names of people he wouldn’t miss for a few weeks, assuming they were ever picked up again. “Alternative is a quick trip in a hotel that has a spa and where we can leave the love birds alone for the rest of the day,” Ghent chimed in. “And it’s not so much about inquiring about the location of the honeymoon, Zhouth, versus asking them candidly what their plans might be.”

Zhouth still appeared quite taken aback, though perhaps not so startled, as he looked over at Ghent. "That's how they always seemed to phrase it?" There was a momentary pause, then he waved his left hand in a small arc. "So, what are the plans?" Then he waved his right hand in an arc. "Oh, we've booked two weeks at an underwater resort on Saarinen!"

The hands arced back together again, thankfully in a light tap rather than an attention-getting clap. "You know, that sort of thing!" He paused again, and a distressed quizzicality blended into his look of befuddlement as his voice dropped halfway to a hush. "Is that an unusual custom? I didn't realize that it would be interpreted differently here!"

“I believe most are mortified when mating habits are discussed or even hinted at, though I’ve always found this taboo to be immature and infantile. Mating is natural, but some find discussing it… uncomfortable. There’s no getting around it, unfortunately.”

"I never asked anything about mating habits!" Zhouth protested, now at an emphatic and near to frantic whisper. "I asked what the plans were, which everywhere I've been is about the touristy part!"

"Uhhhhh, . . . . yeah. . . . . I just asked her to marry me Zhouth. We haven't set a date for that yet, unless Ingrid wants to get married here. ASAP."

It wasn't clear whether Zhouth was now more or less surprised as he looked at Theodore and blinked, but at least his oncoming panic subsided. "Oh." Followed a moment later by a confused, "I thought you'd be doing that, yes."

He paused to glance slowly around the room as if expecting to see something somewhere, then shrugged and sighed and turned back to the table. "Oh well. My mistake."

"Zhouth, it was mostly meant in jest, but one's honeymoon is also where one tends to consummate their wedding vows as well, an event usually kept private in most cultures." Rayjay chuckled once more before asking the all-important question. "Speaking of marriage, would the ceremony be Drinaxian, Sword Worlder, or perhaps a mix of the two?" He said positing the question to the person whose opinion mattered most in such affairs, Ingrid's in this case.

"I assume Sword World, but that is the purview of the bride! Ingrid?"

"I told you, I wasn't asking about that!" Zhouth managed to mutter forcefully in response to Rayjaynul, doing a rapid thrice-chop with one hand. That was followed by a moment's pause, followed by his expression shifting to a slightly-traumatized one as the next words came out at an equally strained mumble. "And I really don't want to know about that."

Ingrid giggles gently. "They're just easing, Zhouth. I knew what you meant. And, while I am partial to the ceremonies of my own people, I confess I don't know much about Drinaxi wedding customs"

In reply to Ingrid Gustavdottir Sigar (msg # 72):

"Settled then, Sword Worlder style, after she tells me what that is. I was never married as a Drinaxi, so don't know them either, I left Drinax when I was 18 and never looked back."

He leaned in and kissed Ingrid softly on the lips.

"From secondhand experience Drinax wedding ceremonies aren't all that different from others, typically just grander in attendance, scale, and cost. The celebration after however is held in typical Drinax fashion, starting with a large feast accompanied by performances from every kind of entertainer that can be found, followed by a formal waltz and freeform ball, then gift giving, before the new couple head off to consummate their vows while the attendants and performers pair off to bless the wedding through time honored Drinaxian fertility rituals, usually under the same roof. Honestly, it's just an excuse for singles to pair up without the social stigma of bypassing courtship rituals, but every society needs a release." He said with a soft chuckle.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:28, Tue 14 Feb 2023.

Ingrid kissed back happily. "A feast and a ball, that sounds nice. Umm... how do you mean pair off?"

One of the servobots moves over to your table. She's holding a small statue in one hand and a pair of desert dishes in the other.

She sets the statuette between Ingrid and Tedddy and then a dish in front of each of them.

"Cheltra Dazere," she announces. "Compliments of Admiral Darokyn."

Teddy recognizes the desert as a traditional and expensive flambe wedding desert of Nobles in the Imperium. He has a vague notion that the statue is part of the fertility ritual that's supposed to go with the desert.

Normally, no one actually asks how expensive the desert is, but 10,000Cr is usually bandied about.

Teddy sets his drink on the table and turns and salutes the Admiral and then bows in thanks to him! He is very pleased and honored!

"We have been honored highly my dear, he just gave us a 10,000cr. wedding gift!"

Rajay can't help but chuckle at the presence of the statue. "I do believe the Admiral is wishing your house many healthy heirs Captain." He added before answering some of Ingrid's question. "You know, as young men and women often do." He said slying while chuckling some more.

"Many children Rayjay!" he says with a big smile on his face!

"Well, that or he's hoping to prank you by having the fire sprinklers go off over the table." Zhouth's smile even as he momentarily glanced toward the ceiling implied that this was probably a joke.

Of course, the Admiral was just showing off... a box of chocolates would have sufficed to get his point across... except, Zhouth can't quite figure out what that POINT is.

As far as they all knew, they are still flying under the Admiral's radar. This little social encounter hardly changes that--it'd be pointless for the Admiral to have pretended not to know McFarlane regardless how distant or tenuous that prior connection was. This is THEEV--that sort of stuff gets around somehow. There could very well be telepaths on Theev that are good at furrowing out secrets.

"Oh well. If it happens, it happens. Will you do the honors?" Zhouth concluded as he motioned (in a thankfully-controlled fashion) toward the two platters of combustible comestibles whilst looking at the robot server. "I don't have ignition tools handy."

The robo-server had just waited for a nod from Teddy to ignite the desert, paused a second, and then departed.

Nothing had exploded. The Silurian brandy on the desert quickly burnt off and left it ready to eat.

OOC: Note that this is strictly a role-playing situation. It's up to Teddy and Ingrid to decide if they think the desert tastes like it's 10,000Cr.

Teddy takes a spoon full of the desert when it is  ready, and feeds it to Ingrid, like feeding her wedding cake.

Ingrid gasped in delight at the expensive gift, although she blushed a little when she realized the fertility aspect. She learned in to kiss Theodore but also whispered to him "Something's not right. This is too much for the Admiral to do for someone he knows in a relatively minor way; he wants something"

"Or he's saying thank you for something," Zhouth added quietly with a casual smile as he swept up his glass to take another sip.

Ghent looked up, not having realized the implication of the gift. "A thank you..? For what?" Suddenly interested, Ghent's eyebrow raised a fraction as he instinctively reached for his pocket, then thought better of it. "You think...?" he said as he motioned to the pocket in which he was carrying Silverhand's arm fragments. "Damn. News travels damn fast in these here parts if so..."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:04, Sun 26 Feb 2023.

"It honestly could be any number of things, but given recent events it would be very unlikely that the two are not connected. Either case since we're all still alive and the dessert is delicious, then clearly the mission was a success. We are in the Admiral's good graces and can meet through more official channels with less anxiety." Rayjay said with a broad smile.

Ingrid shook her head. "I really think it means that he wants something." Although she certainly didn't argue against the idea that the dessert was delicious; she was really enjoying herself.

Ghent was wondering what the Admiral could possibly be signalling with the Sularian brandy flambé dessert. Did he mean he wanted a certain Sularian destroyed? His share of the credits for something? 10,000 wasn’t a subtle hint, perhaps he wanted allegiance or a tithe…


07:14, Today: Ghent Bel-Andis rolled 10 using 2d6+3 ((6,1)).

Zhouth shrugged and swirled his free hand once. "This probably isn't the best time to go into those details, you know? Just enjoy the dessert for now and maybe we can meet him later under business protocols."

And then Ghent put it into context!

It had been almost TOO subtle. The Admiral wasn't just devious, but damned clever. If Ingrid hadn't picked up on it, it'd be taken at face value. Only now he was starting to realize that nothing here on Theev was ever JUST at face value. Nuances, innuendos, smiles, penetrating gazes... there was always something going on behind, below, or beside what was really being said. Unless you knew your group pretty well.

The operative word here was Subtle. The Admiral might want something from one or more of the group, but there was never going to be a meeting about it--that wouldn't be subtle. To be sure, the Admiral would manage to convey the information... subtly.

Of course, that didn't mean the desired end would be subtle, just the means of getting there.

Just like right now. Somehow, the Admiral was watching them... to make sure they got the message... and were at least willing to consider saying 'yes'.

"Yes, I'm sure he definitely wants something, the question is what? I was never very good reading subtle."

"Well if news gets around, and it most likely does, it would be safe to assume a mutual acquaintance of all three parties, former and current." Rayjay said about as nondescript as humanly possible. "But there's only one way to find out, so then the question becomes how to confirm subtly."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:58, Thu 02 Mar 2023.

“A subtle glance, making eye contact, and a nod would probably be enough,” Ghent suggested, “but let’s be sure we can meet the terms. And right now, we’re not certain what those are, but I’m not the one on the hook if Ted says yes.”

"I can't agree if I don't know what it is, I need to be told what it is he wants, I am not a telepath. Zhouth?" he says very quietly.

Zhouth's ears tilted askew, and his free arm tilted up and out and-over-here style as he threw Theodore a consternated look.  "Testing and training takes months, you know? Even if you have the potential in the first place. It's not like I can just wave a little widget in front of your eyes and suddenly you're a telepathic superhero to just sit there reading his thoughts!" The look of consternation deepened. "Even if we could do that, it seems seems like a remarkably bad thing to try with everyone's attention on us."

Recovering somewhat from Theodore's surprise suggestion, he drew his hand back in and swirled it vertically in front of himself as his ears resumed their usual vantages. "Or if you mean me being subtle? Okay, I know that you haven't been there every time, but I tend toward the up front, direct approach known as blurting things out. That may count as subtlety in some cultures, but I don't think that it does here."

"Also!" Suddenly he was holding his hand up before him with finger raised in his traditional now-listen-here pose. "One of the things that I learned from Vanejen is that trying to communicate complicated ideas back and forth by way of subtle signalling is very likely to begin an inadvertent comedy routine as the actual meanings get increasingly misunderstood by everyone involved. Sure, it will also confound anyone else who is trying to figure out what's going on, but it won't do much good to later discover that, by an improbable chain of misreadings, we've gone and shot down the customized transport vessel of some Imperial Count's favorite pet cat, when actually all he wanted was for us to help him to move some specialized laboratory equipment later today."

Zhouth let his hand down and took a sip of wine. Only partway through that did he apparently realize something, and barely avoided an inadvertent spit take as he held his hand up again, palm out, with a look of quiet alarm and a hushed and rapid whisper to match. "Not that anything exactly like that ever happened in my personal experience with those spook guys! I was just speaking hypothetically!"

Teddy giggled at Zhouth, "Okay, we do it my way then, we just walk over and ask, since you can't read minds anymore than I can, and getting it wrong would be bad. Should I ask myself, or should we go over together as a group?"

"I would recommend you and Miss Sigar at most, to at least put on a play at subtly." Rayjay answered as he lamented Zhouth's uncharacteristic wisdom for once. Oh, he did so enjoy a good comedy of errors, though ideally not with him amidst one.

"Uhh, I think that us all getting up and walking toward his table would be taken the wrong way, for precisely the reason that it looks very un-subtle," Zhouth's held up, palm out hand waved side to side a couple of times. "Maybe I can handle this another way? Hold on."

He set down the wine glass and tapped away at his comm for a few moments, then put the comm away as he took a slow, deep breath before smiling cheerfully once again. "Okay. Go back to enjoying things and we'll give it a few minutes to see."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:14, Thu 02 Mar 2023.

Ghent’s eyes narrowed dangerously at the suggestion of getting up and outright asking. He was about to raise his concerns when  Zhouth started tapping what he thought to be morse code. His eyes suddenly lit up in approval. “Oh, nicely done,” he said as he burried his smile into his own wine glass.

In reply to Ghent Bel-Andis (msg # 101):

"You want to tap out the code so he hears it, or do you want me and Ingrid to thank him personally and ask him?"

"Just sit here and enjoy yourselves and we'll see whether the arrangement works," Zhouth repeated, never breaking his bright smile.

Rayjay couldn't help but chuckle at the confusion. "Texting, really? How gauche." He said finishing his glass as they waited to see what came of Zhouth's digital communique.

Less than a minute later, a robo-server delivers a bottle of wine to the Admiral's table indicating that Zhouth had probably just ordered a 'thank you' gift (on behalf of the Captain) to the Admiral.

Zhouth's smile only broke for brief moments when he took a sip from his glass. "It's more subtle than shouting for service, you know? Now, no more business talk for a while unless it comes to us, okay?"

As the meal is finishing up, Teddy receives a text message from Viridian: Congratulations! is all it says.

"Varca has won, Viridian says congratulations." Teddy quietly told the others.

Zhouth quietly set his glass down. "Are you suggesting that we leave now?"

"We can stay for awhile if you'd like, no hurry, just a notification of congratulations!" he said with a big grin!

"Indeed, though after we leave perhaps, we could prepare some supplies to throw a celebration for the successful operation? After all while we were wining and dining, they were working hard to grow the fleet." Rayjay suggested with a genuine smile.

Judging by the way Ghent finished his glass of wine in one large gulp, he seemed eager to get going. When he noticed that everyone else seemed to be keeping things casual, he simply shrugged and attempted to steal a bite from the cake Ted and Ingrid had received before it was all gone.

"Maybe it's time to reassign bunks on the ship then?" he added with a grin.

Ingrid continued to enjoy herself; all the work she had done on ships had made her really miss this kind of comfort. "Oh, I'm sure I can make a cake or something if we'd like to celebrate them."

"It's tempting from the standpoint of making room for more crew, but I don't think that we should change stateroom arrangements away from the one-for-one approach except in cases where we need to double berth people as an emergency measure." Zhouth left his glass on the table as he spoke, twirling both hands in a couple of small circles, in the same direction for one loop and then opposite each other for another. "It also avoids creating problems when people start deciding to re-enact those silly personal drama vids in their real lives, which I hope doesn't actually happen but would still rather not take chances on!"

"I think what he's insinuating is that we may need to transfer trustworthy crew from one ship to the other. So, if anything some of us may be getting more room to ourselves." Rayjay added his interpretation, either case happy to welcome a little more elbow room.

“Do you think they’ll need a 2IC on the ship,” Ghent asked, suddenly interested in the prospect. “I was a second officer in the Merchant Marines, I’m sure my skills could be put to your advantage. I didn’t realize you were going to expand the fleet, when I bumped into Viridian. Wasn’t sure how I’d… fit in, so to speak.”

Zhouth picked up his wine glass again and raised it to his lips, but just before taking a sip he stated in a low voice with a weary-looking expression, "We really shouldn't be talking about these things in public, you know?"

Eventually, of course, the dinner party breaks up well after midnight not because the restaurant closes--it never does if you want to pay for it such as a marathon fizbin game, but you need to rendezvous with the Vultan. Once you leave the Blue Diamond, you have about 30 minutes before the ship touches down at the starport.

It's not scheduled to depart planet/system till 10:20 in the morning, however, in case there's anything else anyone else wants to do.

[17 blank lines suppressed]

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