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?"