Alex had left the science department feel a bit stretched. The technology was amazing, and always something new to learn. Thani had made it even more so by explaining things. Once his time had ended, he stopped by medical to make sure nothing had happened, and that the new shift was coming in. He greeted the next shift before returning to quarters to get prepared for the dinner. As a test of the replicator system, he'd try to find the equivalent of an Earth Rose for Teala. He hoped they had something beautiful and would verify the culture found exchanging flora as acceptable.

After preparing he would enter the holodeck dressed appropriate for a formal dinner. If he was overdressed, the holodeck could easily change the attire to reflect the culture appropriately.

He entered, and paused in amazement. The beauty of the view took his breath away. It appeared that the land mass was high above the water, perhaps even floating to his perspective. The flora was all red not green which reminded him of the Fall season on Earth. He hardly notices as the doors close behind him completing the scenery and the city upon this land mass.

If Teala does approach him first, he has a big smile on his face as he just enjoys the new senses the holodeck is replicating for him.

Once Alex stepped onto the floating island, Teala - the image she wished for him to see - walked down the steps, clad in a traditional Orion outfit.  To the casual observer, the knee-length purple dress might have resembled a tunic women of ancient Greece or Rome might have worn.  She was also barefoot, also a tradition of the area.  The casual observer, certainly any Orion, might have considered it modest attire, but for Teala, she was showing more of herself than she ever would in the outside world.

"What do you think of Vondem, Doctor?" she asked him as she approached, having yet to use his actual name.  "This is Mawhrin, one of the larger air-chipelagos of the southern hemisphere.  Only the well-to-do can walk it for real, but I chose to make this one my own."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:40, Sat 25 Jan 2020.

Alex turns to face Teala that silly grin of amazement still on his face, "Please, just Alex when we are not on duty." His eyes taking in the sights, "Your homeworld is amazing, and this air-chipelagos Mawhrin is breath taking." and then he realizes what Teala is wearing, "But, I would be remiss if I allowed the beauty of my hostess to pass without remark. You look amazing." Gesturing around, "With what you have accomplished, you should be counted among the well-to-do."

"You flatter me, Alex," Teala said as she approached Alex and waved a hand across her body, starting at her face and moving downward.   "It took me a long time to fashion this.  I hope you don't mind.  I don't get to appear like this very often and I wanted to look my best.  Would you like something to drink?  I'm limited in what I can have, but I would be a poor hostess if I did not offer you the best a replicator can fashion."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:02, Sun 26 Jan 2020.

 Alex follows the hand and admires the hard work, "If you are offering then it would be impolite to refuse." Alex wondered what drink would match the setting of the Orion homeworld. Though given the quick history lesson, he would have to be careful not to over-indulge.

"Is there something specific you'd like to have?" Teala asked him as she padded up the stairs to what resembled a stoa of Greek architecture.  Walkways would lead from one to the next in a network, larger and more complex as they went further, but Teala wanted to remain closest to the edge.  "I would offer some offer some authentic Orion wine, but some find it too sour.  Perhaps some rum instead?  A mix of sweet and tart?"

Alex smiles, "Well, they say on my world 'When in Rome, do as the Romans.' As such, when on the lovely Orion homeworld we should at least try the local fare."

In reply to Alex Dupont (msg # 8):

"As you like, Alex..."  She reached behind a counter and pulled out her two bottles and two glasses, then moved to a nearby table with a view of the water and motioned for Alex to join her.

"I'm not a connoisseur of wines, Earth or Orion, but my understanding is this resembles your orange wine," she said as she poured Alex a glass from his bottle.  "It has a higher degree of what you would call tannin, and can be quite strong to the uninitiated."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:43, Tue 28 Jan 2020.

Alex would join Teala at the table, take the offered glass. "To friendship and new beginnings." He'd offer to clink the glasses after the short toast. Then he would swirl the drink around, allowing the aroma to permeate the glass before inhaling the smell into his nose before taking a small sip. Teala was right, the drink was quite potent! "Wow, that packs quite a punch. It is not unpleasant, but I can see only a little before all decorum would be lost." He smiles, "Thank you."

In reply to Alex Dupont (msg # 10):

  Upon seeing his offer of a toast, she readily accepted, clinking her glass against his, then waited for his reaction.  She had to stifle a chuckle at his remark.  "I could offer you a synthehol version, but as Captain Greene likes to say, though a bit more sarcastically, where's the fun in that?  And if you are going to do as Orions do, you're not properly dressed." She pointed at a small side room.  "If you wish, I can have the latest in Orion male fashion waiting for you."

Alex looks at her, and then at his over-dressed appearance and grins, "Ah, of course. Don't want you to be the only one comfortable here." He chuckles, he ducks inside and changes rather quickly into the toga garment much like the ancient Greeks. When he emerges he thinks he got the look right but waits for Teala to make a remark.

Smiling a bit more than she realized, Teala looked Alex over approvingly.  "You are quite fashionable," she said, adding something she never did in public - a joke, "for a human."  She waved at the blue portion of the outfit draped over the underlying white.  "The color signifies status, the more vivid, the greater the status.  I thought it appropriate to color yours as per the department."

Her smiled turn a bit more expectant.  "Do you like it?"

Alex enjoys the compliment and slightly blushes at the joke, "Well, thanks." And then he grins, "Does that me the most important people have tie-dyed clothes?"  After he does a quick spin, "Yes, I think it looks quite nice. I'll refrain from a quote about Scottish men and their kilts."

In reply to Alex Dupont (msg # 14):

"Scottish men?" Teala asked, having no idea about them.  She solved that by a quick query to the systems on Scots and kilts, though that had her cheeks reddening as she parsed the results.  Not by the idea that Scots, like most Orions, wore not in the way of underclothes, but that Alex might have taken the "when in Rome" notion to its full extent.  "I see," she said as the beginnings of an amused smile formed on her face.  "And do you have a little Scot in you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:45, Tue 28 Jan 2020.

Alex chuckles, "Well," As he takes a sip of the Orion drink, "I have been told I have a little Scottish blood in my ancestry."

In reply to Alex Dupont (msg # 16):

"Or perhaps a little Orion?" Teala teased as she took her own and settled onto a chaise lounge, curling her legs up beneath her.    "Not too much, I hope.  You don't strike me as the brutish type, though I'm to understand in your ancient times, athletes competed in a similar manner."

Looking back out over the ocean, she sighed.  "But, no, Alex.  I was never allowed in a place like this, not would I be allowed there now, despite my place in Starfleet.  Rank is no substitute for status."

"Perhaps." He answers, "No, I lean towards the intellectual pursuits. But for the ancient times, different apparel was considered acceptable. Competing with it all hanging out I suppose." There was a slight thrill at hearing his own name in a relaxed setting. It was nice and good. "Well, history has shown that no matter your birth, we are all interconnected, we all bleed, we all have dreams and desires. Just some have turned a momentary advantage to lord it over others, and strive for the primal power of being in authority or having more stuff than others." He sighs, "Back on Earth, with replicator technology, the society became of striving to better not only yourself and society around you. When material things have no intrinsic value they are not fought over. When people have enough food, shelter and clothes, they can focus on dreams."

He looks at Teala, "Sad to think your people would still value what the rest of the galaxy sees as worthless. Meaningless titles, prestige, honor or glory. Instead of focusing on each other and what we can do to better our lot in life. That's what Captain Greene sees in you when she brought you into this crew. She sees you for what you offer everyone else, and whatever those crew can offer you." Taking another sip,  then nods, "You have value Teala, you live, breath and by doing so have intrinsic value that might be ignored by others, but is always there."

Not much of a drinker, he can start to feel the effects of the alcohol hit him with a light buzz. He thinks he made an encouraging statement. And the oceanic backdrop does show Teala in a different light. A dream she has and hasn't relinquished. He was glad she had shared this moment.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:41, Wed 29 Jan 2020.

"I would say humans are, if not unique, in rare company," she replied, deflecting the attention away from herself, still having a hard time accepting such words.  "The Klingons and Andorians revere honor and glory.  Vulcans have their own kind of prestige.  Ferengi still value money.  The list goes on.  Humanity seems to be one of the few species to have set aside all these things in pursuit of a higher purpose.  You were one of the founders of Federation for a reason."

She was about to take a sip of her own glass when a kind of dizziness hit her.  If she hadn't known better, she might have thought the alcohol was getting to her as well.  That was ridiculous, of course, a programmed liquor couldn't effect a real mind.  The neural interface must need an adjustment, she thought as she pushed through it.  She was having a wonderful time with Alex and didn't want it to end.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:05, Wed 29 Jan 2020.

Alex nods, "True, it's an ideology that we're trying to share with others. Klingons might have their honor, but look how they are always warmongering. Everything surrounds combat. It baffles my mind how they advanced beyond carrying clubs. They do not esteem science, so how did they get warp drive and cloaking technology. Which also baffles me. If they are about honor, why did they develop cloaking tech? Vulcans esteem logic above everything else, but biologically there is a reason they have to embrace it, or else their primal emotions can be devastating. But recall, Vulcans were the first species to welcome Humans to the stars after the first warp engine was tested. I shudder to think if another less friendly species had been our first contact if our lives would be as pleasant." Having set the wine glass down, Alex looks deep into Teala's eyes, "It proves that species and cultures do not change unless there is a reason to. Humans understand that together we are stronger, build better communities and thrive with the diverse cultures. Our previous culture did not value every life as it should, on that path of destruction we would have wiped ourselves out. You may be Orion, but I think you share some of the Human traits of selfless service Teala. As cliche' as it sounds, you are special. You embraced the change required to become more than you were and in doing so have become a better person for it." He pauses, "Do not dwell on those who have not understood this principle." Alex continues to hold the gaze before realizing he's probably making her uncomfortable with the intense look, and then looks away, "Sorry, sometimes I get carried away, or the drink is more potent than I imagined. Apologies if I made you uncomfortable."

"N-No, not at all," Teala stammered, moved by the depths of his words.  Rare it was to hear someone speak with eloquence and fervor.    She smiled at him and unconsciously drew up a leg in response to how he was making her feel.  "I find your conversation...  stimulating and..."  She could hardly believe she was saying this, dancing around with words that meant more than their definition.  "I would like to have it more than just this once."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:01, Wed 29 Jan 2020.

Alex was slightly surprised, Teala was normally a master over her word choices and to hear her stammering and pausing showed a different side to her. Quick to hide his surprise, "Of course Teala, we can schedule another outing again." Taking a deep breath, "I do enjoy your company as well, you have... much to offer that I do not think you quite realize."

In reply to Alex Dupont (msg # 22):

Having heard platitudes and bromides, Teala had crafted an invisible armor against him.  Yet Alex's words didn't feel hollow or contrite.  Perhaps that was why they slid between her armor's crease.  Except they didn't hurt like a blade might.  It was strange.  On one end, they made her a bit uncomfortable, but she also wanted to hear them.  The only problem, really, was it was leaving her without something to say.  "I, uh, is there anything else you'd like to see here?  There are some beaches down on the mainland, or we could stay up here and watch the sunset?"

Alex resisted the urge to joke about long walks on the beach. "I think watching the sunset from this vantage would be nice." This day was nice. New friends, new ship and new opportunities. His eyes drift to the horizon and then back to Teala.

The sun had begun its final descent below the horizon when Teala first realized something was wrong.   Not with the holoprogram, that was running correctly, but with herself.   Pain erupted in her head as if a million biting stinging insects had swarmed into her neural connection, a pain her mind would soon be unable to sustain.

"Alex... Something's wrong. I..."  A moment later the image she had projected to him disappeared from view.

"Computer, end simulation." Alex called out, as the room returned to the normal grid pattern room, Alex saw Teala in the corner in some sort of seizure. Rushing to her side, then he heard the Computer PA overhead ~~

"Acknowledge Lt Cmdr Seward. Computer medical emergency for Lt. Cmdr Teala. Beam me and Lt. Cmdr Teala directly to sick bay."

~~ Moving to Medbay Thread
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:57, Mon 03 Feb 2020.