Happy Hour (Open)

[first_noel]

It was done. They were here

Comments

[commodore_69]

Tandy caught sight of the new arrival as she strolled past the "bar" on her way to the coffee dispensers. Detouring, she made her way over to the woman.

"Doctor Helen Noel, right? I'm Commodore Tandy Otrona. May I join you?"

[first_noel]

"Commodore Otrona." Helen smiled, immediately recognizing the commodore from their vid communications. "Of course. It's nice to finally meet you in person."

[commodore_69]

"You look so much more three-dimensional than you do on screen," Tandy joked. She took a seat. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to meet with you personally when you arrived. But I suspect this is more comfortable, anyway. How are your charges?"

[first_noel]

"It's no problem," Helen assured her. "I probably wasn't at my best stepping right off the shuttle, anyway."

Her stance changed subtly when Tandy asked about the Romulans: this was business.

"Adjusting well, so far," she replied. "They were - surprisingly cooperative when we visited the infirmary."

[roger_korby]

Roger had only been gone a week, but the changes in the station were obvious even in that short time. For one, there were more people. So after his shuttle docked he took the long way back to his room, stopping to grab some food when he noticed the bar looking more like a bar, complete with patrons. Female patrons.

Space was full of beautiful people.

Like that one over there, sitting at the bar by herself. Not good. Dropping his bag on one of the nearby tables, he seated himself next to her and ordered a Risan mai-tai, using the opportunity to get a better look at her legs.

[first_noel]

The man seated next to her was blatantly staring at her legs.

Charming.

Helen turned to face him, making it clear that she'd seen what he was doing. She smiled.

"Good evening," she said, a hint of amusement in her tone.

[roger_korby]

"Is it evening?" he asked, giving her what he thought was his warmest smile. "I've been away, feels like the middle of the night."

Extending his hand, he nodded at her. "Professor Roger Korby, at your service." Older than his usual foray, but still, quite the looker.

[first_noel]

Helen couldn't remember the last time she'd seen such a fake smile.

"Doctor Helen Noel," she responded, smiling herself and shaking his hand firmly. "I just got here myself. It feels like midafternoon to me, but they tell me it's much later."

[axe_kicker]

Martha waved good night to her colleagues and got up from her stool ready to leave herself, when she noticed the brunette by the bar.

The face was familiar. Something from a security briefing?

Oh. Oh.

"Excuse me," she said, approaching cautiously, in case the woman preferred to drink alone. "You're Dr Noel, aren't you?"

[first_noel]

Helen looked up curiously - she didn't know nearly enough people here to expect anyone she knew to happen by.

And sure enough, the young woman hesitating at her side was unfamiliar.

"Yes, I am," she replied, trying and failing to place the woman. She smiled. "But I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage."

[axe_kicker]

"Oh, I'm sorry! I'm Ensign Landon. Martha Landon." Martha gestured at her red tunic. "Security. I'm sorry, are you busy?"

[first_noel]

"Not at all," said Helen easily. She gestured to the barstool next to hers. "It's nice to meet you, Ensign. Please, sit down."