Act One, Scene One

[Ashla Marr]

Eve walked in hearing the snow crunching underneath her furr white boots. Knowing she had arrived a little late but she had an bar to maintain and up keep. As her dark gray eye gaze around, they widen slightly, catching the site of an lake that was quite breathtaking. She took the warm beverage gladly grasping it firmly in her white furr gloved paws. " thank you. " giving an warm smile at the person whom gaven her the mug. She was bundle up in her white furr coat with her hood drawn up which hid her non human features. Expect for her lightly olive color skin toned face.

[NinjaPanda127]

Bonham & Lylliana

A solid lump had found its way into her throat, an a tightness began to over take her chest. She froze, caught in between wanting to run away and being firmly rooted to the spot. She blinked a few times, 'Breathe.... just breathe you idiot...' finally her lungs opened up and allowed the flow of oxygen to her brain.

The expression on her face went from a blank slate, gazing at the party goers, to confusion and concern as she listened, and watched the words fall from his lips. "How.... " she shook her head, exasperation over taking her at this point. She stood with her arms by her side, his hands firmly grasping her shoulders as she stood there absorbing what he was saying to her. Ever since that day in the lounge and then the meeting in the flight deck locker rooms, she knew. She rubbed her head. She knew he had some sort of connection to her past. "How did you...? " Maybe he knew her parents. The thought sent a chill down her spine, as she straightened up. Her eyes widened a bit... did he know? She blinked and looked up to him. No ... no. Those records, they were sealed. It was all just an accident.

Memories started to creep in from the blackness of the fringes of her mind. She blinked and the room flashed before her eyes. Her childhood home, her parents... It took a moment to collect and steady herself as she brought her hands down to rest on his wrists. Her face flushed red, as she began to change the subject and pull at her sweater. She cleared her throat finally, "Its uhm... I better go find the Captain and Lieutenant Noonia. " she took a step back out of his grasp straightening her hair, and her outfit, to appear more presentable, "Feel free to go have another cup of cider. " she tried to pull off her best smile, "And perhaps Lieutenant Pander or Etxebarria have some more... " she made notion to where his flask was placed.

She moved to turn to walk away, turning back for a moment, "And.. try to enjoy yourself... " she gave a half smile now, "The Winter Festival Queen commands it... " she managed a small joke at her own expense, not having fully accepted the attention that had been showered upon her because of her part in the event.

[Akirapryde]

He watched her reaction and suddenly felt like an ass. His eyes dropped while she struggled to regain her composure.

His listened to her clearing her throat as she spoke. "Its uhm... I better go find the Captain and Lieutenant Noonia." Lylliana took a step back out of his grasp straightening her hair, and her outfit, to appear more presentable.

"Yeah" he half said half said in defeat. Once more, he felt the stinging bite of stupidity.

He fell silent as she continued, "feel free to go have another cup of cider." she tried to pull off her best smile, "and perhaps Lieutenant Pander or Etxebarria have some more..." she made notion to where his flask was placed.

He didn't say anything as she moved to turn to walk away, turning back for a moment, "And.. try to enjoy yourself... " she gave a half smile now, "The Winter Festival Queen commands it... " she managed a small joke at her own expense, not having fully accepted the attention that had been showered upon her because of her part in the event.

There was no smile or laughter in his mind as he watched her walk away. What he did notice was the look of Dr. McCoy from across the event. 'Damn that woman' he thought as he tossed his empty cup in a near by trash been. He turned and walked, at first he didn't know where he was going to go but he knew he no longer wanted to be here. He was walking for the the exit when his escape was cut off by Lieutenants Pander and Etxebarria.

The two trainers cut off his escape as Pander spoke, "Fancy seeing you here CAG."

"CAG, we are here for you" Etxebarria said as she rolled the sound of the 'R' in her speech.

It was a friendly statement but Commander Bonham wasn't feeling all that friendly today. "Thank you" was all that he could work out.

Etxebarria continued, "Sir" she added with her r's sounding like a purring sound. "We are not complete without you."

The statement caught Bonham off guard as he came to a stop before the two elite pilots.

[NinjaPanda127]

 Captain Campbell, Ensigns Neumann and Noguerra & Lylliana

Lylliana bit her lower lip and sighed as she turned away, watching Bonham from the corner of her eye. 'Yep, you're an idiot.' she just shook her head inwardly as she approached the small group that had gathered around the Captain. She gave a warm and friendly smile as she stepped in. She cleared her throat as she entered the group, "I'm sorry to interrupt but Captain, I do believe you have a speech to give. Perhaps now would be a good opportunity? " she Inquired in such a manner that gave the idea that she was more directing the event than merely suggesting. She was however polite in manner and from the look of his dress, knew that he mayappreciate the escape.

[Akirapryde]

He looked down, "I know you guy feel that way. But listen, I don't make the Jolly Rogers. You guys make it what it is" he said then looked up and in to their eyes. "Listen, I belong to the past. You two and the rest of the Jolly Rogers today are the future of the squadron. Sometimes, we have to go our separate ways and there is nothing wrong with that." He paused and looked right in to Lieutenant Pander eyes, "one day, you will take your place as Jolly Roger One and CAG of this Combat Wing."

Pander shook her head, "oh no you don't" she said stepping forward and gabbed her finger in to his chest. "Don't you dare say some shit like that! I'll be god damn you are getting off that easy" she said as she continued to drive her finger in to his chest. "You told me that I was good, possibly the best you have ever seen. But I will tell you what, Reaper, no one handles the stick like you. As long as you breath air, your place is leading us. We all signed up to follow you in to battle." There was fire in her eyes as she spoke, "No one here wants to follow some sex starved, washed up ranch hand in to battle" she said speaking of herself. Her black cowgirl hat seemed to give her a bit of presence that otherwise other Lieutenants wouldn't have.

If he thought she was finished, he was sorely mistaken. "You are the Reaper, we all are here because of you. So what ever you got your head rapped up around, fix it!" As she leaned upwards in to his face, it was clear that she would not be denied her time to speak. "We will follow you through hells gates and up against the devil himself. Its time you put your head on straight and figure out rather you are some broken washed up, drunken, Starfleet has been or are you our Reaper!" As if there was nothing left that could possibly be said, she stepped back.

The anger in his gut was fueled by the fact that she was right. He hated what he saw in the mirror. But he couldn't bare to face the truth anymore. He just looked down after her speech. He couldn't bring himself to look her in the eyes, not anymore. She just looked disgusted as she shook his head, "Thats what I feared" she said with a cold lack of emotion. "Guess the Reaper bought it a few days ago" she said as she backed up. "When the Reaper returns, let us know. SIR" the last word dripped with disrespect and stung like a knife wound to his heart. "We have next patrol" she added and turned to walk away "come on Princess."

Bonham only dropped his shoulders as he turned for the exit. His head hung low as he walked out. After he had walked some distance, Lieutenant Pander brought her fingers up to her lips. It was the last bit of respect she felt she owed him. She waited till he was out of the holodeck before making a scene. The last thing she wanted was for the rest of the crew to see what had become of the Reaper. Or at least the man who was pretending to be the Reaper today. She took in a deep breath as she put her index and last finger in her mouth. She blew out causing a loud whistle across the holodeck. It was loud enough for everyone on the deck to take notice of her.

Once she had everyone's attention, she yelled out, "Styxes! Viper!" she hollered out to Ensign Noguerra and Cadet Treasach. "We are wheels up in forty five!" she added at the same level of volume. Due to the repairs being conducted on the ship and the threat of the Kelish, normal patrols were being conducted. Lieutenant Pander gave her team a nod as she motioned for Lieutenant Etxebarria to follow. Acting as Squadron Leader was not what Pander had signed up for, but she would not let her Squadron down. Plus this party was just a bit too boring for her taste.

[Nightmares Echo]

Hedril, Increase and Noonia

At the mention of needing translation, an eye brow arched over his head...letting eyes study each moment for accuracy of interruption. Then, as she finished and turned to pose her question he return to a normal composure with a bit pleased smile. "Very good job, I do say." then he turned to Noonia with a soft chuckle "Thank you for you concern, I am operating within my normal..." he head turns quick to the side before leaning towards Noonia without cause "...yet completely abnormal ways." as the last word comes out he leans back to his normal resting stance.

Then, a deep breath and waits for a good long moment, as if giving some good thought to the question Hedril brought up. Even his attention shifts about and his face changes like he is having a quick conversation with himself before uttering the following "We observe and try to understand what our vision translates for us. Even so far as to record and share what we have tried to understand. We then formulate an understanding based on the observations of others...so, we will always try to understand something, but truly understand it...we never will." as he finished his head tilted, eyes closed and held a soft smile.

[a magical taco]

The Captain smiled, he was pleased to know that his pilots wanted Bonham back in the fray. After rumors like this one, it could be difficult for a commanding officer to regain the respect he needed to lead and for Bonham it could be worse considering he wasn't the most respected man to begin with. The problem was that this was not the captain's call, the flight surgeon had grounded Bonham, and it was the flight surgeon who could release him for duty. The Captain decided he would have to pay the flight surgeon another visit, he would have his GAG back or he would be in need for a new medical officer.

"Soon Ensign, it wont be much longer now".

[Kunanaki]

Hendril, Noonia and Increase

Looked back and forth, before smiling. "Well, this has been enjoyable. It was a pleasure to meet you." eyes locking on Hendrils for a moment, before turning to head back into the crowd. There had been a loud whistle not that long ago, drawing his attention towards somebody else that he hadn't seen in quite some time. However, instead of heading directly to Commander Bonham, instead Noonia searched for Rebbeca Paxton, the LT that he had seen very little of late. Of course they bumped here and there in passing, but duties were duties.

Noonia paused to consider his intent here. The woman was brusque, like a layered porcupine of mines. Yet for some reason Noonia was compelled to at least see if she was enjoying the social situation. It was also a way to see how Commander Bonham had reacted after he had left. There were tales of a misfiring pistol in the private room, leading many to believe it was an attempted Suicide attempt. Well, that or a burst of anger.

Clenching fists to the side, he realized that his mind had brought him almost directly towards Bonham. It was an awkward moment realizing his mind was betraying his own intent. Rolling shoulders and glancing around, seeing if anything could distract him before he confronted Commander Bonham. The two ladies stalking away seemingly frustrated with whatever had been talked with between them.

[Akirapryde]

Hedril frowned as Noonia walked away. It was clear that she didn't want to end her conversation with the young engineer yet. She turned to Increase and let out a heavy sigh as she slumped her shoulders. "I don't know why people do that. They seem to just wonder off when I am trying to get to know them" she said softly.

She kind of shrugged her shoulders as she waited for Increase to speak.

[Kunanaki]

Hurried over to the young pair of pilots. They had been talking to Bonham, at least based on the way they were looking. The cowgirl seemed distraught, and even the feline looked rather disheveled at the moment. Though they had a cursory meeting, from the sounds of it they were headed towards a patrol. Noonia knew first-hand how close and fleeting life could be outside of the larger ships, as a drop pod really wasn't capable of defending itself so easily. Morale was important as well, so he found himself hurrying to catch up. "Leaving so soon? Good luck on your mission Ladies, the party will be lessened with your departure." couldn't believe the ease of the way that he was speaking at the moment. The voice had come out smooth, confident, and with an appropriate hint of displeasure at their early departure.