Act One, Scene One

[Kunanaki]

Hedril and Noonia

During the dance, Noonia seemed slightly stiff and out of place. He was yet to be used to dancing with someone, it wasn't one of the skills that he regularly practiced after all. With the movements coming to him only through pacing with her, he started to relax. "This particular idea was Ensign Skytowers. Mine was more of a desert affair." Noonia replied. "Regardless, the motivation was more because of my Parents. They taught me that the only way forward is together. Fighting internally just slows things down."

[Akirapryde]

Hedril smiled as she slowly took the lead from him allowing to relax a bit. She nodded as she listned, "my father would agree with you" she said softly through her artificial voice box. "When my mother died, it was hard for him to move forward. But he had a lot of help from his friends and family" she explained softly with her voice just lower then the surrounding music. Her blond hair waved as she spun around with him. She tilted her head to shift her gaze, "he would say, together is our only path forward" she added.

[NinjaPanda127]

Nogueira & Lylliana

Lylli's eyes would scan the crowd hearing Nogueera's last words. "Yeah..." her heart dank a littlr. She brought her hands up to her arms wrapping them around her chest as though a chill suddenly took hold of her.

"If you'll excuse me..." she gave a plesant enough smile, " This is my event after all." Her voice trailed off as she made her way back towards the party.

She gave a smile and nod to those who would pass her by. Several crew members stopping to clasp her shoulder, thanking her as they passed by. Her eyes would catch Commander Bonham having snuck in and people seeming to avoid him. She sighed knowing it must be tough. She made her way to grab a cup filled with warn apple cider and approach him slowly, "Commander Bonham. ...sir?"

She would extend her hand that clasped the warm beverage. She tried to give him a smile knowing how hard it was to loose everything. She assumed he might be feeling out of sorts after the loss of Lt. Kinchlirah and the 'accident'. She figured the grounding had also probably taken much of his purpose. "Here..." she spoke softly handing the drink over. "I'm glad you were able to make it..." she said. She turned about to watch the crowd, "quite the turn out..." she kept the conversation light, bringing her own drink to her lips blowing on it.

[Akirapryde]

Nogueera heard Lylliana excuse to leave. She frowned inward but put on a soft smile, "oh yeah, sure" Nogueera said taking a step back and allowed Lylliana to leave the conversation.

Commander Bonham watched her walk up with a heavy sigh. The last thing he wanted was to be engaged. Sure he did his best to put on a pleasant face but the pain was still overwhelming. He took in a deep breath as Lylliana worked her way through the last crew members that stood between him and the upcoming conversation.

Lylliana made her way to grab a cup filled with warn apple cider and approach him slowly, "Commander Bonham. ...sir?"

Bonham nodded as took small cup of warm beverage. "Ensign Skytower," he said putting on a smile. It was completely superficial. He hoped that it would prevent most unwelcome conversations.

He listened carefully as she spoke about the turn out. He nodded to her as she continued to speak. "If I hadn't shown up, my squadron wouldn't have let me live it down" he explained as he looked around, "though I don't see Lieutenant Paxton." He hoped that the conversation wouldn't grow beyond this kind of talk. He really didn't want to talk about Kinchlirah or how he felt or the number of rumors about the accident a few days ago.

[Kunanaki]

Hedril and Noonia

Was relaxing as they continued to idly chat and dance. "It's been a hectic few days aboard. How've you been enjoying your experiences on this ship?" he inquired. Trying to get to know this curious lady who had approached him. He was a bit off balance in that, but it wasn't so much so that he wasn't able to cope. Forgetting the rest of the folk that were nearby, he had to concentrate in order to hear that synthetic yet soft voice of Hendril's.

[NinjaPanda127]

Bonham & Lylliana

A smile came on her face as she shook her head, "You are not trapped Sir. If you wish to leave, only need to say so... " she took another sip of her drink, exhaling a small puff of air, her now overly warm breath causing a little cloud to evaporate in front of her face.

She felt surprisingly at ease about the Commander. She knew he had more to tell her, more secrets she supposed, and now with everything that has happened, more akin to him than probably most. She wasn't exactly sure what brought it all on, perhaps it was there meet in the Flight deck locker room. She shrugged the idea off, and just took it for what it was. He was her commanding officer, that was all and it was her job after all to help alleviate stress amongst the crew.

She inhaled deeply, and looked over towards the door, "If you want to escape unnoticed.. " she trailed her eyes back to him, a dreadful look overcoming her face, "I'll make the diversion and you sneak away.. " she chided, at least trying to give him the option. You could tell she knew what it meant to be forced to attend things and participate when she really didn't want to.

[a magical taco]

Captain Campbell was freezing, though no one would know it unless they asked. He wore a black jacket with three buttons on each cuff, silver with his family's crest and a tartan of his family's colors. The white knee high socks did nothing to warm his legs. 'I wish I would at least worn underwear' he thought to himself. Despite the cold he was glad he came, he might not have if Skytower hadn't insisted. It still surprised him how many of the crew greet him like some kind of celebrity even though he walked the corridors of the ship everyday.

He watched as the festivities went on, pressed at how many people had come. He had seen Bonham enter but decided this was not the time to go and speak to the man he had known for so long, that would be a more private conversation than a party would allow.

He had not intended to stay for long but everytime he thought to leave another crew member would approach him and want to talk or ask questions. His presence seemed to have a positive effect on the crew. He had thought the presence of the captain would have been a buzz kill, maybe his skills as tactician were growing weaker. It was a thought that made him smile.

His only real duty tonight was to give a speech and present Noonia with an accommodation. He did not enjoy giving speeches so he had been putting it off but he knew he couldn't stall for much longer. He took a deep breath and looked around for Skytower and Noonia, he wanted them close when he gave his speech. He spotted Skytower next to Bonham and was thankful for the continued delay.

[Akirapryde]

She smiled and nodded her head, "It is not my first time aboard a Federation Starship." For her, speaking seemed a bit more awkward as she spoke. However like a person who never walked before, the feel of this new freedom seemed to stir strong emotions in her. "When my people were first talking about joining the Federation, I had a chance to travel with my father to the USS Enterprise." She paused as she collected her thoughts before continuing. "It was such a different ship than this one is. This one sees so much more, um...." she started to stumble over her words, "crowded?" she half questioned and half made the statement.

She paused once more but only to change the tone of her statement. Her artificial voice was filled with promise and wonder. "But I love being in space. For my people, few would want to join Starfleet. So much to give up. But for me, I want to explore. For me, I want to see things that none of my people will ever see. For me, I want to go places where none of them will" she explained. Her eyes almost glistened as she spoke about exploring. There was that innocents that Noonia knew all too well.

Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Lieutenant Amadaeus, "Oh" she said waving to the ship's Chief Science Officer. "My boss is here" she tugged on Noonia to follow. There was no hope of escape as she held on tight to his arm and smiled back towards Noonia. Like a young woman wanting to introduce her date to her father, she directed them the few steps towards Lieutenant Amadaeus. "Sir, this is the man I told you about. This is Lieutenant Noonia. The one who discovered the Cardassian Virus and eliminated it" She said with pride. Her voice was as soft as ever and but her artificial voice sounded off for humanoid ears. In her eyes as she held on to Noonia's arms was that innocents once more.

[Akirapryde]

He smiled as the idea crossed his mind, "as pleasing as that sounds. I can't. No, it is more than just being here for my squadron. Dr McCoy" he said referring to the ship's counselor, "and the Flight Surgeon are both watching me closely. They want to make sure that I am not depressed" he said as he sipped his warm drink. Skytower noticed that he was looking across the gathering towards Dr McCoy, whom happened to be looking at them in that moment. He smiled and lifted his cup towards her. Dr McCoy smiled and returned to her conversation on the other side of the holodeck.

With a heavy sigh, "so no, there can be no escape for this old fighter pilot."

He was going to say something but he was cut off by a Ensign who came up along side, "Sir, communication from Starfleet for you. I was ordered to bring it directly to you."

He nodded "thank you" he said calmly and took the PADD. The Ensign departed the area as quickly as he arrived. Bonham scanned the PADD in such a way that all Ensign Skytower could see was that the message from the Federation Diplomatic Corps. He closed the message as a wave of pain crossed over his eyes. Once more another loose string that had yet to be tied up. He would have figured having his flight status removed would have given him all the time in the world. But between hours of chit chats with the Dr McCoy and a general lack of wanting to do anything but lay in bed, he didn't get anything done. His face twisted a bit as he deleted the message.

He looked down in to his cup and sighed once more as a moment of silence came between them. "Sometimes Ensign, surviving is more of a curse than anything else could possibly be" he said out of the blue. He didn't know why he said it. Being around her somehow made him feel better. It was if he was speaking to his old friend, Girard. He didn't look up as he remembered the day Girard died. The ship had had a run of bad luck. The Dominion seemed to know where and when they were going to be. It was almost as if the Dominion had a spy on board. Which after the events of the past few days, that was discovered to be true. 'Curse you Philips, how many deaths did you cause aboard this ship' he thought as his face was washed over in anger and hatred. The Jolly Rogers were out numbered nearly ten to one and were fighting for their lives once more. Bonham pushed the painful memory from his thoughts as he didn't want to go down that road again.

He reached around his back and pulled out that little metal flask and opened it. His hands shook a bit as he poured the golden liquid in to his drink. He smiled as he put the flask away, soon those painful memories would all be gone, for the time being. He lifted his head to see that Skytower was watching. He looked almost confused. 'How long had I been lost in thought' he wondered to himself. "I am sorry Ensign, I am not good company as of lately" he said as he took a drink of his private mixture.

He looked up as something caught his eye, "isn't that your roommate, Gerhardson" he said with almost dread in his voice. 'Wonderful, another busy bee wanting to make me all better' he thought.

[NinjaPanda127]

Bonham & Lylliana & Ja'nell (for a short period... )

She listened to him speak, the sadness evident in his voice. She looked down at her own cup, trying to keep to herself and just listen. She looked up as he spoke about Dr McCoy. Lylliana gave a half smile to Dr McCoy as she smiled towards them, giving a nod. She turned to protest, to give him the option to get out if he wanted when they were interrupted by another Ensign. She closed her mouth and turned back to the crowd and her drink.

She continued to listen to him talk. She would look over as he pulled the flask out and began to poor it into his drink. She wanted to feel sorry for him, maybe even pity him. She closed her eyes and shook her head. No, she wouldn't do that. She could relate, and it was only natural for humans to 'commiserate' but it wasn't always for the best. "Yeah... I.... know what you mean..." she said quietly almost to herself but audibly enough that he would have heard it. She shrugged and took another sip of the now, luke warm cider. She could at least agree with him, right? "You're quiet alright Commander. I'm never much good for company either. " she stood there quietly just sipping away, noticing the Captain starting to get antsy as Ja'nell shouted and waved from the distance.

Ja'nell had been scanning the event looking for Bonham since she arrived. She spotted him over with her roommate Lylliana and shouted over at the pair, waving. "You hoo!" she waved, dashing towards them. She was clad in her winters best. She too wore a turtleneck knit sweater stained in a deep red, her ringlets bouncing as she ran about her face. She approached, "Commander Bonham!" she said breathlessly with a smile. "I heard about your accident. Thank goodness you are alright. Had us all a little worried.. " she started to blather on...

Lylliana stepped forward, "Uhm.. Ja'nell... " she waved her hands in front of her to stop, trying to grab the other ensigns arm and drag her off, "Now is not the time... " Ja'nell pouted, whispering with Lylliana, "And why not! He needs someone to love him! You're just jealous!" Ja'nell pulled her arm from Lylliana's grasp and tried to start towards him again. Lylliana sighed, "Ja'nell.... last warning.. " she was serious as she reached out to grab her roommate by the shoulder. She stepped forward whispering in Ja'nell's ear, "You know i've logged more combat hours in the holo than you, and if you really want a shot, I'll put in a good word for you. Okay? "

Ja'nell turned wide eyed, almost in tears, "You'd do that... for me? " Lylliana rolled her eyes, "Yeah... sure... just give the man a break, okay?" she gave a half smile, her hand on her roommates shoulder, before Ja'nell pretty much jumped her, putting her arms around Lylliana. Lylli froze, trying not to spill her drink, "Uhm... okay.. there there... " she patted her back. She looked over at Bonham who might have thought the interaction a little odd, and those who had turned to look see what was going on, now smiled and pointed at the two Ensigns hugging. "Could you stop hugging me now... " Lylliana swallowed hard, trying to peel Ja'nell from her, "Just don't forget to tell him only all the good things! Oh and... I'm smart.. and funny... and I love his music.. "

Lylliana sighed turning her about and sending her on her way. She brought her hand up to her forehead, a regular facepalm in action. She shuffled back to Commander Bonham, "Don't... just... " she rubbed the bridge of her nose, "Don't mind her... good intentions... just a little overbearing... be glad she isn't your roommate. " she peeked over with a half smile.