The Ladies Who Lunch Part III

Posted on Fri Oct 6th, 2023 @ 1:45am by Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren & Lieutenant Junior Grade Thex sh'Zoarhi & Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke & Lieutenant Vura & Captain Edmund Merrick & Lieutenant Junior Grade Zhara Rynn
Edited on on Sat Oct 14th, 2023 @ 9:07pm

2,206 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 14 - The Poseidon Adventure
Location: Big Easy Bistro - Deck 69 - Poseidon Station
Timeline: MD009 1500 hrs

Last Time On The Ladies Who Lunch Part III
Hermia approached Cara, Brianthe and Ellery. "Hello, I'm Hermia CMO on the Pioneer."

Ellery smiled at Hermia. "Hello. I'm Ellery and I just arrived on the station. Nice to meet you."

"Hello, nice to meet you Hermia." Cara giving a smile, "Tell me this, who are the hostesses of this little get together?"
And Now The Conclusion

"I believe it's one of the Pioneer's Counsellors Zhara Rynn under the supervision of our Chief Counsellor, Vura." Hermia replied.

As if summoning the Deltan, Vura appeared just as Hermia spoke her name. "Well, Hermia, I see that you have found some new friends." She gave the Doctor a knowing grin. "May I ask who all these lovely people are?"

Cara gave a nod. "I am Cara, Chief Counselor of Poseidon station. And you are Vura, pleasure to meet you, and I believe that is Zhara Rynn." Her eyes going towards the lady she referred to. Turning her eyes back to Vura she gave a warm welcoming smile. "Lovely to meet another Deltan. We have one serving on the station in medical."

Zhara smiled in acknowledgement but said nothing so as not to interrupt the discussion with Vura.

"Another Deltan? How unusual! That's three Deltans in nearly the same place. The odds against that are rather high. So few of us ever leave Delta IV and from Chief Counselor to Chief Counselor, that is something you might want to look into." Vura giggled melodiously.

She then turned to Zhara and said, "This was such a great idea that you had organizing this, Zhara."

"Thank you." The other counselor smiled. "I'm glad it turned out so well. It's nice to see connections being made." She hoped some of them would lead to friendships or opportunities to work together.

Thex was keeping herself to herself munching on a plate of munchies as she listened to the crew. So many stories going on.

"Hey, Thex." Hermia said. "Where did you get that food?" She asked.

"The table," Thex said gesturing her head slightly to the large table which had replicated an array of starters on multiple plates. " Hey, I'm a high metabolism species. If I see food I'm starting to munch." She added even though she'd only taken two of the many small biscuits and cheese upon the plate.

"Thanks, Thex, I'm famished." Hermia said and made her way over to the table.

"Actually," Zhara said to Hermia, "We have more than snacks. We have a High Tea set out for any who wish it on the other side of the room."

Hermia smiled at Zhara, then she grabbed a couple of cheese scones and placed them on a plate and then looked for some raspberry jam.

The table had a selection of snacks and hors d'oeuvres on one end and an array of drinks on the other. For those who preferred, there was a proper English tea set out on the other side of the room with an array of tiny sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and half a dozen varieties of cookies and cake. The teas came in Lady Gray, Darjeeling, and a honey tea. Cream and sugar sat on a tray next to them. There were several round tables for the ladies to sit and enjoy their food.

"Looks lovely," Thex said as she sat down at one of the tables. She didn't know where the stereotype of the human culture called Britains having terrible food had come from. She'd always enjoyed their food.

Zanna looked around. She should probably MOVE, unless someone think she was a part of the decor. She approached her boss carefully. "Hi. Is there anything I should do?" She looked down at her uniform. "Sorry. I didn't realize it was a dress-up thing," the Trill said. "I can go change quickly!" She offered. She looked around at the group. She didn't know anyone yet except the Counselor. She approached the Deltan carefully, still unsure about what she was even doing. "Hello, Lt. Vura. How are you?" Always polite, Zanna made sure to greet her nicely.

"Just Vura, Zanna," the counselor responded with a small laugh. "If we're on duty, Counselor is better. But here, Vura is just fine. How are you, Zanna? I'm glad to see that you could make it."

Zanna nodded. "Sorry. I am ok. I didn't realize this was a formal occasion," she said, looking down at her uniform. "Don't tell my boss. She'll see me soon enough," Zanna said. "Hope you have a nice time." She let out a breath. There. She'd done it! She moved along, looking for Remira.

"Oh, this is a wonderful time. Perhaps you should find a replicator and make a change?

"Zanna!" Remira called out, her voice somewhat of a whisper-shout. "There are so many people here, any idea what we're supposed to be doing?" she asked her friend.

Zanna shook her head. "Have you met L-Vura?" She asked. "The Chief Counselor." Zanna smiled. "I was looking around for that Paisley woman, she sounds like a party in herself," Zanna said.

Vura laughed. "Oh, Paisley is definitely a riot. I love the young woman. However, this is not the sort of place that Paisley would really enjoy. I would not be surprised if she was somewhere much more interesting for her."

Remy muttered under her breath to Zanna, "Maybe we should go see what she's doing and ask if we can join."

Zanna laughed lightly. "Help me find a replicator. I'm such a dummy, wearing this uniform," she said, making a face. "Would you like to come with us, Vura?" She asked.

Audibly, with a hum, Vura pondered her decision. "My department did put on this little get together, so I should be here, but I suppose that I could steal away for a few moments to assist you."

Zanna smiled. "if Remira doesn't mind. I think it shouldn't take too long, and you're always dressed so well...I would really appreciate it. BUT if you really can't, I do understand," the Trill said.

"This?" Vura asked incredulously. "Oh, this is nothing, but I do appreciate the compliment. I'm happy to assist, if that's what you would like."

Zanna nodded furiously. "PLEASE!!" She led the way to the door, headed straight for the center of the Promenade. "There's a general replicator in the Atrium, and that dress shop. Maybe the dress shop?" She said. "My regular clothes aren't fancy-I don't wear dresses often, and when I do, they are too casual for this kind of thing." She said. She led the other two women towards the nearby shop. "Hmm, perhaps something in stripes? Would that clash with my spots, you think?"

"Definitely clash," Vura responded nearly breathlessly. Zanna was a bit introverted and obviously did not have her sense of style and taste. "And, you need a proper tea dress. The dress shop may take too much time. We can have the replicator whip something up and you change in it discreetly elsewhere. What do you think?"

Without waiting for Zanna to answer, the Deltan counselor whisked Zanna off. "Computer, do you have clothing dimensions for Ensign Ligan?"

The computer reported, "Accessing from Starfleet records. Affirmative."

Vura responded, "Wonderful. Computer, we need a proper tea dress for Ensign Ligan. Short sleeved top with a flowy flower-patterned skirt that comes down to the knees." She hummed as she looked over the Trill. "Let's try something with a V-neck and in a light yellow as a base color."

Zanna paused when Vura whisked them away. Oh, right, a replicator. Save some time. She nodded, but went ahead and followed the Deltan. A bit later, she was standing there, holding the yellow ensemble. "I'll be right back," she said, stepping into a restroom to change. She emerged, dressed, and tossed her uniform into the recycler next to the replicator.

"Ready? This is much better!" She smiled. "I feel kind of...pretty." She said to Remy and Vura.

Taking a look around, Cara walked over to get some of the offerings, taking a few of the small sandwiches, some tea then took a seat at a table more at the back, just to where she could observe those who had arrived. She was enjoying the mix of ladies who had arrived.

Having found the jam and got herself a cup of tea, she sat down next to Cara. "Hi, I'm Hermia." She said.

Cara gave a bit of a nod. "Hello Hermia. I think you are the CMO of the USS Pioneer?" picking up one of the small sandwiches and taking a bite. "This is certainly good." she said after her mouth was empty. "How long have you been with the Pioneer?"

"That's right, what gave me away?" Hermia said. "About three years, I started off as Assistant Chief, then got the big job when the CMO left for family reasons. I'd previously run the department when the CMO was on leave."

Cara gave a warm chuckle, "With my being part of the command staff, I do make certain to find out who is who from the visiting ships. Its best for me to keep up on the arrivals."

"Oh, so I'm not special." Hermia said with a laugh.

"Everyone is unique in their own way." Cara commented with a bit of a smile. "However, as much as I'd like to stay and visit for a few more, I've got to get going." the dark haired commander eating the final small sandwich. "Duty is calling and I've got to leave." giving a nod towards an ensign who was trying to get her attention. Cara stood up. "Sorry ladies, I had hoped to stay for a little chit chat, however, I'm needed." with that she gave a nod towards the ladies who had put this together and left.

Brianthe found the tea charming. Tea on her homeworld was more a matter of mugs and cookies, not the elaborate setup here. She put a selection of sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and several cookies on a plate, then filled a cup with a light herb tea and added sugar before going over to a table. She liked talking to people, but she also enjoyed watching them, so took a seat at one of the side tables to learn more about the other women here.

Alyssa looked around. She was sure she saw Zanna, her new assistant, walk in, but right now she didn't see her. So, she went over to the table and selected several scones, adding some jam and clotted cream and sat down by Brianthe.

Zanna, having returned from her quickie dress-change, finally found her boss.
"Hello, Alyssa," she said. "Sorry I didn't see you earlier. I met up with Ensign Ligan," she said, "And got busy talking to Lt. Vura about that strange Engineer." She explained.

"Yes. She was...memorable." It was the nicest thing Alyssa could say about the engineer. She'd only met her once, but the impression was not favorable. "Things have been a bit crazy recently. I'd like to sit down and talk with you when shore leave is over."

An hour later, the food was mostly gone and the room mostly empty. Zhara took a small tart off a tray and smiled. It had gone well. "Thank you," she said to the lady who owned the tearoom. "This has been lovely."

A Joint Post By

Lieutenant Vura
Chief Counselor, USS Pioneer