<snip>

Miya arrived outside the closed door and hesitated, unsure whether she should go in or not. On the one hand, this was the XO’s famous hot tub room! She’d been intrigued ever since she’d spotted it while poring over the Challenger’s schematics after being told about her upcoming posting to the ship. On the other hand - graduation? In a hot tub? But she had been assured it was definitely the CO’s voice on the comms, so she had pushed away thoughts that it might be a prank and replicated a bathing suit in a shade of green which reminded her of the colour of Bajor’s oceans, as seen from space when she’d left on the first stage of her journey to Earth.

Now, wearing a robe over the swimsuit and clutching a towel - for she didn’t want to drip all over the corridors on the way back to her shared room - she wondered whether she should wait for someone else to arrive. Common sense, however, told her that there must be limited space in the hot tub and if she wanted to experience it, this may be her one and only chance. C’mon, Miya - do it! she told herself and stepped hurriedly forwards, allowing her impatience to propel her towards the door. It obligingly slid open - to reveal that someone was standing just inside. The cadet gasped in surprise and tried to halt her forward momentum, but there wasn’t much spare room …

(OOC: it’s up to you whether she runs into you or not, Lieutenant! ;-) Feel free to pose her as necessary.)

[Cadet Ven Miya]

Kyle, still slightly bemused by the sight of his CO in a swimsuit, just managed to side step to avoid colliding with Cadet Miya, also wearing a swimsuit, “Ahh Cadet,” he coughed awkwardly, “Just thought I’d pop by to offer my congratulations before I depart back to Earth.”

-Lieutenant Kyle Anders: Outgoing Chief of Security-

With her ears under the surface of the hot tub and the jets running full blast, Emmy hadn’t heard the greeting of the outgoing Chief of Security, nor the interaction with the cadet at the door to the locale. She floated quietly and calmly, only wondering briefly why no one had arrived yet to celebrate the graduation of the next ship of cadets.

• Davis, CO

Eric walked into the room containing his hot tub, easily navigating around the traffic jam at the entrance without paying to much attention. Normally a very social member of the crew, Eric was a bit uncomfortable with the guests and junior officers arriving to the hot tub. The last time there were junior officers in his hot tub, he was accused and investigated for murder… (OOC: Prior adventures on the Challenger!!)

Still feeling somewhat out-of-sorts, Eric took a nearby glass of champagne and headed over to where Davis was in the hot tub without actually getting in himself.

-Cmdr. Eric Holmman, XO

“Commander,” Alison said as she picked up her own glass of champagne. She had come in shortly after him, having nodded to Anders and Miya on her way past them. “So this is the infamous hot tub that I’ve heard much about.”

And indeed she had. Enough stories that even though she did enjoy the water, it made her hesitate enough about wanting to actually get in.

Lt Barr - CSO

Henry approached the door. He was not exactly sure how to handle himself, since from what he’d heard graduation was generally more of a ceremony. But this… was a hot tub. After hearing Davis’s announcement, he had eventually decided on a solid blue pair of swimsuit trunks, which he now wore below a casual black Starfleet t-shirt.

Passing Anders in the doorway with a nod, he stepped towards the hot tub, glancing at Cadet Ven Miya and actively trying not to stare. Blissfully unaware of any past murders, Rodier sat down on the edge, dangling his feet in the water.

~ Lt. Jr. Gr. Henry Rodier - CoS

Anders spoke up, “Well, I best be off, I’m heading back to Earth for a bit of shore leave before searching for joining my new assignment. It’s been an honour serving with you all,” he glanced at his successor with a grin, “Henry, keep the ship in order while I’m gone. I’ll be watching the Academy news reports for your latest exploits.” He gave a two fingered salute and left the room at a brisk jog.

-Lieutenant Kyle Anders: Outgoing Chief of Security-

The increasing amount of bodies moving around the room caused a disturbance in the Force enough for Emmy to open her eyes and she swiveled her body so that she was no longer floating in the middle of the tub, but primly sitting on one of the indentations designed for precisely that. She took a long, slow sip of the bubbly liquid that was perched on the deck of the hot tub beside her as she watched Holmman approach. “Not getting in, Commander?” she questioned, her tone so dry that it was impossible to determine if she was being humorous given his past adventure with the hot tub or simply making an observation about the current state of events.

• Davis, CO

“Miya!” called a voice as the doors closed yet again, Vanessa in a robe, towel draped over one arm entering the room. She patted the Bajoran woman’s shoulder. “I see you managed a glimpse of the hot tub,” she added with a smile. The counselor looked around, grinning sheepishly as she realized she was a little on the late side.

“Captain, Commander,” she greeted the command team, removing her robe and dropping it on a bench along one wall with her towel. Her emerald green one piece shimmered in the light, the straps crossing just below her shoulder blades. “This,” she groaned as she sank in the bubbles, “was an excellent idea, Captain.”

Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS