Posted by Cadet P’Mala Dawes (Doctor) in Side Sim: Holodeck 1 - Upstairs/Downstairs

Posted by Cadet Johnathan Baptiste (Doctor) in Side Sim: Holodeck 1 - Upstairs/Downstairs

Posted by Cadet Johnathan Baptiste (Doctor) in Side Sim: Holodeck 1 - Upstairs/Downstairs
Posted by… suppressed (21) by the Post Ghost! 👻
snip
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
It was 0400 hours, and P’Mala hoped most everyone would be asleep as she ducked out of her quarters in full costume, carrying a soft leather pouch. She took the turbolift to Deck 5 and entered her program into the computer.

=V= LATE VICTORIAN ENGLAND, BLAKEMOOR MANOR =V=

When P’Mala stepped through the Holodeck doors, she knew exactly where she’d last left the program: She was in the stone kitchen larder of Blakemoor Manor, 1889, near Hereford, England. The estate was a large farm, hunting ground, and a small pleasure lodge, part of the holdings of Lord Arthur Graham and his wife Jane.

P’Mala wore a plain blue linen dress, a white apron and scullery maid’s hat. Though the 6-foot tall half-Vulcan certainly would have been out of place here, the inhabitants of this program knew her as a Welsh girl, Hanna. P’Mala had been a part of this household off and on for five years, though only one had passed in the simulation. Hanna was a routine part of its inhabitants’ lives.

Quickly, methodically, P’Mala entered the scullery room from the larder and began scouring the dishes in the sink, using the hot water boiling on the fire–one of the other girls’ jobs was to prepare this for her.

A thin grey-haired woman with a severe bun and silver pince-nez glasses entered the space: Mrs. Lloyd, the head cook and part-time lady’s maid to the mistress of the house, Lady Graham.

“Hanna, dove! Back from your folks so soon?” Mrs. Lloyd asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” P’Mala said, scrubbing goose grease from a large pot. “I just returned. How are my lord and her ladyship?”

“Right blue, still yet,” the older woman sighed, her face downcast. “They both aren’t eating. He should be in London, or comforting a grieving mother, but instead, he trots away to the lodge and hunts, hunts, hunts.”

Mrs. Lloyd straightened herself. “At least that’s what I would say,” she said. “If it were my place to do so.”

Mrs. Lloyd was a bit of a busy-body, but she meant well. In fact, P’Mala was often surprised by how kind this program was–by her research, most real big houses were ran much more strictly than the Graham’s.

Their young son, Edgar, had recently died from scarlet fever. P’Mala had originally been interested in the funeral customs of this era, but ended up appreciating the family and staff. She wanted to see them do well.

“Mrs. Lloyd,” P’Mala said, “I’ll get the tea on for us and we can get upstairs’ breakfast together. You go on and get check on the rest.”

The older woman left. P’mala finished her dishes and put a kettle on. Then, she thought she heard the holodeck doors whoosh open.

On the big iron stove, the kettle began to sing. P’Mala took it off the heat. She grabbed some tea and a measure of cheesecloth from a nook and began to steep the tea.

The other downstairs girls, Truly and Ms. Price, had already made oatmeal, and P’Mala took a bowl. Today, the family was supposed to host some guests for a small shooting on the grounds, and she’d need some strength to keep up in the kitchen as they prepared and served breakfast then immediately prepared a full luncheon to a bunch of foppish Londoners, the Graham’s “friends” who the Lady despised

Mrs. Lloyd returned with a sour look on her face. “They’re in a mood, already,” she said. She took a cup of tea.
(Snip)
Mrs. Lloyd mentioned that the only other guests, the Lady’s younger brother, Charlie, and his friend Hubert, were already awake and clamoring for bread.

P’Mala finished her oatmeal, pushed her chair back, and wiped her hands on her apron.

“Well, Mrs. Lloyd, let’s get started.”

Then, she thought she heard the holodeck doors again.
Snip
“Computer, pause program,” she said. “Is someone else here?”

-Cadet P’Mala Dawes
Snip
Cadet Baptiste was dressed for a workout session in his Star Fleet T-shirt, shorts, and running shoes heading to the gymnasium prior to his having to report for duty. He spotted Cadet Dawes going down the corridor dressed in what appeared to be a blue linen dress with a white apron and scullery maids hat reminiscence of the Victorian era of Earth, if he recalled his history correctly. Now what is this most peculiar Vulcan up to? he thought. Well as they say, only one way to find out. with that thought he followed her to Holodeck 1. He equivocated for a minute before hitting the button and entering the archway to the Holodeck; he was shocked to find Cadet Dawes getting up from a table speaking with another thin, grey haired woman in pince-nez glasses. He heard Cadet Dawes state “Computer, pause program. Is someone there.” With a deep breath he said in French “Bonjour, la curiosité a tué le chat.” Then realizing she may not speak French stated rather sheepishly “Hello, my curiosity got the best of me, and as they say curiosity killed the cat.”

-Cadet Johnathan Baptiste, medical

“Bonne journée, Johnathan,” P’Mala said, her college French a little rusty. “I’m afraid I turned off the gym program to spend a little time with my holonovel.”
(Snip)
Mrs. Lloyd was frozen in-program, her oatmeal spoon just inches from her open mouth, a pinkie pointed out like a wax figure.

“I hate to be in the kitchen when the poor old thing is stuck in this state. Would you care to follow me to the scullery to talk?” P’Mala said.

-Cadet P’Mala Dawes

Snip

Cadet Baptiste smiled and stated “Your French is extremely rusty. Sure you may lead the way to the scullery. I am just dying to find out why a Vulcan would be running an Earth Victorian era holonovel. It seems out of character from what I have observed of most Vulcans.”
-Cadert Johnathan Baptiste, Medical

Snip

P’Mala opened the plain-looking side door into the scullery where the dishes she’d washed earlier were drying over cloth. The room was still humid and the stone walls glinted in the lamplight.

“Come this way,” P’Mala motioned.

“This holonovel is called “Blakemoor Manor,” and I’ve been accessing it off and on since before Starfleet Medical,” she said. “The household has lost a child, recently. They’re… my friends.”

P’Mala thought for a second. “Would you like to join in? We can program you in as a fellow downstairs person–the fisheries manager or a hunting guide–or as one of the upstairs guests for today’s hunting luncheon? I can program you a role in a snap.”

P’Mala paused, unsure. “If you’d rather go to the gym, I understand too.”

-Cadet P’Mala Dawes

Snip

Cadet Baptiste thought about it for a moment “Sure, why not. Perhaps playing a hunting guide or fisheries manager would be fun. I do have experience in both hunting and fishing.” This also will help me get a better understanding of you and why you are so atypical of the stoic Vulcans I have meet during my time at the Star Fleet Academy. “So what do you recommend I roleplay as?” he asked with a warm smile. “After all you said these were your friends?”

-Cadet Johnathan Baptiste, medical

Snip

-Chris Huskins

P’Mala brightened up. “So, our game warden is already “Jonathan,” without the H, so that would be an easy switch,” she said.

“You’d still be approximately the same age, and the folks here would know you as a newish hire. He’s only been at the Manor for a couple months.”

“Computer, arch, please,” P’Mala said. The entrance and console appeared. “Just tell me what you’d like and I’ll program it in. And then we can replicate some period-appropriate attire.”

-Cadet P’Mala Dawes

snip

Cadet Baptiste paused and thought for a moment “To be honest I am not fully up on the Victorian Era of Earth’s history. I will trust in your judgement as to what to wear, also I am unsure of the duties of a game warden in this era of time. While I have spent extensive time in the outdoors of British Columbia hunting, fishing, hiking and camping I have never ran afoul of the local game warden. With that said I am your guest and willing to assist with this roleplaying.” He smiled “Also what is the relationship and standing between my character, the old woman frozen mid bite, and you?”

-Cadet Johnathan Baptiste, medical
Snip

P’Mala considered this question for a moment. “It would take a while to explain late Victorian English culture in its entirety, but as a new player, the holonovel will certainly lead you along. If you talk about your time in British Columbia, the game will acknowledge that as truthful to your character’s background. As for our relationship and Mrs. Lloyd, she’s… my commanding officer in the kitchen. You’re slightly more highly ranked and serve under the Lord of the Manor as the gamesman. Mrs. Lloyd would see you as fellow high-ranking help.”

P’Mala paused. “They know ‘Jonathan’ and will likely speak to you somewhat familiarly.”
Snip
“Very well then,” Cadet Baptiste stated, he walked over to the computer =^= Computer please record the following information for the holonovel, all based of my experiences as an outdoors enthusiast.=^= He then proceeded to give a quick rundown of his activities in British Columbia. After he was done with his quick rundown to the computer he then asked it =^= Please ensure it conforms to the holonovel and the correct time frame of the holonovel. Also please replicate the appropriate clothing for me. =^= With a smile he turned back to Cadet Dawes “Well then shall we resume the holonovel, of course once I change into the appropriate attire?”
Snip
“Alright then.” Cadet Baptiste said =^= Computer please replicate me the appropriate clothing for me of a Victorian era game warden, ensure the hunting coat is in light blue. =^= Upon the computer replicating the appropriate clothing, Cadet Baptiste turned and with a smile “Well I need to change my clothing if we are going to proceed. Mind giving me a moments privacy?” This will be well worth it. I get to observe a Vulcan actually roleplaying, who would ever believe this. thought Cadet Baptiste
Snip
P’Mala picked up her skirt and re-entered the kitchen, where Mrs. Lloyd still sat frozen, the spoon of oatmeal still inches from her mouth.

=V=”Computer, resume program,”=V= P’Pala said.

As if not a second had passed, Mrs. Lloyd finished her spoon of oatmeal. “And as I was saying, Hanna, dear, we must get bread for them city folk. I think we have some brioche, still. That, some sausages, preserves, ham, some eggs,” she trailed off. “And tea, of course.”

“Yes, ma’am,” P’Mala said.

As the older woman finished her breakfast, P’Mala began cooking the sausage and sliced ham in two different skillets with some butter and onions and began cracking fresh eggs into a bowl.

Snip

-Cadet P’Mala Dawes
Cadet Baptiste smiled and nodded his acknowledgement to Cadet Dawes “Okay, Hanna” he said in a joking manner. He then proceeded to put on the clothing replicated for him. Once he completed his clothing swap, he stepped into the kitchen, “Well it smells delicious in here” he said. “A pleasant morning to you Mrs. Lloyd, Miss Hanna. Thought I would nip a spot of breakfast and tea before heading to the kennels and checking on the Lords hounds, good chance his Lordship will want to take them out for a quick hunt. What with his guest and all here.” said Cadet Baptiste with a smile. Well that is definitely very unVulcan like he noted as he seen Cadet Dawes cooking both sausage and ham. I thought Vulcans were strict vegetarians.

Cadet Johnathan Baptiste, medical
Snip
“Question, how do you get around not eating meat in this program? If I recall meat is a huge part of the diet in the Victorian era, and I do not recall such a thing as a vegetarian in that era.” he asked with sincere curiosity.

-Cadet Johnathan Baptiste, medical

She had a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “You know, my father has never stepped one foot off Vulcan and my mother occasionally ate meat growing up. When I’d ask why Vulcans didn’t eat meat like she did, she’d say it was because none of their native animal tasted any good. I personally don’t eat meat if I can help it–but that feels culturally appropriate to me.”

P’Mala thought about it for a second. “And technically, it’s holographic, right? Not meat meat, right?”

This unnerved her somewhat.

-Cadet P’Mala Dawes

Cadet Baptiste sat back and thought about Dawes’s question. “That is a very interesting question.” he said “I mean I am no expert on holodeck technology, but wouldn’t the programing replicate actual food for the live players? I mean it seems it would not be to difficult for the computer system to the actually replicate food on the holodeck.” He asked with all seriousness.

“Wait a minute, you say your father never left Vulcan, and your mother eats meat? Are you of mixed heritage?” he asked. Then realizing what he just said “I apologize for my outburst, I did not mean to be insulting or to insult you. Please forgive me.”

-Cadet Johnathan Baptiste, medical

“It’s a common question!” P’Mala said. She knew that she had a better capacity for expressing herself than some of her fellow Vulcan-blooded individuals, but most of that was being raised by Vuncan hippies.

“My mother is from Kentucky–born to two humans from the holler. She ended up studying religion and married her professor–my father,” she admitted.

“Johnathan, what is your family like,” she asked.

-Cadet P’Mala Dawes

“Well, my parents are still married, High School sweethearts. My mother is a veterinarian and my father is a pastry chef and owns a pastry shop; Creme De La Crumb. I have a kid sister, Chloe, who is seventeen and wants to become a Star Fleet Marine Pilot. This of course is driving my mother crazy. Both my parents are fierce French Canadian and insist we speak only French when we are together as a family. Of course this causes me all kinds of trouble when I return from leave, takes me several weeks to get my thoughts to form in Federation Standard and to remember not to speak in French. Well that is it in a nut shell, as they say.”

-Cadet Johnathan Baptiste, medical
Snip

After a few seconds, P’Mala said, “You’re doing quite well for your first time! I think Mrs. Lloyd quite enjoyed talking with you!”

-Cadet P’Mala Dawes

“Well. Thank You. To be honest I do not use holodecks much was always an outdoors type of individual. Of course, now that I am actually in Star Fleet and serving on a starship, I will have to get used to using them. This Holo novel is kind of fun. So what now?” Johnathan said, with a smile.

-Cadet Johnathan Baptiste, medical

Light shown in through one of the kitchen windows and illuminated the space–the big iron stove in its hearth and the wooden tables and chairs.

“That’s up to you,” P’Mala said. “Your character gets to lead a hunt soon. I get to stay here with Mrs. Lloyd, unless she sends me off to do something.”

P’Mala thought for a moment. “To tell you the truth, Hanna isn’t even the main character of the holonovel. The real protagonist is the Lady Graham. But I’ve been working in this kitchen in my spare time for a long while. I’ve come to like it here.”

She tried to change the subject, “You could always try a winter sports program instead!”

-Cadet P’Mala Dawes

“Well then I suppose I need to go check on them dogs, and prepare for a hunt. I haven’t been pheasant in a few years, and I am pretty sure the shotguns in this time period are nowhere near what I am used to so I best do a thorough examination and familiarize myself with them.” Johnathan said with a warm smile “Besides this will be a good outdoor activity, or as good as one can get in deep space.”

-Cadet Johnathan Baptiste, Medical

“I’m not really good help on guns, myself,” P’Mala said. “But the dogs are real working animals.”

She took a couple sausages that hadn’t made their way upstairs, tied them in a cloth napkin, and handed the bundle to Johnathan.

“If they’re proving to be unmotivated, a snack always works for me. I might need one after cleaning up this kitchen and preparing for dinner.”

• Cadet P’Mala Dawes

Snip

Johnathan took the small bundle of sausages Cadet handed him “Thanks, well off to find the kennels, then off to find the lord of the manor and lead a hunt.” he chuckled as he made his way to the outer door.
The morning was cool and there was dew on the lawn. Johnathan took in a deep breath of air and exhaled, Wow almost like the real thing he thought to himself. Never was one to get into the holodeck thing because I had the actual outdoors to play in. Guess I am going to have to get used to holodecks from now on, being out here in deep space. With that he began to look around, well where would I put the kennels if I lived here? he thought, just then he heard a bark off to his left. Smiling he turned and made his way to the kennels, whistling a little ditty as he did so.

-Cadet Johnathan Baptiste, medical

After Johnathan left in his character as the gamesman also named Johnathan, P’Mala Dawes picked back up her kitchen duties as the kitchen maid, Hanna.

The other downstairs staff were buzzing around, and Mrs. Lloyd instructed two girls from the village who they’d brought in for extra help.

P’Mala usually loved being a fly on the wall in this kitchen–it was usually meditative for her–but she wondered how Johnathan was getting on, it being his first time in the program.

*If only I could think of a reason to get out of this kitchen,” she thought. Then an idea struck.

“Mrs. Lloyd!” P’Mala said. “I just realized that we’re running low on milk. I’m going to pop down to the dairy and fetch us a jug. Do you need anything?

The older woman looked up from the pie crust she was instructing one of the local girls to knead.”

“Butter for the table,” she said dismissively. “Thank you, child.”

With that, P’Mala grabbed a basket and shawl and headed out of the kitchens.

-Cadet P’Mala Dawes

Albert came running into the kitchen and nearly collided with Hanna, as Cadet Dawes was known in the holonovel. The boy was out of breath and heaving heavily but managed to gasp out “There has been an accident.” After a few more deep breaths he said “We need a cart for one of his Lordship’s friends.”

-Cadet Johnathan Baptiste, medical