Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Talia Ren (Doctor) in Pre-Sim/Around Memorial Transfer - Deck 16 Holodeck (Open)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade James Rowe (Scientist) in Pre-Sim/Around Memorial Transfer - Deck 16 Holodeck (Open)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Talia Ren (Doctor) in Pre-Sim/Around Memorial Transfer - Deck 16 Holodeck (Open)
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻
OOC: Open to All, just trying to meet some folks.

James Rowe stepped out of the holodeck archway and into a room thick with smoke, low light, and the steady rhythm of blues guitar. The program was running when he arrived and was scheduled to run all night, some member of the crew wanted a get-a-way and it seemed like they’d outdone themselves.

The Athena’s holodeck had done its usual thorough job recreating the space. Old wood floors worn smooth by decades of foot traffic. A narrow stage tucked against one wall where a small band worked their way through a slow twelve-bar progression. Tables scattered close enough to the stage that conversation required leaning in.

The place had the look of a bar that had been open longer than anyone could remember and closed more times than anyone could count.

Somewhere between New Orleans and Memphis, if the program’s aesthetic choices were to be believed.

Rowe paused just inside the door to let his eyes adjust to the dimmer light. Compared to the bright corridors of the Athena, the room felt almost deliberately subdued. The kind of place built for people who wanted to disappear into the background for a while.

=^=Computer dress me a little more appropriately.=^=

A moment the LTJG stood there in a dark suit with a hat low across his eyes. He looked around the room taking it all in and appreciating the program’s level of care.

A few patrons occupied the tables near the stage, most of them Starfleet officers who had traded uniforms for civilian clothes in an attempt to blend into the atmosphere. A bartender moved slowly behind the counter polishing glasses that were already clean.

The music was good. Not polished, not theatrical. Just steady.

Rowe crossed the room and claimed a seat near the bar, far enough from the stage to talk if someone felt like joining him but close enough to hear the band clearly. He rested his forearms against the counter and took a moment to let the sound of the guitar settle in around him.

New faces were supposed to be arriving soon, if they weren’t already here. Rowe found it easy to lose track of time in the routine day to day of ship life. Transfers always made a ship feel slightly different for a few days. New crew, new habits, new personalities finding their way into the existing rhythm of things. The Athena had just absorbed an entire group from a decommissioned vessel. It would take time for the two crews to find their balance.

For now, though, the holodeck bar felt like neutral territory.

Rowe signaled the bartender for a drink, “Old Fashioned please,” and settled in to listen to the music.

• Rowe

With the eveneing free, Talia decided to see what was available for entertainment on the ship. The Mythology class offered a lot to keep its crew satisfied, including holosuites and holodecks, a two story lounge, gym, galley and recreation hall. There was also an arboretum which she planned on visiting another day. At the moment, though, she was investigating the holosuites and holodecks. Talia loved the new experiences they offered. Whatever you could dream, you could take part in if you knew how to program a chip for it. As she neared one, she was pleased to see it was up and running with an ‘open’ program. That meant she could enter and join in on whatever was happening.

“Enter.” She commanded and the arch appeared before her. Inside was a nightclub. The lighting was dim and a four or five man band was playing sultry music off to one side. Stepping inside, it wasn’t immediately obvious who was a hologram and who was real, but the feel of the place was intriguing. With a mischievous smile, Talia walked in farther and wound up at the bar. A barman stopped in front of her and asked, “What can I get you tonight, miss?”

Still dressed in uniform, she looked around at the patrons—not a uniform among them, but their clothes were wonderful. “I’ll have a dirty martini, thank you.”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Talia Ren
Doctor USS Athena

The bartender returned with Rowe’s Old Fashioned, and Rowe slipped him a couple of bills that the program had included in his costume change as thanks. James took a sip and was met by a drink as stout as he’d expected but he couldn’t help but love the burn it sent across his entire nervous system. As the drink soothed his tired nerves, Rowe relaxed and allowed his mind and eyes to wander as he watched the gathering crowd. Then his eyes settled on a familiar figure, a younger woman in medical blue at the bar. His gaze lingered as he tried to figure out where he knew her from, but when he caught himself staring he consciously chose to look away. That’s when it clicked for him. It was the same woman from the Memorial welcome party.

He didn’t know her, and couldn’t explain why she seemed familiar… but this was twice he’d found himself staring at her… sure she was an attractive young woman, but that’s now what this was. He took another pull from his glass to quiet his mind. He wasn’t going to solve the mystery tonight, so he should put it away. Perhaps she reminded him of someone… maybe he was infatuated… regardless, he didn’t want to make the doctor uncomfortable by staring at her from across a dark room.

Rowe

Talia sat at the bar, legs crossed, with one boot tapping the air to the beat of the music. What a wonderful program! She found herself smiling for no reason as she looked out over the patrons, admiring their clothes. “Computer, change my clothing to something more appropriate.” And just like that, a slinky evening gown in green and gold, replaced her uniform. “Oh I like this!” Her comment was only to herself, but realizing anyone within hearing distance might be a real person, she looked around slightly embarrassed. That was when she spotted Rowe.

Something about him was familiar but she couldn’t put her finger on just what it was. Still, it was enough to prompt her to say something. “Excuse me, have we met before?”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Talia Ren
Doctor USS Athena

bump

Lieutenant Junior Grade Talia Ren
Doctor USS Athena

As Talia spoke, Rowe realized he’d failed to appear inconspicuous. As he looked more closely at the woman he was certain that they hadn’t met before, and yet she felt super familiar. “I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure. My name is James Rowe.” He said casually.

-Rowe

She said the name over in her mind. “Hmm, nothing is coming up on my radar, but you seem familiar for some reason.” Here, she shrugged. “Oh well, I’m sure it will come to me if I wait long enough.” She took the stool nearest him. He probably had 20 years on her but that didn’t matter at the moment. She held out a gloved hand. “Talia Ren, nice to meet you.”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Talia Ren
Doctor USS Athena

James shook the offered hand which felt particularly dainty in his larger one. “Nice to meet you Talia.” He flagged the barman down as he was looking to deliver the martini, but Talia had changed seats. “So doc, what brings you into a poorly lit joint like this one?”

Rowe

She nodded at the barman as he set the drink in front of her. “I was raised on a Federation medical colony that didn’t have much variety to offer besides its specialization in post warp trauma recovery. I craved more…wanted every experience I cound manage. That’s how I came to be with Starfleet and I suppose why I walked in the door to this program tonight. The music sounded soulful and the people are beautiful.” She sipped at the martini and set it back down. “I’m always up for a new experience, so here I am. What brought you here? Is this your program?”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Talia Ren
Doctor USS Athena

Rowe remained silent a moment after she mentioned her colony’s specialization… surely that was purely a coincidence, though Rowe didn’t believe in such a thing. As massive as the known universe was, the chances of ending up on the same ship.... astronomical… he shook himself out of the thought, hoping that it was simply the old paranoia creeping in. “No I can’t take credit for the program, though I wish I could. I just came in looking for good drink and bad music… both are thankfully exceeding my expectations.” Rowe watched as one of the musicians took his time riffing on a stringed instrument.

“It’s nice to be someplace that feels less sterile.” Rowe said casually. “I’m still relatively new to ships… the near perfect sanitary conditions are surprisingly the hardest adjustment. There’s just something atmospheric about unfiltered air.” Realizing he was rambling, the man took another pull from his glass.

• Rowe