Posted by Civilian Erin Hazen-Cooper (Director of Terraforming) in Oed Museum- A Diplomatic Gala- The Vren Arrival (OPEN TO ALL)

Posted by Civilian Ana Caputo (Governor’s Chief of Staff) in Oed Museum- A Diplomatic Gala- The Vren Arrival (OPEN TO ALL)

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Oed Museum- A Diplomatic Gala- The Vren Arrival (OPEN TO ALL)
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

All the guests would enter into the Oed Museum through multiple doors at the front into a large open tiled space in the middle, and were directly across from a matching flank of doors at the back that led to outdoor gathering spaces. The two left and right were exhibit areas (North and South Wings) with various rooms surrounding a larger exhibit space. There were a second and third floor with more exhibit spaces and a kids learning centre, but the middle space was open on the main floor, and this openness was copied in each central exhibit in the wings. This central main floor space was where the gala was being held and round tables were staggered through the space, leaving lots of space for people to move about and mingle. Light filtered through from the skylights high above them. Event staff had prepped a podium area where speeches and what not would happen (flanked by the Oed Five and Federation flags) and to the corner were buffet tables with a small set of them set perpendicular for the Vren’s specific food.

(snip)

___ An Hour Later ____________

The press was outside in full force, and vid-cams hovered and jockeyed for position to get the first glimpse of the Vren. Dignitaries and guests were moving up the long gold carpet that cascaded down the front steps of the Oed Museum; and security was present to keep the crowd of reporters and observers a safe distance back. As the time grew closer for the arrival of the guests of honor, more and more people arrived… after having traversed a three block wide perimeter with checkpoints and security scanners going over every vehicle and every individual multiple times. No chances were being taken, and no one was exempt.

Governor Hyrushi stood just inside the main doors, greeting guests and waiting for the delegations of both the Vren and the Federation to formally arrive.

Hyrushi, Governor

Astrid had kept her nose to the grindstone the last few months. With the expansion of the second dome, there had been a great deal of staffing, construction, infrastructure and organization to do. In fact, she had cut her personal oversight of cases by more than half to deal with it all. She had been taking her work home more often than not though with the Vren and the upcoming Gala looming, her personal aid had given her strict instructions to rest once getting home and true to her word, no calls for work had come during those hours. Dutifully, Astrid had taken the advice and gotten the much needed rest over the past week.

Thus she arrived well rested and somewhat back to herself. The transport stopped in front of the museum and the door was opened. A single foot descended, clad in a strappy silver glittering high heel. Soon the other joined and finally, the woman stepped forth, a shimmering deep Grey silver gown falling like liquid to pool around her feet. A little bit of a train, a slit up her thigh, a sweetheart neckline and thick shoulder straps that connected with a drape of material across her bare back.

By her standards, this gown was positively scandalous, her usual attire suits and judiciary robes, but she had wanted something beautiful and the dress had made her feel it tonight. Her hair was pulled to one side, romantic shining dark waves on pale skin. Her makeup was minimal, accenting all the right features of her face a bit more dramatically than normal but the mouth was clad in bold deep red.

The dress moved like silk, parting for her feet movement easily. She smiled warmly as she stepped up to greet the Governor. “Governor, how good to see you. Really this is quite a spectacular affair!”

Rousseau. HoTJ

“Chief Justice, I am pleased to see you tonight. I was wondering if your work-load was going to be conducive to your attending. I am glad to see that it was.” He shook her hand and then gestured further inside. “Please. Go and enjoy yourself. I believe tonight will be one for the history books.”

Hyrushi, Governor

She was now officially late. Only by her own standards and itinerary and so long as she made it before the Vren, she was fine, but Eela Dasca hated being rushed. This was a fact that everyone she worked with knew all too well. Had it been any other reason she might be miffed, but given the source of the delay was a curly haired impish infant, well, many things could be forgiven. Caridee had tried to suggest that maybe they shouldn’t go but Eela would have none of it. She might not have thought of it herself, but once Kenzo had invited her family to join them she had fallen in love with the idea for a simple reason: her family had never really seen her at work. Being a Starfleet officer had been different, and Jourin had been the only one to see her in action (for better or worse). The rest of the time it was her coming off shift or having to leave their quarters because she had been needed. And while this gala was a social event, it was most definitely work. And she was excited for Caridee and Co to see what that looked like in this new life of hers.

Clearing the first security checkpoint, Eela led Caridee, Kian and Alais inside. Eela swept towards Kenzo with a smile that belied her very slightly harried state. The magenta gown she had bought previously swept along with her with a train. The off-the-shoulder neckline followed the curves of chest, with drapes of fabric over her biceps for sleeves. The fitted gown hugged her body over her torso to mid-thigh before it flared out to the floor, her brace looking like part of the structure of the gown. Her hair was done up in an elegant up-do at the back, with side braids that formed a crown. From a delicate gold chain secured in those braids hung the delicate crystal star pendant, her dria and it rested in the middle of her forehead above her ridges.

Kian was dressed in a black tunic suit with hems, cuffs and neckline embroidered in gold. His wife had a one-shoulder dress in a similar fabric and the floor length sheath was cinched at her waist with a knotted belt in gold. In her arms, Alais was a ball of black tulle and a sequinned bodice. She was not keen on being held and squirmed.

Eela was about to greet Kenzo but she turned to Alais and rested a couple fingers on the baby’s cheek. The babe calmed down and gazed intently at her grandmother, breaking into a smile. “Uh huh, always easier to listen to someone other than your parents. Always the way.”
“You still sure about this?” Caridee said, frowning.

Eela shifted her hand to Caridee’s cheek. “It’ll be fine. Just breathe.” She dropped her hand. “The VIP green room is open to you to care for her as you need to. Please use it if you need it. And you’re seated at a table near me so I’ll check on you when you can. But enjoy yourselves. And take Elema and Sherri’s offer to help with Alais. They’ll happily watch her and give you a break.”

Caridee nodded and stepped in farther, bowing her head to Kenzo. “Good evening, Governor. Apologies we’re running so late. My mother has been doing an admirable job trying to not show it even though she’s utterly irritated by it.”

Kenzo bowed to Caridee and Kian. “Good evening.” he said and then stood up straight and looked at Eela. “Tardiness is a pet peeve of both of us, so I can understand the sentiment.”

Eela gave a smirk as she crossed the short distance to her work partner and friend. “Sometimes I miss being the only empath in a room,” she said dryly.

~Eela Dasca & Family

“I was beginning to think you had changed your mind, Captain.” Kenzo said and held out a hand to shake hers. “Everything is in order. The Ambassador is here and doing a final check. And the Vren have left the Platform and will be here in about ten minutes. I believe we are as ready as we can be.”

Hyrushi, Governor

Eela shook his hand, giving it a subtle squeeze, as much as reassurance to him as for herself. Here they went, for better or worse. Caridee discreetly handed her mother a pair of long black gloves, and winked before the trio headed inside. “All right then. I’m just glad I’m not the one who has to give a speech,” she said, her eyes alight as she slid the gloves on where they ended just before her elbows.

3 large sliders had arrived and been directed around the back. Karina led the children and their parents to the designated area for them to wait and prep for their presentation. She was thankful for whomever thought to leave water there for them. Throats could become scratchy from nervousness. As the children settled, Karina made her way out to let Governor Hyrushi know they had arrived and were ready.

She was wearing a light shimmery grey silk pant suit that swished and flowed with the most elegant of skirts. The top was a single shoulder wrap top theater accentuated her waist. It was an elegant but practical choice, given she would be overseeing children all night. “Governor Hyrushi, Lt Gov Dasca. Good evening.”

Enger, DOE

“Good evening, Director Enger,” Eela said with a warm smile. “The children look great and I’ve very excited to see their presentation. I’ve heard the practices went very well.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Ana approached the entry and was waved in as an aide to the Governor. She wore a scarlet suit with a black shirt, all well fitted. She sought out the Governor and found him with the Lieutenant Governor and the DOE. She walked over but kept her presence less prominent than the others. She was the Chief of Staff, not anyone fit to draw attention to herself.

-Chief of Staff

Erin had been born for this. Regardless of everything else she enjoyed doing in her private life, or the scientific passion she pursued on her professional career, Erin Hazen had always been the life of the party. That didn’t necessarily mean behaving like a drunk sorority girl (which she had… in more than one occasion), but rather that she absolutely enjoyed the elegance and glamour that came with grandiose events, and she loved to play the part. Tonight was no exception.

Gavin Cooper’s inclusion tonight was only possible due to his marriage to OED’s Head of Terraforming, and that was just fine with him. As a retired member of Starfleet, he was eligible to wear his Starfleet Commander’s Mess Dress on formal occasions. However, he was perfectly happy to be in the striking black tuxedo he sported this evening… never one to even think of taking attention from his stunning bride, a woman that only got more beautiful ever day of his life. The only service connection was the wear of his miniature aviator wings on his left lapel.

From the moment she had received the invitation, Erin had taken every single second of free time preparing the logistics of the evening up until the moment her and Gavin’s slider stopped at the museum’s door. She had been even more overjoyed when she found out that Alex had also been invited, and that by extension, her sister would be attending it as well. Still, when she had approached Molly with an offer to help her out, she had quickly been shut down… but that would be a story for another time.

Through the window of the slider, Erin could see the building coming into view… the lights, the cameras, the gold carpet… everything was stunning! When the vehicle came to a stop and the door was opened, her eyes were finally able to take in the full scale of the event.

Gavin stepped out into the waiting cameras and lights first, knowing the protocol for red (or in this case, gold) carpets well… as a performer in his own right and as the husband of one of the Federation’s most admired individuals. Stepping out, Cooper smiled warmly before shifting to the side and holding out his hand to help Erin from the slider. As soon as her feet hit the carpet, the flashbulbs sparkled like a million diamonds around the couple.

The lights let the emerald satin of her gown shine even more than Erin had imagined, and the sleeveless and strapless bodice made the cool night air a very welcoming feeling. With her long red hair was put up in an elegant knot, Erin felt as glamorous as she’d ever be. Her eyes scanned the attendees for any familiar faces, before smiling at Gavin as she joined him. With her hand lightly on his arm, the couple walked up the stairs leading to the venue.

Erin Hazen-Cooper, Director of Terraforming

He knew in his heart of hearts that he would never, ever tire of being on this woman’s arm. Erin had gone from a dream to his whole world and he was happy he got to share these adventures with her.

Gavin Cooper, Senior Helmsman - Holloway Starlines