((Promenade, Starbase 118))


::Dinner out when you don't know a soul in the area was not an exciting
prospect. Still. She knew a great many people and the starbase was
something of a hub. Before she found a restaurant, she made a point of
walking through one of the main shopping areas. She was dressed in
civilian clothes, a midriff top with long sleeves over a floor-length
skirt that rode her hips with a pair of heels, and her hair was hanging
long and loose. The crystal suspended from its silver chain was tucked,
as it nearly always was, inside of her top. Some things just never went
on display. The idea had been to get a look at the base, see what was
available. If she was lucky, maybe find someone interesting to share the
meal with. She sidestepped a small child who was darting in and out of
the displays and all but ran into a tall Ktarian coming from the other
direction. ::


::Having just finished up his full morning workout in the Senior
officer’s gymnasium; Rocar had grabbed a long shower and then slid into
some of his more comfortable civilian clothing. As he pulled his short
sleeved T-shirt over his large warmed-up biceps, he wondered when the
last time he’d taken a morning off and spent the whole time working out
had been. He had to admit he’d been a little surprised when Ensign Orrey
had drawn his attention to the fact it was just past midday. Planning to
head straight home to sort himself out and get into uniform for the
afternoon’s work; the Ktarian hadn’t even tied back his long canon-grey
hair as he headed out of the gym and across the commercial sector.
Scanning the crowd of people, the Fleet Captain was so used to everyone
moving purposefully out of his way (either because they recognised his
face and associated him with the rank of his office or else simply
because of his height, sheer large build and the threatening arms that
were on display due to his rarely worn civilian clothing) that he was
completely taken aback by the body that sidestepped straight into his
own. Surprised, he just caught the young woman with one of his arms and
steadied her with an apologetic smile at the contact. ::


Rocar: (surprised but genuinely concerned) Are you okay?


Raven: I'm sorry. (Smiling) I was trying to get out of the way of that
small child, the one who appears to be breaking sound barriers in an
attempt to get away from what I assume to be her keeper (pointing at a
young girl, curls streaming out behind her, running away from an older
woman).


:: The tall man chuckled in a warm way as he looked to where the woman
was pointing. The kid’s loud whaling certainly hadn’t escaped his
felinoid hearing.::


Rocar: (light-heartedly) Yes, I’d heard rumors that kids do that when
their parents don’t have control of the corridor’s security force fields.


Raven (grinning): It’s an interesting idea. Course, what you’d probably
get is a generation that’s entirely adept at overriding force fields.
(watching the child’s apparently successful escape attempt) If we could
just harness all that energy for good … (turning back) I’m Raven Annestri.


:: Rocar’s deep green, catlike eyes looked a little concerned at the
thought of Xan and Cheliz learning to override a forcefield but he
nonetheless managed to give the lady another smile. There was something
a little intriguing about the way she looked at the world around her, he
thought. Yet Rocar was so used to everyone on the Starbase recognising
him that he didn’t even think to pause and introduce himself… his mind
already racing forward towards the first of his afternoon’s meetings.::


Rocar: (nodding politely) Pleased to meet you Ms. Annestri.


:: The Ktarian was about to move out of the woman’s way and continue
down the promenade… ::


Raven: And you … Or at least I would be if I knew your name.


:: The Starbase’s commanding officer paused, a little taken aback before
holding out his hand. ::


Rocar: (quite simply) Rocar Drawoh… I’m Rocar (smiling charmingly in
amusement) – you don’t come here often do you?


Raven (arching her eyebrow): No, not really. Why? Am I missing something?


:: The tall Ktarian chuckled to himself and shook his head, clearly
amused.::


Rocar: (smiling politely) Yes... :: Rocar paused then nodded down the
promenade:: you missed that mother catching her kid.


::The Ktarian winked at the younger lady in amusement.::


Raven (laughing): Isn't that how all good adventures end? Someone catches
you? Makes you stop and behave again?


::Rocar shrugged a little. His adventures quite often ended with him
blasting his way to his goal with quantum torpedoes but he guessed not
everyone was as lucky::


Rocar: Well... welcome to Trinity-Serellen, I'm sure you'll have a lot of
fun exploring the Starbase.


Raven: Thank you ... I intend to, at least until I have to report in.
Apparently, I'm going to be stationed here once my orders come through.


:: The Ktarian smiled, almost sadly in a way.::


Rocar: (teasingly) So they're going to make you stop and start behaving
again soon -best make the most of your run!


Raven: Well, they can try. (smiling mischievously) I'm not all that easy
to tame.


:: The Ktarian chuckled.::


Rocar: I'll bear that in mind next time our paths cross.


::Nodding politely, the Starbase's C.O. continued on his way down the
promenade and towards his quarters.::


Raven: Nice guy. Now ... where was I? (sound of stomach rumbling) That's
right ... food!


Lt. Cmdr. Raven Annestri
Historical / Archaeological Officer
Starbase 118

&

Fleet Captain Rocar Drawoh
Commanding Officer
Starbase 118