Welcome to the Hotel Toram...ifornia

Posted on Tue Jun 14th, 2022 @ 8:12am by Lieutenant Leah Bailey & Petty Officer 1st Class Alexa Williams & Lieutenant Didrea Zade & Lieutenant Alexis Ryan & Lieutenant Xavier Leiko & Jerant van Rijn & NVeid tr'Rehu

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: Grand Hotel Toram
Timeline: Shore Leave
1496 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

The entire Grand Hotel resort complex was exactly that: complex. Multiple levels, areas, and zones. It was practically a theme park, almost requiring an internal transit system go get around it was so big.

Having claimed an outdoor area featuring a pool, hot tub, and direct glorious sunlight, a small cadre of off-duty Starfleet crew were finally able to take a load off and just relax.

Clad in just a string bikini, Alexa was thoroughly enjoying herself, only moving to touch glasses with the similarly underdressed Leah on the lounger next to her. This was something that was just entirely overdue for all of them, and they knew it.

"Do you think they'd let us just live here forever?" the young yeoman sighed to noone in particular.

NVeid had taken a graceful dive into the pool, having grabbed the opportunity to spend some time in actual water, with both hands. He came up catching the last of the yeoman's words. "Who knows," he answered, "I wouldn't mind spending a few weeks here."

Paused at the threshold, every part of her inclined to just turn around and head back to the ship, Alexis sighed and slumped her head forward. The massage of fingertips deep into the eye socket of her right eye relieved some of the tension build-up, but not enough to quell the sense of frustration at this waste of administrative time. She'd been warned, though, when she'd accepted the posting, that interpersonal networking needed to be a priority. Apparently the crew were all sorts of superstitious about the entire Science Division at this point. The Admiral had gone as far to predict the betting pool would have already drafted her resignation letter before she landed.

At least swimming was purposeful. Navigating the outskirts of the main area, Alex moved towards the narrower lap pool and ditched her towel on one of the deck chairs. Her swimsuit was streamlined, designed for aerodynamics in the pool and better resembled a cyclists' leotard than anything attempting to be fashionable. Goggles pulled into place, her hair pulled beneath a cap, the Lieutenant dived in at set pace.

"How long is the ship supposed to be in dock?" Leah wondered.

"I hear it's only a couple of weeks. Lots of debriefing to do but not much actual refitting is needed," Alexa replied, leaning over. Her position as yeoman meant she heard more than a few things on a daily basis. "So enjoy it while you can."

After a walk along a beach she found, Zade heard of some people relaxing in a resort and decided to check it out. She had on a black one-piece swimsuit with blue shorts, perfect for the sunny weather. Arriving to the scene, she saw both familiar and unfamiliar faces. Seeing a group in some chairs with someone in the water, she decided to talk to them first. "Room for one more?" she asked the two in lounge chairs.

"Pull up a bed!" Alexa grinned widely. "Don't think we met properly yet. I'm Alexa. That's Leah, Nveid, Jerant..." she motioned around quickly. "I think that's one of ours in the pool but we don't really know her all that well yet either."

Zade vaguely recalled seeing their names as she was working through personnel files, but had yet to meet them in person. "Zade," she introduced herself with a smile. Briefly turning in the direction of the swimmer, the Trill squinted to try and identify the person but failed. Turning her attention back to the group, she grabbed a nearby towel and draped it near the edge of the pool so she could sit and put her feet in. With one arm slightly extended for balance, she lifted each foot to carefully take off her sandals. "I happened to find this really nice beach with green sand. It was a great walk, but I don't recommend going barefoot, at least not at this hour. The sand retains heat really well." Her feet weren't burnt, but they certainly ached, and she sat once both sandals were free. She sighed with content when the cool water soothed her feet.

"Green sand?" NVeid asked as he paddled up to the side of the pool.

Before he could ask more, a loud 'Daddeeeeeeeeee' echoed through the air, followed by a loud splash as someone cannonballed into the pool, right next to Alex.

NVeid turned his head, his expression lighting up with joy as a young - barely teenage - boy surfaced next to him. "My son Jarron," he introduced the -clearly not Romulan- child to the group, while hugging him closely. Clearly, being apart was taking its toll on the surgeon.

Xavier walked over from the bar carrying a tray of drinks, they were of a mixed variety in all shapes, sizes, colours, and flavours. He placed the tray in the centre of the group, "everyone help yourself," he said as he took two flute-like glasses with neon pink liquid inside. Heading back to his seat where he had been occupying with Jerant, he handed one of the drinks and sat back down. It was hard for him to be around people but he was making an effort to not ruin everyone's time off.

Jerant had just returned himself, having briefly ducked inside while Xavier had gotten to get drinks. Being fairly fair-skinned, he really hated to see himself burned by catching some good sunshine. And it gave him a brief opportunity to settle himself as well, because like Xavier, he too was having a hard time being around people. "This looks interesting," he marvelled as he studied the drink that had been handed to him, before taking a careful sip. "Good choice though," he added with a smile. "This tastes really good."

"In a previous life I'm certain I was a bartender," Xavier joked as he too took a sip of the drink and marvelled in its cool, exotic taste. "I think we needed this right?" He asked, a little uncertain. In his mind he felt completely broken, uncertain of who, or even what, he was. However, on the surface he was trying to stay cool, unphased by recent events. Some, like Commander Savin, might suggest he was trying too hard and in his heart of hearts, he had to agree.

"We do," Jerant agreed with a nod, gently reaching out to touch the other's hand. "Relax," he offered, "just look at the bearing of people and it'll tell you a lot about how they feel. It takes some practice but you'll get the hang of it." He smiled encouragingly over the brim of his glass. "And this is the perfect position, just lounging and pretending not to watch people. Right?"

Xavier was about to answer when they were interrupted.

"Anyone fancy a run at the beach?" Alexa asked, propping herself up on her lounger. "Crystal blue ocean, golden sands. And hardly anyone around..."

"Will there be obstacles to use?" Jerant asked, perking up at the very idea of a run. But in his mind, a run wasn't proper, unless he had something to climb on or vault from.

"Actually Jerant and I have plans," Xavier said as he got up from his lounger and pulled at the man's hand. He gave Jerant a pleading look meaning please go with it and come with me and wished for the billionth time that day he could just connect their minds.

Catching the look, but not the thought, as well as feeling the tug on his hand, Jerant gave him an apologetic smile. "Yeah we do..I forgot we do. I'm sorry I'll have to join the run another time," he said, while gently squeezing the hand that held his. He allowed himself to be pulled up, while trying not to spill his drink.

"Okay. See ya!" Alexa hopped up, looking around at the group. "Anyone else in?"

"We could ask the new officer." Leah motioned to Alexis as the Lieutenant pulled herself from the pool, having only really met the transferee in passing when she'd first joined the department. "Lieutenant Ryan? Would you like to join us?"

In the process of unravelling her mostly-dry hair from its cap, Ryan glanced over in mild surprise at having been noticed, much less recognised, and considered the brunette a moment before placing her face. As it happened, Bailey was on her list of departmental staff to catch up with. Blue eyes, one a little lighter than the other, flitted between the faces before Alex settled her gaze on the invitee. "Join you where?"

"The beach? Bit of sea swimming. Or a sandcastle contest?" Alexa suggested optimistically.

Mingle. Make friends. Have fun. Alex draped her towel around her shoulders and tried not to be obvious about the resigned sigh that dominated her mood. "Sure, sounds fun."

"Yay! Let's go!" the yeoman clapped her hands together with a renewed energy. "Last one to the ocean is a Klingon's armpit hair!"