Lt. Cmdr. Alora DeVeau - "You've Stolen My Heart"

[Serala]

We have several visitors aboard for a special occasion, one of whom is the First Officer of SB118. I absolutely loved this sim and was literally crying from laughter when I read it.
 

((USS Chin’toka - Brew Continuum))
 
Make new friends, but keep the old…
 
Alora loved meeting new people, but she also loved reconnecting with old friends. Mei’konda was of the latter, one she hadn’t seen in so long that it felt almost like forever.  They had last served together before his ascendancy to the captain’s chair. Since then, he had gone from the Veritas, to the Montreal and been having adventures with a crew of his own while Alora had gone from the Veritas, to the research facility to Ops.  Now they were in different places, serving different roles, living in different parts of their galaxy.  That didn’t change, and never would change the fact that Mei’konda was her friend. 
 
One is silver and the other’s gold…
 
She had offered a hug.  Some people, she just automatically threw her arms around them, pulled them into a veritable choke hold and wouldn’t let go til the wind had been knocked out of them.  However, she also knew that Mei’konda wasn’t quite so keen on such displays, so the silent offer was given and she allowed him to choose whether or not to accept it.  She was quite happy that he did so, but for his sake, she kept it brief. 
 
A circle is round, it has no end...
 
Mei wasn’t the only ‘long lost friend’ she would get to see.  The bride and groom were on that list as well, and surely they were somewhere.  For the moment, though, Mei was her point of focus - that and finding out whether or not the violets she’d given were still alive.  She was doubly happy to hear that they were.  Two points scored.  She was quite delighted to be able to catch up with the Caitian after several years serving in different places.
 
That’s how long I want to be your friend…
 
And though she was with one of her newer friends, Alora found herself caught up in the moment, caught up with the greeting, caught up with the delight in seeing that familiar face that she had served with on no less than four ships.  That type of history always left a mark, and Mei had certainly left a favourable one upon her.  Yet, when it came to the Captain of the Chin’toka, another name and another face was coupled with it.  It was inevitable.  The two had been together for quite some time, and had married.  Evan, with whom she had worked with, studied with, and relaxed with, was counted among those friends as well, but she didn’t see him - and according to Mei’konda, he was currently dealing with responsibilities.  But hopefully...
 
DeVeau: Is he coming to the wedding?
 
Mei’konda: Yes. He’ll be here for that, at the very least.
 
Oh good. So that would give her the opportunity to catch up with him as well.  Alora’s smile brightened at the prospect.  It was so wonderful to reconnect.  As they conversed, the group ambled over to the bar, and a voice greeted them. 
 
Peters: Welcome, folks, to the Chin’toka’s Brew Continnuum. Can I interest you in some of our unique signature blends of coffee? Or tea? Or perhaps a Captain Twibble plushie?
 
The grin that sprang to Sal’s face wasn’t just any grin.  It was coupled with recognition.  He knew the barista, and he was quite delighted by who he found behind that bar. 
 
Taybrim: Cadfael Peters!  Moonlighting as a barista?  You look fantastic!  ::He sidled up to the coffee bar.:: It is good to see you Cadfael.  ::he greeted the man with warmth and joy.::
 
Wait...Cadfael Peters?   She knew that name!  He had sent a gift to Sal for his promotion.  Oh ho ho!  Now she had a face to put with the name.  Of course, she could have simply looked him up, but she’d been so consumed with planning everything, by the time everything was said and done, she had just forgotten.  Well now.
 
But the man didn’t keep her attention for long.  Oh no.  Something else caught hat.  Something small.  Something cute.  Something furry. 

Captain Twibble.

It was a plushie.  Not just any plushy, but a fluffy, chubby stuff Caitian captain.  Oh...oh it was too much.  Too adorable.  Alora almost couldn’t stand it! 
 
Peters: Long time no see indeed, Captain Nugra. It has been interesting. Gold’s a nice color, but don’t get me wrong, the Akira class handles beautifully outside of simulation. :: Turning his attention to Sal. :: Congrats on your promotion, commodore.
 
Taybrim: Thank you. :: he smiled gently to Cadfael :: Some days I hardly believe it myself.
 
Mei’konda: The Par’tha Expanse may be at the extreme edges of Staarbase 118’s area of authoriity, but we’ll be happy to haave it to return to when the Chin’toka next returrns to Federation space, Commodore.
 
Serala: Hello Mister Peters. Minding the store for Doctor Skyfire?
 
 There was a new voice added to the cluster of tones that ebbed and flowed in conversation.  A Romulan.  Not just any Romulan, but a first officer in Starfleet.  Serala. 
 
Peters:  Taking a shift here and there while the happy couple prepare for the upcoming wedding. In a sense, it’s like a warp core with many moving pieces.
 
Serala: That’s very kind of you. I will have my customary aesohll with a twist of lemon please. Hot.
 
Peters: Coming right up, commander.
 
Now that she had placed her order, the second in command turned to those assembled and greeted them as a whole.
 
Serala: Jolan’tru everyone :: to Mei’konda :: For those of you whom I have never met, I am Commander Serala. First Officer of this ship and welcome. It is a great honor to have you all with us. May I join you all?
 
Alora barely realised that someone had approached.  Not only approached, but had actually greeted them.  Almost automatically, she responded to it with-

DeVeau: Jolan’tru.

She got the accent right and everything - Alora had been practising!  Despite that acknowledgement, however, she was still distracted by someone else . A new love.  Her arms ached to hold him.  To squeeze him.  To cuddle him.  Oh Captain Twibble…
 
And generally, she would have said ‘yes, please come join us!  The more the merrier!  Let’s chat!’, but she had eyes only for one person...er...plushie... at that moment. 
 
Mei’konda: Good to see you, Commander.
 
Nugra: It is interesting to meet you, Commander Serala. Jolan'tru.
 
DeVeau: response
 
Peters: response
 
Taybrim: I would love to hear more, please join!
 
But it seemed that Cadfael Peters had the attention of someone else, not just Sal.  Serala ,the first officer of the Chin’toka, approached and immediately inquired of the would-be barista.
 
Serala: Well, I am glad you all could make it out to our corner of the galaxy. And I know Commander Rosek will be grateful to see all of you.
 
Taybrim: I am very excited to cheer on the bride and groom. ::he grinned:: I could not be happier than to see my brother find such a fantastic soulmate.
 
It was like magic, it really was.  Or maybe she was telepathic.  Or, perhaps, Lael had bugged the coffee shop so she could enter at *just* the right moment.  Whatever the reason, those doors parted and she stepped inside.  Alora, however, was still extremely, extremely distracted.  She had found a new love.
 
Rosek: Good evening, everyone. :: She immediately turned towards Nugra. :: It’s so good to see you. I don’t think we’ve been in the same room since the Victory. How’ve you been?
 
Nugra: You are correct. It is very good to see you again. It has been quite awhile.
 
Mei’konda: Good evening, Lael. Thaank you for escortiing your old crewmates here.
 
It was all sort of fading in the background.  The voices blended together, but that sight remained her focus.  Alora’s face lit up with another smile, and while it might not have been proper, Alora gently grabbed Mei’s arm to draw him closer to the bar.  The barista smiled at them.
 
Peters: That name sounds familiar… Are we talking about the same Alora DeVeau who liaised gifts for Sal’s promotion party?
 
Now that someone was speaking *directly* to her, Alora tore her eyes away from that which had stolen her heart.  Her smile remaind and she nodded. 
 
DeVeau: That would indeed be me. 
 
Mei’konda: Response
 
Peters: Ah! A face to match a name! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Alora.
 
Then Peters did something that no one had ever done before - he took her hand and kissed it like gentlemen of old.  She couldn’t help it.  She laughed.  It wasn’t one of derision, but more of delight.  A simple thing, old fashioned, but quite charming. 
 
DeVeau: Well now, this is quite the introduction.  I’m so glad to be able to put a face to the name.  You have, however, cast my attention upon someone else.  Oh please, may I have a closer look at Captain Twibble?
 
Her hands itched to take a hold of it, to stroke the soft head, to poke the red clad tummy.  
 
Mei’konda/Peters: Response
 
Alora accepted the toy with great glee and she turned it every which way around, gave it a hug, just to see how huggable it really was.  He was super huggable.  The [...] fur was oh so soft, and he just the right amount of squish, enough squeeze oh so pleasantly, but not so much that there wasn’t that despireable depth and robustness to him.  She loved him.  Absolutely adored him.  Alora vowed then and there that she would make one hers, all hers!  Ater a moment, she released the plush from her death grip to hold him up. 
 
DeVeau: This...this is wonderful!  I love him!  I must have him!
 
Mei’konda/Peters: Response
 
Of course, there was one thing she wondered.  It wouldn’t hurt to ask, so Alora leaned upon the bar, holding said plushie so that it was ‘looking’ at Cadfael.
 
DeVeau: Does his fur come in any other colours?  Specifically…
 
At this moment, Alora lifted her free hand and pointed at Mei’konda.
 
DeVeau: The colour of his?
 
Mei’konda/Peters: Response

-- 
Lt. Cmdr. Alora DeVeau
First Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
alora@blar.net
M239008AD0