You're Invited...

Posted on Thu Mar 2nd, 2017 @ 4:25am by Lieutenant Ryan North & Ensign Vex Krylore & Ensign Theodore Vega

Episode: Fishing Expedition
Location: Magistrate's Residence
Timeline: MD-01, 2100

After they toured the lab, Ryan, Vex, and Theo had been escorted to their block of temporary quarters. They were a lavish affair, with decks that led right out the ocean, sonic hot tubes inlaid within the rich dark wood, and a partially glass ceiling that allowed a perfect view of the cloudless night sky and the stars beyond it. After sending a message to his commanding officer to let him know that everything was going fine so far, Ryan had changed into a more formal dress. Lt. Palmer insisted that they not wear the standard dress uniform, more so because their hosts insisted that they wear something more linked to their own personal desires. Ryan had chosen a black suit that Diego had tailor made for him a few years ago. He wore a dark grey shirt under and had forgone a tie. 

Ryan gave himself a once over in the mirror before heading out to the small courtyard to await both Vex and Theo.

Vex had always been uncomfortable in his own dress uniform, so he was delighted to be able to ditch the thing for something more his style. He had chosen an Unkari evening outfit, with form fitting black pants, a dark grey shirt, and a series of silver earrings. So far everything about these people fascinated him, although not as much as they probably fascinated Theo and Ryan. Vex grinned, he wondered what exactly Theo would be wearing. He stepped out the door and spotted Ryan in the courtyard. 

"You look handsome sir," Vex whistled, as he walked up to the other officer. "Very nice indeed."

"Don't say that too loud," Ryan said, with a slight smile. "You might make someone jealous."

"I don't know what you are talking about sir."

"Drop the sir," Ryan ordered. "We aren't on duty, remember. It's Ryan."

"Okay... Ryan."

Theo showed up a moment later, wearing traditional lunar formal wear. It was obvious that it had come from a traditional national costume that originated with jumpsuits, vacsuits, and more jumpsuits. Yes, it was much more flatteringly tailored and came with distinct pants and jacket now, the gloves were silk, and the O2 hookups and helmet seals were just fancy embroidery, but it was definitely a fancy spacesuit at heart. The mission patches and emblems of old had been replaced with carefully hand-made variants, showing not just the Starfleet and UFP logos but the Lunar flag, the crest of his home city, and various other symbols indicating more personal affiliations.

Also, it was purple. Very, very purple.

"What's that human expression... you wash up well," Vex said. He gave Theo a wide grin and resisted the urge to kiss him.

As far as the rest of the ship knew, he and Theo were just friends. He wasn't sure why Theo was so reluctent to admit that they were dating, especially to someone that seemed as laidback as Ryan. But, Theo was the best thing that had happened to him since... well ever.

"I think you mean he cleans up nice," Ryan said. "But Vex is right, that's a very good look on you."

"You sure?" Theo said. "Not too bright? My mom said bold is in fashion right now, but I'm not sure I'm feeling it."

"I think it looks fine Theo," Ryan said, with a smile.

"It looks better than fine," Vex replied. "Very handsome indeed."

Vex had to resist the urge to sweep his boyfriend into his arms and make out with him right then and there.

"They said they'd send a hovercar for us," Ryan replied, looking down at his watch. "It should be along any moment now. Lt. Palmer told me that they've been known to throw a pretty interesting party on this planet."

"How's he definie interesting?" Theo asked. "Are we talking a thirty-course meal 'interesting party', a Vulcan philosophical-debate party, a Klingon 'at least one person stabbed' party?"

Ryan laughed and then looked up as the hovercar came into view. "From what Lt. Palmer has told me, lots of food, lots of dancing, and very stimulating conversation with no chance for bodily harm."

"Good. When we visited Qo'nos, we were dragged to the wedding of the chief park warden's daughter - very fond of big game reserves, Klingons - and I literally got covered with arterial spray after someone's hand got cut off in duel over bloodwine vintage choices."

"Really?" Vex asked. "As far as I can recall, there hasn't been any blood spilled at an Unkari wedding... although my grandfather and his husband did knock of an entire dessert table trying to peform some ancient dance they heard about... I can't recall the name of it though."

"I can assure you both there will be no loss of limbs," Ryan said. "And no blood letting. Here comes our ride."

They looked up as the hovercar landed with gentle thump. Farondis stepped out, wearing a form fitting black and purple bodysuit with an array of glittering rings on his fingers as well as adorning his ears. The bodysuit did nothing to hide the other man's figure; not that it needed hiding in Ryan's opinion. 

"I see you and welcome your voice," Ryan said, with a bow.

"Greetings my friends," Farondis said, with a nod. "Your attire is lovely... so varied. It flatters your forms well. We should get going, the Magistrate is expecting us."

"Lead the way," Ryan said.

"That wasn't sarcasm, was it?" Theo whispered to Vex. Maybe he should have gone with the centuries-old classic of dayglo orange.

"I think he was being sincere," Ryan said, looking over his shoulder. "Relax Theo, you look fine."

Vex gave Theo a playful swat on the rear, a gesture that went unnoticed by the other members of their party. "Trust me, you look beatiful."

Vex stepped into the hovercar after Ryan. He stopped himself for reaching back and grabbing Theo's hand, instead settling on giving him a warm smile. He buckled himself in as Farondis closed the door and took his seat as well.

"Is it a long flight?" Vex asked.

"Only ten minutes," Farondis said. "The Magistrate has been going on and on all day long about how fantastic it will be to have more members of the Federation around to converse with. Personally, I think thay your Lt. Palmer is happy that he won't be the only one cornered at these gatherings anymore."

Smoothly the hovercar lifted off the ground and then shot foward, angling over the winding canals of the city. They ventured inwards, towards the grand spires and larger buildings that made up the city center. The air traffic was more congested the further in they went, although it paled in comparison to most worlds that Ryan had been too. 

"A fairly amazing view," Vex remarked.

"Our destination lies ahead," Farondis pointed. 

They hovercar slowed as it approached mansion that looked as if it had been hewn from blue and white marble. It sat on a lush piece of land that was surrounded by trees drapped in brilliant blue and white lights and even from this distance Ryan could see the large crowd that milled about the grounds. 

"Impressive," Ryan said, as the hovercar touched down. "This place looks huge."

"Certainly no shortage wealth when it comes to the members of government," Vex said. He winced when he realized how his comment could he take out of context. "My apologies, I didn't mean that the way it sounded."

"Money implies poverty," Theo said distractedly, craning his head to get a better look at the architecture and decorations.

"I can see how one could make that assumption," Farondis replied. "But, we certainly don't take offense to it. We do have currency but gaining wealth is not the goal of most my people these days."

"Very interesting," Vex nodded.

"Sorry," Theo said, "I wasn't trying to comment on social... anything, not really my field. Are those vines you've got strung up natually phosphorescent like that, or is it induced?"

"Naturally occuring," Farondis said. "I'm not entirely sure I understand the science behind it but we have been told is a remarkable sight. The Magistrate is waiting to see you Ryan."

"Alright," Ryan nodded. He stood up and then looked over at Theo and Vex. "Try and stay out of trouble. I'll check in with you in a bit."

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