Here's To Us (Open to all crew)

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

"Hi there, Lieutenant! I hope you are enjoying yourself.", he said, and then gave her a very obvious once over. "Looking good by the way, peach really suits you!", he added, taking a sip of his drink through the red straw.

[Holodeck]

Ruth blushed the colour of her dress, she wasn't displeased but she wasn't used to compliments.  "Thanks Angel and you can call me Ruth in here!  Don't let PO Bash catch you looking at me like that tho or you'll have a new accessory... an hypospanner inserted where the sun don't shine!"  She grinned.  It was a joke, and Jules rarely had a temper but he had officially declared they were a couple so he would 'protect' what was his.

"If you head for any seats I'll come chat in a little while, I owe you a drink!"

As she was about to pick up the second basket, Katheryn saw Charlie, recognising her immediately from her department as she checked in with her before heading over to someone she had seen arrive a bit earlier and knew that she would need to speak to Marshall at some point. The reason being was that she hadn't met him properly yet due to circumstances that hadn't given the opportunity and it was one she was going to rectify.

Then Ruth arrived and made a beeline straight for their small group with her hands full and once she got nearer understood what she had been carrying. Thinking it was very thoughtful of her to give the twins a wolf plushie each but was slightly overwhelmed when she spoke to Ash before handing gifts over to her and Caleb.

Listening as she explained the reasoning behind them and how she had handmade the necklace and Caleb's gift and it reminded her of her own Nordic upbringing, the stories and beliefs passed onto her by her Grandmother and the wolves that would often visit her home.

" Thank you Ruth, its very thoughtful of you and I love it as will the twins with theirs when they get older " she replied " I understand the meaning behind these as I am from Eidfjord originally and my Grandmother instilled in me all of her Viking beliefs as well as her love for Wolves and she also refused to call my anything other than my middle name of Lagertha".

At the mention of where she could sit due to sun and sand, again she understood what she meant and smiled again as she replied. " Yes I know what you mean and we have a covered seating area next to the food and drink tent which is where we'll be heading shortly".

Returning her attention to the Brightons she smiled.  "I never knew, but I'm so glad I don't have to look like an absolute fool regarding the wolves and beliefs!  A hand tooled leather belt... well.." she put her head on one side and slightly rolled her eyes, "... that could come from practically anywhere and there's no connotations with that other than it's handmade with love.  Always good to love your Doctor - not the way you do of course!"

Ruth laughed, "Never does to piss off the Security Chief!! But seriously, be nice to your medical staff, your life may literally be in their hands one day... so... and besides."  She paused thinking how to word this one.  "I've found that when people have babies the babies get all the pressies.  All they do is lie there, drink, sleep, fill diaper and have it changed and look adorable.  Hardly strenuous!  Whereas Mum and Dad look after them, and poor Mum had them kicking her insides out for several months.  So I try to make sure Mum and Dad get pressies too for all their hard work!  Even people I don't know that well when I was back on Earth, soon as they were allowed - if they were breast feeding for example - I'd buy them a drink, or I'd offer to watch the children for a while so they could grab a soothing bath - real wet one! to relax for an hour or so, that was my gift to them, giving them an hour of peace!  Mentioning which, and I'm sure you'll be inundated with offers but, if you need a babysitter and I'm not on duty, call me.  I'm happy to, with 2 younger sisters I've had more than my share of practice!!"

When Katheryn mentioned the drink tent and seated area she smiled in relief.  "Ah thank you, I wouldn't want to deprive Casper the Friendly Ghost and Frosty the Snowman - you know these Earth tales? - of their Viking cousin, Ruth the Pale-faced Viking.  They need to make a cartoon about me!" she giggled.

"Have you seen Jules at all or is he in that rabbit hole he calls 'home' aka Engineering?!"

[Angel Romero]

[Holodeck]

Ruth blushed the colour of her dress, she wasn't displeased but she wasn't used to compliments.  "Thanks Angel and you can call me Ruth in here!  Don't let PO Bash catch you looking at me like that tho or you'll have a new accessory... an hypospanner inserted where the sun don't shine!"  She grinned.  It was a joke, and Jules rarely had a temper but he had officially declared they were a couple so he would 'protect' what was his.

"If you head for any seats I'll come chat in a little while, I owe you a drink!"

Hoisting his own glass into the air like a toast he smiled, "Sounds good. I'll see you then.", he said, and then headed off, picking up the soccer ball from where he'd left it in the sand by the refreshments table and heading off to kick it around a bit and see who else would show up. It really was a beautiful day, and even if it was holographic, he enjoyed the sunlight hitting his skin, and the feel of the warm, damp sand under his feet. It had been too long since he'd been able to enjoy that.

[Ashlynn Ren Morgaine]

[Holodeck]

Katheryn smiled as Ash noticed her before accepting the other woman's hug as she then complimented the COS for arranging this for everyone. " Thank you although I had some input from Caleb as to which beach we used and I agree it has been and we definitely all need some relax and unwind time " she replied letting the Mess Hall Manager go.

When Ash then spoke about the treats that she had brought and that she hoped that Katheryn didn't mind, Katheryn smiled once more and put her friend at ease. " I don't mind at all Ash, I think its an awesome idea that you had to bring some as I'm sure the crew won't pass up the chance to have some, me included " she said as she prepared to help with the baskets.

" As for where we can put them, there's a small group of tables not far from here so they can go there".

[Holodeck]

Ash looked to where their host was gesturing and immediately spotted the canopied tables set up near a grove of palm trees. She nodded and began to reply, "Perfect! Let's move them ove-" when they were interrupted by a sudden onslaught of arrivals.

However before she could pick up one of the baskets, her vision was impaired when her eyes were covered by very familiar soft yet strong hands followed by the voice of her husband being playful. " Hmmm I wonder who it could be " she teased before she took hold of Caleb's hands and moved them away from her eyes. Squinting slightly as they readjusted to the light of the holodeck, she turned and smiled at her husband.

" I'm glad that you're here and I hope the twins have been behaving for you " she said looking over at her children who looked quite happy in their stroller. " I was just about to help Ash carry one of these baskets filled with sweet treats" she explained then turned to Ash.

" Once we deliver these you're welcome to have twin cuddles " she offered knowing the Elise and Aleksander loved to be held.

Ash waved a quick hello to the ship's doctor, but her main focus was on the adorable little ones being pushed along. She hadn't had time to properly coddle and appreciate the twins, although she had been filling custom baby food orders for the Brightons for a while now... They were both incredibly cute, and Ash found herself inexplicably grinning just from looking at them. "I'd love to spend some time with the little darlings when we get the chance," she returned to Katheryn right before Ruth appeared laden with gifts.

Spotting the Brightons she said "Belated congrats on the twins, could someone take these...one each for the twins, we have wolves in Norway where I grew up and I thought they'd like them... once they're out I can get at your gifts and Ash... hope you don't mind I brought some petits fours and chocolates, if you can take that box dangling by one finger..."

Ash immediately swooped in and saved the box from its precarious position and tucked it under her spare arm after immediately snagging a petite four from the box and popping it into her mouth. "Mmmm, I don't mind anything that tastes this excellent. Your sugar will also pair well with my sugar for a well-balanced palate." She winked a little as she spoke, happy to joke around a bit for a change.

When it became clear that the Brightons were going to be a while, Ash repositioned the box from Ruth so that it was tucked snugly in her basket, then she moved forward and took the other basket from Katheryn. "Don't worry, I can handle it," she insisted. "I carried them all the way here, so I can carry them a bit farther. You enjoy your family and your guests."

Ash walked down the beach and over to the covered tables, where she set both baskets down and immediately tossed her shoes to rest under one of the nearby trees. She stretched, raising her tired arms over her head and wiggling her toes in the glorious sand with a sense of contentment. Today was going to be a good day; she was sure of it. Ash set about unpacking the baskets and started humming to herself as she worked.

[Katheryn Brighton]

As Ruth spoke to Cadet Romero, Katheryn looked towards Ash when she said that she would love to spend some time with the twins when they got chance and smiled. " They love cuddles so they'll be happy with that " she replied before the Mess Hall Manager took hold of the basket Katheryn had and insisted that she would be okay carrying both baskets and the box from Ruth so she could spend time with her family and others.

" As long as you're sure and thank you Ash" she replied watching as she walked over to the covered area and the tables set up, making a mental note to catch up with her soon and for her to have twin cuddles. Returning her attention to the Science Chief as she mentioned that she hadn't know about them sharing a similar background but then again not many people did but it was nice to have the Viking/Nordic connection.

" Its good to know that we have that connection Ruth and you're right ours is completely different and that's true never piss off the Security Chief but I agree with what you said about the medical staff " she replied playfully as the conversation continued.

Listening as Ruth explained why Katheryn and Caleb had also received gifts and appreciated the gesture and the reasoning behind it. When she then offered to babysit again Katheryn thought it was nice of her to offer as she looked at her husband.

" That's very nice of you and I'm sure we'll definitely take you up on that offer" she replied before she mentioned about her aversion to the Sun using old Earth terms and then asked about Jules.

" I know what you mean and no I haven't seen him as yet " she admitted then spoke to her husband.

" Perhaps its also a good time for us to go over to the seating area with these two, then we can all chat some more, enjoy the beach and the refreshments".

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

Hoisting his own glass into the air like a toast he smiled, "Sounds good. I'll see you then.", he said, and then headed off, picking up the soccer ball from where he'd left it in the sand by the refreshments table and heading off to kick it around a bit and see who else would show up. It really was a beautiful day, and even if it was holographic, he enjoyed the sunlight hitting his skin, and the feel of the warm, damp sand under his feet. It had been too long since he'd been able to enjoy that.

[Holodeck]

Ruth giggled at Angel playing with the football and called over  "If that wasn't sand, which I hate, I'd be showing you how to kick that thing properly!" she teased.  Having played with her elder brothers before their deaths and their friends... yet still held her own, Ruth was well versed in football.  She was more than confident that were she wearing the right attire, she could more than happily run circles around him, playfully of course.  "Not exactly the right attire either!" she gestured at the dress and the wedge heels she was wearing.

[Holodeck]

Ash looked to where their host was gesturing and immediately spotted the canopied tables set up near a grove of palm trees. She nodded and began to reply, "Perfect! Let's move them ove-" when they were interrupted by a sudden onslaught of arrivals.

Ash waved a quick hello to the ship's doctor, but her main focus was on the adorable little ones being pushed along. She hadn't had time to properly coddle and appreciate the twins, although she had been filling custom baby food orders for the Brightons for a while now... They were both incredibly cute, and Ash found herself inexplicably grinning just from looking at them. "I'd love to spend some time with the little darlings when we get the chance," she returned to Katheryn right before Ruth appeared laden with gifts.

Ash immediately swooped in and saved the box from its precarious position and tucked it under her spare arm after immediately snagging a petite four from the box and popping it into her mouth. "Mmmm, I don't mind anything that tastes this excellent. Your sugar will also pair well with my sugar for a well-balanced palate." She winked a little as she spoke, happy to joke around a bit for a change.

When it became clear that the Brightons were going to be a while, Ash repositioned the box from Ruth so that it was tucked snugly in her basket, then she moved forward and took the other basket from Katheryn. "Don't worry, I can handle it," she insisted. "I carried them all the way here, so I can carry them a bit farther. You enjoy your family and your guests."

Ash walked down the beach and over to the covered tables, where she set both baskets down and immediately tossed her shoes to rest under one of the nearby trees. She stretched, raising her tired arms over her head and wiggling her toes in the glorious sand with a sense of contentment. Today was going to be a good day; she was sure of it. Ash set about unpacking the baskets and started humming to herself as she worked.

"Thanks Ash, and yeah we aren't sweet enough we need all the sugar, spice and all things nice we can get, well ok, the twins excepted... they're sweet enough without more but then they get a free pass on the 'grounds of cuteness! I guess that comes under the 'all things nice'... baby snuggles!  Now that I'm unburdened of gifts I'll come over with you and give you a hand, I'm grabbing a seat before anyone else does.  Sand...ugh!" she giggled.

As Ruth spoke to Cadet Romero, Katheryn looked towards Ash when she said that she would love to spend some time with the twins when they got chance and smiled. " They love cuddles so they'll be happy with that " she replied before the Mess Hall Manager took hold of the basket Katheryn had and insisted that she would be okay carrying both baskets and the box from Ruth so she could spend time with her family and others.

" As long as you're sure and thank you Ash" she replied watching as she walked over to the covered area and the tables set up, making a mental note to catch up with her soon and for her to have twin cuddles. Returning her attention to the Science Chief as she mentioned that she hadn't know about them sharing a similar background but then again not many people did but it was nice to have the Viking/Nordic connection.

" Its good to know that we have that connection Ruth and you're right ours is completely different and that's true never piss off the Security Chief but I agree with what you said about the medical staff " she replied playfully as the conversation continued.

Listening as Ruth explained why Katheryn and Caleb had also received gifts and appreciated the gesture and the reasoning behind it. When she then offered to babysit again Katheryn thought it was nice of her to offer as she looked at her husband.

" That's very nice of you and I'm sure we'll definitely take you up on that offer" she replied before she mentioned about her aversion to the Sun using old Earth terms and then asked about Jules.

" I know what you mean and no I haven't seen him as yet " she admitted then spoke to her husband.

" Perhaps its also a good time for us to go over to the seating area with these two, then we can all chat some more, enjoy the beach and the refreshments".

Walking with the Brightons she smiled, "Well, it's always nice to find out more about fellow crew members, it helps us become more 'family-like' and to me whichever crew I'm with I think of them as a family, more so now that I only have the... heh..."

Ruth stopped and grinned.  "I have twins too... although mine are my 14 year old twin sisters Katya and Arya, literally mini me's!!"  Grinning even more broadly she continued "Think of me, doubled, with about 50% more energy and 200% less 'filter' and you have the twins, or Katya at least, Arya is slightly more restrained!  I'm hoping school on the base and then into the Academy is going to discipline them a little.  Ah... want me to carry anything?"  she said to both the Brightons.

[Steve Marshall]

Holodeck

It had been several hours since Steve arrived at the holodeck party he had spent the best part of the night making small talk with several members of his department and others from around the ship. He was hoping to catch a glimpse of Charlie he was desperate to spend time talking to her and getting to know her. It always seemed that work got in the way of them personally. He knew she was interested in chatting but he wasn't sure if she liked him in that way.

He felt like a teenage boy again in the first throws of love. He snapped out of it as so far she hadn't shown and he didn't want to seem desperate. He noted as he walked around the room how many people were deep in conversation huddled in small groups and genuinely having a good time. He headed up to the bar and waited for his turn he noted that Dean had arrived also.

"Hey Dean how are you tonight see the party is in full swing, Can I get you a drink?".

while the queue started to dwindled the two men continued to chat. Ever so often his eyes gazed at the door. The barman disturbed his chain of thought. "Sir can I get you a drink?".
coming back to the room.
" Sorry David can I have a root beer and whatever Dean is drinking".  He smiled the music was upbeat and the lighting people were laughing and some conversations were hushed.

[Arrun Dihsar]

"No problem, there's a lot of people to remember. I'm Angel Romero, but just call me Angel, and yes, I do work under her. I'm her new victi... uhhh... I mean cadet...", he replied, accidentally slipping the playful way she referred to him into his introduction, and holding out his hand for a friendly shake.

As Angel still stood in conversation he heard the voice of his previous boss coming from somewhere behind him, and turned. Seeing Ruth standing off to one side, talking, and apparently giving gifts, he smiled. She was a nice person, and he was thankful he'd ended up working under her instead of someone a lot less patient, and a lot less personable. Excusing himself from the conversation he had been in, he walked away, and approached Ruth...

[Holodeck]
Arrun shook the man's hand when offered and did not try to intercept him as he went to speak with Lieutenant Sigurdsdottir; choosing instead to look around the beach once more, enjoy nice calm breaths, the sea breeze, and trying to ignore the sun was there.

[Holodeck]

Ash looked to where their host was gesturing and immediately spotted the canopied tables set up near a grove of palm trees. She nodded and began to reply, "Perfect! Let's move them ove-" when they were interrupted by a sudden onslaught of arrivals.

Ash waved a quick hello to the ship's doctor, but her main focus was on the adorable little ones being pushed along. She hadn't had time to properly coddle and appreciate the twins, although she had been filling custom baby food orders for the Brightons for a while now... They were both incredibly cute, and Ash found herself inexplicably grinning just from looking at them. "I'd love to spend some time with the little darlings when we get the chance," she returned to Katheryn right before Ruth appeared laden with gifts.

Ash immediately swooped in and saved the box from its precarious position and tucked it under her spare arm after immediately snagging a petite four from the box and popping it into her mouth. "Mmmm, I don't mind anything that tastes this excellent. Your sugar will also pair well with my sugar for a well-balanced palate." She winked a little as she spoke, happy to joke around a bit for a change.

When it became clear that the Brightons were going to be a while, Ash repositioned the box from Ruth so that it was tucked snugly in her basket, then she moved forward and took the other basket from Katheryn. "Don't worry, I can handle it," she insisted. "I carried them all the way here, so I can carry them a bit farther. You enjoy your family and your guests."

Ash walked down the beach and over to the covered tables, where she set both baskets down and immediately tossed her shoes to rest under one of the nearby trees. She stretched, raising her tired arms over her head and wiggling her toes in the glorious sand with a sense of contentment. Today was going to be a good day; she was sure of it. Ash set about unpacking the baskets and started humming to herself as she worked.

Arrun noticed Ash was setting up the tables on her own and decided to make himself useful. As he walked over he found himself smiling a little, "Good day Ash! You look to be enjoying yourself. Need any help with that?" He stood by one of the baskets and looked over the impressive array she had brought to the holodeck; he doubted anyone could mark the ship's Mess Hall Manager for lack of preparedness.

[Ashlynn Ren Morgaine]

[Holodeck]

Arrun noticed Ash was setting up the tables on her own and decided to make himself useful. As he walked over he found himself smiling a little, "Good day Ash! You look to be enjoying yourself. Need any help with that?" He stood by one of the baskets and looked over the impressive array she had brought to the holodeck; he doubted anyone could mark the ship's Mess Hall Manager for lack of preparedness.

[Holodeck]

Ash turned slightly at the sound of the familiar voice and grinned as she took in a rather tropical flight officer. "Arrun! Hey! If you're offering, then I'll never say no," she returned as she gestured to the other basket. "I found myself in possession of a surplus of sweets, so I thought I'd bring them and put them to good use... As long as there's enough room on the table."

Ash reached into her basket and snagged a small tart coated in powdered sugar. She took a bite, revealing a dark purple jam on the inside, and accidentally coated her upper lip in white powder in the process. "Mmm... Worst case scenario, I plan on sacrificing myself and eating anything that doesn't fit."

[Arrun Dihsar]

[Holodeck]

Ash turned slightly at the sound of the familiar voice and grinned as she took in a rather tropical flight officer. "Arrun! Hey! If you're offering, then I'll never say no," she returned as she gestured to the other basket. "I found myself in possession of a surplus of sweets, so I thought I'd bring them and put them to good use... As long as there's enough room on the table."

Ash reached into her basket and snagged a small tart coated in powdered sugar. She took a bite, revealing a dark purple jam on the inside, and accidentally coated her upper lip in white powder in the process. "Mmm... Worst case scenario, I plan on sacrificing myself and eating anything that doesn't fit."

[Holodeck -- Near the Covered Tables]

The Bajoran man smiled, "I cannot imagine you having a surplus of sweets. Half of flight survives on the sugar while the other half lives on caffeine." He started taking things out of the basket and setting them out with a easy hand of one who had done something similar many times. "Though, there is a lot here..." he muttered as one table got more full but the basket barely seemed half empty. He looked up to Ash and blinked, "Oh, Ash, a moment, you have something right..." he reached down into the basket to retrieve a napkin and gently reached out to brush away the powder on her lip. "There."

[Ashlynn Ren Morgaine]

[Holodeck -- Near the Covered Tables]

The Bajoran man smiled, "I cannot imagine you having a surplus of sweets. Half of flight survives on the sugar while the other half lives on caffeine." He started taking things out of the basket and setting them out with a easy hand of one who had done something similar many times. "Though, there is a lot here..." he muttered as one table got more full but the basket barely seemed half empty. He looked up to Ash and blinked, "Oh, Ash, a moment, you have something right..." he reached down into the basket to retrieve a napkin and gently reached out to brush away the powder on her lip. "There."

[Covered Tables]

Ash froze and immediately blushed as Arrun wiped something off of her face. As soon as he pulled his hand away, she reached up and quickly wiped at her mouth, just in case there was anything left. "Sorry...Moments like this make me wish I'd paid more attention to my mother's etiquette lessons," she admitted with a bashful laugh.

Her embarrassment, however, was not great enough to deter her from finishing the tart, only to make her navigate the dessert a little more carefully past her lips to avoid further mess. She resisted the urge to swipe at her mouth, and instead she turned to Arrun and asked, "Clean?" A small smile tugged the corners of her lips upward as she added, "If I've managed to get blackberry all over my face, just let me know gently so I don't die of embarrassment on the spot."

Turning back to the basket, she grabbed another platter of treats, this one filled with delicate, puffy pastries, and laid it out in one of the last clear places on the current table. "Perhaps... I may have baked a little too much this time."

Whenever Ash couldn't relax enough to sleep, she tended to make late-night trips to the kitchen and bake... With the stress of the Athena's past few missions hanging over her head, and the constant temptation of the messages left by her future self, she supposed she had been spending more time baking than she usually did.

Ash reached out and snagged a blueberry lemon scone off of a nearby plate and contentedly took a bite. She supposed there were worse coping mechanisms.

"Would you like something?" Ash gestured to the packed table as she moved her basket underneath the table and pulled out two more platters to fill the space left by the basket. "Once some of this is eaten, I can swap out empty plates for everything that's left." She nudged the half-full basket further under the table with her bare foot as she took another small bite of her scone. "Besides," she insisted, "you can't leave me to indulge my sweet tooth by myself. You'll make me feel guilty."

[Arrun Dihsar]

[Covered Tables]

Arrun chuckled quietly and smiled at Ash's bashful laugh, arranging the plates of food better to accommodate as much as he could. He looked around at the array and smiled at the bounty, half-tempted to request another table be summoned into being to accommodate the rest of it. Then again, it was always nice to have spare in case half the ship showed up to eat it all. So, he instead closed up the other basket he'd been working on and tucked it alongside her basket. When he stood again he pondered his choices, "I think I will, thank you. Though, I heard from a human priest once that guilt can be good for the soul." He picked up a fluffy strawberry turnover and took a bite, smiling as he savored the sweetness.

"Then again, I disliked that school of thought even back on Bajor; I rather enjoy the idea that guilt is best shared to better lighten the weight." Before he knew it, his turnover was quickly eaten away in tiny bites; his own mental strain showing through. He picked up one of the scones Ash had tried and began working away on it with curiosity. "Oh! This reminds me, I was thinking of spinning some fresh Jumja sticks for Emissary Day next month and offering them for anyone who wanted one in the mess hall. Did you want me to bring a spinning machine in the mess hall or just spin some up and bring them up to the mess?"

[Caleb Brighton]

[ Holodeck ]

"Doctor, for you..." Ruth handed him a box which contained...

Caleb's eyes lit up as he looked inside the box given to him by Ruth. The gifts given to his family was more than amazing. "This is amazing! Thank you so much. I know the twins will love this!," He said in reply. He thought back to the notebook he was given to from his otherverse self. There was a distinct mention of wolves in one of the entries. He thought it was odd, but after all the adventures his family had been on, it seemed normal.

" Perhaps its also a good time for us to go over to the seating area with these two, then we can all chat some more, enjoy the beach and the refreshments".

As Caleb moved through with the group, he was pushing the twins. He was listening in to group that was formed around he and his wife. His lovely wife spoke to him."I totally agree. Let's go head out,' He said in reply. "Oh I have brought the holocubes in case you want me to play some later."

[Katheryn Brighton]

"Hey Dean how are you tonight see the party is in full swing, Can I get you a drink?".

while the queue started to dwindled the two men continued to chat. Ever so often his eyes gazed at the door. The barman disturbed his chain of thought. "Sir can I get you a drink?".
coming back to the room.
" Sorry David can I have a root beer and whatever Dean is drinking".  He smiled the music was upbeat and the lighting people were laughing and some conversations were hushed.

[NPC - Petty Officer Dean Richards]

Dean hadn't planned on attending the party in the holodeck but after a change of heart, had changed into shorts and sleeveless tank top and made his way to the soiree organised by his DH. Upon arrival he had noticed and acknowledged several people that he knew and after a while approached the bar where he heard his name being called by Marshall.

" Hi Steve and it is indeed, in fact its my just my kind of party " he replied " and sure I'll have a beer thanks".

[Holodeck]

Walking with the Brightons she smiled, "Well, it's always nice to find out more about fellow crew members, it helps us become more 'family-like' and to me whichever crew I'm with I think of them as a family, more so now that I only have the... heh..."

Ruth stopped and grinned.  "I have twins too... although mine are my 14 year old twin sisters Katya and Arya, literally mini me's!!"  Grinning even more broadly she continued "Think of me, doubled, with about 50% more energy and 200% less 'filter' and you have the twins, or Katya at least, Arya is slightly more restrained!  I'm hoping school on the base and then into the Academy is going to discipline them a little.  Ah... want me to carry anything?"  she said to both the Brightons.

[ Holodeck ]

As Caleb moved through with the group, he was pushing the twins. He was listening in to group that was formed around he and his wife. His lovely wife spoke to him."I totally agree. Let's go head out,' He said in reply. "Oh I have brought the holocubes in case you want me to play some later."

[Holodeck]

As the small group began to walk off towards the seating area, Katheryn listened as Ruth spoke agreeing with her in regards to how nice it was to learn more about fellow crew members and how they were like family. " I agree Ruth and I've always thought of the Athena crew as family " she replied " We're fortunate that we get to have these experiences and I know the twins will grow up in the perfect environment".

When her husband then spoke to her the COS smiled as he pushed the stroller and at the mention of holocubes, she thought it was a great idea. " I would like that my love and I'm sure everyone will enjoy what you have planned".

[Steve Marshall]

[NPC - Petty Officer Dean Richards]

Dean hadn't planned on attending the party in the holodeck but after a change of heart, had changed into shorts and a sleeveless tank top and made his way to the soiree organized by his DH. Upon arrival, he had noticed and acknowledged several people that he knew and after a while approached the bar where he heard his name being called by Marshall.

" Hi Steve and it is indeed, in fact its my just my kind of party " he replied " and sure I'll have a beer thanks".

Steve turned to Dean"Hi Dean didn't think you had the time to make it tonight or was the sound of the music too much to ignore" He smiled that the young man who joined them at the bar. Steve turned to the barman " and a beer for Dean please Dave?" Steve took a small sip from the root beer and waited for the taste of the beverage to slip down his throat. He handed Dean the beer.

over the coming hours, the room got more and busier and the general noise got louder the laughter more raucous he was still he had his eyes on the door waiting for Charlie to appear but as the night wore on it didn't look as if she was going to turn up. Turning back to the bar he ordered another root beer. And joined in the conversation which was in full flow,

[Holodeck]

As the small group began to walk off towards the seating area, Katheryn listened as Ruth spoke agreeing with her in regards to how nice it was to learn more about fellow crew members and how they were like family. " I agree Ruth and I've always thought of the Athena crew as family " she replied " We're fortunate that we get to have these experiences and I know the twins will grow up in the perfect environment".

When her husband then spoke to her the COS smiled as he pushed the stroller and at the mention of holocubes, she thought it was a great idea. " I would like that my love and I'm sure everyone will enjoy what you have planned".

[Ashlynn Ren Morgaine]

[Covered Tables]

Arrun chuckled quietly and smiled at Ash's bashful laugh, arranging the plates of food better to accommodate as much as he could. He looked around at the array and smiled at the bounty, half-tempted to request another table be summoned into being to accommodate the rest of it. Then again, it was always nice to have spare in case half the ship showed up to eat it all. So, he instead closed up the other basket he'd been working on and tucked it alongside her basket. When he stood again he pondered his choices, "I think I will, thank you. Though, I heard from a human priest once that guilt can be good for the soul." He picked up a fluffy strawberry turnover and took a bite, smiling as he savored the sweetness.

"Then again, I disliked that school of thought even back on Bajor; I rather enjoy the idea that guilt is best shared to better lighten the weight." Before he knew it, his turnover was quickly eaten away in tiny bites; his own mental strain showing through. He picked up one of the scones Ash had tried and began working away on it with curiosity. "Oh! This reminds me, I was thinking of spinning some fresh Jumja sticks for Emissary Day next month and offering them for anyone who wanted one in the mess hall. Did you want me to bring a spinning machine in the mess hall or just spin some up and bring them up to the mess?"

[Covered Tables]

Ash crinkled her nose at the idea that guilt was 'good for the soul.' "I think I agree with you there. From my experience, guilt does nothing but tear people apart from the inside. Without someone else to anchor them, they can be swept away by it entirely." She shook her head as if dispelling the cloud that had suddenly appeared over the conversation and took another bite of her scone.

At the turn in the conversation, Ash perked up instantly. "Jumja sticks? I've never tried them! You make them?" She peered at the man in front of her with new interest. It seemed like the more time she spent with Arrun, the more she was learning about him. "I'd love to learn how to make them if you're willing to teach me. That's why I joined the Athena, you know. To learn."