Preparations - Part III
Posted on Tue Dec 30, 2025 @ 2:54am by Colonel Nicholas Means III & Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines & Lieutenant Commander Curtis Thibideaux & Lieutenant Annora Tessaro & Lieutenant Bronwyn P’ril & Lieutenant Commander Alanna Wells & Senior Chief Petty Officer Alexander Rylan & Civilian Beatrice Weatherford
Edited on on Sat Jan 10, 2026 @ 4:56am
1,611 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission: Chicken Run
Alex Rylan stood outside of P'ril's quarters and rang the door chime. The Marine Ball was coming up and Alex, formerly of MARSOC, decided he would attend and not alone. He was where he was right that moment because he was going to ask P'ril if she wanted to go with him.
Inside, the piano suddenly stopped, disturbing P’ril’s cat, who mrowed at her, sounding very annoyed. “Hush,” she told him. “There is company. Come in,” she called, activating the door to open.
Which was the cat’s cue to greet the newcomer. He trotted over to the door, mrowing incessantly as he went to see who was here. “Meow, let them in,” P’ril scolded, standing from the piano and crossing to greet her guest.
Alex entered and looked down at Meow. "Well, hello!" he said. He crouched down and held his hand out to the cat.
Without even hesitating, Meow head butted the proffered hand.
Which made P’ril laugh. “I never understood what everyone meant when they say all orange cats share a single brain cell until I got one,” she commented. “Orange cats share, that is. I am not certain he has ever had a turn with the brain cell.”
Alex chuckled and pet Meow. "At least he seems to like me," he said. "Saves me the trouble of figuring out his favorite snack and bribing him with it every time I want to come over." Alex stood up. "So...in the hopes that you're going to say yes and not throw me out for asking, the Marine Ball is coming up and... I was hoping you might want to go with me... as my date."
P’ril blinked in surprise. Several thoughts rolled through her head at once. Is this like Prom for grown-ups? I’m going to have to go shopping. When exactly does this happen? Can I learn how to do a fancy updo with my hair in time? Should I have my hair done?
The pause was slightly longer than was strictly comfortable, but she shook herself and said, “I would be honored. Do I require a fancy gown?”
Alex nodded. "I am expected to wear dress whites but you can wear either your dress whites or a civilian 'fancy dress'. A floor length gown is the traditional go to. If you don't have something or you want something new, there's a shop on the Promenade run by an Andorian that looks like a good bet. I think it's called Sartorial Splendor or something like that."
“I am familiar with it,” she replied, stooping to scoop up her cat, who commenced to purring in her arms. She had never been to a ball before, but she was sure the shop keeper would help her find what she needed. “I believe I am already looking forward to it.”
"I believe I am, too," Alex said, grinning, a sparkle in his eyes. "In fact, I know I am. Thank you for agreeing to go with me. Oh, and as an added bonus, I do not have two left feet. I can actually almost dance at a formal party without embarrassing myself... mostly. I won't step on your feet, anyway." Alex winked at P'ril. "Those dance lessons my mother made me take come in handy now and again."
“I will have to defer to you,” she replied. “I am a musician; I have never attempted to dance.”
"It's okay," Alex said, a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye. "I won't let you trip and fall. Alright, I'd better be going. I have to cover a shift in Sickbay. It was great to see you."
I.. it was my pleasure,” P’ril replied awkwardly. She was not used to feeling awkward. Why did Alex make her feel awkward so easily?
Never mind. As he left her quarters, she scratched Meow behind the ears absently. “I am going to need a dress,” she informed him.
Walking through the Promenade, Curtis had a flag re-populate into his HUD. He'd put it off for as long as he could but he couldn't see a good reason not to attend the Marine Corp Ball invitation. Having found himself (mysteriously) second officer aboard the station, he knew what the politics required.
That Curtis was the new kid on the block and still trying to settle the shear footprint of the place was taking more work than he'd planned.
And now he had to figure out a date....if he should take one. Going stag had its appeal, but might also indicate that he was socially inept.
Sighing, he sifted his way through the crowded markets he took in the promenade’s atmosphere.
The Marine Ball promised a memorable event for Starfleet, Marines, and select guests. While scheduled in advance, the escaped animals from the freighter had the potential to cause disruptions. Thankfully, the situation seemed to be under control, allowing the festivities to continue as planned. In her office, Annora paired her Starfleet dress whites with a formal skirt, pausing before a holographic mirror to check her appearance. As she stepped into the lobby, Yeoman Piestewa glanced up from the security desk.
“Looking sharp, ma’am. The skirt’s a rare choice.”
Annora smoothed the skirt, catching any stray wrinkles. “Thanks. For an event like this, it felt right. Pants for duty, skirt for celebration.” She had worn the dress uniform, with pants, for the memorial just a few days prior. Now was a chance to wear it for a more joyous occasion.
Piestewa’s gaze settled on the ribbons adorning Annora’s left chest, recognizing the recent Starfleet Defense Citation for repelling the Cardassian assault. “Give me a second,” she said. “I think I can name most of them. The Crimson Starburst stands out. The red and black ribbon is the Romulan War, and the one with the green and gray stripes is the Combat Action Ribbon. What’s the silver one with blue stars?”
Annora’s eyes crinkled with a smile, impressed by the young crewman’s effort despite the time gap. “Close, but you flipped two. The red and black is the United Earth Combat Action Ribbon, with gold corner stripes for multiple awards. The diagonal green and gray is the Romulan War Ribbon, with the blue diamond marking the Battle of Cheron for starship and ground combat support. The one you couldn’t name is the Federation Support Medal. That was presented to all who assisted at the talks in San Francisco, leading to the founding of the United Federation. In my case, I helped provide security.”
Piestewa nodded slightly. “I’ll try to remember that.” Her eyes brightened. “Did you meet anyone famous at the talks?”
Annora chuckled, a question she’d heard even before her time jump to the 24th century. “Define ‘meet.’ I exchanged a hello with General Shran as his party entered one day and overheard Commander Tucker and Captain Jefferies discussing the new Columbia-class starships. That’s as close as I got to anyone historically famous.”
She headed towards the door.
“You’re in charge. Don’t hesitate to call if you need help.”
Beatrice was spoke to a few high profile ladies on the station under the guise of their opinion of the show and would stir the conversation to the Colonel and his availability. Most were quite interested but not keen on the idea of become to subject of gossip.
After an understanding reply and thanking them for their time she would excuse herself and go on her way. Seems the idea of fixing up the Colonel was going to fail, a victim on their own attention.
Mean was relaxing in Lasuma's second store front's cigar lounge with one of his best cigars and two fingers of Pappy Van Winkle. Setting his glass down he lifted his padd. Everything on the list was done or in play...all but the last item. Turning the padd off he slipped it into his hip pocket.
Taking a final drag on his cigar he nodded. He reached up to tap his combadge but stopped...no he would do it in person. dropping the last of the head of his cigar into the recycler he downed the last of his bourbon and headed off to do the deed.
Jason had just gotten back to his quarters after his altercation with the goat. He got a drink from the replicator and checked his mail. The invite to the Marine ball stood out. Most likely the Commodore would go, so he would have to go as well. That said, the chance of her getting attacked at the ball were slim, so he fired up the comm system and contacted Alanna.
"How are you, beautiful?", he asked.
"Hi, love. Better now," she replied, smiling. "Although it's still a little strange not being in the same location. How is everything going?"
When he told her about the ball, she smiled. "Of course I'll go with you. I'll come to the station the day before." It had been a while since she and Jason had danced together.
A post by
Senior Chief Petty Officer Alexander Rylan
Independent Duty Corpsman
Deep Space 5
Lieutenant Bronwyn P'ril
Chief Engineer
Deep Space 5
Commander Curtis Thibibideaux
Head of Strategic Operations
Deep Space 5
Lieutenant Annora Tessaro
Chief Security Officer
Deep Space 5
Piestewa
Security Officer
Deep Space 5
Beatrice Weatherford
Tea Lady
Colonel Nicholas Means III
121 MEU Commander
Pangaea & Deep Space 5
Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines
Guardian
Deep Space 5
Lieutenant Commander Alanna Wells
Director of Science, Exploration, and Archaeology
Pangaea
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