Post Number 206 Formal Dinner

Posted on Wed Nov 29th, 2023 @ 7:51pm by Commodore Cyndi Song & Lieutenant Commander Kristian Long & Lieutenant Tara Herculoid PhD & Captain Alesha Rivers & Captain Rogue Green {Meji} & Major Jackson "JJ" Barnes {Meji} & Lieutenant David Montgomery & Lieutenant Sabbath & Lieutenant Alister McKeon
Edited on on Thu Nov 30th, 2023 @ 10:10pm

Mission: Wedding Blues And Trouble
Location: Commodore's Private Dining Room
Timeline: Current

ON:

Cyndi sent a message to the senior staff to report in dress uniform to her private dinning room for the formal dinner to welcome the Cardassian guests and Princess Zoreen aboard. She's had her chef prepare a variety of dishes including Seafood Alfredo that Perus had requested. Cyndi hoped this dinner would not be an issue with the Princess. Herculoid's report had been interesting to say the least.

Sabbath initially planned not to attend but curiosity proved the better of him as this whole situation reminded him of his experiences with the Awa peoples on Earth. It would also be a great opportunity to study the Princess more.

Tara, Kristian and Alesha entered together as they'd met at the lift. They greeted Cyndi and Sabbath.

Alister entered the dinning room giving a nod to the Commodore, “Here’s hoping everything goes smoothly,” he said to her as he took a seat waiting for everyone else to arrive.

"As do I lieutenant," Cyndi said "Lieutenant Herculoid had a talk with Princess Zoreen and I hope she got through to her."

Sabbath panned the room and waited at the back to see who arrived next.

"Sabbath," Tara greeted her boss.

Peck, who was from the groom's family entered the room, he was relieved that the Princess had not yet arrived.

Commander Green arrived at the CO's dining room, pausing just inside the door to gather her bearings with so many packed into the compartment. To this day, Ro was not a person who liked crowds or, being crowded. The dining room was adequate for this type of thing, but when they were all moving about it made for a bit of maneuvering to get from one side of the room to the other. Instead of sitting down in the chair provided for the XO, Green clasped her hands behind her back and side-stepped, to put her back against the wall just to the right of the door. There she remained as she reached out with the Core, using Sense to get a 'feel' for the room and the emotional content.

Princess Zoreen walked in and looked around the room and frowned. Peck had come in just ahead of her. "I thought when I was told this was a formal dinner that everyone would be in formal attire, That meant gowns and the men in some form of suit."

"Princess," Tara spoke up "Starfleet when a formal dinner is called for we wear dress uniforms."

Major Barnes entered the CO's dining hall, dressed to the nines in his Marine Corps dress whites. It was not too often he got to wear them, and since he was an officer now, the dress whites were next level. He gave a nod to Green and got one in return. As he had come in he could not help overhearing the Princess and Herculoid. "Ladies," he said to them both. "I take it, Princess Zoreen, you haven't filled your quota for complaints today?"

Ro pursed her lips and had to lightly clear her throat to prevent herself from grinning and giggling. Leave it to a marine to be blunt and polite all in the same breath.

Zoreen looked at the man dressed in white and started to open her mouth to say something only to receive a warning look from Tara indicating to mind her manners "I have plenty to complain about."

"Dinner will be served in fifteen minutes," Cyndi spoke up .

Alister took a sip of the water in front of him as he studied the princess and Pek. The Princess mannerisms certainly added up to why as far as he could tell a relative no body was being put up for a marriage. He glanced over at Cyndi wondering if they would still have a formal dinner by the time the meal was served.

The cooks began to bring the food in and placed it on the table along with various refreshments. and appetizers. "Please everyone take seats, Princess I would like you to sit next to Peck and Herculoid. The groom's family I'd like you to sit across from the Princess if at all possible. I've taken great pains to have foods prepared that should please everyone here," Cyndi said.

Green stepped in close to Barnes, keeping her voice low and between them. "Please, Jack, come sit next to me. I may need a squeeze to the knee to keep me grounded around the Princess. I'll do the same for you."

Barnes gave a grin. "Lead on Exec. I got your six." The two of them made their way around the table and sat down.

Kristian nodded to Alesha as they walked around the table and took seats. Kristian where she could keep an eye on the Princess and at the same time read everyone's temper in the room.

Alesha took a seat not far from Barnes and the XO. Like Barnes she too wore a side arm.

Cyndi moved to stand behind her chair "At the request of one of our guests I have had Seafood Alfredo prepared." Cyndi took her seat and nodded to the servers to serve everyone. She hoped this dinner would go off without too much trouble.

Legate Perus gave a wringing of his hands in anticipation, the smile on his face denoting his excitement. "I cannot wait. Thank you for your hospitality, to you Commodore and your crew."

Green was dishing up certain items for herself, and was also awaiting a taste of the seafood dish. But, as she was casually making small talk with Barnes and others while adding small portions to her plate, she could sense an underlying current of duplicity. She kept her face normal, her expressions light and friendly, not wanting to let on that she felt that something was amiss. Perhaps not even in this room, but there was something elusive.

"It's my pleasure, Perus," Cyndi replied as she too selected several items to eat. Her cooks had out done themselves in preparing various food items.

"My complements commodore," Zoreen said after she'd sampled some of the food. I was afraid it would be all Cardassian and it's not."

Alesha caught Tara's eye and nodded as she was relieved as well that the Princess for now at least was being civil.

Perus, having only eaten a small portion of his platter full of seafood alfredo, set his fork down and leaned back, using the cloth napkin provided to dab his mouth several times. He gave a sigh. "It is unfortunate that you detest our culture, Princess. Perhaps it is who you have been arranged to marry. But, either way, hearing your constant belittling of my people does get old after a while. Have you even tried to speak to your betrothed? Bigotry will not make your marriage any easier."

Barnes reached out and took up his glass of wine, an Earth Merlot he was told, and raised it up to salute the Cardassian. "Here, here, Legate Perus. Well said, Sir."

Green followed suit, giving her own nod of agreement. "To you Legate, for saying what many of us are thinking, even if we have not voiced it openly."

"Thank you," Perus said, raising his glass to salute the two who seemed to agree with his point of view. After they all three took a swallow of wine, he continued. "Princess Zoreen, I raise this next toast to you, my dear. What you are going through is not easy. I just ask that you use wisdom and discernment in the coming future, for both our people. One day you will be a leader and all leaders need to temper their own feelings with what is right."

Green and Barnes waited, raising their own glasses to toast with the Princess, if she chose to.

Zoreen looked to Tara who gave her a nod, Zoreen raised her glass "I have much to learn, Lieutenant Herculoid called me a spoiled brat and then told me of how her parents disciplined her when she was growing up. I was raised in luxury and have never had a friend. I was raised that anyone not a royal was beneath me. I gave not spoken to my betrothed and I need to. I ask for forgiveness and am willing to learn."

"You've come a long way," Tara said

"Your going to be a leader Princess, no one will follow a leader who is hard or impossible to get along with," Kristian said giving her cousin a smile.

David was sitting in his seat watching the dinner. He wasn’t going to say a word to anything. There were times when being silent was best.


Legate Perus gave a beaming smile, his eyes going around the table. "If you all would join in. I offer a toast, to you, Princess Zoreen. There will always be difficulties in life. How one deals with those difficulties can set them apart from those who cannot. Whether a soldier, a diplomat, or any other profession or way of life. Cheers, my dear." He took a sip of his drink.

Green and Barnes both sipped as the toast finished.

Zoreen looked to Tara who nodded and she took a sip "Perus I will do my best to be a good wife and a good leader to your people. Please accept my apologies for my attitude. Lieutenant Herculoid is a wonderful mentor and I have much to learn."

Alister took a sip of his drink at the toast and turned his attention briefly to the Legate before the princess spoke.

Perus set his glass down placed his hands on the table top after pushing his plate away. His hunger was no longer a priority. "Princess, any time you wish to speak to me I will always be available. It is my duty to aid your husband, and I gladly take on that responsibility. Any questions you have in regards to Cardassian culture I will gladly answer. But, also, if you just want to talk, to ease any anxiety you may have about the situation, I am available. Any time, day or night." Perus could feel that he was being scrutinized, but without the ability to glance around and look for signs while being invested in the Princess hindered his perceptions.

Zoreen nodded "Thank you Perus, I'd like that, perhaps after this dinner you and I can speak. I've learned a very valuable lesson. I'm deeply sorry for my attitude."

Raising his left hand politely to have her stop her current topic of conversation. "Bah." He grinned at the young Princess. "Cardassians are, by nature, xenophobic. I can understand your reticence at being thrust into something you don't understand. All is forgiven, and I will instruct my people to do the same for you. To get to know your culture and to understand your people better. That's only fair, I think."

"I agree," Zoreen said smiling for the first time.

Barnes was glad to see everyone calm and chatting, instead of shouting and being obstinate. All too often when people had their mouths open it auto-closed their ears.

Leaning back in her chair, Green reached out with the Core, seemingly holding her wine glass and enjoying the peaceful conversation at the other end of the table. She could sense a danger growing around them. There was something amiss.

Zoreen looked at Alesha "Forgive me, I don't recognize your uniform. Are you also one of the marines?"

"In a sense I am. The ship has a fighter wing and I'm in command of it," Alesha said

Lt Sabbath perused the room and followed along some of the conversations. Especially that of Peru's and Zoreen.

Barnes engaged with several people in conversation, but more to the point he paid attention to Legate Perus. Cardassians were known to be charming, even while interrogating prisoners. His father had told him that Cardassians normally had a plan within a plan, within a plan, followed by a trap. To not be prepared for that often worked in their favor.

The dinner had proven to be a success, the Princess had behaved herself and for that Cyndi was grateful. The guests were beginning to file out of the dining room with thanks to Cyndi and Commander Green for the wonderful meal. It had been a long day and one Cyndi was glad it was over. Herculoid had done a good job with the Princess. Perus had offered to speak to Zoreen and the groom's family so the two cultures could get more on even footing,

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