Comedy Night

Posted on Tuesday, 19 May 2020 - 11:48pm by Commander DeVala Victrix Ph.D & Commander Soral & Lieutenant Ryan Rose MD & Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali & Lieutenant Raith Kolani & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley & Lieutenant JG Yolen *

Mission: Operation: Recall
Location: USS Fontana | Lounge | Deck 3
Timeline: MD 5 1900

{ON:}

Ryan had taken his position as host seriously. He even replicated a tuxedo for the event. If he was going to play host, he might as well do it up properly.
As he stepped out on the make do stage, he was pleased to see the lounge was full. He wasn't sure how many would be willing to participate, but he knew at least 2 enlisted had made their interest known. So it wouldn't be a completely barren show.

Ryan took the mic, though in a room this small he wouldn't really need it if he spoke up, but it added to the atmosphere. "Good Evening. Welcome to the USS Fontana's first comedy night. This is the first of many events we have planned, so don't forget to check the schedule. Things have been spread out at different times and days to give the most number of crew the chance to participate. Now, enough with the logistics. Who's ready for some fun?" He asked the crowd at large.

Lieutenant Commander Victrix wolf-whistled in response to the Chief Medical Officer. She was genuinely pleased to see this event come along. It was necessary for ensuring that the crew had some fun. Shore leaves were all well and good, but keeping morale on the up and up was essential to the success of this starship. She knew it and Stillwater would likely agree with her assessment. She was looking forward to seeing what the crew had come up with.

T’Lanna was back stage checking everything was in order, she’d helped Ryan to organise the event and she wanted it to go off without a hitch for him. She was waiting for Raith to arrive, so she was keeping an eye on the door so she didn’t miss his arrival. She was wearing a long black figure hugging, low necked sparkly dress with her hair down. She wanted to catch Raith’s attention the moment he arrived.

With his shift completed for the evening, Raith had made his way to his quarters and then gotten showered and changed. T'Lanna had told him about the Comedy night and he decided that this would be a good first date night together. He arrived at the Lounge, looking for her to let her know he had arrived. Seeing an empty table somewhere in the middle of the room, Raith took a seat.

Yolen arrived shortly after T'Lanna. He got a drink sitting hear the back preferring to watch the show. This was new to him but he was looking forward to this. He looked around feeling an excitement at seeing the crew together.

“Hello Yolen” T’Lanna smiled politely as she walked out from where she’d been and joined the crowd. “I don’t suppose you saw Raith on your way here did you, not that it matters he’ll get here when he’s ready. Are you going to perform for us tonight?”

"I have not seen him." He smiled, "No..not performance for me but I do love to learn and try new things. This shall be an interesting evening."

“I’m certainly hoping so” T’Lanna smiled warmly. “I’m helping with organising the evening so if there’s anything you need feel free to let me know.” With that she moved on hoping Raith would soon arrive, she hadn’t even noticed he was sitting waiting for her.

The door opened again and Eyelaya walked in. She hugged the wall never feeling at ease during social functions. She picked a corner that looked safe and waited for Sam to show.

“This seat taken Flyboy?” Lieutenant Kingsley asked as she entered and caught sight of the Denobulan helmsman. She couldn’t see Soral but hadn’t been sure if he would come along or not. In the end she had been cutting it fine herself, after hours working on the antivirals for Dr Rose’s goodwill packages. It felt odd to be out of the protective suit and in civilian clothes.

He smiled, "Not at all." He motioned to the chair. "This is exciting! I have never been to a comedy night." He looked at her. "Will you be performing?"

“Ha! Definitely not,” she laughed as she slid into a seat. “Curious to see what everyone is planning though.”

T’Lanna took a look around before finally noticing Raith, he’d blended in with the crowd nicely. Walking over to him she smiled as she greeted him. “Hey you, I didn’t know you’d arrived.”

Raith smiled as he stood up and kissed T'Lanna gently on the cheek. "Hey...Well, I thought I would sneak in and try to surprise you," he started before stepping back and taking in the dress that she had chosen to wear for the evening. "You know, that's the second time you've worn a tight, long, low necked dress... I'm starting to wonder what else you have in your wardrobe." He took her hand as she twirled before him.

"Although, I have to say, you look amazing...so I'm not complaining," he added, seeing her smile.

“I’ll have to show you what’s in my wardrobe sometime” She smiled. “As for my choice of dresses, they’re simply to please you and make you one of the most envied guys in the room!”

Raith looked around and saw that several people in the room had noticed the two of them talking and he also picked up on some of the looks that T'Lanna was getting by her choice of clothing. Putting his arms around her, he smiled. "Well, you succeeded sweetheart, I am the most envied man in the room...I can work with that," he replied. He was happy with this and happy to see she was enjoying herself.

Sam had almost decided not to go. Ryan was hosting, and she didn't want it to be awkward. But she couldn't let down her friend and roommate, so she finally got up the nerve and went, albeit a tad late. She spotted Eyelaya in a corner and slipped into a chair next to her. "Sorry, I'm late."

Eyelaya smiled. "Not late at all. They just started." She looked around. "Can I get you something to drink or eat?

"A glass of red wine would be great." Sam replied. She needed something to calm her nerves and relax just a little.

Ryan let the conversation go for a bit, so everybody could get settled and comfortable. Then he spoke into the mic again. "Alright, let's get this started. Please welcome Petty Officer Durna"

Durna was young. Oh so young. But the youthful faced Petty Officer hurried to take the mic, and Ryan stepped back behind stage so the man could have the stage.

As the young PO took the stage Soral slipped into the event unnoticed. He stood near the back leaning against the wall. This should be interesting, he thought.

T’Lanna rested her head on Raith’s shoulder as she held onto his hand as they sat together. “So any plans to perform this evening Imzadi?”

"Me? hell no, I'm here to watch and be supportive," he said without any hesitation. He then picked up on T'Lanna's look in her eyes as she looked back at him. "Although, I could always give you a private, command one on one performance later..."

T’Lanna raised her eyebrows and grinned as she looked at Raith. “Ohh really? Hmmm...I think I’d like that.” She lowered her voice. “My own private strip act by any chance?”

"Damn, now you've spoiled the surprise," he whispered back, before kissing her on the cheek. "However, if you're a good girl and behave whilst your out tonight, I'll make sure that you get that private strip act and that you are not disappointed..." he left the sentence with a pause "...with the aftershow benefits as well." He knew that T'lanna picked up on what he meant and the naughty smile on her face was answer enough.

Soral took the time to study the crew. He wasn't surprised that Victrix was upfront cheering the crew on. His eyes roamed and settled on Alex and Yolen. A pang of something he couldn't name shot through him.

“...visions of being crushed by a giant stuffed alligator in my own quarters! Can you imagine the epitaph? Thankfully it was fine,” Alex laughed as her drink arrived. She took a long drink and as she set the glass down she looked to the other side of the room, finding Soral in the gathered crowd. She smiled and gestured for him to join them.

Soral raised an eyebrow and slowly walked over. "Hello." He said stopping by the table.

Yolen shifted uncomfortably. "Hi Commander."

Soral sat down trying not glare at Yolen.

Alex frowned as she looked between them. Choosing to ignore it she took Soral’s hand, “I wasn’t sure if you would make it.”

He held her hand. "I did promise doctor Rose. I am not the most comfortable at gatherings such as this but am interested to see the crew at rest. It has been a difficult mission thus far."

Soral looked over to see Victrix wave at hm. He looked at Alex. "I shall return. I should go say hello to the commander." He stood and gave Yolen a last look the two seeming to speak only with their eyes.

Alex glanced between them, perplexed but she didn’t push it. Instead she took a long drink and settled in to watch the show.

Soral headed over to Victrix. "Commander."

Victrix looked up and over. There was Soral. "Have you come to admire your handiwork, Commander?" she teased him. "I think the Doctor is doing well."

"Indeed." He looked around. "As far as punishments go this happens to be my best one yet. So much better then polishing the bulkheads. I must remember to always be so...creative."

"Just remember karma is a bitch" she replied with a bit of a smirk.

Back at the table with Alex Yolen smiled. "So rumour is that you and the Commander are a pair."

“You should know better than to listen to rumours,” she chided him gently before grinning. “But yes, we are.”

He sighed. "I see. Shame that."

"You were still my first friend on the ship, Yolen," Alex grinned, raising her glass, "that will never change."

"I can settle for that then." He paused. "You know I'm more handsome then he is right?"

"You are plenty handsome," she assured him with a pat on the back, opting to be diplomatic. Especially in a crowd of people. She wanted to point out that she had the benefit of seeing Soral out of uniform, frequently and how she would never tire of it. But this was not the time. "You'll find your perfect person, don't worry."

"I guess." He said smiling as he turned back to the show.


Eyelaya picked up the second round of drinks, her a second Cranberry juice. She suddenly felt a little overwhelmed. As the show went on it seemed anyone who was not on duty was here. She hurried back to Sam. "Hey Sam," she said placing the drink in front of her. "Would you mind if I left a bit early?"

Sam frowned, but quickly hid it. "Do you want me to go with you? We can just hang in our quarters if you'd like. I'm not going to perform."

Eyelaya looked at Sam. I don't want to spoil your evening. It's just..getting too crowded."

Sam nodded. "No problem. Let's go." She sighed. "Ryan looks too good in that tuxedo anyway, and the last thing I need is for the evening to escalate in that direction." A silent 'again' hung in the air. "We'll make chocolate chip cookies and watch a movie. How does that sound?"

"Perfect," she said as they headed out.


Rhydian had never been one for crowds beyond the necessity. He'd only come aboard as a return favour to the person who assisted him in bringing the freshers home, back on the Camelot. Now several thousand parsecs away, he had little choice in finishing the reason she'd collected him; with any luck he'd be gone within the month. Back home. Receiving a communique for the evening affairs had not been on his timetable, or any expectations for that matter.

His exposure to the crew of the Fontana had been limited. Severely so, partly by choice. Social environments were one of his greatest weaknesses, and also one of those he was sincerely discomforted by under most circumstances. Even still, he was surprised to say the least that he'd even been given leave to attend. It didn't seem all that ordinary; he was little more than an advisor, if it could even be considered that -- not a permanent crewman.

Out of his element as he was, the cadet wasn't entirely uncultured, different as a number of his customs were. He'd been to parties. A few, at least. Not that he knew anyone here on any particular level beyond the surface. Under some dawn and after a rather lengthy call to his closest friend, he somehow found himself coerced by her into attending. Not begrudgingly, mind you, but it hadn't been on his priorities.

He hadn't packed any civilian clothes, falling back instead to replicating a small assortment he'd carried patterns for on his local storage unit. He was late; atypical of his norm, but aside from brushing down a click of wrinkles in his shirt, he found his way down to the lounge. It was...busy. This was going to be interesting.

Sealed bottle of liquor in hand, he made his way inside casting a brief smile towards the doctor and chief before recognizing they were already engaged with someone else. Not wanting to admit defeat, he forced himself further into the room towards the mid-rows.


With Durna finished, Ryan gave a few moments for the applause to die down (frankly they were more enthusiastic than the man deserved, but an A for effort all the same) "Alright. Thank you Petty Officer Durna." He looked around the crowd with a grin. "Alright, who would like to come up and make us laugh?"

Lieutenant Commander Victrix cleared her throat. "I offer Lieutenant Commander Soral as tribute" she said looking at the First Officer. "Go on. This was your master plan at all...go lead by example" she teased him with a nudge. "Tell us some Vulcan jokes" she added.

"Alright. Commander Soral." Ryan waved for the XO to come on stage, a big grin on his face, and several sets of chuckles coming from the crowd.

T’Lanna gave Soral a wide eyed look from where she sat with Raith. She was certain Soral wouldn’t appreciate being called up to the stage.

Soral raised an eyebrow at Victrix. He said nothing and rose to his feet. He made the walk over to the stage. He disliked but his face showed nothing. His mouth opened and just as he was about to speak the chime rang. "Ensign T'Paris to Commander Soral. You are required in tactical." He tapped back. "On my way." He looked over at Victrix. "I believe the human phrase would be saved by the bell." Amusement crept into his eyes. "Commander Victrix is known for her speaking abilities I invite her to take over."

There was encouraging applause from the group. He left the stage passing the Commander "I believe that is called checkmate," he whispered.

Victrix glared at Soral. "May your Plomeek soup be overly salty and your mediations unrestful" she countered her First Officer and arose from her seat with her drinking glass in hand and splashed it onto the crotch of Soral's pants Great, I have to do this now she thought to herself as she prepared to take the stage entirely unrehearsed and unprepared. She took the mic and took a deep breath in...slowly exhaling. She closed her eyes for a moment.

She still saw that Soral was in the room, heading towards the nearest exit. "I apologize ladies, gentlemen, and agendered species. It would appear that you'll have to wait for another day for the cerebral dry humor of our dear First Officer Soral. It would seem the Commander has an illogical bladder and has had a bathroom emergency, or as I like to call it a daaaaamn yellow alert."

Soral had found her comment about the Plomeek soup amusing and he was even amused by the drink but her words stopped him cold. The eyes that were on him and the laughter of some ran though him. Feeling insulted he headed out noting that several of the Vulcan officers had also stood and headed out with him. An insult like that to one was an insult to all. He would not be attending these nights again, he'd made that choice.

Victrix watched as Soral and a few Vulcans left the room. Who assigned all these Vulcans to the crew. Were we that lacking in logic? she thought to herself. "Well, either there's a Kal-Toh tournament scheduling conflict or I've just gone Pon Farr enough" Victrix said doing her best to just roll with it. Though she was concerned she may have offended the Vulcans, especially Soral, this was comedy night.

She took the mic and walked around a moment, looking at the lighting which flickered a moment. "That reminds me...how many Betazoids does it take to change a lighting strip?" the woman asked as to set the crowd up. "Two," she replied after a moment of murmuring. "One to say 'I sense it is dark in here' and another to actually change it."

Ryan stood googly eyed for a moment. Had their CO just told that joke? He quickly got himself together, clapped only long enough for it to be polite then took the microphone. "Thank you Captain." He desperately scrambled for something to keep the event from going any further downhill. "So, while we wait for Ensign Glover to be ready. (the woman apparently had props that needed to be readied, he hoped it was nothing explosive) I was on a holo call with my niece a few months ago. She comes running up to the camera screaming 'Uncle Wyan, Uncle Wyan!', looking very concerned. So I say 'What's a matter princess.' and she says daddy's mean. So of course I ask her why she thinks daddy is mean. She says. Daddy asked me why can't you hear a pterodactyl go to the bathroom? and I asked him why, and he said because the pee is silent. But patty sleeps on my pillow!! I have patty pee on my pillow!' Patty being her stuffed pterodactyl of course."

Quietly observing from his seat in the middle, Rhydian felt a tug at his conscience, longing to rest his face within his palm as Victrix's initial joke fell flat. It only served to continue worsening enough as the medical officer thankfully swooped in and took the microphone saving everyone from that inevitable disaster. Perhaps it may have been fun in another light, but this lot didn't seem to take racially-oriented 'jokes' so easily, from what he could see.

By the time she'd been nudged off the stage in favour of a life update, he'd gone to the lounge counter to get a few glasses, already pouring out one on the small tray. Nudging the surface and bottle to the front row as he took his own glass, he leaned in. "Bajoran plum spirit. I think we me need it; tonight is going to be a long one." His eyes rolled, somehow managing a faint titter towards the end of Doc Rose's joke. Okay, perhaps it wasn't going to be that bad. But hopefully no more of Victrix's stunts.

Victrix had come off the stage feeling like someone had pulled her off. The Doctor had certainly felt it need to shut her down, perhaps it was best to just let things go and trust that Ryan had made the right call. I may have had a bit too much to drink she thought to herself, but it was not enough to prevent her from indulging in more. "Bajoran plum spirit?!" she shouted making a dash towards Rhydian. Victrix grabbed a glass and started emptying the glass down her throat. She was finished in a few seconds. "Woo," she said puckering her lips and stretching. "I haven't had this fun since I was at my sister's wedding" she added.


He could only sigh, looking at the stage, then back to the senior-most officer who was making a fool of herself. "Someone has to save this space wreck," Rhydian downed his glass in one go shaking off the initial buzz as he found one of the free seats, carrying it in one arm while holding his other out for the microphone, thankful when it was promptly handed over. The cadet switched the device off for a moment, beckoning the CO, and pointing to the chair he'd just set down on the stage. "Sit here quiet please, and look real pretty. You'll win a prize at the end."

He switched the microphone back on. "So when I came aboard, I didn't know any of you much at all. But I'd like to introduce those of you unfamiliar with me a pastime we had back on the Camelot. It's called a roast. I'll start us off, but I encourage everyone to participate if you have something to share. Just please -- no hitting below the belt." Looking over to the commander who had just downed another glass of liquor, he waited for her to take her seat.

"When I first crossed paths with our dear commander, you wouldn't believe the first words out of her mouth. She told me, 'Rhydian, I need to find a man.' While I was in an emergency mission briefing. I took one look at her and said, 'Honey this isn't that kind of service.'" He paused, looking out at the audience. "Because we pathfinders specialise in solving the impossible, and finding the improbable. But I suppose that may well be the same in her case. So I'm going to look back at her now. Commander. This isn't Ferenginar, dear. You can't just waltz into a boutique, fall over a display and scream, I'll take him!'" He flashed a wink. "And now I'm here. So who else has a moment, or funny memory with our dear commander we'd like to reflect on?"


T’Lanna made momentary excuses to Raith saying she’d soon be back before getting up and heading for the door. Enroute she offered an understanding smile and nod to Victrix before trying to catch up with Soral. The last thing they needed was an incident with the Vulcan crew members.

Soral and the Vulcan officers stood at the lift waiting for it to arrive.

“Commander!” T’Lanna smiled as she caught up. “I’m sure Commander Victrix didn’t mean to offend you Sir. She was put on the spot and did her best to come up with something quickly. The last thing she’d want is to cause a rift.”

Soral said nothing.

From behind a Vulcan woman who'd stayed behind to finish her tea was just approaching. "Commander," She said ignoring Vali. "We." She motioned to the few Vulcans there. "Saw her spill the drink on you. As did many. Her words carry no meaning nor do they reflect on you, nor did they get better. Especially with her last comet about Pon Farr enough."

"Indeed?" Soral raised an eyebrow.

The woman, Petty Officer T'Kor looked at Vali. "An insult to Vulcan honour is no easily forgotten."

Soral gave a nod. "Indeed." The lift arrived. "Counselor." He said as he and the few Vulcans entered the lift.

T’Lanna sighed as she looked at Soral, “I guess I’ve just become piggy in the middle” She watched as the lift doors closed before heading back to the show, not that she felt like partying anymore. As she entered the room she gave Victrix a look that said it all before moving back to her seat.

Back in the lounge Ryan quickly realized that he needed to get things under control. Ensign Glover better be ready.. He took the microphone from Rhydian. "Why don't we save that for another time." He tried to make the statement casual. He spotted T'Lanna come back in, and hoped she'd done some damage control with Soral. He made eye contact and tried to convey 'get her home' The CO had clearly had one too many.

Victrix stood up and walked towards the stage. Everyone probably had an 'oh shit she's back' moment until she stood there and waited for Rhydian. "I thought you were funny" she said to him. "You're hosting my roast when the time comes, now how about we get the hell out of here before I make more of an ass of myself."

"Uh huh," Rhydian mumbled amidst being ushered off-stage. Although he wasn't entirely pleased, at least he'd made an attempt at balancing out the accords so that if one senior command had a strike against them, at least the other did too.

Once again T’Lanna made her excuses to Raith, only this time she asked him to meet her at her quarters for the private performance he’d mentioned. With that she made her way across to Victrix. “Commander, how’s about I walk you home?” She offered a smile.

Victrix nodded in agreement. "You two are the best," the woman replied taking T'Lanna's hand and leaning her head on Exploratory Division Cadet il'Vadtsm's shoulder. "I think I had too much."

“Just a bit Commander” T’Lanna nodded. “I think you’re entitled to let your hair down every now and then.”

Straight-faced and already having the spirit bottle in hand, the cadet only offered a simple nod. "I believe that is what my mother would call a good closing note for the night. Let's get her to her quarters to sober up and probably head off ourselves."

Hopeful in guiding the commander out with the suspected aid of the ship's psychologist, the cadet made his way to finish up for the evening and go their separate ways.

Back in his quarters Soral had changed his uniform and was just heading to the door when it opened. He saw Alex had left early and had come back.

“Are you okay?” She asked, worried. “That was - beyond bad.”

He gave a nod. "It was what it was. It was unexpected. I thought better of the Commander."

“I’m sorry,” she said as she adjusted his uniform jacket. “Do what you need to do then come home so I can help you feel better...”

He walked over and pulled her into his arms. "You are my strength Alex." He held her as if that simple act alone gave him life." He kissed her again and then headed off to tactical letting her know that it may be a late night.

Glover was a savior. The young ensign was entertaining. At least Ryan ,thought she was. He gave a hearty round of applause, but decided not to invite anybody else on stage. His nerves couldn't take any more 'excitement' He took the mic. "Well all. I invite you to stay and socialize, but the festivities for the evening are officially over. Thank you so much for coming."

{OFF}