SIM:How Do I Look

How Do I Look?

((USS Excalibur-A – Diplomatic Facilities – Corridor))


::After a busy afternoon that had included an intensive spell of food hunting, a cheese snack in a French Café and the purchase of a large painting, Brek was now rushing to make it to the party in due time.::


::After the shock of discovering that, because of their quick transfer to the Excalibur, all his drawers were empty, Brek had replicated his usual 'out of duty outfit': a pair of black denim and a midnight-blue shirt to go with it.::


::He was about to miss the turbolift, but Dakarai, who was inside, delayed it for him. Once the lift was in motion, by an odd coincidence, the two men asked the same question at the same time: ::


Brek/Dakarai: How do I look?


::Both men were nervous, but to Brek it was obvious that Dakarai looked fantastic. He was wearing an expensive suit, charcoal in color, with a tie, and cufflinks in the shape of the famous Starfleet badge. All this contributed to make the Ferengi feel like he had borrowed second-hand clothes that didn't fit him at all.::


Brek: You are looking very elegant Ensign. What's the occasion?


Dakarai: ::Adjusting his tie, despite that it didn't need it..:: I'm meeting my soon-to-be-in-laws for the first time. No matter what I do, I'm sure they won't like me.


Brek: If you want, I could give them a fright and pretend to be you for five minutes. That's sure to make them think twice about their expectations.


::Dakarai tried to remain serious, but he lost the battle and giggled.::


Dakarai: That won't be necessary. Mais merci, all the same.


Brek: So how do I look?


::The black diplomat examined him for what felt like an eternity.::


Dakarai: Casual. In a good way. You know... relaxed.


Brek: Like a bum, you mean?


Dakarai: Non. Not at all chief. You look perfectly fine. Like a Starfleet officer on holiday. Vraiment [really].


::Brek grunted and glanced at Dakarai's perfect suit with envy. He should have made a better effort. If everyone at the party had gone for something refined, he would look like a skinflint.::


::Moments later the turbolift stopped and the doors opened. The two diplomats parted company, bidding each other good luck with their respective evening.::


((Enchanted Forest, Holodeck 7, Starbase 118))


::Brek stepped inside the holodeck and looked agape at the intricate forest facing him. He had expected a run of the mill beach scene. The type where you're happy to have your shoes on, because of the sand's nasty habit to get everywhere. Looking up he saw a group of eerie lights. The way they moved, so lively and unpredictable, gave him the impression that they were actually alive.::


::At long last he walked towards the table and, to complete his casual appearance, he took a drink. The first sip told him it was a pineapple juice, and that the little umbrella in the glass was strictly for decoration and not edible.::


::The Captain was already there, in a black dress that made her look so different, that at first he had not recognized her. She was speaking to Livingston and Laveaux. Next, his attention was captured by the arrival of the Doctors with an antigrav cart packed with sandwiches, pieces of melons, and somewhere among them, there would be the famous stew surprise. Brek was very tempted to go look at it, but he stood resolutely where he was. Knowing him, if the stew wasn't to his liking, he would make sure that an unfortunate accident happened to it, and that wouldn't do, not in such an enchanting forest.::


tag/tbc


Lt Cmdr Brek

Chief Diplomatic Officer

USS Excalibur A