TEST DRIVE MEME #4 - The Arboretum/Ten Forward

[ten_fwd_mods]

Option 01: Aboard the Enterprise, The Arboretum: In exploring the Enterprise, you end up on Deck 17, section 21 alpha: the arboretum. Instantly upon entering you can tell this room is different from all the others. For one thing, you're now standing on grass. It's no illusion, no simulation; it's real grass, leading up to a small pond in the center of the room. All around you grows a variety of plant life, trees and bushes and hanging plants, flowers and herbs and even what one might consider weeds. The arboretum is, for all intents and purposes, a botanic garden, used both recreationally for passengers to relax and enjoy, and scientifically for research and study. After all, the scope of alien plant life is impressive, from the Cyprion cacti down to the Earth variety roses.

The room is well lit and large, with benches to rest on and small walking paths. Children are grouped off in one corner working on botany projects, while some passengers are seen kneeling in the dirt carefully tending to their garden patches. There are even windows along one wall, allowing for a view of space while the room itself gives the illusion of daylight. It's the perfect spot to relax, read a book, or grab a spare spade and dig in the dirt. Or perhaps you've been looking for the right moment to say hello to the passenger standing off by the venus flytraps.





Option 02: Aboard the Enterprise, Ten Forward: Or maybe not. You've just arrived, and you have no idea what just happened. One minute you were somewhere else, and now you're in what looks like a spacious, well-appointed bar. The hum of the crowd is inviting, and the drinks look invigorating. There are people eating and drinking, some in uniform, others not. Some are clearly aliens.

Try to find out why you're here, or catch a drink at the bar; there's always something happening here.

Comments

[more_than_revenge]

The smile he turns on her doesn't falter, though he's starting his assessment the instant he sees her. His gaze flicks up, down, taking in everything he needs to know in a few moments. Clothes looser than they need to be, like he'd wear to blend into the underbelly of Gotham. Holding herself well, movements comfortable.

Capable. Not an immediate apparent thread, but capable.

He nods and steps to one side.

"I'm sorry. Can't get in a lady's way."

The jovial tone is as carefully calculated as everything else.

[didnotwant]

"Thank you," she chirps in an almost too bright tone. It is like she got used to being forced to act happy at some point but this time around she is actually in a good mood.

She flags a bar keep down. She is in the mood for something a bit on the sour side but nothing overly fruity either. She tilts her head to one side slightly feeling the pleasant crackle of bones in her neck popping just the right way.

"Whiskey sour. No ice," she settles on. Then glances at Bruce letting both eyebrows go up.

"Ya want anything, pard," she asks Bruce. Her Texan accent rolls on out. Even 'pard' is a bit interesting and almost old school.

[more_than_revenge]

He watches her a moment, assessing whether that over the top tone is as forced as the cheer he's wearing or whether she truly feels that way.

Difficult to be certain. He doesn't know her, doesn't know how to read her.

Still, he needs to gather intelligence. Not just about her, about ... this bar, this place. How he just got here.

Having a drink with a woman is certainly one way to achieve that goal.

And it's certain that Bruce Wayne would not turn down this chance, so he smiles, nodding.

"Thank you. Bourbon, on the rocks."