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

MInako Aino / 01

[hearted]

When Minako slips past an unlocked door, she can't quite believe the sight in front of her. Real flowers! The plants all look so happy---clearly they're well taken care of. She'd still much rather be 'helping' Makoto water the plants behind her apartment, but it's still an improvement over all these walls and locked doors.

She immediately gathers her skirt and sets off at a run toward the rose bush, kneeling in front of it. She leans close enough to take a sniff. The familiar sweet scent makes her so happy she could curl here forever.

"I guess it's true, huh? You shouldn't judge a rose by its thorns. Or a ship by its...doors."

She laughs to herself, holding her hair back as she leans in for another inhalation. Mmm. So much better than the rest of this place.

Not quite her princess, but 8D

[princess_flintlock]

This girl's excitement over the roses was quite contagious. Ahim laughed lightly, more in commiseration than anything. "They are quite wonderful, aren't they?" This whole space was fantastic. She wished she could bring something green and pretty onto the Galleon but with as much time they spent in space, it would not last long without lots of equipment.

[hearted]

"Just like home," Minako agreed, taking one long whiff before turning to her companion. What a pretty gal! She smiled, glad for some decent company.

"Do you have a favorite flower? These roses are mine---it's sweet and romantic."

No wonder Mamoru kept so many. That man was just bursting with love.

[princess_flintlock]

She hadn't really had a chance to get to know a lot of Earth's flora in between battles with the Zangyak, but she did get to see some of them. "My favorite?" She had to consider for a moment. "Lilies are quite lovely, don't you think? But I'd never seen anything like cherry blossoms before I came to Earth." She reached down and gently touched a bright pink rose.

[hearted]

"They are. I love to watch them bloom every year. It means spring's here, and soon: summer! Swimming and beach parties. The kind of stuff we can't really do in space."

Someone hasn't figured out the holodeck yet. She sighed, but shook it off with a quick smile.

"Mostly we're just all up in each other's business these days, huh? Not much else to do but get to know each other!"

[princess_flintlock]

"A party on the beach? How novel! That sounds like it would be great fun!" She smiled brightly. "Perhaps when my captain arrives we might find a world where we can do something like that." Because surely the Galleon will come with him, right? Keep dreaming, Ahim.

"I don't think that's such a bad thing. So far everyone I have had the pleasure of meeting has been a joy to talk to." Suddenly she gasped. "Pardon me, I've been most rude. My name is Ahim de Famille." She gave Minako a small curtsy. "And yourself?"

[hearted]

"Your captain? Are you from another starship? You don't look like the crew here!"

She's far too...elegant for that. Minako's attention is thoroughly captured.

"Anyway, I'm Minako Aino! The pleasure's mine too." She bows happily.