TEST DRIVE #1 - Ten Forward

[tenforward_m]

You know how you were standing there, back in your home world, just minding your own business?

Time to forget all about that.

Instead of doing whatever the heck you were just doing, you're standing in the middle of this very stylish, sedate barroom. Happily, you're not alone there - in fact you're surrounded by people who seem to be as confused as you are...and some of them look a little, well unusual

Now would be a great time to do....well, something. Ask some questions of the person nearest you, throw a fit, stage a coup....maybe do a little exploring? No matter what you do, you're going to be here for a very long time.

For others might call it the USS Enterprise, but for the foreseeable future, you'll be calling it home.

[OOC: this test drive's open until the next app period.]

Comments

[queenofmay]

He's polite, if nothing else. And there's something about the way he holds himself. Something heavy. Well-meaning, but heavy. She can note that, even as she gives him a polite curve of a smile and takes the offered seat next to him and folds her hands into the lap of her skirts.

"I wasn't," Marian said, with an easy frankness. Her home world wasn't stolen from her this time. She closed that door in blood, and it remained edged in ash, like it had burned that way to the wall of Milliways, to remind her some choices -- like living, and dying -- could not be unmade. Nor could they be kept without a heavy price.

But at the very least, and sometimes it did seem the very least, that had been her choice and no others.

"But I do understand what you mean. It can be very hard on people the first time that happens."

[tea_earlgrey_hot]

"Then I ask for your forgiveness," he says, sitting once she is seated. "May I offer you a cup of tea?"

He is surprised by her answer, but it hardly shows. He mistook her for a woman from Earth's past, not for someone who boarded willingly. But then, that closing remark is rather curious, is it not?

"'The first time'?" he repeats, smiling around his teacup. "Does this happen often where you are from?"

[queenofmay]

"Yes, please." comes with some relish, and even something like a surprised into far more real pleasant smile. "Thank you." This place did know how to have some touches that at least did a heart good. Even if the smile lingered, as she shook her head. "And no. Or-"

Marian wrinkled her nose slightly. "-not exactly like this. The just appearing has only happened once to me."

To her, and her father's horse that very first time. When she leaped a hedge right into a fey-witch and a bar at the end of the universe, and thought quite rightly that perhaps she'd leapt and fallen, hit her head. Even though she expects that it will miss the margarin as well as the name of the ship missed her earlier, "Have you ever heard of a place called Milliways?"

[tea_earlgrey_hot]

She is presented with a teacup and saucer of a more modern make than she may be accustomed to, but as far as Picard is concerned they are fine pieces. The tea is Earl Grey, and it is brewed both strong and hot. With a simple gesture, he requests some milk and sugar from the woman tending to the bar.

"I'm afraid I have not. Though, judging from your expression, I may venture a guess that they don't have good tea there," he replies, smile faint. He, too, takes immense pleasure in a good cup of tea, and appreciates those who find it in them to smile as brightly as this woman over the same pleasures.

[queenofmay]

They are odd looking. It's not like it's impossible to tell what part of a cup does what, nor passing anywhere near uncertain than Milliways has give her odd things a time or two. Or that people in Milliways have brought odd ones. But these are definitely different from any of the ones she's seen there, too.

But it's still a cup, and the tea still generally smells good. Though the steam means she'll hold it a while.

"That would all depends on what you are looking for there," Marian answered easily, part rebuff, but mostly faint affection. Mistress Bar would always be a favorite, with her endless supply of things. "The Lady there has a tendency to be able to make anything any person is looking for."

Beat. "But I would say tea does seem to be a precarious liking for only certain people even there."

[tea_earlgrey_hot]

Picard utters a soft noise, both curious and impressed by the notion. The woman joining him seems to carry many secrets behind her eyes, but her loves are not among them. He wonders about where she is from, and if all the people there are as charming.

"Really? She does sound like quite the host. The Enterprise, even with her variety and capabilities, does have her limitations." Though he has yet to find a limitation he couldn't overcome with a little persistence. "Do you know, my first day aboard this ship I could not get a decent cup of tea? You and I may be a dying breed, Miss ... ?"

[queenofmay]

"Lady," is a prompt sort of correction, without any bite or scold to her tone.

Just one of those things she's held on to, even if all her world has let go of her, and she of it. She hadn't wanted to take any other title when Amy said Ambergeldar's Queen could give them. She couldn't say she'd never wanted more than she had, past or present, but she had never wanted to be of any more pomp and circumstance than she was born with.

But with something like a faintly apologetic and conceding half curve of her mouth she adds to fill out. "Marian."

"And I don't mind." She let her mouth keep curving toward a quiet, pleased smile, trying to lead her words back to the comfortable confidence that had led to the question. Picking her cup up and breathing in the steam as she spoke. "I hadn't actually known of tea before Milliways, and now I think it would be hard to imagine a day without some. It's nice to know there are some familiar things to be found in this new place."

[tea_earlgrey_hot]

He straightens immediately at the correction, looking quite apologetic. He had already begun to appear embarrassed, as he realized he'd lost himself in the conversation so much as to forget to introduce himself. It's a rather shameful position to find himself in.

"My apologies, again, Lady Marian," he says, tipping his head in respect. The name tickles some memory for him, but he can't quite place the reason for it just yet. It sets a faint line across his brow as he goes on. "I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and I hope you may find many more comforts during your stay aboard my ship."

It is said without any hubris, though perhaps a promise of safety and comfort goes hand-in-hand with a captain's pride.