You Never Know Who You'll Meet

Posted on Fri May 13th, 2011 @ 10:01am by Lieutenant Jimmy Cooper & Captain T'mpest Michaels

769 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Shoreleave
Location: Corridor
Timeline: Night

ON

Holly, quite frankly, was bored. T'kaarch was still fast asleep, and while cute wasn't very fun to be around with. Thus, she decided to start wandering about the Ranger. She noticed quite quickly that, apart for some senior staff and repair crews, there wasn't much going on.

Apu Barnum was taking a late-night stroll through the ship. It was a good way to keep his finger on what was going on --and occasionally gave him an opportunity to make a deal.

He saw a lovely young lady wandering around and was curious. She was a new face, and as such, was someone he had to meet. "Hello lovely lady," he said in a faint accent. "I am Apu Barnum. I have not had hte privilege of making your acquaintance."

"Oh hi! I'm Holly! Not many people about the ship now, are there?" She said, playfully.

"Not usually. That's why I like it," Apu said, eying her speculatively. There was something about the way she walked that intrigued him. Too silent. Holograph? A fascinating possibility. "Where are you from, Holly?" he asked.

"T'kaarch's quarters" She said, wonderfully oblivient.

Apu smiled benevolently, "How lovely for you. Have you two known each other long?"

"He made me." She smiled. "So what were you doing?"

"I am the quartermaster," Apu said with a bow. "I'm making sure there's nothing I need to get for the ship." It was true enough. He couldn't be a miracle worker if he didn't snoop. "You are a most delightful creation," he told Holly. So, T'kaarch created a lovely hologram. This information could be very helpful in the future. "So, what do you do for T'kaarch?"

"I used to be his navigator and shuttle companion, then I was dead, and now I'm here.. I don't really 'do' much for T'kaarch at the moment, now that you mention it." Holly summed up.

Apu looked suitably irritated at that. "Well, you should. A fine girl like you shouldn't be forced to do nothing. Now, if you're ever bored, you can always come visit me. I love acquiring odd little trinkets. You can help me catalog them," he said, making something up on the spot. It wasn't that he had anything illegal or underhanded in mind -- this time. It was simply that he found her unique and thus wanted to learn more about her. If she stopped by, they could talk at length. Perhaps he could learn something he could use later.

"Trinkets, like earrings and such?" While the term 'shopping' had become out of fashion a long time ago, Holly would've liked it.

"I do have some of those," Apu replied, his grin growing. "They're not Starfleet issue, either. I -- acquired them -- a while back. They're for sale or trade. I deal in the barter system. Give me something I want, I'll give you something you want."

"Show me!" Holly said smiling brightly.

Apu looked at her face. She was an engaging little thing. "Okay. Come with me." He led her to the Quartermaster's shop, turned on the lights and entered his command override to turn the alarms to passive. Then he walked through the room to a small door in the back. That required a password adn thumb print. Once open he walked in and pulled out a tray of earrings. "Is there one you like?"

"Ooohh" With a twinkle in her eyes she observed the knobs, droplets, up to full-scale rubies and other gemstones. She picked one up around the middle, a small ring with a tiny diamond. Without realising it, she picked up the most valuable of them all, despite it's size.
Then she ever-so-briefly dissapeared, and while still having the earring in her hand, she had adapted her visual matrix to show them - holographically. "What do you think?" She smiled, twirling.

"I think you look beautiful," he said.

"Thanks!" She smiled.

"Well, missy, if you ever find yourself in need of something, or even a place to hide for a while, you know where to find me," Apu said. As far as he was concerned, he'd made an acquaintance that might prove valuable some day. And he'd learned something new. Always a plus in his mind.

"Oh I will," She looked around some more, somehow valueing each item, without really doing anything with that information. "I would love to come here more often!"

"Ok, but for now I'm waking T'kaarch... That cat has slept long enough!" And with a mischievous smile, she dissappeared.

OFF

Chief Petty Officer Apu Barnum (PNPC)
Quartermaster
USS Ranger

Holly (The Hologram) (PNPC)
USS Ranger

 

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