"Invitation"
(previous post the scary "Not Even Bread and Water")
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Stardate: 60321.0800
Setting: TANGIERS ORBITAL, Sol's Suite
Susan had never before woken in such luxury. Sol's suite had been
designed for people who enjoyed the fine things in life and as Susan stretched, she couldn't help but wonder who *wouldn't* enjoy the fine things in life.
The silk sheets and heavy velvet coverings slid off her as she turned
over. She was unaware of what had woken her. Her room was dark... well it
would be if they were in space... but she had the feeling that it was still very early. This feeling was probably a result of a very late night.
Nevertheless, Susan rubbed her eyes and sat up, calling groggily, "lights."
She almost jumped out of her skin when she saw Matt sitting in the
cushy armchair at the foot of the bed.
"Morning." he said simply, as if that was his rightful place.
Susan sat up, pulling her blankets up to her chin and stammered,
"Wha... what are you doing here? How did you get in?"
Matt smiled slyly, "Come now, Sol. You know the answer to that."
For a second Susan's blood ran cold, then she realized that he was
answering her last question. He was taking his time with answering the first in that cat-and-mouse way he loved so much. She narrowed her eyes, then flung
off the covers and got up, grabbing a nightgown that was hanging on the
corner of the mirror and wrapping it around her tightly.
"What do you want?"
He smiled and stood, "What makes you think I want something?"
Susan folded her arms, "Maybe the fact that you're standing here in my
room in the early hours of the morning without having been invited in and
nearly scaring me to death..."
Matt held up his hands in a gesture of surrender, "Okay, okay." He
walked up to her and put his hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes, "You never were much of a morning person..."
There was a hint of humour in those eyes. A hint of mocking. Susan
threw his hands from her and marched into the bathroom where she splashed her
face, glad she had decided to sleep 'in character'... even if it had only
been that she'd been too tired to get dressed. As a result, it was still
Sol's dark eyes that she saw in the mirror.
"I wanted to discuss our deal..." Matt said from the bedroom, "I wanted
to catch you before you disappeared into the land of gambling and
partying... and breakfast."
He handed her an invitation to breakfast with the TANGIERS ORBITAL logo
on it. Susan examined it. "Where'd this come from?"
"Someone attached it to your door, I took the courtesy of bringing it
in. Know anything about it?"
Susan shrugged as she brushed out her dark hair, "Probably something
they give to all the people in the suites."
"Nope, I checked, you're special."
At this, Susan looked up, "Special"
Matt had his hands in the pockets of his brown slacks, "That's right.
No-one else in this corridor had one."
Susan picked up the card she'd put down by the sink and read it again,
"You are cordially invited to the Triple Diamond Reception Lounge at
9:00 where a voluptuous breakfast will be served to our guests."
If no-one else had received one... there was only one possibility.
"You know what? I completely forgot." Susan said, "When I booked my
room they had a special offer on where breakfast was included... This must
be a reminder."
Matt looked suspicious, but Susan ignored the look on his face as she
looked at the chronometer above the bed, "I guess I'd better get ready..."
She looked back at Matt, "Listen, I would ask you to come with, but
it's one of those things you have to book in advance..."
Matt shrugged, "No problem, I'll meet you afterwards."
"Where?"
"How about the bar on the second floor... by the poker tables?"
Susan smiled, "I'll be there."
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Susan walked into the lounge and looked around. She didn't see anyone
she recognized as being from the ANUBIS and for a second she thought that
she'd made a mistake in assuming that the breakfast invite had been some kind
of a summons. However, she knew that she'd been correct when she spotted
Lieutenant Serenna sitting alone at a table, reading a PADD.
[insert Serena's last post]
--------------- 2005 post #185
Stardate: 60321.0855
Setting: TANGIERS ORBITAL, 1st Floor, Triple Diamond Conference Lounge
Tallulah Habib {thabib@eject.co.za}
Ensign Susan Mei
Head Counselor
USS ANUBIS
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"Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another's trouble,
Courage in your own." - Adam Lindsay Gordon
