441: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner: One

by Vol Tryst and Zanh Liis
80728.14
Hours after Red Handed

-=The Tryst Residence, Betazed=-

The Tryst house was the perfect structure for one that was situated right by a lake. The dining room in particular, had a very high ceiling which was held up by white columns. Large gaps in the walls held no windows, and instead allowed the fresh water air to flow in along with the sweet scents of the fruit trees on the property. The sun was in its decent, but the sky had not yet begun to darken, by the end of dinner a purple hue would surely mark the evening sky.

The table was long, with Vol's father sitting at the head, with his ex-wife by his side. For a divorced couple, it was worth mentioning that they seemed rather too friendly. There was no bitterness between Valerie and Tholt, and it was plain to see. It was reassuring, if not a bit puzzling, to see that love could withstand a failed marriage.

The Captain sat at the other end of the table, after constant insistence from Valerie. On Zanh's right was Vol and his brother, and on her left was Jariel, then Salvek, his family, and the rest of her crew filled the other seats. There were some empty spaces at the table, as the Mazen family had yet to arrive.

Dinner was in the midst of being served in spite of a few late comers. It was a tradition that Valerie had said that she grew up with. Granted, it was polite to wait for all to be seated and served before beginning a meal. However, she believe that the custom wasn't practical. Food was meant to be enjoyed when ready and hot, not cold and stale. So all the guests were encouraged to begin eating as soon as the plate was set before them.

As most of the crew had expected, but perhaps forgotten, there was a fairly complected servant a few feet away from the table. Every so often he would strike a chime with a soft baton, to offer thanks for the meal currently being enjoyed. It was irritating at first for those not accustomed, but the chime was not shrill nor high in pitch, so the sound soon faded into the background for most off-worlders.

*Ask them about the Inn.* Vol's father prodded him, to which Vol replied by looking up from his plate and slicing his eyes into his father with an expression of 'you're a big man now, you do it.'

Vol didn't blame his father for his reluctance to use his vocal capabilities, but his lack of effort was something he would hold against the man. Thankfully, his saw him clear his throat to prepare to do exactly what he'd been asked to.

"I hope you accommodations are comfortable."

"Oh yes," Vol's mother interjected. "If not, the offer to stay here with us still stands."

Vol closed his eyes and sighed deeply, doing all he could not to smack the palm of his hand upon his forehead.

"The Inn is more than adequate," answer Salvek finally. "Thank you for your concern."

"This really is a beautiful planet." Added February. "I wish we could stay longer."

"It's a very easy place to be," pointed out Valerie. She looked to her left and let a hand land gently on that of Tholt's, before turning back to her guests. "People fall in love all over again here, it's the perfect place in my opinion to find and to rekindle romance."

The couples at the table exchanged glances, most of them already knowing full well the truth of the woman's words. One guest however, found the topic mildly dull, and wanted to change topic. So without further ado, she offered an interjection in the hopes of doing just that.

"Your house is very beautiful," Lair Arie chirped up suddenly, noticing the sudden lull in the conversation, and doing what she felt was her part as a proper, invited guest to try to spur things on. Kellyn nodded to her proudly, giving her a slight 'atta girl' wink.

"Why thank you, mademoiselle." Valerie leaned forward to smile at the girl. A Parisian accent surfacing in her words. Vol smiled from his seat, it had been sometime since he had heard his mother speak in French.

"You're more than welcome to..." Valerie began again, but Vol slid a thought into her mind.

*Invite them over one more time mother, and they may think you'll chain them to their seats if they refuse.*

Valerie stopped in mid-sentence, and smiled at Vol, silently agreeing that she was perhaps pushing the matter a bit too far. Vol took over from where she left off and spoke to Lair.

"What my mother means to say is that if you would like a proper tour of the house and property at any time, that we would be happy to oblige. There's even a small holosuite in the basement if you're looking for to engage in some recreation."

"Speaking of which," said Vol's older brother, Siter. "If any of your crew would like to challenge my brother and I to a Betazoid duel, we would happily accept."

*I was waiting for you to say that.* Vol thought.

*I hate to disappoint.*

Zanh had never heard of this particular sport, but she could hardly prevent her brow from perking. Shore leave and relaxation was nice and all, but she already had an itch for a rapier in hand, and this proposition may be the closest thing she'd get to at this point.

"Betazoid Duel?" She raised her water glass to her lips, finishing the contents. She startled as the moment it was back on the table, the tall, silent servant attending them was standing over her shoulder with a pitcher, refilling it.

"Yeah, um, thanks there, Mister..." She looked at Vol, hoping he'd insert a name she could use to thank the man properly.

"Noon." Vol offered.

"Thank you, Mister Noon." She saluted him with her glass and took another sip.

Meanwhile, Liis' eyes weren't the only ones to widen at the thought of a duel in the holosuite. *Good grief, not fencing,* Jariel groaned inwardly. She had just been put back together again, he didn't like the thought of her over-exerting herself, and he knew that she did nothing half way.

"Tell me, Siter, how does this 'duel' work?" Liis inquired.

"Essentially, we win, and you lose Captain." Siter smiled.

"Ah. Well I'm glad to know that the rules of the game are so simple to learn." Zanh said, the edge of her lip curling up in amusement.

Ensign Vol Tryst
Ship's Counselor
USS Serendipity NCC 2012

and

-=/\=- Zanh Liis
Commanding Officer
USS Serendipity NCC 2012