OFF: Sorry about the delay, guys :) just finally got some time to do
this

ON: :: Dusty moves off, looking for a table by itself, near a window.
He 
finds one, next to Ensign Koptuka's. He sits, glances around, & then 
stares out the window, seeing Earth in the distance.::

REDROI: ::to Ensign Koptuka:: Beautiful, isn't it?

KOPTUKA: Oh, yes, very lovely. 

REDROI: I am Dusty Redroi, Chief Ops Officer, at least for now.

KOPTUKA: Beth Koptuka, Astrometrics. Nice to meet you, Ensign.

REDROI: Oh, please, call me Dusty. It is very nice to meet you, 
too. May I join you?

KOPTUKA: ::Not wanting to appear rude, but not really wanting 
company, she is not sure how to respond:: What did you mean by 'at 
least for now'? Planning on moving up the ladder quickly?

REDROI: ::laughs:: No, I had a nasty run in with the XO, & I am 
feeling stupid. It will pass, but I wanted to drown my sorrows. You 
are Kimtonnan, aren't you?

KOPTUKA: Yes, how did you know?

REDROI: My father & I played your capital's concert hall about 15 
years ago. What a gorgeous planet you have. I took a tour of the 
central plains, & was captivated! I have thought of retiring there.

KOPTUKA: Played? You are, er,_were_ a musician?

REDROI: Yeah, my dad & I toured most of the galaxy, then I started 
my own band, while my dad toured on his own.

KOPTUKA: Wait, you are _THE_ Dusty Redroi?? The singer? I love 
your stuff!

REDROI: Thanks, but may we keep this between us? I am a member of 
Starfleet now. I have left that behind me.

KOPTUKA: Oh, of course, but I will have to have a private recital 
now & then.

REDROI: ::laughs:: Deal. Thanks.

KOPTUKA: I'm also an artist, but an amateur, at least for now. ::
winks :: I'm 
a painter & sculptor.

REDROI: You work in both painting and sculpting equally?

KOPTUKA: Yes, it depends on what I want the project to be. Sometimes
a 
certain portrait would be better in three dimensions than two... and 
landscapes tend to be too complicated to do in three dimensions....
You know 
what I mean?

REDROI: Sure. That makes a great deal of sense. Well, do you use
old-style 
methods? A paintbrush & real paint? Real clay? or do you do holograms?

KOPTUKA: Just as with choosing painting or sculpting, it--

REDROI: --depends on the project. Right?

KOPTUKA: Yeah :: they both chuckle together :: Have you dined yet,
tonight, 
Dusty? I was about to try the Earth dish meatloaf.

Ensign Beth Koptuka
Astrometrics Specialist
USS Excalibur NCC 2997


OFF: ok, Dusty, what's next? ;) thanks for taking the initiative