[ Lt Joshua Niles - Somewhere in the Gallo, Celladore City

Following yet one more less than pleasant interaction with the Talorians, a certain Joshua Niles had found it a welcome comfort to return to the day to day life of a starship's tactical officer.  And when word had come they would be heading back to dealing with the Nyberrite Alliance, this time to test some combat small craft, he had started to read up on fighter tactics and doctrine, and the capabilities those would offer Starfleet, on top of his other many responsibilities.  Somewhere in there, that black pip at his collar found itself disappearing only to be replaced with a second golden one, and he found even more work on his plate than before.  

So, like any good enterprising young officer, or what he had thought was one, he dove into that even more... to the point that his recently learned balance between work and life had gone by the wayside.  And, it had been one happy morning when he was operating on less sleep and more coffee than was healthy for several days running, he found that he had received a new set of orders from Doctor Baker herself.  He was to be sent back to the Front Ear, which by itself was not exactly out of the ordinary, but not to work out of Ops there.  He was being ordered on shore leave, and his passage to Ayo had already been arranged for him.  Well, that certainly had been a new one for him all right!  He had tried to argue against it, but when a physician (let alone one who was above him both in rank and station) put their seal to something, it might as well be a divine decreee all right... 

So, he found himself back at the Front Ear and immediately placed on leave, and when he boarded the transport to Ayo, the only thing that even resembled a piece of uniform was his commbadge, which frankly was entirely too useful to leave behind...

In transit, he found himself some accommodations in a small but very comfortable hotel in Dostallo off of a square that was apparently renowned for the quality of restaurants to be found there... and he realized he was entirely at a loss as to what to do with himself.  No duty watches, no reports to read and write, no personnel administration to look after, no training to arrange or critique.  Just... nothing.  Oh, he had taken the latest issue of Starfleet's Tactical Development Journal with him, but he could read that same publication only so often...

And being dirtside again?  The last time he'd been on a planetary surface had been back on Earth when he was commissioned.  From there it had been to Earth Spacedock, from there onto a shuttle to Utopia Planitia shipyards where he boarded the Fawkes as she was embarking a load of Runabouts for the Front Ear, and since then he'd not had a breath of air that hadn't been recycled a million times or so, or been in a natural gravity well, or under an open sky.  It had been somewhat dizzying at first, and part of him found itself mildly terrified at the prospect of not being surrounded by the reassuring confines of a few million tons of metal supported by a structural integrity field... 

So he'd taken it slow, not wandering too far from his cozy and rather reassuring hotel at first, and then, he got a recommendation from the hotel staff while enjoying a meal, and that had set him on his feet towards the more festive part of town; after all, the concierge who'd mentioned it was Risian, and she would have known about such things... and she did mention that he looked entirely too tense, even after a few days of doing practically nothing.

And now, there he was, wandering the warrens of Gallo and realizing that, indeed, there was an atmosphere that could be conducive to letting himself loose to a degree.

[Kova Sh'qaleq - The Zephyr Club, Fenlo, Celladore City]

It had been a mistake coming here, and if she were honest, Kova would love nothing more than to vacate this particular rock. A pleasure planet... what had she been thinking? Fine dining... shopping... hitting up all the tourist sites and taking in the attractions. None of that had been Kova's style. In fact, the best thing about this place in her opinion was Fenlo. Why? Because it was actually real. It wasn't this polished presentation of a collective dream.

Kova leaned back in her chair, listening to the melodic tones being played by a Risian lute. It was... soothing. The Andorian actually agreed with that assessment. The server brought her the drink she had ordered, a chilled Andorian ale. In fact, the server had come back with that and a small plate of some overly ripe fruits. "What's this? Kova asked sitting up. She already knew the answer as the server simply bowed and smiled. "Really, this isn't...."

Clearly being a generous tipper had its advantages. Kova had spent the past couple of days being very generous with her tips in this place. Of course, looking around, they could use the money. Kova was convinced if a good breeze rushed against these walls, it'd topple the Zephyr Club altogether. So, they returned their appreciation by gifting her with food she hadn't ordered and beaming smiles. Kova just felt inclined to do what she could to help. It was only one bar... one family... but one had to start somewhere. Because the people running this place sure as hell weren't. It was still a far cry from Chalna, but not by very much in Kova's opinion.

Kova raised her glass and nodded at the bartender. Perhaps she'd find something close to relaxation right where she was. Of course, given the looks the pair of at the end of the bar were throwing her way, relaxing may not be an option. Still, the night was early... or rather non-existent. Oh, what Kova wouldn't give for a nice, brisk blizzard.

---

Open Tags (in Fenlo)

| Security office, promenade. Front Ear Station. 2 weeks ago. || lt. cmdr. Sven Aune | Alice Duff | Sorren Mar'ken |

The large security officer sat behind his desk. The office was largely spartan. Behind him was a display case upon which stood his first place trophy for a bodybuilding competition that he had recently won. A picture of he and his late father side by side, arms hanging over each other's shoulders standing in front of a aging farmhouse with peeling white paint and empty fields. The last picture taken with the man before he died a few days later. It was largely sentimental to the man as his relationship with his father had improved significantly in his dying days. There were a number of books, largely sci-fi, a number of military thrillers and a couple of mystery detective novels and some other knick-knacks.

At his feet, Eurus, the large shaggy Irish Wolfhound grunted and placed her head upon his boots. She took up most of the space under the desk, but she felt most at home there. The office had a slight scent of magnolia and ceder from a diffuser that was running. A calming scent as most people that came in here were by and large upset. There were two chairs opposite of the desk, and a small couch along one wall with a table and a replicator. There was a holographic projector that displayed the mug shots of a few wanted criminals. 

Sven sighed and placed his elbows upon the desk. His work load was... A lot. And there had been a recent crime wave in the sector. And Front Ear was not immune. And that meant a lot of paper work. Crewman Duff entered from the side door that led into a larger space that had a number of cube like offices. For the security staff. Her bushy red hair was a frenetic mess of joy. As she was quite the optimist herself. And she was Sven's assistant, taking a fair share of the paperwork and filings. She had noticed her boss was looking worse for the wear recently.

"Boss," she leaned upon the doorframe with a crossed leg. "You gotta get yourself laid."

Sven looked up. Impudent welp. "Excuse me."

"Oh, sorry. Let me try again. Boss, you gotta get yourself laid, sir."

Sven rolled his eyes. This wasn't a fight he was going to take on. Besides a little rib jabbing can go a long way.

"Alice, I don't have time." 
Eurus shifted under his feet.

"Well, make the time. Because you've become a grump, and you're making Sorren look like he's a nice guy."

"Crewman. I am a Vulcan...." Sorren had the nasty habit of materializing out of the wood work.

But Alice had gotten use to this and she interrupted him, "Yadda yadda yadda logic, human emotions are illogical go do laps." she stuck her tongue out at him, and she knew quite well she would pay for that. But in the moment, she didn't care.

Sorren raised his brown in a most condescending Vulcan fashion.

Alice continued as if she wasn't interrupted. "Look, there's a station wide shore leave coming up in a few days. I think you should go. I mean, really go. Oh don't get me wrong, I'd rather you stay because heaven knows how much of a nightmare Sorren is when he's sittin' in the big chair."

"Crewman that was out of line."

"Well, you are. Just stating a fact." and it was. It was known that Sorren dealt with deep rooted anger issues that he tried to sweep under the rug in the traditional Vulcan fashion. But it manifested itself in ways where he abused his subordinates in ways that was not easily identifiable.

"Look, try that dating app. Who knows?"

Sven looked up and rolled his eyes again. "I'll take it under consideration."



|Transport Fenrir's Fury  Final approach, Dostallo || Sven Aune |

Sven had considered it, and decided to go. But he was very grumpy about it. The last shore leave he had ended up in a fiasco. Something of an occupational hazard for those that served in Star Fleet. But he had mucked about with the "Love is in the stars" dating app and hit it off fairly well with a fellow. His name was Vello Fen. A Bajorian artist. From the profile pictures, he was tall and thin, and quite intellectual. A struggling artist, he had managed to make some sort of an impression in the art community in his native providence on Bajor. 

Sven waited in the long queue at the spaceport's customs office. At least it was clean. It seemed that the Ayoians took pride in their establishments. The customs officer was friendly enough, processed the man, and even gave him directions to the rental aero-car center. Another long cue and a few more slips of latinum lighter Sven had his rental. A red four door sport utility. Quite nice. Leather seats, wood trim, well cleaned. He entered the coordinates to his hotel. A route was laid out. Sven took the controls and a moment later the vehicle was hovering a few inches off the ground zipping through the lanes of traffic. 

He arrived at his hotel, unloaded his luggage, got his room key and was finally relaxing in his room. It was on the top floor. A small penthouse suite. A luxury Sven decided on. His investments were paying starting to pay off. He started to unpack and spotted something on the dresser. 

"Oh, God." he mumbled "The Harmogenfergergomma..." the I'm-desperate-for-sex-statue stood there with it's gaping hole in the middle. That's not at all suggestive. The thing pissed him off. he reminded himself that this was a colony of Risa so, ya. He plucked the thing off the dresser and shoved it into drawer and shut it tightly.

Sven finished unpacking and headed to the balcony. It overlooked the district with its bustling streets of vendors and patrons. He took in the sight of one sun low on the horizon casting the city in twilight as the other was higher in the sky. It was an odd experience but one that he enjoyed.

He was supposed to meet Vello in a little bristo in Gallo in a few hours time. But in the mean time, Sven decided to enjoy the view.

[Ens. Phoebe Volante, Adjur - Fenlo, Adjur's Arena]

[Day 1-3]
Phoebe had come down to Celladore City to get away from the binds of her duties and properly let off some steam. She had been chewed out by Commander Baker when she had told her about the drunken night with the Talorian Princess, and while she knew she was in the wrong, it still annoyed her that she had to sit and listen to the Commander have a go at her for several hours because she was the one doing her medical examinations. Simply going to one of the stations bars and getting blasted wasn't going to cut it.

She had spent the first two days in the city subtley enquiring if there was anywhere that held some sort of fighting matches. It wasn't until the third day she finally found somewhere that didn't require a long standing membership or cost huge amounts of latinum to enter.

[Day 4]
Pheobe carried a bag with a change of clothes in it, she had seen a bar or restaurant across from the club that she wanted to try. There was nothing better than a big meal after a good bout. The woman shuffled the bag as she reset her vest in place after it had been moved by the constant jostling of her luggage. She had decided it would be easier if she came to the club in her gym gear then change to outdoor wear after she was done. It would save some time, and it wasn't like there was bad weather to worry about.

As the woman passed the bar she noticed a sign reading 'Happy hour'. She hoped it lasted longer than an hour, she wanted to try as much as she could when she went in. The sound of a lute drifted through the open door, attempting to pull her in. Alluring as the sound was it would have to wait, but it piqued her interest enough to look through the window as she passed. Unfortunately the light difference between the inside and the outside was too much and all she could make out was vague shapes inside. She shrugged lightly in disappointment and crossed the road to her destination, Adjur's Arena.

As soon as she stepped through the door she was greeted with the voice of an excited woman, "Phoebe! You came back. I had hoped to see you in action again!" Followed by a hearty laugh. A smile crossed Phoebe's lips as she remembered the voice from the day before. It belonged to the klingon owner Adjur who had welcomed her with open arms. Phoebe tossed her a strip of latinum before the pair grasped each others wrists in greeting, "Of course I'm back. The only fight outside of here is the Ferengi trying to fill their wallets."

Adjur let out another of the klingons renowned laughs, "You honour me with your words, Phoebe." She patted the human on the back and began walk towards the main area of the club with the multiple arenas set up, "Come, there are many fighters today. Some you will recognise, most you will not, but all will get your blood pumping."

---

soft tags:
Charlie Fox
Kova Sh'qaleq

[ Mott | Two Suns Market, Dostallo ]



A little Bolian boy, no older than thirteen years old seemed to materialize next to a Bajoran family. He hadn't yet grown out of his short black hair and his ears were little. He reached out past the lady (who he did not know was called Ozu Saya) to pick up a wooden bowl.

"Don't mind them, auntie, they're just probably from Fenlo. They wouldn't know a good tomitopi if one laid an egg in their breakfast," he said in a strong Celladore accent. He nodded sagely. Tourists always needed informed of things like this.

"Can I have some of that?" he asked then without hestitation, indicating whatever the little baby was snacking on.

Ozu Saya

[Lt Shavan Th’zhaar - In transit to Fenlo, Celladore City]

Upon arriving at the shore leave destination Shavan had wasted no time in exploring the pleasures that Celladore had to offer. For the most part he ignored the more obvious tourist traps, and thanks to a previous visit he had his own reasons for avoiding Mazzalo, which left the Gallo and Fenlo districts. While both were worth going to, for different reasons, Shavan had spent the first few days drawn to the bright lights, festive atmosphere and indulgences of Gallo.

It was somewhere in that district that he woke up this morning, to the glare of two suns through the narrow window, which illuminated the disheveled bed and the brown limbs wrapped around his own. With a satisfied smirk he looked at the handsome Risian he’d met at a club the previous night (Shavan couldn't remember if he'd actually gotten his name). After quietly extracting himself from the bed he quickly got dressed and left, intending to disappear into the vibrant city again.

Closing the door to the apartment building behind him, Shavan walked out into the streets of Celladore. There were a few places he had not been to yet that he wanted to check out. And so, some time later, he boarded a crowded hovertram bound for Fenlo. He noticed a Trill who looked familiar from the Mac, and gave her a friendly smile, before looking out and watching the sunlit city rush by.

soft tag Kaya Som