Post 298: We Go Together

Stardate: 70711.1119
Title: We Go Together Like Rama Lama Lama Da Dinga Da Ding Di Dong
Author: Ashlyn Trind
Scene: Following "Toasting and Talking"
Time: After Sunset

Oh, this brought back so many memories for Ashlyn, of eons gone by. Nights on the beaches all around the galaxies. Of friendships, of romances, of ... well ... oh she didn't want to think about the rest of it because some of it was bittersweet.

Still, she gazed into the fire and was mesmerized by the deep yellows and golds, along with the blues. Snaps of air caused 'pops' and little firefly like sparks that flew delicately into the air and made Ashlyn naturally throw her head back.

She wore a comfy hand knit, pull over sweater in a light gold to match her hair, which she just had down tonight, to match her laid-back feeling of being among friends. She wore a pair of denim Capris to match and a pair of slip on tennis shoes she could easily kick off so that she could feel her pretty little pink polished toenails in the sand.

"I propose another toast to friendship." Ashlyn made sure all their glasses were filled with their appropriate drinks. She had been fixed up rather nicely by Trick earlier with a bottle of white Zinfandel. Ashlyn knew that drinking to excess was not good for Trill symbionts, but she also knew a little secret from one of her past doctor hosts; what to take before hand and because of her Hippocratic oath did not share this secret with anyone and did not abuse it herself except when being challenged by a Klingon.

"This is a favorite quote of mine and I see no better time to share it than with all of my friends here tonight," Ashlyn said. "One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood".

Lily T'Ana immediately sprang up and said, "That's from Lucius Annaeus Seneca!!! One of my favorites!!!" Everyone around the fire just stared at the little Japanese butterfly and burst out laughing, of course no doubt the spirits they were drinking probably added fuel to them seeing the humor of the moment. "You see this stoic poet was from 4 B.C.-65 A.D. "What? What did I say?" Lily looked around at February.

Bru looked at her best friend and just started to giggle and said to her, "They are laughing with you sweetie, not at you. Only you and Ashlyn and maybe our Walking Webster Commander Salvek would know who said that! Oh, and me. Host number," her eyes went upward as she counted on her fingers, "One. . .two. . .three. . .four was a librarian. No, three. Um. I think it was four. Somebody was!"

Lily just shrugged her petite little shoulders and uncharacteristically sat back down, not bothering to debate the issue with anyone. She seemed to only look dreamily out onto the water, "I wonder how the guys are doing inside, do you think I should go check on them, I mean I am the hostess."

Bru just looked over at her friend and rolled her eyes, "No, Lily, I think they are big boys and can fend for themselves."

Kellyn looked back at the house after downing another cold one, "Yeah what do they need us for anyway? The are just interested in playing their little game of poker." she said rather sarcastically. After she said that Ashlyn walked over to sit beside her friend Lair and took the bottle out of her hand and handed her some food.

"OK sister, I think we need to eat something. Here is a delicacy over here, called a hot dog." Ashlyn put one on a skewer for Kellyn and handed it to her. "Roast it!"

"I'll skewer something and roast it all right," she mumbled so only Ashlyn could hear her, and continued, "Hot dog, I'll hot dog him all right!" Kellyn went on, shoving another hot dog onto the skewer and holding it over the fire."

"I have an idea!" Fox said, "Let's play Truth or Dare!"

"Oh, let's not." February chimed in.

"What is this tradition? Do we fight with this tradition?" N'Dura sat up, thinking this bonfire may be looking up!

"Well it could very well come to that N'Dura," Kellyn added.

"Bloodshed does not enter into the game I'm afraid N'Dura." Fox said rather properly.

"If I play it does," Kellyn said looking back at the beach house.

"Let's just talk shall we? So what has happened to anyone on board the ship that you would like to talk about, like interactions with other crew members, something puzzling, relationships?" Ashlyn asked looking over at Lily specifically.

"Why are you looking at me?" Lily looked at Ashlyn. "Angus and I are just friends, well, very good friends. " With that she smiled looking back at the house and watching him sneak out the door on his poker playing friends, not thinking anyone else saw him do it. . .

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Dr. Ashlyn Trind
On Special Assignment
USS Independence NCC-90791