Post 7 - Vill-à-vis

Posted on Sat Feb 6th, 2021 @ 9:20am by Captain Björn Kodak & Debbie Gless

Mission: The Waiting Game
Location: Isle Delfino, Risa
Timeline: Day 1: Arrival

[Delfino Plaza]
[The Planet Risa]
[Day 1: Arrival]

The shimmering haze of the transporter beam deposited Kodak in the heart of Delfino Plaza -- one of the most popular areas on Risa, at least where tourists were concerned. Natives and long-term residents might prefer other, less well-known locales but for the Chameloid, this place in particular held special purpose.

As an infant, Kodak had been found on a beach not too far away from where he now stood. And over 40 years later, the unanswered questions of how the Chameloid ended up on that beach still pulled at his thoughts. But there will be plenty of time to explore that later, he mused to himself.

Stepping off of the transporter platform -- which seemed to unceasingly welcome other new arrivals -- Kodak tapped his combadge. "Directions to the Pianta Villas," he intoned, moving himself out of the way as others walked with purpose to their own intended destinations.

"Continue walking for 700 hundred feet," the computer-in-a-combadge replied. "At the intersection of Jada and R'lonni, head right for three city blocks. Your destination will be on the left."

Nodding, Kodak set out, an ancient image-capturing device hanging from his neck on a corded lanyard. The imager bore colors of black, yellow, orange, and white, festooned as well with what seemed to be his own name on its face. Walking down the street and turning where indicated, the man couldn't help but smile as buildings gave way to golden sands and cerulean waters, sparkling in the twin suns of Risa.

Kodak lifted the imager to his face, looking out through its tiny viewer to frame the vista just so before pushing down on the shutter. The device made a loud, mechanical click followed by a low whirring of internal machinery. Moments later, a photograph bordered in white slid down from the camera's printer slot -- perfectly capturing the spot's beauty for later posterity.

The Chameloid opened the messenger bag hanging at his hip, storing the photo in a folder waiting inside. He imagined that, by the end of two weeks of shore leave, that folder would be overly stuffed with photos. The idea rather excited him, actually. Anyone could take digital pictures with a modern day imager but those lived in the ether of computing. Pictures from a Kodak Printomatic, however, were a tangible, valuable sort of thing -- specifically because of the impermanence of their medium.

Resuming his walk, Kodak found himself enjoying the warm, tuft-ruffling sea breeze that combed through his hair. In the distance, he could hear soft guitar music coming from somewhere or other, accompanied by the occasional call of ocean-skimming birds who found their food beneath the waves. As the man continued on his way, it wasn't long before his combadge alerted him to his arrival.

The Pianta Villas stretched out before Kodak, lining the island's coast. While the beach up until the property grounds had been exceptionally crowded, the sands cascading down from the villas themselves were blessedly clear of people. Occupants of the resort certainly made use of their apportioned beach areas but the amount of people laughing, loving, and playing on the sands were so much fewer in comparison to the more public areas of Delfino.

"Hello, Captain Kodak," a breathy female voice suddenly emanated from the man's combadge. "Welcome to Isle Delfino and, more specifically, to the Pianta Villas. Your unit is three doors down on the right," the voice intoned. "Your bags have all been transferred ahead of your stay. Entry," the woman cooed, "has been encoded to your voice print. Have a pleasant stay and remember...all that is ours is yours," the voice -- no doubt a recording -- then ceased.

"They obviously take hospitality pretty seriously here," Kodak rasped to himself, smiling wide as his feet carried him within view of his villa. It was a beautiful little house that bordered the beach, steps away from the warm, sinking sands that met the water's edge. As the Chameloid stepped up onto the decking in front of the house, he could smell something meaty being barbecued nearby. A rumble from his stomach reminded Kodak that he hadn't eaten since very early that morning.

"Captain Kodak, Starfleet," he directed toward the double glass doors of what would be his home for the next couple of weeks. They audibly clicked open, though it was up to the Chameloid himself to swing them wide in. "Definitely a step up from the Maricopa," he chuckled to himself as his eyes drank in his temporary domicile.

It didn't take long to tour the dwelling but Kodak found himself in love with its quaintness and, true to form, all of his belongings were neatly stored in the closet of his bedroom. Letting the messenger bag slide from his shoulder to rest on the carpeted floor inside the closet, the man opened one of his suitcases and withdrew a few different items: a pair of silver-rimmed, aviator-style mirrored sunglasses, a large tube of Starfleet-issue skin protectant, and a small, onyx orb that rested comfortably in his palm.

The Chameloid -- still clothed in semi-standard civilian garb common aboard starships -- placed the orb on the nearby night stand before donning his sunglasses. Of course, they made it entirely too dark to meaningfully observe his reflection in the room's floor-length mirror, so Kodak lifted them to rest atop his head. Eyeing himself in the mirror, he gave careful consideration before nodding conformationally. With a quick wash of changing colors and texture, his clothing had shifted from it's-always-too-cold-on-a-starship to time-to-get-sun-on-that-pale-torso.

Now wearing square-cut swim trunks in blue -- with little starships of various classes flying in random directions across them -- Kodak moved towards the double doors leading out from his bedroom. Unlatching and opening them, the ocean breeze ruffled the dark pelt of hair covering his chest and torso. Quickly sliding his sunglasses down once again, he stepped out onto the decking and then into the sand beyond.

Kodak's feet sank somewhat, owing to his sturdy build and a bit more weight than many Starfleet Captains might carry around. He'd been referred to as a "bear of a man" on many occasions and, suddenly, the mental image of an actual bear sinking into the sandy beach while wearing sunglasses made him chuckle. He padded out further from the villa, smiling to an elderly couple he passed on his way to the water's edge.

"How is it out there?" he asked, offering the pair a wave.

"Perfect as always," one of the men smiled back. "Though Rodney here has about had his fill of sunshine and waves for the day."

"I'm just hungry, Jelafon," the other man grumbled. "Guess we're your neighbors! As you may have put together," the human half-smiled, "I'm Rodney. This is my husband, Jel," he said, using a shorted version of the other man's name.

"Björn," Kodak answered back with a warm smile, giving his first name only. No rank, no last name, no profession...which was a welcome relief after enduring weeks of exploratory hearings about the Adelphi's unavoidable mothballing.

"Very nice to meet you," the Rigellian of the pair smiled back. "Listen, the other couple we're staying with are up there grilling some steaks," he pitched his thumb over his shoulder, indicating the larger villa nextdoor to Kodak's. "If you want to stop by after you take a dip, feel free. I'm 100% positive Joe's making enough food for an army."

"That's a kind offer," Kodak smirked, envisioning a picnic table on the verge of collapsing under a mountain of mighty meat. "I don't want to impose, though..."

"You kidding?" Rodney spoke up then, laughing. "A few other friends are coming, too. You won't be crashing the party or anything. Some of them live here on Risa full-time -- might be a great way to get the lay of the land, since you're just starting your stay?"

"Not a bad idea," Kodak nodded, good-naturedly relenting. "Alright, I'm gonna slide into those waters for a bit and then I'll be up. Should I replicate something or...?"

"An army, Björn. Enough for an army," Jel emphasized, shaking his head. "Just bring yourself. We've got the rest covered. Come along, dear," he side-eyed Rodney with a kind smile. "Enjoy the swim and we'll see you soon," the Rigellian nodded to Kodak before padding back up towards the house, his husband in tow.

"Well," a voice clucked from behind, "been here a whole five minutes and you've already got dinner plans!" There was a guffaw then, punctuated by the chomping and smacking of violet bubblegum that matched its chewer's hair.

"Debbie," Kodak rolled his eyes to himself before turning to face the woman, putting his smile back on. "Let me guess...you're in the other villa?" he asked, gesturing to the house on the opposite side of Rodney and Jel's.

"Got it in one, baby," the older woman blew -- and popped -- a rather large bubble. It stuck to the tip of her nose but a quick chew-chew-chew pulled the gum back into her mouth. Debbie was bedecked in a graceful swimsuit that complemented her body shape and personal sense of "loudness." The suit's garish mix of bright colors and outlandish designs went perfectly with her personality.

"C'mon then, let's take a dip and then we can get some of that steak," she chuckled, inviting herself along even as she led the way down to the water.

Suddenly, two weeks on the beach didn't seem quite as exciting as it had before. Not because Kodak didn't like Debbie -- she was, in fact, one of his oldest friends. But more so it was because he'd been looking forward to a quiet stay far enough away from the rest of his crew to have privacy but close enough to interact when he felt like doing so. Having his own personal mother hen next door, Kodak thought, probably wouldn't do him much in the way of favors...

Maybe one of those locals can recommend a more private place to stay? Gotta be careful not to hurt Deb's feelings, though, Kodak lamented, affixing his smile again and following Debbie into the water, steak all-the-while on his brain...

=/\= A joint post by... =/\=

Captain Björn Kodak
Starship Unknown

and

Debbie Gless
Best Friend and Mother Hen