Ever Present (A Glimpse of the Past IV)

Posted on Mon Jun 22nd, 2020 @ 12:46am by Cailus Griffin & Captain Nycolas Temple & Commander Owen Nash & Lieutenant K'Laus & Commander Mindo & Lieutenant JG Vecon Fick & Emilie Temple
Edited on on Tue Jul 7th, 2020 @ 2:09pm

Mission: Into the Wild
Location: The Box
Timeline: Lieutenant K'Laus' Birthday

A Mission Post by Ensign Vecon Fick & Captain Nycolas Temple & Lieutenant Commander Owen Nash & Lieutenant Mindo & Lieutenant K'Laus & Lieutenant JG Cailus Griffin & Chief Petty Officer James Frost & Emilie Temple
Mission: Into The Wild
Location: The Box
Timeline: Lieutenant K'Laus' Birthday
Fri Mar 9th, 2018 @ 8:51pm

ON:

Ensign Vecon Fick sent out the invitation for Lieutenant K'Laus' Birthday party the evening before. In the invitation he explained that the party was going to be a surprise and to meet at The Box at 8 p.m. Not wanting to make people feel obligated and not wanting to overwhelm K'Laus either, Fick requested that presents weren't necessary. Of course, if people insisted he wasn't going to make the decision for K'Laus, but they weren't a requirement. He also requested that people not talk about it because word spreads fast and he didn't want that word spreading to K'Laus. It was a surprise party afterall.

He hoped that people would come to the party. He felt like he could rely on Shae and Calius, but he knew there were some people that might not be able to come or just wouldn't want to. There was also part of him that hoped it would sort of stay small because he knew that too many people might be uncomfortable for K'Laus. He hoped that the Captain would make it as well. He knew that in his own weird way, K'Laus admired the man. Fick thought it would probably mean a lot if the Captain showed, but he also wasn't going to be upset if people couldn't come.

He had checked in with Huyo earlier in the day and dropped off the cake. The cake was a dark chocolate number made with some very fine whiskey. Fick was sure that K'Laus was going to like it. He had also let Huyo know that he would be arriving with the birthday Klingon about fifteen to twenty minutes later then he told the guests to arrive. That way everyone could get settled before they arrived.

Present...

Fick pulled the Klingon down the hallway by one hand. He was very excited to join what he knew was at least a small party. He was pretty sure that K'Laus had never had a birthday party, so it was possible that he didn't have any idea what Fick had planned. He knew that at least Huyo would be there to say surprise and even that would be enough. "What are you going to order?" he asked in way of distraction.

Lieutenant K'Laus waked with Ensign Fick down the corridor not knowing what was awaiting him. Dressing nice was not out of the normal for a potential date night with Fick. The man had already given him a wonderful gift. So, K'Laus was not expecting anything further, but it was possible that Fick was going to take him somewhere later. Perhaps some of the crew are putting on a theatrical performance or a concert? pondered the Klingon. "I was thinking something fruity with a good stinging buzz to it. Just not too heavy on the buzz. I do not want to dangle the Chief Engineer over anything," he teased. "Maybe Ferengi Starduster," he added.

Fick turned in the hallway, grinning up at the taller man. "Have you had a Risian Mai Tai? You might like that. It's fruity and you can drink a few of them before you're to dangling Engineers drunk..."

K'Laus shook his head. "What did you Risians do? Take tropical drinks from other planets and cultures and put your own spin on them?" asked the Klingon. "I have not had one, but I may be interested in trying one."

Fick stopped right before the door to the Box and lifted K'Laus' hand to his lips to kiss it. "Happy Birthday, love..."

There was a little pause and then the doors slid open and everyone inside yelled. "SURPRISE!"

...everyone but Mindo, who had wondered why everyone was here. He'd just come over for a quick bite before going back to duty. He didn't really get what the big deal was. His birthday was a week ago and no one seemed to care then.

The Klingon was startled by the joyous ambush, fortunately he was unarmed at the time. He looked at Fick and grunted. "You are a crafty little thing. I should not underestimate you," he said placing a hand on Fick. "You have given me a wonderful gift and have arranged this... social event in my honor," said K'Laus. He was not entirely sure how to respond, but he was going to try and do the human thing and socialize.

Emilie was standing with Katrine near the front of the crowd, and the small girl somehow almost managed to yell over the top of everyone else. With the surprise given and after K'Laus appeared reservedly pleased, Emilie decided now would be a good moment for them to step forward. Though she hadn't had much previous interactions with the Chief Supply Officer, Ems could tell from Ensign Fick's message that it would mean a lot to him - to them both, really. She was unsure if Nyx would be able to make it, but wanted to make an appearance anyway.

"Go ahead honey," Emilie leaned over and whispered to Katrine.

Nervously, Katrine stepped forward, holding a large green envelope in her hands, which she raised up to show Lieutenant K'Laus, "Mr Clause?"

Lieutenant K'Laus looked down at the small child, and crossed his arms. Her cuteness was not going to break him, but sometimes you needed to warmer and friendlier to small humans and the young offspring of other species. They were weaker minded than Klingon or Talarian children, and needed a great deal of care. K'Laus grunted at her mispronunciation of his name. "I do not have presents for you, child," he replied as he crouched down to her level. He did however, accept her card and maybe just maybe there was a small smile that came over his face.

He looked at her, now nearly eye level with her. The Klingon then reached out and placed a hand on her head "You are growing, little one. Soon, you will be as tall or taller than our Chief Engineer. We better prepare a uniform for you soon," said K'Laus. "Ah yes. Today is my birthday and I think you should go have some fun, little Miss Latrine," he said teasingly saying her name wrong. "Now go find Mindo and the other children and have some fun for Mr. Clause."

Katrine stared up at the man, a befuddled frown coming across her face. Emilie stepped forward and gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder. "Mr K'Laus said thank you."

"Ohh." Katrine replied, breaking into a smile. "You welcome, Mr Clause!" She cried before running off.

Fick melted in a small puddle of adorableness. He put a hand on K'Laus' arm, smiling at Emilie. "Thank you so much for coming. I really wasn't sure if a lot of people would be able to show. Third shift and all." He looked down at the card in K'Laus' hand. "So freaking cute... what did she give you, hun?"

"This," said K'Laus proudly showing it as though it were a trophy.

"Awwww! Look it's you!" There was a pause, where Fick tipped his head back and forth for a moment. "I... I think you might be fighting a dinosaur. I'm pretty sure that's a dinosaur." Fick was pointing at the drawing. "It looks like you might be winning. I think."

"It stands no chance against me," said the Klingon gloatingly.

"That's pretty cute," Frost said grinning from the doorway. He was holding a long box under his arm wrapped with red and black paper and was leaning lazily against the door. Rosie was sitting quietly by his feet, sniffing the smells of birthday food within.

Fick looked up when Frost spoke and smiled. He was really, really surprised how many of the crew had shown up. He felt like it disproved K'Laus' belief that he was intolerable to the crew. He nudged the Klingon. "Hey there's our new Borg..." he said softly.

Frost raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

Fick pulled the larger K'Laus by one arm toward Frost, grinning.

"None of you guys have really met me yet, but I'm Chief Frost. Yes. That one. Don't worry I'm pretty max relaxed, and no, I won't assimilate anyone."

"You don't have to stand out there in the hall, Chief. Come on in," Fick gestured for Frost to join them.

"Oh I've been here for a few minutes. I just didn't want to interrupt the moment." He walked in and handed the box to K'Laus. "Here you go Mister K'Laus." He winked and there were a few giggles from around the room.

K'Laus looked at the man, grunting. "Good," he replied swiftly. "As I Klingon, I can say today is a good day to die. There is never a good day for assimilation," commented K'Laus as he opened the gift.

"It's a Klingon Mek'Leth," Frost explained. "It belonged to a good friend of mine who isn't around anymore. He would have wanted it to go to a Klingon Warrior who would give it the care it deserves."

The Klingon was quite pleased with the gift. "My first Mek'Leth. This is more than just a gift from you, Chief. This is a gift from your friend as well. I will treat this weapon with the utmost respect."

Frost looked at the emblem on the blade. "That's the sign of the House of K'Tan. They were a very honorable house before they were wiped out. That blade saved my backside more times than I care to admit.

"Mindo, you care to go around for entertainment's sake?" teased the Klingon grunting with a smirk on his face. The two men had a bit of a history, but all of that was in the past and had just been a stupid misunderstanding that spiraled out of control with an intoxicated Klingon.

"No thanks," said Mindo. "I don't want to embarrass you on your birthday."

The Klingon grunted. Embarrass me? thought K'Laus.

Owen took in the festivities as everyone enjoyed themselves celebrating the Lieutenants birthday. When he found a moment, Owen stepped forward to speak with K'Laus.

"Happy Birthday K'Laus," he said before presenting the Klingon with a small gift box. "I thought you would enjoy this?" he offered.

"Thank you" replied the Klingon. Owen was someone that K'Laus did like and a gift from him was well appreciated.

Owen decided to explain what his gift was as K'Laus looked a little confused. "Its a holodeck programme, a recreation of the Great Tribble Massacre on Quo'Nos... A friend of mine thought this would be a great exercise programme for you," he explained.

The Klingon's eyes lit up. "WHACK A MOLE!" he said with a smirk of pleasure. "It sounds like whack a mole. An old Earth game that I found when studying Earth customs about carnivals and parties. It looks quite satisfying."

"Got it in one, I thought this would be helpful in times of need or exercise... Maybe I could join you some time?" Owen offered.

When Owen approached Fick took a moment to break away and look around and get himself some food. He stopped at the bar and leaned way over to grin at Huyo. "Thank you so much for all of this," he said to the Deltan. "Have you seen Dr. Brennan or Lieutenant Griffin?"

"I'm sure they'll be along, honey," Huyo replied to Fick with her usual dazzling smile, although she kept an alert eye on the rest of the party. "They have their little girl after all, and I'm sure she wrecks their schedule so many ways."

"I'm sure. I was just wondering. Thank you so much, Huyo. This is awesome!" Fick said with a grin.

The doors to the restaurant swished open and in walked a uniformed Zo. Zo had been the one to transport K'Laus to the brig after his altercation with Mindo. He'd been avoiding the Klingon ever since. He'd originally come to the Box for a bite to eat after a long shift. Seeing the large gathering, and K'Laus in the middle of it, he suddenly became very nervous. Not looking, he accidentally bumped into a waiter with two platters of hors d'oeuvres, causing the waiter to stumble, which caused the food to fly off his arm and down onto... K'Laus.

Fick had just returned to where K'Laus was when the food went flying into the Klingon's lap. He took a deep breath. "Really, Zo? Really?"

The Klingon cleared his throat and looked around for Fick. "Is it not customary for cake of some sort to be served at these social events honoring one's year of birth?" he asked. "I appreciate the gifts and being in the company of my friends, but I declare it time for cake," he announced.

Fick was a little relieved that the big Klingon was not taking the spill so seriously. He moved forward and started to try and clean K'Laus up a little. Fortunately, most of the food wasn't super wet. "Are you okay? I'll get cake! I actually made cake..."

Zo was surprised at the Klingon's nonchalance over the accident and decided not to push it further, heading straight for the bar at a steady gait. Mindo ran to join him.

"I found a really old recipe of cake made with alcohol. I thought you would like it. It's very... chocolatey." Fick grinned and took off toward the bar and the cake sitting behind it. He'd made a cake specifically for K'Laus and then they had replicated the recipe so there would be enough cake for everyone. "So happy birthday songs vary a lot... but everyone seems to know the Earth one... so..." He cleared his throat and set the little, round, chocolate cake in front of K'Laus. "Happy Birthday to you... happy birthday to you..." he started. Others picked it up. When they were done singing, Fick leaned forward and lit the candles on the cake. He had shaped the number 38 with just a few candles so they wouldn't set the room on fire. "Now you gotta make a wish and blow them out!"

The Klingon took in a deep breathe and released a good Klingon blow, defeating the flames. "Qapla'!" he shouted and looked at the crewmates, his friends gathered. "Today is a good day for cake," he added making a tiny bit of a joke. He gave the cake a good whiff. There was definitely some alcohol to it and it smelt chocolatey as well. "Did you make a Kahlua cake?" asked K'Laus.

"It's called a Chocolate Guinness cake... the alcohol is really dark and heavy and kinda bitter. I don't know why it tastes so good now." Fick chuckled. "I looked at a couple of things... I think mine's better than the one I got out of the replicator." While he talked he cut a piece of cake and set it on a plate and set the plate in front of K'Laus. Then he offered him a fork. "Happy Birthday baby..."

:End