Drinks Miranda Style "
By: Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Maxine Lucinda Tapert, Computer Specialist, [PC]
Miranda, Lounge Manager, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58207.30 2200

John Wright entered Miranda's and took a seat at the bar. The crowd was small just as Wright had expected it would be. The hushed tones of people carrying on conversations trickled through the room.

Wright's gaze locked onto one of the many large windows that looked out into space. It was a breathtaking display. He always liked looking out into space while the ship was at warp. The distorted color of numerous stars flashed by as the Zion moved. It had an almost memorizing quality, he thought.

He paused for a moment reflecting on his surprise meeting with the new Vulcan science officer. For some reason it had unsettled him. She held a slight resemblance for T'Pril but not so completely that he should be rattled. Wright decided that he just needed to shake it off, and he did just that; shoving aside thoughts of the new crew member and welcoming memories of his late wife.

A smile slowly crept across his lips as he remembered the time he had taken T'Pril to a ski resort on Earth. He was all set to teach her the finer points of skiing, however, as it turned out she was a natural. Wright assumed it had a lot to do with her being raised on a planet with heavier gravity. At any rate, it was not long before she was challenging him down the mogul run."

"What can I get you Commander?" asked Miranda bouncing Wright from his thoughts.

Wright looked at Miranda who now was deeply tanned. She had set a small glass on the bar in front of him and held a large bottle made of dark blue glass, making it impossible to see what color the liquid was inside. The bottle had a long fluted neck and was Stoppard with a clear glass stopper.

Wright flashed her a smile and said, "You tell me."

Miranda chuckled, "I thought you might say that." She set the glass bottle on the bar in front of her and then retrieved a smaller clear glass decanter. She carefully pulled one drop of the clear liquid it contained into the glass in front of Wright. "This is a drink native to my own people," she said. "My mother made it for my birthday."

"Is that it?" asked Wright a blank look crossing his face.

Miranda shook here head. "No, but you have to be ready to drink this one," said said.

"Ok," said Wright a bit hesitantly.

"I am serious Commander," she replied, "put your hand on the glass and as soon as I am done pouring, drink the whole thing. Do not sip it."

Wright nodded and grabbed the glass with his right hand. As soon as Miranda started pouring he felt the glass begin to chill. As soon as she stopped he threw back the small glass and drank the entire thing. To his surprise it was not cold at all. As a matter of fact it was hot. The rich flavor of milk and chocolate exploded inside his mouth. It was probably the best hot chocolate he had tasted since... since the very ski trip he had just been thinking about. After their first day at the resort they had shared a hot chocolate. "How in the world..."

"It's good isn't it?" she said.

"It tasted just like..."

Miranda held up her hand, "Nope! Don't tell me what it tasted like for you. It is bad luck."

"You mean it tastes different for each person who drinks it?"

Miranda nodded, "It works with your thoughts and feelings. Chances are the next time you have this it will taste completely different."

"Amazing," said Wright.

Max cleared her throat and smiled at Wright and Miranda. She'd stepped closer to them when she overheard what they were saying. "Excuse me.. would it be alrioght if I tried it?" she asked as she slipped into the seat next to Wright. "If y'don't mind, that is, sir.." she paused in mid-sit, waiting for his approval.

Wright smiled at her and then looked at Miranda; still smiling. "What Do you think?"

Miranda nodded, "Sure thing," she said setting another glass on the bar in front of Max. Once again she put just drop of clear liquid in the jar. "Are you ready Lieutenant?"

"Oh, yes ma'am," Maxine grinned and nodded as she finished sitting down and watched her pour the single drop into the glass. She wiggled a little to get situated in her seat and then looked up at Miranda. "M'ready."

Miranda waited until she put her hand around the glass in the same manner that Wright had and then poured the mysterious beverage.

Maxine shivered as the glass between her fingers began to chill, and as soon as Miranda was finished pouring, she tossed back the entire thing just as she'd seen Wright do. She hadn't known what to expect, and surprise was written clearly on her face as the sweetest ambrosia she'd ever tasted burst inside her mouth. Never had she tasted anything so utterly heavenly. It was like a field of the sweetest honeyed blooms had just opened up and released their nectar on her palette.

"Ooooooo....." She blinked and looked from Miranda to Wright and back again. "Oh, that's like... Heaven!" she exclaimed as she ran her finger around the inside of the glass and licked off every last drop of the strange drink.

Wright chuckled, "That must have been very good." Wright could still taste the drink he had just had. It seemed that this wonderful drink had a long aftertaste. Wright was not about to complain though.

"Oh, aye sir. It was...... well, 'yummy' just doesn't do it justice," Max told him with a grin. Then she ran her finger around the inside of the glass again just in case there was some she missed.

Wright looked at Maxine and then to Miranda, "Another round?"

Miranda put the stopper back into he bottle. "Sorry. No more of this for either of you." She walked over to the shelf behind the bar and placed the bottle on the very top shelf.

Wright felt an initial pang of disappointment, "I could order you to give me another drink?"

Miranda returned to stand directly in front of Wright. She fixed him with a stern gaze. "You could try," she said, a smiled slowly spreading across her face.

"She sounds pretty confident that y'won't, Commander," Maxine watched the two of them. "Either that, or she's darin' y'to," she added with a grin.

"No way," said Wright, "I know better than to challenge my elders." Wright returned her smile.

Miranda pretended to be upset and glared at Wright.

Wright continued to smile warmly at her, "I'm just teasing Miranda. How was your shoreleave? You look like you got some sun."

The smile returned to her face, "I went to Risa and had a very enjoyable time. How about you two, did you do anything exciting?"

"Oh, *I* did," Maxine nodded. "I got to indulge a fantasy," she told them. "I'm still excited about it." Although she didn't specifically say anything about Rahw or the Pegasus. "How 'bout you, Commander?" She turned to smile at Wright.

"I spent my time in a small village on Bajor. I tried to find a nice quiet spot to relax," he said.

"Did it work?" Maxine asked. "Finding a nice quiet spot, that is."

"Not exactly as I had planned," replied Wright, "but it all worked out in the end." Wright paused a moment and then glaced at Miranda, "How about a Synthahol then Miranda. Can I have one of those?"

Miranda thought about it for a moment and then said, "I suppose. Would you like anything?" she asked Maxine.

"Yes ma'am. I'll have the same thing as the Commander," Max nodded.

As Miranda left to get their drinks Wright put downt the empty glass that he was surprised to find still clutched in his hand. "So, you indulged in a fantasy huh?"

"Yes, sir," Maxine turned to face him more fully. "It was work, but still a fantasy. Well, more like a dream come true, actually," she admitted with a smile.

"Work huh?" he said, "Did you do anything for fun on your shoreleave?"

Maxine blinked at the question, and for a moment looked stumped... Then her face brightened and she nodded. "Uhhh... Yes, sir," she grinned. "I worked! Uhh... On my dream come true," she added.

Wright chuckled, "There must be something that Maxine Tapert does just for fun, that does not involve work," said Wright as Miranda delivered their drinks. "Thanks," he said as he took his drink.

"Ohh... uhh..." It was clear she was having to think about it. "Thanks," she smiled as Miranda handed her the drink. "Puzzles," she turned back to smile at Wright. "I like puzzles. And rock climbing. Well, bouldering actually," she corrected herself.

"Bouldering?" he asked, "What is that?"

Free-climbing on big huge boulders," Max told him. "It's not so high, but still quite difficult. Good exercise," she explained with a smile. "What do you do for fun, Commander?" she asked.

"Me?" Wright chuckled, "I am into holo-novels." He looked at her, "This boudering sounds interesting. How about you show me how it is done sometime?"

Maxine grinned at his chuckle. "'Ow 'bout we work a trade? I'll show you boulderin' and you show me a holo-novel," she counter-suggested.

Wright reached over and held his hand out to her, "You have a deal."

"Smashing good fun, sir," Maxine grinned at him as she took his hand and shook it.