Even though the sun was slowly starting to set, the almost unbearable heat that had been the main subject of conversation among the party-goers hadn’t subsided, and the breeze that rustled the palm trees above the crowd did nothing to cool them down. It carried the scent of something metallic only River seemed to notice lingering beneath the smell of grilled seafood, spiced meats and various perfumes that filled the air.

As someone who usually enjoyed cultural exchange and social gatherings of any sort, she found it difficult to keep a straight face, and to not spoil the experience for the others.

She absentmindedly glanced at Alcyone Brennan, who was trying to fight off a drunk Osaarian hugging her a little too tightly until Edwardson pried him off her. The dismayed man tried his luck with him next, but gave up when he was pushed away.

As he left, he swayed with the crowd, mumbling an old lullaby under his breath. And when he tripped and fell, no one noticed, or wanted to.

River shook her head. Something about moving felt wrong.

Instead, she searched the crowd for Renn, who had taken to watching the children chase each other between tables overflowing with different cocktails and jewel-like fruit. A little boy approached her, his face sticky with syrup and tears, but was stopped by his mother, who gripped his wrist with too much force as she led him away.

“I don’t know what’s going on with people.”, Renn frowned as she returned to River and handed her a glass of fruit punch. “I understand feeling on edge, but… Hey, Sirona to Kendall. Are you even listening to me?”

River blinked. She had stared into her drink, watching the fruit inside slowly sink to the bottom of the glass.

“Sorry.”, she said as she looked up, and offered Renn a nod before trying the drink, and promptly coughing as the oppressively sweet taste burned her throat.

“Don’t die.” Renn smirked. “Doctor’s orders.”

“Yeah….”

“You’ve been odd all day.”, the other woman remarked. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I guess I’ve outgrown parties, that’s all. Or perhaps I am picking up on people trying just a little hard to be happy.”, River sighed. Her gaze swept over a group of exotic dancers that moved with an almost unsettling grace, heads tilted just a little too far.

“Being an empath must suck.”, Renn agreed, trying to lighten the mood. “I would suggest we just return to the Sirona, but I doubt Valdes would be happy. She ordered us to have fun.”

River’s lips curled into a tired smile. “I’ve been with Starfleet for six years now, and Valdes is the only Captain who orders people to have fun and be happy.”

“Agreed.”, Renn nodded. “Though I doubt she even knows what fun is.”

“She never smiles either.”, remarked River and found that being a little out of line… helped. That Valdes wasn’t the easiest person to deal with wasn’t a secret – but despite the banter, she, as Captain Sirona, had earned their respect.

“If she did, the warp core would freeze ov-…”, Renn continued, but was interrupted by a chirp from River’s badge.

“Valdes to River.”

For a split second, both women were sure that Valdes had somehow overheard their conversation.

“Captain.”, River said, a little too hesitantly.

“Lieutenant, we have been informed that Risa is experiencing an issue with their weather control matrix.” Valdes said, unphased by River’s delayed response.

“I can confirm,” River said quickly. “It’s been an incredibly hot and humid day. Did we get any details?”

“There appear to be power fluctuations in several modification grids. Repairs have been estimated to take no longer than another two hours, but information as to what caused this has been sparse.”

“Are you worried that it has something to do with the Blackout?” River asked.

“Yes. I want you to find out what happened. Take Edwardson and Renn with you.” There was a small moment of consideration. “And Commander Brennan. Let her know she is officially back on duty.”

River tilted her head. Brennan was traveling as a civilian, and she was unsure how well  ‘part of the ship, part of the crew’ would sit with her.  “Understood.”

“Good. Valdes out.”

“I guess that cuts our shore leave short.”, Renn sighed, trying to sound disappointed, but unable to hide the undercurrent of relief in her voice. She, too, wasn’t happy here. She was just better at pretending.

“Edwardson.”, she called out.

River flinched. The glass slipped and shattered on the floor, and for a moment, everything seemed to stop. A heartbeat of silence no one wanted to acknowledge, before laughter rang out in sharp, forced bursts.

And then, the party surged forward.

“Want a new drink?”, asked Edwardson once he had made his way towards them. River shook her head. “No, we got orders.” A pause. “Where is Brennan?”