After Party

[Dashiel Starborn]

The HoloNet News Network (https://theholo.net/forum/showthread.php?56683-Tall-Tales) logo flashed, huge and bright, on the screen that Dashiel stood in front of. As the broadcast ended, he turned his back toward the image and rubbed the palm of his hand across his stubble-rough chin. No one else was watching the screen. Projecting as it was, onto a wall bordering a busy pedwalk, the screen had been at the peripheral of at least four dozen people walking past it and Dashiel. Did any of them realise that the broadcast was coming from a courtyard aboard the station? Maybe, maybe not. There were more important things for everyone on board to think about. Not Dash, though.

Crumpling up the wrapper of the sandwich he'd been eating and licking the remains of sauce from his fingertips, he peered at a nearby directory showing a map of the station. The courtyard wasn't far away. Close enough that he could get there after the Minister of State had departed, but hopefully before the HNN reporter had packed up.

[Casey Luna]

Until we meet again, Senator Ave. Casey's thoughts followed the retreating compliment of guards tailing the political figure. What a mixed bag they were!

Around the reporter, her crew was wrapping up the event by packing up equipment and putting everything back as they had found, per the request of the luxury liner's management. Casey stood, still intently flipping through the notes on her device. Making notes of where she should have pressed harder, when she should have used a more subtle touch. How she could have brought the interview to a more...memorable result. Mr. Ave was not easily ruffled, so it seemed.

Fine. More of a challenge next time..

"Anything else from us, Luna?"

"Nah, you're good guys. Enjoy the night.", Casey sent her crew on their way with a little wave.

The Tall Tales offered entertainment for all points around the chronometer, so the lights would never go out, but as she stood there fixating over her notes, they did dim on her, one by one. Casey glanced up and gave them a withering look, like they had failed her on purpose. Stuffing the stylus into her case, she too began to unwind, job done.

[Dashiel Starborn]

There was no missing Casey Luna. Even without the spotlights on her, she was still centre of attention in the courtyard. Station residents milled about the edge of the room, peering curiously at her while her technicians lugged away their equipment. Dash waited by the entrance fo the courtyard and smiled as Casey approached, on her way out.

"Great show. You gave him a grilling."

When she looked his way, Starborn smiled.

[Casey Luna]

"Aww, thanks.", Casey replied, not really paying attention.

When she did look up and the owner of the mystery compliment was given a face, Casey's big blue eyes blinked. She had to admit, for the moment at least he had her attention. So much so that she dropped whatever she had been holding onto a passing cart as it rolled by with some of the station's equipment. Later, she would be cursing her idiocy while trying in vain to recall where she had put that very bag.

Suitably distracted from her previous thoughts, Casey rose and approached. "Please, tell me I'm interviewing you next.", she smiled pleasantly, extending her hand in proper greeting. "Casey Luna. Who might you be?"

[Dashiel Starborn]

Accepting the handshake, his smile got wider for a moment.

“Dash Starborn. Alliance Intelligence.”

He took a step back and smiled at the rest of Casey’s crew as they hauled away the last of her recording equipment.

“Got any plans for the rest of the evening?”