Chapter 36: Party!
Tom came up behind Daria as she was looking in the mirror. He put his arm around her waist and gently kissed the back of her neck just above the strings of the polished tiny stone spheres known as 'Martian Pearls' she was wearing. Looking at his wife's reflection in the mirror Tom was truly stunned. On the last transport Quinn had sent a bottle of a new hair biologic. Unlike old fashioned dyes, this biologic could essentially sense the original color of the hair and restore it. For the first time in several years - maybe over a decade - Daria had no gray hair! Her hair color was the same beautiful auburn mixture of red and brown it had been 40 years ago. Tom could feel his heart rate increase as he looked at her. "You look stunning this evening," he remarked.
"Thank you. I'm glad you like my dress," Daria responded. "Now would you please do your duty and pull up my zipper? After all that is what husbands are for!"
"Really? Is that all we are good for?" Tom said as he drew the zipper up the back of her black evening gown with his right hand. With his left he held the zipper track taut. Once the zipper was up he traced the curves of her body. For tonight's event they did not have to wear their weights.
Daria turned around, put her arms around Tom's neck, and moved up against his body. "Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just glad to be near me?" she asked using her best sultry tone.
"He, he," was the best response Tom could muster.
Turning back to the mirror, but also pushing herself against Tom, Daria casually remarked, "Well, maybe you are good for something else, too. But that will have to wait until after the party. I didn't spend all this time getting my hair and makeup right just to have you mess it up. You can give me a light kiss right here on my cheek if you like. I can take care of any smudge in that spot quite easily!"
Tom gave Daria a quick kiss on the cheek. It was really more of a peck. "There, Quinn, I didn't mess up your makeup!"
"You know I should slap you for calling me by my sister's name!" Daria said with mock indignation.
Smiling Tom replied, "Ooh! That might be kind of fun."
"Cool it, dear," Daria responded. "Maybe after the party." Turning back to the mirror she said in total deadpan, "Besides, a couple of shots of Martian Moonshine may be necessary to make this old hulk appealing. And that assumes we don't just fall into bed and go to sleep."
"Most men would kill to have a wife as hot as you are. I don't care how old we are."
Daria whipped around and lightly rubbed Tom's cheek with her right hand saying, "I've always liked that about you, Tom. Your poor eyesight now combined with what is probably creeping dementia lead you to such fanciful conclusions. At least Quinn taught me how to use some makeup to mitigate the effects of sheer age."
"Is that a touch of vanity I hear?" Tom asked.
Daria turned and faced the mirror again commenting, "No, dear, it is just reality. Now let's get going. This is a big night for us and really for the whole colony."
Tom let go of Daria and the two left their quarters holding hands.
36.2
Mia surveyed the dining hall. It was still early, but the crowd was already coming in. She had been right. This party was desperately needed by everyone in the colony. So much had happened since the last Martian New Year. It was truly time to get together, socialize, and have some fun! Tonight there would be some pomp and ceremony, but also laughter, dancing, and even a little drinking! It occurred to Mia that Martians needed to sing. Specifically, some Martian songs should be written. Mars had all these brilliant scientists and engineers. Now Mars needed a singer/songwriter.
Tonight's celebration included feting the first vintage of Martian wine. The new wine was effervescent and had plenty of alcohol. As commander she had needed to sample some in order to make certain of its quality. There was plenty of Martian Moonshine to go around as well. At least given that the average age of the crowd was about sixty, Mia doubted there would be any fistfights breaking out even if people got a little drunk! More likely they would just fall asleep with their faces on the tables. She chuckled to herself as she thought that at least half would be in bed by 9:30 pm, well past their usual bedtime!
Continuing her survey, Mia spotted Daria and Tom entering the room. Tom was a good looking man. Not too tall. Not too short. Just right and he kept himself reasonably fit. Daria, however, nearly took Mia's breath away. In a colony full of aging scientists, engineers, and technicians for whom fashion was usually a foreign concept there were few standouts. Mia was used to seeing Daria without makeup, in a polo or maybe a sweatshirt, but never had she seen Daria like this even at previous parties. Daria had the most amazing figure - particularly for a woman in her sixties. But now too she had that auburn hair, which Mia assumed was her natural color as a younger woman. How had she gotten rid of all of her gray and so perfectly? Was Mia feeling envy or jealousy? For Mia, seeing Tom and Daria together was like seeing James Bond entering the room with Mata Hari on his arm.
Mia turned to her husband and whispered, "Look over there. Daria and Tom just came in. They look amazing!"
Turning his head and looking he replied, "Hmmm. They do look good. Maybe I'll have to ask Daria for a dance later on." Turning to look directly at Mia he slowly intoned, "A slow one."
"Maybe I can find a nice spot in the brig for you this evening, honey," Mia replied in a very icy tone.
Daria and Tom looked around the room. Daria said, "We are supposed to be seated at table seventeen. It looks like they have place cards for everyone. Let's find ours so that we know where we will be."
"Good idea," Tom replied. "Then we can go to the bar and get some of the new wine!"
"I certainly won't turn down a glass of wine," Daria remarked. "Especially this bubbly new stuff."
It was a slow walk over to table seventeen. Nearly everyone stopped Daria to say how wonderful she looked. Of course Daria was polite and returned the complements, even to the people whose choice of clothing was less than flattering. A few even seemed to resemble a shrink wrapped bag of potatoes.
Arriving at the table Daria did a quick survey of the place cards. "Well, Tom. I don't know who decided on the seating, but they clearly were out to get me."
"Why do you say that Daria?" Tom asked.
"We are seated with: Julie the geologist, her husband, Arnison, and Kazira. It looks like I have my choice. I can die of boredom listening to Julie talk about rocks all night or I can sit in total silence, because Kazira never stops talking."
"Be fair, Daria," Tom said with a bit of scolding in his voice. "Just think how much more you know today about rocks than you did when we arrived on Mars! Also, Kazira is much better after her encounter with Marcipor and healing from her wounds. I think that nearly getting killed has mellowed her a bit. Besides, you are her friend."
Daria replied in total deadpan, "Maybe she has mellowed and yes, I am her friend. That still does not exclude the fact that I prefer her in small doses. An entire evening may be a bit much. We'll see. I think I need that wine now." Daria turned, grabbed Tom's hand and started leading him to the bar.
As they approached the bar Anton stepped into Daria's path. "Daria," He almost shouted. "How beautiful you are this evening! How do you feel being, what is it you call it, oh yes, a short timer?"
"I'll feel better about it with a glass of wine in my hand," Daria deadpanned.
Anton looked at her, "You should try the latest batch of Martian Moonshine - straight. It is almost as good as a very cheap vodka!"
Daria smiled and responded, "I think I will stick with the new wine. At least I won't risk damage to my esophagus! I still think you can strip paint with that stuff if it is undiluted."
Anton replied, "That might be. However, your wine is not nearly as strong!"
"Even so. Excuse me, you are between me and the bar!"
"Of course, I would never keep you from a good stiff drink!" And Anton stepped aside and let Daria and Tom through.
As Daria and Tom left the bar with their glasses of new wine, Daria turned to Tom and said, "Excuse me a minute. I have an idea." Then she turned on her heel. Disaster was avoided when she nearly ran over Shamus. As she headed back to the table sipping at her wine along the way she thought it was interesting that Shamus had chosen a black suit with Roman collar and pectoral cross for tonight's event. Thinking back, it was the first time she actually saw him dressed as a Catholic priest!
Tom stood there a bit puzzled. He knew that Daria doing something. Acting like this always meant that she had some sort of evil plan. What was she up to?
Daria navigated the rest of the growing crowd fairly easily. She made certain that Julie and Kazira were not yet in the room as she approached their table. Then in just moments Daria managed to rearrange the place cards. Now not only would she not have to sit next to Julie, but the dinner itself might just be much more entertaining!
Daria got back to Tom as Mia was starting to ask people to take their seats. She also reminded everyone to check for their place cards!
As people started toward their places Daria noticed that Julie and her husband, and Kazira and Arnison walked into the room. Many, not all, of the people in the room looked at them and Daria swore she could hear a muffled gasp. Kazira looked totally human! Her makeup and strawberry blonde hair made her look Nordic. The four headed directly for the table together.
As they all sat down Tom turned and commented to Kazira, "For a moment there I thought a Valkyrie had walked into the room!"
Kazira smiled at him. "Oh Tom," she said in a total deadpan. "Don't worry. I won't take your soul to Valhalla tonight. I promise to leave you here with Daria."
Tom chuckled and responded, "Have you been taking humor lessons from my wife?" At that point he felt a sharp elbow poking into his ribcage.
Sitting between Julie's husband and Tom, Daria was across the table from Kazira and Julie. Arnison sat between the two women. Everyone made themselves comfortable in the chairs. Tom continued the conversation he thought he had started by turning to Kazira and saying, "You do look amazing this evening! How did you manage to change to a totally human appearance?"
As Kazira was about to answer, "Table 17" was announced from the front of the room. There table numbers were being drawn from a helmet to dismiss each table to go to the buffet. Kazira would have to wait to give her answer. Everyone at Table 17 immediately got up and walked to the buffet and selected their food. After finishing at the buffet Daria made another quick stop at the bar. Daria noted that it was a good five minutes before everyone was back at the table.
Seated once again, Daria looked at her plate and began eating. On the other side of Tom, without prompting, Kazira started to answer Tom's question from earlier, "Well, to tell the truth it was Julie who helped me with the makeup. Of course I did not have any of the makeup we used to impersonate humans a thousand of your years ago. So Julie made some for me from a formula she developed. And she helped me put it on. I think it is the best human makeup job I have ever had!"
Daria nearly choked on a green bean. Coughing, she covered her mouth with one hand and with the other reached for her water glass and took a drink. This seemed to clear her throat. Then she couldn't help but say, "My that sounds like quite a project!" She knew she would regret that statement.
Julie turned toward Daria and began, "Well, I knew that what Kazira needed was a mineral based cosmetic that would not clog her pores or possibly react with her skin. So, we tried various base materials and minerals to see how we could build the right skin color profile. I started with aloe vera as the base for the suspension." Julie went on to list all of the bases she tried and how Kazira's skin did or did not react to the material and the Martian minerals she chose to try. Julie's description went on for at least the next 15 minuets.
Daria smiled and nodded, while not neglecting the hot food on her plate. She was going to need strength if this thing was going to drag on. Apparently rocks on Mars were not just red or blue. There were few things less interesting to Daria than makeup - probably because of her sister Quinn's fascination with it. 'Stay awake. Stay awake,' Daria said to herself in her mind. She was amazed that the three men were listening intently to all of this!
As if on cue, Kazira started to describe the feel of the makeup on her skin and how it seemed to moisturize and soften it. Tom and Julie's husband both seemed to be leaning toward Kazira as she talked. When Kazira seemed to run out of steam, Daria turned to Julie and asked, "Julie, how did you know about all of this? Makeup seems to be rather far removed from geology, though I think now we may not think it is as far removed as we once thought!"
Julie looked around the table and exclaimed, "Didn't I ever tell any of you? I'm a cosmetologist as well as a geologist! I paid my way through undergraduate by first getting a cosmetology license and using the money I made from that to pay my tuition at the university. Sure it took longer, but my family was not able to pay for college and I had to earn my own way. I will tell you, though, as I was nearing completion of my bachelor's degree I was asking questions of the company representatives that made them really squirm. You know, specifics on minerals and things like that. Anyway, I still dabbled in it a bit in graduate school, though I had graduate assistantships to pay my tuition and so forth."
Daria sat there for what seemed like an eternity with her fork in her right hand filled with mashed potatoes. She hoped that her mouth was not hanging open! It was really difficult to decide which seemed more preposterous: that Julie - whose face was normally a makeup free zone - was a cosmetologist or that she had somehow developed the expertise necessary to make the stuff!
Tom exclaimed, "Julie, that is amazing! I had no idea you had such a fascinating background. It just goes to show that you learn something new about your colleagues every day!"
Daria debated whether or not to kick Tom under the table. 'For goodness sake don't encourage her!' She thought. So much for having a dinner conversation that didn't revolve around rocks or Kazira. Daria concluded her plan was a failure.
36.3
As Daria sipped at her coffee while waiting for dessert, Mia walked up to the podium and took her place at the lectern. With her mind so stuck on appearances tonight, Daria thought Mia really struck an impressive figure with her salt and pepper jet black hair offsetting the blue in her dress uniform. She wondered if Mia had shined her buttons and medals for tonight. Certainly her shoes were immaculate and looked like mirrors.
"Colleagues," She stated, "Welcome to our dinner of celebration! I hope everyone enjoyed the new wine! I also hope you will stay awake for our program." There were chuckles all around the room. "Tonight we will be presenting awards and making some announcement that I am sure will surprise you in a good way! We have certainly had a busy few weeks here and we are moving forward."
Daria knew which announcement would affect her and Tom. However, Mia had been extremely tight lipped about everything else on the program. She had even told Daria that other than one of the announcements she would have to wait until after the program to get the details for the archive. These must be some interesting things, because never before had Mia so clearly withheld information from Daria.
"Fellow Martians," Mia began. "I would like to first recognize among us those Martians who were Martians long before our time. Indeed they were Martians a millennium before we even sent our first unmanned probe to this planet. Please stand Arnison, Kazira, Jaricon, and Sazer." The four aliens stood and received a hearty round of applause from their gathered colleagues.
After the applause died down Mia continued, "By vote of the Martian Council we recognize you as Citizens of Mars and extend to you both our welcome and friendship as long as you choose to remain in our midst. The service and technologies you have provided have enabled us to move forward in ways and at a pace we never imagined. Please come forward and accept these proclamations acknowledging the gratitude of all of the people of Mars as represented by the Martian Council."
The four aliens - now recognized as Martians - all went up to the podium and received framed copies of the proclamation of the Martian Council. Arnison stepped up to the microphone and said, "Thank you for the warm welcome we have received here. That you recognize us as fellow Martians and not as an alien species is beyond words for us. As a group we hope that we can continue to contribute to the development of this Mars and the wonderful society you are creating here. We truly feel at home among you."
As Arnison stepped back from the lectern, Mia stepped forward and said, "As you retake your seats, I would like Kazira to remain for a moment."
Mia paused and allowed the three to get back to their seats. Kazira stood on the podium and waited. Mia then began, "Kazira, all Martians owe you a great debt in the deactivation of Marcipor. You were gravely injured in the process. We are thankful for your recovery and that you are able to be with us this evening and continue being a great asset to Mars. To place yourself in harm's way in that manner was exceptionally brave."
Mia reached into the lectern and pulled out a small box. "As all Martians are members of the Martian Militia, upon my recommendation, and by vote of the Martian Council, it is my honor to name you to the Martian Legion of Honor and present you with this medal in recognition of that honor." Mia opened the case and removed the medal.
The Legion of Honor medal was attached to a long red ribbon with a white stripe along each edge. The medal itself was a circle made from hard red Martian rock with an inlay of white at the top and bottom. The surface was polished. On the front was an image of the Roman god Mars. Around the edge the words Legion of Honor. The back of the medal was engraved with Kazira's name, the date the honor was conferred, and around the edge the words 'Wounded Defending Mars.'
Mia approached Kazira and placed the medal around her neck. Mia then stepped back, came to attention, saluted Kazira, and ushered her to the lectern.
"All I can say is thank you," Kazira said to her colleagues. "I am humbled by this. I was only doing what needed to be done. I will strive to live up to this honor all of the days of my life." Everyone in the room applauded Kazira. She smiled, waved, and returned to her seat.
Mia again stepped up to the lectern. "Every community has important turning points in its life. On Mars we have had the establishment of the colony, completing our main habitat, the naming our town "Aries," improvements to our agricultural operations, scientific discoveries, winning a war, proclaiming the Martian Republic as an entity - which the largest countries on Earth still do not recognize - and of course meeting our fellow Martians not originally from Earth! All-in-all the first decade of this settlement has been quite eventful!"
"Today we are celebrating two additional milestones for this community. To mark the first of these milestones I would like to introduce someone you may be familiar with from your own background or the newsfeeds. Please welcome His Holiness Pope John Paul III! He will be speaking to us as close to 'live' as we can achieve today." Mia stepped aside and activated the screen behind her.
On the screen appeared a life sized image of the current Pope. Pope John Paul III was originally from Martinique in the Caribbean. He was in part known for his ability with languages and his dedication to reinvigorating the policies of his namesake St. John Paul II. He began, "Greetings to the people of Mars. May God bless your community and the various missions you are undertaking. You represent some of the best and bravest of humanity today. I have two things which I wish to make known to you today. The first is that the Holy See is extending its recognition of the Martian Republic as an independent entity on par with the nations of Earth. Just because you are small in number does not mean that you are any less important. Indeed, I believe that you are an important part of the future for all humanity!"
The Pope continued, "It is as of today not practical for me to send a Papal Nuncio on a diplomatic mission to Mars. However, after hearing about the spiritual needs of your community I have decided that it is appropriate for me to appoint the first Bishop of Mars. Father Shamus Leary, would you please come forward to the podium and face the screen."
Not coincidentally, Shamus was seated right next to the podium. He immediately got up and stood on the podium facing the Pope.
"Father Leary," the Pope began. "I hereby appoint you to be the first Bishop of Mars. Do you freely accept this appointment?"
"Yes, with the help of God," Shamus replied.
The Pope continued,"Being raised to the Episcopacy is a solemn and important appointment. In this instance even more so. I charge you with taking care of the spiritual needs of all Martians. And you are to be the representative of Christ, His Church, and of the Holy See in this place. Do you understand these responsibilities and the importance of diligently discharging them for the benefit of the flock with which you have been entrusted?"
Shamus answered, "I do."
"Then Father Shamus Leary I consecrate you as Bishop of Mars. Since I cannot be there personally, receive the Miter from your Commander."
Mia again stepped forward and placed the Miter in Shamus' hands, which he then placed on his head.
The Pope continued, "Father Leary, receive your Crosier from your Commander."
Mia stepped forward and handed Shamus the crozier - the shepherd's staff which was a sign of his new office.
The Pope told Shamus to turn around. "People of Mars. I present to you Bishop Shamus Leary, Bishop of Mars."
The assembled people applauded. The Pope had built a paused into the video to allow this. He then motioned people to cease. The he raised his hands in the sign of blessing, "May God grant you wisdom and peace Bishop Leary as you carry out your mission. May God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you Bishop Leary and with all the people of Mars. Amen." The picture of the Pope faded away on the monitor.
The room again broke out in applause for now Bishop Shamus as he returned to his seat. This was certainly the shortest consecration of a bishop he had attended! Of course it was also the first time a bishop had been consecrated by video!
Daria turned to Tom and with a genuine sound of surprise in her voice remarked, "Well that was unexpected!"
"Truly," Tom responded. "Still, I think he is a good choice. He is a respected member of the scientific community and a man of great faith. He also knows how the people on Mars think. You have remarked on several occasions how the spiritual needs of this community have been almost entirely forgotten by the governments that first created this colony. Shamus' arrival was the first crack in that dike. The Pope has now demolished it. What is even more ironic is that the Vatican is also an original member of the consortium through the Vatican Observatory."
"You know, Tom, I will have to search my history database and see if I can find an instance where there was a bishop and no priests to supervise."
"That is a good question. Maybe we have another first. However, I can't imagine that this situation has never occurred before in the 2000 year history of the Church."
"You are probably right. Still, Shamus is the first person to be named a bishop and not be on Earth!"
The buzz about Shamus continued around the table. Kazira remarked, "The Pope on the screen was so different from the ones I recall a thousand years ago! He wasn't even from Italy!"
Daria leaned forward and said to Kazira across the table, "Popes being almost exclusively from Italy ended in the latter part of the 20th Century with Pope John Paul II. He was from Poland. Since then there have been no Popes from Italy, though a couple had Italian names. I think the idea is that the Catholic Church being a worldwide organization needed leaders from differing parts of the world. Now it is the first interplanetary religious organization."
"Interesting," Kazira remarked. "Maybe then Shamus will become the first Martian Pope?"
"I doubt it," Daria replied. "Still, we will see. Maybe God will decide that he needs a Pope from Mars. If not Shamus, then someday someone else." As Daria made that statement dessert was being brought to the tables. Strawberry pie with whipped cream and coffee would be the way to celebrate.
With dessert now a pleasant memory and having finished her coffee, Daria was sipping on ice water when Mia again rose to address the assembled community. "Fellow Martians, now that we have had dessert I would like us to celebrate the next great leap for our community. To that end please give your attention to the main screen.
The room lights were dimmed as the main screen came on and showed the flag of the United Nations. The image of the flag faded and in its place was the face of the General Secretary of the United Nations - Trenton Johnson, a diplomat from Liberia. "Greetings people of Mars! Today I am pleased that 60% of the members of the General Assembly have recognized the Martian Republic as a free and independent state. This is something for you to celebrate!"
The General Secretary paused as applause rippled through the gathered Martians.
Holding up his hand to stop any applause. (The man's timing amazed Daria, since this was not a live link.) He continued, "A resolution was introduced by the Republic of Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and the Republic of Ecuador, and voted on by the General Assembly. By vote of the General Assembly the Republic of Mars is granted permanent observer status by the General Assembly. We invite you to establish a mission to the United Nations and appoint a Permanent Observer, who will function as your ambassador. We welcome the Republic of Mars to the family of nations and look forward to your participation in the support of peace and prosperity." The General Secretary's face faded to again reveal and image of the flag of the United Nations together with the Martian flag.
Once again applause rippled through the dining room. Many people were standing and applauding. Mia stepped to the microphone and held up her hands and motioned for people to return to their seats.
"Today we have received a great honor and we have taken a further step toward broad recognition of the Martian Republic. The Council has formally accepted the offer from the General Assembly. That leaves naming an ambassador to establish our mission to the United Nations. Today I am naming Dr. Daria Sloane as the first Ambassador of the Martian Republic to the United Nations."
There was applause. Mia again motioned for quiet.
"I am also appointing Mr. Tom Sloane as Chief of Staff and Chargé d'Affaires during any time of Ambassador Sloane's absence. They will establish our Mission to the United Nations in New York City. Would you two please come forward."
Daria and Tom rose and walked to the front. They strode onto the podium and stood next to Mia.
Mia again reached into the podium and pulled out a box. Then she stood in front of Daria and stated, "Do you accept the position as Ambassador of the Republic of Mars?"
"I do, Daria replied.
"Please raise you right hand." Mia stated. Daria complied. "Daria Sloane do you swear to faithfully represent the Martian Republic to the peoples and nations of Earth?"
Daria replied, "Yes."
"Then by authority of the Martian Council, you are hereby named Ambassador of the Martian Republic. Your duty station will be the United Nations in New York City. Accept the insignia of your office." Mia opened the box she had retrieved from the podium. Inside was a medal hanging on a ribbon with white exterior stripes and a red interior stripe. The medal was round and red with white on the top and bottom. On the front was an image of the the Roman god Mars. On the back was the word 'Ambassador' and Daria's name. Daria bowed her head and Mia placed the medal over it. "Wear this medal as a sign of your office at diplomatic occasions."
Mia retrieved yet another box from under the podium and then stood in front of Tom. "Do you accept the position of Chief of Staff and Charge d'Affairs for the Republic of Mars' mission to the United Nations?"
Tom answered, "I do."
"Then by authority of the Martian Council, you are hereby appointed Chief of Staff and Chargé d'Affaires of the Martian Republic mission to the United Nations. You will support the Ambassador in her mission and are subject to her orders. Accept the insignia of your office." Mia opened the box she had retrieved from the podium. Inside was a badge. It was not as large as Daria's medal, but it was round and red with white on the top and bottom. On the front was an image of the the Roman god Mars. On the back was the word Chief of Staff and Tom's name. Mia pinned the badge to Tom's coat. "Wear this badge as a sign of your office at diplomatic occasions."
Turning to the crowd Mia stated, "Please stand and recognize the first diplomats of the Republic of Mars." The crowd obliged.
Mia escorted Daria to the microphone. Daria hated public speaking. Sure, as a professor she had learned how to teach classes and even give presentations at professional meetings. Still, that did not mean that she liked the idea of spontaneously holding forth in front of a crowd - even a crowd of people she knew!
"Thank you Commander," Daria started out. "It is a great honor for Tom and I to be named the first diplomats of the Martian Republic. It is not often that one gets to start something as new as our society here on Mars. It is not often that one gets to build the structures and infrastructures of that society, and it is even rarer to be the representative of the initial governing council. Tom and I have had the honor and pleasure of doing all of these things. Our population has passed the level that experts say is needed to sustain ourselves. We are soon to be joined by younger people determined to make Mars their permanent home. Tom and I see our job as facilitating the continued growth of Mars and non-interference of Earth entities. In partnership with our fellow Martians we have technology that is unique to Mars and Tom and I will seek to protect that and the uniqueness and economic benefits it brings. It will be a most exciting time to represent Mars before the United Nations."
With that Daria and Tom returned to their seats as applause echoed through the room.
36.4
It had been quite an evening! A great dinner, all of the announcements, and then the music and dancing. Daria was not surprised that so many of the men had asked Kazira to dance. What did surprise her was that so many of the mens' wives had allowed it! Still, Kazira was hardly out to steal husbands. She did seem to enjoy the dancing, though.
As they were making their way out of the dining hall Kazira turned to Daria and said, "Thank you for lending me Tom to dance."
"You are my friend Kazira. Of course you can dance with my husband! I want you to have a good time as well. Even though you have become an integral part of this community, it must still be hard to be different and without so many that you knew."
"It is, but times like tonight make me fell much better. I feel accepted. You are the nicest group of humans I have ever known."
"Why thank you," Daria replied.
Kazira and the others headed for their quarters as Daria and Tom did the same.
Back in their quarters Daria turned to face the bed and ordered in total deadpan, "OK underling. Do your duty."
"Why of course ambassador," Tom remarked as he stepped up behind her and unzipped her dress. He drew up close to her and slipped his left hand under her shoulder strap and gently kissed the right side of her neck. His left hand slid the strap off as Dara leaned her head to the left. Tom continued to plant little kisses on Daria's neck as he took his right hand and gently pulled the right strap off as well. The dress fell to the floor.
Daria turned around and put her hands behind Tom's neck and intertwined her fingers. She pulled him close for a deep kiss. When their lips parted Daria noticed that Tom had already taken off his jacket, but his black bow tie was still in place. Daria untied it and and threw it aside. Then she started to unbutton his shirt and kiss his chest along the way.
Tom felt his heart rate increase as he placed his hands around Daria's waist. He pulled her even closer so that her body rubbed up against his and they kissed again.
When they paused for air Tom remarked, "I think you will be a unique boss."
Daria looked at him, smiled, and responded, "I will make it interesting for you. More adventure." Then she reached over, shut off the lights and pulled Tom's face close to her's as she felt his hands move below her waist.