26-04-YC122

Goodness! My head!  It seems that the Diana Kim cocktail is even more volatile than its namesake.  I suppose I did drink six of them, or was it seven?  Then the two vodkas afterward.  Ishta is not even awake yet.

It was an enjoyable night.  I am glad I went.  A little party in a neutral location.  It was really rather pleasant to see so many people who, at any other time, might as easily be at one another's throats.  Commander Kley and Aspirant Onzo, Lord Gallius were there.  I have apparently not noted in this diary that Commander Kley is with child!  I had heard it from one of the PIE hangar-crew, but I was able to confirm the information last night.  I had never thought Commander Kley would be a parent, but I am so very pleased for her, if obviously somewhat jealous.  Oh, well, not everyone can have the same fate, can they?

Lord Gallius appears to be in a relationship with Lasariona Raske - I am sure I have spelled her name wrong, but I suppose that matters little here.  I was a little surprised at that, but not nearly so surprised as I was to see Lady Elkin openly kissing Arrendis!  I had no idea.  No-one has ever mentioned to me that they were together, and I can now understand why she resigned from PIE.  Well, if that is where her heart lies, so be it.  I am sure there must be people who consider that as controversial as Constantin's relationship with Melisma, but almost everything appears to be willingly accepted these days.  I do not think anything about anything makes any sense to me anymore.

I arrived rather late, due to being on duty, and I think I missed most of the singing.  Commander Kley did sing a very emotional and heartfelt tune, which was pretty, and Lord Gallius also sang.  It was most entertaining.  A varying degree of talent throughout the night, but all very much a joy to listen to.  It felt good to see so many people enjoying themselves without any sense of animosity.

Ishta also came along, and did a song herself.  Not just any song, but one in our Nakri dialect!  Her pronunciation was almost perfect, and she sang so beautifully.  Of course, she dedicated it to Sasha. Not by name, but I knew who she was referring to.  I am not sure if she will remember, as she did get quite inebriated afterward, but I shall be sure to tell him.  I wonder if anyone recorded it.  A little later we also did a duet, something loud and energetic.  It seemed to go over quite well.

Edward was there too, fashionably late as one would expect from him.  He looked at me as he sang his silly SOS song.  Honestly, he does make me laugh so.  Trying to be all enigmatic. like some debonair mystery.  I do enjoy his playful mischievousness.  It was not unpleasant to attract his attention for the evening.  I am rather glad Ishta was there, however, and in need of looking after.  I may have done something regrettable had she not been.  He and I flirt outrageously when the mood takes us, yet why should we not?  It is harmless, so long as it does not lead further, and compared to all the other things that no-one seems to comment on, it is hardly the most damning of past-times.  That said, I am sure some of the comments we passed to one another were most outrageous innuendo!  I am probably fortunate that I cannot quite recall what exactly was said.

How regretful it is that now, after such fun, were we to meet in the warzone, we would be enemies.

A gentlemen by the name of Eric, apparently a friend of Edward's was similarly full of mischief.  It was rather to one's liking to flirt a little with him too.  Eric most certainly has a devilish streak, and has no shame in openly displaying it.  A most accomplished singer also.  I hope I shall meet him again in similar circumstances.

We must have been the last ones remaining by that time, but it was impossible, not to mention rude, to leave without a toast, especially once we discovered it was Ria's birthday!  I think the two shots of vodka were just enough to take me to my limit, and it was sadly time to leave.  Strangely, it occurs to me only now that Ria made one or two comments to me in Nakrii, or something similar.  I thought nothing of it at the time, and perhaps it was not the same, as there are a few dialects throughout New Eden that sound close to it.  I should have asked, but it was just nice to hear it.  She and Eric were also drinking tea, rather than alcohol, and I meant to mention the Tea Room on our station, but it slipped my mind.  Perhaps next time.

Speaking of Nakri, I had better get Ishta home.  At least she does not look quite so green now, poor thing.