Drinks to one's health

Posted on Thu Sep 17th, 2020 @ 5:48am by Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar & Captain Garrett Lovejoy [ Taylor]

Mission: Season 3: Episode 5: Shoreleave
Location: Sidewalk Cafe, Paris
Timeline: Shore Leave
742 words - 1.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Arrianna was busy sipping on some fine tea and reading a book at a cafe in Paris. She enjoyed downtime when she could get out of her uniform and put on something more elegant and let her hair down for a few weeks.

Commander Garrett Lovejoy was out to catch a quick bite of lunch and a drink as he approached the cafe. His expected promotion still hadn't come through. While he enjoyed being Commodore Mountbatten's aide he longed for command of a starship. Approaching the cafe he saw a familiar figure, one Lt. Commander Arriana Salannis an Vantar. A nemesis if there ever was one. Still, he would be polite. He didn't want her to run off crying to one Phoenix Lalor a true pain in the ass.

"Commander Vantar."

"Commander..." Arrianna acknowledged his presence.

"Can I get you another round of hemlock?" He inquired politely.

"Fascinating, I must commend your dutiful study of botany. Not many people know how to find hemlock in the wild." Arrianna mentioned. Alindari insults were always subtle. And that was three insults in one if he was paying attention.

He sat down across from her. "Ah. The so called razer wit of Arriana Salannis an Vantar.... if only." He flagged a waiter and ordered a drink. "Still stuck on the Elysium? Oh, that's right you are."

"I wasn't aware that a posting on an Elysium Class Starship was a backwater assignment, it must be fulfilling each day being a commander and commanding... I'm sorry... I've been on active duty serving the Federation and I've had no time to acquaint myself with the affairs of Starfleet Command.... What is it that you command again?"

Garrett ignored the barb. "Oh it's not or it wouldn't be if you had a real Captain and not spoiled brat of a Princess who should be sent home to her parents for the spanking she deserves and you Commander what position of authority to you hold on the Elysium?"

"You have made a grave... foolish err involving yourself with the Royal Family of Hiran in any way. Do you not understand you are being used." She chuckled. "Oh you poor fool. You talk and talk about sending a princess home, but you don't really know what you've gotten yourself into. Allow me to educate you on royalty." Arrianna sipped her tea. "What is King Morian Lalor, and his sexist princling promising you, and all parties involved, to slander Phoenix Lalor. Diplomatic favors? Reforms to normalize relations with the Federation? What is it that the Kingdom of Hiran has that is valuable enough for you to sell your soul to them for one Captain, on one starship." Arrianna stood silent. "Oh I wonder what Evelyn Mountbatten would say about the snakes you keep company." Arrianna began laughing hysterically. Almost frightingly. If Garrett knew the Alindari, she was not mocking him, she was amused by his intrigues. Such dramas were wonderful comedy on New Alindar for children.

His eyes narrowed. "Oh you wrong me Commander, then you always did. I have had no conversations with the King therefore no favors have been promised. You might wish to talk to Lt. Commander Albright. You wish to inform the Commodore? Please be my guest. I keep her informed of all my activities. I am speaking from a personal point of view. Phoenix Lalor had her command handed to her when so many other qualified and experience commanders were about to chose from. She didn't earn her command it was given to her as one would give a lolly to a child."

Arrianna chuckled amusingly. "What's the matter Garrett, didn't your mother let you have sweets as a child?"

He actually laughed at that. "She did actually and as a result I have a rather well developed sweet tooth. Love em but know their not good for me. So moderation is the key."

Arrianna smirked. "Let me tell you a secret. It's not the Captain you should be obsessed with. Good day, Garrett." She stood and placed some credits on the table. "Oh yes. Next time... after dinner mints after trying the escargot?"

"Oh Commander you do have a sense of humor! Phoenix Lalor is the least of my worries I can assure you of that. Until our paths cross again and oh a piece of advice for you. Be careful of what you drink at outdoor cafes. You never know what may slip into them."