Bar Exam

Posted on Thu Aug 19th, 2021 @ 5:44am by Lieutenant Vira Vemre [Whavi]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Arcadia
Timeline: Current
2204 words - 4.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Arcadia is finally the first of many in what will be a bar empire the dream of a former assassin turned honest hospitality host. If only the customers knew of the proprietor's history as a cold-blooded killer for hire. God forbid should his secret come out both him and his dream be dead.

Kaden was busy placing the replicas of the trophies he won on display. His real ones were safe at his cabin on Earth as they held sentimental value to him and didn't want them destroyed. Around him, holograms of the bar staff were busy setting up the new establishment behind him. Picking up his last trophy he placed it in the display case before shining it up some more.

Vira had entered quietly, observing the holograms at work until she spotted the bar manager. She snickered to herself before approaching him from behind, leaning on the counter she said, "Well those are cute."

Kaden could see Vira in the reflection of his trophy. "I will have you know I am the best damn bartender and mixologist this side of the galaxy has ever seen. I had to prove it over five thousand others vying for that same title. These are proof of that feat and I am VERY proud of that." He turned around draping the rag over his shoulder. "So what can I do you for? Arcadia is closed for renovations and judging by your uniform I assume you are here to inspect my liquor license? I assure you it is up to date and certified by the Federation Trade Agency."

Vira's spine straightened, 'he thinks I'm an inspector?'. Hiding her mischievous intent she simply nodded. "I presume you have all documentation handy for me then?" Her hazel eyes gave a glance around before settling back on him, she gave him an impatient look while she waited for him to collect his license.

Kaden studied Vira for a moment he could tell she was not there for his license. "Don't bullshit me, Kid, you are not here for my license cause of how you suddenly straightened your spine." Mastering the art of body language was key to his past life as an assassin this kid if applied enough pressure was a squealer easy. Good thing for her it was not his line of work anymore. "I don't have time for games, Ensign, I am a busy man."

"Oh so serious!" Vira laughed as she took a seat on a stool and crossed her legs. "I'm here about a job, unless," she gave a distasteful look around at the holograms, "You prefer the artificial kind of help." She held up both hands but still wore a shit grin, "No judgment of course, to each their own."

Kaden didn't even react just closed the display case and walked behind the bar. "A job huh? Starfleet don't keep you busy?"

"Not busy enough...no." Vira leaned on the bar casually watching Kaden.

Kaden shook his head while inspecting bottles on the counter. "I see, and you think trying to get under my skin will win you a job here?" He handed the bottle to a hologram to put up on the bar back. "This is the hospitality business, not a pissing contest on who can annoy paying customers by pestering them." He directed her out of Arcadia. "You wanna do that go somewhere else, kid."

Vira's lips thinned into a tight line. Did she really want to work with someone so...uptight? She had enough of those in Starfleet already. Barbacking had always been a hobby of hers, a fun job she never really saw as work because she enjoyed it so much.

"Not that you cared to ask, but I grew up in hospitality. It's literally in my blood. All three of my parents own and manage a resort on Risa. I've been in bars bigger than this my whole life. I come from a people who thrive off seeing others enjoy themselves, that are passionate about it. A people who do it to spread happiness, not win trophies." She paused and stood. "I can see I assumed incorrectly about your bar needs help. Or perhaps just not the kind of help I can offer."

"SIT...down," Kaden commanded clearly his nerve struck taking a glass and shaker.

Vira plopped back down on the stool with a pouting face. She hated that she listened.

"Tell me your favorite drink," Kaden said.

"Risian Mai-Tai." She crossed her arms waiting for him to ask her to list the ingredients.

Kaden said nothing he got to work doing tricks with glass and shaker he set the glass on the counter with one hand. Grabbing the bottle doing a few tricks with it with ease. He began assembling her drink his master assassin and chemistry skills kicking in he was not only entertaining her but making her the best fucking Risian Mai-Tai she ever drank.

With a few more tricks and additional ingredients, Kaden poured his creation in the glass and set it in front of a rather amazed Vira. Resting his hands on the counter he waited for her to taste the beverage.

Tentatively Vira lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip. Her own fondness of the drink accompanied with her own knowledge of mixology allowed her the ability to pick each ingredient in the beverage. It was indeed a Risian Mai-Tai but...better. Dipping her chin she gave Kaden her approval but a small satisfied mmm.

Kaden loved her reaction he was glad she loved his drink he leaned forward resting his arms on the bar top. "THAT is why I am here not for trophies or glory to bring a smile to people. To help them relax forget about their worries to enjoy life have fun live a little. But you think the last guy who ran this place wanted to hand it over to a nobody? I had to prove I can run this place to him, kid."

Kaden hoped she understood this was part of what made him happy entertaining and creating drinks for others to enjoy. It is sure as hell was way better than killing people destroying lives and families. Just too bad it took him nearly dying and getting lucky to find people willing to help start a different path in life to use his skills for something other than murdering people.

"I honestly don't think the last guy running this place knew what he was doing at all." She chuckled and sipped her drink again. "Why here? Why aboard a Starfleet ship? Couldn't you make more on a planet somewhere? You would surely be more sought out if you weren't stuck going where it is we go."

"I been on enough planets I need a way to get out and expand on my knowledge of drinks. Besides, when I heard of Arcadia being for sale I figured it was a good foot in the door to start a business." Kaden picked up a glass and started to clean it. "Besides heard Arcadia is something of a special place to you guys here so felt I needed to keep it alive."

Vira shrugged, "Sadly I haven't been around long enough to know it as anything other then vacant. I've been aboard only about a week." She spun around on the barstool, leaning her elbows on the bar as she looked out at the unfinished area. "When do you think you'll officially open? Oh! Are you going to have a grand opening?!"

"Have not planned that far ahead honestly." A thought came to Kaden suddenly as he set the glass down. "I think I have a job in mind for you, uh...miss..."

Vira twisted back around, donning a bright smile as she thrust her hand out in an earth like greeting she had come to enjoy. "Vira. Vira Vemre at your service. What kinda job are we talking?"

Kaden walked around the bar and took a seat next to Vira. "Hold on, first a couple of ground rules there is a saying one of the mixologist who taught me picked up from a doctor on the USS Enterprise. There are two people you should never lie to your physician and your bartender if you are going to work for me you are going to be honest with me."

"That means that shit you tried to pull first coming in here and insulting me over my trophies will never happen again. I don't care what you do with your Starfleet buddies outside my bar but I admire people who are honest and respectful. Got it?"

The risians face fell. Rules. Everywhere she went there were so many rules. Even the rules had rules! But what had she expected when she joined Starfleet? Honesty wasn't a tough deal, she could handle that. After a second of self reflection Vira nodded her head in agreement.

"I got it. Honest and respectful always." Vira ended with a smile. Thinking that hopefully the more time they spent working together he would eventually lighten up, there wasn't any harm in hoping, right?

"Second, part of my passion is inventing and improving drinks I will admit I do have a background in chemistry so you will see a large room in the back full of lab equipment that would even make a mad scientist jealous. That is my sanctuary it helps me relax and unwind do not touch anything in that room unless I say otherwise." Kaden told her.

Vira's eyes widened with curiosity but she quickly shot down any idea she had to further investigate this 'lab' of his. "Interesting. But understood, no snoopy or bothering you and stay clear of the backroom. I think that can be managed easily enough."

"Good, cause I am making you General Manager that means I am relying on you, Vira, to help run this bar smoothly. You are to hire the best and fire those that can not cut it. I want Arcadia to be THE place on this boat that people will come to for a good time and great drinks." Kaden said with passion.

Her jaw dropped, "General...manager?!" Vira thought about what her father would say, how proud he would be to hear she had a foot in at the most sought out bar on the ship, maybe even the quadrant given the way Kaden was talking. "I accept, under one condition. My duties as a Starfleet officer come first. If I'm given assignments or am to accompany an away team i'll need your understanding."

Kaden laughed as he reached over behind the bar grabbing a bottle and glass. "I don't expect you to quit your job, Vira, me and my lady friend can handle things while you are away." He poured himself a drink. "Also, call me Kaden please the idea of being addressed as Mr. Ross by those working for me is irritating."

"Oh well in that case, call me V. I'm not a fan of the formalities, and between you and I, I detest being addressed by rank." She gave a shutter before picking up her drink and taking a healthy sip. "So Kaden, what's my first task as General Manger of Arcadia?"

"You asked if there is going to be a grand opening? That is up to you cause that is your first task. You are in charge of finding me more bartenders, servers, chefs, bouncers, dabo girls, card dealers, a band, and a singer." Kaden grinned it was going be a hell of a challenge for Vira but he had faith. "I can use holograms but real people are better."

"Also, I feel the grand opening needs more of a ladies touch so you can plan the whole thing. I am going to be rather busy working on the menu for new drinks and such. Which if the grand opening goes well you will have the honor of creating a drink for the menu as a bonus."

This task would be colossal indeed, Vira thought. But regardless she would not back down, she would step up to the challenge and prevail, she just needed to see what hidden talent there was aboard the Elysium. She started compiling her to do list already, arrange auditions and interviews. She already knew of a couple singers she was going to rope in but the holograms would work in the mean time.

With a twinkle of excitement in her eyes she raised her glass to Kaden to toast. "Challenge accepted Boss."

Kaden frowned and rolled his eyes. "For god's sake, Kaden." He replied with a disappointing sigh.

"Okay okay! Kaden. But I'm not making any promises that I wont throw in a nick name here and there." Vira joked but laughed.

Kaden thought it over there was really no harm in nicknames but he just didn't like people needing to kiss his ass cause he was the one writing the checks. "Alright, I promise I won't get mad then, Vira."

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