A New Friend

Posted on Thu Sep 15th, 2022 @ 9:36pm by Captain Samuel Woolheater & Consul Andrinn Orin

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Holodeck - Richardson's Bachelor Party
Timeline: During the Richardson Bachelor Party
3905 words - 7.8 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON:]

The grill was in full swing. Hot, grilled scrumptions were being piled on plates. Making sure that he got several skewers of Chief Man'darr's seafood, Sam Woolheater, with a plate piled high took a seat at one of the picnic tables that was setup. A cooler went by, full of beer and he stopped it with, "Ay! Where's that goin'? Lemme grab a couple OK?" He reached in and felt three longnecks and retrieved them. The first was a double sized Foster's. The second was from San Francisco, 'Anchor Steam' and the third was a regular 'Henry K. Duff's Private Reserve'. "Oh hell yeah. Thanks!" Sam said and let the person continue on with the cooler. He was digging into the smoked pork, a nice helping of greened beans and a big lump of taters when he saw Consul Orin, "You look like you need a seat?" To which he motioned to the seat opposite of Sam and the picnic table.

Orin had grabbed a plate of various types of food from around the galaxy and was looking for a place to take a seat. When he heard a voice talking to him and asking to come sit with them, Orin began looking around for the voice calling out for him to realize that it was the sniper from the Marines, Sam.

Orin took the seat next to him and said, "Hey, thanks! That actually helped out because again, I'm the newbie and don't know many people. What'd you get to eat? I've gotten stuff that I don't even know half the names for!"

Sam was almost completely done with the meal by now. Not the healthiest thing to do but marine life meant mealtimes were not clockwork. So, as he listed off the food he had already consumed, it was somewhat of a historical tour of what used to be there. He had one of the last mouthful's of food and he spoke/chewed and swallowed. "Mmmmm..." he said as he pointed with his fork to the near-empty plate, "This was some roasted pork...I'm a get some more of that. This was green beans, taters here. Some kinda seafood salad. This...I dunno...good shit though...green stuff. Get me some more of that too. Skewers from the Chief - yeah you got some too I see. A buttermilk basted bun here. A lump of baked beans? I think? Spicy and tasty. And, I dunno what the heck that is. Tastes like ass; going in the trash-ola; if I had to guess? I'd say somebody brought cat-poop treats." He took like..four swallows...and emptied a bottle of Henry K. Duff's Private Reserve down his throat. His "adam's apple" up and down as he drained the bottle. Setting it down, satisfied, he looked over at Andrinn. "Yum!"

Orin just chuckled as he watched the marine eat the rest of his food as Orin began eating his own. He had a mix of stuff himself and began enjoying his own meal.

Sam asked, "You brought some wine didn't you? Where'd you put it? I'll go get it. I'd like to try some too. May as well look classy even if we're all just a bunch of yahoo's ay?" he said to Orin as he rose from the picnic table awaiting an answer.

"Yeah, I think that it's sitting over there on the table. Looks like some people have gone for a bit of it," Orin said as he points over to the main table where some people were mingling.

Sam returned after just a few minutes with two wine glasses and a half-bottle of wine, "Looks like somebody around here knows their wines. I've never tasted a Trill wine before."

"Don't drink it too quickly. If you do, you get super sick because our wines are a bit sweeter by humanoid standards. Just as a forewarning!" Orin said with a small chuckle because he knew that some people would chug their glass of wine or beer, and if they did so with this one, they'd get sick.

Sam nodded and took a sip. Yup. It was sweet. But tasted good. He took another sip and nodded, "Sweet wine. Good stuff. Is it from your home? Are your family vintners?"

Shaking his head, Orin thought about what it would have been like if his family were wine makers. That would have been fun to watch, but alas. They weren't. Orin took the bottle and poured himself a bit of wine as he replied to the young Lieutenant's question.

"Both of my parents were actually diplomats. My father was one of the senior level diplomats on Trill when the Vulcans came to my planet and make first contact in the middle of the 21st century. Since first contact didn't go well between the Vulcans and the Trill, the Vulcans brought in my mother, an El-Aurian, to help mediate the shitstorm that was First Contact. So, no. Unfortunately, or fortunately, my parents were diplomats and popped me and a few siblings out," Orin said with a chuckle as he took himself a swig of his drink.

Sam listened and then started to put it together, "So...you're Trill, my first clue was the body length spots and you are El-Aurian?" he asked somewhat rhetorically. "How old are you if I may ask?" as they made some conversation and Sam waited at the picnic bench until it was time for "seconds".

Orin just looked up from what he was eating and thought about it for a moment. He forgot how old he truly was because the Orin was older than Andrinn himself. Andrinn was over 300 years old, but Orin was a good century or two older than him.

"Andrinn, the host, is over 300 years old, while Orin is about a century or two older than the host. But, we've all seen quite a bit and life has definitely been crazy in the time we've been together," Orin said as he took a few more bites of his meal, thinking back to several things he has accomplished over his lifetime.

Even through the alcohol buzz that Sam was enjoying he could hear something deeper in what Andrinn said. Sam looked at the man as he took a bite. And he thought about it. He thought about how it would be to outlive nearly everyone you know, care about and even love. Sam thought about how that would feel to lose friends and to just keep going on. But he kept these thought to himself and simply said, "The time you've been together. Huh. I think that would take some getting used too? I bet you've seen a lot in your day?" Then he asked, "What kind of diplomacy do you do?"

"I've worked for the Trill Diplomatic Corp before we even joined the Federation officially. Both my parents were just general diplomats, working on bettering the people of Trill, especially when we were more backwards in our thinking and ways. My parents actually met shortly after first contact between the Trill people and the Vulcans. Damn bloody mess that could've been if it wasn't for my parents," Orin recounted, thinking back to when his father was still alive and you could tell there was something more to that than you could even imagine.

Sam was done eating, he was waiting to get seconds though. He polished off his glass of wine; he rather guzzled it down. He set the wine glass down and, allowing Andrinn the chance to eat and chew his food, he searched for what his mother called, "Ask interesting questions". So, Sam said, "When I was a kid and when we had dinner together as a family, we'd sit around and we'd talk. You know how families do. I have an older sister, her name's Joanna, she's married now. And I have a younger brother, Barclay. My mom used to ask us the usual, how we are doing, what was school like, how was our day. And when that was done and everybody had shared or had a chance to talk, me being the middle child I was always trying to equalize the situation you know? Anyway she'd say, 'Ask more interesting questions' she'd say. For example, What's the best evening you ever had? Are you where you wanted to be at this stage in your life? What are the best things you owe your parents? Have you ever had a religious experience? Stuff like that." Sam paused and looked at nothing in particular. His voice had a wistful quality that had creeped in. He said, "I miss those conversations. The really...good ones...y'know?" He smiled and laughed, "I didn't know it then but she was right. Years later, I gotta tell you. She was right."

He looked over at Andrinn, "So? Are you where you wanted to be at this stage of your life?"

Andrinn thought about the question for a moment before answering the man's question. He hadn't given it much thought because he hadn't had much time to even think about it. The breakup was quickly followed up by the fac that Andrinn had gotten the job on the Elysium. So, he thought about it for a moment and gave an honest answer.

"I don't know. I thought I'd be somewhere different in my life, mainly because I didn't expect to be single and flying off to god only knows where in the universe. I'm not religious, so I don't pray to any certain deity from Trill. So, I don't know where I'm supposed to be or where I want to be. I just want to be Andrinn and Orin," Orin replied honestly.

Sam listened, smiled and nodded, "Nkay. It's good to be yourself. Might as well be authentic; everyone else is taken." He took a swig and finished off another beer. Setting the bottle down and saying, "What's the best evening you've ever had?" He looked at him again, "Nothing wrong with being single though. Is there?"

"Well, the thing of it is that I've dated before and I've watched so many of them die over my many lifetimes. So, it's not bad being single, it's just sad for me knowing that anyone I could potentially date, I would outlive them by several lifetimes. Unless, of course, they're an El-Aurian or some other species that outlives other species, or something?" Orin said with a smile and a small bout of laughter. He thought about anyone and everyone that has come in and out of his life that were gone because they didn't have the lifespan of him.

Offering up his glass, Andrinn said, "To good company and even better memories."

"Hmmmm...." Sam said. The wheels started to turn. He started to grin and his eyes got a merry light to them, "Well, it seems to me that all someone needs to do is arrange to have you killed just about the same time as your significant other is about to buy the farm? You know; that could be arranged. And if you start saving now, it becomes more affordable over time. I think I saw the pamphlet in sickbay." He held a straight face for about two seconds, watching Andrinn's reaction before he lost it and smiled and laughed. Sam clincked an empty wineglass and said, "Looks like I could go for seconds? You want somethin' while I'm up?"

Andrinn just looked at the other man, his mouth ajar as he looked at the man who just said all that. He couldn't help but starting to laugh because of how he talked about sending him to the funny farm, but calling him old all in one.

Pointing at the other man, Andrinn laughed a bit more and replied, "Yeah, you owe me two for that one. Got me?" Andrinn got up and helped throw away the two plates that the men had and walked over to the table with Sam as he was getting the drinks.

Andrinn took one of the drinks and took a couple sips of it before saying, "You know, I might be old, but I can still whip you in just about anything. I hope that you know that, right? Cause, you're like, what? 25 at the most?"

Sam twisted off the top off the beer bottle and took a swig. It was deliciously cold, "Aaahhhhhh.....that's an adult beverage right there. Flattery will get you everywhere sir. I'm thirty years old and I've earned every wrinkle and crease." He laughed and took another swig, "Oh? You think you can take me on?" Sam took a look at him, "I dunno. Maybe you could Consular. You got those guns-a-poppin' " Sam indicated to Andrinn's muscled arms and chest. "Maybe you could? And all I'd have to work with is my good looks, my sharp eyes and my snappy wit." Sam shook his head, "I dunno..."

Looking over the younger man with a smirk on his face, Andrinn snickered and laughed a bit before replying, "Well, I could whip you in just about anything and everything, even though I'm over 300 years old. Don't let the looks fool you, my kind sir."

Sam laughed, "Three-hundred? Over three-hundred years old?" Sam whistles, "Daaanng! Yeah, well, no doubt, Consular. But SFMC doesn't train up dumb-ass marines either. You outrank me sir. UFP Regulations for the 'Order of Precedence'. Since you're the Chief Diplomat on the ship that makes you Chief of the Diplomatic mission on Elysium. Or any other diplomatic mission, outpost or installation. I'm just the hired help when things don't go so well. Not that that ever happens" Sam rolled his eyes and teased. "So, it'd be smart for me to let you win." He took a drink of his beer and added, "Sir"

Orin gave a slight bow and replied, "Yeah, I'm well over 300 years old. I think I'm 337 years old, if I'm not going to lie, but I can't quite remember the exact date. Once you hit a hundred years old, you start to lose track of your birthdays. As for me outranking you, I'm just a simple diplomat from the Trill homeworld. Gotta love it!"

The fact that Andrinn had spent this long talking to Sam, a marine sniper, was not lost on him. Most diplomatic staff tend to view the security and marine details as annoyances and boys pretending to play 'wargames'. In almost every case, the ambassadors and the diplomatic staff talk too much, stay too late and bring a knife to a gunfight. But there was something different about Orin. Something that made him easy going. Easy to talk too and he didn't seem like he had an attitude about him. Maybe that was from being 300 years old?

"Doubt that" Sam said.

"Did you say something?" Orin said with smile on his face. He wasn't sure if he actually heard something, but didn't know if he truly did or not. Orin have heard his name called a million times before, so it wouldn't be the first time his name wasn't called before.

"I said that I doubt that you're just a simple diplomat. In fact, I don't think there's anything 'simple' about you. I guess...I'm just not used to talking for an extended period of time with a chief diplomat. Embassy staff...you know...we're just..." he was at a loss for words. What he wanted to say, he couldn't because it didn't sound right. Consul Orin didn't get to be the CDO if he was killing his marine security details. Starfleet and the SFMC would start to notice that they were blowing through marines if he was a shitty diplomat. Sam shook his head, "Never mind man. It doesn't matter. Obviously, you know what you're doing. So? Captain Richardson is your security detail. He is a good one. The best. You won't have any problems. And if you do; then they call us. But, I kinda think that you can take care of yourself."

"Well, you should have seen some of the stuff that I've seen in my life. One of the big reasons why we have a security detail from you guys is that we have targets on our heads on a daily basis. Not only that, but there's always someone that pissed off at us for something. So, I truly appreciate all that you and Captain Richardson's team does for us," Orin said a small blush, thinking back to some of the memories that he had deep within him, all the way back to his youth back on Trill, even before the joining to the Orin symbiant.

Sam nodded and looked at him, "You're welcome. But, I've not done anything for you yet. I mean, I would, you know? If somebody were to threaten any of your staff; or you, we'd protect you. Fully. You know. Whatever it takes to bring you home and keep you alive Consul." Sam was quiet a moment. There were a lot of feelings that were there. And he wasn't a fan of having too many confusing feelings. They got in the way and they jeopardized missions. They were distractions. And yet, he struggled with his feelings now. He looked away and asked as in an aside, "So? You...seeing somebody? You got yourself a woman?"

Looking over at the sniper, Orin just looked at him and began snickering. Pointing at himself, Orin smiled and replied, "Who? ME? Date a WOMAN? God, I could never. No offense, but woman aren't my type. I'm a gay man. But, I'm not currently dating anyone at the moment. How about you? Do you have anyone you're seeing?"

Sam seemed a little surprised; he hadn't expected the Diplomat to be so...candid. And it showed on Samuel's face. "Oh..." his eyebrows, very expressive, lifted and he got that nice round "O" to his lips as he said "Oh". He shook his head, a beat or two passed as he processed the information, nodded and said, "It doesn't matter to me Orin. Y'know. It doesn't matter man. Life is too damn short...and..." he looked down and sighed. Unconsciously, he relived the last moments of Emily's death in his mind's eye. He looked up, avoiding Orin for a moment and then said, "I...recently...lost someone. Y'know...that I cared about. Her name is...was...Emily. She died. And...Y'know. I thought she was the one. My old lady. Anyway..." He looked at Andrinn. "So...no. Seeing nobody." He looked at the group and saw other people having a good time. "Its hell on a relationship. Y'know? Sure, I bet you know. You're always gone...away...on deployment. It's hard. Gotta have an angel. A living saint to put up with...that." He looked over again at Andrinn, "I'm sorry man. I don't mean to be a downer. Just fucking hurts...like hell. Anyway. I try to just be cool. Get and give love where I can. Heal my lonely heart from time to time and...just...maybe one day. That special someone will come along. I just hope I'm still alive, not shot up, still able to you know...fuck like a bunny in the sack and be happy. Maybe even be loved. Crazy right? Yeah. Crazy."

Orin smiled and replied, "Yeah, everyone deserves their one true love, no matter what. I'm sorry that you lost someone that was so near and dear to your heart. I'm glad that you're taking the time to get better and heal the heart up!"

Orin had thought back to the guy that he had dated back on Trill and about the tragic loss that he experienced. "You know, I lost someone too. But, mine happened when I was just a young man. I dated this guy and he was my everything. Then, he died a tragic death and I was lost. Not only was I something of an oddity on my planet, but I was gay. Then, I lost my first true love. It hurt...a lot. But, I learned from everything and I eventually moved on from it. Never said I'd forget about him or that it doesn't still sting like it happened yesterday. But, I've learned to heal from the experience and keep the guy in a special place," Orin said, rather candidly.

Orin learned years ago that being candid was the best option because lying or omitting parts of the truth wasn't the best experience.

Sam listened and could hear and imagine the pain that Andrinn had felt. He didn't know what to say and responded with, "Yeah...we just learn to live without I guess?" Sam looked over at him and said, "You know, sometimes I'd like to get out of 'marine country', that's deck thirty-two and see other parts of the ship. Just so, you know, I know my way around if I needed to. I heard that the gym on the ship is pretty good? I could use a gym buddy when I'm not using the gym in my area. If you like, we could meet up there? Couple times a week? I need someone to spot me on the weight bench and you know, we can keep each other motivated and on track? I mainly work out - well cause I like it - but also so I can just wat whatever and not blow up like Bolian bloat slug. Interested Consul?"

Chuckling, Orin replied, "You're asking the 300+ year old guy with a slug in his gut to spot you in the gym? Why the heck not? I needed someone to motivate me to get back to the gym anyways because I haven't been since I was on the Trill Embassy back on Earth before the transfer and before my ex broke it off with me because I worked too much. Thanks for the offer. Just let me know when you want to throw it back for the first time."

Orin just let out a small chuckle as he had more thoughts running through his head, but wasn't sure how the new guy would take it. He didn't want to scare him off in their first true interaction.

Sam made a hand gesture that was closest to a Maui-like "cool" sign and said, "Yut!" Sam then looked around and said, "Good to see you Consul Orin. Listen, I'm going to go and mingle. I'll catch up with you later on ay? I'm sure I'll see you around later today at the party. There's a few peeps here that I'd like to get to know. It's been good talking with you sir." Sam offered his hand for a handshake.

Before standing up, Orin let out a small, but audible chuckle. He got up from his seat and took the man's hand, shaking it firmly before replying, "Yeah, I'll see you around. Especially if you're going to the wedding. I'll probably just be wearing my dress whites, so be expecting nothing too over the top."

Sam nodded, "I bet you'll be looking so dapper and sharp. Awright, see you in a bit Consul Andrinn Orinn. And Sam got a skewer of food and went and mingled a bit more.


[OFF:]

Consul Andrinn Orin
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Elysium

&

1st Lieutenant Samuel Woolheater
“Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas”
Division VI, MARDET 62nd Company "Spartans", 1st Platoon CO
=/\= USS ELYSIUM - NCC-89000 =/\=