Meetings and Drinks

Posted on Mon Jan 2nd, 2023 @ 1:31am by Crewman Adelaide Kirkby
Edited on on Thu Jan 5th, 2023 @ 12:23pm

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Paddy's Loft, Deck 10
Timeline: MD01 - Early Evening
2116 words - 4.2 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON:]

There was something about this particular bar that Vasha found really agreeable. Maybe it was the constant noise and cheering that went on in the background. Maybe it was the jiggy music that played constantly in the background, a sort of energetic, jaunty tune that made you want to get up and dance. Vasha would've danced but knowing her feet the owners would have to fix the floor afterward.

As such the Kelpien consigned herself to sitting at the counter, glass of beer in hand which she sipped from with a content hum as she watched the crowd drink, eat and make merry. This was the kind of experience she sought in a bar - somewhere homely to drink, socialize and feel utterly at ease.

Crewman Adelaide Kirkby was looking forward to this all day. Paddy's Loft played the Parresis Squares games live from Mars. And today was the day that some of her favorite players played. She had arranged with a few friends to get a table and a round of drinks at the bar. And she so needed this. It had been a long day of working with files and procedures and regulations.

The place was busy tonight and the table that they had reserved had some gone - unreserved. Now, there was no table to sit at. "You can sit here at the counter?" was the offered solution. Adele decided that she would wait until more of her "peeps" showed up.

"Is this seat taken?" she asked a tall Kelpian sitting at the counter.

Vasha turned her head to look at the woman and smiled, gesturing to the empty chair next to her. "Please, do sit. I don't mind the company."

She waited for her to sit before remarking, "It's quite busy tonight isn't it? I know that there's a rather prolific parrises squares match being played - in fact I'm here to watch it myself!" Vasha eyed the young woman with gentle eyes the color of the calm ocean. "Are you?"

"Thank you!" Adelaide sat down and said, "It is busy tonight. Probably because of the game for sure. Oh yes, I'm here for the game. I think a lot of the ladies here tonight are here for the game. Eye candy - don't you know?
Tonight Adam Schwartz plays for Earth. I'm from Earth, Costa Rica. I'm Adele. Crewman Kirkby by the way. Oh, I see you're a lieutenant? I'm sorry! When I leave the marine deck I forget there is a whole...'nother world...out here." She laughed delightfully.

Vasha laughed, a cheerful, surprisingly pleasant noise from someone that looked like her, and shook her head. "Here ranks don't matter. We're both just wanting to have a good time aren't we? I'm Vasha. Pleased to meet you." She held out a slender hand to be shaken. "Eye candy, you say? Can't say you're wrong - though I find the bar itself usually has enough eye candy to last a lifetime..."

Adele shook the Kelpian lieutenant's hand, "Vasha, I think you are the first Kelpian I have ever met? And yes, some nights are better than others. Oh hey? I'm meeting a few friends here. We had a reservation but somebody else snagged our table. It's no big deal - don't sweat the small stuff right? You want to hang out with us and watch the game? We can have our girl's night here at the counter if you don't mind sharing a few extra spaces?" Adele smiled, "I think you'll like my friends but...we can get a little bit loud."

The bartender came by and asked for Adele's drink order, "Oh, excuse me Vasha. I'd like Aldebarran whiskey. With an orange peel please?"

The bartender nodded, "Sure thing. Anything for you lieutenant?" the barman asked Vasha.

"A Vulcan sunrise if you'll be so kind." Vasha smiled at the kind barman - it helped that he was cute too, with his ginger beard and relatively short stature. "Girl's night you say? I don't mind at all - I love having company." She replied cheerfully. "How many of you will there be? I'd love to meet the rest of your group."

"Wonderful! Oh I'm so excited! OK. Three more friends. My friend Judy who works in Astrometrics - oh, I'll let them introduce themselves. They should be here shortly. Thank you for sharing your corner of the counter. Were you meeting someone too? We're not interrupting your planned evening are we?"

She asked genuinely concerned that she had just totally rearranged the good lieutenant's evening for her. It was then that the music in the bar changed to a lively dance tune. And Adele had to speak up. "We might order some food later?"

"Oh, no, not at all! I didn't have any plans for the evening other than to enjoy myself and watch the game somewhere suitable." Vasha said. "I'm a rather flexible woman. As to food, I'd love some." The Kelpien hummed contentedly. "Do you know what's good on this bar's menu?"

Just then, Judy arrived. She was wearing her uniform and stood next to Adele. When Adele saw her, sh gave her a friendly hug, "Judy!! How are you? Tonight's the night Adam plays!" Judy laughed and smiled and returned the hug. Adele introduced her to Vasha, "Vasha? This is my friend Judy. Judy? Meet Vasha. We decided early on that we were dropping ranks tonight and we're just all normal people here."

Judy had pretty brown hair, neatly tied up in regulation style and her uniform was Teal, which everybody knows is just blue being irritating. "Hi, I'm Judy. I work in Astrometrics. Elysium is my very first tour."

"It's lovely to meet you, Judy. You have lovely hair, by the way." Vasha smiled. "You know, sometimes I wonder what I'd actually look like with a wig on - rather odd, I bet." She allowed herself a moment to chuckle before turning back to Adele. "Well then, about this bar's menu. Do you know what's good on it? I'm always open to trying new dishes and types of food. You humans for example have so many different types of cuisine and I've still not tried them all! How exciting!"

Adele smiled warmly and Judy sat on the other side of Vasha. "We usually get the taco platter. I know, an Irish themed bar but they have some of - the best - tacos in town. But, we can certainly get a vegetarian option too Vasha. They have a good relish plate here. Carrots, broccoli, tomatoes and some cheeses! OH! Let's do wine and cheese!"

Judy said, "At Paddy's? Girl? Give me a pint any day!" She called the bar man over and order a pint of "Old Dead".

"As much as the name of my people suggests, no, we're not vegetarian. I for one enjoy steak and, well, any kind of meat really." Vasha snickered. "Sorry if it ever came off as otherwise. Wine and cheese does seem lovely, though. I'll have some."

The barman returned with Vasha's Vulcan Sunrise and Adelaide's whiskey with an orange peel. The barman, with one hand lit a match and then squeezed the orange peel over the whiskey to a a fiery display. Judy ordered her pint and Adele let the barman know that they were going to be sitting right here with a group of friends. She placed the order for a platter of mixed foods. tacos, fresh vegetables and dips, crackers and cheeses.

Next, another friend arrived, her name is Jarrett. First Jarrett gave Judy a hug and then she gave Adele a hug in greeting and then she said, "And I don't know you yet do I? My name is Jarrett. Adele tells me that you're part of our gaggle tonight?"

"That I am. Hello, Jarrett, it's wonderful to meet you." Vasha glanced up at the large television screen that'd been set up on the wall, as did most of the crowd. "Oh, boy! I think the game's starting! Isn't it supposed to show at 1940 hours? It's 1935!"

Adele said, "Woo hoo!! Game's about to start! More food arrived and the crowd started to focus on the large wall monitor. The monitor started out with animations for the teams for tonight's Parresis Squares game. A cheer went up for the visitors. From Galeon 9 the 'Dark Matter Devils'. As the team was introduced and came onto the platform, their stats were displayed. Adele took a drink and chatted with her friends. Then, it was tonight's home team, Earth. Representing many peoples, a louder cheer went up when the team was introduced. 'Earth United' took to the platform and people cheered for their favorites. Adam Schwartz was a forward and Adele made sure to point out the man as they took positions.

Nights like these in bars like this one were what Vasha loved when it came to Starfleet. These moments of mutual celebration and fellowship, where everyone was, for just the evening, united in their love for the sport they were watching. She too burst into raucuous cheering and adulation when their favorite team was introduced, and then again when the team scored their winning goal of the match, with the loudest cheer of all. "Bravo!" She high-fived her new posse as the other patrons of the bar ordered drinks and shared them round in celebration. "Adam was exceptionally good night, don't you think?"

The music started up and Adele had to lean in to be heard, "Yes! It was a good game. And, am I right, Adam is the champ. Even with that bad call in the second set. I knew it when I saw him set it up that it was going to get flagged.
I would not mind being a fly on the wall in the locker room tonight!" Adele said as she polished off the rest of the wine in her glass. I am so glad to just have an evening out you know?" Adele's friends agreed with her and the group felt good. They all clicked together. Adele asked, "Our new friend Vasha is new to the ship I think? Or have you been here and our paths just never crossed?"

"Relatively new. Only a few weeks - though I suppose we haven't met before today simply because our shifts don't line up well enough." She remarked with a chuckle. "Shame. I would've loved to hang out with you three if I'd met you earlier - but now that I have, I don't mind coming to meet you a little bit more often if you'd like!"

Judy said, "Only a few weeks? Me too! I still can't find my way around. And I refuse to ask the computer for directions. That'll be the day I can assure you. I'm so glad that we met Vasha. So glad to have a new friend."

Adelle agreed, "Yes! Me too Welcome to our newest member of our little band, Vasha!" Adelle polished off her sip of wine and set the wine stem down. "So? Next week is United Earth versus Vulcan. Are we all game for that?" she asked the group. Jarrett nodded and Judy said "I'm so there. I look forward to seeing you all the whole day long. Just feels good to be with friends and not think about work for a few hours. How 'bout you Vasha?"

"Oh, the exact same, really. And I'll be here, promise." Vasha smiled. She was a woman of her word, especially when it came to promises, and that was a promise she intended to keep. "If my schedule allows. Which it should, don't worry. I'll be sure to call ahead if I can't come."

With that, the small group of friends started to get ready to leave. "Vasha, you're our guest tonight. I certainly hope we will see you again." Adelaide reached in her purse and pulled out a few Federation credits. She laid them on the bar to tip the barman and the cook for the replicated but also the handmade, non-replicated food that cost. "It's my pleasure to treat you tonight" she said to Vasha. Judy tapped Vasha on the shoulder and offered her a hug. It is so good to meet you. I think you'll fit in very well here. Have a good rest of your evening?"

Vasha smiled and took the brunette into her arms, hugging her for a moment before letting her go. "Same to you three. See you next week!" What a night - but it'd had everything she asked for in a night out. What wasn't to like?


[OFF:]

Crewman Adelaide Kirkby
Communications Specialist
Spartans - 62nd Marine Detachment