|
|
Post by Mike Carter on Dec 11, 2022 20:48:39 GMT -5
Snap!
His pejorative was cut short by a bar towel lashing across his nose.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Let me help you up," Mike Carter said and leaned down to help the man.
"The fuck—?!" The man slapped Mike's hand away, managed to get a knee under him, and made a wild grab at Rina who danced out of reach. "C'mon back here, you—!"
Snap! went the towel again, right between the eyes.
"I'm so sorry," Mike Carter said again. "This thing has a mind of its own."
"Fuck y—!"
Snap!
"Sorry, sir. No can do. I don't fraternize with the customers." This time Mike got the man's arm in hand and somehow twisted it up behind his back, all the while helping him stand. "Bad for business. You understand. Now, apologize to the ladies."
The drunk went fish-belly pale. Mike's hands were hidden but the movement of his shoulders was suggestive.
"Apologize." Mike might have been talking about the weather, for all his demeanor showed. "If you please."
The drunk sagged, wind gone from his sails, and immediately straightened as Mike adjusted his grip.
"I'm sorry, sir?" Mike blinked and cocked an ear at the man's head. "What was that?"
"S …s-s-sorry, ma'am … Ladies …"
"Right as rain, then!" Mike spun the man about, swabbed the worst of the vomit off the man's chin, and spun him into the arms of the bouncers. "He's all yours."
|
|
|
|
Post by Marina Kseniya Sebastien on Dec 11, 2022 20:59:29 GMT -5
The drink in Rina's hand was miraculously still intact, with a finger's worth of liquor still swirling in the glass. She raised it in ironic salute at the retreating drunk's back and downed it in a single gulp.
She made a face.
"Damn. I hate tequila. Tastes like puke," she husked and pinched her shirt away from her skin in distaste. "I hate puke. Not my best color."
|
|
|
|
Post by Samantha Greystone on Dec 11, 2022 21:56:53 GMT -5
The action itself seemed to happen quickly, one minute Rina was pretending to be drunk and making the drunk regret his current life decisions, and the next one of the bartenders was making the man apologize and then handing him off to the bouncers to be ousted unceremoniously from the club.
While Sam had been completely aggravated at the man, she was grateful to the two people who had come to help her. Not that she couldn’t have taken care of the drunk but it would have ended up worse than what had actually occurred. As it was what happened to the drunk had turned on the humerous side.
“Thank you,” The young brunette spoke first to the Engineer then turned to the man standing by them and added. “Thank you as well.”
Turning her attention back to Rina. “I suppose I should have warned you. I’m kind of a magnet for guys like that. Every nightclub or bar, it seems, they somehow always find me.” She eyed the woman’s shirt. “I can save your shirt, but we’d have to get back to the ship soon.” Actually, she assumed the other woman would want to get back and get cleaned up, anyway.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marina Kseniya Sebastien on Dec 12, 2022 0:18:37 GMT -5
“No worries, Sam.” Rina gave her crewmate a tight grin. “I’m Russian. We understand these things.”
She put her glass down on a convenient surface and turned to the bartender who’d helped them out.
“I’d offer to buy you a drink, Mister, but somehow I think that offer might fall flat.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Mike Carter on Dec 12, 2022 0:22:43 GMT -5
The lady chooses the tune …
“You’re right I'd turn down the drink,” Mike said, pretending not to know the woman in front of him. “But I wouldn’t say no to the company. Might I offer you both escort to your ship?”
But the gentleman’s never too dead to dance.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marina Kseniya Sebastien on Dec 12, 2022 0:30:28 GMT -5
“Don’t you have to go back to work?” Rina allowed a little polite concern to show. After all, a decent woman wouldn’t want a decent guy to get into trouble for being … well, a decent guy.
From somewhere behind them, over the heads of the nighclub’s patrons, she heard an aggravated male voice shout out an aggrieved long-suffering: “Mike!” The next thing she knew, the bartender had taken both her arm and Sam’s in the crook of both of his and was steering them to the door.
“I think my shift just ended,” she heard him say. “Which ship did you say is yours?”
|
|
|
|
Post by Samantha Greystone on Dec 12, 2022 20:52:02 GMT -5
Sam gave a slight smile at Rina’s response. The young woman wasn’t what one would say shaken by what had happened, she had just been aggravated by the drunk and now that he was gone had returned to her usual demeanor. Street smart but not off putting, that was pretty much how people saw Sam. She always assumed it was her youth, which could only be hidden so much, that attracted jerks to her.
The helpful appeared to be named Mike, that deduction came from his name being yelled over the crowd. Sam had good enough hearing to hear that. Also, she had seem him working the bar earlier. It surprised her however when he took both her and Rina’s arm and put them in the crook of both of his and them steered them towards the door.
There was clearly more going on here than just a bartender deciding now was a good time to quit his job, or so it looked to the young brunette. She was smart enough to figure that out and certainly intelligent enough not ask. Everyone had reasons for the things they did, well mostly. Instead, just giving a response to his question.
“The Eden, in bay 5.” Sam didn’t have any issues with telling this stranger what ship they were on. Rina seemed to trust him and for that reason Sam seriously doubted that the two were strangers. She would just go with it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marina Kseniya Sebastien on Dec 12, 2022 22:25:08 GMT -5
"Let's go," Rina agreed. She gratefully left the club with Mike and Sam, relaxing from head to toe once she'd put the incessant thump and noise of the music behind her. She carefully peeled out of her shirt as she walked. She wore a longline sports bra underneath it, more a cropped top than lingerie, and she sighed as she folded the shirt with the vomit on the inside.
"Much better," she said, giving her friends a genuine smile. She threaded her arm back around Mike's and carried the soiled shirt easily in her other hand, swinging it in rhythm to her stride. "At least the smell is gone. And ... I'm hungry. Whaddya say? Wanna grab a bite to eat?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Samantha Greystone on Dec 13, 2022 12:55:41 GMT -5
Food? That wasn’t something she expected Rina to say.
“Food sounds good. If you’re sure you don’t want to take care of that shirt first.” Sam responded.
She wasn’t very surprised by the woman taking off her shirt and wearing her sports bra, it wasn’t very unusual and even less so given the circumstances. As it was it seemed to be the best solution to the problem.
“Any suggestions on where we should go? It’s been a while since I’ve been here.” Sam added.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marina Kseniya Sebastien on Dec 13, 2022 16:18:36 GMT -5
“Well …,” Rina trailed off, obviously thinking. She cut a look at Mike, who raised his brows in the classic expression that said I got nuthin’. “Somewhere less formal, obviously. I think I saw a shwarma place two intersections back. It smelled tasty when we passed it earlier.”
She sketched a wave of her hand forward and to the left.
“Somewhere … thataway.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Mike Carter on Dec 13, 2022 16:29:29 GMT -5
“Actually, if you wouldn’t mind a short detour,” Mike said, slowing down til they all stopped. “We can stop by my pod and get a fresh shirt for … I’m sorry. If my momma were here, she’d have reminded me of my manners. Please forgive my lapse.”He gently disengaged and took a step back to give both the women a minute bow. Instead of looking awkward, he made it look charming. “Hello, I’m Michael Carter.” He offered his hand to the women for a shake. “Please call me Mike.”(Proceed to side thread, Don’t Knock It Til You Try It, here.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Jay Fuller on Jan 8, 2023 14:21:10 GMT -5
Unfortunately, the fear of an awkward silence kept Jay talking. “What kind of artifact- oh, shit,” he saw Sam from across the bar being manhandled by a drunk. Jay set his drink down, ready to go do… something, he wasn’t sure what.
Thankfully, Rina had already sprung into action and went over to Sam’s aid. Within a second she was jabbing the guy to the point that he projectile vomited, causing Jay to grimace.
Anton’s gaze had followed Jays, seeing the confrontation as well.
When Rina knocked the guy down into a puddle of his own vomit, Jay let out a surprised “Ha!” He reached for his drink and took a sip, adding, “I love her.”
The fight was wrapped up quickly, as it looked like one of the bartenders was assisting them – he had pulled up the drunk by his arms and sent him off with some of the bouncers.
Anton returned his gaze to Jay and asked, “Friends of yours?”
Jay nodded, “Yep. Part of the crew, both of ‘em.”
“You don’t see many ladyfolk out on crews, most captains won’t have ‘em because of some outdated fèihuà about women being badluck on ships. Yours looks like a good bunch."
He hadn’t considered that before – this was the first and only crew Jay had been with, and Ilana had been the captain for the majority of the time though there was a time she was the only woman on board. It gave Jay a warm feeling, not just from the bourbon, that he was with this crew.
“They’re good people,” Jay said, watching them leave arm-in-arm with the bartender “Looks like they’re heading out.”
“Mm. Not a bad idea, yeah?” Anton looked down at Jay with a smirk.
Shiiit, Jay crooned in his head. “Definitely not.” He downed the rest of his drink, “Where to next?”
|
|
|
|
Post by Ilana Logan on Feb 28, 2023 22:35:03 GMT -5
Ilana nodded. "I won't let her kill one of my people to bring her in alive, but we'll do everything we can to capture rather than kill. If I'm not mistaken, our navigator picked up some tranquilizer rounds for his rifle very recently. Go in quiet-like, nock everyone out, secure the target, head back out. We'll be as ghosts."
They'd have to work out the finer details together, but that sounds like a damn good start. So long as they can all keep from bickering long enough to not get them caught.
Ilana stood from the chair and said, "If that's all, I'm going to head down, having a drink with my people, and fill them in so we can begin preparations."
Aria stood and held out a hand as though to shake. Ilana reached for the offered hand, but Aria grasped her forearm instead, a greeting she hadn't seen in many moons. Ilana grasped Aria's forearm as well, completing the greeting. Before releasing her, Aria said, "This means a great deal to me. If you are successful, you could find regular work here."
Aria released Ilana and they both stepped back. Sincerely, Ilana said, "I understand. My entire ship - passengers and crew alike - was wiped out just six months ago. The first crew I ever set sail with. The captain and the pilot were the only survivors. Those lost were very dear to me. So believe me when I said, truly, we will do our best to bring her back in the preferred condition. She will not die unless there is no other option."
The women gave each other a curt nod and Ilana headed down the stairs, not caring all that much whether or not Roman followed. Halfway down the stairs, she checked the bar area for Sam and Rina just in time to see tiny Rina assault quite a large man and expertly take him to the ground in seconds, all the while shouting. Ilana couldn't hear her even a little, but the expression on her face said she was definitely shouting. Ilana stopped in her tracks. She closed her eyes and let out a heavy sigh. "Why can't it ever be smooth?" She asked no one in particular.
She opened her eyes and saw the man being led away by a couple of bouncers. A moment later, Sam and Rina were also being escorted away by a man she assumed worked there, though he wasn't dressed the same. He also appeared to have been assisting Rina following the assault. He was chattering on about something Ilana couldn't hear over the din as he walked them to the door. She assumed it was something along the lines of, sorry ladies, but no fighting. Doesn't matter who started it. She shook her head, seeing Jay having what appeared to be a very flirtatious conversation with a man she didn't know. Instead of interrupting something Jay was very clearly enjoying, she headed to the bar and took a stool. She held up four fingers, got the bartender's attention, and said "Four shots of your finest bourbon, if you please."
|
|
|
|
Post by Roman Kline on Feb 28, 2023 23:55:57 GMT -5
Ilana and Aria had a very amicable meeting despite their very different dispositions. Roman didn't interject at all, he just quietly watched her work. He could hardly believe this confident and measured woman was the same speak first, think later girl that had come to him when she was only 19.
They both stood and grasped one another's forearms. He'd seen this, though only in certain local rim cultures, but he'd never seen Ilana do it. He found himself surprised that she knew how to respond. He supposed it could have been instinct, but she didn't seem all that surprised by the greeting either, which means she's used it often enough to find it normal. He frowned as he pondered that. For all their talking in the time they spent together, there was clearly a lot he still didn't know about her.
Ilana shared a poignant memory, "I understand. My entire ship - passengers and crew alike - was wiped out six months ago. The first crew I ever set sail with. The captain and the pilot were the only survivors. Those lost were very dear to me. So believe me when I said, truly, we will do our best to bring her back in the preferred condition. She will not die unless there is no other option."
Roman blinked in surprise. His stomach knotted as he remembered his dead crew. The women gave each other a curt nod and Ilana headed down the stairs. He paused a moment as Aria turned to go back to her chair. They made brief eye contact before they both nodded and he followed Ilana down the stairs. He was about a third of the way down the stairs when the fracas broke out. It was over just as quickly as it started really, and only those in the immediate area even noticed it happening.
From in front of him, Ilana let out a heavy sigh. "Why can't it ever be smooth?" She asked, but it didn't sound as though she really wanted an answer, so he didn't reply. Instead, he waited for her to start walking again and then followed her to the bar. She slid onto a stool, and held up four fingers. "Four shots of your finest bourbon, if you please," she said to the bartender.
"I hope those aren't all for you, love," Roman said playfully, sliding onto the stool to her right.
She glared at him as the bartender set up the shots. She flicked her hand over her multiband and sent credits for the shots. The bartender nodded, and left her to herself. "I can hold my liquor quite well, thank you very much!" She said, downing one of the four. "I'll have you know, there are few things in this world that I can do better than you, but drinking will always be on that list." She downed another shot. Oh boy, Roman thought to himself. This can only go one of two ways, and I think we'll both regret it in the morning either way.
He swiped one of the shots off of the bar and threw it back in one smooth motion, grimacing a bit at peaty flavor. He hated peat liquor, but he greatly enjoyed the smooth bloom of heat from his throat down to his belly. At least it was smooth, he thought. If looks could kill though, he'd have died the second that shot glass touched his lips. Ilana was staring daggers at him, a slight look of incredulity on her face.
She downed the third shot, slid off of her barstool, and said, "I'm headed back to the ship. I've got preparations to make and, well, this whole area smells like vomit honestly."
She turned away and sauntered through the club to the doors. He watched her go for a moment before following her out.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jace Cisco on Mar 12, 2023 21:06:29 GMT -5
Jace had finally came to the club as a man was being tossed out the front door past him. Jace simply shrugged and ducked in past the unconscious man. The music was blaring at this point as he crossed the threshold of the bar. Jace took a quick scan across the scene, but everyone he knew must be in other places cause he couldn't find them. He shrugged and waved towards the bartender.
"Rum and soda." He shouted above the music the bartender backed up as he had spoken too loud. "Apologies." He added as he waved his credits into the young girls hand as she retreated to get his drink. He settled his back against the bar and began to scan the crowd again. His annoyance began to pick up as the flashing lights and loud music was mixing into his senses and over loading them as he tried to focus on what he was looking for. Jace's forefinger and thumb began toying with the pommel of his knife. He thought he got a glimpse of the doctor talking to someone, but the crowd quickly blurred the area.
"Hopefully Jay is enjoying some relaxation." He thought to himself. Jace knew he wasn't like the typical crew he hated being in one place long. He wanted to set down long enough to get a drink and a new meal not from food stuffs, and protein bars then he was good to go back in the black. Jace felt the cold touch of a glass run along his hand as he looked up he saw the pretty little bartender that he scared at first. Jace grinned and slid a few extra credits her way and signaled for another to be made quickly.
"Keep the rest for yourself." Jace let go of more credits then the drink was worth as he downed the drink quickly. Jace figured he would finish this drink and go find him something to eat before heading back to the ship. If they were still there come morning he may try to check out some shops Helios had mentioned.
|
|
