Posted March 24, 2023, 4:14 p.m. by Lieutenant Cara Esmé O’Farrell (Counselor / Education Specialist) (Jennifer Ward)
Posted by Lieutenant Commander Gravel Mardusk (Chief of Security) in Side Sim - A Much Needed Vacay
(snap)
The area should have started looking familiar, Cara had spent a lot of time there. Soon the cab pulled up in front of a riotous conglomeration of neon lights and the sound of loud music coming from inside:
Mike’s Place San Francisco.
The bar was the lower level and basement of an old four story warehouse building. A row of windows showcased the interior of the upper floor: bar, tables, a few booths, and a crowd of people. The lower level was the stage and music venue, also with its own bar. Gravel climbed out and held his hand out to Cara, grinning.
Gravel
“Hell Yeah!” Cara may or may not have used his hand to propel herself as she bounded out of the car. Cara kissed him making him either have to bend down or pick her up, and in such a way it drew attention.
“NO! Absolutely not. I know that hair. It haunts my nightmares! Cara O’Farrell get your hands, lips, and eyes, and everything else off that man. You are going to cause a riot before you ever have a drink.”
Cara looked up at Gravel, every inch of her eicked and mischievous. She turned to look at the bouncer who had taken on a very serious stance and a look that prayed he wouldn’t die. “Aw now Kjoiv, he brought me here. I haven’t started anythin’.” She brushed her hair over her shoulder. “Besides it’s a punk bar, there is gonna be riots.”
The man shook his head, “By the stage! Not in the parking lot because of…of well you.” He laughed, “I thought you left Earth.”
“I did. I’m in vacation.” The look in Kjoiv’s face made her laugh. “I swear we are havin’ a good night.”
“Then I just made it great.”
“You will pay for all damages caused because of you.” Then he looked up at Gravel.
Cara
Gravel stuck out a hand. “Good ta see ya. Been a bit.” Kjoiv shook it and said “Really? She’s with you?” Mardusk laughed and said “Oh hell no… I’m with her. I’m the brains. She’s the muscle.” and the big half-Klingon laughed. “Of that I have no doubt. Good to see you.” and he looked down at Cara. “Keep. It. Civil.” and he smiled a half smile.
“I am always civil. People love me.” He growers at her, “That’s the problem.” He held the door open with a muttered ‘Good luck’ to Gravel. Cara laughed the whole way to the bar.
Gravel led her in and made a beeline for the bar. There, as in every one of Mike McKenzie’s bars, was a large stool with a simple brass plaque on the bar in front of it: ‘Reserved’. Gravel walked to the stool, picked Cara up and set her on the stool next to him, and then sat down.
“Seat’s taken!” barked a voice from behind the bar and a Tellerite head poked up and then grinned. “Mardusk! You’re here!” and the the squinty porcine eyes caught the red hair and they said “Aw, sh!+. Its you.”
Gravel
“Tugm!” Cara cackled. This was fun. She grabbed ahold of him and pulled him half way across the bar top and left a friendly kiss on his cheek. “I missed ya!” Which made the man sputter and glower and curse. “Well I have NOT missed you she-devil! Off with you! The bar still has gouges in it.” He looked at Gravel, “Keep away from her. She’s trouble. I know she gorgeous be she is not worth it.”
“Awww Tugm, ya DID miss me.”
Cara
Gravel just shrugged and said “Well, we will have to see about that, now won’t we?” He leaned over the bar, grabbed a pitcher, and put it under the tap in front of his stool. As the amber liquid began to flow, a recognizable voice said “And just how did I know you two would end up here?” and Serchena walked up and smiled at Gravel and gave Cara a half-hug. She looked at Tugm and said “Hey. The usual.” Tugm sighed heavily and said “You too? The gods hate me.” and he turned and began making drinks.
Gravel
“They do not. They sent us ‘cause they know how much ya love ta complain. They are just givin’ ya what will make ya happy.” She grinned at Serchena and winked. “Tugm ya better give me the good Iriah whiskey. Ya know what happened the last time ya tried ta give me water on the rocks.” His squinty little eyes went wife. “Yeah…ya I had to buy 10 new chairs for the bar cause of you.”
“I did no break those.” Cara laughed as he poured her drink and tried to decide if he would give it to her. “Damn I need more bouncers in here tonight.” He looked from Cara to Serchena to Gravel. “You are responsible for these two.” He set the dri ks on the bar and walked to the other end, wiping the bar as he went.
Cara
“The f~<k I am.” Gravel said and lifted the pitcher and took a drink. “Besides… I’m on vacation.”
And then it began.
The first to try their luck were three cadets from the Academy. One human and two Rigellians. The human slid up to the bar and smiled at Cara and Serchena. “How would you ladies like me to buy you a drink or three?” and he flashed pearly white teeth at them. Serchena smiled back and looked at Cara. “Hmmm… what do you think? Think we should let these fine Star Fleet specimens ply us with alcohol?” Gravel snorted and mumbled just loudly enough for the three cadets to hear. “Oh… you boys really need to not do that. Not a threat, now… but those two are more crazy than you are looking for, I think.” One Rigellian looked at him and said “Thanks, bud. But I think we have this. We are Star Fleet, after all.” The other smirked and then put himself between Gravel and Cara so the two women were between him and his human friend. “So how about that drink, beautiful?” he asked Cara and Serchena. Serchena smiled and said “Admiral.” The three cadets looked confused for a moment and then she said “You asked wrong. You should have said ‘So how about thst drink, Admiral?’ Technically, you should have also added ‘Lieutenant’ to the question you asked of my friend here. Oh, and it should have been ‘But I think we have this, Commander.” and she smiled a brilliant bit wholly predatory smile at them.
Gravel didn’t look away from straight ahead, but just said “Told ya.”
Gravel
Cara looked at Serchena and then back to the human was still leaning in with that stupid not yet an adult swagger that alwas irritated Cara. “Naw, Admiral, these fish are ta young.” She looked the three over, “2nd year cadets.” She turned to the one between her and Gravel. He exchanged a look with his friends, they weren’t wearing their rank pips so how did she know? “Oh dear boy, ya see first years, they’re ta scared ta come out, third years know better than ta try and mingle with the crazies. That’s ‘cause they were second years like ya’ll and learned. So keep yer stipend.” Then she grinned at him and leaned it and dropped her voice, “But I’m gonna do ya a favor. I’m gonna laugh like ya are the funniest man I ever met. No no donna look at her, that young lady in the window seat. That’s what she wants. Yes it is more than obvious she broke yer heart and ya are hung up on her. Stop lookin’ like a lost puppy. I’m gonna laugh, buy ya and yer friends a beer, and yer gonna walk away. You are gonna never look at her again. Finish yer beers, and stop tryin’ to heal yer heart ache on the attention of a one night stand. Yer Star Fleet, yer better than that.”
She laughed loudly, with full amusement, which got attention. “Tugm! Three beers for my friends here.” She looked at the young cadet, “Go on now and…” she leaned in and with deadly intent, “never again get between me and him. Understood Cadet?” He swallowed, nodded, took his beer and left.
Cara
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