The Grand Beer Challenge

Posted on Tue Apr 24th, 2018 @ 4:03pm by Dixoho Saa (*) & Jasper Offermans & Caden Isaacks

Mission: Mission 6 - Azzia
Location: Azzia, Festival of Two Suns
Timeline: MD 03 : 1430 Hrs
1909 words - 3.8 OF Standard Post Measure

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For once, Caden had a light hop in his step as the group made their way through the grounds of the Festival of Two Suns. Wosil had been his target location since they touched down, though it would not be for the food, wine, or colorful festivities that were witnessed as they continued through. Caden would stop if asked, patiently waiting for those he dragged with him to take part in whatever they had seen, but the moment they were finished, he would gesture and lead the way once more.

And it was not until the group was hit with an intense aroma of barley and alcohol did Caden decide to truly speak up. "So I've done a little research on the Grand Beer Challenge since we got here, and it seems like we get to go around and taste test whatever the booths give us." He pointed toward the first booth, which had a young woman representative dressed in Azzian garb greeting everyone who would approach and handing them small mugs. "I can't tell if the UT is just translating all this into 'beer' for our sakes or not, but there was definitely a good mention of booze. What better way to unwind, right?"

"Sounds good to me," Jasper admitted with a smile as he looked over at the man, "I've been to a few beer festivals and if it's anything like them this is going to be great!" He glanced around and chuckled, "looks like everyone is having a good time."

Micheal walked with the group, looking around the vast fairgrounds and the numerous booths. It had been a while since he had last enjoyed himself at an Oktoberfest-style event. Though he knew this was celebrating something completely different, it still had the same general idea: enjoying good beer! "They certainly do, Jasper," the tall Texan replied as he put his left arm around the shoulders of the beautiful redhead next to him. "Whatta say, Di, shall we partake in some of the local hops?"

Dixoho had been persuaded to come to this event despite wanting to just enjoy the hotel suite that they had. "I thought that was why you brought me here. You just want to get me drunk?" The woman teased as she saw the possessive momen, putting his arm around her. She had been noticing it more and more, it was endearing of him that he felt the need to show that they were together.

"What? Who, me?" Micheal asked in mock shock. He then gave Dixoho his warmest smile. "Besides, don't you owe me a few rounds anyway? I mean, I did save you from our luxurious suite afterall." He chuckled softly as he spoke, his eyes twinkling slightly.

"I would have happily stayed in bed or in the pool." The woman said softly looking at him before nudging his chest. "Don't get much downtime." She said softly as they started to look around a little more. "There is so much booze here." She said not sure at all where to start as she saw Caden coming back.

"I think most of the beer is free," Caden pointed out, four mugs juggled between his two hands, held out to the gathered trio. "All we've got to do is score the beer." He gestured with his head, over to a table that had a plain box upon it. "The woman said something about making sure we do, and I think the last thing I wanna do is offend anyone on Azzia-but first, cheers!"

Jasper took one of the mugs and raised it up, "thanks Caden let's go kill some brew." he chuckled as he looked over the vast array of booths, "I can't believe our luck to arrive at Azzia for a beer festival."

"I think Gregnol arranged it," Dixoho said with a huge grin. It was a well-known fact the Captain drank the hard stuff but it never affected his duties or leadership of Rosie.

"Well if he did," Jasper replied with a chuckle, "I certainly appreciate it." He glanced around as they began to path some of the booths, "so much beer."

Caden gave a small shrug. "Hey, if it wasn't the beer, I hear they make wine out of some of the indigenous plants. I'm sure we all would have found something."

Micheal took two of the mugs, handing one to Dixoho. "Vote? This'll get interesting. We will have to pace ourselves if we want to make a clear decision as to who brewed the best." He looked at his three friends and then broke into a grin. "Or, we can just enjoy ourselves and let fate decide our votes!"

Dixoho took a sip of the mug that was given to her and grinned. "What is this one?" She asked Caden trying to at least seem interested in the beer other than drinking it.

"I'm with the Sec Chief, let's just have some fun." The medic paused, squinting at the sign, written in Azzian. "... I .... didn't get to ask," he admitted, frowning at the half-finished mug before looking toward the woman, who had turned to tend to other patrons. "... It's a little sweeter than what I'm used to, but that's not gonna help us. Lemmie go... find out..."

Jasper held out his mug to the lady and offered a broad smile then nodded as it was handed back to him. He turned to face his friends and took a sip of the liquid moving out of the way for the others, "it is sweet, fruity, reminds me of peaches."

"I love it," Dixoho said with a grin. She loved just how sweet it was and reminded her of something they home brewed on her old home ship. "Maybe we can get something like this going on the ship?" She wondered thinking it would something to ask. Something a little less bitter.

Soon after, a red-cheeked Caden returned. "So, if the translator's got this right, I'm told it's a lager brewed with Dobik' fruit. Probably why it tastes a little sweet."

Dixoho wondered what had caused the man to have a sudden red cheek. "I approve of it. I give it a five.... wait is it five the highest?" Dixoho repeated her opinion enjoying it taking a deep drink of it. "Maybe the guys could get something like this going on the ship?"

"So where do we vote anyway," Jasper asked, "are there cards we fill out or just someone we tell?" he took another sip of the fruit infused spirits and chucked, "it is really good but I'll bet there are a lot of good ones here. When you live as long as the Azzian's do you can get lots of practice in."

Micheal finished his beer and smiled. "That's not too bad. My Granny used to brew something similar to this back home. Although, hers had a bit more honey in it." He looked over at the other vendor stalls, then back to the group. "Shall I go grab the next round?"

"Yes," Dixoho agreed with the man before she turned around on her seat and pointed to where a huge table was laid out with cards and a box to put them in. "I believe my dear that is where we fill out our opinions and give them over."

Micheal looked at the table and nodded. "Okay, I'll grab a handful of voting cards as well as the beer. Be right back, y'all." He then moved off to grab more beer and the cards.

Dixoho smiled as she watched the man leave disappearing into the crowds to find them something new for the next drink. "So how are you finding the ship Caden?" Dixoho asked not having really spoken to the Doctor outside of medical situations until he had mentioned in passing wanting to see the Beer Market and the challenges. It was too much to pass up, free booze and time on the planet with Micheal.

The last he and Dixoho had spoken, Caden was certain they exchanged words of spite and annoyance. But today seemed to bring the best out, at least between the two of them. "The ship? I think she needs a better cleaning done on it, but I think overall... it's a better job than what I was ever assigned to. No one's ordering me around and trying to keep things under wraps here... unless you count that one Bolian doctor. He was rather quirky. You've been here this whole time haven't you?"

"Aye it was Barton who employed me," Dixoho admitted with a shrug. She much preferred Rosie to her old ship, it was clean and bright compared to that trash can.

"Barton? Who's that?" Caden's brows furrowed. He slipped onto the ship with a second set of crew, those who had not yet met the man who originally ran the ship before disappearing. "... I can't imagine he stuck around too long."

"He was the guy who brought the ship from what I can gather him and Gregnol have been friends for a very long time. He was the reason he lost his commision and spent years held by the cartels." Dixoho knew a lot from being an orginial crew members but she suspected non of these people knew half of Gregnol's story.

Frowning, Caden turned to Jasper, a thought occurring. "And I'm hoping nothing is too out there for you. If you're in need of help or an updated medical examination that doesn't involve trying to figure out when you are... the door is always open."

"I appreciate it," Jasper said with a smile, "you never know after spending so long in a replicator what bits of data may have been lost." He chuckled, "hopefully any changes were for the better."

"Well, I managed to recruit a doctor who's at least decent with neurology, so if anything got disconnected in there, he's the guy to go to." Caden made a gesture with his half empty mug of beer, pausing for a short moment. "... We could always test out your alcohol tolerance, see how far we get before any of us start really feeling it."

At that moment, Micheal returned, four beer steins in one large hand, and voting ballots in the other. After setting the steins down on the table, he passed them out, the first going to Dixoho. Once they were all handed out, he then gave everyone a ballot. "Well, this next round is very delicious. It's more a honey mead than a beer." He picked his stein up and downed about half of its contents in just a couple large gulps.

She took the offered drink and sniffed it, taking in the spices and honey that she could smell. The redhead raised an eyebrow at the man taking a few large gulps. "Wow... your..." Dixoho couldn't find a word for Micheal to tease him so she just shook her head at him.

The Texan looked down at the gorgeous redhead and grinned. "What? This batch goes down very smoothly." He sat down next to Dixoho and winked at her. "This was a great idea, darlin'. I'm glad we did this."

OFF::

Dixoho Saa
Chief Navigator
SS Mary Rose
(PNPC Gregnol)

Caden Issacks
Field Medic
SS Mary Rose
(PNPC Uhin)

Jasper Offerman
Operations
SS mary Rose

Micheal Robertson
Chief Armory Officer/Bounty Hunter
SS Mary Rose/Shuttle Alexandria