Commotion And Grape Juice

Posted on Wed Oct 21st, 2020 @ 3:41pm by Ka'see 'Cassie' Anderson (*) & Executive Officer Jake Ford & Jasper Offermans & Chief Engineer Michael Burnstein & Jinx Jorasco

Mission: Mission 12 - Railway
Location: Rec Room
Timeline: MD -02 21:00
3154 words - 6.3 OF Standard Post Measure

It was not quite a weekly session, more a twice-monthly thing, but it was fun to see different people outside the normal setting. They had even moved from the wardroom to the rec room for more space and to allow a holoprojector to get involved.

Cassie had checked this time whether they were to dress up, and she hoped everyone else would, as she loved her costume and had been adding to it since the first session where it had been simple. The relatively simple blue dress flowed down to the floor still and had two long slits up either side that, if she had moved correctly, revealed boots. But it was the headband and staff that she carried that had been recreated and modified to be more durable and pretty thanks to Burnie. She turned as someone finally came to join her as she drank her goblet of wine.

"Looking good," Burnie said with an approving smile as he entered, also in full costume: leather and chainmail armor, a hammer at his belt and battle axes strapped across his back. He'd even used a follicle stimulator to grow out an appropriately dwarvish beard.

"Wow, Michael!" the hybrid said, sounding impressed, and tugged on the beard, laughing a little as she realised that it was real. They were trying to outdo each other each time. It was getting more and more impressive. "How did you create that? Has Nollel seen you looking so different?"

"Follicle stimulator," Burnie explained proudly. "And she tugged on it and laughed too. But sadly I couldn't talk her into joining us. Maybe next time."

Jinx strolled in wearing a costume, as well, studded leather armor, a pair of scimitars at her side, a shortbow on her back, and a sling around her wrist. Her red hair was tied back in a braid. Zambi trotted next to her, outfitted with some nice leather barding as well. “I like the beard!” she complimented Burnie. “And nice dress! I wish I had legs to show off like that!” At 2’10” Jinx was a tad on the short side for her species, which averaged out around three feet tall.

Jinx climbed up onto the specialty chair built for her to sit better at the table and put out an elaborately carved and painted box she had made herself. It contained her dice and a little wooden miniature of herself and Zambi that she had also made and painted.'

Jasper had heard about the game through the ever-reliable crew grapevine. Luckily they were informative enough to tell him that a costume was expected. On short notice, it was a bit of a stretch to come up with such an amazing outfit, but luckily he had some credits for the replicator. One thing the Human didn't know is what characters everyone else was coming to play. His response was to try and think which character class was least likely to be taken.

To start with the sandy blonde replicated chainmail breeches fitted with metal leg braces that extended to his knee caps that were actually a set of overlapping plates to make them a bit lighter and moveable. The chain tunic had a hood and laid fairly flat over a unique looking tabard, or was it a dalmatic? Either way, the garment hung over his shoulder in the front and back. It was yellow with a deep red border and a stylized sun on his chest in white, red, and yellow. It ended just at the edge of his shoulders and went straight down towards his feet ending at his knees. Over it was a heavy silver chain that held a matching metal symbol that hung from it. Jasper's arms had a bit more protection with matching arm bracers to protect his forearms and his elbows.

A broad leather belt held things together with a metal ring for this weapon to hang in along with leather patches and a heavy-looking book with metal hinges and a flap to keep his apparent holy book closed. It hung from a set of chains, a spiked mace, one with a leather handle. It wasn't round, the wooden handle was flattened to give four flat sides, a square, as it were, if looking from either end. On each of these metal sides were strips of spikes on a metal frame with a single spike protruding from the topmost portion. If someone looked closely, there was a latch for pouring holy water in. Jasper thought the weapon would be a dead give away as to what type of character he was playing to play.

"Glad I found out I needed to come in costume," he chuckled. "That's an impressive beard you've got going, Burnie."

Looking around, he added, "Wow, looks like I need to work harder on my costume."

Jinx turned and smiled. “Welcome to the game!” she greeted Jasper. “Oh, good! A cleric! That means I don’t have to heal!” she laughed.

Offerman's eyes widened. "Oh no, did I steal your character role?" He chuckled, "I figured a cleric was my best bet not to."

"Hey, I'm a cleric too," Burnie objected, then grinned. "Just devoted to Fire, so I mostly torch things rather than heal them."

“I’m a ranger, so I’m not as great at healing,” Jinx explained. “Though it’s always best of everyone has some way to heal, even if it’s just a potion.”

Jake peered out over the DM screen he'd set up, and the myriad notes he'd prepared on at least three different padds. "Smaller group than last time," he mumbled. "Maybe that's for the best." He glanced at Burnie, who had put in a lot of effort to get into character. "No Liha this time?"

"I'm here," Liha announced tersely as she arrived, dressed in black leather. "I can move around without him, you know."

Jasper's eyes took in the newcomer, a bit surprised that the woman he met in the mess was decked out in leather. He didn't say much, only nodded and turned back towards the DM, trying to figure out what he could say without sounding like a jerk or getting his face slapped. He was the new guy, once again, and he felt he better learn his place, and soon.

Cassie had been lost for a moment in thought as she looked Liha up and down before grinning at the woman, impressed, as she noticed Jasper's jaw nearly hit the floor. She had not been so into it the first, second, or even third time, but maybe this was her turning over a new leaf. “I did not know that, but I am now informed of that development,” Cassie said without a hint of shame as she winked at the other woman. “Wine?” she asked the group as a whole before they would take their seats.

Liha snorted a laugh. "Sure, I'll have some grape juice. Maybe next time I'll bring some real alcohol."

"Well," Jasper said with a bit of a smug smile, "I do have some holy water." He opened one of the pouches on his belt and took out a small bottle of green liquid. The writing on the cut-glass bottle's label declared it to be fine Aldebaran whiskey. He sat the bottle on the table and chuckled. "Not sure how fine it is, but it cost a few credits."

"Well, the computer will only go so high in safeties on the grape juice, and yes, I will hold you to that," Cassie retorted at the laughter from Liha. It had been a long time since they had shore leave either to get anything decent; beggars could not be choosers.

Liha smiled, taking a splash of his whiskey. "This is better," she said after taking a sip. "You know, if the problem is computer-set limits, we do have the Ops Chief here." She looked meaningfully at Jasper.

"Hey, game night, not work night," Burnie admonished. "Besides, your safety limit for alcohol would put most of us in medbay."

Jasper looked around the table and drew in a deep breath. "Well, it's not a Starfleet ship anymore, so..." The sandy-haired man got up from the table and walked to the replicator and began tinkering with the controls. "Okay, the bar is open right about, now."

As he turned to walk away from the device, he chuckled, "I may need to look for a new job in the morning."

Jinx giggled. “I do have a still running in the hydroponics bay,” the miniature science chief noted, placing a jug of some kind of clear liquid on the table, “if anyone wants the real stuff, homemade moonshine. No need for the fake stuff from a replicator. Just good, old fashioned fermentation. It’ll put hair on your feet.”

"Moonshine?" Jasper's brow furrowed as he pondered the idea. "Never had that ancient recipe." He chuckled. "Just remember we all have to get back to work, eventually."

"I do not until tomorrow." Cassie shrugged, adding some of the moonshine into her glass. She had tried it before and found it better with a bit of the grape juice, but that was her opinion. She glanced up as the door opened and Meghan walked in, offering a wave for the group, surprised by the outfits for the moment before she headed off to the other end of the room. "So where were we last time?" Cassie asked, taking her seat around the table.

Burnie poured himself a shot of moonshine and lifted his cup, announcing in his Thorbran voice, "In the tavern!"

Jasper made his way back to the table, taking his seat, and sat down, hearing the chain move about him. "Well, enjoy. I'll save a bit of whatever brainpower I have left for the game."

"In the tavern. Right." Jake scratched his head, flicking through notes. "You went to see the lady at the orphanage and now you're drinking and looking for more information." He looked expectantly at the group to see who was doing what.

Cassie had done a lot of the work last time, so was purposely going to take a step back this time to let others thrive. She was still not sure she was doing it correctly so it would be nice to see what others did. So they might have been in the tavern in the game, but they were also drinking in real life. "That we were," Cassie mused, taking a gulp of her drink.

Jinx considered her character sheet. “I’ll get the first round of drinks,” she said, pouring herself some of the moonshine. It was more like ichleberry brandy, but it had a kick. “We should try and find out who here is local, and who is a stranger, and if any locals are dropping more...gold?...than usual.” She nodded to a table where people were rolling dice.

"Aye, there's a place to ply your skills," Burnie said to Liha.

An eyebrow ascended in a 'surely you are not drunk already' look.

He widened his eyes at her. "The gambling tables, Rogue Drow."

"Oh." She thought about it a moment. "So skulk and listen in, just rob them, and have you 'stop me' to get in their good graces?"

"Seems logical." Cassie shrugged. It seemed foolish to not take that route. Did they need to roll to see how successful it was? She had Ryder's old dice now which had been his gift to her when she had left. It was a lovely leaving gift.

Jasper was silent as he looked around the holographic setting. In reality, he was still not used to the new technologies of the time he found himself in, and as fascinating as it was, it seemed all too real. The man slowly sipped his own drink and thought about what he should do. Obviously, if he interfered with their plans there would be no game, though robbing even holographic characters seemed to indicate a willingness to do it in real life. Being the cleric of the party, he felt an obligation to sort of keep things in line. Somehow, at least.

"You want to investigate them? Or just go straight in?" Jake asked, letting their conversation flow.

"I've not played like this before," Jasper admitted, "not with all this technology, but I'm fine either way. Information gathering is decided by dice roll and the DM anyway."

"Hey, it's no problem. Roll the twenty-sided die, and add your investigation score. Then I'll let you know what happens," Jake explained.

Liha picked up the dice and with a flick of the wrist, tossed in on the table. When it stopped spinning she smirked. "Sixteen. I don't even need to add anything. What do I hear?"

Cassie looked at the dice and frowned, looking at her padd to see how it would have affected her. She was desperately trying to understand it and make sense of it all. She wanted to make Ryder proud that she was carrying it on seeing he had spent so long to try and teach her.

"Sixteen," Jake mused, half consulting notes, half improvising. "Well, you know that the place is pretty full. Nothing much unusual catches your eye," he leaned in, "apart from the scruffy-looking gentleman in the corner. He looks like he's been in a scrape recently, and isn't sharing in the festive mood of everyone else in town. That strikes you as unusual."

"Right." Liha pushed her sleeves up. "I go interrogate him."

Visions of Liha's idea of interrogation resulting in a giant bar fight flashed through Burnie's mind. "Uh, maybe a softer approach would get more information," he suggested, looking at the others.

"Greebella thinks it is hot and smelly enough already, so maybe a softer approach would be better," Cassie spoke up with a wink as she took a sip of the goblet in front of her. It was slow going, but as they were all learning it was fun. More and more people were coming or popping in and out to observe.

Jasper chuckled. "What is that saying -- Human, of course -- you attack more with honey than vinegar."

“That sounds about right,” Jinx agreed. “After all, you can always do the hard approach later. Can’t really do the soft approach after. Want help?”

"Sounds good," Jasper said with a wry smile. "Where should we begin?"

Jinx considered. “Well, you could flirt with him,” she suggested. “Looks like he got beat up. Maybe offer some comfort?”

Cassie raised an eyebrow at offering comfort. Did Jinx know Liha at all? Even as her drow, Cassie just could not see the woman offering comfort to anyone. She was cool as ice, and she liked her for it. You knew exactly where you stood with her. It was a welcome relief among the crew.

"Who? Me?" Liha's brows and voice rose as it hit her that they meant she rather than Cassie's character should flirt or comfort the man.

Burnie snorted, trying to swallow a laugh. He had no idea what Liha flirting would look like (and very much did not want to know), but he had a sense that her version of comfort would be something along the lines of 'What is wrong with you? Do you know how pathetic you look?' Not that he was dumb enough to say any of that, or any comment about Liha herself. "Wow. A drow offering comfort. I think that would make most people assume they were tripping or bespelled. And flirting... I'd think he'd run. Unless he's into being tied up or slapped around."

"I could slap him around," Liha offered, looking at the roughed man huddling in the corner. "But if that's what he's into, it looks he already got his share of it."

Cassie had to admit that coming just for the look on Liha’s face was worth it and certainly improved her mood, even if it might have been caused a little by misfortune and the drink she was sipping. At least it was better than feeling angry and hateful. Cassie never wanted to feel that way again, especially not toward anyone on this ship. It was time to move on from her marriage. She just needed to find a priestess who was willing to do it without Nathen being there. “I can come with you. Soften the blow these men seem to think is needed,” Cassie offered.

"What about doing a good cop, bad cop routine on him?" Jasper chuckled in spite of himself. "Just thinking if one was sympathetic and the other wasn't he might spill whatever he knew."

"Right. I go over to talk to him." Liha got up and stalked over to the hologram. "What's your problem? You look like someone kicked you all the way in here."

"Subtle..." Burnie mouthed, rolling his eyes. With those interrogation skills, at least no one would ever suspect her of being Tal'Shiar.

Looking down at the table for a moment before raising his eyes, Jasper listened to Bernie. "Got to start somewhere."

“Direct and to the point,” Jinx giggled. “I like it. I’ll cover the door, in case he tries to bolt or something,” she told the others. She hopped off her seat. Zambi stood up, and they took their drink to a table between the man and the door.

Offerman tried not to look over at the evolving encounter and raised an eyebrow. "Do you think the direct approach will work at all, without starting a fight, right here in the tavern?"

"Like she could be anything other than that," Cassie mumbled with her own roll of her eyes as the man stood up and promptly tried to head out the door. Seems he did not want to stay and talk with Liha despite her best efforts. Cassie turned and held out her staff, watching as the man fell through the outside door into a heap on Jinx.

“Should watch where you’re going,” Jinx said, picking herself up from where the man had tripped over her. Zambi jumped on top of the man, hissing a warning that he should maybe stay down, her large claws making a pressing point about cooperation into his back.

Cassie shook her head and stood back up, but forgot that her staff was in her hand and swiped at the table and jug of wine that was there. It splashed onto the holographic display, fracturing what was playing out in front of them into nothing. "Oops," she whispered, moving to rescue the PADDS and anything else on the table. "I will fix it," she hastily added, worrying that she had spoilt the night with an out of character clumsiness.

Jasper stood up quickly at all the commotion and watched as things went from bad to worse. "Well, this will get us something, reputation maybe."

TRANCATED