[JP] Lt. JG G. Xerix, Lt. S. Neathler - The Clash For Victoire (Part II)
Samira Neathler
(( Three days later - Gywich, Dessica II ))
During their trip Samira had read up about Dessica II, an ancient Romulan settlement, and Ghant had told her more about his family and the whole custody case. Much to her own surprise the three days passed rather quickly. Dressed in clothes her Skarbek counterpart would have loved, a phaser stuck behind her belt, a few knives hidden in her clothes and boots, she was ready.
Ghant and Samira beamed down from the transport vessel ‘Imaculatta’ in front of a rather dubious establishment known as the Wistful Fount. The facade of the building left much to be desired, as did the visage of the patrons standing in the courtyard area.
Xerix: Not exactly a glamorous establishment, is it?
Neathler: I doubt they’ll be serving caviar and lobster.
Stepping in to the dimly lit bar, Ghant felt the soles of his boots sticking to the floor. His eyes took a moment to adjust to the lighting. He looked to his traveling companion. Samira followed Ghant and took a look around in the establishment. A bit dark but that was probably what was to be expected for a place like this. Her gaze searching for a possible escape route in case things went sour.
Xerix: You want a drink?
Neathler: ::Nodding.:: Surprise me.
The Betazoid trudged over to the bar and ordered a pair of cocktails. Handing Samira hers, he spotted their quarry. He nodded in the direction to let her know. She took the glass, took a sip of the odd looking, green conconction, which to her surprise wasn’t that bad of a taste, before she moved slightly and casually looked in the direction Ghant had nodded.
When he spotted the man, his stomach done a mild twirl. He didn’t know whether to feel happy at finding him, or utter disgust and contempt.
Long, jet black hair cascaded to the mans shoulders. His angular nose gave him an almost severe countenance, but his whimsical smile and lilting voice seemed to project a radiant, soothing calm. Sitting on the cantina’s shabby stage and fluidly ringing a series of classical Betazoid chimes to an unusual synthesized backbeat, the man was the picture of contentment as his meager tipjar received a few coins at the end of his song. He stood gracefully and crossed to the bar, ready to turn his tips into something more liquid.
Xerix: You’re a hard man to track down, Akis Seastri.
Akis mental defenses, so long ago ingrained into his psyche, had waned over his years away from Betazed, but they snapped back into place now like a bank vault being slammed shut. Akis had no idea who the pair accosting him was, but he could sense the man already trying to crawl around in his mind. Samira nodded towards the stranger, lifting her cocktail glass in greeting, showing the man they meant him no harm.
Seastri: I didn’t know anyone would bother trying. I don’t suppose you’re a fan of my work?
Xerix: :.Sipping his rotgut drink with a grimace.:: Not your new stuff anyway.
Neathler: ::She briefly looked from the man that Ghant had named Akis to Ghant himself.:: It wasn’t that bad, was it?
Seastri: No, you would’ve been the first I suppose. Do I owe you money or something?
Xerix: ::Resisting the urge to roll his eyes.:: No, I’m afraid not.
Neathler: Don’t look at me, I just came along for the ride.
Seastri: Do you owe me money? That’d be...well, I certainly wouldn’t mind an unexpected windfall.
Xerix: oO This is what the Terrans call a “Shmuck”. Oo No, I don’t owe you money either.
Taking another sip from the glass, Samira just shook her head.
Seastri: I suppose that would’ve been too much to hope for. Oh well.
He nodded towards the bartender as he upended his tip jar, counting out a few rectangular coins from the small pile.
Seastri: My usual, Tok, and don’t try to sneak me the cheap stuff. ::He tapped his fingers to his temple.:: I’ll know.
The bartender muttered something just on the border between impolite and unintelligible, then turned to find a bottle.
Neathler: Lovely fellow.
Seastri: Well, I don’t owe you money, and you don’t owe me money, so why are we talking?
Xerix: Perhaps we could go somewhere more private to talk?
Neathler: ::Nodding to Akis.:: Lead the way.
With an expectant nod, Akis gestured to the bar and, more specifically, the barman still waiting to be paid for Akis’ drink.
Seastri: I’m much more amenable to talk when I don’t have a dry throat...
Ghant caught Sami’s eye and gave her a look of incredulity. Then he paid for the trio’s drinks.
Akis shrugged and lead the trio to a ramshackle booth against the far wall. The table left their drinks at an odd, wobbling angle but he didn’t really care. He didn’t expect the drink to last long enough to get tipped over.
Seastri: So, this is about as private as this place gets. Whatever you want, out with it, my fans…::He nodded to the handful of disinterested drinkers in the establishment.:: are anxious for me to get back on stage.
Xerix: Choupette Marchionne has died.
The news hit Akis harder than he had expected. It had been years since he had last seen the exquisite Choupette. He raised his chipped glass to the sky and offered his former lover a toast before draining it in one bitter gulp. Still holding her own glass, Samira took a sip as she kept an eye on the other people in the bar. Her gaze searching for the easiest way to escape without bothering too many of the drinkers in the bar.
Xerix: She was killed seven months ago on Earth.
Seastri: Well it was nice of you to come all this way just to tell me the woman I used to love is dead. Do you two work on commission, or do you just roam the galaxy dispensing bad news freelance?
Samira just shrugged, she already told the man she was just here for the ride, she didn’t need to repeat herself, and she figured it would be best to let Ghant do the talking.
Xerix: Naturally this has been very difficult for Victoire.
Seastri: Who? Who the hell are you talking about?
Ghant looked at the man incredulously. Something in the words the man said, made Samira look at him, didn’t the man know he had offspring running around in the galaxy?
Xerix: Victoire Marchionne, your daughter….
TBC
Lieutenant JG Ghant Xerix
HCO Officer
USS Gorkon
V239505GX0
&
Lieutenant Samira Neathler
Assistant Chief of Security&Tactical
USS Gorkon
G239508SN0
&
Akis Seastri
Son of the Fourth House
Proud Owner of ‘Federations Worst Father’ novelty mug
As simmed by
Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Teller
Chief Engineer
USS Veritas - NCC 95035
Capt. R. Rahman, Commanding
V239509GT0