Lt. JG Peters + PNPC Lt. Sheridan: The One That Didn't Get Away

[chythar skyfire]

((Starbase 118: Keal’s Pub))

(( Time Index: After Pub Crawl Part 1 ))

::It was a relief to be in a venue that was trying a little less hard to be a trendy night spot. Keal’s pub was much more like an honest drinking spot where you didn’t have to try hard to have a good time. The clientelle were much improved - they looked like the kind of people you might actually get an interesting conversation out of in most cases - and there was no shortage of things to do. Game, drink, chat… even dance.::

::Vance immediately felt the pressure lift when he walked inside. He had a feeling he’d be able to get back on the Yukon Jacks, or at least order a drink that didn’t have half a pound of fruit in it. The cocktail they’d made him in the last place had been so full of produce that there’d barely been any room for the drink itself. He wondered if maybe the manager was a Ferengi…::

::Either way, it didn’t really matter too much if Vance felt happier at Keal’s, as Cadfael was the one who would ultimately have to be comfortable enough to have an impromptu first date if they got the wingman system working. They’d come very close once already. Hopefully they could get it to work out a little better before they ran out of night.::

:: It didn’t seem like the kind of place that Cadfael suspected he’d find a first date in, but then again, he wasn’t the one breaking the ice. He had a wingman. Once the ice was broken, then he’d dive in. ::

Sheridan: I don’t know about you, but I get the feeling we maybe have a higher chance of success in here. For one thing, you don’t have to shout to be heard.

Peters: That sounds like a plan. I’ll just have a look around real quick.

Sheridan: I’ll get the drinks.

Peters: Meet you at the bar.

:: Cadfael’s gaze passed several people: male, female, brunette, blonde, redhead. Every one of them looking interesting or intriguing in their own fashion, yet none of them having the right...the special something the engineer was looking for at first glance. He had one more glance around before he headed back to the bar in need of a drink. A well deserved drink: nearly making a score was cause to get a drink. If he made the score, like actually made the score, then he’d order a full pint. ::

::He joined the queue, repeating the order from the watering hole. He was fairly sure he’d seen Cadfael drinking a soda just now, and figured that topping up the alcohol in his system wouldn’t be too bad a thing. It was unlikely he’d get drunk off one more rum and coke and, if he didn’t want it, Vance could just get him something else.::

::A few minutes later, he returned, handing Cadfael a glass.::

Sheridan: Alright, my man, have you had a chance to run a visual sweep? Do you see anything you like?

Peters: Yeah, just finished my first visual glance. :: He had a sip of the rum and coke, the small buzz returning. :: Well muscled athlete, nine o’clock. Brown hair.

::Head turning to the left, Vance immediately saw who Cadfael had picked. The guy looked like he was strong enough to lift him up with one arm. Vance’s drink disappeared fairly quickly, and the empty glass was held out for Cadfael to take.::

Sheridan: Alright, you take care of this, I’ll take care of him.

:: Cadfael nodded his affirmation and had another sip of his drink, managing two words before Vance got out of earshot. ::

Peters: Got it.

::The intrepid Canadian made his way across the pub, making eye contact with the athlete and smiling along the way. No sooner had he stepped within a meter, though, than the guy stood, finished his drink and headed for the exit.::

Sheridan: oO Wow… new personal best there… Oo

::Without even breaking his stride, he turned on his heels and returned to Peters.::

Sheridan: OK, let’s pretend that didn’t just happen. ::He folded his arms.:: Ugh. I thought it might be a little easier in here.

Peters: :: handed him a glass :: No sweat, man. You said yourself it wasn’t gonna be easy, and bear in mind it’s still early. :: He had a sip of his own drink. :: Still early.

:: The young engineer stood in silence for several minutes and took in the scenery, attempting to look for another mark. Another sip of his drink and his gaze snapped into focus on their six, though it was still several seconds before he spoke again. ::

Peters: Six o’clock, blonde hair and toned, male.

:: The object of his gaze appeared to be a young dancer in his early twenties, perhaps a sportsman of a different type who favored muscle tone rather than muscle mass. Peters could only guess what type of sports the man was in: rock climbing, martial arts of some sort, fencing, or possibly swimming? In either case, the guy was hot. And to Cadfael, had all the earmarks of a prime candidate. ::

::Mr. Six O’Clock looked like less of a buttmunch than Mr. Nine O’Clock had, somehow. Vance felt a little more confident that he wouldn’t hit a brick wall this time.::

Sheridan: OK, I think I’ve got this. Wait here…

::He disappeared off into the crowd again, running with the same kind of introduction he’d used on the girl back in the night club. When he pointed out Cadfael, he got a positive response. No-one’s partner showed up on the way over to the bar, no-one made any excuses, and Vance actually had a good feeling that they might have just successfully worked a little magic. It was down to Cadfael now to make it stick.::

::A few paces away from meeting Cadfael, Vance caught his friend’s eye and flashed him a subtle thumbs up. Once they arrived, he immediately made his excuses.::

Sheridan: I just saw an old friend I haven’t spoken to for a long time. I’m going to go say hi before they disappear. I’ll catch up with you guys later, OK?

Peters: Sure thing, man. :: and gave Vance a handshake. :: Thanks.

::The counsellor headed over to the gaming tables, where he could stand and speak to people about nothing in particular and maintain the illusion he’d just created. He still had a good view of what was happening at the bar, so he could see if Cadfael needed to be rescued.::

Peters: So what’s a hot looking guy like you doing in a place like this?

:: The line may’ve been corny, but it was the only thing he could think of. ::

----

TBC

A JP by

PNPC Lieutenant Vance Sheridan

Counsellor

Starbase 118 Ops

&

Lieutenant JG Cadfael Peters

Engineer

Starbase 118 Ops