(Backsim) JP-LtCmdr. Talos Dakora & Sam Richards- Taking A Leap [Part 1]
Travis
((Some Bar in San Francisco - Earth))
((OOC: This takes place after Frontier Day, while the Artemis is still in orbit over Earth.))
Seeking solace away from the terrible day she had, Sam found a small dive bar a few blocks away from Starfleet Academy. She found an empty stool away from the crowds of Starfleet Officers and Cadets who were either celebrating still being alive or drinking for the people they lost. A worn-out-looking bartender walked up to her and just stared for a moment.
S. Richards: Can I have a beer? I don’t care what kind, just something cold.
He gave a small nod and without breaking eye contact he reached under the bar and set a bottle down in front of her.
S. Richards: Uhhh.. Thanks ::quietly:: I think…
He popped the top off and slid it closer before walking away.
Sam sighed before tipping back the bottle and downing a good portion of it in one go.
Dakora: Is this seat taken? ::His grin colored his words.:: Or should I wait a couple seconds for you to finish that bottle and ask again?
A little startled she turned to the tall and stupidly good-looking man who had walked up to her.
After a long day of petitioning– which was really just a nice word for begging– Starfleet Command to prioritize sending the Artemis the next batch of Ensigns out of the Academy, Talos had wandered into this nondescript bar. He’d surveyed the room, taking in the group of Cadets making bad decisions and good memories, the gaggle of women murdering a karaoke rendition of some pop song, and the pretty, but sad-looking redhead that had just pounded half a bottle in one go.
The decision had made itself, really.
S. Richards: Oh… Uh, no. ::gesturing to the stool next to her:: Go ahead.
Talos parked himself on the stool and it rocked a little when he shifted his weight in any one direction, which really fit into his initial appraisal of the shabby atmosphere of the place. He cast a sidelong glance at the woman who seemed fixated on her beverage.
There was something familiar about her, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
Dakora: ::To the Barman:: a Franziskaner Hefeweissen for me and… ::He thumbed in his new friend’s direction.:: and I think she’s going to need another, too.
Without hesitation Sam nodded, she was not about to turn down another drink.
A few moments later a tall, frosty mug of weissbier sat in front of him and another bottle was in front of the sad girl.
S. Richards: Not sure why you’d want to sit by me. ::chuckling:: There’s some better looking groups around here.
She turned around to see a group of Officers laughing and high fiving.
He shifted his gaze across the bar, crinkled his nose slightly at the dude-bros, then returned it to her.
Dakora: Nah… I’ve made my choice.
He cracked a wry grin as she finally peeled her eyes off of the bottle and looked his way again. Recognition flashed in her eyes.
S. Richards: Wait a second… You’re from the Artemis aren’t you? I knew your voice sounded familiar. I was with your Captain on the Borg Cube, when we heard you on MacKenzie’s combadge before we got beamed out.
Talos’ eyebrows went up in surprise, but then he nodded. It was an interesting twist, but not an unwelcome one.
Dakora: Ah, you must be one of the Amity hitchhikers, then. ::He made a show of scrutinizing her:: Yeah, I think I remember seeing you aboard, but those couple of days are kind of a blur, if I’m being honest.
He set his glass down on the bartop with a clink and offered her his hand. In his mind, he tried to calculate the odds that the attractive red-head he’d decided to chat up on a whim had happened to be one of the people he’d helped rescue from a Borg Cube not that long ago.
It was a small galaxy.
Dakora: Well, then let’s make it official. I’m Talos, enjoyer of mid-tier bars and as you might have gathered, XO on the Artemis.
S.Richards: I’m Samantha, but you can call me Sam. ::taking his hand and giving it a shake:: Enjoyer of beers and I just so happen to be Amity’s favorite civilian scientist.
Quickly realizing she had held on to his hand for a moment too long after the handshake, she let go and downed the rest of her beer.
Dakora: So Sam, ::He retrieved his mug and gave it a waggle for emphasis.:: What has you thinking I’d be better off drinking with the frat boys over there?
She had to admit, he was smooth with his words. She instantly felt drawn to him, but maybe that was the pain of being rejected so much by Harrison lately that made her feel that way. A bit of guilt gnawed at her, but she pushed it away.
S. Richards: Well Talos, those frat boys over there seem to be having a lot more fun than me ::letting out a small giggle:: I am going to need a few more beers to get anywhere close to ::gesturing to the group of guys:: that level of fun.
Talos shrugged and took a sip of his beer before responding.
It had been a while since Talos had gone out like this, with no real goal in mind. Maybe it was the stress of the past few weeks, or maybe it was the unceremonious end to his pining for Robin Hopper at the hands of Nathan. Either way, he felt compelled to make cheering up the gorgeous red-head his personal mission for the evening.
Dakora: Oh. ::He grinned.:: I’m sure we can make that happen.
Sam wasn’t sure what his ploy was, but she was eager to figure it out. She picked up her beer and gave him an amused look before taking a sip.
S. Richards: Well you are more than welcome to stay here and drink with me ::turning on the stool to face Talos:: I’m just unsure of why someone like you ::looking him up and down:: would want to be seen with someone ::holding her arms out to her sides:: like me.
She bit at her bottom lip and locked eyes with Talos. Her heart fluttered for a moment as she stared into his dark eyes, wondering if she was out of her mind for thinking he may actually want to be around her. Many of the recent events had shaken her confidence, leaving her feeling unsure of not only herself but everyone.
His brow furrowed involuntarily just a little and he shook his head.
Dakora: I learned a long time ago to stop worrying about what other people think of me. ::He let his gaze settle on her.:: Besides, I could do a whole lot worse than being seen with someone as interesting as you. Even with those sad eyes.
Talos knew he was probably coming on a little strong, but he’d be lying if he said he didn’t feel the beginnings of that little intangible spark between them. There was no telling if it would go anywhere, but it seemed to be off to a decent start.
Sam was surprised at his advance, she had been flirted with before, but the way his words got to her and made her catch her breath was a completely new feeling. Unsure of how to proceed, she attempted to play it cool.
S.Richards: I guess it was luck on both our parts to pick this shady little place. ::chugging down more beer:: It’s funny, I actually chose this place to make sure I wouldn’t run into anyone I knew, more specifically my brother, Nathan.
As the final word left her– particularly soft-looking– lips, Talos recoiled, visibly. Even as he asked the question, he already knew the answer.
Dakora: Wait. Hold on. Nathan who? ::His eyes went just a little wide and there was a tinge of nervousness where confidence used to be in his voice.:: Not Nathan Richards…
His response was unexpected and utterly disheartening. How was it possible that without even being present Nathan was going to ruin the possibility of— whatever this was.
S.Richards: ::Shaking her head and sighing:: Yeah… The one and only Nathan Richards. ::begrudgingly:: That big idiot is my brother.
Talos blinked, his mind spinning as the realization hit him like a warp core breach. The woman he had been chatting up—the same woman he was starting to feel a little bit of a spark with—was Nathan Richards' sister. The same Nathan Richards who had kept him alive on F-Day, the guy he’d reluctantly come to call a friend, the guy who was dating Robin Hopper.
She watched an array of emotions flash across his face, each second that passed felt longer than the one before, making her feel uneasy.
Talos blinked, running a hand through his hair, his grin faltering. The odds were staggering, and the situation was quickly spinning out of his control.
Dakora: Well, uh… ::He laughed awkwardly.:: That’s… That’s interesting.
S.Richards: Interesting? ::she tipped back her beer and hastily drank down the rest of it:: I’m probably going to regret asking, but how do you know him?
A silence settled between the two before Sam turned back to the bar and held up her empty bottle up towards the barman. He thankfully got the hint and slid another one towards her. She turned to Talos again and gave him a pouty look.
He paused momentarily, grasping for the right words to explain the odd entanglement.
Dakora: Your brother– Nathan and I were in the thick of it together on Frontier Day. I… uh, I’m not sure either of us would’ve made it through without the other. ::He grimaced, just a little.:: I have a lot of respect for the guy.
S.Richards: I’m glad you kept each other safe ::reaching over and placing her hand on his knee: please don’t let the respect you have for Nathan get in the way of what could be a fun night. ::gesturing between herself and Talos:: This doesn’t concern him.
It was obvious to Sam at this point the alcohol was encouraging her to speak. Her current situations were tucked away to deal with another time and this gorgeous hunk of a man sitting in front of her had the potential to turn her day around. The less there was a possibility of anything happening between them— whatever that may be, only made her want it more.
Talos felt a wave of heat wash over him. Sam’s hand on his knee, her words—direct and unguarded—made his pulse quicken. The logical part of his mind urged him to pull the rip-cord and head home, but something about her... about tonight… kept him right where he was. Still, a twinge of hesitation flickered across his features.
Dakora: I’m not sure–
The hesitation in his voice was still evident, only fueling her desire more. Sam stood up from the stool and looked down at Talos with a smirk.
S. Richards: Listen Talos, I’ve had a long day. It’s clear you’ve also had a long day. ::gently placing her hand on his cheek:: let’s have some fun.
After the words left her mouth she realized the possible implications, but didn’t feel the need to correct herself.
The invitation hung there, clear, bold, and perhaps just a little dangerous. Sam didn’t back down, holding his gaze, and with the warmth radiating from her hand on his cheek, Talos’ mind suddenly forgot all of these reasons he’d wanted to resist.
Dakora: Ok. ::He kept his voice low:: What did you have in mind?
S. Richards: Let’s dance, or show those annoying girls some real karaoke, hell we don’t even have to stay here. ::finally letting her hand fall away from his face but letting it come to rest on his chest:: It’s up to you. Either you can let your respect for Nathan stop you and we can simply part ways, or we can both set aside those nagging thoughts and enjoy ourselves.
TBC In Part 2
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LtCmdr. Talos Dakora
First Officer
USS Artemis-A
O238811CD0
&
Samantha Richards
Civilian Science Liaison
Amity Outpost
A240103SR3