LtCmdr. Talos Dakora - Some People Claim That There's A Woman To Blame
Travis
((1700 Somewhere Beach Bar, Risa))
Talos Dakora sat at one of the dozens of kitschy little bars that studded the beachfront of this section of Risa. Each of them seemed to riff on a different theme but most of the references were lost on Talos. This particular straw-roofed bar seemed to be referencing the music of some long-forgotten Earth singer and the bartenders and waitstaff all wore flamboyant straw hats adorned with colorful feathers.
As he took a sip from his beer– dressed with salt and lime, of course– he heard yet another island-themed song starting up on the little bar’s speakers.
To be fair, Talos looked the part. He'd spent the past several days surfing like it was his full-time job. His skin was already starting to tan, his messy wind-swept hair had that difficult-to-fake salt-kissed sheen and his typical Hawaiian shirts seemed particularly at home. Maybe later he'd try to get in on one of those volleyball games that seemed to always be in progress on the South Shore.
A flash of red hair in his peripheral vision managed to catch his attention.
Lyara: Ahoy there Commander, enjoyin’ your time on Risa?
He rotated part of the way toward her on his stool and greeted the Bajoran with a warm smile. The board leaned against a rock nearby, and the wetsuit tied around her waist seemed to indicate that she too had been taking advantage of Risa’s waves.
She looked good, but his increasingly complex relationship with Samantha would keep him from continuing his streak of making ill-advised passes on attractive redheads on Risa.
Dakora: I'm really not sure if they're gonna be able to get me to leave… :: He chuckled.:: How about you? You been here before?
She poured over the drink menu as she replied.
Lyara: Nope, this is my first time visiting. But I will say, the whole “What’s ours is yours” thing is a little different than Bajor.
Again, he laughed. During his last trip he'd certainly tested the extent of that attitude and had not been left wanting.
Dakora: Yeah, I can see there being a bit of culture shock. ::He shot her a wry grin.:: You'll get used to it.
Lyara: So Commander, can I claim that drink you owe me?
She slid the menu of creatively named drinks over to him and he nodded enthusiastically.
She'd fought her way across that Klingon Bird of Prey to help him out. If that wasn't drink worthy, Talos didn't know what was.
Dakora: Absolutely.
She seemed pleased by this and quickly waved over the bartender in the parrot hat.
A tap of her finger on the menu emphasized her selection.
Lyara: I’ll have the Daughter of a Son of a Sailor. ::She looked to Dakora:: You?
Talos leaned closer, scrutinizing the menu one final time.
Dakora: Uhh… I'll do the Latitude Changer. ::He held up two fingers:: and two doubles of your best Bajoran Whiskey.
He cast a sidelong glance in Alroyo's direction and shrugged.
Dakora: It was your idea…
The bartender stepped away to work on their drinks and a subtle shift in the emotions bouncing off of his empathic senses gave him the impression that the Ensign was up to something, just as she began to speak.
Lyara: Soooo, I bumped into Sam Richards last shore leave. Did ya’ get a chance to meet her?
The knowing smile that appeared on her face seemed to suggest she already knew the answer to that, but he played the game.
Dakora: I did. Yes. ::He tossed back the last of the beer he'd been nursing and set it back on the bar.:: She's a nice girl, though I actually met her back around Frontier Day. How do you two know each other?
Lyara: Response
He turned his body toward her on his stool, resting an elbow on the bar casually. He wasn't really trying to hide his relationship at this point, and he knew that before long the truth about their impending arrivals would break.
Dakora: I see. I uh… I don't suppose she mentioned me? ::His smirk returned.:: We're, sort of involved.
That was why he'd spent almost all of his time on the beach and not in the insane night clubs full of beautiful people that Risa was also known for.
Lyara: Response
The bartender returned, first dropping off the two flamboyantly appointed mixed drinks, his with a miniature parasol and some kind of tropical flower for a garnish– then followed with the double shots of whiskey, which she set on the bartop with a clink.
Dakora: What about you? You have someone waiting for you at home? Or are you one of those married-to-her-job types?
Lyara: Response
Talos laughed and shook his head as he slid one of the shots over to her and staged his in front of himself.
Dakora: I’ll drink to that. ::He raised his shot glass.:: In good faith!
Lyara: Response
TAG/TBC
LtCmdr. Talos Dakora
Intel Officer
USS Artemis-A
O238811CD0