LtCmdr. Talos Dakora - Changes in Lattitudes
Travis
((1700 Somewhere Beach Bar - Risa))
Talos was enjoying his time with the Artemis’ Helm Officer– possibly a little too much– as he’d already let slip several pieces of privileged information about his personal life. He was sure the strong Bajoran whiskey they’d been shooting had something to do with it as well.
Dakora: Let’s turn this thing back around. ::He settled his dark eyes on her.:: It doesn’t take a seasoned Intelligence Officer or a powerful telepath to tell that you’re working through relationship issues of your own, but… you know, I’m both of those things.
She rolled her eyes before being momentarily distracted by a Ferengi handing out some kind of advertisement PADDs. After the brief interruption, Talos gave her his full attention– in between sips of fruity alcohol– as she dove into the story.
Lyara: Well, if you have to know, I recently got out of a… ::She tried to find the best word:: Relationship. And we agreed to be friends still, as she’s my best friend, but it is so awkward now.
He scrunched up his face a little at the revelation. Friendships-turned-romances rarely ever returned to friendships once the romance was gone.
Dakora: Oooh. Sounds… complicated. Do you think you’re going to be able to make that work?
The fiery Bajoran seemed a bit deflated as she slumped over on the bar, she seemed to scoff at something on the PADD before replying.
Lyara: Of course we’re gonna stay friends, it’s just… it’s hard as I’m sure you can understand. And…
Alroyo trailed off, and Talos patted her on the back reassuringly a couple of times. He’d spent the better part of a year hung up on Robin Hopper– who had slammed the door shut by claiming she wasn’t looking for anything serious– only to meet up with her again a year later and find out she’d found love shortly after that conversation.
It wasn’t exactly the same, but it had left him feeling similarly confused and frustrated.
Dakora: Trust me, I understand. ::His smirk returned.:: I know how this stuff goes.
Once again the PADD had drawn his red-headed companion’s attention and he leaned over to see what was so interesting. It was a sort of brochure advertising boat rentals. The blurb next to the convincingly vintage-looking fishing boat promised to let one leave their troubles on the shore and set sail for adventure.
Alroyo looked up to him with a conspiratorial smirk.
Lyara: Why don’t we do the Old Earth tradition of fishin’ while “Shootin’ the Shit” as the old holonovels would say. We can talk on the way too like we’re old men.
She didn’t wait for his response, instead she grabbed the whole bottle of whiskey she’d requested earlier and a pair of glasses and pushed back from the bar.
With nothing better to do, Talos just shrugged and fell in behind her as she made her way toward the little, idyllic dock.
Dakora: I’ve got nothing better to do. ::He laughed.:: So this girl– why don’t you take it from the top?
He followed along dutifully, noting that he was only swaying ever-so-slightly from the effects of the drinks as they approached the boat rental kiosk. They were checking out fishing gear and heading for a berth with the auth codes for one of the boats in a shockingly short amount of time. That’s when the Bajoran launched into her tale.
Lyara: So it all started around, two years ago give or take. I took my best friend Lee to my parents farm for a vacation…
((RSS Hemisphere Dancer, On the Water, Risa))
What followed was a dramatic retelling of events set against the backdrop of Talos piloting the modest little fishing boat out onto the bay. Fortunately, the Bajoran seemed to know how to fish– or at least could fake it well enough to convince Talos– who, despite all of his Starfleet experience had never quite had to learn the skill.
With their bait in the water, the pair continued the conversation they’d started on dry land.
Lyara: And so we spent the night in the shuttle, which as I mentioned, we did not steal. But anyways, we wake up so excited to start our new relationship right? But, she gets cold feet, because starting a relationship as two Ensigns on separate ships is one of the most daunting things ever. And she’s my best friend so of course I’m gonna wanna prioritize her personal comfort! So after nine hours we broke off our official relationship and two years of… whatever we had going on.
Somewhere along the way, they’d forgone the glasses and resorted to just passing the bottle back and forth. Talos took a long swig of the Bajoran fire water, closing his eyes and shaking his head against the burn, before handing the bottle off to Alroyo.
He was fairly certain that that sip had put him on a notch past buzzed and firmly into schnockered territory.
Dakora: That’s rough. I’m sorry. ::He jabbed a finger into the air.:: But you know what? ::He slurred, slightly louder.:: You know what!? Her loss! Maybe someday she’ll pull her head out of her butt and realize what she’s missing.
A sigh from Alroyo’s side of the boat seemed to suggest his words weren’t much comfort.
Lyara: Sorry Talos, I didn’t mean to talk that much. I just hadn’t talked about it until now.
He shook his head, noting that the world kept moving a little, even after he stopped shaking his head.
That didn’t stop him from accepting the bottle when she handed it back.
Dakora: No worries. I’ve been there. –Well, not exactly there– but, I know what you mean. If talking about it helps, then talk away! It’s not like the fish are biting.
Not that Talos knew what exactly he’d do with a fish if he caught it. Throw it back? He could replicate whatever fish he wanted without having to go through the trouble of gutting and cleaning it.
The twin suns of Risa were on the way down and they filled the sky with a brilliant pinkish-orange color that was reflected in the surface of the bay's warm waters.
Lyara: Response
He performed the ritual of sipping the whiskey, grimacing, and passing it to Lyara before replying.
Dakora: Me? I spent the better part of my adult life running from anything that looked like commitment. ::He laughed, drunkenly.:: If this was even a few years ago, I’d be heading for some trashy nightclub to find some interesting lady or handsome idiot to be my latest bad decision, instead of fishing with a crewmate right now.
He chuckled
Dakora: I guess that’s growth.
Once again, the damn truth serum had him oversharing again. That stuff was dangerous.
Lyara: Response
He leaned over the gunnel of the boat –a dangerous proposition given his current inhibited coordination– and touched the water with his hand. It was warm. Just about the perfect temperature for a swim. Risa never disappointed.
Dakora: The water feels amazing. ::He shook his fishing pole demonstratively:: No wonder no fish want to leave it.
Lyara: Response
TBC
LtCmdr. Talos Dakora
USS Artemis-A
O238811CD0