Ensign S'jenes - Vulcan Brandy Therapy
James hassell
S'Jenes: My apologies, I was merely curious on what brought us all here. This brandy seems strong, would you like to try some, McCray?
Kincaid: Careful now. Stuff’s strong. Not tha strongest mindya, but it’ll still have ya windin’ up in tha brig or sickbay if’n yer not careful. Don’t worry none though, I’ll cut ya off long before that if I see ya gettin’ wobbly. Just don’t have any Firewater.
T'Seva: I know all about your firewater.
McCray: First lesson I learned about drinkin’ was never to mix alcohols, but it’s been forever since I’ve had Vulcan Brandy. Elias, could I have a small glass, please? I learned my lesson on drinkin’. I don’t plan on goin’ too hard.
S’Jenes: A wise restriction. Vulcan brandy is remarkably efficient at dismantling one’s inhibitions... though in your case, McCray, it might simply make you more polite, which seems mathematically impossible.
Kincaid: Mah own special moonshine. Brew it mahself, though in limited quantities. Most of tha time I serve tha replicated recipe for folks.
T'Seva: But apparently it is a grand Earth tradition to have a still on a ship making shine.
S'Jenes swirled his own drink, watching the light catch the amber liquid. The idea of a clandestine distillery tucked away in a high-tech starship was a chaotic human element he had grown to find quite charming.
McCray: The town I grew up near was supposed to have the biggest moonshine still in Texas at one point, or so the story goes. Was supposed to be somethin’ like a hundred gallons.
S’Jenes: One hundred gallons? That sounds less like a "tradition" and more like a tactical fuel reserve.
Elias took a sip of his whiskey and looked at the two Ensigns. S'Jenes leaned back, shifting his focus to the veteran barkeep. He enjoyed the way Kincaid mentored the younger crew; it was a form of education that didn't involve PADDs or meditation mats.
Kincaid: Alright, now a question fer ya both since one of ya is right out of tha Academy and one’s been here fer a little bit. What’re ya lookin’ forward to tha most here for yerselves? Any goals or projects yer eager ta see through?
McCray: I love to learn, an’ the adventure enticin’ too. Plus there’s the family legacy. I mean, I feel closer to my folks out here in the stars.
S’Jenes: There is a certain poetic symmetry in searching for one's future in the same place your ancestors sought theirs. I believe the humans call it "full circle," though the geometry of space is rarely that tidy.
T'Seva sipped her brandy and listened. S'Jenes noticed her quiet intensity; she was a department head who clearly viewed her staff as more than just names on a duty roster.
Kincaid: Response
McCray: I’d like to know what actually happened to my folks. I’ve never been able to look at the records of their last mission. I think my grandparents were tryin’ to protect me.
S'Jenes: Protection is often just another word for a lack of data. If you require assistance navigating the more... labyrinthine sections of the archives, I find that a certain lack of "traditional" Vulcan patience can be quite effective at bypassing red tape.
T'Seva: Always tell your department head what you want. We can't always make it happen, but we do want you to thrive.
S'Jenes gave T'Seva a small, appreciative nod. He liked her style—direct, supportive, and devoid of the usual bureaucratic fluff.
Kincaid: Response
McCray: I’ll remember that, ma’am. I know there’s plenty of things I don’t know about an’ communication is really important.
S'Jenes: Indeed. Clear communication is the difference between a successful mission and... well, ending up as a cautionary tale in an Academy textbook. I prefer to stay out of the textbooks, personally.
S’Jenes shifted on his stool, leaning an elbow against the bar as he watched the condensation trail down the side of his glass. The low, comfortable hum of the Saloon was a welcome change from the constant pings and hums of the bridge. He looked over at the young Ensign, his expression softening just enough to seem approachable rather than just stone-faced.
S’Jenes: It’s interesting, McCray. On Vulcan, we’re taught to look at the past as a settled matter.. logic dictates you focus on the road ahead. But I’ve noticed humans have a real talent for chasing ghosts.
He took a small sip of his brandy, letting the heat of it settle before continuing.
S’Jenes: I wouldn’t be too hard on your grandparents, though. Usually, when people hide records, it’s not because they’re trying to be villains. They’re just trying to keep the weight of the truth from crushing someone before they’re ready to carry it. If you’re going to go digging, just make sure you’ve got a good support system. Or at least a very large pot of tea.
McCray: ?
S'Jenes turned his attention toward Kincaid. He’d always appreciated the way the man ran the Saloon; there was a specific kind of order here that didn't require a manual to understand. He watched the barkeep work for a moment, wondering how much "therapy" happened over this counter.
S’Jenes: What about you, Elias? You’ve seen plenty of officers come and go. Do they usually find the answers they're looking for out here in the black, or do they just end up with a longer list of questions?
Kincaid: ?
T'Seva: ?
S’Jenes caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror behind the bottles. He looked like a Vulcan, certainly, but one who had spent entirely too much time around people who valued a good story over a perfect equation. He didn't mind it. It was a nice change of pace to be somewhere where he didn't have to be the smartest person in the room... just a person in the room.
S’Jenes: I’ve found that the Constitution has a funny way of giving you exactly what you need, even if it’s the last thing you actually asked for. The universe has a weird sense of humor like that.
He offered a small, genuine ghost of a smirk to the group, the kind that showed he was actually enjoying the company.
S’Jenes: I think that’s why we keep exploring. We’re all just waiting to see what the next surprise is.
McCray/T'Seva/Kincaid: ?