The Oasis

Posted on Sun Jan 16, 2022 @ 5:29am by Lieutenant Commander Elli-Navine & Captain Toron Pax

Mission: S1 M6 Shore Leave - Obsidian Command
Location: Obsidian command, Promenade, The Obsidian Oasis
Timeline: TBR#008 (Mid Session) -- MD03 1115HRS
Tags: TBR#008

The Obsidian Oasis had been a regular spot on the Promenade going back to the construction of the station. But it had been abandoned during the void event and was now bearing a banner that read “Grand reopening” and “Under new management”. The bar was polished, refinished and clean, the stools recently replaced. The walls were coated in fresh adobe-like surfacing to look like the walls of the Kalaran buildings and there were decorations of Chuchaki hair rugs and lighting that was concealed within terracotta forms as though they were oil lamps. Palm leaves were printed into some surfaces and real potted trees graced the decor here and there between the tables arranged in the open floor of the room. What served for a stage was empty and it was fairly quiet with only a couple other patrons spread through the room.

Elli usually preferred to dress down when going out, so she was a little self conscious about ordering a drink while still in uniform. She just asked for a draft of light ale.

“Are you sure you don’t want to try our specials?” The human bartender asked as he turned on a small digital menu display. “We have a sampler list imported from Kalara.”

“Like what?”

“Halavni Wine made from the Mignar fruit, Dorga Milk which is something like a rum, and ‘Khartta Lighle’ which I’m told roughly translates to drinking lava.”

“Sounds… unpleasant.” She looked to the captain to see what he intended to have.

“Saurian Brandy” he said “on the rocks, two fingers” he said taking a stall at the bar. He was a big man with a very distinct hair style. Couple that with the different uniform from those on the station he stood out.

The barkeep poured the Captain’s Brandy while he watched the Grazerite think. It seemed to him she was busy making up her mind still.

“Just a half glass of the Halavani wine. I mean. While I’m in the neighborhood I should try the local flavors, right?”

“I certainly think so.” He poured the half glass. It was very pale colored and even from the bottle, Elli could smell something like lilies. She leaned in on the bar as the glass was set out for her.

“They grow the mignar vines under force field cover now, outside of the city, solar powered, of course,” He explained.

“Of course…” Elli echoed though she knew next to nothing about it actually. She brought her glass up to sample the wine, kissing the first taste from the edge of it and smacking her lips thoughtfully. “It’s the perfect balance between agriculture and engineering.” She gave a nod of approval and the barkeep chuckled.

“Not typical connoisseur speak. Have you just put in to port?”

“Just now! First thing the captain ordered was a drink.” Elli and the barkeep shared a laugh at his expense.

Throwing his rag over his shoulder, he leaned both arms on the bar. “Thanks for coming in. It’s a little quiet, but things should pick up after beta shift rotates out. Do you like Andorian Ice Rock?”

Elli looked uncertain. “I don’t know.” She said, honestly. “I like music but I’ve never been much for knowing the artists or anything.”

“You should stay a while, give it a listen when they come in to practice the set.”

“Maybe we will!” Elli said brightly if noncommittally.

The bartender saw the way the big Trill relaxed into the bar stool and gave an understanding nod. moving away to give his patrons their space.

Elli took out a pad and started writing some notes.

“I hope that’s not work you’re doing there” he exclaimed “We are meant to be on holiday after all” He took a sip of his drink. It was a very good year, he could tell that it was the real stuff and not replicated.

“Oh don’t worry, this isn’t for work.” She reassured the captain as she took another sip of wine. “It’s a list of friends and family I’m going to call up. Starting with my folks, of course. Do you have people to catch up with?”

Pax shook his head “Not really. Family wasn’t really a priority. Maybe a few friends but I tend to speak to them weekly anyway” he considered the question some more, he wasn’t really much of a socialite and the few friends who had survived the Klingon conflict, the Dominion War and then the Borg invasion were Captains of their own ships; and the life of a starfleet captain was often a lonely one.

“Huh.” Elli paused as she updated her contacts with OC’s lookups. “My Uncle Lex is here. As in stationed here! I thought he said he was retiring. I’m gonna have to drop in on him.”

“What does Lex do? Seems like you have a close relationship with your family!”

Elli nodded.”I have a really big extended family. It’s kind of fun.” She generally liked her family when she got to spend any time with them. “Uncle Lex is a Non-Com, Flight Controller. He and my dad are twins. Runs in our family. Twinning, I mean, not Starfleet as much. Not that twins are that uncommon on Grazer.”

“A surprising number of my people do not keep in contact like that. At least as a joined Trill. I have so many life times of memories, so many personalities just at the edge of my own thoughts. It is a strange concept for me to have an extended family.” He frowned and shrugged his shoulders, at a loss of what to say next.

Elli gave the Captain’s hand a sympathetic pat. “You’ve got us.”

Toron smiled, “Thank you Elli” he said. He didn’t normally use the given names of her officers, but Elli was like a daughter to him. Something he dreaded when it came to put her life in danger. Something which every CO does, the many outweigh the one or the few. He also hated that he had to do it.

Smiling, Elli set back to sip the rest of her wine and forget about prophesies of saving the universe, at least for the time being.

 

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