New Connections

Posted on 13 Feb 2015 @ 12:01am by Clarence Pearl & Lieutenant JG Grayson Jones
Edited on on 13 Feb 2015 @ 6:01pm

1,859 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo: Callisto Bar, Deck 7
Timeline: MD 43 - 2000

ON:

The bar wasn't busy, but still buzzing buzzing. It was understandable, people were coming back to the ship, getting settled in, some calm drinks and a natter helped that. It was the last day of freedom for most. Especially with the inspection coming up in the 'morrow. But truth be told, Clarence didn't let himself stress with it. He had the bar sorted out well enough, his own stocks of alcohol already lined up in their pretty bottles with funky labels. In fact, he welcomed the inspection. Or anything.

Clarence hummed to himself as he mixed the cocktail, clad in a tee shirt with an open shirt over and jeans. Comfortable more than anything else, yet it looked serviceably retro for him to get away with it. He might even dress up properly for the inspection. Something...quite the dandy. His own problem was always that he could dress up, look smart and the part...but a mirror would tell him it was pretend, a game. Not that he didn't like games, but there were limits to his self-delusion nowadays. So it tended to be normal clothes, hair brushed and only the faintest trace of product. Always clean shaven though. Always.

Clarence poured the drink from the shaker into the filled glass and placed it in front of the woman before pulling back, surveying the people to spot the next one gasping for a drink.

Getting back to the ship felt like coming home for Grayson, after having spent most of his time on the starbase, the familiarity of the ship was the warmth and security he had missed and needed. After having dropped off this things, Grayson headed to his usual spot, the bar. This time though, for sociable drinks and catching up with friends rather than drowning sorrows and masking pain.

As usual, he was in his best casual attire. Dark, figure hugging jeans and a black polo shirt that clung to his muscles in just the right places. His confidence and swagger was returning. Strutting up to the bar, he thought he saw his usual barman friend, a mildly attractive, fun to flirt with, unavailable human from Earth. " Hey handsome, long time no see! How have you been? Oh and the usual please." It was at that moment his heart shot into his mouth, it was Clarence. The long admired, never talked to man that Grayson found himself crushing over slightly. The one he always wanted to talk to, but would never figure out how. Instantly he started searching his brain for voice commands that would allow the floor to open up and swallow him.

Clarence smiled at the other man, chuckling gently. The shock was...quite fun to watch. "I'm alright, thanks...and yourself?" he asked, moving to wipe down the bar. He had noticed Grayson on the starbase, but had noticed the man never went to him for drinks. He had thought it strange but...well, some people were strange. And also, maybe he wasn't the type to go and order drinks from geek barmen. But the shock and the blush, it seemed...not the 'urgh, what have I done' shocked but a genuine one. "You have to tell me what your usual is, I don't think I've ever had you order a drink from me. But I've seen you around..." he smiled, tilting his head with a chuckle. "In a non-stalker way. You just...stand out a bit. Not in a bad way, just...a face to remember, y'know?" he finally stopped talking, with another chuckle. Okay, so he was babbling. That was fine too, Clarence had given up stressing about his own flaws.

"Oh sorry, I thought you were... not that you aren't handsome, I just-you know," Grayson composed himself, took a breath and pressed his internal reset button, "I'm good thanks." He tried not to let himself blush. "I usually have some cocktail, but I think I am just switching to vodka with lemonade," Grayson smiled. "Yeah, mixing me, drink and cute bartenders never go well, I end up making a bit of a fool of myself. Like I have just now, but without the alcohol. I get a little shy and nervous around people at first, but then it quickly goes away."

Clarence watched him before nodding, clearly taking in the man before him and all he was saying. He seemed so young. But then again, Clarence felt like he was trapped between acting like a child and then an old man. "Ooookay..." he said, chuckling. "That's a lot of information in one go. Let me get you vodka and lemonade then," he moved over to the vodkas, watching them. "Want to try a flavoured one? We have some great flavours that work with lemonade. Cactus is one of my favorites, makes it a bit extra refreshing."

"Sorry, I rabble when I get nervous," Grayson admitted, "and fire me up anything you like. Always up for trying something new." The sheepish look and demeanour began to slowly fade.

Clarence got the Cactus vodka and poured it in a glass with ice before adding lemonade, a slice of lemon and a little crystalised mint leaf. Only then did he carry it over, straw and all. "Don't be nervous, I ramble when I am just talking..." he said and smiled, chuckling. "No idea how I am when I get nervous, I think I just sort of phase my brain out and then the mouth goes off and I wait and see what happens. My last charm offence was just offensive so..." he winked, pulling back.

"Well, am very rarely offended, you could try the charm offence on me if you want," Grayson said, taking a sip of his refreshing drink. The feelings of his old, confident self starting to return to the forefront of his personality.

"Nah, I'll save you that," Clarence winked, moving to get himself a water, drinking it down with need. "Besides, we have some real hunters here now who...I would watch carefully, unless you want your heart broken."

"Hunters?" Grayson asked inquisitively, his head tilting to the side like a curious canine at the mention of a treat. "I've had my heart broken enough. Would like someone who wants to take care of it, not break it." He wanted to ask more, almost an 'and you' type of question, but held back for now.

"Fingers crossed someone will pass through this bar and not break it then...or be a great puzzle person and can piece it together..." Clarence said with a sound that sounded like a breathless giggle. He shook his head after a moment before raising his hands, to claws. "Not some big bad wolf people but nice cuddly bear-like ones, huh? And no serial killers, assassins or generally bad things. Nice people. This ship seems to have mucho mucho nice people."

Grayson laughed and gave a slight sigh, "I must say, your adorable. I've not smiled this much in a long time. Cute too, did I mention that?" The chat was making him feel like his old self again. If only Clarence knew Grayson was thinking he was his puzzle person.

Clarence laughed warmly, meeting his eyes as he gestured at himself. "Me? Little me? Cute and adorable? Well, I suppose there's worse things to be called..." he teased, his eyes gentle and sparkling as he leant closer.

"You have, have you?" Grayson was in his element now, feeling the own sparkle in his eyes igniting again. "Let me guess...handsome? Charming?" He leant in a little closer himself, "Hot?"

Clarence watched him with a smile before shaking his head. "Now, now...should know better than to hit on bartenders. We're really bad...everything. And besides, I am a bit..." he grimaced and shook his head, chuckling nervously. "Strange."

"We all are a little strange sometimes, myself included," Grayson moved back onto his seat a little, more relaxed. "You can't be a bartender all day everyday. If I can't hit on you now, maybe I should try then."

"I'm not...sure I am your type," he said and gestured to Grayson. "I mean, you're...handsome. Becoming youth. A bit of a confidence boost that isn't Dutch courage, and you'd be able to snap up anyone you want. Me? I'm like a cheese. Well..." he thought, frowning. "Maybe not cheese, many people like cheese. Marmite! I am like Marmite...no, doesn't work either. Okay, I am like..." he rubbed the back of his neck. "Caviar. I look inoffensive, you're curious and try, but truth is not everyone can handle salty fisheggs."

"Shouldn't I be the one to decide my type?" Grayson began, "And let me level with you on a few things," he went to instinctively reach out for a hand that would not be there, "the past few days have been horrible on a personal level, I mean...really horrible. Your the first person to help me crack a smile since then and that goes down big in my book. Second, the reason I have never came over to talk or order a drink from you? I've been too shy in all honesty. I thought you'd never be interested. I've learned now, not to be afraid, not to let things slip by me and to go for things. To me, even thought I may have only seen for a far up till now, are funny and charming. Add in the fact you've made me smile and are gorgeous to boot? How could I resist?"

Clarence watched him, his eyes softening at the words. He reached to touch his hand, squeezing it. "I'm sorry you've had a shitty time," he admitted, quietly. "Come here more often. I'll make you smile more...but...me? I'm not..." he sighed softly, watching him. "I'm not...that kind of guy. Not that I wouldn't or couldn't because you're..." he chuckled again. "Wow, you're pretty hot. But...I'd...long term? I can't function with people like that..." the admission was awkward, it tapped into a side he didn't like to visit when working. "For my sanity. And maybe even others. But this? Bar? Talking? It's all good. And you can always count on my ears to listen and my mouth to try and make you smile."

"Long term isn't on the cards right away so you know. I try not to rush into anything. I like you, I'd like to take you out properly, see where things go." Grayson smiled, appreciating the warmth of the touch. "I'll always be coming back here now though."

"Okay..." Clarence sounded unsure, but willing to try. "I...we could try grabbing a bite together sometime, talk away from this place?" he suggested. Getting to know each other. That was the normal thing to do.

"That sounds like a good plan to me," Grayson flashed a smile.

Clarence chuckled softly, nodding as he held his eyes. "You know where to find me...Grayson," he said, betraying he had taken note of his name.

OFF:

Clarence Pearl
Mixologist
USS Galileo
[PNPC Markos]

Lieutenant JG Grayson Jones
Assistant Chief Engineer
USS Galileo

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