Snip snip

For once standing a little to the side instead of mingling, Viyara watched and listened as one by one members of her new crew got promoted. From what she heard, she could tell that they all deserved it. And so she applauded for each of them in term, even though she didn’t really know any of them yet. At the same time the normally so energetic and carefree scientist found herself unexpectedly introspective. In all her years in Starfleet the only promotion she had ever received was the one from Cadet to Ensign. Not that she thought she should have deserved a promotion by now. If it was possible, it would have been more likely for her to get demoted. She had always thought, or at least told herself and everyone else, that she didn’t care about promotions. Yet all of a sudden she felt a twinge of sadness, maybe even a little jealousy. This ship or her crew really were messing with her head! Pushing all those thoughts and feelings to the deepest corner of her mind, Viyara headed over to the bar. Leaning against it, her most charming smile in place, she asked, “Can I have a glass of the strongest drink you have?”

~Ensign Nazeen, Scientist

The bar tender looked concerned. He knew that Marishka had many concoctions behind the bar that she preferred to dish out herself and had expressly requested that he had not.

“Would you like me to pour you something now or would you like to wait a minute and have me call the boss? She has all the dark secrets including the proper liability release forms you’ll need to sign.” he said finally meeting Viyara’s eyes.

• Ted

Her lips slightly pursed and her head tilted a little to the right, Viyara pondered for a short moment and then said, “I’ll wait.” She really wanted a drink, but also felt like something strong. More than your usual drinks. And from the sound of it, she might be able to actually get something like that if she waited. So waiting it was. Not to mention that there was something cute about the barkeepers uneasiness. Leaning even closer towards him, she asked, “What’s your name?”

~Ensign Nazeen, Scientist

“My name’s ted and yes, your wait will definitely be worth it.” he said setting a glass of water and bowl of snacks out for Viyara and hit the silent call button under the bar to call his boss. It had only been the third time he had had to do so since Marishka had come to the Athena, “So allow me to get some formalities started early. Do you have any allergies or medical conditions we should know about here? Trust me, it’ll be important for later.

• Ted

“Nice to meet you, Ted,” Viyara replied with a smile and a wink.”Of course,” she chuckled. This was the first time she’d been asked anything like that when ordering. Either because the bar didn’t serve anything really potent or because the barkeep didn’t care about the effects the drinks might have on the patrons. “I have no allergies and no medical conditions that will be influenced by anything I’ll drink.” Leaning forward conspiratorially, she added, “This isn’t the first time I’m having something you don’t find on the menu.”

One of Marishka’s many bangles had emitted a soft chime which called her to the bar where Ted and Viyara were.

Ted refilled her glas of Champagne automatically and stepped aside.

“This is Eroméni Marishka, keeper of our secret menu.” he said by way of introduction, “And this young lady, Viyara, is looking to be brave tonight. I shall leave you to it.”.
With that, Ted busied himself a little further down the bar.

Marishka looked at the young woman for several seconds, “So what are you in the mood to enhance, or forget?”.

• Marishka