Posted by Staff Sergeant Philip Hewson-Williams (Marine/Medical Assistant) in Holodeck 2 - Free for all

Posted by Lieutenant Tyler Michael Wells (Chief Science Officer) in Holodeck 2 - Free for all

Posted by Staff Sergeant Philip Hewson-Williams (Marine/Medical Assistant) in Holodeck 2 - Free for all Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻 Tyler nodded. Phil was being subtle but he had been around enough men and heard enough stories to pick up on the little hints he had been dropping. But he didn’t press it any further, it was best for things to happen naturally and so he decided not to press the issue. : : : : : : : : : : “So you like music, and lively pubs,” Tyler said, taking a sip from his glass. “What else do you do when you’re not on duty?” : : : : : : : : : : -Tyler Michael Wells, science : : : : : : : : If Phil was honest he wasn’t sure. He had never given it any thought before. He played music and he worked. The two were mutually exclusive now, but not anymore. : : : : “Not much,” Phil replied, “This and that.” : : : : : : : : The band started coming out of the back room to the stage. Phil finished his drink swiftly. : : : : : : : : “Please excuse me, I have a set to perform. This is where I’m not great company on such simulations,” Phil apologised before heading to the stage himself. : : : : : : : : The 30 minute set was a fusion jazz set. consisting of a wide range of music. After the set, Phil put his instrument onto its stand on the stage and headed down to Tyler. : : : : : : : : It was clearly quite warm on the stage - Phil’s shirt was now quite wet. : : : : : : : : “So how do you think they sounded?” Phil asked. : : : : : : : : -Phil : : : : : : : : : : Tyler had finished his drink, and halfway finished another one. He quite enjoyed the music, this type of setting was one he hadn’t really allowed himself to be in lately. He admired those with musical talents, as it was not something he had much ability with. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : As Phil returned, Tyler nodded emphatically. “It was good.” He noticed the man’s dampness. “You look overheated, do you need another drink or something?” : : : : : : : : : : : : : : -Tyler Michael Wells, science : : : : : : : : : : : : “I wouldn’t say no,” Phil replied. The advantage of being in the VIP area of the club meant table service, so no-one would have to get up and fight through the packed venue to the bar. : : : : : : : : : : : : “I’m not playing in the 2nd set. Making them go it alone so that I can hear how they actually sound,” Phil added. : : : : : : : : : : : : -Phil : : : : : : : : : : Tyler waved over the waitress and ordered two more drinks. Then he turned back to Phil as she scurried off to fill their order. : : : : : : : : : : “It sounded good to me,” He said, giving a sly grin. “But then again I am not as much of a musical expert as you are good sir.” : : : : : : : : : : The waitress returned with the drinks and Tyler took them both from her tray, handing one to Phil. “Here you go.” : : : : : : : : : : -Tyler Michael Wells, science : : : : : : : : “You don’t play somewhere like this to entertain the experts,” Phil said, “And some of us just over-analyse music rather than just enjoy listening.” : : : : : : : : -Phil : : : : : : Tyler nodded. “Well I enjoyed it.” He said, taking a nice long sip of his drink. : : : : : : Leaning back in his chair, Tyler let out a sigh. He used to be such a social butterfly, and making conversation was never something that was difficult. But now, in the company of a handsome man, who seemed to be genuinely interested in him, he was finding it difficult to come up with things to say. He and Phil didn’t even know each other all that well, but there was something about the way he caught the other man glancing at him occasionally that led him to believe that maybe Phil wanted to see if they could be more than just friends. : : : : : “So, thanks for the offer to come and join you,” Tyler said, finally breaking the silence. “I’ve had a lot going on in my life lately…” He let his voice trail off, unsure of how much, if any, Phil knew about Tyler’s being framed for ship sabotage. He didn’t really even know the full extent of it himself, other than he had been cleared and the issue had been closed. : : : : Phil had only heard the shipboard rumours about the sabotage. Some were believable but others completely outragious. Phil didn’t put mutch stock in rumours. He knew that if Tyler had been involved he would have been in the brig for mutiny. : : : : : “It’s nice to have some company and to be able to relax a little,” Tyler said, giving Phil a sheepish grin. : : : : : : -Tyler Michael Wells, science : : : : “It certainly is,” Phil replied, “And there isn’t usually much chance aboard ship to do so. Most of the marines want to spend all their time in the gym, or getting completely trolleyed off beer of dubious quality.” : : Tyler chuckled, deep and genuine. The sentiment about the marines was very true. Having almost become a Marine himself, Tyler knew all too well the tendencies of the type. Although he himself did like to stay in shape, he wasn’t a total gym addict. : : : : Phil took a swig of his drink, “No one can deny that Synthahol isn’t as good as the real thing, but if you’re drinking the real deal, you gotta have decent stuff and enjoy it.” : : : : -Phil : : “I’ll drink to that,” Tyler said, raising his glass and giving Phil a smile. He took a drink. “I hope we can do this again sometime. Maybe next time I’ll show you one of my favorite programs.” He gave Phil a wink. : : -Tyler Michael Wells, science “Sounds like a good idea,” Phil said, “Until then, I do have a real bottle in my instrument case.” Phil indicated to the door to the side of the stage. “It’s in the green room,” he added by means of invitation to the area of the club that was off limits to the public. -Phil

“Sure,” Tyler said, downing what was left in his glass, and standing. “You sure your friend won’t be around again with some ladies for you to hit up?” He chuckled at the playful joke, then felt a twinge of pain in his head. He took a deep breath, exhaling quietly, doing his best to will the headache to not come on just when he was having a good time.

-Tyler Michael Wells, science

“I’m not 14 anymore,” Phil said leading the way. The room windowless room backstage could not have contrasted the club more. It was cool, the walls were white. Along one wall were mirrors for the artists to check their appearance. Overall it had the appearance of being a little run down. At one end of the room there were some old-fashioned water shower cubicles complete with plastic curtains. Despite looking like they had seen better days, they appeared to still be in use.

He went to a large instrument case. In it there were gaps for two instruments that were on stage. In the case remained a cornet and a piccolo trumpet. He opened a compartment in the lid and took out a bottle of amber liquid.

He looked around the room for a pair of glasses. Seeing none he got the computer to generate a couple and began pouring.

“Now this is the good stuff” he has handing a glass to Tyler and raising his own.

-Phil

Tyler grinned. He took a sip of the drink. “Mmmm, that’s some good drink.” He said, taking another sip and letting it set on his tongue a moment before swallowing. “What is this? Scotch?” He couldn’t quite place the taste.

-Tyler Michael Wells

“Lagavulin. Islay single malt aged at least 16 years,” Phil confirmed. The flavour was very thick and rich. A massive mouthful of malt and Sherry with good fruity sweetness leaving a long, spicy aftertaste with hints of figs, dates, peat smoke, vanilla. Phil swirled the glass and savoured the perfume of the drink for a moment. It was smokey and reminiscent of iodine, sweet spices, mature Sherry and creamy vanilla.

“It’s good,” Tyler said. “I don’t think I’ve ever had this before.” He took another sip.

Phil let a moment of silence hang between the pair for a moment. It was a silent as possible so close to the stage where the live music was being performed. The music permiately the walls which muffled it enough to make it indistinct with the bass sounds carrying more.

There was something about Tyler that Phil felt a connection with and liked but he still wasn’t sure what it was. Phil still didn’t know if Tyler was interested in men, let alone being more specifically interesteted in him. He had asked Calloway cos she worked with Tyler, but she evaded the question. There was only one way to find out for certain, and if it didn’t work… Would Tyler think that was all Phil was interested in? Would he still want to be friends? They were certainly getting along. He looked for some sort of sign in the man…

-Phil

Tyler’s headache was coming on strong and he unconsciously let out a sigh. Then realizing he must have sounded distressed, he waved his hand in front of him from side to side, as if to wave off Phil’s possible concern.

“Sorry,” the scientist said. “I get these headaches from time to time. It’s a side effect of an ongoing condition I suffer from…” He let his voice trail off. What a way to turn things all serious all of the sudden.

-Tyler Michael Wells, science

Headaches was something Phil had said after he had lost Steven and wasn’t ready to move on. He had also used the same excuse for turning women down without embarrasing them. Truth be told, he didn’t know for certain whether Tyler was telling the truth or using the headache as an excuse. Either way, it was clear Tyler wanted some space.

He topped up both his & Tyler’s glasses then perched on the edge of the dressing table.

“Headaches is something I can fix,” he said, “Trust me. I’m a doctor.”

-Phil

Tyler sighed. “Be my guest,” He said. Despite seeing several physicians and neuro-specialists, there was still no cure to the virus that was coursing through his brain, causing these headaches. Pain medication typically took the edge off but never really relieved the headaches completely.

He moved over to stand directly in front of Phil, in between the mans legs. “What kind of treatment would you suggest?” He asked curiously.

-Tyler Michael Wells, science