Posted by Lieutenant Séan Iven (Counselor) in Plaza Exchange- Shenanigans

Posted by Captain Jonathan McBride (CO, USS Centurion) in Plaza Exchange- Shenanigans

Posted by Lieutenant Séan Iven (Counselor) in Plaza Exchange- Shenanigans
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

The bartender smiled. “We’ve got a really nice dry rye beer that would go really well with both the burger and the wings.”

She turned to McBride. “Mayo with your fries too, right Captain?”
Jon grinned. “You’re not going to kick me out this time, are you, Dionne?”
“Tempted,” she said with wink and went to put in their food order and get their drinks.

He chuckled and looked back at Iven. “As you can guess, I’ve been here before. She raised a brow at my wanting mayo with my fries and said it was unnecessary. Now it’s a running joke. And yeah, I like this place. It’s fun and relaxed, and sometimes I need to be somewhere where it’s not obvious I’m Starfleet. I can even stash my combadge,” he said, patting his jacket pocket.

Captain McBride, Starfleet CO

Séan smiled warmly, amused by the camaraderie between Jon and the bartender, Dionne. “It sounds like you two have quite the rapport,” Séan remarked. “It’s always nice to have a place where you can relax and blend in without the Starfleet spotlight on you. The familiarity and the comfort of places like this can be quite valuable.”

McBride nodded. “Indeed. Especially when traditionally we’ve not always been the colonists’ favourite people. At least they can get to know us first before they judge us by our job.”

He observed the captain patting his pocket where he stashed his combadge. “Having the option to go incognito when needed can be liberating,” Séan continued. “Sometimes, a change of scenery is exactly what we need to unwind and recharge. Plus, it’s nice to have a spot where you can indulge in your favorite snacks, even if it means adding mayo to your fries.”

Counselor Iven

Jon chuckled. “I don’t know if Dionne truly object to the idea, but she does like to give me a hard time. I have to admit that though I’ve been here a few months, I don’t get out nearly as much as I’d like. But after I met Captain Dasca at a place here in the Plaza, the area has become a favourite. Full of the unexpected.”

Captain McBride, Starfleet CO

Séan nodded in understanding. “Well, it’s always good to have a local’s perspective on places. And I agree, there’s something intriguing about discovering the unexpected in new environments. It keeps things interesting, much like the twists and turns of our lives in Starfleet.”

He took a thoughtful sip of his drink. “And you’re right about Dionne. It’s all in good fun, I’m sure. Sometimes a bit of banter and teasing can add a certain charm to a place.”

Counselor Iven

“There’s something about being on a planet that lends itself better to being off-duty than when you’re on a starship. I can get away from work easier. Which , around here?” Jonathan laughed. “It stalks you. I mean, I knew it would be a level up from being a starship commander, but it’s a lot. So you have to go looking a bit harder for fun.”

Captain McBride, Starfleet CO

Séan nodded in understanding. “I can definitely relate to that. Starships have a way of keeping you tethered to your responsibilities even when you’re supposed to be off-duty. Planets offer a different kind of freedom, a chance to step away from that constant hum of duty. But you’re right, sometimes work can follow you even here, especially in a place like Oed V where there’s always something going on.”

He took another sip of his drink, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Finding those pockets of relaxation and enjoyment becomes all the more important in such environments. It’s like carving out a slice of personal time and space amidst the chaos. And if you’ve found places like this bar or Plaza that offer that, then it’s worth holding onto those moments.”

Séan smiled warmly. “It’s also a reminder that even though we’re out here exploring and dealing with the unknown, we’re still human, with the same need for leisure and connection that people have had for centuries. That’s a part of being in Starfleet too, finding that balance between duty and taking care of ourselves.”

Counselor Iven

Dionne returned with their drinks, setting the rye beer in front of Séan and the cider in front of Jon on cardboard coasters. “Your food will be out shortly,” she said with a smile and slipped away.

Jon lifted his drink and sipped. “I mean, intellectually I know that is true, but I think I’m just finding it a very different scenario compared to my last assignment. Some things are a lot easier, most other things are more difficult.”

Captain McBride, Starfleet CO

“How so?” Séan asked as he asked with interest. He’d never been in command before though he had held a DH role, but the responsibilities and expectations must have been vastly different.

Counselor Iven

McBride took a sip and set the glass back on the coaster, tapping a finger against the side. “Well, commanding a starship is no picnic, but there’s a certain number of predictable variables, depending on the type of ship and mission profiles. The D’hjty was a battleship, with a moderate sized crew, and sometimes higher stakes. We did a lot of patrol work, all told.” Jon smirked. “But here? I went from a crew of one hundred and fifty people to fifteen to twenty thousand and a separate ship to run as well. Then there’s the split duties with Dasca. That takes some getting used to, even though we get along surprisingly well. In general, and I’m hardly the only one, but I find Oed overwhelming. And that’s not even factoring the risk the upcoming diplomatic stuff is tossing our way.”

Captain McBride, Starfleet CO