Poker Night

Posted on Thu May 9th, 2024 @ 1:13am by Captain Remy Johansen & Ensign Kash th'Kaasniik & Lieutenant Phaedrae Cyn & Lieutenant Eirly Andersen & Lieutenant JG Thivi & Lieutenant JG Ta'Feel Anith Usskik & Attaché Phesg Tel'im & Lieutenant JG Jason Williams III & Ensign Cha'joga d/o H'gren & Ensign S'Niri & Ensign Rilaxa Moxx & Civillian Samuel Wynters & Civilian Aya Pyxx

2,196 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: The Menagerie: side stories & mischief making
Location: Paddy's Lounge (aka - Ten Forward)
Timeline: Current

*ON*

As the event was being held in his lounge, Samuel was already in attendance. He and his staff had set up a buffet table on the port side of the room. He had also offered free replicator drinks to any who chose them. He was still charging for his real alcohol though. He may have been financially comfortable, but that didn't mean that he didn't work for a profit. Even in this day and age, though Starfleet thought otherwise, things still cost money.

Eirly walked in and looked around, realizing she was one of the first people there. The music was pretty cool, not really her style though, but definitely bearable. She had opted for long dress with a denim jacket over it, a pair of sneakers and her hair was down but pinned at one side.

Instead of being weird and a loner, she noticed Charlotte sitting on a table near a keg that had been set up and gave her a wave before walking further inside and heading over for a chat. Hopefully, more people would show up soon.

Charlotte saw Eirly and smiled and gave a head nod as a greeting. "Hey there," Charlotte said casually.

"Hej!" Eirly greeted the other woman, her language slipping back into her native one , "It's an amazing set-up you've got here, you and Malcolm have really outdone yourselves! Thank you for the invite!"

Charlotte didn't have anything to drink but had a PADD in her hand. "Since word got out at the bar if multiple tables get going, I'm in charge of running the tournament. Lucky me," Charlotte said with a sort of fake enthusiasm, though she didn't seem to mind.

"The beer is supposed to be some sort of mulled spice brew," Charlotte said with a shrug. "I really don't know much more about it than that.

"Don't mind I do," Eirly replied as she grabbed a glass full of beer. She was open to new things, and maybe this beer would be something else. Sipping it slowly, she could taste the heat of the cinnamon start to come through, "Oooh that's good! Dangerous, but so good!"

Remy didn't make it a point to attend every social event on the ship, but she had received an invitation, so she made a point to be there on time. Remy knew the game, but typically drew bad hands at cards, so her plan was to give up early and watch from the sidelines. Remy decided to take the 'dress casually' request literally and wore a pair of faded and distressed jeans with a fitted black t-shirt that said "hustler" across the chest, and a hooded sweatshirt tied around her waist for later.

Remy walked over to say hi to Sam before things got too crowded at the bar. "Don't make fun of my outfit, it's fun."

Samuel turned when he sensed Remy approach, a slow grin started to cross his face as his eyes moved up and down her body. "I wouldn't think of it. Though I never would have imagined you for a jeans and hoodie girl."

Remy put her hands next to her face like a shield, "It's for the poker game, so no one can see my face. I'll hide behind the cards and the hood," she said dramatically.

Chuckling softly, Samuel responded. "Perhaps I shouldn't play against you then. I'd rather not lose my shirt or pants in the game."

"If you were playing against me somehow I doubt that statement," Remy said with a wink. "I should go greet the hosts."

Samuel smiled softly and nodded. "Then I shall see you at the card table, young lady," he replied quietly to her. "Maybe I'll beat the clothes off of you instead." He gave a flirty wink, before stepping away smiling, playfully refusing to let her reply.

Remy reached across the bar to smack Sam with the back of her hand, but he was gone before she could reach him.

Next in the room, Phaedrae Cyn arrived. After spending some time unpacking in her quarters, she was surprised to see an invitation to Poker Night so soon after her boarding of the ship. Neighbourly and curious, she strolled the room and found herself stopping near the bar.

As soon as she got to the bar, one of Samuel's employees, a young Bolian woman, stepped up from behind the bar and smiled brightly. "Good evening, Ma'am. Welcome to Paddy's Loft. What can I get for you?"

"Lost in Space, please," Cyn answered. She leaned against the bar while the lady picked up a glass. "Any good news on the rumor mill?" she asked.

Nodding and smiling, the bartender moved along the back of the bar and began constructing the requested drinks. When she brought the finished beverage over and placed it in front of Cyn, she smiled and said, "Enjoy!"

"A bartender that doesn't banter?" Cyn took her colorful drink and admired the layers of pouring before mixing it together for a taste.

The young woman smiled as she replied. "Who says I don't banter?"

"I asked for any rumors along with my drink," Cyn replied.

Smiling, the young bartender leaned closer to Cyn and spoke quietly. "Well, I'm still new here, however, I do know one little bit of information that might interest you."

Intrigued, Cyn shifted to bring her ears closer to the promised news.

The young bartender glanced left, then right, then said, "There is a rumor that the Captain and Mr. Wynters are an item."

Flipping through her memory cards of her new crewmates, Cyn paused, "The chief engineer? Isn't he married?"

Giggling slightly, the young Bolian shook her head. "Nonono! The Chief Engineer is Commander Nash Winters, with an i. I'm talking about Mr. Samuel Wynters, with a y, my boss." She tilted her head towards the man who was currently speaking to the Captain.

"Oh," Cyn drew out the word as she processed the additional information. She couldn't complain about i's and y's being interchanged to make names confusing as it happened in her own name. The rumor went from scandalous to mundane instantly - unless Wynters was also married. She hadn't had time to look at the civilian complement of the crew yet to be sure. "Is there a reason to keep this rumor hushed?"

Smiling and shaking her head, the young woman replied simply. "Oh, it's nothing cloak and dagger. It's just that they haven't said anything publicly about it yet. But if you look at them, it's clearer than the pink skin on their faces."

"Well, I wish the best for them. It's not always easy making connections on a starship." Cyn took another sip of her drink and gave a tip of an imaginary hat, "My complements. You did a fine job on the drink." She straightened and looked around the room to see what else was going on. Betting games rarely held much of an interest for her, but she did like meeting new people.

The young woman dipped her head respectfully. "It was an honor to be of service. My name is Aya, by the way."

"Phaedrae Cyn," Phaedrae said as she wandered away.

S'Niri had decided since the start of her shift that morning that she simply couldn't afford to pass up an opportunity like this one. She wasn't much one for gambling, but she did quite like the idea of getting her paws into some actual booze for once. She came right after duty, joining the other bargoers at the counter with her uniform jacket slightly unzipped. "Surprise me." She requested of the bartender with a wide feline smile.

Remy noticed a couple of junior officers gathering and decided to make a point to say hello. She noticed Dr. Beckett headed in the same direction, and intercepted him, joining him on his path. "Dr. Ta'Feel treating you alright down there?" Remy asked. She knew they had some conflicts early on.

"We seem to be finding our way alright," Beckett commented. He was watching for Eirly, and not really listening much to Remy.

"Glad to hear it," Remy responded, as they got to the group that had grown from where Charlotte and Eirly first started talking.

Eirly saw Beckett and smiled as she walked over to him with her glass of spiced beer still in hand, "Hey you, I was wondering when you were going to show up!"

"Sorry, I should've offered to pick you up, but then we both would've been late," Malcolm said sheepishly. "It looks like things haven't really started yet though. What's that you're drinking?"

"Better late than never though, I wouldn't have complained at all," She said sweetly and looked at the drink she had in her hand, "It's some of the Spiced Beer that has been provided. You should totally go and get some, it's super nice." She wasn't really one for beer but tonight would be an exception.

Dr. Ta'Feel and Hir family, Cadet Sr Nallee Anith, Ens. Shakal Anith and Ens. Zetchurl Anith, entered the lounge, walking single file, and immediately saw Shelly, Lori and Andrea standing nearby. Ta'Feel lead Hir family toward the family trio, casually saying "Greetings", or responding to a greeting, as they passed by anyone. Once they arrived near the trio, Ta'Feel spoke, "The Anith family apologizes for not arriving at the designated time." "This game of poker is unfamiliar to us." "We want to understand and learn about the various traditions of the species aboard this ship."

Charlotte chimed in, "Not a problem, Doc. We're just playing for fun. We'll start you off with a tutorial."

After a quick tele/speak with Shakal, Dr. Ta'Feel responded, "I believe the Terran phrase is, 'Let the games begin.'"

"That does sound right. I'm not in charge here, I'm just along for the ride," Remy said. "I think telepathy across the table would be a rule violation though." Remy said with a wink.

When she'd asked the bartender to surprise her, S'Niri had admittedly not expected him to hand her a glass of some kind of fizzy drink that smelled of grapes but was completely transparent in color and garnished with what appeared to be a sprig of mint. It certainly didn't taste like it smelled, though, when she sipped at it. Whatever the fruity flavor that hit her tongue was, it definitely wasn't grape - not in an unpleasant way, mind. S'Niri quite liked it. She made her way over to the poker table with the glass in paw. "Space for another?" She asked. "I love poker."

"We've got space tonight for as many who want to play," Malcolm said noticing the Caitian who had walked up. "Charlotte's ready to set up multiple tables for us if the party gets too big for one. Name's Malcolm Beckett, I don't believe we've met."

"S'Niri. No, we haven't." S'Niri sat, rubbing her paws together in excitement."Pleased to meet you."

Rose and Tel'im walked in together, the Romulan slightly supported by the other. "We'll take it slow," Rose was saying. "You just tell me when you want to bow out... Poker's good--I'm surprised you weren't introduced to it on Earth."

"Bloody enclave meant we were separated from a lot of people... The Poker playing types stayed away... Captain, Doctor, good to see you both outside of Sickbay."

"It's good to see that you're feeling good enough to get out too," Charlotte said, hopping down from her perch where she'd been sitting on top of the table. "Playing or watching?"

Someone had handed Charlotte an over the ear microphone. She looked at it with some surprise, but put it on. "Okay everyone," she said, her voice projecting across the room. "If you're feeling lucky, we need up to nine players at Dr. Beckett's table right off the bat. Grab your seat and wave to Sam if you haven't grabbed your drink yet."

At the table, Malcolm sat calmly enjoying a (synthehol) beer, while the automatic card shuffler worked.

Charlotte made a dramatic gesture to her left where a young Andorian male sat in a fitted gray t-shirt shuffling cards by hand. "And if you're new to the game, Kash is running some beginner rounds. Learn as you go, just playing for chips, no real stakes."

Kash paused what he was doing and waived at the room. There was a bottle of Andorian ale out on the table to share.

Eirly made her way over to stand on Malcolm's right hand side, took a seat and waved Sam over for a refill on the white wine she had, "Let's have some fun aye?" She smiled at Malcolm and watched as her drink was brought over and waited for others to wander across.

"Aye, you here for good luck or to kick my arse," Malcolm said reaching over and squeezing her leg gently.

"Depends on how lucky we get tonight," she shrugged playfully in response, "We might go home empty handed, we might win, who knows."

"Aye, the cards will tell," he said as he grabbed a deck and began dealing to the players seated at his table.

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