Shore Leave: The Bar

Day 1, 1700 hours

After some time to get settled in, Zephyr and Moira meet up outside their cottages and walk towards the plaza by the beach. There are some shops and bars around there that you can see.
You walk past a place that catches Moira's eye. A rustic building made from dark wood that looks like it was not made by professionals. There are some fishing decorations hanging in front of the entrance and a large sign painted on an exotic looking fish from wood that reads "Stoneshell Pub"
You decide to enter and find yourselves in a cramped looking little room. There are a few tables and some stairs that lead to a second level. The house looks much smaller on the inside than it did from the outside with a low ceiling that you can just very barely stand upright in without hitting your heads.
The bar is almost completely empty. The only guest is a man, sand colored hair, a light tan, doesn't look like spacefleet, sitting at the counter. He has a few empty glasses next to him but doesn't seem drunk. He's having an animated conversation with the barkeeper, a short alien man who reminds you of a humanoid turtle with a long neck, deep black eyes and a huge, hard shell on his back.
He looks up at you when you come in and very slowly welcomes you before turning his attention back to the man in front of him. He doesn't seem to recognize you right away but Moira immediately does, even though it's been a while since she's last seen her old friend...

The turtle man lets out a deep, slow laugh as he recognizes Moira. "RC, good to see you, old house. Who would have guessed you would show up here."
He turns his attention to Zephyr and says: "Any friend of my friends - or of good alcohol - is my friend. Now, what can I bring you?"
Before you can reply, Alira comes up to the bar and orders a drink. Stone pours her a clear drink and she takes it to a table. The sandy haired man watches her closely. He nods at Zephyr and Moira as a greeting but then gets up and follows Alira, taking his pint with him. Standing at her table, he gestures towards another chair and asks: "May I?"
Stone pours you whatever you're ordering and then leans down, resting his arms on his shell in a gesture Moira has seen many times before. "So, RC, what brings you here? Just on vacation?"

"Good, good", Stone replies. "I heard about that ship. You did something that got people talking. You'll have to tell me all about it. And you look good, too. Not a day over 250, I would say." He laughs again

The man sits down at your table, Alira. "I appreciate the candor, though it wasn't the answer I was hoping for." He smiles and looks you up and down for a second Then he says: "Let me guess: You're spacefleet, junior officer, working your way up the career ladder. Yes or now? The name's Nic, by the way. What can I call you?"

Stone serves your drinks and when Zephyr asks for a refill, he gives one to him as well. The refilled glass is not quite as full as the first one was and Zephyr feels Stone's eyes on him as he checks out how well he can handle his alcohol.
He laughs at Zephyr's joke, although Moira is certain he must have heard it before more than once.
"Celebrating, eh?", he asks. "If you tell me the story and it impresses me, I'll give you one of my specials on the house."

Nic takes a swig from his glass and replies: "Not bad, Alira. Except for the down on my luck part. I'm actually here to look for someone, not hide from someone." After a short pause, he adds "And Cadets really aren't my type, too young and boring. Bedding people with some space experience is far more interesting. You should try it some time."

Nic gestures to the bar and Stone, after quickly excusing himself from Moira and Zephyr, brings Alira a refill. He then returns to the bar and nods at Zephyr to indicate that he's back and listening again.
"Harsh but fair", Nic replies with a smile. "What exactly is it that you're doing in spacefleet. No, let me guess, you're command branch, red uniform, hoping to become a captain?"

"Security, eh? Wouldn't have guessed that. You're full of surprises." He finishes his own drink and waves to the bar for another one. Stone sees him and grumbles in response. He looks like he's going to take his time with this order.
"Is that the kind of person you think I am? Full of honor and self-sacrifice?" He lets out a short laugh. "No, I left for the money. There's things only latinum can get you and as you know, you don't get rich in the fleet."
After Alira's next question, he replies: "Just an old friend that I have some business to discuss with."

Nic looks like he is about to protest but then smirks. "I do hope you'll give me an opportunity to repay my debt." He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Any special reason why you came to this planet for your leave?"

"She shouldn't be too difficult to find, but thanks for the offer." He glances over to Stone, who is still talking to Moira and Zephyr. "You're new on the island, right? Did you arrive with these guys?"