Shore Leave: The Bar

A light goes on -- flickering, dimmer than usual, but a light nonetheless -- in Alex's eyes. "Oh, that reminds me. There was an envelope at my cottage..."

She pats herself, as though trying to remember where her pockets are. Finally, she brightens again and pulls out the envelope, opening it up to take a look at the contents.

Cass looks over Alex's shoulder, looking on as she opens the envelope.

Cass glances at the invitation, since she's already read Alex's, and tosses it aside with a thoughtful frown. It's really not like Darcy to throw a party. For a moment, Cass wonders exactly what's going on - what Darcy is really up to. Then she shakes her head at her paranoia. So the woman finally decided to grow a social life; what's wrong with that? It will probably make things more comfortable on the Potential is Darcy could let her human side show a little more often.

Cass stays up long enough to drink a couple of glasses of water, brush her teeth, and strip off her clothes before passing out into a deep sleep.

I'm hydrating. Before you came along I was busy imbibing in some wonderful Irish handcuffs. I haven't let myself go for quite some time. Now that you're here, there's no time for joviality. I'm sure at any moment we'll get some unwanted visitor crashing through my door, and I'll have to intervene.

Zephyr looks annoyed, but also tired. Not just physically tired, but weary. Weary of the discussion that has only just begun.

And how was I responsible for your mess this time? Did I gamble away the money I gave you on Cortegus Prime? Or perhaps when I called in that favor to have the weapons infringement expunged. That was definitely my mistake.

Cass walks into Stone's with Moira, Nic, and Max. It's a lot less crowded than it had been the night before - at least, to the best of Cass' recollection. She doesn't remember a lot of the details from her previous visit, which is a little embarrassing. She hasn't been that drunk in a long time. Actually, not since the last time she and Nic had met up during mutual shore leaves a few years ago.

Stone waves to them and gestures that they should sit wherever they want. As they move past a particular table, she has a flash of a memory of standing on top of it. No, not standing. Dancing on it.

She glances at Moira, wondering how much she recalls from last night's festivities. Cass really hopes she won't bring it up in front of Max. It would seem inappropriate for him to hear about his new commanding officer getting hammered when they'd only just met.

Moira winks at Cass. It's clear that she's a coherent drunk, but she also knows that telling Max would be poor protocol.

Cass acknowledges Moira's wink with a smile and a slight nod as she slips into a booth. She touches a keypad on the table and the lunch menu pops up in a holographic heads-up display, including a list of exotic cocktails. She wonders just how many of those she sampled last night.

"What's everyone feel like drinking today? Iced Velissian tea sounds good to me."

Ooooooh with a mango shot. Haven't had one 'a those in ages.

Cass looks at her uncertainly. "It is non-alcoholic... right?"

She laughs.

Yes, yes, of course. Yeh can make it alcoholic, of course. But standard is clean. Just don't call it a "Spiky" Iced Velissian tea.

"No spiky for me," Cass says absently, perusing the food menu. "And no, Max, there won't be alcohol in the food. Sometimes people cook with it, but that's for flavor. The alcohol gets burned away during the cooking. Usually, at least."

Uncertain what to say in response to all of that, Cass simply smiles and nods, waving to Stone to indicate they are ready to order.

Ignoring Nic, Cass laughs politely and says, "Well, you're not the first to underestimate my stamina." Gesturing toward the menu, she adds, "So tell us - what's good today?"

Cass is hard-pressed to think of anything that sounds less appealing that something called a seaswine omelette, so she simply says, "I think I'm with M... RC. A burger sounds perfect."