Introductions Among Aces
Posted on Mon May 30th, 2011 @ 5:20pm by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Lieutenant Jimmy Cooper & Captain Elsie Halliwell & Lieutenant Alessandro Reynaldi & Lieutenant Commander Dylan Blake & Lieutenant Cedric Shepherd & Captain T'mpest Michaels
1,780 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Triad
Location: Vladimir Zhukov's Quarters
Timeline: Sometime after mission's closure
[ON]
T'kaarch was scurrying along the Ranger's corridors, trying to find something looking at the quarter's tags. These were bigger quarters, meant for commanders and guests. Eventually, he found Commander Zhukov's quarters and pressed the chime.
Even as T'kaarch's finger left the button, Lieutenant LaFontaine strolled around the bend in the corridor. He carried a smallish box under one arm, and smiled a warm greeting at the Cait, extending his hand affably.
"Lieutenant," T'kaarch purred, taking the hand.
"Lieutenant," LaFontaine replied with a polite nod.
T'kaarch was about to say something else but was cut short as a Trill cadet came walking out of another corridor.
“Sirs,†he managed after a vaguely ceremonial throat-clearing, barely able to look up and meet both of their eyes. “Here for the poker, I assume.â€
T'kaarch looked around, then down. "Hello mister... Yes, has the commanderrr invited you too?"
“I suppose,†the Trill shot back, “that there’s no greater experience on a starship than socialising with your crew.†He then added “Cadet Cuthbell Arixen. Third year space duty.â€
"Poker? I should think so," another voice filtered down the corridor belonging to Lieutenant Blake. "I knew a number of people had been invited... just hope there's enough space."
"Nice to meet you" T'kaarch purred as the door slid open.
"Hello, gentlemen." Zhukov said as he stood back from the doorway. "Come on in" he said.
"I took the liberty of replicating some pretzels and hot dogs." the Russian said. "Also managed to get some good stuff from my stash." he said as he pulled out two bottles full of clear liquid.
"Looks like waterrr.." T'kaarch purred as he looked at the bottle.
"It's homemade Russian vodka. Only the best!" he said as he opened one of the bottles and began to pour shots. "Who wants some?" he asked the group.
T'kaarch smelled it carefully. "Like blood ale, without the blood. I'll take some."
Zhukov nodded. "Excellent. Anyone else care for a little bit of real Russian vodka?" the Chief Flight Control Officer asked. "This should be a fun night." he said to T'kaarch. "So, what are we playing anyway?" he asked as he poured another shot.
Instantly Blake's hand shot out. Homemade vodka and pretzels (whatever they were), why not? After all they were here to have fun, right?
"I used to play some Texas Hold'em against the shuttle's computerrr when therrre was nothing to explorrre..." T'kaarch mused. "She always had the betterrr cards, though."
"I've... actually never played," Cuthbell interjected. "It's not a very well known game back on Trill but I'm eager to learn all I can. But I'll certainly try some of that vodka." A sheepish, innocent gleam in his eye caught the rest of the crew.
"It's quite simple to learn," Blake assured the younger man. "You just have to balance the odds and not give anything away on your face."
Vladimir smiled and set a shot glass in front of the young man. He nodded at him and said, "I think you're going to like this. It's smooth...at least, I think so. But I've also been drinking this stuff my entire life." he said as he sat down at the table.
"Anyone mind if I smoke?" asked LaFontaine, finding a chair and prepping a cigar from his little box.
"Who wants to deal?" Vlad asked.
Sucking in a lungful of air to ease the burning sensation from the vodka shot he'd drunken in one gulp Blake fanned his mouth, and in turn had the stack slide across the table to him. "I guess that will be me then."
With his eyes still watering he nodded speechlessly and shuffled roughly having been nominated for the task. Next he fanned them across the table and watched with amusement as they examined their cards in turn.
T'kaarch peeked into his 2 cards. "You should've shuffled betterrr." He grumbled. He never even heard of the word Poker Face.
T'mpest was running late. She'd had a last-minute clean-up to oversee. The idea of a poker game was intriguing. Especially with Vladimir in the group. The first - and last -- time she'd played cards was on the Endeavor. With mixed results.
Apu saw the commander and grinned. "Commander Michaels, a fortuitous meeting, I must say." Apu carried several colorful bottles of drink in an interesting assortment of colors. He didn't even blink when she eyed them. "You can't play poker without drinks."
T'mpest rang the chime and shook her head. "Tonight, I’ll pretend I didn't see anything."
"See any what?" Miranda said, slipping up behind them. "Hi, T'mpest."
T'mpest smiled in greeting. "Mr.Barnum's colorful collection," she said in answer to the other woman's question.
Vlad answered the door and smiled when he saw T'mpest. "Please, please, come in. Plenty of Vodka left." he said to them.
T'mpest smiled back and waited let Apu go in first, followed by Miranda. She took a moment to survey the people in the room.
Apu sailed in, bottles aloft. "Sorry to be late. I brought liquid refreshment. Red, blue, green and yellow. Pick your poison." He set the bottles on the table and positioned himself where he could watch the current game.
"No, you aren't late. You are right on time." Zhukov said as the door to his quarters closed. He was glad he was now considered a "Senior Officer" as he was pretty sure all these people wouldn't have fit in his old quarters one deck below.
"You're certainly a man to befriend." Blake said peering at the unlabeled bottles.
"Of course," Apu said with a broad grin. "You ever need something, just find Apu."
Miranda was slower to enter. The last time she'd played cards was in the Academy; but she was eager to meet more of the crew and this seemed a perfect opportunity. She smiled at T'kaarch, the other person in the room she recognized and stood out of the way, watching the others play.
T'mpest poured herself a small glass of vodka. She didn't normally drink as it didn't have the same effect on Vulcans as it did on humans; but this time she chose to take Vlad up on his offer. She looked forward to watching him in this particular setting -- one of the reasons she'd agreed to come. The other being that Vladimir had asked her.
T'kaarch looked up, leaving his cards face-down on the table. "Commanderrr," he nodded to T'mpest, then to the other faces - He recognized them as Ranger crewmates, but that's where his familiarity with them ended.
Apu arranged the bottles by color on a desk. When he was satisfied with the arrangement he turned to watch the game, paying close attention to how each person reacted as the game progressed.
Cuthbell eyed the green bottle with awe and smiled. Knocking back his own vodka, the clear liquid cut down his throat as he swallowed, causing him to wretch and splutter. “Man, that’s strong,†he said, now leaning over and grabbing the green. “What’s this?†If the Trill was completely honest with himself, the cards in front of him did not engage his attention. He was here for one reason, and one reason only: To drink and be merry.
"It's green," Apu smirked.
"You should trrry blood ale." The cat next to the cadet purred.
"Then try the red," Apu grinned at the cat. "It's got a nice kick to it."
"Nah I think Vladimir hit the nail with his Vodka," Blake smirked holding up his glass for a refill. "Anyone gonna place a bet, fold or check?" he tapped the stack beside him as if to remind the playing officers he was dealing.
Zhukov sat down at the table and took a sip of the home made vodka. He glanced at his cards, put them back down on the table, and tossed two more chips into the pot. "I'll raise twenty." he said.
T'mpest walked over to Vladimir and stood behind him.
Vlad put his cards face down on the table. He glanced back at T'mpest as she stood behind him. "Do you know what I have?" he asked her quietly
She nodded. "I know a bit about the game." Her smile broadened. "You'll have to teach me the finer points."
Zhukov just smiled. He was holding a full house with Kings high. "OK, everyone either match the raise or fold." he said as he glanced down at his cards again. This time, he didn't have to bluff. He had a good hand...for a change.
Reynaldi entered the room. He was rather late, but he'd been contemplating attending for a while. Finally he decided it would be a good idea to get to know more of his fellow crewmembers. "Room for one more?" He asked, moving closer to the table.
"I'll check," T'kaarch purred while his furry paw moved the chips forward.
"I'm waiting for the next hand," Apu said, pouring himself a glass of the green liquid and downing it in one shot. His grin was ever-so-slightly mischievous.
T'mpest watched Apu and chuckled to herself. The Quartermaster was already starting his game.
She turned her attention back to the game at hand. She watched the others facial expressions and body language to learn what she could as she didn't know all of the players.
LaFontaine looked like he was born to sit at a table of cards. "Check," he said, exhaling softly, letting cigar smoke wreath his features. It was a complicated scent, redolent of warm spice and coffee, with a hint of cherry and leather.
Miranda found LaFontaine's demeanor to be quite interesting. She adjusted her position so she could surreptitiously watch him play.
With all the players settled upon their choice Blake, still playing dealer turned the next card from the deck and displayed it upon the table top. His eyes rounded the table awaiting the next bet before moving on.
"Good. I call." Zhukov said. "What have you all got. Let's see um." he said with a smile.
"Well, seems I'm out of chips..." T'kaarch purred as Zhukov racked up the chips from the table. "I guess I'll just drrrink this and be going, then.." He added as he knocked back his glass of... well, something alcoholic, no doubt, and not entirely steadily headed to the door.
Apu quickly cashed in his chips and followed T'kaarch. He hoped to have a quiet word with the scientist about Holly.
T'mpest turned to Vladimir. "Would you like me to stay and help you clean up?"
Vlad nodded. "That would be great, thank you." he said to her with a smile.
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