Post Game

Posted on Thu Jul 7th, 2022 @ 6:30pm by Senior Chief Petty Officer Mason Malone & Ensign George Paxton

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: planet side
Timeline: following the tournament
1756 words - 3.5 OF Standard Post Measure

"George wait up!" Mason called as he saw George walk off. He rubbed his hands vigorously through his still damp hair, trying to give it some kind of decent appearance post-shower. "Wanna go for a bite to eat?"

George looked over his shoulder and smiled. "Sure, I would love that," he replied, glad for another opportunity to spend time with the security officer. "Did you have somewhere in mind?"

"I think I saw something akin to a burger place somewhere up the street," Mason replied, looking thoughtful for a moment. "I could be wrong and if I am I'm sure we'll find somewhere? Maybe even something local?" He shrugged. "I'm feeling a little adventurous after that weird game earlier, don't you?"

"Sure, let's see what we find," George replied.

The two walked along one of the main streets perusing a number of eating establishments before stumbling across what seemed to be a fusion place offering local cuisine that had been warped into the familiar Earth favorite of burgers and fries. "This looks interesting. What do you think?" George asked his attractive looking lunch companion.

"I'm feeling adventurous," Mason smiled as he grabbed George's hand and tugged him inside. "Let's see if they have a table for two," he added, "I'm really hungry. What did you think of the game? I thought that ribbing was getting a little tiresome, I'd almost feel as if they're jealous in some way."

"The game was interesting. Close to what I expected with the team that was assembled though if I'm being honest," George chuckled before placing his order for a burger made from a local plant and topped with a toramite jam. "How about you?"

"I don't know... Chaotic? I didn't even feel like I knew what I was supposed to do. It was fun though." He smiled as he placed his own order for a burger, though clearly specifying he wanted something with meat, not something plantbased. "To be fair... I do prefer the trails or the mid course..."

"Do you think there's some good hiking trails on this planet? I didn't do much research, but if there are maybe we could explore them together later?" George asked as he picked an empty table in the corner of the room.

"I could have a look around, but I didn't do any research either." He chuckled. "For that matter I hadn't expected that wacky game either, fun as it was in the end. I think I'll be pretty sore tomorrow, don't you?" He sat down across from the handsome engineer, resting his hands in front of him on the table's surface. "It's sure different from an obstacle course. But.... surely there will be hiking trails? Surely even the locals go on walks?"

"What do you mean you didn't expect that wacky game? You didn't sign up to play on the roster they posted in the gym last week?" George had seen the posting looking for players and had decided to sign up as a way to force himself out of his shell more. After meeting and spending time with Mason, he had decided that it might be good for him to get out a bit more and what better than through sports. Especially one that shared similarities to those he had played when he was younger.

"Yeah...but I didn't really know what it was, and I saw your name on the list..." His cheeks flushed scarlet. "I thought it was a good excuse to try and spend more time with you, and not hog you at the same time, you know?"

George put his hand on Mason's. "I'm glad you did," he said with a smile. Their food arrived in a shimmering light just a moment later. Each plate had a holographic sign so that they could be told apart even though their orders couldn't have been more different. George grabbed his and took a large bite. "Oh wow. This is fantastic! The local jam really adds a nice sweet flavor to counteract the spiciness that they put on this thing. How is yours?"

Feeling the touch linger, Mason took a bite of his own burger and he closed his eyes for a moment. "Wow... I'm pretty sure this isn't like, you know, Earth beef but wow...." He cut off a bit and offered it to George. "You really should taste this..."

George accepted the offering and in turn offered some of his own. "Oh wow, that's good too. Do you think they make anything that isn't good?" He chuckled.

"Probably," Mason mused as he accepted the return offering, "taste is all in the eye of the beholder isn't it? But I'm sure they make the effort of keeping things more than palatable. I mean, doesn't any restaurant? But like here, they're probably dependent on far-far away visitors too, and what's better than word of mouth in deep space right?" He grinned. "I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone who asks, wouldn't you?" He paused as he took another bite, savouring the taste and now wondering if he could manage to get the replicator to reproduce this. "So, what are your plans for the remainder of our leave?"

"I would recommend this place too. As for plans, I'm not sure. I'm still hoping you'll join me for some sort of hike after these burgers. Beyond that, I don't really have plans. Maybe go for a swim or relax on the beach at some point," George replied, now halfway through his own burger. "What are your plans?"

"Join you for a hike, obviously," Mason smirked, "and maybe pore over some linguistical puzzle. I still have the ancient book Alex gave me to unravel a few years ago. I've been working on it on and off. I had offered to give it back when we divorced, but he wanted to have none of it. I'd love to join you on the beach too... If you'll let me?"

"Let you?" George chuckled. "You'll always be welcome with me, Mason," he gave a kind and genuine smile, touching his companion's hand once more. In truth, he was always in good spirits when Mason was around. He enjoyed his presence and wanted nothing other than to spend more time with him. "It's settled then. A hike after lunch and then the beach, say tomorrow? We could meet for dinner at the hotel and then relax and watch the sunset on the beach?"

Eyes traveling to their touching hands, Mason deliberately turned his over so that their palms were now touching. "Good to know," he answered, somewhat uncertainly. Why was he suddenly feeling so nervous? "I'd love to watch the sunset with you. Maybe we can camp out on the beach? Watch the stars?"

"I love star gazing. My grandparents used to take us out at night where we lived in Louisiana and show us the stars. It was always beautiful," George reminisced. "I'm not sure about camping though. I don't mind camping, but I think I'd rather spend the night on the ultra-comfy bed in the hotel," not to mention the fact that George wasn't entirely sure either of them was ready to be stuck in a tent together. He wasn't sure he could hold himself together in close quarters with Mason in private. "Are you staying in at the Casino as well?"

"Yeah..." Mason nodded. "I camped out in the yard a lot as a child, I spent a lot of time outdoors. I suppose that's why I don't mind getting all dusted and dirty while on duty, or even on my own time? I don't think I even slept in the tent we set up over half of the time, to be honest. Can't exactly watch the stars from a tent." He grinned, nodding in the general direction of the beach. "Sand is pretty soft if you find the right spot in the dunes."

"Well, why don't we start with dinner and the sunset and go from there?" George suggested, not wanting to disappoint Mason while leaving their options open.

"Dinner and sunset it is," Mason smiled as he finished his burger. He figured that any time spent would just be bonus. "So... Did you happen to pick up anything of the opponent's language? I was trying but didn't get much of a chance during the game."

"I'm afraid not. You're the linguist expert, not me," he said through mouthfuls of the delicious food. "What about in here? Can you pick up any of their language through the conversations?" He asked.

"Probably, if we spend enough time here," Mason acknowledged, though his expression was one of excitement, at the prospect of learning a new language. "I might come back tomorrow and just sit here and listen. Right now, that wouldn't be fair to you would it, and I'd rather keep my attention on you for the moment." He smiled as he watched the man enjoy his food. "I saw this odd looking really bright pink cake on the list, fancy sharing a huge piece of it? It had some local fruits on the side, I think."

George blushed with every word. "You're too kind, Mason. And yes, I would love to share a piece of that massive cake. It looks fantastic! You stay here and finish your burger, I'll go and grab it," he said noting that while George had devoured his entire plate, Mason hadn't finished his just yet.

He returned moments later with a piece of cake practically the size of his own head. "I hope you don't mind, but I taste-tested it on the way back over and I don't think you'll be disappointed," he chuckled.

"Bloody hell! That thing is huge," Mason exclaimed, "that good huh...geez we're not even going to want breakfast tomorrow if we eat that all. Unless we save some for tomorrow?"

"That's a great idea," George smiled. "We can pack up the fruits for a snack on our hike if we get hungry too. Speaking of which, we'd better find a trail to check out. I'm sure the concierge at the hotel will have some good suggestions."

"Oh i like that idea," Mason smiled. "Coffee and cake along the way... Could use the crumbs to find our way back if we get lost," he chuckled.

"It's settled then. Are you ready to go?" George asked as he packed up what was left of their cake into the container that had come with the cake.

"Definitely," Mason grinned, getting up as well "let's go."