Truth or Drink

Posted on Fri Nov 17th, 2023 @ 8:26pm by Ensign Kateyo Fenn & Ensign George Paxton

Mission: Character Development
Location: Engineering / Dionysus Bar
1719 words - 3.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Teyo checked the time and was delighted that his duty shift had ended fifteen minutes ago. He logged out of the terminal he was using and handed over to the crewman assigned to take over. Jackson, or Johnson, or Johnstone? He thought, trying to remember the freckled guy's name and drawing a blank. In the end, he gave up, called him "Chief" and made his way towards the exit of engineering.

On his way out Teyo spotted the tall form of Paxton, still hard at work and didn't look like he had any plans of leaving any time soon. This wasn't the first time this week that the human had stayed late to finish something important and now Teyo thought about it, Paxton had been in early every day too. And not just earlier than Teyo early, that prize was awarded to everyone, but actually early, early-for-Paxton early.

"Yo Pax," the Trill called out. "You know you don't live here right? It's quitting time."

"Just getting some extra work done," George looked up with a half smile. Truthfully he just didn't want to return to his quarters where Mason was staying for the time being so instead he made himself busy in engineering. At least it was productive.

"Trouble in paradise?" Teyo asked jokingly. Well, he meant it as a joke but the look on Paxton's face told the Trill everything he needed to know. "I see," he said slowly. "Right, you're done, we're going for a drink."

"Uhm, maybe a rain check Fenn. I really need to finish this up. It won't take too much longer. I appreciate the invite though," George smiled and got right back to work.

Teyo rolled his eyes. George hadn't known him too long but he was insulted that the engineer thought that he would give up so easily. "Well you have been doing that all week and I'm guessing that things haven't got any better. What's that phrase about repeating the same thing over and over again and expecting different results? Time for something new, let's go."

"Fenn, I really don't..." he sighed. "This argument is pointless isn't it?" George quickly packed up his tools and hopped up to his feet. "One drink Fenn, just one."

"Just one," Teyo repeated, "promise."

******

Teyo finished his second beer and placed the empty glass back down on the table; Pax was still halfway through his first. The Trill almost wished he hadn't forced the human to go for a drink, it was about as much fun as drinking with the Commodore and a bunch of snooty admirals. They had swapped a few pleasantries but nothing deep and meaningful, and for once that was exactly what he was after tonight.

Teyo rolled his eyes, fed up with the way the night was panning out. He beckoned over one of the bar staff and flashed a tooth grin. "Another two beers and ten Risian fire shots please." The waiter, obviously disturbed by the order said nothing and went to get their drinks. Teyo looked at Paxton whose face wore a similar expression. "We're going to play a game," Teyo said before Pax could say anything.

"We agreed to one drink Fenn. This is my one drink. I'm not drinking anything else," George replied suddenly very concerned over what the rest of evening might turn into and immediately regretting his decision to visit the bar with Teyo.

"No one has just one drink when they say one drink," Teyo said matter-of-factly. "It's literally unheard of. Besides I dragged you here to take your mind off your troubles and since that's not happening we're doing this properly." As though on cue, the waiter arrived and placed the tray of drinks on the table, taking away Teyo's empty stein. "Excellent. The rules," he said as he slid five of the shots towards Paxton. "We ask each other questions, you can either tell the truth or drink. My game, so I go first. Why are you avoiding Boring Mason?"

George sighed and crossed his arms, leaning back in the chair. He really didn't want to play this game, but knowing Teyo, he would be hounded to answer either way. "I need space. I just want some time to reset and settle back into my normal routine after everything that happened. I still love Mason, I just need some space to think and reset and I'm not getting it. He can't seem to stay away if we're in the same room." George confessed, seeing no real reason to hide the truth. "My turn now. Why are you always looking for trouble?"

"I don't, trouble finds me," Teyo said with a wink. "Why don't you kick him out?" He asked, taking a gulp from one of the fresh beers.

"That would be rude besides he's been recovering. He did say he'd be returning to his quarters soon. In the meantime, I'm just finding my space in...in other ways," George absent mindedly took another sip of whatever drink was in front of him. "How is it that you know Lieutenant Leiko? Rumor is that you two are close."

"And you believe him?" Teyo asked, shocked and amused at the same time. "The thing with Mason is once he gets his claws in I doubt he will let go. Also, nope I won't be answering that," Teyo added as he downed one of the shots. The real answer was boring, he and Xav had met at the Academy, not much more to it than that. But, if the rumour mill was turning, who was he to slam on the breaks? No, people could make up their own minds, give them a bit of intrigue. "Before Mason, when and who was your last relationship?"

George raised a brow at Teyo's response but didn't think too much of it. He had never been one to dwell long in rumors and if Teyo didn't want to expound, that was his right. "My last relationship was with a beautiful woman named Aria, and that was two questions not one so I'll just answer the one," he chuckled lightly and tried to think of another question to ask the engineer. He had never been much for grilling people, often preferring to just slowly acquire someone's trust and background story, but nevertheless he would do his best to play along. A thought suddenly struck. "Why did you pursue Mason?" He asked.

"Is that what he said?" Teyo asked incredulously, his voice rising by a few decibels. "I did not pursue Mason, we both happened to be in the right place at the right time. If anything, he wanted me for ages and would have married me if I had asked." He rolled his eyes and downed half of his beer. "Why did it end with Aria?" He asked after he finally calmed down.

"Mason never said anything about it, but there has to be some sort of pursuing to make a move..." George replied. "My relationship with Aria was purely physical, but it did...take me a while to figure that out. Who was your last longer than one night relationship with?" He smirked.

"And you just assumed I did the pursuing?" Teyo asked. "Don't like to think that your perfect boyfriend fancied a bit of rough? Well if you must know I think I made the first move," he replied, trying his best to remember, "but either way it was going to happen. Jealous?" He asked with another wink.

George shrugged. "A little, yes, but Mason is his own man and deserves to make his own decisions. Also you never answered my question so I believe that's another drink for you," he nodded towards the few remaining beverages still lined up.

Teyo narrowed his eyes as he downed one of the shots. "Why would you be jealous?" He asked, unable to help himself. "That was a while before the two of you got together."

"It was just before we went on our first date I think actually. Just the thought makes me a bit jealous I suppose. I tend to have a jealousy streak with anyone I'm in a relationship with, but I do my best to quell it. I know it's irrational," George smiled. "So, are you going to answer my previous question? Who was your last relationship that lasted longer than a one night stand?" He repeated with growing curiosity.

"Sounds like you two are perfect for each other," Teyo said as he finished the rest of his beer and belched loudly across the room. He eyed Pax's line of shots and sighed internally. The idea was to get the man to drink and loosen up, but he was so truthful that it just wasn't working. "Well I don't know if you'll count this, but I was in a polyamorous relationship for like 9 months. I can almost hear your judgemental tones," Teyo added with a smirk.

George shrugged. "Why would I judge you for that? I've considered a polyamorous relationship before. I don't see anything wrong with it, it's just not for me." He took a final sip of his beer and looked at the time. "I'd better be going, but thanks for the invite. It was more fun than I expected," he smiled.

Teyo shrugged at Paxton's question. He was used to being judged for being himself, people stuck in their habits and routines, often found the lifestyles of others bizarre. Enlightened indeed! He thought to himself. He used the knuckle of his right index finger to push one of the shot glasses towards the human. "One for the road?" He asked as he picked up one of the drinks in his other hand.

"You're impossible you know," George chuckled and downed the single shot. Then he set the glass back on the table and smiled. "Have a good night, Fenn."

"Good luck with Boreson," Teyo said with a grin as he pulled the rest of the drinks towards him. He was off duty tomorrow and no way he going to leave here without being tipsy at least. Who needs the hassle he thought to himself as he drank the rest of the shots.