It's You!

Posted on Tue Jan 14th, 2025 @ 4:34pm by Petty Officer 1st Class Alexa Williams & Ensign Kateyo Fenn

Mission: Pandora's Box
Location: USS Athena - Dionysus Bar
Timeline: MD-02
1197 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

"LIAM O'CONNOR!?"

The shout that rang across the bar above the usual hubub might have drawn more attention were it not for the source. Given she was the Commodore's yeoman and a known bundle of energy, Alexa's shout drew only minimal attention. Aside from the target, of course.

Bounding past tables and almost knocking over drinks, she hopped onto a stool between Teyo and Liam with a huge grin already on her face.

Liam jolted at the sudden shout, nearly spilling his drink as he turned to see Alexa bounding towards him. He blinked, trying to place her face as she made her way over, radiating energy that could light up the entire room.

"How long has it been!? You never told me you were assigned here! What have you been up to? Did you change your hair again?"

"Uh... Alexa, right?" he asked, a bit hesitant, then breaking into a smile. "Yeah, I just got here a few weeks ago. Didn’t expect such a warm welcome!"

He ran a hand through his hair, realizing she must have noticed the subtle color change he’d gone with recently. It was funny that she remembered.

"And yeah, guilty as charged—messed with the hair again. What can I say? Gotta keep things fresh,” he laughed, feeling the initial surprise fading as he relaxed into the conversation. “What about you? Looks like you've been keeping busy—Commodore's yeoman, huh? Guess I'm in good hands if you're around."

Teyo looked between the two and tried to judge how they knew each other. He didn't know either of them very well, in fact, he actively tried to avoid the Commodore's yeoman. He enjoyed playing the role of rebel but even he knew there was a line and crossing her pretty much meant crossing their commanding officer. As for Liam, well they had had their differences in the past and that was completely down to him. This was the reason he had sought him out today, he was hoping to discharge the phaser, right before they were interrupted. "Do you know each other?" He asked dumbly as they obviously did.

Liam chuckled, giving Teyo a quick nod. “Yeah, you could say that. Alexa and I go way back—met at the Academy. We ran in different circles, though. She was always the overachiever, keeping everything organized and somehow knowing everybody. I… well, I took a more scenic route, you know?”

He glanced back at Alexa, smiling as he remembered those academy days. She’d always been that burst of energy, but their paths had diverged after graduation. Clearly, she’d climbed the ranks quickly and made a name for herself.

“But hey,” he leaned in, meeting her gaze, “how are you doing? Seems like you’ve been busy keeping the Commodore on their toes.”

"Pfft, the Commodore? Big teddy bear compared to Admiral Bl'char. You remember him?" Alexa chuckled, glancing at Teyo as if to explain. "Tellarite history teacher. Awful smell. Worse lessons." She flashed another warm grin back to Liam, before once again side-explaining for the benefit of company: "He's being humble. Always a smart one this Liam - shame his skills with a warp core didn't quite match up to his skills with the ladies, huh?" She winked.

"Oh really?" Teyo asked, his interest finally piqued at hearing this. "He has kind of presented himself as a bit of a boy scout this arriving aboard. It's nice to hear that I'm not the only one with a bit of a reputation."

Liam laughed, leaning back in his chair and shaking his head, his expression a mix of amusement and mock exasperation. "Oh, come on, Alexa. Warp cores at least have some logic to them. People? A whole other mess." He grinned at her, letting the comment roll off nonchalantly. "Besides, it’s not like I blew one up—or a relationship, for that matter."

He shot a glance at Teyo, eyebrow raised. "Boy scout? Don’t let her fool you. I just got better at keeping things under the radar. Doesn’t mean I don’t know how to enjoy myself when the opportunity arises."

Yeah, like with Conrad! Teyo almost said out loud before he caught himself and chose to say nothing instead.

Turning back to Alexa, Liam's grin softened into something more curious. "So, are you sticking around for a bit, or is this one of those whirlwind appearances where you’re gone before anyone can catch their breath?"

The yeoman paused, then firmly plopped herself down next to the two men and propped her chin up with her hands. "I can stick around for an old friend. And a new one," she added, glancing at Teyo. "Are you two...together...?"

Teyo laughed, a loud barking laugh that caused the closest tables to stop their own conversations and stare at the three of them. "He wishes," Teyo said as he wiped a tear away from his eye. "I did think he was hitting on me at one point, but I think he lost his bottle," he added as he threw Liam a wink.

Alexa gasped slightly then giggled. "Aw, that's cute. Did he tell you about the time one of his classmates tried to set him up with a Vice Admiral's daughter? That was so funny..."

"No he didn't," Teyo said as he side-eyed the human. "Though we're not exactly friends. Maybe something we can rectify now I know he's not a complete square."

Liam smirked, leaning back. “Careful, Teyo. You’re one glitter bomb away from wishing I was hitting on you again.” He shot a pointed look at Alexa. “And you’re really bringing up the Vice Admiral’s daughter? That was sabotage, plain and simple. You knew that wasn’t going to end well, and you still set me up to flounder.”

He shook his head, a mix of exasperation and amusement flickering across his face. “Friends like her, I swear. If there’s a choice between helping or making a mess of things, she’ll take the scenic route straight to chaos every time.”

Liam leaned forward, tapping the table lightly as his grin turned wicked. “But hey, maybe this whole ‘not friends’ thing isn’t so bad after all. Gives me a good excuse to keep you on your toes, Teyo. What do you say we toast to that? Something with actual flavor, not that diluted synthale you’re clinging to. Unless, of course, you’re afraid you can’t handle it.”

Teyo rolled his eyes. "Are you trying to challenge me, O'Connor? Normally I would take that bet easily but I'm trying something new these days." He moved closer to the human. "I will drink with you but I am not going to get stupid."

"Aw, see, making friends already..." Alexa giggled. "Liam O'Connor: always finding himself in the most chaotic of realities."

"Then it's settled," Teyo said with a flourish. "Name the time, place, and your poison of choice." He flashed a toothy grin at the pair of them knowing they had no idea what they had just gotten themselves into.


(TRUNCATED)