Suit up (Literally!) It's a Birthday Bash! (For Verity and Clint)

[smartass_captain]

Guess who's back in the Nexus. Well, mostly back in the Nexus. Jim is standing outside his world's door and calling Verity's phone.

What? Genius level repeat offender remember? He bought a phone in the Nexus and got her Number from Clint's phone a while ago.

It's the morning of October first. The Nexus' resident lie detector is getting a call from an unknown Nexus number. Does he have to leave a voice mail message?

Comments

[smartass_captain]

"Best thing in my mouth in a while." Jim winks around his wine glass before taking a few more bites of his food. He's not entirely kidding around. This place has a reputation for a reason, and Jim is seriously enjoying the taste and texture of real food.

The silence that passes over the table for a few minutes isn't awkward, rather its is the hallmark of a good meal being enjoyed. Jim finds his gaze sliding from the cute waitress heading down the stairs up toward the open skylight above them.

On his best behavior.

The sky's prettier than any of them anyway. This place could be a half run down diner serving replicated coffee and he'd still eat here for the view alone.

"Wish you guys could come with us. See stuff like this all the time." He hasn't realized he was talking out loud, absently staring off into space. Literally.

[brave_heart_verity]

Verity saw that look he gave the waitress. She'll let him go flirt when he's finished eating. Bossy big sis, remember? Veggies before flirting.

The view really is amazing. It's almost hard to remember to eat, as good as the food is. There are a few long stretches when she's just staring.

"Yeah," she sighs, because it's not like she has anything keeping her... anywhere...

I need to get an icon of Clint eating.

[aw_hawkguy]

Careful, Jim, you're dropping innuendos that even Clint can pick up.

Also, worth noting: space does not negatively impact the taste of steak. It's different, but that's probably just the animals grazing on something else. Yay, space-steak!

"Well, there's the door, right?" Clint muses. "We could visit."

http://portlandmainedentists.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/messy-ribs.jpg Majestic?

[smartass_captain]

That's half the fun, isn't it? Jim isn't going to finish his food, but he's made a decent effort at it. And he's only on his third glass of wine which is positively prudish compared to his normal gusto toward getting drunk.

The view is amazing, the food is great, and the company is comforting. Jim thinks they've done a pretty decent job at throwing a Birthday dinner.

"I've got no clue what this place has for desserts, but I'm sure they've got something if you want that sweet to go with your birthday treats." When Jim goes look back at Verity, it's with a small smile.

perfect :P

[brave_heart_verity]

They've done an excellent job. Hasn't she made that clear?

Verity's not trying to monitor his eating too much, but there's a brief flicker of a frown when she sees he isn't going to finish. Knowing just enough to worry isn't fun for anyone. But he is eating, which is something. More vexing is how he just ignores what they've been talking about whenever it suits him.

"Well, indulging is a birthday tradition," she admits with a smile. They're really going to have to twist her arm on this. Seriously, it's going to be a hard sell!

The speckled Midwestern tailgater in its natural habitat.

[aw_hawkguy]

Clint's not monitoring anyone's eating or drinking, but there's not going to be much left on his plate when he's done. A little bit of steak juice, or moisture from the broccoli, perhaps, but he's a man perpetually recovering from injuries while living a high-activity lifestyle, and he often forgets to eat when he's at home, so times like now he packs it away.

"I bet they'd bring the menus back if we asked. Or, heck, fancy place like this, they'd probably try to make somethin' if you asked for it." Okay, they probably wouldn't bake a pie from scratch, but a pastry or a sundae of some kind, maybe.

.

[smartass_captain]

Jim gets to change subjects when he wants to because no one stops him. It is a fabulous way to put the kibosh on anything getting too feely or uncomfortable when no one reigns you in and calls you on your shenanigans!

"Looks like..." The PADD is back as Jim does the equivalent of googling in the future this place's menu. "There's a baked Alaska with Sygnian wildberry gelato. It's uh...kinda like a cross between a strawberry and a blackberry. Not too sweet. Kinda fizzy actually. Neat. A traditional chocolate cake with coffee liqeur buttercream, and....white chocolate mousse on a seasonal berry parfait."

[brave_heart_verity]

He'll just have to keep all their meetings in public to avoid the chance of her making a scene, then.

Oh, wait. What makes him think she won't make a scene in public?

She leans toward Jim to try and glance at his PADD. "They all sound good. I think I'll get the baked Alaska. I've never had fizzy ice cream before." That stuff with the pop rocks in it did not count and was generally awful. We don't talk about that. "Are you going to have anything, or will you be going to flirt with that waitress?"

[aw_hawkguy]

Is it blind optimism? It's blind optimism, isn't it?

"Yeah? I was just thinking the baked Alaska, myself. Think I'll get the chocolate mousse, though." Is Clint planning to offer the old dessert-share when things come? Probably, yeah.

[smartass_captain]

Lack of foresight, mostly.

If something isn't actively Going Wrong, everything is probably fine. Blind optimism sounds about right, actually.

Jim passes the PADD over to Verity and Clint so they can look it over. He'll get to his feet then, straightening his suit jacket as he does so.

"Nah. A sweet word or two, but I'm not sticking around tonight for a lay. Back to duty after we're done. Besides, this is your fun evening. I'm just here to make it better." He winks their way before excusing himself to go and flag down the waitress on his way to the restroom.

Jim doesn't even give her the eyebrows or the megawatt smile. He really is behaving.

[brave_heart_verity]

There are worse traits. But it's possibly not going to be great when he's in deep space captaining a ship. Optimism is great, but too much of a good thing...

"You don't have to deprive yourself on my account." She gives Jim an encouraging nod when he leaves and sets the PADD between her and Clint. But once he's gone... "Did he really think I wasn't going to notice?"

[aw_hawkguy]

"I can't really tell," Clint admits. "Maybe this is what passes for subtle in the future?"

[smartass_captain]

The waitress is over their way soon, her shockingly white hair curved down around one shoulder as her doodleboppers antennae sway slightly to match her demeanor.

"Your date mentioned you'd be interested in dessert and coffee? What may I get for you Miss? Sir?'

[brave_heart_verity]

...right. She had been expecting this. "Brother. He's our brother. I'd like the baked Alaska and a coffee, please."

She'd been expecting it, but she's still blushing. She's far too easily embarrassed for someone this cynical.

[aw_hawkguy]

Clint can't help but chuckle. "You're right, people do keep thinking you're dating people."

Turning to the waitress, Clint adds, "another coffee, and the white chocolate mousse. Please."

[smartass_captain]

"...Really? That's sweet, my mistake." She tries to play off her surprise but there's no missing the way her antennae perk up in curiosity. "Three coffees, baked Alaska, and the parfait. Alright, I'll be back in just a moment with your drinks."

Or the way she hurries off in embarrassment. At least Verity isn't the only one flustered by the slip up?

Jim isn't gone long, slipping back into his seat and grinning because of course he is.

"This is definitely the best looking table in the place. I had a glance. Congrats you two."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Thank you." Other people also being embarrassed doesn't do much to make her feel better. And how poorly must Jim's flirting have gone if she thought he was on a date. Poor Jim.

When the waitress has gone she turns to Clint again. "It's weird, isn't it? Or am I actually the only person who doesn't assume romantic intent between people?"

Jim gets a smirk when he returns. "Why, looking for you next conquest or assuring yourself of your victory in finding people pretty enough to be seen with you?"

[aw_hawkguy]

"I dunno. There is kinda this 'dating' vibe," he muses. "Then again, Jim puts out vibes like a rock concert, maybe people're picking up on that?"

When Jim gets back, the archer grins. "You're rating the tables now?" Clint teases. "I guess I'm glad you found a handsome one."

[smartass_captain]

"What? A guy can't scope out his competition?" Why is that a lie? Jim settles back in with a grin, one that only gets wider when he finds out the waitress got a coffee for him too.

She was so surprised that Jim wasn't dating one or both of them because he barely gave her the time of day when he stopped her. And she could have sworn he'd been giving her the eyes earlier. Just for a moment though.

"And we totally win, so score one for Starfleet and it's honorary New York blast from the past team!" That is too ridiculous to be a lie. It's just Jim being Jim.

[brave_heart_verity]

"As if you have competition." It's a surprisingly true statement, even if it's meant as teasing. "Although, what do I know, I didn't know it was a competition."

Coffee and ice cream make her a happy girl, although before she tucks in she asks, "Anyone want to try a bite?"

[aw_hawkguy]

"Can't lose if you don't play," Clint quips in Verity's direction. Jim gets a smirk.

As for the offer of sharing, "ooh, please. Either of you want some of this?" Reachin' across the table with your fork, Clint--super classy.

[smartass_captain]

"I'm always playing." Jim adds, shrugging as if to say 'what can you do'?

The cake layer of the baked Alaska is surprisingly light, despite holding up to the sorbet and the meringue. But then, the sorbet is super light and fizzy and fruity all at once. Fruit soda that was actual fruit instead of high fructose corn syrup. SO all in all a light and interesting take on a classic.

Clint's parfait and mousse is much more traditional, but no less well prepared. Jim will help himself to a spoonful of Clint's parfait while he's leaning over to taste Verity's food. It's convenient that way.

"S'good. Though if I'm honest? I'd be happy with a shot of something in my coffee for dessert." Jim snorts slightly before turning back to his mug. It's probably for the best. Jim isn't drunk, but he's not exactly sober after all the wine. He shouldn't have more. Bad Decision town lies beyond.

[brave_heart_verity]

"You don't actually have to make up for my lack of interest, you know." It's important he understand that, and also that she's joking. Both are important.

Verity's not going to complain about Clint's manners because tonight has been too much fun and it's easier to just push her plate toward him. And then toward Jim. One of the rules of being a good big sister is making sure your little brothers get some dessert before digging in, but they don't get to keep her waiting too long.

"Do people still drink flavored coffee in the future?" Yes, she knows what he means, but she'd like to get him back to the ship at least halfway sober. "I like mocha. But I usually fall prey to the pumpkin spice around this time of year. That and candy corn."

[aw_hawkguy]

Does Verity want a taste of the mousse? It's good.

Clint isn't going to make any of the stupid pumpkin spice latte jokes. "Candy corn coffee? Is that seriously a thing? How did I miss that?"

[smartass_captain]

"Candy corn coffee? Seriously, what? That sounds awful, man." Jim snorts into his coffee and then takes a second to make sure he hasn't spilled on himself. Nope, all clear. Just on his face, and a napkin takes care of that.

Classy.

He'll take a bite of Verity's dessert, but then she's all free for it. Jim's content to connect with the contents of his mug.

"Flavored coffees? Sure. I'm not much of a fan though."