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

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."

[brave_heart_verity]

Yes, she would like to try a bite of the mousse, thank you, Clint.

"No, not candy corn coffee. I mean I'm sure Starbucks was going to come up with it eventually..." she trails off, then shakes her head and tries again. "I just meant the candy. Which is bad enough. Or the candy corn drinks some bars offer. Generally also terrible, but not so bad if you're already drunk enough to not care."

Those girlie drinks can pack a punch if you do it right.

"Usually I like a good mocha or a little caramel if I'm out someplace that offers them."

[aw_hawkguy]

"Aw, I like candy corn," Clint mumbles, offering Jim another bite of his dessert before attacking it, himself.

"Do I need to get some coffee syrup for my place?" Kate will never let him hear the end of it.

[smartass_captain]

Jim is fine, thanks Clint.

"I don't do sweets or candy, personally." Not that unhealthy foods are out of the question or anything. Jim loves junk food and fast food stuff now and again. One of them's his favorite thing to eat, hands down, even.

Just not much for sweets. Okay baked goods are a weakness, too. Not candy. There.

"Sweet drinks are alright now and again, but I'd rather just have a shot of whiskey or a black cup of coffee." One he is enjoying very much right now. "Speaking of though, what kinda stuff do you two like to eat? It's way late in asking for tonight, though I'm glad you guys found stuff ya liked. I just mean in general."

[brave_heart_verity]

Fortunately for Verity's feelings, baked goods can also be savory, so she doesn't take it too personally. She'll just have to revise her plans for him. It's something to worry about later when she's not enjoying the hell out of this fizzy ice cream. She wonders how it'd be in a milkshake. Loki would love that...

"If I'm going to have a sweet drink I usually get hot chocolate or akh. No need for syrups at your place, Clint, don't worry." She nudges his leg under the table with her foot. "Oh, I'll try just about anything. It's fun to try new things. But if we're taking all-time favorite comfort foods... yebeg wot and mac and cheese."

[aw_hawkguy]

No more for Jim? Mousse time!

"Yebeg what?"