Blowing Off Steam: Tik and Val

[Betua Argent]

The sounds of Betua's excited voice only deepens the panic on Lav's features, the violet hue growing more deep and now pulsing with cracked veins like a mirror that had shattered. 'What are xey doing here?..' The look was plain on their face - surprise that the doctor would even want to be at such a seedy place. "W.." they cringed, "I am not in relations with.." more panic, 'need to explain..don't hurt Tikreta.'

"Captain Keeyra said hurtful things to Tikreta. Said she was not valued. I am only cheering them up."

'I am not enough.'

It didn't sound right, and Lav knew it. It sounded worse to say it out loud. "Excuse me.." they said, pushing their way from the two trying to get to the bar head down. They did not want the stares, did not wantto know how Tik might react to them saying too much..again. Always saying too much. The waves of bliss and pleasure were making Lav feel sick.

Tik reacts before they can think it through fully. As Lav tries to push past, Tik reaches out a hand to take Lav's wrist. Gently, but still, the surprise at the warmth that contact transmits back to their extradimensional consciousness is intense. "We are cheering each other up," Tik says kindly. "We all need it. Do you need cheering up as well, Dr. Argent? We would be happy to welcome you into the expanding circle."

"We're not on a date," Tik continues, laughing lightly. It would be all too easy to hear it as casually dismissive of the idea. "I am not good at romance. Not with you physical beings. I think I have given up on it," they say with increasingly false brightness. I am enough, they think. Lavender said so. And I like Lavender. They wouldn't lie to me.

Betua's face falls, hands covering xer mouth. "Oh no, I—I jumped to conclusions, didn't I?" What a sorry thing for a scientist to be doing, projecting xer desires on limited data. Seeing Lav's reaction, xe feels as though xe has stomped on a seedling just sprouted. "I'm so sorry, that's terrible. Why would the Captain say such a terrible thing?" Betua fidgets, picking at the tight garment protecting xer damaged skin. "If one was not enough, why would she push me—" Betua catches xemself, far too late as usual. "—I mean, everyone else, away?" Xe begins backing away, meaning to cut off this core breach of a conversation before xe can do any more damage.

► Show Spoiler

I confess my feelings about someone who's not here with us. Do you give me advice that I take to the extreme, or reveal a dark secret about this person?

"I am not -- my people are not -- normally a solitary entity. When we are young, we link consciousness with others of our birth group, and as we age, our linkage groups shift and change, but there are never fewer than four or five of us in the group. I've..." they say, then trail off as the realization hits. "I have missed having other entities to share thoughts with," they continue quietly. "One other entity has not... been enough." That word has taken on such unexpected significance. But now they share it with Lav. And maybe they could share it with the good doctor as well, if...

"I would consider it a great honor to share with the two of you," they say, then hasten to add, 'Not... directly. Not in a linkage group like my people do in our native space. I do not believe anyone here possesses the proper biology. But symbolically?"

The notion halts Betua's retreat. "Root networks, mycorrhizal connections," xe blurts out, knowing that it's likely a heavily flawed translation of the concept Tik is referring to. The map is never the territory, especially when drawn third hand by an ignorant. "Sharing sustenance and... and warnings." Fragile, oh so fragile, but vital nonetheless.

[Lavender]

Lav's arm tensed in Tik's grip. Even as gentle as it was, it felt like a leash. Like control. Don't go it screamed. Lav's eyes stared past the sea of bodies to the bar. All they wanted was to disappear into it until they were washed ashore against the edge of a plastiform bar-top and bathed in the dancing glow of the lights that edged within its translucent frame for everyone to find. Tik's comments about everyone's struggles felt like a punch to Lav's gut. The same punch that the captain had given them when she came calling. Everyone dealt with the end of their last voyage together differently, and no one spoke about their own difficulties with what had happened.

'Which means no one had noticed..'

The way Tik and Doctor Argent had treated them since re-boarding the Siren. Like old times. Like nothing had happened to them. Like Lav was still the same creature they used to be. Rough around edges perhaps, dealing with their own pain like Tik had said. But still them. Still the same Lav.

Somehow, confirming that hurt. Lav was not sure why it hurt, but the pain in their stomach was there enough to know. They kept their head down for a moment, not able to look at the other two directly while they tried to process the emptiness. They had spent so long trying to piece together the emptiness. When that hadn't helped, hadn't worked, Lav had tried to just fill it with numbness. But Tik was anchoring them down. They could not be numb. Their cels dimmed, choked down to almost perfectly blend with their grey skin, save for cracks of red that ran like veins giving the translucent sacs a fractured, shattered appearance.

"You are both so fortunate.." they said through a deep breath that sounded raspy, resisting saying more, voice so barely audible Lav wasn't positive they could be heard at all. They wanted to say more, but could not find the right words to say. It was easier to just relent and give their companions a replication of what they wanted to see. Their free had rested on top of Tik's gently prying themself loose from it but not making an attempt to flee immediately. They forced a fake smile of their own, trying to push down the void that still lingered in the wells of their eyes if anyone looked too hard, focusing on a spot between their two companions.

"Yes..of course. We should share. More is merrier is the saying? We can toast to sharing.." they said, "I will retrieve some fresh drinks..Doctor Argent I am sure that Tikreta would love to hear more while I retrieve drinks, and we can speak all kinds of ills about Captain Kyeera until we feel better."

► Show Spoiler

I desperately try to find common ground with you, but to no avail. Do you take pity on me and help me, or do you leave me to my misery?

[Tikreta]

Betua's face falls, hands covering xer mouth. "Oh no, I—I jumped to conclusions, didn't I?" What a sorry thing for a scientist to be doing, projecting xer desires on limited data. Seeing Lav's reaction, xe feels as though xe has stomped on a seedling just sprouted. "I'm so sorry, that's terrible. Why would the Captain say such a terrible thing?" Betua fidgets, picking at the tight garment protecting xer damaged skin. "If one was not enough, why would she push me—" Betua catches xemself, far too late as usual. "—I mean, everyone else, away?" Xe begins backing away, meaning to cut off this core breach of a conversation before xe can do any more damage.

Tik turns their attention more fully to Betua. "Are you saying that the captain has also pushed you away?" they say softly, voice tinged with understanding and sympathy. "It would not surprise me. She has long been... growing more distant. Her focus was never much on her people. I fear it is even less so now." They shake their head, canting their eyes away. "No. It is not fair for me to ascribe motive when all I have is incomplete data," they say.

I will be the better sentient entity. I will not lower myself to... to the captain's level, they think.

The notion halts Betua's retreat. "Root networks, mycorrhizal connections," xe blurts out, knowing that it's likely a heavily flawed translation of the concept Tik is referring to. The map is never the territory, especially when drawn third hand by an ignorant. "Sharing sustenance and... and warnings." Fragile, oh so fragile, but vital nonetheless.

"You are both so fortunate.." they said through a deep breath that sounded raspy, resisting saying more, voice so barely audible Lav wasn't positive they could be heard at all. They wanted to say more, but could not find the right words to say. It was easier to just relent and give their companions a replication of what they wanted to see. Their free had rested on top of Tik's gently prying themself loose from it but not making an attempt to flee immediately. They forced a fake smile of their own, trying to push down the void that still lingered in the wells of their eyes if anyone looked too hard, focusing on a spot between their two companions.

"Yes..of course. We should share. More is merrier is the saying? We can toast to sharing.." they said, "I will retrieve some fresh drinks..Doctor Argent I am sure that Tikreta would love to hear more while I retrieve drinks, and we can speak all kinds of ills about Captain Kyeera until we feel better."

"Fresh drinks would be lovely," Tik agrees, though in the mental background, they are processing Lav's quiet comment about being fortunate. It connects to nothing, not yet, and so they will continue that background process while Lav is away. "I will drink this one more slowly," they say with an effort at good cheer.

As Lav moves away, Tik refocuses on Dr. Argent. While the effects of the first drink have largely worn off, between the mild intoxication and the disorientation of refocusing their form, it's not entirely a simple matter to find that focus. "It is my hope that if we -- the crew, I mean -- can connect better this time, we can keep the captain from making the same mistakes. Maybe if you had been with us for the final mission, you could have convinced her to try diplomacy after all. It's such a shame that you were too ill to accompany us. It might have turned out better for all us," they say, glancing over toward Lav's retreating form, then back again.

► Show Spoiler

I bring up an unpleasant memory between you and the Captain. How do you set the record straight after all these years?

[Betua Argent]

"Yes..of course. We should share. More is merrier is the saying? We can toast to sharing.." they said, "I will retrieve some fresh drinks..Doctor Argent I am sure that Tikreta would love to hear more while I retrieve drinks, and we can speak all kinds of ills about Captain Kyeera until we feel better."

Betua isn't sure xe likes the direction that this is going. Yes, xe wants to support Tikreta and help her feel better and that means validating xer feelings about what the Captain has said, but xe's not sure bringing in other complaints is going to make them feel better.

Tik turns their attention more fully to Betua. "Are you saying that the captain has also pushed you away?" they say softly, voice tinged with understanding and sympathy. "It would not surprise me. She has long been... growing more distant. Her focus was never much on her people. I fear it is even less so now." They shake their head, canting their eyes away. "No. It is not fair for me to ascribe motive when all I have is incomplete data," they say.

"'Pushed away' is perhaps a misleading description," Betua says bitterly, despite xer misgivings. "It implies she ever let me close in the first place." xe shrugs, shaking xer head in a rustle of leaves that was swallowed by the throbbing music. "But she was always one to put the mission first, and I was young. Perhaps she felt it inappropriate." The Captain may have wanted Betua focused on the mission, rather than romance, on the part xe had to play.

As Lav moves away, Tik refocuses on Dr. Argent. While the effects of the first drink have largely worn off, between the mild intoxication and the disorientation of refocusing their form, it's not entirely a simple matter to find that focus. "It is my hope that if we -- the crew, I mean -- can connect better this time, we can keep the captain from making the same mistakes. Maybe if you had been with us for the final mission, you could have convinced her to try diplomacy after all. It's such a shame that you were too ill to accompany us. It might have turned out better for all us," they say, glancing over toward Lav's retreating form, then back again.

Betua is nodding along, pleased that someone else is finally—finally—allowing that something other than total destruction might be a better path to a cessation of hostilities; pleased that Tikreta thinks xe would have been an asset to that final mission. If only xe had been able to—"Wait. You thought I was ill?" Betua blinks. "Who said—" but xe stops, because there's really only one person who could have spread that lie. "I was not ill, the Captain asked me to stay behind; she told me—" xe cuts xemself off. "It doesn't matter, does it? She didn't want me there, and she said what she needed to say to make sure that happened. Or perhaps she misspoke, said 'ill' when she meant 'weak,' 'fragile.'" Xe turns away a moment, wrapping xer arms tightly around xemself. Perhaps even now, Betua is only here because Kyeera lost too many people the first time around and has to scrape the bottom of the barrel.

A resentful, self-pitying thought oozes saplike up the trunk of Betua's brain. "If you all thought I was ill, then why—" Betua whips around to confront Tik with xer question, not realizing Lav is already back with the drinks and is standing right there. Trying to change trajectory only causes xer to trip over xer feet and xe stumbles.

► Show Spoiler

I stumble, meaning to ask a question, and instead fall into your arms. Do you let us stay
like this for a moment, or do you push me away? Why?

[Lavender]

There is a deep sense of relief as Tik affirmed their need for another drink. Even if they had not wanted it really, it gave Lav a moment to remove themself from attention. Let them refocus on all the shallowness. The sounds and beats as they floated through the sea just as they had wanted. But they could not just enjoy. No. They had things they needed. Behind the bar, two masculine presenting Axtri took orders, payments, denied others.

Lav made themself presentable. Made themself open. Interesting. Summoning to one of the two bartenders until all six of eyes twisted to their direction and approached, waiting.

"I am in need of six Nebulas Kiss, and a drop of Zalith"

The bartender gave Lav a judgmental look. But Lav had only had one drink. One drink, a foolishly intimate dance, and a quick sobering. They were too sober. And the bartender couldn't possibly know how many companions Lav had. It all sounded perfectly reasonable. Lav knew that.

Two of the six eyes rolled, the other four started identifying all the items they would need for the cocktail. They poured the drop of Zalith first. It was easiest. Just a shot of amber liquid in a small glass, lit at the bottom by a flickering novelty light. Lav didn't care how it was presented. As the bartender set to work mixing, Lav tipped the glass back against their lip and savored the painful burn that gave way to the flavor of smoke and succulent. They took a deep breath, inhaling not just atmosphere but the atmosphere. All the dirt and filth under the glossy layer of light and sound. Part of them just wanted to melt into the bar top and stay there.

Six short glasses, oblong shaped with a short stem base, were set out in front of them. The Axtri poured long draws of Zalith and mixed with with Vexari fire before splashing a fruity liqueur from Drexia to mask the hard, biting liquors underneath. A candy pink syrup made the mixture glow slightly in the various lights, and a tiny dash of some sort of silvery bitters were added to make the whole drink spiral and swirl in the glass hypnotically. The glasses were topped with a fizzy hydrant before small drops of Jirath - a mild narcotic serum - was added to the surface to give the drinker an immediate sensation of floating when the mixture first touched their lips.

Credits were exchanged for drink after. The Axtri seemed interested to see just how Lav would take all these drinks with them, but there were too many people at the bar. Which was the point. Lav was left with six drinks.

The first Kiss went down smooth-too smooth. That floating sensation went immediately to Lav's head and quickly mixed with the flavors of fruit sugars and floral melted across their tongue, a sugared dream disguising the poison beneath. A whisper of fire lingered at the back of Lav's throat, the burn is familiar, the Zalith, but not enough to stop them from drinking the whole thing down in one quick motion. Like an old vice whispering, Come back to me.

The second Kiss hits Lav different. The warmth spreads faster, sinking deeper. Lightness intensified, like they were physically floating and struggling with just how to make gravity work. Sweetness became cloying, sticky on their lips as the urge to slow down and savor is pushed away to finish. They needed to get back. Too long and the others might come looking. They needed this alone. Lav barely noticed how the bar lights were too bright now, how the world outside their glass has softened, blurred. They hear themself moan as the euphoria sinks in at the end of the second drink.

They know the third Kiss is a mistake. Lav doesn't care.

The moment it slides down, one smooth motion, something shifts. A heat blooms, but it’s not warmth anymore—it’s a weight, pressing against Lav's ribs like an incoming solar storm. They take a deep breath and grip the edge of the bar, but everything feels too far away, too soft, too unreal. Their fingers don’t quite belong to them anymore. Everything fissures, body trying to catch up to mind trying to catch up to sound trying to catch up to motion trying to catch up to ...what is real? Everything starts to flutter and crackle, their mind lost and dragged toward something distant and roaring and empty.

They begin walking, swaying, moving back. Its not enough to forget everything. Its enough to be empty. Sounds exist but everything is so loud that it feels like silence. That familiar feeling of standing at the edge of the rift. They have three drinks in their hand as they see their three..no..two..companions again. Talking. They needed drinks.

Lav has three drinks. But two companions. So one is for Lav after all. For a second, the thought crosses their mind that one more is too much. They should stop.

A resentful, self-pitying thought oozes saplike up the trunk of Betua's brain. "If you all thought I was ill, then why—" Betua whips around to confront Tik with xer question, not realizing Lav is already back with the drinks and is standing right there. Trying to change trajectory only causes xer to trip over xer feet and xe stumbles.

Reaction time is slow. Dr. Argent seemed...something...Lav tries to think of the word as xhey turn too quickly, bumping into them and then the table. "Ohh~" they chime out in a high, singing voice as they try to rescue the drinks, setting them down in a splash on the small table. Some of the drink spill on their fingers, and instinctively they bring their hand up to suck the liquid off before whipping their hand like that would help suddenly dry them. "The drinks.." they say, sadly. A tendril of their mind that had floated along with them had heard something about a question. A word..'Why'.

"That is the question" they say, completely detached from whatever conversation the three two of them were having. "Why have any of us agreed to clean up Captain Kyeera messs" they slurred, just slightly. "Captain Kyeera only cared about stopping the void to protect her own investments. Sacrifices were strategy. If she shed tears at our previous victory, she probably invoiced the universe for interest."

► Show Spoiler

I tell you what I really think about our Captain and their mission.

[Tikreta]

Betua is nodding along, pleased that someone else is finally—finally—allowing that something other than total destruction might be a better path to a cessation of hostilities; pleased that Tikreta thinks xe would have been an asset to that final mission. If only xe had been able to—"Wait. You thought I was ill?" Betua blinks. "Who said—" but xe stops, because there's really only one person who could have spread that lie. "I was not ill, the Captain asked me to stay behind; she told me—" xe cuts xemself off. "It doesn't matter, does it? She didn't want me there, and she said what she needed to say to make sure that happened. Or perhaps she misspoke, said 'ill' when she meant 'weak,' 'fragile.'" Xe turns away a moment, wrapping xer arms tightly around xemself. Perhaps even now, Betua is only here because Kyeera lost too many people the first time around and has to scrape the bottom of the barrel.

A resentful, self-pitying thought oozes saplike up the trunk of Betua's brain. "If you all thought I was ill, then why—" Betua whips around to confront Tik with xer question, not realizing Lav is already back with the drinks and is standing right there. Trying to change trajectory only causes xer to trip over xer feet and xe stumbles.

Tik is trying to process Betua's response and respond to it themselves at the same time, and it's making it hard to focus. If the doctor wasn't ill -- wasn't even slightly incapacitated -- then why were xey left behind? And why did the Captain lie? What can possibly be done to rectify the situ--

Distracted by the depths of their confusion, Tik is slow to react when the doctor stumbles. Their subconscious takes over as they move to cradle Betua. Their form melts and deforms into a shape that cushions the contours of Betua's body, corporeality slow to respond, letting Betua sink into them a little before halting their momentum. Tik folds their arms around Betua, intending a comforting embrace.

"I am so sorry, Dr. Argent," Tik murmurs, their voice coming from somewhere near Betua's ear-equivalent sensory organ. "I genuinely had no idea. How that must have hurt, I can only contemplate." Their projection reexpands, gently raising Betua to her feet, but they maintain the embrace until certain xey are stable once again. "You are so much more valued than that."

"That is the question" they say, completely detached from whatever conversation the three two of them were having. "Why have any of us agreed to clean up Captain Kyeera messs" they slurred, just slightly. "Captain Kyeera only cared about stopping the void to protect her own investments. Sacrifices were strategy. If she shed tears at our previous victory, she probably invoiced the universe for interest."

It hurts Tik, somewhere deep, stretched across dimensions, for these revelations about the Captain to come to light. They genuinely loved the Captain, once upon a time not so long ago. Loved their drive, loved their dedication to their ideals, loved the passion they lived their life with, loved feeling important when they were with the Captain. Like they were part of something much bigger, much more impactful, than they could be by themselves. Listening to Lav, to Betua, that drive, the dedication, the passion, they all feel sinister now. No less true, but so much less lovable. Were they wrong all this time, or has the Captain changed? Was she ever the person Tik loved?

Even more concerning, does it matter? Does it change their goals at all?

Tik manifests an extra arm, their other two still folded about Betua, and reaches for one of the drinks. "I think we have to agree to clean up our own messes together, I think. If doing so also cleans up the Captain's mess, so be it, but that will be a coincidence, not the mission."

► Show Spoiler

I'm counting the embrace as "I move to sit closer, much closer. I’ll most likely pull away if you take things further. But for now, this is nice."

[Betua Argent]

Distracted by the depths of their confusion, Tik is slow to react when the doctor stumbles. Their subconscious takes over as they move to cradle Betua. Their form melts and deforms into a shape that cushions the contours of Betua's body, corporeality slow to respond, letting Betua sink into them a little before halting their momentum. Tik folds their arms around Betua, intending a comforting embrace.

"I am so sorry, Dr. Argent," Tik murmurs, their voice coming from somewhere near Betua's ear-equivalent sensory organ. "I genuinely had no idea. How that must have hurt, I can only contemplate." Their projection reexpands, gently raising Betua to her feet, but they maintain the embrace until certain xey are stable once again. "You are so much more valued than that."

It feels comforting, sinking into Tik's embrace, especially in contrast to the expectation of hitting the ground. It would be nice if Betua could just stay there, accept Tik's apology and offer of sympathy. But on an emotional level, xe can't accept that; in fact, every fiber of xer being revolts. "Am I?" Betua asks bitterly. No one valued xer enough to check up on xer following the Captain's false pronouncement. What would have been the point? The weak were sickly and there was no point in dwelling on their malaise.

"That is the question" they say, completely detached from whatever conversation the three two of them were having. "Why have any of us agreed to clean up Captain Kyeera messs" they slurred, just slightly. "Captain Kyeera only cared about stopping the void to protect her own investments. Sacrifices were strategy. If she shed tears at our previous victory, she probably invoiced the universe for interest."

Tik manifests an extra arm, their other two still folded about Betua, and reaches for one of the drinks. "I think we have to agree to clean up our own messes together, I think. If doing so also cleans up the Captain's mess, so be it, but that will be a coincidence, not the mission."

In a fit of pique, Betua slaps Tik's hand out of the way as xe struggles out of their embrace and to xer feet. Seizing both of the remaining shot glasses, xe downs them one after another, unable to keep from coughing as the burn of the Zalith finally emerges from behind the other flavors. "I'm not here for Kyeera or anyone else," xe managed to get out, swaying a bit as the alcohol goes straight to xer phloem. "I am here for me. And I am going to show everyone that I am not the brittle thing you all believe me to be." Xe drops the empty shot glasses to the floor and stomps them underfoot. "She owes me that."

► Show Spoiler

I tell you why I’m not going to die for the Captain and what they owe me.

[Lavender]

In a fit of pique, Betua slaps Tik's hand out of the way as xe struggles out of their embrace and to xer feet. Seizing both of the remaining shot glasses, xe downs them one after another, unable to keep from coughing as the burn of the Zalith finally emerges from behind the other flavors. "I'm not here for Kyeera or anyone else," xe managed to get out, swaying a bit as the alcohol goes straight to xer phloem. "I am here for me. And I am going to show everyone that I am not the brittle thing you all believe me to be." Xe drops the empty shot glasses to the floor and stomps them underfoot. "She owes me that."

Lav watched in a mix of surprised astonishment, envy, and concern as Betua pushed away from Tik, climbed back up to xer feet, and proceeded to treat the two cocktails like they were shots. Two being the key detail for Lav. One of those drinks was supposed to be theirs. Also there was the matter of just how powerful the drink was, which twisted Lav's lips into a Cheshire cat's grin.

"OooooOohhHoHoo" Lav said, still grinning, trying not to laugh. The whole situation just felt..funny. So funny to them. Their cheeks warmed, pale grey mixing with a warm heated purple. They were trying not to laugh, but they couldn't help a little chuckle.

"Do you think she meant love sick when she left you behind?" Lav asked, their finger now tracing the split remains of their drinks on the table, lifting a finger to their lips to taste what little bits of flavor there was left. They weren't above drinking the spillover off the table..if they had needed it. The looked back toward the bar and dizzily thanked themself for being smart enough to get a few shots in before coming back.

Lav's head wobbled, half lost in the music still pounding around them. Their smile looked more placid, and they watched Betua closest. "Captain Kyeera did not tolerate refusing commands. Would you have listened?"

They were still smiling, but there was a frown there, in their eyes. Lav shrugged their shoulders and, a deep and sorrowful sense of loss in their voice as they stared drunkenly back at their companions. "You should count yourself lucky, Doctor Argent. Some of us paid dearly to complete Captain Kyeera's mission."

► Show Spoiler

I make assumptions about your romantic interests that may or may not reveal something your heart isn’t ready to accept. How do you overreact?

[Tikreta]

Tik startles at the vehemence with which Betua turns down their offer of comfort, and again as xey take two shots in rapid succession. They can't judge, having recently done much the same, but they are confused. The available databases on emotional support strongly suggested that individuals lacking a broad-based support network often wished to be 'seen' and their emotions validated. Were they doing it wrong?

"Do you think she meant love sick when she left you behind?" Lav asked, their finger now tracing the split remains of their drinks on the table, lifting a finger to their lips to taste what little bits of flavor there was left. They weren't above drinking the spillover off the table..if they had needed it. The looked back toward the bar and dizzily thanked themself for being smart enough to get a few shots in before coming back.

Oh. OH. Ohhhhhh...

Is that the problem then?

It's no wonder Betua doesn't want their comfort!

Tik looks down at the glass in their hand. They were going to offer it to Lav, who was practically licking the table to get at the spilled beverage. Upon further review, however, Tik decides they need it more and knocks it back themselves.

"If I can offer advice, there are far more productive uses of your time than pining for the captain," Tik says, her projected form glitching between several of the forms they have adopted on this peculiar evening before settling back into an Axtri. "Cleaning the plasma core with a toothpick, for example, or painting flowers on the hull with UV-sensitive paint," they say blandly.

Tik looks down at their empty glass and puts it down on the table perhaps a bit more forcefully than absolutely necessary. "We need more drinks."

Unless one of the others stops them, Tik will head to the bar themselves this time.

[Betua Argent]

"OooooOohhHoHoo" Lav said, still grinning, trying not to laugh. The whole situation just felt..funny. So funny to them. Their cheeks warmed, pale grey mixing with a warm heated purple. They were trying not to laugh, but they couldn't help a little chuckle.

"Do you think she meant love sick when she left you behind?" Lav asked, their finger now tracing the split remains of their drinks on the table, lifting a finger to their lips to taste what little bits of flavor there was left. They weren't above drinking the spillover off the table..if they had needed it. The looked back toward the bar and dizzily thanked themself for being smart enough to get a few shots in before coming back.

Lav's head wobbled, half lost in the music still pounding around them. Their smile looked more placid, and they watched Betua closest. "Captain Kyeera did not tolerate refusing commands. Would you have listened?"

"Oh fuck-k-kr-k you, Lav." Betua is still swaying back and forth as xe has a finger in Lav's general direction. "I obeyed the order to stay behind and analyze the k-k-kricking telemetry, didn't I?" Xe closes xer eyes and tried to focus on the floating sensation, the giddyingly rootless feel of it all, knowing where this was all inevitably going.

They were still smiling, but there was a frown there, in their eyes. Lav shrugged their shoulders and, a deep and sorrowful sense of loss in their voice as they stared drunkenly back at their companions. "You should count yourself lucky, Doctor Argent. Some of us paid dearly to complete Captain Kyeera's mission."

"If I can offer advice, there are far more productive uses of your time than pining for the captain," Tik says, her projected form glitching between several of the forms they have adopted on this peculiar evening before settling back into an Axtri. "Cleaning the plasma core with a toothpick, for example, or painting flowers on the hull with UV-sensitive paint," they say blandly.

And there it is. "Oh yes, I'm so luck-k-kr-k-ky," xe says with exaggerated brightness. "To be considered so weak-k-k and useless that I dodged two bullets—K-k-kyeera's affec-k-tion and K-k-kyeera's ambition. I should just forget about wanting things and let everyone else decide for me so that I k-k-can be safe and k-k-coddled forever." Betua splays xer branches in an attempt to look suitably ornamental, but xer unsteadiness somewhat spoils the effect.