Unlikely Pair
Posted on Mon Feb 22nd, 2021 @ 10:49pm by Lieutenant Gunnar Arnason & Tal t'Leiya
888 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Frizzle
Location: Haumea
Timeline: after 'Reunion'
It was getting late. All of the crates and luggage had been moved into the the t'Leiya's new residence, and the vital parts unpacked. Gunnar, Tal and Ali were enjoying a moment of peace with the children finally all in bed (if not necessarily asleep), when Caithlin came through the door, having finally finished with her work for the Bray Foundation.
Gunnar had been about ready to excuse himself for the night, but noting the way the sisters were now all but huddled together, he didn't feel right leaving now. Despite the strong bond between husband and wife, Tal sometimes seemed a third wheel to the sisters. It was a phenomenon Gunnar had observed before, and to some extent experienced around T'Ango and Divash, so he looked over at the man with a smile. "I was considering going for a drink. Care to come along?"
Tal shot a glance to his mate and her sister, who were speaking in low tones to one another now near another corner of the room. "Certainly." Unlike Gunnar, he stopped at the rack of coats and the like hung on the wall to grab his, a fleece-lined leather jacket.
Gunnar considered that what to him was mild spring weather might be less pleasant to walk in for Tal. "We can go up to my place, or the local tavern is a few blocks away. It's not the higher end establishment, which is further out, but the owner carries some decent liquor and mixes some of his own."
"His own liquor? That's likely worth a try."
"He has a passable version of akvavit, but you'd probably be more interested in the one based on an old earth drink called 'moonshine' that's almost as intoxicating as Romulan ale." The Icelander stepped out into a pleasant 12 degrees, and looked up at the stars with a smile. "It's a few blocks away, but it's nice evening for a walk."
"If a bit...brisk." Tal closed his jacket as he followed Gunnar. "Though I believe Ieliene is looking forward to learning how to...'snowboard'...during the next winter."
"I'm looking forward to teaching her," Gunnar replied. "Though she seems to have the basic idea with that hover board already. Mostly I think I'll have to make sure she stays warm enough." He smiled to himself, thinking that he might have to feign being cold to get her to admit to it and come in before she froze. "And I admit, I'm really looking forward to horses arriving."
Tal laughed softly. "They are fascinating creatures. The history of how they have been used by your people, as well."
"They are," Gunnar agreed, smiling as though the very thought warmed him. "Though I'd say it was almost more of a partnership, at least as far as horses and my people, especially in more recent centuries."
"Well." Tal grinned; his next words so assuredly and comfortably phrased one might be reminded that the Romulan view of life was rife with expectations of...mutual interplay between various parties. "That your people used the horses does not imply that the horses are not also using them. This became clear quickly the number of treats they always seemed to manage to acquire from my daughter."
"Horses are smart. They train you as much as you train them," Gunnar laughed. "Bjarmi used to eye my pockets and nudge me for an 'offering' before before accepting his bit." He paused and turned toward the tavern door. "Here we are."
Tal eyed the door for a moment, and the immediate area surrounding it, out of long habit that came from quite literally having been on a Tal Shiar hit list for decades before the fall of the Empire; then, apparently satisfied, opened the indicated door and led them inside.
Gunnar had paused, expecting the cautionary hesitation. He couldn't blame Tal - even without the history of assassination attempts, Rumi's tended to inspire a moment of hesitation for most new people. The food and booze were actually pretty decent, but it very much had a frontier bar vibe. "Let's take a seat at the bar," he suggested, knowing that Tal might feel more comfortable being able to watch the bartender pour the drinks.
Another rapid assessment, this time of the interior space, and Tal slid onto one ofthe barstools--unsurprisingly, one that didn't leave any of the other few patrons to his back, or able to reach it without clearing his field of vision, before getting the attention of the bartender. "I believe my friend has recommended I try the house 'moonshine'."
"One for me as well," Gunnar said, ignoring the bartender's slight raise of eyebrows. A Romulan might not be usual here, and the moonshine wasn't the normal order even for regulars since the homebrew was rather strong, but the former at least was likely to change and people should welcome it.
With a shrug, the man retrieved a jug and poured two shots, setting them in front of what seemed an unlikely pair. Of course, you got all kinds in this line of work...
Gunnar lifted his. "Skál."
Tal returned the toast, with somewhat less stellar pronunciation than Gunnar; But enough of one to indicate that perhaps at some point he had drunk with the latter's grandparents; then downed his shot in a swift gulp.
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