Falling Down

Posted on 29 Jun 2015 @ 9:43pm by Jynn

2,627 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 09 - Empires
Location: USS Galileo, Jynn and Rheneas' Quarters
Timeline: MD02, 2300 hours

ON:
The smell of freshly cut lilacs had permeated Jynn's room with its most pleasant aroma. What a day! He had taken the time despite their most awkward situation to attend to his self proscribed mission of meeting everyone on board and he certainly had a good start. So many wondrous people! He sat down in front of the lilacs to allow his senses to fully absorb the flowers' many characteristics. The colors. The smells. The textures. He studied them intently as he sat alone. He hated being alone. But for now he had flowers!

Newly transferred to the Galileo, Rheneas had first found a perch on someone's couch for the night but today he'd been assigned temporary quarters until the quartermaster could find him somewhere more permanent to call home. Having spent the day in engineering, he now walked into a room that smelled rather sweetly and the shape of a man sitting in front of what appeared to be a vase with flowers.

Looking at his PADD, he then looked around, and back to his PADD before letting his duffle drop to the deck with a thud and clearing his throat to get the occupant's attention. "Ahem," he said, drawing attention, hopefully. "Not sure if I'm in the correct space.....I was assigned here and they weren't sure if someone else occupied this space too.... seems that someone had a bug in their records..."

Jynn turned suddenly at the sound of the beckoning voice. He had to stop losing himself in every little thing if he didn't want to always be surprised like this. But he did like surprises. He beamed an ear-to-ear smile at the person who had just barged into his quarters. To Jynn company was always invited.

"Hello, there," he exclaimed as he examined his roommate-to-be. "A most welcome bug if you ask me. Something about incorrect bed arrangements? We can call it a bed bug!"

"I'm sure they're correct," Rheneas mumbled, "it's only temporary until they find me somewhere permanent. If you tell me which bed is claimed, then I'll take the other one." He stepped forward and held out his right hand. "Rheneas Malachy," he said, his Australian accent heavy as he spoke.

"Choose, but choose wisely," Jynn spoke in a mysterious voice. "One leads to rest and relaxation. The other leads to sleepless nights and the heights of excitement," he finished with a smirk and a laugh. A moment later and he stopped himself. Stop it, Jynn. Stop!

"I'm sorry. That one," he said as he pointed at the bed with no mattress. "I suppose I should fix that for you, huh?"

Blinking in surprise, Rheneas then nodded. "Yes that would be preferable," he smiled as he dumped his bag on the mattress-less bed. "I guess you didn't expect a roommate then? Bedding would be good too, but we can all requisition it, or replicate it I guess. And I didn't catch your name..."

"Oh, the mattress? I have two," he said with a smirk. "Don't know why. Just liked it. I'll take it out in a minute." He walked over to the replicator and looked over to his new bunkie. "Would you like something to drink? Oh, and where's my manners? Jynn." As he spoke his name the replicator produced a shot glass of nintey-four proof botanical spirits.

"Engineers," he said in fake disdain as he grabbed the glass and took a quick shot, the fluid vanishing in an instant. "I told them once already the replicator can't tell the difference between my name and this Earthborn spirit. They said," he changed is voice to a more funny than mocking tone, "Just don't say your name when you're ordering a drink, you clown." He smiled as his tone returned to normal. "But look what happens. I introduce myself while ordering you a drink and this is what I get. I say the computer aught to know by now who I am!"

Staying silent at the flood of words, Rheneas smirked. "I'm an engineer," he confessed, "and I would like a drink yes.."

"Well, it'd certainly be awful rude of me to ask you to take a look at this. I think we'll leave it to someone else, shall we? So, what would you like? Does your name sound like some delicious food or beverage," he questioned with genuine curiosity and only a hint of sarcasm.

"Not that im aware of." Rheneas smiled openly at the Deltan. "Do you
think it does?" He gestured to the Replicator. "I could if you want
it's no bother."

"It sounds delicious," Jynn exclaimed. And it was. The taste of, what was that drink that lovely lady from Earth had called it? Coebergh! had filled his mouth when he first laid eyes on him. "Rheneas," he spoke to the replicator. A few seconds went by. "Nothing. Well, no matter. Don't worry about the replicator. I suppose it is a silly thing to worry about. Two shots of Coebergh," he spoke to the replicator as he awaited the two of them to be served the drink that sprang forth to mind for Rheneas and himself.

"Please specify flavor," the computer demanded.

"I don't know, cheese!"

"Not a recognized flavor. Blackberry, cranberry, cherry, or raspberry."

Jynn sighed. "Cranberry!"

The two drinks formed and he reached out one of the glasses to Rheneas. "Drink up."

Accepting the drink, Rheneas sat down and nursed the glass, careful not to warm the drink too much. "I guess nothing comes close to my name," he chuckled, "though I suppose I could program your replicator to be able to tell the difference between Gin and Jynn. One is a 'szj' sound while the other is more 'dzj'....right?"

"No no no. Dzj and dzj. Jynn and gin. It's the same. But no worries. I'd like to think I'm as potent as that beverage. We'll leave it that way." He sat down next to Rheneas with a plop. "So, what do you think of our humble abode?"

"It's bigger than what I've resided in so far, or even on my prior assignment," the Human engineer assured him, "and I'm glad we can fix that bed to be more comfortable than it looks now. As far as potent goes, I wouldn't know to be honest because we've just met and gin isn't exactly the drink I usually go for." He winked playfully. "Ever had home brewed beer? Us Aussies do love our stubby you know."

"Stubby. Interesting. No, I have never had the chance to have Earth-type home-brewed beer, but I have partaken in some Klingon and Ferengi varieties. They are both quite good at fermenting beverages! Each and every one unique to the person who made it." Jynn took a large gulp of his beverage as he finished speaking. He was not one to move slow, and this included when he imbibed beverages of any sort. It was already almost gone.

"I brew my own on my spare time. Usually on the holodeck but it does produce something drinkable in the end." He lifted his drink before eyeing Jynn. "This is synthehol right? Because if it isn't....you probably should not have any more."

Of course it wasn't. Not for Jynn. "I hope you don't mind the real thing," he smiled. "Otherwise you may have to order another. Perhaps some time I can try your fermentation? I must admit I prefer the real thing, but am not averse to trying anything new." He paused for a moment as he thought about the Holodeck Hooch. "Funny. Hand crafted by artificial means. I'm not sure what to make of that," he spoke as he pondered.

"Well I don't really have anywhere to put a small brewery now do I," Rheneas chuckled. "There's a reason alcohol is generally not allowed on a starship. Synthehol doesn't intoxicate as alcohol does. Are you trying to get me drunk?"

Sensing the lightheartedness in his comment Jynn assumed he didn't actually have a problem with his choice of beverage. "Not at all. Though I don't object to company partaking in a little social lubricant. People are often quite interesting on their own but a shot or two of alcohol seems to make things so much more interesting," Jynn said with a laugh.

"That it does," the engineer agreed, draining the contents of his glass in one gulp. "In that case, I'll have another one. Maybe...we need something a little stronger? What can this replicator of yours produce without the higher ups being tipped off? Or....any secret stash?" he smiled as he held out his glass for a refill.

"No regulation that I know of, but perhaps one of the 'higher ups' would like to party? We'll see." Jynn stood up with a grin. "Hold the glass. Next one's shots." He walked over to the replicator and with the commander words "two shots of Jynn" (there was a broad smirk on his face as he amused himself saying his name), the small glasses of liquid where produced. He then came back over to Rheneas and set one glass before him. "Bottoms up?"

Nodding, Rheneas picked up the glass and tipped it back, licking his lips as he savoured the taste. "At least it warms one," he laughed, setting down the glass next to his previous one. "Makes me feel all tingly inside."He blinked. "And a little...blurry..."

"Better slow down before you get yourself in trouble! You don't seem to hold your liquor quite so well. Are you going to be alright?" Truth be told Jynn was getting a little intoxicated, himself, but he was good at not showing it.

"Eventually," Rheneas replied, blinking a few times more to settle his vision. "Not used to the strong stuff. Maybe sleep it off...provided we can get my bed fixed in time." He smiled disarmingly. "One more just for the heck of it and then call it quits?"

"Great! You grab 'em and I'll get your bed setup." He stood up again. All this standing up and sitting down was certainly making him unsteady. He walked over to his bed and flipped off the mattress, dragging the second one under it over to Rheneas'. After sloppily setting it down on the frame he looked over to him in eager anticipation of that next drink.

"Don't bother with setting it right," Rheneas called over his shoulder as he replicated the drinks, "just toss on some sheets and I'm happy for tonight." He handed over a glass, the liquid inside sloshing over the side. "Oops..." He tossed his drink back and keeled over onto Jynn's bed.

Sleepless nights and heights of excitement. The words flashed in Jynn's mind for the second time that night, but this time the words went unspoken. Maybe just once more? Tuula seemed fine, after all. And Rheneas seemed like such a nice man. Maybe he was interested?

No! Jynn instantly knocked back the next drink, briefly cleansing his mind of the thoughts within. But then they came back, like thoughts that could not be sanitized. He found himself in the privacy of quarters with another person again. A place where the secrets would not get out. Or so he thought.

No! Lets try this again, Jynn. Better to lose consciousness before you lose control. He had become more serious, like a man trying to beat the clock. "Gin," he spoke to the replicator as he put back another round. "Guess I'll be sleeping in your bed," he half questioned Rheneas. That certainly didn't sound like the right phrasing, either.

Staring at the ceiling, which seemed to be spinning wildly, Rheneas tried to lift his head. "Hm?" he asked. "Help me up...I'm not tired, its not that late." He held up his hand for the other man to grasp, and pull him to his feet. "What'd you do to the ceiling? It's all this spinning pattern, it's gorgeous." But it made him feel extremely unbalanced.

With a bit of a sway Jynn made his way slowly over to the young human who had found himself in his bed. "Right, let me help you up." He grabbed onto the outstretched arm with both of his hands and tried to lift him up, but try as he might it felt more like he was pulling himself closer to Rheneas than pulling him out of the bed as if subconsciously called by something or possibly just too drunk to concentrate and lift a man to his feet who was larger than himself.

"You don't look so balanced either," Rheneas commented as he tried to
get up. "Don't fall on me...that'd be...awkward..."

"I got you," Jynn said as he pulled harder, but try as he might he ended up falling onto Rheneas, Jynn's face brushing against the side of his. It was probably just his psychological desires building again, but at that point Jynn felt as though both their bodies and minds brushed against one another at that point. Rheneas was right. It was awkward, though more than he could have imagined.

"Oofff!" Rheneas exclaimed as the Deltan toppled on top of him, then flinched as if zapped by something electric. "Wow...that was weird," he muttered, trying to wiggle from under the other man. "C'mon...you're too heavy, I can't breathe."

With a bit of a budge that felt more difficult than it should have Jynn rolled off of Rheneas and hit the floor hard. "Sorry 'bout that. Guess you'll be getting yourself up. Could you help me out here and grab me another drink?" Unconsciousness was sounding good at this point.

Rolling over, and leaning over the edge of the bed, Rheneas stuck out his hand, attempting to pull Jynn up. "If I can get up and moving," he slurred, looking thoughtful, "but it won't be alcohol sir. No sir, we've had enough."

Jynn reached up his hand to hold onto Rheneas' and gave himself a pull, but with was all of his previous maneuvers maneuvers this night, he failed in bringing himself to foot and instead pulled Rheneas onto him with a hard thud. He felt crushed, but at this point he was more ready to sleep than anything. "I guess I can forgo the next drink," he said with a drunken smirk.

"Whoah!" Rheneas yelped as he crashed from the bed and rolled aside, his arm remaining across Jynn's chest, unconsciously holding on to him. He held his breath, trying to keep the room from increasing it's spin. "I...don't think I should move again, or I'll throw up on your carpet..." he mumbled, "I think...I'm drunk."

A sudden laughter broke out in the room. Jynn couldn't help it. "I think you're right," he said as he turned his head to look at him. He peered into the beautiful emerald eyes in front of him for a few moments, attempting to study their slightly erratic movement. "Yes, you're most definitely drunk," he confirmed with a chuckle.

"And most definitely not getting up," the engineer mumbled sleepily, tightening his arm as he closed his eyes. "I have my pillow...'s all I need."

With a sigh of both exhaustion and relief Jynn closed his eyes as well as he started to drift towards sleep. There would be no more falling down tonight. No more trouble to get into. And though he was relieved, there was still that ever present feeling Jynn felt that had come to the forefront again as he had stared into Rheneas' eyes with his arm around him. Desire. Or more appropriately the desire to express love.

OFF:
PO2 Rheneas Malachy
Engineer
USS Galileo
[PNPC T'Vanna]

Lieutenant JG Jynn
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Galileo

RSS Feed