Speak Easy and Wind Down

Posted on Wed Oct 16th, 2019 @ 7:03pm by Commander Ichiko Gail & Lieutenant Commander William Rogers

Mission: War and Peacekeeping
Location: Some Holodeck
Timeline: *BACKPOST*

The dimly lit atmosphere was thick with a smokey haze and the din of conversation. It was a packed night at Louie's, enough that anyone who desired to blend into the crowd could and those that chose to stand out had all eyes on them. The lounge was packed with red velvet seating, almost too tight to move around, with a long bar in the back. The bar, Louie would tell you, was smuggled from France when he and some of the local boys went over to fight the Hun. Anyone else would tell you that Louie was a fantastic storyteller and a notorious stretcher of the truth. The dominating feature of the speakeasy was the stage, on it now an excellent jazz band with a beautiful ebony haired woman whose voice seemed to cut through the noise.

Taking up his drink, a beautiful looking French 75, Aleksi took a sip and was pleasantly surprised. It seemed this batch of gin worked out just right, for now. Sitting in his favorite seat, well in the back yet with a perfect view of the acts on stage, he closed his eyes momentarily, indulging his vice. It was when he heard the door open that he opened an eye, looking to see who had disturbed his personal concert.

Of all the places in all the world, she had to walk into this one.

She had long hair, longer ears, and legs that went halfway up her back. A spade of a cottonpuff tail marked a bullseye along her form from behind as she walked in. A slip of a dress that had less sleeve than it did decency, as black as Turkish coffee and as fitting as a tailored shoe. She wore a hat, but it was pointless with eyes like that. Bold, hollow, and deeper than looking down an empty bottle. The gentle 'Klik Klak' of her shoes on the floor was nearly hidden by the din of the crowd and the act on stage. Nearly.

"This seat taken?" she asked softly.

A soft smile crossed his face, looking the new comer over, "By you," He held up a finger to the waiter, simply nodding once he had his attention. Sliding over slightly to give her room, "What brings you to this shady neighborhood?"

"I'm fascinated by this period of human history." she said, breaking the mold of the persona of the period. She sat gently, "Thank you. I take it this is your recreation?" she said, looking around without gesturing. "We have similar units back in the Empire, but I would say your's are a touch more... Real, if the word is allowed in here."

"When I was at the academy I stumbled into a joint with a similar vibe, music was good and the drinks were decent. It was too sterile though, none of this," He motioned all around them, "The ambiance. I spent a summer travelling around earth looking at old speakeasys, at least the ones that still existed and settled on this. A little too dark, a little to crowded, too much history, but the music and drinks really come through."

The waiter came by with a smile, dropping off another glass for the lady before quickly disappearing back into the crowd. Aleksi grabbed up his glass, lifting it towards her, "To staying one step ahead of the devil."

She gave a ghost of a smile, "Imagine. Something being this illegal and yet, so many people thinking it was still right." she sounded impressed. As the drink arrived, she gave a nod before taking it up.

"Kampai." she raised her glass and took a long pull. The word she used sounded like, ordinarily, it'd be shouted or far more joyous. Here, it was spoken casually. Like it was the news or the weather.

"I like it. Not just the ambiance but the feel. Dangerous, but familiar." she tried to describe it. "I like your toast. Back home we used to say that if you were to die, be the one the devil would collect in person." she mentioned. "Not that our devil and your devil are the same. Or really even a devil. But it translates close enough."

"Legal and right aren't always the same thing, many species have proved it time and again and still do," Taking a drink of his 75, a smile crossed his face again, "I always liked that toast, truth from the minds of men and women drunk off blood wine on some backwater world. What I learned was that flirting with the death is most alive one can feel," He looked at the woman next to him, "What do you think the devil looks like? I suppose the human concept of it?"

"The devil looks like everyone you've ever met that you had a doubt about." she stated, "Or who ever had a doubt about you. At least, that's what I think. The only moments for your life they wouldn't be there for were when you didn't let doubt in." another sip. "And you? I hope you're more inventive than pitchfork and red suit."

"Desire, pure unadulterated desire," He looked at the stage, the band switching out, "For me that would have been a beautiful woman ten or so years my senior with a yacht in the Mediterranean, wealthy enough to where I wouldn't have to work again unless I chose to," Picking up his glass he chuckled, "Now, well I'm not entirely sure what that would be. Probably something similar."

Ichiko gave a smirk, "The first person who I can say I desired was intimidated by my condition. He left me within two weeks." she took another sip of her drink. She'd have to get the name of it, "So for me, the Devil would be something that I could actually forget. A plain face in a crowd of hundreds. A name that I couldn't quite put my finger on. A request that is just on the tip of my tongue."

The big man came on with the new musicians. Built like a statue from another time. Eyes like ice. He surveyed the crowd for a moment while the band tuned up their instruments. All of the smoke made him want a cigarette. The band kicked into the intro for their first tune. The upbeat cover of a track from his youth in a 20s jazz style. He stepped behind the microphone. o/` I feel so unsure, as I take your hand, and lead you to the dance floor. As the music dies, something in your eyes, calls to mind the sliver screen, and all its sad goodbyes.o/`

Ichiko took another sip, almost done with her drink. The song spoke volumes to her. She remembered every hello, but she remembered every goodbye. Every dance, every step, every film. Everything. "Do you dance?" she asked.

o/`I'm never gonna dance again, Guilty feet have go no rhythm, o/` Bill continued to croon, unaware of the question the first officer posed to the chief of intelligence. o/`Though it's easy to pretend, I know you're not a fool, o/`

"Absolutely not," Aleksi stood up to meet her, knowing full well we was terrible at it. He had to admit, Bill had a voice, he'd have to ask him why he chose to be a pilot. He offered his hand to Ichiko, shame one of those things he didn't possess, "But I'm willing to make a fool of myself when asked."

She took his hand, and together they made their way to the floor. "If it helps, I'm a terrible dancer as well. Remembering how to do something and being able to do it are two completely different things."

To her credit, she was a little better than terrible. She didn't make him do any fancy maneuvers on the field of battle. Just a diversion of the mind. "You're not terrible. You've hardly stepped on my feet." she joked, to perhaps put him at ease.

o/`I should have known better than to cheat a friend, And waste a chance that I'd been given, o/` Bill spotted the pair out on the floor, although for now he focused on the performance. o/`So I'm never gonna dance again the way I danced with you.o/`

"You're coming out better than most of my partners," Aleksi chuckled, certainly not in a position to attempt anything fancy. He appreciated the slow and easy dancing, it was nearly relaxing, "I can't tell you how many shoes I've ended up scuffing to hell."

Ichiko smirked, amused, "I'll remember that." and this time, she sounded amused to say it. "I may have to keep a copy of this program for myself. It's just tense enough to be relaxing."

"The current singer doesn't come standard, though he's damn good" he whistled, cutting through the air. A waiter appeared with a smile, "Give our friend on stage the same thing we're having, French 75 with the special sauce. A little extra lemon though, let's preserve his voice. And have him join us after his act."

She actually giggled, and looked up at her dance partner, "Well then, I'll have to make due with the standard vocalist." as their dance came to a close, she let him go gently before returning to their table. "Your a better dancer than you give yourself credit for. Not a single scuff." she smirked.

"Well, we have to learn sometime. I can't always be the uncouth tramp," Aleksi took a seat beside her, his hand shaking slightly realizing just how much focus he had put into not looking like an idiot, "Can't go to diplomatic events with two left feet."

The drink arrived just as Careless Whisper came to a close. Bill raised the glass to the other offers before continuing with his set. After a few more songs he took his bow and made his way to their table.

"Ah! The man of the hour!" Aleksi waved to the seat on the other side of Ichiko as the waiter delivered refills to the CIO and XO, "With pipes like that I have to ask, what are you doing here?"

"You're too kind." Bill grinned as he took the indicated seat. Aleksi may have just been being polite, but the compliment was none the less appreciated. "Turns out Earth doesn't need another 20th Century tribute act, so I had to get a proper job."

"Proper jobs are overrated," Leaning back he chuckled, "Fortunately I found a job where I get to indulge all my worst habits."

Ichiko gave Bill a nod as he arrived, "An excellent performance." she complimented. "Earth's music isn't all too different from the music back home, songs of love and loss. Of course, the lyrics are a bit different."

"Next time we get together, I'll see if I can have a lounge from home loaded up instead."

"Will you be performing a song for us, Commander?" Bill asked with a grin.

"I can't commit to anything at this time, but I'll certainly give it my best." she replied. Knowing the words and holding a tune were two completely different tricks.