Commerce

Posted on 16 Mar 2022 @ 7:52am by Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Civilian Iola Hawkins

Mission: R&R - Styx Outpost
Location: Ferryman bar, DS21
Timeline: During shoreleave
1616 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Michael was quite happy arriving at DS21, just the fact he'd be seeing the station he'd heard about, an old Cardassian station. "What do you think Iola? I've wanted to see this since I've been reading the news about it. Here is where the USS Copernicus is at, the one I and others of my engineering team came to help" holding onto Iola's hand as they walked along. Michael was sort of like a kid in a candy shop seeing what had been done to refit the station. The section of the station they wandered by had what appeared to be a fitness area then beyond that there was a place called Niska's. "Niska, I've heard of that place. Said there was some original drinks... C'mon love shall we go check that out?" giving a smile to Iola, "Maybe there will be some drinks I've not heard of, maybe even some non alcoholic drinks?" leading the way there, and walking backwards just a little bit, to look at Iola with a smile.

Iola looked around in awe, never having even seen a space station before in her life. "This place is so big," she marveled as she looked back at her love. "I heard of Niska's too... lots of gossip on ship," she smiled, "head she is a wizard." She smiled as she watched him watch her, and she twirled around, making her dress fan out like an upside down flower. "In kitchen and with...gifts?"

"What a fabulous reputation," a voice rang out from the bar. "Its nice to be appreciated. So let me guess? Andromeda crew?"

"I not crew," Iola answered as she turned towards the sound of the voice, "I...guest? Passenger?" She turned to Michael with a beaming smile. "Family?" Her attention turned back towards the bar. "I.." she paused, realizing she was forgetting words. "I am Iola, envoy to Don of Cross Roads."

"You are Orion. Its nice to see a fellow Orion out here," the other green skinned lady informed her. Niska did not count the obnoxious Mirae in that equation. She dearly hoped this one was not an evil wretch. Well if she was, she would be leaving soon enough. "What can I get you nice folks?"

Michael smiled at Iola, "Family, yes indeed" To Iola. Then to Niska "and crew as well. I'm the Chief of Engineering." Turning his brilliant smile towards Niska. I've heard of your original drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. I'd like to try one of each, do you have any recommendations?" walking inside, still holding Iola's hand. He looked around at Niska's, "This look really good, Niska."

"This is only a patch on my last place. It needs further work. It will be really good. Come back next time and it will be better. You must taste my own made liqueur. This is from the Aquil planet. Here," she poured two single measures and nudged it towards them. "I will make you a goddesses kiss," she smiled expertly starting mixing.

"What are your plans for your time here?" she asked.

"A little bit of exploring, thinking of checking in with the engineering staff here and finding out the status of the USS Copernicus. That ship had gone through a lot, and still keeps on running. She's got character. " Michael picking up the drink sample that Niska had pushed forward. "And a goddesses kiss, that sounds like an interesting drink. What is the story behind it?"

"What is it made of?" Iola asked curiously, while sniffing her glass. "I want to explore the station, meet more people," she added, smiling slyly at Michael. "Get married?"

Michael looked at Iola. "Yes and get married." giving her a quick kiss and smiled, then turned to take another sip of the drink Niska gave them. "This is really good."

"Well first, congratulations," she smiled. "And this," she lifted the bottle of her liqueur. "Is refined from Aquil sea kelp believe it or not. I created the process. It took a long time to find the right quantities and what to use as a base. But it works very nicely. And the goddesses kiss is named so as we were all contacted by a goddess recently. I noticed how beautiful she was in that brief contact and was drawn to her lips," she said dreamily. "I like a good pair of lips. Male, female. It doesn't matter. I will happily kiss them all. In fact both of yours a beautiful. You make a stunning couple," she winked at them.

Michael blushed slightly and gave a light laugh, "Thank you." pulling Iola into his arms, "I hadn't seen the goddess, only heard the tale of her appearance, and her birth." not going any further than that. "Your drink sounds great and refreshing though, and made from kelp. Definitely very innovative."

"Thank you," she smiled. "But I'm hoping to mass market it and it be my money maker. I won't pretend. I had a terrible first part of my life. If I can find away to ensure the rest of its comfortable I'm doing it."

"I can't fault you on that. I would love to try that drink as well. I am a bit of a business man myself, I like to from time to time, make things and sell them to some shop owners, who in turn can make a profit as well. Its in the blood I guess." giving a laugh. "But with how tasty that drink you had given us, I really firmly believe you are onto something there." Michael giving a nod.

"Perhaps my Don can help with distribution in the Crossroads?" Iola suggested, looking up at her fiancé to see what his thought might be on that matter. "Many venues in Crossroads that sell alcoholic drinks," she added as she carefully sipped the drink.

"I think that is a splendid idea, and speaking of your Don, Iola, we still need to go speak to him about permission for us to marry." Michael remarked to his lady love. He reached out to caress her purple hair, giving a smile.

“I thank you,” Niska said to Iola. “What is a Don?” She then added puzzled.

Iola hesitated, as she wasn't sure how to explain this. "Don is master," she finally answered truthfully, "and leader in sector. He make sure people trade fairly, and people are safe in sector." She looked to Michael for help, as she could only answer this from her own limited knowledge.

"The one Iola is speaking of, has taken care of her for quite sometime. From what I have gathered, he's more like her father. And doesn't and hasn't treated the people whom he has in his own compound badly. Unlike others who are more like crime bosses." Michael offered up in explanation.

"Colony... big place to live for people." Iola shrugged. "People can't leave, but they serve Don. Everyone treated well, people work, have lives... families..." She paused. "Don is good master. Fair, he cares for his people."

"I still have yet to meet him." Michael stated, looking at Iola. "Hopefully he will give me permission to marry you and I still need to speak to Captain Reynolds as well." he turned his gaze back to Niska. "I do like the setup of your place, it is a good location. And your home made drinks are really good. I will definitely start doing the word of mouth and also let people I know , about your place Niska."

Iola nodded in agreement, looking down at the barely touched drink in her hands. "Do you have no-alcohol version of this?" she asked, holding the glass up. "I don't like taste of alcohol, but otherwise... tastes good."

"Thank you. I will need to work at finding something that works with the rest of the drink to find a non alcoholic version. Captain Reynolds," she rolled her mouth round the words the human male had said. "The other cousin cometh then. I hope he is not a bossy as his mother."

"I haven't had the pleasure of meeting her." Michael responded, "I can say that Captain Reynolds is a fair man who will treat you with respect. He is firm but not an ass. I think you'll like meeting him, that is for certain."

She nodded. Looking back at Iola she said, "Where I hail from the "don" equivalent was not so nice. People sure had to work though."

Michael nodded in agreement as to what Niska had said. "Her Don is a rare one from what Iola had said, from what she had said," looking at the woman he loved, "He sounds more like a father than an owner."

Iola nodded. "More like father," she agreed. "My Don doesn't use physical punishment...much. He believe in truth and honesty, and loyalty. Loyalty always rewarded." She smiled at Michael. "I trust my loyalty will be." Her eyes traveled back to Niska. "Where are you from? You say your Don not nice..."

"A long way away," Niska said simply. "And I never plan on going back. I like to move forward me. I hope you Don allows your marriage," she smiled.

"I do hope that as well." Michael answered, "and thank you Niska." smiling, "And it is best to move forward especially with your business. I will once again say I will be certain to give people the place to come and enjoy original drinks by the esteemed, and incredible Niska."

The part Orion nodded regally at him and wandered off to another customer.

OFF:

Lieutenant Michael Hawkins
Chief Engineer
USS Andromeda

Iola
Don's Envoy
Cross Roads/Andromeda

Niska
Owner of the Ferryman, DS21
NPC Jon Reynolds