Re: Day 03 [0600 hrs.] Breakfast of Champions
Reply #7 –
[ Lt. Commander Leon "Striker" Marquez | Arboretum Cafe | USS Theurgy ]
Marquez looked aside, concealing the grin that crept along the corner of his mouth Keval couldn't see, acting as if the Andorian drink had taken its effect. Despite the minty freshness, it was as potent and energetic as any raktajino or Juan Valdez gourmet morning coffee. Marquez tried not to think about the feiry young fighter pilot Krystal Tancredi, knowing the poor girl hailed from humble and special circumstances that elevated her above her destiny, and as her XO, he'd grown fond of her lively nature and personal insight.
It was because of that that he tried not to know about her relationship with his own friend and protoge', Jimmy Mariner. Having an Andorian counterpart was a refreshing kindred spirit, Leon tried to tactically advise his friend in the subtle art of pink-skin courtship.
He then shook it off as he listened to what his friend said next and that made him stroke his chin thoughtfully. "It's not that I'm over eager or anything like that." he admitted freely as his mind went back to a conversation on the starbase nearly an entire two days prior now before their flight and the loss of the Resolve.
"Meony just isn't your average Earth-girl, neither is that uptight non-com security officer I've heard gripes about. Pink-skins are as a diverse a species as they come. Not all of them follow the whole 'triad' dynamic of group-dating. But if you're going for one of those Sh'ereths with volunteer species, don't let me stop you if it's mutually agreed upon." Striker heard the department reference of Tac Conn, and didn't at once need to access his datapad to remember there was an officer by that first or sur- name, which warranted the CTO taking a second inspection toward. He had about four helpings of his steak salad, almost finishing it as he found a close-enough dossier. Marquez grumbled in a way others would've seen as grouchy, but this was just an act known by those closest to him as a characteristic 'tough guy' sense of humor. "Here I am helping the CIO with his homework... You owe me when we have that victory parade on Andoria. Tarsi told me that those mating dens get rather lively." Striker found the dossier of Keval's interest on his PaDD and mulled it over.
"Vaya, Carnal <Well, well, Brother>. You'd better brush up on your starship-classes. Namely the older models from Shran's era if you really want to impress." Marquez wore an otherwise-expressionless regard of approval. "She's Jaya Thorne. Petty Officer First-Class... unmarried. Cute. Pretty. Rough past coupla years, and she's seen combat, judging by the high-five someone or something gave her." Marquez read her file briefly to himself.
"Fascinating. She seems interested in collecting starship models. Not surprising, I used to..." Marquez held the datapad as bait, almost as tauntingly as two senior officers could reach without giving off the aura of immaturity afforded to Jr. officers. Eventually, he turned it over. "Well! You're half-way there: the Kumari is a..." Marquez resorted to using Andorian as a language to indicate the impressive masculine features of the Kumari-Class design. "Get her one of those juicy-big-ones for her cockpit and pass it off as a gift that..." Marquez thought of some tactful excuses to give Keval a reason for parting with a gift that'd pay off in the long run if the Andorian played his cards right. "... completes...? Her collection?"