A Spot Of Tea

[RIP Carlyle Rausgeber]

For Carlyle Rausgeber the 'Spacers Bottle' was one of his favourite hang outs. Nestled in one of the cities rustic alleyways, it was a favourite for young naval cadets due to its closeness to the naval academy. For Calyle that was where his unrequited love affair with the bar began.

Since his earliest days as a young cadet, the 'Bottle' had been simultaneously where he'd drunk his first ale, but also where he'd met his first girlfriend, had his first fist fight and broke up with his first girlfriend. But now, was a time for relaxation. The officer walked through the dank, dirty bar, attired in his black greatcoat. The commodore approached the bar, with swagger in his step, and pulled up a stool.

"Same as always Carly?" The elderly barman asked, cleaning a glass.

"Yes," Carlyle replied dryly, setting down his cap. "How's business Arry?"

"Could be worse, has been better." The barman said, pouring a glass of Avalonian ale. "Any problems commodore? Seem a bit down."

"Just business. A navy man's work is never finished." Carlyle said, looking out at the bar's occupants. An off duty patrol of stormtroopers occupied the far end, nestled away in a cove. A few local workers occupied some scattered tables, in the midst of their lunch break.

"Well, it's good to see you back 'ere." The barman replied, passing the officer a glass.

[member="Charlotte Reed"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Charlotte Reed was still waiting for her ship assignment. It had been months since she had received her commission and rank, but something about the Omega overhaul being spearheaded by Ol' Ironpants herself -- [member="Fiolette Yvarro"] -- was delaying her assignment to a ship. As a Commander, she was looking forward to commanding a cruiser of some variety, but until then she was on Academy duty, assisting as an instructor on ship-to-ship combat and simulator grading specialist. It was dull as paint, but it paid and reasonably well. And it kept Charlotte busy, so that she didn't have time to think about being far from home and alone, widowed.

Most of the time.

But when the realization became too much, Charlotte had a plan. She went to the Spacers Bottle, a dingy little public house that was entirely unremarkable, except for the fact that it was where her late husband had taken her on their first date as cadets -- and many dates after. She would pay for it in the next day, would probably cry buckets at the memories. But it would be worth it to be comforted for a spell. So when she knocked off for lunch from the academy, she found her way pushing into the Bottle, the scent of stale beer and fried food flashing her back to her days as a cadet in the blush of young love.

She pulled up a stool next to [member="Carlyle Rausgeber"], not knowing who he was and not seeing his rank badge, unaware of his rank. She lifted a finger and the bartender came over. "Scotch, please. On the rocks?" She paused and then folded her hands on the bar. "Ooh -- and an order of the fried calamari, please."

 

[RIP Carlyle Rausgeber]

"As you wish ma'am," Arry the barkeep replied, before walking into the back kitchen. He began to yell something incoherrently at the chef, their voices echoing through out the pub. Carlyle eyed the woman with a smirk.

"You don't want any of the calamari here," Carlyle warned in a dry voice, "Rumour has it Arry fries it in Gamorrean piss." The commodore examined his glass swirling the brown ale around in his glass. He took a swig from it, "But, as they say, caveat emptor." He cracked a smile at her, "But that probably wasn't the best introduction," he offered her his hand, "Carlyle Rausgeber." he said, introducing himself.

Arry stumbled out of the kitchen, and turned to Charlotte, "Calamari will be a few minutes love." he said, before reaching down underneath the bar and pulling out a bottle of scotch, and a clean glass. The barman then pulled a scoop filled with ice cubes out of the freezer, and sliding them into her glass. "Here you are darl."

"A refill if you don't mind Arry." Carlyle said.

"But you 'aven't-" Arry began.

"Don't worry Arry, I'm sure to finish this one, and the next one, and the one after that." Carlyle grinned, raising his glass.

[member="Charlotte Reed"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Charlotte wasn't sure, at first, whether [member="Carlyle Rausgeber"] was speaking to her. She didn't react until he moved towards her and extended a hand. She paused for a moment before reaching over and taking it. "Reed," she replied primly. "Charlotte Reed." She looked up as the bartender came by with the bottle and the glass. "I don't know what Gamorrean piss tastes like, but I'm sure it's not what the calamari here taste like." She paused, admiring the hardware on Carlyle's shoulders and chest before adding, sheepishly, "Sir."

The young woman wrapped her hands around the glass that the bartender provided and nodded her thanks before taking it off the bar and lifting it to her lips. The scotch burned down her throat, heating her from the inside. She looked around the room, her eyes scanning the decor. The place hadn't changed a bit since she had first been there, so many months and months ago, with her husband. "What is a Commodore doing slumming it at the Spacer's Bottle? I thought this was a place for, you know, junior officers."

 

[RIP Carlyle Rausgeber]

"Every officer had to start somewhere." Carlyle said with a wry smile, "Even before the First Order, the Bottle has been around." He said, "I realise Clivedens is usually the place men of my rank relax, but, Clivedens, well, it's a little too exclusive for my tastes." The commodore, reached for his glass, and took a hearty sip, "Though nostalgia most certainly does play a part." he admitted, "I used to spend most nights here with friends, drinking, reading the latest holonet reports..." he sighed, "It was all so innocent."

The commodore turned to his counterpart, "So Miss Reed," he began, "How goes your career?" Carlyle asked, "Or do you prefer not to mix business and pleasure?" he asked with a hearty chuckle.

[member="Charlotte Reed"]