Secrets and Sages

Posted on Sat Oct 9th, 2021 @ 3:40am by Anara Joval & Lieutenant Commander Tyler Driskill

Mission: Lower Decks
Location: Ship's Lounge

It had been a long day for Tyler. Some of the repairs were taking far longer then planned and mostly junior officers had arrived so far. He was glad to have all the help he could get, but was glad the day was over. Stepping off the turbo lift the First Officer gave a nod and a smile to a few of the night shift engineers and quickly found the entrance to the lounge.

He found a place at the bar and stared downward for a moment. He was tired and probably should have went to bed, but there was a need for a night cap. Of course nothing else aboard the ship was in working shape so he was almost afraid to look up to see what was available.

Anara was behind the bar working on a drink she learned from a patron of her father's resort a year ago. It was quite tricky to perfect. She looked up to see the bedraggled First Officer staring at the mahogany of the bar surface. She strolled over to him. "Greetings Commander. May I get you something to drink or some food perhaps?"

The voice broke his attention and Tyler looked up to see a most welcoming face. "What you got that isn't synthahol?" he asked raising his eye brows.

Anara smiled knowingly as she turned and looked over her stock of top shelf liquors. She pulled down a bottle and poured three fingers from the bottle before setting the rock glass in front of him. "Risan sipping whiskey."

"I've never had it" Tyler gave a slight smile, took the glass and took a sip. He raised the glass and took another sip "this is nice" he gave a wink. "Tyler Driskill, First Officer" he offered a late introduction.

"Anara Joval. Pleasure to meet you Tyler." She gestured about. "I am the new manager for the ship's lounge. If there is anything you need, please just ask." She picked up a menu. "Would you like to see a menu? Risan drinks can be rather potent, especially on an empty stomach."

"I should probably eat" he smiled and took a menu "thanks" he started glancing over the menu. "What would you recommend?" Tyler looked up at the manager and took another sip of his drink.

Anara's smile widened as she stepped over to the food replicator and pressed a few buttons. She returned a moment later with a plate of pasta and chicken with a creamy white sauce drizzle. "This should satisfy your appetite, especially if you are going to have another Risan Whiskey."

"Absolutly" Tyler took one big drink and the rest of his beverage was gone. "Well this look's good" the First Officer looked down at his food and then back at Anara.

Anara procured a fresh rock glass with another three fingers of whiskey for Tyler before gesturing at the food. "You look a little worn down, if you don’t mind my saying. I would also recommend a deep tissue massage before you retire for the evening."

Swallowing down a bite of the delicious pasta, Tyler thought about it for a bit "who gives these massages?"

Anara smiled knowingly. "You trying to tell me that our dashing First Officer hasn't found a companion to help him relieve the stresses of the day? I find that hard to believe good sir."

Tyler blushed slightly and took a sip of his whiskey, but didn't answer the question at all. "This whiskey is helping relieve the stress" he smiled and took another sip.

Anara sighed as she eyed Tyler over her water glass. He was quite the handsome man. "Just my luck. All the best looking men seem to be taken already."

"But to answer your question, no there isn't anyone that helps with that sort of thing" he kept eye contact over his drink.

Anara laughed goodnaturedly as she waggled a finger at Tyler. "Hmmm. I may not be telepathic like a Betazoid. However, Risians are very attuned to relationship dynamics. It is easy for us to spot people that come to our planet who are there alone, but have someone they care about not with them. I have catered to a number of affluent business men and powerful political figures I knew were married, but came to Risa to have...flings or just their long standing affairs with the person who accompanied them. You strike me as someone who deeply cares for someone aboard, but...", she began tapping a finger on her cheek in thought, "...it's someone that you want...no. Have to keep secret." She looked at him curiously for a moment. "How am I doing and don't worry. I don't want to know who they are and I won't tell anyone anyway. Part of the Risian confidentiality contract." She took another sip of water as she studied his expression.

For a second Tyler was almost stunned. How did a woman he had never met know he had a secret affair going? He had to play it off best he could "your whiskey isn't that good" he took the last gulp and started on his dinner.

Anara leaned around to look Tyler in the face, mock shock on her face. "I beg your pardon. I only serve the finest blends of spirits in my establishment." She continued her ministrations to the knotted muscles in his neck and shoulders.

A light hearted laugh escaped Anara. She motioned for her assistant to take over the bar and she came around the counter. She took up a position behind Tyler and rested her hands on his shoulders. She began to lightly kneed his neck and shoulders. "I don't do this for all my customers Commander, but you really looks as if you need this. So you enjoy your meal as I work the kinks out of your neck, shoulders and back."

Tyler finished the bite of food as he felt himself relax "that feels amazing" he hung his head down for a second and then took another bite of his dinner.

Anara brought her hands together and using her thumbs, proceeded to press firmly on each vertebrae of Tyler's spine. She worked from the base of his neck to the last one of his tail bone as he ate his dinner. Once she was done she gave him a pat on the shoulder and returned to her duties behind the bar. She put another whiskey in front of him. "Feel better?"

"You have no idea" he moved his head side to side stretching his neck. With a smile the First Officer took the whiskey and took a sip "I'm gonna have to make sure I visit you more often."

Anara opened her arms in an inviting manner. "Any time Commander."