The city's lively hum enveloped Kira as she strolled alongside Sev, Serina keeping pace on Sev's other side. They navigated through the bustling crowds of pedestrians, cutting through the flow like a rock dividing a stream.
As Kira was becoming more acclimated to handling the world around her, helped along by her ongoing training, Sev allowed her to participate in more jobs, the safer ones at least. That meant much less sitting alone on the ship for the gray-haired wife while Sev and Serina were away on missions!
"Ew, this place stinks," Kira uttered, covering her mouth and nose. The innocent bright-eyed girl observed the endlessly swarming crowds of people and the variety of urbanized buildings around her.
"You have your rebreather, Kira," Sev calmly reminded her. Embarrassed, Kira quickly reached for the rebreather mask on her utility belt and positioned the equipment over her nose and mouth. She sighed in relief as the stench of the city faded from her nostrils.
"So, why are we here on Vexis again?" Kira inquired, her voice muffled by her mask, while she kept a careful hold on Sev's armored arm—Vexis was a semi-lawless independent urbanized fringe world out in the border territories of Coalition space. "I know you said you were meeting up with someone. But you left it very vague. And I don't like it when you keep things vague. I thrive on data and details!"
"We're meeting up with an old friend of mine," Sev enlightened Kira. "I'm just getting some information from her. She owes me a favor. That's all." Kira bobbed her head in acknowledgment.
"She??" Serina chimed in with a curious, yet stern tone. "And why does 'she' owe you a favor?" she continued as she leered at Sev through her gold visor.
"I helped her get out of a tight spot a while back... Several times actually..." Sev casually explained, purposely avoiding eye contact with his first wife. Serina squinted at him but sighed, sensing that was all the answer she was going to get.
"Erh, couldn't she just contact you remotely? That seems more practical than meeting in person... And why here?" his second wife noted.
"That's a good question. I have no idea why," Sev answered, equally puzzled. His old friend had always had a penchant for picking off ball places to rendezvous.
Turning into an obscure alley, the trio strode deeper along the narrow passageway toward an old wooden sign bearing some letters that the wear of the elements had rendered unintelligible. Coming to a halt before a set of metal doors, Sev pressed on a nearby console which caused the doors to slide apart.
The doors led to a bar, seemingly a haven for a mature, pleasure-oriented clientele. The air was thick with the nostalgic strains of old-time music, and the pungent smoke from cigars and pipes swirled within every nook and cranny of the newly revealed space. In stark contrast to the chaotic city outside, the atmosphere inside exuded warmth and tranquility.
The trio attracted the watchful eyes of the regulars. Their coordinated attire projected a formidable presence, dissuading any potential confrontations. Feeling a bit uneasy, Kira wondered if potential conflict awaited them. However, a glance at Sev and Serina, who appeared unfazed, helped alleviate her concerns. The calm demeanor of her companions contributed to a sense of security in the otherwise watchful and smoky ambiance of the hidden establishment.
Stepping toward the bar table, they met an older-looking man with a notable white mustache who was industriously, cleaning out a glass with a rag. Seeing the tactically outfitted individuals standing before him, he curiously cocked his bushy brow. "Welcome to "The Charleston." Can I help you with anything?" the bartender asked, his grumbly voice conveying a hint of reticence.
"I'm here to meet with someone," Sev went straight to the point. The bartender met his words with a practiced look of feigned ignorance.
"I'm afraid I don't know who you're talking about... But just for starters, individuals usually order some refreshments before talking business," the old man remarked with a subtle hint underlying his words. Sev sighed, recognizing the unspoken protocol the bartender was subtly nudging him towards.
"Hm, is that so? Serina, Kira, do you want anything?" Sev begrudgingly played along.
"I'm fine. It's too early for me to drink," Serina stated. The bartender looked visibly disappointed.
"How about you, young lady?" the older gentleman kindly asked Kira. Kira's heart raced after being asked such a mundane question.
"She doesn't drink alcohol," Sev interjected rather sternly.
"We have non-alcoholic beverages here," the bartender rebutted. Kira's eyes lit up with cautious curiosity.
"Em, do... do you have something sweet?" the gray-haired girl timidly asked. The older man amusingly smirked and chuckled.
"Yes, we do," he cheerfully answered. "I'll prep a house special for you." Kira grinned with excitement. Their light-hearted interaction helped put Sev at ease.
During the few short minutes it took to mix Kira's beverage, Sev carefully monitored the older man ensuring that he didn't spike the drink with anything suspicious. Once done, the bartender placed a fountain glass containing a brownish-cold liquid on the counter with a flourish. The beverage was topped with a mysterious white foam upon which a strange red fruit was neatly perched.
"Em, what is this?" Kira cautiously inquired.
"Never heard of a chocolate milkshake before?" he playfully remarked, inserting a straw into the ice-cold beverage.
Kira's eyes lit up with delight. "Chocolate shake? I thought that was just an Earth thing. I never figured I would see something like this out here!" she excitedly gushed. Removing her rebreather, she settled on a barstool and sipped her drink, humming cheerfully. "Hmmm! Tasty!" she gushed happily, savoring the unexpected pleasure of familiarizing herself physically with a treat that she had only previously known about virtually during her days as an AI construct. And in such an unexpected place!
"Heh, welcome to The Charleston, then! This place is meant for those who have a taste for the classic Earthly luxuries." Serina arched her brow intrigued.
"You wouldn't happen to have some cola, would you?" the first wife inquired.
"Heh, of course!"
Serina felt a little embarrassed. "Ahem, I'll have one of those then," she calmly requested, trying to hide her excitement. The bartender happily nodded and produced a brisk bottle of cola. Popping off the cap, he slid it to Serina. Removing her helmet, she adjusted her bangs and sipped the refreshing beverage, humming quietly with satisfaction.
Sev observed his two lovers enjoying themselves. Smirking, he reached for his satchel to pay the barman. But before he could, the older man stopped him. "No need for that. It's on her tab," he informed with a knowing look. Sev slowly nodded. "She's in the first private room in the back on your left," the bartender directed.
"I'll be back in a bit you two. Serina, keep a close eye on Kira would you?" Sev said as he strode toward the back of the bar. Serina gave him an affirming two-fingered salute as she sipped her cola while Kira cutely waved at him.
Entering a small hallway lit only by some small flickering light source, Sev turned left and proceeded to the first door he saw. Opening the door, the armored Valkorian stepped inside and scanned his surroundings. The room was also dim, with a single light fixture mounted on the ceiling. His eyes focused on a woman lounging about on a sofa with her legs crossed, her shape half-hidden in the darkness.
"Long time no see, hotshot.
¿Me extrañaste? Hace tiempo que no nos vemos
(Did you miss me? It's been a while since we last saw each other)," the voice continued in an Earth-born tongue.
"What?" Sev responded uncertainly. It had been some time since he'd heard that foreign language.
"Aye aye, whatever..." disappointedly muttered a voice that bore an accent traceable to a Latin origin from old Earth. "I almost thought you'd gotten yourself killed or something," she then greeted him more playfully. "How's my Valkorian bounty hunter doing nowadays?"
"Hey, Valerie. Long time no see," Sev greeted back with deep sincerity. "May I ask why you couldn't just contact me remotely? This place was a bit hard to find. And out of all places, Vexis? You never fail to make things... difficult..."
Valerie and Sev had known each other for quite some time, going all the way back to his amateur days as a bounty hunter: a time well before he had obtained Kira. Valerie held a significant place in his life, akin to a sister.
As Valerie leaned further forward into the light, her distinct features came into better focus. Her purplish hair, skillfully woven into a braided ponytail, featured a noticeable asymmetrical wave of bangs that gracefully draped across the right side of her face, while a smaller sweep of bangs adorned the left side. Valerie's tanned, brown skin provided a warm undertone, and her eyes, a piercing violet shade, radiated both confidence and a touch of mischief.
"What? I can't see an old friend. It's been how long now, about three years?" she remarked. "And, for a girl like me, in my line of work - being discreet is a necessity."
