Jaya had left her house early that morning taking a walk around the town. By the time places started opening, she had grabbed breakfast and then spent time looking in the shops. There were a few more things she had wanted to get. Candles... She loved candle light. It was soothing and helped her meditate and she hadn't purchased them before. It was now time.
She also stopped in a book store, purchasing several books. Everything from recent fiction to ancient archeology. Toward the end of the day, she found herself on the outskirts of town. It was a bit seedy compared to the spectacular inner areas, but all in all, she wasn't afraid of the place. In fact, there wasn't much she was afraid of.
She wandered down the street taking in all the simple stores... She then found a bar - The Starlight Inn. She smiled at the name and knew she could use a drink. She didn't hesitate to enter.
Once inside, she stopped and looked around. There was a wooden bar with stools up against it. Wood paneling on the walls were accented by dark green wallpaper. The lighting was dim, but she could clearly see the different gaming tables, including a pool table and a dart board. She glanced at the bartender momentarily as she took a seat in a booth in a darkened corner. Several of the patrons watched her. It made her feel uncomfortable at first, but soon, they turned around as if she hadn't even been there, going back to their drinks and games.
The bartender watched her as she sat down and waited for her to find out he had no one serving things here. The hour was quiet, and his waitress would not get there before dinner...
She gazed at him again and knew she was going to have to go up to the bar. She left her items and got up. Just as she was making her way over, she felt a hand on her backside.
"Hey, baby... Why don't you come and sit down on my lap," said the man that owned the hand. He was standing beside her having gotten up from his chair.
"How about removing your hand before you lose it," she replied, her eyes cold green marble.
He laughed. "You want to try to remove it yourself, little lady?"
"If you insist!" Suddenly, she grabbed his hand, twisted her body around, got behind him, twisting his arm around his back and then she slamming his body onto the table. She then leaned over and whispered in his ear. "Was that good for you, baby?" She then let him go and walked up to the bar.
"Nice action." The bartender looked amused. His green eyes glanced at the groaning man on the table. "And what will your order be?" He looked over her body, liking what he saw...
She smirked. "Rum and Cola over ice in a very large glass," she replied.
"What kind of rum will it be?" he asked. "I have it from all over the Federation, and even from outside the borders." He grinned.
"What's the best?" she asked, her green eyes assessing him, smilingly softly.
"I have some excellent Romulan rum," he said pouring it into her glass, and mixing up the drink she requested. "There you go. Anything else?"
"I think this will do it for now," she replied. "Thanks." She tossed him a sensuous smile and went back to her table.
He smiled back, and started to clean up some empty glasses. As time went by, he served some food to some of his other patrons who'd ordered, and while doing that, he kept watching her. When she looked in his direction, he sent her a charming smile.
"Can I get another of these?" she asked him as he came by her table.
"Certainly, miss," he said with a smile, and soon after he served her another drink. "I am glad you like it. I have never seen you here before..."
"I just moved here," she replied.
"Ah well this is a beautiful planet to live on, I assure you. I've lived here for quite a long time now."
"How long have you been here?" she asked.
"A very long time... before you were born I guess..."
"Really? That would be surprising..." she smirked, not many species in the universe lived as long as Tanzarans, though there were a few.
"Why would it surprise you?" The El Aurian said amused. He looked human, but he wasn't. In fact he had lived there since before the colony was 'officially' founded by the Federation, almost 300 years...
"Well, I'm Tanzaran. Already over 100 years old," she smiled.
"Ah, that is why you thought you were older than me.. I am an El Aurian. I will celebrate my 600th birthday next month," he said with a serious face, yet a smile in his eyes.
Her smiled brightened. "El Aurian. Wow! Very impressive. I'll have to get you a birthday present."
"I am flattered. I think this will mean I shall see you here more often?" he said smiling, and looking in her eyes. "No one is alone. We have more in common than you think," he suddenly said, and walked off to help a few new arrivals.
She seductively bit her lower lip and watched him. She wanted to talk to him longer. His comment had intrigued her and he was very attractive. If nothing else, he was the best diversion yet in this place.
People started entering the establishment; some were hiding in dark corners, others sitting at the bar. A waitress finally arrived to help Tyran serve his customers.
"So when does this joint close?" she asked the barkeep.
"At three in the morning," Tyran said. "But I have a helper who will relieve me around twelve. Why do you ask?"
"Would you like to meet me for a private drink after that?"
"Of course. Who would I be to refuse such an offer from a charming young lady?" He said with a smile that would make most women swoon. He liked her. Not many women dared to ask him for a drink. "My name is Tyran, if you were wondering," he whispered when he walked passed her to serve a customer.
~My name's Jaya~ she said to him telepathically and tossed him another smile.
He smiled back and started to serve his customers, soon the place was too busy for him to notice anyone...
She got another drink and something light to eat and waited for midnight.
A quarter after midnight a young man went to the bar.
Danayal, what took you so long?" she heard Tyran say.
Sorry boss, I was held up. There is security all over the streets. Someone was murdered close by," the man replied.
That is the third time this month," Tyran sighed. "Very well, you know what to do, and I'll see you tomorrow." He walked to the table where Jaya was waiting. "Sorry, he was somewhat later than I expected," he apologized.
"That's all right," she replied with a smile. "I'm just glad you're off work now. Though did I hear him call you boss?"
"That is right, I own this place, I have a small apartment in the back."
"Well, I have a house in town," she said. "I arrived only three days ago."
"I see, where are you from? I mean where did you live before, and why did you choose to live here?"
"Well, my home is actually on Parissean III. This is more like a vacation home. I like this place so far." A sultry mist seemed to fill her green eyes.
"The place or the people you have met?" He asked with a knowing smile. "Do you mind if I want to go someplace else to talk?" He said when he saw a security officer enter the establishment.
"I'm willing to go where ever you'd like," she replied with a smile.
"Come on then, we'll take the back door. That guy was here before. He turned the place upside down." They soon left. "And I have not even had any time to eat," he grumbled.
"Then let's find a place to eat," she smiled. "I wouldn't mind a snack."
"I know just the place." He led her through a few alleys to a very small establishment. "Here they serve the best spaghetti you ever had."
"Mmmm, I love spaghetti!" she smiled as they found a table.
"Antonio, 2 spaghetti specials and a matching wine, a double portion for me," he ordered.
"Very good, Tyran, I will serve you right away." Antonio smiled and walked off.
"So what brought you to Serenity so long ago?" she asked as Antonio brought the wine.
"I came with the first colonists. Back then my wife was quite an explorer. She wanted something new. So we came here, and I opened my bar, it is one of the oldest bars on the planet."
"You have a wife?" she asked softly.
"Had. She was human. She died a long time ago. I have not been married since," he said looking at her.
"I'm sorry," she replied softly. There was something that flickered through her eyes briefly, but vanished just as quickly.
"It happened a long time ago, and I knew it would happen. So did she. It would have made her happy, if I would have found someone else."
She smiled softly. "And have you ever found anyone else?"
"Until now, not yet. But maybe I have." He stared in her eyes and smiled slightly. "You did not stay because you liked the bar that much, now did you?"
A playful smile crossed her face. "No, something else, or should I say someone, got my attention..."
He smiled. "And someone got mine. You are certainly not the first to ask me for a drink. But you are the first in 100 years I actually said yes to."
"Hmmm," she replied with raised eyebrows, the smirk never leaving her face. "What made me different?" she asked.
"Let's just say, that the mystery around you, is very, very intriguing." He took a bite of the food that was served.
She gazed at him curiously. "I'm a mystery, am I?" she said playfully.
"Yes. And you know you are." He smiled as he continued to eat.
She laughed. "I suppose I do," she replied. "So, what do a couple of old-timers like us do for fun around here?"
"There are clubs, bars, holosuites. But I would settle for a walk along the shore. I see a bar all week."
"A walk by the shore sounds like a great idea," she replied. "I usually don't have time to relax and do such things."
"Then we'll leave, as soon as we've eaten," he said with calm confidence.
He paid for the food and they left. He took her trough several back alleys, noting there seemed to be no fear in her. They walked toward the docks bordering the city and eventually to the shore. The stars shined brightly, and the moonlight reflected in the water.
Jaya took a deep breath in and let it out as she gazed out over the water. "This is one of the reasons I came here... To get a measure of peace... and to remember what it's like to relax."
"Lately you have to watch your back here. There've been people murdered."
She smirked. "That's the least of my worries. I know how to take care of myself," she said softly, as memories disturbed her for a moment.
"I am sure you can, and yet... I knew a man claimed the same in my bar, and the next morning I was lifted from my bed, because they found his dead body in the alley next to my establishment."
She raised an eyebrow. "Well, there are bad people everywhere. But I was... " She paused for a moment. "Trained to deal with people."
"Trained?" he questioned calmly, clearly interested in listening to her; just listening, like no one ever had before....
"Well, I can't really go into it," she replied. "But no one would want to try to come up behind me in a dark alley." She paused. "A girl's got to know how to protect herself, you know?" she said trying to make light of her previous comment.
"Hmmm yes, but something tells me, that it is not all you are feeling and thinking about at this moment. I sensed that already when you entered my bar."
"You're much too smart for your own good." she smirked giving him a sideways glance. She then turned to him. "I am thinking of something else I would very much like to do."
"I am not smart. I am what they call, a listener. That is what my species is known for. People tell me their secrets and problems, and by just listening, I help them find the solutions they seek," he said calmly with a smile of his own. "And I have a code of honor; no secret of a friend will end up with an enemy."
"Well," she said as she took a step toward him. "There are things about me no one must know..." The look in her eyes was completely serious. "What I need at the moment is distraction... pleasant distraction." With that, her smile became seductive again. She reached out and gently caressed his cheek.
"And what kind of... distraction did you have in mind?" He smiled at her caress.
She bit her lower lip for a moment as a sparkle went into her eyes, and then stepped even closer to him.
"This," she replied as she kissed him tenderly.
He answered her kiss without hesitation, and he was a good kisser. He knew that. It was what his former wife fell in love with, or so she said often.
For several long minutes, they were lost in each other... When the kiss finally ended, she gazed into his eyes. "I haven't had a kiss like that in a long time."
"I am glad to be of service. You're not half-bad yourself." He smiled and stole another kiss.
Now this was the kind of distraction she needed. "So... would it terribly offend you if I invited you back to my place?" she asked with a mischievous smile.
"Not at all, tomorrow the late shift is mine." He smiled.
Together they walked away from the shoreline hand in hand.
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