Conversations [Starbase 11 lounge]

[guinan_listens]

Guinan had been on board Starbase 11 for just over one year. She'd been traveling with some mercenaries merchants before that, her prowess with a phaser coming in handy and just as welcome as her ability to mix a strong drink

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[dr_blake]

He stayed away from the bars, generally; it was too easy to slip into a festive mood and let his secrets spill forth - something that had been taken advantage of before. Still, after dealing with the worst parts of being a doctor, Blake knew he needed a drink. After ending his shift late, he grabbed his walking stick - an unremarkable piece of wood with faded runic symbols carved along the side - and took his time limping down to the bar.

Finally, when the pain in his knee had decided to creep up his leg, he arrived, and he took a seat at the counter with a sigh. The hot thrub dulled slightly, enough to ignore as he flashed a grin at his old friend. "Good evening, Guinan."

[guinan_listens]

"Donald." Her eyebrow arched slightly as she watched him move slowly toward her. Many, many years they had known each other, by various names, though the handsome face stayed the same.

He wasn't El Aurian, as she was, and as she had once suspected, but clearly some other long-lived humanoid race who preferred to travel with Terrans, again, as she did. It made for a comfortable friendship. "Your leg bothering you tonight?"

[dr_blake]

"It has its nights," he said, reaching down to balance the stick up against the underside of the counter. Once he was certain it would stay, he folded his hands together as he leaned forward onto his elbows and let some of his mortal pretense fall. "You are well? No trouble with your customers here?"

[guinan_listens]

"Nothing I can't handle," she gave him a special smile, knowing that they were both aware that the two of them had seen much in their long lives, shared a few battle stories over the years. "We've been busy, with the crew of the Enterprise here for a couple weeks."

The flagship being docked here interested Guinan greatly, but she was aware that it held a great significance for another person on board, her friend Doctor Blake.

"Have you seen him?"

[genius_level]

Jim had woken-- he didn't know how or when he'd managed to fall asleep--to find Bones gone, the bed empty but his scent lingering on his pillow. There had been a brief moment of panic, worry rising up to consume him until he saw the datapadd propped up on the bedside table. There had been an accident in Engineering, nothing major but there were several people with burns. Bones had gone to lend a hand, but would meet Jim for their dinner and walk around the base. Jim had smiled despite himself, knowing it would be good for Bones to work.

But it left him with time on his hands, and Jim didn't want that right now, wasn't sure he wanted to be alone with his thoughts. So here he was, walking into the starbase's bar and sliding onto a stool. He'd sent a message to Bones, let him know where he'd be.

[guinan_listens]

And here he was, the brash young man who had taken control of the Enterprise and saved his home world. Guinan watched him carefully, refilling a drink to one of the station commanders when she saw him step up to the bar and seat himself.

He didn't look brash right now. Worry lines on his face, a pale and drawn tightness around his eyes and mouth. He was a handsome man, she smiled to herself, but right now Jim Kirk was troubled.

She approached him with a warm smile. "What can I do for you, Captain?" she asked, wiping the table down in front of him.

[genius_level]

"Just a beer," he began, then stopped. Breakfast had been early, and the only thing he'd had since then was that bourbon Bones had poured for them. Jim wasn't sure, but he thought his glass was probably still sitting on the table, mostly untouched. "Actually... I don't suppose I could get something to eat?"

Jim returned the woman's smile with a faint one of his own that didn't quite reach his eyes. He hadn't seen her when he'd stopped in here before.

[guinan_listens]

His eyes reminded him so much of Donald Blake - or George Kirk, for that matter. There had been many names between the two of them in the past couple hundred years. Guinan had seen Donald's eyes full of sadness, just like the young captain's were, and it tugged at her heart.

She passed him a small menu, full of traditional pub food - well, traditional to this sector of the galaxy. "If you're in the mood for something a little more substantial than a sandwich or Andorian redbat, I can ring up the galley and ask them to send whatever you want. Captain's privilege," she said, uncapping a Budweiser classic.

[ltlbtovik]

It had been a long few weeks. Nora hadn't gone on the away mission, but things had been tense ever since the team had returned - something in the air, like there was a secret among some of the senior staff. It wasn't a good secret, either. "Hi," she said, sitting at the bar. "Have we met?"

[guinan_listens]

"I don't think so," she said, her face open and friendly. "My name is Guinan," she smiled with a polite nod. "I've been here on the starbase about a year now."

She cocked her head curious. "Are you from the Enterprise?" They were all so young...

[ltlbtovik]

"Mm-hm. I am." Guinan had a nice smile, and Nora echoed it, albeit hesitantly. "I'm Nora. Nice to meet you." It was nice to say that without a surname or rank attached; even after four years at the Academy, it was jarring to think of herself as someone with a title attached.

[guinan_listens]

"Nora," she nodded, sliding a bowl of Kava nuts in front of her. "What can I get for you this evening?"