Last Night on Novgorod: Of All The Gin Joints...

Novgorod - Orbital Space Station
E Deck > Drifters Bar & Grill

Rita was looking around and did a double take at Eldon. Her mouth opened to say something, but then it died down as she let out a nervous chuckle..

"Of all the gin joints..." Rita started and motioned to the bar. "Just... meeting my new crew mates... what... what are you doing here?"

The confusion that seeped through her voice couldn't be hidden. The curiosity of his presence seems to dance around the words of her question.

Eldon chuckled.

"Same... I'm supposed to meet up with mine here. It's a small station, so both our crews could have picked this spot. Corpos and scientists come here a lot, ya'know ." Grinning, he added... "You know, we could really use someone as sharp as you are on the Nomad. I'd happily put in a good word for you if you're open to changing sides. I didn't ask before, you with 1-Museigen or somethin'?"

He began moving to join her at the bar.

The Nomad. The name caused Rita's breath to catch for the slightest of moments before she motioned to the bar. A silent request for Eldon to join her.

"Oh are you trying to poach me?" Rita chuckled as she broke out into a wide smile. "Mmm tell me, what would you need a xeno-botanist for?" The woman motioned for a drink from the bar tender.

"Also... how do you know that they don't already have one? Would it be fair to them to have me, of all people, replace them?"

Rita slid into a bar stool as she is asked the question. After all, this is going to be an interesting conversation.

Eldon followed, claiming a bar stool next to hers.

"You're damn right I'm trying to poach you...why wouldn't I? The Nomad's an exploration vessel. We could come across anything out there. Maybe something never before documented, so yeah... a xeno-botanist would definitely be handy to have. As for fair... if you're a better candidate than whoever else they might have lined up, they'd be foolish not to at least consider bringing you on instead."

He looks at her curiously.

"Why? What's so great about the gig you have lined up?"

Rita made a sound that was half amusement--half knowing. "And last night?" Her voice turned a bit more playful. "That would have... nothing to do with your choice?" Rita nodded and ordered a whiskey. Her attention drew back to Eldon and she looked him over slowly. "My gig, pretty good pay. Apparently, I am going to be 'working under' some of the best scientists..." Her eyebrows reach up towards her hairline and back down as she wiggles them playfully. "I can't just abandon them..." Rita sipped her whiskey slowly.

"Well...", Eldon started as he motioned to the bartender for a whiskey of his own, "...that depends on what part of last night you're referring to. If you're referring to the part where we talked about xeno-sciences for hours and I didn't get bored, annoyed, or disappointed in each other, then yeah... last night makes a difference. If you're referring to the parts after that, then I admit... it does bias me in your favor, but not enough to put my reputation or the mission at risk for it."

He broke eye contact with her to look around the bar.

"Who are these top scientists you're reluctant to abandon. The only folks that look like scientists in here are maybe that guy in the corner and the two of us..." Eldon has a lightbulb moment and turns to look back at her. "Wait a minute... are you fucking with me right now? If so, that's...well, that would be kinda funny actually."

She kicked herself for actually falling asleep in the bed of Dr. Eldon Blaire. Not that she regretted it in the least. It was a fun night. But now the impression she was going to give her new team was that of someone forgetful at the worst, aloof at the best. Rita hoped for the latter.

"You are rather cute when you come to the realization..." Rita chuckled as Eldon finally grasped that he was trying to poach her for the ship, from the ship. It brought a giggle to her lips as she dipped her whiskey.

'Wow... Yeah, it looked a bit unprofessional, he wouldn't change a thing. He now had a wonderful new memory to warm him on the cold nights in space that lay ahead.