A Quiet Drink
Posted on Fri Mar 11th, 2022 @ 2:19pm by Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke & Captain Edmund Merrick
Edited on on Sun Mar 13th, 2022 @ 12:56pm
2,200 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Episode 12 - Risin' To Risa
Location: Rick's Place - Empok Nor - Promenade
Timeline: MD003 0100 hrs
When they were out of the Breakers, Merrick looked at Hermia as they walked away from the Breakers.
"That was a bit of fun." he remarked with a half smile, " Do you have any recommendations where we could go? The Breakers is the only place I've been to since I've gotten here." He hadn't moved his arm from being linked with hers, he was after all a gentleman.
Hermia thought for a moment. "Well, I've heard about a bar called 'Rick's', maybe we should give that a try." She said.
"That sounds like a great plan" Merrick replied. As they walked towards the bar, "You said you have a daughter, how old is she?" just as a way to make some conversation as they walked.
"My daughter, Helena, is 12." Hermia replied. "Do you have any kids?" She asked.
Merrick shook his head, "I do not. It wasn't in the cards for me to have any children. At times you have to accept the hand that is dealt to you in the game of life."
When they reached Rick's, Merrick sought out a table in a quiet part of the bar, and he pulled out a chair for Hermia. "This definitely is quieter than Breakers." giving a slight chuckle.
"Yeah, there's only so much Klingon Heavy metal you can listen to before it starts to all sound the same." Hermia said taking the offered seat.
Merrick raises a hand to get the attention of one of the servers who came over to where he and Hermia were seated, he ordered a Black Russian. The server waited for Hermia's order before he left.
"Whiskey, Irish, Jameson if you have it." Hermia said to the server.
"Yes we do, it will be here very soon." the server replied and then left.
Merrick looked at Hermia, "Well here we are, so... how long have you served on the USS Pioneer?" Edmund was feeling terribly awkward yet again. He wasn't certain if he remembered how to carry on a conversation with someone in a situation like this. In his thoughts he scolded himself, get over yourself Merrick. She's not going to bite.
"Three years, but I started as the Assistant CMO. The original CMO decided to stand down to spend more time with his family." Hermia replied.
"How do you like serving under Captain Malbrooke? He and I became friends back in Academy days." Merrick smiling at that memory. "He introduced me to table top roleplaying games, Dungeons and Dragons. It was really fun."
The server arrived bringing the drinks they ordered, Merrick thanked him and then turned his gaze back to Hermia.
"The Skipper and I get along okay, he had enough faith in me to offer me CMO position. Unfortunately we don't get much time to socialise with each other." Hermia said and took a sip of her drink. "I have read about D&D, and I think a Cleric would suit me fine."
"In some D&D games there are those who play a combination of a fighter/cleric. I agree, you would make a good Cleric, with the heart of a warrior." Edmund taking a swallow of his drink, he looked at it and smiled. "This is really good!" feeling the burn go down his throat and start to warm up his stomach. "I believe that he made a good choice for you to become the CMO."
"Flatterer." Hermia said with a smile. "What are you after?" She teased.
He chuckled, "I am not certain if I am after anything, except a conversation with a beautiful woman." Edmund taking another drink of his Black Russian. He could feel it start to hit his head, a combination of the drinks he previously had. "A woman with silken locks of auburn hair, which has a fire of its own." realizing he just said something, that was a bit uncharacteristic from him, and sounded just a bit corny in his mind. Edmund downed his drink in one gulp trying to cover up his embarrassment.
"Do they teach poetry in Marine Officer training?" She asked. "I've been through Marine Boot Camp, and I don't recall any poetry lessons in that." She teased.
Merrick blushed, giving a sheepish grin. "I've not always been a Marine, I used to be in Star Fleet as Security personnel." he rubbed the back of his neck. "Besides nothing wrong with a marine knowing some poetry, like the Samurai, they were warriors but also had different skills too."
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, after all, I like sing and dancing." She admitted.
"Well sometime I'd like to hear you sing. It would be wonderful." he motioned for another drink to be brought over. He opted for something not as alcoholic intensive, he figured he'd need his head somewhat clear barely or not.
"So Edmund where do you hail from?" Hermia asked.
"Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, is where I am from." A fond smile became evident as he thought back to home. "I do miss home, but I do like being able to sail in the vastness of space." he added. "Where are you from?" looking at Hermia, taking a drink from his newly arrived beverage.
"I'm from a small town called Kenmare in County Kerry, Ireland." Hermia replied. "We used to play in the nearby ruins, that was when we weren't at school, or being trained by my father, in the best ways to incapacitate a humanoid or how to fire a rifle." Hermia added taking sip of her drink.
"Sounds to me like you had quite the childhood, and sounds like your father was in the Marines. Ireland, I've been there twice, but I was a young lad at the time. My sister and I had traveled there for a dance competition, when we were both going to school." Edmund replied.
"Yeah, my father, Lt. Colonel Seamus O'Rourke, is a Marine, like O'Rourkes going back centuries, he wanted all his children to follow in his footsteps and join the Corps. My brothers did, but I was the big disappointment, because I chose the 'fleet instead. He didn't talk to me for years after that." Hermia explained.
Edmund almost choked on his drink when he heard of Hermia's father's reaction. "Do you feel like you are a disappointment? You have every right to choose what your choice of professions would be. Me, I used to be Star Fleet Security then went into the Marines. I am not regretting my decision in doing such. I think it has made me a better man, hopefully." giving a lopsided smile.
"No, I don't feel like a disappointment. I've saved many lives in my career, and meet so many wonderful people, but there's still a part of me, that wants to make him proud." Hermia replied. "I guess he's well and truly in my head." She added with a half-hearted grin.
"My parents are in my head at times too. As well as my grandfather, he is quite the man and still fit in health. You'd think he was younger than what he is. I don't recall his age though, not at the moment." Taking another drink, feeling the glow of the drink permeate through his body. "So how many siblings do you have?"
"Three half brothers, all older, all Marine Officers." Hermia replied. "They all took my dad's side."
"My older brother is helping to run my mom and dad's place with my Granddad being there. My sister Rosa she's married and has two kids. Her husband is in Star Fleet. My younger brother, Nathan is in school studying to becoming a doctor. I've got cousins whom I feel are like siblings as well. They don't care as to what profession a person goes into, as long as they don't make trouble." Merrick remarked. "Hopefully you get along with your brothers. Or are they feisty?" Edmund giving another smile. He could feel a good buzz becoming even more evident.
"Well they were right about one thing, they told me not to marry Alejandro, my ex-husband. They could see he was a controlling arse, but I was blinded by love and wanted to spite them, so I married him and found out the hard way." Hermia said. "Enough about my past mistakes. Does Nathan have a speciality in mind?" She asked.
"He is studying to be a naturopathic doctor, that is a doctor which not only is knowledgeable of modern medicine but is also knowledgeable of natural medicine like that of Oriental medicine. For example, learning acupuncture and acupressure." Edmund responded, "Plus reflexology. All those to help the overall health of people." he took another drink, "it is rather interesting to hear about what he's learned, and he is rather enthused about it as well."
Hermia raised an eye brow. She was familiar with naturopathy and even used some of its techniques in her own practice of medicine. "I've found some aspects of naturopathy useful." She said. "The concentration on diet and exercise are useful as well as massage and meditation. Oriental medicine can also help especially the philosophy of treating the patient as a whole and not just the current injury or illness." She added. "One of your Marines, Sergeant Thompson, a corpsman, uses herbal treatments in conjunction with general medical techniques and treatments with excellent results."
"That is good to know, thank you. I will most certainly let him know that there are more people out there, who are into naturopathy." the last part being said just a tad bit slower and his words slightly slurred. Noting this, Edmund finished off the last bit of his drink. "And on that note, I probably should find my way to my bunk." Edmund slowly rising from his chair just a tad bit unsteady. He shook himself slightly, squaring his shoulders. He walked over to where Hermia sat, and took her hand and kissed the back of it. "I will pay the bartender, thank you for the lovely company."
"Thank you, but I think I should accompany you, so you get back to the right bunk, let alone the right quarters." Hermia said.
Merrick nodded, "You do have a point there, would be rather embarrassing to wind up in someone else's quarters without invitation. I'd probably end up in the brig." giving a lopsided smile.
They made their way to where Edmund paid for the drinks, then they were out from Rick's and headed back to the ship. Edmund would softly sing something that came to his mind. And he sang it rather well.
Over in Killarney, many years ago
My mother sang a song to me
in tones so sweet and low
Just a simple little ditty
in her good old Irish way
And I'd give the world if she could sing
that song to me this day
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that's an Irish lullaby.
Oft in dreams I wander
to that cot again.
I feel her arms a-hugging me
As when she held me then.
And I hear her voice a-hummin'
to me as in the days of yore,
when she used to rock me fast asleep
outside the cabin door.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that's an Irish lullaby.
Edmund when he finished the song, he turned to look at Hermia and gave a bashful smile, "Sorry, just had that tune pass through my mind."
"You daft git." She said, laughed, and kissed him on the cheek.
Merrick chuckled, "And I can say I am definitely that." giving her wink. "I will definitely keep myself from doing a soft shoe dance at the moment. I would literally fall flat on my face." Though he did do a slow surprisingly, graceful turn.
"Very impressive. The all singing, all dancing Lieutenant Merrick, ladies and gentlemen." Hermia said, addressing the vacant corridor.
Edmund laughed, "Okay definitely time to get me to my quarters." as they made their way to the ship. Stepping onto the ship, Merrick looked at Hermia when they arrived at his quarters. "Okay I have been delivered safely, and I will bid you a good night." a slow smile appearing once more. "I think I will be sleeping rather good tonight, or it is morning." his eyelids starting to close. Then he shook his head to stay awake. "Goodnight." leaning in to kiss Hermia on the cheek.
"Good night, Edmund. Sleep well." Hermia said, and headed for her own quarters.
Edmund watched as Hermia walked away then turned to step inside his own, he barely managed to get himself ready to slumber and the minute his head touched his pillow he was sound asleep.
Hermia had enjoyed her night with Edmund. "Perhaps I should invite him to dinner." She thought to herself, as she made her way through the Pioneer's corridors. A smile on her face.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke
Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
First Lieutenant Edmund Merrick
The Cure Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
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