[IC] Rock the Omega Galaxy

[1n5tant Ar50n]

Kento was a busy outlet station, the busiest in System 14, and as the large, clunking shutters pulled down over the station's artificial atmospheric dome, shutting out the 24/7 shine of the system's binary suns, the station descended into its amplified hum of night time activity. Slap bang in the centre of Kento, was Space Jazz, the most popular bar within gravitational orbit of the larger sun. Dexter Klein was just unlocking the front door, taking a moment to check his appearance in the mirror by the entrance; his snow white hair was back-combed and spiked in the back, and he had sharp, thick, black eyeliner framing his purplish-blue eyes. He thought he looked pretty great; he had to just in case any particularly cute guys entered the bar, which they usually did.
He retreated back to the bar counter, making it look like he was doing something important as he waited for customers to start filing in.

[RhineQueen]

For the last several blocks, Moses had been smiling softly as Raven rambled excitedly over a new exo-planet he had discovered and seemed quite excited over. Moses had grown to very much enjoy Raven's tales since he and her boss put aside their differences. Though perhaps 'put aside' was too strong a term, but none the less they had stopped trying to actively kill one another. This had let her get to know the little environmentalist better, though until now they hadn't had a chance to speak one on one and even though Raven was doing most of the talking, Moses was enjoying herself. The man's enthusiasm was infectious and she was quite fascinated by the details of the new planet; one apparently riddled with massive crystalline structures.

[1n5tant Ar50n]

"The planet's astral rings are made of these amazing crystal asteroids, Moses, this is serious stuff," Raven was saying. "I'm glad it's an off-grid planet, or Sector Seven would be friggin' swarming it to mine the hell out of it. I don't even know what they are. It could be a new element! Woudn't that be incredible? What if I just discovered the first new element in like 3000 years? That would be so cool. I wonder what I would call it...Casterium? Ravenium? Casterite? Ooo, yeah, that's a good one."

Raven paused his ramblings to catch his breath. Usually he was a little more composed after his discoveries, but he geniunely wanted to tell Moses all he could about his adventures. Maybe he should invite her along next time? Or, maybe that would be too obvious. They had already spent all day together, and maybe Raven should take it slow. After all, he was pretty sure she at least enjoyed his company, but he couldn't quite tell if there was anything stronger going on. He guessed he'd just have to wait and see.

He continued to smile. "Hey, what do you say we stop off for a drink? Dex should be opening up about now." he suggested.

[RhineQueen]

Moses nodded, her tendrils perking up slightly. She had heard good things about Raven's friend Dexter and was looking forward to visiting the bar.
"Yes. That sounding good." She said. "I have not being to his bar before."
After she said that a thought occurred to her. Was this a date? She had heard about this facet of human mating rituals before. One individual invited another for food, drink or entertainment in an attempt to catalyze a romantic relationship. She suspected that reproduction was not the aim of Raven's intent, and even if it had been, their two species were wholly incompatible. Still, the idea of pursuing a romantic relationship with him was not unappealing. She decided to err on the side of cation and see if Raven might give any specific signals.

[1n5tant Ar50n]

"Great!" Raven said happily, turning down the street. "Hey, you know, you should teach me your language, when you have the time. I love learning new languages. I know almost thirty already! It mostly comes with the job; being able to communicTe is good since a lot of the border planets don't know interspace, and they tend to trust you a lot more when you can speak on their terms you know?"

[RhineQueen]

Moses was unsure about teaching someone else about her culture. She had always kept mum about it. None the less she felt as though she could trust Raven. Plus she figured that simply teaching him the language couldn't hurt anyone. She nodded to him once more.
"That would being nice I am thinking." She said. "I have not been thinking of myself as a teacher, but I would being happy to trying."

[1n5tant Ar50n]

"Good, good," Raven said, as Space Jazz came into view. The bar was already in full swing, and loud, but tasteful music could be heard from well more than a block away. "All right, I love it when everything's in motion here. Makes you wanna dance, hey?"

[RhineQueen]

Moses smiled as they entered. The beat of the music assaulting her sensitive tympanic membranes, but she had gotten used to it thanks to Ty's favor for the notoriously harsh Trachochian Hyper-metal.
"Human music is quite different from what I have been growing up with, but I must saying, the visceral simplicity is effective at making one moving." She said. "I should playing you some traditional Shiousa music at some time."

[1n5tant Ar50n]

Raven grinned. "Oh, yes please," he said. "That would be super cool."
He lead Moses over to the bar, and waved down Dex, who was flirting with a tall, and rather furry individual at the other end of the bar. "Heya Vinny, what's goin' on?"
"Same old, same old," said Raven.
"Oh, so the confusing blend of near-death time hopping, and hopeful discovery?"
Raven laughed. "Sure. Oh hey, Dex, this is Moses." he looked back at her. "Moses, this is Dex."

[RhineQueen]

Moses smiled and offered Dexter a clawed, rubbery hand in the traditional human greeting. She appreciated the man's flashy face paints. They reminded her of the paints that the high priests wore.
"Hello, Dex." She said. "It is nice to be meeting you."

[1n5tant Ar50n]

"You too," he replied, grinning. "Well I must say I've never seen anyone of your particular beauty in my bar before, Moses. Please, make yourself right at home. Can I get you two anything to drink?"
"I think I'll take a flash-freeze," said Raven. "I hesrd you've finally got good at making them."
"Hey, there is a delicate balance where liquid nitrogen is involved."
Raven raised an eyebrow. "Not IN the drink, I hope."
"Of course not ya dumbass," Dex replied playfully.

[RhineQueen]

"If it is not too much to be asking, could I having a combining of milk, brine and vodka?" Moses asked.

[1n5tant Ar50n]

Dex raised an eyebrow, chuckling. "That sounds a little odd, but hey, if that's what you want then sure."
He turned back to the bar, starting on the drinks.
"That sounds interesting," Raven said to Moses. "You drink much? I don't really, but sometimes it's a good way to unwind. Plus I get discounts!" He grinned, taking out a cigarette while he waited.

[RhineQueen]

Moses shook her head.
"My body is processing your alcohols differently. It is having little effect on me, though the drink I am ordering is tasting similar to a drink from my home."

[1n5tant Ar50n]

"Ah, I see," Raven replied. "Well, it's pretty hard for me to get drunk. I kinda got a Captain America thing goin' on. I think I heal too fast for it."

[RhineQueen]

Moses paused a moment.
"What is a Captain America?" She asked.

[1n5tant Ar50n]

"Oh, right," said Raven. "I keep forgetting that not everyone knows about Earth stuff. He's a fictional character, a superhero, who was genetically enhanced so he was super strong, super fast, and he didn't age at all. His real name was Steve Rogers, but they called him Captain America because he fought for the United States in World War Two. Well...in the comics anyway."

[RhineQueen]

Moses pondered a moment.
"Earth's legends are always so fascinating, but I must saying, this Captain America is sounding like a bit of a brute. It must saying something about the United States that the leader is so simply because he is the fastest and strongest."

[1n5tant Ar50n]

Raven chuckled. "Well, it's not a legend, it's just a story made up for entertainment. And besides, Captain America wasn't always the strongest. He used to be weak and skinny, but in his heart he knew it was right to serve his country, even if it meant he would die doing it. He's not a brute at all. In fact I think he's one of the bravest and most selfless superheroes ever. And in real life, there were a lot of good men like him who gave their lives to fight for their country and protect their people. Granted, they didn't have any superpowers, but I think that just makes them braver."
"That a bit of a heavy subject choice for a date, Vinny," said Dex, placing a tall glass of clear drink beside Moses, and a small glass of bluish white contents if front of Raven; the outside of the glass was frosty, and the inside was mostly liquid, with a block of ice floating in the center like a fractal sphere.
"Yeah you're right," Raven admitted, looking at Moses. "Sorry, didn't mean to bring the mood down."

[RhineQueen]

Moses waved her hand dismissively and smiled.
"Anh, anh. It is no problem. Shiousa and humans have very different views on combat. On Jur, death and fighting are daily occurrences. It is simply another step in the path of being." She shook her head. "Though perhaps this is a bit dark of thoughts to be discussing over drinks."