Getting drunk

Posted on Saturday, 30 January 2021 - 3:41pm by Lieutenant JG Adrianna Eberhardt & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley

Mission: Operation: Trail of Tears

Adrianna wanted to tell someone close that she was engaged. Since her family was out of the question, Adrianna opted to remain a little close to home, her new home that was. In each hand, she held a bottle of grappa. The one of her right, was standard grappa, the one on her left was a jupiter diamond infused grappa. It shimmered as if full of white and blue flecks of glitter.

They were set to have a girls night anyway. Soral was on the bridge, or something and Leopold was working too. Adrianna sounded the chime to Alex and Soral's quarters.

"Come in!" Alex called out as she ordered the computer to lower the volume of the music, which seemed far more fitting for a nightclub than the heavy Vulcan influence on their quarters. She waved Adrianna to come in as she caught sight of the other woman before turning her attention back to the task at hand, food. "Right on time. I am not, so make yourself comfortable. Bones went to the Bridge with Soral so we have the place to ourselves... oh boy. Did you bring two bottles?"

"I did, we're celebrating," Adrianna walked over and held out the bottles, her fingers wrapped around the bottle necks.

"We are?" Alex asked curiously as she glanced up from the pot she was stirring, this time her eyes narrowing before a bright smile spread across her face. "Oh my god, you are gonna alter the gravitational forces on this ship with that thing! Congratulations!!!" Abandoning her dinner effort she rounded the counter and threw her arms around her friend, "this is amazing news. Okay, okay... bottles, on the table, I'll get some glasses and dish up some pasta so we stand at least small chance of survival."

Adrianna once again froze at the contact, but unlike last time, relaxed much quicker and hugged her back." I think you'll enjoy this one. It pours like liquid diamond and has an aftertaste similar to apples. It took three scientists and a tonne of alcoholics to get it right, for us." Adrianna walked over to the replicator, grabbing a cork screw.

"Oooh, apples, I am gonna love you," Alex told the bottle.

Adrianna chuckled, uncorking it with a satisfactory pop. She waited for Alex to be there so she could watch the first pour. It looked like densely packed glittered water, flowing from the bottle into two classes. She handed the one glass to Alex and then toasted, "Per cent’anni."

With a very bad attempt to mirror Adrianna’s toast, Alex said a silent prayer and drank. “Oh... wow! It is amazing!” She decided. “This will get me so drunk.”

"As I said, we're celebrating and I already checked-- neither of us are working tomorrow," Adrianna chuckled.

“Fair enough,” Alex grinned, holding out her glass, “next!”

Adrianna chuckled and poured, "So yes, I am to be a Mrs. Though, can I ask, why did you keep your surname."

“Good question,” Alex complimented as she began dishing up food, “and it is something we never discussed. On Vulcan I am Lady Alexandra which still sounds strange to me.

Perhaps when we get to Vulcan for part three of the wedding it will be a different story. But for now it’s less confusing when we are on the same ship, I publish my research under my maiden name but I can do that regardless... also true Vulcan names are normally incredibly difficult to pronounce... are you thinking of keeping your name?”

Adrianna nodded in understanding. It made sense to not have two of the same name on one ship, it also made sense about the pronunciation. "I don't know," she answered honestly, "I always thought I'd change my last name. But it feels like not only has a chapter closed, I'm throwing the whole damn book out of an airlock."

"Maybe that isn't a bad thing. New starts and all," Alex reasoned, carrying two bowls of pasta to the table and heading back to fetch a plate piled high with garlic bread. "What's important is what makes you happy. Now eat up so we can finish off this bottle."

Adrianna smiled and mulled over the thought, "do you know what my surname means in standard?"

"Badass?" Alex guessed with a grin.

Adrianna chuckled, "it's a colloquialism. It means 'kiss me'. Eberhardt means a brave wild boar or something."

“There’s an image,” Alex mused. “Kingsley I suspect must mean ‘warning, can be brilliant but psychotic’. Not my dad, but jury is out on the rest.”

Adrianna chuckled," so the question is, brave bacon or flirtation and a great ice breaker?" Adrianna paused to eat a moment before saying, "alternatively, 'be brave an kiss a wild boad'."

“That’s more of a challenge than ice breaker,” Alex grinned. “Whatever you decide it will be fine. Don’t stress to much about a name. You’ll end up forgetting what is important- the both of you.”

Adrianna smiled," I know. But it's good to laugh. Also, I don't have a lot of female friends, so I'm afraid you cannot say no to my next question."

"What question?"

"There's a position that will open up when we get round to planning the wedding," Adrianna replied, "chief bridesmaid."

Alex was stunned. "Say that one more time?"

Adrianna looked confused, "did I get the wrong standard? Computer, translate Capo damigella d'onore."

The compute did just that in it's less than enthusiastic way "chief bridesmaid."

“You said it just fine I was just surprised,” Alex assured her. “I’d be honoured. I worn you, I don’t have much experience beyond my own wedding but I do have an invaluable resource in planning - my mother.”

"To be fair, I don't know what I want but I know that I am far from a bridezilla. In Italian culture, it is the mother who plans everything," Adrianna stated, "so I can have whatever I want, but I don't know what that is."

“Well, my mum used to love going to wedding shows, you get loads of inspiration on everything from dresses, to flowers to the food. Let me check with her but I’m sure there were a few you can run as holodeck programs. We could probably download some bridal magazines too?”

Adrianna smiled, "we need to get sloppy drunk, plan a ridiculously lavish wedding that will never happen and then when sober we can plan properly. Just please - drunk or not - don't allow me to wear a... Computer, translate tutu."

"Tutu." The computer replied.

"Oh, well that was a difficult translation. Thank you," Adrianna sarcastically commented then looked back to Alex, "Don't let me wear a tutu."

“Deal,” Alex nodded. “Now, eat up and we can start on the blindingly drunk part.”

Adrianna did as commanded. Once done she topped off the two glasses, "Gawd I need to drink. It's been a long week. Though fulll of excitement."

“True.” Alex raises her glass, “to excitement and the amazing views of Rome from the rooftops.”

Adrianna chuckled adding, "to not getting murdered by Soral."

“Was he furious?” Alex asked with an apologetic smile.

"No," Adrianna replied, "weirdly."

“Good. Maybe meditation is paying off?” She suggested.

"I don't care what his technique is, I'm just glad I'm breathing," Adrianna replied, "that said, I always thought that if I was going to be killed, it would be by an angry Vulcan or because I said something sarcastic to a Klingon."

“I used to think I’d die of boredom in Professor Yaelan’s xenobiology class,” Alex confided. “But I’m planning on benefiting from my El-Aurian side and living pretty much forever.”

"There was a song on Earth 'who wants to live forever," Adrianna commented, "you'll have me until I'm in my eighties, maybe more. Though we'll see how that orbs vision pans out."

"You'll have me until whenever the universe decides," Alex grinned. "Okay, lets plan this lavish wedding. And if you want lavish, you have to go big. Like a royal palace on some beautiful island. Sun, sand, sea and luxury coming out of your pores."

"Oh! Yes, what about Ba'Ku, its where we took our first holiday and it is stunning," Adrianna looked nostalgic, "or we go huge and go to Earth, and go to Hawaii."

"Both excellent choices. See, you are a natural!" Alex grinned. "Lets say Ba'Ku. It's special to you both, stunning and its different. And when planning your lavish wedding you can do anything!"

Adrianna snorted, "ok, so Ba'Ku. What next?"

“You need a wedding dress,” Alex told her.

"Oh! Si," Adrianna nodded. "Some expensive, lavish. Something that's all me. All eyes on me. A train that starts in my quarters and finishes in Ba'Ku."

“Very good,” Alex complimented as she drained her glass. “Big princess style dress?”

"I don't know, I always thought sleek and sexy, fitted," Adrianna mulled it over, "something that makes women hate me and men hate Leopold."

“Then we shall find such a dress,” Alex vowed.

Adrianna clocked her head a little, "I was tempted to make it myself. My mother made hers, as did my grandmother and so on. My mother's side of the family were in tailoring and fashion."

“That’d be cool. Did they teach you?” The idea of a childhood not up to her elbows in grease learning the ins and outs of whatever her father was working on was fascinating to her.

"A little," Adrianna replied, reminiscing, "my father wanted me in his side of the family's business more. So it outweighed. I'm sure the computer can help. And replicator for that matter."

“Alright then. So we have a stunning location, gorgeous dress, what next... oh! Cake!”

Adrianna snorted, "you make it sound like there are more flavours than just chocolate."

“That’s my girl!” Alex laughed as she refilled their glasses.

Adrianna beamed with pride, "obviously, with it being an Italian, ekosian wedding, we need beer and grappa. Lots of it. Maybe fountains of it."

"I recommend having at least one chocolate fountain though," Alex cautioned, "just for nutritional balance."

"By that reasoning we should also have a pasta sauce fountain," Adrianna chuckled.

"That could mess up your dress though," she pointed out. "You'd never spill chocolate though."

"What about a pizza bar?" Adrianna blurted out her idea, the grappa beginning to give her a buzz.

"I like that idea," Alex nodded. "Okay, we have some solid food and drink options. You need entertainment. Do you like any particular kind of music?"

"Traditional Italian music is good, but as long as I can dance to it," Adrianna replied, "and someone needs to make a fool of themselves on the dance floor."

“With enough grappa that might be me,” Alex confided. “But normally I’m a great dancer. I just don’t get to do it very much. Or proper gymnastics actually. But yeah, for you, I’ll be the crazy dancing person.”

Adrianna chuckled, " your embarrassment will not be in vain."

“Then it will be an honourable sacrifice,” she nodded.

"Oh, I want my Papi there. It would really anger him to see me marry someone not Italian, in Starfleet and lower in rank. It may actually kill him." Adrianna was now slurring.

“You get to invite anyone you like,” Alex grinned. “I’ll clear the plates away and get some snacks.”

Adrianna poured more," you know, whilst we were in Italy my mother tried to hit in Leopold."

Alex’s eyes widened, “she did what?”

"My mother," Adrianna chuckled, "hit on Leopold as a way of pushing us together. My mother nooks exactly like me, even after 8 children. The only tell she has of her age, are a few grey hairs. She hasn't aged."

“Our mothers had different parenting styles,” Alex grinned. “Eight children? Wow. I was an only child. My parents adopted me when I was a baby as they couldn’t have kids on their own. I don’t remember any of my friends having lots of brothers and sisters though. Most living quarters on Mars weren’t really designed for big families.”

Adrianna nodded, "pass me a PaDD, I'll show you. I have a family photo of my family at my brother Franco's wedding. My mother was 54, maybe 55 then. In school, I'd be hit on but I'd take them home to 'study' and they'd spend most of the time drooling over her. Gawd I love her. I want to be like that. I hope I have her genes. I'd love to be pushing sixty but have children refusing to bring their friends home. The 'Stacy's Mum' problem." Adrianna paused," that's weird right?"

"Stacy's mum problem?" Alex asked as she handed over a PADD. "I have no idea what this is but sounds weird. I don't know what I'd wanna do when I'm sixty. It is so far away! But I have two stepchildren already so most of the family part is sorted."

Adrianna found the family picture and handed the PaDD back to Alex to look as she explained," my brother was a fan of classical music. There was a song called 'Stacey's Mum'. It's about a boy who's in love with his girlfriend's mum because she's hot."

"Ah... awkward Christmas right there," Alex grinned as she studied the picture, "I see what you mean! I definitely would not look like that after eight kids!"

Adrianna chuckled, "she's amazing. I'm going to miss her. I'm going to miss everyone, but my brother in Italy, when I went back for the final time, made it clear that they've moved on. I'm missed, but it's a closed chapter." There was a slight twinge of agony to her tone.

"I'm sorry," Alex offered, putting a hand on her arm. "You are one of the strongest people I know, but family... family can hurt you in ways nobody else can. But you are about to make a whole new family, you get to make your own future." And then with a grin she added, "the one with those kids who are too scared to bring their friends home in case they hit on their hot mum."

Adrianna offered a smile. Alex helped ease the pain in that moment. "Thank you," she replied, and meant it, "I'm glad I got to stay with the Standing Bear. With you."

"I'm glad you are sticking around too," Alex agreed. She raised her almost empty glass in a toast, "to the Standing Bear."

Adrianna smirked and topped the glass off before agreeing to the toast, "to us."

 

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