South-East II Space port - "The Landing Zone" Drinking establishment
Vinda leant back into his chair as he reflected back on the days work just gone. The bar started to pick up at this hour, as both VC employees, tourists, and locals drifted in for a quick drink after finishing their work. He observed from his usual table in the corner, a cloud of Cigarra smoke obscuring him slightly, waiting on his drink to arrive.
The Landing Zone, although not a pillar of high class, was still fascinating to Vinda. It was somewhere he had always felt comfortable, he liked to watch people come and go about their business. After all this was where many bartered, sold, bought, and traded, it had a raw buzz about it. Also it was close to The Alien Quarter which meant species of all kinds made their way inside after taking care of business.
Not many noticed him there, after all not many would expect someone like Vinda to be seen in such a place. Those that did were always pleased to see him , and he enjoyed to catch up with the various regulars, which included most of the Bar - staff .
Many years had passed since he had become Bonadan's governor . In that time, Vinda had toughened down on crime in the district , which , traditionally, had always been high, though there were still elements, generally it was considered a safe place to trade. As a result his popularity was still unmatched.
Apart from the buzz of commerce within the space-port , there was also, the night-life, which Vinda had always enjoyed, right back from when he had been young. There were many old friends in the various bars and clubs, and sometimes he felt safer down here than at VC-HQ . Even in the Alien-Quarter itself , where he was the only Human allowed to conduct business there, he was well known and always heartily welcomed.
As he reflected on these thoughts, he felt a tap on his shoulder , turning around, a familiar face greeted him....
"...hi there stranger!...the usual..."
After recognising the voice, Vinda rose and smiling broadly, kissed her on the cheek in greeting...
"...Nina!..its great to see you! you've been scarce!, where have you been hiding?...I've missed your graceful company.
Service round here just hasn't been the same without your touch...
...ain't that right Laruse!
Vinda grinning hugely, glanced over to the Bar-keep, Laruse , speaking just loud enough for the the man to hear his banter...
Laruse laughed as he heard Vinda's comment....
"..bah!... maybe, but its been a damn-sight more peaceful!..."
Nina opened her mouth in an elaborate gesture of shock, and narrowed her eyes in a mock - evil stare towards the bar-keep . Noticing her reaction , Laruse laughed loudly , and turned back round to his work , casting his beer towel over his shoulder as a customer beckoned for service ...
Turning back to face Vinda, who was still smirking , Nina chuckled a little, placed Vinda's drink down before him, and took a seat opposite....
".. I had to go back home for a while , my sister was getting married, while I was there I decided to take some extended leave....much to his disappointment..."
She gestured over her shoulder , her thumb pointing back towards Laruse at the bar, Vinda laughed a little at her carcasm...and winked as he replied
"..ah..he misses you really...I bet he's been lost without you ...."
..she nodded and smiled warmly...
"..you betcha!...you shoulda seen the state of this place while I was gone"
Vinda laughed in response, rolling his eyes...
"...I did..."
Nina smiled at his reply ,watching him sip his scotch...
"...you having something to eat?..."
Vinda , paused for a moment as if considering it, then replied, obviously toying with the idea...
"...hmm..whats the special?..."
A slight smirk appeared on her face as she told him...
"...offal - waffle..."
Grimacing , Vinda shook his head...
"...er I think I'll pass!...thanks..."
Laughing loudly , Nina covered her mouth with the back of her hand, and whispered her reply...
"...good decision...."
Vinda smirked at her comment, and was about to reply , when Laruse shouted over to Nina...
"..HEY! stop harrassing the customers! ...this food ain't gonna deliver itself ya know!..."
Annoyed at being chased-up, Nina got up, and shouted back....
"...THATS A MATTER OF OPINION!..."
As Vinda laughed , she turned back to face him....
"...duty calls!..."
Smiling , Vinda nodded...
"..I know the feeling..."
He watched as Nina walked away and continued to argue with Laruse, and chuckled to himself, he had known them both for years, and despite their constant arguing , they loved each other deeply , though an outsider would never guess , he shook his head slightly as he considered this.
...funny creatures us humans....
Taking a slow drag from his Cigarra, Vinda seemed to visibly relax, it had been very busy around Vinda-Corp of late, there always seemed to be something else to do, normally he would revel in it, but tonite, he felt different, he hadn't realised exactly what how or why, until he had talked with Nina....
He needed a vacation.
Somewhere different too, somewhere he hadn't been. He absently scanned through a data-pad he had on him from work, and after programming the criteria in, he read the resulting possible destinations. He flicked from one destination to the other not really interested in any of the results, and was about to shrug off the notion, when he overheard a conversation that had just sparked up on the next table between a couple. Normally listening into peoples conversations was not something he did, (as he considered it to be very rude), but as the couple spoke he couldn't stop his ears from tuning in, as they talked with such excitement about an impending vacation they had planned.
..Oseon Flamewinds?...yes...I've heard of that...
He got up from his chair and walked over to the couple's table, after both introducing himself and apologising for 'listening in' to start with, he joined them, gesturing for another waitress to bring them some drinks, and made sure theirs was put onto his "tab"
Soon an hour passed as the couple regailed Vinda of their vacation in the Oseon system, how they had stayed in one of the most luxurious hotels they had ever seen, and had observed with delight the Yearly event of the system's "flame-wind" . A phenomenon caused by an increase in stellar flares that mix and react to the dust particles within the asteroid belt itself, people came from far and wide to witness the event.
They had loved it so much that they had decided to book leave this cycle to witness it again, Vinda listened, fascinated...
Eventually the excited and intense conversation grew to a close , the couple thanked Vinda for his hospitality, and left, leaving Vinda alone to savour the stories he had heard them talk about with such fervour .
As he downed the last of his many Scotch's for the night, he made his mind up to go and see for himself...
