toasting and debriefing

[zuhrovet]

Sasha has messaged the team, summoning them to a meeting in the common room. After sending the message, she heads there herself, and starts pouring shots of rosemary arak. She gives a glass to Sulen as they enter the room, holding it out formally, with both hands; she gives Reshad a similarly formal presentation, and an equally formal smile. Seyli gets a choice between arak and sparkling water, and a lopsided grin.

Comments

in which Seyli doesn't trust anyone but is mostly afraid

[kese_seyli]

"You remember I don't drink on duty." Seyli takes the offered of sparkling water and gives Sasha a tentative smile in return. It does nothing to wipe away the tension in their face and eyes, but it's something. They don't wait for anyone else to speak before they blurt out their concerns.

"I don't like any of this, you all know that. I don't trust him farther than I can throw him. I know I'm not the smartest person on this ship, but I am...was...Kel, and think I've earned my fear of him." Enough of a fear that he doesn't even get a name.

a tentative agenda

[zuhrovet]

Sasha nods to Seyli. Their concern makes perfect sense, but they haven't thought through the implications of inaction.

"Here is what we are going to do," she tells the assembled group. "We are going to toast to a successful enterprise, because we have achieved our objective smoothly, and learned even more than we had hoped, due to your coordinated action. Next we are going to discuss the strategic recommendations we will make to Ashari, regarding our guest. In particular, will we tell him about the moths, or will we wait until we can consult with them?" Sasha doesn't look at Sulen. She assumes they will report on the level of authority she claims; but Sasha can claim as much responsibility as she likes, if she is willing to pay for it, and she has no doubt that Ashari will extract payment. "Finally, we will address Seyli's specific question, about the security restrictions to place on Jedao, once our strategic plan is clear."

Re: a tentative agenda

[hoardingpearls]

Reshad takes the arak with both hands, mirroring Sasha's gesture exactly, and holds it, waiting for her cue. The alcohol scent rising from it is warning enough if its potency.

Seyli's obvious fear gets her attention, and she nods as they speak. "I want to discuss this," she murmurs, but the agenda seems already set.

[Remind me, they know they're under way now?]

Re: a tentative agenda

[zuhrovet]

[Yes, Sasha notified everyone of departure, though there's no obvious sense of motion.

This arak is about soju strength.]

Re: a tentative agenda

[venndaai]

Sulen receives the shot glass with a reciprocal level of formality, and watches Sasha carefully for cues, hoping to make up for the last misunderstanding with Sasha by successfully participating in whatever ritual she has planned.

the toast

[zuhrovet]

Once everyone Sasha expects is present, she waits for a lull in cross-conversations and declares, "So. To a successful enterprise!" She knocks her own shot back (the taste is light, simple, with just an edge of herbs), and lets the glass clink once, twice on the table before her.

Re: the toast

[yhlee]

Gerae raises his glass [or whatever you pour a shot into, I am not an alcohol person] and takes a cautious sip. He's fidgeting, a bit, as he looks toward Sulen.

toasting glasses

[zuhrovet]

[As it happens, Sasha printed a bunch of glasses for toasting on the original matter printer. If you look closely, the glass has judgmental comments on the nature of color.]