* HeatherR wanders into the bar.
* Gerald wanders in as well, in civvies for a change. Meaning in his case a button-down shirt and slacks. For him, he's practically a bum.
* Ali is right there with her, continuing a conversation. "And that's when he tried to shoot me."
* HeatherR nods. "And what did -you- do?" She nods to Gerald. "Evening."
* Gerald looks up absently, as he heads for the replicator. "Hm?" He inclines his head to the two ladies.
{Gerald} Good evening. What did she do?
{Ali} Hey there! I caught the bullet and threw it back to him. Not as hard as he sent it to me, of course, but I don't think he appreciated the broken knee instead of the knee with a hole through it.
* HeatherR nods. "Good for you. I owe you a shake. And that's what she did, sir."
{Ali} Mmmm... strawberry?
* HeatherR nods. "Sir?"
{Gerald} Ah....I suppose vanilla.
* Gerald seems to still be on Severe Pause over the throwing bullets bit.
* Ali grins to Gerald, used to that reaction.
* HeatherR nods and steps to the replicator. "Heather, by the way."
{Gerald} Gerald Naismith. A pleasure, Heather. Who's the woman who apparently has a knack for bullet throwing?
* Gerald arches an eyebrow at Ali.
{HeatherR} This is Ali, my fast friend.
{Ali} Hey, *anyone* can throw a bullet. *grin*
{Gerald} And catch it first? {faint smile} And hello, Ali.
* HeatherR hands over two shakes. "Fortunately, it's easy to hide behind her."
{Ali} Now that, I'll admit, is a rare skill. *grin*
* Ali accepts the shake gratefully.
* Gerald accepts his and takes it with a slightly ambivalent expression. "Why is it?"
{Ali} Well, it helps to have greater than normal reflexes.
{Gerald} I meant hiding behind. {slight smile}
{Ali} Oh, okay!
* HeatherR smiles a touch to both. "So who did we walk in on?"
{Gerald} Me?
* HeatherR nods.
{Gerald} Ah, well, I'm a security guard, actually. On a space station that seems to be connected to this place and the vast majority of which is unaware of it. I hope.
{Ali} Yeah, I can think of the headaches you'd have if the place was generally known about by a crew of people stuck in cramped quarters. On the other hand, no fair you taking advantage of it when you won't let them. *grin*
{Gerald} Ah, well, I'm merely reconning the place. Really. {bow, slight smirk}
{Ali} Oh, of course.
{HeatherR} How long has this gone on?
{Gerald} I have no idea. Far too long. I've only recently come to check the area out.
{HeatherR} So this is now a fun little secret?
{Gerald} Somewhat a fun little secret. {sobers} If it wasn't a secret, it wouldn't be nearly so fun. For many parties.
{HeatherR} Especially for us. *slight smile*
{Gerald} Indeed. {wry smile}
{Ali} Yeah. The place works best as a secret, I think. Otherwise you'd never have any elbow room near the replicator.
* Ali winks.
{Gerald} All the cheap food, yes. It'd be too much.
{Ali} Exactly. And that replicator is the only reason my food budget is reasonable.
{HeatherR} It's true. You should see her paycheque.
{Gerald} How bad is it? Mine's not wonderful. Did I mention we have to either grow it on station or ship it a few AUs over to Saturn?
{Ali} You didn't. Ouch. Mine's high because I have a high metabolism.
{Gerald} ...That would do it. Downside of having the speed?
* Ali blurs, replicates a cookie, and hands it to Gerald.
* Gerald takes it and politely eats it. . o O (This place is doing horrible things to my mind. I'm talking with someone about speed and accelerated metabolism like it's doing the laundry.)
{Ali} This is just a guess. Not normal where you're from? *grin*
{Gerald} A little bit. I'm surprised I'm taking it this well.
{HeatherR} As if it's normal wherever anyone's from.
{Gerald} I think this place is affecting my oddness tolerances. This is only my second visit as were.
{Ali} It has that effect! Just wait until you meet some of the really weird people.
{Gerald} Hmm. Hmmm. Dare I ask?
{HeatherR} No, of course not.
{Ali} I dare you to ask.
{Gerald} Okay, really weird people?
{Ali} Have you met the barstool yet?
{Gerald} ....
* Gerald looks suspiciously at the stool he's sitting on.
* It does not look back at him.
{Ali} Not that one. Over at the end. *grin*
* Gerald relaxes. "Oh, good." {tries looking for it}
* Pigeon rattles, really bad at hide and seek.
{Gerald} ...
{Gerald} All right. Bar stools.
{HeatherR} I'm glad you accepted that so easily. She's trying to break you, you realise.
{Ali} No, if I were trying to break him, I'd explain about the barstool and the coat-rack.
{HeatherR} Oh come *on*. You know that now you've said that he'll have to ask.
{Ali} I don't know... he might be afraid to, now.
{Gerald} I may as well forge into the dark maw of impossibility. {pause} What is it about the furniture?
{HeatherR} He might well, but you have this way of tempting people. *she smiles a little* And I'm sorry, I did promise Lisa I'd check in on the Cowper situation... would you both 'scuse me?
{Gerald} Right. Good night, and a pleasure to meet you, Heather. I'm not long here, myself.
{Ali} The rumor is they were involved for awhile. Want a back-checker, Heather?
{HeatherR} Only if you're done breaking Gerald here. And you too, Gerald. *little grin* Take care.
* Ali gets up. "I can always break him later. Night, Gerald!"
{Gerald} Good night. {smile}
* Gerald bows a bit and heads out.
* HeatherR waves. "Well, we're off."
* Ali heads out with Heather, possibly to break other heads.