Patin's Chore

Posted on Thu Feb 22nd, 2024 @ 5:36pm by Patin
Edited on on Fri Feb 23rd, 2024 @ 3:35pm

Mission: The Beginning of the End
Location: Bajor
Timeline: Current-ish

It had been weeks since Patin had been back home. She had only left because people were trying to end her life and Nozzie had convinced her it was in her best interest to leave instead of killing every last one of them. It was reasonable and the adventure seemed appealing at least. But, she did leave behind a life, a home and a number of creatures which had to be tended to by a trusted neighbor. Now they were at DS9 on layover until the ship was repaired, she felt it was a good opportunity to visit her stomping grounds.

The Southern most Province on Bajor was a cold, slow covered land with rolling hills and high mountain peaks. It was home to the most unique creatures, and the local wildlife was interesting too. There were only a few small hamlets which dotted the coastlines, each one containing the bare essentials. A place to communicate, eat, supply and of course, drink ones fair share of liquor. Patin's residence was in the middle of three such bars, her favorite 'A Touch of Sunshine' stood before her.

She took one last puff from her cigar, then put it out using the back of her hand before tucking it into her upper left pocket. She then released the smoke in a tight little ring before pushing open the doors and stepping inside. From the bright exterior to the dark interior, it took her eyes all of fifteen seconds to adjust where she was greeted by the sight of several regulars sitting around an open bar. The keeper on the other side was the only one that looked up from the task at hand to see who this newcomer was.

Instant recognition struck him and his face fell white with panic. "No, no, no way. The last time you cost me half a dozen tables and chairs, not to mention the alcohol. People were picking shards of glass for weeks and that's on top of what you drank." Hans, the bar keep proclaimed.

"Ah, Ohff, don't be like that. Besides, I'm just checking in and I'll be on my way." She walked over to the bar, swung one leg over the stool and sat down next to a large Bajoran man who was hunched over his drink as if he were nursing it for far too long. There were fresh gashes on the man's face and exposed arms which Patin took not of. She tapped the bar twice, "The usual."

The man to her left grumbled and then struck up a conversation, "Ain't you supposed to be dead?"

Patin grinned devilishly, "Depends. What have you heard?" She replied as a large pint with a multiple tiered colored liquid was sat in front of her. Each layer was a different type of liquor, made from a combination of fluids that did not mix well with one another. As she made her way down the glass, usually in 3 or less gulps, the flavor and potency would change causing her tongue to dance.

"I 'heard' a group of would be assassins attempted to ambush you on the mountain. Seems they were paid to kill or kidnap the friend of the Mother of the future Emissary. I also 'heard' every single one of them had their asses handed to them." He started at his glass, then downed it in one quick gulp.

"Maybe. Far as you know I died on that mountain." Patin said. There was a pause and then the both of them laughed out loud at the absurdity of the joke.

Once done laughing, the man turned and held out his arm which Patin returned as they clasped them together in comradery. She then turned and downed the first two layers of her drink while he spoke. "They approached me you know. Wanted to know how I got these scars. Told em' I've been wrestling with a new field cat." He paused, "You know when you asked me to look after your pets, I expected horses and maybe a dog, not a full on bloody Theraposa Blondi."

Patin was amused, "I have three horses. I trust you remembered to look after them." She downed her second set of layers. The mixture caused her insides to bubble and she let out a belch that rattled the glasses on the wall.

"HAD three horses. Bloody spider brood hatched and the babies had themselves a meal." He huffed as though frustrated by the whole deal.

Patin slammed the rest of her drink down upon the bar top, "Damnit!." She shook her head, "I wanted to be there when they hatched." She said, showing concern for the brood and not the loss of the horse. "We're you there when it happened at least?"

"You kidding? How do you think I got the cuts on my face?" He indicated the scars. "Walked in on them while they were feeding. Decided I had anywhere else I could be. Tried to leave, tripped over that junk you have stored in your barn, busted my face on a sharp rake of some sort." he signed, "Anyway, you're back right? You can deal with the mess yourself?"

She winced, "Not back, not really." She shrugged and finished her last set of layers from the mug. "Just checking in, though..." She gave it some thought for a moment. "I have this feeling this may be the last time I'll be in these parts, so... how would you like to keep the house?"

He chuckled, "Not on your life. I'd rather set fire to that place than live there, no offense. Besides, you'll be back, you always find a way to come back." He downed the rest of his own drink then tapped the bar for another.

Patin stood, clapped the man on his big shoulder. "Thanks Bohn Er. I'll try not to be offended." She showed no further signs that she wanted to talk about the fact she would not be coming back. If the future played out like she had been shown, her life would end in less than two months. But she wasn't about to tell anyone that. No, Patin would live her life as she always had right to the very last minute. "See you around, eh?"

He nodded but said nothing else out of mutual respect for one another. Bajorans tended to take care of their own which differed from the Starfleeters Patin had been hanging around with, who tried to take care of everyone including their own.

TBC