Rico didn’t take Fian’s assisting hand, getting up on his own steam and rubbing his cheek with the back of his wrist. He looked positively pissed, glaring venomously in Suku for a brief moment before letting the gaze slide back to the bar. On the countertop sat the drink he had ordered earlier, left untouched in his hurry to leave. The Nepleslian smiled, and put his hand back down.
“I think I’ll stay for that drink after all, baby. We still got a lotta catchin’ up to do, yeah?” He said with a friendly smile, retaking his seat at the bar and (with little effort) downed the small drink in a single tilt. “Bartender, keep ‘em coming. I’m not drivin’ tonight. So!” Rico turned his face to his friends. “What was I talkin’ about again?”
"Erm..." Kokuten brought a thumb to his teeth, and then he looked at Fian, clearly lost.
Fian didn’t really knew what to do. For him, it was impossible to continue the previous conversation wholeheartedly now that the atmosphere turned sour. Luckily it wasn’t caused by him nor was he responsible for solving it (He would, if he knew how). I guess I could play along. He thought as he a seat on a nearby table as opposed to the bar.
Rico exchanged grinning glances between the two of them. “Aw common…what were we talkin’ about…” Rico placed a hand on his chin and tapped lightly. It was difficult to tell if he was being sarcastic with his motions or actually thinking. After a moment, his face brightened up. “Oh yeah! I was tellin’ ya’ll about the Reserve Squad girls, wasn’t I. Buncha fine women in there, lemme tell ya,” Rico said casually, helping himself to another drink the bartender laid before him.
Fian clenched his fists. Shit, does this guy have a deathwish or something? He flashed a quick look towards the teary eyed Suku. This is outright disrespectful! After allowing two seconds to relax his grip and calm down, he spoke up to deflect the potential hazard. "Oh? Lots of new squads are getting ladies now that restrictions are being lifted, but, do tell me how your squad is coming along."
Kokuten looked at Suku for a moment, who was still pacing and steaming, then sat down next to Rico. His green eyes cutting in Rico's direction, not exactly sure how to handle this situation.
“Maybe I can get you in Fian. Find yourself a nice girl. This one, Chessy, says she can suck a bowlin’ ball through ‘leven feet a’ garden hose,” Rico stated in a very matter-of-fact tone. “You’d like ‘er a lot, actually, hehe. She ain’t half bad.”
The Vel Steyr was aghast. Who the hell does he think I am?! Previously Fian was looking out for Rico's safety, but now the Casanova had better fend for himself even from Fian. "I don’t think so." Fian responded, in an agitated tone.
"Rico... Have you been under any 'substances' lately?" Kokuten asked suddenly.
Rico raised an eyebrow at Kokuten before picking up his empty glass and placing it in between the two of them on the countertop. “’side from this shit, naw. Does this grog count on your “substance” list, baby?”
"Well, not exactly, it's just, your behavior has been a little... erratic?" Kokuten tilted his head with a bit of twinge in his eyes. He seemed to try to explain his concern with as little insult as possible.
Fian emphasized Kokuten's statement by tapping the tabletop and drawing attention to his quietly fuming self.
Rico gave Kokuten a long look after his reply, saying nothing as his eyes analyzed the medic. Then, abruptly, Rico turned back to Fian, leaving Kokuten without a reply of his own. “Yeah baby, I can understand that. Not all a’ the ladies on our ships are good catches, yannow?” Rico said with a short laugh, snapping his fingers at the bartender to get another drink. The bartender himself had adopted a rather irate demeanor; on one hand, this guy was buying a lot of drinks, and on the other hand, he was having to make this guy a lot of drinks.
“Shit, like the last chick I spent time with? Real piece a’ work, baby,” Rico continued. “I take her out for some eats an’ shit like that, and she takes it as some sorta…I dunno, marriage proposal or somethin’. Was real glad to get rid a’ that one, I’ll give ya that.”
Each one of Rico's descriptions seemed to chip at Suku's patience. She was unsure why Kokuten kept Rico's company over her own, but she was going to be sure to 'ask' him later. The Nurse clearly gritted her teeth and turned her head, but she seemed a little close to losing it.
Fian stood up from his chair abruptly and then massaged the spot on his head where his white hair grew. With closed eyes he mumbled, "I think that’s enough for today, spare the drinks, get some rest will you?" before marching right out of the bar.
