InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Sir Tweax-A-Lot"

Philo Zoticus, Jr. (dr_philo) wrote in kobols_legacies,
@ 2008-05-07 21:59:00

Entry tags:

Evening on SL
Philo's eyes were on the ceiling and on his journal, alternately.

The journal was a silly habit. One he'd adopted in med school, mainly to make himself seem more attractive to Mary-Claire, who now in all likelihood lay dead at the bottom of a lake or some such. It didn't matter. His quips and insights hadn't faded with her, but they had faded. He thought often that they had faded with Colette. It was an easy answer, and one to which he clung like driftwood in a storm. It simplified things. Made it all cleaner.

Still, there was a time to reflect, and a time to act. This was neither, but Philo felt it would be in his best interest to leave. Get out. He lived on the most varied ship in the fleet (or so the rumor was. He hadn't been on another) and it was only right he should see it. He stood, tucked the journal into his desk drawer, and stepped into the corridor.

All corridors led to the biodomes, and he could be certain that if he walked along them that was where he would come to. He had no intention of coming out at the biodome though. He veered off, looking for solace in a bottle and in conversation. He made his way through beautifully appointed corridors (Bethany's doing, no doubt) and past lovingly arranged bits of flora (Bethany's doing, no doubt). When Philo finally made his way into his favorite haunt--the lights low, the ambrosia plentiful--he was glad to see his friend manning the bar.

"Hello, Bethany," he said with a smile, not as forced as it could have been, and sidled up to take a seat. "You're looking lovely as always. Where's your staff? You are entirely too beautiful to have to deal with these ruffians."

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

bar_lady
2008-05-11 10:31 pm UTC (link)

"Cedric? Yes, we've come to know each other well since... " The exodus. "... he's been leading parliament here on Shangri-La." There was no hesitation in her voice, the delivery smooth, but she was careful to avoid any direct reference to the events that led them all to now being where they were.

"I should introduce you two sometime, and you can let him know what you think!"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

dr_philo
2008-05-11 10:50 pm UTC (link)

Philo laughed. "While it is an idea that I find morbidly fascinating, I doubt that the Prime Minister would want to hear anything I have to say."

He was being polite. He had a few things he wanted to ask Mr. Wyndom, but that was another story altogether. "Anyway. I apologize for boring you with my political diatribe. No doubt you have plenty of other things to consider, and I do not presume to think that I have anything of value to say on the matter."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	bar_lady 2008-05-11 10:54 pm UTC (link)
	"Philo, is that your polite way of giving me the brush off!" Bethany teased, leaning her head to one side as she looked at the doctor. "Because I can tell you right now there is nothing boring about what you have to say, and I'm sure you have much of value to contribute! And you should know better than to argue with me!" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dr_philo 2008-05-11 11:01 pm UTC (link)
	"You are quite educated on the intricacies of flattery," he replied with a grin. "And I wouldn't dream of arguing with you. But I do thank you. You've given me more tonight to think on than you could possibly know." He raised his glass, and took another deep draught from it. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bar_lady
2008-05-11 11:11 pm UTC (link)

"I've found it helps at times to know how to smooth the waters, and believe me, a well placed compliment or two can prove most beneficial!" she told him with a small mischievous grin and twinkle in her eye. She finished her drink, smoother her hands along her thighs and straightening her gown. "And can I ask you to escort me to the 'Flight Lounge'? It's there I need to call on next, and make sure the new cocktail waitresses have managed to sort out their new uniforms." That particular lounge was a popular one for young single men and women to go when they were looking for some company, and on more than one occasion there had been some difficulties with the waitresses' uniforms, Bethany having made the decision to change them slightly, enabling the girls to feel a little more secure than previously.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dr_philo 2008-05-11 11:15 pm UTC (link)
	He grinned. "Absolutely. It will do me quite a bit of good to be seen with someone such as yourself." He downed the remainder of his drink, replacing the glass to the bar with a slight thud. "I hear I've gotten a reputation for being less than friendly. Can you even believe such a thing?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	bar_lady 2008-05-11 11:19 pm UTC (link)
	"I have to wonder at people sometimes, Philo, and where they might conjure up some of their wild notions!" she exclaimed as she stood up, smiling. "I've always found there is something we can discuss to pass the time of day between two friends!" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

dr_philo
2008-05-11 11:30 pm UTC (link)

"Indeed," he replied. "I'm obliged to offer my thanks that you have always been so kind to me." He offered his arm as though he were some stately noble. "You've had more faith in my mental faculties than even I."

He glanced down at her, meeting her eyes. If Philo hadn't long since forgotten how to find a woman attractive, he probably would have been tempted to sin in Bethany's company. However, as the years had dragged on, he had grown ever more distant from the man he once had been. Somehow, he sensed that his lack of sexual interest was something of an asset when it came to dealing with women. He could note, however, with the mind of a scientist, that she was a damnably fine looking woman, and that alone was enough to make him proud to be seen with her. To say nothing of the fact that she'd proven a more reliable ally than anyone else he'd met since his evacuation from Canceron.

"Now let's to this other haunt. Have I been there? I never remember restaurants or bars by name."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bar_lady
2008-05-11 11:39 pm UTC (link)

She happily slipped her arm into his, hand resting on his forearm as they made their way from the bar. "I'm sure you would have," she told him with a sly wink. "It's where all the eligible young men go at least once, if for no other reason than to 'see and be seen'!"

She had noted over the years that Philo had seemed to keep to himself and she couldn't remember ever having seen him with anyone in particular, fellow medicos excluded as far as she was concerned as the 'birds of a feather flock together' metaphor applied and even if liaison's did eventuate they were not necessarily destined to be anything more than a momentary crossing of paths of two like-minded people seeking comfort and company for the evening.

"And if you haven't been there before then it's about time we changed that!" she added as they strolled along the deck toward the lifts.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dr_philo 2008-05-11 11:45 pm UTC (link)
	He laughed, freely and easily, thanks to the alcohol he'd drunk. "Bethany, I am neither young nor 'eligible', though I do appreciate the consideration. Up or down?" he asked conversationally as they reached the lift. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bar_lady
2008-05-11 11:50 pm UTC (link)

"Definitely down!" she laughed, keeping her face innocent and smiling as the lift doors opened. "And I thought we had already agreed that you were not going to argue with me," she told him with mock sternness as the doors closed, "You are both young, and eligible, and if you gave yourself half a chance you might find that there are others who think the same way." The lift started to descend and Bethany managed to stop from flinching, her hand comfortably resting on Philo's arm still.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

dr_philo
2008-05-11 11:57 pm UTC (link)

"If you're saying that to keep my business," he replied jokingly, "don't worry. I promise not to take my drinking to any other ship."

As they reached their floor, and the chime sounded, they stepped off the lift and into the dimly lit corridor. "It's kind of you to worry on my behalf,but I promise you I have little need of such company." He smiled, halfheartedly but a smile nonetheless. "I do not seek to find any women aside from my late ex wife. She's put me off everything forever, to be quite honest."

His tone was genial, but his smile just a bit forced. Not because of Mary-Claire of course, that had been a split that had come as more of a comfort than anything else. It was only that thinking of her brought to mind his daughter, with whose absence he was considerably less comfortable.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bar_lady
2008-05-12 12:04 am UTC (link)

Bethany could see the forced smile and gave his arm a gentle squeeze, bringing her other hand to rest on it also. "We all have need of company from time to time, Philo, and there is no shame in it, regardless of what the conservative sticks will tell you!" And she had faced a number of those types over the years, both before and after the exodus.

"And one day you may find yourself wondering what it would be like to have the company of another from time to time. I can assure you there is a great deal of pleasure possible, even in these circumstances we find ourselves." The music from the open doors ahead was still upbeat and she recognised the tracks, the 'early evening' set they would play on a rotation until later when the tone would shift to a more laid back mellow level. "And here we are now!"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

dr_philo
2008-05-12 12:11 am UTC (link)

He laughed lightly, mostly relieved at their arrival at the club, since he wouldn't have to go into further detail. He didn't want to have to explain to Bethany that it wasn't about shame, it was about a simple reality. His work and his ex-wife had wrung any sense of the romantic from him long before he'd looked a Centurion in the face (or what those toasters had that passed as one) and fully come to terms with the finiteness of his existence.

"Ah, back to business," he teased, his face a mask of amusement.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -