Star Trek: Starbase 777

PRIDEFEST 2415 was set up in the Environmental Ring. The bar was off to the side of the dancefloor, far enough away that the bartender would be able to hear the orders but close enough that people didn't have to go far to get served and then dance to their hearts' content. The bartender created a menu of a mixture of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, all very tasty and expertly crafted! The alcoholic special was a flight of shots in a rainbow (and fruit-flavored!) gradient. The nonalcoholic special was a layered fruity drink made with sweet juices.

Xal had taken up residence at the bar for now. Everything had gotten off without a hitch. OPS and a handful of civilian volunteers had been amazing, installing everything for them. The music was playing. The decorations were gorgeous. The simulated weather in the Environmental Ring was perfect. So, to celebrate the beginning of the event, Xal was getting a drink. The special rainbow layered one. He didn't want to get tipsy yet, if at all, plus the juices sounded nice. "How lovely," they said, when they received their drink and took a sip, looking around as people approached.

And who had wandered his way to the bar? Why, it was Shinji of course! And by god, was his entire outfit a statement piece. First off- his shirt- a black, ruffled affair, with lacy sleeves that just barely showed his hands, covered in black, similarly lacy gloves. Then, around his neck, a jabot, in rainbow lace, forming a little pride flag of its own, secured with a diamond-encrusted silver pin. He also had on a black vest, patterned with subtle flower motifs in silver thread that caught the light, and secured with silver buttons. Then, his shorts- puffed out in the typical ouji style, with lace at the cuffs where they met his thighs. The rest of his legs, save for the strip of skin between the top of his garters and his shorts, were covered by black stockings, held up with the aforementioned garters. Then, black boots with a bit of a heel to them, secured with rainbow ribbons tied in neat bows. Then, the statement piece for the statement outfit- the hat that had been featured in the chatroom- a black wide-brimmed affair covered in lace, with a veil that stretched down on all sides, beads and lace decorating it. The top of the hat had plenty of lace, as well as a bow- but also, several real roses in pristine condition, dyed in rainbow colors. And also, a black lace parasol that was not blocking rain nor sun- that thing was only for looks He walked over to the bar, also getting the rainbow layered drink, as he had a horrible alcohol tolerance and didn’t want to get drunk.

Lhi was at pridefest! He still didn't understand pride but he liked the fun colours and festivals were always fun! He wore a rainbow ribbon in his hair with white trousers and a rainbow tank top! He also had a little flower crown made of flowers he had collected from the gardens,coated with a special mixture that kept them from losing their colour and held the form of the crown.

Swift quiet footsteps conveyed Elohae into Pridefest! He'd read of such things before as he'd explored Terran culture and had discovered within it a festival he honestly appreciated the presence of. At least if he had understood it correctly, he reckoned there was always the chance he hadn't. If he hadn't though, he reckoned his last boyfriend might have honestly liked it. Not that he dwelt on that for too long, they'd parted and that was that. His minds focus turned to the sights around him. To peoples dress as his mind compared it to how he'd dressed, explored and compared the colours with the ones he'd selected. With his simple blue shirt and black trousers that accompanied the pride flag coloured headband he'd decided to wear. His concession to their festival. Settled into a spot near the bar at first, Elohae allowed his gaze to wander as he considered where to go. Considered if he wanted a drink now. Considered and then decided and approached the bar. Approached it and palmed his PADD with one hand as he typed a message on the text to speech app. He'd long since developed a tendancy to assume that people didn't know sign. To assume that and the fact he needed to adapt so, he had. He continued to do so. Assistive devices, his PADD. His PADD what he'd elected in this case to put to use. The play button pressed as he watched each word highlight out of the corner of his eye, carefully watched the bartender also. "Please can I order a apple juice?" The request once made fulfilled after a moment, the drink grabbed by him gently once he'd settled up. The other people he'd spotted about waved at politely in greeting.

Xal smiled both happily and smugly as more people approached the bar, ordering their drinks. He looked them all up and down stealthily, noting their outfits and taking inspiration from some of them but choosing not to be too judgy. Pride was about, well, having pride in oneself. If someone wanted to wear something he didn't like it wasn't really his business. Which wasn't to say anyone near was doing that, just that many outfits at pride can be considered "ugly" or "outlandish" to some. "Jolan Tru," Xal said to all of the three people nearest him at the bar. "Welcome to Pridefest 2415. I hope you're all enjoying the festivities so far?" And he took a sip of his drink through the little pink straw.

Elohae smiled and nodded sligthly as, as the small device he'd taken to wearing slipped behind his ear alerted him to the speach, he turned. Turned and lipread initially as deft hands switched his PADD to speech to text and eyes briefly flicked down to read what was said. Flicked down before they flicked up. Flicked up and focused on the Xal as he switched his PADD to text to speach once more. Switched it and tapped out a short response. Tapped it out and pressed play as his PADD then declared. "So far!" Before he sipped at his drink some more.

Shinji closed his umbrella, leaning it on his chair as he turned to look at Xal “I’m having a great time! I spent like an hour getting dressed for this.” He laughed, taking another sip of his drink. It wasn’t a lie, he really had spent an hour getting dressed. His outfits were complicated and had many, many buttons.

The words of the other stranger noted, Elohae glanced to Shinjii and then glanced to the PADD. Considered the words it recorded before his eyes flicked up to the other and he swiftly tapped on the PADD again. "If you don't mind my saying so, you look very smart." The compliment offered before he sipped his drink again and mimed a 'hey bartender' as he attempted to get their attention. His drink had arrived at the point where, he reckoned, it needed a refill. It happened to be quite the good drink after all. Non-Alchoholic, apple flavoured, nice. He wanted more.

“Oh, yes, it looks like you took quite extensive pains to look so good, dear. It’s a good thing the weather isn’t programmed to be like Terran summer or you would perish. But it would be worth it. It is a very nice outfit.” Xal smiled and turned to Elohae. “Greetings dear, I am glad you are having a wonderful time so far. I hope everything is to your liking and if you need anything, do not hesitate to find me.”

Eyes flicked to the PADD briefly as deft movements switched the PADD to speach to text. Moved between Xal and the PADD as the other had proceeded to speak to him. Silent to him as their mouth moved in the form of words, as his mind appended words to each movement of the mouth, its placement. Filled in the gaps with visual cues. Watched as the text appeared on his screen watched with eyes that occasionally flicked back to Xal. Fixed upon them as with deft movements he called up his PADDs text function. A twitched almost instinct toward a signed response halted, the Play button on his PADD pressed before he clasped his hands. "Everything is, you've put on a amazing event." The PADD had declared then before it'd added. "And thank you for the offer, I will if anything comes up." His words considered, careful. In a way, a deflection affected instinctively. He never assumed that people might have more stuff here that may help, never presumed upon people. It never behooved a Romulan to show another a place where a knife might be applied without as much opposition after all. That and his mind reminded him softly, this wasn't a deaf space, he remained a single person with single needs. So he had adapted to the space, or tried to.

He laughed a little, very grateful that it was not, in fact, Terran summer level hot, or, stars forbid it, the level of heat where he was actually from- Japan summer was actually brutal. But yet, he still wore his stuff whenever he went there, so he was used to it. “I’m used to Terran summer- and really hot and humid Terran summer at that, so I’d survive even if it was hotter here. And yeah, it’d be totally worth it. I’ve worn stuff like this in 30 Celsius plus high humidity and lived to tell the tale.”

Words weren't initially needed as, with his assistive tech and PADD having alerted him to the cadets words, he looked down at the PADD. Looked down and then looked up at the cadet. Watched them as they spoke. Lipread and filled in the blanks as always. Eyes widened at their words before they softened in amuzed respect. Softened as he tapped his PADD, switched to text to speach. Eventually pressed play. "It looks good and if you're able to pull it off even in that heat, more power to you."

Xal wouldn’t assume what accommodations anyone did or didn’t need, but if they were wanted and Elohae felt comfortable asking, Xal would be more than happy to make them. As a Romulan-Cardassian, he understood keeping one’s needs secret lest it lead to danger, but he was not ableist and would make sure anyone in attendance had an accessible experience. “Of course, dear. What are you drinking, by the way?” He asked curiously before turning back to Shinji. “Mmmm, goodness. I love heat, but I prefer to experience the Cardassian sun with as little clothing as possible.” He raised an eyebrow, winked, giggled, and took a sip of his drink. “Humidity is not my favorite, however. Give me the desert. I would love to visit Vulcan, actually.”

Eyes searched the other once they'd read her words on the PADD. Their words considered with care by a mind wired for a Romulan world, for secrets and danger for daggers and politics that affected many a house. Considered their words even as he tapped out a response on the PADD to their question about the drink. "Its a apple juice, quite a nice one compared to some I've had, on my first refil." The PADD had responded as he returned his hands to that clasped position, clasped about the drink. A want to sign curtailed, closely controlled. "I can really recommend it." Each word lighting up as the PADD had uttered them, as Elohae had swallowed a gulp of apple juice. The twitch twitch of a brief wish to speak despite not being able to hear that voice concealed with that gulp. A wish not acted upon as words were left unformed as fingers drummed a subconscious rhymn on his glass. Unheard by him but felt. Felt as he watched the conversation for a moment on his PADD. Watched and then flicked his gaze back to Xal. Warred with belief, with experience, wondered if he should ask. Knowledge of the improvement it'd bring to him for the event paired with that constant refrain. That one should always be cautious with what one shared, lest a dagger find you. A battle that showed as his he briefly tapped upon the PADD. A question about it formed but dismissed, replaced by something else as he pressed play and his PADD proceeded to speak. "Can't say I'm fond of a desert, always thought heat had its place in the forge but that outside of it I'd like a kinder sun." A moments pause following before the PADD had added. "Do get the dislike of humidity though, my ex wasn't fond either."

“A forge, you say? What are you smithing, hmm?” Xal asked with a raised eyebrow. “I cannot fault fleshier beings for sweltering in the sun. Not all spent much time on a planet like Cardassia Prime or developed a biology for it. And I do struggle a bit more than some of my peers, being half Romulan, but, I am still quite fond of the heat.” He smiled again at Elohae.

“Where I grew up on Earth, the only way to survive the sun was to wear long sleeves or put on a lot of sunscreen. And the humidity will still get you regardless, so I always just stayed inside in the air conditioning for like, the whole summer, growing up.” He laughed, taking another sip of his drink. “Apple juice? I was always more of an orange juice fan, but maybe I’ve always just had shitty apple juice.” He shrugged, before having to quickly raise his hand to stop his massive hat from falling to the ground. “Vulcan seems nice, but what do you even do there besides nature stuff? I’m not a huge nature guy unless it’s the beach, wilderness and my outfits don’t get along. I do like the idea of not being in the humidity- exactly why I’m not going home to Japan this shore leave.” He laughed.

He nodded at that, at the 'forge' query. The question filled in with situational visual cues as words to him continued to be spoken in silence and met with a smiled nod and with a gestured sign language 'uh huh' equivilent he failed to catch in time. Failed to catch but prevented from re-occurance as hands resumed their clasped position about the cup for a moment. A moment before one broke away and tapped out a reply on the PADD. Tapped it out and pressed play "Yes, not smithed anything recently but was trained somewhat Hara fashion in younger years, made a blade." The PADD informed them before it added. "While I'm told its a beautiful planet, never been to Cardassia myself, though I can respect a love for the heat or the cold no matter my own opinion." His eyes flicked then, alerted by the behind the ear worn piece of tech to another speak, to the other person involved in the conversation. The movements that spoke of laughter politely smiled at, eyes focused upon them with the PADD in his peripheral vision as he continued to read. Continued to fill in the blanks that lipreading didn't in a world that for him lacked sound. His hand swift as he tapped out more words upon his PADD. "Perhaps, though apple juices aren't for everyone, same with Orange juices, peoples taste buds are different be that on account of their species or different things after all." When the other asked about Vulcan, Elohae affected a slight shrug as he glanced to Xal and tapped on his PADD. "Heard that there's more than a few historical sites to see, though otherwise not as well read about the planet as I'd honestly like, about that planet, myself." (edited)

Xal nodded, sipping from his cute little pink straw as Elohae's PADD stated the words he was typing in. "Ah, yes, Cardassia is not traditionally a destination for many people. Not always the most welcoming, my father's people. They should get better about it, though, we have many things to share with others. If only we would let our guard down. Some others understand the Cardassian reticence to be vulnerable," he said with an eyebrow. "Apple juice is....very sweet. And so is orange juice. I think orange juice is in this drink, actually, though I am not always a fan of sweet things. They are tolerable on occasion. It is good you are enjoying your drink, however."

Carefully eyes fixed upon Xal as they proceeded to speak once more. Attentive not to the spoken sounds that remained unheard but to the puzzle pieces that together formed for him a snapshot of speech. Lipreading a tool almost instinctively these days utilized alongside the tech like the PADD. The PADD swift movements had switched to speech to text. Utilized as, however much he disliked it, he'd not deprive himself of a tool in the arsenal of ensuring anyone who happened to speak to him was understood by him. That If something was miss or understood by him or the PADD, the other would ensure the mistake was picked up and compensated for. Compensated for as eyes flicked down, took in their words on his PADD. Drank them in and considered both person and words. Felt a eyebrow briefly twitch to raise as Xal's had raised before he suppressed the impulse. The comment about apple juice politely smiled at as his mind chewed on the rest of what they'd said. "Welcoming nor no.. it does seem beautiful a world, if a fairly hot one." Mulled it over as a wine taster does wine, as he clasped his hands and headed off another wish to sign his response. Conscious in this situation that the other may well have lacked a knowledge of RSL or SSL. Knowledge of such not something he particularly wanted to assume as he typed out a response on his PADD and then pressed play. "I understand that, while I'm fond of sweet things from time to time, there's such a thing as too sweet."

16:26

Watched out of the corner of his eye as he watched Xal and each bit of text proceeded to light up as his PADD spoke. Another gulp of apple juice indulged in as he mulled their other words over. Mulled them over and slowly tapped again. "Thinking about what you were saying, I think perhaps that... what you said is also perhaps something that can be said of Romulans." His PADD had added then. "Regarding letting ones guard down a bit." Words selected with a attempted care. "Though, in some ways, I can understand...the impulse to keep ones guard up." Another sip of Apple juice indulged in as his PADD continued. "Especially when linguistic or other..communication difficulties might if known within a society, have once resulted in..problems." Elohae's grimace that followed somewhat apologetic as his PADD vibrated its declaration that it had finished.

Xal nodded, a sly but understanding expression on their face. "Yes, my mother taught me that as well." A very tiny smile graced their lips as they scrutinized Elohae's face for any emotional give-aways. "Even though the Star Empire has fallen, one can never be too careful of prying ears..." A thoughtful moment passed, and Xal added "And eyes of course. Romulans are not shy about using all of their senses to draw information and conclusions from people or situations, hm?" A sharp cackle and Xal turned their head, revealing their pointy Romulan ears. Had Elohae not seen them before, the context clues at this point would clue him into thinking Xal was half Romulan-half Cardassian. "You seem hesitant, dear." They said, their voice more direct and a bit quieter. "Am I making you uncomfortable?" Xal did not know Elohae's hesitance was personal, or about SSL or RSL. And while he enjoyed keeping people on their toes, he was getting the sense that maybe Elohae wasn't uncomfortable in a lighthearted way. And this was an event for levity, not anxiety, so he would do what he could to make sure Elohae was enjoying himself to his fullest extent.

Elohae wasn't the most experienced of actors, that fact remained something he could not and mainly had not disputed. What he was though was fairly conscious about his facial expressions, his tells and cues, explored and experienced with more depth as his life had progressed. As he'd immersed himself in the furtherance of his understanding of sign languages. So while what met Xal's scrutiny wasn't the sort of perfected expressionless mask that Vara'l sometimes managed, it also wasn't something that betrayed much. The bits of emotion that glimmered through small pieces that perhaps just about hinted at a discomfort that lingered there within his face. Within the set of his jaw even as eyes remained fixed upon Xal and he lipread them, filled in the gaps with those context cues. All this helped along by his PADD as it continued to drink in sound and displayed Xal's words on text form. A mixed array of discomfort, focus and perhaps a medley of other things that likely added weight to to the feeling that he happened to be anything but comfortable. Something that remained as Elohae initially eschewed the PADD and nodded slightly in agreement at Xal's words, the general meaning of them pieced together. The statement within it something he... generally agreed with. The one that followed, one he checked on the PADD, something that caused a brief urge to twitch a eyebrow, one he visibly supressed there. Suppressed as he instead moved a hand to his PADD, the other clasped on his cup still, the want to sign supressed still. He didn't know if anyone happened to know it here. So, he tapped a swift response, completed it and then with a smooth motion pressed play. "Of course, that is when all senses are available for use that is, though a Romulan adapts." The silvery-steel of implants perhaps briefly glimpseable through hair styled for the event.

00:35

When Xal then proceeded to speak once more, spoke quietly he assumed as it seemed the PADD had picked up one or two more things wrongly compared to normal. Not that he happened to have any metric by which to measure the loudness or quietness of someone when they uttered something. He didn't hear anything. Assumed that and focused as closely as he could as observed what they observed. Their observation one he reacted to initially with a twitched move to sign a denial, one snapped off mid move as he returned his hands to the cup. Oh elements, he'd managed to make someone thing he was being made uncomfortable by them. Oh elements that, he reckoned, was not good. Not good, his mind repeated over and over a hand swiftly moved to his PADD and he typed a swift response and pressed play. "You're not making me uncomfortable, I assure you." The PADD stated in its plain robotic voice, devoid of emotion as it always happened to be. Elohae's hand swift as he moved to type more and then paused, considered the PADD and Xal. Considered them and then typed more and pressed play. "I'm sorry, I normally stick to home events this time of year, I'm not as used to this as I may have once been, didn't mean to make you feel you were making me uncomfortable." The PADDs message more of that constructed neutrality as a hand moved up, a Romulan sign language gestured formed instinctively. Another apology, formed in the manner of a formal polite apology to a social peer or superior. Formed with the swift and fluid movements of hand that outlined his hard won fluency.

00:35

That gesture one he aborted quickly as he realized he utilized it. The hand returning to his PADD as he typed some more with one hand. Tapped on it as with his other hand he swallowed more apple juice, body subconsciously having moved. Having angled ready to depart for the exit he'd identified when he'd arrived. Well one of them anyway. A smooth subconsciously done movement as one hand pressed play once more. "Its not anything significant and I assure you, any discomfort isn't aimed at or because of you."

Meanwhile, Shinji was sitting at the next chair over, trying to pretend like he wasn’t in a very awkward conversation. He had juuuust enough social tact to know Things Were Happening, but not enough to contribute in any meaningful way. So, he took another sip of his drink, sort of wishing by now that it -was- alcoholic.

"Oh, no apologies necessary, dear." Xal caught a glimpse of the aids behind a few strands of hair, and a the flash of Elohae's hand which had started to move. Half of a gesture that Xal recognized as a sign language! And with how Elohae had chosen to communicate his hesitance revealing certain things about himself... "I think we are in a safe place, dear. I'm not the most trusting, being descended from the Cardassian and Romulan peoples, but I think Starfleet has done quite a good job of securing this place. If you'd be more comfortable communicating in other ways, I will accommodate that. But, so long as you are enjoying yourself I am happy." He nodded and took a sip again, trying to talk around the issue without calling Elohae out in a too forward or uncomfortable way. "But yes, the festivities can be quite large and boisterous. I am glad you came out to enjoy them. What is your name, again? I'm Xal." And they wiggled their pointed polished fingers at Elohae in a flirty gesture.

Elohae watched the other as they spoke more. Pieced together those words with context clues and lipreading, noted all said with that and the help of his PADD as swift tapped orders switched it to speech to text. Watched and read rather than listened as the other spoke, eyes fixed on them, PADD kept in his peripheral vision as words were uttered. As that assurance was issued that no apologies were needed, an assurance followed by...that. Followed by words that even a anxiety ridden mind highlighted within it, dissected and considered. A meaning, a message pulled from it as he watched them. Watched and sipped his own drink some more. Considered their words and initially tapped on his PADD. Initially did so and then proceeded to sign in RSL first. Awkwardly but fluently as he inquired. A query he smoothly repeated in SSL "Do you know sign?" Before he tapped some more and then pressed play. "I'm sure they have, at least.. that's what Vara'l observed at one point also, I'm...admittedly unused to things that aren't home events." The message awkward, a draft of a draft of a draft he'd decided to just go with. Then they asked after his name. The flirty gesture one that if anything caused a slight bit of green colour to make itself known upon Elohae's face as it was noted. Something that joined with the effects of embarrassment as he without thinking signed. "Oh my elements." In RSL as he mentally kicked himself for that social slip up and tapped out a message on his PADD and pressed play. "I'm Elohae tr'Kyrmyra, its a pleasure to meet you Xal."

Allan had come by the bar a few moments earlier. Very, very politely and carefully and consciously ordered the pretty rainbow layered drink. Said a very polite 'thank you sir' as well, having avoided eye contact until then due to his attire. Overheard something briefly but had gone off to who knew where to talk to people before he came back. Speaking of his attire, though, he was wearing a simple gold necklace and a floral-ish, lace red outfit that started on his right shoulder, draped across his chest just enough, and spiraled around him again at the hip, below his stomach and across his thigh. Caught in a vine kind of vibes, sort of? A red vine. It's hard to describe and therefore posted in another channel. Remembering what he'd overheard, though, he went back to the bar, finding himself next to Xal as he waited for a pause in conversation and then chimed in, a hand under his chin as he smiled, "sooo, I heard we were talking about fruits?"

Xal noted Elohae's blush and watched as he signed. Xal was fluent in Romulan, but not in any sign languages, though he'd picked up a few words here and there. As a linguist, he was particularly intrigued and now considering whether he should learn Romulan or Standard Sign Languages to add his ability to talk to more people and why it hadn't occurred to him before this moment. Another sly smile graced his lips and he nodded. "Elohae tr'Kymyra, that name sounds familiar. Oh, right! You are the babysitter I found in the directory. We will definitely have to chat. And no, sorry, dear, I don't know RSL...yet. I can correct that, if it means getting to talk to you more often." He winked. "Ah, yes, fruits indeed," Xal said, turning their head to face the scantily-clad, redheaded twunk. "Why not add another one to the basket, hm?" Xal's eyes met Allan's and then very obviously took in the Engineer's outfit. He didn't say anything though! He couldn't, if he wanted to remain polite.

Having spotted Allan, who Shinji had long since decided was a Very Cool Person who was definitely the best ACEO anyone could ask for, Shinji smiled and waved to him from his spot at the bar. Of course, you couldn’t see much of him with his massive hat and veil, but you could tell it was him. There weren’t many other Ouji fashion boys on the station. “Hi Allan!” He said as he waved.

Allan shrugged, clicking his tongue as he looked off to the side, so dramatic, "I dunnoooo, you kinda said they were just 'tolerable on occasion', soo.. might be best if I just-" he was going to fake leave, almost all the way turned around, trying to give Xal a great view of his - but then Shinji waved to him and said hello and he couldn't just ignore his cadets like that!!! Regardless of whatever gay shit was going on. So, he turned back to face them and waved back at the cadet. "Shinji! Hey, how you doing? Love the outfit, super put together."

"Fruit juices are tolerable on occasion. Their flesh however," Xal raised an eyebrow and chose not to say any other words. "Yes, quite put together. So many layers, such attention to detail." Xal nodded in affirmation, they definitely approved of the outfit even if they would never wear that much fabric at once.

Upon being mentioned, Shinji smiled again, pushing back the veil of his hat so people could actually see his face. He was having a very good time today even though he’d had zero alcohol, he was just high on life. He’d met some cool new people, and now Allan was here! “I’m doing really good! I got to wire up and shoot a torpedo mine on the away mission, and now I get to wear all my expensive clothes? This is just my month!” Shinji said, not exactly very aware of the horrors that everyone -else- experienced on the away mission, he had gotten to do cool engineering things and that was what he knew about it. “And.. uh, thank you! My outfits take a lot of time. And money. And blood when I have to sew buttons back on myself.”

Xal's eyes moved from Allan's...dress... to Shinji's buttons. There were so many buttons. "You sew them on yourself?" He seemed aghast for a moment.

“Uh.. if one pops off somehow, I kinda have to. Not like I can just buy another shirt or vest to replace it, I’m not made of money.” He said, shrugging.

"Well that's just crazy, actually, you can't eat a fruit without getting the juices, that's just, like - I mean, you'd have to squeeze it dry first, which - again, you're getting the juices either way," he was simply thinking it through literally, clearly. Like a true engineer. "You could always use a sewing machine, right?" Or was Shinji not the type to want to use a machine to fix something like that? A bit strange for an engineer, but some people were particular about certain things. No judgement.

“Yeah, and I probably should, but I like going over it with a ton of extra passes with the thread just to make sure it won’t come off again. Plus, I started wearing my stuff in the Academy when I didn’t really have space for a whole sewing machine plus all my stuff, so I learned to do it by hand. It’s easy enough if you don’t slip and get your finger instead of the fabric.” He said, giving another shrug. Shinji was easily set in his ways once he started doing something. He liked his little routines, even if they weren’t exactly the most efficient.

Xal could be a very expressive person, and sometimes hid thier expressions or offered up a charade instead of their true feeling. In that exact moment, their facial expression was completely impassive and neutral, and instead of talking or responding to Allan directly at all, they simply sucked the very last drop of their drink out of their glass. The straw made that really particular "my glass is entirely empty of beverage except for that really tiny amount that no amount of sucking will pull into my straw" noise. They did this as they stared directly at Allan in the eyes while he and Shinji talked about...sewing. (edited)

"Mmm, makes sense, to each their own, sometimes doing it by hand is kinda relaxing, though - not really when you slip, I guess," he laughed a little and then kept smiling as he looked back over at Xal not at all subtly sipping the air out of their glass. He locked eyes with him as well, tilting his head with that all too characteristic smirk on his face. "Yeah. Just like that." A simple nod.

Xal’s shiny glossed lips smiled around his straw as the noise continued for only a second more. He pulled the cup away from his face and set it down on the bar with a quiet thunk. “Mmm, I will leave room for another. I’ve only begun to enjoy the fruit at my fingertips tonight.” One of his hands, now free of the glass, reached to grasp Allan’s arm which had appeared a perfect distance from Xal. Their hand traveled smoothly up his muscled arm to his shoulder as Xal stood. “I suppose I should make the rounds, now. Organizer duties and all.” There was a coy twinkle in their eyes as they squeezed Allan’s shoulder, their long fingers grazing the side of his neck before they disappeared from his space in an instant as Xal turned and began to walk away. “Make sure to hydrate, Lieutenant!” They called back, without looking, and left off into the rest of the festival to do their job.

Elohae, having initially responded as he mentally issued a 'woah' at the situation he'd discovered himself in, nodded slightly as Xal ascribed a conversation to a face. Confirmed for him the suspicion that had started to form that this was the Xal he'd messaged with, as he tapped on his PADD. "That is indeed me and I'm amenable to talking more, RSL or no!" The PADD responded impassively even as he proceeded on to make the mental note that Xal didn't know sign, useful information for any further communication that ended up happening. "Got the PADD after all." As more people arrived and conversations continued Elohae, honestly having ended up feeling a bit better and...fairly flustered following the discussion, headed off to explore the rest of the event. Even if he struggled to engage with bits of it, he'd wanted to at least give this a go.