Brinus had his vape pen in his mouth while admiring his wood burning. With his vape, his muscles were less tense and he held the wood burning under a lamp. it was a picture of Admiral Nelson’s dead wife and two disabled kids before the war. He took a pull from the vape letting it fill his lungs and escape his mouth. He smiled at the thought of how it took a week to complete his first real piece.
The smell of fresh poplar and dried tung oil tickled his nostrils. It made his heart race, and his muscles relax even more so than the nicotine in his vape. Wood burning was very different from welding but using his magic made it a lot easier to learn. Brinus looked at it even more with a giant grin. He had just put the final layer of finishing on 24 hours ago. Admiring his creation, Brinus held it up to the light and it shined brightly in the woodshop's lamp.
Simmie came up behind him and kissed his neck. He caressed his bare back.
“Hey sweetie, it is time to get ready.”
Brinus began wrapping the gift in plain white wrapping paper. Simmie’s lips and tongue stroked the side of his neck as he rubbed his sweet spot on the neck with his tongue. Brinus made a soft purring sound and leaned into Simmie’s chest.
“This party is for the Admiral. He requested you specifically.”
Brinus turned and faced Simmie. He then kissed him on the lips and smiled. “I will be ready in 30 minutes.”
“I will wrap your gift for you but you need to shower.”
Simmie slapped Brinus on the butt as he walked away.
Brinus shot a playful glance at Simmie’s direction and blew a vape cloud into his backside.
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After showering and getting into his dress uniform. He put on his midshipman’s indicator, three battle medals, a Purple Heart, and a Navy Cross.
He walked into the Admiral’s parlor 45 minutes later holding Simmie’s hand and presented their invitations to the footman at the entrance. The parlor was a large open room with a wooden table for food. There was a balcony for smokers, and the walls had the standard eight-block paneling. The floors are stained wood. People were milling around eating finger foods and talking.
Brinus saw his mother talking with some streamers and he felt his heart rate quicken, his pupils dilated, and his palms become sweaty. Brinus put the present on the table with the other presents and went to the smoking area. Simmie grabbed Brinus as he walked to the lounge.
“Hey, you know what Calnori said, you need to find better ways of coping with anger.”
“Get lost,” growled Brinus in irritation.
Simmie let him go as he went into the smoking area. Tangent came up to Simmie. “What’s wrong with him?”
“He blames Marci for getting him addicted to nicotine and giving me lung cancer.”
“Is this about the information he found on the TirQuarter?”
He nodded.
Tangent rolled her eyes and staggered to the side slightly. “Why did you let him smoke? I wish he wouldn’t.”
“Because they cut his nicotine levels down to 47 milligrams last week after he failed to quit. They plan to cut 3 milligrams every two weeks until they get him down to 15mg. Then they plan to teach him tactics to help him cope better.”
“What is this juice that tastes so good!” Tangent took another swig of a red liquid.
“How many glasses have you had?”
“Six.”
“You may want to lay of the mead a little.”
“I’m fffffine. I ccccan handle it.”
Simmie took the wine. He laughed, “I think you had enough.”
“You’re so awesome!”
Tangent hugged Simmie.
Captain Plato approached Simmie. He said with a curled lip, “Lieutenant, what is wrong with your rabbit?”
“Sir?” He
“She has been hugging everyone since her fourth glass of roddenberry mead. Is she drunk?”
“Captain!” Tangent yelled, hugging Captain Plato.
Captain Plato’s left lip curled in disgust. He snapped in frustration, “I don’t want her near the wine bar. That’s an order!”
“Yes, sir.”
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15 minutes later, Brinus took another hit of his vape, the anger towards his mother dissipating as vapor filled his lungs.
The harsh burn at the back of his throat was interrupted by the choking haze drifting throughout the smoky room. He coughed, hacking as he stepped outside the room where the air tasted smooth and smelled clean.
He walked over to the food table and looked at the options. “One popka soup, please,” Brinus asked the footman behind the counter.
The footman grabbed a bowl and filled it with three large ladles of the steaming soup. When Brinus took it, the smell of spices tickled his nostrils. The bowl’s warmth felt good in his cold hands. He warmed it a little more with magic — almost bringing it to a boil.
The soup was too salty for his liking because wanted to cut down on his salt. The reason was for health complications related to his vaping habits. It also was too gamey but had a pleasant savory taste to it. It was also rich and creamy and tasted balanced between savory and salty. There were droplets of fat in a creamy broth.
He looked around the room, studying the exits and the people mainly out of habit. Ever since prison, and his combat experience, when in crowds of more than 15 people he always studied the exits, the crowds, and the fire equipment. He noticed the two doors to the left on opposite ends of the room; the emergency exit was in the back; the fire alarm next to the extinguisher and a fire ax. There were about 22 people: the ship’s senior officers, Brinus and his family, his mother, and six captains close to the rescue efforts. There were 22 presents and Admiral Nelson was shaking each box.
Marci was talking to the streamers about some new Navy initiative to improve morale. Brinus knew the information on the smoking conspiracy was highly classified. If he discovered this before joining the navy he would likely try to humiliate her on intergalactic TV. However, almost four years of prison, two years in the navy, and the love of his family taught him there was no reward with being petty.
He finished his bowel and grabbed some black pepper cheese straws, put them on a mini plate, and then sat in a corner to watch the crowd.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Admiral Nelson spotted him and walked over to talk to him. “So you’re Brinus,” he said, sauleting Brinus.
Brinus took it after standing at attention saluting him back. “Yes, sir. We met when you told me about my mother.”
“Why did you stay in the navy?”
“Sir?”
“I read the reports about your discipline problems. You could have left and gotten a cushy job as a Magi Consultant with your magic.”
Brinus stared into the Admiral. After a few moments, he said, “It is like the syndicate but better. They actually give me something to fight for.”
Admiral Nelson Grinned, “Which is?”
“Sir, if I may ask, why do you stay in the Navy?”
Admiral Nelson slow-blinked as his tail flicked side to side slowly, he said, with a happy voice, “I suppose that’s a fair question. I already made my fortune ten times over and could buy a nice, fat, province to squeeze. I lost my wife and two sons, the navy gives me purpose.”
Brinus laughed and then said, “To kill feddies.”
“I always said you were a smart one.” The admiral slapped him on the shoulder. "Now, why are you in the navy?"
Brinus continued to stand at attention. After a few moments, he said “ Sir, I am in it for the adventure, the combat, and to see the galaxy.”
Admiral Nelson winked at Brinus and walked away. Brinus sat back down and began twirling his vape in between his fingers.
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She finished the media and then went to the food table. She grabbed a piece of fruit and cussed. Simmie coughed behind her.
Her fake happy face immediately went on. She said in an overly cheery manner, “Hello Simmie!”
“Hello, Madam Duchess. Might I inquire as to the nature of your visit?”
“Oh silly, you don’t have to address me in such a formal manner,” Marci laughed. It was fake and forced like she was trying too hard to be happy.
Simmie squinted his eyes. He said with a scowl, “You can drop the act. I know you don’t want to be here.”
Marci’s smile dropped and her resting bitch face returned. She growled, “Fine. I wish I could be cuddled with my terra cat and not deal with the public. Fuck people.”
“Do you hate Brinus?”
“He is a tool I can use just like you.” she laughed, and said, “Did you know I get cigarette contracts twenty percent cheaper because of your marriage?” Marci smiled but this time it was legitimate. She said, “I like you because I don’t have to be fake. How did you know?”
“I live with a sociopath madam duchess. It’s pretty obvious when y’all are faking.”
Marci Smirked, “I mean it, you are allowed to call me Marci. You’re such a breath of fresh air.” She hugged him and then said, “I have to go give my speech for the admiral when the birthday cake is baked. There was a problem with flash-freezing the icing so it will be ready in twenty minutes.”
Simmie grabbed some fried cheese balls dusted in cheese dust and some garlic butter crackers. He then went to Brinus.
Brinus looked at Simmie and smiled. “Hey, sweetie!”
“Your mother is really cringe.”
Brinus stood and kissed Simmie on the cheek. He then said, “Why do ya think I‘m avoiding her?”
The cake was rolled out and Marci tapped her wine glass with a spoon. Everyone went quiet and she cleared her throat as the music was turned off.
“I will keep my speech short. We stand before the hero of Alpha Centauri and Hoth Prime. He is without a doubt the greatest officer in the navy.”
Simmie put his vape in his mouth to keep from laughing because of the sarcasm coming from her mouth.
“Admiral Nelson is the Hero of the Stellaris single-handedly taking on five enemy cruisers and won.” Marci looked directly at Brinus and winked.
The speech was a total of three minutes of Marci eviscerating Admiral Nelson.
People clapped at the end of it and then Marci approached Brinus and Simmie. She said smiling, “Your husband is a treasure Brinus. I see why you love him. I was wondering if I could spend the night in your quarters?”
“The guest bedroom belongs to Tangent. You can sleep on the couch.”
“It smells like vape juice.”
Brinus jammed his finger into her shoulder. He then said aggressively, “You can either sleep on the couch or get a hotel room!”
“I get you’re angry about the smoking conspiracy but I do have my limits. DON’T EVER GET INTO MY FACE AGAIN!”
Brinus screamed at Marci, “GO! FUCK! YOURSELF!”
He left for the smoking room again. She looked at Simmie and said, “Why is he so angry? I don’t get it.”
“Because he blames you for giving me lung cancer.”
“That’s your fault isn’t it?”
Simmie put his mead down and then looked Marci in the eyes, “Remind me, who failed as a parent again?”
“Don’t you dare bring up his name!”
Simmie glared at Marci for a few seconds.
After a tense silence, she said, “Love is weakness but you’re different from most people I talk to. I think we could be friends.”
She offered her hand and Simmie shook it. He didn’t want the Duchess of District Twelve and the First Lady of the Admiralty as in enemy.
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The mead was hitting Tangent hard. She was going around the room hugging everyone. Admiral Nelson came up to Simmie and Brinus who both saluted him. He saluted back.
“Tangent is out of control. She is going around loving everyone. How much mead has she had?”
Brinus laughed and said, “I think she thought it was juice. She’s never had much alcohol before.”
“I believe the captain ordered you both to keep her away from the wine bar.”
Simmie stepped between Brinus and Admiral before he could say something stupid. “What would you like us to do sir?”
“Get her home now before she offends the duchess. That’s an order!”
“Yes, sir!”
Brinus and Simmie both saluted and then Brinus walked up to Tangent.
She hugged Brinus. “Brinus my love! I am sssssso happy to see you!”
“I think it is time to go home.”
Brinus picked up tangent who was so drunk she didn’t even fight him. He put her on his shoulders. She was heavy and felt like she was 200 pounds. However, Brinus knew she was closer to 300 pounds because of the alloys and metals they used in making her skeletal structure.
He felt energized by the energy from her capacitor so he didn’t get muscle fatigue as he carried her home. She kept kissing Brinus’s head.
She eventually passed out and he moved her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled his chest. She was hard to carry because she was 300 pounds. Eventually, Brinus made it to his quarters and turned the key with Tangent snuggled like a toddler around his neck.
He put her on the couch and removed her shoes and jacket. She stirred as he left to go vape and realized she didn’t want him to leave her.
She opened her eyes. “I hate it when you smoke. Can you stay with me?”
Brinus cuddled with Tangent on the couch. “I can stay with you fer a little bit but I gotta smoke at some point.”
“Please don’t! Do it for me!”
“I can’t! I’ve already tried. Twice.”
“You’re so warm and I feel so cold.”
Tangent fell asleep in Brinus’s lap. He could feel her heartbeat and her synthetic blood rush through her body.
Brinus felt disappointed he didn’t get cake
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As far as Brinus was concerned he wasn’t ordered to come back to the party so he removed his shirt, dress shoes, socks, and put on a pair of gym shorts. It felt good to strip down and expose his hot body to the cold air.
As Tangent slept Brinus started a new wood burning. He got some poplar from storage and then put on eye protection. He dampened a cloth in wood soap and dapped the surface. In actuality, working on wood bunnings while watching over tangents was far more relaxing than being in a crowded room with loud music dealing with his nut job of a mother.
An hour passed before the wood was cleaned to Brinus’s satisfaction. He put the cloth up and then grabbed some steel wool and a vacuum cleaner. It didn’t occur to him how enjoyable and relaxing this new hobby was. Vaping while working on wood burnings, watching over tangent; parties were more of Simmie’s thing. Brinus preferred the company of a few people and the quiet of his woodshop. He was fine with that. After all, if he wanted a mindless automaton he could get any number of AI waifus or robot boyfriends.
Once the wood was sufficiently rubbed down with steel wool he began sanding it with eye protection and a respirator, a pair of gloves he stole from the workshop, and ear protection. No one missed a few pieces of equipment he wrote it off as damage-and-disposed.
Sanding was so loud it woke up Tangent. Some of the mead had been processed out of her system as she had a high metabolism. It was close to 4 a.m. on a 24-hour clock and Brinus was lost in his work.
She walked into the workshop and Brinus removed his protective equipment.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m relaxin’.”
“I have a headache and want to throw up.”
“I don’t blame you. Six glasses of mead is way too much.”
Tangent tilted her head. “Is it necessary to run the sander at 4 a.m.?”
“Nah, It can wait. Do ya need some hangover juice?”
Tangent nodded.
“This was Harper’s recipe.”
Brinus Scoop up Tangent and put her on his shoulders. He walked into the kitchen and began mixing the drink.
“This drink is raw ginger, lemon zest, lemon tarken tea, and lemon juice.”
Brinus Mixed the drink by squeezing two lemons and shredding some fresh ginger. He brewed two green tarken tea bags in a cup of boiling water using his magic to boil the water.
He put Tangent down because carrying 300 pounds on his shoulders was too difficult. He glistened in a layer of sweat.
“Why is Simmie able to reduce his smoking but you aren’t?”
“We both smoke for different reasons. He wasn’t a chronic smoker like I was and has been workin’ on it fer three years. He was down to 20 cigarettes a day when we met and used vaping to reduce it further”
“Why are you fighting in the Navy?”
“At first it was to avoid being in prison the rest of my life. Then I met Simmie, Godfrick, you, Calnori, and Commander Tom now I fight for my friends and family...plus I like fighting and combat. Why do you want to join the Navy?”
Tangent handed him her glass and then thought for a few seconds. She then said, "To avenge my people. We were once a peaceful people who were researching new forms of energy to deal with the energy crisis. I am told someone named Pattaban ordered the droid attack on our research facility. Why does the Navy allow smoking but is forcing you to quit?”
“They ain’t forcin me to quit. They are tryin to get me to reduce how much I smoke ’cuz I’m a chronic smoker.”
“Will you quit smoking for me?”
“Yes.”