“And I’ll take a bottle of- “ Gavon turned his attention from the server to Natalie who was seated on his right. “What was the name of that beer from the Americas? Something from [i]Pennsylvania[/i], with a funny name?”

“Yuengling?”

“Yeah, that’s it.” He turned back to the server. “I’ll take one of those if you have it.” 

“Of course, just a moment.” The young, short, purple-haired girl nodded while keying in the drink orders on her datapad, checking to ensure they had the beer in stock. “[i]Well[/i]...looks like it’s your lucky day Chief.” She said with a wink, followed by a smile that could brighten up any room.

“They’ll be out in a few, guys.” The server said as she went to tend another table.

Gavon returned a friendly smile as she left, and turned to Natalie whose expression was less than amused. 

“What?”

“You’re something else.” She snorted. “I think that’s the first time in a long time I’ve seen such a cheesy grin on your face.”

“Yeah...well take it for what it’s worth, Nat” His smile slowly faded into a simple smirk. “Considering there is less to smile about these days.”

The [i]Siren and Song[/i] pub was buzzing with intertwined conversations regarding several topics at once, specifically the ones pertaining to Earth, or at least what once used to be. It was home, he guessed, to a vast majority of those on the Ark considering the deep seated sorrow they felt for great loss across generations. There was, however, a sharp contrast in those who have made every effort to move on and accept what fate has granted them. Life, and one that could be of significance looking toward an unknown future. But regardless of the mentality, everyone on the Vitae was being pressed and refined under the same millstone, and what mattered was just how they came out on the other end.

“Nat” Gavon leaned in and placed his hand on the table over hers. “I know it's been difficult to say the least, but thanks for sticking it out with me.” 

Natalie cracked a smile. “Well shit man, you make it sound like I'm just tagging along.” She laughed. “Of course it's been rough, for us both…” Her expression evened out. “But we've survived [i]ten years[/i] of marriage on a planet wrought with strife and turmoil. So yeah, you're stuck with me Mister TreVayne.”

He couldn’t help but laugh at the silliness, and yet sincerity in her face all the same, as Natalie always knew how to break a serious moment when it was probably the most necessary to be broken. She never did all that well in socially awkward situations, so humor was just one way of making a lateral pass to something more on point, or to veer into a subject that took the spotlight off of her...

“So, when are you going to go see Doctor Raidne, hm?” She finally asked emphatically.

“When I feel like I absolutely need to.” He said plainly without missing a beat.

Out of one awkward situation and into another, but thankfully to their relief, the drink orders arrived along with a few house appetizers that apparently had been ordered for them as a form of “thank you” from the establishment's proprietor. They both thanked the server as she strolled away, leaving them to their meal.

“To my wife” Gavon raised his beer toward her. “Here's to a sweetheart, a bottle, and a friend.
The first beautiful, the second full, the last ever faithful.”

Natalie’s face turned a slight shade of red as she raised her glass as well. “To us…”