On the Raven's Wings, the atmosphere felt different. After days of tension and battles, the crew finally had a chance to relax as they journeyed back to Argos. Large space stations like Argos were melting pots of species, cultures, and shared spaces, but life aboard a modified transport ship had its own charm. An improvised table had been set up in the main room, cluttered with mugs and glasses that glowed faintly under the ship's cold lights.
Kai animated the evening, pulling out a small bottle of ruby-red liquid he had somehow acquired from a technician on Argos.
"'Rysal's Elixir,'" he said, carefully pouring the liquid into small glasses. "It's strong for us, but Kael probably won't feel a thing."
Kael, lounging comfortably with a relaxed posture, smirked as he picked up a glass.
"We don't drink alcohol for its effects but for the experience. That said, this version does have an intriguing flavor."
Tsukiko laughed, resting her arms on the table.
"Let's hope that doesn't mean you'll leave us to make fools of ourselves. Anyway, Kai, you've got a talent for discreet smuggling. How did you get your hands on this?"
Kai shrugged, feigning modesty.
"I'll never reveal my trade secrets. But since we're here, I propose a toast. To our crew, and to surviving our first adventure unscathed."
The glasses clinked together, and Andy mimicked the gesture with an imaginary glass.
"I celebrate symbolically but appreciate the sentiment. Additionally, I can warn you of the potential effects of excessive alcohol consumption," Andy said with a faintly ironic tone in his mechanical voice.
Va'ar, seated quietly in a corner, smiled faintly at the team's dynamic. Though deep in thought, he joined them with a glass of ruby liquid in hand. His intense blue eyes seemed slightly more alive.
"I must admit, it's been a long time since I've enjoyed such company," he said. "But I warn you, even we Alfar have our limits."
Kai burst into laughter.
"Who would've thought Alfars were vulnerable to 'Rysal's Elixir'?" he teased, watching Va'ar sip elegantly from his glass.
Kael raised a finger, smirking.
"It's not ordinary alcohol that affects us, but anything exceeding 70% concentration starts to provoke… interesting reactions."
Va'ar, lounging in his chair, added with a conspiratorial smile:
"That would explain why you seem completely unaffected, Kael. Kai, you'll have to bring something stronger next time."
Tsukiko chimed in with a light laugh:
"Maybe we don't need to. I'm pretty sure I saw a bottle of vodka around here somewhere. Let Kael enjoy tonight too."
Va'ar, noticing a brief lull in the conversation, spoke with a note of nostalgia:
"You know, I'm nearly 3,000 years old, and I've yet to meet a Rysal who doesn't enjoy a good drink."
As the hours passed, Kai suggested a game to liven up the already cheerful atmosphere.
"How about we play 'Most Embarrassing Story'?" he proposed with a wide grin. "Everyone shares a tale from their youth, and whoever has the most embarrassing story takes a shot."
Kael raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Embarrassment isn't exactly a concept in our culture, but I'll give it a try."
Kai laughed, pouring more ruby liquid into everyone's glasses.
Kai went first, recounting how, during a transport mission at age 15, he had mistakenly loaded artificial flowers instead of the requested equipment. The entire table erupted in laughter.
Kael followed with a more serious tale about how, during his training years, he had tried to impress a group of mentors by activating a reverse gravity field, causing the entire training hall to float.
"Three months of double training sessions. Continuous muscle soreness," he concluded.
Va'ar shared his turn, describing how, at the age of only 800, he had mistaken a sacred ceremony for a festival and arrived dressed in an extravagant costume, much to the horror of the Alfar community.
"It took a few centuries for people to forget," he added with a wry smile.
Andy joined in with a humorous observation:
"Unfortunately, I lack a youth to recount, but if I could, I would tell you about a human user who accidentally disconnected life support while trying to set an alarm."
Everyone burst into laughter, and Tsukiko smiled more broadly than usual as she listened.
When her turn came, she looked around and said:
"My story might not be that funny, but during a sword training session, I tried to replicate a technique mastered only by my grandfather. The result? I lost my balance and fell into a lake. My team nicknamed me 'Koi Tsukiko' for years after that."
The laughter continued, and Kai declared with a raised shot glass:
"Well, Tsukiko, I think your story wins! Drink up!"
Tsukiko shrugged, accepting the challenge, and took a shot amid the crew's cheers.
At some point, Jack stood and looked around. He felt a tinge of melancholy but also deep satisfaction. The team he had assembled was more than just a group of people or aliens working together. They were a makeshift family in this vast, unforgiving universe.
"Thank you all for being here," Jack said, raising his glass. "Let's keep doing what we do best: supporting each other and making a difference. To us!"
A chorus of cheers filled the room, and glasses clinked again. But as the celebration wound down, Jack noticed Tsukiko had retreated to a quiet corner of the ship.
He approached her naturally, carrying two cups of freshly brewed coffee.
"Hey, you alright? Missed you at the table," he said, handing her a cup.
Tsukiko offered a faint smile as she gracefully accepted the cup.
"Thanks, Jack. I just needed a moment of quiet. Nights like this are rare for us, aren't they?"
Jack sat beside her, leaning against the wall.
"You're right. But I think they're necessary. They remind us why we do what we do. What's on your mind? You seemed a bit distant earlier."
Tsukiko sighed softly, looking at Jack with a sincere expression.
"Sometimes I think about why I left Earth. My family had such high expectations of me. Honor, responsibilities… Everyone in my family serves in the Interstellar Guard or the Diplomatic Council. But I never fit into those rigid roles, standing guard after years of training, stuck in embassies alongside politicians."
Jack nodded, understanding.
"You know, my grandfather always said the hardest thing is finding your own path in life. I didn't understand it until I came to Argos."
Tsukiko chuckled lightly, looking at him.
"You have a knack for saying the right things, Jack. Thank you. But tell me, how did you know who to trust on Argos? It's not easy working with so many species and never doubting their intentions."
Jack smiled faintly, gazing into his coffee.
"It's not that I knew. I think it's more instinct. People like Kael, Andy, or even you… none of you ever gave me a reason to doubt. But to be honest, I learned early on that trust has to be earned, not given freely. My grandfather taught me that during our explorations."
Tsukiko studied him intently, seeming to weigh every word.
"Your grandfather must have been an extraordinary man. I imagine he prepared you well for life on Argos."
Jack sighed softly.
"He was. He taught me to be ready for anything but also to trust my instincts. And right now, my instincts tell me I made the right choice coming here."
Tsukiko smiled sincerely, letting her hand lightly touch Jack's arm.
"Your instincts don't lie, Jack. You've built a team that would follow you to the ends of the universe."
Jack shrugged slightly, trying to hide how much her words affected him.
"Maybe that's what finding your path means—building something bigger than yourself."
Tsukiko smiled again and raised her coffee cup.
"Then let's toast to our team and good instincts."
Jack clinked his cup against hers, a wide smile lighting up his face.