Page 39 of Testing the Kot'oll Officer

The patrons chuckle again, and I can't help but join in. Vatok might be out of his element, but he's taking it like a champ.

I say, "Let's give my method a try. Start with one bottle, okay?"

He scans the shelves, his four arms moving with a grace that is almost hypnotic. Despite his initial frustration, he finds the bottle and sets it on the counter. I step closer, our shoulders almost touching.

"First, we need to measure out two parts of Sakanol. Remember, precision is key in mixing drinks, just like in your traffic regulations." I hand him the measuring cup, watching as he carefully pours the liquid. I don't have to do that myself anymore after countless drinks, but for the sake of the patrons, Vatok should start with small steps.

"Now, add one part of this," I say, handing him a bottle of exotic fruit juice. "It's called a Zorian Nectar. It's sweet and tangy, perfect for balancing the strong taste of Sakanol."

He adds the juice, checking against the piece of paper. "I've never seen you do this."

"You don't see that anymore. Sadly, you weren't there when I first started."

"Hm... Precision like traffic, like parking spaceships, I suppose."

I roll my eyes. There are things that he'll never stop teasing me about too, so much for blaming me for everything.

As he finishes adding all the parts, I hand him a shaker. "Now, shake it up. Think of it as a dance. Let the ingredients mingle and create something new."

He raises an eyebrow at me, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "A dance? I thought dancing was not in my protocol."

I laugh, nudging him gently. "Well, consider this a revision of your standard operating procedures. Besides, it's just a shaker."

He shakes the drink, his movements becoming more fluid. When he's done, he pours the mixture into a glass and hands it to me with a questioning look. "Do you think you should try it before we serve it?"

The patron chuckles. "Give it to me. Maybe this will be the next gimmick for the bar — the blind bag cocktail." I take the glass from Vatok and hand it to the eager patron, who takes a sip and grins. "Not bad. Not bad at all!" The patrons cheer, and Vatok's chest swells with pride, a smile spreading across his face.

I lean into him, nudging his side. "See? You're a natural. Now, let's see if you can keep up with the next round."

He playfully nudges me back, his four arms moving with newfound confidence as he starts preparing the next drink. "Bring it on. I'm ready."

The night continues with laughter and cheers, Vatok slowly finding his rhythm behind the bar. He mixes drinks with careful precision, his initial frustration melting away into determined focus. The patrons are loving every moment of it, and so am I.

It doesn't take long before he knows where the bottles are. He has an arm around my waist, one holding up the paper with the recipes, the other two searching for bottles and mixing drinks.

I can't stop laughing while I enjoy his warmth. Even the patrons are enjoying this.

He grunts as he slings another drink down the counter. "What's with that? You know, there's no other being who can be as perfect as me when it comes to serving drinks." He flexes his two arms that aren't mixing drinks while still holding me. "Even you can't mix drinks while hugging me. Come on."

"Yeah, yeah, you're so perfect for the job, huh? Almost putting me out of a job now." I laugh while the others at the counter boo.

Vatok leans in closer, his arms wrapping around me tighter. "I never thought I'd be on this side of the counter. But it's kind of... fun." His eyes sparkle with surprise and a hint of mischief.

I chuckle, my heart swelling with a mix of warmth and amusement. "I told you. Sometimes, a little chaos is good for the soul. And you, Officer Vatok, are doing a stellar job."

"I have a good teacher."

As the night goes on, the crowd grows more animated, egging Vatok on to try more adventurous mixes. And to my surprise—and his own—he starts to relish the challenge. His four arms are in constant motion, pouring, mixing, and shaking with a fluidity that almost rivals me.

A patron calls out, "How about an Interstellar Splasher?"

Vatok raises an eyebrow, feigning intense contemplation. "That is a serious request. But let's see if we can make some magic happen."

With a playful glint in his molten bronze eyes, he starts preparing the drink. I watch with pride as he expertly combines the exotic liquors and alien fruits, creating a vivid concoction that glows under the neon lights. When he hands it to the patron, the bar erupts in cheers.

The entire bar echoes with laughter and toasts, the atmosphere charged with the joy of shared celebration. Vatok, who initially seemed so out of place, now commands the attention of the crowd with his wit and newfound skill.

I watch him, enjoying the night to the fullest. I swear I catch a glimpse of Targoth here and there, but he knows better by now.

---