. Meanwhile, Zak collected a Bourbon and Seven from the bar along with a Margarita for the Admiral and brought them over to the "VIP Section". The Admiral accepted the drink with a nod. "I see you've done some research on my tastes, Commodore."
. Zak just smiled and sat down next to the Admiral and took a swig of his cocktail. "Mmm ... that's good. I needed that."
. Across the room, Al waved an arm and called, "Mr. Tabby? Mr. Tabby, sir? Could you bring me a drink? I hate to be a pest, but ... you took my crutches ...," he trailed off.
. "Yeah, yeah," Tabby groaned again, "what would you like, Al?"
. Al grinned, "I'd like me a big ol' Bloody Mary, with plenty of Tabasco sauce and lots of olives!"
. Staff Sergeant Will Davies, a Human Marine in the Pathfinders group, entered just in time to hear Al's order. He quipped, "That's all? Just Tabasco?"
. Al turned and stared at Davies like he was stupid or something. "Well, no, it's gotta have vodka and tomato juice too, of course. Duh."
==/\==
. Tabby shrugged at Al, "All right, but just one, otherwise I will strap you to the wall to stay put!" He prepared the man his drink and brought it over to him. As he handed over the glass he said, "Just drink the dang drink, Al. If that food burns," he gestured at the grill, "it's gonna be your fault, you know?"
. Davies grinned. "Get you some ghost pepper juice in it. Put some hair on your chest."
. Tabby smirked, "Ha! Won't help me much at all! All my hair is snow white, won't see it anyway." He didn't say it, but his skin was pretty much snow white as well.
. Davies rolled his eyes, "It's metaphorical."
. Tabby retorted, "I know, Davies, I know! Still ...," he grabbed a pepper from the condiments tray and grinned, "Gonna eat me a pepper, though."
. Al grinned at both Davies and Tabby and said, "But ... Tabasco is from Avery Island, right up the bayou from home! I don't wanna get burned, I wanna get lit!"