Sorry about the long wait again; I was distracted. Anyway, this next short was inspired by those cruise ship episodes from Descendants of Darkness, which I don't own. Enjoy.

Drink

(Prequel to Wager)

Just as XR came into the next room, a muscular man in a suit and shades stepped out in front of him. The security on the Sea Comet is said to be impressive, but the short robot wasn't expecting this kind of security.

"Oh," he said to the man in black. "Uh, sorry. I…I didn't mean to intrude. I was looking for Capt. Starstream. The captain and owner of the Sea Comet?"

"Le capitaine?" the guard replied. "Il n'est lors d'une réunion du personnel à l'heure actuelle." Oh, no. He's French.

"Uh, I…don't…speak…French?"

"Antoine, qu'est-ce que c'est?" The two of them turned to the side to see…

"NOS-4-A2?!" It is indeed NOS-4-A2 approaching the guard, who seemed unfazed by the Energy Vampire's approach.

"Monsieur Quatre-A-Deux," he said to him. "Il cherche le capitaine, mais il n'est lors d'une réunion du personnel." NOS-4-A2 then turned to XR, who's frozen in fear at the sight of him.

"I'm afraid you've just missed Capt. Starstream, XR," the Energy Vampire said to him casually. "He's in a staff meeting right now. He always holds one before the Sea Comet sets sail."

"Oh," the shorter bot replied nervously. "Well, no problem. I can come back later." He turned to leave but froze when he felt a clawed hand on his shoulder.

"Oh, there's no need," NOS-4-A2 purred. "The meeting will end shortly. You can wait here for him until then." He then ushered XR over to the bar. "Come. I'll treat you to a drink while you wait." XR wanted to make a break for it, but the Energy Vampire's gentle touch made him think otherwise…not to mention that guy Antoine is now standing in front of the only exit out of here.

"Uh, okay…" he replied.

Not like I have much of a choice, XR added to himself as he took a seat and NOS-4-A2 went behind the bar to pour him a drink.

"You must have been quite busy last time I saw you, XR," he then said as he got out two wine glasses. "I had missed you."

"Well, you know Buzz," the smaller bot answered with a nervous smile. "He wants to keep busy. He even denies that he's a workaholic."

"Denial is the first of the five stages," NOS-4-A2 replied casually.

"That's what I said, and he threw his mug of coffee at me. I was lucky I ducked."

"Thus bringing us to the second stage anger." XR would've laughed at that response had he not recalled whom he's talking to. Quickly, he changed to firmness.

"What are you doing here, NOS-4-A2?" he demanded calmly as the Energy Vampire poured some coolant into the glasses.

"Oh, did I forget to tell you?" the taller bot answered, sliding one of the glasses over to him. "I am the Sea Comet's event coordinator."

"Say what?" XR asked with disbelief.

"You know, someone who plans out the events on this ship, such as dances or tournaments."

"I know what you're talking about. But if that's true, then why aren't you at that staff meeting you've mentioned earlier?"

"Capt. Starstream let us out early. The rest of the meeting is for our newly hired crewmembers; orientation that the rest of us didn't need to stay for. So what about you?"

"Huh?"

"What brings you to the Sea Comet? Business or pleasure?" NOS-4-A2 then smiled at him—seductively?—as he gently swirled his glass around in his fingers. "If it is pleasure, I can provide you with plenty of that myself."

XR was lucky he hadn't taken a sip of his drink yet because that invitation would've made him chock on it. Is NOS-4-A2 trying to make a pass on him or something? Jeez…

"It's strictly business!" XR said quickly, feeling his face getting warmer.

"Investigating the disappearances of our robot passengers?" XR blinked at NOS-4-A2 as the taller bot took a sip of his drink (and not because he's drinking a coolant instead of energy).

"How did you know that?"

"The captain told us about your team coming here to investigate the case," the Energy Vampire answered, "and he asked that we be cooperative with you if you have any questions for us to help in your investigations." He then gave XR another flirty smile.

"Perhaps you have some questions for me?" he asked with a purr. "I'd be happy to answer them for you…in exchange for your time with me. Since we're having a drink together, it should count nicely."

"Okay, knock it off!" XR demanded, blushing with annoyance.

"Knock what off?" NOS-4-A2 asked with a smile.

"That flirting. Seriously, what's your problem?"

"No problem," the Energy Vampire answered. "Just your eyes."

"M-My eyes?" XR was in shock that he didn't pull away as NOS-4-A2 pressed a button to retract his helmet and placed his hand on his blushing cheek.

"I'm attracted to those eyes of yours," he purred to him with a seductive look in his tone and gaze.

"W-Well…I…ah…" XR was having a hard time responding. NOS-4-A2's eyes…they feel as though they have a hypnotic spell over him. He couldn't stop looking into them. Such a beautiful shade of red…

NOS-4-A2 then leaned closer slowly, wanting to kiss him…

"XR…"

"Ah, Nos. Who's your friend?" The two robots pulled away to see a gentleman in a captain's suit.

"Oh, Captain," NOS-4-A2 greeted him with a smile before introducing XR. "This is XR; he's a member of the team of Space Rangers here investigating the disappearances. He and I go back quite a bit." He then turned to XR. "Don't we, XR?" That guy's making him uneasy again.

"Uh, yes," he answered quickly. "Yes, we do. We were just catching up while I'm waiting for you. I want to ask you some questions regarding the case." NOS-4-A2 then moved away form the bar.

"I shall take my leave then," he said. "I need to check on a few preparations." He then turned to XR with a flirty smile.

"I will be seeing you later, my Little One," he purred with a wink. XR went stiff with a deeper blush as the Energy Vampire left.

"My Little One?" He makes it sound like I'm his boyfriend! And he tried to kiss me too!