Ocean Spray (D12, EE Beachview Fine Dining)

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"I would really like to fight with you some times but I don't think that is going to happen here so I was thinking maybe in the simulator. We could do a training program or find another duo to fight against."

[John Slaktare]

"We can get into the sims tomorrow then," he says with a nod. "I can teach you how to use a hatchet. All about counter balance and speed."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"That sounds great, I am gonna need to get more comfortable with close range and melee combat. I mean that's the whole reason I came out here in the first place, lucky for me I found the perfect teacher."

[John Slaktare]

"Well, probably one of the best at it in the unit, but Steffen is a much better teacher," John replies.

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"Are you assuming that or is this based on lots of people telling you you are a bad teacher? Considering how many people have asked you to train them in the gym or with hand to hand combat it seems like that might not be true." She said with a smile.

[John Slaktare]

"I ain't bad. But that doesn't mean the guy that teaches mech combat isn't a lot better than me. Because he is... a lot better."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"Fair enough." She conceded. "I doubt he would give me a kiss if I did a really good job though. I mean he might, you know him better than me, did he ever give you a kiss for good work?" She asked playfully.

[John Slaktare]

"Nah, I think that ship sailed the one time I threw a punch at him," Butcher admits. "Not that I expect that was ever a ship in the port anyway."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"Well his loss is my gain." She said and leaned in for a kiss. "So speaking of raining, I head Yoko fainted the other day after ripping Richard's arm off. Is she OK? He told me you carried her to the medbay?"

[John Slaktare]

"Yeah. Just a mishap. Looked like it hurt Richard a bit. But she was just exhausted and shocked far as she's told me."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"I kinda wish I had been there but U doubt me laughing would have helped the situation. I've been terrible about keeping my view to work out more. I don't even do yoga anymore and I did that for years."

[John Slaktare]

"Well, we could work out a reward system. Just have to figure out something that I could give you that you would do 30 minutes of exercise for. Anything come to mind?"

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"A lot things come to mind but would you really starve me just to make me work out?" She said with a chuckle. "I mean it would certainly work so maybe you should. Hopefully you will spot me one tonight and just trust me to be in the gym tomorrow."

[John Slaktare]

"Working out requires positive reinforcement. I wouldn't starve you. The exercise gives ya bonus rewards."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"So how can I reward you for everything you've been doing? You've been so good to me and stretching out of your comfort zone for me.

You really looked like you were having fun dancing with Alex the other night, looked like you turned up the intensity a bit too at points trying to make some sort of point. I'm guessing Alex was being bashful and self-defeating because I had to deal with that earlier. I'm not sure why but Alex seems to think pretty lowly of themselves and as an extrovert my advice and support can be annoying to an introvert."

[John Slaktare]

"Reward for me? Hmm," he asks quietly and thinking.

"I'll need to get back to you on that. As for Alex, I been trying to boost their confidence. Seems to often feel down and I just wanna replace that self deprecation with self confidence."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"Yeah I'm not sure how to help with that, I've tried but Alex has a lot of built up justification for their solitude and I don't want to be too pushy but I hate to see people feel isolated. That's why I'm so happy you two danced together, when we were getting out hair done I used you as an example, mentioned how proud I am of you doing things like going out to a crowded bar when you hate crowds and don't drink and right away you stepped up and did something that some people would find weird or embarrassing. That's just one of the many reasons I adore you."

[John Slaktare]

"Time. Keep tellin him the good stuff about him. Eventually it'll stick. And even if not, they'll still prolly feel happy."

"It's nice that I don't gotta do that for you. It's easier that you know you're beautiful, and smart, and talented, and fun, and delicious. That way I just gotta remind you, rather than convince you."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

Mei blushed at him. "Smart might be a stretch but thank you. It helps that your so brave and strong and compassionate and handsome and intuitive and open with me. I honestly thought I knew what happiness was before I met you but I didn't."

[John Slaktare]

"Smart ain't a stretch at all. You are amazing. So, what kind of restaurant do you usually prefer?"