[video]

[medalsome]

[Joaquin is standing up very straight, arms crossed, a serious look on his face. Under his mustache his mouth is drawn in a thin line, not really frowning but not happy either. Uh oh.]

As a soldier I've often found myself defending others in the name of what is lawful and just. That's the true nature of my work, back home and here as a hero. However, there are times when even a soldier is at odds with the law they have sworn to uphold. This, unfortunately, is one of those times.

[The stiffness melts away as he takes on a more huffy tone.]

I mean, seriously, you have to be twenty-one to drink? What kind of arbitrary age is that? You can buy smokes when you're eighteen but those are [he does the air quotes] bad for you. People will gripe at you at any time for just having a cigarette but making drunken posts over the communicators? Completely above reproach. [Sorry not sorry about using you as an example, Newton.]

Look, all I'm saying is, it's terrible that people are so judge-y when it comes to certain vices and not others. And those of us who could drink back at home should be allowed to drink here! It's only fair!

[Yeah, that's his real complaint here. Just had to get that off his chest.]

Comments

video;

[sidecars]

[ oh Oh OH JOAQUIN! Oh Bucky sooo knows your pain! ]

It's ridiculous, ain't it? We're old enough to kill for our countries, but oh golly gee whiz Heaven forbid a drop of alcohol splash in my mouth here!!

[ Okay, give him a second, he needs to count to ten himself. This issue has got him flustered all over again!! ]

permavid

[medalsome]

Seriously, right?

[This guy? This guy gets it!]

I'm not asking for free booze or anything. I'd gladly pay! But legally it's not allowed.

[Such bullshit!]

text;

[mathemagier]

I feel I should apologize for Newton.. But if it's any consolation, he was certainly feeling the effects of his drinking this morning. I can agree that 21 is a rather ridiculous age restriction, but such is American law unfortunately.

[text]

[medalsome]

It's fine. He was upset so. I probably shouldn't have used that as my example.

I am glad you agree with me, Doctor! It's unfortunate we can't go out drinking together.

[driftsintobuffetline]

Just don't speak to me about alcohol for like another year. I don't want to think about it. My head still hurts. That said, I'm serious about the Spring Break thing, kid, so shut your flytrap. And next time we drink, maybe Herm and I will invite you.

Drinking has its own set of health issues--and noverl concept: do not drink and drive--but smoking is linked to mulyiple kinds of cancers and asthma and it pollutes the air so no one wants to hang out with you. It stinks. Don't do it. Especially around Hermann.

Trust me. I'm a man of the future with nearly 100 years of health research and data that you lack. Your time barely has penicillin. I'll buy you tequila but leave the cigs at home.

[medalsome]

I wasn't sure if I could take you seriously as you were yesterday.

[He still doesn't actually expect to get an invitation.]

Hey I only smoke one cigarette a day, max. And I only smoke every so often. I'm not gonna get sick from it. Besides don't the nannies protect us from that sort of thing? [Yes, he calls the nanites "nannies" and no one has ever bothered to correct him.]

I do promise not to smoke around Hermann because you asked.

[missleadingquestions]

[Wait.

Wait. That doesn't make sense.]

It's... 21? Like, in the state you're in?

[In California-- in her California, it had been 16. Not that she was a drinker, but it's all about having the option.]

[video]

[medalsome]

From what I understand it's the same everywhere in this godforsaken country.

[16 would have been a bit more acceptable.]

[ video ]

[disorder_heaven]

It's twenty-one in America?! Are you fucking kidding me?!

[ video ]

[medalsome]

I wish I was! There was no such unnecessary laws back in my day!

[Stop Joaquin, you sound like an old man...]

[mightthinkthat]

Everyone should be judged equally. That's the American way.

[medalsome]

Well, I never had been to America until I was brought here against my will!

[Sure, there were perks to this place, but... c'mon man, he just wants his booze back!]

text;

[infomodder]

You can still drink. Legally. There are exceptions.

text;

[medalsome]

Exceptions? You mean if I were to go to a different country?

video;

[selfpraise]

I hadn't realised there was such a law.

[Dorian's old enough so he's never had to think about it.]

video;

[medalsome]

[Lucky Dorian.]

I didn't either until I saw the signs on all the liquor stores. There was no such thing where I was from, however.

video;

[amadaman]

Considering different countries have completely different standards, I think choosing twenty-one as the age for it was probably just based on values at the time...

But that aside, I think laws should be abided. Even if it's not fair, and people drink illegally anyway... [he trails off. What was he saying? Did he care? Uh.]

I guess what I'm saying is I think if you're going to drink even if you're not twenty-one, maybe you can drink at home so you don't get hassled.

video;

[medalsome]

It still seems like too much of an arbitrary number to rely on.

I understand that. And I would gladly abide by laws that make sense, but this is a little ridiculous. I've been drinking since I was twelve, I know how to be responsible about it.

... I'll have to get some alcohol first before I can do that.

video;

[fuorilegge]

[What.]

What, that's what you want? A drink? Just drink, who needs permission?

video;

[medalsome]

It's the law. And I can't rightly buy it without showing identification, which would out me as [air quotes again] "too young."

video;

[oathkeeping]

Why do you even want to drink? That stuff smells gross.

[Someone's only been around Budweiser at street fairs. The poor boy.]

video;

[medalsome]

It's an adult flavor. Not everyone drinks and enjoys it, but some of us do.

[Poor child. If only Budweiser was the same in America as it was in Germany.]

video

[aggressiveapathy]

If you let that stop you, you don't deserve to drink.

video

[medalsome]

It's the law. I'm a soldier. It's my job to preserve the law.

That's just how it is.

[Voice]

[thesmartone]

[This is what he's using his awesome pubic speaking powers for? REALLY?! She's not going to laugh, really, she's not going to laugh. Oh who is she kidding, she's totally going to actually laugh for the first time in weeks.]

Seriously Joaquin? You're biggest issue here is the drinking age?

[Also smoking is totally bad for you, but she'll get to that eventually.]

[Voice]

[medalsome]

[Oh, no! It's Gwen! And she sounds like she's laughing. Whoops.]

Hey, I'm a responsible drinker! I just want to have some tequila shots every now and then...

[... He hopes she isn't judging him too much for it.]

video;

[attainment]

[Hello, Joaquin, it's this guy again. His expression is as pleasant and polite as ever, but if you think that means he's in agreement, you're wrong.]

Giving imPorts even more preferential treatment hardly sounds fair to me, but you're entitled to your opinion.

Re: video;

[medalsome]

[Wow no one asked for your opinion BUNNY]

I understand where you're coming from. I don't generally like breaking rules on principle. But this rule is unnecessary.