"Fell by the wayside once we found out how arbitrary counting age is when there's any number of other civilizations that do not, and synthehol was invented. 18 is generally accepted as a tradition, but enforcement isn't nearly so strict. In fact..."

Julian waves over a bartender with a smile to ask for another. Not like he has to worry about a tab, the Federation didn't use money in the same way prior centuries did.

"On me. Though money is an outdated concept as well, so I'm afraid the gesture isn't quite as generous as it could be."

Because he wasn't exactly adverse to talking work business while drinking and has basically no shame, he continues right along. "May I ask about your hands?"

He might not be able to correct the scarring, but if he knew what caused it, it was more likely.