Security Central
Unlike most of the rest of the complex, the security offices are designed for ease of use rather than aesthetics. Wood paneled walls and marble floors are not to be found here. Brushed steel and plate flooring take their place. The acoustics in this room are designed to muffle sound, so despite the metal flooring and the constant coming and going of security personnel, the area does not quite achieve a cacophonous state. A large bank of monitors takes up the bulk of the east wall. On each is displayed video from various security cameras as well as information garnered from customs and immigration. It is from here that security can keep an eye on most everything that happens in the Complex. There are always at least two uniformed guards on duty with nothing to do except watch the monitors. A broad desk is located near the entrance, with an officer present to handle queries.
Three arched doors lead from this area. One to the brig, one to private offices, and the third to the elevator lobby.
Contents:
Niko
Tally Board
Obvious exits:
Chief's Office Brig Elevator Lounge
Niko works! Big surprise. He has a fairly tame stack of paperwork before him, though the one beyond that one is suited for life in the wilds. "Hiya," he calls, upon seeing your arrival. "Riley's back from his trip, though he's gone off somewhere again. Busy, busy."
Kyara looks rather pleased at that bit of news as she takes her seat. "Is he looking well? I'm hoping his vacation did him some good."
Niko nods, with an amused grin. "He looks much better, yeah. Looks like he rested and such, whatever else he did."
Kyara nods approvingly. "Did you happen to ask him what Cori'd like for her birthday?"
Niko shakes his head, snapping his fingers. "Sorry, went right out of my head. But he was also kind of in and out," he gestures towards Riley's office, "Then in and out again." He gestures towards the exit. "Not all -that- much time to talk."
Kyara chuckles, rapidly prioritizing paperwork. (Say that three times fast.) "That's quite a change from the norm."
Niko's shrug is agreeable enough. "Maybe he's going to start taking it easy." Yeah. He sounds utterly positive of that. Really. With a mumble about horsemen, he pages through the evil book o' query rates.
Kyara snickers. "Yeah, right, and you're going to start wearing ribbons in your hair too."
Niko hasn't quite mastered the art of sounding innocent and naive without sounding fake. "Oh, do you think I should try that?"
Kyara giggles. "Sure. It'd give Anya an excuse to haul out the camera."
Niko snorts softly at that. "Joy, rapture, just what the world needs--more stupid pictures of me."
Kyara mhmmms, casting a thoughtful look toward you. "It'd make a world a brighter place. Hey Nick, is there any sort of listing of everybody who's come through customs in the last few weeks that I could get a look at?"
Niko mumbles something about there being limits to what he'll do to create a happy workplace. "Uh, yeah," he says, in answer to your last question. "The customs manifest would likely have it."
Kyara's mouth quirks. "And where, pray tell, kind sir, would I find that?"
Niko has to think about that for a moment, as his attention is still half on his forms, but he eventually remembers, and rattles off the appropriate directory. "That's just the last... two weeks, I think? Maybe three."
Kyara nods, typing rapidly. "That ought to be enough," she murmurs. "Thanks."
Niko nods absently. "Sure, no problem. Looking for somebody in particular?"
A fairly long pause goes by before Kya mutters, "I'm wondering what the chances are that two Terrences would arrive here recently."
Niko casts a sharp look your way. "Did he bother you?" Hello, protective? Look out, conclusions, Niko's about ready to jump -on- them.
Kyara glances over, faintly surprised. "The man I met was quite courteous, actually."
Niko snorts softly. "Still could've been him. He was trying to flatter the pants off a couple girls when I met him--and I mean that literally. Was he a bit shorter than me, hair going white?"
Kyara winces slightly, shutting down the customs manifest. "He was," she sighs. "And I was quite flattered by his words. Not /that/ flattered, however."
Niko chooses his words very carefully, "I'm not going to tell you what to do, Kya." Even though his very posture is screaming 'stay away from the Antichrist whose name is Terrence'. "Just... be careful, okay? He seems to be really good at running away, and at not taking responsibility for what he's done. And I don't want to have to go knock him around because he's hurt you." Well, no, he'd -love- to knock Terrence around. He casts a wistful glance at the brig, then shakes his head.
Kyara looks amused. Ah, the naivete of youth. Youthful-er, at any rate. "No problem, Nick. He said he's only here temporarily anyhow. We're just going to talk about the temple. Besides, I told him he could comm me. It'd be rather impolite of me to turn him down after telling him that, wouldn't it?"
Niko again speaks rather carefully. "There are worse things than being impolite, and I think that Terrence definitely qualifies. Just remember, Kya, he's got three kids scattered around--that he knows of, he may have more, depending on how many so-called careless women he seduced--" Niko takes a breath. Getting angry again is really not the best solution. "Anyway," he concludes, with relative calm, "He didn't stick around for -any- of them."
Kyara looks a bit less amused now, and after a moment she promises, "I'll be careful, Nick." A slight pause of paper-shuffling. "/Three/?"
Niko holds up three fingers. "I've got a half-sister in Mathraki because of Terrence, too. Talaxi." With a wry smile, he adds, "Had the biggest dang crush on her when I was twelve. And it took me to this year to find out why my mother had such a duck when I told her about it."
Kyara tries to hold it in, but the snicker escapes. "Yes, I can understand that. I take it Hellas does not care for incest either?"
Niko nods an affirmative. "Rather a strong taboo, yeah, especially with such close kin." See, if they were -cousins-... nah, it still wouldn't have been okay.
Kyara hmmms. "Okay. As for Terrence, he's very... Well, I wouldn't have ascribed all those negative qualities to him just upon last night's meeting."
Niko mutters, "I'd suggest that you give him time, but, well, I don't want to recommend that."
Kyara glances away. "That sort of brings up another point I wanted to ask about..."
Niko inquires, "Yes?"
Kyara gestures vaguely. "The temple. I haven't had a chance to see it yet."
Niko looks just a bit confused. "Uh, okay? You should check it out. It's a neat place, even if my own experience there wasn't all that super."
Kyara looks rather sheepish. "But it's in the Underground..."
Niko doesn't look any less confused. "You could go down with the archaeologists, if you're nervous? I think that's what Corian does, though I'm not sure."
Kyara snickers. "No, I'm not nervous. I just wanted to know if I'd get in /trouble/ for going down there again."
And lo, more confusion. "In trouble? Uh, not with me." That would be Niko that says that, of course.
Kyara glances toward the office. "No, not with you..." She shakes her head. "You're probably right. I should be okay escorted by the archaeologists or... somebody like that."
Niko just shakes his head. "If you want to know whether you'll get in trouble with Riley, maybe ask him? Why don't you go down there with Cori, eh? She's there every couple days, I think."
Kyara brightens, "Oooh, now /there's/ a good idea. Nobody could object to her."
Niko looks puzzled for a moment, then just shrugs, with an agreeable nod. "Don't see how they could, no. She's too nice for that."
Riley arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.
Riley has arrived.
Riley wanders in, having aquired at some point a stack of papers as well as a plate of vegetable lasagna. He's frowning at the papers, "Nick? Huge favor? Can you run to customs for me with a query?"
Kyara nods. "Oh yes, she's very nice. Even nicer than you." Now /that/ concept's a boggler, apparently.
Niko gets to his feet, looking more than thrilled to run to customs. "Sure, boss. Glad to do it." If he's carting paperwork, he's not doing paperwork. Kyara gets a snicker, and an extravagant bow. Too bad he's not wearing the dress uniform.
Kyara looks a tad startled and, muttering something about family traits, goes back to the paperwork, though she gives Riley a fairly cheerful wave. "That smells good, whatever it is."
Riley hands over the stack of papers with a nod, "Thaks Nick, I appreciate it."
Riley returns Kyara's wave, nodding. "It is good, Cori had some things to tell me, and fed me in the bargain. Life's good." He seems faintly troubled however, despite his overall far much spiffierness than when he left. He moves officewards.
Niko, nosy sort that he is, glances at the topmost paper. He blinks a moment, casts a startled look at Riley, then heads off briskly towards the exit. "No problem, boss," he calls over his shoulder.
Niko heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.
Niko has left.
***** Slight jump thanks to SimpleMU backfiring *****
You walk towards the Chief Addison's Office.
Chief Addison's Office
This office is something of a haven from the chaos in security central. It only has one viewscreen, although there are controls to direct it to any of the observation lines. A large desk takes up the bulk of the room. It's a battered affair, and shows the signs of great age. It doesn't really fit in with the polished atmosphere of the Complex, but neither does the man it belongs to. Piles of paperwork, scattered datapads, and a lurking terminal take up the majority of the space on the desk, but somehow room has been found for several photocubes and a small plastic penguin. The floor is carpeted in institutional gray carpeting, soft enough to muffle footsteps. The walls have been painted a comforting dusky blue, and are hung with photographs depicting the office with a much more cheerful paint job involving cartoon penguins and neon yellow. Several large electronic maps are hung on the wall, each aglow with various telltales and marker lights. In front of the desk are two uncomfortable chairs and one battered and exceedingly comfortable looking couch. A shelving unit contains stacks of noveldisks and a couple of stuffed penguins.
Contents:
Riley
Obvious exits:
Central
Riley is seated at his desk, picking through the remains of his food and working, "Can I help you?"
Kyara looks a tad sheepish to be asking. "Um, her birthday's coming up. ANy recommendations for a present?"
Riley's brows lift a moment and he assumes a thoughtful expression. "She likes music..."
Kyara somehow matches the brow lifting expression, even without eyebrows. "Oh? What kind of music?"
Riley gestures rather widely, "I haven't found a variety she dislikes yet, although I know she likes the guys at the Fruvous, and classical."
Kyara's mouth quirks. "Everybody does seem to like the guys at the Fruvous, yes. Oooh, classical... tickets to the Symphony maybe. The other thing was, well, it'd be okay if I went and saw that temple with her, or with the archaeologists, wouldn't it?"
Riley nods amiably, spearing a bite of broccoli, "Sure, just check in with the folks keeping watch. They'll let you know where they're working and don't want things disturbed."
Kyara smiles brightly. "Oh, thank you. Hard to converse about it without a base to work with, y'know?" She points toward the broccoli, eyes twinkling. "Isn't eating something that fluffy cannibalism?"
From the shelf of scary things, Post-It Note snickers. New meaning to the term 'grok'.
Riley rolls his eyes somewhat, spearing another bite with an amused harrumph. "If it is, call me a cannibal. The stuff's wonderful. I shall have to find excuse to chance upon Corian's place at lunchtime more often."
>>OOC: Riley snickers.
Kyara chuckles. "Ah, so that's what actually got you out of your office in the middle of the day. Hope she cooks more often."
Riley shakes his head, rummaging through a pile of accumulated work, "She had some information to impart. Bribing me with food was secondary. Warning me that someone would rather me dead."
Riley's communit crackles to life and says "Hey there...got... If... fire... you... me... pick... some... you..." in Clara's voice.
Kyara blinks, humor fading. "Huh? Who would...?" She trails off at the beeping.
Riley says "Sure, yeah. Not a problem, love." into his communit.
Riley's communit crackles to life and announces "... Thanks..." in Clara's voice.
Riley shakes his head, "It's a complicated story. Just keep an ear out, yes? Call me crazy, but I think I'm familiar with being a target, but they might try and get creative, and I don't want any of y'all getting hurt."
Kyara nods slightly, promising for the second time today though she looks faintly puzzled, "I'll be careful. Target is not a role I'm familiar with, thankfully."
Riley taps his comm unit lightly, "And don't mention anything in regards to said situation on air, eh?"
Kyara starts slightly, only to nod as comprehension dawns. "That seems logical," she admits.
***** At this point Riley's player had to bamf suddenly, so we pick up a few hours later...
You walk towards the Recreational Facility.
Recreational Facility
As massively scaled as the rest of the complex is, it should come as no surprise that the recreation hall is also huge. One end is taken up by a large swimming pool and diving tower. Small cabanas are erected nearby for ease in changing clothes. Another section of the bright and airy room is dedicated to various weight machines for use by various races. Some of them in fact are dizzyingly incomprehensible. Presumably -someone- knows how to use them. A sloping ramp leads up to a jogging track above the hall. The track is lined with large open windows that look out onto the atrium and its gardens. This room is usually occupied at all hours by someone or another looking for a bit of exercise.
(OOC Note: To set your room doing, try 'I'm blank'.)
Contents:
Kyara, standing by the door.
Obvious Exits:
Atrium
You are swimming.
Aliana walks here from the Central Atrium.
Aliana has arrived.
Kyara is absorbed in an intricate series of swimming motions, all flowing smoothly together as if to make a dance in the water.
Aliana pauses at the doorway to see who is there, eyes scanning the room before she heads over to one of the machines. Her gaze falls on the swimming pool and she pads over to watch Kya carefully.
Kyara twirls lazily in the water, her polished smile taking on warmth as she spots Ali. "C'mon in," she calls. "The water's fine."
Aliana grins as she ducks into one of the cabanas and reemerges just a few moments later in a red one piece suit. With less than a moments pause she, dives into the water.
Kyara paddles quickly well out of the way, standing in the shallow end to watch you with a grin. "See, now you know how to enjoy a decent swim."
Aliana pops her head free of the water next to Kya and grins, "Indeed I do" She ducks her head back into the water to smooth her hair back before asking, "What was that you were doing before?"
Kyara swims into slightly deeper water to make lazy circles. "What was what?"
Aliana tries to mimic some of the motions that she had seen Kya doing, being less than successful in her efforts. After a few attempts she says with a giggle, 'That..kind of'
Kyara fights down a giggle. "That's Edpac Gesav- the Dance of the... well, nymph would be the closest approximation."
Aliana tries to repeat the name, but gives up mid-syllable with a giggle. "It was nice to watch at least"
Kyara blushes, but she beams. "Thanks. I suppose it'd be considered similar to ballet by those who ponder such matters."
"But underwater...which poses its own difficulties" Ali observes with a smile, 'Would you mind if I watched you?"
Kyara chuckles, shaking her head. "Not at all." Poising for a moment, she dives smoothly beneath the water, spinning like a torpedo as she crosses the length of the pool just beneath the surface. Toward the end she slows herself by striking a bent leg and arms pose, there to roll into the next of the moves.
Aliana rests against the side of the pool, watching her movements with a rather interested expression.
Kya's routine is actually quite long- a good 20 minutes or so- and the twists and dives become more complcated ash she goes along.
Aliana slips up onto the lip of the pool in order to get a better look at the preformance...a smile playing across her lips as she watches intently.
Kyara's player would actually describe the moves, but she's way too tired to think 'em up. :) Suffice to say, Kya ends with a flourish, breathing hard but looking happy.
Aliana beams as she applauds, "That was truly wonderful!!"
Kyara beams proudly- she really is addicted to praise. "Thank you kindly." She takes an easy crawl back to the edge of the pool to catch her breath. "I was understudy to /the/ Edpacge back home."
Aliana oohhs softly, eyes widening...she may not know who or what the Edpacge is, but she can tell from Kya's tone its a major honour. "That is very impressive Kya...You must have worked hard to get there'
Kyara nods, her smile fixing in place as a shadow crosses her eyes. "I went on to better things than dancing eventually."
Aliana tilts her head as she catches the shadow, "Is something wrong?"
Kyara shakes her head slightly. "Nope. Just memories of home, y'know?"
Aliana nods her head, expression softening as she slips into the water, "Do you miss it?"
Kyara smiles slightly, with just a touch of sadness. "Sure. Some parts of it, anyhow."
"I am sorry to remind you then..Perhaps we should talk of happier things?" Bonded suggests with a quick grin, "How are you doing?'
Kyara's smile brightens. "Pretty well, actually. I'm going to see that temple sometime soon. Work's going well, and I seem to be attracting men in droves."
Aliana oohhs softly, 'I have been spending most of my time down there...I have never seen anything like it..' An eyebrow arches in amusement at her last statement, 'And this is a suprise?'
Isis walks here from the Central Atrium.
Isis has arrived.
Isis says "coooool."
Kyara laughs! "Well, yes. Twenty-odd years with nothing at all, then attention from every side? Yes, this is a surprise."
Isis raises her eyebrows.
Aliana chuckles softly, 'Well not to me at least...who besides Roland and Tarrant?'
Kyara flicks her wet fingers toward the entrance, her expression oddly neutral. "Met a guy named Terrence last night, in the park."
Aliana thinks for a moment then shakes her head, 'I haven't met him yet...What is he like?'
Isis starts looking at a very bizarre machine from all angles, trying to figure out what its purpose is.
Kyara hmmms. "Well, he's quite charming. An anthropologist. And he plays chess, I think."
Isis figures out that it is designed for someone with more than four limbs, and moves on.
Isis walks towards the Central Atrium.
Isis has left.
Kyara hmmms. "Well, he's quite charming. An anthropologist. And he plays chess, I think."
Aliana looks towards the cabana where her pack sits, then back to Kya, "Will you explain what an an-thro-polo-gist is?" She adds, 'I know what chess is..its a game'
Kyara chuckles. "It's somebody who studies the past, the people of the past. I think."
Aliana ohhs softly, 'Most of thos people I have met so far have been rather dull and arrogant. I gather he is neither of those?'
Kyara snickers, shaking her head. "He did not seem that way to me."
Aliana tilts her head slightly, 'How did he seem then?'
Corian glides into the area.
Corian has arrived.
Kyara mmms, "Well, what he /seemed/ to be was one hundred percent focused on me. At least until we started talking about the temple. Hey Cori!" She gives the translator a wave.
Corian comes lightly into the room, manner perhaps a bit tentative, expression thoughtful. As Kyara greets her, she offers a pleasant smile. "Good evening, Kyara, Aliana. I hope you both are doing well."
Aliana murmers softly, "And that is a bad thing?" before she turns and adds her greetings to Kyara, 'Good Evening, Corian...I am doing very well..and yourself?'
Corian moves to stand near the pool, the better to talk with the pair. "I am rather well, yes. I remembered to leave work on time," she adds, with a hint of humor in her voice, "So I am quite content."
Aliana chuckles softly,'That is always an improvement, yes"
Kyara nods eagerly. "Quite well indeed." She pauses, and gives Cori a curious look. "You always seem content," she notes.
Corian, folding gracefully to a seat on a convenient chair, nods to Aliana, then chuckles quietly at Kyara. "Thank you. I do strive to do so."
"But the question becomes...are you really as content as you seem?" Ali asks in a slightly curious tone
Kyara gestures toward Ali, her expression a bit somber. "What she said."
Corian makes a graceful gesture with one hand, crossing her legs at the ankles. "Much of the time, I am."
Aliana nods her head to that, her expression warming as she rests agains the side of the pool, 'Then I am happy for you.'
Kyara cocks her head. "Are..." She cuts herself off, shaking her head. "So work was light today then?"
Corian offers Aliana a warm smile. "Thank you." Kyara's cut-off question gets a curious look, but Corian doesn't press the issue, instead shaking her head. "It was no more light than it ever is. It is rarely necessary for me to work as late as I often do, but I am easily caught up in the puzzles of my work."
Aliana nods her head, then ohing softly, "Have you discovered anything about the writing in the Temple?'
Kyara chuckles quietly. "I can sympathize. I.." She pauses to hear the answer to Ali's question.
Corian shakes her head, with a faint smile. "I have learned many languages which it is not, but none that it is, unfortunately. Perhaps... Aliana, do you know if there are any of the Bonded who have studied the history of the dragons? Perhaps there would be those among them who could offer some knowledge that I do not know."
Aliana nods, 'My father knows perhaps the most of anyone I have ever met....He and Sirgar have been digging through the records trying to find anything...anything at all that may help.'
Kyara shakes her head in mild disbelief. "Sirgar's trying to help?"
Corian inquires, "Do you believe that we would be able to assist each other, Aliana?" Kyara's question gets a look of mild curiosity, and she waits for the answer.
Aliana cannot seem to help the amusement that fills her eyes as she turns to Kya, 'He is dragonbonded, after all. This is perhaps the most unifying thing that has happened to the Guild in decades.'
Kyara hmmms. "The silver lining," she murmurs.
Aliana grins as she turns to Corian, "Wyman would be very honoured to assist with anything he can...and the Guild's Archives are open to you as well.'
Corian inclines her head, with a quick smile. "I hope that there is something that will allow the text to be translated." She shakes her head, smile turning a bit amused. "I do not like the unsolved puzzle."
Kyara chuckles softly. "It's driving you nuts, isn't it, Cori?"
Aliana nods her head quickly, then smiles at Corian's expression before turning to Kya. "I wouldn't be suprised if she didn't let this go until she had it solved."
Corian, one hand lifting to toy with the necklace, smiles serenely. See? She really -is- good at faking it. "I will attempt to complete the translation, of course. But if I am unable, then I am unable." And then she'd just be annoyed, and have to keep trying.
Kyara grins. She ain't buying that for a minute. "Stubborn, the lot of you."
For anyone that buys that, Ali has a round trip ticket to Nirvana ready and waiting. She just giggles, 'I shall await the day when you say you are unable.' And then the world wil come to an end.
Corian looks between the two of you, gray eyes decidedly amused. "There is nothing wrong with persistence." She watches a small child in the pool for a moment, then inquires, absently tucking a lock of hair behind one ear. "Do you enjoy swimming?" The question seems to be posed to both of you.
Kyara grins shyly, glancing toward Ali. "I do, quite a bit. What about you, Cori?" Nice subject change.
Aliana quickly shakes her head, 'It is one of the things I admire about you...which is why I find you saying you might be unable to do anything to be rather amusing' Subject change? We don't need no subject change.
Corian's eyes glint with amusement. Gaze flicking briefly to Aliana, she says, with slow deliberation, "I am unable to swim."
Kyara's eyes widen. "You've never swum?"
Aliana glances at Kyara, 'You should show her your routine.' Turning to Corian, "It is like she is dancing under water'
Corian shakes her head to Kyara, though she doesn't really look like she regrets the lack. "I have never had that opportunity, no." Aliana's words draw a curious glance, and she echoes, "Routine?"
Kyara blushes deeply, ducking her head. "It's an art form back home."
Aliana slips onto the lip, taking care not to splash Cori. "It is most wonderful to watch."
Corian suggests, expression thoughtful, "If it would not make you self-conscious, Kyara, I would most like to see it."
Kyara is self-conscious, but she's not about to turn Cori down. Keeping her gaze down, she pushes back from the edge of the pool, muttering, "They need to pipe music in here." After a moment of composing herself, she suddenly leaps up, twirling like a dervish as she plunges smoothly back into the water, immediately twisting into an acrobatic series of smooth moves.
Aliana turns her attention fully to Kya, her expression appreciative.
Corian's head tips to one side as she watches, gray eyes tracking the Stilvani. One finger taps lightly against her knee, in a gentle rhythm.
Kyara surfaces only every few moments- her lung capacity has apparently been well-developed. A few pauses indicate some unfamiliarity with these particular moves, then suddenly she turns her pody perpendicular to the surface, as if being watched from the side. This particular routine takes her from one end of the pool to the other, as an exotic bird flits from one end of its golden cage to another.
Corian observes quietly, gaze still on Kyara, "This looks as if it takes quite a bit of skill, and no small amount of practice, as well."
Aliana glances quickly at Cori for her reaction, then turns back to the performance, obvious delight showing in her eyes.
Kyara finally bursts from the surface, leaping high above the water before laying back in the pool to catch her breath. "Two in 15 minutes... bad idea."
Aliana ducks her head abashedly, but then her applause is warm and heartfelt, 'But it was so wonderful, Kya'
Corian applauds as well, though her approval is overlaid with concern. "It was beautiful, but I do hope you did not overextend yourself, Kyara."
Kyara shakes her head with a faint grin. "Thank you, but it was rather refreshing to do it for an audience for once."
Aliana turns to Corian with an almost proud beam, "She was the understudy for /the/ Engbert herself." A name...what's in a name.
Corian looks suitably impressed, though she admits, "I am afraid I am not familiar with the Engbert."
Aliana looks vastly relieved as she admits in a soft tone, 'Me neither...but I think it is a high honour'
Kyara chuckles softly. "The Edpacge."
Corian looks for a moment as if the name may be familiar, but then she shakes her head. "I am afraid I am not familiar with either of them," she says, a hint of humor in her gray eyes.
Aliana got the first letter right? She does look rather abashed as she murmers a soft apology, 'The Edpacge'
Kyara shakes her head. "Tis a title, not a name. It's like... a prima ballerina."
Corian's expression clears somewhat, and she nods. "Ah, I see, of course. It must have been quite an honor, but no more than your skill deserved."
Aliana glances towards the cabana again, then decides to ask later..paper and water do not mix well. She turns to Kya with a smile. "You are quite good indeed."
Kyara laughs wryly. "Thanks," she nods to Ali and Cori both. "It /was/ an honor, at the time. A young girl's dream, perhaps. But that's all in the past."
Aliana mulls that over for a moment, 'But you still enjoy it?'
Corian interlaces her fingers, resting her hands lightly in her lap and looking to be the picture of a well-bred young woman. Gaze moving between the younger women, she listens thoughtfully.
Kyara looks surprised at the question. "Of course! How better to express joy in life?"
Aliana grins at both her reaction and her response.."Then it is not in the past..It is a part of who you are."
Corian remains silent, though her smile is touched with a hint of approval, and her head lifts and falls in a brief nod.
Kyara nods slightly. "True. It's the understudy part that's in the past."
Aliana nods her head quickly, 'Very True...Now you able to perform for yourself...and for your pleasure.'
Corian adds softly, "And, at least in this case, for that of those who watch--though it is my opinion that your own enjoyment should come first, in this."
Kyara smiles bashfully. "Ah, I'm made happy by making others happy, even if it's by merely entertaining."
Aliana nods her agreement with Cori's words.
Corian's smile is gentle. "I do not believe there is anything 'mere' about entertainment. Even I--even my brother cannot work all the time." And, yes, there's just a bit of teasing humor in her voice at her mention of Riley. "Distractions from the tedium of everyday life are not to be dismissed lightly."
"I think Clara may be just the right distraction he needs" Ali says in a light tone.
Kyara laughs softly. "He said your cooking's a fine distraction, Cori." She grins, nodding her agreement with Ali.
Corian chuckles quietly at Aliana's words, though her nod pauses as Kyara speaks, and her humor fades--though it may not be noticeable, as her pleasant smile is still firmly in place. "I am glad that he enjoyed it," she says quietly. "I was... very pleased to be able to spend time with him."
Aliana does not notice the fade in humour, but she does notice the pause in her sentence. She considers the translator thought for a moment then offers a smile, "I barely know him at all..really"
Kyara does notice Cori's sobering, and understanding resides in her eyes. "He said he'd have to lunch with you more often." Ali's remark brings a wry laugh. "Every time I start to think I know him well, he surprises me."
Kyara's first comment brings a more genuine smile to Corian's face. "I would be very pleased if he were to do so." She smooths a wrinkle from her skirt, then says lightly, "Riley is a wonderful man, and I am most glad to have him for a brother, but it can take some time to get to know him, yes."
Aliana pauses at what seems to be something that really isn't her affair, but since when did that stop Ali? "I think he gets trapped in that office of his..buried under piles and piles of paper work. Its not a question of not wanting to, but not feeling able to"
Kyara shrugs lightly. "That's part of it, certainly. He takes his responsibilities seriously. Hopefully, now that he's got himself an XO, the burden will ease."
Corian nods her agreement to Aliana. "I understand that his work takes up much of his time, of course," she assures the Bonded. "I am glad to see more of him than I did, no matter how much it be." As Kyara speaks, she nods, expression thoughtful. "That is to be hoped, yes."
"XO?" Ali sounds very puzzled, "Not an XY or a CD, or even a MR?"
Kyara gestures slightly, drawing herself up to rest her arms on the edge of the pool. "XO. Executive Officer. A second-in-command."
Corian inclines her head at the explanation. "Though I must admit, when 'XO' is used, I cannot help but get the thought that a game is being discussed."
Aliana ohhs softly, 'Why didn't he have one before?' She smiles at Corian, "Tic-tac-toe? Islien and I can play that for hours'
Corian nods to Aliana, with a quick smile. "That one, yes."
Kyara chuckles. "A nice quirk to the military term, I must admit."
Corian nods her agreement to Kyara, lips quirking briefly. "I am afraid I do not take the military quite as seriously as I should, if I am making fun of titles as I do." Somehow, she doesn't look too concerned. "Perhaps it is the late hour," she adds thoughtfully. "I believe I have had too many long nights of late."
Aliana offers gently, 'Perhaps an early night may counterbalance that?'
Kyara tilts her head, considering Corian. "You should sleep in then."
Corian nods to Aliana. "That is an excellent idea, but, alas, I find myself too distracted by the world around me to remember something as trivial as sleep."
Kyara's question gets a fractional shake of her head. "Unfortunately, I must be much more tired than I am to be able to do that, now that I am accustomed to the time here."
Aliana offers with a broad grin,'Sleep is for when we have nothing better to do.'
Kyara chuckles, nodding her agreement with Ali. "Sleep is occasionally useful. Other than that, I try to avoid it."
Corian laughs quietly at that, then unfolds herself gracefully from her seat. "I am afraid I must disagree with you both, as I find myself in need of repose."
Aliana grins as she bows from her seated position,'Sleep well, Corian.'
Kyara smiles, resting her chin on her hands. "Have a good night, Cori. One of these days I'm going to have to teach you how to swim."
Corian bows lightly, hand resting on her heart. "I hope that you both will dream sweetly--but not too soon." Kyara's words bring her up short, and she assures the Stilvani, "That is unnecessary, really. I do not feel the lack." With a pleasant smile, she turns and starts for the exit.
Aliana ohs softly, 'I will have Wyman get in touch with you when he can come to the Complex...unless you wish to go to Otaku?'
Kyara chuckles. "Offer's open, Cori."
Corian pauses at Aliana's question. "Perhaps it would be better that we discuss that, as my duties may require that I remain here." She nods to Kyara. "And I do appreciate the offer." She half-bows once more, then glides from the room.
Corian walks towards the Central Atrium.
Aliana slips back into the water, dipping her head back to get her head wet.
Kyara gazes thoughtfully after Cori for long moments before turning around. "Who's Wyman?" she asks curiously.
Aliana had been watching Kya thoughtfully and her question elicits a blank look before Ali realizes who she is talking about.."Wyman is my father." She pauses before asking, 'Giro for your thoughts.'
Kyara ohs! "I see." She shakes her head. "Just thinking about Cori and Riley and Nick."
Aliana nods slowly, "In what way?" She asks gently...Ali nosy? nahhh/
Kyara smiles slightly, shaking her head. "Just... all the events that appear in their lives."
Aliana nods her head quickly,'I don't know how they keep their sanity, actually'
Kyara chuckles, relaxing against the side of the pool. "By being there for each other, I think."
Aliana is silent for a long moment as she watches the reflections onthe surface of the pool,'They do seem to be very close'
Kyara mhmmms quietly. "I hope someday to be worthy of such closeness."
Aliana asks quietly, 'How do you mean...worthy?"
Kyara sighs softly. "Ever since the green incident there's been a certain... distance."
Aliana chews on her lip and nods, 'Yeah...I know what you mean.'
Kyara smiles wryly. "I bet you do. It's getting better though. Nick, the same guy who tossed me against a wall for that trick, is actually protective these days."
Aliana pauses for a moment before asking,'How do you mean?'
Kyara chuckles. "Like, he told me to be careful when... when going into the Underground to go see the temple."
Aliana considers that for a moment, "That sounds like sound advice..Protective would be insisting on escorting you there.'
Kyara laughs softly. "Ah, but you should've heard his tone."
Aliana chuckles softly, 'Well, That is indeed a wonderful thing then. He is a good man.'
Kyara mhmmms. "He and Ela invited me up to their place the other night. Nick even sounded like he meant it when he said afterwards that it was fun."
Aliana chuckles softly,'If Niko said it...he meant it. I do think think he is capable of lying.'
Kyara laughs softly. "True. He is painfully honest, but in a nice way."
Aliana considers that for a moment, 'Is there a bad way to be honest?'
Kyara mmms, "Well, he could get nasty when I ask personal questions, but he doesn't."
Aliana thinks for a long moment, 'My impression of him is that he is a private person. He likes to decide how much of himself and his personal life he wishes to share. I would guess that he does not respond well to nosy questions.' She adds with a quick grin, 'Like I like to ask, for example'
Kyara nods, and grins. "Like I said, he's really nice about it."
Aliana nods her head slightly, "That is Niko. Nice"
Kyara chuckles. "Just as well. Can't imagine what he would've done when I got back if he /wasn't/ nice."
Aliana looks distinctly uncomfortable, 'I never meant for him to be blamed.'
Kyara nods slightly. "He wasn't though, cept that he blamed himself."
A shadow passes over Ali's face before she nods, 'Which is worse'
Kyara grimaces. "Okay, I can't disagree with that, except that if he /had/ been blamed by others, he could've lost his commission or even got kicked out of the AF, so maybe it's not worse."
Aliana asks softly,"Why is it worse?'
Kyara blinks a few times. "A dishonorable discharge would certainly be worse than an hour or two of self-recrimination."
Aliana takes a deep breath as she tries to explain. "Its not just a question of self-recrimination, Kya. Its a question of being able to look into the mirror and being able to say. 'I like the person that is looking back at me'"
Kyara mmms, "It's related, I think. In any case, believe me, Nick's gotten over it."
Aliana smiles,'That is good to hear..very good.'
Kyara smiles grimly. "Well, considering that Sarducci set him up and all..."
Aliana blinks, 'Guido set him up?'
Kyara nods a confirmation, giving you a curious look. "You didn't know? That's why he shot Riley and Nick when they went to bring him in."
Aliana rubs her chin thoughtfully, then colours,'Oh!...The tangler...not the greening business'
Kyara mhmmms. "Right. But see, if Sarducci hadn't set him up to do the shooting, Nick would never have blamed himself."
Aliana giggles, 'And Riley would have woken one morning to find himself green'
Kyara grins. "Exactly. Yes, the tangler set it off, but if it hadn't been for that weird circumstance, only person that would've gotten any blame is me."
Aliana pauses for a moment then shakes her head, 'It was both of us, tho'
Kyara mmmms, "Well, yes, but it was my idea, and I'm the one who implemented it."
Aliana chuckles softly, 'Who'd a thought I would be fighting for blame in a prank?'
Kyara snickers, then sobers slightly. "It wasn't taking part in the prank that they were disappointed in you for."
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