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:
Tally Board
Obvious exits:
Chief's Office Brig Elevator Lounge
Greer arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.
Greer has arrived.
Tara drapes herself on the reception desk, as usual, and this time she's wearing a bright grin. "Evening," she greets pleasantly. "The boss in?" Politely, Greer doesn't explore this time. But from the expression on her face, she definitely wants to.
The officer on duty, Shan to be precise glances up with a grin in return for the pleasant greeting. "The Chief is, regrettably, in. Yes. Despite the hour. However, let me make certain he is reasonably awake and aware before I lend you admittance to his lair?"
Tara nods amiably, snickering -just- a little. "Sure thing. That'd be wise, at any rate, considering the proposal I've got for him." She glances over the SecOff speculatively as she waits.
There's a brief pause, a grin on the part of Shan as well as something of an eyeroll. "Feel free to go on in now, I've given him due warning of visitors."
Tara inclines her head, chuckling a little. "Anonymous visitors? Well, the look on his face should be interesting, at least." Extending her hand, she calls, "C'mon, Greer," and the child comes to her side as she circles the desk. "Thanks," the pilot adds to Shan with a sweet smile.
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 newish looking and comfortable chairs and one battered and exceedingly well-loved looking couch. A shelving unit contains stacks of noveldisks and a couple of stuffed penguins.
Contents:
Riley
Obvious exits:
Central
Greer moves here from the Security Central.
Greer has arrived.
Riley is looking rather rumpled, as if he's been in this uniform a while, and is rubbing briefly at one eye. Did he fall asleep on the desk? Not that he'll ever admit if so. He offers a smile of greeting, somewhere between welcoming and sheepish. "Valentine," yes, he still recalls you told him never to call you Tara. "Greer. Hi, how can I help you?"
Tara's eyebrows lift in brief surprise. So do Greer's. "He knows my name." That's Greer. Tara nods, recovering her smile. "Number of things, actually, Chief. One, Greer's been just -dying- to meet the fudge man. And I wanted to see how you were doing, seeing as how the last time I laid eyes on you, you were in less than ideal condition." She pauses, but decides not to mention that you don't look much better -now-. "And I've a proposal for you. No help needed, this time, I assure you. Just a small proposal you're free to accept or decline."
Riley knows a cue when he hears one and rummages amidst the piles on the desk for a tupperware container of fudge. Popping the seal he proffers it to the little girl with a grin. "I'm Security, I'm required to know names. Well, that and Clara's mentioned you several times." He hmms to Tara, although he winces slightly at the mention of less than ideal condition. "Propose away? Have a seat?"
Greer doesn't pounce. She's very polite as she scoots forward to take just one piece of fudge, and she grins. "Thank you!" Her curious eyes remain on you, too, as she neatly devours the treat, except for inquisitively glancing around briefly.
Tara takes the invitation, choosing the couch. Ah, the nice comfy couch! "First, I should thank you- your name alone was good enough to secure me a position with one of the local shipping companies. This is kinda related to that."
"Hey, I'm glad I could be of help," Riley replies with a bemused grin. Greer is grinned at. Yes, Riley likes kids. But then we knew that, considering.
Greer cocks her head. "You know -everybody- then?"
Tara grins briefly toward her daughter before leaning forward intently. "Somehow, I don't feel any sense of betrayal in telling you that Viriditas doesn't exactly follow the rules when it comes to shipping. It's ironic, kinda, that it'd take somebody of your rank and position for them to accept me. At any rate, ever thought of investing in stock? Like I said, please, feel free to decline on this. But I'm starting my own business- /legitimate/, mind you- shipping, here on Linnae. I must admit to a certain scorn for those who purport themselves to be honest, when they're not. If you're going to break laws, might as well do it as an honest smuggler. Except that smuggling's in my past. I think people would prefer to deal with an honest firm."
"I wish I did," Riley replies sheepishly to the child. "But I have to try to at least." He blinks at Tara, and then notes with equal chagrin. "If you're looking for would-be investors, you might want to talk to Clara, Valentine. I'm afraid they don't pay me half so well as you might think. An admiral normally makes pretty good money, I guess, but because of my...abnormal posting, I don't."
Greer glances toward the computer. "But Doctor Clara talked about me?" That pleases her, and she steps forward to peer at a penguin.
Tara laughs a little, somewhat sheepishly herself. "Actually, sir, I -am- planning on asking Clara. But I'm an equal opportunity enterprising type of gal, and I thought I'd give you the chance to get in on it too. Y'all keep separate credit accounts, she said, so who knows when some extra cash would come in handy to you as well?" That last sentence garners a soft snort. "Abnormal posting. You're underappreciated, Chief."
"Be that as it may," Riley shrugs in a decidedly bemused fashion, his ears slightly red in embarrassment. "But I honestly don't have much in the way of liquid assets. Credit union's got my retirement money, and I own an older model skimmer, but that's all I've got in even non-liquid assets."
Tara's mouth quirks in amusement. "Hey, don't sweat it. Believe me, I know what it's like." She gestures toward the quietly exploring Greer, lowering her voice a bit. "Saving up money's a good thing, but you'd be surprised how much creating a positive environment for a child can cost. I think I may have overdid it, but she's worth it." She hesitates, but she can't repress the question. "What all did Clara tell you about her?"
Riley grins in a bemused fashion, watching the small child investigate in a pleased fashion. He looks vague and thoughtful. "Hmm? Uh, not a terrible lot. Odds and ends I guess. Even when she was, well, I was kind of out of it too."
Tara's eyebrows rise, and she inquires in a very polite tone, "Out of it?"
Greer turns a very slightly mournful look on you, waving the stuffed moose she carries in one hand. "Murray would like to meet Commander Penn someday, if that's okay with you, Am... amd... Admiral?"
"It's kinda' a long story, I was having trouble and all." Riley explains rather vaguely before grinning brightly at Greer. "That sounds like an idea to me. You'll have to talk to Anya or someone, though. I've not seen Commander Penn in a while. He's a good puppy. And you can call me Riley."
Tara lifts her eyes heavenward, bemused. "I suppose that's not especially surprising. When -don't- you have trouble of one sort or another?" She can't help but to grin at the Greer Effect. Still, there's some relief in her expression.
"Riley's much easier to say," Greer beams. There go the cute rays all over the place again. "Doctor Clara -wasn't- joking then. You really do got a doggy in Security. You got any SecOffs that know medical stuff too?" Between Niko and Clara, this kid's impressed enough to want mulitple careers.
"Well, he's not in Security as much as I'd like. But he gets to spend a lot of time in peoples yards, he likes that better." Riley looks rather vague, and decidedly out of it. "Not as such, no. First aid and all, but nothing fancy."
Tara eyes you for a moment, and gets to her feet. "Chief," she suggests gently, "Go home. Ask Clara to give you a backrub. She really does do -wonderful- backrubs. Go to sleep. I know paperwork's a neverending monster, but you look like you're about to fall asleep on that desk, evil ex-cons in your office or not." Now why couldn't he have been that vague when Tara would've -loved- to have taken advantage of it? Ah well. :)
Greer comes to her mother's side, peering at you as well. "Maybe that should change. People's yards?"
"He's probably getting acquainted with the trees," Tara murmurs, and Greer says "Oh! Good! Trees are good. Specially ones with treehouses."
"She's working tonight," Riley replies in an equally vague fashion, shifting to lean against the desk. "Thanks for the suggestion, though." He grins vaguely, "Treehouses are key."
Tara frowns just slightly. "She always seems to be working. I oughta take her another pizza," she muses, then grins, waggling eyebrows. "I'll give ya a backrub if you like, Chief?"
"Treehouses are good for meeting people." Greer gives the penguins a final glance, lifting Murray so she can whisper in his ear. The moose seems to agree.
"Taking her a pizza would be good," Riley sounds rather grateful at the suggestion, although he shakes his head to the backrub. "I appreciate the offer, but I'd fall dead for asleep if it weren't for said knots." He entirely misses the eyebrows, he's that gone.
Tara shakes her head a bit as she moves toward the door. "You're masochistic. Honorable, dutiful, but masochistic. Or perhaps it's all the same thing," she notes in bemusement. "C'mon, Greer. Take care of yourself, Chief."
"Have a nice night, Valentine," Riley replies in a vague an amiable fashion, half waving at you as you leave, taking up a fresh form. "Good night to you too Greer."
Greer does wave back with a grin. "Nice to meet you too!" Tara smiles indulgently as she ushers the girl out, muttering about sending pizza -here- too.
You walk towards the Security Central.
***** Travelspam deleted *****
You head towards the Dining Facility.
Dining Facility
Though the tan and white linoleum tiles of the dining hall are rather bland, the brightly-colored walls more than make up for that. The wall nearest the entrance holds vending machines for those on a budget, though the aromas of freshly-prepared food are tempting enough to make one forget finances. Cuisine from many of the Alliance's worlds is available, though some races are likely to find the food choices of their neighbors less than appealing. Plasglass windows in the next wall allow a view of the town beyond the complex, and a hint of the scenery beyond. Though the other two walls hold neither food nor windows, they have been painted with vivid colors, abstract murals that are occasionally interpreted by bored diners. Tables of varying shapes and sizes are found scattered throughout the room, with chairs that provide just enough comfort to allow ease of dining, but not so much that idlers are tempted to linger.
With the range of internal clocks of the complex's inhabitants, people of one form or another are generally found in the dining hall at all hours, though a seat at one of the many tables is usually available.
Contents:
Vendotron 3000
Obvious exits:
Atrium
Greer arrives from the Central Atrium.
Greer has arrived.
Aliana arrives from the Central Atrium.
Aliana slips in, pack dangling from her shoulder as she looks for a clear table.
Tara and Greer seem to be enjoying a pizza- extra pepperoni, extra cheese, no sauce- although Tara herself seems a bit mroe quietly thoughtful than usual.
Aliana happens to catch sight of the two, and her face warms into a bright smile, 'Hello!' She calls out as she pads in their direction.
Tara looks up, starting a bit, then grins sheepishly and gives a wave. "Hey there, Ali. What's up?"
Greer waves too, though her mouth is stuffed with pizza. She chews quickly, and swallows, and beams. "Hello! How is Islien?"
Aliana grins as she indicates a seat, 'Mind if i join you two?' She asks before grinning at Greer, 'She said to tell you that she is doing very well, thank you...and wnats to know how you are doing?'
Tara gestures grandly. "Feel free to join us. Plenty of pizza for everybody. Ah, we're doing well, I think. And learning lessons in economics." She givse Greer a mock-severe look, and the little girl blushes as she continues to eat.
Aliana peers warily at the pizza, 'Where did it come from?' She asks before grinning over at Greer, "Those are lessons I am still trying to learn, Its just so complicated.'
Tara gestures toward the food-serving folks. "Right there. Oh... that's right, I'd forgotten. Preservatives are bad for you, aren't they. And I'll bet this cheese has just about all of 'em." She truly seems chagrined.
Greer looks up with a sheepish smile, and shakes her head. "This time the lesson was easy. Did you know it's not good to buy sixty books when your mommy can only afford a few?"
Aliana grins at Tara,'I had a big dinner before I came over...Rhys made a batch of Lasgna for lunch and I had leftovers...I swear its even better reheated.' Greer's words make her eyes widen in amusement, 'Was this at the bookstore in the quarter?'
Tara chuckles softly. "What is it about this place and Italian food?" Still, she nods her agreement. "Lasagna is a gift from the gods, I swear, reheated or no. A true genius invented it, I'm sure."
Greer shakes her head, gesturing in the direction of the quarters she shares with her mother. "I ordered them on the computer."
Aliana laughs, 'No matter who invented it..Rhys makes the best I have ever tasted, I swear.' Follows the gesture then chuckles, 'You must go to the bookstore in the quarter...A friend of mine owns it, by the name od Daedalaus....anyone who loves books enough to order 60 at a time would be considered a wonderful person.
Greer admits, with a quick glance toward her mother, "I don't know if I love books. They're a tool, just like a screwdriver or something. They help you learn. I... I like them for what they can teach me." She pauses, reviewing her words, then nods in satisfacton.
Tara doesn't seem especially surprised, but nor does she seem perturbed by her daughter's words either. "It -is- a good bookstore down there," she muses. "Daedalaus comes up with stuff I'm surprised at, even for a seat of government like Linnae."
Aliana stifles a chuckle at the girls words, "Aye...very true...But they can also take you places you never imagined.'
Greer pauses to assimilate that. "Like where?" she asks curiously, apparently fascinated with this concept.
Aliana pauses for a moment as she considers, "A place where Knights are alive...They dash around the countryside on their milk-white horses, finding grails and serving others.'
"Knights -are- alive though," Greer returns promptly. "Mister Niko is a knight." Her eyes widen. "He's got a horse? What's a grail?"
Aliana pauses for a long time,'A graill is a thing that had been long lost...and many people felt it was magical.' She pauses to claify,'This story took place hundreds and hundreds of years ago on Terra...There was a leader called Arthur and his knights sat around a round table...that was so that there was no head nor foot....But they went on quests, journeys to prove how brave and valient they are.'
Greer cocks her head. "Okay," she admits. "I never imagined that. Why'd they have to prove it? Couldn't people tell they were brave all the time without... quests? What's quests?" Hey, at least her vocabulary is getting an education.
Aliana tilts her head slightly as she considers the questions, "Well...If someone just walked up to you and said they were brave..would you believe them?'
Greer shakes her head. "Probably not. Actions speak louder than words," she quotes. "But people don't have to go on -quests- to show they're brave."
Aliana shakes her head,'Not now...But back then, that was how they did it.' Shepauses for a moment to consider, 'I think I prefer it like this'
Tara nods her agreement, the motion in unison with Tara's. "It doesn't make sense," the little girl says, "Going out to get broken just to prove you're brave."
Aliana laughs softly, "I don't think that was their purpose..but there seemed to alot of broken people at the end of the quests.'
Tara's mouth quirks. "And it's just the sort of thing Niko would do, too," she murmurs just a bit too softly for Greer to hear.
Greer shakes her head, then brightens. "At least the doctors made a good living?"
Aliana nods her head quickly,'Plus it makes for good stories.' She pauses to consider the little girl,'What sort of books do you like to read?'
Greer gestures vaguely upwards. "Right now, I'm reading books on the English language and Trader patois, and Edreeni anatomy."
Tara rolls her eyes, but there's definitely pride in her expression.
"Trader patois? That I can understand...But Edreeni anatomy?" Ali asks with a glance towards Tara,'Interesting choices'
Greer sits up straight and proud. "I want to be a doctor when I'm older. An ex-o-biologist. Like Doctor Clara."
Tara shrugs a little, murmuring quiet but fervent hopes that this kid won't go for AF enlistment as well.
Aliana oohhs softly, 'That is indeed an admirable goal...andI bet she can help you with anything you need'
Greer nods fervently, her voice tinged with awe. "Doctor Clara's wonderful. She showed me some of the stuff in the library that's good reading, to get me started."
Aliana laughs softly as she mock whispers to tara, 'Clara better watch out...she is going to have a following soon'
Tara snickers quietly. "Too late. I still think you just want to be a doctor for the ice cream," she teases her daughter.
Greer rolls her eyes- apparently this is an oft-spoken jest between the two. "Uh uh. Ice cream is good, but I wanna help people."
Aliana hhms thoughtfully, 'Well...Ice cream does have healing powers.'
Greer perks up. "It does? I haven't read anything like that. Is that why Doctor Clara gave it to me after the operation?"
Aliana pauses for a moment, 'Did it make you feel better?'
Greer thinks back. "Hmmmm. Yes, now that you mention it. It didn't hurt so much when I was eating the ice cream." Tara just smiles, knowing that the ice cream made a great distraction at the time, and concentrates on her pizza.
Aliana beams as she settles back into her chair,'See...It helped heal you..' She glances over at Taraa and offers her a slight wink where the little girl can't see, 'Chocolate is another food that has great healing powers.'
Greer pulls out a datapad, scribbling notes. "Chocolate?" She looks absolutely delighted. "Chocolate's good for you then! And it tastes better than medicine."
Aliana nods her head solemnly,'It truly is a comfort food.' Ali can say these things, she doesn't even play a doctor on TV.
Greer tilts her head curiously. "Are -you- a doctor too, Aliana? Are there doctor-dragonriders?"
Aliana ducks her head slightly, 'No...I am nowhere near to being a doctor...There are some doctor-bonded, but they specialize in dragon medicine.'
Greer's eyes narrow, just a little. "Then how come you know all about chocolate and ice cream healing people?"
Aliana raises a finger as if to make a point, 'Because, I do know what things are good for me...and what things are not...See, I can't eat alot of food cause it makes me sick' The kitchen is given a wary look, 'Especially things made here.'
Greer blinks. "Here?" She, too, casts a wary look toward the kitchens.
At that, Tara leans forward with a slight smile. "Nothing here will hurt you, Greer. You're used to this sort of stuff."
Aliana pauses for a moment,'Perhaps you can red about it in some of the books, But I have several allergies...some foods will make me sick.'
"Ohhhhhh." Greer looks much relieved, and starts in on her pizza again. "I read about allergies. Not everybody has those though."
Aliana nods her head, 'But I can eat chcoolate...and most ice cream'
Greer grins, almost in relief. "That's good. Not being able to eat chocolate..." She just grimaces. "I don't know how anybody can do without chocolate. Riley gave me chocolate, so I know he can eat it too. Well, fudge. That's close enough, isn't it?"
Aliana smiles,'He is a very nice person...even if he does work to hard.'
Tara snorts softly, muttering, "You got that right."
Greer gazes at Aliana with wide eyes. "How can anybody work too hard? I mean, if that's what it takes to reach your goal..."
Tara groans quietly. "Oh no," she murmurs just softly enough for Ali to hear. "She's going to turn into him."
Aliana is silent for a moment as she considers that for a moment, 'When one works too hard, they work themselves into exhaustion and by doing so, they will fail to reach their goal.'
"Caffeine," Greer says promptly. And just as promptly, Tara blushes, and clears her throat, to say, "That's a pilot thing, Greer. You want to be a doctor."
Aliana looks rather amused, 'Caffeine only works for a short time...and then you are just awake, not truly alert.' She pauses for a moment "There is so much out there that you miss out on..Like snow.' She notes with a smile.
"Works better when the adrenaline's going too," Tara murmurs.
But Greer is successfully distracted, and perks up. "That's right! You're going to show us snow sometime, aren't you."
Aliana glances over at Tara and grins her agreement before nodding to Tara, "I keep forgetting to ask Rhys when he will be free...but next time I can talk to him, I get a date set up?'
Tara nods with a small smile. "And very soon, I hope, I'll get to choose my own hours as far as work goes. So any time'll be good.
Greer swallows a bite of pizza, bouncing with bright eyes. "I can't wait! I read about snow, in the library. It's -pretty- in the pictures."
Aliana smiles as she turns to Tra,'How is the job going?'
Tara's smile turns rather grim. "It's... Well, it pays well enough, I suppose. I'm looking to get out of it though."
Aliana darts a quick glance down at Greer before asking, 'Is there anything I can do?'
Tara, too, glances toward Greer, but the girl is happy with her pizza, dreams of snow, and making various notes on the healing powers of chocolate. Still, the pilot keeps her voice low. "Well, it's not so much if you can do anything... Depending on you, though, I might be able to do something for you."
Aliana looks rather puzzled, 'For me?'
Tara mhmmms, leaning forward intently. "See, I'm starting up a business of my own. Shipping, of course. Legitimate shipping, nothing illegal. But doing that requires capital. And what's the best way to get capital for a newborn company? Get investors, of course. If you're interested, you could get in on a few shares."
Aliana considers for just a few minutes before she asks, 'How much do you need?'
Tara shakes her head a bit. "It's not 'how much I need'. It's simply how many shares you'd be interested in buying."
Aliana ohs softly,'How much is a share?'
Tara pauses, then answers reluctantly, "A hundred giros. You can take partial shares though."
Aliana pauses for a moment, 'I should talk this over with Rhys first...I do have a little bit of money of my own.' She pauses for a moment, nose wrinkling...'But its his salary that we live off of'
Tara's eyebrows rise. She's never stopped being at least a -little- avaricious. But she says smoothly, "Of course. I wouldn't expect you to jump right in without consulting him first."
Aliana nods her head, 'Have you hada chance to meet him? I would think you would have a lot in common, both being pilots and all'
Tara uh uhs. "As far as I know, I've never met him. I -hope- I haven't, at any rate. I'd remember if we'd been formally introduced, and I don't. More... informally... it's hard to say."
"If you had met him, you would have remembered it." Ali notes with a fond smile...."Perhaps I can cajole him into making lasgna for you and Greer...and while Greer is meeting islien, you can meet Rhys?'
Tara smiles, just a touch grimly. "I'll take your word for that. Oooooh. Lasagna. Temptress," she cheerfully denounces. "For homemade lasagna, I'd almost be willing to go straight."
Upon hearing her name, Greer glance up. "Hmmm?"
Aliana glances down at the girl, 'Interested in coming to my house for dinner and meeting Islien?'
Greer nods with a grin. "That'd be great. It's fun eating outside the Complex. Where do you live?" Tara goes back to eating her own now-cold pizza.
Aliana smiles, 'We live just outside the complex...In the Bonded Courtyard...We need room for our dragons...there just isn't enough room inside the complex for us.'
Greer blinks. "How big are the dragons? 'Our' dragons? Mister Rhys has a dragon too?"
Aliana thinks for a minute,'From the tip of her nose to the end of her tail. Islien is 10 meters....and I meant the other dragonbonded...Rhys is a pilot with the Allied Forces...He has a fighter, not a dragon.'
Greer's eyes widen. "Wow," she breathes. "I never knew they're so big." She glances toward her mother, who's maintaining a neutral expression, then back to Ali. "Mister Rhys hunts down pirates?"
Aliana darts a glance towards Tara before she answers, 'What he does is protect the traders and the people that fly them from bandits...and pirates' She adds after a brief pause.
Greer frowns slightly. In a somewhat muted voice, she notes slowly, "Protecting the good traders is a good thing, I suppose. What about the bad traders? Does he protect them too?" Tara pretends to be oblivious.
Aliana thinks this over for a moment, 'What is a bad trader?' Ali asks softly.
Greer gestures vaguely upwards. "The ones who cheat people."
Aliana hmmms thoughtfully,'I don't know, Greer..If he knew they cheated people, then no...He would not protect them.'
Tara opens her mouth, then firmly shuts it again. Greer doesn't notice. "But don't AF people have to follow orders?"
Aliana considers this for a moment, finally a smile comes to her face, 'You like to ask difficult questions, don't you? Of all the people, I have ever known...I trust Rhys to do the right thing..orders or no orders.'
Greer blushes. "I'm sorry. I just wanna know the Truth." She considers Ali's words, then gives a firm nod. "That's good enough for me."
Aliana shakes her head slightly, 'No...Questions are good...especially theones that make someont have to think..Never stop asking them, okay?'
Greer nods with a shy smile. "Mama says that too. That questions are good, I mean." She glances toward Tara, who suddenly finds a need for cola and gets up to move toward the Vendotron. Greer continues quickly and quietly, "But sometimes she acts weird when I'm asking."
Aliana's expression softens as she watches Tara, 'Sometimes the questions can raise unpleasant memories...or things we just don't want to think about' Her attention goes back to the little girl,'Someday you will understand.'
Greer's mouth quirks in amused, mild frustration, the expression surprisingly similar to her mother's. "When I'm grownup, right? I hear that a lot."
Aliana laughs softly as she recognizes that expression, 'Grownup? No....That has nothing to do with it...But when you have had a chance to make a few mistakes...done a few things you are not proud of..then you will know.'
Greer blinks, leaning back in her chair so quickly one might think she'd been slapped. "I... I didn't mean to..." She slithers down off the chair and runs out the door as fast as her little legs can carry her. Over by the Vendotron, Tara blinks over her blue can, watching in a bit of confusion, and strides slowly back to the table. "What was all that about?"
Aliana buries her face in her hands for a moment, "Me sticking my foot into my mouth again.'
Tara snorts softly, retaking her seat. "I doubt that. What happened?"
Aliana is silent as she considers the door, 'I just said that when she had a chance to make a few mistakes or done a few things she wasn't proud of...the questions will be harder.'
Tara blinks. "Oh dear." She sighs softly, though she gives you a quick reassuring smile. "That explains it, for sure. No worries, though. Not your fault."
Aliana frowns slightly, 'But still' She notes softly,'tact has never been my forte..I am just fortunate that Rhys is so very patient with me.'
Tara smiles wryly. "Ali... there's things about Greer's past that I haven't told anybody but medical personnel. You had no way of knowing your words would set her off. Please, rest easy about it."
Aliana offers a wan smile before shrugging, 'I just assume that everyone had as happy of a past as I had...Its hard for me to think that someoneas young as her could have seen anything other happy things.'
Tara says quietly, "You didn't have a mother who spent all your life in and out of trouble, on the run, in poor living conditions, and occasionally in prison either."
"At least, that would be my guess," Tara adds.
Aliana shakes her head, "No...My mother is...well, my mother. She was a dancer before she bonded and continued dancing afterwards..Its amazing to watch her and her dragon perform."
Aliana nods her head slowly, "It is rather...unique...and everyone gives her plenty of space when she starts...but in the air...she is quite amazing to watch.'
Tara has to chuckle a bit. "I'll just bet they give her space. That'd be neat to see, I suspect. Your mother lives in Otaku as well?"
Aliana nods her head, 'Althought she and Wyman will be coming to the complex at some point to meet Rhys.'
Tara grins. "Haven't met him yet, have they? That'll be interesting to watch."
Aliana winces slightly,'I haven't met his parents yet either...We have been togther over two years now...and we still haven't done The Meeting of The Parents" Yes, she capitizied the words.
Tara's mouth quirks. "Well, look at it this way- to have raised somebody like Rhys, they must be good people. And I've met your dad- he seems a bit stern, but fair. Y'all will do fine."
Aliana laughs softly,'I had forgotten you had met Wyman...yeah, wehave gotten to know each other much better since I came to the complex...amazing how distance actually helps a relationship.'
Tara looks confused for a moment. "'We' meaning you and your dad? Or you and Rhys?"
Aliana ohs softly, 'Sorry...Vague pronouns...Wyman and myself...Before I came to the complex, we were barely on speaking terms for the most part.'
Tara grins, shaking her head. "Thought that's what you meant, seeing as how Rhys is based here with the Wraiths and all." She pauses, eyeing you for a moment before shaking her head slightly and continuing. "Silver lining, then, to your coming here."
Aliana nods her head,"A personal philosophy of mine...everything always works out for the best and many times in ways that you could never have expected'
Tara thinks over that for several seconds, slowly nodding. "You've got that right, I think. At least, I've never met anybody that hasn't app... No, I take that back. But maybe sometimes we're just not meant to know -why- things happen, or why it's better that they do."
Aliana nods her head rather quickly,'The why isn't all that important...or we would be spending all our time with it.'
Tara smiles slightly. "Yeah, I know. Not that we shouldn't take the time to consider such things at times. But when it becomes an obsession, life becomes a little less... well, life."
Aliana nods her head quickly, 'You need to just accept some things as just being.
Tara nods, a flicker of shadow passing through her eyes so quickly it could be missed. "Yeah. Speaking of silver linings," she gets to her feet with a creak of joints in one position for too long, "I'd best go make sure Greer didn't go running out into the rain."
Aliana sighs as she slowly stands, "Please apologize for me?"
Tara casts a quick smile over her shoulder as she moves toward the door. "I suspect she'll come hunting you down so -she- can apologize for running out like that. And for distressing you. But I'll pass on the message."
