You walk towards the Hill Overlooking the Quarter.
Hill Overlooking the Quarter
As may be implied, this hill overlooks the Java Quarter. As it's a fairly long hill, somewhat steep in places, it may be accessed by any number of stairways and ramps and paths worn in the grass.
The plateau atop the hill seems to have been preserved as some sort of public park, as trees abound, flowers are meticulously planted in neat and fussy arrangements, and cobblestone-free walkways lead to several different areas. In one, a particularly flat area has been paved for various forms of skating, and is much in use. In another, tables with checkerboard tops have been bolted to the ground--so they won't go for a walk, of course. Along the center of the plateau, surrounded by another of those fussy flower-arrangements, a long reflecting pool holds the reversed-image of the Complex. Of course, as several families of ducks have taken up residence in said pool, the image is often distorted, but isn't that the way it should be? On the opposite side of the pool from the skating area, a brightly-colored playground beckons to children of all ages, shapes, and sizes. At the end of the pool, facing the Complex, is a massive sculpture. And, as the makers of the park realize that children have needs that sometimes strike suddenly, restrooms and water fountains are available at the far end of the plateau.
To set your room doing, try 'I'm <doing>'. +view is available.
Contents:
Jay, at the top of the hill.
Obvious Exits:
Java Quarter
Tarrant walks here from the Java Quarter.
Tarrant has arrived.
Tarrant ambles along up the hill, his particular mode of half-swaggered walk all but designed to conceal his limp. Making his way through the scattered groups present on this sunny afternoon, he heads in the general direction of the playground, his pace uhurried.
Jay is attempting to conquer the largest tree in the park. Traces of scratches and his rather slow progress attest to his lack of success. Dropping back to the ground a bit out of breath, the tree gets an amused glare and a mumbled "Nature, 4; Man, 0." Spotting Tarrant he gives a slightly surprised nod of greeting.
Tarrant offers a wry grin of amusement at your tree climbing attempts. Noting the nod he veers a couple of steps to approach you with a polite half-bow. "Afternoon Jay, looking into becoming a Zaeltan perhaps?"
Jay snickers, glancing up into the branches with a shake of his head, and points toward a flash of color amongst the greenery. "Originally I was just looking for a good spot for reading, but then I saw that and felt the need to retrieve it. I /think/ it's a kite."
Tarrant considers the bright flash of color a moment, "Wouldja' object to a spot of assistance?" He offers an amused grin, "Couldn't allow a kite to suffer in durance vile, now could we?"
Jay's mouth quirks, and he half-bows with a 'be my guest' motion. "Oh, of course not, it's gotta be lonely up there without company."
Tarrant settles aside hat and jacket, unfastening cuff buttons. Grinning impishly he approaches the tree with intent to scale it. Using his heavy boots he fastens his legs around the trunk, shimmying until he can effect a jump to catch onto the first branch sturdy enough to support his weight. Almost missing, he does however get arms over it, then ulling himself to sit upon the branch. "One of the best things about planets, trees."
Jay crosses his arms, a grin slowly forming as he watches. "I'd have to agree with you on that one." Glancing around, he notes, "They do seem rather prolific, however."
Using the branch above him to start his careful way into the upper reaches of the tree, Tarrant grins down. "Prolific? Here? They're kinda' scattered, not like a forest." There's a pause and a soft doh, "Oh yeah, Corian's cousin, you're from Kashid too, yes? A decided lack of trees."
Jay yeahs, circling a quarter way around the tree to get a better viewpoint as he watches. "Exactly. Never thought I'd reach the day where I thought I was missing out by staying inside. Then I came here." He seems rather amused by this.
"Well, you were making a valiant shot a tree climbing, for lacking the background," Tarrant calls down as he slowly makes his way through the morass. "This one's about to defeat me, and I come from a long line of tree climbers." He slips briefly, although he catches himself handily.
Jay's eyebrows rise. "It is a rather stubborn kite-napper. Do be careful... I'm not sure how I'd explain it to Cori if you ended up requiring medical attention."
Tarrant pauses at a fork of two branches, perhaps it was mention of Corian that brought him up short, perhaps the difficulty of navigating the tree requires contemplative pause. "I am being careful, though somehow I don't think she'd bother you any, she's well aware I am an idiot."
Jay snorts, half-amused at that statement. "As sweet as Cori is, I doubt her choice of companions often includes idiots." He pauses, then shakes his head. "I take that back. I'm having dinner with her tonight."
Tarrant returns to his scaling of the tree, at last getting rather near the slender branches containing the brightly colored object. Thankfully he's long and lanky enough he can keep his weight on sturdier branches and simply reach. "C'mere little kiteling, almost gotcha'..." He chuckles at that, "That sounds like a congenial event to be."
Jay mhmmms absently. "Always is with Cori. That's one of the nice things about hanging around her. She /makes/ a person relax."
Okay, perhaps thinking about Corian and attempting something tricky is not the best combination of things. *SNAP* One of the tree limbs Tarrant is half leaning against cracks with a rather dramatic sound. Thankfully his legs are hooked in such a way that he simply ends up hanging upside down by his knees from the branch, bright colored object in hand. "Oooh, neat!," he calls.
Jay's eyes widen, one hand coming up in a futile cautionary gesture. "Ack, are you okay?" Yes, he actually says 'ack'. "Neat? Tarrant, why don't ya come on down before you give me a coronary, eh?"
"Fine, fine..." Tarrant's response echoes from the leafy branches. To passerby this must look odd. Jay is talking to the tree, the tree talks back. There's a quiet whirring and then the small brightly colored object comes zooming from the branches in a looping curve towards the ground. It's a toy plane. Rustling ensues, the sound of Tarrant descending with controlled rapidity through the tree.
Jay ducks reflexively before jumping to the side to catch the plane. He blinks. "It's not a kite." Three cheers for stating the obvious. "It is," he allows with a faint grin, "Neat, as I believe you mentioned."
Rummage, thwack, crackle, rummage, and suddenly Tarrant has returned, landing neatly on his feet as he drops down from the lowest branch. Dusting his sleeves off and reclaiming his coat he nods. "A little battered, the thing's been up there a while."
Jay nods, offering the toy. "Makes it a little more fun that way. Harder to catch."
Tarrant accepts the proffered plane, grinning. He sets about winding the thing up. "Poor toy, abandoned to wind and weather." Launching it into the air he beams as it proscribes lazy circles up into the air and begins to echo them downwards.
Jay looks up to watch it with a grin. "I'm sure it's most grateful to you. As am I, as I now realize that that tree is not the friendliest of things to climb."
Tarrant gestures to a tree with more open branches, "Perhaps that one would be better as a site for reading? The view is probably superior as well, located as it is." Tarrant half leaps from his amiably slouched position, stretching out with startling quickness to catch the plane from its lowering flight and offering it to you.
Jay starts, blinking a bit before shaking his head, grinning faintly. "I think you and that belong together." A glance is cast toward said tree, and finally he nods, looking around. "Better view of the playground... and the nannies..."
What is it about Tarrant that seems to make people think he and toys are suited for one another? Perhaps the fact that this is often the case? He can't help it if he's a five year old at heart. Grinning he absently shifts to twirling the propellor again with lithe fingers. That last line however garners a roll of Tarrant's eyes and an amused look. "You are singularly single minded, are you not, Master Jay?"
Jay lifts one shoulder slightly in a shrug. "Right up until I'm distracted, yep." There's a grin of amused exasperation. "And I told ya before, it's just Jay."
Tarrant offers a half bowed apology, grinning wryly. "I'm sorry, formality comes too easily. I addressed your cousin as Miz Treston for a number of years before being corrected, and it is all too often I find myself still having to correct to her given name."
Jay shakes his head with a crooked smile. "Better safe than sorry, I suppose. No need to worry about formality with me. I am... impossible to offend, and much too relaxed for such stuff."
Tarrant re-launches the plane, sending it in an even more involved upward spiral. "Relaxed would seem to be a good way to be. Nice, and well, relaxed." Tarrant grins, sounding amused. "Sadly there are too few such people left these days."
Jay fingers flick upward to gesture toward the plane. "You seem to do a pretty good job of it."
Tarrant glances upwards at the plane, taking a moment to understand your comment. "Ah, but appearances can be deceiving, I am not a particularly relaxed individual. Work often prevents that. Still, I don't much mind."
Jay glances toward you thoughtfully. "Cori never did say what line of business you're in. You enjoy your work then?"
"I work for the Department of the Interior. We investigate fraud, electronic crime, potential election errors, that kind of thing. I am a paper-pusher extrordinaire." Tarrant bows sweepingly, grinning, although he ruins the effect by coming up quickly to catch the plane. He nods, resetlling his nearly lost hat. "Yeah, it's not too bad. Doing something, being part of things."
Jay nods slightly halfway through the description of the Department. He offers a disarming grin. "Paper-pushers are necessary. I daresay that could be a rather satisfying job, though it'd seem a bit demanding as far as time and," he glances around, "Choice of location go."
Tarrant regards the sun-kissed hillside a thoughtful moment, "One does get tossed around a great deal." Offering a grin in return, although one seemingly far more honest, "And what do you do?"
"Computers." Jay waves a hand affably toward the Complex. "Build 'em, fix 'em, teach people how to use them without getting /too/ lost. Consulting." He pauses, and his grin widens. "Makes for an easy schedule."
>>OOC: Tarrant is pretty sure there's a Suessian-esque poem in this. A hacker and a spy atop a hill so high... ;)
>>OOC: Shrubbery feels neglected? *snicker*
>>OOC: Jay snickers.
Nodding, Tarrant half-grins, perhaps putting 2 and 2 together, or perhaps not. He's so innocent looking standing there with the toy plane, how would anybody ever know? "It sounds pleasant. And there are so many people incompetant of the art."
Jay snorts quietly. "That, my innately-formal sir, is an understatement." He shrugs amiably, folding his arms. "We've all got our little niches. Which is a rather nice thing, actually, cause I'd be out of a job if everybody was as good as me."
Tarrant nods to that, grinning. He starts to make some additional reply, but then his comm unit sets to blinking. With a soft but eloquent cursed exclamation, he tips his hat by way of farewell. "A pleasant afternoon to you, but work calls. Please, if you would do me the kindness of passing along my best wishes to you cousin when you dine with her this evening?" Despite any attempts to the contrary, Tarrant's expression softens a bit at that last.
"Will do." Jay touches fingertips to the brim of a nonexistent cap, and smiles slightly. "Have /fun/."
"I try," Tarrant's tone is slightly rueful as he heads off at a swift half-dash down the slope.
Tarrant walks towards the Java Quarter.
Tarrant has left.
***** A few hours later... *****
You arrive from the Massive Open Air Pavilion.
Jay pauses to look up at the elevator. "Hmmm."
You say "Cha'leket? Where the heck do you live?" into the communit.
Your communit crackles to life and blares "Jay? Oh... yes, that's tonight, how wonderful. I live on the fourth floor, but I am currently at work. If you give me a moment, I will meet you there?" in Corian's voice.
You say "Sure thing, works for me." into the communit.
You push the button.
***** Travelspam deleted *****
Fourth Floor Elevator Lounge
Eloquently appointed, and impeccably arranged, this elevator lounge serves as a waiting area for the diplomatic level as well as for the lifts. Unlike the lower floors, the marble here is a blinding white, veined lightly with silver gray. Heavy rugs are strategically arranged and each depicts the symbol of one of the Alliance sectors of space. The walls are paneled in a lighter colored wood than the levels below, and sport brass fixtures. Tasteful potted plants lurk in the corners. A receptionists desk and security station are set up for those seeking information, but no traffic is impeded. A carefully engraved listing is available of all the diplomats maintaining offices on this floor.
<< To see a listing of offices maintained here, type +view listing >>
Obvious exits:
Elevator
Jay is leaning on the desk, chatting up the receptionist under a SecOff's amused eyes. Not that that keeps his own eyes from checking out every female that walks by.
From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.
Corian watches the chatting-up for a moment, expression amused. She moves quietly to your side, observing, "Someday, cha'leket, you will meet a woman with whom you will want to spend the rest of your life. And I cannot help but think that some world, somewhere, will cease to exist at this point."
Jay straightens up hastily with a rueful grin. The receptionist rolls her eyes and goes back to work. "Guess I'll just have to keep on going the way I am now then," he comments cheerfully.
Corian laughs very quietly at that, head shaking fractionally back and forth. "As you wish. Shall we go find something to eat, or would you prefer to remain here a bit longer?" The receptionist gets an amused smile.
Jay half-bows, extending his hand in a sweeping gesture. "Not much takes precedence over homemade food. Lead on, cha'leket."
Corian returns the bow in kind, though she still looks somewhat amused as she moves down the hallway to the Y corridor, then to room 8.
Corian unlocks the door to room Y8 and goes inside.
You unlock the door and go into room Y8.
Room Y8
This poor room is very confused. Its owner has traveled extensively, as is obvious from the disjointed decor. Oddly, though, it all seems to fit, and the room certainly matches Corian's personality. The glossy wooden floor is bare, with the exception of one small, circular braided rug. The dark blue overstuffed couch seems new, and is sized to fit an Edreeni. The throw over the couch, however, is faded, and seems to depict some sort of seascape. A low table in front of the couch also seems fairly new. It holds a few books, more paperwork, and a toy wind-up giraffe with a bit of ribbon around its neck. The desk is a convenient little thing, looking like it can fold to a size that may be carried. Of course, that means there are no drawers, but a small portable file-drawer makes up for that. A rather large stack of noveldisks rests on the desk, as well as paperwork in any of a number of languages, a few wooden puzzles, and a photograph. A portable terminal is generally somewhere around the room, depending on where Corian is working at the moment. The chair tucked under the desk is decidedly comfortable, and looks like the seat of choice for Corian. A screen hides the sleeping area from view, and has a brightly-colored piece of cloth tacked to it. A long coat of dark gray skrorg hangs near the door.
Contents:
Corian
Obvious exits:
Out
Corian heads over to the desk to drop off her armload of folders, absently moving the sad-faced brown teddy bear to one side to make room. (Funny, she wasn't much of a teddy bear person as a kid.) "Now... was it lasagna we were going to eat? I do hope so, as I do not have much beyond that."
Jay pauses inside the doorway to let a lazy gaze wander the room, then flashes a grin. "I'm not sure we ever decided. Lasagna does sound wonderful, though." He
takes slow steps toward the couch, pausing to contemplate the giraffe.
Corian smiles pleasantly as she moves towards the cooking area. "It will be convenient, at least." She starts to take out a few frozen things. "Can I get you something to drink? I have tea, of course--water, some sodas, that sort of thing." She doesn't notice the giraffe-contemplation, as she's starting to put dinner together.
Jay nods, continuing on to drape himself into a corner of the sofa. "Soda? You actually have soda? That'd do me some good right now. By the way, your friend Tarrant sends his best wishes."
Corian chuckles very quietly. "I keep it for my guests, yes. I most certainly do not drink it myself. Do you have a particular preference?" At that last, she smiles fondly. "How kind of him. Where did you see him?"
Jay nods, balancing one ankle on the other knee. "Cola, in that charming red can." He gestures in the vague direction of the park. "Outside, near the playground. He assisted me in toy plane rescue."
There's a pop from the cooking area, and then the sound of pouring. No, it's still a red canned soda, it's just in a -glass- now. She brings the glass over to you with a smile. "I'm glad he's finding time to visit there. He really did seem to enjoy it. But... was the toy plane in distress, that it required rescue?"
Jay takes the glass with a nod and murmured thanks. "According to him, indeed it was. Stuck in a tree, it was. Which he climbed. I do believe he was rather enjoying himself." Taking a drink of the soda, he cocks his head thoughtfully. "Ah, so you did get a chance to take him out there? With or without children accompanying?"
Corian moves back to the cooking area, though her smile is still audible in her voice. "I am quite sure he was enjoying himself. And we did go to the playground the other evening, yes, though the younglings remained at home."
Jay grins faintly. "And did you enjoy yourself as much as he did on the playground?"
Corian laughs quietly at that. There's a bit of rustling and clinking, and then she emerges to perch on the opposite end of the couch. "I am not certain. I did enjoy myself very much, though. It was a most pleasant evening."
Jay's tone definitely holds a pleased note. Lifting his glass, he says, "Here's to an infinity of pleasant evenings for you, my dear." *sip*
Corian lifts her tea mug as well, expression fond. "And to you as well, cha'leket. Many thanks. I do hope that you've been having some pleasant evenings as well?"
Jay shrugs slightly. "Depends on your definition of pleasant, I suppose. They haven't been /bad/, certainly. Got distracted on a project and I've been holed up in my place for a couple of days. I was forced to emerge when the soda supply ran out, and it seemed like a good time to get in some, ah, sight-seeing."
Corian inclines her head to that. "The scenery around the Complex is lovely, yes," she replies. And she doesn't mean women. "Have you left the Steading? I hear that there is a lake beyond the gates, though I have yet to venture quite that far."
Jay shakes his head slightly. "Furthest I've been is..." He has to think back a moment here. "Down to where the Bonded folks live. Cozy place."
Corian shakes her head as well, expression thoughtful. "I have not yet seen it, though perhaps--" A soft chime sounds from the cooking area, and she gets to her feet. "Perhaps I will do so in the future."
Jay mhmmms, planting both feet on the floor to lean forward. "Nice goldfish pond, at any rate. Places aren't much bigger than this though." He gestures to indicate the apartment. "Speaking of which, how /did/ you swing this place?"
Corian chuckles softly at that. "Well, as I am working with the diplomats, it is necessary that I be accessible to them," she says, voice innocent. "That is likely part of the reason, at least." She comes back from the cooking area with a pair of plates, upon which are squares of vegetarian lasagna, happy fun garlic bread, and a bowl containing a salad. "I am uncertain as to whether Riley pulled strings, but I suppose that is possible."
Jay glances downward, considering that, and finally shakes his head. "My bet is you got it on your own merits. I always have a hard time picturing him as a string-puller." Absolute joy brightens his expression as he reaches for a plate. "This looks as good as it smells. You, Corian Treston, are a natural wonder."
Corian offers the plate with the larger portion of food, settling down with her own. "It is quite simple to cook, cha'leket," she replies, with a smile. "I generally make quite a lot of it at once, and freeze it in single-servings for later consumption." She pauses a beat, then offeres, "I could do so for you as well, if you wished?"
Jay actually pauses before plunging into the food. "Would you? If it's not too much trouble?" His voice is wistful. "I mean, I burn /water/, but I do okay with reheating. I think I may even have a hot plate somewhere." He can no longer resist those wonderful spicy aromas and digs in, eating neatly and trying not to go too fast.
Corian nods agreeably to that. "It is no trouble at all, cha'leket. Two dishes are just as easy to make as one. And if I do this, then I will be able to assure Aunt Kareen that you are eating properly." She chuckles quietly, and starts on her own meal, though somewhat more slowly, and definitely daintily. "Reheating the food is not difficult, though. I could even show you how, if necessary." She sounds amused, of course, but her tone is also fond as well.
Jay rolls his eyes, snickers, and swallows, reaching for his soda. "Mother was never satisfied with how much I ate when I was still at home, but that'd reassure her. Maybe she'd even stop bugging me to settle down with /one/ woman. You'd best not share this stuff with too many though, or you'll find yourself the center of a new religion."
Corian laughs quietly, with a small shake of her head. "So far I have kept it in the family," she reassures, sounding amused. She pauses, then, and inquires, fork pausing, "Do you not wish to settle down with one woman?"
Jay's expression is faintly surprised as he glances at you. He eats. It's a given. "Not particularly. Never found one I actually considered doing so with, at least. Doubt I ever will. Why?"
Corian shakes her head slightly, with a graceful gesture of dismissal. "It was curiosity, only. Honalee seems to find this a necessary thing in life, you see, so I have been attempting to garner other opinions."
Jay laughs with quiet sympathy. "Well, Honalee is... Honalee. If she's happy with her lot in life, that's great. But we're not carbon copies of her. Rile got lucky- he found Clara. But look how long it took him to do it. I think folks're waiting for me to grow up a bit before I'm going to get bugged about matters of the heart. Of course, I seek out companionship of the opposite sex, whereas you don't seem to. That could make a difference too."
Corian is apparently thinking out loud as she says quietly, "But I have male friends whom I... ah. No, I am not quite so... friendly as you are, cousin." She shakes her head, maybe looking just a bit embarrassed. "But I am still happy with my life as it is, which Hona does not seem to understand."
Jay nods agreeably. "As long as you're happy, that's what counts. I'm not saying you couldn't be happier, but if you're content, then don't worry about what Honalee says." He pauses as if about to say something else, but apparently the lasagna wins out.
Corian turns her attention to her salad, leaving about half of her lasagna. Expression thoughtful, she inquires, "Have you ever had a serious relationship, cha'leket?" Her tone isn't even remotely judgemental, merely thoughtful and curious.
Jay immediately shakes his head. For a guy who doesn't eat much, he's making fast inroads on the lasagna. "Not a one." He pauses, then chuckles. "Computer'd get jealous." Yeah, that's the ticket.
Corian considers that for a moment, lips quirking in amusement as she nibbles on her garlic bread. "Do you suppose you would be happier if you did have a serious relationship?"
Jay considers that while thoughtfully chewing. "Y'know, I've never thought about it really, except in passing. I dunno..." He gestures with his fork. "I mean, you see the folks with lifemates, and they seem deliriously happy. Not sure I've ever risen to that level. I /do/ know I'm satisfied with the way my life is now, and I've always been a great believer in the saying 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'."
Corian nods thoughtfully as she turns back to the lasagna. "I do believe you're right in that," she says, maybe looking a little relieved. "I love Hona very dearly, and I am sure that she has only my happiness in mind, but I am not altogether sure that she is right, in this."
Jay nods slightly. "You're the only one who can know the full truth of the matter, cha'leket. Besides, she's forgetting one thing. /Looking/ for a serious relationship rarely works. It just... happens."
Corian inclines her head. "That is what I have observed," she replies, with a quick smile. "So I really should not do anything. If something happens, it will not be by any of my actions, after all." With a shake of her head, she adds, sounding abashed, "This is why I wore that ridiculous costume to the ball, you see--Honalee thought I should be noticed."
Jay wags a finger. "Now, I didn't say that. It'd still be by your actions, just by being yourself. What I'm saying is don't change yourself if you don't want to." That last garners a snicker and the shadow of a blush. "She thought right."
Corian shakes her head, with more than a hint of a blush. "I did not tell her of your reaction, cha'leket," she assures you, smiling faintly. Shoulders lifting in a graceful shrug, she adds, "Hona seemed to think that I should change my wardrobe, at least. I see nothing wrong with it."
Jay glances toward you and, eyes resting briefly on the visible necklace, shakes his head. "You're lovely just the way you are. Even if you /were/ looking to attract some attention, changing your wardrobe would present a false image- the woman makes the clothes, not the other way around, after all- and what good's a relationship that starts in such a way?"
Corian says lightly, "I generally purchase my clothing, rather than make it, but, yes, I see your point. No relationship is, by far, preferable to a dishonest one. And thank you for your kind words, cousin. I do appreciate them." Even though -she- doesn't happen to think that she's lovely. And stop looking at your cousin's... necklace!
Jay shakes his head quickly, offering a smile, and suppresses a groan at the joke. "My words are nothing compared to your lasagna. Not that it'd take food for me to've given them to you." He nods in agreement at one point. "I may be a cad, and a scoundrel, and a hellion, but I can say I do try to deal honestly with women. Lost more than a few that way, but..." He shrugs.
Corian pauses in her eating and leans over to rest a hand lightly on your arm. "Cha'leket, you are as you are. I am not surprised to find you honorable, but I am also most pleased, as well. And I thank you for your advice, as well. I would like to please Hona, of course, but if I cannot control what happens, I suppose there is nothing I can do."
Jay chuckles, giving that hand a carefully cousinly pat or two. "Anything for you, Cori. As for Honalee... ah, we'll send her some pics of you enjoying yourself and maybe she'll turn down the volume a bit."
Corian smiles fondly as she returns to her meal. "Perhaps that would be helpful, but it would also involve the pictures being taken." As she's a bit camera-shy, she won't be too keen on that. "Though I believe some were taken at the ball. Hona would like that, even though she's already heard about it." And, for no apparent reason, a slow blush rises to her cheeks.
You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.
Jay's eyebrows rise at the blush. "Oh dear. What'd she hear, beside the fact you had every guy there drooling?"
Corian shakes her head quickly. "It is not what she -heard- so much as what she said." If anything, the blush darkens. She sets aside her fork, observing lightly, "She does enjoy teasing."
Jay chuckles softly. "Well, I'll give her credit for one thing- she /does/ know what'll attract a poor fool's attentions. I would guess that maybe she was hoping you'd like all the attention, and things would go naturally from there."
Corian shakes her head at that. "Well, if that was her intention, then I am afraid that I must disappoint her. I am unsurprised that the clothing did as she intended, though. She has had quite a lot of time to observe such things, after all." There's another brief headshake as she rearranges the last of her salad with her fork. "Perhaps when she visits, if she is able, she will -see- that I am happy. Though I suppose she'll have just as much fun teasing me." Her tone is fond, though; she won't object -that- much.
Jay chuckles, reluctantly pushing away his plate with only a crust remaining of his meal. "Someday we'll have observed as much." His mouth quirks slightly, eyes amused. "That'd certainly be handy. Easier to convince her in person. And it's /always/ fun teasing you, Cori."
Corian shakes her head at that as she gets to her feet, taking up both plates. "I'll thank you to remember, Jay," she says, though her severe tone is belied by the spark of mirth in her eyes, "That I am no longer the girl whose hair you cut."
Jay chuckles, taking up his soda again. "And I'm no longer the silly kid who'd do such a thing." He pauses to add mischievously, "These days shaving all the hair off is required." Yes, he's joking.
The startled gasp from the dining area suggests that the joke fools Corian for a moment, but then she laughs, returning with a box. "Cha'leket, I do hope that that -was-, indeed, a joke." She settles the box on the table, adding, "Would you like some dessert? They are toffee cookies." And toffee cookies are most certainly not what Corian would generally buy, as she's not usually a fan of such sweet a dessert.
Jay snickers softly, nodding. "Yes, I wouldn't dare assault your hair these days, Cori." Eyes widen, and fingers dive for the box. "Toffee's more than passable, believe me. It bears a passing resemblance to its noteworthy cousin caramel."
Corian settles back against the couch, watching your box-diving with amusement. "You may take them, if you like. It is somewhat unlikely that I will eat them, after all."
Jay nods more than a little eagerly, happily ending little cookie lives via his teeth. "Sure, I'll take 'em off your hands. Though why you have them here if you don't eat them, I don't quite understand."
Corian says absently, straightening her skirt, "Mr. Veruzac brought them, though I am not quite sure why. Please feel free to take them. It will be helpful to me, actually, as I will not have to find another use for them, then."
Jay's eyebrows rise a fraction. "Veruzac? /Terrence/ Veru..." He cuts himself abruptly, shaking his head. "Yes, I'll take them with me. Thank you. Very much."
Cuts himself off, that is. Cutting oneself would be a bad thing.
Corian replies, expression curious, "Yes, Terrence Veruzac. We had a very... interesting conversation up here the other evening." Oddly, there's a hint of sympathy in her manner.
Jay mumbles something that sounds like, "I just bet." Shaking his head again, he casts around for a strong change of subject. He fails.
Corian regards you for a moment, then observes quietly, "Cha'leket, I do not have illusions about this man. I know that he takes advantage of women. But I do not think he will do so to me."
That particular notion brings a rather unpleasant light to Jay's eyes, though he's careful to keep his expression neutral. "Amusing as it'd be to see Riley toss him in the brig, Veruzac had better not even /think/ of trying his tricks on you."
Corian shakes her head at that. "Cha'leket, I do not believe he will do so. I am, after all, my mother's daughter." After a brief pause, she adds, "And, as has been said, I would prefer an -honest- relationship. I find it extremely unlikely that I would find one with Mr. Veruzac... even if he -were- my type."
Jay hmphs. "The man is slime. I wouldn't put anything past him." He pauses, offering a slight smile. "I didn't think you would. I just don't like the idea of him trying to seduce you." Jay's blunt when he's upset.
Corian is quiet for a moment. Must... not... blush! "He was here for quite some time," she ventures, "And he did not say anything that I found to be improper. Though I do think your assessment of him may be somewhat harsh, cousin."
Jay looks at you for a long moment, then abruptly nods. "I'll dig a little further and re-evaluate then."
Corian smiles warmly at you. "Thank you, Jay. I do not mean that he hasn't done wrong to some women, of course--I am not so naive. But I believe that he has a reason for doing so." She shakes her head fractionally. "That does not excuse it, of course, it merely explains it."
Jay mhmms, relaxing somewhat. He even seems passingly amused. "Funny, you seem to do a great job of understanding /others/."
Corian's brows lift, and she inquires, "Why the emphasis, cha'leket?"
Jay gestures slightly. "Cause when it comes to yourself, you're easily set to questioning."
Corian smiles faintly at that, and shakes her head fractionally. "I believe that your observation is correct, but that this is a change, having begun only recently."
Jay ahs quietly, snatching another cookie. There may not be any left to be taken home by the time he's done. "Change isn't a bad thing, when taken in moderation."
Corian's lips quirk fractionally. "It depends, I suppose, on whether it is a change for the better. I have yet to determine that."
Jay mhmmms. "True, but you'll learn from it, either way."
Corian nods at that, with another brief smile. "That is true. And learning expreiences are to be appreciated." Her gaze shifts around the room, resting briefly on that teddy bear, before turning back to you.
Jay nods, glancing toward said bear, and gestures widely to indicate the contents of the room. "You've got more than most."
Corian nods once more, with a fond smile. "I decided, since I would be here for a year, that I could take it out of storage. Some of it traveled with me, of course, but it was easier to deal with less, then."
Jay yeahs, "Time and a place for everything, including unpacking, horrid as it is. Most've my stuff's still in storage, I blush to admit." Actually he looks rather pleased about it.
Corian inquires curiously, "Are you going to move on as well, cousin? I thought you were the one asking me to remain here."
Jay shakes his head quickly. "Naw. For one thing, I haven't the space to bring everything out. For another, I don't really need a whole lot of furniture, and I've few knick-knacks. I hate unpacking, and the size of my place gives me a great excuse to avoid doing so."
Corian inquires, "You are housed on the second floor, yes? The rooms there -are- quite small." Funny that she knows that, huh? "It is a shame that you weren't able to get more room." She glances about her own spacious quarters. "I do not need all this space, certainly, and could very easily do with less."
Jay nods, giving you a curious look. "Ah, but how often do you end up with lodgings like this? Enjoy it while you can. And I'm quite happy where I am housed," he smiles.
Corian considers that for a moment. "The last time I had such spacious quarters was... of course, it had to be on Cloister." A hint of a shadow crosses her face, quickly replaced by her usual pleasant expression. "But, as you say, it was not a frequent occurrence."
Jay mhmms. "If you really want to appreciate all this space, bring those kidlets up here. The place won't seem large enough very quickly."
Corian, expression amused, replies, "I have--though only three of them at one time. They were most fascinated by Father's carvings. He was quite pleased."
Jay grins. "Kidlets with good taste? Thought I'd never see the day."
Corian nods her agreement. "If I thought she would agree, I might even ask Ximena if I could steal her youngest. He's such a sweet little boy, especially for his age."
Jay chuckles softly. "Pining for one of your own?"
Corian shakes her head, with a quick smile. "I do not believe so, no," she replies, with a low, bubbling laugh. "I love borrowing other people's children, but I do not know that I would do well having one with me constantly. After all, that would be difficult when one is traveling."
Jay nods after considering that for a moment. "Yes, you've probably got a point there, at least for the first few years of a child's life."
Corian shakes her head fractionally. "Or for perhaps longer than that. Having a stable environment is most important for a child." And, as she traveled so much with her parents when she was younger, she'd know that by experience.
Jay nods slightly, swishing his soda. "Depends on your definition of 'stable', I think."
Corian is kind and doesn't say anything about a place to put horses. "Of course. It is all relative. But the point is moot for me, as I would not be likely to have a child who would only have one parent."
Jay shudders slightly. "I'll definitely agree with you on that point."
Corian chuckles very quietly at that. "I think you would make a good father, cha'leket--assuming you could manage to settle down with the child's mother."
Jay acks. "No no no no no. Not in my destiny, on either point."
Who said Corian is nice? Amusement dances in her gray eyes as she inquires, tone pleasant and innocently perplexed, "Are you certain, cha'leket? Aunt Kareen would be most pleased to be made a grandmother again."
Jay shivers. "So I've been informed. I'm afraid she's out of luck. Kids and I do not mix."
Corian suggests thoughtfully, "Perhaps you merely have not yet met the proper children." Gears are turning. She's going to offer an invite to play with the Sectassians if a diversion isn't offered. Aiee!
Unfortunately for Jay, he'd never suspect his sweet cousing Cori of being so... well, sly isn't quite the right word. "Probably not. I've tried to keep meetings with children to a minimum."
Corian suggests, "You could join the younglings and me some afternoon, if you like. I generally spend an afternoon a week with them, sometimes more--we tell stories, or go to the park, or do something else to amuse them. Ximena is most appreciative to have the help."
Jay swallows hard. Now how's he supposed to turn down /Cori/? "I suppose I could drag out my copy of 'Byte in Shining Armor'. Think I read it when I was... eight, maybe."
Corian is not quite as evil as she could be. Or maybe she is. Noting the look, she says, sounding quite sincere, "It is not necessary for you to join me, cha'leket. I enjoy spending time with them, but if you would not, of course, you should not come." Maybe it's reverse psychology. Who knows?
Jay shakes his head quickly, rising valiantly to the occasion. "No, that's alright. It'd be... a learning experience."
Corian's smile is bright, and quite pleased. "Oh, it most certainly is, cousin. They can make the most fascinating statements. Is there a day which would be more convenient for you? I can talk with Ximena, and arrange it so that it will be easier for you--perhaps only four or five of the children."
Jay spreads his hands, pausing at the number. "Ohhh, they're the ones with thirty-some? Four or five would be good." He taps at his communit and nods at the result. "I've got a consultation in two days, in the morning, but my schedule's free other than that."
Corian nods pleasantly at that. A glance at her wall-clock elicits a brief pause, but she still smiles as she says, "I will speak with Ximena about it, then, and contact you later?"
Jay nods, glancing down at the box on the table. "That sounds good. Do they like cookies?" His gaze strays to the clock. "Whoops. Past your bedtime, isn't it?"
Corian chuckles quietly. "They are very fond of cookies, yes, but their mother has asked that I stop bringing them. Apparently, she is not fond of the aftereffects of so much sugar." After another glance to the clock, she shakes her head. "I do not sleep quite so early," she says, with a smile. "Though," she adds, "I was up somewhat late last night, talking with Mother and Father."
Jay's mouth quirks. "Funny, my mother used to say the same thing." Eyebrows rise slightly over his glass as he finishes the soda. "How're they doing?"
Corian pauses a beat before replying smoothly, "Quite well, for the most part. Mother is as busy as ever, and Father is planning to send another of his sculptures." Her expression is fondly amused at that. "They asked after you, of course, and asked me to send their greetings."
Jay catches the pause, and pauses himself before replying. "Always glad to get greetings from them of course. You'll have to pass on my best wishes the next time you speak to them."
Corian nods to that, with a smile. "I will likely speak with them before the end of next month, so I will be certain to do so."
Jay mhmms, stretching a bit, slouches a little more. "And your late night last night... you fully awake here, cha'leket?"
Corian's head inclines in a brief nod. "I am, yes. I do believe, though, that I should sleep soon. We should do this again, though--it was quite a pleasant evening."
Jay nods with an amiable smile, shifting his stance somewhat. "Another point of agreement. Much as I love your food, I'll have to return the favor. No worries- I order food in, I wouldn't poison ya."
Corian laughs quietly at that. "That sounds quite nice, cousin. We will certainly have to do so, though I am more than happy to cook for both of us."
Jay grins ruefully. "No wonder Honalee's bugging you. You'd make a man and a litter very happy."
Corian's cheeks color a bit at that. "Thank you, cha'leket. But my cooking made you happy, yes? And I believe it has made Riley happy in the past, as well. That is certainly enough for me."
Jay nods a confirmation, and grins. "Hmmm. If we get the cooking while you're manless, I may just have to beat suitors away with a stick."
Corian can't help but laugh at that, with a shake of her head. "There are no suitors, Jay, so you may put away your stick."
Jay sits forward, pantomiming doing just that. "Awww, and here I was looking forward to it."
Corian shakes her head once more, expression quite amused, if a bit tired. "I am most sorry to disappoint you. Should one, by some miracle, make an appearance, I will be certain to warn you both."
Jay ahs, "So I'm not the only one? Riley's proved protective of your cooking as well?"
Corian shakes her head at that, eyes holding a hint of humor. "The two of whom I spoke were you and the hypothetical suitor. I am not sure if Riley would go quite so far to gain himself some lasagna."
Jay ahas, lowering his voice to a ridiculous bass, and flexes an almost nonexistent bicep. "Yes, I am a manly man, much feared among the suitor population."
Corian, to her credit, doesn't laugh. Yet. She might even giggle once you're gone, though such would be undignified. "Well, then," she says, only the amusement in her eyes giving her away, "I will have to endeavor to avoid gaining a suitor, so that the poor man will not need to face you."
Jay snickers, dropping his arm. Well aware of his lack of stature, /he/ thinks it's funny. "Why? Would he die laughing?"
Corian settles against the back of the couch, looking rather amused. "As he does not exist, cha'leket, I cannot venture a guess."
Jay grins. "Well, we'll see what happens in the coming years. Never know what might come around the corner next."
Corian nods equably, lifting a hand to muffle a yawn. "Of course, of course. The future is a mystery, after all. Please forgive me, cousin," she adds, a bit apologetically. "It seems that last night's late evening is catching up with me."
Jay nods, wagging a finger. "As I was about to note, you are looking awfully tired. Mustn't neglect your beauty sleep, even though you don't need it." He exchanges glass for box, climbing to his feet. "It was, cha'leket, one of the most enjoyable evenings I've had here so far."
Corian gets to her feet as well, taking up the teddy bear as she pauses by the desk on the way to the door. "Then," she replies with a smile, "We must certainly do this again. I enjoyed the evening very much as well."
Jay smiles brilliantly, pausing as he opens the door to bow sweepingly. "Quite glad you did. It'd be my honor, and my pleasure, Corian." And with that, he's gone.
You leave the room, pulling the door shut behind you.
***** Travelspam and a couple hours deleted *****
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:
Jay
Obvious Exits:
Atrium
Clara walks here from the Central Atrium.
Jay is, despite what his desc says, actually in a workout suit that closely resembles those worn by bike racers. The pedals of the exercise bike he's on are being slowly turned, though he's sitting up straight with his arms folded, watching the few others in the room at this time of night.
Clara makes her way in, vaguely distracted, mind obviously a few dozen light years away as she absently tugs at her jacket and makes her way to the shooting range. A set of ear protectors and a blaster are checked out, and she makes her way to the static targets. Before long, she's put a neat pattern clustered in the target's...shoulder.
Jay glances over, attention caught by the abrupt sound of firing, and his expression brightens. Sliding off the bike, he wanders up to a spot a few feet behind and slightly to the right of you, waiting for a good moment. Perhaps he's learned a lesson somewhere along the line about startling a woman with a gun in her hands.
Clara snaps the gun in close to her chest, finger off the trigger, and exhales a massive sigh of tension draining relief. Half turning to reload, her brows lift at the sight of someone behind her and she grins, tugging off the sound blockers. "Well, hello there."
Jay gives a friendly grin, gesturing toward the peppered target. (They're good with salt too.) "Perfect medic shooting," he deduces.
Clara glances back at the target and laughs affably, reloading and checking the weapon. "Thanks. I try to only fire on a place I can fix afterwards. Easier to mend a shoulder than ressurect, I always say. Killing time watching the girls in the pool?" she asks slyly.
Jay's mouth quirks as he glances over his shoulder. "Something like that, yeah," he admits. "Not that they seem to mind. Especially that one." He nods toward a particularly luscious female in a very skimpy swimsuit.
Clara's gaze follows the direction of the nod, which she inclines her head in agreement to. "Lovely indeed, yes. Never could understand swimsuits like that. Blasted things fall off when you dive in." Oddly enough, a light accent infects her words tonight. A sure sign of distraction or weariness. "Gotten her comm code yet?"
Jay snickers, shaking his head. "I wouldn't bother. That type tends to be vacuous. I prefer partners with brains." He folds his arm, gazing at you thoughtfully. "You alright, Clara?"
"Hmm? Oh, rather, yes." Clara offers, checking a section of her weapon. "Why do you ask?"
Jay shakes his head slightly. "I dunno, you seem... not quite yourself. Assuming, of course, it was your normal self I've seen on those few precious occasions I've been graced by your presence."
Clara flashes a grin, accent not dimming, but a measure of honest mirth invading her expression. "I've a great deal on my mind, to tell the truth." She leans back against the counter, clicking the safety on the blaster and cradling it. "Your cousin will be alighting upon Earth tomorrow. A fraction of his day will be spent meeting my mother and the man who raised me."
Jay blinks a few times, glancing Earthward. He carefully keeps a straight face. "Never an easy thing, meeting your girl's parents."
Clara chuckles, neatly setting down her weapon before waving that hand. "Ah, he'll do splendidly. Mother and Niles already adore him simply for putting up with me. Not to mention he'll be in dress whites." A faintly lovestricken smile touches at her lips. "Very dashing."
Jay grins crookedly. "Dress whites, eh? Fancy duds even for meeting your folks."
The smile turns faintly nervous as she shakes her head. "Not precisely, although I've no doubt he'd wear them if he'd need of meeting my grandparents. No, he's up for review." The smile fades entirely. "He's going by courier...double jump." She shakes her head briefly, as if to erase the thought of how painful such a high displacement factor that takes will be.
Jay frowns slightly. He's no expert in travel, but even he knows that's not a good thing. "Double jump? Couldn't he have left a little earlier, made an easier trip?"
Clara fingers the barrel of the blaster idly, shrugging. "I've no clue, actually. He wasn't given much choice, simply received his orders. He'll be there, up for review, have enough time to lunch with my family, and back on Linnae all in twelve hours." She sighs faintly. "Really, I should comm Honalee to see how to care for him when he returns."
Jay's expression is a mixture of perplexity (sp?) and concern. "Yeah... yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Hona'd know. Maybe, at least, he'd be able to take a few days off when he gets back."
Clara holds up a hand, then readjusts the sound blocks over her ears and gestures for you to cover yours as she spins back around and puts another similarly neat pattern in the target's knee. The ear protection comes back off as she nods and heads to check the equipment in. "I'd like to think so. He's terribly stubborn when it comes to time off."
Jay chuckles softly. "Clara, it's Riley Gregor Addison we're talking about here. He's stubborn about /everything/."
Jay covers his ears, yes.
"That's the bloody truth," Clara respods dryly as she returns from turning everything in, then glances towards the pool. "Still watching bikinis, or would you care to join me for something to drink?"
Jay bows slightly. "A drink with you would be worth a bikini-less lifetime."
Clara chuckles quietly and heads towards the door. "That's hardly a requirement, I do hope. Any preferences of location to invade?"
Jay pauses thoughtfully. "The Fruvous? I'd invite you to my quarters- it'd be quite safe, I assure you," he grins, "But I can barely fit in there myself."
Clara tugs at the hem of her jacket absently and inclines her head. "The Fruvous would be splendid. I practically lived there in college," she adds in amusement. "Did you wish to change, or are you comfortable in PT clothes? You look fine in either," she adds with a grin.
Jay looks down at himself, amused. "You're right, I do." Winking, he holds up one finger. "One sec." He ducks across the room into a cabana, does an amazingly fast change of clothes, and reappears, gym bag in hand. "This is much more the thing, I think."
Clara's brows lift at the change as she nods with an appreciative evaluation. "Very nice indeed. Never could resist a man out of uniform," she decides affably, and heads for the door, completely unaware of any double entendre.
Clara walks towards the Central Atrium.
You walk towards the Central Atrium.
Jay somehow manages not to snicker madly as he follows.
Clara heads towards the Massive Open Air Pavilion.
You head towards the Massive Open Air Pavilion.
Clara heads towards the Java Quarter.
You head towards the Java Quarter.
Clara walks towards the Fruvous Bar and Grill.
You walk towards the Fruvous Bar and Grill.
Fruvous Bar and Grill
With the same charm as the Java Quarter itself, this restaurant is perhaps a bit small, and often crowded, but pleasant all the same. A large stage takes up the whole of the north side of the room. Elevated about six feet off the floor, it allows the stage's occupants to be visible even if the entire room is packed. A long bar runs down the whole of the eastern wall -- a near sea of polished wood. From the sounds echoing behind it, it would seem the kitchen is located behind the bar. A dizzying array of taps and bottles is located behind the bar as well, a veritable cornucopia of available alcohol. The western wall of the room holds a large fireplace. A few feet from the fireplace, a chalk line has been drawn on the bar's floor.
Near the southern end of the room tables have been set up. Each is small and covered with a printed cloth. Tiny candles are set in the center of each. The ceiling and walls have been painted black; the better to hide the various tiling that's been installed to improve the acoustics.
Contents:
Clara
Obvious exits:
Java Quarter
Clara pauses at the door of the fairly quiet bar, the band nearly done putting their instruments away for the night. She exchanges a saluted wave with the drummer, then grins up. "Where would you like to sit?"
Jay waves a hand toward the back, in the shadows. "Back there. I like to keep an eye on the entrance."
Clara inclines her head and follows towards a back table, almost hidden, with only a candle to really light it. "How's this?" she asks, tugging at a chair.
Jay smiles, shaking his head at the silly medic. "Perfect, of course. My dear, you never have to risk your hands on a chair while I'm around." He moves to hold the chair for you. "Allow me."
Clara actually laughs at this, a warm and agreeable sound as she eases into the chair in a maneuver bespeaking familiarity with this. "Thanks. I think your cousin went to the same chivelry school. He did the same thing for me first time we came here."
Jay chuckles, easing the chair in before taking his own seat. "Riley is a gentleman. Despite my... hellion-ness, if there is such a word, I try to be as well."
"Ah, you are, indeed. Or at least, you seem to be," Clara replies with a grin, lifting a hand to flag down a waiter well across the room. "Besides, he's had...what, fifteen years more practice? Something like that?"
Jay nods ruefully. "Something like that, yeah." He shakes his head with a chuckle, eyes distant. "I was a nuisance to him right from the beginning too."
Clara starts to reply, then cuts off to place a quiet order with the waiter as he appears, then leans back in her chair to keep quiet long enough for you to do the same. "Surely not...I mean, I don't know you very well, but you seem like a very pleasant person."
Jay snickers, orders brandy, and explains, "Okay, now picture this. He was... actually almost 16, I think, when I was born, and in the Navy soon after. After I could walk, whenever he got a chance to visit... well, little kids /like/ bright shiny things... like insignia..."
Clara blinks, then bursts into laughter, one hand coming up absently to her own insignia. "Oh, no...eternal polishing," she splutters. "Not to mention that I can see a seventeen, eighteen year old Riley with about as much patience as a mad rooster."
Jay grins, rather evilly. "Actually, he was quite good about it. Then I got older, and around when I turned five, I just bugged a lot. It was so neat having a Navy guy in the family, y'know?" Glancing around, he notes, a little red-faced, "Not that he needs to know this, but it was a genuine case of hero worship. I wanted to be just like him."
Clara gestures vaguely, murmuring a quiet thanks the waiter as he sets two glasses down, one of rum, one of brandy. "Did you follow him into the Navy then? You're not Fleet, right?"
Jay nods to the waiter, flashing his (I keep wanting to call them credit cards) before sliding it through the pay slot. "Navy, right, not Fleet. Not exactly. See, by the time I reached enlistment age, my mind was on one thing. Computers. Well, okay, two things but the other's a requisite for being a teenage boy. All I wanted was to work on the best computers available on Kashid. The Navy had those. So I upped for four years."
Clara's brow furrows for a moment in thought before she reddens nicely and promptly takes a quick sip of her rum. Looks like she didn't know too many teenage boys. "You didn't have to do that," she notes reproachfully, gesturing at the pay slot. "You're a computer programmer then? My mother's a systems analyst."
Funny reproachment seems to just sort of slide off Jay. He's not a duck, maybe, but he's waterproof, and he grins. "Tut tut, I'm keeping my cousin's a'trezla company, and it would not do to let her pay for her own drink. Anyways, yeah. Programmer extraordinaire. Hardware tinkerer. All-around computer geek."
Clara stifles a brief look of contentment at the word she still only partially comprehends, then chuckles and taps at the bridge of her nose. "You need spectacles with duct tape about the middle. And a pocket protector. You just don't look very geekish," she explains in mock-apology.
Jay snickers, taking a sip from his snifter. "I'm an /evolved/ computer geek. It's more a title of honor than anything else. I'm actually interested in the world outside my computer, see."
Clara blinks owlishly at this above the rim of her glass. "There's a world outside? Oh, dear. Just shatter all my pleasant illusions," she teases before a cheerful sip. "You're here employed by one of the delegations then?"
Jay grins in appreciation of the humor. "Nope. I'm a freelance agent. I find employment a bit too constricting. Do you know the Navy actually objected to me downloading solitaire onto their computers?"
Clara's eyes widen before she snickers, quite amused. "Honestly? I haven't the foggiest. See, I'm not Navy, so I have no idea what they'd go for or not. I know my superiors would probably laugh, but...well, Riley'd be the one to ask. He's base commander here...ranking office for all branches of the Fleet."
Jay mhmmms, swishing his glass. "Ah... It's the Kashidian Navy I speak of, cha'leket. And you can believe we're quite proud of Riley for his accomplishments too."
Clara blinks, then peers at her glass for a moment, then over at the bar. "Wonder what they've spiked the rum with tonight," she muses, then shakes her head with a rueful smile. "Sorry, I misunderstood. It's been a d-..." She pauses mid-sentance and tilts her head. "What did you call me?"
Jay gestures slightly with his glass. "Cha'leket."
Clara considers this over a sip of her rum, then offers in painstakingly slow and cautious Kashidian flavored by her natural British accent, "I thank you for the honor you do me," before shifting with relief into Standard again. "So you freelance here, then? Consulting is a profitable profession, so I hear."
Jay smiles, eyes wide with delight. "Learning Kashidian, are you? You do my cousin honor." He nods to the question. "I do, and it is. Another reason to do it. I'm not one to bashfully protest the rewards of the profession."
Clara quirks her brow in a fond smile as she nods, toying with her glass. "Mm-hmm. It's a...twisty language. Not much like any of the ones I know already. The hard part is trying to read through the Code." She peers up, amused. "I've translated a whopping twenty pages. Just don't ask me to comprehend them yet."
Jay's eyebrows rise in surprise. "That is a... gargantuan undertaking, to say the least."
Clara leans back in her seat, laughlines appearing faintly at the corners of green eyes alight with amusement. "You're telling me. Still, I'm not even thirty yet. I might at least understand a few concepts by the time I'm old and gray. That's my goal, at least."
Jay cocks his head thoughtfully. "So Rile's visiting your mother, and you're learning language and the Code. Someday, I may meet two people as dedicated to each other as you two are. I suspect the universe will end on that same day."
Clara laughs easily at that, shaking her head as she runs a finger over the rim of her glass. "Ah, don't let it fool you. It's all to make up for the times we're both evil to each other. I must have shot him a dozen, maybe twenty times today. With a toy gun that shoots foam discs...but that's beside the point."
Jay blinks, and snickers, taking another sip. "I /knew/ there was a little kid in him somewhere. Good, shooting him... with foam, mind you... is a good thing. That man needs the fun."
Clara's brows lift curiously over a sip of her own as well. "Has he always been serious, then? I know you don't remember him as a child, but when he was younger...honestly, I guess I just sort of imagined him as just as much a lady's man as yourself."
Jay leans back in his chair, crossing his ankles. That last makes him stare at you. "R-riley? A ladies' man?" He contemplates that notion for a moment. "I suppose it's possible," he allows. "Can't say as I recall him giving any indication of such. But then, I control my, ah, amorous aspects around kidlets too."
Clara's lips quirk at your reaction, eyes dancing. "Relax, Jay. I was only curious. I wouldn't be surprised one way or the other, nor dismayed. As it was, I practially had to hit him over the head with a chair to make him realize I was interested. Okay, it was a pitcher of water, but that's beside the point. Still, not many children here about the Complex. Plan on staying long?"
Jay snickers quietly. "Now /that/ doesn't surprise me a whit. Pitcher of water? Did you happen to get a picture?" He nods, taking a drink of his brandy, and runs his hand over his hair. "At the Complex? Yeah, I think so. Business is rather good here." His tone is so mild.
Clara gestures back Complex-wards with her glass, smirking. "On the board in Security, actually. It's not of him -right- after I dumped it on him, but a few moments later." She drains another final measure of the rum and sets the glass aside before noticing her comm and blinking. "Oh, saints. It's 0230...I'd no idea."
Jay snickers. "I'll have to visit Security again." He blinks at you, and at his own chrono. "Whoops. Second pretty lady I've kept up past her bedtime tonight."
"Second? My, my...what a rogue you are," Clara accuses teasingly, then pushes at her bangs. "Would you be terribly offended if I made my way home? I hadn't realized the time when I asked you to join me for a drink...and I don't want Riley to worry if he wakes and finds me gone."
Jay waves expansively, getting to his feet to bow with a grin. "Cori was the other. Guess it's just not my roguish night. Hurry home, cha'leket, to sweeten his dreams and dream well yourself."
Clara rises as well, inclining her head with a warm smile. "Don't know about his, but a drink and a pleasant conversation with any of his clan is always enough to make it a nice night. Goodnight, mon ami," she offers, then tugs at her coat again and turns to go.
Jay beams in delight at the endearment, the bow sweeping lower. "Farewell."
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