You head towards the Security Central.
Security Central
Unlike most of the rest of the complex, the security offices are designed for ease of use rather than aesthetics. Wood paneled walls and marble floors are not to be found here. Brushed steel and plate flooring take their place. The acoustics in this room are designed to muffle sound, so despite the metal flooring and the constant coming and going of security personnel, the area does not quite achieve a cacophonous state. A large bank of monitors takes up the bulk of the east wall. On each is displayed video from various security cameras as well as information garnered from customs and immigration. It is from here that security can keep an eye on most everything that happens in the Complex. There are always at least two uniformed guards on duty with nothing to do except watch the monitors. A broad desk is located near the entrance, with an officer present to handle queries.
Three arched doors lead from this area. One to the brig, one to private offices, and the third to the elevator lobby.
Contents:
Niko
Tally Board
Obvious exits:
Chief's Office Brig Elevator Lounge
You arrive from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.
Niko blinks twice, surprised relief shading to confusion. "Uh, fourth planet of the..." Then he spots Kyara, and his gaze narrows. Now he's not confused at all. He's coldly furious, so much so that he can't even speak. Without a word, he gets to his feet and moves to stand in front of Kyara. He bends down and picks her up by the lapels of her uniform--it's got lapels, right?--and lifts her so that she is eye to eye with him. When he speaks, it is very quiet, his chilling tone really not one to inspire confidence. "Welcome back."
Anya starts to answer, "No, not the -place-, his bro..." Then Kyara walks in and Niko greets her. Anya not only doesn't object, she looks like she wouldn't mind being in Niko's shoes.
Yep, lapels. The impending happy grin that had been threatening to burst out on her Kyara's face dies a quick death. Difficult though it is in that position, she sketches a salute and a squeak. "Er, thank you, sir. I think."
Niko does not look like he's going to release Kyara any time soon. He moves a few steps so that he can brace her against the wall. She's not heavy, mind, but he still doesn't want to drop her involuntarily. (Voluntarily, on the other hand...) Besides, he can loom more easily this way, and her feet are still dangling. "I would just like to know," he says, voice still very quiet and holding quite a lot of threat, "What in the name of -all- that is holy were you -thinking-, spiking the Chief's coffee with--" And then he rattles off that name. "And you'd better not say that you thought it would be funny."
Oof. Kyara's eyes widen dramatically, revealing well the delighted amusement in them mixed with /just/ a touch of wariness. "Is that what it's called?" She pauses to search for the right answer. "Very well then, sir. I won't say I thought it would be funny."
Ooh. Bad answer. Bad, bad answer. Or, rather, bad lack of answer. Admittedly, it's not all that hard of a shove, just enough to startle, but Niko does exert a bit of force on Kyara, pressing her against the wall. "I do not believe that you answered my question, private," he says, his voice icily precise. "Correct that. Now."
Anya pointedly doesn't notice this. Not only is a little hazing expected, she's not exactly thrilled with Kya's joke either.
Anya had to make a half angled Feintuch reference, sorry.
Kyara is slightly startled at the direction this is turning. "It was only a practical joke, sir," she stammers, "The Chief issued a challenge and I responded. The stuff's harmless. I mean, it's not as if I shot him or something." Another pause. "He did turn /green/, right?"
See, that's not kind. Niko can't loom and be intimindating when he's wincing, and he most definitely does wince at the talk of shooting. His expression hardens once more, though. He ignores the question, instead saying, very quietly, "First. You will apologize to Chief Addison for this incident, and you will apologize to Chief Aleron for the worry that you caused her." His voice sharpens, then. "Didn't you think that we might be -concerned- when the Chief randomly turned green?" Okay, it wasn't quite -random-, but Niko isn't going to say that. He's still trying to figure out why the tangler catalyzed the reaction. He'll be tangling cups of coffee later, and Anya will likely take pictures. "And then..." No, he's not done yet, he's still thinking of horrible evil things for Kya to do.
Kyara frowns slightly at the mention of Clara worrying, but otherwise merely answers with a soft, "No, sir," in response to the question and resigns herself to listening.
Niko considers that for a long moment. "And. For the next two weeks, you are in charge of cleaning the coffee mugs used in Security. They -will- be spotless." As Security goons are not known for rinsing their mugs, this is not the easiest of tasks. "You will also clean Riley's office." Aegean stables, anyone? "You will do this -without- disturbing him, and you will adhere to his requests as to where to put the contents of that office." He finally looks away from Kyara, towards Anya. "Any suggestions?"
Anya's still looking a bit startled and a lot amused at the whole cleaning of the office thing. She's all but snickering. "I think that should be a good start. While she's working on that we can work on some more ideas."
Kyara doesn't groan at Anya's response, but it's a close thing. Glancing down toward the floor, she mumbles a flat-toned "Aye aye, sir." At one point she gives Niko a startled, curious look, but puts off the question burning in her eyes.
Niko, on the other hand, nods at Anya's response. It's a very obvious thing that he has not yet begun to think of evil things for Kyara to do. He puts her down, finally, lightly flexing his fingers. With a curt gesture towards the coffee mugs abandoned by earlier-shift personnel, he says, "Get started."
Kyara glances toward the cups and nods, her tone a bit more resigned. "Aye aye, sir. Permission to report in to the Admiral first, sir?"
Niko, for a moment, looks sorely tempted, but then he shakes his head. She knows not what she asks. "Denied," he says crisply. "Get to work."
Kyara looks a little surprised at that, but doesn't hesitate, quickly ducking out- probably into Maintenance for cleaning stuffs- and back in. She doesn't even bother to sit as she labors. It doesn't take long for her expression to turn to one of loathing. This is, after all, a domestic chore- nothing /she/ was ever brought up to do.
And perhaps that was Niko's intention all along? We'll never know. He doesn't really pay much attention to Kyara, as his attention quickly focuses back on his work. Is there someone scrubbing dishes? If there is, he's certainly not going to acknowledge her. And if she seems to be having less than a good time, well then, that's as it should be.
Anya shakes her head, finally finishing her comment, "Not Corvil the place, Corvil his older brother."
Niko glances back over to Anya. "Oh." Ping! The light turns on. "And this is a bad thing?" He almost looks disappointed at this, as it seems, at least to Niko, who doesn't actually know Corvil, to be fairly lenient.
Kyara listens in on the conversations around her of course- she neither pauses in her work nor speaks, but them ears are a-perked.
Anya just pauses a moment, still a bit floored as she has no idea exactly what the situation is. "He's been put in charge of a low grav mining base temporarily while his ship's in refit there. Guarding rocks out in the middle of nowhere land and having to wear gravitic boots most places since there's hardly any artifical gravity on that rock."
Niko's brows incline very slowly, and then he nods, a glimmer of approval lighting his eyes. "That seems perfectly fair, considering what happened and all. And I don't mind saying that I'm a little relieved."
Anya has to ask, as well...she doesn't know see, "What on Linnae happened?"
Kyara's eyes flicker toward the pair at the words 'considering what happened'. Silently she blesses Anya for the question she dares not ask.
Niko casts a brief glance at Kyara, and pauses, debating how much to tell. "He instigated the situation," he says finally. "The misunderstanding was mine, but he played on it, intentionally, and encouraged--" Another pause, as he selects his words, "--my choice of targets."
Anya just pauses, looking almost as horrified as Riley did. "He -told- you to..." Suddenly Anya doesn't seem so confused about Guido's fate. "He oughta' be up on charges, not getting off light. Not only was that potentially dangerous, he was spoiling to get you halfblacked or 9080d even though the Chief'd never do something like that...other COs would though."
Kyara looks away quickly from the glance, which is probably just as well as she can't suppress a faint look of disappointment at learning, basically, nothing.
Anya's words draw a slight frown- it's for the current mug, really.
Niko nods an emphatic agreement to Anya's words, thought not without a brief pause and a small wince for the mention of a 9080. "If this had happened back on Evinast..." He shakes his head, grim expression suggesting all sorts of evil things that would have happened. "Well, it would've been bad."
Anya nods thoughtfully, "Seriously, especially after the explosion and that woman showing up, and then Lexington -right- before..."
Kyara mumbles softly to herself. "One of these days I've /got/ to find out just how pudding managed to explode..." Clara's letters- very helpful in that regard. Not.
Niko nods once more at Anya--lots of nodding is being exchanged. "Maybe things will settle down for a week. Maybe we'll get a break." A pause. "Maybe the world will end." He shakes his head, then casts a sharp look at Kyara, as he catches only a little bit of her mumbling.
Anya shakes her head, see it's not a nod! "Hey, wasn't it just earlier I was saying Armageddon was nigh and all."
Niko actually chuckles quietly at that. "Good point. Armageddon... a week off from chaos. Same difference."
Anya scoops up a pile of papers she's generated, climbing to her feet. "It's been a half hour, I might as well take these on in so he can sign them and send them off. Half an hour's still ten to fifteen minutes safety margin."
Niko's brows lift slowly, but he nods. "All right, then. Good luck."
Anya nods, oh she's nodding again, "I'll need it." And with that she ducks into Riley's office. There's ominous silence.
Kyara glances toward the office, expression puzzled, and a bit worried.
Niko, after a few moments of the silence, flickers a glance at Riley's door. "That's ominous," he murmurs, before turning back to his paperwork.
Kyara nods, silent for a moment before venturing, "Lieutenant?"
Niko glances back up from his paperwork. "Yes?" He's still angry, but it's kind of a weary anger, downgraded to taut politeness.
Kyara gestures toward the office. "What's wrong with the Chief that y'all seem to be on edge?" Dozens of possibilities are running through her mind, each worse than the last. "He's generally not the scary type."
Niko turns back to his paperwork. "He's angry," he says simply. What a helpful answer. Isn't Niko just a fount of information?
After a bit, Anya returns, paperwork now in a thick envelope and sealed. She gives Kyara a sidelong look a moment, but decides there is such a thing as -too- cruel and hands it off to another Security type with quietly murmured instructions. She looks a bit shaken.
Kyara nods, practically needing chains to keep her eyes from rolling. "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." Sweetness and light, she is.
Niko promptly leans over and swipes Anya's coffee mug, returning it filled. While it's possible that even coffee can't make it go away, coffee can't hurt, either. He offers her a look of sympathy and concern. "Y'okay? Is he?"
Anya slides into her chair, accepting the coffee with a nod of thanks. "I'm fine, that was just a bit odd. I don't think he's mad anymore. He's just not very...him. Maybe what with the compound situation and all I should've doubled my estimate."
Niko casts a look of decided worry towards the door. "Maybe I shouldn't have told him," he says slowly. "Or maybe I should've waited, or told -you- instead."
You do not have unread mail (2 messages remain).
Anya shakes her head, "I think it'd have bothered him more if you'd just told me. And it's too potentially dangerous to have just left unspoken. I mean if he was willing to rig it so the Chief got shot, what else would he do?"
Niko nods his agreement, though he still looks troubled. "Yeah," he says slowly. "That's why I told him."
Okay, /that/ breaks through Kyara's composure. Her head snaps up, face paling. "The Chief got shot?" She starts to put two and two together. "Somebody made Niko shoot the /Chief/?"
Anya's tone is dry, "A tangler's all." She's a little peeved about the whole situation though and continues, "And -that's- what triggered that little reaction you set up, on -top- of the mess from the explosion, it was -not- a happy situation. I'm surprised nobody hauled over to camp and dragged you out by your ears, Private Veh."
Niko just nods at Anya's words, a flicker of chagrin crossing his face, though that's rapidly replaced by a flicker of anger as he glances towards Anya. "Maybe," he ventures again, "We should let Clara know what's happened?"
Anya nods after a thoughtful pause, "Might be a good thought."
Kyara blinks at Anya's words, coloring. "Oh dear..." Her eyes flick from Anya to Niko and back, settling on Anya for a looooong moment before she turns back to her work.
Niko nods to Anya, then bends down to his comm unit.
Niko says "Hey, Niko here. Are you busy?" into his communit.
"Yep Kya," Anya says, "You're doomed."
Niko's communit crackles to life and blares "... particularly.... going... I got... Riley last... why?" in Clara's voice.
Kyara turns a neutral look on Anya, calmly speaking. "I'll take your word for that, ma'am. Oh, with all due respect, I suggest the Lieutenant review Stilvanian nominative forms."
Niko says "I just thought you might want to be made aware of a situation over here." A pause. He's not giving any Stilvani a look, no, not at all. "Everybody's fine, for now, don't worry." into his communit.
Niko's communit crackles to life and blares "Situation?... situation,... you... a..." in Clara's voice.
Niko says "No, everybody's fine. It'd be easier to explain in person, though. Could you come over to Security?" into his communit.
Niko's communit crackles to life and announces "... my way...." in Clara's voice.
Clara arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.
Clara heads in the door, hands in her pockets and obviously both curious and concerned. She pauses at seeing Kyara, blinking in surprise, then turns her attention to Niko and Anya. "What is it?"
Anya -had- been starting to be in something of a better mood, but Kya's words -really- ruin that. "Noted, Private." This is grated out.
Kyara nods shortly, but her expression brightens at seeing Clara, though she merely continues to scrub mugs.
Niko gestures Clara closer, the better to explain the situation in annoying mutters that Kyara can't quite hear.
Clara does a double take at Niko as she moves closer in, brows lifting. "I hope the other party looks worse," she murmurs to him, folding her arms calmly. "Now what's up?"
Kyara is, indeed, annoyed, but she keeps her expression bland. All in good time...
Niko smiles faintly at Clara, mumbling something about it not mattering what the other party looks like, then downshifts to explanation mode. He mutters to Clara, "... but Guido... that... misunderstood how... firing... worked,... night,... specifically... I... him--Guido--this morning, and... was... what happened." He pauses, then adds, a bit more loudly, "The Chief's not what you would call thrilled with this."
"He -what-?" is Clara's instantaneous response. Unlike the Chief, the doctor isn't exactly slow to anger. In the instant blaze of outrage, she peers up at Niko intently. "I'm not exactly thrilled myself. Crikey, Niko...what were you, where is...how could..." She stops and takes a deep breath, mainly to stop abusing elipses. "Where is Guido now?" she asks in a low voice.
Niko says quietly, "I'm not even remotely placing the blame for this all on him. He suggested it, but I didn't have to listen." At the last question, he pauses a beat, glancing at Anya. "I'm not sure."
Anya offers helpfully, although she's still obviously seething at Kyara. "Probably staring at the pack of paper I sent him in horror. He's been transferred."
Clara closes her eyes for a moment, lips moving as she silently counts to ten in French, then reopens them to peer at Anya, a mirthless half grin forming. "Indeed? How...fortunate for him," she decides, then clamps down abruptly and looks towards the door. "How is he?"
Kyara is being very small and quiet. Better part of valor, and all that.
Anya adds, "To a mining station. Only partially having artificial gravity no less. He deserves charges, but I don't make the decisions." She shakes her head, "He's not really angry anymore, but," and she doesn't hold her tongue -this- time. Not after the crack about nomenclature, "After getting screwed by two of his people in one event, he's not exactly thrilled either. Two people he'd actually come to trust." This is said while watching Kyara with one raised brow. Anya's peeved.
Kyara's scrubbing pauses for a moment as she tries to decide whether those two include her. Then she winces. Hard.
Clara glances sidelong at Kyara, a curious expression on her face, no longer angry herself about the green, but certainly puzzled. "Welcome back, Private," she murmurs thoughtfully, then folds her arms and turns back to the other two. "This is good to know. But what did you need me for?"
Niko takes a moment to peer at Anya, his own thought processes very clearly following Kyara's. . o O ( Does she mean -me-? ) After a moment, though, he relaxes, and glances back to Clara. "Well, I thought... I thought you should know..." He falters a bit, gaze flicking towards Riley's office once more.
Kyara nods to Clara, mumbling an inaudible greeting, her expression heartsick. Those few simple words from Anya hit her far harder than years of scrubbing mugs could.
Clara considers this for a moment, eyeing the corner of a desk, then looks up to glance between Niko and Anya before nodding once and crossing between them to go knock on the doomful door. Yes, the door is doomful. Really.
I need to just make a trigger for this. There's a quiet pop as the switch is depressed that shuts off the silence field around Riley's office, and there's a muffered, "C'min."
Clara walks towards the Chief Addison's Office.
Niko peers after Clara for a moment, then shakes his head. He mutters to himself, "... hope... can help..."
Kyara nods mutely, ducking her head.
Niko finally turns back to the paperwork, though he doesn't pick up his pencil yet, instead lightly massaging his left hand with his right. "If anybody can help," he says finally, Clara can."
Anya just turns to her own work, "Yeah, seems logical at least."
Kyara looks up for a moment. "I hope you're right."
Niko takes up his pencil finally, turning to his paperwork. He doesn't speak, but does flicker occasional looks towards Riley's door. With his vaguely distracted manner, he's likely putting all kinds of interesting information on the paperwork.
Kyara lets the silence grow for a long time. Then she looks over at Niko, calling quietly, "Lieutenant?"
Niko looks over with a mild start. "Yes? And you can still call me Niko, if you like," he relents. "It's not like we're big on titles and all, here, after all."
Kyara lets out a sigh of relief, smiling just a little. "Thank you." She gestures toward the office. "Is he angry with me too?"
Niko lifts his shoulders in the smallest of shrugs. "I'm not sure," he admits. "I think... well, a lot has gone wrong lately. I think if you'd done the trick without any of the rest happening, he might not have reacted quite so strongly. A tip for the future?" he adds. "Don't let a practical joke get out of your control. That's the way stuff like this happens."
Kyara nods, various expressions taking turns on her face. "I never, ever thought it'd result in this."
Niko nods very slowly. "Good. When you apologize to the Chief, try to make him understand that."
Kyara nods fervently. "You're bloody right, I will." She glances toward the door. "I suppose yelling at him's out of the question though, if he won't listen."
Niko blinks twice. "Um, yes. Rather. A lot." He pauses a moment, then inquires, "Where did you get that stuff, by the way?"
Kyara grimaces, but replies with reluctant honesty. "One of the Bonded Guildmembers helped me get it. She'd used it on her Guildmaster before."
Niko's brows lift very slowly. "Oh, really? Was this Guildmember aware what you intended?"
Kyara nods slowly, meeting Niko's gaze. "She, uh, helped me prepare the coffee."
Niko nods very slowly. "Who?" he inquires. He looks a bit more calm.
Kyara's tone is neutral, but it's quite obvious she'd rather not answer that. "Aliana, sir."
Surprise is not even the word. "Aliana," he repeats. "Aliana. Al-i-ana. I don't -believe- this." It could be said that he's angry again. "She was right -there-, she saw how worried we were, and she didn't say a word."
Kyara blinks. Okay, now she's the one surprised. "She didn't?" After a pause, she offers, "Considering the trouble she's had with her Guildmaster, sir, she may have been too afraid to say anything that would implicate herself."
Niko speaks very quietly. "I thought that -I- was the one who made him turn green, Kyara. She couldn't help but know that, and yet she still said nothing. That goes beyond self-preservation. That's just cruel."
Kyara searches frantically for some way to deny that statement. Finally she sighs. "Yeah, it is. Next time I choose my accomplices more carefully."
Niko gives Kyara a hard look. "Next time?" he inquires. "Next time, you should choose your victims more carefully, too. But, personally, I think there should not -be- a next time."
Kyara glances up with a grin. "Gotcha."
Niko shakes his head slowly. "I'm not joking, Kyara. If you can't keep a joke under control, you shouldn't -do- it."
Kyara nods, amused. "I understand. There won't be a next time. But I made you think there would be. So... gotcha."
With great ceremony, Niko wads up a blank sheet of paper, and pitches it towards Kyara, rapidly followed by another. That's exactly what Riley needs--to come out and find these two engaged in a paper fight.
Kyara giggles, catching the paper balls after they hit her, and returning fire. Not she was ever a good shot with a baseball, much less these lightweight missiles.
Niko, with a laugh, reaches to catch the paper balls, but doesn't quite get that far for the first. That one, he smacks with his open hand, not unlike some bizarre form of baseball. The second he catches, and reluctantly tosses for the garbage.
Kyara wrinkles her nose cheerfully, eyes following the smacked one as it flies by, well out of her reach. "Grand slam." Reaching for another mug, she realizes they're all done, and sinks into the nearest seat. "Good heavens, what a day."
Niko's lips quirk, rather drolly. "Mm. Yes, I think I can echo that sentiment."
Niko gets up to get the other paper ball, too.
Kyara nods, watching him. "I, um, don't suppose anybody got pictures while he was green?"
Niko gestures towards the photo board. "Upper right," he says, voice rather bland.
Kyara grins, spinning in her chair to peer at the board. An explosive snicker is quickly suppressed. "Oh my. I almost wish I'd timed it so I'd be here when it happened."
Niko is silent for a long moment. One can almost hear him counting. "No," he says finally. "No, you don't wish that."
Kyara glances toward him and, remembering the reception she got, understanding dawns. "Hmmm. You've got a point there." She shudders.
Niko nods very slowly. "Exactly," he says quietly, turning back to his paperwork. "My self-control might have slipped more than it did. My apologies for that, Kya."
Kyara's eyes widen in surprise. "No..." Shaking her head, she stands, drawing herself to attention. "No apologies necessary on your part, sir." And this time the title holds true respect, rather than regulated. "I understand perfectly. I'd probably have done worse in your shoes. I apologize for causing you further concern by my actions."
Niko blinks once, surprised, then shakes his head, a hint of exasperation crossing his face. "Now I know what Riley meant," he mutters. Then he raises his voice, saying rather plaintively, "If you really want to apologize, Kya, you can leave off the sir's. I appreciate the respect and all, really, but--" He cuts off his words, then, shaking his head.
Kyara blushes a little, sinking backwards into her chair. "I /am/ sorry, Niko."
Niko's head bobs in a nod. "It was the ultimate horrible ending to a pretty miserable experience. But, seeing as how it wasn't actually done to -me-, I'm also not the person who should be receiving the apology." He glances towards Riley's door, then shakes his head. "Later for that, though."
Kyara nods slowly. "That's gonna be interesting," she mutters.
Niko's tone brooks no argument. "Considering what happened, Kyara, it's the least you can do. Besides, imagine if we'd not been able to reverse it. Lexington would have had a -field day- with a green Chief."
Kyara grimaces. "I'm not arguing with you, Niko. I'll apologize, no problem there. And Lexington can go-" She glances around before finishing that statement in a mumble.
Niko grins a bit at that, guessing at the muttering. "Heh. Well, yes, he can, but be careful who hears that opinion, huh? Last thing you need is to annoy the wrong people."
Kyara nods a fervent agreement with that. "Can't let Riley get in trouble over something stupid I do."
Niko nods slowly. "Nor do we want -you- to get in trouble for something stupid you do. It'd take a lot less to get you kicked out, after all."
Kyara stares at Niko for a long time. "That'd be a bad thing," she finally allows. "Niko... what happens to me if something happens to Riley in the next four years?"
Niko blinks a few times. "Happens..? Nothing's going to -happen- to him."
Kyara inclines her head, acknowledging that. "Since I've met him," she says quietly, "he's been on enforced medical leave at least once for exhausting himself; he's been shot at more times than I care to remember; he's had one experience with an explosion," she can't mention the pudding for fear of cracking up, "And he's got a /lot/ of enemies, it seems. And that's just the stuff I know about. I'm scared for him sometimes."
Clara walks here from the Chief Addison's Office.
Riley walks here from the Chief Addison's Office.
Niko says quietly, with a veneer of calm to his tone, "Nothing's going to happen to him, Kya. He can handle things. After all, look how long he's already been--" He breaks off as Clara and Riley emerge.
Having been given no chance to answer, Riley can only look sheepish as he trails after Clara. He nods amiably to those in Security, offering Kyara a rather wry grin. "Heya' Kya, survive pushups then?"
Clara refolds her arms, a faint smile in place as she sweeps away from Riley and past Niko with a, "Get that man out of here and a few drinks in him, willya?" before flashing a smile at Kyara and the others and hurrying out, although pausing at the door to flash the Chief one final, bright grin.
Clara heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.
Kyara's eyes are drawn immediately to the opening door, and at Riley's words- and the grin- her jaw drops. "You... I... Ri... yeah, I... damn, it's good to see you!"
Niko blinks after Clara, then, after a glance at his chrono, nods once. Kyara's greeting causes him to stifle a grin, carefully covered by one uplifted hand. "Not -quite- an apology," he murmurs.
Riley watches Clara leave, not bothering to refrain from the excessively sappy look her grin generates before turning to look down at Kyara, "It's good to see you too. Missed you around the place." He regards the uniform at length, "That suits you, eh?"
Kyara glances quickly toward Niko, overhearing him. Thankfully said uniform goes well with the blush that springs up. "Course it does," she answers, giving herself time to find the right words. She comes up with, "I'm, um, sorry. About turning you green and all, I mean."
Riley is quiet a moment, choosing his words carefully. "It was not perhaps the most well thought out thing you could have done. I was ... somewhat dissapointed. Still, we're all entitled to mistakes. It's okay."
Niko holds his tongue, gaze carefully on his paperwork. Then, as he actually looks at it, he frowns a bit, reaching for his pen to correct some of his more frightening errors. Requisitioning more tails for the Zaeltans, for example, would be bad. Their, tails, after all... well, you know.
>>OOC: Niko looks at his paperwork. Not his tongue. ;)
>>OOC: Kyara giggles.
Kyara nods, eyes on the floor. A shoe twitches as she represses the urge to scuff a polished toe. "No more practical jokes. On my honor."
"That's a bit extreme," Riley says mildly. "I'd just request you excercise better judgement in the future. The timing on this was...less than perfect." He grins rather broadly at that, shaking his head. "It's done. It's over and sorted out. No worries."
Niko, as he's actually the prime reason the timing was as it was, winces a bit at that, looking rather sheepish. He corrects the paperwork--goodness only knows what the Zaeltans are going to do with terra-cottta tiles, but at least they're not more tails. Then, finally, he lifts his head, casting an approving nod towards Kyara.
Kyara glances up, and finally looks up, up, up with a grin and a sigh of relief. "No worries," she repeats, beaming at Niko's nod. "Oh... I suppose it's a bit late for this, but... Private Frondeur Kyara Veh, reporting for duty, sir." She can't suppress the twinkling in her eyes.
Niko puts in, at that, "She would have been in to report earlier, Chief, but I wouldn't let her."
Riley nods to Niko, a rather thankful nod at that. He appreciates not having to deal with Kyara previously. His then frayed temper would not have held. He offers Kyara an Academy perfect salute, amusing insamuch that he never went to the Academy. He then glances to make sure Anya's left, "Welcome. A hint of advice though? Don't antagonize Anya. She's the real power in this place and she's still seething." Gotta love Security radios. He ambles to Anya's desk, flipping through the pile of messages.
Kyara winces slightly. "Too late."
Riley says rather wryly as he rummages, "I know."
Kyara eyes the Chief. "What'd she say?"
Niko casts a brief glance towards Kyara, then heads over to Riley. "You're off-duty, Chief. Remember? And I seem to remember Clara saying something about you getting out of here."
"I'm not at liberty to say." Riley's brows just arch and he starts to resume message rummaging before Niko speaks and he just looks abashed, putting them down. "Yeah, I guess I better before she comes back and threatens to kick me again."
Niko nods his agreement to that, though not without a mild doubletake. "She threa--never mind. Don't want to know. But avoiding kicking sounds good, yes."
Kyara shrugs, moving around the main desk to snag the duffel she dropped right outside the door. "I believe she said the same of you, Niko. Clara, not, Anya."
Niko glances after Kyara. "That's up to the Chief," he says mildly. "I'm off-duty, though," he adds, to Riley. "As of about half an hour ago."
Riley tucks his hands into his pockets, "I was thinking of heading to the Fruvous. Clara mentioned rye. A drink sounds -really- good right now."
Kyara glances over her shoulder. "Men's night out?"
Niko says affably to Riley, "I can understand that, sure." Kyara gets a quick, puzzled look, and no actual comment.
Riley blinks a few times, looking a bit sheepish. "I'd appreciate company, but I know y'all have other places to be and all."
Kyara laughs softly. "Not until you give me a duty list, I don't. And I can hardly ask you where you want the stuff in your office if you're not there."
Niko shakes his head smoothly. "I'm not to meet Ela til later. I can let her know, just in case we run a bit late." He grins impishly. "Might get to interrupt another meeting."
Riley pauses a beat, the past several days events having to cause him to search for the name. Sadly he comes up dry, and asks, "A meeting?" He nods to Kyara, "If y'all want to go then, we can go snag a decent table, make fun of passerby, and tell boot camp horror stories?"
Niko supplies, "She's part of the delegation from Hellas, Riley. You met her, but you were pretty zonked. That sounds like fun, though, just let me bug her and let her know?"
Kyara grins, nodding. "Meet ya there in a few? I hate this bloody dress uniform." Regretfully she examines the cuffs of her blouse, soaked in soapy water and coffee stains. "And I look a disgrace."
Niko, with a glance at Kyara, notes, "If neither of y'all are going to be in uniform, I'd just as soon change, too."
A clue hammers its way into Riley's brain and he nods his understanding, "Oh, I remember now. She's from Hellas? Ahh, a friend then? That's a good thing, eh?" He nods to Kyara, "Changing's good."
Kyara nods, sketching a hasty, if perfect, salute. "See ya there."
You head towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.
***** Travel-spam deleted *****
You head towards the Security Central.
Security Central
Unlike most of the rest of the complex, the security offices are designed for ease of use rather than aesthetics. Wood paneled walls and marble floors are not to be found here. Brushed steel and plate flooring take their place. The acoustics in this room are designed to muffle sound, so despite the metal flooring and the constant coming and going of security personnel, the area does not quite achieve a cacophonous state. A large bank of monitors takes up the bulk of the east wall. On each is displayed video from various security cameras as well as information garnered from customs and immigration. It is from here that security can keep an eye on most everything that happens in the Complex. There are always at least two uniformed guards on duty with nothing to do except watch the monitors. A broad desk is located near the entrance, with an officer present to handle queries.
Three arched doors lead from this area. One to the brig, one to private offices, and the third to the elevator lobby.
Contents:
Niko
Riley
Tally Board
Obvious exits:
Chief's Office Brig Elevator Lounge
You arrive from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.
Riley starts to reply to Niko, but Kyara's entrance forestalls that. He turns to head out the door, groaning, "Great, as soon as I get to be a dad, my kid gets a tattoo. Her mother'll -kill- me."
Riley heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.
Kyara blinks, blushes, gives Niko a weak grin, and goes to follow.
You head towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.
Second Floor Elevator Lounge
Despite being one of the major hubs of activity in the Complex, few people linger here. While there are usually people present, usually they are on their way to someplace else. The lobby is nice enough, with broad tapestries hung on richly paneled walls, and floors of veined black marble; but it is simply too busy for most people to stop and chat in. The occasional tasteful potted plant lurks in the corners, and large mirrors are hung near the elevators for passing lobbyists to check their appearances before descending to the main level. Corridors lead to the northeast and southwest.
Contents:
Riley
Obvious exits:
Elevator General Housing Library Security Maintenance Medical
Niko arrives from the Security Central.
Kyara wags a finger. "Badge of honor."
Riley rolls his eyes at that, "Kids, I swear... Borrowing the skimmer, getting tattoos, turning their parents green." Snickering he goes to poke the button, "Let me guess, you want to get a nose ring and be in a band?"
Riley pushes the button.
From the elevator, With a ping, the doors slide smoothly open.
Riley walks into the elevator.
You walk into the elevator.
Elevator
The elevator rides up and down in a glass shaft, overlooking the foliage of the atrium below. The motion is smooth, and each floor is marked with a delicate "ping" as the elevator arrives there.
A bank of round blue buttons on either side of the door has the numbers 1-4, and a button labeled "Below".
The doors are currently open, the direction arrow is pointing down and the dial above the doors points to 2.
Contents:
Riley
Obvious exits:
Doors
From outside the elevator, Niko walks into the elevator.
Riley pushes the button marked 1.
The doors slide shut, soundlessly.
Kyara wrinkles said nose. "That sounds rather painful. And I'm a lousy musician."
The elevator glides downward and goes "ping" as it reaches floor #1.
With a ping, the doors slide smoothly open.
You leave the elevator.
Central Atrium
Filled with greenery and assorted plants from a hundred different Alliance worlds, this massive atrium is a chaotic and interesting place. The room itself is round, with evenly-spaced archways leading to the other areas. Each archway is color-coded, with a label telling where it leads in standard and the languages of each of the major races. For those who pause to look upwards, the escheresque upper levels of the complex may be seen, as the atrium reaches through the entire complex, with a plasglass skylight at the top through which Linnae's sunlight may filter. Paths wend their way through the carefully tended gardens, and small placards label the groups of vegetation and their homeworld. Some are labeled with the universal symbol for danger, be careful, they bite. Groups of benches are located here and there for the comfort of passing delegates and those attempting to lobby them.
The elevator is at floor number 1 (the doors are open) and appears to contain one person.
Contents:
Riley
Sevann
Obvious exits:
Elevator Arch Out Rec Hall Dining Meeting Hall Spaceport
Niko snickers quietly. "What, and tattoos -aren't- painful?"
From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.
Kyara snickers. "Well, yes, but so's boot, and... well, there's an analogy in there somewhere."
Sevann is playing with some strange toy in the soft grass, he hears voices and his wings go up as he's surprised.
Riley starts to say something and then stops at Niko's comment, snickering. "Hey, can I have a shot at the timeshare braincell once and a while?" He rolls his eyes at Kyara. As they pass he offers a wave at Sevann. He's been here years, he's seen it all.
Sevann hasn't been here for years. His skin changes colours slightly, attempting to blend into the grass surrounding him, watching the new people with childlike innocence.
Niko echoes Riley's hand-lifting. His nonchalance may be feigned, but it's still there, nonetheless. "Hiya," he says pleasantly, before flashing a grin at Riley. "Sure, you can have it on every third weekend.
Kyara rolls her eyes, amused. "I can have it removed. Of course, /you'd/ be the one paying for that," she notes drolly to Riley, giving the winged person a nod as she passes.
Riley pauses to give this due consideration, "That suits," he agrees at last. "Most of the time I don't really need it anyhow." He hmphs at Kyara, "Hey, I'm not gonna complain. I just have to torment you about it."
Niko comments idly, "Bet Clara could do it. -She- wouldn't charge."
Kyara snickers. "Like you don't have enough to torment me about already. Ack! Niko, don't suggest it to her."
Riley makes his way towards the arch into the Pavilion, apparently as relaxed as ever.
Riley heads towards the Massive Open Air Pavilion.
Sevann calls in a soprano, and rather screechy, voice. "Me Sev." How's that for a royal introduction? Scaled skin changes a little more. "Who you?"
Niko shakes his head affably as he trails behind Riley. "Only if you want it." He calls over his shoulder, "Niko." Only he's got to follow Riley. He's a flunky. Royalty understand about flunkies.
Niko heads towards the Massive Open Air Pavilion.
Most likely not, but royalty might follow, if curiousity serves true.
Kyara blinks, and hurries after Niko.
***** Travel-spam deleted *****
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.
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:
Niko
Riley
Obvious exits:
Java Quarter
You walk here from the Java Quarter.
Riley makes his way in through the crowd, seemingly relaxed despite the mass of people. Finding a miraculously unclaimed table in one corner, he makes his way to it and into a chair.
Niko, yup, trails after Riley, sliding into another chair. Naturally, he starts to bob a bit, to the tune of the band's music, which is loud, but not so loud that it would hinder conversation here at this table in the back. There are a pair of really obnoxious people dancing near the front, obviously paying more attention to each other than to the music, or to the people whose toes they're squishing.
Kyara drops into the chair on Addison's right, turning it slightly so she can see the door. "First round's on me. What'll y'all have? You said something about rye, Riley?"
Riley blinks a few times at Kyara's offer, "I can snag it. I'm the one who hauled you guys out here after all." He nods, "Rye's a goodness. It's one of the finer things in existance, although being alcohol it's inherantly chancy."
Niko flashes a quick grin to Riley. "With the chanciness of alcohol in mind--" And the fact that he doesn't know how much Riley's going to drink. "--I think I'd rather take on some of their tea. Not the scary, chewy kind with too much sugar, though," he adds, with a lifted finger and an amused laugh.
Kyara chuckles, nodding to Niko. "We'll keep an eye on ya, Riley. Soda for me. You know how long it's been since I had some?"
Riley manages to torment a waiter into coming over and places the order. Niko's probably safe considering Riley's extremely moderate drinking habits, but of course Riley doesn't realize Niko's train of thought. "Six weeks?" Riley hazards as a teasing guess.
Niko inquires, "S--oh." He peers at Riley. "Is it your turn for the braincell? Sorry."
Kyara giggles at the both of you. "Three and a half, actually."
Riley snickers quietly at Niko, "Sorry, I swiped it when you weren't looking." He nods to Kyara, "Far too long in the grand scheme of things. So how was boot?" As he asks this the waiter returns, distributing drinks.
Niko murmurs his thanks to the waiter, then flashes a grin to Riley as he takes his drink. "Aha. Well, then, I'll just have to wait for my opportunity to take it -back-." He chuckles quietly at Kyara, murmuring, "Awww." He actually does look a bit sympathetic, though. He, after all, had his fun month in the wilderness sans hot showers and real food.
Kyara latches onto her soda, gulping half of it down before answering. "It's a little Complex." She taps the table. "Everybody taking sides, fighting for a little bit of power. Amongst us, I mean, not the DIs and all, of course. They were... fairly reasonable." She grins at Niko, not quite sticking her tongue out at him.
Riley sips his drink carefully, resisting the urge to down it. Obviously however the taste meets with his approval from the brief expression. He nods thoughtfully, "Sounds bass ackwards."
Niko nods his affirmation to Riley's words, wrapping his left hand around his glass. "Wasn't quite like that on Evinast," he comments. "Though," he adds, "I'm learning that Evinast was different in quite a few ways." Yes, that's chagrin, painted all over him. It's a shade lighter than vermillion.
Kyara gives Niko a curious look, but nods to Riley. "Oh, most of 'em straightened up about 2/3 through. Some didn't," she notes, her expression neutral, then she adds, "You're famous, by the way."
"The point of boot is that they make you so miserable you learn you can work with anybidy if the situation's awful enough." Riley's reply is relatively quiet. Relative being the key term considering the room's volume. He sips at his drink again, blinking, "Famous?"
Niko ignores that curious look from Kyara--if he doesn't see it, he doesn't have to deal with it. Riley knows what he means. His brows lift at the f-word, too, but he doesn't echo it. That would imply too much braincell-sharing.
Kyara nods, mouth quirking. "You were on the news last... no, weekend leave before last, shown in a rather favorable light, I might add. Some sort of documentary-ish thing."
Riley manages not to sputter rye, instead downing a measure more of it. He's still only emptied half the glass however, being very careful. "The -news-? A documentary??"
Niko has stopped drinking his tea altogether, instead peering with rather puzzled curiosity between the pair. "Hey, can we get a copy of that, d'you think? Anya'd -love- it." With a glance at Riley, he adds, "Seems a bit rude, though, that -you- didn't know about this."
Kyara mhmmms, folding her arms on the table. "They called it 'Life at the Alliance Complex' or somesuch." Niko's words garner a shrug. "They used footage from an old State of the Complex address."
Niko mumbles, mostly to himself, "Wonder if there was any pudding in it."
Riley makes a sound that sounds like he's just had a ferret crawl up his pants leg and try to steal his shin. "What's Clara's phrase? Saints add preservatives? Anya and a documentary, please... talk about private hells." He pulls a candy bar from one pocket, and for once doesn't look the least bit guilty. He's almost smug about it in fact. Unwrapping it he sighs, "Lunatics."
Niko says thoughtfully, "Most folks are lunatics, though, Riley. Sanity is relative." And I originally typed 'sanitary', which is just disturbing.
Kyara chuckles, eyes on her soda as she swirls it. "One or two recruits thought you were rather funny-looking. Called you a fluffhead."
Niko bites his tongue. This is literal, so he also mumbles an 'ow' and takes a swig of his tea before curling his left hand around it once more. He carefully doesn't comment, instead slowly shaking his head.
Riley swirls the remains of his drink a moment, allowing the rye to breathe. "Just what I always needed. Raw privates mocking my hair. I think this adds flavor to my existance."
Kyara shrugs slightly, smiling at the memory. "I convinced them that wasn't the wisest thing to say."
Riley consumes more alcohol. Considering how many poses he's been doing that, it's pretty amazing he's still got a quarter of a glass left. But then this is a guy who tries not to drink often, but obviously enjoys rye. Making it last is habit. "I'm sure that went over like a lead brick on a feather bed."
Niko just shakes his head, gaze flicking away from the others and towards the band--more specifically, the drummer. No, guys, he's watching the drummer's -technique-, not the drummer himself. (Not that there'd be anything -wrong- with that.) "It's easy to judge by appearances," he says mildly.
Kyara nods, looking around for the waiter as she finishes her soda. "That was the big showdown." She blinks at Niko. "But it's wrong."
Riley would be worried if, for example, Niko was thinking about giving the drummer some. "At the OK Corall?"
Niko nods to Kyara. "Didn't say it was. I just said it was easy." His gaze, still mild, flicks to her. "I've never equated 'easy' with 'right'." He smiles.
Kyara peers at Riley, following off the Ladder. "Beg pardon?" Niko gets a confused look too. "What /are/ you talking about, Niko?"
Riley finally gives in and drains off the rest of his glass, although when the waiter comes at Kyara's behest he orders a glass of water instead of another. "Old joke."
Niko regards Kyara for a moment, then shakes his head. "Never mind." He turns back to watching the band, not even remotely considering the possibilities of the drummer getting some. He shakes his head slightly to the waiter, indicating his mostly-full glass. "I'm fine, thanks."
Kyara asks for a Shirley Temple and, nodding to Niko, sends the waiter off. "Old jokes are the best ones... when one understands the punchline."
Riley toys with his empty glass a moment, contemplating its former contents at length. He sets it aside to munch on the candy bar a moment. "So, did you learn anything at boot, Kya?"
Kyara nods, chuckling. "Of course. That's the whole point, isn't it? Are you speaking of inter-AF relations or the... what's the term... book-learning?"
Riley nods his thanks to the waiter as the individual returns. Snagging his glass of water he regards it a moment before shrugging and taking a sip. "Anything, I was trying to be conversational, sorry. My social skills are a bit bogged down this evening."
Niko casts a glance back to Riley, the faintest of grins crossing his face. "I think that might be a bit contagious, Riley."
Kyara grins at both, fingers flicking in gesture. "Well, let's see. I've learned that sergeants don't appreciate sarcasm. I can recite the CMJ backwards, strip a rifle in the dark and put it back together again. I can still shoot at expert level. A lot of the old skills came in handy."
Niko lifts a hand to catch the waiter's attention. He has to request a few drinks before he actually gets one that the waiter recognizes. He murmurs his thanks, turning attention to the tea. Can't have two drinks at once, after all. His head bobs once at Kyara's words, but he doesn't comment.
Riley takes another sip of his water, crumpling up the remains of his candy wrapper. "That's good. ANd no, sarcasm is not a desired AF skill. Just be glad you didn't go for the Navy. Sarcasm in boot's a crash landing offense."
Kyara takes a blissful moment to enjoy her drink. "Crash landing?"
Riley nods amiably as he finishes off his water and peers between his two empty glasses. "The thirty-one crash landings. The thirty one ways you can be kicked out of the Navy, although once you're out of boot there's only twenty one."
Niko murmurs his thanks as the waiter returns with his own drink. What an attentive guy, he's gonna get a helluva tip. Good timing for Riley, too. Of course, Niko's drink is a little odd. The color surely isn't natural. He sips at it tentatively, then nods his approval, before nodding once more, this time at Riley's words. Chatty today, isn't he?
Kyara should've tattooed eyebrows on. A blink will have to do. "Good gravy. I'm glad, believe me, I'm glad."
Riley doesn't order another drink however. See, he -wants- rye, but he knows better than to drink it. So he just peers at the glasses. "The Navy's a little stricter about some things."
Niko scratches lightly at his cheek, just below that black eye. "It's not just a job," he murmurs, "It's an adventure."
Kyara's mouth quirks. "And has a much longer boot camp, yes. But all turns out well in the end, neh?"
Riley mmhmms amiably, "Everything always does. Still, the AF's the AF for all intents and purposes."
Kyara chuckles. "That's right, suppress that inter-service rivalry before it starts."
Riley flashes a bright grin, "Oh the Navy's superior Oh Evil Groundpounder." He winks.
Niko nods his agreement to Riley's words, lifting his glass in a salute. "Everybody knows that."
Kyara snorts softly, eyes twinkling. "Prove it."
Riley sets the smaller glass in the larger, pushing them to the center of the table. "Maybe some day that isn't at the end of a week this bad, eh?" He climbs to his feet, "Y'all have a nice night, eh?"
Niko's brows lift, but he nods to Riley, murmuring something in Hellenic before saying, "You, too, Chief."
Sevann walks here from the Java Quarter.
Kyara blinks, fingers fluttering a bit, but she nods, offering a soft, "Good night, Riley."
Areania walks here from the Java Quarter.
Sevann walks in with Areania, eyes wide, he looks around curiously.
Areania mirrors Sevanns reaction
Riley walks towards the Java Quarter.
Niko shakes his head fractionally as he takes up his glass once more, idly swirling the liquid inside before sipping. "It's been a week," he notes, nodding politely to the pair.
Areania whispers to Sevann "Now what?"
Sevann shrugs to Areania. "Introduce yourself.." he suggests, he already sorta kinda introduced himself when they passed through.
Kyara nods to the children, not really seeing them, before she turns to Niko. "Okay, so it's been a week, to paraphrase, but I've never seen him that tired."
Kiwani walks here from the Java Quarter.
Niko asks quietly, "How tired would -you- be, if you'd gotten tangled and turned green, three days after you'd had your ribs broken--and nearly gotten a lung punctured--in an explosion? Not to mention having to deal with Guido. I think he's entitled to be tired.'
Sevann glances behind him as someone else enters, finding it's not his aehallh, he relaxes a bit.
Niko's communit crackles to life and announces "Hey,... I..." in Elasia's voice.
Kyara ahas, finally getting a name to work with. "What's the problem with Guido? Or... is that the one who convinced you to shoo..." She trails off at his communit blares.
Niko nods to Kyara, also nodding a wary greeting to Kiwani of the Denner-flinging. He lifts one finger, a pleased grin crossing his face at the comm-communication.
Niko says "Nah, what's up? Is the evil meeting over?" into his communit.
Kyara sits back, sipping her drink as Niko converses with his communit. Seeing Kiwani, she fears.
Sevann peers from person to person, this is odd.
Kiwani traipses into the restaurant, happily jostling random people around her and accusing them of bumping into her. Sometimes, when it doesn't look like she'll get in trouble for it, she adds an insult to the package deal as she shoves people. The wary greeting gets a bright wave, as does Kyara of the fearing -- Kiwi is in a good mood at this moment. Not that such doesn't mean she won't still be annoying, of course.
Areania looks at Sevann wondering if she should interrupu to introduce herself
Sevann hurriedly scuttles his tiny form out of the entering's way, pulling Areania with him. "Watch out!" he calls up at the tall figure, frowning.
Areania smiles her thanks and looks up at the big person
Niko's communit crackles to life and announces "... yes. It was truly obscene.... it... to... thinking... some... I'd poke... see... interested in..." in Elasia's voice.
Kiwani's hands go to her hips as she arches her brows down at Sevann and Areania.
"Really? Isn't it you who should be watching out, children?" She makes a tsk-tsk'ing sound. "After all, it's much easier for *me* to miss seeing *you* than it is for *you* to miss seeing *me*, don't you agree?" She makes a shooing motion,
"Now run along and play now, kiddies, and remember not to talk to evil-looking strangers like me."
Kyara mutters into her drink, "Whatta ya mean, evil /looking/?"
Niko says "That actually sounds like an excellent idea. It's a little late for catching a sunset into the bargain, though, hm?" into his communit.
Sevann places his hands on what appear to be his hips, kind of copying. "Prince and Princess, tall one." he declares, flickering his wings.
Niko's communit crackles to life and announces "..." in Elasia's voice.
Areania ruffles her wings too for infasis
Niko says "So where should I meet you, then?" into his communit.
"Oh, right," Kiwani adds in a mock-apologetic voice, "I *am* evil. Sorry about that." Then she blinks towards Sevann and Areania. "Of what, FairyLand?"
Kyara gives Niko a horrified look. "There's /children/ here," she hisses. "And Kiwani. Leaving me amongst them counts as cruel and unusual punishment."
Sevann flickers his wings more in frustration. "I am Prince Sevann Golchild of Yhea, learn your respect, being."
Niko's communit crackles to life and says "... place? Do... floor, E... number..." in Elasia's voice.
Niko tosses back the rest of his drink--not at all a good idea, from his sudden blinking. "Sorry, Kya," he says, with a sweet smile. "I promised Ela I'd meet her. Can't go back on a promise to a lady, especially not Ela. She knows -stories-."
Niko says "I don't mind in the slightest. That sounds grand." into his communit.
Areania nods "And I am Princess Areania Crelesantie oh Yhean, Learn your respect!"
Niko's communit crackles to life and blares "Great.... then." in Elasia's voice.
Kyara blinks, then nods with a slow grin. Slugging down the rest of her drink, she gets to her feet. "I do believe I hear mugs screaming my name. Have fun, Niko."
Niko looks absolutely thrilled at whatever the comm-unit says, a delighted grin crossing his face. "Don't have any concern about that, Kya. Fun is a given." He gets to his feet, scattering a few giros on the table. "Have a nice evening, folks." And with that, he flees.
Niko walks towards the Java Quarter.
You walk towards the Java Quarter.
Q-HTML V2.1 (evaluation copy) by Craig Cockburn created this page on 03-Feb-1999 at 01:12:30
