3/11/99

You head towards the Dining Facility.

Dining Facility

Though the tan and white linoleum tiles of the dining hall are rather bland, the brightly-colored walls more than make up for that. The wall nearest the entrance holds vending machines for those on a budget, though the aromas of freshly-prepared food are tempting enough to make one forget finances. Cuisine from many of the Alliance's worlds is available, though some races are likely to find the food choices of their neighbors less than appealing. Plasglass windows in the next wall allow a view of the town beyond the complex, and a hint of the scenery beyond. Though the other two walls hold neither food nor windows, they have been painted with vivid colors, abstract murals that are occasionally interpreted by bored diners. Tables of varying shapes and sizes are found scattered throughout the room, with chairs that provide just enough comfort to allow ease of dining, but not so much that idlers are tempted to linger.

With the range of internal clocks of the complex's inhabitants, people of one form or another are generally found in the dining hall at all hours, though a seat at one of the many tables is usually available.

Contents:

Jay

Vendotron 3000

Obvious exits:

Atrium

You arrive from the Central Atrium.

Jay has a tray of food in his hands as he glances back and forth between two tables occupied by women, trying to decide which to inflict himself on.

Corian strides lightly into the room, absently straightening her sweater. Passing Jay, she murmurs, with an amused smile, "You are experiencing quite the dilemma, cousin."

Jay starts a bit, looking over at Cori with a sheepish grin. "Not any more. Care for some company, Cori?"

Corian's smile turns pleasant. "That would be lovely. Give me a moment to get something to drink?"

Jay nods, turning his head to search the hall. "You do that, I'll grab us a table."

Corian inclines her head. "Excellent," she says, offering that smile over her shoulder as she moves to get some fruit juice and some sliced veggies for snacking.

Jay snags a likely table, not too far from the round one used by Security and, setting his tray down, pulls Cori's seat out for her in readiness.

Corian comes back over with her juice and rabbit food, gracefully sliding into the outpulled seat. "Thank you," she says, as she settles her food on the table. "Have you had a pleasant day?"

Jay snickers, sliding into his own seat. "Depends on your definition of 'pleasant'. Riley ratted on me."

Corian pauses in lifting a cucumber. "What did you do to Riley, that he should have cause to... rat on you?" Her tone is just a bit amused.

Jay grins, still rather pleased with his little joke. "I played around with his computer. He told Mom I was picking on him. She was, shall we say, displeased."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Corian, nibbling on her cucumber during the explanation, blinks. "Aunt Kareen. Oh... dear. Jay, someday you will learn to keep out of trouble. But I believe that is also the day that the world will cease to exist." She still does look rather amused. "This, I suppose, is what I have missed in the past decade, not being near family."

Jay grins fondly, lifting his cheeseburger covered in just about every sauce and vegetable imaginable. "It is rather nice, isn't it? Granted, I haven't had much chance to miss it, the service aside, but it's a nice comfy feeling."

Corian nods her agreement to that, expression briefly wistful as she munches. "It is very comfortable," she murmurs. "I wish I had had the opportunity to experience it more, in the past. But I will be able to remedy that now." WIth a quick smile, she inquires, "Will there be any more family arriving, do you know? You'd mentioned visits."

Jay lifts one shoulder in a shrug, licking ketchup from his thumb. "Oh, I can't say for sure. I just wouldn't be surprised if it happe..." A blink. "Y'know, that might be just the thing."

Corian looks quite patient at the horribly uncouth ketchup-licking, though she does offer a napkin. "Just the thing?" she echoes. "What do you mean, Jay?"

Jay grins, taking the napkin with a nod of thanks. "An idea. A bee-rilliant idea."

Corian rubs lightly at her forehead for a moment, with a murmur about dentists. After a moment to sip her juice, she inquires, with all apparent patience, "What is your idea? Could you share it with me, please?"

Jay chuckles. "So sorry. How does a family reunion sound?"

Corian is silent for a moment, nibbling on a carrot stick as she considers. "It sounds like it would be a very involved experience. Do you think it likely that Riley would be able to take the time to go back to Kashid?"

Jay shakes his head. "No, I mean here."

Corian looks a bit puzzled by that. "Jay, there are only three of us here--no, four. There are... many more on Kashid. Would it not be more considerate--as well as more economical--for us to travel to them?"

Jay ponders that, chewing thoughtfully. "I can take care of the economical part. About considerate... well, that depends on whether they'd like to visit or not, doesn't it? I imagine plenty of 'em would be happy to scope the place out."

Corian's brows incline fractionally. "You have done that well for yourself? And I think you are correct that many of the family would like the excuse to visit the Complex, but... all of them?" It has, after all, been a very long time since Corian has seen all her family at once, and nearly that long since she's even seen most of them. "Perhaps we should discuss this with Riley. I would value his input."

Jay nods agreeably, spearing lettuce from his salad bowl. "Oh, I wouldn't even start asking folks before talking to him." He grins faintly. "It's not that I've done well. It's simply that I've managed my finances with creativity."

Corian somehow doesn't look especially reassured by that particular phrase. "Creative financial management," she murmurs, with a small shake of her head. "That sounds rather complicated, and rather like I would be unwise to investigate further, perhaps?"

Jay smiles winningly. "Unless you want me to trim your hair again, probably, yup. Have you met that Niko yet?" Not the smoothest subject change ever made.

Corian manages not to touch her hair, but it's an effort. "Niko... yes, I have. He seems to be a very enthusiastic young man." There's a hint of humor in her gray eyes.

Jay chuckles. "I didn't get that impression, but he does seem to have initiative, not to mention great skill in dropping bombshells." He points his fork toward you. "Okay, what'd he do?"

Corianfinishes off a slice of squash before answering. "I encountered him when I was in Customs--to see the Complex, of course. He was discharging his firearm upon what appeared to be a cup of coffee--and he seemed to be enjoying this greatly. I believe he challenged the beverage to a duel?"

Jay's eyebrows shoot up. "So /that's/ what coffee's good for."

Corian laughs very quietly, nodding. "If nothing else, it was quite entertaining to watch--though I believe he thought I was startled, or scandalized, or something of that sort."

Jay snickers. "I just bet." He shifts his grip on the sloppy burger. "Well, if somebody happened upon you while you were shooting beverages, wouldn't you think the same?"

Corian's tone is patience itself. "Jeremy, my dear cousin, even if that unlikely situation occured in which I did shoot beverages, I would certainly not do so where anybody could witness it."

Jay grins. "I just want to know one thing- what'd the coffee try to sneak through customs that required shooting it?"

Corian's graceful gesture expresses her puzzlement. "I am still not altogether certain," she admits. "Niko explained it--the tangler blast apparently accelerated a chemical reaction in something that had been added to the coffee, and he wished to study the reaction. Though why a Security officer is doing this is also somewhat puzzling."

Jay arches an eyebrow. "So... ask him."

Corian nods thoughtfully. "Perhaps I shall. That did not seem to be the time, as he was occupied in his work. But perhaps later."

Jay yups. "If you don't, I'll ask him next time I see him. Which presumably won't be all that long off. He wants to learn some stuff about computers. Gotta like a guy like that."

Corian's nod is fairly amiable. "You do, at least," she says, with a quiet laugh. "But, yes, he seems to be a likeable young man. You will be instructing him, then?"

Jay chuckles. "Yeah. Won't be a chore either, like it is with some I've met. He's clueful."

Corian polishes off her snack and carefully wipes her fingers on her napkin. "Then you will enjoy the instruction? I am glad of that; I have undertaken to instruct those who are somewhat less than... clueful, and it is generally not the most pleasant of experiences."

Jay grimaces. "Been there, done that, will avoid in the future. Oh yeah, I suspect I'll enjoy it alright."

Corian smiles at that. "Good. It is always best that you enjoy such endeavors, especially when family is involved."

Jay pauses. "I hadn't considered it from that aspect."

Corian inquires, hands curling loosely around her glass, "Which aspect?"

Jay gestures slightly, "The 'especially when family is involved' aspect."

Corian ahs quietly. "Do you not consider Niko to be family?" she inquires.

Jay huhs? "No, no... I mean, yes, if Riley considers him family, of course I do. That aspect just hadn't hit me cause I agreed to show him some stuff before I found out he's yet another branch on the family tree."

Corian, expression holding just a hint of relief, nods. "Ah, yes. That is understandable of course. I was certainly surprised to hear about him, myself. As was," she adds, a little more quietly, "Mother."

Jay follows that trail of thought for a moment. "Okay... I take it he came from the other side of the family? I still haven't heard the story yet."

Corian inclines her head. "I am still not altogether clear on all the details," she says cautiously, "But I believe that Riley's birth father was also his father. But I do not believe that Niko knew that, either, until recently." She shakes her head fractionally, with a faint smile. "This seems like it should be on holo somewhere."

Jay snickers. "No, Ripley's Believe It or Not. And nobody would, either."

Corian nods to that. "It does seem to be a highly improbable situation. But, as has been said recently, it is a small universe."

Jay grins, pushing aside his plate to reach for his cheesecake. Not that it can be identified as cheesecake, as it's completely covered in whipped cream. "I think it's got to do somehow with some deity's sense of humor."

Corian eyes the dessert with a slightly wrinkled nose, but doesn't comment on it. "They seem content with the situation, though. I suppose that is what matters."

Jay says "Content? I think that's an understatement. Are you merely content to be here among family, or is it something more?"

Corian nods in acknowledgement of the correction, with a faint smile. "It is somewhat more than contentment--but I have also known you and Riley all my life." Minus the last ten years.

Jay nods his agreement, happily scarfing on the cheesecake. "True enough. The theory's correct though. Long as they're happy with the situation, that's what counts. Not that I can imagine anybody not being happy to join our *snicker* little family."

Corian watches the cheesecake-scarfing with amusement--or perhaps her amusement is for your statement. "Well, I was certainly happy," she murmurs.

Jay grins fondly. "And we're certainly happy to have you, y'know."

Corian looks decidedly pleased at that, and perhaps just a bit embarrassed, as well. "Thank you, Jay. I am glad to hear that--especially from the one who cut off my hair." Her eyes hold a hint of humor.

Jay fakes poorly a "Bwahahaha" and grins. "Just imagine what could've happened if I /hadn't/ liked ya."

Corian blinks at that, though she's still amused. "Well, I suppose I cannot keep to the theory that you -didn't- like me, then," she says, with a quiet chuckle.

Jay looks shocked. "Are you kidding? I had the biggest... Yes, I liked you." He rolls his eyes, amused.

Corian's brows lift, but she doesn't ask for clarification. She'll just bug Riley about it later. "I understand that, now," she says, with a quiet chuckle. "With time, and a little perspective, it is much easier to see such matters."

Jay chuckles, leaning back in his chair, soda in hand. "So the past decade has brought a bit of wisdom with it?"

Corian nods very slowly, gaze distant for a moment. "Yes," she says finally, voice quiet. "Yes, it most certainly has." She gives looks back, then, with a smile. "But what have you been doing with yourself during all this time? You've certainly grown in ten years."

Jay gestures vaguely Kashid-ward. "Oh, I was still doing what I did when you knew me way back when up until a few years ago. Then insanity struck and I enlisted in the Navy. Just got my discharge a couple months ago."

Corian's brows lift fractionally at that. "Did you enjoy it?" she inquires curiously.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Jay shrugs cheerfully. "I didn't /not/ enjoy it. It was a job, I did my duty, and I got to play with the latest tech. Made E-4 with no problem by the time I got out. But the military's not for me, so here I am."

Corian nods her agreement to that. "The military is most certainly not for everybody," she says quietly. "All the same, I'm glad to have you here."

Jay beams. "Of course you are." He winks. "I'm glad to be here, hair-ruffling aside. It's damn good to see y'all again."

Corian nods, a quick smile crossing her face. "Though that is not quite the phrasing I would choose, it is certainly the proper sentiment."

Jay grins ruefully. "Pardon the language, Cori. Enthusiasm often gets the better of me."

Corian shakes her head, with a graceful gesture. "There is nothing to forgive. I have certainly gotten used to such."

Jay smiles. "You always make me feel like I should straighten up my act."

Corian, with another shake of her head, offers a smile. "That is unintentional, cousin. Please forgive me. You surely should not change yourself on my behalf."

Clara arrives from the Central Atrium.

Clara has arrived.

Clara heads in out of uniform for once and hair faintly damp as evidence of a recent shower, heading over to coax dinner and a cup of coffee from one of the lines, the former turning up to be a bowl of clam chowder. She turns to survey the crowd for a moment.

Jay chuckles. "I'm not particularly worried about it. Relax."

Corian echoes Jay's chuckle, inclining her head, then, catching sight of a familiar figure, smiles and watches Clara for a moment. "Have you met her yet?" she inquires, with a nod towards the doctor.

Jay's gaze follows Corian's, and he shakes his head, perking up. "No, but I'd certainly like to."

Clara catches the sight of one familiar face and heads towards it with a growing smile. "Corian...good evening." The young man receives a pleasant nod of greeting before she asks, "Is the plaster staying on the ceiling at least down here?"

Corian takes a moment to murmur to Jay in that annoying mixture of Standard and Edrilac, before turning to Clara with a smile. "For the moment, yes. I don't believe you have met Jay--Jeremy Lasher. He is my cousin, and Riley's, of course, recently come to Linnae."

You whisper "Before you get the wrong idea, cousin, she is with Riley." to Jay.

Jay starts to give Clara his winningest smile, only to blink at Cori, and the expression turns somewhat warmer as he rises to bow. "My lady, I am very honored indeed to meet the woman who could capture Riley's heart."

Morrigan arrives from the Central Atrium.

Morrigan has arrived.

Morrigan slips in and heads back to the lines of food. Index finger on her right hand seems to be marking time for a melody that only she can hear.

Zyrianna arrives from the Central Atrium.

Zyrianna has arrived.

Momentarily stunned wordless, Clara's own smile brightens as she inclines her head smoothely. "And a pleasure indeed to meet another of his family, most certainly. He'd mentioned last night that you'd made planetside." She gives Cori a faintly wry grin. "I see that charm very much runs in the family."

Corian adds softly, realizing that she has not done so, "Jay, this is Clara Aleron." Her smile to her cousin is amused as she murmurs, "I see you have not forgotten everything." Clara, however, gets a warm smile. "Thank you."

Jay is slightly distracted by Morrigan's entrance, and he flashes a smile in her direction before turning back to Clara with a grand gesture. "Would you be so kind as to join us?" He steadfastly ignores Cori's amusement. "Very good memory, yep."

Clara shifts her weight slightly after offering the apparant musician a quick smile as she passes, then looks from one cousin to the other. "Only if it's all right with Corian...I didn't mean to interrupt, really. Just to say hello."

Corian offers Clara a pleasant smile. "Please do. It would be a pleasure to have you with us." She indicates a handy chair, flickering another amused look towards Jay.

Jay comes around quickly to hold Clara's chair for her. "Cori's appreciative of good company, y'see."

Morrigan finally sees Jay's smile and offers him a quick smile which quickly moving to the others.

Clara can't suppress another faintly surprised but rather delighted look at the chair being held out and sinks into it gracefully, as if this were an old trick. "Why thank you," she replies, setting her tray down. "I don't know that I could be called good company, though. More the type your mother warned you about," she supplies with a smile.

Morrigan opens a score before settling down to her dinner.

Corian catches Morrigan's smile, and throws it to the shortstop for a double play. Actually, she just returns it, with an inquiring look and a nod towards another chair. At Clara's words, she chuckles. "I think Mother would approve of you, actually," she murmurs. "Jay's mother... well, I certainly can't speak for Aunt Kareen."

Jay chuckles, returning to his seat, reaching out to brush his fingers along Morrigan's shoulder on the way. "I'm afraid my mother usually warned the girls about me, Ms. Aleron, rather than the other way around." He chuckles at Cori. "Oh yes, I'm pretty sure Mom would approve."

Clara hides a rather amused smile at the casual contact and taps a sugar packet into her tea before stirring it. "I have to say that this is rather a relief. Every time I meet another person in Riley's family, my knees shake. An odd physical phenomena, but I hear there's no cure."

Corian murmurs something about the accuracy of Aunt Kareen's warnings, and hair. At Clara's words, however, she offers a sympathetic smile. "We're quite harmless, though, I assure you." There's a brief pause. "Well, most of us are."

Jay balls up a paper napkin and cheerfully tosses it in Cori's direction without looking. "Have you heard scary stories about us then?"

Jay was nice- it was a /clean/ napkin. :)

"Truth to tell, not really." Clara stirs her chowder and takes a quick bite before explaining, "I've heard about his immediate family, of course. And the great couch wars. And of course, Honalee hired me. But he's quite complimentary of his family."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Corian deftly catches the crumpled napkin, with an economy of movement, and tucks it into his empty glass. "Honalee is wonderful," she observes softly. "It was a joy to see her, when I was on Kashid."

Jay's eyebrows rise slightly. "'Of course', Honalee hired you?" He grins rather broadly. "Complimentary, eh? That sounds like Riley. I daresay his comments, if any, next time you see him will include the word 'hellion' a lot."

Clara nods in full agreement with Corian, respectful as she sips at her tea. "I'd love to see her again. She's an amazing woman." Jay gets a nod and a quick grin. "To replace her as Chief of Medical. Although since I'm not a civilian, the title gets transmuted to CMO."

Morrigan pushes her plate away slightly, her gaze moving around the room as she rolls her head on her shoulders. SHe stiffles a yawn before she rises to get herself a nice cup of tea.

Corian, after a thoughtful glance at Jay, murmurs, "Perhaps she could be convinced to visit. I would certainly be willing to try, at least."

Jay ahs, "So you're a doctor? Brainy as well as beautiful. Riley sure knows how to pick 'em." He nods to Cori. "That'd be a pleasant surprise."

Morrigan settles back with her tea and pushes her half eaten dinner away.

Clara's brows quirk up as her face pinkens slightly before she ducks her head. "Someone has to take care of all the scrapes he gets himself into," she allows, then nods around another bite of the chowder. "I'd be thrilled if she could visit. She left so quickly, I think we were all stunned, and talking to her on subspace just isn't the same."

Corian's lips quirk fractionally at Jay's comment, but she nods nonetheless. As Clara speaks, she nods once more. "Subspace surely isn't the same, no. I will ask, the next time I speak with her. That, at least," she adds to Jay, "I would be willing to do without consulting Riley. I am sure he would like to see her as well."

Jay mhmmms. "Far cry between that and asking the whole clan to show up. Scrapes, eh?"

Morrigan listens idly, while trying not to appear to eavesdrop.

"The whole clan?" Clara's eyes widen considerably as she takes a moment to finish off her dinner while getting used to the idea, then leans back in her seat, wrapping her hands about her mug. "Er, scrapes, yes. He is Chief of Security...I think I've patched nearly everyone in that department at one time or another."

Corian says quickly to Clara, "An idea, only. I find it somewhat unlikely that it will occur--we must discuss it with Riley, first. Jay is, perhaps, enthusiastic--though I cannot say that I blame him. I would not mind seeing the family again."

Jay shrugs a bit, gesturing toward Cori with his can. "What she said. Considering the unlikelihood of getting Riley to come home for a visit..." A soft hmph escapes him. "One of the locals mentioned he'd been... hurt."

Clara flitters her fingers, shaking her head with a faint smile. "It's a lovely idea, actually. I don't know how likely Riley is to be approved for time off-planet, but discussing it with him can't hurt." She regards Jay for a moment, then takes a sip of tea to hide a wistful smile. "Which time?"

Corian shakes her head fractionally at the mention of Riley's injuries, lightly folding one arm atop the other. Long fingers rub along her elbow as she glances at her cousin.

Jay catches Cori's look, and shrugs with a smile. "Can't say as I remember rightly. Couldn't have been anything too serious, as he looks rather well. Must be all that TLC?"

Clara glances at Corian, then back at Jay, as if uncertain just what to admit to. "Ah...his last bit of damage was several months ago. He's recovered nicely though, yes." She sighs, coming to a decision. "You'd likely hear from a local anyway, but actually, he was shot."

Corian nods at that, looking unsurprised, if very sober. She murmurs something under her breath--could it be an Italian-sounding name? Whatever it is, her expression is briefly quite grim, before shifting back to her usual pleasant manner.

Jay coughs, looking away with a murmured, "Ah yes, that was it."

Morrigan quirks an eyebrow as she looks around a little warily perhaps expecting her number to up next.

Clara nods once slowly at Corian, a rather saddened look in place, then busies herself with a sip of tea. "I put a call in to Honalee as soon as I was sure he'd pull through. And he did," she assures, smile quirking. "Splendidly."

Corian nods to Clara, though her smile takes a moment to ring true. "A credit to your healing and care, I'm sure, Clara. Riley certainly does need someone like you to look after him."

Jay turns back with a warm smile. "Cori's right, of course. I daresay you give him as much inspiration as you do medication."

Clara shakes her head with a self-deprecating look at her mug. "Goodness, no. He was just terribly stubborn is all. But that's in the past, thank goodness. What about you, Mr. Lasher? What brings you to Linnae at such an...eventful time?"

Jay gestures vaguely. "A sense of adventure? This is, after all, the seat of the Alliance. And please," he smiles, "Mr. Lasher is my father. Just call me Jay. Not Jeremy," he adds with a smirk toward Cori. "If I hear Jeremy I think I'm in trouble."

Corian chuckles softly at Jay. "Unsurprising, dear cousin, as often as you heard it when you were younger."

Clara shakes her head with a grin. "Be careful what you wish for, Jay. You may get it. I know the feeling, though. Unless I hear Clara, Doc, or Major, I get all sorts of worried." She wrinkles her nose at Corian in amusement. "The hazards of childhood, indeed."

Jay coughs, very tempted to stick out his tongue at Cori. "Apparently my childhood held more hazards than most... Clara, then?"

Corian gently ruffles her hair with one finger, not even looking at Jay. "My cousin," she observes, amusement lacing her tone, "Made childhood quite adventuresome, for all of us."

Clara nods at Jay with a warm smile in affirmation, then can't help but laugh softly. "I don't know whether to be worried or hail a kindred spirit."

Jay grins at Cori. "Twas my pleasure, no need to thank me." He laughs softly. "Well, see, I used to be an imp, now I'm a hellion, and I hope to graduate to major demon soon. Making Riley's life adventuresome then, Clara?"

Corian gets to her feet to dispose of her dishes, lightly tousling Jay's hair as she passes. "I do not believe I thanked you, cousin," she adds, with a quiet laugh.

"Me?" Clara responds in utter innocence. "Goodness, no. I'm just a mild-mannered doctor without even the adventures of a lot of travel." At the hair tousling, she grins faintly, hiding the expression in a sip of tea.

Jay acks, ducking too late with a rueful laugh. "Cooooori! Between you and Riley, I'm never going to keep my hair where it's supposed to be." He snickers at Clara, reaching up to unfasten his ponytail and smooth his wavy hair back into place. "I bet you got a nice bridge in Brooklyn for sale too."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Corian offers Jay a sweet smile as she returns to her seat. "Traveling does have its rewards, though," she murmurs, mostly to herself. "And its drawbacks." How decisive.

Clara waggles her eyebrows over her mug, giving up on the innocent act. "Don't be silly. I'm from -far- further south than Brooklyn." Cori's murmur gets a slightly wistful nod, as if she understood.

Morrigan offers quietly, 'You do learn how to pack very efficiently'

Jay chuckles quietly at Clara, his eyes flicking back and forth between the two women. "I'll take your word for that, Cori," he murmurs, then gives Mori a delighted grin.

Roland arrives from the Central Atrium.

Roland has arrived.

Corian nods her agreement to Morrigan, with a quiet chuckle. "Ah, yes. You have traveled as well? Is it not a joy, to live out of suitcases and bags?" There's only a little irony in Corian's last words. Maybe she's getting tired, that she's letting her pleasantry slip.

Clara nods amiably at Morrigan as well in agreement. "Or an issue duffel and and a medical bag. Being on shipboard with all the lovely restrictions."

Roland wonders into the hall, bee-lining for the vending machines.

Morrigan adds with a soft chuckle, 'Add to that a cello case'

Corian's brows lift at Morrigan's addendum. "That could make for more difficult travel." For one, how are you going to get it in the overhead compartment?

Jay sends a nod in Roland's direction. "Speaking of Mr. Adventure..." He gives the female trio a broad grin. "I'll see your cello and medical bag and suitcases and raise you several crates of computer parts."

Morrigan is seated at a table close to the others. Her gaze moving towards the newcomer as he is greeted.

Clara can't help but laugh, even as she nods cheerfully at Roland, and offers, "I'll match those computer parts with a case of titani-armor. Horrid stuff. Has to be polished after every use." She peers back at Roland and calls, "How's the arm, DeMario?"

Roland argues with the vending machines briefly, finally gets the drink and snack he wants then heads over the everyone's general direction. Upon Clara's inquiry he holds up the can in his previously inflicted arm. "Doing pretty well. Almost worth the pain," he notes.

Riley arrives from the Central Atrium.

Riley has arrived.

Riley ambles in, having somewhere acquired another healthy load of plaster dust. He has the luck after all. After a brief conference with the Vendotron he manages to aquire a soda and a candy bar. Turning to the room at large he grins to see various familiar types and heads in that direction. "Evening folks."

Jay peers at Clara. "Titani-armor? You win." He spots Riley and, about to refasten his ponytail, sighs dramatically.

Morrigan glances up solemnly at Riley, then rises to get herself another cup of tea.

Corian offers Riley a bright smile, even if he's got a candy bar. "Good evening, Riley."

Clara holds up her index finger in the childhood gesture of a gun and blows across the tip casually. "Gets 'em every time," she drawls, then glances back at the familiar voice and brightens to a painfully cheerful level. "Evening, mister."

Riley simply can't pass up an opportunity like Jay with his hair down, it wouldn't be -right-. He ruffles the younger man's hair quite evilly in passing before moving to drop into a seat near Clara. "Have I missed anything wild and wooly?"

Jay nods, having expected as much, and reaches up to neatly retie said ponytail. "No, your aim was good."

Clara nods very solemnly at Riley. "You did, but we took care of it. It was a mammoth undertaking."

Jay groans, snickering quite a bit.

Corian is, of course, far too refined to groan at such a horrible pun. Clara gets an amused look, and the corners of her lips twitch somewhat, but she shakes her head. There's a quiet murmur about Aunt Kareen, but no comment beyond that.

Morrigan takes a few moments to realize there was a joke and she ohs softly before taking a sip of her tea.

Clara looks fairly pleased by the various responses, eyes dancing over the teacup held before her. "I take it he didn't warn you about puns," she murmurs to Corian.

Riley does however groan, albeit softly, as he unwraps his candy bar. "Cla-ra, that was -evil." He takes a bite of the candy. "As long as the place is in one piece, yes?"

Corian shakes her head, laughing lightly. "I am afraid he didn't, no. I suppose I can forgive him, though."

Jay grins in delight at Clara. "That was great." An eyebrow cocks in Riley's direction. "Apparently you haven't seen the construction work they're doing around here?"

Clara reaches a hand over to brush a bit of plaster dust from Riley's shoulder, looking vastly amused. "Of course it is. Aside from the bits of the place you're wearing, everything's fine."

Corian shakes her head. "This business with the ceilings," she starts, then shakes her head after a moment. "Delegate An'Shendor from Pstiev was so incensed that she could not speak Standard. I thought it prudent, however, not to translate her words." Despite her obvious distaste for the construction, her gray eyes hold a certain gleam of humor.

Riley absently dusts off a shoulder's worth of plaster dust, "Nope, hadn't noticed it."

Jay chuckles. "Depends on who she was aiming it at, doesn't it?"

Morrigan peers at the ceilings, 'What's in the ceilings?'

Clara makes a face, reaching for her tea again. "Are there any ways to put a damper on the dust, perhaps? I've been having folks traipsing in and out all day with breathing problems." She flickers a glance upwards, not knowing how to answer Mori's question.

Corian murmurs to Jay, "It was, for the most part, a general complaint. She does, however, seem to have a penchant for anatomical impossibilities."

"We can check with Arthur. It's key to take something to hide behind though," Riley says as he munches. "He is vastly less than thrilled with all of this."

Jay chuckles. "And this was a delegate? Sounds like one of the more personable ones."

"No doubt," Clara agrees, nodding. "I can't imagine too many people are." She flashes Corian and Jay a quick grin. "Delegates are creative folk at times. They meet the most...imaginative medical emergencies."

As if on cue, Mori sneezes softly..almost like a mouse sneeze...maybe it was a mouse.

Corian nods to Jay. "One of the senior members of the Edreeni delegation, in fact. She's quite displeased--and she's very personable, most of the time." Clara gets a brief nod, and a look that suggests she's not going to inquire into those medical emergenicies.

Jay gives Clara a sympathetic grin. "Lucky you. /Is/ the construction going to be done soon?" The question is directed toward Riley before he looks to Cori with a nod. "Can't say as I blame her. This stuff's horror for the computers." Isn't that the only important thing?

Riley is only have participating in the conversation, not altogether here. But Jay's question keys him into it. "It depends. There's no end in sight yet. The Edreeni delegation is making as if to try and halt it."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Jay raises his red can in a toast. "Here's to the Edreeni then."

Clara waggles her brows at Jay in agreement, then tilts her head thoughtfully. "I can certainly wish them luck. As it is, anyone over about five and a half feet tall's going to have all sorts of interesting back problems. I may be exaggerating...but still." She lifts her mug to answer the toast, taking a sip. "Hear, hear."

Morrigan blinks, "Why so low?'

Jay grimaces even as he takes a drink from his soda. "Five and a half, eh? Great, I get here and they lower the ceilings. That's a rather drastic measure to rid oneself of a hellion," he grins.

Riley nods emphaticly to that toast, leaning his elbows onto the table. "It's really quite insane. I doubt he'll get too far with this lunacy. Other lunacy erhaps, but this is a bit much. The budget can only handle so much."

Corian smiles in response to Jay's toast, though her expression sobers quickly enough. She keeps her comments to herself, instead resting her chin in a cupped hand, gray eyes flickering between people.

Jay's eyebrows arch at Riley's comment. "He?"

Morrigan tilts her head as she ventures, 'Why is he lowering the ceilings?'

Riley nods to Jay, finishing off the inhaled candy bar. "The new Chairman, Alistair Lexington. Probably the biggest smear on the title yet." He grins at Morrigan, "To prove he can."

"I can't say as I object to carpeting, either...but in Medbay? I nearly had to chase the poor guy taking measurements out with a spe-...uh, frightening looking device." Clara finishes off her tea, both irritated and amused.

Jay hmmms. "Sounds like a nice fellow. Not." He pauses. "Does he have a computer?" His eyes flick to Clara, and he shakes his head. "That's crazy. The carpet, I mean."

Morrigan considers that,'What will he do for an encore..paint the sky red?'

Roland shakes his head. "Paint the city red. Can't paint the sky red, unless he's gonna tint the glass in the atrium. That'd make the sky look kinda red. Maybe more like purplish..."

Riley just lifts his shoulders to the various questions in a shrug. "Who can understand the man? I surely can't, although goodness knows I wish I could. I got the best mail."

Clara's attention snaps to Riley in wariness. Mail isn't usually a happy thing. "Mail? What kind of mail?" she asks, voice lowering in concern.

Jay takes a swig from his can. "From?"

"The central office. In regards to people being moved around. Seems they'd gotten an order to alter my quarters. Thankfully they were kind and checked with me first, and found out O'd not put in the request." Riley explains amiably.

Corian's brows lift lightly as she returns from getting her tea. Yeah. That's where she was. She wasn't idle.

Morrigan considers ROlands words thoughtfully before nodding, "But it would be a neat effect, wouldn't it?'

Roland shrugs. "Can the plants survive off of purple light? I thought they needed white light. It'd certainly be an entertaining experiment." *glug-glug*

"Move?" Clara's voice does a passable imitation of a dolphin squeak on this word as her brows shoot up. "Where? Why?"

Jay taps his fingers on the tabletop. "If you didn't... the Chairman again? Or just a typo? What kind of alterations are we talking about?"

"Down a level, into a closet. He's so kind." Riley's reply is still as cheerfully amiable as ever. "I pointed out that this must be an error of course. Lexington's going to have to work a little harder than -that-."

Clara leans back slightly in her chair, crossing one leg over the other as the gears very visibly turn mentally. Rather than speak of what's being processed, she nods slowly. "He will indeed. Times like this I'm so terribly glad Honalee made me promise to stay out of politics."

Corian shakes her head very slowly, eyes lingering on Riley for a moment. She sips lightly at her tea, then sets the mug down, the better to wrap her fingers around the mug. (That's why she drinks tea so much--great for warming the fingers.) Her gray gaze flicks to Clara, and she murmurs, "An excellent promise to request." She shakes her head once more, thoughtful.

Jay blinks a few times. "That's, uh, not friendly. A closet..."

"Politics are evil," Riley nods agreement, "Nasty and evil and altogether to be avoided if one is not a politician." There's a pause and he grins at Jay, "It's a very -nice- closet. Even comes with its own mop."

Clara crosses her eyes to regard her rather dustmoppish bangs with a wry grin. "Some of us come equipped with that already," she murmurs, amused.

Jay chuckles lightly. "Furnished, even. How quaint."

Morrigan's expression makes it clear that she will stick with her music.

Riley frowns at his can a moment and then shakes his head, climbing to his feet. "It was good to see y'all. Have a nice evening?"

Morrigan bows her head slightly,'Good evening.'

Corian nods to Riley's politics-related comment, resting her chin in her hand once more. She refrains from making comments, to avoid being cryptic. Clara, however, gets a quick smile. "Perhaps we should locate pictures of Riley," she suggests. As Riley gets to his feet, she nods, offering him a smile.

Jay's eyebrows rise at the abrupt departure, but he gives a nod. "Take it easy, Riley. Put on a smiley face."

Riley was -going- to be kind, but Jay's comment earns another attempted hair ruffle as he heads for the door.

Jay deserved that one, so he doesn't duck, just snickers.

Clara rises as well, actually, cheking to make sure her dishes are all together for easy disposal. "Mind if I tag-..." But seeing as he's already headed for the door, she just sighs and smiles faintly and goes to dispose of her dishes.

Riley heads towards the Central Atrium.

Riley has left.

Jay leans back in his seat with a thoughtful look. "Now what do you suppose all that's about?" The murmured question could be taken as rhetorical.

Clara pauses by the others with a faint smile. "Actually, he's not got a bad idea. If you all could excuse me? A full week of early shifts means I turn to an ogre fairly early in the evening."

Corian shakes her head fractionally to Jay. "Riley moves in mysterious ways." Clara gets a quick smile, and a nod. "Of course, Clara. In fact, it could hardly be termed 'early in the evening'. Dream well."

Jay looks up to give Clara a warm smile. "Of course. Twas a great pleasure meeting you, Clara." COri's comment earns some more thoughtful nodding.

Morrigan smiles at the doctor as she murmers, 'Night...and sleep well'

Clara inclines her head with a warm smile. "Indeed. Goodnight, all," she offers, fingers somewhat absently worrying a piece of hair as she heads for the door as well.

Clara heads towards the Central Atrium.

Clara has left.

Jay drains his can of soda and gets to his feet with a stretch. "If y'all will excuse me, I need to stretch my legs a bit."

Corian takes up her tea once more, holding at the level of her lips even after she has finished sipping, fingers steepled beyond it. She nods thoughtfully to Jay. "Enjoy your walk, cousin."

Morrigan starts to take a drink of her tea and discovers that is it empty. With a sigh she stands and goes for another cup.

Jay bows to the assembled, and picks up his tray. "I shall. Dinner with you was wonderful as always, Cori." Giving a grin, he heads for the door, depositing dishes in the proper receptacle on the way.

Jay heads towards the Central Atrium.

Jay has left.

Corian smiles after Jay, returning the bow as much as she might, while still seated, then returns to contemplation of her tea.

Morrigan settles back to consider the score thougtfully, fingers moving to lightly rub her temples.

Corian, after a moment, gently puts down the tea mug and takes out a datapad, keying it on and perusing its contents.

Morrigan hums softly, her eyes back on her score again.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Corian frowns faintly at the small screen of her datapad, and gets to her feet. She automatically murmurs a quiet "Excuse me", taking her tea with her as she heads out of the facility.


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