3/25/99

You say "Tarrant? I do hope I'm not disturbing. Do you have a moment?" into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and blares "Of course Corian, for you always, what is it?" in Tarrant's voice.

You say "*quiet chuckle* I will have to get used to hearing you say my name. I do have to say that it is a nice change, however. Actually, I have a favor to ask of you. The reason you did not wish to speak in my quarters the other day--is there any chance that you could remedy it?" into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and blares "Certainly, certainly. I possess the equipment to do so, it is the work of a mere moment." in Tarrant's voice.

You say "How wonderful. If you could assist me in that, when you have a moment, I would be most appreciative." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and says "Whenever would be convenient for you, between work as I am, I have no demands on my time." in Tarrant's voice.

You say "I am free now, if that would be convenient for you?" into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and announces "Certainly, if you would but inform me as to the location of your home?" in Tarrant's voice.

You say "Of course, of course. I am in corridor Y, room 8, on the fourth floor." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and announces "But a moment then and I shall be in attendance." in Tarrant's voice.

You will no longer hear dining.

You say "Thank you very much, Tarrant. I do appreciate this." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and blares "It is not a problem in the slightest." in Tarrant's voice.

Someone's knocking on the door. Maybe it's Tarrant. (If you like, you can 'reply <words>'.)

Corian calls, "Come in!"

Tarrant enters from the Elevator Lounge.

Tarrant has arrived.

Corian tucks a bit of paper into the file-drawer, and turns as you enter. "Good evening," she says, with a smile.

Tarrant ambles in, carrying a small metallic case. He bows sweepingly, "And a good evening it is indeed." He gestures to the table with the case, "May I?"

Corian returns the bow with one much less sweeping, then moves to make a bit more room on the table. "But of course."

Tarrant settles the case onto the table, and moves somewhat gingerly to take a seat on the edge of the couch near said case. Flipping open the catches he pulls out antenna. A few buttons are depressed and it hums gently. "This will just take a moment."

Corian inclines her head as sher perches lightly on the arm of the couch. Noting the gingerness, she inquires, "Are you all right, Tarrant?"

Tarrant nods amiably, examining the readout. "Certainly, just a bit stiff from recent escapades. I should spend more time on cramped shuttles I suppose and accustom myself to it, but I find the idea lacks appeal." He stands again, padding over to the door to the hall. Reaching up he scrapes at the top of the trim, pulling down a small circular disk. With a soft snap he cracks it in half.

Corian's lips quirk in a faint smile. "Perhaps you could find a small closet and spend some time each day inside it," she suggests, though she's obviously not serious. At the removal of the disk, she shakes her head fractionally, a faint expression of disgust crossing her face. "At least I am not surprised by that," she murmurs.

"It wasn't switched on, but it could have been." Tarrant explains, offering you the pieces. "Would you like a jammer to prevent any other from being functional if they're added?"

Corian takes the pieces with a murmured thankyou, absently snapping them once more before rising and dropping them in a bin holding some paper trash. "I would very much appreciate that, yes."

Tarrant reaches down into the small case, pulling out a single metallic cube and offering it as well with a grin. "Just leave this somewhere centralized. If you'll let me examine your communit?" He gestures to the unit on the wall.

Corian takes the cube with another quiet thankyou, turning it over so that she may look at it. "Of course. There is no need for you to ask--though I am not surprised that you did."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Tarrant removes several tools from the case, offering a grin, "It seemed a good idea, rather than to just randomly start dissasembling major appliances in your home. Although it would certainly garner attention I suppose."

Corian gets to her feet, the better to get a better vantage point for watching said disassembling. "Not so much so as tapdancing atop my table, but, yes, I certainly would notice it." She chuckles quietly, then inquires, "May I offer you something to drink?"

Tarrant shakes his head to the question, easing himself down onto the floor so that he may better reach the access panel. "No, but I appreciate the offer." A grin is turned up from the work at hand at the table is regarded, "I don't think the table'd appreciate that. Besides, tapdancing in these boots? It's harder than it looks. The spurs catch."

Corian, with another soft chuckle, nods. "John told me about that, yes," she says, tone definitely amused. "He could always be counted upon to remember the moments you'd least prefer that he remember, and share them."

Tarrant carefully unscrews the panel and then setting aside the non existant hat, levers himself carefully into the opening. Head and shoulders go into the space and general tinkering sounds ensue. His reply when it comes is muffled, "It's amazing how fancy a set up they have on these. They all come with this sneaky hidden set up to make everything tappable by a central network. The network itself is reported as destroyed, and I can get a return to it, but still, somebody with know how could tap in the existing set up. So it's easier just to re-wire it straight and add a signal scrambler." There's an amused harrumph, "He did indeed, and share them at length. An evil and devious man, one I'm proud to have made the acquaintance of."

Corian muses thoughtfully, "I wonder how many of the occupants of the Complex know about the monitoring capabilities present in the rooms here. Not many, I daresay." She nods at your final words, though she's aware that you can't see the gesture. "He was a good friend, though, despite his tendencies for evil--or perhaps because of them."

Tinker, scruffle, ratchet, lots of cheerful sounds of working continue to waft from the open panel as Tarrant, well, works. "Well, a lot of people are probably too innocent to think of it. Then a lot of folks on this floor are likely no more innocent than I am."

Corian nods once more, moving to sit in her desk chair. "I have to say I agree with you, there. Some of these delegates are quite sneaky." She shakes her head at that. "It does make my work more interesting, though, so I cannot object too much."

"And dull just would not -do-, now would it." Tarrant laughs softly, edging back from out of the hole in the wall, a bit mussed and dusty but amused. He snags a handkerchief from one pocket, wiping the ick off as he settles the panel in place with the other hand. "These people do seem to be more devious than most, makes my work all the trickier." He taps the panel, "If you ever have work done on this, make dead for certain you know the repairperson's legit. My best sneak is simply to walk in on requested calls and use it to place taps."

Corian inclines her head, absently tucking a lock of silvery-blonde hair behind one ear, then immediately dislodging it. "Of course. I will certainly take care in selecting those who repair my comm-unit."

Tarrant climbs to his feet, joints popping as he does so. He returns the tools to the case, closing it up. He offers another grin, "All clear, no bugs, official or otherwise, remaining."

Corian winces fractionally at the joint-popping noises. "I do hope that you will be able to take the time to recuperate from the shuttle-travel, Tarrant. And many thanks for your assistance. I greatly appreciate it."

"Plenty of time, I'm sure, seeing as I'll be right as rain in the morning." Tarrant assures with a grin, "Stiff's always worse the next day and all. I am just getting older, another reason I suppose that they have me close to base. Although goodness knows, I've more years left than most of them do." He stifles a snicker, "They are odd though." He adds a nod, "Anything for a friend, Corian. A very simple thing too."

Corian's lips quirk fractionally. "Ah, but we are all getting older, Tarrant. Even I am not as young as I once was." She absently smooths a wrinkle in her pale blue skirt, adding, "And even simple things are appreciated, especially when it is something like this, which assures my privacy."

Tarrant straightens a jacket sleeve, almost in echo of your movement. "Privacy's important," he drawls, "Peace of mind is a wonderful thing. It's not real nice to feel watched."

Corian nods firmly at that. "Not that I felt watched, of course, mind. I did not consider that the rooms might be monitored--perhaps I am not quite so worldly-wise as I had hoped."

"Innocence is not to be hoped against, Corian," Tarrant offers something of a sad smile. "It's an admirable trait."

Corian even shrugs gracefully, as she demonstrates now. "I did not intend to imply otherwise, Tarrant. And it is true that I would fit my appearance better if I were more innocent." Her lips quirk fractionally. "But, as you have said and I have repeated, appearances often deceive."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Tarrant taps a finger to the side of his nose, nodding. "Exceptionally deceptive, yes. But nor is there harm in appearing more innocent than you are. Keeps the rest of us guessing."

Corian nods her agreement to your agreement. Lots of agreeing. "Or it allows people to remain comfortable in their assumptions, or to keep to older opinions. I cannot see the harm in that."

Tarrant slides his hands into his pockets, nodding pleasantly, "People really don't need to be cured of their innocence in regards to older opinions, no. I think my relatives for example would likely keel over if they knew what I did. My sister Sarah may have an inkling of an idea, but the others are all innocence."

Corian nods her agreement to that, a faintly worried expression crossing her face. "I do believe that keeling over would be an apt way to describe my own family's reaction, yes. I believe that they only knew I have been more difficult to contact, of late."

"Family is often better off not knowing I suppose, although there have been times when the temptation has been to explain it. Just perhaps so that they will stop pestering, or perhaps so that my father will understand I really did listen all those years." Tarrant's drawl is even thicker for a brief moment. "Now at least you are easier to contact?"

Corian nods at that, with a quick smile. "Much easier, yes--I speak to my father quite regularly. And, of course, my brother is here." Somehow, she thinks you'll know who she means. Imagine that. "That is another advantage of my retirement."

Tarrant nods amiably, "Having family close must be pleasant. I am considering takin time to go visit mine, at some point. It is always good to do so, reminds me of why they live -there-, and I live -here-."

Corian shakes her head at that, looking a bit amused. "Where my cousin is concerned, I do believe I can understand that sometimes, though Jay has certainly matured in the ten years that have passed since the last time I saw him. He seems much less prone to random haircuts, now."

Tarrant's neat brows lift questioningly, "Random haircuts?" He echoes, looking amused. He shifts his weight to his right leg, "Sounds...distressing."

Corian, with a blink and then a sudden look of realization, suggests, "Do sit down, Tarrant--please. I did not intend to keep you standing. And it was quite distressing at the time, yes, but I have found since then that I prefer the convenience of shorter hair." And it makes her look less like she's twelve.

Tarrant blinks a moment, then looks sheepish. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to overstay either. Although I will not go so far as to apologize for doing so, as I enjoy your company." He eases down to a seat on one end of the overstuffed sofa, adjusting his jacket with flair as he does so. "Having never had particularly long hair, I can't compare the two for sake of convenience. But I think yours is lovely as you wear it, it is very you. Still, randomly trimming your hair would seem to invite revenge involving ants, or perhaps small brown spiders."

Corian's smile at the compliment is quite pleased, as is her murmured thankyou. "Or perhaps a few choice words to his mother, yes," she agrees, with a quiet chuckle. "Alas, that was better revenge than anything I could enact."

Tarrant shifts one ankle over the other, spurs jangling softly. He can't help but ask, looking amused, "What did his mother do, dare I ask?"

Corian's eyes shine with amusement. "She gave him quite the lecture on the improper nature of his actions. Now, I know that does not sound like a particularly torturous punishment, but Aunt Kareen has a way of expressing her displeasure, especially when one is very young, and her son. Poor Jay was very displeased."

Tarrant laughs easily, shaking his head in an amused fashion. "Parents have quite the way with words. It's in their charter y'know. Along with, 'I hope you have kids just like you,' and 'Don't -touch- that!'."

Corian laughs very quietly at that. "Of course, of course. I cannot say, however, that I wish kids just like Jay upon him. Not, at least, if he and I are still living near enough for the children to visit."

Tarrant folds his arms across his chest, tucking hands beneath opposite arms. The amused look remains, "Yes, I would have to say the parental curse seems misguided if grandchildren are to be thought of." He pauses, "Is this the same Jay present about the time we re-met? The programmer who stole my line?"

Corian nods at that, with a quick smile. "That is my cousin, yes--the programmer who stole your line. I do not believe he intended to do so, though."

Tarrant harrumphs with a great deal of mock-indignance, although someone who has known him less long might actually think him offended. "Treading on others lines is quite the crime, still, it is true that I shall have to forgive him, as he is your relation."

Corian observes, with a quiet laugh, "I suppose, in all fairness, that I should mention that Jay is not blood-kin to me. He is of Riley's family, though, so he is cha'leket to me--despite his childhood fondness for scissors."

Tarrant seems to consider this a moment, one foot tapping thoughtfully. "I guess that means I coupld probably get away with -minor- revenge, as long as I don't dye all of his clothing paisley or anything."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Corian laughs quietly at that, eyes shining with mirth. "I believe that half of his wardrobe would suffice, perhaps. Poor Jay. He really has no idea whom he has crossed."

Tarrant sighs quietly, grinning. "Alas, I shall probably refrain from doing so, although it is nice to contemplate. I was cured quite effectively of such desires a while back."

Corian manages not to look too disappointed. "And it is not my place to exact revenge, alas."

Tarrant notes the dissapointed look, brows lifting, "I could do it anyhow if it would please you?"

Corian shakes her head, with a quiet chuckle. "It would probably be best if you did not, though I thank you for your offer, van'chela."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Tarrant snaps his fingers, grinning, "Darn, and I thought I finally had an excuse to be evil."

Corian's expression is most definitely amused. "You need an excuse? I thought that evil was its own excuse."

Tarrant sighs dramaticly, "Would that it were so, m'lady, would that it were so. No, I must have a reason for my evil, elsewise I just don't get away with it."

Corian's sigh is quiet, but holdsd a bit of melodramatic mournfulness. She's been hanging around you too long. "Alas. I suppose I shall have to keep watch, so that I may find such an excuse."

There's such a thing as too long? Of course not! The more Tarrant the merrier...no really, stop laughing! "I would appreciate that greatly. I am always in search of an excuse to indulge my natural tendencies."

Corian inclines her head, eyes pirouetting. (At least they're not dancing.) "I shall certainly do that. It is the least I can do, for your assistance today. For that matter, is there anything I can do to repay you?"

Tarrant shakes his head, making a dismissive gesture with one hand, "You already have by allowing me to tarry and torment ya' further with my presence. This place lacks the ... peer association that existed at our former posting. I find myself not the loner I thought myself to be, and enjoy having folks to yammer with."

Corian's smile is warm, and decidedly pleased. "It is not a torment to have you here, Tarrant--not even remotely, as I enjoy your company. Though I have made some friends here, none of them truly know me as I am. It is a comfort to know that there is one who does."

Tarrant's grin is a bit rueful at that, and he nods. "I think I know where ya' stand there, yeah. It is disconcerting to have to be lying to folks all the time."

Corian pauses at that, expression thoughtful. "I cannot speak for you, of course, but I do not believe that I lie, except perhaps by omission. I suppose that is a personal consideration, whether such counts as lying."

Tarrant taps himself lightly on the chest, "I however am obligated to lie quite frequently. Any time I am asked what I do for a living for example. It would hardly be politic for me to be honest."

Corian nods her agreement to that, with a small grimace. "Yes. It would be an awkward explanation, to say the least. But you need not lie to me, at least."

Tarrant inclines his head in something more than a nod, but less than a bow, an indication of acknowledgement. "True enough, making it a very comfortable association for me. Although staying off the subject seems to be the better course, as there are fewer unpleasant memories that way."

A faint smile flickers across Corian's face, and she nods. "I suppose you are right, at that. Though it was fascinating work--from my end, at least--when it went well."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

"Fascinating indeed, when working on a puzzle." One hand twitches ever so slightly towards his pocket, but Tarrant stills it. "And we untangled some knotty ones. And there are some knotty ones here. In particular one of the low level types that's being audited. A goof of a man it would seem, but he has this massively complicated system for laundering money that went un-noticed for -years-. They were discussing the intracy of it in the office. Loop upon loop upon loop. Peoples minds never fail to amaze."

Corian's brows lift at that. "No... that could not be my cousin," she murmurs, a hint of relief crossing her face as she realizes that. "He suggested," she explains, "That I not question him too closely about his finances, you see. But, as he is not employed with the diplomatic corps here, I would guess that he is not the one of whom you speak."

Tarrant shakes his head, offering a grin, "No, not unless you've any relatives who are bright orange with a long lizardlike tail. This guy's from Kreskiun, -very- distinctive."

Corian blinks at that, then dissolves into quiet laughter. "He would look quite... distinctive, yes, that's an appropriate word... if he were bright orange and tailed. I am almost sorry to say that he is not my relative. Perhaps I should find further details about Kreskiun, for when I resume my travels."

"We could arrange it so one of your relatives was bright orange and tailed?" Tarrant suggests cheerfully. "Orange clothing perhaps, with a stuffed tail, it'd be a fashion statement."

Corian actually considers it for a moment, then shakes her head. "As tempting as that is, I do not believe it would be wise." Though it'd be a neat idea, if that dance were a costume ball... "I do appreciate the offer of help. I will remember it, if you do not mind, on the off chance that one of my relatives does something that necessitates such action."

Tarrant mumbles something about getting one to do it voluntarily no less as he toys idly with the ties on his cuff in thought. He nods to the latter, offering a grin. "Keeping it in mind's a good thing. Whenever I can be of service..."

Tarrant mumbles something about getting one to do it voluntarily no less as he toys idly with the ties on his cuff in thought. He nods to the latter, offering a grin. "Keeping it in mind's a good thing. Whenever I can be of service..."

Tarrant grins, at starts to make some reply, but a soft series of chimes echoes from his dated watch and he glances towards it. "Goodness Corian, I do believe I have long past overstayed my welcome, I did not realize it was so late." He shakes his head, "Your brother's enemies are less than honorable, it is only appropriate I provide what information I may."

Corian extracts a pocketwatch from a pocket, appropriately enough, then blinks as she glances at it. "I did not realize that so much time had passed," she murmurs. Looking up with a smile, she says, "It is quite late, yes, but I enjoyed passing the time with you." Her smile remains firmly in place at your last words, though it somehow seems a bit less genuine. "I am very grateful for the assistance," she says quietly. "My brother is very dear to me."

Tarrant levers himself to his feet, tailed coat being tucked back artfully as he crosses arms behind his back to bow. "Anytime, m'lady, anytime." Straightening he sets too fingers to his non-exostant hat, half-doffing it. "Have a pleasant evening Corian, I appreciated the company."

Corian gets to her feet as well, gracefully returning the bow. "As did I, Tarrant. As did I. And thank you again for your assistance."

Tarrant gathers up his case, and with one last grin, and resettling his nonexistant hat on his head, departs.

Tarrant leave the room.

Tarrant has left.


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