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Kyara walks here from the Central Atrium.

Kyara has arrived.

Corian is ensconced in one of the comfortable chairs. This is a usual thing. There are a trio of small humanoids with her. This is not. The knowledgeable would recognize the children, one of whom has taken up residence in Corian's lap, as some of the many offspring of the Sectassian ambassador. The four are chatting, though the obviously-excited children are doing much of the talking, in the sibilant language of Sectas. Sounds like a bunch of snakes. (Ooh, how appropriate for the Sectassian ambassador.) Corian, however, is starting to look like perhaps she could use a hand in ridding herself of her overexcited company.

Kyara ambles in, a sheaf of datadisks in hand. Apparently headed toward the AF offices, she pauses at the Sectassian sight, and breaks out in a grin. Wandering in Cori's direction, she gives a wave. "You look like you have your hands full."

Corian would wave, but, as Kyara says, she's got her hands full. Of course, that's her own fault, as she's gently tickling the youngest Sectasslet. "Go on, then, younglings," she decides, lifting the small one to the ground. The others scramble to follow, though not without protests. "Now, now. I promised I would visit later, didn't I? Go on, your mothers must be worried." As the trio dashes out of the room, Corian sighs softly. "Thank you for the distraction. They're sweet children, but very... energetic."

Kyara shakes her head. "They are children. I believe a high level of energy is a job requirement."

Corian chuckles quietly. "Especially for Sectassians, yes. I honestly do not know how their mothers manage." She straightens her clothing a bit, as having small children using her as a toy put it somewhat in disarray, then inquires, with a smile, "What brings you to this part of the Complex? Running messages?"

Kyara gesture toward the offices. "Returning some info disks, nothing major. It's my day off."

Corian inquires, with a quick smile, "Days off? I was unaware that those were allowed, here." Her tone is gently teasing; clearly, she isn't serious. "I hope you have enjoyed yourself, though."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Kyara chuckles. "Everybody gets days off. Eventually. I'd probably have fewer were I Security, granted, but Riley's a good boss to have. As for enjoying myself," she shrugs, "I always do."

Corian nods thoughtfully. "And Security was short-staffed until recently, yes? It's good that you can enjoy yourself." She pauses to consult her watch, then blinks. "My. Time has moved more quickly than usual, it seems. Perhaps I will have to set an alarm, to remind myself when the time comes for me to leave."

Kyara glances around. "You work here?"

Corian nods. "I have a desk in the general office, and I suppose I -should- work there, but this room allows better access to all the embassies."

Kyara tilts her head curiously. "What is it you do, exactly?"

Corian says pleasantly, "I am a translator. Most recently, I have been working on official documents that need to be sent in a language other than Standard."

Kyara ooohs, "That sounds like fun. Almost like putting a puzzle together."

Corian's head rises and falls lightly in agreement. "Just so," she says, with a smile. "There is a challenge to it. Though there are, of course, some languages that are easier than others."

Kyara grins. "I liked learning languages. I only know a few though. How many have you mastered?"

Corian makes a rather vague gesture with one hand. "Mastered... that is a relative term. I know quite a few, though--enough to make me useful in my job, here."

Kyara smiles. "You wouldn't take the job if you couldn't be useful in it, am I right?"

Corian shakes her head, with a quick smile. "Of course not. Why take a job I would be unable to do? That would just cause stress to both my employers and myself."

Kyara nods. "I was right then. You seem the honorable type."

Corian's smile widens fractionally. "Thank you. It pleases me to hear that you think so."

Kyara's fingers flicker in a slight gesture. "Another thing you and Riley have in common, so it's not particularly a surprise."

Corian tips her head fractionally to one side. "We are that alike, then?" she inquires. "I never thought so, when we were younger, but it's also been quite some time since we've spent an extended period of time together."

Kyara shakes her head. "You're both stubborn, or so you've said, and honorable. That's approximately where the similarities end."

Corian inquires, with a quiet laugh, "Approximately? Hmm. I suppose, other than the similarities that are inherent in having a similar upbringing."

Kyara nods. "Exactly. I would not expect you to be carbon copies of each other."

Corian nods once more, though there's a certain amused light to her gray eyes. "How fortunate, as we are not carbon copies. But we are siblings, though, and that is enough for me. That was a wonderful revelation," she adds, with a fond smile.

Kyara hmmms? "What was a wonderful revelation, exactly?"

Corian says pleasantly, "Why, finding out that we were siblings, of course."

Kyara blinks a few times. "Um, ya lost me. Now, granted, I don't know all /that/ much about Riley's background before the Kashid Navy, but, um, how would ya /not/ know...?"

Corian interlaces her fingers, thumbs steepling overtop. "Riley and I share a mother. You knew that, yes?"

Kyara nods, glancing around to find a chair, and sitting. "You mentioned that, yes."

Corian considers for a moment. "Perhaps I should discuss this with Riley before I explain further. I am not sure how much of this is mine to tell, you see." Her smile holds a hint of apology. "It is unkind of me to start and then not finish, I know."

Kyara sighs slightly. "At least you realize that much," she smiles wryly.

Corian says, her voice touched with sympathy, "It has happened to me, in the past." After a pause, she suggests, "Perhaps I may explain further, if you tell me what you already know? Then I would be sure I wasn't saying more than I should--unless you would be uncomfortable doing that?"

Kyara shakes her head. "All I know is that Riley and Nick recently discovered they have the same father."

Corian echoes the headshake. "Unfortunately, Riley's relationship with... Nick is not quite relevant to my relationship with Riley." With a brief laugh, she adds, "It seems like we need some sort of diagram to explain familial relationships."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Kyara chuckles. "In that case, I will wait with unusual patience until you get a chance to ask him if it'd be alright to tell me."

Corian rests a hand on her heart, with a grace.ul half-bow. "It gives me joy to hear that. I really do have no choice in the matter, you see--I would really rather not tell what Riley would prefer to keep private."

Kyara nods, frowning slightly. "There isn't much that falls into that category. At least, not where other people's privacy is concerned."

Corian nods thoughtfully. "And, unfortunately for your curiosity, I find it best to err on the side of caution."

Kyara grins ruefully. "You and everybody else, believe you me."

Corian chuckles very quietly. "Does this sort of thing happen often to you, then?"

Kyara nods vigorously. "Either I manage to stumble across subjects of conversation that apparently are not to be discussed, or my curiosity really does take up too much space in my brain."

Corian shakes her head, with a short chuckle. "There can be such a thing as too much curiosity, I am afraid." She rubs lightly at her eyes, then stretches delicately. "Ah. I think perhaps I should retire to my quarters for a bit, before I dine."

Kyara inclines her head fractionally with a smile, slipping off of her chair. "And I should get these 'disks back. Thanks for the chat."

Corian smiles as she, too, gets to her feet. "You are quite welcome. I enjoyed myself. I hope you have fun during the remainder of your day off."

Kyara grins, turning away with a wave. "The entire 3.5 hours of it, yes. See ya."

Corian inclines her head. "Of course," she says pleasantly, heading for the atrium.

You walk towards the Central Atrium.

[Time passes. Scene resumes in the dining facility.]

Aliana arrives from the Central Atrium.

Aliana has arrived.

Aliana slips in the door, pack slung over her shoulder as she looks around for familiar faces.

Corian is seated at a table in the back, drawing a little Zen garden in her food. That, apparently, is preferable to eating it.

Aliana spots the translator and heads thattaway, 'May I join you?' she asks when she is within earshot.

Corian looks up with a blink and a small start. Apparently that Zen garden was taking a lot of attention. "Oh. Aliana. Of course, please do." She gestures towards the chair opposite hers, rubbing lightly at her eyes. "I'm most sorry, I was lost in my thoughts."

Aliana nods her head quickly as she considers the garden before settling down, 'Aren't you supposed to eat your food?'

Roland arrives from the Central Atrium.

Roland has arrived.

Aliana is settled at a table with Corian. She is in the process of setting packets onto the tables.

Roland's communit crackles to life and blares "Okay.... going afk... few)" in Kyara's voice.

Corian blinks, then peers at her meal. "Oh... yes, I suppose so. I just lost my appetite, I suppose. But I would be pleased to stay with you while you ate your own meal, if you wish."

Aliana indicates the food lines with a toss of her head, 'From there?' She asks with a wrinkled nose.

Roland wanders in, giving the two seated ladies a winning grin as he heads to the light snack department of the food services.

Corian returns the grin with a pleasant smile, tossing a nod into the bargain. "Perhaps it was the waiting that diminished my appetite," she admits. "Kyara was right that one has better luck getting a good meal in the pavilion, but I did not wish to venture outside." After a brief pause, she adds quizzically, "If you were not going to eat here, why did you come?"

Roland, after a small bit of waiting, finally manages somethn

Roland, after a small bit of waiting, finally manages something. With that, he heads back out towards the door, giving the ladies a grin again as he passes

Aliana opens one of the packets to disclose a hearty serving of marinated mushrooms (no pink spots), another one is opened to disclose some gyros...and finally the last is opened for a couple of rolls. She explains with a grin, 'I like to come in here and people watch as I eat" Roland is given a rather quizzical smile, 'Off so soon?'

Roland nods. "Got to negotiate a leave of absence without getting my throat ripped open."

Aliana arches an eyebrow at that, 'Sounds like a lovely way to spend an evening'

Roland nods. "There's worse." He offers Ali a quick wink then heads out.

Roland heads towards the Central Atrium.

Roland has left.

Corian peers after Roland, then shakes her head fractionally. "People-watching," she says, segueing back to the earlier conversation. "Is a fascinating way to spend the evening, yes. I quite enjoy that, myself."

Aliana watches Roland leave with a ssoft chuckle, 'He is one of the more interesting to watch, yes" She then pushes the packet containing the mushrooms over and offers, 'I made them myself.'

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Corian blinks at the offer, then smiles pleasantly. "Why, thank you. This certainly looks more appealing than my own purchase." That said, the Zen garden is neatly tucked aside. "Many thanks." She samples the shrooms, while her player wails in horror, then inquires, "Might I have the recipe, please?"

Aliana nods her head quickly, 'I will write it out for you and send it your way.' She chuckles as she admits, 'This is one of the things I make up as I go...so they can change depending on my mood'

Corian nods agreeably to that. "Some of the best recipes are like that, I've heard. The Cloister King's head chef, for example, rarely used a recipe."

Aliana nods, 'My mother believed that no two peoplecould ever make a dish the same way...because they needed to put a bit of themselves into the food'

Corian nods gravely. "As long as she did not mean it literally, yes. Grating carrots, for example..." She laughs very quietly, then. "It sounds like your mother had experience with cooking, yes? Did she teach you?"

Aliana blinks, then giggles,'That would be bad.' Her head bobs in a nod at the next question. "It was one of the few things that we could actually do together."

Corian nods, after another nibble at the mushrooms. "It's good to be able to share a skill with a parent," she muses, expression as thoughtful as her words. Then, with a quick shake of her head, she inquires, "Is the recipe for the mushrooms hers, then?"

Aliana nods her head quickly, 'Pretty much all of my recipes are hers...at least the basics of them. I am hoping to learn more recipes while I am at the Complex. Goodness knows I have been able to try a number of different spices that I had never even dreamt of'

Corian nods at that. "I noticed that at the spice-vendor the other day--there's quite the variety. That must come in handy." With a quick smile, she adds, "My own cooking, I'm afraid, is somewhat standard--though I believe I may have a recipe book or two in my collection."

Aliana chuckles softly, 'Somehow, I can't imagine anything you do is standard.' A pause as she considers the shapes she made with her food, 'Those are interesting, are they just random shapes?'

Corian smiles quizzically at the first comment. "Thank you. I suppose it is a matter of perception." At the question, she nods. "Mostly, yes--except for this part." She indicates a swirling design. "It's the emblem of a deity. I'm not quite sure why I included it, but it seemed to fit."

Aliana leans over to consider the swirl with interest, 'Which deity?'

Corian utters... well, it must be a word, though it sounds like gargling should be involved. "The primary deity on Cetus Prime," she adds. "Quite the fire and brimstone type, not really to my liking."

Aliana eye widens, 'Fire and brimstone?' Ali obviously has never met any of the sort.

Corian nods once, reaching with her fork to eradicate the design. "Not very nice."

Aliana ohhs before taking a small notebook from her pack and flipping to a blank page where she jots a few notes.

Corian munches lightly on another mushroom before setting aside the packet so she has a place to put her hands. She didn't eat much, but, then, she rarely does. With a gesture towards the notebook, she inquires, "A journal?"

Aliana nods her head quickly, 'Its where I write down things that I don't understand.' The colour rises a bit on her cheeks, "See, I was a less than perfect student."

Corian nods her approval, with a quick smile. "It is a fine practice. I do something similar, in fact. But what did you not understand? Could I help to explain it, perhaps?"

Aliana wells,'The Fire and Brimstone...I understand that its bad, but why is it bad?'

Corian considers that for a moment. "The deity in question--" She rattles off the name again, "Is very... stern, very demanding. I believe the phrase itself is Terran in origin," she adds, "Though, unfortunately, much of what I know of the deity is in Cetan, and finding the proper words are difficult."

Aliana ohs with a smile, 'Okay...Not a nice deity to know.' She pauses before asking, 'Do you have any deities?'

Corian shakes her head. "There is a religion that I followed as a child, but I grew out of practise, and never really turned back to it." Kinda makes church sound like playing the piano.

Aliana hmms thoughtfully, then offers an abashed smile,'I am sorry...I keep pestering you with all sorts of questions, don't I?'

Corian returns the smile, though her own is kind. "You have questions, yes, but it is normal, and not pestering. I only wish I could be more helpful."

Aliana shakes her head quite vigourously. "You have been very helpful indeed."

Corian chuckles quietly. "Well, then. I'm glad of that. I much prefer it when I'm able to aid someone else. Thank you."

Aliana offers a wry chuckle, 'Sometimes I feel like some sort of sponge...just soaking up everything that is going on around me.'

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Corian murmurs something about filtration, then inquires, head tipping to one side in a characteristic gesture that sends a wisp of silvery-blonde hair fluttering against her cheek. "Do you object to this? It seems a good way to learn."

Aliana shakes her head quickly, 'I enjoy it actually. The trick is to find people patient enough to answer my ceaseless questions.'

The corners of Corian's eyes crinkle somewhat, as she smiles. "I seem to suffice, at least for the nonce. I have no difficulties with questions, just sometimes in finding the proper answers. Though," she adds, with a hint of delicacy, "Earlier in the day is likely a better time for that."

Aliana ahhs softly, 'But then you would be more likely to be involved in your duties'

Corian nods at that. "I have noticed," she says, with a smile, "That I often get lost in my duties, and lose track of time, as well. An interruption is not necessarily negative, in that case."

Aliana grins as she nods quickly, 'Oh...and the stories as well.' Nope, Ali isn't gonna forget that.

Corian laughs quietly. "And the stories," she agrees. "Perhaps tomorrow afternoon--or early evening--we may start on that."

Aliana pauses as she listens to an inner voice and nods absently, 'Alright' She murmers softly. Louder she says, "Islien knows the perfect place..A meadow just outside the bonded area.'

Corian smiles brightly at that. "That sounds perfectly lovely. Please thank her for me."

Aliana nods her head quickly and apparently does so, with her lips moving slightly.

Corian waits with all apparent patience, in fact looking quite serene, if a little tired.

Aliana turns back to Corian with an wide grin, 'She thanks you...and she wishes me to convey her anticipation to the engagement.' The amusement in Ali's eyes over the wording suggest that it is not her own.

Corian, yes, leans slightly so that she may cup her chin in one thin hand. "I am glad she looks forward to it," she says, with a smile that holds a hint of amusement as well as honest pleasure. "I do, as well."

Aliana carefully begins to wrap up the remnants of her dinner and slip them into her pack. She pauses before she asks quietly, "Is there something up with the Delegates...I keep seeing glomps of them gathered whispering...but once I get close enough, they stop.'

Corian makes a brief, graceful gesture with her free hand. "Perhaps. Rumors say that a new Chair will soon be picked. Perhaps that is the reason for the.... glomps of whispering delegates."

Aliana ahhs softly, 'That is not a fun time...to much uncertainty about'

Corian nods once, slowly. "Quite. Interregnum is quite uncertain, this part of it especially so. But perhaps it will conclude soon, and we will see who the new Chair is."

"Int-er-egnum?" Ali sounds out carefully..."Is that the time without a leader?"

Corian nods, with a pleased smile. "Just so." . o O ( You learn quickly, grasshopper. ) One finger lifts lightly to rub an eye, brows lowering briefly, but she seems as pleasant as ever. "It is never--at least in my experience--an easy time."

Aliana tilts her head, concern filling her eyes, "Are you alright? Or do you need to retire?

Corian, with a dismissive little gesture, says, "It is of no moment. Merely too much time reading too-small print. It will pass. Though I should return to my quarters before too much longer, yes."

Aliana chuckles softly, 'I will warn you..I will keep nattering at you until you are about to drop if you let me'

Corian laughs softly. "Well, then, we can set a time limit. You have..." She glances at her watch and blinks, with a murmured phrase in her native tongue. Looking up, she suggests, "Fifteen minutes. So feel free to natter away," she concludes, with a smile.

Aliana nods her head as she accepts that..."May I ask where you grew up?'

Corian's smile turns fond. "But of course. I was born on Kashid 3, a Human/Edreeni colony. Enjoyment is relative, of course, but I quite enjoyed growing up there."

Aliana ohs softly as she makes some more notes in her book. "So, I can remember" she notes quickly. "I had just assumed you were human....you just seemed so nice." And aliens so terrible?

Corian can't help it, and laughs softly at that. "I am human--or partly so. I am just over half Edreeni--my father is full Edreeni, and my mother is one-quarter. But Kashid has full humans and full Edreeni, as well."

Aliana hmmms softly, "You and Riley have the same mother?" she asks.

Corian nods, after a brief pause. "We do, yes."

Aliana processes that for a moment, then asks quietly, "Can you tell me what the Edreeni are like?'

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Corian inquires, after a moment, "Can you tell me what humans are like?" With a shake of her head, she adds, "It is difficult to describe an entire species. I can try, with, say, appearance. But, of course, it is relative to what you know. We are generally taller--I, in fact, am a bit shorter than even the shortest of true Edreeni. Our coloring is lighter, and we are generally more flexible than humans." One finger wiggles, as if calling attention to the extra joint there.

Aliana colours deeply, "I am sorry...That was rather rude of me to say." But then she does lean foreward to inspect the finger carefully.

Corian shakes her head. "I do not believe it was rude... merely a very general question." With a faint smile, she straightens, resting both hands on the table. Her fingers are very thin, so it's rather difficult to miss the Edreeni bejointedness.

Aliana glances down at her hands then nods quickly, 'It makes them look very graceful'

Corian inclines her head, with a murmured thankyou. "It also allows for greater dexterity, which is handy for those who, like my father, work with their hands."

Aliana ohs softly, 'What did he do?'

Aliana oohhs softly, 'My Sister is an artist....in wood. She made a sculpture of Islien as a present from when we graduated.'

Corian smiles at that, with a short nod. "That must be a treasured gift," she suggests softly. She starts to continue further, then happens to hear a passer-by's mention of the time. "I think," she adds, smile turning amused, "That we have perhaps gone beyond that fifteen minutes. It is long since time for me to rest."

Aliana smiles as she stands and offers the translator a deep bow, 'Thank you one again...You have been very kind to me'

Corian returns the bow, though perhaps not quite as deeply. "I have enjoyed your company--but do rest soon. Dawn will be here before you know it." With that, and a smile, she glides out of the room.
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