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[A few poses were missed--Corian was asked to explain the concept of melant'i. She explained that it could not be explained in a brief conversation, and offered to explain it. Kyara asked when Corian would be off work.]
You say "*pause* Technically, I have been off work for nearly one and one half hours. I suppose I should leave." into the communit.
Your communit crackles to life and announces "*chuckle* Would you like to meet somewhere for dinner then? My treat." in Kyara's voice.
You say "Actually, I am not especially hungry. I could, however, use some tea. Perhaps you would like to join my in my quarters?" into the communit.
Your communit crackles to life and says "Oh, that would be lovely. Where are
they?" in Kyara's voice.
You say "The fourth floor, room Y8. I believe the room is locked just now, but I will be upstairs in a few moments." into the communit.
Corian gathers up her papers and datacrystals and such, tucking them in her
basket.
[Travelspam to Corian's room deleted.]
Your communit crackles to life and blares "Um, I'm here, Cori. Are you?" in
Kyara's voice.
You say "Yes, I am. Please come in." into the communit.
Kyara enters from the Elevator Lounge.
Kyara has arrived.
Corian has, in fact, apparently made good time. She is making use of the dining
unit, and is making what is likely the tea she mentioned. In fact, a spicy
smell wafts over from that section of the room. "May I offer you tea?" she
inquires, turning with a smile. She pauses fractionally as she spots the
outfit, then adds, "I have no coffee, I'm afraid, but I have soda as well, if
that is more to your taste."
Kyara pauses just inside the door, glancing around curiously. The mention of
soda brings a tentative smile to her face. "Soda would be appreciated, yes.
As much caffeine as possible is a goodness."
Corian rummages in her fridge for a moment. "Is a red can acceptable? I keep it
for Riley, as I generally do not drink soda, but I am told I will have to
stock blue cans as well, for Niko."
Kyara nods agreeably, edging toward the couch. "Red, blue, if it's not orange,
it's pretty much all the same." Heresy!
Just a book falls on Kyara's foot.
Corian laughs very quietly as she pours her tea. Poor Riley, missing -tea-. "That is my opinion, though I try to keep it to myself, as I have noticed that certain others can be quite... fervent about their choice of beverage." Taking up the tea mug and a red-canned soda, which has been transferred to a glass, she moves to the couch. "Please, make yourself comfortable."
Kyara chuckles softly, opening the can, though she sets it down on the book as
she gathers her skirt to more comfortably sit. "I appreciate you seeing me on
such short notice."
Corian makes a dismissive little gesture with one hand. "It is of no moment,
Kyara. I appreciate the reminder that there is a world beyond the document I
was translating." She settles easily on the other side of the couch. "Now.
You wished me to explain melant'i, yes? I have to say, it is sometimes a
difficult concept for those unfamiliar with Kashid's principles to
understand."
Just a book shivers in bookly misery.
Kyara mhmmms. "It's an abstract concept then?" She takes up the can again before a condensation ring can form on the book's cover. "I'll do my best to understand, though heaven knows that apparently isn't my forte."
You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.
Corian seems to be selecting her words carefully. "Abstract... perhaps not. It
is that the words are different, and so there is much lost in translation.
The nuances, the... I suppose the feelings of the words. It is a difficulty
that still troubles me, more so than usual with such concepts as melant'i, as
I hold them in such regard."
Kyara nods hesitantly. "Well, perhaps a quick rundown of Kashid's principles
would be the place to start?"
Corian chuckles very quietly, taking a quick sip of her tea. "I do not believe
we have enough time for that. It is somewhat... complex, even to those who
speak the language. Perhaps we can just try melant'i, for tonight?" She
pauses a moment, considering, then inquires with a faint smile, "Who are
you?" The book must have lept up and smacked her in the head, giving her
amnesia.
Just a book is good about doing things like that. Useful isn't it?
Kyara blinks. "Who am I?" She pauses to consider that, then sounds bemused. "Good heavens, you do not ask the easy ones, do you? Short version- just Kya. Long version- well, you said it yourself, we don't have enough time for that. And I am utterly clueless as to what answer you're looking for."
Corian nods thoughtfully, long fingers curling delicately around her mug.
"Melant'i, in part, is somewhere between the short version and the long
version, I believe. It is that in you that holds worth, and the respect due
you because of that worth." After a pause, in which she's clearly trying to
find the proper words, she shakes her head. "It is honor, and it is how you
treat another, and how you are treated." Brows lowering fractionally, she
shakes her head once more. "I do not quite convey the proper sense. Please
forgive me."
Kyara looks quite startled at the explanation. "No," she says quietly, "I think in this case you're spot on. It certainly makes things make sense."
Corian looks just a bit puzzled. "I am glad to be of help, my dear." She looks for a moment as if she is about to ask something, then sips her tea, instead.
Kyara smiles slightly. She knows that look- she's usually the one wearing it.
"Go ahead. I daresay I'm not making much sense."
Corian laughs very quietly. "Perhaps because I do not know the situation. I am
just curious as to why such an explanation is necessary. My brother mentioned
melant'i, you said?"
Kyara nods, ducking her head. "He said I damaged his. Now the question is, is
the damage repairable?" The thoughtful tone of her voice indicates she's not
actually asking for an answer to that from you, merely musing. The Stilvani
does, however, raise her can for a drink, perhaps to disguise the embarrassed
flush of her face.
The speed with which Corian's good humor vanishes hints at how seriously she takes the situation. She summons a small smile, though she shakes her head fractionally. "That," she says slowly, "Is for you and Riley to discuss." Rhetorical or no, she's going to answer the question.
Kyara nods. "I figured as much. That won't be for a while though, I'm afraid.
Until then, I can merely hope."
Corian nods very slowly. "He is... displeased?"
Kyara grimaces. "Furious, if I judged his mood correctly."
Corian nods once more, the sip she takes from her tea effectively hiding her expression. "Not to discourage you, dear, but that does not especially surprise me. To say that melant'i is important is an extreme understatement."
Kyara yeahs softly. "That was the impression I got. That's why I asked you
about it."
Corian inclines her head fractionally, resting her mug lightly on her knee
after another sip from it. "Knowledge is good. And an explanation from a
person, at least in this case, is likely more helpful than consulting a
terminal."
Kyara has to smile at that. "I /did/ consult a terminal. It was, as you surmised, unhelpful. And I didn't want to rile Riley further by asking him. With your background you seemed the logical one to ask."
Corian smiles faintly at the confirmation of her words. "If you have angered
Riley so, it was a wise decision not to consult him, yes. And, as you say,
with my background..." She considers for a moment, then inquires, "Kyara,
what are you prepared to do to rectify this situation? I, of course, cannot
say how this will conclude, but there may well be a price for what has
happened."
Kyara looks up quickly. "I'd do anything to fix things with him."
Corian is silent for a moment, then says softly, "Do remember that, please.
Consequences can be... high."
Kyara nods, swallowing hard. "I know. In this particular case, I've very little
doubt that the price will indeed be heavy. If that's what it takes, however,
then that's what'll be paid."
Corian echoes the nod. "As long as you're aware of that..." She pauses a
moment, then suggests, "Perhaps we should move to happier topics. Did you
enjoy the remainder of your day off?"
You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.
Kyara looks up with a blink, and chuckles, relaxing from a posture she suddenly
realizes is quite stiff. "I'm not sure, really. I ended up spending a quiet
night at home, reading. Friend came over to let me know he'd be gone for a
week or more."
Corian smiles at the mention of reading. "Books may be good friends as well, though." With a gesture towards her noveldisks, she adds, "And much more portable, as well." Nope, she didn't have bunches of friends as a kid, why? "I hope that your friend's absence will not cause you distress, though?"
Kyara shakes her head, taking a sip from her red can. "Not really. He's off
doing his job. Both of them are. He did say he'd return- that's the important
part, I guess."
Corian nods her agreement to that. "Parting from friends when it is uncertain when they will be seen again can be difficult, yes."
Kyara struggles to control her expression. She succeeds to some extent. "Ah,
it's not so hard when one is half-asleep," she says lightly. "Besides, if
they don't return, hopefully that would mean they've found a better life
elsewhere, and I can but wish them the best."
Corian's brows arch fractionally. "I thought they were planning to return," she says slowly. "I did not intend for my words to cause pain."
Kyara quickly shakes her head, offering a reassuring smile. "I can't imagine you giving anyone pain, Cori. Even when you say that which one doesn't hear, you somehow say it in a completely painless way. And yes, they're planning to return. But one never knows what might happen, neh?"
Corian pauses a moment before she answers, again seeming to consider her words. Or perhaps it's just that she needs to choose what to say. "Thank you for the compliment. I am pleased that I'm perceived in that manner." After a pause, she nods. "Yes. The future is unknowable. But if they say they will return, surely they will send word if they decide otherwise."
Kyara nods at that. "Oh, they would, I've no doubt of that. But, knowing them, and knowing that one of them is even more stubborn than Riley, I can remain confident they will return." Of course, at that point, they'll learn a few unpleasant facts, but Kya sees no reason to mention that.
Corian's brows lift just a bit at 'more stubborn than Riley', but she doesn't
comment. "Well, then, you will see them when they return," she says
pleasantly. "And then you will have tales to exchange on what happened during
their absence."
Kyara pauses, utterly unable to suppress the dismay in her expression. "Yes,"
she finally says softly, taking a swallow of soda. "I will definitely have to
talk to them."
Corian's brows lift very slowly. "I believe," she says softly, "That I have
again unintentionally injured."
Kyara again shakes her head. "No, you haven't. I'm merely wallowing in a mess
of my own making."
Corian takes a judicious sip of her tea, expression shifting from vaguely
troubled to serene. Maybe the tea is spiked, maybe it just allows her to
relax. In any event, she says carefully, "Dwelling, at least to me, does not
seem like an especially healthy practice. Of course, sometimes it is also
unavoidable."
Kyara chuckles wryly. "Even if I didn't want to think about it, well, I've got
my orders. It's a situation that's serious enough I can't /not/ think about
it."
Corian takes a moment to try to follow that particular pair of sentences. Leaning against the back of the couch, she nods slowly. "Well... orders must be followed, of course. That, after all, is the honorable course."
Kyara yeahs quietly, gazing at the opposite wall as she takes an absent sip. "I've always managed to do that. At least I think I have, when the orders are honorable. Things have been crazy enough I could be wrong." She chuckles softly. "This one's easy. Think. How hard could it be, neh?"
Corian is good at answering rhetorical questions. She observes, a hint of pragmatism in her tone, "That depends on the topic." One arm rests gently against the arm of the couch, hand lifting to prop her chin.
Kyara smiles musingly down at her can. "The topic... what I want to do with my life, and why. Just your average everyday topic of thought," she chuckles.
Corian can't help but laugh at that, with a small shake of her head. "And
easily determined, of course. Goodness. I'm still deciding that, and I have
to be at least a decade older than you."
Kyara chuckles. "Well, I have to come up with an answer, and the sooner, the
better, I think. No," she assures, "I'm not asking for input on that." She
blinks. "Heavens, that sounds rude. I don't mean it to be. I just mean it's
something I gotta figure out on my own."
Corian nods her agreement to that. "But of course. That is hardly something that someone can decide for another, and I do not believe I know you quite well enough to offer even advice along those lines."
Kyara nods to that with a smile. "Even those who do know me well... well, two are biased... no, all four are, but in opposite directions."
Corian shakes her head, rubbing lightly at her eyes. "That must make your
decision that much more difficult--especially if you would like to please all
four."
Kyara nods grimly. "And, of course, I'd like to do just that. Riley'll win
though," she murmurs, barely aware she's speaking aloud. "He always does." A
thoughtful few seconds of silence, then she gives you an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry... once again I've talked your ear off."
Corian shakes her head, making a dismissive gesture with one hand. "I seem to lend myself to that," she says, with a smile. "And I enjoy the company. It is just that I am somewhat tired. But I do like to have you here."
Kyara smiles gratefully. "That's always good to hear. I can go if you wish to sleep? You'd've made a good psychologist, you know that?"
Corian considers for a moment. "I should sleep soon," she decides, "But not quite yet. Perhaps more tea..." She gets gracefully to her feet, adding, with a smile, "And thank you. Perhaps if I had not followed the path I did, I would have become a psychologist. I am content as I am, though."
Kyara hmmms. "Content as you are, yet you have not decided what you wish to do with your life?" The question merely holds mild curiosity.
Corian chuckles very quietly as she puts on more water for her tea. "I suppose
it is more a question of where than of what. I know I will be working with
language in some form--teaching, if not translating; I have done some of
each. But I have yet to find a place to hold me. Perhaps this will be the
one."
Kyara ahs softly. "That I can understand. This is a good place, however. It's truly become home to me. I can't imagine ever leaving."
Corian nods pleasantly to that. "It is a good place," she agrees, taking her
tea back to the couch. "There are many of those. And I hope that I grow as
attached to it as you have, for I would hate to leave my brother." Her smile
is rather wistful. "It has been so long, you see, since we have been able to
spend much time together."
Kyara cocks her head curiously. "If I may, how long has it been?"
Corian ponders that for a moment, sipping lightly at her tea. "Since we've been able to have an actual visit? It would have to be around ten years. Once I started to travel, visiting became somewhat more problematic--though I've been able to see him briefly when my source of transport stopped here."
Kyara's eyes widen. "Ten years? Oh wow... I can't imagine not getting a visit
from my family for a whole decade."
Corian offers a small smile at that, one that doesn't quite reach her gray
eyes. "Nor could I, when I was your age."
Kyara blushes. "I'm sorry," she offers with a sigh. "You'd think I'd be used to the taste of my feet by now. But, well, you're here /now/, and that counts for a lot. He looked so happy to see you that night when you walked in."
Corian's smile is a bit more genuine. "If you mean that Riley had no family here, that is not quite true. There was, after all, Honalee." Her smile widening fractionally, she nods. "That is why I did not give him notice that I would arrive. I knew that both of us would enjoy the surprise."
Kyara blinks a few times. "Honalee's part of the family? By blood?"
Corian is tired enough that she doesn't even hesitate before nodding. "Our
great-grandmother."
Kyara's jaw drops. "Oh my god." Now you /know/ she must be shocked- that's just not a phrase she uses. The deep crimson blush probably doesn't help her expression any. "I knew they were close, but... oh my god."
Corian is very quietly confused. "I take it they did not share their
relationship with the general population? I suppose I've been indiscreet,
then."
Kyara shakes her head. "I don't know if they did or not... I arrived here at
approximately the same time Honalee was leaving. Can't assume indiscretion. I
just, um, my speculations as to their exact relationship did not follow that
particular path."
That particular comment catches Corian in mid sip, and only great control allows her to finish the sip, rather than inhaling it. She murmurs something in that mixture of Edrilac and Standard, then shakes her head. "She is out great-grandmother," she says, clearly trying not to look amused, and not quite succeeding. "So it is only fair that she and Riley were close."
You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.
Kyara nods, the blush refusing to abate. "She must be quite a woman, to still
have been practicing at her age. Or do those of Kashid breed young?" Again,
mild curiosity. "I believe she is not one I would tease by calling
'grandma'," she adds quite seriously.
Corian says sincerely, "She is indeed quite a woman. I have great respect for her." And, from her tone, great affection as well. "Though, of course, she is also Edreeni, and thus somewhat longer-lived than, say, humans or Stilvani."
Kyara nods slightly at that. "I'd like to meet her someday. Everybody talks
about her in such glowing terms."
Corian says thoughtfully, "Perhaps she will visit, especially since there are
two of her great-grandchildren here, now. I can ask, at least. I know there
are many here who would be glad to see her again."
Kyara nods with a fervent smile. "Clara'd like to see her too, I'm sure, and
Kramer too. I wouldn't want her to go out of her way, of course- she's earned
her time off, several times over. But if it were convenient... well, it'd be
pleasant."
Corian nods her agreement, though her smile is a little wistful. "If she wishes to come, she will." After a brief, rather reflective pause, she gives herself a gentle shake. "But I am afraid I must ask you to leave, now. I find myself growing weary, and would rather be fully awake to enjoy our conversation."
Kyara nods, quickly sliding off the large couch, and offers a warm smile. "I thank you for the information, and for the talk. I enjoy chatting with you."
Corian returns the smile as she gets lightly to fer feet. "And I enjoy chatting with you, dear. Please enjoy the rest of your night."
Kyara nods, slipping toward the door. "Sleep well, Cori."
Kyara leaves the room.
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