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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:
Clara
Vendotron 3000
Obvious exits:
Atrium
You arrive from the Central Atrium.
Clara is seated at a fairly small table off to one side, making fairly decent
inroads on lunch, and looking as though she actually slept. *gasp* She
finishes a bite of sandwich quickly and sends an affable wave over at the
entering linguist.
Corian comes in rather briskly, but, of course, gracefully. She's incapable of
moving in any other manner, after all. She selects food fairly quickly--juice
and a salad, nothing too bizarre--and turns in search of a table. Spotting
Clara's wave, she smiles, and heads in that direction. "Good afternoon," she
says pleasantly. "May I join you?"
Clara waves at the other seat at the table with a smile, then spears a piece of asparagus with her fork. "Please do, yes. How are you today?"
Corian seats herself lightly, and takes up her own fork, carefully picking the tomatoes from the salad--to eat them first, apparently, rather than to put them aside. "I am well, if somewhat busy. But I thought that taking the time to eat would be worth the delay in the completion of my work." With a smile, she adds, "You look better, as if you have rested somewhat."
Clara pokes at the remains of her pasta, exhaling a sigh of vast relief. "It's
amazing what nearly twelve hours of uninterrupted sleep and a hot shower will
do. Hopefully your brother is still out cold. He really needs it." She looks
up from twirling the fettucini about the fork. "Is work clamoring today,
then?"
Corian offers an understanding smile at the first few statements, then nods. "It is, yes, to some extent. I am trying to finish that which I have neglected somewhat, between Tarrant's injury and these meetings of late. But I hope that it will not take too much more to finish."
Clara grimaces sympathetically around a few more bites of pasta, nodding. "I
can understand that. Having done with it will be a relief though. Thankfully
Tarrant is better now," she adds with relief.
Corian finishes off the tomatoes and starts a less compulsive manner of eating, smile warming briefly as she nods. "He is, yes. He and Gardner are working on the treehouse today, actually, which should make for an adventure."
Clara chuckles and shakes her head, reaching for the can of soda at one side.
"A man with a mission. And a good mission at that. Is Gardner an associate of
his, then?"
Corian inclines her head. "He is that, yes--he is gifted at building, which
should make the treehouse-construction go somewhat better. And he has young
children of his own, now," she adds, tone managing to be both pleased and
surprised at that. She impales a poor, unassuming carrot round, considering
it before she munches.
You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.
Clara hesitates in winding a bit of asparagus up with pasta, quite obviously
nonplussed at that. Lowering her voice, she asks quietly, "This...is
surprising. I'd have not thought children were conducive. Ah well. To each
his own," she concludes philosophically.
Corian observes lightly, "Gardner is at a desk job, now--it is better for his family for it to be so. And the organization takes all kinds."
Clara nods around the bite affably, peering towards the door almost absently
before half-smiling wryly. "Being behind a desk isn't so bad," she decides.
"I miss the field at times, but not too terribly." She glances upwards in the
direction of the third floor. "It helps if you have a reason to stay in
place."
Corian nods to your comments, tucking away the salad and then turning to the juice. "Of course," she murmurs, with a smile. "That is generally helpful, yes." Oh, no. She's going to smile. Parents, hide your children's teeth!
Clara quells the urge to smirk and takes refuge in finishing off her pasta
before leaning back in her seat and toying with her soda can. "You look like
you feel a bit better as well, despite having work to catch up on," she
observes.
Corian nods once more, smile escaping once more. But she figuratively lassoes
it and reins it in once more, back to suitable politeness. "Sleep is helpful,
as you said, and good company."
Clara takes a rapid sip of her soda to hide an even brighter smile before she
notes rather reasonably, "Actually I said sleep and a hot shower, but yes,
company is nice indeed."
Corian deposits her fork in on her salad plate. "It is indeed," she murmurs, expression thoughtful. "Ah, but I should probably get back to my work. The translation for the Quendari should be finished tonight, if nothing else."
Clara inclines her head affably before draining the last of her soda. "And I'd
planned on invading Mr. Johensen again before heading home. Riley's a cold,
and thought I'd get him something to cheer him up."
Corian tsks softly as she gets to her feet and takes up her dishes. "Poor Riley. I am not sure--do you have any of the tea, from home? I have plenty, so you are welcome to some, of course. It is warm, at least."
Clara rises to her feet to take up her own tray, nodding wistfully as she moves to dispose of it. "We do, actually, but he's at the stage where he'd rather not ingest anything just now. He'd rather sleep. I can't say as I blame him."
Corian winces at that. "Oh, that cannot be pleasant," she murmurs. "Sleep is
probably the best thing, then, and it's good that he's taking care of
himself--and that you are taking care of him."
Clara smiles faintly, hands slipping into her pockets as she heads for the
door. "Oh, I don't know about that. He does a pretty good job of taking care
of himself, poor dear. Take care of yourself, Corian. Don't work too hard,
hmm?"
Corian nods as she moves to dispose of her own dishes. "And you as well, Clara. Do let me know if there is anything I can do to help, with Riley."
Clara nods affably, smile warming. "I will, Corian. Thank you. Give my regards
to Tarrant."
Corian inclines her head as she moves to exit as well. "I will certainly do so,
of course."
Clara heads towards the Central Atrium.
Clara has left.