7/12/99

[The scene opens in the dining facility.]

Corian is seated at a table near the back, working her way rather steadily through what seems to be a fairly large meal, for her. She seems rather focused on this, returning those greetings she gets with only smiles, rather than with a verbal greeting.

Clara doesn't exactly trudge in, as someone of her height and build isn't precisely trudgeable, but the fatigues and combat boots and general air of unalertness suggest trudging. She liberates breakfast from one line and starts to hunt down a seat, brightening at the sight of a familiar person and pausing by that table. "Morning, Corian."

Corian looks up with a smile that, while rather drained, is still pleasant. "Clara--hello." Unusual. Her Standard, usually accentless, holds a decidedly odd inflection, and one that isn't Kashidian. Corian pauses a moment, as if considering her words, then suggests, "Join me?"

Clara may be tired, but is unable to miss the obvious, and slides into the opposing seat with a faintly worried look. She murmurs her thanks, head tilted as she regards the other woman. "Corian, what is it? More ev'lis on an empty stomach?"

Corian chuckles very quietly, and shakes her head. "Not so foolish. It is... expected." She does seem to be having difficulty coming up with the proper words, though it's more like someone who is still in the process of learning a language. "From training." She looks a bit frustrated for a moment, then shakes her head. "You are well?"

Clara nods slowly, brows lowering in further concern as she reaches for her coffee. "Well enough. Don't talk just yet...just eat. We can talk when you're done." She pauses, then offers in steady, if rather slow, Kashidian, "If this is easier for you, I do understand enough now for conversation."

Corian does, in fact, take a moment to finish her bowl of fruit salad--yummy yummy!--before she nods to the mention of Kashidian, looking decidedly grateful. "That is to be appreciated, yes." Her phrasing is a bit odd yet, but Kashidian is obviously easier. "I will try to use more common words."

Clara has gone traditional this morning herself, plate holding a number of odd foods commonly eaten as breakfast on her home island, along with the ever-present coffee. Munching at one bread-like item, she mentally translates, then nods. "I get practice at this with Riley, but it is still slow going. You mentioned training?"

Corian inclines her head, breaking a muffin into several pieces. "It is... for learning. High speed, very intense. It scrambles all but that language for a time--hours, only." She takes a moment to down one of the bite-sized pieces of the muffin, then queries, "Know you the Chanfro methods?" Those, of course, would be the high-speed learning techniques of which she spoke.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Clara makes her way through several bites of something made with plantains before nodding slowly. "We learned of it in...school," she replies, searching for the final word for a moment. "It rather is...oh, bother. Radical? Is that the word? Very intense, at least. I have no experience with it."

"It is difficult," Corian agrees, with a brief smile. "Discouraged, for school. But for learning languages quickly, there are few better options." Her shoulders lift in a brief shrug. "It is worthwhile, for all the bother."

Clara may have missed dinner from the speed at which she finishes breakfast, although with all due tidiness. She tilts her head finally at the other woman with a sympathetic half-smile. "Except that you're terribly hungry and scrambled for a time. Have you taken any supplements?"

Corian repeats, with a smile, "It is worthwhile. Being prepared is to be desired, after all." At the supplement-related query, she shakes her head. "Is it necessary? I am eating that which was recommended." It isn't any form of complaint at the suggestion, but merely curiosity.

Clara tilts her free hand from side to side, shrugging faintly around a sip of coffee. "Yes and no? If you eat properly, that counteracts the effect significantly. Still, with a vegetarian diet, I would reccomend a supplement if you still feel worn by tomorrow." Thankfully, her Kashidian gets far better when discussing medical things. Any surprise those would be the items she'd have studied first?

Corian's expression at the mention of tomorrow is perhaps a bit sheepish. "Well, as I have another training session tomorrow, it is likely that I will feel this way again. I will remember it for the future, though, of course--and thank you."

Clara blinks at that, then can't help but chuckle, shaking her head as she wraps both hands about her mug for warmth. "Cha'leket, you constantly amaze me. I assume you are learning at this speed for work, then?"

Corian looks, if anything, a bit abashed at your first statement. "It is not that much," she murmurs. "One does what one must, after all. And, yes, for work. As much as I enjoy learning new languages, I would not ordinarily choose this method."

"Nor do I blame you in the slightest," Clara agrees fully, shaking her head with all due sympathy. "I've never experienced such, but I can imagine it is..." She pauses, brow furrowing, and finally gives in to use the word in Standard, "Disconcerting." Shifting back to Kashidian, she adds, "Does this mean you will be leaving the planet soon?"

Corian lifts a hand in a brief gesture of uncertainty. "It is to be determined. Soon... probably. It will be a few days, to be sure. Perhaps next week?" She chuckles very quietly. "I am not privy to my employers' decision-making processes, though this is something of a comfort."

Clara's nose wrinkles at this, only to give way to a wry expression. "I was about to say I was glad I know my schedule in advance, but then realized just how silly that sounded. "Hopefully Tarrant will be able to go with you?"

Corian hesitates for a moment, then repeats, "It is to be determined." After a moment for more muffin-munching, she adds, "It was made clear, though, that, though we would be working together much of the time, there would be assignments which would be suited to us as individuals." And, though she seems a tad less than thrilled by this, she also seems to have accepted it.

Clara trails her fork absently along the empty plate, then sets it down with a nod of sympathy. "In some ways, it really is best to work for the same people, but in some ways, it can be a real pain. Your skills are very different from Tarrant's, even if often complementary. At least you don't work -for- him," she adds with a faint smile.

Corian says, with all apparent pleasantness, "On those times when he and I work together, though, I will be in more of a supportive role. But, yes, it is rather different from your own situation. The difficulties inherent are... well, I can see how they would be troublesome." Because she has eyes, yes.

Clara lifts her gaze from the abandoned fork at that, and offers a smile, shrugging slightly. "Different situations, different requirements. It will all work out fine in the end. And you will always have Tarrant, whether you are working together or not. Are you due for more training sessions today?"

Corian smiles warmly at the mention of her husband. She may have been married nearly a year, but she's still obviously in that sappy-in-love phase. "I will always have him, yes. And I have no more sessions, mercifully. Necessity is one thing. Overdoing it is quite another, and my employers have the sense to realize this. I will merely attempt to brush up on the colloquialisms. Chanfro does not work well for them, after all."

Clara waves a hand at the entrance, grinning briefly at the reaction to the mention of Tarrant. "Care to extend your break a little bit then? I haven't had a chance to stock up on chocolate since we returned, and need to bother Mr. Johensen this morning."

Corian takes a moment to ponder that, then nods, with a smile. Her plate has since been cleared of the food, miraculously enough. "If you do not mind a bit of a slow pace, that would be wonderful."

Clara lifts a hand in a dismissive gesture with a smile, climbing to her feet rather slowly herself. "Mind? My dear friend, I would have requested it had you not. I am not exactly moving at top speed today either," she explains affably enough, scooping up her dishes and taking them to a disposal area.

Corian gets to her feet to dispose of her dishes as well. Her movements are as graceful as ever, of course; it would take more than mere exhaustion to make her look clumsy. "Ah, yes, I had heard of the difficulties in medbay. I do hope that the problem has not occurred again."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Clara tucks her hands into her pockets after stifling an absent, morning-induced yawn and shrugs amiably. "Oh, it was more just a hassle than anything else. No major catastrophes." A brief grimace shadows her face, but only for the merest of an instant before she smiles. "It's been busy since we returned, though. Do you remember that boy, G'ben?" she asks, heading for the door.

Corian inclines her head as she follows, with a quick smile. "From the treehouse that afternoon, yes? G'ben is the smooth-talking lad who wishes to be a Naval engineer?"

[Travelspam to the bakery deleted.]

Clara nods along the way, strolling comfortably rather than her usual breakneck hurtling through the morning crowds. "That's the one. His former guardian was just released from prison on parole, and came to visit yesterday. That's a woman I almost feel sorry for."

Corian's brows lift fractionally as she walks along as well. "Miss Valentine, you mean? I take it that the... time away... was less than kind to her?" She shakes her head fractionally. "She and I had an interesting conversation or two, in the past."

"You know her?" Clara seems vaguely surprised, but then taps at her temple. "Not even thirty and I'm senile. I was there when the two of you met, if I remember right." She pauses to place her usual order for two dozen chocolate cupcakes, along with a cappucino, then sighs. "Less than kind would be accurate. But she really seems to be a different person. More responsible."

Corian takes a moment to collect her thoughts, then places her own order--for the cookies her player can never quite remember how to spell--in rather halting Standard, which gets her an odd look. She shifts back to Kashidian with apparent relief. After all, pidgin Standard is quite a comedown for her. "More responsible is certainly a good thing, of course," she murmurs, expression thoughtful. She doesn't ask if Tara has found God. Leila's hopefully still asleep, after all.

Clara got Riley to come talk to her? That's sorta close... She takes a grateful sip from the foam cup and nods absently, heading for one of the small tables by the window to watch people go by. "I'm really hoping so, if only for G'ben's sake. He really is attached to her, but he needs a steady home life."

Corian, as an afterthought, gets a parcel of fudge as well--probably for Tarrant, as the stuff is far more sweet than is her preference. Following to the table and looking rather pleased to be seated, she nods thoughtfully. "He seems to be doing well, though," she ventures, "For all the difficulties he has had."

Clara brightens at this, nodding faintly and evidently rather pleased. "From what I hear, yes. The boy is smart, Corian. Incredibly bright, and curious as can be. He was in desperate need of some formal education, particularly considering his goal of the Academy."

Corian inclines her head. "Formal education -would- be rather helpful for that," she murmurs, with a ghost of a smile. "If he keeps on in this manner, though, it seems that he could do very well in life. It is certainly a better alternative to a life in the Underground, to be sure." Her gaze drifts vaguely in the direction of the Underground, and she shakes her head.

Clara doesn't follow the gaze, although she does sober at the comment, nodding as she navigates through another measure of coffee. "Have you ever been down there?" she queries quietly. "It's...it was a completely new experience to me, to see that. We weren't allowed there as cadets."

Corian nods once more, expression holding a touch of gravity. "I have, yes, quite a few times. The way to the Temple is through it, after all." And she's spent an evening or two in the Vault as well, though she's hardly going to mention that, not to the a'trezla of her elder brother.

Clara glances back in the direction the entrance to the Underground lies, nodding vaguely. "I'd heard about that. I've never been to the temple, I have to admit. I was off-planet when it was discovered. Have they figured out why the dragons built it originally?"

Corian lifts a hand in a gesture of uncertainty. "If they have, I have not heard. I have to admit, though, I was interested only in the text. Quite fascinating." And, for a moment, the Corian who could be perfectly happy tucked away in a library of obscure books for the rest of her life shines through.

"Oh?" Clara perks up at this, raking a hand back through her hair to push it from her eyes. "Were you able to translate it, then? Or was it already a language that you knew? I need to get Riley to take me down there one of these days," she adds, half smiling.

Corian shakes her head at the inquiry. "I have not, no. I had hoped to work with the dragons on it, but that never quite happened, and I became somewhat distracted." By her husband? Heh. "And if Riley's schedule is difficult, I would be happy to show you the Temple--though I would request, perhaps, that it not be today, or another day during which I have had a Chanfro session."

Clara lifts a hand, shaking her head in full agreement. "While I would be thoroughly grateful, I doubt that a tour of the temple is quite something I would be able to deal with today either. Just sitting here and watching the world go by is more my speed."

Corian seems in equally full agreement, gaze flicking after a particularly colorful delegate. "This is a good place for it, to be sure. And you have cupcakes, and I have cookies and fudge, as well as pleasant conversation, so it is a morning well spent."

"And a chance to practice Kashidian with someone other than my a'trezla when he is half asleep," Clara adds in, rather amused at this as she settles more comfortably into her chair. "I was able to get in another dozen of your vaccines, by the way. The others will be filtering in over the next week or two."

Corian chuckles very quietly, leaning down to rest her head in a cupped hand. "Poor Riley," she murmurs, with a shake of her head. "I would always be pleased to help you with your Kashidian, though, Clara--schedules permitting." At that last, though, she nods, with a bitten-back sigh. "Another dozen," she murmurs. "I do appreciate the help you are giving me with this, very much."

Oh, and Riley even occassionally opens doors when needed. It's kismet. Clare reaches out an absent hand to toy with a packet of sweetner, grinning faintly. "Poor Riley, indeed. I hope he's still asleep, poor man. I need to check on his arm eventually, though. I appreciate your help, though, very much so." She tilts her head understandingly. "I know, all the innoculations are inconvenient. Still...it really is better this way."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Corian nods a firm agreement. "Oh, to be sure, a bit of inconvenience is much to be preferred over an illness, especially an illness during an assignment. That, after all, could be much more than inconvenient." Brows quirk fractionally, though, and she inquires, "His arm?"

Clara starts to agree, then sighs at the final query, nodding with a slight grimace. "His arm, yes. It has to be fate that he was paired with a doctor, as often as he gets hurt. From the power outage time in Medbay. Evidently he burned it in Maintenance, electric spark. It should heal fine, but I'm keeping a close eye on it." Well, not -now-, but she will later.

Corian replies, sounding quite calmly confident, "I am certain that it will, with such care. Riley is lucky to have you." She lets her gaze wander briefly across the passersby, attention caught by some intricate beading in a Zaeltan's tail.

Clara wrinkles her nose with a faint headshake, shrugging. "We all have things we do. Tarrant's a rather lucky man himself, you know. How was it, meeting his family?" she asks, glances Zaeltan-wards as well and murmuring something about trees.

Apparently, it was pretty good, as Corian smiles at the memory. "Oh, it was wonderful. His sister and I got along marvelously, and the children, and his parents. They have a farm, with... well, not quite sheep, and animals that do the work of horses, though they seem more like spiders." There are names, but Jess can't remember them, or which log they're in. "All that open space, Clara, it was amazing. I really do hope we have the chance to go back there."

"Spiders?" Clara focuses on that one word with a nonplussed blink, but nods slowly as the other words click into comprehension and even finds a grin at that. "Farms really do have this amazing amount of open space. There's some places like that here outside of the Steadings, from what I've heard. Do they ride the spider-animals like one would horses?"

Corian tips a hand back and forth. "Not quite. They ride them, but the seating is different. I tried it, and it was... well, unusual." She chuckles quietly. "Though, to be honest, I've not ridden a horse, so I do not exactly have a basis for comparison."

"I got to ride a horse a few times back home, but I was fairly young then," Clara muses absently. "Still, as long as you had a good time, that's what counts. How did Tarrant survive meeting all of your family? And...how is Honalee? Is she well?" Obviously, she's concerned for the elderly doctor.

Corian's eyes glint with a flicker of humor at the mention of Tarrant and her family. "He managed quite well, actually--even coped with my mother, miraculously enough." Her smile warms as she adds, "And Hona is doing well, yes. She embarrassed me horribly, but I expected nothing less from her."

"Oh, come now," Clara counters, laughing quietly. "Your mother produced both you -and- Riley, so she has to be a pretty wonderful person. And Honalee really is best at embarrassing people. I will admit, she never has me, but Riley says she does embarass him regularly."

Corian murmurs something about Honalee and personal questions in the middle of a large crowd. "And my mother is a wonderful person, yes," she agrees amiably enough. "She's just rather gifted at... distancing herself from people, and absorbing herself in her work."

Clara tilts her head to give you a wry look, half-smiling before she shakes her head and focuses on drawing an abstract design on her foam coffee cup with a fingernail. "I think that may be a trait you both inherited from her, although that's most certainly not a bad thing considering your careers."

"I have been told that I take after her in that," Corian agrees slowly. No, she's never disagreed with that statement, really. "Mother just seems somewhat more extreme in her behavior. I could be wrong, though."

Clara offers a reassuring smile, gesturing vaguely with one hand. "I have never met your mother, but you've always been perfectly friendly from what I've seen. Besides, there's nothing wrong with being reserved." She half-grins impishly. "You know the old saying, smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to."

Corian's lips quirk at that. "Mm. An acquaintence of mine, a year or three ago, got for me a button: I'm not shy, I'm studying my prey." Of course, considering what she was doing a few years ago... "I -am- glad I come across as friendly, though. Sometimes I worry about that."

Clara pauses a beat, then laughs easily at that, toasting with her empty coffee cup. "Here, here! I -like- that button," she decides in slightly fuzzy cheer. "Although I imagine it would merely confuse people who didn't know you very well. And you -are- friendly, Corian. At least you are with me, for which I'm grateful."

"You are my brother's a'trezla," Corian responds serenely, "And quite a wonderful person in your own right. Why would I be anything less than friendly towards you?"

"Because I am an evil doctor and want to be just like Honalee when I grow up," Clara responds promptly, but with a glint in her eyes that betrays that she's teasing. "Well, except without the evil comments and mailing of frightening books."

Corian stifles a laugh. "I still cannot believe she did that, or that she quizzed me on the pages." Her cheeks color, of course. Page twelve goes across-MUSH! "And being just like Hona is a laudable goal, as long as you don't end up tormenting me."

"She -quizzed- you?" Clara stares, caught somewhere between aghast and vastly amused. "She is evil, evil, evil. That woman impresses me anew on a daily basis. But you needn't worry about tormenting from me. I have my hands full tormenting your brothers as often as possible."

"She quizzed me," Corian confirms. "Asked if I'd tried certain pages. I'm just glad Father had stolen Tarrant; he would have been mortified, poor man. And tormenting my brothers is a key and vital occupation," she approves. "I will certainly have to do my share of that, of course."

Clara covers her eyes with one hand, snickering quietly. "All I can say is that I'm wildly glad she never sent Riley or me a book like that." She sighs and shakes her head with a grin. "I believe Ela's doing a fine job of tormenting Niko. I saw him the other day, and he looked as though married life more than agreed with him."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Corian approves, with a quick smile, "Then Ela is doing her job. Though, of course, torment from one's romantic interest is rather different from that of a sibling. I will have to locate him and have a chat," she adds thoughtfully, "If I can bypass his schedule."

Clara all but rolls her eyes at that, nodding slightly. "That certainly is the truth. He has more than enough to do as XO, not to mention also his security duties beyond that. I just hope the XO position precludes him from grass-watching."

Corian looks a bit puzzled for a moment, then her expression clears. "Ah, the guarding, yes--that odd regulation. From what I have heard, even Riley does that from time to time, so I do not believe that Niko will be able to get out of that, unfortunately."

Clara makes a quiet acking sound, almost wincing. "Riley still manages to pull that duty down now and again? Good heavens, no wonder he's so vague when I ask him how his day went sometimes. Well, that, and there are things he has clearance for that I do not."

Corian inclines her head to that, with a faint smile. "And sometimes vagueness is preferable," she murmurs, yes, vaguely. She shifts over to Standard, sounding much more together. "Ah. Much better, yes. It is starting to clear."

Clara actually grins significantly and nods. "You rather do sound better, now," she agrees, almost gratefully shifting back to Standard as well. "And speaking of better, I should likely hunt down my significant other and make sure his arm hasn't run away screaming in the night."

Corian inclines her head. "Of course, of course, you certainly should do that. Please give him my love? I've attempted to track him down, but our schedules have been incompatible, of late."

"Certainly," Clara agrees, rising a little more easily after the help of several cups of much caffeine. "And give Tarrant my best as well, although not my love. That would be slightly odd," she adds, obviously teasing. "Will you be staying here? Or are you walking back to the Complex, too?"

Corian chuckles very quietly, with a brief nod. "I will tell him, of course. And I think I will stay here a bit, until I feel up to climbing the hill. I feel the need," she adds, with a whimsical little smile, "To visit the treehouse."

"I don't blame you in the slightest," Clara offers, smile softening at that. "The treehouse is a splendid place. Give me a call when you and Tarrant want to get together for dinner, hey? And enjoy your day, Corian."

Corian inclines her head. "We will let you know, of course, though much depends on our various schedules. Perhaps we can even drag my brother away from his busy days." Though probably not, to spare Leila. "And you have a good day as well, Clara."

Clara walks towards the Java Quarter.

Clara has left.

[Lots of time passes, Corian goes home.]

Tarrant is sprawled into the corner of the couch, buried in a thick book. At the sound of the door, he glances up, offering you a tired smile of greeting. "Evening, love."

Corian looking tired and maybe just a bit sheepish, is rather damp about the edges as she comes into the room. Actually, she's more than a little damp. "Good evening," she replies, adding, just in case that wasn't obvious, "It's raining."

Tarrant winces lightly, and settles the book aside to climb to his feet. He dissapears into the bathroom to return with a warm towel. Making his way to you he offers to wrap you in it, "Go jumping in puddles again?"

Corian seems rather pleased to have the towel wrapped around herself, and leans closer to swipe a kiss. She's evil and sneaky, and this is how she shows it, certain that the complaints will start. "For a miracle, I avoided the puddles. If I had had my jacket, now... but it was not raining when I went out, so I didn't even think to bring it."

Tarrant isn't about to object to having kisses swiped, and beams down at you in a sappily delighted fashion. "Well maybe it'd be best to get all warm and dry, and climb into bed?"

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Corian looks, if anything, more pleased. "Warm and dry and in bed with my love--you will join me, yes? That sounds utterly perfect, cha'trez, a wonderful end to the day." With a smile, she starts towards the bedroom area, apparently to rid herself of wet clothing and locate something dry.

"Of course," Tarrant agrees quietly, offering you a bright grin and the bare hint of a bow. "It is, after all, late, and I think sleep would be wonderful, especially with you, love."

Corian, once wearing dry clothing, takes a moment to apply the towel to her hair rather briskly, then to locate a brush, the better to rid herself of the toaster child look. "I hope you haven't been waiting up," she says, with a vaguely apologetic smile. "I was out in the treehouse, and I suppose I lost track of time."

"I was studying up on some political situations," Tarrant explains, dropping down onto the edge of the bed to tug off his boots carefully. "In the treehouse?"

Corian, apparently deciding that her appearance is good enough for bed, perches near it and folds her legs lotus-style, nodding. "Clara and I went to the bakery," she explains, "And I haven't been to the treehouse since before our trip."

Tarrant slides into the bed, clambering under the covers with a stifled yawn. "Was the trip to the bakery good?" He curls half onto one side. "How's Clara?"

"The trip to the bakery was wonderful," Corian replies, following you under the covers and curling up against you. "I brought you back some fudge." She gestures to a parcel she deposited on the table. Really. "And Clara is doing fine. We practiced Kashidian, and she's really come along quite well, with that."

Tarrant curls up around you, shifting so as to share his warmth. He's useful for that, being warmth intensive. "Fudge, love, you're a wonder I tell ya'. A wonder indeed. And that's a good thing, that she's learning. It's not so easy a language."

Corian bites back on a yawn of her own. The late hour, with her own early rising, is starting to catch up with her apparently, combined with the aforementioned warmth and dryness and bed. "Mm. Not easy at all." The words are just a bit indistinct. "Fascinating, though. It's quite fun to speak."

"Tricky with a drawl, it all trips together, but it's a very...elegant language. Beautiful and ethereal, like you m'love," Tarrant is sounding sleepy himself, starting to fade out.

Corian shifts around to claim a quick kiss. "Good night, cha'trez. Chiat'a bei kruzon." And, as her player has misplaced the spiffy +mail and is too lazy to go snag a book and check, or to look up the website, that could be way wrong, spelling-wise. But Corian definitely sounds sleepy, and has, apparently degenerated into Kashidian for the evening.

Tarrant murmurs a quiet echo of the sentiment, nuzzling in at your neck to place a gentle kiss there before sinking off into sleep.

Corian is asleep mere heartbeats later, content with life in general and her situation in particular.


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