1/15/99

Uelara arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Uelara has arrived.

Uelara trounces in, a mesh bag slung over her shoulder. She tosses the bag down, little furry critters spilling out. "Here, have fun - let me disect one of them later."

Niko looks over from the monitor, blinking a few times, then swears. "More of them? Thanks." He scrambles to his feet, to take the bag. "I think they're going to be sent back to their original planet, though."

Uelara picks up one of the creatures and stares at it. "It would make such a fascinating dissection, though." She pokes at the thing then ads, "I dabble in zoology, diplomacy is just my curse."

This delicate looking Stilvanian female is barely over four feet tall. Her skin is a rich, creamy brown shade. Colorless eyes are wide set in her head, the only color in them being the black of the pupil. A long mass of snowy white hair is tied into a topknot on the top of her head, the rest spilling down to the small of her back. Two small horns protrude from her forehead, the left one is slightly crooked. She is dressed in a flowing green dress made of some silken material, the fabric billowing out at the bottome and sinched at the waist to reveal a trim torso and a feminine form. A computer badge pinned to her breast flashes intermittently with the word 'Diplomat', first in English, then Stilvan.

Niko's lips quirk as he picks up the sack. "I'll speak with the Chief about it, ma'am. It's really his call." He doesn't comment on the curse of diplomacy, but the glint of his dark eyes and his stifled grin suggests that his found the statement to be humorous.

Uelara pokes at her critter again, then tosses it Niko's way. "Here, don't forget this one." Then, her colorless eyes take in the room. "You work in here? How sad...not even a small sculpture..."

Niko catches the critter with a muffled yelp, but manages not to drop the sack in the process. "Sculpture?" he asks, looking decidedly confused. "We're here to work, ma'am, not to enjoy the view. The monitors are... interesting, though."

Uelara shakes her head at this. "Oh, it helps you work. Sculptures can be quite therepeutic."

Niko's brows arch fractionally. "Therapeutic? What, appreciation of art, all that? I suppose throwing it at people would be good."

Uelara laughs. "Oh, I forgot, some humans don't put much faith in art. It's really a large part of my culture."

Niko ducks into the brig long enough to put the Denners in the containment units therein. "Oh, I like art well enough," he says, with a quick grin. "I just think it wouldn't really be appropriate -here-. Except maybe a sculpture of a penguin. That'd suit the place."

Uelara ahs at that. "A penguin? How...interesting." If Stylvani had eyebrows, this one would surely be raising hers...

Niko just grins, looking decidedly amused as he returns to his seat. "The Chief likes penguins. I'm not sure why, but he does."

Uelara grins. "To each his own." Then she cocks her head, "Have those.../things/....do they know how to get rid of them, yet?

Niko supplies, "They're called Denners, ma'am, after the first person to bring them into the Complex. He's working on coming up with a more efficient way to deal with them, but for now we're just catching them with nets and such, and putting them in containment units. We've got scanners to help us find them, but they seem to be making themselves show on their own."

Uelara umms. "They're everywhere," she complains slightly, "I still think I should be able to dissect one."

Niko looks just a bit abashed. "I'm sorry about that, ma'am. We're working on the problem. And I'll be sure to mention your request to the Chief."

Uelara nods at that. "I should leave my name then..." And she pauses as if about to give some incredibly long spiel.

Niko looks just a bit puzzled, but nods, reaching for a piece of paper and a writing utensil. "Yes, ma'am?"

Uelara clears her throat. "Uelara Kareslan Foucalt the prefect daughter of Zebulon Kareslan Foucault son of Merinine Kareslan Foucault, House of Silana, third ring of Kriolin, Stilvani."

Niko's pen pauses. "Ma'am?" he inquires mildly. "Would maybe just those first three words suffice?"

Uelara shakes her head. "No, you have to have the whole thing. Family rules."

Niko ahs quietly. "I'm hardly one to counter family rules. Uelara Kareslan Foucalt," he murmurs as he writes, "daughter of Zebulon Kareslan Focault son of..." He pauses. "All right, I think you might have to repeat that last bit, ma'am. Sorry."

Uelara coughs and starts at that part. "Son of Merinine Kareslan Foucault, House of Silana, third ring of Kriolin, Stilvani."

Niko scribbles for a moment longer, then inquires, "How is Kriolin spelled, ma'am? Wouldn't want to get that wrong, after all." He seems to be taking this all in stride.

Uelara grins slightly. "K-r-i-o-l-i-n." She sighs slightly, "I'd shorten it if I could, you know."

Niko shakes his head quickly. "No problem at all, ma'am. I completely understand about family rules." He scrawls a bit more on the paper, then adds affably, "I'll make sure the Chief sees this." Of course, he can't vouch for whether the paper will be thrown away immediately upon perusal, but it will, at least, be seen.

Uelara mms, "Thanks. Officer...." she leans forward to read the tag, "Casymed."

Niko nods once, confirming the name. "No problem, ma'am," he repeats, with a quick grin. "It's nice to have someone not complain that they can't keep a Denner as a pet. Very refreshing."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Clara arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Clara has arrived.

Uelara makes a face, "Whe would I /ever/ want one of those dreadful things as a pet. They may be cute, but they're /obnoxious/."

Clara swings around a security guard about her own size, although particularly bulkier, and comes around a desk. She seems to be cuddling a small gray Denner, which natters up at her in adoring nonsense. Still, she is heading for the brig and a random officer for assistance.

Niko says, with a quick grin, "I didn't say that -you- would, ma'am, but there are those that do... like every single one of the Sectassian envoy's children." Spotting Clara's entrance, he brightens visibly. "Hiya, Clara," he calls. "You can just drop it off in there. It's unlocked, and I think you can maybe manage the containment unit."

Clara glances up over a few desks and returns the grin along with a polite nod at the diplomat, then vanishes into the brig, crooning at the critter in her arms as she goes. "Know how to work the units," filters back from her in satiric, thoroughly amused tones.

Uelara eyes the critter with some distate - though perhaps a morose interest. She returns Clara's nod. "Well, I supposse I should be off now that I've delivered those things."

Niko inclines his head, an amused grin crossing his face as he glances towards the brig. "Thank you for bringing them, ma'am. We do very much appreciate the help--and I'll be sure to get this to the Chief," he adds, with a gesture towards the paper.

Uelara nods again. "You're welcome." Then she turns and walks out, kicking a fallen Denner on her way out.

Uelara heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Uelara has left.

Niko scrambles after the Denner with a sigh. "If we could just sterilize them," he mutters, heading for the brig.

Clara finally emerges from the brig, an almost too bright grin on her face as she dusts off her hands. "Whew...it's an entire convention in there. I wouldn't be suprised if they reinvent the parliamentary system." She crosses over to perch on the edge of an unoccupied desk, not Anya's. "Hmmm. Think Addison would let me examine one to see if we can?"

Niko, returning from the brig after depositing his own critter, grins at that, expression thoughtful. "Just as good an idea as some of the other suggestions I've heard for dealing with 'em," he says, returning to his own seat. "You look a little more chipper than you did this morning. Lots of coffee?" He gestures towards his own mug, which still holds the remnants of that tea he so enjoys.

"Huh?" is Clara's immediate reaction, almost startled, before she shakes her head quickly, chuckling. "Just the two pots I'd said I'd drink. The Edreeni delagate went into labor, so I spent part of the day with her. They'll call me when it's closer to time."

Niko inquires curiously, topping off his mug, "How long does it take, Edreeni labor?" With a quick grin, he adds, "It was tough enough to get me to human biology class, let alone any for other races."

Out of the corner of your eye, you see something moving. You get the impression that it's very, very cute.

Clara's leg swings almost hyperactively from the desk as she grins. "It's a matter of anatomy. The Edreeni are far larger than us...well, most of us," she ammends, gesturing at the Chief's door, "and their offspring are comparitively large. It takes about three days, all told, and she went ino labor yesterday."

Niko shudders just a bit. "Hope it isn't like human labor. If the stories I've heard are true..." He shakes his head, downing a mouthful of lukewarm chai. "Well, I'm sure it must be interesting."

Clara's eyes dance over a wry, faint grin. "It is," she assures, nose wrinkling. "And the stories you've heard are likely true. And interesting would be a very mild word for it, I think. At least, most new mothers would tell you that. I wouldn't personally know beyond the delivery aspect."

Niko shakes his head quickly. "Actually, that's the word Cip used... well, sort of." He says something in Hellenic. "The translation doesn't have the flavor of the word, and that's only what -Losi- said that she said." His expression is rather wryly amused. "Losi does all the letter-writing for the folks back in Mathraki, so things tend to get a little confused."

Clara holds up a finger and murmurs into her wrist unit for a moment in a quick conversation, then edges over to snag a chair. "Sorry. I was just checking in. Mathraki...? Is that the city you're from, then?"

Niko's eyebrows lift, his expression shifting to one of mild amusement. "'City' would be a very generous word. 'Village', maybe, would be more apt. Very small population, very low technology--except for the schools, thank goodness--and very 'traditional' beliefs. It was interesting, living there."

Clara's head drops slightly, eyes widening in surprise. "You? Seriously? The man who argues biology versus chemistry with me?" She shakes her head in wonder. "And your family is...traditional?"

Niko tips his hand back and forth. "My parents are, but enlightened enough to realize that maybe we kids want something different. Gigia... she's another story. And Cip--the oldest of my sisters--prefers the old ways, too." With a crooked grin, he adds, "I said that the schools had the tech, though, Clara. And I went to Hellas City starting when I was thirteen, which is much closer to modern standards."

Clara crosses her legs absently, wrapping her foot back around behind her calf in that manuevar the typist hasn't pulled off since she was four. "Boarding school?" she asks with a sympathetic smile, leaning an elbow on the desk. "And if I'm keeping you from work, let me know? I can head back Medbay-way."

Niko inclines his head. "It was great, though I could wish that the family'd been a bit closer. We had all the holidays to go home, though. And I've just got a bit of paperwork, nothing too pressing. I'd rather have the company."

Clara pulls a pen from her coat pocket and twirls it absently in her fingers, nodding at that in affirmation. "That would be nice, yeah." She lets out a small laugh. "Heck, being on a planet for school would be nice. This was the place where you skipped out for tziziki sauce?"

Niko inclines his head, though not without a puzzled smile. "You weren't on a planet? And Cypri's is in Hellas City, yes. Best tziziki. I'd try to drag the Chief there, but I can't go to Hellas without going home, and he'd scandalize Gigia."

Clara shakes her head affably, tracing a few inkless circles on the desk corner. "Nope. Up in one of the O'Neill colonies, actually at L2...between Earth and Luna. I moved up there when I was twelve." She smirks at the pen, nodding. "Likely, from what you've said. Then again, whose parents wouldn't he scandelize?"

Niko stifles a snicker at that. "Good point. Actually, my folks would probably like him just fine. They wouldn't mind the whole tziziki thing. L2, huh? Never been there... obviously. What was it like?" He's not fidgeting at all, instead giving you his full attention, manner curious without being of that frightening, stalker-esque quality. That's a goodness.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Clara laughs along, wrinkling her nose. "That's a goodness. My mom's pretty laid-back, though." She shrugs almost absently, lips quirking. "It was a colony, like any other. People trying to start from scratch. L2's the uppercrust colony, too," she says with a faint air of distaste.

Niko's brows arch slowly. "Uppercrust colony," he murmurs. "Huh. Somehow, that seems a bit like a contradition in terms." His lips quirk fractionally. "Though I'm hardly the expert on colonies."

Clara tilts her head vaguely, nodding. "Doesn't it? But I guess the mucky-mucks want that 'greener pasture' too sometimes. I never really quite figured it out. Grandmother sent me there, and it was okay. Got me used to spaceflight, at least." She glances up from the pen. "What about you? Did you like school?"

Niko makes that mental connection between 'grandmother' and 'uppercrust', and his brows arch a bit higher. "Oh, sure," he murmurs. "School was great, for the most part. Provided much more opportunities for... creative outlet than the school in Mathraki."

Clara finally catches note of the reaction and bites back a grimace. "Sorry. Forget I said anything," she mutters, then brings up a grin. "I can imagine it was. Did you study chemistry in secondary too?"

Niko shakes his head fractionally. "It's okay, Clara. Just trying to reconcile fact with assumption--kind of like you and Mathraki, maybe?" With another swallow of chai, he nods. "And I did study chem in secondary some, too, yes. A bit. The instructor had a great hands-on approach."

Clara lets this thought settle in, then nods reasonably. "I can see that," she agrees, then manages a small smile. "People never come from where you think they do," she decides, then straightens with a look of fair delight. "Isn't that the greatest? I had that in geology...came -so- close to becoming a lunar geologist."

Niko flashes a quick smile at that. "If y'don't mind my saying so, I'm glad that you didn't. I don't see much need for lunar geologists here, after all."

Clara returns the grin, rolling her eyes. "Only because I owe you a backrub," she counters. "I really did adore geology, but finding out what made people tick was more interesting than finding out what made moons tick." She waves the pen in a vague panorama. "What about you? How'd chemistry lead to security?"

Niko really can't help but grin at the mention of the debt. "Now, that's not why I did that," he murmurs. He's not arguing, either, though. Expression mildly amused at the thought of ticking moons, he explains, "It doesn't. Not really. But I'd need more schooling to get the sort of job that would suit me, and I didn't want to continue. I enjoy chemistry, but not that much. This is what the powers that be said I'd do well, so here I am. I think maybe the Chief offended someone," he quips, "And this is the result."

"I don't hear you arguing, either," Clara shoots back, although her voice is lowered slightly and contains not a note of dismay. "I'll bet something in your file matched the profile here, actually. That's how I ended up here instead of reupping."

Niko nods his agreement, setting aside his mug. "I like it here. Or, rather, I like working with the Chief. Still getting used to the actual -place-. And I guess you could be right, sure. If I really wanted to know, I bet I could just ask Anya, the eternally right."

Clara twirls the pen in her fingers again, it making a neat set of weaving circles. "It's an interesting place," she allows thoughtfully. "The Medbay is certainly the nicest I've ever worked in, and I couldn't ask for a better staff. I guess I just feel really young sometimes," she admits, then snickers and nods. "Anya would know. She knows all. When's she getting back?"

Niko grins brightly at the use of his favorite word. "She's here--in the Chief's office, that is." He gestures in the appropriate direction, you know, just in case you don't know where it is. "Stick around long enough, she might actually come out, and you could meet her. Oh." He snaps his fingers. "I mentioned that you were interested in looking after Addie. She's not in favor of Addie learning to play the drums, but she seemed like she'd be glad of the help with the kiddo. I'm going to be looking after her some evening, the result of some constructive groveling."

Clara glances towards the indicated direction, brows quirking in surprise. "She is? That's -fantastic-! Brunhilde got shipped out then?" She leans back in her chair slightly, smirking. "Aaah, Niko, you had to go and tell her about the drums. I even found the -best- trap set in the Java Quarter."

A small, adorably cute creature zips into your general vicinity. It makes a squealing noise, then continues on its way, quickly enough that one would have to have been looking right at it to see it.

Niko bobs his head. "Yeah, the Chief did some constructive groveling, too. Got rid of the valkyrie lady. And I didn't -mean- to tell her about the drums. Part of it slipped out, and she thought you were going to teach -me- to play 'em, see, and thought--" A pause. "Well, never mind what she thought... ack." He scrambles out of his chair, but not quickly enough. The Denner escapes. Niko curses, and returns, grumbling, to his chair.

Clara unlinks her legs and half rises in the beginning of an effor to help. "Never mind what she thought? If you say so," she agrees somewhat absently as she tries to track the critter visually, then gives up and drops back to the seat. "Quick little buggers. Why, do you want to learn how to play?"

Niko shakes his head as he snags his mug once more, actually glancing at the monitor he's supposed to be watching. "Never thought of it, actually. There isn't a lot of music involving percussion on Hellas--not in the bits where I lived, at least."

You hear a piercing voice announce, "Kay ay-ay u-nye!"

Clara recrosses her legs, casually tugging one ankle up to rest on the opposing knee as she starts to tap a complex pattern on the desktop with the pen, then almost instantly stops and looks sheepish. "Sorry. What sort of instruments did you have?"

Niko glances about for the source of the piercing voice, brows lowered in annoyance. "Uh, standard stuff. Keyboard-instruments, wind instruments. Not as many double-reeds or brass instruments. There -were- drums, they just weren't used. Piano's pretty widespread. Mom was really big on piano."

Clara's expression fades to near reverence. "An amazing instrument, the piano," she agrees solemnly. "Rachmaninoff was a genius, even if you do have to have hands the size of dinner plates to play it. You take after her?"

Niko shakes his head, expression mildly amused. "Not quite. I can play some, but not nearly as well as Zosima--that's sister number three. She's fifteen, and just amazingly gifted. Regularly makes me wonder how in the world she managed to get in our family." He snickers softly, then adds, "No, that's not fair. Gigia used to be quite skilled."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

An eerie chittering echoes behind you, "To loh kaaa!"

Clara shakes her head, eyes bright. "Amazing. Simply amazing. That's an instrument that takes some sincere dedication, definitely." She glances up with a grin, leaning back in the seat again. "We have that in common. I took lessons too." She groans, lifting a hand to her face. "I'm not turning around. It's not there. It's my imagination."

Riley's door opens, a woman's hand is stuck out, a nerve tangler fires. The furby naps.

Niko peers past you, nose wrinkling. "It's gone now, anyway. Maybe I -will- start shooting the--ack." He scrambles to his feet to collect the critter. "Thanks, Anya."

"No problem." Anya ducks back into Riley's office.

Clara glances past at the door to the hand of the elusive Anya, and whistles a low note. "Good shot," she murmurs. "I wonder if we have a practice range here..." she adds, almost to herself, then snaps her fingers. "That's what I needed to talk to Riley about later. Aah, well. No big deal. I'll get the locks changes eventually."

Clara glances past at the door to the hand of the elusive Anya, and whistles a low note. "Good shot," she murmurs. "I wonder if we have a practice range here..." she adds, almost to herself, then snaps her fingers. "That's what I needed to talk to Riley about later. Aah, well. No big deal. I'll get the locks changes eventually."

"Practice...?" Clara says, blinking, then ohs as the thought gels. "No...no, on the back vault in medical. So I can have access to the tranq guns. Which I -wouldn't- shoot people with," she says pointedly at the door to Addison's office, although not loud enough to carry.

Niko inquires innocently, with an upward glance that might imply the fourth floor, "How d'you define people, Clara?"

Clara quirks a brow, faintly amused. "Anyone who isn't the enemy? Sorry...entirely too many months in field training. Sentience, I suppose. Why...?" she starts to ask, then follows the glance and starts to laugh. "Ah-hah. I see. Yes, they count as people. Sorry."

Anya steps out of the office, pulling the door behind her with a snick and a fatalistic shake of her head. She snags her jacket from behind her desk, pulling it on in preperation for leaving, "Evening, Flowerchild, Chief."

Niko heaves a long, slow sigh. "Ah, well. It was worth a thought--and a very happy thought it was." Anya's entrance gets her a delighted grin, one that slowly fades at her headshake and her use of that nickname. "Uh, welcome back, Anya."

Clara wrinkles her nose, shaking her head. "Clara, please, Anya. Clara or Doc, or any of those variations. -That's- Chief," she explains, waving a hand at the now closed door. "Welcome back indeed," she offers with a smile. "Headed home for the night?"

Anya runs a hand through her realtively short hair, "Thanks. It's good to be back, even if I wasn't gone that long. It seems like it's been ages after this day, I tell you." She nods to Clara, "Clara, check. And that's not always 'Chief' either, it depends on how stupid he's being this week. Yeah, home I guess." Her tone implies she's not exactly rearing to head there, "It's late."

A small, adorably cute creature zips into your general vicinity. It makes a squealing noise, then continues on its way, quickly enough that one would have to have been looking right at it to see it.

Clara tilts her head at the words and tone, making several quick mental jumps, and unfolds herself from her chair. "Security business abounds," she offers both Niko and Anya with an understanding smile. "I'll leave you to it and head back to check on my patient, although I do hope she's asleep."

Anya shakes her head quickly, gesturing towards the door. "No Security business, pardon me y'all. Night."

Niko casts a look at his chrono, brows lifting. "Huh. Yeah, it is." Snapping his fingers, he glances towards Anya's desk, gaze jolting away at the squeal. Missing the passing Denner, he nods to Anya. His mouth opens as if he's going to ask a question, but then he pauses. "Uh. G'night. You don't have to flee if you'd rather not, though, Anya."

Anya chuckles quietly, "I just better skeedle before I go running anybody off."

Niko mumbles, half protest, half amusement, "An-ya."

Clara makes a frustrated sound and simply rolls her eyes, lifting her arm as she leans against Niko's desk to mutter into her comm. After a moment, she reports wryly, "No where near dialated enough, and sound asleep. I'm not needed yet. You aren't chasing, Anya."

Anya glances at that office door again and then shakes her head, "Nah, I really ought to get home to Tony and Addie. Especially lest the Chief catch me not leaving. Night y'all."

Niko looks briefly puzzled by that, but nods anyway, glancing towards the office door as well. "Good night, Anya. Good to have you back."

Clara flitters her fingers, grinning. "Saints forbid Riley catch that. Let me know if you need a sitter some afternoon, hey? Goodnight," she adds.

Anya nods, "Thanks Niko, it's really good to be back." She grins at Clara, "I will, thank you." She then departs.

Niko peers after Anya with another mildly puzzled look, then shrugs. "Okay, you got to meet more of Anya than her hand or her voice. Congratulations."

Clara tilts her head to watch the woman leave as well, nodding thoughtfully. "Thanks. She's got something troubling her," she comments. Brilliant, yes, I know. She sighs faintly and shakes her head, running an hand up through her hair. "Ah well. Can't make an appointment for someone who doesn't want it. Just don't tell Riley I said that."

Niko's lips quirk fractionally. "You weren't planning to drag him in, were you? He got annoyed enough over the whole sleep thing." His smile fades at that, and he glances towards one of the tallies on the tally board, with a small shake of his head.

Clara sets one heel against the side of the desk and clasps her hands about her knee, shaking her head thoughtfully. "No, I'm not," she answers quietly. "Did he tell you much about that whole thing?"

Niko shakes his head slowly. "No. No, he didn't. And, to be honest, I can't say that I mind that too terribly."

Clara nods agains, jaw clenching briefly. "Yeah, I can see that," she replies vaguely. "Anyway, no, that's not something that should be a concern to anyone anymore." She clears her throat slightly and glances away. "Maybe I oughta go check on that patient anyway..."

Niko shakes his head quickly, then slows the movement til it stops. "Sorry. I didn't mean to bring up a sore subject. Just... the repercussions. It kind of strikes at my idea of fairness, especially considering my own role in the Denner fiasco." He passes a hand across his face, then adds, "If you think you should go...well..."

Clara pushes to her feet and wanders over to peer up at one of the bulletin boards, hands stuffed in her pockets. "It's okay, Niko. It's just something I'm trying not to think about a whole lot right now. And you didn't know."

Niko repeats quietly, "I'm sorry." He peers at his chrono, an expression of relief flickering across his face. "Look," he adds, voice at that same volume, "I'm off in ten minutes. You want to get out of here... maybe go for a walk? I don't know about you, but it seems like the Complex is a little smaller, of late. We can stick close, in case your patient needs you, but... well, sometimes a change of scene, however brief, can help."

Out of the corner of your eye, you see something moving. You get the impression that it's very, very cute.

Clara continues to read over the various notices, all humor vanished from her expression for a moment, before she inhales sharply and turns about with a bright grin. "Sure, yeah. That baby's not coming out without me there, anyway."

Roland walks in with a slight haste and glances around. "Is Addison about?"

Riley walks here from the Chief Addison's Office.

Riley has arrived.

Roland ohs. "Speak of the Devil's Advocate. Addison, might I speak with you quickly before my bright idea becomes dim?"

Niko starts to say, 'Can I help you instead?' or 'He's busy', when RIley's appearance makes his response moot. Instead, brows lifting at Riley's timing, he gestures towards the Chief.

As if summoned by his name, Riley comes out of his office. Moving with a decided slow deliberateness he nods a greeting, hands tucked in his pockets. "Idea? Hmm? Uh, yeah..."

Roland considers something for a moment, possibly why his devil comment didn't recieve a noticable action, before continuing. "Those overly cute pests are still being pests, right?"

Clara glances at the opening door, expression going wooden for a brief instant as she takes in Addison's gait and just sort of edges into a corner, staying out of the way of security business.

That comment at least gets a half-snicker from Riley, as well as a nod. "That'd be a definate yes, why?"

Roland nods his head. "Okay. Are there compartments under the floor of the hallways here?"

Riley mmhmms after a pause, "Some of them at least. Storage, and then the old tunnels." His attitude is almost professionally relaxed, but it's also a bit zoned as well.

Niko casts a quick, reassuring smile to Clara, though his brows lower as his gaze moves back to Riley. He takes up a piece of paper from his desk, twirling it lightly in his fingers.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Roland nods his head again. "Good, good. Now please tell me you guys got holoprojectors or some techno-gadetry of some sort here?"

Riley does not appear to have any idea where this is going, but that makes it all the more interesting to him. "Yeah, some fairly extensive projector systems. The fourth floor fluffies use them for demos."

Out of the corner of your eye, you see something moving. You get the impression that it's very, very cute.

Clara sighs faintly and crouches down, making a soft whistling sound and calling something in oddly accented French before adding, "C'mon, fella...that's it. There we go," she murmurs, scooping up the little brown furball into her arms as it chitters at her enthusiastically, then heads into the brig.

Roland okays, finishing his mental checklist. He of course knows where this is going, but not telling is half the fun. "Stay with me here, you look like you've watched one of those big kid icon things on the tube for about a hour." He pauses to glance at a spot behind a desk, frowning slightly before turning back to Riley. Of course he doesn't wipe the frown off his face, that's half the fun also. "If we were to remove the floor tiling over a couple of these compartments, mark the ceiling with something so people know where the holes are, and use the holo-thingies to make it appear like there's a floor there. The bait is a little recording of," he points to Clara, "someone muttering something like that, inside the hole. Make it very saccharine and sugary and all that stuff."

==============================================================================

Message 2 Date Received: Sat Jan 16 01:06:05 1999

From: Leila

To: Niko

Subject: Deceptively Simple Looking Gray Envelope

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yep, you knew it was coming... In your mailbox is an ash gray envelope bearing the AF seal embossed on it in raised print. The letter inside is the color of aged soot as well, with the lettering in a fancy coal gray ink. It informs you in legalese that you are now in posession of a halfblack on your record, requested by the Sectassian embassy. It's for 'gross incompetance' and is in relation to your bringing an animal onto Complex grounds without taking it first to Quarantine. It is signed by Fleet Admiral Ranshek and a small wrapped piece of taffy is included in the letter.

Leila, Not Really Here :)

Options: +delete, +forward, +reply, +replyall, +mark

Riley's brows drop, his expression thoughtful. "That's a good idea DeMario, I appreciate it. I'll set the night crew onto getting it set up." He nods slightly, "Thanks."

Roland nods his head slowly for a moment, then glances around.

Niko nods his agreement to the suggestion. "Denner should be due in soon," he adds.

Clara finally comes back out of the brig, swallowing heavily but flashing that 'I'm just fine' grin to a random security officer before fading back to her corner, having missed the explanation.

Riley ahhs quietly, glancing Niko-wards. "That's a good thing. He's the local expert on the critters after all. He'd know what'd be most likely to call them. Maybe a holo of water."

Roland blinks at Riley, then ahhs. "That's right. They like to bonk when in water. Did you know there's some out there in the rain?"

Riley mmhmms amiably, "Yeah, but the rainwater doesn't work. Saline content's too high."

Roland mulls this one over. "That explains why we're not being washed out by a wave of Denners then... I was wondering about that. How far have they gotten out of the Complex? I know they're as far as the Bonded-type-place, surprisingly."

Niko suggests lightly, "They, uh, didn't originate in the Complex."

Roland scratches his head. "Oh, they didn't? Funny, I thought they did. They're most thick per capita here, aren't they?"

Riley mmhmms to Roland, stepping with measured steps over to the mailboxes and tugging his mail free carefully. Sorting through it he comes across something that makes his brows furrow. "They've got a lockdown on Copper Hill." Biting back a sigh he tugs an ash gray envelope from the mass and hands it to Niko.

Clara has by now folded her arms and is simply watching silently. At the sight of the envelope, her eyes close for a moment only to reopen stoically.

Niko goes utterly still, staring at the envelope for a long moment before he actually opens it. Something wrapped, oddly, falls from it. He scans the letter, perhaps reading it twice, then folds it and replaces it in the envelope. The envelope itself is folded neatly in half and tucked in a pocket, followed by the wrapped thing, which looks like a piece of candy. Niko doesn't actually say anything for a moment, and when he does, it's not at all related to the contents of the letter. "Message for you, Chief," he says, extending that paper he'd been holding.

Riley is very obviously wincing at that ash gray envelope. He knows what taffy signifies. He doesn't comment on Niko's silence in regards to the missive, instead taking the message and glancing over it. "Hey, if they wanna chop the critters up, more power to them."

Clara's eyes widen faintly at the taffy, although she's only heard vague tales of it appearing in envelopes before. "I'd like to test one for sterilization, Chief," she finally pipes up quietly and without much thought, her attention focused on Niko.

Niko inclines his head. "I'll pass that on to her, Chief," he says quietly. "Thanks." He eyes his chrono, then asks, decidedly subdued, "Anything you need before I head out?" Seeing as how he got off duty almost half an hour ago.

Riley nods to Clara, once again slightly, "Test as many as you like, Clara." He shakes his head, his expression slightly pained, "No, not at all. Thanks for the message Nick, night."

Niko murmurs a quiet, "Welcome," and gets to his feet, heading for the exit. Clara gets a small smile as he passes her, but he doesn't stop.

You head towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Second Floor Elevator Lounge

Despite being one of the major hubs of activity in the Complex, few people linger here. While there are usually people present, usually they are on their way to someplace else. The lobby is nice enough, with broad tapestries hung on richly paneled walls, and floors of veined black marble; but it is simply too busy for most people to stop and chat in. The occasional tasteful potted plant lurks in the corners, and large mirrors are hung near the elevators for passing lobbyists to check their appearances before descending to the main level. Corridors lead to the northeast and southwest.

Obvious exits:

Elevator General Housing Library Security Maintenance Medical

You arrive from the Security Central.

SECURITY> Riley offers Clara a pleading, 'would you go after him', kind of look.

SECURITY> Clara hesitates for a moment, a torn look passing over her face before she gives Riley a pained look and heads towards the other security officer, but stops as he heads out. Glancing back at the Chief, she gives a single, sharp nod and stalks out.

Clara arrives from the Security Central.

Clara has arrived.

SECURITY> Roland uses his powers of observation: "I missed something. Oh well, if it's to be my business, it'll be made my business." He glances around again.

SECURITY> Riley chuckled ruefully, moving to sit on the edge of Anya's desk carefully. "Gray envelopes are bad news. Always are."

Niko has halted not far from the entrance to security, and taken out the envelope once more. Turning it over in his hands, he looks up at your emergence, and promptly replaces the envelope in his pocket. "Uh, so. Yeah. We were going to go somewhere, weren't we. Sorry about that."

SECURITY> Roland raises an amused eyebrow. "Last thing I got in a gray envelope was 2k, which is getting close to out."

Clara comes out of Security almost at a top speed walk, worried determination on her face as she gets ready to start the maze of trying to find Niko. She pulls up short, though, and moves toward him, holding out a hand. "Don't be," she replies quietly. "How can I help?"

Niko shakes his head. "You can't," he says quietly, with a thin smile. "I... I guess I was expecting it, but it's still a bit of a shock. It'll just take me a while to get used to it." He does, however, take the offer of a hand.

Clara squeezes the hand lightly, but doesn't return the smile. "Can I ask?" she queries just as quietly, nodding her head at the envelope containing pocket.

Niko inclines his head. He takes a step back, the better to hold up a wall. How consciencious. After a moment, he takes out the letter and silently offers it.

SECURITY> Riley shakes his head with a sad smile, "No, see the Alliance Forces send all their bad news in gray envelopes." He gestures to a corkboard full of gray paper. "I save mine."

Your chocolate frosted letter is toted away by a flying toaster.

Clara accepts the letter with one hand and shakes it open, scanning briefly. After a long moment, she exhales a slow breath. "Your first one?" she asks gently.

Niko chuckles without mirth, nodding. "Uh, yes. Rather a good thing, that. I'm not as high up there as the Chief, after all. It'd only -take- two." He closes his eyes for a moment, then shakes his head.

Clara can't help but smile faintly at that. "Me either," she agrees vaguely, hesitating, then stepping in a bit closer and attempting to reach up and wrap her arms about the man. "I know how many it takes. You're going to be fine, Niko, honest. We all get our hits at times...it'll get better."

SECURITY> An eerie chittering echoes behind you, "To loh kaaa!"

SECURITY> Roland turns quickly and stamps his foot around, then frowns. "Missed."

SECURITY> Riley does not miss however. His movements may be slow and jerky this evening, but his aim's still not shabby. The critter looks horrified as it is frozen in place.

SECURITY> Roland frowns as he looks at the nerve tangler, then kneels down next to the thing and taps in on the top of the head.

Niko hesitates for a moment, then returns the embrace rather tentatively, head bobbing in a brief nod. "I know," he says quietly, though he still doesn't sound too sure of that. "I'll just have to watch my step from now on, try not to do anything that the Sectassians can complain about." He pauses, as if assessing the likelihood of that. "Or, at least, not enough to merit another halfblack."

SECURITY> Riley reholsters the nerve tangler. The Denner appears unharmed other than the fact that it has lost control of its voluntary muscles. "No worries, I didn't hurt the fluff. Just a nerve tangler."

SECURITY> Roland nods. "Well familiar with those things. And how they feel like when shot." That's why he's frowning see, memories. "Ever been tangled up while there were rambunctious kids around? I got doodled on."

SECURITY> Riley snickers ruefully as he edges further back to sit on the desk rather than lean against it. "Not with kids, no. But I got tangled plenty in Basic and then in OCS and that was probably close. And tangle-shock's not nice, no. Still though, no long term harm."

Clara simply offers that bit of warmth and security for a moment, then pulls back a bit to look up seriously. "You'll do fine. Plenty of people get halfblacks as O-1s," she starts, then bites something off. "Are you sure there isn't anything I can do?"

SECURITY> Roland nods. "I bet..." He picks up the Denner by the head and hefts it. "Yea, makes a great softball."

SECURITY> Riley shakes his head slightly, "Could you just toss it in the brig?"

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

SECURITY> Roland nods and gently rolls the denner down the short hallway into the brig, rolling to a stop right next to a trash can.

Niko is wallowing a bit in self-pity, but not so much that he doesn't notice the conversation derailment. One brow lifts slightly, but he doesn't follow that line of inquiry, instead saying, "Uh, without this being a loaded question, do you have anything in mind?"

SECURITY> Riley watches the ball of fluff roll, commenting to a passing security guard, "Don't -even- think about it."

SECURITY> Said guard gives the required, "Who me?" looks.

SECURITY> Another guard mutters, "Tell Anya. She'll go for it."

SECURITY> Riley looks rather sheepish, "I dunno if Anya would after today. She's kind of in an evil mood I'd guess."

Clara develops a look of confusion again, then closes her eyes again and winces. "No loaded questions, right. I meant, do you need someone to talk to? Do you want to grab some food? Did you want to go for a walk? Would you rather be alone? Those sort of things..."

SECURITY> The second guard doesn't say anything to that, but instead gives Riley a look.

SECURITY> Riley offers an expression that usually accompanies a shrug, but he doesn't shrug. "Anything else DeMario? I uh, probably ought to hit the paperwork."

SECURITY> Roland shrugs. "Nothing comes to mind." He glances around again.

SECURITY> Riley nods slightly, sliding to his feet. "Thanks for the suggestion again."

SECURITY> Riley walks towards the Chief Addison's Office.

SECURITY> Riley has left.

Niko considers that for a long moment. "I'm not sure," he says finally, with a smile that, despite being faint, is at least genuine. "There is something I'd like to read, but it won't take long. You're welcome to come along, if you like." That last is a bit diffident, though he does look rather like he'd like company.

SECURITY> Roland watches Addison leave and frowns. "So much for compensation. Don't tell me I gotta get a civ job... Sigh."

SECURITY> Roland has left.

From the elevator, Garby has left.

Garby has arrived.

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

Garby looks up suddenley, "Oh, hello..."

Clara holds up a finger, then vanishes into Medbay for a moment, returning after just a bit without her lab coat. She shoves her hands back in her pockets. "Lead on, Niko," she suggests, then nods pleasantly at the newcomer. "Evening."

From the elevator, With a ping, the doors slide open, smoothly.

From the elevator, Roland has left.

Roland has arrived.

>>OOC: Roland just walked out of security, really.

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

Roland walks out of security, grumbling about something to himself.

Garby twirls around to the sound, "ahh, you, err, hi, rol-- role, dude!

Niko nods politely, first to Garby, then to Roland. At Clara's suggestion, he nods yet again--he's good at nodding--and moves to push the button.

You push the button.

From the elevator, With a ping, the doors slide open, smoothly.

Garby mutters to himself.

You walk into the elevator.

Elevator

The elevator rides up and down in a glass shaft, overlooking the foliage of the atrium below. The motion is smooth, and each floor is marked with a delicate "ping" as the elevator arrives there.

A bank of round blue buttons on either side of the door has the numbers 1-4, and a button labeled "Below".

The doors are currently open, the direction arrow is pointing up and the dial above the doors points to 2.

Obvious exits:

Doors

From outside the elevator, Clara walks into the elevator.

From outside the elevator, Clara has left.

Clara has arrived.

You push the button marked 3.

The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

The elevator glides almost imperceptably upward and goes "ping" as it reaches floor #3.

With a ping, the doors slide open, smoothly.

You leave the elevator.

Third Floor Elevator Lounge

While it is as tastefully decorated as the other levels, this elevator lounge seems a bit more homey and less 'designed'. Perhaps it is because the occupants of this level, the Complex personnel, are less transient than the populations of the other two housing floors. Large area rugs are spread over the black marble floors to muffle the sound of footsteps. For some reason this level also lacks the occasional tasteful potted plants lurking in corners. A comfortable bench is set up along one wall, and over it is a corkboard of notices.

<< To see a directory of tenants, type +view corkboard >>

Obvious exits:

Elevator

From the elevator, Clara has left.

Clara has arrived.

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

Niko glances at the corkboard as he passes, heading for good ol lucky N13.

You unlock the door and go into room N13.

Room N13

In this small, simple and efficient room, sunlight is piped in, down a reflective tube, from the upper levels. A sleeping unit pulls down from one wall. The desk does double duty as a dining area with two chairs and a cooking unit. Cupboards provide storage above and at the end of the desk, all closed to conceal their contents, near which is a cluster of opaque plasglass vials and a coffeemug. A small closet is tucked in next to the door, and a bathing unit is squeezed into the corner opposite. Everything is very neat, but, well, it'd have to be, with so little space, else there'd be chaos.

A few belongings make don't do much to make the room homey, but they do add some personality. A tidy stack of bibliodisks rest at the back corner of the desk, about evenly divided between fiction and nonfiction. One actual book is next to the bibliodisks: a narrow, battered leatherbound tome with no title along the spine and no markings on the cover. A trio of photocubes occupy the other back corner of the desk, their neat labels written in what looks to be some form of Greek script. There's also a much-faded (and +viewable) flat photo. Throw in a datapad, and you'll have the sum of Niko's posessions--at least, those that are visible.

The scent of spices can be discerned, albeit faintly, most notably cardamom and cinnamon.

Obvious exits:

Out

You come in from the Elevator Lounge.

Clara enters from the Elevator Lounge.

Clara has arrived.

[Below are the +views.]

This really is an adorable picture. Faded but still clear, it is surrounded by a frame of dark wood. The picture itself is quite simple: five children, one of whom is clearly a muchmuch younger Niko, his hair in all its tight-curling glory. He looks to be around eight years old. The rest of the children, all girls, resemble him enough that they must be related to him--perhaps his sisters? They're all smaller than he is, and the youngest, an infant, is perched in his lap and obviously delighted with her spot.

Should you take the book and open it, you'll see that it looks quite old. On the inside of the front cover, there are two different inscriptions; from the dates, they are about sixty years apart. It's a likely thing that you can't read the inscriptions, though, as they're written, as is the book, in the Greek-like script that is Niko's native language. There are a few comments written here and there in the book, also in that same script.

Niko gestures towards one of the chairs with a faint smile. "Make yourself at home," he murmurs. He folds himself into the other chair, taking out the letter (and the taffy) and stashing it in one of the desk-drawers before reaching for the book.

Clara steps just inside the door after you, but falls to a near at ease as she edges to one side of it, hands folded behind her back and waiting there. "I'm fine, thanks," she offers lightly. "Take your time," she offers, peering down at the lables on the photocubes mildly.

Niko hesitates a moment, then nods, attention turning to the book. He flips to a spot in around the center of the book, where the commentary seems to come a little more frequently, and lowers his head over the reading, apparently absorbed in it.

Clara silently lets curiosity get the better of her as she unlinks a hand from behind her back to cautiously pick up the flat picture and study it, a faint smile touching her features. She opens her mouth to say something, but stifles it, recognizing studying when she sees it.

Niko reads silently for several minutes, occasionally turning to the next page. Then, apparently as he reaches the edge of the chapter, he flips back to the beginning, skimming it lightly, then looks up, seeming a bit more grounded. "Thank you for waiting." He notices that you're holding the picture, then, and chuckles quietly, a hint of fondness for the subject crossing his face. "My sisters and I... goodness, far too long ago."

lara inclines her head placidly, smile warming a hint. "You were precious," she offers. "All of you. I didn't realize you had the mop, too," she adds with a hint of mild amusement. "Feeling better?"

Niko's head bobs in a nod, as he carefully returns the book to its place. "Yes, better." He offers a crooked smile. "It wasn't quite what I was hoping for," he adds, with a gesture towards the drawer where he stashed the gray envelope, "But at least I know, now. The waiting was the worst." His gaze flicks back to the picture, and he murmurs a thankyou for the compliment of his younger self. "Short hair," he adds, with a quiet chuckle, "Can be a blessing."

Clara carefully returns the photo to its place, then hesitantly reaches a hand to brush at the cropped hair lightly, still half smiling. "I wouldn't know. They didn't make me cut my hair when I joined up. It's still pretty long." She inhales a sigh and nods. "Yeah, the waiting is the worst, I know. I'm surprised it was so severe."

Niko smiles at the gesture, then lifts his shoulders in a small shrug. "Probably wanted to keep me from backsliding. I just wish... I mean, a censure can go -away-, and administrative punishment's not that bad." He shakes his head. "But I'm dwelling, and I don't especially want to do that."

Clara's gaze flickers to the door for a moment before she gives herself a small shake. "No. No you don't." She clears her throat and returns to that near-at ease, hands folded behind her back. "And besides, it's all going to work out fine, really." She sighs and leans agains the wall, then utters a small laugh. "This is awful. I have no clue what to say. So much for professional detachment."

Niko lifts his gaze to you, dark eyes seeming uncertain despite the smile in which he tugs his lips. "Well," he says slowly. "Hm. Professional detatchment." The smile fades to absent politeness, perhaps as he forgets that, no, he does want to be smiling just now. "I... all right. I think maybe I should try to sleep now." He glances away quickly. "It's late."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Clara's smile fades as well as she pushes away from the wall. "Right," she agrees. "Very late." She glances off to the side, then shoves her hands in her pockets and pulls up a bright, reassuring smile. "Get some sleep, eh? Brunhilde's gone, critters are nearly cleared out. It's gonna be a better day tomorrow." She pauses, then turns towards the door slowly.

Niko watches you for a moment, then inquires, manner one of someone speaking though he thinks that maybe he shouldn't, "Clara? Did you really come here... professionally? I thought..." He shakes his head, that security candor apparently deserting him. "Never mind."

Clara pauses, one hand on the door, and doesn't turn about although she does stop. "I didn't come here professionally, Niko," she replies quietly. "That would be unethical of me at this point." She glances over her shoulder tentatively. "You thought...?"

Niko doesn't say anything for a long moment. "I'm going to sound about fourteen," he says, quiet tone holding wry amusement. "I thought that our relationship was more than that. Friendship, at least. Keeping me company like this... well, it's something I'd do for a friend."

Clara finally turns about, leaning against the door to face you with a somewhat wistful smile. "It is...at least, I like to think so. And I can't treat friends, at least not as a counselor." She sighs and rolls her eyes. "Oh, I probably could, but it's not right." She hesitates, hauling herself mentally back on track. "You did want me to keep you company, then?"

Niko considers that for a moment. "I'm not very -good- company, just now." He gestures towards his book, murmuring, clearly a quote, "For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill? Seek him always with hours to live." His lips curve faintly. "Or her. But I do like your company, Clara, even if I'm not reciprocating very well."

"You don't have to be good company," Clara replies gently. "I can just be here for you," she offers, then tilts her head as she holds out a hand hesitantly. "That was lovely, by the way. A good sentiment."

Niko gets lightly to his feet, taking your hand with a faint smile. "There are many good sentiments in there. It gives me something to consider besides myself." He hesitates for a moment, gaze seeking yours. "Thank you," he says quietly. "Thank you, Clara."

Clara leans back against the door lightly, shrugging slightly as she offers up a whisper of a smile. "You're welcome. I..." She hesitates, "You're most certainly welcome. It's the least I can do."

Niko releases your hand after a moment longer, expression a bit confused. "What were you going to say? Whatever it is, it's okay. Really."

Clara rubs her fingers together lightly, then folds her arms and lifts her shoulders in a slight shrug, laughing quietly. "I was going to ask if there was anything else I could do to help, but...well. Like you said earlier. Loaded as a tangler." She shakes her head. "I'm not making much sense right now...I'm sorry."

Niko's lips quirk, head bobbing in a nod of understanding. "It's late. I'm not making a lot of sense, either. No worries." He hesitates, then inquires, "If you're going to stay, please sit down? I really did feel quite rude, sitting without you, but, well..." His smile is faint. "It's been a long day, and I wouldn't mind having a seat again."

Clara tilts her head slightly, but does straighten away from the door. "You should really sleep, though," she protests somewhat half-heartedly. "I don't want to keep you from that."

Niko inquires, with a quick grin, "If I go to bed, will you? Bargains, you know." He seems to realize what he just said, then, and blinks for a few moments. "I meant, in our own various rooms. Not that I wouldn't, that I don't think you're--" And now he does sink into a seat, reaching to fumble with the spice jars with a quiet groan. "Okay, one of these goes well with 'foot'."

Clara nearly fades back into he door again, gulping slightly at the question, but recovering a hint at the stammered ammendments. Inhaling a deep breath, she manages a slightly nervous laugh, pushing away from the door to come to your side and push away the spice jars. "It's all right," she reassures. "I'll take it as a compliment. It just suprised me."

Niko mutters, still looking a bit embarrassed, "Surprised me, too." He shakes his head, then offers a sheepish smile. "I -am- sorry, Clara. I think maybe that's a sign that I -should- get some sleep." He hesitates, then, perhaps made brave by his lack of sleep, adds candidly, though his eyes can't quite rest on you, "I do find you attractive, though--very much so. I just don't want anything to happen too quickly. That's not a mistake I want to repeat." He finally does look at you, with an uncertain smile.

Clara does watch you carefully throughout the explanation, though, then nods slowly, expression serious and she lets a hand fall on one of your shoulders. "Niko, I think there's a lot we should discuss before that ever becomes an issue. Let it suffice for now that I've not paid much attention to men as well...men...for six years now, and that I find you attractive as well. Now. Sleep?" she suggests, a little abashed at her own bluntness.

Niko nods at your response, a quick smile, delighted smile crossing his face at your admission, quickly quelled. "Sleep," he agrees. "Good night, Clara. And thanks again."

Clara gives the shoulder a quick squeeze. "Goodnight. And you're welcome. Call me if I can do anything else," she offers softly, then executes a drill-perfect turn and flees the room, arms wrapped about herself self-consciously.

Clara leave the room.

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