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You head towards the Security Central.

Security Central

Unlike most of the rest of the complex, the security offices are designed for ease of use rather than aesthetics. Wood paneled walls and marble floors are not to be found here. Brushed steel and plate flooring take their place. The acoustics in this room are designed to muffle sound, so despite the metal flooring and the constant coming and going of security personnel, the area does not quite achieve a cacophonous state. A large bank of monitors takes up the bulk of the east wall. On each is displayed video from various security cameras as well as information garnered from customs and immigration. It is from here that security can keep an eye on most everything that happens in the Complex. There are always at least two uniformed guards on duty with nothing to do except watch the monitors. A broad desk is located near the entrance, with an officer present to handle queries.

Three arched doors lead from this area. One to the brig, one to private offices, and the third to the elevator lobby.

Contents:

Tally Board

Obvious exits:

Chief's Office Brig Elevator Lounge

You arrive from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Niko is only half an hour late for the start of his shift. That's not too bad. Of course, he looks like like hell, so the poor guy he's relieving--not Guido, fortunately for all considered--takes the apology at face value and splits.

Anya just shakes her head, muttering something about it obviously being contagious.

Niko peers over one shoulder, muzzy gaze wonderfully bloodshot. "Was that directed at me?" he asks. Then, passing a hand across his face, he mumbles something about slaying and flagons, adding, "Sorry, Anya. I'll try not to let it happen again."

Anya shakes her head, "Don't worry about it Nick. Everybody's owed their bad mornings. You and the Chief are just a matched set this morning. Except..." She shrugs.

Niko looks singularly unsurprised to hear that Riley's had a bad morning. "Except?" he prompts, casting a vaguely concerned look towards Riley's door.

Anya looks a hair sheepish at the except, but has the grace enough to finish it. "He was on time. Or rather I assume so, since he was here before I was."

Niko says quietly, "We were up insanely late--early--last night. This morning." A hint of frustration crosses his face. "Someday, I'll learn to talk, I swear. Anyway, I'm wondering if he slept and all."

Anya shakes her head, "No need to learn. I figured what you meant. Have a sandwich?"

Niko shakes his head, reaching for a stack of paperwork from wherever the paperwork fairy left it this time. "No, thanks. Food is evil."

Anya pauses to consider this a moment, "You drink too much last night?"

Niko's head bobs in a slow nod, mumbling something about biting dogs for their hair. Then, with a blink, he looks around for Pen. "I had forgotten," he says, with careful enunciation, "Just what a bad idea that is."

Niko mumbles. Not his head. Well, no, an -opening- in his head mumbles. You get the point.

Anya nods thoughtfully, "Then I won't pester about it. It's a bad thing, yeah, but once in a while it's worth it."

Niko nods very slowly, with a decidedly grateful look at the news that he won't be pestered. "Thank you. A lot. I think--hope--maybe this'll be the last time for a while. I don't know. But thanks for not pestering. That's a good thing."

Anya nods, "If you need any aspirin or anything though, let me know, huh?"

Niko gets to his feet, putting down his pen with painstaking care. "If you point me in the right direction, I can get it. Water," he adds, for no apparent reason, getting some from the cooler or machine or whatever provides water to the room. There's gotta be -something-.

Anya pulls open a drawer and offers a couple of small bottles, "Aspirin and something for your stomach."

Niko takes the bottles and squints at them a moment, before shaking out the appropriate amounts of each. "I will do my best to get you canonized, for this," he says, sounding utterly serious. He swallows the drugs (yay drugs) and starts to head back to his desk.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Anya grins rather wryly, "Just remember the mantra is all I ask. Anya is god, anya is always right, I will do what Anya says."

Niko obediantly repeats the mantra a few times. "I know you're always right," he adds vaguely. "That's kind of a given."

Anya nods, "You've been trained well."

Niko's smile is rather bland. "Thank you. I think." He rubs at his eyes a moment, then shakes his head, finally going back to his paperwork.

You communicated "Hi, good morning--afternoon. Whatever. D'you sleep at all?" to Riley.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "Huh? Uh, hi, sorry. No. Kya was still here when m'morning alarm went off."

You communicated "*long pause* Ah. Well. You should." to Riley.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "Uh yeah. Yeah."

Niko frowns over the paperwork, a number evading his mental processes. He taps at the desk several times with the pen, then sighs. "Anya? Line 42b of that ack form. I used to know what it's supposed to be... something with a Q?"

Anya turns back a moment, "Um, no clue, sorry Nick. I'm not the one that has these memorized."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko frowns just a bit, rubbing at the space between his brows for a moment. "Okay, thanks." He heads over to Riley's office and knocks lightly, heading into the room with the form.

You walk towards the Chief Addison's Office.

Chief Addison's Office

This office is something of a haven from the chaos in security central. It only has one viewscreen, although there are controls to direct it to any of the observation lines. A large desk takes up the bulk of the room. It's a battered affair, and shows the signs of great age. It doesn't really fit in with the polished atmosphere of the Complex, but neither does the man it belongs to. Piles of paperwork, scattered datapads, and a lurking terminal take up the majority of the space on the desk, but somehow room has been found for several photocubes and a small plastic penguin. The floor is carpeted in institutional gray carpeting, and the walls are a slightly darker shade. It would be a dank hole of a room if it weren't for several large electronic maps on the wall, each aglow with various telltales and marker lights. In front of the desk are two uncomfortable chairs and one battered and exceedingly comfortable looking couch. A handful of bad noveldisks are piled at one end of the couch.

Contents:

Kyara

Riley

Obvious exits:

Central

You walk here from the Security Central.

"I'm not choosing any such thing." Riley pokes at the manual. As Nikp enters he glances up. It takes a couple of attempts to focus enough to figure out who's wandered in. "Hey Nick."

Niko, looking a little less like death warmed over, but still looking reasonably hellish, is still frowning over the form as he comes into the room. "Chief, line 42b of the--" He glances up and spots Kyara. "Ack. Ack form. Something with a Q."

"Query. It wants the Query rate Nick." Riley is about gone, but he can reflexively recall forms.

Kyara looks like she wants to hide. She settles for avoiding Niko's gaze and staying quiet.

Avoiding Niko's gaze is very easy, as, after that first startled recognition, he doesn't even acknowledge that there's anybody other than Riley in the room. He moves a few paces closer to the desk, the better to locate a piece of blank paper and scribble a few figures. "Uh... query rate. S'right. And this is the Jansites, so they ask about fifty thousand questions a second."

Riley rubs at his eyes with the palms of his hands. "Not questions they ask. Computer queries. You want 8.3 for the Jansites. At least as of an hour ago." He muffles a yawn. "Should be close enough for goverment work."

Quiet just /emanates/ from the little Stilvani on the couch. She's quite happy to be ignored for the moment.

Niko nods once more, filling in the appropriate blank. "Eight... point... three." He rubs lightly at the base of his skull. "When do you get off shift, hm? You look worse than I feel, and that says a lot."

"A few hours," Riley mumbles quietly. "And you look like hell too, eh?"

Niko lifts one shoulder in a half-shrug. "Well, yeah, that's fair, seeing as how I feel like hell." He squints at the form, as if trying to anticipate further questions. "Why don't you knock off early, huh? Sleep is crucial. Anya and I can hold down the fort."

Kyara glances up, looking at Riley as she nods her agreement with Niko.

Riley does not -quite- roll his eyes, but it's close. "You'd think I wouldn't have to explain it's still the military to you Nick. I'd rather not get tabbed as AWOL, eh?"

Niko does roll his eyes. "So sleep -here-." He gestures towards the couch, apparently oblivious to the presence of any Stilvani there. See, it's that, or work for Gerber, manufacturing Stilvani puree, and he doesn't want to get blood on Riley's floor.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "It's a little crowded at the moment for that, eh? I still don't trust this woman altogether."

Kyara ducks her head to safely roll her eyes as well. A breath of a whisper drifts out, easily ignored if that's what one wants to do. "He's right, Riley."

You communicated "Say the word, and I'll escort her out." And, boy, would he enjoy that." to Riley.

Riley gives Niko a long, if barely comprehending look. As if that were answer enough he turns back to his manual.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "I don't want to have to pick bits of her out of my carpet, Nick."

You communicated "Give me a little credit. There's a bucket in the closet out there." to Riley.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "Not to mention it'd be hard to explain to the AF why my ward's pulp, eh?"

You communicated "*very tired* I wouldn't actually hit her, Riley. She's female, even if she's not a lady. Even though she--" Okay, that's a place he doesn't want to go. "I wouldn't. Wouldn't even use my tangler." to Riley.

Niko regards Riley for a long moment, after the briefest of glances to Kya and the couch. "No blood," he says quietly. Yes, he likely intends Kyara to hear that, otherwise he'd use the radio.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "That's okay, I appreciate the offer though."

Riley just shakes his head, it's something of a firm gesture despite his bleariness. "Sides, I can't get into trouble with a manual."

Kyara barely sighs. She mutters to herself, "... himself or get... another mandatory medical..." At Niko's words, she looks up, startled and confused.

Niko looks frustrated for a moment. Frustration and hangover, what a wonderful combination. "Look, at least try to crash once you get off shift, huh?"

Riley nods, and it's -almost- emphatic. He's trying. "Damn skippy."

Kyara doesn't voice it, though her mouth does move around the word. "Skippy?"

Niko would acknowledge Kyara's statement, but he's gone back to ignoring her. "Good," he says, the word half a sigh. "Need anything? Food, chocolate?" He doesn't look at Kyara. "Crowbar?"

Riley gestures half-heartedly to a sandwich half buried under some paperwork. "Got food, but thanks." He does however gesture with a coffee cup. "I would however be willing to grovel at your feet if you could snag me some more coffee? Anya's not harassing me about it, but the -looks- I get... I'm being chicken and hiding in here and just thinking happy coffee laden thoughts."

Kyara gives Riley a look. "You should've said something." That, at least, comes out loud and clear.

Niko nods affably. "Coffee, sure." He glances at Kyara, and twenty-one years of ingrained courtesy briefly assert themselves. "Would you like something?" Of course, the temperature in the room also just dropped a good five degrees.

Kyara opens her mouth, glances toward Riley, and just clears her throat, shaking her head. "No,thankyouverymuchforasking."

Niko nods briefly, but doesn't acknowledge Kyara any further, instead heading for the exit. "Back in a moment with the coffee, Chief."

Riley nods his thanks, quietly turning another page.

You walk towards the Security Central.

Security Central

Unlike most of the rest of the complex, the security offices are designed for ease of use rather than aesthetics. Wood paneled walls and marble floors are not to be found here. Brushed steel and plate flooring take their place. The acoustics in this room are designed to muffle sound, so despite the metal flooring and the constant coming and going of security personnel, the area does not quite achieve a cacophonous state. A large bank of monitors takes up the bulk of the east wall. On each is displayed video from various security cameras as well as information garnered from customs and immigration. It is from here that security can keep an eye on most everything that happens in the Complex. There are always at least two uniformed guards on duty with nothing to do except watch the monitors. A broad desk is located near the entrance, with an officer present to handle queries.

Three arched doors lead from this area. One to the brig, one to private offices, and the third to the elevator lobby.

Contents:

Tally Board

Obvious exits:

Chief's Office Brig Elevator Lounge

You walk here from the Chief Addison's Office.

Riley's Office> Of course, the second Niko leaves, Kyara has to ask. "No blood?"

Riley's Office> Riley answers softly, "He's still angry. He was offering to throw you out of the office without leaving carpet stains."

Niko moves with a slow, deliberate stride, setting down his paperwork and moving to snag a coffee cup. He even manages to avoid throwing it. "Would you like some, Anya?"

Riley's Office> Kyara ohs quietly. "Very courteous of him."

Riley's Office> Riley's tone is dry, "He's a very courteous guy."

Riley's Office> Kyara nods, a bit subdued. "I'm going to have to find some way to make up for the mess."

Riley's Office> Riley nods thoughtfully, gently creasing a line into the page. "Give it time though, eh? Time heals all wounds'n'all that."

Riley's Office> Kyara nods, acknowledging that. "I don't have much time... Perhaps when I get back? Is six weeks enough healing time?"

Riley's Office> Riley shrugs vaguely, "Depends on what happens I'd guess. If stuff's sorted out by then, m'sure he'd be more forgiving."

Clara arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Clara has arrived.

Riley's Office> Kyara's eyes widen slightly. "It hadn't occurred to me that it might /not/ be sorted out by then."

Clara comes in from the hall somewhat hesitantly, civilian clothing at odds with a single thin folder under one arm that looks frighteningly official. Looks like she's had about as much sleep as anyone else in the place for that matter, too.

Niko does, yes, still look like hell. He's over by the coffee, one mug already poured. "Anya, did you h--" Looking over his shoulder, he pauses a beat, then recovers after a moment. "Would you like some coffee, Clara?" Seeing as how he's pouring and all. Besides, such a query is traditional by now.

Riley's Office> Riley flips another page idly, "The one thing I've learned, never expect too much."

Anya was buried up to her nose in Spaghettios, sorry. She just gives Niko a sidelong look and shakes her head.

Clara takes a few more uncertain steps into Central, glancing about the room furtively before shaking her head. "Thanks, no," she replies in a low voice before heading over towards the coffee pot after a wave at Anya. "How are you?" she asks in an undertone.

Niko hesitates for a moment, weighing the merits of telling the truth. "I've been better," he admits. "You?" Then, raising his voice, he inquires of Anya, "Coffee?"

Anya shakes her head. "No thanks."

Riley's Office> Kyara's mouth quirks, just a little bit. "I /expect/ nothing, beyond certain parameters. I do hope for quick resolutions, generally."

Riley's Office> "Hope's a good thing." Riley offers in a rather vague fashion, "Ooh, nice chart."

Riley's Office> Kyara inclines her head. "If you're hoping for the right thing, yes."

Clara drops her eyes to her boots, shifting the folder to hug it to her chest. "About the same," she replies quietly. He eyes flicker to the doorway briefly, then up at Niko. "Have you talked?"

Riley's Office> Riley considers that a moment, flipping through a few more pages. "And how do we know what's the right thing though, eh?"

Riley's Office> Kyara sighs, toying with her red soda can. "That's the hard part. I'm lousy at it. See, I /told/ you I was in the wrong line of work."

Niko's head bobs in a slow nod. "Last night. A lot." He passes a hand across his face. "He really is... amazing. I should probably get back, actually--this is his." He gestures towards the coffee.

Relief flickers through Clara's somber expression as she takes a step back and nods. "Of course. I'll...bother him some other time then. Don't let me keep you," she adds, venturing a faint smile before she starts to turn.

Riley's Office> Riley offers quietly, "It is never easy to be moral. Morality is far too gray a subject. The AF's not much better as a line of work if that's your problem. In OCS and again at review I had to go through class on class on what's right, and what's not."

Niko shakes his head quickly. "Clara--wait. Look. Come with me, please? Talk to him. Please? I'll leave, I'll make Kyara come with me." Ooh, boy, will he. "Please."

Riley's Office> Kyara ahs, "But there at least you've got regulations to fall back on. Granted, blind obedience is not always a good thing, but they serve as an anchor."

Riley's Office> There's the faint hint of a grin at that. Riley's reply is quiet, "Actually, the regulations are more hinderance than help. Choosing the why of things is still required. S'impossible to explain, maybe when I'm more awake."

Clara pauses for a moment without turning back, then says in a quiet voice, "You -want- me to talk to him?" She seems faintly surprised, then glances back down at the folder and turns slowly. "Thank you, Niko," she offers softly.

Riley's Office> Kyara chuckles quietly. "I'll hold you to that," she promises.

Niko is tired and Anya's happy drugs still haven't fully worked, so tact is not his strong point just now. "Well, of -course- I do. I told you. I care about both of you. Want everybody happy." He rubs at his eyes for a moment, then adds, quietly, "You're welcome."

You communicated "Uh, in the interest of fair warning and all, Clara's coming into your office. I'll split, get rid of Kya, that sort of thing." to Riley.

Clara unfolds a hand to reach up and squeeze one of Niko's shoulders, but doesn't trust herself to say more, instead refolding her arms about the folder and gesturing with her head for him to lead the way.

Riley's Office> Riley looks quite startled and acks quietly, straightening up and attempting to fix his uniform so he looks less haggard. Time to do an impersonation of a person that's awake. "Incoming."

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "Thanks for the warning."

Riley's Office> Kyara blinks, straightening up a bit herself. The way /he's/ acting, she's half-expecting Ranshek to walk in.

Riley's Office> Doctors are worse than fleet admirals.

Niko snags Riley's coffee and heads for the office, with a tired smile.

You walk towards the Chief Addison's Office.

Chief Addison's Office

This office is something of a haven from the chaos in security central. It only has one viewscreen, although there are controls to direct it to any of the observation lines. A large desk takes up the bulk of the room. It's a battered affair, and shows the signs of great age. It doesn't really fit in with the polished atmosphere of the Complex, but neither does the man it belongs to. Piles of paperwork, scattered datapads, and a lurking terminal take up the majority of the space on the desk, but somehow room has been found for several photocubes and a small plastic penguin. The floor is carpeted in institutional gray carpeting, and the walls are a slightly darker shade. It would be a dank hole of a room if it weren't for several large electronic maps on the wall, each aglow with various telltales and marker lights. In front of the desk are two uncomfortable chairs and one battered and exceedingly comfortable looking couch. A handful of bad noveldisks are piled at one end of the couch.

Contents:

Kyara

Riley

Obvious exits:

Central

You walk here from the Security Central.

Clara walks here from the Security Central.

Clara has arrived.

Funny, Kya doesn't relax when she sees who's coming in. She offers Clara a wan smile, but other than that doesn't move.

Niko pads over to Riley's desk, finding a spot for the coffee amidst the paperwork. Turning to Kyara, he says, with frigid politeness, "Please come with me."

Riley is doing his damndest to look awake and aware, but not only is he falling short of the mark, he's bowling in the wrong lane. Niko's coffee bearing garners him an exceedingly grateful look, "Nick, you're a saint. Did Anya quack much?" He offers Clara a wave, "Afternoon Clara, I think the four of us are a matched set now. We all look zonked." He starts to say something to Niko, but pulls himself up short.

Clara comes in just a step behind Niko, in civilian clothing, although the jeans and shirt are pressed and creased as sharply as any uniform. Still hugging that official looking folder to her chest, she steps around to Niko's side, returning Kya's smile distractedly although her attention it on Riley, expressionless and intent, and still not speaking just yet.

Kyara gulps, but with an expression of resignation, she slips off the couch, clutching her soda.

Niko shakes his head to Riley, smiling now that he's not actually looking at Kyara. "She didn't even comment. She's being very nice to us today." He gestures for Kyara to precede him, then, that smile dropping from his face like a kamikaze ferret.

Kyara murmurs something unintelligible in Riley's direction and scoots out the door.

Kyara walks towards the Security Central.

Kyara has left.

You walk towards the Security Central.

Security Central

Unlike most of the rest of the complex, the security offices are designed for ease of use rather than aesthetics. Wood paneled walls and marble floors are not to be found here. Brushed steel and plate flooring take their place. The acoustics in this room are designed to muffle sound, so despite the metal flooring and the constant coming and going of security personnel, the area does not quite achieve a cacophonous state. A large bank of monitors takes up the bulk of the east wall. On each is displayed video from various security cameras as well as information garnered from customs and immigration. It is from here that security can keep an eye on most everything that happens in the Complex. There are always at least two uniformed guards on duty with nothing to do except watch the monitors. A broad desk is located near the entrance, with an officer present to handle queries.

Three arched doors lead from this area. One to the brig, one to private offices, and the third to the elevator lobby.

Contents:

Kyara

Tally Board

Obvious exits:

Chief's Office Brig Elevator Lounge

You walk here from the Chief Addison's Office.

Niko closes the door firmly behind him--but, no, it's not even remotely close to a slam. He moves past Kyara to his desk and his paperwork, not speaking.

Kyara pauses, blinking at Niko. She looks confused. "Niko," she says softly, "Why did you bring me out here if you're just going to do paperwork?"

Niko says very quietly, his words clipped, "Because they deserve some privacy."

Kyara ohs, glancing toward the shaken, not slammed door. "Why didn't you just say so instead of making me think..." She pauses, contemplative, and decides, "I'm paranoid."

Niko snags his cup--water, not coffee--and takes a few swallows. "Making you think what?" he inquires, still very quiet.

Kyara turns a little red. "That you were ready for avengement."

Niko says very quietly, "Please do not tempt me, Kyara." In other words, no, she's not paranoid.

Ever noticed how police lights turn from red to white back and forth very fast? Kyara achieves that effect now. "It's your right," she notes reluctantly. "I would, were I you."

Niko repeats, a small space between each word. "Do. Not. Tempt. Me." He shakes his head, silent for a long moment, then asks, a certain element of misery in his voice, "Does... he really does make her that happy?"

Kyara winces at the question, but at this point apparently feels that either the truth is safest, or at least that she owes Niko that much. "Yes." She hesitates before adding, "So do you."

Niko slowly puts down his pen, head shaking slightly. "Not..." He coughs once, reaching for his water. "Not enough, apparently."

Kyara frowns slightly. "I don't understand. What do you mean by that?"

Niko shakes his head slowly. "Never mind." It's like he's biting the words.

Kyara apparently tosses aside notions of personal safety, reaching up toward his shoulder. "Niko, /you/ can't keep it all inside either. Tell me."

Niko turns slowly to look at that hand on his shoulder. No, it's Kyara's, he's not some bizarre form of mutant. "I'm not keeping it all inside," he says flatly. "And wouldn't confiding in -you- be vastly inappropriate, considering your view on the situation?" Whu-pah!

Kyara winces, slowly withdrawing her hand. "I'm sorry." Her voice is quiet, the tone as well as her expression neutral. "I decided last night not to interfere anymore, so you are safe in that regard. I was merely offering to listen if you wanted to talk about it."

Niko shakes his head, unseeing gaze moving back to his paperwork. "Go away, Kyara," he says quietly. "Just... go away. Leave me alone. This situation is horrible as it is, and, near as I can figure, you made it worse. How the hell could I talk to -you- about it?"

Kyara shrinks back. "I suppose you can't right now. The offer stands, however." With that, she turns on her heel and strides out.

Kyara heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Kyara has left.

[Lots of time passes.]

Clara walks here from the Chief Addison's Office.

Clara has arrived.

Clara bursts from Riley's office, a frozen expression on her face as she pelts into the lobby, weaving around security guards and oblivious to nearly everything.

Clara heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Clara has left.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko, who gave up on paperwork long ago, starts to his feet. This is rather to Pen's dismay, as the dog's head was in Niko's lap, the better to be petted. Then, after a moment, Niko sinks back into the chair, with a murmured apology to the poor, abused dog.

[More time passes.]

Kyara arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Kyara has arrived.

Niko has by now shifted so that he's sitting on the floor, Pen sprawled next to him. He's making some vague effort to do the paperwork, but not really making a lot of headway. He looks up with a brief nod and a quiet, "May I help you?"

Kyara ambles in, barely able to peer over or around a pair of large boxes she's carrying. "Er, is he busy, Niko? He said I could leave some stuff with him while I'm gone."

Niko lifts one shoulder in a half-shrug. "I'm not sure. It'd be nice if he were asleep, but I'm not going to hold my breath. He hasn't been out, though."

Kyara nods, sighing a bit. Juggling the overbalanced boxes for a minute, she finally sets them down at her feet. "Of course not. He wouldn't, not while he's on duty."

Niko glances down at his chrono, finally setting aside his paperwork so that he may pet Pen, the dog slowly insinuating his head to a range where Niko may do that. "I think he might be off-shift now. I don't know."

Kyara blinks, drumming her fingers on a box top. Quite courteously, she asks, "Could you find out please?"

Niko looks for a moment like he's going to refuse, then rolls his eyes, perhaps at that petty impulse, and nods. "One moment."

You communicated "*quietly, if volume control can be managed on these things* Chief? You busy?" to Riley.

Kyara smiles, just a little though it's sincere. "Thank you."

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "*sounding very gone indeed* No, whatcha' need, Nick?"

You communicated "Kyara is here--something about some boxes? You sound beat, though. I can get rid of her, if you like?" to Riley.

Niko does not smile, which is also sincere. His head bobs in one short nod, as he keeps up his dog-petting.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "Boxes? Her stuff maybe? She can come in. S'long as she doesn't expect me to make much sense."

You communicated "Her stuff, yes. All right, I'll tell her." to Riley.

Kyara waits quite patiently, leaning forward to rest her forearms on the boxes, humming a merry tune somewhat off-key.

Niko finally stops whatever conversation he's having. "Go ahead." He pauses a beat, then says quietly, "He's exhausted, from the sounds of it, and said that you shouldn't expect him to make much sense. So don't stay too long, hm? Maybe he'll sleep... or something."

Kyara nods, hoisting the boxes awkwardly. "No problem. I'll try to convince him to sleep, even. Thank you, Niko."

Kyara walks towards the Chief Addison's Office.

Kyara has left.

Niko inclines his head. He does not, it may be noted, say 'you're welcome', mainly because Kyara isn't. But she's also gone, and he's just as happy. With a sigh, he gets to his feet. "Ten minutes won't make a difference. C'mon, boy, let's go play catch." He whistles, and Pen, seeing Niko take up the ball, follows hopefully.

You head towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

[Travelspam deleted. Scene resumes in the Pavilion.]

Elasia arrives from the Central Atrium.

Elasia has arrived.

With a leather folder under one arm, and whistling a counterpoint to one of the busker's tunes, Elasia meanders through the Pavilion. Not a small woman, she still wends her way throuh the crowds with relative ease. She's headed northwards.

Niko is very likely annoying quite a few of the folks in the pavilion, as he's currently playing catch with Pen, leaning against one of the columns during those times when the dog is chasing the ball. His last throw, a little off, sends first ball and then dog tearing into the crowd. The Zaeltans in the group are not amused.

Elasia isn't exactly thrilled either, although she is at least a great deal more entertained than the Zaeltans. The small rubber ball pegs her neatly between the shoulders, eliciting a quiet yelp. The ball is relatively soft, however the Lt. Commander's a little harder as he goes pelting into her. There's a brief tangle of fur and cotton and eventually Elasia manages to straighten with the ball in one hand and a very sad looking dog at her feet. "Now let me guess," she adresses the dog, "You didn't throw this."

Pen didn't throw it, but he really hopes that -you- will. Please? Throw the ball, pretty please? Tongue lolling from his mouth, he lets out a single bark. Niko, hearing the bark and not seeing the dog return, sighs quietly and pushes off from the column, starting to pick his way through the crowd. "Pen," he calls, with a shrill whistle. "Here, boy." Then, of course, he catches sight of you, and comes to a halt, much to the irritation of the Stilvani behind him. He doesn't notice said irritation, though, as he's too busy looking surprised. "Ela?"

Thwap. Thwap. The sound of the small rubber ball hitting Elasia's palm is only vaguely audible above the noises of the crowd, but Pen watches the sphere avidly. Thwock. The sound of a ball dropped and being caught neatly in doggie jaws is a little louder. The ball got dropped due to an excess of startlement, "As I live and breathe, Niko! Talk about it being a small universe."

Niko, at the northern edge of the crowded pavilion, reaches down to pat the excited dog at his side, absently taking the red rubber ball and throwing it--away from the crowd, this time. With his luck, it'd hit his mother, next. "You're not even kidding," he says slowly. "Ela... Ela, what are you -doing- here? Not that I'm complaining, mind--seeing a face from home is wonderful. But... this is very odd."

Elasia grins. It's a bright expression indeed, one that causes her entire face to light. "I'm assigned here, well to the Complex. I got off the ship a few days ago. Now instead of getting to be a paperpusher back home, I'm a paperpusher here with the delegation from Hellas. A junior diplomat, though I do get some floor time." She regards you from head to toe, taking in the uniform. "Security?"

Niko can't help but smile in response to the grin, though the expression is decidedly weak. "Paperpusher... dip... you're a fluf--er, diplomat here. Who would've guessed." He rubs lightly at his eyes, then nods. "Security. See what you can get with a degree in chemistry?"

One dark eyebrow arches in decided amusment at the list of aborted pejoratives. "I always told you you'd've done better in political science, or maybe international terrorism one. You could travel from world to world blowing up chem labs." Elasia regards you at length, "Security doesn't seem to be treating you so well, you look beat. It's never too late to change you know."

Niko shakes his head, hunkering down to pet Pen as the dog returns once more. "I was considering a bit of a change, yes. But the job is actually pretty good. Nice people. I haven't been shot at yet. Office dog." He ruffles Pen's fur. "It's just been a rough couple days, that's all." He looks up, and shifts to Hellenic, but we're gonna just stick to English. "You -are- staying, aren't you?" His voice is very quiet, and there's a look about him that suggests that 'rough couple days' really is an understatement.

Elasia crosses her arms, regarding you with a slightly troubled look. Replying in the same, she nods. "To the best of my knowledge, I'm here for good." Those arms uncross and she reaches down to ruffle your hair lightly. "They'd have to chase me out with a stick. This is the best place for my career. Is everything okay? Your folks?"

Niko doesn't bother to hide his relief at your response to his question. He takes a deep breath, fingers knotting in Pen's fur. When he speaks, it's still in Hellenic. Matter of fact, that can just be assumed, til a switch back to Standard is posed. "Everything... no. Everything's not okay. Everything's fine back home, though. It's just..." He shakes his head. "I'll tell you the story, if you like, but I think I'd rather do it somewhere else, preferably with a drink or two."

Elasia leans forward slightly, offering one slender hand to help you up. "This sounds like an idea, Niko. You look like you could use a couple of drinks." She pauses, "And I'd like to hear the story."

Niko takes your hand as he gets to his feet, though he's kind and doesn't actually -use- it to lever himself. That would just be mean. Releasing it once he's upright, he manages a small smile. "By all that's holy, I've missed you," he says softly. Then his brows furrow a bit. "Uh. Only bar I know here is the Fruvous, and I'd rather not go there. Back to my place? It's small, but I think I've got enough alcohol." And that way he won't have to be carried anywhere if he drinks too much again. What a considerate guy.

Grinning again as she peers up at you, Elasia nods. "Whatever's best for you. It's just so damned good to see you again, O' Goofball in Army Boots."

Niko whistles softly for Pen, not being the kind to abandon a dog. He'll just -steal- the dog. Dogs are good therapy, after all. "I'm not a goofball," he mumbles, starting for the Complex. "And I think they're a little closer to Navy boots. But it's the thought that counts, I guess."

[Travelspam deleted. Scene resumes on the third floor elevator lounge.]

From outside the elevator, "Not a goofball?" Elasia questions as she keeps step beside Niko. "You've gone and changed then?"

Niko says, with great dignity, "I was -never- a goofball." And there's still that sand dune in Appalachia...

From the elevator, Elasia laughs softly at that. It's a quiet sound, but it fills the elevator. "Uh-huh, yeah. My memory's just faulty then?"

From the elevator, Elasia has left.

Elasia has arrived.

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

Niko fumbles for his keys. It actually does take a moment to extract them from his pocket. "Of course." It would in another circumstance be banter, but it falls kind of flat. "It's just down here."

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.

Elasia enters from the Elevator Lounge.

Elasia has arrived.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Elasia follows after, looking quite troubled indeed now. "Niko, are you going to be okay?"

Niko scrabbles a little bit of undesced clutter out of the way, shoving a few packets of little white pills into a drawer. He certainly does have enough alcohol, and it's on the desk/table, looking like it's seen recent use. "Yes," he says, nodding as he rummages for a clean glass or two. "I am." He folds himself into a chair with a quiet sigh. "I'm just not quite sure -when-." He pours himself a shot, then gives you an inquiring look, gesturing first to the other glass and then to the chair. "Make yourself at home." Pen certainly does that, though the dog still looks hopeful that the rubber ball will be thrown again. Talk about chaos.

Elasia scoops up the indicated glass, pouring herself a measure of gin. Dropping lightly into the other chair she kicks off her shoes, tucking feet up into the chair in a comfortable curl. Hey, he said to make herself at home. "What's happened?"

Niko, with a bit more rummaging, gets a bowl and fills it with water. Everybody else is drinking, Pen might as well have the option, too. "It's a woman, of course," he says slowly. "Clara. She's..." He sips at his drink. "She's, uh, Chief Medic here." The twist of his lips is not something that could be termed a smile. "We're friends. I thought I had a shot at something more. Now, though..." He lifts one shoulder in a half-shrug. "Somehow, I get the feeling that's not going to happen." Yeah. A little innocuous birdie told him.

Elasia shifts her glass to be held in both hands, assuming a comfortable position. She's got the feeling this is going to be a long story. "What happened? You thought you had a shot before, but don't now?"

Niko says softly, "This is ridiculous. We've only had one date--well, and a lot of conversations." He gives himself a small shake, then. "One date," he repeats. "To that bar I mentioned." He pauses again, to sip at his drink. "It was wonderful. I wanted to try it again, but I went off to the mountains--training exercise, that sort of thing. I was gone a month. No contact back here." His voice is dull, the repetition of facts quite devoid of tone or emotion. "I got back... not too long ago." Since the time ratio is weird considering the RP. "I... apparently she found someone else while I was gone. Her prerogative. It's not like we were exclusive."

Elasia winces, her expression composed in sympathy. "Owch, Niko. That's not good, not at all." He tilts her glass, thoughtful. "Rather a rude SOB to go pulling the rug out from beneath you, hmm?"

Niko shakes his head emphatically, draining his glass, then, after a moment's consideration, pouring some more. "No, see, that's the worst part. I can't even hate him. He's one of the best people I know, and, really, the only reason I made it through the first week here." He chuckles humorlessly. "Ela... he said he'd step aside for me. He didn't plan this. Neither did she. It just... happened."

Ow, and ow some more. Elasia's processing this, and wincing all the harder. Shifting the glass to one hand she reaches out to cross the gap between the chairs, gently resting a hand on your arm. "This," and there's a pause, "Sounds like three hells worth of mess."

Niko nods his agreement, his eyes closing for a moment. "Yes," he agrees softly. Eyes opening once more, he inquires, "Want to hear the part that really -kills- me? Riley's the one that encouraged me to ask her out in the first place, him and Anya. If they'd not talked at me, I likely wouldn't have gotten up the nerve to ask her out in the first place, and none of us would -be- in this thrice-bedamned mess."

Elasia squeezes the arm gently, "Insane, it's insane. Poor Niko, what're you going to do?"

Niko says quietly, "I'm likely going to drink a lot, and whine at you a lot, since you're here and being so wonderful about listening. Pen listens well, but he's not so good at his half of the conversation." He takes another pull on his drink. "Beyond tonight? I haven't a clue. Cope, I guess. Wait for her to tell me she's chosen him, then... cope. I was thinking about transferring out of here, but wherever I ended up would likely be a lot worse than this, and... well, transferring would be running away, even more than this is." He lifts his glass, likely making that pronoun reference less unclear.

"I think you deserve to get good and drunk," Elasia offers quietly, pulling her hand back at last. "It may be running, but once and a while we all need to hide."

Niko admits, with a faint smile, "Well, yes, I did that last night, and Anya will likely be a lot less understanding if I show up at work -again- with a hangover." He pauses a moment, then, with a shrug, lifts his glass. "To hiding," he intones, before tossing back the drink. Too bad he's not got a fireplace.

"Anya?" Elasia sips at her own drink, "To hiding, yes. Sometimes it's a little easier to face life if you know you can duck out of it a bit from time to time."

Niko mumbles, "Anya is always right, Anya is God, I will always do what Anya says. Or something like that. She's somebody I work with. Very nice lady. Last time Riley was in a love triangle, she was there, and she married the other guy. I guess it's only fair that he gets the girl this time." Oh, gee, he sounds so sincere. He lifts his gaze from the edge of his glass, finally. "You're right," he agrees quietly. "Maybe you're related to Anya. Hiding sounds... very appealing just now. So does hopping a shuttle and going back to Evinast. Maybe Callahan's is open."

Elasia is starting to look a fair bit bewildered. But considering how chaotic the situation is, how could she not. "Niko, this has got to be the strangest tale of woe I've heard in a long time." Taking another sip of her drink she nods. "Callahan's seems like a good idea indeed right now."

Niko says vaguely, pouring another drink with great care, "This is a very strange place. It's only right that tales of woe be strange, too." He rubs his eyes with the heels of his hands, putting down his drink long enough to do so.

Setting her drink aside, Elasia turns to regard you from over the arm of the chair and crossed arms. "You look exhausted, have you thought about sleeping?"

Niko nods pensively. "I've thought about it. It's probably preferable to passing out." After a brief sip, he sets aside his drink, rubbing lightly at his right shoulder. "But I don't really feel like sleeping yet." He summons something that's almost a smile. "How have you been?" The thought is clear: if he stops whining, and becomes a more pleasant companion, maybe you'll stop talking about him sleeping. That, after all, would likely involve him being alone (except for Pen) and that's not something he wants just now.

The concern darkerns in Elasia's already dark eyes. "Passing out's not a great option no." Her shoulders lift in a Gallic shrug. "Not too badly. Rather busy, trying to pass all the required exams to come here. I've been working at it for years, this, this is where everything gets done."

Niko nods a slow agreement to that, gaze distant. "Yes. Sometimes in unexpected places." He passes a hand over his eyes, expression suddenly very weary. "I hope," he says quietly, "I hope that you're not disappointed. I really hope that, Ela. This place is... well, it's not what -I- expected."

Thrown briefly from her concern by confusion, Elashia's tone is curious. "Disappointed?" She shakes her head slightly, "Admittedly, I've not been here long, but I've not found anything to dissapoint. The people, all the decisions...-meaningful- decisions." She offers another of those face lightening grins, "And an old friend to boot."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko's jaw tightens for a moment, and he reaches for his drink once more. "I... yes. Old friends are good. Ela... I can't even begin to say how good it is to see you. I don't know many people here, and it's so good to have somebody here that I -know- I can trust." He cuts off that line of thought with a swallow of his drink. Yay killing braincells. "And if you're not disappointed in this place, I'm surely not going to say anything to make that happen."

"I think you'd have a hard time managing it, Niko." Elasia offers, "I know it's not all sweetness, light, and majesty. But I was raised a politician's kid. Backbiting I understood before I could walk. I've never much cared for it, but it's something I accept and move on over." She pauses, "I'm glad you're here too. It's really nice to have someone from home, and a friend..."

Niko takes a very deep breath. "Backbiting. You'll like Lexington." He shakes his head and puts his glass down, arms following. He rests his chin on his folded arms, shoulders hunching, then echoes, with quiet longing, "Home. There's an idea." He shakes his head, then. "I'm sorry. I'm really horrible company."

Elasia snakes that hand out again, resting it companionably on your arm. "You're wonderful company. Yeah, you're miserable, and upset, but you've a right to be. And for me, hells, it's just so good to see you again, you wouldn't have to say a word and I'd be enjoying being here."

Niko exhales softly, something like a chuckle. "And I'm enjoying having you here--and I'm not just saying that for politeness' sake." And that -is- a smile that crosses his face, albeit a wry one. "Wouldn't it be ironic, after all this fuss, if it turned out she wanted me after all?" He doesn't sound all that hopeful, and in fact shakes his head in negation, but the thought must be offered anyway.

"Why shouldn't she?" Elasia questions softly, "What makes you think she doesn't?"

Niko shakes his head once more, chin moving back and forth against his arm. "If she did," he says, with painful logic, "She wouldn't have told me about him, because he wouldn't be an option." Or maybe it's painful illogic. Niko and his player are both short on sleep, and he's had enough to drink that he's not altogether coherent.

It doesn't seem entirely logical to Elasia, but she doesn't challenge it. "If she's that changable in her affections, you're better off without her anyhow."

Niko says softly, "Logic. Logic is good. It doesn't quite work, though. Not... just yet." He passes a hand across his eyes. "If we're going to be logical, though, she pointed out that she doesn't think she's what I want, in the long run, and she may well be right. Thing is... I wasn't even thinking that far, yet. I would've settled for the short run."

Elasia pats at the arm lightly, although she doesn't pull her hand back afterwards. "No need to be logical yet. No need to do anything but mourn a bit, curl up around the hurting. It'll all work out, these things always do."

Niko nods very slowly. "Eventually," he agrees quietly, absently lifting his hand to cover your own, grateful for the comfort. "In time. I just wish I knew -how much- time. I really don't -like- being miserable, after all."

Elasia offers you a companionable smile, curled against the arm of the couch in a decided comfortable fashion. "Why don't you try doing something to cheer up, leastaways once you get in the mood enough to? Get out of this box a bit. Away from the scene of the disaster and all."

Niko nods his agreement. "Good idea," he says quietly. "The Chief said something about a lake and fish and stuff. Maybe I could finagle some time off and go find it. Return to the womb, that sort of thing. Getting away sounds like a really good idea. Literally run away. Or maybe just walk really fast."

"If you want company?" Elasia chuckles quietly, "I'm relatively non-judgemental and I'm offering. We can discuss old times and toss peanut shells."

Niko summons a smile at that. "Yes. That sounds like a really good idea. Running away is good, but I don't know that I'd do too well with just fish for company." He mumbles something about spring break, his smile gaining a bit more strength, then adds, "Can you take off like that, though?" he asks, a bit concerned. "Wouldn't want you to get in trouble on my account."

Elasia nods pleasantly, her hair sliding down one shoulder. "Yeah, if you give me a few hours warning. I can trade around my floor dates and set up to do paperwork at another time. The Hellas delegation's a bit...laid back."

Niko looks decidedly unsurprised by your last statement, and relieved by the rest of your words. "Notice I can do. It's not like Anya's likely to just randomly give me time off, with no notice." Or maybe she will, when he shows up looking like hell for the second day in a row. Anya works in mysterious ways.

Anya is always right. I will listen to Anya. I will not ignore Anya's recommendations. Anya is God. "It can't hurt to ask can it?" Elasia's not God, and in fact is having serious trouble remembering how to spell her name. "It looks like you could seriously use some time off, oh former-goof-in-navy-boots."

Now, that question must bring back some sort of memory, as Niko looks literally like he's been smacked for a moment. Then, he tosses back his drink and pours another, then slides out of his seat and to the floor, the better to pet Pen. "Actually," he says softly, "It can."

As you slide from beneath her hand, Elasia looks rather distressed. "I'm sorry, Niko."

Niko shakes his head. "Don't be," he says quietly. "You just... struck a chord, that's all. G minor." He shakes his head slowly. "I'll ask Anya about time off. Can't hurt to ask -that-, at least."

Elasia abandons her glass. Climbing from her seat she slips lithely into yours. Sliding her hands down over your shoulders she digs her thumbs into the knotted muscles, albeit carefully. "Time off you could use."

Niko is already very close to turning into a puddle of goo, and this does the trick. Good thing the cleaning people don't do private rooms on this level, or they'd be highly annoyed at the mess. "Anya will understand," he says quietly, with a certain undercurrent of desperation. His eyes close, and he keeps petting Pen with his left hand, the right groping carefully for his drink. "And you have about a million years to keep doing that--just, please, easy on the right shoulder?"

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Elasia eases up on the right shoulder, moving the effort of that hand up your neck while working steadily with the left. "If she's always right, she'll have to see that you need the time."

Niko peers over one shoulder, the ghost of a smile crossing his face. "I'll have to use that line. Besides," he mutters, lowering his voice for the blasphemy, "She's not -always- right."

Elasia pauses rubbing with one hand briefly to ruffle your hair before resuming her ministrations. "You're no good to them in this shape anyhow."

Niko nods his agreement. "And she'll see that." He pauses a beat, then. "The trick is going to be whether I can talk her into doing it without talking to the Chief about it. That... that would be bad."

"You could ask her not to?" Elasia's hands work their way down your back. "Akthough if he's your boss..."

Niko leans forward, incidentally pillowing his head on Pen's side. He's getting a backrub, he wants to make sure it's done right. Of course, Pen adds a bit of a bath to that, but Niko doesn't seem to mind. "I'll ask her to keep it quiet," he mumbles. "Maybe it'll work. She doesn't want to see him bothered any more than I do."

Elasia slides down to the floor next to you so that she can better reach battered muscles. "I don't think you need to worry about him right yet. You need to worry about getting -you- sorted through first."

Niko shakes his head slowly at that. "Yeah, but if I can get sorted out before he knows I -need- to be sorted out, then I won't have to... do something." He frowns. "Train of thought. I had one. Won't have to feel bad for making him feel bad. Something like that."

"Ya don't need a train of thought." Elasia suggests, "You need to relax. And to stop worrying for a bit."

"I need," Niko decides, slowly returning to a more or less upright position, "Another drink. That will make those other things happen a little more easily." He actually stops petting Pen--poor puppy--to reach for the bottle.

Elasia's hands trail off their efforts. "Are you sure, Niko? Do you really need another drink? You're going to pay for those in the morning."

Niko, with that half-shrug that he's adopted since the trip to the Monoliths says, "It'll give me something else to think about--the hangover, that is. Besides, I'll grovel to Anya better if I look pathetic." He stops that reach for the bottle, though that could be because his arm's not quite long enough and he doesn't want to move any more than he must. After a moment of silence, he adds, "No... I don't need it. I just..." He shakes his head. "I'm sorry."

Elasia's hands slide back to your back, "What are you apologizing for, silly. There's nothing to be sorry about. I just don't want you making yourself sick."

Niko considers that for a moment. "I don't know," he admits. "It just felt like the thing to say. And I think I'm already going to be sick tomorrow. No tolerance for the stuff." He rubs at Pen's ears, then adds, "I should probably get him back to Security. They'll miss him, and I didn't exactly let anybody know I was stealing him." He doesn't move just yet, though. It takes a while for the request to reach muscles, from brain.

"You can't just send a message?" Elasia questions. "He doesn't look particularly displeased to be here." Her hands add to the inertia factor, still gently rubbing at knots.

Niko shakes his head. "Don't know who's down there. Anya's home. The Chief is... well, I'd rather not disturb him. It'd be better if I just took him down." He takes a moment to remember how this moving thing works, then struggles to his feet. "I'm too tall," he decides.

After a pause, Elasia unfolds herself to her feet. "Yes, you are too tall. Why don't you sit back down and be shorter? I can walk the dog back to his place."

Niko shakes his head at that, starting to negotiate the joys of walking. "Guido might be there. He'd ask annoying questions about why you were bringing him back, since he's a security puppy." He pauses a moment, then adds, likely rather cryptically, "He ranks me."

3FLOOR> Riley's smile quirks a hair broader, "If you want to help, I'm not about to complain any. It'll be a cold day in a warm place before I turn you down again. One decapatation worthy offense a lifetime, it's all I got in quota.

Elasia's brows knit in confusion as she moves to take a step behind you. "This Guido person is a lot likely to ask more interesting questions if you pass out in the hall."

Niko shakes his head. "Nah. He'd just take a photo."

You leave the room, pulling the door shut behind you.

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 >>

Contents:

Clara

Riley

Obvious exits:

Elevator

You leave Room N13.

Elasia leaves Room N13.

Elasia has arrived.

Niko, the Lieutenant Commander Canine preceding him, heads rather waveringly towards the elevator. Left foot, right foot, left fo--people. There are people here. He remember to put down his foot, which is very likely a good thing. "I should have gotten shorter," he murmurs to his companion, adding something in Hellenic.

You whisper "That would be Clara and Riley. 'Serendipity' is not the word that springs to mind." to Elasia.

The elevator goes "ping" as it passes this floor.

Riley peers down at his now empty hand a moment and then at the keys now in Clara's hands. "Yeah, sounds like a plan. As comapred to the hallway." He blinks up at Niko, not really focusing enough to process who's involved yet.

"I told you so." Elasia offers quietly, although her eyes widen at the added phrase in Hellenic. She waves politely.

Clara pauses in the midst of unlocking the door to glance down the hall at the familiar voice and nearly sinking into the woodwork, eyes widening significantly until she sees the female with Niko. Jaw drop. Jaw hauled back up. She returns the nod politely, a hint of smile appearing before she goes back to focusing on the lock. Nice lock. Good lock. "Damn...which key is it?" she hisses up at Riley.

Riley carefully reaches to take the keys back, although he's making a bad attempt of it indeed. "Gray one. S'got the number on it." Slump, the door jamb is doing the most of holding him up at this point. Niko and Elasia get a few more blinks and then a rather guilty look. "'Lo Nick."

Niko looks just about as floored by the sight of Clara with Riley's keys, once he realizes that, yes, that's what's happening. "I guess I was right," he murmurs to Elasia, before starting his careful progress to the elevator once more. He adds, voice lifting to more audible levels, "Hi, Riley. Clara. Have, uh, a good time." And why those words don't stick in his throat is a mystery to him. He pauses, then, and adds, "Clara, Riley, Ela. We went to school together." Okay, so it's a lousy introduction, but under the circumstances...

Elasia crosses her arms lightly behind her back, giving Riley and Clara a polite nod. Niko gets a murmur in Hellenic.

Elasia whispers "He looks drunker'n you."

Clara slips the appropriate key between her fingers before nudging her hands behind her back and nodding again, eyes on Niko for a long moment. "Niko," she greets, not even attempting to fumble at an explanation before turning up a smile for the woman. "A pleasure to meet you."

Elasia offers Clara an smile to echo her own. She looks perhaps a bit discomfited, but considering the situation... "A pleasure to meet you as well."

Niko shakes his head to Elasia, answering her in kind. He doesn't meet Clara's gaze, cause, gosh darnitt, walking is enough of an adventure without dealing with anything else. "We'd, uh, better get the Lieutenant Commander back to his post." He adds a mumble about grey envelopes for abduction of a superior officer, but it comes off rather flatly.

You whisper "Probably he just needs sleep. He's really bad at sleeping." to Elasia.

Niko's reply just seems to confuse Elasia further. Not to mention, "Lieutenant Commander?"

Elasia whispers "How can somebody be bad at -sleeping-?"

You whisper "Well, if you don't -do- it..." to Elasia.

Clara inhales a long breath and calls over, "Goodnight," quietly before turning back to manage getting the door open with the appropriate key and push it the rest of the way open before holding the keys out to Riley. "It's open," she notes. She's observant. And a little floored right now.

Niko gestures vaguely to Pen in a silent answer to Elasia's question, then finally manages to reach the evil button of doom.

You push the button.

Okay, the keys dissapeared entirely now. Riley's starting to get more and more befuzzed. He slumps a bit farther forward, a bare half inch at a time before he manages to steady himself all the way. Oooh, the keys are back. Taking them he sort of nods. "Thanks."

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

>>OOC: Niko thought 'thanss' fit better. ;)

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 down and the dial above the doors points to 3.

Obvious exits:

Doors

From outside the elevator, Elasia walks into the elevator.

From outside the elevator, Elasia has left.

Elasia has arrived.

You push the button marked 2.

The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

Niko slumps against the back of the elevator. "That," he says quietly, "Was bad."

The elevator glides downward and goes "ping" as it reaches floor #2.

With a ping, the doors slide smoothly open.

You leave the elevator.

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

From the elevator, Elasia has left.

Elasia has arrived.

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

You head towards the Security Central.

Security Central

Unlike most of the rest of the complex, the security offices are designed for ease of use rather than aesthetics. Wood paneled walls and marble floors are not to be found here. Brushed steel and plate flooring take their place. The acoustics in this room are designed to muffle sound, so despite the metal flooring and the constant coming and going of security personnel, the area does not quite achieve a cacophonous state. A large bank of monitors takes up the bulk of the east wall. On each is displayed video from various security cameras as well as information garnered from customs and immigration. It is from here that security can keep an eye on most everything that happens in the Complex. There are always at least two uniformed guards on duty with nothing to do except watch the monitors. A broad desk is located near the entrance, with an officer present to handle queries.

Three arched doors lead from this area. One to the brig, one to private offices, and the third to the elevator lobby.

Contents:

Tally Board

Obvious exits:

Chief's Office Brig Elevator Lounge

You arrive from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Elasia arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Elasia has arrived.

Elasia just nods, looking a little confused still. "Certainly confusing."

Niko gets Pen settled in his spot. There's something about his expression--or maybe his wavering gait--that keeps Kaycen and the other security folk from asking the questions that they clearly want to ask. "Why don't you get to bed, sport," the tall secoff suggests quietly. "You look about done for." Niko can't help but nod at that. "I wasn't confused," he murmurs to Elasia. "Seemed pretty clear to me."

Elasia glances up at Niko, the expression in her dark eyes unreadable. "Why don't you head to bed, Niko."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko nods slowly, though he heads in the opposite direction, rummaging up a pen and piece of paper to leave a message for Anya. Of course, he realizes after he gets the first line that he's writing in Hellenic, and makes an inarticulate noise of frustration. He manages to get the Standard written, and folds the note in half, tucking it where Anya will see. "Good idea," he says, finally turning in the proper direction that one would take for leaving.

Elasia glances around the station before turning to dog Niko's steps, "Yeah." She sounds almost unsure at first, but regains her confidence. "It is, A very good idea."

Niko is too far gone to notice any uncertainty. Responding to Kaycen's quiet farewell with an uplifted hand, he manages to make his way out of security. He even manages to ignore the exchange between Kaycen and the others, and the looks shot after him.

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.

Elasia arrives from the Security Central.

Elasia has arrived.

You push the button.

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

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, Elasia walks into the elevator.

From outside the elevator, Elasia has left.

Elasia has arrived.

You push the button marked 3.

The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

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

With a ping, the doors slide smoothly open.

Elasia has left.

From outside the elevator, Elasia has arrived.

Niko echoes quietly, "Ping!"

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 >>

Contents:

Elasia

Obvious exits:

Elevator

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

Elasia continues trailing along, silent. She can't really think of the words to say. So she doesn't. She just follows.

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.

Elasia enters from the Elevator Lounge.

Elasia has arrived.

Niko, with a bit of fumbling, wrestles the sleeping unit from the wall. "Hate these things," he says, almost conversationally. "Takes that much longer to get the bed out when you're tired."

Elasia leans against one of the chairs, all but sitting on the back of it. "They really have y'all sardined in down here. Upstairs we get a bit more room."

Niko nods equably at that, absently straightening a rucked up blanket then lowering himself to sprawl on the bed. "Diplomats," he says sagely, "Need more room than Complex personnel. Or even simple ones."

Elasia shifts off the chair, moving to sit on the edge of the folding unit. She tugs the blanket up around your shoulders, then smoothing the cloth down your back. "Get some sleep Niko."

Niko says vaguely, "I think I've forgotten how." His eyes close obediantly enough, though. "Thanks, Ela. Thanks a million. It's really, really, really, -really- good to have you here."

"Somehow," Elasia ventures, "I think you'll find it's something you remember how to do if you try." She rubs lightly at your back once more. "It's good to be here, Niko. Very good indeed."

Niko agrees, already starting to sound like he's remembering, "Jus' like ridin' a bike. G'night, Ela. Watch out for cute furry things in your bed."

Elasia looks confused, but she's not about to ask, lest she disturb the about to snooze Niko. Murmuring the command for the lights, she carefully climbs to her feet.

Niko, with a final shifting of limbs to take up the most possible room in his bed--and that's not actually a difficult task, considering the relative sizes of bed and Niko--finally seems to drop off. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in a roleplay session, Nick Sleeps.

Moving silently in the darkened room, Elasia makes her way to her chair from Back