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[In the dining facility.]

Clara arrives from the Central Atrium.

Clara has arrived.

Niko is seated at the back of the dining hall, a mostly-untouched bowl of cereal at his elbow. He's got some paperwork as well--equally ignored--and he doesn't really seem to be doing much of anything. He -may- be watching people pass by, except that his gaze isn't really focused on anything. Oh, yeah. He looks like hell, too. That, however, should not be a surprise.

Clara comes in during the mid-morning lull, heading absently for the vending machines to coax out coffee, fairly looking about through the wringer herself. Without thinking, her gaze automatically goes to the back of the dining hall before she steels herself and moves in that direction. "Morning," she says quietly, pausing by your table.

Niko blinks twice, giving himself a shake that would not be out of place on a wet canine. "Huh? Oh." He peers at his chrono. "Yes, it is. Morning." With a bit of rummaging, he takes up his pen, then puts it down again. "Uh. How are you?"

Clara purses her lips, shrugging. "Okay, I guess. What about you?" Her eyes glance over the half-ignored paperwork, more than a little concerned.

Niko says dryly, "Hung-over. Sleep-deprived." He looks for a moment like he's going to say something else, then shakes his head, summoning a smile that disappears when he stops thinking about it. "I'll be fine. Time heals all wounds, even when they're inflicted by overindulgence."

Clara starts to venture a hand towards your shoulder, exhaling a soft sigh, then pulls it back jerkily. "Niko...Niko, I'm so sorry. What you saw last night...it wasn't what you thought you were seeing..." She chops off her words, reddening. "Can I do something for your hangover at least?"

Niko shakes his head, one short gesture. "I'll get something from Anya later." He lifts his gaze to you finally, adding quietly, "And how do you know what I thought I was seeing?"

Clara winces vaguely at that, ducking her head and nodding once. "You have a point," she replies quietly. "I'm sorry...I'll leave you alone," she offers, and turns to head towards another table.

Niko shakes his head, after startled pause. "Clara... no. Wait. Please. I'm sorry, that wasn't fair. I'm just... this... I'm trying." He takes a deep breath. "I really am. But this is -hard-."

"I know," Clara replies softly, but does stop, then turns back. "If I could turn it all back...undo so much," she starts, then looks away grimly. "But we can 'if' until doomsday." She takes a rapid sip from her mug and sighs.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko gestures towards the other chair at his table, rubbing at his eyes for a moment. "What would you undo?" he inquires quietly, gaze flickering between your face and his paperwork and the increasingly less appetizing oatmeal, never resting anywhere very long.

Clara hesitates, then slips into the chair and slumps her elbows on the table with a faint shrug, shaking her head. "I don't know," she replies in a small voice. "The time I spent with you...I wouldn't trade that. The time I've spent with him...that either. Maybe the pain? I'd undo the pain, if I could."

Niko shakes his head, with the faintest of smiles. "It doesn't work that way, Clara. You can't have one without the other." He stirs at the oatmeal a moment, then gives it up as a lost cause. He adds, quietly, voice rising and falling lightly with the phrases of his obvious quotation, "For even as love crowns you, so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth, so is he for your pruning. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, so shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth."

Clara is silent for a long beat after the quote, paling visibly before take bolts back a pull of the coffee, more as if it were whatever she was drinking the night before. "Caring about people is a loaded blaster," she decides quietly, then looks up seriously. "You have to know that I do care about you...more than I can say."

And for a moment, Niko's mask of calm cracks, an expression of pain flickering in his eyes. He passes a hand across his face, and his expression changes, reverting back to relative blankness. "Thank you," he says quietly, an odd tightness to his voice.

Clara shakes her head slowly with a pained expression, not bothering to hold up a wall of control anymore before she drops her eyes to her mug, idly turning it in a slow circle. "It's not a favor," she replies quietly. "You don't have to thank me."

Niko is silent for a long moment, his gaze locked firmly on that frightening oatmeal. "Well, yes, I do--for what we had. Even if it didn't quite--" He shakes his head, then. "Look. Ela suggested that I try to talk Anya into giving me some time off, so I can get away from here for a while." His gesture takes in the Complex. "I'm going to do that, I think. But it's because of me, okay? And the way I'm reacting with all this. It's not because of you. There are just some things that I know intellectually that I have to try to straighten out, and I don't know that I can do that here."

Clara nods slowly, letting the idea wash over her for a moment. "You don't have to, if you want? I can issue you leave. I think...I think there's a few people that may need it." She looks up sadly. "You're in about as bad a shape as he is, I can tell. Is...is Ela going with you? She seemed like a nice young woman," she ventures, then has to smile faintly. "For the whole minute and a half that I saw her."

Niko winces away from the mention of 'him', rummaging for his glass of water and draining half of it. "I'll ask Anya," he says quietly. "And Ela's going with me, yes. And she -is- nice. She's a very good friend, and I don't mind saying that having her here is really incredible timing. Kept me from making some rash decisions."

Clara watches the wince with a faint expression of utterly abashed dismay, head shaking slightly without her even realizing it. "Oh, no..." she whispers, then inhales sharply and retugs her composure into place. "Rash...? How rash?"

Aliana arrives from the Central Atrium.

Aliana has arrived.

Aliana slips in then wanders towards a table. Pack is set carefully down and another packet is pulled out.

Niko shakes his head. "Never mind. I shouldn't have mentioned it. Not important. Not worth hashing over." He drains the last of his water, then carefully puts down the glass, nodding briefly to Aliana as he spots her.

Aliana returns the nod with a quick grin. Gaze darting between the two, before her attention goes to stirring the stuff in the packet.

Clara looks as if she might push, then sighs and leans back in her seat, nodding. "If you say so," she offers quietly, glancing up to nod vaguely at Aliana before tilting her head at Niko. "I think I understand, actually. I nearly made a few myself," she admits, then leans forward seriously and drops her voice. "Please...don't let this affect how you feel about him? I expect you to not want to see me, but this isn't his fault."

Niko mulls that over for a moment. "It isn't anybody's fault," he says finally. "It's just kind of a no-win situation." Of course, some people lose more than others in the situation, but he's not going to say that. "But I don't want to not see you, Clara." He blinks a moment, attempting to figure out the negatives in that sentence, then nods. He said what he wanted to say. "I just..." He sighs. "Look. This is going to sound really arrogant, but it's how I rationalize it, even if I haven't quite gotten to the point yet: if you don't want me for more than a friend, that's your loss. But if I let your wishes ruin my friendship with you, or my friendship with Riley, well, that's -my- loss."

Aliana is good at listening while pretending to be totally absorbed in some routine task, such as say, stirring ones food. The only sign is anoccassional glance from the corner of her eyes at the two.

Except that idea garners a deep breath of relief from Clara, her eyes closing for a moment as she unthinkingly reaches out to squeeze Niko's forearm. "Thank you. And it's not arrogant...it's a perfectly normal response, and I can't tell you how glad I am to hear it. Oh, saints, Niko, the thought of losing your friendship very nearly sent me back to Earth," she exclaims, by now taking deep breaths to hold back further reaction. "Thank you...thank you so much."

Niko blinks several times at the mention of the E-word. "Don't -leave-," he protests. "Clara, no, if -anybody- was going to do that--" He shakes his head. "But nobody is, I think. I think we'll all be able to be adults about this." Even though he's just a kid. Perhaps that thought does cross his mind. In any event, a faint, wry smile touches his lips, and he shakes his head.

"You aren't transferring," Clara says with rapid imploring. "Oh, please don't transfer, Niko...I mean, that's exactly it. Yes, this hurts now...but in six months where will we all be? I'd like to be able to make both of you groan from bad puns over a pot of chili again," she explains wistfully. "Maybe I'm asking too much, though."

Niko shakes his head slowly. "You're not asking too much. It's a perfectly reasonable request." His voice is light, but a little too much so. "The question is whether I can do what you ask, whether I can figure out here--" He taps his chest. "--what I already know here." He taps his temple, then shakes his head. "I'm trying. But logic and emotions... it's like oil and water. If I jump up and down enough, maybe."

Clara swallows heavily to bite back a totally inappropriate little laugh, shaking her head with a small smile. "I'm sure Guido would oblige in picking you up by the ankles and shaking?" She exhales a soft sigh and reaches forward to tap the same spot on his chest. "This," she explains quietly, "is going to find a girl far better for you. I promise."

Niko smirks at the mention of Guido, in apparent agreement. At Clara's last statement, though, a headshake escapes him, despite himself. "Uh, it's a little early for that sort of thing, Clara. Sorry." He reaches for his glass, blinking at it as his attempts to drink from it produce no response. Of course, the fact that it's empty would likely be the problem.

Aliana pauses in her food-stirring to peer at Niko thoughtfully..perhaps picturing him be shooken by the ankles....whatever her thoughts they remains unvoiced.

Clara nods slowly in understanding. "I know it is," she replies. "But trust me?" She flickers a glance at the empty glass and shakes her head with weary amusement. "Whatcha drinking, mister
Avoid-Guido-At-All-Costs-To-Keep-From-Being-Shaken? I'll get you a refill."

"Water," Niko replies, with a faint smile of thanks. "Nothing too exciting." He looks for a moment like he's going to protest his ability to get water, then just rests his chin in a cupped hand. "Thank you."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Clara captures the glass and rises to sweep it away, flashing a weary if affably smile at Aliana as she passes by. A moment later she returns with the glass refilled along with two donuts and scoots one in front of you. "Eat. Cold oatmeal is scary."

Niko opts for the water instead. "I'm not hungry," he says mildly. "Otherwise I would have eaten the oatmeal before it got cold."

Aliana blinks at the reminder of food...then fork is slipped into her packet and carefully twirled around, wrapping a long noodle about it.

Clara takes a long sip of her coffee, tilting her head to regard the man with an air of bemusement. "I didn't ask if you were hungry," she resonds finally. "I didn't ask a thing. I'm making an observation that you need to eat. If it helps, I'm not all that hungry either," she adds, somewhat guiltily.

Aliana glances at her food, then the donut. A look is aimed skyward then she does speak. "You'd need to be desperate to eat that thing...Would you like some of my Sorovki? Fresh made this morning?"

Niko offers a smile over to Aliana, likely grateful for the distraction. "I couldn't take your food, Aliana. Thank you, though." He starts to break his donut into bite-sized bits, but still doesn't eat any of said bits.

Aliana nods her head, giving the donut one last look of distaste as she murmers, "At least its not oneof those poofy things'

Clara grins up at Aliana with an echoing amount of gratitude, shaking her head. "It sounds heavenly, but I don't think it'd sit well right now, thanks." She tilts her head at Niko and pokes him in the arm. "Eat, don't shred. Please?" she adds in quiet pleading, then sighs and climbs to her feet, snagging up her own untouched donut. "I should go up and get ready for work."

Niko lifts his gaze to Clara, then to her own untouched donut. "If you eat," he decides. "Bargains are good."

Aliana's disgusted snort is her only reply before she shrugs and goes back to enjoying her real food.

Clara manages a fond smile at that, fairly wistful as she nods. "Bargains are good," she agrees, then reaches out to squeeze his shoulder. "Thank you," she offers in a near whisper, then turns to hurry from the hall, donut still in her hand.

Clara heads towards the Central Atrium.

Clara has left.

Aliana mutters something about being what you eat.

Niko looks after Clara for a long moment, expression unreadable, then picks up the first of the chunks of donuts. "So I'm fluffy and sweet and without much nutritional value?"

Aliana blinks in suprise, then quickly covers with a shake of the head, 'That donut may make you feel like you have eaten...so that you do not have the ability to eat something that will actually help you.' A pause as she considers her words and takes a bit, "In other words, if food is what gives us life and yet we have to chose what we eat...why chose something so tasteless and worthless as a donut?'

Niko points out, "-I- didn't choose it." He rolls the donut between his hands, then replaces it. "You're right, though. If I'm going to eat, I should eat something better than this. Of course, so should -she-."

Aliana ahs softly, 'So...You are not going to take care of yourself, cause she isn't taking care of herself...nice logic'

Niko blinks at Aliana, a bit bemused. "I didn't say I wasn't going to eat something. I'm just going to comm Kramer, so he'll harass Clara, so -she'll- maybe eat something good, too." With a faint smile, he adds, "I don't actually -like- these things, see. I just didn't want to tell her that."

Aliana just looks a bit lost, then thinks for a moment "Maybe if you made her a nice meal and /took/ it to her...she would eat it? That is what friends do, don't they?"

Niko takes a deep breath, then nods slowly. "Yeah. That's what friends do. I'd likely not keep her as a friend if I -made- her a meal, though," he adds, with a vague attempt at humor. "It'd be much safer to get some food -here-."

Aliana blinks as she peers at the food offering, "Ummm...No, I would get a take out from the bar and grill...or better yet, see George in the Pavilion food carts. He makes the /best/ gyros. Just don't tell him I sent you.'

Niko asks quietly, "You don't think that'd make her feel bad, though? What with everything that happened and all... I mean, there's such a thing as being too nice."

Aliana nods her head thoughtfully, "Yes..there is definietely a thing a being to nice...but would you rather be harrassed by an assistant, or have your favourite meal delivered to you? Course, you gotta find out what that was'

Niko mutters, "I -am- an assistant. I don't have one." He sees the point, though, apparently. "But wouldn't it take too long to figure out what her favorite meal is? The point is to get her to eat -today-, after all."

Aliana shrugs slightly, "Well...don't you think that Kramer might know what her favorite meal might be." She gives Niko a rather thoughtful look, "Or maybe you really don't want to help at all?"

A look of irritation crosses Niko's face. He is, after all, sleep-deprived, hung over, and broken-hearted. "I just don't want to do too much, that's all."

Aliana considers this, 'So not knowing how much is too much, you do nothing?'

Niko, starting to look exasperated, shakes his head. "I didn't say that, did I?"

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Aliana just beams suddenly at his look...see, she can irritate anyone, yep yep. "Look,Niko....Far be it for /me/ of all people to advise you on what to do or who to do it with....But things are much better on the surface where they can be dealt with...not buried in here,' index finger lightly touches her chest above her heart, "Where they fester...don't you agree?'

Niko shakes his head slowly. "What," he says with equal lack of speed, "Does that have to do with me bringing her lunch?"

Aliana gets a rather blank look on her face...then once again her gaze looks skyward as she mutters softly, 'What am I doing wrong?'

Niko glances briefly upwards, as if seeking the person to whom Aliana directed her question. "Look," he says quietly, "I appreciate the advice, but I think everything's still a little too raw for that. Okay?"

Aliana seems to be listening carefully to an inner voice, head nodding thoughtfully before she shrugs slightly...a grin filling her face, 'In the end Niko...You have to do what is right for you...without thinking about anyone else, but you'

Niko looks just a bit disconcerted. . o O ( Is this lady hearing voices? That's -bad-. Clara... we need some prozac... ) Naturally, he's forgotten about Islien. His left shoulder lifting in a small half-shrug, he says, "That's not always easy, though."

Aliana just grins, "but who am I to be giving advice?" Packet is carefully wrapped up and slipping into her pack..she may not eat alot, but she does eat.

Niko gets to his feet to dispose of the uneaten donut, pausing to mull over the real food options. Returning to his table, he says mildly, "You're Aliana."

Aliana gives a half bow to that, "Indeed I am..and always will be.'

Niko downs half his water, nodding at that. "Unless you change your name, for whatever reason, yeah."

Aliana mulls that over thoughtfully, "I could so that I suppose...Maybe call myself Suzette? or Betty?"

Niko shakes his head. "You don't look like either of those names," he decides. "You're rather like one of my sisters, but you don't look like a Nacippe, either."

Aliana sounds that out carefully, "Na-cip-pe?" then giggles softly,'No...I shall remain an Aliana...for now at least' Who knows, tomorrow she may feel like a bertha.

Niko inclines his head, with a faint smile. "Sounds like a good plan, yes." He peers back towards the real food, then gets to his feet, heading over to make a choice. Returning with a black bean and spinach burrito and yet another glass of water, he adds, "Cip will be disappointed, though. She's of the opinion that her name is not used enough."

Aliana giggles, 'Then you can name one of your children after her?'

Niko pauses in chewing his burrito, expression going a bit blank for a moment. "Perhaps," he says finally. "She would like that, at least."

Aliana gets a rather mischievous expression in her eyes, "And you wouldn't?'

Niko says very slowly, "I think that naming an unconceived child is jumping the gun a bit."

Aliana nods her head very quickly. "Very true....and is she thought you were planning on naming a child after her, I bet she would just be waiting for that day.'

Niko, clearly not all that pleased with this particular topic of conversation, says lightly, "So. How is Islien?"

Aliana looks rather pleased with herself...that's twice she has gotten under Niko's skin...life is good. A pause as she considers, 'She is sunning herself at the moment.'

Niko manages not to look too annoyed, mainly because he's concentrating on eating. "Good for her," he murmurs. With a glance at his chrono, he adds, "Work. I should probably get going; I'm on shift in five."

Aliana grins as she swings her pack onto her shoulder, 'I had better get out to Islien myself...she wants to tell me a story'

Niko gets to his feet to dispose of the rest of his food, then nods briefly. "Have fun," he says crisply.

[Travelspam deleted. Scene resumes in Security.]

Niko heads over to his seat, reaching it just as the clock chimes. He exchanges a few words with Kaycen, the lucky guy who is being relieved, then settles down to the paperwork.

Anya wanders out of Addison's office, a couple of file folders in hand. Muttering half to herself she returns to her desk.

Niko glances over as he sees Addison's door open, perhaps a bit tense, then relaxes. "Oh. Hi, Anya. G'm--afternoon."

Anya offers a somewhat distracted wave, "Afternoon, Niko." She manages to pull away from the positive mass of work at hand, "You look rough."

Niko starts to say something, then, peering at the work, apparently changes his mind. "Not that bad, thanks." He gets to his feet and moves over to the desk, adding, with a gesture to the work, "What can I do?"

Anya shakes her head, offering a wry grin. "Nothing, it's mine alll mine and I am -not- sharing. Put a paw on it and I'll find a ruler and thwack it or something. Your paw, not the ruler."

Niko peers at his hands. "When did I turn into a Zaeltan?" he asks them. Then, with a shake of his head, he says, "If you're sure... I mean, I'd like to lend a hand--paw--and all."

Anya shakes her head, "It's okay. It's mostly stuff even I can't do really, I'm having to pile it up for the Chief to snag tomorrow. But I'm tugging out the stuff I -can- do."

Niko heads slowly back to his seat and his own work. "So," he says, painfully casual. "He's not coming in til tomorrow?"

Anya nods, just as quietly casual. "He's on a medical til tomorrow morning."

Niko ahs very quietly, expression unreasonable. "I was wondering," he says, words coming rather slowly, "If you could take me off the schedule for a day or two. Kaycen said he could help cover for me."

Anya pauses a beat, looking up at you in a searching fashion. But she nods. "Sure, skedaddle Niko, I can find you some time."

Niko ducks his head, perhaps in an attempt to avoid that searching gaze. "Thanks, Anya. I owe you. Again." And for that, he won't even say that she's not always right. With that, he heads from the room, not really waiting for a response.

You head towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.


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