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You say "Good... well, no, it's afternoon. Hi." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and announces "*sounding pleased* Hey Niko. Afternoon, how are you feeling?" in Elasia's voice.

You say "Mostly okay, how about you?" into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and announces "Not too bad. Just contemplating strangling a half dozen people is all." in Elasia's voice.

You say "Ack, somehow I think that would be bad. I could tangle them, instead? I got all the butterscotch out of my tangler, finally." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and says "The butterscotch out of your... Oh dear. I bet that was festive. Tangling them might be good. I'd enjoy it cetainly." in Elasia's voice.

You say "*briskly* Okay, where are you, and who am I tangling?" into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and announces "*quiet chuckle* My place. I had a four hour meeting this morning in which nothing got done. Somehow I don't think siccing a security type on crutches on them would be good." in Elasia's voice.

You say "Four -hours-? That's really evil, you deserve to be spoiled or something, after that. Hmm. Actually, yeah, the crutches might be a deterrent or something, and they're still kind of necessary." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and blares "I don't know about spoiled. I think they have rules against spoiling junior diplomats. Don't feed the inmates, that kind of thing." in Elasia's voice.

You say "Food, hey, now -there's- a thought. Are you busy? Can you flee for a while?" into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and announces "Fleeing would be -good-. Give me a minute to change out of work gear, and I'm entirely game." in Elasia's voice.

Your communit crackles to life and announces "Niko, hey. It's Clara. Just checking in on that leg. How you feelign?" in Clara's voice.

You say "Sounds like a plan. It'll take me a little to get things together, anyway." into the communit. [To Ela]

Your communit crackles to life and announces "Where should I meet you?" in Elasia's voice.

You say "Uh... maybe the atrium? That'd work for me, at least." into the communit. [To Ela.]

You say "Just fine. It hurts a bit, but that's nothing I wasn't expecting. Hey, d'you think it'd work if I tried rollerskating like this? I could use the crutches for levers and all..." into the communit. [To Clara.]

Your communit crackles to life and announces "Sure, I'll be there in a moment." in Elasia's voice.

Your communit crackles to life and announces "If you...-what-? Roller skating. Uh-huh. Niko Casymed, could you please come down so I can examine your head?" in Clara's voice.

You say "*muffled snicker* Awww. You're no fun. It'd be -easier- to rollerskate with crutches, and I have to give them -back- and all..." into the communit. [To Clara.]

Your communit crackles to life and announces "*myriad grumbling* Okay. On two conditions, though. You make sure you actually use the crutches. No trying this without them. Also, you have to have someone there to help you. Got it?" in Clara's voice.

You say "*delighted* Great! Now I just have to find some skates." into the communit. [To Clara.]

Your communit crackles to life and says "*chuckle* Just take care of yourself, Niko? I'm serious. Or next time I don't give you anesthetic before we use the regenerator." in Clara's voice.

You say "*long pause* I've actually done that. It's not even remotely fun. You don't need to threaten that, trust me." into the communit. [To Clara.]

Your communit crackles to life and blares "And I'm not really that cruel. Just take it easy, and have a good time, okay? Holler if you think you need a checkup or analgesic when you're done." in Clara's voice.

You say "I'll do that, thanks." into the communit. [To Clara.]

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

From the elevator, Elasia has left.

Elasia has arrived.

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

Elasia pads out of the elevator quietly, making her way across the atrium towards Niko. "Afternoon..."

Niko grins brightly, balancing easily on his crutches. "Hi, good afternoon." He looks decidedly cheerful as he asks, "Do you know where I can find some rollerskates?"

Elasia pauses to consider this, peering up Niko and down again. "No and I wouldn't tell you if I did," she says laughing quietly, "The -last- thing you need right now..."

Niko mock-pouts. "Awwww, but Elaaaa. Please? These things'll keep me from killing myself and all..." He lifts one crutch, adding, "Clara said I could."

Elasia just hmphs softly, one delicate brow raised. "Niko Casymed, you are incorrigable. I think you might want to give roller skates a miss. Why in the name of all that's holy would you want to anyhow? A sudden desire to move at high speeds?"

Niko considers that for a moment. "Well, yes," he admits. "It'd be -fun-. It'd be faster than walking on these things, after all. I really wanted to try it the last time I was on crutches, but people threatened to take away the crutches altogether, and -that- just wouldn't have worked." He shrugs, then. "Maybe later. I've still got a day or so on 'em. Food? We could take a picnic out to the lake or something. Or the semblance of a picnic."

Elasia just shakes her head at the mention of skating on crutches, "Are you still heavily drugged Niko?" She ahhs quietly, "Food would be a wonderful proposition."

Niko gestures towards the arch outwards. "We could snag some food out there? I've heard rumors of gyros, but I've never actually gotten around to trying them. I'm sure the vendors will charge us outrageously for them and all. And I'm not drugged, no. Just because I think it'd be fun..."

Elasia doesn't push the subject of your lunacy, instead absently sliding her hands into her pockets and preparing to meander towards the door. "Hey, still, a gyro's a gyro. A nice place to sit down and some food sounds wonderful."

Niko starts for the arch, then, looking decidedly pleased as people move out of his way. See? Being tall and using crutches does help for something. "Ah, but there are good gyros and bad gyros. Sometimes they can be really disturbing."

You head towards the Massive Open Air Pavilion.

Massive Open Air Pavilion

The sound of footsteps ring from these wide terra-cotta paving stones at all hours-- this pavilion is central to the life of a great many of those who live in Copper Hill Steading. It is protected from the worst of the elements by a massive onion dome over head. The dome is fashioned of lacquered wood, and is painted in bright swirling stripes of blue and green. There are no walls, as massive stone columns, painted in equally festive shades support the dome

Enterprising sales persons and street musicians are set up in scattered clumps beneath the pavilion's shelter. The sounds of their calls, and their myriad mix of musical styles, echoing against the lacquered wood high overhead create a melodious cacophony-- the echoes of which can be heard for miles.

Dominating the Pavilion's east end is the massive Alliance Complex, home to a myriad of diplomats and tradespeople from hundreds of worlds. It's a massive construction of mirror-bright black marble and sun-shielded plas-glas. Irregular in shape, it attests to the organic construction of both the building and the Alliance itself.

Obvious exits:

Steading Gate Bonded GuildHall Java Quarter Complex Gate

You arrive from the Central Atrium.

Elasia arrives from the Central Atrium.

Elasia has arrived.

Elasia follows along afterwards in Niko's wake, chuckling quietly. "True enough. -Still- though, at this stage as long as it is nominally edible..."

Niko nods as he heads for the food-vendor section of the stalls. "I suppose," he muses. "Gigia would disagree, but she really does have far too strong feelings, where food is concerned."

Elasia continues to trail along afterwards, considering the various vendors. "She also has never spent four hours in a room full of whiny diplomats screaming about word placement in a document."

Niko wrinkles his nose. "-Word placement-?" he asks. "That's... really obnoxious. Maybe you should send all those types to the factory where they make the red tape. Maybe we can arrange a tour, if we get the paperwork in on time."

There's a quiet groan. If Elasia knew enough to make the comment, she would suggest Niko had spent waaaay too much time with Clara. "Niko, that was -really- bad. If you weren't on crutches, I'd kick you or tickle you or something for a joke that ooh hey frijoleros!" Yes, she's been distracted by a vendor. Stepping up past she moves towards the stand, "Want one Niko?"

Niko trails behind you, looking decidedly interested. "Ooh, yeah, definitely. I've not had one of those in ages." Smart man that he is, he starts to collect napkins. "But they're not going to have that one soda here, not likely," he mourns, not without a grin. "That odd ginger stuff, the kind that Sheppies sold--and I bought--by the case. Too bad."

Elasia speaks briefly with the vendor and ends up with a largeish brown paper sack of food. Snagging napkins as well she nods, "Maybe some lemonade someplace? Goes well with em after all..."

Niko considers that for a moment. "Lemonade... yes. Or some form of bizarre iced tea would be nice, but not that disturbing sugary stuff. There's some over this way, I think." He makes his way through the crowd, carefully not pegging the shin of someone who gawks and blocks his path.

Elasia wends her way afterwards, tucking the bag beneath her arm. Finding a vendor of lemonade she manages to aquire a couple of oversized plastic bottles of the stuff. Starting to look a little concerned by the massive crowd she questions, "Where to now? Someplace less crowded maybe?"

Niko nods emphatically. "Someone's going to trip me, or I'm going to smack someone. Either way, it would be really bad." He nods towards the steading gate. "Maybe to the lake or something? There's rocks for sitting, and the water's pretty and all, and it seems generally quiet. That," he adds, "Would be nice."

Elasia agrees with the suggestion of quiet as being very nice rather wholeheartedly it would seem from her relieved expression. As she starts to move in that general direction she's brought up short a moment though, "Can you get there and all on those?"

Niko considers that for a moment. "Should, yeah. The path's a little odd, but the road is firm and all. It might get a little tricky when we get to the actual -beach-, but that's not very far. I can manage, I'd think. It's worth it."

Elasia pauses as if to argue the point a moment, but she is obviously discomfited by the massive crowd and instead just nods, slipping in the appropriate direction.

Elasia walks towards the Outside Copper Hill.

Elasia has left.

You walk towards the Outside Copper Hill.

Outside Copper Hill

The quaint air of the Java Quarter can be found even here, outside the Steading. The road leading to outlying Steadings is wide and well-paved. Trees grow along the sides of the road, growing more profuse the farther the distance from the Steading. Occasionally, smaller, less-tended paths leave the main road.

Contents:

Elasia

Obvious exits:

Winding Path Copper Hill

You walk here from the Massive Open Air Pavilion.

Niko gestures towards the appropriate smaller path, looking rather relieved to be out of the crowd as well. "Much, much better. That's where we want to go. Lake's that way."

Elasia doesn't even respond verbally, so relieved is she to be clear of the crowd. Crowds are not her stong suit, not even on a good day.

Elasia walks towards the Lakeside.

Elasia has left.

You walk towards the Lakeside.

Lakeside

Blue, blue, as far as the eye can see is blue. Well, there's some sandy-brown, too, at the far edge of the blue, but there's lots of blue. That would be because the lake is pretty big. Occasional ripples hint at fish. At the near edge of the lake, the sand is relatively rock-free, and decidedly kind to bare feet, with a weathered wooden dock. There are, however, several large rocks, perfect for sitting. Beyond the sand, trees grow gradually closer together, providing welcome shade and the occasional fruit, should one be able to climb high enough to reach the fruits. At the eastern end of the lakeside, the rocks increase, making a narrow, crevice-like path.

Contents:

Elasia

Obvious exits:

Rocky Path Path Out

You walk here from the Outside Copper Hill.

Elasia's eyes widen in delight at the lake, "Oh wow..."

Niko grins cheerfully, despite the sudden problems inherent in using the crutches on the obnoxiousness of sandy terrain. "Yeah, it's pretty, isn't it? Almost like home. There's a ravine down that way, maybe we can investigate it later?" Then, with rather inappropriate timing, considering his expressed desire to go exploring, he makes an inarticulate noise of annoyance and shifts to carrying the crutches instead of using them, walking--slowly--the last several steps unaided.

Elasia makes a distinct acked sound, pulling her eyes off the lake and scurrying over. "Sit down, Niko. That's gotta hurt like all hell... Sit please, ow... Please?"

It says something that Niko promptly sits without protest, settling the crutches next to him. He doesn't say anything at all about pain, though, instead commenting, with a gesture to the low, flat rock next to him, "Figured this'd be good for the food and all."

Elasia slides to the ground as well, settling the bag on the rock and offering you an excessively worried look. "Are you going to be okay?

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko nods affably, with a quick smile. "Sure. Just fine. It's just throbbing is all. It'll go away. Relax, Ela. It was stupid, but I'm fine, and I won't do it again any time soon."

"I worry about you is all," Elasia offers quietly as she rummages around in the bag. Silently she offers you a half dozen napkins and a couple of frijoleros wrapped in paper.

Niko takes the food with a murmur of thanks and a crooked grin. "Well," he says thoughtfully. "I appreciate the sentiment and all, but I'm fine. And the ouching and all honestly -wasn't- my fault, except that maybe I could've landed a little better. I'm not in need of leashes or anything any more, if that's any consolation." Then, naturally, he starts to eat. The poor shirt will never be the same again.

Elasia leans forward a bit to unwrap her own food, a little more careful of her hands and clothing. She's a fourth floor fluffy, of course she's neat. "Nah, I didn't figure you did. Besides, what good would a leash do me?" She chuckles quietly, "It'd be like walking a german shepard past a rabbit, I'd be lucky if I could just hold on, let alone stop you. Better just to let the rabbit bitecha' on the nose so you don't chase them anymore."

Niko pauses a moment in his eating, looking decidedly confused. "Okay, so am I the dog, or the rabbit? Either way, I don't know that I like this biting-on-the-nose thing. It really sounds just a little disturbing, especially when there are things far better bitten than noses." Illustrating his point, he munches. "Mmm."

Elasia is very lucky she swallowed -before- that reply, or she would have had the exceptionally panful experience of getting frijolero up her nose or something. She snickers a lot however. "The dog, but it was just a horrible excuse at metaphor. I just mean I've learned leashes don't work."

Niko starts to wave a finger at you, then pauses and makes use of his napkin first. "There. Much better, flying food would just be bad." He grins, shaking his head. "You're setting -my- nose up to be bitten, then? Great, wonderful. That's just a -scary- metaphor, Ela. You're right about the leashes, though," he adds. "They only work if both parties -want- them to work."

Elasia pauses as if considering something at great length. "I could bite your nose if you like? Go ahead and get it out of the way so to speak?" She nods to the latter, "True enough. You can't hold onto things sometimes, they get away from you."

Niko considers that for a moment, then nods affably. "Sure, if you like. My nose hasn't been bitten in a few months, and I think it might be feeling the lack." He puts down his frijolero, apparently in preparation for the nose-biting, chuckling as he takes up his drink. At the mention of holding on to things, he hums a fragment of a tune done by a certain foursome, expression thoughtful. "Well, yes, and you have to figure out whether or not you -want- to hold on to them, hm?"

Elasia continues to watch the water and munch on her food. Obviously she was rather hungry, for while she does not inhale it, she does move through it with alacrity and intensity. "And whether things want to be held as well. It's vastly complicated of course, most things are."

Niko nods his agreement, eating more methodically, but still managing to accumulate a reasonable amount of mess--most of it, fortuitously, lands on his napkins. "Most things," he echoes. "Friendship is reasonably simple, though, at least--well, most of the time. I guess it depends on who and where, and all that." Scrambling for another napkin as a bit of sauce makes a concerted escape to flee, he adds, "Or maybe I'm all wrong." He grins crookedly. "That's always possible."

Elasia offers you a bright grin, chuckling. "A male who can admit he might be wrong. We need to stuff you and plunk you in a museum." Picking on men is easier than edging into ground where she might trip. On one hand she wouldn't mind tripping, maybe Niko'd offer a hand up. But on the other hand when she came here he was a mess and all, and she doesn't wish to intrude.

Niko says promptly, as he polishes off the first of his frijoleros. "Stuffing me is perfectly fine, as long as it's with -food-, that sort of thing. Standing around in a museum sounds kind of boring, though. Could we pass?"

Elasia nudges the bag in your direction, snagging her bottle of lemonade and opening it. "Probably a good idea. Although supposedly they have some nice museums around here. They could put you in with the knights."

Niko seems quite more than willing to invade the bag. "Ooh, yeah," he approves. "And I can head up a crusade or something, to free all the universe from the tyranny of beverages in red cans." He pauses a beat. "The armor might be a little much, though. That's just far too much metal. Think they could make it in blue, symbolic of the cans?"

Elasia offers the second bottle, "Here, have a Grail Galahad." She snickers quietly, "Blue with a little round logo on the chest? You could have a cape too."

Niko just rolls his eyes as he takes the bottle. "Sure, turn me into a Superhero. As long as you don't try to put me in tights, that's all I ask." With a laugh, he adds, "Besides, -I- could never be Galahad."

Elasia can't help a sideways glance, "Aww, but tights would be so -nice-..." She pauses, honestly confused. "Why not?"

Niko takes a moment to shudder at the thought of tights. "Well, see, if I'm remembering these legends correctly and all, Galahad was chaste, and I don't -quite- fit the bill."

Elasia almost shudders at the thought of tights too, but it ain't even for the same reason buddy. She just lifts one eyebrow and replies dryly, "No, see, you have it backwards. The word you want is -chased-."

Niko blinks once or twice. That's the problem with homonyms, see. "Isn't that what I said, though?"

Elasia's eyes light with a hint of mischief, "C-h-a-s-e-d, dear. It's different, I promise."

Niko doesn't look any less enlightened. "Well, yes, I know it's very different, though the one kind could lead to an -absence- of the other..." He decides not to contemplate -that- for very long, instead adding, "I'm not really sure how I see anybody chasing me, though. I mean, Security and all, it's usually the other way around." He casts a vaguely sour look at his crutches, with a flicker of annoyance at not being able to walk unaided, let alone chase, for another couple days.

Elasia glances at the crutches as well. Slowed down Niko might be, but it doesn't make him any easier to catch. She doesn't say anything for a moment, and then firming her resolve she replies with forced lightness in her tone, "I'm just picking on ya'."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko polishes off the second frijolero, then starts the entertaining process of cleaning up, much to the dismay of the napkins. Hearing your comment, though, he pauses to cast a quizzical look at you. "That doesn't sound how you usually sound when you pick on me. Everything okay?"

"Yeah," Elasia reassures rather hurriedly, "Fine, just fine, sorry... Got a bit distracted." Her tone is almost normal a brief moment, "All that talk of tights, it's distracting."

Niko regards you curiously for a moment or three longer, then snorts softly, with a shake of his head. "Tights. Ela, if that's what's got you in a tizz, I'm very sorry. They really are frightening--and I'm happy to say that I -don't- say so from experience."

Elasia blushes. It's a rather dramatic expression, starting in her cheeks and moving up to her ears. She's not slightly red, she's quite red. "Oh, I'm sure you could manage something else to put me 'in a tizz' easily enough." Wow, what a cheerful color. "Tights are uncomfortable, though."

Niko slowly puts down his napkin, despite the fact that he's not gotten quite all of the mess, to stare at you in mingled concern and amusement--or is that amazement. "Wow, I'd forgotten about that. You really -do- turn blushing into an art form." He stops, then, with a murmured apology for his comment, before actually catching your first statement. "I could? Well... yeah, I guess, bringing up some of the bizarre stuff from old times."

The art form comment just garners a darkening of the crimson. Elasia doesn't often hit the blush state, but when she does it's noticable as all get out with her light colored skin. "Uh, yeah, yeah." That's what she meant, really. Honest. Seriously! "We used to have a lot of fun and all."

Niko finally does get the last of the evil mess cleaned up, and starts to transfer various bits of napkin and paper and such into the paper bag. "Ela," he says slowly, finally looking up from the cleaning, "What's the matter?"

"Nothing's the -matter-, Niko." Elasia offers quietly, not quite able to keep the slightly wry tone from her voice. Gee, fat lot of good resolve's doing her.

Niko sounds decidedly confused, and concerned, and so gosh-dang earnest. "Well, then, what -isn't- the matter, because... I mean, I know it's been a while since we've seen each other, but I'd like to think you've not changed so much that I don't know you any more, and it really seems like something's bothering you." He pauses a moment. "If you don't want to tell me, though, that's okay." And, from his tone, it really -is- okay, though he still sounds decidedly concerned.

Agh. This is just evil. Elasia -wants- to tell Niko. She tends to be a pretty open and aboveboard sort of person. He's one of her oldest friends, she doesn't figure he's likely to hate her or anything for having a thing for him. But how on a random planet does she reconcile wanting to tell him with not wanting to bother him any considering the whole pyramid scheme of love. Deciding he deserves honesty if not necessarily a terrific explanation, she eventually offers. "Something is bothering me, um yeah. But this isn't really the time see..."

Niko, as has been noted in the past, is generally just content with the admission of bothering-ness, as opposed to the facade of cheer. "All right," he says softly, dark eyes intent on you for a moment. "Well, then. When it -is- the time, if you want to talk, I'm here for you, okay?"

Elasia can't resist the urge. Sitting down she's even shorter than you are than normal and leans over to rest her head against your shoulder carefully, using you as a nice comfortable leaningyagainstythingy. You're convenient after all. "Yeah, yeah... You'll be the first one to know, promise."

Niko settles an arm around you, giving you a gentle squeeze. "Okay. I'm willing to wait, then."

Innocuous Penguin> Riley can buy that. Tara's done some things to Nick too after all. He just nods, "Anyhow, hence why I'm unhelpful."

Oh hello. Talk about heaven on a slice of bread. Elasia's resolve is being smacked at by a large group of men with big sticks. Not only has he magically turned back up, is still wonderful, wears tasty uniforms, smells like butterscotch...He's got his -arm- around her. There are people who have died from less. She can't help but murmur, "You still smell good."

Niko chuckles very quietly. "Well, I'm glad it suits. You'll forgive me if I don't attempt to find some sort of butterscotch pudding cologne, though? Pen's going to go nuts if I don't end up losing the butterscotch smell before I go back to work."

"That's okay," Elasia says absently, "You smelled good before too. Although the dog trying to lick you within an inch of your life would be -vastly- entertaining." She doesn't seem to be in any great hurry to move from her position, despite the fact that the sky is slowly dimming.

Niko doesn't really seem to be in a great hurry to move, either, despite the fact that figuring out where to put crutches once it gets dark is really going to be interesting. He just seems content to be convenient. "Well, yes, it'd be amusing, but it'd get really -old- after a while." After a small, puzzled pause, he adds, "Thank you. I didn't know you noticed that."

Elasia can afford to be a bit blase about the oncoming darkness. She has the flashlight. It's in the rules. "Hey, I notice lots of things. It's in the job description."

Niko chuckles very quietly. "Ah, yes. I'd forgot. Diplomat, all that." He gazes out over the water (really!), with a faint smile. "It really is gorgous. I haven't seen a sunset in -ages-."

Elasia half mutters, if she weren't so close it probably wouldn't be audible at all. "...not ... description I meant." More normally she makes an inarticulate noise of agreement before saying, "It is really amazing. And there's so little time for sunsets most days, it's a wonderful experience to get to see one."

Niko, catching the mutter, inquires, "What was that?" He brushes it off, then, saying lightly, "Well, the sunsets are always -there-, though. Sometimes you should just -take- the time to see them."

Elasia looks a bit abashed as her mutter is caught, although it's not enough to elicit another massively reddening blush. "Sorry, talking to myself. I do that sometimes, I'm the only one that gets my jokes." She nods slightly, her hair spilling lightly across your shirt, "Yeah, taking time's important."

Niko suggests, with a quick grin, "We should do this again sometime, then. I mean, I don't work -all- the time, and I'm sure I could swing a sunset or two from Anya, in the interest of spending time with an old friend and all."

There's a definate hint of hope in Elasia's reply, "You sure you wouldn't mind that?"

Niko's response holds affectionate amusement. "Of -course- I wouldn't mind. Ela, this is the most pleasant time I've had in quite a while, and I'd utterly love to do it again."

Elasia's breath catches in her throat for a brief moment, and as far as she's convinced her heart halted a moment despite the innocence inherant in Niko's reply. It might be innocent, but that doesn't make the words any less welcome to her ears. "This is -awfully- pleasant, yeah. It's nice and quiet, and relaxing, and you're here... And hey, you can't beat frijoleros..."

Niko nods his agreement to that. "Though it's not like we don't have lots of options for experimentation, as far as food is concerned. So it's settled, then? I can come randomly abduct you from the evils of meetings on word placement and make you watch the sunset?"

"Anytime you want." There's a wealth of sincerity in Elasia's reply, a whole world of things said in those two words beyond what the words themselves may hold.

Niko grins cheerfully at that, the expression in his voice. "Good. I will definitely do that, then. I'll arrive when you least expect it, randomly scaring away evil people who have far too much fondness for red tape."

"Talk about a heavenly suggestion," Elasia chuckles softly. "Evil people are evil. And the reverse is true as well. Some days it's just exceptionally frustrating, but evenings like this make up for it." SHe pauses, "It's not all just arguing though, we do get things done sometimes."

Niko nods agreeably enough to that. "Oh, sure. You diplomats have your good points, yeah. I mean, even the Chief will say that." With an amused grin, he ads, "I really still am surprised that you ended up in that line of work. I really don't mean that as an insult. I just got kind of a skewed view of the folks on the fourth floor, as I generally see them only when they're annoyed. Present company excluded, of course."

Elasia scoops up a stone from the sand, pitching it out across the water. The quiet splashing echoes softly in the deepening dark. "It's something to do. It's something I'm good at. So I enjoy it. And hey, it brought me here, hmm? I like being here."

Niko gives you a gentle squeeze at that, with the arm that is still lightly draped around you. "I like you being here, too. As much of a shock as it was to see you, I'm still very glad it happened."

Elasia chuckles quietly, sounding patently delighted. Hey she got a squeeze and a comment she liked. "It was certainly a memorable way to run into you again. Getting pelted in the back with a rubber ball got my attention certainly."

Niko blinks quite a few times at that. "Getting pel... ack." Alas, he sits up at that, becoming markedly less convenient. "I didn't -hit- you with Pen's ball, did I?"

Aww, the comfortable thing went away. Elasia manages to restrain a faintly dissapointed look. "Well yeah, but it's just a rubber ball."

Niko tsks softly, shaking his head. "Why didn't you tell me? I could've groveled or something. See? See, that's -another- reason why I can't be Galahad, other than the whole c-h-a-s-t-e thing. -He- would hardly smack a lady with a rubber ball. Or if he did, he'd notice it."

Elasia turns up to beam up at you in a rather amused fashion. "I was kind of stunned after all. It didn't occur to me to admonish you for attack by small rubber projectile. I was just so stunned to see you."

Niko nods amiably at that. "I think the stunning was mutual. But I can make it up to you -now-, right? It's rather a rude way to greet an old friend, after all, smacking her in the back with a ball."

"I think," Elasia allows, her tone implying the granting of a great favor, "I can let you make it up to me, yes." She can't maintain the tone however and laughs softly. "I really don't mind though. You might not have gotten my attention otherwise, what with that crows. And that would've been a shame."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko nods his agreement to that. "That would have been -bad-, if we'd missed each other. You really did manage to arrive at a really good time." He smiles rather quizzically. "It was odd, though. When I told Tara that--well, back when I was actually speaking to her--she said--" He pauses, shaking his head. "Never mind." So close.

Elasia absently reaches over to rest a hand lightly on your knee, glancing up at you with a curious expression, "What'd she say?" She's never heard the no nosy questions rule I guess.

Niko considers for a moment, then shrugs. May as well. With a quick grin, he says, admittedly with the slowness of one who is still considering something, "She said she thought I was, uh... tumblin' for you. That was her phrase, at least."

Okay, this seems to confuse Elasia more than a hair. She doesn't speak Tara'n. "Tumblin'?" There's a brief flash of cluebrickdom and Elasia glances down quickly, "Oh." Oh dear, oh dear, red alert... She -wants- to ask if he is, but she knows if she -asks- she is probably going to get a negative. She just pauses, looking like she really -wants- to say something, but her diplomatic brain is frozen for ideas.

Niko looks just a bit surprised, and rather abashed. "I'm sorry," he says, promptly drawing the wrong conclusion from the hat. "I didn't mean to offend you. I mean, she -said- it, and you asked, and I thought... well, never mind. I'm sorry, that's all. I won't mention that again."

Elasia cannot even -begin- to keep the crestfallen look from her expression. Talk about the exact wrong thing to hear. "No, no, Niko... you didn't -offend- me... I just wanted to ask a question and couldn't decide if I should. I went into brain freeze, not offended in the slightest... I'm sorry."

Niko's brows lift slowly at your expression. "Well, if you want to ask me something, I'm listening and all. I mean..." He grins faintly. "Maybe we can stop the mutual apologizing society. But are you okay? I won't laugh or judge or anything, whatever it is."

Yes, but where does she find the -words-? For a woman whose life is words, Elasia is having a -lot- of trouble with these. There's a vast chasm between her and even the -beginning- of the things she wants to express. "I, I'm okay... I just can't seem to find the right set of words. And I have the funny feeling even if I spent hours with Lawley's Style Book I -still- wouldn't find the right words..."

Niko looks briefly confused as he searches his brain for the reference, then ahs very quietly. Reaching to rest a hand on your shoulder, he notes, "They don't have to be the -right- words, whatever it is. If it doesn't come out quite perfect, I'll understand."

When in doubt, disconnect the internal censor and just let your mouth run. It may be trouble waiting to happen, but it's far less painful than having things left unsaid. Elasia gives it a shot, perhaps reassured by the presence of your hand on her shoulder. "I...I missed you an -awful- lot when you left. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see anybody in my life when you came after Pen..."

Niko smiles at that, decidedly pleased. "Well, I was glad to see you, too. That's really flattering and all, thanks."

Elasia glances down again, fingers lightly squeezing your knee. She's hit something of a speedbump. "Uh, yeah, yeah... Um..." Word fumble, incomplete pass?

Niko leans down to cover your hand with his own. "Hey, take a breath, huh? It's okay, really."

Elasia takes a long breath, claming her nerves and regaining her composure. That part of her that keeps her reminded that this poor guy does not need this harassment has managed to climb back out of the corner she shoved it into. "I'm sorry, Niko." And she is, sorry that circumstance makes it evil to say the things she wants to.

Niko has that general look of confusion and concern that is, lately, so Niko-esque. "You don't have to be sorry, Ela. Really."

Oh, see and that confused look just kills Elasia. It's cute and pitiful and it's her fault and how on Linnae is she supposed to get herself out of -this- mess? "It's just, well, Niko... I care for you awful lot." Probably not that way, but she had to say it.

Niko looks rather reassured, but still mildly confused. "Well... yes. I care about you a lot, too. I mean, you're one of my best friends and all."

This is proof, if -any- were needed, Niko is male and hence as frustrating as it is possible to be. Then bang, like a rock, Elasia's expression drops. See, now she's thinking again, and thinking is not very bright. It's a very good thing it's dark, although half a sniffle all but gives her away. "Uh, I better go I guess." She rummages in her vest, tugging out a small flat card like object. "The light, um, you might want it... I uh, should go..." She moves as if to scramble to her feet.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko is not one to keep a woman somewhere against her will, but he does reach for your hand. "-Ela-." If Niko is frustrating, he's also frustrated. But then he softens his voice. "Please... don't go. Please. Not yet. Come on. I'm sorry, whatever I said, whatever I did, I'm sorry."

Elasia plunks back down to the sand, no more than halfway up. She fumbles slightly with the light in her hands, unwilling to look up. "You didn't say anything wrong, I'm sorry, I was...out of line."

Niko doesn't release your hand, but the shake of his head is likely visible even in the dark. "Look," he says, sounding confused yet again. "I don't think you were out of line. If you'd rather go, I'm not going to stop you. But I thought, if you were upset and all..."

"I don't want to go," Elasia explains very quietly, "I just figured... well, you might want me to go. I'm sorry, I'm just really sorry, so sorry.. I, I'm very much between a rock and a hard place."

Niko says softly, moving to create a hand sandwich, your own between both of his, "So let me help. I'm good at helping, hm? I really -don't- want you to go, I like having you here and all. Please... what can I do?"

Elasia's eyes are locked on her hand held in yours for a long moment as she takes a long shuddering breath. Using her other hand to wipe at her eyes a moment she composes herself and tries this again. "See, if a person has a decided interest in another person, there's a lovely set of standard things said person can go about doing to attempt to communicate this. But sometimes, previous situations can make it impossible to go about doing any of that for fear of hurting the other person's already damaged feelings. And so the person, if they have any sense, just does nothing. But doing nothing is really -tricky-."

Niko is silent for a long moment, one thumb lightly rubbing against your hand. "Ela," he says softly. "Ela, if you're saying what I think you're saying... wow. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I had no idea, and here I was going on and on about Clara to you."

Elasia traces a finger through the sand lightly, "Talk about the biggest batch of mixed feelings. On one hand, I hated seeing you hurt, but on the other... Well, even after all this time you were still...still..."

Niko repeats softly, "I'm sorry. I never -ever- meant to do anything like that to you." A hint of wry humor works its way into his voice. "Of course, I also didn't -know-... but that really wouldn't have been the best of times to tell--" A clue! A clue! "Wait. Ela... how long have you thought... have you..." Ooh, no, he can't quite say it.

"A while," Elasia admits very quietly indeed. In fact it may not be altogether audible over the sound of the water lapping against the shore. "But I thought I'd gotten over it when we went different ways. But then you came walking up... Just seemingly out of nowhere. All those people, and there you were... It hit me again like I had my feet smacked out from under me. It hadn't gone away, it'd gotten worse."

Niko is again quiet for a moment or two, long enough to assimilate this. "I... don't really understand, though. Why didn't you say anything before now? While we were still on Evinast, we could have... maybe... I don't know."

"Because I knew it'd never work then." Elasia explains quietly. "It couldn't. We both had such wildly different plans, I knew the whole time we'd eventually go different ways like we did. And we were still kids, not that we're much older now, but it's different. Different somehow because now we've actually started doing the things we were just getting ready to do. I guess... I guess it really isn't right of me to bring it up -now- either. But I guess now I know what it's like to have you leave and never having said anything. I didn't think I could handle that again."

Niko agrees, after a moment's thought, "You're right, of course. I really don't know that I could've been that practical, though. I mean, if I had feelings for someone, and I even thought I had a chance..." He shakes his head, then, with a faint smile. "I'm really glad you told me, though, Ela. I--" A brief pause, then he repeats, "I'm glad. Thank you."

Elasia sighs softly with relief as it seems she hasn't offended you terribly, although she has to wipe at her eyes again with the back of the unheld hand. "I'm supposed to be practical. It's in the manual. I just don't like it very much sometimes."

Niko releases your hand finally, but it's so he can scoot closer, tentatively putting a comforting arm around you again. "I'm just sorry you were hurting is all," he says softly. "And maybe... I mean... maybe something could happen. We had a lot of fun this evening, right?"

Elasia eases into the arm, more than willing to accept the offered comfort. "Yeah, I had a blast...well until I started being a goof and stammering excessively and confusing you."

Niko shakes his head, murmuring, "You weren't being a goof. It's not an easy thing to say. Goodness knows -I- wouldn't have an easy time of saying anything like that. And if you confused me... well, I didn't mind. I get confused rather easily."

Elasia's sniffles trail off at last. It's hard to cry with the object of your affection with his arm around you, even if the situation is a bit odd to say the least. "I just feel bad for having kind of thrown the mood of the sunset for you."

Niko shakes his head once more. "Okay," he says slowly. "Can we maybe assume that I'm sorry and you're sorry and we're both sorry and maybe we can avoid the whole mutual apology thing?" His tone is one of fond amusement. "The sunset was lovely, but, really, I'm more glad that -you're- here than that the sunset was here."

Elasia shifts just a bit more to rest her head against you again, although she's careful to keep her weight on herself. "I guess it just seems natural to want to apologize excessively after tossing out an emotional minefield worth of stuff into what had been a casual conversation." She can't quite repress a soft chuckle. "It's a knack I have." She takes a long breath, "I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be."

Niko asks softly, "Are you okay? I mean... this was a little unexpected, but I don't know that I'd say it's an emotional minefield and all. It's not explosive or anything." And considering his recent pudding-attack, he'd know.

"I'm fine. A lot better right now than I've been in ages," Elasia answers softly. "I finally -said- something. Not even remotely coherantly, and not in any of the half a dozen dramatic and suavely well thought out ways I'd -intended- to say something some day, but it's said, you know, and I don't have to spend anymore nights pacing."

Niko blinks at that. "Pacing? Because of me?" Okay, if he weren't so stunned by that, he'd be flattered. "Ela, wow, you shouldn't've done that. Sleep, sleep is good." He adds, rather drolly, "You could've dreamed you were pacing, or something."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

The s-word garners a quiet almost wistful sigh from Elasia before she chuckles, "I managed to work myself into quite a state of confusion. I was attempting to firm up my resolve just to wait and see. It's bad for the sleep schedule is resolve."

Niko blinks at that. "Wait a minute. When did you sleep last, hm? Sleep is -important-, especially if you have to deal with folks with a tendency to drone, and I've noticed that tendency in some of your fellow diplomats."

"I slept last night," Elasia explains, "Just not much."

Niko just shakes his head. "And it's starting to get late--well, kind of, depends on your perspective. Maybe we should go back?"

Elasia considers this a moment before nodding. She doesn't have to worry about you not seeing the movement, seeing as her head is against your chest. "Yeah, I guess we should. You're probably tired too, huh? That leg and all..."

Niko doesn't especially want to contemplate getting up, let alone walking all the way back to the complex. "I'm a little tired, yeah. It's been a really bizarre week, especially the pudding section of it."

Elasia slips from beneath your arm with extreme reluctance. Bracing her feet in the sand to provide a base to offer you an honest to goodness arm up she leans down a bit. "Home and to bed for you then. I shouldn't've dragged you out this far and kept you so late."

Niko warns, with a grimace, "I'm going to -need- your help, so be careful." And he does take your hand, trying to put as little weight as possible on you as he gets to his feet. He's still kind of a big guy, though. "Ah. Standing. Wow, this is a neat concept." He releases you, asking, "Could you hand me the sticks of doom?"

Elasia isn't exactly a small person though, and she was braced for it. She leans down to scoop up the crutches and the remains of dinner. She offers you the former, since the latter wouldn't do you much good.

Niko settles onto the crutches with a quiet sigh of relief. "Much better, thank you." He eyes the stretch of sand he's still got to cross with marked distaste, but attempts it with crutches nonetheless, moving rather slowly and carefully. "I will," he says, "Be very glad to get rid of these things. If the regenerator isn't enough of a reminder not to crunch something again, this just adds to it."

Elasia powers on the small light from before, keeping careful pace alongside and shining it ahead on the sand where the crutches go. "Avoiding exploding pudding is probably a good plan."

Niko murmurs his thanks as the light clicks on. "That's a handy little thing. I used to have one, I think, but I dropped it somewhere." He moves steadily back towards the Complex, decidedly relieved as the road is reached.

Elasia follows up the road, regarding the upcoming Pavilion and its crowds a bit warily. "Yeah, it's a handy gadget. I got used to carrying it back home, the power at my apartment complex had a tendency to drop off."

Niko heads carefully through the crowds, looking decidedly pleased as the majority of them get out of his way. Yay crutches. "That's a little annoying. One good thing about the complex, at least. The lights don't go out." Ooh, there's a TP idea.

Elasia looks pretty pleased as the folks get out of the way as well, switching off the light as they enter the lit square. She -really- doesn't care for crowds. "It was a nice apartment though, an amazing view. It was worth the iffy utilities."

Niko asks curiously, crutchstepping into the Complex and juggling things to tab at the button, "Do I know where it is? Was? Whatever the verb tense?"

Elasia watches the lights above the elevator, "Just on the other side of the city, an amazing view of the Agean mountains in the mornings."

Niko murmurs a soft "ping" in time with the elevator, chuckling as he heads past the open doors. "Oh, a mountain view. Okay, I can understand -that-, even if I'd be more likely to harass the landlord and -eliminate- the whole lighting problem."

Elasia chuckles softly, leaning against the wall lightly as the elevator climbs. "I didn't get to spend too much time there except at night anyhow."

Niko murmurs, amused, "Well, you need a little light at night, huh? But you're here, now--which is good--so it's kind of moot." The doors slide open, and he says lightly, heading for the doors once more, "Here's my stop."

Elasia starts to make a step towards the open doors as well, but your words bring her up a bit short. "Uh, yeah, need any help or anything?"

Niko considers that for a moment, agreeably standing to block the door. Of course, he acks quietly as it starts to close, then opens once more. "I could almost sympathize with that Zaeltan," he murmurs, before saying lightly, "I don't really -need- help, not really--I've had practice with this and all. If you'd like--I mean, I wouldn't object or anything, but I'm likely just going to go right to sleep, so I wouldn't be very good company."

Elasia looks a lot sheepish and just keeps her place, wanting to go but not wanting to push it. "Good night then Niko. I uh...thank you."

Niko shakes his head, with a fond grin. "You're the one who gave me such a compliment, Ela. I should thank you. Have a nice night." And with that, he actually gets out of the way of the annoyed door, so it can close.

[Lots of time passes. Days. So that Niko's not on crutches any more.]

You walk towards the Recreational Facility.

Recreational Facility

As massively scaled as the rest of the complex is, it should come as no surprise that the recreation hall is also huge. One end is taken up by a large swimming pool and diving tower. Small cabanas are erected nearby for ease in changing clothes. Another section of the bright and airy room is dedicated to various weight machines for use by various races. Some of them in fact are dizzyingly incomprehensible. Presumably -someone- knows how to use them. A sloping ramp leads up to a jogging track above the hall. The track is lined with large open windows that look out onto the atrium and its gardens. This room is usually occupied at all hours by someone or another looking for a bit of exercise.

(OOC Note: To set your room doing, try 'I'm blank'.)

Contents:

Niko, standing by the door.

Clara, terrifying Riley

Riley, at the firing range

Obvious Exits:

Atrium

You walk here from the Central Atrium.

Riley ducks around a holographic wall, snickering quietly. "Uh-huh, I bet you don't know how to play poker either." He counts off, eventually getting to, "Eight, nine, ten..." He triggers the simulator, and various holographic people spring into being.

Niko, extracting a tangler that looks just like those of the target-practice variety, heads for the--no, wait, the firing range is in use. "Huh," he murmurs. "So much for celebration." Seeing who's actually using the range, however, he pauses, muffling a grin. "This ought to be interesting."

"You betcher full house," Clara mutters, amused as she darts for a different wall, although she doesn't exactly stay there. A moment later, and some distance away, she back out from behind a wall, bolter held into her chest and towards the ceiling before she snaps off a shot at something appropriately seedy looking and holographic. Does she back behind the wall again quickly enough? Maybe.

Aliana walks here from the Central Atrium.

Aliana has arrived.

With crisp efficency Riley takes out a hologram, the tangler effect reproduced perfectly in hologramatic light. See, while everybody's been picking on Riley about out-shooting him, nobody ever bothered to ask about his background. Having been in the military since he was sixteen on the nose, and having come from a heavily military family on a world with not a whole lot in the way of 'recreational activities' he could just about shoot before he could walk. Too bad Clara doesn't like video games. If she had she might have noticed the high score list. He doesn't seem to think of Clara as a target though, instead going for the holograms.

Niko lets out a low whistle, clearly engrossed in watching the fun in the firing range. He moves closer, his own weapon still in hand, the better to see the action.

Aliana pauses at the doorway, gaze moving around as she tries to decide where to start...Her interest seems to be captured by the goings on at the firing range and she walks slowly thataway.

Which leaves Clara hopelessly outclassed, sinc no one would hand her a firearm until she was eight, and -then- they had the audacity to keep her out of the service until seventeen. Put this together with her profession, and what you get is a flash of shot at various holograms, all aiming at non-vital organs. A muttered curse is heard from behind a low wall after an 'innocent bystander' is taken out, though.

Tuck, duck, roll. Riley may be good, but he's also seen too many John Woo holos and he can't resist the urge to be silly, even if it does cost him a couple of points as a hologram tags him with a shot. He comes up with the tangler held at ready however, taking out another hologram.

Aliana watches with obvious fascination...eyes darting here and there as she tries to follow the action.

Niko catches sight of Aliana as he moves closer, and grins brightly at her. "Isn't it -neat-?" he asks. "Not quite like the ones I'm used to, but still very snazzy. Think they'd mind if I joined in the fun?"

Aliana nods her head quickly to Niko, without moving her gaze from the range,'What are they doing?' She whispers softly.

Clara isn't much for acrobatics, instead darting geurilla like from shadow to another, back to each wall and weapon held in unless being used. Another few 'bad-guys' fall to their pseudo-tangled doom before she notices an absurdly tall form doing that tuck maneuvar. She snaps off a shot, missing widely, and vanishes again with a echo of a snicker.

Niko cups his hand to his ear. "Huh?" he asks, unable to hear Aliana's soft whisper over the noise of the game. And, as he keeps looking back at said game, he's not likely to be reading her lips.

Aliana says a bit louder...normal tone of voice, not trying to deafen the poor man, 'What are they doing?'

Riley ducks behind a low wall, edging up against it. At Clara's shot he glanced her way, but didn't send answering fire. See, he's pretty sure it's bad at this stage of a relationship to shoot the object of your affection. Seeing as he knows he's already got a few too many points anyhow and is going to have to be careful to get these scores to come up anywhere -close- to even. He sends a shot out over the wall and past a corner to tag a hologram.

Niko grins brightly, cheerfully ignoring Guido, a fellow security-type who stepped into the rec facility moments before. "Ah. It's a game. Target practice is much more fun when the targets are moving and all." He gestures with his weapon. "With tanglers, only the field changes how they work so they don't actually disable the opponent." Too bad the folks in the game don't hear that. Guido, however, did, and absolutely smirks. "Junior, you should go play. Take the Chief out. Even if you can't duck worth anything, you can shoot, at least."

Taking a full on hit from one of the targets, Clara falls back against a wall, murmuring a quiet curse, and completely ignoring the score. There's a score? What score? Who's on first?" She slips down into a shadow, glaring at her gun until the small timer at her wrist flashes that it's active again, then pops up and leaps over a low wall to take out another victim.

Aliana tilts her head slightly as she considers,'Can anyone try it?' She asks rather hopefully...Course she has never held any sort of weapon save a dagger...but she can learn, right?

Too bad Riley's that victim. He begins snickering quietly as his wrist unit registers Clara's hit, buzzing softly. He ducks behind another wall, snickering, "Wench!"

Clara stares for a moment, then bursts into laughter and instantly swirls to do a running dive over a wall in a random direction. "Sorry!" she calls, obviously not sorry a bit. Hey, maybe it wasn't intentional, but it works. She pops up a moment later a few meters away to take aim at a holograph, only to pull in her fire before shooting another bystander.

Niko casts a vaguely dubious look after Guido, but the older man is already rummaging up a wrist unit for him. Aliana's question garners his attention once more. "I'm not exactly sure. I do know that I'm not authorized to issue a tangler--that would just be bad. Maybe we can ask the Chief, once this game is over? It shouldn't be -too- much longer." And, from the look of him, he's itching to join. He even takes the band that Guido gives him.

Aliana ohhs then grins,'I think I'll watch for a bit then..Is that okay?'

Riley is relentless in his assault on holograms, well and truly caught up in the amusement factor of shooting at things that don't -really- shoot back for once. Terribly stress relieving and all that. Duck, slide, drop to the floor, shoot, that kind of thing.

Niko nods affably, sliding the band onto his wrist. "Oh, sure. By all means, watch all you want." We'll make more. "It's fun to watch -or- play." With that, he heads into the firing range area, ducking promptly behind a wall in an attempt to keep the others from noticing him. Guido looks absolutely pleased, and says cheerfully to Aliana, "The game won't be on for all that much longer. You really should watch, though. Let me know how it turns out. I'd better get going."

Clara gasps slightly as she goes to one knee to avoid being hit, then falls to one side to pop a shot off around the wall at another holograph, somewhere to the side of one that had just fallen to Riley's tangler. No one should be grinning this much while trying to shoot things, particularly not a medic. Nope, she doesn't notice Nike, since she's back up and around another obstruction, stalking a holo. That is a holo, right?

Aliana grins as she waves to Guido...at least she waves in the general direction his voice came from cause she never really looked away from the game.

Guido doesn't quite laugh maniacally as he leaves. That would give him away. Nor does he twirl a mustache with one finger. Matter of fact, he does no stereotypical villain things, but instead just looks smug.

One step, two steps, three... Riley edges his way around a massive holographic pillar, silently stalking a hologram. His tangler is held lightly in a two handed grip trained on the back of the unreal opponent. So intent is he, that he doesn't notice Niko, Clara, or the one armed man watching from the other side.

Niko has, for better or for worse, decided to take Guido's advice in one, at least, and is gleefully stalking a certain fluffy-haired non-hologram. Yes, he's gunning for Riley, and looking vastly amused about the whole thing. He doesn't shoot, though, as doing so might alert Riley--or Clara, for that matter--to his presence.

Blissfully unaware of any Guido-inspired Niko evilness, Clara pulls in her gun upon realizing what she'd been stalking was a fair sight taller than the rest of the holos, and instead goes down in a leg-folding kneel to snap a shot at the one-armed holo from underneath a low causeway, muttering something under her breath about not having anything to climb on.

Riley gets his shot on the stalked hologram and ducks at Clara's shot as well. Alerted to her presence he swiftly turns around a corner to get away from her. This however brings him up very short indeed as of course there's Nick.

Have you ever had a moment in which you have to make a decision very quickly? Niko, spotting Riley, is at a cusp, and reacts almost instantly, gleefully lifting his tangler to take out his target--namely, Riley. Even if Niko weren't a relatively good shot, this would not be a difficult one to miss.

Clara is already well away though, having done a quick roll underneath the causeway only to slip around a wall on its far side and in between a set of oddly shadowed pillars. She hesitates around one edge slowly, only to be pegged in the shoulder by a holo before she takes it out in return. Of course, she hasn't heard Niko's shot, either.

Aliana watches the scene with obvious fascination, head bodding as she tries to keep up with the action.

There's just one problem. See, the game doesn't work the way Niko -thinks- it does. Riley and Clara aren't using real guns. There's no dampner field. So Niko's gun is live. Hence Riley is tangled. He topples to the ground, crumpling with a quiet thud as his nerves are temporarily disabled. Hmmm, now -that- wasn't very nice was it? As if to add insult to injury, the shock to his body edges Kyara's stuff past the last point and he turns entirely, and inexplicably, neon green. Now wouldn't -that- be a cool effect at Q-zar?

Niko stares at Riley in utter horror for a moment. "What the hell was -in- that pudding?" he hisses. Then, naturally, he yells, "Clara!"

Niko moves over to Riley, too, of course. Naturally.

Dopplering nicely, Clara's voice calls out, "Oh, nice try, Niko. You can join the game, but I'm not -that- easy of a target!" By now, her voice seems to have circled around somewhere and behind the two men, still unaware of just what's happened.

Riley just lies there. It's not easy being green after all.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko stammers some vague sort of apology to Riley, then holsters his tangler, attempting to home in on Clara's voice. "Look. I'm not even remotely kidding. I have -no- idea what I just did, but he's -green-, and he's... well, what happened to the dampner field?" No, no stress in his voice at all.

Aliana eyewidens as she sees him turn green..oh yeah and lie still, but he's green! It shouldn't have this fast.

"Dampner field?" Clara's voice is astonished as she suddenly pelts out of hiding, hurdling a low wall. "What dampner? We're using holopistols, aren't...oh hell!" she manages in strangled voice and drops to Riley's side as well. "You -tangled- him? My god, what happened? Did you not get the pudding out of your sidearm even?"

Riley is probably going to say some unique things when the effect wears off. He's probably thinking of them right now, since of course a tangler leaves its victim conscious and comprehending. But for now he doesn't move much.

Aliana seems to be considering Riley for a long moment then notes, 'He is a nice shade of green tho'

L'the walks here from the Central Atrium.

L'the has arrived.

L'the walks in, his step fluid.

Niko is quite obviously shocked by Clara's words. "-Holopistols-? He didn't say anything about--" He cuts off his words, a briefly murderous look crossing his face. Then he shakes his head, saying, "This never happened on Evinast, Clara, I swear. I didn't do it -intentionally-. And I have no idea why he's -green-." Of course, since the game's still going, he can't really hear Ali.

Aliana is by the firing range...stealthily moving closer towards Riley, unaware there is a game going on.

L'the blinks a couple times, turning his head as he scans the room, his weight balanced on the balls of his toes.

Clara snarls an oath, not particularly ladylike either, and glances around for an emergency stop. "I don't even know how to shut this blasted thing off!" She purses her lips at Niko for a moment. "This -isn't- Evinast," she notes succinctly, and rapidly trades her scanner for her weapon, starting to run it down Riley from forehead to chest. "He's conscious...it's a normal tangling. But green!" She sounds flustered. "Can you carry him?"

Aliana asks quickly, 'Can I help?' After all....'

L'the blinks a couple more times, and wanders over, peering at the /green/ man on the floor. His fur ripples as he shudders. Good thing that wasn't him. His silvery fur is much prettier than that...putrid..colour.

Niko eyes Aliana. Five feet tall. Then he eyes Riley. Six foot eight. "I don't think so, Aliana," he murmurs. Then he nods to Clara. "I -think- so, yeah. He's taller than I am and all, but..." He takes out his tangler again, eyeing the settings and carefully keeping the end of it pointed towards the ground. "He shouldn't be out -much- longer."

Aliana could like carry a foot or something, but she does move out of the way.

"Niko, I don't know if you noticed, but he's -green-! I don't know what you shot him with, mister, but I know I for one would like a good long examination of your sidearm when I'm done with him!" she snaps out, then returns to regarding the scanner readout. "All systems normal...aside from. Being. Green," she repeats, exasperated. "Blue, I'd understand. But green? Green!" She's stuck. Someone twack her.

She being Clara, of course.

Aliana murmers softly, 'At least Green is better than pink'

L'the can't help it, a low rumbly laugh emerges from him.

Niko reholsters his weapon, but nods to Clara, his, "Aye aye, ma'am" clearly reflexive. "And I've noticed that he's green, yes. It's kind of difficult to miss." Personally, Niko would understand -yellow-, as the pudding was butterscotch and all.

Maybe that explains it! Yellow and blue make green!

Clara tucks her scanner into the back waistband of her pants and casts up a frustrated look. "Fine. If you won't help, I'll carry him up myself," she notes, still in a voice that brooks no argument. She edges around to Riley's other side, then rolls her eyes. "Oh, who am I kidding," she mutters, and moves to bark into her comm.

Niko protests, "Clara, I'll help, of -course- I'll help. I mean, I -did- this and all." Maybe it's part of military ethics. You tangle your boss and turn him green, you help him out. And with that, he reaches down to heft Riley, the better to pick him up.

Aliana did offer...but nooo. Ali watches the green giant carefully...yet still trying to remain out of the way.

The worst of the effect begins fading, thankfully Niko must have had his weapon on one of the lower settings. Riley begins shaking violently, the normal process of having his nerves return to their normal state.

Aliana takes a quick jump back and closer to Clara,"What's he doing?'

Clara tucks a stalk of asparagus, er. No. Wrong commercial. She moves in to help, then lets out another surprised oath which rapidly turns to consideration as she gestures downwards. "Down! Get him on the ground!" she orders, helping as well. "Normal reaction, nerves coming back online," she says to Ali without looking back.

Niko promptly moves to help get Riley back on the ground. As he does this, he murmurs something under his breath in Hellenic, likely a prayer to the patron saint of fools. That, or to the Easter Bunny, though Riley would make one helluvan Easter Egg.

Riley manages to get an arm beneath himself to half sit up despite the still near convulsive shivering, "W-w-w-hat happened?" There's another pause as he regards one hand, brows managing to furrow somehow. "G-g-green?"

L'the shakes his head at these humans, and looks around for something interesting to do. To bad they're in the target shooting area...

Aliana affirms rather helpfully, 'Green'

Clara slips an arm under the Jolly Easter, uh, Riley, jaw clenched. "Tangled," she explains firmly. "You're going to be fine," she adds, then shoots Ali a -look- before noting apologetically. "Green. Can you make it upstairs?"

Niko's murmuring doesn't stop, though he does shift rather nicely from Hellenic to Standard. "Admiral Addison, sir, I'm so sorry." He's not scared at all, no. "I had no idea that would happen."

L'the blinks with renewed interest at this Riley person. Admiral?

Riley is more than willing to accept the aid of the arm, as his head is still ringing, and although not half so bad as it was, he's still shaking like a leaf in a stiff breeze. He clambers to his feet somehwat waveringly. "Nick, if you call me that again..." He pauses, realizing how difficult a decent threat would be to carry out at this point. "I'll fall on you." That he could manage. He mmhmms to Clara, "Uh, sure, yeah..."

Aliana just watches intently...and she thought she was consigned to a dull night.

Niko, looking exceedingly cowed, decidedly sheepish... heck, invite the rest of Old MacDonald's farm. In any event, he's quite obviously highly bothered by what happened, and bobs his head in a nod to Riley, remaining silent to keep from putting his foot in his mouth. He gets to his feet as well, staying close enough to Riley to offer any needed help.

Clara doesn't move away from Riley as he stands, but instead slips her arm about his waist and hauls his over her shoulders. "Lean on me," she suggests rapidly, jerking her head at Niko. "Take his other side. You're not falling on anyone, Addison. We're getting you upstairs so I can figure this out. Green." That last in a flustered mutter.

Aliana chews her lip as she glances at Niko...then his gun, "Could that thing have turned him green?'

Riley is more than game to lean on Clara, at least enough to retain his balance. In deference to the smaller woman he keeps most of his weight on his own feet. Determined to shake the effects of the stun he carefully enunciates his words to keep from stuttering. His tone is almost conversational, "Um, why am I green?"

L'the quietly retires.

L'the has left.

Niko promptly moves to do as Clara directs. See? He's a good flunky. Aliana's question earns her a baffled look, though his, "I have no idea" could be directed to either her or to Riley.

"Because you're a frog?" suggests Clara, starting to head for the distant door. "No telling, Ali. I -want- your weapon after this, Niko," she shoots sidelong quietly across Riley.

Riley gives Niko an exceptionally grateful look, leaning on the younger man as well. Tangling is nit really good for motor control, and Riley's really short on that and balance at this point. Seeong as he's not getting an answer to being green, he tries tack two. "Why did I get shot? Did I insult someone's mother?"

Aliana ohs thoughtfully as she tags along behind the trio.

Niko nods emphatically. "Of course, Clara. Definitely." His glance flicks to said weapon, brows lowering to beetle over his eyes. Then, at Riley's question, he looks decidedly chagrined. "That was my fault, Chief." Well, and Guido's, but Niko would rather settle that personally. "I, uh, misunderstood how all this works. It's rather different from the ones on Evinast."

Clara snorts vaguely, still heading for the door. "He thought we had a dampner field on, Riley," she adds in mitigation. "It's not his fault. Just a misunderstanding."

Riley seems to find that more than a little funny and snickers softly. In fact he's snickering almost helplessly considering the situation. "Nick, I have got to say, this takes the -cake-. Talk about startling me out of half a year's growth." He nods at Clara, understanding dawning and making this even -funnier-. "I wish," he says as the procession heads doorwards, "I'd fallen in such a way as to have seen the look on your face, Nick."

Niko relaxes palpably at the snickering. "Well," he says slowly, moving along with the parade. "If this ever happens again, I'll try to accomodate you, Chief."

Riley walks towards the Central Atrium.

Riley has left.

You walk towards the Central Atrium.

Central Atrium

Filled with greenery and assorted plants from a hundred different Alliance worlds, this massive atrium is a chaotic and interesting place. The room itself is round, with evenly-spaced archways leading to the other areas. Each archway is color-coded, with a label telling where it leads in standard and the languages of each of the major races. For those who pause to look upwards, the escheresque upper levels of the complex may be seen, as the atrium reaches through the entire complex, with a plasglass skylight at the top through which Linnae's sunlight may filter. Paths wend their way through the carefully tended gardens, and small placards label the groups of vegetation and their homeworld. Some are labeled with the universal symbol for danger, be careful, they bite. Groups of benches are located here and there for the comfort of passing delegates and those attempting to lobby them.

The elevator is at floor number 1 (the doors are closed) and appears to contain no people.

Contents:

Riley

Obvious exits:

Elevator Arch Out Rec Hall Dining Meeting Hall Spaceport

You walk here from the Recreational Facility.

Clara walks here from the Recreational Facility.

Clara has arrived.

Clara pushes the button.

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

Riley walks into the elevator.

Riley has left.

From the elevator, Riley has arrived.

Clara walks into the elevator.

Clara has left.

From the elevator, Clara has arrived.

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 1.

Contents:

Clara

Riley

Obvious exits:

Doors

Clara pushes the button marked 2.

The elevator direction light changes to UP with a ping.

The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

The elevator glides almost imperceptibly upward and goes "ping" as it reaches floor #2.

With a ping, the doors slide smoothly open.

Riley has left.

From outside the elevator, Riley has arrived.

Clara has left.

From outside the elevator, Clara has arrived.

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.

Contents:

Clara

Riley

Obvious exits:

Elevator General Housing Library Security Maintenance Medical

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

Aliana comes in from a hallway.

Aliana has arrived.

Aliana sneaks in after...no sense waiting for the elevator.

Clara rolls her eyes at both men, shaking her head firmly. "Shoot him again, Niko, and I regenerate non-broken bones. Got me?" she notes with quiet sweetness. "And this -isn't- funny. You're green!" Boy, she's good with the obvious today.

"Hey, bet I could tell you how many ears of corn were in a niblet?" Riley's humor is undullable, except for perhaps by his inability to walk straight. Maybe he hit his head and triggered cheerfulness rays or something.

It says a lot for Niko's distaste for regeneration that he doesn't even make a comment about sadistic doctors, instead saying quickly, "It was only a joke, Clara. I'd never do anything like that -intentionally-." Of course, he's managed to shoot Riley -unintentionally- already, so if he does it again, he's up a creek, isn't he? Of course, Riley's words elicit a startled snicker.

Clara heads towards the Medical Bay.

Clara has left.

Riley heads towards the Medical Bay.

Riley has left.

You head towards the Medical Bay.

Medical Bay

Even the circulation of air can't quite keep the antiseptic smell from this room. Immaculately clean, the tiles of the floor are the same pristine white as the walls. Gadgets and gizmos abound. The highest medical technology available for all the races that might conceivably come to the station are present. A pair of beds near the door provide places for emergent cases, their bioscan devices ready for monitoring. Doors lead to rooms for surgery, short-term care, and long-term care. (OOC note: To set your room doing, try 'I'm <doing>'.)

Contents:

Niko, standing by the door.

Riley, standing by the door.

Clara, standing by the door.

Tara, chatting with Kramer

Obvious Exits:

Short Term Care Chief's Office Elevator Lounge

You arrive from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Aliana arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Aliana has arrived.

Tara glances up from her amiable conversation with Kramer. "Oh hey, Doc, it's almost been five ho... " *blink* "Pissed off pistachio pudding this time, Addison?"

Clara makes a frustrated sound as she steers both men towards the bioscan. "Nah, he got kissed by a frog. Shouldn't you be asleep Valentine? Kramer, check her IV," she calls over. "Up we go, Riley," she says, forcing good humor as she starts to snap on various equipment.

Riley manages with help to lever himself up onto the biobed, although he sinks back on it rather quickly to lie flat. He's a bit punchy what with the aftereffects of being tangled, the events of previous days, and we won't even touch being green. He's snickering in fits and starts still. "Could somebody wake me up or something? Even for one of -my- dreams this is a bit surreal."

Niko takes a step or two back from the bioscan bed once Riley is settled, the better to give Clara room. Tara gets the briefest of glances, and a mild doubletake, but his attention focuses quickly enough on the frighteningness that is Riley. I mean, I've heard of calling someone a string bean before, but this is ridiculous...

Clara is nearly a whirl of activity, slapping on this monitor here, laying out instruments there. She finally grabs a remote from the wall unit as well as a fresh hypo and snaps the latter to Riley's neck. "Blood sample," she mutters. "Need a spinal fluid sample...this'll have to do." Her words are mainly to herself except for a short, "You're already awake."

Tara snickers- she can't help but be amused by a green Addison. "What happened?" she asks the room in general.

Okay, the words 'spinal fluid sample' do a -lot- to sober Riley up from his snickers. He's quiet a moment, peering up at Clara before deciding she's just not a lot of fun to watch when she's moving that fast and the whole world is still shaking. So he closes his eyes, that's easier. "I must be. I don't think I even have -nightmares- that involve the words 'spinal fluid'."

Aliana watches this whole thing with quite obvious fascination...much better to watch when its not being done to one.'

Niko grimaces just a bit at the dreaded phrase that doesn't infest Riley's nightmares. He glances towards Tara, clearly hearing her question. His expression suggests that he knows the answer, too, but being a nice guy, Good Kid (tm) and a gentleman does not mean that he will share -this- particular tidbit of information. Telling Riley is one thing, telling Tara is quite another.

Aliana shows no compunction in this...but then she didn't really see what happened did she? "Riley fell down and turned green'

Clara has already turns away to feed the sample into the computer for analysis, then taps a rapid pattern into a flat keypad, eyes tracing over the lights flashing over a simulated human form flashing up on the wall monitor. "Dunno," she offers easily at Tara. "We're getting that genetic scan we wanted, Riley," she adds distractedly.

The worst of the shaking has worn off, but Riley still doesn't look particularly inclined to move as the part where all the nerves get revenge for the evil done to them by aching a lot has hit with a vengance. Tanglers may be humane in the long run, but they have their side effects. "That's good. Can't hurt."

Tara blinks at Ali, then flashes a slightly panicked look at Riley. "Whatever happened, I didn't do it! Cold water's one thing, but /this/ is a bit much!"

Niko has been tangled enough that he can follow the progression, and winces in sympathy, murmuring another apology to Riley. Perhaps it's the masochist in him, but he shakes his head at Tara, saying, "No, you didn't. I did."

Clara runs the remote stylus over the patterened lights, the display flashing abruptly to one of an enlarged strand of DNA, then lets out a low whistle. "Someone get the man a chocolate bar? He needs it," she manages, nonplussed. "Niko? Hey, come help me with some of the chemical compounds? I'm not recognizing some of these," she adds, perfectly willing to admit needing help from a chemist.

Aliana eyewidens at Tara...then suddenly her boot draws her complete attention.

Riley's ears all but prick up at that. To hell and high water with being green, Tara's over there -admitting- to the cruelty of water tampering. "I -knew- it! Water tampering wench!" Clara's comments however garner him some confusion, though he's not -about- to complain about chocolate.

Tara blinks at Niko now- everybody's taking turns getting blinked at. Then she grins. "Tell me how." A lovely fuschia blush creeps up her face at Riley's words. She decides to focus on what Clara's doing.

Aliana's communit crackles to life and announces "Hello Person.... green... the gills.... see..." in Roland's voice.

Aliana jumps and peers at her communit...then peers down at it and whispers.

Ruxtenboor arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Ruxtenboor has arrived.

Aliana says "He is right here...and he's a very handsome shade of green, actually." into her communit.

Niko moves to peer over Clara's shoulder, ignoring Tara, and blinks a lot. "Heck, I've -made- that," he says, indicating one of the compounds. "I didn't know it could do that. Dang, college could've been a -lot- more fun." He rattles off the name. See, since -chemistry- involves systematic nomenclature, he didn't have to memorize the name. He can just figure it out by looking at it.

"Wait until she's well to torture my patient, Riley," Clara snaps over, then gestures at a scrolling list of compounds to Niko. "That's what's in his bloodstream," she explains. "I recognize this one, and this is the chemicals from the coffee. But what's -that-?" Bah, Latin makes -sense- though.

Aliana's communit crackles to life and says "... is... If it... probably... and... Got..." in Roland's voice.

Ruxtenboor walks in holding his arm, "Does anyone hear know how to... wow, I didn't expect this many people in here. Anyway, would any of you happen to know how to heal small cuts along ones arm."

Aliana freezes as she looks at Niko, eyes widening...and is that a bit of sweat on her upper lip? Nah..she jumps yet again at the com.

Aliana says "Camera?" into her communit.

Tara gives Ali a look of joy. "/Camera/!"

Riley wasn't going to exactly leap up and torture Tara, seeing as he's still pretty effectively flat on his back, but he does look rather sheepish and offer Clara a rather apologetic look. He decides just to be quiet and think of things to do to whoever invented the tangler. He feels like he's been hit by a fruit truck.

Niko rustles up a piece of paper and a pencil, neatly detailing the structure in question and murmuring as he does so. "... chloro... cyclobuta... this. See?" He squints at the structure for a moment, then nods. "It looks like it could possibly react oddly with the melanin. I -think-. But that's just a guess. I've got some texts upstairs that could be helpful."

Of limes. A fruit truck of limes.

Aliana edges closer to Niko, watching him draw, 'What's that a picture of?'

Clara peers down at the pencilled in structure, then shakes her head at jabs the stylus at the montitor again, the picture on the screen melting from DNA into chemical compounds with the appropriate labels floating about it. "There...just type in the references. It's all in the system," she explains, handing over the stylus. "And...yeah. Yeah, that could react, but not with melanin..." She casts a thoughtful look at Riley.

Aliana starts to look a wee bit worried as she glances from Clara to Niko.

Ruxtenboor looks around and seems to relize that people here are preocupied so he begins to look around for a sink or something to clean his arm.

Niko glances briefly over his shoulder to Aliana, and rattles off the name of the compound. It's got numbers and various chemical-sounding stuffs in it. Brows arching at Clara's correction, he nods, and moves to do just that, fingers tabbing lightly.

A nearby nurse, trying hard not to laugh, mutters softly into her comm unit. "... Anya,... gotta see... /green/... camera?..."

Aliana ohhhs, then speaks into the comm unit

Riley is being inoffensive, he's just lying there with his eyes shut against the bright lights and people muttering scary things. Maybe if he doesn't think about it too hard, it will go away. He does think though to add, so as to be part of a grand historical tradition, "Ow."

Aliana says "Someone is getting a camera no" into her communit.

Aliana's communit crackles to life and announces "... camera.... digital... can... pictures/film..." in Roland's voice.

Tara's shoulders are shaking as she stares at the floor. Perhaps she's weeping with sympathy for Riley. Yeah, right.

Ruxtenboor finally finds an old fashioned sink amidst all the high-tech apparatuses that abound throughout the room. It just happens to be close to Riley's bed so Rextenboor, while washing his arm, obviously happens to casually glance over at Riley. He peers a little closer then goes back to wahing his arm.

Clara scoots over to the bioscan area to rest an arm on one side as she bends to peer at various readings. "Not too much longer now, Greg," she mutters absently, focused on her work completely as she taps at a few number sequences. "Got anything, Niko? I'm seeing an odd reaction in the mid dermal layer, but it's reacting oddly. You're probably right about the melanin..."

Ruxtenboor finishes with washing his arm and turns to Riley, "You've changed something about yourself. Is it your hair?"

Niko looks like he's starting to get some sort of clue, his expression shifting from worry and irritation to absolute fascination. "This is amazing," he murmurs. His words turn fragmentary as he continues to type--something about external sources. Clara's words jar him to the fact that, no, this isn't some sort of neat laboratory experiment, it's his boss. (And he loves his boss.) "It looks like an equilibrium reaction, Clara. I don't suppose you've got any levels like this from when the evil pudding incident happened? The numbers would've been lower then... maybe not detectable."

Riley flashes a brief grin up at Clara, chuckling softly. Ruxtenboor's question garners a look and the suggestion, "I parted my hair differently this morning." Considering Riley's bangs are a loose hanging batch of fluff, this is patently ridiculous.

Aliana starts to back very very slowly away from Niko...remembering a good piece of advice she told someone...nice think about being small, easy to sneak away.

Ruxtenboor nods, "That's what I thought it was." He waks over towards Aliana, "So whisky girl, so you know where they keep any anti-bacterial stuff in this medical place?"

Aliana shakes her head slowly to Rux...eyes still on Niko.

"What in the world could have have nudged -that- balance into equilibrium," Clara splutters, coming up back behind Niko and staring at the various symbols. "Yeah, that's an external source all right, but there was -nothing- like that from the pudding. There...what's that in the equation?" she asks, pointing at one compound. "That's...tanin?"

Aliana umms as she starts to back slowly the door, Gee, its gotten crowded in here.

Ruxtenboor shrugs, "Oh, well I guess I'll just have to look for it." He procedes to wander around the room, opening various cupbourd doors and rummaging through the contents.

Kramer steps away from Tara finally to come up behind Ruxtenboor with folded arms. "Sir, can I help you?"

Niko is kind of oblivious to Aliana, as he's kicked into chemistry mode. It doesn't happen often any more, but it'll be hard to downshift from this. "Hm?" he says to Clara. "Oh... yeah, but I don't know that the concentrations are high enough for -that- to be what did it. This has to be from something he's ingesting regularly, too, or the reaction -wouldn't- have hit equilibrium. It's a reversable reaction, though, at least. So maybe we can get him, well, un-green. I'm sure that'd be nice. Especially if we can do it before Anya gets here with the camera."

Ruxtenboor stands up and looks around, "Who said that?"

Aliana slips out the door..and is off.

Aliana heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Aliana has left.

Tara peers at Niko, looking a bit confused. "So... it's /not/ something you did?"

Riley hasn't gone anywhere, and doesn't look likely to do so. He's not even really following the conversation, simply trsuting Nick and Clara to figure these things out and fix them.

Clara waves a hand, almost dismissively, and shakes her head firmly. "Yes, but if it's something he's ingesting, then it's going to happen again, tangling or no. That may have just been a catalyst. If we can reverse it, then pinpoint where the problem is coming from, then it won't happen again. Question is, what's going to neutralize...oh, wait. What about that?" She brings up an echoing compound beside the first, minor modifcations in line.

Niko casts a glance over his shoulder at Tara. "Well, something about the tangler blast must've kicked the reaction into equilibrium--somehow--but... well, no. I guess not." And he sounds somewhat relieved at that as well. Of course, his attention turns back to Clara as she speaks. "That... yes. Maybe. Shifting the chloro group there could keep... yeah. It's not like it could hurt to try, at least. That's a harmless compound, as things go, and I -think- it could do the trick." He grins suddenly, murmuring mostly to himself, "I love LeChatelier's Principle."

Clara's eyes flicker over the display for a moment before she nods, almost tempted to say 'make it so', and heads back to Riley's side. "Riley? Hey, you...how's it going? I think we may have it now...but you gotta tell me what you've been eating lately that's different. Anything you can think of?"

Riley peels his eyes open to peer up at Clara, "Different? Um, nothing I can think of. Just coffee and sandwiches. Stuff out of my office."

Niko frowns a little at that. "That's not in -coffee-, though," he mutters. Raising his voice, he asks, "What kind of sandwiches, Chief? Where d'you get them? I mean, I know that some of the new sandwich spreads are odd, but if someone accidentally got -this- stuff in 'em..." He trails off, mumbling about recalls as he turns back to the screen.

Clara looks troubled, thinking. "Okay, sandwiches from Tony, coffee from the mess hall. Right" she asks in clarification, then casts a look up at Niko, shaking her head with a shrug. "I can't imagine where it's coming from. The only thing that's different is the lack of chocolate. Which we need to talk about later," she adds to Riley quietly.

"Anya brought them. Same kind Tony's been making for years." Riley murmurs his reply, his eyes closing again. "Nah, coffee's the stuff Kyara brought." Hello fateful words?

Niko turns very slowly. As his fondness for Kyara is already well-known, his reaction should not be all that surprising. "Where's this coffee, Chief? Might want to run it through one of the toys down at customs."

Clara looks up to meet Niko's eyes, her own widening with equal suspicion. "Oh no...she mentioned practical jokes," she murmurs, then shakes her head quickly and moves towards her equipment to start preparing the proper antidote...she hopes.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

This takes a moment for Riley to process. He'd finally switched Kyara into that list of trustable people. His brain doesn't -quite- want to wrap around the idea she'd do anything malicious. "It's in m'closet in m'office. Box on top of the fridge."

Niko gets to his feet. "Need me in here any more, Clara? I'd really like to get on this."

Tara murmurs, "I have just /got/ to meet this Kyara person. If only to get her autograph."

Clara waves a hand over her shoulder, still bent over mixing various elements and measuring from vials. "Go on and check. If it's true, I'm going up to camp to supervise her training personally."

Niko pauses on his way out to say grimly, "And I'm coming with you."

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 Medical Bay.

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 breezes through security, not even remotely answering any of the questions about whether or not Riley is, in fact, really green. He pops into the office in question, and, after some rummaging, returns with coffee in hand. He actually leaves and goes down to customs to play with the toys there, but, to save travelspam and such in the log, he's actually going to stay right here.

MEDIC> Riley is a little too znogged to potentially object to Clara and Niko going to re-educate the Stilvani woman, he's only semi-conscious being half asleep and all at this point.

MEDIC> Clara finally turns back to Riley with a hypo in hand and flashes a distracted smile and shrugs before looking back down and gently pushing the man's head to one side to administer the dose with a faint hiss. "Started out such a nice night too," she murmurs pushing back a few curls back from the green forehead with the back of the hand holding the spent hypo.

MEDIC> Clara ers, flashes a distracted smile at Tara, that is.

MEDIC> Riley barely reacts to Clara adding to the cocktail that is his bloodstream, only stirring slightly. Dangitt, he wants a nap, and he's going to get one.

MEDIC> Tara has to think for a moment on how to take that particular phrase. Finally she just decides to ask, "Is he going to be okay?"

MEDIC> Clara shrugs vaguely, pulling back away from the napping green giant as she shakes her head. "Honestly?" she asks folding her arms, spent hypo bouncing in her hand. "I have no clue. I've -never- seen anything even remotely like this."

MEDIC> Thankfully while Riley may be decidedly zonked, at least his chemical makeup is working. Starting from the point of injection and working its way down the green fades, leaving him rather pale instead.

MEDIC> Tara nods, watching the color recede. "Hmmm. I hate to say it, but I think he looked better green."

MEDIC> Clara nearly sags against a nearby desk for a moment, but forces herself straight as she casts a whithering look at Tara. "He does -not-," she disagrees as she moves back to his side, tabbing at her comm.

MEDIC> Clara says "Niko? Niko, that formula you came up with! It -worked-. Any news on the coffee?" into her communit.

Your communit crackles to life and announces "Niko? Niko, that formula you came up with! It -worked-. Any news on the coffee?" in Clara's voice.

MEDIC> Tara shakes her head, pointing at Riley. "No, I mean he looked healthier. Ripe, at least."

You say "*distracted, but decidedly angry* I'll be up in a minute. I want you to see this." into the communit.

MEDIC> Clara's communit crackles to life and blares "... angry* I'll... minute. I want..." in Niko's voice. [To Clara.]

MEDIC> Clara snorts vaguely without looking back. "He looked -green-," she enunciates, then blinks at her comm with a sigh. She lays a hand on Riley's jaw, tilting his head slightly. "Riley? Wake up...c'mon. Please, wake up?"

MEDIC> Riley forces his eyes back open, peering up at Clara, "Up, m'up... Sorry, I'm up. Promise."

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.

You head towards the Medical Bay.

Medical Bay

Even the circulation of air can't quite keep the antiseptic smell from this room. Immaculately clean, the tiles of the floor are the same pristine white as the walls. Gadgets and gizmos abound. The highest medical technology available for all the races that might conceivably come to the station are present. A pair of beds near the door provide places for emergent cases, their bioscan devices ready for monitoring. Doors lead to rooms for surgery, short-term care, and long-term care. (OOC note: To set your room doing, try 'I'm <doing>'.)

Contents:

Niko, standing by the door.

Riley, being green

Clara, standing by the door.

Tara, chatting with Kramer

Obvious Exits:

Short Term Care Chief's Office Elevator Lounge

You arrive from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Tara quirks a questioning eyebrow in Niko's direction.

Clara smirks slightly and reaches for Riley's hand, tugging it up in front of his eyes. "You're not green anymore," she murmurs, then lowers the appendage gently as Niko returns, looking up with interest. "What'd you find?"

Riley's eyes widen a notch at the non-greeness. "Knew you two'd figure it out. Thanks. Green was just not my color." His eyes start to sag shut again, "S'this going to have any scary do-not-taunt-happy-fun-pill-Propecia side effects?"

Niko stalks in with a small handful of papers, clearly more than a little annoyed. He heads over to Clara, and spreads the papers out on the nearest non-Rileyan surface. There are six papers, each bearing some form of graph-like shape. He spreads them out so that they are paired, and one of each set has many more peaks than the other. "Three different methods of testing," he says crisply. "HPLC, IR, GC. I snagged the literature values--amazing what they've got down in customs. They match, in all three cases. It's the coffee. No doubt about it." He turns towards Riley. "No idea, Chief, but I'd guess that the side effects are more likely to hit Kyara. Where is she?"

Clara absently ruffles Riley's hair, her own weariness starting to creep through now that the evil greenness is gone. "Sure thing. Take two and call me in the morning when all your chest hair falls out, okay?" Niko's words wipe the grin away in utter dismay as she heads over to peer at the papers. "Pushups. Pushups from hell."

Tara does not snicker at Riley's question. Her expression is perfectly calm. Her mouth opens, then for once she /thinks/, and she shuts her trap.

Riley is not very aware, but he's aware -enough- to realize that giving that information to these two at this point in time is bad. Of course since the information is publicly available, this may not help Kya much. "Um, not sure I should say."

Niko says, very quietly, "I'm sure we can come up with something a lot more interesting than pushups, Clara." He doesn't mention caning. He's not Feintuch. Riley's words cause a sudden uprising of his brows--aigh, an eyebrow insurrection!--and he says mildly, "Okay, I'll find out another way."

Clara's lips quirk in a faintly evil, mirthless smile. "I got an audio letter from her. No need to hunt for the information," she drawls quietly, then sighs and turns back to Riley, peering down at him. "Wanna try getting up to your quarters? Or do you want to crash in an office?"

You know Kyara would be defended far better if Riley were coherant enough to try and help. He's still not got anything even close to a handle on the situation. At Clara's question he manages his elbows underneath himself, "Um, office maybe. Nice couches. No coffee."

Tara mumbles something about blood on the couch.

Niko returns that smile, his lips taking on the exact curve of a scimitar. Things do not bode well for Kyara, nosiree. At Riley's motion, however, he shoots an inquiring glance at Clara, and makes a small gesture towards Riley to suggest that that inquiry is whether he should help.

Riley pauses a moment at Tara's words, "Uh, edit that then... Upstairs."

Tara gives Riley an apologetic look.

Assisting Riley up carefully, Clara casts a wistful look at Tara before noting, "My office is closer, but...yeah. Upstairs. We'll get you up there." SHe nods up at Niko at the gesture. "Please?"

Niko promptly situates himself conveniently so that Riley may use him as some sort of prop. "My turn, this time," he murmurs, mostly to himself, "Only -I'm- not broken. C'mon, Chief," he adds pleasantly. "I'll give you a hand. Gotta watch that first step, though." And the second, and the third...

Riley manages upright, then feet to the floor, and ... well it's a good thing Niko's there or he would have managed pitched forward onto his face really well. His motor control's still shot to hell and back. With Niko's help though, he does manage to head doorwards, obviously concentrating a great deal on not falling over. "Thanks."

Clara lets Niko assist Riley, hanging back by the bioscan and watching expressionlessly. "First step's a doozy," she agrees, then turns abruptly to Tara. "Valentine? You should have enough cortaromine until morning. Want me to come back down and fix up the inhibitor, though?"

Tara shakes her head, gesturing toward Riley. "Naw, I'm fine. Go take care o' him."

Niko is very excessively careful about his helping efforts--you know, little things like making sure Riley makes it through the door instead of hitting the frame. That sort of thing. He casts a brief glance over his shoulder towards Clara, as if in attempt to determine if she's following.

Riley heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Riley has left.

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.

Contents:

Riley

Obvious exits:

Elevator General Housing Library Security Maintenance Medical

You arrive from the Medical Bay.

Clara arrives from the Medical Bay.

Clara 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, Clara walks into the elevator.

From outside the elevator, Clara has left.

Clara has arrived.

From outside the elevator, Riley walks into the elevator.

From outside the elevator, Riley has left.

Riley 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.

You leave the elevator.

Third Floor Elevator Lounge

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

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

Obvious exits:

Elevator

From the elevator, Clara has left.

Clara has arrived.

From the elevator, Riley has left.

Riley has arrived.

From the elevator, The doors slide shut, soundlessly.

One foot makes its way in front of the next, and by dint of much attention paid, Riley is more or less managing walking... Well, Niko assisted walking. That's like volume assisted hearing isn't it?

Niko needs theme music for this assisted walking stuff. In any event, he's painfully careful to keep Riley on track. Of course, when they end up in front of his door, he's rather at a loss, as he doesn't have that nifty skeleton key. Houston, we have a problem. "Uh, Chief? We're here."

Clara follows after somewhat vaguely, expression somber. "Where's your keys?" she asks up at Riley, brow furrowed as she at least attempts some sort of help.

Blink, blink. A door. This is a step beyond walking. Thankfully however, rummaging for keys does not require as much balance as walking and Riley rummages one handedly in his pocket for the ring of thin plastic strips. He fumbles to pick the appropriate one from the mass.

Niko squints at the mass of keys as well, then, one hand still bracing Riley, reaches for it. "Let me give that a try, hm?"

Clara pulls her own hand back, not interefering and causing a potentially Three Stoogish effect of sending the keys flying. Nope, she just stands a yard or so back, watching.

Riley offers the collection of keys, "Blueishy gray one, has the number on it." He sounds rather sheepish, "My fingers are not doing as they're told."

Niko nods his agreement to that, locating the appropriate key after a moment of fumbling. "That'll pass." He swipes the key in the lock, suggesting, "Why don't you go get some rest, hm, Chief?" With a glance towards Clara, he asks, sotto voce, "Will he be coming in tomorrow morning? I can leave a message for Anya, if necessary."

Clara remains where she is, considering this, then shakes her head slowly. "Twenty-four hour mandatory leave after a shooting. Standard policy. I'll even go look up the regs number if necessary."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko's lips quirk faintly at that. "Not necessary for me, nor for Anya, I'd say." He doesn't comment on the necessity for Riley, though, instead flickering a brief, sidelong look to the older man.

Riley murmurs his thanks, and there's a great deal of appreciation and relief in the tone. So intent is he on remaining upright, he doesn't even try and snag his keys back as he stumbles through the door. Nor does he comment on rules and regulations.

Riley unlocks the door to room I16 and goes inside.

Riley has left.

Clara watches the door vaguely, trying hard not to look torn, then inhales a slight sigh and managing a grin. "Long night. Guess it'd be a good idea to follows his lead and head off for the appropriate places, hey?"

Niko takes the precaution of opening Riley's door--after a brief knock--and putting the keys inside. He holds the door fractionally open, though, preventing it from locking. Miraculously, there's nothing odd about his manner as he asks, "Should I shut this?" The implication being, 'or will you be joining him?', though Niko is too polite to come out and -say- that.

Clara stares at the door for several moments without speaking, then shakes her head in a single brief motion. "Shut it," she says quietly. "He'll be fine," she adds, as if trying to convince herself.

Niko's tone holds just a bit of humor. "Clara, the point's not whether he'll be fine, but whether or not he'd want you there--and whether or not -you- want to -be- there."

Niko hasn't shut the door, by the way.

Clara blinks up at that statement, slightly surprised, then gives the door another thoughtful look before stepping in to hug Niko briefly. "Thank you. For everything," she explains, then slips in the door.

Clara unlocks the door to room I16 and goes inside.

Clara has left.

Niko gently closes the door, then stands there for a moment, silently watching it. "No," he says softly. "Thank -you-." And then, now that his moment of watching has passed, he turns and heads for his own room, the better to plot his evil and warped revenge on Kyara and Guido. All hail Sir Galahad.

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