3/8/99

[The scene opens in Medbay.]

Clara is seated at a desk working on a chart and utterly ignoring the significant 'go home' looks from Kramer. Maybe this is because she occassionally bites back a sneeze or a cough, or is a few shades paler than usual. Maybe not. Kramer's so hard to understand, really. No, really! Hey, watch it with that lightening!

Niko pads into the room, mumbling good-naturedly about Dr. Dracula and fangs and that sort of thing. Ambling over to Clara, he observes pleasantly, "You look awful."

Clara looks up from beneath her eyelashes, realizing there's a man's waist a few yards away. This causes her to pan up with a slight amount of confusion until she realizes who it is and smirks. "Nice to see you too," she quips, amused.

Niko's waist is attached to the rest of him, yup. Leaning lightly against the edge of the desk, he has the grace to look abashed, but inquires, nonetheless, "Why don't you go home? No offense, but if you feel like you look..."

Clara sniffles slightly and rubs at her forehead, snickering. "You and your brother, I swear. I'm just waiting for the hypo I gave myself a little while ago to kick in, is all. All that's left is the symptoms, thank goodness. I'd be hiding in my quarters if I were still contagious. What can I do for you?"

Niko grins rather crookedly. "Okay, so we need to find Terrence and ask him if he harasses sick people into resting while they're waiting for hypos to kick in, neh?" With a shake of his head, he adds, "I'm here for you to play vampire, but it can wait. Not heading out til later today, depending on a couple last-minute things."

Clara lights up nearly as much as she's able, and climbs to her feet to liberate a sample hypo from a cabinet. "Are you kidding? And pass up an opportunity to play vampire? Get over here, mister. You've got blood I need." The last said in a phone Transylvanian accent, of course. "I even promise not to sneeze on you."

Niko's put-upon sigh is clearly feigned, as he looks amused as he follows. "Are you -sure- you can't use the data you've already got?" he inquires, with a grin, and a cheerful grumble about hypo-happy medics. Yes, he's joking.

Clara twirls the hypo...or tries to. The happy fun antihistimines are kicking in, and she fumbles before clamping her fingers around it and grinning maniacally as she takes the sample. "Very sure. Besides, this is just -fun-. Right?" She winks cheerfully, pulling the hypo away to check the security of the sample. "Be glad we don't use needles and syringes anymore."

Niko nods firmly to that. "I am, trust me. Those things are pretty evil. Hypos are a lot more... well kind." There's a rather ruefully amused headshake, then he inquires, "Anything more you need?"

"Take him with you so he'll stop giving me dirty looks?" Clara mock-pleads, waving the hypo at Kramer before feeding it into the computer. "He's -mean- to me," she adds with a pout, then winks. "Worse than you or Riley in trying to get me to go home."

Niko casts a considering look at Kramer, before saying slowly, "I'll have to tell Riley that. Means we both have to try harder." He calls over to Kramer, "Think maybe it'd work if I just picked her up and -carried- her home? I'm bigger than she is, after all... and that'd definitely get me points in the 'who's worst' contest."

Kramer grins lopsidedly from his own desk, pushing up his spectacles. "That'd work fine, yeah. She's being stubborn, and oooh, we're all surprised," he replies in an affable tenor, all the while syncopated by dolphinish squeaks of dismay from Clara.

Niko grins brightly at Kramer, then somehow manages to refrain from making a comment about Flipper as he turns back to Clara. "So that'd work. Would it get me kicked too many times? Once or twice I can handle--I've got sisters, after all--but it gets kind of old after a while."

Clara is by now backed up against the wall computer, eyes wide with mock-horror, although the effect is utterly ruined by a violent sneeze shielded by one hand. "You wouldn't...really? Would you?"

Niko lifts his shoulders in a too-casual shrug. "Sure. Question is, will I have to?" The whole parental manner is compounded as he unfolds his arms, which were crossed over his chest, to fumble in a pocket and locate a handkerchief, which he offers. Yes, even in this day and age, some folks still carry them.

Clara waves the handkerchief away and pulls one from her own labcoat, sniffling into it before grinning wryly. "No, you don't. I'll compromise, though? I'll go hide in my office?" This, of course, brings a rather derisive snort from Kramer.

Niko shakes his head, echoing Kramer's derisive snort. "You wouldn't rest in there," he says mildly. "Got too much stuff to keep you busy." He tucks the hanky back in the pocket, saying with utmost sincerity, "I really don't -want- to have to haul you out of here." Partly because there's likely some breach of protocol in there somewhere. Of course, he still moves a step closer.

"I outrank both of you?" Clara ventures, pretty certain that doesn't make a bit of difference, but trying one last time as she flattens against the computer, then sighs and folds her arms. "Neither of you is going to let me stay here, are you?" she decides wistfully.

Tell the lady what she's won! Why, sure, Pat! It's a beautiful, hand-crafted clue. "Nope," Niko says, coming to a halt once more, though he does hesitate fractionally at the mention of rank. Then, with a shake of his head, he adds, "C'mon, Clara. Just a little rest, then you can come back when you aren't sneezing and such. How would that make your patients feel, to be treated by someone who looks ill, herself? Wouldn't give -me- all that much faith, I have to say."

"Was gonna do research," Clara mutters, then nods with weary agreement and a grin that gets broken by a sudden cough into one hand before she buttons her lab coat. "Okay, you win. I'll even go sleep...actually, it doesn't sound like too bad of an idea." Indeed, her eyes are rather dilated and glazed. And Kramer just looks smug.

Niko looks more relieved than smug. "And eat," he adds. "There might be chicken soup or something downstairs. Maybe I can bug Riley to bring you some, once I catch him." And, of course, he moves so Clara can head towards the door, winking at Kramer as he does so.

Clara glances wistfully back at the computers, sticks her tongue out at Kramer who in turn waves a tongue depressor at her, then heads into the hallway. "Riley's beat. He's been asleep for nearly two days, off and on. Delayed systemic shock over all the crud that's been going on lately and that he's still healing. I've got some instant soup, though, which works well."

Clara heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Clara has left.

Niko pauses a beat, then just sighs. "You'd think," he mutters, "That somebody would -tell- me these things. By all that's holy..." He shakes his head, then clamps down on his grumblings. Amazing what a trip to medbay can do to someone who -used- to be in a good mood. "Have a nice day, Kramer."

You head towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Second Floor Elevator Lounge

Contents:

Clara

Obvious exits:

Elevator General Housing Library Security Maintenance Medical

You arrive from the Medical Bay.

Niko heads on to Security, his grumblings resuming, albeit quietly.

You head towards the Security Central.

Security Central

Contents:

Kyara

Tally Board

Obvious exits:

Chief's Office Brig Elevator Lounge

You arrive from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

2FLOOR> Clara turns back to say something, then pauses a beat at the newly grumbly expression. "He's okay, Niko," she reassures, then snaps up her handkerchief for another sneeze before heading towards the elevator.

2FLOOR> Or at least, she says to his retreating back. ;)

Niko, looking a bit bent out of shape about something, heads over to speak with Anya, voice carrying only to her ears. At least most of it. He gets a bit louder towards the end. "... know... doesn't want... how... -do- anything... don't -know-..."

Kyara glances up from her terminal to give Niko an absent nod, fingers pausing on the keyboard as, of course, she attempts to overhear. Then she just shakes her head with a slight look of disgust and continues typing, murmuring, "Afternoon, Nick."

Niko replies absently, listening to whatever Anya is saying to try to placate him, "Afternoon, Kya." Finally, he nods to Anya, still not looking especially thrilled, and heads back to his seat.

Kyara pauses once more after a moment to gaze thoughtfully at Niko, then she breaks into a charming smile. "Nick, what're the chances of me getting a couple of weeks off?"

Niko lifts his gaze from the paperwork, something about his manner suggesting that this really wasn't the time to ask such a question. His tone, however, is excruciatingly polite--possibly a sign that he's keeping back a snide remark or two. "I'm not really the person to ask about that, Kyara."

Kyara shrugs, fingers already busy again and her eyes on her terminal. "I wasn't asking for your approval. But you know the situation around here better than I. Just looking for input."

Niko says, very quietly, "Input? I don't believe I'm really the person to ask. Sorry."

Kyara peers around her monitor with a frown. "What's got your knickers in a twist?"

Niko's tone is starting to hold a bit of an edge. "I don't really feel like talking about it, Kyara. Just drop it, please."

Kyara sighs slightly. "Dropped," she mutters.

Niko inclines his head. "Thank you," he replies, turning his attention fully to his work.

Kyara keeps muttering to herself, though the words aren't discernable (sp?) above the stabbing of fingertips at keys.

Niko apparently ignores the muttering, as he keeps his attention on his work. He still seems a little annoyed, though.

Kyara apparently does some ignoring of her own, as the muttering doesn't stop. Misery loves company.

Tall and elderly, Albert sort of shuffles in with a general air of good-natured confusion, his hat in one hand and a briefcase in the other. He scans the room with completely unabashed curiosity, only stopping because if he kept walking, he'd fall over a desk. This would be bad. "Ah, hallo?"

Niko is still looking just a bit snarly. As Albert enters, he squints at him for a moment or two, then blinks. "Maestro?" he inquires, looking just a bit startled as he gets to his feet.

Kyara peers around her monitor to offer a professional smile. "Something we can help you with, sir?"

Albert beams at the smaller woman, eyes crinkling in years of amiable mirth and starts to ask a question before his title catches his attention. "Ja? Why...Iolytus! Lad, look at you...my, you grow like a -weed-. Okay, maybe you don't no more. But such a small galaxy!"

Niko manages not to wince at the use of his first name. "A very small galaxy," he agrees. "I get more proof of that every day, seems like. But what brings you here, sir?"

Kyara blinks, mouthing 'Iolytus?'. But she looks amused. "I take it y'all know each other, Nick?"

Albert turns a benevolent smile to Anya, then Kathlyn, then Kyara. "Pretty ladies," he comments, then shakes his head abruptly. "Er, nonono. I mean, the exalted Council. Ja, that is what brings me here. To conduct, imagine that?" He grins again at Kyara and inclines his head. "I taught his sister piano. Lovely young girl. How is she, Iolytus?"

Niko gestures towards Albert at Kyara's question. "What he said. And you're conducting, sir? No surprise to me. Only the best, after all." With a crooked grin, he adds, "And Zosima's fine. I heard her play last time I was to Hellas, and she's just brilliant. She'll be after Mom and Dad to let her visit, though, if she hears that you're here."

Kyara smiles with a nod, and seeing that Niko has the situation well in hand, goes back to her work. Albert's compliment earns a beam, and the occasional glance toward the pair might indicate she's listening despite her work.

Albert actually ducks his head and waves a hand, chuckling. "Nonono, I just try harder," he protests modestly. "And little Zosima -is- brilliant. Quite one of my most dedicated students. I would be honored to see her again. But, yes, your Council has hired me on as the Alliance Conductor." He sighs heavily. "No more traipsing about like you youngsters. Now what is this? You are...Security? Not a chemist?" Like old people everywhere, he asks all sorts of annoying questions, too.

Niko nods his agreement, with a wry little grin. Hey, at least the old gentleman didn't call him Iolytus again. "I'm Security, yes. Not a chemist. I would've had to go to school for a while longer to get the good chemistry jobs, and this seemed like a better alternative. And I'll pass on your words to Zoey, if you don't mind. I'm sure she'd be thrilled."

Albert waves a hand again, his own hands obviously that of a pianist. "Tosh. Pass them on if you must, but I only speak the truth. Now, why in the world would the people at customs tell me to come here for a room? And why does this lovely young lady call you...what, Nick? It sounds -German-," he notes in a conspiratorial whisper and a wink.

Kyara snickers quietly. "I rather like 'Iolytus'." You're doomed, Nick.

Niko casta a rather long-suffering look towards Kyara. To Albert, he says brightly. "If you like, sir, you can call me that, too. It's a..." He pauses. Considering the particular nominative, 'nickname' wouldn't quite fit. "An abbreviation, of my middle name." Shifting so he can see his screen, he adds, "And we're handling rooming assignments--or, rather, we can contact Arthur for you. He's been backed up lately, so it'll be quicker if the request comes from us."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Albert sets his briefcase on the floor and folds his arms complacently, hat peeking out from underneath one. "Aah, this would make sense. Then whatever you have available is good enough for me, ja? Have piano, will travel." He rolls the word 'Nick' over his tongue, then turns to Kyara with another face-wrinkling grin. "And what is your name, my dear?"

Kyara blinks. Somebody wants to know -her- name? "Um..." She has to think a bout that for a second, flustered, "Frondeur Kyara, sir. But everybody calls me Kya. Or 'Private' when they're mad."

Niko nods agreeably to Albert, with a quick grin, and turns to tap a request into his machine, attention shifting from the others for a few moments.

Albert is busy charming the socks off of Kya, even if she is several generations younger than he is. It's just his nature. "People call me 'Maestro' when I'm in trouble," he confides with another grin. "But I hide, and then they remember I am just Albert Kirchenbauer." With a click of the heels and a half bow, "At your service."

Morrigan arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Morrigan has arrived.

A cello walks in the door, It is carefully set down and a face appears from behind it. "Hello?" Mori says softly,'I seem to be lost'

Kyara giggles. "Very nice to meet you, sir. I'm afraid I really don't know the proper title if you don't prefer Maestro..." She trails off to regard the walking cello with amusement, and says helpfully, "You're in Security Central, on the second floor."

"A cello mit legs? Goodness, they give just anybody legs nowadays," Albert hmpfs, eyes sparkling with mirth, then winks over at Kyara. "Maestro is fine, my dear. Iolytus, lad? Have you found a spare drafty old closet I can stuff mine bones in?"

Niko finally nods as a soft chime seems to signal something. Turning back to Albert, he offers, "You'll be just upstairs, sir--hallway D, room eleven. It should be ready soon; the folks in maintenance are having a relatively slow day." He peers towards the walking cello, and blinks.

Morrigan carefully sets the Cello against a wall and emerges from behind it. She considers each person solemnly before saying, 'I have two objectives. Find my room and Maestro Albert Kirchenbauer. Could you help me with either?'

Kyara nods once. "Maestro it is." She grins at the newcomer, and points toward Albert.

Albert plucks at the feather on the hat in his hands absently, trying to look as innocent as a man in his mid-sixties gets. Which is to say, not very. He even whistles. Unfortunately it's a complicated bit of Rachmaninoff. Dead giveaway.

Morrigan colours as she turns to see him standing right there, mortified not to have recognized him, 'Maestro...I am sorry. I did not see you standing there.' Mouth shuts with an almost audible snap. before she continues, 'I am Morrigan Valdoria.'

Niko, on the other hand, starts to tap in another request. "Maintenance is gonna hate me," he mumbles. "Laundry, maintenance... I work here long enough, and everybody will hate me."

Kyara nods to Niko. "You've got a good start on that, yup."

Albert winks back at Niko. "Get old. Then nobody grumps at you no more," he assures with a reassuring smile. "If it helps, I like you even if you don't play piano no more." Turning to Morrigan, his smile warms to a true wrinkly bit of sunshine. "Miss Valdoria! Of course, your mother wrote me and said you'd be joining the orchestra. How are your parents? Good, yes?"

At the mention of her parents, Mori's face warms into a bright smile. "They are doing well. They were quite pleased to hear who was conducting the Alliance Symphony."

Niko pauses a moment at Kyara's words. "Thanks for your vote of confidence," he murmurs. Albert's words get a quick grin, and a murmured, "Sir, you'd like me less if I still played piano. Trust me."

Kyara nods amiably. "You're welcome."

Albert beams at Mori, waving his hat in a dismissive gesture. "Oh, tosh. Your father just knows I still owe him money from that poker game so many years ago. Tell him I pay up when I get rich," he decides with a snicker, then waves the hat at Niko like a baton almost. "See, because you -break- yourself, lad. Got to stop with the hang gliding and guns and girls. Okay, maybe not the girls," he amends thoughtfully.

A mixture of shock, bemusement, and genuine awe for the Maestro mix together on her face, 'My father played poker?' She asks in amazement.

Niko coughs very quietly at Albert's words, rubbing at the back of his neck. "Uh, well..." Aha. A segue! When in doubt, change the subject. He makes an attempt to catch Morrigan's attention. "Miss? You'll be on room F5 on this floor--the housing hub's just off the lounge. You might want to give maintenance some time to get it to rights, though."

Morrigan turns to Niko with a quick smile, 'Thank you very much'

Kyara chuckles quietly at Albert's words. "Girl. Singular."

Albert is far too old to be caught by a segue like that, but manages a smirk that isn't -too- terribly smug as he straightens the brim of his hat. Besides, the segue gets him out of the poker question. At Kyara's words, his brows shoot up in delight. "Just one? Ja? You finally catch one, son?"

Kyara murmurs quietly, "This one didn't run very fast."

Niko murmurs "You're welcome" to Morrigan. At Albert's words, he ducks his head. "Finally," he informs the desk. Lifting his head slowly, he says, "I believe so, yes, sir. It only took a net and a few yards of rope."

Morrigan glances between the two, then retreats to wait beside her cello.

Albert belts out an utterly delighted laugh, coming around the desk to clap Niko's arm affably. Good thing Niko's bigger than he is. "That's the way, lad. That's just it exactly." He pauses thoughtfully. "Rope, hmm? Maybe this is why I never catch one." He sighs with mock-wistfulness and returns to his briefcase.

Kyara giggles. "Nic... Iolytus, why don't you go take your lunch break, take the Maestro along, get caught up on old times. Introduce him to Ela. And show him where the rope's stored," she adds with a grin.

Niko manages not to sigh too much at Kyara's use of his first name. He'll ask her to quit later, when Albert's not there. "I could do that, I guess," he says, after a brief nod from Anya. "Though I couldn't stay too long. If that would suit, sir?" That last is, of course, to Albert. "I'm afraid the rope might have to be omitted from the tour--and Ela, as well. I think she's still in meetings."

Morrigan very carefully picks up her cello and murmers to anyone that may be listening that she will go and check on her room now.

Morrigan heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Morrigan has left.

Albert opens his mouth to make a thoroughly male-type comment about the tour ommissions, then snaps it shut again as he realizes just how many ladies are present. Instead, he clicks his heels again and proffers a faint bow to the room at large. "Food is ever appreciated." He inclines his head at Morrigan with a kindly smile as she goes, then at Kyara. "A pleasure to meet you, mein schatz. Lead on, son," he suggests to Niko.

Niko offers Kyara a pleasant farewell and gets to his feet, heading for the exit.

Kyara pauses to nod to Albert with a puzzled smile, "Likewise, I'm sure," and flips windows to bring up the language banks. After a few seconds of perusal, she chuckles softly.

You head towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Second Floor Elevator Lounge

Obvious exits:

Elevator General Housing Library Security Maintenance Medical

You arrive from the Security Central.

Albert arrives from the Security Central.

Albert has arrived.

You will now hear security.

Niko comes to a halt by the elevator. "This is where some of the more... useful bits of the Complex are," he says pleasantly, sounding somewhat like he's given this tour fairly often in the recent past. "Down that hall is general housing--your cellist friend will be staying there, as we got a message from her parents. That door is the library. Back that way is maintenance--Arthur's a good sort. And in there is medbay. Hope you won't need to visit it, though the Chief and most of the staff are quite nice."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Albert tilts his head with all the interest of a tourist, opening goggling at all the sights. "And are my quarters also down that hall?" he asks, eyeing Medbay with a bit of trepidation and making a mental note of the library's location.

Niko shakes his head, with a gesture towards the elevator. "Your quarters are upstairs. It's a little less busy there. I can show you, if you like? Did you need to get anything from your ship?"

Albert waves a hand, shaking his head affably. "My belongings are in the storage at the Spaceport. It is old habit by now, most certainly. I have someone bring them up later," he assures. "You mentioned food?" A man his age just shouldn't sound this hopeful.

Niko nods at that. "We can pretend it's food, at least. The dining facility has a pretty wide variety, though the quality's better outside of the Complex, where they're not cooking for a large number of people."

Albert plops his hat over the shininess of his folically impaired head and gestures at the elevator. "If it holds still long enough, I eat it. Lead on."

Niko decides that this is a very good time to avoid holding still. With a grin, he heads over to the elevator. "Dining facility it is. That's much quicker, at least."

[Travelspam deleted. Resumes in the atrium.]

Niko summarizes cheerfully as he heads across the atrium, "There's the rec hall. That's the spaceport--but, of course, you know that. And those two are the Grand Hall and the diplomatic offices. Lots of fun, I'm sure. And last," he adds, with a grin, "Is the dining facility."

Albert nods as he takes in each of the descriptions, then all but beams, face wrinkling impressively. "The most important room of a facility. Well, aside from the practice rooms," he allows, and starts for that lastly indicated doorway.

Niko chuckles quietly, and shifts to allow Albert to take the lead, falling in step behind him and one pace to the side. He's good at being a flunky. (We have practice rooms?)

Albert heads towards the Dining Facility.

Albert has left.

You head towards the Dining Facility.

Dining Facility

Contents:

Albert

Morrigan

Vendotron 3000

Obvious exits:

Atrium

You arrive from the Central Atrium.

Morrigan is settled at a table where she can watch out the windows. She munches her Sesame crisps with a rather thoughtful air now.

Albert pauses just inside the dining hall, both hands folding on the handle of his briefcase as he gazes at all of the vendors in awe. "So much...I must pay homage to them -all-," he vows.

Morrigan glances over at the doorway and offers a quick smile as she sees two people she recognizes.

Niko grins cheerfully at that. "There's plenty of time, sir. Plenty of time to try 'em." He returns Morrigan's smile amiably enough, then starts over to claim some food. It's mostly cream-colored, this time.

Albert nods reverently, heading towards a vendor with particularly overly aromatic foodstuffs, but does grin brightly at Morrigan on the way. Upon obtaining his tray, he inhales a deep sniff from the multicolored and lemongrassed contents. "I -like- it here," he comments upon rejoining Niko.

Niko nods agreeably. "It's a good place," he says, popping open his blue can. "Never a dull moment. Or rarely. But they're few and far between."

Morrigan sighs as she eyes her red can and slowly opens it. Waste not want not. With a rather wrinkled nose she takes a sip.

Albert doesn't have -any- cans, how 'bout that? He has *ominous music* Kool-aid. A musician can afford to be eccentric, and so he is. "Dull moments are only as dull as you let them be," he decides, stirring rice and beef together. "Miss Valdorian? You are troubled, my dear?"

Morrigan jumps at the question, then shakes her head,'I don't like this...Its too sweet. But that machine told me to drink it.' And yes, Mori always does as she is told, especially by vending machines.

Niko's brows lift. "The vending machine is a little opinionated," he says, casting a pointed glance towards the machine in question. "Y'shouldn't take it too seriously, though. It's a little full of itself." Of course, he looks very ready to duck.

Albert makes very definite inroads on his lunch after giving Morrigan a sympathetic look, then squawks in dismay at his communit as it informs him his piano is about to be reloaded on the next ship to Tau Alpha V. "Oh, -kartofeln-! Will you both excuse me?" he asks, jumping to his feet. "My piano's about to go traipsing. Without me."

Morrigan blinks in horror...She can fully understand his dismay, Only she moves her cello...which is a hastle at times.

Niko blinks, and nods. "Of course, sir. Good luck rescuing your piano."

Albert thunks his hat back on his head and scoops up his briefcase before taking off for the door at a sprint. Okay, so he's a -fast- old man.

Albert heads towards the Central Atrium.

Albert has left.

Morrigan watches him leave before an almost forlorn expression comes over her face as she sips her soda.

Niko shakes his head very slowly. "What a small world," he murmurs, before turning his attention fully to lunch.

Morrigan turns to him, gaze carefully taking in the name tag, 'Mr. Casymed...Do you know the Maestro?'

Niko looks over as he catches his name. "Hm? Oh... yes. He taught my sister. It was when she was somewhat younger, though."

Morrigan nods her head quickly, eyes warming as she makes some sort of connection...distant though it is. "He is an amazing conductor...I was very priviledged to be asked to come here."

Niko nods, taking a judicious bite or two of his pasta. "Amazing conductor. Amazing teacher, too. Zoey wouldn't be half as fantastic without him, I'll bet."

Morrigan nods her head as she makes a mental note before asking, 'Do you play an instrument?'

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko shakes his head, with a quick grin. "Nah. I tried on piano when I was little, but I was really horrible. The world is a better place, that I'm not a musician."

Morrigan oohs with a rather pitying look..poor Niko. "Perhaps the piano was just not your instrument?'

Niko shakes his head once more, with a sip of his soda. "I think," he says, with a chuckle, "That I'm just not a musician. I'd rather just listen. I've got the ear, just not the hands."

Morrigan ohhs with no small amount of relief..listening and enjoying it is almost as good as playing. She pauses before she asks politely, 'You work in Security?'

Niko nods agreeably. "Yup, sure do. Have for about eight months, now."

Morrigan tilts her head slightly,'And do you like it?' Long fingers stretch out, then move into a ball, as if she were doing some sort of exercise.

Niko mmhmms absently. "It's got its low points, but overall I do, yes. It's a pretty good job."

Morrigan indicates the town outside the window, 'And do you spend much time there?'

Niko tips a hand back and forth. "Sometimes. There are some good restaurants, and a really super bar and grill--they've got a fantastic band, there. And there's the lake out past the Steading, and some good spots for skating, as well."

That got Mori's attention, "A band? What sorts of music do they play?'

Niko starts to explain, then pauses. He tries again. No, that's not it. "Good music," he says finally. "You really have to hear it. It's not, uh, orchestral or anything," he adds. "There's guitar and drums... well, and banjo and accordion, that sort of thing."

Morrigan nods her head quickly to that, "You say they are at the bar and grill?"

Niko nods to that. "The Fruvous, yeah. It's out in the Java Quarter. You should go check it out sometime."

A delighted smile comes to Mori's face,'That sounds like a fun place to go...lots of sidewalk coffee shops?'

Niko nods once more. "Coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores..." A pause. Well, no, he shouldn't tell her about the place across from the bookstore. "It's fascinating."

Morrigan nods as she makes special note of this,'Hopefully, I will have an opportunity to visit there very soon.'

Niko grins at that. "You should. It's a fantastic place. Make sure to check out the fountain, eh?" Polishing off his food, he adds, with a grin, "Excuse me, please? I need to get back to work, especially since the Maestro is gone."

Morrigan nods her head, 'And I must get to work as well...I am working on a new piece'

Niko nods at that, with a smile. "I look forward to hearing it, if the opportunity comes." Lifting a hand in farewell, he heads for the exit.
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