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Niko comes back into the tent, though he doesn't bother to zip the flap shut behind him. "Gorgeous day out there," he murmurs, still looking ridiculously pleased with the world at large.

Elasia is currently engaged in the fine art of attempting to put on a hiking boot from a flat surface. Not perhaps the worlds simplest task. She grins up at you brightly, "It is very kind that the weather chose to cooperate with the time off acquired."

Niko starts to unzip the zipped-together sleeping bags, nodding his agreement. "I had a word with the powers that be," he confides, with a grin. "That might have helped a little."

Elasia manages to tie off her shoe at last, and sets about helping to gather the various gear together. "It certainly cannot have hurt. We shall have to do this again sometime when there is more time perhaps. Going fishing and all perhaps."

Niko looks rather pleased with that suggestion. "Fishing would be good," he agrees. "And more time would be better. But I'm glad we had what we did, even if we do have to go back."

Elasia finishes scooping up gear into a pack and attempts to swipe a kiss, not simple in the confined space. "As am I. It was a perfect evening."

Niko takes a moment to nudge rolled-up sleeping bags and packs out of the way, the better to get a little more room and return that kiss. "I'm glad you think so, hon. I... well, you said yes. I don't think it could be anything but perfect, for me."

Elasia insinuates her arms around you, squeezing you close. "You had but to ask. I've always been yours for the asking, love."

Niko leans carefully against a sleeping bag, as leaning against the tent would just be -bad-, albeit comical. "I just had to get enough sense to ask, hm?" he murmurs, with a fond smile.

Elasia chuckles softly, peering up at you with delighted amusement. "Well yes, but mother says men are made slower on the subject. But that good things come to those who wait."

Niko muffles a snicker at that. "Oh, yeah. And I'm a Security goon, which makes me naturally even slower." He claims a gentle kiss, adding softly, "I'm glad you could be patient, though."

"For you?" Elasia looks up at you a long moment, "Niko, for you I would have waited til the end of time."

Niko is silent for a moment, head ducking. He can't quite come up with anything to say, instead just holding you close. "Y'know," he manages finally, "I really am pretty amazingly lucky." After another kiss, he adds, "I love you."

Elasia seems to think being held close is more than enough of an answer. She's obviously quite pleased to be when and where she is. "I love you too, very much so. And I very much look forward to having the rest of my life to spend with you."

Niko, content to be quiet for a moment, nods. "As long as you tell your father that," he says, with a soft laugh.

Elasia breaks into cheerful laughter at that, nodding. "I'll comm my parents this evening in fact and warn him he had best be nice."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko grins broadly. "Good. Grand. I'll have to do the same, of course--thank goodness for Aunt Thalassa, or they'd have to wait for a letter to reach them."

Elasia slowly moves away, although with obvious reluctance, to once again begin gathering up things in preperation to leave. "I have to admit, there are a great many modern contrivances I would by no means mind living without, but the comm... Well, ever since I left home that first time, I have realized how gloriously useful it is."

Niko nods his agreement, shifting towards the tent flap so that he'll be mostly out of the way. Snagging the sleeping bags, he admits, "It's really annoying sometimes, that I can't contact the folks without a lot of effort. I just hope the time doesn't come when I -need- to reach them in a hurry, and can't."

Elasia finishes gathering the last of the things, setting the packs outside the tent. "Hopefully that won't come up." She clambers out of the low tent, stretching and climbing upright. "We can always hope."

Niko nods, offering you a quick grin as he starts to dismantle the tent. "There's always hope," he says brightly. "'sides, it would take something pretty major for that to be required. That's kind of unlikely, neh?"

Elasia decides to let you dismantle the tent alone, as she isn't entirely sure how to help. Instead she combs through the coals with a stick, making sure the fire is good and dead. She adds sand to the firepit. "True enough." She grins suddenly, although she does not comment further.

Niko takes his time in dismantling the tent, whether because he wants to stretch out the trip or because he's not quite sure what he's doing is rather unclear. He catches that sudden grin, however, and returns it with a quizzical one of his own. "What're you thinking?"

Elasia looks rather sheepish, "Nothing in particular, just various things that we'd want to get in touch with your parents about and all. Trying to think of a way to get information to them quickly should it be required."

Niko starts to pry the tent pegs from the ground--wouldn't Anne be pleased? "Various things?" he echoes. "And really the only way I can think of to get information to them is to call Aunt Thalassa. She lives close enough to the mainurb that she can receive comm-calls, but close enough to them that she can reach them."

Elasia watches you dismantle the tent in a pleased fashion. Just watching you is fun after all. "That seems to work then."

Niko nods, albeit distractedly. "Aha," he says, as he finally manages to get the last stay untied. "There we go. Much better. And it works, yeah. Just a little awkward is all."

Elasia nods in understanding, climbing to her feet again to assume her share of packs and packages and such. "Perhaps at some point a better way can be chosen."

Niko nods agreeably, packing up the tent and claiming his own packs. "Maybe," he says, albeit without much anticipation. "Mom and Dad are pretty set in their ways. But we can try."

Elasia nods thoughtfully, "I meant without causing them to change their own situation. I'll have to check on something though before I comment further."

Niko grins brightly as he reaches to take your hand. "Got something up your sleeve, huh? Okay, I'll try to be patient--but you know how good I am at that."

Elasia squeezes your hand, chuckling softly. "Sorry, yes I know. But I will look it up as soon as I have the opportunity."

Niko gestures towards the path to the lakeside. "No rush, love. I can wait. It's not like I'm stuck in a bed somewhere, after all." Foreshadowing? Who knows. "Y'ready to go back, then?"

Elasia nods sadly, but begins to make her way down said path. "Well no, but it is best that we do so. It's getting a bit late."

Niko nods his agreement. "Yup," he says, with a sigh. "And I'm on duty later. Ah, well. It was good while it lasted."

[Travelspam deleted. Scene resumes in Ela and Niko's room.]

Elasia sets her pack aside and heads to the fridge to acquire a soda, "Can I get you anything?"

Niko tosses his pack on the ground and starts to remove dirty clothing. Heeeeere, laundry. "Something in a blue can, maybe? I would be forever in your debt." Oh, he's feeling melodramatic, apparently.

Elasia snags a blue can for you and a green one for herself. Kicking off her shoes she pads over to offer it to you. She brushes back a long curl from her face, having not bothered to pull it back today. "Here you go." She can't help but sigh in quiet contentment again, "The world is just a lot shinier today."

Niko, finished with his laundry-torment, takes his soda with a murmured thankyou. "Y'know," he adds, with a grin, "I do believe you're right. A heck of a lot shinier." Still looking decidedly pleased, he heads over to the couch, idly thumbing on his comm-unit as he does so.

Elasia tugs her own dirty clothes from her pack, sending them after yours. She also heads to the closet to acquire clean clothes for now. "What time do you have to go in?"

Niko grimaces just a bit. "Top of the next hour--at six. So we've got a little more time, but not much."

Elasia ducks behind the screen long enough to change into less dusty clothing. She then comes to drop down beside you on the couch. "It is better than no time at all. And I had you all night to myself, I suppose I must share."

Niko leans over to claim a kiss. "I'm still yours, so I guess you're not -really- sharing. After all, I'll be coming back tonight."

Elasia has an endless supply of those kisses to be claimed, and snuggles in close. "Wonderful words to here. I'll be here like as not when you get back, considering the length of your shifts."

Niko nods his agreement. "And that'll give me something to look forward to during the shift," he says softly, giving you a gentle squeeze. "And I'll be able to tell people, too," he adds, a bright grin crossing his face.

Elasia grins at that as well, pleased that you want to tell people obviously. Then she brightens realizing she has an office full of folks to tell as well. "I must admit, that is one good thing to having to come in this evening. Getting to tell people."

Niko suggests, with a grin, "Maybe we could go out to the lobby and start yelling it, tell everybody at once." His tone is joking, but there's something about his manner that suggests he wouldn't mind doing just that.

Elasia chokes back a quiet laugh, resting her head against you. "As tempting as that is... I don't want your brother to have to book us for disturbing the peace."

Niko snickers quietly at that. "Though I guess it'd be fair--I arrested him, after all. But you're right. Besides, telling folks individually is better. Then we get to see their faces."

Elasia nods quite emphaticly at that. "That'll be half the fun, I'll tell you that for nothing."

Niko claims another kiss, with a quick grin, then sighs. "Okay," he says, remaining on the couch. "I don't want to be late to work. So I should likely get cleaned up and all. Only one problem--that means I have to move."

Elasia returns the kiss with careful gentility, but nods at the last. "Never quite easy, is it? This being comfortable, but still, sonnest done, sooner returned."

Niko nods his agreement. "And Kathlyn will give me a hard time if I come in late," he says, with a snicker. "Can't have that. So I guess I need to get moving." Of course, it's still another minute before he actually gets to his feet. "There. Movement."

Elasia can't help it, she applauds. "And Casymed does it again! He moves! And the crowd goes wild!"

Niko can't help but laugh. "Why I oughta... except that it would make me late for work. The agony!" He grins, then, tugging off his sweatshirt as he heads for the bathroom. "I'm marrying an -evil- woman," he announces brightly.

Elasia beams brightly, "Flattery will get you everywhere dear."

Niko flashes a quick grin over his shoulder. "That's what I'm counting on," he says, before going to take a very very quick shower. Talking is quicker than typing, as is evidenced by this RP.

Elasia sprawls on the couch with a chuckle, simply revelling in her current status and looking at the ring.

Niko emerges after time has passed, and heads over to the closet to claim a fresh uniform, as well as the puffin shirt to go underneath it. That was quick. "Gonna be late anyway, at this rate." Of course, he doesn't seem to mind.

Elasia watches with an amused grin, "Be careful,love. Have fun."

Niko heads over to the couch, fastening his jacket as he does so. "Lots of fun," he decides, bending down to snitch just -one- more kiss. "Love you. Tell your folks I can't wait to meet them, if you call."

Elasia attempts to make the kiss one to make sure you come back quickly. "I will, love, I will."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko would still be kissing, except for the chime. He makes a quiet ack-like sound, offering you an apologetic look. "That means I'm supposed to be there," he says, snapping up his skates as he heads for the exit. "Love you! Have a good evening."

[Travelspam deleted.]

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.

You change into the uniform clothing.

Niko lopes into the room, with a murmured apology to the Security-type he's relieving. "Evening, everybody," he adds, sounding decidedly cheerful.

Kyara is apparently very intense on her work- it takes a few moments before she looks up with a smile. "Evening, Nick." Nick, not Iolytus. "How's it going?"

Niko near-bounds over to his desk, noting to Kaycen and Kathlyn, "I'll get your stuff to you tomorrow, just want to make sure it's all in order." Kaycen nods, whereas Kathlyn just looks curious about something. After a pause, Niko finally adds, to the room at large, "She said yes." Oh, there's a grin--a grin and a half, in fact.

Kyara blinks up at Niko. "Beg pardon?"

Niko watches for a moment, but no money changes hands. Then, with a grin, he clarifies for Kyara. "Ela. I asked her last night, and she said yes."

Kyara's expression is blank for a moment, then she gasps. "You asked her to marry you?"

Niko nods, literally bouncing in his chair for a moment. "And she said -yes-." Oh, right. Like he's going to get any work done today.

Kyara grins. "That's fantastic! Congratulations. I'm very happy for both of you."

Niko grins brightly. "Thank you very much, Kya. I'm happy for us, too." And he looks it--ridiculously, nauseatingly happy. Somebody get a bucket; this is far too much sugar.

Kyara chuckles, rising to get a soda from the fridge. "So have you chosen a date yet?"

Niko shakes his head. "We haven't decided anything yet," he says. "No date, no place, nothing like that. She needs to tell her family, and I need to let mine know what she said, I think that's the first thing."

Kyara nods her agreement, settling back into her seat. "Have you told Riley yet? This'll make his day."

Niko shakes his head, though his grin suggests that he thinks it's a good idea. "No, not yet. Is he in there?" he inquires, with a gesture towards Riley's office.

Kyara shakes her head slightly, smile fading just a bit. "Haven't seen him all day."

Niko's smile fades somewhat. He glances over Anya-way. "He still, uh, under the weather?"

Kyara bites her lip. "I'm sorry, Nick. Didn't mean to rain on your parade. He, uh, wasn't looking too good yesterday though."

Niko asks Anya at a bad time, apparently. Brows lowered thoughtfully, he nods to Kyara. "No worries. I'll talk to him later, maybe, make sure everything's okay. D'you know if Clara's over her cold yet?"

Kyara blinks. "Clara's got a cold? Oh, I'm just so helpful today." She shakes her head. "I can't remember the last time I saw Clara."

Niko grins crookedly. "Well, I don't know if she's still got one. She did, last time I saw her." He ponders for a moment, then repeats, "I'll pester 'em later."

Kyara nods, tapping her the end of her pen rat-a-tat against her desktop. "Later, right. Well, the good news will be welcome, I'm sure." She looks up at Niko. "Riley's going to be okay, isn't he?"

Kadre arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Kadre has arrived.

Kadre comes striding in. "Okay, where's that Riley Person?"

Niko nods as he keys on his terminal. "Sure. Clara said he was fine." At Kadre's question, he looks up from his terminal and says affably, "I'm afraid he's not in, ma'am. Maybe I could help you?"

Kyara looks somewhat reassured, until she hears Kadre's question and looks over with a blink.

Kadre eyes Niko, as if trying to decide if he's up to the task. Deciding perhaps he is, she says, "Only if you know where my shambangits are."

Niko shakes his head. "I'm afraid we're still investigating that, ma'am." He's afraid a lot, isn't he? "We'll certainly keep you posted, though."

Kyara, seeing that Niko has the situation well in hand, turns back to her terminal.

Kadre decides not to blow up at the uniformed gentleman, but she'd really like to. Instead, she calmly says, "And your name is," she leans over to see the nametape, "Casymed? Well, perhaps you'd be a bit more on the look out for them if you realized how important shambangits are." She keeps her tone very controlled."

Kadre continues. "They are a vital part of the life support systems of many sorts of ships that come through here for repairs."

Niko's head bobs in a brief nod. "Lieutenant Casymed, yes, ma'am. And I assure you, we're doing the best we can to find your shambangits." He knew that's what they did. Really.

Kadre rocks a bit back and forth on her feet, sizing up Niko. "Well, you look intelligent enough. I'll give you four more days before I come back to, ahem, inquire again."

Kyara gives Kadre a thoughtful look, and opens a new window on her terminal, typing rapidly away at the keyboard.

Niko grins cheerfully at Kadre. "I hope we'll have good news for you, ma'am. As I said, we're doing our best. And thank you for the compliment."

Kathlyn stagewhispers, "Intelligent enough for what?"

Kadre looks askance at Kathlyn. "I'm sorry, were we talking to you?"

Kathlyn straightens, with a deceptively polite smile. "You weren't, ma'am. No need to apologize."

Kyara glances toward Kathlyn with a slight grin, happily hidden from Kadre's view by her terminal.

Kadre says, "Oh, I wasn't apologizing for me, I was apologizing for you, since you couldn't manage it yourself." She waves to Niko, "I'm glad there's one polite, considerate person here."

Kathlyn's eyes widen to an expression of apology that's just a trifle overdone. "Oh, I can apoligize for myself, ma'am." She just chose not to do that, that's all. "You shouldn't have gone to the trouble."

Kadre says, sweetly, "Well, I do what I can for the 'little' people."

Niko casts a quelling look at Kathlyn, though there's a glimmer of humor in his eyes, quickly squelched as he turns back to Kadre. "I'm glad to be of service, ma'am. And I hope we'll all be able to be of more help the next time you're here--four days, was it?"

Kyara peers around her terminal to stare in disbelief at Kadre, and quite deliberately closes that extra window, and any information about shambangits therein.

Kadre nods. "Of course."

Kathlyn just smiles for a moment, then turns back to her work. She does, after all, realize that there are limits.

Kadre heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Kadre has left.

Niko shakes his head as Kadre leaves, rubbing lightly at the back of his neck. "Well, now. That was an adventure."

Kyara just shakes her head, carefully keeping her initial comment to herself. After a moment, she notes, "Can't find the order form."

Niko inquires, exchanging a grin with Kathlyn as he turns back to his own work, "Which? The original order for the shambangits, or the work order put in when they were reported missing?"

Kyara gestures toward her terminal. "The former. It's gotta be in here somewhere."

Kaycen leans over from his own desk. "They're organized by date," he suggests, with a smile. "Check with AFEX--I think the order was put in at the beginning of the month."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Kyara murmurs something to herself, looking up at Kaycen with a sheepish smile before bending over her keyboard again. "Thanks."

Kaycen returns the smile pleasantly, turning back to his work. "No problem. You'll pick it up, just takes time."

Niko works. It's more imaginative than sleeping, but just as vague.

Kyara's fingers pause for several seconds, and she gives Kaycen a quick, odd glance before she begins typing again, murmuring, "You're probably right."

Niko leans rather precariously to snag a writing utensil, reaching for forms as well. Apparently, even the visit from Kadre couldn't dim his good humor, as he starts to whistle while he works. (Yay Disney.)

Kyara's absent question floats from behind her terminal after a few moments. "Hey Nick? We could always use more SecOffs, right? Any specialty in particular?"

Niko looks up rather quizzically, pausing in mid-whistle. "We just got three new folks. Don't think the budget'll allow for more any time soon."

Kyara mhmmms. "Wasn't thinking about any time soon. How often does the budget get allocated?"

Niko supplies, "Once a year, I think. Haven't been here quite long enough to be sure, though."

Kyara nods, key tapping pausing as she writes a brief note. "That's what I'd heard too."

Niko casts over a quick grin. "Then either it's every year or enough people think it's every year that that's what folks are saying."

Kyara chuckles, leaning back in her chair with a soft crack of stiff vertebrae. "Right. Okay, let me rephrase- in what area around here," she gestures to the hallway to indicate the Complex in general, "Are personnel most desperately needed? If it's Security, any particular specialty within Security?"

Niko's expression is rather apologetic. "Kya, I'm really not the person to ask. I'm sorry. I don't really know much about the Complex's staffing needs."

Kyara glances around her terminal with a smile. "Okay. No worries, I'll hunt down the right folks eventually."

Niko agreeably turns back to his work. "The Chief might be able to help you out with that," he suggests. "Long as he's been here..."

Kyara pauses. "Perhaps," she allows softly. "I daresay he would know what's best." Shaking her head slightly, she leans forward to start typing again.

Niko adds, as he ruffles through his papers, "Arthur's been here for a while, too. He might know, as well."

Kyara brightens visibly at that suggestion, though she doesn't look away from her terminal. "Oh, that's a capital idea!"

Niko casts over a grin. "Glad I could help, then. Spread around the good cheer, that sort of thing."

Kyara chuckles. "Can't have enough of that precious commodity."

Niko nods his agreement to that. "Ought to figure out how to bottle it. Folks'd make a fortune, with that."

Kyara grins, looking up with twinkling eyes. "Oh, they know how to bottle it. It's called butterscotch cologne."

That gets a delighted cackle from Kathlyn, and a sheepish grin from Niko. Of course, he's blushing, too. "Well... it's definitely key to happiness, yeah," Niko agrees.

Kyara giggles. "Oh, I can't wait to hear all the plans. You will invite me to the wedding, won't you, Nick? That'd make my century."

Niko mumbles something about butterscotch cakes, expression thoughtful, then nods. "Oh, of course, Kya. I'm not sure where it's going to be, but you're invited, of course."

Kyara beams, trying not to drool at the thought of butterscotch cakes. "That's grand. Do... Hellans is the correct term?... do they use engagement rings?""

Niko supplies, "Hellenics, though I never liked the word. That 'ic' at the end. And we do, yeah," he adds, with a bright grin.

Kyara sighs blissfully. "What's her ring like? Heaven only knows when I'll get to see Ela again."

Niko pauses for a moment, at a loss as to how to describe it. "Uh, it's gold and blue," he says finally. "One of those neat star sapphires." That part's helpful, at least. "See, it belonged to my grandmother. That's another tradition."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Kyara's eyes widen slightly. "Oh, that sounds beautiful! Suits her coloring perfectly too. This is just too romantic."

Niko nahs softly. "No such thing. Not for Ela." His smile is fond, and his expression starts to get a little absent, but a lobbed wadded-up paper ball from Kathlyn gets his attention back to his work.

Kyara chuckles softly. "Lucky girl." She, too, dives back into paperwork, realizing she's being slack.

Niko shrugs rather deprecatingly as he taps an inquiry into his monitor. He doesn't comment, though, as he doesn't want to send everybody in Security lunging for buckets.

Several moments go by before Kya utters a triumphant "Aha' and redoubles her efforts at the keyboard.

The aha catches Niko's attention, and he looks up with a quizzical grin, but doesn't ask.

Kyara feels the gaze, and looks up with a grin. "Found the order form."

Niko grins cheerfully. "Congratulations."

Kyara snickers. "Now if I can just find those bloody shambangits..."

Niko mock-shudders. "We'd better hope they're -not- bloody," he teases gently.

Kyara rolls her eyes, snickering. "Yes, contamination would be bad. Then they'd have to be reordered, and go through this all over again."

Niko nods his agreement. "Not to mention that the Vidrian diplomat would likely be... displeased."

Kyara grimaces slightly. "Why's the Ambassador involved with this shipment anyhow?"

Niko shakes his head. "I'm, uh, not quite sure. They come from Vidar, maybe?"

Kyara nods absently, fingers moving rapidly over the keyboard. "Yes, apparently... that's odd." She leans forward to peer at her screen with a frown.

Niko mms? absently, as he's already involved in work of his own.

Kyara takes a split second to gesture toward her terminal. "There's a report in here from Supply... apparently somebody was trying to bribe one of their clerks into letting some medical equipment disappear. Shambangits are twenty-sixth on the list of items they were trying to get."

Niko lifts his gaze, apparently puzzled. "Thought shambangits were engine whoosiewhatsits." You know. The technical term.

Kyara nods slightly. "They are. They help run medical equipment. Very small, very tuned, and very expensive."

Niko ahs quietly, and nods.

Kyara hmmms softly, and dives into a flurry of typing. Those poor fingers.

Riley arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Riley has arrived.

Riley comes padding in, he's whistling and obviously in an exceptionally good mood. Perhaps he's been annoying laundry, as his uniform is rather rumpled, although miracle of miracles it almost fits. He offers an amiable wave.

Niko bites back on a yawn just as Riley comes into the room, glancing over his shoulder to offer him a cheerful grin. "Hiya, boss. You're looking chipper."

Kyara glances up, offering a bit of smile and a brief wave before she goes back to typing, though said typing continues at a slower rate. "Evening. You're looking better."

Riley glances at Kyara in an appraising glance a moment but simply nods. "Doesn't last long thankfully." He nods to Niko, "It's been a good day, if a tricky one. I discovered today how poorly languages translate."

Niko suddenly and visibly remembers his good day--though his is, of course, a carryover from yesterday--as is evident in his bright grin. "Good days are good," he decides, showing his utter brilliance. "But... translating? Thought that was Corian's department."

Kyara looks up curiously- despite working vigorously, she apparently heard every word. Thankfully, Niko asked the question for her.

Riley chuckles quietly, rummaging through his pile of messages. "Perhaps I should have enlisted her help on this endeavor, my language skills were certainly not up to the task. I -think- however it would have been somewhat innapropriate to have my sister find the words for me in this instance. And all turned out well."

Niko pauses a moment at Riley's phrasing, but grins nonetheless. He's good at that. "Glad it turned out well, then. That's generally a good thing, too."

Kyara just looks more curious, but doesn't ask. "Nick," she smiles without looking away from her terminal, "Didn't you have something to tell him?"

Riley frowns at one message, then turns it sideways and looks more enlightened. Kyara's words cause him to look up, "To tell me?"

Niko opts for casual this time. Tackling his grin so it's only a really excessively pleased smile, he inquires of Riley, "How'd you like another sister?"

Kyara chuckles very quietly.

Now see if this were anybody else, Riley would probably comprehend Niko's meaning right off. But as messed up as his family tree, bush, tumbleweed, kudzu vine is, he just pauses a moment. "Did you find one in baggage claim or something?"

Niko bites back a snicker, and decides to be kind. "No, see, she's not actually your sister -yet-. Soon, though, maybe--I guess it depends on when we get married." Before Riley starts getting really messed up ideas, he adds, "Ela, of course. She said yes." And then the grin returns in full force. He really is disgustingly happy about all this.

Kyara just beams happily at the whole notion, keeping one eye on Riley to watch his reaction.

Thankfully Riley does clue in quite quickly to this, and doesn't think Niko's trying to abduct folks for incestuous relationships. His grin is quite broad as well, and he makes a sound not at all unlike 'Waahooo'. Does this make him scary? "Ge'shada cha'leket!" There's a pause and he corrects quickly, it's nice to use languages people know after all, "Congratulations! That's wonderful news indeed."

At least Riley didn't say 'Gaia'. That, in fact, -would- have made him scary. Niko does look decidedly grateful for the translation, as he didn't follow the original statements. "Thanks," he replies, the grin coming perilously close to splitting his face. (Just a little peril.) "I think it's pretty super, yes."

Kyara gives Niko a grateful smile- what she's grateful for she isn't saying- and turns back to her typing.

Riley just looks altogether thrilled, he does so love good news. "How wonderful indeed. Have you decided yet whether or not the wedding will be here or on Hellas?"

Niko shakes his head, with a vague gesture upwards. "We haven't really decided anything yet, though I'm going to root for a butterscotch cake."

Kyara chuckles, surreptitiously casting a measuring look in Riley's direction. "Darnit, Nick, you're making me drool."

Riley does not manage to stifle a laugh at that. "If you do, we'll have to make sure you get well smeared with it."

Niko casts an apologetic look towards Kyara. "I've still got that butterscotch stuff that Anya gave me, if you'd like some." Riley's words draw a quick grin, and a brief lifting of those bushy brows. "Well, if you really think so, Riley..." Ooh. Ow. Twist that arm a little harder.

Kyara pauses to look up with an apologetic blink. "No, I was just teasing you, Nick. I'm sorry."

Riley chuckles still further, "Somehow I doubt you'll find a lack of people willing to attack you with cake Nick. Especially for a good cause."

Niko ahs at Kyara's words, expression a bit sheepish. "No worries, I'm just kind of literal today, I guess." He snickers at Riley's words, but only until he sees Kathlyn's sudden and feral grin. "Uhoh," he mumbles.

Kyara smiles a bit in response to Niko, nodding, then ducks behind her terminal to type, the better to cover the snicker engendered by Kathlyn's expression.

Riley catches Kathlyn's grin as well, and echoes it with one of his own, rapidly quelled. He scoops up mail, "Sadly I must go hide in my office a while and pretend to work while I actually plan the penguin domination of the universe."

Niko shakes his head. "Trouble," he mutters, "With a capital T and that rhymes with C and that stands for cake. Ah, well. Ela'll like it, at least." He glances up again and lifts a hand in farewell to Riley. "Sure, boss. Let me know if you need anything, eh?"

Kyara pauses to mumbles softly as the Chief passes by. She mutters to Riley, "... that matter... you..." The penguin remark earns a chuckle. "I can just see it now- tuxedos, the new Security uniform."

Riley nods to Niko with an amiable grin, "Know how to hijack the penguin hostages from Medbay?" He regards Kyara a moment and shakes his head. "Not this evening."

Niko considers that for a moment. "Give me a couple days. I'll work on it."

Kyara nods an acknowledgement. "At your convenience, of course."

Riley offers another amiable wave, ducking into his office.

Riley walks towards the Chief Addison's Office.

Riley has left.

Kyara glances toward her chrono, sends a thoughtful look toward the hallway, and shakes her head. Lacing her fingers together to pop all the knuckles with a *crack*, she goes back to typing.

Niko makes the most entertaining noise at the cracking sound, somewhere between 'ack' and 'ouch', and ending with, "Kyaaa!" No, he didn't like that at all. Kathlyn snickers.

Kyara cringes, giving Niko a bewildered look. "What? What'd I do?"

Niko now looks decidedly abashed. "Sorry. I shouldn't have... ack, but the -popping-. Doesn't that hurt?"

Kyara ohs softly, and shakes her head. "No, they hurt if I don't do it. But I'll refrain."

Niko grimaces just a bit. "Well, no, you don't have to do that. Just, if you'd warn me first?"

Kyara nods, but her expression might indicate that she's about as likely to crack her knuckles in Niko's presence again as she is to drink turpentine. "Sure thing, Nick." She pushes her chair back, tossing her empty soda can into the disposal, and crosses to the fridge again.

Niko, as he's turned back to his work, doesn't see either the nod or the expression. "Super, thanks. It just really grates on my nerves, that's all."

Kyara gives Niko a curious look. "It does? How come? It's just bubbles popping in the fluid around the joints..."

Niko grimaces. "Yeah, but the sound. It just cuts right through me."

Shan offers, "It sounds like bones breaking after all."

Kyara makes a small sound of curious acknowledgement to both. "Maybe it's the higher class of folks here. Ah well." Tap-tap-tappity-tap.

Niko's grimace deepens briefly at the mention of breaking bones. Yup. That was it. At Kyara's words, he blinks. "Higher class?" he echoes. After all, he's from a fishing village on a planet just to the left of the back end of nowhere.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Shan's a thodelm, and errm, a'nadelm? He doesn't comment. He is upper class.

Kyara gestures absently, absorbed in what she's doing. "Compared to, say, smugglers and bounty hunters."

Niko ahs quietly at Kyara's words. "Well... yeah. I guess so."

Kyara continues, just as absently, "Although I'm not sure about the bounty hunter type, actually. They're legal, after all. They just hang out in bad places."

Niko takes up his work once more, murmuring a vague agreement to Kyara. Then his pencil pauses and he notes, with all apparent randomness, "Those are some really nifty sleeping bags you've got, Kath."

Kathlyn blinks for a moment, then says slowly, "Thanks, Nick. Glad you liked them."

Shan's ears do not perk up, no, really they don't. He's all innocence.

Kyara glances up at the apparently random comment with a blink.

Niko continues casually, "Y'ought to check them out, Shan. Really spiffy things, those sleeping bags." He taps absently at his terminal. "High-quality."

Kyara's eyes narrow somewhat.

Now Shan looks confused, blinking over at Niko. "Sleeping bags?"

Kathlyn looks rather puzzled, too, peering between Niko and Shan. "You a fan of sleeping bags?" she asks Shan.

Niko just nods, glancing up briefly, all innocence. "Handy things to have on a camping trip, those sleeping bags."

Shan can't help but murmur, "Depends who's in them..."

Kyara snickers softly at Shan.

Niko casts a quick grin at Shan. "Y'know, I've noticed that they get better with certain people in 'em, too."

Kathlyn peers between the men for a moment. "Well... yes. Of course."

Shan seems somewhat confused, but does note, "I'm not likely to need to borrown Lady Kathlyn's sleeping bags unless she would also do me the kindness of borrowing -her- you see."

Niko manages not to grin too obviously. It helps that he's watching his monitor.

Kathlyn gives Shan a briefly skeptical look, then shakes her head, a grin replacing the skepticism. "Flatterer," she murmurs.

Kyara almost sprays soda at Shan's remark.

"Not flattery, but honest appreciation of the good lady," Shan protests quietly, although he chuckles quietly.

Niko snags a napkin and offers it to Kyara. Just in case.

Kyara does take the napkin, only to blow her nose into it, thus clearing soda from her nasal passages. "Thanks," she croaks out.

Kathlyn moves to take up a stack of papers, incidentally passing closer to Shan as she does so. "Of course, Shan," she says, with a grin that holds a hint of coquetry. "But it still flatters."

Niko nods to Kyara. "No problem," he murmurs, not watching Shan and Kathlyn but listening very intently.

Hello and welcome to Shan-torture 101. He blinks a couple of times before finding his track of tomfoolery, "As it please your ladyship, so shall I endeavor." Okay, so maybe it sounds a little too sincere to come off right.

Kathlyn pauses near Shan's seat, blue eyes intent on him for a moment. She regards him thoughtfully, then starts the merest headshake. Nah. He couldn't be serious. When in doubt, hold up work as a screen. She holds the paper so he can see, inquiring, "Are these yours? They were in my mailbox."

Niko snags some of his own paperwork. Busy, busy. One can almost hear Flight of the Bumblebee playing.

Shan's own eyes rather widen. Ooh, wow, the pretty lady's -right there-. Okay, breathing, remember to breathe. He shakes his head however, "I am afraid not m'lady, I wish I could lay claim to them, but I am unable."

Kyara peers curiously at Niko. She mutters to Niko.

You sense Kyara peers curiously at Niko. "What was all that about?"

Niko grins brightly. He mutters to Kyara, "Hey,..."

Kyara senses "Niko grins brightly. "Hey, just sharing the happiness.""

Kathlyn must notice the widening of Shan's eyes, as she peers at him in apparent concern, resting a hand lightly on his shoulder. "You all right? It's okay that they're not yours," she adds, with a grin. "I'll find who belongs to them."

Kyara chuckles softly, turning back to her work. "Generous, very generous."

Okay this is just -cruel-. But then has anybody ever known Kathlyn to be anything but? With her hand on his shoulder, Shan is switched about from being an exceedingly coherant and loquacious individual to a gibbering nitwit. "Uh, uh, fine, yeah fine." Melt, melt, do -not- drool, whatever happens Shan, be good, don't drool. "I uh, I could help?"

Kathlyn peers at Shan for a moment, then shifts her gaze to her hand. That hand is lifted carefully from his shoulder--maybe there's some sort of coherency off-switch that she accidentally hit. "Sure. Sure, that'd be great. I'd really appreciate the help."

Niko murmurs to Kyara, "I try." He flickers a look at the pair, then looks a bit smug. Tappity tap. Buzz buzz buzz.

Awww, the hand went away. Amazingly enough however, it does spawn coherancy in everybody's favorite white haired SecOff. "A quest for my lady? This I would gladly undertake, simply set me upon it."

Kyara is staring at Shan and Kathlyn in utter fascination, though she does nod at Niko's words.

Kathlyn just looks thrilled for a moment. It -was- a button. She can literally push this man's buttons. Like a child with a toy, she absently rests her hand on that shoulder again, giving it a light squeeze into the bargain. "Well, no, you said you'd help." There's a brief pause. "That kind of implies that it's something we'd do together, neh?"

And he's back to gibbering. Well, at least Shan is predictable, "Yeah, um together, yeah, uh, that's good. As in not bad, I can help, honest."

Niko peers at his own shoulder for a moment, and stifles a snicker. He mutters to himself, "... get Ela... try..."

Kathlyn chuckles quietly, unable to resist ruffling Shan's hair. Maybe there's something about Security guys that requires that. "Relax," she suggests, with a smile. "The papers aren't that important." And then she winks, moving to go back to her own spot.

Aww, she keeps waving the carrot and then snatching it away. But Shan is obediant, "You do not require my services then?"

Kyara mumbles something, very quietly thank goodness, as she glances toward Shan with a chuckle.

Kathlyn is, in fact, evil. "No, I do," she says cheerfully. "I'm just about to get off-shift, that's all." There's a brief pause, then she inquires casually, "How much longer are you on, Shan?"

Niko is still studiously ignoring the pair, though he does turn to offer Kyara a cheerful grin.

Eeeek! Screeching halt, alarm bells dinging. Shan, you are in -trouble-. Funny, he doesn't seem to mind trouble in the least. It's only a little peril, right? "Uh, at eleven, whenever that is."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Kathlyn waits until the chime sounds, then tells Shan, as she tucks away her work, "Now. Looks like we're both off, then. How convenient." She smiles, though with somewhat less teeth than she used at the mention of smearing Niko with cake.

Aaaaaaack! Fear Shan! Run Shan! But Shan doesn't, instead he blinks at the chime and climbs to his feet, gesturing to the door. "After you m'lady?"

Kathlyn does just that, offering a cheerful farewell to the room at large, then heading out to the hallway.

Shan pads along afterwards, like a puppy on a leash. He doesn't look displeased however.

Riley walks here from the Chief Addison's Office.

Riley has arrived.

Riley must have noted the chime as well, considering the timing of that, yes? He pads out just as the others leave.

Niko peers after the pair. "Doomed," he pronounces, though he grins broadly. "Doomed, doomed, the poor guy. Oh... hiya, Riley. Shan's doomed." Isn't he helpful?

Riley blinks several times at Niko's pronouncement, pausing before the door. "Doomed? Does he need rescue?"

Kyara just shakes her head in amazement. "Suppose they'll get together perman..." She trails off, grinning. "Depends on your point of view."

Niko gets to his feet to file completed paperwork in various in- and out-boxes. "I think he'd be annoyed if you rescued him. See, he just went off with Kath."

Riley grins at that, laughing quietly. "He's doomed, but I'll lay you odds he's not going to complain a whit. Perhaps he'll stop pining now. The lovesick impromptu poetry wore on the nerves."

Kyara aws, "It was neat to listen to."

Niko looks just a bit sheepish at the mention of poetry, but doesn't comment. "Long as Kath doesn't do anything evil to him. That would be bad."

Riley does pause a moment at that, nodding. "I do hope not, that would be...unpleasant certainly. Still, Kath's mischievious, but not really -cruel- per se."

Kyara nods slightly in agreement with Riley with a quiet "What he said."

Niko mumbles something about cake and cruel, unusual punishments, though his grin betrays him. "Well. I guess we'll find out, maybe."

Riley offers a wave, tucking some mail into the outgoing box. "I'll be back in a bit, y'all behave."

Kyara waves, sitting back in her chair to give her terminal a contemplative look.

Niko nods agreeably. "Sure, have fun." He snags some more paperwork, whistling as he starts on it.

Riley heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Riley has left.

Kyara glances after Riley, looking bemused.

Niko catches the bemused look and lifts his shoulders in a brief shrug. "Yeah, likely one of us peons should take the mail downstairs. Whatever floats his boat."

Kyara looks over with a blink, and shakes her head with a slight smile. "No, that's not what I was thinking, though I definitely agree."

Niko inquires curiously, "What were you thinking, then, if I can ask?"

Kyara ducks behind her terminal, feeling the heat rising to her face. "Merely that behaving is easier than I thought it'd be." Taptaptappitytaptappitytap.

Niko pauses a beat at that. "Good," he says finally. "Behaving is good, especially if it's relatively easy."

Kyara mhmmms. Like she's going to disagree? "So far, so good. The rough patches haven't been dealt with yet."

Niko offers an encouraging, if confused, grin. "Uh, good? Congratulations? Keep up the good work, I guess."

Kyara smiles slightly. "I wasn't asking for congratulations, but thank you," she says sincerely.

Niko nods agreeably, still quietly puzzled. "You're welcome, of course."

Kyara peeks around her terminal, and chuckles. "Sorry, Nick, just been doing a lot of self-examination lately."

Niko shakes his head. "Y'don't have to apologize," he says, cheerfully enough. "Not necessary at all. After all, your life's yours, and not mine, which is why they call it 'yours'." He pauses a beat, attempting to backtrack on his words and see if they make sense. With a shake of his head, he mumbles something about sleep.

Kyara blinks a few times. "Now I /know/ you're brothers."

Oh, look. Now Niko's confused again. "Huh?" (Type "help" for help.)

Kyara just smiles, explaining, "Riley said something along the same lines yesterday."

Niko ohs and says helpfully, "See, I think that still falls under that whole 'yours' category. Not Riley's, either. Neat, huh?"

Kyara grins. "Well, yes, but..." She shakes her head with a chuckle. "It was just odd hearing it twice... no, three times... in two days."

Niko heads back over to shelve more paperwork. "Odd. Well, that sums us up, too, I guess." He peers at his chrono. "Hm. Not yet."

Kyara glances up a bit more. "Hmmm? Not yet for what?"

Niko looks a bit sheepish. "Til I get to go home. Sorry, it's rude, but I'm really ready to sleep."

Kyara ahs, nodding. "Yes, tis rather late for you, isn't it?"

Niko tips a hand back and forth. "Not too bad. I just need to catch up on some sleep, that's all."

Kyara mhmmms. "I should do the same at some point, but I don't want to stop now."

Niko also has Ela to go home to, an extra bonus. "Just make sure you don't let it pile up, eh? Sleep has a tendency of sneaking up on you and smacking you in the back of the head, if you're not careful."

Kyara nods. "It's only been one night I haven't slept.I'll be fine."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko starts to say something, then grins brightly at the bell. "Quittin' time," he says cheerfully. "Don't stay up too late, okay, Kya?"

Kyara nods with a smile. "I won't. Do enjoy your rest."

Niko pauses at the door. "No worries about that. I will." He lifts a hand in farewell, then heads out to the lounge, whistling. Isn't he obnoxious when he's that happy?


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