8/8/99

Conley arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Conley has arrived.

Niko is, yes, working. Seeing as how he's at work, this shouldn't be a surprising thing. Whatever it is, he's intent enough on his terminal that he doesn't even notice the random general-type's entrance, which is probably not the best of things. But, hey. It's probably an RY-47. Those are fun forms.

A somewhat elderly man, fairly short, ambles into Security, glancing around with rather mild interest and looking pretty innocuous. If you can ignor the five stars on his collar, that is. But he -does- seem like a nice enough fellow, despite the dress uniform. His eyes light upon one young man, and he utters a soft 'Ahhh' before heading over to stop before his desk. "Evening, son."

Considering who the last person was who called Niko 'son,' it's probably no surprise that a hint of irritation crosses his face. That hint, though, disappears as he turns and, yes, spots the stars. He doesn't quite scramble as he gets to his feet, but it's definitely not a graceful thing. With a crisp salute, he says, "Good evening, sir. Can I help you?"

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Conley returns the salute just as crispy, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Simmer down, lad. You sure as tootin' can. The names's Conley, and I'm here on a little whim of an inspection. Some little bird tells me there's some problems here. Your commander about?"

You communicated "Riley? General Conley's here, asking for you. Uh, you might want to warn Clara, while you're at it? I would, but, well, he'd notice." to Riley.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "Hwuh, agh, be right down. I'll tell Clara, yeah. Ack, thanks."

Niko inclines his head in a brief nod, now maybe wishing that he'd gotten that haircut. It's not -quite- too long, but it's close. "Yessir, he is. I'm sure he'll be here in just a moment."

Riley arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Riley has arrived.

Conley nods affably enough, folding his arms and glancing around again amiably. "Aleron said you folks have a pretty nice setup around here. She wasn't joking. I appreciate this, son. Nice of you," he adds, then tilts his head at the taller man walking in.

And right on cue Riley comes striding in. Okay, so he pelted down the stairs and through the hall, but he stopped right outside the door so hopefully it won't be too obvious he just ran said distance. He's even managed a uniform, although let's hope he doesn't have to take the jacket off, one does not normally wear flannel under said jacket. A neat salute is aoffered, although the gesture is somewhat at odds with his sleepless demeanor. "Evening, General. How can we help you?"

Conley straightens with an affably nod, returning the salute crisply before leaning back against the front of Niko's desk again. "Evening, Admiral. Thanks for coming. I hear we have a little problem in your CMO's Medbay?" Yes, he's straight to the point. "Want to tell me what's going on?"

Niko edges along the side of the desk until he's at a diagonal from Conley, yes, putting space between himself and the general. He listens, yes, formidable brows quirked with a hint of puzzlement, though he doesn't ask.

Oh dear, talk about being screwed seven ways to Sunday. Riley either has to lie to a five-star general, or he has to do something vastly detrimental to Clara's commission. Talk about a conflict of interests. There's a decided wince, but Riley just shakes his head. "Something of a mess, yes. But then chaos around here is nothing new."

Conley glances at Niko thoughtfully, eyes flickering first at rank, then an nametape. "Casymed? Hmm..." he merely says, then nods slowly at Riley. "So I hear, son, so I hear. In fact, I hear our girl is being about as stubborn as she gets...and so are you Security folks," he adds, quirking a brow with deceiving mildness and taking in the rest of whatever officers are about.

Kathlyn looks innocent. Then again, at least as far as -this- issue goes, she is.

It's a first! Mark the occasion! :)

Riley likes the word 'son' about as much as Niko does, but he's more or less used to it by now and manages not to sigh, or glower, or generally look unpleased. "I think that's a fair assessment, sir," he agrees, adding a wry grin. "About the only way to get sent here is for being intractable, so stubborness is something we have in pletitude."

Niko's gaze shifts down to his nametape as well. Yes, that's what it says. He looks vaguely guilty at the mention of stubbornness, but does pause a beat at that particular term for Clara. She's not -his- girl, no way, no how.

The elderly general's expression goes rather serious for a moment. "There are times, men, that stubbornness does -not- become an officer. Do I make myself understood?" he notes with quiet seriousness. "Major Aleron was not in the Medical Bay. Someone get her up here," he adds. "Now."

1. 2. 3. 4. ... 10. Riley is quiet a moment, counting so as not to give free rein to his infamous tendancy to comment. This dirtgrubbing groundpounder has come into -his- command and speaks like that? Conley is lucky Addison doesn't show him the door with a boot. His words are quiet and completely without accent or tone. "She doesn't work around the clock. I'm certain if she's commed, she'll come."

Niko murmurs a quiet "Yessir" to Conley, but his brows take a quick climb at Riley's manner. Yes, he knows the danger signs.

Conley's brows lift at the silence, and the merest hint of a smile quirks for just an instance. Yes, his entire sternness is an act, and one calculated to get folks to move. "I realize she doesn't, Admiral. I'm the one who told her to stay put when the two of you went on vacation." He flashes an approving nod at Niko, then. "But I very much would like to speak with all of you that are delinquent on your physicals. And perform them all. Tonight."

Riley says "Clara? Could you come up to Security? Conley is insisting on your presence." into his communit.

Riley's communit crackles to life and announces "... I... Just... on a uniform..." in Clara's voice.

Riley doesn't seem particularly mollified. In fact anyone knowing him can tell he's just a hair to the left of a storming fury. -Technically-, Conley has no right to order him to do anything. However, politeness and a currently unstable political climate urge politeness. Still, this continued phrasing of things in a fashion other than as a request is not improving Riley's mood one whit. "If arrangements can be made."

Niko casts a brief, vaguely worried look at Riley before rearranging his features to calm politeness. He edges around to stand behind Riley, now, and slightly to his side. Yay solidarity. He doesn't fold his arms over his chest and say 'yeah,' though. He's too short for that.

"If...arrangements can be made." Conley stares up at the taller man for a long moment, then merely nods calmly. "I see. Well, I suppose you have a point. I have no real control over you yourself, Admiral. Simply over my own medical personnel...and your entire Medbay." A that point, Clara comes bursting in in uniform, gulping in air as if she'd run quite a distance. "General Conley!"

Clara arrives from the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Clara has arrived.

Okay, that mollifies Riley. A little. He's still a very tall man in a towering fury however. That temper is being carefully restrained however, as he knows in his exceedingly tired state he might go more than a little overboard. "And with y..." He trails off as Clara enters, offering her a nod.

Niko offers Clara a brief smile as she arrives, one that should inspire baa-ing from wooly critters. He stays in that spot near Riley, though, quietly listening to the others.

Conley seems utterly undaunted though. At his age and rank, he's seen it all, given his profession. "Major, just discussing you, young lady. Why don't you come over and join these two hotheads that seem just as stubborn as my informant suggested..."

Clara winces significantly, but comes up to stand beside the men, returning the nod stoically. "General, I can explain..."

You communicated "Riley, maybe we should just go along with it. If he's going to get Clara to do it... well, and I already told Ela I'd do it. I was going to nag Clara about it after work." to Riley.

Riley appears to calm. Which is to say he's even more angry than before. The green hilights in his eyes glitter, the only sign of how downright offended he is. He's Navy, and used to Navy protocol and politeness, and is most assuredly not used to having that run over with by a 'mere' groundpounding dirtgrubber general with a tendency towards condescending remarks. He doesn't say a word however.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "Oh I've no intention of not going along with it, but this is the rudest SOB I've run into in a long time."

You communicated "Well, yes. Calling random people you don't know -son-, with all the other stuff... but he could make life difficult for Clara..." to Riley.

Niko keeps his peace as well. He's quiet, he's watching. Yes, Niko listens.

Your ear receiver beeps, followed by Riley's voice, "Which is the only reason I haven't informed him where he can stuff those stars of his."

"Save it for later, Aleron," Conley replies mildly, starting to pace slowly like an elderly drill instructor. He does give Riley an almost amused glance, then shakes his head and resumes pacing, then stops between Riley and Niko. "I'd prefer not to discuss this in front of your men, gentlemen," he notes in an undertone that's -far- more affable than before. "Would you care to adjourn to Medbay?"

You communicated "Ooh, and they're -pointy-, too." to Riley.

Clara merely stiffens to attention. Ouch. She's probably seeing mental images of gold leaves flying off into the sunset.

Every amused glance just offends Riley more. The indignity he will suffer for Clara...He nods politely, and his words lack even the hint of inflection. "Seems as reasonable a place as any."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko inclines his head in a brief nod, with another quiet, "Yessir." He's good at saying that, isn't he?

Kathlyn looks vaguely disappointed. She was looking forward to having Conley discuss this in front of the... men, yes.

Conley merely nods and stalks off towards Medbay, obviously knowing the way. Hey, isn't that where the bikers are?

[Snip to medbay.]

Quietly doing paperwork in between patients, Julie glances up with a distracted smile, blinks, and pops to her feet and to attention so fast one might think somebody'd shot her in the rear with foam disks without warning. Surrounded by other subordinates who outrank her, she doesn't salute, but she does risk a nervous questioning glance toward Clara.

Conley walks straight to the center of Medbay, gives the entire room an appraising glance, then points at Julie. "You, stay. Everyone else, out." Clara murmurs a quiet agreement, nodding the other personnel out except for Julie. "All right, folks. Let's talk. My sources say the three of you have been acting in manners stubborn enough to attract my attention. It's attracted." He faces Riley, unamused now. "You, Admiral, and I are at a stalemate. You can't do a thing to me, and I can't touch you. But know now, I'm asking you to take your yearly annual. You, major. You -will- take your annual, and I will administer it. Casymed? How do you feel about this?"

Niko's brows quirk fractionally. "About you performing Major Aleron's physical, sir?" he inquires, a hint of honest puzzlement in his voice. "I'm sure you're more than qualified to do so, of course, sir."

"I'm more than willing to submit to medical examination," Riley notes in a quiet tone. "I have explained quite simply the circumstances under which I would do so, and they are being met. I can't order Clara to do anything medically, so protests have to be placed in whichever fashion I can manage. You would be amazed sir, how often people will do things quite willingly without being given dubious orders." Okay, so maybe that wasn't appropriate, but Riley's still furious.

Conley blinks at the young man for a moment, then grins slightly. "Not what I meant, but you're absolutely right. I meant, how do you feel about being stubborn enough that the head of Fleet Medical is here to do your annual." Clara is simply blanching significantly. Conely peers up at Riley with lifted brows. "Excellent, Admiral. And I'll thank you to watch your tone, if you please. I'm well aware you're as mad as a wet hen, and I'm no spring chicken traipsing through flowers either. What I want to know is....What the hell were you three thinking!" This last is yelled, yes.

Julie blinks, and stays put, not fidgeting -too- much, until Conley yells, which is when she cringes. It may not be aimed at her, but when a five-star general yells...

"And I would ask the same. You may possess years, but you are standing in my command." Riley isn't even remotely fazed by being yelled at. He may be a young one, but he is an Admiral, and any rank Conley may hold over him is courtesy title alone. "And I have already explained my intentions."

Niko starts to answer Conley's question, but, no, the man's yelling, yelling is bad. He doesn't quite wince, but he does straighten his posture such that one might wonder just where the steel rod is. (Shut up, Rhee.) He is, yes, most definitely fazed, though he's trying not to show it. He doesn't elaborate on his thought process, but does answer that first question, "It's not a good thing, sir, no offense intended."

Clara is still standing at attention, about as pale as she gets, but finally composed. "General, please, let's just get this over with?"

Conley simply nods slowly at Riley, folding his arms. "You have, at that. And I appreciate your intentions, Admiral. Next time though, son...-call- me and tell me she's being stubborn?" He gives Clara a grimace that extends to Niko. "Doctor, pull all their charts please," he calls to Julie. "Gentlemen, I ask you now, and I ask politely. Would you please consent to your annual exams this evening so I can go home to my wife?" The yelling is gone.

Julie nods once to the general with a soft "Aye, sir," giving the trio an apologetic look as she turns to unlock the file cabinet. One, two, three files are withdrawn in seconds before the cabinet is relocked with a *click*.

"Sir, I'm afraid that would be..." Riley has to pause a minute to search for the words. He knows what he wants to say in Kashidian, but he can't find it in standard. "There's a word for this, but not in this language. Umm, it lacks appropriateness? It is spanking a baby with a hand grenade?" Okay, he's making less sense now and he realizes it. "It is not done to resort to outside measures without first attempting to rectify the situation myself. These are my people, and hence my responsibility. It is ... less than beneficial to tattle so to speak unless that remains my only option." He no longer sounds furious, he's having too much trouble with the language to be annoyed. "And yes, I've said yes."

Niko nods his agreement to Riley's words. Yep, he definitely agrees with Riley on this one, and it's not just loyalty to a fellow Naval officer. Conley gets a nod as welld, though, and he says, "Of course I will, sir." He catches the apologetic look at Julie and doesn't -quite- smile at her, no, not in this particular situation, but he doesn't look bothered.

Conley offers the correct term in Kashidian, finally looking amused again, but in a rather kind, grandfatherly way. "That the one you wanted? The Great Conlini knows all, sees all." He frowns at Riley then, brows beatling. "Thank you all. Now, who's going first? Admiral? You look like you got dragged in by a horse, to be honest. You been sleeping all right? Casymed...recently married, yes? I won't ask if you've been sleeping." he adds, holding a hand out for the charts.

Clara's quiet at this, but dang it's difficult.

Julie stifles a snicker as she glides across the room to hand over the charts, eyes twinkling for Conley's comment to Niko. "Perhaps 'overkill' is the word you're looking for, Admiral," she murmurs.

Riley nods to the term, "Close enough for hand grenades and horse shoes." He grins ruefully at Julie, "It is similar, but it is in relation to personal duty owed to those who owe impersonal duty." Kashidian is one of those weird languages apparently. "And sleeping I have done a great deal of, yes." He gestures with a head nod to Niko. "Nick, go first? So I can cower like a cockroach a while longer?"

Niko's brows jerk upwards at Conley's knowledge of the term, but he says only, rather smoothly, "If a year can be termed recently, then yes, sir, it's recent. It looks like I'm going first then," he adds, with an amiable nod to Riley. He casts a brief smile to Clara.

Clara merely scoots over to stand somewhat in front of Riley, noting up calmly, "You're -not- a cockroach. You're too tall," she adds solemnly, then returns Niko's smile wanly.

Conley nods thoughtfully, a slight grin quirking at the Major's words. "She has a point, Addison. All right, Casymed, come with me," he notes, heading for a biobed. "Doctor? Will you get me the materials needed, please?" he asks, opening the chart to peer, then cough. "What -haven't- you broken, young man?"

Riley takes a couple of steps back to sink onto one of the evil chairs, weight leaned forward on elbows planted on knees. He's tired. He was asleep. This is where he can resume being out of it a bit.

Niko follows along behind Conley. Apparently he's gotten this question before, as he replies smoothly, "The little bones in my ears, sir, and the smallest finger on my left hand."

Clara follows after Riley to take a seat beside him, one hand unabashedly slipping over to rest on his shoulder with a vastly apologetic murmur.

Conley nods thankfully at Julie and starts the actions of the exam, which we all know by now. Looks like he knows how to play vampire too. "Mm-hmm. Quite the thrill-seeker. I take it Mrs. Casymed knows about all this?"

Julie nods, quietly gathering various items on a tray resting on a wheeled cart, which is pushed to a spot reachable by Conley, She mutters to Niko, "... Tuel, I... thought -he'd- come..." before she steps back with a nod to Riley. "Of course, sir."

You sense Julie nods, quietly gathering various items on a tray resting on a wheeled cart, which is pushed to a spot reachable by Conley, "Sorry about all this. Tuel, I never thought -he'd- come here!" before she steps back with a nod to Riley. "Of course, sir."

Niko casts a brief grin after Julie, a hint of rather wry agreement in his expression. He nods to Conley, then. "She does, yessir." And if his tone is maybe a little bland, hey, that's to be expected. The exam is one thing, talking about his personal life is quiet another.

Riley shakes his head slightly at the murmur, although he's a bit too out of it to comment further.

Conley merely nods at the bland tone, giving the various instrumental readout serious consideration, muttering to himself, and making notes. "Good enough, then. Meant to send a note of congratulations, as the Major told me about the wedding." He pauses to consider the readout from the vampire sample. "Son, you are as healthy as a horse. I pronounce you fit for duty. Next year, let one of the ladies do this, hmm?"

Niko perhaps doesn't seem to think it politic to mention that health in horses is relative, just as health in humans is relative. He just nods and snlides down from the bioscan. "Of course, sir."

Julie's mouth quirks, but her opinion that next year will be just as much of a pain isn't vocalized. She casts a questioning look toward Conley then the two remaining victims. Patients.

Clara glances at Julie to hand back Niko's chart with a mutter of thanks, then turns back to the others. "Who's next?" he asks rather kindly. "Casymed, if you'd like to stay and keep the waiting victim company, you're welcome to," he adds.

Clara glances at Riley stoically. "Up to you, Riley."

Riley is by no means unwilling to be evil in this case, "Cowering cockroach, that's me. Your turn, love."

Julie mutters, "That's one very big cockroach," as she offers Conley Clara's chart.

Niko inclines his head to Conley, with a murmured, "Thank you, sir." He makes his way over to the seat on Riley's other side--there's one there, his player has decided--and folds himself to a seat.

Clara's gaze falls for a moment, then she rises to her feet to cross over more like someone headed to be forced to watch Barney over and over. She tosses her labcoat aside and the curtain slides shut. It's been a long, long time. Conley takes the chart with a nod, then gestures. "I'll need you in here for this, doctor." He heads into the curtain, and everything is fairly quiet aside from much murmuring, for quite some time.

Riley just sits and waits. He's four kinds of out of it with cheese.

So Clara gets the curtain, but Niko doesn't. Hmph. Talk about offended. If he's thinking that, though, he's not verbalizing any of it. He's just sitting quietly, not watching the curtain, just sitting. Niko sits.

Julie ducks behind the curtain, not -quite- triumphant in her demeanor.

Niko didn't have to take off all of his clothing? Clara gets the paper gown of doom. But time passes, as time does, and finally Conley's voice can be heard saying, "Go ahead and refile her chart? Make a note to keep an eye on that..." There's more murmuring before the curtain opens and a rather wide-eyed Clara emerges, taking deep breaths. "Your turn," she notes to Riley absently, and drops into a seat by Niko.

Julie wanders out from behind the curtain, glancing only once or twice surreptitiously at Clara as she scribbles quickly on her fellow doctor's chart, which is soon locked quite firmly away.

Riley offers Clara a concerned glance, but hauls himself to his feet and trudges over to hop up on the edge of the bioscan. He knows the drill all too well. He remains commentless however.

Niko, yes, lifts his brows somewhat at those last bits that he heard. "Hey, y'got it over with, at least," he murmurs to Clara. He doesn't ask, though, maybe figuring that he's not going to be told, whatever it is.

Conley wastes no time in vampirising poor Riley and feeding said blood sample where it belongs while glancing through the veryvery thick chart. "You're one lucky man," he comments thoughtfully. "How've you been feeling lately?"

Clara casts a faintly stunned smile at Niko and nods slowly, finally finding her voice. "Not discharged," she murmurs with vast relief.

"Yeah," Riley agrees with Conley's words, although the bemusement in his expression might imply he's thinking of something other than his ability to survive. "Tired a lot." He's into short answers.

Julie murmurs, "Not especially surprising. Budget time."

Niko casts a brief grin to Clara. "Not discharged is good," he offers amiably. Niko Casymed, Master of the Obvious. He gets to wear tights and a cape. (re)

Conley goes through the exam methodically, but it's a normal physical, and he nods at various points, makes a few notes, then flips closed the folder. "I'm hearing some interesting things in your breathing, but nothing to be too worried about for right now. I'm going to have the Major and Dr...er, Foster here keep an eye on you. And Admiral? Thank you."

Clara attempts to elbow Niko lightly in the arm, just on general purposes, adding a grin into the equation, then turns a somewhat troubled gaze to Conley's diagnosis. You can be mental notes are being made.

Riley slides down from the biobed, adjusting his collar. He offers the other man an amiable nod, "You're welcome sir. Thank you for making it quick and painless." He pauses, "Don't we get lollipops though?" Yes, he's in a better mood, if apparently tired.

Niko lets his arm get elbowed, but, it may be noted, rubs it and casts a mock-pathetic look at her. Poor guy, everybody's always picking on him. At Riley's words, though, he perks up. Lollipops. He likes those. He murmurs to Clara, "I've heard rumors of chocolate ice cream, too."

Julie reaches for Riley's chart, the better to return it to the cabinet along with Niko's. "I think we've some raspberry ones left. The ones with that chocolate stuff inside."

Conley lifts a hand, having to grin at that, and heads over to have a quiet word with Julie, pretty much whispering. Clara just looks dubious. She's still watching Riley and entirely unconvinced. Besides, they're going to steal -her- ice cream?

Riley can't help but perk up a bit at the mention of the word chocolate. Besides, he's tired and shabby and isn't he pathetic and in -need- of chocolate? Really, he must be.

Niko casts a decidedly pleased look after Julie. Yeah, he'll keep this one, and Terrence can hear rumors of Julie plying him with chocolate and raspberry and stuff. "Chocolate's a good thing."

Julie's eyebrows rise at the general's quiet comments, and she chuckles. "With this batch, that's wise, sir, yes." She gives Niko a grin as she glides across the bay to dig into Conley's medical bag. "Chocolate, Niko? You'd really rather have the lollipops?"

Conley leans against the biobed with decided amusement, shaking his head. "You lot...I swear. I got the missus to bake up a batch of brownies," he explains, glancing at Julie digging through his medical bag. "Next time, you three come to Regulus and make me brownies. Except you, Major," he adds. "You're not touching my kitchen."

Clara just looks sheepish, ducking her head with a grin. "Yessir. No baking."

Riley does -not- snicker, though he does perk up even further at the mention of brownies, almost pathetically pleased despite the fact he's tempted to fall asleep standing. "Oooh, see brownies, now that's just a wonderful thing."

Niko casts a speculative look towards the bag. "Brownies are better than lollipops," he decides. With a hint of a grin to Conley, he suggests, "Maybe some of my wife's brownies, instead, sir? I'm not much of a cook, but Ela's are just amazing."

Julie produces the aforementioned brownies with a grin, bringing the package over to the trio. "Here ya go. No taking off my hand in your eagerness."

Riley accepts a brownie, careful not to ravage Julie or anything. He takes a careful bite and looks terribly thrilled. Chocolate. Okay, maybe he can forgive this man after all.

"Deal, Casymed, you've got yourself a deal. Mildred'll be tickled not to have to bake for once," Conley notes with an avuncular grin, and reaches for a brownie as well.

Not ravaging Julie is good, since Clara would probably sniffle a little, but instead, she gets up to claim a brownie as well, smirking at the men. "Men and chocolate. Is this all I had to offer?"

"It's a start," Julie grins, setting the package aside for further chocolate-ravaging.

"Yes," Riley answers between blissful bites. He quickly makes it through said brownie and then acks softly as his comm unit goes off. "If y'all would forgive me, I'm afraid the Chairman would like a moment's word with me, which means I get to sit there for two hours and listen to him ramble about his kids because he can't ever remember to stay on subject."

Niko doesn't ravage Julie, either. Then he'd really be in the doghouse. He munches on a brownie, then casts a decidedly sympathetic look to Riley. "Have fun, Chief."

Julie gestures toward the brownies. "Take a few for the road, Admiral?"

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Clara gives the others a sheepish glance, and heads over to stand on her toes to smooch Riley on the cheek. "Good luck," she offers. "And take more brownies, you need them," she adds.

Conley waves a hand, heading over to his medical bag as well. "Good luck, Addison. I'll likely be on my way back to Regulus within the hour, so it was nice to meet you." He glances back with faint exasperation. "And will you all -please- take care of each other?"

Riley grins at the kiss and agreeably filches one more brownie before making for the door.

Riley heads towards the Second Floor Elevator Lounge.

Riley has left.

Julie's mouth quirks as she takes a stance leaning back against her desk with folded arms. "And -let- each other take care of each other," she murmurs.

Niko doesn't argue. He knows better than that. He just manages that bite of brownie, with a nod. "Yessir, of course." He leans over to murmur something to Clara, then.

You whisper "Hey, can I steal you at some point? I don't know what the General's plans are, so vagueness and all is fine, just at some point soon." to Clara.

Clara grins at Julie sheepishly and nods, then nods at Conley. "Yessir, General. You're still and evil old man," she adds affably. "Don't you forget it, Aleron," Conley agrees, repacking his medbag and slinging it over one shoulder, then extends a hand to Julie. "Dr. Foster? A pleasure to work with you, miss. Thanks for your assistance. Keep this lot in line, will you?" Clara merely half-smiles and leans in to return Niko's murmur.

Clara whispers "I'm stealable, certainly. Riley's likely to be busy for -hours-. Did you want to go somewhere particular? Is everything okay?"

Julie smiles politely, reaching to briefly shake the general's hand. "A pleasure watching you work, sir. Sorry you had to come all the way out here to provide me the opportunity." Her mouth quirks in amusement. "I'll try, sir."

"Fine, fine," Niko murmurs to Clara. "And wherever's good, I'm not picky." He casts an innocent look towards Julie, then. None of this was -his- fault. Really.

"Yes, well, it's always nice to have a reason to visit, even if one of the other doctors had to call," Conley notes with a -look- back at Clara and Niko. "Major, you know what you have to do. Casymed? Keep up the good work, and don't be stubborn. Dr. Foster, good luck, young lady. If you'll all excuse me now? I have a shuttle to catch," he explains, and heads for the door.

Clara actually offers the general a warm smile and nods. "I'll see you next time I'm on Regulus, sir. Pleasant flight, and my best to Mrs. Conley." She nods then at Niko, thinking.

Julie inlines her head to Conley, casting a curious look at Niko and Clara as she turns to slide behind her desk again. Paperwork, always paperwork.

Clara whispers "Um...I'd say either mine and Riley's apartment or my office then? Whichever is better for you."

Niko nods amiably to Conley, albeit with a faintly wry smile. "Enjoy your trip, sir."

You whisper "Maybe upstairs, if you don't mind? That's less far I have to go after, see, and I'm inherently lazy, after all. Shouldn't take long, though." to Clara.

Clara exhales a definite sigh of relief as the General leaves, rubbing at her face. "That man always scares the daylights out of me," she admits sheepishly, then heads over to squeeze Julie's shoulder. "Thanks, Julie. I appreciate you doing all this, and staying calm. Good work. I'm...gonna go home and rest for a bit. I might be back later, okay?"

Julie chuckles. "He seems quite friendly... for the most part. Not a guy to mess with though." She looks up at Clara with a nod and a smile. "Thank you. Home and rest is good. And a nice warm home-cooked meal."

Niko gets to his feet, brushing off the last of the brownie crumbs from his pants. "Not as good as Ela's," he murmurs, mostly to himself. "Ooh, food's always good. I'll walk you up, Clara? I'm due that way anyway." See? That was casual.

"Food...oh, -that's- a goodness," Clara murmurs with almost fervent agreement. "I still have leftover lasagna, too. Thanks again, Julie. YOu're the best," she notes with a genuine smile, then nods at Niko affably. "Sure. I can catch you if you fall down the stairs," she teases, heading for the door.

Julie arches an amused eyebrow at the pair. "Have fun, folks."

Niko rolls his eyes as he follows Clara. "No more falling down the stairs," he mumbles. "Have a good night, eh, Julie?"

[Travelspam deleted.]

Room Z13

The dominant feature of the room is all the built in shelving. Wherever the walls are not taken up with furniture, a door, or a window, there are shelves. Shelves wrap their way around the cooking unit, over and around the room's four doors, to either side of the massive sleeping unit set into the wall, and above and beside the picture window. Beneath the window, which overlooks the Pavilion below, is a scooped window seat, fully long enough for an Edreeni to stretch out on. The ceiling has been painted a soft sky blue and marked with brushed white, almost like a swirl of clouds, providing some light to the darkness of the shelves. The carpeting is a rich blue to compliment the ceiling's shade. A rather long and battered couch and massive coffee table take up a chunk of the empty space and face the comm unit and flatscreen. A large table serves dual purpose as a dining area and a desk.

One door leads out into the hall, another into a white tiled bathroom, a third into the closet, and a fourth into a small side room. (+view is available)

Contents:

Clara

Obvious exits:

Music Room Out

Clara tosses her keys on the table with a deep sigh, rubbing at her face lightly before instantly collapsing into a kitchen chair. "Thank the saints that's over," she mutters, shivering slightly, then peers up from her hands. "Grab a seat? Want something to drink?"

"That was scary," Niko says conversationally, folding himself into a chair. "Nah, s'okay, no drinks are necessary. 'specially not if it'd involve getting up again." He peers around the room, then observes, "You're going to have to get somebody in here to put in some shelving, y'know."

Clara glances around affably, but climbs to her feet anyway, laughing and unpinning her hair as she heads for the kitchen. "I know we do, I know. I keep meaning to ask Arthur for more, that's for sure." She rummages for a glass of iced tea, then tugs out a blue can and tilts it at you. "You're sure?"

Niko considers for a moment, then grins faintly, "Well, since you've already got it and all. It wouldn't be efficient to put it away."

Clara returns to the table to set the can down by you, then drops back into her own seat with her tea and resumes unpinning her hair. "No problems. We don't keep much of that up here, but some...just in case."

Niko takes the can with a murmured thankyou, and pops the tab. He sips, and then there's a quiet sigh. "Better, much better." He regards you for a moment, then says, without preamble, "I'm sorry about being so horrible to you the other night, Clara. It really wasn't fair, and I shouldn't have done it."

Clara doesn't respond until all the pins are removed and set to one side on the table, and she pulls the various annoyed curls down. After a sip of tea, she nods once. "I was stubborn too, Niko. We...we all made mistakes. I should have at least explained my reasons to you."

"Still," Niko says, with a brief grin, "I still shouldn't have been so obnoxious. I'm reliably informed that it's one of my stronger gifts, when I bother to use it." He's not a mindspeaker, though. "And I thought I should let you know that everything's pretty okay with Ela and me, now."

Clara would collapse with relief were she not sitting down. As it is, she slumps slightly, gulping in a breath and nodding slowly. "Good. Very, very good," she replies rather quietly, trying to contain the sudden shock of relief in her voice. "I...felt -so- awful. I never meant...I never told her..."

Niko lifts his shoulders in a brief shrug, lightly passing the soda can between his hands, complete with the shuff of aluminum on table-surface. "It doesn't really matter who told her, but I'm glad you didn't. And none of it was your fault, anyway," he adds, with a crooked little grin. "I handled it badly, and being stubborn about this was just kind of the last straw for her." He pauses a moment, then says, smile fading a bit, "She was talking about going back to Hellas, Clara. And I don't know that I've ever, -ever- been more scared."

Clara folds her own arms to rest on the table, taking a moment to regain her composure again as she nods slowly. "You handled it badly, yes. So did I. Tell Ela...tell her I'm sorry?" She snaps her gaze up at this news, grimacing. "Oh, Niko...oh, no. I was so busy feeling sorry for myself that Riley walked out...I never thought...She's not, is she?"

Niko shakes his head. "She's not," he replies. "I grovelled a lot, and basically said I'd do whatever she wants. She's got a point, too. I've been doing some really stupid things." He pauses a beat, then. "Riley walked out?"

Clara nods absently, lifting a hand to rest her forehead on, curls draping down to hide said hand. "Just so long as the two of you make it through this. If you want to come in for marriage counseling...I'm available. But I think you're going to be fine," she offers, then flickers a look up. "Yeah. You weren't the only one being stupid, trust me."

Niko can't help it, and reaches out to tweak one of those curls. It spoke to him, and said, 'Master of the Obvious, tweak me!' Really. He's hearing little voices. "Well, hey," he says, with a faint grin, "As long as we're all being stupid together... and, yeah, I think Ela'll be fine, as long as I -stop- being stupid. That won't be too bad, as long as I can deal with having folks poke fun at me. And I can, for Ela."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Clara can't help but grin slightly at the curl tweaking, wrinkling her nose. If Niko's hearing voices, she's not going to argue with them. "Maybe you and I oughta keep check on each other to make sure we're usually thinking straight? Besides, somehow I think you could do anything, if it were for Ela. That's...beyond admirable. I wish I had your drive."

Niko looks just a bit puzzled by this. "But I love her," he says simply. "She's everything to me. And she said something about going -away-, and that just can't happen. 'sides, not skating down stairs, stuff like that, it's not that much to ask." With a quirked grin, he adds, "Checking's good, though. Not that there's anything wrong with thinking roundabout, but straight thinking's a good thing, too, yeah."

Clara shakes her head with a slightly bemused smile. "I love Riley, but there are some things..." She sighs, then shrugs. "You're not skating down stairs anymore?" Clara straightens at this and drains another measure of tea. "That's the second best news all day!" She pauses, then tentatively, "Niko? Can I ask you a question?"

Niko confirms, after taking a swig of the soda, "I'm not skating down stairs any more, nor doing anything else that hints at having a deathwish. You can send a thankyou card to Ela, for that." There's a pause, and then he nods amiably. "Sure, shoot." There's a pause, and he glances at his tangler. "Uh, ask away."

Clara can't help but laugh at that, shaking her head, curls bobbing in opposition. "I'm not going to steal your gun, don't worry. I've got one on me already." She pauses, then corrects, "Er, just a ethological darter, though. Perfectly legal," she adds with a grin, then sobers. "Is Riley...has he said anything about me? See...I'm worried, Niko. Really worried."

"Ethological darter," Niko murmurs. Yes, he's taking mental notes. His brows quirk at that. "Nope, he hasn't, sorry, Clara." The ever-mobile brows take a faintly downward glide, then. "Worried? Can I ask about what, or will that get me ethologically darted?"

Clara shakes her head in slight amusement and reaches inside her uniform coat to remove a rather tiny pistol to offer it over. "It shoots tranquilizers. Completley harmless, but will stop most sentient creatures. I've got rifles that do the same in Medbay," she explains, then wraps her hands about her tea and stares at the liquid. "I...I'm not sure, Niko. It's either he's tired of me, or there's something wrong. He...sleeps. All the time. If he's not at work, he's asleep. Conley said he's fine..."

Niko makes off a warding gesture, vaguely amused, then takes the pistol and investigates it, careful not to shoot. Offering it back, he looks thoughtful. "Maybe he's just tired? I don't know, Clara, I'm not a doctor. But if the General says he's fine... well, he's not head Fleet Medical for nothing. He knows what he's doing. Riley's got to be fine, then. Could just be tired, I don't know. This is a stressful job, after all. Isn't sleep a reaction to stress? Or am I just pulling things out of nowhere?"

Clara accepts the darter back and carefully tucks it away again, shrugging and looking somewhat disturbed. "I don't know? Conley didn't examine him fully, but...I'll lay odds I get a message soon with a full report. He's like that. Stress, yeah, it makes folks tired." She rubs at her eyes lightly, then shrugs. "Maybe that's just it. I suppose...I won't worry."

Niko snorts very quietly. "Sure you won't," he replies, with just the faintest hint of rather gentle irony. "That's not something you can control, Clara. Even I know that much. Just talk to the General, see what he has to say, then go from there, maybe? One step at a time, that sort of thing."

"Sure," Clara agrees with a slow nod, then chuckles, lifting a hand. "You know me too well, my friend. I will indeed worry. I'll try not to, though. And..." She takes a sip of her tea, then looks wry. "If it turns out he really is tired of the partnership, can I come raid Ela for lots of chocolate?" she asks lightly, as if teasing.

Niko does not -even- comment as to what the phrase 'raid Ela' inspires in his player. That like a panty raid? Instead, he nods slowly, brows inclining with equal lack of speed. "Uh, sure? I don't think that's it, though, if you want my opinion. I mean, I don't know anything at all about thos a'trezla thing--" And, yes, that word sounds decidedly weird with his still-present Hellenic accent. "--but I didn't think that you -could- get tired of each other. Maybe--and I know this is kind of simplistic, but I'm a guy so that's required--maybe he's just tired tired." You know, that repetition does make such a difference.

Clara trails a finger along the rim of her glass, smile picking up a hint of utter fondness at the word and the accent. "You say that neat," she comments, then glances up, still smiling slightly. "To my knowledge, you're right. We're linked for life, without much choice. -Not- that I'm complaining," she adds with brow quirk of amusement. "I'm sorry, Niko...I shouldn't have brought this up," she explains, leaning back in the chair with a sigh. "Just...Kyara's gone, I don't trust Tara -quite- this much yet...anyway. I'm sorry."

Niko shakes his head quickly, with a bob of his
almost-too-long-for-regs-but-not-quite-there curls. "No, no, it's fine. I mean, I'm not very good at providing solutions and all, but I can listen, at least. Listening's fine, and I've got two shoulders that work perfectly well." Despite the fact that they've been broken, yeah. He pauses a moment, then grins faintly. "Met Tara's kid the other day. Isn't there a law against a kid being that cute?" Yes, it's an awkward segue, but it's there, nonetheless.

Clara sets the glass aside to lean across the table and squeeze one of the said shoulder, smiling gratefully with eyes going suspiciously damp. "Thanks, Niko. I think I'm grateful it didn't work for us. You're one of the best friends I have." She hides a sniffle in another sip of tea, then peers up with quirked brows and a grin. "Greer? She's adorable. Sends my biological clock hammering," she admits with a laugh.

Niko reaches up to cover your hand with his own, squeezing lightly. "Hey, we're friends, right? This is the sort of things friends do. It's in the dictionary, I looked it up the other day." With a nod, he adds, "And if we were together, then you wouldn't have Riley and I wouldn't have Ela. It worked out pretty nicely for all of us." No, he doesn't quite catch that sniffle, he's too busy grinning at the mention of the kidlet. "Greer, that's the one, yeah. She had poor Tim in cuffs, and went after everybody with my disc gun. Poor Tim. She let him out, though. I'm just glad -I- don't have a biological clock. Hrm, maybe if Ela meets her, though..."

Clara exhales a definite sigh of relief, then chuckles, flipping her hand up to return the hand squeeze companionably. "Exactly. You need Ela, and I need Riley like air or water." Her words aren't exactly sappy, but rather matter of fact. "In -cuffs-?" This gets Clara laughing, leaning back in her chair. "Oh, no. Oh, that's -wonderful-. I'm so, so glad to hear that. She's made such progress," she explains with utterly delighted relief before tilting her head. "If Ela? Uh-oh...sounds like someone wants to be a daddy."

Niko confirms, with a grin, "In cuffs. It was hysterical." His brows quirk a bit at the mention of progress, but he doesn't ask, instead nodding amiably. "Of course I do, Clara. I always have. I don't think it's the right time yet, but maybe sometime before a whole -lot- longer, I don't know..." With a grin, he adds, "Got more pictures of the kidlets back home, if you want to torture your biological clock some more. I still can't believe the twins are -four-."

Clara holds up her hands almost in surrender, a look of comical dismay on her face. "Niko, what are you trying to -do- to me?" she asks, laughing. "You and Riley are both -awful-. He offered to let me have a baby, evil man." Actually he offered to get her pregnant, which is slightly a different emphasis. "Amazing, isn't it? Children grow like weeds, I think. Or flowers."

Niko lifts his shoulders with a hint of a shrug. "So have a baby?" he suggests. He grins, then. "'course, you'd have to work less, then, maybe even--I know, this is terrifying--maybe -eight- hours a day." He grins roguishly, then suggests, probably in jest, "I'll do it if you will?"

Clara gasps in faux shock, then laughs almost sadly and shakes her head. "I don't know. I just don't know. Sometimes I want to, and then sometimes I think...would it be fair to the child? Parents not married, father subject to occassional assassination attempts..." She pauses at the offer, then quirks a grin back impishly. "Somehow I think you get the easier end out of that deal."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

"The kid would have two loving parents, though," he suggests. "But, hey, it's your decision. Honestly, I'd have to do a lot of thinking before I helped bring a new life into the world, myself," he adds, voice turning a bit serious. "I mean, I don't know that I could do what Anya did, and move permanently to just deskwork. But -would- anything less be fair? It's a problem, that's for sure. And, hey, parents being married isn't that big a deal. My biological ones weren't, yours weren't, Riley's weren't, and we're all pretty neat people, if I do say so myself."

"I think...yes. We'd both love a child very, very much," Clara agrees thoughtfully, eyes going somewhat distant before she ducks her head. "I don't have an option of a desk job, but mine's about as tame as Anya's. I could make it work...I just don't know if they'd ever pin stars on me then." She grins back up, shaking her head. "YOu have a point. We are nifty people. And utterly modest," she teases.

Niko replies, with a grin, "I lost the modesty with the armor. They're both overrated. Realism's more fun." He rakes a hand through his hair, sending it into disarray. "It's something to consider, anyway." He eyes his chrono, then, and grimaces. "Actually, I should probably get home to Ela." And, yes, there's a bit of a goofy grin. She let him out of the doghouse. He's very happy.

Clara leans across the table again to set the hair to further disarray, grinning. "I -do- wish you guys didn't have to keep your hair short," she notes cheerfully, then gets up to come around the table and attempt a hug. "Before you go," she says, to explain the action. "Thank you. Thank you a lot." She steps back then, grinning. "Go smooch your wife, Casymed. Tell her I said hi."

Niko, yes, does return the hug. Hugs're good, even if he lifts his eyes a little skywards at the hair-ruffling. He looks over as Riley enters, not the least bit bothered by the timing of this entrance. (Hey, maybe Terrence was right, yeah!) "I wish we didn't have to keep our hair short, too," he says to Clara, with a grin. "Oh, hey, Riley. How horrible was the meeting thing?"

Clara already had to explain to Tara the truth...but hey, rumors are fun! She glances back at the door, expression lightening for a moment into a truly thrilled smile before pulling back in to something more controlled as she heads over to reach up and plant another kiss on Riley's cheek. "Welcome back, love. How're the Chairman's children?"

Riley lets himself in quietly, offering a tired wave. Noting that there's another occupant of the room besides Clara he offers a sheepish smile, "Guess I should have knocked. Want me to skeedle back out?" He holds up a hand in a so-so gesture. "Not too awful, just tedious." He brightens at the kiss, grinning sleepily. "They're getting rollerblades. Fear."

Niko wrinkles his nose. "No, you shouldn't have knocked. You live here, I don't. Matter of fact, I was just going to go find Ela. I've been instructed to smooch her, see," he adds, with a gesture towards Clara. "Rollerblades are good, though," he adds, with a grin. "You'll get to meet them all, then, Clara."

Clara folds her arms over her chest, tilting her head with a faint smirk. "Precisely what he said. You live here, silly. Your home too, remember?" She nods at Niko then with a warm smile. "You have been indeed. Wife smooching is a definite good thing. As are roller-...ack. More adorable children," she mutters with a dramatic sigh. "Niko, you are evil."

Riley can't help but lift his brows and grin wryly, "Ooh, I bet -that- will be hard to manage," his tone is softly teasing. "I have faith in you Nick, that somehow, someway, you can go upstairs and kiss your lovely wife. It's a tricky task, but you're a brave man." He nods amiably, "Sorry, I guess the brain's fried a bit. And I don't know about -adorable-. I've met them. Trust me, these are not going to cause your clock to tick. -Spoiled- brats."

Niko takes a step back and bows to Clara. No, it's not a hand-over-the-heart Edreeni bow, it's a little more florid than that. "Very evil," he says cheerfully. "I try." He nods at Riley, then, expression serious, but eyes twinkling. "Yeah. Very frightening thing, kissing the most beautiful woman in the world--no offense, Clara. I'm biased. I'd better go get it over with, though." He starts around for the door. "Have a good night, guys. And, hey, maybe the scary kids will make your clock tick backwards or something, Clara."

"Biased is good, biased is helpful. Goodnight, Niko, and give Ela my best," Clara offers with a laugh after ruffling his hair mid-bow. "Ticking backwards would be great. Just don't show me pictures. Now go kiss your wife, mister. And sleep well," she suggests, edging a little closer to Riley.

Riley can't help but laugh softly, even as he attempts to slip his arm around Clara as if to indicate he doesn't exactly agree with Niko. But then he's biased too. "Night Nick, sleep well. It'll likely be chaotic in the morning."

"Kiss my wife, sleep with my wife. Gotcha." Niko doesn't -quite- waggle his brows, but he does start for the door, pausing a hint at the mention of chaos. "Thanks for the warning, Riley. I'll be sure to get a good night's sleep, then." And with that, and a lifted hand, he heads for the exit.

[Travelspam deleted.]

Elasia is curled in her pajamas on the couch with Scutter. A file folder's in her lap, apparently she's been reading work junk. At your entrance she turns to smile over at you, "Evening, love."

Niko looks rather cheerful as he bounds lightly into the room. "Hi, I have to kiss you, now," he informs you, coming over to the couch. "Hope you don't mind, but I do."

Elasia can't help but laugh at that, sounding in fact rather delighted. "Oh gee, what a difficult thing. Of course I don't mind being kissed....by you. Any reason?"

Niko first comes over to claim said kiss, and it's not just a run-by peck of a smooch. "Clara told me to," he replies, folding himself to a seat next to you. "Sorry I'm so late," he adds. "I, uh, got that annual taken care of, and then wanted to apologize to Clara for being obnoxious to her the other day."

Elasia is more than willing to hand out complicated and involved kisses. She curls up alongside you, resting her head against your shoulder. She seems terribly pleased indeed, "The annual done? That's great love. Did it come out well?" There's a brief nod, "Apologies are always good."

"I am," Niko says, "To quote the good doctor, healthy as a horse. It was all just fine, yep." There's a pause. Maybe you'll find out anyway, better from him. "It was kind of disconcerting to have the head of Fleet Medical taking care of it. He handed out brownies after, though, which was nice, even if they weren't even remotely as good as yours."

"The head of Fleet Medical?" Elasia's brows lift all the way into her hairline and she shifts so she can peer at you. "Oh -my-. That does indeed sound like an adventure, love. Goodness."

Niko looks just a little sheepish. "Yeah, it was, but he's gone now. And it wasn't too bad, I guess. The exam's over with for another year, at least." With a grin, he adds, "Kinda wish I'd done it -before- work, though, instead of deciding to wait til after. Then I would've escaped it all."

Elasia offers you a bemused grin, settling back against your shoulder. "Poor love," she murmurs quietly. "That really is a bit too object a lesson on getting things done early. Did Clara get hers as well?"

Niko inclines his head. "Yup," he replies, leaning down to kiss the top of your head. "And Riley, too. Clara sends her best, by the way. Maybe you should teach her to make brownies," he adds. He likes eating homework, after all.

"You just want there to be more chocolate in the world," Elasia 'accuses', although the tone is terribly fond. "If she's interested, I'm sure I could show her. It would be fun, there's no lemons in brownies."

Niko grins at that. "Well, yes," he admits, with a chuckle. "Brownies are wonderful, especially yours." He finally does latch on to the sight of all that work, then, and inquires, "Busy day, hon?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so," Elasia regards the massed files with a sigh that holds equal parts of amusement and exasperation. "But I got a great deal done. Hopefully this most recent project will find me a promotion."

Niko brightens a bit at that. "Hey, promotions are good, though. Then somebody else could do all the obnoxious work." He reaches up to toy with your hair, then. "D'you need to do more? Or could you come to bed?"

Elasia sighs softly, sounding pleased as her hair is played with. "There's nothing here that can't wait til morning. I was just waiting on the hopes I'd get to curl up with you."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko grins brightly at that. "Well, then, I'm glad I got here before you went to bed. Wish it could've been sooner, though. Curling up together sounds great." He pauses, then says, "Uh, just to let you know, Riley said it'll likely be chaotic in the morning. I'm not sure what's up, but I figure sharing that sort of thing is good."

Elasia's brows lower in a slightly worried fashion, and she slips from the couch to offer you a hand up. "Then let's get you to bed so you can get some sleep before the chaos."

Niko gets lightly to his feet and snags your hand, interlacing his fingers with yours. "Bed sounds good. Clara told me to sleep with you, too," he adds whimsically. "Like I really needed to be told -that-."

Elasia tugs you towards the bed gently, as she pads in that direction. She offers you a quiet smile. Not that smiles are often loud. "Hey, it's a kind thing of her to suggest anyhow. Curling up and being warm is nice."

Niko trails along behind you, of course. You're good at leading him around by his... hand, yeah. He does, though, exchange the bebuttoned uniform for pajamas--he must've brought up his stuff during a lunch break or something. "Very nice, definitely very nice. Can't beat that." Yes, his player's brain is starting to melt. Good thing bed is happening ICly.

Elasia slides into the bed, holding back blankets in an obvious invitation for you to join her. "Let's get some sleep love, you sound beat."

Niko hardly needs to be asked twice, and slides under the covers, immediately curling up close. "Sounds worse than it is, really, love. Too many RY-47s turn my brain into pudding, that's all. It all just kind of hit me, now. Delayed reaction, it's obnoxious. Sleep's good, though, 'specially with you. Love you."

Elasia snuggles in as close as she can get away with, stifling a yawn of her own. "It's okay love, I understand. Goodnight dearest, sweet dreams."

Niko claims a rather drowsy kiss before letting his eyes close. "Sleep well, hon," he murmurs. "Dream well, do lots of other stuff well, too."

Elasia settles in close, waving off the lights and drifting quietly to sleep in a quiely content fashion.

Niko always does forget the lights. He sleeps, too, of course.


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