9/1/99

You say "Hey, Clara? You got a minute?" into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and announces "Hmm? Niko? Sure, just got off duty. What's up?" in Clara's voice.

You say "Not a lot. I was just, uh, wondering if you met the blue-haired guy with the amazing technicolor t-shirt." Hey, his name -is- Josif..." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and announces "Josif Er'dan? I have indeed met him, yes. He came to visit me earlier this morning when I was still in Medbay. I take it he went to find you to get quarters?" in Clara's voice.

You say "That'd be the one, yeah. And he did come find me to get quarters. I swear, I felt like a midget. Very odd. Anyway, he said you sent him, so I wanted to let you know that he got settled okay. Well, and he's who he says he is--though his hair was purple in the photo that's on record." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and announces "Yeah? Sounds like a colorful fellow. He was really quite amiable, to be honest. A little more laid back maybe that most of the Edreeni I know. Well, except Honalee, that is. He mentioned his hair had been red at one time to me. I'm glad you took care of him though. Anything suspicious in his records? I don't ask for me...but...he's looking for Corian." in Clara's voice.

You say "Nope, nothing at all. Well, unless you count that he's been a transient for the past four years, but that's not really something that can be held against him. And, yeah, he mentioned Corian to me, too. Seemed kind of edgy when I suggested he ask Riley, though. It was weird." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and blares "Yeah, I got that feeling too. He knows that you're Corian's brother through Riley, so I'm going to assume he knew my relationship to him too. But he didn't want me to bother him with it. The guy seems innocent enough, but I still plan to ask Riley about him tonight. Maybe sooner, depending on if he works late again." in Clara's voice.

You say "Well, I'm hardly going to argue with someone who doesn't want to give Riley more to do, that's for sure, so I didn't give the guy a hard time. He was saying something about finding the toy store where we got the disc guns, though, so I think I'm afraid. Asking Riley sounds like a plan, though. I think I'll leave that to you, but will you let me know what he says?" into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and announces "Sure, no problems. He wanted the -toy- store? Huh. He can't be all that bad then. Oh, hey, did you get him quarters with Edreeni accomodations? Poor man said he'd been cramped up in a transport, and you and I both know that those are barely big enough for me, let alone you giant types." in Clara's voice.

You say "Actually, Clara, I set him up with Stilvani digs." That's a deadpan, followed by a stifled snicker. "Of course I did. What do you think I am, cruel? The guy's huge even for an Edreeni." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and blares "Ack! Evil man! No cookies for you! Actually, that's accurate. I'm about to attempt to bake cookies. Someone better warn maintenance in case of fire. Isn't he huge? I just about dropped the chart I was carrying when I saw him." in Clara's voice.

You say "Cookies? You're making cookies? Really? If you have any extra, Clara, I could probably find a home for them. That's my new charity, y'know--Niko's Home for Wayward Cookies. And, yeah, he's massive. With that and the hair, he's definitely not one to blend in." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and blares "Awww, I -knew- you were just the nice sort of guy to set up charities, too. Gosh, Niko. I think I donate a few. Actually, if you want to be brave and taste test a few whenever you get off duty, swing on by the apartment, hey?" in Clara's voice.

You say "Well, knights -are- supposed to be brave. I think I can manage that, sure. Thanks, Clara." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and says "Sounds good to me, whenever's good for you, hey? Hmmm...official opinion before I let you get back to work, though. Walnuts? Or no? They're plain old fashioned chocolate chip cookies." in Clara's voice.

You say "Walnuts, definitely. The more stuff in cookies, the better. Chocolate chip. Hm, y'know, it wouldn't be such a bad thing if I knocked off a little early..." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and says "Hey, as far as I'm concerned, you and Riley can both kick off early and come up here and make yourselves official taste testers. Butter, butter...ah hah! I knew I had some. Good." in Clara's voice.

You say "Including butter is a really good thing, yeah. Just don't set it on fire, eh? I've got to finish up a few things, but I'll be up after that." There's a pause. "Got milk? It's crucial with cookies, after all." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and says "Milk..." There's the sound of rummagin and clinking, then an, "Yup, got milk. It's even the whole milk stuff, since I think that's what Riley likes. And no setting the oven on fire, nope. I've got it set to a nice sedate 350 degrees. See you when you get here, Niko." in Clara's voice.

You say "As long as it's not blue, that's all I ask. I'll be up in a bit. Happy baking, Clara." into the communit.

Niko finally puts aside the last of his work and calls a farewell to the remainder of the folks in Security, snagging a printout as he leaves. There's a comment from Kathlyn, and Niko only catches the tail end of that, but it's enough to make the back of his neck turn red. "It's for cookies. Mind in the gutter, I swear." Kathlyn just snickers. "Is that what you're calling it, now?" The rumor continues.

[Travelspam to Clara's room deleted.]

Niko snickers quietly as he comes into the room, though, it may be noted, he did snag what looks to be a small-sized fire extinguisher on his way here. You know. Just in case. "I guess I could double as a firefighter, if needed?"

No, there isn't a fire. In fact, the place looks relatively cheerful. The window is open to admit the sounds of the street, light Edreeni jazz is playing on the vid, and there are no fires going. Clara, however, is in the kitchen despite the lack of fire, sifting the flour mixture into the butter and sugar mixture bit by bit, flour dusting her dark shirt. "Hey, it's the hero of the day! C'mon in and be brave. Want something to drink?"

Niko shakes his head as he pauses a moment to listen to the music. "Nah, thanks. It can wait until there are cookies." He ambles further into the room, depositing the fire extinguisher on a counter without comment. "Hey, neat, you're wearing the flour. That's the best way to do it. Aspasia emptied a bag of the stuff on my head once, when we were arguing. It was a really neat look. That wasn't a request, though," he adds quickly.

Gosh it's good you said that, since Clara's already turning to you after having snagged the bag of flour. She snickers and sets it back down to return to stirring, but not after tossing a pinch if the flower in your direction. "It's all the new fashion rage. The homemaker look. Oh, hey, given the flour, do me a favor? That recording you made me is next to the vid, put that in? Somehow I think that Window song fits right now, especially if these turn out scary."

Niko, with an equable nod, pads over to snag the recording in question and pop it in the vid. "I don't think they'll be scary," he replies cheerfully. "You've got a recipe, right? And we've got noses, so we can smell if they start to burn." And he's got a fire extinguisher, even though, as he hasn't mentioned, it actually shoots silly string. He would not come into the lair of the bunnies without suitable weapons. "So they'll be fine."

"Throw it out the window!" Clara has to sing along cheerfully with the first rendition of that, then goes quiet a moment to dump in the requisite number of chocolate chips. "If you want any of theses before I mix them in, better snag one now or forever hold your peace. Thanks for putting the music in. And yup, recipe's right there," she agrees, nodding at a cookbook on a stand on the counter. "It's getting easier to read the recipes."

Niko makes tracks over to the amount of chips, and promptly filches a couple, popping them into his mouth. "See," he says wisely, "Gigia would never have let me get away with that. For that matter, I wouldn't even -be- in the kitchen. Sacrilege, y'know." He grins roguishly as he snags another couple chips, then finally stops. "You're welcome, of course. And it can seem like they're written in another language. It's just like chemistry, though. You just need to know the terms."

Clara is busily measuring the proper amount of walnuts into a...dishtowel? Well, it is clean at least. "Aaah, but I'm a rotten cook and can get away with not knowing the rules of not letting men in the kitchen. Besides, if I tried to keep Riley out, I'd starve," she admits with a grin before twisting the towel closed and bashing it several times on the edge of the counter. The result is walnuts in small, cookie sized pieces that gets dumped into the bowl as well. "And that was just it...learning the terms. Most of them made no sense when attached to food. Folding eggs. Hmpf. Silly term."

Niko nods seriously to that, leaning against the edge of the counter. "See, I would have to agree with that. I could never get the creases straight, if I did that. And, hey, I won't tell Gigia, and I won't let her tell you. And if she ever tries to give you a wooden spoon," he adds, actually sounding like he's not kidding, "Don't take it. Those things are evil." He rubs lightly at his knuckles, with a rueful grin.

Clara pauses at stirring, indeed using a wooden spoon, and peers from it to you curiously before realizing the why's and wherefore's before bursting into laughter. "Awww, c'mon, Niko. Every woman needs a weapon like that. Although to be honest, Niles is threatening to send a marble rolling pin for a wedding present."

"Every woman -doesn't- need a weapon like that," Niko protests, with a laugh. "And a marble rolling pin would just be cruel. That could cause some serious pain." And, it may be noted, he's keeping his distance from said spoon. Maybe it's a conditioned response.

Clara makes quiet clucking sounds at you, scraping off the spoon before waving it at you in mock threat. "I never said I'd -use- a marble rolling pin on anyone. Niles says it's a tradition. I think he's full of hogwash and just wants to give Riley a hard time," she admits, reaching into a cabinet for a pair of baking sheets, and taking up cookie dough scoop to start dropping amounts of dough onto the sheets at regular intervals.

Niko watches the use of the cookie dough scoop with interest. See, that's a newfangled tool, a cookie scoop. Real bakers use their hands. "Of course you wouldn't use it on me," he says, with a grin. "Because, since it's marble, I'd break with my luck, and then -you- would have to stop whatever it was you were cooking to fix me, and you wouldn't be that mean to either of us." His tone is decidedly amused. "And, yes, I'm a chicken. I have been trained to be so."

Clara is by no means a real baker. We'll be lucky if the cookies don't come up with horribly black bottoms. "Ack! No, no breaking! Good heavens, that's the last thing I want to do right now is fix you," she exclaims with a laugh, scooting over to open the oven and tuck both baking sheets inside, then sets a small digital timer. "Okay...gotta put those on something when they come out, but the counter will be soggy. Any suggestions?"

Niko suggests, from his perch well out of spoon range, "Got a wire rack or anything? Those're good for cooling cookies. Though the best thing to do is eat them as soon as they're cool enough that they don't burn the hands. And I'm really in favor of not breaking," he adds, with a grin. "It's been a long time, and I think I'll keep it that way." Naturally, the bandaid song chooses that moment to start, and Niko very quietly dissolves into laughter, before calling, "Shut up," at the machine.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

"Wire rack...wire rack..." Clara drums the counter with the fingers of one hand, then dips down to rummage in one of the lower cabinets. "I could swear we do? I think Riley uses it to set stuff on to cool off like pasta and the like. Ah-hah!" That would be a triumphant sound as she tugs out the rack and settles it to one side of the stove. "Much better."

Niko grins cheerfully at that. "Yeah, that's the right kind of thing. See? I'm being useful, so you don't have to whack me with a spoon or a rolling pin, or anything evil like that." He eyes the timer, perhaps mentally urging it to hurry. Cookies, after all, are a great goodness in the world.

And the timer responds! Ding! "You're very helpful, and I wouldn't hit you with a wooden spoon or a marble rolling pin anyway. Now a marble spoon or a wooden rolling pin? Entirely different story," Clara explains with a grin, opening the oven hopefully and peering in. "Um...they're light brown, that's good, right?"

"That's good," Niko replies, before intoning, as if reciting something, "Bake at three hundred fifty degrees for eight to ten minutes, or until cookies are golden brown." He snickers, then. "Hey, even a wooden rolling pin or a marble spoon would hurt. And don't forget to use potholders or something to snag them, okay?"

Clara must have learned this lesson already though, because she's already opening a drawer to liberate a pair of hot pads with which to tug the baking sheets from the oven. "Okay, no hitting at all. Well, I may thwack you on the arm if you get silly, but I doubt even Ela would fault me for that." She closes the oven before peering at the cookie laden sheets resting on the stove. "Do they look right?"

Niko is already inching closer, the Niko-knight stalking its prey. "They look wonderful," he approves cheerfully. "Smell better. I think you're ready for brownies. And Ela -would- fault you," he adds, with cheerful mendacity. "Really! She wouldn't ever be in favor of anybody thwacking me, ever! Besides," he adds, the picture of innocence, "I've been good."

Clara exhales a sigh of relief and tugs out a spatula to lift one of the cookies off the sheet and hold it out to you. "Taste test!" she offers with a grin. "Although it's probably still hot," she adds, and sets the lone cookie on the rack before heading to the fridge for the milk to pour two glasses. "I think I ought to ask Ela if she'd mind, hmm?"

Niko starts to reach for the cookie, even -knowing- that he will burn himself. As it's withdrawn, there's a pseudo-mournful sigh, but he waits. "But wouldn't I know what Ela would mind?" he inquires innocently. "I mean, I've known her for ages. Besides, if you did that, I might have to... take action."

Clara hands over one of the glasses before gesturing at the cookie. "Go for it," she suggests, then turns to start lifting the other cookies to the rack as well. "Action?" She glances sidelong with amused worry. "Somehow that word sounds ominous. What sort of action?"

Niko takes a cookie--passing it hand to hand for a moment and making a stifled yelp as it squishes a bit in the passing--and the milk with a cheerful grin and a murmured thankyou. "Oh, I'd come up with something," he replies innocently. "I'd show you, but, well, you just got cookies out of the room. That seems kind of wrong, doing evil to the hand that feeds me." He finally gets around to popping the cookie into his mouth, and starts to make decidedly contented mm mm good noises.

"Probably, yes, and I'd just have to throw cookies at you. Then there'd be this huge food fight, and Riley would come home and toss us both out," Clara explains with a grin, turning back to scoop another batch of cookie dough out onto the sheets and return them to the oven. "Mm? Does this mean they're edible?" she wonders hopefully.

Niko replies indistinctly, "A little soft, but they taste great. And, hey, a food fight isn't so horrible a thing. I mean, Riley's thrown food at me, after all." And there's a sudden grin. See, Riley threw butterscotch pudding at him, with interesting results when he saw Ela.

"Riley did?" Clara repeats, obviously surprised as she snags one of the cookies and the other glass of milk for herself. "You look awfully happy about Riley throwing food at you, for some reason. What'd he throw?" she wants to know, finally munching a bite from the cookie and frowning. "Not quite right."

Niko repeats, "They taste great. That's what matters, eh?" At the question, though, there's a decided reddening of his skin. "Uh, butterscotch pudding," he admits. "So I guess you can understand why I wasn't upset. Though I have to say, it was awfully slimy. Having it in my shower, though, was a little much."

Clara's smile returns in full force at the compliment to the cookies, and she happily goes about eating the rest of hers. "That's what matters," she agrees. "At least nothing's on fire." Yet. She forgot to set the timer. She blinks at the revelation, thinking that over for a moment, then her eyes widen and, yes, she blushes. "Oh. Oooooh." But even blushing, she does grin. "I'm not saying a word, aside from the shower was far too much."

Niko doesn't notice the absence of timer, either, as he's too busy munching on cookies. He coughs quietly. "Well, hey," he mumbles, "She likes butterscotch, what can I say?" He snags another cookie, then, adding, "The timing on that really was funny, though--well, looking back on it, at least."

Clara tilts her head with fond amusement, even if she is a few shades of red, murmuring something sympathetic about chocolate, then grinning. "Funny timing? How so?" she wonders before pausing. "That's -not- the right smell," she exclaims and whirls to tug open the oven, which thankfully isn't pouring out smoke, but the cookies are a lovely shade of dark, dark brown. "Oh, -no-!"

Niko starts to remind you about the evils of coming down to the atrium at exactly the wrong moment, wearing only a towel and butterscotch pudding. But, no, the cookies distract him. "Carbonized," he says cheerfully. "Some folks like them like this."

Clara tugs the sheets back out of the oven and transfers the overbrowned cookies to the sheet, sighing. "Carbonized?" This gets a laugh and a wry headshake. "I've not a clue who, but they're welcome to them. Ah well, if at second you don't succeed, try try again, right?" she decides, and scoops more cookie dough on before stuffing the sheets back in the oven. And very carefully setting the timer. "Maybe Pen will like them. Who's he staying with right now anyhow?"

Niko grins broadly at that. "Hey, if trying again means more cookies, I'm game. Pen? He's with Tim, I think. Tim's got a place outside the Complex, with a yard. I thought that dogs shouldn't eat chocolate, though?"

Clara's brows quirk up in surprise. Her player knows this, but Clara's clueless in veterinary medicine. "They shouldn't? Whoops...okay, there goes that idea. But do you think Tim would let me borrow Pen for an evening maybe? I think Riley might like to spend and evening goofing off with the dog," she explains. "And this next batch of cookies you get to take home with you so Ela can laugh at my feeble attempts."

"If they make it home," Niko replies, with a grin, "Then I'm sure Ela won't laugh. Though I do hope she didn't make dinner," he adds, suddenly a bit sheepish. "I might be in trouble, if she did. And I don't see why you couldn't borrow Pen. He's Security's dog, after all, and if you were borrowing him for the Chief..." With a shrug, he adds, "Don't quote me on that, but it's what I've always been told, that sugar's bad for dogs."

Clara tugs out the next batch of cookies at the ding from the timer and sets them on the racks, then scoops out the last batch onto the sheets to redo the process again, setting the timer once more. "Is she even at home? How's her work for a promotion coming along?"

Niko tips a hand back and forth. "She's been really busy," he replies, with a sigh. "I hope she gets that promotion soon. And she probably isn't home yet, right. Been having late nights lately."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

"Riley too," Clara notes almost vaguely, pausing for a moment to stare at the wall, then shakes her head with a quick sigh and a sip of her milk. "Getting Pen to stay the night would be nice. I've had Greer here the last few nights, and I need to release Tara tonight from Short Term, but that won't take long."

Niko turns rather wide eyes upon you. "You had Greer with you, and you're baking cookies with -me-? Clara, the kid's never going to forgive you. And I don't know how you took the cuteness factor. That kid's far too cute."

"Aaah, but see, I got her gyros and french fries and let her play with our toys. I'd have burned something if I'd tried to cook," Clara explains sheepishly. "I was exhausted."

Niko tsks quietly. "Because you work too hard," he retorts. "If I recall correctly, there's a bargain on about the number of hours worked per day? Shouldn't work too much, y'know." He eyes his wristunit. "Uh, actually, I should probably stop harassing you and go harass my messages. Aspasia's threatening dire stuff if I don't comm her tonight."

"Surgery...I promised Valentine I'd install a prosthetic for her instead of that eyepatch," Clara explains, then reaches over to poke your arm. "Shoo. Go check your messages. I've got to go release Tara from Medbay anyhow. If Ela's working late tonight, mind if I give you a call for dinner?"

Niko shakes his head. "Not at all, no. Dinner's the one meal that shouldn't be eaten alone, after all. It's a rule I made in college." He snags another cookie and starts for the exit, adding, with a snicker, "If I'm still hungry after all these. I'll catch you later, maybe, if I'm still in one piece after Aspasia gives me a hard time."

[Travelspam home. Time passes.]

Your communit crackles to life and says "Heeeey, Mister Casymed. Is your wife home? If not, I'm ordering pizza and having more women over to torture you. Still want to meet over at my place?"" in Clara's voice.

You say "Heeey, Doctor Aleron. My wife, alas, has forsaken me in favor of work. I don't know that I like this torture thing, though. Nobody has wooden spoons, right? Actually, dinner sounds good. Food, good idea. I'll need a minute or three to get clean, though." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and blares "No wooden spoons, just pizza and cookies. We'll see you there when you're ready, Niko." in Clara's voice.

You say "I'll be down in a few. Can I bring anything? Uh, anything that can be gotten somewhere, that is." into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and says "Hrm...any of the blue can soda? I'm afraid we're flush out right at the moment. I do have a bottle of wine, but I can't remember if you drink it at all." in Clara's voice.

You say "I do, actually. It's just been a while. I'll snag some soda, just in case. Anything else?" into the communit.

Your communit crackles to life and announces "Not to my knowledge? Just yourself, mister." in Clara's voice.

You say "That's easy--very cheap. I'll be down in a few, thanks for the invite." into the communit.

[Travelspam deleted.]

Niko is still -just- a touch damp about the edges, particularly about the edges that involve his hair. He does have some of the blue-canned soda, though. "Hello, ladies," he calls amiably. "Hey, now, this isn't fair. Two ladies with such similar names, I'm going to be tripping myself up all evening. And she didn't tell me -you- would be here, paidi, what a nice surprise." That last is to Greer, with a quick grin. He does notice the change in Tara's face, and, after a brief blink, just nods approvingly, apparently not one to call attention to such things.

Tara gives a wave from her seat on the couch, as does Greer. The pilot's eyes narrow slightly, and she offers a sweet smile to the SecOff. "Ah, the torturee arrives." She glances toward Clara with a nod and a snicker. "There's a lot of things about you I shouldn't have assumed."

Greer beams at Niko. "I always am." Yes, she's inherited at least a little of her mother's ego.

Clara is at the kitchen counter working as a bartender. Okay, not quite. She's only going as far as to pour a glass of milk first, not having filled any of the three wineglasses first. She takes the glass over to Greer, laughing. "It's all planned, just to confuse you. Greer, your milk, m'dear. Niko, I ordered pepperoni and sausage pizza. Well, two of them, actually, so we'd have leftovers for Riley whenever he comes home tonight. Is that okay?"

"No torture," Niko protests, with a laugh, absently straightening his shirt. "I've already faced the evil wooden spoon today. I don't know that I can take any more." Greer gets a quirked grin. "You're always here, or you're always a surprise?" he inquires "And pepperoni and sausage is fine. Might even get some fun dreams from it."

Greer takes the glass of milk with both hands, promptly taking a drink and ending up with a white mustache as she giggles at Niko. "Both, the last couple of days."

"I can't think of any reason to object." Tara sounds amused. "Oh yes, Greer's full of surprises." Her gaze flickers back and forth between the other two adults, watching them carefully as she continues. "It was a surprise, for example, to get shot up by foam darts this afternoon."

"The wooden spoon of doom!" Clara exclaims happily, attempting to relieve Niko of the soda so as to put it in the fridge to chill. "Wine or soda first, sir?" she wonders in between humming along with a song about daycare in a blues beat. "Greer was a wonderful houseguest," she adds, then lifts her brows. "Darts?"

Niko folds himself to a seat on the ground after handing over the soda, the better to be a jungle-gym for any small children that might get the idea to do so. "Yeah, I heard you got to have a sleepover with Clara," he replies to Greer, with a grin. "Bet you two had fun." No comments, Tara, on Niko's own wishes as far as sleepovers with Clara go. The comment about the darts gets a look of innocence, but perhaps it's a bit too innocent, as he doesn't have Corian's knack. "Foam darts, imagine that. And... wine, I think, to celebrate such nice company, company that wouldn't ever think about doing anything to me involving wooden spoons or marble rolling pins."

Tara's mouth twitches as she stifles a grin. "Darts," she confirms, quite aware of Greer giggling and blushing beside her. "Some /e-vil/ person gifted Greer with a toy dart gun, not to mention a lot of ammo for said gun, and I'm afraid your Short Term Care ward became a bit of a battlefield this afternoon, Clara. Unfortunately, I ran out of paper balls before she ran out of darts."

"I won," Greer grins proudly. "Oh yes, we had lots of fun! Did you know Riley's building a -train-? And Murray," she waves her stuffed moose, "Made friends with all the bunnies and penguins."

Tara nods a confirmation to that. "Indeed. I died a very dramatic death. Hmmm. Rolling pins. Remind me to get one of those," she smiles evilly.

Clara stows the sodas before moving over to fill all three glasses with the wine, a darkish purple color but still transluscent enough to see through. She has time to distribute glasses to both Tara and Niko before there's a knock at the door. She heads over to answer it and pay the young man delivering the pair of boxes which she delivers to the coffee table. "Darts. My medbay a warfield for dart guns? Oh, woe is me. I'm so distressed," she explains, winking at Niko and Greer. "Let me get some plates, and dinner will be served."

Niko takes the wine with a murmur of thanks and an overly innocent look to Clara, swirling the liquid lightly in the glass for a moment before he takes a sip. Yes, it's a way to avoid talking while he comes up with an excuse for not getting beaten. "I think that, uh, rolling pins are not evil enough. What would be -really- evil, though, would be a Terran nerf. Frightening things, those. Really." Greer, though, gets a quick grin, and a nod towards the moose. "Nice to meet you, Murray."

Tara takes the wine with a nod, taking a careful sip before swirling it idly. "Nerf? Why, Niko, I never realized you were such a foam connoisseur. Does it run in the family? I suspected," she raises her eyes thoughtfully to the ceiling in a calculated gesture, "That your dear brother is the source of dart evil. That'd be Balance, alright." She seems mightily pleased at the arrival of the pizza, and leans forward to flip open the top box, and snickers softly with a nod to Clara, admitting, "We had fun. I would've won, though, if I could aim better."

"Uh uh!" Greer denies her mother's statement with a giggle. Stuffed moose waves a paw at the SecOff. "Murray says he's pleased to meet you too, and -he- says you're not cute either."

Clara makes one more foray into the kitchen for a stack of paper plates and napkins and returns with her own glass and those to settle on the floor as well, plunking plates by the pizza. "The nerf bat, you mean? That was fun, just so long as it's not a Kashidian nerf," she adds with a grin at Niko. "And Niko is -too- cute. It's just a fact of life. Get used to it, mister."

Niko pauses a beat. Okay, that was just cruel, blaming Riley. Niko must defend the brother, it's a law. "Okay, okay," he says, with a sigh. "It was me. Just don't break me when you hit me, okay, Tara? Then Clara and I wouldn't get a chance to eat dinner, 'cause she'd have to go fix me." He grins brightly at Greer and Murray as he snags a plate and a piece of pizza. "Smart moose--I am -not-, Clara. Not cute. Definitely not. Greer and Murray are right." There is a definite wrongness in having Murray talk about the (un)cuteness of males. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Tara smirks, crowing, "I knew it! Evil, evil, man! Hit you? Oh, I wouldn't dream of it. I'm simply going to dump Greer in Security for a few hours after she eats the... what's that stuff, kiddo?"

"Chernubia," Greer supplies promptly, slipping onto the floor beside Niko to reach for the pizza.

"Chernubia that Corian gave her. Whole family's evil," Tara snickers, carefully lowering herself to the floor as well.

Murray is propped up to watch the meal- he doesn't eat... pizza, after all. His little protruding cloth tongue sticks out at Clara.

Clara is cracking up laughing by now, snagging a few pieces of pizza for herself after handing Niko a plate then scooting the other plates closer to Tara and Greer. "Chernubia? I didn't realize that was actually something to eat," she admits. "I've only heard Riley call m-..." Yes, there's a blush. "Um, well, I've not heard it applied such. What was it?"

Niko munches on his pizza for a moment or three. "Uh, maybe when I'm not working, Tara? I'd be pleased to spend a little time with Greer--even after eating cherwhatsis--but I'd probably end up behind on work or something if she came to visit while I was at work." He doesn't actually seem too bothered at this particular revenge, but, then, he also doesn't know what chernubia is. After another bite of pizza, he casts a shrug to Clara. Obviously, he has no clue. He's a male, though. That's allowed.

Greer gives Clara a curious look, but helpfully says, "Chernubia is a con-fec-tion, but Corian says you can call people chernubia, too, like calling 'em 'honey'.

Tara gives Clara an amused look as she reaches for her own pizza, setting the wineglass aside. "Hmmmm. Well, we can't have you falling behind in work. Tell you what- I've got a nice long meeting next week- you'd be the perfect babysitter. Oh yes." Now who's evil?

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Clara munches away cheerfully, trying not to blush. "I knew it was a confection, but I didn't realize it was something that referred to current food. And babysitting off-duty should be a lot of fun," Clara agrees with a nod over a sip of her wine. "Get him to take you to the park," Clara suggests to Greer with a wink.

Niko leans over to ruffle Greer's hair. "Sounds like fun," he says cheerfully. "That okay with you, Greer? And when's the meeting, Tara? I'll make sure Anya tweaks my schedule, if necessary. Ooh, the park, yeah." He could show Greer that hoverboard, and get Tara -really- annoyed with him.

Tara grins. "Apparently somebody sent the stuff to Corian, and she felt a need to share with small cute kidlets. G'ben got some too. Just looking at it made me gain five pounds, I think."

"Oooh, the park!" Greer -likes- this idea. "Can we feed the ducks, Mister Niko? Not chernubia- they like bread though. White bread. Even stale bread. They don't seem to like rye too much though."

Tara taps at her wristunit for a few seconds before nodding. "Three days, and it's in the evening. 1800 hours. Dinner meeting." She grins, glancing up. "Oh, the park'd be good, yeah." Lots of -space- for Niko to chase Greer around in.

"The park where you can show her the playground and all sorts of stuff," Clara notes to Niko with a wink, probably having the hoverboard in mind as well. "A meeting in three days, Tara? I'm glad we got the surgury over when we did, then. No residual pain I hope? It might be a little itchy though," she adds somewhat apologetically.

"We can feed the ducks," Niko confirms. He eyes his own wristunit, then sighs. "Aw, drat, I was hoping it was going to be when my sister was visiting, so she could join in the fun." Yeah. Or help. He exchanges an overly innocent grin with Clara as he snags another piece of pizza. "The park it is, then, in three days. Sounds like a plan."

Tara nods, swallowing a mouthful of pizza. "Three days. Oh," she grins, "I arranged for it -after- the surgery was done. Even if I was still wearing the bandages, that'd be less of an impact than the patch, and might even work up some sympathy." She shakes her head. "Itchy, yeah. I was going to stop down at the Java Quarter and get some cortisone or something." The pilot gives Niko an intrigued look. "Aspasia? That particular sister? Feel free to borrow Greer when she's in town."

Greer beams happily. "And you can push me on the swing, and we can seesaw... Have you been in the treehouse? And with you along I can reach higher branches when I'm climbing trees." Oh yes, she's pleased.

"Cortisone, feh," Clara announces, finishing off a piece of pizza and setting her plate aside before she scrambles to her feet and attempts to ruffle Niko's hair before heading into the closet. "I've got something better. Hey, Greer, get Aspasia to tell you all about Niko as a little boy," she suggests, padding back out with a tube of ointment to hand to Tara. "Lidoxeroxime. Wonderful stuff."

Niko confirms, with a grin, "Aspasia, yeah. She misses the twins and Charis, was just moping about them to me on the comm today. She'd probably have fun meeting -you-, paidi," he adds to Greer. "I might have to introduce you two. Ack." That would be as Clara ruffles his hair, and he ducks, but not in time. "No, no, no getting stories out of Aspasia. Bad idea."

Tara's eyebrows rise as she takes the tube, and she grins wryly, tucking it into an inner jacket pocket. "Thanks. Next time remind me to ask you when we're still downstairs."

Greer gives Niko a curious look. "What's 'paidi'? Like paydirt? Your sister has twins?"

Tara's eyes twinkle, and she bends to whisper loudly to Greer, "Get -lots- of stories from her."

"I can imagine she does miss them. Those pictures you showed me were painfully cute, that's for certain," Clara agrees with Niko, reaching for another slice of pizza and starting munching again as a song about proper cups of coffee comes on. No she's not bouncing. She's just cheerful. "That is a good question. Paidi? It's a lovely word..."

Niko pauses a moment, brows furrowing in thought. "Paidi. Uh... it's something that one calls a young person. Kind of like 'kiddo,' I guess, but I'm not sure. It's what I call my nieces and nephew. -No- stories," he adds to Tara, with a grin. "And one of my sisters has twins, yes, Greer. They're four years old, so they're pretty young when compared to someone like you." And, yes, that's a compliment. He's eating, too, though he pauses to murmur the tongue-tangling words along with the chorus of the coffee song.

Greer grins. "Like I said, paydirt. Oh! You're a uncle then?" SHe gives him a thoughtful look, then nods. "You're too young to be a uncle, aren't you?" She beams again. Niko's -this- close to getting hugged.

Tara grins wickedly. "Oh, c'mon, Niko, the stories of a knight in training couldn't be all -that- embarrassing."

"Niko's old enough to be an uncle," Clara promises Greer with a laugh. "He's -old-," she adds with a wink, brows waggling. "I dunno, we could probably make up stories. Or I could always ask Ela," she adds with utter innocence.

Niko chuckles at Greer. "Paydirt... kind of, I guess. And I'm an uncle, yes. I don't guess that I'm too young, though. Their mother's younger than I am, matter of fact." Yes, he's old enough to be a father, folks. And he'd probably enjoy being hugged. Tara just gets an amused look. "You'd be surprised. I wasn't always the paragon of chivalry you see before you." There's a pause, and a rather dismayed look towards Clara, before he shakes his head. "She doesn't know the worst ones, at least, just from when I went off to school."

Greer seems dubious, peering at Niko. "Are you sure, Doctor Clara? He -looks- like a little boy. Oh!" She bounces happily. "Stories are good!" At Niko's dismay, she reaches over, trying to land a pat on his arm. "It's okay. Stories are fun, really."

Tara just laughs. "Now, Niko, you're making me want to go hunt down your sister just to get all those stories out of her... and on tape. I'm sure they'd be very popular around here." She nods to Greer. "He's got a babyface. Don't you, Junior?" She smiles innocently.

Clara actually coughs at the idea of Niko not always having been a paragon of virtue. She's known him long enough now to guess that he wasn't always perfect. That and she's seen his medical records. "I'm sure, dear," she offers to Greer. "Niko's not all that much younger than I am. Junior?" The name draws both surprise and amusement from her as she glances towards Niko curiously.

And Clara hasn't even seen the medical records from about the first thirteen years of Niko's life, Mathraki not being the best about record-keeping, or passing on what records do exist. And those years were -full- of mishaps. Not being able to say no to a dare is a bad thing when one is breakable. "Well, thank you, Greer," he replies, with a grin. "I think that there are -much- better stories than the ones your mother wants to hear, though." He wrinkles his nose at the mention of a babyface, or maybe at the term 'Junior,' and mumbles something about growing a beard before he adds, with a grin to Tara, "Only Kayce can get away with calling me that, and that's because he's old enough to be my father. Well, and Kathlyn, but she'd hurt me if I gave hre a hard time." He flashes a quick grin to Clara, then. "Well, they weren't allowed to call me 'kid,' after all. Riley wouldn't let 'em."

Greer cocks her head. "Okay," she allows. "But he's a kid, inside. You should -see- all the chocolate he's got in his desk." Niko gets a curious look. "Like what kinda stories?"

Tara snickers. "Yeah, well, Kayce is nice enough to get away with just about anything." She doesn't comment on Kath, but her eyes twinkle as she notes with faked aggrievement, "Yeah, Addison had to go and spoil all their fun."

"You know as well as I do why Riley won't let people call you kid," Clara notes with faint amusement, climbing to her feet to snag the rest of the second pizza and store it in the fridge. She does return with an entire tin of cookies though to replace the pizza. "Anyone need a refill? Or I've got plenty milk, and there's iced tea. Niko, you've got that soda you brought tooo..."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Niko considers Greer's question for a long moment. "Stories that start 'once upon a time,'" he replies finally. "Or 'long ago and far away.' Stories that are old, that tell how things used to be." Yes, Niko likes fairy tales. Tara gets a brief grin. "Kayce is great," he says simply, before casting a rather sheepish grin to Clara. "Well, yes. He made that clear. I'm fine on drinks, though." In fact, his wineglass is missing only about half the liquid it initially contained.

Tara smiles, shaking her head, and taps her own glass. "I'm trying to take it easy. Wine's always had an... interesting effect on me, but thanks." She gives Niko a faint grins. "Kaycen is... an enigma. Which makes him interesting, but he's not half as cute as Korval is."

Greer's eyes widen as she stares at Niko, milk clutched in both hands. "Oh! Like the ones Ali said about. Where's your horse?"

Clara sighs heavily, getting herself a glass of iced tea, as her own wine is gone. "Great, make me look like a lush," she mourns, somewhat amused. "Those really are the best stories, though," she agrees as the song on the player sings something about 'just go to sleep now, close your eyes'. "Kaycen...he's a wonderful man. He's always been so good to all of us. I'd bake him cookies too, but I don't know if that'd be punishment or thanks," she admits with a laugh, reaching for one of said cookies.

Niko peers curiously at Tara. "What's enigmatic about Kayce?" he queries. "And he'd probably appreciate cookies, Clara. I always make sure to save brownies for him when Ela bakes, as everybody else always swarms 'em. Not that there's anything wrong with that." Greer gets a blink, and a look of mild puzzlement. "I have a horse? Wow. Ela's going to be annoyed." And he says this with utter seriousness.

Greer nods, quite seriously, and gets up on her knees to reach for a cookie with a grin, then tries to climb into Niko's lap. (Believe her typist- this happens RL!) "Ali said knights have horses. Where's your horse? What kinds of quests have you," she pauses to recall the words, "Ventured forth bravely on?" She bites into the cookie, chewing thoughtfully.

Tara smiles slightly, giving a little shrug as she too goes for a cookie. "He seems strong, but he's still a nice guy. Lots of self-control, too." She grins over at Clara. "Hey, if you don't mind me a tad tipsy, bring on the rest of the bottle."

Oh, dear. Greer's being insanely cute again. Hear that overbearing ticking? That would be Clara's biological clock. She hides an 'awww' behind her iced tea. "Niko's had a lot of quests," she volunteers with a rather warm smile at the man, then grins at Tara and lifts her glass. "Hence I switched to iced tea myself."

Niko is agreeable to having Greer in his lap, apparently, as he assists in this quest. "Well, see, I don't have a horse," he replies. "I rode one once, and it didn't get along with me. Besides," he adds, in a stagewhisper, "Horses are kind of slow. I'd rather get around a little faster than a horse can go." In other words, his driving in a speeder is not unlike Riley's. He doesn't go on in that vein, though, lest one of the elder women smack him, but instead peers thoughtfully at Tara. "Strong guys ordinarily aren't nice? Um, I'm offended?" He doesn't sound offended, though, just curious and maybe a little tired. He flashes a grin to Clara as he's reminded of that question. "Let's see. I've rescued damsels in distress. And, uh, male damsels, too, whatever they're called." Niko obviously needs to brush up on his terminology. He ponders for a moment, then adds, "Oh, and I've got a grail. It was a present."

Greer seems pleased at Clara's comments. "Lots of adventures?" Her eyes widen. "You've got a -grail-? Can I see it?" Okay, she seems faintly disappointed that Niko doesn't have a horse, but accepts his explanation. "Faster? You're a pilot, like Mama?"

Tara laughs a little. "Hard to explain, Niko. Kayce isn't just nice, he's... Heck, I take it back. I can't explain it. He's just so in -control- of himself." Male damsels? She snickers, then grins at Clara, lifting her glass. "I'll finish this slowly then. Goes good with the cookies anyhow. Good cookies, Clara."

Clara all but winces at the reminder of Niko's preferred speed of travel, having ridden with Riley at least before. Never mind that Riley is kind and drives carefully so he doesn't have a screaming madwoman in his passenger seat. "Don't most of you Navy fellows learn to fly some?" she wonders, then notes to Greer, "He even saved me once or twice. Niko's a very brave knight. Thanks, Tara," she adds, brightening at the compliment to the cookies.

Niko confirms, with a crooked grin, "Lots of adventures, and yes, you may see my grail, but not tonight. It's at home, see, and my wife might be there and sleeping by now. It'd probably wake her up if we came in and tugged the grail out of the closet. I'm not a pilot, though, sorry. Just like going fast." He offers a grin to Clara. "I know some of the theory, but haven't actually spent time on a ship, other than as a passenger." He ponders Tara's explanation, then nods. "Yeah. Kayce is a good guy. Understatement, that. He's a rock."

Tara nods firmly. "A rock. That's a good way to put it." And if it weren't for Kayce, Kath probably would've shredded Tara that one time when the pilot was stunned. Tara likes Kayce. "Hey," she grins at Clara, "Those cooking lessons have paid off."

Greer sighs happily. "Lots of adventures. I wanna hear -all- about 'em." She gives his arm a pat. "That's okay. Not everybody can be a pilot." Wide eyes turn to Clara. "He saved -you-? How? When?"

Clara reaches a hand over to snag the toe of Greer's shoe and bounce it up and down cheerfully. "Kaycen," she muses quietly, "I respect a vast amount. Ever since the Denner incident I couldn't be more grateful to him. It's like he's almost a father to those of us young enough to be in that age group." She pauses at Greer's question, grinning slightly. "Oh, let's see. He saved me when we were in a siege situation, and he kept me safe while we went foraging for supplies."

Niko flickers a brief smile to Tara. "Glad you approve." And, no, he's not being snide. Greer gets a nod, and another smile. "Yup. And it's a good thing, too, otherwise it would be tough for a pilot to find a job, with everybody else being a pilot, too. You can hear about all of 'em, though, sure." He looks just a bit sheepish at Clara's words, and shakes his head.

Greer's eyes sparkle. "-Wow!-" She twists around to beam up at Niko. "You're a bone-fido -hero-! I never knew a hero before."

Tara's eyebrows rise in amusement. "A father?" Softly she hums a song that could be recognizable as 'Older (Wo)men Make Good Lovers'.

Clara simply gives Niko a wry grin and an eyebrow quirk, obviously unrepentent at having made him sound to be a hero. "You were a hero, Niko. And the Guido situation, and the exploding pudding, and the Denners, and Denner himself...especially with Denner himself." She shifts a glace to Tara, somewhat puzzled. Country music isn't quite part of her background. "Father-figure at least. Strong, silent, extremely kind."

Niko grins at the kidlet, leaning forward to boop her nose gently with his own. "Not a hero, sorry, Greer. Just doing what has to be done. I'm not Clara," he adds, lifting his head. His expression goes just a bit grim at the mention of Denner, lifting a hand to rub at his eyes, then nods over to Tara. "Father-figure, yeah, like Clara said. There's enough of an age difference. He's going to be--oh, hey, he's got a birthday soon. Two months, I think. I'll have to check."

Greer blinks, and giggles at Niko, turning back around and snuggling down in his lap. "You are too a hero. Doctor Clara said so," she states matter-of-factly, then tips her head back to look up at him again curiously. "You think Doctor Clara's a hero too?"

Tara chuckles. "He could be seen as that, I suppose. Does that make y'all sibs?" Let's twist the family tree a -little- bit more.

Clara doesn't really answer, but she does lean over to attempt to squeeze Niko's arm in a manner of comrades, one person who went through that brand of hell to another who was there too. She ends up with a ruffle attempt at Greer's hair, grinning. "Not a chance, kiddo. I'm just a simple doctor." She gives Tara a rather amused look. "Not yet, at least."

Niko wraps his arms lightly around the kidlet, hugging her close for a moment. Yes, this is a man who should be a father. "Yes, Clara's a hero," he contradicts. "She does some pretty amazing things, don't you think? She's helped a lot of people, myself included. Fixed me when I was broken a couple times, in fact." She's glue! He blinks a bit at Tara, then chuckles. "Well, we already are, kind of, with Riley." Clara gets a brief grin, then he adds, "No such thing as a simple doctor. Well, except maybe Vryce."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Greer revels in the hug, returning it delightedly. "Oh yes," she nods. "Doctor Clara's wonderful! She fixed me, and Mama, and -everybody-." Then her nose wrinkles, and she states, "I don't like Doctor Vryce."

Tara just snickers. "Rah nepotism," she teases. "I'm so looking forward to the day when Addison's sitting in his office, mumbling 'I offered a deal they couldn't refuse'."

Oh, dear. Now Niko's being painfully cute along with Greer. Isn't there more wine around here somewhere? But Clara sticks to iced tea, blushing slightly and shrugging. "I just do what I was trained to. Nothing brave there." She blinks at Tara before dissolving into laughter, setting down her tea. "How come you never call me Admiral...?" she rasps, then snickers.

Oh, dear, he's getting hugged back. What kind of look would Niko get from Ela if he informed her he wanted a baby? He doesn't comment on that, though, instead resting his chin lightly atop the child's head. Look, Clara! He's being more cute! "I don't like Doctor Vryce either," he stagewhispers down to her. "Not a nice man." Tara's words get quite a bit of snickering. "The Godbrother? Oh, my." And appropriate, considering that Riley's player is God.

Greer shakes her head just a little. "Not nice at -all-. And he doesn't like chocolate." Heretic. The adults get a faintly confused look for the various snickers and laughter.

Tara snickers muchly. "Of course, we'd all have to add vowels to the ends of our names. Oh heavens..." She leans back against the couch, grinning, and takes a sip of her wine. "Mmmm. Comfy. You got a nice place here, Clara," she notes appreciatively.

TICK. TICK. TICK. Yes, folks, this would be Clara's biological clock again. What's worse is Riley would agree to parenthood if she asked. He's already said he would. "Not me," she notes, grasping on the funny stuff again. "I could just go with the family name and try for the Irish end of the deal. We're talking about an old, old story, darling," she adds to Greer with a smile.

Niko starts to get to his feet, scooping up Greer as he does so, the better to set her on her feet, with the care that one might ordinarily take with spun glass. "Very nice," he agrees with Tara. "And I think you're going to end up with another slumber party if I don't get home. My next shift is going to come far too soon." He flickers a quick grin to Clara, then, with a murmur about family connections to the Hellenic mafia. Maybe he's joking. Maybe not.

Greer ohs quietly. "I don't think I ever heard that story." She gives Niko a wistful smile and waves. "You could sleep here with Doctor Clara," she offers. "The bed's big enough."

Tara chokes on her wine, spluttering a bit, and dissolves into snickers. "Hey, if that's true," she rasps, grinning up at Niko, "Gimme some names."

"Thank you...Arthur did a fantastic job picking it out for us," Clara responds finally after a rather amused look at Niko for the Hellenic mafia quip, being a little slow since her player is also on happy fun cold meds. She scrambles to her feet as well to attempt to swipe a hug from Niko, grinning. "Thanks for coming over, hey? Give Ela my best. And if he stayed, where would Riley sleep when he comes home?" she wonders to Greer without even spluttering.

Niko replies to Tara, with a quirked grin, "My grandfather, actually. Ciprian Heriseu. He died when I was tiny, though, so I doubt he'd be any help." He returns Clara's hug, naturally, and, either exhausted enough to be relaxed about it or greatly daring, does his best to kiss her cheek lightly, the sort of kiss a brother might give to a sister, if she doesn't have cooties. "My best to Ela," he agrees. He hunkers down, then, to grin at Greer. "And Ela would probably miss me. I'm supposed to have sleepovers with her, see."

Tara's mouth quirks. "Very little help, yes." She wiggles her fingers in something akin to a wave. "Sleep well, Niko." Clara gets an amused look. "Arthur? Grouchy old Arthur? You're kidding, right?"

Greer goes for a big hug on Niko. "Oh! That'd be a bad thing then." She glances toward Clara before releasing Niko. "It's a -big- bed," she says solemnly.

Clara doesn't seem to mind the kiss at all, and returns the favor with an attempt at ruffling Niko's hair helplessly while grinning, then heads around to drop to a seat in one corner of the couch. "It is a big bed. But Niko and Riley are big men. I wouldn't fit," she replies just as solemnly,then grins at Tara. "Amazing, no? I think he likes Riley though. Me he wants to skin."

Niko returns the hug, just tightly enough to be tight but without causing discomfort, eyes closing briefly in a decidedly wistful, homesick expression when his face is out of Greer-eyeshot. His sister isn't the only one who misses the small children of the family. He ruffles the kidlet's hair--his own is ruffled, after all--then gets lightly to his feet. "Besides," he adds, with a grin, "I'd probably end up with elbows and such where they don't belong. It's better that I go home to my Ela." Aww. -His- Ela. He offers a hint of a bow, then turns to head for the door. "Have a pleasant evening, ladies. And don't stay up too late."

Clara sketches a salute at Niko with a warm smile. "Your Ela," she murmurs in approving agreement. "Orders to kiss her, Casymed," she quips amiably. "Sleep well, Niko. G'night," she offers.

Greer waves quickly. "G'night, Mister Niko!" Her eyes still sparkle. She's gained another idol.

"That's so sweet." Tara smiles. "Later, Junior."

Niko can be a graven image, woo hoo! He just flickers a grin over his shoulder to Clara. "Like I'd need orders to do that. G'night, the three of you."

You walk towards the Third Floor Elevator Lounge.


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