The Next Day

Sojana had gotten up several hours ago, she'd been working in the Armory to pass the time until her favorite eatery prepared to open in this sector. Being the only Vidian with rank on board she didn't expect the Mess Hall to cater to her raw meat only appetite. Here she could get a few pounds of replicated Cardacian Antelope, before the grills where fired up for breakfast and the owners where quite enjoyable even if they where invertibrets.

Marons was standing outside the door as well; this place wasn't the only restaurant to do his species' food, but they did it cheap and they CARED. Most people, when hearing that Marons' people lived on little more than water, carbon and fats put together a scrambled grease and granite mix; this place SCULPTED it, refined it, used different kinds of carbon and even labeled what the fats came from. It was expensive, but he tended to drop by for a small breakfast before heading off to his bar.

Sojana didn't bother making eye contact with Marons when he walked up. She had no idea who he was considering she spent most her time in the armory or on the bridge. She paid for two pounds of Cardacian meat and engaged the shop owner in idle chitchat while his husband prepared her order.

Since Marons didn't have eyes, eye contact would have been impossible anyway. Waiting patiently for his turn, he pulled out a small pad from beneath the covers of his "wings". He was listening in on their conversation, but when people mistake your ears for wings there's not much of a chance that you WON'T overhear them. Still, pretending that he wasn't listening Marons reached out, picked up a pen from the desk and began to draw.

Unfamiliar with his species Sojana took notice of him, from behind of course, thinking that he couldn't see her.

An almost seven foot tall slab of moving rock tends to get attention, that's why Marons just smiled the hole in what SHOULD be his face at Sojana and kept scribbling on the pad. He couldn't speak or write, so he had to give the number and a small drawing of what he wanted.

Sojana noticed that her order was ready but there was too much rock-man in her way to get it. She had no where to be at the moment so she waited as patiently as a Vidian could.

Ripping the ticket off, Marons passed it past Sojana to deliver his order; she could see a detailed depiction of three thick slabs of something the seemed to ooze even on paper, all balanced delicatley like human pancakes on a plate, which for Marons enteretainment had small Vidian figures along the edge. And, since he ran his own bar and it was second nature, as soon as the ticket was taken he turned around and picked up Sojana's food, handing it to her in a thick red hand.

Sojana saw the slip and was a bit confused, but took her food and thanked him as she turned to leave.

Paying for his food, taking the plate when it arrived, and settling down to eat at a table, Marons made the loudest sound he'd made all day. The distinctive crunch of finely hummed slate snapping under a rock mouth was rather loud after all.

---

D'mitri walked through the social sector on his way to his office. He made this trek every morning, the clamor or silent thoughts from all the early morning shoppers, diners, and commuters made for a very interesting listen. Every once in awhile he hears a worth while bit of info. He spotted Sojana and stopped walking to wait for her, he had some good news for her.

As Sojana left the shop she spotted the Chief, she often found him walking threw around the time she came to get her breakfast. "So what do you eat if you don't have a mouth?" She asked, not bothering to stand at attention or salute, seeing as how he wasn't too particular about those sorts of things.

"I have good news for you and your team." D'mitri said ignoring her question completely. "I have prepared a training simulation for you and your team to tackle. Unless you have anything planned today for them or yourself it is ready for activation."

Sojana fished inside her sack and pulled out a small chunk of purple tinted meat. "Your going on my Xorlorn card list this cycle Chief." She said with a smile, her teeth the slightest hint purple from the Cardacian blood. "I can pop it on them if you want so you can gauge their response time. What time is best for you?"

"Now." D'mitri said as they walked towards the elevators. "I wanted the Commander to watch as well but I have not contacted him yet to see if he is available. If you wish you may go and alert your team to the impending exercise and I will go see if the Commande is available." He was perfectly capable of contacting Commander Rhod telepathically from this distance but he learned that most people prefer to be able to see him.

"Aye sir." Sojana said taking another bite of her antelope as she cued the elevator to take her to the facility quarters. "The boys are gonna love you."

"You may not think so once you get done with the simulation." D'mitri said with a mental smile.

"You don't know my boys." Sojana said with a smile as she popped a chunk of antelope into her mouth and stepping inside the elevator.

"You dont know my simulation." D'mitri said as Sojana's elevator vanished from sight. He sighed and called an elevator for himself. Upon arrival he stepped in and it whooshed him off to the control deck.

---

Taylor and Teva stepped out of the elevator from below deck. "Alright- let's see. Have you found a nice place to eat, yet? There is a pub down this way that I went to last night. It's quaint, but primarily a bar....'s where I met the pilot. Other then that, anything is free game, I guess."

"I've been taking meals in my room," Teva clarified bluntly as she looked around them, taking in the area with just the slightest hint of displeasure for being here. "I never felt the need to know of any place that was not my home, the lab, to fix my parts or health, or any other place the Commander might designate me to which, so far, has not been here."

"Well I'll stick with old faithful?" Taylor suggested, heading into the bar that she had been in the night before. "The burger was good- let's see how the breakfast is." She led her friend over to an empty booth.

"I'm always tempted to try food of other planets, but there's just so much work involved, having to take it to the lab first and make sure it isn't going to corrode my stomach lining or lacerate my esophagus you know?" Teva commented conversationally as she sat across from Taylor, looking around at the place.

"Well- the burger I had last night wasn't corrosive at all. Then again- maybe it hasn't hit my lower intestine yet." Taylor said, glancing at the menu.

Having just come back from his own breakfast, Marons was trying not to let it out but the more they talked about burning food the less he could hold on. With the sound of releasing gas two large mushroom shaped clouds of black tainted air was blown from the two chiney like appendages on the side of his head. That breakfast HAD been very greasy.

Teva's eyes widened and she gently pinched her nose a little bit, staring at the creature. After only a moment though, her face was a mask of sarcasm. "Discouraging," she muttered to her companion about the alien's actions. "If it weren't for our work, Taylor, I do fear we might die from such expulsions."

Taylor winced a little and tried not to stare at the employee. She cleared her throat. "Maybe something light- like eggs and toast or something." she suggested.

"Good plan," Teva agreed as she peeked at a menu. "I think... two eggs, hard, dry toast, and... italian sausage." She barely glanced at Marons clear across the room, noting his physical features with ease. She knew there would be no need to call for him, and even talking to Taylor, the man would pick up her order as she said it. She looked up at her companion with a light frown. "I'm sorry, Tezcacoatl has me in the habit of eating animals with every meal."

Taylor snorted and grinned. She lifted a hand and shouted, "Make that two!" She brought her hand down and looked at Teva, "It actually sounds delicious."

Marons nodded towards Teva, but winced when Taylor shouted; he hadn't been expecting that. Pulling out a small pen and paper he scribbled down their orders in a tiny drawing, with a "X2" beside it, then passed it along to the hatch behind him. Turning back towards the girls, he raised a glass tentively and shook it, inquiring if they wanted any drinks.

"Oh right... um... orange juice please." Taylor said, sitting back in her seat.

"Apple juice?" Teva said quietly, looking at Marons not so he could see her, but so her voice was directed that direction. She looked back at Taylor with a grin. "Try not to shout, yeah? No need to draw attention, when we already have the attention that we need."

"Please- you act like you care what these poeple think." Taylor sat back. "I mean- you're dating someone of a different species...you have to be at least strong in that sense, right?"

Marons waggled his ears slightly and reached under the bar, pulling out two glasses and taking a moment to pause and just make sure. Some of these drinks were poisonous to humans, and human drinks were poisonous to other species. Oranges could be very deadly. He knew his bar though, knew where everything was, so carefully he poured out one glass of thick orange juice and another of apple. Since there were very few people in the bar Marons picked them up and took them over to the two girls' table.

"Oh- thanks." Taylor remarked, noting how speedy Marons was. Waiting for Teva's reply, she brought the cup to her lips and took a gulp of orange juice.

"Excuse me for having no desire to initiate less-than-necessary communication with others," Teva replied curtly, but there was no malice in her words. "Thank you," she told Marons kindly as she took her glass and sniffed it just slightly, a habit developed from her husband. She set it on the table, convinced it was safe. "I do not care what they think, it's when they speak that irks me. It is a waste of time and effort to explain and speak with them."

Marons nodded slightly at the girls, turned back and headed back behind his bar. Being careful with his ears, Marons settled in his place again and glanced towards his other customers; they all seemed pretty content.

Taylor shrugged, "I think everyone gets their share of verbal abuse. Nothin' anyone can do about it." She wanted to talk about something more uplifting, so she sipped on her juice and leaned her elbows on the table, planting her chin in her palm.

"I suppose so," Teva agreed with a thoughtful little frown. She watched her companion idly before speaking again. "You seem down. Is something on your mind? Is it the experiments? Because really we have plenty of time to figure them out. Failure this early on is to be expected and of course can be corrected."

Taylor didn't want to outright admit that she wasn't feeling right. Then again, she didn't know what was wrong either. "What? No, I'm fine. Just had an off morning really." she smiled and waved away the thought.

"I'll say. First not wanting to work, and even now when you are out of the dirt, your head is still in the clouds." Teva shook her head wonderingly at her companion, but didn't press it. Instead she took a sip of her juice before putting it down again, her eyes closed thoughtfully. She was wondering what the Commander would have in store for them as well. She nearly laughed as her mind sarcastically supplied an image of a social gathering, a gala at that.

Taylor shrugged, "Maybe I'm still drunk from last night." she joked, taking another sip of her juice. "So- I wonder where the hell this ship is going to end up. You know? Are we going to be able to find a sustainable place to live? Or are we going to live out our days on this ship?"

"Hopefully we'll find a planet," Teva replied without opening her eyes. "Otherwise we are all doomed to suffer cabin fever." She opened her eyes to look at Taylor. "Eventually."

"Fresh air would be nice. Sure the greenhouse is the closest thing but..." Taylor paused, "Nothing really compares to a breeze in the middle of nature, you know?" 

"Mmmm. You think we'll get antsy. I can't even imagine how Tezca will handle it," Teva wondered aloud. She grinned, reaching in her pocket for something. "Probably stalk the halls, scaring anyone who didn't pass or take a foreign species class." She pulled out a hand rolled cigarette. "Alright to smoke?" she asked, looking at Taylor but some how directing the question at Marons as well.

"Yea, it's fine." Taylor said, "I assume it's allowed. Last night people were smoking." She traced the rim of her glass with a finger.

Marons nodded towards them, but pulled out one of the "special" trays as their food appeared. Basically what he was placing their meals on was a small extractor and compactor, it would take the remaining residue and smell from the air as Teva smoked and compact it inside the tray; afterwards you only had to take out the filter and put it in the trash. Carefully putting the tray down on their table, Marons turned away and headed towards some other customers ready to order food.

"Fantastic," Teva said without a smile, her tone stained with sarcasm even as she put the small item in her mouth and lit it with her trademark green lighter. "I'd make it more potent to use it less, but having it's just become such a habit, I didn't want to OD when I smoke without thinking," she muttered around the little white paper as she put the lighter back in her pocket. She took a long drag, removed it from her lips, and exhaled, away from Taylor, before looking at her superior. "It's funny, you know. For as well as we get along, I don't really know you at all. I mean... what do you do when you aren't buried in the lab? I know that's usually sleep, but there has to be something. You'd go mad, keeping your nose to the dirt, counting peas all day."

"I read." Taylor said plainly. It's not that she loved to read, but she really didn't have that many friends to hang out with. "I love to ice skate and rock climb but- you know... I can't really do that anymore." She grabbed her plate and paused before digging in.

Teva's eyes widened slightly. "Oh really? We'll have to book a simulation room sometime," she commented as she picked up her fork with her free hand and set about cutting up her eggs and sausage and mixing them together before taking a bit. At least it didn't kill her instantly, and it tasted normal. She swallowed with little hesitancy. "Rock climbing would be a great way to get out of the lab. I think we have allotted hours, right?"

"I'm not sure. I never really did any research on the simulation room." Taylor said, taking a bite herself. Swallowing, she said, "I wonder if it would be any different from real rock climbing?"

"From what I've read, it can be set to do anything you want it to," Teva explained as she set about to her breakfast, occasionally taking a drag of her cigarette. "And of course, set to not do things you don't want it to do. I mean.. really? Do we want to be falling to our deaths if something happens? I. Think. Not." She shook her head as she put her cig between her lips to hold it as she scooped some of her mixture onto her dry toast, removing the little paper to take a bite of the simple concoction.

"Oh I'm not worried about anything like that." Taylor gloated a bit. "Have you ever done it before? It's a blast." She buttered her toast and scooped some egg onto it before biting into it.

"For physical education courses. I've never had trouble with it," Teva explained as she used another piece of toast to kind of condense what was left of her breakfast into a smaller surface area of her plate. "Given I always preferred tennis or soccer. Something very satisfying about swinging a blunt object to hit something, or kicking a head sized object around." She lifted the piece of bread she was using as a tool and took a bite, her expression as calm as her words had been. Teva was not an angry person, but she was by no means a social butterfly with a penchant for people.

Finishing up her plate, Taylor washed it down with her juice before leaning back in the booth. "Ah..." she said with a smug grin, "So what shall be next on our agenda?"

"I'm not sure," Teva replied as she, too, finished her breakfast then pushed her now empty plate just a little away before leaning back. She was frowning. With a small drag, she finished her cigarette and put the small bit that was left on her plate, not sure what else to do with it. She exhaled carefully, looking thoughtful. "I've heard the commander is doing rounds, checking out everyone's work area. He hasn't visited while I was downstairs. Did he those four hours or so that I was asleep?" She looked at Taylor, honestly not sure if she had managed to escape the unpleasant experience of keeping up appearances, or if she was still destined to suffer through the ordeal.

"Not at all. It ticks me off that no one appreciates what we really do for this metal heap. We are the god-damn backbone!" Taylor said, rather annoyed at the subject. She lifted her glass and finished off her orange juice in one gulp. "Ahh..." she exhaled, wiping her lips with her wrist. For a "woman", she sure had a lost of male tendencies. Clearing her throat, she stood up from her table. "I actually need to pick up a few more bottles of Gibberellic acid biosynthesis inhibitors. The labs are getting low on supply. There is nothing like that in the social sector, so I was planning on heading into the Facility Quarters and see if someone can direct me to a supply we can purchase."

"So ridiculous... under-equipped...." Teva muttered, shaking her head as she stood with Taylor. She sighed just slightly and looked at her companion, taking on a slightly more professional tone. "With your permission, ma'am, I'll accompany you. At least they have provided us with an approved supplier, instead of making us scrounge for supplies amongst... potentially unsatisfactory goods and dealers."

"'Ma'am'?" Taylor repeated, "Why aren't you cute." She said, slightly mocking her. "Come on, let's get out of here." She fixed up her labcoat and headed out the door, into the elevator and up to the Facility Quarters with her partner.

---

Hours later, Taylor returned with her very partner. Her hands were snug in her lab coat pockets. Glancing around, she noted, "Wow...it sure is dead here."

"Well, Taylor," Teva replied in a bland matter-of-fact tone. "Some people actually do their jobs on this ship. Unlike us, their duties don't keep functioning naturally in their absence. Now, about this icecream situation...."

Taylor rolled her eyes, "Smart ass." She glanced at the store signs for a moment, "Come on, maybe there is a stand or shop over this way." she said, walking down the street. 

Marons was standing in front of a shop, the large mint green sign above their heads displaying the words "Chiron's Creams". Marons was apparently having a one sided argument with the owner of the store, Chiron declaring words like "That's not enough!" and "Look, I won't even charge you for delivery." Occasionally there was a long scratching sound as Marons wiped away his message from his slate before scrawling a new one.

Teva followed along placidly, her eyebrows raising only slightly at the sight of Marons and Chiron. "Goodness. I wonder what all the hubbub is," she said amiably to her companion, sounding every bit as sarcastic as her faux expression was.

"Do you think that's the shop we need?" Taylor asked, glancing up at the sign. "Wait... isn't that the bartender from the diner?"

Marons sighed as Chiron dissapeared back inside his shop, the large pottery like man scratching at his head slightly, scraping sounds coming from the fingers as they rubbed and a faint red chalk appearing on the floor. He turned slightly at the sound of Teva and Taylor's voices, recognising them as people from his bar.

"Undoubtedly," Teva remarked as Marons turned to them. "You have dandruff," she joked to the alien, though no humor was in her voice and it did not change it's dull tone. She looked at Taylor. "This is either the right place, or an herbal remedy shop of some kind.. or a beauty shop of sorts... or a sex shop. Dare we try?" Again, probably only Taylor was going to get that the woman was joking, since she looked utterly bored to be where she was, without being particularly annoyed.

"Maybe all three?" Taylor shrugged a bit, unsure about this shop now. "We could ask the bartender?" she motioned back to the speechless man.

Before they'd even turned to talk to him a scratching came from Maron, the large red man scribbling away at his slate with a small piece of chalk. He turned it around and showed it to the girls, the large neat letters spelling out the words It's an ice cream shop. I'm trying to get a deal with him to serve it in my bar. He wiped the slate clean again and wrote down He's expensive but quite well known. Trying to weasle me out of as much money as possible.

Taylor was patient while Maron wrote. She was a bit surprised however. Initially she thought he was just anti-social, but perhaps he is mute? Or possibly can't speak English? Then again...he is able to write so? Hmm.... Taylor tried not to dwell on the subject. "Well....it's good ice cream, right?"

Yes, that's why I'd like to sell it. And also I've had complaints of some drunks stumbling from my place to come here, apparently I fill this place's 1am to 5am slot. Marons wrote down, showing it to them again in much smaller writing, though still legible. He paused for a moment, then wiped it out and wrote Would you be interested in buying them from my bar?

Taylor looked back at the ice cream shop, then to Marons, "Err...you've got cones?"

I meant in the future. He's too stubborn for a transaction now. I haven't really had time for a public test... so you're it Marons wrote down in his neat little handwriting. Would you be interested in buying ice cream from my place in the future?

"Well....sure. Why not?" Taylor nodded. The several times that she had been in his diner, he was always working. Did this guy never go to his quarters?

Just making sure, the market might be small and this guy's expensive Marons replied, the clear white lines marking the slate that he held. This was a regular conversation with him, as most people found him "odd" when not accustemed to his species they mostly only talked to him when about business. Business had, very slowly, become his life.

"Why not offer a trial run at his rate? If it works well, and boosts his sales, and lessens the drunks, maybe then you'll have some ground to stand on for suggesting he lower his price to you," Teva said dully before looking at her companion. "That classic Chunky Monkey beckons. Shall we go in then?"

Taylor smirked and shrugged her shoulders at Marons before heading back towards the ice cream shop. When Teva had her heart set on food, nothing stopped her.

To do a trial at his prices would cost too much, I need- Marons stopped writing, as the two dissapeared inside. He just waved slightly at Taylor and Teva as they went inside, trying to smile at them with stoney lips.

"Need what?" Teva asked as she passed by him, following Taylor, a clear indicator she was inviting him to come along. She didn't mind business talk with people, she'd had quite a few classes at university, it was the attempt at being social that annoyed her about other crew members. Once inside she looked around to see what they had. She didn't want to complicate things but saying 'banana ice cream with bits of fudge and walnuts' if she could just say 'chunky monkey' and he would get it. Although, as she thought about it, that was a painfully silly phrase to come from her lips. Regardless. "What kind were you thinking?" she asked Taylor, still keeping some attention on Marons if he came along.

"I think I'm going to get a waffle cone with strawberry ice cream and chocolate syrup." Taylor said, still staring up at the menu items. "Haven't had something like that in ages."

Marons nodded simply, swaying back and forth for a moment before following them inside, being careful of his ears as he wondered inside. Large and wing like, they tended to knoc against things. I need a smaller price for a proper test, it's a new market in here and I can't take big risks.

"I assume neither can he," Teva told Marons after reading his little board. "This way you would convince him, and see what business is like. Asking him to lessen his price, and risk losing money, when he is doing you the favor, seems sort of... rude, doesn't it? Maybe try asking him when you can afford a test. At least, that's my opinion." She looked over the menu with Taylor as she spoke to Marons, knowing the creature didn't care that she wasn't looking at him. He couldn't look at her after all. She looked at the other woman. "Sounds sweet. Doesn't match your disposition at all," she said sarcastically before looking around casually to find where Chiron had wandered off to.

Now the slate read I don't mind paying for the goods, but when he's trying to skunk me for boxing and delivery as well it gets me. Plus what he calls "brand tax". Marons large red hand scraped across the slate as he cleaned it, then the words He'll be in the back right now, he just runs the place. Book keeping, not actually serving."

Taylor had already ordered from the cute little cashier behind the counter. It wasn't long before Taylor was handed a two scoop cone with pink ice cream and chocolate syrup. "Thanks." she replied, backing up so the other two could order.

Teva made her order in an almost murmured tone and got a cone similar to Taylor's, though her ice cream was yellow studded with light brown nuts and almost black bits of fudge. She licked it experimentally, her eyes fluttering slightly with memories. A smile almost managed to pull up the corners of her mouth before she was calm again, turning her attention to Marons once more. "Well, his loss then. I don't know which owner wouldn't want to stick his hand into other peoples' businesses, monopolize eventually, with a lotta luck."

You do granite? Marons held up to the casheer so they could read it. After a confused "no" then he scratched it out and wrote Then I'm fine. He turned to Teva and Taylor Don't suppose I can sit with you guys? I don't know many people on this ship, at least not on speaking he immediatley crossed out speaking friendly terms.

"Of course." Taylor said to Marons after reading his sign. He was a curious creature, that's for sure. She slipped down into a booth and scooted in just in case someone wanted to sit next to her. "I'm curious and don't mean to be rude, but can you not speak English?" Taylor's best guess was that his kind was unable to form words with a human-like tongue. 

Yes, they didn't know about his kind. At least Marons had met it before, settling into a seat opposite Taylor he left Teva very little choice where to sit, as he took up almost one side himself. These his slate read as he waggled the wing-like pertuberances hidden beneath some cloth that gave him such a gargoylesque appearence are ears. Not wings. I can hear a foot step a mile away, I have to keep them covered up or the sheer amount of people here would give me constant migranes and possible deafness. He wiped the slate clean, then wrote Listening to people is bareable, if loud, but if my kind speaks then we can be rendered deaf for short periods of time in we're not careful. So we don't speak frequently, and if we do normal people find it hard to hear, ask us to speak up, and we wind up deaf. Another wipe clean, another aplication of chalk; when one stick seemed to get short to write he didn't toss it away, simply put it between his stoney lips and chewed it before writing again with a new stick. We were on the sunny side of a stationary rotary planet, so eventually we didn't need eyes because they took up too much water and it was always too bright. To compensate for that we got enhanced hearing. Another wipe, another scribble But to answer your question, I speak English, German and French, though the last one is a dead language now. Well... almost.

"Ahh...interesting." Taylor lifted her brows and took some licks off of her ice cream. "So, if I may also ask...before you get writer's cramp, what is the benefit of your kind to have such keen hearing?"

Teva slid into the booth next to her superior, mostly seeming to ignore the other woman's presence, but mostly because she was so comfortable with her. As she listened to their conversation, she set into her ice cream, making skilled motioned reminiscent of something her husband might do, never letting a drop make it to much as to her hand, much less on the table. Her free hand fiddled with her personal lighter in her pocket, her mind on the words around her, as well as some plants down stairs, among a few other things.

Well... no eyes Marons pointed to the blank place on his face where eyes would remain means that we have difficulty seeing predators or anything really. They help us become aware of what is around us. In the practical world however, not much of a help, apart from the fact that we can hear things a long way away. I can hear when people are ready to order, which means I don't have to employ too many waitresses to constantly check. A wipe of the slate, Marons flexed his wrist for a moment before putting the chalk to slate again The law enforcement tends to use my kind to check on "quiet" neighbourhoods as well. If my kind are strolling a block then apparently it almost grinds to a halt.

"Fascinating." Taylor said. Not wanting to bother him to write anymore after seeing his wrist flex, she started to eat her cone more.
A while passed and Taylor soon finished her ice cream cone. "So- is it just me...or is this place dead?"

I admit he does not have regular customers every day, but that is why I believe our joining would work. I have regulars that might start buying ice cream Marons scribbled on his pad, holding it up for the others to see.

"Can't help that some people just have a stick up their ass. Maybe it's no use." Taylor blurted out rather unladylike.

I thought I'd give it a shot. Marons admitted. He seemed to look around at the shop slowly, even though there wasn't anything he could actually see; he was just at a loss for words. So what do you two do on the ship? he asked; it would answer two questions, what they did and if they were together. If they had different jobs they were together romantically most probably, if they had the same job they were probably just work partners.

Taylor glanced at Teva. They had introduced themselves many times today and it was getting old. "Again, I'm Taylor Samson, head Biological Engineer of this ship. This is my partner, Teva. Basically we work in the underbelly of the ship and make the food and air."

"We're an under appreciated necessity. Like toilet paper," Teva remarked blandly as she looked around the shop, though her voice was directed at her companions. She had successfully managed to eat her icecream without making a mess. It was a wonder to her, but regardless. "The doctor runs out of medicine, the sick die. We run out of supplies, the entire ship's population dies."

The important ones are the ones who get ignored Marons scribbled down on his slate, before tapping the table slowly and letting out a soft puff of smoke. What are you planning to do now? he wrote down, wondering what the two were up to.

"Did you just compare our careers to toilet paper?" Taylor shot a look at Teva. She ignored it and shook her head, glancing back at Marons. "Go back to work...maybe? It's been a bit slow lately as far as experiments go. It's complicated." she said, not really wanting to explain the whole process. "I've sort of hit a wall in my research." Taylor reconsidered her previous comment, "Maybe I'll call it a day."

There was no way an expressionless face and the words Oh. Alright should have been able to display dissapointment, but somehow they did. Marons had never seen the below decks, he still had a few hours until he had to be back at his bar because he'd thought the meeting would last longer. It would have been nice to visit the place where they grew everything.

"Tez won't be awake for a few more hours," Teva told Taylor, almost but not quite completely ignoring Marons. "I'll go finish up the checks and close up shop." She glanced at Marons, her eyes doing a double take. She frowned. He reminded her a little of her husband, though without the murderous intent he had for some creatures. "... Do you want to come with me? I'll show you mine if you show me yours," she quoted to him, though referring this time to their place of work.

Taylor didn't say anything just yet. She was more so interested in Maron's reply. Was being a bartender that lonely? You would think he would have some of the most friends on board. Then again...it may be hard for some to accept the whole 'no talking' thing.

Yes please Marons had written it so quickly that it was clear he was excited. They didn't know it, but because of the lack of vegetation on their planet Marons' species never had to evolve around plants; hearing plants grow was always a treat, and somewhere quiet and removed from the hustle and bustle of the social sector was a happy prospect for Marons.

Teva blinked at the creature, the rest of her very still for a moment. It was the only sign of her deep surprise. Shaking it off mentally, she looked at Taylor as she stood from the table. "I'll see you in a few hours then? 'In the morning' doesn't really apply anymore, does it?" The second question was rhetorical. "I'll just show him the greenhouses, then we'll go." All of their experiments not only took years of training to understand, they took a microscope to see the minimal progress they had made so far. And.. well... Marons... Right. "When you are ready," she said to Marons, standing with perfect posture, a blank expression, and her hands in her lab coat pockets.

Marons stood up carefully, making sure not to tip the table as he took his place next to Teva. He held up his slate for her to see Lets go then. and waited for her to lead the way. He LIKED plants, they were a bit too watery for some but he still liked them.

Taylor lazily waved them off. Guess she had to go be bored somewhere else. But where? The bar was obviously not being tended to...so that was out. She exited the ice cream shop and boredly strolled down the street. For a moment, she thought about that nurse from earlier and how Teva had teased her. Dismissing the thought, she sighed.

Voices, raised just slightly, one confused and the other patiently kind, broke through the murmur of activity of the floor. They were speaking in a language akin to Earth Spanish mixed with Russian. After a moment, however, clear English broke through, tinged with some gentle accent that was very familiar. "No no. I just want the injections. No, no." Vesper giggled again, the salesman she was talking with smiling at her, clearly charmed. "I don't need an upgrade. I'm sorry, I'm not sanctioned for that." The man nodded, speaking in that odd language again as he held up his hands in defeat. He gave her the 'one moment' hand sign and disappeared into the back of the shop to get something for her as the nurse continued browsing the shelves at the various metallic objects, humming softly.

Taylor perked a little when she heard Vesper's charming, girly voice. Biting her lower lip, she contemplated an action plan. Do it. Taylor decided to give it a shot and headed Vesper's way. She cleared her throat and tried to ignore her fears. Straightening herself on the walk over, Taylor wanted to compose herself in a proper, confident manner. Vesper was just so cute though! Swallowing a gulp, Taylor said, "Hey! Fancy meeting you here." she began, as if it were all coincidence.

Vesper, pouting slightly in confusion, turned to meet her greeter. Noticing who it was, she smiled pleasantly (not that there was anyone she wouldn't smile at). "Well hello there," she greeted kindly, nodding to Taylor in a polite manner. "How are you doing this evening?"

"Good, good..." Taylor smirked, amused by how chipper she always was. "Again, thanks for sharing your supplies...it really will help us out. I wanted to actually, personally thank you. Could I buy you coffee or something? Just a small token of my appreciation."

Vesper's eyes sparked slightly, her lips raising just slightly more with contained enthusiasm. "I would love that very much," she said pleasantly. She giggled. "I love coffee." Just then, the store man came back, smiling and nodding as he handed her a small metal item like a hollow scalpel. Vesper handed him a card which he took away for a moment before returning and handing it the nurse. With another smile and nod, he went to work elsewhere. Vesper put the item in a pocket before smiling at Taylor again. "Do you always personally thank your associates?" she inquired the other woman, the question in no way accusatory. She was simply being sociable.

"No, unfortunately. Only when I think they really deserve it." Taylor admitted. She began to lead her to one of the small coffee shops that she stopped at a few weeks ago. "You had to convince that-" she refrained with all her might to not call that guy a 'bird brain', "...rather stubborn doctor."

Vesper chuckled slightly at the comment, knowing Taylor was trying so hard to restrain herself. "Oh, he is not so bad, after some time with him. Skilled people simply are... easily frustrated, as they have so few people they can talk with, since few people have the training they do. Patience is invaluable, in any profession. Do you not agree?" She smiled at the scientist as they sat in one of the booths across from each other. She laced her hands together and rested them on the table top like a proper young lady.

"You remember...I literally watch plants grow." Taylor said, attempting to be witty and mildy humerous. She ordered a glass of water seeing as she just finished an ice cream cone. "But I still don't think I have THAT much patience to get to know that man." She looked at Vesper, "No offence or anything. You must be a saint."

Vesper just continued to smile, shaking her head. "Far from it, I assure you. It is just, for me..." She paused and ordered the strongest espresso the shop offered, smiling at the server before looking at Taylor again. "He is sweeter than sugar."

"Ahh....I see." Taylor said, discouraged. If Vesper meant what Taylor thought she meant, this was all a waste of time. How could someone as kind as her go for something so... Taylor cleared her throat. "Sorry, I wasn't aware you two were a couple."

Vesper looked adorable when she was this confused. She tried to smile, but her confusion was clear. "We are... colleagues. Coupled in our work, but we are not... together, if that is what you presume. The doctor is a brilliant man, to be sure, but I have no personal interest in someone I admire so much."

"Oh- nevermind then." Taylor smiled. Oh great, now that was awkward. "So- nurse, huh? How's that going?" She wanted a new topic, now!

The nurse chuckled sensing the other woman's discomfort. "Fascinating," she obliged, going with the topic for Taylor's sake. "So many different species. A lot of anatomy books and such to go through. Might I inquire... how did you come to be a bio-engineer?" Might as well help the conversation along, Vesper thought placidly. It was, after all, her job to keep crew members healthy and happy emotionally and somewhat mentally. The doctor was the one who was far more skilled, and therefore more designated, to handle physical situations.

"Well- I grew up on Europa(one of the top wealthiest settlements) and I guess you could say that I fell in love with plants and gardening at a young age." Taylor said first off. "I always enjoyed the outdoors as a kid and our neighbors were agricultural producers. My parents weren't home very often, so I would always play over there." She rested her arms on the table and brought a hand to her face, leaning on it. "I guess I was just fascinated at how much crop they would bring in during harvest. I wanted to learn the science behind it and now I'm working on improving it."

"A noble goal," Vesper replied with a small smile and an acknowledging nod. "Important work. I, for one, appreciate what you do. If beings didn't learn about and improve their sustenance sources, life in general would not be able to adapt and modify as it has done so successfully thus far."

Taylor couldn't get rid of her smile. "Thank you." she said confidently. "Sometimes we feel a bit unappreciated down there. It's nice to hear it from an...'adoring fan?'" She joked.

Vesper chuckled and smiled kindly at Taylor, glad to see the woman more relaxed. She nodded, showing she agreed. "I suppose I am. I just need those... What did Earthlings call them? 'Flome fingers'?" She held up a hand, pointing to the ceiling and moved it side to side as if waving something slowly. She smiled at the waiter as their drinks arrived, thanking him politely. After he had gone, she picked up her mug and breathed the strong scent as if it were joy in a cup, her eyelids fluttering a little before she took a sip of the black liquid, her eyes closing entirely at the the pleasure.

Taylor simply watched admirably at Vesper. She knew that she was infatuated by the young woman, but Taylor couldn't really help herself. After taking a drink of her small glass of water, she said, "Oh and you can just call me Taylor. All the formalities can get annoying at the end of the day, you know?"  

"Very well.. Taylor," Vesper replied, her voice like velvet, a kind smile playing with her pleasant features. The woman would not stand out, ever, by any means, but she did have something about her, besides those impossibly sparkling eyes and pointed ears that made her seem a little... exotic. "You may call me whatever you wish. It is, after all, a matter of comfort." She pointed to her cup, still smiling. "Your work is magnificent. Marvelous discovery, the Earth coffee bean." She set the cup down, smiling fondly at the dark liquid.

"Well jeez- I wouldn't go that far. By no means did I brew it." Taylor scratched the back of her head. "I can....call you whatever I want?" she repeated, not really knowing how to react to that.

"Yes, but without you, there would be nothing to brew and, if you did your job incorrectly, nothing good would come of brewing a harvest. And yes, you may," Vesper clarified, smiling as she lifted her cup and took another slow sip, watching Taylor over the rim.

"Uhm....I think for now, I'll just call you 'Vesper'." Taylor said with a smirk. "So- tell me about yourself. What do you like to do for fun?" Perhaps Taylor would be able to get some ideas for a possible "date 2?" Then again, she really wanted to figure out if Vesper was single or not...along with her sexuality. 

"Read mostly," Vesper replied sweetly. "Though I do enjoy walks on the holo-deck. There are so many environments in the known universe, you know?"

"I haven't had the chance to try out the holo-deck myself. I suppose I've had the spoils of actual nature and just don't think a holoroom can compare." Taylor said. "Maybe they have a rock climbing setting I could try out though."

"I'm sure they do," Vesper assured her, resting her elbows on the table and leaning forward slightly, smiling at Taylor. "You really are very lucky, Taylor.. Nature is a beautiful thing..." Her voice softened, very quiet near the end, and her eyes sparkled a little as she regarded the pretty woman in front of her as her finger played idly with the rim of her cup.

A small metal object on Taylor's coat made a small noise and Vesper sat back on her side of the booth, just how making it obvious how much closer she had leaned toward Taylor, and remained quiet, smiling and sipping her coffee as Teva's voice came out of the little pin that each crew member had to have.

"Taylor? Hey look I'm sorry but securities in green house 7-A. I can't deal with this. You are head of the division- The plants. Ah, crap, can you just get down here?"

Taylor was completely flushed and sweating a bit as Vesper came closer. A chill went up her back but was interrupted by Teva's voice. "Wha-?" She snapped out of it and brought the mic to her lips. "I'm a little BUSY here." Taylor said with an annoyed voice. But then she realized what Teva said, "Security?" Perhaps it best that she investigated. Looking at Vesper with an apologetic expression, she said, "Uhm- I'm terribly sorry, but something came up...I have to go."It pained her to say it.

Vesper just nodded understandingly, smiling at her still. "We can continue our discussion another time."

Taylor hurriedly got up from her seat. Teva wouldn't call her down there unless it was something serious. She took out money to pay for their drinks and placed it on the table. "Definitely." Without hesitation, she bowed like a gentleman and grabbed Vesper's hand. In a quick motion, Taylor placed a kiss before turning and running out the shop. She immediately went to an elevator. This better be important.

The nurse blinked slightly, watching Taylor go with a curious expression as her fingers curled just slightly, not quite fisting, and she rested her hand on her chest, almost as if gripping her heart. Well... that was a most curious reaction, Vesper thought to herself, her very first frown playing with her lips. And what had she just felt in Taylor. Annoyance? Anger? Maybe not quite... and desire. A desire to stay? Either way.. She leaned back in her booth, staring at the table top as her hand not on her chest lifted her coffee mug and she sipped at it contemplatively. She could not quite figure out the scientist, but it wasn't like she was moving to another galaxy. They had plenty of time to get to know each other. From now on, she felt she was going to have to make some adjustment room in her scheduling, in case her... friend? should want another of these interactions. Though, hopefully ending on better terms.

Nearly an hour and a half later, Taylor quickly walked into the social sector. No way Vesper was still here. She had probably gone after she had eaten. Still, Taylor was desperate.

"Well," said a kind voice as Vesper herself stepped out of one of the little food shops, a small brown bag clutched in one of her delicate hands by her side. Her lips quirked up slightly in a friendly, if not a little teasing, smile. "I didn't expect you to hurry back. Has the situation already been resolved?" she inquired politely.

Taylor spun around at the sound of her lovely voice. She was quite relieved to see that Vesper hadn't headed home yet. Straightening her back, Taylor slowed her breathing to make it seem that she didn't run up here when actually...she did. Clearing her throat, Taylor began, "Not exactly." Approaching her, she slid her hands in her pockets casually. "I had to shut down the greenhouse for the evening though. Something a bit serious came up." 

"Oh my," Vesper frowned, her free hand coming to her chest in that slightly curled fist again. She looked concerned. "Won't that put a hold on your work? I do hope it's not too serious..."

"A 24 hour lockdown isn't too bad. Research can wait and everyone should be stocked up on food for at least a week." Taylor winced, "It is a bit serious for the ship in general though."

"Hmmm.. would you like to talk about it?" Vesper asked, looking over the scientist with concern. She motioned for Taylor to join her as she leisurely headed back to the elevator to return to her office in the Facility Quarters.

Taylor swallowed, "Sure- I have nothing else to do. I mean, not that I don't want to come with you or anything! But rather- yea, shutting up now." She cleared her throat and glanced down at herself. When Vesper wasn't looking, Taylor brushed herself off quickly, making sure she looked presentable.