[Deleted]

Fee settled in at her station, and put on her headset. She was a teeny bit nervous; today was her first day training Aear, and she was hoping it would work out. She was dressed today in her uniform of black BDUs, and tank top. Her red hair had been pulled back into a fat, thick braid that hung down her back. After a few clicks of buttons, and some typing, she was ready. She turned on the comms for the whole ship, and spoke. 

Good morning, everyone. Duty rosters are posted, please check your schedule. Part of Fee's job was to harass the others daily with announcements from command. She turned off the comms, rolled her eyes, and glanced at the clock. Aear had a few minutes, and he'd best not be late. She saw him approach, and then smiled and waved. 

Allo! Ready to start? Her first "lesson" would be na overview, and she was excited to learn new things, as well. 

[Aear Charter]

Aear strolled tugging at the collar of his shirt. He was wearing his blue navy uniform. He hated wearing it and the tie made it all the more unbearable. Fee heard him mutter something about "ridiculous politics" before he gave her a big grin.

"Weesu!" he called "You finished harassing the base?" Aear chuckled. Fee-Fee was an interesting human to play with so he expected this to be hilarious.

"Excited for your first lesson in mana-pyshics?" he asked already trying to steer things his own way. All this science stuff was interesting and all it had just always felt so... unnatural compared to magical formulas. Still if he could combine them he'd not only be accomplishing something that no one on Ueda had managed but he'd be able to come up with a bunch of new formulas and systems.

[Deleted]

Weesu!...You finished harassing the base?

Fee nodded, arranging two chairs side by side. She was always very exact and organized, while Aear had more of a "fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants" outlook. The training sessions would be interesting. Probably stressful. At least Aear hadn't called her Fee-Fee.

Of course. Command only had one message for today. I feel like a bloody secretary. I hope that Captain and Admiral Oxford do remember that I have a higher IQ than both of them combined. I have half a mind to accidentally erase orders and send them both to Antarctica sometimes. She said this with a little bit of annoyance. She found her menial tasks not to her liking...and then realized she could make Aear do it.

Hey! Tomorrow, YOU can have a shot. Think about it, your chance to have the WHOLE ship hear you... She appealed to his ego.

Aear went on.

Excited for your first lesson in mana-pyshics?[/b] Fee gave him a LOOK.

That will be a lovely lesson...AFTER I show you mine. I am going to start off today with the radio comms. Who shall we bother first? The best part of Fee's job was that she could have private conversations with all the crew members at any point in time if she so chose. Usually, though, she only used it to talk to Koren or Fiala, sometimes Dr. Harrison.

Let's do Lt. Telion; I need a favor, anyway. She showed Aear how to tap into the man's second radio line. With a smile, she spoke to him, demonstrating it for Aear.

Lt?, She used his official title, since she was on the clock. IF you have a spare moment at end of shift, can you help me store something above my closet? I can't reach... She needed to put her duffel on top of the unit, since she lacked the space IN the closet, due to Jacques. She turned to Aear as they awaited a response.

And that is how personal comm works...every crew member has it. Try not to abuse it, or I will revoke your access...

<Tag:Aear Charter, Koren Telion>

[Aear Charter]

Aear listened to Fiona as she demonstrated the private comms system for the radios. This lesson was boring, not only did he already know exactly what the system did but he had a better more secure system of his own. He was hoping his "training" would teach him how the systems worked not what they did. He'd have to come up with a speech for tomorrow at least. No one knew it now if even half of what he was planning was in the speech it would last in peoples minds for a long time.

"You know I can do the same with telepathy." said Aear as he started spinning in his chair. "Which has a much larger range and is as far as we know impossible to overhear." Aear grinned at Fee and stopped spinning. He'd just thought of a way to play with her a little. "For example I could tell Korey what's in your closet. You wouldn't be able to tell if I did tell him or not and I could do it from the other side of the planet."

"I did a MaNaR scan of the whole base." said Aear after Fee questioned how he knew. "I know everyone's magical signatures. Not that I know what most of the people look like. But I detected two dogs, one of which was in your things." Aear just smiled at Fee. It's not like he was going to blackmail her or anything he was just playing around as usual. Not that Fee knew that mind.

[Koren Telion]

Koren stood, staring at the wall, letting the water run over him. His bout with Calmara had left him exhausted and just a little bruised. But it was what he'd said that was getting to him. The water seemed to find it's way into every crack and crevice, pulling out his past for all to see, for all to look at, and Koren just stood there, thinking.

What does Fee think of me now? He thought, Now that she knows all of this about me? Now that she sees how aggressive I can be? Koren shook from his reverie; he was determined not to lose a friend today. Koren mentally committed himself to finding Fee and talking to her about everything with Calmara; she deserved and explanation. Koren shut off the water and was about to grab for a towel when his radio speaker activated.

"Lt?" It was her voice, "IF you have a spare moment at end of shift, can you help me store something above my closet? I can't reach..."

Koren reached for the radio, but it slipped out of his wet hands and crashed to the floor. Koren winced and picked it up, putting in his ear piece and looking around for his towel, which had also fallen. "Um..." He said, looking around the room, "Sure. What is it?"

<TAG @ckitchens>

[Deleted]

"You know I can do the same with telepathy....Which has a much larger range and is as far as we know impossible to overhear. For example I could tell Korey what's in your closet. You wouldn't be able to tell if I did tell him or not and I could do it from the other side of the planet. Fee narrowed her eyes. 

IF you know what's in my closet, you would be unwise. "Tis a cat's mortal enemy...and you'd be a tasty dinner, I am sure. And NO, you cannot just use telepathy. UNLESS you want "Korey" to drop you in the brig for real. The Admiral isn't looking, and I doubt anyone but me would miss you. Fee said this, her tone even. She was used to this game-she had a baby brother, after all. ANd...how did you know? I WILL tell Koren. Just...not yet. Today. At end of shift. Becuase he would find out upon opening her closet anyway. 

"I did a MaNaR scan of the whole base. I know everyone's magical signatures. Not that I know what most of the people look like. But I detected two dogs, one of which was in your things. Fee stared at him. 

You were in my THINGS?! Aear, people's personal spaces are PRIVATE. It's not polite to go digging.If oyu want to know something, ASK. Or I will feed you to Shadow Kelly. The police dog was highly trained, so it was doubtful that he would eat Aear, but she could still threaten. It felt a little lke a violation-Aear's magical digging. But she was also a bit curious. 

What does my magical signature look like? Just then, Koren buzzed her back. 

Um...Sure. What is it? Fee looked concerned. 

What was that sound? Are you alright? It's just me duffel, with some things in it. I just can't reach is all... It was true. Whoever made a six foot tall closet was out of their knob. Fee knew she was unusually small, but that was crazy. 

Tag:Aear Charter, Koren Telion

[Aear Charter]

You were in my THINGS?! Aear, people's personal spaces are PRIVATE. It's not polite to go digging.If oyu want to know something, ASK. Or I will feed you to Shadow Kelly.

"I wasn't digging!" Said Aear defensively "I needed to know where all your people where so I didn't hit anyone. You guys were being slow and I thought I might have to blast the door down. Besides that's why you have a map of the base nows." It was true at the time Fee was struggling with getting the door open and he had though about blasting the door down. The MaNaR pulse was for seeing where people were if he found peoples magical signature al over their stuff that wasn't really his fault.

What does my magical signature look like?

Aear gave Fee a huge grin. "Your signature should be in Amelia still. Since you were there when I installed her MaDaR." he put up a small shield infront of him a white meowtian magic circle appearing as did. "That's my signature if you're wondering."

Aear heard the noise over the radio. "We're you interrupting maybe?" he said giving Fee a strange look.

[Koren Telion]

"What was that sound?" Koren's heart started racing as he wiped water from his eyes and picked the towel up off the floor where it had landed. Is there nothing I can wear in here? "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I just-" can't find any clothes, he swore under his breath. He ran over to his hamper and looked inside, pulling out it's contents; a blood-covered BDU from his bout with Calmara, some sweaty boxers and the bloody towel were all that was left. The rest was in the wash. He had expected that BDU to last him till his clothes were done drying later that afternoon, but clearly he hadn't been that lucky. "-accidentally dropped my comm off the table. What do you need?"

"It's just me duffel, with some things in it. I just can't reach is all..." Koren stood up, his jaw set, eyes darting in thought; he had an idea. Not a good one, but it would get things done. "You can't get at it yourself? Pull up a chair or something?"

<TAG Fee>

Perfect. "Alright, I'll let you know when I'm there." Koren wrapped the towel around his waist and secured it with his dress tie-bar; that and the cuff-links were the only parts of his dress uniform not at being dry-cleaned at the moment. He approached the door and took a deep breath; Fee's corridors were down the hall, down the next hall to the right and then the last door on the right. It was a 30 second walk, but it wasn't the walk he was worried about. If anyone saw him go into Fee's room in just a towel...well, he'd have a lot to answer for. But it wasn't just what Fee needed that was in there; it was also something he needed.

Koren opened the door and checked both ways down the hallway. Seeing the coast was clear, he dashed out, holding up the towel with one hand. He stacked up at the corner and peered around it; clear again. Koren ran to Fee's room, threw open the door and slammed himself inside.

Darkness overtook him. Koren fumbled around for a lightswitch.

"Ok." Koren said quietly, instinctively, "I'm in. Where is it again?"

<TAG @ckitchens > 

[Deleted]

I wasn't digging!I needed to know where all your people where so I didn't hit anyone. You guys were being slow and I thought I might have to blast the door down. Besides that's why you have a map of the base nows. SHe sighed. 

Now... she was correcting his English now. She couldn't help it, though, it was an automatic thing. Sorry...habit. Yes, the map is useful. But there are better ways. We have Sargeant Stoneham... SHe needed to figure out why this grown man acted like a child. SHe suspected that it was a mask he used to hide something, but she didn't know what. 

Your signature should be in Amelia still. Since you were there when I installed her MaDaR...That's my signature if you're wondering. He demonstrated with his hands as she fetched the tablet computer from the pocket of her BDUs. She looked at Aear when he spoke next. 

We're you interrupting maybe? She returned his look. What was he implying? 

Interrupting WHAT? She couldn't know where he was. SHe knew his work schedule, but not his personal one. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm fine, I just-accidentally dropped my comm off the table. What do you need?

Oh...well, it's not important. Just sometime today, please. She wanted to stress to him that it was not immediate. He needed to recover from whatever that holy show was in the gym. She also knew she never wanted to end up on his bad side...whatever Calmara had said to him, it must've been REALLY bad. 

You can't get at it yourself? Pull up a chair or something? She had tried that. 

I tried. I'm still too short. If you can't, it's REALLY OK. I will ask someone else-the Colonel, perhaps, or even Aear... But she wanted Koren to do it, so they could talk. She liked to talk to him. 

Alright, I'll let you know when I'm there...Ok...I'm in. Where is it again? Fee almost dropped her comm set. He was there ALREADY?! But she wasn't ready yet. She looked at Aear, panic on her face. She took a deep breath inwards. Too late to send him out now. 

Um, well...it's the duffel on the foot of the bed. I need on that shelf in the closet. DO be careful in there...and um...we need to talk. You'll see why. Try not to scream...I don't exactly wish to startle anyone. Oh, man. She might be in trouble....

Tags:Aear Charter,Koren Telion

[Koren Telion]

"Um, well...it's the duffel on the foot of the bed." Fee said, shakily, "I need on that shelf in the closet. DO be careful in there..." She insisted, "and um...we need to talk. You'll see why. Try not to scream...I don't exactly wish to startle anyone."

Scream? "Ok..." Koren said, puzzled. He found the light switch and flipped it on and Fee's room came into focus. Or at least Koren thought it was Fee's room. Aside from said duffel, the room was as spotless as when Koren had moved into his room once the setup crew was done, but there was one distinct difference; it felt homier. It felt lived in, and more than anything, Koren got the slightest bit of Fee's unique scent. Koren smiled and readjusted the towel around his waist, grabbing the duffel. He guessed what he was looking for, his dress coat which he had forgotten to get back from Fee after asking her to take it to dry cleaning, was in the closet as well. Koren walked over to closet and opened the door.

BARK!

Koren leapt backward, "JESUS!" He exclaimed, the towel flying off as he hit the floor. It was a dog! A fracking dog! Koren stood up, puzzled and none-to-happy with Fee. He grabbed his comm from the floor where it had landed and turned on and spoke directly into it, his jaw set, his tone dark and firm, "Fee...what is this?"

<TAG @ckitchens >

[Deleted]

Fee was now standing, pulling the earpiece out of her head. She had to explain herself. And better in person. She heard the last of his conversation. 

Ok...JESUS! Fee...what is this? She glanced at Aear, sadly. She replied. 

I can explain. Just a sec.... She passed the controls to Aear, snatched up her radio, and then headed for her quarters. As she walked, she spoke. 

That's Jacques. My dog. I can explain it, but I want to tell you about it to your face. I am sorry I didn't before-I didn't want to upset or distract you. What was she going to do NOW? She pushed open the door to her room after checking quickly that the hall was empty-no need for anyone to see the man-or contraband-in her room. She spotted Koren in just a towel, and walked right back out. 

What is going ON in there? She closed her eyes, and then opened them once more, dropping her voice as she spoke one more time. 

Open the duffel. I have a pair of large men's sweatpants in there. You can borrow them. Then come out here...we should talk. I will sign off the clock...Aear is fine for now. Things had just gone beyond awkward. Not only was there a very naked man in her room, she wanted to LOOK. And that was going to be a problem. She turned on Aear's signal. 

Aear, 'tis Fee. Uh, I am going to be assisting the Lt. for a minute. If anyone asks, I am off in the loo. 

Tag:Koren Telion, Aear Charter

[Koren Telion]

"I can explain. Just a sec...." Koren was frozen, looking at the dog that simply stared blankly back at him, panting and pawing at the door to his cage. He wasn't even mad, just...confused. "That's Jacques. My dog." Fee continued, "I can explain it, but I want to tell you about it to your face. I am sorry I didn't before-I didn't want to upset or distract you."

"Well, you've done both now," He said, shaking his head in disbelief and walking towards the closet. Suddenly he heard the door open and he spun around. He saw Fee enter, then her eyes got suddenly wide. Koren turned bright red as he realized he was currently not wearing a single piece of clothing. He winced as Fee bolted out the door.

"What is going ON in there?" He heard Fee say.

"I...um..." Koren sighed deeply, "I guess I have some explaining to do to..."

"Open the duffel." Fee said, still facing out the door, "I have a pair of large men's sweatpants in there. You can borrow them. Then come out here...we should talk. I will sign off the clock...Aear is fine for now."

Koren went over to the bag and fumbled around inside as Fee was calling Aear, pulling out the sweatpants and slipping them on. He threw the towel over his shoulders and put a hand on Fee's shoulder. "It's ok to look now" He felt horrible. This is not how he wanted this to go at all. When she turned around, he met her eyes. It was clear was was trying not to look down. Koren just held the look for a bit, apologizing as much as he could just through the gaze. He then turned back to the room, gesturing her inside.

"I guess I'll start," he said, sitting down on her bed, gesturing for her to sit next to him. "I didn't expect you to be coming down here. I ran out of clothes; they're all in the wash, and you were there with Calmara. I couldn't wear that outfit again. I was going to grab my dress coat from your closet and go down to the laundry room and pick up my clothes after I was done putting your duffel away, but then..." He gestured to Jacques and sighed again, "Sorry..."

<TAG ckitchens >

[Deleted]

Fiona felt the familiar crimson blush come to her cheeks. She was in MAJOR trouble here. 

Well, you've done both now.. Crap. While Koren dressed, she reviewed the story in her head. SHe would give him the facts, the real story, unlike Fiala, who'd gotten the abridged version. If only he stayed long enough to LISTEN. She asked him what was going on, hoping for a really good explanation. Like maybe he forgot about laundry day. How anyone could possibly NOT notice  dwindling supplies of Jockey shorts was beyondher, though.

I...um...I guess I have some explaining to do to... No kidding. But then, so did she, so she couldn't complain. 

Me, too...and I AM sorry... Mostly for making this hugely weird. She might not be able to ever look in the face again. ANd that would be an issue. Finally, he was dressed-mostly-and spoke out. 

It's ok to look now, She shook her head, but did look up at him. He was staring at her with a certain intensity, and she could see the apology in his look. She nodded once, and smled a little. He turned back and gestured her in. What should she do? Shut the door?! She decided to leave it partway open, but reshut the closet with her foot as she settled onto the bed, keeping a safe distance from Koren. 

I guess I'll start...I didn't expect you to be coming down here. I ran out of clothes; they're all in the wash, and you were there with Calmara. I couldn't wear that outfit again. I was going to grab my dress coat from your closet and go down to the laundry room and pick up my clothes after I was done putting your duffel away, but then.... He gestured to Jacques, Sorry... She shook her head. HE had no clean clothes because he couldn't wear any covered with blood?! But he was a solider....the incongruency made her head spin. She sighed deeply, and then spoke. 

It's Ok, really. I hadn't meant that you should come NOW. I meant whenever today you had a few moments to spare...particularly AFTER I could tell you about Jacques. You are probably wondering why I have a small dog in my closet?! He's my dog. I mean, of course he is. What I mean is that he is-was-the only thing to understand me. My dad made me get a dog when I moved to Pasadena, since I didn't have boyfriend or husband, and no roommates, for safety, you know?! And at first I hated him. I am not, in general, a dog person. But then he grew on me. And when I got this assignment...well, I was scared, Koren. I didn't know what was out here, didn't know what to expect. And I didn't know anyone, and I didn't want to be alone. I am TIRED of being alone. So I packed him with me. And his things were in my box. He's really good, and quiet. But can you keep it a secret? The only other person who knows is Fiala, and for some reason, she didn't seem too upset. I am sorry I didn't tell you before...I didn't want to keep it from you, but I didn't know HOW to tell you. She took a deep breath, looking at him. She couldn't read his expression. 

Look, I am sorry, too, Ok? Do you want to meet him? He'd probably like you. She didn't wait for his answer as she stood, shut the door quietly, and then opened the closet again. She bent down, and opened the cage, taking the tiny French Bulldog into her arms, and handing it off to the man. She smiled as Jacques looked at him, and then licked his face. 

I am surprised that he's this calm. He doesn't like most people. But he seems to like you. SHe smiled a little, but returned to the couch. Jacques climbed into her lap as she looked to Koren. 

I kept him a little doped up at the launch; that's why he was so quiet. I know that this is so wrong, but I just COULDN'T leave him... 

Jacques

Tag:Koren Telion






[/i]

[Koren Telion]

"I am TIRED of being alone." Fee said, frustrated and sad, "So I packed him with me. And his things were in my box." Koren looked at her with a sudden newfound respect, and his emotions which he kept so carefully in check were coming to the surface. He looked at her with a sadness in his eyes and put his hand on hers, "He's really good, and quiet. But can you keep it a secret? The only other person who knows is Fiala, and for some reason, she didn't seem too upset. I am sorry I didn't tell you before...I didn't want to keep it from you, but I didn't know HOW to tell you."

"Yes...yes, of course I will." Koren said, looking directly into her eyes, "And I'm sorry for freaking out like that..."

She took a deep breath, looking at him. "Look, I am sorry, too, Ok? Do you want to meet him? He'd probably like you."

Koren looked over at the dog, "Sure! Why not?"

Fee got up and shut the door quietly, and then opened the closet again. She bent down, and opened the cage, taking the tiny French Bulldog into her arms, and handing it off to the Koren. Jacques looked at him, and then licked his face. Koren laughed, "Stop it!" He said, smiling, the he held the dog gently to his bare chest.

"I am surprised that he's this calm." Fee said, "He doesn't like most people. But he seems to like you." She smiled a little, but returned to the couch. Jacques climbed into her lap as she looked to Koren.

"I kept him a little doped up at the launch; that's why he was so quiet." She looked to Jacques, "I know that this is so wrong, but I just COULDN'T leave him..."

Koren put his hand on her shoulder, "I wouldn't want you to," He said, "I'm glad he's here."

Koren looked Fee directly in the eyes, "I'm glad you're here," He said, letting his eyes stay affixed to Fee's.

<TAG @ckitchens >

[Aear Charter]

Aear listened to Fee and Korey's conversation over the radio, he wanted to burst out laughing yet somehow he managed to keep a straight face. After all he'd get to be here alone with all this tech soon, since it would force Fee to have to go to Korey's aid and explain. He waited a few more moments barely able to keep a straight face until finally Fee had no choice but to leave Aear in charge of the room.

As soon as he was sure she was out of earshot he let out a burst of laughter, he couldn't help it. That was hilarious. Half of him wanted to be there just to watch the awkward moments unfold but there sitting on Fee's chair was the tablet she'd left behind. Unfortunately Fee was almost as intelligent as Chiqui if not as intelligent and that meant Chiqui was having trouble gathering intel from their database. Fee was highly skilled and thus far had a counter for everything Chiqui had thrown at her. This tablet however was Fee's and had Fee's authorizations. Aear picked up the tablet and began to tap away using Fee's tablet he should be able to access everything on their database. Not only was his mission along the lines of intelligence but the Empress had asked him to bring back anything that could help in the war. Their tech was relatively primitive but he might find some tech that gave them an edge.

---

After Aear was finished digging he set the tablet back down on Fee's chair, careful to make sure it was in exactly the same position. He then turned to the base wide radio controls. He'd figured there had been just enough time for Fee and Korey to start getting comfortable. He opened a base wide channel and began to sing.

"Link! He come to town!
Come to save
the Princess Zelda
Gannon took her away
Now the children don't play
But they will when link saves the day!
Hallelujah!
Now link
Fill up your hearts
So you can shoot
your sword with power!
And when your feeling all down
the fairy will come around
so you be brave
and not a sissy coward!

Now link!
Has saved the day
Put Gannon in his grave
Now that Zelda is free
Out hero will be
Link I think your name will go down into history!"

Tag: @ckitchens, Koren Telion