Odysseus: Sailing Embers. (IC Open)

[Ceffyltir]

"Nice to meet you Silver," Jonathan said, letting a genuine smile creep on to his face as he found comfort in this small, but odd group, "Jonathan Smedley."

He glanced around at Francis then back to Silver.

"Artificials," He said, rolling his eyes, "Sometimes they have all the tact and discretion of a brick to the face."

The caterer seemed friendly enough. He was certainly relatable.

"Nice to meet you as well, Jonathan." Silver quietly said, still studying the odd man. "Artificial, huh? So he's an android."

Never in her life had she encountered someone entirely artificial. She'd read about them in stories, but they were all either fictional or from wackjob news articles.

He merely smiled taking a sip of his sub-par coffee. "Please don't be offended, your not the only one." His eyes scanned the table, flashing a bright red as names were added to faces though he regarded the Caterer with piqued interest.

"Apologies for being so... forward with such a question, though I suppose the brick is very tactful if your unconscious." He chuckled as he regarded the help. "Though I suppose a cook knows much more about discretion than I, a humble servant of the state." His smirk twitched slightly as he regarded the dismal atmosphere of the ship. "or rather what's left of it anyway."

He looked back to the pony, eyes locking on her own.
"Francis Valetta. You may have heard of me."

That name. That voice. They were vaguely familiar. She hadn't heard them until recently, but she couldn't quite place her hoof on where.

Then it hit her.

"This is Francis Valetta with a surprise announcement. Under orders from Commander Dawn, all public records have been lifted from the temporary information closure ordered after the incident. All public records are now unlocked and once again may be viewed by civilians. All public records are now officially unlocked. Please ensure records be used in a mature and orderly fashion as to avoid Data corruption. This was Francis Valetta, signing off."

"You're the voice behind the public address system. It's your job to know about everything that happens on this ship, isn't it?" she asked, almost accusingly.

[Ethirus]

He glanced around at Francis then back to Silver.

"Nice to meet you as well, Jonathan." Silver quietly said, still studying the odd man. "Artificial, huh? So he's an android."

Never in her life had she encountered someone entirely artificial. She'd read about them in stories, but they were all either fictional or from wackjob news articles.

He merely smiled taking a sip of his sub-par coffee. "Please don't be offended, your not the only one." His eyes scanned the table, flashing a bright red as names were added to faces though he regarded the Caterer with piqued interest.

"Apologies for being so... forward with such a question, though I suppose the brick is very tactful if your unconscious." He chuckled as he regarded the help. "Though I suppose a cook knows much more about discretion than I, a humble servant of the state." His smirk twitched slightly as he regarded the dismal atmosphere of the ship. "or rather what's left of it anyway."

He looked back to the pony, eyes locking on her own.
"Francis Valetta. You may have heard of me."

That name. That voice. They were vaguely familiar. She hadn't heard them until recently, but she couldn't quite place her hoof on where.

Then it hit her.

[i]"This is Francis Valetta with a surprise announcement. Under orders from Commander Dawn, all public records have been lifted from the temporary information closure ordered after the incident. All public records are now unlocked and once again may be viewed by civilians. All public records are now officially unlocked. Please ensure records be used in a mature and orderly fashion as to avoid Data corruption. This was Francis Valetta, signing off."

"You're the voice behind the public address system. It's your job to know about everything that happens on this ship, isn't it?" she asked, almost accusingly.

"Guilty as charged." He gracefully replied smiling like a cat that's caught a mouse.
"Though really, it's not like it matters." He tapped his chin as if trying to think of any reason why it should.

"Since I may as well be the engines in regards to how important I am to how this ship works." he decided to say. "Though how a subsurface miner could ever understand this...well my doubts are my own." He uttered playing the 'I know everything' card.

"Especially since said former miner is taking the word of a cook, pardon former cook, concerning what I am. What I am, however, is the most advanced piece of biological engineering on this ship. An android is but child's play to my composition and creation." He sniffed arrogantly, idly sweeping his long, blond hair.

[Ceffyltir]

Did... Did that thing just say what I think he said? And here I thought this would be a comparatively pleasant evening...

"I'm sure you're very proud." Silver replied, her voice sounding restrained and cold as stone. "It must have taken a truly ingenious craftsman to build such a conceited bucket of bolts; especially one that delights in stalking others from behind a camera lens."

She was trying her best to stay calm and collected. She'd been through too much over the past week, and the last thing she needed was to be thrown in a space ship's prison for knocking out the security system.

[Ethirus]

(Image)

Did... Did that thing just say what I think he said? And here I thought this would be a comparatively pleasant evening...

"I'm sure you're very proud." Silver replied, her voice sounding restrained and cold as stone. "It must have taken a truly ingenious craftsman to build such a conceited bucket of bolts; especially one that delights in stalking others from behind a camera lens."

She was trying her best to stay calm and collected. She'd been through too much over the past week, and the last thing she needed was to be thrown in a space ship's prison for knocking out the security system.

Francis's mood dipped slightly at the first comment, "I'm sorry I don't quite understand," He regarded her with his head tilted to the right, "My records have concluded that I am the greatest bio-droid of the current century, and established that you are a former miner" he eyed her genuinely confused

"I apologise if this information offends you" he ended up saying. He sipped the coffee again, a brief frown appearing on his face as he attempted to drink the less than pleasant liquid. "Would you like the rest of my chocolate? A sign of goodwill I assure you." He smiled disarmingly attempting to mediate the situation lest it effect future interaction with the ship's current residents, as he waved the bar, reminiscent of a dog treat.

[Ceffyltir]

Francis's mood dipped slightly at the first comment, "I'm sorry I don't quite understand," He regarded her with his head tilted to the right, "My records have concluded that I am the greatest bio-droid of the current century, and established that you are a former miner" he eyed her genuinely confused

"I apologise if this information offends you" he ended up saying. He sipped the coffee again, a brief frown appearing on his face as he attempted to drink the less than pleasant liquid. "Would you like the rest of my chocolate? A sign of goodwill I assure you." He smiled disarmingly attempting to mediate the situation lest it effect future interaction with the ship's current residents, as he waved the bar, reminiscent of a dog treat.

Silver stared at Francis, her expression unchanged. She glanced at the chocolate bar, watching him wave it to and fro as if she were some kind of common animal. It reminded her of some of her less-than-desirable former coworkers back on Cereis. At the same time, however, his apology did sound genuine... Well, as genuine as a voice like that could get, but it was difficult to empathize with him all the same. It was a shame that the "century's greatest bio-droid" couldn't even understand the more subtle ramifications of its own actions or speech.

"No, thank you. I think I'll just turn back around and finish my meal. I suggest you do the same."

She turned her back to the cyborg, the small wrinkles on her forehead and between her brows still visible, and took another bite of fruit.

[Ethirus]

Francis's mood dipped slightly at the first comment, "I'm sorry I don't quite understand," He regarded her with his head tilted to the right, "My records have concluded that I am the greatest bio-droid of the current century, and established that you are a former miner" he eyed her genuinely confused

"I apologise if this information offends you" he ended up saying. He sipped the coffee again, a brief frown appearing on his face as he attempted to drink the less than pleasant liquid. "Would you like the rest of my chocolate? A sign of goodwill I assure you." He smiled disarmingly attempting to mediate the situation lest it effect future interaction with the ship's current residents, as he waved the bar, reminiscent of a dog treat.

Silver stared at Francis, her expression unchanged. She glanced at the chocolate bar, watching him wave it to and fro as if she were some kind of common animal. It reminded her of some of her less-than-desirable former coworkers back on Cereis. At the same time, however, his apology did sound genuine... Well, as genuine as a voice like that could get, but it was difficult to empathize with him all the same. It was a shame that the "century's greatest bio-droid" couldn't even understand the more subtle ramifications of its own actions or speech.

"No, thank you. I think I'll just turn back around and finish my meal. I suggest you do the same."

She turned her back to the cyborg, the small wrinkles on her forehead and between her brows still visible, and took another bite of fruit.

"Oh..." Francis deflated slightly. "Well, apologies anyway." He turned to regard the 'meal' he'd collected with the coffee. Equally dismal as the coffee, it was. He regarded the other table's occupants again, this time using a holo-cam in the wall. Is this...shame? Or merely awkwardness? he thought before he began to daintily fork the food to his mouth. It was chicken he noted.

He had never interacted with ponies before and felt he had dealt with a faux passé concerning social behaviours, right there before the meal. Study social behaviour between the refuges prior to arrival. he noted idly, Just something to help communication with the ships current life forms.

[The Floor Kippers]

"When they built him, they must have given him twice the normal ego," Jonathan said, still smarting from the "Former" Cook comment.
He turned to Francis.
"Friendly word of advice mate, take a look at what's just happened to all of us," He said, trying not to be too rude to the Artificial, "Then think about why we might not take to the things you say. Think about how you'd be feeling if you'd lived through that."

[Quidomne]

"So," Jonathan said suddenly, the forced chuckle of Rivette had caused him to briefly reflect on himself, putting him in clear danger of slipping back into a maudlin melancholy if he didn't keep himself distracted, "If it's not too soon to ask about the past, how did you earn a living, Rivette? Or you, Marran."

"Well, I..."

"WHAT DOES SHE DO?!"

And there's Marcus. As expected.

"Why, y'all are lookin' at the best repair-anythang on this whole damn bucket of bolts! If it's broken, you can be damn sure this little lady here can fix it!" A glowing sense of pride emitted from Marcus's sweaty face. He means well, Rivette know, but she knew she could speak about this, if anything at all.

Pause for dramatic effect.

"Yes...back on Cereis, I was that. I fixed things. Built things too. I had a small shop, where I could help my neighbors whenever I..."

COULDN'T HELP

She blinked, and then smiled. A facade, but necessary for now.

"If you need anything fixed, I'm your mare. That's what I've always done, and that's all I want to do."

Marcus sent Rivette a sideways glance. He had a way of seeing right through people, and Rivette was about as opaque as an looking-glass. He returned to his meal, either oblivious or uncaring of the egotistical android drama.

Rivette, however, did care. Quite a bit, actually. 'How dare he insult Silver (pretty name) like that,' she thought. She did not deserve to be treated so rudely. What a uncouth individual. I mean, Marcus was just as devoid of manners, but he was full of heart. Yeah. Wordplay.

After Silver returned to her meal, Rivette, in a bold act of intestinal fortitude, which for others would just be simple socializing, gingerly scooted towards Silver. A legitimate question, she thought...

"Um...hi", she squeaked. "i-i-it's nice to m-m-meet you, Silver. My name is...well, you already know. Um...um...I was just wondering if you would...you know...if it's not too much trouble...let me look at your prosthetic? I mean, it's made of metal, so I...I don't know...", Rivette impeccably stammered, trailing off.

"Smooth, nutbutt, smooth...", she internally chided.

[Slorch]

"You see Francis here is actually quite enjoyable to be around once you get to know him. He just has a few problems with the the empathy part of his "Bio" half," said Bentu. He then overheard Rivette's stammering. 'Hum, that one defiantly has feelings for Silver. Perhaps i can play off of that, but later now lets just wait and watch,' thought Bentu as he sipped his coffee.

[Ceffyltir]

After Silver returned to her meal, Rivette, in a bold act of intestinal fortitude, which for others would just be simple socializing, gingerly scooted towards Silver. A legitimate question, she thought...

"Um...hi", she squeaked. "i-i-it's nice to m-m-meet you, Silver. My name is...well, you already know. Um...um...I was just wondering if you would...you know...if it's not too much trouble...let me look at your prosthetic? I mean, it's made of metal, so I...I don't know...", Rivette impeccably stammered, trailing off.

"Smooth, nutbutt, smooth...", she internally chided.

Silver paused, her mouth still open as she held a piece of pineapple mere inches from it. It was that unicorn - the jumpy one. When her eyes met with Rivette's, she placed the dried fruit back down on the foam tray and raised a brow.

"My leg?" she responded, obviously caught off guard. She glanced down at the artificial limb. She's had it about... eighteen or nineteen months now, but it looked much older. Deep scratches and dents riddled almost every visible portion of its plating, and it was even beginning to crack where the ankle met the hoof. The interior mechanisms, however, seemed just fine aside from the occasional jam or stiffness of joints. She'd gotten by without any real trouble so far.

"What do you mean? It isn't broken just yet."

[Quidomne]

After Silver returned to her meal, Rivette, in a bold act of intestinal fortitude, which for others would just be simple socializing, gingerly scooted towards Silver. A legitimate question, she thought...

"Um...hi", she squeaked. "i-i-it's nice to m-m-meet you, Silver. My name is...well, you already know. Um...um...I was just wondering if you would...you know...if it's not too much trouble...let me look at your prosthetic? I mean, it's made of metal, so I...I don't know...", Rivette impeccably stammered, trailing off.

"Smooth, nutbutt, smooth...", she internally chided.

Silver paused, her mouth still open as she held a piece of pineapple mere inches from it. It was that unicorn - the jumpy one. When her eyes met with Rivette's, she placed the dried fruit back down on the foam tray and raised a brow.

"My leg?" she responded, obviously caught off guard. She glanced down at the artificial limb. She's had it about... eighteen or nineteen months now, but it looked much older. Deep scratches and dents riddled almost every visible portion of its plating, and it was even beginning to crack where the ankle met the hoof. The interior mechanisms, however, seemed just fine aside from the occasional jam or stiffness of joints. She'd gotten by without any real trouble so far.

"What do you mean? It isn't broken just yet."

SHIT.

PANIC.

"O-oh, well...it just looked a little damaged...I-I just wanted to see if I could f-fix the plating, m-maybe check the joints. I-I could even m-make a new one...i-if you want that is...I'm sorry to bother you..."

[Ceffyltir]

The former miner eyed Rivette with a somewhat confused expression. She had no idea why this pony was so nervous. Her jab at Francis wasn't that intimidating, was it? Her mere presence seemed to terrify the repairmare, yet she still approached her all the same. Her urge to fix things is either much stronger than Silver had originally thought, or this filly really wants to come out of her shell and socialize for once.

Silver couldn't help but feel bad for her either way.

"Uh..." she began, not really sure what to say. "If you really want to, I suppose I could let you fix it up again. It's kind of... special to me, though, so I'd rather not replace the whole thing. How long do you think it'll take?"

[Quidomne]

The former miner eyed Rivette with a somewhat confused expression. She had no idea why this pony was so nervous. Her jab at Francis wasn't that intimidating, was it? Her mere presence seemed to terrify the repairmare, yet she still approached her all the same. Her urge to fix things is either much stronger than Silver had originally thought, or this filly really wants to come out of her shell and socialize for once.

Silver couldn't help but feel bad for her either way.

"Uh..." she began, not really sure what to say. "If you really want to, I suppose I could let you fix it up again. It's kind of... special to me, though, so I'd rather not replace the whole thing. How long do you think it'll take?"

"Breathe, breathe, you can do this..." she thought.

"O-oh. OK. Um. Well. It's just simple maintenance, then maybe...an hour? An hour and a half at most. I'll try to b-be quick. And gentle. I don't want to hurt you or anything...I mean I'm sure you could take it, I just..."

"SHITSHITSHIT..."

"Uh...just meet me outside the mess hall after dinner tomorrow, and we'll do it...I MEAN...we'll go to my room and do the maintenance...thing..."

"Smooth as silk...NOT..."

Rivette stifled her chiding mind in an effort to maintain her composure. She really wasn't good at this whole "social" thing.

But Silver...

This was her chance. She couldn't give up now.

[Ethirus]

The former miner eyed Rivette with a somewhat confused expression. She had no idea why this pony was so nervous. Her jab at Francis wasn't that intimidating, was it? Her mere presence seemed to terrify the repairmare, yet she still approached her all the same. Her urge to fix things is either much stronger than Silver had originally thought, or this filly really wants to come out of her shell and socialize for once.

Silver couldn't help but feel bad for her either way.

"Uh..." she began, not really sure what to say. "If you really want to, I suppose I could let you fix it up again. It's kind of... special to me, though, so I'd rather not replace the whole thing. How long do you think it'll take?"

"Breathe, breathe, you can do this..." she thought.

"O-oh. OK. Um. Well. It's just simple maintenance, then maybe...an hour? An hour and a half at most. I'll try to b-be quick. And gentle. I don't want to hurt you or anything...I mean I'm sure you could take it, I just..."

"SHITSHITSHIT..."

"Uh...just meet me outside the mess hall after dinner tomorrow, and we'll do it...I MEAN...we'll go to my room and do the maintenance...thing..."

"Smooth as silk...NOT..."

Rivette stifled her chiding mind in an effort to maintain her composure. She really wasn't good at this whole "social" thing.

But Silver...

This was her chance. She couldn't give up now.

Francis turned to regard the other pony she didn't look very well, rather red.
She looks as if she has a fever...No the Medical department would have quarantined here by now he tried to make sense of it looking at the people who occupied the table carrying on with their business (this time with his own eyes). He attempted to decipher Bentu's thoughts, unfortunately he couldn't quite figure out the alien. Francis sighed before turning completely to try and put together an explanation for all the weird (to him) behaviour at this particular table.

[Ceffyltir]

"Breathe, breathe, you can do this..." she thought.

"O-oh. OK. Um. Well. It's just simple maintenance, then maybe...an hour? An hour and a half at most. I'll try to b-be quick. And gentle. I don't want to hurt you or anything...I mean I'm sure you could take it, I just..."

"SHITSHITSHIT..."

"Uh...just meet me outside the mess hall after dinner tomorrow, and we'll do it...I MEAN...we'll go to my room and do the maintenance...thing..."

"Smooth as silk...NOT..."

Rivette stifled her chiding mind in an effort to maintain her composure. She really wasn't good at this whole "social" thing.

But Silver...

This was her chance. She couldn't give up now.

Silver stared with narrowed eyes, her mouth slightly agape. What was wrong with this mare? She was red as an apple, and stuttered and fidgeted as if she were being interrogated. And that "do it" comment... Was she... No, definitely not.

I've got to work on my attitude. I must be terrifying right about now...

"...Okay. It's a date. I'll be waiting for you if we eat at different tables." Silver replied, finishing off the last portion of her meal.

"Oh, and the leg doesn't feel pain. No nerves; just metal. It shouldn't hurt at all."

[Quidomne]

"Breathe, breathe, you can do this..." she thought.

"O-oh. OK. Um. Well. It's just simple maintenance, then maybe...an hour? An hour and a half at most. I'll try to b-be quick. And gentle. I don't want to hurt you or anything...I mean I'm sure you could take it, I just..."

"SHITSHITSHIT..."

"Uh...just meet me outside the mess hall after dinner tomorrow, and we'll do it...I MEAN...we'll go to my room and do the maintenance...thing..."

"Smooth as silk...NOT..."

Rivette stifled her chiding mind in an effort to maintain her composure. She really wasn't good at this whole "social" thing.

But Silver...

This was her chance. She couldn't give up now.

Silver stared with narrowed eyes, her mouth slightly agape. What was wrong with this mare? She was red as an apple, and stuttered and fidgeted as if she were being interrogated. And that "do it" comment... Was she... No, definitely not.

I've got to work on my attitude. I must be terrifying right about now...

"...Okay. It's a date. I'll be waiting for you if we eat at different tables." Silver replied, finishing off the last portion of her meal.

"Oh, and the leg doesn't feel pain. No nerves; just metal. It shouldn't hurt at all."

"IT WORKED! ITWORKEDITWORKEDITWORKEDITWORKED!"

"That sounds fine. I'll see you then." Rivette gave a polite smile, the first one, it seemed, in quite a while.

"Here." Rivette slided the wrapped bar of sweetened cocoa to her future lover client. "You can have this. I'm not that hungry."

At that point, Rivette promptly arose from her seat, still grinning, and trotted away from the table, without so much as a word to Marcus or anyone else, her tray still half full of food.

She cantered over to the female restroom, still agrin. She opened the stall, and promptly vomited into the toilet.

[Ceffyltir]

Silver looked at the chocolate bar with surprise. "Um..." she began, but before she knew it, Rivette was gone.

What a strange pony. And that smile on her face... I must have made her happier than I thought. I hope I didn't get her hopes up. I don't even have - Wait. Fuck. I don't have any money. I guess I'll have to arrange something else...

Silver grabbed the bar with a shrug and peeled the wrapper off. "Nice mare," she commented to no one in particular.

[Ethirus]

Silver looked at the chocolate bar with surprise. "Um..." she began, but before she knew it, Rivette was gone.

What a strange pony. And that smile on her face... I must have made her happier than I thought. I hope I didn't get her hopes up. I don't even have - Wait. Fuck. I don't have any money. I guess I'll have to arrange something else...

Silver grabbed the bar with a shrug and peeled the wrapper off. "Nice mare," she commented to no one in particular.

"Is she ok?" asked Francis tentatively to Silver, attempting to start another conversation with less hostility this time. "She seemed rather unwell," he muttered, attempting to avoid the word sick and its negative connotations, "and though I might not be an practitioner of medicine I couldn't help but notice how ill she looked," he attempted a concerned look, frowning slightly.

[Ceffyltir]

Silver opened her eyes, a couple of veins becoming visible as they bulged near her left temple. She had been enjoying the chocolate in her own little world until she heard Francis' voice. Hoping that they'd never have to speak again just wasn't enough, she supposed. Trying to appear neutral again, she filled her lungs with air and released a heavy sigh, relaxing her face.

"I think she's fine. Being around so many new people and talking so much was probably very draining for her, considering how timid she is." she said, nibbling on the candy bar once more.

[Ethirus]

Francis gave a weak nod to silver before standing, not feeling any need for further conversation he gave a nod towards the assembled table before taking his tray to the waste disposal unit. He left quietly heading back to his quarters, preparing his morning report to the ship and the survivors. As he headed into his hibernation pod, a thought crossed his mind regarding social behaviours, notation: First impressions are everything before shutting down for the night.

[Orangi]

As time went on, the Odysseus' cafeterias emptied, and not so long after, the first curfew of The Odysseus was enacted. A bright yet monotone voice rang throughout the ship, almost chiding in tone. There was little in the way of conflict for the police and the people.

People were simply happy to have a room to sleep in. For the first time in a week, people didn't have to worry about someone taking possessions or getting mugged. For the first time since the planet's annihilation, things felt secure.

And that was enough for most. Even still, there were specific denizens of The Odysseus that were uneasy. The next day- the first of slightly familiar days, began.

Day One

A bell chimed in Marran's room, it sounded almost angry to the Tarassi. He'd gotten a fair amount of sleep, but it wasn't necessarily good sleep. He stumbled out of bed, saw items of clothing discarded as the voice chided 0600 in his ear, followed by some announcement he didn't care to pay attention to. He put on his pants, strapped on his boots and looked at his uniform. He wondered how thorough the fabricators were. He slid his claw under the bottom of his uniform, and he felt a click. Running his hand up the back of the inside of it, he felt more clicks. The overshirt fell to the floor and a black shirt with short sleeves hung on his hand.

"Wow." He said as he slipped it on. He had no need to put on his uniform. Just a nondescript dark outfit would suit him just fine today. He pinned his tag on his chest, stuffed his tablet in a fairly oversized pocket on his side, and readied himself in the bathroom and left his room. He wasn't the first out, and for a moment that made him fairly happy.

Because what he saw, while somewhat sad, was indeed breathtaking. Men and women of all shapes and sizes, races and species, with nowhere to go for some time, but everyone to talk to. He'd see if he couldn't find that hors- pony, again.

[Ethirus]

Francis woke as specified by technicians for morning announcements regarding food supplies and a report to the populace regarding future legislation about law and order on the vessel, being intentionally brief with the whole thing as ordered by the higher ups. He also mentioned the assignment of work and labour, and to fill in the categorization survey that had been sent to data pads throughout the civilian populace. "This was Francis Valetta, on this new day for a new start." he finished cheerily, attempting to enthuse the population. Though he did doubt such a thing as small as tone would brighten a person's day, especially as he reviewed last night's data.

[The Floor Kippers]

In his room, Jonathan blew a raspberry at the screen with Francis on it and threw his socks at it before rolling out of bed.
He stood up and stretched out his limbs, last night had been a bad one for sleep, the new bed hard and uncomfortable.
He quickly dressed, eager to return to socialising with other people, if only to null the nagging sadness in his mind.
He opened the door and stepped out into District A6, Hangar 2, Building 260, outside room 18 and took a deep breath, taking in the thronging mass.

He hope that he'd meet one of the others from yesterday, anyone, that was, apart from Francis.

Wishing himself luck, he pressed on into the thronging mass, feeling a greater appetite than he had felt the previous day.

[Ceffyltir]

It was morning. Well, about as close to morning as it could get in interplanetary space - which was not at all. Time could only be kept by clocks now. Space looked just about the same no matter when you looked at it. There was no morning sun peeking through Silver's bedroom curtains, there was no sleepy brother dozing off in a chair or listening to the radio, and there certainly were no life-affirming jobs to do.

No books to read, no friends to meet...

Well, that wasn't entirely true. She had... acquaintances to meet. As much as she wanted to, it didn't feel comfortable to call them friends just yet. Friendships are supposed to cook for a while before they're complete. At least, that's what she always believed.

After lying in bed for a few minutes, Silver finally rolled over, planting her hooves on the hard floor. She lumbered to the bathroom, standing on her hind legs to see herself in the tiny mirror. Her eyes were still noticeably tired and red, and her mane was a wreck - even more so than usual. She splashed some water from the faucet on her face and patted the tangled mess of hair down and out of her field of vision, trying to look at least a tiny bit less miserable. She got the feeling she gave off the wrong impression last evening.

Tying her tattered but treasured piece of cloth around her neck, she opened the door and left the storage cra-... er... "building" that she now had to call home. Marran hopefully had enough sense to meet at or near the same table if they didn't run into each other beforehand.

[Orangi]

Marran surveyed the area looking around for a red head of hair. He stood there, leaning on the railing. He heard a couple chuckles, and even one child point and shout, 'Kitty!'

He would need to get used to that. He heard a distinctive clank nearby. Looking for the source of it, he found who he was looking for quicker than he thought he would. "Hey, hey Silver..!" He said, waving his clawed hand in the air. "Got any plans? figure we could catch up.". He gripped the railing, swung his legs over the side and landed on the floor below firmly. "I checked out the schedule today. Work registration starts soon but we've got time. What are you gonna' opt for?"