"Grass? Bleh. But I didn't know you had to eat. I thought you were all power packs n stuff. Or do you eat just because you can? Can you actually do anything with the grass once you ate it?"
 The thought of fake horse turds about cracked her up. And the thought of one of the people having to wipe horse hockies off their shoes did make her giggle.

  We can eat, we don't have to but what we eat we use to repair ourselves. and to supply energy if we don't have an outlet to plug into."
   Grass is an acquired taste, you have to find it when it is young and tender, and when it's grown in the right sort of soil....to tough and you end up belching all day, to dry it tastes like...well straw... but what I really like is an apple...Blue began to sniff and nudge Maran playfully trying to get tot he apple she held..." tasty sweet crunchy apples, mmmmmmmm

Elsbeth was in the mess hall mostly trying to keep out of Balkiir's way, while still trying to be helpful; it was quite clear that her talents lay elsewhere after she had nearly melted the first pan trying to merely boil water.  While, the large Valkiir male had not been angry in the least, he had gently shepherded her from the more critical tasks in the kitchen.

Her hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail and a faint smile played on her lips constantly.  Balkiir's positive outlook had been quite infectious - presumably, the growing empathic and telepathic bond between the two of them didn't hurt either.  And while, Elsbeth was not pitch perfect nor did she know all the Njordic words, she did have some musical training and could harmonize with the large blue man pretty well.  And so, she did - Elsbeth's range was solidly in the alto region of the musical spectrum.  As she hummed, Elsbeth set out plates and silverware.  She poured water and set out the serving platters of food.

Elsbeth wore a set of drab marine coveralls.  And while the neck was fastened all the way up, the sleeves were rolled up.  With her forearms exposed, the tattoos on them were fully displayed, and they were an impressive mix of colors and patterns.  Her right arm sported the dull outlines of large blue-green reptile - some sort of snake or dragon coiled around itself on a roiling background of billowing smoke and waves.  Numerous scars were haphazardly arrayed along the length of her arm; a veritable litany of the trials that it (and she) had seen: bullet holes, knife wounds, burns and claw scratches - all were present in spades.  The skin art on her left arm was far cleaner and brighter.  A crowned, yellow and crimson Phoenix on a backdrop of swirling patterns reminiscent of Celtic knotwork and fire adorned most of it.  The insides of both Elsbeth's wrists also sported the dimples and patterns of two dimensional barcodes; the tell-tale markers of her bio-engineered background.

Her marine issue boots were shined and scuffed on the floor at various points as Elsbeth padded between the seating and kitchen areas of the mess hall.  She continued to hum, pausing every so often to glance at Balkiir in the galley.

 She laughed and let him have the apple, watching as he bit into the crisp sweet fruit. She was glad he was happy and felt not only useful but challenged. She remembered how bad it was to feel bored and useless. Luckily her parents had always found interesting things for her to do that made her feel she was contributing without feeling like it was work. That was the best kind of work to do! Work that wasn't work was enjoyable and fun.
 "Ok you big blue horse, on that note I'm going to go sleep for a week! Or at least several hours! See you tomorrow. Just don't go leaving unpleasant surprises for unwary strollers, ok? You may look like a horse but everyone knows you're a lot more than that. I bet rabbit turds are absorbed quickly by the grasses but your little gifts probably wouldn't get absorbed fast enough. I'll see you tomorrow. Sleep well if you sleep at all."
 She waved goodbye, gave him a hug then headed back to her own room where she washed up quickly, put the sheets and stuff on the bed then crawled into her freshly made bed. She thought briefly about her parents and all that had happened since their death, amazed at how things had changed so quickly and so totally. Her last thoughts before drifting off to sleep was she hoped where ever her parents spirits were, they knew she was safe now... ~It's ok now mom, dad. I'll be ok.~

HE entered the galley, his uniform crisp and clean. He wore fatigues and a light brown t-shirt, his own tattoos showing. The symbol of the Tau Marines on his upper arm and the isignia of all trained snipers, the rifle and crosshairs. He looked about the galley till he found a fresh pot of coffee and poured himself a cup. He watched the two working in the kitchen in silence, their happiness somehow making his own mood darker. It was not that he was upset but more jealous of them, missing his own wife. He took a place at the table, his thoughts turned to what he wanted to discuss with T'rissa. He had come to a sort of peace with his decision and it was now time to begin implementing his own plan.

   " Breakfast is now being served in the dining room.' Balkiir announced over the intercom," seating and dress are informal, although I must remind everyone that we do have Tae at the table. Dining will be catch as catch can so hurry up before it's gone.
  Balkiir sat down next to Elspeth and began shoveling thick cut peppered bacon and scrambled eggs onto the plate then his own. Sliding a plate of biscuits and sliced fruit to the center of the table" eat up, we had an easy day yesterday, only a small army and heavy artillery.... no body lost a limb, and we aren't short any hands on the deck..... so eat up and remember to tip the cook, he accepts all major credit cards, any know currency, and occasionally unattended children in payment." Balkiir sounded lighthearted as he spoke.

M'kira wakes up slipping out of T'risa's bed. Stretching lithely she takes a shower, gets dressed then brushes her hair. Looking at herself critically in the mirror her smooth firm stomach growls at her. She was definitely hungry considering her metabolism. She frequently snacks during the night at odd hours. Though for the most part she had yet to run into anyone. Balkir was the most likely as his appetite was also more demanding then other races.

Leaving T'risa's quarters it wasn't long before she heard Balkir singing in the Njord language. Her eyes twinkle merrily as she could sense his good mood. She had a feeling Balkir and Elsbeth had a romantic night. She considers teasing him about it though she reminds herself she couldn't be certain. However he really was in a good mood.

Walking gracefully into the mess hall M'kira smiles warmly to Elsbeth and Balkir giving them a friendly wave. Serving herself she takes a seat at the table greeting her friends. "Good morning everyone. Hi grym." She starts nibbling on her food intent on satisfying her hunger so her stomach would stop complaining. "Where is poppy? I guess Trey's not up yet either."

  " Poppy is never up before the crack of noon. Rhic chuckled as he came into he galley." She takes her down time very seriously, what she is doing with it only the O'sahdii know..... probably got herself locked away in some simulated boutique terrorizing the sale staff. .
  Rhic sat down wedging himself into the corner and taking a huge mug of coffee to jump start the morning. The big man wore the same short sleeved shirt and fatigues as normal, his collection of battle scars dulled by time, a single tattoo on his right arm bore the anchor and globe insignia and the letters USMC,  the slogan Semper Fidelis underneath it.his left arm to the elbow looked like a billboard of unit and service tatooes and campaign stripes. Including the hammer and thunderbolts of the valkiir home guard Mjolniir regiment " Maran is asleep but the smell of breakfast will probably solve that."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:28, Sun 27 Feb 2011.

Conrad staggers out of his bed, exhausted from yesterdays work.  As he looks for some pants, he does the usually male morning scratching of himself.  Upon making himself look half way presentable, he makes he way towards where everyone else was starting to gather.  As he walks in, he just manages to give a grunt as he grabs himself some food and begins eating.  He knew he was going to need some energy because it was only a matter of time before someone else needed to be fixed or build.

T'risa walked in to the galley, in bare feet with a large fluffy coat over her shoulders. She had a very satisfied smile on her face, radiating calm and bliss to everyone in the room. "Mmmmm, smells good Balkiir. I hope you're making enough for everyone." she quipped as she moved to take a stool near the kitchen window. "How are you feeling?" she asked the giant Valkiir, concerned for his health, but knowing at the same time he can't be feeling too bad as he is up making breakfast.

T'risa stretched her limbs as she slowly woke up, kinda expecting someone to put a cup of coffee in front of her. "Eat well everyone. We have a lot of work to go through today. I worked on some plans for further fortifying Hope. It'll take brains and brawn to get it all done quickly."

M'kira always has a smile for Rhictor he was a grizzled soldier who had likely seen more action then most. She could respect that. "Morning Rhictor, Conrad!" She laughs and smiles at Rhictors explanation of Poppys choice in life style. Mostly because of what he imagined what she was up to. "I imagine we could always ask what she likes to do during her down time. I guess she's decided she's not a morning person."

She brightens up practically glowing when she see's T'risa walk into the room. M'kira giggles for a moment speaking up at her question. "Balkir knows there are a couple of hungry Valkir present. I bet he made plenty of extra just in case. Though if we do run short I will share mine with you."

When she notes T'risa hadn't grabbed a cup of coffer for herself she makes her way over to the coffee pot. Pouring her a cup. She knew exactly how T'risa likes her coffee making it just so. Walking gracefully over to T'risa she sets the coffee cup down getting her attention. Then gives her a affectionate kiss for a long moment. "Good morning!"

Getting her food she moves close to T'risa so she could enjoy breakfast with her. "You don't have to worry about me or Balkir. We will eat a hearty breakfast and pack some snacks for later in the day."

  " It's only .... Poppy mimed looking at her watch." to early, and what i ream about is my own personal business...and probably too much fun for you anyway.... he thinks Vitadrin is a chaser for vodka." Poppy teased Rhic as she made her appearance in her new bodies." yes It's a Trey original, cobbled together from he very finest cast offs of office assistants and mine techs, available only on the oh so rustic settlement of 'Forlorn' Hope."

    "actually he's a pretty good hand with a sealer and some synth-flesh, and his hands aren't all clammy and sweaty like Doctor Franken-Bot over there . Poppy playfully stuck her tongue out at Conrad> She took a cup of coffee took a deep inhale as she sat down next to Grym and sighed happily. "Although if I ever want an integrated orbital laser targeting system with back up ortillery targeting I know who to call."

  " Hey. Grym, your looking...well like..... you, this morning. wanna go I dont know... stare at the wasteland for a few hours later...I hear that boulder by the ridge shifted last night...might need to keep an eye on it...never can trust a rock." She tried to find someway to start Grym talking, wondering if such a thing was possible.

She noticed conrad was looking a little ruff this morning. M'kira had a feeling he must have been burning the midnight oil doing repairs on her battle armor. Who knows what other projects he had on various burners at the same time. Turning to see poppy M'kira was surprised though pleased to see her. She was after all a part of their growing family.

"Good morning poppy it's good to see you. Well your looking good and I am happy Trey was able to help. Conrads getting a little overworked with all the repairs that have been demanding his time. That last battle did some damage. From the looks of it he could use a little more down time himself. maybe you should take it easy today conrad get a few more hours of shut eye. That is if we can spare him T'risa."

T'risa shook her head sadly. "I'm afraid we can't. Not really. I'm sorry Conrad. I'll try to lower your workload, but we have too much to do and to little time in which to do it. We need to shore up Hope, we hit them hard. They will hit back at some point. We need to get our missiles situated such that no-one sees them, even from orbit. We need to get the secondary anti air situated. Repair everything we have. Plus, the technical team and I will need to work out realistic goals for our expedition to the crashed dreadnought. It amounts to much work, especially for him. No-one will be resting on their laurels today, but the technical team of Aziza, Conrad and Trey will be exceptionally busy." T'risa lifted a cup of coffee silently to the tech crew in a salute, before resting her head on M'kira.

He gave Poppy a half smile as he looked up."And what about the rest of us? What should we be working on?" He asked, he wasn't a tech jockey and it seemed that was the call of the day.

T'risa arched an eyebrow. "The techs can put it together....but they do need people to move around the heavy things Victor.... I might need you to review the personal weapons we uncovered, make sure they are safe and train the soldiers in their use."

Elsbeth greeted the others as they entered the mess hall with a nod and slightly shy smile.  She pushed plates and silverware their way, and allowed them to serve themselves, taking what and however much they wanted.  For her own part, Elsbeth plowed through a hearty second helping in almost no time flat.  The previous day's activities, especially the battle, had cranked her metabolism way up and she could feel the effects.  She also expected that she would need her strength for today - from the sounds of all of the chatter, the Marshal had plenty of plans and most of them appeared to require a fair amount of physical labor.

Not that Elsbeth minded physical labor, it gave her plenty to do - it kept her occupied.  After she polished off the last section of food on her plate, Elsbeth stood and gave Balkiir a small peck on the cheek.  She felt compelled to obey the 'Kiss the Cook' slogan on his apron.  She then moved her plate and silverware to galley and the dishwasher.

Elsbeth then walked over to stand next to Victor and Poppy.  She nodded to Poppy, who had acquitted herself quite well in the assault on the air defense towers.  "You are looking well, Ms. Poppy." Elsbeth ventured, "I... I am glad that you were repaired so quickly."  She motioned to encompass Victor as well as Poppy as she spoke, "I am tasked with going through and inventorying all captured armaments and then distributing them to defensive units and positions around the settlement.  Some training of local personnel will likely be required.  Would you and Mr. Victor Grym care to join me?"

"After that." she noted with a slight shrug, "I'll probably be digging ditches ... er ... moving earth.  For emplacements.  You are welcome to join me for that as well..."

Water. -Flowing- water. Not just misters and sponges, or coarse graph scrub downs. Real water. Trey spent at least a good hour luxuriating in the sensation, his laughter ringing out of his tiny room every now and again. Along with his voice, warbling as it tries to carry a tune while being drenched. And usually failing.

"Won loove! One haart! Less. Git. Togetha, an' feeel a'right.."

After his impromptu concert in the refresher, Trey walks out scrubbing down his dreds, and grins at the face on the wall. Really, it'd take some imagination to see it as a face; it's just a hand print in red. Not blood this time, but the color was important. He'd even put the same two dots for eyes and the angled curve to give it a slightly lopsided grin.

"Ah, Earnie. She gunna be a -gude- day ta'day." A ritual for as long as he could remember back on the Prospect. Intellectually, he knew Eddie was just his mind's way of coping with the severe isolation for the weeks he'd been trapped; Still, when it came to a show down between mind and heart, Trey would follow his heart all day long. Eddie had been with him on the Prospect, in the ship, and even down the corridors, though he'd given Trey a wrong turn. Wasn't his fault, though; He did his best. And Trey didn't leave friends behind if he could help it, though the paint stain on the wall is likely going to drive the owner of the ship nuts.

Eventually, Trey makes his way out of the apartment, hands in pocket as he wanders; Just following his nose, his bright whistle echoing ahead of him to the tune of 'No Woman No Cry'. Ancient, ANCIENT songs from a culture long since dead...
This message was last edited by the player at 19:29, Tue 01 Mar 2011.

When T'risa lays her head against her M'kira smiles affectionately brushing a bit of hair away from T'risa's eyes. It was a wonderful morning even if they were going to have a hard days work ahead of them. She continues to eat her meal intent on getting the calories she would burn off in the next few hours let alone the day. "Mmm if your qualified with industrial grade equipment Elsbeth I think getting those emplacements done will go a lot faster."

When Trey arrives she smiles at him hearing him singing as well. Laughing her eyes twinkle merrily as she slips one arm around T'risa giving her a affectionate hug. "Looks like just about everyone's in a wonderful mood today. Hi Trey! Hurry up and get a plate! Breakfast is going fast! Poppy says you do good work. That's a high compliment coming from her. Congrats! It's going to be a busy day from what I hear so I wouldn't go light on your meal."

  " Oh thats no way to think about a friend.

 She woke and stretched like a cat, luxuriating in a soft bed for a change. She was reluctant to get up at first, and snuggled down deeper. She dozed off for a short time, then woke again hungry. She jumped out of bed, and made it up really quick...perhaps not perfect but neatly anyway. She dashed to the refresher to wash up then dressed in the slightly too big ship suit and headed down to the galley for something to eat. She wondered if everyone else had already eaten, but saw when she arrived she wasn't that much later than the others.
 "Good morn'n. Hope I'm not too late! Man, I really slept great! That's the best sleep I had for awhile."
 She slid into a seat down the table, not wanting to push in and maybe upset anybody.
"Whats for breakfast?"

Elsbeth turned and then nodded to M'kira, noting dutifully, "Yes, Ma'am.  I have my certs to operate heavy equipment."  Not that Elsbeth minded doing manual labor - but if time was of the essence and the equipment was available.  The Sergeant was right, she would get the job done that much faster much faster that way.

Elsbeth turned back to Poppy and Grym, her head tilted slightly, as she repeated, "Care to join me?"

  " heavy equipment and me don't get along Poppy teased lightly as she sat enjoying the aroma's of the meal" But I can help, Just don't ask me to try and drive anything ...it's bad, real bad when I try."

    I can do the light stuff though, just got to tell me what to do....someone sort of neglected all that defensive stuff when they put together my combat package.... Must have had to make room for my stunning sense of fashion and amazing dance skills....oh yeah and how to blow things up...I'm pretty good at that too."

M'kira smiles and waves to Maran when she arrives. Giggling when Maran mentions sleeping in and being late. "Oh Maran! You don't know about Valkir being voracious eaters do you? If it wasn't for the fact that I know Balkir's a super thoughtful and kind male of our species I would say being late is a very bad idea. We tend to eat everything in sight. However Balkir's made plenty of food. I am pretty sure we have eggs, bacon, probably ham, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's outdone himself and made something else. He's a sweet guy so if you ask him nicely he might make something special just for you. Just don't go advertising it or you might ruin his I am a super tough vicious killing machine of a valkir reputation. So is there anything you really, really like?"

When poppy Mentions amazing Dance skills M'kira perks up with a touch of excitement and a look of interest. "Sweet! You dance really good Poppy? Maybe next time we get a break we can throw a party and let our hair down. I am not sure Balkir will be game for dancing because his legs hurt. A shame that. Though I think just about everyone else could try their hand at it. maybe Maran can show us some dancing that she knows. What about you Conrad? Trey do either of you dance?"

The look she gives victor says volumes as he does have that Latin look to him. "I bet you can dance Grym." Her eyes flick to Rhictor with a twinkle in her eyes. "I will dance with you Rhictor if you promise to join in when and if we decide to party." Then her brow furrows for a moment. There was someone else she knows that couldn't deny that he knew how to dance. He wasn't there though so she couldn't invite him. She smiles at T'risa with a mischievous gleam in her lovely eyes. "Do you think Cesti dance? I wouldn't mind inviting Aziza. Her husband is here after all! I wouldn't want to upset her though."

Trey lifts a hand in greeting for M'kira, smiling as if the sun herself was shining through his teeth. One wouldn't think this was the same woman who'd shoved a big mech's gun in his face not more than twenty four hours ago. He's even in the same space as the sniper who could've taken his brain out the backside of his skull before he had time to wonder what that ripping noise was.

But, that was the nature of the Bredren.

At M'kira's question, Trey actually laughs. "Yah be dahn rite, sistah. Music, she being de soul givan voice, an' Jah on dey what being' tryin' ta silence she." He actually laughs, a rather light and carefree sound, before glancing back towards his room. Almost as if expecting something. His grin falters slightly, and for a moment he almost looks shaken. But, that quickly passes, and he's right as rain again.

"De nose, he bein' smellin'. De stomach, he bein' talkin'. All de rest o' de body, he follow wit'out me, so I an' I being follow ta dem foods. What I an' I bein' eatin' ta-day? Heya, Poppay! Ya feelin' al'rite no?"