trans_9 | Downtime [open]

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Downtime [open]

As many of the tech brigade had learned at some point or other, there was only so long that Stacy was willing to let them work before forcing a compulsory break, and Ahava was no exception. Even trying to reason that sleeping, considering the current circumstances, wasn't exactly restful any more didn't make a difference, so the senior scientist headed down to the Mess Hall, deciding she may as well grab something to eat while she was free. It was just too bad about what was the only food on offer there, but with the number of people on board already and their supply of real food having a finite limit, it was practical to keep the food that wasn't sludge for things other than someone's enforced lunch break.

So, tray in hand, Ahava pulled up a chair close to the entrance of the room and settled down with a sigh. Hmm, maybe a break wasn't such a bad idea judging from how her feet felt. Now if only she had some decent company to pass the time with as well...

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"You know, you can eat in the Sensoriums if you have trouble getting that down."

Yes, that was an empty chair speaking.

"I could," Ahava agreed. "But it doesn't really bother me that much. Not to mention I thought I'd see if any of the newcomers might need that suggestion more than me if they turned up here. The ship can be pretty confusing when you first arrive."

She smiled at the apparently empty air. "So what can I do for Invisible Kid today?"

"True. Personally, I just wanted a little time alone. No one wants to spend much time in here."

Lyle appears in such a way that you might momentarily wonder if you had just missed him before.

"I don't suppose you can give me any meditation advice? I don't seem to be very good at it."

"Meditation advice?" Ahava snorted. "What makes you think I'm any better at that? Normally I'm more of a 'work until I pass out' type."

Idly toying with the slop (which she agreed wasn't particularly motivating her to eat it), she watched the young man curiously. "Why are you after alone time anyway? Dreams bothering you?"

"Same here. I keep falling asleep. My body apparently thinks that if I'm not working, I must have nothing better to do."

Lyle seems just a bit amused with Ahava treating her food like a child treats vegetables. "The meditation is supposed to help with the dreams, so yes. I can't just sit around and do nothing."

If you count all his work in the lab as nothing.

"No," Ahava agreed with a laugh. "None of the Legion really seem to be the 'do nothing' type."

It probably made sense that he'd fall asleep straight away if he wasn't working, in that sense. Having a lot of work and not much downtime seemed to help you get into the habit of sleeping whenever you got the chance after all.

"Sorry I can't offer much advice with that," she said. "But how's your work going? Any progress?"

Having been the leader of the Legion, Lyle could argue with that. But he won't, not to an outsider.

"It's going well, though the dreams are a bit of a distraction. How's yours going?" He considers a moment. "What are you working on, anyway?"

"I could ask you the same question," Ahava teased lightly. She wasn't entirely surprised that someone who had invisibility as a power was keen on keeping things secret, however.

"And for the moment, I'm just upgrading some of my tools to better handle what I want them to do. Since what we've got it more limited than what I'm used to, I'm having to get a little creative."

"It's a Legion super secret," Lyle says, grinning and putting a finger to his lips, "Which you'll find out about the second we're done."

Lyle considers this. "Some of the tools are pretty impressive, but definitely not what I'm used to. What are you planning to work on when you're ready?"

"It'd be nice if it was a 'everyone goes home' device, but I don't think we're that lucky. I look forward to seeing what it is though."

Ahava thought about how best to answer Lyle's question, her fork tracing designs in the gloop on her plate that may have seemed random initially, but on second glance had an odd symmetry to them.

"I haven't given it that much though," she said eventually. "Billy's working on a security system which he may need a hand with, or there's some other interesting projects like trying to work on power sources... I suppose another option is to ask around about what might need someone looking into it that isn't being taken care of already."

"You have to work your way up to the 'everyone goes home' device. Give us a couple more weeks on it." He smiles.

Lyle doesn't miss the pattern and isn't especially surprised. You can't give a scientist mashed potatoes without them constructing an atom smasher out of them.

"There's no shortage of things to work on--not that there ever is. Are you more interested in research or its applications? If you're more of a research person, this place might be a bit trying."

She laughed at that. "Two weeks and we can all leave? Should I hold you to that?"

As much as everyone would like that idea, they both knew the likelihood of it happening. Still, Ahava wasn't have as much of a bad time with things as some others seemed to be. She could wait a while longer.

"Both really. Research is fascinating in its own way, and so is finding practical applications for it. I like to keep myself flexible, after all."

"It usually doesn't even take us that long." There's an element to his grin that says he knows how incredibly silly his bragging is. "But no promises."

Lyle could probably withstand years of this, but he had no intention of doing so. Unless there really is a multiverse to save, he has better things to do.

"Good philosophy. I'm just an inventor myself, but we don't make progress without researchers."

"Well I guess I'll keep the celebration plans to myself until you reveal the Get-Home Machine," Ahava answered, playing along. Joking about things was better than any number of other options, which Lyle seemed to agree with.

She chuckled at that. "Well we tend to work in the same way anyway. Keep trying things until something works, or you figure out something else worthwhile."

"Good. Just make sure I get a cake. I like chocolate." Maybe he should ask for ice cream?

"I suppose so. Brainy makes a big deal about the difference, but we have no trouble working alongside each other."

Well, no more trouble, anyway. Most of the time.

"I'll make a note. 'Chocolate cake for Lyle'."

That was something else interesting. "You and Querl have been friends for a long time then?" Ahava asked curiously.

"We've both been with the Legion from the beginning." They hadn't been friends the whole time, although Lyle had tried. Well, when Brainy wasn't being too annoying.

"You're getting along with Brainy?" She's not the only one curious about the other's relationship.

Ahava lifted an eyebrow at that. "Am I not supposed to or is it difficult to or..."

"He seems fond of you." Disturbingly fond.

"Oh, the conversation over the comms?" Ahava guessed. "To be honest, it surprised me as well. It's definitely something to do with whatever he was taking at the time. And considering the nightmare I helped him with..."

Any trace of a smile disappeared from her face, and she seemed quiet and pensive. "...does it bother you?"

"What nightmare?" Lyle knows he's prying at this point, but Brainy doesn't talk about these things.

And maybe it does bother him a little that Brainy's confiding in this stranger instead of his friends.

"No, I'm just trying to play catch up. I've been asleep a long time, and Brainy hasn't told me much about what's happened."

"I don't think it's really my business to say," Ahava pointed out, though truthfully Querl himself had mentioned a lot in their conversation. Still, she had a feeling he'd regret that on his own and wouldn't want anything else to be getting out from other sources.

"Just that he needed help, and I gave it. I'd do it again too, if I had to. It was obvious something he couldn't take care of on his own."

Lyle is pretty sure he can guess, but at least Ahava's taking Brainy's privacy seriously, even if he wishes she'd make an exception.

Lyle nods. "I'm glad to hear that. We don't have most of the Legion here, so the help is appreciated."

Lyle relaxes back. "Sorry if I seem nosy. If I asked Brainy, he'd get embarrassed. He wasn't exactly himself at the time."

"That's putting it mildly," Ahava answered, smiling faintly. She wondered if this was the real reason Lyle had turned up here, to ask about her relationship with his friend. Or if she was just over thinking things.

"It's alright. I suppose you have every reason to be worried about him. But believe me, the last thing I want to do to him is hurt him."

Lyle? Sneakily lie in wait and then make pleasant conversation until he can find out what he wants? Never.

Lyle nods again. "He's a pretty good judge of character." This is a complete and total lie. "And he's a good friend." This isn't.

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