Ed, having washed his face and hands, once again felt somewhat huumunn. He cupped handfuls of the water into his mouth, slurping up the cold liquid. Next to him, Kait balanced her cup of stew in one hand, walking towards where Zac and Ash were seated. Zac waved her to a seat before he continued his discussion with Ash about being a driver. "I'm gonna need a few things in return," he said as Kait took her seat. Ash sighed inward. She knew there was a catch. There always was with Zac.
"Yeah? Like what?"
Kait had flopped in her chair and her jaw dropped when she saw Zac eating the apple.
He looked at her, then at Ash. "For starters, she goes."
Ash looked at Kait, then nodded. "She can follow orders?" Her voice was curt.
Kait opened her mouth to respond, but Zac gave her a warning glance. He looked at Ash again. "She does or she dies. Its simple, really." Zac looked at Kait, then to spite her, bit into the apple again. Kait grumbled, but whether the comment was directed at Ash or to Zac remained unclear.
Across the room, Gray looked at his watch and frowned. Nurse Terra had taken a seat at the table next to him and was polishing an apple on her lab coat as he stood. "I have to head back to my room soon. I took a walk to the Library and found some books," he said to Mera.
Mera smiled warmly. "Books?"
"Yeah. My parents taught me to read," Gray said, nodding politely to Terra who inquired about his health. He told her he was improved and thanked her. She was pleased at that and fell silent, aware she had interrupted their conversation.
"What kind of books?" Mera asked, sipping her coffee.
"Philosophy and others." He lowered his voice then, looking cautiously about. "I've gotten outside sometimes. I think I'm close to locating my sister." Gray said. "I actually found some old fighting books in the rubble of the library. In the city, you know." Gray continued. Mera looked at him in surprise, her chestnut eyes wide. "Plus some books on my father. Small notebooks, really."
"That is wonderful! Maybe we could both visit there sometime?" Her voice was hopeful.
"Perhaps. If you have some free time." He nodded at her quietly, almost shyly.
"I would like that! I should really let you get back to your room, Gr… Garrett." Her voice was warm. "I should be going as well."
"Shad, please." His voice was very quiet. "Very few people know that is my name." Their entire conversation was an interesting contrast to the subtle plans being plotted at the table across the room
Kait took a large bite of stew, clamping her mouth at Ash's words. Ash leaned back, appraising her. "As long as she pulls her weight. What else?" She looked at Zac, arms folded across her chest. Zac leaned forward, his voice lower and raspier.
"One hour with Seven." He glanced upward, saying no more. Kait, not realizing he spoke of the supercomputer Elliot Seven, looked at him oddly. She wondered if he had a lady friend, then shrugged and went back to her stew. Ash, however, knew exactly whom he spoke of and glanced at the ceiling then back at him.
"Sure. Can't guarantee you'll get what you want." Ash put on a good face. She knew that Elliot would never compromise himself or the hospital. She looked up a bit as Ed approached. He stopped behind Kait and just looked down at her. Zac turned her attention back to him by touching her hand. "And I mean no networking." His voice was quiet.
Ed continued to stare down at Kait. She looked up at him impatiently. "What?"
"You are what you eat." His voice was soft, condescending. She shrugged and nodded, then went back to eating. "Do you even know what is in that stew?"
Kait nudged a piece of meat with her spoon. "Sure. Bad tasting meat. Needs salt." She looked up at him again.
"Have you ever wondered where your friends go when they die?" His voice was still condescending.
Kait shrugged. "Don't have too many friends, so I don't think about it."
"I see that you have found that huumunns are not only self-destructive in our own environment, but as you put it, need more salt." Kait just looked up at him and shook her head.
Beside them, Ash continued to struggle with Zac's request. "I can't guarantee that. I mean, I 'd have to let you into my own databases to do it…"
Zac, realizing they were no longer speaking privately, shook his head. "Later," he said quietly. Ash stopped talking, but was not pleased with the tone he used on her.
The room grew a bit quieter as Gray and Mera prepared to leave. "Would you care for an escort? It is on my way, really," Mera said, slipping on her coat.
"Sure. I wouldn't mind your company." Gray's eyes lit up happily.
Ash stood up abruptly from her table and motioned for Zac to talk to her later. She moved to Terra's table. Kait mumbled something about Zac having a way with women and she received a dirty look for her efforts at conversation.
Gray swallowed the rest of his coffee, nodding to Ash. "I'm ready when you are, Mera."
"Lets go, then!"
Gray nodded and inclined his head to both Terra and Ash.
"Take care, Shad, " Terra said, then smiled at Ash. She pulled out a chair for her friend. Ash was unaware of Zac's admiring glance as she took a seat. Mera smiled at her friends, then moved out of the cafeteria with Gray.
Kait could see the disappointment in Ed's face at Mera’s departure and frowned slightly, disgusted with the interruption to her dinner. It wasn't so important what she ate as long as she ate. Why couldn't she be left in peace? Ed wandered on his way at last. She and Zac never talked so their table sunk into sullen silence. The cafeteria was even quieter now than before. Others drifted in and out for a bite to eat, and Terra and Ash chatted into the wee hours; the details of their conversation all their own.
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