Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
evening of 5 Aug. 824 A.S.
Everyone cheered at Doreen's toast, agreeing with her.
Considering the rather constant activity, Peter was more excited than usual. Seeing so many people around, especially since he knew some of them, was making his evening quite enjoyable. As he ate the Sauerbraten with quite an appetite, he often giggled at Ben, commenting about random thoughts he had, game ideas and whatnot. Meanwhile, Erik was less interested in the food, although he was enjoying it, nonetheless. He was much more focused on the going conversations.
After complimenting Doreen on her cooking skills, Valders started mentioning how it was Clark Desay who made the entire project work. He had the brilliant mind that designed the nanite shells, small enough to fit their purpose but equipped with genetic tools to handle stem-cells. She was also keen to comment on Doreen's looks, appreciating her choice in clothing. Valders was, to be fair, a stickler for fancy apparel, no matter the occasion - but she was never arrogant about it.
At one point, Erik noted Doreen's medical skills and then added "And if she has the same wits as a researcher, I'm sure with her help we'll be able to finish our project." In between other topics, Catherine asked Erik if he'd like to visit the memorial later this week. Her late brother's anniversary was soon to come, and Erik hadn't visited his wife's grave for quite some time either. He nodded in agreement, but dismissed the issue quickly. He didn't feel quite well talking about it.
Richard Dean was also vocal from time to time, mostly offering his opinions, or talking to Catherine about their work in the 53rd Research Squadron. The two were part of Erik's nanite project, but their main jobs were as as scientists that studied Yuma and Coronado as a whole.
She gave a simple thank you to Valders for the compliments. She wasn't looking for them but they were appreciated.
Doreen took time to get to know everyone. After the day's success, she was very much intrigued by the Nanite Project. She asked Clark, "Can nanites be trained....or programmed if you will..for purposes other than healing?" She realized the question was weirdly worded but she was curious. With a perplexed look she asked, "Do you know what I mean by that?" Part of her was wondering why she asked the question at all.
"I'm sorry, I guess that was a poor question." She sighed, "I don't know. I guess after what I saw today that there is a lot of potential for them in other applications with research and medicine."
She did take a bit of an interest in the talk of a memorial. It didn't take long to figure out it was a delicate subject. She felt lucky. While she hadn't lost any family members in war, the trial her father went through in which she was forced to testify tore her family apart. In a way, it was just as bad but at least they were alive. Dad was alive and well at Lividia Shipyard. Not seeing her little brother or Mother in a long time? That was painful.
For the most part, she just listened and made small talk, giving Ben a hug before he left the table to play. After awhile, the Sauerbraten was all consumed with the rest of the dinner items as was most of the wine. Lucky for her, beef absorbed a lot of alcohol. She was a bit tipsy but under control.
Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
evening of 5 Aug. 824 A.S.
Clark was what one would call an old geezer. His constantly eccentric eyes might've been at fault, but his 60 years were showing as well. He took a bite of his food, finished it, then replied to Doreen "There ain't much they can't do, doctor. As you well know, nanobots have been used for ship repair since before i was born... here in the Republic, we also use them for construction. As for the medical field..." - he coughed, probably from forgetting to take some air - "I guess Corvin or Valders could explain the programming part, but I'm sure I could pretty much attach any medical tools to the nanites."
As Clark finished his statement, Erik added "Well, essentially, we're only limited by our own imagination. The rest is about hard-work."
As the night progressed, Catherine asked Doreen "And what do you think of the Republic so far?" - while Clark added, with a small bit of unintended impertinence "Oh, and what's your view on the Gallic Royalists?"
Frankly, everyone was a bit tipsy, except for the children, but that only made the evening more enjoyable. About an hour after the food had finished, the chatter was slowing down. It was clear people would start leaving soon.
She was satisfied with the answer as it was about what she expected. As with many things, with proper training, programming or whatever, nanite use was limitless.
"And what do you think of the Republic so far?"
She smiled, taking a quick look over at Benjen, then Erik and then the others, "It's been quite welcoming. It's the first place that Benjen or I haven't been judged for being Rheinland natives. His name is Rheinlandic for "Jet" so living on Houston, we had to cut it to Ben or Bennie due to bullying. The only people that really figure me to be Rheinlandic are those in Liberty. It's nice not being judged because of one's birth."
"Oh, and what's your view on the Gallic Royalists?"
Her face softened. "I know little about them, really," she explained. "Having only media reports on them, I saw them as Imperialists. As I understand it, they seek to judge all Sirians for something that happened long ago." She sighed as she looked over at Clark, "Please forgive me for this but I don't hate them. I dislike them for what they've done." She paused for a moment as the doctor in her was doing the speaking, "I feel sorry for them. I mean, they judge and just don't know." She paused again, thinking that everyone was going to get angry at her. Again, she looked over at Benjen and his innocence. Then, he looked over at Peter and his. Peter lost his mother to the Royalists but he wasn't showing it, at least, not now. She then looked at Erik, the man who was showing her much in opportunity and kindness and she thought of her new home. Then she finished, sitting back somewhat distraught, "I guess having grown up in a house where hate wasn't taught and the Hippocratic Oath make me feel that way." She then thought she was about to get blasted and simply said, "I'm sorry."
Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
evening of 5 Aug. 824 A.S.
Clark was visibly irritated by Doreen's statement ( "I don't hate them." ), but as she continued to explain his look softened and he replied with a sigh "I sometimes forget that not all of Sirius had to endure what we have... There's nothing to be sorry about, doctor."
Erik on the other hand was staring blankly, at nobody. Hate... He wanted to hate them, he wanted to rage at the Gaul bastards who took his wife... but he couldn't. His inquisitive mind knew that hate would've done no good. Alas, he was no fighter anyway. And besides, he knew well enough that most of those in the Gallic armada were just following orders, not truly understanding what they fight for - having been indoctrinated by the royalist regime in Gallia.
He turned towards Peter, enjoying the sight of his son playing, and spoke with a tired voice "I don't know if hating them is right or wrong, but I'm bloody sure they need to be stopped, for our sake... for Sirius... and maybe even for Gallia." He rose up and, perhaps in an attempt to assuage his own flashbacks of loss, cheerily tried to change the subject "Well then, anyone up for another drink? I might have another bottle in storage."
Catherine kindly refused, and explained she has work to catch up on, while getting ready to leave. After saying her goodbyes, she was on her way, while the rest were still at the table and agreed to Erik's suggestion. "One last glass before we go home can't hurt." someone mentioned.
She wanted to speak up on the subject of hate but was cut off with the proposal for another drink. She did agree though that the Gauls needed to be stopped.
"Well then, anyone up for another drink? I might have another bottle in storage."
She thought for a moment. It did sound like a good idea. She was, however, not used to drinking so much as it was usually a glass of wine, maybe two, before she retired for the evening. "What the hell," she thought aloud, "one more glass of wine won't hurt I don't think." She said it with a smile.
She shook Catherine's hand and thanked her for her work. "You're uncle is a good man," she said to her, "I look forward to working more with you both as time goes along."
It wasn't long before she started sipping on another glass of wine.
Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
evening of 5 Aug. 824 A.S.
With one last fill of their glasses, everyone cheered today's breakthrough in the project one last time. The following half an hour was filled with random commentaries about work, teasing, laughter and a few less appropriate - but still amusing - moments as Clark let the alcohol get to him. Formality was obviously out the window at this point, but it didn't bother anyone. It was part of the Crayterian spirit... to find joy in life, whenever possible - to be thankful that we are alive and be ourselves. Since the two boys had run inside some time ago, to play with some toys, Erik shouted for his son to hear "Peter, can you activate the cleaning drones, please?"
Moments later, two small hovering crafts came out through an opening above the front door. They approached the table and began taking the empty dishes and glasses away. As this was happening, Clark - still inebriated - was being helped by Richard Dean and Erik to walk to his hovercar. Valders was also up from her chair, but she was standing beside the table and mentioned to Doreen "It's been a pleasure so far, doctor. I'm sure we'll all make a great team. Oh, and don't think too much about mister Corvin's ominous moments. He's had a harder time than most of us, but he's still very capable and a great team-leader."
Her head was quite heavy at this point. She never drank this much but it seemed her fellow guests were no better off. She put down her empty glass and with a hand motion declared herself to be finished drinking.
"It's been a pleasure so far, doctor. I'm sure we'll all make a great team. Oh, and don't think too much about mister Corvin's ominous moments. He's had a harder time than most of us, but he's still very capable and a great team-leader."
"It's been a pleasure as well, Doctor," was her simple reply. Did Erik have a harder time than most? She didn't notice if he did but by the evidence, he was leading his team quite well. She then took a seat and leaned forward a bit as she was making herself comfortable.
"Is it just me or is it warm?" she thought out to herself. She loosened her shirt a bit as the alcohol was making her feel warm. Her low cut only slightly lower and untucked, she sat back and crossed her legs again.
She was watching the cleaning drones do their thing. Never before had she seen this.
"I will need to get one of those for my place," she stated out loud.
As the children played and the celebration wrapped up, she sat still, trying to collect her head.
Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
evening of 5 Aug. 824 A.S.
Miss Valders' last comment was most likely due to her consumption of alcohol, but she wasn't wrong. Most people in the Crayter Republic knew of the Corvin family's history, since they were one of the influential groups of people in the Republic, with one of them being a former President. Their long list of losses in family members - especially since the Gallic invasion - was also known and could be found in public records. Samantha took her purse and got ready to leave as well. As Erik was returning from the alleyway - after he had said his goodbyes to Richard and Clark - Valders gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek and she went on her way. Erik was still chuckling silently while walking back to the table.
"Hehe, too bad I'll be working tomorrow. I'll sure have to cope with a headache." he added while taking a seat across from Doreen, in a quite ungraceful manner due to him being tipsy. Another reason Erik usually had a hard time was actually his own decisions. While probably noble in concept, he avoided taking long breaks from work, even in the weekends. He had heard her earlier comment regarding the drones, so he went on "I usually clean things up myself, with Peter's help, but some days there's just too much to do and too little time."
While he and Doreen were talking, the boys were looking out the window and noticed some people had left. With a faded frown, Peter asked "You're leaving soon i guess... Can we see each-otheL tomorrow?"
"Hehe, too bad I'll be working tomorrow. I'll sure have to cope with a headache."
She looked at her empty wine glass and snickered, "You may not be the only one." She then rubbed her temple a bit, "My God I haven't done that in.....forever. At least I won't be in surgery tomorrow."
"I usually clean things up myself, with Peter's help, but some days there's just too much to do and too little time."
"It's always been just Benjen and I," she answered, "keeping a clean house has never been a problem."
Doreen too noticed the boys looking out the window and heard Peter's request. She just turned, looked at Erik and lightly shrugged, "I think we've made them best buddies. Have we started something?"