Posted Dec. 9, 2021, 5:13 p.m. by Civilian Eryn Romanov (Colonial Intelligence Agent) (Jennifer Ward)
Posted by Civilian Kodek Vonn (Clandestine Associate) in The Not So Odd Couple
(snip)
“Agreed on all counts… but first we should eat. Come. I know a place.” He led them out of the market and through the streets turning left and right in the crowded midday traffic. Soon, they found themselves in front of a somewhat out of place building. This one was clean, well-maintained, and was opulent for the surrounding area. A deep red carpet led up to two large marble doors with silver hardware. Above the door was carved ‘The Russian Tea Room, OED V’. “One of only two in the galaxy. The other is in on Terra. This has been here since before the dome.” and Vonn opened the door for Eryn.
Vonn
Before the dome? Eryn felt vastly uneducated about this place. There had to be public access library computers on a colony this size. She would have to do some research. She stepped through the door Kodek held open for her. It was a very human gesture and one that she couldn’t remember anyone ever making, not since she was a very small child. She moved through and into a small entrance hall. They were approached by a well suited maître d’. “Welcome to the Russian Tea Room. Will it be just the two of you?”
“Yes, and a corner booth, preferably.” The man nodded and led them toward the back of the main room. The unique first-floor welcomed guests with intimate leather banquettes in Russian red, golden samovars, Christmas-decorated chandeliers, period paintings, and shining green walls. The lush red carpeting had an exquisite 29th century Russian motif, while the ceiling glimmered with gold leaves and the exotic firebirds decorated the walls.
The man led them to a large circular corner booth across from the bar. The bar was empty and the rest of the dinning room held only an occasional patron. The booth was large enough that both Eryn and Vonn could sit to face the room at large while still facing each other. Eryn sat and slid almost to the middle, leaving the outside empty for Vonn if he wished the extra space for his rather large frame. The space seemed confining, but Eryn’s movement would be barely hampered. The man handed then a set of actual paper menus and left. Eryn didn’t need long to peruse the menu.
The bar tender having nothing keeping him, “We at happy to have you at The Russian Tea Room. Have you been here before?”
The helmet nodded as Vonn pulled the cables from his belt and felt along the edge of the booth until their gauntleted fingers found something and they pressed, popping open an concealed power port. They plugged in the cables and a soft hiss could be heard in the suit.
“I have not, but I vould like to start vith an St. Petersburg tea (Citrus, red fruits and caramel), and zhen Côtelette à la Kiev.” Noting the accent and the choice the man smiled slightly and gave a brief bow of the head. He turned to Vonn, ready to take his order or answer any questions he might have.
Eryn
“Breen Special.” Vonn said and he made a fist and held it towards the man and the bartender nodded. “As expected, Breen. Welcome home.” and he took the menus and walked off, heading through an archaic swinging door into the kitchen. The helmet swiveled to look at Eryn. “My clan assisted the original owner in the building of this establishment. There are few such places that are friendly to my kind, and understand our needs.”
Vonn
Eryn could have surmised as much when Vonn pulled the cables out and so easily found a power port. But confirmation was always welcome. Despite their friendship and how much Eryn did know about Vonn and knew about the Breen that others didn’t, because of Vonn, there was much she didn’t know. Perhaps it was her old self’s species tendency, but she was glad there was such a place here for Vonn. “Does zhat include facilities to care for yourself and your suit?” Though she intended where ever they chose to call ‘home’ (that word seemed so foreign but was as good as any other) would have rooms altered for his needs, like he’d had on Leviathan, it would be good if there was a secondary location, should they need it.
That brought her right back to where they should find permeant accommodations. Anonymity wasn’t going to be a thing for them. Vonn was far too noticeable. Or that fact he was Breen was. But that in itself could be used to their advantage. It was all convoluted and required thought and a solid plan. Honestly, she never said but she’d always hoped she would never need to be Eryn. That if she ever managed to get out of S31 she would get to go home, but at the same time she always knew that was never going to be an option. So that would be the last time the thought occurred to her. “You have obviously been here before, vhat is your recommendation?”
Eryn
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