Eventually Lavinia came out of the bathroom, her face noticeably more calm as her heart and her head no longer buzzed with her recent obstacle. She had sent a message to Deszcz, talking about how she just had some traveling hiccups herself but she was at the hotel already. She didn't want to wait around for her friend's returning message, opting instead to wash her face before walking out. She saw Mlynar, he had unpacked his bag and the minimal effects he had were spread on a table.
She spotted his usual suit and coat uniform, alongside a few other choice attires. Then she looked towards the person himself, who sat at the dining table, already a newspaper in front of his face as he scanned the articles. What Lavinia did notice however was that the paper was upside down, or perhaps Columbian articles printed their articles with one side facing the opposite of the other. Either option however was rendered mute as she saw Mlynar's eyes was not even looking at the paper in front of him.
She didn't say anything, opting instead to sit on the coach, pulling her legs to her chest. They didn't need to say much to each other, especially now where neither knew WHAT to say to each other.
Lavinia had felt she had taken too much of Mlynar, from his help in training, to him driving her through New Orange, and now here she was in his hotel room. She couldn't even claim she paid for lunch, since Saga had taken that credit, as strange as it was.
Mlynar felt like he had overstepped his bounds. Meddling in affairs that he knew that Lavinia could so easily take care of herself, or doing things that would be taken in a bad light should other operators and staff come to know this. Favoritism, it sets a bad precedent, and here he was showing something akin to this to a colleague who can more for herself hold her own. Except she seemed… Distracted as of late, a step behind. And a long thought dormant part of him acted without thinking, and now he chided himself internally for that.
"I would like to apologize–"
"I want to apologize–"
Both stopped and stared at each other, once more having interrupted each other, and now they were at a vocal impasse once again. Inwardly both felt that rising awkwardness threatened to rear its head again, but then Mlynar decided to slay the beast.
"You first," Mlynar said, putting his paper down.
"I wanted to apologize for taking advantage for the day. Not only allowing you to drive me, but also letting me stay in… the room," Lavinia said eventually, not quite sure what to think of their room situation. Mlynar however waved it off.
"No its alright, it would not be right for you to apologize. I had been the one who kept overriding your own agency, you're a capable woman, you would've been able to handle your own affairs without my aid," Mlynar responded. At this Lavinia shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"No, I've been a mess today. And your offer for a ride was incredibly kind, there would be no way I'd be able to find my own way to New Orange," Lavinia affirmed. The walk from Rhode Island through the outskirts of New Orange's would have taken her forever. Mlynar looked like he wanted to respond, but held his tongue, instead opting to change the topic.
"I'll go then, you can have the room," he said, but stopped when Lavinia grabbed his arm. She had moved from the couch to standing.
"No, this is your room, I'll leav–" she stopped when she got a text. She took out her terminal and read the message from Deszcz.
-Yo, I got super lucky and got the last room! They said they were really lucky since someone didn't show so that means that they were able to fit me in!-
-That means you got your room right?- Another bout of internal screaming echoed in Lavinia's subconscious before she turned to look at Mlynar and turned her terminal towards Mlynar who read the message. A complicated look came over his face as Lavinia could visibly see him clench his jaw. They knew neither could probably find lodgings for the night in other areas, and also knew that sharing rooms with another operator would be even more of a headache, which left one option.
"We'll… share the room," Lavinia said finally, coming to terms with what the reception had said. "Do we tell–"
"No," Mlynar responded quickly. "That will… lead to trouble, for both of us." Never mind te issue of sharing a room with one, Mlynar knew that sharing the room with another operator of the opposite sex, the rumors that would arise for Lavinia… Even if Rhode Island wasn't a place of judgment, it would still be improper.
"We'll keep this… To ourselves for now," Mlynar said. Another message was sent to Lavinia from Deszcz.
-Hey, I still have your stuff? Where's your room so I can drop it off?-
"I'll repack my belongings. Easier to hide them," Mlynar said as he moved to restock his things only for Lavinia to stop him..
"No you can put your stuff away," Lavinia offered. "Hiding small pieces is easier than one large lump sum."Mlynar relented as they quickly moved his bag and belongings in one of the dressers drawers. Making sure nothing of Mlynar was seen, both went to the door. Lavinia put her boots back on while Mlynar looked out the peephole.
"Oh, Mlynar, uh," Lavinia didn't know how to broach the topic organically, but felt she might as well ask now before she forgets. "Your contact information. We never exchanged it." At this Mlynar turned back towards her, a look of confusion coming on his face before realization sunk in.
"Ah," was Mlynar's simple response. A lot happened on that mission but there was enough downtime that they should've of. It seemed despite the many exchanges, the two never did exchange their contact info between each other. He pulled his terminal out as Lavinia grabbed hers. The screen flashed as they exchanged contact information, something that felt like they should've done a long time ago..
It was now that Lavinia noted his profile picture. It was him, asleep at his desk with a stack of cards on top of him. At this she couldn't help but laugh, as best as she tried to smother. This caught Mlynar who finally went to look at his profile before narrowing his eyes as Lavinia finally stifled the laughter.
"Elysium…"
"Ha, well, now I can contact you instead of having to run through Rhode Island if I need to call you," Lavinia said as Mlynar nodded, though a small rueful smile tugged the corner of his lips before they exited the room.
"I… Need to drive for a bit, so I might come back later in the night," Mlynar said as they approached the elevator. "If you need to contact me, that will be fine. You can take the bed." Lavinia was about to argue, but was stopped when Mlynar held up a hand. "I've been sleeping on a bed enough times, a couch is more comfortable for me." Lavinia relented and the door opened before a shout caused both to turn.
"Lavinia! I finally made it!" Deszcz grabbed her friend in a strong hug which shocked Lavinia but she reciprocated eventually. "Oh hey Mlynar, I didn't know you were in this hotel as well."
"I was just leaving," Mlynar quickly said. He nodded to Lavinia and Deszcz but before he could leave, he was grabbed by Deszcz.
"Oh no Mister, you're gonna help us carry Lavinia's bags, I didn't get to talk to her the entire trip because of you!" Deszcz said before handing Mlynar two suitcases. "And you can carry mine too while you're at it." He sent a withering look to her before he just sighed and relented. Lavinia mouthed "sorry" to Mlynar when Deszcz's back was turned. Carrying the four bags of the two women, Mlynar followed them back in the elevator.
"Man I can't wait to see what the rooms are like, how did you guys like your room?" There was a surprised shock that stiffened both their spine before Deszcz continued unaware of their stiffness. "Like it must be nice since Mlynar isn't carrying his stuff around like he normally does when we end up staying at places."
"The accommodations are… acceptable," Mlynar muttered, not realizing how much of a habit that was.
"The rooms are fine, quite nice actually," Lavinia said before they ended up on the floor where Mlynar and Lavinia's room was. Lavinia took the lead, walking forward, taking the lead as they showed up at their room.
Unlocking the door, Mlynar walked in and dropped Lavinia's belongings off, leaving him to carry the three suitcases full of Deszcz's belongings.
"Oh yeah, Lavinia before you left to get him his Letter," Deszcz pointed to Mlynar, "the Doctor said the documents would be delivered tomorrow in the afternoon, so no work for you tonight, alright?"
"Documents?" Mlynar asked, perturbed. Things must've come to head while he was out.
"Oh no, the Doctor explicitly said you were to not be involved!" Deszcz rounded towards him with an accusatory finger. "Of everyone here, YOU, were to have a real vacation." Mlynar sent her a scowl that knew was only Mlynar's version of "fine whatever" before she smiled. "And besides, you've got a LOT of PTO that you've built up from the overtime that you WILL be using for this trip."
"Very well."
"Oh hey, what's this?" Deszcz approached the table and–
The toiletries! Lavinia and Mlynar thought in a sudden panic. Deszcz held up the bags containing the complementary gifts, a bathrobe, slippers, etc.
"Oh wow, this hotel gives you free things? That's so nice! Oh why did you get two?" Mlynar sent a quick glance to Lavinia, mouth not moving but eyes suggesting some sort of reasoning.
"O-Oh, do you remember how they said that the person canceled?" Lavinia offered as she looked at Deszcz. "Well they were gonna host two people, but when they canceled they offered me an upgrade to their room. Lucky us huh, with the double booking thing.." Lying through her teeth did not sit well with Lavinia but saying the truth would be more of a headache, and luckily the lie wasn't that far off. Two people indeed were staying here and someone did cancel, although it was unintentional on her part.
"Oh that's sad for them," Deszcz lamented. Mlynar and Lavinia shrugged, as Lavinia moved her luggage into the room. She was about to open it, but remember that a majority of the contents were clothes, including some choice garments, she opted to not to.
"Not gonna unpack?" Deszcz asked.
"Really? With Mlynar here?" She gestured to the man, who grunted in response. Deszcz nodded in understanding, and after admiring the room's decorations she grabbed the smallest of the three remaining bags that Mlynar held.
"Alright, let's see what my room is like! Come Mlynar, Lavinia, to room 18!" Deszcz declared leading the two out. It seemed the hotel had lower numbered rooms on the higher floor, and higher numbered rooms closer to the floor. So it was back down the elevator back to the base floor for them again.
They saw several operators there, who nodded to them as Mlynar and Lavinia realized how many of Rhode Island was at the hotel and when Deszcz opened the door to her room, they noted how small it was in comparison. It was decently sized for a single person, but lacked a kitchenette and a dining area. But when Mlynar dropped off her luggage, he also quickly took his leave.
"Oh come on stay a bit!" Deszcz pressured, but at this Mlynar looked resolute.
"No, if this IS to be my vacation time, I want to choose how I spend it," Mlynar reasoned. At this Lavinia spoke up.
"Actually I also wanted to discuss some parts of our work, and Mlynar should leave as well." A quick look of interest took on Mlynar face's before Deszcz sighed and pushed him out.
"Fine, fine, I'll see you later anyways, I will FIND your room," she threatened jokingly, and didn't notice Lavinia's face stiffen with a grimace as Mlynar grounded his teeth. But eventually he was pushed out of the room and in the hallway. His mind was already abuzz, his brain not really ready to accept the reality. Instead he just shook his head and made his way out of the hall and out of the lobby, noting more Rhode Island memebers checking in and moving their belongings. This meant more factors to considering when coming to and from the hotel, but right now he needed to leave and he stepped out of the building.
The air was cold and crisp, the rain had dwindled to nothing more than faint drops over a darkly overcasted sky only seen due to the iridescent street lights. His lungs took in a big brath of cooled air to chill his rushing blood before his eyes spotted Fealty still parked amongst the other cars and vehicles. He got on it, hitting the key in the engine and intent on, at least temprorarily, putting these troubling thoughts out of his mind. Gunning the engine loud enough to shock some passerby staff who were on their smoke break and he sped off and out of the parking area. He drove on, and on, and on. It seemed at night in this area of the city, the roads were empty and a sense of peace overtook him as he kept going... Away. Away of the hotel, away from the concrete jungle, passing through the nearest city gates he was welcomed by the darkness that had been held back by the lights of the city. He felt at peace then.
- L&L-
"So spill, how'd you get here faster than me?" After the failed protest of stopping Mlynar from leaving, Deszcz had put her full attention to her roommate but now just her buildingmate. Lavinia had helped organize Deszcz work materials after Mlynar had dropped off Deszcz belongings in the room, but now found herself trapped, physically and verbally.
"Oh, that was due to getting a ride from operators with their own vehicles," Lavinia said, it wasn't a lie after all. "And unlike you in the shuttles, we went straight here instead of needing to stop in other areas of New Orange."
"Did you stop for lunch? The shuttle had me and few others stop by this Bolivarian place called "El Taco" that had some really neat food. Greasy, but like, kinda comforting."
"Oh, w-I had food from a Yanese stand," Lavinia corrected herself hopefully before Deszcz noticed. "It was somewhat like how Nian and Ling cook their food, but different as well."
"Columbia is really nice looking too!" Deszcz gushed. "Buildings are so high, it's kinda like Kazimierz, but like, waaay brighter." Lavinia paused, remembering some of the conflicted looks that Mlynar had on their ride. Though he was more relaxed when it was just him and her on his motorcycle, there were occasions where his relaxed face turned into one of deep resentment.
"What's Kazimierz like?" Lavinia asked. Deszcz paused while she was unloading her stuff into the drawers. They had moved much of Deszcz belongings, mostly clothes and knicknacks from her own work related trips. One of which was an emblem of Kazimierz's national symbol.
"What brought this on?" Deszcz asked as she fell onto the couch for a quick breather. She wasn't explicitly not answering her, but Lavinia could see a level of apprehension to the question that paralleled Mlynar's open disgust.
"In my meeting with the Nearls, as well as yourself, I have a strange picture of the land you all came from is like," Lavinia said truthfully. "It sounds noble, but you all share a strange look when talking about it." At this Deszcz face turned complicated, mouth pausing and tightening before clicking her tongue.
"While I may have a certain view of it, the Nearls would also have something to say. They come from the aristocratic stock after all, and I'm effectively a commoner, but there is a third group you haven't spoken to you yet. Do you know Sona's group?"
"The Pinus Sylvestris group? I can't say I've met them personally. Occasionally that one girl, Iwona would help run messages about the landship of Engineering every time a message needed to be ran to them since that group seldom checks their terminals," Lavinia said. Deszcz gave a rather somber smile.
"I'd recommend talking to them first. We share the hotel with them, so you should get some ample time to do so. But for now," Deszcz leapt to her feet and stretched her back. "I'm starving, let's grab dinner!" Lavinia wasn't that hungry herself, but seeing the time, she thought it would be better to get food now rather than grow hungry later in the night. After leaving the room, the two made their way through the lobby. Other Rhode Island staff were likewise resting in the lounge or moving their delivered luggage.
"Speaking of which, I also got us our own ride too, especially since they messaged me that they were delivering our materials." Lavinia cocked her head in confusion at what Deszcz said before a loud, "heyoooo!" alerted them both to a sunny smiling Exusiai and a usual looking Texas walking towards them. Both wore their Penguin Logistics uniforms, although it seemed that Texas opted to unzip her jacket.
"You two ready to go?" Texas asked as she held up her keys.
"You guys are driving us? What about deliveries?" Lavinia asked.
"Your hotel is the last stop. Business materials are coming tomorrow," Exusiai said as she whistled over to Croissant and Sora who had finished up filing the paperwork with the hotel's staff.
"Let's get some grub!" Croissant cheered. "New Orange had some great food choices!"
"Have you all been here before?" Lavinia asked. Texas made a noncommittal noise, but Croissant smiled widely.
"Heck yeah, it's where Texas and I met!" she said happily. "And waaaaaay before Tex and I met the Big E."
"Got any recommendations for food then?" Deszcz asked.
"Hm, we could always hit that place," Texas said, an allusion to an inside joke only Croissant and she would know.
"Oh man, ya think it's still 'round?"
"What's the usual place?" Deszcz asked.
"Its a place that might have some good Columbian food, if its still around that is," Texas sighed before they hopped into the Penguin Logistics truck. Texas sat in the driver's seat before igniting the engine. It was less loud and rancorous than Mlynar's bike, but the moment that Texas turned it on, music and Sora cried out.
"Ah! Is that where's its been! No shut it off!" Sora protested as Exusiai held her back with a smile.
"Hah, hell nah! We love your debut CD Sora!" Croissant crackled as the music came on a cheery tune that seemed something akin to a children's song. Sora tried to scramble out of Exusiai's grip, but she remained locked in place alongside the laughing Exusiai. Lavinia had no idea how to react to such an atmosphere, while the girls, and one boy, of Penguin Logistics showed how incredibly close they were, to see it first hand was always a rather interesting treat.
"So, how're ya two likin the Big Orange?" Croissant asked as she rolled down the window to let the night air of the Columbian.
"It's so bright and colorful," Deszcz laughed. "It shares some things with Kazimierzian cities at night, but in the day, its a whole different thing."
"You went on the shuttle right?" Croissant asked. "Then ya probably didn't get tah see the sights that Big Orange is known fer."
"Like what?" Deszcz pressed on, eyes alight.
"There's the Yantown, where a bunch of Yanese people made their own little slice. A few places on Bigroad that has some great shows I can help, uh, show ya in with minimal costs. Ooh, I wonder if mah old friends at the markets are still around." Croissant and Deszcz fell into their own little dialogue while Lavinia, who sat beside Texas noticed how focused the woman looked.
"Mi scusi, but Cellinia, was your… family based in New Orange?" Lavinia asked eventually. The car stopped at a red as an endless amount of cars passed in front of them. Texas' teeth played with the pocky stick in her mouth, eyes trained on the road.
"Yeah pretty much," Texas' voice seemed tense, but then she let out a sigh running a hand through her hair. "Whole bunch of Siracusans all joined together, cause at the time, other Columbians saw us as nothing more than parasites. At least that's what my grandfather said."
"They weren't wrong though," Texas muttered. "We didn't make anything, we just took." At this the two were silent for a bit as Texas continued to drive.
"Oh shit, we're here!" Croissant said as they pulled up. In Deszcz and Lavinia looked out and saw a glowing neon sign reading "The Butter and Bread" behind a strangely dated looking exterior. Texas parked the truck before they all got out. The parking lot had cars, but also had empty spaces. Neither thriving nor struggling it seemed.
"This place has the best fries!" Croissant cackled before they entered. A bell rang to signal their entrance and immediately Lavinia was hit with a strong aroma of grease, oil, and meat.
"Heyo!" Croissant cheered with a wave.
"Well I'll be a buttered biscuit, is that little Croissant and Texas I see?" A loud booming voice came from behind a counter as several people turned around with an equally happy cheer. A large forte came up to them, big muscles around the arms but an obvious gut behind a white grease stained apron. "By my own eyes, it is! Come here girls!" His large arms came to envelope the two in a hug that Texas reluctantly accepted but Croissant jumped up and hugged the other Forte. "Its been ages! How has Lungmen been treatin ya!"
"Its been very nice! Baws gets to run his rap career, oh, and we even got to go to Siracusa recently too!" Croissant gushed. A bellyful of laughter came from the other Forte before he let them go, but he made a pointed look to Texas.
"You've been doing good?" he asked the apathetic looking Texas. At this question, he got a small smile from her. "Well that's all I needed, Hello Exusiai, Sora!."
"Hiya Eustace."
"Good evening, Eustace." The other two greeted then the Forte, Eustace, saw Deszcz and Lavinia.
"Well, lookie here, you brought new friends too! Hello to you two, welcome to the Butter and Bread, give me some sugar!" Eustace moved to hug the two, with Lavinia politely declining, but Deszcz embraced the man wholeheartedly. "Come along girls, you can have your usual table. June, fire up the grill, knowing Croissant, she'll want her extra EXTRA large helping of fries!"
"Comin right up!" another voice from the back declared. Eustace lead them to a booth table nested in the back. Lavinia stared at the diner. Drawing, pictures, and little etching covered the wall where one from a finer society might see this as run down, but with the music playing on the radio and the general laughter coming from the dining patrons, felt homely.
"I assume you girls want your usual, so these two menus will be for the new ones," Eustace said with a smile before handing two menus to Lavinia and Deszcz. "You girls got really lucky having these little troublemakers as friends." Deszcz sent him a wide beaming smile while Lavinia nodded more solemnly. While Siracusa dining etiquette wasn't by any means stilted or formal, it was usually a solemn affair from Lavinia's experiences. More talk of business or news, here it seemed that Columbians talked of nothing and laughed about anything.
"Whatcha plannin on gettin?" Croissant asked as she elbowed beside Lavinia. Sora and Exusiai were helping Deszcz with her choice.
"I… I have no idea. What would you recommend?"
"Hmmm…" Croissant seemed thoughtful for a second, but it was Texas who chimed in. She had been previously scribbling something on the wall.
"Fowl Hash is pretty good. Your palette won't be able to handle the oil of Columbian food as easily at first," Texas mused. Lavinia nodded and then peered at what Texas drew. It looked like a sketching of lupos standing around a table.
"You girls ready yet?" A new voice chimed in and walked another staff of the Butter and Bread, A woman's voice, and when Lavinia looked over, a Feline as well. Her name tag read "Candace", but was peculiar about her was the mask over mouth and face, Lavinia decided to not press it.
"Ooh, I'll have the Baked Potato and grits!" Deszcz chimed in.
"The… Fowl Hash," Lavinia repeated what Texas had said. The girl hummed as she wrote it down.
"Any sides?" she asked, her mask slipped down a little and Lavinia noted a small black sparkling but spoke none of it.
"Ooh, I wanna try the runny eggs and toast!"
"The… Milkshake?" Lavinia said, noting the dish that had a picture. The waitress giggled.
"That's a drink, but of course ma'am. Coming right up," she nodded before returning to the counter where Eustace and the other Forte were cooking.
"Diners are nice. One thing I missed in Lungmen are diner spots like this," Croissant mused as she began to draw something on the table, which also had a collection of drawings on it. "Lungmen street food is great, but it ain't the same yaknow?"
"I'm glad that its lowkey at least," Sora smiled before crying out as Exusiai scribbled something on Sora's drawing. "Come on, stay on your side!"
"You didn't draw my halo cool enough!"
Lavinia felt equal parts estranged and comforted from the situation. The difference in atmosphere of Columbia already making her self conscious of her own upbringing and views.
"It's a bit to get used to. I had the same in the reverse," Texas said, seemingly reading Lavinia's thoughts. The older Lupo looked to her, as Texas took another pocky stick from her pocket and rolled it between her teeth. "I was used to all the noise and bustle of Columbia. Before it all happened, dad and grandpa would always have all the other Uncles and family around when we ate. Even if they didn't like talking to each other, they would do it while eating. Usually with some yelling involved, mostly about why there's so many onions."
"Then you come to Siracusa. We eat quieter," Lavinia responded. Texas nodded. "When you were the Saluzzo family, ostensibly as a hostage, but also as a ward, was it different with the younger Lappland?"
"She was quiet at first, trying to act like her dad, but she always liked to talk. Even then."
"Hope y'all are hungry," the Feline voice chimed up once more as everyone looked at her holding the impossibly large serving tray. Several plates of food placed on it, but balanced well in her hand.
"I got an apple pie with vanilla ice cream!"
"Ooh, mine!"
"Only you would eat something sweet for dinner…"
"Biscuits and gravy, with an EXTRA large helping of fries for you miss."
"Thank ya!"
"Bacon and cheese omelet?"
"That one is mine, thank you."
"Cobb salad with a baked fowlmelt."
"That's mine, thank you!" The four Penguin Logistics members got their meals as Deszcz and Lavinia waited with abated breath. The portions were certainly… Large.
"Baked potatoes with grits and a side of runny eggs and toast." The plate set before Deszcz was larger than the meals that she's seen at Rhode Island kitchen. A veritable platter in such a case containing a potatoes filled with an assortment beside a thick gruel looking dish that smelled strongly. Beside it was toasted bread and yellowed eggs that still seemed liquid in their appearance that ran around the plate..
"And a fowl hash with a milkshake." Candace placed the plate in front of Lavinia, who first smelled it and felt her stomach hum in appreciation. Bits of cute and breaded fowlbeast accompanying bits of potatoes, cubed and generously covered in salt and pepper. Placed alongside her meal was a tall glass of what looked like ice cream with a sort of black and brown chocolate drizzle alongside the ice of the glass with a cherry sitting atop a still spherical ice cream scoop.
"Enjoy your meal!" Candace said with a smile in her eyes.
"Oh man I missed this," Croissant moaned as she already had a few fries scarfed down. She used the fries to swirl in the biscuits and gravy as she ate, occasionally using ketchup but mostly using the gravy as a sauce. Lavinia eyed everyone else using both their hands and utensils to eat, and seeing her own food, she grabbed a fork.
"WOw, this is good!" Deszcz moaned after she grabbed a piece of toast and had some of the runny egg on it. She moaned again after she had a spoonful of grits. "Its like a savory version of semolina."
Lavinia picked a piece of chicken and potatoes and popped it in her mouth. She let out a small hiss, not realizing how it was. She breathed the heat out, trying to cool it down before Sora handed her the milkshake. The straw that Lavinia hadn't noticed gestured to her before she drank to cool her hot mouth.
"Drink it to help," Sora supplied before Lavinia nodded. The liquid was thick and hard to push through the straw, but eventually the creamy and sweet drink touched her burning tongue and cooled it. The strange sweet and savory mixture confused her mind, but not in a disgusted manner. It was actually quite tasty the more she ate it. Sora giggled.
"Yeah it might be weird, but Columbian food like mixing sweet and savory together."
"Oh man, we should take ya to BBQ next!"
"One thing at a time," Texas muttered as she ate her omelet. "Especially since I doubt Lavinia OR Deszcz will want to move after finishing up."
"Why?" Deszcz asked, herself not having to deal with a burning mouth.
"Oh you'll see. You'll definitely see," Sora sighed as Exusiai giggled. "Not everyone can be like a Sankta, who eats sugar like nothing." The pleasantness of the meal was not what a meal was like in Siracusa. But in truth, Lavinia thought she wouldn't have minded more meals like this in Siracusa.
- L&L-
Croissant was right in her previous remark about how Lavinia and Deszcz would not want to do anything after finishing, or rather attempting to finish, their meal. It was filling for sure, all too filling in every aspect that Lavinia began to realize halfway through eating. While Lupos were known for their hearty appetite, especially if one were to ever witness Lappland or Leontuzzo eat their fill, the amount that sat before Lavinia was all too much for her. Columbian "diner" food as the other girls called it was much too plentiful for her to finish it on her own. The milkshake wasn't, Lavinia had a subtle sweet tooth that she hasn't been able to indulge in as of late.
The inability to finish the meal was shared with Deszcz who had actually fallen into a food coma after trying to eat the grits, eggs, toast, and baked potato. This all sat well with Croissant who had a knowing smile as she helped Deszcz and Lavinia finish their food. The other girls helped as well, Sora and Texas stealing a few bites to go along with their smaller but albeit still rather filling meals as well. Exusiai try to take a few sips of Lavinia's milkshake, but a stern Lupo glare ceased the Sankta's attempts.
"Jeez, and I thought only Sankta got possessive over sweets," she giggled when she was able to swipe one of Croissants many fries through the shake. Lavinia had tried the same thing once, finding it quite nice but still somewhat odd to taste.
Eventually most of the meals were finished, with the only thing left being Croissant's extra large helping of fries. This caused Eustace laughed about noting how Croissant must be carrying about her figure now. The Forte woman let out a huff and said she was always cute looking as the two Forte brothers, as Lavinia was later told, laughed at their smaller kinsman. The still large remainder of fries was however scooped into to-go bags for each of the girls to snack on later, and it seemed that this "to go" option seemed a rather common practice amongst Columbian places.
"Alright, come on Deszcz," Lavinia said as she grabbed one shoulder of the still dizzy Kuranta. Exusiai grabbed her shoulder as she smiled devilishly as she pulled a marker out of her jacket as they walked back to the truck. Texas had already paid for the meal, much to the protest of Lavinia who had offered to at least pay for Deszcz and herself, but was quickly shut down when Texas said it was a common Columbian practice for one person to pay. She was also told later by a laughing Exusiai that there wasn't any practice and Texas was being her usual hidden affable self.
Of course before the Penguin Logistics girls dropped them off back at the hotel, a familiar rumbling was next to them at a stoplight. Lavinia looked out the window to see Mlynar, visibly relaxed on his motorcycle. Almost to the point he didn't notice Croissant whistle at him. Eyes eyeing up his bike. He sent a quick glance to his side
Then the light turned green and Mlynar easily peeled out in front of them without any thought. Croissant honked at him, and he only gave a single wave before he easily maneuvered past several cars.
"Damn, wonder where I can get somethin like that," Croissant mused to herself before they came back to the Blue Luna hotel. Mlynar didn't get that far ahead of them, and had only begun to cover up his motorcycle with a tarp.
When the girls came out of their truck, Deszcz was still asleep, and now even drooling from her mouth.
"Do you have her?" Texas asked Lavinia who held Deszcz up by her shoulder. Training over the course of these several months has strengthened her, but carrying Deszcz after having eaten was quite a toil.
"Yes," Lavinia said, trying to keep the strain from her voice. Texas looked dubious but then a tall dark shadow casted over her.
"I can help," Mlynar stated. Lavinia sent him a grateful smile and Texas gave them a skeptical look before nodding.
"Take care," Texas waved. The other girls also sent their farewells before the truck backed out of the parking area of the Blue Luna and back towards their lodgings. Mlynar could easily carry Deszcz in his arms to the point that Lavinia didn't need to help at all, instead she had found Deszcz key as they made their way through the lobby.
There were a few Rhode Island members still awake, some looked to be finishing work, and others looked to be in a sort of a relaxation mood. Mlynar noted Lucien and Shalem in a quieter and darker corner playing on the hotel's grand piano and a brought along violin that Lucien had. The music they produced was greatly appreciated by swooning staff members.
"Rhode Island seems to fit in no matter where they go," Lavinia noted. "We had just been in Sargonian territory and now in Columbia territory and not even in our own landship."
"The people of Rhode Island are resilient and adaptable, to a fault at times," Mlynar responded as they came upon Deszcz's room. Unlocking the door, Mlynar deposited the snoring Deszcz on her bed. He noted the drool stain on his shoulder and let out a click of annoyance.
"I'll need a shower," Mlynar muttered. This then made them both realize their elephant in the room when they arrived back on their floor. Both stared at the door with a sense of trepidation. Neither wanting to unlock it and go inside because then that would once more acknowledge their predicament. Then there was the sound of the elevator dinging once more and Mlynar quickly unlocked the door and they both slipped inside.
"Do you need the bathroom?" Mlynar asked, not meeting Lavinia's eyes. Lavinia for her part found the floor particularly interesting.
"No, I used it earlier and I never got time to unpack my bag. So you should use it first," she responded. Mlynar didn't respond, opting to just kick off his boots and trudge into the bathroom after picking up a change of clothes for the night. Lavinia went to the small kitchenette the room had to grab a glass of water. Drinking it cleared her head, but she wished she had something just a little stronger to get her through the awkward situation she found herself in.
Instead without a drink on hand, Lavinia just finished the water before busying herself moving her stuff around. While a single suitcase similar to Mlynar's single duffel bag, her bag had significantly more belongings to move around. Two copies of a codex for one which she placed on a table and the other on a table stand near her bed. As for her clothes, she placed them in the slots in the dresser that Mlynar did not use.
"Just think of it like the Sargon mission. We all shared a room and bathroom previously," Lavinia said to herself. And indeed it shared some similarities for sure. There was a closeness that all five of them shared in that room and previously more when camping from the vehicle. But in both cases more people meant less awkwardness. Just the two of them.
Lavinia couldn't remember that last time she shared a space with someone of the opposite sex. Her last long term partner was almost six years ago and even that relationship never got further than occasional staying only the night and leaving before the other got up. Never at the move in together stage of that relationship.
Then Lavinia heard the water shut off and the door open. Mlynar came out of the bathroom accompanied by a little steam and partially dressed. Lavinia was sitting on the couch with her legs up and so got a full view of a partially dressed Mlynar.
Still somewhat wet from his shower, his blond hair was trying to be dried as best as he could, which meant that from the waist up he was bare. He was much like the other Nearls in being physically well built. Perhaps due to his usual sense of dress with button downs and a flowing jacket, his body wasn't so easily seen as the more leisurely dressed Margaret, Maria, or Zofia. Lavinia had seen hints in Sargon when he rolled his sleeves up, or recently when he wore his short sleeved shirt showing more of his arms.
Now he was completely bare chested with the water dripping from his hair onto his bare chest. It seemed all the Nearls were blessed with physical bodies, even their Uncle. Despite much of his job on Rhode Island being office work, Mlynar's body was still very well muscled. Lavinia however had noticed a myriad of scars and healed wounds on his body. Long white lines, discolored flesh, and a multitude of them she had never seen on Margaret or even Zofia.
"The bathroom is free for you to use," Mlynar commented, head still covered in the towel. Lavinia didn't speak for a bit, eyes still staring at the patchworks of lines on Mlynar before he had come over to her. An intense stare of his looking down at her from his mop of hair. "Lavinia? Are you alright?"
"You have a lot of scars," she said. Mlynar looked down and cursed inwardly. He forgot to put a shirt on, his own routine backfiring on him.
"Ah, I'll get a shirt," Mlynar said before he ripped the towel from his head and focused on grabbing a shirt from the dresser. Only instead of opening it to where his clothes were, it opened to reveal the area where Lavinia's underwear was.
" Kurwa, " Mlynar hissed before shutting the cabinet. He went to look and apologize at Lavinia, but she only laughed lightly in her hand.
"It's alright." The tension in the room left and instead Lavinia stood up. "Your clothes are in these shelves." She gestured to the top shelves and Mlynar thanked her quietly.
"I'll use the bathroom then." At that Lavinia grabbed her change of clothes and entered the bathroom. This left Mlynar to lay down on the couch, his bed, and let out a deep sigh. He had considered just leaving the room to Lavinia and doing what Elysium did and "couch surf" as he calls it, but in truth Mlynar did not want to do so. Changing a bed every time was too tiresome, and in truth, he liked the area where he had been placed. It was pleasant, and unlike much of New Orange, wasn't dominated by harrowing skyscrapers.
From his lone drive around the area, he had found it to be quite pleasant. It was an "immigrant" neighborhood, a place where large congregations of immigrating mobile city and renouncing citizens found others of the same culture or former previous country. There had even been a small Kazimierzian neighborhood where he had dinner, the people there were pleasant and had been from the countryside. Having moved to New Orange after a catastrophe had nearly wiped them out two generations ago..
It was… strange to speak to Kazimierzians who had never stepped foot in the Grand Knight territory but spoke of it with a sense of relevance. His reclusive nature ran against the rather openness these people held for him, especially when he said he had come from Kazimierz. It seemed many corporate workers never bothered visiting this neighborhood.
From his conversations with the people, he was however told of a weird sort of tension amongst the infected quarters and the peace officers of New Orange. Things had gotten more tenuous as of late. Mlynar had filed that away for later before he left and coincided with unintentionally meeting up with Lavinia, Deszcz, and Penguin Logistics.
Which once more made him come to terms with his situation. For one thing, the couch, where had been meant to sleep, now smelled of her. He felt like a pervert, noting the smell of a woman who he had to willingly admit was a friend now, but the smell was encompassing. Coffee, paper, and for some reason a hint of chocolate.
Mlynar ground his teeth and ran a hand through his hair as he tried to get his breathing under control. He had come to terms with many a fact about Lavinia over the course of the several months they had known each other. She was idealistic for one thing, but unlike the unattainable false grandeur of knights, he found her goals… somewhat approachable. Flawed for sure, but approachable. She was kind, despite his rather warped view of lawyers and those who used the law as a means to get what they want, she used it as a rubric of guidance. He had seen her kindness in Sargon, and resoluteness.
He had also come to terms with the fact she was an incredibly attractive woman. Despite a stern glare, he had also seen those very same eyes light up in joy and laughter, and darken in sadness or deep in thought. His only previous interactions with Lupos and Siracusan Lupos at that, had been with likes of Lappland, who seemed keen on fighting him if he ever showed up to the training fields, and Provence who he was previously partnered up with in the event that the messenger needed another set of hands.
Mlynar felt every bit of age now as he grappled with his mind. He was no longer a young colt anyways, and yet here he was thinking thoughts towards a coworker who was not only his junior, but seemed to trust him enough that sharing a room didn't not seem like a big issue.
Mlynar himself was also not some wet eared welp behind the ears. In his youth, high on the fervor of "knightly virtue" and "chivalric" tales, gambling problems might've not been the only issue his father had with him. He had graced many a bed, and many non-beds, but never stayed. Feeling himself too "knightly" to commit to the idea of commitment. Then Schnitz and Yolanda disappeared and he was no longer able to be a free twenty something year old knight errant on a quest.
Even in his previous office life, he had many coworkers attempt to ask him for several after work drinks. He had taken a few of them on their offer in his youth. When he was still transitioning from the old Kazimierz to the new one which poisoned itself and him,, but ultimately could never stay with any of them. And now here he was, staying.
He could hear Lavinia in the shower and he cursed his own self for thinking these thoughts. Cursed his own lack of maturity for not being able to control himself. Then the water shut off and there was a brief pause. Then of all the things to happen, Lavinia called out to him.
"Mlynar." He bit the inside of his cheek to remain focused.
"Yes?" he asked as he thought about going downstairs to see if he could grab a new local paper.
"I, uh, cazzo… I forgot to bring a towel. Could you hand me one." All at once his brain stopped working and Mlynar could only blink into a picture of a fruit bowl. The apple looked incredibly red. "Mlynar?"
"Yes, I am… Trying…" To hold it together. To keep my sanity intact. To be a better person. To throw myself out the window. To not see you as anything more than a trusted colleague. "To find the other towel. I doubt you would like to use mine." Eventually Mlynar found the other towel and did his best to clear his mind again on the walk to the bathroom door.
He knocked on it stiffly, noting the dull thud that seemed to echo between the two. The door opened slightly and Mlynar looked up and away, doing his best to find interest in the lights. However with his eyes not looking AT Lavinia, he did not see where his arm was going and felt soft flesh that was CERTAINLY not a hand or arm.
"Eep!" A soft, almost girlish squeak came from Lavinia and Mlynar immediately back tracked his arm, unaware that the towel was still caught in his hand, but that Lavinia had also grabbed the towel as well. Which pulled her forward and through the door.
Reflexively Mlynar caught her, eyes wide as he met Lavinia's own wide eyes with wet hair framing her face and head. Water had pooled around his feet when the door opened and the sudden catching of Lavinia had pushed his feet out from under him. Acting on instinct over anything else, he had both of his arms around her as they fell, cushioning her by holding her against him despite her soaked form.
"Rng," Mlynar grunted when his back hit the hard tile of the floor.
"Hie," was Lavinia's muffled cry of surprise as she was enclosed by two bare arms. It was then when she looked and he looked down did the situation come to pass. Two rather soft and large pressures pressing against Mlynar's own bare chest alongside his arms which wrapped around her soft b–
His hands separated from her immediately and his head snapped up violently. Lavinia was about to voice her concerns before he spoke.
"I'm going to close my eyes and not open them until you say you're ready…" Lavinia was too mortified to speak, graciously thanking Mlynar inwardly and cursing her own self. When Lavinia moved up and off of him to stand, her hands felt like fire on his body and when she pushed off from his thighs Mlynar ground his teeth and willed his blood to flow normally.
When Mlynar stood up, he kept his hands raised as Lavinia went to pick up the fallen towel. She stared at him as she tied the towel around her body as he slowly backtracked towards the couch, eyes closed and never changing the direction he faced. When his heel hit the bottom of the couch he immediately sat down. He couldn't see the incredible redness on her face. She could see the rapid twitchings of his ears and growing red on his neck.
Neither spoke to each other again. Lavinia quickly dried her body and hair, and Mlynar could hear her little grunts of effort as she did so. But to his word he stayed perfectly still, eyes shut, and hand raised. Lavinia could not look at him even within a reflection and did her best to quickly get dressed after drying her hair and body, throwing on an old college sweatshirt in an effort to save time.
With shaking legs, she made her way to the bed. She cursed the interior designer on making the bed located across from the bathroom, and by extension needed to go through Mlynar's sleeping area of the couch. So on bare feet, she silently passed him, trying to keep a sense of distance between each other. Her body felt hot, and it wasn't the residual heat from the shower. The spots she had been… touched felt hot. In a desperate bid to try and cool down, Lavinia had made a slight detour to the bed and to the air control unit of the unit, turning on a rush of cold air.
Both she and Mlynar bristled as the sudden gust of cold air hit them, but neither made a sound as Lavinia approached the bed and slid into it. It was a big bed, especially for her, but she could deal with those issues later. Instead she looked at Mlynar, who probably could've been mistaken as a statue with how frozen he remained before clearing her throat.
"I'll turn off the lights now," she hoped her voice remained calm despite a sudden need to breathe more. "Do you need anything to do before I turn off the lights?"
"No, I am fine." Mlynar finally moved. Lowering his arms and moving to lay his long body across the couch. It had barely enough room to accommodate him, his ears and head sticking out from one end.
"Very well… Good night Mlynar," Lavinia said before clicking the light off and the room was filled with an inky darkness, only lightened with the soft luminescence of the twin moons outside the window. Mlynar felt a tightness in his throat before he responded gruffly.
"Good night… Lavinia."
Neither got a very restful sleep.