She had stopped off to see if there was any word from her parents [not that she truly expected any, of course, but it never hurt to double check]. She entered the cafeteria, got her Goo, settled down in a far corner table and began to eat - and people watch. If nothing else, maybe she could bring her flutes in here and put out a tiny basket for donations or something.
"Oh YUCK!", exclaimed a disgusted voice over Anwyn's shoulder, "Now I'm CERTAIN than you're a Service Brat like me ... but you don't actually LIKE that stuff, do you ?". Kay was astonished. Sure, the blue muck WAS a nutritionally-complete meal-relacement. But she'd always found the stuff to be rather unpleasant, regardless of whether it was slopped into a bowl, sealed into a can, or condensed into a ration bar.
Anwyn snickered, then, pointing at her bowl and making a rather rude and completely unladylike gesture, she replied, "Nah... I hate it actually. Still it -does- have one saving grace: it's free". She paused to take a couple of bites, then looked at Kay thoughtfully. "To be honest, I was hoping to find you here, Kay. I'm... sorta in need of employment and was wondering if you knew where I could find it."
"Until you know the language (and at least some of the local laws and customs) I'd suggest that you might want to start out as a student intern here at the Base", Kay grinned, "As a favour from one Service Brat to another, I'd be willing to sponsor you. And it shouldn't be any problem for me to find someone to second it. Sure, being an intern doesn't pay much, but it does include your own 'shoebox' room in bachelors' quarters -- and it would count towards your seniority if you later decided to join the Service full-time. Plus, you'd still have plenty time to play tourist if you wanted -- interns are only permitted to work half-days".
Anwyn grinned at the mention of 'quarters included'. "That would be so Wicked Cool, Kay! Shoeboxes I don't mind as long as I don't have to share bathroom privileges."
"A private bathroom ? In bachelors' quarters ?", Kay couldn't resist the urge to giggle, "You must be mistaking this for Terra". She then explained "For a sink and a toilet, you have to go down the hall like the rest of us. Ladies' bathrooms are scatterred all around, so nobody has to go very far. If you want anything more, you have to go over to the Gym. The womens' locker-room has a hot-tub, bath-tubs, showers and sauna".
Anwyn giggled and winked. "Well, hope springs eternal as they say. I've been places where the *cough* 'shower' was the next rainstorm."
Wanting to caution Anwyn without scaring her, Kay then added "I found out the hard way that there are all too many ways for a stranger to unknowingly get into trouble out in the city -- especially for people like us. So what do you think? Would you be interested in trying it ?". She specifically didn't clarify that she was referring to fey-gifts. Presumably Anwyn was bright enough to figure out that much for herself.
Anwyn looked at Kay thoughtfully, then nodded. "Aye, folks like us have to walk on a sword's edge barefoot."
Kay shrugged "It's not so bad if you can identify all the dangers and take care to avoid them". Then she sighed and added "But you can never forget to watch yourself --- and THAT is the hardest part of all". "Having eyes in the back of your head," Anwyn nodded thoughtfully
Then an idea popped into Kay's head. "If you'd like to start learning more about this world, then I'd suggest that you spend part of the morning digging through the data banks", she offerred, "Then perhaps we could go for a walk in the city when it's time for my lunch break. I've a couple of errands to run. And I could loan you some clothing until you've bought some of your own".
"That sounds like a good idea, Kay, the data banks I mean," Anwyn nodded thoughtfully. "I've already been listening to the language tapes. As for clothes!" she shivered. "Gosh -dang- it's cold! Or at least these so-called all weather clothes they give us isn't - all weather, I mean," she finished with a grin."
All-weather clothing indeed. Now THERE was an oxymoron indeed. Kay chuckled softly, "You've just learned the most important thing about this Base already -- the fact that official policy does NOT always bear any relation to reality. At the very least, I think you'll likely want a decent cloak or a long overcoat.
"I -would- have had warm clothing if my luggage had stayed with me and not went with my parents," Anwyn sighed. "You'd think that with all our vaunted technology, our luggage would stay with with the folks it -belonged- to and not travel to parts unknown... like those old Colony Ships getting lost."
That was a rather amusing image. But being stranded without any clothing was NOT. "How about meeting me outside my quarters at local noon ?", suggested Kay, "By then I should have most the paperwork out of the way. But it'll likely be tomorrow before you get your quarters assignment and employee I.D. card. "That will be fine, Kay. Outside your quarters, local noon. Got it.", Anwyn grinned.
Kay had almost forgotten something. "After you're settled in, perhaps you'll want to send a message to your parents to tell them about your new job", she added. "My parents," Anwyn said with a sigh. "Don't get me wrong, Kay. I -love- them and I know -they- love me. But they make that old tale about the man who was the Absent Minded Professor look like a memory wizard." Anwyn gave Kay a lop-sided smile. "So I've sorta learned how to more or less land on my feet. That's why I learned a whole bunch of non- or low-tech stuff... just in case."
Kay grinned back. "Yeah, parents sometimes can show their love in odd sorts of ways", she replied. Anwyn chuckled and rolled her eyes, saying "Isn't that just the truth, Kay?". It was just too funny; Kay started to giggle, before she continued, "Yours sound like the opposite of mine ... I've always felt half-smothered whenever I've spent large amounts of time with my parents. My Mum could never have any other children, and my Da doesn't have any other living children ... so I'm all they have ... and no matter how old I get, they still treat me as if I were a wee child."
Giving a small shrug, Kay then added "But such is life. We must play the hands that we are dealt. And by the fact that you've learned stuff that isn't hi-tech, I see you've already learned the rule of 'Expect the best, but plan to accomodate the worst if needed'. So I think you'll do well here. Hopefully you'll even enjoy it. You might even like some of my friends".
Then, realizing that her break-time was running out, Kay pulled out a form from her pocket, smoothed it out and scribbled something upon it before signing her name. "Here", she said, "This shows that you've been accepted as an intern, and are therefore entitled to student-access to the databanks. Until I finish with the paperwork, you'll need to use the library terminals. Just show this to the librarian when you get there. All they really need is one sponsor's signature, so this will be fine for now. I doubt I'll have any difficulty finding you a second sponsor before lunchtime."
"Wicked Cool!" exclaimed Anwyn as she accepted the paper from Kay. Thanks, Kay. I was worried that I'd fall behind in my lessons and stuff". Kay grinned back, then added "I should be heading back to work, so off you go --- and have fun".
"I sure will, Kay. Thanks again!", Anwyn replied. She waved and watched as the older woman left to return to her work, then looked at the directory to locate the library - sighing softly. She truly hated getting behind in her schoolwork; however, it was sooooooo tempting to just slip off and check things out. Yet everything it it's own time, as her McCarron grandmother would tell her; so, off to the library like a dutiful student she went.
Louis read the message quickly. He asked her to meet her at the end of the day, like she had the day before, almost hoping she wouldn't be able to go. He added that he would be glad to meet Anwyn, since he was really in need of someone to help him.
Louis was in front of his terminal, eagerly waiting for her answer. "I'll meet you in your quarters, then", he sent back.