It had been a quiet afternoon as far as afternoons went, so much so, in fact, that Leda had decided to take her break elsewhere. Ja'Rin had made mention of a nearby bar and grill called Stars End, and that was precisely where she'd headed. With her own notes and tightly bound, hard copy of the school's near endless resources, she settled herself at the counter, pen in hand. Note taking? You bet'cha. Old habits always died the hardest.

But outside, the snow, slush and sleet were no match for the enclosed sand-buggy-like vehicle, tires never slipping on the patches of ice. Oddly quiet, slaloming through the streets like a pro, the driver took risks to spot all the frosty-white sights, enjoying the toasty-warm interior of her vehicle. The desert didn't see much in the way of snow, making all this quite new to her. The appearance of the cantina brought her sightseeing to a stop, however. Looking just like something remembered from an old movie, she couldn't pass it by. Opening the door, and wrapping her cloak around her armor, she stepped lively towards the entrance, wondering if she'd catch any old geezers with laser swords.

Through the multitude of odd noises both in and outside the building, Leda found her ears ticking off to one in particular. It wasn't loud, not overly so. Odd. It was enough to make her turn. Through the tinted glare of the glassy doors is where she found herself squinting. Not for long though, no. Whoever owned the vehicle seemed to be coming in, and it was rude to stare. Besides, there was a bowl of soup slowly cooling that had her name all over it, as well as a half drunk cup of coffee.

One bad thing about the white, Kassy mused. Cold! Ugh, she hated the cold. Nearly at a run, she slid inside the door, the touch of a tail telling it to close immediately, instead of that annoying safety-conscious wait. Why let any more heat out than normal?

It didn't take long to register, and it wasn't as though Leda wasn't used to the superior senses; she'd been many things other than human before, but Kirn... Not to much. Still. There it was, a familiar scent. Another Kirn? Turning about once more, just enough to cast her eyes over her shoulder, she answered her own question with a small smile. Yes. Picking up her coffee cup, she raised it toward the incoming Kirn. "Afternoon."

Slipping the helmet off, she turned at the sound, and lit up the room with her smile. "Oh! Hi!" Imagine her surprise too, though aside from the tail, she didn't much appear at first glance to be Kirn. "Name's Kassy." Confidence and poise in her stride, as she offered a gauntleted hand to shake.

"Well... that's awful short for a name of this species, isn't is?" Noting the easily tackled syllables, she chuckled, and without too grand a moment's hesitance, she was clasping that pre-offered hand in her own for a shake. "Leda Li'mikkin, though you're welcome to call me Leda or miss Li'mi." Her own tail had taken a protective stance and curled about the legs of her stool.

"What do you mean?" Now that it's warm, she tugged off the armored gloves, revealing hands covered in nearly invisible down-fine fur. Revealed as well, the tail of a dolphin peeking out from her left sleeve, and blood-dripping thorns from beneath the right cuff. "I mean, Cassiopea is a mouthful, sure ... but you never met my mother. Andromeda Castillian Epsilon? No thanks. I'm glad I got off that easy. Oooh, is that soup? What kind? I'd love some soup right now. How do you stand all this cold? I mean, the snow and ice is so pretty, but ugh. Give me a nice sunny day any day." Chattering on a mile a minute, it seems, right up until she touched the vending machine. Then, she fell quiet for a moment. "Oooohhhhh, you got it from here. And they have clam chowder? What's that? It sounds good ... "

Not minding one bit that she was being verbally steamrolled, Leda just nodded along with Kassy's chattering; she got in the same mode depending on the subject, so who was she to complain? Giving her bowl a tap, along with another nod, she laughed. "Yes, I believe so. And hot is hot, right? Perhaps it's my fur, hm? It's a bit thicker than yours." She offered with another quick once over along the other Kirn as she began to peel her metal layers away. Leda's own, while not the thickest, was certainly a touch thicker than Kassy's.

More than a touch,, as Kassy's was almost not there at all. Otherwise, those tattoos would've been much more of a pain to receive. "Aw, it's probably just me. I'm used to sand and desert. So, what's all that?" Bowl and cup in hand, seems she had a penchant for coffee as well. And isn't that just so polite, she'd brought a carafe hooked by her tail, offering a refill.

"What's all what?" She countered with a slow blink. Kassy was a lot to take in, the energy, compared to most she'd encountered thus far, was way beyond what she was used to exchanging with. No matter, she'd adjust. At least she was smiling, how could she do otherwise, really? Realizing she still held a pen in her hand, Leda gave it a tap onto the impossibly thick book beneath her hands. Aha, maybe that's what she'd been referring to? "Oh... this? These?" She corrected herself, chuckling.
"Library inventory."

"Oh, you work in a library? I had to leave most of mine behind. Just a bunch of technical manuals and the like. I brought the important ones, though. So did I really see starships and stuff back there behind this place? I would've gone exploring, but I was hungry. This place reminded me of something I'd seen in a movie, but you certainly aren't two meters tall and shaggy! Do you like crossbows?"

Both hands were required for this, it seemed. Leda brought them together slowly, fingers bent, but spread, at least enough so that they could interlock together slowly at the knuckles. It wasn't quite a meditative stance of any kind. "Slowly, calmly, one thought at a time, hm? Bring all that together in one tightly knit train of thought, then try again." She didn't mean literally, of course, she'd gotten the gist of what Kassy had been saying, and began to answer her one query at a time. "No, I'm not overly large. Then again, not all Kirn are, are they? We can't all be as large as A'rus and Xea. As for books, I was a bit put out when I realized the bulk of KIA's library is holographic, but I'm learning to adjust at my own pace. It won't hinder my work in the library. The setting may be different, but the ethics and practice still apply."

?Wait ... you work at the KIA Library? Omigod, I just applied there! Holographic? So what's the computer they use for it? Oh, I can't wait to take a look at it!? Pray, just pray, that she'd gotten herself decaf coffee. Let the gods be merciful.

"Yes, the KIA library, and yes, it's primarily holographic. The computer's a simple station at the center of the room, though I've be investigating it and how it prints hard copies. That's why I said earlier you were allowed to call me Leda or Miss Li'mi, whichever you prefer. My quarters adjoin the library." She explained.

?I see, I see ... and have you met this Ja'Rin person yet? Apparently, he's my instructor.? Idly, almost negligently, Kassy sipped at her coffee, her eyes eager and bright.

"The Dean? Yes, I've met Ja'Rin. He's a very nice individual. He and A?rus accepted me into the institute without question after the smallest call from Ms. Acheron... I was surprised there hadn't even been any sort of competency test." Taking up her cup again, Leda took another draw from it, savoring the warmth still residing inside the insulated metal vessel.

?Acheron ... Acheron ... that sounds so familiar ? ? Well, decaf or not, she's taking another sip. A fiery sword peeked out from Kassy?s inner wrist, the detailing of the tattoo incredibly ornate.

"Mm... as familiar as those tattoos of yours, perhaps?" Yes, those fine little works hadn't gone unnoticed, Leda had just made it a long ago habit not to stare. She herself hated that habit in people, given her own discomfort that came bubbling to the surface from time to time. Now was not one of those times however, no, in fact, as a Kirn she'd been having those moments less and less.

?Tattoos?? She's had these ever since she was old enough to work around an engine without supervision. She never thought about them anymore. ?Ms. Acheron has tattoos, like these?? She gave a touch to each shoulder, and the pauldrons and vambraces came away with quiet clicks. Sleeveless underneath, the colorful decorations on her biceps were there for the viewing; a heart encircled by chains on the right, a chain with a broken link on the left. ?I only have six ... how many did she have??

"Compared to her I'm afraid you're little more than a cloudless sky. Her body's quite nearly covered in them." Curious now, Leda took a closer look at the pieces she displayed. There went her tail again, curling and uncurling about the legs of her stool. Something seemed odd here.

?That many? Where did you meet her? Is there any way you could introduce us?? Someone might want to remind Kassy about the soup. She did after all say she was hungry.

Someone might remind Leda about her own soup, it was lukewarm by now, but at least it was half gone. "I met Kalinda not too long ago at the clinic she works for. That's how I ended up working with the KIA, she'd made mention of them" Shrugging slowly, Leda turned, picked up her abandoned spoon, and proceeded to continue with what was left of her own food. No need to stumble down that path again when it was as easy to avoid as proper meals. "Weren't you cold and hungry?"

?Oh! Duh, silly me. I'll talk myself to sleep, sometimes. But thank you.? Mmmmm, clam chowder. At least, what someone thought clam chowder in the wintertime was supposed to taste like. It didn't matter to her. It's all new and exciting.

Any work she'd meant to get done wouldn't be, so she resigned and closed the book she'd been leafing through. No doubt a print out from the library. Now, question was, would she have the heart to recycle it? "If you're still hungry I've got a few pounds of good, dark chocolate hiding in my bag. Don't let me forget, hm?" It'd just been Valentine's Day, after all. Chocolate was always in abundance and on sale after that particular holiday. It was the only reason she was excited for it every year. Honest.

?Chocolate? Mom wouldn't ever let me have chocolate ... kept saying I was bouncy enough without it.? She sipped at her coffee, then frowned. ?Ew. Remind me not to mix coffee and seafood anymore. That's just a nasty taste.? The look on Kassy?s face. Priceless.

Leda couldn't help but snicker. Yes, it could be an odd taste if one wasn't ready for it. She'd grown used to mixing though, it didn't bother her any. "I'll be sure to warn you next time, no worries there. Now. What classes is it that you take with Ja'Rin?" She asked, trying to keep the girl's mind in one specific direction.

?Techno-Wizardry, Mechanics, Stone-Working, all that stuff. I've been a Techno-Wizard for the past few years, but I'd heard he had a few new things to teach.?

"And does he?" Leda had no doubt that he did, but each person had their own opinion, and given Kassy's admission about being proficient in her area for some time already, it was a good way to garner another look from a vastly different perspective.

?I don't know. I just got here about an hour ago ... I haven't missed any classes, have I? Oh, darn it, now I'll have to rework that portal generator. Those are such a pain!? Kassy?s voice ventured up into the alarmed range, both in volume and pitch.

"Aah. I don't know. I wouldn't think so. And if you have, I'm certain he'll let you make up for anything you've missed. Ja'Rin doesn't seem like the type that believes in corporal punishment... Though, given how the Blue Magic students and their instructors irritate him from time to time, I'd dare say his biggest threat might be to let a student be their guinea pig for an afternoon." The image made Leda laugh, oh yes it did.

?Blue Magic? What's that?? No, that class wasn't something she'd signed up for. Why? Blue didn't look good on her, that's why? Color her confused, and confused wasn?t a state Kassy appreciated.

"A subject I'm not very educated in, though have no great desire to be. Lest I give you a poor definition, I'd just suggest you ask Ja'Rin, or come to the library in your free time. I've volumes on the subject, and while it's no great area of mine, I could at least find reputable authors for you." She answered smoothly. Yes, smoothly. No need to delve into that further than needed!

?Oh, well okay then. I'll be sure to ask. Ummmm ... do you know where it is from here?? She'd gotten a touch turned around in all her excitement. What girl doesn't like tackling the snow in a four-wheel drive? ?Oh yeah, and you'd mentioned chocolate??

"Ah... Well. From here there's a portal not too far off that I believe Ja'Rin's organized so that it drops students and staff not but a block or two from the campus. It's around the corner and down the street from here. And as for chocolate... Hold that thought, let me dig it out." Smiling, she pulled up the bag down beside her stool and fished out what could only be described as a bulging bag of dark chocolate bark. Yes bark. There were all sorts of sweet nuts broken up and mixed into the cocoa rich treat. Breaking off a few sizeable chunks for Kassy, Leda slipped them into a bit of napkin for her to pocket and take along with her.

?Oooh, that looks delish. Have you ever had it?? Kassy blinked and smiled with a hungry look in her eyes. That napkin found its way into a pouch on a belt already cluttered with all sorts of oddities.

"Mhm. There's a local shop here in town that has a very large sale the day after Valentine's day every year, I always stop in to see what they've the most of, whether it's something I've had or not. This exact bark isn't one I've had, but I know their dark chocolate is lovely. Bitter and sweet." Nodding, she couldn't quite resist until later; she shaved off a small curl of the bark with a pointed nail. A small curl. Just a small one. And up to her mouth it went before the big bag was stowed back away. She'd have it later with tea once the day was over.

Oh, well that's alright then. Absently, she reached into that pouch, and broke off a tiny corner, popping the tasty treat into her mouth, her mind already wandering to another topic that had caught her interest. ?What's Valentine's day??

"Mm, there are many stories, but one in particular is linked to the romanticism of Valentine's Day. It's an earth tradition from older days gone by. A legend, ah, story about a priest named Valentine whom married people in secret during a time when marriage was greatly disapproved of by a war hungry leader. When the leader found out about Valentine's doings, he had him thrown in jail." There was a curious warmth building on the outer edges of her body, a sort of flush that took on the delicate skin beneath her fur. But Leda paid it no mind. The day was good, she was in her element... And the chocolate was good. "... anyway." She'd paused, whoops. "Before Valentine was executed, he wrote a card to whom was known to be his beloved.. and that is what was known as the first Valentine, or love card. It's a day for sweethearts and the silliness of love."

Sorry, Leda ... the way Kassy?s eyes were glazed? Some time after "stories", her mind had wandered somewhere else entirely. Her breathing deepening into a steady purr, as her fingers twitched a little. ?Oh ... my ...?

"I know... nonsensical, hm? Most stories are though. That's romance for you though I suppose, love. It's said to be responsible for quite a many of the world's biggest follies." Chuckling, Leda pulled up her things as one of the service bots pulled away her luncheon dishes. No need to have her things tossed in the trash, right? Her ears flicked though, upon hearing Kassy's purring. It had her grinning with approval. "I told you that was good chocolate, didn't I?"

?It ... it ... it is ... ummm ... 'scusemeforamoment!? Kassy squeaked, and scampered off to find the restroom. Hopefully, nobody would mind the plaintive mewling coming from that back room, k? Thx!

Watching Kassy flounder off, Leda blinked very slowly. "Oh no... I hope she's not allergic." She'd seen people who were, and unfortunately that wickedly affected by it. Shot straight through the digestive system like a bullet through the flesh. Ignoring her own little flush from the substance was easy enough; Leda was, after all, quite practiced in denial. Heck, she was even sucking idly at the residual chocolate hiding under her sharp nail as she watched Kassy stroll back out.

At any rate, it didn't last too long. She returned at a much more sedate pace, fanning her face from the flush. ?Whooo! Chocolate. Yeah. Good stuff!?

"Are you all right?" She ventured carefully.

?Mmmm. Much. Thank you.? Kassy didn?t even notice the languid roll to her hips, almost reflexive in nature. And oh my, had she ever washed her hands. The scent of soap almost, but not quite, overpowering another, much more subtle aroma.

Well educated as she was in the area of scenting and the like, there were still some things she hadn't ever quite identified; the soft air hiding beneath Kassy's soap was one of them. But she let go, seeing as the Kirn was ultimately better for her extended visit to the bathroom. "Well... I think I should be getting back. Are you sure you'll be fine to find your way to the school?"

?Are ... are you heading that way? I could drive us, if you wanted.? Kassy?s demeanor seemed much more subdued than earlier. Was that a hint of embarrassment?

"Oh... so that vehicle outside does belong to you." There was an air in her voice, just a slight one, mind you. She was teasing. Not about the situation with the chocolate, whatever it was, but the seemingly reckless driving. Despite those stray thoughts, however, Leda found herself nodding. "I don't see any harm in it since we're both heading that way." She concluded.

While she redonned her armor, Kassy smiled. ?It's a sight warmer than walking, I'll guarantee you that. You just point the way, and I'll get us there.? Quite soon, nothing remained of the pair, save the scent of coffee and soup, and the tracks in the snow outside.