Re: Re: Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)

[Ozu Saya]

[Athens Railway Station]

Saya narrowed her eyes at Judy, wondering if the older woman was manipulating them or martyring herself. As well as she felt she knew Judy, it seemed as if it could go either way.

Finally she stated, Kyo and I can share the bunks. It will be easier for you to take the single room with the corgis.

Why don't you take the bottom bunk, Kyo offered. Since Alieth likes to sleep with you. Then you don't want to have to worry about her falling out of the top.

Saya dipped her head in acceptance and slipped her shoes off, taking hers and Judy's to one corner of the small space.

Kyo followed her to the corner and left his own shoes with them. So, what now? Are we just waiting for the train to depart?

[Judith Eastman]

[Athens Railway Station]

"That sounds like a plan to me," Judy answered, in effect conceding the argument and "surrendering" to take the good bed.

"Now, yes, we're waiting. The train should leave in about... 20 minutes. Then, they start serving dinner at about 6. I think we should aim to be in the dining car a little later, when the kitchen's not as overloaded. Do you think we'd be too hungry to last until 7?"

If this plan wasn't going to work, Judy had a way to make it work. It was called snacks, and she had them in her suitcase as well as her handbag.

[Ozu Saya]

[Athens Railway Station]

Saya returned to the couch and sat, pulling her feet up to tuck under herself while Kyo took the other end. It was a little low for him, forcing his legs into a rather awkward position unless he stretched them out, which there wasn't much room for.

I'll be fine. Lunch was quite substantial enough for me, Saya said, smiling down at Alieth who had stopped trying to roll around on the floor and was now sniffing a table leg.

Kyo grinned and answered, I won't expire. Though I won't turn down snacks if you have them. And since I've gotten to know you better, I imagine that's the case.

[Judith Eastman]

[Athens Railway Station]

"Well, who am I to say no?" Judy answered when Kyo all but asked for whatever snacks she had.

She stood up, cane-free, and walked over to one of her suitcases, which she then opened.

"The cooler has some nice cheese in it. We should move that, and everything else in it, to the little fridge. They go with the crackers, as does the little can of tapenade - the olive spread."

She didn't feel the need to warn Kyo against eating too much. She'd just stuff him later.

[Ozu Saya]

[Athens Railway Station]

Saya watched from her curled-up position on the couch as Judy and Kyo raided the former's suitcases for edibles.

Kyo took the indicated items and carried them to the small counter space which held a refrigerator underneath. There was a drawer that held a few basic utensils, which Kyo examined while he was there. He opened the jar of tapenade and gave it a sniff. Hmm, that smells good. I think I'll try a little. You want some, Judy? Saya?

Saya shook her head. No, thank you. I really am fine.

[Judith Eastman]

[Athens Railway Station]

After issuing orders, Judy made her way back to the chair. She did need to rest her hip, whether she liked it or not.

"No, thanks. I really shouldn't," she told Kyo, turning down the offer of her own snacks. "I don't want to put on too much weight, certainly not before I can work it off properly."

After finishing this trip, Judy hoped to get into some kind of PT/exercise routine, but until then, she had to watch her eating.

For a major foodie, that wasn't exactly a thrill.

[Ozu Saya]

[Athens Railway Station]

Kyo shrugged his reply and spooned out some of the spread onto a small plate, along with a handful of crackers, and returned to his seat on the couch. Mm. That is good, he said after his first bite.

You make me keep forgetting that it's only been a few days since your surgery with how you get around so well. Are there exercise you can do in such confined space that might help?

Saya listened to the conversation with interest as she unbraided her hair. It was still slightly damp from showering after the beach and she'd been wanting to experiment a little. She pulled a section free on each side and bundled the rest into a low bun. Then Saya began braiding one of the sections she'd left free.

[Judith Eastman]

[Athens Railway Station]

"Honestly, I don't know," Judy answered. "I'm going to start seeing a physical therapist when I get back to New York, but for now, I don't know."

Her eyes were drawn over to Saya, who seemed to be experimenting with hairdos.

"Trying something a little different?" she asked.

Judy was, too. She'd decided to just let her hair down, to save time. A simple ponytail or bun could be set up when she needed to keep the hair under control, but for the most part, her experiment in letting it go was succeeding.

[Ozu Saya]

[Athens Railway Station]

Maybe you should contact the therapist before we get underway and see if there's anything you can do. The worst they can do is say no, and probably yell at you for everything you're doing. Kyo grinned at Judy. But maybe they can make some suggestions.

Kyo also turned to look at what Saya was doing. She'd finished the first braid and was wrapping it around the base of her bun.

Saya paused at the sudden attention and answered, Umm, yes. I've been looking at Bajoran hairstyles. I just didn't have time to try it before we left. I like the intricate braids Bajoran women use. She began braiding the other bit of hair she'd left loose.

[Judith Eastman]

[Athens Railway Station]

"I'll do that tonight," Judy answered Kyo. She really wished right now that she had an executive assistant. Not a Cadet, like Dihiq, but an actual sidekick to do these things for her.

Then, back to Saya.

"Those are lovely," she said. "They're involved, time-consuming, but lovely. Do you want any help?"

If there was a time for complicated, time-consuming hairdos, it was now. They were on vacation, with no timetable but the train's. Maybe Judy herself would try something. The curlers again, or a fancy braid instead of a straightforward ponytail.

[Ozu Saya]

[Athens Railway Station]

Thank you, but not this time. I chose a relatively simple style to start with - it's just the two braids coiled around the bun. I'll look up some others to try over the next few days. Maybe you could help me then. Would you like to try some? Many of the Bajoran styles would look lovely with your hair.

Kyo simply smiled at the hair-talk. With his own short locks, it had little to do with him. Though he commented, I like the different ways you've done your hair so far. I even liked it short.

He stood again and carried his plate back to the counter, rinsing it in the small sink and setting it aside. There's some bottled water in here. Would either of you like some?

[Judith Eastman]

[Athens Railway Station]

"I'd actually love to," Judy answered. "I'm still looking for more things to do with it when I have time."

With the bob, for those many years, Judy didn't have to think much. It was just a question of combing left or right. Now, with options came questions.

"Do you have any suggestions for right now?" she then asked. "And Kyo, that'll be a yes on water from me. Talking this much is thirsty work."

[Ozu Saya]

[Athens Railway Station]

Saya flushed slightly at Kyo's compliment, but said to Judy, I saved a few styles on my PADD. We can take a look at them later. She finished the second braid and was wrapping it around her bun when Kyo asked about water. Her awkward nod with hands behind her head made him smile as he grabbed three bottles of water.

He handed one to Judy, then returned to his seat and set Saya's between them as her hands were still occupied.

She finished tucking the end of the braid and lowered her hands, carefully shaking her head back and forth to check if it was secure. On a regular day, she'd probably use hairpins, but for now, just tucking the ends seemed to be holding well enough.

[Judith Eastman]

[Athens Railway Station]

Judy took up the bottle, opened it, and chugged it. She hadn't even realized how thirsty she'd been until now.

While chugging, she took a look over at Saya.

"That looks good," she complimented. "I think I'll try to copy you, if you don't mind."

Pulling the hair back would accentuate the silver at the front of Judy's head, but that was fine. She was proud to be old.

Thinking of that, she reached into her handbag for a handful of hairpins.

[Ozu Saya]

[Athens Railway Station]

Nice, Kyo commented as Saya reached for her water and took a couple of sips.

Thank you, she told Kyo, then, Not at all, in answer to Judy.

As she spoke, there was a clang from outside and a voice calling, Last call!, which was then repeated in several languages.

It sounds as if we'll soon be underway. Would you like assistance?