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

[Ozu Saya]

[Train]

Kyo smiled and ducked his head at Judy's praise. Thanks. I feel like it's been too long since I played it. But dinner sounds great to me. We can spend the evening playing when we come back.

Indeed, Saya agreed. And I'm nearly done here. She lifted the braid to show she was almost at the end. Do you think we ought to leave the animals here? I can't imagine there will be much space for them in other parts of the train along with other people.

[Judith Eastman]

[Train]

"Offended as they'll be, we should definitely leave them here," Judy answered. "Expensive things, confined spaces, lots of people, and frankly, I just don't trust these floofs. Oh, no I don't. I don't trust you two at all. I don't."

Judy smiled as she ruffled the dogs' fur. They were so darn cute, as much as they were troublemakers.

[Ozu Saya]

[Train]

We can leave them some of their own goodies when we leave. That may keep them occupied long enough for us to escape the car, Saya said humorously as she finished off the other braid and took another bobby pin from Judy's hand to secure it. There, that should hold. Since we're going out, may I borrow a couple of bobby pins for my own? I'm not certain it will stay in place with that much moving around.

Kyo set his tivara back in the case and closed it carefully. I'll get their bowls and set up the boxes. It hadn't been a priority since the pets had taken care of business before they'd boarded, but if the people were going to be gone for a bit, better to be safe than risk any of the animals making a mess in the beautiful space.

Do we need to change? Saya asked, gesturing to her outfit. She wore a light, sleeveless, green, knee-length dress with grey slip-on flats.

[Judith Eastman]

[Train]

"You'll be fine," Judy answered Saya. "They don't enforce a dress code. If we want to get a little fancy, we can, but I think we'll be okay."

Judy herself was going business casual. Dark grey, knee-length skirt, matching blazer, and a sleeveless, mostly purple floral blouse were good enough for the former Professor, who had no intention of getting into a ball gown. She wouldn't go in jeans, but she wasn't going to go crazy here.

"Besides, Saya dear, you look gorgeous in any guise."

[Ozu Saya]

[Train]

Saya flushed and shook her head at Judy as she got her small cooling unit from the luggage and pulled out a baggie of pre-portioned fruits and veggies for Alieth. Is there room for the rest of this in there? She gestured to the small refrigerator.

Probably. Especially since I took out the water.

Saya crouched and had to shift a few items in the space, but was able to put the rest of Alieth's food inside.

Kyo finished setting up the pets' things, including Alieth's favorite stuffed sehlat, and brushed down his clothes before stopping to wash his hands in the small sink. He wore low, soft-soled shoes in a light brown, with lightweight, khaki-colored slacks and a dark green, loose, Bajoran-style tunic with a belt of the same color and long, gathered cuffs.

[Judith Eastman]

[Train]

Rather than schlepping to the sink and back, with her hip, Judy opted to use hand sanitizer.

"The dogs have a few chew toys in my suitcase," she instructed Saya. "If you could take out one or two, they'll probably leave the furniture here alone."

On that note, she rose from her chair, leaning on her cane.

"I can't really take the chair down there. Not enough space in these passageways. The cane will have to do."

[Ozu Saya]

[Train]

Saya got the dogs' toys since Kyo and Judy had both washed their hands already, topping to wash her own before heading for the door at the end of the car.

Kyo took the lead and Saya brought up the rear, turning to make sure none of the pets were trying to escape with them.

They made their way through the narrow corridor of each car ahead of theirs, having to pause to allow other passengers to exit compartments on their left, also heading toward the dining car, it seemed. At least, from conversation. There was, to Kyo's surprise, quite a mix of different species aboard the train. He'd thought that this might appeal mostly to humans who were familiar with the history of this particular train. There were a few people dressed up, but most wore varying degrees of vacation-wear to business casual.

Finally, they made their way into a beautifully decorated car that contained a number of tables in the center and booths along the sides. A human male in a period-accurate uniform was directing parties to the various tables while a couple of waiters began taking orders from those already seated. They moved efficiently through the crowded car, almost ready to meet each party as they were seated.

When they arrived at the host, he assessed their group and asked, Table or booth?

Both Saya and Kyo looked to Judy for the answer as she would be most likely to (jhav e)* have a preference.

*Typed with the cat's help when she sat on my arm and I couldn't see what I was doing.

[Judith Eastman]

[Train]

Judy didn't have the best time with the corridor. It was narrow, and the train rocked a little, but she maintained her stability nonetheless. The cane, suffice it to say, was the former professor's best friend.

At last, they entered the dining car.
"Booth," Judy answered. "Definitely booth."

The waiter led them to one, with a nice view of the mountains the train was now going through.
"I'll be by in a bit to take your orders," he said.

With that, Judy began to peruse the menu, reading glasses low on her elongated schnoz.

[Ozu Saya]

[Train]

Saya slid into the booth across from Judy and began to peruse the menu, but paused to stare out the window at the passing scenery. She smiled slightly and said, It looks a little like traveling at warp.

Kyo sat beside Saya and began looking over the menu as well. He commented, grinning, Let's hope we don't get moving that fast. We might overshoot our destination by just a little.

Saya rolled her eyes as his absurdity but looked back at her menu.

A moment later, the waiter returned. Welcome to the Orient Express. I'll take your drink and meal orders, if you're ready, and bring your drinks right away. You can order a bottle of wine for your table, or simply by the glass.

He looked expectantly at each of them. Saya was the first to speak up, I'll have the spicy vegetarian lasagna and water for now. Thank you.

I'd like the chicken piccata. And a glass of chardonnay, unless Judy would like to share a bottle? He looked questioningly her direction as the waiter nodded and turned to her as well.

[Judith Eastman]

[Train]

"Let's share a bottle of chardonnay. What years do you have?"
"We have a '94, a '93, and a '91. There's an '88, but it's a little pricier," the waiter answered. "All local, Greek wineries."
"'88 was a good year. We'll have that."

She'd made her choice, and now said it.

"I'll have the linguine alfredo with salmon, extra garlic, fish cooked medium," she instructed.
"And how would you like your chicken cooked, sir?"

[Ozu Saya]

[Train]

Oh, um, chef's call, Kyo answered, a little thrown by being asked. I didn't know chicken had options, he added quietly to Judy.

Very well, sir, ladies. I'll be back with your drinks as soon as I've put in your meal order. The waiter walked off quickly.

The dining room was almost full, with many different species mingling together. Some were obviously traveling together, but some of the conversations were groups newly meeting each other.

This appears to still be quite a popular attraction, Saya commented as she glanced around at the other diners.

[Judith Eastman]

[Train]

"Out here, in the eastern mediterranean, it does," Judy answered the chicken question. She'd noticed this phenomenon in her travels - the Greeks, and the Middle Easterners, seemed to think people liked their chicken a little overcooked.

Then, she turned to the variety of species.

"You'd think it would be. It gets good sales," she said. "That, and there's not much like it on other planets. Us humans are nostalgic like that."

[Ozu Saya]

[Train]

True, Saya responded. It is certainly one of the most unique experiences I have ever heard of. We should find a unique spot in each location to play some music, as we did on Mount Seleya.

It's quite the experience, she informed Kyo.

I imagine. I saw the film on the News Service. You both looked as if you were really enjoying yourselves. That would certainly make some good memories of each place we visit.

The waiter returned with their bottle of wine and Saya's water, opening the bottle and pouring into glasses for Judy and Kyo. I brought a glass for you as well, ma'am. If you decide you'd like some, he offered.

Saya simply nodded, but didn't ask him to fill the glass. She might try some, but not yet.

[Judith Eastman]

[Train]

"We'll have to search a little, but I'm sure we can find some nice spots in each city," Judy answered. "You can't necessarily jam out in a museum, but I imagine there are enough nice parks."

The streets, in Judy's mind, were automatically off-limits, though a nice public square could be passable. As long as they avoided rush hour, they wouldn't be too disruptive to commuters (as a New Yorker, Judy was sensitive to the impact tourists could have on the urban population).

[Ozu Saya]

[Train]

Oh, sure. We wouldn't want to cause a disturbance, Kyo answered. He took a sip of his wine and made an appreciative sound. That is good.

Belgrade is our first stop, right? Saya asked, after taking a sip of water. Do either of you know anything about it?

I don't, not really. I've only heard of it.