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"It's okay. He can't have gone far. We're working in teams round-the-clock to find him." He turned to face them and put on a cheery expression. "Well, shall we head to supper? I'll bet it's almost ready by now."
“Oh, uh, yeah.” She replied, trying to smile even with the information Eric had just told them
They returned to the elevator and descended in silence. After a second, Bernon tentatively spoke up.
"Sorry to hear that, about your brother…..did anything, I dunno, strange happen before he disappeared? Or did he maybe act oddly?"
Eric shrugged rather helplessly. "You'd have to ask the others about that, I wasn't here when it happened. But I don't think anyone noticed anything unusual. He's always been very good at hiding and going unnoticed, to the point where we actually had to put a tracker on him. But we found the tracker just outside the main door to the surface, and haven't seen him since. I really hope that he didn't get spooked by something…..he's really skittish." After a pause, he added, "Listen, please don't mention this at the table, okay? The others get really upset when they remember he's missing."
(brb, eating supper)
Tanrial nodded, “We won’t, promise.” She reassured him.
"Thanks." They reached the home level and walked down the painted corridors until they reached a room from which many voices and the smell of cooked vegetables emanated.
Eric had a peek inside. "Looks like they pulled up extra chairs for you. Go on in, I have to check something before I sit down."
Tanrial nodded and opened the doors for Bernon and Mike before heading in herself, taking up one of the extra seats between them both.
Ryker was at the head of the table not far away, helping Toby get a serving of broccoli and cheese pasta. He smiled brightly when he saw them. "Ah, there you are! How was the tour?"
Tanrial smiled at him, “Interesting, this place seems to have everything.” She said, taking a serving of vegetables, potatoes and pasta.
"Everything I could build or find," Ryker said a touch proudly. "If there were a way to make this place easier to replicate and staff, I'd love to have more places like this constructed across the country. People could use them as the beginnings of new cities. Someday we'll make it happen, eh?"
The others at the table gave a cry of general agreement. "Hey Tanrial," Kaito piped up. "Where's Eric?"
“Uh, he said he had to go check on something but would be here shortly.” She answered, giving the boy a smile.
A teenage girl they hadn't met yet gave a sigh. "That workaholic. He never lets himself rest." She offered a dry smile. "I don't think we've been introduced, by the way. My name's Wren."
Jackie reached across the table and tried to swat her. "You wouldn't always be the last one to the party if you came out of your room sometimes." Wren replied with only an eloquent look.
(gotta go to bed, seeya later ^^)
“Nice to meet you, Wren. And don’t worry I was the same. Nothing to be ashamed of.” She offered her a smile.
(Okay, seeya ^^)
"Wren has no shame," Roy declared. "She repays no debt and shows no mercy."
"Neither do you," Wren retorted. "And you brag about it all the time."
"Stop bickering, you guys," Keith said boredly. "So, Tanrial, did Dad show you and your friends the computer room where we'll put the data drive? It's wicked."
Tanrial shook her head, “No, he hasn’t.” She said, glancing at Ryker for a moment and then back to Keith
"It's in the office level," Ryker explained, "in a special room where it won't be damaged if there's an earthquake, flood, or fire. I don't believe you got a very detailed tour of that level, and anyway that room requires a pass to enter. Tomorrow I'll take you there so you can see the data drive being installed. You kids can come too–"
The table erupted with excited chatter.
"–If," Ryker continued sternly, "you all promise to be on your best behavior."
"We promise," they all shouted.
"Wait," Wren said. "You're the people who brought the data drive? Man, I really am out of the loop."
Tanrial nodded slowly, “Right, yeah… got it.” She glanced side long at Bernon and Mike before looking back at Ryker with a forced smile
Ryker paused. "Is something wrong? Do you not like that idea?"
“No, no it’s a great idea. I’m just tired is all.” Another half truth.
"Oh, we'll that's fair. I'm sure you've had a long journey and could do with a good night's rest. We have guest rooms that can accommodate all of you, I'm sure. Do any of you need anything other than food before you turn in?"
(brb, eating right quick)
Tanrial shook her head, “No, I don’t think so.
(Okay)
"Well then, please enjoy the rest of your meal. The kids can show you to your rooms afterward."
Derek leaned over and tugged on the edge of Bernon's shirt. "Do you want a drawing like mine?" He asked, pointing at the marker doodles on his arm.
Bernon smiled at rolled up his sleeve. "'Course I do. Give me whatever you want."
Derek began to carefully draw a circle. "Do you want one too, Tanrial?"
“Sure.” She replied, giving the boy a smile and rolled up her own sleeve.
Derek finished his first artwork, which was a slightly crooked sun, and went over so he could reach Tanrial. "I'm going to give you a tree," he said seriously. "What kind do you want?"
“Uh, do you know how to do a willow tree?” She asked him, smiling a little at how serious he was being
"Yes," he said with great certainty, starting on the trunk. "You're a tree, you know."
“A tree?” She cocked her head in question
"Yup. A nice tree." Derek pointed at Bernon. "He's a sun." He then pointed at Mike. "And he's a…dog, I think. Do you want a dog picture, mister?"
Mike looked at him. "….Yeah, sure."
Derek finished Tanrial's willow (it kind of looked like a willow) and went over to Mike. "All my brothers and sisters are something too. Dad's a lion."
“Fitting since he’s the head of this place.” She replied, rolling her sleeve back down and crossing her arms.