----------------------------------------
Front 2.2 - Class is Out Part 2
----------------------------------------
Now in this new setting however, Una found herself seeing other parts of her former teacher. Firstly was her way with people, she watched as Hoki spoke familiarly with the kitchen staff - Who in turn appeared to have speical crockery with fine inlays put aside for the woman.
Further the food Hoki ordered left Una feeling entirely inadequate, much of it she didn't even recognise to look at.
For her part Una sheepishly ordered as 'refined' as she could but knew it to be a vain effort. That said she appreciated the surprisingly large array of food available, dishes from all walks of culture were present and faint holographic signs indicted that more could be ordered then was displayed if one so wished.
Her food ordered Una quickly followed after Hoki who seemed to walk casually towards a pre-established place among the canteen, this being a particular table near the back corner of the room - Slightly more private than many of the other spots.
It was while heading in this direction that Una really acknowledged for the first time just how quiet the room was, a quick glance revealed seven diners excluding themselves - Despite the hour of the day being peak lunch time.
Hoki who had begun to sit down, seemed to note Una's searching expression, realising eyes were on her, Una quickly stumbled out a reply;
"Oh! Umm... I was just thinking it was busier at breakfast time, but even then pretty quiet, umm-m..."
Una flushed slightly as she made her way awkwardly around the end of the long table and over to the seat opposite Hoki.
"Ah yes, it would seem traditional eateries really have gone quite out of fashion I'm afraid." - Hoki said back in a slightly formal tone.
Una nodded from the seat opposite and before long the two began to eat in relative silence.
----
"You see--" Hoki began suddenly, giving Una a start;
"--It is not that I'm one of those naturalists or anything but really there is just something that sits wrong with me about alternative foods, don't you agree, Una?".
By 'Alternative Foods' she of course referred to the legendary franchise machines:
Unmanned units that prepared and served all manner of food and drink, that while all looking relatively the same could be artificially adjusted to taste like anything a crewmember so desired - And having an array of nutritional options available without compromising the taste.
Every ship had one of these 'Magic-Burger-Vending Machines' (as Una had once seen it written by a critic) and she had already pasted the remarkably large queue for the Fluchtig's one that very morning - Only now realising how that might explain the more generic canteen's lack of business.
Una nodded again, "Well back home we lived pretty far out from the city and Auntie isn't really a fan so I guess I never really got used to the artificial stuff Mi-- Ensign." Una added meekly.
Hoki frowned at the formality of the statement, "Just 'Hoki' will do when we are off duty like this."
Una's face grew flustered at this; "Wh-ah-erm but!"
In spite of her protest another frown from her dinning partner finally made Una relent;
"Yes Miss.Hoki."
Hoki still looked a little put out by the added 'Miss' but decided to settle for the compromise.
Silence seemed to fall between them again and Una began wondering how best to broach further conversation topics when one suddenly made itself apparent. She watched as Hoki poured a faintly coloured liquid from an ornate porcelain teapot into a dignified ceramic cup.
Two things caught Una's attention here, one simply being the pleasant but distinct aroma of the newly poured tea - The other being the realisation that she had somehow forgotten to get herself a drink. She cussed internally which Hoki noticed as she pointed the pot in Una's direction - "Would you like a cup?"
"What?" Una blurted on instinct, "No, no I couldn't possibly!"
Again Hoki frowned in clear disappointment and Una found herself compelled to act - Glancing down she realised without asking for it - The kitchen staff had actually left an empty cup of the same make on her tray too.
She now timidly handed that cup across, which in turn garnered her a satisfied smile from her former instructor.
Una sipped tentatively at the finely brewed beverage.
The colour was a faint green shade that seemed to inspire images of plants in springtime bloom, while the scent made her think of a sunny autumnal evening at her aunt's home.
For a moment she found herself utterly transfixed by it, it seemed out of place in all the chaos of the last few days, with-in the bizarre circumstance of dining with her superior, to drink something so very relaxing.
"It's wonderful." Una muttered quietly.
Hoki stared at her in disbelief, her own cup half-way to her mouth.
"W-what's wrong?" Una asked hurriedly putting the cup back down on the table as though it were some precious historical relic she had just defiled.
Hoki for her part blinked back to her senses;
"Sorry, it's just, well no one else has ever liked it."
"Really? Well ah, I think it's quite lovely." - Una added with her own kindly smile.
And so on went the conversation in much that fashion, with Hoki before long explaining the finer details of how she had found herself with a vast collection of rare teas;
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
"-- I mean really, we finally join up with the IAFS recovery team and what had father smuggled onto the shuttle alongside myself? Boxes upon boxes of tea leaves, his whole collection no doubt! I swear, if I hadn't also had the data-stick with me they might well of told us to head back home - And who would of blamed them, it looked like some elaborate practical joke!"
Hoki finished with a sigh, but one accompanied by a fond smile.
"How umm, how is your father doing now?" Una asked, hesitant to sound rude but not wanting to let the conversation's momentum die out;
"Oh the old man seems to be holding up just fine from what I've heard, for now atleast it seems TSU are still too afraid to go public that, 'The Hero of the Eastern Front' tried to escape Bhaile to try help the so called 'IAFS Menace' - Honestly such dramatic names. Notwithstanding that he and the others are still just being kept under house arrest. Yes for now atleast...But enough of that, how are you finding your time here to be?" Hoki asked with another bright smile.
Una pondered the question for a few moments, as Hoki poured them both more tea, their food long since finished off.
"I'm not sure really." - She said with a slightly forced laugh, "There's a lot to think about I guess".
Hoki nodded her agreement;
"Well if you have any questions, do feel free to ask I was the one who wanted you on the team after-all, and I really do feel bad for what you witnessed yesterday. I was quite uncouth wasn't I? Arguing with Miss.Scarlet in front of my juniors like that, I do apologies Una." - Hoki finished with a flash of remorse about her earlier argument, "I really don't know what came over me, something about that woman just seems to get to me..."
Una put on a puzzled expression, more concerned with the former half of the sentence then the latter.
"You were, you picked me?" She said.
"Hmm-m? Oh, of course. Did they not tell you that before you accepted the post? I was in-charge of scouting every member for the Fluchtig's new pilot team." Hoki replied back earnestly.
'Oh! "The uppity woman who sticks her ore in where it doesn't belong", that the barrack's commander kept complaining about whenever he saw me' - Una thought to herself and then the most pressing question of all seemed to alight itself upon her;
"Oh well um, they didn't really tell me that much before I got the order to come here, but err, if that's the case, can I ask you, well, why pick me for this team Miss.Hoki? I mean can you show me your stats? If that's not too personal I mean..."
Hoki frowned a little, perhaps confused by the turn in the conversation but nonetheless passed her handheld over to Una, her stats screen display;
User; Hoki Bachika
Vitality 45 Physical Strength 32 Mental Fortitude 30 Magi Score N/a Title 'Thee Hokuai' Occupation; Pilot Simulation Rank C Estimated Real Ability B+ Leadership Skill B Close Combat Skill D+ Marksmanship Skill A+ Manoeuvres Skill C-
Una's face looked visibly troubled as she read through the overview, her worst fears confirmed.
Across from her, above the slightly angular, almost regal features of Hoki's face, her brow seemed to furrow at the question, "Well I won't pretend there wasn't a degree of nepotism to it --".
"-- But there was plenty of better people from my class you could of picked if you wanted a former student, I was always right at the bottom of every test!" Una interjected, suddenly letting her thoughts spill out, "Just look at the difference in our stats, I don't even vaguely compare to you!"
This time Hoki's brows did more than just furrow, "Una.. You must know why that isn't the case right?--"
'Must know? What's that supposed to mean? Must know what? I know for a fact I was the worst in class!'
Hoki lowered her voice a little, "--You and Sabban, well you are all that's left."
****