[T-2 Morning] Breakfast of Champions

[Alexei Herald]

"Am I not?"

Alexei furrowed his brow.

"Some days, I sure doubt that sentiment..."

Another word scribbled in.

"Seven letter word, flightless bird... and it can't be penguin..."

[Dorgan Bruun]

"No offense, captain. Maybe only a concern for mechwarriors with titles." He shrugs, not interested to discuss it further.

At Colette's remark, Bruun half smiles. "Right. Unfortunately, some people love to take away others' means to live. So color me the sort to not treat everyone equal, when it comes down to it." He punctuates his comment with a deep drink of coffee and then losing himself in the pancakes.

[Alexei Herald]

"None taken, of course. I admit I find your company refreshing. Most mercenaries we transport are either deadly dull, paramilitary sorts who are one step removed from a house army, or are really unsavory... miserable people. Barely a step above pirates."

Alexei sipped his own coffee.

"Though I can, in theory, choose my passengers, the necessity of paying my crew requires I take the work available, and not always the work I want. I imagine many people experience the same."

[Colette Rupelle]

"Chocobo?" Colette offered an answer. "Well, everyone has a past but what the future brings may be filled with happiness and smiles! At least for now let me help you with that." Colette smiled

[Alexei Herald]

"Chocobo?"

He scratched his chin. "I hadn't considered that. Is that an animal from your home world?"

[Dorgan Bruun]

"Though I can, in theory, choose my passengers, the necessity of paying my crew requires I take the work available, and not always the work I want. I imagine many people experience the same."

Bruun nods as he finishes a large bite of pancake. He's tearing through the short stack.

"Damn right. You do the job that pays." That's been Bruun's whole life for almost 20 years. And then he hears Colette talk about happiness and smiles, and he feels guilty.

"Uh, Miss Colette, are you going to be talking about happiness and smiles every morning here?"

[Colette Rupelle]

"Tis from a game I used to play with my friends... zey are Ostrich looking creatures zey came in ze color of the rainbow." She looked at Brunn and giggled "Only if a frown needs to be turn upside down."

[Alexei Herald]

"Ah! Ostrich!"

Alexei beamed.

"Genius, Ms. Rupelle!"

[Dorgan Bruun]

She looked at Brunn and giggled "Only if a frown needs to be turn upside down."

The man feels a smile come to his face, even though he fought it a little. Years of jaded mercenary living were having trouble standing up to Colette's positivity. It was a strange feeling. Not unwelcome, but... strange. Bruun takes refuge in his coffee, still trying to decide what he thinks of this woman.

[Colette Rupelle]

"Yay!" Colette exclaimed. "Glad to help!"

....

"Is everything okay, Dr Ren?"