Yesterday, 09:58 AM
Riley eased back into one last stretch, then let herself sprawl onto the grass with a quiet groan. The ground was cool against her back, a welcome contrast to the heat still rolling through her muscles. After a moment she pushed herself upright and grabbed the water bottle she’d dropped nearby, twisting the cap off and taking a long drink. The cool water hit the spot, and she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand before setting the bottle down again.
T’Varen had already transitioned neatly into another stretch, unhurried, precise. Riley shook her head with a grin. Still looks like she could run ten more laps without blinking.
“You know,” Riley said, catching her breath, “we should head to the cafeteria. Get something before I collapse. No more drills today, so we might as well enjoy it.” She took another sip from her bottle, then gave T’Varen a sideways smirk. “Unless, of course, snacks are illogical too.”
T’Varen straightened slowly, adjusting her posture with her usual composure. “Snacks are unnecessary. However… nutritional replenishment following exertion is advisable.”
Riley laughed, shaking her head. “Right. Nutritional replenishment. Call it what you want — I call it food.”
They gathered their things and made their way across campus. The sun hung low, casting long shadows between the white stone buildings. Cadets passed by in small groups, some still in workout gear, others heading back to dorms or holodeck sessions. Riley adjusted her water bottle under her arm and felt the comfortable heaviness in her legs with each step. Earned soreness. The good kind.
The cafeteria was quieter at this hour, most of the rush already gone. The scent of replicated meals mingled in the air, a dozen flavors at once, not all of them pleasant. Riley headed straight for the line, grabbing a tray and scanning the options. “So,” she said, glancing back at T’Varen, “nutritional replenishment. What’s it gonna be? Vulcan plomeek broth? One of those bland protein blocks you like so much?”
T’Varen accepted her own tray, unruffled. “Plomeek broth would be sufficient.”
Riley gave her a look. “Sufficient? After running half the Academy grounds, that’s the best you can do? Come on. Live a little. Get some pasta. Maybe even dessert.”
“I fail to see how overindulgence constitutes ‘living,’” T’Varen replied, placing her tray down with exactness as she chose a small, balanced portion of vegetables.
Riley rolled her eyes and went for the pasta option, adding a roll and — after a pause — a slice of cake to her tray. “See, this is why we balance each other out,” she said with a grin. “You keep me disciplined, and I remind you food can actually taste good.”
They found a table by the window. Riley dug in, hunger overruling her usual restraint. Between bites, she glanced at T’Varen, who was eating with measured calm, as though even dinner was an exercise in control. One of these days, I’ll get her to try something that isn’t green or flavorless.
“You know,” Riley said, nudging her fork toward the cake, “I’m pretty sure enjoying a dessert now and then won’t ruin your efficiency.”
T’Varen raised an eyebrow. “I remain unconvinced.”
Riley smirked and took a bite of the cake, exaggerating her satisfied hum just enough to be obnoxious. “Suit yourself. More for me.”
T’Varen had already transitioned neatly into another stretch, unhurried, precise. Riley shook her head with a grin. Still looks like she could run ten more laps without blinking.
“You know,” Riley said, catching her breath, “we should head to the cafeteria. Get something before I collapse. No more drills today, so we might as well enjoy it.” She took another sip from her bottle, then gave T’Varen a sideways smirk. “Unless, of course, snacks are illogical too.”
T’Varen straightened slowly, adjusting her posture with her usual composure. “Snacks are unnecessary. However… nutritional replenishment following exertion is advisable.”
Riley laughed, shaking her head. “Right. Nutritional replenishment. Call it what you want — I call it food.”
They gathered their things and made their way across campus. The sun hung low, casting long shadows between the white stone buildings. Cadets passed by in small groups, some still in workout gear, others heading back to dorms or holodeck sessions. Riley adjusted her water bottle under her arm and felt the comfortable heaviness in her legs with each step. Earned soreness. The good kind.
The cafeteria was quieter at this hour, most of the rush already gone. The scent of replicated meals mingled in the air, a dozen flavors at once, not all of them pleasant. Riley headed straight for the line, grabbing a tray and scanning the options. “So,” she said, glancing back at T’Varen, “nutritional replenishment. What’s it gonna be? Vulcan plomeek broth? One of those bland protein blocks you like so much?”
T’Varen accepted her own tray, unruffled. “Plomeek broth would be sufficient.”
Riley gave her a look. “Sufficient? After running half the Academy grounds, that’s the best you can do? Come on. Live a little. Get some pasta. Maybe even dessert.”
“I fail to see how overindulgence constitutes ‘living,’” T’Varen replied, placing her tray down with exactness as she chose a small, balanced portion of vegetables.
Riley rolled her eyes and went for the pasta option, adding a roll and — after a pause — a slice of cake to her tray. “See, this is why we balance each other out,” she said with a grin. “You keep me disciplined, and I remind you food can actually taste good.”
They found a table by the window. Riley dug in, hunger overruling her usual restraint. Between bites, she glanced at T’Varen, who was eating with measured calm, as though even dinner was an exercise in control. One of these days, I’ll get her to try something that isn’t green or flavorless.
“You know,” Riley said, nudging her fork toward the cake, “I’m pretty sure enjoying a dessert now and then won’t ruin your efficiency.”
T’Varen raised an eyebrow. “I remain unconvinced.”
Riley smirked and took a bite of the cake, exaggerating her satisfied hum just enough to be obnoxious. “Suit yourself. More for me.”