Residential Building - Dining Hall

Atlantis throughout the whole tour listened attentively to the descriptive but each time he had discovered a new place, he was always delighted about the architecture, about the feel of the place. It was a big academy but at the same time he felt like the tour had gone by too fast for his taste. He knew that he could revisit each places whenever he felt like it but the fact that they were here, that Elika was here to be their tour guide, he couldn't ask for more. It was perfect as it was and he was very grateful and also he was very glad to have waited to visit this place for the first time with the one that had envisioned it perfectly.

The tour was coming to an end and they were all walking back to the residential area and more particularly the dining hall. Still, the people he thought were going to show up, did not. It was a faint disappointment for him and honestly, he wanted to put a lot of things to rest and just stop the whole evading one another, but he knew that he couldn't force anyone to do things, it wasn't him and he believed in free will anyways unless it was a force majeur case but for this, nothing at all. Atlantis sighed softly and slightly stayed back for a moment facing the grand entrance as if summoning that person. He closed his eyes briefly and took a deep breath before finally turning around and walking into the dining hall. He looked around with a warm smile, even though he might had a sudden expression, it could have been passed up as sadness for the tour already coming to an end.

Atlantis looked up at the main person who was currently speaking and he smiled encouragingly the whole time she spoke until he noticed some of them placing the bottles and the glasses on the table but he did not make a move towards the bottle and instead he rounded the table to walk over Elika and he stood there for a moment and without a warning, without a word, he hugged her affectionately. "Thank you..." He murmured softly before pulling away and looking into her eyes warmly. Atlantis knew that she might have said that the thanks was unnecessary, but really he insisted through his gaze. She had done something that fitted the Jedi here on Umgul as a whole and she did not even messed up one way or the other. He still had that presentation into mind and she had nailed it quickly.

"And no, it is not presumptuous at all." He assured her sincerely before he gathered all the glasses together and grabbed the bottles uncorking them quickly and efficiently with the use of the Force since he did not have a corkscrew nearby and he poured the wine into the glasses before distributing them to each and everyone of them. Once everyone was served, he went to stand next to Mace and Franz mainly and he lifted his glass as a toast. "I really don't know what to say..." Atlantis said with a faint chuckle before glancing sheepishly at everyone while he rubbed the back of his neck. "But, one thing is for sure and the three of us are thinking the same..." He obviously meant Mace, Franz and himself. "We wouldn't have this without your help, so thank you Elika for giving us an essential tool to further our training to transmit our teachings to those that are willing to learn. But first and foremost, thank you for being into our lives, not just as a friend but someone we consider family." Atlantis glanced around momentarily to look at the structure and maybe beyond too. "To the family and friends and continued peace here on this planet." Atlantis lifted his glass and looked expectantly at the others since perhaps Franz and/ or Mace had things to add, a reason why he did not drink his wine yet.

Fiddling with some commands in the training room; check. Regaining some sense of childish behavior; check.

If Franz had to resume so far his return to civilization, he would say that it was done in a somewhat bang. He wasn't that childish like before, but he was getting his personality back in a way. It had all started with seeing people he cared about again and them just being together right now was certainly helping. He was glad that Elika did not see any inconvenience to him being around, even Crystal did not because he could be chattier. That matter was perhaps still debatable but for now he was very very satisfied and very happy. He really had not seen the academy before and the blueprints weren't one that he had consulted, so the surprise, excitement and delight were genuine ones. Especially when he got to see one of the training rooms, where there was a console to either engulf the room with mist or not. The best part was all the tools that it provided, him and techs it was like just a perfect match. He would be able to select the difficulty against combat droids or just be able to meditate into the mist just like he had done back in the mountains.

Good times, certainly good times. Although it made him wonder why either Mace or Atlantis had requested for that feature in those rooms. He also had heard that the walls were resistant to electric discharges. He only knew one person that could manipulate electricity, well actually two people, perfectly. It was the reason why he had glanced at Mace very dubiously right then and there. When he thought about it, he exactly knew how mist was composed and at a high concentration, it would easily conduct the electricity.

Oh... Oh! I got it! He thought before shuddering on the spot and making a face. It was scary when he thought about it and many times he had heard and learned to use his surroundings to his benefits. Mace definitely found a way to just do that. No more questions taunting his mind as he continued with the tour. Franz definitely loved the sense of tranquility of the meditation areas and really loved how everything wasn't structured in a strict way, especially the residential quarters for the students that would be interested to learn in this place...

This was really a great day for him, to being back to civilization and just being where he exactly wanted to be.

Franz walked into the dining hall with a very satisfied smile on his features and he even went to check out the vegetation around the place with a knowing smile. Someone would have loved this place, that he was sure of, and it was too bad that his very own former apprentice wasn't planetside. The last time he had heard from the fellow, it was him asking permission to accompany his sister off world in order to deal with something important. It seemed to be recurring statement lately, people leaving because it was important. He understood all of that, they never needed to explain the reasons why as long as they checked in to let everyone know they were fine. Although he knew that he wouldn't hear about Arhiana for a while. He couldn't say "never" because Franz did not know, but right now he knew that moving on was the best move he could do.

Not really wanting to cloud his mind with unhappy thoughts, Franz went to stand behind a seat and looked at Elika who was suggesting that they finally have that drink to actually toast to this place being opened officially. He smiled at Lily who had really brought the wine bottles and he inclined his head in the women's direction, or actually the government officials, but what... Mace technically was one too right? There were also in majority. So it went like that, the Vice-Governor, the Chief Financial Officer and the Attorney General along with the Architect and the Political Advisor who the latter was playing for two teams. Well a bit overwhelming and intimidating. Before he could pursue his thoughts though, Atlantis was speaking after hugging Elika and soon his speech was followed by Mace saying a few things as well.

Wait, was he supposed to say something too? Oh boy...

Holding his glass into his hand, he pursed his lips as if he was really in deep thought but then he did a popping sound with his lips. "You know what is the most difficult thing? Not actually knowing what to say after these two." He gestured in their direction with his thumb before shaking his head with a smirk. "Because they have covered everything. But I just want to tell you all for being here and specially you, Elika for doing this for us." Franz lifted his arms to convey the place before he chuckled. "Now, aren't you glad that I actually wasn't at that meeting with Mace and Atlantis, I would have messed up entirely." Said Franz with a self deprecating smirk before he glanced particularly at the three women, namely Crystal, Lily and Elika. "Really, thanks to you three for keeping Model Face in check." He said with a laughter before shaking his head and rolling his eyes playfully. "To all of us, and to the planet as a whole." Franz said as he lifted his glass slightly and clinked his glass with everyone before taking a sip of his drink.

Elikapeka surprises herself when, as Atlantis suddenly and without any warning, hugs her, she does not tense up as she would typically, and instead simply returns the hug without realizing, until after he has broken away, that her usual discomfort with having her self-imposed boundaries crossed has been absent. As Atlantis makes his toast, thanking her for, not only designing the academy, but for being in their lives as both friend and family, Elika manages to keep a smile on her face even though she is so touched by his words, which echo her own sentiments as well as remind her that, even though she has lost her parents and the woman she had hoped to spend the rest of her life with, she is not as alone as she often feels. Raising her glass with everyone else at the conclusion of Atlantis' toast, Elika uses the opportunity provided by Mace's toast drawing everyone's attention to close her eyes briefly, collecting herself once more so that, when Mace finishes her toast, Elika's smile is no longer as forced as it had been previously.

Meeting Franz's eyes when he comments on how Mace and Atlantis are a difficult duo to follow, Elika grins wryly in hopes of conveying her agreement with the sentiment as well as her belief that he need not be concerned at all; they are friends sharing a quiet moment, not competing in making the most eloquent toast after all. Shaking her head and crinkling her nose to convey that she does not agree with Franz's assertion that she should be glad he had not been at the meeting where Elika had made her design proposal, Elika clinks her glass with the others before sipping her wine, feeling, perversely given all that has been said, momentarily out of place; she is a mere architect, not, in her mind, truly worthy of being included in the company of Jedi Masters and government officials who truly do contribute to the welfare of the planet. The moment passes quickly, however, and Elika finds herself laughing happily when Lily suggests that they make the evening a two for one event. "Any reason to extend the party, right? Elika teases warmly, nodding as, after glancing at Crystal hoping to defer the decision to her friend and finding that there is no help to be had from that quarter, she makes a production out of weighing the idea carefully before finally agreeing with a smile, I second the motion counselor. Housewarming after academy warming it is."

She should have known that this evening was going to be a back to back type of event. . . Mace had been used to it before and now she really wasn't surprised that it continued. Although it wasn't a suggestion made by Atlantis, Andros or even Franz, it was a suggestion made by someone she had genuinely and sincerely embraced in knowing a bit more. It wasn't an easy situation for her, to tell the truth. Mace was at the antipodes of Lily's personality, she knew that the guys mainly would understand why she would decline the invitation without so much or no questions but when it came to the lawyer, she really could not tell.

Mace looked in her direction when Elika seconded the motion soon followed by Atlantis who had communicated to a few privately through the Force. She had a genuine smile but also an apologetic one as she placed her glass of wine down on the table, she had merely taken a sip, nothing more, nothing less, due to the fact that she really needed to be aware for what could turn out to be a long sleepless night.

Pursing her lips slightly, she closed her eyes momentarily before lifting her left hand in a surrender somewhat. "I am truly touched by the invitation," Began Mace softly but the tone of her voice clearly meant that she wasn't done speaking, at all. "But I have to decline it."

Of course, she did not expound her reasoning, of course she had the most placid gaze. Even though deep down, it was far from placid. Whatever was going on in her mind or how she was currently feeling, she preferred not to share it overly because she did not want to worry anyone right now.

Until she got to the bottom of those problems that occurred throughout the day, she wasn't going to exclaim to the whole wide galaxy what was going on right now. But that question from Atlantis, she only looked at him for a moment without any flicker of emotions, without giving anything away but she could tell that the man was really worried about Raan and so was Andros, that much she knew.

"I am truly sorry to you three." Finally said Mace after a moment of silence, she, of course, mainly addressed the three housemates with a respectful nod before smiling when she stood to her fullest again. "But I do hope that you all have fun celebrating tonight." She added on genuinely before focusing her attention onto Elika with a warm smile. "Elika, thank you again. . . For this. I hope that you all have fun this evening."

Inclining her head once again and this time towards everyone else, she glanced at her chrono after securing her gloves onto her hands to take her leave soon enough to be able to join up Raan and also tend to his daughter if necessary. . .

{Continued from Academy Grounds and Entrance Hall}

*Morgan had taken it upon herself to belatedly introduce her tailring Lokay, adding in that he liked bacon; no doubt that was due to the topic of food, and indeed the little tailring had looked around curiously at the mention of it. Smart little thing, he was. Atlantis was quick to assure Morgan that they had plenty of bacon for him, which admittedly was something Aerandir liked to hear as well, as well as adding that he only personally knew two good cooks, himself not being one of them, but he could manage.

On Serrin's suggestion, Atlantis led them to the dining hall, asking what they actually would like to eat, adding that there was a large selection. He then went on to explain that the farmers of Umgul had very fruitful outputs, mostly due to their land being returned to them and aided by an engineer at the request of Atlantis's brother. Andros Vyridian, Vice Governor of Umgul, this much Aerandir was aware of, as it wasn't particularly difficult information to come by, by any stretch of the word.

And also because it had been part of Atlantis's message, minus his name, but still.*
Well, I'm not truthfully very picky, though I admit I can be a little partial to bacon. Not nearly as much as Lokay though.
*He chuckled and turned his head to look at the little tailring, seeing as "bacon" was another word he recognized easily. Aerandir looked up as they exited the Academy, once more into the mists. After a brief few moments of cleared sight, its sudden return removed every last bit of the small amount of familiarity he had looking through it earlier. "In time," he supposed, as they reached the residential building. Here, Atlantis offered one of his guests to "do the honors," in regards to opening the door via print and retina scan.

Aerandir glanced at Michelle first, then gestured toward it, offering her the honors. In response, Michelle only grinned at him and mimicked his gesture, returning the offer to him. He had only meant the gesture harmlessly, but catching on quickly, he smiled back and repeated the gesture again, this back-and-forth going on for a few short seconds like a comedy routine until Aerandir turned toward Serrin and gestured toward her with both hands, palms up.*
Master Roma! Why not you?
*Michelle actually hadn't seen this punchline coming and she giggled loudly, amused by this. Was now the time for jokes? Aerandir could not be perfectly sure, but the mood had been light enough, and perhaps the feeling of being together with Michelle and Morgan on a mission again brought back old habits quite quickly; keeping the air light had been essential to their operation and keeping them in good spirits.*

Smiling when Morgan assures me that Felucia would be as glad to see me as I would be to revisit Her, I listen as Atlantis explains that while he is capable of acquitting himself well enough in the kitchen he personally knows of two others more skilled in the culinary arts, and try not to look too terribly amused by poor Lokay's increasing signs of hunger when bacon is mentioned several times whilst we begin making our way to the dining hall.

Smiling as Aerandir and Michelle playfully offer one another the honor of being the one to open the door to the dining hall only to have the offer extended back to the one who had extended it, I place a hand to my chest with an exaggerated look of surprise when Aerandir breaks the routine and offers the honor to me, smiling as I say, "Just Serrin will do, Aerandir, thank you. Now then, why not me? Hmmm, let me see, I say, pursing my lips on thought with narrowed eyes while lifting a finger to tap my cheek as though pondering the possibility that has been presented deeply and thoroughly. Venturing a guess that Morgan might find the prospect of being the one to grant us all entry, I let go of her hand to step back and look at her before I say, No, no, I think it should be Morgan, I really do, yes," and then gesture towards the door with as much ceremony and flourish as I can wring from the gesture, offering Morgan the honor of admitting us all to the dining hall.