h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

* Lucy sits down next to Eli, giving him a quick kiss. When Tavaron has finished her speech they toast her with their glasses, and then she tells him and Kyra, who's sitting on Eli's other side, about the capture of the cat-who-was-stoned-out-of his-mind. *

*the second course is served: tomato soup*

http://www.bio-spitzenkoeche.de/hoppe/img/tomatensuppe.jpg


*then Charles brings tonight’s main courses: fried seafood or polenta with mushrooms*

http://www.obrist.ch/FR/Espagne/Fritto-misto-pesce.jpg
http://www.mushroom-uk.com/media_images/grilled_polenta_smoked_haddock_300dpi.jpg

*meanwhile the sun sets and gives the visitors a last beautiful impression of the sea*

http://www.ocean.udel.edu/blacksea/chemistry/photos/sunset.jpg


*Tavaron and Paul look at the scene and smile. They know that they will sleep in their - well, technically Tavaron's - bed on the Mariposa again this night. The won't se the sunrises and/or sunsets anymore but probably the planet Llanfair and stars. Usually they don't mind being in space, they even like it, but now they would like to stay a bit longer - but Paul says he has to get back to work as long as he's still used to it.*

*Malaba is almost cheerful at dinner - she's looking forward to going back*

*The dim candlelight doesn't do much against the encroaching dark, so it's hard to see how the others eat their food politely and copy it*

*But that means they won't see her eat, either - and soon, she'll have Hagman's filling, simple foods again that don't involve 27 ingredients only found in small swamps on unfashionable planets*

* Eli and Lucy make sure they enjoy both their meal and the scenery. As they look at their companions, Lucy feels a twinge of regret she didn't get to talk yto some of them as much as she liked, but she decides not to let it spoil her evening. She smiles at Eli and they chat in muted voices with each other and with Kyra. *

*After the main course Charles serves cheese and later cake*

http://www.pemberton.co.uk/images/custom/Individual%20Cheese%20Plate.JPG
http://www.michigansugar.com/recipes/images/strawberry_cake.jpg


*Anezka has a last look around. She enjoyed the holidays and of course especially spending so much time with Jack. She turns to give him a kiss - and hopes that everything will stay like that between Jack and her when they come back to the ship. On the other hand: why shouldn't it?*

*Kyra had no idea a meal could consist of so many courses. She paces herself so she still has room for the cake, which looks delicious*

*Jack hugs Anezka but keeps an ear on the conversation around him, mainly inconsequential things that still lend the atmosphere a friendly vibe*

*Anezka smiles, moves closer to Jack and then starts chatting with Paul and Tavaron about this and that.
They finish their cake, some more wine is brought and although they have to leave everyone seems to be quite happy.*

* Eli and Lucy finish their meal and enjoy the atmosphere, both planetary and socially. Frankie and Senta, who have had *their* dinner served outside, too, start to play and chase each other over the beach and through the water. Eli and Lucy laugh, and Eli turns to Kyra. *

It looks like Frankie's made a new friend. I wonder how Frau Unterweltraumführerin will react when she finds out?

*Kyra laughs*

She'll probably think Frankie is a bad influence.

* Eli and Lucy chuckle, and this time it's Lucy who replies. *

Are you sure about that? Llanfair seemed to have loosened her up a bit.

*Kyra grins*

I'm sure it's just the low oxygen. She'll feel herself again back on the Mariposa, I bet.

* Eli nods, thoughful. *

Perhaps. We'll see, I suppose.

* Lucy smiles and pockets the shell that was on her plate at the start of the meal. *

Something to remember this place by.

* Eli smiles back at her and does the same. *

Good idea.

*Kyra puts her shell back on the table. Besides suddenly having heaps of clothes now that she's making money, Kyra likes to travel light*

*She goes to the stereo and picks a song at random and sits down again*

Why don't you ask the kids at Tiananmen Square
Was fashion the reason why they were there? ... </>

http://www.amazon.com/gp/music/clipserve/B000BM6AVA001004/1/ref=mu_sam_ra001_004/002-1721216-0134454
http://www.sing365.com/music/Lyric.nsf/Hypnotized-lyrics-System-of-a-Down/C6A2464A454AA567482570A1002DB863

* Lucy turns pale. *

Kyra, can you please turn that off and pick something else?

* Eli puts his arm around Lucy's shoulder and nods at Kyra. *

Now! </>

* It's clear from the look in his eyes this isn't a request. *

*Kyra gets up and turns the song off without asking why. She doesn't put another one on*

Sorry.

*She looks at Lucy, concerned and uncertain*

* Some of the others around the table give Lucy a bemused look. She smiles faintly at them. *

Sorry, that brought back bad memories.

* She bends over to Kyra and smiles faintly at her, too. *

No need to apologise. I'm sure you didn't do it on purpose. </>

* Eli keeps his arm around her while she empties her glass of wine in one gulp and fills it up again. He nods at Kyra, reassuringly this time. *

*Kyra squeezes Lucy's hand briefly when she leans over, then lets go and wishes she knew what she hadn't done on purpose. She has some idea where to start researching though. Where and when that song is from, and what it is about, for starters*

*Jack goes back to telling the others some stupid story from his childhood, and Kyra smiles at Lucy and fills up her own glass of wine. She's still a little worried, but she knows as well as anyone that sometimes the past can jump out at you from nowhere*

*She gets up again and chooses another song, taking a little more care*

http://www.amazon.com/gp/music/clipserve/B000002HOM001007/1/ref=mu_sam_ra001_007/002-1721216-0134454
http://lyrics.rare-lyrics.com/W/Ween/It's-Gonna-Be-(alright).html

*She puts her wine down, calls for Frankie, and starts slow-dancing with the poodle. Kyra holds her forepaws and Frankie stands on her hind legs with a big grin on her face as they slowly move in circles*

* Lucy and Eli smile at Kyra. The others have returned to their conversations, but several people, including Eli and Lucy, have to laugh as Kyra starts to dance with Frankie. Senta, perhaps a little jealous, starts to circle around the two dancers, looking up at Kyra. *

*Kyra pats Senta's head in passing, but concentrates on keeping Frankie upright. When Frankie wants to stop Kyra lets her drop gently, and kneels down between the two dogs. She roughhouses with Frankie, and plays with Senta as well, but she's a little more cautious. Senta behaves perfectly, though. When the two dogs run off to play in the sand together, Kyra gets up and retrieves her wine*

*Jack and Anezka have moved from the table to dance, and Kyra sits down next to Lucy*