"Will there be anything else, Awakened Noble?" Cole asked as they stood outside a door. He had walked the professor from the PTV to make sure she had found her way.
"You have been more than helpful. And I have your information if I have any more questions. Thank you for everything." The lady dipped her head in gratitude.
Her guide backed up and saluted. "Someone will be in touch with you to continue your investigation in the morning. Have a wonderful evening."
The tour had taken the rest of the afternoon, but the professor was finally able to get to her quarters and rest a moment before dinner. As promised, her bags were returned to their normal size.
Unlike the bulk of the barracks, her room was one of the few above ground. It was clearly for visiting guests and dignitaries. It still had a spartan feel, but was not nearly as cramped as the rooms she had gotten a chance to view before Cole dropped her at this door.
'Underground is safer, but above ground at least doesn't feel so claustrophobic.' Noble glanced out the window.
Mundane soldiers were running through the paces of silent drills. Their sergeant was pushing them to the limit. They would need all the training they could get for what was to come.
Noble pulled the curtain shut. 'Time to get cleaned up.'
A quick washing of the travel grime off of her face and a change of clothes left her feeling refreshed for the evening meal. About the time she was planning to strike out on her own, there was a knock at the door. Thankfully, it was someone coming to escort her to the mess hall.
Outside the dining room, Fort was waiting looking as handsome as ever.
"I was beginning to think you would never get out of your meeting," Noble teased as she kissed her husband on the cheek.
"I'm so sorry," Fort sighed apologetically. "One meeting ran into another and another. It's like as soon as everyone found out that someone from headquarters was here, they all needed to have some face time. I'm not even that important in the scheme of things, but that didn't seem to matter."
"You are important to me. Is it my turn for a meeting?" Noble batted her eyelashes.
"No," Fort answered sternly. His face softened. "But I wouldn't mind a dinner date."
"Two dates in a week? You will spoil me!" The professor giggled.
Fort rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I doubt the food will be as good and the dress is certainly not as formal."
It was hard to believe that the Valor ball had been a week before. So much seemed to have happened since then.
"But the company will be just as enchanting. As long as no one ends up trying to murder us at the end, you will have no complaints from me." Noble nodded.
"I love how easy you are to please," Fort chuckled. "Shall we?"
He gallantly offered his arm and the couple entered the military's mess hall. The scene before them was orderly chaos. Noble was very glad Fort's foot was healed, because it was unlikely that he would have been able to maneuver through the rows of tables without getting bumped.
"Let's sit over here." Fort guided them over to an empty space at the end of one of the tables. "Maybe I should have taken Ascended Jet up on her offer to dine with the officers..."
Fort had not wanted to impose and had also wanted a bit of a break from talking business. It seemed he had traded business for noise.
"Don't worry about it! This will be nice," Noble assured him.
She had three kids. A little racket never bothered her.
Fort smiled at her. "I'll get us something to eat. Any preference?"
Looking around, Noble pulled her mouth to one side. "It seems like there may only be one choice. But at least it looks good!"
Fort winked and ambled off through the crowd.
The professor was left to study those around her. Since most of the people going to Antarctica were mundane soldiers, the dining hall only had a few Awakened.
But the ones she did see gave her some small hope. The huge MWPs and Rhinos she had witnessed would also make a dent in the enemy, but would it be enough?
'What can I contribute in this war?' Noble considered this question honestly.
She was a fierce fighter. But her flaw...it was crippling. The battle with the bludgeoner had proven that.
'I just want to make a difference.' The professor shook off her melancholic mood as her husband approached with two plates of steaming food.
"Dinner is served," he said cheerily. "Oh! And there is someone I want you to meet. Over here!"
Setting down the plates, Fort waved at someone across the room.
A winsome man around thirty years old began moving toward them with a tray of food. His eyes were a beautiful indigo, the same color Noble's turned when she was supremely happy. The man's dark black hair had imperceptible blue highlights under the cafeteria's industrial lights.
Garnering a large amount of attention from those around him, the Ascended's commanding presence encouraged others to make way for him without being asked.
The crowd parted like two waves of the sea, allowing the Master to cross through the room unhindered.
When he reached the couple, the man flashed a brilliant smile. "Deputy Director Fort. I wasn't sure if I would be able to find you in here."
"Master Naeve, thank you for coming! I did not think about how crowded it would be."
The two men shook hands and then Fort motioned to the woman beside him.
"This is my wife, Awakened Noble."
"Pleased to meet you, Ascended Naeve." The professor dipped her head.
"Just call me Naeve. And the pleasure is all mine. Fort has told me all about you," the Master clapped the other man on the shoulder.
"Oh?" Noble raised her eyebrows at her husband.
"All good things, I promise," Fort assured her. He realized that more explanation was needed. "One of the meetings today was with the House of Night. We got to talking and found we had a lot in common. I invited him to have dinner with us..."
The Deputy Director winced slightly. He had promised his wife a date and then brought another person to the table.
Naeve glanced between the couple. "I make that look whenever I mess up with my wife as well. If I am intruding..."
Noble waved off his concern. "No, please sit down. If Fort enjoys your company, I am sure I will as well. I would be honored for you to join us."
The Master nodded and took a seat across the table. "That is most generous of you. I shall strive to be worthy..."
Meanwhile, Noble's mind was racing. The professor had seen this man before. His eyes and hair were striking, and it only took her a moment to realize where she had encountered him.
'Of course! Oh no...' The Awakened paled.
Naeve met her eyes with curiosity. A spark of recognition ran across his face. Noble looked away, her cheeks flushing.
"Forgive me," the Master furrowed his brow. "I know this may sound a little crazy. But have we met before?"