Mel signed her name on the inventory datapad with a completely unnecessary flourish, and then handed it back to the customs agent.
"But whyyyyy?" Ida whined as Mel started picking her way towards the main entrance of Waterloo station.
"You know exactly why. We've been over this a million times. It's not like me cocking up my first impression with Lachlan is some big secret or something," Mel turned towards Ida and walked backwards slowly while responding.
"Pleaaaase? You won't even know I'm there. Verspreche!" Ida held up her hand as if she were being sworn into a governmental office.
"Hmmm..." Mel held up her empty left hand and studied it as if she was reading a datapad. "Nope, still says you're not an official member of the Irregulars, kid. Watch the Ranch, 'kay?"
"Langweiligggggg..." Ida complained in German, but went back to the ship nonetheless.
* * *
After a solid half-hour of searching the station and its vast corridors and walkways, Mel finally found The Queen's Comfort. She was gobsmacked. Her life in Houston had never brought her anywhere near this level of fancy living. Real wood-grain decorations, old antique replicas of globes depicting ancient Terra, and paintings of various noteworthy Bretonian figures and nobility. The fact that this was just an average, middle-class Bretonian drinking hole was completely lost on Mel. By her standards, this was the lap of luxury!
For a brief moment, she actually regretted not bringing Ida. She made a mental note to bring the kid another time.
Regaining her focus, she gave her name to the host at the front door, and followed him back to the longue where Lachlan was waiting.
