Raven + Eric
Her use of the word dissidents wasn't lost on the man at all, yet instead of launching into some trite and dogmatic rhetoric praising the Regiment...as would be expected from a good and loyal member of the military operation, Eric just flashed her a little sly smile all his own. "In truth I am far less worried about attempting to garner good will, or to placate the masses into forgetting just where we are...and simply wished to offer a brief respite from the strenuous nature of life here within these gray dreary walls. Consider this my effort to offer an oasis of sorts, fleeting as it may be."
For a few brief hours here no one was forced to do anything at all. No mandatory training, no fretting over being sent to god knows where on an assignment. It wouldn't last, it never did, but for a little while there in the cafeteria Hawthorne wanted everyone to be able to just cut loose and really have fun. "A cage is still a cage, to be sure...but a gilded one does at least offer a touch of comfort. Or at least I hope it can."
It was pleasant to share in a bit of witty banter with the lovely young woman. Pleasant and amusing as well. When she spoke up once more Eric's smile just brightened, and with a thoughtful expression the man nodded his head in agreement. "If only I could get that spa and juice bar idea of mine up and running, well I am sure we'd have all manner of folks practically banging at the gates to be let in. Still there's something to be said for a bit of exclusivity. After all we wouldn't want this place packed wall to wall with too many eager supplicants...the housing situation alone would be quite troublesome were that to happen."
That click of her tongue, and Raven's inquiry had the handler chuckling warmly again. After considering it for a moment he finally leaned close, almost whispering the words so she alone could hear. "Just between us, I had given thought to an excursion of sorts. Why bother with a bastardized American version of the holiday...when we could possibly enjoy a little outing to Ireland itself?"