January 15th. The message summoning Ilyna to Vasquez' office came early in the morning. It was vague and curt, not exactly an encouraging combination after the last time they spoke, but in a call the previous night Halisi confirmed that she'd heard from Jason that he'd talked Vasquez down, so she's of the opinion that there's good cause to be optimistic. Regardless, the good doctor has insisted on flying into Redrock together with Ilyna
#RedrockAgency – May 6, 2025
Halisi unbuckles as the shuttle touches down, shooting Ilyna a small, encouraging smile. Since she's not headed into the hospital this morning, she's wearing her hair down, immaculately styled as ever, and she has a poised alertness to her despite the early hour.
Jasper pokes and swipes at the many illuminated elements of the control panel's interface, out of sight from his passengers. The open door allows his voice to continue to fill the cabin. As it has for the duration of the trip about an exciting few days he's had. Who could've known that home brewing was such a perilous hobby. "...an' I was able to put the fire out 'fore it did any real damage to the rest of the place! But, wouldn't ya
know it? Whole dang crop survived! Think it might even be fireproof! Which is how I came up with the name-..." There's a pause. Presumably for dramatic effect, though the clicks and clacks emanating from the cockpit imply he may have just gotten momentarily distracted. But as the vibration of the shuttle finally settles and it powers down, his voice continues. "Dragonheart Ale!" A few more clacks sound out before he appears in
the doorway and leans against the frame. "Anyway, we're here. Remind me and I'll get ya'll some samples 'fore ya leave! On the house, a' course!"
Ilyna does not look very alert, however, as she returns a weak smile of her own. Sleep did not come easily to her last night after having pushed her troubles to the back of her mind during the evening in an attempt to avoid having to explain this situation to Li. Listening to Jasper's brewing story has been a welcome distraction during the trip. "I'll try to remember," she says to Jasper before unbuckling herself and
Halisi offers Jasper a polite chuckle before getting up from her seat and slipping the strap of her purse over her shoulder. "Certainly, Jasper. Thank you," she says with a nod and a smile, turning to leave the shuttle.
Li looks over towards Jasper as Ilyna unbuckles her. "Can I have it too? I wanna be a dragon! Rawrrrr!" Claw hands come up once she's freed of the safety harness, and her best dragon snarl accompanies the growl.
Jasper gives a dip of his head to the pair and a polite tug of the brim of his worn down old cap to bid them farewell. Li's question draws out a snicker from him. "Wellll-..." he whistles, "Looks ta' me like you've already got it covered!" he says, appraising her dragon impression with a few impressed nods of his head.
Ilyna smiles approvingly at Jasper's answer, and the dragon impression from Li, happy with how he handled it. "Let's get going, little dragon," she says, offering her hand before starts walking off the shuttle.
Li lets out another fierce dragon roar, craning her neck as if surveying the hangar in a most regal and reptilian manner - and then she takes off running ahead, flapping her a̶r̶m̶s̶ mighty wings once before holding them out to her sides (because anyone that's watched a respectable amount of nature documentaries knows that gliding saves energy!)
Halisi blinks as Li takes off. "Don't-.... don't run in the hangar!" she calls out after her before snickering to herself and shooting Ilyna a questioning look. "Sugary breakfast today?" she asks with an amused smile.
Ilyna watches her run off with a worried look. "Fly slowly in the hangar!" she calls after her before turning to Halisi. "I suppose the orange juice is pretty sweet," she says, "but I think she'll be just as quick without it."
Halisi hums in agreement, watching as Li disappears down the corridor, now doubt heading straight for the rec room. Almost as much the girl's home as the apartment is, with how much time she spends there. The doctor offers Jasper a parting wave, lingering amusement tinging her smile, but it starts to fade as she heads out and draws nearer towards the corridor.
Ilyna gets increasingly nervous now that Li is away and the only thing ahead of her is the meeting with Vasquez. That, and frustration, at having to hide this from the others. "I hope he's right," she says in a low voice as they enter the corridor.
Halisi doesn't answer until they draw closer to the offices, at which point she comes to a stop and offers one of her hands to Ilyna. "It's going to be alright," she says gently but confidently. "Jason wouldn't have said what he did otherwise."
Ilyna sighs and takes her hand. "You're right," she says, keeping her voice low, but it doesn't seem to have helped her nerves. She considers going to her office to take off her winter jacket, but decides against it.
Halisi gives Ilyna's hand a squeeze in an attempt to reassure her, studying her for a moment before drawing in a breath. "Are you ready? And... is it alright if I come in with you, or would you prefer I stay out here?"
Ilyna considers the question for a moment, reassurance not really helping while the outcome of this meeting remain unknown. Her nerves also decide her answer, and after the last meeting, she'd need the support. So she justifies it to herself even if it might be unfair to gang up on her. "Please come with," she says. "We should both hear what she has to say."
Halisi nods in confirmation and reaches out to press the door interface, making it open with the faintest of hisses.
Vasquez looks up from where she's seated behind her desk, one hand gesturing for Ilyna to come take a seat. "Ilyna. Come in." Judging by the fact that her monitor is inactive, leaving the desk clear, she must have been waiting. She wears a faint frown, an undercurrent of discomfort all that's keeping it from being her standard scowl.
Ilyna steels herself and lets go of Halisi's hand as she enters the office and walks over to take the offered seat. "Hey, Linda," is all she says, letting Vasquez start as she focuses on appearing mostly composed.
Halisi enters with Ilyna, letting go off her hand to allow the asari to claim her seat. She stops just over her shoulder, remaining standing.
Vasquez seems a little thrown off as Halisi enters, grimacing slightly, gaze not staying on the doctor for long. "Oh. Halisi."
Halisi offers a polite but reserved not. "Linda. I thought I would come along to support Ilyna." The words aren't hostile, per se, but there's a slight edge to them.
Vasquez hesitates for a moment before letting out a sigh and nodding. "Guess you should be here," she acknowledges. She leans forward, planting one elbow on the table and resting her mouth against her knuckles, folding her other arm across the desk. She studies the two of them in silence, saying nothing else just yet.