January 15th. Evening. It was early afternoon when Ilyna got a message asking if she'd like to come over to Halisi's place for dinner after work, for a chance to take the her mind off recent events. The invitation left it up to the asari whether to find Li a babysitter (most likely Jason and Justice, no doubt) or bring her along, making it clear that the good doctor welcomes either option. It's a mild but cloudy evening, diffusing
#Halisi'sApartment – September 3, 2025
Ilyna did end up asking Jason to look after her for the evening, and she has let Halisi know in advance that she is coming alone. The day and the poor sleep preceding it has worn her down, and despite her best efforts, she cannot mask that. She is wearing her black winter-jacket over usual kind of dark-gray dress that has gathered some snow at the bottom on the way from the taxi. She taps the doorbell.
There's the faintest sound of music audible through the door as Ilyna waits. It takes a moment after she rings the bell, but soon enough the door slides open, the muffled melody instantly clearer. Pleasant, playful guitar and bass. Something lighter than the classical music she often favors. The singing is in Swahili, and goes untranslated, as most songs not aimed at the galactic market do. A sizzling sound and the smell of spices
Halisi is stood in the doorway as it opens, spatula in one hand and a warm smile on her lips, which softens into something more subdued on seeing the look on Ilyna's face. She's wearing dark, form-fitting pants and a green satin top, although most of it is obscured by the apron she has on. Her black hair is tied back in a large, loose bun, and she seems to have found the time to do her makeup after getting off work, highlight the
distinctive silver of her eyes and the shape of her smile. "Ilyna!" she exclaims, her free hand going to the asari's waist and pulling her just a little bit closer as she leans in and presses a quick kiss to her lips. On closing the distance, a whiff of warm, slightly spicy perfume breaks through the smell of food. She lingers for the briefest of moments afterwards, studying her face up close before pulling back. "Please,
come in, take off your jacket," she says as she lets go, already hurrying back towards the kitchenette at the sound of the sizzling intensifying. "I'm so glad you came."
Ilyna smiles at the half-embrace and kiss, and returns it before stepping inside. There is sense of relief in her as she relaxes her shoulders, especially when the door closes behind her. "Thank you for inviting me over," she says as she walks over to take off and hang up her jacket. "It smells lovely in here," she says as she approaches the kitchen. While she tries to hide it, the tiredness does come through in
Halisi returns to the stove, tending to the contents of the sizzling saucepan. The small table by the window has been set for two, and a tomato & onion salad, some garlic bread, and a bottle of wine already waits there, cast in warm light by a lit candle. "Thank you," she replies with a slight chuckle. "I'm glad you think so. Hopefully the taste will be to your liking as well," she says, glancing over her shoulder at Ilyna and
flashing her a smile. "I wanted to do something for you after the last two days, and, well, I thought a homecooked dinner and a chance to relax might be just the thing." The asari's wearniess has of course not gone unnoticed, but she's not about to launch into prodding her about it.
Ilyna looks impressed at the table set for them, before she steps up next to her at the kitchen and glances down at the cooking on the counter. "I really appreciate it," she says with a warm smile, looking a bit overwhelmed for a brief moment. "It's been a difficult couple of days, but I feel we can hope the worst is behind us."
Halisi leans to the side a little to give Ilyna room to take a peek at the contents of the saucepan. Saffron-yellow rice mixed with various Aite-local veggies and meat. If the smell is anything to go by, it's going to be delicious, and the doctor has shown she's a capable cook with her contributions to Christmas dinner. It's a wonder she ever finds the time. "It definitely is, I have no doubt about it," she assures softly, resting a
Ilyna shifts a bit closer as Halisi lays a hand on her back, and she cautiously returns the gesture with a hand of her own. She looks over the food with a tilted head, not managing to recognize it as anything she's had before, but it does look as good as it smells. "We don't have to hide it anymore," she says.
Halisi hums a quiet, pleased laugh. "Now if that's not good news, I don't know what is." After stirring the food once more she lets go of the spatula, turning her attention to Ilyna as she starts to move subtly in rhythm with the music, which is picking up a little in intensity, a cheerful, old-fashioned dance tune. Her left hand drops to the asari's lower back, while the other brushes against her arm, her eyes following her
fingertips as they trace their way slowly across the fabric of her dress sleeve down to her hand, taking it in a gentle grip and lifting it. "The sort of thing that warrants a dance, I say. Will you indulge me?" she asks with a playful smile, already swaying the two of them a little.
Ilyna takes her hand with with a small nod and a smile, happy to leave the topic at that for now, her other hand remaining around Halisi's back. "It does," she says as she listens in on the music to find the rhythm, finding the song pleasing even if she cannot understand a word of its message. She looks a bit focused as she prepares for Halisi to lead the way, as dancing this closely is not something she's
Halisi makes things easy for Ilyna, guiding her closely as she leads her in swaying and turning around the kitchen area, the dance a light-hearted, warm, slightly silly thing meant for just the two of them. She lingers close the whole wile, keeping a steady hold of the asari. As the music flares she lifts her hand, trying to nudge her into a spin.
Ilyna feels a bit more comfortable as the dance takes them a little bit away from the kitchen counter so a mistake might not lead to a mess, and the focused look is soon replaced by a happy smile as she is lead along. She lets go of her hand around her waist and let herself be spun around, barely avoiding stepping on Halisi's foot as she gets right in front of her. For a moment she is able to push back the worries
Halisi lets out a soft chuckle on the completion of the spin, holding Ilyna close. "Marvelous," she flatters despite the near accident, smile wide and warm. She seems intent on starting the evening by brightening Ilyna's mood at least a little, of showing the asari that she has every intention of making all this trouble that she's caused for her worth it, regardless of the heavier topics that wait around the corner. The arm wrapped
around Ilyna's waist presses her to Halisi as she leans in for a slow, deliberate kiss. There's no cautious hesitance or clandestine haste here, just affection and a steady, confident care.
Ilyna laughs softly at the flattery, and her mood is definitely brightened by the affection. She reaches her arms around Halisi as she leans into the kiss, her own caution about overstepping boundaries fading somewhat. "That was great," she says after pulling back from the kiss, as the strong positive emotions threaten to break the weary asari's composure. "You're great."
Halisi seems encouraged by the sound of the asari's laughter, although afterwards her warm expression shifts, turning just a little bashful, gaze falling away for a moment before returning to Ilyna's face. She sways the both of them idly to the music as it slows. "Yes, well, it's nothing less than you deserve, Ilyna," she replies, pushing the focus away from herself. "I-" Intensifying sizzling and a faint hint of burning finding its
way into the smell of spices suddenly draws her attention to the stove, letting go of Ilyna to bring the pan off the plate. "I suppose that's our sign that it's time to get to the 'dinner' portion of this dinner," she proclaims with a slightly flustered laugh.
Ilyna is getting lost in the swaying, enjoying this moment. The kind words are met with little resistance, and she lets go of any doubts that creep in about them. She does look a bit embarrassed as Halisi pulls away from her to take care of dinner, feeling a little bit responsible for distracting the cook. "I guess it is," she says with a chuckle as she looks at her work. "Is there anything I can help with?"
Halisi shakes her head, flashing a reassuring smile. "No need, it's all ready to be plated. Just, please, take a seat and enjoy..." she requests, the way her gaze lingers for a moment on Ilyna before turning back towards the stove leaving little doubt that the flirtatious note in her voice is no accident.