January 20th, 2186. It's been a mild day by the standards of a Freedom Falls winter, a welcome change after a cold week. The temperature has been above freezing since the sun rose, leaving the streets largely clear of snow come evening, and bringing the town to life as people leave home to enjoy the respite from harsh weather. A common destination seems to be, well, the Miner's Respite. Mercenaries and miners alike fill the tables, giving
#Miner'sRespite – December 3, 2025
Tara has been hard at work in the kitchen all day, but unlike Leah, her shift has come to an end. She's sitting alone in the booth by the bathroom, pressing away at her omni-tool interface, having opted to remain in the Respite and pass the time with her new educational VI until she and Leah can head home together. She's wearing her new winter boots, some simple jeans, and her favorite sweater - the one with the dog on it.
Halisi is taking up a booth closer to the door along with some colleagues from the hospital - namely Nurse Holly, Dr. T'Ala, and a salarian who keeps sneaking glances at the datapad in his hand. They're chatting about everything from work to their personal lives over a round of drinks and some food. The good doctor is wearing slim-fitting jeans, fur-lined winter boots, and a red blouse that shimmers slightly in the lights of the pub.
Her winter coat is draped over her seat. The fact that she's had the time to do her hair and makeup indicates that they probably didn't come straight from work.
Holly looks quite different outside of her working hours, dressed in a sleeveless, rugged jumpsuit and arm warmers, a combo that leaves her freckled shoulders bare. She's paired the outfit with a simple choker. It's a popular look among Terminus humans.
Emma is sitting at the bar, nursing a beer and more than a little relieved to be out of her apartment. Her healing has clearly come a long way since New Year's, judging by the lack of crutch and brace both. She’s taken off her long blue winter coat and placed it in her lap, revealing the black turtleneck sweater and dark blue pants worn underneath. Her hair is in an immaculate blonde braid running down her back, contrasting
Celyna enters the Respite, garbed in a rugged, black winter trenchcoat worn open over a light suit of scratched up yellow-black armor. She's an asari in her later maiden years with steel blue skin and a sleek build. Her facial markings consist of several dark stripes running over her crests. She's been in a couple of times over the past months, but it's been a while. She makes for the bar, eager for a drink, Aite's winters no
Varisa is bussing tonight, weaving between tables to retrieve used dishes and clean tables, occasionally disappearing into the kitchen to load the machines. The young asari in the clothes that Enila got her, albeit with an apron added.
Zaylus enters the bar with a quickness that suggests he's trying to escape the cold despite the reasonable weather, faltering at the crowded interior and few familiar faces. He's dressed decidedly un-human, in a dark grey turian coat that seems a little thin for winter. It's unclear whether he's considering a table as it's the good doctor that has captured his gaze for several seconds.
He turns without comment, though, sliding onto a bar seat next to Emma. He spares only a glance of recognition for now, leaning forward and looking for an employee, eager to order something to eat.
Leah has spent the day helping out around the Respite. As usual, she blurs the line between 'security' and 'staff' far more than any of the others in the Respite security rotation. Unlike Steve, who is usually cooped up in the security office during his shifts, she's usually out and about chatting with regulars and delivering drinks or food to tables, ever the social butterfly. Besides, it helps to pass the time. She doesn't
typically wear her armor around the Respite until things begin to pick up, but the unexpected business the weather brought in today caught her offguard. As such, she's not fully geared up, instead donning just a few pieces of her usual getup to denote her role as security. Chestplate over a sweater that she keeps at the Respite in case it gets chilly, kneepads, shinguards and boot plates over her civilian boots, and her
Carnifex folded up and holstered on her right thigh. Emerging from the backroom, she sets a tray of fries down behind the bar upon seeing Emma. She wordlessly collects a glass and fills it up at the tap, setting the drink down in front of Emma with a smile and a wink. "On me!" she says, recollecting the tray and continuing on her way out from behind the bar.
Enila is also in the bar, tapping on a terminal as she takes care of some paperwork out here, only stopping to help out when there's too many patrons waiting. She prefers doing the work out here when it's not too sensitive. She's wearing an open green fleece jacket over a white tank-top and plain pants.
Wenera is sat in corner a booth closest to the stairs, with Nalota. Wenera is wearing an red sweater and jeans, a winter jacket lying on the seat beside her. She looks tired more than anything else.
Nalota wears an open blue winter coat over her medical unfiorm, strongly implying she's just gotten off work. She met up with Wenera just outside, which is why she does not sit with her colleagues.
Va'ynna has borrowed Enila's office an hour ago, and is still in there even if she's been expected in the kitchen for a while; thus leaving Tara with more to do.
A third asari just put a pitcher of a blue drink on Nalota and Wenera's table before sitting down next to Nalota. She has a dark blue skin with slightly brighter markings and is wearing a light jacket over a cropped tank-top and cargo pants.
Renala is sitting at the bar, enjoying a small glass of something strong as she's unwinding from another long day of paying interest on technical debt. She hasn't been here very often since moving out, but the relative calm of today's weather made her take a detour. She's wearing a gray hoodie underneath her red jacket and padded winter pants, having recently arrived.
Halisi remains oblivious to Zaylus looking her way, at least until Dr. T'Ala notices and gives her a nudge, prompting her to turn her head. She spots him just as he turns, halting the wave she was about to offer before it can happen.
Holly briefly cranes her neck curiously to see who the others are looking at. "Oh! I remember him. Broken arm, wasn't it?"
Emma snickers quietly and lifts her current beer in a gesture of appreciation, taking a bigger swig to finish it off now that there's a free refill waiting for her attention. Zaylus' arrival next to her draws her attention briefly, blue eyes scanning across him until recognition takes hold. "Zaylus Wellrin, right?" she asks, interrupting his fruitless search for someone to order from.
Celyna arrives at the bar next to Renala, resting one elbow against the counter as she leans against it. On noticing that the only bartender in sight has her face buried in a terminal she taps her fingers against the bar to get Enila's attention, a faint biotic surge amplifying the impact, and thus the noise of the gesture. "Hey. Barkeep."
Zaylus slumps forward onto his arms resting on the bar as he realizes he'll likely have to wait to eat. A sigh devoid of irritation slips out, something more somber than impatient. He picks his chest up at the recognition- close, at least, turning just his head. "You've got it... uh, sorry." He finishes in defeat, unable to reciprocate even an approximation of a name. He does slide
his arm out to offer a hand in greeting, straightening his fingers in a learned way to avoid entrapping hers in sharp talons.
Leah makes her way across the bar, setting down a few of the containers of fries- the only food item she's really prepared to handle herself in Va'ynna's absense- that balance on her tray onto tables. "Here ya go, sweetheart." she offers as she slides the final container in front of Tara, making sure to pluck a fry for herself.
Jason gives his boots a few kicks against the doorframe to loosen any snow and avoid tracking it into the Respite. He's dressed in a pair of jeans and a simple white, long-sleeved shirt beneath his thick, brown, winter jacket. Beneath the open jacket gives a small glimpse at the shoulder holster that his Phalanx is attached to. He tugs off his tuque as he steps inside and shoves it into his jacket pocket, passing a few smiles and
nods to familiar faces, the good doctor included, on his way towards the bar. "They actually give you time off?!" he shouts to her in a tone of mock surprise.
Emma lets out a quiet huff of air. "Emma. Emma Nordström," she says, before dryly adding "We're co-workers." She studies him as if not entirely convinced he's aware of that fact. The offered hand is met with a brief moment of hesitation, eyebrows furrowing, not looking quite sure how to clasp his talons. Regardless, she goes for it, her handshake firm and fingers slender, smooth skin interruted by a couple of small scars.
Holly giggles at Jason's shouted comment, whispering something to the doctor which draws an exasperated sigh from her.
Enila stands up straight at being called, not having noticed that Varisa stepped away. Even if Zaylus would be before Celyna in line, this asari doesn't know that. "Sorry about that," she says. "What can I get you?"
Renala glances at the asari next to her, and after hearing Jason's unmistakable voice in the background, she asks jokingly, "Did a memo go out about a Redrock party tonight?" She drinks the rest of her glass and pushes it towards the bartender with a nod.
Nathan trudges up to the entrance of the Respite not longer after Jason. In fact, he had tried to call out to his esteemed employer before he swung his way inside but was drowned out by the sound of a trundling truck that meandered on by. Oh well. The call of warmth and a hot mug of coffee drew the explosives expert in like a sweet siren song, leading him to stand just in the entryway
after shaking his boots down. Armoured up in the finest of winterwear, he shrugged off his long coat, folding it over his shirt covered arm. Idly shoving his other hand into his pocket, he did as many would upon entering the Respite. He went to the bar. He threw up greetings to his fellows, a warm smile on his face.
Zaylus doesn't close his fingers nor move his hand at all, suggesting he either only vaguely understands the gesture or has learned not to do those things to imperil human hands. He gives a good-natured snort, "That part I did know." He replies, letting his arm droop down beside them as the gesture ends. A pickup in activity around the bar has him distracted, but he doesn't protest
being overlooked yet as he rattles off a tired, formal excuse, "I apologize if we've met before," he says quickly, "Many people to remember." His other hand raises to gesture in an upward circle as more Redrock members start to appear and congregate. He throws an upward nod to Nathan, and looks back to Emma as if to punctuate the notion.
Tara looks up from her omni-tool, slightly startled. She smiles a little as her gaze falls on the fries, hesitating, and then, with a tilt of her head... "Thanks." It's said in English, no translator needed. Her voice is quiet and hesitant, pronounciation a little rough, but she watches Leah to judge how it went.
Celyna catches a faint whiff of the contents of Renala's glass as she finishes it and smirks slightly. "I'll try whatever she's having," she says with a nod in the direction of the asari seated next to where she's standing, shifting to rest both elbows on the counter, arms crossed.
Jason continues up towards the bar. Renala's words, barely audible over the full house, draw out a lopsided grin. "No kidding. The weathers even got you out of your cave." he teases idly. He doesn't bother with a stool since he's not planning on staying at the bar and, instead, simply pushing in on the side of Renala opposite Celyna. He shoots her a smile and gives the bar a few pats in hope of getting some attention from Enila
but he doesn't seem to be in any hurry. As he spots Nathan, he gives a dip of his head in greeting, having to lean forward to look past the other patrons that separate them. "Grab us a booth!" he says with a gesture to one of the few booths still open, shouting to be heard. "I'll get us a pitcher!"
Leah's green eyes beam with pride, a big smile crossing her lips and carving dimples into her cheeks. "I see that studying is paying off!" she says.
Nathan practically pivots on a dime as Jason shouts his instruction, giving him a thumbs up as he does so. "Reeeeeeelocating!" He calls back, making a beeline to the nearest and freeist booth. He cants his head a modicum to the side, sighting Leah and Tara. A smile appears on his face, leaving the pair of them alone for the moment.
Emma seems a little put off by the awkward handshake, but tries not to let it show. His excuse draws out a faint snort - she doesn't seem particularly bothered by it. Her gaze goes past him, locking on Jason and following him as he reaches the bar, before shifting to Celyna, focus shifting briefly down to the glimpses of the asari's armor under her coat. "An ever-expanding list..." she agrees, before tearing her gaze away to
refocus on Zaylus. "You've been with Redrock for a long time." It's a statement, not a question, and followed by a sip of her beer.
Tara smiles wide, a slight flush on her cheeks as she lowers her gaze down to the fries, rolling one back and forth between her fingers.
Zaylus doesn't follow Emma's gaze, starting to stare off behind the bar until her refocusing statement jars him just a little, as if he's taken it as a rebuttal to his previous statement about recalling names. He delays a response by propping his arm up on the counter and weakly raising two fingers, figuring he'll have to display a flag to eventually get the bartenders attention.
"Yeah, uh, I guess it kind of has been a while." He admits, mandibles flaring as he thinks. "And you? I mean, I recognize your face but I don't think we've killed something together. Is that just me?"
Enila hadn't put away the bottle yet, which is of a fruity batarian strong ale, so she imemdiately refills Renala's glass before grabbing another glass from under the counter and pouring it. The bottle is almost full. "This is a strong drink," she warned before pouring her a glass and putting it in front of her. She's no bartender, and doesn't really put any artistry into it. "I'll get you your pitcher in a minute,
Jason, if that's all," she says before heading down the bar towards Zaylus who was next as far as she knows. "Hey, what can I get for you?"
Renala takes the drink with a soft laugh before looking at Jason. "That work won't do itself," Renala says.
Zaylus drops his hand, a little surprised but relieved that worked so quickly, and orders something hot but simple to make for dextro-species. He clearly came to eat but not anything specific, and orders no drink.
Emma raises an eyebrow. "No. I don't believe we have," she agrees. "I've only been here a handful of months. I joined around the time of the wedding." Her gaze shifts briefly to Enila as the asari comes over to take Zaylus' order, taking a sip of her beer as she goes silent, eyes sweeping out across the pub afterwards.
Celyna 's smirk grows, not looking particularly concerned. "Sure as shit hope so, could use something to warm me up." She watches Enila pour, and then wastes no time in taking a big swig, the small glass ending up empty in short order.
Leah gives Tara an encouraging pat on the shoulder. Popping the stolen fry into her mouth she swivels back towards the bar just in time to catch a familiar face passing by. She passes Nathan a smile, the expression an unintentional kneejerk reaction that causes her to give a playful roll of her eyes at his presence just to balance it out. Can't have him getting a big head. "Heyyy~, crapface." she offers, a term of endearment
Jason gives Renala a snicker before offering a nod to Enila. "That's it for now. Whatevers on tap. Just, uhh-..." he casts a quick glance in Nathan's direction to try and pinpoint where he's heading to, "...whatever's on tap."
Nathan stifles a snicker. Ah, there it is. The humble humbling of Leah Mercier. Where ever would he be without such witty names and banter? He places his free hand over his chest and gives her an overdramatic bow, accompanied by oh so mature poking of his tongue out at her. "You always know how to brighten any room you're in," he fires back, sliding his coat onto the seat to claim
the booth as his conquest. Stealing a glance over at Jason and noting he will be occupied for the moment, he focuses his attention on the dynamic duo. "How you doing, Tara? Keeping Leah out of trouble?"
Zaylus hums, looking down at the bar. "Right. The wedding." Too strangely intimate a gathering for him to have attended, but he seems to infer something by its mention. "Did you know them, then? And stuck around for work?"
Tara furrows her eyebrows as she watches Leah's reaction to Nathan. She seems bemused by her and Nathan's banter, but when the latter addresses her she blinks, looking a little unsure how to respond. Still, she straightens up, gathering herself to do so. "I am well. Leah is not in trouble," she confirms, looking Leah's way as if suddenly second-guessing her answer, suddenly wondering if perhaps she is in trouble but hasn't told her.
Enila gives an apologetic look to Zaylus, but she looks down at the terminal as the silent VI shows the instructions and the in-stock status of the needed ingredients. "I'll get you your drink shortly," she says. "The kitchen should open soon, Va'ynna... just needs a minute." She nods acknowledging at Jason's order.
Renala winces at the asari next to her. "This is best enjoyed in small sips," she said with a soft laugh in her voice. "So, D'Kira, right?" she asks. "I don't think I've seen you outside HQ before."
Emma hesitates for a brief moment before shaking her head. "No. No, it was... just how the timing worked out. I was looking for work, and heard about Redrock from Chief Vasquez' brother, so I tagged along," she explains. Another sip of her beer as Enila interjects to update Zaylus, then... "What about you? What brought you to the company?"
Leah rolls her eyes at Nathan again, though that fond smile remains. "Actually, Tara~" she interjects in a singsongy tone, gesturing to the omni-tool in front of the young girl, "...is learning English." Her gaze returns to Nathan, idly plucking another fry from Tara's container as if her hand has a mind- or a stomach- of its own. "Halisi gave her a language-learning VI for Christmas." she explains, tossing another fry in her
Jason gives a few nods. "Two glasses." he adds, raising two cybernetic fingers. For the moment, he merely rests against the counter, content to wait his turn.
Celyna lets out hiss as the empty glass hits the counter, giving her head a bracing shake. "Who has time for that?" she asks with a snicker, before nodding at Renala's question. "Surprised anyone's had time to learn my name. Haven't exactly been around long," she comments, unaware that if anyone outside the bosses were to know, it'd surely be Renala. "Guess that's what you get with a tiny crew like this. Call me Celyna, though,"
she requests, opting to slide onto the seat she's been standing by now that conversation's happening. She seeks out Enila's gaze and points in the direction of her empty glass before returning her attention to Renala.
Nathan chuckles and gives Tara an encouraging thumbs up. He couldn't help but feel a degree of... pride? Yeah, pride at how far Tara has come in a short period of time. Although he does feel a twang of pity for the young girl. Having to learn English with all of its silly rules and words that sound exactly alike but have different meanings and are also sometimes spelt the same? Poor
girl. "Well good on you. Sure you'll have it mastered in no time, even if Leah keeps trying to distract you."
Tara doesn't seem to mind the continued theft of her fries, offering Nathan a serious nod, clearly dedicated to fullfilling those expectations.
Zaylus nods as his misunderstanding is explained to him, refocusing on Enila as she suggests a problem with the kitchen. "Va'ynna is... oh, well shit don't worry about it." He grumbles just loud enough to hear over the din. He clearly wasn't expecting this much trouble to interrupt his search for a meal but he's not about to get bent up about it. To Emma he chuckles dryly, the sound
seeming to catch in his throat and causing him to cough. "Cheap transports and blind luck." He says, almost rehearsed, in a voice more grating as he refuses to clear his throat completely. "Good or bad, I can't- hold on, fuck." He sputters out, hoping off the stool and stiffly walking to the bathroom with an arm over his mouth, shoulders shaking with coughs.
Emma leans back just a little as Zaylus starts coughing, but continues to listen. On his sudden, disconcerting departure, however, she watches him disappear into the bathroom with slight distaste.
Renala sips her glass. "Certainly not an asari," she jokes, knowing and well that she's been a maiden too, and it wasn't even long ago in asari terms. "And you can call me Renala," she said. "I registered you into our system, and hadn't had enough of these to forget yet." She tilts her head. "So, you're used to bigger crews?"
Enila looks towards the departing turian with concern as she begins putting together his drink. She holds off on pouring the hot water for now, however, and instead walks along the bar and wordlessly refills Celyna's glass with a disapproving look on her face. She then gets to Jason's beer pitcher, grabbing one from a cabinet under the bar and filling it with the local beer on tap and putting it in front of him.
"Va'ynna finally listened to your advice, Jason," she says while she gathers two glasses and puts them next to the pitcher. "You might want to speak with her at some point tonight."
Jason gives an appreciative nod to accompany a quiet, "Thanks." as the pitcher is set in front of him. The mention of Va'ynna garners a raise of his eyebrow, unsure of what exactly that means and well aware that this isn't exactly the time or place to try and get more details considering how busy things seem to be. Instead, he merely offers a few nods. "Yeah-... Yeah! Of course." he says. "Just-... let her know I'm here when you
get a chance, alright?" He passes a glance around at the people piled up at the bar as he begins to collect the pitcher and glasses and seems to think better of the idea, shaking his head. "Actually? It looks like you've got enough on your hands right now. I'll shoot her a message once I drop this off." he decides with a lift of his pitcher, turning to make his way towards Nathan. He weaves through a few patrons, lifting
his pitcher high to avoid it being bumped, but eventually makes his way to the table Nathan is at. "Beer has arrived." he announces, shooting a smile between the trio. Taking note of Nathan's jacket slung across the booth next to Tara's, he brings their drinks to it, glasses clinking together as he sets them and the pitcher down. He removes his jacket and hangs it over the back of the booth opposite of the one containing
Leah scoffs at Nathan's accusation. "I'll have you know I am a great influence." she insists, another fry somehow already finding its way into her hand. "As a matter of fact-..." she continues before she's interrupted by Jason's presence. After a moment, she seems to realize that he must've invited Nathan and something seems to occur to her, her green eyes widening to saucers. "No explosions!" she warns, wagging a finger at
Jason, which she then levels on Nathan in turn. Despite Nathan almost certainly having no clue what she's referring to, he seems to be equally guilty for her concerns.
Nathan 's eyes glitter at the liquid gold that arrived at the booth. Or, well, rather the beer. Same difference. Few things better than free booze. He gives Jason an appreciative nod, already reaching for the glasses and makes to fill them. He opens his mouth to respond to Leah, but halts like a deer in headlights when the warning finger is waggled viciously in his face. He goes
momentarily cross-eyed at the finger tip, following it like a hypnotic watch before indignant protest flushes through his system. "Wha- explosions? I haven't even brought anything with me!" ...this time.
Celyna snickers quietly at Renala's comment and nods, committing the name to memory. "Ah," she replies as the source of Renala's knowledge is clarified. The question that follows is met with a nod. "Used to run with Eclipse before they got their shit kicked in by Archangel and those Cerberus fuckers. Decided it was time to find an employer with a lower 'attrition rate'." She briefly meets Enila's disapproving look with an
equally unfriendly one of her own as her glass is refilled, but her attention quickly returns to Renala.
Tara is still listening to the conversation between Leah and Nathan, although as it seems to steer away from her, her attention slowly starts to return to her omni-tool, grabbing another fry on her own as she stares at the VI interface, eyebrows furrowing in focus.
Emma briefly glances over towards Renala and Celyna further down the bar. When Jason relocates she watches him head over to Nathan, studying the two of them and Leah idly, but she seems content to remain where she is by the bar, sipping her beer. For a moment, her gaze turns to Tara, a faint hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
Jason has a look on his face mirroring Nathan's. Deer in headlights. "Huh-... explosions?! What are you-..." he stammers, trailing off as he's met with Leah's unconvinced expression. "I just came to have a few drinks!"
Leah glares at Jason as if he knows exactly what she's talking about. She tilts her head, a silent reminder that she was here during his discussion with Tarkus.
Jason does his best to look innocent, a fact that's undercut by the big dumb grin threatening to spill from his face. Eventually, he relents, looking sheepishly at Nathan. "I got a Falcon." he says, the words tumbling out as if he's been dying to tell Nathan. Just speaking the words seems to bring him joy.
Leah raises an eyebrow. "You two idiots are not getting drunk and going into the woods to fire a grenade launcher." she says sternly, feeling annoyed at the fact that it even needs to be said, her green eyes turning from Jason to Nathan. "Do you understand me?"
Zaylus holes up in the bathroom for only a minute or two, muffled sounds of coughing quickly drowned out by the running sink. He emerges with hands and face washed, noticeably holding himself straighter, confident. He strides back to the bar, already laughing defensively as he sits down again. "That was weird. I'm not sick." He volunteers to Emma and possibly Enila if she's near
enough, a largely unneeded reassurance as the crowd is skewing heavily levo right now. "Must be the air. I didn't know it would get this cold." He must've noticed Emma's gaze when he emerged because he turns in his seat to look at Tara, but mostly just watches the squabbling happening near her.
Nathan 's gaze flicks between the pair of them as he continues to pour the drinks, impressively never taking his eyes from the back and forth. It is, however, finally interrupted as Jason breaks the news. "The M-37 Falcon... fires 25mm grenades, pretends to be an assault rifle. That Falcon?!" Nathan raises a free finger to his eye, pretending to flick away an encroaching tear. "That's
the best thing I've heard all day." Which is then very quickly tempered by Leah scolding them for an activity not even undertaken yet. Spoilsport. Nathan hands across one of the glasses to Jason as he intones, "I solemly swear that we will not venture out into the woods to fire a grenade launcher."
Ilyna enters the Miner's Respite together with Li, and stops at the entrance to kick off some snow off her shoes. She's wearing a heavy black winter jacket over a casual dress, which hasn't caught any snow on the walk from the taxi due to the day's pleasant weather. "Let's find somewhere-...," she begins to say to Li as she looks around the room, but spotting Halisi makes her pause, and she steps up to her booth
that's hard to miss from the entrance. She doesn't let go of Li's hand herself, but won't stop her if she wants to go say hello to the many familiar faces around here. "Halisi?" she says with a small smile. "I didn't expect to see you here." She looks to Halisi, silently letting her choose if she can embarrass her in front of her colleagues. The asari is much better rested today compared to the day she visited
Emma raises a skeptical eyebrow as Zaylus makes his return. "This is the mildest the weather has been in weeks..." she points out.
Zaylus hums performatively. "Is it? I must've stayed in, missed the worst of it." Its not convincing but doesn't exactly read as a lie. Looking thoughtful he glances down, "Hey, I remember at the party you had a cast." He muses, pointing briefly at her leg. "But you didn't get it how I got mine." He gestures then at his healed arm. The question is implicit, but for some reason he
Jason gives Nathan a big shit-eating grin. "The one and only." he confirms, though the look Leah shoots him causes him to reign in his smile. He graciously accepts the glass with a nod as he slides into his seat, bringing one leg up onto the bench and slinging his free arm over the back that separates this booth from the one Tara is currently seated at. "Don't worry." he assures, "I learned my lesson." He raises a hand, palm out,
as if swearing on it. He takes a sip from his drink, gaze turning up to Nathan with a quiet mutter of: "...Trees are a lot more flammable than I expected."
Leah blinks as Nathan begins reciting bulletpoints as if he's memorized them. Jason's assurance doesn't seem to ease her concerns, his addition only seeming to bring about more confusion. "What does that even-..." she trails off with a shake of her head and an exasperated sigh, though she's unable to hide the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, a fact which causes her to roll her eyes. "You know what? I don't want to
Halisi 's face lights up on hearing Ilyna, the current conversation put on hold as she turns around to look at her. She chuckles as Li approaches for a hug, gladly returning the gesture. "You can blame Holly for roping me into this little gathering," she explains, slipping out on the booth after letting go of Li, standing up and grasping one of Ilyna's hands, giving it a squeeze. She looks like she wants to kiss Ilyna, but is unsure
Sarze 's brows rise as she watches Halisi get closer to Ilyna. She shoots Holly a 'You knew about this?' look, a grin quickly taking shape.
Their salarian colleague seems incredibly uninterested in the new arrival, going back to his datapad when the conversation shifts.
Renala raises an eyebrow at the mention of Eclipse, a slight bit of anger bubbling up at the problems she's dealt with regarding Steve. Then suspicion for the briefest moment, but she files that away as something to tell him later. She's forthright about it, at least, that's got to count for something. "I guess they didn't foresee Cerberus becoming this big," she says, "but are you sure they're fine with you
Nathan couldn't keep the smile off his face. Even under the intense gaze of the security guard. And in Nathan's world, a smile and roll of the eyes means he's out of the shit. Excellent. "S'why you fire them at lakes. Less chance of things burning." His reply is mischevious as he finds his own spot to sit, waggling the glass knowingly. "But seriously, where'd you get that? Thought
the Alliance kept a tight-leash on that sorta hardware. Or, at the very least, you had to spend top-creds for it."
Emma looks a little puzzled, but doesn't comment further. Zaylus' observation receives a nod of confirmation, shifting on her barstool as she glances down at her leg. "Hunting accident."
Enila heads back as she sees the turian having returned, and starts pouring the hot drink he ordered, and stirs it for a few moments. She doesn't want to interrupt his conversation as she places the hot mug on the counter in front of him.
Zaylus settles his arms back on the counter, leaning forward as if to stretch his back briefly. "Hunting." He repeats without a clear tone indicating his thoughts on that answer, but he nods deeply, perhaps respectfully. He reaches for the hot drink with an overtly pleasant "Thank you", leaning down to sip. "Gotta be careful... Hunting."
Celyna lets out a snort in response to the first comment, nodding in agreement. Who did? "They've got more important shit to worry about after the beating they took," she states confidently. "Besides, I resigned. We're square."
Leah shakes her head at the pairs' back-and-forth, shooting a glance towards the bar and the crowd up there as the conversation continues. "I should see if Enila needs a hand with anything..." she says, gesturing idly towards the bar. "I'll swing back by when I've got a minute." she adds, shooting a glance back at the pair and passing a small smile Tara's way before heading back towards the counter.
Jason offers Leah a departing gesture before turning his focus back to Nathan. "It's the one Jessica found on that Collector ship." he explains. "Her and her girlfriend left for Earth a few weeks back. Didn't think she could get it past security, so-..." he gives a small shrug, lopsided grin returning to his face, "Guess she knew I'd give it a good home."
Ilyna watches with a fond smile as Li goes to hug Halisi, chuckling at the comment. "Thank her, you mean," she says with an embarrassed laugh. "I'm glad you're going out." She looks a bit uncomfortable at having the attention of the group as Halisi gets up and takes her hand, but she pulls Halisi closer and accepts the kiss with barely any hesitation. The secret is out, so even if she feels a bit self-conscious about