#Miner'sRespite – December 18, 2025

Holly perks up as something seems to hit her, looking Ilyna's way. "You know, the Syranis Foundation holds weekly communal... things, for the local children. It, uhm, there's an asari word for it, but I don't quite remember?" she says, looking between Ilyna and Sarze for help.

Sarze chimes in with a word that would probably be familiar to most asari - traditional gatherings where parents would leave their children for several hours once a week to receive some education and chance to socialize with the peers in a supervised environment, usually with some spiritual element to the whole affair.

Holly nods. "Right, yes, exactly! I heard about it from one of the custodians at the hospital. You should bring Li!"

Halisi glances back towards the booth and flashes a small smile. "I suppose so, but I should like to speak again when you are not dealing with... all this," she says with an amused gesture around the busy bar, carefully grabbing the tray and starting on her way back.

Li shakes her head, and performs a very serious salute. "No, sir!" she exclaims with a fearsome, short-lived scowl. "Mom is sitting and talking, and... and it was boring so I came here. What are you doing?" she asks the two of them.

Zaylus perks up at once, amused by the server performance and the promise of food. Wade's interruption causes him to weakly glare, an expression quickly replaced by delight as Leah summons his pretzels away from him. He snickers and presses a hand against his brow to hide it. "I would love the noodles with vegetables. I think it's all preserved together so it should be easy." He

Crux fidgets in their seat, and then blurts out: "I'm Crux. This is RC," they introduce with a gesture at the batarian. "I mean, you probably know that. Maybe. But I don't think I actually introduced myself earlier, when... you know. And I know RC didn't, cuz he wasn't there. And you've been bringing us food on the daily for a while now, which... after what went down, is... yeah, just... seemed like we oughta introduce ourselves I

RC seems a little amused by Crux speeding ahead for the both of them, but nods in agreement, the movement accompanied by a slight tilt to the left.

Tara looks at them with wide eyes, sitting still and stiff in her chair as she waits for the ramble to come to an end. "I... am Tara," she greets, even if they certainly already know, the words followed by a much more formal tilt of her head.

Jason snickers, offering a quick, "At ease, soldier." He shifts a bit in his seat, taking a moment to remove his jacket from the back of his seat and shoot the people in the connecting booth an apologetic look for having left if there. "Actually-..." he begins, looking from Nate to Li, "...I was just about to go visit V. Whaddya say, wanna join me?"

Leah gives a few nods. "Noodles with veggies." she says aloud, passing a glance Enila's way to ensure she got that. After a moment's consideration, she furrows her brow. "Huh. Guess I never really put too much thought into it, but noodles are sort of a universal language, aren't they?" Before Zaylus has a chance to respond to... whatever that means, she continues, "When I was on Omega? I actually met a salarian who ran

Nathan can't help but smile as Li pops off her sharp salute. He finds his memory drifting to when his older sisters went off to the Alliance, Sofia saluting just like that. He chuckles. "It's an important mission," he adds, gesturing his affirmation to Jason's glance. "And Jase here could use all the backup he can get. He ain't great with directions, will end up getting lost on the

Li nods with determination, reaching out to tug at Jason's hand to get him out of the booth. "Come on, this way!"

Jason can't help but smile, giving a few small nods to Nathan's words. He scoops his omni-tool back up and slips it into the pocket of his jacket, looking back to Nathan as he begins to slide towards the edge of his bench. "I'll track ya down when we're done." he says, assuming that Nathan is probably going to join some of the other familiar faces occupying the bar tonight. As he slips out of his booth, he shrugs his jacket back

Enila nods to Halisi, returning the smile. "I would like that too," she says, and lingers only for a second before walking along the bar towards the terminal nearest to where Zaylus and Wade are seated. "I got it," she says to them both as she confirms the orders, though she did not catch the rest of their conversation. "Just allow a little extra time."

Ilyna tilts her head at the mention of that, but is not quick enough to summon up the word before Sarze does it. "I did not know there were such organized siarist practices out here," she says, referring to the modern pantheistic asari religion. "Do you know if there would be other human children there?"

Zaylus silently mouths the word "universal" with a confused furrow, but thankfully is demanded no opinion on that idea. Her anecdote however draws a more muted expression, approaching wistful. "I could believe it." He answers, leading into a cautious questioning tone. "Did he have a mismatched collection of bowls, like he'd just collected them over the years? Mine would always be

Nathan raises a hand in farewell to Jason and Li, watching the two best and brightest of Redrock walk away as he turns to nurse the glass of beer which had somehow inexplicitly refilled itself. What a strange turn of events! He smiles lightly to himself and looks back to his datapad, scouring over the details with a (slightly hazy) gaze. He knew it was going to be a lot of work and

Leah's green eyes widen at Zaylus' familiar description. "Wait, wait, wait. Hold on! Did you know Kired?!" she asks in complete bewilderment. Omega is a big place, surely they can't be talking about the same eccentric salarian. Then again, how many salarians can there be that run noodle stands on Omega? Is there some sort of salarian noodle chain that she was unaware of?

Holly furrows her eyebrows, but nods. "I... think so? I don't know exactly, but... it's open to everyone, and she mentioned some of the miners with families bringing their kids, so..."

Sarze seems a little surprised by Ilyna's words, nodding in confirmation. "Matriarch Syranis takes her faith and her duties to the community seriously. The hospital has the funding that it does for the same reason."

Li marches off towards the kitchen door. "It's over there!" she says, pointing as she leads the way, but she quickly slows to a stop as they get closer, apparently not quite as eager to lead the charge once they approach more unfamiliar territory.

Emma 's interest is caught by the conversation next to her, head turning a little in their direction as she listens, but she doesn't butt in, content to sip her beer in silence.

Jason allows himself to be led up towards the counter but, as Li slows down, he playfully scoops her up under his arm, carrying her through the crowded room. "Coming through!" he announces as they weave between a few patrons that have aggregated near the bottom of the stairs. As they reach the counter, he raises his free hand to get Enila's attention. "Got a VIP over here-..." he jostles Li under his arm for emphasis, "...looking

Zaylus looks about as surprised as Leah, having been largely grasping at familiarity. "It's not like we were friends, but... that name does sound right? Maybe." He runs a hand behind his neck, looking like he's thinking hard. "The only salarian I ever saw peddling noodles. Always chattering about the temperature and the saltiness. What, he was a buddy of yours?" He asks with a

Leah looks completely shocked, mouth agape. Her expression slowly returns to an amused smile and she offers a shake of her head in disbelief. "Small galaxy!" Jason's approach gets a chuckle out of her and she gives Li a little wave with her fingers before she returns her attention to the turian with a shrug. "I guess? Kinda?" she offers. "It's... complicated." she corrects with a snicker, only the faintest hint of discomfort

Enila listens in to the pasta discussion for a moment before her attention moves onto Li and Jason as they reach the bar. "Go ahead," she says. "She's very busy, but I'm sure she'll make time."

Va'ynna breathes a weary sigh as she takes a step back after washing her hands, the numerous timers along the counters and the appliances all being well above zero. They are serving pub food using mostly processed ingredients, but the kitchen is well-equipped and hygienic and there is even a small separate space for the limited dextro menu. Va'ynna is wearing an apron over a green t-shirt and simple black pants.

Crux 's eyes dart up to Tara's forehead, before quickly shifting away. "We really appreciate how forgiving you two have been. I mean... not just letting us go, but helping us get set up and everything?"

Tara gains a tiny, soft smile, although she keeps it in check. "Leah is... kind. She helped me too," she says quietly, gaze on the table.

Crux furrows their eyebrows, nodding a couple of times. "Right..." Their face is full of curiosity at the circumstances that led Tara to the life she has now, but they hesitate to ask about it - it's bound to be sensitive.

RC 's gaze is also drawn briefly to Tara's tattoo, drawing out a subdued sadness more than anything, a faint frown on his face as he listens, glancing off briefly to see if there is any sign of their order. "You looked very focused on your omni earlier. What were you doing?" he asks before Crux can voice any unwelcome questions.

Li giggles as she's scooped up, clearly pleased with her new vantage point even if she ends up with a facefull of hair.

Jason offers Enila an appreciative dip of his head as he rounds the counter, cargo in tow. Once behind the counter, however, it's a little too cramped to be swinging a Li around, so he sets her back on her feet. Spotting another familiar face eyeballing him at the bar, he gives Li a pat on the shoulder, urging her towards the kitchen door. "Go ahead and see if you can find V." he says, "I'll be back there in a second."

Zaylus forces the pleasant expression to stay as he does the math, running the numbers on timing and who'd mess with a little guy like that. The smile comes more easily when he remembers its not his problem anymore. "Defending noodles you didn't even like?" He hums, "that's benevolent of you." He jokes, intentionally ignoring the mention of credits. "I hope you taught him a thing or

Li nods, cautiously peeking inside once the door to the back of the pub opens.

Ilyna has a slightly apologetic look on her face. "I haven't lived here for very long," she says, "but I should have known that. She officiated... Jason and Linda's marriage."

Va'ynna takes a few steps back and looks to the side when she hears the door open (the kitchen door is kept open), and she raises an eyebrow in surprise when she sees who it is. "Li," she says, a smile showing up as she walks towards the kitchen door to meet her. "I didn't know you were here today." She looks and sounds a bit worn down, and not as enthusiastic as she normally would when meeting Li.

Li slowly crosses the empty corridor and makes her way to the kitchen, holding onto the edge of the doorframe as she peers inside. She waves to the asari on spotting her. "Hi Vynna!" she says, making her way inside after the greeting and looking around the kitchen curiously. "Are you working?"

Sarze smiles a little. "Oh, right, I heard about that!" She seems about to say something else when Halisi's arrival silences her.

Halisi carefully sets the tray with the drinks down, looking back around the pub. "Here we are, but... where's Li?"

Leah gives an amused snort and offers a dramatic little bow. "That's me, traveling the stars to do good deeds." she responds with no small amount of sarcasm in her voice, seemingly unaware of the nugget of truth hidden in there. "Anyway... things seemed to calm down by the time I left, so hopefully he's doing okay." she muses, far too aware at how quickly things can take a turn for the worse on Omega.

Wade levels a grin on Jason. "Well look who it is!" he taunts with that same sense of friendly familiarity he shared with Leah. "How come I slip back there for one second, just to top off my drink, and you threaten to toss me out on my ass, but you let him back there with no problem?" he complains, looking between Leah and Enila as he gestures to Jason.

Jason interjects before Leah or Enila can answer the man. "Well? For starters? I'm just a lot more likable than you are, Wade!" he explains, tallying it off on an extended finger. "Second? You're old as dirt!" he extends a second finger, then a third. "Not to mention you can't be trusted. You and I both know that if they let you back here, you're gonna steal shit." This one gets a scoff from the old miner. "And, most

Wade lets out an annoyed sound. Jason's first few points seemed to be taken as friendly banter. But that final dig? That was personal! He gestures wildly at the man behind the counter. "100 credits says they're gonna mop the floor with the Warriors tonight!" he argues.

Jason shrugs. "I don't even back the Warriors but I'll take that bet!" he says. Giving Enila a nudge on the shoulder, he gestures up to one of the screens. "Can we get the game on one of these tonight so I can take this old man's retirement money?"

Zaylus gives a dramatic nod to compliment Leah's bow, laying both of his arms on the counter. He seems to be considering the tumultuous nature of Omega as well, settling on a light comment, "What would they do without their... 'universal' noodles?" He asks rhetorically, but clearly attempting to use the phrase genuinely. He's distracted at once by a boisterous back and forth about

Ilyna smiles as she sees Halisi returning. "I think we bored her too much, I saw her with Jason and Tenhau-...," she looks over towards their table and sees just Nathan. She stands up and looks around the room until her eyes find Jason, looking at him questioningly as concern starting to mount. She did not see them leave the table

Va'ynna unties and hangs up her apron on the wall near the entrance. "Yes, I am, but... I have a few minutes before I need to do anything else," she says. "Are you here with Ilyna?"

Enila snorts at their conversation. "I would not let Jason refill his beer himself either," she comments, but the request of putting on the sporting event makes her chuckle. "I can put that on, sure," she says and leans over the terminal to slot it into the schedule, "but please don't make gambling in my establishment a habit." Her tone is light-hearted.

Emma furrows her eyebrows, taking a longer sip from her beer.

Tara looks a little put on the spot, used to being able to fade into the background while waiting for Leah most days. The patrons rarely address her, with a few exceptions, like Yan Sun. "I was... learning. To read," she explains, hands in her lap and posture rigid.

Crux looks curious. "Yeah? Some kinda VI?" they ask, receiving a nod in response, to which they snicker. "I remember scrounging up some old ed-VIs to learn that shit. Kinda taught myself the basics as a kid, but... it was messy as fuck. Made it hard to do tech work. RC here had it good, his mom taught him," they say, giving the batarian's shoulder a squeeze.

RC trades a melancholy smile with Crux and nods, the human's mood turning a bit more somber as well. "She used to say it was important to be able to read, because you can't be independent if you're relying on someone else to tell you what everything means."

Li nods, going up to the counter and standing on her tippy toes to see what's on it.

Leah merely gives a light hearted roll of her eyes at Wade's complaints, uninterested in getting involved in that back-and-forth. Zaylus' comment causes her to let out a wistful sound, leaning a bit heavier against the counter in contemplation. It's unclear where the universal noodles have taken her thoughts. At least until she voices them. "...Now I want noodles." she frowns.

Jason shoots Enila a hurt look, but that lopsided grin quickly returns. "Appreciated." he offers, giving Wade one last departing look. "Now don't you go running out on me before I get my credits! I will find you!" he threatens.

Wade gives a none-too-worried, "Uh huh. Keep talkin' pretty boy."

Jason snickers and turns back towards the kitchen door, opening it before once again becoming distracted. This time by the display of chips. He casts a quick glance about and, once he's sure neither Enila or Leah are looking his way, he reaches out and grabs one of the small, single-serving bags. He gives it the once over, mouthing the word 'Picante' to himself. With a shrug, he slips the bag inside his jacket and steps through

Wade watches Jason, rolling his eyes in exasperation. But he keeps his thoughts to himself. Wade's no snitch!

Zaylus idly watches the verbal scuffle, seeming pretty relaxed where he is. He's similarly no snitch, but more likely doesn't register what's happened as chip theft. "I'd offer to share," He says, still looking at the door to the kitchen, "but, you know, it's poison. And... I don't really want to." He admits with a small, closed-eyed nod.

Enila does fail to notice him taking the chips. Maybe the surveillance system will log it, but Enila won't be looking at that.

Va'ynna walks up to behind Li. "I was late to... start today, so there are many things... going on," she says and crouches down, her voice still a bit flat. "I can lift you up... if you want to see." While she's not very strong physically, she should be able to carry a seven year old for a minute.

Halisi frowns, looking around as well. "Hm. I don't see her..."

Holly and Dr. T'Ala crane their necks to look as well, but it's a token effort, they have little chance of seeing anything that Halisi and Ilyna don't since they're both still seated.

Li is about to reach out and poke one of the holograms when Va'ynna's offer catches her interest and she nods enthusiastically.

Tara just listens to the two of them with a continual, slightly startled look to her, although after RCs words her eyebrow furrow slightly as she absorbs the them.

Crux looks Tara over in search of her omni-tool, gaze skimming down to her wrist, and then her pocket. "Can I see your omni?"

Tara blinks and hesitates, but then digs a hand into her pocket and pulls out her omni-tool, holding it out for Crux.

RC frowns, shooting Crux a questioning look.

Crux grabs the omni-tool and immediately starts flipping through the settings. "I hacked this when we got here. Like, before. It wasn't even hard at all. You gotta keep it more secure. Like, this?" They lean closer to Tara and turn the interface to show her something. "That should never be set to 'on' unless you're using it. And these should all be off always. And the default security soft is trash. I can get you something that'll

RC shakes his head and looks over towards the bar again, but... nope, still no order.