#Miner'sRespite – June 9, 2026

Va'ynna makes her way through the apartment and into the corridor behind the bar. She's a bit anxious at being back here, but she mostly looks tired. Like this morning, she's wearing a green long-sleeved shirt and plain black pants.

Enila stays behind in the apartment to check on something.

Varisa emerges from the break room, startling as she comes face-to-face with Va'ynna. "Atana!" she exclaims, face lighting up before she envelops her in a hug, only to quickly realize she's probably overstepping and pull back abruptly. "Sorry, just... we were all worried," she explains, hands still on Va'ynna's upper arms as she studies her with a faint frown. "Are you okay...?"

Tara is in the kitchen, cleaning up after the end of the lunch rush.

Va'ynna is caught off-guard by Varisa, and she is quite stiff as she's hugged; though, she relaxes even as her hands remain on her shoulders. "hey," she says softly. "It's... okay, I... I didn't sleep well last night." She averts her eyes, looking a bit guilty.

Varisa 's hands pull back and she nods. "I bet..." she sighs, face scrunched up in a sympathetic grimace. "Are you just here to say hi? Don't tell me you're coming back to work already..."

Va'ynna nods faintly, seeming a bit more relaxed now that Varisa had let go completely. The look of guilt continues as she answers the question. "I... wish I could, but... no, I'm not coming back to work so soon," she says. "So, just saying hi, yeah. I hope... I'm not interrupting."

Varisa smiles a little. "Good. You deserve a break after all that. And, I mean... I should definitely get back to the bar..." Indeed, she's already taking a couple of steps backwards as she speaks. "...but it was good to see you," she offers, smile widening a little. "You should say hi to Tara, she's in the kitchen," she suggests, with a nod in that direction.

Va'ynna returns a brief smile, still feeling a bit awkward and guilty. She knows very well the Respite is barely holding together with her help, and now she's abandoning them. "Thanks," she says. "It was... good to see you too, Varisa." She stands around for a moment before she steps forward and enters the kitchen, taking a few careful steps inside and speaking a hesitant, "Hey"

Varisa doesn't seem bothered by the even-more-hectic schedule brought on by Va'ynna's absence - if anything she seems happy to have been given additional responsibility, working hard to proof her worth after Enila's generosity. "Take a seat out front later if you want to talk more!" she suggests before disappearing back to the bar and relieving Leah from briefly covering for her while she scarfed down lunch.

Tara looks over from the dishwasher that she's in the middle of loading, eyes widening slightly on seeing Va'ynna. A small smile crosses her lips, and she offers her a respectful tilt of her head. "Hi," she greets as she continues loading the dishes. As usual the kitchen smells of the food that's on the stove and in the fryer. Tara is managing the whole place herself right now - it's a good thing this time of day is slow at the

Va'ynna nods to Varisa's offer, likely intending to take it afterwards. She doesn't mirror the gesture, however. "I hope I'm... not interrupting," she says as she enters, despite knowing that it's a busy time of day. "I'm... just visiting today, I'm not... coming back to work yet." She lets out a weak laugh at that, but her voice sounds mostly tired.

Tara shakes her head, finishing up with the loading and closing the dishwasher up before hitting a couple of buttons to set it and start it up. "It's... fine," she assures quietly, although she continues to work, splitting her attention between Va'ynna and the food as she heads over to the stove to check on it. There's only a little in the works at the moment. She's not asking any questions, but she's casting curious glances in the

Va'ynna stays near the wall between the counters as she watches Tara do her work, not wishing to get in the way. She's fighting her instinct to make herself useful, though. She does notice Tara's concern, and reads a question from it. "I'm fine... it's just... a few scrapes," she says, the non-physical wounds clear. "If Redrock hadn't... found me when they did...." She shakes her head, her voice starting to shake.

Tara frowns slightly, stepping away from the counter after she's confident that she can afford to divert her attention for a moment. "Hide...?"

Va'ynna tilts her head in thought. "It's... maybe not hiding that well, but... just getting away from this planet should help," she says, the look of guilt returning to her features. "I'll... leave with the Siren's Call once they finish their maintenance. I don't know where... to, just yet, but... I hope I can come back as soon as possible."

Tara studies Va'ynna as she listens. "You... don't want to leave?" she asks, trying to puzzle out the guilty look on her face.

Va'ynna gives a small nod. "I... would have loved to go with Victoria on a trip, but... leaving nearly everyone for... I don't know how long...," she says, her voice still shaking a bit. She then sighs, and continues, "Sorry, I... didn't mean to complain."

Tara 's frown deepens at Va'ynna's state, an uncertain look in her eyes, unsure what to do. "It's... okay," she says, before gathering her resolve to say more. "I... don't mind," she clarifies with a small, gentle smile, aware by now that the people around her every day care what she thinks, as strange and often uncomfortable as that truth can be. She quickly checks on the food and then continues to study her, expression an invitation

Va'ynna looks down for a moment, taking some time to think while Tara checks on the food. "I... just... I also worry about the Miner's Respite," she admits, the look of guilt returning. "Enila is... doing what she can to keep the lights on, but... she'll have to find someone else to help you on... such short notice."

Tara nods in acknowledgement of the concern, considering it silently as she checks on the fryer. "I can... work more. Longer," she suggests with a glance at Va'ynna. Her shifts are quite long and frequent as it is, of course, but she seems untroubled by the prospect.

Va'ynna frowns thoughtfully, not feeling any less guilty about that suggestion. She would offer to do the same, naturally, but she would not like it. "I... I don't know," she says. "That wouldn't be fair to you, and... I don't think Enila would let you."

Tara frowns a little at that, attention back on the food as she works in silence, thinking.

Va'ynna observes her work for a moment, then casts a glance at the doorway behind her. "I have... tried to... talk to Enila about it," she says, "but she... doesn't want to discuss it with me." Va'ynna can't fault her for it, but she may be preferring to worry about the Miner's Respite rather than everything unresolved about yesterday.

Tara pulls her skillet off the plate and then looks back to Va'ynna. There's a bit of discomfort, but she's worked with her long enough to allow herself to speak up. "We... should trust that she knows what is best."

Va'ynna nods hesitantly, not looking very convinced. She does notice the discomfort, however, and she decides to not continue discussing Enila's leadership. "Yeah, we should," she says, before taking a step away from the wall. "Anyway, I should... let you focus on work." The tired asari manages a brief smile as she adds, "It was good to see you, Tara."

Tara echoes the smile, her own small but sincere, although concern lingers in her eyes. She offers another tilt of her head, gaze cast low, and then: "I'm... happy you are safe."

Va'ynna nods. "Thank you," she says softly before she starts making her way out of the kitchen. She casts one glance towards the closed door to Enila's office, but decides to go towards the bar.

Varisa is cleaning the counter as Va'ynna emerges - things are calm at the bar, only one of the regulars seated at the far end. "Hey. Since you're off-the-clock, do you want anything to drink?" she asks after looking over at the sound of the door.

Va'ynna feels a bit uncomfortable about being out in the bar, and looks at the part. "Yes, please," she says, as she walks around to take the seat by where Varisa is cleaning the counter. "Nothing too strong, though.... I... don't really drink." She looks past Varisa at the bottles and cabinets, but none really seem to catch her attention.

Varisa snickers slightly and considers the request for a moment before starting to mix up a drink with admirable deftness - she's clearly taking to the job well. Soon enough she places a tall glass with shimmering indigo liquid on the table in front of Va'ynna. "Warp Torpedo. I went extra light on the 'torpedo'," she says with a small grin. "Uh... let me know if it's terrible, I think I've got most of the drinks figured out, but..."

Va'ynna watches her work, feeling some relief in that she took her vague order. The guessing was a part of that job she did not enjoy back when she worked out here. "Thank you," she says as she grabs the glass, and she sips it. The taste doesn't agree with her right away, but she does sit with it for a moment. "It's good," she says, anyway. "You're... already doing this job so much better than me." Her tired voice

Varisa lets out a quiet snort, starting to put the drink components away. "I don't know about that, I feel like I'm making it up as I go half the time," she deflects, perhaps uncomfortable with the self-deprecating manner of Va'ynna's praise. She frowns slightly as she studies her. "Don't take this the wrong way, but... you look miserable today, Atana," she comments, crossing her arms and resting them against the counter as she leans

Va'ynna nods at the first comment, in agreement, but she doesn't comment on the deflection directly. The comment on her looks today hits her hard despite the intention, and she looks down at the glass as she tries to gather herself. It also pulls everything to the forefront. "Very," she says softly. "And... we didn't even learn why they were after me, or... if it's really over."

Varisa 's frown deepens slightly, a sigh slipping out. "I'm sorry." She hesitates for a brief moment before leaning in and lowering her voice. "I... I know what it's like, you know? I've, uhm, I've been through something similar," she admits without elaborating, flashing a hollow, slightly uncomfortable smile. "So... if you want to talk, I'm happy to listen. Or... if there's anything else I can do."