Jason enters the Respite in his usual hardsuit and heads straight to the bar, taking a seat on one of the free stools. He glances around the room, giving it the once over. Once satisfied that there's no familiar faces around to pester, he waves down the bartender and orders his usual as well as a shot and settles in for a long day of heavy liver damage.
#Miner'sRespite – October 16, 2013
Zaylus slides through the front entrance shortly after witnessing the human enter, pausing for just a moment to survey the unfamiliar interior. Somewhat satisfied, he glides across the establishment's floor, eyeing patrons and hovering a cautious hand around his hardly concealed Carnifex. Spotting that same human, Zaylus heads for the bar and settles in a few seats away, absently brushing a mystery substance off of his armored shoulder as he tries to inconspicuously get a better glance.
Jason slams back the shot and cringes slightly at the familiar burn as he sets the shot glass back down on the counter and gives it a quick tap, signaling the bartender to supply a refill. He gives the new arrival a quick glance but quickly returns his attention to the alcohol in front of him, propping his head up with one hand as he sips at his drink.
Zaylus eyes his barmate more obviously now, letting go of his cautious demeanor and chuckling at what he sees. "Take it easy, old human. I assure you, your life won't be any less pathetic after a bottle or two." He taunts, perhaps out of boredom or spite, propping himself up against the counter to look down on the human.
Jason sets his drink aside and straightens up on his barstool. "Old!?" he questions, seemingly far more insulted by the turians assessment of his age than his life. He quickly grabs the shot glass once it's refilled and slugs back the dark liquid without a second thought before continuing his argument, sounding somewhat calmer, "This your thing? Huh? Walk into a random bar and try to rile up strangers? You sure you're even old enough to sit up here, kid?"
Zaylus gets a hardy laugh out of the human's reaction, doubling over the counter while attempting to contain himself. He taps the space between them as his laughter begins to die down, still continuing to grin in Jason's direction. "I might have to make it my thing if ever human's as touchy as you! Listen, listen." He begins, pausing to clear his throat and settle back into his chair, his expression now somewhat less antagonizing. "How about this: I'll buy your drinks until you pass out, and in return you tell me just where the hell I am, and the quickest way to get someplace better. Sound fair?"
Jason stares silently at the turian through a furrowed brow for a moment, tapping his fingers against the sides of his glass as he contemplates whether or not to slam it into the side of the cocky young turians face. He weighs his options. Defending his dignity... Or free booze... Dignity. Booze. A smirk tugs at his lips as he closes the gap between the two, moving onto a stool between himself and the turian as he slides his drink across the counter beside him. "This is going to be the most expensive answer you've ever been given, kid."
Zaylus grins widely, but does make a note to bail if the human turns out to be a stronger drinker than anticipated. "Then you better have all the information I need." He gestures for the bartender to refill the glass, and returns his attention to Jason. "What do people do for work on this rock, anyway? Er, besides pouring drinks, of course." Turning his gaze to the bartender, he adds. "No offense."
Jason takes a heavy swig of his drink and sets it back down in front of him. "Suppose that depends on your skill set. If I were you, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss bartending." he says, turning to face the turian, grin still plastered across his face, "You're not going to find much work in fingerpainting out this way."
Zaylus appears confused, the human's last dig not quite hitting its mark. He soon brushes it off. "Anyway... that's not quite the answer I was looking for." He says response, shaking his head slowly and holding off on ordering a refill. "For example, what repetitive, meaningless task do you partake in when you're not drinking yourself dead in the company of strangers?"
Va'ynna descends the staircase, glancing around the first floor while doing so. Contrary to Jason's advice yesterday, she is wearing the same dark-red dress. She thinks she recognizes the human at the bar, but she couldn't really tell due to her limited time spent among humans. Or maybe it was because he was in convresation, who knows. Anyway, she makes her way over to the bar and takes the fifth seat on Jason's lef, and proceeds to look over the menu.
Jason chuckles to himself and shakes his head. "It must put a whole lot of stress on your neck. You know, having your head so far up your own ass." he says, looking quite amused. He fishes through a couple of compartments on his hardsuit, eventually producing a small business card that he slides across the counter towards the turian. The card has the name "Redrock Agency" embroidered across it, along with contact information and two names- Linda Vasquez and Jason Wolfe. "Working on getting it off the ground." he says before taking another sip of his drink.
Jason spots Va'ynna and watches as she takes a seat. "Hey... V-... Va'ynna? Was it?" he asks, managing to butcher the pronunciation of the asari's name even worse than before, "Get over here." he continues with a smile, "My new buddy here is paying for our drinks."
Zaylus picks up the business card, looking over it skeptically. He ignores the human's conversation, not even bothering to look up at the new patron. The mention of handing out more free drinks, however, manages to draw his attention back up. "Hey, is this whole planet filled with people looking for handouts? I swear-" He stops short after peering past Jason and getting a good look at the asari. "Well, hello there." His demeanor shifts dramatically, a flirtatious grin plastered over his face. "Come on over, pretty girls don't pay for drinks when I'm around."
Va'ynna nods and rises from her seat, and takes a few steps towards them. "Hey," she says once she's near them. "You don't have to," she said to the turian before taking the seat beside Jason, seeming to tense up a little.
Jason welcomes Va'ynna with a nod. "He's an asshole." he says, making no attempt at lowering his voice, "So don't feel bad about accepting the drinks. I plan on bleeding his wallet dry." he adds, raising his drink towards Zaylus with a smug smirk.
Zaylus rolls his eyes, "Don't listen to this one, I fear the age has really gotten to him. You know, in his mind." He explains with extra emphasis, tapping the side of his own head. "So, like a good neighbor, I'm buying him a few drinks. And a lovely thing like you could easily get in on it. What are you drinkin', girl?" He questions, quickly shooting Jason a less than friendly look.
Jason leans forward, resting his forearms against the counter and chuckles loudly, his shoulders rising and falling. "You're a trip." he says before emptying the rest of the contents of his glass.
Va'ynna looks at the drinks menu for a moment, but gives up that fairly quickly as not much of it is too familiar to her. "I... don't Well, um, okay," she says. "Nothing strong, please." She looks at the turian, but doesn't maintain eye contact for long.
Jason nods. "I, on the other hand, would like some of your finest rum, barkeep!" he says, straightening his posture as he does, "None of the cheap stuff!"
Zaylus nods, ordering a light drink for the asari and just another shot for the human in hopes it'll shut him up for a bit. "Anyway, my friend here was just telling me about this, hm, 'quaint' little world you've got here. You been here long, darlin'?" He directs his attention to the newcommer when he speaks, less interested now in the loud human.
Va'ynna looks past the turian as she answer with a shake of her head, "No, I just got here three days ago," she says. "Haven't really seen much of the town yet."
Zaylus turns and spots the staircase leading up, glancing back to the asari as he puts the pieces together. "I take it you've been staying upstairs, hm? Wow. This place just gets better and better. I suppose I'll have to stay a while." He reaches out to pat Jason rather heavily on the back, grinning as he requests a few night's stay from the bartender. When he's finished, he gives his new human 'friend' a big ol smile. "Looks like we'll be seeing a lot of eachother, eh good buddy?"
Jason shrugs and takes his shot before requesting a refill on both drinks. "You might wanna make sure he pays up front." he says as the bartender refills his drinks, "He's not gonna have much left when I'm done with him."
Va'ynna brings her hand up to her mouth to cover her expression of stifling laughter. She glances towards the staircase and nods. "I've a room up there, yeah," she says. "I couldn't find any other places offering rooms short-term, though, but the rooms here are alright." She wraps her hand around the drink and slowly brings it up to her lips, taking a tentative sip of it.
Zaylus nods in response, "I'm sure they'll do just fine." His smile diminishes as he turns his gaze towards the human. "How are you still upright? You better have one hell of a nugget of information to make this worth my while." He spits, tapping his taloned fingers against the counter.
Jason raises an eyebrow and stares at the turian silently for a moment. "Hey, the conditions of our deal were simple enough. I tell you where we are, and how to get out out of here. Welcome to Freedom Falls." he says, giving a sweeping gesture across the room with one hand. "Spaceport isn't too far... It'll have ya off Aite in the blink of an eye. As for someplace better?" he continues with a shrug, "Depends on what you're looking for."
Zaylus exhales sharply, turning from Jason and resting his head in his hands. "I knew this planet would be boring, just by looking at it."
Va'ynna can't help but smirk, bringing a hand up to cover her mouth. "Oh," she begins. "There's more to the town, right?" There's a hint of nervousness in her tone.
Jason nurses his drink, his pace noticably slowing as the effects of the alcohol begin to catch up to him. "If you're bored out here, there's probably not much that won't bore you, kid."
Zaylus eyes Jason first, deciding not to engaging the increasingly intoxicated human and to address the asari instead. "I wouldn't know, didn't spend a lot of time looking around before I wound up here." He explains, dropping the hand on Va'ynna's side on to the counter, tapping it lightly. "Perhaps we should take a walk around, find some joint where the patrons won't harass you while getting drunk on your dime."
Va'ynna tilts her head, then glances at her drink. "Thanks, but I... I'd like to stay here," she says before looking towards the turian's general area, smiling apologetically. "Maybe some other day?"
Jason gives Zaylus a sidelong glance as Va'ynna responds. "Me? Harass you? Look-..." he begins once the asari has finished speaking, rotating in his seat to better face the young turian, "Respect is earned. Not taken. You come in here spouting off at the mouth like a child, expect to be treated like a child. You show me respect, I'll show you respect. Drop the attitude." he says, turning his attention back to his drink, "...Or don't. Makes no real difference to me. I certainly have no issues taking credits from some little punk."
Zaylus rolls his eyes in annoyance, refusing to meet Jason's eyeline as he continues on his rant. When he's finished, the turian gives a little yawn, looking in the human's direction with a bored expression. "See this, human. I don't have to give you one damn iota of respect. You're a stranger to me, and a low life at that." He taps once against the counter, waiting for a reaction from the human.
Va'ynna raises her brows, but keeps her eyes on the counter before her, not having anything to add to the others' conversation, and sips her drink.
Jason 's smile widens. "No. You're right, you don't have to give me any respect. Be a little shit all you want. But see where it gets you." he stops for a moment to take another sip of his drink, "As for me being a... 'lowlife' ... Maybe. Maybe not. Seeing as you've known me for no longer than the time it's taken me to put down a few drinks, I've gotta chalk this up to another attempt at getting me riled up." He looks the turian straight in the eye and gives him a little wink.
Zaylus stares down at the human for a few seconds, expression unchanging. Then, all at once, he burts out into a lingering fit of laughter. "Oh yes, human. I'm sure riling you up would give me the fight of my life." He shakes his head, continuing to chuckle to himself. Leaning forward, he looks past Jason to address the asari once again. "I'm sorry, your friend here is quite distracting. Anytime at all would be lovely, miss... hmm, I'm sorry, I don't believe I caught your name."
Va'ynna tilts her head as she looks at the turian. "Um, I believe Jason said it earlier," she says, "but if not... I'm Va'ynna." She returns to looking towards an arbitarry point behind the counter, sipping her drink.
Jason ignores the turians petty attempts at riling him up again, and instead, continues to drink his free beverage.
Zaylus grins, "Va'ynna." He echoes, a bit better in pronunciation than his human barmate. "I dare say it suits you." He nods, inconspicuously looking down at the human, hoping he'll be on the floor before he burns through too many of his credits. "Oh, and Miss Va'ynna," he quickly adds, "you may call me by my first name: Zaylus. Just for you, of course."
Va'ynna turns her head towards the turian while listening, but it seems she's looking past him. "Um... thanks," she says with a small smile, not making it clear what she's thanking for. "Wish I had something simpler, though, but eh."
Jason nudges Va'ynna playfully with his elbow. "Just for you." he mocks, "The rest of us have to stick to calling him 'Asshat'." he adds before quickly turning towards Zaylus, "My mistake, my mistake... MR ... Asshat!" he corrects before erupting into laughter.
Zaylus narrows his eyes, fist begining to clench against the bar counter, but quickly he regains composure and taps against the counter between them. "Please, I know how fond you are of that title. It would be rude of me to try to take it." He says with a slight grin, unable to completely hide his irritation.
Va'ynna turns her head sharply towards Jason with a quizzical expression at the nudge. She can't help but let out a giggle, bringing her free hand up to cover her mouth. She remains quiet, though.
Jason smirks at the turian's response and empties his glass with a heavy swig. "How kind of you." he says, sliding his glass across the counter, "So, tell me, hotshot. What's got you parading around Freedom Falls being a dick?"
Zaylus scoffs, "My shitty luck, apparently." He swiftly responds, rubbing his forehead as he speaks, unconsiously tracing the marks of his face paint in the process. "Wasn't exactly in a place to ask for directions, and I picked this this little planet at random just so I could end up in this bar with the likes of you." He scowls, "some life, huh?"
Jason shrugs. "I'd say it's a lucky break. Not everyone around here would have the patience to put up with that mouth of yours. Hell, most days I wouldn't, but you caught me on one of my better days." he says, still smiling brightly.
Va'ynna looks at her drink, and sips it. She can't help but smirk at Jason's retort, however, but she keeps out of their discussion for now.
Zaylus snorts, "'Better days', huh? I'm sure any day you manage a free drink is the best day of your life." He starts to grin, "and why not. Man needs a drink." Tapping against the counter in front of him, he orders a simple turian drink, tossing it back when it arrives. Dropping the glass back on the counter, he swaps it for the business card he'd forgetten about. "Redrock Agency, huh?" He reads. "Hell does that mean?"
Jason shrugs. "Just a little business venture we're trying to put together. Figured being our own boss was a step above working for some of these shady merc outfits out here. Most of 'em act more like gangs than proper businesses, willing to slit anyone's throat for the right price." he says, shaking his head in contempt.
Zaylus looks skeptical, flipping the card over in between his fingers. "With that atitude, I doubt you'll get a shred of business." He responds, adding then in a lower voice: "Leave it to a human not to be able to get a job done right."
Jason rotates on his stool and stares straight into the turian's eyes, his smile suddenly gone, "Sometimes it's less about making the most credits, and more about being able to look at yourself in the mirror. Take that attitude to Omega. You'll make a fortune. But I've seen what those 'companies' do to their own. Join the Blue Suns. You won't live long enough to spend all the credits you're making."
Zaylus meets his gaze, growling as his fists clench, inadvertently crushing the business card. "I left Omega for my own reasons, alright? It was my choice, so you can just shut the hell up about all of it!" He asserts forcefully, getting up and staring down at the human with genuine intensity.
Va'ynna tenses up as she looks at the other two. "Uh, um," she says, but goes quiet again as she turns away, starting at her drink.
Jason looks up at the turian but doesn't bother to get up as his smile returns. "Think I've hit a nerve." he says, glancing at Va'ynna. He sighs and returns his attention to Zaylus. "Sit down." he says, "We all have a past and, quite frankly, I don't give a shit about yours."
Zaylus shakes his head, "I don't think so." He answers dryly, paying off the bartender for the drinks they've already had and a few nights upstairs. "We're done here. Buy your own damn drinks." He turns to ascend the steps, giving Va'ynna only a slight nod as a farewell before gliding upstairs without another word.
Jason watches the turian run off, giving him a little wave as he heads up the stairs. "Well. That went well." he says, turning back towards Va'ynna.
Va'ynna frowns, sipping her drink. "Yeah... One question, though," she begins. "Why did he owe you those drinks?"
Jason shrugs. "He didn't. He thought he'd be a big shot and walk in here... Insult someone... Throw his credits around. I've got him figured out. He's just a scared kid. Probably hoping a few people would admire him for putting on the tough guy act, buy into it. Possibly hoping to get a little tail out of it."
Va'ynna nods. "And now he's my neighbour," she adds with a sigh before sipping her drink, which is nearly empty by now. "So," she begins, trying to change the subject. "Does your Agency offer any work that's not merc work?"
Jason sighs and leans back on his stool. "My Agency..." he says, toying with the idea in his head, "I don't know. We're still putting things together. Well, to be fair, she's still putting things together... Once we're up and running, I don't know what kind of work we'll be getting. It's probably a safe guess to assume that it'll be mostly in the merc and security field, but you never know." He fishes into a side compartment and produces another card, handing it over to Va'ynna.
Va'ynna takes the card with a nod, "Thanks." She looks it over for a few seconds before putting it on the counter. "I've searched around the Extranet for job listings in Freedom's Falls, but there's... not much for unqualified people like me."
Jason leans against the counter, propping his head up on his hand. "Unqualified? You have to be qualified to do something, right?"
Va'ynna thinks for a moment. "Yeah, I know how to use computer systems for retail, and stock-keeping, and with my biotic amp I can lift up three times my weight," she says, "but I have no profession-specific education to show off, nor a tertiary one."
Jason nods to himself. "What about the mining facilities? They might have some use for a heavy lifter like yourself."
Va'ynna considers it for a moment, taking a sip of her drink. "I'll look into it," she says. "I don't really know anything about how mining operations are run."
Jason juts his chin towards the bartender. "I'm tellin' ya... Bartending is perfect for you! You should really consider it."
Va'ynna looks away for a moment before looking at him again. "Um, you're right, I guess I should," she says. "I'd want to review all my options first, though... at least until I'm out of creds."
Jason shrugs. "There's nothing wrong with bartending. I mean, it's not a demeaning line of work or anything. You could do much worse." he says.
Va'ynna | "Mhm, I know." She downs the last of her almost-empty drink and looks at the clock displayed, it being about ten minutes earlier than it was the last time she left. "I think I'll take my leave," she says as she stands up. "It was nice talking with you, Jason. I'll see you again."
Jason nods. "I'll be around." he says, sighing at the implication as he contemplates another drink, "Unfortunately." he adds with a smirk.