#Miner'sRespite – December 6, 2013

Renala is sitting at a booth near the bar, a empty plate and glass on the table before her. She's reading something on her omni-tool. She's not dressed much differently than usual, just a slight bit more modest top.

Steve descends the staircase and glances around the Respite. After spotting Renala, he makes a quick pit stop at the bar for a glass of water before approaching the asari's booth. "Hey Ren." he says, looking a bit exhausted as he sets his glass down and slides into a seat across from her, "You look busy."

Renala shrugs as she lets her omni-tool's interface go out. "Hey," she says. "No, not busy. i'm just planning some things to do, since I'm planning to go to Thessia for about eight or so days soon." She does seem a little under the weather, as well, not having gotten much quality sleep the day before.

Steve smiles slightly and nods to himself, "Going to see the kid?" he asks, leaning an elbow against the table and propping up his head.

Renala nods. "I am," she says followed by a smile forming. "Her mother wasn't too happy about it, but she ended up agreeing." She pauses. "I'm really looking forward to seeing her in person again."

Steve takes a short sip of his water, bringing the glass to his lips to keep from having to move his head, "Forget her mother... You need to do what's right for the kid. Even if that means pissing the ex off every now and then. I bet the kid's excited, huh? When was the last time you seen her in person?"

Renala considers it for a moment. "I arrived here a few days before I first met you," she says. "So, it hasn't been for too long." She pauses for a moment. "Though, she's asked for when I'll be visiting ever since I got here."

Steve chuckles, continuing to prop his head up with his hand, "Sounds like she really misses you. You've got people here who are gonna miss you too, Ren... You're not gonna have second thoughts and decide to stay on Thessia, are ya? I'd-... Well, it's hard to find someone you depend on. I'd hate to lose ya so quickly." he says, clearing his throat uncomfortably afterwards.

Renala chuckles. "Of course I'm not," she says. "Going to be tough leaving her again, that's for sure, but I'm trying to start a new life here." She pauses. "Maybe once I get a stable job and can afford a more long term place to live, she can come stay with me for a few days at a time."

Steve shifts a bit in his seat, swinging his legs up onto the bench and resting his head against the wall to the side of the table. "Would be nice. You think her mom would allow that, though?"

Renala shakes her head. "No, I don't," she says, frowning. "She'll probably explode at me on the menton of it, but it's worth trying, at least."

Steve nods, "Either way... Kids are resilient. As long as you're there for her, and she knows it... She'll do just fine. Just don't let your ex get in the way of a relationship with your daughter. Gotta make sure she comes first." he says, looking out over the bar rather than making eye contact with Renala, "But you seem like you already know that."

Renala smiles. "I do," she says. "I'll understand where she's coming from, though. The Terminus has a dark reputation, a well-earned one at that. I'm even a little worried at the idea of having her come to Aite, but as long as she's with me, she'll be safe."

Steve raps his fingertips against the table thoughtfully for a moment, "Aite isn't so bad. Omega..." he says, snorting loudly, "Now that's no place for a kid. Plenty of other places out here in the Terminus where folks would just as quickly slit your throat as shake your hand, but Aite? It's alright here... All things considered, anyways."

Renala nods. "Yeah, Aite's not as bad as some seem to make it out to be," she says. "We might have just picked out a good slice of it, though." She pauses, glancing towards the bar as she considers getting another glass of water. "And yeah, I think I've seen some of the worst the Terminus has to offer."

Steve nods to himself, thinking on his time on Omega. The long stretch of years leading up to Aite. "Can't say I miss that place... I was hardly more than a kid myself when I made my way to Omega. That place will change you." he says distantly.

Renala sighs. "Yeah," she says. "You either have to let it, or get off the station before you find out why." She lets out a small smile as she adds, "I think I've gone soft during my matron years, but you won't see me complaining about that."

Steve smiles and nods in response, "It's definitely not a bad thing. We should all be so lucky to live a life that allows us to 'go soft'." He takes another sip of his water, staring at the glass silently for a moment before setting it back down, "Not sure if I'll be able to find that kind of life here on Aite, but I'm damn sure going to try."

Renala nods. "That's good to hear," she says with a smile. "Have you tried looking around for jobs since we got back? I know we can take it easy, but it's probably best to try find something while you've got time to really consider the options."

Steve shakes his head, "If I'm being honest... I haven't exactly felt up to the task." he says, rubbing at his side and giving an exaggerated wince, "But I'll get around to it. I've got a bit of credits stashed away, though, so I'm not in any real hurry. The credits from that last job would last me a couple more weeks by themself."

Renala nods. "I'm going to spend a noticeble amount to see my girl again," she says, "so I don't have as much time." She pauses with a faint smile, looking at Steve as she adds, "And I'd rather not be a burden on your credit balance if I can help it."

Steve smirks and chuckles dryly, "If only everyone in my life was as considerate as you..."

Renala chuckles. "I say that," she says, "but it was just yesterday I got drunk on your tab." A smirk follows.

Steve shrugs, "Hey... We had fun, right? I don't mind spending a few credits for a good night with friends." he says, "Besides, like I said. I've got a nice little cushion to fall back on. I just don't want to burn through that before I find some stable work. I've got people relying on me-..." he says, but stops abruptly, "It's just not an option."

Renala tilts her head. "I don't think you told me that before," she begins. "Mind if I ask who?"

Steve leans his head back, staring at the ceiling for a moment as he decides whether or not he should elaborate. Finally, after a few moments of silence, he takes a sip of his water and shakes his head slightly, as if he already regrets what he's about to say, "It's... There was a kid." he begins, leaning forward and lowering his voice to a whisper, "He lost his parents... Was in a bit of trouble. Set him up with a place to stay... I'm not really sure what I'm doing, or how long I can keep it up, but I'm trying to make sure he's taken care of."

Renala leans forward in turn, and looks a little distant for a moment after he finishes speaking. "Oh," she says softly, voice lowered. "I can't imagine that's easy for him, so I think you're doing good helping him." She places a hand on his shoulder in support.

Steve lowers his gaze to the table, unable to meet her eyes as he nods, "Yeah... Yeah." he says, attempting to convince himself it's the truth, "I'm doing what I can. He's a tough kid... He'll be alright. Like I said, kids are resilient."

Renala nods, not removing her hand. "They are, but a loss like that can be devastating on anyone," she says. "I don't even want to think about how it would be for my girl had our job turned out differently."

Steve gives a quick nod, barely noticeable due to his short movements, "He'll get through it." he says, clearly uncomfortable about the subject, "There's nothing else he can do. Just keep-... Keep moving forward, right?"

Renala frowns, noting his discomfort. "Right," she says, patting his shoulder before moving the hand off it. "I'm sorry, Steve... I shouldn't have pried."

Steve shakes his head, sulking back into his seat. "No... No, it's alright, Ren. I just-... Well, I'm not used to having someone around to talk about these things to." he says, meeting her gaze for the first time since they began talking about it as he forces a smile back into place, "It's... Nice."

Renala looks thoughtful for a moment before a weak smile appears. "It just doesn't seem like something you'd like to talk about," she says, "so I'm not going to pry anymore unless you want to talk about it.."

Steve nods and reaches for his glass of water. "So..." he begins, still seeming a bit somber over the whole conversation, "Have you heard anything back from that IT company?" he asks, attempting to reroute the conversation.

Renala nods. "Yeah," she begins. "They said they're going to advertize a position thirteen or fourteen days from now; can't remember exactly right now, but I've got the date written down. I should be back from Thessia by then."

Steve takes a sip from his glass and sets it down on the table. He begins absent mindedly pushing the glass back and forth between his hands, as he tends to do. "That's good news, right? I can't see a place like Aite brimming with qualified people, so you should have this in the bag."

Renala | "Put it that way," she says, smiling. "Yeah, it's good news. I think I can prepare most of the application and my resume, and make some adjustments when I get to see the rest of the details." She pauses, glancing towards the bar as she feels a little thirsty. "I should get to that before going to Thessia, but it's been a while since last time I did that."

Steve continues to fiddle with his glass as he listens to the asari, "Yeah... At least you have experience in the field." he says. "I'm beginning to wonder if there's any work out there for me that doesn't involve the same shit I've been doing my whole life. I don't have any real job experience. None that anyone would really take into consideration, anyways. Did manage to come across a few posts about a freelance agency starting up. Said they're looking to set up some contracts." he shrugs, "Might look into that when I'm feeling a bit more up to it. It's not the type of work I'd like to keep doing, but it might keep me fed until I find something I can settle into."

Renala thinks for a moment. "I don't think I came across that when checking job listings on the Extranet," she says, then hums thoughtfully. "One problem though... who's going to help you with the locked doors if I get that IT job?" She smirks.

Steve chuckles to himself and shakes his head. "I might just have to keep you on call."

Renala nods. "It'll be terribly slow to hack a door over the Extranet," she says, "so I think the agency would be better of making sure they find a tech first if they need one."

Steve gets another laugh out of the conversation, "Well, if things fall through for you with this IT company, I'll put in a good word for you, since I know how much you love to run head first into certain death." he says with a wink.

Renala laughs, followed by a smirk. "Thanks," she says. "Can't settle for anything less, you know." Her tone is, of course, not serious.

Steve nods, "Of course, of course." he agrees in jest, "But seriously... I hope you get the job, Ren. You deserve it."

Renala smiles. "Thanks, and yeah, some stable income would be a welcome change," she says. "Maybe I can find a more long-term place to live, then," a glance towards the bar, "even how convenient it is to live right above a decent bar and resturant."

Steve raises an eyebrow, "Now that you mention it... If I'm planning on sticking around, I should probably look into a place to stay that doesn't charge by the night." he smirks, "Have you looked around at any options?"

Renala shakes her head. "Not yet," she answers. "I don't feel it's a smart idea for me when I don't know when my next pay will be."

Steve takes another drink from his glass, draining the last of his water, "I suppose that's a good point... Still, I'm going to see what it's like out here. Could end up pretty expensive sticking around the Respite for a while. Especially with nights of binge drinking being so easily accessible." he says, his smile indicating that their earlier conversation has, for the most part, been put out of his mind.

Renala smirks, before growing a little thoughtful. "Maybe..." she hesitates for a moment. "If you find a decent two-bedroom apartment, we can share it? I guess that'll probably be cheaper than two smaller ones... I could be wrong, though."

Steve tilts his head to the side, "I don't think I'd be the ideal roommate, Ren." he says with a quick chuckle before giving a shrug, "But yeah... If you're willing to try your chances at putting up with me, it would probably put a whole lot less stress on our credit chits. I'll probably start looking sometime next week... Assuming all-..." he runs his hand up his side, grimacing as his hand makes contact with his ribs, "...this is in a better condition."

Renala chuckles. "I haven't approached you everytime I've seen you down here if I couldn't put up with you," she says. "I'll be leaving for Thessia in four or five days, so it might have to wait until after that."

Steve goes to take another drink from his glass before realizing it's empty and setting it aside. "Well..." he begins, glancing up at the bar as he considers whether or not it's worth getting up and walking all the way over there for a refill, "There's no harm in me looking around in the meantime. We can go over our options when you get back. See if anything sounds right."

Renala nods. "Yeah, sounds good to me," she says before her omni-tool gives off the now all-too-familiar chirp. "Speaking of Thessia," she mutters before standing up. "Looks like I've got to go."

Steve stands up with her and grabs his glass off the table. "Might as well head off myself." he says, "You take care, Ren. I'm sure I'll run into you before you leave, but if for some chance I don't... Try to stay out of trouble." he adds with a smirk.

Renala tilts her head, chuckling. "Really got to try if I'm to get into trouble back there," she says, "but I'm not taking on that challenge." She picks up her plate and glass from the meal she had before meeting Steve.

Steve begins walking towards the counter beside Renala, "I don't know... If these couple of jobs we've shared are any indication, I'd say you have a knack for effortlessly getting into trouble."

Renala laughs, following beside him. "Point taken," she says. "I will be meeting my ex-bondmate, so yeah, it's not too far-fetched." She doesn't sound too serious.

Steve reaches the counter and sets his glass down, "Ouch. Just try to remember why you're there. Enjoy yourself, spend some time with the kid, and try to keep things civil." he offers the bartender a nod, "And if she gives you any trouble, just let it roll right off ya like water. You won't be putting up with her for long anyways."

Renala leaves her plate and glass next to Steve's and nods. "I know, I know," she says. "I'll see her only twice if I'm lucky." She bobs her head towards her omni-tool. "I'm going to figure the trip out with her when I get bak to my room."

Steve begins to make his way towards the stairs, "So I take it that means you're not going to be staying with them?"

Renala falls into step beside him. "I'll check if there are somewhere nice I could stay, just me and Aeyna, but I fear that'll make a huge dent in my credit balance," she says. "Failing that, I suppose I can ask if they would prepare the guest room for me."

Steve nods, listening as the two ascend up the staircase, "Like I said, just remind yourself that you won't be dealing with her forever. She can't be THAT terrible, right? Especially if the alternative is to put more of a strain on your financial situation."

Renala nods, continuing up the staircase. "No, of course she's not," she says. "It's just a little tense between us, is all. Especially for what I've put the kid through those days I haven't been able to answer the calls."

Steve reaches the top of the stairs and turns to face Renala. "Well, those days are behind you." he says, putting a hand on her shoulder, "You're going to get that position you're applying for, and you won't have to worry about being too busy dodging projectiles to answer your daughters calls anymore. It's all gonna work out, Ren." he says, smiling brightly.

Renala turns towards Steve, returning the smile. "I really hope so," she says, "even if I'm counting on getting a job with one open position." Her omni-tool beeps again.

Steve nods towards Renala's door, "Go take care of that. I'll catch you around, Ren."

Renala nods. "I'll see you again, Steve," she says before turning towards the door and approaching it. She opens the door and enters, and it closes behind her shortly after.

Steve disappears through his room's door, his own omni-tool beginning to beep as he does.