#Miner'sRespite – March 5, 2014

Ilyna is sitting in a booth near the bar, with a nearly empty glass of brandy on the table before her. She seems rather preoccupied as she types on her omni-tool. Ilyna is in usual kind of dress, a black dress without much striking features.

Jason steps through the door of the Respite in his usual gear. He nearly doesn't spot Ilyna until he's almost passed her booth on his way to the bar. He gives the asari a double-take and a smile crosses his lips. "Hey..." he begins, sliding into the seat across from her, "Don't I know you?" he asks, scrutinizing the asari's features, "You look just like a friend of mine that never bothers to call. But you couldn't be her... Because if she had so much free time on her hands that she can sit around and drink, I'm sure she would've invited me to join her."

Ilyna raises her brows as she sees him, letting her omni-tool dissipate. She looks at him with narrowed eyes. "Maybe," she says. "That sounds like a terrible person...." It doesn't take more than a second for a sheepish smile to form on her lips.

Jason sighs and sits back in his seat, his lopsided smile still plastered across his face, "So, what's up, Ilyna?" he asks, "How has Freedom Falls been treating you?"

Ilyna smiles. "It's been good, but I think I said fifteen days at most for a reason," she says with a sigh. "The last days I've been spending more time than I'd like catching up... because I didn't listen to myself."

Jason sets his gauntleted hands on the table in front of him. "So, what's keeping you here?" he asks inquisitively, "Place starting to grow on you?" His smirk widens a little.

Ilyna nods. "I don't know what's keeping me here," she begins. "I guessing it's just... well, meeting you again." She picks up her drink and takes a sip of it, "or maybe because I haven't met Tessa or Tarlon again."

Jason nods, draping one of his arms over the back of the booth, "Yeah... Yeah, I get that. I tend to have that affect on people." he sighs confidently, extending his other hand out in front of himself as if he's checking his nails- or where they would be, were he not wearing armor- in a goofy, exaggerated, conceited fashion. After a short chuckle, he settles back into his seat, "Yeah... Tarlon has seemed pretty busy lately. Hard to get ahold of the guy. I've got some business I need to discuss with Tess, though... So I'm sure she'll be around."

Ilyna smiles. "That's good to hear, I'd love to see them again before I leave," she says. "How is it going with your business at the agency, though? I did tell you to contact me when you had time, so I take it you've been busy?"

Jason nods a few times, his smile fading slightly. "You could say that... I knew it was going to be a lot of work to get this business up and running, but it's a struggle just to keep our head above water. We're juggling so many issues right now... And more keep piling up." he says with a shrug, "But we'll figure it out. Would just like to start clearing some of these issues off our plate."

Ilyna nods. "I wish I could help," she says, "but I'm too commited with all that back home. For now, at least." She sips the tiny remainder in her glass and places it down on the table.

Jason stares silently across the table at Ilyna for a moment. "I know. I just-... I miss you." he admits, "I miss all of you. Miss being surrounded by people I knew I could trust." He sighs and reaches up to rub at his forehead, lowering his gaze to the table, "I'm sorry, it's just overwhelming. Never thought I'd be in a position of leadership like this. It's terrifying." he chuckles, "I struggle to get my boots on most days, yet I have a group of people who are trusting me not to get them all killed. And if I fall, the only person around to catch me is Linda. And I'm not gonna lie, she doesn't exactly have the best balance these days..." a sad smile returns to his face, "...so I'll just end up pulling her down with me."

Ilyna tilts her head, frowning. "Don't say that...," she says. "If I still was in the line of work, I would have joined up with you, because I trust you, even if the name evokes... less than pleasant memories. The agency's name, I mean."

Jason snorts loudly, "That job wasn't exactly fun for me either..." he reminds her. "I just hope we can wipe away that stigma. We've got one combat mission under our belt and nobody has had their brains fry-fucked... yet. So I guess that needs to be good enough for now." he says, before realizing how insensitive it may come across. "I mean-..." he winces, "You know... I didn't mean anything by it."

Ilyna sighs, looking a little hurt at his mention of 'yet'. "I know it wasn't fun... for anyone," she says. "It's just what comes to mind, and I...," she lowers her voice, "don't want to be compared to... that."

Jason shakes his head profusely, "No... No. Of course not! I didn't mean-..." he sighs, frustrated at himself, "I shouldn't have even brought it up. I just... Ilyna, you're nothing like her. Nothing like what she was. Hell, do you think I'd make such a stupid comment if there was a single doubt in my mind? I don't even associate you with your-... condition. It didn't even enter my mind until I had already jammed my foot in my mouth. I'm sorry..."

Ilyna frowns, looking a little nervous. "I... shouldn't have assumed," she says. "I'm sorry. We've... already had this discussion, I just..." A sigh follows. "I don't know. I trust that you wouldn't take a job from the same people again."

Jason sighs, lowering his voice somewhat, "It was just a bad joke. Was just trying to say-..." he shrugs, "I don't know, I guess I'm just worried I'm going to make a mistake and get these people killed."

Ilyna offers a small smile. "I doubt you will," she says. "We've been through some tough situations, and still, here we are."

Jason frowns a bit, his smile fading away entirely. "Yeah. Here we are." he says, "But there's been losses along the way, Ilyna. How well do you remember that job? You remember the kid with us out in the jungle? Looked like he was barely old enough to sign up for the job... I didn't even get his name, but barely a day passes where I don't think about him. He died because of me." he pats his own chest, "And that's all it takes. One mistake. One accident. One poor decision. And someone dies. Don't get me wrong... There's nothing else I'd rather be doing. It's just-... overwhelming, some days."

Ilyna nods, slowly. "Yeah, I do," she says. "That mission, the world... there's nothing we could have done to change anything." She pauses. "It's a sad part of this line of work."

Jason shakes his head once again, "I know you're right, Ilyna... But it's not very comforting. Not when you're in a position where everyone is supposed to trust your judgement." he sighs.

Ilyna frowns. "I... I'm sorry," she says. "I've never had any command, never had any decisions to make. I don't really have... much I can rightfully say about this."

Jason shrugs and forces a smile, "It's-... no big deal. My point is, I miss you guys. I respect your decision to get away from this kind of life..." he says, giving the room a sweeping glance, "...Running around in the Terminus, dodging gunfire. I understand... But I sure as hell miss having you out there with me."

Ilyna smiles slightly in return. "I miss you all, too," she says. "But... after what happened between me and my... bondmate, I just... I don't know, I wanted to get away from all that, even how little I miss my life before that."

Jason gives the asari a nod, "You don't have to explain it, Ilyna. Like I said, I understand. I'm happy for you." his smile widens into a lopsided grin, "It's just strange how much things can change in such a short amount of time, you know? Linda can barely walk. Frog-legs published a book, and hardly keeps in touch. And you're about to become the oldest college student I've ever met." he says, allowing a chuckle to slip out. "And you're wearing dresses! I don't even know you people anymore! I feel like I'm the only one that hasn't changed!" he says. There's a slight sadness in his voice, but a genuine smile remains.

Ilyna chuckles, tilting her head. "I... think I was when I last met you on Illium," she says, not sure herself. "I avoided it while we were looking for the quarian, since it's far from practical if a firefight were to happen."

Jason gives a slight shrug, "Maybe... Can't say I really remember. In my head, I always picture you in a hardsuit." he continues with a smirk, "Guess it's just a little jarring to see you out of it when I know you won't be putting it back on." He gives a glance towards her glass, "Got time for a refill?" he asks, realizing he still hasn't grabbed himself a drink.

Ilyna nods, a small smile visible. "Yeah, please," she says. "And I did bring my suit here, in case I didn't feel comfortable walking around outside."

Jason slides out of the booth, "Oooh." he smirks, "May have to play dress-up later so I can get a picture for my office." He gives a nod towards the glass, "Serrice Ice Brandy... Right?" he asks, attempting to recall the asari's drink of choice.

Ilyna nods, again. "Yeah, but you don't have to buy me that," she says, knowing the drink is not the cheapest.

Jason furrows his brow, "You're not going to be here forever. Let me do something nice for you while I have the chance!" he says, marching off before she has a chance to argue.

Ilyna chuckles, but he's already out of earshot by the time she'd thought of an argument. With a smile, she returns her attention to the table and enables her omni-tool,

Jason returns after a few minutes with a drink in each hand. He sets one in front of Ilyna and retakes his seat across from her. "You can ask, you know..." he says, giving no indication to what he might be referencing. "It won't bother me." he adds before taking a sip of his drink and placing the glass on the table.

Ilyna tilts her head, taking the drink. "I'm not sure if I follow?" she says before nodding. "Thanks."

Jason raises an eyebrow, staring silently at Ilyna from across the table for a moment before giving a shrug. "Linda? I'm here on a regular basis drinking the night away and she's still at the office... Surely you're not gonna tell me the question hasn't entered your mind since you landed on this rock, right?"

Ilyna nods. "I... have," she says, not really clear, "but... you know, I just don't. I'm-." She places a hand on her forehead, sighing deeply as she tried to form a coherent sentence. "I don't feel comfortable asking about it, but now... how is she faring?"

Jason gives a shrug, "She's doing as well as she can be given the circumstances, I suppose. But we went through a lot, you know?" He sighs and leans an elbow against the table, propping his head up with his hand, "I took care of her for a long time while she was recovering... That kind of stuff changes a relationship. Some days she seems like she's so sick of me she wishes I'd just disappear. Other days she acts like she doesn't know what she'd do without me."

Ilyna frowns. "Oh, that's why you're often here?" she says. "If I may ask, of course. I can't say I know what she's been through, but I have my deepest sympathy for her."

Jason shakes his head, "Nah... I'd be here regardless... I'd just like it if she was here too is all. She can't even sit down for a drink with me, though. She's on so many medications..."

Ilyna nods slowly. "I'm sorry to hear that," she says with a long sip of her drink. "If I'm going to be honest... I was surprised when I heard she made it back from the job." She gives an apologetic look. "How's... the future looking, if I can ask?"

Jason tilts his head to the side. "For her? She's strong. You know how she is..." he takes another sip of his drink and chuckles to himself, "You know how she is..." he repeats, "...but the doctors think this is about the peak of her recovery. She, obviously, has another thing to say about that. We're just going to have to wait and see. She suffered a lot of damage back there.... But if anyone can get through it, it's her." he says with a solemn nod.

Ilyna offers a small smile. "I hope so," she says. "No one deserved what happened to her, but I can't help but think how many others went through the same. This could have gone on for centuries before we stopped it."

Jason seems to find some comfort in her words, as if the sacrifice may have been worth it. A smile crosses his face as he nods, "Yeah... We probably saved a lot of lives, huh?"

Ilyna nods. "Hundreds, possibly thousands," she says in a lowered voice, frowning. "It's a lot, but there's a good reason people like her are feared."

Jason nods and rotates his glass in place, "That's the kind of thing that keeps me here, you know? The thought that I can do some actual good out here... Even with all the consequences, if at the end of the day I can look in the mirror and say 'I'm doing more good than bad' then it's worth it." he says before adding quietly, "Right?"

Ilyna | "I'd say so, at least," she replies. "Can we always be sure with mercenary work, that we're on the... good side? I'd guess every contract owner would make you think so."

Jason looks down towards the table, nodding to himself. "There's never ever guarantees... But that doesn't mean you stop trying." he trails off, considering a recent contract.

Ilyna sighs. "That's all we can do," she begins, but her omni-tool interrupts her before she can say anything more, this time with a single beep. She checks the interface quickly before letting it dissipate. "Oh, I've got to get back to my room," she says before downing her drink, evoking a soft cough.

Jason lifts his gaze to meet the asari's, "Alright, Ilyna. Thanks for the talk." he says with a smile, "Don't forget, you can't leave until we get you back in that hardsuit for a picture!"

Ilyna returns the smile as she stands up. "I'll see you again, Jason," she says. "And of course, I promise we'll get to that."

Jason gives the asari a nod, "I'm gonna hold you to that, Ilyna." he smirks. "See ya later."

Ilyna nods, getting out of the booth, "Bye." She lingers for a second before making her way back to her room, dropping off her two glasses on the way there.

Jason remains at the booth for a while after Ilyna's departure, drinking the night away.