#Miner'sRespite – August 30, 2014

Ilyna is sitting at the bar, talking with Va'ynna who's currently bartending; although she just went over to serve another patron. A glass of a asari brandy is on the counter before her. She's unsurprisingly dressed in a darkly colored casual dress.

Jason enters the Respite wearing a pair of black fatigues, black boots, and a brown jacket. In each hand, he's carrying a rather heavy-duty case. He slowly makes his way towards the bar with some effort, as he's still suffering from a bit of constant pain. It's not until he reaches the counter that he notices Ilyna. "I finally sprung my escape." he jokes as he sets the cases down on the ground and takes a seat beside Ilyna with a smile.

Ilyna turns towards him, returning the smile. "That's great!" she says. "How are you feeling, then? I got the impression it would still be a few days."

Jason tilts his head and gives a shrug. "Like shit." he admits with a chuckle, "I think they got sick of my complaining. I swear I saw nothing but smiles on my way out the door." He leans forward and gives an exaggerated wave towards Va'ynna, not particularly concerned with whether or not she actually notices

Va'ynna glances at Jason with a smile before returning her attention to pouring drinks for a patron making an order for a group.

Ilyna chuckles, as well. "What were you complaining about?" she says. "I know you didn't like being stuck there, though."

Ilyna nods. "I remember that part," she says, "since I was helping you escape against that doctor's advice." She pauses. "So, have you had a chance to go to the agency yet?"

Jason sighs and shakes his head. "Literally came straight here from the hospital." he says, "...How bad is it?"

Jason nods a couple times. "Probably a good idea. I'm guessing everyone is on edge right now. Linda was supposed to set us up with a room here. She doesn't know I'm out yet, figured I'd surprise her. I plan on taking a couple days to rest, then checking out the agency. Can barely walk right now, so going over there would only frustrate me..."

Ilyna nods. "That was what I was thinking too," she says. "With everyone on edge, it would be best to see when any of you are going there." She takes a small sip of her brandy. "Maybe Vasquez is taking a trip there. Or that other woman I met last time... Victoria, was it?"

Va'ynna finishes pouring the drinks for a patron signaling for her just after the previous, and makes her way over to the pair of familiar faces. "Hey Jason," she says with a smile. "What can I get you? And... how are you?"

Jason turns towards Va'ynna, his smile widening. "I'm alright, V. Been better, been worse. How about you?" he asks before adding, "I'll take the usual."

Va'ynna frowns. "She checked in earlier today," she says. "She... looked tired too, so I think she has been up all night." She walks over to and finds the appropriate bottles, returning with them. "I've heard from the repair shop," she says. "I... forgot how long I have to retrieve it, though." She pours the rum and coke into an ice-filled glass before handing it to him.

Ilyna looks up at Va'ynna with a smile, but keeps quiet while they talk.

Va'ynna hums thoughtfully. "Six days ago, I think," she says. "So, we'll still have time to get it before... he resells it."

Jason nods. "No problem. Like I said, give me a couple days to get situated, then we'll go grab it. When is your next day off?" he asks.

Jason looks towards Ilyna expectantly.

Ilyna smiles. "Of course," she says. "I'll probably be in town for a while, especially since I just yesterday found out my sister don't live too far from it."

Jason raises an eyebrow. "Your sister?" he asks, "She lives around here?"

Va'ynna notices a patron signaling for her, and makes her way over to serve him.

Ilyna frowns. "Apparently, she had packed up and left without telling me, and moved here." She takes a sip of her drink. "Transport costs both ways is close to what it costs for a room here, though."

Jason furrows his brow. "Your sister is a mercenary?" he asks, sounding a bit surprised, "Are you planning on giving her a visit?"

Ilyna sips her drink. "We went for a walk around the town yesterday after I met her, but yeah, I'm planning on visiting her," she says. "I never had a chance to steer my sister away from that line of work, because we... didn't talk for fifty years."

Jason remains quiet for a few moments. "Yeah... You mentioned that there was a period of time that you two were distant. But what was it that got her off Omega? You think she's trying to move away from that life?"

Ilyna raises an eyebrow. "You did?" she says. "Yeah, I'm glad you did, too. I never felt safe on Omega, but here I never feel the need to be armed when I go out."

Jason nods. "Omega had its ups and downs. It's a rough place. But there was just something freeing about being there." he says before taking a sip of his drink, "Don't get me wrong, Aite is a hell of a place, too. I think Omega just came at the right time in my life. I was carrying a lot on my shoulders, and Omega was a place that I could just-... Disappear. Expectations there are so low, I could just skate by. It gave me the distance that I think I needed."

Ilyna nods. "That I understand, because, well, that's where I ran, too," she says. "It's loyal to no world or station in council space, so... in a way I felt safe there after I disappeared. That it would stay that way." She frowns. "How different things would have been if I just resigned," she continues. "I wouldn't have met you and Tarlon, and probably never left asari space."

Jason gives a wide smirk, "Crazy how one of the most dangerous places in the galaxy can offer such safety and comfort, huh?" he says. "But yeah... When I left for Omega, I only told a couple of people." he pauses, lowering his gaze to the counter. He remains quiet for a moment and takes another sip of his drink before continuing, "I was going through a lot at the time, and it's so hard to keep from falling into-... I don't know, just a black hole of self pity when everyone around you keeps asking if you're okay. Asking if you need to talk. Reminding you that things are gonna get better, you know? Obviously I had other reasons for being on Omega, but there was also just this sense that I would be on my own. Away from the rest of the galaxy. Or, more importantly I guess, away from the rest of my life. It was like starting over in a place where nobody knew who I was, and where nobody would come looking for me."

Ilyna listens patiently, then nods again. "Escaping everything was what I felt I needed too," she says. "I felt held back by everything back home. I did... talk about my problems with my friends in the military, and my intent to quit with one of them when eating lunch just before going on leave. But not that I would so soon, and without warning." She frowns. "My family was completely in the dark, though. I thought it was for the best at the time, because my mother wouldn't ever give up talking me out of it." She pauses, and her smile returns. "I never thought our reasons for being there was so... similar."

Jason gives a short, somewhat sad, chuckle. "Yeah... Suppose I wasn't much for talking about it back then. Was still too fresh, I guess. Still, I hit the jackpot on Omega. I found all of you guys." he reaches out and gives Ilyna a pat on the shoulder, his smile brightening up, "You. Linda. Tarlon. Aoife. Bela... Malin and Justus. You're the people that come to mind when I hear the word 'family'. I'll never be able to thank you all enough for-... just being there for me. I mean it."

Ilyna smiles, as well. "Aoife... I believe it was her that told me the only two options I had were mercenary or dancer," she says. "Which meant only one option for me." She pauses. "I'm glad I met you all, too. I don't know what would have become of me on Omega if I haven't met you all, and if Tarlon hasn't offered to check if my drink was safe."

Jason smiles and nods, "Mercenary or dancer..." he repeats, "That's my fallback career. If I'm ever unable to continue as a mercenary, I'm yanking off my clothes for tips." he says with an adamant nod, "With my moves, I could make a killing!" he continues, although it's unclear whether or not he's joking.

Va'ynna can't help but smirk as she overhears Jason while making her way over to a patron somewhat near the two, looking a little bit embarrased, but regains herself well enough to ask the patron what they'd like.

Ilyna stares at him for a moment, before a chuckle escape her. "Really? You're joking, right?" she says. "I don't think you've told me you were good at it before."

Jason 's smirk widens, "Jealous?" he jokes. He takes a large gulp of his drink as well, "See, that's what the Respite needs. A dance floor!"

Ilyna nods. "Definitely jealous," she plays along with the joke. "No, actually I'm glad this place doesn't have a dance floor, so I don't need to make up excuses to not make a fool of myself."

Ilyna shrugs. "I don't want to," she says. "It's... not something I enjoy. And I don't like the attention it brings."

Jason waves a hand dismissively, "Ahhh, that's no fun." he groans, "So what do you enjoy, then?"

Jason glances around with a nod, "Well, there's not really all that much else to do in a place like this, is there?" he asks, "What about back at home?" he asks before recalling their earlier chats and adding, "By the way, any progress on your situation? Put any more thought into what you want to do?"

Ilyna frowns. "No progress," she replies. "I... just don't know. My mother offered to cover the cost of education, but grateful as I am, that adds more weight to the choice."

Ilyna nods. "Yes, and I've decided to wait another year," she says. "There are people decades older than me in the same situation, wanting to turn their lives around for the matron stage. I want to be sure when I decide."

Jason takes another long swig of his drink to empty his glass. "That's good." he nods, "Hell, if I were you I wouldn't even put a timeframe on it. Another year. Two years. Five. What does it matter? Do it when it feels right for you."

Jason thinks about it for a few moments. Eventually he gives a shrug as he slides his empty glass across the counter. "Not that I can think of." he says, "But you can bet your ass that I'll be calling in some favors over the next couple of weeks." he adds with a smile, "From what Linda's told me, it sounds like there's gonna be a whole lot of work to do..."

Ilyna hums thoughtfully. "I'm sure there's something I can do," she says. "Like getting rid of rubble and broken furniture. My telekinetic biotics isn't very precise with heavy objects, though, since the training was for military purposes."

Jason shrugs. "No need to be precise with rubble. Just toss that shit away." he says. He puts an arm up, attempting to wave Va'ynna over. "I'm sort of dreading checking the place out. I just hope it's not as bad as it sounds..."

Ilyna nods. "I know, but there's going to be work rebuilding the walls, too," she says, "unless you're going to rely on professionals for that."

Va'ynna notices the wave and finishes up with pouring a beer. After handing it to the customer, she makes her way over to Jason, but keeps quiet.

Jason turns his attention to Va'ynna momentarily, "I'm gonna get going, V. What room are we in?" he asks, "Do I get some kind of door code or something?"

Va'ynna nods, and taps on a terminal. "I would normally have to ask for her permission first," she informs, "but... I know you, so I can send the info to your omni-tool right away." With a few more taps on her terminal, she does just that. The information cotnain room number, a digital key that could be used to unlock it with his omni-tool, and a 5-digit door code more meant as a backup solution. Va'ynna does not mention any of it, however, possibly for security reasons.

Ilyna waits for Va'ynna to finish speaking. "Oh, I almost forgot to mention," she says. "I have to apologize for Illeya's... less-than-grateful attitude towards one of your agents a few days ago."

Jason fishes through his jacket pocket for a moment as he speaks, "Illeya...?" he asks, "Not sure I know what you're talking about." He produces his omni-tool from his pocket and enables the haptic interface. "You sure it was my people?" he asks as he pokes at the interface, confirming the information. Once satisfied, he allows it to dissipates and places the device back into his pocket.

Ilyna nods. "The girl said their names were Renala and Philip, according to what her mother told me," she says. "How they knew it was your agency, I didn't ask."

Jason furrows his brow as he slides a credit chit across the counter towards Va'ynna. "Yeah, those are two of ours. Sorry, I haven't really been caught up to speed on everything that's been going on since we got back. Who is she?"

Va'ynna takes the credit chit and charges for the drink before handing it back.

Jason tucks the credit chit back into his jacket pocket and gives Va'ynna a nod.

Ilyna looks thoughtful for a brief moment. "Her family had received an anonymous tip that their missing girl was here. Illeya asked me to travel here and confirm it, and ensure her safety if she was in any danger." She frowns. "It's why I traveled here overnight, even if I had a trip booked a few days later. I would have been here tomorrow if not for that."

Ilyna smiles slightly. "I didn't even know Illeya had family in Armali, and we've been friends for half a century," she says. "She'd either stay with my family or Natia's when visiting Armali."

Ilyna nods. "She said her family isn't that close with her cousin's family living in Armali," she says. "I can't really say I'm any better, since I haven't been good at keeping in touch with family outside the immediate."

Jason nods in return, "Only family I've really got left these days is my uncle, and it's been ages since I talked to that asshole." he sighs, "But that's alright, I've got you guys." He smiles as he climbs off the barstool with a little difficulty and gives a pained grunt as he reaches down to grab his cases. "Well, I hate to run off on ya, Ilyna, but I should get upstairs before Linda catches me down here. She'd kick my ass if she knew that the first thing I did when they released me from the hosptial was have a drink." he says with a chuckle.

Jason gives a nod. "Will do, Ilyna. I'll catch ya around." he says as he turns towards the stairs. "See ya later, V!" he calls out before continuing to his room.

Va'ynna gives a small wave. "I'll see you," she says.

Ilyna watches him leave for a few moments before turning back to the bar, remaining there for the time being.