#Miner'sRespite – September 5, 2014

Vasquez is sitting in her room, head supported in her right hand, eyes moving slowly across the screen of the computer that she has had set up at a table in the room. Wires run haphazardly across the floor and several boxes are stacked against one of the walls. A cup of coffee and an empty plate sits next to her. She's wearing her usual off-duty outfit and is looking rather tired. The Confetti Maker is leaned against the (Tyranniac)

Jason is seated on the bed, staring up at a screen as a game of asajura plays out. He's dressed in a pair of black cargo pants and a white t-shirt. He's been silent for quite some time. "So..." he finally begins, "When do we begin our repairs?"

Vasquez responds without looking away from whatever she is reading. "Not yet. If they'd finish before we come back from the ExoGeni mission we'd be in trouble. Hell, we can barely handle the initial payments as it is." (Tyranniac)

Jason sighs loudly at the mention of ExoGeni. "When are we taking care of that, anyway? If I'm getting stabbed in the back, I'd rather get it over with soon."

Vasquez lets out an annoyed grunt. "It's a big expedition, Jason. It takes a while to organize." (Tyranniac)

Vasquez turns around in her chair, shooting Jason a quick glare. "I thought we'd talked about this. We need the job, Jason. Especially with things the way they are now. It's either this or give up on the Agency." (Tyranniac)

Jason sighs once again, "I know, I know. I said I'm in on it. Calm down. I'm just-... Anxious. I don't like sitting here waiting..."

Vasquez pauses for a second and then nods, turning back to the screen. "How do you think I feel? First action I see in ages, and it ends with our home getting destroyed." (Tyranniac)

Jason bursts into a fit of laughter. "Yeah... Yeah, that was great, wasn't it? And right after you finished lecturing me..." he shakes his head, "You finally did it, Linda. Ya made us homeless." he teases.

Vasquez offers an unamused smile, not looking away from the screen. "Hm. Yeah. Hilarious. And expensive." She says dryly. (Tyranniac)

Vasquez lets out a faint sigh and then nods. "The fucking corner collapsed after the walls were blown out..." (Tyranniac)

Jason raises an eyebrow and looks over at Vasquez. "So... It fell down?" he asks, "Are you saying the building fell down?"

Vasquez looks over her shoulder briefly. "What?! No! Just... just one corner." (Tyranniac)

Jason gives a bit of a shrug. "It's fine, Linda... We'll get all this sorted. But I'm filing this away for later." His smile grows, "This is worth, like, ten get out of jail free cards. You do know that, right?"

Vasquez says nothing in response, turning back to her reading instead. (Tyranniac)

Jason sighs and turns the sports game off. "What about the salarian?" he asks as he turns and sits at the edge of the bed, facing Vasquez, "We get anything out of him yet? Would be nice to get paid for this job. Especially considering how much it costed us."

Vasquez shakes her head. "No. Not a damn thing. I've asked the client to come see me. This is starting to go beyond what we signed up for." (Tyranniac)

Vasquez shakes her head once more. "No... it's already a disaster financially. I'm hoping to just hand that salarian asshole over to the client. Make us less of a target." (Tyranniac)

Vasquez glances at Jason. "They only seemed interested in the salarian. We should be good once we get rid of him." (Tyranniac)

Jason scratches at the back of his neck. "Well, that makes sense but... The client asked for information, not a hostage, right?"

Vasquez nods with a sigh. "Yeah... I'm still hoping we can convince her. If not, we'll have to get rough on Jelvan." (Tyranniac)

Jason leans his head back and stares off at the ceiling. "Are you really willing to go that far?" he asks, leaning back against the bed on his elbows, "Didn't we recover some information on-site? Last leg of that job is a bit hazy, but I'm pretty sure we managed to get ahold of some data. Nothing came of that?"

Vasquez responds without looking at him. "We did. Renala is working on it, but I don't want to hold on to Jelvan any longer than we have to. Would be good to know what the attackers' relationship to him is. If they're hostile he might be more willing to talk now." (Tyranniac)

Vasquez shakes her head, still reading. "No idea." (Tyranniac)

Jason stands from the edge of the bed and paces towards Vasquez, "So we're literally just in wait-mode?" he groans. "Shouldn't we-..." he shrugs, "Do something? I'm sure we could start cleaning up the agency a bit. Move out some rubble. Something. Get it ready for repairs so the transition won't take so long?"

Vasquez looks over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "Knock yourself out. I'll be busy prepping for the ExoGeni job, but if you want to move rubble, go ahead. We can't afford to hire any workers yet." (Tyranniac)

Jason moves over to Vasquez' side and puts a hand on her shoulder as he peers past to look at the screen. "Prepping? You stare at this thing non-stop. How much prepping can you put into being turned into a space-zombie, anyway?" he asks with a smug look on his face, "Step one: Get fucked over by ExoGeni. Step two: braaaains. There, I just saved you a whole lot of time."

Vasquez starts to look a bit annoyed, but ends up closing her eyes as a small smirk spreads across her face. She leans her head back against him with a smirk. "You wanna trade jobs? Let me watch TV and you can talk to ExoGeni lawyers?" (Tyranniac)

Jason glances down at her and appears to contemplate the offer for a moment. "Ya know, I'd really like to. Honestly. But I just don't think you've got what it takes to watch 14 hours of non-stop Asajura. Don't let that get you down, though. You're a valuable employee, but some people just don't have the gluteus fortitude it takes to do my job."

Jason 's smile widens. "You like that? Gluteus?" he asks, suppressing a snicker, "Heard it on an infomercial last night at like two in the morning." He pauses for a moment, staring down at her, "Means butt."

Vasquez rolls her eyes, lifting her right arm and wrapping it around Jason behind her. "So eloquent." (Tyranniac)

Jason shrugs and snakes his arms around Vasquez from behind, folding them across her chest. "Well, one of us has to be, right?" he teases, "We can't both be barbarian brutes running around town blowing up houses. What would the neighbors think?"

Vasquez furrows her eyebrows. "Hey! It wasn't me! I only knocked down one wall." (Tyranniac)

Jason nods a couple times. "Oh, right. Of course. You only destroyed one of our walls." he corrects and nods once more. "Maybe you should've gotten a job in construction. You're obviously a natural." he chuckles.

Uvena enters the Respite through the front door, wearing her full suit of armor; helmet included. The VCA (Video Content Analysis) VI in the security systems would no doubt bring that to Steve's attention, for it's the same suit she wore last time she was here. She barely looks around before approaching the staircase. (Va`ynna_Atana)

Vasquez keeps smirking as she returns to her reading, slowly letting go of Jason. (Tyranniac)

Steve enters the bar from the door behind the counter. He gives a quick glance around and makes his way over towards the staircase at a steady pace, hoping to cut the asari off without drawing too much attention to the situation. "Ma'am." he calls out. (Jason_Wolfe)

Jason remains just behind Vasquez, obnoxiously watching over her shoulder. "You heard from your brother lately?" he asks out of the blue.

Vasquez seems a bit caught off-guard by the question. "I-... I have, actually. He's upset I haven't visited since we left Earth." (Tyranniac)

Uvena stops in her tracks and turns towards Steve. "Yes?" she says in a lowered voice. (Va`ynna_Atana)

Jason nods to himself. "What about having him come out here?" he asks, "I mean-... Could be nice, right? Getting to see family again? We could get him a room here at the Respite for a few days. I know we're a little low on credits right now, but that ain't gonna break us anymore than we already are."

Steve continues over to Uvena, getting pretty close to the asari. He maintains a smile as he glances around. "Got a lot of nerve comin' back here after the ruckus you caused, don't ya think?" he asks, "Pretty sure D'Inea wouldn't be too pleased 'bout you showin' up. What're you doin' here?" (Jason_Wolfe)

Vasquez lets out a sigh, her gaze falling from the screen. "That's not-... he doesn't like the Terminus Systems. You know that. He wouldn't want to come out here. Hell, he doesn't think I should be out here." (Tyranniac)

Uvena sighs. "I'm here on Ms Vasquez' request," she says. "I wouldn't come here on my own initiative, trust me." (Va`ynna_Atana)

Jason frowns. "Yeah, I know but-... I don't know." he sighs, "Just talk to him. I'm sure you can convince him."

Steve puts a hand on his hip and glances back towards the bar quickly. "Alright..." he sighs, "But make it quick. I don't want any trouble out of you, understand?" (Jason_Wolfe)

Vasquez shrugs faintly, and returns to her reading. (Tyranniac)

Jason groans, "It's kind of important..." he continues to press the issue, "Can you at least give it a shot?"

Vasquez lets out a quiet, but most likely affirmative, grunt. (Tyranniac)

Jason smirks and nods to himself before backing away from Vasquez and hopping back on the bed. "Great." he says as he turns the screen back on and resumes his Asajura-watching.

Uvena nods. "That depends what Vasquez wants to talk about," she says. "And no trouble from me, I promise." (Va`ynna_Atana)

Steve gives the asari a nod. "Get rid of the helmet, too. It's likely to make people uncomfortable." he says as he turns away and starts back towards the bar. (Jason_Wolfe)

Uvena nods, again, and continues up the stairs. She keeps her helmet on, however. (Va`ynna_Atana)

Steve rounds the counter and disappears back through the door behind it. (Jason_Wolfe)

Va'ynna looks up at the asari Steve was talking to, not really as oblivious about who she is as the other asari might think. She frowns as the other asari disappears out of view, and shakes her head to herself. (Va`ynna_Atana)

Uvena proceeds upstairs and makes her way to the room Vasquez indicated in her message. She taps on the interface's closest equailent to a doorbell. (Va`ynna_Atana)

Vasquez looks towards the door and then shuts off the computer's display. She checks to make sure she has her machine pistol holstered and ready. "Come in." (Tyranniac)

Jason furrows his brow and glances towards the door. He reaches over to the nightstand and rests his hand on his Phalanx. He sits up in bed a bit, placing his back against the wall.

Uvena opens the door, and takes off the helmet with a step inside. A holstered pistol is her only weapon. "Hello," she says. "You wanted to talk?" She seems a little uncomfortable, for obvious reasons. (Va`ynna_Atana)

Jason removes his hand from the weapon and slides his legs off the bed to sit at the edge. He gives the asari a nod, but remains quiet.

Vasquez looks Uvena over and then nods, glancing at Jason. "Go grab a drink or something." (Tyranniac)

Jason furrows his brow and puts his hands up defensively. "Oh, yeah. Of course, my queen." he says sarcastically. "Wasn't watching a game or anything..." he mutters as he stands from the edge of the bed. He slips on his boots and makes his way past Uvena with a scowl on his face. As he steps through the door, he pauses and turns back towards Vasquez. "You want something to eat?"

Vasquez nods at Jason. "Sure." She turns her attention back to Uvena and looks around. "Uh... just... take a seat on the bed, I guess. I'm sorry about this. I'll explain soon." (Tyranniac)

Jason nods. As the crowd erupts on the screen, Jason grabs ahold of the door frame and swings back into the room to get a glance at what just transpired. With a sigh, he frowns and leaves the room.

Uvena looks at Jason. "Not a word to her, okay?" she says in a lowered voice. She nods at Vasquez and takes a seat at the bed, her armor being completely clean. (Gisleeee)

Jason waves the woman off wordlessly and continues down the hall, allowing the door to close behind him. He takes the steps a couple at a time and lets out a deep breath as he glances towards the bar for any sign of Va'ynna.

Vasquez looks to Uvena once Jason leaves. "We're meeting here because our base was damaged by an attempt at taking Jelvan Darennon from us." (Tyranniac)

Va'ynna is just done serving a patron as she sees Jason, having kept an eye on the doorway afte rseeing the familiar armored figure.

Jason gives Va'ynna a bright smile and waves. "If it isn't my favorite Respite employee. Glass of your finest rum, complimented by some grade-a cola." he orders as he approaches the counter and places a hand atop it. "What's new?" he asks, hopping onto a stool.

Uvena raises an eyebrow. "You took him with you?" she says. "Couldn't you interrogate him at his location?" (Va`ynna_Atana)

Vasquez shakes her head. "The local authorities were... less than accomodating. We had to extract him." (Tyranniac)

Va'ynna walks over to fetch the bottles, looking thoughtful. After returning, she glances at the staircase. "Not much," she says. "That's... her, isn't it?"

Uvena nods. "I understand," she says. "Were you able to get anything out of him? Or recover any other data?" (Va`ynna_Atana)

Jason 's smile slowly fades away as he glances back towards the stairs. He sighs and gives a quick nod. "Just following up on the job." he says. "Try not to dwell on it. Things been quiet around here?" he asks, attempting to change the subject and keep her mind off things.

Vasquez grits her teeth and then shakes her head. "No. Not yet. He was injured in the attack on our base, so our efforts have been delayed. Do you know anything about who might have attacked us?" (Tyranniac)

Va'ynna nods. "Yeah, it has," she says. "I mostly work here during the... least crowded hours, so I can't... really say."

Jason nods and gives a glance around the room. "So..." he says, turning his attention back to Va'ynna, "You and me have a date to an electronics store tomorrow! You able to free up some time?"

Uvena shakes her head. "I don't, I'm afraid," she says. "Getting a lead on my target is what I hired you to do. I don't understand why they would injure the salarian, though." (Va`ynna_Atana)

Va'ynna lets out a small smile. "I did," she says. "D'Inea said she'd... cover for me in the afternoon."

Vasquez nods slowly. "I've been thinking about that too. I don't think they were there to free him... I think they wanted to capture him." She ponders for a moment and then lets out a sigh. "I'm going to level with you, here. This job is costing us money now. The damage to our base is extensive. We can't afford to keep the salarian in custody much longer. Is there any way you could handle the interrogation yourself?" (Tyranniac)

Jason nods and his smile returns. "Great. We'll get that all taken care of tomorrow, then." he says as he waits for his drink. "So, V..." he begins, "You asari have some sort of-... What's it called?" he mutters, trying to find the words, "Bonding... thing... Right? Does it involve some sort of ceremony? A ritual of some sort?"

Uvena sighs. "Is he really the only source information you got out of the job?" she asks. "I'm not taking him off your hands, because that's not part of our contract." (Va`ynna_Atana)

Vasquez holds back from making an unprofessional remark, and nods. "Alright. We have some data, but it's encrypted." (Tyranniac)

Va'ynna tilts her head. "Um, why... do you want to know?" she says. "There's... a ceremony, yes." She mixes the rum and coke in a ice-filled glass, almost forgetting her job during the conversation, and hands the drink to him with a sheepish smile.

Uvena nods. "Let me have it," she says. "If it's possible to decrypt, the woman who I owe the data anyway would be able to get it done." (Va`ynna_Atana)

Jason reaches for the glass and takes a long sip. He gives a slight shrug, "Just-... Research." he says. "So, bonding..." he continues, "Does it, like, validate a relationship? How does that work? If you're with someone for a while, do you decide to bond? Does one ask the other?" he rapidly fires off questions.

Vasquez 's eyes widen in surprise. "Wait, I-... yeah, sure. I'll send it right away. Do you need us to keep the salarian while your contact works?" She turns around and activates her screen again, typing away. (Tyranniac)

Va'ynna hums thoughtfully. "It's... doesn't have to be that formal," she says. "The... union can be just for the purpose of, um, reproduction without more to it; just a single meeting. Or it can... last long, even decades or centuries."

Uvena shakes her head. "That's up to you," she says. "Speaking of, has he given any information at all about Rellis and what organization he belongs to? Or did they attack before you got the chance to talk?" (Va`ynna_Atana)

Jason furrows his brow. "Oh..." he says. He remains silent for a few moments and sips at his drink again, "I thought being bonded to someone meant you were-... Uhh... I didn't know it could just be a one-and-done. Thought bonding and 'getting it on asari style' were two different things..." He crinkles his nose and fiddles with his glass, "Thought it was like human marriage."

Vasquez shakes her head. "No, he's... been very uncooperative." (Tyranniac)

Va'ynna raises her brows. "No. A... union is part of... reproduction," she says, "but it's not... always the other way around. This 'getting it on'... you speak of don't even need to be a part of it." She looks a little uncomfortable talking about this subject.

Jason stares at Va'ynna silently for a few moments, merely blinking. Clearly it's mostly going over his head. "So... What you're saying is-..." he pauses and shakes his head, "Okay, okay... So... So a union is-..." he sighs, "Ya know what? Fuck it. My head's starting to hurt. This is as bad as salarians... Contracts. Family involvement. Cloaca...."

Uvena frowns. "Just deal with him how you see fit, then," she says. "Anyway, I can pay ninety thousand for the data now, and the remaining payment once she's confirmed the data can be decrypted. She said she could offer more if it's more than she already has, and I'll make sure that all goes to you." (Va`ynna_Atana)

Va'ynna can't help but giggle. "A... union, is basically," she begins. "A relationship that's... close enough that you would share a profound mental connection through... melding. Including the genetic memory used in conception."

Vasquez nods a few times, clearly pleased with these news. "Sounds good. The data has been sent. If we do manage to get something out of the salarian I'll pass it on to you." (Tyranniac)

Jason tilts his head to the side. "Sooo... What you're saying is that a union is based on biology more than any sort of formal affair...?" he asks, sounding quite unsure.

Uvena checks her omni-tool and nods. "Got it," she says. "And good, but I'll get back to you as soon as possible if the data's sufficient." (Va`ynna_Atana)

Va'ynna nods. "Bonding is the... formal part, I suppose," she says. "There's a ceremony, and... a bracelet, but... not everyone are that formal about it."

Vasquez nods once more. "Absolutely. I hope you find what you're looking for." She hesitates for a moment before asking: "Was Jelvan a slaver? We found a young girl in his base, and information that suggested they had captured others before." (Tyranniac)

Uvena tilts her head, taking a few seconds to consider the question. "I didn't see anything indicating that in what intel I got to read before the datapads were wiped," she says. "Did the girl say anything about them?" (Va`ynna_Atana)

Jason leans forward slightly, suddenly perking up. "Alright, now we're getting somewhere. So, let's say you've been getting it on for some time now. Been together a while. Went through some shit. If your getting-it-on partner didn't ask you to bracelet-bond, would you be hurt?" he asks, "Or would you be like, 'I'm only 4,852 years old, bro! I ain't ready for that type of commitment!'

Vasquez stares at the wall for a moment and then shakes her head. "No. She was retrieved by relatives before we had a chance to ask her anything." (Tyranniac)

Va'ynna brings up a hand to cover her mouth as she giggles at his impression, though an uncertain expression soon takes over. "I... I... um," she says, her cheeks deepening in color. "What.... Why do you want to know?"

Jason begins to look uncomfortable again as he glances over to his drink with a shrug. "Like I said... Just doing some research." He reaches out and takes another sip of his drink, "So?" he asks, re-establishing eye contact, "Would you expect a bracelet-bond with someone you were with for a while? Be hurt if they didn't ask? You think it's something that needs to happen to validate

Uvena nods. "I'll tell that to my contact, as well," she says, and enables her omni-tool to authorize the transfer of 90,000 credits. "If anything, it might confirm some other intel she has or something like that." (Va`ynna_Atana)

Vasquez nods. "Alright. I think we're done here then." (Tyranniac)

Va'ynna frowns. "I... wouldn't," she says. "I'm still... too young for that, I think. Especially... if that was with another asari. Other than that... I just don't know."

Uvena stands up and has her omni-tool's display dissipate. "Could we avoid this place if another meeting is necessary," she says. "I still have over half the time left on an apartment I'm staying at." (Va`ynna_Atana)

Vasquez nods yet again. "Certainly. Things are less organized than I'd like right now." (Tyranniac)

Uvena nods. "Take care," she says before making her way out of the room, putting on her helmet before opening the door. (Va`ynna_Atana)

Jason frowns and sighs loudly. "Fair enough..." he says, "Mind putting in an order for me? Varren kebabs and a cheeseburger?"

Va'ynna nods, and types it into the terminal. "Of course," she says, a little relieved to be done with that subject. "Would you like... anything to drink with it?"

Jason thinks about it for a moment. "Yeah, actually." he says, "How much for a bottle of batarian ale? No idea why Linda likes that nasty stuff..."

Va'ynna fidgets a little as she ponders what to say. "I... I... don't think that's a good idea," she says, lowering her voice. "She... had two glasses of that when you were away, and,..." Va'ynna trails off. "It really affected her, Jason."

Jason furrows his brow. "What? When?" he asks, "I mean of course is affected her. That shit has some kick to it."

Va'ynna nods. "It was when you were... on that job," she says before sighing. "Well, you know her better than I do, so if you want the bottle, it'll be a hundred credits." She looks a little uncertain. "I'm... worried for you... that's all."

Uvena makes her way downstairs, helmet on, and sets course for the exit without looking around. (Va`ynna_Atana)

Jason tilts his head to the side. "Worried...?" he asks. He closes his eyes and sighs, "How bad was it, V?"

Jason sighs and leans forward, running a hand through his hair. "I'll talk to her, V... I'm sorry. She hasn't mentioned anything to me. Is Briggs alright?"

Va'ynna nods. "He sounded a... little angry after it happened," she says, "but... I think he's alright." She glances over at the armored asari again.

Uvena keeps moving towards the exit, not really giving any thought to her surroundings. (Va`ynna_Atana)

Jason follows Va'ynna's gaze but quickly returns his attention back to her. He gives a sympathetic frown, but doesn't mention the asari. "Alright, I'll pass on the ale..." he agrees, "How about something a little lighter for me to bring up to the room?"

Va'ynna looks thoughtful. "Um, what about beer?" she says. "That's light, and... is usually ordered along with food."

Uvena leaves throught the front door, and makes her way along the street parallel to the wall opposite the bar. (Va`ynna_Atana)

Jason gives a nod. "Yeah, beer will work." he says with a smirk, "Not too picky about brand. Whatever you've got on hand."

Va'ynna nods, and types it into the terminal; although she had already sent the food order off just after he ordered it. "I... suppose all kinds of beer should be alright," she says, "since they're all human-made. We... non-humans never get it right, so I've heard." She pauses. "Anyway, your order should be here shortly."

Jason nods with a smirk. "Thanks, V." he says as he fishes through his pocket for his credit chit before sliding it across the table. "Sounds like I might be staying here for a while. The Agency took quite a hit..."

Jason shakes his head. "Not yet. But apparently we're missing entire walls after the attack." he sighs, "Probably going to cost a fortune to get it fixed up."

Va'ynna raises her brows. "It's... that bad?" she says. "Goddess. That's horrible."

Jason nods a couple times. "You're telling me... But there's nothing we can do about it now. Just gotta fork over the credits and take care of it."

Va'ynna nods. "I... hope that goes well," she says. "Oh, that reminds me.... Ms Vasquez asked about a discount when she arrived here, but... I told her to talk to D'Inea about it."

Va'ynna hears a soft ping from the terminal nearest her. "Be right back." She makes her way through the door to the back, returning shortly after with a tray with the food order. She places it infront of him before walking over to find two half-liter bottles of beer; and places them upon the tray, as well.

Jason goes to speak, but waits as she heads off to grab the food. Once she returns, he stands from his stool and grasps the tray. "Suppose that's something worth talking to her about." he says, "But... That's gonna have to wait for another day. Right now, I need to eat the fuck out of this cheeseburger." He offers Va'ynna a smile as he steps back from the counter, "Don't forget.

Va'ynna can't help but smirk. "I won't forget, I promise," she says. "I'm looking forward... to it."

Jason gives a wink as he makes his way towards the stairs. "Me too." he says before ascending the staircase, "See you later, V!" he calls out.

Va'ynna gives a small wave, but doesn't call back. She remains there for a while until Aylena takes over in the early evening, not serving that many patrons.