#FreedomFalls – September 7, 2015

Va'ynna nods and extends the bag towards Jason's hand. "But... be careful," she says. "it... has more than enough holes already."

Jason frowns and concentrates on the bag as he works on gripping it by the handles. It takes a few moments, but he manages, causing his frown to be replaced by a smirk. He gives a slight wince as a pang of pain shoots through his chest, but he quickly begins speaking to cover it up. "I'm a natural, V." he says, turning towards the grocery store, "I've got this..."

Va'ynna gives a small smile. "Yes... you are," she says, and looks at the grocery store. "I... could probably use some... snacks, too. Just a little bit." She waits for Jason to start walking.

Jason starts towards the store with a nod. "I think I'm getting the hang of these. With a little more training, I should be back to 100%"

Va'ynna follows beside him towards the store. "I... hope so," she says. "Is the... doctor also coming with you when you go off-world with them?"

Jason gives a nod. "She's our field medic. Besides, I know it's probably not the best idea for me to be out in the field so soon after such a major change. It'll be nice to have her on-hand in case anything goes wrong with these things."

Va'ynna frowns. "Don't you have to... learn how to aim again, too?" she asks.

Jason raises his free arm in front of him and wiggles the fingers slightly as he lets out a sigh. "I'm hoping it'll just be second nature once this all starts feeling... natural again." He slowly lowers his arm, continuing across the market towards the store, "But I'm gonna head out by the office and set up a few targets in a couple days just to be sure."

Va'ynna tilts her head. "Maybe we.. should go to the range before you... go?" she says. "You did... promise me to that... a long time ago." A sheepish smile follows.

Jason gains an uncomfortable look on his face at the mention of the range. He glances down at his arms once more, continuing on his way towards the store. "Oh..." he mutters as he recalls the promise he made long ago. He gives a couple of nods, "Yeah... of course." he says, forcing his smirk back into place, "Maybe... Maybe you could just come with me out to the office, though...?"

Va'ynna nods. "That's... better, I suppose,... the range is... a bit expensive," she says. "Are you sure... they'll let you do that at... the office?"

Jason gives a shrug. "Who's gonna stop me?" he asks, "I own the place. We'll just set up some targets out back. It'll be fine." He seems to visibly loosen up at the idea of not going to the range.

Va'ynna frowns. "What about... your neighbors, and the... militia?" she asks. "They'll... hear shooting, and... think it's trouble."

Jason shakes his head. "That's the great thing about being all the way out there. It's mostly abandoned buildings nearby. Few factories, but nothing that's gonna raise a stir."

Va'ynna smiles slightly. "Oh, that reminds me," she says. "I... never got a chance to visit you before... it was attacked."

Va'ynna nods. "We can still... go shooting before then, though," she says, "but... I wasn't expecting a tour before... it's rebuilt."

Jason slides Va'ynna's bag further up his arm. He pauses near the entrance as he fiddles with it, taking a few moments of fiddling in which it's obvious he's somewhat frustrated. Once his hand is freed, he starts off straight towards the beer. "Yeah, sure." he agrees, "I'll be moving back into the agency once it's finished, by the way, so you should prepare yourself. I know it'll be

Va'ynna can't help but giggle. "I'll... miss you," she says. She follows him towards the beer, looking over it unimpressed.

Jason looks for a case of bottled beer, not particularly picky over brand. "Sure, sure... Unfortunately for you, I'll still be by regularly. Especially with the kitchen open again."

Va'ynna frowns. "I... won't be at the bar... much in the evening when we... usually serve dinner, though," she says, "unless both of the new owners, and... the turian can't for some... reason."

Jason scoops up a case, stumbling with it quietly for a few moments before responding. "Oh? What's your new schedule gonna be like?" he asks as he gets his fingers through the handle.

Va'ynna looks on concerned as he lifts the case. "The... old schedule," she says. "Breakfast, preparation and inventory in the morning, and,... free time after preparing lunch items... until... dinner service start... in the evening."

Jason nods as he lifts the case and his smirk returns. He continues onwards towards the middle aisle. "What about days off?" he asks, "You're not working all week anymore, are you?"

Va'ynna frowns, looking away for a moment. "I... don't have days off," she says. "The... kitchen would close."

Jason sighs loudly and shakes his head. "You gotta tell them that's bullshit, V." he says as he begins the process of scooping random stuff off the shelf and stacking it onto his case of beer. Cookies. Chips. Other assorted junk food. "They can't just expect people to work every day of the week. You need to talk to them about it."

Va'ynna takes a small pack of cookies from one of the shelves while she walks with him. "I... I... can do that," she says. "Kanaya... was nice when... I asked her for help before... coming here with you. Maybe... she'll hire another... chef."

Jason gives a glance over at the asari as he plays a balancing act with his case of beer. "You can't just run a business without a proper staff." he nods, "You need anything else?"

Va'ynna looks over the shelf indecisively before she shrugs and grabs a bar of chocolate. "No, I'm... fine," she says. "Did... the doctor say anything about... drinking while you... recover?"

Jason recalls Halisi's incessant complaining about his drinking and gives a sigh and a shrug of his shoulders. "She might've. I can't recall exactly what she said, though, so it must not have been too important." He swivels to face the counter and starts towards it, continuing to balance all of his items, "You sure there's nothing else you need...?"

Va'ynna shakes her head. "I... get to eat... for free at the Respite," she says, "and... I've... already spent much in here."

Jason gives the asari employee a nod as he approaches the counter and begins the process of putting all of his items on the checkout counter. "You're doing alright though, right?" he asks as he situates his stuff, a slow ordeal given his control over his arms, "Financially, I mean...?"

Va'ynna sighs. "I... don't get paid much... in credits," she says. "Just... four hundred a month, but... I... can get paid more if I... move out and... make my own food, but... you know me." A sheepish smile follows. She waits for Jason to be done, still holding the two items she wants to buy.

Jason frowns deeply as he struggles with the process. "What about getting an apartment nearby?" he asks, attempting to keep the conversation going to keep attention from the difficulty he's having.

Va'ynna nods. "I'm... thinking about it. I brought it up with... Victoria," she says. "If we... can split rent, I... could have a lot left for... shopping, and... things like that." She tilts her head. "Do you want... any help?"

Jason shakes his head a bunch of times. "Huh? No! No. Really, thanks, but I'm fine." he forces a smile and continues to struggle for a few moments before getting all of his items scanned. "Uhh... Actually-..." He glances down at his side, "My credit chit... It's in my left pocket, could you...?" he trails off uncomfortably.

Va'ynna nods and puts the products she's going to buy in the counter, away from Jason's. She then steps closer carefully digs into his left pocket to find the credit chit he mentioned.

Jason tilts to the side a bit to give her easier access. The credit chit is all that's in his pocket. "Sorry..." he says, somewhat embarassed.

Va'ynna takes it out. "It's... no problem," she says, before handing it to him.

Jason collects the chit from her and scans it, choosing not to comment on the ordeal anymore as it's already embarassing enough. "So... You and Vicky in a place together...?" he asks as he begins to put his things into a bag and pull them off to the side so Va'ynna can begin checking herself out. Rather than stick his chit back in his pocket, he opts to shove it into one of the bags.

Va'ynna nods. "I... don't like the idea... of walking alone to work," she says before she starts to check out, "so... I'd like it to be close, yes." She doesn't have much of an issue checking out. She then takes a credit chit out from her already cramped pocket (not that there's much in it, it's just very bad), making some small portable data drive fall out as she pulls it out, and onto the ground. She crouches down and picks it up and pockets

Jason raises an eyebrow as her personal items go falling to the ground. "You sure I shouldn't be helping you?" he teases with a smirk. He begins collecting his things from the area he bagged then in and waits for Va'ynna to finish up. "If it's not too far we could probably set something up to have Respite security walk you to and from work." he offers with a shrug, "But... You know

Va'ynna blushes at his teasing, and then frowns. "I... I know," she says, "but... still, I don't feel... safe outside alone." She takes her items, not bagging them. "Security would be... nice," she says, "but... I.... If it's not... Briggs." She starts walking out of the store.

Jason walks alongside Va'ynna, raising an eyebrow. "You really don't like Briggs, huh?" he asks, obviously fishing for a bit more info, "I know you said you two don't get along but-... He does his job, right?"

Va'ynna nods. "At the... Respite," she says, lowering her voice, "but... I wouldn't... feel comfortable alone with him. He's... so insensitive."

Jason nods a few times. "Like I said, I'll do what I can to move things around when this job is over. Ehanis will be running security at the Respite while we're gone, but I'm sure Steve is expecting to just get back to work when we come home. I'll figure it out..."

Va'ynna sighs. "There's... also something else I've... been putting off talking to you about, now that we're... on this topic," she says and takes a deep breath. "My... mother had her car... stolen, and... the time and... her description makes me think... one of your... employees might... have done it." She nervously fidgets with a button on her new coat while talking.

Jason actually stops in place for a moment as he's told this, furrowing his brow. Once he continues walking, he shakes his head. "One of my employees?" he asks with a bit of nervous laughter, "Who? Why? We have around-the-clock pickup available to any of them. Jasper is always on call, day or night. None of them even need a car...."

Va'ynna frowns. "I... got Kanaya to... give me some security footage, so... my mother can be sure," she says, keeping her voice low. "It's... T'Iavay. I... hope it's not her, but... I saw her... come back in the morning in armor that day. I usually only see her... leave in the evening, and... she matches the... description I got."

Jason frowns and sighs loudly. "I mean... Could just have been someone with similar gear, right?" he asks, not entirely sure if he believes it himself, "I just have trouble believing T'Iavay would steal a car. I mean, why?" he shakes his head a few times as he continues out of the store, "Tell ya what. I'll look into it, alright?"

Va'ynna nods. "I... alright," she says, "but... I'll... let my mother see if she... recognize her, but... all seems to... point to her. The... car was locked."

Jason shakes his head. "How about we keep your mother out of this for now, yeah?" he asks, "I'd rather avoid this becoming a big issue. Let me talk to T'Iavay first."

Va'ynna frowns, considering it for a few moments, but eventually nods. "I... I'll tell her I haven't... asked Kanaya yet," she says. She looks around the various stores. "Do... you need anything else... before we go?"

Jason lets out a deep breath, happy to at least have a head start on figuring things out. "No..." he says, "I'm good. Should probably head back to the Respite and get back to working these out a bit." he glances over at the asari, "Unless you had some more stuff to grab...?"

Va'ynna shakes her head and turns towards the exit. "I... shouldn't spend any more than... I have," she says, "so... no, I'm... ready to go."

Jason nods and continues onwards towards the market's exit. "You mentioned lunch with lovergirl, right?"

Va'ynna nods. "And... my mother," she says, followed by a mutter of, "Poor Victoria." She starts walking towards the exit, as well, a bit faster at first to catch up with him.

Jason lets out a loud chuckle. "Wait, wait, wait. You're taking your girlfriend to meet your mother?" he asks, sounding a bit shocked, "I had no idea you and Vicky had gotten so serious."

Va'ynna looks a bit thoughtful. "I... was just mentioning wanting... to find an... apartment with her," she says. "It's... serious enough... I suppose. As... serious as something that's... lasted ten days... can be."

Jason raises an eyebrow. "Ten days?" he asks, "You sure it's a good idea to move in with someone you've only been dating for ten days...?"

Va'ynna frowns. "I... I think it's right," she says. "She... has... wanted this for a very... long time before I... did, and... would never give up."

Va'ynna nods. "She did," she says, "and... now it'll... take a lot to... shake me off." She lets out a short giggle.

Jason exits the front of the markets and steps to the side of the door as Va'ynna follows. "I don't think you've got much to worry about there, V. She'd be crazy to want to 'shake you off'." he says with a smirk, "You're an amazing catch."

Va'ynna steps outside, looking around, her cheeks taking on a different purple shade for a moment. "I..., um... I," she begins, picking her words. "Is... she going to come with you on... the job, too?"

Jason gives a nod as he begins to lead back towards the Respite. "Yeah. She'll be piloting our shuttle." he says, "Don't worry. I'll make sure she gets home to you."

Va'ynna frowns. "I... I hope I can hear from you... before you come back," she says. "I... I'm going to worry for you no... matter what... you say." She is walking beside him as they return to the Respite.

Jason gives an apologetic shrug of his shoulders.

Va'ynna sighs. "Ehanis... is probably going to be... sick of me asking her by... the time you're back," she murmurs followed by a sheepish smile.

Va'ynna let's out a giggle et his joke, but is quiet for a few moments before speaking. "Promise me," she begins, "that you... don't take any... uneccesary risks, considering you're... still getting used to... your arms."

Jason glances down at his arms once more, but remains quiet for a while. Finally he lets out a sigh. "I'm gonna do whatever it takes to bring Linda home." he says with a nod, "Whatever 'risks' that may require..."

Va'ynna continues walking beside him. "I... I... I don't want to lose you, Jason," she says, sounding saddened. "Please... be careful out there."

Jason lowers his gaze to the ground as he continues on his way, "I don't plan on dying out there, V." he says softly, "I just... I have to bring her home..."

Va'ynna nods. "I... trust that you're not," she says, "but... but...." She sighs. "It's... just that...." She shakes her head. "I'm going to miss you while you're... away."

Jason lets out a soft chuckle. "I'm gonna miss you too, V." he says, "It'll only be a few days, though. A week, max. Then I'll be back and me and Linda will give you a tour of the office."

Va'ynna is quiet for a few moments, then gives a small smile. "I'll... hold you to that," she says. "You... don't have the... best track record... with promises like that."

Jason scrunches up his nose. "What is that supposed to mean!?" he asks with some mock anger in his voice, "I always keep my promises! Name one time when I've broken a promise! One! ...The firing range doesn't count..."

Va'ynna tilts her head. "Why... does it not count?"

Jason quickens his pace a bit, not bothering to glance at Va'ynna as he responds. "Cuz I said so. House rule."

Va'ynna smiles slightly. "That... so?" she asks, upping her pace to keep up with him. "How about when... um, I... think you've owed me a tour of the... base for half... a year."

Jason shakes his head. "Doesn't count. You said so yourself, you haven't come out there. Had you, I would've gladly given you a tour." he responds quickly, flashing her an 'I win' smile. "We can go right now!" he continues, just to up the stakes, "I'll give ya that tour any time, any day. Promise: Kept!"

Va'ynna thinks about it for a moment. "So... I... need to remind you to keep your promises?" she asks, then lets out a sigh of defeat. "I... I guess you're right, I... should leave Miner's Respite... more often."

Va'ynna nods. "I... didn't want to... interrupt your work, and... I never have time off in the evenings," she says, "but... I'll keep that in mind. There's also... Victoria, and my mother. Ilyna... seems to have... too much to do now, though."

Jason stops outside of the Respite, his arms too full to open the door himself, and waits for Va'ynna to handle it for him. "Not possible to interrupt my work." he says with a shrug, his grin widening, "Because I hardly ever work. You're always welcome at the office-... You know, when we actually have an office again."

Va'ynna opens the door, and steps inside, getting out of the way to let Jason through. She still has her things with her, but they're in her coat's pockets now. "I'll...remember that," she says. "So, you... have Ilyna do everything? That's... not very nice of you."

Jason steps in behind the asari and puts on the puppy dog eyes. "I'm a wounded man, V! I'm in no shape to be handling paperwork!"

Va'ynna frowns. "Sorry, I... should have thought... about that," she says, then pauses. "I.... Thank you... for taking me shopping." She lifts her arms a little bit, but decides against hugging him while he's carrying the bags.

Jason gives a loud chuckle. "I'm just fucking with you, V." he says, "I do my part, too. Just-... not now. Not until I've got these all figured out." He starts making his way towards the bar, presumably with Va'ynna in tow, and waits near the counter.

Va'ynna follows him to the counter. "Oh," she says. "That's... good to hear."

Jason slowly lifts his case of beer up onto the counter and turns to face Va'ynna. "Alright, V. I'm gonna get upstairs and work on controlling these beasts. You have fun with your lunch date and try to keep Vicky under control." he chuckles."

Va'ynna giggles. "I'll... try," she says, reaching for her bag. "I'll see you... later, then."

Jason frowns. "Where's my hug, jerk?" he teases, slowly raising his arms to his sides, the bags still on one of them.

Va'ynna sighs. "I... forgot it at home, sorry," she says, but after a few seconds pass, a small smile shows up and she wraps her arms around him.

Jason slowly wraps his free arm around the asari's waist and gives her a few pats on the back. He winces and reels slightly in place. "Ow, ow, ow!" he groans, leaning his head back to look at Va'ynna. After a moment his lopsided smirk returns. "Just kidding." He raises the arm with the bags up higher. "Don't forget your dress."

Va'ynna smiles and let's go of the hug. She takes the bags off his hand until she has hers, and hands the others back to him. "Thank you," she says.

Jason gives the asari a wink and takes his bags back. "Alright, V. I'll catch ya later." he says as he collects his case of beer from the counter and begins the trip upstairs.

Va'ynna nods. "I'll... see you," she repeats and turns to the bar. She orders a soft drink and takes it over to a free booth nearby when she gets it.