#Miner'sRespite – September 8, 2015

Zaylus is seated at the Respite bar, a glass of turian ale resting in his loose grasp. He occasionally reads something off of his omni-tool, ineracting breifly before dismissing the screen. He's sitting back comfortably, and looks around the establishment every few minutes.

Skythix entered the respite wearing her usual dark colored, warm clothing that clothed all but her spurs. She was debating whether it was a good place to duck into just to get warm or if she was just looking for company. She approached the bar counter and took a spot next to another turian, unzipping her jacket halfway. She turned her head towards him to offer a small smile, happy to

Kanaya is standing behind the bar, content to let the salarian take care of the boring paperwork despite being the better bartender of the two by a mile. The teal-ish blue asari is dressed in a dark blue top showing some skin below the neck and blue jeans. She approaches the turian arrival with a polite smile. "Welcome," she says. "Would you like a drink or something to eat?"

Zaylus looks to turn on the display once again and finds someone else joining him at the bar. He acknowledges the smile with one of his own, the sense of comradery not entirely lost on him. He straightens in his seat, putting the omni-tool away for now, but keeps his words to himself as Kanaya approaches.

Skythix made herself more comfortable in the seat and looked at the new asari that approached her, surprised to not see Va'ynna. "Oh! Uh, can I get something warm please? Non-alcoholic, to start anyway." She turned her head to look at the other turian and noticed that he was drinking something. Maybe it was just her usual disinterest in drinking but she noticed she didn't drink much

Zaylus listens vaguely as his fellow barmate orders a drink. Non-alcholic? He gives a small smirk. He brings his own glass up, considering some idle chitchat with this stranger. "Seems so." He responds with equal enthusiasm. "You been here long, then?" He questions, taking the opportunity to look more closely at the turian woman.

Kanaya walks over to one of the terminals, and types on it while the other turian speaks. "We don't have many warm drinks for turians, but I see you have ordered one of the teas before," she says. "Is that one alright?"

Skythix kept her expression relativly neutral. "Not long. Still trying to get my bearings. You?" She said with a small flick of her mandibles. Her dark green eyes matched the streaks of clan markings on her face. She turned back to the asari and nodded. "Yes, please. I'll have to get this place to start stocking apha for the future." She said with a smile. "Where's Va'ynna?"

Zaylus takes a long drink from his glass, setting it down lightly. "I've been around before." He puts simply with a small smile, looking to the unfamiliar asari as they converse.

Kanaya nods and crouches down to open a cupboard, taking a teabag out. "She's in the kitchen, preparing food for lunch," she says. "She should be out soon, though, if you wanted to see her." She glances at the wrapped teabag. "I'll be right back with your tea," she says and walks over to another part of the bar to get hot water.

Skythix tilted her head to the side at the turian next to her. Well that doesn't explain much. "So does that mean you're just visiting?" She asked the man before looking back at the asari. "I was just wondering where she was is all. She was always the person here when I came to the Respite. She sort of just became a staple to me." She said with a brief chuckle. "I mean, if she's free

Kanaya returns with a cup of tea and puts it on the counter. "That's my fault," she says. "I was supposed to take over much sooner after my mother left."

Zaylus returns his attention to the other turian, "Not exactly." He replies, pushing his glass aside. He waits to elaborate until she has refocused her attention on him. "It's not a terrible place to stay." is his glowing recommendation. "If you're used to this kind of thing. I guess you're lining up work now, hm?" He guesses, finding himself somewhat interested in normal conversation.

Skythix blinked once. "I wasn't aware there was another person working here before." Suppose that's a stupid assumption to make considering you've been here barely a week. She sighed once before speaking again to the turian. "No, It's really not my thing. Got into one standoff and a barfight in such a short amount of time." She still couldn't figure out why she was even here. "I got

Kanaya nods. "Redrock," she begins. "I heard you guys have something coming up. You don't happen to know who will be stepping in for Briggs, do you?"

Zaylus chuckled to himself, sliding his drink back toward him and tapping his talons against the glass. "Redrock, huh? I might be seeing you again, then." He says good-naturedly, taking another sip of his drink. He looks toward Kanaya, interested in this since he knows little about what the organization has been up to.

Skythix hadn't realized just how many people really knew Redrock. Why was a PMC so popular in this region? "Sorry," she began at the asari. "I don't know who Briggs is. Besides, I'm pretty sure Wolfe is the one who coordinates people." She then looked at the turian with surprise. "Just how many people in this town are a part of Redrock and why do I feel like I've gotten myself involved

Zaylus can't help but take on an uncertain expression. "Uhh..." He clears his throat, looking away for a moment. "Well, a lot of them hang around, or even live here, so it's probably less than you think. And as for the other thing..." He feigns a concerned look before letting out a laugh. "It's really nothing, you don't seem like someone who can't take care of themself."

Skythix looked around in thought before she remembered Jason telling her something similar. "That... would make sense. Is that a testament to me not knowing my coworkers or me needing to get out more?" She asked rhetorically with a laugh. "Who is this Briggs person anyway?" She asked the asari. She might as well try and solve the first problem she had.

Zaylus grinned in response, swirling the contentes of his glass. He knew he vaguely recognized that name, but figured the asari would know much more than he. The turian knocked back the last bit of his drink, setting the glass down without requesting more.

Skythix suddenly frowned at the asari. "Wait, you're talking about that human security guard here?" She jabbed a talon harshly at the bar counter, leaning against it now towards the asari. "You should fire that jackass. A krogan tried to kill me after threatening my life right here in the bar and he comes out of the back in time to just let the giant off with a warning. Review the video

Zaylus raises a brow (or equivilent) at this sudden outburst, straightening up as Sky's anger grows. Having no side in the accusation, he looks on to the asari for her rebuttal, a generally shocked look on his face.

Kanaya raises an eyebrow. "He did?" she asks. "I'll review the feeds, and bring it up with him when I get a chance." She pauses, and sighs. "Who was tending the bar at the time?"

Skythix | "Va'ynna was. The poor girl was probably scared out of her mind. I'd have fought back but I wasn't about to wreck up the only place that I thought was a nice neutral ground. Guess I was wrong on that." She growled with her teeth bared. She glanced at the other turian and saw his expression. She closed her eyes and sucked in a tight breath, realizing she was losing her temper.

Zaylus sighs quietly. "She always does manage to be in the middle of these things." He mutters sympathetically. Louder and more direct, he says, "Welcome to Aite." with a nod of his head and a tired grin.

Kanaya frowns. "Calm down," she says, sounding a bit defensive. "I'll look into it, and see to it that he takes his job seriously. I'll get his boss involved if I need to."

Skythix put both of her hands up, palm out in a surrender gesture. "I am calm." It came out curtly. She let out a deep breath before continuing. "I'm calm." She said more gently. She put her hands back down on the counter and lowered her head slightly. "Sorry. I don't usually get like that." Her voice returned back to normal with a bit of sympathy in between. "I've just been really

Zaylus | "Some alcohol might help." He smirks, gesturing toward her tea.

Kanaya offers a tiny smile. "Hey, it's fine," she says. "I'd be stressed out if a krogan had something against me, too."

Skythix put her head in her hand, leaning her elbow against the counter. "I really don't want to drink right now." She glanced at the tea the turian pointed to, forgetting it was even there. "Can't exactly say I was expecting any better coming to the Terminus." She picked up the tea and cupped the warmth in her hands before drinking from it gently. The heated drink was instantly soothing

Zaylus pulled himself forward to lean against the counter, keeping up his cheeky grin. "Only if you think it'd help." Reaching out he takes up his own empty glass, setting it near the asari. "Some more of that turian ale, if you could?" He requests. "Someone has to do the drinking here."

Kanaya takes the glass with a soft laugh. "You sure?" she says. "Miner's Respite will be around tonight too, in case you were doubting that."

Zaylus | "I'd expect bartenders to be encouraging daytime drinking." He replies.

Skythix groaned lightly and shook her head. "I don't think it would." She commented before returning to her tea. She really just wanted something fun to do that wasn't working out. Before it had a motive due to her military career but now it was just so she wouldn't get out of shape.

Zaylus | "That's a shame." He responds to the other turian, "but probably a sign of good taste." He chuckles, the self-deprecating humor not something he was used to, but found ejoyable now.

Kanaya picks up the bottle, which is still where she left it after pouring his previous glass. "My bad, then," she says. She pours a glass of the ale and puts it before him. "It's been a long time since I last worked at a bar."

Skythix let out another sigh. "Why can't things just be simple? A nice boring day with nothing happening would be heaven for me right now." She said before drinking some more of her tea. "I've had my days of stims and drinking. That's just not relaxing anymore."

Zaylus takes up the glass, giving an appreciative nod before taking a sip. After setting the drink back down, he wipes away at the counter absently. "Gotta be honest, I think you're looking in the wrong place." He says, "As for relaxation around here, well..." He trails off, looking at Kanaya for help. "Um... drugs? I don't know, if not drinking, how are you relaxing?"

Kanaya steps back, letting them talk without her being involved. She shrugs as the turian looks at her.

Skythix gave the turian a confused look. "I only used the stims when I needed to. It helps that they make you feel great though. The drinking was mostly just squadmates enjoying some shore leave." She paused and looked down at the tranquility hidden in her tea, spotting her own dark reflection. "I mostly just work myself until I'm too tired to keep going. I thought about going to Club

Zaylus gives her a strange look, setting his jaw with a slight huff. "I know this sounds odd, but it's been a while since I've seen a turian so... military." He turns to face her, anchored to the counter by the hand holding his drink. "Most just don't come out this way, you know?"

Kanaya walks over to serve another patron, no longer listening to the turians' conversation.

Skythix blinked a few times at the turian with a blank expression. "You're right. That is odd." She said dryly. "Just because I'm out here doesn't mean I forget who I am." Her eyes narrowed slightly as she examined the turian in front of her. He seemed young and from his surprise he must have been born out here, maybe didn't serve long in the military if at all. "What was your position

Zaylus hardened his own expression in response, her air of superiority putting him on the defensive. "Deserter." He responds coldly, though obviously somewhat sarcastic. "Does that offend your noble sensabilities?" The young turian snorts, "I can't imagine it does, since you're here and all."

Skythix took in a sharp breath and stared him straight in the eye. Easy Sky, no reason to make more enemies just because of who they are. "I finished my tour of duty with honor and accomplishment. I came here on my own volition." She gripped at her nearly empty tea and tried to redirect her anger. "Your decisions are your own." Her tone returned to normal as her gaze turned away from

Zaylus looked on as he felt his own venom seeping away. She hadn't escalated things the way he thought she might. Surely this was a product of her time in the service. Either way, he too would back down. "Yes, they are." He replies, himself turning back to the counter as he took another sip of his drink. He felt a bit of lightness return, and with a sigh, he spoke without looking to

Skythix was glad from two parts; she managed to not piss someone off again because of her own hot-headedness and that someone else didn't use her anger against her. It was rather refreshing if she had to be honest. "Old habits die hard and I've been running the same ones for almost seventeen years." She took the final sip from her tea, also without looking back at the turian. After a

Zaylus peers at the woman from the corner of his eye, the moment of hostility seeming to have passed. This felt rather unusual, and as he headed into unfamiliar territory, the young turian remembered to remain civil. He set his glass back down, satisfying his one introspective thought for the year. He listens as she speaks, meeting her gaze when she turns to look at him. "Zaylus." He

Skythix was feeling a little better upon seeing Zaylus smile. At least he didn't seem to be holding a grudge against her. "Parthia Colony. I'm still not even used to how cold it is here." She acted out a shiver for emphasis, bringing a small smile back to her own face. "Military life brought me all over the place, even the awful parts of the Terminus and I still ended up here." She said

Va'ynna emerges from the door behind the bar. She's wearing her dark-green shirt with some flour stains and simple black pants. Va'ynna gives a small wave upon seeing the two familiar turians, but doesn't approach them. Instead, the asari walks around the bar and seems to be heading for the stairs.

Zaylus grins, for once enjoying the air of congeniality. "Cold? I'd hardly noticed." He responds, pausing to elaborate. "I'm from Altakiril, some icey rock in the Shrike. This place is nice and cozy for me. Either way, you'll get used to it." He assures her, momentarily diverting attention to his drink. This gives him a moment to considering her inquiry, which he is not at all prepared

Skythix narrowed her browplates for a moment. "Damn. I don't know how you could even live out on that planet." She zipped up her jacket that she had opened minutely from before. His own reasons felt similar to her own but something in her mind was still trying to keep them apart. She shrugged before speaking. "I needed a job once I got here. Didn't have enough funds to keep me going

Va'ynna glances at the turians before going upstairs.

Zaylus perks up a little, "No shit? I came across them just about the same way. Like I said, this place is usually crawling with people in or affiliated with the group." He takes a generous sip of his drink, barely getting it down before laughing to himself. "Although, I doubt he thought you a, what was it?" He thought aloud. "Right, 'asshat'. Humans are so creative." He murmured with

Skythix nodded her head, mandibles spreading in a smile. "Sounds about right. Humans are still a mystery to me. Rarely ever interacted with them back on the fleets. I may have called him 'wretched' though when we first met." She let out a laugh with a smile that reached her eyes. She was happy that the uncomfortable conversation was left behind at this point. "That's the word I'm hearing

Zaylus shakes his head with a guttural laugh. "Jason should probably stop employing people that insult him, but then we'd both be out of jobs." He pushed the glass out of his reach, knowing he ought to slow down lest he make a fool of himself. His smile faltered, and again he considered how to answer her question. "Jason's orders. There's a lot of places people need to go." He replies

Skythix put the side of her hand against her mouth to prevent herself from laughing more. She then flattened her browplates with a confused look. "Why is it that when people always say that you shouldn't be concerned it's the exact opposite of what they end up doing?" She pushed her empty tea cup away from her and put her elbows on the counter. "I mean, I get that everyone has a job to

Zaylus | "We'll both get more imformation in time, he's just got... things to handle." He explains, a worried expression coming about him. He quickly shakes it off, mirroring the other turian and settling his arms outstretched on the countertop. "My living arrangements are a bit day to day right now." He answers truthfully. "I used to rent a room right here." He nods his head toward

Va'ynna makes her way downstairs after changing to her dark-red dress. She walks over to the bar and sits down, leaving one free seat between her and Zaylus without saying anything.

Skythix let out a wistful sigh and nodded in understanding. "The pleasures of command... Oh how I miss you..." She gave Zaylus a sidelong glance. "I rent a hole in the wall here in town. It's not the cheapest and it's not the biggest place but It sure beats a barracks." In her sidelong glance, she managed to spot a red looking asari and leaned over to look more at her. Her eyes widened

Zaylus nods, "Seems like that's the only kind of place you can get in this city." He says, before following Sky's gaze over his shoulder. He spins to face the asari, adopting a wide grin. "Hey Va'ynna. It's good to see you." He greets, the pleasant vibes persisting.

Va'ynna leans forward and looks past Zaylus. "Mhm," she says. "I'm not... often seen on this... side of the bar, am I?" A small smile follows. "It's... good to see you too, Zaylus."

Skythix shrugged a shoulder absently at Zaylus. "Might be able to afford a nicer place with a roommate but I don't think anyone would appreciate how hot I keep my place." She then blinked, still surprised at Va'ynna's presense. "Hah! Yeah, I suppose you're right. The dress looks really nice on you by the way. You going on a hot date or something?" She asked with a raised brow plate and

Zaylus | "It's about time. You being behind that counter all day? I'm sure you get asked out constantly." He adds with a smile, reaching for his nearly forgotten drink.

Va'ynna looks away, her cheeks taking on a different shade of purple for a moment. "I... just like wearing it," she says before looking back at the turians. "I may be... going out to lunch later. I don't know... yet." She then looks at Zaylus. "Not... all that often, actually, but... I just say no."

Zaylus | "You're a real heartbreaker, Va'ynna." He says with a dramatic shake of the head, pausing only to take a drink.

Skythix leaned against the bar to get a better look at the asari. She felt like a young kid again teasing someone about a date. "Wish I could look that good in a dress. So who's the lucky person you're going to lunch with?"

Va'ynna can't help but giggle at that. "I... know I am," she says. "Victoria. I... want her to meet my mother."

Zaylus nearly chokes on his drink at this, coughing and sputtering, though likely more dramatic than necessary. "Victoria? The pilot?" He composes himself for a second before laughing heartily. "Spirits. I have been gone a long time."

Va'ynna frowns. "Yes, her," she says. "I... I have lost count of how many times I've... rejected her, but... she never gave up,... and was always nice to me."

Skythix thought she recognized the name but it instantly came to her after Zaylus mentioned a pilot. "Oh! I think I met her once here with Jason. Didn't really get to talk too much to her but she did make that rude gesture at Jason with her finger." She flexed her hand open and closed to emphasise. "I'm not sure if Jason deserves all the hate or if it's just a running joke now."

Zaylus lets out a few strained laughs before quickly composing himself. "Aw shit, Va'ynna. I didn't mean it like that. Just surprised me, that's all." He pushed his glass aside, wiping his chin with a slightly embarassed look.

Va'ynna smiles. "I... don't think she would have... meant anything serious by it," she says. "He is.... He often teases, and makes... bad jokes."

Skythix let a giggle escape her and she instantly covered her mouth to prevent that from happening again. "Well, lucky you anyway. I'm sure you'll impress if you're dressed like that." She pointed a talon at Va'ynna's person with a smile. "Seriously, it's so weird seeing you on this side of the bar." She muttered but with a smile that showed her good humor.

Zaylus regains his grin, "You never get used to it." He says, glancing at Skythix. Shifting in his seat, he looks back to Va'ynna. "So, V. Did I miss anything good?" He asks, eager to advance the conversation.

Skythix hummed to herself. "Maybe it's me who just needs to get out more." She muttered to herself.

Va'ynna looks at Zaylus. "My employer... disappeared for a few days, until she sent someone to take over," she says, "I... didn't know what to do."

Zaylus raises his brows. "The asari?" He asks, while looking behind the bar for someone. "That's strange. No warning at all?"

Skythix perked up as the conversation changed pace but ultimately kept silent.

Va'ynna nods. "She... was just not here one morning," she says. "I... heard later that she is safe, but... no one knows where she is." She glances at Kanaya, who's currently serving another patron. "She... sent her to step in for her,... and she arrived the day before yesterday."

Zaylus waits until Kanaya is free to get her attention, now looking between the women seated at the bar. "She's safe, but no one knows where she is?"

Skythix | "If someone went missing should we be looking for her?" She paused with a blink. "Wait, if she's missing then how do you know if she's alright?" she asked generally to both of them.

Va'ynna hums thoughtfully. "Briggs... told to me that she... is safe," she says. "D'Inea probably have... a good reason to not... contact me directly."

Kanaya makes her way over to them after a few seconds. "Please tell me you're not having another drink," she says wtih a chuckle. (Va`ynna_Atana)

Skythix narrowed her browplates again. "Briggs told you that?" It was a simple statement but it said a lot. "Was she a part of some mission where they required secrecy?" She asked Va'ynna.

Zaylus rolls his eyes with a grin, handing over a credit chit. "That's it. I've got to be going."

Va'ynna tilts her head. "D'I- Aylena D'Inea... is the owner. She... isn't part of some mission... as far as I've been told."

Kanaya nods and take the credit chit, charging the sum he owes before handing it back to him. "Thanks," she says with a smile. "I hope I'll see you around." (Va`ynna_Atana)

Zaylus chuckles dryly, "You will." He replies, pocketing the chit and getting up off his stool. "I'll see you around ladies." He says, looking between them.

Skythix turned to Zaylus when she realized he was leaving. "It was, eh, weird meeting you but good none the less." She said with a grin. "See you later." She waved him off as he got up to go. She then turned back to Va'ynna with a more serious look. "I don't like the sound of that. Why would someone just vanish and then one person says they're really okay? Either they're just trying to

Va'ynna nods. "I'll... see you, Zaylus," she says before frowning. "Now... you're making me doubt it too. I... I didn't want that."

Zaylus | "Good enough for me. I'll be seeing you." He responds to the turian as he waves them both off, beginning to take his leave. "Always good to see you, Va'ynna." He soon slips out the exit, making his way away from the city center.

Skythix cursed herself internally for spreading her own paranoia. She let out a sigh and put her hands on the counter submissivley. "Sorry, Vay. I've just had to deal with missing persons before and rescue ops in the past. It's not something I like to relive." Spirits, shut your trap! You're not making her feel any better. "We, uh, can talk about something else." She said uncertainly.

Kanaya sighs. "Don't worry about my mother, she's fine," she says. "She wouldn't say this position was temporary if she didn't mean it. At least I'd like to think that." She then makes her way over to a patron that's waving at her. (Va`ynna_Atana)

Va'ynna nods. "Please," she says, then looks a little thoughtful. "How... are you?"

Skythix looked back and forth between the two. It was still hard for her to talk with civilians. "I've been pretty stressed out, not gonna lie." She said, shuffling in her seat a bit. "Still trying to figure out how to live out here, not in the military." She motioned in the air as if to mean everything around her. "Hard doing something for so long then suddenly stopping."

Skythix nodded in agreement. "It's pretty much the reason I'm with Redrock. Closest thing I could get to military life that wasn't joining one of those terrible mercenary gangs." She spat out the last part. "How long have you been here if you don't mind me asking?" Her voice returning to normal.

Va'ynna hums thoughtfully. "A year," she says. "Jason... actually offered me work there, but... I didn't think I would be comfortable working around... mercs I don't know." She gives a small smile. "If... I knew that most... people working for Redrock were nice to me, I... may have accepted it."

Skythix couldn't help but find some irony in the conversation. "I pretty much felt the same way when I got here except I was less concerned with how people thought of me and just worried about how I can make the best of it." She said with a half grin that wiggled a single mandible. "Besides, I can't see you in Redrock. You're much too nice to be doing stuff like that."

Va'ynna smiles, blushing a little bit. "Thank you," she says. "He... didn't offer me a job like that, naturally, since I... can barely fire a pistol. It was a secretary and... receptionist position, I think."

Skythix chuckled faintly. "Well, whatever it was, I'm sure you'd have been perfect for the job. Hard work and dedication will get you anything you want." She said with a firm nod of her head. "But enough of all that crap, I'm starting to sound like my mother." She stood up from her seat and stretched out her arms over her head. "If you ever want to cut loose and do something else, gimme

Va'ynna nods and enables her omni-tool to accept it. "Thank you, I... really should get out more," she says, "so I... may take you up on that offer."

Kanaya walks over to them. "You're welcome," she answers, before raising her brows in realization. "Oh, before you go," she says, "what was the drink you wanted us to stock?" (Va`ynna_Atana)

Skythix nodded and flicked her mandibles in a big grin. "Good, because I need more friends." She said before fishing out a credit chit from her pocket to put on the table in payment of her hot drink. "Oh right. It's called apha. It's this thick, purple drink I used to have in the military. It's sort of like a natural energy drink, served hot like tea."

Kanaya nods. "Thanks," she says and walks over to the nearest terminal. "I'll see if one our suppliers happen to carry it." She takes the credit chit and charges it before handing it back to her. (Va`ynna_Atana)

Va'ynna smiles. "Me too," she says. "I... don't feel safe outside alone, since...." She shakes her head, deciding against mentioning that. "I'll... see you soon."

Skythix took the credit chit and pocketted it. "'Preciate it. Name's Skythix incase you didn't catch when I told Zaylus. Feel free to tag along if you want to." She then looked at Va'ynna with a concerned look. That was definitely going to be a story for the future. She decided to put a hand on her shoulder and smile. "Good luck on your date, Vay. You'll have to tell me how it went

Va'ynna returns the wave. "Thanks," she manages to say before the turian was out of earshot. She then turns towards the bar.