#Deck4 – April 4, 2016

Nathan has for the most part, remained quiet. And though he won't openly admit it, he's rather enjoying the crude yet entertaining film. He munches on some crisps, idly leaning across and holding the packet out to Athassa in offering, not taking his eyes off the screen.

Ilyna looks at Jason. "You're terrible," she mutters. The asari is still embarassed about the sudden attention.

September turns in her seat, putting her hand on Ilyna's arm. "Come on! You have to tell me! It must have been amazing!" she says enthusiastically, paying little attention to the movie.

Jasper raises an eyebrow as he glances over at Ilyna. "That Tanner feller has a few good'uns. What's that movie a' his? A Beautiful Shade a' Blue? Whoooo, doggie, that was a steamy one! Never pictured you fer' the type ta' date a celebrity!" (Jason_Wolfe)

Jason looks at Ilyna with an expression of mock confusion. "What did I do!?"

Ilyna sighs. "He...," she shakes her head. "No, it wouldn't be right to talk about him." She looks away, focusing on the vid screen. She does nudge Jason, though.

September rolls her eyes, still smiling excitedly. "Oh, come oon... there aren't any, like, reporters here!"

Robyn gives a nod. "All of the recent Tanner news has been about her. Tanner himself confirmed that they're a thing!" she whispers to Vanessa, although in order to be heard over the movie, it's more of a stage whisper. (Jason_Wolfe)

Korio watches in amusement, but clearly doesn't particularly understand what the big deal is, or who Devin Tanner even is. (Jason_Wolfe)

Jasper gives a nod of approval. "Tha's right! It ain't nunna their business if ya don't want it to be, Lyna!" (Jason_Wolfe)

Vanessa snickers. "Oh yeah?" She leans forward a bit, glancing over at Ilyna again. "I remember when you said they were recasting Blasto with a human, remember how true that turned out to be?" she asks Robyn with a grin.

Spencer crosses his arms across his chests. "Seriously, y'all are missin' the movie! It ain't gonna make no sense if you don't pay attention to this scene!"

Yan Sun sits up a bit higher, stretching her neck to take a look at the couches. "Doesn't look like there's much room for us..."

Robyn frowns. "But this isn't just the gossip mags, Vanessa! Tanner himself said it!" She looks across at Ilyna, "What was it he said?" she asks, practically melting in her seat as she recalls it from memory, "Violet truly is the most Beautiful Shade of Blue." She lets out a deep sigh, "Sounds so romantic..."

Nathan looks across at the women and quirks an eyebrow. "The man's a prick," he says simply. "You all seriously can not be fawning over that muppet?"

Athassa graps a handful of chips without looking, distracted as she tries to focus on both the movie and the gossip at the same time.

Ilyna keeps looking at the screen. "Could you please leave it be?" she asks, sounding a tiny bit annoyed. "I enjoyed spending time with him, but there was no dating."

Jessica gives a bit of a smirk. "Your call, kitty cat." she says, "Wonderful movie full of kicks to the head~" she says, gesturing to the couch, "....Or an entire ship, all to ourselves~" she sings, extening her other hand towards the elevator. She acts as if she's weighing the options on her hands.

Artullin sighs internally, listening to the ramblings of the women. "Yes, let's leave it."

Uvena chuckles. "You're not making a very strong case here, T'Rea," she says on her way past her to get some more mini-sandwiches.

September nudges Ilyna again. "Oooh... so it was just a one time thing?"

Robyn chimes in right behind September, furrowing her brow. "A one time thing and you adopted a child together!? Did he leave y-..." her mouth goes wide, "...Oh, you poor thing!"

Nathan pinches the bridge of his nose and lets out a long, tired sigh. He looks back to the movie and reaches into his packet of crisps.

Ilyna sighs loudly. "No, and no," she says. "I adopted a child, but that wasn't with anyone."

Robyn gives a sympathetic nod, knowing quite well the hardships of being a single mother. "He doesn't deserve you, sweetheart." she says with a nod, hoping to come across as comforting, "You can do this on your own."

Uvena looks up at the screen at the loud 'no', tilting her head as she hasn't paid enough attention to the plot.

Nathan is adamant there is no plot.

Jason gains a sudden, sad look. He's seen this movie 42 times and this scene always gets him.

Vanessa lifts a hand to her mouth as a quiet sob escapes. As a couple of tears run down her cheeks she quickly wipes them away.

Artullin discreetly wipes away a tear.

Korio thinks this is the stupidest thing he has ever laid eyes on, and regrets the fact that he'll never forget it.

Spencer elbows Korio's side and points at the screen. "Now that there's some quality storytellin'!"

Jason sighs as the scene comes to a close and returns his attention to Ilyna. "We should all go see Headkick 7 when it comes out. Rumor has it that it'll be a prequel where Tanner plays a dashing young Major Kickington."

Ilyna looks down at the floor, not saying a word.

Korio cocks his head over to Vanessa. "Are you.... alright?" he asks, confused as to why she could possibly be crying.

Yan Sun is still looking at the couches, chuckling as she overhears some of the talk, but when Jessica speaks she turns back to her, unable to supress a small, mischievous grin as she glances at the elevator.

Vanessa struggles to form a coherent sentenace, gesturing at the screen as she blinks away the tears. "I just-... she was-... they were-... and he didn't know-... and he-..."

Jessica stands with a grunt and begins slowly backing up towards the elevator, eyes locked on Yan Sun. She extends her arms out to her sides and gives a small shrug. "Well~ What are you waiting for?"

Nathan has, by this point, lost interest and is staring blankly at the screen. And whilst good ol' fashion headkicking is never unwanted... he can not bring himself to like this film.

Athassa grabs some more chips, glancing at Nathan in the process. "Do you not like this film?"

Nathan looks at Athassa, shaking his head and lowering his voice. "I think Five and Six are big old steaming piles of crap," he admits. "The first Four were better." He shrugs lightly to the asari, forking over the bag to her for her to finish them off. "Here."

Korio blinks and slowly turns away from Vanessa and back towards the screen.

Jason frowns. "No taste..." he mutters, giving Nathan the side-eye. "Pass me another one of those sandwiches." he adds before glancing over at Ilyna, "You want one?"

September looks disappointed at Ilyna's refusal to share any information. She looks back to the screen with a sigh, at least for the moment, as no one else is within reach for her to talk to. She just as soon grows bored and takes out her omni-tool, the faint orange glow filling the corner of Ilyna's vision.

Nathan glances off to the side and, before forking over the crisps, plucks one out and launches it at September's head.

Jasper grabs a couple of sandwiches and reaches over, passing them along the train of people towards Jason.

Ilyna turns to answer Jason and in the process happen to intercept the chip headed for September with her head, making her blink. The asari nods and takes the sandwich, giving a tiny smile now that it seems the conversation topic has changed.

Nathan blinks and offers Ilyna an apologetic smile and an awkward wave. "Eheh... sorrrrrry."

Yan Sun shoots one more look towards the couch before getting on her feet and hurrying after Jessica. She immediately starts to look a bit tense.

Jason reaches out and grasps another couple sandwiches from Jasper, passing another off to Ilyna. He takes a big bite of his, speaking while he chews. "Look, guys. If we're not enjoying this, I have other movies on my omni-tool." he offers, looking a bit disappointed. "I think 'A Beautiful Shade of Blue' is on there..." he adds before muttering, "...Linda must've put it on there...."

Vanessa lets out a final, quiet sniffle, the tragic scene rekindling her interest in the movie.

Ilyna tilts her head at Nathan, but Jason speaks before she's able to answer him. She just stares at Jason.

Ilyna does take the offered sandwich, however.

Jessica continues backing up towards the elevator, urging Yan Sun towards her with a gesture of her finger.

Pablo is watching in silence, despite having seen the movie quite a few times before.

Athassa glances at Nathan again. "Oh? Why's that?"

Nathan looks at Athassa and shakes his head, bringing a finger to his lips. "Shhhh. If I talk anymore about how terrible these films are and how they should be removed from existence, Wolfe may have an aneurysm," he says in a stage whisper.

Jason tosses his arms up. "I'm offering alternatives!" he says as he turns towards Nathan, "You just want to complain!"

Nathan turns to grin at Jason, winking to the man. "Just teasing, boss. It ain't -that- bad. At least they got the casting on point."

Uvena turns towards Jason, standing somewhere near the middle of the two couches. "Nobody else is stepping up, so go ahead," she says. "That sounds like a wonderful vid, too."

Ilyna sighs. "Do not go ahead," she mutters.

Yan Sun can't help but glance at the couch again, as if she's wondering if anyone noticed them leave. When she catches up to Jessica she reaches over and presses her hand against the elevator interface, causing the door to slide open, as she looks yet again to the others, shifting a bit.

Jason still has a smile firmly on his face, making it clear he's not actually upset at Nathan. "On the return trip, you can choose the movie, alright? Then I'll sit and critisize it all night. Sound fair?" He glances back at Uvena, "Wait, you don't like the movie, either?" he frowns. He stands up and turns towards the two couches. "Alright, alright. Show of hands. How many of you want

Jasper's hand shoots straight up instantly.

Jessica cocks an eyebrow at the woman as she swings into the elevator behind her. "Mmm? What are you worried about? Do you think any of them give a shit?" she asks, quickly encroaching on Yan Sun's personal space.

Nathan keeps his hand firmly down. "...I prefer this...".

Athassa shrugs.

Spencer shakes his head. "Hang on now, you can't just go and change movies just when it's gettin' good!"

September raises her hand. "Oooh yes! Let's watch that!"

Pablo nods in agreement with Spencer.

Artullin keeps his hand down.

Vanessa looks to Jason, still recovering from the death of the asari ninja. She does not voice an opinion.

Ilyna pulls down September's arm, frowning. "No, we're not watching that," she says.

Jason looks to Jasper and narrows his eyes. "I expected better from you.." he says with disappointment in his voice. He glances over at September with a shrug, "You, not so much. Looks like Headkick wins!" he cheers. He turns around and falls back into his seat. "Commence the headkicking!"

Jasper frowns and slowly lowers his hand, muttering something about stupid asari ninjas.

Spencer cheers loudly. "Alright!"

Uvena frowns, and looks up at the screen. Despite not liking the vid, she had refrained from voting.

Yan Sun makes her way into the elevator, and finds herself cornered when she turns around to face Jessica. "No...! I'm not-..." she shrugs, but seems a bit less uneasy when the doors close, a small, nervous smile tugging at her lips.

September frowns. "Aww... you don't want to see him on film? Was it, like... a bad breakup?"

Jasper reaches across Athassa and gives Nathan a poke. "You ever see that vid Alliance Superiority? With all them big ol' ships goin ta' town on one another? Now that's a vid." he says with a nod.

Jason gives a slight chuckle at September's comment, but remains quiet, merely looking to Ilyna to respond as he munches on another mini-sandwich.

Nathan grumbles quietly and takes a swig from his bottle. At Jasper's poke, he turns around with wide eyes and nods with a massive grin. "Yeeees! That is just awesome~!" He says in a sing song voice.

Ilyna sighs. "It's... not that," she says, letting go of her arm. "It would just make things... more awkward." She finally eats the mini-sandwich that Jason gave her.

Jessica tilts her head to the side, continuing to invade the personal space of Yan Sun as she leans against the wall right beside her. "You're not-... what?" she asks, moving a hand to the woman's side.

Jasper slaps a hand against his knee in agreement. "Yer damn right it is! Took my grandkids to see it a few years back. Loved every second of it!"

September gasps. "Oh...! You miss him, don't you? I'm so sorry!"

Jason stage whispers back to September, "She's a little sensitive about the whole ordeal." as he tries to suppress a smile.

Ilyna raises an eyebrow. "No, I don't," she says, sounding a little bit defensive. She turns her attention back to the screen, but not without a nudge to Jason's side.

Yan Sun shrugs again, and no response comes right away, her gaze locking onto Jessica's face as she leans in closer. After a moment of just staring at her in silence, hesitant smile still present, she blinks and shakes her head. "I'm not... worried..."

September nods in an understanding manner. "Ohh..." She puts a hand on Ilyna's shoulder. "I'm so sorry, I'd miss him too..."

Ilyna keeps staring at the screen, trying her best to ignore the annoying woman.

Jessica gives a short chuckle as she closes the gap between herself and Yan Sun even more, pressing her body right up against the woman. "Of course not, kitty cat. But maybe you should be. You are stuck with me for nearly two more weeks. Do you know how many horrible, unforgettable things I can do to you in two weeks time?" she teases, almost sounding like a threat. "Be veeery worried."

Artullin looks to September, growling lowly as his mandibles twitch. "You are the most annoying human I have met," he says. "Be quiet, please."

Jason bursts into laughter at Artullin's outburst. He gives a quick, insincere shrug to September.

Nathan looks to Athassa. "Have you seen it?" he asks as he attempts to gently nudge her with his elbow. "An SFX masterpiece!"

Athassa blinks, looking away from the movie. "Hm? Oh... no, I have not seen... what did you call it? Alliance Supremacy? Sounds like a propaganda production. What is it about?"

Robyn winces a bit as the turian kicks a door in, Avenger in each hand, and begins spraying a volley of gunfire back and forth as ninjas flip and cartwheel as they attempt, and fail, to dodge the shots. "Bit violent..." she says.

Artullin glances to Robyn. "Not to your tastes?" he asks.

Robyn shakes her head slowly at the turian. "Not particularly..." she admits, "...But it's no big deal. Suppose it's best that I see it and catch up on the series before the next one comes out. Wouldn't dream of missing a Tanner vid." She offers an apologetic shrug in Ilyna's direction, as if afraid she may have overstepped her boundaries.

Spencer glances past Pablo at Robyn. "They deserve it! They're ninjas!" he exclaims loudly.

Ilyna is still not taking her eyes off the screen, even after the turian's outburst.

Jason frowns as he notices Ilyna's discomfort. "You alright?" he asks, "This isn't really bothering you, is it?"

Robyn rolls her eyes at Spencer. "Do you even know what a ninja is?"

Yan Sun lets out half a nervous chuckle, her expression shifting between intrigued and apprehensive by the second. Her breathing goes shaky as she's effectively pinned between the elevator wall and Jessica, her eyes wandering across her face as it hovers so close to her own, unable to keep still as she takes in every feature. "I-I..."

September blinks, looking past the others at the turian. She looks like she's about to say something, but then just leans back in the couch with a huff, staring at the screen.

Artullin briefly looks smug as September falls silent. He then continues to watch the film.

Ilyna frowns, but she doesn't look away from the screen. "I'm fine," she mutters, barely audible to him over the vid.

Spencer looks highly offended. "Of course I know what a ninja is! You saw them ninjas right there on the screen! All sneaky and all!"

Jessica's smirk widens. "You, you-...?" she mocks playfully, "You what?" Her left hand slides up Yan Sun's side and then back down, digging its way up under her shirt. "I'm sorry, we can't all read minds." her teasing continues, "You're going to have to use your words."

Jason nudges Ilyna slightly. "Come on, you know I'm playing." he says, before something suddenly hits him, "Wait, did something happen between you and Tanner...?" he asks in a whisper, wondering if that may be what's causing the discomfort.

Nathan looks to Jasper to elaborate on the film.

Uvena walks along the back of the mostly non-Redrock couch. "Tell me what they are, then," she says, not sounding all that serious. "What kind of asari commandoes are those?"

Jasper gives a shrug. "Oh! Well, it's 'bout these turian invaders. Come ta' dish a world 'a hurtin' on Earth." he says, passing an apologetic glance in Artullin's direction, "But that ain't important! Main thing is that it's filled to the brim with big ol' warships jus' knockin' the everlovin' cranberry sauce outta one another! It's a sight ta' see."

Robyn gains a smug smile at Uvena's intervention. "Yeah. What kind of asari commandos are they?" she asks, reiterating the asari's question.

Ilyna shakes her head, and then looks at Jason. "We were on friendly terms, and that's how we parted ways," she keeps her voice low. "I didn't let it go any further than that. I... just don't like the attention."

Jason 's grin returns and he gives a nod, reaching out to pat her on the shoulder. "Fair enough. Sorry, was just messing around. Didn't mean to put all of that onto you..."

Spencer frowns. "Wha-... they're ninjas, not commandos! Aren't you payin' any attention?"

Athassa raises an eyebrow. "I have noticed that humans share a certain... fascination of war with turians."

Jasper passes another quick glance over at Artullin to make sure he isn't listening before responding to Athassa in a hushed tone, "They started it."

Artullin does not hear Jasper. Or ignores him. One of the two.

Nathan nods in subtle agreement.

Uvena shrugs. "Well, yeah, as much is evident," she says. "I'm trying to figure out where they fit into any asari military, because I have never heard of it before."

Spencer snorts. "Well, 'course you haven't heard of them! They're ninjas! Secret!"

Robyn nods, "Because it's just a dumb movie that hardly makes any sense." She gestures towards the screen as Major Kickington stands in the middle of a circle of asari ninjas, hopping on one foot as he spins around kicking each ninja in the head, "Case in point." In the distant background, the turian is seen swinging into frame holding onto some sort of cord as he fires a machine gun in one hand, taking out a handful of

Yan Sun looks flustered as Jessica teases her, offering no immediate response, her eyes now locking onto hers. There's no smile on her face anymore, and embarassment gives way to a mix of fascination and intimidation. After just staring at her in silence for several seconds she suddenly gains a tiny, smug smirk as a bit of confidence shows itself. "You've... you've been all talk, Jessica..."

Pablo covers his face with his palm at the argument. All he wanted was to enjoy some ninja-kicking action.

Uvena chuckles as she watches what's going on. "Point taken," she says. "I would also have kept it secret, were I to fund that shamefully incompetent operation."

Ilyna gives a small smile, and turns back to watch the vid without a word.

Athassa glances at Jasper. "You shouldn't joke about that!" she says quietly, just barely managing to supress a small chuckle at the comment.

Jessica looks a bit caught off-guard at Yan Sun's challenge, but it only seems to egg her on. "Oh? Is that so?" she asks, her hand sliding further up Yan Sun's side before it circles around to her chest, her forearm bringing the shirt up with it as it climbs higher. "Dangerous words, kitty cat." she says through a smirk as her hand glides across Yan Sun's breasts before escaping the top of her shirt, grasping at her throat

Jasper gives a quick shrug. "What!? I don't mean nothin' by it! They're great people an' all... But it's true!"

Spencer makes a dismissive gesture in Uvena's direction, turning back around to the movie. "Ah, you don't know what you're talkin' about!"

September lets out a sniffle and then stands up, walking at a brisk pace in between the two couches and away from the projector.

Jason looks as though he's about to say something to Ilyna when September makes her departure. He glances over at her, then at Ilyna. "Uhh, what's up with her?" he asks.

Robyn lets out a chuckle, happy with the double-teaming she and Uvena are inflicting on Spencer. "Orrrr you just have bad taste in movies."

Nathan looks at Jason. "I dunno? Maybe because Artullin's being a dick?"

Artullin huffs. "Doesn't make it less true."

Nathan rolls his eyes and stands. "I'll see if she's alright," he announces to no one in particular. "...Better than this drivel," he mutters to Jason with a grin.

Uvena looks towards the Departing September, pausing her double-teaming for a moment. "Hey, you alright?" she asks.

Jason sighs, suddenly feeling a twinge of guilt at possibly having had a hand in running the woman off. She obviously means well. He wrestles with the idea of stopping her for a moment before Nathan speaks up. "Yeah, that's a good idea." he says in a whisper, "Let her know we're just messing around... I mean, she's annoying as shit, but fuck, I don't want to run her off."

Ilyna glances towards her when she stands up, seeming a bit concerned.

Jasper frowns at Artullin. "Even if so, there's some things ya jus' keep to yerself." he mutters.

Artullin 's mandibles twitch as he catches Jasper's look. He shrugs and looks back to the film.

Nathan nods and starts off after September. After he has caught up to whereever she is wandering off to, he speaks up. "Hey, miss, you okay? I know the movie is bad, but I don't think it warrants walking away -just- yet."

Yan Sun 's eyes widen in surprise as she feels the hand move up her chest, and grasp her throat. She lets out a gasp but is then immediately silenced by the kiss. As soon as the initial surprise wears off it's like a switch has flipped, and she returns it eagerly, starting to wrap her arms around Jessica, her right sliding down to her bottom and her left going up her back, keeping her as close as she can. There is a sudden shudder and

Korio frowns at September's departure, but doesn't dare go after her. He looks over at Artullin with distaste.

September waves a hand dismissively and keeps walking towards the second elevator. "No, it's fine, I know when I'm not wanted!"

Jason settles back into his seat and tosses an arm over Ilyna's shoulder, giving her a slight squeeze. "So?" he begins in a whisper, now that the others immediately beside them have departed, "Feeling any less worried about this whole thing? We're nearly there and nothing has jumped out at me as 'sketchy' or 'underhanded' yet."

Vanessa looks over her shoulder at September, seeming conflicted on whether she should feel bad or relieved. She decides on returning her attention to the movie instead.

Nathan continues following, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I wouldn't take the turian's words to heart. He's probably one of those who's still bitter with humans," he chuckles, skipping a bit to fall into step beside her.

Spencer lets out a grunt. "Pfft! Better than anythin' you watch, Robyn!"

Ilyna nods. "A little bit, maybe," she says. "Everything here is... as normal as it can be, but we're still not sure what awaits us in the system."

Jessica doesn't bother stopping, burying her head into the crook of Yan Sun's neck, continuing to kiss her as her hand releases its grip on her throat and returns to just beneath her shirt. "Mmm?" is all that escapes her in response as she drags her tongue down the woman's neck. "And that's a problem." she finally says, but out it comes out more as a question than a statement. The bill of her cap catches against Yan Sun's neck

Jason nods a couple times, passing another glance back towards September to make sure everything is going alright. "Well, I suppose we'll see soon enough." he sighs, "So far so good, though."

Robyn frowns and glares at Spencer. "At least my vids aren't about racking up a bodycount higher than you can count." she mutters.

Uvena turns back to the couch, folding her arms. "There's something out there that's worse than this?" she asks in jest.

September stops when Nathan catches up to her, turning to face him. Her cheeks are wet from crying and she lets out another sniffle. "What's that supposed to mean?" she mumbles.

Ilyna sighs. "But there's still another night, maybe two, to lie awake worrying about it," she says. "There's no avoiding that. Off-world jobs I've been on have always had something bad happen."

Jason nods once again, as there's no denying that, but a grin quickly returns to his face. "So this is the job where our luck changes."

Nathan smiles slightly. "He's probably a racist bastard," he says quietly with a chuckle. "Buuuuut I'm guessing it isn't just him, hmm? Come on, let's go grab a drink from the mess hall and we'll talk, yeah?"

Ilyna frowns. "That would be a welcome change," she says. "I miss Li. I feel so bad for leaving her like this... and Ehanis is probably mad at me."

Jason gives Ilyna's shoulder a pat. "Ehanis will forgive you. And you'll be home with Li soon enough. Promise." He gives a shrug as he sighs, "Unfortunately, this is a part of the job, ya know? I wasn't expecting to be so far away from Linda this soon after-... Well everything, either..."

September moves a hand to her mouth and lets out a sob. "IjustwantedtomakefriendsbutfirstJasongotmadandKorioavoidedmeandthenthisandeverybodyhatesme!" she blurts out in rapid succession, gesturing with her other arm.

Ilyna sighs. "I know," she says, "but it's different with Li. I can't leave her for fourteen days when she's this little. That's not the kind of caretaker she deserves."

Spencer looks to Robyn and then points at the screen again. "I told you, they all deserve it, them ninjas! Skulkin' about..."

Nathan keeps a steady smile on his face, seemingly un-phased by the woman's surge of emotion and sobbing. He reaches over to thumb the interface and call the elevator, sighing softly. "Alright, alright, calm down. Let's start at the beginning. Jason got mad at you? Why?"

Uvena tilts her head at the screen. "They could have friends that has suffered fatal concussions by their hands," she says. "They're entirely justified in hitting back." She has no clue what the plot is about, however.

September lets out another sniffle and nods, wiping away some more tears a she steps on to the elevator. She takes a deep breath. "Okay. Okay. Calm down, September." she says, closing her eyes for a moment. "I don't know why..." she says with a shake of her head.

Nathan keeps his attention on her. "Did you say something that upset him?"

Jason lowers his gaze from the screen a bit. "You're doing the best you can, Ilyna. And it's far better than Li had before you came into her life. What's that saying...?" he asks, glancing back over at the asari, "It takes a village to raise a child? Well, Redrock is your village. Linda is stepping in right now. This isn't all on you, ya know? We've all been through a lot together. Li is

Robyn points at Uvena as if she has a point... Probably? "Yeah! Those two thugs were beating the snot out of each other before the ninjas came along! They're no angels either!"

Spencer shakes his head. "Naw, they set aside their differences when faced with a greater evil! You can't trust a ninja! They're just doin' the right thing!"

Ilyna shakes her head. "She needs stability, Jason," she argues. "This isn't going to work. I can't sit in my office all day and expect the vid screen upstairs to look after her. I... should also not be in this line of work."

Jason goes quiet for a while, looking down at his knees. "We'll figure it out, Ilyna." he finally says. "No matter where you go, you're going to have to work, right? What about if we keep you out of the field? Strictly office duty after this?" he asks, "I know it doesn't solve the problem completely, but it's a step in the right direction, yeah?"

Uvena chuckles. "And it being a simple action vid, they probably are," she says with a shrug.

Robyn frowns, seeming to lose her interest in arguing with Spencer. "Ninjas are dumb." she says flatly. Her ultimate insult!

September shakes her head. "No..." she says as her hand withdraws from her face.

Ilyna nods. "Yeah, but...," she sighs. "I just want to do what's best for Li." She looks back up at the vid screen. "I'll have to go back to Thessia one day, though."

Jason winces at the mention of the 'T' word. "But... You have a home on Aite, Ilyna. A place. With me, and Linda, and everyone else... Right?" He sighs loudly, "....Li seems to like it here too, right?" He shrugs his shoulders and gives a shake of his head, "I'm not going to be selfish and try to guilt you into staying, Ilyna... But you're one of the few friends I have left and I don't want

Ilyna shifs closer to him. "I don't know, Jason," she says. "I don't want to leave you, I really don't, but isn't it selfish of me if I choose to stay when Li could be safe, get a good education and make friends with other children?"

Spencer stares at Robyn. "Whaat? Ninjas are awesome! You don't know what you're talkin' 'bout!"

Jason gives another shrug. "What does safe mean? On Aite she's surrounded by people who care about her and who know how to make sure she's safe. It's our job, after all. Security." he says with a smirk, "Bad things happen all over the galaxy. Freedom Falls is a nice town... Just think about it, alright?"

Robyn sticks her tongue out at Spencer as the smile slowly returns to her face. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just shut up and enjoy your stupid ninjas, alright?"

Jasper has began snoring softly, his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth as his head slowly tilts back until he's staring up at the ceiling.

Uvena smirks. "I don't see how they're awesome," she says. "They're awfully incompetent."

Jason gives an apologetic shrug, turning his attention back to the screen distantly. "Sorry, Ilyna... I support whatever you decide on. Just take some time before you make any decisions, yeah?"

Ilyna takes a deep breath, and nods. "Yeah," she answers, "this... isn't a decision I'll take lightly."