Leah walking Lema home

Aylena is standing behind the bar, on the phone with local contractors about getting the external damages resolved later the same night.

Lema hasn't moved since being told to go back, and she's sitting under the security office desk with her knees pressed up against her chest.

Steve waits until most of the people have cleared out before returning to the security room, Leah in tow. As they arrive, he gives a sigh as he spots Lema and gestures to her. "Whoever those people were, they tried strong arming her into doing their dirty work for 'em. After what I've seen of the militia, I didn't feel too comfortable puttin' her on their radar. Guess we should call her parents or somethin'."

Leah raises an eyebrow as she glances from Steve to Lema and back to Steve, frown forming as Steve explains what happened. "So you do have a heart." she jabs, although a grin replaces the frown. She takes a few steps towards Lema and lowers into a crouch, bright smile crossing her lips as she gives a small wave to the asari. "Hey. What's your name?" she asks, poking at herself with a thumb, "I'm Leah."

Lema looks up at her, but she remain seated until told otherwise. She's still anxious around the Redrock mercenaries. "I'm L-Lema," she says. "C-can I go home now?"

Steve rolls his eyes at Leah's remark, but remains silent.

Leah gives a glance at Steve, waving him away. "Of course, sweetheart!" she says, turning her gaze back to Lema. "You just have to tell me how to get in touch with your parents, alright?"

Steve returns the gesture, looking annoyed. "Yeah, yeah. Kiss my ass..." he mutters to Leah as he turns and starts through the door.

Leah looks back over her shoulder as Steve exits the security office. "You're welcome for pulling your bacon out of the fire!" she shouts.

Lema shakes her head. "P-please, th-they don't need to know, d-dad's g-got enough to d-deal with," she says. "I l-live in Road's End. C-could you d-drop me off th-there? Please?"

Leah frowns. She lowers her head and sucks in some air, puffing her cheeks out big for a moment before blowing the air out in a huff. Despite not particularly wanting to walk all that way, she can't bring herself to deny the obviously-scared asari's request. "Sure. I could use the exercise." she says, pushing her smile back up. "It's a bit of a walk, though. You sure you're up for it?" she adds as she extends her hand to help

Lema reaches out to take her hand, and gets to her feet with Leah's help. "Yeah," she says. "W-wouldn't be the first t-time I w-walked all the way to the city and back."

Leah gives a chuckle and starts towards the door. "You too? I live outside of town, too. Sucks sometimes, doesn't it?" she asks, glancing back at the asari and trying to keep her tone light and friendly to calm her down. "Peaceful, though. So there's that."

Lema follows behind Leah. "Yeah," she sighs. "T-taxis won't let me go to the c-city alone, even wh-when I know the others that are also g-going."

Leah leads the way out of the front of the Respite, making sure to walk slow enough for Lema to keep pace. "So what were you doing in town today, Lema?" she asks, keeping the conversation flowing to make sure the asari is comfortable. "You know-... before this whole mess?"

Lema frowns. "P-passing time," she says. "Th-there's nothing to do at home, and d-dad's at work." Lema manages to keep a reasonable pace, but she keeps her eyes on the floor in shame ever since passing by the bartender.

Leah nods a couple of times. "So how'd ya manage to get mixed up with those jerks?" she asks, sounding more sympathetic than judgemental.

Lema sighs, getting more nervous. "I w-was stopped and asked if I c-could help h-her find a person," she says, still not looking up. "Wh-when she s-said I'd g-get five thousand for it.... It w-was when I f-found her th-they threatened me into... d-doing it too."

Leah scrunches up her nose. "Gotta be wary of anyone offering five-thousand credits just to help them look for someone." she says, "You hadn't seen them around before today?" she continues to keep the chat conversational, not prying too hard.

Lema is still watching the floor as she follows Leah out of the Respite. "I know," she says. "It's j-just th-that we have t-too little money af-after mom lost her job, and I.... Well, I s-screwed up." She then shakes her head. "No, n-never seen her before."

Leah's frown persists as they walk along. She gives the asari a nod. "I understand. You just wanted to help your parents." she says, "You just need to try and be more careful about who you get involved with, alright? You could've gotten hurt." she glances over at Lema, "But you know it wasn't your fault, right? Those people, they're to blame. Not you."

Lema takes a few seconds to answer. "It-it was more for m-me," she admits. "I... w-want to afford a b-biotic instructor to help me out. I need the t-training."

Leah remains silent for a short while, recalling her younger days and the struggles she underwent when her biotic abilities began to develop. She nods slowly. Another short span of silence passes before the smile returns to her face and she glances over at the young asari. "I might be able to help with that." she says. "I mean, nothing too impressive!" she corrects, "But-... Yeah." she nods, "I'm no trainer, but I've been

Lema now looks up, not sure what to say at first. She seems confused, mostly, but she seems otherwise to be relaxing. "R-Really?" she asks. "After all th-the t-trouble I t-took with me here, you w-want to help me?" She frowns. "I mean, I w-would b-be very grateful, but...." She then trails off.

Leah gives a chuckle, nodding once again. "Of course! It'll be fun!" she says confidently. "Like I said, that 'trouble'? It wasn't your fault. I'm just glad nobody got hurt." The asari's squashed head suddenly flashes in her mind and she winces, "...Well, nobody that didn't bring it on themselves..." she corrects.

Lema walks a bit faster in order to catch up to her side. "Th-thank you," she says, a small smile showing up. "I'll come by when you have time." She pauses for a moment. "Es-especially the m-mean woman that threatened me. Jan-... Aylena d-didn't want to t-tell me what happened to her, or l-let me see the vid feed. It s-sounded bad, though."

Leah scrunches up her nose, but doesn't respond directly to the question. "It's all over now, so I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. Hey, have you contacted your parents? I'm sure they're probably worried about you, huh?" she asks, trying to change the subject from the grisly asari fate.

Lema shakes her head. "I'll t-tell them when I'm home," she says. "Dad's... p-probably still at work, and mom usually t-trust me to find my way home when I go to the city."

Leah continues down the street towards their destination. "As soon as we get you home I'm gonna send over my information and you and I can work on setting up a time and day for you to drop by and get some training in, alright?" she asks, glancing over at Lema, "...My only requirement is that you keep yourself out of trouble."

Lema gives a sharp nod. "I'll never d-do something that s-stupid again," she says. "I promise. Even if y-you hadn't offered to help me."

Leah gives the asari a wide smile and reaches out to pat her on the shoulder. "Glad to hear it, Lema." she says.