#RedrockAgency – April 12, 2017

Ilyna is walking up to the Redrock Agency's office, along with Li. She didn't know how significant a human's birthday is, but it couldn't hurt to find out. She has brought the learning VI with her, so that she can help Li with that while she goes over her paperwork in the office. The asari is wearing a puffy, hooded winter coat over pants and a black t-shirt, and a gray purse is slung over her shoulder.

Halisi descends the stairs of the Redrock base, putting the last of her winter clothes on as she heads down the corridor towards the lobby.

Li walks alongside Ilyna, holding onto her hand rather than running ahead, perhaps tired from the day's gloomy weather. She stops briefly to stomp a frozen puddle, grinning as the ice cracks and then hurrying to keep up with the asari. She's carrying the laptop with the VI on it in a tight grip, clutching it against her chest with both arms.

Ilyna glances back at the puddle-stomping with a chuckle before palming the interface on the front door. She quickly steps inside to not let all the heat out. Ilyna is about to turn to take off her jacket when she spots Halisi approaching the door. "Hey, Halisi," she says. "I didn't expect to see you here. Nothing is wrong, I hope?" While the asari looks a bit tired, it didn't affect her voice.

Halisi stops in the lobby as Ilyna enters, getting a quick "Ilyna, hey." and a brief smile out before listening to her question, chuckling slightly and shaking her head in response. "No, no... I just came by to wish Jason a happy birthday."

Ilyna chuckles, as well. "I figured that might be an important day," she says before a hesitating pause. "Do you have a moment?" the asari asks. "I just want to talk, so I understand if you're busy." She then turns to Li. "You can leave the VI in my office if you want to go wish Jason a happy birthday," she says. She had instructed Fergus (with Renala's help) to give Li access to her office, even if Ilyna is

Li gives Halisi a small wave, which the doctor mirrors with a small smile. She then nods to Ilyna and runs off down the corridor, clutching the laptop. She stops by the door to Ilyna's office, jumping slightly to hit the interface, but frowning as her hand goes right through it. She looks up at the ceiling as if searching for someone. "Fergus... can you open the door?" When the door slides open she calls out a "Thank you!" and

Halisi glances after Li briefly before looking back to Ilyna, her smile fading and her eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Of course. Although I need to be back at the hospital soon, so I can't take too long."

Ilyna looks after Li to make sure that the VI recognizes her, but her smile doesn't fade entirely. Ilyna knows looks can be deceiving, so seeing Li behave like a child is unfortunately not enough to quell her worries. "I can walk with you for a few minutes," she suggests.

Halisi raises an eyebrow. "I... drive, actually." she says with a gesture towards the door, and by extention, her car parked outside. She studies Ilyna, seeming a little puzzled. "What's this about? If this is urgent we can talk in the infirmary, or I could call you after my shift."

Li exits the office, heading up the stairs now. She soon enters the rec room, taking a slightly apprehensive look around.

Jason is still right where Halisi left him. Pistol parts separated and organized in front of him. His attention is fixed on the screen as the asari broadcaster highlights a particularly impressive play from the previous night's asajura game. He looks slightly puzzled, tilting his head to the side somewhat before seeming to accept that he, too, must be impressed by the play and simply nods.

Ilyna frowns, though she waits for Li to be at least halfway upstairs before speaking. "It's not urgent, no," she says with a shake of her head. "I just want to talk, about... some things keeping me awake at night. It's stupid, I know, but I think someone to tell me I worry too much... – that isn't Jason – is what I need right now."

Li runs up to the table as soon as she spots Jason, but dives under it in the sneakiest of manners, before suddenly lunging at one of his legs, hugging it tightly as a "RAWR!" comes from under the table.

Halisi shuffles the strap of her purse up her shoulder as she moves to start leaving, but as Ilyna speaks again she's quick to stop her preparations, a frown crossing her face as she studies the asari. She sighs quietly and gestures towards the lobby benches. She briefly checks her omni-tool before moving to sit down. "Okay. Talk to me." she offers with a small nod.

Jason catches sight of Li once she makes a break for the table, but plays along, pretending to remain focused on the screen until Li 'attacks'. He lets out a quick, "Aaaaaah, a dinnosaur!" as he gives a gentle shake of his leg before shifting to the side in his seat to pull Li out from under the table. As he spots her, a big smile crosses his face. "Oh!" he exclaims with a mock look of confusion. He leans down, taking a quick peek

Ilyna lets out a relieved sigh. "Thank you," she says as she takes a seat at the lobby. She brings up her own omni-tool and taps on it to project a picture of Li's drawing of the spider monster. "Most of her drawings are of people she meet, but... this one stood out to me," she makes a gesture over the hologram to rotate it towards Halisi. The asari looks embarrased, well aware that she's looking far more into

Li climbs into Jason's lap when she's pulled out from under the table, sitting on his leg. "Nooo..." she says with a giggle, before her mind suddenly switches tracks. "Happy birthday!" she exclaims loudly as she remembers Ilyna's instructions.

Jason's smile widens and he gives a soft chuckle at Li's birthday wishes. He scoops Li up under the arms and sets her down at the edge of the table, giving a brief glance over the weapon parts to make sure there's nothing around that she might accidentally hurt herself with. Once confident that the area is safe he gives a quick look towards the door, half expecting Ilyna to be there. "Did you come all the way out here just to wish

Halisi leans in to take a look at the picture, her frown deepening a little as she studies it in silence. She turns her gaze to Ilyna again. "I-... Ilyna, I don't know..." she looks back towards the corridor where Li disappeared just a little while ago. "What that poor girl has been through... growing up in that compound? It's a wonder she's as well-adjusted as she is. It's not exactly uncommon for human children to see monsters

Li nods enthusiastically. "Yep!" she exclaims in response to the first question, giggling at the second. Her gaze moves to the table as she notices the disassembled gun, studying it curiously. "Did you break something?"

Jason snickers and nods back. "Well, thank you, Li. That means a whole lot to me." he says. As she asks about the gun, he gives a sweeping look over the parts before sucking in a deep breath and shrugging his shoulders. "Not exactly. Just... practicing. See, all the parts go back together." he explains, forcing a smile as he grabs the frame and reattaches the ammo block for reference. "I used to be able to put one of these

Ilyna listens carefully to what she has to say, nodding along to some of it. She gives a long sigh after the advice ends, not sure what she expected. "It's... just that... I don't want to-," she lowers her head, changing her jumbled answer. "You're right. That is my job. She needs to know she can talk to me about anything." The asari looks back up. "Thank you, Halisi," she says. "I feel stupid now for not thinking

Li seems quite focused as she observes Jason reattatching the ammo block to the Phalanx' frame. "Is it a gun? Can I shoot it?"

Jason holds the frame up, looking it over with a snicker as Li asks to fire it. He gives a shake of his head. "It is a gun. One I've had for a long time." He glances over to Li with a grin, "But I'm preeeetty sure Ilyna would never let me hear the end of it if I let you fire it." He removes the ammo block and sets the parts back down before sitting back in his seat. "Maybe one day. When you've had as many birthdays as I have."

Halisi offers another nod, placing a hand on Ilyna's shoulder. "It must be... a huge adjustment, to find yourself responsible for her. But you're not alone. Alright? " She briefly glances at her omni-tool and lets out a sigh. "Look, I have to get to work, but I could call you after my shift if you want to talk more."

Li frowns, pouting as her request is denied, but her expression slowly turns more thoughtful. "I have a birthday too?" she asks with a tilt of her head, looking up at Jason now.

Jason winces, realizing he probably just opened up a whole new can of worms for Ilyna. "Uhh.... Sure...?" he offers, "...I mean, everybody has a birthday. Just... the day you were born, you know?" He glances towards the door, hoping to find Ilyna lest he dig this hole deeper for her. "Do you know when you were born...?"

Li 's eyes widen at this revelation, but she shakes her head at the question, here frown returning as she looks down at the table.

Ilyna nods. "I would have been lost if I was," she says. "I couldn't be more grateful." She sighs and stands up. "That... was what I wanted to talk about," she says. "Well, not all of it, but... I respect your time too much to talk about the-... my problems with my sister."

Jason clears his throat, growing uncomfortable. "I-... Uhh.... You should..." he shrugs his shoulders, his gaze moving to the table, "...Maybe talk with Ilyna about it?" he suggests, wincing even as the words leave his mouth. Yep. Just pile more on Ilyna. "I'm sure Halisi can probably figure something out. Doctors can figure that kind of shit out, right?" he asks, suddenly looking to Li for answers as if she should know just as

Halisi stands up, getting ready to leave once more. Ilyna's words causes her to stop, however. She looks down, thinking for a moment before turning to the asari with a small smile and an inquisitive look on her face. "How about when my shift is over I drop by and you can tell me all about it? No reason you should have to sit and stew on your own, stressing yourself out."

Li 's eyebrows practically shoot up. "Really?! And then I can have a birthday? How often is it? I heard you get presents, is that true?"

Jason is unable to suppress a smile, despite being acutely aware of the headache he's sending Ilyna's way. "One day every year." he explains, easing up slightly. He's already dug this deep, may as well keep on shoveling. "There's presents, but you've gotta put in the work to get what you want. See, if you just sit around and wait for your birthday, then you're gonna end up with a bunch of clothing. Maybe some mittens. A winter

Li listens attentively to Jason's tactical advice, nodding thoughtfully at the end as she considers what she might want.

Ilyna tilts her head as she considers it. "I would appreciate that," she says. "I don't know if Li should overhear it, though, but... well, it's not far from what I need to speak with her about, anyway." She gives her a pat on the shoulder and steps back. "I should let you get going," she says. "You've got important work to do."

Halisi heads off with a nod and a smile, shuffling the strap of her purse up her shoulder once again. "I'll see you later, Ilyna." she says before going out the door, starting towards her car.

Jason reaches over and pats Li on the head, rustling her hair playfully. "Alright, I've had enough of this for one day." he sighs, casting a glance over all of the parts. It probably wasn't the sort of thing he should be doing on his birthday anyway. Reminding himself about what he lost. "How about we go watch some cartoons?"

Li jumps off of Jason's leg. "Yeah!" she says, running over and jumping into the couch. She remains lying with her legs on the armrest, but fidgets as she's getting rather warm in her winter jacket. She struggles briefly with the zipper before managing to remove it, using the fluffy jacket as a pillow.

Ilyna remains exactly where she is until the door closes behind the doctor. Was she really as ill-suited at raising Li alone as she's not shy about implying, or do every parent just look like they know what they're doing most of the time? Was that true for her mother, too, who always seemed to have the answer to everything? Ilyna sighs, deciding to focus on more important things: that it's Jason's birthday. She

Jason climbs out of his seat and follows Li over to the couch. Li's arrival has caused his mood to improve quite a bit after the disappointment of Vasquez forgetting his birthday. "Alright, what are we watching?" he asks as he takes a seat on the couch beside Li.

Li furrows her eyebrows. "Uh... Super Centurion!"

Ilyna doesn't move from the doorway, not wanting to rudely interrupt when important decisions are being made.

Jason gives a single nod, his back to Ilyna given his position on the couch. "Super Centurion, it is!" he agrees. "You hear that, Fergus?" he glances upward briefly, "Put on some Super Centurion." He sinks back into the seat, folding his arms across his chest as he attempts to get comfortable.

Fergus ' voice chimes in from above. "Of course, sire." A moment later the screen switches to Super Centurion, resuming at the last-viewed episode. The show begins immediately, with the titular cartoon turian fighting a massive battle-mech on the streets of an asari megacity not unlike Nos Astra.

Ilyna starts approaching the couch, keeping her steps light and quiet to avoid detection, leveraging the noise of the catoon fighting to her advantage.

Jason furrows his brow as he watches. Unsurprisingly, he quickly seems to get absorbed in the goofy cartoon. "So what is this show about?" he asks, not taking his eyes off the screen, "This guy always just run around kicking the shi-... err, crap out of mechs?"

Li nods. "SHe's one of the Galactic Sentinels! They protect everyone from E.V.I.L!" she exclaims, carefully spelling out the acronym. And indeed, the mech has a logo of an angry varren with a holo-monocle on the side, with the text 'Evolved Varren Intergalactic League'. The turian runs up the arm of the mech, slashing at the shoulder with a glowing energy gladius.

Ilyna stops half a meter behind the couch while Li is in the middle of her explanation, but she doesn't say anything. The asari even considers retreating to wish him a happy birthday at a later time, not wanting to interrupt them.

Jason listens to the explanation intently, giving a brief nod to acknowledge he gets the jist of it. "Damn super-intelligent varren..." he mutters, "...Always up to no good." He passes a glance in Li's direction, catching sight of Ilyna out of the corner of his eye. He immediately straightens up in his seat and rolls his shoulders, looking in her direction with a lopsided grin. "Uhh-... Hey, you. We were just-..." he gestures

Ilyna had a tight-lipped smile on as she evaded detection for as long as she did, but it fades very quickly as she realizes that her infiltration failed. Oh well, no turning back now. "Yeah, why not," she says with a shrug. "If the Chief's displeased neither of us are doing work... I'll blame you." She walks around the couch and slips into the seat beside him, putting him between her and Li. "Happy birthday, by

Li is quite absorbed by the cartoon at this point, watching as the turian shoots out a net to save a group of falling civilians even as she slides down the chest of the mech by the hilt of her blade, which is buried in the metal.

Jason gives a shrug of his shoulders. "If there's one thing I'm good at, it's getting yelled at by Linda." he jokes. As she wishes him a happy birthday, a sincere smile crosses his lips. "Thanks." he says simply before furrowing his brow, "How'd you know?"

Ilyna leans back in her seat, looking at Jason instead of the cartoon. "It's on the calendar, and I met Halisi in the lobby," she says. "That was enough 'intel' for me to wish you a happy birthday." She chuckles.

Jason gives a snicker, "Well, thanks." he repeats. He tosses an arm around Ilyna's shoulder to give her a brief side-hug and jostles her a bit playfully as his attention moves back to the screen and he settles back into his seat once again. "So how is everything going?" he asks, "...Things any better with you-know-who?"

Ilyna shakes her head, at least assuming she-knows-who it is. "No," she says. "She doesn't want to talk with me. I...-" She stops herself, and leans on him with a sigh. There's a look of frustration and shame on her facial features. "Let's... not talk about that," she says in a lowered voice. "Not now."

Jason sighs but nods, giving Ilyna's shoulder a squeeze. "Sorry..." he offers, deciding not to push the subject. Instead he sits back and returns his attention to the cartoon. "She's one of the Galactic Sentinels." he explains with a point towards the turian on-screen, repeating Li's words. The smirk returns to his face as he gives a glance Ilyna's way, "See. She's fighting that big ass mech because he's a member of E.V.I.L." he