This logfile is imported from aitelogs2 and may contain errors or wrong timestamps.
#RedrockAgency – February 25, 2018
Afternoon at Redrock. Vasquez has withdrawn to her and Jason's room for most of the day, in contrast to her previous attempts at distracting herself through overworking. She's lying in the couch in sweatpants and concert tee, struggling to pay attention to the movie that's playing. Her hair's in a messy ponytail. It's quite the contrast to her appearance during the wedding. Half-eaten styrofoam containers of varren kebab, an empty
tea cup and miscellaneous trash covers the coffee table. Cynthia is there in the couch as well, as she has been for the last two days. She's sitting up, and is wearing a tanktop and pyjama pants. Her hair isn't in it usually seen, styled form, instead lying haphazardly atop her head.
Jennifer enters Redrock and immediately glances about for any sign of life. Her two boys are nowhere to be seen and she's much more dressed down compared to her appearance at the wedding. Designer jeans. Black, warm-looking boots lined with a tuft of fur around the top. And a thick, comfy grey jacket. Dressed down, but no less expensive than her wedding attire. Despite this, her eyes look tired and her black hair is pulled
Fergus materializes behind the desk, bowing his head slightly in greeting. He's back in his fur-lined winter armor, the projection no longer featuring the fancy tunic it did during the wedding. "How can I help you, ser?"
Jennifer doesn't pay the hologram much mind, her gaze pulled back to the hallway. "Is Linda in?" she asks, finally looking Fergus' way. "I'd like to speak with her if she's not busy." she adds, seeing no use for formalities with a VI.
Fergus bows his head slightly once more. "Lady Vasquez is not in her office, but I shall notify her of your presence." he announces before fading away. He reappears a few seconds later. "She will be here shortly."
Jennifer gives a single nod of her head as Fergus delivers the news. She clutches an expensive bag in her hands, taking a few steps away from the counter as she waits for Vasquez to arrive.
Vasquez appears in the corridor a minute or so later. She seems to have opted against changing, still wearing the same very casual clothes, aside from the addition of her gym shoes. She looks tired, distracted, and not particularly happy to be out of her room. A curt "Yes?" sounds once she's within hearing range of Jennifer, continuing to walk closer until she enters the lobby, studying the new arrival.
Jennifer forces a small, tired smile as she spots Vasquez. "Hey, Linda..." she offers, much in the way one does sympathetically when they know something is wrong. "I-... Dave told me about-..." she begins, wincing apologetically as if fearing she's overstepping her boundaries, "...Have you heard anything from him yet...?"
Vasquez draws in a long breath, sucking in her lips as she shakes her head. The tone of her voice seems to elicit a bit of frustration. "No. Nothing." she says. Tired of saying it. Tired of thinking it.
Jennifer draws in a deep breath of her own, her small smile washing away. "...Right." she says softly, her gaze lowering. After a moment, her eyes rise to meet Vasquez' once again. "I'm sorry, Linda." she says, quite aware that she's being that person right now. "I just-... I wanted to make sure you were alright. It being so soon after the wedding and everything-..." she stammers, "...Dave offered to watch the kids so I
figured I'd stop by and-..." she trails off, the wind knocked out of her sails slightly, "...I should have called first."
Vasquez lets out a heavy sigh, running a hand over her hair as she looks away for a moment. "It's fine." she says with a shake of her head, looking back to Jennifer. "I'm fine." she says none-too-convincingly, briefly flashing a stiff smile.
Jennifer forces a small smile and awkwardly remains in place for a moment. But soon enough the smile slips away and a sigh follows it. "Look, Linda. I've known Jason a long time. He was there for me when-..." her gaze falls once again, "...Well, when I was at my lowest." she explains, leaving the specific situation unspoken in hope that Vasquez will get what she's referencing. The death of her husband. She forces herself to
look Vasquez in the eye before continuing. "So-... So I'm here for you, okay? For both of you. So, if there's anything I can do to help or-... if you just need someone to talk to? Don't hesitate to call, alright?" she offers sincerely. "It might even do me some good to talk to someone whose age reaches the double digits every once in a while." she adds, trying to force that smile into place with little success.
Vasquez ' underlying frustration seems to fade a little, her shoulders dropping. She's trying to help. Of course she is. Everyone is. Her gaze falls, and a small nod follows. "Yeah, uh... I appreciate it, but... I don't think there's anything you can do." she says, looking back at Jennifer. "Unless you can bring him home." The smile that follows the addition is weak, empty, and an uncomfortable shift of her stance
Jennifer discomfort only seems to grow as Vasquez gives her request. But she's quick to draw in a deep breath and push the discomfort aside. "Unfortunately I don't think that's within my capabilities..." she says with a sigh. "But I mean it, Linda. If there's anything I can do, just let me know..." she offers once again, suddenly feeling like she's wearing out her welcome. She seems to consider stepping in for a hug. Having
known Jason nearly their entire lives, Vasquez is practically family. But she very quickly reconsiders it, causing an awkward stutter-step. "And-... uhm... Make sure to let me know if you get any news about Jason, okay?"
Vasquez nods, drawing in a breath as the empty smile fades. "Of course." she says, a very faint, almost imperceptible, but genuine, hint of a smile briefly crossing her lips before a frown takes over. "I-..." Her gaze briefly wanders before returning to Jennifer. "I know I'm not the only one that's waiting..." she says, her tone softer.
Jennifer smile grows a bit more genuine as she takes a step back. "He'll come home, Linda." she says softly after a short pause. She doesn't know what he's up against. Gage didn't get into specifics, but it was enough for her to know that whatever it is, it's dangerous. But she also knows Jason. She's been there through every tour. Through his self-destructive search across Omega. He always comes back. She clears her throat
and gives a small nod, "Alright, I'm gonna get out of your hair. I'm sure the boys are driving Dave crazy by now anyway." she adds with a short chuckle to mask her own concerns.
Vasquez ' faint smile briefly tugs at her lips again as Jennifer chuckles, a nod following. "Yeah..." she says, but after a moment's silence she speaks again before she has a chance to leave. "I... don't know how long you're staying for, but... you and the kids should come by once everyone is back." she offers. An attempt at trying to convince herself everything will be fine more than anything, but also a gesture to
Jennifer gives a set of nods. "I don't plan on going anywhere until after Jason is back." she says, her attempt at assuring Vasquez she'll be around probably doing little to comfort the woman. "So, sure. That sounds great. We'll figure something out as soon as Jason is back." she adds, reinforcing the idea that Jason's return isn't a matter of 'if', just 'when'.
Vasquez nods again, her arms folding loosely across her chest. "Alright." she says, as some of that discomfort starts to return. It's obvious she's making an effort be friendly. To not show just how worried she is. She goes quiet, finding herself unsure what to say. "I'll... let you know as soon as I hear something." she offers finally, stepping back slightly.
Jennifer is once again acutely aware that she's outstayed her welcome. She's not offended by it. The woman's husband is off who-knows-where. She certainly understands Vasquez' desire to be short with her. And the last thing she wants is to add to Vasquez' discomfort. "I-... Yeah." she nods, "I'd appreciate that." She backs up a couple of steps towards the door, "Alright, I'm gonna get going, then. I'll see you around, Linda."
Vasquez nods yet again. "Yeah..." she says, forcing a friendly expression. For a moment she looks like she's going to say something else, but the only words that come are "See you around."
Jennifer raises her hand in a brief, departing wave and gives a quick, kind smile as she turns around to exit the building. She has more to say, but it has become painfully obvious that it's just not her place to say it no matter how close her and Jason are. Because, despite 'knowing' Vasquez for some time now, she doesn't really 'know' her. Vasquez wasn't really in a state for them to get to know one another during the few
times they met on Earth. So she keeps her words of encouragement and her own concerns to herself for now, silently assuring herself that Jason will be back. She came out here for a wedding, not another funeral.
Vasquez ' posture stoops as soon as Jennifer is out of view, a drawn out sigh escaping as her eyes close for a moment. She knew they meant well. They all meant well. But they couldn't help. It was just reminders. Constant reminders. That she was stuck here. Useless. While Jason was facing God-knows-what. She shakes her head faintly to herself, turning to head back up to Cynthia. She wasn't sure she'd have been able to get
through the last few days without her. Her company had kept the breakdowns away, and kept her from neglecting to eat.