It's past noon on the 21st of December, around an hour after the job interview. There are quite a few patrons present that's come to the Miner's Respite for lunch. It's far from full, and there's still entirely free booths and tables.
#Miner'sRespite – November 26, 2019
Ilyna steps into the Miner's Respite, having walked the way there from the office with Li. She lowers the hood of her jacket as they enter, taking a sharp breath as a bit of some stray snow from the hood's edge finds its way between her crests.
Enila is stood at the bar, exchanging a few words with Va'ynna. She turns towards the opening door, and cuts her conversation short as she sees who it is. Enila remains behind the bar for now, but gives the pair a big wave. She is of teal skin and has sparse, but sharp red markings around her eyes. She is wearing a plain gray sweater.
Li is, of course, right there with Ilyna as usual. She's clad in thick winter wear to keep her warm even when climbing amid the various snowpiles that are scattered about town. As one might expect there's a fair bit of snow on her clothes, and caked layers on her boots that she has no mind to brush off.
Ilyna waves back to Enila with a smile before glancing around the room. "We're early," she says, looking down at Li. "Would you like to go find somewhere to sit? Va'ynna will be with you very soon." She notices the snow on her boots, and sighs. "One moment," she crouches down to brush the snow off the top of her boot onto the doormat, looking at Li to hear her answer to the above question.
Enila is about to leave the bar when a patron about to pay for their lunch interrupts her. Her attention is still mostly at the pair by the door while she handles the payment.
Li stands in place, fidgeting a little as Ilyna deals with the snow. "Ok." she says to the question, running off towards her favorite booth as soon as she's freed, climbing into the seat.
Ilyna stands up and watches Li run off to her booth. Once she's settled into it, she makes her way over to the counter and around it. "Goddess, Enila," she says, placing her hands on the side of her shoulders. "I can't believe you actually went all the way out here." Ilyna looks like she's about to give her a hug before she realizes she's still wearing a snow-covered wet jacket.
Enila shrugs. "Like I said, an opportunity came up," she says, "so I'm out here pretending to be a businesswoman becuase Yseli has never mastered saying no." There's some frustration cutting through her otherwise light-hearted tone.
Va'ynna appears again behind the bar, her eyes seeking Li among the booths and tables since she's not with Ilyna. She's wearing a long red shirt and simple black pants, but most importantly, there's a christmas hat with large fluffy white bonbon on her head. She's carrying a plate with a pair of chocolate chip cookies on it, and one hand is behind her back. Once her eyes find Li, she starts making her way over
Li is oblivious to Va'ynna's approach, her attention out the window, leaning closer and craning her neck to watch a freighter take off into the sky from the spaceport, mitten-clad hand pressed against the glass.
Va'ynna places the plate on the table as quietly as she can before bringing up the hand from behind her back, revealing another christmas hat similar in design to hers but for a slightly smaller and human head. She takes a step into Li's side of the booth, and she holds the hat open with a mischevious smile as she plans how to best maneuver it onto Li's head.
Li 's head turns when she notices someone nearby, but she doesn't have time to react before the christmas hat descends, causing her to blink in confusion.
Va'ynna lets out a disappointed sigh as her stealth fails, and she places it weakly onto her head, leaving it up to Li to pull it down if she wants it. "Hey, Li," she says. "I got you a christmas hat that I definitely wasn't going to sneakily put on your head." She glances through the window. "It won't do much against the weather outside, but it's festive and I thought you'd look great with it!"
Li glances upward as if to look at the hat, which, of course, doesn't work, causing her to tug it off and study it curiously. Her eyebrows furrow at Va'ynna's description. "Festive...?" she asks as she studies the colorful hat.
Va'ynna moves back out and sits down across from her. "Festive means that...," she says as she tries to come up with a definition, "it... is about a celebration or party, like Christmas." Va'ynna hums thoughtfully. "Speaking of, there aren't many days left."
Li frown lingers for a moment, a quiet "Oh, ok." slipping out before she nods. A curious gaze is drawn towards the cookies, but Va'ynna's words bring her attention back. "I know." she confirms with another nod. "Renala said there's presents."
Ilyna raises an eyebrow. "I never thought I'd see the day you'd abandon your values like that," Ilyna says in a light-hearted tone. "I guess you're flawed like the rest of us."
Enila snorts. "I'm doing it for Yseli, and only her," she says. "Let's talk in my office instead. We have a lot to catch up on, Ilyna." She begins towards the back door, enabling her omni-tool and sets it alert her if someone is looking for her.
Ilyna smiles widely as she follows after her. "Your office? You're moving up." she says. "You don't fool me, Enila Aehan. Next time we meet is when you invite me to the Enila-Corp skyscraper." She disappears through the back door after casting one glance over to Li and Va'ynna.
Va'ynna tilts her head as she considers that. "Oh?" she says. "I've... heard a little bit about that. I haven't had the time to buy presents yet, though, but I will." She casts a glance out into the room, as if checking if someone is there. "I didn't get Victoria a birthday present, and... I don't want to repeat that mistake."
Li 's eyebrows furrow at the mention of birthdays, her gaze falling to the table. "I don't know my birthday..." she says quietly.
Va'ynna frowns, and she looks a bit uncomfortable as she considers what to say. She knows enough about Li's past to not ask about it, and she's so far avoided it very well. "So," she hesitantly begins, "I think you should pick a day that's... special to you, and call that your birthday instead."
Li goes silent, removing her mittens and starting to tug at a frayed bit of jacket sleeve, offering no response to Va'ynna.
Va'ynna doesn't immediately fill the silence between them as she waits for a response. Seeing Li starting to fidget with her jacket makes it clear that there's not going to be one, though. "Li," she says to get her attention. "Who are you getting presents for?"
Va'ynna hums thoughtfully. It was an innocent question meant to distract from the serious topic at hand, but Li's look of confusion is reflected on her. "I... don't really know if you're expected to give presents, I thought you'd know," she says, "but I'm sure Ilyna would love it if you drew something special just for her."
Li 's brief moment of concern passes, eyebrows furrowing as she thinks. Va'ynna's suggestion causes her to nod a couple of times. "I will!" she says, a small smile crossing her lips at the unforseen conundrum being resolved.
Va'ynna sits back in her seat with a smile. "I'm glad I could help," she says. She glances down at the plate with the cookies. "Oh, I was supposed to ask what you would like to have for lunch," she says. "Other than cookies, of course."
Li blinks, attention back on the plate of cookies at the end of the table, her hand inches closer, but in a truly legendary show of restraint, her gaze darts back to Va'ynna in search of confirmation. It seems cookies take priority over lunch decisions.
Va'ynna can't help but grin as she sees Li go for the cookies, and she gives a small nod. "I... won't tell Ilyna," she stage whispers.
Li briefly gains a faint hint of a mischievous grin. She's is quick to snatch up one of the cookies and take a bite, chewing in silence.
Va'ynna leaves the other be on the plate. Maybe she can take the blame should Ilyna ponder the cause of the missing cookie. That is, if Li doesn't go for the other cookie right after. She lets her eat the cookie undisturbed for now.