Leah shoots Halisi a bright, toothy, excited smile, brows briefly lifting as she scurries off through the kitchen.
#Leah'sHouse – May 5, 2020
Things have changed a bit since Halisi's last visit. Furniture shifted a little to accomidate the almost overbearing amount of Christmas decorations. The lights strung up on the tree and around the room flash between colors on a timer, reflecting an array of lights off of the living room walls. There's a few additions to the collage of pictures on the wall, as well. A few more recent photographs that include Tara have found their way amongst
Halisi looks after Leah as she departs with amused curiosity, although she soon allows her attention to drift around the room, smile widening a little to herself as she studies the decorations and the new pictures on the wall. She idly adjusts the strap of her purse a little to keep it from slipping off her shoulder.
Leah is only gone for a few moments before reappearing through the entry to the kitchen. In her arms is a small, rectangular package wrapped in paper with a pattern of geometric shapes in different Christmas colors in yet another of Leah's endless supply of wrapping paper. A shiny green bow is stuck to the corner of it. She pauses in the entry, lifting the package up slightly so Halisi can see it and giving it a little jostle from
Halisi raises a questioning eyebrow, chuckling quietly as she studies the colorful little package. "Ah, I suppose I should have known better." she agrees through a smile.
Leah takes a bouncy step towards Halisi, extending the package her way. "It's nothing special." she warns, though before Halisi can accept it she pulls it back, scrunching up her nose in distaste. "You are a very difficult woman to shop for." she explains. "At first I was like-... Halisi is always dressed soooo nice! So CLOTHES! Right?" She gives a small tilt of her head as if awaiting an answer, but of
course she doesn't await an answer. "But then I was like-..." her green eyes widen dramatically as she repeats herself for emphasis, tone turning worried, "Halisi is always dressed soooo nice! she continues, shifting the gift from one hand to the other, the actual 'handing off' of the gift quickly getting lost in her ramble, "There's no way in hell I could pick something out for her
that she wouldn't hate! Jewelry? Shoes? Same issue! So then I had a mild panic attack after going through about a MILLION shops without finding a single thing I thought you or the Chief might like-..." The mention of Vasquez causes her to furrow her brow as a tangent worms its way in, "...Speaking of which, I almost bought her a gun because-... well, she really seems to like guns. But then I was like, don't
buy your boss a gun, Leah. That's weird. Don't be weird." Deep breath. And go. "So I didn't buy her a gun-..." Something seems to occur to her, causing her to wince, lifting a hand and snickering in objection to a question Halisi never asked, "Don't worry! I didn't get you a gun, either!" she assures, "But I was pretty stumped! Until I came across this stall where the person was selling some hand made
stuff-... at least they claimed they were hand made." she clarifies with an exhausted roll of her eyes, "Sooooo~" she grips the package with both hands, clutching it close to her chest before extending it towards Halisi again. "Joyeux Noël!"
Halisi lifts a hand to accept the gift, only to lower it again as Leah gets sidetracked by rambling. She listens silently, with a look of patient amusement, sticking to the occasional nod - as well as a quiet snort and a raised eyebrow as she goes on a tangent about her trouble with Vasquez. When she finally finishes and extends the package again she offers another, firmer nod as she accepts it. "Thank you, Leah." she says, smile widening
a little as she has to hold back a laugh. She studies the box for a moment before leaning down to put it in her shopping bag. The act reminds her of its contents, and she pulls out a pair of small, neatly wrapped packages. One is fairly flat and about a foot and a half across. The other is a tiny, matchbox-sized thing. Both bear labels that confirm the doctor's next words. "Before I forget... these are for Tara. I... actually
Leah furrows her brow, green eyes turning to the pair of packages. Her expression softens as Halisi speaks and she reaches out to accept the gifts on Tara's behalf. "...I'm sure she'll love them." she says, the words quieter than intended. For a moment she merely studies the gifts before reaching out to stack them atop the other gift on top of the coffee table. A gentle smile tugs at the edge of her mouth as she looks back to the
doctor. "Tara is lucky to have so many amazing people in her life." she says. The words are soft, but there's plenty of weight behind them. And why wouldn't there be? In just the short time that Tara has been with Leah, the people around her have shown so much support. From little things, like making sure that she felt welcome and cared for by including her in their ridiculous Halloween party to putting their lives on the
line against a powerful batarian house. The thought causes her gaze to dip towards the floor. And it's not just Tara they've supported. Even after all of the trouble she's caused- all of the pain and damage... "Umm-.... We're both lucky to have you all." she admits, her words perhaps tinted with just a small amount of that previous guilt over all of the trouble she's caused. "So-... so thank you." she offers as she meets
Halisi smiles softly, briefly looking off further into the house where Tara disappeared. It was good to see her well. Settling in. Healthier in more ways than one. As Leah continues, the doctor's gaze falls briefly before returning to Leah, her smile heavier now, slowly slipping away to a somber look. "We all look after each other, don't we?" She crosses her arms loosely, posture carrying hints of... discomfort? She looks off to some of
the Christmas decorations for a moment. When she speaks her voice is quiet and a little uneven. "I know exactly where I would be today if it wasn't for Redrock. I would have spent my last hours hiding, terrified and alone. Maybe I would have been infected in the end. Driven mad, and forced to turn on the last of my friends." Her voice cracks a little, and she's still not meeting Leah's gaze, but she forces herself to continue. "I'm
the lucky one. So thank you, Leah." She finally manages to look back to the woman in front of her, silver eyes a little moist. "I owe my life to you, and everyone else that ventured into that place, and I won't soon forget that."
Leah gives a quiet, "...We do." in response to Halisi's initial statement. But as Halisi continues, Leah finds herself looking away, gaze idly settling on the gifts on the table beside her. Listening in silence. She was a part of that rescue team at Ogofau. So many people lost. And so many more lost since. It feels like a lifetime ago, but it's far from forgotten. The doctor's final words garner a small head shake from Leah. "I
think you've more than paid back that debt." she assures, pushing a small, sad smile into place as she looks back to Halisi. "...Like you said. We look after each other."
Halisi clears her throat in a futile attempt to dislodge the lump of emotion that has settled there, forcing small smile of her own into place as she nods in agreement with the repeat of her sentiment. "My apologies." she says with a hint of embarrassment. "I came here to deliver presents, not to wallow." She manages a bit of levity in her tone despite the heaviness of her smile, reaching down to pick up her bag. "I won't take up any more
Leah waves off Halisi's concerns. "No it's-..." she shakes her head, "...it's fine." she assures. She's certainly no stranger to 'wallowing'. The past couple of years haven't been kind to anyone at Redrock, truth be told. She props up a kind smile that very quickly slips away as Halisi collects her bag. "Oh. I could-..." she furrows her brow, cocking a thumb back towards the kitchen. "...throw a pot of coffee on?" she offers,
worried that she may have inadvertantly given Halisi the impression that she was too busy for company.
Halisi pauses, eyebrows furrowing a little as she glances towards the kitchen, hesitating. "Are you sure? I-... I don't want to impose. I did drop by unannounced."
Leah gives another shake of her head. "Of course! Not like I was doing anything important anyway." she assures. "Just-..." she casts a quick glance towards the mound of colorful gifts beneath the Christmas tree, "...wrapping presents. Nothing I can't finish later tonight." After a pause she gives an animated gesture towards the couch, "Go on, take a seat! I'll make some coffee!"
Halisi concerned frown lingers for a moment as she wavers, a protest on the tip of her tongue, but the fact is that she has the day off like all the human medical staff, and she still has plenty of time to make her last delivery. Soon enough she relents, her stance relaxing as she lets out a sigh and allows her smile to manifest. "Then... I'd love to." she admits, setting her bag down again and starting to peel off her coat.
Leah gives a small raise of her brows, smile fully manifesting once Halisi agrees. "Coffee!" she repeats, a little bounce in her step as she darts off towards the kitchen while Halisi gets more comfortable, her voice only slightly muffled by the distance. "So-..." she begins, some clattering joining her voice as she prepares to make coffee, "...what are your plans for Christmas?"
As mandated by Mercier law, only Christmas movies are allowed on the livingroom television during the last week of December. And, thankfully, that law has not been broken on this day.
Halisi heads into the living room after hanging up her coat and stepping out of her boots. Underneath her winter clothes she's dressed for the season with a dark green sweater that features an understated silver pattern of snowflakes. Her pants are a pair of form-fitting, dark blue jeans and her socks seem picked to match the sweater. The question prompts her to stop near the couch, the briefest hint of awkwardness thankfully going unseen
with Leah in the kitchen. "Oh... Ilyna invited me to join Jason and Linda's celebration at the base." she explains, unable to help the small smile that crosses her lips. One of her hands ends up a little restlessly on the back of the couch as her gaze travels to the TV, letting it distract her a little.
Leah chirps a singsongy, "Ooooooh~" as she continues to work on the coffee. "That sounds.... fun." There's a short pause as she considers her words and, when she speaks, the smile is audible in her voice. "...So, spending the holidays together..." she says. The sort of leading statement that very transparently masks the silent question of 'Are we acknowledging this?'
Halisi remains on her feet, nibbling on her lower lip a little as her gaze falls to the couch, well-manicured fingers drumming against the top of the cushion. As she opens her mouth to respond, an awkward half-laugh slips out, and her eyes widen slightly as she wonders if it could be heard from the kitchen. "Yes, well... it will be nice to relax for a bit and celebrate, after... everything." she says in an attempt to deflect, voice
catching a little on the word chosen to summarize the ordeal that has been the last month. Just another in a long line. "It's Li's first Christmas, and I think we are all eager to spoil her a little." she says, the warm smile that crosses her lips at those words audible in her voice.
Leah's response comes soon enough. "Mmhmm. Mmhmm." she agrees, the smell of fresh coffee soon permeating the air as the coffee maker stirs to life. "Relax. Celebrate..." she repeats before hazarding another pointy prod, "...with Ilyna~" Subtlety isn't her strong suit.
Halisi lets out a helpless half-sigh, half-chuckle at the continued prodding, grateful that the wall between them serves to obscure some of her embarrassment. "Yes." she concedes, the word short enough not to trip over. She shakes her head to herself, taking a calming breath before having a seat in the couch.
Leah lets out a sigh of her own, laced with playful disappointment over Halisi's short response. But she respectfully relents. For now. "Cream? Sugar?" she calls out as the coffee machine sputters to a stop.
Halisi glances over in the direction of the kitchen. "Cream, please." she replies. There's a brief pause before a question follows. "What about you? Are you having anyone over for the holidays...?" she asks, feeling the need to go on the offensive before she's cornered. "I noticed there's quite a few presents."
Leah doesn't immediately respond to Halisi's question, preparing their coffee suddenly taking most of her focus now that the questions are aimed her way. A few soft clangs are all that's heard over the low volume of the television for a number of moments until she reappears in the doorway, a cup of coffee in each hand. "Just-..." she shrugs dismissively as she sets one cup down on the table in front of Halisi, "Mendez." she says,
gaze turning towards the old movie playing on the TV as she stands in place. She folds one arm across her midsection, hand resting on her opposite side as she takes a tentative sip of the piping hot liquid in her cup. She touches her tongue to her upper lip for a moment before furrowing her brow, "Oh! Nate and his sister are gonna stop by, too." she adds, her tone as if it almost slipped her mind. Just an afterthought. No big
Halisi seems fine with letting Leah take her time, occupying herself with the TV until she arrives with the coffee. She nods at her answer reaching out for the coffee cup and cradling it, not drinking yet. She studies her as if waiting to see if there's more until the addition comes, eyebrows rising questioningly. "Is that so...?" she muses, briefly failing to contain the grin that crosses her lips when she realizes she struck gold. "Are
you looking forward to having... what was it Mendez said? 'Hot stuff', over?" she asks, her usual compassion replaced by false innocence.
Leah merely nods idly at Halisi's initial question, intently watching the nearly-muted Christmas movie over the top of her coffee cup with fake interest. She goes for another sip when Halisi continues, nearly causing her to spit her coffee out, cheeks nearly instantly turning so red you'd think she'd just been slapped. "I don't call him that!" she quickly snaps off defensively, sending a wild gesture down at Halisi.
Halisi brings her free hand up to her mouth to muffle her laughter, clearing her throat afterwards. "Of course, my apologies." she offers with an insincere nod as she lowers her hand back to wrap around the cup in her lap. "Allow me to rephrase... are you looking forward to having Nate over?" she corrects through an amused smile.
Leah shoots Halisi a death glare. "I don't!" she lies adamantly before plopping onto the couch. She ignores the question for a moment, instead nursing her coffee in a pout, cheeks bright as a tomato as she stares through the TV in embarrassment. She shifts restlessly for a moment, bringing the heels of her feet up onto the edge of the couch cushion as she gets comfortable, a small smile slowly spreading across her face that