Jason furrows his brow at Cynthia's choice of jewelry, assuming there's something he's missing. At the mention of messages- and Vasquez' activation of her omni-tool interface- he's unable to resist taking a quick peek. A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he gets the gist of things through context. Trying to pre-empt Vasquez turning it down, he shoots a glance Cynthia's way, mischeivous grin crossing his face. "Actually?
#RedrockAgency – December 15, 2020
Believe it or not, but things are pretty quiet right now. Think-... uhh-..." he nods to himself a few times, as if giving it some real thought, "...Yeah." he settles on, shifting a bit in his seat, one arm settling across the back of the couch. "Me and Ilyna should be able to handle things here for a few days." he says, studying the side of Vasquez' face. At the very least, he's not allowing work to be her fallback excuse.
Ilyna smiles at Li's absent-minded agreement, and looks at the pencils she's studying. Jason saying her name makes her raise an eyebrow as she didn't follow their conversation up until now, but she understands from context that it is about giving Vasquez some free time and nods. "We can do that," she says, silently hoping she didn't just sign up to not having much time to spend with Li in the next few days.
Cynthia lights up a little as Jason speaks up, shooting Vasquez an encouraging look as she leans forward in her seat. "C'mon, Chief... I know how much you love Eezo Credits. I've seen the pics, remember?"
Vasquez is about to regretfully decline when Jason cuts in and she closes her mouth, eyebrows furrowing. There's an uncomfortable look on her face as she listens, meeting his gaze for a few moments towards the end, her apprehension over leaving Redrock under someone else's supervision obvious. She chews on the inside of her cheek, shifting a bit in her seat. "I don't know if-... I'm not-..." Her resolve falters as she looks from
Jason to Cynthia and she lets out a reluctant sigh. "Are you sure?" she asks, looking to Jason and Ilyna.
Li is wasting no time while the grown-ups talk, already reaching for her next present, another Jason contribution. It's a challenge with her lap full of stuff, but what can you do?
Halisi smiles to herself as she listens to the conversation across the couch, nodding a little in agreement with the others. Still listening, she picks up her last present, the one from Ilyna, shooting the asari a brief look and a smile before she starts to open it.
The next of Jason's presents is another rectangular box. In-hand it's very clearly another two boxes of equal size taped together, though they're closer to the machinegun in size. It makes Li's quest to pick it up with a lap full of presents challenging, no doubt.
Jason gives Ilyna an appreciative nod as she chimes in. Vasquez' continued apprehension garners a dismissive shrug from him, as if she shouldn't worry so much about taking time off. "Yeah. Of course." he says, his attention shifting to Li as she struggles to pull yet another gift onto her lap. A small snicker escapes him and he gives a shake of his head. "Let's get some of this out of your way before you cause an avalanche..." he
teases, splitting his attention between tending to Li and responding to Vasquez. "And, ya know? I'm gonna start taking it personally if you keep acting like this whole place is gonna fall apart without you." he points out, probably only half-joking, as he starts to shuffle the gifts over to the coffee table.
'To: Halisi, From: Ilyna.' The gift is soft, but large and neatly wrapped in blue paper with a repeating Christmas tree pattern. The wrapping gives way to reveal a large folded-up heating blanket. It's fuzzy with a deep red color with gray stripes. It is a little on the heavy side, and one of the corners has a rigid structure with a port and a tied bundle of wire adhered to it with some tape.
Ilyna nods again at Vasquez' question, and is about to will another gift into Li's lap when Jason instead comes to help. She starts moving a few of her items to the floor, as well as some of Li's gifts, to make room for the incoming package. She gives a sheepish smile to Halisi after she spots her gift being unwrapped in the corner of her eye. Ilyna is too preoccupied with helping Li make room to open her last
Li gratefully accepts Jason's assistance. eagerly digging into her present as soon as it's in her lap.
Halisi studies the blanket for a while, running her fingers across the fabric and taking a closer look at the heating mechanism's cord. "Thank you. Worried I'm cold?" she asks with a hint of amusement, a small smile on her face as she looks at Ilyna, a gleam in her silver eyes.
Vasquez ' frown deepens. "Jason, that's not what I-..." she starts, sounding half-annoyed and half-guilty, before cutting herself off with a grunt. She looks down at her hands for a moment before nodding. "I... yeah." she concedes, sighing. A small smile starts to cross her lips as she looks up at Cynthia again. "...thanks, Cyn. I want to come. Of course I do." she admits with a shrug, looking a little embarrassed by her own
Cynthia 's smile widens, and she gives Vasquez a nudge. "Hell yeah you do!" she exclaims, offering Jason an appreciative nod as well. It's not hard to tell that it might've meant more to her than she let on. "I gotta be heading back home anyway. Figure you can tag along, take a long weekend. Won't even be gone a week!" she assures. "One condition, though. If we're going to a concert, you've gotta look the part."
Cynthia 's smile just grows. "Come on, Chief, I know you've got it in you. No decade-old Alliance wear and no..." she gestures at Vasquez' sweater. "...mom clothes."
Vasquez looks thoroughly unamused. "It's just a sweater..." she grumbles, before adding: "...and I'm not a teenager anymore, Cyn."
Cynthia is already poking through her omni-tool. "Come ooon... I already got you started! Don't tell me you don't got some old shit lying around. I know you have the t-shirt." She only realizes she failed the curse-filter yet again in hindsight, eyebrows furrowing slightly as she just bets silently on no one noticing.
As with the others, getting through the tape-reinforced paper is a war of attrition. But once it begins to give, Li is able to see the contents inside! The two boxes are identical, taped back-to-back, and bear the same logo as the previous gifts. This time, however, the boxes don't contain guns. They, instead, contain targets. Boasting the ability to link with their other products for stat tracking and even more SOUND EFFECTS for Ilyna to
deal with, each of the two targets- according to their appearance on the box- depict a geth (Can't have targets of sentient species, that would be troubling!). Just the torso and head in classic target-practice design. They each also come with adjustable stands that include automation options, allowing them to pivot on the stand for moving targets. With plenty of pre-set target routines and custom configurations available via the
Jason settles back into his seat once he and Ilyna have finished clearing Li some space to go to war with his wrapping paper. "Just saying!" he adds with only a hint of defensiveness overtop Vasquez' initial protests. His arm once again slings across the back of the couch behind Vasquez, an amused smile crossing his face. He gives Cynthia a small nod and a look of solidarity. If she won't give herself permission to have a bit of
fun, then they're just gonna have to drag her away from work. Kicking and screaming the whole way if needed. "I'd like to go on record as saying I like the mom clothes." he chimes in, interjecting right on the heels of Cynthia's words. Shooting a smug look to Vasquez, blue eyes briefly dipping down towards her sweater. "It's... cute." he adds, his tone implying that he's quite confident she's not going to like his choice
Ilyna chuckles at Halisi's question, and shrugs. "I didn't know what to get for the doctor that always thinks about everything," she says, her tone one of admiration, "but at least now I don't need to worry about that." She casts a glance down at the content of Li's gift, and can't help but chuckle. Her apartment, or maybe her office, is going to turn into a facility for military training with all these new
toys. Since there is more room on the couch, she picks Halisi's gift back up from the floor and begins opening it.
Halisi chuckles quietly to herself, hanging her head a little in fond exasperation over the futility of trying to flirt with Ilyna. She doesn't seem to mind, smiling as she settles in to watch the asari open her gift, chin propped up against her palm.
Halisi's package for Ilyna contains a carefully packed bottle of Serrice Ice Brandy and a large assortment box of Thessian luxury chocolates.
Li 's mouth opens a little as she studies the contents of the presents. "Mom look, it's gef. The-... the bad robots."
Vasquez , as predicted, looks like Jason just dumped a bucket of water on her, mouth a thin, unamused line. She shoots him a glare, but it comes out more grumpy than intimidating, and she soon leans back in her seat, crossing her arms. "It's just a stupid sweater..." she mumbles, looking out across the room.
Cynthia cracks up, bringing up a fist to muffle her snickering. After recovering she tosses her still-active omni-tool over to Vasquez' lap. "This is the Vasquez I wanna see!" she says. The holo-screen displays a photograph of Vasquez. An old photograph. She’s in her late teens, standing in a crowd, and she looks... different, to say the least. Maybe even a little hard to recognize in the spotty lighting of the photo, but her
eyes give her away. Most obvious is the lack of a scar. Of any scars, really. There’s no sign of her trademark ponytail - her hair is long, with a few strands falling in her face. She’s wearing heavy black eye makeup and... is that a nose stud? She’s wearing the very same concert t-shirt she still has with her to this day, albeit in pristine condition, and there’s more than one studded leather bracelet around her
wrist. The hand itself is forming the ancient, venerable sign of metal fans everywhere, and her expression carries enthusiasm to match, face twisted in an excited scream for the camera.
Vasquez scrambles to catch the omni-tool as it lands in her lap, startling her out of her half-hearted grumping. She looks confused as she studies the familiar picture on the screen. "Wha-... why do you have-..." Her eyebrows rise a little as she realizes Cynthia has navigated to the old social media page she used to maintain before her old life collapsed. A quiet "...oh no..." slips out.
Jason snickers at Vasquez' half-hearted grumping, returning her glare with an annoyingly genuine smile. The arm slung across the back of the couch reaching around her in a playful little sidehug, more of a jostle than anything else. As omni-tools go flying, he cranes his neck a bit to get a better look, shifting even closer to Vasquez. He tilts his head against hers as he tries to push in to get a better look at the screen head-on
before she can get control of it and whisk it away, eyes narrowing as he studies it. A solid second of confusion passes before he seems to realize what he's looking at and his eyes begin to widen, that familiar lopsided grin spilling out faster than he can stop it
Jason snickers at Vasquez' half-hearted grumping, returning her glare with an annoyingly genuine smile. The arm slung across the back of the couch reaching around her in a playful little sidehug, more of a jostle than anything else. As Cynthia recovers from her fit of laughter, he turns his focus to Li as she finishes unwrapping her latest present, looking briefly as if he's about to say something before Cynthia's exclamation
draws his attention back her way. As omni-tools go flying, he cranes his neck a bit to get a better look, shifting even closer to Vasquez. He tilts his head against hers as he tries to push in to get a better look at the screen head-on before she can get control of it and whisk it away, eyes narrowing as he studies it. A solid second of confusion passes before he seems to realize what he's looking at. A mumbled, "Is
that...?" is followed by his eyes widening, that familiar lopsided grin spilling out faster than he can stop it. A sudden torrent of laughter suddenly spilling out. Bellowing excitedly, he reaches for the omni-tool in an attempt at scooping it up.
Ilyna looks down at the gift as she opens it, some excitement creeping into her expression as she feels the shape of the bottle through the paper before she starts tearing into it. "You-," she mutters as the last of the gift wrapping gives way to reveal the contents within. "Oh, thank you," she says, lifting the bottle up to get a better look at it. "I didn't think you knew I like this brandy so much. Back-...."
Li interrupts her and she looks back at the targets with a nod. "The quarians' home is a fleet of starships because of a war with the Geth," she agrees. "They're really bad robots." She casts a glance towards the commotion with the omni-tool, but she doesn't pay it much mind.
Halisi smiles at Ilyna's reaction, looking undeniably pleased with herself as she shifts a bit against her armchair. The surprise garners a wink, and, after Ilyna's aside to Li, a response of "I have my sources.", smile widening.
Vasquez looks like she bit a lemon as Jason starts laughing, shooting a scowl Cynthia's way. Her eyes widen as the omni-tool is snatched from her hand just as she's about to turn off the display. "You... don't need to see that..." she says with an embarrassed wince, reaching to try and take it back.
It's quite the style change. Young Vasquez really went all out, black lipstick and all. The cheer excitement is an odd sight too. A grizzled veteran she is not, face soft and unmarred. Judging by the arrows on the sides of the screen there's more images in her gallery. There's also an X for leaving the gallery.
Cynthia tries and fails to keep from snorting with laughter as Jason reacts. There's a big grin on her face as Vasquez scrambles to reclaim the omni-tool. "You haven't shown him your old pics, Chief? Shame on you." she taunts, clearly pleased with this development.
Jason leans away from Vasquez in an attempt at keeping the omni-tool out of reach as he studies it, bringing his other arm back in the process to shield it with. It results in him leaning 'forward' moreso than 'away' to avoid crowding Li. His attention shifts back and forth between the holographic display and his wife as he playfully fends her off. "I think I do!" he argues through his grin, holding the omni-tool just out of her
reach. "Oh, hey, would ya look at that? Looks like there's more pictures." he muses aloud, leveling that lopsided grin back on Vasquez.
Ilyna tilts her head after placing the bottle down next to the chocolate. "Oh?" she asks. "I didn't think you were spying on me, though, Halisi, because these sources are very reliable." Were it not for the huge dinner beforehand, she would have tried one of the chocolates by now. The commotion from the other side of the couch is garnering more curiosity from her, and she tries to shift around a bit to catch a
Vasquez presses an elbow against Jason's shoulder, grumbling as she tries to push him back and reach. "Mnoyoudon't..." she mutters through gritted teeth, a focused frown on her face.
Li 's attention too is drawn to the commotion to her right, studying the struggle with a baffled expression.
Halisi offers a coy shrug before her gaze turns to Jason and Vasquez, raising an eyebrow as she watches them.
Jason reaches out a bit further, using his free arm to try and keep Vasquez at bay, snickering all the while. "Wha-... why not?! C'mon, they can't be that bad, can they?!" he continues to tease. He levels a threatening look Vasquez' way that falls short given the big dumb grin on his face. But, as much as he'd like to hit the arrow on the side of the screen, there's a thin line between good-natured teasing and cruelty. So, after
another quick moment of studying the image on the screen, he looks her way- big dumb grin ever-present- and reluctantly hands the omni-tool back to her. "Alright, alright!" he relents as he passes the device back, looking far too smug. He remains cautiously leaned away, as if worried he might catch one upside his head and needs to be ready to dodge away. One hand remains raised between them, palm out towards her ready to
swat down incoming hands. "Ya know? I always did kinda think there might be a goth girl in there somewhere trying to claw her way out." he continues to tease. Mouthing off even as he stares down the barrel of a Vasquez-shaped gun, self-destructive as ever.
Ilyna did manage to see the picture for a brief moment as she turned her attention back at the commotion, but it wasn't enough time for her to really understand the nuances of what 'goth' girl means.
Vasquez cautiously accepts the omni-tool back, as if half-expecting it to be a trick, but once it's in hand she relaxes, seemingly satisfied that she doesn't have to result to more violent means to retrieve it. She's just sat back down properly when Jason opens his mouth again, and she draws in a breath, shooting a glare his way as her right hand clenches into a fist. She stares at him for a moment before closing her eyes and
slowly exhaling. The scowl that lingers as she turns her attention to the display looks more flustered than anything. She closes the image view, leaving the screen on the gallery page of her profile, with little previews of other pictures, which makes her wince at first, but since they're all further ahead in the timeline than the concert photo there's nothing too bad there. Nothing worse than that anyway, and she starts
to relax a little, shoulders untensing and her scowl fading into something softer as her gaze darts across old memories that she herself haven't viewed in years.
There's a picture that seems taken just moment after the one that caused their struggle. The lighting and the background is the same, as is her outfit. Her expression is entirely different though. She’s no longer looking at the camera, turned to the side instead, brushing a strand of hair back behind her ear. Enthusiasm has been replaced by embarrassment, and she looks mid-laugh. There's picture of a young Vasquez with just about the most
focused scowl imaginable, wearing Alliance dress blues and her black hair tied back in a tight regulation bun. She’s standing amid other young marines dressed the same, all standing at attention. The last photo visible is one of Vasquez and Cynthia in fatigue pants and Alliance undershirts, sitting on a couch with a similarly dressed blonde, bearded man who appears to be laughing his ass off. Vasquez’ hair is down, and a bit untidy, and
she’s clutching a gamepad tightly in one hand, looking just about ready to smack Cynthia in the head with it. The latter is also mid-laugh, arms raised to shield herself from the coming attack, still clutching her own controller.
Cynthia looks a little disappointed as Jason gives in, but his final jab gets a snicker from her, smile softening a bit as she realizes Vasquez is actually looking at the page.
Li soon loses interest in Jason and Vasquez' interaction. There's more presents, after all! Time for the last of the Jason gifts.
Jason gives a stupid boxer-like weave of his head as Vasquez glares him down, as if warning her it's not worth taking the shot since he's got cat-like reflexes! But as she settles down he, too, settles back into his seat. When her attention shifts to the omni-tool, so does his. If she's just gonna leave it open like that, then he's gonna look! The focused scowl garners a snort from him that he doesn't bother explaining. There's
the woman he knows. His smile softens a bit as he studies the pictures now that she's not trying to hide them from him. "Those are nice." he offers the woman at his side, a bit more sincerity than intended slipping into his voice before he seeks out her eyes. "You shouldn't hide from them." he adds with a small shrug. But he doesn't allow the words to linger, not wanting to make a big deal about it. So he lets his attention
The final box is the largest. It's a large, rectangular box, squared at each end and stood upright. It remains by the tree as it would be a bit cramped to have it amongst the coffee table and couch. It's nearly as tall as Li.
Jason gives Vasquez a small, playful nudge with his elbow as his focus shifts Li's way, following her gaze out towards the big box she's eyeing by the tree. "Whaddya think, small fry? You ready to open that big sonovab-...box?" he catches himself, offering a nod towards the box in question.