Ilyna tries to catch a glimpse at the photos on the omni-tool before turning her attention back to Li and Jason. "I don't think that one will fit on the couch with us," she says with a chuckle as she starts helping put aside the presents in Li's lap.
#RedrockAgency – December 17, 2020
Vasquez blinks as Jason's voice brings her back to the here and now, a bit of self-conciousness slipping into her face when she realizes that he's looking. She bites down on the smile that almost slips out in response to his words, offering a vague grunt instead. As the focus turns to Li she relaxes a bit, smiling as she watches Jason talk to the girl. Her gaze briefly returns to the omni-tool display as she ponders digging
deeper, but the past is a minefield of painful memories, and she doesn't want to deal with that right now, so she closes it, catching Cynthia's eyes before tossing it back to her with an appreciative nod.
Cynthia catches the omni-tool, flashing a smirk before putting it away and settling back into her seat.
Li nods enthusiastically in response to Jason, already leaving the couch behind to head over to the large box.
Jason gives Vasquez' leg a playful pat as he pushes himself to his feet and starts towards the big box. "So? What do you think of Christmas?" he asks Li, lopsided smirk on his face. Taking hold of the box, he pulls it away from the Christmas tree, setting it down where there's a bit more open space so Li can unwrap it without potentially knocking the tree over. "You having fun?"
This gift is the wrapping paper equivelent of Frankenstein's monster. Unlike with Vasquez' box, this time there's no question that he was running out of wrapping paper. Surely due in no small part to messing up numerous wrapping attempts and wasting a whole bunch of the paper. As a result, about a quarter of the gift- which he has strategically made sure is the part on the ground- is covered by a different wrapping paper entirely that he
had to rush down to the market to buy once he wasted all of the previous roll. The paper depicts a repeating pattern of snowflakes against a blue background and has a healthy amount of heavy duty tape grafting it to the Super Centurion wrapping paper. A surgeon he is not. Even with the mess of tape protecting the corners from his many rips and tears, a corner of the white box beneath pokes through.
Ilyna stands up from the couch as well, and she follows the other two over to near the tree. She stands back a bit to not get in Li's way as she watches the gift unwrapping that is about to unfold with some curiosity.
Li , thankfully, cares little about Jason's questionable wrapping skills. It's what's on the inside that counts, after all! His questions garner more nods. "Yes!" she exclaims as she sits on her knees once Jason has dragged the box away from the tree. She starts to tear at one of the ripped corners, eyebrows furrowing as she struggles against the tape, wrapping paper ripping around the taped sections.
Vasquez grabs the remaining present with her and Jason's names on it, placing it in her lap before being distracted by watching Li's gift opening, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.
Jason stands aside, arms folded across his chest as he watches. A snicker escapes at Li's enthusiastic exclamation. "Yeah?" he asks. "Think we should do this again next year?" he asks, as if the decision is in Li's hands. But given the brief look he sends Ilyna's way, it's obviously a subtle way of asking her as well.
As the wrapping paper is slowly torn away leaving torn bits hanging from heavy-duty tape, the box beneath is revealed to be... another non-descript box from the hangar! Unless Jason bought some shuttle parts for Li, then it's probably just a repurposed box. The top flaps of the box are loosely taped closed with another strip of that same tape.
Ilyna smiles at Li's enthusiasm, and the brief look her way is answered by a nod before she returns her attention to watching Li fight the packaging. How could she turn down good food and a day for Li to look forward to each year? Not to mention another chance to pick out gifts without the tight deadline looming over her.
Li offers yet another distracted nod as she busily tears paper. "Yes!" she agrees, before frowning at the revealed box. She gets on her feet, starting to pull at the taped-close flaps with a focused look.
Vasquez lets out a quiet snort at Jason's theatrics, smiling a little from her corner of the couch. For a moment her attention goes back to the label on the present in her lap, studying it curiously. 'From: Santa'. Probably not Ilyna. Their full names. Cynthia doesn't do that. Halisi, then? Was the writing as legible on her other incognito gifts?
Inside, much like Vasquez' final gift, seems to be all the odds and ends that he just didn't have enough wrapping paper to devote individual boxes to. A basic Christmas stocking stuffed with a selection of different flavors of the bags of gummy candies that she seems to like. There's a number of accessories to her previous gifts, bearing the same brand's logo. A pair of holsters for the pistols. A set of vests that the packaging brags can
track numerous stats and link up with their other products. The straps are adjustable to ensure that him or Ilyna can fit into one for a game of impromptu laser tag if needed. Rechargable battery packs for all of the previous gifts. And, while each of the weapons can function solely digitally for shot tracking and hit detection, they also fire little, spongey darts that are sure to get lost in every nook and cranny of Ilyna's apartment, so
he thought ahead! A spare pack of darts! Their largest pack! And what self-respecting machinegunner doesn't have a quick-reload to send more rounds down range? A spare quick-reload 'thermal clip' was a no-brainer! Obviously the toy doesn't require any thermal regulation, so it's really just a thermal clip-shaped container for more darts, but that's neither here nor there. The last of the odds and ends is a set of VI controlled dinosaur
figures! A triceratops, a velociraptor, and a T-Rex! The staples of dinosaurs! While they're not unlike those sold down at the market, given the nature of the creatures it's more likely that they were ordered from Earth. More of the mass produced variety. Still, they should pair nicely with the gift Leah and Tara purchased for Li. Who doesn't like some good ol' fashioned Marine vs. Dinnosaur action?!
Jason returns the asari's nod with one of his own before his focus turns back to Li, smile widening as she finally manages to get the box open. "Yeah." he agrees with another nod, gaze briefly turning Vasquez' way. "Me too..." he adds in little more than a mutter, his thoughts preoccupied by the fact that, by this time next year, their strange little family will have grown.
Ilyna steps closer to get a better look at the contents within, and she lets out a sigh. On one hand, she looks forward to spending time with Li exploring the potential of these toys, but on the other hand she'll likely be the one finding these darts -- and perhaps even some of the smaller toys -- in the most unthinkable places years down the line. That's a problem for future Ilyna; right now she's happy for Li.
Li gains a big grin as she uncovers the veritable treasure trove of miscellaneous gifts, digging out items and piling them on the floor. The dinosaurs immediately catch her attention, eyes wide as she studies each of them closely. She eagerly holds them up for Ilyna to see, oblivious to the asari's woes. "Look mom, look! Dinnosaurs! Rawr!" Have the scales shifted toward a new winner?!
Vasquez ' attention returns to the others in time to catch Jason's look, her smile returning as their eyes meet. It lingers as she watches Li's enthusiasm. He really came through on the gifts. It's hard not to think about what Christmas might look like 5 years from now.
Jason gains a bit of a sheepish look as he's caught by Vasquez looking her way, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as Ilyna's words draw his attention back and he gives a sharp nod. "Damn right it is." he agrees proudly. Pride which only seems to grow from Li's enthusiasm over the gifts. Realizing he's back in the competition to win Christmas, his whole posture seems to change, a bit of confidence returning with a
small roll of his shoulders. He gives Ilyna a small tilt of his head and shrug, as if to say, 'No big deal. Just being a Christmas hero.'
Ilyna studies the figures and their packaging with a thoughtful look, a big smile on her face as the girl's enthusiasm reflects onto her. "Oooh," she begins. "They've VI controlled too, maybe they'll do something interesting with some of the other toys." Hopefully that also means they will walk back to their home themselves when left on the floor instead of becoming a hazard for a hypothetitcal absent-minded
asari roaming their apartment. "You really went all in on this, Jason," she says while glancing Jason's way. "And then some."
Vasquez smirks a little at Ilyna's praise for Jason, no doubt feeling vindicated about having left the majority of the presents up to him. She's keeping the shared gift in her lap, not wanting to open it without Jason.
Li 's excitement lingers, but she furrows her eyebrows. "VI...? Like Fergus?" she asks Ilyna, looking down at the dinosaurs in her lap.
Jason gives another confidence-filled shrug. "Eh, you know... It's the kid's first Christmas." he says, as if that should be explanation enough. "Had to go all in!" he continues. It was out of his hands! There was nothing he could do! So Vasquez can't be upset about the small dent in their financials. Shipping costs made up the brunt of it.
Ilyna raises a brow and gives a warm smile in return as Jason appears to be defending his decision that she had no quarrel with. Li's question does make her think back fondly to discussing VIs with Vynira many times in the last three centuries. Most of that went over her head, of course, and would still do. "Yes," she says to Li. "VIs come in all shapes. Most of them aren't as advanced as Fergus, but they're in
Li nods as this knowledge settles in, studying her new toys for a moment longer before standing up and heading over to Halisi to show her too. "I got dinnosaurs!"
Vasquez has already accepted that this Christmas would be a bit of a money sink, of course, but it's been worth it. A sentiment only reinforced by watching Li and Jason.
Halisi laughs and nods indulgently as Li shows off the figures, naming the species as well. "You've learned a lot haven't you?"
Cynthia has one leg over one of the armrests and one arm behind the backrest, taking up as much space as possible in the armchair, and showing that she can potato with the best.
Jason gives a small frown at the thought of all the VIs across the galaxy as Ilyna hammers the point home. In a lot of surprising places... waiting to pounce! He shoots the triceratops a brief, suspicious look, sizing it up. Li running off towards Halisi snaps him out of his concerns over the coming war between man and coffee maker (He could definitely take that triceratops in a battle to the death!) and, since
Li doesn't seem to require any further assistance, he takes a step back towards the couch, big smile re-emerging. He gives Vasquez' a small, cocky wiggle of his eyebrows, quite clearly pleased with himself and how well his gifts have gone over. Retaking his seat with an extra bit of confident swagger, he gives a dip of his head towards the gift in Vasquez' lap, "What do we got?" "Santa." he says aloud, craning his neck
slightly to better see the label. He gives Halisi a knowing nod as if he, too, has already pinned this one on her.
Ilyna notices the way Jason looks at the dinosaurs after she speaks, and lets out a quiet snort as she too returns to retake her seat on the couch. Seeing Jason pinning the Santa psuedonym on Halisi evokes a similar knowing look from the asari. She doesn't say anything, however, for she doesn't want to interrupt her and Li.
Li nods proudly, continuing to chatter about 'dinnosaurs' to a patient and amused Halisi. It seems to be her favorite subject among those offered by her educational VI.
Halisi catches the looks thrown her way out of the corner of her eye, looking briefly puzzled, but her attention soon returns to Li, nodding and smiling as obscure facts and questionably pronounced taxonomy is thrown her way.
Vasquez rolls her eyes as Jason returns, but she's still smiling. She returns to leaning a little against him after he retakes his seat. "Mm." she confirms, fingers seeking out a seam in the paper and starting to unwrap the fairly flat present. Once she gets her eyes on the content she stops, eyebrows furrowing as she looks down at it, the gift temporarily obscured from Jason's view by the paper. She takes it out, a book by the
looks of it, to check the back, mouth quickly turning into a thin line. She discards it into Jason's lap as she suddenly turns a death-glare on Cynthia, seemingly having no hesitation about who the present is from.
Cynthia sits up a little as Vasquez opens the gift, only for her expression to turn into an innocent 'Who, me?' face when the glare is sent her way.
The present is indeed a book, titled 'Cybernetics in the Bedroom'. The cover consists of a chiseled human man with cybernetic arms that are wrapped around a curvy asari who's blue skin is covered in an intricate geometric pattern of orange lights. The text on the back reads:
'A comprehensive guide to all things cybernetic in the bedroom. Are you considering performance enhancing implants? Curious about the applications of cybernetic limbs in your sex life? This is the book for you!
-Beware of moving machinery: Avoiding injury when dealing with jointed prosthetics and enhanced strength.
-Cyber senses: Have fun in the dark with alternate vision modes or spice up your sex life with taste bud implants.
-Power play: Feeling kinky? Depowering or disconnecting cybernetics as an alternative to restraints.
Jason furrows his brow as the book is hastily thrown into his lap, causing him to sit up sharply. He shoots Vasquez a confused look which quickly turns to the target of her ire, Cynthia, with only more confusion. Scooping the book up, his blue eyes dart down towards it and a snort instantly escapes him, far less flustered by it than Vasquez. "Thanks but-... uhh-... I think we got this covered." he offers Cynthia with a ridiculous,
cocky little nod. "Eh? Eh?" he hums, jostling Vasquez with a few elbow nudges. Seemingly realizing something, he quickly reaches out to turn it over and conceal the cover from any potential prying gremlin eyes. In the process, the book flips open and an image catches his eye, causing him to hold it open and give the page in question a double take. He slowly tilts his head to get a better angle on... whatever it is he's
witnessing. It takes another moment before he seems to realize he's staring and blinks out of it, dumb grin crossing his face. He gives a roll of his shoulder, posture straightening as he shoots a self-conscious glance from Cynthia to Vasquez, passing the latter a silent, goofy little 'I'll-save-this-for-later' raise of his brows before promptly tucking the book between them to hide it away for now.
Ilyna listens to Li and Halisi until commotion from across the couch draws her curiosity. With no Li and a heap of presents between them, she does easily catch a glimpse of the book. She immediately looks away with a bit of a flush in her cheeks, instead resuming her attention on Halisi and Li and hoping her glance went unnoticed. A frown does creep up as this new information weakens her case against Halisi; the
Li is, fortunately, entirely preoccupied with lecturing Halisi on dinosaur facts and remains unware of the book.
Halisi , as the lecture winds down, glances over towards the present Li hasn't opened yet, a fairly tall one that stands forgotten at the foot of the couch, almost covered by the mountain of wrapping paper that inevitably results from something like this. "Looks like you still have a present left. You haven't forgotten it, have you?"
Li follows the doctor's gaze to the gift, gasping a little and hurrying back to the couch, returning to her seat next to Ilyna. The dinosaurs join her on the cushion before she starts to lift up the box.
Vasquez ' glare turns to Jason as she's nudged, looking very unamused. She can't seem to decide which one of them to focus on, gaze darting back and forth as she scowls at them both, face all mortified annoyance.
Cynthia shoots Jason and Vasquez a wink and a smug smile after Jason gets caught up studying one of the pictures. "Just looking out for you." she assures her old friend, clearly finding her reaction both highly amusing and expected.
Vasquez looks like part of her wants to reach out and choke the life out of Cynthia, but in a show of restraint she remains in her seat with a sour, still-flustered expression. She covers her face with her palm, rubbing at her temples, partly just an excuse not to look at anyone else, a quiet grumble slipping out.
Jason attempts- with very little success- to wipe away the dumb smirk plastered across his face in an attempt at avoiding his wife's fury. He sits up a bit straighter, silently telling himself to let it go. Don't even comment on it. But the more he wills himself into silence, the wider his dumb smile gets. Eventually, he casually sniffs at the air and glances at Vasquez, failing to keep a straight face. "....Niiiice!"