Leah's lips pull into a soft frown as the pair speak and, eventually, she gives a small shake of her head after the silence has persisted for too long. "Don't do that to yourselves..." she says, all too aware of the places their minds are going, even if they don't voice them out loud. She's visited them regularly. The life and career she's led has left her no choice. Trying to make sense of things after the fact. Questioning the
#Hospital – September 20, 2022
outcome of other avenues- other decisions- you'll never have the chance to see through. It can wear on you if you let it. And it never brings any answers- not real ones, anyway. No closure. No peace. She draws in a heavy breath, looking from RC, to Crux, and back to the bedbound batarian. "We all made choices that led to this. You guys made yours. I made mine. And your friend-... Rae?" she corrects, glancing apologetically
between the pair, because even though she may have come with less-than-honorable intentions, she still deserves to die with a name. If for nothing more than the pair grieving her. "She made hers." Despite the situation, there's still compassion in her tone for the woman that tried to end her life. Her blame doesn't lie with these people, after all. They were barely more than pawns to the Talons, just as disposable to them as
RC sighs but nods in agreement with Leah's words. He doesn't say anything, letting silence descend on the room as he returns to a more restful state.
Crux ' eyebrows furrow and her gaze falls again to the cup in her hands, which is soon lifted and emptied on the last of the contents to keep herself busy as things turn quiet. Her gaze briefly lands on Leah as she lowers the empty cup, but she manages to stop herself from speaking even if it takes effort. Not yet.
Leah's frown remains as the pair fall silent and she offers a small shrug of her shoulders, conscious of the fact that her words probably bring little comfort. "All you can do now is-..." another uneasy shrug, "...take comfort in knowing that you made your choice in an attempt to do the right thing..." She tries her best to prop up her smile, head tilting to one side in a small, tired gesture that serves as an attempt at showing
her appreciation. "...And that deserves a hot cocoa." she adds rather unceremoniously before the dreaded silence can take over once more. the somber note the room has taken on having drained a bit of what little energy remains with her, though the sentiment does help to fortify her smile a bit. She steps up to the bed, setting the small cup carrier down at the edge of it and fishing one of the remaining two drinks from it.
Her brows furrow as she examines the lid for a moment before confirming its contents and extending the cup towards RC. "It's the least I could do."
RC accepts the cup with a surprised but grateful expression, stirring as he reaches for the controls for the bed, the motion prompting a wince of pain that bares needlepoint teeth. The grimace lingers as the bed moves, but soon enough he's sitting up enough to have a tentative sip.
Crux casts an uncertain look Leah's way, looking on the verge of speaking again, but RCs pain distracts her, leaning forward and hovering uselessly as she tries to figure out if there's anything she can do. She settles in her seat again after realizing there's not, and her stomach growls again.
Leah's own drink has already been returned to the cupholder as she uses the free edge of the bed as a makeshift table to set the large plastic bag that adorned her arm down on. As she rustles inside of it, the pair would get a glimpse of a pair of large, paper bags within, their tops rolled and crumpled closed in an attempt at fighting off the cold during her walk. "I wasn't sure you would be-..." alive, "...awake, but I know how
the food here can be-..." She pauses looking through the bags to shoot RC a look, scrunching up her nose for emphasis. Once she's confirmed the contents, she pulls one of the paper bags free and lifts it up. "So~ I thought you two might appreciate something that doesn't taste like baked cardboard." she exaggerates, giving the bag a shake before passing it off to Crux, her smile growing a bit more genuine.
RC studies Leah with an inscrutable expression, nodding in agreement with Crux' thanks. "That's... very kind."
Crux seems quite relieved to have the food in hand. It just seems less likely that the offer is going to be rescinded once it's already been handed over. With a frantic rustling of paper a burger finds its way into her hands, and her teeth sink into it. "Hmmmmmmgn..."
Leah merely gives the pair's words a small shrug, sucking her lips in as she does. Inside of the large paper bag looks to be four burgers wrapped in metallic wrapping paper, an order of fries for them to split, and two cans of cola weighing down the bottom of the bag. Crux wasting no time garners a small lift of Leah's brow and she glances RC's way with a look of amusement. "Guess you were-... uhh-... hungry, huh?" she muses.
Crux tears her gaze away from burger with a blink, eyes landing first on Leah and then on the injured batarian, the slightest hint of embarrassment setting in. Still chewing on a big mouthful of food she digs another burger out of the bag and extends it questioningly towards RC.
Crux stuffs the burger back down, takes another bite of her own, and then fishes out the fries instead, wiggling them a little in front of him.
RC considers for a moment before relenting and taking a couple of fries, popping one into his mouth and savoring the salty goodness.
Crux digs out RCs cola as well and sets it on the table next to his bed before focusing on her eating. Both of their spirits seem instantly lifted by the food, despite the harrowing day they've had. It's more noticeable in Crux' case - she seems more energized with each bite.
Leah's smile falters as something settles in that should've been obvious given the way Crux rummaged through Rae's things. By the fact that they took a dangerous job with little intel just for the chance to get off of Omega. They probably don't have much. Probably don't have anything. She does her best to catch her smile, lest she add to Crux' embarrassment. "Well~" she hums, silently making a decision as she secures the other bag
and begins to slip it back onto her arm, "...I should probably get going before Holly gets back and drags me out." she snickers as she removes the omni-tool from her pocket and begins to poke at the interface that spreads out in front of her. "Here-... are-... my-..." poke, "...contact details." She lowers the hand holding her omni-tool to allow Crux an opportunity to scoop her details up, looking towards the young woman
as she waits. "I'm gonna guess you two will probably be cooped up here for the next few days, but once you're out you're gonna need a place to stay while you figure out what your next move is. I've already set things up at the Respite." It's a lie, of course. But pretending it's already been handled makes it a much softer landing. Offer it, and Crux might just turn the help down. Pride is funny like that. Besides, she still
has a long walk home, and it's a lie that can be rectified with a quick call during her trip. "Sooo~ just let them know who you are and they'll set you up with a room and food, alright?"
Crux tenses a little as Leah indicates she needs to get going, chewing in a hurry. It's now or never! But the words that follow make her pause entirely just as she swallows, gawking at Leah. "I-... wh-..." The burger almost slips from her loosening grip before she tightens it.
RC looks no less surprised than Crux, his eyes shifting over to her as he tries to figure out if this is some kind of deal they've made.
Crux lowers her burger, but otherwise remains frozen. "I-I don't understand... why? What do you want?" Her tone is hesitant, bordering on suspicious.
Leah blinks, still gripping her omni-tool in her free hand as she waits for Crux to accept her contact into. Not exactly the reaction she was expecting. But, honestly, not all that unexpected either, given where they're from. A life on Omega probably doesn't instill much trust in one. Her expression softens and she gives a small shake of her head. To help? To make sure he has a chance to get the recovery
time he needs? She doesn't immediately voice her thoughts, aware that they might just fall on deaf ears. Just further her suspicion. Not many on Omega do things for strangers out of kindness, after all. And Crux' suspicions are probably a healthy defense mechanism to survive out there. So she opts for an answer that the younger woman might understand. One that's no less true. "He took a round for me." she explains,
expression growing more firm as she nods RC's way. "Nearly died to help me. I'm just trying to-..." she gives a small shrug, drawing in a heavy breath as she does, "...repay the favor."
RC meets Crux gaze for a moment before looking over to Leah and offering a respectful tilt of his head. He still looks surprised by the offer, and remains silent as he processes, hardly aided by the fuzzy edges of his thoughts.
Crux nods a few times to herself, drawing in a long breath and looking to Leah again. "Thank you. That'd be-... yeah. We accept." As far as she was concerned they'd already been even, but an offer of shelter and food, even if it's just for a short while, is too good an offer to pass up given their current situation. If there turns out to be strings attached later she'll have to deal with them then. Unease still lingers in her face, and her
gaze flicks to Leah's omni-tool. "Y-... you have my omni-tool." she says quietly, her previous worries about asking for it back faded in the face of their former target's unexpected generosity.
Leah's expression softens once more as the pairs suspicions slowly begin to ease. Crux' final words cause her to furrow her brows briefly before her eyes widen. "Oh! Crapper!" she exclaims as she realizes her mistake. She winces as she begins to to quickly flick through her interface once more and the glow suddenly dissipates. She shoots an apologetic look Crux' way. "Shit, sorry about that. After everything-..." she stammers,
rolling her green eyes, "...it just slipped my mind. Been one of those kinds of days." she sighs. "My-... umm-... boss has your omni-tool right now." she explains, thrusting a thumb back over her shoulder arbitrarily. "But once our tech team-..." Renala, "...has combed through it and made sure it's not a threat to our security, I'll have someone drop it off, okay?"
Crux doesn't exactly look thrilled at the idea of someone digging through her omni-tool, but she's really not in a position to argue, so she settles for a restrained nod, one leg starting to bounce restlessly as she grips her burger more tightly. Her pride and joy. Worth more than all her other possessions combined. Filled with personal data. In the hands of merc company techs. Yeah, that sucks. But if there's a chance she'll get it back,
she'll deal. After a quick look RCs way she decides to push on and get an answer to the other question. "What, uh, what about... RCs... guns?" she asks on her friend's behalf, wary of Leah's reaction.
Leah draws in a breath, glancing from Crux to RC, focusing on the latter as she gives her response. "All of the weaponry left behind was seized by my employer, Redrock." she explains simply.
RC looks on the verge of protesting, back lifting slightly from the bed and getting as far as opening his mouth before Crux' hand shoots out and gently presses him back down.
Crux isn't pleased with the news either, but it's also not a surprise. "It's okay, RC. You gotta rest anyway. I get my tool back, I can keep us covered 'til we figure something out." she says, doing her best to sound reassuring rather than worried. "Besides, that Respite place is safe, right?" The question is directed at Leah, accompanied by a look her way. Last she'd seen she was the one providing security there, and they're already here by
Leah gives a nod. "I sure hope so, considering it's my job to keep it that way." she says, small smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth as she attempts to inject a little levity into an otherwise grim situation. She studies the pair for a moment, smirk tempering back. "For now? The two of you just need to focus on resting-..." she glances somewhat pointedly RC's way, "...and staying out of trouble..." and then to Crux, seemingly
having taken her mention of 'keeping them covered' to imply she may go back to her previous, less-than-legal methods of making credits. She draws in a long, deep breath, focusing squarely on Crux this time, as they've at least established some semblance of familiarity between them. "Look... I don't know you." she admits, "I don't know what your plans are after all-... this. But you said you've been looking for a way out of
Omega for a while, right?" She gives an exaggerated glance around the room. "Well, you're out." A bit of sympathy colors her tone, softening it as she adds: "Don't make the mistake of bringing Omega with you. Just-... take some time. Recover. Think things through, and figure out what's next."
RC looks somewhat mollified by the notion that the Respite is a safe enough place to rest up without a gun on hand, but he raises a couple of eyebrows as Leah speaks to Crux, remaining silent himself.
Crux looks caught off-guard by Leah's words to her, eyes widening as she straightens up a little in her seat. "I-..." She quickly thinks better of what she was going to say, and settles for nodding instead. "Y-... yeah. Yeah, we-... we will." What's next... it's an overwhelming thought. Sure, they've fantasized about it plenty, but actually facing it... well, that's a different matter. Maybe part of her never really thought they'd make it
Leah gives a few silent nods and she sucks in her lips as she slips her omni-tool back into the pocket of her jacket and adjusts the bag on her arm. She collects the cup holder, holding one untouched drink and her partially drank cocoa. Gathering her things in a silent announcement of her soon departure. "I'll be around." she says as she turns to face the pair properly, propping up that kind smile of hers once more. After
how much the day has worn on her, it doesn't quite mask the exhaustion on her face. "I'll make sure they put my contact information in your omni-tool before dropping it off. If you need to talk to me before then?" she draws in a breath, swiveling slightly to glance back towards the door before deciding with a shrug: "I'm sure someone around here can get you in touch with me."
RC just inclines his head slightly in goodbye - the interaction has drained what little energy he has.
Crux nods firmly, raising her hand before really considering what kind of gesture she's going for. She settles on something halfway between a wave and a salute. Afterwards she cringes a little as her hand lowers back to her burger.