Nathan gives everyone a reassuring wave of his hands, answering many and all at once. "C'mon guys, relax! S'all under control. Everyone is rigged up and ready to fire off at middnight." He pauses for a moment, considers something with a crooked brow, before saying, "Course, if we add tracers to the AA gun's rounds, that could also be quite the lightshow...". He very quickly gives everyone, especially Vasquez, a quick
#RedrockAgency – January 27, 2023
Sofia finishes off the breadamawhatsit with a satisfied smile, before peering at Leah. The young woman's eyes brighten and she tilts her head with a small giggle. "You seem awfully chipper," she says. "Excited for the firework display?"
Tarkus looks over at Nathan. "The real question is if you set it for midnight here or accidentally to another planet's midnight." He jokes.
Victoria offers an arm to Va'ynna. "Well, we better make our way in so we don't miss out on anymore of the party." Waiting for Va'ynna to take her arm before making her way further into the building.
Vasquez scoffs quietly. "I'd prefer to not have to explain that one to the militia." she comments in response to Nathan, before Tarkus' addition makes her face twitch. She considers briefly whether to say something about the nature of timezones or not, but quickly lands on not. "If you're done, go ahead and rejoin the party." she says, the words addressed mainly to Nathan, although they no doubt apply to everyone.
Senya inclines her head in confirmation of Uvena's words. "I am. It seems that means we may be working together in the future." She doesn't sound all that enthused by that prospect, although her tone remains polite... ish.
Li stands on her tiptoes, struggling to study the food on the counter. It's not long before she's grabbing whatever pieces of food are in her limited reach, lifting them to study before putting them back in search of one that looks appealing.
Tara furrows her eyebrows slightly at Li's questionable table manners, but she doesn't say anything of course, nibbling on another piece of food as she listens to Sofia address Leah.
Halisi 's eyes go right back to Ilyna, the warm smile returning. "Thank you." she echoes with a slight lift of her wine glass, preening just a little.
Holly 's gaze darts between Halisi and Ilyna again before she finishes filling up a small plate with food and opting to depart the counter. She heads for Oxaris, giving the turian a small wave. She doesn't exactly look approachable, and the nurse seems a little hesitant, but presses on. "Hi. It-... it's me. Not sure if you recognize me without the..." she gestures at the quarian robe she's wearing, a significant departure from
Elena lets out a surprised snicker, grinning as Zaylus points out the hood's lack of compatibility with his head shape. It only seems to make her curiosity grow, shifting her weight to one side and tilting her head a little as she studies him. She almost opens her mouth to speak before deciding against it, taking a sip from her ale to cover it and sweeping her gaze out across the room after lowering the bottle.
Emma too falls silent, turning her head a little to sweep her gaze across the room - lingering on Ilyna and Li briefly - before returning her attention to the TV as well.
Lucy frosty expression softens on Jason's greeting, the corner of her mouth twitching upward briefly. "Mr. Wolfe." she greets as she steps closer, eyeing the table. She takes a sip from her drink before crossing her arms, letting the bottle rest against the crook of her elbow. "Not your game?"
Ilyna is about to say something to Halisi when her eyes notice Li studying the food on the table. "Hey, don't touch food you're not going to eat," she admonishes quietly. She takes a tentative bite of the breadstick in her arm to sample the taste before using her free biotic 'hand' to move one towards the table's edge where Li could easily reach it -- the field so light that it's blue shimmer is hardly visible. "Try
Va'ynna takes her hand. "Yeah, let's not miss more of it," she says, and makes her way upstairs at a very brisk pace whether Victoria wants to or not.
Renala chuckles at Nathan's suggestion, but nods in agreement with Vasquez's reply to it. "Let's leave that show for next year," she says. "I'll make some adjustments, then." She wastes no time returning to the hatch to get back into the relative warmth of the hangar.
Leah only barely manages to contain an obvious look between Halisi and Ilyna as they think their flirting is more subtle than it is. Still, a none-too-discreet smile crosses her face until and she gives a snicker to Sofia's words, her bounce slowing to a gentle sway as she reaches up and fiddles with the bangs that frame her face and gives the younger woman a small shrug. "It's been-..." she hesitates for a moment, uncertain of
what exactly Nathan has told his sister before settling on, "...a lonnng week." She shoots Tara a glance, green eyes widening as if to assure her that she's well aware that might be an understatement. "Think I just needed to get out of the house for a while. I think we probably both needed this, isn't that right?" she asks Tara, giving the girl a playful bump with her hip. And a long week it has certainly been. A cold
one, too. The heating at the Mercier house can only do so much with a shattered living room window. Thankfully, after a few days of jackets indoors and hiding under heavy blankets, they finally managed to get someone out to replace the window.
Jasper's eyes light up for but a brief moment at the possibility before Nathan confirms that he's only joking, and Vasquez reminds that it would likely lead to some.... less than desireable interactions with the militia and the matriarch. A small frown grabs his expression. "Sure would be a helluva lightshow though, wouldn't it?" he muses a bit wistfully.
Shane shifts a bit, making it look easy as he lines up another one, offering Jason a small wink before sending it home. "Not his night." he corrects Lucy through that shit eating grin of his.
Jason merely rolls his eyes as he fails to ignore Shane and the sound of yet another ball sinking. With a deep sigh, he hands his stick off to Cynthia and takes a sip from his drink.
Jason opens his mouth to speak to Lucy when Shane interrupts, causing him to scoff and glance back over his shoulder. "As much as I'd like to finish whipping your ass-..." he allows the threat to hang for a moment before continuing, "...I've got a few things I wanted to go over with Redrock's new business partner." A lopsided smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth as his attention returns to Lucy. "If-... uhh-... you
Shane snickers, accepting his victory with a shrug as he glances Cynthia's way and chalks up his stick. "Looks like you're up." he says through that annoyingly confident grin of his. He gives a small nod to the table. "Challenger racks."
Uvena tilts her head for a second, picking up on the less-than-enthusiastic answer. "I haven't heard much about that arrangement yet," she says, carefully inviting her to comment on it.
Nathan scoffs at Tarkus, firmly planting his hands on his hips in a somewhat overdramatic manner. "I'd like to think that I know what planet I'm living on," he muses. So much doubt tonight! He was almost wounded. However, Vasquez's comment was enough to make him almost snap a salute off at her sort've dimissal. "Sure, sure. I think I can hear the sweet sounds of food calling me. So, if you would all excuuuuuse me." He
worms his way towards the hatch, pausing near to Jasper and jabbing a thumb towards his exit. "You coming?"
Sofia seems to be mostly oblivious to any happenings that Leah and Tara had been through. That, or she was being polite and not trying to bring direct focus on them. Either way, she offers the pair of them a gentle smile and a nod. "Well, here's to cutting loose and having fun for the night." She gives a little mock toast with her wine glass, hiding a giggle behind the back of her hand. "It's going to be my first New
Oxaris turns her gaze towards Holly, a brief flash of surprise crossing her features before it's replaced by a smile. "I remember you," she assured her, turning to her fully with a little dip of her head. "Holly, right? I don't believe I ever managed to properly thank you for your care?"
Numairian twitches his mandibles thoughtfully, head tilting just a bit to mirror Elena. His pocketed hand finds something to grasp, and with a moment of consideration he withdraws to offer it discretely to the woman. "Hey, do you know what this is?" He asks in a very sincere tone. In his hand is a small plastic cylinder, stout and rounded, with a thin piece of string protruding from one
Tarkus grins and gives a chuckle at Nathan's overdramatic manner. Tarkus remained in his spot, waiting for the others to get inside before even deciding to move inside.
Lucy actually smiles a little at Shane and Jason’s exchange, tilting her head a little until the brim of her hat covers it. When she’s addressed, hazel eyes turn to the man next to her, offering a small nod. “Of course.”
Cynthia accepts the cue, rolling her shoulders and cracking her neck. “Time to show you boys how it. Is. Done.” she boasts, taking a swig from her beer before setting it on the edge of the table and placing the rack before starting to collect the balls
Elena furrows her eyebrows, taking the unfamiliar object and turning it over, the joints of her cybernetic hand whirring ever so faintly. “Beats me.” she concedes with a shrug, still eyeing the thing.
Holly smiles brightly when Oxaris greets her by name, nodding in confirmation. “Ah, well, it’s our job.” she says with a dismissive shrug, attempting modesty, but her gaze fall to her feet briefly before returning to the turian. “How have you been since being released?”
Tara staggers a little from the hip-bump, narrowly avoiding a spill from her glass of cider. Her stability in the heels still leaves a lot to be desired. She nods in agreement, startled look soon replaced with a subdued smile. Sofia’s words seem to puzzle her a little, but she doesn’t comment.
Li frowns and drops the mystery food in her hand on being admonished, but she quickly snatches up the offered breadstick, eyeing it skeptically for a moment before taking a bite.
Halisi smiles to herself as she watches Ilyna and Li, soon rounding the counter to join them. She grabs a juicebox from next to the various bottles of alcohol, preparing the straw for Li before holding it out for her. “Don’t forget to drink.” she says as the girl continues to gnaw on the dry breadstick.
Senya lets out a faint hum. “Last I heard, we are still flying cargo and salvage, but we will be taking on a security team from Redrock.”
Vasquez remains where she is, brown eyes landing on Tarkus and narrowing slightly, head nodding faintly but sharply to the side in a ‘get moving’ gesture.
Uvena nods, and glances at the TV for a moment of thought. "I see," she says. "I'd like to be a part of that security team."
Ilyna smiles as Li heeds her admonishment and leaves it at that. Halisi joining them makes her a little more unsure, and she finds herself casting a careful glance toward the pool table. She takes another bite of her breadstick instead of saying anything.
Va'ynna lets go of Victoria the moment she's briefly surveyed the rec room and makes a beeline for the food table. "Hey, Li," she says as she comes to a stop across from her.
Renala is in no hurry to rejoin them at the rec-room and is tapping away on her omni-tool to make some adjustments to the security system. Most likely, it wouldn't have been a problem, but Renala is ever the pessimist.
Jasper examines the demolition expert's work for a moment longer before seemingly deciding everything is in order and offering a nod as he falls in line with Nathan. "Reckon I prolly should get some food in me." he agrees, as if only just now realizing how hungry he is.
Leah winces slightly as she nearly topples Tara, one hand reaching out instinctively as if to help steady her before she seems to get it under control herself. She gives a small chuckle to Sofia's words, quickly looking about for a drink to snatch up. Unprepared and with no drink within arm's reach, she quickly snatches up another breaded thingamajig and lifts it in a toast. "To cutting loose~" she agrees through a smile.
She takes a tentative bite, eyeing the thingamajig as she turns it over between her fingers. "Does your family do anything big for New Years?" she asks, glancing Sofia's way before taking another nibble.
Jason gives an appreciative dip of his head before ushering Lucy towards the door with a nod of his head. "Appreciate it. It's-... uhh-..." he begins, interrupting himself as he spots Va'ynna and Vicky joining the festivities. He passes the pair a nod and a smile in greeting. "...just something I wanted to run by you. Shouldn't take long." he assures her as he leads the way out into the hall.
Shane rests the end of his pool cue against the ground and takes a quick swig from his drink. "Oh, it's like that, is it?!" he taunts.
Gage watches Sam and Priya continue their unending struggle with just about the most disinterest a person can muster up before letting out a sigh and starting towards the food counter. On his way, he nonchalantly snatches the crown off Sam's head and balances it over his cap. A small smirk creeps across his lips as it garners a sharp "Hey!" from both women and he quickens his pace. Aside from a half-hearted and unsuccessful reach
Nathan gives Jasper an approving nod before slithering his way down the hatch and is greeted by Renala tap-tap-tapping away at her omni-tool. He steals a quick look before blinking and stifling a laugh. "Really that paranoid about the AA?" He gestures towards the party. "C'mon, it'll be fine. Have a little faith!"
Sofia is now making it her personal mission to find out what these bread things are called. She's sure she's seen them before but for the life of her she can not remember what the heck they were. Leah's question and Tara's quizzical look make her pause for a moment before answering. "We all try to gather together and celebrate," she says, taking a delicate sip of her wine. "Same as any family. It was a little more
difficult in recent years due to... mother's health, but we make do! Music, games, food and drink. We just... celebrate."
Oxaris' mandibles twitch in amusement as the woman's gaze falls to her feet. The mercenary rests a hand on her midsection gingerly, a contemplative hum sounding from her chest. "Doing as well as I can. The surgeries and treatments have done wonders, but my body... well, it still has a long way to go." She gave a gentle, almost casual shrug at that. But, really, she was hiding the sheer dread at the thought of being
Zaylus waits for the perfect moment to strike, as Elena holds the small object at a satisfactory distance, studying it. His hand then reaches out and gives the string a light tug, causing the top of the cylinder to burst open with a rather underwhelming pop, sending a small burst of cheap confetti up and then quickly down to the ground. A devious chuckle rumbles out of him.
Tarkus looks over to Vasquez and notices the 'get a move on' look. "Just making sure everyone got inside, Chief." He makes his way over to the hatch, waiting for it to be cleared before moving down the ladder.
Victoria decides to leave Va'ynna, so she can have some time with Li. Vicky approaches the pool to watch the game that's about to start. "If it's all good, I'll take the winner on. Unless there is a waiting list."
Elena blinks. For a moment, she looks utterly baffled, eyes following the falling confetti. Then she bursts into laughter, shoulders shaking a little. "...qué chingados?! Didn't know turians got this corny." she exclaims, looking up at Zaylus again, stunned disbelief mixing with amusement over the absurdity of the moment.
Tara looks a little unsure if she should do anything as the toast occurs, but as the moment passes and Sofia speaks she focuses on her, her words bringing out a small frown, but she remains silent.
Li takes the juicebox in her free hand, sipping it and moving out from behind the counter to peer curiously across the room at all the people gathered.
Halisi smiles as Li takes the juicebox, and remains near Ilyna as the girl walks off a little. "I can keep an eye on her, if you'd like some time to mingle." she offers quietly, leaning a little closer to the asari to be heard, but her attention remains on Li.
Holly nods softly, expression sympathetic. "You'll be okay. Dr. Halisi is real expert. Just remember the dietary restrictions! No alcohol, no spicy food, no-..." she shakes her head, looking apologetic. "Of course you remember, I'm sorry."
Emma 's gaze shifts back to Mendez. She hesitates, and then: "I heard there was an attack." A look past him at Leah and Tara makes it clear what she's referring to. "Do you know anything about what happened?"
Cynthia snickers. "It's like that." she confirms with false regret before flashing Shane a smirk as she puts the balls into place. As Victoria joins them she glances her way. "Sure thing. Hold tight and we'll play in a sec."
Lucy follows alongside Jason, nodding as he speaks. She sneaks in a quick sip from the batarian ale. It tastes like shit, but it's getting the job done. "Lay it on me." she says after they exit the rec room.
Vasquez remains behind as the others depart the roof, crossing her arms against the chill and staring out into the night sky as she draws a deep breath of crisp air.
Li takes the juicebox in her free hand, sipping it and moving out from behind the counter to peer curiously at all the people gathered. As Va'ynna joins them she smiles and exclaims "Hi Vynna!", rounding the counter to join the asari and see what food she's grabbing.
Renala looks up at Nathan as he snaps her out of her focus on the omni-tool, and she shuts it off for now. "No, the AA gun won't come out of hiding unless the Chief, Wolfe or Ilyna says so," she says, "but this is untested territory, so I'm making it all manual tonight and having it log what it would have done instead." She casts a glance over her shoulder. "You know, so I don't get myself fired because a dumb bug
Ilyna smiles at Va'ynna, but she leaves it at a nod as the other asari had zeroed in on Li. Halisi's offer gets a chuckle out of her, and she raises an eyebrow. "Are you trying to get rid of me already?" she jokes, before she adds in a low voice, "I suppose I should, though."
Va'ynna looks thoughtfully across the table and grabs a small flat piece of bread with melted cheese and bits of some dark-red meat, and takes a small bite of it. When Li joins her, she crouches down. "How... has your Christmas been?" she asks. "I've been meaning to visit, but... I've been busy." She did return Jason's nod earlier while surveying the room.
Uvena lets out a soft laugh. "I just enjoy space travel," she says, glancing away as she notices that Va'ynna has arrived, a small smile showing up as Li runs over to her. She returns her attention to Senya. "It's what I miss most from my maiden years," she says. "I'll make myself useful, of course; I'm not only in it to watch the stars behind the FTL distortion."