#RedrockAgency – January 29, 2023

Jasper clasps a hand on Nathan's shoulder and gives him a friendly pat before stepping past him and Renala and starting towards the rec room.

Jason doesn't stop once he gets out into the hall. Instead, he continues to lead Lucy a short distance down the hall and over to the gym. His entrance is briefly halted when Jasper appears around the corner up ahead, causing Jason to pause in the gym doorway, one hand against the frame. "Everything go alright up there...?"

Jasper gives a nod of affirmation. "Ten seemed ta have it all handled. Gon' be one helluva light show, though." he confirms.

Jason's lopsided smirk returns. "That's what I like to hear." As he enters the gym, he passes a glance back over his shoulder to make sure Lucy is still following him as he steps a bit further into the gym. "Pyrotechnics." he explains to her with a gesture in the general direction of the hangar. "Ten is one of the best EOD engineers I've ever met." he continues, offering up a familiar name to Lucy. By this point, and judging by

Mendez glances Leah's way as Emma voices her question. As his gaze returns to the television, he falls silent. At first it seems as if he might not even acknowledge the question. Discussing Leah's business outside of her presence isn't exactly something he's eager to do. But Emma was a part of everything that transpired against House Bar'adon. Same as him. And, because of that, she's now bound to this couch, waiting out injuries.

Leah's smile falters ever so slightly at the mention of Sofia's mother's health, recalling Nathan's reluctance to discuss her situation when it was brought up previously. "How is she doing...?" she asks, her tone cautious. "If-... if you don't mind me asking." she's quick to add.

Shane opens his mouth to respond to Victoria when Cynthia beats him to the punch. A loud chuckle escapes him. "Ohhhh, the confidence!" he exclaims. "I can respect that. But we'll see how long it lasts." he taunts.

Nathan gives a nod and a smile as Jasper passes him by, returning his gaze towards Renala. "I doubt you'd get fired for that," he says with a casual wave of his hand. A pause. Although, given how grumpy the Chief is, he wouldn't be too surprised either. Eh, best not to voice that thought. "Take it easy, I'd say. We've got a rare chance to kick back and relax. Let's make the most of it, yeah?"

Sofia offers Leah a reassuring smile. Unlike her brother, she doesn't seem to mind overly much talking about it. "She's doing better. She's undergone a recent trail of medication and treatments that seem to be working well." There's a brief moment where there's just a inkling of doubt in her mismatched gaze, a faltering of belief before it is replaced by that same old cheerful attitude. "So yeah, better."

Oxaris chuckles, a surprisingly light sound that comes from the usually stoic Turian. "Nothing to apologise for. A gentle reminder every so often is always welcome," she says. "Dr. Halisi is certainly something else. She'd put a fair few medics I know to shame." Her mandibles widen in a smile before she glances curiously to Holly. "How are you doing? First time here at Redrock?"

Lucy nods to show that she's listening, but doesn't say anything. The final statement garners a faint quirk of her lips, but it's short-lived, eyebrows furrowing as she studies Jason, waiting to learn what's on his mind.

Zaylus bobs his head in silent laughter, clearly pleased with this reaction. "I fell for that one before." He admits. "Why are human holidays centered so much around deception?" He brushes a piece of confetti off the bottle of dextro booze, trying to use his one good hand to pry the cap off.

Renala sighs and then lets out a chuckle. "You're right, Nathan, I should take it easy," she says. "These people would be completely lost without me to save them from my own technical debt, so I'd have to do far more than ruin our food." And she has. Upon reaching the rec room, she sets her sights on the food.

Leah sucks in her lips. "I-... know how hard that can be. All of it." she offers, though she does her best not to linger in the thought, smile returning in an effort at keeping things upbeat and, perhaps, help fortify Sofia's optimist. "But I'm glad to hear she's doing better. Better is good!"

Emma furrows her eyebrows, deep blue eyes shifting temporarily back to Leah as she absorbs this information. "...thank you." she says in response to the final addition, words quiet and accompanied by an appreciative nod. There's a bit of hesitation, as if wanting to ask something else, but decides against it. Better saved for Leah herself, perhaps.

Tarkus made it to the bottom of the ladder, he moves off to the side. He was waiting to make sure Vasquez was not spending too much time on the freezing cold roof.

Tara continues to listen silently to Leah and Sofia's conversation, her attention entirely focused on the both of them.

Victoria looks between Cynthia and Shane. "Any house rules, or are we just playing standard eight ball?" Vicky stands near the pool table but is ready to move out the way if messes with someone's shot. "Just wanna know if I got the right ruleset in mind."

Holly is both relieved and surprised when Oxaris chuckles, relaxing a little as a smile returns to her lips. She nods in agreement with the turian's words about Halisi, looking ready to gush more about the doctor, but the questions soon divert her focus. "Oh, uh... I'm fine. And no, I've-... I've been here before. I helped with..." she turns to look in the direction of the couch, pointing with her drink in the direction of Mendez

Jason draws in a heavy breath as it becomes clear that Lucy isn't going to let him stall much longer. He hesitates for a moment, second guessing his decision. But once the door closes behind them he meanders towards the side wall of the gym. Names unfamiliar to Lucy decorate small, engraved plaques along the wall. He gives them a quick once over before crouching down to collect a small box on the floor against the wall and he sets

Elena furrows her eyebrows, her confusion taking on a different shade as she opens her mouth to protest the premise of the question, only to find herself pausing. She shifts her weight from one foot to the other, frown deepening as she considers. "...huh. Guess they are." she mutters before taking a swig from her ale as she processes this realization.

Nathan fires off a finger-gun at Renala. "That's the spirit!" He says, following after her to join the others. Spotting the chatting duo with silent observer over by the food, he gives Renala a farewell wave before he starts to sneakily sneak towards the food. Like a devious bandit, he stalks up behind Leah and Tara, taking slow and methodical steps. Honestly, makes him look a little stupid.

Sofia returns the upbeat energy with a smile of her own and a firm nod. "Better is good," she says in agreement. She reaches over to pluck up another breadawhatsit piece and is about to take a bite before she sights her brother over Leah's shoulder.

Nathan freezes in place and gives his sister a violent shake of his head, silently pleading with her not to announce his presence.

Sofia tentatively takes a bite as she turns her gaze away. Instead, she focuses it on Tara. "You're looking much more confident in those heels," she says, motioning to Tara. "And that dress is just gorgeous. Almost have me jealous!"

Oxaris follows the gesture with a perked brow-plate, thinking for a moment. "Ah... yes, that incident." She had heard about that. And she had wisely decided to keep any comments about it to herself as well. "Given how everyone is, I'd say you and the good Doctor did a spectacular job." Oxaris returns her focus to Holly and nods for emphasis. "Have you been a medical practitioner long?"

Leah gives a firm nod in agreement. She takes another bite from her delicious thingamajig, unaware of the creeping menace at her back. Sofia's attention on Tara causes her to quickly wolf down the rest of her bite of food and nod enthusiastically as she gives Tara a quick once over. "It's so cute~!" she agrees.

Gage is in the process of putting a few snacks on a plate when Nathan comes skulking past him. He watches the strange man in confusion, blinking blankly to himself. As he considers how ridiculous the man looks, he adjusts the festive crown that balances precariously on his cap.

Cynthia shoots Shane a questioning glance after Victoria speaks, moving onto chalking her cue after finishing with the racking.

Zaylus hisses as his thumb skips uselessly off the bottle cap, giving it a few more weak attempts before releasing a breath through his nose. He side-eyes Elena, tapping a talon against the bottle rythmically. "The box had a dozen... color-paper bombs. I'll give you one if you help me out." He offers, tilting the bottle in her direction.

Lucy follows Jason through the room, her eyes falling briefly on the wall of unfamiliar names. Her eyebrows furrow, and her gaze shifts to the box produced by Jason. The contents take her entirely off-guard, drawing in a sharp breath as her eyes land on James' name. There's not a word from her, and she swallows hard, looking down to obscure her face with her hat as her grip on the bottle in her hand tightens, knuckles white.

Shane doesn't seem to have a strong opinion one way or another, but when Cynthia's attention turns to him, it becomes clear that he's expected to make the call. "We've been runnin' eight ball all night." he informs, "If it ain't broke, right? No special rules. Called shots aren't expected cept on the 8-ball." he rattles off. "Winner keeps the table and decides the break." he shrugs, gaze turning back to Cynthia, "Since I'm the

Tara blinks as the focus is shifted to her, looking like a deer in headlights for a moment, but the compliments soon make her cheeks redden. An embarrassed smile crosses her lips and she turns her gaze turns sharply down into her glass of cider, which is clutched tightly in both hands.

Jason swallows, brows furrowing as he attempts to get a read on the woman beside him. He sets his own beer aside, placing it on the bench. "...Like I said. If I'm overstepping any boundaries? Just say the word. I get it. But-..." he pauses, poking at the inside of his cheek with his tongue as he tries to find the right words, gaze once more lifting to the wall. "...there's a whole lot of good people up there." he indicates the

Victoria nods at Shane. "Keeping it simple I see." She looks over at Cynthia, waiting to see her break. "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye out for any fouls. I'll be a completely fair referee."

Holly doesn't seem quite sure how to answer the question, hesitating a little. "I... I suppose, but, well, not officially. I've been patching people up since I was little. I'm self-taught, for the most part..." she admits, studying Oxaris' reaction. She's well aware that tidbit doesn't always go over well with off-worlders.

Renala nods to Nathan and heads off to grab herself a bottle of beer. She finds herself observing Nathan's sneaking up on the group before heading over to the food table to start filling the plate with one of each available food item.

Steve remains in his seat nursing his beer. "Well, shit. Look who decided to join the rest of us." he calls out to Renala through a grin. "'Bout damn time."

Nathan gives the signature upwards head-nod to David as he passes him by, completely oblivious or uncaring to the stupidity of his current antics. But he presses on, unpreturbed by any silent judgement. And, since his sister didn't rat him out, he was unopposed, unhindered! Closer and closer he stalks, until...! "Heyo!" He says as he goes to wrap his arms around Leah's midsection and plant his chin on the top of her

Sofia's smile spreads as Tara blushes, the young woman giggling joyfully at her friend's embarrassment. "Very cute," she says for further affirmation before she steals a glance towards her brother. She very subtly shifts herself away from any potential shenanigins that may occur from her brother's stealthy mission. You know, food launched in surprise, spilled drinks or a biotic roundhouse kick that'll send him across

Oxaris blinks at that. There's a brief moment of surprise where her brow-plate raises for half a second before it sinks down. Self-taught? That's... surpising. She finds herself looking over to Halisi for a moment before turning back to Holly. "Well, then the fact that the Doctor has taken you under her wing means you are very good at what you do, I'd wager." To Oxaris, the fact that Halisi keeps her around is enough

Halisi lets out a surprised chuckle, head tilting as she eyes Ilyna from behind long strands of black hair, a small grin on her lips. "I can assure you I'm not... but you deserve a chance to socialize." she says softly.

Li smiles brightly. "I got a ship and a castle and gun! What did you get?"

Senya lets out a faint hum of acknowledgement. "I see." What a conversationalist.

Leah thankfully, has finished her thingamajig and doesn't currently possess a drink. But the sudden grasp around her waist is enough to make her entire body go rigid, hand instinctively shooting to the arm that's snaked around her. She lets out a surprised noise through clenched teeth and the briefest of glows manifests around her. A small crackle sounds out at the exchange of static electricity when Nathan presses his chin

Elena snickers, shifting her own bottle into her organic hand and reaching out to grip the neck of Zaylus' bottle firmly. The metal of her cybernetic is cold where it bruches against the turian's hand. "I've got you, talons." It's a simple flick of her thumb to send the cap flying. "I do stubborn jar lids too." she informs with a wink and a grin as her hand drops away.

Renala takes her plate and heads over to take a seat at the table. "I was just checking what they were up to on the roof," she said. "I wasn't trying to sneak out of here without having to socialize." She chuckles and opens her beer bottle by gently deforming the cap with a biotic field and tearing it off.

Steve doesn't look particularly convinced. "Uh huh." he hums, taking another sip of his drink. "How'd it go up there? We all blowin' up tonight?" he asks with a disinterest betraying the question.

Zaylus tenses during the contact, which thankfully prevents the bottle from being pryed from his grip alltogether. He gives his best aproximation of an impressed whistle, blowing at the small vapor that rises from the freshly opened bottle. "Fine, you brought the better party trick." He concedes, digging into his pocket for another confetti-popper and produces it as promised.

Cynthia matches Shane's expression and offers a casual shrug. "You got it." she says, rounding the table and getting into position. "Watch... and... learn..." She takes her shot and there's a chorus of clattering as the balls scatter. Two stripes are potted, and there's a self-assured smile on Cynthia's face as she watches the rest still.

Va'ynna returns the smile. "Oh, that's... a lot of gifts," she says. "I got a nice bracelet from Victoria, a simulstim headset from Jason, and... Uvena have had some of my old things repaired; things I had when I was little."

Lucy exhales, remaining frozen in place, face hidden. "I-..." A drawn out, uneven sigh escapes, and an uncomfortable silence fills the gym.

Holly smiles, relieved. "That's what she says. She wants me to go to medical school but, well, there's not a lot of those out here. So for now she's teaching me what she can."

Jason shifts awkwardly, gaze remaining on the plaques laid out on the bench. After a few moments, he gives a few slow nods. "Right. Bad idea." he says softly, as if to confirm to her that he 'gets it'. With another deep breath, he reaches for Nadia's plaque and begins to pack it back into the small box.

Tara tenses at the sound of Leah's surprised exclamation, gaze snapping up to her in bewilderment, until she notices Nathan, at which point her eyebrows furrow slightly. She takes a small sip from her glass.

Ilyna returns the grin. "I see how it is," she says in the same light-hearted tone before adding an almost-whispered, "Thanks." She goes to grab herself a glass of wine before making her way over to the pool table, staying far enough away to observe it without getting in the way. She's still holding on to the tablet, but she's able to hold both the glass and the breadstick in her other hand. She looks a little more

Shane watches the break, offering a few small nods. "Alright, Stripes, let's see what you've got." he continues to taunt through an amused grin, looking unthreatened for the time being.

Nathan can feel his hair stand up for the briefest of moments, a shit-eating grin now plastered firmly on a smooshed up face. He kisses the palm of her hand before cackling like the little shit that he is, muttering back to her, "Promises, promises." The man offered a broad smile to his sister and Tara, despite the furrowed eyebrows being shot his way. "How're we all doing? Good?"

Sofia shakes her head at her brother's antics and takes a long sip from her glass, almost finishing off her wine. "We were. Before you turned up, Dummkopf." She, however, bore him a smile of her own.

Oxaris hums, canting her head to the side. "Experience is the best teacher, I find. But, it is as you said, there aren't many medical schools out here. You have a fine mentor," she says. "Have you been on Aite long?"

Elena laughs quietly, snatching the confetti-popper and turning it over in her hand before pocketing it. "Bet those make short work of stubborn packaging though." she says with a nod towards Zaylus' talons.

Li listens curiously. "What kind of things?"

Victoria gives a little clap and keeps her attention on the game. "That's a good break."

Vasquez does eventually make her way down the ladder from the roof, apparently having had sufficent time to herself on the roof. Or perhaps just figuring she ought to make an appearance at the party she's hosting.

Leah gives Nathan's face one more pat with her palm, smile slipping out beneath her distaste. She snickers at Sofia's response, agreeing with a hum as she seems to settle into the arms around her. Finally pulling her hand out of his face, she reaches for another breaded thingamajig and wordlessly lefts it towards the chin posted against the top of her head. If she's aiming for his mouth then she's not trying very hard, poking

Jasper has gathered a plate for himself and seems to be sampling the snacks one by one.

Lucy 's head turns a little, although her gaze remains hidden. Her shoulders slump a little and her free hand reaches out for Jason's arm, halting him. "That ain't-..." She swallows again and there's a strained "...goddammit..." uttered under her breath before her head tilts even lower and her hand withdraws to run over her face, displacing her hat a little in the process.

Renala glances over at Nathan's group. "What gives you that impression?" she asks with a grin. "Both the boss and Jasper were breathing down his neck, so I think we'll survive."

Zaylus takes a generous swig from the bottle once his hand is free, pulling his head back once finished to eye up his own talons. "That is true," He hums, "but the very soft materials you humans seem to prefer has always been an issue." He demonstrates by opening one finger from the bottle to drag the talon across his jacket, quickly getting it snagged in loose fibers. His eyes squint

Tarkus was still off to the side of the ladder waiting for Vasquez to make her way down. Once she is down, he turns to face her. "Everything alright, Vasquez?" Wanting to check up on her.

Halisi watches Ilyna cross the room before stepping closer to Va'ynna and Li, sipping her wine as she listens to them with a small smile.

Cynthia sketches a quick bow in response to Victoria before moving to line up her next shot.

Jason pauses, a look of confusion briefly crossing his face before he gently places the plaque back down on the bench. "I just-..." he shrugs, "...I don't know. Felt like I needed to do something, I guess." he attempts to explain, gaze resting on the plaque bearing James' name.

Shane gives a small, unimpressed shrug. "It ain't bad." he reluctantly agrees, stepping out of Cynthia's way as she moves to take another shot.

Holly nods. "I was born here." she says, shifting her drink into the same hand as her plate with a bit of clever manuvering, allowing her to pick at the food she collected.

Tara is back to listening silently, although the intense attention paid to the previous conversation is absent now.

Va'ynna hums thoughtfully. "Old games and toys, but... the most treasured thing is the drawing pad I got when I was twenty-two," she says. "I can bring some of them the next time we see each other." She is focused on Li and doesn't notice Halisi stepping closer.

Uvena turns her eyes back on the screen. "That must have sounded banal to you," she says without looking her way. "You're probably as much in space as I am planetside."

Victoria would if out of Cynthia's way if needed, but she falls silent to observe the game.

Nathan makes a few snaps at the bread as it pokes at his cheek before he manages to chomp down on it and chew hungrily. He swallows his mouthful before he grumbles, "Why does everyone assume I'm going to blow myself or the building up tonight?" However, the small chuckle that follows betrays how he actually feels about the playful teasing he's been subject to. "It's all set and ready to go at the stroke of midnight.

Sofia hums and finishes off the last of her wine, waggling the empty glass towards her brother. "Because you're a klutz at the best of times," she says in answer to his grumbling.

Nathan pokes his tongue out in return. "Bleh. Anyway, what conversation did I interrupt when I snuck on up?" He asks, sparing the crown of Leah's head the pressure of his chin as he rights himself a little more.

Oxaris hums an acknowledgement. "I see. As you can probably tell, I'm not a local," she muses with a gentle gesture of her claws. "I'm still learning my way around. Anywhere nice that you can suggest? Somewhere quiet to go and... get away from the noise?" She omits the part where she wants somewhere to go and train away from any prying eyes once she has healed up sufficiently. She hazarded a guess that her routine would

Elena smirks. "Soft skin needs soft goods." she comments. After a sip from her batarian ale, a curious glint appears in her eyes. "...is that why turian beds are so fucking barren? Sheets and pillows get torn up by the talons and...?" she lifts her mechanical hand, cupping the air behind her own head to indicate crests.

Vasquez seems lost in her own thoughts as her boots land on the walkway, about to turn and walk away when Tarkus' voice pierces the silence. She tenses up, hands balling into fists and head snapping his way, obviously startled. At least she managed to keep from decking him. "Fucking hell... what- yes, I'm fine. Get back to the party, Vipus." she snaps, anger rising to cover the surprise.

Lucy takes a long swig from the bottle of alien alcohol - still disgusting - and crosses her arms again. Her gaze rises to look at Jason, a mess of emotions barely contained behind a restrained mask, hazel eyes glistening. "...Ya don't. Y-... ya didn't know my Jimmy. Or Nadia." she says with a shake of her head, voice quiet.

Cynthia 's next shot doesn't go quite as well, her bravado undercut as she accidentally sinks a one of Shane's balls alongside her own. "Wh-... shit!"

Holly frowns. "I'm... fairly new to Freedom Falls. But there's nature all around. The foothills to the west and south. Of course, there's... wildlife, and maybe bandits. I wouldn't leave town. But... maybe that's not such a concern for someone like you."