#RedrockAgency – June 27, 2023

Lema is too busy observing the fireworks going off around them to notice Ilyna and Halisi. Not that it matters, as the significance of it would be lost on her. She turns her attention back to the group by the barrier as the last colorful sparks sputter out above them, and with a moment's hesitation she decides to make her way over, stopping a few feet short of the barrier. "Hi," she says. She is very short for her

Li 's gaze leaves the sky as it grows dark once more - or at least as dark as the Aitian nightsky gets. Lema's approach catches her attention and she eyes the young asari curiously but cautiously, still clinging a bit to Ilyna. "Hi." she replies.

Halisi casts a glance at Lema, but opts to remain silent as Li speaks up, offering the familiar young asari a small smile.

Ilyna smiles at the young asari, and remains silent as well. She is still struggling to come down from the kiss, so it is as much to cover for her lack of composure as it is to give Li and Lema space to introduce themselves. Ilyna does weaken the barrier, however, to lessen its distortion further.

Lema returns the smiles as she is recognized by the adults next to Li before looking back at her. "I'm Lema," she says.

Li hesitates briefly before offering an "I'm Li." with a small smile. When she realizes that neither Ilyna nor Halisi has said anything she looks up at them with furrowed eyebrows as if to admonish them for being rude. "This is my mom and that's Halsi," she informs matter-of-factly.

Halisi chuckles quietly, nodding as she's introduced.

Ilyna chuckles as Li looks up at her, but she's barely composed herself enough to speak. "It's nice to meet you again, Lema," she says.

Lema nods. "It's nice to meet you, Li," she says. "Your mom used to be my neighbor before she moved into the city, and I, uh, have met Halisi before too." She clears her throat.

Ilyna does cut in to say, "I was only living with Ehanis temporarily."

Li blinks. "Oh," she says, falling silent as if not sure what to say to that.

Halisi offers Lema a sympathetic look, no doubt recalling the circumstances of their first meeting.

Lema looks a bit awkward, as well, casting a glance to the side in thought. "Anyway, I've never been in this fortress before," she says. "Do you know of something fun to do here?"

Li thinks for a moment before her face lights up. "I have a lot of toys! Do you want to see them? Or we can watch Super Centurion!" she exclaims, perhaps not displaying the greatest grasp of what someone Lema's age might like.

Lema chuckles as the girl lights up, the smile persisting. "I'd like to see the toys," she says and takes a few steps closer and pokes gently at the barrier, "if your mom's good with it, of course."

Ilyna ponders it for a moment before letting the barrier slowly fade out. "Yeah, it's fine," she says, "but only if you two promise to be careful."

Li looks up to Ilyna for approval, the implied question receiving a nod. "Promise," she says before turning her attention back to Lema. "This way," she instructs before unceremoniously running off towards the ladder.

Lema starts running after her. "Wait for me!" she says. She catches up as the near the hatch. "Are you sure about climbing down that ladder on your own?"

Ilyna raises her brows when Li takes off right as the barrier falls, and she does take a few steps after them. Her dress isn't really good for running in, so she isn't positive about her chances of catching them. "Careful on the way down!" she calls after them, "and bring your toys to the rec room!" Her omni-tool is already coming to life and projecting a camera view of the hangar ladder.

Halisi doesn't seem as concerned, following a few steps after Ilyna and placing a hand on her arm as she catches up to her. "She'll be alright," she says softly.

Li replies with an "Ok mom!" before stopping by the open ladder hatch. "It's ok, I've done it before," she assures Lema, a focused frown on her face as she plants her feet on the rungs and starts to descend at a slow and steady pace.

Lema stays at the edge of the opening, looking down. "They let you climb up on the roof on your own?" she asks. She'll wait until Li's all the way down before starting her own climb, to not put pressure on her.

Ilyna is quite tense as she watches the camera feed of the hangar, the reassurance not sticking. "I know, but I can't help it," she says.

Halisi flashes a soft smile and nods, hand lingering for a moment in an attempt at reassurance before dropping as other guests approach. She remains next to Ilyna, joining the asari in studying the screen.

Li shakes her head. "No... but I climb on my own!" she clarifies as she continues her descent. True to her word she's a capable ladder-climber, and soon enough her feet land on the metal grate floor of the walkway with a clank.

Lema begins her climb once she sees Li make it down. "That's good," she says. She does not take it as slow, and she tries to cover up a brief misstep to not set a poor example... but mostly to save face. She does make it down, however. "Okay, where to next?" she says.

Ilyna lets go of a held breath when she sees Li make it down and reluctantly shuts the screen off. "I should let them play," she says. "Fergus will let us know if something happens, and... well, I can check in every now and then."

Li takes off as soon as Lema is off the ladder. "This way! My stuff is downstairs!"

Halisi nods in agreement, a mix of amusement and sympathy crossing her face at Ilyna's final comment. Her attention turns to the other guests on the roof after the screen is shut down, looking around.

Lema glances at the side. "But there's a ladd-...," she takes off after her, realizing there's probably a reason that they're not taking the hangar ladder. She catches up to her at the corner and follows her downstairs. "Do you spend much time here in this fortress?" Her words are a bit stuttered due to them running. "It's very... imposing."

Ilyna stops herself from taking a peek right away and turns her attention towards the drinks table. "I should take the chance to speak with the others now that I'm not locked in place by the barrier," she suggests. In other words: try to not look as suspicious now that they're just the two of them. "I still haven't had my drink."

Halisi gives Ilyna's hand a quick squeeze and nods. "Of course," she agrees, flashing her a quick smile before heading off to speak with the crew of the Jack.

Li nods. "Yeah... almost every day. Mom works here. I have my stuff in her office," she informs, before furrowing her eyebrows as she starts down the stairs. "What's 'imposing'?" she asks, looking back at Lema.

Lema hums thoughtfully. "I don't know how to explain it well," she says. "It's so big, and strong, I guess. I'm probably just not used to being in places like this." The more careful walk down the stairs does make it easier to speak.

Li frowns slightly. "It's like that to make it very safe here, and to make sure it doesn't blow up again," she informs helpfully as they reach the bottom floor and she leads the way towards Ilyna's office door.