[Citadel, Tayseri] Leaving the Ducts Charity Dinner (Open to all)

The incoming punch was taken to the ribs. Sliding back on her heel, Sarah grabbed the man by the elbow, lifted his arm sharply over her shoulder and brought it down, dislocating it at the joint- then following through with a throw, changing her body's density with the use of her biotics to allow her to topple the man over her onto the floor- Hopefully onto his injured arm or ribs.

"Stay down or the pain gets worse." The woman raised a glowing fist, illuminating her face with the glow wrapped around her wrist.
"I'm very patient and I've got quite the knowledge of how to hurt you and more than enough reasons to start. So please, don't tempt me."

Laykalar was experiencing the greatest adrenaline surge of his life. In that moment, as Snow narrowly escaped violent death and Sarah leapt to defend her fellow human, it was as though the entire night so far came snapping back to him. The joy at having the hall set up so efficiently; the enthusiasm of Rondor upon seeing it; the suit he had brought for Snow (which was now covered in blood); the speech he had given; the delightful conversations between the guests. All of it crystalized. Everything had been sharp and pronounced before, but now - in that moment - he could barely keep himself together. It was that overwhelming.

Action as well as word. He had said that, he had tried to explain that to his elders. Actions mattered. As Snow had fearlessly defended Leaving the Ducts' office and taken on this criminal at great risk. As Sarah was now doing the same. As the people around him acted for the good of their community. As he had acted.

This was what he was trying to get his elders to see. That was what his friends and colleagues had been trying to get him to see.

It was like being personally reEnkindled, and although it only lasted a second he would remember it in later months as a moment of epiphany.

But now Snow was injured, perhaps severely. How much blood lost was too much? He didn't know.

Calling both for C-Sec and for a doctor, he willed Snow to be alright. More than that, he needed Snow to be alright, because in that moment he realized that given a choice between the respect of his academic superiors and the strange community he had found himself immersed in here, it was the latter that defined him.

The heretic known as "Uncle Garm Garm", which Laykalar - the emotionally unsteady hanar who had yet to see Truth - had insisted on bringing, was observing the destruction before them, while the volus tech spoke urgently into an in-built communicator.

"This is very unfortunate behaviour" said Garm Garm sadly, observing the apparently cowered turian and the injured human. "Allow me to illustrate the unfortunate folly of such conflict, and its effect on long-term harmony within our very own communities. It was on a day much like today, when the farm was preparing for the great charitable holiday of Sun Blossom..."

She tuned him out and took a satisfied "drink" of mindfish from her dispenser. It was a particularly strong variant that she had acquired earlier that evening down at the docks. She considered the moment of their arrival. The turian had been distracted, its momentary facial contortions representative of those who demonstrated appropriate awe before the coming tempest. She was privileged to have seen the awful truth bubble up within him, stripping away the illusions and exposing his imperfections. He had seen her imminence, and in that moment had become aware of his unworthiness. He might yet understand.

She was glad she had come. She had believed the dining event to be uninteresting, the attendees blind to the force of her Truth, but she had been willing to take the chance that some would listen and prepare. Following Laykalar had proven a good decision.

Rolling deftly, Durix managed to come to a stop by a row of benches by the apts. Slowly rising he fixed his golden eyes on the human, the bloodlust evident to everyone watching, "problem with you furheads, rrrgggghhh", Durix answering as he gripped the side of the bench, popping his useless shoulder in place, his smile growing wider, "is that you talk too much." Adopting a modified combat stance to protect his useless left arm, sheathing the blade with his right he closed with the arrogant furhead, the bitch not even knowing that in the Armiger Legion, pain is a fact of life. His right leg snapping out, catching Sarah on the inside of her knee repeatedly, his left ready to counter as he attempted to drive her back, despite the injuries, the Beast of Armiger not giving an inch, trying to create an opening before she could unload with her biotics.

"L-Laykalar? That...you?" Snow hearing a familiar voice through the fog, the wound in his side creating a small puddle, "The...list, it's safe." The red hood managing to gasp before another bout of coughing, the sound of death in the young man's mind as he sat down, the glass in his back gleaming in the neon light of the citadel as he slowly bled out, a sad smile affixed to his face.

Sarah was kicked in the knee and yelped in pain, her dress torn in the impact and more than likely, she'd suffered an injury. She threw her left fist out- Knowing he'd counter it, only to throw another punch directed at his wounded jaw, or so it would seem. In reality, her attack was more practical. A thumb to the eye socket. An enemy that can't see can't fight. Attacking the knee was one thing and this outfit wasn't going to do her any favors.

Cheat to win. Cheat to survive, there's no such thing as honor with Snow's life on the line- Get him mad and make him make mistakes.

Taleeze chuckled at Kari’s anger about Davril Wilde’s liberty to call her up. Given her extranet personality and what she had seen of the woman at the BlueShift, Kari didn’t like any public exposure, at least if it wasn’t dancing. She also wasn’t convinced about having heard the full story about Davril but she didn’t dig.

“I’m here for some promotional events with Ariake. They are releasing a few new mods for the omnitool application I am developing for. Since it is an event in concert with the APU season opener, I’ll also visit the match and do some representation there.” Taleeze was not exactly a pildavi celebrity, she had been a capable player but was no star player with her own action figure or anything but Ariake obviously saw potential in her marketability and expertise.

“It was very convenient timing since Mr. Hoffmann…” she pointed at the human minister who was conversing with another group currently, “… had been contacting me on some of the motorcycle parts I have been looking for. So I could connect business with fun and we spent a whole day at some junkyards, salvaging what I needed for next to no credits. He actually is responsible for me being here tonight as I’m here as his plus one. I have no business with LTD, although I have met Michelle previously. So I of course was happy to come and meet a few friends!”

“Oh, I think I remember you! You’re also on the CDN forums, right? Nice coincidence, it seems LTD is well connected there.” She made an encompassing gesture with the hand holding the glass, pointing out all the CDN members in the crowd.

Her augmentations were projecting a sensor interpretation of the elcor specific communications into an iris implant HUD.

“That’s interesting, so you care for a step child that’s a former duct rat? That is noble but I’d expect nothing less of an elcor if your life friend’s offspring needs your help.” She nodded respectfully. [color=#4080BF] “Sincerely, I think more peoples of the galaxy should look towards your kind for guidance but I am afraid only few have the patience…”

She sighed.
“Yes, you’re right, there are an awful lot of young asari down there. Them herding together and helping each other out is at least something but bringing them back to our society is something else. But the Republics are taking steps to change that. The embassies have an outreach program that offers the kids possibilities inside the Republics. We are not willing to let their potential go to waste.” She bit off her canapé, it tasted good and the mushroom was just the right addition, she smiled.

“So, what is it you do for a living?” She pointed towards the mushroom with the distinct blue glowing rings and added with a lower voice and a grin: “Oh, and you should check the decoration of the tables. It tastes just as good if not better than the snacks.”

"Appreciative: I will keep that in mind".

His scent cues conveyed his amusement, genuine and reasonably friendly. Of all the bipedal races, asari were the most tolerable. Their long lives gave them a patience and a broader perspective all too often lacking in non-elcor. Her comments about the benefits of his own people's influence were also welcome. A more prominent position on the galactic stage was exactly what Dekuuna needed.

He noted her comment about an embassy outreach program. He momentarily considered whether he might suggest his own embassy do something similar - it would help keep Alonso happy for a while, certainly - but he dismissed it. As she'd said, not enough elcor among the duct rats, and his people were doing enough already.

"Respectful: As a matter of fact, Ms. Caenis, you and I are now in a somewhat similar business. Controlled enthusiasm: I recently resumed work for the Courts, in part due to my fortuitous recovery of some of our missing treasures - you may recall a minor news item about it".

Minor. Because the salarians couldn't contain themselves and decided to blow up a city. Always, his people were overshadowed.

"Modestly: My position is far junior to your own. My work prior to the war involved transportation and minor security arrangements, my current position... Uncomfortably: I am faced with a dilemma".

With help on the way and the felon apprehended - or at least he could trust that Sarah had the matter controlled, and there was the drell also - Laykalar rushed to Snow's side.

"This one has sent for medical assistance! You should take efforts not to move unduly!"

Quieter, and uncertain if he was actually addressing Snow or merely making a statement, he added "It is sorry for any delay. It has... not been thinking clearly".

"Not bad", Durix thinking as he pressed the attack, only to have the female jab a thumb towards his eye. Shifting slightly, the blow grazing his eye instead of impaling his eyesocket. But it was enough for him to shift back, his right hand catching Sarah on the bridge of her nose. The blow drawing blood as he attempted to shift to protect his left, exposing his injured side as a result, the turian's eyes glancing momentarily in the direction of the coming sirens and not at his opponent.

"No *cough* chance...of that", Snow hearing Laykalar's voice again through the fog, talking nearly impossible for the red hood, the shivers starting to set in due to the blood loss. Looking up in Laykalar's direction, the hanar a red tinged shadow to Snow's unfocused gaze as he tried to calm Laykalar down, "You weren't...late, I-I, wasn't...expecting...you..." Snow's statement letting Laykalar know that he expected his job with LTD to kill him. The sad smile on Snow's face telling the excitable student all he needed to know, that Julian Snow deep down, is glad the end is at hand.

"Oh, that type of a discussion then? Well, I must beg your pardon Mr. Vallario, but I must be going. Don't worry, I will stay in touch", Alystae bidding the lecherous turian farewell, her smile narrowing slightly as she loomed over Miss Rondor, gesturing to the charity worker to lead the way. Pulling on her coat, Alystae glanced at Arina, noting her subtle eavesdropping, while following Michelle. Finally nearing an empty alcove Alystae pulled to a stop, gazing down at Miss Rondor for a moment before speaking.

"So, what kind of discussion did you have in mind Miss Rondor. If it's about the docks, don't worry, there is no need to thank me, scum like them have no place on Tayseri." The co-op leader's voice smooth yet her eyes now revealing her true self, hard and driven as she gazed down at the strange human.

"You're the one who asked for an invitation for tonight, I was told that you were anxious for us to have a chat, possibly about our friends in the cheap suits."

"Ah yes, the 'Lower Tayseri Elite'. I just wished to send you and your boy my compliments." Alystae replying graciously, but her eyes remained the same as she observed Michelle Rondor, "two of their higher ups are dead or incapacitated, and a slant lab destroyed. I must say, under that holier than thou veneer, your organization has a mean streak." The smile on the tall maiden growing as she aired out the results of the LTD/Co-op's joint efforts, hoping to see if Miss Rondor fully knew just how fluid the Lower Tayseri situation really was, to say nothing of the increased bounty on Julian Snow.

"I'm a bit thirsty," Alystae calling a waiter over, "human whiskey for me, and whatever Miss Rondor wants". The Co-op's demeanor casual while placing the order, making it look like a guest giving Leaving the Ducts her best wishes.

Sarah recoiled- Being punched in the face popped a blood vessel in her nasal canal, and blood was now bruising and flowing out of her nose. The world went red and the woman seemed to tune out, the expression on her face something from a horror movie. A shockwave slammed Durix into the air- And he stopped, caught by a pull field. The man was thrown into the air behind her, his form crashing through the cake across the street that was dragged along with the hanar parade.

Afterwards, the woman pressed her hands into her head. She screamed out in pain and unleashed a storm of profanity.
"Make me fucking overexert myself! I hope you're fucking paralyzed, you fucking hood! My brain feels like it's on fire because of your stupid shit!" She turned and rubbed the blood from her nose onto her forearm. "Fucking lightweight, I'm going to turn you inside out!" Her voice was far from the normal, friendly calm- It was now frighteningly shrill, and totally uncharacteristic.

“Oh yes, I remember… vaguely though but still. I was confused during these times as well unfortunately since I have distant relatives on Sur’Kesh. But all are well. Late congratulations to your achievements, Mr. Xuumo!”

Arina was well aware that many of her species thought lightly of the elcor, some even saw them in a similar situation as the volus to the turians, just with less money. Unfortunately this was a stance often taken by the more aggressive and power-conscious examples of the asari while others valued their philosophical insight and peacefulness. She knew of Matriarchs who openly talked about the joys of an elcor partner in later stages of asari life.

The elcor on the other hand never were striving for much power themselves. Some volus often showed signs of an inferiority complex, while elcor always rested in themselves, towering over such vanities. Wherever they decided to speak up and were listened to,their advice was never a bad one and Arina only had pleasant experiences although some customs were a bit of exercises in patience.

“Oh?” she said with a surprised gasp. “What dilemma is that, if I may ask? Maybe a second opinion can be helpful.” She ate the rest of her canapé and washed it down with some wine.

Alystae was throwing hooks in the water, and Michelle was not buying. She had a very strict "out of sight, out of mind" relationship with the darker aspects of Snow's job, and they both liked it that way.

"Milk with strawberry", she asked the bartender.

"Listen Alystae", she said with a rather cold smile, "we're not gal pals. So you tell me what you want, or this conversation is over."

"I can tell you what's in both our best interests", Alystae's cheery demeanor disappearing, replaced by a cold appraisment of Miss Rondor. The tall asari taking another sip before leaning over the shorter human, her honey eyes meeting Miss Rondor's, revealing the burning ambition Alystae had, "But if you want me to spell it out for you, here goes."

"The mouthy drell that stormed off, she had the flat out gall to make demands of MY organization, then aggravated the situation further with her and your boy destroying a slant production site, in addition to getting an LTE high stepper killed." Alystae's voice low, yet what it had now was a steely resolve as she explained the facts of life to the chubby do-gooder. "And here is the best part, Kayana Pesh is considered safe from the ruckus, ironically because of the hanar. Your boy has no such protection, as it stands, his bounty has gone up five fold. Don't you even feel the least bit responsible, not exercising any oversight on Julian Snow?"

Finishing her drink, the Co-op head closing her argument with a more genteel approach, "But as it stands, your boy has helped out Lower Tayseri and my organization immensely, I'm offering you not only protection, but a way to remove the Lower Tayseri Elite off the playing board. Normally I'd let you think it over, but given current events and the abbreviated lifespan you humans have, you don't really have that much time."

"Ah. I see", Kari nodded. "You are still messing with that broken vehicle aren't you? What parts are you missing?" Kari said with what sounded like some sort of genuine interest. If there was one thing being a quarian taught you. It was repairing garbage that almost anyone else would have thrown out without a second thought.

"I'm just here to say hello to a few friends," Daia replied to Kari's question. "Vindi mainly, I didn't get the chance to get down to Denakot and see her during the festival. But I'll be back on a liner for Illium later tonight. Not everyone gets invited to pildavi games on a megacorp's coin," she joked sidelong at Taleeze, giving her a light hip-bump. She remained quiet when the talk turned to the bike - curious about its progress herself, and not wanting to butt in just when Kari seemed engaged in the conversation.

Bumping Daia back, she replied “It was short notice! I would have invited you if I had known earlier!”

Turning to Kari again, she explained:
“Well, technically it’s not broken, its an assortment of pieces that will – hopefully – go together as a working machine. Yes, it’s still under way, it’s no weekend project, I can tell you that. But it is a distraction I needed, something completely different to the show jobs. The relation with Ariake made a few interesting toold accessable and I had to use the money for something that’s not fashion” she laughed.

“I have a bit of experience with aircars but it’s the first time I am so deep into motorbike tech – and alien at that. I am on a steep learning curve here, I hope is does not fall apart on its first outing!” she laughed and sipped her drink.

"How are you doing, Kari?"