[There's a ping, and Ana will find their TAB lighting up with what is, perhaps, the most straightforward birthday invitation you've ever seen.
Clearly made in a template, maybe titled "PROFESSIONAL LINES" or something equally boring, it invites you to a "a small birthday celebration" at a new restaurant/bar opening in Kauto's Region 1.
There is a button to RSVP, and the additional option to add a "plus one".
Effective immediately, I will be on a leave of extended absence from Normandy Securities offices. Length estimate at this time is a minimum of 45 consecutive days (during the current 100-day cycle). Additionally, subsequent to receipt of this message, I will be unavailable for contact in any form, digital or otherwise.
During this time, the offices of Normandy Securities will be officially CLOSED, as I will be unavailable for collection and assignment of missions for the next remuneration period (Day 52 - 81). Therefor, all employees (defined as "full-time", "part-time", or "freelance") are subsequently placed on paid leave.
As there will be no bonuses available during the Day 52 - 81 paid leave remuneration cycle, please take note of the amount you should receive on Day 82, adjusted to account for this: FULL-TIME: 550 SENCS PART-TIME/FREELANCE: 250 SENCS All employees should automatically receive their standard bonus-included amounts on the morning of Day 51.
As employees, you will still be able to enter and access the Normandy Securities offices and facilities, should you require anything. NOTE: Armory will be on lockdown during this time.
As always, thank you all for your persistent assistance and hard work in helping to form and continue Normandy Securities. Please use this unplanned vacation time to relax and spend some time with those you love.
[ It's nothing urgent— Venom's making a pitstop at Jack's place today, back from spending a day in the city collecting items for his emergency medkit. Recent developments have made him see the necessity for one, and despite knowing that Jack and company have their designated medic on the planet, Venom's taken it upon himself (misguidedly) to buy extra supplies.
(Halfway to Jack's place, it occurs to Venom that maybe Jack's enhanced biology makes bandages and antiseptic obsolete, but. You know. Better safe than sorry.)
Today, though, it's not Jack that he finds on the front porch. It's another familiar face, albeit one he's only spoken to briefly. ]
—Ana. [ He raises a hand in greeting, with the one that isn't currently occupied with medical equipment. ] Is 76 in?
( Ana's sipping tea on the porch when the man approaches, which isn't that unusual but Jack's signs put off most visitors.
Her tea cup lowers as he steps closer, an initial frown crossing her features at the use of her name. There is a picture of her floating around, and she was here once before, though this would be the first time that she'd met anyone that she knew before outside of their group )
He isn't. ( And without knowing how she knows him, or how Jack does, she doesn't offer any more ) I can let him know that you came, but you may need to remind me of who you are.
( Remind, over tell, to at least acknowledge that they may have met before )
[ 'Remind'. The request takes Venom slightly off-guard, but things like this have happened before— he knows that people come and people go, and that some of them are lucky (citation needed) enough to go and come back.
So his surprise only lingers for a second, a blink-and-miss frown that smooths itself over. ]
...Ahab. [ He doesn't want to make this more awkward for her than it probably already is, so he makes a dry joke at his own expense: ] Didn't think I'd have the kind of face you'd forget.
First time for everything.
[ A vague upquirk of his lips, and he tips his head to the side. ]
[Remembering it is the worst part--burning up on the inside, Reaper's hands around his throat, the sight of Ana in the doorway, a calculated twisting motion that plunged everything into darkness. He doesn't feel gone for very long, but the Savrii attendants in the Ingress complex are quick to tell him it's been days. It's difficult to make sense of it all. Of course other residents of the Moira had spoken about the way people are brought back to life, but Jack is entirely cynical, and he'd spent his last moments thinking about how he'd effectively gotten Ana killed, too.
Even if he's here now--if any of this is even real in the first place--it doesn't change the fact that Reaper likely wreaked havoc in his absence, which means he needs to catch up as soon as possible. Having a goal in mind helps the numbness, the uncomfortable realization that he was dead and now he's not, but he still moves like he isn't sure whether or not this is actually happening. If he's dreaming up some sort of afterlife that he took great pains to convince himself didn't exist.
What's important is making sure his people are okay, starting with Ana. He lingers in the Ingress complex long enough to get a brace for his hand (imperfect technology--this happens sometimes, when people are brought back), trying to come to terms with all of this. Any of this.
The sight of the house once he reaches Region 2 is far more comforting than it has any right to be, and Jack wastes no time letting himself in the front door. His breath catches in his throat, leaving him unable to call out for the other occupant of the house, but his entrance is not exactly subtle either way.]
( The past three days... It's all too clear in her head -- the sight of Jack, of Gabriel. It had been long planned, and she'd known about Gabriel's intentions for months. Years, if she thought long enough.
It had led her to spending most of her time in Jack's room. It's not sentimental but practical. His walls are still decorated with his theories, things that Ana had added to and had worked even more on over the past few days. Jack was dead but that didn't mean that the- that she could stop on trying to uncover the truth. She would, if only to prove him right. To prove them right.
The noise of the door brings Ana's attention away from the note that she'd been attaching, abandoning it to the floor as she grabs her sidearm from the dresser. Her steps are quick but quiet as she moves out into the hallway to descend the stairs.
Seeing the figure her gun is instantly pointed to them, mouth open to speak and-- )
[Jack looks dazed more than anything, like he's not even sure whether or not this is his house. He hears noise on the stairs and flinches, the fingers on his left hand twitching as if he's trying to reach for a gun that isn't there. It takes him a moment to register the sight of her, like he's processing everything in front of him a few seconds slower than he should be. Maybe he's just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
He stands frozen, the expression on his face a clear indication that he's not sure any of this is real. He barely registers the gun. When he tries to speak, he finds he has nothing to say, and he imagines he looks completely dumbfounded at the sight of her.]
Ana--
[That's all he manages to say before his body catches up, crossing the distance to the bottom of the stairs. It might be real--it might not be, but all he can think is that she's here and she's safe.]
( God, she wants this, wants him but Ana had seen him die. Though she'd read on the network some time ago that people had been brought back from the dead it wasn't something that she remembered in this moment, and as Jack crosses to the stairs the gun she'd pointed at him tracks him round )
You died.
( For real, this time. It wasn't as if he'd just disappeared as she had, Ana had seen the life drain from him, seeing Gabriel's actions. Jack had died, and his body had been taken. Whatever this was it couldn't be him, and she'd already seen false Jacks once here -- she wasn't going to let her guard down on this )
What do you want?
( What does he hope to do other than torment an old woman? Or kill her? )
[Jack sounds disbelieving, too, because he remembers it all. He knows what she saw, what she must have seen. Even with reports of the Ingress bringing people back to life, how can you possibly believe it when you see the murder happen?
But it takes him a moment, the gun genuinely confusing him before he realizes that of course she doesn't trust this. It's some kind of trap. It has to be, because there's no other explanation. If their roles were switched, he'd be doing the same thing.
He knows better than to try and close the distance, and instead he raises his hands slowly in defense, trying to think of something he can say to put her at ease. All be wants is to go to her, and Jack has never been particularly patient. There's nothing he can do but try and convince her.]
They brought me back. [Somehow. He doesn't understand it, and he isn't sure there's no catch, aside from his hand.] It's me.
[It's not that Jack isn't used to sharing a bed. Out in the field, they often had to make do, and over the course of his long and storied military career, having to hole up with someone else was more commonplace than not. It's something he should be accustomed to by now--the problem is that this is not platonic.
"Problem" is perhaps a strong word. It's not a problem at all, given who he's sharing the bed with. There's something intensely comforting about waking up next to someone else, even as he's plagued by insomnia that developed during the Crisis and never went away. This helps, though of course Jack still has hang-ups about lying awake at night next to somebody else, especially with everything that's been on his mind lately. The small comforts might have to be enough.
Deciding what passes for 'morning' in space is something he probably won't get used to, but even Jack can only stare at the ceiling for so long, trying to sleep but unable to. He sits up slowly, trying not to disturb Ana next to him--but of course he knows they're hyper-vigilant in the same ways. Jack tries to cut it off at the pass before he fully awakens her.]
( there's a small little grumble at first. the rush of cold air as he moves, the shifting of the bed. she woke easily, from nights of being on edge and always keeping one eye open )
Where are you going?
( the words are quiet, a hand reaching out to him. don't go. there's no need to get up yet )
[It's a lie, because Jack was sort of hoping he wouldn't have woken her up, but now that she is awake, he's not going to disappear on her. She reaches out to him and he squeezes her hand briefly before he does stand. There are worse things than having to do what he says he's going to do, especially in this case.
So he uses the bathroom, as promised, then returns to bed, sliding in as gently as he can and wrapping his arms around her on his way under the covers.]
[He adjusts accordingly, loosening his embrace so that she can turn, settling back into the pillows once she's comfortable. Jack can't help but smile a little as he nudges closer.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
TEXT; Backdated to April 10th
Clearly made in a template, maybe titled "PROFESSIONAL LINES" or something equally boring, it invites you to a "a small birthday celebration" at a new restaurant/bar opening in Kauto's Region 1.
There is a button to RSVP, and the additional option to add a "plus one".
It is signed off simply with "SHEPARD".
Will you attend this crunk-ass fête, this... space jam??]
4/22 - package
Ana,
I hope you enjoy these blends. They were my favourite.
-V]
how cute!
Venom,
Thank you. I hope you would join me some time.
-Ana )
BCC'D NORMANDY SECURITIES MASS MAIL; BACKDATED TO MORNING OF MAY 16TH (DAY 36)
Effective immediately, I will be on a leave of extended absence from Normandy Securities offices. Length estimate at this time is a minimum of 45 consecutive days (during the current 100-day cycle). Additionally, subsequent to receipt of this message, I will be unavailable for contact in any form, digital or otherwise.
During this time, the offices of Normandy Securities will be officially CLOSED, as I will be unavailable for collection and assignment of missions for the next remuneration period (Day 52 - 81). Therefor, all employees (defined as "full-time", "part-time", or "freelance") are subsequently placed on paid leave.
As there will be no bonuses available during the Day 52 - 81 paid leave remuneration cycle, please take note of the amount you should receive on Day 82, adjusted to account for this:
FULL-TIME: 550 SENCS
PART-TIME/FREELANCE: 250 SENCS
All employees should automatically receive their standard bonus-included amounts on the morning of Day 51.
As employees, you will still be able to enter and access the Normandy Securities offices and facilities, should you require anything. NOTE: Armory will be on lockdown during this time.
As always, thank you all for your persistent assistance and hard work in helping to form and continue Normandy Securities. Please use this unplanned vacation time to relax and spend some time with those you love.
Yours in service,
LCDR. Jane Shepard
Normandy Securities
action; LMK IF THIS IS AIGHT!
(Halfway to Jack's place, it occurs to Venom that maybe Jack's enhanced biology makes bandages and antiseptic obsolete, but. You know. Better safe than sorry.)
Today, though, it's not Jack that he finds on the front porch. It's another familiar face, albeit one he's only spoken to briefly. ]
—Ana. [ He raises a hand in greeting, with the one that isn't currently occupied with medical equipment. ] Is 76 in?
PERFECT!
Her tea cup lowers as he steps closer, an initial frown crossing her features at the use of her name. There is a picture of her floating around, and she was here once before, though this would be the first time that she'd met anyone that she knew before outside of their group )
He isn't. ( And without knowing how she knows him, or how Jack does, she doesn't offer any more ) I can let him know that you came, but you may need to remind me of who you are.
( Remind, over tell, to at least acknowledge that they may have met before )
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So his surprise only lingers for a second, a blink-and-miss frown that smooths itself over. ]
...Ahab. [ He doesn't want to make this more awkward for her than it probably already is, so he makes a dry joke at his own expense: ] Didn't think I'd have the kind of face you'd forget.
First time for everything.
[ A vague upquirk of his lips, and he tips his head to the side. ]
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( Which may also be a subtle invitation for him to come and join her on the porch. There's also more tea in her tea pot )
Why not sit while I do, and you can tell me what brings you here.
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Nothing important.
[ He makes his way up to the porch, holding up his homemade medkit as a peace offering. ]
Just thought I'd repay your housemate with something.
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A thoughtful gesture.
( They didn't get too many of those )
I assume he did something to earn it.
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wtf how did i miss this notif
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dad's home
Even if he's here now--if any of this is even real in the first place--it doesn't change the fact that Reaper likely wreaked havoc in his absence, which means he needs to catch up as soon as possible. Having a goal in mind helps the numbness, the uncomfortable realization that he was dead and now he's not, but he still moves like he isn't sure whether or not this is actually happening. If he's dreaming up some sort of afterlife that he took great pains to convince himself didn't exist.
What's important is making sure his people are okay, starting with Ana. He lingers in the Ingress complex long enough to get a brace for his hand (imperfect technology--this happens sometimes, when people are brought back), trying to come to terms with all of this. Any of this.
The sight of the house once he reaches Region 2 is far more comforting than it has any right to be, and Jack wastes no time letting himself in the front door. His breath catches in his throat, leaving him unable to call out for the other occupant of the house, but his entrance is not exactly subtle either way.]
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It had led her to spending most of her time in Jack's room. It's not sentimental but practical. His walls are still decorated with his theories, things that Ana had added to and had worked even more on over the past few days. Jack was dead but that didn't mean that the- that she could stop on trying to uncover the truth. She would, if only to prove him right. To prove them right.
The noise of the door brings Ana's attention away from the note that she'd been attaching, abandoning it to the floor as she grabs her sidearm from the dresser. Her steps are quick but quiet as she moves out into the hallway to descend the stairs.
Seeing the figure her gun is instantly pointed to them, mouth open to speak and-- )
Jack?
( يا إبن إل شرموطة )
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He stands frozen, the expression on his face a clear indication that he's not sure any of this is real. He barely registers the gun. When he tries to speak, he finds he has nothing to say, and he imagines he looks completely dumbfounded at the sight of her.]
Ana--
[That's all he manages to say before his body catches up, crossing the distance to the bottom of the stairs. It might be real--it might not be, but all he can think is that she's here and she's safe.]
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You died.
( For real, this time. It wasn't as if he'd just disappeared as she had, Ana had seen the life drain from him, seeing Gabriel's actions. Jack had died, and his body had been taken. Whatever this was it couldn't be him, and she'd already seen false Jacks once here -- she wasn't going to let her guard down on this )
What do you want?
( What does he hope to do other than torment an old woman? Or kill her? )
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[Jack sounds disbelieving, too, because he remembers it all. He knows what she saw, what she must have seen. Even with reports of the Ingress bringing people back to life, how can you possibly believe it when you see the murder happen?
But it takes him a moment, the gun genuinely confusing him before he realizes that of course she doesn't trust this. It's some kind of trap. It has to be, because there's no other explanation. If their roles were switched, he'd be doing the same thing.
He knows better than to try and close the distance, and instead he raises his hands slowly in defense, trying to think of something he can say to put her at ease. All be wants is to go to her, and Jack has never been particularly patient. There's nothing he can do but try and convince her.]
They brought me back. [Somehow. He doesn't understand it, and he isn't sure there's no catch, aside from his hand.] It's me.
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after shep returns The Picture
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Should I guess?
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[And indeed he is! As promised.]
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I do what I want
"Problem" is perhaps a strong word. It's not a problem at all, given who he's sharing the bed with. There's something intensely comforting about waking up next to someone else, even as he's plagued by insomnia that developed during the Crisis and never went away. This helps, though of course Jack still has hang-ups about lying awake at night next to somebody else, especially with everything that's been on his mind lately. The small comforts might have to be enough.
Deciding what passes for 'morning' in space is something he probably won't get used to, but even Jack can only stare at the ceiling for so long, trying to sleep but unable to. He sits up slowly, trying not to disturb Ana next to him--but of course he knows they're hyper-vigilant in the same ways. Jack tries to cut it off at the pass before he fully awakens her.]
Go back to sleep.
snuggles up to
Where are you going?
( the words are quiet, a hand reaching out to him. don't go. there's no need to get up yet )
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[It's a lie, because Jack was sort of hoping he wouldn't have woken her up, but now that she is awake, he's not going to disappear on her. She reaches out to him and he squeezes her hand briefly before he does stand. There are worse things than having to do what he says he's going to do, especially in this case.
So he uses the bathroom, as promised, then returns to bed, sliding in as gently as he can and wrapping his arms around her on his way under the covers.]
I didn't mean to wake you.
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( her hand slips up to rest on his arm, a few seconds before she turns her head towards him )
Though I'm not opposed to being awake.
* not if it means spending some quiet, private moments with him. in peace )
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Sleep well?
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