A short breath was all Ripley managed to buffer themself from an emotional reply. They glanced down the hall, then back down to Petra.

“Hey… I know.” Their smile was fine, though their expression remained soft. “I was… About to head to my quarters for the night. We can talk there if you’d like.”

“Hey there.” Draping their arms around Petra, they returned the embrace with care not to squeeze her too tightly. They were still doing their best to keep their happy facade up. It wouldn’t do them any good to show just how emotional they were feeling in the hall, where everyone could see.

It was not a topic Ripley liked to speak about, or give much thought to. Trying to keep the memories out was a hard enough daily chore. “I’m glad you made it out, soldier.”

They reached out to give the ODST’s shoulder a light squeeze.

Immediately their smile softened to one of understanding and masked hurt. “Oh.”

There was a short pause before they continued. “Were you serving when it all happened?”

Cal inclined her head in understanding. Subtext received.

“Well I wasn’t looking, but I think 𝘺𝘰𝘶 were.” Her armored feet thumped lightly as she turned.

“You drink?” She help up her glass a little.

The sight of such a dainty glass in her armored hand had to be slightly comedic, no?

Wearing sweatpants and a tank top, Ripley had been prepping for a return to their quarters when they were sidetracked. They smiled their usual friendly smile and gave the ODST their full attention. “Yes?”

Cal turns at the sound of Petra entering.

“If you’re needing weapons worked on, it’ll have to wait till duty hours tomorrow.” She followed the statement with a sip.

Cal’s not on duty, but the doors are open, so the other is welcome.

A glass of Chardonnay, raised to the viewport of her workshop, a silent toast to her mother.

“Awe, somebody is cranky.” Entirely unfazed by the other’s words and demeanor, Nycaise looked to the source of the alarm. For a few moments she eyed the safe before scoffing and looking back to Petra. That safe would not stop her for very long if she just chose to brute force her drone free, but —

The door opened, and in stepped the Spartan-II. With her arms crossed over her chest, Nycaise stepped up to the ODST. Despite her drone being held captive, she already seemed more amused than annoyed. “I think you have something of mine.”

Following roughly ten minutes of obnoxious blaring, the drone’s uninterrupted noise was joined by loud knocking on the ODST’s door.

And in the meantime, the drone will be blaring an ear-piercing alarm in protest. It’s loud enough to be heard outside the room and down the hall.

Not to worry: Nycaise will be arriving shortly.

I’m response, the drone’s camera narrowed and stared back. After a few short moments of staring, a canister next to the camera popped open and showered Petra in glitter.

Landing a little drone on top of the reader’s head.

“ You'll live , Sergeant . Now go get settled in . We're having a movie night tonight . ”