[h3]Layette Station, [color=rosybrown]Vellios[/color][/h3]

Vellios casted a look in Serena’s direction when her chiding him about his daggers caught his attention, his expression twisted into an unamused by it. His arms were still crossed over his chest firmly when she commented on the LOKI, dreamingly wishing one would walk its way onto the ship, causing his mandibles to wiggle in disapproval. His glare said it. No stealing from the Eclipse, even if they had a high chance of getting away with it. Currently the only thing that matter was Drono’s medical condition and he knew anyone that placed that into jeopardy would’ve felt the wrath of the crew. 

He felt this was not the best time to test their patience or how strong their connections were. The scarred turian eyed Serena carefully as she broke off from him, her steps bring her toward the security checkpoint and moved through. He would’ve been lying if he said he didn’t tense when she slipped through purely because his pessimistic nature gnawed at him that something was going to go all wrong. 

Among the final individuals to head through, Vellios let air back into his lungs as the stinging faded when he began to breath easily. Slipping through the checkpoint as Orick Deros was simple thanks to Dex’s tinkering within the security. Once through, his head turned to Dex’s direction then managed slip her a subtle and flirty wink under the radar on route to the cafe.  

--------

 The ‘Doctor’s Orders’. Vellios smirked at the cafe’s title as he entered the door, his eyes scanned immediately for his teammates’ whereabouts. However, he didn’t just quickly mosey over to the nearest one just yet. He studied for the best and most natural opportunity to get close to one then gradually collect them all into one spot without drawing attention. 

Among those he spotted, there was Serena, Iosif, Drono, Haze, Firu and Tonka. Each of them doing their own thing for the mission and coming off less suspicious than normal. Part of him was a bit disappointed not to spy their favorite little eavesdrop, Dex, waiting in the shadows but he knew she would turn up in her own unique way. She was full of surprises like that. 

His figure moved toward the counter and leaned upon it, his attention turned to the bartender. The human, an aging man in his early thirties and sturdy built, twisted about with a customer service tone Vellios had heard many times. It was one of someone experience and tired of the same shitty work. 

“What will you have?” He gruffed out. 

[color=rosybrown]“Something hard as today’s going to be a real doozy of a day.”[/color]  

The human raised his eyebrow then began to lower for a bottle of Turian Brandy, pouring Vellios a shot and slid it over. His salt and pepper moustache fluffed with each word that slipped his thin lips, “From the look of ye, I find that hard to believe.” 

Vellios chuckled and paid with two chits as he gave a Turian smirk,[color=rosybrown] “Meeting a few friends I haven’t seen since we all served on the same ship a few years back and I have no idea how much they have changed now. It’s enough to give anyone… how do you humans say it? Butterflies in the stomach?”[/color] 

“Yeah. That’s right.” 

[color=rosybrown] “By the way, wish me luck. I spot a few of them already and won’t be long before they nag on me for not joining them. I might be coming back for a few more drinks.”[/color] 

As he moved from the counter, Vellios took his drink with him but didn’t take a single sip. Mostly the beverage was for show rather than actually drinking. It wasn’t to say he wasn’t tempted to say fuck it and down it regardless. Likely by the end of this meeting, he would. 

He didn’t have to provide a cover story in a roundabout way but honestly, it was less odd having a bunch of friends getting reacquainted instead of a bunch of random strangers huddling suspiciously together. Like predicted, the bartender didn’t glimpse in his direction. 

Casually, he slid over to sit with Firu and Tonka. His voice had a teasing tone to it as he spoke to the human female,[color=Rosybrown] “Hello sweetheart, how’s life treating you? Still as lovely as I last remembered you.”[/color] 

When he caught the end of Drono’s question, Vellios replied into his collar communicator in a subtle fashion as he 'adjusted' it,[color=rosybrown] “First let's make sure everyone’s able to listen before we’re forced to repeat ourselves. Those I don't see, sound off if you can hear this and I hope it's crystal.”[/color]