Day 9, EM - Skin Care (Tessa's room, closed)

[Yoko Lee]

Yoko had arranged to try Tess' skin care routine... though that was only part of the story, of course. It was still something though; Yoko'd never had a ton of c-bills for fancy lotions and such, though she always made due. The fact Miss Wentworth had such things was a boon. But getting to see Tessa's room was the real prize, get to talk to her in private, get to know more about her.

For now though, she simply knocked politely in the Combine style, a knuckle rapping at the door frame to Tess' bunk.

[GM Yuusha]

It was early. Thankfully, Tessa knew Yoko was coming. It was meant to be a day off duty for her, but a call had come in from the Pryvidok sheriff's office so she'd need to get washed and changed and such to assist later. The sheriff was expected at some point. Still, she had a couple of hours free.

Hearing the knock she gets up to answer the door. She was dressed in warm wool pyjamas with big slippers on her feet.

"Hey." She waves a little sleepily as she answers the door. "Morning."

[Yoko Lee]

Yoko also had on her PJs, a yellow fuzzy short sleeve shirt with chibi chickens on it, some matching shorts, and thigh-high striped yellow and white socks. Since she'd walked here, she also had some simple slippers on.

"Goood morning."

A little salute as she walked in and looked around.

"Sleep well?"

[Tessa Wentworth]

"Not the best, but okay. I get a bit anxious before an operation. It's also going to be quite a big one today... you?"

Tessa gets the door behind her. The Chief Administrator's room was an en suite officer's quarters with a double bed, a two seater leather sofa, a big screen, desk and chair, cabinets and drawer space. Fairly standard layout, with the shower-toilet door to the right as you stepped in. She had cream bedsheets, actually made up, and a spotless room. There was a little yellow, honeysuckle scented candle on the go and a folded down noteputer on the desk. There were few personal effects on show except for a few photos pinned to the board behind her desk. Tessa in her students days, pictures with family, others from when she was younger, a few with the Angels, one with Laks and so on. Either everything she had was neatly put away, which may very well be her way, or she preferred things to be spartan. There was a mirror and a pair of yoga slid behind the sofa and numerous books across one shelf so the room wasn't without signs of life.

[Yoko Lee]

Yoko whistled after setting her folded up towel down somewhere free, "Pretty swanky quarters, if I do say so myself. Nicer than my apartment back in New Amoro. All it's missing is a nice window with a view really."

She looked back at Tess and gave a smile, "As to myself, I'm growing more used to the battles. It's still stressful, of course. And I'm always hoping I'm not getting a communication that someone's been lost. But I try my best, and I've gotten to know so many people that I feel glad to be able to help them and communicate with them like that, you know? Even if it's all I can do to support them."

[Tessa Wentworth]

"I'd like that too, but I went for a room without a window as it's mostly just space. It gets old after a while. Word to the wise, those rooms are usually colder too."

She listens and nods as Yoko shares her experiences. "Mmhmm. It has been noticed and appreciated. You're doing great Yoko. Is there anything else you're finding tough?"

[Yoko Lee]

"Otherwise? Not in particular at all. Things are quite comfortable at the dropsite here; The facilities are wonderful, everyone's so nice, the work is hard but rewarding, and I'm learning a lot. Honestly, almost feels sometimes like things are going to well too me, you know? Like a day's going to go really bad or something's going to turn on us or something like that..."

A shrug, "Still, no reason to actively worry about that while things are still going well, neh? Thus why I'm here still worrying about my skin care routine, even if it's not going to effect the missions later today."

[Tessa Wentworth]

The blonde woman's voice turns sombre and a little sad. She makes a pained expression as her gaze falls to the floor. "That does happen, I won't lie. Things not going well. You need to be prepared. It's busy now compared to when we were in transit, but when things go south it gets much busier... like a couple of days ago when the initial assessments for dual-attacks came back. It seemed grim. I mean, it was, we lost people, but... that's the nature of the work for those on the frontline. It's the equipment that really determines whether we can stay in the fight. New mechwarriors can be picked up or trained with more ease than replacing mechs."

[Yoko Lee]

"I mean, I know that sort of thing well enough from my last job. Product is more expensive and important than the people handling it. Though I imagine it's not as easy replacing people out here as it would be elsewhere. Otherwise... how am I supposed to prepare for that sort of thing, hm? I mean, if you have any advice, I'd certainly accept it."

Yoko leaned her butt against Tessa's dresser, hands to her side on the dresser's edge.

[Tessa Wentworth]

Tessa moves to sit on her sofa. "I suppose you have to keep it in your mind when you get closer to the frontline staff. There's a chance they won't come back. Anything could happen to any of us, even those in the support staff, but more than nine times out of ten it's from combat. A soldier, a pilot, a mechwarrior, a tank or driver." She rubs one hand over the other as she speaks. "I used to know more of the mechwarriors when I first started, but then one didn't come back. Then another. Sometimes one might retire or leave for another unit, but it's mostly combat. Then one day you recognise a mech, but it has a different pilot and... it feels off. It's hard to describe. I still get anxious about Laks, but I'm just polite to the others now. I hide behind being professional. That might work for you too, but otherwise... just, be careful, ok? Don't let yourself get too hurt."

[Yoko Lee]

"Well, you don't need to worry about me hiding behind being professional; I can be a cheeky little brat really. Think that's one of the reason the pilots and such like talking to me on the comms."

A small smile, "But I suppose I understand. Kind of a push and pull like a lot of things in life; You don't want to get too close in case you lose someone, but you don't want to stay too isolated and feel lonely and such. I mean... part of why I find excuses to see you Tess, so I'm not so lonely."

She trailed off a little before standing up fully, giving a little bounce on the soles of her feet, "Besides mooching off your popularity and nice stuff of course," she said with a grin.

[Tessa Wentworth]

"That could be. They do like their banter." Tessa admits, smiling ever so slightly as she looks up.

She looks touched as Yoko mentions that her company helped with loneliness. "That's the cheeky little brat side is it? I was an only daughter so that must have been me once. Come here." She lifts her arms to offer Yoko a hug. "No need to be a stranger. I'm planning on sticking around here a while longer. I'd like to be promoted even more. The officer salary benefits are exponential."

[Yoko Lee]

Yoko is more than happy to hug Tessa, enjoying her softness and her pleasant scent as well as her warmth.

"Mmmm... well, I can't really argue with that."

She doesn't say anything else while she holds the hug, her affection for the older woman bubbling up a little again so she didn't want to let go; Yoko felt safe and loved like this.

[Tessa Wentworth]

Giggling, Tessa gently runs her hand through Yoko's hair a few times. "You look pretty happy."

[Yoko Lee]

"Mmmm... I like you. A lot. You're so warm and friendly and kind. I just want to be held by you and spend time with you. So I suppose you could say I'm happy, yeah~"

A small sigh.

"I should probably let go eventually though so I can take that shower; I really am interested to see what you got with your bath items."

[Tessa Wentworth]

"D'aww, I like you too Yoko." She rubs the other woman's shoulder comfortingly. "You make me smile and laugh. I really have to get you and Laks together. We'd all have the best time."

She giggles and hugs Yoko tighter. "I'm not in a rush. I'll pamper you a bit longer. My bath stuff isn't going to go anywhere. I didn't know you were such a needy friend."

[Yoko Lee]

"Sometimes~~ I'm just the sort of person who hides their vulnerabilities. Learned to do that back when I worked with less savory types in cut throat jobs. Didn't want to appear weak or such. I feel like I can let go of that façade with you though."

She nuzzled a bit against the crook of Tessa's neck gently, being careful to not be too firm with the motion.

[Tessa Wentworth]

Tessa giggles a little more. "Aww, you don't need to worry about stuff like that. Besides, you could just carry around a pistol instead. Then again, if that means you won't be so sweet in the morning then I might deny your purchase order." She briefly pokes out her tongue teasingly.

Patting Yoko's back, she settles against the back of her sofa. "Feeling better?"

[Yoko Lee]

Yoko sighs but lets go, stretching her neck a bit before nodding, "I do. I'm going to hit the shower now I think. Where... do you want me to put my PJs here while I'm using it?"

[Tessa Wentworth]

"On the desk is fine."

Tessa gives Yoko a little finger wave.

"The verbena shower gel and the blossom extract shampoo are my current favourites, but try whatever catches your eye."