#aria argento

[vlad-theimplier]

WIP Wednesday: Custos Custodium

In which Jensen tries to juggle investigating the bombing he just survived, his own team's possible suborning by the Illuminati, and the mysterious augs someone jammed into him. Read the whole SNAFU here.

Sedlak was with a customer when he entered Praha Dovoz: she brushed him off with convincing impatience. He asked after the bathroom, and she gave him the cover he needed, jerking an aggravated thumb at the back of the small building. He shut the door to the storefront behind him, then the door to the janitor’s closet, and scanned his card. The closet floor dropped slowly on its mechanism.

“Vega,” he radioed her, “I’m back in business. This whisper chip you gave me: it’s an easy plant?”

“Yeah, easy as it gets. There’ll be a data port on the NSN motherboard. Access it, and then just plug and play. Or plug and record, in this case.”

“Got it. Let you know when it’s done.”

He passed through the scanner and laser grid, recognized and welcomed by the artificial voice. It was nice to be the one with the secret lair for a change. The elevator hit bottom and he stepped out into the bustle of the Task Force in full swing.

To an extent, it resonated familiarly with his years in police bullpens—phones ringing, keyboards hammering, quiet voices speaking intently in cubicles. And it had the same round-the-clock, caffeine-fueled sense of temporal dislocation. Whatever time it was upstairs in the world, down here it was always go time. He felt harmonics from the SWAT ready room, as well: a couple of their Peacekeepers strolled around in fatigues, two in battle rattle followed a similarly-equipped agent back from some smaller op, and muffled gunfire coughed from the shooting range next to their outsized armory.

But even more than that, the place felt like spook country. Jensen had visited FBI field offices before, and the ones with a facilities budget had felt a little like this, all glass and steel and touchscreen displays mixed with the occasional holotable. Analyst chatter had a subtly different cadence from field agent chatter, a little less belligerent, a little more neurotic. He stood in the elevator’s mouth, soaking up the tenor of the place, and decided it was up a notch or two from baseline: the bombing had kicked the hornet’s nest.

Jensen mounted the stairs to the second-floor mezzanine, where Miller’s office overlooked the bullpen. Argento stopped him at the head of the stairs.

“Jensen! You’re here—you made it in. It’s good to see you’re okay.” She put a hand on his shoulder and peered up at his face as if to check.

“Yeah, it was a close call. I got lucky; a lot of people didn’t. Thought you’d be back in the States by now?”

“News of the bombing came in while I was in line to board—I bailed. My family… they understood. I’ll visit when things calm down a little more.” And of course she had to be seen giving a hundred and ten percent, if she wanted a field assignment. “It’s been chaos—phones ringing off the hook, you know how it is. But I’m sure it was worse right after. And to be at ground zero… when Miller told me you were there, I thought—”

“I’m all right.”

Whatever she saw in his face satisfied her. She rapped him on the shoulder and smiled. “Only the metaphorical screws loose, huh? Good. But if you’re looking for him, he’s tied up right now. A meeting with Lyon, I think.”

“Really? He’s using the NSN right now?”

“Yeah, I just saw him go in. Oh, hey! That reminds me—new card for the shooting range. Chang changed all the codes this morning.”

“Again?” He handed over the old one. It was the second time this week.

“The bombing really freaked him out. Third one in six months, can you believe it? I just— I’m really glad you’re okay.”

She looked up at him soberly, and he tried to project a reassuring aura despite the knot in his gut over the mystery augs and the Collective’s whisper chip burning a hole in his pocket. While she’d never opened up to him, he knew she’d lost people back in the Corps, and some of them probably to explosives. “Thanks,” he said. “Me too. Guess I gotta wait on Miller.”

“Yeah, and I should get back downstairs, hand out the rest of these cards. See ya.”

He watched her go. Full armor again, and a glove over her augmented right hand—she wore twenty-five kilos of ceramic plate as easily as running gear. Ready to strap on a gun or five and hit the VTOL whenever Miller and MacReady signed off. And bolstered against anyone who disapproved of an Aug with a Nu-poz issue as an agent. No wonder she’d been awkward, dressed for dinner.

[gentlemanchoice25]

Gentleman choice... Aria Argento

[autumnshowell]

you owe me

for: @photoaria

It's late - later than she'd usually ever just go to somebody's apartment, but she's kind of upset and feels kind of stupid and she doesn't really know how to process it.

She also doesn't want to really give warning, stupid as that is, because things just haven't been the same lately - something's happened with Aria, whether it was her argument with Kevin, or whatever was bothering her about that party a few weeks back, things just... they haven't been right. And that kind of scares her, because Aria's probably the best thing she has going right now, between her mother's browbeating and her friends either going cold or going missing, not to mention she feels like she's about to be shit-canned from the bowling alley...

So she's here, at like ten o'clock at night, knocking on the door until it opens. Big smile - hide the fact that your life is kind of falling apart maybe.

"Do you like giallo?" She says, and she holds up a couple of ratty DVD case with Jennifer Connelly gracing the cover and a set of unpopped popcorn bags. "Ive got some Argento..."

And then, after the fact, "Hi. Sorry to just... show up. I... have no excuse really."

[whippedcloudsofcream]

Aria Argento in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (2016)

[buzzfeedblog]

Good News in History, February 20

208 years ago today, The Barber of Seville, one of Italian opera’s greatest classics, debuted at the Teatro Argento in Rome. It tells the story of Count Almaviva who wishes to win the hand of a woman he loves, Rosina, but must avoid the suspicious eyes of her custodian, Bartolo. It includes the famous character of Figaro, a barber and jack of all trades, whose introductory aria, Largo al…

[delectablywaywardbeard-blog]

Tiro a segno: campionati italiani;oro a Tesconi e Varricchio

Ai campionati Italiani di Tiro a Segno, in corso di svolgimento a Milano presso il Poligono Cagnola, il nome di Luca Tesconi era certamente quello più atteso. Oggi il carabiniere di Pietrasanta argento olimpico a Londra 2012, che è anche un artista in ambito fotografico con mostre all’attivo, non ha tradito le aspettative vincendo il suo quinto titolo tricolore nella gara di pistola ad aria…

[jacopocioni]

Tutti gli UFO sopra Firenze dalla guerra ad oggi: 1978 terza parte

Ci credete? Non ci credete? Poco importa. Il fenomeno ufologico è vecchio quanto il mondo. Gli avvistamenti, reali, finti, "costruiti" nel mondo sono innumerevoli e su Firenze e provincia non mancano. Questa è un piccola rubrica per citare gli avvistamenti registrati su Firenze e provincia dal 1946 al 1980, se poi qualcuno ha a disposizione anche quelli successivi, e ce li fornisce, potremmo pubblicare anche quelli dal 1980 in poi. Questo l'articolo precedente: Tutti gli UFO sopra Firenze dalla guerra ad oggi: 1978 prima parte Nei primi di luglio del 1978 nell' Alto Mugello (Rifredo) alle 00:30 furono visti 4 oggetti luminosi, lo riporta l'Archivio CUN (lettera del testimone al CUN) Il giovane Raugei, di anni 15, domiciliato in via Novelli 15 a Firenze, mentre si trovava sulla terrazza di una casa di sua proprietà scorge verso una collina quattro oggetti luminosi in formazione, appena sopra la sua cima. Gli oggetti erano di colore argento e sprigionavano dei bagliori colore oro, arancione, rosso e azzurro. Testimone del fatto fu anche sua madre, la quale se ne andò a letto verso le 02:45, con le quattro luci sempre nella posizione iniziale. Nell'agosto del 1978 sempre nell' Alto Mugello (Rifredo) nella Tarda notte furono visti 3 oggetti luminosi, lo riporta l'Archivio CUN (lettera dei testimoni al CUN) Un giovane di anni 11, abitante a Rifredo, non riuscendo a dormire perchè la sua cagna abbaiava, si affacciò alla finestra dove vide tre oggetti di colore giallo-arancio che giravano attorno alla sua casa. Il ragazzo chiamò subito sua madre e sua sorella le quali poterono assistere al fenomeno. Gli oggetti poi si allontanarono verso ovest. Il fenomeno durò in tutto 10 minuti. Ancora a settembre del 1978 nell'Alto Mugello (Rifredo) alle 23:30 vide un punto luminoso, lo riporta l'Archivio CUN (lettera del Testimone al CUN) Il giovane Raugei di anni 15 mentre se ne stava tornando a casa dopo essere stato a giocare con un suo amico, notò un punto luminoso di color azzurro alzarsi in verticale da una montagna, sostare per alcuni secondi in aria e ripartire poi per ovest. Tutto il fenomeno durò 15 secondi circa. Il 14 settembre 1978 a Calenzano alle 06:45 fu visto un oggetto luminoso a forma di disco, lo riporta La Nazione, Il Tirreno e La Stampa del 15-09-1978; Il Giornale dei Misteri n. 101, p. 15; Notiziario UFO del settembre 1979, p. 44 Uno strano oggetto luminoso a forma di disco fu osservato a Calenzano, un paese a pochi chilometri a nord-ovest di Firenze. Il fatto fu segnalato dallo stesso osservatore a TLF, una televisione privata di Firenze. Secondo costui si sarebbe trattato di un "disco luminoso" con strani effetti intorno e che era immobile nel cielo; poi, si scompose in due dischi che si sono poi come dissolti dopo qualche minuto. Sempre il 14 settembre 1978 a Firenze alle 05:00 circa fu visto un oggetto luminoso, la fonte è sconosciuta Un giovane avvista un oggetto luminoso con scia divergente e dal quale si stacca un pezzo a forma di mezzaluna; poi l'oggetto sparisce. Il 15 settembre 1978 a Firenze alle 06:05/06:07 fu visto un fenomeno luminoso, lo riporta La Nazione, Il Lavoro e Paese Sera del 16-09-1978; Il Giornale dei Misteri n. 102 Il signor Fernando Vannozzi di anni 42, impiegato all'Ente Provinciale per il turismo di Firenze, per almeno 10 minuti osservò un fenomeno luminoso; mentre stava andando in bicicletta da via della Mattonaia verso via Manzoni, due strade molto vicine tra loro nella zona di piazza Beccaria, notò una grande sorgente di luce a forma di sigaro infuocato. Secondo il Vannozzi, che già altre volte di notte ha osservato fenomeni del genere ("ma sempre" ha detto "si è trattato di una cosa diversa da quella che ho visto oggi"), il sigaro, pur bruciando, metteva in evidenza la sua costituzione metallica. Davanti era rosso fuoco, dietro aveva una scia dl colore rosso mattone che si scuriva sempre più verso i bordi. Lo strano oggetto era sulla verticale del Campo di Marte ed il testimone lo vide stagliato nel cielo tra il profilo della collina di Fiesole (che è appunto a levante di Firenze) ed il cielo. Grosso modo poteva essere a circa 700/800 metri di quota. Read the full article

[vlad-theimplier]

WIP Wednesday: Custos Custodium

In which Jensen returns from Golem City and has a friendly little chat with Fletcher about timelines and urgency. This was another realism deficiency that bothered me in the games--hopefully my explanation makes sense of both their positions.

Jensen descended into the bowels of the Task Force the next morning to find the office bustling with activity. Brushing off Argento and a handful of others who wanted to know what had gone down in Útulek, he made a beeline for Forensics. Fletcher was going to have answers for him, or he’d know the reason why.

When he badged the lab door open, though, the holotable wasn’t even turned on: Fletcher was just getting set up. He gave Jensen a twitchy, guilty look. “Adam! Hi! I was just, uh…”

“You look rough, Smiley. Been burning the midnight oil, sifting through the data I brought you? Or making time with Sonia?”

Fletcher’s blush was answer enough. “Hey, gimme a break, okay? We’re not all cy—uh, si-i-ingle-minded about the job like you, I mean.”

Jensen fought back a wave of ire, not even sure what had him so pissed off: that even the friendlier members of the team saw him as an Aug first and everything else second, that Fletcher could blow off work to hang out with a lady without fear that he’d accidentally skewer her or blow her up or something, that Jensen himself was less single-minded and more duplicitous than he liked to think about… He went with the safest and least shameful option. “Smiley. People died in there. As did our only other lead. Get your ass in gear.”

“Sure, sure, only… Here, look for yourself, wise guy.” A galaxy bloomed over the holotable in shades of blue. Jensen looked closer and saw that what he’d taken for stars were fragments of shrapnel or rebar. Or people.

“Every single one of these is an artifact I have to examine and rule in or out. Well, okay, I’m double-checking the algorithm, but it’s set to err on the side of inclusivity. This is what I’ve cleared.” A wave swept over the display, turning two-thirds of it dull navy at a stroke. Another wave picked out a loose constellation in teal, pieces joined by wavering lines of light. “This is definitely in. No smoking gun, but components of the bomb.”

“Bombs. Multiple detonations. I told you that, right? It was in my report.”

Fletcher shrugged. “Haven’t read your report. Too busy sifting the debris. But that checks out.” He hit a button and the constellation split, wheeled, and reassembled itself into five more compact arrangements.

“Save you any time?” Jensen asked hopefully.

“Nah. But it looks right. Thanks for the insight, okay? I’ll let you know when I have something.”

“Don’t get distracted.” Jensen gave him one last stern and hortatory glare, then turned to go.

“I’m supposed to have a team, you know,” Fletcher muttered.

Jensen paused on the threshold. “Are you now.”

Fletcher shot him a sulky sidelong look from where he stood bent over the holotable, prodding at the glimmering array. “Prague’s HQ, right? For Central Europe? Our lab’s supposed to have a forensic technician to do this sort of thing, plus someone for DNA and other biologicals, plus someone else for chemical analysis—drugs, explosives, you know.”

“I get the picture.”

But Fletcher had a head of steam up. “And a forensic cyberanalyst, and a ballistician, and a crime scene services unit: one person for photos and scans, one person for evidence collection and chain of custody. Instead, you have me. Pete’s been handling digital forensics on top of the rest of his workload, and Aria’s done the guns, when we’ve had them. But I’m supposed to be overseeing six to eight people. So maybe cut me a little slack, huh?”

Jensen grunted. “So where are they? Your merry band?”

“Well, the Task Force itself is barely a year old. It takes time to find talent.”

“You don’t say.”

“And apparently not everyone wants to work for the UN. Between all the bureaucracy and the joys of getting reassigned to the other side of the planet if they decide they need you… I hear I might get a chemist next month, if the background check clears, and they’re interviewing general forensics techs. You’ll just have to be patient until they get started—then things will speed up.”

“I get it. But we’re working on a bombing, and hopefully stopping the next one. We all gotta make some sacrifices. Still, I hope your team comes through—just be a little less ‘collegial’ with them than you were with that tech at State Police, okay?” He pretended not to notice Fletcher scratching his cheek with one extended middle finger as he turned and headed for his desk.

[gentlemanchoice25]

Gentleman choice... Aria Argento

[subjectsix]

broke: aria is yor because jensen and aria friends to lovers arc

woke: aria is yor because it means mac gets to be yuri

aria secret assassin in prague = based

mac bent on revealing adam's Big Secret, whatever it is = canon tbh

[cyborgamazon]

I want a fic where Aria meets Adam's parents.

[crystaldwightsworld]

Adam & Aria

So, @mechanical-angels requested that I continue this sooooo, hear ya go!

Original post here

The cafe had been the first spot of many that Adam and Aria had mutually agreed in keeping each other company outside of Task Force 29. It had been a bold move on Aria's part to ask Adam of his companionship outside of work but if she was being honest, she had grown tired of the longing and pinning and she had done plenty of it ever since the tall, dark haired agent had walked through those doors. She really wouldn't mind having something more, to maybe suggest in things progressing but given Adam's traumatic past that he had barely opened up to her about, she was not about to push it or him. Plus, she still really has no idea as to where Adam stood in their relationship. Part of her thinks she knows that he wants more, he wasn't always offering or asking to hang out or go out for coffee for nothing but at the same time, she doesn't want to seem overeager. This developing relationship with Adam could be strictly platonic and kept that way given Adam's cautious and blocked off demeanor. Yet she was not about to complain. Anything to get closer or better to get to know Adam at least which was something she had really wanted in the first place. He was nice, a good listener.

She’s surprised when he asks to start walking her home after their coffee chats and even more jubilant when alloy coated fingers reach down for her organic hand one night as they walk. It’s swift, it’s sincere and deliberate, the smallest of gestures and even though Adam is unaware of her heart practically soaring at the first expression of contact, he notices that she hadn’t pulled away or rejected the affection so he merely let’s his hand fold around hers, savoring the warmth of her flesh. What she doesn’t know is that he does want more. He’s just unsure how fast is too fast, whether it be for him or her. He’s had his suspicions about Aria, about the lingering glances he’s managed to catch from her and the obvious stated by MacReady.

“Jesus Christ, Jensen, will you two just get on with it already!? Please don’t tell me you’re completely oblivious to her?” MacReady had brought to his attention one morning.

“What?” Adam asked, slightly confused. This was a rarity, especially to have come from MacReady.

“Don’t play dumb with me, hanzer! It seems as though everyone knows except you, so here you go. Aria likes you. Really likes you, so will you two do me a favor and stop tip-toeing around each other! It’s all I fuckin’ hear about whenever I venture into the cafeteria!”

Adam had found it slightly amusing seeing MacReady aggravated but with everyone noticing, not that he cared, maybe it was time to make a move. Or at least have a conversation about it.

Was he really ready though? Physically... fuck, yes, his skin nearly screaming at the top of it’s lungs for more, something, anything. The hand holding had grown comfortable but he’s unsure when things should progress, if they should progress at all. Mentally, Adam begrudgingly still struggled, afraid to let himself indulge, scared that he’d get hurt all over again. But this wasn’t Megan...

This was Aria... and Aria made him... well, she made him feel happy. Cared for, looked after.

Things started to get real serious though after he allowed her to visit him at his apartment, her trips becoming more and more routine. It had been weird and awkward at first, Adam not being used to having company so often. He had been worried that she wouldn’t find his company very entertaining but she’s just as content to sit with him on the couch in comfortable silence for what seemed like hours, chasing away any doubts he might have had beforehand. It became easier with each visit, to let her venture around the apartment, admiring his belongings. He’s unsure why his chest gets so tight whenever he opens the door to find her standing there waiting, why those ridiculously cliche butterflies make a fuss about in his stomach whenever she’s near when they make their meals in his kitchen and why his mind seems to wander whenever he thinks of her. 

And he thought of her often.

He needed to tell her, how important she had become to him, how much she meant to him. She deserved to know at least.

It’s like any typical night for them, his hand tucked in hers as he walked her home, the chill of late Autumn becoming brisker and colder as the days went on. It’s been on his mind all day, all night but as they approach the familiar frame of her door after entering the apartment building, he’s almost disappointed to have to let her go. 

She turns to meet his gaze like she always did, secretly reluctant to see him off for the evening. She’s thought about inviting him in on more than one occasion but something always seemed to hold her back.

“Thanks for the coffee Adam! I had fun.” She beams, sincere. His hand still held onto hers as she notices, the pad of his thumb smoothing across her skin.

“Did you really?” Adam asks. His doubt confuses her, slightly scrunching her brow. 

“I always have fun when I’m with you, Adam.” She admits.

“I know I’m not the most entertaining person.” 

“Nonsense! I enjoy being with you.” She reassures him. It was weird to see Adam like this, so unsure of himself, so vulnerable. His vocalized sudden skepticism though has her worried. Maybe he wasn’t enjoying his time spent with her like she was with him. “Adam, if you’re feeling too crowded, I can give you some space if you want. We-”

“No.” He cuts her off. “No, that’s not what I’m implying, Aria. I-” he pauses, his eyes drifting and avoiding hers. She waits patiently for him to gather his thoughts.

“I’m… not very good at this, expressing how I feel at least. At first, I didn’t know what to think, that maybe you were just humoring me but now it’s… it’s different. Things are different between you and I. I’ve never had anyone teach me how to cook-” he trails off with a light laugh, his vocalized appreciation of her making her smile. 

“I just want you to know that you’re an amazing friend and you always support me. You make me feel comfortable being myself. I… I really like being with you.”  

“Just as a friend?” It’s out of her mouth before she can even think twice on the subject and as soon as she realizes what she’s just said, what she’s suggested, she’s kicking herself of such desires, of such assumptions that Adam would want the same from her. It’s quiet for a moment between them, the only thing he can really manage at her suggestion being the blinking of his eyes.

“You... want to be more than friends?” Adam reiterates her question, his eyes searching hers and scanning her face, picking up on her body language immediately. 

“I-I mean, it doesn’t have to be if that’s not something you want, Adam. I, um, don’t want to push you. I mean, unless I’m being way out of line. I-I shouldn’t assume such things from you. I shouldn’t judge your interest as anything other than platonic, I-” she continued to stammer, her cheeks on fire in embarrassment. Adam could only merely smile, as light as it was, finding it absolutely adorable how she stumbled over her words, the avoidant gaze, the surge and rush of blood underneath her skin.

It’s quick, swift and all she needs to shut her doubtful and rampant thoughts when warm, soft lips press into the plump flesh of her cheek, Adam’s soft yet brave affection silencing her worry, the thrill of having him this close like bursting fireworks in her chest. His other hand finds and folds into her other as he kisses her skin again and she allows it, his face nuzzling into hers when he finally manages to pull away, his bright cybernetic blues searching for the expression on her features. Those brown orbs of hers showed nothing but complete adoration for him, that she liked him just as much as he liked her, her soul hungry and screaming for more, for him, all of him.

“Adam.” She breathes his name in a soft whisper, his face still so close to hers, it wouldn’t take much effort to turn and kiss him…

“Do you wanna come in?” She asks.

“Yes.”    

Once comfortably inside and discarding their coats by the door, it doesn’t take long for things to advance. They’re affections didn’t exceed past anything other than the heavy petting and making out that unfolded between them, her face cradled in his hands, his thumbs smoothing circles into her skin while she savored the weight of his body on top of hers. The matched giggles and laughs, Aria’s small and quiet whines of approval setting his nerves ablaze and singing in his veins, the nervous trembling she can feel in the strong frame of his torso and arms, perfectly content in being in each other’s arms so much so that Adam is the first to fall asleep, his face resting against her chest, his arms wrapped tight around her while her fingers comb and play through his thick hair.

It’s the first time in a long time that he could say he was overjoyed. 

So glad to have someone like Aria.

[indigoneutrino]

Coloured a couple of my Aria & Adam doodles.

[nessie665]

Text post meme: Erik and Christine edition 

A sewer goblin and his emotional support soprano 

[nofriendlyneighbour]

The Birthday Adventures of Lego Jensen (part 2 of 4)

Lego Jensen wants to impress Lego Argento with his teenage skating skills...

[trulycertain]

Oops, guess I wrote a little of that Adam/Aria genderswap AU I’d been playing with.

She just… looks a little lost, and Aria’s counter is one of the first stops once you get off the elevator. Sure. That’s why Aria calls out to the tall, dark figure who’s pausing to take in the busy office.

Never mind that this woman probably doesn’t do lost. Her stride is long, loping, the kind of confidence that comes with training and being used to carrying a ton of gear and assessing the hell out of a situation before you walk into it. Military, maybe, or police; in TF29, you’re usually one of the two. But police or military don’t usually dress like… that.

But still... Maybe it’s the hesitation, the tension in her shoulders; Aria can’t blame her, the place is chaotic right now, even more so than usual… Still, something makes Aria say, “Hey there. You looking for someone?”

The new arrival’s head turns, and a dark eyebrow rises from under… Huh. The height was the first thing Aria noticed, but the second thing is the shades. They shine dully under the flourescent lights. Shadows fall on sharp cheekbones and make her look… alien, almost. Expressionless.

Augmentations. Aria glances and sees gold knuckles, black shining hands. Like her. She guesses she won’t be alone anymore. But she’s just MEP, the kind of aug nearly everyone used to know before the Incident, and she’s looking at someone with what must be a full HUD in the shades and that too-smooth gait that speaks of leg augs. Those hands are unusual, too, she thinks, as the stranger gets closer. Sleek and beautiful, too beautiful to be Tai Yong. She thinks she sees the edge of a hacking node as a coatsleeve slides up.

Between those and the hair, tightly tied back or maybe slicked, the new agent looks severe, and that’s even before you get to the all-black and the pale skin, the faded scars on her cheek and jaw. Aria had to relearn to hold a weapon after the augs, but she didn’t become one. She’s not sure she can say the same about the woman in front of –

Oh. She realises she’s looking at a really new arrival. The one they’ve had all the briefs about. Sarif augs, Detroit, stealth missions.

Jensen crosses the floor, shining hands loosely at her side like she’s trying to project not a threat from space. She says, “Was told to head to the director’s office.” And there it is, the American accent. And a voice that sounds like she rolled out of bed and smoked sixty before coming into the office, like she's seen too much - or maybe like she's on the edge of a really dirty joke.

It goes down Aria’s spine a little, in a way she didn’t expect. She tries not to swallow. “Miller’s just upstairs. By counterterrorism. Sign’s on the door, can’t miss it.” She smiles, because it doesn’t cost her anything not to be a jerk to the new recruit who’s gonna have to run MacReady’s gauntlet soon enough anyhow. She doesn’t know what makes her say, “I could give you the tour. If you wanted. I don’t have much to do.”

“I don’t want to pull you away from your work,” Jensen says. It’s soft, thoughtful, more than expected for someone who looks like she could tear this whole place down in her sleep. The slightest pull at the corner of her mouth, a half-smile. Slow, and like she’s not used to giving it, but it changes the lines of her face, makes Aria look again and realise that those lips are softer than she realised. “But… thanks.” And it sounds like she really means it. “You’re the quartermaster, right?” That same hesitation, like it’s been a while. She’s heard this is the recruit who took down augmented mercenaries, but apparently small talk is a step too far.

“That’s me. Aria Argento.” She offers her natural hand across the counter, a habit she got into after she realised the aug one tends to make people uncomfortable.

Jensen takes it without hesitation. She must be used to it from the other side.  She gives it a firm shake. “Jensen.” She clears her throat, just a little; the hint of a headtilt before she pulls it back, like she might be berating herself for her own awkwardness. “Eve.”

Suddenly all that slow watching becomes, in Aria’s mind, less assessing arrogance and a lot more caution. “Nice to meet you.” She pauses, and then tries on, for size: “It’ll be nice to have someone else shiny round here.”

The hint of a laugh, rough and gentle, and a truer smile, a flash of sharp white teeth. Aria suddenly wishes she could see behind the damn shades; she gets the sense, looking at the lines round Jensen’s mouth, there’d be eye crinkles. Jensen says, “Was just thinking the same.” She half-raises a hand. “I’ll see you.”

And then it’s like the mask’s back on, long stride and straight back and just enough arrogance, and Aria’s watching the swish of that long, dark coat as Jensen heads to the stairs. She’s heard Jensen has a cloaking aug, but here, even with the analysts and the runners, even across the room, Jensen can’t quite disappear into the crowd.