Deadline edged closer by the hour. And they were going to make it, everybody could feel it, if they just made a final push.
His console chimed; he'd received a new message. It was cc'd to everybody across departments involved in the project, from Lead Engineer Beloxia.
"Victory will be ours. Prepare for the customary celebration 20 hours after finalization. Location details to follow."
Myrtus yawned. 20 hours. He could even sleep beforehand. He blinked when a crumpled paper cup flew over his cubicle. Daro, who was in the cubicle behind him, stood up, holding the wad of paper that had hit him on the head.
"Is this yours?" he asked Myrtus, mouth down turned even farther than usual.
"..."
"Daro," Veronica rounded the corner, moving quickly and keeping her head and voice low. "Get back down! Don't let Beloxia see you!"
"Yes, of course," Daro saw the merit in this, crouching.
"What's 'customary celebration'? We didn't do that on Noveria," Veronica quickly whispered.
"Turian practice," Daro's gaze flicked towards Myrtus. "Victory party. Food. Alcohol. Sometimes brawling. I prefer hors d'oeuvres myself. Don't particularly like any brawling."
"Oh, okay," Veronica nodded. "Is there any dancing? Is it here or someplace else?"
"There is dance music as part of the festivities. Beloxia tends to find outside venues with robust property insurance. As I've said. Brawling known to occur."
"Okay. Sounds great! And 20 hours is enough time to get ready," Veronica nodded to herself.
"You need 20 hours?" Daro blinked.
"Some of us haven't showered in days, you know," Veronica's mouth quirked. "And as comfy as this dress is-"
She was wearing a typical asari-styled maxi dress favored by interplanetary system company dress codes.
"I need to feel prettier when I get my groove on."
Daro shrugged.
"See you there?" Veronica looked at Myrtus.
"Customary celebrations are sort of mandatory," Myrtus replied.
"Have fun or else?" Veronica raised her brows.
Myrtus was in the middle of shaking his head, before realizing that she was joking.
"I'll be there," he said instead.
"Nice! I got to scoot!" Veronica went back to her cubicle.
tbc