The relief of taking off a cardamine-breather was almost as good as the liquor that was soon to follow. Malta's surface was more than a breath of fresh air to the old Sicario, his time away was much longer than expected - but not without a good reward. The TESLA guns remained secure in his hold, even what was left of the Legion's engineers weren't allowed to pry into it until he talked it over with Eliza.
Ezio headed over to the usual spot where the former group of Legionnaires would get together for occasions like this. The bar was welcoming, some of Malta's finest smugglers and aspiring pilots all hurdled together - a good place to celebrate a drink or blow off some steam. Ezio adjusted his fleece to fold over his gun just a bit better before sitting down, he looked around, taking in just how much quieter the place was with so few Legionnaires left lurking about. Before he could start to get lost in all the nostalgic thoughts though, Eliza had turned up in the bar. With every stride she took more people turned over and glanced at the Maltese woman, her hair was the same color as their lifeline - everyone wanted a piece.
No one would think to make a move though if she didn't shame them - Ezio would. "I think some of these guys are feeling brave, you'd better be careful." Ezio said as she got closer.
It had been quite a while since Eliza last visited this establishment, if this bar even deserved to be called an establishment. When the Legion was in its prime they used to gather here almost every week if not even more often, but now it was a rare sight to see a fellow Legionnaire. Going towards Ezio's table, she looked at the bartender and made a V symbol with her fingers signalling she will be needing 2 drinks for their table. Taking her seat across Ezio she exhibited a playful smirk before replying to his remark "Well I have Malta's best Sicario here to protect me, don't I?"
Valdez leaned forward with her elbows onto the table. Once upon a time the Maltese Legion was their most important responsibility. It was everything they worked for and towards. But now the Legion's colors was more a veteran badge of sorts, something each of them flashed proudly as they went on with their respective individual goals. "This place sure brings back memories, doesn't it?" she sighed with nostalgia before looking at Ezio to judge if he feels the same way.
Ezio leaned back in his chair, dropping his hands down on his lap. He took a breath, looking around as he did before speaking up. "I've lived a long life, there aren't a lot of things I think about. But this place, all of us... is one of them." He said, focusing his attention back on Eliza as he finished. Before he could think to say anything else the waiter arrived with their drinks, he wasted no time going for a taste of his own. "Some trip this one was, just when I think I've seen everything I'm still amazed at what I can find." Ezio picked up the glass one more time, finishing it as fast as it was poured in. "What about you, seen any life-altering things while I've been gone? The Dons changing their minds would probably be one." He said, sarcastically.
Eliza took her drink and gave it a shake, watching the liquid spiral along the walls of the glass. The last year for her was fairly unremarkable as she mostly tried to stay low on the universe's radar. Though that wanderlust that first made her reach for the stars had not died out completely just yet. She still had the chance to see what else Sirius might offer her way. "I found a Xeno capable of intelligent thought and even scheming." Eliza smiled and took a taste from her own drink before continuing. "Almost reminded me of a Hacker. He stirred a lot of mierda in Liberty just to try and get in on the Cardamine business." The woman paused again for a moment again, looking back at her drink. "Not sure it was 'life-altering', but it opened some interesting possibilities for the future." Her mind at the moment wasn't all that much interested in considering said possibilities. The bittersweet flavored nostalgia of what once was proved to be much more alluring food for the thought. The Outcast woman exhaled a sigh before looking back at Ezio. "I actually still keep in touch with old man Arturo 'Muerte' Sforza. I think Hugo Espada might still be around somewhere, not sure if he's still pulling active duty though."
"Espada's around, I've seen him with us outside Malta, might be enjoying his stay with the locals." Ezio said. The Legion's personnel count was low and scarce, there were likely dozens of other Legionnaires around - just probably in the wrong ends of Sirius. "You planning on making anything of this Xeno you've met? Sounds like he's hooked your attention." The Xenos had killed a few Maltesians and several of their allies, but it didn't really change his view on the situation. He believed in Malta's prosperity, anyone outside of Gamma was a potential buyer with enough leverage - or even the tiniest dose of their product.
The Maltese woman shrugged somewhat disinterestedly. "He seemed like the cutthroat opportunist type. Wants to get on the Cardamine business, because he knows that's where the real credits are." Eliza paused to shake her glass again before lifting it up for another small sip. The burning and sweet sensation of the alcohol was a nice one. Especially after a long flight. "I arranged a few shipments of Cardamine to end up on Pittsburgh during the huge hauls in Liberty a few weeks back. As a one time gig, at least for now. I want to see how capable he is at peddling it further down the line." Getting the Xenos hooked on Cardamine was probably going to take a lot more than that, but for her it was a good start. To test the waters at least. "But, yeah, nothing serious planned for now. Just poking him and seeing how he twitches." The woman took another much bigger sip before leaving what was left of her drink on the table.