S1E0 - Preparations To Launch

[Benjamin Street]

"I did indeed," Elena confirmed, gesturing toward the newcomer making his way over to where Ben was standing. "I believe you were expecting this dashing individual,"

Ben blinked. He looked at the man, looked back at Elena to tell her he had no idea who this man was, but before he could get the words out the man started speaking. Ben returned the mans handshake, wondering if his confusion was obvious or not.

"Mister Street." "Why I've just been hearing so much about you and this ship of yours, the dock workers were talking up a storm about it." "Me, I'm looking to venture out. Spent a long time dirtside and I'm just itching to stretch my space legs."

As the man spoke Ben shot Elena a couple looks. He could see the mischief in her eyes now, and the gears started turning.

"Now I know a smart guy like yourself has outsourced and filled up most essential positions on board, but I'm not adverse to starting at the bottom. I just ask for a bunk and enough money to get a square meal everyday and I'm happy to scrub floors, carry bags... blow on the wet laundry til it drys, basically I'm not one to shy away from hard work and I can promise you'd never hear a bad word about me on duty. Besides all that you can feel free to toss me off the deck next planet you hit if you're not happy, and I only propose that because I'm confident it won't happen. So if you happen to have any kind of vacancy on board I can save you the trouble of advertising because your guy is here."

So this was a test of some kind. Elena was testing him. On what though? His ability to evaluate and hire somebody? He knew they still had a position or two that was unfilled, but that didn't explain the mischief in Elena's eyes. Plus the man was talking to Ben like he had the power to hire him, which he didn't, that was-, and then it clicked. He knew what the mans last line would be a half second before the man actually spoke it.

"What do ya say captain?"

Ben shot Elena a look that said "I see what you're doing, and I hope you know I'm going to run with it". Then he inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, doing his best to look pensive.

"Well, we do have a position or two still available, and I see that you're willing to do any kind of work. Do you have a particular skill set as well Mr....?"

[Dash Winters]

"Winters." His answer was immediate. "Dash Winters." He smiled, feeling positive since he hadn't been ejected from the cargo hold.

"Well, I do have a trade or two in my arsenal. Mechanic for the most part. Served as head mechanic for a few years on a ship. Been on the ground a little more recently, I did a little security here and there." Dash started drumming up other professions and how apt they were for him. "Err, I can apply a plaster if need be." Doctor covered. "Very capable at pressing the autopilot button on a big ship like this." Pilot too. His eyes scanned the scene as he tried to come up with more roles he could fill, he had drawn a crowd of onlookers. "...secretary..." and all he was left thinking of after that was chef. "But keep me out of the kitchen, that's never ended well."

"Honestly though," and Dash did imbue his voice with sincerity. "I'm a hard worker and willing to do anything that the ship might require."

He looked around again, still trying to get a measure for what this ship was actually for. Well dressed crew, luxurious design. "Bartender? Waiter? Bellboy?" Cheery optimism held on his face as he enquired.

[Jesse Walker]

"Uh oh... I think Elena might be up to something down there. Shall we go and be nosy? Besides, I could probably stand to grab a breath of fresh air. I've been keeping myself on board since I got here and I might as well take the opportunity to get out while we're not working. Care to join me?"

Jesse grinned, it was a small comfort to know that the Captain had a sense of humor. It made her slightly less terrifying. She grinned at the doctor and nodded, "Nosy is my middle name, as you well know." She joked but it was still something she was ashamed of.  Jesse really couldn't apologize enough for her actions. She grabbed her coffee and nodded towards the door.

"Let's go see what all the hubub is about." Jesse and Brenna left the galley walked towards the cargo bay, eventually coming up on a bit of a gathering.  There were several new faces there, including her favorite XO and pilot.  Jesse sighed looking at him, eventually snapping her self out of the trance, only to find her eye drifting...everywhere,

"My my captain..." She looked around, developing a small swagger in her step with a smile on her lips, "What did you? Hire all the attractive men in the 'verse." She looked back at Brenna and raised a brow as if it say, aren't we lucky?

[OOC: Permission to control Brenna was granted.]

[Brenna Casey]

Coffee in hand, Brenna slowed her pace as they drew closer to the small group in the cargo hold. There was clearly mirth in Elena's eyes as she stood with a finely dressed gentleman who looked more than displeased with whatever was going on. So much so that Brenna inwardly began to worry about the man's blood pressure. To one side, there was Damien, finally aboard though his presence was slightly discomforting for the memories it revived. Everyone seemed to be focused on a new face, one she knew was not listed on the manifest, and Ben.

"My my captain... What did you? Hire all the attractive men in the 'verse."

The smile snuck up on her, spreading rapidly beyond her control and putting a light on her face and a small spark in her eyes. However the look from Jesse turned it into a full blown grin and a barely restrained laugh as she ran a finger into her hair above her ear and then tucked some of the thick locks behind her ear. A desperate attempt to rein in the smile was made, but it was far from successful. Giving up on trying to regain control, she turned slightly towards Jesse and made a feeble and mostly teasing 'shushing' gesture. She'd never openly admit it, but she couldn't really argue with Jesse's point. Elena had done well in her hiring, and not just for skill.

[Benjamin Street]

Ben listened to Dash list off skills and specialties, and found it difficult to keep a straight face. He also felt a little bad. The man was genuinely looking for a job and seemed very sincere, and here they were pulling a... joke? Prank? Either way Elena had started it though. And hopefully it would prove to be a harmless prank that ended up with the man being hired, if a little confused. Assuming he was indeed on the level, which Ben was thinking he was, as he didn't seem to know what the Allure's purpose actually was. Still, best to check.

Dash finished speaking and Ben was about to reply when he heard Jesse's voice from the direction of the stairs.

"My my captain... What did you? Hire all the attractive men in the 'verse."

Ben's head spun towards her, and he hastily said the first thing that came into his head. "Of course I did. Eye candy keeps the passengers happy don't you know." His face was safely turned away from Dash, which was good because Ben's expression scrunched into a wince at what he'd just said. He noticed Brenna standing next to Jesse, wearing a huge grin. He was happy to see her in a better mood, and wondered if Jesse had apologized successfully. There was time enough later to find out though. With effort he recomposed his features and gave the two women, and anyone standing behind him, a wink.

He turned back to Dash. "Well Mr. Winters, as I said, you are in luck. We have a few positions available." He half turned and beckoned Jesse over. "This is Miss Walker, our resident computer specialist. If you'll give her your information she'll run a standard background check. As I'm sure you are aware, this is a Companion Guild vessel, we cant let just anyone on board without a thorough check." His voice, speaking pattern, and posture were more formal than usual as he was unconsciously doing his best "Captain" impression.

[Dash Winters]

"My my captain... What did you? Hire all the attractive men in the 'verse."

One half of Dash's face broke into a open mouthed grin. He looked around and took in the men she was giving her assessment on. He had to admire her boldness as it came to speaking her mind. Come to think of it, the ship did seem to attract a certain calibre of people. Male and female alike were all easy on the eyes, and then the reason soon became clear.

"As I'm sure you are aware, this is a Companion Guild vessel, we cant let just anyone on board without a thorough check."

Dash raised his eyebrows and blinked a few times, but stopped short of cleaning his ears out to make sure he'd heard right. He had heard right. It all added up. Eye candy guys and a luxury ship. He'd stepped aboard quite the vessel.

"Yeah, of course." He feigned agreement and attempted to mask any further surprise. "Well I... Admittedly this would be a first for me but... I'm very open to new ideas. And I'd give it a hundred ten percent." He gave two thumbs up, still a little unsure how he felt about this but pushing through anyway. "That means I could pull back ten percent and I'd still be giving it my all." He winked.

Dash turned to take in the crowd that was gathering. "So everyone's a..."

He snapped back to attention, to address Jesse as she was summoned. "Yeah, gotta hit that attractive man quota right? Let's get to it." He continued to smirk happily as the captain seemed to be welcoming him aboard.

[Jesse]

Jesse grinned back at Brenna, who was attempting to compose her self.  She was glad to see the doctor could crack a smile.

"This is Miss Walker, our resident computer specialist. If you'll give her your information she'll run a standard background check. As I'm sure you are aware, this is a Companion Guild vessel, we cant let just anyone on board without a thorough check."

Her head snapped back to the sound of Ben's voice, she sauntered up to the 'captain' and gave him that smile, "Anything for you, sir." She smirked and gave him a wink, the word sir having a certain inflection to it.  She nodded in acknowledgement toward's Dash, "And don't worry, my investigation won't be nearly as intrusive as the doctor's," She looked back at Brenna, "She loves getting into all the nooks and cranny's."

Jesse took a sip of her coffee while eyeing Dash, her head cocked to one side, though she nearly choked on it in response to his quesiton,

"Yeah, of course. Well I... Admittedly this would be a first for me but... I'm very open to new ideas. And I'd give it a hundred ten percent. That means I could pull back ten percent and I'd still be giving it my all. So everyone's a..."

"No, no, no, I'm flattered, but no. I'm uhm.  I don't do that....I just, the computers. I work on the computers...and dig into your past." Her face began to flush as she wiped the dripping coffee from her face. Not a lot caught Jesse off guard but that question certainly did. It gave the new comer a winning tally in her books.

"Let's get that background check going shall we?" In a desperate attempt to change the subject, Jesse began a high level search on Dash's background.

[Riggs]

Damien was struggling to keep from smiling as the back and forth continued. Before Walker could whisk Dash away Damien stepped up. "Well Captain, if you beg my pardon...I can always use the extra help in the kitchen, there are plenty of potatoes that need peeling." The cook looked to Dash..."And don't worry none, not much can go wrong peeling tators."

[Brenna Casey]

Brenna pressed her lips together, biting down on the inside of them in another desperate attempt to control a laugh and the smile she was so unused to wearing around so many people she barely new. Inhaling deeply through her nose, she half turned as Jesse was called forward by Ben to do a background search. With her face turned away from the situation, she finally began to get a grasp of her composure enough to take a drink of her coffee as a means to further hide the smile.

"And don't worry, my investigation won't be nearly as intrusive as the doctor's. She loves getting into all the nooks and cranny's."

An audible gasp was made louder to her ears as the mug in her hands amplified the sound back to her own ears. Never once in her entire life had Brenna ever felt a warmth creep across her face as swiftly as it was doing now. In fact, she was certain she had gone completely red faced in an instant. Lips remained parted in her shock as her head turned slowly, but not fully, back towards Jesse and the others. With blue eyes wide in disbelief and pale features tinged pink with the absolute mortification at the very notion of what Jesse had suggested. The mug in her hand still hung near where it had stopped abruptly. And then Jesse got a taste of her own medicine.

Dash turned to take in the crowd that was gathering. "So everyone's a..."

Momentarily relieved of the direct attention of the possible 'intrusive' medical check, Brenna blew out a breath and put her attention on her coffee. With comments like that out of Jesse, Brenna decided that the next few days were going to be rather uncomfortable for her, even once the revelation that there would be a far less drastic medical check. After taking her sip, she reached up and rubbed at her forehead, hoping the warmth in her face would start to fade soon.

[Dash Winters]

Dash's head cocked to the side like a curious dog as coffee ran down Jesse's chin. He was too uninformed to understand the reason for it though.

Dash leaned over Jesse's device a little, just to help her and monitor spelling unless she pulled the unit away. "Dashiell Samuel Winters." He was ready to spell anything she wasn't confident on. "16.03.2490. Pisces." That should narrow her down to his identity. "Want me to pull the same face I did for the ID shoot?" He smirked, he was a little hungover that day.

He turned to Riggs. "Like I said, if I so much as look at a kitchen everyone'll probably end up with a stomach bug." Then to Brenna. "And it sounds like that one visit to the doctors office will be enough to me." He was very understanding though. In this line of work everything had to be thoroughly checked. "You'll be gentle right?"

[Jesse]

Jesse nodded going to work on Dash's history, her lips pursed in concentration.  He provided his birthday but that wasn't necessary, she had already found him. Sad story, dead parents, "Adopted..." She muttered under her breath her fingers clicking away rapidly. "Drugs? Naughty boy..." She looked up and grinned at him with a wink, fully knowing he wasn't the one who was arrested, "Seems you're a law abiding citizen though...and it seems you have affinity for engines.." She looked him over, "No scary dead bodies though." She nodded at Benji in approval.

"You'll be gentle right?"

She grinned and looked back at Brenna, "Oh she's the gentlest," Bringing her attention back to Dash, "The softest hands." She smiled and gave a quick wave of the hand.

[Maxell Graves]

Unsure of Elena's motives at first, Maxell quietly complied with his Captain's command to hold. The Major eyed the arriving crew with scrutiny, though not with half as much disdain as he reserved for the motormouth swindler who'd stumbled into the dock. Whoever Elena put in charge of security needed a reprimand, but Maxell knew his place.

Standing in loosely reserved silence, save for the occasional grunt, growl, and audible grinding of teeth, Graves took the opportunity to study the crew's interactions in an effort to glean each member's assigned responsibilities on board. While the women that arrived bore a measure of beauty, they lacked the practiced grace and refined speech of a properly trained Companion such as Elena. "Medic. Looks familiar. Probably served. Hrrrm. Technician. Cortex crawler. Surprised she looks like she's seen the sunlight before. That one. Chef? My wide and considerable pigu. Met enough Operatives in my time. Tators is probably code for somethin'... And this one." Maxell's eyes narrowed to thin slits as his gaze centered on "Captain" Street. "The lady's second? Seems quick enough on the uptake. We'll see if-"

Dash turned to take in the crowd that was gathering. "So everyone's a..."

A vein appeared and pulsed over Maxell's brow. Who was this uncultured swine to assume this confederacy of adequacy to a roster of trained and licensed Companions? He moved to eject Winters from the hold himself, since Street seemed too entertained by the bumpkin's tomfoolery, but stayed himself after a half step forward. Elena's hand gripped a bit more tightly around his bicep, stilling his advance.

[Elena]

During the entirety of the conversation, Elena watched in amused silence, her arms still around one of Maxell's. Whether or not it was out of comfort alone or some gentle attempt to keep him from murdering everyone in the hold was unclear. Her attention slid idly in the direction of Jesse and Brenna's arrival, one brow rising very slowly at her choice in companionship.

"What did you do? Hire all the attractive men in the 'verse?" Jesse asked. Saying nothing response, Elena leveled a stare at the hacker for a couple silent seconds before Dash and Ben once more monopolized her attention. For the sake of her game, she did not respond to the inquiry, although she was quite pleased with Ben's response.

"Well I... Admittedly this would be a first for me but... I'm very open to new ideas. And I'd give it a hundred ten percent," Dash assured the 'Captain'.

The Captain faltered a moment before she turned her face away toward Max, her forehead very gently resting against his shoulder as she attempted to stop the startled laughter that threatened to bubble up through her lips. Had this man just offered to try to be a Companion? She might have hired him for that alone.

When she'd composed herself, Elena offered Max's arm another gentle pat and winked to assure him all was well, feeling him begin to move forward after the hapless Dash dared to insinuate that the assembled crew were Companions.

Despite that blunder, this Mister Winters was quite the renaissance man and the crew seemed to have taken to him easily. Well, most of them. Even Damien was offering to help him find a place on board. This bode well for the man's chances of being hired. He brought a sweet and earnest energy to the ship that she couldn't ignore.

Brenna's mortification wasn't lost on the Companion and she made a mental note to try to get to her before she could lock herself up in her room. Perhaps she'd bring her something nice to decorate her room with, or have Damien bake up something sweet to snack on. Remembering something, she made eye contact with the kitchen assistant the Guild had sent in who had most likely gotten stuck in the cargo hold when the group formed. She raised her brows and pointed in Brenna's direction, hoping he'd understand that she was the letter's recipient.

Once Jesse confirmed that the man had passed the background check and didn't seem to be the type to murder them all in their sleep, Elena moved forward with Max in tow, although she tried to make sure he didn't get too close to the newcomer. She didn't want him to try to bite his face off, after all, and he did seem like he wanted to. Her gaze moved over Dash's face, then down to his feet, and back up again, thinking things over, her expression an interesting mixture of stern professionalism and easy laughter.

Inhaling slowly, Elena moved her attention back to Ben, "If you wouldn't mind, I'd like you to wait here for the last few to board and lock up once they're on," she asked. They were still waiting on a couple people but she knew her XO could handle it. She needed to get ready for her Captain's speech later, and she needed to add this new crew mate to their manifest.

Vivid cobalt eyes settled upon Dash once more, "And...welcome to The Allure, Mister Winters, I'm sure you'll make an excellent mechanic," she told him. She'd have his paperwork and documentation in order before the speech. "There is a dedicated work room for you to use and you will be assigned a bunk. I hope that you enjoy your time with us."

With another smile in Ben's direction, Elena moved to head deeper into the ship, making sure Max came with her. After all, he had a lot of work to do as well, setting up and protecting his collection and she was fairly certain that if she left him here, he'd set to skinning everyone present. As she passed Brenna, the Companion reached her hand out to gently set her fingertips on the Doctor's forearm, a smile and a 'sorry' apparent on her face.

[Dash Winters]

"Mechanic." He nodded, his mind not quite in the right space at the moment. "Is that like an insider term? Like we work with people?" Dash was too deep in an image in his head to escape it. He was imagining a companions 'work room' and what surprises that might hold. After a thorough investigation he might be able to make this work. A for effort at least. "Like we fix people... no, we mend them. Or we help them run better, we make them run." He continued to try and decipher the metaphor. "Because in many way a person is like well oiled machine..."

Then the cracks started to appear. Some red faces, some tight lips.

He conceded a smile, slight embarrassment on his face. "Mechanic means mechanic doesn't it. You weren't..." Dash looked to the floor briefly before embracing his display and looking back up. He held up a hand, admitting defeat to those present as he turned to face them all. "Thank you. Thanks for joining me on that ride." He looked to Brenna. "You can keep those hands clean doc."

He settled on Captain Street again. "So I'm in, right? Mechanic. Tend to the engines, not the clients." He held a tight smile.

[Benjamin Street]

As events unfolded around him Ben found it harder and harder to maintain a straight face. When Jesse commented about nooks and crannies Ben nearly broke. When she mentioned Brenna having "the softest hands" a little laugh slipped out, but he did a good job of turning it into a cough, he didn't think anyone noticed. He was definitely going to owe Brenna a drink after this. Or three or four. And Jesse had earned a drink too after that performance.

Finally Elena seemed to have had enough of her game and moved forward, Max in tow. She looked to him and spoke.

"If you wouldn't mind, I'd like you to wait here for the last few to board and lock up once they're on,"

He let the mirth free and his lopsided grin spread across his face. "Sure thing." He said, chuckling. Elena moved off towards the stairs, still with Max in tow.

Then Dash turned to him and spoke.

"So I'm in, right? Mechanic. Tend to the engines, not the clients."

Had he not...? No... really? Ben just shook his head and chuckled. Then realized how the motion of his head might be interpreted and nodded. "Yes. You're in. My, uh, XO, Miss Elena will get all the paperwork filed. Engine room is top deck, all the way aft, if you want to familiarize yourself with it now. Or you can wait til we get you a room. Either way, welcome aboard The Allure." There was definitely mirth in his voice.

Ben moved a few steps away and took a seat on a convenient crate to await any more crew that would show up, or to converse with anyone who chose to stay near the cargo bay ramp.

[Jesse Walker]

Jesse maintained a straight face best she could throughout the conversation, but Ben and Elena didn't seem to tell poor Dash that she was the captain. How long was this joke going to run for?

She followed Ben over to the crate and found one near by to sit on. She took a small sip of her coffee and looked down the ramp, still fearful of the cameras she turned her head away and look back towards the XO,

"I apologized...and you're right...and I'm sorry, for disappointing you...if I did." Jesse took another sip of the coffee wishing to erase her morning discretions.

"You know if you were captain, then we could call you captain hot pants." She spoke in a low voice to prevent others from hearing, as to  not ruin the on going joke. She grinned up at him, the man obviously knew he was attractive,  and she appreciated his confidence and honesty about pretty much everything.

"Suppose I owe Brenna another apology after that....it was well worth it though.

[Benjamin Street]

Ben watched Jesse as she came and sat near him. She looked outside for a moment and then turned back to him. There was something in the way she had turned away from the outside world... but he wasn't sure what it was.

"I apologized...and you're right...and I'm sorry, for disappointing you...if I did."

He kept his face pensive, with a hint of a smile, and stayed silent. Jesse took a sip of coffee and then continued.

"You know if you were captain, then we could call you captain hot pants."

At this Ben burst out laughing, a genuine, full laugh that echoed a little bit in the cargo bay. He grinned at her, his face all amusement and mirth now.

"Suppose I owe Brenna another apology after that....it was well worth it though."

This brought forth a quiet chuckle. When he spoke he matched her quiet tone. "Yeah, I think you probably do. Pretty sure I owe her a drink or two as well for participating. Owe you one too for those... absolutely brilliant lines." He chuckled again.

"And hey, you and I are good. You apologized, which I guess went well? You two seemed pretty friendly when you came down here. And I know you didn't mean any harm by what you did." He said, honestly. He did genuinely did like the woman, in spite of the fact that he still felt there was something she was hiding.

[Brenna Casey]

As the attention had continued to shift between herself and the new crew member, Brenna gave up entirely on the blush ever fading from her face. True, she'd been told before she had gentle hands as a doctor, but it had never been coupled with the context that had been painted over the words by the newcomer and Jesse. Turning fully away from the group, her face was buried in her free hand and she began to wish she could simply melt into the floor or fade away entirely. It was a touch on her forearm that briefly brought Brenna's face from behind her hand with a high amount of trepidation. Finding it was Elena and her highly agitated friend, Brenna recognized the apology in her captain's face and returned the look with one that was very clearly a 'why did I agree to this' expression. Elena and company moved on and, unluckily for Brenna, blocked the stairs and her means to exit the situation to her room.

Now, Brenna was trapped in the cargo hold. She wasn't about to rush past Elena and company up the stairs in a bid to get to her room and between Brenna and the cargo hold door stood... everyone else. Sighing softly, she rubbed at her face and stared down at the cup in her hand. All her life, she'd been so uncomfortable when dragged into spots of attention and she could never really pinpoint why. At least in her profession, she could hide behind the mask of doctor and simply say she as doing her job. On a personal level, all she could do was squirm internally with the discomfort and find a way to slip away as unnoticed as possible. Neither was currently an option.

Instead, Brenna looked in front of her and made her way towards the stairs, but with those still blocked she opted to stand against the wall next to them. Maybe if she listened, she'd be able to tell when Elena and her friend were clear of the stairs. In the meantime, she leaned against the wall barely looking up as she tried to regain some modicum of control over the warmth in her cheeks and desperately avoid any eye contact until she'd managed it.

[Riggs]

"Yes. You're in. My, uh, XO, Miss Elena will get all the paperwork filed. Engine room is top deck, all the way aft, if you want to familiarize yourself with it now. Or you can wait til we get you a room. Either way, welcome aboard The Allure."


Damien moved toward Dash to offer his welcome as well. "Congrats Mister Winters, you've gone from potato peeler to mechanic in a matter of seconds, good show and welcome to the Allure. Name is Damien Riggs, Allure's newly appointed Sous Chef." He offered the newcomer a hardy handshake. "See you at the chow line then...and good luck."

[Jesse Walker]

"Yeah, I think you probably do. Pretty sure I owe her a drink or two as well for participating. Owe you one too for those... absolutely brilliant lines." He chuckled again.

Jesse smiled up at Ben blushing slightly, it was hard not to with him.  "I couldn't possibly know what you're talking about."  She took another sip of her coffee looking away trying to compose herself.

"And hey, you and I are good. You apologized, which I guess went well? You two seemed pretty friendly when you came down here. And I know you didn't mean any harm by what you did.

It was good to know he was no longer upset with her, it really did kill Jesse.  For whatever reason, and Brenna was her friend.  Speaking of which, she looked over toward the doctor who made her way toward the stairs but hadn't made it out of the cargo bay.  Jesse couldn't but help feel slightly guilty about what had happened, she looked over at Ben with a guilty look and sighed, "I'll be right back." She put down her coffee on crate and walked over to Brenna,

"I realize my sense of humor is over exuberant at times, " She spoke in a low voice, "But it really wasn't meant to embarrass you and I am so so sorry...Please don't hate me." She looked up at Brenna with a pleading smile.