Repossession Mambo: NEWHALL

Started by Jax, September 30, 2018, 04:44:53 PM

Jax

September 30, 2018, 04:44:53 PM Last Edit: September 30, 2018, 04:52:18 PM by Jax

Newhall is a newly terraformed planet with large oceans. Stands to reason that water is the planet's primary commodity. Newhall's people live on small island chains or on floating stations on the oceans.

Those of Newhall who don't want to work the water plants can make a good living fishing. And there's always the tourist centers, for those who like to swim and cavort - or those who want to tend to those who do.

Heraklion is the third largest floating city on Newhall. It is a ten kilometer size disc anchored to the seabed in a slight southern latitude affording it a warmer climate. Aside from it's architecturally renowned towering structures above, it also boasts of twenty levels below the water line.

The spaceport is located in the central portion of the city, one of the finest destinations for travelers. Vacationers, business folk or those seeking employment on a new world will find a wonderous state of the art facility. 

Rolemancer

September 30, 2018, 05:02:44 PM #1 Last Edit: September 30, 2018, 05:10:25 PM by Rolemancer
[Heraklion City - Newhall]

It is just a few minutes before noon local time and Jonathan Harris Aerglo Station is bustling as expected. Ships arriving and departing around the clock with tourists, workers and goods. The main concourse is filled with lost travelers and luggage and those looking for a meal to break their ship born fasts. Shops abound with products from around the Verse that would please the most discerning customer.

Octavia Wynn

September 30, 2018, 06:05:34 PM #2 Last Edit: September 30, 2018, 07:24:57 PM by Octavia Wynn
Octavia had about given up on Captain Xavier and was drafting a post to charter a different small vessel, considering her requirements for travel if she was going to go through all the trouble of chartering a vessel just for this trip. The Rosey's had been ready to depart since their transference of tickets, but were kindly waiting for Octavia to get her ship together. Two days after her original message, she received a wave from Xavier.

[[[Good day Ms Wynn, sorry for the delayed response. We can absolutely help you out with your travel needs. We have just departed Greenleaf Station headed to Newhall forthwith. Look forward to seeing you soon. Captain Xavier]]]

She told her friends about the reply and the decided to spend the intervening time shopping for something to wear for the wedding. They were quite better at this than Octavia. She simply would have purchased the first nice dress she found. Alice and Alex, however, spoke of "Statement" and "Grandeur" and other words she imagined as capitalized.

Alice lamented that there was not time to have a bespoke dress designed and made before the wedding but she was happy to settle with buying something already made and customizing it. It felt like years of shop after shop of looking but the trio finally found a wonderful peacock blue dress that did not clash horribly with Octavia's red hair. There was some argument when Octavia insisted on a mid-sized handbag but her ultimatum of bag no dress got that issue sorted.

Shortly after finding the dress she stood, outrageously bored, in the tailor's having it altered. Alice instructed the cutting out of the back of the dress, then Alex jumped in and added cutouts to the waist. "It's a wedding – be a little sexy," he explained. The tailor offered a jeweled belt to complete the look.
When the Rosey's stepped out Octavia took her chance to add her own touch to the dress.

"Sir?" she asked nervously, "I'd like an accessory to these specifications..."

Akhsar King

October 03, 2018, 06:23:24 PM #3 Last Edit: October 03, 2018, 06:25:21 PM by Akhsar King
Kings stay on Greenleaf Skyplex had so far been eventful, if fruitless. He had tracked Charity here, and he was reasonably sure she was still here. He only had a couple places left to check, and someone had even mentioned seeing a woman matching her description. He was on his way back down to the docks when he ran into the crowed. An inquiry of the men on the edge informed him that there was some kinda huge bar brawl going on. Someone had even knocked out some of the local law.

King sighed. The bar was 2nd on his list of places to check. He muscled his way through the crowd, but by the time he actually reached the bar it was clear that it was all over and done with. He craned his neck and looked around, quickly spotting what he was looking for. There were several cameras facing the area. Gotcha. He thought with a smile.

---

"Whaddya mean there's no footage? There's gotta be 3 or 4 cameras with a view of that bars door, or the surrounding area." The tech shrugged. "I dunno what to tell you man. Our systems been janky like this for a couple hours now. Buncha footage just gone. Law thinks it was whoever started that bar brawl but they aint got no evidence or nothin."

King chewed on his lower lip, and made a noise somewhere between a grunt and a growl. "Footage of the docks?" "All there but one section, which is probably the section you want eh?" King sighed. "You got a record of what ships were docked?" The tech grinned. "Sure, but that'll be extra." King sighed again, pulled out a roll of bills, and peeled off 4 of them. He held the bills up. The tech tapped away on his console for a minute and then leaned back so King could read and copy down what was on the screen. When King was done he dropped the bills in the mans lap. "Pleasure doin business with you" He said as he left.

---

The list of ships had gotten him nowhere, they all checked out and most had either been here to long, or gotten in after he had. So now King was in a dimly lit room sitting across from a very large gentleman with fists the size of hams. The mans arms were crossed and he didn't look to pleased. "Alright, one more time. You were minding your own business, having a drink. You went to pay, and some dandy had put his drinks on your dab." Ham Fists nodded. "Alright. So you confronted the guy, as any man would, and kindly asked him to pay." Another nod. "And then the dandy attacked you." Another nod. King sighed. "And you're sure you remember the woman? With the crazy fancy dress? This woman?" The big man leaned forward and studied the picture. "Yeah. I'm sure. Different dress, but that's her."

King looked at the man, trying to decide if he was being truthful. "And you're sure they got on this ship? The Wushu?" Ham Fists nodded again. "Bor was out in the crowd, followed the dandy punk when he ran. Saw the woman and him both get on that ship." King squinted. "And is Bor sure that's the girl? Since he isn't here to ask." Ham fists just nodded again, like it was a stupid question. "Of course he's sure. When is the last time YOU saw a woman like that? You'd remember too." King cocked his head to the side, thought for a moment, and then nodded to concede the point.

He pulled up the list of ships and scrolled through it. Wushu. "Well, thanks for the info." King got up to leave. "No problem, thanks for getting me out of the slam." King turned and gave the man a smile, and in a perfectly deadpan friendly tone said, "No worries. Besides, if I find out you lied to me I'll put you right back where I found you."

---

The computer tech grinned as King walked into the room, obviously anticipating more money was about to make its way into his hands. "Back again?" King glowered at the man. "I just came from the Docks, empty birth where the ship I'm lookin for should be. Ship by the name of Wushu. Need to know when they left and where they were bound." He said, preemptively holding up another set of bills. The tech grinned a little wider and typed away for a solid minute. As the seconds ticked by his grin slowly faded. "Wushu... you sure that's the ship?" King frowned. "Yep. Wushu. Bay 17." The tech typed away again for a full 2 minutes. "Yeah, nope. No record of a Wushu. And Bay 17 has been empty for... over a week it looks like."

King blinked. The gears of his mind whirring and clicking. Well either Ham Fists was dumber than he looked and had lied to him... or someone on the Wushu was real good with computers. He dropped the bills into the techs hand and left without a word.

---

It took him a another hour and another set of bills, this time to an air traffic control officer to get a line on Wushu. An incoming flight plan to Newhall. It took another 30 minutes to find a captain willing to hard burn all the way there, as long as he was paid triple the cost of the fuel burn plus the normal passenger rate. King agreed, and now here he was. Strapped in for a, relatively speaking, short trip at hard burn.

---

He managed some sleep during the flight, but now he was wide awake. His chartered ship was only a short while out from Newhall, and was set to touch down only a few minutes after the Wushu.
Dialogue Color: Olivedrab

Grace Halladay

Much had happened in such a brief time in the galley and it was all quite distressing.  After Amorru received a slightly overboard but nonetheless deserved punch to the face he fell on top of Charity and created some serious paperwork for the sawbones.  Not long after Amorru and Charity hit the floor a thud could be heard outside the galley and Emit was found to be unconscious as well.

It was time to get to work.

Grace rolled up her sleeves and instructed where she wanted everyone, Charity who seemed to only suffer from another fainting spell was placed in a chair in the corner.  It didn't look at all comfortable so she retrieved some of the posh girls luxuries from her bunk to make her rest more comfortable.  She would need to see if there was a medical reason for this consistent fainting but it wasn't an immediate priority.  Emit however was more of a concern as she picked up the bottle of pills he'd seemingly been taking, she recognized the medication and would need to address it with Emit due to the severity of taking such high dosages as her toxicology reports suggested he'd been taking.  This was a more long term problem that would require a daily check in.  She hadn't realized he'd still been medicating so heavily and it disappointed her that he hadn't confessed to her sooner.  After all he had done for her and he didn't trust her enough to tell her how dire his situation still was.  She felt ashamed in equal parts though that she hadn't detected it.

Then there was Amy... Amorru while she couldn't deny he had it coming she knew him well enough to know his nose was a central figure in his facial visage literally and psychologically.  She would need to attend to him quickly to make sure his nose was restored as best as possible, even if there was a guilty and ashamed part of her that wanted him to have a defect.  She brushed that devil off her shoulder and went to work, if she was a larger and tougher woman she'd confront Abigail on such a reckless assault but settled for doing what she could to rectify it.  Besides she kinda wanted to high five her.  She re-set his nose using two cotton swabs to keep the bleeding at bay and make sure she had set it evenly giving him the best chance at recovering without noticeable long term derangement.

This was going to be a lot of paperwork.  As she went about her tasks she had been taking notes on the costs involved so she could make a full report to the captain.  As she checked Emit's vitals Amy began rummaging through her supplies, at least the ones that weren't locked up.  He requested anti-inflammatory medication but as she tried to explain why it wasn't required he left, clearly frustrated with her and a pang of their past relationship reminded her that he had little time for her technical explanations.  Charity too soon left after thanking Grace who gave her a slight smile bordering on awkward in response as she tended to Emit.

She had now compiled all the costs from the miniscule cotton swabs to the IV fluids and prepared the report for the Captain.  Inside she was a bit afraid to approach the man who had shattered some mugs in frustration with his crew but felt she also owed him an explanation.  Tracking him down he was storming away from the bay doors.

"Captain.  If you have a moment I've prepared a cost report for the crews... mishap today.  Also..."  She had to take a deep breath as she trailed behind the man who seemed preoccupied.  No sign of Abigail.

"Sir.  I have a... a confession.  This isn't the first time I've worked with Amy... I mean Mr. Reyes.  We used to be... I guess a thing.  On another ship.  I'm sorry I should have told you up front.  I... I'm not really good with social interactions in general and I.... I didn't really know what to do.  I understand if this conflict of interest requires me to leave your employ."

Charity

October 22, 2018, 08:52:11 PM #5 Last Edit: October 22, 2018, 08:55:24 PM by Lomari
[Excerpts brought over from Reposession Mambo thread]

Any tasks the Captain would assign either the women currently occupying the bridge were completed by the time Amorru brought the ship into Heraklion's spaceport dock at their assigned berth. The boarding ramp lowered to cover the "45" emblazoned upon the metal slab as those who chose to disembark to greet the new additions gathered far below Amorru's place in the bridge.

"She's leaving the ship!?" Jax burst from the room to find her, his search leading to the cargo hold and the open ramp. Abigail had already exited the ship and he could see her walking away. "Abigail! ....Come Back!" It was deja vu all over again, how many times had she left him now....he'd lost count. In the end it was his pride that kept him from running down the ramp and fetching her back, he just turned and walked back up into his ship.


-----

After speaking with the Captain prior to landing, Charity had milled about the ship, toying with the idea of wandering into Amorru's room while he was busy piloting and while everyone else was working on their assigned tasks but she'd been unable to work up the nerve. She'd have to wait for another opportunity to find out the pilot's secrets. Her hand patted the hidden pocket in the many layers of skirts as she walked aimlessly. She had managed to walk into her room to spruce up and pick up a black lace umbrella for their shopping trip later, the hook of it hanging in the crook of her arm.

They'd just touched down and she might have gone to see what the pilot was up to when she saw Jax run past her looking more than a little distressed. He seemed to have a look of horror, heartbreak, and desperation written plain as day across his face and the aristocrat simply couldn't resist something that juicy. Turning on her heel, the woman click clacked in as hurried a pace as she'd dare in the direction of the bridge. With two bundles of her skirt in her hands, Charity ascended the stairs and looked in at Reyes, "Amorru, I think something interesting is happening. The Captain's on his way through the ship looking like he's about to cry. Would you like to come see what's going on with me?" she asked sweetly, raising her brows and gesturing out of the cockpit with an open hand.

Not waiting too long for his answer, Charity turned and made her way back down the steps before sashaying her way through the corridors and in the direction of the cargo bay. By the time she finally arrived, she'd missed his cries shouted at the back of the retreating XO, but did manage to get there in time to see Grace speaking with the Captain.

"Sir.  I have a... a confession.  This isn't the first time I've worked with Amy... I mean Mr. Reyes.  We used to be... I guess a thing.  On another ship.  I'm sorry I should have told you up front.  I... I'm not really good with social interactions in general and I.... I didn't really know what to do.  I understand if this conflict of interest requires me to leave your employ," their resident healer confessed.

Laughing musically, Charity approached and slipped her arms around one of the Doctor's, leaning into her warmly and showering her with the glimmering glow of her smile. "Oh, Grace! I'm sure 'Amy's slept with half the 'Verse! If everyone had to leave every ship he's been on due to a conflict of interest, no one would have a job!" she comforted the sawbones, winking and resting her cheek on the woman's shoulder for a moment before straightening again. "Don't you think so, Captain?" she asked agreeably, beaming up at the man whose inner turmoil he wore right there on his sleeve. Still, Charity had missed the meat of his sad story, unfortunately.

Releasing Grace's arm, the debutante ran her hands over the front of her skirts to smooth it out before reaching back to make sure the ornate, disgustingly expensive hairpin was still holding back the top layer of her thick chocolate curls. Moving away from the pair, Charity looked out at the docks and sighed a little. It sure wasn't home but she supposed it wasn't terrible. "How many dresses and suits would you like Amy and I to pick up, Captain?" she asked, looking back at him over her shoulder with an alluring grin. She did so enjoy shopping.
Dialogue Color: AntiqueWhite

Artemis Graham

Artemis was grumpy. She'd spent the last few days feeling like every conversation on the ship she entered was abruptly terminated the moment she opened her mouth. It was hard to not take it personally and she was still racking her brains as to the why of it all. She may not be warm and fuzzy but she was a pretty decent conversationalist. Knowing that they would be picking up at least one passenger at their latest destination, Artemis actually made an effort in her appearance, practiced smiling warmly in the mirror (she was capable) and ambled out towards the Cargo Bay. Greeting new ship members was basically unheard of for her but it was a worthy experiment if it meant she may finally have someone to talk to.

As she arrived at her destination she was faced with an odd collection of shipmates. Grace, usually calm and put together, was looking flustered and embarrassed. Jax, usually imposing and intimidating was looking frightened and small. Charity looked...well, exactly as she always did. Art couldn't hear what they were saying until she got closer but the way the other woman ducked and pranced around the group demonstrated she was up to some sort of mischief. Charity was a difficulty. She seemed all sugar and spice but Art smelled trouble all over her. Not that she minded trouble. It all depended on the type.

Reaching the group just in time for Charity's last statement, Artemis raised an eyebrow. "I'm impressed you trust Ammorru with such a delicate task, Captain. Does he have your measurements?" Reyes may be a snappy dresser but by her estimations he was also likely to dress Jax in something pink and frilly just for the hell of it. Although Charity could probably be trusted to avert such disaster...probably.

"Mind if I tag along?" The words tumbled out of her mouth and she had no idea where they came from. Granted, Artemis knew her share about the topic and had particular tastes if any purchasing was to be made on her behalf. Still, crashing Reyes and Charity's date, showing interest in Core fashion and engaging in general small talk were not things she generally enjoyed. She really was desperate for conversation. "If I'm not needed elsewhere that is," she added, already half looking for an exit strategy.

Sionnach

Sean left with Jolene busily hacking away at some firewall or some sort of intrusion countermeasure or something equally over his head on her computer.

As it was he wasn't "doing his job" enough...not that he had any real intention of doing what the Moda wanted him too anyway...these people certainly seemed completely earnest in completing the task they had before him and Mother Finnegan's favorite boy was of a mind to help them, not sell them out.  Not that any of them except Jo was likely to believe him. Also not that he overly cared what they thought.  Still it paid to know what was going on in any event.

He sauntered around the corridors until he found the less than happy looking Captain as several other ladies from the crew were meandering about the cargo hold.

"Anything I can do t' be of service to ye and ye're endeavors good Captain?"

It was also probably time to let Jax in on one of his secrets, though not to advertise it out loud.  He offered the man a swig of his flask, which smelled and tasted like whisky but had none of the effects...no "burn" going down, no heady or euphoric feeling.

"Seems like you might could use a drop of the good stuff, if ye don't mind me sayin'.  Also might help us know where we stand like."

Amorru Reyes

Hands between his legs, Amorru sighed in contentment as he handled the stick. Wushu's manual control column actually more closely resembled a yoke, but Reyes always preferred the implied euphemism. The pilot jumped as if caught in the middle of something else entirely as Charity once again entered the bridge, looking back to find a delighted smile brightening her face. Amorru smiled back, the slightest blush reddening his cheeks as she invited him along to partake in the Captain's misery. The rakish pilot began to suspect that particular smile upon Charity's face and the honeyed tone with which she spoke hid a more malicious nature, but he considered briefly that he may just be salty. Still, he couldn't pass up the opportunity to watch Jax cry. "Shiny." he replied, turning back to the controls, flipping the wheel upside down and pushing it back into its housing before rising from the seat. "Just let us freshen up." Reyes slid his arms into the opposite sleeves of his garish kimono as he turned toward the Dutchess, finding she's slipped away from him yet again. "Figures." Shaking his head with a 'tsk', Amorru left the bridge for his bunk.

============================

Punch drunk eyes stared back at Amorru Reyes as he gazed into a mirror in the public water closet off the commons area, scrutinizing Grace's handiwork. "Hmph. Figure I've seen uglier breaks. Not on my own face, right? Still, the Doc could've done a far worse job. Figure she's still carryin' a candle after all? Like as not, she just likes doin' her job." Amorru exhaled, a "p'feh" sound echoing slightly in the absence of the engines' seemingly constant thrum. He imagined that racket must be like music to Artemis's ears, but he couldn't for the life of him fathom how one might go about dancing to it. "Still. Figure she could find a way."

Amorru lifted the dark visor over his face once more, scowling at first before forcing a confident, laid back look. Better to make it appear as more of a fashion statement, especially considering the task he'd been assigned. At least the Cap'n knew how to play to Amorru's strengths. At least, those skills he'd proudly displayed as yet - and not in a manner dissimilar to that of a posturing peacock. Amorru looked up at the crimson bandanna propping up his hair. A small silver broach through which three feathers of black, orange, and blue stuck out stayed pinned just above his left temple for... reasons. Reyes smirked at his own visage. "Figure peacock's accurate enough. Still. Pea...cock? Sounds more like a school yard insult. Or something 'clever' Ferret would've said. Smarmy bastard's probably still fudging the books and pinching the purse."

Amorru dusted some debris that may or may not have actually been present from the shoulder of his pine-striped vest, then scratched idly at his bare bicep where a faint, ragged scar slashed across his arm before frowning in disapproval. "Shame Grace weren't around to tend to me back then..." A memory of the doctor's hands stitching him up after one of Captain Graves's crackpot explorations went awry played out in Amorru's mind. He remembered the fire in her eyes then, and wondered what reduced that inferno to mere cinders now. For a moment he blamed himself, then huffed the thought away through his nostrils. "Not me." He said to no one but himself. "I'm not the one who left." Amorru tightened the knife belt on his cotton trousers and turned from the mirror, polished knee-high boots clacking across the floor as he exited the room and made for the cargo hold.

Lightly stepping across the catwalk, arms outstretched so his fingers could dance across the handrails to either side, Amorru's eyes narrowed behind the visor as he took in the scene below. Cap'n Xavier didn't appear to have shed a single genuine tear, or maybe Wushu's pilot merely arrived a little too fashionably late and missed the show altogether. Worse yet, Grace and Sean stood within the Captain's vicinity not far from Charity and Artemis, and he heard his own name multiple times as he eavesdropped on the conversation. Not that he made much else out, but he always had a keen ear for his own name. Even the assumed one.

Artemis offered to tag along with himself and Charity, an idea which brought a smile to his face. With a newfound spring in his step, Amorru nearly skipped down the stairs and stepped left as they turned. Just as Sean offered a shot of whatever swill he kept in his flagon, Reyes balanced his arse on the railing and slid down to make his entrance. Stepping between Charity and Artemis, he held both arms out and looked back and forth between them both. "Can't speak for the Dutchess, but I think it's a right marvelous suggestion." An eyebrow peaked above the dark visor as he turned his head from Art to Charity. "After all, you don't expect me to carry everything back here myself. Hmm?"

Amorru grinned playfully as he looked back between them, then focused his attention toward the Cap'n. "Aye, you sort out that business with the Missus mate? Figure it went well enough; your face doesn't look any more smashed up than usual, eh?" Amorru tilted his head back in a reserved nod as he regarded Sean's presence, smelling his own charlatanism wafting off the man stronger than the smell of the whiskey in his flask. He held the tilted back position as he looked down his nose at Grace. "Sniffer's fine Doc, thanks for askin'." He turned, dragging a sniff of Charity's perfume into his exaggeratedly flared nostrils and doing his best to keep the pain from souring his visage. "What is that? Orchids? Did you ever finish my jacket?"
It's a mechanical bull at number one You'll take a ride from anyone
Everyone wants a ride, pulls away, Ooh, From you

Metric, "Black Sheep"

Akhsar King

Right on schedule, Kings chartered ship touched down less than 10 minutes after the Wushu. He tried to get a glimpse of his quarry from the cockpit as they landed, but they were putting down on a different part of the line, and facing the wrong way anyhow. "Right, here we are. And right behind whoever you're chasing. Told you it'd be worth the money." King grinned at the captain and pilot. "You did indeed. Real fast trip, you got a good ship here. Good pilot too." He winked at said pilot, and she grinned back at him. "I believe I owe you some money." He pulled out the already counted out wad of bills and handed it to the captain, who unrolled it and did a quick shuffle count. "Looks good, pleasure doing business with you Mr King. You ever need to get somewhere quick and we're in the area, send us a wave." The two men shook hands, and King shook hands with the pilot as well. "You keep him outta trouble now." He said with another wink as he left the bridge.

- - -

He exited the ship and looked around. Birth 45 was where he was headed. He took out his cortex pad and pulled up a map of the port, quickly located the birth in question, and headed off at a jog. About half way there he slowed to a walk and began considering his options. The crew of the Wushu might be a problem. Unless you shipped out with real cutthroats, most crews were real protective of their own and their passengers. To do otherwise was bad for business, not to mention reputation. Probably best to wait for some of them to leave the ship. Ideally Charity, so he could confront her in the wild, but if she stayed aboard he could always play messenger and gain entry that way.

He still didn't feel like this job was on the level really. Normally he would just locate the target, and get back the items through whatever means was needed. Usually intimidation was enough, sometimes a little compensation, other times he was forced to beat the target senseless. Only been a couple of occasions where he'd had to kill the target, but those had always been people the Verse' wouldn't miss. But this job felt fishy. He sighed. So usual approaches out the window, at least to start with. He'd make contact, hopefully get her alone or with one member of her crew there just so she'd feel safe, and lay it out for her. Explain who he was and why he was here.

Then, either she'd give up the items one way or another, or if what she said confirmed his suspicions... well, then he'd improvise.

He was close now, he came around a corner and there she was, the Wushu. He was 2 births away. Close enough to have a decent view but far enough to not be noticed. He casually leaned against a light pole and pretended to be fiddling with his cortex pad. The ships cargo bay was open and it looked like there were some people just inside. He was still to far away to tell for sure, but one of them did look to be in a dress. He waited and watched.
Dialogue Color: Olivedrab

Jax

Quote from: JAX"She's leaving the ship!?" Jax burst from the room to look for her, his search lead to the cargo hold and the open ramp. Abigail had already exited the ship and could be seen walking away. Abigail! ....Come Back!" It was deja vu all over again, how many times had she left him now....he'd lost count. In the end it was his pride that kept him from running down the ramp and fetching her back, he just turned and walked back up into his ship.

Jax stormed back up the ramp, he needed to refocus his thoughts and put Abigail behind him, at least for the time being. Wushu needed her captain now, not a heart broken whelp. They had a job ahead of them and he couldn't afford any more distractions from here on out. He glanced up to see the Doc approaching. Jax turned his attention to her as he kept his forward progress headed for the balcony stairs.

Quote from: GRACE
"Captain.  If you have a moment I've prepared a cost report for the crews... mishap today.  Also..."  She had to take a deep breath as she trailed behind the man who seemed preoccupied.  No sign of Abigail.

"Sir.  I have a... a confession.  This isn't the first time I've worked with Amy... I mean Mr. Reyes.  We used to be... I guess a thing.  On another ship.  I'm sorry I should have told you up front.  I... I'm not really good with social interactions in general and I.... I didn't really know what to do.  I understand if this conflict of interest requires me to leave your employ."

Grace followed Jax to the foot of the steel staircase all the while speaking, Jax nodded from time to time acknowledging her. The Captain came to a stop before ascending when she brought up her previous relationship with his pilot. Grace continued with her explanation even though they had been joined by Wushu's pretentious passenger Charity, or was she crew at this point, Jax wasn't even sure at the moment.

Quote from: CHARITYLaughing musically, Charity approached and slipped her arms around one of the Doctor's, leaning into her warmly and showering her with the glimmering glow of her smile. "Oh, Grace! I'm sure 'Amy's slept with half the 'Verse! If everyone had to leave every ship he's been on due to a conflict of interest, no one would have a job!" she comforted the sawbones, winking and resting her cheek on the woman's shoulder for a moment before straightening again. "Don't you think so, Captain?" she asked agreeably, beaming up at the man whose inner turmoil he wore right there on his sleeve. Still, Charity had missed the meat of his sad story, unfortunately.

Releasing Grace's arm, the debutante ran her hands over the front of her skirts to smooth it out before reaching back to make sure the ornate, disgustingly expensive hairpin was still holding back the top layer of her thick chocolate curls. Moving away from the pair, Charity looked out at the docks and sighed a little. It sure wasn't home but she supposed it wasn't terrible. "How many dresses and suits would you like Amy and I to pick up, Captain?" she asked, looking back at him over her shoulder with an alluring grin. She did so enjoy shopping.

Leave it to Charity to smooth things over in an awkward moment, Jax pondered. "Well it seems Grace has the same luck in choosing men as I do woman." He shot her a wink. "We're all good here, just lost an XO can't lose my Doc now as well." Jax began to see the positives in the crew he had patched together and maybe Abigail was the pebble in his shoe, though he wouldn't dismiss the idea of taking her back in an instant no matter the discomfort.

Quote from: ARTReaching the group just in time for Charity's last statement, Artemis raised an eyebrow. "I'm impressed you trust Ammorru with such a delicate task, Captain. Does he have your measurements?" Reyes may be a snappy dresser but by her estimations he was also likely to dress Jax in something pink and frilly just for the hell of it. Although Charity could probably be trusted to avert such disaster...probably.

"Mind if I tag along?" The words tumbled out of her mouth and she had no idea where they came from. Granted, Artemis knew her share about the topic and had particular tastes if any purchasing was to be made on her behalf. Still, crashing Reyes and Charity's date, showing interest in Core fashion and engaging in general small talk were not things she generally enjoyed. She really was desperate for conversation. "If I'm not needed elsewhere that is," she added, already half looking for an exit strategy.

Jax was glad to see another member of his crew join them, it was becoming an impromptu crew meeting. "I trust Charity here to see me properly dressed to the teeth." Jax grinned and raising his arms slightly as he spun about for her to document his size requirements. "That should suffice wouldn't ya say, Acquisitions Officer?" Wow...did I just I offer her a job? Jax thought to himself....Yep, I did just do that. To follow up on Charity's last inquiry..."Now as to how many outfits we require...." Jax paused thinking and counting on his fingers. While he was doing his computations Sean joined there little group, Jax glared at him with a suspicious eye.

Quote from: SEANHe sauntered around the corridors until he found the less than happy looking Captain as several other ladies from the crew were meandering about the cargo hold.

"Anything I can do t' be of service to ye and ye're endeavors good Captain?"

It was also probably time to let Jax in on one of his secrets, though not to advertise it out loud.  He offered the man a swig of his flask, which smelled and tasted like whisky but had none of the effects...no "burn" going down, no heady or euphoric feeling.

"Seems like you might could use a drop of the good stuff, if ye don't mind me sayin'.  Also might help us know where we stand like."

Jax accepted the flask...."Aye!" He spouted as he took a quick swig before continuing.... "Do you enjoy weddings Mister Finnegan? We could use the help if you care to join us, we'll even doll you up." Jax eyed the flask as he handed it back...."Interesting drink you have there." Before Sean could venture a reply Amorru dropped in.

Quote from: REYESLightly stepping across the catwalk, arms outstretched so his fingers could dance across the handrails to either side, Amorru's eyes narrowed behind the visor as he took in the scene below. Cap'n Xavier didn't appear to have shed a single genuine tear, or maybe Wushu's pilot merely arrived a little too fashionably late and missed the show altogether. Worse yet, Grace and Sean stood within the Captain's vicinity not far from Charity and Artemis, and he heard his own name multiple times as he eavesdropped on the conversation. Not that he made much else out, but he always had a keen ear for his own name. Even the assumed one.

Artemis offered to tag along with himself and Charity, an idea which brought a smile to his face. With a newfound spring in his step, Amorru nearly skipped down the stairs and stepped left as they turned. Just as Sean offered a shot of whatever swill he kept in his flagon, Reyes balanced his arse on the railing and slid down to make his entrance. Stepping between Charity and Artemis, he held both arms out and looked back and forth between them both. "Can't speak for the Dutchess, but I think it's a right marvelous suggestion." An eyebrow peaked above the dark visor as he turned his head from Art to Charity. "After all, you don't expect me to carry everything back here myself. Hmm?"

Amorru grinned playfully as he looked back between them, then focused his attention toward the Cap'n. "Aye, you sort out that business with the Missus mate? Figure it went well enough; your face doesn't look any more smashed up than usual, eh?" Amorru tilted his head back in a reserved nod as he regarded Sean's presence, smelling his own charlatanism wafting off the man stronger than the smell of the whiskey in his flask. He held the tilted back position as he looked down his nose at Grace. "Sniffer's fine Doc, thanks for askin'." He turned, dragging a sniff of Charity's perfume into his exaggeratedly flared nostrils and doing his best to keep the pain from souring his visage. "What is that? Orchids? Did you ever finish my jacket?"

Jax worked to refocus the crew's thoughts after the pilot's surprisingly acrobatic entrance. "Glad you could drop in Reyes....So Charity, four dresses and four suits, assuming Mister Finnegan will be joining us and that Emit is up for it." Jax looked over the gathered crew..."As for the 'Missus'....she's taking a leave of absence and let's leave it at that." Looking to Amorru...."You'll escort the ladies here and Emit can tag along with Jo, Sean and myself....we have a passenger to pick up." Jax turned to look at Sean...."It'll give us a chance to discuss your position here on my boat in more detail."


Charity

November 04, 2018, 09:19:48 PM #11 Last Edit: November 04, 2018, 09:28:24 PM by Lomari
"I'm impressed you trust Amorru with such a delicate task, Captain. Does he have your measurements?" Artemis asked and Charity couldn't help but turn to smile at the other woman. She was the type of person who slipped silently into rooms but once she was there, sparkled brightly and demanded the attention of those present. The aristocrat could appreciate that and Amy seemed might fond of her so Charity felt some kinship with the woman as well. Something about her gelled nicely with the two fancy pants crew members.

"I trust Charity here to see me properly dressed to the teeth. That should suffice wouldn't ya say, Acquisitions Officer? Now as to how many outfits we require...." Jax assured the mechanic while simultaneously offering the debutante a job.

Her elegant hands slipped carefully free from Grace's arm and she rested one bejeweled hand over her shimmering lace covered chest, cherry lips forming a gentle 'O' of surprise. Having been taken off guard for the smallest of moments, her expression once more melted into a sweet and affectionate glow that she leveled warmly upon the Captain of their ship in thanks. "Why yes, I do believe I have a nearly precise idea of your measurements now, Captain," she answered, a gentle pink glow blooming across her ivory cheeks.

"Mind if I tag along?" Art questioned, much to Charity's pleaseant surprise.

"Can't speak for the Duchess, but I think it's a right marvelous suggestion," Amorru answered, capturing Charity's feelings on the matter rather perfectly. Gliding across the floor, skirts rustling around her legs as she moved, she slipped her arms around one of Artemis' and grinned mischievously up at the woman, a twinkle in her chocolate gaze. "I agree, I think we'd love nothing more than for you to come with us," she assured the other woman, somehow lumping Amorru and herself together into a 'We'. 

"So Charity, four dresses and four suits, assuming Mister Finnegan will be joining us and that Emit is up for it," the Captain further explained and Charity smiled at him and nodded her chin gently in response. Four dresses and four suits. Regardless of the lawman's condition she'd be getting just that amount. The more people on the ship she could fancy up the better. The place needed an appearance overhaul and she and Amy were just the people to do it. No one better, she thought.

"Aye, you sort out that business with the Missus mate? Figure it went well enough; your face doesn't look any more smashed up than usual, eh?" Reyes asked and Charity couldn't help but shoot him a disapproving look. Was he looking to get his nose messed up again? Surely this was the sort of situation one dropped and pretended never happened, the way the civilized and affluent individuals in the 'Verse handled stressful and uncultured situations. But the pilot seemed to enjoy poking bears and putting his marvelous visage at risk. She made a soft 'tsk' sound of warning to the man.

"As for the 'Missus'....she's taking a leave of absence and let's leave it at that," Jax answered, showing a level of restraint that Charity had to internally commend him for. He seemed far more level headed than his partner.

"Anything I can do t' be of service to ye and ye're endeavors good Captain?" the mole asked. The aristocrat eyed him suspiciously before looking at Artemis and then Amorru, including them in her bubble of doubt and raising her brows at them both in what was the beginning of a marvelous eye-conversation.

"You'll escort the ladies here and Emit can tag along with Jo, Sean and myself....we have a passenger to pick up," the Captain said to Amorru, half answering the spy in his further delegating of tasks. Charity was more than happy that the stranger wouldn't be going with them. She wasn't too keen on him being anywhere near her as she worried something of hers might go missing if he got too close. He seemed the pick-pocket sort of man.

"Sniffer's fine Doc, thanks for askin'," the pilot finally said to Grace, who frowned at him, glanced down at his nose to make sure it was still in its proper place, then turned to continue listening to the captain. It took everything in her power not to stare at him or say anything in return and her hands almost vibrated with the effort, but she didn't want him to see how much he rattled her just by being there.

"What is that? Orchids? Did you ever finish my jacket?" Amorru asked, pulling her attention away from Sean and back toward his barely covered bruised face. She winced for him and made a mental note to give him some of her makeup, if he didn't have some himself. "You're very perceptive, Amy," she returned, grinning brightly at the use of his new nickname. Well, new to her. "I've mostly finished your jacket, although I will warn you..." she began, turning and walking toward and down the opened cargo bay ramp, effectively pulling Artemis along by her arm while Grace followed in their wake, trying not to get too close to the pompadoured peacock. "...It seems to have changed shape," she concluded, keeping her face turned away from him to hide her amused grin, although she did look at Artemis to include her in her mirth.

She made her way off the metallic ramp and looked around, grinning at herself, the ornate hairpin holding her front most layer of dark tresses back glimmering with every movement she made. From her expression, she seemed a little embarrassed, "I don't know which way to go," she confessed, laughing musically, her unopened parasol dangling in the crook of her elbow.
Dialogue Color: AntiqueWhite

Octavia Wynn

When she received notice of the Wushu's docking, the twins were happy to go with her to a local cafe where she was meeting the captain before they left Newhall themselves. They were a bit protective of Octavia and she imagined they wanted to lay eyes on the ship and captain before sending her off into the Black. They made a point to walk by the docks and get a glimpse of the boat before heading over to the cafe.
The three of them sat in a neat row on stools at the end of the counter with Octavia in the middle. She had a rucksack over one shoulder and a garment bag hooked over the edge of the counter near her. She wasn't particularly fond of this seating arrangement since the bags and her friends on either side prevented an easy draw of either the arrows (in a sheath strapped to her right hip for quick-draw) or her bow (collapsed and secured in a quick-release clip on her left thigh). But, they had a view of the door and she was not anticipating any trouble so she supposed it shouldn't matter either way.

She was dressed in her usual earth-toned pants, t-shirt and suspenders with black boots and a black leather cuff on her wrist. If one were to look closely, however, they would see a resolute lack of dirt on her pale skin, clean, shiny red hair and expensive trinkets here and there. A gold charm hanging from the bottom of her quiver. Platinum triangle studs in each earlobe. Two silver rings in the top of her left ear. Obvious signs of money.

[The Rosenthall Twins: https://bit.ly/2SQ0itZ]

Amorru Reyes

Amorru's swept up hair swayed ever so slightly as he tilted his head to the side. Perhaps letting the situation lie for now served everyone best. After all, the Cap'n showed an aptitude for making good decisions by dismissing Abigail in the pilot's favor. Charity's deep, smokey eyes caught his own as Amorru looked away from Sean with an audible "Tsk." Wondering what she stared at, Reyes eventually believed he caught her meaning and raised an eyebrow in reply. His eyes shot over to Artemis before his brows popped momentarily, disappearing for a moment behind the folded bandanna. Sliding back over to Charity for a moment, breaking only to glance back at Sean before regarding the duchess with a nod, Amorru's eyes finally turned to slits as they fell on Grace as she lingered just outside of their little circle.

Relieved that Xavier assigned Sean to another task, Amorru let all other matters slide and re-centered his attention on Charity. Colder than he originally read her demeanor, Amorru still found her quite nice to look at and otherwise felt it for the best if she knew he shared her unspoken opinion of the man. Additionally, if Grace tagged along with Artemis, Charity, and himself, he figured he could use the Duchess's support in the inevitable dispute he imagined lurked just beyond the fitting room door.

Making their way toward the ramp, Grace following a few steps behind rolling her eyes so hard she looked as if they'd fallen out of her head for a moment, Charity answered Amorru's inquiry regarding his prized jacket after she politely complimented his yet bruised nose's ability to determine her fragrance. Amorru smiled in accomplishment and the swagger with which he carried himself visibly grew and nearly doubled. Still, so focused on looking cool made it easy to bump into Charity as she stopped in her tracks.

"Hmm..." Glancing about the city as it reminded him of home on Persephone, Amorru used the instincts honed during his days as a proper Duschane of the high nobility. Not quite knowing why, he felt himself drawn to the right and allowed his mending nose to drag him along toward the smell of fresh cinnamon raisin bagels. "This way... And what did you mean by 'changed shape'!?"
It's a mechanical bull at number one You'll take a ride from anyone
Everyone wants a ride, pulls away, Ooh, From you

Metric, "Black Sheep"

Jax

With the shopping contingent off on their task, Jax led his group in the opposite direction toward an information kiosk. A few seconds tapping on the keyboard produced a name and location. "Ah, here we go...Brew & Chew Cafe, Second quad mezzanine. Right this way." The Captain motioned with his hand. The docking ring was a busy place with ships coming and going around the clock. Plus with all the shops and food outlets on this level drew even more folk from other decks to join the revelry. It was a cornucopia of people from around the 'Verse, some good and some not so much. Jax hoped to steer clear of any entanglements, just pick up their passenger along with the required accoutrements for the wedding and be space bound with in a couple of hours.


Sionnach

Sean dutifully followed the Captain through the sea of humanity and he only stole once with...mostly...good reason. 

A not horribly, but not impressively, skilled young pick pocket did the old brush-and-lift to a well dressed man just ahead of them.  Lad kept aware of his surroundings reasonably, lift was a bit shaky but might just be his level of experience, still it was done entirely to visibly in front of two Fed Cops standing on a corner just behind and to the left of them.  Shame really, hadn't been too bad otherwise.  Naturally Sean had been forced to deftly lift the pre-stolen wallet from the youngster's front pocket as he hurried past. 

Always pay attention during your get away too. The master thief chided silently, catching back up with Jax and the others, taking up a position just behind and to the left of the man. Covering him but leaving his noted gun hand open for action should he need.  Returning the wallet to its original owner, of course, hadn't been a thought that even entered his head.  Not even as entertainment value.

Jax

Jax led his party to the cafe without any incident, a refreshing change as of late. He eased the swinging door open and gave the interior a quick scan before stepping in. The lighting was dim which left the far corners of the establishment hard to see. Once inside they were greeted by a very cheerful hostess. "Well we are here to meet someone." Jax responded to her question concerning seating. "A young lady with longish red hair." He motioned with his hand near his shoulder. "Have you seen anyone like that?" The hostess gleefully turned and motioned toward the end of the counter. "Well over there, she might be who you are looking for." Jax followed the young lady's pointing finger. From his vantage point it looked like it could be Ms Wynn, only one way to be sure. "Thank you so much." Jax offered before directing his troupe toward the end of the bar.

Sionnach

Sean eased into the bar, still on Jax's left, opening is right eye which he had closed about fifteen seconds before entering the doorway.  This allowed his vision to more or less be adjusted to the darker interior of the place as the entered.  He did a thorough scan of the establishment, trying to to make it look too obvious as far as that went.  It wouldn't be an uncommon event in a place like this anyway.  No one seemed to be paying them any particular attention. Then again, no one with any skill that meant them trouble would be.

The Captain held a brief conversation with an employee who directed him to the bar and he directed the lot of them to the end of it.  Sean took up a position so that he faced the room and had a good view of the two plainly visible entrance/exits.  A firm was was to his back as Jax moved to address who the thief hoped was their contact.

Akhsar King

King didn't have to wait very long. After a few minutes conversation the crew of the Wushu left the cargo bay and split up. The first group consisted of Miss Charity Vornbach (there was no mistaking her now), two other women, and a rather ostentatiously dressed man. They turned and headed towards Kings position. Not ideal. It would make tailing them more difficult, unless they were particularly oblivious to their surroundings. The second group looked to contain the Captain of the Wushu, Jason Xavier, and a few other crewmen. They turned and walked off in the opposite direction.

King didn't move from his spot, but shifted slightly to keep Charity in his peripheral vision as her group approached. He kept his eyes down and on his cortex pad, letting annoyance show on his face, and occasionally typing somewhat angrily. He would let them pass, and after there was a sufficient distance between them he would follow.
Dialogue Color: Olivedrab

Octavia Wynn

She watched the door for the Captain pictured on the Cortex to arrive. Octavia saw him come in with a few others and make a request with the bartender. She'd bet her buttons he was asking after her.

Upon seeing the Captain and already checking out the ship thanks to their prior detour, the twins were happy that both were a visual match to Cortex records. The three stood and exchanged hugs and goodbyes, which were rare for Octavia excepting times when she knew they might be apart for a long while. They made her promise to send them a wave if things went sideways and left her to her business with the other man. As Alex and Alice passed him they both dipped there heads in unison and said together, "Captain."

They left the cafe and Octavia was a little sad to see them go. Life was always fun with the twins around. She slid over to the end most seat, raised her hand and called out, "Captain Xavier, I believe you are looking for me."

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