Bar Side Reformation

[Jace "Original Zest"]

Zipper's Tavern
Marshall Rock, Three Hills
6:04 PM Local Time

Hearing the door gradually open to the tavern Jace looked up from his drink to see that yet again it was just a drunken regular coming in for his usual brew.

It had been a long three months for Jace, he had grown accustomed to having a bed, people to rely on, and getting paid. Now he had to sleep where he could hide and keep dry or warm, and work shady jobs that left him with a broken rib and 5c to his name since he fled the ship without most of his stuff just his pistols and knives and what he had on his body. That's probably what annoyed him the most he had fled so quickly after Ilana's orders he didn't grab anything but essentials, but of course money is essential.

He wondered if any of them had been caught, if Ilana, Jay, or any of the others were even alive. He only followed orders which was what he was used to doing. Doing anything with hesitation and keep alive. Above all stay alive, which had become quiet a struggle the past three months especially in Black Creek which was a few hundreds miles from where he was now in small Marshall Rock.

Black Creek had to be one of Jace's biggest mistakes, recruited off the street by some business man dressed as a lowly peasant. The ring of small time criminals was an amusing show especially them trying to transport Alliance grade weapons illegal for the normal citizen. Jace couldn't help but take a chance to dig at the Alliance some, of course when they turned to try to kill him to keep loose ends out Jace had to flee. He was lucky to get away with a broken rib and some cuts and bruises.

He realized he still had some dry blood on his face and tried to wipe it off but only succeeded in smearing dirt across his face.

Jace simply murmured, "Survival above all."

The door to the small tavern opened again catching his attention from his thoughts, it was the same man who entered just shortly again and a buddy guiding him home. That left the bartender, two serving girls, and four patrons two were face down on the bar, the others were rolling some dice. He waved to a serving girl to get him another drink.

Jace could understand now why Ilana was insistent on this place, there were only a handful of Alliance officers in town and by handful that is probably all you needed to count on was a hand to mark them all. Plus this town seemed to be on a bit of bad luck so the Alliance officers weren't exactly the top of their game. Probably the local slum lords protection if Jace had to guess. Jace had almost missed the tavern itself because of a cart was in the way. Zipper's had some excellent brew though nothing he could complain about. Didn't have the coin to get food though.

Jace quietly sat back and closed his eyes so that he could rest for the first time in months, and think about simply no more running. Slowly drifting off he sat himself in a uncomfortable position so that he could wake up at the sound of the door or any other loud noise that would startle him.

[Ilana Logan]

Ilana yanked the white t-shirt on over her head and glared over her shoulder at the man lying on the bed behind her. "Why didn't you wake me? I needed to be at Zipper's half an hour ago!" She said, a little panicked.

"I wasn't exactly awake myself, love," he replied as smoothly as always.

Ilana cursed under her breath, sat down on the edge of the bed, and yanked her boots on. She didn't bother tying them, she just pulled the laces tight and shoved them down inside the boots. She rolled her pant legs down over the top of the boots and stood. Quickly flitting about the room, gathering her things and shoving them in her duffel, she reminded Roman somewhat of an angry bee, and he chuckled softly at the thought, which succeeded only in pulling another glare from Ilana.

She stood in the center of the room, and looked around. Finally satisfied that she had everything, she threw the duffel over her shoulder, kissed his lips quickly, and said, "I'll see you in a few hours. Remember to wait for me and Jace, Roman."

"Of course, love," he said smiling softly.

She sighed anxiously and walked out of the room. The second the door latched behind her, she took off in a run, through the hall, down the stairs, and out the door. She tossed her duffel on the front of the mule and jumped on. She fired it up, threw it and gear, and hauled ass across town to the tavern. Granted, it wasn't a long drive. 'Across town' tended to mean three minutes end to end. This time of day though, the foot traffic was a little heavier with shift change going on at the mines at the western edge of town.

She drummed her fingers on the steering wheel, and tapped her foot on the clutch, nervously hoping Jace was still there. She could see the place up ahead, but leaving the mule in the street was a really stupid idea. There was a fair chance it wouldn't be there when she returned for it... or it wouldn't all be there anyway.

Finally the bodies in front of her parted and she shot forward the remaining block or so to the tavern. She parked out front, put the lock on the wheel and ignition, hopped off the vehicle, and snatched up her duffel. Then she went inside. She looked around for a moment and finally spotted Jace sitting at the bar.

She let out a sigh of relief and walked over to where he sat. She climbed up on the stool next to him and dropped her duffel on top of her feet on the footrest railing at the bottom of the counter. She looked at the man next to her, thinking how he looked different than he had three months ago. Thinner, kind of shaggy, and considerably dirtier.

This made her wonder what had happened with him since they had all split up. She never thought of it before she saw Jace because things like that didn't occur to her. As bad as things had sometimes gotten for her, she always had a place to sleep, food to eat, and a hot shower at night. It never occurred to her that maybe her friends wouldn't.

"How you been, Jace? You eat anything yet? I'm starved, and as a thank you for hangin around waitin on me, I'm buying if you want anything. Pick whatever you want, I got some coin from a friend before I left," she said. She didn't want him to think she was taking pity on him and get mad, because that wasn't what she was doing. She was buying a meal for a friend. She genuinely cared about her friends, and the people who worked for her - most of them - and she just wanted to help. She hoped he wouldn't question it, and she looked to him, waiting for his answer.

[Jay Fuller]

When Jay got invitation to meet Ilana and Jace, he wasted no time in talking to his boss about taking the time off. It ended something along the lines of Jay saying he was leaving no matter what and the hospital would just have to deal with it. Needless to say, it didn't get a good response from his superiors but he wasn't fired. He must have been doing something right, at least.

As soon as he could, he went back to his small apartment. His roommate was sitting in the room like he always did. Jay wasn't even sure how he managed to pay rent. Whenever Jay was in the apartment, his roommate was closed up in his room. There was a short period where the medic considered he was rooming with a prostitute. Jay walked down the hall into the small kitchen and opened the fridge. There was a quart of milk and an avocado left. One of the few joys since leaving The Chainless was not having to eat those nasty protein bars.

He'd lived in this place for two and a half months. Since then, he had gotten in contact with his parents again and they were thrilled to find out he wasn't traipsing around with those criminals. Granted, they didn't really know they were criminals. But to people like his parents, anyone who didn't have a house and a family was a criminal. Even despite that, Jay often thought back to the crew and missed them. But he was having trouble adjusting to his new home, so it was understandable.

As soon as he ate the avocado, Jay went back to his room and shoved a bunch of clothes and cleaning stuff into his bag. He had a small amount of cred saved up, but it was enough to get him from a planet and back. Even this far out from the Core, hospitals paid pretty decent. Well, decent enough for living.

Within the hour, he was in a taxi on the way to the nearest shuttle. By the evening, he was in a hotel room. A cheap, dirty hotel room, but it was better than the streets. The next day, he showered and wandered around the town a bit. After a while, it was time to meet up with Ilana and Jace. His heart raced a bit and he stopped at the door. He stared at it before he kept walking. He went around the block once and then returned to the small bar.

Okay, he thought, Just go for it. He wondered if they were going to try and get the group back together. If not, Jay couldn't help but hear the voice in the back of his head discouraging him to go back to the small hospital and his crappy roommate. But, he decided that seeing the group even for just a couple hours would be worth it.

He entered the bar and scanned the room. He saw Ilana sitting in a corner with Jace. Jay couldn't suppress a grin as he walked up to the table. Once he did, he put his hand on Ilana's shoulder. "Well, hey," he said, "Long time no see!"

[Jace "Original Zest"]

Jace looked up when he heard the familiar voice of the Captain, he couldn't help but quietly curse himself for being so exhausted he hadn't heard her before she got close. It took him a second to focus on what she was saying.

When he picked up on what she was saying he quietly stated that he would be more than happy to get something to eat but insisted that if they returned to the Chainless he had money he would repay her. He considered the Chainless for a second, he had only been with the crew for a few months but he knew they were good people, but would he return to the Chainless would any of them return. He wondered what would even be left of the crew since they all fled and no knowledge had gotten to him that any still lived. Ilana was the first sign to him that any of them escaped besides himself, and Ray but he didn't know Ray's fate either.

His thoughts were interuppted when he noticed a tiny man come up behind Ilana and put his hand on her shoulder Jace had already been reaching for his pistol until he noticed it was Jay. Thank God it was Jay, a good friend of his he had a made while being with the crew. Very awkward man even with his allegiance swaying towards the Alliance he was certainly a good person. One of the many he wished to see.

Jace grunted his greetings towards the young doctor before he asked Jay if he could get stitched up when he found the chance to do so most likely back at wherever or on the Chainless.

[Ilana Logan]

Jace told Ilana he would like something to eat, which made Ilana feel better about having mentioned it. Then he told her he would pay her back if or when they made it back to the ship. She let it go, though she knew she wouldn't take a single coin from him for it. She'd give him something to do later and see if she could get him to forget it. Possibly make him think he'd already paid her. Then she shrugged to herself, settling it to let Jace order first. She raised her hand slightly to the bartender to let him know she needed him when he was available.

Just as it occurred to her that Jace had left all of his coin on the ship, which is why he had to wait to pay her back, a smallish hand clamped on her shoulder, and her hand was on her gun before she thought to move it. Then a voice touched her ears and a crocked grin spread across her face as he said, "Well, hey. Long time no see!"

As she spun around on her stool she squealed, "Chopsticks!"

She hopped off of her stool and threw her arms around him laughing, giving him a tight squeeze, then pulled back before giving him a chance to really react. "I was so worried about you!"

She gave him a punch on the shoulder and said, "Thanks for never waving me asshole."

The bartender made his way over to her then and put an arm around both Jace and Jay, yanking them close to her. "Zipper, these are two of the best crew members a captain could ask for. Give me a whiskey neat, and give these two whatever the hell they want. I'm buyin."

Zipper rolled his eyes a little and said, "Sure thing Lani." He pulled a glass from under the bar and poured her whiskey in.

She let go of Jace and Jay, picked up the glass, and threw it back in one gulp, granted it wasn't a big glass, and set it back down, looking at him expectantly. "I'll go easy on this one. Promise."

"Have all you want. The drunker you are, the nicer you get," he said with a laugh.

She laughed with him as he poured her glass, because she knew it had once been true - and maybe still was for now. She picked it up, and told the guys, "Tell Zipper whatever you want and join me at a table. We need to have a talk."

She turned, knowing they would join her when they were ready, and walked to the table in the far corner of the bar. She sat in the corner chair, so she was facing the entire room, and settled in She chuckled a little to herself, knowing she'd left the two of them more than a little bewildered. They probably thought she was already drunk, but she truly wasn't. She was actually smiling as she watched them, waiting for them to get their own drinks and join her.

[Jay Fuller]

"Chopsticks! I was so worried about you!" Ilana cried and grabbed Jay in a hug. He laughed and hugged back before saying defensively, "I can take care of myself! And..." he gave her an incredulous look, "Chopsticks? Really? It's not my fault Longstreet didn't have any goddamn tweezers." He laughed again. As the bartender came over, Ilana pulled in both Jay and Jace. The medic grinned and waved at the bartender. "Besides, what sort of trouble could I get into? Well, besides the obvious." Jay was instantly at ease being around members of his old crew again. He missed that feeling.

"Zipper, these are two of the best crew members a captain could ask for. Give me a whiskey neat, and give these two whatever the hell they want. I'm buyin."

"Damn straight," Jay said. The bartender gave Ilana her drink and she drank it all at once before ordering another. "Tell Zipper whatever you ant and join me at a table. We need to have a talk." With that, Ilana left them at the bar. Jay gave Jace a look saying, 'What's that about?' The medic ordered a screwdriver and turned to the man next to him.

"Don't worry," he said, "We can get you patched up in no time. I got some extra medical stuff back in my hotel room." He gave Jace a pat on the shoulder. "So where have you been? No offense, but you look like hell." He looked at Jace and, though he didn't know him well, he enjoyed the familiar company. Jay wondered what the hell Jace had gotten himself into. Obviously Ilana couldn't be too terribly off if she could afford them all drinks, but this guy looked beaten down. It made Jay wonder what happened to the rest of the crew. Ray, as crazy as he was, probably got himself locked up. As to Marcus, Jay didn't even begin to know where he might be.

As Jay made his way back to the table, he couldn't help but wonder what Ilana wanted to talk to them He sat down across from Ilana and stared intensely at her. "So. First of all, 'Lani?'" Jay gave her a playful grin, "Second, have you heard from or invited anyone else? Is Marcus gonna show up? Also, what have you guys been doing for the past three months!"

[Ilana Logan]

Ilana watched Jay head over to the table she was seated at. He looked thoughtful as he sat down across from her. He stared at her intensely before saying, "So. First of all, 'Lani?'" Jay gave her a playful grin then added, "Second, have you heard from or invited anyone else? Is Marcus gonna show up? Also, what have you guys been doing for the past three months!"

He shot questions at her rapid-fire, not giving her a chance to answer one before asking another. Calm down. Jace is almost here and you know how I hate repeating myself a thousand times."

She waited for Jace to get situated before answering. "Okay, first of all, Lani is a nickname an old friend gave me a long time ago. He introduced me to Zipper here by that name, and I've never corrected Zipper, or anyone else. There are several people in the verse who know me as Lani. It's just short for Ilana in Roman's head.

"Second," she continued. "I haven't managed to contact Marcus yet. I've left him a few messages about our meeting here, so if he ever got them, he knows about it. If not, we'll find him. I never got ahold of Lulah again either. Same goes for her as Marcus. Ray waved me a few days ago. When we leave here, we're heading to Tilottama in the Georgia System to get him. First thing in the morning we head out... I mean, as long as you're still willing to come back, that is.

"About that... We aren't all leaving the ship. Someone has to stay with the ship, I imagine Jace will, but if he doesn't want to, you can. Either way, I'm meeting Ray alone."

She sighed and said, "As for what I've been doing the last three months.... I worked with an old boss of mine a couple times. He's kind and he pays well, so it's alright. Also, he's meeting us here to give us a lift to the ship. His name is Roman, and he has a bit of an accent. You'll notice him because he'll be the only person on this entire moon wearing a white designer suit. Anyway, when I wasn't working with him, I was living on the ship."

"What about you two?" she asked after a pause, giving time for questions, or responses.

[Jay Fuller]

Jay wondered for a moment why Ilana wanted to meet Ray alone. Probably if they all ganged up on him at once, Ray would freak out. Even then, it seemed odd. Maybe they had some private matters to discuss. Jay wondered if there was something going on between the two. Sometimes it seemed like it, but he always dismissed it. If there was something, they would mention it.

He was glad to hear that Ilana kept with the ship after these couple months. He worried she might sell it. When she mentioned the group getting back together, Jay's excitement rose. He missed the excitement and danger of travelling through the black, even when a lot of the times it turned out to be rather dull. Even dull, it would be a lot better than what he's got so far.

"Well, I moved off to Whitefall, as you know. I got a job working at one of the hospitals and I gotta tell ya, not the most professional of people. Not exactly my cup of tea. Got an apartment with a really weird roommate, but I got some decent cred, so there's that." he explained, "I miss the traveling, though. Come to think of it, if we're gonna be doing this, I'll have to make my trip back so I can quit and gather my stuff up."

[Lulah Hayes]

...Several days ago...

'When walls collapse, seek your foundations.' Or so some fancypants scholar had once said. For Tallulah Hayes, that meant taking a big bite out of humble pie, hitching up her 'skirts' and skedaddling back to Beaumonde. Only her 'foundations' were much like the natural, light auburn roots that inevitably grew out of her dyed red hair; an irksome and expensive upkeep. Thankfully it was pay day for Blue Suns Corp, and there was a box of hair dye with her name on just waiting for the usual credit exchange. Yes, Blue Suns Corp. Despite her many attempts to avoid the factories, Lulah had indeed wound up where it all began. Packing tins on a conveyor belt, counting down the hours, minutes and seconds until her shift was over.

Some things were just too good to be true; like a good ship and a decent crew. Just when she'd finally felt like she was maybe, just maybe starting to fit in with the crew, lady luck decided it was time to rock the boat. The young redhead had many flaws, but to every flaw she liked to think she had a strength. Running from the law, seemed to be one of them. It had happened before, and now, the past was almost set to repeat itself. At least, it felt that way to her, at the time. So when she was told to run, she bolted without question, and ran her tushie off until she could run no more. Even running didn't come cheap...

One job wasn't enough though; not even for the slums. Lulah had hoped that lodging with her Doxy sister would be a cheap alternative, but nothing in the Verse came free. Even blood desired credits. Though she'd lowered herself to the position of factory rat, she refused to work the wharf like her sister. The local 'pimp' found another use for her though. Odd jobs which he, in true pimp fashion, took a 65% cut out of. In the words of all the other doxies under his employ though, '35% is 5% better than 30, and 30's better than nothing.'

Yet a sudden call out of the blue was set to put an end to her 'I hate my life!' whining and misery. It was just her luck though, that her cortex terminal was acting up again in time for a scrambled wave from none other than Ilana. The former Navigator had instantly waved back, but had no idea if it was ever received. On top of that, the directions she managed to unscramble, pointed her to the Georgia System, which all in all gave her very little time to make it to the rendezvous point. If Ilana didn't get the wave, then Lulah risked spending the last of her credits on a one way trip to nowhere, and missing the meet point. As always though, she longed to feel the wind beneath her imaginary wings again. To soar through the endless black In a tin can and let the excitement of never knowing what was around the next turn, be her only guide. Who was she kidding? She already knew what her decision was, so why was she wasting time thinking about it?

...Several days later...

Three Hills. It was probably a year since she'd last stepped foot on the planet, and having smuggled weapons and ammunitions through for a brisk exchange, Lulah had quickly learnt that the planet was generally-speaking a purple belly free zone. That was a year ago, but as she made for the rendezvous point, she realised very little had changed. Re-hoisting her canvas travel bag over her shoulder, red ankle boots kicked through dirt and sand at a sprint. Already she was worried she'd missed them, so she had to get to the tavern as soon as her little legs could carry her. Not for the first time, she wished she was taller, and blessed with a longer stride. The Tavern sign was soon in sight though, and shoving her way past a group of miners, the slightly breathless redhead burst through the doors. Only once she'd made her entrance, did she finally stop to hunch forwards and catch her much needed breath.

“Ho... Tze... Duh Pi... Gu!” She panted the first curse she thought of, and then with a deep sigh, looked up to take a good look around the tavern. Aside from briefly exhausting herself, the young redhead was bright faced and perky as ever. Perhaps more so now that her cheeks were flushed a natural pink. Recently re-dyed red hair messy scraped back into a ponytail with the usual, rebellious bangs springing free to frame a complexion tinged by a light layer of atmospheric dirt stuck to her equally light coating of perspiration. One strap of her stone-washed, knee-length dungarees was broken, and beneath it, her travel-worn, pale-yellow t-shirt had definitely seen better days. But she was healthy and energetic, and as soon as her big blue eyes settled on the gathered trio, she scrunched her shoulders and wrinkled her nose whilst a relieved grin spread across her pout.

“Oh Lordie!” The rim girl exclaimed once she was in range of the group. “I was so scared I was gonna miss y'all.” Letting her rucksack slide off her shoulder, it dropped to the floor with a dull thud and she took that as her cue to commence keep rambling. “I done got your wave but it was so darn scrambled up,” she told Ilana. “And then I got to thinkin', Tzao Gao! What if you never got my wave? You sure ain't gonna wait around for somethin' you ain't expectin'.”

Laughing at what could have been her own misfortune, the jovial Lulah instead parked her fists on her hips, as if striking a victory pose. “Whelp, who needs long legs when you run as fast as I do huh?” Only now did she finally pause her fast-paced ramblings to take a good look at everyone.

---

Ho Tze Duh Pi Gu - Monkey's ass
Tzao Gao – oh crap

---

[Tai Minh Tian]

Signs were usually easy for Tai Minh to see. Where most were noisy, with their troubles and stress weighing them down, he had long since learned to not let such things burden him. It was something that was so easy, yet so few had the patience to devote the years to achieving this simple way of life. And because few did, they did not see signs as so clearly as he did. They stood out, as clear to him as they did to the ‘Enlightened One’ so many years ago. He did not consider himself as having reached full enlightenment, but he did know when divinity was granting him a sign.

He had followed the sign, giving it the proper courtesy that the realm beyond so deserved. He’d followed it in the day, and in the night, and in the day again. For quite some time he’d travelled, with the entirety of his possession scattered about in little pouches and a sack which he carried on his back. In his hands he bore nothing but his walking stick. And out of the desert waste he had come to a port, which bore many vessels going to every corner of the known universe.

And once again he travelled the stars, in simple meditation contemplating on his presence drifting so far so fast. He did not think of why he needed to follow the sign. He did not think of what would happen when he arrived. He knew that he was on the right path, and he knew that he had to follow it to wherever it would lead.

A world of ‘Three Hills’ he found himself on, but he still was not done. To the trains he went, and once again stepped on a metal visage with many others to speed along his journey. He would have happily walked the distance, but time was something that was important to others and out of respect of that he did what he needed to keep up with them.

At last he was nearing the end, when the special spot of Marshals Rock came into the view of his window. It was a short walk across the earth. If the train was willing to bare most of the journey, he would certainly be willing to make the rest of the trip on his own two feet. He stepped off into the fading light and forward towards the town. Closer he came, and finally arrived after only minutes amongst others as eager as him.

Looking about he had just one more director to see. One more thing necessary to guide him towards the destination. And as the wind pushed him forward, he found it. The Tavern of Zipper, someone he had never known. But the universe was filled with so many unique souls, and perhaps he would have the pleasure of meeting the one who’s name was displayed at the fore.

In through the door Tai Minh stepped. His blue tunic and gray pants hung loosely over his body as he knocked on the floor with his walking stick. He had a smile on his face as he looked from left to right over the interior. It was similar to many taverns he had been in before, and he felt quite at home.

And there in the corner he found the shining beacon towards which he travelled. ”Lǚchéng jiéshù, xīn de kāishǐ” he said to himself quietly aloud. He then proceeded to walk over towards the table at which Captain Ilana, who he assumed had taken the title fairly recently, and her compatriots sat.

”Ahhh." Tai Minh sighed cheerily. "I am here.” he said with a smile, his heavy oriental accent coming through with his words. He took a chair, and brought it over and sat down smiling, not thinking for a moment that it was strange that he had done so.



____________________________________________

Lǚchéng jiéshù, xīn de kāishǐ - The journey ends, and the new begins

____________________________________________

[Jace "Original Zest"]

Jace growled at the idea but agreed to stay with the ship, no way in hell was the man staying on Three Hills with no coin especially when he was considered a loose end from those pathetic small time criminals, though with big guns.

Jace explained after he agreed to stay with the ship that when Ilana had ordered everyone to flee and make no contact until a meeting was established, that foolishly he had fled without most of his things which didn't bother him except he had forgotten to grab the coin he had to make his life easier. So Jace scraped up what creds he could find and worked for his passage to Three Hills, after that he had expected a easier journey, but instead found the struggle to stay alive. He had missed more meals than he had eaten in three months, he had only 5c's to his name and that went for his drinks he bought at the tavern and he was fairly hurt from his recent encounter with his last job that left him with less money than he showed up with. The job entailed some Alliance grade weapons smuggling with some small time crooks trying to go big. Unfortunately when they tried to go big he was considered a loose end at the end of the job and they tried to kill him, so he was able to move quickly enough to make it here for the meeting and wanted to leave or at least get behind closed doors so that he can finely sleep and relax for the first time in three months.

Jace had just sat back after telling his tale and a tiny girl burst through the doors. Well it wasn't a girl it was the trusty navigator Lulah which at first glance was a little girl...when everyone was finished praising her return and had just sat right back down a funny oriental man sat down that Jace had never met nor seen, Jace naturally watched the man closely and fiddled with his knife handle nervously. He didn't know the man but out of habit Jace fiddled with the knife handle wondering who he was and what his intentions were.

[Ilana Logan]

When she finished he short story, Jay began telling his. "Well, I moved off to Whitefall, as you know. I got a job working at one of the hospitals and I gotta tell ya, not the most professional of people. Not exactly my cup of tea. Got an apartment with a really weird roommate, but I got some decent cred, so there's that." he explained, "I miss the traveling, though. Come to think of it, if we're gonna be doing this, I'll have to make my trip back so I can quit and gather my stuff up."

Ilana nodded, having known he would probably need to go somewhere to gather his things. Lucky for them, it was a close planet so she wouldn't need to worry about leaving late. Not long after Jay finished, Jace started in. He talked for a good while, telling a tale of being broke on an unfamiliar world. Essentially, he told the tale of every single person on the crew, he'd just had the bad luck to forget his money on the ship.

Jace sat back in his chair, no longer talking, and Ilana sighed softly. She shook her head, feeling a little bad for him. They'd been eager to leave the ship, but she hadn't thought he'd been that scared. They'd gotten away clean, and only split up to lie low from the feds. She thought she'd explained that part better. Apparently not. She took a swig of her drink and saw the door open. She looked up and saw Lulah walking across the tavern to their table. One corner of her mouth crooked up a second before the other did.

“Oh Lordie!” Lulah exclaimed. “I was so scared I was gonna miss y'all.” She let her bag fall to the floor, and took a seat, not even appearing to breathe as she rambled on. “I done got your wave but it was so darn scrambled up, and then I got to thinkin', Tzao Gao! What if you never got my wave? You sure ain't gonna wait around for somethin' you ain't expectin'.”


The girl laughed then, which wasn't what Ilana was expecting. She felt her brow go up as the girl picked up right where she left off, “Whelp, who needs long legs when you run as fast as I do huh?”

"You said more in two seconds, than I've said all year girl. You gotta relax. You're wound up tighter than a clock spring," Ilana said with a smile. "To answer the only thing there that didn't sound rhetorical; no, I didn't get a wave from you."

Before Ilana could say more, Tai Minh walked into the bar and headed for her table. ”Ahhh." Tai Minh sighed cheerily as he got to the table. "I am here.”

He was smiling broadly, his oriental look and accent making it hard not to smile back. From the corner of her eye, Jace looked like he was ready to kill Tai Minh. Ilana patted Jace's hand and said softly, "Ease up."

Louder, for everyone's ears, she said with a grin, "Tai Minh! I was wondering who got that wave I sent. Jace, Lulah, this is Tai Minh. He's been with our crew before, but that was before you guys were part of out nifty band of weirdos. How have you been Tai Minh?"

She took a swig of her drink, and realized it was the last in her glass. She caught Zipper's eye and raised her glass to let him know she needed a refill. Then she returned her attention to her group, namely Tai Minh. She knew she'd sent the wave originally intended for Marcus to the wrong person the first time, she just didn't know who she'd sent it to. She definitely hadn't expected the recipient to show up at the gathering, but she found she was pleasantly surprised that he had.

[Jay Fuller]

Jace didn't seem like he wanted to stay on the ship. For a second, Jay was about to ask Jace to come with him, but Ilana was right. As Jace went on to tell his story, the medic sighed. And he thought he had it bad with a crappy job and roommate. I guess we can't all have what we need, Jay thought. He said, "Maybe 'disappearing' wasn't such a good idea after all...It doesn't seem like any of us are getting along like we'd hoped, eh?" He took another sip from his drink.

Suddenly, the door burst open and Jay snapped a look to the sound. In walked a familiar red-head. "Or Lordie!" she cried, "I was so scared I was gonna miss y'all. I done got your wave but it was so darn scrambled up, and I got to thikin', Tzao Gao! What if you never got my wave? You sure ain't gonna wait around for somethin' you ain't expectin'. Whelp, who needs long legs when you run as fast as I do huh?" Jay grinned and raised his glass.

"Well, if it isn't the trusty navigator!" he said, "Welcome to the table!" Then, another man walked in. When he walked up, Jay gave him a confused look. He didn't realize who it was until he spoke and Ilana responded. "Tai Minh," Jay said, "Good to see you again." He raised his glass once again in greeting. The man had only been on The Chainless crew for a very short time, but Jay remembered him surprising the rest of the crew with his mystical ways. Jay wasn't sure what else to say to the man, because he never really got to know him.

"Who else did you get a hold of?" Jay asked Ilana. He took one more sip out of his drink. He wondered who else would be showing up to the meeting.

[Tai Minh Tian]

The air inside of the tavern wasn’t as dry as it was outside. It had less of a dusty feel. That was good for Tai Minh’s mouth as he wet it down with his tongue. But it was still fairly dry all around, and now that he was where he needed to be he thought that he could use the moment to rest and refresh.

He began to move his hands over to a jar that hung off of his walking stick. The wooden container was large enough that it could be palmed, and he untied it. He opened the top and took a short drink of water. Tai Minh carried everything that he would need for traveling a great distance, and water was essential. He smiled again as he brought it away from his lips and moved it back to the top of his walking stick.

Tai Minh was pleased that he was greeted openly, as opposed to confusion. That would make things easier for everyone. It was just as well that he was remembered too. It might have made things more difficult if they did not recall who he was. His introduction to those he did not recognize was short and it suited him. He did not know two of those that were there. He wondered if the others he’d known remained or had gone. He knew that ships tended to change out crew frequently so it would not have surprised him.

”The message was short, but clear.” Tai Minh nodded regarding the wave. Before he had left he had listed the information for the Chén yǔ Monestary on Rea, the 3rd moon of Daedalus, where he had left them. He had not told them he had input that information, but he knew he would be there and that a time may come when it might be necessary for him to be contacted, even if it was unknowingly. ”And so here I am.” He said nodding.

When asked how he had been, there wasn’t much to say. ”Wǒ yīzhí zài wǒ xūyào de shì rúhé” Tai Minh answered the question. ”And it seems I am needed to be… tired.” He joked, in the simple way that he always did. He leaned back into his chair looking over the others that were there. ”Is this the new crew?” He asked, curious as to who remained.

_______________________________________________________________

Wǒ yīzhí zài wǒ xūyào de shì rúhé – I have been how I am needed to be

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[Lulah Hayes]

Playfully nudging her knuckles against Ilana's arm at the clock spring comment, Lulah was just glad to see that the Captain was smiling at least. “I knew it!” She soon after exclaimed as her assumptions were confirmed. “Well darn that Cortex.”

Contrary to her cursing though, her beaming attention moved to Jay, who she eyed up and down to note his, as usual, very clean appearance. Something she couldn't resist commenting on as he too, got a chuckled knuckle swipe to his arm. “I swear, only you can find a shower out in the middle of nowhere Jay.”

Before Lulah could turn to Jace and comment on his very opposite appearance to the Doctor, her wide eyes looked to the strange, Oriental man who'd by now approached them. Sizing his first impressions up and down, judging from the walking stick and long robe he wore, she concluded that he looked very much like a Buddhist Monk.

“Ahhh. I am here.”

To which, the redhead lifted her brows and made a confused yet intrigue piqued “huh?” sound. Eyes darting to each member of the crew for a sign of recognition; Jace seemed as grubby and confused as she was, or maybe a bit more grubby... he looked a little worse for wear actually. Plenty of time to ask him about that later though, and hopefully get a good story out of it. Jay and Ilana however, clearly knew this strange man, this 'Tai Minh' apparently.

“Jace, Lulah, this is Tai Minh. He's been with our crew before, but that was before you guys were part of our nifty band of weirdos.”

Narrowing her eyes at the calm man, despite the warm reception from Ilana and Jay both, Lulah was still trying to suss out this 'Tai Minh' and his rather strange way of talking. Like he was speaking in riddles almost. Exactly like the Shepherds and Monks who occasionally passed through the ports on route to 'where they were needed'. The young redhead hadn't exactly received a religious upbringing, and the loses suffered from war and general poverty always made her turn her nose up at the notion of a God. She'd seen the 'Verse, and there were no Gods living there except for men who deemed to raise themselves higher than others.

“Is this the new crew?”

Her turn to be inspected now, and under the scrutiny, the frowning Lulah folded her arms and stood tall and proud. Her blue gaze however, drifted away to Ilana and Jay in turn, since they seemed to know the stranger. “Hmph. He ain't gonna start preaching to us, is he?” She grumbled somewhat cautiously under her breath, but pursed her lips tight before anything else slipped from her frosty tongue.

[Jay Fuller]

Lulah eyed Jay and he gave her a cheeky grin and waved. She laughed and punched him in the arm, "I swear, only you can find a shower out in the middle of nowhere Jay." The medic shrugged and said, "It's a well-honed talent," he looked up and down Lulah and added jokingly, "If you need some help in that department I'd be glad to help."

Jay turned his attention to Tai Minh as he spoke about his tiredness. Jay couldn't resist raising an eyebrow. Tai Minh always had an interesting way of saying things. Jay didn't mind, but it definitely confused him upon occasion. "Is this the new crew?" Tai Minh asked.

"Yep, more or less," Jay said, "We're hoping for one or two more additions, but this what we've got so far."

"Hmph. He ain't gonna start preaching to us, is he?" Lulah asked. Jay gave her a look as if to say 'shut up!' but he decided to let Tai Minh answer the question for himself. Jay, though he liked Lulah for the most part, found that she could be a little odd. But then, with a crew like this, it wasn't unexpected. Everyone at the table had their own weird little quirks about them.

[Tai Minh Tian]

While those that knew him seemed to accept him warmly, the two that were not familiar with Tai Minh seemed to give him a more icy reception. This did not perturb Tai Minh, nor give him cause to be dissuaded. Many looked at him as though he was strange. It may have been his optimism, it may have been the way he travelled, it may have been the way he treated his life, or it may even be the way he played the Pipa. Even other people of piety sometimes looked at him as though he was odd. And Tai Minh was not blind to it. But this was the way many travelers from the Zos Sishen monastery, and Tai Minh suspected they were not the only ones that acted that part.

He folded his hands together, and placed his arms on the rests of his chair. He was quite comfortable on the wooden platform, even if it wasn’t the most comfortable piece of furniture on the planet, or even in the room. He reached to his back to move the sack that lay smoothly behind him, and sung it around so it hung beside him. It seemed long, fat at its bottom, but long at the top. Inside was his wooden instrument, carefully placed beside a large cluster that was the rest of his belongings.

Tai Minh nodded when Jay answered the question. His name he only remembered because it was said a moment earlier as he approached. Crews did come and go, just as people were prone to do. To him this was no surprise. He was conscious that the crew tended to do things that weren’t adhering to the law, but that did not bother Tai Minh. He knew the way the world was, and sought only to guide as much as he could towards the best path that could be attained. ”Alright.” Tai Minh nodded. ”Then there’s room.” He smiled, his usual self confidence displayed, as he was remembering the ship that dropped him off on Rea. He of course would likely sleep on a hammock that he carried with him, but he liked to make sure he wasn’t imposing upon others.

He heard the young red headed girl, Lulah, mutter something. He didn’t hear all of it, only the word “preaching” and heard a grunt with it. Tai Minh was familiar with non believers, but wouldn’t go so far as to judge that she herself did not have a faith. But he wanted to say something anyway. ”Preaching,” He said looking at her somewhat blank faced. ”is for preachers.” He leaned in slightly towards her. ”And I am not a preacher.” Tai Minh pointed out. ”Nǐ zěnme néng gàosu?” Tai Minh asked rhetorically. He then smiled. ”I make people less sleepy.”

Tai Minh finished off by giving his usual light chuckle. He was always very pleased with himself, and he even if that joke wasn’t very funny to others, it was funny to him. He then leaned back in his chair smiling lightly once again.

____________________________________

Nǐ zěnme néng gàosu? – How can you tell?

____________________________________

[Ilana Logan]

Ilana smiled, but didn't say anything about Lulah's cortex comments. It was true, the cortex sucked sometimes, but there was nothing that could be done about it. Jay was quite welcoming to both Lulah and Tai Minh, which didn't surprise Ilana at all. What did surprise her was his question when he asked, "Who else did you get a hold of?"

"Everyone I got ahold of is here, unless Marcus got my wave. I sent it to Tai Minh by accident, but until just now, I didn't know who it went to," Ilana explained, as Zipper quietly filled up her glass and walked away.

”The message was short, but clear,” Tai Minh nodded regarding the wave. ”And so here I am,” He added, still nodding.

Jay and Lulah struck up their own weird conversation about showering in the desert, and Jay believing he was incredibly talented for being able to do so. Ilana just shook her head, not knowing what else to do or say about those two.

When Ilana asked Tai Minh how he had been, ”Wǒ yīzhí zài wǒ xūyào de shì rúhé” Tai Minh answered the question. I have been how I needed to be, Ilana thought chuckling lightly. ”And it seems I am needed to be… tired,” He joked, making Ilana smile. She took a swig of her drink as he leaned back into his chair looking over the small group assembled at the table in the corner. ”Is this the new crew?” He asked, curious as to who remained.

Jay is the one who answered Tai Minh's question, as Ilana still had a mouthful of whiskey. "Yep, more or less. We're hoping for one or two more additions, but this what we've got so far."

”Alright.” Tai Minh nodded. ”Then there’s room.”

“Hmph. He ain't gonna start preaching to us, is he?” Lulah grumbled, which startled Ilana.

Ilana kicked Lulah's shin under the table. Not hard, mostly a warning to not be rude to this man. One she would make verbal in a moment. She gave her a stern look, and then Tai Minh started talking.

”Preaching, is for preachers,” Tai Minh responded. He leaned in slightly towards her. ”And I am not a preacher. Nǐ zěnme néng gàosu?" How can I tell? Good gorram question. The question was rhetorical so Ilana didn't say this outloud. Then he smiled and said, ”I make people less sleepy.”

Ilana gave a startled laugh at this. She didn't remember him having a such a strong sense of humor before. Tau Minh was laughing softly too, clearly pleased with himself. He leaned back in his chair again, still smiling. Well, at least he's sure to do wonders for crew morale, Ilana thought to herself.

"My apologies Lulah, it seems my friend here has a stronger sense of humor than I recall," Ilana said with a laugh. "Still yet we'll be heading out of here soon, and I want to make a few things clear to everyone, so listen up. One, I understand if you are not a believer, as I am not a believer myself, but I will not tolerate rudeness to this man. I don't care if he sits in the lounge reading his book outloud from to back every day, you will not be rude to him. Anything you have to say to him, can be said politely just as easily as if you're being rude. The only difference is for every rude comment to him from you, you get a boot in your ass from me

"Number two, things are gonna be a little bit different this go around. We're documented ship, licensed to haul almost anything. I'm sure we can stick to the legal, or at least mostly legal, stuff without much problem. The reason for this change doesn't matter, and if you ask, i probably won't tell you so you'd be wasting your breath."

Ilana heard boots tapping on the floor as someone new approached the table. She looked up to see Roman standing about two feet behind Jay. She gestured to him with a wave of her hand and said, "This is the Roman I spoke of earlier. He'll be giving us a ride to the ship. It's not too far, but far enough I figured you all wouldn't want to walk with all your belongings strapped to your backs. Also far enough i don't want to pay cab fare for everyone here. Also, if you ask who Roman is, again there is a good chance I won't tell you, so you'd probably be wasting your breath. Jay, I suggest you ride to the ship with us. He can take you to the shuttles so you can leave and get your things from Whitefall after. This way you know where the ship is and we don't have to stay at the bar for a day and a half waiting on you to come back."

Ilana heaved a sigh as she heard Roman chuckle quietly at her comment. '"Any questions before we head out?"

[Lulah Hayes]

“- Ow!”

Even though the under the table kick was probably meant to be a discreet way of shutting Lulah up, she instinctively winced in a high-pitched wince; her shoulders giving a jolt to the sudden sharp jab to her shin. Shooting her frowning 'what did you do that for!?' glare at Ilana, the redhead at least bit her tongue of any further grumbles.

“Preaching, is for preachers.” Narrowed eyes and sour-faced expression in general, turned to Tai Minh. As he leaned in slightly though, her expression lightly softened, and brows twitched thanks to piqued curiosity. “And I am not a preacher.”

The start of a smile relaxed her suspicious expression, and to the rhetorical question, the well baited Lulah in turn lifted curious brows in anticipation of an answer. When it came, she was stunned for a brief, wide-eyed moment as her mind processed the fact that this 'monk' had indeed, just cracked a little joke. She of course, expected his 'type' to be serious and... well, 'monk-like'. Not good-humoured and cheerful! With her opinion briskly changed like the flip side of a tossed coin, the young navigator's smile grew, and she soon followed the man's chuckles with a very lightly breathed chortle of her own.

"My apologies Lulah, it seems my friend here has a stronger sense of humor than I recall."

Still smiling, she looked to Ilana and resigned herself to quietly listening to the instructions that followed. While she couldn't help but feel like the first point was directed at her, she also didn't feel like she'd been all that rude. At least she had the decency to speak her mind, right? Wasn't it more rude to moan behind someone's back? That's how she'd been taught at least, and now that issues were raised in advance, this 'Tai Minh' knew how things stood! Besides, reading books out loud that no one cared to listen to was just as equally rude, wasn't it? Well it certainly seemed so in her mind. Wrinkling her nose, Lulah decided just to bite her tongue rather than get off on the wrong foot with the captain. Again. Getting a boot up her ass wasn't a good start, especially before they even left the ground.

Point number two however, had her folding her arms and focusing more seriously. Documented ship? Why did that sound a little dodgy? Like something that turned out to have a catch, because it seemed too easy and good to be true. The fact that the captain didn't want to answer questions about it didn't exactly help to ease Lulah's anxieties. Documented sounded like it meant Alliance, and when Purple-bellies were concerned, she'd rather play it blissfully ignorant.

Turning to stare at the approaching man in a white suit – designer by the looks of it – Lulah eyed up this man called 'Roman' with the usual up and down look she gave all new acquaintances. He looked like a proper fancy-pants, but her pout formed an approving 'o' shape nonetheless, complete with raised brows. She couldn't flaw a man with good taste in clothes, but who was he exactly? All they had was a name, and a promise of a ride to the ship, which she also couldn't flaw. What was with all these secrets though? She inhaled a deep breath as yet again, the captain pre-empted questions with a strict no-answers policy. Problem was, it only made Lulah all the more curious to know what was really going on here.

"Any questions before we head out?"

Plenty, but Lulah feared the boot, so she gave Roman another up and down stare before speaking up. “Yeah – I reckon y'all can fill me in on the way but, is this Roman fella here comin' with us too or is he jus'... givin' us a ride?” Pausing to hoist her bag up on her shoulder, she had to wonder if her next question might be considered 'rude' too. But on second thought, nah! Leaning towards Ilana, she stole another peek at Roman before lowering her voice as if sharing a girlie secret. “Would you look at his suit! Must be a real A-grade 'ride' huh?” And with a wink, she giggle-snickered gleefully.

[Tai Minh Tian]

Tai Minh said nothing regarding his sense of humor. He had always been a fairly light hearted person, and didn’t see most things as overwhelmingly important as other people tended to on a regular basis. He just remained seated as Ilana began to work through the ‘new items’, which he assumed were new as this crew fit itself back together.

The first however seemed to completely revolve around him. He was not however in a position to argue with the rules, but he felt it was unnecessary. Tai Minh did not have thin skin, and with the sheer amount of years he’d spent traveling the verse’, which seemed to be as long as the others at the table had been alive, he was very familiar with people that did not take to the idea of a religious person very well. Even still it wasn’t going to bother him, but he would try his best not to impede upon the others. Instead he decided to fill that with something to put them at ease.

”Bùyào dānxīn,” He said looking at the others, with a more serious expression. “Wǒ kěyǐ bù dú.” He concluded smiling. He did not chuckle, but he was obviously not serious about that statement. Of course Tai Minh could read, but the joke was just to make them not feel like they had to worry about him being a problem.

At this point a man in fine clothing arrived near them. The captain of the ship mentioned his name and purpose, but nothing more then that. She made frequent emphasis on not asking questions. ”The one that asks for asking not, has dangerous secrets that they’ve caught” The proverb ran through Tai Minh’s mind, but he kept it to himself, not wanting to pry.

He thought he caught onto an innuendo from the red headed girl, and he looked over as she continued. He couldn’t say for sure, but he removed his jar of water and took another sip from it. When she finished he spoke. ”An impure mind will lead a body to suffer.” Even if it wasn’t what she was talking about, it was a worthy lesson for all to know. He took yet another sip, and tied the jar back to the top of his walking stick.

___________________________________________

Bùyào dānxīn - Don't worry
Wǒ kěyǐ bù dú - I can't read

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