Once More, With Feeling;

[Jace Cisco]

Jace released a small sigh of relief watching as Jay came to realization of where the giant of a man was coming from about the situation. The conversation had actually brought a bit of a smirk to his face, reflecting on how in this short time of being with a crew he had been lucky. Jace had found a crew that could handle themselves, and was able to survive some dicey situations, his thoughts drifted to Lulah and Ray, were they coming back, what happened to them, are they even still alive? Jace simply nodded as Jay spoke, he understood where Jay was coming from, Ilana honestly should have consulted the crew even if she went against their wishes as Captain she had that right, but just the courtesy of doing so would have been enough. Jace opened his mouth to cut into Jay mid-sentence when the door slung open hitting Jace. Knocked off balance hand going immediately to the pommel of his knife.

"Ta me de!" Jace shouted seeing it was Ilana and not some purple belly fed, slinging his knife back into its place angrily. All Jace could do was sit back and watch as the good ole Cap'n tear into Jay, a little deserved, but she wasn't holding anything back screaming at the poor doctor. He his job here was done, Ilana was as able as most men when it came to scuffles, so Jace took his chance and slid out of the cramped bathroom, chuckling at the door sealed behind him.

Jace muttered, "Better him than me I suppose."

Crossing the tavern again, he noticed in his absence the tavern had appeared to empty out quiet a bit, the Fed officer wasn't anywhere to be found, but neither were the fighting patrons either. Turning around the corner he noticed the girl who he ran into earlier sitting at the table. Is she here for a job or to get an apology from everyone who ran into her... his annoyance rising again. The girl quickly forgotten spotting the overly dressed doxy sitting at the table beside theirs. Little bit out of place that one was, though he hadn't seen a better dressed doxy since his unfortunate visit to Ariel a few years back. Settling back beside the new arrival, his eyes scanning her over, the tiny frame amused him she made Jay and Marcus appear like giants.

Leaning over to the tiny girl Jace took his chance and whispered, "Sorry to have ran ya over bao bei, was in a rush."

Looking up and eyeing Zipper Jace calmly raised his hand ordering his usual brew, meaning the closest thing Zipper grabbed didn't matter what, Jace spotted Ilana coming back around the corner Jay hadn't followed yet it seemed, but he wasn't about to test the waters yet with that one. With Ilana settling in they began conversing about the meeting. Jace's eyes fixed on the well dressed girl, something was off about her, she didn't act like a normal doxy he couldn't put his finger on it. Zipper whisking away Marcus's empty mug and placing Jace's drink infront of him, he almost missed the girl speaking up and mentioning her potential political ties and a job. Companion! The beauty of the girl and her get up made perfect sense now...

"Just shiny Cap'ns, we regroup and get someone on the ship that will get herself killed sure nough." Jace spat. He had no issues with Companion's really, he didn't see much use of one nor how the girl would be able to keep herself alive. Jace was used to danger, he seemed to thrive on it, with this crew they found it easily enough. He tried to offer the Companion and small smile to apologize to her, even if he didn't think agree with her being there it would be good coin sure enough.

Ta ma de - fuck

bao bei - darling

[Ilana Logan]

Ilana was still smiling when the beautiful girl listening in from the next table leaned over and said, "I was hoping to speak with the captain? I saw this bulletin that you all were looking for a PR personal? I think I would be good for this job. I won't do much in the way of security and I am not looking for much in the way of pay either. I am looking for a spot on this ship so I may travel for work myself. I can help clean, cook. I also will be able to help with any type of legal or Political Matters." She seemed to paused to think for a moment, and then went on,"I will help with whatever needs doing. So can I ask who the captain is, and if I may have a word?" 

Ilana really looked at the woman for a moment, playing with her dark hair nervously. She didn't look nervous otherwise, but twirling your hair around like that typically indicated a person being nervous.

Ilana was still thinking of how to respond without offending anyone when Marcus spoke up, "My name is Marcus O'Terra." He had added a bit of an accent to his voice that Ilana had never heard him use before, and she rolled her eyes with a smirk, assuming it had something to do with the beauty of the woman he was speaking to. "Owner of the Surefoot the vessel that's being crewed. The matter of Captain is one to be finalized. But unlike a military vessel or some private yacht, it's not a matter of: 'I own the ship so I'm the captain, grrr arrr.' Pardon." He coughed.

Ilana chuckled softly, but before she could speak, Jace, whom she hadn't noticed come back, chimed in, "Just shiny Cap'ns," she snorted at his referrence to the fact that both her and Marcus had at some point been their Captain. "We regroup and get someone on the ship that will get herself killed sure 'nough."

Ilana eyed Jace for a moment, trying to determine how serious he was, and finally decided he wasn't kidding here. She sighed and thought, Why can't we just be friends?

The thought made her grin, then a second thought, Maybe that alcohol is affecting me more than I gave it credit for… She knew she wasn't drunk, but she was certainly… happy.

She thought over the time since Marcus had left and signed the ship over to her, then said, "I don't want it, Marcus." She shook her head, either to clear her head or emphasize her point. She herself wasn't sure which. "You can have it back. Please, GOD take it back. I'll be just fine as your second. I did fine there. I don't think I did a particularly bad at the job, but the stress of it nearly killed us all. Me from the stress… Well, them from the stress too, but mainly because it was mostly conscious effort and bourbon that kept me from going murder-suicide on everyone…" She thought for a moment and realized after everything, he may want to choose someone else as second in command, so she added, "…That is, if you still want me in that position. I won't be offended if you don't. Especially after this…" She waved her arms around her to indicate the mess she had caused.

She paused for a moment, and said, "In regards to you, Miss… I don't think I caught your name… I think having a companion on board would be a great idea. Plenty of planets won't even let you dock without a companion on board." She looked to Marcus and said, "There'll be some business matters to discuss, of course, but I don't see a reason not to give her the job, Marcus."

Ilana looked to Jace and said, "And Jace… There's no need to be rude. She may be 'just a companion, but if you know anything about them, their training includes self-defense, and not only to deal with… Unruly clients. She looked to the beautiful companion at the next table over. She spoke to Jace without looking away from the girl, "The companions may lead a glamorous life, but they're fully aware of the dangers in the 'verse." Ilana smirked, and half-jokingly said, "I have full confidence that I could probably kick her ass, but I could say the same about Jay too, and he hasn't died yet."

She waved Zipper for a drink, still unsure yet if she would actually drink it or not.

[Marcus O'Terra]

Jace's arrival made Marcus frown deeply. That kind of quick tongue was what got Marcus into more than his fair share of scraps in the past. Still, hot tempers ended on the curb and looking for work more than even keels. God, he was getting more lyrical with the beer.

"Jace, take a seat and try not to let your Borderline sensibilities color your concern." If he wasn't going to be Captain, he'd at least do his part of keep the crew in check. Lords knows what it must have been like for Ilana, just her and those two rascals.

Then Ilana all but handed the Captain's seat back to Marcus. He didn't show his surprise, wasn't much of it to hide. The Companion was probably the person at the table with the most leadership experience. He caught the eye of a short woman who seemed to be flitting about, near their table. She didn't look like a server and wasn't dressed like a doxie, so he doubted she was either.

Another applicant, probably.

"You looking for a job on a ship too, miss?" He asked, and gestured the girl to come over.

Turning back to the Companion, he smiled, still waiting on a name.


[Tag: Jace, Honna, Mira]

[Mira Walker]

Mira looked to everyone in turned they all seemed to notice her at once. Ilana still smiled at her and it made her face go red just a bit. She righted herself and turned to Marcus putting her hand in his to shake it, she suddenly had forgotten that she did not introduce herself.

"Mira Walker, Sir," She added the last almost as an afterthought. Mira looked to Jace and she felt herself get a little steamed at the comment of her not being able to handle herself in a fight. Letting her brows furrow and canted her head slightly. Raven locks falling over one shoulder and down the length of her body. She let her red stained lips turn into a smirk when Ilana corrected him. "And Jace… There's no need to be rude. She may be 'just a companion, but if you know anything about them, their training includes self-defense, and not only to deal with… Unruly clients."

Her eyes glittered slightly in amusement when she looked back to Marcus.

"I think I can handle myself just fine, as Ilana pointed out. You all could use me to get on some planets. I don't need much space, but I stress that it has to be my own where no one can venture without consent on my part."
She smiled a thanks at Ilana, just for the backup. Looking back to Jace she spoke again. "I can not only kick a man's Pìgu but if needed I can shoot, I am handy with a bow, and I know how to stay out of the way for everything else."

She licked her lip slightly thinking that she really needed a drink now. All this attention at once and she was ready to just be done with it so she can get her stuff. She watched the rest of the interaction, amused that they all seemed to be in this discussion on who the Captin was. She figured talking to them all as a whole was a good idea at this point.

The waitress ventured back to bring drinks and she managed to order herself just a plain ole' beer. She wasn't drinking for any other reason than just needed something other than water in a dirty glass. She figured if it was going to be something from this place it was going to manage to fit the theme.

Crossing her legs again, she sat back and waited for an answer. Keeping her soul attention on Marcus and Ilana, only looking at Jace in the corner of her eye. She was angry with him for making assumptions, but she also knew that she was going to have to prove herself. It was going to be a long road and she was going to need them to trust her. If she was going to survive anywhere.

==================
Pìgu - ass

[Jay Fuller]

Jay pulled in one more breath. His anger hadn’t quite subsided, but at least now he was rational enough to think things through. He decided that, at the very least, he needed to be part of the crew. He could be upset later. Right now, it was time to go check out the new recruits. He could talk with Ilana later – even if she didn’t, he at least wanted to tell her what he was thinking. That he wasn’t mad at her for selling the ship, and that he appreciated everything she had done for him and the crew in the years together.
Later, he reminded himself. He walked over to the small stall, pulled out some tissue and blew his nose, then splashed his face with a little water. One last, quick clean up before returning to the others. He stepped out of the bathroom and some new faces at the table. He walked over to the bar and waved at the bartender. “Something with whisky, please,” he said.

He got the drink and took a sip, before turning to head back to the crew. Ilana, at least, seemed to be in a lighter mood. He finally came back and quietly sat at the table as Marcus was speaking, looking over at one of the new comers. Jay followed Marcus’ gaze to her. She was pretty. And the way she moved…it was off. Disarming, even. Jay raised an eyebrow at her. He said nothing, but nonchalantly took the half-drinken ale and poured it into his half-full whiskey glass.

Jace made an odd comment about the girl, and Jay wasn’t sure how to gage it. He seemed serious, but Jay couldn’t nail why – he must have missed something. Finally, Ilana started talking. Jay was glad to see she was at least pretending to be better. "In regards to you, Miss… I don't think I caught your name… I think having a companion on board would be a great idea. Plenty of planets won't even let you dock without a companion on board…There'll be some business matters to discuss, of course, but I don't see a reason not to give her the job, Marcus.”

Ah, that was it. She was a Companion. Jay looked down to his new concoction and took a drink. It was…interesting. He took another sip. He had never met a Companion before, and he had always found their work fascinating. Maybe it was just because of his own desire to seduce a man, but there was something alluring to him about the way they operated, and he hadn’t met many in his time. "…I have full confidence that I could probably kick her ass, but I could say the same about Jay too, and he hasn't died yet." Ilana spoke.

Jay looked up, pulling back into reality. He gave her a look, “I like to think I’ve managed rather well, thank you very much.” He raised his glass, whether for emphasis or not he wasn’t sure. He smirked at Ilana, hoping it would pass off as casual as he tried to make it. He still wanted to speak to Ilana as soon as possible, but this was unfortunately not the time nor place. So now, he had to act casual.

As the woman, named Mira, spoke, Jay found himself impressed. His first impression of her, he didn’t expect her to speak back to Jace so easily. Jay liked that – after his own struggle with speaking up, he had learned to admire those who did. “Well,” Jay said, “I, for one, would love to have someone else on board who knows their way around the kitchen! And I say, the more diverse group we have, the more fun we have.” He grinned and took another sip of his drink.

[Honna Leigh]

The place was so very busy, and there were offices everywhere. That face making me more than a bit jumpy. Plans had run afoul again, here I was waiting to get hired on a bucket of bolts ship of questionable morels. Well beggars could not be choosers and there had been times that things were done that none were really proud of. Point of fact there were a few wallets that were not my own now stuffed into the pocket of a worn jacket. Why the officers had made a lithe frame so jumpy, that and they were Alliance.

My father had been chased by the Alliance for as long as I could remember. Childhood had been spent helping him escape. What had happened to my mom I never found out and after a time just stopped asking. Having learned to cook with what was available, getting a few jobs in various kitchens learning the craft. That allowing me to bring home leftover the old man quickly devoured just assuming I had eaten already. Or not really caring. Either way I had grown up lean, and determined to find a better way and this was my chance.

Here in this fraken bar the old man had finally run off leaving me to fend for myself. That in itself was nothing new, but the fact that he hadn’t been back to steal anything lately meant he had either been captured or was dead somewhere. In either situation I was better off, but I would worry. Ok enough of this maudlin thinking it is time to get on with it. Get a job and do more than just eek out an existence. I wanted to live.

Well this had been one di yu night. If the night was not survived then so be it but not for lack of trying. Gathering up courage, gives the sleeve of the shuai fellow I’d bumped into a little tug. Looking at the table in general. It was filled with a few that looked ready to get out of here as well. Then again I could be ready faces wrong that had been known to happen a time or two. So instead of addressing the man (Jace) whose sleeve was still in a small hand addresses the table in general.

Needing out of this place it was just filled with too many officers and being caught with all the items in my pocket was more than a bad thing. Voice trilling forth words a bit hurried because face it, this was not a comfortable place. Every ounce of my being was aching to flee. “Hello my name is Honna, and I need a job.” Swallowing then continuing. “I am not just any ole cook I can make shoe leather edible, so if ya’ll are needing one I am your woman.” <I> nodding a dark head vigorously trying to fight the urge to look around not wanting to give away the fact that I was downright jumpy.

[Marcus O'Terra]

Marcus sat back after he shook the Companion's, Mira's, hand. She made her pitch and had the sort of fire Marcus suspected lurked under her smooth skin. Well, a Companion needs that sort of fire, doesn't she?

"As for Privacy, I've seen ships where the Captain turns over a shuttle to 'exceptional passengers' as their residence as well as place of business. With exception to emergencies, the shuttle would be your domain; Is that acceptable?" He asked her.

Jay returned and seemed better for it. Boy needed a hard lay, badly. He was wound too tight at the moment. A captain's work is never done... Marcus sighed internally. But shrugged it off. When the shorter girl offered her services as a cook. Marcus scratched his chin.

"Well, Miss Honna, what else are you trained in, besides cooking?" He smiled at her claim of edible leather. Usually people who've never starved make those kinds of jokes. "The more you bring to the table, so to speak, the better."

[Marina Kseniya Sebastien]

Excerpt from Wandering Star, by M. K. Sebastien, Engr., ret
Translated from Russian

Three Hills.

I was stuck on Three Hills due to a labor dispute. The captain of my ride had quite a different idea as to what he'd accept as payment on arrival, as did I. I'd paid enough with my body during the war.

Never again.

To say he was merely disappointed was a vast understatement, as was saying I merely disagreed with the bill. Certain imprecations were laid on me, as were certain hands, and I returned both to their rightful owner. Rather forcefully, in fact. This much I'll say: He was breathing when I left him. Given the fact his crew didn't lift a finger in his defense, I expect they felt it was more than he deserved. There was a look in his Second's eye that told me that a change in command was imminent and it was backed up by several of the female crew.

For myself, I wanted no part of it.

I wished them well and walked off their ship. If I lacked their explicit blessing, I lacked their bullets in my back as well. I considered it a win and kept walking. The less time I spent in their sight, the less time they had to rethink their options with regard to me.

I took off across the tarmac for the spaceport. As I hit the job boards looking for reasonable hire, I decided to find something for a longer term. I needed to build a financial cushion against emergencies. Being too low on cash had convinced me to accept a job on that ruttin' kozel's ship in the first place, despite the nudge my gut had given me to refuse.

I shook my head. That was behind me. Starvation was in front of me if I didn't hustle and get a job. I flicked through the pages on the screen, scowling at the offerings until one caught my eye. I noted the time and place and checked my watch.

If I hurried, I'd make it.



***



Zipper's Tavern, Marshall Rock
6:35 PM Local Time

It looked like a dive. Walking inside denied it. It was more like a Coreside bar than I preferred, with more flatscreens mounted on the walls than I liked. Who knew how many of them were two-way feeds? Nevertheless, I strode inside as if I knew where I was going and swept the room with a glance. Back exit: check. People: too many to count.

Then:

Bozhe moi, is that who I think it is?

A patron shifted between me and the table that had caught my attention, revealing another familiar face. The job notice that sent me here evaporated. My gut insisted that what I had in front of me was the better option, even as my eyes told me that I might have some competition for it: apparently there were two others with the same idea as I.

I turned my steps for the bar and ordered a beer, paying for it with one of my remaining precious coin. At least the bottle was cold and the seal on it intact. On taking a sip, I discovered the beer inside it wasn't half bad. Pretext for my presence established, I walked over as if aiming for another table and pulled a double-take as I drew even.

"Ilana? Trakhni menya, is that you?"




<TAG: Illana, Marcus>



===HOW TO SPEAK RUSSIAN===
kozel = козел = kahz-yoll = goat, asshole, buck, motherfucker, sow, salamander
Click on the sound button, here

Bozhe moi = Боже мой! = boh-zhuh moy = (interj.) Oh my God!
Click on the sound button, here

Trakhni menya! = Трахни меня = Trahk-nee Men-yah = (interj.) Fuck me!
Click on the sound button, here

[Jace Cisco]

With Marcus and Ilana eagerly defending this newcomer, she had to be worth exceptional coin for our crew. Jace had finally felt his first real twinge of anger since rejoining everyone at this table. Jace quietly sat back into his chair as far as he could and closed his eyes, counting slowly to regain his calm, a trick he learned during his training to be a pilot, feels so long ago, letting out a small sigh of relief or exacerbation Jace was unsure at this point. Jace heard Mira speak up about her skills with a bow and even hand to hand combat or that is what he assumed she referenced. Jace quickly downed his drink and with it his facade cracked.

"Ai ya! Suo you de dou shi dang!" Jace spat out quietly to himself. Leaning towards Mira taking her hand in his own his rough cracked skin swallowing the smooth regal hand of the Companions, bringing the soft dainty flesh up to his mouth Jace politely kissed her hand, looking towards Jay and grinning giving him a wink. Leaning upright again and looking at the look on the Companion's face, feeling quiet accomplished now with his smug movement. His voice taking on a more serious tone as he spoke, "Mira, I do apologize for my rude comment. My name is Jace and if you join us you will learn for yourself or from the crew that I don't take kindly to many folk, good or not." He held back what he wanted to say, he wanted to explain that he didn't care to know anyone or be friends with anyone who could not survive, Jace had lost enough comrades in the war and lost any reason to make friends who weren't strong.

Letting the Companion's hand finally go after what seemed an extended period of time, which translated to mere seconds, he turned his attention towards Ilana. "So do either of you two know when we will get off this gorram rock and finally have metal and the black as home again?" Jace asked probably more impatiently than he intended, but he wanted to be home....flying was home.

Before he managed to get his question answered, a shout of Ilana interrupted the room his hand beneath his jacket as he found the source and relaxed once again when he saw another woman coming towards them. Apparently another recruit and one Ilana knew personally. The tiny girl leaned over in this brief interruption to announce she was Honna Leigh and that she was a cook if that was good enough to join. Jace was surprised at how quickly the ship refilled and with only half being original crew. He pondered if he was considered original or not since he had come right after Lulah....

==========

Ai Ya - Aah!

Suo you de dou shi dang - For all that is proper!

[Ilana, Jay, Mira]

[Mira Walker]

Mira raised a manicured thin brow at 'exceptional passengers' was he making fun? Or flattery. She was going to take it as the ladder and smiles red stained lips at him. She began to speak as the Young man came walking in. He looked flushed very upset. She couldn't help but smile at him a genuine smile. Jay was adorable, and he looked at her with true curiosity. It's not often that you see a Companion anywhere but upper scale planets. She gave him a little nod of acknowledgment. Looking back to Marcus her voice got a little louder but it always had this sultry tone to it, soothing and non-threatening.

"I think that will do, I need the rest of the crew to agree as well. They will not venture in my quarters without my permission. If I have a 'guest' on board they are to also not to speak to them. These are my only rules, other than that I am not picky."

She jumps almost like someone smacked her when she felt his Callused hand grasp hers. Jace leaning in, wild hair in her face. She wanted to tug her hand back like he burned her. She couldn't keep the look of surprise and 'almost' anger off her face. But she let it go on, she didn't have to lean in to hear him, his voice rough, like he was always angry.

"Mira, I do apologize for my rude comment. My name is Jace and if you join us you will learn for yourself or from the crew that I don't take kindly to many folks, good or not."

She smiled at the gesture, she really wanted to laugh at it. "thank you, Jace, I appreciate the sentiment really." Mira pulled her hand back and looked around Marcus to Jay and wiggled delicate little fingers. She smiled a little brighter amusement in her eyes as Jay got defensive towards Ilana's comment. Softly spoken she says "Don't worry Jay I think you are one of those silent but strong types." She nods, sitting back and looking towards the little nervous mouse prattling up to the table. She had no choice but to be intrigued by the girl. She mentioned something about cooking and she wondered what type of meals would be served on this ship anyways. It wasn't a classy yacht, Just a bunch of men/ladies traveling around for what? She didn't even ask what the ship was for anyways. She really could care less, like her she was sure that they were there to just make a living.

Mira looked at the waitress with a thankful glance, She picked the mug up. It was far too big for her hand and it felt awkward. It wasn't what she was used to Shimmerwine in a delicate glass. She shrugged to herself before pressing it to her lips and taking a small sip. It was good, it isn't what she is used to but she like the taste of the beer. She took another swallow as she relaxed a bit around these people. She wanted to hear more about them. Learn more about them, she managed to pay a little more attention, listening, she kept this small content smile on her face.

[Marcus O'Terra]

Marcus smiled as things started toward a good pace, Mira met Jace's bark with gusto and that seemed to cool his fight some. He watched the Companion drink a mug of beer, and that, Marcus realized, was something he never thought he'd see in his life. A companion, from afar, at a party where he was extra muscle, might carry some stemware with a sparkling beverage; but never had he seen one lift a heart brew to her lips.

Wonders everyday. Then, to add to that, Rina arrived.

"Holy Shit, the band's getting back together." He laughed. It was going to be crowded, or perhaps, companionable, aboard the Surefoot now, but Marcus was sure they'd manage. Or he'd add a living module to the upper half of the cargo bay. One or the other.

He turned back to the Companion. "A crew member's bunk is their own. As I don't imagine anyone here would like someone traipsing into their abode, without a welcome and consent, it's a rule that'll apply to yours as well." Marcus really couldn't understand why anyone would want to invade a Companion's private domain.

"As for guests you invite aboard. I understand some individuals value their privacy, I do my own; Give me fair warning and I'll provide a clear, empty, path to your shuttle." Marcus raised a finger at this point.

"However this anonymity extends only to your clients. Any security they bring with them onto my ship, will have my security present. His security, which was likely him, Jace, and Rina if she was really here for a job. "You call me on an in ship comm line when your business is concluded, we shift out of sight and out of seeing so that anonymity and confidentiality remains intact.

Thank the cortex for Law dramas, Crime series, and Detective movies. Most of that banter was a composite of a half dozen shows he'd binged on during his hermitage.

[Tag: Mira]

[Jay Fuller]

Jay glanced over to Honna as she spoke, giving her a smile and a nod. Another cook! Thank god. Jay could only deal with making so many meals. She seemed a little fidgety, and he hoped that wasn’t a trait that would follow her in the kitchen. He assumed not, because he was a very shy person when he first met someone – he remembered barely speaking to the others on the crew for months before he finally warmed up to them. Marcus responded and Jay looked back at him, eyes lingering on the new captain for a moment. He was glad the man was back.

Jay turned his attention back to Jace as he spoke. "Ai ya! Suo you de dou shi dang!" Jace turned and looked at Jay, grinning and winking as he took the Companion’s hand and kissed it. Jay let out a snort. "Mira, I do apologize for my rude comment. My name is Jace and if you join us you will learn for yourself or from the crew that I don't take kindly to many folk, good or not."

“Subtle,” Jay commented, trying to hold back his laughter. He then quickly switched his tone to ask when they would be flying again. This uttered another chuckle from Jay. Mira then turned her attention to Jay, and said "Don't worry Jay I think you are one of those silent but strong types.” Jay, unsure of how to respond, he nodded. “Thank you.”

Then, there was a woman approaching the table. Once she noticed Ilana, Jay saw her face change immediately. “Ilana? Trakhni menya, is that you?" she said. Jay raised an eyebrow and took another sip from his whiskey-beer drink thing. Awkward, he thought. Though, he supposed he wasn't surprised there was some sort of drama added onto this meeting.

[Ilana Logan]

Zipper delivered her drink silently, no empty for him to whisk away this time. Musta taken it while I was so angrily exploring his men's room, Ilana thought, snorting softly aloud at the idea.

Jay had returned a moment ago, but had been engaged in some inner debate, so she had left him to it, but finally, at her words, which she'd intended to be amusing, he spoke, “I like to think I’ve managed rather well, thank you very much.” He raised his glass and smirked.

Ilana gave him a lopsided smirk in return and raised her glass, tipping it gently toward him in a cheers, I don't hate you gesture, she hoped he understood. She took a small sip to complete the gesture and set the glass back down.

Mira smiled at the gentle exchange between Ilana and Jay. Softly spoken she says "Don't worry Jay I think you are one of those silent but strong types." She nodded, sitting back in her chair.

Marcus brought Ilana's attention back to him, speaking and gesturing to the tiny girl that she had completely forgotten existed… The very same one Jace had nearly turned into a smear on the floor when he barreled into her in his mad dash to show Jay his concern. Ilana snorted again, wondering if Jace knew the medic was sly.

Marcus turned back toward the companion and, out of habit, Ilana did too.

"Mira Walker, Sir," the companion said, blushing a little, making Ilana snort again.

"Not many in your line of work do that," Ilana said with a good-natured tone, gesturing at her own cheeks to make sure she wasn't misunderstood.

Jace's words seemed to irritate Mira, but only for a moment. She looked fairly pleased with something anyway when she replied to Marcus, pointing out things Ilana had already stated. She seemed confident at least, and that was something. Mira smiled at Ilana when she finished speaking to Marcus, and it was Ilana's turn to blush. It made her skin crawl in a way that she wasn't sure whether was good or bad. Different, for sure, not unpleasant, just... Foreign. She shook her head to shake the feeling off and took another small sip of her drink.

Mira then shot a look to Jace and mouthed off with a quip to respond to his rudeness, and a boast about her skill with a bow and ability to stay out of the way, both of which were a plus.

"Ó, wǒ de shàngdì," Ilana giggle as Jace fell all over himself, and poor Mira, apologizing for his rudeness. Ilana had to hand it to him though, he'd apologized and that was something. Mira looked extremely uncomfortable and thanked him for his apology.

“Subtle,” Jay commented, clearly trying to hold back laughter. The boy was a lot of things... A liar ain't one of 'em, Ilana thought.

“Well,” Jay said, “I, for one, would love to have someone else on board who knows their way around the kitchen! And I say, the more diverse group we have, the more fun we have.” He grinned and took another sip of his drink.

She shook her head, grinning ear to ear, and sounding like she was having fits from her efforts to not laugh outright at the extent to which he had gone overboard. "Wǒmen jiāng zuò xiē shénme gēn tā zài yīqǐ?" She asked Jay when she regained control of her snorts, eyes glittering with pent up laughter.

Ilana sobered in at least oneway and listened as Marcus and Mira beat out the privacy rules for her domain. She all but demanded that all crew members agree to her rules. Ilana could understand a companion's need for privacy though…

She shook her head and said, "No one goes into anyone else's space without express permission. The only case I can see anyone coming into your quarters without permission is in a dire emergency. Unless there's reavers about, I don't see cause for it. All rooms, including the shuttle, have cortex comm panels, so that shouldn't ever happen, but I've known of them to carry weapons that short out major electrical functions… I won't say I'll never come into your room without your word, because I don't like to lie, even by accident, but I will tell you that I won't enter without your permission unless there's a strong chance you'll die a horrible death if I don't. That good enough?" Ilana asked.

Her tone wasn't rude, just matter of fact. She didn't think the woman would get herself killed as Jace did, but letting her come aboard without telling her the realities of a boat like theirs could get her killed, and through no fault of her own, either.

"So do either of you two know when we will get off this gorram rock and finally have metal and the black as home again?" Jace asked impatiently.

“Hello my name is Honna, and I need a job," The tiny girl finally spoke up, cutting off his question. “I am not just any ole cook I can make shoe leather edible, so if ya’ll are needing one I am your woman.”

"Well, Miss Honna, what else are you trained in, besides cooking? The more you bring to the table, so to speak, the better," Marcus asked, looking a little annoyed by her answer. Not terribly so, but there was a hint of something in his face that said he didn't much care for her answer.

"Ilana? Trakhni menya, is that you?" Ilana heard a familiar voice ring out in the dim bar lighting.

"Holy Shit, the band's getting back together," Marcus laughed.

Ilana grinned and raised her voice to be heard over the din in the bar, "Rina! Get your scrawny arse over here!"

Ilana laughed, full throated and real laughter for once. Ilana had always liked the idea of flying with Rina, although she wasn't sure how well they would work together, them both being mechanics.

Marcus gave the companion a long winded response full of addendums to her privacy requests, same as Ilana had.

He then quickly switched his tone to ask when they would be flying again. This uttered another chuckle from Jay. Mira then turned her attention to Jay, and said "Don't worry Jay I think you are one of those silent but strong types.” Jay, unsure of how to respond, he nodded. “Thank you.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ó, wǒ de shàngdì - Oh my god

Wǒmen jiāng zuò xiē shénme gēn tā zài yīqǐ? - What will we do with him?

[Marina Kseniya Sebastien]

Excerpt from Wandering Star, by M. K. Sebastien, Engr., ret
Translated from Russian



"Yes, Ma'am,"I laughed, tweaking Ilana's tail just a tiny bit on the address. I'd make it up to her later. I tipped my chin at Marcus, acknowledging his greeting as I pulled a chair over and sat down. I swept those assembled at the table with a polite nod and a smile, not knowing their names but taking pains to show them I wasn't a threat. I turned back to Marcus, who was obviously in charge, and said, "You know what I can do. If you need me, put me to work. I'm free to leave whenever you're ready."

There was no point beating around the bush, so I made it easy for him: if he needed my skills, he'd say so. If not, I'd have a friendly visit and move on without inconveniencing anyone. I had a fair amount of enemies already. I saw no reason to make more.

(TAG:Marcus, Ilana, and anybody else!)


(Also:I'm typing on my phone and about to go to bed. Apologies for the typos I've missed!)

[Jace Cisco]

Jace watched as the peculiar woman embracing Ilana then goosing her backside, a slight nod towards Marcus made it clear this small world had reunited old friends. Jace simply settled in resigning himself that it might be longer than he preferred before his feet hit the cold steel of a ship. Nodding and lifting his hand slightly to Zipper politely let him know, Jace really needed something stronger for this gathering. As Zipper collected all the empty mugs that was quickly filling the small table, the man brought him his brew.

Jace quietly muttered, "Gan bei!"

Downing half the brew in one gulp, the shit burned down to his lungs, but that was high quality stuff. Jace glanced at Marcus and half hoped it would be a while before they went to the ship, cause he knew he was going to be pickled before they even got past introductions, hell he felt the hangover from last night still. Jace wondered what their old friend could offer to the ship, he had never saw her in his time being with the Chainless.

"Hi I am Jace, nice to meet you." Jace spoke quietly introducing himself to the tiny girl beside Jay and the newest person to join the table.

Jace had to agree with Marcus the gang was getting back together, but only most of them. Looking around at the three girls who had come to the table, the only one he was surpsied to see was the companion, Mira, he liked her quick wit perhaps she would work out. With Ilana and Marcus all but volunteering him to part of the guard for Mira during her client visits he supposed he had to get used to her.

The tiny girl, Honna, seemed a bit scared, perhaps a little out of place, maybe first time off her damn moon. For all Jace knew Honna was out of her gorram mind and was simply moonbrained on some drops. Honna mentioned she was a cook though and everyone knew we all needed a break from Jay's... interesting taste, Jace wasn't sure if he even had any he just fried up some dried leather and hoped it was edible.

"Well ain't that just helpful Jay, you finally have someone to help you in the kitchen." Jace elbowed Jay and whispered to him, "Hopefully she will show you a thing or two and you won't hit us with da xiang bao zha shi de la du zi." Jace couldn't help but laugh at his teasing towards Jay he had missed the guy.

==========================
Gan Bei - Cheers!

Da xiang bao zha shi de la du zi - Explosive diarrhea of an elephant

[Tag: Jay, Honna, Rina]

[Marina Kseniya Sebastien]

Excerpt from Wandering Star, by M. K. Sebastien, Engr., ret
Translated from Russian


"I'm Rina. Nice to meet you. I--."

I was a split second away from offering my handshake when Jace moved on to the next shiny thing on his to-do list: teasing his crewmate about his cooking skills, apparently. I disguised the aborted handshake by running my fingers through my hair. I didn't think the kid meant to be rude. He had that edginess that told me he was bored and wanted to get going. If I was to work with these people, I needed to map the relationships and identify the problems they tended to hide. Eyeing the drink Jace sucked down, combined with his general demeanor, I reckoned I could add a possible drinking habit along with impatience to his list of personal traits.

Not that I let my thoughts show, no. I kept my mouth shut and my eyes and ears open. I followed along with the conversation and noted the little things: what everyone was drinking and how much, who sat where and which way they faced, who they paid attention to. And if I was sizing them up, they had an equal chance to do the same with me.

Fair enough.

[Mira Walker]

Mira smiles listening to Marcus, she nods to him taking another sip of her glass of brew. Licking her bottom lip taking in that last taste. A sensual movement that has become all too common. She wasn't trying to seduce him, but she didn't really know any other way.

"I think that will do just fine for myself, I thank the lot of you for being accommodating to me. I think that this will work out just fine."

Nodding to Ilana, she hears Marcus bark out. "Holy Shit, the band's getting back together." Mira jumps and grins wide at the sound of Marcus actually laughing. This causing her to look up at Rina and her eyes got wide. Not really in surprise but she isn't used to seeing so many women dressed the way Rina and Ilana dress. There is something almost comforting in it. Their beauty is different, amazed by this she got comfortable. Sitting back to listen to these people talk to each other. She couldn't help but keep this smile on her face, content for the time being. She was just happy to belong somewhere.


((sorry I am re-upping my licenses so my rt just got crazy busy. I will have more in the future I promise, but I need to focus on my other stuff.. runs off))

[Marcus O'Terra]

Marcus nodded at the Companion as she seemed to find the agreement suitable, after Ilana pitched in to reaffirm that nobody would be going into anyone's room without the owner's accord. It was just fair, is what it was. There was some other chatter, as Rina and Jace introduced themselves, so Marcus turned back to Honna, who seemed to have gone silent in the crowd.

"I am sorry about that, Miss Honna, sometimes I get caught up in conversations. Having someone talented in culinary arts would be a fine addition to the crew. Do you have any issue about being aboard ship for long periods at a time, sometimes the routes between systems can get mighty boring."

<Tag Honna>

[Marina Kseniya Sebastien]

Excerpt from Wandering Star, by M. K. Sebastien, Engr., ret.
Translated from Russian

I heard Marcus speak to the small quiet woman at our table. I sipped my beer and perked my ears for Honna's answer. While I was interested in what Honna would say, I didn't want to seem like I was staring, so I kept a pleasant expression on my face and kept my eyes on the general environment. I stretched my legs under the table, threw an arm across the back of my chair, and got comfortable. The Fed from earlier caught my eye and I looked aside before he could catch me looking.

Just another spacer in just another bar. Nothing to see here. Move along.









[TAG: Jace, Jay, Illana, Mira, anybody else really!]

[Jay Fuller]

Jay was glad to see that the woman and Ilana we friends, apparently her name was Rina. At least, Ilana appeared friendly. So there was that. He was glad to see that everyone seemed to calm down. Though in the back of his mind there was still a twinge of annoyance.

When Jace turned to him and whispered in his ear, Jay gave him a playful slap on the shoulder. “Ass, I don’t recall you doing much cooking. Why don’t you give it a try?” He laughed. He had noticed that Rina, the girl nearby, had tried to speak when Jace had interrupted. Jay pulled his drink up and took another sip. It was half gone. He debated briefly if he wanted to open communication with some of the new crew members.

Fuck being shy, he decided. He turned to Rina and said, “Sorry about that. We’re a little scatter-brained in this group, especially when the drink is involved.” He held out his hand, “Name’s Jay. I’m the medic and the kind-of-cook.”

---------

[tag, Marina.]