Who: Serenity crew, and those on Persephone including Dina and Morgona; also if Mal considers the offer then Badger and his bunch of miscreants. Where: Persephone- Eavesdown Docks and the surrounding areas. When: May 7th, during the early morning and afternoon Why: Cause it's the start of the game. Rating?: PG Status: Complete
burnthelandmods The crew stayed a few days on St. Albans being invited and welcomed by Tracey's family. The family wanted the company of the crew, and talk of their son. It was up to Mal whether he informed them of the long sorry tale of the truth, or the short and simple version. After the funeral a few days passed quietly within the crew, and once boarding Serenity things all seemed to fit back the way things always were. Inara hadn't minded the few days detour in her plans, she had notified her clients and rescheduled for a few days later than had been planned.
Not two hours after being in the black, Mal receive a wave from Badger on Persephone. It was a short and simple transmission;
Captain Reynolds, I have come in the hands of an inviting deal that has been made with wealthy buyers. And I have no other in mind for the job besides Malcolm Reynolds and his Serenity crew. You know where to find me if you'be interested in this mighty offer.
The view screen shows a grinning Badger sitting behind his fancy desk. An unrolled piece of parchment sitting just on the edge of the screen, it appears to have browned with age. But yet the Chinese inscription on it looks as new as the day it must have been written. The only thing able to be made out is, 'The Sphere of the Gods', which seems to be the heading of the parchment.
Serenity was heading towards Persephone anyhow. To pick up supplies, parts for Kaylee to do mandatory maintenance, and to re-fuel. Thus was also where Inara had lined up a few clients. So the crew was heading that way anyhow.
Serenity arrived in the early morning of the 7th of May. Each of the crew members had their own responsibilities in hand. Inara was off to meet her clients; Mal was to handle the Badger wave however he saw fit. Whether that was to confront him and talk about 'the offer' or to completely ignore him. Although after paying for fuel, supplies, and parts, Mal and Serenity would be practically broke again. The actual gathering of supplies, and parts had to be made. Wash had to see to the refuel, as he always does. And Simon had to keep River onboard, as he also always does... least while so close to the Core.
This particular day two female civilians were also on a mission, one that consisted of finding a ship and booking passage. And perhaps for one of the two, inquire about a job on the mentioned ship. For the other, didn't matter what boat she got on, long as she was sweet and convincing, so nobody would suspect a thing. And here is where our continued journey of the Serenity starts, much like it always had... people looking for work and keeping one's crew and family together within the mean cold 'Verse.
* * * * * * * * * *
dina_reed It was a beautiful day in Persephone! The sky was clear. The birds were singing... or at least she imagined they would be, if there were any birds around.
She'd gotten up earlier than normal. Today she'd be heading out. Standing up, and taking her things with her, she headed down from her room to the main floor, where she was greeted by a man who, on this rather good morning, had a grin on his face.
"G'mornin' Miss Reed. Sleep well?"
She smiled at him with a small nod. "Like a baby, Tom. Like a baby. And how many time do I have to tell you to call me Dina."
The man looked down and saw the bags sitting by her feet. "I don't know, how many times has it been so far? Add about sixty to that. So yer leavin' us I take it?"
"I'm afraid so. I've been here a week, and well, it's time for my next stop. I'm going to head over to Eavesdown and see if I can't find someone who might allow me to fly along with their crew," she grinned.
"Always with the politeness with you," Tom shook his head.
"What, you reckon this is better?" she asked with a smirk changing her speech pattern a bit. The man just laughed at her attempt to copy his voice.
"Maybe just a bit."
She'd paid for a weeks room and board in advance, and had come down early for breakfast before going to pack up her things. She smiled at the man, Tom, owner of the establishment and handed him a bit of money. "A little extra. Insurance that I don't get turned away next time I come to visit," she laughed. She was kidding of course. This was her seventh trip and stay at this boarding house. She liked the place.
"I don't see how that would be a problem, Miss Ree- Um... Dina."
"See? You do learn!" she said with a grin. "I'll see you around, Tom."
"Y'take care of yourself. y'hear?"
The Eavesdown Docks were always full of activity. Ships coming in, ships going out. Having been on the planet a week, she'd actually spent a lot of time here, trying to see what people were flying. She loved to fly!
Making her way through the streets she smiled, keeping her bags closely with her, just in case some one tried to take them. It had happened to her on her first trip and she was happy to say she'd grown rather aware of her surroundings by now.
Making her way down the rows of ships, one seemed to stand out...After all it wasn't very often that you saw a Firefly class ship these days...
awayintheblack Jamie was also looking for a ship; she was standing with her bags close at hand surveying the docks. She had been on four ships in the last two weeks, and the last one and brought her here. She stayed a day in town at a boarding house, but wasn't cause she wanted to. Wasn't any ships headed out away from the border and core. She was hoping she would find a ship today. Jamie spotted the firefly. She smugly grinned; fireflies were hard to come by these days. Least in the sort of good condition this one seemed to be, she noted the extenders and the radiator panels at several points in the hull. She must have a issue with her heat management wiring... but the extenders are a nice touch
She thought to herself as she approached the vessel. Jamie was dressed in one of her frilly dancer outfits. That accommodated her very nicely; it had a see-through light colored veil that matched the fabric shade in the outfit. Jamie had a thing for ships, that's kind of how she had gotten herself into the mess that she was now in. Well rather that's how she ended up where she was. If only she'd stayed on track and finished her training, but how could she when her heart wasn't in it, and she was taken away from all the glamour and wonder of it all.
kaylee_frye Satisfied that the one part she was going to need for fixings up, Kaylee settled in front of Serenity in her lawn chair, parasol poised on one shoulder. She twirled it absently between her fingers, watching the people go by as she waited for someone to approach; they always did. Firefly vessels were practically a rarity these days but there was no mistaking one when you saw it. She smiled, happy to be briefly back on land again, and back on land with some warmth. St. Albans had put a chill in her that went right down to her bones - but it had been a fitting goodbye for Tracey, the only thing they could really give him.
She let the heat beat down on her, the only protection being the painted parasol, and the hot breeze pushed a stray hair across her cheek. She pushed it back, and noticed the two women - probably a little older than her, but not by a lot - giving her ship the eye, and in more than just passing interest. She grinned. "Somethin' I can help you with?" she asked, leaning forward in her seat.
dina_reed Dina's attention was drawn to the young lady with the parasol. She liked that pattern on it and felt a bit embarrassed to have been caught looking at the ship as she had. But for Dina Reed, it truly couldn't have been helped. She liked ships.
The embarrassment, which was evident on her face, passed and she found herself smiling...apparently, despite what she'd learned in medical school, smiles were contagious.
She approached the young woman, her bags in hand, placing them at her side as she looked at the ship again, and speaking.
"Sorry, I know how this must look, my gawking like I am, but it just isn't very often that you see a firefly class ship that is in such wonderful condition." she complimented. She couldn't help it. She loved ships... She looked at the side of it and noted the name. "Serenity. I like it." She grinned, holding out a hand. "The name's Diana Reed... but call me Dina. And I'm sorry for asking but, well, your ship's engineer should be really proud of themselves. This ship...it's just... amazing." She was truly amazed by this. There weren't many ships of this class still in operation. She'd always loved its design.
kaylee_frye Kaylee stood to greet her, glowing with pride at the compliments paid to the ship. "She is!" she assured her. "Proud, I mean. I'm Kaylee, the mechanic. And yeah, this is Serenity, one of the smoothest rides flyin'." She grinned. This woman was friendly, and obviously recognized a wonderful ship when she saw one. "So, where you headed? We ain't headed anywhere specific yet, won't know until the captain comes back," she added brightly, hoping that whatever job Badger was lining up wouldn't involve guns, or transporting corpses with new organs in them, or the like. Maybe it would be a heist, Kaylee didn't mind heists. They were quick, and usually done in no time at all.
dina_reed "Well then, Kaylee, it's a pleasure to meet you. And I compliment you on your work. She is a beauty." She grinned, shakind the woman's hand. "I know about ships...not from the mechanic's side, but I love to fly."
She liked this woman so far. She seemed to be nice, and if she was the mechanic she most certainly would have known her way around the ship.
"Nowhere specific?" she asked with a grin. "Well that sounds good," she said seriously. "I'm not heading anywhere specific. Always wanted to go there." she laughed. "I've been here for a week already. And I want to book passage. Or find out if there was an open position as co-pilot...I can only assume that a ship like this has a pilot already, after all." she grinned.
awayintheblack Jamie watched the other woman, whom may or may not have been older than herself, approach the young cheerful looking girl sitting in front of the ship. Jamie hung back for a few, taking a gander and the other ships in the docks. But none grabbed her attention like that of this Firefly. So she ended up approaching anyhow standing off to the side a bit, so she wouldn't interrupt the conversation going on between Dina and Kaylee.
kaylee_frye Kaylee kept her eye on the second woman while listening to Dina all the while. "Oh! Well," she said, contemplating it. "We ain't ever thought about it, I don't think... we do have a pilot, cap'n usually rides shotgun at the helm if we need it. Not that we do, need it, I mean," she added quickly. Kaylee, shut UP.
That explanation done, she looked at the blonde woman. Again, older than herself, but not by too much. "Hi, I'm Kaylee, this is Serenity," she said, holding out one hand.
awayintheblack Jamie smiled, and shook Kaylee's extended hand. "Hello, I'm Morgona." The girl told Kaylee, no flaw in the way she spoke the name, she smiled at Dina then too. "Hello" She said with a small nod towards the other woman. "Serenity..." Jamie thought, name was a bit familiar. But maybe it was just Serenity Valley that was popping in her head. The place and battle was probably the most famous in the Unification war. "She's a mighty lovely display of a firefly." The girl added with confidence of the fact, as if she'd seen many in her short time. It was a bit more enthusiastic than she had wanted, cause heck what should a dancer know about ships??
dina_reed Dina turned to the other woman and smiled in her direction. The blonde woman clearly had the same view on the ship that she and the mechanic did. "So, you heard my destination...well...anywhere," she laughed. "Where are you headed Miss Morgona?" she asked, making polite conversation, as she was taught to do. It didn't hurt that she was interested.
awayintheblack "I'm not actually looking for anywhere specific." She nodded, with a weary smile. "Long as it's off here Persephone. Just that I want to see a little bit of the verse before settling down, you know? See some of the Rim planets for a bit. I hear all sorts of interesting folks out there, maybe find somebody to settle down with." Jamie explained, trying not to sound like a core brat.
dina_reed Dina smiled at the woman. She understood what she meant. "Interesting, yes. But if I had a credit for every time my father asked me when I was going to settle down and get married... well," she laughed. "I'd have a lot of credits."
"But seriously, I've found that sometimes, 'nowhere specific' is the best place to be headed. You tend to see a lot more if you don't have a specific destination in mind."
awayintheblack Jamie smiled with a nodded. Good, she thought with little effort. "Well see I'm a dancer, and my folks think it's about time that I find a man to support me and have some young-ins." She pointed with her figure in a gesturing manner. "I made a deal with them, they let me go see a bit more of this wide place all us live in, and I would do just that." She chuckled, weaving her here lie even more. "Not that I had thought I'd have children for a few more years, it makes it difficult for dancing you know. Which has always been more of a passion than anything." She smiled at Kaylee then too.
dina_reed Dina nodded. "I can understand that," she said with an understanding smile. Dancers, after all, relied on their physical form for their art. "I once knew someone who loved to dance, not that it was the same situation, with the marriage and all, but I know what you mean." she said with a head tilt...
She'd actually known someone who knew someone who loved to dance, but eh, it was good enough for her...
kaylee_frye Kaylee hustled back to the two ladies after taking their notice down off the boards - two passengers was plenty, she didn't think Mal would want more especially if they were taking a job from Badger, and especially if one of them wanted a job. "Hey," she told both of them with a smile. "So, ah, the last thing that needs t' be discussed is payment, and... well, there's a little bit before the cap'n gets back, so if you need to make some last stops before we leave port that'd be shiny." She glanced at them as she spoke, keeping her smile all the while.
dina_reed Dina had already done all the shopping she needed to the day before... She'd picked up some last minute things and packed them away in her back, including some extra medical supplies. A doctor (physician or psychiatrist) would never go anywhere without proper supplies.. maybe out for the evening, but the way things were, she'd learned out here that even going out for the evening sometimes they were needed.
As much as she wanted to fly, she understood that this might not be possible, had been her standpoint from the beginning, but still, this ship was a beauty and booking passage was not a question, she would have done it anyway...beauty like this, she wanted to see if she could get a tour later...
She smiled at the younger woman and said, "Well as far as payment goes, since I don't know where I'm going, I can pay whenever you'd like. I have the money. Just let me know how much," she said good-naturedly, before adding. "If there's a little time, well is there anything that needs to be picked up here? You said the captain is off doing something," she knew better than to ask what...something she'd learned traveling, ship buisness was ship business, "since there's someone here guarding the fort, as it were, May as well make myself useful. Was there anything that needed to be picked up?" She shrugged, her thought was that she may as well be a good "house guest".
awayintheblack Jamie nodded with a small smile. "I have taken care of everything already. But I can wait around for your captain to return." She informed Kaylee in a sweet voice. Jamie, unlike Dina wasn't so excited about running around picking things up. It wasn't because she didn't want to help, but more because the less likely she mingled with folk on the street, it was less likely of somebody recognizing her.
* * * * * * * * * *
civilizedman_st Simon was in the kitchen making something for River to eat. He hadn't actually thought heavily about the fact that his food might make somebody not on medication vomit, much less somebody who was. He quietly dished the food; he was his job to make sure River was eating. He also plated himself some. He left the dishes on the table, while he went to find his dear sister, course the likely hood of it was she was on her way. Course weather to actually eat what he made, that was a different story.
meimei_ She'd woken up to a funny buzzing in her left ear which had faded as she swatted the air, seeing something there that no one else would have cared about. The ship had landed and she could hear the outside sounds of people. People that she at one time would have been able to walk among, if she'd wanted to. BUt kjnowing her she would much rather danced among them...
Simon wasn't in his berth and he wasn't in the infirmary... she was standing by the doorway of the kitchen, peaking in... He was there. Which meant she may have not wanted to go in...
civilizedman_st Simon saw her around the edge of the door. He smiled at her, "Mei-Mei I made food. Why don't you come and join me." He told her with a smile. He pulled the chair out for her, and waited for her to sit.
meimei_ She heard her brother's voice and focusing on his words she knew she should have run away. "Simon's cooking is like Grabea meat..." she muttered. She knew that he would insist that she come in.
SLowly she made her way in and sat down, her head looking around. There was something in the air today. Something like dust that couldn't be seen but it was there. She could feel it. Her eyes closed for a moment and a small smile crossed her face; but it fell as soon as she remembered why she was there... Simon's "cooking".
civilizedman_st Simon slid her chair in, not hearing River's comment beforehand about his cooking. He joined her on the other side of the table with a small smile on his face. Sometimes it almost felt like they were back home. Then he glanced around the kitchen and it was clear that River and he weren't.
"Did you sleep well River?" He asked as he gathered some of the breakfast on his utensil.
meimei_ "Sleeping is necessary, to ask how I slept is like asking how I breathe," she said like it was the most obvious thing. "Outside the walls of the ship things were moving. Changing. And I was here with the birds chirping in my ears," she said with a small shrug, looking at the table for a moment before looking at her brother.
"What is it?" she asked glancing over at the dishes.
civilizedman_st Simon just watched his sister talk a small smile was displayed on his face. However it wasn't a smile that reached his eyes, as some might say.
Simon was lost for a moment in what River was talking about, "It's oatmeal." He told her once figuring what she meant, or at leased what he thought she was talking about. Wasn't much in the cabinets beside that. He hadn't managed to burn it, but it was still Simon cooking which meant it had a little less water than it should have.
meimei_ River looked at her brother for a moment before glancing back at the oatmeal. It looked normal enough. And on the ship, normal enough was usually good. She'd remembered the last time Simon cooked, however. She cautiously picked up a spoon and sturred the concoction around in the bowl...
"It's lumpy..." she murmured to herself. She always said this of oatmeal. It was normal. Even when at home she'd say this. Her attention was drawn to the spoon as she sturred the substance. She picked some up on the spoon and tasted it, then smiled. For once he'd cooked something right...
civilizedman_st Simon smiled in small satisfaction. The young man quietly ate while watching River do the same. "I don't know how long we'll be planet-side. But we must stay out of sight while the crew tend to things." Simon spoke, making a bit of small talk. Which wasn't his strong point, except with River. It seemed with most everyone else he always or leased most the time he manged to some where along the line stick his foot in his mouth especially if it was something of importance. Unless it be about Doctoring, he was always at his best then.
meimei_ River didn't like the silence... not today. "The dog in my dream was talking, you know," she said rather randomly. "He sounded like Daddy when he was mad..." She stirred her oatmeal some more, before eating another spoonful.
civilizedman_st "Really?" Simon asked caring none to the randomness of the comment. "What kind of dog was he?" The question was simple enough, he had refrained from comment about the bit concerning their father. Simon hadn't talked about the man very often since the conversation he had at the fed facility with his father after being arrested.
meimei_ River smiled. "Actually looked like a squirell...but I chased it off. All the time it was yelling at me, but eventually I ran it up a tree," she smiled. "then it didn't yell anymore. Just sat there eating an acorn..."
civilizedman_st He nodded as she explained her dream to him. Simon could imagine his sister chasing a dog or squirrel up a tree, though the talking part was a little unrealistic. But River was always the more imaginative one. He finished his oatmeal, and then took his bowl over to the sink to washout.
meimei_ River, having finished her oatmeal as well, finishing up the last couple of spoonfuls, stood to follow her brother, but found herself a bit wobbly on her feet. She dropped the spoon she held in her hand and grabbed onto the back of the chair for support. She hated this. She blamed the stupid medicine her brother had her on...it made her hurt, made her feel bad... but the thoughts drifted after a moment.
civilizedman_st Simon glanced over at River, and within merely a moment he was beside her. He took a hold of her arm to help stable her more so she wouldn't fall over. "Are you alright?" He asked with slight concern. Wasn't the first River had stood becoming dizzy. But the medication seemed to be the best so far, despite the side effects. But he hated it all the same, he hated that he couldn't seem to fix River. And he hated what the Alliance had done to her in the first place. He loved River more than anything in the 'Verse, she was really his world, especially as of late.
meimei_ River was not only shaken (no pun intended), but she was aggitated too. She hated her trips to the infirmary. She hated being poked and prodded. She never knew what was happening but why was the question. Why was the only question.
"The needles do this!" she said quietly, clearly upset. "No more!"
civilizedman_st "I know, I'm sorry" Simon told her in a equally quite voice. He helped her sit down in the chair. He gather the little hair out of her eyes, and behind her ear. He softly kissed the top of her forehead. "Not tests today, alright." He told her assuringly.
Simon gathered the bowl and the spoon that had fallen to the floor. and then he took it over with his. Simon washed the few dishes, all the while keeping an eye over his should on River.
meimei_ River sat back down. Part of her was jumbled in her head, but the rest of her was frowning. She didn't like tests. And if simon tried any today, she'd hide... She would hold him to his promise...
* * * * * * * * * *
mal It'd been a nice little vacation of sorts from work, but hardly for the best reasons. Tracey, despite being naive, wasn't a bad kid. It was always hard seeing one of your own go down in battle. Though the war was over, the battle between the Alliance and Browncoats never would be. So after a few days planetside, Mal herded his crew back on board his ship and they took the black once more. Having no particular destination in mind, they headed back toward the core worlds. They at least held a bit more promising jobs at times.
Though Mal hardly trusted Badger, his wave and job were at the very least a job. Thus he agreed and gave Wash the go ahead to set course for Persephone. The moment they set down at the Eavesdown Docks, Mal planned to set off on foot to pay Badger a visit. Zoe and Jayne were to accompany him. You never walked into the Lion's den alone, especially after what Badger attempted to pull the last time they'd been on Persephone. Mal wouldn't admit it, but he was a mite anxious about this 'job' Badger had for them and Jayne's lack of presence in the cargo bay wasn't helping any. Shaking his head, lips pressed into a thin line, Mal opened his mouth as he bellowed for his mercenary. "Jayne!"
ourhero_jayne Jayne was just beyond the doorway to the cargo bay when he heard Mal hollering for him. "Gorram it Mal I'm right here. you can stop that god awful hollerin'" Jayne had said as he walked toward the captain's side.
mal Mal's face hardened further if that was possible. He expected nothing less of the mercenary though. His jaw clenched a moment as he regarded Zoe almost tiredly before turning to Jayne. "We ready?" His eyes slid over the length of the man looking for any sign of hidden weaponry. He knew Jayne well enough to know he'd have to have something hidden. "I don't want no trouble, Jayne." There was more than a little bit of a warning in the tone of his voice as he stared the other man down a short moment before turning and nodding to the remainder of the crew. "We'll get the details and be back in the sky soon's possible." With a final curt nod, he gestured to Zoe and Jayne as he led the way off his boat. "Best not be playin' games, Badger," he muttered under his breath, his hand going to the pistol at his hip reflexively as they emerged into the bright Persephone sun.
ourhero_jayne Jayne followed Mal and Zoe out the ship. He made a point in liffing the back of his shirt before exiting. He revealed a set of semi-large pistols strapped to his back with patch tape. He did this so that no one but those behind him in the ship could see them. Jayne then let his shirt drop and hang loosely as he continued to follow his captain.
autumnflower Zoe stayed in step with Mal along the familiar path to Badger's little hide-out. Telling Jayne to not cause trouble was like trying to tell the good doctor to relax, not likely to really happen but you could very well try and convince them to do so. He seemed to be getting a bit better and more intelligent over time, though it was a slow process. Jayne of course, not Simon. Simon just seemed to be melting right in with the rest of the crew since the heist on Ariel.
She kept her thoughts to herself about this. It seemed every time she saw Badger they were either in trouble or about to be. And there was no way she was going to get naked or allow either of the men to do so as a distraction.
ourhero_jayne Jayne followed the two up the path, but could not help himself to glance at the back of Zoe. Damn she got a nice Ass.
burnthelandmods Badger's headquarters of sorts, looked as it always had. Nothing seemed to have changed. Two men stood by the outermost door, the grunt recognized Captain Reynolds and his First mate along with Jayne. The rough sort of man, glanced at Mal a cocky grin on his face. "You here to see the Boss?" He asked, nobody had notified the front watch that Badger would be expecting visitors today.