OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen, @Yule, @Aalakrys

“You know you’re family to me and the bruvs.” She turned the PREN around as the boys were arguing over something pointless in the background. “Have been for years.” She smiled brightly. “And you don’t need an upsell, but of course I’ll sing your praises. You’re good people Kinny. They’re good people. Win win, oweh?”

“Here’s hoping.” Kinneas said, giving a wave to the brothers’ direction when the screen passed that way, still doubtful but feeling a little better about this situation. “Enough about me - it’s too depressing at the moment. How’s the life treating you and the boys?”

“Jy moet my grap. (You got to be kidding me)” Mathias could be heard in the background. “I have a picture of one! Right here!”

Isaac didn't even bother to look at the image Mathias brought up on his handheld. "Doctored." He waved his hand dismissively.

“What? You’ve gone blind and we don’t have the money to fix you! You didn’t even look! LOOK AT IT!” He said shoving the handheld in Isaac's face.

Cyd rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly before turning to stare death daggers at her brothers. “I’m on a wave” She growled.

Isaac had use both hands to push the device away that was smashed into his face. As he did so, he grunted "Dude! The edges are so fake!" He tried to keep his voice down but the physical struggle with his older brother made that impossible. He finally broke free and slid to the other side of the booth. "Cortex is full of fakes circulating!"

The eldest Skye continued to ignore Cyd. “Oh and what about this one and this one and this one!” Mathias said chasing Isaac. “And this!” He said playing a video at full volume.

Cyd looked apologetically at the screen. “I’m so sorry,” she said, giving Isaac a small shove, while glaring at Mathias. “I’m talking to Kinneas!” She said over the noise.

Mathias shoved passed Cyd, his face filling up the screen. “Kinneas brav! Please tell my idiot brother that ALLIGATORS ARE REAL!” He shouted.

Cyd rolled her eyes and shoved Mathias back. “Yobo! Lolo! Knock it off! Kinney’s got trouble bigger than – of course Alligators are real you chop! “ She shook her head, and picked up her screen. “Sorry about them,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain. “Fox has a plan to clear you. And in the meantime? It’s a sound ship, just be your usual self, the crew can’t help but take to your charm, oweh?”

Kinneas laughed at the siblings' comically heated debate - these were the sort of antics he was accustomed to enjoying. From what he'd glimpsed before entering the galley, perhaps it wouldn't be too far off. Though, he wasn't sold on the idea of suck prickly figures taking to his 'charm' - undeniable as it was. "How the tables have turned. Getting a pep-talk from the kid as a brawl over alligators' existence looms. I forgot what passed as normal when working for Fox."

Cyd smiled warmly. “Kinneas, brav,” she reminded him, “normal is boring. Normal is a 9 to 5, suit and tie, chained down in one place, no adventure. You are a thousand things, but definitely not boring.” She waggled her eyebrows for emphasis, then popped the red lollipop back into her mouth. “If you were normal, you wouldn’t be working for Fox in the first place.”

“All of that may be true,” He said speculatively, smirking a bit. “But, only a thousand? I’m hurt. I can at least think of ten thousand. Tell Isaac alligator wrangler is one of them.”

Kinneas leaned back on his elbows, mock wistfulness as he gave a lead into a story. “It all started at a gala event in Bellerophon where an exotic display of creatures were brought in for our entertainment…”

OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen

The Fox poured himself a drink as he waited for Jago to answer his wave.

Jago sat down in the co-pilot's seat while Tim was making himself look busy over some charts on the pilots screen. He sighed and tapped the screen accepting the wave. "A call so soon Ted? I didn't you cared so much?" The greying captain joked.

“You know me,” The Fox joked back. “Caring is my middle name. Barnet’s family was happy you got ‘em out in one piece, I’ll see to it you’re wired what you’re due.”

"You do that." Jago chuckled. "Glad everyone is satisfied but you would be calling to sit around and pat each other's backs. You got something lined up already?"

“Matter of fact, I do. But first, I have to cash in a chip.” The Fox said, taking a long pull of his whiskey.

"This have anything to do with the whining romance cover we snatched up before Interpol' did?" Jago asked with a quirk of the eyebrow.

“Kinneas Reed,” The Fox said knowingly. “ Hired him out more than once. More than twice. More than a dozen times in fact. He’s one of the good guys.”

"I've seen his file." Jago said agreeably. "I have a sixteen year old on board that gives me less guff. What about 'em."

“What they’re saying about the mine up at Cold Creek - that weren’t him. I got 3 of my best going out that way to prove it. Til then, he’s gonna need a place to lay low and still earn some credits,” Fox explained.

"Ted, are you aware of the company I keep on this ship? If my panties got bunch just cuz one guy allegedly blew up a mine on purpose I'm in the wrong line of work. We'll be dropping into a nice cozy town in New Kashmir, perfect spot for a guy like Rapunzel to hang his hair up. I'm sure he can keep himself busy with local work till everything cools down." Jago said, making a vague motion clearly missing what Fox was trying to get at. "It's hunting season after all!"

“Not a lot of work for a man of Reed’s talents on New Kasmir. I was thinking he could lay low on your ship. If I get a job for him, or I get a job for you - there’s more than enough work to go around. Fit right in with your bunch of miscreants if you give ‘em a little time. Ain’t like you never dealt with ‘rough around the edges.’ is it?”

"Wait let me get this straight … you asking me to take on Rapunzel?" Jago asked, scrunching his face.

“Cashing in a chip for you to take on Reed,” Fox clarified.

OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen

"And here I thought you liked me." Jago snorted. "Now you are cashing in to have me babysit your pet afghan, I feel like this is some sorta payback."

“Trust me, you’ll be thanking me, eventually. Look, it’s just temporary until I can get his name cleared on Silverhold. And it ain’t like you’re overstaffed as it is."

Jago gave a dismissive wave. "Chip cashed in … he can linger about till he leaves, screws up bad or one of the crew gets the mind to kill him in his sleep."

“I’m gonna trust you and your crew not to let that happen. Besides, he’s a friend of my other kids, and that should keep the boy and pigtails happy enough.” Fox tried as a last-ditch effort.

"They'll play nice. Pigtails is doing that thing girls do when there is a new guy on the ship and you know how her worse half is. He'll gripe and glare but he'll get over it … eventually." Jago shrugged.

The Fox couldn’t help but chuckle. “Like a tiger, waiting to pounce. Means a lot to me, Deckard. I’ll keep you posted on where we are on Silverhold.”

"Good luck with that. I'll keep your boy in one piece." Jago assured Ted.

“Appreciate it. I’m sure he’ll make himself useful.” Fox looked at all the little icons on the screen, waving his hand dismissively. “

Jago laughed. "Yea yea, talk to you later." He said, hanging up the wave with a heavy sigh.

OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen

Vas was waiting in the cargo bay, smoking one of his black cigs as he played with one of the wooden training knives. He breathed out through his nose sending out a plume of surgery clove smoke.

“I’m here, I’m here, Onni,” Serena said, the scent of clove filling her lungs as she raced into the cargo bay. “Sorry, I wanted to make sure he was settled in good.”

Vas crushed the remains of his cig in the ashtray tossing Serena a wooden practice knife. "Mei Mei you know he's only here till the next stop,'' He reminded as he stretched his arms.

“I know, I know…” she said, her shoulders dropping. “Mostly. Don’t worry, I’m not getting attached.”

"Are you?" Vas asked, squaring off. "I can’t have you sulking and moping about. Not this go around."

Serena rolled her eyes and let out a dramatic, exasperated sigh. “I’m not,” she promised. “But there’s nothing wrong with being cordial is there? Isn’t that one of the rules of hospitalitism?”

"Hospitality." Vas corrected. "I'm being serious. I need you focused. Cordial is one thing, getting moon eyed is not." He said pointing his wooden knife at her.

“What?” She said indignantly, her ears suddenly burning as she felt the heat rise to her cheeks. “Moon eyed? I’m… that… what … No, I’m not… moon eyed!”

Vas tilted his head giving her a level look. Honestly this couldn't have happened at a worse time but on the other hand he could use this as a lesson on keeping focused. "Liar." He said, thrusting forward.

Serena narrowed her eyes, and just as narrowly evaded the wooden knife, using the outside edge of her arm to block, wincing slightly at not being ready for the strike.

"I get he's like a new puppy with ridiculous hair." He said swinging at her again. "Your young and new ain't a common thing on this ship."

“Maybe he likes his hair long, like you like your mohawk,” she defended. “And how I like my pigtails, and how Tim and Enid get the same haircut.”

"My point Serena …" Vas continued slashing at her again to force her on the defensive. " … Is you're distracted."

“I’m not!” she insisted. Serena backed up from each slash, the wood of the knife end connecting with her forearms a few times until her back hit one of the crates in the cargo bay, and the teen made a grab for her brother’s wrist.

OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen

Serena grabbed Vas's wrist. He was looking past her and made a disgusted noise. "Ugh what is he doing here I thought you showed him to his room."

Serena turned quickly to check behind her. Maybe he needed something! Maybe he wanted to see her! “Did you… “ She started.

Serena saw the world spin and landed on the flat of her back Vas's wooden knife skimmed across her throat. "Distracted." He said clearly in a mood for some reason.

Serena yelped from the shock, cut off midway by the wind being knocked from her lungs. “That wasn’t fair,“ she choked, trying to regain her breath, but her cheeks still flushed red from the embarrassment that he was right.

Vas narrowed his eyes as he lifted Serena up by her shirt. "Fair? You want fair?" Vas hissed.

Serena squeaked, shocked and surprised at the turn in her brother. Vas usually had seemingly infinite patience with training, this wasn’t like him at all! “Onii, Stop!” she cried, her eyes wide. She tapped his hand, the universal 'I give' sign. “Okay, okay, you were right, I wasn't focusing!”

It didn't seem to soothe him much but he seemed more aware of his temper flaring as he dropped her. "I'm sorry. I wasn't looking to be right or wrong. That wasn't the point. I know how you are and I need you ready. Now. I need you ready now."

“What?” she asked warily, straightening her shirt. There was never any big rush before. “This - this isn’t like you, something's up, what’s wrong? Talk to me.”

Vas tried to unclench his jaw giving a heavy sigh. "I said you were ready." He said.

“Ready?” She asked, this time looking confused. She took a moment to wrack her brain, but nothing sprang to mind. Her top lip curled slightly. “Ready for what?”

"I said you were at a point where you needed field training. Real field training. It was the only way you would get better. So … they gave me the heads up that they are putting you on a mission with me on New Kashmir." Vas explained. "While it might be a milk run any other day for me, even a milk run can turn sour. So yea … I'm on edge to make sure your head is more than in the game." He explained. "It's a shake-out mission."

“We’ve been out on missions in the field before, Silly Goose!” she reminded him, a relaxed smile returning to her face. “I’m plenty ready.”

"I misspoke, it's more like … your … mission," Vas said slowly. "And it's more like they're putting me on a mission with you."

Six of one, half dozen of the other. “So? Same thing, I mean, you’ll be there,” Serena said, not grasping the full scope of what he was saying. “Right?”

"As backup … and in your case possibly clean up." The punk said pacing.

OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen

“Clean up? I’ll be careful…” Serena said, taking a moment to let the gravity sink in. “But you wouldn’t a said I wasn’t ready if I wasn’t ready, on account of you don’t lie. So, it’s okay, Onii.”

"It's not going to stop me from fretting." Vas said side eyeing his apprentice. "You are … but the first is always the hardest and it's something I can't prepare you for. Hell … I don't know what the mission is going to be."

“Milk run, like you said,” She reminded him. “And if it goes sour, I have the best back-up. Don’t worry, Onii-san. I won’t let you down,” She was going to boop him on the nose for emphasis, but that would be the opposite of focused reassurance. “And we’ll practice really hard between now and then.”

"Serena, I don't think you understand. If you screw up on this I'm not there to rescue you." Vas emphasized.

Serena tilted her head. Vas didn’t lie, but on the same token, he’d proven there wasn’t a force in the Verse ‘could stop him if he she needed him. “But..”

"This is about you Serena, I will be there to watch your back and advise you but I cannot directly intervene." He stressed. "It's as near solo for an apprentice as it gets."

“Solo? I have to go solo? By myself? Alone? Without you? What happens if I can’t finish it?” She asked, tilting her head and shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

"It depends." Vas said with a sigh.

“On?” Serena asked, tilting her head to the other side.

"If you get busted and can't fight your way out." Vas shrugged. "If you get bad intel? It happens … a number of things can go wrong but it won't matter because how you handle it is what's going to count. You fail a mission, you fail a mission, it will happen, it's going to happen. You surviving it? But it won't come down to that right?" Vas said redirecting the conversation.

Serena pushed the thought down. Way down, she didn’t want to think about not surviving. First time out was gonna be a milk run, he was being what was the word? Foreshadowing? No. That wasn’t it. Foreboding!, Foreboding so she’d take it serious. She’d show him serious. “Nope,” she replied. “On account of you said I’m ready, so… I am.” This time she did ‘boop’ him on the nose. “Honest and swear.”

Vas was not amused. "This is why I need you focused." He said tugging a pigtail. Vas was more worried the gravity of what she would have to go through wasn't sinking in properly. Hopefully it would later maybe she just needed time to wrap her brain around it. "You being distracted even for a moment can get you killed. So … training isn't going to stop, you are going to be on point all day every day and will wait for when you think I'm not looking, or if you seem momentarily distracted … and hopefully I will only throw “something at your head." He said flatly. Vas wasn't trying to be an asshole …he was just trying to make sure she would come out of this whole. Well, mostly whole.

OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen

Serena scrunched up her face. “Can we still go to the solstice fair?”

"If you survive? Sure. If not, I'll buy a candied apple in your honor." Vas said dryly.

Serena frowned. “Can’t you just say I’m not ready yet? Then we go to the fair and both get candy apples?”

"That would be a lie now wouldn't it." He said with a wry smile.

“A little one that would mean me and you get to ride the Ferris wheel.” She tried.

"It's not a little lie. You have worked hard Serena. You trained hard. You'll make it through and after we'll have candied apples and Ferris wheel rides and even dance at the maypole. Well … you can dance at the maypole. I'll just watch." Vas chuckled. "I'll fret the whole time cuz that's what Onii's do and you'll keep reminding me that you're ready for this."

Serena looped both hands around his waist and pulled him into a hug. “Don’t fret onii. I’m going to be focused like a tick on a hound dog, I won’t let you down, honest.”

"I know," Vas said with a heavy sigh. Serena might be ready for this but he wasn't so sure if he was. "Let's get some practice in …" Vas said tugging on a pigtail again.

“With this knife?” Serena giggled, holding the wooden knife she boosted when she hugged him.

"Ha-ha ya little thief." He said failing miserably at not looking absolutely amused. "I was thinking of something a bit more shiny." Vas said, eyeing the genuine knives.

“Really?” Serena asked, bouncing on her toes. “Okay! I get first pick!”

"Go go … take your pick, it's time you get used to the weight." Vas chuckled.

“Can’t go solo with just a piece of wood!” She giggled in response.

"Hey, don't shortchange the piece of wood." Vas laughed, feeling a bit better.

“Use what you find in your surroundings,” Serena parroted. “Anything can be a weapon if you wield it right.”

"Exactly," Vas said, pausing for a moment. "Hey, I just wanna tell you something now no one told me on my first go. You're better than you think you are. I know it feels like I'm always tossing you around but that's just cuz I had more time than you. You're not the same as when you started, okay? You have your mask on your the scary one and if they ain't scared you make them scared, got it?" He said firmly.

OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen

“Grrrr!” She growled, selecting a shiny knife. “I got it Onii. Don’t worry, I won’t be scared. I’ll scare them, like you. Just like you.”

"Naw kiddo. You find your own scary, that's how you do it, you'll figure it out. Arrite arm up well go through the motion, warm you up properly and well get the meat of it. Nick me and I'll throw you across the room Kay?" Vas smiled. He would absolutely toss her if she did.

“Focus, and you won’t get nicked,” she giggled. “Fiiiine, I won’t, I won’t,” She promised, checking over her shoulder once so Vas couldn’t pull the same trick. “Honest and swear.”

Vas moved in to bonk the girl for looking away.

Serena caught his movement out of the corner of her eye and deflected his arm, turning her wrist to block with the hilt side of the knife. She’d been put down once, twice was definitely off her agenda for the night!

Vas moved quickly, stepping to hook kick snagging her behind the knee. He snaked an arm around her, twisting it behind her and threw her forward. "Always keep your eyes in the fight." He chided. "You're fighting me, not Goldilocks."

“Goldilocks?” She giggled, preparing to take a swing at him as soon as she regained her balance.

"Yeah you know cuz of the hair and the eating of our apples like it's no big deal. Guy doesn't look like he knows what it's like to live on protein paste for a full week." Vas snorted.

“His hair’s not gold,” Serena corrected. “It’s more the color of a sandy beach – nuh uh - you’re trying to distract me,” she accused.

"I am." He said, stepping forward with a feint. "I'm sure he smells fabulous. With hair like that? Uses fancy soap I bet."

“That’s low, Onii!” she shot. “Making me think of him in the shower.” She tried to focus after that… really.

"No such thing Mei Mei!" He chortled and sent her flying. "Maybe you should go back to the wooden knives." He teased. "Till you can stop thinking about what shampoo the new guy uses."

“It smells like coconut!” she said dreamily from the floor, giving herself just a split second to remember it. “But too bad for you, I’m 100% focused on this fight.”

"Too late you're dead." Vas said, tapping the tip of his wooden knife to her chest. "Well at least you’ve got a future being a meat sheath."

OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen

Serena giggled. Sometimes her brother was more monk than others. She’d enjoy this while it lasted. “You think so?” She asked.

"Think what?" Vas blinked confused as he helped her up.

“Me and Kinneas?” She asked.

Vas was even more confused. "You and Kinneas what?" Feeling like he was being led along to the punchline of a joke.

“Oh, Onii,” Serena giggled. “Maybe they don’t write that in your books.”

Vas continued his streak of cluelessness. "I am so lost. Are we even speaking the same language?" He huffed.

Serena tried to take advantage, launching an attack. “Focus! Pay attention!” She chided.

Vas sidestepped, slapping Serena upside the head and poking her twice in the side with his wooden dagger. He left his foot out for her to trip on. "Guile over strength any day of the week. Congrats you are a pincushion!" He was still suspicious over what Serena had been babbling about but he would press it out of her later.

The unceremonious fall knocked the giggle out of her, and Serena cursed as she sprawled on the ground. “Next time,” she promised, picking herself back up.

"Ha! Keep dreaming Mei Mei, you still have a lot to learn. I was small too at one point, brute strength? It's not the key that always fits the lock." He said putting his wooden weapon down. "Speed, precision, deception … there will never be a fair fight. They will be bigger, meaner, they have guns and come at you in a group." Vas said taking a low stance, arms undulating slightly, his finger pointed and straight. "Would you rather a 'fair fight' or one you survive?"

“One you survive,” the teen parroted. “Like you said.”

"Survival ain't fair." Vas reminded her. "They plead their case, wave to their wife, their children, Gran Gran or whoever … they will promise you anything and everything." He said moving forward smoothly, his snake-like movement striking forward.

Serena kept her eyes on him, and backed up, away from the knife, taking a swipe at him when he came close before darting to the other side. “Because they won’t think twice about killing me.”

Vas dodged and continue to press in. Taking advantage of his long arms, he jabbed his fingers into a nerve in Serena's shoulder that made her entire arm tingle and weak. He didn't let up, he locked her other arm and instead of throwing her to the ground, held her bent over his knee to where she was on her toes and her head touching the floor, his elbow holding her in place. "Exactly. Don't give them that chance. Even a rabbit can surprise you when cornered."

OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen

Serena struggled, frustrated. “Dammit,” She said dejectedly, trying to shrug him off.

"Relax. Take a breath. Think. Are your legs pinned?" Vas asked calm as ever.

“No,” Serena grumbled, letting out a breath to relax.

"Well my arms are full aren't they? What's stopping you?"

Serena gathered her strength and waited a few seconds before kicking out, with both feet, like a rabbit, trying to catch Vas in the face with a knee.

Her one knee made contact with Vas's cheek as barely caught herself with her free leg to slip out completing the flip, granted a bit wobbly but no one was giving out points for gracefulness.

"See." Vas rubbing his now tender cheek.

Serena went for another strike with the knife, rather than waiting for him to reset or recover from the blow.

Vas leaned back letting the gleaming knife sim by before whipping for way into a roll moving to a sweep from behind Serena.

Serena yelped as Vas’s foot connected with the back of her right knee. Caught off balance, she fell with zero grace, her left foot inadvertently catching Vas on the chin on the way down.

"You know you keep hitting me in the face. At some point I'm going to take it personally." Vas joked. "Definitely hitting harder …" He complimented.

“Sorry, Onii-San,” She giggled, picking herself up off the ground, trying to catch her breath.

Vas chuckled and waved it off. "Take a break, you earned it."

Serena sat on her tail and nursed her bruised ribs and ego. “I gotta hit harder on account of like you said, I’m ready. “

Vas laughed. "Naw … I mean don't get me wrong, hitting hard is good but knowing where to hit maximizing your effort? More important. Don't go and fight like me, fight like you. You're small, they're going to underestimate you … take advantage." He said, passing her a water bottle. "Still you are miles away from where you started. You earned this opportunity."

Serena grunted as she reached for the watter bottle. “I can’t help but fight like me,” She said. “You got a better reach so I gotta try and fight closer ranged, and then get way out of the way. You’re a lot taller. And ‘course! We practice near every day.”

OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen

"See. Already thinking the way you should." Vas said, sitting next to the growing apprentice. "Soon you'll be jetting off on your own exploring the 'Verse starting your own ear collection."

Serena crinkled her nose and shook her head. Her Onni’s collection was gross enough without her adding to it. “How about I collect somethin’ else, Onni? Like… shoelaces.”

"You can collect whatever you want. I don't recommend fingers. That's just messy and awkward." Vas smirked.

“Gross,” she giggled, swatting at him.

Vas laughed. "Don't judge, I have seen some messed up collections … one guy I know, totally cracked. Like in the worst way. Would decapitate the 'pretty ones' ripped the skin of the gorram skulls and made himself one of them shrunken heads. Had a whole head hunter collection." He said with a nod. "He had problems."

“Maybe my mission won’t have anything to do with… that,” she said, waving a hand dismissively before taking a sip of water. “I mean, there’s other stuff to do, right?”

"Like I said that guy had issues, he didn't do it for the mission he did it for fun. Like it was some kind of art project." Vas elaborate.

“I just meant in general,” Serena clarified. “I mean… there’s not always something like that to ‘collect,’ right?”

"Oh … no not like that. I mean it is not common by any stretch. I've only done two. An eye extraction and tooth, not from the same person. Missions like that are complicated, too many things can go wrong." Vas shrugged.

Serena rubbed the back of her neck. “What was your first solo mission?”

"Mine … it was … was different for me." Vas said reluctantly. "I wasn't like you. My mentor was … strict … and I was already used to this kind of thing, not nearly as skilled, I was still a messy clumsy dumbass. It was an assassination. Some mob lieutenant, no weapons, just me dressed like a waiter jumping him in the bathroom." Vas snorted. "Buddha there were probably so many better ways I could have done that."

“Yeah, but like you said. It was different. Mine won’t be like that, right?” She asked raising both eyebrows.

"No, definitely not. Not saying anything against your skill but some folk are more talented at one thing and suck at the others. No one is good at everything." Vas explained.

OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen

“Ohhhh,” Serena said with a giggle, visibly relieved. She rested her head against her brother’s shoulder. “I didn’t know they took that into considering.”

"Are you kidding I haven't been on a stealth mission in ages, not since I last grew a few inches. Not unless they were worried about heavy resistance. I'm too big and heavy now, not when they can send in someone smaller and quieter and I ain't ever done any type of honey pot." Vas shrugged.

“I’m smaller!” she said happily. “And I could probably be even more quieter, And I think you’d make for a good honey pot, on account of you have pretty eyes.”

"Ha! No. They spend years learning how to do that kind of thing. It's treated just as much of an art." Vas giggled still hung up on the idea of doing that kind of thing. "I would be a disaster."

“But you would catch ‘em off guard!” She giggled, poking her brother in the ribs. “They would never see it coming!”

"Buddha's belly I wouldn't see it coming." He laughed. "But I will keep it in mind next time I'm on the ropes. Not the strangest thing I did. One guy was apparently very ticklish. Just saying."

“How would that help anything?” She asked.

"Okay so I was getting the crap kicked out of me, this guy was huge, hit like a sledgehammer. He knocks my sorry pi gu down and he's on top just pummeling me. I was getting desperate and I took a huge gamble … and tickled his sides." Vas grinned chuckling. "I dunno who was more surprised, me or him."

Serena laughed. “I’m going to try that next time we practice, when you least expect it.”

"Go on and try it. I would love to see how that works out for you." Vas said with a mischievous grin.

“I will!” She said, just as mischievously. “That might be my thing.”

"Careful they may move you to become a torturer instead!" Vas said attacking Serena's ribs.

Serena laughed and swatted him off, “Onii! I hope not.” She dissolved into another giggle fit before leaning back against him.

"Leave the fretting to me. You get a good mission and come out the other side stronger and wiser. Hopefully with nothing broken." Vas said with a reassuring smile.

“On account of I’m ready,” she said. “On account of you said. And I won’t let you down, Onii, honest and swear.”

"I know so we best get you as prepared as we can." Vas said, getting up. "We're going to start
practicing with your gear on. Get you more familiar with the feel of it since you are taking a more active role." Vas said, extending a hand to help her up.

Serena took his hand and was yanked to her feet. “Okay,” She agreed. “Just in case it’s that sorta mission. But more than likely it’s not, right?”

"Never hurts to be prepared." Vas smirked.

“That was the first thing you said,” she remembered. “Now how about we stealth into the galley an’ get some more red apples before they’re all gone?”

"I'll get the cinnamon." He said racing ahead his apprentice to the galley.

“I’ll start making tea!” Serena offered. “It’s the best part of practice.”

Once the wave ended and all the life that had filled the empty room went away with it, Kinneas sat in the silence for a moment before tossing the communicator to the side table. The sounds of the ship were much more subtle, a soft hum of parts running smooth that he had no way of identifying. His father had taught him about ships, sure, but it was the sort that sailed on water. Though the mechanical components were left to others in that as well, of course. As it were, he let the steadiness of the humming fill his mind so thoughts did not get too wound up in there.

It made it easier for him to look around the stark, utilitarian room and consider it a possibility. There was still the issue of talking things over with Deckard. The guy didn’t seem like the type to just take an assigned crew member at the suggestion of convenience, but what did he know? Besides, Kinneas knew how to sell himself - especially after seeing the skill level of whoever their best marksmen was at the miners’ camp.

So, his freedom was secure. Maybe not carte blanche considering the whole Interpol issue that led him to this situation, but secure enough. He’d have to look into what the actual charges were, but his head was hurting from the last few hours. That ‘nap’ between here and the miners’ camp hadn’t helped either. It was time to relax. He could deal with the captain tomorrow. For now, he would try not to be upset at the sheer lack of personality this room had, and how entirely confining it was. So small. “Wǒ de mā…”

OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen
It was early in the next cycle when an obnoxious blinking green light flashed from the Jats PREN.

Vas in typical fashion rolled over and put the pillow over his head. In his head it could wait till he finished getting real sleep. It didn't get them anywhere any faster after all.

Serena on the other hand, quirked her head inquisitively. “I’ll get it!” She offered, scooting off the side of her bed to grab the beeping device. “Serena Jat,” She said proudly, answering the wave.

The vision blinked to life revealing someone in a panda mask. "Serena Jat. Your first mission has been chosen. Your information package will be sent shortly. Good luck Apprentice." Then the wave cut off as she received a file package on their PREN.

“It’s here!” She said, hopping onto her brother’s bunk, shaking his shoulders. “It’s here, Onii San!”

"Merciful Buddha, it's worse than Christmas." Vas said, getting up rubbing his eyes. There would be no settling her down now. "I'm up … I'm up!" He said as Serena jackrabbited up and down.

"How are you so excited?" Vas chuckled.

“On account of it’s my first solo, look at how far I’ve come!” She said. “I could hardly remember one kata and now I know near 8. And as soon as I get this one under my belt, I can breathe a little better.”

"Ah, to be young again." Vas joked with a bright smirk. "Go on, open it up." He nudged.

“Nuh-uh, You open it!” She giggled. “I’m too nervacited!”

"Hell no! It was sent to you! It's all on you now." Vas prodded the girl in the ribs.

“Reading,” Serena frowned with a roll of her eyes. She sat crosslegged on his bunk and tapped open the folder, her eyes moving right to left while reading. The more she read, the more ashen her face became, the excitement draining replaced by disappointment and dread.

Vas peeked over reading over her shoulder. "Well it could be worse. I will say they must have high expectations of you." He said as Serena scrolled through the information.

Serena dropped her shoulders. “It’s the Tong,” she said, dejectedly.

"Like I said, high expectations. It's a big honor." Vas said keeping it positive. It wouldn't have been something he would have picked for her for a first mission but nonetheless here they were. "It also means you are going to have to be more careful."

OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen

"I guess,” she said, dragging herself off his bunk to put the PREN down. Her stomach hurt. All feelings of excitement were replaced with dread. She didn’t want to admit it to Vas, but she was expecting more of a milk run.

"What's wrong? It's a good mission. They clearly think well of you. You were bouncing off the walls not long ago." Vas asked stretching his legs out.

“They think well of you,” she corrected. “Only I’m not Vas.”

"You earned this mission on your own." Vas stressed. "And yes maybe because of me that may have put a higher expectation on you. But I know you can do it. Is that what you're worried about? That it's more than you can handle?"

Serena shrugged. “A little. I guess. Maybe.“

"It's your first. What you're feeling is perfectly normal." Vas said, crossing his legs.

Serena looked at him suspiciously, nothing about this felt normal at all. “Did you feel like that?”

"I'm pretty sure I threw up, I was so nervous about it." Vas admitted.

Serena nodded. “I like my pinkies,” she said, showing her fingers to him.

"The pinkies thing is just a story we tell to scare Apprentices around a campfire. No one does that anymore." Vas laughed.

“Like Tim and the ghost with the golden arm?” She asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Only Tim's story never actually happened and the pinkie thinks it used to actually be a thing. Just only with Yakuza and not many of those left anymore probably because they keep taking pinkies." Vas snorted. "Listen. I know right now it sounds like a lot. It feels like a mountain. But I know you have suffered worse and survived with no training at all. You aint helpless, not now … not ever."

“What if I can’t do it? Then they’re gonna give you a new apprentice. And who’s gonna be my Onii-San?” She crossed her arms and tried to dismiss the image of her onii with a new mei mei or didi. Instantly, she hated the imaginary interloper.

"Did they give me to you'?" Vas asked his tone dry.

“No,” she admitted. “You had to go an ask them and we had to test and wait and test and wait and then wait some more and complete tasks.”

"Exactly, it's a pain in the ass. But … for you. It was worth it." Vas reminded. "They saw what I saw. So … here we are."

“And you know I can do it.” She repeated, more than asked.

"I know you can do it." Vas stated. "Will it be hard? Yes. First time is always the worst but I know you can do it."

OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen

“I wish you were going with me.” She said, sitting back down next to him. “We’re a team. You’re my somebody.”

"I will be there, just not in the same room. Think about this way if this goes well you will play a much more active role with me on my missions. No more watching and observing from a distance." Vas pointed out with a bright smile.

Serena put her head on his shoulder. “I like how things are,” she admitted. “But I was hoping, I mean… if…we’re good at the same thing, they’ll split us up.“

"We're not though." Vas reminded cheek resting on the top of her head. "I don't want you worrying about that. That's my job and you're not going to stop being my apprentice after one job." He chuckled. "But I do need you to stay focused and be prepared. I can't stress how hard this is going to be and not in the getting in and out part, not even the fighting part."

“Then what part?” She asked.

"It'll be the first time it ain't self defense or you being backed into a corner. It'll be the first time you do it like I do. This time you're going to be the aggressor." Vas beating around the bush a bit.

“I can,” she assured him, trying to assure herself as well.

"I know. But … " Vas took a deep breath. " … Stabbing a guy till he's dead while he begging for his life squealing like a stuck pig with blood splashing your in the face and watching him expire? I know, for a fact, you ain't done that before and I know, for a fact, how hard that can hit you." Vas said in one breath. "You're going to be at your most vulnerable right before and right after."

Serena balked, and chewed the inside of her lip. “It… said… dead or alive,” she reminded him.

"That's the official bounty but he's a Tong." Vas stated. "The Jo Long are in active war with them on multiple planets in multiple cities. The Jo Long? Don't want him alive. That's why this is such a big deal."

“But… “ she started, not able to finish the sentence. “But I’m… not…”

"You are more prepared than I ever was." Vas interjected, finishing her sentence.

Serema nodded. “I know, on account of you said, and you wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true.”

"It's not the mission I would have picked for you if I had my way but I am definitely biased. I'm happy they think highly enough of you be givin it." Vas stopped for a moment taking a deep breath. "But your first is going to be nothing like mine so … that at least is assuring."

“So til then, I need to focus and concentrate.” She said, closing her eyes.

"So go on … get some sleep, we have training and we have your information package to go over tomorrow." Vas said, nudging Serena with his shoulder.

Serena stayed with him a few seconds longer, before letting out a deep sigh. “Yep"! She said, standing up next to his bunk. There was a mistake. They would realize it tomorrow, and give her another job to do. “Bright and early.” She put one foot on his knee, and the other on his shoulder, like climbing stairs up to her bunk.

"And here I was worried about you." Vas joked as he flopped back to bed.

It was the next day their new passenger, who was technically now crew just the only person who knew that was Jago at the moment, was free to wander. The smell of coffee and food filled the galley and hallway, chatter could be heard from the cockpit and interestingly enough the pigtailed chatterbox and her brother were nowhere in sight. Yet. It was by now late morning on the ship and everyone seemed to have fallen into their daily routines.

Kinneas had spent the better part of his morning doing what hecould of his routine. There had been minor adjustments in his nomadic second life, but he never would start a day without basic hygiene. That meant unpacking his duffle, and since he would be staying things were placed away where he found them adequate. Storage in the bunk was a simple steel bedside stand and similarly assembled chest of drawers, both bolted down or built into the ship for obvious reasons. He sighed only in dismay at the discovery his toiletry bag must’ve been left behind. It hadn’t been packed in the duffle, but rather sat on the makeshift crate in the miners' camp. Everything else was there, but still. Not having his expensive products set his mood a might sour.

Doing what he could with his hair without a brush, which meant pulling it back, he set off to ask one of his new neighbors if he could borrow some products, but they either were ignoring him (which he wouldn’t put past the captain, doctor, or punk kid) or out already. So, he helped himself to the first open room he could find.

Kinneas climbed down to the first open room that smelled a bit of clove and sugar. Unlike his own room, the room had a bunk bed against the wall, neither bed had been made. The dresser had various ribbons and bobby pins along with a pink brush decorated with bright stickers, a cheap-looking black comb, and a small mirror. The room was a bit bigger than his, better to accommodate the two people living there. It had enough room to have a small low table litter with knives and some craft and art equipment that was in mid-use. One of the walls was decorated with little star-shaped string lights and the shelf had random little nick nacks on them.

Kinneas could only marvel at the aesthetic in horror and wonder as he scanned the room for a moment, but quickly set to his mission given he did not want to be caught here by either tenant. As he lifted the pink and stickered hairbrush, not being particularly picky given the situation, his eyes were roaming to discover a likely spot Vas would have shampoo. The kid did have some hair, so he had to have shampoo - and Kinneas thought he’d rather not have glitter on him until he died, so it was more a prayer than anything else. Plus, there was no way in hell he was going through the girl’s stuff.

Kinneas easily recognized a toiletry bag. There was suspiciously only one though. It was bright with a cheerfully drawn beach with 'Pirates Cove' printed on it. This was complemented with an anime pirate next to the text. There was only one set of shampoo and conditioner and they were the cheap kind from vending machines. Both were red and involved pomegranate. The only thing remotely male in the bag was a straight razor and tin of pomade. The rest was a slew of girls' bathroom needs.

Kinneas grimaced at the find - or lack of findings. If he had time, he’d do a more thorough search given the comments about a secret hidden stash of romance novels that were nowhere about, but as it was he boosted the cartooned pirate bag. At least, to pick out shampoo and toothpaste. The rest wasn’t worth digging around a woman’s female things, so he’d live without until they reached New Kasimir. “Pomegranates… Kěnéng gèng zāo (Could be worse)…”

OOC: JP between @Yule, @Aalakrys

On the way to find the showers, he mused at his luck in not coming across any booby traps. Those kids seemed like the type to booby-trap their room when they weren’t there. It was an amusing thought, and before he'd met this lot, more a joke than a possibility. The shower that left him smelling far more edible than usual was difficult in such a cramped space. How the hell do people live in ships?

Since no one had been on the crew deck, he didn’t bother getting dressed in the confined space and went with a towel around his waist back to his room, the only thing covering his chest the thin cord of leather tied to a coin. Besides, Kinneas wasn’t a modest person anyway, and the crew had been pretty convincing of being in their own skin - so to speak… Why shouldn’t he?

He dressed in a smooth black quarter-sleeve and dark loose jeans, laced up his boots, and loosely pulled back his freshly brushed damp hair before heading out to find the captain. The pink brush lay sticker side down atop the chest of drawers, its pilfered companion of pomegranate shampoo standing beside it. Maybe he’d give it back later, or maybe he’d keep it and call them square on the whole kidnapping thing.

The aroma of coffee waiting through the corridor caught Kinneas' attention the moment his bunk hatch closed behind him. Without hesitation, his feet turned towards the galley as he could all but taste the disappointing flavor the scent brought on. Still, coffee was coffee. How terrible could this lot's taste be in it?

Kinneas was on his way to the galley when the small set of steps brought the doctor into view at the table. He gave a wave on his way to where the coffee pot had to be. "Morning, Doc."

Doc was engrossed in a book, a half-drunk cup of coffee rested next to her free hand. She never looked up when she simply said, matter-of-factly, "Thief."

“Gesundheit?” Kinneas said, pausing mid-pour as he arched an eyebrow, not phased. After all, he did nothing wrong. He lowered the pot back to the counter level. “Is there a charge for the coffee?”

"Huh?" Doc snorted, realizing she wasn't alone. "Nah, nah. Go ahead." She said, waving a dismissive hand as she dug back into her book. "I was looking for a five-letter word for 'purloiner'." She added as she pulled a pencil that was tucked behind her ear and began to scribble on the open page.

“Sounds as good of a word as any.” Kinneas said with a shrug as he turned back to acquire his coffee, not a hint of associated guilt touching his conscience. His attention was much more focused on what had to be disappointment in a cup, though he’d give it a try. “Not a lot of patients today, then?”

Doc gave a sardonic chuckle. "Only if ya get a hankering for hiring yourself or of boredom. That's usually the only injuries you'll usually see on the long haul legs of a trip." She tapped her temple with the eraser end of her pencil as she leaned towards the ship's new addition and smirked. "Space madness." She leaned back with a shrug and sighed, "Some just…can't take the life, I guess. Speaking of, how's the noodle?"

OOC: JP between @Yule, @Aalakrys

Kinneas took a sip of the black coffee while the doctor had been musing at his conversational inquiry, immediately finding it too acidic for his taste. He glanced down at the cup, grimacing. “Kěpà de (Horrid).” The muttered assessment was followed with a look at the woman, so he clarified: “No, not the head - the head is fine. The coffee, is this really what you drink every morning?”

"Well, your sense of taste seems just fine, so that's a plus." Doc laughed. She tucked the pencil into the page she was on and plopped the crossword book down on the table. "And since you didn't exactly make your way down to the med bay for your follow-up…" she said as she reached into her pocket, she pulled out her penlight. She made her way over to the big man and grabbed the side of his head, nearly knocking into his coffee cup hand, which might have been a mercy. She clicked on the light and started testing his pupil response.

“There going to be a missed appointment fee?” Kinneas smirked as he moved the cup of hot coffee to a safe place on the counter, stilling and following at the doctor’s direction. “If I’d have known…”

"Mm-hm", Doc said, engrossed in her examination. "Well, bad news," she said as she clicked off her penlight, "you're fine."

Kinneas grinned, obviously being factitious. “Gotta say, never had a doctor use that line on me before.”

Doc furrowed her brow and lightly punched Kinneas's shoulder. "Ass. I meant no fun or interesting injuries." She said as she made her way back to her seat and book. "Gonna be a dull trip is all. No one ever comes in with something serious, ya know?" She complained, sounding…almost wistful.

Kinneas chuckled as he reached back for his coffee despite it being terrible. He supposed the entire crew wasn’t half-bad. Though he wasn’t sure how serious she was about the longing regard to injured patients, he said: “Don’t be too sure. I have to go have a chat with your captain. Could result in something interesting, but no promises.”

"Don't go getting my hopes up, Blondie." Doc said, full of sarcasm. "Listen, if he shoots ya, tell him I said 'no arteries'. Get shot somewhere fleshy. You know…fun wound, not wound wound." She encouraged.

“I’ll be sure to mention it.” Amusement laced his words before he took another grimacing sip of bitterness in a cup. He glanced towards the hatch he’d come through and to the opposite one. “Not that I’m rushing to potentially get shot at, but… you don’t happen to know where he would be, would you?”

"Be a short walk through there." Doc said as she pointed to the opposite door with her pencil. "Best a luck, huh?" She added with a grin, miming a gun with her hand and pretending to shoot herself in the arm.

“Jìhuà (bottom’s up).” He said taking a final gulp of the coffee before dumping the rest down the drain and setting the cup in the sink to deal with later. Barring a gunshot wound. Staying strapped when not on a job… He filed that away for the interview.

OOC: JP between @Winters, @MK Blitzen, @Aalakrys

Jago lounged in the co-pilot's seat looking over the cortex on the screen. “ … not a lot going on but if it works out we’ll have another fixer throwing jobs our way. But even a cozy town got something going on, hell, the Jat’s got work.” Jago said scratching his chin, the town was a small one so there was a creeping doubt other than taking on a bounty there would be call for their ilk other than schmoozing an up-and-coming fixer they were meeting up with.

“I’m just saying every time we get a new fixer thrown in things go from bad to worse, and that one time, to really really worse.” Tim reminded him, as the pilot pushed back some in his seat.

“That makes my situation sound promising.” Kinneas said from the doorway as he leaned against it, levity in his tone despite the fact that this arrangement was already living up to expectations. And, it wasn’t a high bar.

Jago didn't even look up from his screen. "And what situation would that be?" The Captain asked tapping the screen.

“The one where I offer my services in exchange for extended stay on your ship.” Kinneas said, more gusto in his tone than simple pragmatism though he remained in the doorframe. “I have to say, I think it’s more than a fair trade given the quality of the coffee.”

"What's wrong with the coffee?" Jago asked, turning the chair to face Kinneas with a quivering eyebrow.

“If you’re in a bind, it can strip paint off your ship’s hull?” Kinneas suggested by way of explanation, not bothering to comment on the captain’s apparent lack of taste.

“I told you to spring the extra credits for the Ariopolis blend,” Tim said with a shake of his head. “And you said what do those Ariopolis assholes know about coffee . Well, there you have it.”

"Just cuz our coffee sucks doesn't mean they know shit about coffee." Jago defended. "Ariopolis blend is an overpriced bunch of burnt beans anyway."

Tim held out his hand in an iffy gesture. “I’d respectfully disagree, but I’d also respectfully like my head to stay attached to my shoulders so I’ll just pretend to look at a few of these fancy dials and let you all talk.”

“No, don’t stop on my account - disagree. The doc was lookin’ for something to do.” Kinneas said with a grin. “Although, it involved less dismemberment and more gushy gunshot wound. Fleshy, I think she said.”

“That sounds like a word Enid would use,” Tim said, making a face. “You’ll get used to it, if you’re sticking around for a bit.”