sail3695

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Boat had gone quiet. Abby knew Pen’s out beachcombin’. Hook an’ the Cap’n was off fishin’. Night fishin’ she pondered on that. Made no sense to the girl how a body might want to toss them sharp hooks about in the dark...sounded like a recipe fer the doc havin’ tah do some fishin’ of her own to pull one out. But she ain’t never held a fishin’ pole or done more’n watchin a few seconds on the cortex, so she decided best not tah judge on somethin’ she ain’t never done.

She knew the Doc was about. Cup ‘o’ water an’ two ‘o’ them pills went down the hatch nigh on fifteen ticks hence. “To keep ahead of the pain,” she been told. They’s some feelin’ comin’ back, the girl conjured as she probed about her nethers. Bandage seemed bulky and way bigger’n was needed fer coverin’ a bullet hole. But that, she reckoned, was jest like fishin’. What she don’t know, she shouldn’t judge.

No sounds from the upper deck. Chances were ever’body stepped off fer the night. Abby felt fer the Doc, stuck on board with a patient as she was. Perty as she is, the deckhand conjured, she should be out tahnight...havin’ fun, ‘stead ‘o’ tendin’ my pi gu.

Mebbe she could help that along. Doc had cleared her tah leave medbay. Mayhaps it was time.

She give a gingerly push, risin’ up til she’s sittin’ on her left hip, feet danglin’ off tha table. Didn’t feel wunnerful, but weren’t no worse’n the bandage tape tuggin’ at her skin. Abby leaneed back, hands spread fer balance as she slid off, the ball of her left foot touchin’ tha deck afore she let all her weight come down. A skosh wobbly, she thought. Right leg would take some weight, but everythin’ above tha knee was gettin’ a might stiff. Tolerable, she decided after a couple steps.

Passengers was all gone. She could finally settle in her room. But first come a couple chores. The girl limped slowly out of the medbay, makin’ the turn tah the cargo bay hatch. Weren’t dogged down, but seein’s they’s most like unloaded, didn’t need tah be. Abby swung it open afore peerin’ into tha empty bay. Tha entry bulkhead with its’ personnel door was in place. China Doll was buttoned up. Fer a moment she pondered if Cap’n had handed out the door code...she didn’t know it...but more’n likely he done spread it tah them was leavin’ fer a spell. Her mind set tah ease, she closed the hatch.

Ms. Baker...Marisol whatever her name was...done had her bag packed an’ sittin’ on her bed all proper. Abby slung it on her left shoulder. Boat might have a lost ‘n’ found, or they’d hold it til it could be sent tah her next of kin. Either way, she’d keep it safe ‘til she knew which.

Typical quarters fer a bottom rung deckhand such as she was usually meant starboard aft, with a bunk laid out behind storage shelves fer linens an’ cleanin’ stuff. As she opened the door, Abby give a smirk. “Them horn-dogs paid double fares each tah stack up in here.” Sorta shrewd on her part...til she ‘membered givin’ Green Haired Girl half fares fer three singles on tha next run. Cap’n might fire her fer that’n…’less he felt all sympathetic like over her catchin’ a bullet. Mebbe she should prettify herself afore breakin’ that piece ‘o’ news.

Room was long an’ narrow...deckspace mebbe five foot wide. Right bulkhead was straight as any wall should be, but tha left, bein’ aft as it were, had a curve went out and up like tha boat’s hind end. The reg’lar shelves was laid in tah take advantage an’ offer deeper storage. T’was here she placed Ms. Baker’s bag. A minute later, after retrievin’ her duffel and the Mosin, she laid’ em at the foot of her bunk.

Doc wasn’t lyin’. Abby felt weak as a kitten. She gazed on the bunk, sheets an’ blankets all tousled from whichever horn-dog won tha coin toss. Not like she never slept on another person’s dirty sheets afore...when she’s little, Uncle Bob an’ Aunt Lupe let her crawl in twixt them when the scaries come at night...but that was safe. Thought ‘o’ lettin’ her skin touch same sheets been pawed over by one ‘o’ them perverts wouldn’t stand. Wore out as she was, Abby still pulled fresh beddin’ from tha shelf.

Her hip was tinglin’ a bit as she finally slipped inta clean sheets on her bunk. It’s alright, Abby thought as she lay on her stomach. It’s alright.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Well, you could look Abby up for 3 reasons:

1. Doc said she could go, so she's keen to pick a room and sleep in her own bunk.

2. She did make a promise...circumstances notwithstanding.

3. She's slow moving and slightly drugged...an easy target.

I'm about this evening, keeping client promises and trying to catch up on the Skyes' adventure. Let me know if she can help get you resettled.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

I do like a good story. If it takes nine posts to tell it, more's the better.

I plan to read the whole thing during lunch today. I did read Pen's precursor to her beach story. You've set the scene with the character's mindset, appearance, and her wits. Looking forward to the next.

So at this point we're aware of the following:

Cal and Hook are fishing (evening)
Pen is headed for the beach (late PM/evening)
Is anything else going on the first evening?

I do have a post in mind that might close out the night. Planning to start the next day with Abby's 'morning after,' which will likely end with an open tag for anyone in the galley.

There's also a JP in the offing between the Skyes and the Cap'n, and we may see a new character or two.

If you've got further adventures planned for New Melbourne, let us know. Don't think anybody's too excited about taking on a boatload of fish, so procrastination is the word of the day!

Cheers,

Your humble hosts/GM's/mods/dudes who come up with stuff

Firefly - Second 'Verse

@Aalakrys. Completely agreed. Those are gorgeous icons. Being a graphical idiot, I thought my best course was to make mine look like something my char would bodge together, lol.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Joint post from @Aalakrys and @sail3695





Typically, ridin’ waves air and ocean alike had Penelope ridin’ a high long after she landed whatever bird she was pilotin’. But, there was somethin’ about flyin’ blind that had nothin’ to do with the weather leavin’ a sour taste on her gums. Likely the resultin’ wounded deckhand in the sickbay and the gun firin’ that caused it, not to mention the dead officer.

She was a pretty easy-going free spirit, Penelope. Didn’t mean she breezed off folk endin’ up dead, even if’n they were the ones startin’ the whole mess. She’d heard everythin’, thanks to Sam - or near ‘bouts everythin’ she needed to hear to know this whole run would label her an outlaw by association. Didn’t need the finer details - she might not have fired any guns, but she was the one pilotin’ the ship while the whole shindig went down. No matter which way ya looked at it, she was an accomplice.

That uncomfortable feelin’ she had when she’d first asked the captain on anythin’ else she needed to be awares of was now an itch. As she packed up her things for the planet-side visit, she figured that was likely why the captain stayed long as he did on the bridge with her - makin’ sure she didn’t go rogue with the ship. Mutual trust only went so far, after all.

With all her things tucked back away in her bag on her back, she started climbin’ the ladder, not sure if she’d be comin’ back down it. The idea of hitting the beach for some sea-shellin’ to clear her head was steering her, so she’d dressed appropriately in a pastel rainbow-striped sundress. The wide-brim sun hat with some flowers self-stitched in the side hung off her bare shoulders, resting against the top of her backpack. She’d pull that on once she were outdoors. First though, she wanted to go check on Abby.

Crossing through the galley and down the stairs to the medbay, Penelope peeked in to see if Abby was out. Gettin’ a bullet removed tended to do that to ya.

Most like it was the drugs, but Abby’s feelin’ right lazy.

Middle-‘o’-tha-black-an’-no-passengers-tah-fuss-over kinda lazy. She pondered if Cap’n might give ‘er the rest of today off tah lay about? If rumor held, they’s spendin’ a few days waitin’ on a cargo ‘o’ fresh fish. Passengers was all offloadin’ today, and none checkin’ in. She could afford to hold off cleanin’ rooms til tomorrow.

From the corner of her eye come a flash ‘o’ color what stood right out in the medbay. Penelope stepped in closer, pretty as all get out in some clothes what looked to float on air. Weren’t no way such a sight couldn’t lift a smile, even when her face was all knitted in worry. “Hey, Penelope,” Abby rolled up on her left side, “Where yah headin’?”

"Hey, Abbs." Seeing Abby lying there in the med bay all dazey-eyed had pulled at the more tenderhearted side of Penelope. She was glad to see her awake and obviously not in terrible pain, maybe for the drugs but it was the one case Penelope understood the use. After all, she came from a place that's was the legal supplier - and the illegal one, but that was another story. There here and now had Penelope moving to Abby's bedside, hand fallin' from a strap on her pack to brush back stray hairs across the patient's forehead. "Just headin' out to the shore. Ain't nothin' like a beach at the tail of storm. All sorts of treasures get washed up, and I aim to go huntin'."

She'd spoke gently, her delicate fussin' hand coming to rest just above Abby's shoulder on the bed, though that same contained excitement lit her eyes with a shine that turned soft once more ask she asked: "Want me to pick up somethin' for ya since the doc might not let ya go huntin' with me?"

It was a funny thing, listenin’ tah Penelope talkin’ ‘bout rovin’ a beach. Abby had seen a beach once afore. She remembered folk all around her, stripped down tah swimmin’ trunks and bikinis. And her, done up in her chinos an’ boots…’bout as outta place as a fish got washed up at her feet. She hadn’t thought on it since, but now? Mebbe she weren’t conjurin’ the place proper...like other things she’s learnin’.

The smile stuck to her face as she answered, “sounds mighty nice. Once Doc chases me outta here I git tah move intah a room. If yah find a shell looks nice, I’d be proud tah put it up with pitchers an’ such on the bulkheads.”

"A shell, hmm?" Penelope played the part to look as if she was considering. Her full grin was back though as she continued the bit. "Reckon there might be one or two of them I can find out there. I'll save the best one for your wall."

“Mayhaps next time I’ll be fit company tah go huntin’ with yah. Sounds like it could be a fine time,” Penelope’s kindness, an’ tha doc’s gentle way, lay in Abby’s heart like a warmth. She liked the Cap’n. The way he trusted her tah do her job an’ no lollygaggin’ made her feel proper growed up. But now, a friendly hand on her shoulder and kind words was somethin’ she ain’t known since Aunt Lupe passed. Uncle Bob loved her...she knew that. But after Lupe died he fell inta a bottle an’ never escaped til...well, that ain’t fit fer the moment. Point was, she conjured, that there’s other folk in the ‘verse...them of good hearts. Lookin’ on Penelope right now, Abby conjured she’d lucked inta meetin’ a few.

"Ain't nothin' like it." Penelope confirmed, the gave Abby's shoulder a rub. " You rest now and concentrate on healin' up so ya won't miss out."

She wouldn't yet say if she herself would be able to go a next time from the Doll yet, not till she had that talk with the captain, but that weren't a concern for Abby right yet. The girl did need to recover, and worryin' over findin' a pilot wasn't somethin' she needed on her plate in her current condition. She seemed the sort to do just that, so Penelope kept it to herself with the silent promise she'd at least keep good on bringing a shell by.

“Best orders I heard today,” the deckhand give a tired grin. “Thanks, Penelope.” Truth was, she could use a bit more shuteye. With a half wave, Abby rolled back onta her stomach...like Doc wanted...an’ snuggled inta her pillow.

"Welcome, Abbs. Sweet dreams, pilot's orders." Seeing Abby in a fair state of health had taken some of that mood off Penelope, but she knew not everything was square just yet. There was still the matter of talking with the captain. So, she thumbed both straps at her shoulders and headed towards the exit of the ship.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Hi HMD,

Wolf and I are in the throes of deciding whether or not to switch on the "Vacancy" sign. Best two out of three in the arm wrestling, followed by points scored in the cage match.

Watch this space.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

China Doll rested in her berth, heat from her atmo engines casting a shimmer in the air above as they cooled off. The moment she settled upon her struts, she was visited by the longshoremen, beefy types who wasted no time in coupling the Firefly to the berth’s connections of power, two types of water, and waste outflow. After getting the green light from the boat’s crew, they hopped into their cart and rushed away to tend the next inbound vessel.

On their way, they sped past a slower moving lorry. The old truck lumbered its’ way among the docked spacecraft, weathered boards of its’ stakeside bed trembling with each bump in the coquina paved road. The dark green of the cab was interrupted by a rusting sign that clung to the driver’s door on two remaining rivets.

Jinks Nautical Outfitters

COMPLETE MARINE SUPPLY
”Before she sinks, come see Jinks!”

“You’re takin’ all this mighty well,” Jerome offered from the passenger seat. “I’d be pitchin’ a walleyed fit over bein’ left on the dock.”

Tom offered a noncommittal shrug as he steered past a knot of drunken spacers. “I’m the youngest,” he shook his head. “Simple math, Jer. All three olders get first rights to crew berths. They all take ‘em,” he tossed a sidelong glance toward his friend and coworker, “means I gotta stay ashore and help mom with the shop.”

Jerome wouldn’t be put off. “But Trish?” he demanded. “Never worked a run in her life! What business she got…”

“She’s firstborn,” Tom interrupted. “She wants to go. Dad signed off. Nothin’ more to it. Trust me...I’m not bitchin’. Spending the next six weeks on the nine-to-five suits me just fine. You and I get plenty of practice. I get quality time with my girl…”

Jerome snorted. “Your girl. After the show you put on out at Deepwater Jetty, you’re still sticking with that old wreck? And what the hell kinda name is “Day Tripper,” anyway?”

“I like it,” Tom chuckled. “Old song from Earth-That-Was. I’ll teach it to you next time we practice. Got a great bass line…”

“Won’t be another practice if “your girl” has anything to say about it. You’re just lucky she didn’t break apart in those waters.”

Tom steered them toward a Firefly that looked the part. “All about the balance,” he said easily. “A little too much sail, and not enough centerboard weight. Lurvy fixed me up. New board’s 500 pounds. Should let me fly the genoa in twenty, twenty-five knots….”

“You conjure I don’t get a bit of that, right?”

“Okay, I’ll help you out. The pointy end is called the bow...”

”Gǔndàn!” Jerome cuffed his friend.

Laughing as he lifted an arm in mock defense, Tom chortled, “Just shut up an’ give me the clipboard, jackass! C’mon, straighten up. This is it.” He swung the lorry out, nose pointing away from the China Doll. With a grinding of gears and the protesting whine of reversal, the truck backed up to the open ramp.

Armed with the clipboard, the youngest member of the Jinks family jumped down from the cab. He proceeded up the cargo ramp. “Hello?” he called into the dim shadow of the boat’s void. “Thomas Jinks...here to pick up crates from Seatronics,” he studied the document on his clipboard. “I’m supposed to see Abby Travis?”

They’d supplied him with a photo. Tom had committed the girl’s face to memory, but it didn’t matter. Don’t see any girl, let alone that one.

<Open Tag>

Firefly - Second 'Verse

It was.

Unfortunately, Abby's in the medbay right now, under Alana's scalpel to have a bullet removed.

She'n Hook'll have to reschedule their target practice.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

So…a new episode, and a new piece of “crap art” from Dan. Just thought we’d take a minute to give everyone an update.

As is our ad hoc M. O., the plan for ep. 2 is to let your character plots run as long as there’s momentum across the board. While “Gateway” offered you the chance to feel your char's out aboard ship, “Catch of the Day” affords them the same opportunity in a planetside setting.

Wolf and I have an underlying plot in mind, but aside from supplying a general direction, the intent is to emphasize your character stories. With that in mind, let us know if we can help your personal plots in any way!

Cal and Abby are both available for JP/collabs, though I think the deckhand is starting this ep. under anesthesia.

Mechanic: We reached out to Murph’s writer. If she doesn’t join the boat, we’ll put the “help wanted” sign out. There are a couple other folk interested in joining the crew. We’ll keep you posted.

There’s lots to do in our fishing town, and also plenty of work aboard the boat. We hope you have a good time on New Melbourne!

On a final note, I wanted to thank each of you for your creativity and good will in the ep.1 finale. Part experiment, part rust removal, the experience was thrilling and very enlightening. You guys came through like champs. Seeing the entire cast engaged in Scene 3 was simply beyond our expectations.
In short, you guys made our week!

Time for me to shut up. We’ll hear from Abby soon’s the doc allows visitin’ hours. The Cap’n? Dunno. Cap’n does what cap’ns do.

Write when it’s fun.

Dan

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Episode 2 - “Catch of the Day”

Welcome to New Melbourne!

China Doll just set down in Pensacola, home of a whole dearth of fishin’ fleets. King Tuna season’s just about to commence, so those fleets and every charter boat on the coast are gearin’ up to head out.

We dropped our passengers. Them horn-dogs was plenty groggy, but they’re gonna make their boat. All the fishin’ crew folk hightailed it to join the refits all along the docks. Two passengers missin’...but Rex has a way with the logs. Ever’thing’ll look just fine if anybody comes sniffin’.

The Skyes are skyin’ out. Cyd got ‘em somethin’ workin’, but wouldn’t be right to go askin’ their business.

Mathias an’ Isaac got some on ‘em...but Abby got some in her. She’s wearin’ a bullet in the medbay, under the doc’s care.

Pen an’ Sam are flippin' switches an’ puttin’ China Doll on shore power. Word is we’re gonna be here a spell. Cap’n might have a deal sproutin’.

Since we’re down a deckhand, Hook’s pullin’ double duty, with a little help from Rex and the Cap’n. Cargo’s comin’ off, and it looks like the Cap’n missed a puddle of puke when he set to moppin’. Gorram amateurs…

Speakin’ of...Cal’s set on tryin’ his hand offshore fishin’ with Hook. Seein’s the sweet deal he worked involves a whole boatload of tuna ain’t been caught yet, they got a good chance to go haul in somethin’ for the galley.

Pensacola’s a fishing town done growed up. Lotsa docks an’ fishin’ boat crews, all kindsa boatwork shops an’ suppliers just crazy busy right now. Seagoin’ town like this has it’s diversions for sailors, an’ right now the saloons, gamblin’ parlors, an’ brothels are runnin’ 24/7.

Turns out some folk find this sorta setting all romantic like, so they’s plenty ‘o’ hotels, gift shops, an’ nice places what offer more respectable environs. Them as so inclined can even take tours what point out hauntin’s, murder sites, pirates, an’ all make of nefarious activity in the town’s history.

Crew got paid. Not so much coin as we’d like, but ain’t no one alive ever got rich on Badger's dole. So hit the town! Try not to end up in the greybar hotel, dohn mah?