Penelope / Hook JP [@Gunther] Joe had been moving boxes around the cargo bay after he came down from checking out the galley. He noticed the other gentleman come aboard, stunned by his colorful appearance. [i] ‘The peacock prefers the attraction,’[/i] he thought to himself. “Hook!” Abby yelled from the ramp. Joe looked up, taking a few steps forward, “yes Miss Abby?” Then he noticed the small-ish woman who was at least a foot shorter than him. He wiped his hand on his coveralls and extended to shake, “I’m Joe Hooker. Most folk call me Hook.” He smiled at the young woman. Penelope was taking it all in, the subtle sounds of the folk and things they were moving around, as well as the ship herself when the man called out had approached. Her hazel eyes turned on him, warmth there flowing back down to her smile. She lifted a hand to take his in the offered shake. “Hey there, Hook. I’m Penelope Randell, and I’ve never quite noticed what most people call me. Reckon we’ll figure that out, won’t we?” She let her hand fall back to her side once the shake was concluded, still idly holding her rucksack strap with the other. “Ah grew up on a farm on Hera. One a’ the girls, ah lived with had the same name. We all called her [i]Penny[/i]. Ya mine if I call yew Penny?” Joe asked the woman. “I don’t mind at all - sounds real nice.” Penelope was sincere. It seemed like he was a pretty easy-going fella, and she liked easy-going. “OK, Penny.” Joe offered to carry her bag, “lemme take that, I will show you to yer bunk.” “Ain’t you a real gentleman?” She said, not unkindly, but shook her head. “S’alright, it ain’t heavy. I don’t carry a lot ‘round in the verse, though I do seem to collect it every now an’ then…” The notion seemed to distract her slightly, but she brushed the thought off. Her original idea of going on her own was gone with it, that natural sense of liking being around folk taking over without her noticing. “Lead the way, Hook.” “Alright, Penny,” Hook turned to head her up the ladders to the third deck and the galley. When they reached the galley, Hook mentioned he could cook. “Do yew fancy yerself a cook? Cuz if ya don’ I do. I used to cook on the farm. This is where we eat our meals.” Hook then opened the hatch leading to the crew quarters and the bridge. Along the way, Penelope’s eyes took it all in - the metal grates, the netting, the hand rails, on up. It was like learning a new piece, and Hook made a companion on the way. While they passed through the galley, she answered with easy honesty. “This all looks cozy. But, nah, I don’t cook much, but I can make some good chai when the mood strikes. Does this ship have one of those garden bunks where you can grow your own fresh veggies?” “That would certainly be of benefit to us,” Joe admitted. “Ah only jus arrived an hour or more ahead of yew. Need tah ask the Cap’n that question. Mos’ ships don’ have fresh fruit and vegetables for long. Frozen food lasts though.” Hook stepped through the portal to where the ship’s quarters lay. Joe Hooker guessed this would be the neck of the ship if the bridge were its head. “Yew can pick whichever ye like. But since yew the pilot, y’might’n want one near the bridge?” Penelope made a note to check into it later. Though she didn’t cook, she did like having a bit of home with her - a nothin’ said that more than a lot of green where there could be some had. Her last ship had one, so if there wasn’t one here, and maybe if it weren’t too late, the captain - O’Malley - might be willing to part with it since the rest of his ship was headin’ to scrap. But, they also had a job to do… Time pressin’ and all, she knew that better than some, even if she liked takin’ her own when it was afforded. Regardless, arriving at the hall that had the hatches to the crew quarters caught her attention, but not as much as what lie at the end of it. Up some stairs was the nav-console, and she was itching to sit down and have a look. But, later. For now, she turned her grateful soft smile back to the new crewmate. “I reckon I’ll take the one the last pilot had, to make things easy, if that’s alright. You know which one it was?” “Like ah said, Miss Penny. I juss got here an hour before yew. I sujest yew pick one.” Hook smiled, not knowing what more to say. “Well, thank you, then. I’ll just... get to that.” She glanced around at the hatches, guessing the ones that were closed were occupied already. She went for a peek on her own down the nearest to the bridge that was open, as suggested. Slipping one shoulder of her bag free, she swung it to the side as she climbed down to see if this would be her new room for a while yet. When she found the room an empty metal case with only a mattress laid bare, she smiled once more. It was a canvas to her eyes, and she set to work. When she was finished, her favorite tapestry of a red kimono warrior hung over the bed, her rucksack unpacked - clothing contents tucked away, and the rest set out on the built-in shelf recess. Bobbles of all variety set in a smoothed coconut shell, a set of wire trimmers and shapers next to a coil, and the wooden skewer from earlier with a length of cord. All her postcards and photos were stuck back up beneath it, and her colorful patchwork quilt spread out beneath that, making the place already look homey enough. She stood back to survey her work and found it a good start. Now to the heart of what got her here. Penelope ascended the ladder and went through the hatch to the flight deck. "Hello, girl. Let's you and me get acquainted some."