Joint post from [@Aalakrys] and [@sail3695]   

[img]https://i.imgur.com/SqsQHII.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/nalNq9e.jpg[/img]



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.
  
[i]Middle-‘o’-tha-black-an’-no-passengers-tah-fuss-over[/i] 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.