[center][h2]”We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Galley” - Part 2[/h2][/center]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/NDubquz.jpg[/img]
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Part 2 of a JP/collab from [@Xandrya], [@Herald], [@PatientBean], [@Gunther], [@Theyra], and [[@sail3695]


Joe Hooker had busied himself with work. He set a clean pot of coffee to brew that morning, ate breakfast, and prepared some food for those who wanted to eat – eggs, bacon, waffles, syrup and whatever coffee cake remained. He cleaned up the galley, leaving to take care of the head.

The commodes were scrubbed down, the sinks cleaned and mirrors polished. He swept the floors and scrubbed the shower stalls. The trash would be removed when he was finished. But before he could complete the task, the first officer called for a meeting in the galley. He looked himself over in the mirror, rubbing his bald head. It would take time to get used to that. He felt the slight stubble on his face mentally echoing his decision to let the beard grow back in.

As he walked to the galley, he watched the passengers and possibly new crew moving into his workplace. He didn’t know all of them yet. He saw Miss Edina. She remained aboard ship with them. He was fine with her. She took to his Redhawk pretty well. Good thing she didn’t have to use it. He spotted Abby seated cross legged and decided not to look at her. However, Joseph Hooker couldn’t avoid her forever. He was aware of that. The marks on her face made him feel terrible. Selecting a white mug from the cupboards, he poured himself a cup of black coffee. The China Doll’s cook and deckhand slid into the back of the room. Sipping the coffee, Joe remained silent waiting for the first officer and captain to enter the room and begin the meeting.

Quill followed the woman, Edina as she introduced herself, into the galley. Once they were off the stairwell she turned and offered her hand. Quill accepted the shake and got a good look at the woman. What would be called plain clothes still looked good on her frame. She radiated a warmth tha Quill couldn’t place. Whatever it was, Quill felt welcomed.

“Quill Cassidy, a pleasure.” Once inside the galley, Quill took a look around as others slowly came. One was already sitting down, doing her best to not look at anyone else. The other was a man. She felt a little at odds, not knowing everyone on the ship, but that never stopped her before. She made her way over to a seat close to the girl sitting down. “Hope you don’t mind me sitting here. Name’s Quill.” She didn’t offer a hand. Mainly because she didn’t know if the girl would accept it or not. 

Observant and quiet, that’s how Alana arrived at the galley. She glanced over the new faces, delighted by the additional bodies. Amongst them was the current crew too, and she couldn't help but notice Hook's expression. The man looked tormented, though with his guilt came her own. She excused herself past one of the new girls with the bangs and stood by the cook, offering a quick "Hey" as a greeting as she settled by his side. "What do you make of this fresh crowd?"
 
“Ah dunno Doc. They’s all new ta me.” Joe spoke in hushed tones. He didn’t want to give off any bad vibes to the new people. “Ah prefer to give folks the benefit of the doubt. Ah’m shore they’s good people.”

The man himself hadn't arrived yet, though jus' about his whole crew and possible passengers were present, one of them excusing herself past Imani. A nod and sidestep later and her way was cleared as Imani placed herself away from anyone's personal space. Some were chatting among themselves, but given the all-call, the woman figured it best to standby and deal with introductions at a later time, if of course such preference was afforded and no one went up to her.

Hook moved about, lookin’ right past ‘er like she’s jest a hole in space.  Abby’s mouth hung open, tha “hi” froze up on ‘er tongue’s she conjured he ain’t havin’ no truck with ‘er. Feelin’ that door slammed shut in ‘er face an’ not knowin’ tha ‘why’ of it, she fell silent an’ took tah hidin’ that confusion behind a big swallow of cola.

[i]Mebbe I shouldn’t ‘a’ come.[/i]  The girl ruminated on that a spell as China Doll’s galley filled with a host ‘o’ new faces.  One come from up forward; seein’s only things up that corridor was crew berths an’ cockpit, two an’ two soon made four.  Doc had tole her Pen found ‘er fam’ly back on Greenleaf…so this fella was like tah be their new pilot.  As for Doc, she’s here too, conversatin’ with Hook, leastways tryin’ tah.

They’s a couple others, a woman an’ a man’ both got their guard up about ‘em’s they sized up tha room.  [i]That’s how it is,[/i] she considered.  Folk come an’ go in tha ‘verse.  Even crew.  Even here.  Uncle Bob used tah tell ‘er she’s best off playin’ a cool hand with folk.  “You cain’t be sure ‘o’ nobody ‘til tha wolf’s at tha door, Chickpea.”  She’d be wise tah remember his words.

A hand squeezed ‘er shoulder.  Abby looked up from ‘er thinkin’ tah see Ms. Wyman smilin’ down on ‘er.  “Hi.”

“Save me that seat,” Edina gestured toward the empty chair at Abby’s right hand.  “Be right back.”  With an unobtrusive smile for Hook and the Doc, she went about getting herself a mug of the aromatic coffee.

“Shiny,” Abby give ‘er a nod as tha chair tah her left scraped across tha deck.  Pertiest woman she ever did see took a seat an’ made introductions. [i]Quill[/i] she thought on tha name.  She knew ‘bout quills.  Pirate Cap’n in that book she read…’Skulls and Cutlasses’...used a quill all tha time fer markin’ his charts an’ writin’ some durn racy letters tah women.  She never took it fer a name, but as she turned toward this powerful perty woman, that simple word put on a kinda glow.

“Hi.  Chair’s all yourn’,” she answered.  “I’m Abby, a deckhand.”   One look at Quill an’ she’s of a mind tah run back tah quarters fer a change, ‘til she conjured ain’t nothin’ she ever wore would come close tah tha royalty now sittin’ at her left.  [i]Ain’t we a pair?[/i] Thought sorta struck ‘er funny.  [i]Beauty an’ tha beast.[/i]

Joe spotted Miss Edina and smiled back at her. She had given him the Ruger back after they retrieved Miss Abby. He noted, she appeared happy she didn’t have to use it. It has quite a kick, but he was certain Miss Edina could have handled it. He also noted the attractive blonde haired woman. If he was in a different mindset he would have other thoughts on that subject, but his head was not in the right place at the moment. An Asian woman and a couple of young men. He was aware Miss Penelope was gone. [i]‘One of ‘em must be replacin’ the pilot,’[/i] Joe thought to himself. [i]‘The Asian woman was not bad looking either.’[/i] He was actually happy to see the Doc. He’d considered running away again. It was his typical [i]Modus Operandi,[/i] so to speak. But seeing a few friendly faces helped to keep him in place. He might just consider taking a leave of absence for a term and returning sometime in the future. He still wanted to seek out a shepherd. 

[i][b]...to be continued...[/b][/i]