MK Blitzen

Firefly - Second 'Verse

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Firefly - Second 'Verse

Wasn’t that a Party (Part 1)- Day One Night into Day Two Morning

New Melbourne

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

-Trigger warning! Alcohol and or recreational drug use-

Skye’s Beach Music

youtube.com/watch?v=OhWqfZPrQ9c

“Come to Castaways, and cast your troubles away, oh, that sounds lekker….” Cyd said, reading the flyer out loud. “Authentic Luau, hula dancing, music, games, half-price drinks on the beach, come on, it’ll be a jol.” It wasn’t hard to convince Isaac Castaway’s nightly party on the beach was a good idea. Even Mathias, ticked off as he was, couldn’t deny that drinking something out of half a coconut with a tiny umbrella could make any situation better, and he agreed it sounded better than the Salty Sailor which, low and behold, was where many sailors tusit, making for a little rougher of a crowd.

Brilliant twinkling lights lit up little beachside huts where drinks were overpriced but had fruit juice and fun names like Rum and Pensa-cola. Small bonfires dotted the beach under the stars as the sun sank beneath the ocean for the night. Mathias had spent some time dobbling with the management before things got too crowded. It made the Blue Pelican Cyd occasionally sipped out of a tiki glass more affordable, even at half price, to say the least.

The Skye’s were decked out in beachwear. It was practical and packed far better than cold-weather clothing. Mathias wore a pair of longboard shorts, black and red with two large cargo pockets on either side and his drug rug, a beat-up, off-white, oversized even for him baja hoodie. He held a thinly rolled smoke with his lips as he strummed the chords of a flower print ukulele, looking relaxed, and - Cyd noted - happy. It made her slightly regret the novelty crab sunglasses she cajoled the DJ into giving her for him. Slightly. He looked sommer bosbefok wearing them.

Isaac, katjie van die baan that he was looked right at home behind a set of steel drums. Sounded right at home too. The band couldn’t help but be charmed by his enthusiasm and boisterous attitude. Decked out in board shorts covered in neon palm trees, he’d come in with a bright pink tank top and somehow managed to score not only a paisley print button-up, but a pair of larny sunglasses - something pricey Fishsticks would own - that sat atop his head as he played. His echoic memory made it seem easy. And it was Isaac - he was impossible not to like.

Cyd traded a floral print tank dress in favor of a bikini matching her hair color and a grass skirt, kupe'e leis adorning her ankles and wrists. The sand was still sunkissed warm, beneath her bare feet. She was among the first to volunteer when the beautiful dancers offered to teach some of the party-goers some Polynesian-inspired steps. Her arms rocked like waves, and her hips swayed as she sidestepped to her brother who stopped strumming just long enough to pass the dagga. Inhaling deeply, she was hit with the giggles until she took another sip of the Blue Pelican. Still elated, she handed the smoke back to her twin and fell back in step with the music. Lekker jol

Somewhere around 2 am was last call. Isaac had made five fast friends of the band, Steel my Sunshine. Part of it was his personality - but it may also have been his willingness to share his share of Mathas’ weed. Mathias had cozied up with two of the hula dancers, and, finding out there was a nearby stable at the beach tacked up and took one of them for a moonlight ride. Cyd kept busy trading notes with the in-house DJ, and found out that during night swimming she screams the same if a piece of seaweed touches her leg as she would if someone yelled ‘shark.’ It was a near-perfect way to celebrate the job they'd just finished.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Thank you Pen! Your precursor was great, I love her “don’t fence me in” attitude (extended to sea creatures! Spongebob approved!)

Mods - we have one more in the chamber for the first night, one ready to go for the evening, then the Skye’s have to re-embark. I may have made that word up. Cal and Hook’s gone fishin’, Pen’s at the beach, Abby is laid up, that leaves Rex the first mate. Or, we’re also happy to have them stay at the Super 8, they’ll leave the light on for us.

Let us know what works best so we can plan for it!

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Workin’ For A Living Part 7 - Early Evening

New Melbourne

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

Skye’s Music

“This is where the magic happens?” A female voice giggled.

“It will tonight,” he chuckled back as she let out a yelp of delight at whatever move he just pulled. Cyd leaned her head back. Trapped like a fokkin’ rat.

Isaac moved to rest his hand back on the dial and continue working when his sister's sudden change in circumstance caused him to flinch, barely grazing it. He held his breath as he looked at the dial wide-eyed. Still on 23, he hadn't botched it. He gave a long sigh of relief and kept his hands off of it until he could shake off the tension. But that would have to wait as he realized Cyd wasn't alone in her part of the house. He quickly tapped on the bone-conducting mic "S-I-T-R-E-P".

“Focus on your job.” Mathias reminded Isaac quietly.

“T-R-A-P-D”, Cyd tapped back. “F-S-H-T-C-K A-N-D G-R-L.” Well, she lamented, Upside is this probably won’t take long. The downside was that Mathias and Issac no longer had eyes on their side.

“Can you give me a description? You remember what table she’s from?” Mathias asked and he excused himself to run to the bathroom. At least then he could talk more freely and not sound like a muttering loon.

Cyd let out a slow breath as silently as possible. She had no visual from beneath the desk, so from her voice, she tried to place the woman. More giggling, then a playful yelp from the woman. Come on, Cyd, think, she chided herself.

“I remember the last time I was in here,” the woman said in a teasing voice.

“Oh, yeah?” He asked, as she dissolved into another fit of giggles. Clothes were definitely hitting the floor.

Bay Breeze, she ordered a bay breeze, “T-B-L-E S-V-N,” Cyd tapped out. “L-M-N D-R-E-S-S, B-R-N H-A-I-R”

Mathias moved at a trot to the table chart in the kitchen looking over the names and seating. He tapped table seven on the wall thinking. “Hold tight.” He assured her as walking to the bar. Mathias nabbed two flutes with champagne. Weaving around tables and people he found his mark on table 7.

“Mr. Pierce?” Mathias said calm and pleasant.

“Yes?” He asked, breaking away from his conversation. He was an older man, greying he wasn’t either unpleasant or over pleasant.

“Your wife? Mimi? Ask to see you, privately in the office.” Mathias stated quietly.

“Oh?” The gentlemen blinked, clearly not quite understanding.

“And to bring some champagne,” Mathias said less than subtly holding out the two flutes. Apparently, the guy was thick to boot.

‘“Oh!” Mr. Pierce said realization dawning on him. “Thank you, my good man.” He beamed and sauntered off with the champagne.

“Incoming …” Mathias whispered to his sister.

“S-H-O-T” she tapped back, waiting patiently. The anxious feeling in the pit of her stomach returned briefly as it became apparent the desk she was under was their horizontal surface of choice. The worry of getting caught suddenly intensified.

Isaac knew he didn't have a whole lot of time with the unplanned entertainment Mathias just sent Cyd's way. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He opened them, laser-focused on his target. He blocked out the chatter in his earpiece and listened only for the sound of the gently rubbing gears turning just millimeters away inside of the steel safe door. He heard the telltale brief silence, the metal touching again, and the change in pressure on the door handle.

"That's two." He whispered into his comm.

“Mimi,” a male’s voice called in a sing-song voice. The office door swung open. “I got your… What the fuck!?”

Mimi’s being caught in the literal act quelled Cyd’s fear of the same, and it was obvious her less-than-significant other was less-than-significantly happy. Please don’t instigate a threesome, Cyd silently wished.

“You son-of-a-bitch!” The male voice roared. The desk Cyd was under rumbled as the jilted man went after a half-naked Vanderhull.

“Jon!” The woman yelled as the desk rocked again. Cyd’s eyes flicked left to right as she tried to ascertain when would be the best time to make an exit. Someone got hit - her money was on Fishsticks, but Fishsticks was fighting back. It was hard to tell who Mimi was trying to help, but she threw herself in the mix.

The middle Skye cringed as she listened to the fight at hand. At least this time, no one seemed to be pulling a gun. “Put your damn dress back on!” Jon spat, throwing what had looked like an expensive party dress at Mimi. Fishstick took advantage of the distraction, and with what was supposed to be a guttural roar, tackled Jon into the desk. Vanderhull’s laptop crashed to the ground. Cyd squished into a tighter ball as she saw the tail end and legs of Jon hit the floor. Obscenities flowed from all of them, and apparently, Fishsticks made a break for it to find security, Jon and a now sobbing Mimi hot on his heels.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Workin’ For A Living Part 4 - Early Evening

New Melbourne

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

Skye’s Music

This was an old song and dance. Mathias made his escape from the woman's claws, work still needed doing and there were so many because she could use them to keep him in one place. Mathias lifted some extra chairs to move them to the next room. He struggled with the door and the security guard nearby moved to help. Mathias nearly lost his grip on the stack of chairs and the guard put a hand out to help steady the stack. "Thanks, it's getting kind of crazy ain't it!" He said with a bashful smile.

"Tell me about it!" The guard agreed as Mathis shimmied through the door.

Cyd made eye contact with Isaac and dipped her head slightly in recognition. Just before seven, she made a visit to the washroom, which was easily double the size of the cabin they shared back on the China Doll, and without a shower or tub would be considered a half bath, despite its size. In the full-length mirror, she swabbed another coat of lipstick and spilled her hair free from its ponytail. If Gerswhitz had a comment, she’d say the elastic broke - nothing was built to last anymore. As a final touch, she dabbed an extra bit of Bluebell… or at least, a Bluebell knock-off on her fingertips before running them through her loose hair. Her belongings were returned to her small hip bag, and leaving the room, she scanned for her mark.

Ian Vanderhull was apparently nursing his midlife crisis by making sure there were plenty of attractive women to fawn over him… or rather… his money. It wasn’t that he was unattractive per se, it was more a case of the more you listened to him, the less attractive he seemed.

Still, she had a job to do and as for Ian, he needed a drink.

“I believe there will be a toast soon, Mr. Vanderhull?” Cyd said, sidling up beside him with a tray of champagne flutes and one tumbler. “For your birthday, that is.” She wasn’t sure if that was fact or fiction, but she needed him to take a glass. “Unless you prefer something else? The bartender said Jack on the Rocks was your drink of choice?” She held the tray out to him as his gaggle of gold-diggers grabbed at the glasses. The area reeked of Jasmine, the fishmongers ‘favorite scent.’ It was enough to make anyone’s eyes water. She’d done her homework but didn’t want it to look like she’d done homework, obviously, these women stopped at page one. Two of his admirers put the champagne back claiming they’d like the same thing because giggle-giggle surprise, it was their favorite drink too! Nauseating. Fishsticks gave Cyd a wry grin and took one of each. Cyd sent a look back, the same one she’d use if someone pulled up in a really flashy car or knew one of her favorite DJs, something that conveyed how impressed she was even though he literally just removed two drinks from a tray and nothing else.

“Hey, Blue, Is that your real hair color?” He teased, using an inspired pet name as she spun to walk off.

Cyd smiled back, making sure he saw her check him out. “Only one way to be sure,” she shrugged, playing with the black lace choker around her neck.

“About that Jack and Coke,” one of the gaggle said in an irritated tone.

“Bar’s that way,” Cyd let her know, eyeing Fishsticks one more time. Fishsticks made a show of downing his Jack on ice as Cyd turned, catching Isaac’s eye.

Isaac moved in so smoothly, one might have thought he snuck his board with his whisper-quiet lekker trucks into the soiree. He wove through the crowd of hangers-on, flashing an oversized smile and giving an obsequious nod to each as he collected their drained flutes onto his empty tray. He worked the crowd with his overly sweet deference as he made his way to his target. Rich folk loved being doted on by "the help" and he must have been playing them upright, what with the complimentary murmurs about "how wonderful the service is this year". Isaac sidled up to the man of the hour just as Master His Lordship Baton von Vanderhull was finishing gulping down his mixed drink while eye humping the teen's sister. The tumbler was a brilliant move on Cyd's part. It helped to make it stand out on the tray that was quickly filling with flutes. He'd have to make a point to thank her later.

"Sir?" Isaac saved his brightest most servile smile for the guest of honor as he gently poked his tray forward for Mr. Vanderhull to relieve himself of his now empty glass. The young man's voice managed to draw Vanderhull's attention away from Cyd just long enough to turn and nearly elbow into the flutes that were already on the tray were it not for Isaac's fast reflexes pulling it back just enough to dodge the oaf's errant limb. He gave a nod and maintained his fawning smile as if to say "Completely my fault entirely, m'lord, I'm sure!" Vanderhull took in the teen's appearance, his almond eyes and mocha skin juxtaposed by his sandy hair, and snidely quipped "Didn't know they came in blonde" before looking to his little coterie who immediately laughed at his little joke at Isaac's expense. Awesome. A racist. he thought to himself as he feigned a laugh along with the others and added "Only one way to find out for sure" just loud enough for Vanderhull to hear as he gave a sly smirk, turned on his heels and slipped away, leaving Vanderhull choking from the embarrassing proposition.

The younger Skye scanned the room until he found his older brother coming back into the room from the main doors. He worked his way through the crowd to intercept Mathias.

Mathias smiled, patting Isaac on the shoulder. “Let me switch that out for you.” He offered, relieving his little brother of the tray full of empty flutes while handing him a fresh, empty tray. “Don’t forget to smile! If your face ain’t hurting you're not smiling enough.” He joked.

"Pip pip! Tut Tut, your Grace!" Isaac said with the stiffest upper lip he could muster. "I'll be back for that refill." He added, smiling at his brother before wading back into the throng of snooty revelers.

Mathias chuckled, weaving through the crowd and delivering the tray at the bar. He nabbed a bar towel to wipe his hands and headed to the bathroom. With all the flutes on the serving tray, it was next to impossible to notice the small little gap where the tumbler had once been.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Workin’ For A Living Part 1

New Melbourne - Late Afternoon

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

Skye’s Music

Mathias could not get off that ship fast enough and not just because they were tight on time but also so no other random act of violence would burst out before their hasty exit! There wasn’t time to dwell or mull over the event further, they had work to do and in a way, it was a good thing. It helped him move past it all the faster. Still the further from the ship they got the better he started to feel.

Cyd felt better the moment she breathed in the salty air, even if it wasn’t the good ‘beachy’ kind. It was humid enough however to slightly curl her aqua hair into waves that cascaded down her back. She’d likely have to tie it in a braid for the job but for now, she could enjoy the sun and scent of the water - as soon as she checked in. The middle Skye tapped a few keys on her datapad and pointed them towards a row of shops where the boys could get new dress shirts.

Isaac dropped his board and hopped on as soon as they hit the pavement. The board barely rumbled as he glided alongside his siblings. The extra height finally making him every so slightly taller than his sister, a fact that sat well with the teen. His backpack slung off of his left shoulder, swayed lazily. Packing light was a way of life for the trio and Isaac made a point to pack up in the event they'd be leaving by some other means. "Always be ready with a contingency." It happened often enough that he was used to it by now. "So," he broke the ice as the three made their way towards the shops, "this gig...am I bussing again?" He asked with a hint of distaste for the chore in his tone.

“Sorry, Lo, someday, you’ll appreciate the fact that you look a few years younger than you are,“ Cyd said, ruffling his hair before the boy skated just out of reach.

"N aap in die moi he?" Mathias snickered. "You always have fun and you know, plus the perks … all the lekker sweets at the end!" He pointed out to his younger brother.

“Mathias, you're waiting tables. Salad, entre’, dessert, “ she said pointedly, “and I’m on cocktails, so at least one of us will get tips. Shop over there has button-ups. You take Lolo, I’ve got a call to make.”

Isaac grumbled but he couldn't be too annoyed. He didn't want to admit it but they were right. Sure, the work was hard, but some of the best perks were the free food back in the kitchen, especially at those high-end events. Best of all, you didn't have to put on fake smiles or anything to get it like what Mat and Cyd would have to while they worked. In the end, he had to confess, it wasn't that bad a gig. Plus, where else would people like them get to eat so fancy? Now if only he could get them to stop messing his hair, he thought as he pawed at his head trying to smooth out all back into place.

"Come on, you, let's grab a halfway decent shirt and be done with it," Mathias said, taking his turn to muss Isaac's hair as lead the way into the store. Siblings could be such bastards.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Hey, Brother

The China Doll

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

Skye’s Music

Mathias stared at the sink as the steam front he water fogged the little mirror in the bathroom he had escaped to in order to clean up. He splashed his face working to erase the evidence of the violent events that took place in the cargo bay.

His hair ended up being next and soon after he realized his shirt had not been spared either. He switched out and cleaned up the remains with a grim frown. Then silently wiped up any stray speck of red that escaped around the sink and looked back in the mirror.

Fresh and clean.

Like it never even happened. Mathias convinced himself, his knuckled white as he gripped the edges of the sink. He wasn’t a guy who really drank, at all, but if there was a time to get shit face today was it! Gathering his things up he slid open the door, fully intending to go to his room and hide from the insanity bubbling from all the nooks and crannies on this cursed ship.

Cyd turned the music up louder. Make it louder, until everything melts away. Turn your brain off. She’d have downed a red devil if they didn’t have ruttin’ work to get to. She turned it up one more notch before sitting down on the edge of her bed. Out of the three of them, she was the only one dressed and ready, white button down, black skirt just long enough for her fingertips to graze the hem when they hung at her side. ‘Regulation.’ Too long for her liking. They still had to pick up a shirt for Isaac, two now that Mathias’ was ruined for sure. She bumped the music up one more notch. Not like anyone on the ship would be sleeping that time of day- well, as far as she knew, anyway. Truth be told it was four days. Did they really know anyone on the ship?

Isaac sat on the floor, his board clenched tightly between his thighs for stability as he applied firm steady pressure to the wrench until the nut on the first wheel gave way. That's how you don't strip it. he thought as he buried himself into the task at hand. He felt kinda shitty that he didn't have something comforting to say to his brother. What the hell do you say?? "Sorry you got some dude's brains on your shirt"?? It seemed like nothing he could think of felt like it would be enough, not to mention how he felt about having a front row seat to that horror. So, he chose to say nothing for now. Not like anyone expected comfort or sagely advice from the 'baby' anyway.

The door to their room slid open and a scrubbed Mathias walked in closing the door behind him and jammed his gunky shirt into their laundry bag. Which was now getting cleaned sooner rather than later before letting himself fall on the bed with a heavy sigh. It seemed the four of them were all working hard to avoid talking about the issue at the moment. Isaac and his new trucks, Cyd and her music, Mathias staring blankly at the wall and the 600 pound gorilla sitting awkwardly in the middle.

Cyd watched Isaac for a bit, him working on his longboard diligently, before swinging her eyes to Mathias. Mathias. If that deck’s aim was off, if he missed, if the bullet had gone through and hit him, hit Isaac, stop thinking it, just don’t! Music wasn’t making it stop. But they had work to do. Ag![ “Let’s hear it, Yobo."

“What the fok were you even THINKING?!?!” Mathias exploded sitting up. “Have you genuinely lost your damn MIND?!”

"Hey!!" Isaac reflexively shouted in an attempt to defend his sister, but then realized he had nothing else to add in that moment.

Mathais glared down at Isaac. “Got something to say do you?”

The younger Skye let his empty challenge hang in the air uncomfortably before quietly going back to his work while making quite the stink face.

“No,” Cyd chuffed, standing up and waving a hand toward her brother. “On me - He didn’t do anything.”

"Never do." Isaac muttered under his breath, disgusted with himself that he did nothing in the moment of truth to come dashing to his brother's rescue. It wasn't anything like in the movies.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Thanks for running it, mods! I seriously had a blast, and have spent waaaay too many nights staying up waaaaay past my bedtime plotting and playing the what-if game with my fellow Shenanigators. Can't wait to see what the next episode brings!

Firefly - Second 'Verse

It Started With a Whisper

The China Doll

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

Skye’s Music

Cyd sat at the galley table, sharing a pair of earbuds with Mathias. This way they wouldn’t wake the ship, and could still keep an ear on their surroundings. Her data pad was situated at an angle, and the open tech gloves allowed her to type on a virtual keyboard on the table.

Mathias bopped his head lightly to the driving beat in his ear looking absently in the distance. He was practicing card tricks and throws. He had half a deck behind each hand and would alternate slowly making the card appear, drawn from the back of his hand, to the front for presentation and then tossed it to a slowly filling hat at the other end of the table. The point was to build strength, dexterity and to nitpick over his technique. Street magic was an extremely unforgiving practice. Also he was trying to improve his aim, he didn’t miss often but when he did it was punctuated with a creative curse in a random language.

Isaac hadn’t stopped talking about wheels - not since he saw that crate in the cargo bay. Well, not the wheels so much as the bearings. “He’s right,” Cyd said, finding the wheels he described. “They cost a fortune. Weird that they’d be on a case on a crate being couriered by a random Firefly class.”

“Uh - hu …” Mathias said absently, missing the hat. “ … Sìnüè de yīyuántǐ gǎnrǎn lǘ niào” He hissed and tried again.

“Just weird is all.” Cyd shrugged.

“Sure is …” Mathias mindlessly agreed, flicking the card to the hat, it hit the edge just right and just barely got in. “ … yes!”

Cyd chuckled at her brothers’ indifference. “He does need new bearings.” she offered.

“He does have a terrible sense of direction …” Mathias agreed, focusing on his next throw.

"Seriously, though, Jo!" Isaac popped off one of his earphones so he could hear his siblings better as he pressed the issue. "Maybe when she's done doing whatever she's doing with those crates, maybe she'll let me have those sweet bearings for my trucks? That would make my board gek fast!" The younger Skye daydreamed aloud about the possibilities. "I could be doing krank Backside Tailslides, Shuvits, Crooked Grinds! Think I can ask her for 'em if her business is done with on New Melbourne?" He wondered.

“Worst she can say is no,” Cyd offered, swiping the air in front of her screen to go back to something non wheel related. Isaac could be like a dog with a bone.

“Whatever Cyd says …” Mathias said reflexifly. The card bounced off the edge of the hat. “... Dà xiàng gāowán bàozhà!” He snapped

Isaac's excitement was palpable upon hearing Cyd's encouragement, which was only slightly deflated by Mathias's considerably less convincing agreement. Undeterred, he leaned over to peek at his sister's cortex screen. "How much longer before we land?"

“Forever.” Mathias answered, flicking the card squarely into the hat.

“You could read a book if you’re bored.” Cyd offered.

Isaac groaned and fell back sullen into his chair, pulling the earphones snugly back in place. The thought of sitting around reading a boring old digital book was not exactly his idea of a fun way to pass the time. He fiddled with the controls, trying to find in something, anything that would tune out his tiresome sibs as he slid deeper into his chair and sulked.

“Books are fun.” Mathias encouraged throwing another card into the hat.

Cyd couldn’t help but giggle. It took her a hot minute to realize she’d switched from earbuds to speakers. Music filled the kitchen when she connected the data pad to her small dedicated source box, circumventing the Cortex. The music sounded better loud, but people were just starting to wake up. They’d already not made friends with the skebenga’s Mathias chased off. Alienating people was bad for busking. With a couple of finger taps, the din disappeared, transmitting back to Cyd and Mathias. “All right sibs, I found something - dockside, , and it’s pretty close to the maritime museum. Artifacts from clipper ships back from Earth that was. Who wants to take a pic with New Mel’s largest working cannon?” She had an album full of photos from the verse, random attractions and the like.

Isaac had no idea what his sister was babbling about, but she looked to the boys expectantly about whatever she was saying. He gave a thumbs up. It seemed to be the right response as no one kicked him afterward.

Mathias jumped from the noise breaking his concentration. “Is this another pikkewyn thing?” He asked, wrinkling his nose. Mathias put down the cards to stretch his fingers out.

“We packed white shirts for a reason, Yobo,” she snickered.

“To use in the event we need to surrender?” Mathias answered not sure if it was the right answer?

Cyd laughed. “You’re not getting out of it that eas… “ She furrowed her brow as she swiped a few more keys. It looked like they weren’t the only ones on board circumventing the Cortex.

Isaac's sulk was so deep he was practically halfway to the floor. His face had, up until that point, been fixed with a sour expression. That changed when something seemed to grab his attention, making his eyes grow wide. "Fokkol..." he sighed in disbelief.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Shenanigans!

New Melbourne will be a blast! Looking forward to it!

See Ya Laters, Shennanigators.