Fine Dining

[Admin Account]

"Well... my line of work tends to lean more towards the illegal end of things, Miss Garvel. Illegal if you favor the Alliance side of things, that is. We got a job transportin' some Alliance goods off-world, should be quick enough."

Ursula took a second without responding to register this. So Ryan, and the crew of the other ship he was doing this job with, were smuggling Alliance goods for money. They didn't have jobs, per-se..they were freelancers. Did what came by. That hardly seemed stable, and Ursula wondered if that was a very wise decision, especially on her part. If these guys couldn't find work for a long time, what would she do? They better park their heap on a populated planet, that's all she knew.

Also, what if they were caught and had to go to prison? Would she be charged too, or let free because she's a companion? Ursula could not be sure; she did not want to be mixed up in their criminal acts. But yet...there was something intriguing about the way he said 'if you favor the Alliance' that struck her in an odd way. A small part of her said 'good for you' for sticking one to the Alliance. Ursula got like that sometimes. Sometimes, her contempt for her father gave her contempt for her government.

"How does that business strike you, Ursula?"

"There are certainly better ways to make a living," she answered truthfully. "But your business is none of mine, I will not lecture you."

They reached the kitchen and Ursula was glad for a break in the conversation she held with Ryan. She wasn't sure if he'd be defensive about his line of work or not, and was not in the mood to argue morals. The smell of a homecooked meal filled Ursula's nostrils as Ryan introduced her to the crew, and she bowed gracefully at the new company. It was an odd assortment of people, that much was obvious. Stoot was easily the first person she found with her gaze, since she had met him already. He was as disgusting as ever, with that greasy grin across his face. There were two identical red-heads, one much more eccentric than the other. Ursula could easily assume they were twins. It was obvious that one twin was right-brained and the other was left-brained. Opposites, perhaps. Another red-head, male, older though. His hair wasn't quite as shockingly red, but he could still be related to the twins. Either way, he looked very happy to be sitting in the cramped little kitchen. Then there was a long, curly-haired blonde and a short, spiky-haired blonde. The latter looked much more rugged than the former. Ursula wondered who was crewing which ship. Perhaps they were all (except for Stoot) the other ship's crew. She couldn't imagine that Ryan had cropped up an entire crew in the time she'd last been aboard. That was crazy.

"Nice to meet you all," She said cordially, nodding her head. They didn't look like her type of company, but she was never one to be rude to strangers. Unless, of course, they deserved it. She would have to see how this played out before she judged them, but she was already beginning to make her assessments simply based on their expressions.

[Ari Deschain]

Sam patted her shoulder companionably, and she laughed at his exchange with Stoot. She rubbed her stomach as it rumbled, reminding her she hadn't eaten since breakfast. The food did smell delicious, and she was looking forward to eating Stoot's food and eating with her new friends. "Yeah, 's been a while since I've had a home-cooked meal!" As she glanced up at the cooks, she saw Delilah had taken to dancing around the kitchen, her skirt swirling as she spun. Ari smiled at the sweet scene. She could work with people like these; ride with people like these.

Faye caught her attention, then, and she turned to the captain. "Yeah, everyone's getting on great s'far." She grinned, but it seemed the captain was a little at a loss for words until she asked Ari about her past. "I was born here on Persephone, learned to be a mechanic from age sixteen...Fought in th' war, the right side o' course," she winked playfully, pointing at the brown bandana tied around her upper arm so show she was an independent. "After that, moved from place t' place, ship t' ship, jus' gettin' by. What about yourself?"

Suddenly, Ryan walked back in followed by a pretty woman, one that looked very out of place in the Atlas. She cocked her head, eyes widening at Ryan's admission that she was a Companion. She cursed fluidly, but under her breath. A Companion, on a ship like this? It made no sense. She quickly composed her face, to a look of apathy, not sure what she felt about this new development. Ari had never liked Companions. To her, they were just like any other prostitute, only smarter, more experienced, and more expensive. Most of them had Alliance customers, which was a huge strike against them to a Browncoat. She couldn't see Ursula thinking much of a ragtag band such as the one in the Atlas' kitchen; most she had come in contact with held a very high opinion of themselves. However, she could tell Ryan liked her, and if he liked her maybe she was different from the others. Maybe she'd fit in just fine. She crossed her arms, chewing on her lip indecisively as she glanced instinctively at Stoot, her friend and fellow shipmate, to see what he thought of Ursula. She didn't trust herself to speak just yet.

[stoot]

Dinner was finally done. Stoot had cut off from his random bursts into song and Delilah from her dancing so they could serve everyone before seating themselves. Stoot was uneasy about Ryan still not having showed up to the kitchen, and wondered where he'd gotten off to. If he wasn't back by the time it was time to tuck in, he decided that he would go in search for him. He was the first-mate, after all. It was his duty.

However, Stoot and Delilah had merely gotten the dishes assembled and ready to place onto the table when Ryan reappeared in the kitchen. Stoot would have called out at Ryan with a retort such as "S'bout time!", but his company kept the man's words to himself. It was that Companion again. Stoot had forgotten her name already, and only remembered it when Ryan introduced her.

He rolled his eyes discreetly and sighed. He'd never understand why Ryan had to go and fall head-over-heels for a woman who charged you for her love. What the hell was he getting himself into? The woman was trouble; couldn't he see that?

Stoot decided that he'd give his two cents about Miss Garvel later, when they could speak privately. He planned to let Ryan know that having Ursula on this ship was not a good idea, that she would mess up the balance they currently had, that she would probably sell them out to the Alliance the first chance she got, shortly after cleaning out his bank account. Stoot didn't doubt that the woman would use Ryan's unintended celibacy over the years against him.

For now, for his friend's sake and for the sake of the rest of their guests, Stoot would be nice to the lady. Hopefully she'd behave the same and not be a killjoy tonight. Hopefully she didn't have a thing against boozin', because Stoot was celebrating whether she found it ethical or not. If she wanted to push him, he had no qualms with burping in her direction. That'd show her.

Earlier this afternoon, Ursula had seemed mind-blowingly beautiful to Stoot even with the knowledge that she was a whore. However, after meeting Ari, she suddenly wasn't as pretty as he remembered. How could Ursula compare? Stoot seemed to prefer grease to glamour.

"Good thing we made extra," He said, lifting the platter of steaks in one hand and the bowl of beans in the other. The bread and potatoes would be left to Delilah. "Sorry it ain't fit for a Companion," 'Whatever that means,' he added inwardly. "But it'll stick to yer ribs, that's f'sure."

Still inwardly shaking his head at Ryan's decision to welcome the companion with open arms, Stoot sat down next to Ari. His mood instantly lifted to be doing so. Whatever Ryan was doing with his personal life, that was his business. Stoot wanted some chow.

"Well, don't jus' stand there," He said to Ryan and the companion. "Come feast on the fruits-a my labor!"

[hackanut]

"Sounds great Danny-boy!" Ryan said, leading Ursula and himself over to a pair of chairs at the table. He heard Sam mumble something to Ari about how he hoped the fruit of Stoot's labor tasted more like steak than fruit and he couldn't help but laugh at it as he pushed Ursula's chair in. The two crews seemed to be getting along just fine, and that aided somewhat in relieving the awkwardness of having Ursula there. Not that Ryan felt awkward, but he could tell that Ursula and most definitely Stoot did. Hopefully this little get together broke the ice for most of the crew.

Ryan scanned the counter from his seat to see what his friend had cooked. "Steak... Potatoes... Beans... Danny-boy, you outta be proud of yourself, cookin' this meal! Hell, I'll have to start shinin' your shoes if you keep this up!"

As Stoot and Delilah started to serve the food Ryan began to look around the table. Everyone was happy, everyone was smiling. he took note that the widest smile came from Delilah; she really was beginning to grow on him. He'd only known her for a total of 10 minutes but he enjoyed her company; she had a certain... pleasantness about her. Danny-boy seemed to be getting on with her as well. Ryan glanced to his right. Ursula looked a little tense so he flashed her a smile as if to say 'let loose, have some fun'. He believed there was a place for her on his ship; that she wasn't simply an outsider. And he was determined to make that a reality.

[faye]

"I was born here on Persephone, learned to be a mechanic from age sixteen...Fought in th' war, the right side o' course. After that, moved from place t' place, ship t' ship, jus' gettin' by. What about yourself?"

Faye grinned, feeling suddenly at ease. Ari was a veteran, and a Browncoat veteran, no less; that put her in good standing with Faye. The brown leather of her coat felt a bit better now, but suddenly she also felt concious of the three small, purple medals perched on the chest pocket of it. Purple Hearts -- they marked her injuries. Hopefully, Ari wouldn't notice. "Me, I grew up on McKinleigh. It was just me and me parents and Delilah, but we were all right. Met Sam here just before the war. I joined up with the Independent Army when I was sixteen, and afterwards, I came here and got a ship o' me own. Been flyin' ever since."

She'd barely noticed Ryan was gone, but now he came back, and he wasn't alone. The woman standing next to him was beautiful, and exotic in a way that Faye knew could only mean she was a Companion. Her hair was white-blonde and came down to her shoulders in light, feathery wisps; the elegant clothes she wore hugged her curves perfectly. Upon sight of her, Faye could only have one thought:

God help us.

Poor Hannigan. Poor naive, inexperienced, terribly trusting Hannigan. Companions shipped out with big Alliance cruisers and, on occasion, Independent ships -- but not on par with the Atlas. She wasn't that good a ship, and up until a few hours ago, she wasn't even running. No...Faye's experience and old soldier's sense both told her something wasn't right here. Any Companion wanting to work out of a ship like this was one of two things: horrible at her trade, or running from something, usually something bad. And Faye doubted it was the former. But, as a Companion, she was still a woman of standing, and that deserved at least a few formalities.

"Miss Garvel," Faye said by way of greeting as she rose from her seat. She extended her hand. "I'm Faye Murphy. I captain the Riley."

"Steak... Potatoes... Beans... Danny-boy, you outta be proud of yourself, cookin' this meal! Hell, I'll have to start shinin' your shoes if you keep this up!"

"I helped!" Delilah sqeaked proudly as she took her seat between Stoot and Audrey. "And I have strawberries for dessert."

[Ari Deschain]

Ari was just as pleased as Faye seemed to be find herself speaking to a fellow veteran. She matched the Captain's grin with one of her own, just as wide. "Hell, ain't that somethin'? Always good ta meet another Browncoat." Well, they weren't going to ride on the same ship, but she surmised that they were going to be doing this job together. It was surprising she hadn't noticed the coat, but then she had been busy meeting people and trying to learn names. She would have recognized the medals, maybe even questioned Faye about them in her bold, albeit socially challenged way, and would have liked to discuss old war stories and the like if Ryan hadn't walked in with the distraction of a companion just then.

As she waited for the first mate's response Ryan's words, she saw Stoot roll his eyes. but genially welcome the woman. Had Ari really expected anything less from the friendly man? Sam whispered to her then, commenting on the use of the word 'fruit', and she breathed a light laugh, elbowing him slightly. Stoot sat on her other side, and Ryan took a seat as well, speaking to Stoot but addressing him with an entirely different name. Ari grinned as Stoot set a plate down and leaned toward him slightly. "Danny-Boy?" She teased quietly. She hadn't heard Ryan use the nickname earlier. His real name must be Daniel, then. So what was the name he'd given her? "Thought y'said your name was Stoot."

She glanced over as Faye introduced herself to Ursula, polite and open. Stoot seemed to know the woman already, and Ari had been awaiting the reaction from him to know how to react to her new Captain's news. After all, he was second to Ryan and she was falling quickly into her normal role of mechanic. Standing up, she spun her chair around so she could sit in it the proper way, but she didn't sit down just yet. Since she would be riding with Ursula, now the companion was on the Atlas, she took it upon herself to speak after Faye had finished. She waited politely , then followed Faye's example and held out a hand, failing to wonder if the companion, unused to this life as she most likely was, would mistake her engine grease-stained hands for being dirty still. Lacking in social graces in comparison to the two Captains, she shot Ursula a grin and simply said: "Call me Ari. Mechanic o' this here ship, as of tonight anyway."

[Admin Account]

Ursula allowed herself to be seated by Ryan and looked around with interest at the other people at the table, able to view them up close now. She didn't even look at Stoot as she surveyed them briefly, not allowing her face to betray the awkwardness she inwardly burned with.

Ryan was smiling encouragingly at her, perhaps the only being at the table to enjoy and want her company. It was now that she realized that he would probably be her only ally on this ship; she'd better not screw that up. She smiled back at him, reassuringly. "Thank you," She said in response to him having gotten her chair for her.

One of the red-heads, the more sane-looking of the two, stood from her place at the table as Ursula sat and introduced herself as the captain of the Riley, the ship she had noticed was parked right next to Atlas. Ursula stood to meet her hand, shook it, and bowed her head in response.

"It is nice to meet you, Captain Murphy," She said genuinely. It was nice to see a strong, independent woman amidst men, captaining her own ship. So she had been right to assume that most of these people probably weren't Ryan's crew. He was simply holding a dinner party. She went to sit back down, but the short-haired blonde shot up then, offering her hand as well; obviously following the example of the other captain.

But Faye Murphy was not this woman's captain; she introduced herself as the Atlas mechanic instead. Ursula chewed that over. So they had replaced Rebel very quickly indeed! Maybe she was an old friend? At any rate, Ursula took the other woman's hand and shook it, after only a brief hesitation at the dirty look of it. They were dirtier than any hand she'd ever had to touch; it had been a slight surprise to have it offered to her. It was appropriate for Ari to sit next to Stoot, she mused. Their fingernails were in the exact same shape. Maybe that's where the connection stood? Ari must be here on Stoot's invite, not Ryan's. If that were the case, she wouldn't be sitting so close to the first mate.

"It is also nice to meet you, Ari," She said with another graceful bow of her head. She sat fluidly back into her seat and observed the food that Ryan had appraised as being worthy of a shoe-shining. It didn't look that great to her; in fact, it looked downright gross. It looked typical for the setting, however, so she wouldn't complain. She assumed that everyone would already assume that she'd never eaten any food so lower-class. Yet another way in which she would be alienated on this ship. This was embarrassing.

Ursula found herself wondering what the other companions in her class were doing right now; what sort of ships they were servicing from. Probably high-class cruise liners, like the one she had abandoned. Probably nicer. Certainly nothing like the ship she was on right now. She suppressed a sigh. She was determined to make excuses for herself; she was determined to make this ship a little more dignified in time.

For now, she would suffer through this dinner and perhaps feel bad for herself later. 'Only complain to those who can help you,' the words of her father echoed in her mind. While most of the advice he offered was bunk, this was the one snippet that she'd always carried with her. 'Otherwise, you're just whining.'

[stoot]

"Steak... Potatoes... Beans... Danny-boy, you outta be proud of yourself, cookin' this meal! Hell, I'll have to start shinin' your shoes if you keep this up!"

Stoot laughed and speared a steak with his fork, plopping it onto his plate. "If you provide the raw materials, I'll cook," he offered. "I ain't made-a money though. Unless Delilah here grows her own beans, taters, wheat, n' cows." He laughed again at this idea, at the absurdity of it. Ari then spoke from his side and he turned his attention to her.

"It is Stoot," he responded with an irritation that stemmed merely from having explained this on many occasions. He waved the nickname off. "Ryan's been callin' me that for long as I can remember; he's just lucky I ain't got an embarrasin' nickname for him yet." Stoot did not like his first name. 'Daniel' sounded queer to him, sounded like something you'd call a little boy. He figured he owed Ari a little bit of a response, though. "Stoot's my last name; ain't many other than my momma and Ryan who know me by anythin' else. Now don't you go and follow their example," he warned, though there wasn't a hint of threat in his tone. His first name simply embarrassed him, but to those who used it, it endeared him to them.

It was odd and very difficult for Stoot to articulate.

Ari and Faye both rose to greet Ursula as the first mate scooped potatoes and beans onto his plate, ignoring the companion. She was too formal for him, and the fact that Ryan had coaxed her into boarding the ship after all still made Stoot feel grudging.

However, once the three women were seated again, he looked to the blonde in feigned interest. "So, Ursula," He asked. "How long you been...you know?" He fished for the words by way of a circular motion with his fork. "Makin' men happy?"

[hackanut]

He watched as Ursula bowed, introducing herself to both Faye and Ari. Whole heap of awkwardness, by the looks of it. Not much he could do, however, so he just began to eat.

Ursula's expression of thanks made Ryan feel like he was heading on the right track. Maybe she wasn't having such a horrible time after all, maybe she was warming up to him a little bit. He wasn't too worried about the latter, however. Ryan had begun to pin down exactly what his relationship to Ursula was: He was her life-line. Until she started loosening up and becoming more friendly with the crew, Ryan could not foresee Ursula having much of a good time outside of her work, and probably not with him either. 'Her work...' The thought cropped up but he pushed his jealousy aside. Ryan didn't much like the thought of Ursula with another man, but it wasn't his place - she was after all, a Companion.

"So, Ursula, How long you been...you know... makin' men happy?"

"Shuh muh?",Ryan choked through his mashed potatoes, covering his mouth with the back of the hand, fork dangling from his fingers. He was about to continue but instead decided to let Ursula handle herself on this one. Her and Danny-boy had some talkin' needed done, anyways.

Ryan smiled at Ursula's retort. She certainly wasn't one to take any tzao gao from anyone. Stoot looked a little offended but Ryan was staying out of this one, so he moved his attention to his Mechanic. She was a cute woman. Dirty and tough, but in a charming way -- talented too. He was glad Stoot had found her, and even more happy the two of them seemed to be hitting it off.

"How ya likin' the ship so far?" He asked, softly.

[Ari Deschain]

Stoot seemed mildly irritated at the mention of his nickname, and her brow furrowed slightly. Ari hadn't meant to embarrass him, and was quiet as he explained more thoroughly. She took a smallish steak from the plate and moved it to her own, then passed the plate on to Faye on her other side. Speaking quietly, afraid to offend him again by letting the whole table hear their conversation, she said,"Daniel ain't a name to be ashamed of. It's a good name. But I'll call ya Stoot, all the same." Deciding to reciprocate his admission with one of her own, she smiled slightly and started speaking at normal volume again. "M'real name's Ariana Deschain, but don't call me that, yeah? Ari does me fine."

Ursula's hesitation was very brief, but Ari was trained to notice minute details not only in the war, but as a mechanic. She narrowed her eyes very slightly, realizing much too late how her stained hands must appear to the high-class woman. It wasn't as if they were dirty; she had scrubbed them, but it was a practicing mechanic's bane in social situations to always carry those stains. Withdrawing her hand, she nodded and sat down, reigning in her temper for the sake of her companions. "Pleasure's all mine." The mechanic would not let Ursula's discomfort bother her; she had fixed the ship's engine, small job though it was, and her value and worth was proven to her new captain and friends. Without her, this ship would not be taking off anytime soon. She offered Ursula a smile in a vain attempt to make her feel more welcome. Ari was not heartless, after all, and although she didn't like Companions as a rule, she would give Ursula a chance for now. It was obvious the woman was trying.

It was then that Stoot let loose with his rude comment. Ryan looked mortified, and although Ari didn't think Ursula was in a respectable line of work at all, she punched Stoot lightly, hiding a grin. He was more awkward than she was, which made her feel all the more affection for him. Ryan quickly turned to Ari, then, and the mechanic more than welcomed the distraction. She leaned forward, propping one elbow on the table, and her chin on her fist. "I love it, Ryan. And, hey...I really 'preciate the chance to ride with ya." She smiled, lifting her fork with her other hand and beginning to poke her food around. "So...D'you mind me askin' what this job is all about, or is it hush-hush?" It was different on every ship as to what the captains were willing to disclose to their crews.

[hackanut]

"I love it, Ryan. And, hey...I really 'preciate the chance to ride with ya."

"Oh of course! I'm glad to have you aboard, to be honest.", Ryan smiled at her.

"So...D'you mind me askin' what this job is all about, or is it hush-hush?"

"Well, I know we didn't get much of a chance to iron out job descriptions and the like but... let me put it this way: you're going to be doing a whole hell of a lot more than just being a Mechanic when you're on this ship. You're apart of my crew and that means you do your part on all jobs we get, shiny?"

Ryan reached for his mug and took a swig of some kind of hard cider.

"But about the job. Man named Murdo got a whole heap of purple-belly goods... needs 'em unloaded off-world at Whitefall. We get there and take the goods to a lady named Patience... but from what I hear she's got none, so there could be trouble crops up. most of us ain't bad with a gun, so if things go south, we shouldn't be in too much trouble. Murdo says kill 'er if we have to, but make sure we get the money. And that's about the long and short of it."

[Ari Deschain]

She was flattered by his quick and sincere response, and offered him a quick smile. "Thanks." He began explaining to her that she was a part of his crew in not only mechanics, but in the jobs they were pulling off as well. With a big grin, tipped him a friendly wink. "Sounds more'n shiny, Capt'n. I'd be right honored ta be a part o' your crew." She had been calling him Ryan since she'd met him, but as he was ready to accept her as crew, she knew it was high time she called him by his title, though she said it in a friendly way rather than make it sound an uncomfortable and formal ranking.

Ryan took a sip of his drink, and she cocked her head to the side slightly, feeling he was about to add something more. Her own glass was full of water; she had a feeling some of the alcohol she had helped Stoot carry would make an appearance sooner or later, and she wanted to be well-hydrated should she take part in the celebration. He began describing the job to her, and she listened intently. She didn't ask what the cargo was; it wasn't her business, and Ryan might not even know. "Straightforward enough," she commented when he was finished. "I prefer close combat, but I ain't bad with a gun." She slid the gun from the back of her pants that she had almost pulled on their medic earlier and held it up to show him. It was a modified Lemat, and older model, but it was obvious she took good care of it. "Had it since the war. You learn real quick ta be a crack shot when it's kill or be killed."

[Admin Account]

"So, Ursula, How long you been...you know... makin' men happy?"

Ursula could not believe how bold Stoot could be, but she couldn't show him how pissed his comment had made her. That would make him the winner; and yes, now it had turned into a game of sorts.

She smiled sarcastically at him instead, her quick mind thinking up a response almost instantly. She could see the blonde next to him, Ari, stifle her amusement. So she was in on this as well, was she?

"Actually, I'm still a virgin." She said pleasantly through her obvious sarcasm. Metaphorically, she was a virgin to her profession. But not in any other sense of the word. "You know, Danny," She adopted Ryan's nickname and said it seductively, "I would be thrilled to have you as my first."

Ursula was leaning forward towards the mudder now, eyes glittering with mirth. This rivalry would only get worse with age, that was for sure. If he wanted to butt heads...oh, she would butt back. She would just be a little more articulate about it. Which made her an automatic winner, in her mind.

She wasn't quite sure how to go about eating here. She looked around the table, at everyone gathering food onto their plates. It didn't appetize her. Would she be rude to have a blank plate, or would she be rude to waste food that had taken time to cook? Even if it was Daniel Stoot who prepared it. She wasn't sure what to do about this; if only she weren't too proud to voice these dilemmas. She simply straightened in her chair, dismissing Stoot with her posture. If he wanted to keep playing, she encouraged it; at least that would prolong the part where she had to put food onto her plate.

[faye]

"So, Ursula, How long you been...you know... makin' men happy?"

Faye choked into the drink she'd been sipping on. That certainly wasn't the type of cordial, refined talk you'd hear at an introductory dinner between crews, especially when you were meeting half of your own crew as well. She glanced at Ryan for a reaction, and saw him say...nothing? Really? If it had been one of her crew that said such a thing, Faye would've given them a tongue-lashing so brutal the entire crew would be dizzy for days.

She listened to Ryan explain the job, and smiled slightly when he talked about trouble this and part-of-my-crew that. It was so painfully obvious to someone with experienced eyes that this was Ryan's first job, but at least the kid was trying. Had she been that naiive when she got on the scene? She didn't like to think so...

"Actually, I'm still a virgin...You know, Danny, I would be thrilled to have you as my first."

Delilah nearly fell off her chair in a fit of silent giggles. She was childlike, sure, but not a child; she knew the way the world worked. She just never let it get her down.

But for the other twin, it was more like the last straw. It endeared Garvel to her somewhat; she respected her for shooting back, showing her power. But no one working with, or even around Captain Faye Murphy would have such foul language in what should be polite conversation. She wouldn't have it on her ship, even if Ryan chose to let such indecency slide.

"Well, aren't you just makin' a big show o' yerselves?" she snapped at them. Her voice had changed; it now had a scathing, cutting quality, like razor blades. It was her scolding voice -- and it never failed. "Stoot, what does that sort o' behavior say about the kind of ship you and Captain Hannigan run?" She rounded on Garvel's bright eyes. "And don't you seem just the most refined, upstandin' lady comin' out of Sihnon, tossin' such vulgar words around?" She paused, to let them think on how silly they were being. "Now, you'll both keep civil tongues, or God help me, I'll cut 'em out o' the very mouth they're in! Do we have an understandin' between us?"

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OOC: Faye Murphy is not amused. *gigglefit* But I am. I nearly fell off my chair laughing. I thought you all should know.

[Admin Account]

OOC: Faye Murphy is not amused! --that should be on a t-shirt.
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Ursula had a tight-lipped smile on her face when Faye scolded Stoot for his indecency. 'Yeah, you mongrel.' she inwardly agreed. But then, unexpectedly, Faye turned onto her as well. She lifted her chin a little to stare down her nose at Faye as she brought her thunder down onto the blonde.

If Ursula Garvel was not a companion, she would have shot back with an equally-as-sharp response to Faye's absurdity, would have really given her a piece of her mind. How dare she, after all? How dare she tell her she was being vulgar of all things? Which word exactly had been 'vulgar' to her? The virgin part, or the part where she allowed some sarcasm to slip out? Either way, it was a gross over-reaction in Ursula's opinion. She felt as if a great injustice had been done to her.

"Apologies, Captain Murphy," Ursula said calmly and serenely in contrast to the redhead's outburst. "I was not aware that there were delicate ears aboard this ship. I'll hold my tongue, you have my word."

It was a very polite apology without a trace of sarcasm attached; but it hung in the air nonetheless. Ursula had just worded her apology in a way that said, "Sorry, I didn't know you couldn't handle it". Condescending, but innocently-worded. If Faye were to be upset about it, it would be irrational on her part. Ursula was, after all, unaware of Captain Murphy's true thoughts on the subject. As a result she lost a bit of the respect she'd had for her only moments ago when she'd discovered she was a captain of a ship. She wasn't half as impressed now, knowing that she was so easily offended. It felt as if she'd lost an ally; she had felt endeared to Faye due to her feminine strength and independence, something Ursula could easily value and respond to. Now the alliance was gone.

It also made Ursula annoyed for her to think that she could get her to do what she wanted just by threatening her. That upset her the most; sure she was worthy of respect as a captain, but as far as Ursula was concerned, she was still empirically superior. Faye had no business telling her what to do; she was not a child.

And now Ursula looked at Ryan. This was all his fault, really, and the 'aren't you going to say something?' look in her eyes made that clear. He was the one who had made her sit at this table, knowing it would only add insult to injury. The amusement that had lit Ursula's eyes only moments ago was now extinguished, replaced with a dull mask of boredom (to hide her frustration). Her fun had been put out. She didn't fear Faye Murphy's threat, but the part where she'd attacked her refinement had stung, and she would be careful not to give her a reason to question it again. She was refined.