Insanity Check [Lars]

[Drusilla Pardieu]

[January 12, 2523 :: Mid-morning, Approx 9:30am]

The Bjorn was all fixed up, not to mention those that needed healing had some time to do so. The mercenary included into that equation. There was business to attend to now, between Drusilla and Lars. The man had made mention of her being his first-mate back in that warehouse. She had chalked it up to the meds that the doc had given him and didn't think too much of it. There was some confirmation on that note needed though. If he was serious about it, they needed to talk about it.

Dru had been up early, as per usual. Though less sleep than normal, what with Jordan coming into her room. Which was a situation all on it's own, one that Dru wasn't sure how to handle just yet. One thing at a time though, and right now she needed to talk to Lars. She didn't go straight in to talk to him when she got up at six in the morning, no she gave him a few extra hours of peace.

Instead of hanging around the ship the mercenary made another trip into town, getting some extra supplies; some new clothes too. Since the pirate incident left her at least one pair of pants short. Plus it gave her a chance to just be alone for a little while, not that she got any thinking done; but soon they would be back in the air and possibly have little time to be alone.

Dru stood outside Lars' office for a moment, then knocked. Once she got the 'okay' to enter she did so with no hesitation. She stood in front of the desk, "I think it's time we had a little talk."

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Outfit

[Lars Engström]

Lars was sitting behind his desk, leaning back in his chair with his feet on the desk, when he heard the knock. "Come on in." He called out, and the door opened to reveal Dru. She walked in, and stood in front of his desk, before she said anything, Lars cut in "I hope you aren't here to tell me you are leaving? I can't afford to have my mechanic crying the nights away without you." He decided to add a little humor to the situation, "I was up last night late, I couldn't sleep, and when I went into the kitchen to see if there was any of that great dinner left, I saw Jordan walking towards the passenger quarters." He paused with a playful smile, "I wonder who she was looking for?" Lars chuckled, but when Dru spoke, he was surprised by the serious tone she used. "Well," He said, sitting up, and removing his feet from the desk, "What seems to be the problem?"

[Drusilla Pardieu]

Dru ignored Lars' attempt at humor for the moment, but didn't interrupt. It slightly annoyed her that he was poking fun at Jordan's state and the fact that she had a connection with the mercenary. Perhaps there was something to that, envy? "Jordan came to my room yes, not that it's any of your business." Dru raised a brow with her words as if almost daring him to continue prodding at her on the topic.

"No problems. I'm actually here to discuss your statement that was made, which I can only assume because of your heavily medicated state.' Dru shifted her stance a little to be a bit less serious, lessen any tensions that may be between them. 'If you were serious though about my position on the ship, there's a few things I want to be clear about."

[Lars Engström]

Lars was not surprised by the topic she wanted to discuss. He had been thinking a lot about what he had said as well. On one hand, he knew Dru didn't see eye to eye with him on everything, and that she didn't have the respect for him that Trace or Jordan had, but on the other hand, he knew she was loyal, and that she would have his back, all differences aside. "I meant every word I said," He began, "Medicated or otherwise. I need a first mate, and I can't think of anyone I would rather have." He thought about standing up, but decided to wait. He hoped she would accept his offer, but he was still nervous.

[Drusilla Pardieu]

Dru nodded at Lars' words, so he was going a bit crazy to want her to be the second. It was surprising to say the least, considering that they hadn't really gotten along at all. "Well then. Let me make one thing very clear first off then. I'm not going to be your lap-dog or anything of the sort." The second thing she had on her mind might be a little more...controversial, but needed to be said as well.

"I'm not going to stop taking jobs for myself, I find one that doesn't interfere with whatever the ship is doing; I'll take it." Being a mercenary was good work and good money too if you had a reputation. Which she had worked hard to make for herself.

A grin crossed her lips, "Oh and if you walk into a room where someone has a gun on me. Shoot first and do your heroic speech thing afterward." Dru was still a little sore about that situation, that entire day in general really. As much as she wanted to tear into him about the pregnant girl, she didn't for the sake of making it worse on the two who had dealt with her.

[Lars Engström]

Lars smiled, he was relieved that she was going to stay. "I never thought you would be a lapdog," He said, "And as long as you are on the ship when we need you, I don't care what you do on your free time." He let out a sigh, partly relief, and partly because he was feeling much better about how things had played out. Then he remembered something he had meant to ask her. "How is Jordan? Do I need to talk to her?" He was genuinely worried about the welfare of the mechanic. "She seems to be the only one you can get close to you without being dead, and unless she regularly takes midnight walks, there must be something up." He stopped, and looked at her, with questioning eyes. "How is she holding up?:

[Drusilla Pardieu]

"I'm glad we have an understanding on those points Lars." Dru raised her brows as the captain mentioned Jordan, asking about her. Did he need to talk to her? No, that was probably the last thing she needed really. It wasn't her decision to make though.

Dru crossed her arms across her chest as Lars went on, a grin crossing her lips at the mention of being dead to be close to the mercenary. "Jordan is coping, can't say how long before she can at least put what happened in the back of her mind. Killing isn't for everyone, and even then, being the cause for a pregnant woman's death isn't a light situation on the conscious." Her grin had faded at the talk about the woman. It still upset Dru that Jordan had been forced to shoot her, and she felt that Lars was at fault in that.

"Next time you want to take pity on a pirate's whore I won't let you. Not on this ship and not with two people who can hardly defend themselves left on-board. I should have put a bullet in her myself, and that's my fault." There was obvious anger in her voice, some at Lars, but most at the situation in general that had happened.

[Lars Engström]

Lars looked at Dru, and he nodded. "I know," He said, and to his own surprise his voice broke. He had been cursing himself for not handling things better that day, and now the talk of Jordan, he just couldn't control himself. "Thank you," He said, "For agreeing to stay. I really appreciate it." He knew Dru would have noticed his voice, and he hoped she wouldn't make a point of pointing out his weakness. She was right, and they both knew it, but that didn't make him feel any better. His moment of weakness, had traumatized Jordan, and from what he had seen of Trace, her death had fallen hard on him as well. "If you could keep me up to date on Jordan's condition?" Lars said, regaining some of his composure, "I would be most thankful. And, thanks again, for all your help." He leaned back, and waited for her to speak again, although the conversation was more or less over.

[Drusilla Pardieu]

Drusilla was a little surprised to say the least that Lars didn't try to argue with her on anything she had said about the pirate. When he thanked her for staying, the mercenary only nodded. She didn't need to be thanked, it's not as though she was doing it out of the kindness of her heart. Nothing was on her plate as far as jobs that would need her attention, not yet at least. Dru was sure at some point though she might have to take a short leave from the ship to complete a job. Which was something Lars might also need to know, just for the sake of it not being a shock when the time came.

"Something else Lars. At some point I'll need to leave for some time, there are some jobs that require my full attention. I don't have any right now, but that could easily change at any time." There was no question in her words, she wasn't asking for permission, she was letting him know. The mercenary wasn't going to drop her life for this ship, not fully.

"I'll keep an eye on Jordan, so long as she allows it or requires my assistance." Dru wasn't going to be his watch-dog though, there would be no reporting about the mechanic going on. At least not from her.

[Lars Engström]

Lars' eyes narrowed slightly. "What sort of jobs would those be?" He asked cautiously, not keen at all to have her simply vanish. "And I hope you don't expect me to just let you go without any information on timetables and location." He paused, "Besides, you never know when you might need a lift." He looked down at his desk, "And another thing Dru," He had been thinking for a while on this, "If from time to time you could show some respect, at least in front of the crew and especially in front of clients, I would be mighty grateful." He looked up and made eye contact. "I don't much care how you talk when you are talking to me, but if others are around, maybe you could act like I am actually the captain?" He knew she wouldn't take it well, and he braced himself.

[Drusilla Pardieu]

Drusilla glared back at the man, "The same job I have been doing since I was eighteen Lars. I kill for money." She crossed her arms across her chest before she continued to respond to his demands. "You might own this ship Lars, but you don't own me. I'll tell you when I expect to complete my job and if there's any changes to that expectation you'll know. However I won't be giving you a rundown of my entire job. If it's a job that I need to leave the ship for, you'll all be better off if I tell you nothing." Her glare had increased, she didn't like that he was a demanding man. Always wanting to know everything, handle everything. She wasn't going to operate like that.

With what came next from him she laughed, her demeanor turned upside down into amused. Though her laughter only lasted a moment until he looked up at her. "Trust me Lars, when you earn my respect, you'll have it. Until then, I can play nice so long as you do. But don't go pretending you didn't know who and what I was before you decided to put me in this position." Dru wasn't any different now than she had been when they were last on this ship together. She was a cold woman who killed people then and she was the same now. For the most part.

[Lars Engström]

Lars decided not to force anything. He merely nodded, making a note to keep an eye out for these jobs. He frowned when she told him he would have to earn her respect, but he understood. This was her way, and he knew she wouldn't respond to any attempt at force, except with force of her own. "Well, I am glad to have you all the same." He said, deciding that this conversation was more or less over. Standing, he moved his hand out, to offer a shake, but thought better of it. Instead, he simply walked to the door, and opened it. Turning ti her, he spoke quietly, "Thank you," He said, "For everything you have done." With that he walked away, hoping she wouldn't take this a weakness and throw it in his face later.