The Winds of Change }{ [Sojourn Crew]

[Sian]

[December 21st, 2522]

Sian sat in a cafe, yes cliche but cafes and the like were good places for meetings. She was drinking some tea, waiting for the man she had set a meeting with. A captain of an Osprey class ship, the Sojourn. Sian needed to get off of Persephone, renting a shuttle as a Companion was the best way. Explore the 'verse and such right? It'd have to work as the reason regardless of how odd it sounded coming from her. The wounds from the events with Clayton had all but healed, the physical ones at least. She had an extra scar to match the other on the same leg, but that was fine. The main problem was in her head now, she hadn't been able to sleep well since then. At least not alone. Once she had found a place to rent since her home was ashes, Sian had hired a companion that she knew who also lived on Persephone to stay with her. Only for sleeping mind you. She couldn't be alone. On this ship she was hopefully going to be on though she would be. It would be rough for awhile but with any luck the fear that kept her up at night would fade so she could sleep.

She sighed, really and truthfully the woman had no intention of taking any clients. Her heart wasn't in it. She would keep her position as a companion though, even if only in name. It might prove to be of some use to the ship she would join with. The reason was simple and yet complicated, and was in the form of a man named Jack Briggs. They were two people from different worlds and she knew she didn't belong in his, despite the want. She didn't give a damn about hers, it was all a lie dressed up in fancy clothes. The care and emotions that had developed in her for the man increased greatly after the whole kidnapping situation. All the time she had spent alone in the dark left her alot of pondering and thinking. Sian wasn't a companion anymore, she was just playing a role now.

So here she was meeting a man who could offer the path of change, a chance to run away rather than face her feelings. There was no point in ruining the friendship she had with Jack and this would save her that.

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Outfit
[Other Notes: The bracelet is on the opposite wrist of her tattoos and a scar on her shoulder shows.]

[Rick Ryder]

Rick sighed as he finally came up on the planet Persephone, for a couple months now, he'd been searching for a crew. His last stop had been in Santo a couple weeks ago, where he'd met two young ladies that had initially expressed interest in joining up and one had even some piloting skills but, they'd apparently found a better offer as he'd never heard from them again. He drank himself into a clumsy stupor and spent the night laid out on the floor of the tavern, and woken with a splitting headache the morning after. A day later, he'd been contacted by a woman named Sian, she said that she was a Companion and was looking for a ship to join. He'd set off immediately, not wanting this chance to go to waste. The need for a crew was more important than just companionship, though that was among the top reasons.

Having a crew would enable him to take more jobs with more variety, thus making him more money. It came with risks of course, and he didn't trust easily but, in the end, the positives outweighed the negatives. Or would, if he had anything to say about it, and since it was his ship, he would have the biggest say. He just hoped the people that he would be bringing on board would understand that. As Persephone filled his cockpit he smiled, unable to restrain the smirk forming on his lips, the thought that the first of his official crew would be a Companion was a pleasant one, and it would draw more people now, which was good.

A couple minutes later he'd set down in the East Down Docks, put up an ad and made his way to the cafe that he was supposed to meet Sian at. He wore his Bounty Hunter gear, she needed to know right off just what she was getting into. He was a Bounty Hunter primarily, not that he would object to other jobs depending on what they were. He'd even made a name for himself. Steel Skin. When he came into the cafe wearing his brownish red, balistic mesh Duster with a tall collar that hid half his face, and wide brimmed cowboy hat, he'd turned some heads. He saw Sian almost immediately and made his way over to her table. His boots thumping on the floor.

"Sian right? I'm Captain Ryder" Rick said flipping his hat off, letting it hang off his neck and rest on his back between his shoulder blades. He unclasped the tall collar and folded it down, revealing his handsome face, blue eyes, cropped light brown hair, and chiseled jaw "may I join you?"

[Sian]

Sian had chosen the Sojourn to contact first and foremost because she liked the name. Yeah not the best reason or anything, but she was rather simple despite her standing as a Companion.

Her attentions went to the entrance when a man entered, an unusual look about his clothing. She simply smiled at him as he approached. This must be the captain she'd been waiting for. Sian stood at his introduction, "Yes Captain Ryder, I'm Sian. It's a pleasure to meet you, thank you for coming." When he revealed his face, he was a good looking man. "Yes please of course." She gestured to the chair and sat back down herself.

While he settled into the chair she took a drink of her tea, pouring him a cup as well. "I hope I didn't drag you away from anything of too importance, Captain." Sian didn't want to be trouble for anyone, or a nuisance in the least. She mostly just wanted to get away from Persephone and be at peace. "As I said over the Cortex, I'd like to rent your shuttle, what jobs you do make no difference to me really. So long as I won't be put in any danger." Yep she'd had enough danger to last her quite awhile, nearly dieing and all had it's effects.

"I can pay whatever amount you think is proper in advance or any deposits, of course." Sian sipped some more tea, giving the man a chance to talk. Money was no problem, despite the fact that she wouldn't be taking clients.

[Rick Ryder]

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well Sian" Rick said as they delved into the social pleasantries of conversation. He waved away her comment about pulling him away from something important "actually, I was having a bit of a dry spell, so you're timing couldn't have been better" he said as she poured him a cup of tea. Already, ideas were forming in his head about how to handle the conversation, and about what kind of person she might be. His knowledge of Social Psychology was still useful after all these years. He looked at her dress, her mannerisms, the way she carried herself or handled the objects around her.

Everything she did told him something about her. So far, all he'd gotten from her actions thus far was that she was a typical Alliance aligned Companion. She believed in respect for others, that was plainly evident from the way that she had stood when he approached. A minor thing but, Rick had been around enough Companions to know that not all of them showed that amount of respect to anyone, client or not. Most of them did of course, it was part of their culture. The fact that she poured him some of her tea led him to believe that she was generous, another cultural thing of the Companions and not really all that surprising.

She got right to the point of her call, which gained her points in his book, he hated playing at a verbal dance, it was tedious, boring and not practical in the least unless you were trying to get out of trouble, or threaten someone. That told him that she was probably stubborn, or had a strong will. Determining how strong that will was though would take time. Sian's reassurance that money was of no concern raised his concern a little but, not much, she was a Companion after all. He almost laughed when she asked to not be put in danger.

That told him much more. She probably hadn't traveled alot, more to the point, the Companion's Guild was probably all she knew. He doubted she'd ever gone without a warm bed to sleep in at night. Some of these judgements were probably unfair but, he'd never raise them aloud, not now anyway. He'd keep them to himself for now, and let her provide the proof of whether he was right or wrong.

"Well, that's the trick isn't it? Making a life in space isn't easy at the best of times, so I can't promise you, that you won't be put in danger. I can give you my word that if it's up to me, I will avoid it, however. Just because I'm a Bounty Hunter doesn't mean that I have a love for violence. As for the shuttle, and rent, we can discuss the amount after you've seen it. My question is though is this, if trouble comes up, can you handle yourself?"

He'd thrown her two probing issues. One, the fact that he'd revealed himself as a Bounty Hunter. Her reaction, if she had one, would tell him what she knew about him and the life of a Hunter. Two, his question about her being able to handle herself. Her reaction to that, and her answer, would tell him possible volumes about her. Rick settled himself into his chair a little more comfortably, he was getting excited at being able to use his Social Psychology knowledge like this. He'd had to play the warrior so often lately that being able to use his brain for once, was a nice and welcome relief.

[Sian]

Sian was glad to hear she hadn't been of any inconvenience to him having him come to Persephone first thing. She smiled at him, sipping her tea at random intervals. Normally she was one to use her companion wiles as they say, on him for this meeting but she had no more desire for such trivial things.

She noticed a slight amusement in him when she mentioned being put in danger. Couldn't blame a girl for trying right. Sian listened to his reply about that particular comment, taking it in, mulling it over in her mind. "Well I am glad to hear that you wouldn't do so intentionally Captain, and of course I don't expect perfection with the unpredictable life out in the 'verse." She had no idea really how life was out there, but she aimed to find out. Hopefully she wouldn't lose her life in the process. Really and truthfully this idea hadn't been thought through fully, it was a spur of the moment decision on the Companion's part.

"As for your inquiry, I have learned to use a gun recently, due to certain events that took place. Even so, I am no sharpshooter. Should the need arise however I am an expert with a sword." She grinned at her own comment, how often would a sword come in handy really? It was just something companions learned for show, for play.

Sian wasn't really concerned with how the shuttle looked, once she got her hands on it things would look very different. She would let Ryder show her around it though, see the ship in it's entirety. "So what sort of crew do you currently have, if I may."

[Rick Ryder]

Rick smiled, glad that she had a good head on her shoulders but, he could still tell that she was relatively new to living in space. He was grateful that she knew some form of self defense. She'd need the knowledge sooner or later, and if need be, Rick was willing to teach her more. However, that would only happen once he was sure that she was going to stay on board. He was a bit embarrassed to have to tell her that she was the first to actually accept his offer.

Rick smiled sheepishly "actually, you're the first to actually get this far in any discussion. I was hoping to pick up a couple recruits here actually." He looked out the window nearby and spotted one Roark Wilder making his way to the cafe.

Good, he showed up, I didn't know whether he'd still have hard feelings after I investigated him a few years back. Poor kid he thought. He looked back to Sian and smiled "actually, here's another that I was hoping to meet right now." He gestured to the door as Roark stepped up. Rick simply raised a finger after placing his hand at the end of the table where it could be clearly seen "hey Wilder, over here" he beckoned.

[Roark Wilder]

Wilder stepped outside the O'Hanrahan, shielding his eyes from the mid-day sun as he mapped out in his mind which route he should take to the café he was supposed to meet up with Ryder at.

"Roark Wilder. Didn't expect to be seein' you 'ere! Don't tell me you're workin' fer that loser Briggs again," the man snickered. Frowning, Roark palmed one of his throwing knives, turning slowly to face whomever was speaking. At first, he didn't recognize the man, but when that slimy grin of his finally sunk in, it all came flooding back. Joseph Genest: sociopath and hired gun, often in the employ of Minerva Colt, one of Persephone's biggest crime-bosses. And then Roark remembered something else. And then he got angry.

The merc's fist impacted Genest's jaw, sending him stumbling backwards and nearly knocking him off his feet. When the idiot whirled around to repay the favor, Wilder easily countered, catching the ruffian's fist in the crux of his arm while he brought a knee up into his groin. Maintaining his hold on Joe's right arm, Wilder brought his other hand up as he swiped the simpleton's leg out from under him, using his hold on the other man's chest to slam him to the ground. People really started to take notice then, either running away in a panic or stopping to watch, not that Roark cared. Gripping Genest's throat like a vice, the merc hauled him up into a sitting position. "I told you that I would kill you if I ever saw your face around here ever again Genest. Did you think I was bluffing?" Roark snarled.

Several minutes later...

"Hey Wilder, over here." Roark's gaze shifted from Ryder to the woman sitting next to him as he stepped across the room, his brisk demeanor seeming out of place in the serenity of the café. Well, that, his signature leather jacket, tactical gloves, combat boots, and the gun-belt strapped to his hips. "Sorry I'm late," Roark said as he reached the table. "There was a... commotion in town." Raising his eyebrows in a silent question (A café, really?), Roark took a seat and turned to the woman Ryder was with, the only one among them who didn't look sorely out of place in a coffee shop. But then again, this was Persephone. "I hope I'm not interrupting. Roark Wilder miss, pleased to meet you."

[Sian]

Sian was a little caught off guard by the news that she was sort of his first crew member, and really she was only renting a shuttle. Which she didn't think made her part of the crew per-se. "Well Persephone is a good place to find those looking for work." She replied to his hope on picking up recruits. A few minutes later he gestured to another man who had walked in the door, another potential crew.

As she had done when Captain Ryder approached she stood and smiled at the man, making a motion to the waitress to bring another kettle of tea and a new cup for the additional man. She'd only expected Rick so she had only ordered for two. "Not at all mister Wilder, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Sian." Her voice was soft and sweet with introduction of herself.

She sat back into her seat as the waitress came over with the requested cup and new tea kettle, "Thank you," pouring the cup for Roark, nodding a smile at Sian then hurrying off to let them be.

[Ceren Aatos]

Full circle. It eventually happens, you know? You start at a point, and from there it all spirals back around to that place you thought you'd always be at again someday. For a while, Ceren Aatos always believed she would go from ship to ship in the briefest times. She'd cause all manner of trouble and never find herself wanting to be accepted and made a "part" of a crew. It had been partly because of her "hired gun" attitude to life and work. It was only a job, you do that and get paid. Keep to yourself. Carry on. Ceren couldn't be certain how long it had been. How long did she spend on the best ship that had ever happened to her? Yeah, she can admit that, maybe. Well, mostly the best. Judging by how long she had stayed. And now... it was all over. Ceren couldn't hack it as Captain. Leader. All that responsibility. Sure, First Mate had brought her some, but ultimately, all those decisions had been a "Captain's" thing. That... that wasn't who she really was, you know?

Far too many memories were pushed to the back of her mind, and she soldiered on through the streets of Persephone. Previously, she'd been in a little seedy hotel down in the docks. A one-night-stay deal that had ended with them almost turfing her out of bed at the crack of dawn. Since then, she'd been in a small, basement bar. Not too many people in it, but it had been full the night previous when she'd caused that little ruckus... Good times. At the sight of her, and her asking for coffee of all things, she'd been politely asked to get her gorram pigu the rut outta his fine establishment. So this is where Ceren was right now. Standing outside a café and wondering nothing. Just this empty stare as her head pounded with a slight hangover. Or maybe that was from the fight last night? Her ribs were feeling a little bruised. Nothing she hadn't had before-- and not as worse as some things she'd inflicted.

For the record, Ceren didn't even like coffee, but in any circumstances where she was in a delicate, reanimated state, it helped take off the edge and keep her a little sharper than what she was right now. Not that she assumed a lacking in performance on her part. If she can win a fight drunk, she can win one hungover. Simple as that.

Scuffed combat boots traipsed inside, oblivious to the folks that gave her a glance. Like she'd just rolled in from sleeping out on the streets. Her old military-style green jacket was just as "well-loved" as ever. A few sewn holes, the odd powder and laser burn that all appeared to have faded a little over time. Patches of various random things adorned it. One was an old Boros street gang's symbol. That was an ancient artifact, to say the least. So the average-height, dark and not so mysterious woman made her way to the counter, fingers rapping on the bar lightly.

"Can I get a coffee?"

"Sweet-damn, darlin', you look like hell."

"Wasn't what I asked. Regular, black, cream, sugar-- make it however the gui y'like. Still taste awful." This was Ceren trying to be normal, and civil, but her deadpan, blunt tone would always be considered rude.

And she was rude anyway.

"...Sure thing, missy."

Ceren turned about, saw the nearest table to the counter empty (pretty much right behind her) and proceeded to slump into a chair, head resting in her hands with a light groan. Good night, right?

[Rick Ryder]

Rick laughed as Roark apologized for being late and told them there'd been some kind of commotion that had held him up. Sian and Roark introduced themselves to each other, and she ordered another kettle of tea. Rick shook his head "heh, same ol' Ro. Last time we met you were involved in some kind of commotion too if I remember right" he chuckled "anyway, I'm glad you two are getting along so well, because we're going to be working together hopefully. Sian here is a Companion. Sian, Roark here is a merc like me and a war vet. We've run into each other a few times, which is why I called you actually Roark" he said switching his gaze to the young man beside him.

"I was hoping you'd be my first mate. I need someone I can trust, and based on our past experiences together, I think I can do that with you. You'll get half of whatever I do, the rest of course is going to be split up between the others, if we get any that is" he said getting right to the point. Another person came into the cafe, a woman this time. His eyes took her in quickly. She looked like hell, as if she'd been thrown out of bed at where ever it was she had been staying.

The woman wore an old style military green jacket that looked like it had seen action and scuffed combat boots, those he definitely recognized, he had a pair himself. He kept the soldier uniform that he'd worn during the war. It was a reminder for him of what he was fighting for. Originally, he'd been fighting for the Alliance but, once he'd gotten into Internal Affairs, things had changed. So many dirty deals had crossed his path then, loop holes that not only criminals used to escape incarceration but, politicians, fellow cops, and officers in the military, and all this was on top of the light shed on the creation of the Reavers and the planet Miranda.

It had thoroughly sickened him, making him that much more of a Browncoat sympathizer than he'd already been. The war before his IA days opened his eyes alot in how the galaxy actually worked. He blinked a few times, bringing his mind back to the present.

Rick looked at the young mercenary beside him "before you answer though, I want to see how sharp your skills are at recognizing possible assets. See that girl over there?" he said pointing casually to the girl in the green jacket, that was now at the bar at the back of the cafe "tell me about her, think she'd make a good pick for a gun hand?"

[Roark Wilder]

"Not at all mister Wilder, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Sian." Roark nodded in reply, expressing his thanks as Sian poured him a cup of tea. He scanned the area around them momentarily, before turning his attention back to the Bounty Hunter that had called him in.

"Heh, same ol' Ro. Last time we met you were involved in some kind of commotion too if I remember right. Anyway, I'm glad you two are getting along so well, because we're going to be working together hopefully. Sian here is a Companion. Sian, Roark here is a merc like me and a war vet. We've run into each other a few times, which is why I called you actually Roark."

The dark-haired merc gave a slight smile; he raised an eyebrow when their past dealings were mentioned, waiting for Ryder to elaborate.

"I was hoping you'd be my First Mate. I need someone I can trust, and based on our past experiences together, I think I can do that with you. You'll get half of whatever I do, the rest of course is going to be split up between the others, if we get any that is."

So Rick not only wanted to hire him, but he wanted Wilder to be his First Mate. It was a generous offer, and a bit hasty in Roark's opinion. The merc's customary slight frown fell into place as he mulled it over. Ryder must really need a crew, he thought. Just then, Rick called his attention to a woman passing by. Ro almost choked on his tea when he realized he recognized her, and that his soon-to-be employer had just referred to her as a "girl". Coughing, Roark managed not to spill his tea, but only just.

"Actually Cap'n, I think she'd be an excellent hire. A bit rough around the edges, but fit. Carries herself with confidence, a bit of swagger even. From the state of her gear, I'd say she's seen more than a little of the 'Verse, and lived through more than a few battles." The hint of a grin touched the corner of Roark's mouth, a tell-tale sign to those trained or observant enough to notice. He was enjoying this. He met the eyes of his companions for a moment, before gesturing back towards the woman in question. He raised his voice slightly, looking in her general direction as he continued: "But notice the lack of over-indulgence? One pistol, one blade. A revolver too, the gunslinger's weapon of choice, or at least it used to be. Suggests to me that she's been doing this a while. Probably saw action during the war in fact - as a Browncoat of course. Far too unruly for the Purple Bellies..."

[Sian]

Sian listened quietly as Rick and the new arrival Roark spoke to each other. He was a mercenary according to the Captain, an odd choice in first mates in her own opinion, however her knowledge on the 'verse in the ship standards was lacking.

Both of their attentions shifted to a woman that had come into the cafe. Rick seemed interested in possibly hiring her on the crew. Sian smiled, it seemed his luck on finding crew had turned around for the better.

She'd feel a tad more comfortable and safe the more folks around who could handle themselves. Of course that also meant the potential for more trouble as well. A questioning brow raised in Roark's direction when he nearly choked on his tea. The companion stayed quiet though, letting the men do their thing. Whatever it was. Recruiting crew was nowhere near her department, instead she simply enjoyed her tea.

[Ceren Aatos]

Oblivious to the onlookers defining her very character in great detail -- and the man she actually knew -- Ceren Aatos was busy not enjoying her day. No regrets, though. She wouldn't be where she was today if she went around regretting things. Especially some of the stuff she'd done. None of it was important right now, because the waitress had come over with her coffee, setting it down before the grumbling pile of rumpled clothes and messy dark hair.

"Coffee, black. Lotsa sugar-- y'look like you could use some." The chirpy woman quipped as she set the cup down, her wry little smirk being scowled at by the mercenary as she lifted up her head from her hands.

"Tips're optional y'know." Ceren grumbled in retaliation.

The waitress simply gave a shrug and a smile, "Was worth it. Besides. Y'don' look like you can even afford that coffee, hun."

"If I got money for bullets, I got money t'tip snarky waitresses. Or not."

The conversation ended about there, the other woman rolling her eyes with a small chuckle as she decided to leave the gunhand to her own little miserable existence. Well, it wasn't all bad. Experimentally, Ceren sipped at the steaming cup. As she let the taste settle in, she immediately grimaced. Yep, it was all bad. Another groan; the cup being slid a little further away from her. The smell was nice, though. Refreshing. Maybe just the whiff of coffee would be enough.

[bigfeely]

He had been sitting in the coffee shop for a while trying to sober up. He heard Rick and Roark conversing about mercenaries and companions and got suspicious. He sat closer to Rick and Roark and listened to them talk. He hears that Rick is searching for a crew. Mikiel walked behind Rick and said, "I hear you are building a crew. May I join? If not, if you have a job, I am willing to take it. I am Mikiel. I am looking for a crew to join."

[Rick Ryder]

Rick almost snorted when Roark nearly choked on his tea, as his gaze settled on the woman Rick had asked him about. That and the little grin that Roark gave told Rick that the young merc knew her. The very detailed description he gave helped too. "Well, since you seem to know her, why don't you go over and ask her to join us?" Rick said as he caught movement out of the corner of his eye of someone moving closer. A second later a man walked up behind him and introduced himself as Mikiel.

Rick turned and regarded the man, trying to determine what his skills might be based upon his clothing and any equipment he might have. The dual magnums on his hips and the knife told him he was a fighter but, that was all he could get from just simple observation. The hoodie he wore told him nothing worth mentioning.

"I am indeed in search of a crew. Nice to meet you Mikiel, I'm Captain Ryder, you can call me Rick for now. Tell me, what skills do you have that warrant being on a crew?" Rick said easily, gesturing for the man to pull up a chair. He cast a quick gaze over to the woman that Roark evidently knew to see how things were going before looking back to Mikiel.