Masterful Mealtime [Crew]

[Sian]

((OOC: I am just picking a day that the Sojourn is leaving Persephone if anyone has any issue with the date just tell me and I can change it. I guessed it would take Sian like a week or so to have the shuttle re-done to her liking))

[January 2nd, 2523 Mid-Afternoon]

So this was the first full day for her to be in the air, away from Persephone on board the Sojourn. It was hard for the Companion to say goodbye to the world, the man; but she had to. At least for now. The ship had taken off the previous night, Sian hadn't gotten any sleep. It was expected though, would be for awhile. She hadn't cried, refusing to let herself.

Sian had already wanted to wave Jack, for no other reason than she just wanted to see him. She had to keep herself busy though, immersing herself in cleaning and organizing the kitchen. She had plenty of other things to keep her mind clear thankfully, a large part of that being her music.

They had enough fresh foods to last them a few days at least, so Sian was making the best of it. She planned on using it mostly for nice dinners, making breakfast and lunches simple.

Tonight it was a beef stew with some fresh baked bread and a chocolate cake for dessert. Sian was chopping vegetables and putting them into a large pot as she finished. The liquid was at a rolling boil, and in a skillet the beef was browning nicely. She had gotten several spices to add to meals, which would come in handy once they were down to random food stuffs and rations. The companion was humming to herself, no tune that anyone would know, it was one of her own creations.


---------
Outfit

[Rainea Cross]

It had been a long night, she had forgotten what it was like to adjust to a new ship. She made her rounds at night, checking doors to make sure they were still closed, and she made sure the shuttles were secure. Now, however, she wanted some tea. Though she cursed her own rules, no drinking anything harder than tea while in the air or on a mission.

With her hands in her jacket pocket she walked into the common area taking in the smells of the food. She smiled despite herself and looked to see who was planning anything that resembled a meal.

"Would you like assistance?" She asked seeing the woman standing near the cook top. She removed her jacket, hanging it on the back of a chair, then like every time her coat came off, she looked over the list of names that ran down her arm. The men she was unable to save were written along the back of her hand and up her wrist, the names that she wanted to haunt her, to make her better. "I can't cook, but I know how to cut." She said nodding to the veggies.

---

Outfit

[Sian]

Sian hadn't realized she was no longer alone until a woman's voice broke her concentration. Her mind was on her preparations and yet not at all there. Smiling at the woman's offer and her presence in general Sian nodded, "That would be lovely Rainea, thank you." The woman was the Sojourn's resident medic, while the crew knew the other's names and basic information. There had been little time for Sian to get to know any of them. Remodeling a shuttle and such was time consuming.

Taking in the sight of Rainea's tattoo, made the companion think about her own. Her's seemed to be in memory of people, which was the same as the butterflies on her wrist. Each one a memory of someone dear that had been lost. She didn't ask about them though, simply pulled down a second cutting board from the cupboard and put down a fresh knife on top. "The quicker we get them cut up the quicker we get to eat them."

Having Rainea helping her in the kitchen made her happy, not being alone and all. Though it made her think of the last dinner she'd made with a second pair of hands to help. A sad look crossed the companion's face for only a few seconds before she corrected herself. Smiling again she looked over to the medic again, "Just grab whichever kind and get to chopping; toss'em in the pot when you're done."

Sian took a moment to wipe her hands on a towel so that she could open the oven and put in three pans of bread dough to bake.

[Rainea Cross]

Rainea washed her hands quickly before she started in on chopping the veggies, she wasn't very fast at the task, but she did the best she could. She was out of practice it seemed, however, it was nice to feel real food in her hands.

"What brings you out this far into the black? I have heard of ladies like yourself going with larger ships, but this one." She offered a playful smile, she was trying to make friends, something that she was rusty at and it showed. Her last crew, they were lucky they even knew her name. Ever since the war, she tried her best to stay back from people, hold them at arms length. Now, she had to make friends, stay with the ship as long as she could stomach it.

[Sian]

Sian smiled as Rainea washed up and got to work, when the question about her presence was asked though her smile faltered. She took a few moments to ponder a response for the woman, offering a somewhat less steady smile. "Well I am looking to broaden my horizons in a way. It's sort of odd to try and explain it really." The captain knew she wouldn't be taking any clients during her time as part of the crew. She doubted any of the others knew unless he had told them. Either way though it didn't matter, it'd be obvious soon enough.

It was a short answer, but the best that could be offered right now. Sian still had the habit of over-thinking what she should say, and trying to put into words why she was here was still hard. It had been put well into words by Jack, though she didn't want to share too much of herself with people she didn't know yet. "How about you Rainea? Why a ship rather than a medical practice on a planet?" Her smiled looked more steady now as she scooped the carrot bits from the cutting board into the large pot.

[Rainea Cross]

She smiled at the companion. She was an interesting woman, though she had many more questions, she didn't want to tip her hand on what she already knew about her. "I can't stand sittin still. Since the war..." She paused for a moment.

Screaming, calling out for help, blood all over her body. 'Hold on Trevor, you can't give up on me.'

She shook her head out of the past and back to where she was. "I can't stay put very long. I became a doc to help me men. Most of em are dead now. With the Alliance pushin out further each year, I guess I plan to stay out just a little bit farther."

Rainea touched her arm as she looked at all the names. Then she picked up the onion she was cutting and dumped the chopped bits into the pot. "Everyone is runnin from somethin out here it seems. Everyone has somethin different, sept you I suppose, wantin to expand yourself. Now, what is it that we are makin'?"

[Sian]

Sian nodded, so Rainea was in the war, looking at the woman for a moment. She took a guess, that she was on the independents side. The medic didn't come off as the officer type, at least in Sian's opinion. Which was pretty much confirmed with her words as she continued. "I'm sorry to for your loss Rainea...It's hard to lose people you're close to.." The current topic made the Companion's mind wander to her own losses during her life. Friends, family, herself..Sighing softly she brought herself back from the sorrow in her mind.

The companion had stopped chopping the celery for a few moments, but continued once reality set back in. "In my mind I think I was going to run from something, but things changed. It's more like..I'm trying to run toward something instead." Sian grinned, she was doing that thing again, talking in circles that didn't make much sense to anyone. Except her. Things were realized and there was no need for running, just change. Remembering things in her mind she was smiling at herself now, before answering Rainea's question. "We're making some beef stew, and I've got a few loaves of bread in the oven. Fresh bread is always so wonderful. I hope that sounds good.."

[barrettwright]

Peering over a screen in the ship's cockpit, Barrett Wright hummed an old Browncoat battle hymn as he attempted to plot a course to their next destination. "That oughtta do it," he mused to himself, flipping the controls to autopilot and stretching his arms over his head. Barrett's stomach growled and he chuckled. "Time to get some chow."

Making his way down to the galley, Barrett's nose discerned a wonderful smell, causing him to pick up his step. Taking off his hat and smoothing back his hair, Barrett entered the kitchen. "Mmm, mmm. That bread smells mighty fine, ladies. To think I almost turned down this job bout makes me want to cry." It was hard to come by food that smelled half that good, even on Persephone.

Sidling over to the sink, Barrett washed up and sat down at the table. He was new to the crew, as were they all but he believed that if he was always treated to such comforts, he could definitely learn to make do.

[Ceren Aatos]

A few ships had been walked in the mercenary's time. Different halls and galleys. All pretty much had been just a place of work. A place she had kept to herself or had ended up disagreeing with folk. Land herself in trouble. Get thrown off. That sort of deal. Walking the Osprey-Class felt strange, though. Unfamiliar. Had Ceren really been on the Orlando that long? Had it really felt like home? The merc gave a little grunt, and was quickly working on shaking this thought off. I mean, past was past. Ceren never liked to dwell, and she sure as gui didn't want to start regretting things now. Never let that kinda thing weigh on her. Ceren would always justify it as 'I made the choice. I survived' Not many folk had ever agreed with that. Or liked it. Or let her get off without a black eye or fat lip. Bystrom came to mind. That self-righteous hun-dan and his little attempt to make her work for forgiveness. At least something of the like. Yeah, sure. Whatever had made him pay her, right? Not that Ceren had ever seemed like she was feeling guilty or nothing. Her staying would never have helped turn the tide of a gorram losing battle.

Where was she? Sojourn. Well, obviously. More specifically? She had been 'settling in'. The merc having stuck to her bunk for a little while. Just relaxing and keeping to herself. Ceren Aatos was never much of the socialite. Especially around new people. Minus Roark. This brings her to the next thought in the process. Who would've thought having good relations with old crew -- for once -- would pay off with a job? And as what she was born to do, too! No First Mate responsibility. No Captain. Ceren couldn't handle the deep end. That had been like drowning. So she was grateful. Glad they had all been able to move on. Hopefully the others had done okay for themselves.

So the Merc was now in the halls, making her way from her room and venturing forth to find... that smell. Food had been a while in coming-- good food anyway. She sort it out, and found herself amongst the company in the galley. A small nod was offered in general to them all if they looked up.

"What's cookin'?"

She didn't really know them all that well, yet. Not even sure she knew them by name. Ceren was good with faces. Terrible with names sometimes. Unless there was a memorable event that caused her to recall them better. Probably added to her old keep-to-herself ways from a long, long time ago. An ever-changing crew had taught her differently, though.

It was hard to adapt to new people, sometimes.



_{////the get-up}

[Rick Ryder]

((OOC: The timeline's fine. If anyone disagrees with anything in my post, please don't hesitate to pm me about it.))

"Thanks buddy, I appreciate it" the man on the screen, his Internal Affairs friend just gave a nod and cut his communique. Rick stretched and yawned as he flipped the screen in his personal quarters off. He'd been reading up on his current crew, those that he could anyway, trying to get a sense of what he could expect enemy-wise. He'd tell them all eventually, most of the info he'd found, thanks to his friend in Internal Affairs, was basic stuff anyway.

Who joined the war, what side they were on, that sort of stuff. That's all he wanted in a nutshell. It was hard for him to ask them personally, harder than he thought it would be. He'd been on his own for so long that having to make nice with people that he wasn't after, was almost new to him again. He felt like a cadet again, struggling to understand his role in the 'verse and how to interact in it.

Their stories all checked out, which was a good thing. The previous day had been plenty busy. Getting to know his crew's skill sets, and then helping them get settled in took most of the day. The very first crew member he'd read about was Roark's childhood friend it seemed, Alexa Stanforth. She was a very fine piece of woman. Their first meeting still brought a smile to his face. For some reason just seeing the gorgeous blonde pummel three full grown men was just hilarious to him now.

He hadn't known what to say then but, then again, there really hadn't been anything to say now that he thought about it. The fact that she could switch from being such a "Tom-boy" to such a girly girl in no time at all concerned him a little but, then again, he never really got women anyway.

A smell distracted him from his mental reverie, he sniffed a few times before getting up at the encouragement from his growling stomach. He hadn't eaten anything since the night before last. There'd been too many things to do, and he'd simply got distracted with work.

He made his way over to his room's ladder and climbed up into the hallway that led to the bridge. He followed the scent to the galley and found Sian, Rainea, Barrett and Ceren there already "Mmm, something smells good. Making yourself useful already eh girls? Good to see. How's everyone so far by the way, all settled in?"

[Rainea Cross]

"Beef stew and bread." She said to Barrett. "Now don't ya' all go lookin' at me. I don't cook. If it were me cookin' you'd all have food stuffs on a plate." She said it all with a smirk as she finished cutting what was in front of her, as she cut she lightly shouldered Sian, she was one heck of a cook, judging by the smells. She was good enough to draw the crew at the very least.

Rainea had never been much of a cooker, however, doing things like this for the cooks she had picked up a few things, not that it mattered, she never used the knowledge. She could never understand her own interest in cooking, it was complicated in a way. She enjoyed assisting but never doing it on her own. Just like in the war, she enjoyed setting up traps, but she would rather have someone else with her.

Putting the last bit of what she was cutting into the pot she set the lid on top, allowing the food to cook. Rainea looked to Sian to see if there was anything else she wished assistance with. She was just at a loss, like normal when she was outside of her element, combat and patching people up were the only things she was good at.

But how did she find herself in this position again? Of course she was looking for work, to get off the planet, far from Alliance control, but everything else that went with being on a ship, and her other duty, well that was something she never understood about herself, and she used the war as a reference for everything it seemed. She had learned from her mistakes when she was there, and she would not make the same ones again.

[Sian]

Sian smiled as Barrett entered the galley then soon Ceren as well, the smells from the food were starting to gather folks. Which meant it was getting close to done. "Good thing you didn't turn it down, otherwise we might still be on Persephone looking for an expert pilot." The companion kept her genuine smile but inside she saddened just a little, of course if they were still on planet she wouldn't have said goodbye to Jack just yet. Despite the fact that she knew she needed to leave, Sian still hated it. If only because she wouldn't be able to just up and go see the man whenever she wanted. That was partially the point of this little adventure for her, was to be able to stay on Persephone without being a burden. Broaden her horizons, her 'street-smarts' as it were and all of that.

Rainea answered Ceren's question about the food before she could, the medic may not cook but she was a good helper. "I could teach you to cook you know, if you want Rainea." Sian had the patience and care to teach, she enjoyed being around people. Not only because she couldn't hardly stand to be alone anymore, no she liked being sociable before all of that. Didn't have much in the way of friends though, being sociable and making friends were two different things. It had been hard for the Companion to let very many that close to her since the full weight of who her father was crashed down on her.

Sian just smiled at Rainea when she nudged her, things were going well on the Sojourn so far. Of course it was the first full day with everyone on board and in the air. When the medic looked to her to see if there was anything further Sian looked around a moment before shaking her head. They were done, just needed to let things cook.

Captain Ryder came in next, almost a full house in the dining area now. Sian smiled and nodded at him, "Shouldn't be too much longer before you all can dare to try it." Her words were playful and teasing, not being full of herself but Sian knew she was quite a good cook.

Sian began to clean up a little, putting the knives and cutting boards into the sink to wash later. Wiping down the counter space the two had been using, she also checked on the bread which looked to be almost done. The companion took the beef from the skillet next and added it to the large pot, putting the lid back on afterward. Then she just leaned against the counter.

[Claudio Vinccino]

[Vinccino estate]

Claudio was listening to some classical music, and relaxing when one of his men ran into his study. Claudio looked over at the man, and momentarily considered the possibility of simply killing the man for disrupting him.

"Sir" Said the man, slightly worried about his own fate, "We found Ryder."

"WHAT?" Exclaimed Claudio, sitting upright, and giving this peon his full attention, "where is he?" Claudio was now fully engaged in this, the name Ryder had sparked his attention. Some years back Ryder had been a cop, and he had managed to spoil several of Claudio's "Business dealings" before he was exposed, and he ran.

The business ventures in question, were the sort that involved moving stolen material through bodies. Filling cavities with jewels, and other such pretties. Then they disguised the bodies in boxes labeled ship parts, and sent them through the allied postal service. It was quite genius, and would have come to completion were it not for Ryder. The little rat had reported the plans, and every single shipment was intercepted, leading to the arrest and "unintentional deaths" of several of Claudio's best men. He knew what the feds had really done to them, and he vowed to get back at Ryder.

Unfortunately,Claudio had been unable to find the man, after he rabbited. He had almost had him, when he tried to interfere with some of Claudio's property on Whitefall, but the slipery son of a gun had escaped. Which was extremely frustrating, and resulted in several angry outbursts. But if this man was telling the truth, he might finally get his revenge.

"Yes sir" Said the man, slightly less worried, now that his master was less upset, and more interested. "One of our men in persephone just reported seeing him, it appears he is a captain now. His ship, an Osprey class called the Sojourn, was seen picking up passengers." The man paused, "Shall I ready a connection?"

Claudio smiled wickedly, this was going well. "Yes, prepare a connection, but don't give them the privilege of declining the call. And notify captain Roberts, he is near persephone." He watched the man go, and then moved to his chair, sitting back, and pulling his hat low. He pressed a button on his screen, and received conformation of his connection being solid, and completely untraceable. When he spoke, his voice would be heard throughout Ryder's ship.
*****

"Well, Officer Ryder," He said, speaking with his deep, rich voice. "Or is it captain Ryder now? I believe we have some unfinished business to attend to." He laughed, a booming unsettling laugh, "Did you honestly think that getting a ship, and changing your title would scare me away?" His voice got lower, and he spoke softly. "You have angered Il Diablo, and it is time to settle the score."

[Alexa Stanforth]

Alexa had been on the ship a week, ever since she ran into Roark and Ryder's crew back on Persephone. Ro had really been the only reason she had joined so readily. Roark and her had a past, a friendship that had been forged with time and combat as Browncoats. She also carried a little bit of a torch for him, she'd known it for a long time now but, she didn't kid herself. Alot of women probably did. She tried not to think about it, or her personal feelings. That kind of stuff always got messy, and she didn't like messy. Atleast, not that kind of messy.

Stepping from the lone shower in her room, she grabbed a towel and began rubbing herself down. She enjoyed that particular little perk of the ship alot. It wasn't every day that you were able to wash up. She'd gone for months at a time not being able to wash. She didn't enjoy it in the least. Dropping the towel on the floor, she walked over to the singular dresser that had been built into the wall and opened it, pulling out her clothes one at a time after deciding which underwear she should wear. Not that it really mattered all in all. No one would see it.

Putting on some jeans, a light blue t-shirt and her brown leather jacket, she sat down and put her socks on before pulling on her thick combat boots. Climbing the ladder to her room, she came up to the hallway that led to the mess hall. Mouth watering fragrances drifted from the kitchen, reminding her of how hungry she actually was. She couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten anything. Well, anything that wasn't stale or overly greasy anyway.

Walking into the mess hall she gave everyone a curt nod "Hey all. Smells good Sian, Rainea. Whatcha makin'?" Suddenly without warning a voice came over the speakers, addressing Captain Ryder directly. She glanced at Ryder, who's face was a mask and emotionless, though his eyes told a different story. She couldn't discern what he was feeling though, whatever it was, it definitely affected him.

"Who's this moron?" she asked after the egomaniac had finished.

[Rick Ryder]

Rick smiled as the feeling of having a brand new crew that seemed to be getting along washed over him. Sian and Rainea were making some supper and it was smelling great. Just then, he turned his gaze to the gorgeous blonde that had just walked into the room. Alexa gave everyone a curt nod and asked about the menu. Just then a voice came over the speakers.

"Well, Officer Ryder, or is it captain Ryder now? I believe we have some unfinished business to attend to." The deep rich voice said. The voice was instantly recognizable to him. He'd never forgotten that smug mocking voice. "Did you honestly think that getting a ship, and changing your title would scare me away?" The Crime Lord's voice lowered menacingly in pitch "You have angered Il Diablo, and it is time to settle the score."

Ryder's face grew into a dark mask, he was angry beyond words. This man, whoever this Diablo was, was mocking him! On his own ship no less! And in front of his crew! He saw Alexa look at him curiously, trying to figure out his reaction. He listened to the remainder of the man's antics before he stood up, prepared to answer the crook in equally biting words but, Alexa interrupted his thoughts.

"Who's this moron?" she asked. The question almost made him laugh. He probably would have if he hadn't been so pissed off.

"This ladies and gentlemen, is the infamous Il Diablo. I went after him and his organization years ago when I was still a cop, before my Internal Affairs days. He's known for drug running, murder, thefts, in jewlery mostly, and human trafficking. Taking girls in their late teens and forcing them into sexual service for high rollers. He's scum, pure and simple. Fancies himself a classy man" he explained. He took a breath and felt his body shudder with the rage, he looked down, not even realizing that his fists were clenched.

He relaxed his hand, allowing blood to flow into his now white knuckles "I went after him, set up a ambush on where we thought he'd strike next based on his M.O. His men arrived and we pounced," he shook his head.

"It was bloody but, we got most of his men, his supplies of drugs, jewels, and human guinea pigs, including some of his high ranking lieutenants. Who we eventually turned and placed into WIT SEC," he said a little louder, pride in his voice. "Then we made a move for Diablo himself after gaining some information on a warehouse he favored" he took a breath and looked up at his crew.

"We never caught him. Instead, he set a trap for me. He killed my partners, plus three other genuinely good cops. I barely escaped. Lucky for me the men he hires aren't much for brains," he looked at the speakers as if he was looking at the man himself, his eyes full of rage, and remorse.

"Now, I guess, he's chosen to try and rub that in my face, like a common bully" Rick said with a slight smirk, knowing it'd tick his mysterious arch rival off.