Billiards and good fortune

[gabe]

The sun was sinking beyond the jumbled horizon of factories and black smoke, causing it to be quite a beautiful, if polluted, red color. All around the city, people were on their way home from work or on their way to a bar or restaurant for the night. Gabriel was personally on his way to the former.

He had taken a job at one of the factories for some time, relishing the hard work and long hours. Sometimes it was good to strain the muscles and the body to the limits, to not want to do anything other than sleep when one goes home at night.

However, as happened often, he was growing bored with the new job. He had learned all he could learn and was doing a great job in his position. Comfort did not suit him well. He liked challenge, so as soon as a job became easy for him, he tended to skedaddle.

Taking one last, long draw from his cigarette, he tossed it to the earth and ground it out with one steel-toed boot. Exhaling the smoke in one long breath, he paused to survey the sign in a nearby window. A bar with billiards. Gabriel wasn't the best at pool, but he did like to play, and wasn't that the point of a game? To have fun?

He pushed open the door into a chaos of drunken revelry and smoke. Grinning as a woman reeled into him, he steadied her and then turned to the counter. "Bartend, I figure I could use me some ale." The bartender complied, looking a little harried. It certainly was busy tonight, Gabriel reflected. He sat on one side of an empty table near the pool tables and watched as he sipped his drink.

[darkreaction2]

Brian wandered the streets, not as carefree as he would have liked. There had been a troublesome time on the Riley as of late, and it was stressing out Faye, which in turn stressed out Patterson. He didn't like to see her so troubled, when he knew there was no way to really help her. They had lost Rade and Bella not long ago, without so much as a warning. Things had been slow on the Riley, it was true, but in Brian's eyes that was no reason to abandon your crew and ship. True, Rade had butted heads with Faye more than a few times, but it was only because one was as stubborn as the next. They had found another pilot for a short time, but he had jumped ship when they reached Beaumonde. It had been a shame to lose the pilot, especially considering they were now stuck until they found someone that could fly them off of this gorram planet.

Beaumonde was not the nicest city in the 'Verse to be stuck in, either. It wasn't that Brian was against a working-class town; on the contrary, he had lived and breathed his work in the poorest of cities before joining up with Faye's crew. No, it was the pollution that did it. He hated the smog that filled the sky, the way each breath he took felt heavy and dirty. In fact, it was making his throat very dry. Brian was reflecting about this development when he noticed the little bar. Faye wouldn't mind if he took a little stop to grab a quick drink. She was doing some business of her own, trying to make some contacts and find a job as well as a pilot, and she would be along this way soon enough. Perhaps, if he sat by the window, she would see him and come in to join him. She needed to relax anyway, and oftentimes one could find crew in a place like this.

He went in after only a moment's hesitation. He went straight to the bar and ordered a weak beer. The man didn't like alcohol so much, but he did drink it from time to time. When he got his drink, he laid some coin on the bar. He had precious few of those left, but when he took a swig and the cool liquid slid down his sore throat, he felt it was entirely worth the price. He turned around to look for a place to sit near the window. Even if Faye couldn't see him in the failing light through the dirty window, he'd be able to see her and could access the door easily. The place was more crowded he'd expected, but he spotted an almost empty table between the window and the pool tables that a lone man was seated at, seeming to watch the games. "Er, excuse me...is this seat taken?" Patterson asked quietly, after clearing his throat to catch the man's attention.

[ooc:] Lyn, I was a little inventive and took some liberties. Hope you don't mind. I'll change anything you want changed. There's also the matter of where Delilah is during all this. =/

[faye]

Faye Murphy needed something.

She needed a pilot, that was for damn sure, since that gorram little bastard Grasan ran off with little Bella in tow, off to God knows where. She needed a mechanic, since the mysterious disappearance of Echo Maubrune (who, it should be noted, Grasan introduced her to) over on Persephone. Indeed, the one thing she didn't need for once was work -- there seemed to be a few people around who needed jobs done, and who'd heard her name as a reputable get-it-done sort.

An abundance of work, and no crew with which to do it. Faye could've died when she'd walked upstairs to find her cook gone, her pilot, gone, and nothing but a little bloody note for explanation. Oh, if she ever got her hands on him again...

Faye was sitting at the table in the galley, her knees hugged up to her chest, feet perched on the edge of the hard wooden chair. It was one of the few times in her life she could ever recall feeling sorry for herself -- the last time, she'd been lying on a cot with half her back in shreds. This feeling was worse than that. Her crew had left, so she must've failed them. Her ship had no crew, so she must've failed it. Her ship was in honor of her father, so she must've failed him. She didn't turn when she heard Delilah's voice.

"Faye? Faye, what's the matter?"

Faye drew a deep breath. "Nothing, Del. Never you mind, leastways."

Delilah came round and sat in a chair close to her sister. "It's so quiet. Everybody's gone, exceptin' Brian."

Faye smiled, but felt her eyes burning. Everybody's gone, excepting Brian. Wasn't that just the way it went, then? Always Brian. Always there.

Delilah was a dreamer, but she certainly wasn't stupid. She reached forward and took Faye's hand. "It's going to be all right, sister," she said in Gaelic. "I promise."

Faye turned her hand to recieve Del's, gave it a squeeze, and got to her feet. Was it something in the way the light hit those blue eyes, mirrors to her own, that made her feel like a battery that had been halfway recharged after nearly being dead? Was it just something in Delilah? Or did Del simply help her find it in herself.

Faye Murphy needed a drink.

"I'll be back in a little while, Del," she said. She kissed her sister's crimson head, and was out the door.

Brian should've been back by now. The thought hit her three steps outside of the ship. It was followed by a sudden feeling like she needed to vomit -- what if he was leaving her too? The paranoia was worse than the self-pity. She ducked into a bar close by. A drink would steady her nerves; the captain of a ship can't be bothered by a fit of feminine vapors.

As she stepped in, she saw Brian at a place by the window. She was there in a flash, her long, confident strides being the trademark of her status as captain. She was beside him and slightly behind when she got to him.

"Brian," she said, by way of greeting.

[gabe]

The game was mildly amusing, but a long way from being over. The two men playing were as bad as Gabriel had seen, and as he sipped his drink he allowed himself to wonder if he'd ever get a turn to play. There came from behind him a shuffling sound, accompanied by a little cough, a rumble in the throat of another man. Curiously, Gabriel turned around in his seat to see who had come up on him.

There was another man there, alright. He was similar in height and build, though lighter in hair color and somehow less gritty than Gabriel. He seemed too polite, too awkward to be in a place like this seedy bar. Inclining his head at the man's question, he swung an amiable arm out as if to punctuate his words. "Nah, take it, friend. I 'aven't use of it."

As the door to the bar swung open behind the man who'd asked him for the chair, Gabriel felt his gaze drawn to movement. It was a woman, and a pretty woman at that. She looked a little upset, even a bit lost for a moment. However, her eyes rested on the man Gabriel had just finished speaking to and he saw a transformation take place. She squared her shoulders and straightened up, walking quickly and confidently over.

As she approached, Gabriel touched the rim of his bowler cap with the forefinger and thumb of his right hand. He was polite enough for now, but he was right curious about the pair. They looked a little troubled, particularly the woman. "This chair's free, as well." He mentioned, pointing out the third chair at their little table. Taking another swig from his drink, he rested his elbows on the table. The two new people were far more interesting than the pool game still going on behind him.

[darkreaction2]

The other man obliged, letting Brian take the chair. He pulled it up to the window and took a seat, setting his drink on the table nearby. "Thank you," he nodded at the man, who had not yet turned back to the billiard tables behind him. But when he raised his eyes up to look at him, he saw Gabriel's eyes were elsewhere. Past him, behind him. The man touched his cap at the same moment Brian heard a voice say his name. He turned with a smile already creasing his lips. "Faye. You found me." As if he had been hiding.

He hadn't seen the touch of uncertainty about Faye that the stranger had noticed when she first came in; all he saw was the confident air with which she held herself. It amazed him that she remained so graceful under so much stress, even though he should have been used to her strength by now. She had displayed it often enough, after all. He wondered briefly where Delilah was, then realized he should offer her a seat. Even at the best of times he could so easily forget the simple rules of etiquette. But, his pause had given the stranger time to offer her the other chair at the table and Brian felt a strange, fleeting stab of jealousy. However, he nodded at the man politely, bedding the childish feeling back down.

Even after he'd offered the chair, the strange man did not go back to watching the games. He seemed ready to share the table with the two of them, regardless of whether or not they invited him to join the conversation. Instead of being annoyed, Brian allowed himself to be a little intrigued. He held out a hand, "Name's Brian Patterson. This is Captain Faye Murphy," he introduced her. He left the "doctor" off of his name, feeling there was no need to throw any title other than "Captain" around. If this man was looking for work, at least he knew whom he was speaking to now. He glanced sidelong at Faye. "Buy you a drink?" He offered.

[faye]

"Faye. You found me."

The tone in Brian's voice and the kindness in his smile made Faye feel a bit guilty right off. Of all people, how could she question his loyalty? Short of Delilah, he was the one person she knew would remain with her, by her side, even in the darkest of times. And they did get so very dark.

Faye felt a smile play at her lips, even if it was only a slight one.

"This chair's free, as well."

She looked up, having not yet noticed the man sitting at the table's third chair. "Much obliged, friend," she commented shortly, languidly sliding into the chair.

"Of course I found you," she said, her attention now turning back to Brian. "Don't I always?"

After an few more moments, Faye realized that the stranger didn't seem to be very interested in the pool game anymore. Brian, must've picked up as well, and, being the nice person that he was, thought introductions were in order.

"Name's Brian Patterson. This is Captain Faye Murphy."

She'd told him several times before that she didn't like other people making introductions for her, prefering to do it herself, but with Brian, Faye didn't really mind. But she certainly minded when he sold himself short or made himself seem less respectable than he really was, and the lack of reference to Brian's position didn't escape her notice.

She gave the man a nod in greeting and picked up, "I captain the Riley, the midbulk transport just down the way. Dr. Patterson here's me medic."

"Buy you a drink?"

The question was made in a friendly manner (Faye doubted if Brian had an unfriendly bone in his body), but she shook her head slightly nonetheless. "I'm fine for now, thanks."

[gabe]

Gabriel ignored the man's thanks, being too focused on the woman coming up to them. The other man, Brian, apparently knew her, as he has suspected. He called her Faye. Pretty name, pretty girl. Gabriel took another long pull from his glass, eyeing the way the other man smiled at her, the annoyance he saw flash across his features when Gabriel beat him to offering her a seat. Lovers? Maybe. Most likely not. Brian seemed a little too formal with her. Either way, it didn't matter to him.

Faye slid into the seat with a thanks, which he just nodded curtly at, registering her flowing accent. He looked down. His glass was empty. He signaled a busboy, who came and picked up the glass, then went to get him another. As he was waiting for his drink, Brian introduced himself fully, offering a hand. Gabriel took it and gave him a strong handshake. "Gabriel Donovan."

Faye began talking, then, and his attention turned to her. A man came to the table and set down another drink for Gabriel. "You're from McKinleigh, aren't ya?" He asked, sliding his glass over towards him and cupping his hands around it. "Nice little planet." His thoughts wandered for a moment as Brian, a doctor as it happened, offered to buy his captain a drink.

When she turned the offer down, Gabriel looked up at her. "A captain, eh?" He shifted in his seat, allowing himself to be a little interested. It had been some time since he'd had work on a ship. It was always better to have a job on a ship; it was harder to get bored with what you do when you're constantly going to new and different places. "What are ya doin' in a dive like Beaumonde?" He sipped his drink.

[faye]

Gabriel Donovan...he didn't look like much. He just looked average, from Faye's perspective -- average height, average build. Dark brown hair, cut close, and a trace of a beard, with hazel eyes surveying Brian and herself from a round face.

"You're from McKinleigh, aren't ya? Nice little planet."

You figure that out all by yerself, did'je? Faye thought. Me accent's a mile thick; obviously his skull is approximately the same. But Faye had a bad habit of selling people short when she was in a bad mood -- maybe she could hire this guy on as a mechanic or something, or he could tell them where she could find a pilot. Best to be civil, at least.

"That I am," she said. "Do you have anyone there your own self, Mr. Donovan?"

"What are ya doin' in a dive like Beaumonde?"

For half a second, Faye almost hesitated. What wasn't she doing in Beaumonde? Looking for work, looking for crew -- both of which she'd have a much easier time with if her idiot pilot'd had the decency to jump ship on Persephone or one of the other seafaring places.

"Well, what else does a ship do?" she said, picking right up. "Looking for work, maybe some crew to go along with it."

She wasn't going to give away too much of her situation, that was for sure. A captain could be considered tyrannical, disciplined, angry, pessimistic, even bitchy -- but the one thing a captain could never seem to be was weak.

[darkreaction2]

[ooc: so sorry for the wait. I did a post the other day, but my internet explorer closed and I lost the whole thing before I could post it!! =[ Anyways, sorry.]

"Of course I found you. Don't I always?"

Winking at her, he spread his arms wide in a playful gesture. "I guess I just haven't been hiding well enough, then," he teased. After he introduced himself to the other man, Gabriel gripped his own fine-boned hand in his and gave him a firm handshake. Brian, refusing to be unnerved by the man's show of strength, reciprocated just as heartily. "Good to meet you, Mr. Donovan." It had only taken him a few seconds to realize that he had, yet again, done Faye's introductions for her. However, she didn't seem annoyed with him; in fact, she had picked up on him leaving out a little detail and informed Gabriel that he was, in fact, a doctor. Slightly embarrassed that she'd had to do that, Brian's cheeks flushed a little bit. She could always catch onto the little things, and no doubt she'd disapproved of him downplaying his own title and only mentioning hers. It was just that he was modest, and did not really enjoy being called anything other than his name.

Gabriel mentioned the planet Faye was from, as if it were really hard to tell. He seemed to be in his own musing, slow-moving world, as if he were talking to himself. Brian wondered brieftly if the man was bored, and if Faye and himself were simply a distraction in his daily ennui. Faye turned down Brian's offer of a drink, but not in an unfriendly manner. He shrugged and sipped at his own. Gabriel now brought up the fact that Faye was a Captain, asking what she was doing here. Brian saw her hesitate for hardly half a beat, before quickly coming back with a response. He smiled behind the rim of his glass at her snarky, rhetorical question. The man seemed to be pushing her buttons without even trying. She did mention that they were looking for crew, though, and Brian tacked his own question at the end of her words. "What do you do, Mr. Donovan?" Assuming he lived on Beaumonde, he was probably a factory worker. This was not a man who seemed to be burdened with wealth.

[gabe]

As he released Brian's hand, he corrected him quietly, "Call me Gabriel." The woman questioned on his affiliation with McKinleigh, and he shook his head with a slight grin. "Nah, I'm from the core my ownself." He didn't mention the planet. Londinium had a reputation to both sides, Alliance and Independent, and often Gabriel did not want to be associated with either image. Most could guess if they tried hard enough; he still had a trace of an accent, much as he'd attempted to shed it over the years. "Always liked the rim better, though. There's real people out here." The socialite life his parents and brother had loved and clung to did not suit him well. He preferred the gritty life and hard work to fancy balls and expensive clothes.

The Captain answered his question with the words he had expected, and he ran two fingers along the rim of his cap as he collected his thoughts. Gabriel wasn't slow; he'd been sent to the best schools in Londinium. His parents wouldn't have it any other way. But the man was methodical and he thought most everything through. Although he moved about a lot, jumped from job to job, each move was carefully planned, everything decided before he left one place for another.

He sipped his drink, glanced at Brian before answering him. "You don't need to be so polite, Doc. Gabriel does me fine. As for what I do? A bit o' this, a bit o' that." Leaning back in his chair, he placed his clasped hands behind his neck in a short stretch before leaning over his mug once more. "I'm workin' at a factory at present. I'm a mechanic, though I don't claim to be anywhere near th' best. I can pilot a ship a bit better than that, but I'm at my best when I'm fighting. I know how to do a little o' everything, but it's sorta...spread thin, right?" He rubbed his palm on the table in a circular manner as if to illustrate his point.

Although he was interested in getting this woman to hire him, he never wanted to look too eager. Desperation was not desirable when hiring new crew, and Gabriel was far from desperate anyway. He had a job, and he could probably find something new fairly easily if these two decided they didn't want him. However, he did ask, "What sort of crew are ya lookin' for?"