Gamblin' in the Black: IC
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Extreme =&gt; Extreme Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Michael Corvus on 17-06-2011, 03:56:29</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>17-06-2011, 03:56:29</strong>
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				<span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>A</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">ll manner of things can go wrong on a job. Yeah, it'd be shiny if things went according to plan. Make good on your end of the deal, make bank, go about your business. Seems simple enough, don’t it? Truth is, though, things are rarely that simple. Alliance patrols, swindlers, bandits, reavers, and businesses both big and small could all be poised to ruin an otherwise perfectly good week. No matter how fast your boat, now matter how good your crew, every time you leave atmo you're always just... <br><br></span></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 36pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong><em>Gamblin' in the Black</em></strong></span></span></div><hr><br><span style="font-size: 20pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: verdana;" class="bbc_font"><strong>Chapter 1: No Good Deed...</strong></span></span><br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>A</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">s the broadwave explained, the Alliance government used Miranda as a testing ground for a chemical agent they call "Pax." The Pax was supposed to calm the population and weed out aggression... make the citizens easy to control. Well, it worked. It worked so well, in fact, that Miranda's thirty million inhabitants simply laid down and died, so passive that they couldn't even be bothered to breathe - to live. All except for a small percentage who became insanely aggressive and violent; they became reavers. <br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>W</strong></span></span>hat are reavers? To the people of the core worlds, reavers are a campfire tale and bedtime story to frighten small children; to the people of the border worlds and colonies, reavers are very real. Once believed by most of the 'verse to be men that went insane at the edge of space and became savage, it is now known that reavers were once the citizens of Miranda, turned into hellish monsters by the Alliance. Still there are those who would believe the lies propagated by the Anglo-Sino Alliance government, insisting that the Miranda broadwave was an elaborate hoax put on by Independence sympathizers designed to portray the Alliance as a tyrannical government and discredit them in the eyes of the 'verse in the hopes of inciting rebellion and instigating another war for Independence.<br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>N</strong></span></span>ews of these events has the 'verse buzzing with static as the rumors of rebellion and the whispers of another war against the Alliance filter across the 'verse. In the midst of it all, life goes on...<br><br></span></span><hr><div align="center"><strong><br>-=Griffin Kingston - talking with Hayes in the engine room - en route to Persephone (http://24.media.tumblr.com/kAmWItOW2hag5sjmkSfXnjM5o1_500.jpg)=-</strong></div><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>O</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">ne hundred and thirty tons of titanium, steel, and alloy creased effortlessly through the inky dark of space, a tiny speck of light in an unfathomable sea of black. The markings (http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/archive/8/89/20110613054643!The_Gamble.jpg) on the ship's hull designated her as <em>The Gamble</em>, a Dragonfly class mid-bulk transport vessel, a descendant of the famed Firefly class. It was the crew of such a ship that had discovered and broadcast the truth regarding Miranda and it's thirty million plus inhabitants. The broadwave had been sent through the cortex, reaching every person in the 'verse with a receiver, from the upper crust politician on Sihnon and Londinium right down to the lowliest mud farmer on Higgins' Moon... and it was the talk that was buzzing in everyone's ear. <br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong>"H</strong></span>ow's it looking down there, Hayes? Is she salvageable? Please tell me she's salvageable cause I can ill afford a whole gorram engine," asked the ships captain, his ruggedly handsome face twisted with worry. The dark skin of his squared jaw was covered in an even darker blanket of stubble that threatened to become a beard if he didn't have a shave soon. As captain of the ship, Griffin Kingston was a skilled and confident leader, but he knew next to nothing when it came to the mechanics of the ship. Fortunately for Griff, Hayes was a whiz mechanic who had pulled them through her fair share of scrapes since she joined his crew two and a half years ago. <br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong>T</strong></span>hanks to a faulty engine, <em>The Gamble</em> had been forced to throttle down to cruising speeds on the last leg of it's return trip to Persephone (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Projects/TheVerseMap_WhiteSun.gif). Luckily they had just completed a job that led to a couple of small time gigs along the way so they had enough to buy the part needed to make the repairs... so long as the entire engine didn't go bad before they were able to <em>make</em> repairs. <br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong>H</strong></span>ayes was working on the main engine turbine while Griff hovered over her, muscular arms stretched upwards as he leaned in, gripping a pipe running overhead. His black tank was stained with the remnants of sweat from the work he'd being doing around the ship in preparation for landing and taking on a new job. <em>The Gamble</em> was in need of a good cleaning after hauling it's cargo of 100 Sihnon Coursers - a pure breed of hunting dogs - from Persephone to a rancher on JinagYin (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Projects/TheVerseMap_RedSun.gif). The dogs had made quite a mess of the place while aboard the ship, requiring constant care to feed, water and exercise during the week long trip to JinagYin. The barking and noise was near constant and the whole ship smelled of dog <em>mi tian gohn</em>. After delivering a single cow to the rancher's nephew on New Melbourne a day or so from Jiangyin, they had taken on a single passenger from New Melbourne seeking passage to Persephone. Griff was more than happy to take the little old lady's credits in exchange for a ride back to where he was already headed in the first place; free credits, as far as he was concerned, and no man in his right mind would pass up free credits.<br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong>T</strong></span>he first order of business once they docked at Persephone's famed Eavesdown Docks was to locate and purchase the part needed to repair the engine, provided the engine held together that long. The rest of the crew would have a few hours of shore leave to do whatever tickled their fancy while Griff and his first officer, Sasha Dearing, checked with one of their contacts in the hopes of procuring more work. They would need to refuel and resupply whatever they could manage before setting off on their next job, whatever that might be.</span></span>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>17-06-2011, 03:57:34</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Bridget Hayes; character intro &amp; talking to Griff in the engine room - en route to Persephone=-</strong></div><br>To some, the loud, constant booming hum of The Gamble's engine, was difficult to endure. To Hayes, it was peaceful, providing her with a sanctuary to escape from the drama that occasionally filled the rest of the ship. There was no denying that the crew were, at times, just like one big family. Like any family, there were arguments and fallouts and intrusions on personal boundaries.&nbsp; So it came to be that Hayes often slept in the engine room, though not always by her own choice. Fact is, the spiral stairs down to her allocated bunk were a little difficult to navigate when under the influence. Or more specifically, a couple of shot treats of the bourbon variety. Her left hip still wore the large purple bruise of her last tumble down the steel steps just a handful of days ago, but naturally, she'd blamed someone else for her own drunken clumsiness. If asked again, no doubt she would still stubbornly accuse someone else of spilling liquid there for her to conveniently slip on. <br><br>But that bruise was the very least of her problems. Ever since taking the '101 mutt delivery' job to Jiangyin, the able mechanic had warned the Captain about the engine's Compression Coil. He'd shrugged it off of course. Hayes had come to very quickly learn that Griff wasn't the brightest spark when it came to mechanical technicalities. She also knew that sometimes actions spoke louder than words, and boy, did her engine know how to sing! Having touched down on Jiangyin, dropped off the dogs (all 100 of them) to one 'Eagle-Eye Sarafina' cattle rancher, and picked up a single cow in exchange, no matter how hard the pilots tried, the engine just wouldn't ignite. After her ranting, namely blaming both MeiMei and Vince with plenty of <em>“Ah told y'all not to turn the darn thing off!”</em> and <em>“now see what you's gone an' done!”</em>: Hayes finally chewed on a cigar instead, got down on her hands and knees, and did what she did best. The result? Well at least the engine had finally started up again, but that was also the night she managed to fall down the stairs. <em>Again.</em> Karma much?<br><br>One cow and a passenger later, and here she was again. Laying on her back, precariously arranged beneath vibrating wires and tubing, not to mention several tonnes of red hot metal. Generally, if she wasn't on her back, then she was on her knees, and no doubt the rest of the crew were used to seeing her in those positions for the majority of the time. Being an engineer was never glamorous, but that suited Hayes just fine, so long as she wasn't being confused for a janitor. So, it didn't seem to alarm her that, being halfway under the main engine, meant she would quite easily be crushed in seconds if something went wrong. Or at the very least, suffer harsh burns if she didn't move around carefully. On the contrary; any excuse to be working on the engine gave her a pleasing sense of belonging and purpose. Any excuse to be crawling through the mid-layer operations deck, was an added bonus. The sound of Griff's voice however, was less than pleasing. Mumbling curses that he probably wouldn't be able to hear from his position, she finally slid out from under the engine in one smooth, well practiced motion. Out came short, jet-black hair that seemed almost starched straight to poke in varying directions, and barely controlled by a red and white scarf tied at the front. The short fringe was the only section that stayed in place, but only thanks to the sticky sheen of perspiration coating her forehead. Pale skin seemed to attract general dirt and grime, today being no exception. Half the time, she didn't even realise where half the grease even came from, but neither did she really care. It might have been a bad day to wear a white vest, but her trusty, dark indigo slacks never failed to appear cleaner than they actually were.<br><br>Huffing a breath as she sat up, Hayes didn't answer the concerned captain straight away. Oh no; she took her sweet time about it. Of course, her mannerisms were the first, tell-tale sign. The way she reached for her almost empty pack of cigs, said <em>“you really wanna know?”</em> Then the way she lit up, followed by the arch of her narrow brows as steel-grey eyes tinted with pale asparagus looked up to Griff, pretty much said <em>“cos' I told you so.”</em> But finally, after that first, deep inhale, she exhaled with a smoky sigh. Thanks to chain smoking, pollutants and too much whiskey, in her almost thirty years of existence, Hayes had cultivated and maintained a husky, country drawl. <br><br>“Ah'll put it this way; this ol' gal's worn out. Heck, she's just 'bout runnin' like a Gurtsler ready ta kick. You try an' take off again without replacin' the Catalyzer, an' you're askin' for a good ol' humpin' like you ain't never been humped before! Y'all think that stint on Jiangyin was bad enough.... hah!”<br><br>She stood up then; slapping her palms on her spread thighs, and leaning forwards with the grace of... well, a man. Sliding out from the engine was where her feminine grace ended. Now, she rested one hand on the average but balanced curve of her hip. Her other hand brought the slim cig to her plain but pert pout again, while her eyes narrowed with that second, deep inhale. Hayes didn't expect the captain to understand her, but she was trying her best to talk dumb to him. Of course, she also knew that explaining mechanics was a lost cause, even when dumbed down.<br><br>“Now, she may not kick soon as she lands, but she'll kick alright. Jus' need that new Catalyzer... Trace Compression, B grade'll do. Yup. Compression Coil'll be all shiny 'gain in no time.” <br><br>The way she puffed on more smoke while eyeing the captain under those sharply curved brows, seemed to be asserting her own authority mixed with threats. Because if he didn't listen to her final warnings this time, then there was no way in hell she was getting back on the ship. Being stranded out in the middle of nowhere, especially with the brewing aftermath of the Miranda broadcast, wasn't exactly her idea of a good time. <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>17-06-2011, 06:23:43</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, in the Infirmary=-</strong></div><br>Dani quickly counted the contents of the drawer of bandages before closing it and opening the next, continuing with the stocktake of her supplies. They would be arriving on Persephone soon, and Griff had asked her to put together a list of anything she may need for the Infirmary. He’d also offered to take her with him, but she had declined and he hadn’t pressed. It was a small thing, but she was grateful none the less. Griff knew Dani didn’t like crowds. Hell, it’d taken her a long time to feel comfortable on board The Gamble once the crew compliment had reached its current peak. People in general made Dani nervous. Crowds made her downright panicky.<br><br>To her dismay, she realised she was running low on some medications, namely Propoxin, a numbing agent, and Ivoprovalyne, which boosted the immune system and was particularly useful if they had no broad spectrum antibiotics on hand. The Propoxin they could live without – a similar effect could be achieved with a few good mouthfuls of whatever liquor they had available at the time – but the Ivoprovalyne was a must have. Without it, if they ran out of antibiotics, a simple infection could prove deadly.<br><br>Adding them to her list, Dani hoped fervently that Griff would be able to get the medications.&nbsp; First aid supplies were easy, but the meds….well, they were worth their weight in platinum, and mostly unavailable on the border planets.&nbsp; People who lived within the Core didn’t realise how easy they had it, she mused, remembering how naive she had been when Griff had first brought her on board The Gamble. And yes, she’d been one of them, blissfully unaware of how hard life was for anyone not toeing the Alliance line.<br><br>But that had all come crashing down around her ears when she had become the victim of an act of mindless violence. Dani dared not think about what had happened to her and her fiancé. In fact, she could barely think his name without risking slipping into a semi-catatonic state. Luckily it didn’t last long when it happened, but Dani dreaded the thought that she might fade out when she was patching up one of the crew.&nbsp; Although she was uncomfortable around people, the crew of The Gamble were her entire world, and she would do everything within her power to keep them safe and healthy, although they often seemed determined to push her abilities to the absolute limits.<br><br>Having finished in the Infirmary, Dani headed to the galley to see what foodstuffs they were out of.&nbsp; Griff and Sasha usually managed to acquire everything they needed without too much input from her, but she liked to make sure that she’d be able to at least keep everyone from starving between this stop and the next. Cooking for the crew was something Dani did not because it was expected of her, but because it made her feel needed and useful.&nbsp; She’d always wanted to help people, hence her med school training in her former life, but out here she was more than just helping. The crew needed her, and that need was what got her through her days. <br><br>Her chores complete, Dani went looking for Sasha.&nbsp; She had an idea that Griff was busy in the engine room, and she didn’t want to risk poking her head in there just in case Hayes was throwing things. From the yelling that formed a regular part of the soundtrack of their lives onboard The Gamble, Dani knew there were problems with the engine. But she had faith that Hayes would make it right.&nbsp; Somehow she always did.<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NiceTexasGuy</strong> on <strong>17-06-2011, 07:34:12</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>Captain Steve McPherson, "B" Company, 35th Infantry <br>Outside an Alliance military communication facility on New Melbourne<br>(10 years earlier)</strong></div><br>&nbsp;"But Cap'n, we can't just sit here an...."<br><br>&nbsp;"Dún do bhéal .. One more word out of you Corporal and you'll be busted back to private AND transferred out of the regiment .. dong ma?" <br><br>The 19 year old soldier nodded and whispered "sorry, Cap'n"<br><br>The young captain's voice softened. &nbsp;"Look, I don't like it any more 'n you do .. but the mission is the communications array, not whatever stray POW's we run across.&nbsp; Save him, we blow the mission, and them bastards'll get their hands on a thousand or ten thousand more just like him.&nbsp; Maybe us. You go back down the hill and check on your squad.&nbsp; Almost time to bring 'em up anyhow.&nbsp; I'll keep an eye on things here."<br><br>McP, as the solders in his company referred to their commander, peered through his viewer again, to see the sadistic guards were still having their "fun" with the old man in the tattered browncoat uniform.&nbsp; The man may have been 40 or 50, it was impossible to tell, but he looked at least 70.&nbsp; Gaunt, almost emaciated, stooped over with fresh blood running out of his mouth and down his chest, covering the older dried blood from some earlier fun.&nbsp; His job was to dig a ditch to divert rainwater drainage away from a power generating building.&nbsp; The two guards could have had it done in 30 minutes.&nbsp; The old man would take all day, especially with the physical and verbal abuse to which he was being subjected.<br><br>Steve couldn't watch any more, lest he give in to the temptation to do what the young corporal wanted to do.&nbsp; They were both well within range for a couple of quick headshots, but what would it accomplish except a moment of relief for the prisoner, and alerting the entire compound to their presence?<br><br>McP looked at his watch.&nbsp; Another 20 minutes and the demolition team from the 303'rd would be inside the fence and setting the charges.&nbsp; His company's job was to watch and not be seen, and to only engage if the demo team required covering fire to make their escape.&nbsp; Suddenly, he was vaguely aware of three explosions in quick succession and the realization he and his company had been discovered ... or set up.<br><br><div align="center">*******</div><br><div align="center"> <strong>McPherson, Eavesdown docks<br>(present day)<br>waiting for The Gamble to arrive</strong> </div><br>Steve woke with a start.&nbsp; He hadn't actually been asleep, but his mind had travelled elsewhere ... not in space, but in time.&nbsp; On opening his eyes, he was reminded of what prompted that memory.&nbsp; Two purplebellies harassing an old man in the remnants of a browncoat uniform, midst the hustle and bustle of the Eavesdown docks.&nbsp; The old soldier looked to be 70.&nbsp; Neither of the young punks harassing him had hit puberty by the end of the war, and now they were poking him with their batons and calling him names.&nbsp; <br><br>Steve had encountered plenty of Alliance soldiers during the war, both conscript and professional, and by and large they were just folk, just like the boys in his own unit.&nbsp; Kids who were there fighting for what they thought was right when they really wanted to be someplace else.&nbsp; The only real sadists he ran across had been his guards at Camp 314.&nbsp; Young <em>Fanny Baws </em> who couldn't hack it in a combat unit and lacked the skills to make a meaningful contribution in the support services.&nbsp; The Alliance brass, like the Independents, generally followed some loose confederation of understandings, written or unwritten, thought of as the "rules of war" ... but they turned a blind eye to what went on in the prison camps.&nbsp; Plausible deniability, they called it.&nbsp; <br><br>"After the war, lot of Browncoats swung at the end of a rope while them bastard digwilydd Purplebellies who done the same sorta things walked.&nbsp; Difference was, Alliance had the food and medicine to take care of <em>their</em> prisoners ... just chose not to do it.&nbsp; That seem right to you?"<br><br>No, he would never completely be over it.<br><br>But, at least with these lads, he gave them the benefit of the doubt.&nbsp; Maybe they had grown up with stories of how the Independents were little more than animals committing atrocities throughout the war -- the Alliance propaganda machine had always been more effective than the Independents'.&nbsp; Maybe they just felt a need to prove their manhood since they had missed out on the war, and here was a suitable target.&nbsp; Nonetheless, he wasn't going to let it go.<br><br>Steve ducked around a corner, removed his buttondown shirt and suit coat from his rolling backpack, and put them on.&nbsp; He also drew out a fresh cigar, and wiped the dust from his boots, hoping they wouldn't be too observant.&nbsp; Lastly, he slipped his smaller handgun into his belt at the small of his back and whispered a prayer ... not for his safety, but that nobody would find his backpack in the short time he would be away.<br><br>*******<br><br><strong>"Constable, where's the harbormaster's office?"</strong>&nbsp; Steve had spent a few years trying to "polish" his accent so that he might enhance his opportunities, and with his best soldierly bearing, must have looked every bit the government man he hoped the young soldiers would take him for.&nbsp; <br><br>"Th.. that way.. Sir" one responded, not appreciating the interruption, his own accent much less refined than Steve's.&nbsp; Still, the soldier recognized this as someone who obviously outranked him.&nbsp; "About two hundred meters, on the right."<br><br><strong>"Very well, and is it your job to harass harmless old men like this, or should you be walking your beat along the docks looking for signs of <em>real</em> rebel threats and contraband cargo?"</strong>&nbsp; Then he pulled the notebook from his pocket.&nbsp; <strong>"What are your names?"</strong><br><br>If the two had been at something resembling the position of half-assed <em>attention</em> before, when the notebook came out they <em>snapped to </em> like cadets on parade. "Pendleton, Sir, lance corporal, and this is Private Butler.&nbsp; May I ask who you are, sir?"<br><br><strong>"You'll find out my name shortly after you're called in to the duty office, Lance corporal.&nbsp; Now, off with you."</strong><br><br>As soon as they were out of sight, Steve waved a couple of bills in front of the old man's face.. money he couldn't really afford to part with.&nbsp; <strong>"Here ya go, Sarge.. promise me you'll spend half of it on food."</strong>&nbsp; He knew the man would lie if Steve told him not to spend it on booze .. but this way, the old soldier might consider it a matter of honor to eat a little something when given the okay to spend the rest however he deemed fit. <br><br>*******<br><br>Steve was relieved to see the hiding place for his backpack had not been discovered.&nbsp; Now it was just a matter of waiting for a ship named <em>The Gamble </em> .... owned by a guy named Griff, who knew a guy named Fullerton, who knew a guy named Murphy, with whom Steve had escaped from Camp 314.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>17-06-2011, 08:00:28</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - Simeon's quarters - Day one hundred twenty-seven =-</strong></div><br><span style="font-size: 11pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="bbc_font">Days are more subjective in the less terrestrial of abodes but Simeon had a count all the same. His mind was his calendar in addition to planner and myriad other tasks for which many of his peers had become reliant upon computers to track. Alarm clock, for instance. There was one beside his bunk, yes, but it was robbed of ever ringing since his occupation of the space began some months previous to that day. He was the epitome of dependability, rising more timely than clockwork to still the alarm before it sounded. Then he would sit, legs over the side of the rack, his hands furrowed in his hair, to wait for his thoughts conscious and unconscious to reconcile. Some would call it meditation. Some not including Simeon.<br><br>The upper deck's shower was at the opposite corner from his quarters; every morning he made the circuit clockwise, passing by the unoccupied cabin rather than go by that of the first mate while wearing only his boxers and a wrapped towel. Though it had never happened yet, and indeed seemed unlikely, the chance of possibly showing unexpected - and unasked for - portions of himself to her while she was exiting her cabin was not worth taking.<br><br>His shower was routine: two minutes, top to bottom, always cold.<br><br>Upon returning his towel resumed its place across the low grip railing near the fold-away sink and the man himself took up position at the nearby mirror. And so began the ritual. Simeon was no fop to spend ages on his appearance, nor one to make use of makeup or the like in his day-to-day life, but he did not cast it aside as pure vanity either. Appearance is communication as much as voice, word, movement, and he recognized the value of conveying one message rather than another. They were going to Persephone; by all accounts they intended to do business both selling and buying: selling service, buying goods. That meant negotiation with all sorts, likely of a low caliber overall but not unanimously so. Too much and they would think him little more than a mark, someone to squeeze; too little and he might come off vulnerable as some xi-niu da-bian with a bounty or worth a ransom. It was all about sending the right message.<br><br>The orange tie would do. The one with the subtle brown stain at the bottom, the one he hadn't tried overly hard to wash out. A hint of old blood often struck the right balance of suggesting the threat without making it, to those with the sense to notice anyway. With that settled he needed only a few minutes to put things in order: black slacks over polished combat boots (one had to make some concessions for practicality, particularly in the matter of footwear), white shirt under black button-down vest, simple brass cuff links stained to closer match the tone of the tie, the tie itself, and a black suit jacket over it all. The hip holster for his sidearm looked somewhat out of place with the ensemble, but it suited the man wearing it just fine. A quick comb through his pepper-and-salt hair and he was ready for work, roughly fifteen minutes after waking.<br><br>Or would be ready for work. Right after breakfast.</span></span>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>17-06-2011, 08:45:26</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Mae Little aka "Mei Mei"- in the cockpit with Vincent&nbsp; - en route to Persephone ~</strong></div><br>Cruising speed was about as exciting as watching paint dry. Mae Little (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=109827.msg4772533#msg4772533), known to the crew as Mei Mei, held steady under strict orders from the Captain. Her fingers, however, itched to push the boat to her limits wanting very much to feel the power beneath her fingers as she guided it through the verse. Her&nbsp; crisp green eyes scanned the inky blackness before her, so intense at times it felt like she was determined to commit to memory every inch of the vastness of deep space.<br><br>The verse spread out before her filled with temptation, whispering its siren song in her ear, begging for her to come and find its secrets. And oh how the young pilot wanted to explore each and every one of them. Her lust for adventure, for the thrill of the unknown, for the orgasmic pleasure of pushing that sweet hunk of aluminum to her breaking point never seemed to waver.&nbsp; &nbsp;Though lucky for the Captain, the crew and The Gamble herself, Mei Mei wasn't stupid. Nor was she selfish. She could be reckless at times and willing to take a risk that might cause many to call her Fong luh (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nVEY4GZ2JY_oXFrXwHmZ6VGWLRAayoOIxAygvsN7jYE/edit?hl=en_US&amp;authkey=CIulutsJ#heading=h.sn042j17ayop), though few bothered to go through the trouble thanks in part to her white hot temper, a trait that had landed the young hellion in hot water more often than she cared to admit. It was that trait that made her good at what she did, which was pilot that shiny piece of gos se &nbsp;(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nVEY4GZ2JY_oXFrXwHmZ6VGWLRAayoOIxAygvsN7jYE/edit?hl=en_US&amp;authkey=CIulutsJ#heading=h.dnfaiv4dcwsf) through everything and anything the verse had to throw at her. <br><br>But for now she coasted in a gentle cruising speed growing more bored by the minute. Twisting in her seat she rocked side to side causing the sway of her long hair to slide across her back. The sweep felt good as it brushed against the bare skin of her shoulders. Today she was dressed in a pair of low riding black cargo pants, a black corset style top that kept her shoulders and arms bare as well as a glimpse of her hips now and again depending on how she moved. Her outfit was typical of the exuberant youth showing both sides of her personality.&nbsp; Caught between a tomboy and a young woman, Mei Mei was nothing if she wasn't a spitfire. A ball of energy that never seemed to dim or grow tired, her passion for life and adventure was great but so was her lust and taste for a more intimate pleasure. One she sought out as often as she could.<br><br>Young and adventurous could be an intoxicating combination, explosive and as dangerous as a Da-shiong bao-jah-shr duh la doo-tze. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nVEY4GZ2JY_oXFrXwHmZ6VGWLRAayoOIxAygvsN7jYE/edit?hl=en_US&amp;authkey=CIulutsJ#heading=h.j2ib6ly2pnk7)&nbsp; She needed a firm hand at times as much as she needed a warm hug. Mei Mei received both at the hands of her family. The crew of The Gamble, every single one of them she would be willing to die for without a moments hesitation. Today however she would have to settle for the mind numbing experience of cruising.<br><br>Letting her head fall back, Mei Mei stared at the ceiling sighing heavily and taking in a deep breath. Her chest rose and fell with the effort before she began to cough, wrinkling her nose and rolling her head to the right as she looked over at her co-pilot and fellow crew member, Vincent.&nbsp; "That&nbsp; gorram mutt smell is still sticking to the air" she grumbled as she raised one arm to her face leaning over just enough to meet it half way and take in a large sniff.&nbsp; "Ugh! It's on my skin...I need a shower, you need a shower!” Smirking she added with a sassy wink "if we were thoughtful we could conserve our water reserves and shower together.”&nbsp; <br><br>Her laughter danced on the air and tickled the senses of those it met as she continued to swing in her chair chewing her gum and blowing a large bubble to its breaking point.&nbsp; The soft pink sweet stuck to her chin bringing a smile to her face as she pealed it from her skin with her fingers. Tossing her head back, Mei Mei fed the chewing gum back into her awaiting mouth, licking her lips to sweep any rouge pieces clean from her pretty face.&nbsp; Turning once more to flash a flirty smile towards Vincent, her dark eyes danced with amusement as she began to entertain them both with as many bad cow jokes that she could think of in honour of the single visitor that had the decency to try and&nbsp; overpower the mutt stink with its own special aroma.<br><br>"Why does a milking stool have only three legs?” not waiting for his reply she followed quickly with the punch line "because the cow has the udder.”&nbsp; Her smirk showed she was far from finished as Mei Mei began to pepper him with her very special brand of humour. "What kind of milk comes from a forgetful cow?” she waited but a second or two before replying "milk of amnesia"&nbsp; That one gained a giggle before she jumped in with another "where do cows go when they want a night out? No idea? Come on guess" Mei Mei teased before once more pushing forth with the punch line "to the moo-vies!&nbsp; Okay, okay, one more I promise!”&nbsp; Her green eyes sparkled with amusement as she let loose with her final cow joke, or at least until a fresh batch came her way. "Do you know why the cow jumped over the moon?” Wiggling in her seat, she could barely contain her amusement before blurting out "The farmer had cold hands!”<br><br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>18-06-2011, 03:43:43</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent - in the cockpit with Mei Mei - en route to Persephone=-</strong></div><br>There was an instant where gravity shifted and Vincent felt himself in freefall.&nbsp; The sensation startled him enough into consciousness as he lifted his drooping head with a sudden jerk and sharp intake of breath.&nbsp; His eyes blinked blearily and he realized he had begun to doze for the umpteenth time.&nbsp; Just to be safe, he wiped his chin upon his plain dark green t-shirt.&nbsp; Once again, he looked over the navigation display while adjusting his position in his chair so that he wouldn’t be leaning back as much.&nbsp; It wasn’t surprising when he noticed that the monitors remained devoid of anything interesting.<br><br>Vincent understood the captain’s orders and the logic behind him, but it didn’t make the situation any less boring.&nbsp; There had been moments where he hoped Mei Mei would give in to her impulses and give The Gamble more throttle.&nbsp; Sure, it wouldn’t be the safest or wisest move, but if something didn’t happen soon Vincent was confident he would expire from sheer boredom.&nbsp; “So boooored.”&nbsp; Vincent spoke through a yawn.&nbsp; Movement in his peripheries drew his attention to Mae who was stirring in her seat.<br><br><em> "That&nbsp; gorram mutt smell is still sticking to the air.&nbsp; Ugh! It's on my skin...I need a shower, you need a shower!&nbsp; If we were thoughtful we could conserve our water reserves and shower together.” </em>&nbsp; Vincent returned her flirtatious wink with a wolfish grin.&nbsp; The idea certainly was appealing.<br><br>“It is imperative that we conserve all the resources we can; we’ve got another decade of flying at this speed before we reach Persephone.&nbsp; At least that’s what it feels like.&nbsp; Even if we did run into anything while we were preoccupied by a nice long shower, any damage we take from it would easily be buffed out at this speed.”&nbsp; Vincent looked down at his monitors once more and let out a groan.&nbsp; “Ai ya.&nbsp; I’m half tempted to get out and walk the rest of the way.&nbsp; I could probably make it there in half the time.”<br><br>He lounged back in his chair, folding his hands behind his head as he returned his gaze to Mae who had just finished picking the last fragments of gum from her face.&nbsp; An amused grin spread across his face in response to the first joke.&nbsp; Vincent genuinely loved Mei Mei’s puns and corny jokes.&nbsp; The second managed to get a brief chuckle out of him.&nbsp; He listened to the set up for the third and was about to hazard a guess, but knew that it was going to be bad.&nbsp; The punchline provoked a sigh rather than a laugh, his standard response to a joke that was especially corny.&nbsp; They had had these exchanges enough where she would know that such a response wasn’t negative in the least, rather that Vincent found it humorous because it was so cheesy.&nbsp; A broad smile remained in his face as he listened to her last one for this volley and the punchline provoked several hearty laughs.<br><br>Vincent promptly returned fire with his own puns.&nbsp; “That was a good one, I found it very amoosing.&nbsp; It was difficult to recover from that third joke, but I knew you cud do it.&nbsp; If I wasn’t stuck in this chair, I would cowtow to you for being so dairyng with your cheesy humor.&nbsp; Though at this point, I think I might just be milking this joke.”
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>18-06-2011, 05:15:26</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer - Workout area in the Cargo Bay - en route to Persephone ~</strong></div><br>Her long lithe body glistening with a soft sheen of perspiration, Sasha lay on her back on the grey workout mat with fingers laced behind her head, her long legs bent at the knee. With each aggressive contraction of her abdominal muscles, her head and shoulders raised sharply off the mat, her breath expelling in harsh exhales in time with her exertions.&nbsp; Her black boyshorts and workout top left vast expanses of her tightly toned body exposed, allowing for the ease of unrestricted movement. <br><br>Finishing up her crunches, Sasha gracefully snapped up to a standing position and moved to the heavy punching bag, pummeling it mercilessly with her fabric-wrapped fists. Her long dark hair was pulled away from her face into a loose twist, which served to accent her feminine features. The soft pink flush of her face and chest enhanced her natural femininity, while her intense scowl of fierce concentration belied any illusions of softness. Dark wisps of stray hairs clung wetly to the side of her face and neck, trapped by the dewy moisture on her skin.<br><br><em>Persephone.</em> Funny how the past never seemed content to stay where it bloody well belonged. Almost a year had passed since her family’s brutal massacre, yet every time The Gamble pulled into port on her home planet she was viscerally reminded of her loss. Thud! Thwack-thwack-thwack! Thud!&nbsp; Her fists mercilessly transmitted the morse code of her fury as she embraced that emotion, welcoming the burning anger which was so much easier to live with than hopeless despair and soul-eating anguish.<br><br>Sasha made a habit of working out every day; sure, it kept her strong and agile, kept her in peak fighting form. But, if someone chose to welcome the poison of raging fury into their soul, they had better have some kind of antidote for that venom.&nbsp; Physical exertion was Sasha’s means of self-medicating. Anger was her upper, physical action her downer. It was a gorram rough ride, but she hadn’t yet found a method that worked better. Well, except for killing bastards who deserved it. And good sex. And she didn’t see either of those options as choices she would make here on The Gamble. <br><br>Luckily a little physical exertion went a long way to diffusing her otherwise ticking time-bomb of aggression. It hadn’t always been like this; before her family was savagely ripped to pieces by the Alliance’s Reavers, Sasha hadn’t had any “anger issues” as people were wont to describe her lapses into seething fury. But now...<br><br>Bending over at the waist and supporting her hands on her knees, Sasha breathed deep pulls of air through her nose, bringing her breathing and heart rate back down to normal. “Hump me!” she snarled in disgust. The stink left behind from the recent cargo of that herd of dogs renewed its assault on her nostrils, and she scowled heavily. They never would have taken that lousy dog-wrangling job if it had been up to her; but of course, the Captain had the final word on all things within The Gamble, and Griff had seen fit to make the doggone deal. Everyone had different limits for different things, and her and Griff’s didn’t always match up. <br><br>With a long sigh, she walked over to the weight bench and retrieved her towel, slinging it around her neck as she took to the stairs briskly, unwrapping her hands from the protective strips of cloth as she headed for her cabin. Once there she tossed her hand wraps and small towel in the laundry basket, kicked off her athletic shoes, and grabbing a clean bath towel and her personal toiletries she headed toward the shower.<br><br>As luck would have it, it was available. Timing and luck were always key factors out in the Black; including gaining access to the amenities aboard the ship. If you could call them amenities. Stripping out of her small workout clothes, Sasha turned on the shower and stepped under the cool spray, a small moan of pleasure sighing over her lips at the delicious sensation. Turning off the water, she poured a small puddle of cleanser into her palm, her soap’s heady scent of jasmine a welcome respite from...well, most every other odor on the ship, actually. Lathering up quickly, her hands smoothed over her slippery taut skin and through her silky long hair as she washed, then she turned the water back on momentarily to rinse the suds clean. A swift lather-shave-rinse and she was done; a five minute shower with the water being used for only a third of that time. Although a luxuriously long, hot and steamy shower was one of her most favorite indulgences when such was offered in port, aboard The Gamble she was nothing but frugal with the precious resource.<br><br>Tucking her toiletries back in their bag, she twisted the excess water from her hair and swirled her towel around her body, and headed back to her cabin. Blotting and fluffing her hair with the towel to speed its drying, she pulled out her choice of clothing from her closet. The completion of the current cow-for-dogs transaction didn’t even cross her mind. She was already contemplating the potential opportunities available on Persephone and strategizing for their next job. <br><br>Persephone was indeed rich with opportunities but also rife with danger. Griff’s intimidating physical presence offered potential clients an obvious and easily readable dialog. Si provided the disconcerting aura of menacing danger so often of great use on their job-fishing expeditions. Sasha...well, Sasha filled in whatever missing ingredient happened to provide the finishing touch to seal the deal. She was exceptionally adept at assessing the tone and expectations of potential employers, and could transform herself into anything from a coquettish flirt to a sadistic torturer, depending on what the situation called for. Coaxingly sweet or aggressively intimidating, these personas were all merely useful tools of the trade, part of her extensive repertoire that benefitted all on board when she successfully helped wrangle lucrative jobs for the crew.<br><br>Today - as she often did - she dressed all in black, the most versatile of colors. Image was everything in first impressions with strangers, and the clothing a person chose to wear spoke volumes. The <em>way</em> you wore your clothes spoke even more loudly. Donning black bikini panties, she sat on the edge of her bed while she pulled on her thigh-topping latex leggings and zippered ankle boots. Standing up topless, she prowled over to her vanity drawer and pulled it open, her breasts swaying gently as she walked. Slicking her hair back into a severe high ponytail, she applied her makeup in dark tones; black kohl set off the blue of her eyes and deep red drew attention irresistibly to her full lips. Lastly, she wrapped a long swath of lacy dress around her, belting it around her waist with a decorative chain embellished with pearls placed intermittently along its length. The front of her dress (http://turboblanco.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/olivia-wilde-marie-claire-see-through-photoshoot-91.jpg?w=400&amp;h=289) could be gathered over her breasts to provide a somewhat modest covering, or the fabric could be spread out more evenly, allowing for her creamy skin and pink nipples to play hide and seek within the dark lace. Again, allowing for persona options was always helpful. To begin with, she would wear the dress in its more modest incarnation, read the situation when they arrived at the job meet, and make adjustments as necessary. She tucked knives into sewn-in sheaths inside each boot, in between her skin and leggings on the outside of each thigh, and nestled a final small but deadly dagger sheathed diagonally into the back waistband of her panties. She topped her outfit with a fitted leather jacket, slipped a pocket pistol into one of the jacket’s inside pockets, and with a few dabs of aromatic essential oil Sasha was ready, her game face on.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>18-06-2011, 08:25:26</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=an unknown element - at the Eavesdown Docks on Persephone - shopping for a free ride=-</strong></div><br>She’d once been referred to as ‘milk-fed’, her curves ample and her body soft from little exposure to hard work. Now, her body ached from hunger and her lips were cracked from dehydration. Running was hard work; she finally knew what it was to need.<br><br>Her blue eyes darted over the traffic crossing overhead, lift offs not her priority. She needed the next appropriate opportunity off Persephone, uninterested in the ones that were already gone. Avoiding the constabulary when she could, she made herself as uninteresting as possible. Her awkwardly sized work jumpsuit advertised that she performed menial grunt work for a long defunct terraforming unit. The flopping hard-soled boots that scraped up the dry earth under her were incidentally packed with the last of her ruined clothing, stuffed to fit upon her dainty feet. One oversized hat later and even her unkempt henna’d hair didn’t make a lick of difference out here on the docks. She was just as dirty and sweaty and tired as anyone else surviving on the movement of goods to or from the planet.<br><br>Ducking behind a stack of crates, she pretended to check the labels, glancing furtively to the uniforms of authority as they passed. Sighing and holding her stomach, she wanted to retch from nerves but there was nothing left to give up. Lifting her eyes back up to the white-blue sky… glory be, there was a lost cup of liquid on top of the crates! Half full, she gazed up at it, thirst spearing her thoughts, her hands already lifting to reach it…<br><br>Before a half-gloved hand removed it from her view, the slurp and sigh of its owner piercing her heart. Just for good measure, her stomach answered with a gurgle and she slipped away, constantly moving. Her eyes filled with self-indulgent tears, moisture she could not afford to lose. She stopped herself with a hard blink, her mouth tasting like dirt as she ground her teeth together. Her eyes on the ground, she nearly collided with an old man in a stained brown coat, counting money in his gnarled hands like he’d never seen so much before. She stepped aside, his lumbering gait hampered by ill-fitting shoes, the soles worn through on both. Her heart constricted once more, debating the deal she was about to make. She didn’t have many other choices.<br><br>Leaning over to remove her giant boots, she held them out before him, shaking them slightly by their soft tops. “Grampa, you need some better tires on them ole souls, ya catch me? Trade me a single bill? Dong-ma? I jes’ wanna eat. Good deal?”<br><br>***<br><br>“Well, ai ya, choosing a smart ole crotchety guh jun duh hwoon dahn; demanded my hat, too!” she hissed at herself, only her socks keeping her bare feet from touching the hot ground. Next in line at the vendor’s cart, she handed over the last money she had to her name and grabbed the grilled meat-on-a-stick without asking what specie it had been. OH! Real protein… and hot… and tasty… and… semi-fresh! She sucked the skewer clean, licking it over and over before glancing around at the people now staring. Tossing the stick, her cheeks flared pink. She darted nearer to the digital column at the end of the actual docking stations. Half hiding behind it from scrutiny, she distractedly read over the announced manifests, uncaring of their destinations. Any further jumps away from her origin made for a better chance at survival.<br><br>Brushing back the hanging waves of messy hair with her dirty hands, loose now that she’d lost her hat, she glanced around, glad everyone on the world had something to do. She would have nibbled at her fingernails in worry had they not been filthy with her shower-less travels. How many days ago did she find herself caught in too short a rainfall? And was that really her last washing, not to mention the wear of her clothing? She looked at her wiggling toes, overwhelmed by the wool socks encompassing her feet. Heh, at least she wouldn’t make much noise on the metal floors of whatever cargo bay she would next use as her ‘all aboard’.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>19-06-2011, 02:37:51</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Griffin Kingston, Captain - Engineering Room - en route to Persephone=-</strong></div><br>Griff watched Hayes as she tinkered with the engine, but all he could see was her legs protruding from beneath the engine. She was on her back, half concealed by the massive assortment of pipes, tubing and the myriad of metal components that all seemed to be billowing steam as they jostled about noisily. The room was sweltering and his body was quickly coated in a sticky glaze of sweat that was beginning to streak along his dark skin in beads. A drop of the salty liquid hung from the tip of his nose, threatening to drip at any moment. Gathering the hem of his black wife-beater in one strong hand, Griff raised the shirt to wipe at the perspiration that trickled down his face uncomfortably before letting the shirt fall back in place to cover his perfectly proportioned and chiseled six pack.&nbsp; <br><br>Hayes slid from beneath the hulking machinery in one fluid motion and then slowly sat up. The look on her face as she took her time to grab her crumpled pack and light up a cigarette was enough to put Griff in a defensive mindset. Yeah, he knew deep down that she was right and his decision to hold off on buying that part Hayes kept pestering him about was currently the cause for their woeful pace through the black, but did she have to so damn smug about it? He half rolled his eyes, readying himself for the chiding he just knew he was about to get from his brutally truthsome mechanic. As she began to explain, Griff listened intently as Hayes gave her prognosis on the fate of the engine. He didn't much understand mechanical speak, but he wasn't exactly obtuse either.<br><br>Griff let out a relieved sigh and let his arms fall to his sides. "Well, there's a pleasant bit o' news. So, the engine is fine so long as we replace that "cannibalizer, " or whatever the hell that gorram piece of <em>Luh Suh</em> is called? We get that, you can get the 'ole girl back in proper workin' order again, <em>shi</em>?" Griff was already backing towards the narrow corridor that housed the supplies lockers and connected to the galley and lounge. He still had preparations before they touched down at Eavesdown Docks to take on any potential cargo. There wasn't much more he could do about the stench from the Sihnon Coursers aside from letting the cargo doors open to allow in some fresh air, but he still needed a shower and to change into something more presentable. He couldn't really expect to get any respectable work if he looked a knuckle dragging grease monkey.<br><br>Glancing back over his shoulder as he stepped over the shin height lip of the passageway opening through the aft bulkhead, also known as a "knee-knocker", he gave Hayes an inquisitive arch of his brow. "So, it'll be okay if we open her up just a smidge? Just a short spell so as to make Eavesdown Docks.. you know,&nbsp; before Mei Mei grows up into a respectable young woman of character and class?" He grabbed the intercom handset before Hayes had answered and keyed up the flight deck. "Mei Mei, go ahead and give her some juice. Say.... 20 percent power?" He looked to Hayes to gauge her reaction, shrugging his shoulder at her as if to say, 'Does that sound okay?' and waited for her assurance with the intercom still open.<br><br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>19-06-2011, 07:11:18</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Mae Little aka "Mei Mei"- in the cockpit with Vincent&nbsp; - en route to Persephone ~</strong></div><br><br><br>Caught in the middle of a sudden daydream brought on by a deadly combination of boredom the subject of sex and the very sexy baritone voice of her co-pilot, Mei Mei had to admit the idea of sharing anything with Vincent wouldn't be out of the question.&nbsp; He was beyond <em>Kuh Ai</em>. Simply put, he was one of the few faces that stared in her fantasies late at night when she was alone in her bunk. Unknowingly he had helped her out several times, bringing a smile to her face and a bounce to her step.<br><br><em>"“That was a good one, I found it very amoosing. It was difficult to recover from that third joke, but I knew you cud do it. If I wasn’t stuck in this chair, I would cowtow to you for being so dairyng with your cheesy humor. Though at this point, I think I might just be milking this joke.”</em><br><br>His personality suited her, often making her laugh when she was ready to pull her hair out or worse. Simply put he was perfect for the job of co-pilot. Not just with his abilities, which were topnotch, but because he got her. He understood the quirkiness didn't mean she couldn't buckle down and be serious when needed. She could rely on him as much as she knew he could rely on her.&nbsp; Together they made a kickass team, so what were a few bad puns between friends? <br><br>"With the speed this boat is floatin’ I reckon there is plenty a time for cowtowin’ and if that gets you on your knees before me, well who am I to argue?”&nbsp; Her smile widened as she quickly drank him in to submit him to memory. It was an image that would come in handy later when she required a little something to service her later.<br><br>The ships intercom crackled as static announced a message was short in coming. The sound of their fearless leader and another source of her greatly used imagination came across the airwave.<br><br><em>"Mei Mei, go ahead and give her some juice. Say.... 20 percent power?"</em><br><br>Sitting straighter in her chair, Mei Mei stretched her arm across the panel controls to reply to the message with her own ray of sunshine delivered with just a pinch of sarcasm. “<em>Shun Sheng Duh Gao Wahn </em> are you sure you wanna get that <em>Feng Le</em>?”<br><br><br><div align="center">~~~~</div><br><em>Cute: Kuh Ai.<br>Holy testicle Tuesday: Shun Sheng Duh Gao Wahn<br>Crazy: Feng Le</em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>19-06-2011, 08:39:22</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent - in the cockpit with Mei Mei, bracing for lite speed - en route to Persephone=-</strong></div><br>Though he didn't know it, Vincent's feelings towards Mae were the same she felt about him.&nbsp; She spent a lot of time in his mind during the late hours of solo-flying or sleepless nights.&nbsp; He lost track of how many times he had wondered what it would be like for her to pay him a visit during such nights; though instead of their friendly or flirtatious banter, they would be enjoying one another's company in a physical sense. Even as she replied with that kowtowing remark, he felt the urge to do so and taste her while she sit at her station.<br><br>Such was the relationship between the two of them.&nbsp; Both wanted the other, but their typical comedic exchanges made it difficult to tell if the other was being genuine with their flirtatious invitations.&nbsp; The fact that while flying, it was expected that there at least be one of them in the helm at all times with some exceptions to meals or when the Captain permits them to do so only makes the opportunity to be together in a more private setting all the more rare.&nbsp; Theoretically they had the chance to do so every time they had shore leave, but more often than not they were either on some assignment or they were simply busy taking in the sights of wherever they landed.&nbsp; That and he gets the impression that she has a flame for Griff; Vincent can't help but feel envious when she flirts with the captain.&nbsp; In the end, Griff was his employer and he exercised extreme caution when it came to doing anything that might otherwise land him in a position of unemployment.<br><br>Vincent still looks fondly upon the night where Mae, completely exhausted from a particularly long day, accidently wandered into his room while he was in bed.&nbsp; At least he thought it was accidental.&nbsp; Instead of returning to her own room, she instead joined him in his bed all the while his heart raced with excitement and joy.&nbsp; It had been the stuff fantasies were made of, at least it was until he realized that her fatigue was genuine as she immediately passed out shortly after her head hit the pillow.&nbsp; Though, that is not to say Vincent was disappointed by it.&nbsp; For once, he got to feel her lithe body pressed against his as the two spooned for a few hours.&nbsp; He still remembers the alluring smell of her hair throughout that time.&nbsp; Much to his dismay, his shift in the helm came before Mae woke and he had to leave her in his bed while he attended to his duty.&nbsp; To this day he wonders how things would have turned out had he been able to remain there when she awoke.<br><br>The sudden crackle of the intercom pulled Vincent's mind back to the present as he heard the captain's orders to increase the output.&nbsp; He suppressed a smirk with her response in exchange for shooting her a feigned horrified expression.&nbsp; "Twenty whole percent?!"&nbsp; Vincent immediately began fastening all the straps of his eight point harness with practiced urgent motions.&nbsp; He then proceeded to make a show of testing the buckles and tightening the straps as though preparing for a crash landing before gripping the armrest of his chair tightly.&nbsp; "Alright, I'm ready!&nbsp; Let's throw caution to the wind and take'er past the speed of smell!&nbsp; If I don't make it through this... I want you to have my pair of lucky boxers to remember me by."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>20-06-2011, 03:17:10</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, looking for Sasha=-</strong></div><br>Guessing that Sasha would be in her quarters, Dani made the short journey from the galley to the First Officer's bunk.&nbsp; Being Griff's right hand man meant keeping her close to the action. As such, Sasha's cabin was on the upper deck, sharing a common wall with the lounge, and barely a stone's throw from the cockpit, and the Captain's own quarters.<br><br>Sasha was the only member of the crew, save for Griff, who Dani felt reasonably comfortable with. She'd even go so far as to describe her as a friend. Dani knew Sasha looked out for her, and she was grateful for the concern. Although they didn't know it, the commonality of their recent pasts provided a foundation for the two women to build a mutually supportive relationship. Their similar ages, and the fact that Dani had brought Sasha back from the brink of death, helped that bond grow.&nbsp; &nbsp;Dani had found herself confiding in Sasha more than she ever thought she would. Sasha often tried to get Dani to work out with her, her thinking being that the younger woman needed to try to externalise some of the feelings that she kept such a tight lid on.&nbsp; So far, Dani had resisted.&nbsp; To work through those feelings would mean facing them, and she just wasn't ready for that.&nbsp; In truth, she didn't know that she ever would be.&nbsp; As far as Dani was concerned, her life began when Griff brought her on board The Gamble to save Sasha's life.<br><br>Knocking on the steel door of Sasha's cabin, Dani gave her friend a small smile as she answered, looking gorgeous as always.&nbsp; <em>She could wear a hessian sack and look good</em>, she mused to herself.&nbsp; Dani knew that the outfit was simply window dressing and that Sasha kept a variety of weapons strapped to various parts of her body whenever they were in atmo. As such she felt as safe in the First Officer's presence as the Captain's on the occasions she had no choice but to go out into the world.&nbsp; If Dani had her way, she'd just stay on the boat.<br><br>"Here's my shopping lists," she said softly as she handed two pieces of tattered paper to Sasha.&nbsp; "One for the galley and one for the infirmary. There's some medications we need," she continued, "and they're fairly vital.&nbsp; Especially the Ivoprovalyne.&nbsp; I know it'll be hard to come by, but please, Sasha...do your best. I'd hate to be caught on the edge of the 'verse without it."&nbsp; Dani wasn't given to dramatics, so she knew that Sasha would take her seriously. "How long do you think we'll be planetside?"<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>21-06-2011, 01:17:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer - In her cabin - en route to Persephone ~</strong></div><br>At the soft knock, Sasha’s long stride brought her to her cabin door in just a few measured steps. The creaking scrape of metal announced the door’s opening, revealing the ship’s medic standing just outside the entry to her cabin.&nbsp; The light scent of spicy jasmine wafted gently out into the open passageway, and Dani offered her a small smile. Handing her a couple ragged pieces of paper, the medic softly explained they were lists of needed items she hoped Sasha would be able to bring back from her excursion on Persephone.<br><br>Sasha’s expression unconsciously softened slightly at the sight of Dani; of all the crew aboard The Gamble, the quiet young medic was perhaps the one person who had managed to slip past at least a portion of Sasha’s emotional defenses. It wasn’t just the fact that the woman had saved her life, either. Absolutely, she was grateful for Dani’s timely skills in that regard.&nbsp; But also, the fact that both women had suffered unspeakable trauma and lost loved ones to senseless violence - a quiet understanding had somehow settled between them. Perhaps the younger woman even helped to fill at least a small portion of the agonizing void that was left in Sasha’s heart from the loss of all her family in one fell swoop. Dani’s vulnerability brought out protective instincts within Sasha, and she made it a point to keep her eye on her, even encouraging her where she could.<br><br>Blue eyes quickly scanning the lists, Sasha nodded her head at Dani’s comments about the medications. She knew all too well how vital medical supplies could be; but also how gorram difficult it was to get them.&nbsp; “Don’t you worry - if there’s any to be had, I’ll find a way to get my hands on them,” she reassured Dani. Sasha had found long ago that projecting rock-solid confidence herself - whether or not that was how she truly felt - went a long way toward instilling confidence in others; whether during business negotiations, fulfilling her role as First Officer on The Gamble, and even in one-on-one personal interactions.<br><br><strong>"How long do you think we'll be planetside?"</strong><br><br>Sasha folded the papers and slipped them into an inside pocket of her jacket as she answered Dani’s question. “Well, it all depends on how our first meeting goes, and how quickly we can track down everything on your Christmas list. Why?&nbsp; You interested in coming along this trip?”&nbsp; A hint of a smile played along her lips as she waited for the expected reply from Dani. At the same time, she wondered where Griff was; they should be reaching Persephone soon, and she and the Captain needed to get their ducks in a row for the upcoming job meet.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>21-06-2011, 03:31:26</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - The Gamble, Upper Deck - continuing the morning rituals=-</strong></div><br>While there was little doubt as to the general nature of their conversation - Dani having little interest in talk so far as he had seen, and Sasha being Sasha - it was not Si's place to make a point of eavesdropping on the ladies' chat outside the First Officer's door. He overheard a few words in passing by, nodding courteously toward the pair on his way, but disregarded them as quickly as his memory would allow. If he needed to know anything about their acquisition goals or estimated time on the ground he had little doubt he would be told in due time. He did provide silent input in the form of a somewhat extended glance over Sasha's choice of attire, but nothing more.<br><br>The galley was his destination. The good doctor often cooked for the crew, but that didn't mean he wanted to rely on that sort of treatment. That woman had more burdens than she should have had to bear upon her already, anyone could see that; it was no difficult thing to make his own breakfast, particularly with as little as they normally had on hand aboard the Gamble. Some water, protein ration, a brief hunt for the remainder of that small box of raisins. It was less than humble fare, but he'd experienced enough feasts and galas to know that the richest meals were like as not to be the ones that left you ill the next day. Filling, nutritious enough, not so poor that he couldn't ignore the flavor as necessary - it would serve. Given the rest of the crew would likely be attending their duties he expected to end up eating alone, and that was alright, too. Company would good when it was available, but like as not it led to distracting conversations. The rations were base enough without his letting them go cold over chatter as well.<br><br>His hunger sated, Simeon cleared his place and took up position at a seat beside the lounge terminals to review recent news on his P.A.D. to scan for pertinent warnings. It wasn't his first time on Persephone, of course, but in the current political climate worlds were more turbulent than they had been since the war. Taking the time to review waves for indications of problems ahead before they ran headlong into those problems was basic precaution, and precaution was his job these days as much as anything else. A report on weather patterns on the surface, a bullet point list of recently reported crimes, traffic data, trade trends, mounds of numbers which, if he were planning some more complicated operation than a simple job dropoff and pickup, he might be inclined to pore over for exploitable or avoidable patterns in the details of fluctuation from the previous week to this one, or even in the day to day tendencies. For their current purposes that important yet tedious work would not be required; he needed only to assess the situation to his satisfaction that there was unlikely to be an ambush waiting outside their door upon landing. That would be enough to serve their purposes.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>22-06-2011, 03:23:45</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Bridget Hayes; still back-chatting Griff in the Engine room through to locker corridor - en route to Persephone=-</strong></div><br>A less than impressed Hayes was soon following after Griff down the corridor, leaving a trail of tell-tale smoke behind her. Any other day and she might have found some form of amusement in the captain's feigned stupidity, but she was sick and tired of him not realising just how bad the situation was. “<em>Catalyzer</em>,” she emphasised promptly, her correctional tone full of dull monotone. Yet it was followed by the roll of her eyes as she used a far more colourful method of cursing the captain's stupidity. It was all affectionately done though, despite the elevation of gravelled voice making no apologies for her brewing aggravation. “<em>Wong Ba Duhn</em> - I ain't tellin' you again Griff.” <br><br>Hayes didn't need to justify the other question with an answer. Of course she could fix it, and she knew that he knew she could. She had, after all, fixed the ship while it was stranded on Whitefall. The previous engineer had called it 'all-fired broken'. She'd not only proved him wrong, but also taken his unwanted job while she was at it too. “An' if you ask me, t'would make a whole lot more sense if you'd quit bein' so ornery over them credits, an' jus' let me get the darn thing.” Pausing only to take a drag, she concluded with a slightly more calmed huff. Whether he paid attention or not was a whole other can of worms. Ever since she'd interpreted 'getting supplies' as actually buying a load of cigs and booze, Griff had made a point of not trusting her with anymore credits. Didn't hurt to try though...<br><br>“Jus' sayin' s'all.”<br><br>At least the Sihnon stench didn't bother her so much; growing up on a farm trained her nose against manure and other such common smells. Someone really needed to clean it up though, and it sure as hell wasn't going to be her purely on principle. Being compared to a janitor rubbed her the wrong way, and so being asked to fix the public shower already caused enough of a <em>Gun Kai</em> backlash. She supposed Griff was just saving up the job as some sort of punishment, or might just offer drawing straws as the equal solution. Even if she drew the short straw, she still wouldn't do it.<br><br>Pausing in her step in tune with Griff, Hayes leaned her un-bruised hip against the lockers and crossed one arm under her bust while the other bent elbow kept her cigarette well poised. Respectable woman of character and class? “Hah!” She had to snort at that, even to the point of almost choking on her next drag. “In a pig's eye.” Given her lack of a chance to&nbsp; respond properly, she merely muttered dryly in the background while Griff spoke to MeiMei. Clearly not trusting the young pilot to be delicate on the engine, she rebuked the clear sarcasm with a shot of something far more serious and rhetorical. Though not without first snubbing out her cig butt on the nearest wall; a gesture of her meaning business.<br><br>“Heh, she's right Griff. Twenty percent's a peck too far.” No doubt they could still hear her over the intercom, but just to be sure, she snatched the handset off Griff, and spoke firmly into it as if already pre-emptively scolding a pair of teens. “Y'all better make it a square nineteen an' not a smidgen more y'hear.”<br><br>Holding the handset back out to Griff, Hayes slotted the half-stick in her chest pocket to finish off later, and settled her steeled gaze on the captain once more as if to say 'you done?'<br><br><br><hr>Wong Ba Duhn = Son of a Bitch<br>Gun Kai = Fuck off<br><hr>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>22-06-2011, 04:08:50</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=that same unknown element – Eavesdown Docks, Persephone – debating options=-</strong></div><br>If someone were paying her any attention, the girl had too fair of skin and was too small of stature too fit in here. Her camouflage, now lessened by the boots and hat, was reduced to a ridiculous and unfinished costume. It no longer did enough to hide her inappropriate nature. She’d been recently starved from necessity but still showed those softening curves, marking her a voluptuous woman under her filthy jumpsuit. Even her face, smeared with grime and covered with sweat-stuck dust, was out of place, her lips too pouted and naturally flushed red, her eyes wide when lifted. Of course, she was doing her best to remain unnoticed and hardly ever looked up into another’s eyes.<br><br>Keeping close to the digital display, she allowed her eyes to skim each announcement, noting every arrival and intended departure with calculation behind her innocent eyes. Discarding certain options for better ones, she keep a running tally of those ships likely to be most convenient to slip aboard. Not like she had any credits to spare. She’d already been lucky once – why not try that gambit again? Stowing away wasn’t so hard so long as there were no surprises. The crew announced their intended destination, it displayed on the vids nearby, she found the right craft depending on its size/style/purpose and chose the place furthest from her point of origin. Next, just find a way to slip on board… yeah, that could take a little doing. Then there was the finding a place to hide and be secure for the ride. So long as the ship stayed in good repair, made the destination in an approximate gauge of time, kept all its seals and a modicum of gravity, didn’t get ‘pulled over’ by Alliance or Reavers, and didn’t blow up or run out of air… hm… lots of chances there to mess up. Anyway, it worked before!<br><br>Now, which ship, which destination? First option; the Mantis class heavy hauler with removable rear cargo pod – going long, headed for St. Albans. Probably full of winter-friendly supplies or heavy machinery parts for mining. Lots of room but no good place to hide, and certainly not for days on end – she was still hungry now. It needed to be a shorter run, trusting to luck on the other side to give her something to eat. Besides, she had nothing to wear against the wintry landscape there. No matter that it would get her a hop, a skip and a jump away, she would be less likely to survive on the planet once safely down than on others.<br><br>The second option; no real option there – the Hornet class fast courier. Not enough space to hide in that slim little racer. The crew compliment was full and a single body could inspect and clean the interior tip to tail inside six hours. Besides, it was going the wrong direction.<br><br>The third option; the Osprey class mid-bulk transport – something she wasn’t already familiar with. The alien twin-tail assembly made it look more like a classic Earth-that-was Chinese kite… not that she knew what that would look like. Images of brilliantly orange and yellow deltas diving through a blue sky startled her. A spear of pain lanced through her head and she cringed, blinking, losing her place on the scrolling screen, thinking to herself, ‘Where did that come from?’ Fluttering her lashes, she took a few breaths and steadied herself, her feet sweating slightly as they heated up on the metal platform. "Ai yah tien ah, that was weird. Nope, no Osprey for me."<br><br>She felt the headache coming on dully, spreading across the inside of her skull. Funny, she’d just got a little meat into her stomach and now she needed sugar? Maybe it was a need for fluids. Curse it, her head hurt! She curled a little, one hand pressing fingertips hard against her brow, massaging the pain away… a little.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>22-06-2011, 04:50:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, outside Sasha's cabin=-</strong></div><br><em>“Well, it all depends on how our first meeting goes, and how quickly we can track down everything on your Christmas list. Why?&nbsp; You interested in coming along this trip?”</em><br><br>"No!" Dani answered a little to quickly in response to Sasha's semi-serious question. She knew that Dani didn't like to get off the ship, especially on the more populated planets.&nbsp; "Not unless you really need me too...." she let the comment hang, hoping that she wasn't needed for this trip.&nbsp; Griff hadn't mentioned that he wanted her to come along, so she figured that Sasha was just teasing.<br><br>Nodding at Si as he passed by, most likely on his way to the galley, Dani turned her attention back to the first officer.&nbsp; "Thanks, Sasha.&nbsp; I appreciate anything you can do in regards to the meds. I know Persephone is not exactly Ariel," she was unaware of the pained look that crossed her face at the mention of the Core planet where she attended med school, "but with any luck...."<br><br>"Anyway...I'd better let you get organised." Heading back towards the galley, she looked back over her shoulder at the older woman. "By the way, you look great, as usual."&nbsp; Offering Sasha a rare smile, Dani set off in search of the Captain to see if he had any tasks for her to do off ship, and if not, what he'd like her to do while the rest of the crew were on planet.<br><br>Sure enough, Si was in the galley eating breakfast as she passed through.&nbsp; Not that it had been a hard guess to make, Dani thought to herself. He was a stickler for his routine. If she had a watch, she could set it by Si. The man was as dependable as the day was long. Continuing through the galley towards the engine room, the sound of voices confirmed her suspicion that the Captain was indeed in there, probably talking, or rather, arguing, with Hayes.&nbsp; Realising they were already in the storage lockers passage way connecting the engine room to the galley, Dani spun around, not wanting to intrude and possibly inviting the wrath of Hayes. Not one to stand idly, she scanned the galley for something that might need doing. <br><br>"How's your breakfast, Si?" she enquired. "Can I get you anything else?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>22-06-2011, 09:01:09</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>~ Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- in the cockpit with Vincent - en route to Persephone ~</strong></div><br><br>Mae shook with a soft giggle as she watched the focus of her crush and co-pilot entertain her with his comical behaviour and enthusiastic show of his excellent safety skills. His announcement that he was now prepared for the mind numbing speed to be upgraded to that of a tingling feeling, much like when your leg falls asleep, had her giggle increase to that of a funny little snort.&nbsp; The silly sound took her by surprise, causing yet another batch of giggles that was only broken by the gruff warning voice of Hayes crackling over the ships intercom. <br><br><br><em>“Y'all better make it a square nineteen an' not a smidgen more y'hear.”</em><br><br><br>MeiMei was not one to take orders from most people, other than those spoken from the Captain and Sasha, but she wasn't stupid. She knew Hayes understood that engine far better than anyone else and if she said that was all the boat had to give then that was all the boat had to give.&nbsp; However, that being said, there was a difference between understanding and accepting gracefully and therefore the inevitable reply was doomed to trip from her lips in what was meant with great admiration for the ships mechanic.&nbsp; <br><br><br>“Ai ya! That's fantastic! If my calculations are correct..." pausing purely for dramatic effect “…and do I think that they are! I get to give this boat a good kick in the pants increasing speed 39 percent!” The excitement dripped sarcastically from her lips with each word spoken into the intercom.&nbsp; Unable to resist the young pilot added “Gao Guhn! We should be sure to hit Persephone atmo in about twenty or thirty millennia. I reckon I had better find me a Kai Tze before we ship off again, I've a powerful need for my nethers to be twixin.” <br><br><br>Smirking as she sat back in her seat and beamed a smile over to Vincent, Mae mouthed a silent count down as she touched the pad of each finger waiting for the inevitable explosion from the engines room. The only thing that was a tossup was who would be the one to holler at her louder, Hayes or Griff.&nbsp; Either way, she was sure to enjoy the fireworks. They were in a boring situation, floating on the verse like an old man shuffling across the sky with his pants wrapped around his ankles. If they didn't make a move soon she was sure to expire in her chair having never given Vincent a proper kiss, one that would cause his toes to curl and mark his soul with her touch, ruining him for all other women. Okay, so she had plotted out the kiss in her overactive imagination a time or two, is that such a crime? <br><br><br>Her hands now gripping the controls, Mae slowly pushed the throttle forward, bringing the speed higher, keeping alert and prepared should the worse happen requiring in a drastic reduction in speed, if that was even possible.&nbsp; She didn't want to be stuck floating out in space, the tow service sucked out in the black. Her cheeky smile brightened with the amusement of her private and inner joke before turning a mischievous smile towards Vincent. "Your lucky boxers? Really?&nbsp; You are too good to me! Do you know how long I've been waiting to get into your boxers?”<br>&nbsp;<br><br><div align="center"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></div><br><em>Awesome or extraordinarily clever: Gao Guhn<br>Male companion or boyfriend: Kai Tze</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>23-06-2011, 00:03:34</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent - in the cockpit with Mei Mei, bracing for lite speed - en route to Persephone=-</strong></div><br>The abrupt snort that punctuated Mei Mei's first round of giggles caused Vincent to chuckle as she began laughing again.&nbsp; Both of them continued like that for several moments as their laughs only perpetuated the other's.&nbsp; It wasn't until Hayes' voice came over the monitor that they managed to end the cycle.<br><br><em>“Ai ya! That's fantastic! If my calculations are correct... and do I think that they are! I get to give this boat a good kick in the pants increasing speed 39 percent!”</em><br><br>"Thirty-nine percent?&nbsp; Over here it sounded like the mechanic said <em>ninety</em>.&nbsp; That's all the permission I need. Floor it!"&nbsp; Vincent's tone was amused, though some part of him wondered if she was actually going to the excessive speeds.&nbsp; She had a tendency to act somewhat recklessly when it came to pushing the ship to its limit at times.&nbsp; Though he would never say anything to her about it; stones, glass houses, and whatnot.&nbsp; Even at their most anxious, the two of them had enough willpower between them to act rationally.&nbsp; Most of the time at least.<br><br><em>“Gao Guhn! We should be sure to hit Persephone atmo in about twenty or thirty millennia. I reckon I had better find me a Kai Tze before we ship off again, I've a powerful need for my nethers to be twixin.”</em><br><br>Had he not still been strapped to his chair, he would have jumped to his feet at the invitation.&nbsp; Instead, is arm shot up and his hand shook eagerly as he shouted, "Ooooh oooh!&nbsp; Pick me!&nbsp; Pick me!"&nbsp; Humorous as it was, there was plenty of sincerity to it.&nbsp; You know, just in case she had been serious; he would never forgive himself if he let a genuine opportunity like that slip by him.&nbsp; Vincent returned her smile before redirecting his attention to his instruments, keeping a close eye on the engine readouts.&nbsp; Granted they wouldn't give him much more of an indication as to the problems the ships mechanics were suffering from past a series of what he referred to as "a whole lot of check engine lights".&nbsp; Presently there was a handful of red and yellow illuminated text and symbols.&nbsp; Basically he was making sure the entire panel didn't light up at once indicating that the engine was no longer attached to the ship or simply decided to break into smaller, more fiery bits so that it could occupy more of the ship's interior.&nbsp; In such an event, he wanted to make sure he had all the time he could get to meet up with Mae for what would surely be the best and last kiss of his life.<br><br><em>"Your lucky boxers? Really?&nbsp; You are too good to me! Do you know how long I've been waiting to get into your boxers?”</em><br><br>A wide grin spread across Vincent's face as he pulled his gaze away from his station to look at Mei Mei.&nbsp; "You know me, Mae, I'm always eager to cater to your desires.&nbsp; Unfortunately you're going to need to wait a bit longer for the boxers since I don't have any on me at the moment."&nbsp; In the split second it took her to realize the meaning behind his words, Vince shot her a playful wink that would only make her even more uncertain of the layers of clothing he had on or lack thereof.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>23-06-2011, 08:15:15</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - Galley/Lounge - surprise physician visit=-</strong></div><br>Of the persons aboard able to intrude on Si's transition from eating to study, Dani seemed the least likely to actually do so. The veteran had noted her entrance when she first appeared but had paid her little attention, assuming she would pass through and be on her way in short order. The doctor's inquiry was unexpected, then, to say the least: "How's your breakfast, Si? Can I get you anything else?"<br><br>"Filling if not satisfying, Miss Marsden. Par for the course." Simeon set his P.A.D. aside and stood up as he spoke - only proper when addressing a lady - with a friendly smile warming his otherwise solemn features. His hands folded behind his back out of habit. "Thank you for your generosity, as always, but I am quite alright as I am. I was just doing a little homework for the upcoming landing. Nothing that cannot wait. Is there anything I can do for <em>you?</em>" He paused momentarily, glancing toward the pathway up to the crew cabins. "I could not help but notice your exchange with Miss Dearing earlier, presumably about the very same expedition. Were you perhaps inquiring after her tailor? I must warn you, I believe our First Officer attended several strenuous classes to learn how to wear some of those outfits she keeps for these events. Such dangerous garb is not for the faint of heart." Simeon's sense of humor, like the man himself, was most often understated in its execution, delivered straight with that sociable smile which, to suit the caution, had thinned somewhat to suggest a degree of fatherly concern.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>23-06-2011, 23:30:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer - In her cabin on The Gamble - en route to Persephone ~</strong><br><br>Dani’s agitation at Sasha’s passive invitation to leave the ship certainly wasn’t a surprise. Sasha never pushed the medic hard, but she hoped her consistent gentle nudges would stretch Dani’s comfort zone little by little. Sasha’s nature was to dive headfirst into the deep end, while Dani was more one to wade into the shallows bit by bit. She could respect that difference; and besides, she had a feeling that the emotionally fragile woman had more toughness in her than anyone realized - including Dani herself.<br><br>“No, we’ve got this,” she reassured Dani, not wanting to prolong any nervousness her question might have provoked. “But if you change your mind, I’m sure the crew’ll be hitting a hot spot or two after doin’ what needs to get done, if you find you’re of a mind to get off this tin can for a spell.”<br><br>As Si unobtrusively passed by the doorway giving them a perfunctory courteous nod, Dani turned and dipped her head in polite response as he made his way toward the galley. Sasha caught his dark glance lingering momentarily as his gaze swept over her body, and her eyes found his when they lifted back up to her face. Responding to the mute judgement in his drawn-out perusal, she parried with an exaggerated lift of her slender arched brow before flicking her gaze back to Dani as the medic returned her attention back to their conversation. <br><br>Sasha would never let on that she felt any amusement at making Si uncomfortable; no, she kept that little gem of enjoyment to herself. Simeon Gaorong had a bit of rigidness to him that her more...exotic wardrobe choices did not seem to set well with. Sasha had an inkling that Si believed that who a person chose to associate with was somewhat of a reflection on that person, and perhaps he wasn’t so keen on the reflection she cast upon him when she adorned herself with provocative fashion. <br><br><strong>"Thanks, Sasha.&nbsp; I appreciate anything you can do in regards to the meds. I know Persephone is not exactly Ariel, but with any luck...."</strong><br><br>A small smile returned to soften Sasha’s lips as the medic spoke about the medicine again, pain flickering across Dani’s face at some past memory that lingered still to haunt the woman in the present. The medic’s initiative in taking inventory and preparing a “shopping” list was appreciated; Dani could always be counted on for doing what needed to be done, without prompting. And the fact she felt comfortable enough to press an obvious point to the First Officer was a welcome forwardness from the woman who normally was reticent to voice her opinions around others - although Sasha would likely consider it belaboring the point by any other of the crew. <em>Maybe I do play favorites,</em> Sasha thought to herself, more than a little uncomfortable with that thought.<br><br>As Dani took her leave and headed in the direction Si had taken, she tossed a compliment and a smile over her shoulder to Sasha as she departed. The smile especially caused Sasha to smile warmly herself, unaware her expression clearly revealed her obvious fondness for the sweet but tormented medic.<br><br>Closing her cabin door with a metallic clang, Sasha moved to her personal computer terminal, the pads of her slender fingertips lightly sweeping over the touch-screen glass as she connected online. Perusing her contacts she scrolled through the avatars, selecting the person who could arrange for The Gamble’s cargo bay to get a thorough cleaning while in port.&nbsp; After quickly coordinating for that bit of pleasantry, she scrolled again, tapping on a handsome and familiar face.<br><br>“Sasha. How nice to hear from you...I hope this means you’re here on Persephone?” a rich baritone voice spilled warmly from the integrated speakers on her monitor.<br><br>“Hello, Jacob. We haven’t landed yet, but we should be there soon.”<br><br>“Where can I meet you? Ain’t no sunshine when you’re gone, baby, and...you’re always gone too long, anytime you go away -”<br><br>Sasha’s lips curved upward as he cheekily sung the last line; Jacob was one of her favorite planetside diversions, and she always enjoyed his company. Just the right combination of hot physical chemistry and mutual casualness about their non-relationship. They had an understanding that worked smoothly and deliciously for both of them, and luckily neither one had any desire to take things any further.<br><br>“We’ve got a few things to take care of first, but I’ll give you a shout when I know more about the timing.”<br><br>“I look forward to it...as always.”<br><br>“See you, Jacob.” <br><br>Signing off from her terminal, Sasha headed out the door. She turned in the opposite direction from where Si and Dani had gone, briskly striding toward the bow of the ship looking to hopefully catch Griff and finalize their plans, or to check with the pilots on their E.T.A. if she didn’t come across the Captain before reaching the cockpit.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>26-06-2011, 02:47:40</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Griffin Kingston, Captain - moving from engine room to his cabin on The Gamble - en route to Persephone=-</strong></div><br>Griff flashed a grin that Hayes couldn’t see with his back turned towards her. He knew full well the part was called a “Catalyzer,” he just enjoyed pushing her buttons every once in a while. He got a kick out of Hayes’ hard boiled personality and her in-your-face reactions whenever he got her all riled. <strong> “Catalyzer.”</strong> she emphasized promptly in her correctional tone he’d become all too familiar with during her two and a half years as his mechanic.<br><br><strong>“Wong Ba Duhn - I ain't tellin' you again Griff.”</strong> <br><br>The captain’s eyebrows arched high on his forehead at Hayes’ threatening tone. He raised a hand to calm her as she glared at him dangerously. “<em>Fang Xin Yao Nu!</em>” he interjected before she could drone on further. ‘Sides Hayes, that’s what you said the last time.” He chuckled as grabbed the handset to the comms console. It was an antiquated comms system on the ship, one that the previous mechanic had installed. Griff had found it for a steal of a price to replace the original system that had been fried when the old ship had been caught in a carrion house (http://www.fireflywiki.org/Firefly/CortexLexicon) “Hell, if’n I had my druthers, I’d let you give the whole dang engine an overhaulin’ and there’d be a whole slew of parts whose names I couldn’t remember… but that just ain’t an option.”<br><br><strong>“An' if you ask me, t'would make a whole lot more sense if you'd quit bein' so ornery over them credits, an' jus' let me get the darn thing. Jus’ sayin’ s’all.”</strong><br><br>Griff canted his head to one side and gave her a look that seemed to say, ‘Really?’ “Best not revisit that episode, not when we’re running so low on creds. It’d just remind me of exactly how <em>Xi Niao</em> I still am at you for blowin’ perfectly good creds, Hayes.”<br><br>He quickly switched the topic back to the engine and their current predicament in reaching Persephone. He knew they’d reach Persephone soon, but he wanted to get there sooner rather than later so they’d have time to procure and replenish all the food and supplies they needed before the local establishments closed for business. His remark about reaching Persephone before Meimei had grown into a respectable young woman of character and class was met by Hayes with a curt <strong>“Hah! In a pig's eye.” </strong><br><br>Griff snorted in agreement with her derisive assessment and buzzed the flight deck. The exchange was par for the course with Meimei and Vince at the controls. Sometimes Griff wondered if they ever took anything serious, but he couldn’t judge them too harshly as he had always been one to appreciate good sarcasm and humor and had been known to pull off a good prank on the crew members from time to time.<br><br><strong>Meimei: “Shun Sheng Duh Gao Wahn are you sure you wanna get that Feng Le?”</strong><br><br><strong>Hayes:“Heh, she's right Griff. Twenty percent's a peck too far. Y'all better make it a square nineteen an' not a smidgen more y'hear.” </strong><br><br>Griff grinned at the exchange between Vince and Meimei and the chastising administered by Hayes as she handed the handset back to him. “<em>Wo De Tian A, Bai Tuo, Uhn Jin Tee Dien!</em>&nbsp; Can y’all act like you got enough sense between the two of ya to at least <strong><em>almost</em></strong> equal one normal adult? <em>Da Shiong La Se La Ch'Wohn Tian.</em> He looked at Hayes with an amused grin and quipped. “And you wonder why I hired a second pilot…” He flashed a playful wink at Hayes as he continued with Meimei and Vince. “Y’all hear that? Not smidgen more ‘n nineteen percent. Anything over ‘n Hayes’ll know about it and I’ll let her personally come up there to clean both of your housings, <em> Dohn luh mah.</em><br><br>Without waiting for a response he ended the connection and laughed. “That should keep ‘em honest for a spell. Just keep us in the sky, Hayes. I know you can do it.” With that he turned and headed through the locker room and into the lounge. <br><br>He saw Si sitting at the table in the galley talking with Dani and paused only briefly. “You look nice, Si. I hope you’re not planning on some quality time with a doxy once we touch down, chief? We got some business to tend to and some affairs to get in order before we can think about such pleasantness. I’m gonna need you to keep Sasha company today, watch her six. I’ve gotta go talk to a man about a cata.. about a an engine part.” He knew that Si always dressed nice and fancy and he appreciated the air of professionalism he brought to the crew, but he couldn’t resist the urge to crack wise on Si about it every chance he got. Shifting his attention to Dani, he nodded quietly, a lighthearted grin still on lips. “Dani,” he said simply. "I'm running short on time and I plumb stink. I'm in a dreadful need of a wash, so would you be a dear and round up the crew down in the cargo hold? I wanna holler at everyone 'fore they done gone and run off. 'Specially Meimei. " Switching his focus back to Si, he said in his serious, down to business tone, “We should be touching down directly, so … “ but he didn’t need to finish his sentence because Si was already ready.<br><br>Turning again he moved through the lounge and galley at a brisk pace. He still needed a shower and a change of clothes before they set down. He hung a left once out of the lounge and passed by Sasha’s room on his way to his cabin. The smell of jasmine still hung in the air and he knew at once that a freshly showered Sasha had recently headed down this corridor, probably searching for him to discuss the specifics. <br><br>As he turned the corner of the corridor that lead to his cabin and the flight deck, he saw Sasha ahead as she was about to step into the cockpit. “Sasha,” he called out to her as he opened his cabin door. Stepping halfway into his quarters he gestured to her to follow him inside. “A word please?” He disappeared inside, leaving the door open and crossing over to the simple couch in his living quarters. He peeled the sweat stained and damp shirt from his body and wiped the sweat from his face once more before tossing the shirt in the hamper. Unfastening his belt, he pushed his combat fatigues down past his knees and sank onto the couch before he began unlacing his combat boots. He glanced up to see if Sasha had entered the room yet.<br><br><div align="center">******</div>Fang xin yao nu = Don’t worry demon woman<br>Wo De Tian A, Bai Tuo, Uhn Jin Tee Dien = Dear god in heaven, We will enjoy your silence now<br>Da Shiong La Se La Ch'Wohn Tian. = Explosive diahrrea of an elephant<br>Dohn luh mah. = Are we clear?<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>26-06-2011, 10:31:44</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- in the cockpit with Vincent – entering Persephone atmo on final approach ready for landing ~</strong></div><br><br><br><em>"Thirty-nine percent? Over here it sounded like the mechanic said ninety. That's all the permission I need. Floor it!" </em> <br><br>This had Mae grinning from ear to ear as her hand shook with the temptation to do just that. It took all of her restraint to hold the speed to a steady and slow increase, giving it no more than nineteen percent increase. MeiMei was fond of her face as it was, eyes blacked only by makeup and her nose as cute as a button and lips soft like that of a rose petal framing her pretty mouth complete with a full set of teeth. No doubt had she gone a smidgen over the approved increase she would be missing more than a few.&nbsp; Her smile seemed to twinkle in her eyes as she passed a sassy wink towards Vincent as he offered himself for the job of Kai Tze, if only he was serious, she would take him up on it faster than a Jien Huo. <br><br>Mae worked feverishly at ignoring the persistent devil on her shoulder. Most people had an angel on the other side helping to counteract the naughty suggestions whispered by the more daring side. Mae’s angel however had long since been hogtied, gagged and thrown out into the vastness of deep space left forever wondering where that sweet little girl went that use to be the apple of her father’s eye. Left with a constant whisper of naughty encouragement, she had to rely upon her own will to avoid catastrophe where ever possible, so far it was hit or miss. <br><br><em>"You know me, Mae, I'm always eager to cater to your desires. Unfortunately you're going to need to wait a bit longer for the boxers since I don't have any on me at the moment." </em> <br><br>Closing her eyes and trying not to give into the wicked fantasies of what she would do to Vincent given half the chance she almost jumped completely out of her skin when Vincent remarked about going commando, and as a result her hands slipped while increasing the speed moving the boat from twelve to seventeen too fast to soon causing a shiver of protest from the beasts belly. Before Mae was able to recover from the delicious image of her co-pilot that teased her brain, the voice of her Captain sounded over the squawk box crackling with the static of the exchange but not enough to hide neither the tone used nor the dig at her intelligence or lack thereof.&nbsp; <br><br><em>“Wo De Tian A, Bai Tuo, Uhn Jin Tee Dien! Can y’all act like you got some sense between the two of ya to at least almost equal one normal adult? Da Shiong La Se La Ch'Wohn Tian.”</em><br><br>Mae’s eyes narrowed in defense as she struggled to keep her temper. Sometimes Griff sounded far too much like her father for her own comfort level and on such occasions she would reply with two simple words loaded down with enough sarcasm to sink a ship. “Yes Daddy.”&nbsp; Taking a deep breath Mae willed her mind to push away from the naughty dreams of ravishing Vincent as he lay helpless in her cot, tied so not to escape, and focused once more at the job at hand. Her fingers gripped the controls with just the right amount of pressure, slowly building the ships speed to the accepted nineteen percent. Her eyes scanned the black looking for any sign of trouble and willing the welcoming image of Persephone.<br><br>Her attention now on her job, Mae went quiet as she was sometimes known to be. Her body became an extension of the controls, feeling her way through the inky blackness of space. She flew well. So much so that some had accused her of being a reader, for her quick reactions where so fast it seemed like she saw trouble coming before it had even arrived. The accusations made her smile and on occasion she would act the part, telling a fib or two for her own amusement. The plain truth was that the only thing Mae read was the instructions on her personal toys on how to charge the batteries. She was good at what she did because she flew with her emotions. Her body became an extension of the ship, feeling its vibrations and letting its whispers tell her of its needs. Like a lovers caress, Mae knew what made the boat hum and cry out with a need that could be so powerful she could feel it in her bits. <br><br>It wasn’t long before the image of Persephone came into view and with it a sigh of relief that dripped from her lips. The hidden fear of being stuck out in space with a bum ship eased from the back of her mind as the tension slipped from her shoulders, yet the steely grip on the boats controls never once wavered. The closer she came to entering the planets atmo the more relaxed the teen became. The tension waning from her body she returned to the friendly banter between herself and Vincent.&nbsp; “Wo Bu Shin Wo Dah Yan Jing! Ain’t it a sight! I don’t know about you but I plan on finding the nearest bar for a drink, and if there is a dance or two going I won’t be planin’ on turnin’ em down.”&nbsp; <br><br>Reaching for the boats intercom Mae cleared her throat and prepared to make the warning announcement to her fellow crew members and their only passenger. “This is your pilot speaking, we are just about to enter Persephone atmo in about…oh I would estimate three minutes time. The weather looks to be boringly moderate with a slightly overcast day with spots of sunshine, we may die a horrible and painful death one day but not today! We are looking at an easy descent.&nbsp; Please make sure your seats are in an upright and locked position, secure all baggage, keep your hands and feet to yourself, speak kind words and have a super day! Thank you for flying air Gamble.<br><br>The young and excited pilot guided the boat through the skies, entering the atmo of the targeted planet, skimming through the city (http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20081008211514/firefly/images/thumb/9/9c/City_of_Persephone.png/830px-City_of_Persephone.png) with the expertise of an ace flyer and the excitement of a child on her birthday. As the Eavesdown Docks &nbsp;(http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20081008211515/firefly/images/thumb/f/fe/EavesdownDocks-SerenityEp.png/830px-EavesdownDocks-SerenityEp.png) came into view Mae began the process for landing, finding a docking bay and conversing with the ground control for landing approval, not that she was planning on listening should for some reason they be denied, but the false intent was expected and procedure. <br><br>“Eavesdown approach, Dragonfly transport, Bravo-Two-Niner, squawk 2346, three minutes to Whiskey, Golf received.” Mae called out in a clear and surprisingly professional voice. She glanced at Vincent and waggled her eyebrows comically as she waited for the control to reply.<br><br><br><em>Approach:<br>Good afternoon Dragonfly Bravo-Two-Niner, Eavesdown approach, radar contact WHISKEY, continue via SOUTH1, descend to 5000 ft. Golf correct, qnh 1017</em>.<br><br><br>“Eavesdown approach, Dragonfly Bravo-Two-Niner, Negative SOUTH1, request vectoring for ILS approach docking bay three-zero” Mae replied as she crossed&nbsp; her eyes and wobbled her head back and forth like a bobble head doll.<br><br><em>Approach: <br>Dragonfly Bravo-Two-Niner, Roger. Standby</em>.<br><br><br>“Eavesdown approach, Dragonfly Bravo-Two-Niner, 5000ft altitude.” Mae again informed the landing control, waiting for a moment to time the response with a movement of her hand as if it was talking, amusing herself into another gigglesnort.<br><br><em>Approach:<br>Dragonfly Bravo-Two-Niner, approach. turn left heading three-three-zero, reduce speed to two-five-zero knots. vectoring for ILS approach, docking bay three-zero</em>.<br><br>“Don’t you think this guy sounds like he has a stick up his ass?” Mae asked Vincent, her voice coated with false concern.&nbsp; She smiled as she once again replied into the radio, this time using a fake accent just for the hell of it. “Approach, Dragonfly Bravo-Two-Niner. turn left heading three-three-zero, reduce speed to two-five-zero knots. vectoring for ILS approach, docking bay three-zero. Roger.”<br><br>There was a slight pause and Mae was sure she detected the sound of laughter in the background as once more the professional sounding voice filtered over the radio from the Ground Control.<br><br><em>Approach:<br>Dragonfly Bravo-Two-Niner, approach, turn left heading three-zero-zero. distance one-five nauticals from touchdown, cleared for ILS approach docking bay three-zero. Check your minima.</em><br><br>“Approach, Dragonfly Bravo-Two-Niner, cleared for ILS approach docking bay three-zero. commencing descent.” Mae replied resisting the urge to break up her speech as if they were having radio problems. She enjoyed messing with them in the tower but even she had her limits when safety was concerned.<br><br><br><em>Approach:<br>Dragonfly Bravo-Two-Niner, approach. Roger that. Welcome to Persephone. Have a nice day</em>.<br><br>With the Dragonfly Ship now safely docked Mae smiled at the warm and somewhat stiff welcome from the control. Her fingers danced across the controls turning buttons and flipping switches in the final shut down as she replied into the radio unable to resist one final poke. “ Why thank you Control, I’m very happy to be here. Ai Ya! I need a shower somethin’ bad. I smell like Ri shao gou shi bing! There ain’t enough creds in the verse to get me off this ship smellin’ like them goarrum mutts!”<br><br>The laughter that filtered over the static radio crackled and had the young pilot smiling as the words greeted her ear. <em>“You take that shower MeiMei and then be sure to get that sweet ass of yours over here. You still owe me from the last time you dropped by.”</em><br><br>“Come again control?” Mae replied “the…can’t…..static…..trouble….you” the punch of the button to turn off the two way filtered out the loud laughter and ribbing the guys in the control room were directing to their colleague for striking out with the well known flirty pilot of The Gamble as Mae busied herself with her security straps.&nbsp; <br><br>A smile played on her pretty face as she slipped from her seat and reached for the ceiling, her hands held high above her head as she stretched her slim figure, working out all the kinks from sitting way to long.&nbsp; “I do need to shower before we go, if you find yourself in the vicinity I’ll leave the door unlocked, let yourself in.”&nbsp; Tossing a flirty smile and a wink over towards Vincent she turned and walked from the cockpit, adding an extra sway to her hips for his benefit and headed for her bunk.<br><br><div align="center">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><br><br>Male companion or boyfriend: Kai Tze<br>Cheap floozy: Jien Huo.<br>I don't believe my eyes!: Wo Bu Shin Wo Dah Yan Jing<br>Pile of sun-baked dog poo: Ri shao gou shi bing. <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>27-06-2011, 00:42:19</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent - in the cockpit with Mei Mei - en route to Persephone=-</strong></div><br>Vincent felt his stomach do a somersault in his abdomen as his flirtatious remark caused MeiMei's hand to slip slightly, causing the lamed ship to accelerate a little too quick to be within the margins of safety.&nbsp; His eyes snapped to his terminal where another yellow light had appeared as though the ship itself was voicing it's protest to the timing of his remark.&nbsp; After a few moments, the light flicked off and the copilot's posture became a little more lax in his chair.&nbsp; Though he suddenly found his chair's restraints more of a risk to his well being at the moment.&nbsp; Something like that was bound to provoke Hayes at least marginally and possibly to the point where she would pay them a 'visit'.&nbsp; In such a situation, being bond to his chair would only make him that much more of an easy target for a wrench turned projectile or bludgeoning instrument.&nbsp; Vincent promptly freed himself from the extra belts save for the single strap around his waist and listened carefully for any heavy footsteps approaching the helm or the dimming of lights as something purely malevolent approached.<br><br>It was that attention to sound that made Mae's reply to Griff ring all the more clearly in his mind.&nbsp; His left eye twitched only slightly as she referred to the captain as 'daddy', as was the standard tick that came with a reminder that there were other suitors.&nbsp; That was assuming that Vincent was regarded as such, though he could not be sure whether or not that was the case.&nbsp; The helm became silent as MeiMei focused upon her job and Vincent focused upon pushing those disheartening thoughts from his mind.&nbsp; As a result, they redirected to more pressing matters at hand; namely the planet where they'll be docking.&nbsp; His home planet was not so much that anymore as a particular group held some personal grudges for the former courier after he had taken a few shadowy assignments that goaded the displeasure of a few individuals with plenty of power and subordinates.&nbsp; They wouldn't go as far as to expend the necessary resources to hunt him down, but should he provide them with a convenient moment of opportunity, they would not hesitate to abduct him and make the remaining few hours of his life as miserable as possible.&nbsp; Which is why he had intended upon remaining on the ship during their stay.<br><br><em>“Wo Bu Shin Wo Dah Yan Jing! Ain’t it a sight! I don’t know about you but I plan on finding the nearest bar for a drink, and if there is a dance or two going I won’t be planin’ on turnin’ em down.”</em><br><br>With those words, MeiMei deftly executed those very intensions.&nbsp; <em>Fuck'em.&nbsp; I'll be damned if I sit idle and allow the opportunity for further competition.</em>&nbsp; As long as he remained in public areas, out of alleys, and off the streets after dark, he felt marginally confident that he wouldn't be putting himself in any real danger.&nbsp; Plus, those particular individuals viewed themselves as being far more civilized than those involved in unorganized crime and made it a point to all but eliminate collateral damage.&nbsp; Since he would be traveling with Mae, they would wait until he was separated from her before making their move.&nbsp; It would take a hell of a lot more than that to deter Vincent from the chance to feel Mae's lithe body press against his on the dance floor after a few inhibition reducing drinks.&nbsp; "Fresh air devoid of the pungent animal musk of the ship sounds like a <em>fantastic</em> thing, along with alcohol to help forget the smell."&nbsp; His face had regained its playful demeanor as he shot her a suggestive grin.&nbsp; "Mind if I tag along with you?&nbsp; If nothing else, I'll dutifully fill the role of designated dancer and help fend off any creepers that may be in the clubs."&nbsp; <em>And should we get a little frisky with one another in the process, things would be all the better for it.</em><br><br>Vince tried to contain his laughter as Mae incorporated comical visuals to the pilot-traffic controller speak that was not only unnecessarily enigmatic to just about everybody who wasn't in those two groups, but also extremely long winded.&nbsp; Though, he supposed that it was the very purpose of tradition to turn an otherwise simple procedure into a ciphered word problem; which was all the more reason that the two of them made it a point to display their contemptuous humor regarding the matter.&nbsp; Of course when it came to matters of takeoff and landing, they knew better than to let themselves get too carried away.&nbsp; More often than not, it was during those times that pilot error cost lives and any person worthy of the title knew that.<br><br><em>“You take that shower MeiMei and then be sure to get that sweet ass of yours over here. You still owe me from the last time you dropped by.”</em><br><br>The co-pilot suddenly found himself thankful that The Gamble was not equipped with target guided missiles as the traffic controller made that comment.&nbsp; Some things could easily be dismissed with an 'Oops, my finger slipped.'&nbsp; Vince had a distant suspicion that blowing the control tower sky high was not a scenario that would fall under that category.&nbsp; Of course, the temptation to do an empirical test on that theory was predominant in his mind even as Mae shut them down.&nbsp; Fortunately, Vincent's expression of gleeful malice towards the control tower was easily interpreted as deviously amused and Mae wouldn't have been able to follow his line of thought.&nbsp; All of that went away the moment he saw Mae stretch her supple body and his mind was overtaken by the desire to embrace her from behind so he could feel her tense muscles for himself.<br><br><em>“I do need to shower before we go, if you find yourself in the vicinity I’ll leave the door unlocked, let yourself in.”</em><br><br>Vincent's eyes widened, his jaw went slack, and his heart raced with that comment as he felt his gaze lock on the enticing sway of her hips as she left the room.&nbsp; His hands fumbled clumsily with the buckle as he unfastened his seatbelt as he felt the sudden need for a shower even though he had taken one only a few hours prior.&nbsp; Just as he was about to stand, he got the impression that the past few moments had somehow caused his pants to shrink by several sizes and felt it best to remain seated for a few more moments.&nbsp; He could ill afford the displeasure of the captain should he trip and put a noticeable dent in the metal decking from where his pelvis impacted.<br><br><hr><div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent - Leaving the helm - Currently landed upon Persephone =-</strong></div><br>A short while later, Vincent had managed to get himself under control and stepped out of the helm.&nbsp; He knocked lightly upon Mae's cabin door and got no response, indicating that she was already in the shower.&nbsp; Probably for the best considering that he had no idea what he would have said had she been there to answer his knocks.&nbsp; His eyes drifted in the direction of the ship's shower; his pulse once again began to race.&nbsp; Suppressing his nerves with an anxious swallow, Vincent made his way to it until he stood outside of the door.&nbsp; The sound of the water running caused his mind to picture Mae's naked form glistening wet and his nerves and excitement redoubled.&nbsp; <em>She invited you, she wanted you to join her.</em>&nbsp; His hands shook as he reached out for the door and tested it; just as she said, it had been left unlocked and the realization caused a fresh spike of nervousness and desire to rush through him.&nbsp; <em>See?!&nbsp; She was serious.&nbsp; She wants <em>you</em> in <em>there</em> with <em>her</em>.&nbsp; If she was joking, she wouldn't have left the door unlocked...&nbsp; Unless she forgot...&nbsp; And if that were the case...</em>&nbsp; Vincent winced at the potential fallout if he walked in on her without a genuine invitation.&nbsp; It could potentially cost him his job, but worst of all, it could cost him his chances with Mae.&nbsp; He clenched his teeth with frustration as he released his grip on the door handle as his gathered courage to join her in the shower eroded.&nbsp; His head lowered with defeat as he cursed under his breath.&nbsp; "Ta ma de...&nbsp; Tai-kong suo-yo duh shing-chiou sai-jin wuh duh pee-goo. Vincent, you are pathetic."&nbsp; In the moment of disappointment with himself, he forgot what was before him as he knocked his head against the door.&nbsp; The thud that was made when he did so instantly reminded him of the door and who was on the other side, surely able to have heard it despite the running water.<br><br>A quick surge of adrenaline pulsed through him as MeiMei reacted to the knock, but his panic already had him turned around and moving quickly towards the front of the ship.&nbsp; Away from the woman of his desires and the utter embarrassment of his cowardice.<br><br><hr>Dammit - Ta ma de<br>Tai-kong suo-yo duh shing-chiou sai-jin wuh duh pee-goo - Shove all the planets in the universe up my ass.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>28-06-2011, 05:21:29</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, in the Galley, talking with Si, waiting for Griff=-</strong></div><br>Si baffled Dani.&nbsp; He was always so polite and so well dressed.&nbsp; He looked like he'd just stepped out of an office on a Core planet, rather than floating around the 'verse with the likes of the crew of The Gamble. He had an old-worldliness about him that was somewhat endearing, but also had a tendancy to make you feel wrong footed.&nbsp; Dani guessed that in his current line of work, it was useful to be able to put people off their game, even if it was only momentarily.&nbsp; Sometimes, a moment was all that was needed.<br><br>His commentary on Sasha's attire made Dani smile. She knew that he knew that it was highly unlikely she'd ever have the desire, or the nerve!, to pull off the First Officer's wardrobe, and that he was just teasing.&nbsp; When Si had first come aboard, he had scared her plum silly. She felt he had a way of looking not just at her, but into her, and for the longest time it made her very uncomfortable.&nbsp; Now, though, Dani appreciated the sense of calm that Si projected. His presence had a way of soothing her nerves, and she never felt like she should be 'making conversation' with him, like some of the other crew. Dani felt almost as safe with him as she did with Griff and Sasha. <br><br>Before she could respond to Si's gentle teasing, Griff emerged from the supply locker passage way, looking remarkably calm, given that he had been locking horns with Hayes - something which Dani had managed to avoid so far.&nbsp; She suspected it was because she didn't argue with the ornery mechanic.&nbsp; She made a point of staying out of Hayes's way, unless Hayes herself asked for assistance, which Dani was more than happy to provide.<br><br><strong>"You look nice, Si. I hope you’re not planning on some quality time with a doxy once we touch down, chief? We got some business to tend to and some affairs to get in order before we can think about such pleasantness. I’m gonna need you to keep Sasha company today, watch her six. I’ve gotta go talk to a man about a cata.. about a an engine part." </strong><br><br>Dani's eyes dropped to the floor at Griff's mention of Si visiting a doxy. Such talk made her uncomfortable, even though she knew that of course the crew would be looking for some intimacy any way they could.&nbsp; She hadn't been able to bring herself to lay with a man since the attack, and she didn't know if she ever would again. The thought didn't particularly concern her. She had her hands more than full with keeping the crew alive and somewhat healthy. Thankfully Griff didn't belabour the point.<br><br><strong>"Dani, I'm running short on time and I plumb stink. I'm in a dreadful need of a wash, so would you be a dear and round up the crew down in the cargo hold? I wanna holler at everyone 'fore they done gone and run off. 'Specially Meimei."</strong><br><br>Refraining from agreeing with Griff about his aroma, Dani nodded, thankful to have something to do. "Sure thing, Griff," she replied softly. She suspected he had ulterior motives whenever he had her do things like this. She knew he worried that she was still wasn't letting anybody get close, and that she still kept herself somewhat apart from most of the crew. Tasks like this one forced her to interact with everyone, which she suspected was his goal.&nbsp; Dani knew he had her best interests at heart, and didn't begrudge him his methods.&nbsp; Who knows, just maybe they'd work. Eventually. <br><br>Rather than race all over the ship and probably miss half the crew as they busied themselves with last minute preparations for disembarking, Dani figured she'd just make her way to the cargo hold now and wait for the crew to come to her. There was only one way off the boat, so by positioning herself near the exit, she'd be able to catch everyone on the way out. Convincing Mei-Mei to wait for Griff might be a difficult task, though.&nbsp; Dani imagined that their resident teen would be itching to hit Persephone's night spots.&nbsp; She only hoped that she would take one of the male crew with her. Brutal attacks could happen anywhere, even on Core planets, and Dani would hate to have to patch Mae up because she'd gotten herself into trouble with the yokels.<br><br>Turning back to Si, she smiled at him. "Would you mind giving me a hand, Si? I'm not going to round everyone up, just grab them before they leave, but I suspect there might be a few complaints about the delay. They're unlikely to holler too loudly if you're there, though."&nbsp; There was nothing wrong with a bit of backup, right?<br><br><strong>“This is your pilot speaking, we are just about to enter Persephone atmo in about…oh I would estimate three minutes time. The weather looks to be boringly moderate with a slightly overcast day with spots of sunshine, we may die a horrible and painful death one day but not today! We are looking at an easy descent.&nbsp; Please make sure your seats are in an upright and locked position, secure all baggage, keep your hands and feet to yourself, speak kind words and have a super day! Thank you for flying air Gamble."</strong><br><br>The announcement from Mae came as Dani was heading down to the cargo hold with Si.&nbsp; They crossed the empty bay, ignoring the still lingering stench of the dogs.&nbsp; In truth, the joy of having the animals onboard outweighed the smell as far as Dani was concerned.&nbsp; She'd loved caring for them, and could often be found simply petting them when she had no duties to perform. She'd taken in upon herself to make sure they were not just fed, watered, and toileted, but that they were shown some affection during their trip. Afterall, it wasn't their fault that they were stuck in space.<br><br>Approaching the cargo bay doors, the notible change in the vibrations of the ship told Dani that they were docking at Eavesdown.&nbsp; Sliding her backside up onto one of the cargo platforms closest to the exit, she waited for the rest of the crew to start making their way downstairs.&nbsp; 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>28-06-2011, 06:29:54</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - Galley -&gt; Cargo bay - aboard The Gamble, docked on Persephone=-</strong></div><br>Griff's introductory remark came before Si could gauge how his humor had landed, but the doctor's smile was reassuring enough that he hadn't missed the mark, at least. “You look nice, Si. I hope you’re not planning on some quality time with a doxy once we touch down, chief? We got some business to tend to and some affairs to get in order before we can think about such pleasantness. I’m gonna need you to keep Sasha company today, watch her six. I’ve gotta go talk to a man about a cata.. about a an engine part.” <br><br>"Hao hao, Captain. Unless you have taken to referring to Miss Dearing as a doxy - and please, if you choose to do so now, do let me know first as I would very much like to see her reply - I cannot say that being in the company of such a person is on my agenda. After all," he added as he stood and smoothed down his vest, "I would hate to tarnish my image with the crew. I know you all think so very highly of me that any disappointment would be crushing to morale."<br><br>The veteran gathered his P.A.D. to tuck it away while Griff shared a moment with Dani and situated himself beside the doctor by the time they'd finished, prime positioning to offer her a short bow and the crook of his arm when he straightened. "Not at all. I would be honored to give you my hand, Miss Marsdan, and its attached arm if that would help. Any excuse to corral certain portions of this crew is worth using to the fullest." The older man provided a friendly smile when she accepted, her hand on his sleeve, and set his other hand on top of hers - as was proper - as they made their way down the stairs into the hold to the tune of Miss Little's landing announcement. Yes, the smell of those dogs lingered still, and he was not immune to it any more than the other members of the crew. It was not something that bothered him, however. The dogs seemed healthy and would grow up into fine animals. Si had not taken to attending them personally, but he did stop by the hold more than once to watch them and reminisce on simpler times, when he was little more than a pup himself.<br><br>"I cannot decide if it is a pity we did not keep one of the cargo for the ship or if it is for the best we did not. An uncomplicated companion is a welcome respite from our usual passengers, but it takes little imagination to picture how little Miss Hayes would appreciate a four-legged visitor in her engine room, regardless how jubilant his company." He wanted to ask if she had always been a dog person, but...asking about the doctor's past never ended well - he'd learned that fairly early on after joining the crew. He was in a position to understand unwillingness to discuss one's past, but in Miss Marsdan's case it seemed to be something more. Some wounds are best not opened without good cause. Instead he asked, "If you were to come ashore with us - now now, I know you are much too busy here to leave the ship, but if you did, is there anywhere you would like to see? I could stop to take a few pictures on our way if you would like a view of the city, albeit one on a small scale."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>29-06-2011, 00:46:19</strong>
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				<strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer - Aboard The Gamble, heading from her cabin toward the Captain’s quarters and the cockpit - approaching Persephone ~</strong><br><br>The muted clink of her heeled boots against the metal floor of the corridor provided percussive accompaniment to Sasha’s purposeful stride as she made her way toward the Captain’s quarters. Reaching his cabin she paused and raised her hand to knock; her wrist loose, she sharply rapped the back of her knuckles against his closed door.&nbsp; Not hearing an answering reply she continued on toward the flight deck; but as she was about to step into the cockpit she heard the Captain’s voice behind her.<br><br><strong>“Sasha, a word please?”</strong><br><br>Turning back toward the corridor, Sasha followed Griff’s disappearing form as he slipped inside his cabin, her mouth puckering into a slightly irritated moue at his tone of voice. Stepping into his quarters she stopped just inside the entryway, her slender hands resting jauntily on the black lace fabric curving softly over her hips as she cooly watched Griff undressing in front of her. <br><br>“And apparently the word is...‘naked’?” she tossed at him as her eyes roamed appreciatively over the wide expanse of his bare chest, her glance slowly traveling to skim over his form-fitting white boxer briefs and strong muscular thighs, all of which were nonchalantly exposed to her view. With his fatigues pooled at his ankles, Griff’s state of undress left little to the imagination. Sasha’s nostrils flared almost imperceptibly as she inhaled the masculine musky scent of him, her pupils dilating slightly in subconscious reaction. Her pink tongue slipping out to lick the corner of her mouth, Sasha felt a pleasurable heat begin to coil within her as her warm blue gaze lingered on Griff’s toned, taut body. Suddenly the cabin felt a bit too intimate for her comfort.<br><br>Sasha was appreciative of the camaraderie she had with Griff, the ease with which they worked so well together, but she knew sometimes there was only a razor’s edge between fun flirting and furiously fucking. The fact that Griff felt comfortable enough to strip practically naked in front of her she chose to safely interpret to mean that he saw her as “one of the guys”. The last thing she needed was to complicate things by sleeping with the captain of the Ri shao gou shi bing ship she worked aboard!&nbsp; Besides, it was the well-know fact that the Captain was a shameless flirt that made her feel comfortable flirting back with him. If his flirting ever turned serious, or narrowed in focus to just herself, she’d no doubt shut down immediately.<br><br>Men and women working together in such close quarters for extended periods of time was definitely a potential minefield. Sasha had picked up on the fact that there was some level of sexual tension between Mae and Griff...and Mae and Vincent...and hell, Mae and probably every red-blooded man in the ‘verse and no small number of women as well, she chuckled to herself - and who could blame them? But the beautiful and high-spirited young pilot was blessedly emotionally unscarred and therefore could afford to play in dangerous emotional waters fearlessly. Sasha honestly hoped Mae would continue to navigate life the way she always seemed to navigate the black; adventurous enough to play with fire but also smart - and lucky - enough to always skip away unscathed. <br><br>With Sasha and Griff it was considerably more complicated, and any sexual tension weighed much heavier between them. Each carried their own emotional baggage from painful pasts - Sasha with vast trainloads of the stuff.&nbsp; And, their business relationship was such that they worked side-by-side so often, if the flirty banter ever slid into serious it would no doubt careen their working relationship completely off the rails.<br><br>Her hands crossed behind the small of her back, Sasha leaned her body against the doorjamb, her head tilted back against the frame and her long legs crossed at the ankle. As Sasha stood fully clothed in all black and Griff lounged practically beneath her on the couch almost nude, the air between them was suddenly thick with barely leashed sexual energy. Alone together in this room, at this moment, they were simply a man and a woman, the overpowering chemistry between them calling out an irresistible siren’s song of seduction.&nbsp; But as Sasha’s heated gaze focused on where the perfection of Griff’s golden mocha skin was marred here and there with various scars - parting gifts from his days of combat - she suddenly felt the familiar churning, gut-clenching pain take hold as she was reminded of the war...of the Alliance. Jarred back to the moment and the reality of their professional positions of Captain and First Officer, Sasha straightened to a tall standing position, growling with an edge to her voice, “So what’s the plan, Captain?”&nbsp; The moment - or probably her imagination of a moment - had passed.<br><br><br><em>Ri shao gou shi bing = Pile of sun-baked dog poo</em>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>30-06-2011, 06:55:23</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston, Captain – Aboard The Gamble, Talking with Sasha in his quarters and undressing to shower – approaching Persephone =-</strong></div> <br><br>As Griff sat on the comfortable old couch, he leaned over one knee as nimble fingers deftly unlaced the well worn, sturdy, black combat boots he favored. He slipped one boot from his foot and sat it neatly in place next to him before he began unlacing the other. Hearing the soft rustle of the near-diaphanous material of Sasha’s ensemble, Griff glanced up as she drifted gracefully into the room. As his eyes met hers, she settled herself against the door jam, hands clasped behind her back and her long, shapely legs crossed at the ankles.<br><br><strong>“And apparently the word is...‘naked’?”</strong><br><br>“It ain’t nothing you ain’t already seen before,” Griff said as his eyes wandered adoringly over Sasha’s soft, bare stretch of flesh as she leaned against the door jam. He all but froze, mesmerized by the stunning visage of beauty standing before him; such was a common occurrence with Griff where Sasha was concerned. Her flashy style of dress invariably complimented her resplendent beauty, flawlessly accentuating her impeccable feminine curves. She never ceased to render him speechless for those first few seconds every time he saw her, and this time was certainly no different as his milk chocolate eyes strayed to the bikini panties that hugged her so exquisitely. <br><br>The truth was Griff was drawn to Sasha. He felt a certain emotional connection to her that he hadn’t felt for as long as he could remember. However, Griff was keenly aware of Sasha’s fragile emotional state when it came to matters of the heart and made a conscious effort to mask his true feelings for her, for the sake of her own emotional well-being. They worked well together and he valued her calm under pressure, her sound advice in a tough spot, her administrative know how, and her prowess when things got hairy. The bottom line was that he didn’t want to put his friendship, nor their working relationship in jeopardy. Still, he found it difficult to keep his feelings in check when it came to Sasha.<br><br>Then there was the matter of his own baggage that he still carried with him from his last meaningful relationship some 10 years prior, when he was still with the Alliance. She was a career officer, Lieutenant, junior grade. They were very much in love with other and had planned on getting married when Griff had his change of heart in regards to the Alliance. She was furious with him and refused to leave with him, choosing the Alliance over him. The split up rocked Griff to the core and he spent nearly a year drinking himself into a bottle to drown the pain of losing the woman he loved. Though the pain and his love had long since died away, there still wasn’t a day that didn’t pass without Renee entering his thoughts in some fashion.<br><br>It was Meimei’s announcement that they would soon be entering Persephone atmo that brought him back from his daydreaming fantasies and sent his hands back to work unlacing the other combat boot. He smirked and shook his head at Meimei accompanied by the soft chuckle of amusement. “That girl ain’t right,” he said as he looked up to Sasha with a smile on his face. Setting his boot next to the first, Griff pushed his combat trousers down past his ankles and pulled them from his feet before standing up once more and stretching his arms high overhead, flexing all the muscles in his abs, chest and arms. His entire body glistened in a thin sheen of sweat, accentuating the tiniest of shadows and slightest of highlights on his body. As he brought his hands back down, thumbs hooking inside the waistband of his white boxer briefs, he thought for a moment that she might have been looking at him with a wanton look in her eyes and his pulse picked up a step. He contemplated pushing his boxers briefs down right then and there, but thought better of it in the final moment when that familiar, pained expression filled her gorgeous blue eyes once more.<br><br><strong>“So what’s the plan, Captain?”</strong><br><br>He saw the shift in her posture as she stiffened, standing tall and he knew she was all business. He turned, moving to the faux mahogany wardrobe, opened one door and grabbed a clean towel. Crossing to the small private bath in his quarters, he reached inside and hung the towel on the hook before leaning back out the door again to face Sasha.<br><br>“Well, I need to go talk to Kessler about getting us a new calta… catala… about getting a new part for the engine so we don’t end up on the drift or sitting dead on some backwater mudhole. Plus I need to meet with our new guy, McPherson, I think is his name. So, I’m gonna have Si accompany you on the meet with Ferret. He’ll watch your six and keep you safe. Hayes is gonna stay behind and get the old girl ready for the new part and get her refueled so, we need Meimei and Vince to pull their weight and see to getting our food stocks replenished and whatever Dani needs for the infirmary. I’m guessin’ she’s gonna stay onboard as well. I may take the new guy and swing by Waldon’s…&nbsp; see if he’s got any specials on ammo. So,” he checked his watch briefly and looked up at her again. “whattaya think two or three hours be time enough to see everything done and meet back here?”<br><br>As he waited for her reply, he pushed the boxers down his hips and stepped out of them, tossing them out near the couch where he had sat just moments before, anxious to wash the sweat and stink from his body. Secretly, he wanted nothing more than to invite Sasha to join him, but he knew, at least for now, that could not be.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>02-07-2011, 06:31:31</strong>
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				<strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer - in the Captain’s quarters Aboard The Gamble - landing at Eavesdown Docks on Persephone ~</strong><br><br>As Griff continued to disrobe in front of her, Sasha forced her eyes to remain on his face, tried to force her mind to focus on the job. Her draped black lace dress veiled her completely as she wore it now, although it did nothing to ease her sudden restlessness as she held herself in an almost militaristically rigid position.&nbsp; Despite outwardly displaying the epitome of a professional demeanor, internally Sasha was struggling to maintain her composure. As her chest rose and fell with each breath, the soft lace of her dress lightly grazed against her breasts, gently coaxing her rose-tinged nipples to harden in response to the unexpected and unwelcome sensual caresses. Sasha frowned in aggravation, shifting her stance to try and alleviate the disturbing responses of her passionate woman’s body. <em>It must have been me talking with Jacob and my looking forward to enjoying him, got my mind a bit hazy and my body acting like a hun dan jien huo!</em> she tried to explain her reaction away to herself.<br><br>Although her black dress provided full coverage of her body at first glance, more than a hint of her smooth, creamy skin was enticingly visible underneath. Perhaps most noticeable would be the small expanse between the tops of her thigh-high latex leggings and panties, where the pale creaminess of her skin was tantalizing revealed - if anyone were to look closely. Which Sasha had the uncomfortable impression Griff was casually doing right now, to her continued consternation. <em>Damn his hard body and hot, chocolate eyes!</em> Sasha’s teeth bit firmly into her lush lower lip as she focused on calming her body and clearing her mind.<br><br><strong>“It ain’t nothing you ain’t already seen before.”</strong><br><br><em>Now that’s an understatement.</em> Sasha groused to herself, still struggling to tamp down her passions - and by this point pretty much just wanting to get the hell out of there. The Captain certainly could never be accused of modesty; in fact, she’d make a very large wager with an frontier planet shylock who had himself a sadistic streak that there wasn’t a single crew member on board that hadn’t seen the Captain in all his God-given, bare-assed glory on more than one occasion. Not that he wasn’t a mouth-watering delicious sight unclothed, she’d give him that. But it certainly was...a damned annoying distraction.<br><br>Sasha was more than thankful that they were about to disembark off the ship; after taking care of business, she’d be free to relieve all her pent-up physical need with the safe, uncomplicated and emotionally non-threatening Jacob. Which judging by her overreaction to being alone with a nearly nude Griff, her release couldn’t come soon enough. <em>Thank GOD Griff is blissfully unaffected by <strong>my</strong> presence,</em> she breathed to herself, doubly grateful he was unaware of her strong attraction to him and her internal struggle against that attraction. Griff was just...well, just too important in her life to lose. Her hands clenching tightly into fists as her emotions ratcheted up with her escalating thoughts, Mae’s timely announcement over the COMM provided the distraction she needed, and Sasha released a long, slow breath in relief. <br><br><strong>“That girl ain’t right.”</strong><br><br>After Mae’s typically wry broadcast, Griff delivered his commentary with a smile as he stood up in only his form-fitting boxers, stretching his arms over his head and flexing his muscular body, the sweat-sheened, taut sight of which did nothing to aid Sasha’s cause. Subconsciously diverting her desires and fears into the familiar and more manageable channel of anger, Sasha’s irritation escalated as she listened to Griff detail his plan. She listened silently as he explained he would be procuring an engine part for Hayes and meeting up with a potential new crew member, McPherson. Her scowl darkened at the mention of Ferret, then his next comment tweaked her already fragile leash on her anger, so much so she barely heard him describe Mae and Vincent’s duties to replenish their food and medical supplies, and tell how he and the new recruit would try and rustle up some deals on ammo. By the time he rounded up his speech with a question, Sasha was livid; her body tense and clenched hands itching to throttle the Captain.<br><br><strong>“whattaya think - two or three hours be time enough to see everything done and meet back here?”</strong><br><br>“You’re gonna have Si accompany me on the meet with Ferret to <em>keep me safe?</em>”&nbsp; She asked, her voice deceptively soft.<br><br>If Griff had been paying attention, he would have noticed the warning signs that Sasha was losing her temper. Her eyes narrowed as he slipped inside his small private bathroom, his arm reappearing momentarily as he tossed his boxers toward the pile of clothes near his couch. Like a bull being taunted beyond tolerance, she responded to his fluttering boxers like he was waving a red cape. Cursing under her breath, Sasha plowed across the room and flung open the bathroom door. Refusing to focus on what she could see of Griff’s naked body, she instead fueled her irritation and anger.<br><br>“First,” she growled, one hand on her hip the other pointedly jabbing the air in Griff’s direction, “I don’t need no gorram babysitter and you hun dan well know it! <strong><em>I</em></strong> can keep my own gorram self safe, thank you very much! Second - what’s this about two or three hours? What’s the gorram hurry to get back on this gos se piece of fei-oo? Some of us got <em>plans,</em> see?&nbsp; And third - just when are you planning on filling me in on the details of this meet? Ferret ain’t exactly the sweetest slice of pie on the plate so I’d appreciate having my fork at the ready - <em>Captain.</em>”&nbsp; <br><br>Her heart was racing with her anger-fueled adrenaline, her cheeks flushed from the heat of Griff’s shower.&nbsp; Or at least that’s what she told herself as she stood mere inches from Griff’s wet, nude body, a flimsy curtain of fabric all that separated them. <em>What the hell is wrong with me?</em> She wasn’t used to her emotions running away so easily with so little provocation, and the feeling didn’t set well with her in the least. In fact, she couldn’t take the tension for one minute longer without something breaking that she didn’t want broke. Unbidden, images formed of Griff’s nude body luxuriating under warm streams of water, of him wrapping the small towel around his waist as he exited the shower, of the towel dropping as he began to put on his clothes; she was NOT in the right frame of mind to deal with any more of this foolishness. Huffing out of the bathroom she slammed the door behind her. Flopping onto the couch, she kicked his boxers to the other side of the room with the toe of her boot, then sank back into the cushions, eyes closed and fingers firmly massaging her temples. <br><br><br><em>hun dan jien huo = damn cheap floozy<br>hun dan = damn<br>gos se piece of fei-oo = crap piece of junk</em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>02-07-2011, 07:39:19</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Showering, preparing to disembark- now landed on Persephone ~</strong></div><br><br>Alone in her bunk Mae took a moment to shut down her continuously active mind. Pressing the pads of her fingers to her temples she closed her eyes and rubbed the last of the tension from her body. Shifting to the small table that stood beside her bed Mae extended her hand, slightly bending at the waist, and pressed the button that would flood the room with an energetic beat. It washed over her young body, guiding her mind into a pleasant numbness, as she gave into the relaxation with each sensual sway of her slender body. She loved to dance, as would be apparent to anyone who might have happened upon the spirited teen as she stood in the center of the room allowing the music to capture her soul.<br><br>Mae shimmied her way around the small quarters removing each item of clothing from her slim frame in a practiced strip tease.&nbsp; One by one each piece removed floated to the floor, coming to rest in a heap making a trail from the cot to the cupboard where she stored her limited and mostly colourless wardrobe.&nbsp; Submerging her hand into the depths of the closet, Mae reached for the silk black robe &nbsp;(http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/35038887/aview/_BObUII_Bmk___KGrHgoH_D8EjlLlyV52BJupJ7eGig___1.JPG) she had recently purchased during their visit to Ariel. Every time they docked at the esteemed and influential planet that was once home, Mae made a habit of visiting a certain highbrow dress shop that was a favourite location for the wealthy and high-ranking in the political world that governed Ariel, her mother being one among its esteemed clientele. It had become a game of Russian roulette with each visit possibly being the day she came face to face with the parent that had chosen position and reputation over the wellbeing and safety of her own flesh and blood.<br><br>Slipping her arms through the silky sleeves of the tiny black robe, Mae secured the sash loosely at the waist before reaching high on the shelf to retrieve her personal toiletry bag and a towel. Pressing the button to turn off the flood of music as she passed the small table the room suddenly grew quiet devoid of the rhythm that had thumped its sultry sounds through the tiny speakers making her feel uneasy. Quickly, Mae headed back into the empty hall, closing the door behind her, blocking out the deafening silence as she made her way to the showers passing both Griff and Vincent's room along the way. <br><br>She paused at the entrance to Vincent's room imagining herself entering it, draping herself across his bed to wait for his return. Might that be too bold?&nbsp; She had left an open invitation for him to join her in the shower and hoped, with what she felt was too much desperation for her own comfort level, that he would take her up on it.&nbsp; Her hand rose to drum her slim fingers on the surface of the door while she hesitated in her journey to the showers, lost in a silent debate. If he was to walk down the hall at that moment he would probably think her a stalker. It was that thought that had her feet swiftly moving again. She padded down the hall and entered the showers, closing the door with a heavy sigh. It was true that she could be wild and quick to agree to an hour or two of carnal pleasure with a stranger, but there lie the distinction. She never had to see a stranger again. In reality, Mae wanted to be loved and cherished, beholden to one. She held the secret wish deep in her heart, careful to hide it from prying eyes. Sadly, part of her felt unworthy of such a love, and it was that part that seemed to grow louder with each anniversary of her disownment.<br><br>Mae placed her bag of toiletries on the counter before turning back and dancing her fingers along the bathroom door lock. She smiled as she purposely withdrew her hand from the handle leaving it decidedly unlocked. Her smile grew as the seed of hope germinated to a thrilling fantasy of Vincent stepping through that very same door in order to join her under the steam and spray of the rejuvenating waters. Or what would be rejuvenating in her imagination. In actuality it was a drizzle if that, not exactly a spray of pounding liquid needles to massage the muscles back into working order, but it would get the basics of the job done in a pinch.&nbsp; Mae's fingers slithered over the silk of her robe to pull the knot free, releasing the only hold the soft material had to keep its protective cover over her body. With an easy shrug of her shoulders the fabric slipped over her skin, drifting down her body to land in a black silky puddle at her feet. Completely naked, the energetic young woman extended her hand pulling back the curtain and stepped into the shower. With a quick twist of the controls she sent the first spurt of liquid beads flooding from the showers head to bounce against her soft skin, forming rivers to run along her body in zigzag patterns. <br><br>An appreciative sigh vibrated along her tongue as Mae arched her back, extending her head back to allow the water to hit the column of her throat. Her hands roamed over her body, spreading the first layer of water along its soft surface as she slowly turned to face the wall allowing her back to be sprayed with the water jets. Tilting her head back Mae smoothed her hands along her hair, tracing the shape of her skull as she wet her hair in preparation of its wash.&nbsp; Her mind was still inundated with images of Vincent when she reached a hand out to grasp the air where a bottle of honeysuckle scented shampoo that was noticeably absent. A quick scan of the shower stall confirmed what she had feared, in her haste to get into the shower she had failed to carry her toiletries with her.&nbsp; “Zao gao!”<br><br>Reaching for the faucets MeiMei quickly twisted them to the off position before she stepped from the shower, soaking wet and placing her red painted toenails onto the towel that lay on the floor beside the shower, she padded the short distance to the sink where her bag laid open and waiting. Shivering as the chill of the air quickly took hold Mae grabbed her shampoo/conditioner, body wash and razor and slipped back into the shower to continue. A twist to the left had the water running once more. Placing the bottles on the built in shelf, Mae grabbed the first and squeezed the honeysuckle scented cream in her hand. Drawing her hands together, she rubbed them in a circle to lather up before massaging the cleansing liquid into her thick hair. Closing her eyes she almost groaned aloud as her fingers gave her scalp a good workout.&nbsp; <br><br>Turning once more to tilt her head back to rinse the suds clean, she jumped as a loud thud sounded from the bathroom door. Mae paused, caught between excitement and a sudden case of nervousness. Was that the door? Was someone coming in? She stood frozen as the water sprayed down around her causing rivulets of sudsy water to run down her body. Her breath caught in her throat as she waited what seemed like a life time for the curtain to be pulled back, revealing a smiling Vincent. In her mind she would be striking a sexy pose to welcome him before the two got down to the business of pleasuring each other in ways that had only been realized in her imagination. A slow hiss sounded as her breath squeezed between tightly pressed lips when it became apparent that Vincent would not be joining her. Her heart dropped as Mae pushed out the last of the breath in a sad sigh. Perhaps he didn't hold the same level of affection for her as she did him?<br><br>The thought was not something that sat well with Mae. Her fingers moved back to dig at her scalp, aggressively massaging as she rinsed the suds from her hair. A snarl tugged at her lips as she chided herself for caring. He probably saw her as a little sister like the others. It was something that was starting to grate on her nerves. She wasn't a child, though youthful in age, Mae was caught on the threshold of change. Her transformation from a child into a young woman had already made its manifestation in her firm, toned body. Her curves had held the attention of many men all around the verse, and probably quite a few women as well. She wasn't shy about showing it off and in many ways enjoyed drawing their attention. A sly smile played on her lips as she mentally put together a killer outfit that would in no small way draw the attention of a blind man. Mae was going to make sure Vincent saw her as a woman if it took prancing around naked to accomplish it. She giggled when she thought of the tiny skirt that would barely kiss the tops of her thighs, in that outfit she might as well be naked. <br><br>After carefully shaving each leg from ankle to the top of her thigh Mae reached for the bottle of whipped vanilla body wash that she loved, and applied a generous amount on a sponge before massaging it into a ball of creamy suds. Gliding over the landscape of her body with both the sponge and her free hand, she was careful to cover every inch of her body with its creamy vanilla scented suds, conditioning her skin as she cleansed it from the grime and sweat of the day. One hand cupped her ample breast as she trailed the sponge over the round firmness of its mate, smoothing the suds over and down along the curves of her torso swiping across her flat stomach before following the long lines of her shapely legs. Stepping under the constant rain of water, she rinsed her body leaving nothing behind but a soft scent that would linger in the senses of the men she encountered and leave her skin feeling like silk to the touch.<br><br>Closing off the water once more, Mae stepped from the shower and reached for a towel. Softly she patted the moisture from her body, careful not to tear at her tender skin with a rough scrub. Using the same towel to quickly towel-dry her hair, Mae turned once again to the sink where her toiletry bag sat. Proficient fingers rummaged through the cosmetics and various feminine products in search of the moisturizer that would add another level of softness to her skin that would invite further exploration from interested suitors. Her teeth scrubbed and glistening white, Mae dragged a comb through her long blond hair before proclaiming herself done, or at least with the bathroom. Bending at the knee, she scooped up the fallen robe and once more covered her body with its limited fabric before quickly tidying the bathroom and collecting her items, storing them safely within her toiletry bag.&nbsp; <br><br>With a soft swish the door to the bathroom slid across the track and disappeared into the wall leaving the entrance open for Mae to step clear. Now back in the hall with her bag held loosely in her hand, the determined young woman headed back to her room with an erotic sway to her hips. The feeling of the black silk kissing the tops of her thighs sent a tickle along her skin, firing up her natural sensuality, flaming the desire that seemed to constantly burn in the depths of her bright green eyes. She moved as if within a daze, her mind lost in the tricks and schemes to gain Vincent's attention, so much so that she didn't notice the very man standing near the doorway of Griff's bunk as she passed him on her way back to her room. There was an undeniable spark in her eyes and a radiance that seemed too bound from her physique, to anyone who truly knew her they would know she was up to something, and as history knew all too well that something was bound to get her into trouble.<br><br><br><div align="center">~~~~~~~~~~</div><br><br><em>Crap: Zao gao, literally "spoiled cake"</em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>02-07-2011, 15:19:46</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=that same unknown element – Eavesdown Docks, Persephone – blending in=-</strong></div><br>What was it she’d been doing? Looking at manifests. Escaping. Surviving. Right…<br><br>She suddenly felt as if she hadn’t slept in weeks, her body needing the rest less so than her mind. She was filthy, starving, had nothing more to trade but the socks and jumpsuit upon her body, and was tired of being scared. She needed some stability, preferable in a place she could relax for a bit, sleep peaceably.<br><br>Nothing like that forthcoming, she dazedly skimmed her surroundings at the short end of a docking corridor, dozens of ships and spaces for more on either side of a wide boulevard. Stacked storage containers created temporary walls, mounds of cargo waited for their assigned pick ups, hawkers called out for passengers and immediate sales of goods. She noted one quiet spot away from the meat vendor, a couple of women lounging against some crates in various states of boredom.<br><br>Circumventing the busy travelers, she clung to the sides of the corridor, makeshift though it was. Slipping around the assortment of boxes near the docked heavy hauler, she approached the women with her eyes lowered, tugging at the rolled up cuffs loosely hanging around her wrists. Pretending to be distracted, she casually leaned against the long side of an empty, open storage container the size of a small shuttle. Furtively glancing at the women nearby, she lounged much like the farther one, a foot lifted to rest behind her against the container, her knee popped out, balanced on the other foot. Never mind she didn’t wear any shoes – she tried to look just like them and blend in, her head tilted to one side as if bored to death, hands upon her hips.<br><br>For several minutes, it worked. She ignored their mutilingual patter, overhearing complaints about the charges for the space one stayed at, where another got that fancy bustier, why the first thought a change was for the best regarding her tattoo and describing how another name added to her thigh would be good advertising. Her blue eyes closed, her body warm against the sun-heated metal wall. She listened for the snatches of silence between the conversations, attempting to quell her headache.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>03-07-2011, 04:33:36</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston, Captain - in the Captain’s quarters Aboard The Gamble - landing at Eavesdown Docks on Persephone =-</strong></div><br>To say that Griff was unaffected by Sasha’s presence in his room would have been a grossly inaccurate assessment. Would <strong>would</strong> have been an accurate assessment was that he was pretty damn good at masking the manner in which she affected him… save for his initial reaction whenever he first lays eyes on her and seems to forget everything else in the verse for those first few moments before it all comes rushing back in, like the waves of the ocean surf crashing against rocky cliffs. In actuality, as Sasha stood before him looking so damn sexy leaning against the door jam with her legs crossed at the ankles, her hands clasped behind her back, and the way she caught her succulent bottom lip, he forgot himself and nearly ripped off his boxer briefs right in front of her. Catching himself only just as his thumbs hooked the elastic waistband and began to push the material down over his lean, muscled hips, he poured the remainder of his concentration on getting himself in the shower and briefing her on the pressing tasks at hand, delegating responsibilities to the various members of the crew. He was dangerously unaware of the telltale signs of Sasha’s burgeoning, impetuous temper fueling her indignation to critical levels.<br><br><strong>“whattaya think two or three hours be time enough to see everything done and meet back here?”</strong><br><br>No sooner had those words left his lips than he had ducked back inside the bathroom, slipping out of his boxer-briefs and tossing them out the open door to the couch. Letting the bathroom door close almost completely, Griff pulled back the shower curtain and stepped under the hot spray of jetting water that billowed steam into the small, cramped room. Grabbing the bar of soap, he began lathering his broad chest under the stream of water, soapy suds washing down his athletically toned body, careening into every dip and crevasse in his physique. Suddenly the door was flung open and the room was filled with an animatedly incensed Sasha. Griff was so surprised by her sudden invasion and outburst he hadn’t the presence of mind to pull the shower curtain closed. Instead, he slowly turned to face her, his jaw slack and eyes wide as tea cups as she ranted and raved, stabbing her slender finger at him. Standing mere inches from him inside the tiny bathroom, Griff was flabbergasted by her sudden outburst, though it was something he had witnessed before. He knew better than to interrupt her by interjecting his meaning, correcting her interpretations, clarifying or trying to clear the confusion. He knew that she just needed to vent her frustrations, whatever might be the cause.<br><br>Griff winced as the door slammed and silence filled the closet-sized room once more as Sasha turned and stormed out of the room, plopping herself onto the couch with a huff. He decided to leave her for a minute or two to cool off and finish with his shower. Not one to squander their water reserves, Griff was all too aware of the precious commodity and its price to replenish. In a matter of minutes, he was scrubbed clean and rinsed free of the cleansing suds. Shutting the water off, he grabbed the towel and wrapped it around his waist, tucking it in on itself before stepping out of into the main living quarters once more, dripping wet. He normally air dried from the shower and used the towel to stand on, but with Sasha still in his room…<br><br>Stepping from the bathroom, Griff placed both hands on his hips and watched Sasha quietly for a moment, gauging her temperament and trying to think of what to say that wouldn’t cause her to erupt again, possibly inflicting bodily harm upon him. “This is not a gos se piece of fei-oo.” He began before interrupting himself and taking a deep breath. He cleared his throat and began again, more careful in his words this time. “ –Ahem- Sasha… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply… I mean… I know you can take care of yourself. I know that better than anyone else. But, as long as you’re a part of my crew… you won’t <strong>have</strong> to take care of yourself. Not alone. Someone will always have your six. I prefer that someone to be me… and most of the time it is… but I need you to handle Ferret ‘cause no one else can do it better than you. Si’s filling in for me, doing the job that I normally do which is to make sure you watch your back so you can focus on doing what you do best. I would go myself, but I can’t trust getting this catamawhatzit to anyone else other than you, but I need you to focus on Ferret. <br><br>As far as two the three hours of shore leave… if you think the crew needs more time to enjoy themselves a little, then just say so. You know I value your opinion, Sasha. Hell, that’s why I asked you in the first place. <strong>YOU</strong> tell them when to rendezvous back here, whatever you think the crew needs to make them happy. Just let me know what you decide. In regards to Ferret, you know how to handle her. You’ve dealt with her before and I have full confidence in your ability to snag us some more work. If she ain’t got nothin’, she ain’t got nothing. We’ll figure something else out, go meet another contact. Somethin.”<br><br>He stood stock still as he spoke, but when he finished he moved closer and finally sat next to her on the couch. He wiped his hand on the towel against his thigh and reached up, placing the hand at the back of her neck and massaging gently. “I’m sorry for upsetting you. You okay? I need you, Sasha. I can’t make this work like it’s supposed to without you. You know that. Are you with me?”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>03-07-2011, 18:56:29</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent - Wandering around the hall adjacent to the cockpit. - Currently landed upon Persephone =-</strong></div><br>Vince's mind had still been reeling from his frustration at himself as he wandered aimlessly around the front of the ship.&nbsp; He first started towards his room, but halfway in realized that he didn't want to fall into the trap of sulking in his private quarters.&nbsp; Such a habit was never a beneficial thing to form.&nbsp; He then made his way to the helm to stand behind his seat and look over the controls.&nbsp; After a moment he wondered what he had been doing since the engines were presently powered off and there was really nothing for him to do at his station.&nbsp; After a few moments of pacing in there he tried to sort out his thoughts to figure out how he could be productive rather than just idling in the cockpit.&nbsp; Vince then proceeded to snicker at the word 'cockpit'.&nbsp; Had Mae been there and he said it out loud, it would have led to another volley of puns and jokes.&nbsp; That thought was reassuring.&nbsp; No matter how many suitors there would be, Vince knew all too well the chemistry they shared between them and all their time together operating the ship had established a strong foundation for a relationship.&nbsp; Whether that relationship was friendship or something more, he had yet to know for absolute certainty.&nbsp; Vince had grabbed on to that hope, knowing that there was a spark between them and that it would only be a matter of time until Mae realized it for herself.<br><br>With that line of reasoning, the chaos in Vincent's mind had subsided and he was once again in control of himself.&nbsp; "Right,"&nbsp; He said to himself, "I should probably check with the captain to make sure he doesn't have an issue with both of his pilots going planet side."&nbsp; Vincent made his way to the captain's quarters and heard muffled voices on the other side.&nbsp; He couldn't make out words, but he also didn't want to intrude.&nbsp; After a few moments the conversation in the other room teetered off into a lull and Vince decided that he would either be a inconvenient interruption or a welcomed break in an awkward pause.&nbsp; With a cast of the die, he knocked upon Griff's door and waited to see what awaited him.&nbsp; Before the captain could answer, there was motion out of the corner of his eye that drew his attention.&nbsp; His eyes widened and his jaw went slack as he watched the lithe sway to Mae's stride, enticingly accentuated by the sheen of the robe that was just barely large enough to resemble modest attire.&nbsp; It would have been impossible for him to miss that sultry gaze in her eyes and he had seen that look several times before, usually proceeding some risky maneuver behind the controls.&nbsp; It was one of her many expressions that drew him toward her with all the gravity of a black hole.&nbsp; At that moment he was reminded how badly he wanted her, more so than air itself.&nbsp; Not just her body, he wanted <em>her</em>.&nbsp; The entire package, her body, her mind, her foibles, her strengths, and most of all, her affection.<br><br>Vincent spun as she walked into her quarters, his eyes never leaving her beauty as she did so.&nbsp; He could feel his resolve building once more.&nbsp; Screw the gorram planet leave, he wanted to follow her into her quarters and lay everything out for her that very moment.&nbsp; Throw caution to the wind and see whether or not his affection would be returned in kind.&nbsp; If worse came to worst, he was upon his home planet; he had options for even the worst case scenarios.&nbsp; Vincent had taken but one step before the sound of the door behind him sidetracked his rallied resolve and he spun towards the captain's door with thoughts scattered throughout his mind, almost forgetting why he had been there in the first place.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>04-07-2011, 04:19:41</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= NPC Interactions – Eavesdown Docks, Persephone =-</strong></div><br>The arrival of the strange, shoeless woman dressed in plain work overalls, hardly went down a treat with a certain pair of 'dock doxies'. Idle banter about the price of bustiers soon became irrelevant. What was this dirty, and no doubt smelly, red-headed 'thing' doing on their turf, they now asked each other instead in fluent Mandarin. At first, they merely seemed to observe from behind their feathered, oversized fans. Sizing the strange woman up and down, and even giggling at both her lack of shoes and sack-like clothing. While on the contrary, their 'gowns' highlighted their most important assets leaving very little to the imagination overall. They would not be caught dead without stiletto heals, high cleavage and fancy, ornamental accessories. Perhaps 'it' was merely lost, and would realise this territory was indeed not for trespassing upon? But when the lost 'thing' loitered longer, the docks doxies grew far more impatient. No longer did they merely lounge in relative boredom against the stacked crates.<br><br>“Kwai jio kai,” spat one in hushed sneer; her ebony locks piled high in a bouffant upon her oval shaped head. Bright red lips curled in clear distaste while her narrowed, smoky eyes feared the strange woman might yet scare away potential customers if she lingered any longer.<br><br>“Ugh,” the strawberry blonde rolled her brighter eyes and leaned closer to her friend. With elaborate fan poised in front of her French Rose lips, she uttered her more blunt insults. “If the sight ain't bad enough the smell sure as heck is and... <em>Ai ya</em>!... Is it me, or is it tryin' ta set up camp?”<br><br>The ebony doxy flicked her feathered fan open, only just realising that the stranger on the docks had already copied her signature 'come on over here fellas' stance down to a T.<br><br>“Jahn!” She squealed with pure sarcasm dripping from her venomous tongue. “That's plain ole bai ri meng.”<br><br>“Ignore it an' maybe, jus' maybe, it'll go away.”<br><br>“It better! 'Cause don't look now but I reckon we got ourselves a peng you.”<br><br>Right on cue, the two doxies straightened up slightly. Busts were pushed forwards with the well-practiced arch of their spines, while lazy eyes peered over the ruffles and feathers of their tops of their splayed fans. The blonde strategically flashed her fishnet covered leg through the slit in her skirt, while the ebony merely rested her free hand on the more prominent curve of her pear-shaped hips.<br><br><hr><br>Kwai jio kai: Get lost<br>Ai ya: Damn / my god<br>Jahn!: Shiny / awesome / fantastic<br>Bai ri meng: Daydream or wishful thinking<br>Peng you: Friend, pal, buddy<br><br><hr>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>04-07-2011, 05:21:34</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= NPC Interactions - Eavesdown Docks, Persephone =-</strong></div><br>It had been a long and arduous day already and it was only half done. The sweaty, overweight dock foreman was on his lunch break and was in a dire mood. He was in need of some good, fun, female company to take his mind off of his mundane, dead-end job and the recent patch of missed shipping quotas that had plagued his docking pier. His boss was breathing down his neck to get back on track or find a new line of work. Stress levels were high for him right now and to be frank, he couldn't even think of food right now. He was stressed and horny and needed a release, and so it was that he found himself walking down the same dock he visited a few times a week to hire one of the doxies to help him relieve his tensions and forget his woes for a spell.<br><br>He reached up and raked the long, stringy remnants for his thinning hair over his balding scalp as he drew near. He'd paid both of the girls here before, the dark-haired and the strawberry blonde, and pondered who he would choose today when he noticed a new one. She didn't look like much in those dirty overalls and wearing only socks on her feet. Her face was dirty and her hair seemed a mess, but.... he was in the mood for something new and the thought of unwrapping his present, if you will, was enough to draw him towards the small woman leaning against the crate.<br><br>"Oi! You there. Don't think I've seen you about before. I'd think I'd like to see what you're hiding under there. How much for a good grapple?" He quipped as he shoved his hand into the front pocket of his coveralls that looked surprisingly similar to the ones she wore.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>04-07-2011, 07:59:43</strong>
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				<strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer - in the Captain’s quarters Aboard The Gamble - at Eavesdown Docks on Persephone ~</strong><br><br>Her tall frame sprawled on Griff’s couch, Sasha methodically massaged her temples with her fingertips, drawing in a long deep breath, then slowly releasing it through softly puckered lips. It had been almost a year since her family had been massacred in a ferocious Reaver attack, and the horrific anniversary was weighing heavily on her psyche.&nbsp; Sasha may have survived the slaughter that annihilated her entire family, but she most certainly did not escape unharmed. Her deepest, most festering wounds were not physical; and although her body had fully healed, her emotional scars were as yet still healing, reshaping her into somebody different than she had been before. <br><br>The emotional devastation she had experienced from having everyone she loved violently ripped from her had almost killed her as surely as the gruesome physical injuries had almost cost her her life. The only way she had managed to find a way through was to fixate on thoughts of vengeance, and to vow never to get hurt like that again. In a ‘verse filled with infinite things beyond her control, she focused on what she believed <strong>was</strong> in her power to control. She had been taught a harsh lesson: she was powerless to prevent her loved ones from coming to harm. Vowing to keep someone safe was a dangerous illusion, an impossible oath to pledge.&nbsp; But, if she never let herself love someone again - that would be an effective way of keeping safe from that unbearable pain. Sasha convinced herself that the only way to guarantee she would never again experience that heart-rending angst was to never let herself love.&nbsp; The only thing she could truly control was her own heart, and those awful, unspeakable months ago she had made an oath, a promise to herself; she had vowed to never love again.<br><br>Continuing to breath slowly and deeply, clearing her mind of the dangerous attraction that had set her off, the tightly coiled tension began to ease from her body. Slowly her pulse calmed to a more even keel and the tight ball of anger in her gut lessening to a more manageable level. Sasha began to relax into the cushions of Griff’s couch as she waited for him to finish washing up.<br><br>After a few minutes in the shower Griff shut off the water, and she heard the bathroom door opening, followed by the soft padding of his bare feet as he reentered his main quarters. When he didn’t say anything, Sasha slowly opened her eyes to look at him.&nbsp; Standing before her as she had just minutes ago imagined, was a dripping wet Griff, with only a towel wrapped around his waist. Sasha swallowed hard, past the sudden lump in her throat.<br><br><strong>“This is not a gos se piece of fei-oo.”</strong><br><br>A twinge of guilt hit her as she heard the hurt tone of his voice; she knew she bruised people with her anger - emotionally and physically - and she often choked down the bile of bitter self-loathing after hurling an unwarranted outburst toward someone close to her. As Griff apologized and explained Sasha listened quietly, her stomach churning and the tension returning in force at his warm and caring words. <br><br>After Griff had rescued her from the Reaver attack and saved her life, Sasha had been infused with gratefulness.&nbsp; Since that time, when she hired on as First Officer, Sasha and Griff had spent countless long hours together and bonded over many a close-call and adventure. Over the months together she found her respect and appreciation for him had continued to grow, and an alarming fondness had begun to slowly creep into her heart - along with an undeniable attraction. The warmth and closeness she was beginning to feel around him was especially dangerous, and she felt a desperate need to kill it before it killed her.<br><br>When Griff sat next to her on the couch, his bare thigh brushing against hers, his hand gently massaging the back of her neck and softly telling her “I need you”, it again became all too much. Springing to her feet she turned to face him, clenching her jaw and grinding her teeth as she struggled with her composure. Licking her suddenly dry lips, she jutted her chin up stubbornly, refusing to succumb to her emotions again. “Captain...I’m sorry. It’s just...I...I’m....damn.”&nbsp; She took another deep breath before continuing. “Yes. Yes, I’m with you - of course I’m with you.”<br><br>Raising a trembling hand to smooth over her hair she restlessly paced across the small space, reverting to the safe interchange of First Officer and Captain. “I know how to deal with Ferret, don’t you worry. I appreciate Si coming along to back me up; I know I can count on him. You go get that engine part, grab us our new guy and more ammo. I’ll brief everyone on their duties before we depart; maybe we can have them all group in the cargo bay before we head off on our separate ways, give ‘em the rundown of what’s what. Sound about right?&nbsp; And...we’ve been out in the black for a long spell this time around; I think the crew’s earned a night of R&amp;R. I’ll have everyone report back at the ship at 0700 tomorrow morning. See you down at the cargo bay in a few?”&nbsp; She paused, waiting for Griff’s reply, her hand resting on the door handle.&nbsp; Just then someone knocked on the Captain’s door, and her posture instinctively reverted to a defensive position in her startlement.<br><br>Opening the door Sasha was treated to the sight of their devastatingly handsome co-pilot, who appeared a bit flustered and who simply stood there for long moments with a somewhat befuddled look. When wearing heels, Sasha was a little taller than Vincent, so as they stood facing each other her intense blue eyes leveled their stare from a little higher position than his deep forest green eyes. “Kinkaid!” She snapped her fingers sharply in front of his dazed eyes as she spoke. “You gone 5150? Captain’s got no time for a tea party; I need you to go fetch Mae and the pair of you better be ready for briefing in the cargo bay in five. We’re gonna need for the two of you to rustle us up some goods planetside a’fore you head off to play.”&nbsp; When Vincent didn’t immediately turn in about-face to carry out her instructions, she grasped his shoulders firmly and turned him around, nudging him back in the direction of his and Mae’s quarters. “Gan mang!” she demanded.&nbsp; Turning to take a last look at Griff to make sure things were okay between them, her expression shuttered, Sasha nodded her head toward him as she departed his cabin, closing his door softly behind her.<br><br><br><br><em>Gan mang = Hurry, make haste<br>5150 = mental (as in a “mental case”) </em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>04-07-2011, 08:16:14</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- in her quarters, dressing and preparing to disembark- now landed on Persephone ~</strong></div><br><br>Crossing the threshold from the ships hall into the privacy of her quarters Mae left the door slightly open as she moved about her room in a daze. As if on auto pilot, she tugged at the sash of her robe and with an easy shrug sent it skating down her body to land in a dark puddle by her ankles.&nbsp; Reaching for the music controls once more, she flicked the button with a practiced ease to flood the room with a heavy sensual beat.&nbsp; <br><br>Her body shivered from the cool breeze supplied by the ships vents as it swirled around the small room and kissed her exposed skin. Mae stood naked before the mirror with a critical eye. It was true she held various qualities to attract the eye of an interested lover and in most cases her lively personality was enough to keep them from growing bored, but she had never once allowed another person into her heart. Not truly. Vincent was different. Mae knew without a doubt he would easily slip past her defences and it was that thought that had her hesitating on the edge.<br><br>Her mind was at war with itself. There was no doubt that he attracted her, both in the physical sense and as a person. No one made her laugh as hard as he did, but it was more than that. Instinctively Mae knew she could rely on Vincent, as she had done so many times during their space travel, he had her back. It was that special bond that she worried would be damaged if and when they stepped over that line drawn in the sand. However that wasn't her only concern. Deep in the back of her mind there was a small voice that whispered <em>what if he isn't into you?</em> When did life get so complicated?<br><br>Reaching for her hairdryer Mae got on with the task of preparing for disembarking for her planet side adventures. A favourite song beat out its steady rhythm, wrapping Mae with its sensual sounds and giving her that much needed boost to her confidence.&nbsp; Her hair now dry she moved to the small closet near the open door and pulled out the tiny skirt and corset style top. There was no need for a bra. Slipping on a tiny pair of black panties the young pilot inspected her curves in the long mirror as she smoothed the elastic over her soft hips. The image brought a smile to her face.&nbsp; Raising her hands, she fluffed her hair as she shimmed to the floor and back up, moving to the sound of the sexy song that vibrated through the room. <br><br>Sorting through the various hair tints she kept in a secure drawer, Mae pulled out the bubble gum pink and painted one section of her long blond locks. Next she applied her makeup, in general it was light all but her eyes, she always paid special attention to her eyes, purposely bringing attention to them. Happy with the outcome, she moved to the bed where she had thrown the clothing affectionately named her <em>capture Vincent's attention ensemble </em> and slipped on her skirt.&nbsp; Mae pulled the material along her smooth legs, gliding it over her shapely backside to secure it around her waist. Next came the corset top, easily slipped over her head as she wiggled into the tight fitting getup (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w-nMS7E_SaU/TITrL_RwoWI/AAAAAAAACUA/UFV0Yz27Tfg/s1600/avril-lavigne-maxim-magazine.jpg).&nbsp; Turning once more towards the mirror for the final inspection Mae slipped her red painted toes into the flat ballet style shoes before announcing herself ready for fun.<br><br>Her room was left somewhat tidy with very little concern for the clothes that lay scattered on the floor as she moved to switch off the loud music that had pulsated erotic sounds from the small speakers. The room once more in silence, Mae moved to the door, sliding it completely open before stepping through to make her way down the narrow hall towards the Galley and Lounge just in time to hear her name being barked out. With an exaggerated roll of her eyes, the rebellious teen sashayed her way towards the excitement in the hall, stealthily leaning against the wall just behind where Vincent stood.<br><br>"Looking for me?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>05-07-2011, 04:12:53</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent - Standing outside of the Captain's private quarters - Currently landed upon Persephone =-</strong></div><br>Vincent was at a loss for words when he found himself face to face with Sasha rather than the Captain.&nbsp; His eyes flicked past her for a moment to glance inside the room and seen Griff in nothing but his towel before reactively averting his gaze back towards Sasha.&nbsp; His mind went distant as he considered what he had just intruded upon.&nbsp; Everybody aboard The Gamble knew that the Captain sported his birthday suit with all the nonchalance of any other attire.&nbsp; It was even odds that he had either interrupted an officers' meeting or had intruded upon something... more.&nbsp; The co-pilot had hoped for the latter since it would mean the only real competition for Mae's affection would be out of the running.&nbsp; Such an easy out would allow him to proceed with his desires without having to worry about any workplace drama or grudges.<br><br><em>“Kinkaid!”</em><br><br>Vincent flinched at the snapping of fingers as he was pulled out of his thoughts.<br><br><em>“You gone 5150? Captain’s got no time for a tea party; I need you to go fetch Mae and the pair of you better be ready for briefing in the cargo bay in five. We’re gonna need for the two of you to rustle us up some goods planetside a’fore you head off to play.”</em><br><br>He blinked at the statement.&nbsp; <em>Tea party?</em>&nbsp; Vincent understood what Sasha meant by that, but for some reason he found the metaphor to be random enough to warrant a moment of consideration.&nbsp; Once again, his line of thought had been sidetracked as Sasha urged him into motion.<br><br><em>“Gan mang!”</em><br><br>"Right!"&nbsp; Vincent replied, setting about completing his given orders.&nbsp; He no longer bothered with the question he had intended to ask since the orders were answer enough.&nbsp; With purposeful footsteps, he approached Mae's door to relay the missive and realized the door was partially ajar.&nbsp; Instead of knocking, he peeked through the opening and saw Mae drying her hair.&nbsp; Though that detail became insignificant when, much to his voyeuristic delight, he realized she was entirely nude.&nbsp; His lower lip became trapped between his teeth as he engraved the sight of her into his memory.&nbsp; It hadn't been the first time he's seen her naked form.&nbsp; Living together for months had provided a handful of instances such as this and he held each of them with the same reverie as he was experiencing presently.&nbsp; Blood flow in his body instantly rerouted to his nether regions as his mind wandered with familiar fantasies.&nbsp; Once she finished drying her hair, she moved out of the small field of vision the opening offered him and Vincent gradually recovered from his trance.&nbsp; At which time he became self conscious and looked around, relieved that he had not been caught peeping.<br><br>Vincent ducked into his own room and entertained the idea of relieving himself of the built up sexual tension from the memory while it was still fresh in his mind.&nbsp; He remembered that he only had a few more minutes before he would need to convene in the cargo bay and knew that he didn't have the time.&nbsp; Taking in a slow, deep breath to help focus his distracted thoughts, Vincent removed his shirt and tossed it upon his bed.&nbsp; His room was well kempt and free from any clutter laying about the floor, though he was by no means obsessive about it.&nbsp; The unmade bed, scattered toiletries upon his dresser, and the sloppily folded clothing within all indicated that he did live there, he just did his best to avoid tripping hazards should he need to hastily move for the helm in the event of an emergency.<br><br>Moving to his dresser, he grabbed a half-empty bottle of cologne and spritzed himself with a light application of the virile scent within.&nbsp; He then retrieved a fresh shirt from his dresser that was a size smaller than the one he had just discarded.&nbsp; The deep green tee was adorned with abstract designs in a grey that just barely stood out from the background that were similar in style to his tattoo.&nbsp; It would fit well with whatever club they ended up going to that evening, but what's more is that the thin fabric clung tightly to him, accentuating the lines of his lean muscular body beneath.&nbsp; Hopefully that would be enough to subtly draw Mae's attention, especially if he had the opportunity to dance with her that evening.<br><br>Vincent stepped out of his room, grabbing his pack that was resting next to his door that he would use to carry supplies.&nbsp; He stood in the middle of the hallway and looked inside of the container to see if there was anything within.&nbsp; At the bottom rested a shortwave radio and his trench knife and he was thankful he hadn't forgotten them; after all, Persephone wasn't exactly the safest place for him to travel.&nbsp; "Alright, now to get Mae and meet up in the cargo bay."<br><br><em>"Looking for me?"</em><br><br>His heart skipped a beat at the sound of her voice, for a brief moment the image of her lithe naked body flashed across his mind.&nbsp; A wolfish grin spread across his lips as he slowly turned to face her, speaking in a flirtatious tone.&nbsp; "I thought you knew that I'm always looking for you whenever you are away."&nbsp; Vincent's eyes widened slightly as he saw Mae's outfit and all the smooth flesh it revealed.&nbsp; It was enough for his libido to fervently petition for him to reach out and feel the warmth of her skin and see where things went from there.&nbsp; It was only through raw willpower that he managed to resist that urge, though he could not hide the smoldering desire in his eyes.&nbsp; "You look... wow...&nbsp; That looks great on you."&nbsp; Vincent blushed when he realized that he had just spoken that aloud, his internal monolog failing him at that moment.&nbsp; Before an awkward moment could reside in the wake of that compliment, he relayed the message from Sasha.&nbsp; "I, um, there's a briefing in the cargo bay.&nbsp; We need to gather a few supplies before we get the evening to ourselves."&nbsp; His voice regained its flirtatious characteristics as he shot her a wink.&nbsp; "I don't know about you, but I vote we get that done as fast as possible so we can have some real fun together."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>05-07-2011, 06:45:18</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, waiting in the cargo bay with Si, docked on Persephone=-</strong></div><br><strong>"I cannot decide if it is a pity we did not keep one of the cargo for the ship or if it is for the best we did not. An uncomplicated companion is a welcome respite from our usual passengers, but it takes little imagination to picture how little Miss Hayes would appreciate a four-legged visitor in her engine room, regardless how jubilant his company." </strong><br><br>The comment from Si made Dani wonder if he could read minds.&nbsp; She'd actually been thinking of asking Griff if she could keep one of the smaller dogs.&nbsp; It wasn't beyond the realms of possibility to think that one had died mid flight, if there was a question of numbers upon delivery.&nbsp; She'd gotten very attached to one particular animal who seemed to need more affection than the others, and had come very close to asking Griff to let her have him. But in the end she had realised that a tin can in space was no place for a dog.&nbsp; They needed fresh air to breathe, ground beneath their feet, and room to run around and be dogs. But she had showered him with attention before they landed, and was missing him terribly.&nbsp; And Si was right.&nbsp; Who knew what Hayes would do if he'd gotten under her feet in the engine room? Or anywhere else, for that matter.<br><br>"It would have been nice to have a pet aboard, that's for sure," she agreed with him quietly, but added nothing more to the conversation.&nbsp; Soon, he continued.<br><br><strong>"If you were to come ashore with us - now now, I know you are much too busy here to leave the ship, but if you did, is there anywhere you would like to see? I could stop to take a few pictures on our way if you would like a view of the city, albeit one on a small scale."</strong><br><br>The question caught Dani somewhat off guard, until Si clarified.&nbsp; She smiled to herself at his attempt to make her feel like she needed to stay on the ship to tend to her duties rather than her being too scared to get off.&nbsp; Her agoraphobia was a source of annoyance to her, but try as she might she couldn't seem to shake it.&nbsp; Oh, she could manage it somewhat if Griff or Sasha were with her, but even then it was a struggle.&nbsp; She hated that she had allowed a bunch of thugs to steal her life from her, and longed for the day that she could actually face the trauma, and maybe look to move past it.&nbsp; But that day was not here, not now, and so Dani muddled through the best way she could.<br><br>She thought carefully about his question as they walked. She rarely asked for favours from the crew, preferring to be self sufficient, and quite honestly she didn't miss much about civilization.&nbsp; But there was one thing that she did miss seeing, spending all her time on The Gamble.&nbsp; She wondered if Si would think her silly for asking.<br><br>"Well....." she began, a shy smile playing around her lips. "If you're sure you don't mind, and if it's not too much of a bother....I would love to see a flower garden."&nbsp; She rushed on, not wanting to seem frivolous.&nbsp; "I used to have a small one, and we so rarely get to see flowers.&nbsp; I understand if you can't find any, though....I know that Persephone isn't exactly the lushest planet around." She fell silent and waited for the laughter that she fully expected was coming. It was unlikely any of the crew would expect such a request from their oh-so-serious medic, but she had always had a soft spot for pretty flowers.<br><br>Movement at the top of one of the staircases caught her eye.&nbsp; She nodded in that direction, bringing it to Si's attention.<br><br>"Looks like we have our first customers," she said softly as Mae and Vincent began descending into the cargo bay.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>05-07-2011, 09:08:21</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - diligently dallying with Dani - docked on Persephone=-</strong></div><br>It was not the request he had expected, to be sure, but a desire for flowers made sense to Si as soon as he heard it. This ship was the young doctor's home more than for any of the rest of them - even the Captain, he suspected - but it was a home that could not support life beyond the most basic of needs. There was not much room aboard to attempt a hydroponics bay or hot house even if they had the means and materials to try constructing one (which they did not and likely would not in the foreseeable future). She could catch a glimpse of urban offerings from the ships windows if she wanted, but where would Dani be able to enjoy the view of something lush and colorful on this ship?<br><br>The older man warmed to a smile and patted Dani's hand. "A tall order, doctor, but I believe I can fill that prescription without overmuch trouble. Knowing our regular pattern for these drops I would be very much surprised if Miss Dearing was without plans of her own beyond the day's work; doubtless I will have time then for a detour on my way back to the ship." He nodded once to confirm the statement, reassured from head to toe so as not to leave any impression of obligation on the doctor: it would not do to have her brooding about this later, as she was wont to do now and then. Everything would be fine!<br><br>"Looks like we have our first customers," Dani said in that gentle voice, indicating their flight crew's arrival.<br><br>"So it would seem," came his reply. "A pity they have come after closing hours - I am afraid my photographic orders for the day are quite filled up. They will have to make do with finding their own bright vistas and the making of memories." The fashion choices of the new pair's female half were not lost on Si, though he managed not to frown outright.<br><br>Miss Little was young enough to be his daughter - perhaps even a granddaughter if he had been more active in the propagation department - but she was <em>not</em> his daughter and he was mindful of that, and of her ability to thrive in potentially dangerous situations. All the same, his first words to the oncoming couple were addressed to Vincent: "If you two are going out I expect you will be keeping a close eye on our pilot. The Captain would undoubtedly be distraught to hear she her resume was too attractive to ignore and resulted in some aggressive recruitment into another crew." Granted, it was possible they could be going together, in which case Si could - and would, no question - look after them both himself, but it was rare that their ship's directors ended up joining routine stopover errands. Most likely they had their own agenda, one which had best include proper caution.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>grdell</strong> on <strong>06-07-2011, 00:01:12</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Lex Rake, Capitol City of Persephone, earlier today =-</strong></div><br>The woman under him, one Sheila Chesterton, bucked and writhed and uttered her weak, breathy protests as Lex brought her to a height of sexual pleasure she had never known before. The air in the room was heavy with the scent of their lovemaking and the exotic incense that Lex had brought with him. Heavily soundproofed against the noises outside, the only sounds in the room were the heavy breathing of both partners and the occasional whimper from Sheila; the silk sheets made no sound at all as they slid smoothly over the intertwined bodies.<br><br>This contract was a novelty for Lex. Usually, these past months since he'd left the Core, his clients had wanted him to be a rarefied gentleman come to take them away from the squalor they lived in and sweep them into a life of decadence and luxury such as they imagined was common to the central planets. Not so for Sheila - she already lived a life of decadence and luxury likely unimaginable to those on the Rim. No, she wanted an encounter with a "bad boy" - a smuggler or a thief or even a Reaver. She didn't really know what she was asking for in requesting that last, but Lex had accepted the contract anyway, showing up at the house dressed down and looking thoroughly disreputable. Sheila had acted the part of a victimized woman with little sincerity, her lust clear in every feeble protest. But Lex was a professional, and he gave her what she truly wanted and then some.<br><br>When they had finished, Sheila actually giggled a little as Lex rolled off of her and lounged by her side with his head propped up on one hand. "Find something funny in all this, do you?" he asked, his voice gruff.<br><br>The woman ran one immaculately manicured hand along Lex's smooth, toned chest and smiled at him, trying to look what she thought of as "coy." To Lex, it was transparent as glass, but he kept up the charade. "Oh no, no. You're quite the rough man, raping me like that." She giggled again, clearly unaccustomed to playing games in the bedroom. She was little more than a spoiled rich man's daughter, looking to dally with rough trade, likely to annoy her father. But it spoke volumes that she hired a Companion rather than seeking out the genuine article.<br><br>Lex knew better than to give anything more than a cursory performance himself, lest his client become genuinely afraid. He could certainly play it much rougher than he had, but it wasn't what she truly desired, and all of his training had been geared toward knowing what the client wanted even when the client themselves didn't know for sure.<br><br>He grasped one of her pale breasts in his hand, squeezed it lightly and ran his thumb over the nipple. "Best remember that, too. I gotta run if I'm to make my contact for the goods I been smugglin'. If'n I don't make the dropoff, I ain't gettin' paid. Tell anyone about this, and I might just come back and do it again. Just to show you who's boss."<br><br>He slipped out of the bed, stood fully naked in front of her, and stretched, giving his client one last look at his long, tight body. His skin was even and unblemished - no real smuggler would ever look like that - his muscles clearly defined beneath the smooth expanse. His work done, his cock was slowly deflating even as he stood there, his hands on his hips.<br><br>"Oh, no! Whatever shall I do if you should take it into your head to come back this way?" Sheila faked at swooning, arching her back on the bed, letting the sheet fall away from her full breasts. Lex had to admit that she was quite beautiful, as befit someone who could afford all the best in cosmetic surgery, but he felt nothing but professional detachment for her.<br><br>He moved through the room, picking up his discarded clothing and dressed himself slowly. Sheila sensed that their time was up and dropped the act. She gathered the sheet around herself and sat up more fully in the bed.<br><br>"I'm really glad you could make it out here on such short notice. I enjoyed our time together." At least she understood that the Companion chose the client and that any improper behavior on her part could result in being blacklisted with the Guild. She was courteous to Lex, and that earned her a recommendation on the Registry, in his opinion. He would log it as soon as he was back on the ship.<br><br>He replied in his normal voice, which was far gentler than the one he had been using with her during their appointment. "I enjoyed it myself. You are a charming and beautiful woman, and our time together was delightful." He sat on the side of the bed, his shirt still hanging open, and laid a hand on one of her slik-covered thighs. She reached out and laid one of hers palm flat against his chest. "I don't know when I'll be on Persephone again, but feel free to call on me whenever I do, if you like. I should be happy to entertain you again."<br><br>"I'd like that."<br><br>He leaned in and kissed her, finalizing their time together with one last small act of intimacy before slipping out the door. He finished buttoning up his shirt as he made his way down the hall and out the front door of the house, where a transport was waiting for him. He slid into it and directed the driver in a crisp, professional tone.<br><br>"Eavesdown Docks."<br><br>The driver looked from the house to Lex, clearly wondering what someone dressed like him and headed to the docks would be doing in a house like that, but said nothing. Lex was glad of the silence. He was tired and looking forward to spending some down time once he was back aboard <em>The Gamble</em>.<br><br>The last few weeks had been, while not unpleasant, certainly not the most enjoyable of his life. Guild Companions needed to have yearly health exams in order to stay on the Registry, and he had nearly missed this one. He would have preferred going to a Core hospital, where the procedures would have been quicker, but he needed to stop off at the first place they could get to on short notice, and that was Persephone. On Ariel, he would have been in and out in two days; here, it had taken eight. He had put himself up in a hotel while he waited for <em>The Gamble</em>'s return, hoping to while away his time with clients. He had found that there was a greater demand for a male Companion here than he would have otherwise thought, and he had been very busy indeed, meeting with sixteen clients in the last twelve days. Fourteen women and two men; and it was the men that really took it out of him. He had needed a full day's rest after the first one. He hadn't wanted to take a commission on his last day before meeting up with <em>The Gamble</em>, but Sheila had been so... insistent.<br><br>He rode in the back of the transport, relaxed and anticipating the down time of travelling the black. He could get caught up on his reading, and give his aching body a chance to rest. He looked forward to seeing all of the faces of the crew of <em>The Gamble</em> again, and idly wondered if there would be any changes in the ship's complement this time out. He trusted the captain, though, to keep the ship and crew safe. There was nothing for him to worry about. He settled back in his seat, hands behind his head, and watched the world speed past outside the window of the transport. Nope, nothing to worry about at all.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>06-07-2011, 03:19:46</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston, Captain – in the Captain’s quarters aboard The Gamble - at Eavesdown Docks on Persephone =-</strong><br></div><br>As he sat next to her on the couch, he tried to figure what was bothering her and causing her to react so sensitively today. Sure, she had bouts of “explosive decompression”, as Griff had secretly termed her outbursts of anger, but this seemed a little different from the norm. Suddenly it dawned on him what must be the cause; the one year anniversary of her family’s brutal massacre and her own near death experience at the hands of reavers was drawing near. He knew it must be on her mind and he was well aware of the toll that it could, and most likely was, taking on her. He quickly decidedly that he would be taking great pains to make sure she kept herself busy over the next few weeks in order to keep her mind preoccupied with other things and off of the anniversary of her family’s murders. Sasha had been extremely fortunate to have both escaped the fate the rest of her family suffered, but she was equally lucky she had not become the very thing that had so heinously butchered them. <br><br>It had long been believed that reavers were men who had lived on the fringe of space removed from civilization for far too long and had lost their touch with humanity as a result. Since the Miranda broadwave, the realization that reavers were people transformed by a chemical process had spawned various schools of thought from doctors and scientists across the ‘verse as to why, exactly, a small percentage of those subjected to the “Pax” became reavers. There were about as many theories as there were stars in the ‘verse, but one theory pertaining to reaver victims becoming reavers themselves speculated that their victims had somehow been infected by the chemically tainted blood, thereby driving them insanely violent, transforming them into reavers... much like the old Earth-that-was myths concerning vampires.<br><br>As he sat next to her, his golden bronze hand at the back of her neck with thick fingers massaging the noticeable knot of tension there, the images of her slaughtered family came to his mind in a horrific splash of crimson. His lips tightened into a line at the terrible sight and his mind quickly fast forwarded to when he happened upon the mortified Sasha. Though in a state of shock and in dire need of medical attention, she was clinging with a white-knuckled grip to a large, bloodstained butcher knife she had swiped from the galley, her eyes wide with both fear and rage. Griff had to incapacitate her with the help of one of crew before he could haul her back to The Gamble and haul ass out of there before the reavers returned. Letting a low sigh, Griff returned to the here and now, a feeling of sympathy for Sasha, he instinctively leaned closer to her, his bare thigh brushing against hers in his attempt to console the pain he knew she must be feeling right now. That had to be why she was so sensitive right now. It was the only thing that made sense to him.<br><br>Suddenly, she stood again and steeled her resolve as she shoved her chin forward defiantly. <strong>“Captain...I’m sorry. It’s just...I...I’m....damn. Yes. Yes, I’m with you - of course I’m with you.”</strong> Griff afforded her an uncharacteristically warm smile of understanding and compassion. He remained seated for a moment, watching her as she paced his living quarters, smoothing her hair back. He noticed the sudden shift as she jumped back into that familiar professional persona and began going on about the job ahead of them, Griff slowly stood and watched her, placing his hands on his hips and trying not to let her see the realization of her pain in his expression.<br><br><strong>“I know how to deal with Ferret, don’t you worry. I appreciate Si coming along to back me up; I know I can count on him. You go get that engine part, grab us our new guy and more ammo. I’ll brief everyone on their duties before we depart; maybe we can have them all group in the cargo bay before we head off on our separate ways, give ‘em the rundown of what’s what. Sound about right?&nbsp; And...we’ve been out in the black for a long spell this time around; I think the crew’s earned a night of R&amp;R. I’ll have everyone report back at the ship at 0700 tomorrow morning. See you down at the cargo bay in a few?”</strong><br><br>Griff nodded and resisted the urge to console her further as her friend, instead falling back into the comfortable role of&nbsp; a Captain talking to his First Officer.<em> “Very good, Sasha. I’d say the crew’s earned a night of R&amp;R.”</em> He bent down to pick up his dirty clothes and combat boots. He noticed his boxer briefs weren’t where he’d tossed them and glanced about the room, quickly spotting them on the far side of the room. A puzzled look filled his dark mocha eyes as he glanced from the briefs to Sasha. <em>“Yeah that sounds ‘bout right. I’ve got Dani roundin’ folks up for a … briefing…”</em> he said with a pause as he knelt down to pick up his briefs by the elastic band. <em>“…‘fore they all slip out to play."</em> He turned, setting his boots on the floor at the foot of his bed when there was a knock at the door to his cabin. He listened as Sasha greeted Vince and then sent him on his way to gather Meimei for the briefing. Dropping his soiled shirt and pants in the dirty clothes hamper, he smiled and nodded reassuringly to Sasha before she turned and left his quarters. <br><br>As the heavy metal door clinked shut behind her he pulled the towel from around his waist and tossed it in the dirty clothes hamper along with the boxer briefs, which missed the hamper. He knelt down to pick them up again. <em>”Zao gao!”</em> he cursed softly. He suddenly remembered one other thing to mention to Sasha and quickly moved to the door, throwing it open in the hopes of catching her in time. Stepping out into the hallway naked as a lark with his boxer briefs in his hand he called after her. <em>” “Sasha! I almost forgot! Have someone make sure our passenger knows we’ve arrived and he gets off my boat… unless he means to pay additional fare for room and board.”</em><br><br>He wasn’t sure if she heard him or not so he would be sure to check on the passenger himself before he departed. <em>“Ai ya,”</em> he cursed again quietly as he turned to move back into his cabin. That’s when he noticed Meimei and Vince standing together just outside of Vince’s cabin. Griff took a look at Meimei’s outfit and smirked as his eyes openly roamed her lithe, young body. His hands went to his hips, the briefs clenched in one hand as he faced them shamelessly. “Well look at you all dolled up and looking just a whole peck of delicious. He let his gaze linger longer than was normal, seeming to undress her with his eyes before he suddenly seemed to realize that Vince was standing there too. He looked up at Vince with a nonchalant expression then waved the boxer briefs at the both of them.<em>” Now, y’all make sure to take care of responsibilities ‘fore y’all run off to play, Dohn luh mah?”</em><br><br><hr>Zao gao = Damn it!<br>Ai ya = Damn!<br>Dohn luh mah = Are we clear?<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>06-07-2011, 06:08:57</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the unknown element – Eavesdown Docks, Persephone – blending?=-</strong></div><br>‘<em>Kwai jio kai?</em>’&nbsp; Did she hear right? The artificially red-haired young woman lifted her head but didn’t bother looking around. She had nowhere to go anyway, much less any intention of making a fuss. Scene making was waaaay down on her list of things to accomplish today. But those women were talking to her, or about her, and meanly. What had she done? Tried to grab a little rest where there was none to be found. At least the approach of a man swung their attention away from her and she could go back to contemplating the places she might be likely to flourish once back to some safe ground.<br><br>Except… the guy approaching wanted attention of his own sort, the attention of the girl trying not to gain attention. Whatever could he mean by a good grapple? He wanted a handshake? “Uh, <em>nihao. Kuai qu hen yuan de di fang?</em>” she pleaded quietly, trying to make the man ignore her with an unfriendly but less than aggressive brush off.<br><br>*****<br><br><em>Nihao</em>: hello.<br><em>Kuai qu hen yuan de di fang</em>: Go away; lit. Go far away very fast.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>06-07-2011, 06:31:38</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- with Vincent, heading for the Cargo Bay for debriefing before going planet side onto Persephone ~</strong></div><br>Mae stood quietly behind her co-pilot and friend, one she hoped would soon come with benefits well beyond her imagination. Her eyes trailed over his back, drinking in the deep green shirt that seemed to be painted over his body hugging him like a second skin, and landed on the delicious firm backside that cried out for a pinch.&nbsp; Her hand reached out towards it before thinking better of it and letting it swing back to her side as she heard his baritone voice call out her name. <strong><em>"Alright, now to get Mae and meet up in the cargo bay." </em> </strong>&nbsp; Fluffing her hair and striking a flirty pose she called out with a seductive tone to tempt his attention and cover up the excited moan that wanted to escape at the sound of her name on his tongue.<br><br><em>“Looking for me?”</em><br><br>The sight of that sexy wolfish grin tugging at his lips as he slowly turned to face her was enough to set her heartbeat racing, add the flirtatious tone that wrapped each word spoken and the young infatuated teen found herself leaning heavily against the wall attempting to stay upright. <strong><em>"I thought you knew that I'm always looking for you whenever you are away. You look... wow... That looks great on you."</em></strong>&nbsp; Resisting squealing with excitement, Mae bit down on her bottom lip and mentally carried out her victory dance inside the recesses of her mind. The outfit had lived up to her hopes, and judging by the smoldering desire that burned in his eyes, one step closer to cashing in on the benefits that their special friendship might bring them.&nbsp; <br><br>Mae continued to watch as the colour began to rise in his skin before he continued with the orders given by the ships first officer. Knowing she could cause him to flush had her stepping closer as he spoke, extending her hand to run her finger along his strong arm, stroking his exposed skin with a feather light touch. <strong><em>"I, um, there's a briefing in the cargo bay. We need to gather a few supplies before we get the evening to ourselves.” </em> </strong> Mae smiled wider as his flirtatious nature came back, treating her to a wink and bringing out the smile she reserved solely for him. <strong><em>"I don't know about you, but I vote we get that done as fast as possible so we can have some real fun together."&nbsp; </em> </strong> Opening her mouth, Mae was about to respond with a detailed version of what her idea of “real fun” with Vincent would entail when they were suddenly joined in the hall by their Captain, in all his glory. <br><br><em><strong>"Sasha! I almost forgot! Have someone make sure our passenger knows we've arrived and he gets off my boat.... unless he means to pay additional fare for room and board.”</strong></em><br><br>Mae's attention was ripped from her flirtatious diversions with Vincent and placed squarely on the very exposed mocha coloured backside belonging to one Griffin Kingston.&nbsp; A soft feminine giggle escaped her lips and vibrated from her tongue as she cocked her head to one side in admiration. Her hand that still rested on Vincent's arm slowly slipped from his skin to once more land in a soft swaying motion at her side. Her eyes flicked up to glance at Vincent as the two stood stalk still in the center of the hall she couldn't help but wonder about his reaction to the very brazen view that was before them. <br><br>Her hand moved quickly to cover her mouth as she attempted to stifle the second giggle that bubbled from her chest at the exact moment Griff turned to stand before them in full Monty.&nbsp; Her young eyes darted down to take in his body before quickly bringing them back to stare slightly above his bare shoulder. She zeroed in on a blemish on the wall as a chant began to run in her mind. <em>"Eyes up, keep your eyes up, whatever you do... do not look down..again!”</em><br><br><strong><em>“Well look at you all dolled up and looking just a whole peck of delicious. Now, y’all make sure to take care of responsibilities ‘fore y’all run off to play, Dohn luh mah?”</em></strong><br><br>Mae felt her body heat at the intense inspection of her attire. She willed the soft blush that kissed her skin from growing deeper as she stood just a little bit straighter, thrusting her shoulders back with feminine pride. The Captain was an attractive man there was no argument to be had there. What girl wouldn't want his eyes undressing her? The problem was that Mae knew firsthand what it felt like to have him actually undress her and a whole lot more. The look in his eyes had those memories of her eighteenth birthday flooding her mind and as such bringing a soft whimper from her throat.&nbsp; Unable to speak at first Mae struggled with her straying emotions, working inwardly to regain her youthful spirit that served her well.<br><br>Smoothing her hand along the sides of her body Mae tossed them both a cheeky grin, forcing her feet into action with a soft sway of her hips, she headed towards the stairs that would bring them to the cargo bay. <em>“We were just heading to meet up with the others. No doubt Sasha will be chomping at the bit to issue out her orders.”&nbsp; </em> She moved carefully, swinging her hips in a way that was designed to draw the eye of the male sex and careful to keep her voice soft, if not a tad lower with a husky tone that was not her normal pitch.&nbsp; Pausing she looked over her shoulder and ran her tongue over the smooth clean surface of her teeth.&nbsp; Holding her hand out Mae added with more than a hint of sensuality. <em>“Coming Vince?”</em>&nbsp; Gracing a smile upon Griffin, Mae added <em>“I would ask you the same question but the answer is obvious…..”&nbsp; </em> Allowing both the double meaning and her eyesight to quickly drop and hang in the air Mae’s smile grew wicked as she added<em> “you need to get dressed before joining us. Unless it’s your intention to greet the afternoon as God made ya?”</em><br><br>As Vincent moved to join her once more, Mae let her head fall back slightly and released a throaty playful laugh. Her spirited nature caused a twinkle of mischief to dance in her green eyes as the sound of her mirth floated in the air and tickled the senses of both men. Taking the stairs with Vincent close by she moved her body once more for his benefit, hoping to become a greater temptation to him, one that he might be unable to resist much longer. <br><br><em><strong>"Looks like we have our first customers,"</strong> </em> <br><br>Dani’s soft voice sounded as the young pilots descended the stairs into the cargo bay where the orders would soon be handed out. Mae hoped theirs wouldn't be anything to problematic as she was itching for some time in the clubs that Persephone offered and even more so, to spend some quality alone time with Vincent.&nbsp; <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>07-07-2011, 02:35:29</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent - Standing outside of his private quarters - Persephone =-</strong></div><br>Mae’s gentle caress on his arm sent a current of excited electricity originating from the point of contact that spread through the rest of his body.&nbsp; A teasing sample of the intimate contact he desired from her like nothing else in the ‘verse.&nbsp; Vincent became aware that there was something slightly different with this flirtatious exchange; he got the impression that the subtext was more genuine than he had initially suspected.&nbsp; As he continued to relay the missive, his mind was more focused upon taking in the outfit she had chosen for the evening.&nbsp; The evening she had known was going to be spent with him.&nbsp; Hope coursed through his mind as he considered the possibility that her flirtatious attitude towards him had been just as genuine as his had been towards her, only camouflaged by their joking personalities.&nbsp; His heart raced in response to that possibility, confident that her reply to his overtly flirtatious remark would answer that question for him.<br><br>That had all come crashing down around him as a deep masculine voice interjected and in the sudden moment of apprehension Vincent felt as though he was in freefall even though his body never wavered.&nbsp; He was well aware that only moments before Griff was garbed in nothing but a towel and it was not past him to come bolting out of his room in just that.&nbsp; The sight of Mae’s enamored gaze directed elsewhere caused a knot to form in his chest as he traced it to the Captain who stood with the only article of clothing upon him being the pair of underwear that was presently being waved around like a flag within his hand.&nbsp; At the same time, Mae’s touch disappeared from his arm and he had instantly realized that their moment together had been brutally executed.<br><br>Vincent’s head whipped around so that the captain would only get a view of the back of it and Mae would only see his profile.&nbsp; His body froze with tension as he fought to gain control over his mind that had become a torrent of frustration.&nbsp; In an instant, Vincent had recited every curse word he knew within his mind, his inner voice trumpeting his fury in several dialects.&nbsp; Most of which the vocabulary was limited entirely to swear words for such an occasion.&nbsp; As Griff spoke, Vincent’s temper seethed at the notion that the statement might have been mocking.&nbsp; The co-pilot was well aware of Griff’s flirtatious nature and his casual indifference to nudity, often finding it entertaining.&nbsp; When it was directed at Mae, however, Vincent had to fight the green-eyed monster within to maintain rational thought.&nbsp; He tried to remind himself that it was just the man’s nature and that his words were being taken out of context, but the irrational side of him screamed that the interruption had been too well timed for coincidence.&nbsp; That Griff had intended to snatch Mae away from him before getting a chance to show his affection for her.<br><br>After what felt like a brief eternity, though no more than a few seconds had passed, Vincent had finally begun to get his emotions on a short leash to gain enough leverage to keep them in control.&nbsp; That was until he had heard the faint whimper escape Mae’s lips and his vision suddenly became flushed with red.&nbsp; Reacting quickly, Vincent redirected that tsunami of anger inward and pictured himself stomping those emotions into the deepest pit of his stomach before they could grab hold of him.&nbsp; He winced as he got the impression that those primal emotions had gained some margin of tangibility and that it had taken the form of a spiked object that raked at his insides as he suppressed them.&nbsp; As much as it hurt, Vincent knew that it had to be dealt with quickly before it would drive him to do something extremely stupid that would leave him unemployed, battered, bruised, or some combination thereof.<br><br>To lash out against a friend went against one of the key foundations of Vincent’s moral code.&nbsp; He knew that he would never be able to rationalize Griff’s actions as betrayal, even if he was successful at winning Mae’s undivided affection before Vincent could do so.&nbsp; Once the heat of the moment passed, he knew that he would never be able to forgive himself should he ever do such a thing.&nbsp; On top of that, there was no doubt in his mind that Griff would be able to neutralize him almost effortlessly by comparison even while fueled by rage.&nbsp; Vince believed that Griff was the better man on all levels.&nbsp; He had more power, strength, command, influence, charisma, and any other aspect that mattered.&nbsp; Vincent wanted Mae as a significant other, not just a casual lover, which was something he was not sure he would be emotionally capable of achieving if Griff and Mae slept together.&nbsp; That is why he felt so threatened by him when it came to his flirtatious mannerisms towards her.&nbsp; If Griff wished to take her from him, there was little Vincent could do to prevent it as things currently stood.<br><br>Vincent watched from his peripheries as Mae began to head towards the stairs, observing the enticing sway of her body, but still too tense to fully enjoy the sight.&nbsp; It would take him a few more moments to completely recover from his inner turmoil.&nbsp; Being with Mae and out of sight of Griff's naked body would make things a lot easier for him to manage.<br><br><em>“Coming Vince?”</em><br><br>For the first time since he diverted his gaze from Griff, Vince looked away from the wall that led into his room to meet Mae's eyes.&nbsp; The mere sight of her was enough to bring a smile back to his face, though it had been more restrained than the one a minute earlier.&nbsp; He was certain that there was an element of discomfort to his expression, but that would be easy enough to explain away with the excuse of him being uncomfortable in the presence of his boss when he was naked.&nbsp; Professional proprieties towards an employer and the like.<br><br>"I would love to."&nbsp; The double entendre hadn't been intended, but he had caught it just as it left his lips and accompanied it with a slight smirk.&nbsp; He slung his pack over his shoulder when Mae's attention returned to Griff along with a suggestive remark.&nbsp; Hopefully he had timed it just right so that he had been facing away from the both of them to hide the flash of heartache that washed over him before he could conceal it behind his facade.&nbsp; As he walked towards Mae, he met the captain's eyes for a brief moment; his expression neutral and emotionless as though his mind had been preoccupied by other matters.&nbsp; With a slight nod of the head upon passing him, Vincent acknowledged Griff with a simple "Captain." so that his behavior didn't come off as contemptuous in regards to the chain of command.&nbsp; Just like his expression, Vincent's voice was level, concise, and devoid of emotion when addressing the naked man.<br><br>As he followed Mae down the stairs, he couldn't help but find her laugh bittersweet.&nbsp; In of itself, it would have been music to his ears; but it had been for Griff's benefit as well as his own.&nbsp; The past few moments had been a painful reminder of just how tenuous his position was in regards to winning Mae's affection in the long term.&nbsp; If he didn't act soon, there was a very real possibility that he would lose her.&nbsp; Vincent used that reasoning to strengthen his resolve.&nbsp; Tonight would be the night he would win her over, come hell or high water, he will let her know how he feels.&nbsp; With that he was able to pull himself out of his funk, allowing him to once again delight in the lithe sway to Mae's body as she walked. <br><br><em>"Looks like we have our first customers."</em><br><br>"Customers?&nbsp; Are you saying you're the one selling us the supplies that we were told to retrieve?"&nbsp; Vincent's playful banter had returned with a mischievous grin directed at Dani.&nbsp; "Assuming you have the list on you, that would officially make our objective complete."&nbsp; He proceeded to clap his hands together as if cleaning a layer of dirt from them and rotated his shoulders with a light groan as though he had just finished lifting a heavy load.&nbsp; With him finishing all the necessary motions following a hard day's work, he leaned against Mae's side, wrapping his arm around her lower back as he did so, and shot her a wide grin.&nbsp; "Well, now that that's taken care of, shall we head out and enjoy our evening?"<br><br>Mae's presence against him was enough to make him put Griff's interruption behind him, allowing him to focus upon the immediate future.&nbsp; As it was, that very well might have been the closest he's ever come to embracing her intimately; all other times he's attempted this maneuver, he'd hesitate and his arm would be around her shoulders rather than the small of her back with his hand rested upon her hip.&nbsp; There was the exception of the night she passed out in his bed with him of course, but he was only counting times where the both of them were conscious this time around.&nbsp; Vincent never took a step towards the exit, knowing that they hadn't gotten off the hook that easily and simply waited to be handed the shopping list.&nbsp; That and he wanted to see how Mae would react to his touch.&nbsp; It was innocent enough to an onlooker, but could potentially have a bit more context to it for the two of them.<br><br><em>"If you two are going out I expect you will be keeping a close eye on our pilot. The Captain would undoubtedly be distraught to hear she her resume was too attractive to ignore and resulted in some aggressive recruitment into another crew."</em><br><br>"You heard the man," Vincent said with a flirtatious wink at Mae.&nbsp; "Si has given me explicit orders to ogle you throughout the evening.&nbsp; Those had been my intensions all along, but now any negative repercussions can be redirected at him."&nbsp; His eyes then met Simeon's to express that despite the joking, Vincent had planned on making sure Mae would be in good hands.&nbsp; Namely, his own.&nbsp; Hopefully literally.&nbsp; "No worries, Si.&nbsp; The only way you'd find yourself looking for a new pilot is if you suddenly find yourself in the market for a new co-pilot as well." 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>08-07-2011, 07:59:00</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- in the Cargo Bay waiting for debriefing before going planet side onto Persephone ~</strong></div><br><br>Her skin warmed from the simple touch of Vincent's hand as it slid across her body. To others it might have been seen as an innocent gesture, but to Mae it was a step in the right direction.<br><br><strong>"Well, now that that's taken care of, shall we head out and enjoy our evening?" </strong> <br><br>Mae had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from moaning out loud and in doing so she flinched, her expression taking on that of a soft pout. Rubbing the wall of her cheek with her tongue, Mae let its pink tip sweep across her lip before smiling and nodding her agreement as she artfully shifted closer to the object of her affection, stirring the butterflies that danced in her stomach from a low flutter to a blustery tango. <br><br>She turned slightly in Vincent's arms in order to press her body against his in what she hoped would be a subtle invitation for him to read without alerting the rest of the crew. Raising a single hand, Mae fluttered her eyelashes in a playful manner, trailing her nail along the landscape of his body in tiny circles. It was an action meant in a light hearted teasing fashion. Had she not suffered an untimely loss of a lash that caused the young vixen to curse under her breath and drawing her flutter into a battle that became more desperate by the second, she might have managed it. Add that along with the addition of her finger working out the unwelcome invasion, the mood might have remained the way it had been intended. Instead, like most things that she did, it came off as comical. Taking in a deep breath, Mae squared her shoulders and attempted to recapture the flirtatious mood of only moments before and replied using her best come-hither tone. "I'm up for a night of sinful adventure if you are! Show me all the hot spots Vinnie! I want to dance the night away! Let's throw out the rule book and get wild!” As Mae spoke she brought the devilish lash that had caused her so much trouble, which now rested surrendering on the tip of her finger, up to Vincent's lips and whispered "make a wish.”<br><br>Mae was almost purring as she stood next to Vincent, his arm wrapped around her tightly, their bodies closer than they had ever allowed before. It was all she could do to keep from pulling his face down to meet hers and capturing his lips in a kiss that he would never forget. The reminder that they were not alone came in the form of a warning sounded by Simeon Gaorong. Reluctantly Mae dragged her eyes from Vincent to acknowledge the speaker as he suggested that her planet side escort keep an eye on her, should she be tempted to relocate to another crew. She took in the quiet form of Dani, the ships medic, as she stood near to Si quietly observing the goings on before repling "Just the Captain Si? You wouldn't miss me at all? Not even a tiny bit? I'm sure Dani would miss me, wouldn't you Dani?” her cheeky smile was that of playful child conversing with a favourite uncle and beloved older sister. Mae was happy to be part of this crew and in many ways each member found a place in her new family. Even those she didn't see eye to eye with. She still respected each and every one of them, even if she didn't always show it. <br><br>Mae's attention fell once again upon the man that had her heart racing; she turned to center her gaze upon Vincent as he responded to Simeon's request, his playful words bringing another layer of hope to dance in her crisp green eyes as she stared into his teasing delightful orbs.<br><br><strong>"You heard the man, Si has given me explicit orders to ogle you throughout the evening. Those had been my intensions all along, but now any negative repercussions can be redirected at him."</strong><br><br>A girlish giggle bubbled along her throat and vibrated from her tongue as Mae smiled, openly flirting with the ships handsome copilot. "What if the repercussions are undeniably positive? Should I redirect those repercussions towards Si as well?” Exhilarated from the optimistic feelings that flooded her mind and body, Mae couldn't hold back the enamoured grin that tugged at the corners of her mouth. Her green eyes darkened and danced and frolicked with amorous affection as she cocked her head to one side, causing her hair to sweep across his fingers that were currently burning their mark on her skin, while she tossed him a sassy wink. "Only I have a feeling they would better serve someone more...willing to accept them.”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>08-07-2011, 14:58:41</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston, Captain – in the Captain’s quarters aboard The Gamble - at Eavesdown Docks on Persephone =-</strong></div><br>Standing nude before his pilot and co-pilot didn’t seem to bother Griff in the least. He had been known to randomly roam about the ship in nothing but his birthday suit on more than one occasion. Griff had a comfortableness with nudity that seemed to unsettle most folks. He was comfortable in his own skin, for one thing, and he didn’t see anything wrong with wandering about the way he came into this world once in a while, though he usually kept those times during the ‘grave yard’ shift so as not to upset the other crew members too much. As he undressed Mae with his eyes he was instantly aware of the affect it seemed to have on her. He took note of the pinking of her cheeks and how her posture straightened for him as her gaze settled on his manhood. He was suddenly taken back to that night when he first met Mae in some hot night spot on Valentine, not far from Persephone. <br><br>He had gone to Valentine to meet with a trusted old contact of his, Zarek Akando. Griff had informed Akando he was in the market for a new pilot since his previous pilot had walked out on him after things got hairy with the Alliance and had asked Akando to keep an ear to the ground. Little did he know that Akando had his mitts on a hot shot jockey he was looking to help get out of the Bai Hu races and into a safer line of work. He was also unaware that girl he would bump into, the girl who would drag him to that darkened hallway where they had their way with each other in midst of the crowded club where people danced all around them to the pulse pounding rhythmically intoxicating beat would be the very same person he had come to audition for the pilot job. It wasn’t until later, when Akando introduced them, that they realized their error, to the tune of Mae’s remark, “Oh, sorry for earlier… I thought you were my present.”<br><br>Griff grinned sinfully as he undressed her with his eyes, remembering that night, their time spent in that hallway against the wall, on that mostly empty balcony as she bent over the railing, and in the women’s bathroom on the counter top and against the mirror. He learned, that night, why Akando called her his “Little Swallow”… or least the reason why Griff assumed he called her that. He noticed when she ripped her eyes from his nakedness and fixed her gaze somewhere beyond him, smirking knowingly at Mae as she whimpered softly just as she had done that night some eight or so months ago back on Valentine. Of course, Vince’s reactions weren’t lost on Griff either and, though he felt a twinge of guilt for making the younger man feel insecure and threatened, part of him found it comical and he couldn’t resist the urge to tease and torture Vince whenever he could. Mae and Vince may have thought they were fooling everyone, but Griff knew that the two were swooning all over each other. It didn’t take a rocket surgeon to figure it out, and the fact that the two thought they were being discreet amused him. He gave Vince a wink and a slap on the back as he moved off to join Mae once more.<br><br><br><strong>“Coming Vince? I would ask you the same question but the answer is obvious…you need to get dressed before joining us. Unless it’s your intention to greet the afternoon as God made ya?”</strong><br><br>Her voice was noticeably huskier than normal, laced with seduction and arousal. He loved that he could still get to her that way. Shamelessly letting his eyes fix on the swaying hips as she sauntered away, Griff replied to Mae’s teasing remark with one of his own, though he couldn’t be sure if either she or Vince picked up on it as they disappeared down the stairs leading to the cargo hold. “Wo De Tian A, Yao Nu…. you keep that up and I’ll be forced to remind you of a thing or two from Valentine. Ta ma de!” <br><br>Shaking his head in amusement, Griff ducked back inside his cabin and quickly set about getting dressed. Normally he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to ready himself when making planetfall, but he had entertained the thought of visiting a local girl he fancied for some much needed stress relief and good old fashioned fun and now that Sasha had decided to give the crew a night of R&amp;R, he would have the time to do just that. Quickly pulling on a clean pair of boxer briefs, a comfortable pair of dark olive combat slacks, cushion-soled socks and his black combat boots, Griff holstered his sidearm, a Colt. 45 DX, and grabbed a form fitting, black, long-sleeved pullover before slipping from his cabin and rushing down to meet the others gathered in the cargo bay. <br><br>As he descended the stairs, he saw Mae and Vince practically mauling each other while Si stood with Dani’s arm draped over his. “Easy there, Romeo,” he quipped to Vince as he came up behind them, giving Mae a swat of her behind as he passed them, coming to stand between the four of them. “Hands off the merchandise, chief.” He teased further. He grinned at Si with a jovial wink as he added, “Maybe I should send you along with these two to make sure Cassinova here doesn’t offend our Mei Mei’s honor,” he joked, jabbing his thumb over his shoulder towards Vince at the mention of Cassinova. Looking around, he noticed the missing crew members. Assuming that Sasha had gone to check in on their lone passenger, Griff reached over and pressed the Comms panel near the loading ramp, keying up ship-wide intercom channel. “Hayes! You get that engine ready for the new cata-ma-whatzit. I’ll have the new one for ya faster’n you can say Tian-ling-ling, di-ling-ling!”<br><br>******<br>Wo De Tian A, Yao Nu = Dear God in heaven, demon woman<br>Ta ma de! = Fuck!<br>Tian-ling-ling, di-ling-ling = Abracadabra-alakazam<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>grdell</strong> on <strong>08-07-2011, 15:54:44</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Lex Rake, Eavesdown Docks, Persephone =-</strong></div><br>Lex stretched once more when he got out of the transport. It hadn't exactly been cramped in the back of the vehicle, but he was tired and sore and stretching felt good. He'd worked hard these last twelve days - harder than he had in some time - and had the bulging credit account and coin purse to prove it. The stretch brought a few looks from some of the people standing around outside the dockmaster's office, but not as many as we would have liked. <em>Must be losing my touch,</em> he thought, with an internal smile.<br><br>He paid the driver before turning to enter the office and find out where <em>The Gamble</em> was berthed. His training made him more than usually observant - a talent which had saved his skin more than a few times out here away from the Core - and he saw from the corner of his eye a couple of toughs paying more attention to him when he had his wallet out. There was likely to be trouble later.<br><br>The dockmaster's office was cramped, busy, and stinking. There was a press of people gathered around the counter, but there didn't seem to be any kind of line. He elbowed his way up to the counter and laid a coin on the counter with a very audible click. One of the clerks looked up, noticed him, noticed his coin, and came over.<br><br>"I need to know where a ship is docked. <em>The Gamble</em>."<br><br>The clerk reached for the coin, but Lex pulled it back toward himself and raised his eyebrows. The clerk looked at him once more before turning to a terminal and doing a quick check.<br><br>"Docking bay thirty. That's three-zero."<br><br>Lex smiled and pushed the coin across the counter to the other man. "Thank you."<br><br>Well, at least he wouldn't have <em>that</em> long of a walk to get to the ship. But he doubted the toughs looking to mug him were going to wait very long after he came out of the office. They had no idea how long of a trip he had in front of him, after all. Taking a deep breath to steel himself before the inevitable encounter, he stepped out of the office.<br><br>He kept his eyes peeled without looking too much like he was being wary as he made his way along the crowded lanes between shipping containers and docked ships. His bag would be a problem if the muggers brought friends. If he just dropped it in order to fight, someone else could snatch it and run off. There wasn't anything absolutely irreplaceable in it, but it would be an inconvenience, and he was in no mood for inconveniences right now. He slung it across his back, making it look like he was just trying to relieve a sore shoulder. And sure enough, that's just when they jumped him.<br><br>Luckily, it was just the two of them. They must have thought that with his slender frame he wouldn't be that much of a challenge. They were wrong. All Companions received combat training, and Lex in particular had excelled at it.<br><br>He easily dodged the first one's hastily thrown fist and positioned himself for the other one's charge. In moments, the second would-be mugger was flat on his back after being flipped over Lex's shoulder, and the first was coming in to make another attempt with his fists. Lex blocked the clumsy blows easily enough. He wondered if these guys were ever successful, fighting as pathetically as they did.<br><br>The second was back on his feet and circling around to try to get behind Lex. The first lunged forward with such force that Lex was able to duck under him and redirect his momentum so that he ended up falling into his friend. Both men fell in a heap.<br><br>"Go hwong tong, my friends. Go on, git. You'll get nothing from me I won't take outta your hides first." He sounded rough and intimidating, not his usual self at all.<br><br>The two men looked to each other as they struggled to their feet, then turned heel and ran. Lex rolled his eyes. They took him for an easy mark and got proved wrong. Let them find some other poor sap.<br><br>He checked his bag to make sure it was still secure on his back and then continued on his way to <em>The Gamble</em>, wondering if they would be stupid enough to shadow him, waiting for a more opportune moment, but he didn't see them again.<br><br>Finally, he arrived at the ship, but it was still closed up tight. They were probably having a meeting of some kind before disembarking. That was all right, he could wait. He took a look around to make sure there were no other likely troublemakers before taking a seat next to the entrance. When they did open the hatch, he'd be the first person they saw.<br><br><hr>Go hwong tong = Enough of this nonsense
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NiceTexasGuy</strong> on <strong>08-07-2011, 18:11:09</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>Stephen McPherson -- Eavesdown Docks, Persephone -- awaiting the arrival of the Gamble</strong></div><br>Situational awareness came as second nature to most combat soldiers after a short time -- otherwise they didn't remain combat soldiers, but joined the ranks of the <em>honored dead</em>.&nbsp; Many of them would settle into a safer lifestyle after the war and their combat skills would take a back seat to fitting in to regular society, while others could never quite let it go -- especially if their circumstances justified a heightened appreciation of their surroundings.<br><br>Steve, fresh from his futile attempts to fit into polite society on a core planet, found the old habits were coming back to him with relative ease.&nbsp; The group of young punks trying to look nonchalant as they gathered to plan some mischief stood out to him like a sore thumb, as did a recently landed ship from which crew members emerged looking as if they were checking for Feds before unloading their innocuous looking cargo.&nbsp; On the other hand, even a blind man would have sensed the scene unfolding off to his left -- a girl in rags having a bit of a confrontation with a pair of dockside doxies whose clothing tried, but couldn't outshine the younger girl's bright red hair.&nbsp; Steve just shook his head as he passed, a strange mix of regret that his efforts to fit in to polite society didn't work out, and a sense of relief to be back in an environment more reminiscent of home.<br><br>Knowing the two young Feds he confronted earlier would be as far away as possible from the dockmaster's office, Steve proceeded there to find out if the Gamble had landed yet, and if so, where.&nbsp; Oddly enough, when he to paused scan the crowd in the office, a tall thin scruffy man made his way to the counter to ask about the very ship for which Steve was waiting.&nbsp; Though he didn't think it was the best of moves for the man to announce to the world he had money to throw away, Steve was glad the man saved him the trouble of having to jump through any hoops or spend any more time in the office to find out what he wanted to know.<br><br>"Might as well go to work" he thought to himself as he followed the man out of the office and toward Docking Bay 30, his own backpack in tow.&nbsp; He kept back a safe distance so as not to alarm the man, and began to close the distance as the two thugs approached.&nbsp; Before he could get involved, the confrontation was over, and Steve resumed tailing the man who, it appeared, wasn't quite as helpless as he looked.<br><br>Arriving at the recently-landed ship, Steve cleared his throat to alert the man of his presence.&nbsp; More accurately, he assumed the man knew Steve was behind him, and this was his signal to the man that said "I"m not trying to sneak up on you."&nbsp; Stopping beside Lex (not too close, but not too far away either) Steve gave him a little half-smile and spoke in his more natural voice ... a mix of core and rim with a large hint of brogue.<br><br>"Must be the Gamble, eh?&nbsp; I'm McPherson."&nbsp; He extended a hand to shake.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>09-07-2011, 00:04:52</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent - The Gamble's Cargo Bay - Docked on Persephone =-</strong></div><br>Vincent was well aware of the shift in Mae's balance that allowed her to press against him.&nbsp; The invitation was a very good sign of things to come and the notion of what may become of that night caused his pulse to quicken along with a surge of excitement that tingled through his entire body.&nbsp; Had it not been for the foiled attempt of flirting due to a rogue eyelash, the drastically building sexual tension between them might have gotten too much to handle.&nbsp; Still, Vincent couldn't help but laugh at the sudden shift from teasing to comedy knowing that it was even odds that he would have been the victim of a similar moment stalling happenstance.&nbsp; Just like the two of them combined would make one hell of a competent flying team, the reverse of that was also true when it came to embarrassing moments.<br><br><em>"I'm up for a night of sinful adventure if you are! Show me all the hot spots Vinnie! I want to dance the night away! Let's throw out the rule book and get wild!”</em><br><br>"Oh, trust me, I am familiar with all the hot spots."&nbsp; He said with a wolfish grin that accentuated his partially revealed canines in a way that made him look even more mischievous.&nbsp; "I can also show you where all the popular nightclubs are."&nbsp; <em>Hopefully much of the dancing we do together tonight takes place from a horizontal position.</em>&nbsp; Though Vincent wanted to add that last bit aloud, he was still well aware that others were present and that would have likely been much too overt.<br><br><em>"Make a wish.”</em><br><br>He looked at the eyelash now captured upon her finger and offered as a sacrifice to him.&nbsp; The man paused only for a moment to consider the wording of his wish before letting forth a breath that sent it aloft.&nbsp; <em>I wish Mae would commit herself to me before daybreak.</em>&nbsp; Vincent enjoyed the presence of Mae at his side while the partially assembled group made conversation to pass the time.<br><br><em>"What if the repercussions are undeniably positive? Should I redirect those repercussions towards Si as well?&nbsp; Only I have a feeling they would better serve someone more...willing to accept them.”</em><br><br>"That would only be the case if I had not intended to do so in the first place.&nbsp; Which I had.&nbsp; So I've officially called dibs on anything and everything good that comes from doing so.&nbsp; I am more than eager to accept such benefits.&nbsp; Simeon simply granted me diplomatic immunity in the event that something bad should come of it that can be explained away with a 'Si told me to do it.'&nbsp; For example, should something occur that necessitates a slap on the face, Si can take that; however if there is an ass to be slapped, then it is only right that I am the recipient of such an action since I am right there and convenient.&nbsp; &nbsp;I would hate to have you wait to satiate such a need."<br><br><em>“Easy there, Romeo,”</em>&nbsp; Griff's voice interjected with a slap that could only have come from his hand impacting Mae's ass.&nbsp; <em>“Hands off the merchandise, chief.”</em><br><br>Vincent couldn't entirely hide the twitch in his eye as he did so, but realizing that the captain was once again dressed and Mae was currently in his arms, it was easy enough to shrug it off this time around.&nbsp; "Oi!"&nbsp; He said with exaggerated frustration in his tone that was clearly meant to be comedic.&nbsp; "I just said that it was to be <em>my</em> ass that gets slapped.&nbsp; I expected a man with your military background to have better aim than that when it came to ambushing targets from point-blank range."&nbsp; He grinned as Griff brought Simeon into the banter.&nbsp; <em>“Maybe I should send you along with these two to make sure Cassinova here doesn’t offend our Mei Mei’s honor.”</em><br><br>Vincent tsked in disapproval.&nbsp; "Our one day off in weeks and you're considering having Si work overtime as a chaperone?&nbsp; At clubs where they would be unlikely to"&nbsp; he then switched to an accent of an older man, "<em>turn down that blasted music</em>."&nbsp; He shot Si a playful grin.&nbsp; "Of course I jest; tag along if you want. With how well you wear your age and those fancy clothes, you're going to have the ladies clawing all over you at the clubs in hopes of claiming you as a sugardaddy.&nbsp; You're most likely going to have to be on the lookout for your own honor and possibly your clothing depending on how eager the girls are wanting to tear them from you."&nbsp; Vincent punctuated his last sentence with a casual shrug.&nbsp; "Fair warning."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>09-07-2011, 03:44:40</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - bustin' out dem skillz - The Gamble's cargo bay, docked on Persephone=-</strong></div><br>While the lustbirds employed their variant mating rituals toward one another - a wasted effort given they were both already as close to enamored with one another as either was capable of feeling, by his reckoning - Simeon waited patiently for the display to end so that they could move on with more serious business. They had a landing party - or more than one - to assemble and send off, duties to divvy out between said parties, rendezvous timing to plan, and a number of other menial tasks that were a part of each of these routine stops planetside. The Captain's appearance seemed like the sensible cue for this period of work talk to begin. Apparently others thought otherwise. Alright, if poking was what the strappy co-pilot felt like doing, Si could poke back. Unfortunately he never quite got into the habit of pulling his punches when it came to dealing with that sort of behavior.<br><br>It was nothing overly hostile or malicious, of course, but there was a certain degree of premeditation regarding the likely impact of the jab: Si pointedly turned his attention from Vincent to the lovely young lady at his side and said simply, "I am well aware of certain parties' interests in what I have to offer." No lewdness to it, no stretch to exaggerate the implications, just enough to prick the emotional young man's obvious sensitivity about a certain relationship.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>09-07-2011, 19:48:32</strong>
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				<strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer - Making her way to the cargo bay aboard The Gamble - at Eavesdown Docks on Persephone ~</strong><br><br><br><strong>“Sasha! I almost forgot! Have someone make sure our passenger knows we’ve arrived and she gets off my boat… unless she means to pay additional fare for room and board.”</strong><br><br>Hearing Griff call out to her, Sasha spun around in mid-stride, her dark ponytail whipping around as she strode back down the corridor toward his cabin.&nbsp; As her eyes fell on Griff’s brazenly displayed nude body, her steps stuttered to a halt.&nbsp; His firmly rounded backside and the masculine curves of his hip and torso were presented to her, his body a glorious expanse of tightly muscled mocha contours. Her admiring perusal was suddenly distracted by those damnable boxers, which he was again inexplicably waving around.&nbsp; Griff had apparently assumed she had already moved out of hearing range, as his attention was already focused on Vincent and Mae as they stood across from him in the hall.&nbsp; As the lascivious older man raked his eyes over the teen’s seductively clothed body, Sasha grimaced with distaste, a dull weight crowding heavily in the pit of her stomach. Of course she’d noticed Griff’s lust for the girl - she assumed everyone had; he didn’t exactly bother to hide his frequent lustful looks, or the way he constantly undressed her with his eyes - particularly when the undressing didn’t take much effort, like with the outfit she was wearing now. Sasha wasn’t sure if the attraction was mutual, or if Mae just had fun flirting with and teasing the much older man. Although she seemed to enjoy torturing him a bit with the Captain's attention, it was getting more obvious every day where the young woman’s true interest lay, and by the looks of it Vincent more than returned her interest. At least Sasha knew Griff well enough to know he would never use his position of authority or his greater life experience in an unscrupulous way in order to snare a woman into his bed; besides, she knew Mae could handle herself just fine around horny rutting males and wouldn’t let herself get taken advantage of - unless of course she was of a mind to let herself get taken advantage of.<br><br>The thought that the 30-something Griff would pursue an eighteen year old girl given half the chance - a vital member of their crew, even - was offensive enough to her to douse any latent sexual attraction lingering within her. <em>Anyone who was interested in the beautiful teenager wouldn’t have any interest in me anyway</em>, Sasha admitted dispassionately to herself, knowing that her intense, controlled persona was the polar opposite of Mae’s buoyant exuberance.&nbsp; Mae was lively, light and full of life; Sasha was tormented by pain and darkness, haunted by death.&nbsp; “It’s all for the best anyway,” she gruffly reminded herself. Griff was her Captain, and as such she had placed him strictly off limits. Breathing out a long slow sigh, Sasha turned her back on the trio before they saw her, and headed back down the corridor again.<br><br><div align="center">~&nbsp; ~&nbsp; ~&nbsp; ~&nbsp; ~&nbsp; ~&nbsp; ~&nbsp; ~&nbsp; ~&nbsp; ~&nbsp; ~</div><br>Appearing at the top of the short set of stairs leading to the cargo bay, Sasha carefully escorted the Gamble’s sole passenger down the stairway, her left arm providing support while she lugged a hefty piece of baggage in her right hand. The short, white-haired old woman clutched her large pocketbook close to her chest with one arm, the other hand grasping firmly to Sasha’s offered arm for support. The two made an unlikely pair; Sasha towered over the tiny granny, with the tall younger woman effortlessly exuding strength and sensuality, dressed all in black; in stark contrast, the soft sliver-colored shirt and slacks of the old woman merged with her champagne white hair, giving an overall visual impression of aged beigeness - except for the intriguing punctuations of color of her brightly rouged lips and her lively blue eyes.<br><br>As the two made their way carefully toward where the crew gathered, an orange and white furball (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wFCOQNP_58w/TMm45te4qlI/AAAAAAAAHgc/1XH3T0wR_J4/s640/bettywhite.jpg) suddenly popped its small head out of granny’s pocketbook, the kitten’s wide grey eyes darting worriedly around the room before it let out a loud, plaintive mewl. Sasha’s blue gaze flicked from the kitten’s stricken face to roam over the assembled crew members as she approached, her full lips twitching slightly in suppressed amusement.<br><br>Knowing Si would be moving forward to assist at any moment, Sasha decided to pre-empt his gallantry for the sake of indulging her own amusement. Less assured of Griff’s gentlemanly instincts, her blue gaze challenged the Captain with a mischievous glint as she requested, “Captain, would you be a dear and escort Mrs. Sylvester off the ship and take her to her driver?”<br><br>Mrs. Marion Sylvester had mostly kept to her cabin during the entire voyage, as the lingering smell of dog had apparently disconcerted her kitten too much. That was unfortunate, because those times she did make an appearance had been memorable and entertaining. Eighty years old if she was a day, Marion was a firecracker. She may appear as a grandmother on the outside, but on the inside she was still as wild as a teenager. On the third night of her voyage, the little old lady had accidentally come across Griff during one of his graveyard shift romps. Far from being shocked and appalled, the frisky granny had thereafter taken to midnight strolls of the corridors, taking the long way around the ship while supposedly looking for a midnight snack. <br><br>Never missing an opportunity to get her hands on one of the virile men of the Gamble, Mrs. Sylvester eagerly exchanged Sasha’s arm for the Captain’s, but not before she firmly squeezed Vincent’s rear as she passed him, cackling a pleased “Oh my, indeed!” as she enjoyed his and Mae’s reaction to her inappropriate fondling. Stepping a little unsteadily toward Griff, her pleasantly wrinkled face beamed up at him as she patted her aged hand over his taut chest, then tucked herself against his side and reached around to firmly grasp his bum, leaving her hand curved around him as she rested her white-haired head against his side, lustily chortling, “Yes - take me, Captain!”&nbsp; <br><br>Before her laughter could bubble out, Sasha bit down on her lower lip and turned back toward the rest of the crew.&nbsp; Doing her best to tamp down her amusement, a glimmer still danced in her eyes as she addressed the four awaiting instructions. “The Cap’n and I have a full agenda, so we’re gonna need the rest of you to pitch in, make sure everything gets done while we’re touched down.&nbsp; We ain’t got time for lollygagging around Persephone just waiting to be noticed by the wrong set of eyes, so make sure and take care of what you’re s’posed to first and foremost. Then, whatever you do after that is your own business. As long as you're back on board no later than 0700 tomorrow morning. If you’re late, I better find you dead or dyin’ when I come looking for you - or I’ll make a point of making sure you’ll wish you were.” <br><br>Settling in to her familiar and well-worn professional persona, Sasha continued to brief the crew on their duties. “Si - you’re with me. Dani - I’ve got a contractor that’ll be by any minute, gonna finally wash the gos se stink outta here.” Walking forward, she handed several platinum coins to Dani; she hoped she wasn’t asking too much of the timid woman to oversee the contractor’s work, but if she didn’t stretch her comfort zone once in awhile it would only continue to shrink. “Hayes is staying on board to make sure the engine is good to go once the Cap’n brings back the new part he’s scrounging up.”&nbsp; Looking into Dani’s eyes meaningfully, Sasha spoke in a lower tone directly to the quiet medic. “This cleaning guy gives you any lip, don’t hesitate to call for backup. You know Hayes isn’t one to pass up any opportunity for some target practice.”<br><br>Pulling out Dani’s shopping list from her jacket, she handed it over to Mae. “Xiǎozi, you and Vincent team together to rustle up all the items on this list you can get your hands on. Check the galley before you leave and see what all food supplies we need replenished, and add them to the list. Si can give you the rundown on where to try and score the meds; Lord knows he’s a wealth of information with all his readin' and research, plus he's got some solid contacts.” Handing the pilot a pouch of platinum coins and bills, she glared with pointed deliberation at the two cleaved next to each other. “Don’t go gettin’ so distracted you don’t keep an eye out for trouble; tracking down these meds ain’t gonna be like some Sunday stroll at the Sky Plex. I want both of you back here in one piece - and on time.”&nbsp; Her care and concern for the crew ran deep, but she never wanted to appear - or feel - sentimental, so she didn’t soften her tone as she stepped forward, implicitly threatening as she stalked into the couple’s personal space, quietly growling, “Bao zhong, hao?”<br><br>Striding over to the big red button that controlled the cargo bay doors, Sasha turned back and looked across the crew and asked, “Any questions?” a moment before hammering the crimson circle with the side of her fist, the huge metal doors beginning to grind open, the blue sky spilling jubilantly into the dim interior through the slowly widening opening. <br><br><br><em>gos se = dog crap<br>Bao zhong, hao? = take care, okay?<br>Xiǎozi = Brat</em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>grdell</strong> on <strong>09-07-2011, 20:12:16</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Lex Rake, Eavesdown Docks, Persephone =-</strong></div><br>The sound of the other man clearing his throat was not unexpected, but it was pleasantly surprising. Lex had been aware of the other man, and also aware that he had been keeping his distance. Ever since he had sent his attackers running, he knew that he was being followed, he just didn't know why. It seemed that he was about to find out.<br><br>He turned his head to look at the other man as he introduced himself with an extended hand. Lex was usually pretty good at identifying where someone was from by the way they spoke and adjusting his own speech accordingly, but with McPherson, there was no way to know for sure. The man's dialect mixed too many different influences. With an internal shrug, he reached out and grasped the man's hand, shaking it once.<br><br>"Lex Rake. Yes, I'm here for <em>The Gamble</em>. I've had just about enough of this planet for a while." He let his mouth twist up in a half-smile. He wasn't trying to flirt, he was just being friendly.<br><br>The sound of the ship's hull seal being broken and the door starting to open suddenly reverberated through the docking bay. Lex looked over to the ship and saw the huge metal plate begin to descend. He stood and moved a short distance away, not wanting to be too close when it hit the ground.<br><br>"She's a fine ship. I've been with her for about three months now. I was just on Persephone for a brief engagement, and I'm looking forward to seeing the crew again." It was simple conversation to cover the wait for the door to open. "How about yourself? Flown with her before?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>09-07-2011, 23:19:15</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the raggedy girl – Eavesdown Docks – not so with the blending=-</strong></div><br>The dock foreman dragged his eyes over the girl’s ill-fitted jumpsuit, imagining the curves underneath. What an appealing bit of fun she’d be if she were cleaned up a bit. <em>Tian xiao de</em>, he wasn’t picky about the sweat and dirt – that was the hard-working state she was going be in momentarily anyway. He wanted her banged up against the inner wall of that open storage container, thinking that her jumpsuit was an awkward choice for her profession, no easy access without removing the whole thing. The foreman’s thoughts raced ahead to the needful actions of his pent up desire.<br><br>Withdrawing a couple of bills from his pocket, he waved the money in front of her face, advancing with his free hand extended. “C’mon, curvy, I ain’t got all day. Let’s get a move on,” he ordered, indicating the space around the corner behind her.<br><br>Unmoving and confused, the redhead just stood there, glancing about to the anonymous crowd beyond him, relieved that there were only a handful of people looking their way. Taking a chance at making eye contact, she turned to look at the two women nearby, wondering if they understood what he wanted from her. The strawberry blonde doxy was pouting huffily and swatting her fan closed, ready to take back her semi-regular customer, advancing with a shout.<br><br>“Larry, Larry? Don’ get yer pecker dirty with that bit of trash – you want quality flesh, hun.” To illustrate her point, she turned the hinged end of her long fan to her frilly skirt hem and lifted it, showing off her thigh-high stockings and the single layer of lacy undergarments covering her groin. Her ebony-locked friend slipped up behind her, a scowl pinned to her darkly made up eyes, curling her glossy red lips.<br><br>The foreman was used to the catcalls and teasing of the whores, their appeal merely physical. He’d had them each separately more than once, and on one particularly explosive occasion, one after the other. The strawberry-blonde’s mouth was exceptional and the raven-haired slut could contort herself into the most intriguing positions. However, he was stressed and longing for something different – maybe a little slap and tickle with the soft-looking ingénue. Grinning, he advanced on the girl, his hand stroking the bills along her jumpsuit’s zipper, making an example of what he wanted her to do next. She looked down, knowing that his offer of money was for something… but what? Wrapping her hand tentatively around the paper money, she looked back up to his reddened face, her brows knitted over her blue eyes.<br><br>“C’mon, me luscious – time to get busy.” Intending to guide her away from the busy corridor and around a corner of the storage unit for minimal privacy, he grasped her shoulder, turning her with a nudge. She seemed to wake up and fought the guidance, ducking under his arm and skittering a dozen feet away before stopping to assess her situation – where would she go?<br><br>“Oi, me credits! Hard to get? That’s not the normal…” he muttered, becoming impatient. He’d already paid her, there should be some reciprocal trade of goods by now. The jumpsuited woman backed up against the metal container wall hard, her body’s impact making a muffled bang. She gasped and tried to duck the other direction, running toward the established doxies in her attempt to avoid his touch. The foreman grinned again, imagining the conquering of his playful entertainment. Running after her, he got an earful from the squawking doxies, protestations and arguments as to their worthiness for his money and time filtering right back out of his ears as he hardened under his suit. The girl was soft as a lamb and he was the proverbial wolf, ready to ‘capture’ her inside the very storage unit she’d been lounging against. Oh, the echoes her gasps and grunts would make in there!<br><br>“<em>Meh lian duh jyah ji</em>, get in there. I want you on your knees. You best be ready for me – I don’t want to waste any more time.” Making his point evident, he pressed the front of his jumpsuit along his hip, the bulge heralding his intentions. Eying this, the girl panicked, dropping the money. She ducked and rolled past the doxies, the brunette swiping out with a heeled kick, just missing her in the dust.<br><br>Everything seemed to happen so fast, someone watching would have been dizzied by the ridiculousness of the situation. Running out into the boulevard, the henna’d girl backed away from the dock foreman, breathing in short fast gulps of air, terrified. Becoming angry over her refusal to commit to her profession, Larry pushed through the chattering doxies and reached out with his fingertips, just grasping the top of the jumpsuit over the girl’s chest. The strawberry-blonde wrapped an arm around his shoulder, trying to promise in his ear just what she’d be willing to do to him for his money. Thrown off his balance, his arm yanked down harder than he’d intended, tearing the zipper halfway open. A yelp escaped the lips of the buxom girl as her deep cleavage became visible for scrutiny. Wrapping her arms around herself, there was a moment of bright white and naked curvy flesh on display, the foreman’s grin widening.<br><br>The dark-haired doxy couldn’t stand the insult any more and shrieked cruel names as she swatted at the interloper with her heavy closed fan. The money forgotten inside the storage bin, the four of them made a scene, wrestling and screaming near the middle of the street. Only by the smaller size and quickness of the nearly exposed girl did she escape the grasping hands and bruising swats of the tumult, running in her worn socks past the docked ships. Invitations and catcalls followed her, such free entertainment unusual along the Eavesdown Docks.<br><br>*****<br><br><em>Tian xiao de</em> – Heaven knows what.<br><em>Meh lian duh jyah ji</em> – Shameless hussy.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>10-07-2011, 04:18:38</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- in the Cargo Bay during debriefing before going planet side onto Persephone ~</strong></div><br>The fabric of her micro mini skirt did little to keep the sting from Griffin’s hand as it landed squarely on Mae’s backside from prickling her skin with a smarting throb. Her brows centered as she scowled and rubbed her bottom, smoothing her hand up and down as a pout grew, tugging at her pretty lips. “Vincent is more than welcome to offend my honour Lao ban.”&nbsp; Mae challenged Griff with fire blazing in her eyes daring him to suggest otherwise. She was more than willing to flirt with the sexy captain but he always seemed to press her buttons the second he began implying she needed a babysitter. The arrival of Sasha escorting the deceptively innocent Mrs. Sylvester into the mix tore her attention from the Captain and placed it back onto her co-pilot. In doing so the heat in her emerald green eyes changed from a warning to one of uncensored interest. <br><br>During the silent exchange another slap was presented, this time however it would be Vincent as the target. Mae jumped as he jumped in surprise, quickly leaning to one side sending her long blond hair over one shoulder only to see the form of their only passenger, Mrs. Sylvester and the pleased expression on her face.&nbsp; Mae’s expression changed to that of growing annoyance as a scowl formed on her pretty face and deepened, though she bit her tongue due to the presence of Sasha, preventing the teen from saying anything that might have been viewed as disrespectable. Though the annoyance soon changed to that of amusement as she watched Sasha pawn off the old lady onto The Captain, she couldn’t help but hope he would be given a hard time by the older lady.<br><br>The feisty pilot’s attention was quickly taken over (once again) by the ships second in command as Sasha distributed the crew’s individual tasks. Mae held her hand out for the list scowling further at the term <em>Xiǎozi</em> as a result she bit her tongue to avoid any unpleasantness.&nbsp; All she wanted was to get off the damn ship and have some fun with Vincent. It was their time to play, off duty and planet side, as far as Mae was concerned that meant she ought to be able to do what she wanted to do. Getting to be alone with Vincent had been on her mind for some time and now that it was so close she found herself growing impatient. Her mood darkened as Sasha continued to treat her like a child, warning her not to become distracted and mess up with responsibility that had been placed in her hands. <br><br><strong>“Xiǎozi, you and Vincent team together to rustle up all the items on this list you can get your hands on. Check the galley before you leave and see what all food supplies we need replenished, and add them to the list. Si can give you the rundown on where to try and score the meds; Lord knows he’s a wealth of information with all his readin' and research, plus he's got some solid contacts. Don’t go gettin’ so distracted you don’t keep an eye out for trouble; tracking down these meds ain’t gonna be like some Sunday stroll at the Sky Plex. I want both of you back here in one piece - and on time. Bao zhong, hao?”</strong><br><br>It was extremely hard not to roll her eyes as Mae inspected the items written neatly on the paper and noted the list of galley items on the reverse side. She carefully refolded the list and tucked the it inside her top, snug between the silk fabric of her top and the softness of her breast. “Dani seems to be one step ahead of us as always, the galley list is on the other side.” Her voice was even and purposely emotionless though her eyes held entire volumes of attitude her mouth refused to release. Mae Knew better than to mouth off to the stern older woman before her, deep down she respected Sasha, but as always when treated like an irresponsible child Mae couldn’t help but act the part. The now emerald green orbs spoke clearly as they grew sharp and cold, shutting down the softer sensual side of her personality causing the young pilot to step out of the arms of the man she fancied. <br><br>The rebellious flags flew proudly, with Mae completely aware of her reputation as a wild card and how certain members of the crew viewed her. Sasha and Simeon both seemed old fashioned to her, living in the past with their strict rules of conduct. Mae pleased herself, not interested in improving her station in life. She had that life once having lived in a home where reputation ruled. It was like living in a fishbowl with everyone telling her what she should do and what she should say. With each passing day her rebellious personality urged her to do the most outrageous things not caring a spit for the bad reputation she was creating. Speaking plainly, Mae just didn’t give a damn what the others thought of her, or at least that’s what she told herself. The shields came up in the form of rebellious attitude glowing in her eyes daring any authority she came across to try and hold her down and make her conform.&nbsp; She pushed everyone she loved to their very limits until that fateful day when her father had had enough.&nbsp; Finally the embarrassment had outweighed the family loyalty and just like that, Mae found herself without family. <br><br>Just sixteen and alone on the streets with nothing to her name but a bag of clothes and a few credits, she drifted feeling confused and scared, not that she would have admitted her true feelings. Mae learned quickly to trust no one but herself. Her instincts served her well as she fell in with a crew of youths on the streets, her talent as a pilot drew attention, both good and bad and soon she found herself working for a local mafia boss, Zarek Akando. So there she was, one of the best pilots around working for Akando, the racing circuit boss. Becoming a jockey in the highly illegal Bai Hu races, a no-rules cross-system set of races that are highly promoted and regularly held. Mae blossomed and proved a star drawing folks from all over the verse to bet huge sums of money on the adorable little girl-racer. The stubborn and spontaneous woman-child grew wilder by the day, having no real authority figure to question her actions.&nbsp; <br><br>Mae was young and ruled by her curious nature. Her life became a long series of wild parties, fast dangerous races that fed her adventurous needs and yet a part of her longed for the one thing that seemed to always be beyond her grasp. Mae wanted to be loved, unconditionally and without question, something her own parents couldn’t seem to do. As a result Mae was convinced that kind of love just didn’t exist. Though it didn’t stop her heart from longing to know such a love, she wanted to be loved completely for everything that she was including all her faults. However, if a parent's love for their child isn't strong enough to endure her flaws, then surely love itself is flawed and, therefore, cannot be real. Mae secretly held a hope in the depths of her heart and promised herself if she should ever find the myth then she would hold on to it with both hands, never letting it go.<br><br>As the scene unfolded with Sasha reminding the young pilot of her place on the ship and member of the crew, Mae looked past her shoulder and fixed it upon the distant wall. She began counting down inside her head the seconds stolen from her fun and games.&nbsp; Inside her mind Mae was telling herself she would soon be free, Sasha could think what she wanted of her, it didn’t matter. Mae knew she wouldn’t let the others down, even if they didn’t hold an ounce of faith in the defiant and stubborn youth. She would go with Vincent and find what was needed and have each item delivered back to The Gamble in an expeditious manner but once that was complete she would be gone. There would be no chaperone, even if that meant she had to ditch Vincent, there was no way in this verse that she would be treated like a child ever again.<br><br>Standing now with one hip cocked to the side and her arms folded in front of her, Mae’s eyes were directed to the ship’s hull as the loading bay doors began creaking as the hydraulics slowly and noisily cracked open the great ship connecting them to what might be waiting for them on the planet side.&nbsp; &nbsp;It was then that Mae saw the form of her friend Lex Rake, looking as gorgeous as always and talking to another man she had never seen before. Her expression instantly changed from stubborn scowl to excited grin.&nbsp; “Lex!” she called out waving a slim arm over her head to gain his attention, all thoughts of being treated like a child now slipped from her mind as once again Mae’s expression took on that of her normal fun loving self.<br><br><div align="center">~~~~~~~~~~~~~ </div><br><br>Boss: Lao ban<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>10-07-2011, 07:11:28</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent - The Gamble's Cargo Bay - Docked on Persephone =-</strong></div><br><em>"I am well aware of certain parties' interests in what I have to offer."</em><br><br>Vincent's expression deadpanned with that statement, only reassured that every male upon the ship was out to exploit that nerve of his without reservation.&nbsp; <em>At least my gorram tease came with a compliment.&nbsp; It hadn't even been a particularly scathing mock on my part.&nbsp; It's no wonder why us in the cockpit get along so well.&nbsp; We can joke without leaving somebody feeling like gos se.</em><br><br>"Shun Sheng Duh Gao Wahn!"&nbsp; The copilot shouted in surprise with a voice that was a few octaves higher than his standard register.&nbsp; Out of reflex he lifted to his tiptoes as he felt a hand grip his ass and squeeze with fingers that almost seemed to be aiming for penetration with as solid of a hold they had taken.&nbsp; The surprise grope had interrupted his brooding and he had been instantly aware that it had come from the side opposite of Mae.&nbsp; His eyes went wide with shock as he watched the elderly lady walk by with a wide satisfied grin on her face.&nbsp; Vincent had been well aware of Mr. Sylvester's brazen nature from the conversations at the dinner table.&nbsp; Had passengers not been restricted from the helm, he was sure there would have been several more awkward encounters such as that if not magnitudes worse.<br><br>Though his shock was quickly replaced by intense amusement as the woman was handed off to the captain.&nbsp; News of her late night run in with the nude captain had spread quickly through the ship and had been the source of several jokes in the helm.&nbsp; <em>If only she had been upstairs a few minutes earlier...</em>&nbsp; Vincent thought with humorous glee at Griff's expense.<br><br>Once again his emotions took a drastic shift from pure delight at the captain's predicament to intense alarm as Sasha addressed the two of them.&nbsp; The main issue was the way she addressed Mae.&nbsp; He knew full well that condescending or parental tones directed at her was on par with challenging an aristocrat's honor within his own manor filled with guests.&nbsp; Vincent had never been on the receiving end of that wrath given his age and affection for her, but he had seen it unleashed at others a fair number of times.&nbsp; The aftermath of which had never been pleasant.<br><br>His concern redoubled as she stepped from his arms, suddenly well aware that Mae had been one mistake away from being confined to her quarters for doing who knew what to a superior officer.&nbsp; The first thing that came to mind was to restrain her, but that was quickly shot down when he realized doing so would easily direct her anger upon him since he would be doing basically the same thing Sasha had.&nbsp; So he just stood back and watched as the pilot fought with her anger to maintain her self control.<br><br><em>“Lex!”</em><br><br>Vincent let out a breath he had not been aware he was holding once her attitude changed as quickly as her attention to the friend that was waiting outside.&nbsp; <em>Wuh de ma.&nbsp; Now <strong>that</strong> is some nice timing.</em>&nbsp; Smoothly he swooped in next to Mae and wrapped his arm around her as it had been before as they began walking side by side to greet their friend.&nbsp; As he passed Sasha, he nodded in a way that would hopefully convey that he had his orders and would see that they got done.&nbsp; The language of the head nod was vast and subtle like that, he just hoped he had the proper dialect for the statement to get through.&nbsp; Vincent made sure to give Mrs. Sylvester a wide birth to say well outside of her reach as they passed by.&nbsp; Once they had been a few paces away, Vincent parted from Mae long enough to greet Lex with a friendly hug followed by the obligatory platonic pats on the back.&nbsp; "Lex!&nbsp; It's been too long, my friend."&nbsp; Vincent's gaze flicked to the stranger who had been waiting nearby.&nbsp; "Already bringing work home with you?&nbsp; I figured you'd be eager for some downtime after all these weeks on the job."<br><br><hr><br>Gos se. - Dog shit.<br><br>Shun Sheng Duh Gao Wahn! - Holy testicle Tuesday!<br><br>Wuh De Ma. - Mother of god.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>10-07-2011, 09:15:07</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, in the cargo bay, waiting for the crew to gather for a debriefing before disembarking=-</strong></div><br>Returning Si's smile with a small one of her own, Dani was about to protest that he shouldn't go to too much trouble, but she knew it was pointless.&nbsp; He had already said he would do it, and in her experience once Si had made up his mind, there was no changing it.&nbsp; The arrival of Mae and Vincent effectively ended the conversation, but not before Si made a joke about not taking any more orders.&nbsp; Dani chuckled softly, so softly if the older man hadn't been in contact with her and been able to to feel the vibrations the small laugh caused, he likely would not have noticed it.&nbsp; Dani appreciated his understated sense of humour, and often found amusement in it where she was certain the others were left unaware that he had made a quip at all.&nbsp; <br><br>Glancing up at the young couple still standing on the stairs, Dani almost flinched as Simeon made comment to Vincent about keeping an eye on Mae.&nbsp; She may not say much, but Dani observed the crew's behaviour almost constantly, and she knew without a doubt that Mae resented any insinuation that she couldn't look after herself, even if it was coming from a place of concern for her welfare. Although on this occasion, she seemed more than happy to be under the watchful eye of her co-pilot, and Dani suppressed a smile of pleasure at seeing the two young people so obviously infatuated with each other, even if they themselves couldn't see it.&nbsp; Now, if only Mae could manage to get through an entire conversation with Vince without some comically bad luck befalling her, they might actually have a chance at what would undoubtedly be a very sweet romance.&nbsp; Assuming, of course, the Captain kept his hands, and opinions!, to himself.&nbsp; <br><br>Dani frowned at Griff as he passed by the two pilots, swatting Mae and teasing Vince, making what she saw as a slight to the younger man's manhood.&nbsp; She was closer to the Captain than anyone else on the ship, but that didn't mean she approved of his philandering ways.&nbsp; Griff was like a prairie dog. He'd rut nearly anything if it stood still long enough. But Mae, in Dani's opinion, was off limits.&nbsp; Not only was she barely a woman, but she was slowly becoming something of a little sister to Dani, and the medic certainly did not appreciate Griff toying with the girls affections. Especially when Mae and Vince were obviously teetering on the edge of becoming something of an item.&nbsp; Dani determined that if Griff kept it up, she'd certainly be having words with him about it.&nbsp; Everyone thought her fragile, but when it came to the wellbeing of her crew, Dani had the steely determination of a mother bear protecting her cubs.&nbsp; Although, to her surprise, Vincent was giving as good as he got, which pleased Dani.&nbsp; Griff needed to know that just because Mae was his pilot, that didn't give him the right to bed the child at his leisure!&nbsp; <br><br>Si's comment, and the arrival of Sasha with their single passenger, seemed to bring the matter to a close however, as the older lady helped herself to a decent grope of Vincent's behind.&nbsp; His reaction lead Dani to believe that the elderly woman still had some strength in her, and she couldn't help but laugh audibly as Sasha palmed the woman off onto Griff.&nbsp; The look on his face was priceless, as was the sight of almost malicious amusement on Sasha's.&nbsp; It was very nearly a look of revenge, and Dani wondered what may have gone on upstairs, but pushed the irrelevant thought aside.&nbsp; Griff and Sasha were nothing if not professional, and if there was any sort of problem between them, they would get it worked out sooner or later.<br><br>Nodding as Sasha warned her about the cleaning crew, Dani was partly pleased, partly mortified, to learn that Hayes would be remaining on board.&nbsp; As part of the crew, Hayes was every bit as much worthy of Dani's concern as everyone else, but truth be told, Dani avoided their engineer as much as possible, not wanting to risk being on the receiving end of&nbsp; the temperamental woman's wrath. They had little cause to run into one another, however, so there'd never been anything remotely resembling a problem between them. And though Dani had tended many a wound that the engineer managed to acquire banging around The Gamble's aging engine, the infirmary was Dani's work space, and Hayes respected that as much as Dani respected that the engine room was the domain of the engineer. <br><br>The assignments handed out, Sasha opened the cargo bay doors to reveal the not unwelcome form of Lex, the gentle Companion that Dani was still getting to know. She smiled a welcome towards him, but whether or not Lex caught it in the onslaught of Mae's enthusiastic hello, Dani couldn't tell.&nbsp; He was accompanied by a man Dani had never seen before, and she unconsiously shrank into Si. She wasn't good with strangers, especially of the male variety, and despite the fact that this must be the new member of the crew Griff had mentioned, Dani wasn't about to trust him verbatim.&nbsp; She was suddenly very pleased that Hayes was staying on board, and possibly Lex too.&nbsp; Perhaps Lex could keep her company while she supervised the cleaning crew in the cargo bay.&nbsp; She knew that there was more to the slightly built man than met the eye, although whether or not he would be any sort of a match for the huge, as yet unnamed man next to him remained to be seen.&nbsp; Dani gulped, but tried to steel herself for the introduction that was no doubt coming, hoping that perhaps Griff would take their new crew member with him, rather than leaving him to his own devices while the ship was mostly deserted.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NiceTexasGuy</strong> on <strong>10-07-2011, 14:48:52</strong>
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				<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=110474.msg4904546#msg4904546">Quote from: grdell on 09-07-2011, 20:12:16</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">&nbsp; "She's a fine ship. I've been with her for about three months now. I was just on Persephone for a brief engagement, and I'm looking forward to seeing the crew again." It was simple conversation to cover the wait for the door to open. "How about yourself? Flown with her before?"<br></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br><div align="center"><strong>-= Steve McPherson, Eavesdown Docks, Persephone =-<br>Greeting the arrival of the Gamble</strong></div><br><br>Not taking his eyes off the ship, McPherson took a step back to match Lex's movement as the ramp from the Gamble began to open.&nbsp; "Never laid eyes on the ship before, but I met the cap'n 'bout a week ago .. friend of a friend thought he could use an extra gun hand for a while and knew I was looking for passage to ... <strong>Aghk! Ifreann na Fola!&nbsp; Gotsan drewllyd Ci !!!</strong> &nbsp;... does she always smell like like unholy shih tzu cac?"<br><br>If there were any suspicions the gentleman named McPherson hailed from a planet still heaped in its Gaelic heritage, any doubts were cleared up as soon as <em>eau de canine feces </em> hit the olfactory.&nbsp; It would appear that the crew, as much as they detested the smell, had become somewhat desensitized to it over the past few days, as opposed to someone who was hit full force for the first time.&nbsp; McPherson took another step back, and wondered if working his way across the 'verse instead of coughing up the coin for a sweeter-smelling ride might not be as great a deal as it sounded initially.&nbsp; Then he looked toward Lex again and smiled, still reverted to his Aberdeen accent.<br><br>"Guess the maid's been on vacation a while.&nbsp; You wouldn't happen to be the maid, would ya? No, reckon not."<br><br>If there was one thing McPherson was aware of, it was that most organizations had pecking orders.&nbsp; Throughout his life he had experienced being on the bottom, being on top, and being somewhere in-between.&nbsp; Now he knew he was back on the bottom, and suspected that if the dog poop was going to get cleaned up, he would somehow be intimately involved with the operation.<br><br>"Oh well, if you can't get out of it, might as well get into it, right?"&nbsp; He said it aloud, but wasn't necessarily talking to Lex, as both men were eyeing the spectacle that greeted them with the opening of the cargo bay door.&nbsp; Lex, seeing old friends, and Steve, getting his first look at the cast of characters with whom he would be dealing for the next .... however long fate would determine.&nbsp; <br><br><em>Not a bad looking crew</em> he thought to himself as he found himself particularly focused on Mae's exceptionally short skirt, and her exceptionally young ... <em>youngness</em>.&nbsp; "Ahh, lassie, where were you when I were a wee lad with nairy a hair on me own ass, eh?" he mumbled aloud, as if unaware anyone could hear him.&nbsp; Then he smiled at Lex, perhaps a little embarrassed as he realized that last comment had been meant for noone's ears.&nbsp; "Still years away from bein' a twinkle in her papa's eye, no?"&nbsp; Then he gave Lex a little nod toward the ramp, the go-ahead sign to precede him to the ship to greet his friends as the co-pilot's "already bringing work home with you" comment went completely over his head.<br><br>*******************<br><br>Gaelic phrases and terms - not necessarily understood by anyone else on board:<br>Ifreann na Fola &nbsp;= bloody hell<br>Gotsan drewllyd Ci - Smelly dog's ass 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>grdell</strong> on <strong>10-07-2011, 15:47:32</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Lex Rake, Eavesdown Docks, Persephone =-</strong></div><br>As the door opened and the smell hit him with all the force of a fist to the solar plexus, Lex's eyebrows went up even as his nose crinkled. He knew the ship had taken on a load of Sihnon Coursers - a breed he knew well from his time in Companion training at the Guild House on Sihnon - but he hadn't known they would leave so odious a reminder of their presence. He waved his hand in front of his face as the man standing next to him swore in an unfamiliar language.<br><br><strong>"Aghk! Ifreann na Fola!&nbsp; Gotsan drewllyd Ci !!! ... does she always smell like like unholy shih tzu cac?"</strong><br><br>In spite of the smell, Lex was able to laugh at that. "No, not in my experience. It's just a reminder of their last cargo. Hopefully their next won't -" He was cut off by Mae's enthusiastic shouting of his name. He waved back to her as the crew that would be coming planetside made their way out of the ship. It wasn't everyone, but he knew that the introverted medic Dani rarely ever left the ship unless she absolutely had to, and Hayes was probably still buried in the engine room doing some perpetually much-needed repairs. He noticed that Captain Kingston was escorting an old woman with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, and wondered why a lady such as herself should want to disembark in such a disreputable place as this.<br><br>Vincent, the handsome young copilot, threw his arms around Lex in a friendly hug, which Lex was only too happy to return. Vince was turning into something of the younger brother that Lex had lost all those years ago, and his affection for the younger man was both genuine and platonic.<br><br><strong>"Lex!&nbsp; It's been too long, my friend. Already bringing work home with you?&nbsp; I figured you'd be eager for some downtime after all these weeks on the job."</strong><br><br>"It has indeed, Di-di. Ha! No, there's no more work for me for a while. I am very ready for a break."<br><br>Mae was right next to him, and he wondered if the two had finally gotten over their mutual flirtation and infatuation stage and had finally become a serious couple yet or not. Each of them had spent untold hours with Lex pouring out their hearts to him, telling him how much they were desperate for the other, and Lex's advice had always been the same: Don't tell me, tell him/her.&nbsp; But he was always there, always non-judgemental, filling the essential role of the older brother, the confidante, the ear and the shoulder. It was a role he was used to and comfortable with. His Companion training had awakened a natural empathic streak in him that allowed him to be an easy man to open up to, and he was used to being the crew's de facto counselor. He felt that it was a necessary function on those long trips out in the black.<br><br>"How you been, Mei-mei?" he said as he gathered her into his arms. "I missed you. Did you miss me, too?" he teased, knowing that the firecracker of a girl would appreciate it. He'd spent so much time with the girl, fielding her apparently endless questions about Sihnon and the life of a Companion, that he had gotten to know her quite well during his time aboard <em>The Gamble</em>.<br><br>But then he felt a vice-like grip on his behind, and he looked over to notice the old woman the captain had been escorting off the ship looking up at him with pure lust in her eyes.<br><br>"Haha! Aren't you a pretty one?" Her voice was strong and solid, in defiance of her apparent physical frailty. Lex looked down at her, took in all the details, and appreciated the work of a master manipulator at work. Was that...? Yes, by God. She even had a kitten in her handbag! What a masterstroke! The woman was nothing that she appeared to be, and was relying on the misconceptions and assumptions of the people around her and their underestimations to get every little advantage she could and have a little innocent fun while she was at it. Just to be sure it <em>was</em> innocent fun, however, he checked to make sure his wallet was still in place. He was relieved that it was.<br><br>Reaching around, he grabbed the old woman's hand, removed it gently from his rump, and, bowing low in order to do so, brought it up to his lips and kissed the back. "Dame la plus belle, c'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer."<br><br>The old woman laughed then, a deep belly laugh that was full and rich. "And a charmer, to boot! You're lucky I'm getting off the ship, young man! I'd have had you, yes I would!" Her look was one of the most licentious Lex had ever seen in his career, and that was saying something. He grinned.<br><br>"Of that I have no doubt, madam. No doubt at all."<br><br><hr>Di-di = Little brother
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>10-07-2011, 19:02:39</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - being the eye of the storm - preparing to disembark on Persephone=-</strong></div><br>Life aboard a starship of almost any size was very much a hurry-up-and-wait affair: days, weeks, sometimes months on long patrols or 'verse-spanning voyages in which almost nothing at all took place but the day-to-day menial tasks of continuing to exist followed by bursts of activity and chaos as the ship's various crew segments came together to complete their unified goals. Aboard The Gamble this activity inevitably included some amount of ribbing, flirting and abrasion woven into the work, this instance proving no exception.<br><br>In his youth Simeon had, at times, been caught up in the moment in much the same way, jostling for position in the social circles of his peers with all the rest, but as he matured and climbed into a position of leadership, of command, this behavior became less appealing and, more important, less appropriate. It was one thing for a commander to know his subordinates, to be on good terms with them, to be seen by them as much a father figure as a man to be feared and obeyed - this was a grand thing to achieve. It was another thing entirely to be seen as a drinking buddy or competition for romantic interests or similarly degrading points of similarity. One does not follow a suicidal command so readily when it is given by the man you remember best over vodka and cards; a commander must retain a level of respect, a level of trust, if he is to be an effective leader.<br><br>The fact that Si was not in a position of command aboard this ship had no impact on decorum built up over decades of experience. While all around him hackles were raised, jokes were made, flirtation bandied, greetings shouted, all manner of hustle and bustle, Si was a quiet point of calm at the center of it all. He took it all in: the <del>subtle</del> interplay between various members of the crew, the exchange of passengers and orders, the crew prospect and his unfamiliar tongue as well as Dani's response to that last. It had been his intent to part from the doctor when Sasha sounded prepared to depart, given his assignment to accompany her, but the sudden shift from quiet good humor to anxiety he felt through Miss Marsdan's hand and the more obvious body language of her closing in on him he delayed that separation. It would not do to desert the young lady when she most wanted security - gods knew she had enough difficulty feeling safe without her protectors proving themselves undependable. By the same token, however, he could not provide too overt a gesture to reassure her without possibly giving their newest recruit the wrong impression about his welcome. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and turned ever so slightly, just enough to put the doctor a touch farther into his shadow, not enough to shield her from the new face but providing a reminder that he - and by extension the rest of the crew she knew she could trust, to a greater or lesser degree - was still there.<br><br>As for that new man, Si spent much of his focus sizing up Steve while the others had their fun at the expense of those on the receiving end of their soon to be ex-passenger's amorous attentions. Oh, he was aware of that nonsense, yes, but there was no need for his input in it and he had more important things to do, such as gauging this man who would likely soon be at his back in conditions that would have no room for uncertainty about who he had for support. Certainly he seemed capable enough, despite a small discrepancy in his stride - leg injury of some sort, or else feigned. Older than most of the crew - whether that would prove a good thing or a source of discord he had no way of guessing. Facial scarring. Certainly a veteran, though of what and on what side he would not venture so soon. He could have - the man hardly seemed to be hiding his station, and that meant few possibilities - but it would have been a disservice to them both to do so, besides which it was irrelevant on this crew with its messily blended history.<br><br>If Griff had already decided to take the man aboard he could likely be trusted to some extent, but all the same he asked, "Miss Dearing, who is to show our new set of hands around the ship while we are out?" Given the relatively small size of The Gamble, and the fair work understanding between Sasha and himself, the implication that Si was wary of leaving the man on his own on board no doubt came across clear enough.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>10-07-2011, 22:00:49</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong><strong>~ Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- at the cargo bay doors in the process of disembarking the ship with Vincent to explore Persephone ~</strong></strong><br><br><br>It was more than obvious that Mae had a fondness for the handsome Companion. Pleasure sparkled in her eyes as she absorbed his kindness with the simple yet warm welcome. The teen was seen by many people as spirited and headstrong, but only a rare few understood her well enough to see the vulnerable child still hiding behind her bold green eyes.&nbsp; Lex was one of those people, highly intuitive and able to read beyond the show the energetic youth put on for the entire verse and everyone in it. In fact Mae often wondered if he just might know her better than she knew herself. This was never more apparent from response that flooded her mind from the simple questions he put forth as he held her protectively in his arms.<br><br><strong>"How you been, Mei-mei? I missed you. Did you miss me, too?"</strong> <br><br>The simple fact that someone had missed her and had actually acknowledged it shot through her defences like a speeding bullet and touched her exposed insecurities with a soothing balm. The results&nbsp; of which hit her quickly causing her bottom lip to tremble as she buried her face into the crook of Lex’s neck feeling the bite of tears forming in the back of her eyes. <br><br>Having asked a similar question to both Dani and Simeon earlier without receiving a response, Mae had struggled with the internal voice that had been whispering cruel, unpleasant and decidedly negative replies on her shipmates behalf in the back of her mind. She had fought with her emotions as they grew sensitive to every word spoken to her from that point and beyond. Had she not had a vice grip on her self-control, Sasha would have suffered the blow from Mae's momentary lack of self-confidence, resulting undoubtedly with Mae being sent to her room like a spoiled child, or worse.&nbsp; <br><br>As she hugged Lex her arms wrapped around him tightly, perhaps more so than what was necessary, hiding her eyes as she blinked back the tears that sprang from her uncertainty. “I did miss you!” <em>More than you could ever truly know! </em> The second part of her answer was said internally as she pulled back from the hug after regaining her composure. Mae flashed a sassy grin to cover for her momentary lapse of poise before adding playfully "other than Vinnie here, there ain't no one on this here boat that can appreciate my joke tellin' I tell you it's a sorry affair! Folk just don't know how to have a good time no more.”<br><br>As Mae chatted happily her eyes drifted over to the stranger that stood nearby assuming that he was the new crew member who had come to join the motley cast of unique personalities that made up her makeshift family and crew of The Gamble. Mae let her eyes drift along his body, taking in his rough exterior with an appreciative eye. She was more than curious about him and couldn't help but wonder where he might fit into the group.<br><br>During her silent scrutiny of the man, the plucky pilot found her attention once again focused on the highly amusing disembarking passenger.&nbsp; Mae giggled as Mrs. Sylvester struck again, fondling yet another unsuspecting backside. The younger girl had to admit the old lady had spunk. Something Mae herself could understand and in fact held in spades. Shifting off to the side, yet remaining close enough to both Vincent and Lex for her own comfort, and possibly for their own protection from wandering hands, Mae gave the newest crew member a nod of her head in a form of greeting.<br><br>"Wei, what about you?” she called over to who she would soon find out was Steve McPherson "can you appreciate truly cheesy and lame ass jokes? More importantly, can you add to them?”&nbsp; Her smile grew as she moved toward the newest crew member, her hips swaying softly in a way that came naturally to the young seductress. "The name's Little...Mae Little, the boats official Bao bei and pilot" she teased as she tossed him an impish grin, fluttering her eyelashes comically and extending her hand in form of greeting.<br><br><div align="center">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><br>Hey!: Wei<br>Sweetheart: Bao bei<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NiceTexasGuy</strong> on <strong>10-07-2011, 23:19:00</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-= Steve McPherson, Eavesdown Docks, Persephone =-<br>At the bottom of the ramp of the Gamble</strong></div><br><br>Once Steve satisfied himself that he hadn't offended Lex too badly by his offhand remark about Mae's attire and general desirability (at least not that he could see) he gave the Captain a little respectful nod as he and the cat lady passed, then went on to peruse the rest of the crowd.&nbsp; Among the women were, of course, the frisky older lady, whom he was glad had found Lex to be the more attractive and squeezable of the two --&nbsp; the one in the quasi-dominatrix outfit (he approved of that one, too, but kept his mouth shut) -- and the one who had the look of the skittish puppy whose previous owner beat it and kept it locked away in a dark closet.&nbsp; Steve had been around enough shell-shocked soldiers to know not to invade their personal space or make any sudden moves.<br><br>Then there were the men.&nbsp; They were a little harder to read, particularly with all the conversation going on around him. He figured Si for a military man, probably a relative or romantic interest of the skittish woman.&nbsp; As for Vincent, it was clear to see the sexy girl in the short skirt had him wrapped around her little finger, and her natural outgoing personality would be used to its best advantage to "flirt without flirting" with every man within sight to keep him in his place.&nbsp; As if on cue, Mae came through:<br><br><br><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=110474.msg4908758#msg4908758">Quote from: LovesReading2 on 10-07-2011, 22:00:49</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Wei, what about you?” she called over to who she would soon find out was Steve McPherson "can you appreciate truly cheesy and lame ass jokes? More importantly, can you add to them?”&nbsp; Her smile grew as she moved toward the newest crew member, her hips swaying softly in a way that came naturally to the young seductress. "The name's Little...Mae Little, the boats official Bao bei and pilot" she teased as she tossed him an impish grin, fluttering her eyelashes comically and extending her hand in form of greeting.<br></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br>Steve smiled inwardly at the thought of "being used" in this way, though he certainly wasn't going to give the girl the satisfaction of accomplishing this little goal.&nbsp; He had a couple of girlfriends in his youth who gave him the same treatment Mae was giving Vincent.<br><br>He didn't return her smile, but remained relatively stoic as he gave her a quick little handshake. After all, he thought, we guys need to stick together, and being way past his teenage years gave him a certain resistance to her charms he would have lacked 20 years earlier.&nbsp; "Sorry to disappoint, Little Mae Little.. best I can manage is the occasional limerick, and that's only when I've been drinking, and rarely in mixed company."<br><br>Then he looked back up the ramp to show his appreciation for Sasha and her choice of outfits ... not because he thought he had a shot, but just to give Little Mae Little a little taste of her own medicine.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>11-07-2011, 01:50:01</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Griffin Kingston, Captain – Escorting Mrs. Sylvester from The Gamble - Greeting Lex and Steve=-</strong></div><br>Standing in the cargo hold in the midst of most of his assembled crew, Griff grinned knowingly at the reaction his suggestion of a chaperone had elicited from the lively young pilot. Her words nearly caused him to chuckle and her contemptuous look only caused his smirk to widen. Turning away from Mae and Vincent just enough to remain unseen, he flashed a playful wink to Si and Dani, his attempt to clue them in on his successful bid at getting a rise out of Mae, though inwardly he had hoped to get a reaction from Vince just as well. “Of course he is, Mar-Chue,” Griff shot back pointedly, making certain to put emphasis on Mar-Chue, the nickname that her former employer had given her.<br><br>His attention was suddenly averted to the top of one of the set of stairs leading down to the cargo hold where he saw Sasha in her seductively alluring, yet strategically practical outfit. For a brief moment, he forgot about his playful dealings with Mae and Vince as his eyes once again drank in the irresistible visage of Sasha’s loveliness. But his jaw suddenly snapped shut as he took notice of Mrs. Sylvester latched onto Sasha’s arm. He stood silently, watching the two as the descended the stairs. His mind was conflicted with thoughts of first Sasha, and then Mrs. Sylvester and that horrific night he ran into her in her birthday suit roaming the ship, just as he had been doing.<br><br>Si’s words to Vincent brought his attention back to the conversations at hand and he forced a smile and a chuckle, putting himself back into the middle of it all in an attempt divert attention away from himself. But his efforts were in vain, thanks in no small part to his first officer. Griff’s dressed smile faded to a look of disdain at her pawning Mrs. Sylvester on him. <br><br><strong>“Captain, would you be a dear and escort Mrs. Sylvester off the ship and take her to her driver?”</strong><br><br>Quickly, he plastered that winning smile back onto his face and stepped forward to assist, offering his arm to the little old lady. “Certainly Sasha. Take my arm. Right this way Mrs. Sylvester.” Griff couldn’t help but chuckle when Mrs. Sylvester shot out her hand to grope Vince’s rear end. He gave a wide-eyed shrug, nodding his head towards Mrs. Sylvester indicating that she was the guilty party, but his amused expression suddenly vanished as he felt the firm grip of the old lady’s hand curve around his own ass, squeezing and clinging to him like a starving leach. <br><br><strong>“Yes - take me, Captain!”</strong><br><br>Griff shot a look at Sasha over his shoulder as the soft sounds of stifled laughter fluttered through the hold. “Okay, come along now Mrs. Sylvester. Let’s get you a ride,” Griff replied, moving her along trying to get her off of his boat as quickly as possible. “Oh, you can give me a good ride whenever you’d like, Cap’n,” the older lady’s wit was still as sharp as ever. Luckily, Sasha started in on debriefing the rest of the crew on the day’s agenda, delegating tasks and responsibilities to each crew member. He hoped they were all paying attention to Sasha and were unaware of the continued advances from Mrs. Sylvester. <br><br>"I've had a good time on your ship" the old lady said with a smile before leaning in closer to whisper for Griffs ears only "I can do tricks ya know... a woman doesn't get to be my age without learning a thing or two, if’n y’know what I mean?" She gave his rear another squeeze at that innuendo, but didn’t stop there. “ The captain just smiled and nodded as he lead her down the loading ramp."The midnight entertainment was a favortie of mine" she added before once more talking softly out of the corner of her mouth "a woman of my age knows things these youngsters can only dream about." Griff cringed a little at the thought. “I have no doubts about that, Mrs. Sylvester.” The old spitfire was persistent in her attempt to persuade him to let her have her way with him. “Are you sure you won’t reconsider, Captain? You know I’ve been fixed for a long time now so you can have a go bareback if you want. I know how you men like to go bareback.” He felt himself getting sick to his stomach as she persisted, painting unpleasant pictures in his mind. “Mrs. Sylvester…” he started, but was interrupted by her continued advances, “I can twist in ways you wouldn’t believe. I’ve got new hips. And I can take my teeth out. I promise you&nbsp; you’ll love that.” <br><br>“Lex! Steve!” So good to see you! Steve, drop your gear and come give Mrs. Sylvester here a helping hand, would ya?” They were already down the loading ramp by now and as they moved past Lex, Mrs. Sylvester took the liberty to feel of his bum, much to Griff’s relief. She had had her greedy old hand on his rump for far too long, and Griff still needed to go snag the old, worn out catalyzer from Hayes to be sure he got the right part.<br><br>“Lex, would you mind showing our new guy to his bunk after he sees Mrs. Sylvester off? Just let him pick out one of the singles. Doubles are reserved for paying passengers… or paying crew, then send him back up to the cargo hold. You’ll be taggin’ along with me today, Steve, once you’re gear is stowed in your quarters.” He slipped Mrs. Sylvester from his arm and onto Steve’s. “There you go now, Mrs. Syslvester. Steve here’s a strapping young man who will be happy to take care of your every need. Right Steve?” Griff smirked with a wink before turning back to the others. “Oh, and one more thing before y’all make like smoke… everyone make sure you have shortwave with you and leave it on at all times, just in case.” <br><br>Marching back up the loading ramp with purposeful steps, Griff glared at Sasha as he approached her. His expression was stern, serious… he didn’t look at all happy. Crossing his arms over his broad chest, he squared off with Sasha with an authoritative air that belied his usually playful personality. “Sasha,” he began, staring into this startling blue eyes for what seemed like hours before he finally continued. His cold, serious expression suddenly cracked into a tiny grin which gave way to a huge smile. He reached out a strong hand and grasped her shoulder as he broke into quiet laughter. “That… was good. I’ll get you back for that one, never you doubt.” Giving her shoulder a squeeze, he let his hand drop back to face the others. "Okay everyone. We’ve all got jobs to do. Let’s not dawdle. Let’s git ‘er done!” He clapped his hands together, two, thunderous and enthusiastic claps. “By the time I get back, y’all better all be about your business, Dohn luh mah? And DON'T FORGET YOUR RADIOS!”<br><br>Griff turned to face Sasha once more with a smile in his eyes, lifting his hand and pointing a finger in her face in a playfully threatening manner as he backed towards the stairs leading back to the upper deck. He wanted to grab that part so he could compare it to the new one when he got it to make sure it was the right part... and to show the guy so he'd know what it was Griff needed, just in case he forgot what the part was called."<br><br><hr><br>Dohn luh mah? = Are we clear?<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>grdell</strong> on <strong>11-07-2011, 02:58:04</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-= Lex Rake, boarding <em>The Gamble</em> =-</strong></div><br>Fully anticipating that the captain would pawn the old lady off on him, Lex was pleasantly surprised when instead Steve got that duty. He wondered if the captain meant to have Steve's first day be a trial by fire. He respected the captain, but quite often the man's motives were a total mystery. He reflected, not for the first time, how he would have handled the man professionally if he had been a client. Lex knew Griff wasn't sly, but it didn't stop him from wondering how the scenario would have played out; if his intentions would have been quite so opaque if he were naked in Lex's bed. Not that it mattered, of course. Lex had no intentions of trading with the crew, and while Griff was an attractive man, he wasn't actually attracted <em>to</em> him. He knew - both from his training and from personal experience - that in his line of work, that could be disastrous.<br><br><strong>"Lex, would you mind showing our new guy to his bunk after he sees Mrs. Sylvester off?"</strong><br><br>"Can do, captain," he said with a grin. He unslung his bag from his shoulder and followed Griff up the ramp even as Steve escorted Mrs. Sylvester off to the waiting transport. He overheard Griff's faux reprimand to Sasha and nodded to her as he walked past, one professional to another. He felt a certain kinship with Sasha, as it was apparent that she, too, had suffered some tragedy. Hers was a more recent pain, though, than his. Time and therapy had helped him to cope with the loss of his family, and Sasha had precious little of either. He tried to use the time they spent together in the workout area to let her know that he was available to her as a friendly ear and trained comfort-giver, but he had no way of knowing if he was getting through to her at all. She could, at times, be as inscrutable as the captain.<br><br>He dropped his bag just inside the door and leaned against the frame in his typical casual manner, unconsciously falling into a sexy pose, his arms crossed over his chest. He greeted Si and Dani with a nod and a smile, knowing that Dani would want to keep her distance from Steve, and noticing Si's protective stance. He would position himself in a similar manner next to Steve when the other man boarded, keeping himself as an additional barrier between them. Not that he didn't trust Steve, but he did understand Dani's anxiety over their newest crew member. He knew very little of the troubled medic's past, but he would be a poor Companion indeed if he couldn't read her fearful mannerisms as clearly as an open book. With large type.<br><br>Once Steve had taken care of the old lady and gathered up his things, Lex greeted him once more at the top of the ramp. He picked up his own bag and fell into step next to him. "Captain asked me to show you to your bunk. Right this way."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>11-07-2011, 05:15:28</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>~ Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- on the dock (number 30) after leaving the Cargo Bay ~</strong></div><br><br>Shrugging her shoulders and giving the new crew member little thought, Mae headed down the ramp alone. He hadn't bothered to introduce himself to her nor did he seem to feel inclined to get to know her further.&nbsp; The young pilot took it in her stride, marking him mentally amongst the other older crew members that seemed to have forgotten what it was like to be young, spending their life far too serious stuck with stern expressions and terrified to smile should they form a crack on their face.&nbsp; <br><br>Mae had been bound to the ship far too long and yearned to stretch her legs and experience some nightlife much as she had done before becoming a member of the crew. Part of her missed the "old" days flying in the Bai Hu races and the constant parties that were associated with them. She had spent her days sleeping and her night playing hard, working as a jockey in the highly illegal races that had attracted the verses less than prestigious ranking citizens.&nbsp; A young girl alone and eager to experience life, she had been unknowingly protected from the darker side of the underground by Zarek Akando.&nbsp; Everyone knew she was his special pet, a favourite that he treated more like family than employee.&nbsp; It wouldn't be worth their breath to try and pull one over on the naive youth.<br><br>It was that concern for her safety that had brought her into the employee of Griffin and his ship. A choice she had never once regretted, not even during the more boring passages. She loved the ship as if it was her own, even if some of her actions lead other to believe otherwise. Mae simply knew how to fly and fly well, so confident in her own abilities she often gambled with the wellbeing of the ship and its crew, but only when the odds favoured the outcome in a positive way. Behind the controls she felt invincible, like nothing could touch her. She was a leaf upon the wind, twisting and turning, using the currents to her benefit to get them where they needed to be.<br><br>But now all she could think of was the night life she had been starved of. The throbbing soul of the music that would wrap around her youthful body, banging in time with her rapidly beating heart that echoed in her ears as flashes of memories played in her head. On the dance floor Mae would get lost in its magic, moving her body to the flow of the music, much like the way she flew. The heart of the ships engines would vibrate through the great machine into the palms of her hands as she gripped the control, moving with advanced anticipation avoiding disaster at every turn.&nbsp; It was enough to paint a smile on her face so wide and bright it could rival any sun in the verse.<br><br>Mae stood, leaning against a pile of crates stacked haphazardly on the docks, glancing around with curious green eyes, taking in all that she could see. People watching was a hobby she had gotten into during some of the longer "waiting" stages she had found herself in during random visits on even more random ports while stationed on planets all over the verse.&nbsp; Her elbows rested on the rough wood as she bent slightly at the waist, foot tapping to music playing in her mind as she slipped into a daydream of what might come to light later that evening. A vision of her dancing closely with Vincent, wrapped in each others arms, floated in her mind's eye creating a suggestive smile to match the gleam in her eye as she looked into the empty space before her.<br><br>A soft humming sound vibrated on Mae's lips as she softly swayed to the music privately playing just for her. Her eyes took on a dreamy expression as she blinked slowly, coming in and out of focus barely alert to her surroundings. It was during a moment of clarity, snuggled between two delicious images that encouraged her day dream, that she spotted a red haired young woman speed past in a blur of brown jumpsuit, dirt and creamy coloured flesh.&nbsp; Mae stood up straighter and raised onto the tips of her toes, leaning over the crates to see if she could see what the fuss was about, but as far as she could tell the girl had disappeared and no one seemed to be chasing her. With a simple shrug of her shoulders, Mae settled back into her previous position and went back to her day dream where she was busy being held to the very broad chest of one Vincent Kincaid.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>11-07-2011, 10:17:52</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, in the cargo bay observing the crew disembarking onto Persephone=-</strong></div><br>Si's slight shift to a more protective stance was not lost on Dani, and a feeling of gratitude flooded through her. She returned his reassuring squeeze of her hand with one of her own...her way of thanking him.&nbsp; Her frustration at her continued timidness did nothing to help her deal with the problem, and honestly, she didn't know if anything ever would. The attack that robbed her of her fiance stole so much more from her than she would have believed possible. Being aboard The Gamble for nigh on a year had helped - she was stronger than she used to be, but that was still a far cry from the confident outgoing young medical student she had been.<br><br>From her position behind Si, she couldn't help but smile as Mrs. Sylvester grabbed the backsides of both Griff and Lex in turn.&nbsp; Dani would miss the old lady, who had unwittingly, or quite possibly intentionally, provided the crew with some moments of pure hilarity which would no doubt be rehashed over and over during their time traversing the black.&nbsp; She doubted the men-folk aboard The Gamble would miss her, though.&nbsp; Dani had heard tell of the woman's night time wanderings. Interestingly, she'd only started doing that after she'd learned that the Captain had a habit of doing the same.<br><br>Watching the new man, McPherson, treat Mae dismissively caused Dani some concern.&nbsp; It seemed to her that despite Mae's tough exterior, the vivacious pilot was in many ways still a child looking for acceptance from the people who had become her surrogate family.&nbsp; Dani's heart went out to the girl, still so young but trying so hard not to be, as she wandered away from the ship, trying to look like she didn't care that she had been virtually ignored by the newcomer.&nbsp; Dani waited until Lex had lead the man past her and Si before stepping out from behind her protector and heading down the loading ramp after Mae.&nbsp; Glancing around nervously before stepping off the safety of the ship and onto the uncertainty that was Persephone, Dani swallowed her misgivings, her conern for Mae greater than her fears for herself.<br><br>Approaching her from behind, Dani saw that something had caught the girls attention, but only for a moment, before she went back to staring into space.&nbsp; Stepping softly to her side, Dani touched Mae lightly on the shoulder, causing her to turn toward her.&nbsp; Smiling up at the teen who was a couple of inches taller than her, she looked steadily into Mae's eyes.<br><br>"You be careful, you hear?&nbsp; I don't want to have to come put you back together because you've gotten yourself banged up, Mei-Mei. You know how much I hate to be planetside..." Dani hoped that by implying that she would, if necessary, come looking for Mae, that the younger woman would know just how fond of her she was.&nbsp; As well as thinking twice before she did anything rash. Giving her an awkward hug, Dani finally gave into the rising panic that caused her heart to beat too fast and her throat to constrict and almost ran back to the ship, hurrying up the ramp to the relative safety of the cargo bay.&nbsp; Concentrating on slowing her breathing, Dani flashed Si a weak smile to allay his concern, her anxiety level obvious in her blue eyes. Leaving the rest of the crew to go about their business, she headed for the infirmary, the place she felt most comfortable. Once she had restored her calm, she would find Lex and together they could wait for the cleaning crew to arrive.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NiceTexasGuy</strong> on <strong>11-07-2011, 14:03:57</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>McPherson -- Eavesdown docks -- playing baggage porter</strong></div><br>Steve was old enough and had been around enough to take most of the antics in stride.&nbsp; Being the FNG when you're young and taking life seriously can stir up all the emotional responses your tormentors are looking for.&nbsp; For McPherson, however, it was simply part of the job to carry the old lady's bags because he was new and it was a job nobody else wanted.&nbsp; It's the same reason he was mentally prepared to start cleaning up souvenirs of the last load of cargo as soon as he checked on board.&nbsp; Let her poke and prod all she wants, it's nothing compared to undergoing interrogation in a prisoner of war camp.&nbsp; Besides, he could simply remind himself this was preferable to cleaning up dog poop.&nbsp; From the odor, it was probably a massive amount of dog poop.<br><br>"I'd be honored, Captain" as he left his own bag where it set and took hold of Mrs Sylvester's luggage with one hand, while wrapping his arm around the old lady's waist in a <em>much too familiar</em> manner.&nbsp; Without so much as a smile and with all the seriousness he could muster, he addressed the frisky woman.&nbsp; "Come along, lassie, but I feel I should warn ya, I'm impotent."&nbsp; That was said loud enough for the entire assembly to overhear.&nbsp; Then he bent low to whisper, though anyone standing close enough might still hear.&nbsp; "An old war injury... like a wet noodle it's been ever since the Battle of Sturgis ... <em>Agghh</em>, but we'd have made a <em>hell of a team </em> 20 years ago, aye?"&nbsp; And with that, he gave her a little slap to the backside.&nbsp; Just a little one, not enough to hurt, make her lose her footing, or arouse the cat to action. <br><br>***<br><br>"I hope we'll get a chance to see more of each other again real soon, Ma'am" he said to Mrs Sylvester, putting her in the transport, "and hopefully, on your next trip our cargo will be a shipment of petunias."<br><br>There, that was done, and now to finally board the ship and deposit his bags, then off with the captain as he conducted business.&nbsp; He wasn't clear if the captain would want him to strap on a real pistol or just make do with the smaller and more concealable pea shooter.&nbsp; That was already tucked away in a discrete holster in the small of his back.<br><br>The more important issue at hand, though, was to keep a straight face regardless of the crew's antics or their reaction to his own.&nbsp; It wasn't that hard, all he had to do was look at Dani and see how serious her condition must be that two of the male crew members felt it necessary to shield her from him.&nbsp; On this issue, he decided not to comment as he passed, remaining stoic and hoping that later he would have an opportunity to show his trustworthiness.. not that he wanted to be friends, he just felt sorry for the woman and didn't want her to feel paranoid of him his entire time on board.<br><br>"Where we're goin', Captain, am I alright dressed like this, or should I change into somethin' more comfortable and strap on a weapon less comfortable?"&nbsp; He figured the captain was in a hurry to conduct business but everything Steven owned was in&nbsp; the single bag he carried, which meant the trousers and shirt he wore were the only "nice" clothes he had that didn't involve dressing up in his only suit.&nbsp; If there was any fighting to be done, he'd rather be wearing something that didn't matter if it got torn or bloody, and he'd rather be using a weapon with more stopping power.&nbsp; On the other hand, ruining ones clothes was just another one of the risks that came with the job.<br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>11-07-2011, 23:47:50</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – The Gamble’s docking ramp – Persephone =-</strong></div><br><em>”It has indeed, Di-di.&nbsp; Ha!&nbsp; No, there’s no more work for me for a while.&nbsp; I am ready for a break.”</em><br><br><em>Ah.&nbsp; So the stranger must be the new hire Griff was talking about.</em>&nbsp; When it came to somebody waiting in close proximity to Lex, it was even odds between being a client for the Companion and being a client for The Gamble as a whole.&nbsp; Vincent had noticed the way Steve’s eyes wandered over Mae’s figure.&nbsp; That alone wasn’t enough to send up a warning signal in his mind; given the way she was dressed, any warm blooded male would be unable to resist a long glance at her physique.&nbsp; The real test would come with the way he addressed her.&nbsp; Even the man’s external monolog sent mixed messages that was not enough to base anything solid upon.<br><br>Vincent smiled a genuine warm smile when Lex embraced Mae in his arms.&nbsp; Whether it was a result of his training or simply being a part of his personality, the Companion had a virtual aura about him that made it easy to open up to him.&nbsp; The co-pilot often mused that of all men upon the ship, it had been the one who turned the art of seduction into a livelihood that presented him no threat when it came to the woman of his heart’s desire.&nbsp; Even when engaging in playful banter, Lex always seemed to know exactly where the line was between lighthearted fun and personal sleight.&nbsp; As far as Vincent could recall, the man had never once crossed that line in regards to his affection for Mae.&nbsp; On the contrary, it was Lex’s inherent empathy for those around him that provided Vincent an outlet to vent his pent up thoughts of Ms. Little and Griff’s direct advances towards her.&nbsp; &nbsp;He had a good notion that Dani would be willing to act as an emotional support in that sense, something that he had utilized on rare occasion when Lex had been absent.&nbsp; Though, Vincent had not been as candid with Dani when it came to opening up to her as he did with Lex.&nbsp; Partially because he felt it more pertinent to have a male perspective on things, but also because the ship’s medic had the look that suggested she was weighted down by her own personal demons and he did not feel right sharing his burden with somebody who had their own to worry about.<br><br>When Mae introduced herself to Steve, Vincent attentively listened for his response.&nbsp; It would be fun to have another aboard who would engage the duo in their <strong>pun</strong>ishing exchanges.&nbsp; His response came off somewhat cold as he answered in the negative then proceeded to dismiss her, causing Mae to do the same.&nbsp; <em>Well… that was terse.&nbsp; Better than having another Griff aboard though.</em>&nbsp; Vincent watched as the captain pawned the elderly woman on the new guy and smirked.&nbsp; At first it was because he envisioned Mrs. Sylvester’s reaction had there been <em>two</em> Griffs aboard the ship.&nbsp; Then it was due to Steve’s remark to her.&nbsp; <em>For somebody who claims to be limited to drunken limericks, he manages self-deprecating humor pretty well. </em><br><br>Vincent decided to engage Lex in some casual banter until Steve returned from his errand.&nbsp; “It’s a shame.&nbsp; You’re only getting a brief sample of the ship’s new earthy aroma.&nbsp; It was surprising how affordable it had been to permeate the entire ship with its au naturel bouquet.&nbsp; Normally you would have to pay an arm and a leg for that organic stuff.&nbsp; For whatever reason, Griff saw it fit to go back to the standard recirculated air smell.”<br><br>Vince glanced to his left then to his right for effect before leaning closer to Lex in a hushed tone.&nbsp; “ Just between you and me, I was concerned that the ol’ Captain was beginning to adopt hippy doctrine from Earth-That-Was.&nbsp; I mean, he’s already a borderline nudist.&nbsp; I’m all for free peace and love, but I don’t get paid enough to go vegan.&nbsp; Fortunately, Mae and I’ve been given the duty of grocery shopping, so we’ll make sure there is an abundance of protein in the galley that doesn’t come from anything that involves the word ‘curd’ or any other non-animal. ” After a few more moments of conversing with Lex, the new guy had been pacing back up the loading dock and he decided to allow Lex to do as was ordered after a few departing words.&nbsp; “Well,” he began with a friendly clasp of Lex’s shoulder.&nbsp; “I would love to stay and catch up with you, but I got a date with a pilot.”&nbsp; Vincent’s gaze gleamed with delight as he made no effort to hide his excitement from who was practically his older brother.<br><br>Vincent watched as his old friend and the new hire traveled into the belly of The Gamble, standing there for a moment having just realized the slight limp to Steve's gait.&nbsp; In the moments his mind pondered its cause, he became aware of Dani moving in the last direction he expected her to.&nbsp; Instead of taking the stairwell furthest away from the newcomer that would lead her deeper into the ship, she made her way <strong>out</strong> of the ship.&nbsp; His brow lifted with surprise at the sight and wondered if he had just witnessed the very moment the medic overcame a debilitating phobia.&nbsp; It was surprising seeing her leaving the ship, even for the few hundred feet of port between the cargo bay and Mae now casually leaning against some random containers.&nbsp; So much so that Vince decided it would be best if he didn’t interrupt what he assumed was girl talk.&nbsp; He waited there on the loading dock for a moment until Dani had said what she wanted to say and retreated back into the safety of the ship at a healthy pace.&nbsp; Only then did he proceed down the gangway towards the lovely lady who he had hoped was waiting for <em>him</em>.<br><br>Mae’s mind seemed to have wandered off as Vincent approached, having just enough self-control over his anticipation to have more walk than skip in his stride.&nbsp; Whatever she was thinking about, it certainly seemed to make her happy and his smile subconsciously became a reflection of hers.&nbsp; He had hoped that it had as much to do with the company as much as it did the day of shore leave.&nbsp; Vincent waited until he stood just barely within what would qualify as her personal space before speaking.&nbsp; “The way I see it, we have a few hours before the clubs reach their peak hours.&nbsp; That gives us plenty of time to get everything on the list and toss it in the ship while having a little extra to grab a bite on the way back to town.”&nbsp; Vincent turned his side to her, offering out his arm by a slight margin if she wished to take it.&nbsp; “Shall we get to it so we can have the rest of the night to ourselves?”
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>12-07-2011, 05:08:17</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- on the dock (number 30) after leaving the Cargo Bay ~</strong></div><br><br>To say Mae was surprised to see Dani standing beside her on the dock would be considered an understatement. The surprise was enough to postpone the tears that shimmered in her emerald green eyes. Mae quickly surmised just how testing it must have been to the other woman's peace of mind to leave the comfort of the ship. For the medic to brave leaving the safety and comfort of what was now her home, even for a short period of time, in order to convey her message of concern for the impulsive pilot said more to Mae than any flowery speech ever could. The brave act touched her heart, bringing a level of respect from the obstinate teen that few on the crew received. Dani had quickly found a place in Mae's heart with her quiet approach to life, showing a silent strength that seemed rooted in the older woman's soul.<br><br><strong>"You be careful, you hear? I don't want to have to come put you back together because you've gotten yourself banged up, Mei-Mei. You know how much I hate to be planetside..."</strong><br><br>Wrapped in a tight and warm embrace, no matter how brief and awkward the exchange, Mae took care and allowed the all too fleeting moment to sink into her soul. It was amazing how a single act of kindness could go a long way in filling the gaping hole that had been so carelessly left by the rejection of her family blood. Layer by layer she held hope that her new family would be able to accept her, flaws and all, something her biological family was unable or unwilling to do.&nbsp; Blinking away the tears that bit at the corners of her eyes, Mae gave Dani a smile as the skittish medic began to widen the gap between the two.&nbsp; She called out to her as Dani made her way quickly back to the safety of the steel vessel.&nbsp; “I’ll do my best to stay out of trouble....” she let her words die off as a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Suddenly the melancholy that had threatened to ruin her evening with Vincent vanished as fast as a plate of brownies on the galley table. The knowledge that someone cared whether she lived or died warmed her heart, putting that bounce back into her step.<br><br>Turning back to take in the same dock that had held nothing interesting to her eye only moments before, Mae smiled warmly at the nameless faces that past her as she waited to be joined by Vincent. Her mood sunny where it had threatened to grow dark, she was more than happy to resume her daydreams featuring the very attractive and easy going Mr. Kincaid.&nbsp; A gentle sigh slipped from her lips as she once more resumed her carefree position, resting against a conveniently piled group of crates. Mae lost no time in becoming deeply involved in her daydreams, made evident by the sinful smile that played on her lips. It was only the delightfully sexy voice belonging to the lead role of her fantasies that was able to penetrate her mind, successfully bringing her back to the here and now.<br><br><strong>“The way I see it, we have a few hours before the clubs reach their peak hours. That gives us plenty of time to get everything on the list and toss it in the ship while having a little extra to grab a bite on the way back to town.” </strong> <br><br>Mae's smile, already bright, seemed to grow in both intensity and optimism as her sparkling green eyes pierced his soul giving Vincent a flash of what had been in her mind only moments before. With each blink and fan of her thick lashes, Mae constructed the veils that would leave him questioning if he had actually seen the raw desire that had been naked in her eyes, leaving its mark like a ghostly whisper.&nbsp; As he shifted and subtly offer his arm, Mae took on an amused expression that held mischief dancing in her eyes. <br><br><strong> “Shall we get to it so we can have the rest of the night to ourselves?”</strong><br><br>With an easy nod of her head, Mae agreed as she slipped her arm around his bringing her body to settle closely next to his. “Lead the way sexy!” she teased happily, fluttering her lashes as she blew a kiss in an exaggerated manner. “Wait…didn’t Sasha say we needed to talk to Si about who to see?” as she spoke her hand moved to allow a single finger to draw along the neckline of her corset style top as if pointing out the hidden list and inadvertently drawing her partners attention to her artfully displayed cleavage.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>13-07-2011, 02:20:33</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Buyin' the essential booze and drugs.&nbsp; Perhaps a little food too. - Persephone=-</strong></div><br>Vincent practically purred with happiness as Mae accepted his offered arm and pressed her body closer to his.&nbsp; His smile broadened, especially with her flirtatious compliment and display as exaggerated as they may be.&nbsp; Despite the enticing humor, their interlocked arms had been an indisputable display of mutual affection.<br><br><em>“Wait…didn’t Sasha say we needed to talk to Si about who to see?”</em><br><br>"That she did."&nbsp; Vincent glanced over his shoulder to the ship that was only a few hundred feet away, making a performance of his ponderous pause.&nbsp; "It's too late to turn back, we've already gone too far."&nbsp; With that statement, he began leading her further away from the ship and in the direction of the city proper.&nbsp; He let that unaddressed issue hang in the air for a few moments to see Mae's reaction.&nbsp; Eventually he was unable to hold back his grin any longer and decided to spill his thoughts with a lighthearted chuckle.&nbsp; "Simeon is too straight edge.&nbsp; Chances are fair that whatever backally dealer he sent us to was some con selling generic meds in a high-grade container.&nbsp; The area around the port is full of people like that.&nbsp; Even if he did know a legit dealer, I came from these parts.&nbsp; I haven't been gone so long for my contacts to go stale and chances are good that I will be able to get the quality stuff at a discount."<br><br>A mischievous grin spread across his face.&nbsp; "I'm sure the bossman would be so glad with us saving money that he'd be likely to, oh, I don't know, use a portion of the savings to buy us the first round of drinks tonight?&nbsp; Of course, it would be rude to interrupt the Captain with questions on his day off, so we'll just have to use our best judgment on the matter and <em>try</em> to remember to check with him tomorrow."&nbsp; Vincent punctuated that last sentence with a sly wink.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>13-07-2011, 04:14:15</strong>
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				<strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer - In Preparation for disembarking the Gamble - at Eavesdown Docks on Persephone ~</strong><br><br><em>Control.</em>&nbsp; One of the key components of her early training and a tenet that Sasha fervently lived by, having superior control was a means to achieve much in this chaotic life: power, pleasure, security, success ~ whatever one’s goals might be.&nbsp; For life aboard the Gamble, the most obvious manifestation of control was through the power of authority;&nbsp; the ultimate authority being the Captain, followed closely by the First Officer. The chain of command protocol was a time-tested tool that kept things running smoothly...kept people safe. And keeping everyone safe and everything running smoothly was a responsibility Sasha took very seriously.<br><br>Sasha was almost a decade older than Mae, but she remembered the intense rollercoaster of emotions of youth well enough. As with any spirited teenager, Mae probably thought she had all the answers and was eager to take life by the horns and ride it for all it was worth, any naysayers be damned. She embodied a teenager’s natural tendency toward self-absorption and impatience, which unfortunately sometimes conflicted with the way she was expected to carry out her responsibilities as pilot of the Gamble. Knowing that the outgoing girl made friends easily and already had several right here on the Gamble, Sasha felt the young woman would benefit more if as an older woman she took on more of a mentor role for her instead of&nbsp; another indulgent friend. As a still-forming youth, although she wouldn’t realize it - or acknowledge it if she did - Mae needed boundaries and firm guidance as well as love and affection to help shape her into the woman she was developing into.&nbsp; &nbsp;So when Sasha recognized the mute rebelliousness sparking within Mae’s angry glare, she mulled over several options: provoke the girl further to elicit an escalated response; ignore her belligerent demeanor; or encourage the girl’s positive actions and try to guide the talented but young pilot toward maturity, to better control her impulses. As long as Mae respectfully obeyed her and Griff’s commands, the last thing Sasha wanted to do was tamp down Mae’s effervescent fire.&nbsp; When Sasha deliberately encroached into Mae and Vincent’s comfort zones while giving them both their duties, she was pleased with the way the young woman took responsibility for their orders, even though it was obvious in the glittering defiance in her eyes that Mae was chomping at the bit. <br><br>Vincent, on the other hand, she was less pleased with. She scowled slightly when Vincent acted like she was only addressing Mae and not him as well, a somewhat panicked expression skittering across his face when she first approached them. And his milquetoast nod in her direction as he retreated to greet Lex did nothing to improve her opinion of his behavior.&nbsp; Yes, he was the co-pilot and had less seniority on the ship. And yes, his amorous feelings toward Mae were more than obvious and probably created a measure of conflicting allegiance.&nbsp; But Sasha was his First Officer, and she would not tolerate half-assed obedience.&nbsp; She would have to work on getting Vincent to man-up a bit more.<br><br>Sasha wondered if sending them off together on their own may very well be a recipe for disaster, and considered the idea of having Si accompany the two young pilots as they navigated the mean streets of Persephone.&nbsp; Sighing in exasperation, she decided to let the chips fall where they may. Forcing a chaperone on them would quash the opportunity for them to prove themselves, and a good dose of confidence garnered from completing a successful mission would go a long way. They both were adults and full members of the crew; she needed to give them their space and allow them to follow their own paths, as long as those paths didn’t jeopardize any other crew member or the collective good of the Gamble’s crew. <br><br>When speaking with Dani, it seemed that the medic had a lot on her mind, as usual, but she didn’t appear overly panicked at being given a responsibility that involved interacting with a stranger. But noting Si’s subtly protective posture and their body language together, Sasha again considered another use for Si besides covering her own ass on the job meet. Maybe she was asking too much of Dani before she was ready, and she knew Si provided a calming presence as well as a significant measure of security.<br><br>As the cargo bay door opened fully, Mae and Vincent hurried forward to greet Lex and introduce themselves to the newest member of the crew. While Griff reluctantly escorted Mrs. Sylvester off ship, Si and Dani held their positions. Watching the lingering reunion between Lex and Mae, Sasha’s expression softened slightly. Mae’s friendship with Lex had been good for the girl; truth be told, having Lex on board had been a positive for pretty much the entire crew. Even she - against her normal instincts - had felt herself inexplicably drawn to the man. But, knowing full well the exhaustive training he had completed, and the chameleon-like nature of Companions, Sasha was wary about giving in to the pull she felt toward the captivating man.<br><br>As Lex graciously redirected Mrs. Sylvester’s audacious advances, Sasha found her gaze lingering on the beautiful man’s hands and lips as he pressed a soft kiss onto the elderly woman’s hand. The eyes may very well be the window into a person’s soul, but you could also tell a lot about a person by the way they moved their body, how they physically interacted with others. Plus, sometimes it was simply pleasurable to just enjoy beauty where it could be found, and Lex was definitely one beautiful man.<br><br>As Sasha’s eyes moved to the other man - McPherson, Griff had mentioned to her - she quietly watched him take in the goings on, liking what she saw at first glance.&nbsp; He certainly looked the part and held himself with an easy confidence that could be a nice addition to many situations she and Griff found themselves in. Knowing Griff had already vetted him, he was obviously qualified for the job; whether he was suited to it was yet to be seen. Sasha would have liked to have him accompany her on the meeting with Ferret so she could get a better feel for the new man, but Griff had already advised her that he would be taking McPherson with him on his search for the engine part. <br><br>Sasha’s curiosity was piqued when their newest crew member appeared immune to Mae’s good-natured flirty greeting. Mae was a naturally sensual young woman, and with her bountiful physical attributes combined with her outgoing personality, she usually drew any men in the area to her like bees to honey. Perhaps McPherson was sly, she considered...although that idea was quickly snuffed when the ruggedly attractive man lifted his gaze toward her, his heated look of appreciation putting to rest her question. Chuckling to herself as Mae flounced off appearing completely unaffected by McPherson’s snub, she hoped the man’s unfriendliness wouldn’t sting too much. Although truth be told, it’d honestly do the girl good to learn not <em>everyone</em> could be wrapped around her little finger. If things came too easily to a person, it made them soft. And being soft was a dangerous condition.<br><br><strong>"Miss Dearing, who is to show our new set of hands around the ship while we are out?"</strong><br><br>Si’s question brought her attention to him momentarily as she responded, “It’s alright, Si, thank you. He’s going planetside with the Cap’n to find that engine part.”<br><br>Turning back to the scene just outside the ship, she watched in amusement when Griff further pawned Mrs. Sylvester off onto the unsuspecting McPherson, shaking her head and chuckling softly as he played up his role with good humor. <br><br>As the Captain then marched unceremoniously up the loading ramp directly toward her, Sasha raised her dark eyebrows in mock innocence, the corner of her mouth turning up ever so slightly. Standing toe-to-toe with the Captain, she didn’t flinch or blink as he blustered right up to her, his fierce gaze effecting no outward reaction from her.&nbsp; Although inwardly, her pulse leapt in response to Griff’s nearness - her body’s preparation for a potential confrontation no doubt, she reasoned. Long moments passed, her luminous blue eyes locked with his warm chocolate eyes, the air in the space between their bodies seeming to heat palpably against her skin. Suddenly his stern look melted into one of good-natured humor as his warm laughter spilled over her.<br><br><strong>“That… was good. I’ll get you back for that one, believe you, me.”</strong><br><br>Momentarily enjoying the warmth of his humor and his friendly touch, Sasha eyes narrowed as he made his light-hearted threat, knowing full well Griff was notorious for committing practical jokes on the crew members. As the Captain proceeded through the cargo bay urging the crew to action, Lex passed by her with a nod, dropping his bag just inside the door, the dazzling Companion striking up a naturally provocative pose as he leaned against the door frame. “Good to have you back, Lex,” Sasha addressed him, not moving closer but somehow her quiet tone and intense presence filled the space between them. “I trust everything went well?”<br><br>As McPherson tromped up the ramp Sasha stepped in front of him, momentarily halting his movement.&nbsp; Extending her hand she nodded in greeting. “McPherson. First Officer Dearing. Welcome aboard.”&nbsp; Up close his height and bulk gave weight to his confident demeanor, and Sasha found herself looking forward to finding out just how well he could handle himself. <br><br>After stepping aside so McPherson could talk with the Captain and then head off to be shown his cabin with Lex leading the way, her eyes drifted outside again, her breath catching for a moment as she saw Dani <strong><em>outside</em></strong> talking with Mae, having obviously chosen to do so on her own. A grin warmed her features as true happiness for the traumatized woman blossomed inside her. Dani would be fine without Si staying behind to act as guard dog with the cleaning crew; in fact - she believed Dani would be just fine period. Somehow the motley mix of characters who called the Gamble their home just <em>worked</em>; their individual dysfunctionalities meshing just well enough to feel almost like a real family. <br><br>Had any of the crew been glancing her way to catch her genuine warm smile and softened features, it would probably have been a bit disconcerting for them to see how different she looked when not wearing the mask of cooly professional First Officer, when she was simply being...a woman.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>13-07-2011, 18:46:50</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - last call - Eavesdown Docks, aboard The Gamble=-</strong></div><br>Among the philosophies of efficiency there were generally two schools of thought: multitasking and minimalism. The former school espoused the notion that maximum efficiency is achieved through accomplishment of as many tasks as possible at the same time. Surely the most efficient way to unload a cargo bay was to take as many items out per load as possible, the best way to assault a fortified position was to attack from many directions at once, and so on. By contrast, the minimalist approach would look at these tasks in a way that cut out all that was unnecessary and focused solely on the core of the effort needed for success. Why waste energy moving everything at once when you will move faster and tire slower taking things out in an orderly fashion suited to the space? Why waste munitions and personnel in a grand attack when you could focus your assault on the weakest point of your enemy's defenses?<br><br>Of these two Si had always followed the latter course. He was not needed in the hustle and bustle of social activities throughout the cargo bay, nor would his input have added significantly to the various exchanges taking place. Indeed, even Dani seemed to overcome her want of a safe anchor, if only for a short time, and following in her wake would only have weakened the gesture of parting from his company for that brief spell. While he had many options to act, most seemed less preferable to follow than not acting, so he did not act.<br><br>That is not to say the man was idle all this time. Observation is itself an action, an important one for purposes of gathering information and assessing change. Granted in this instance little change was taking place, but the addition of a new crew member and, far more interesting than that, Dani's small step toward extending her boundaries beyond the ship's hull was worthy enough of note to spend some time storing away. Most of the rest he could dismiss as readily as it came: Miss Little and Vincent were still very much in need of maturation, but they had plenty of time yet to gather it; Lex was, as ever, a gentleman; the Captain was the Captain; and Miss Dearing seemed very much herself. Up until that smile.<br><br>There had been times during Si's short stay aboard The Gamble that he had wondered as to the cause of Sasha's predilections, but he would never ask outright. "Rude" did not begin to describe how gauche such an inquiry would be. Not asking was not the same as not thinking about it, though, which he did fairly often after interacting with the young lady. Despite how little she chose to flaunt it - would that Mae would learn a little of that discretion, not that the First Officer's current attire showed much - the woman was quite striking in addition to having health and intelligence at her disposal, so what caused her to be so withdrawn and aggressively anti-emotion so much of the time? She was not an impassive person, that much was not hard to tell, yet she did not feel at ease with herself, or so the surface would suggest. A person was not born that way; a person must be made so. What went into the making, that was the mystery unasked.<br><br>But this smile, it brought hope with it. Hope of healing. Or perhaps only a glimpse of what had been before whatever it was took place. Either way, a moment of sincere attachment to a feeling other than anger or determination visible on Sasha's face filled the older man with optimistic vigor. He would not ruin the moment by reflecting her smile with one of his own - gods knew how she might wall herself off if someone so much as <em>suggested</em> they saw her being happy - but it was a difficulty to maintain his stoic facade in approaching the First Officer following the crew's various assignments. "Well then, Miss Dearing, I believe it is our turn for a walk on the docks, one which I must say I will find the more enjoyable for being in your company. Shall we?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>15-07-2011, 08:27:54</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong><strong>-=Griffin Kingston, Captain – Peresephone, Eavesdown Docks, Landing Bay 30, inside The Gamble’s cargo hold.=-</strong></strong></div><br>Sasha’s lingering gaze upon Lex, the admiration in her eyes for the registered companion was certainly not lost on Griff, who often surprised people with his keen observations. Griff was a master judge of character and was renowned for smelling a trap or a scam before the perpetrators were able to spring into action. The jealous emotions that stirred inside of him upon seeing Sasha’s appreciative study of Lex both angered and frightened him and as he moved to face her, the glare that tainted his features, for a moment, at least, was all too real. His ability to keep a cool head under pressure helped him wrangle in his emotions before he spoke, rationalizing that it wasn’t Sasha with whom he was feeling these intense emotions, but himself. Tamping down those powerful emotions and feelings, he took a slow breath before thinking back on the Mrs. Sylvester and allowing his playfulness to overwhelm his previous and unpleasant aura. <br><br>His jovial threat towards Sasha was sincere and he held no malcontent for his first officer, nor Lex, whom Griff perceived to be the object of her affections. Starting his way up the stairs leading back up to the upper deck, Griff smirked playfully at Sasha as she narrowed her eyes at him. <em> "Where'd I go gettin' all-fired jealous? She’s my First Officer, for cryin’ out loud! Quit acting like Ho Tze Duh Pi Gu! Yu Bun Duh feelings don’t mean nothing! Zao gao, Griff, be a Nuhn Tze Huhn!"</em> A lighthearted chuckle poured from his throat before he put his thoughts back to the business that needed to be done and setting the crew about their appointed tasks. Unable to stop himself, he cast one last glance back towards Sasha, watching her discreetly while slowly ascending the metal stairs. He was… shocked when, for the first time since he’d ever met Sasha, he saw her first, genuine smile as she watched Dani hug Mae and converse with her briefly. Transfixed on the alien, yet endearingly soft expression on her pretty yet otherwise professionally stoic face, he was motionless.<br><br><strong>"Where we're goin', Captain, am I alright dressed like this, or should I change into somethin' more comfortable and strap on a weapon less comfortable?"</strong><br><br>His attentions were drawn away from Sasha with McPherson’s question to him and he realized he had stopped, frozen in place as he watched her from his perch high up on the stairs. <em>” Yu Bun Duh feelings don’t mean nothing…”</em> he whispered to him self before addressing McPherson. “Gotta go scrounge up a cata… an engine part. I’m off to fetch it from Hayes now. Best come along expectin’ bigger trouble than a peashooter can handle. We ain’t exactly short on people wantin’ to cause us trouble.”<br><br>With that, he turned and took the remaining steps by twos. Turning left, he quickly marched through the galley and lounge on his way to get the catalyzer from Hayes, but his mind was still reeling, confused by they strange and troubling feelings he had just endured in the cargo hold. Griff was a tough man, a scrapper and a good leader who wasn’t afraid of a fight even when the odds were against him. But THIS… feelings and emotions… this was something he wasn’t prepared for and was ill-equipped to deal with. <br><br>Ducking into the small corridor that was the locker storage room, he called out to Hayes before he reached the engine room. “Hayes! Where’s that cata-ma-thingy? I’m headed… OOF!” Griff caught the flying piece of machinery in his gut, just catching sight of it as it hurled toward him from somewhere off to his right. “Uuuuhhhh…” he coughed, hunched over in a pain and slightly winded from the impact. “Thanks. That’ll be all…” Turning sharply on his heel, he moved hastily from the engine room, the catalyzer clutched in his hands as he called back to her now safely in the galley. “Don’t forget to have our fuel and water reserves topped off right away, Hayes!” Breaking into a light jog, lest Hayes come out into the locker room and hurl a spanner at him, Griff reached the stairs and quickly scurried down them, his eyes instantly searching out Sasha before his mind even registered the fact.<br><br><hr>Ho Tze Duh Pi Gu = Monkey's ass<br>Nuhn Tze Huhn&nbsp; = Real man<br>Yu Bun Duh = Stupid<br>Zao gao&nbsp; = Damn it<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NiceTexasGuy</strong> on <strong>15-07-2011, 17:54:47</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>Stephen McPherson - Eavesdown docks, #30 - Gamble cargo ramp and beyond</strong></div><br><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=110474.msg4919542#msg4919542">Quote from: Dragondancer on 13-07-2011, 04:14:15</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">As McPherson tromped up the ramp Sasha stepped in front of him, momentarily halting his movement.&nbsp; Extending her hand she nodded in greeting. “McPherson. First Officer Dearing. Welcome aboard.”&nbsp; </blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br><br>McPherson looked at his new first officer for a moment before speaking.&nbsp; The look managed to fall somewhere between totally expressionless and incredulity, as he might have used to intimidate a subordinate in years past for committing some infraction.&nbsp; <em>This was his new first officer?</em>&nbsp; Had he been told there was a Registered Companion on board the <em>Gamble</em>, this is the one he would have assumed was her.&nbsp; Beautiful, sexy, carrying herself with an air of confidence, yet very friendly, one could easily be put off guard by such a pleasant demeanor.&nbsp; And dress ... well... Steve had been to places where women who dressed like this were shunned.&nbsp; But, he hadn't been told there was a Companion on board, and he didn't have a problem working for a woman .. it's just that Sasha wasn't quite what he was expecting.&nbsp; Certainly not from Griff's brief description of the crew.<br><br>After a couple of seconds, he responded with a little nod.&nbsp; "Nice to meet you, ma'am... good to be on board."<br><br>Then, almost as an afterthought, he took her hand and gave it a little shake.<br><br>That being done, he simply picked up his bag and followed his guide to his new quarters.&nbsp; No time to look around, he just took quick note of the route so he'd be able to find his way back ... and perhaps back out again in case of emergency.&nbsp; Of course he had studied the generic layout of the <em>Dragonfly</em> class in the days prior to boarding, but he knew modifications happen over time.&nbsp; He also tried to note everything else he would need to know in an emergency. Firefighting and damage control equipment, first aid ... he was happy to see the infirmary looked like a sick bay and not a mechanic's shed.&nbsp; "Got a medic on board?"&nbsp; Steve had mentioned to the Captain during his "job interview" that he had "a bit of medical training" but the conversation had been steered off in a different direction before Steve found out if that would be one of his collateral duties.<br><br>Finally reaching his room, the furtherest from anywhere significant (as the new guy, he expected that) his goal now was to change as quickly as possible, so as not to keep the Captain waiting.<br><br>Normally he would place the trousers and shirt he removed on hangers, but in his haste he laid them out on his bed instead.&nbsp; His jacket was the only thing to be hung up.&nbsp; The "peashooter" would be worn in the small of the back, as before, but this time he would have his old LeMat "hogleg" strapped to his right leg, and a trench knife tucked into his pants on the left, only the <em>brass knuckles</em> handle showing.&nbsp; Then, he strapped a slender hydration pack (which also contained some rudimentary first aid supplies and a nutrition bar in an attached pouch) onto his back.&nbsp; He also loaded his pockets with spare magazines.&nbsp; <br><br>After the Le-Niemala campaign, he swore he would never be caught short of ammo or water again.<br><br>Finally, he withdrew the carbine from it's special container attached to the backpack.&nbsp; He knew there were some rough neighborhoods in the vicinity of the Eavesdown docks, where practically anything could be had for a price.&nbsp; Steve just wanted to let everyone know they couldn't afford what his Captain was carrying. <br><br>"Ifreann na Fola ... back in th' saddle again, eh?"&nbsp; He wasn't sure how he felt about his current situation.&nbsp; Life certainly hadn't turned out the way he'd planned.&nbsp; Oh well... he popped a trademark unlit cigar into his mouth and made his way back to the cargo bay, ready to accompany his Captain into harm's way. <br><br>***<br>Ifreann na Fola - bloody hell
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>grdell</strong> on <strong>16-07-2011, 04:57:43</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Lex Rake, aboard The Gamble =-</strong></div><br>After wishing Vince good luck on his date with Mae with a smile and a good-natured slap on the back and showing Steve where his bunk was, Lex made his way back to his own room. He dropped his bag on the floor before dropping onto the bed and stretching like a cat. It was strange to think of the ship as home, but in many ways it was, and it was good to be home.<br><br>He didn't indulge himself too much, though, as he knew that while the ship was in port, there was much to be done. Technically, he was only a passenger, but he liked to help out where and whenever he could. And that included purchasing some of the less-than-necessary provisions that he liked to share with his shipmates and friends. Fresh produce and the like was often prohibitively expensive, if and when it was even available. But this was Persephone, and he knew where quality was to be found on such a world as this. Money, after all, opened many doors.<br><br>Leaving his bag on the floor, knowing that there would plenty of time and more once they were in the Black again, he headed back out to the cargo area to see who was still around. He spotted Sasha and approached her, careful to keep his stance as casual as possible. The woman was extraordinarily attractive, but she was also prone to violent outbursts with little to no provocation or warning. He was, in fact, intrigued by her - but he was also a little bit leery of her erratic behavior. He'd tried to get her to open up, but she played all of her cards very close to her chest.<br><br>"Looks like everybody's got a job to do," he commented, indicating the various crew members leaving the ship. "Everybody except me, that is. A spare pair of hands needed anywhere, or should I take the initiative to go on my own procurement mission?" He smiled his most disarming smile, trying to keep the woman at her ease. "You know I always bring back those little things that make life worthwhile. Any special requests? I know - how about some strawberry tea? It's really quite good."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>16-07-2011, 05:55:23</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- blindly and most willingly following Vincent through the mean streets of Persephone~</strong></div><br>Mae released a soft giggle as she glanced back over her shoulder towards the ship that was rapidly growing smaller with each step. Her attention back upon Vincent, she flashed him a brilliant smile as she snuggled closer, resting her head on his shoulder. "Oh that's right, you are a local boy, rich in the knowledge of all the secrets Persephone holds" she commented with a breathy impressed tone of voice. "Are you a favourite son? Will they throw a parade upon your return?” She continued with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "I'll just place our mission safely in your hands, shall I?”&nbsp; Tugging on his arm, Mae pulled Vincent closer as she continued with her line of questioning. "What part shall I play? Ooo, do I get to play dress-up?&nbsp; I like role play! Do we get to play bad cop, good cop?” Mae asked with a teasing lilt to her voice as she peered up at her handsome escort through a veil of thick lashes. "Oh I know, I'll stun them by flashing them with my goods, and then you can grab the merchandise!”&nbsp; Her plan was completely preposterous of course, and said with tongue firmly placed in cheek. However, as outrageous as she was at times Mae understood the delicate dance that took place when requiring items that were to be illegally acquired. She didn't have much experience herself as a hardened criminal in search of ill-gotten gains; however she was up to playing any part that Vincent might require of her. <br><br><br><strong>"I'm sure the bossman would be so glad with us saving money that he'd be likely to, oh, I don't know, use a portion of the savings to buy us the first round of drinks tonight? Of course, it would be rude to interrupt the Captain with questions on his day off, so we'll just have to use our best judgment on the matter and try to remember to check with him tomorrow." </strong> <br><br>Mae's playful giggle vibrated from her tongue as she nodded her head in full agreement with Vincent's plan for the money saved. After all, they could look upon any findings as a kind of finders fee, payment for their troubles and services rendered. They could call it danger pay, or a treat for a job well done. Her imagination took off detailing ideas of grandeur with images of herself and Vincent taking lodge in a swanky hotel for the evening. The room paid for with the monies saved from their hard work danced in her mind along with all the delicious naughty things she could do to him while alone in such an environment.&nbsp; The dream was tempting, even though she knew the credits saved, if there were any to be saved, wouldn't be more than enough to cover a drink or two. <br><br>The excitement of finally being plantetside and spending an evening with Vincent alone had Mae giddy and anxious to get the chores out of the way. Gliding her hand along the length of his arm, Mae stepped lightly in front of Vincent.&nbsp; Her smile was impish as she took both his hands in hers, walking backwards urging him to follow. “I say we make out…” pausing at the implication of her words, Mae flashed yet another sparkling smile and waggled her eyebrows "with the extra cash, if there is any to make, and trip the lights fantastic!” Quickening her pace, Mae pulled at Vincent to encourage him to walk faster "Come on Vinnie, shake a leg. The faster we get our hands on the meds and supplies the faster we can….” Pausing a beat to let the implication of her earlier comment hang in the air, Mae didn't fight the smile that grew with the mischievous glint that danced in her eyes. "Get on with the real fun!” <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>18-07-2011, 00:02:44</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer - Ready to disembark the Gamble - at Eavesdown Docks on Persephone ~</strong></div><br>Sasha closed her eyes for a brief moment, her long dark lashes feathering gently against her cheeks as she savored the tender warm glow curling up softly within her heart.&nbsp; Startling blue eyes opened once again, and she drew in a long deep breath. The moment passed.&nbsp; Drawing her well-worn cloak of inscrutable composure securely back around her, the woman’s expression once again took on the familiar reserved coolness of First Officer.<br><br>A soft wash of color pinkened her cheeks ever so slightly as she glanced around, hoping her moment of letting her guard down had passed unnoticed. A familiar scowl settled into place as she berated herself for her momentary lapse of discipline. Going soft was <em>not</em> an option; opening her heart was a dangerous slippery slope to a place of vulnerability she had sworn to never succumb to again.&nbsp; The only way to avoid that searing pain of unbearable loss was to never let anyone in; and she would NOT let herself get hurt like that ever again.<br><br><strong>"Well then, Miss Dearing, I believe it is our turn for a walk on the docks, one which I must say I will find the more enjoyable for being in your company. Shall we?"</strong><br><br>As Simeon calmly approached her and spoke with an almost buoyant tone, Sasha’s gaze narrowed suspiciously as she scrutinized the older man’s face for any hint that he had witnessed the chink in her emotional armor. But as usual, Si’s demeanor was nothing if not the consummate gentleman and utterly professional. Relaxing her face to a soft smile she stepped close beside him so they could talk discreetly while still observing those around them, the subtle sent of spicy jasmine clinging to her skin and hair.<br><br>“Knowing you, Si - you’ve already compiled your own impression about our newest crew member, and as always I value your opinion and look forward to hearing it. But...before we head off into the black for God knows how many months with this unproven guy, I’d like to get some time to feel him out myself first.”&nbsp; <br><br>McPherson had seemed straightforward enough, but his brief hesitation when she had introduced herself and his weak handshake had sent up enough of a red flag that Sasha felt a little unsure about the newest crew member. Maybe it was as simple as the man had never served under a woman First Officer before. She knew some men had issues submitting to a woman’s complete authority over them, and if McPherson fit into that category she’d be more than happy to deliver an ultimatum to him personally. And finding out his true temperament now, when he could simply be left behind on Persephone if need be, was the simplest plan. <br><br>Having Si with her while she vetted the new guy for herself out in the field would allow her a good measure of ease. Sasha felt safe around Si, and trusted him completely in a professional capacity.&nbsp; The older man never tried to elicit an emotional response from her, and never caused her to feel lacking for not offering one. Plus, if anything ever went south on a mission, Sasha knew that Si could be counted on without question.<br><br>Continuing her quiet conversation with Si, Sasha spoke in low tones. “Ferret is a devious, unscrupulous devil. But you know what they say about the devil you know; and I’d much rather have an untested gun at my back in a situation I’ve got at least <em>some</em> read on. Better’n having two unknowns in the next situation, when we might be meeting with someone we know nothing about. I’m gonna tell the Cap’n I want McPherson with us; you and me, we’ll figure out what the big man’s made of a’fore we have to trust him with our lives.”&nbsp; Looking into Si’s eyes meaningfully for a moment, she stepped away from him and headed off to seek out the Captain.<br><br><strong>”A spare pair of hands needed anywhere, or should I take the initiative to go on my own procurement mission?"</strong> <br><br>The Companion flashed her a brilliant smile as he spoke to her, a devastating smile that no doubt had served to weaken many knees.&nbsp; Suddenly the image of the sensuous and beautiful man on his knees before her flooded her mind, her lips parting slightly and her skin warming at the carnal fantasy spontaneously playing out in her mind. Coughing lightly to cover her wandering thoughts , Sasha dragged her focus back to the moment. <em>Thank <strong>God</strong> I’m getting some time with Jacob tonight; it’s obviously been way too long - I’m turning into a gorram pòxié!</em> <br><br>Luckily Lex didn’t wait for her answer, instead continuing with his train of thought.&nbsp; <strong>"You know I always bring back those little things that make life worthwhile. Any special requests? I know - how about some strawberry tea? It's really quite good."</strong><br><br><em>Mmmm, strawberry tea DID sound delicious...</em> Smiling back at the gentle man, Sasha spoke to him warmly. “Lex, whatever...little things you feel like sharing, you know they are always appreciated. Wrinkling her nose with an over-exaggerated twitch she spoke with a hint of a smile in her voice.&nbsp; “However, I don’t know if you noticed, but it’s even more pungent in here than usual. I’ve got a cleaning crew arriving any minute to wash this stink out; with Hayes holed up in engineering, Dani’s the only one staying behind to oversee the cleaning. You mind keeping her company, Lex?” Sasha let her fingertips rest lightly on his arm as she spoke, having unconsciously moved closer to him as she made her request.<br><br>Her gaze was suddenly drawn to movement as someone hustled down the stairs, and Sasha’s eyes locked with Griff’s as he headed straight toward her. Striding purposefully to meet him halfway, Sasha curled her fingers around his upper arm firmly, steering him off to the side so they could speak privately.<br><br>“Cap’n, unless you have a powerful desire to have McPherson with you while you wrangle that new engine part,” her eyes flicked down to the dirty, banged up piece of metal in his hands, “then I’m taking the new guy with me and Si, see what he’s made of. He does okay, we’re golden. He gives me any reason to question his ability to fit in here, he can wave goodbye from the dock when we take off without him.” Giving Griff her menacing “take no prisoners” glare, she let him know she was serious about her “request”.<br><br><br>pòxié = loose woman/slut<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>19-07-2011, 02:55:26</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Taking care of the shopping list – Persephone=-</strong></div><br>Vincent basked in Mae’s presence as she leaned closer against him as the two walked together.&nbsp; He absolutely loved the feeling of her clinging onto him and strongly hoped that it would be a common occurrence after today.&nbsp; <em>”Oh that’s right, you are a local boy, rich in the knowledge of all the secrets Persephone holds.”</em>&nbsp; A grin spread across his lips as she engaged him in the familiar exchange of playful banter.&nbsp; <em>”Are you a favorite son?&nbsp; Will they throw a parade upon your return?”</em>&nbsp; A small voice in the back of Vincent’s mind responded to those questions for him.&nbsp; <em>Not too far off the mark, but God help me if there is anything remotely resembling an announced welcome.&nbsp; The Wah Ching would be eternally grateful to you for making things so easy for them.</em>&nbsp; Ever since he stepped foot on the Eavesdown Docks, he had made sure to stay alert and do everything he could to stay below the radar.&nbsp; <em>”I’ll just place our mission safely in your hands, shall I?”</em><br><br>A chuckle reverberated in his throat.&nbsp; “Of course not.&nbsp; It wouldn’t be fair if I had all the fun, would it?”<br><br>He compensated his balance to keep from staggering as Mae began tugging on his arm enticing another laugh as she continued.&nbsp; <em>”What part shall I play?&nbsp; Ooo, do I get to play dress-up?&nbsp; I like role play!”</em>&nbsp; Vincent filed that bit of information away in his mind under the ‘Oh Dear God, YES!’ category.&nbsp; <em>”Do we get to play bad cop, good cop?&nbsp; Oh, I know, I’ll stun him by flashing them with my goods, and then you can grab the merchandise!”</em>&nbsp; That visual played itself a few times in Vincent’s head and knew precisely how that would play out, causing a wolfish grin to play on his face.&nbsp; “That is a good idea, but there is one key flaw to that plan.&nbsp; It’ll be impossible for me to remain out of the crossfire and one of two things would happen as a result.&nbsp; One: I would be stunned with the rest of them, and will be too busy drooling from the tease to make my getaway.&nbsp; Or two:&nbsp; I will be unable to resist my resulting primal desire and be forced to take you right there, on the spot despite the audience and the transaction.&nbsp; Certainly not something I’d be at all opposed to, but it wouldn’t exactly be helpful to the mission.”<br><br>As Mae stepped ahead of him, back stepping as they moved so she could meet his gaze, Vincent’s expression became inquisitive.&nbsp; <em>”We should make out…”</em>&nbsp; His eyes went wide with surprise at those words that caused his mind to reel for a moment as he tried to figure out if he had heard her correctly.&nbsp; An instant before he could pull her towards him and into the type of passionate kiss he had dreamed about for so long, she finished her line of thought.&nbsp; <em>”with the extra cash, if there is any to make, and trip the lights fantastic!”</em>&nbsp; The second turn of his thought within a heartbeat once again threw off Vincent’s thinking for a moment as he tried to find his mental bearings, but Mae prevented his stride from slowing by pulling him forward.&nbsp; <em>”Come on Vinnie, shake a leg.&nbsp; The faster we get our hands on the meds and supplies the faster we can…”</em>&nbsp; He had not missed that suggestive glint in her eyes and his heart raced with anticipation as he recognized the possibilities it contained.&nbsp; <em>”Get on with the real fun!”</em>&nbsp; That was all the motivation he needed and Vincent’s pace hastened with determination to milk every second of their free day to devote to time alone with Mae.<br><br>Along the way to the general store, Vincent stopped by a payphone and placed a call to one of his contacts.&nbsp; He was thankful that the number had still been active and after a few terse exchanges, he had established a deal without giving any sort of information that would indicate who, when, where, or what to anybody who was not privy to the business or to the relationship of the two involved.&nbsp; After shooting a sly wink back at Mae, the two went about gathering the mundane supplies for the galley.&nbsp; With everything on the front of the shopping list checked off and his backpack stuffed with some personal provisions he purchased from his own pocket.&nbsp; The general store was wise enough to expand their store to accommodate their customers, a large portion of which were the space-faring vessels.&nbsp; Considering the bulk orders for such long trips into the Black, they could hardly expect crew members to file in and out of their store like army ants in order to supply months worth of food.&nbsp; As such, they had the equipment necessary to transport bulk orders directly to the ship.&nbsp; At a nominal fee of course.&nbsp; After leaving the store he lead her back towards the Eavesdown Docks where he arranged the rendezvous.&nbsp; Vincent trusted his contact entirely, but that did not mean that a lucky third party wouldn’t stumble upon the deal.&nbsp; Even with the remote chance of things going awry, he wanted to make sure he had a fallback point nearby just to be safe.<br><br>Instead of heading towards the docking zones, Vincent veered towards the long warehouses arranged in a grid of roadways and alleys.&nbsp; The front of the buildings were bustling with activity as dockworkers set about their tasks, but the alleys backing the structures were largely uninhabited save for the occasional worker taking a shortcut.&nbsp; The space was just barely wide enough for a car to drive down with only minimal concern about ruining their paintjob, but the height of the buildings still managed to prevent direct daylight from reaching the ground.&nbsp; That wasn’t a major issue since the indirect light was more than enough to save off any uneasy feelings about the location, severely limiting the number of ominously darkened crannies.&nbsp; They had been approaching one such nook when a silhouette greeted them, his presence easy enough to locate once looking for it as well as the second next to it.&nbsp; Vincent had known where to look the entire time, having done this dance a fair number of times before.<br><br><em>”It’s awfully reckless of you returning to Persephone given your situation…”</em>&nbsp; The smooth baritone voice said, a mix of disapproval, foreboding, and amusement in his tone.&nbsp; <em>”Of course, you were never really known for your common sense.&nbsp; Especially when there was a cute girl involved.”</em>&nbsp; Vincent scoffed at the silhouettes unimpressed, the two groups stood within thirty paces from one another.&nbsp; “Always with the melodrama.”&nbsp; He then looked aside to Mae with a familiar playful grin in a voice that the two could easily hear.&nbsp; “I swear, you see a few old Earth-That-Was gangster flicks and suddenly every deal becomes a performance requiring suits and fedoras.”&nbsp; With a sigh, the two stepped into the light.&nbsp; The first, the man who spoke, carried himself with all the confidence of a successful entrepreneur.&nbsp; His slicked back dark hair and a neatly groomed goatee only served to accentuate the tailored suit that adorned his frame.&nbsp; The man behind him was a few inches shorter and had a more youthful appearance to him that was reflected by his fashionably shaggy dark hair, business casual attire, and roguish grin that hinted to closely reigned glee.&nbsp; The only thing that had detracted from his boyish appearance was the SMG held against his torso by a sling over his shoulder.&nbsp; The man in the suit stopped just shy of arms reach before speaking again.&nbsp; <em>”Hide behind your jokes all you want, Vincent, but you know it isn’t safe here.”</em><br><br>Vincent stepped forward entirely casual and indifferent to the presence of the gun until he was less than a stride away from the man with the slicked hair.&nbsp; He did not like the direction the conversation was taking; its context was quickly stepping away from vague insinuation to revealing details he had intended to remain in the dark about his history with the family business.&nbsp; It would have been all well and good had Mae not been within easy earshot and he didn’t want to put a damper on their day off together.&nbsp; “Between the firearm and that ominous diatribe, one would get the impression that you were making a threat.”&nbsp; The man shrugged indifferently, <em>”Simply letting you know where you stand.”</em>&nbsp; The gunman didn’t so much as flinch when Vincent rushed in and wrapped his hands around the dealer, even as he groaned in annoyance from the hug.<br><br>"Despite the lackluster welcome, I missed you guys."&nbsp; Vincent released the man then turned to face Mae for proper introductions.&nbsp; "Mae, I'd like you to meet my older brother Tony," he said while moving to the gunman to drape his arm over his shoulders, "and my youngest brother Jacob.&nbsp; Though his choice in accessories is new to me."&nbsp; Jacob let out a chuckle at that remark and returned the partial brotherly embrace, <em>"You know how Tony gets when on the job."</em>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>21-07-2011, 03:57:44</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston, Captain – entering the cargo hold on his way to procure new catalyzer =-</strong></div><br>As Griff bustled down the stairs into the cargo hold, his attention was immediately drawn to Sasha and Lex. He noticed how she moved closer to Lex as she spoke, almost as though she was drawn to him by some unseen mystical force. When her hand reached up to gently rest those slender digits upon the Companion’s arm, Griff felt a sudden and indescribable pang of anger accompanied by another emotion that he was completely unfamiliar with… jealousy. <br><br>Struggling to suppress his sudden rush of emotions, Griff was unable to fully mask the anger that flushed his features, creasing his brow and slightly pursing his lips even as she noticed him and approached with coolly professional, deliberate steps. Firmly grasping his upper arm, Sasha pulled him to the side for some small measure of privacy. Griff took a deep breath to calm his surging emotions that were searing under the surface only to catch the subtly intoxicating aroma of jasmine on her skin and in her hair. Her distinctive bouquet sent his emotions boiling and he glanced down at her hand gripping his arm, trying hard to focus on the words that fluttered from her lips as she spoke. His mind was trying desperately to drift into another place, a darker place, wrangled in only by his iron will. <br><br><br><strong>“Cap’n, unless you have a powerful desire to have McPherson with you while you wrangle that new engine part, then I’m taking the new guy with me and Si, see what he’s made of. He does okay, we’re golden. He gives me any reason to question his ability to fit in here, he can wave goodbye from the dock when we take off without him.”</strong><br><br>He had heard what she had said to him, and it made sense to him. Exhaling deeply, he glanced back up to Sasha, staring into those icy blue orbs before he replied with a terse, “I reckon your desires are might more powerful than mine, Sasha. Fine. You can have him.” He answered as he glanced past Sasha, his dark eyes settling upon Lex as his expression went blank. He knew she was talking about McPherson and not Lex, but his emotions were clouding his mind at the moment and his answer was laced with feelings directed towards Lex and Sasha and had almost nothing to do with McPherson, though he did agree with what she said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do” he said&nbsp; in a monotone voice, pulling his arm free of her grip before turning away and striding towards the loading ramp. “Gotta get this new part back here ASAP so as Hayes can get her put back together and humming nice and pretty ‘fore we take off,” he added over his shoulder almost as an after thought. <br><br>As he stepped off the ship and onto the docks he turned the corner leading from the docks and into town. Pasuing, he glanced back towards Sasha one last time, a small twinge of guilt for how he had just reacted. “Be safe,” he said simply before he looked away again and disappeared from view on his mission to find a new catalyzer.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>21-07-2011, 04:49:07</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- blindly and most willingly following Vincent through the mean streets of Persephone~</strong></div><br><br>Following Vincent down the alley, Mae couldn't help but let her gaze wander as she took in the seedy environment. The buildings seemed to continuously stretch towards the sky, leaning at an angle until the blue was squeezed out. The musty scent of stale beer and what she could only describe as body sweat hung in the air, assaulting her senses and completing the backdrop to what was sure to be her first black market endeavour. The excitement and thrill of the adventure skated along her body causing her to step closer, keeping close to her partner and leaning closer in order to tease Vincent with a sassy whisper. "You sure know how to show a girl a good time Vinnie.”&nbsp; &nbsp;Unprepared for the sudden halt she soon had the delightful pleasure of feeling the powerful body belonging to her co-pilot beneath her fingers. Fingers that quickly took advantage of the situation, dancing across his brawny back memorizing the muscle play that was put on parade purposely beneath her touch.<br><br>A slight gasp bubbled from her mouth and tickled Vincent's ear as she watched wide eyed as a silhouette followed by its partner made itself known from the shadows. Her mouth dropped open slightly, only to grow wider as the three began to converse in a way that made it plainly obvious that they knew each other. Mae had always been curious about Vincent and his past. The man was extremely tight lipped over the details, rarely ready to share his life history. She hadn't pushed, as she herself wasn't exactly forth coming about her own family and humble beginnings.&nbsp; Had she been an open book Mae knew without a doubt she would have pestered him into spilling all of his deepest secrets. As luck would have it she now found herself with the unique opportunity to learn a small chapter of his mysterious past.&nbsp; The excitement buzzed within her, causing her to lean closer and listen in. Why was it dangerous for him to return to his home planet? Who were these two people, and what did they mean to Vincent?<br><br>Mae smiled, giggling at the compliment, taking the time to fluff her hair and smooth her hands along the curves of her body. <strong>"It's awfully reckless of you returning to Persephone given your situation. Of course, you were never really known for your common sense. Especially when there was a cute girl involved.” </strong>&nbsp; &nbsp;Unable to resist, she sent a flirtatious wink and a cheeky finger wave towards the two only to be shocked speechless as Vincent introduced them. <strong>"Despite the lackluster welcome, I missed you guys. Mae, I'd like you to meet my older brother Tony, and my youngest brother Jacob. Though his choice in accessories is new to me." </strong> Standing stock still in the middle of the alley, eyes wide and her mouth slightly gapping Mae took exactly sixty seconds to recover before flashing the three attractive men before her a brazen smile that reached her dancing mischievous eyes.&nbsp; "Wow there are more of you? My Vinnie has brothers?” nibbling on her bottom lip she let her eyes quickly run along them in a quick assessment, it was clear that she found the brothers impressive. "Now what's all this about it being dangerous here for him?" <br><br>Her green crisp eyes turned towards her shipmate, filled with concern for his well-being. She had spent what must have seemed like forever gushing about going out dancing and spending a wild night on the town plantetside, but if that meant putting Vincent in danger she was more than happy to spend the night playing cards and hanging out in their quarters. Later she might revisit those thoughts to discover the underlying feelings that seemed to wrap around all her thoughts concerning Vincent, but for now all she cared about was his safety. Turning to look directly at the most handsome of the brothers, Mae spoke with a soft tender voice as she directed her next question to the middle of the three "Vinnie, maybe we should just spend the night on the ship? We can grab some drinks and play some strip poker" finishing her question with a wink and a sassy smile to cover the concern she held for him Mae pushed back her hair and shifted her weight to one side, cocking her hip out as she waited for his response.<br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>21-07-2011, 06:24:04</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer - Final preparations to disembark the Gamble - at Eavesdown Docks on Persephone ~</strong></div><br>Noticing Griff frowning with a thunderous scowl at her hand as she gripped his arm, Sasha calmly released her fingers from their hold. Maybe it was the experience of dealing with her own intense fury and passions that allowed her to do so, but Sasha had never shied away from Griff’s anger, even at his most fierce. She respected him and knew his skills and strengths; but she didn’t fear him. Truth be told, there wasn’t much she feared...not any more. <br><br><strong>“I reckon your desires are might more powerful than mine, Sasha. Fine. You can have him.”</strong> <br><br>Her eyes reflected her confused irritation at his tone and words for a fleeting moment before she quickly shuttered her expression. Griff’s terse, angry reply made her wonder if the Captain felt that she had overstepped her bounds by making her presumptuous request. Hell, at least she’d asked. As First Officer she led the crew - but only as second in command, compelled to follow the lead of the Captain. But Sasha had never felt she had to hold her tongue around Griff if she felt strongly about something, or that she needed to “play” him to try and get what she wanted. Treating him with respect and pulling no punches was the straightforward way she communicated with him, and she usually felt he offered her the same consideration. If the Captain had believed it was more important to have McPherson with him on his excursion, he would have told her straight up. But even so...it was obvious he was not happy with her request, even though he allowed it.<br><br><strong>“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”</strong><br><br>Watching his naturally commanding stride as he headed down the loading ramp, Sasha felt a heaviness in her chest, but couldn’t quite place the sensation. Most times, Griff accompanied her on business procurement meets; it wasn’t unheard of for him to send her on her own, just not very often. She’d have Si with her of course, and the two of them would be doing double-duty, vetting the new guy to their satisfaction as well as hopefully procuring their next job. She’d have her hands full, that’s for sure. But as she watched Griff walk away, somehow she felt...empty.<br><br><div align="center"><strong>~&nbsp; ~&nbsp; ~&nbsp; ~&nbsp; ~&nbsp; ~</strong></div><br>The heavy, grinding rumble of a large vehicle approaching was loud enough to be heard by everyone still remaining in the cargo bay of the Gamble. Peering outside in search of the source of the noise, Sasha was a little intrigued by what she saw. Gradually making an appearance within the yawning doorway of the cargo hold, a tall dark-haired man walked backwards, his hands raised in front of him as he gestured to guide a large truck to maneuver safely up to the ship. Wearing only faded jeans and workboots, the man’s finely sculpted muscles rippled effortlessly along his torso and arms as he moved, his smooth tanned skin glistening with a light sheen of sweat. When the truck came to a full stop, the man lowered his powerful arms and glanced curiously inside the ship. Throwing a devastatingly sexy smile generously around to each crew member who happened to be looking his way, the man's (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cw3nwHF2m1g/TTP4OhHEQ6I/AAAAAAAAQqI/cu51S9NRwXM/s1600/Marcel3_590.jpg) alluring gaze seemed to linger on Lex for a few extra moments. Then with a friendly wave, he turned and headed down the docks back the way he came.<br><br>The big truck was nestled up close to the Gamble, the more peaceful low hum of background noise returning now that the thundering engine had been turned off. The truck was garishly painted a bright yellow, with the words “Happy Suck Truck” plastered in large letters on the side. The driver’s door opened and another dark haired man slid from the seat and hopped down to the ground. Although the driver also had dark hair, that physical attribute was where the similarities ended between this man and the beautifully sculpted dockworker who had assisted his arrival. <br><br>The tiny dark-haired Korean man wore khaki pants and a yellow polo shirt that matched the color of his truck, with headphones hanging loosely around his neck. Picking his way primly up the loading ramp and into the cargo hold, the little man looked a bit like an Asian leprechaun. His wide dark eyes peered intently around the large open space of the bay, a frown creasing between his brows. Raising one of his hands with a flourish, he dramatically pinched his nose closed with thumb and index finger, the remaining fingers fanning in delicate mute protestation. Strolling around the perimeter of the bay, he finally returned to his starting position at the cargo bay doorway.<br><br>Striding toward him with a displeased expression, Sasha stopped in front of the short man and glared down at him, hands on her hips.&nbsp; “You are Ken Chow, I presume?” <br><br>The small man was not intimidated, however, and replied with a tinge of disdain in his own tone. “Yes, I am Ken Chow. Nobody said anything about gos se. I’m a cleaning up gos se, I’m a getting more money. Three more Platinum, I’ll get your poo smelling like new!” <br><br>Although she didn’t appreciate his manner, Sasha had to agree that cleaning up after a pack of dogs was a more challenging chore to tackle than the usual space dust and mud that got tracked around - and three Platinum seemed like a fair increase from what she had already agreed to pay. Gesturing toward Dani, Sasha led the disapproving little man toward the medic, keeping her eyes on Dani to make sure she would be able to handle the introduction as well as the oversight responsibility she had given her.<br><br>“Dani, this is Mr. Chow; he’s going to finally rid our cargo bay of it’s...odor. Mr. Chow, this is Dani - she is in charge of making sure everything gets done to our satisfaction.”&nbsp; <br><br>The tiny man had to look up at Dani as he was introduced, his wide dark eyes observing the quiet medic assessingly.&nbsp; Nodding his head slowly, he spoke with a bit of a flamboyant lilt to his tone. “A closed mouth gathers no feet; yes, very nice to meet you Miss Dani.”&nbsp; <br><br>Sasha shook her head with a bit of exasperation, hoping that the small man (http://geektyrant.com/storage/post-images/ken-jeong.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1269280545298) was strong enough to handle the job he contracted to do. Finding Lex with her eyes, she tilted her head meaningfully to bring him over to Dani. As she saw him begin walking toward them, she looked Dani in the eyes. Slipping her hand inside her jacket pocket, Sasha took out three more coins to discretely hand to Dani, letting her hand grasp the younger woman’s briefly, giving her an encouraging squeeze. “All good here?” she inquired, knowing that Lex would watch over Dani in her absence, but he wouldn’t hover inordinately, allowing Dani her space to prove to herself her own capabilities.<br><br>As Mr. Chow headed back toward his truck to get started with the cleanup job, he pulled the headphones up over his ears and turned on his music device clipped to his belt. A bounce in his step and a waggle in his rear, the petite cleaner began to take care of business.<br><br>Making eye contact with Si, Sasha nodded her head toward the open cargo bay doors, knowing he would easily understand she was ready to go. Walking up to McPherson she raised her eyebrows as she asked him, “Ready, McPherson?”<br><br><br><em>gos se = dog crap</em> <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NiceTexasGuy</strong> on <strong>21-07-2011, 08:58:06</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>Stephen McPherson, <em>Gamble</em> Cargo Hold, Heavily armed but not ready</strong></div><br><strong>“Ready, McPherson?”</strong><br><br>Steve was aware the First Officer's first impression of him may not have been an entirely accurate one, given his momentary lapse of consciousness on learning the <em>'n atyniadol benyw yn gwisgo ddua ledr</em> was actually his new boss.&nbsp; He had planned to do or say something to correct that impression, that he wasn't really a bei bi xiao ren or a sexist Ai chr jze se duh fohn diang gou who didn't want to work for a woman, but things weren't looking any better on his return.<br><br>It seems the Captain had decided to leave without him, and now the First Officer was planning on taking him along to watch her ass ... er.. provide security ... on whatever job she was doing.&nbsp; That, in and of itself, wasn't the problem.&nbsp; The problem was she was asking if he was ready to go without so much as a hint of where it was they were going, what they were hoping to accomplish, and what sort of threats they were most likely to expect along the way.<br><br>"Never ready, Ma'am ... always prepared."&nbsp; <br><br>Maybe she's heard the expression before.&nbsp; On the other hand, maybe she hasn't.&nbsp; And maybe that wasn't the best of responses. She would understand what he meant if she had served in the Army, but he seriously doubted that possibility at this point.&nbsp; Even in the civilian world, security is best handled in a quasi-military fashion.&nbsp; And the military fashion Steve preferred was something a little less <em>Charge of the Light Brigade</em> and a little more geared toward successful accomplishment of the mission.<br><br>Yeah, probably not the best of responses, but what else could he say?&nbsp; <em>"Yes Ma'am, I'm always ready to go charging off into the unknown with shipmates I never met."</em>&nbsp; Or how about <em>"Apparently not, since I obviously missed the briefing."</em>&nbsp; Or maybe the little gem that got him into a shitload of trouble when he, as a young newly-minted lieutenant, scowled at the new political-appointee general and said <em>"Define 'ready'."</em><br><br>Well, things weren't going as good as he'd hoped they would on Day One of his new job.&nbsp; Steve just cleared his throat and gripped the carbine he carried a little tighter as he mumbled to Sasha ... "Sorry, old army saying.. anyhows, yes Ma'am, just lead the way."&nbsp; Then, a quick glance in Dani's direction, though he wasn't sure why.&nbsp; Checking out the little guy in the yellow shirt, it appeared Lex had the situation under control and the <em>Happy Suck</em> guy was no threat.&nbsp; Oddly enough, he felt a sense of relief knowing someone was there to take care of her, even though he knew nothing about her .. who she was, why she was on board the <em>Gamble</em>, and what happened to cause her to be afraid of her own shadow.<br><br>"So .. how do you like to be addressed, Ma'am? ... and&nbsp; can I ask where it is we're goin'?"&nbsp; <br><br>At least he might get a little information out of her before they were out of sight of the ship.<br><br><br>=============<br><br>'n atyniadol benyw yn gwisgo ddua ledr - heartburn attractive female dressing in black leather<br>Bei bi xiao ren - pathetic wretch<br>Ai chr jze se duh fohn diang gou - crazy dog in love with its own feces<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>21-07-2011, 09:58:13</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, in the infirmary, trying to restore a sense of calm=-</strong></div><br>Leaning against the cabinets in the infirmary, her forehead resting against the cool glass of one of the doors of the overhead cupboards, Dani concentrated on slowing her heart rate and getting her breathing under control.&nbsp; The quick trip onto terra firma had shaken her more than she cared to think, although she had to admit to being just slightly pleased with herself for having managed to do it. She couldn't remember the last time she had willingly exited the ship, especially without someone by her side. <em>Baby steps</em>, she thought to herself as she fought to quell the panic that had started rising the minute she'd made the decision to go and talk to Mae.<br><br>Turning around, she leaned back against the cabinets, crossing her arms across her chest as if to still her heart, which was still beating a little faster than it should. At least her breathing was almost back to normal. She quietly surveyed her infirmary, a sense of pride warming her as she remembered what it had been like when she first came aboard The Gamble.&nbsp; Griff hadn't seen the need for a medic previous to her arrival, and so hadn't bothered with any sort of infirmary.&nbsp; Where she stood now had once been two separate double bed staterooms, although you wouldn't know it to look at it.&nbsp; After the struggle that Dani had saving Sasha's life with no medical facilities, and nothing in the way of medical supplies save that which she brought with her, it wasn't hard for Griff to see the pro's of having a well equipped med bay on board, especially given that he now had a medic who needed somewhere to work. So, he set about removing one bulkhead wall, gutting the entire area and refitting it with the equipment that Dani asked for, converting the two cabins into what was now her infirmary.&nbsp; She recalled fondly how the Captain had scrounged through junkyard after junkyard, scavenging as much of the equipment as he could. He'd done well finding decent second hand fittings, and there had been very little that he'd had to purchase. Dani was touched that he had worked so hard at getting her everything that she had asked for.&nbsp; She almost gloated in the knowledge that The Gamble was likely the only Dragonfly class transport that sported medical facilities advanced enough to allow surgery, if necessary.<br><br>Dani took great, albeit quiet, pride in her position as Ship's Medic, and thinking about her duties always helped to calm her.&nbsp; By the time the cacophony that accompanied the arrival of the cleaning crew reached her ears, she felt collected enough to head back to the cargo bay to see what the noise was. The view of Persephone from the cargo bay doors was almost completely obscured by an ugly yellow truck, although Dani was more comfortable with this vista that the previous one.&nbsp; Leaning against the skiff, she watched as a very well built, half naked man, directed the reversing truck into place at the foot of the ramp. Dani smiled at the thought that Mae would be sorely disappointed at missing the opportunity to turn her charms towards the handsome dockworker.&nbsp; Vincent, however, wouldn't be at all bothered at not having to watch that particular spectacle, she thought to herself.<br><br>The horrendous noise finally shut off as a small man jumped down from the cab of the truck and treated himself to a tour of The Gamble's cargo bay.&nbsp; Dani observed with interest his overly dramatic reaction to the lingering smell of gos se, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. If this was the man that she was to keep an eye on, it looked like it could be a rather entertaining task.&nbsp; The look on Sasha's face as she approached him made Dani smile a little more.&nbsp; Sasha did not suffer fools lightly, or those who played the fool.&nbsp; After a brief discussion, they turned and began in her direction.&nbsp; Emboldened by her earlier, admittedly small, victory, Dani felt confident enough to meet them halfway across the cargo bay.<br><br><strong>“Dani, this is Mr. Chow; he’s going to finally rid our cargo bay of its...odor. Mr. Chow, this is Dani - she is in charge of making sure everything gets done to our satisfaction.” </strong><br><br>Dani offered Mr. Chow a nod of greeting, almost swelling with pride at Sasha's introduction of her. It meant a great deal to her that the older woman had faith in her, and she was determined not to let her down.<br><br><strong>“A closed mouth gathers no feet; yes, very nice to meet you Miss Dani.”</strong><br><br>Saying nothing, Dani answered his unusual greeting with a tight lipped smile. He seemed an odd man, but thankfully was not at all intimidating. Sasha's hand in hers, and the reassuring squeeze that accompanied it, was a welcome gesture, and Dani nodded to her that yes, everything was indeed good.&nbsp; Feeling the coins being pressed into her palm, she assumed that Sasha wanted her to withhold the final payment until the job had been done to her exacting standards.&nbsp; Slipping the platinum into her pocket and watching Mr. Chow dance his way back to his truck, Dani leaned closer to Sasha and whispered, "It's okay, Sasha...everything's shiny.&nbsp; I'm sure Lex and I can handle Mr. Chow without too much trouble."&nbsp; Flashing the First Office what she hoped was a confident smile, she bid her farewell as the older woman went about her business.&nbsp; <br><br>Having already decided that she would oversee the cleaning process from one of the cargo platforms, Dani began climbing the stairs, motioning to Lex that that's where she was heading.&nbsp; "I'll be up here if you need me, Lex," she offered, not wanting to outright ask him to join her, but wanting him to know that his presence, should he choose to grace her with it, would be very welcome. <br><br><hr><br><em>gos se - dog crap</em>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>grdell</strong> on <strong>21-07-2011, 21:39:04</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Lex Rake, aboard The Gamble =-</strong></div><br>Sasha was, unsurprisingly, all business. It was one of the things that Lex found fascinating about her. She had this seemingly impenetrable shell that she scrupulously maintained at all times. What was she like beneath it all? It was that element of the unknown and somehow forbidden that was... intoxicating.<br><br><strong>"Lex, whatever...little things you feel like sharing, you know they are always appreciated. However, I don't know if you noticed, but it's even more pungent in here than usual. I've got a cleaning crew arriving any minute to wash this stink out; with Hayes holed up in engineering, Dani's the only one staying behind to oversee the cleaning. You mind keeping her company, Lex?"</strong><br><br>She laid a hand lightly on his arm and he had to resist the urge to bring her hand up to his mouth and kiss it.<br><br>"Not at all, Miss Dearing, not at all." He smiled and stepped back to the rear of the cargo area to await the arrival of the cleaning crew.<br><br>In truth, a little down time was just what he needed right now. After all that time spent on Persephone, he was glad to be off of its soil, even if that meant only a few feet of decking between him and it. He could do with a few more supplies before they took off, but he could also wait a bit before acquiring them. They weren't leaving until tomorrow morning, after all, so he had plenty of time.<br><br>He glanced over as their medic came back aboard the ship and quickly retreated to her sanctuary. He couldn't blame her. It couldn't have been easy stepping off the ship like she did. He didn't know her history, but he knew it was sad. If she ever chose to open up to him, he'd be there to listen and to help if he could, but he wasn't going to force her - she'd only resent that. Still, it looked like they were going to have some brief time together while the cleaning crew did their job. He wondered idly if she would utilize that opportunity or not.<br><br>Lost in his thoughts, he at first didn't see the man leading the truck up into the cargo bay. When he did, though, he inhaled sharply. That brought with it a whiff of what they were here to clean up and he coughed. The man looked and Lex couldn't help but notice at how his gaze lingered. Lex smiled back at the hunk, able to turn even such an awkwardly embarrassing moment into a flirt, even though his heart wasn't truly in it. If the man had the credits, he was available, but otherwise he wasn't looking for any hookups right now. He was tired... But eye-candy was always eye-candy.<br><br>Dani began climbing the steps to one of the platforms and gestured that was where she would be even as she told him as much. <strong>"I'll be up here if you need me, Lex."</strong> He nodded lightly to her as she made her way before moving himself over to the muscled dockworker that was even now helping the little Asian uncoil hoses from the back of the truck.<br><br>"We'll be up there, supervising. But I guess you don't need me to tell you that I'll be keeping <em>my</em> eyes on <em>you</em>." He winked and left it at that, turning away to climb the stairs himself. Flirting was second nature to him; he wasn't entirely sure he could stop himself even if he tried.<br><br>"Rick," called out the man. "My name's Rick." He had a hopeful gleam in his eye that was totally transparent to Lex.<br><br>"Well, good for you, Rick."<br><br>"Maybe... um..." Mr. Chow noticed his hired hand was moving a little slow and whacked him one to show him that they still had business to attend to here.<br><br>"Maybe."<br><br>With one last wiggle of his own ass, Lex was up the stairs and standing next to Dani on the platform. He leaned over the railing, one of his long arms snaking up the support strut, striking yet another unconsciously sexy pose.<br><br>"What do you think?" he asked the medic. "They look up to the task to you?" He wanted to keep the conversation light - little more than just a "get to know you" chat than anything else. Of all the crew - aside from the new guy, of course - Dani was the one that he knew the least.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>22-07-2011, 01:33:47</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - exiting The Gamble - Eavesdown Docks, Persephone=-</strong></div><br>There were days it seemed as though the ship's air was as thick with flirtation and desire as the current smell of canine excrement all around them. This was such a day. On the upside, at least that meant the odor had competition for distracting atmosphere. Unfortunately the distraction was hardly any better.<br><br>Simeon waited at the top of the ramp while Sasha made her final preparations in forming their party for the venture onto Persephone. His own checks were brief and finished long ago: fastenings secure; PK12 loaded, secured and holstered; P.A.D. in power-save mode and sheltered in his vest. All he had remaining was the collection of his companions before disembarking for their journey to Ferret, assuming that was still the plan. At this rate who knew what else might change?<br><br>It was something of a relief when Sasha got around to tugging on the new recruit's leash, more so when he tugged back. That was good. Insubordination was not, but showing a little on the first day was, in a way, promising: he wasn't a flat military recruit absorbed by training and devoid of personality, nor was he likely to be a plant for some competing crew or agency if he'd risk his hiring this early by being snippy. In the long term perhaps it would not be a good quality in the man as a part of their crew, but in the short term? It could be worse.<br><br>Si introduced himself to Stephen by way of crowding over his mumbled explanation. It was a phrase he had heard before, some time ago, under less amicable circumstances. While the new crewman murmured his way through clarifying his intent the older soldier approached Sasha and Stephen, saying, "The war is over, Mister McPherson, and, even were that not so, we are not a military crew. Do try to keep in mind that we are not soldiers anymore. There is life to be lived outside of such affairs.<br><br>"That said, a sidearm should be more than enough protection for tea, even where we plan to have it. Everything will be fine." Granted, whether or not Sasha felt that was the case was another story, but this was not their first time meeting this lowlife and it would be the first time she'd seen a need to bring and armory for their rendezvous. Ferret was vermin and not to be trusted, true enough, but if it came to a fight it would not go well for her. Cowards so rarely pick violence over alternatives when the outcome is unlikely to be in their absolute favor.<br><br>He fell in step with Sasha thereafter, more or less alongside Stephen. Walking behind would suggest overmuch distrust of the new man; side by side was good enough for a relatively "safe" operation.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NiceTexasGuy</strong> on <strong>22-07-2011, 20:36:22</strong>
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				Despite the <em>homogenization</em> mankind had experienced over the past few centuries, some ethnic hatreds that seemed to vanish during the great migrations were replaced by new ones once people began to settle and take sides.&nbsp; It wasn't just human nature.&nbsp; That was too simple an explanation.&nbsp; It was about survival, about protecting what you have from those who would take it ... or seizing opportunities they would deny you.<br><br>McPherson knew the accent: <em>Sihnon</em>.&nbsp; And he knew the look:&nbsp; <em>Alliance military</em>.&nbsp; Probably a product of the prestigious SMI, where every cadet is issued a corn cob to shove up his arse on Day One to achieve the proper posture.&nbsp; It must still be in place in this one.<br><br><em>(I know the ruttin' war is over, you yn torsythu baun, I was there when it ruttin' happened.)</em><br><br>Without saying a word, McPherson just stared the man down, took the cigar from his mouth for a moment to spit out a speck of tobacco on the cargo bay floor (what the hell, it's covered in dog shit and about to be cleaned up anyway) and grunted.<br><br>Then he made a little show of checking the carbine he carried, the one Si appeared to be suggesting he leave behind, to ensure it was loaded and ready to go.&nbsp; An unnecessary act, in light of the fact he had already done it a minute earlier.&nbsp; His eyes still on the weapon, he finally spoke in the most <em>furtherest from the Core</em> accent he could muster.<br><br>"Fer a non-military vessel, we sure seem ta' have a complicated chain o' command. And I ain't that smart .. might take me a while ta get it figured out." Yes, that was meant for Si.&nbsp; Then he looked back up to the First Officer, switching to his more natural way of speaking.&nbsp; "Should I leave the rifle behind, Ma'am?"<br><br>------------------------<br><br>yn torsythu baun - strutting peacock
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>23-07-2011, 02:55:46</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer - Still in the Gamble's cargo bay, itching to get to the job meet - on Persephone ~</strong></div><br><strong>"Never ready, Ma'am... always prepared."</strong><br><br>The brand new crew member’s First Officer had specifically asked him if he was ready, so a reply that sounded suspiciously smart-assy wasn’t exactly a response that pleased her. Sasha’s blue eyes narrowed in displeasure as she observed the new recruit’s thick fingers squeeze his rifle tightly and heard his barely audible mumbled explanation followed by questions.<br><br><strong>"Sorry, old army saying.. anyhows, yes Ma'am, just lead the way."</strong><br><strong>"So .. how do you like to be addressed, Ma'am? ... and&nbsp; can I ask where it is we're goin'?"</strong><br><br>To top it off, she caught the new man’s quick glance at Dani, causing Sasha to quietly growl protectively in her throat. First day uncertainty and awkwardness she could understand and look past. But the soldier had damn well better stay the hell away from their medic, at least until she felt he had earned her trust to do so. Which so far he wasn’t even in the vicinity of doing.<br><br>Luckily Si walked up before her escalating temper got the best of her, his ever-calm, collected manner acting as a soothing balm to her aggressive response to McPherson’s behavior. It wouldn’t do for her to unceremoniously kick the man to the curb without even giving him a fair shot. But he was definitely on a short leash as far as she was concerned.<br><br><strong>"The war is over, Mister McPherson, and, even were that not so, we are not a military crew. Do try to keep in mind that we are not soldiers anymore. There is life to be lived outside of such affairs. That said, a sidearm should be more than enough protection for tea, even where we plan to have it. Everything will be fine."</strong><br><br>Sasha glanced sideways at Si, wondering if “having tea” was some kind of ke ai Army lingo.&nbsp; Griff had seen fit to give her just the bare bones background on McPherson; that he had been a soldier on the side of the Independence and that he hailed from Aberdeen.&nbsp; From his comportment so far, Sasha wagered he either hadn’t fared very well as a grunt with his borderline belligerence, or he had been higher up the food chain and was used to being at least in the know and possibly even in charge. Her very first impression of the man had been positive, and Sasha had learned to listen to her gut instinct. She <em>wanted</em> to trust the man, and she had a feeling she’d <em>like</em> the man. But he certainly wasn’t doing a very good job of selling so she wasn’t yet in the buying mood. He hadn’t dug himself too deep yet, but the dirt was surely flying fast.&nbsp; With Si’s Alliance background and propensity for clean living, McPherson had the makins right out of the gate for getting under the skin of her already proven and trusted wingman. And McPerson seemed determined to do what he could to make sure he started off on the wrong foot.<br><br>In her heels, Sasha was taller than Si, and McPerson stood taller than her. As the big man glared at Si, mouth silent but with daggers shooting from his eyes, his large form automatically followed suit with his emotions, hulking menacingly toward Si without moving an inch. After he spat on the floor near their feet and began to none-too-subtly draw attention to his rifle, Sasha’s temper clawed its way to the surface of her control once more.<br><br><strong>"Fer a non-military vessel, we sure seem ta' have a complicated chain o' command. And I ain't that smart .. might take me a while ta get it figured out.&nbsp; Should I leave the rifle behind, Ma'am?”</strong><br><br>Sasha smoothly stepped right in front of Steve, so close her body almost touched his as her icy blue gaze bored into him. Pinching his cigar between her fingers like it was an offending insect, she slowly slid the cylindrical object into one of Steve’s front pockets. Then, wrapping the fingers of one hand around the barrel of his rifle, she grabbed the stock with her other hand and pulled the gun downward between them until it was positioned horizontally across her hips. Leaning further forward, the firearm pressed firmly into McPherson below his belt. So close that her breath feathered across his cheek as she spoke, her deceptively soft tone was even more threatening than if she had been yelling at him.<br><br>“Nothing complicated about it, soldier, since I don’t take you for a chwen joo. But I’ll make things real simple for you all the same. Cap'n is in charge, and when he's not around that leaves me in charge. Ma’am is fine. And where we’re goin’ ain’t important - what I tell you to do when we get there is. You can leave your rifle on the ship; and you best be leaving your attitude wherever you just come from. Or you just might end up leaving behind something you’re a bit more attached to than your gun.” Emphasizing her last words with a firm thrust into his crotch with the side of his rifle, she then released his gun from her hands, his hands never having let go of the rifle. Her face still only inches from his, she growled almost sweetly, “We understand each other, McPherson?” Her mesmerizing blue eyes were that much more striking within the frame of her long dark lashes, their intensity holding his gaze captive for several more heartbeats as she waited for his affirmative reply. <br><br>At last stepping back from her confrontational position, Sasha took on a more professional demeanor and tone. “I assume you are <em>prepared</em> with more than just the rifle, McPherson?&nbsp; So yes; the extra firearm is a little more of an impression than we feel a need to make with an old “friend”.&nbsp; <br><br>Tilting her head from side to side to release a bit of the tension built up in her muscles, she took a calming deep breath but ended up cursing as the influx of foul air expanded into her lungs. “Ta Ma De Hun Dan! Let’s get the hell on our way, shall we...boys?”&nbsp; Taking one last look around the bay, she saw Lex standing next to Dani on one of the platforms overlooking the cargo hold.&nbsp; Her anger began to slowly seep from her body as she recalled the smoldering look in Lex’s eyes as well as Dani’s sweet attempt at reassuring her that all was well. They had a job to do, and she was sure-fire tired of all the gorram inaction. Walking with her typically fast paced long-legged stride, Sasha assumed the men would fall in and be able to easily keep up with her, not bothering to check if that was the case as she headed off the ship.<br><br>Once they had made their way off the crowded docks and onto the congested street, Sasha turned to Steve, never breaking stride. “I know you were expecting to head out with the Cap’n, and I apologize for the short notice. That’s the first lesson, I suppose - you gotta always be ready for anything, willing to follow the lead and roll with the punches. And for the record - you’re not <em>needed</em> on this meet, you’re <em>wanted</em> ~ you understand the difference?”<br><br>Glancing over at Si to make sure to include him in the conversation, she continued as they made their way through side streets, each new one looking vaguely just like the last. “As Si knows, we’re meeting a huai dan of a woman, goes by the name of Ferret. She’s no xiong meng de kuang ren, but we can’t go trusting her any farther than you can spit.” Her eyebrow raised in wry reference to his earlier disrespectful action. “So just look like you know how to keep the peace if needs be, but keep your hands off your piece. I’ll do the talkin’ and you do the watchin’.”<br><br>Stopping in the middle of the bustling street, Sasha stood with her stance wide and hands resting on her hips. Facing what looked like a respectable little florist shop, she tilted her head back to read the sign hanging above the door.&nbsp; “The Best Little Hot House in Town”.&nbsp; Striding up to the front door, Sasha flicked her eyes briefly at Si as she reached for the doorknob. “Always found the name rather amusing myself; although ‘delicate beauty’ or ‘sweet smelling’ might describe some of the flowers inside, them sure ain’t words that ever come to mind in relation to Ferret. Shall we?” She asked rhetorically as she opened the door and stepped confidently inside the shop.<br><br><br><em>ke ai = cute<br>chwen joo = idiot/moron<br>Ta Ma De Hun Dan = mother humping son of a bitch<br>huai dan = scoundrel<br>xiong meng de kuang ren = violent lunatic</em><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>23-07-2011, 04:18:15</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - following dat Dearing - the best little hot house in Persephone=-</strong></div><br>It was not the first time Simeon received a less than welcome reception from crew or civilian alike, indeed it was becoming more and more common since the incident that ultimately directed him to his present position took place. The man was quite prepared to sally back when Sasha took up post between them. That was his cue to stay the fuck out of the way - as she would no doubt have said if a verbalization were needed - and he did so, still and silent at his officer's back while she chewed out the new recruit for his unsatisfactory attitude. There was no need to help her, and she certainly wouldn't appreciate assistance where it was not requested in a conflict over authority aboard her ship. By the time she'd finished there wasn't really anything left to say at all.<br><br>Not that that stopped him from adding an afterthought anyway. As Sasha lead the way down the ramp Simeon generously offered Stephen his assistance should further confusion arise: "If you have further questions about life on the ship, I took the liberty of leaving some flash cards in your cabin to study later. Don't worry - they have pictures." Straight-faced and unruffled, Si followed in Sasha's wake off the ship, his shorter strides needing to be taken somewhat more quickly than he could make look unhurried to catch up to her, but falling into his usual pace once he was within a few feet of his fellow crew member.<br><br>Once they were all off the ship together Simeon let himself unwind a bit. It wasn't a question of alertness - if anything he was more on edge off the ship than aboard it, for obvious reasons - but of propriety, stiffness. On The Gamble he fulfilled a certain role, occupied a necessary space within a fairly strict set of guidelines. In the Eavesdown Docks he was a bodyguard, more or less; making a point of holding himself to certain standards would only draw attention. Drawing attention was rarely something they wanted or needed. He loosened his stride somewhat, relaxed his posture a few degrees. His hands idled at his sides rather than finding pockets or resting near his belt. He fell back a few steps with each corner they turned to eventually take up the rear of the group, deciding that after their little snit in the cargo bay their new man could hardly feel any less welcome for having a man at his back. Let him be insulted if he felt the need; it was better for their route in the narrower sections anyway.<br><br>By the time they arrived Simeon's admittedly rather fine clothing was dusty and rumpled from moving through packed bodies in conditions less than concerned with hygiene. It didn't concern him. One simply could not walk through the docks without getting mussed in the process. Expecting otherwise was only setting oneself up for disappointment. At the entrance to the floral meeting spot Sasha stopped and held off a moment, saying, "Always found the name rather amusing myself; although ‘delicate beauty’ or ‘sweet smelling’ might describe some of the flowers inside, them sure ain’t words that ever come to mind in relation to Ferret."<br><br>"I would say it suits Ferret perfectly," Simeon answered. "Delicate beauty and sweet smells are the intended product of a hot house, that which the managers of such facilities hope for their customers to see and desire. However, the practices performed to produce those beauties involve tight quarters, slave labor, perversion of short, wasted lives. I do believe that is fair close to the mark."<br><br>"Shall we?" He took up position immediately behind Sasha as they entered, preferring to have her back rather than keep an eye on Stephen's at that moment, and stepped aside to her right once there was room to do so.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NiceTexasGuy</strong> on <strong>23-07-2011, 18:04:06</strong>
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				<strong>Stephen McPherson - Accompanying Si and Sasha to the Best Little Hot House in Persephone</strong><br><br><br><br>Steve had been through too much in his life to be easily <em>punked out</em> by this xiao mei mei of a first officer of a freelance cargo ship, and smiled at the thought of how much fun it would be to escalate the situation.&nbsp; Still, he was, if nothing else, rank conscious.&nbsp; However she had gone about getting the position, she was in that position, and he respected that.&nbsp; As always, he would continue to respect the rank until someone did something to lose his respect.&nbsp; And he had to admit, he liked the way she handled herself.&nbsp; While he wasn't about to grovel for a job, no matter how hungry he might be, he'd rather not get kicked off this particular ship just yet.<br><br><strong>I know you were expecting to head out with the Cap’n, and I apologize for the short notice. That’s the first lesson, I suppose - you gotta always be ready for anything, willing to follow the lead and roll with the punches.</strong>&nbsp; <em>(Lassie, you are preachin' to the choir about rolling with the punches.)</em>&nbsp; <strong>And for the record - you’re not needed on this meet, you’re wanted ~ you understand the difference?”</strong><br><br>"Not really, Ma'am, but I liked what you did with the cigar.&nbsp; It was a nice touch, nobody ever thought to do that before.&nbsp; Anyhow, needed.. wanted.. it don't matter to me.&nbsp; Long as I know who the bad guys are, you should come back alive."<br><br>Her stride was a bit faster than Steve had anticipated, and while he didn't have trouble keeping up, it was possible Si would notice a little limp developing.<br><br>The Alliance guy, that was a different story.&nbsp; Steve had decided he didn't much care for him.&nbsp; It was one thing to offer up advice to the new guy -- it was a way of letting the new guy know somebody cares.&nbsp; It was another thing altogether to do it with an air of superiority.&nbsp; The Captain was former Alliance, and Steve didn't have a problem with that.&nbsp; Besides, he had gotten some hints here and there about the Captain's history which softened Steve's attitude toward him considerably.&nbsp; But Si?&nbsp; All he could say for sure was that Si wasn't an Alliance plant on board the ship.&nbsp; Even they wouldn't be stupid enough to send someone so uptight and obnoxious.<br><br>"Pictures, huh? How very gao gan of you, Laddie.&nbsp; I've heard one can be worth a thousand words.&nbsp; When we get back, you'll have to show me how to draw a picture that says <em>the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought.</em>&nbsp; I think I read that on a men's room wall once.&nbsp; So, what do I call you?"<br><br>-----------<br><br>Steve glanced up at the sign for only a moment as the other two were discussing it. Most of his focus, however, was on security.&nbsp; Only now did he retrieve the cigar from the pocket where Sasha had placed it.<br><br>"Hmmm, potentially dangerous dealings with women who can't be trusted, slave labor, and wasted lives.&nbsp; I've been warned about this, but I believe they called it marriage."&nbsp; He flashed Sasha a little smile then followed them into the shop.<br><br>If Si went right, he would go left, going through the mental checklist.&nbsp; Threats, cover, means of egress, and back to threats.&nbsp; As he understood his role, it was primarily to make sure the deal went down without violence.&nbsp; Ideally, the mere presence of a couple of guys who could handle themselves if violence ensued would do the trick.&nbsp; If that didn't' happen, it was to ensure Sasha got back to the ship alive.&nbsp; As for Si ... well, they were shipmates now, so his personal feelings would be put aside and he would do his duty.&nbsp; Should it be necessary, he would watch Si's back and yes, risk his life to get him back, too.<br><br>If he had a choice, though, he'd really rather not die in a place called the "best little hot house".&nbsp; Surely, he's pulled himself up above that level. <br><br>---------------------------<br><br>Young lady: Xiao Mei Mei<br>Extraordinarily clever: Gao gan <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>24-07-2011, 02:15:56</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer of the Gamble - On Persephone with Si and Steve at The Best Little Hot House in Town, about to meet with Ferret about a job ~</strong></div><br>The cheerful tinkling of a small bell above the door greeted the trio as they entered the flower shop, the cloying scent of hundreds of various flowers immediately enveloping them. A man dressed sharply in a tailored business suit was standing at the back counter while a petite, pretty sales girl rang up his purchase.&nbsp; At the sound of the bell the businessman turned his head in curiosity to see who had entered the shop behind him, and Sasha was suddenly keenly aware of the threatening image the three of them no doubt presented. With only a brief warning glance toward Si to alert him to her intentions, Sasha effortlessly transformed her outward appearance from cooly professional leader to a soft, womanly persona.<br><br>Stepping up against Steve’s right side, Sasha slid her arm around the back of his waist and nestled in closely against him. Resting her head on his shoulder, she brought her other hand up to gently stroke over his chest. Taking on a syrupy tone and speaking loudly enough to be easily heard by her intended audience, Sasha raised her fingers to softly caress along Steve’s jawline as she spoke. “Oh, darlin, aren’t you just the sweetest <em>ever</em> to come with me and daddy to help pick out the flowers for my bouquet!”&nbsp; The business man at the counter glanced at the cuddling couple and their accompanying well-dressed older man and smiled with a little chuckle and shake of his head before turning back to the sales girl to complete his transaction.<br><br>Sashaying over to one of the half-dozen flower-filled coolers in the shop, Sasha began to select individual flowers to compose her arrangement, ooh-ing and aah-ing over the beautiful flowers as she gathered them in her hands. As the businessman walked past her on his way out she flashed him a bright smile for good measure, the man responding with a wide grin of his own before he remembered to nod respectfully to her apparent fiancé as he hurried out. The moment the door closed after the businessman’s departure, Sasha dropped her bridal performance as quickly and smoothly as if she was an eager bride shedding her silken nightgown on her honeymoon. <br><br>Sasha had known that Si would respond appropriately to blend in to the scene; he was more than used to following her sometimes unpredictable lead and playing along seamlessly. With Steve still being an unknown factor, she had literally taken him in hand to make sure he played at least a somewhat believable part. It wouldn’t have gone over well to have gotten turned away from a potentially lucrative job simply because they brought suspicion on Ferret’s flower shop with their somewhat menacing presence. Ferret was notoriously sensitive about drawing unwanted attention to her front business, since operating under the radar of the authorities was obviously a crucial component to her back-room business dealings - where she made her real money.<br><br>Although Si’s suit looked slightly less sharp for the wear, and his extended commentary out in the street had her rolling her eyes, Sasha had to admit that the man was always exceptionally adept at adapting to any circumstance thrown at them. At almost twenty years her senior, she supposed it could easily be believed by the businessman that he was her father; but as she swept her eyes over his perfectly tailored suit, she knew first hand that the body hidden underneath was anything <em>but</em> fatherly. Her and Si’s workouts sometimes inadvertently timed to coincide with each other, and she had been treated on more than one occasion to witness the rock-hard, lean body he had carefully sculpted with his efforts. Unlike the Cap’n, Si rarely displayed his bared body to view, so her glimpses during workouts were almost like a forbidden thrill. Even though an older man, Si had a body most men half his age would be proud to call their own.<br><br>Knowing that Steve would wonder what the hell just happened, Sasha glanced over to him as she elaborated. “Thanks - good show.”&nbsp; Her eyes dropped to the cigar he had repositioned in his mouth, and she raised her eyebrows at the thought of this bear of a man having some kind of oral fixation. His little comment about liking what she did with his cigar when she had pulled it from his mouth and stowed it in his pocket added to her impression. <em>Ah well, we all have our own fetishes, don’t we?</em> she mused to herself with a sultry smile curving her full lips. His vaguely chauvinistic bravado outside the shop about being able to keep her alive as long as she pointed out the bad guys and odd proclamation about marriage had her hoping to have an opportunity sooner rather than later to sit down for a chat with the man, so she could hopefully get a good feel for just who this Stephen McPherson was. Perhaps if the meet went well, they could go for a drink afterward and the three of them could get to know each other better; at least well enough to become more comfortable working together.<br><br>Rounding out her unorthodox flower arrangement of a lavender rose, red dahlia, white lisianthus, soft pink peony, golden calla lilly and hot-pink anemone with a bold sunflower, Sasha walked to the back counter and nodded at the young girl behind the register. The petite girl had a charming pixie look about her with her short blonde hair and smooth pale skin; a rather intriguing juxtaposition of wholesome sexiness. Plucking off several of the soft yellow petals from the large sunflower, Sasha gave the girl the final verbal portion of the elaborate password that Ferret demanded of all her clients. “Do you have any baby’s breath to go with my bouquet?”&nbsp; The young girl carefully looked over her arrangement to confirm that she had selected all the correct "password" flowers to gain entry; satisfied, she replied with the pre-arranged reply. “I’ve got some in the back - would you like to pick yours out yourself?”&nbsp; The girl's (http://www.beautycareforu.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/emma-watson-2011.jpg) caramel brown eyes then roved slowly over Si and Steve appraisingly, a coy little smile gracing her lips, before turning to escort them all to the back of the shop. <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>24-07-2011, 08:35:34</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the raggedy girl – Eavesdown Docks – panicky=-</strong></div><br>The busy docks were no longer her salvation. Her feet bruised as she fled the boulevard, shouldering past gawking strangers. Their open stares did more to unnerve her than the stones beneath her socks, so she kept running. Both arms up over her bosom, she held together the wide vee of her jumpsuit, trying to find the zipper to pull it upward. <em>Jao gao</em>, it escaped her while still moving. Slowing, she slinked past a raised platform, actors upon it trying to gather a crowd for their show, exotic costumes flaring as they raised their arms and moved about for attention. Making herself as small as possible, her head hung forward, she ducked through the milling crowd. Passing under the overhanging nacelle of an Osprey waiting for the return of supplies or crewmembers, the noise of the boulevard was finally behind her.<br><br>Finding herself in the ashen, burned out back alley of the docking area, she knew this was not a safe place to be. Anyone testing their engines or starting up a lift cycle might place her in a world of hurt. Running the previously announced estimated times of departure through her head, she counted backward through the lot numbers, recalling through extraordinary memory which ships were likely to be taking off soon. Continuing to move, her memories slipped back to the times when she recalled not moving for a little while, periods of rest since… awakening. She reflected on the rare moments of peace that had slipped past too quickly; the succulent meat on a stick, licking up the grease with her eyes closed; taking a moment in the sun against the metal storage container, one foot propped behind her other knee; … were there so few of those peaceful moments to remember? She needed to rest, to stop moving if just for a while to sleep. When was the last time she’d slept?<br><br>She’d slept on the Elefante class homestead transport out of Albion, the Vena Ray. The five-deck monstrosity still wielded a speed class 5 at full-burn, taking little time between its home and Persephone. The nubile woman had been able to deeply sleep while the ugly as sin ship was in motion, the thrumming of the dual engines making her feel secure enough to chance a snore – that is, once hidden under a tarp in the back of a mule strapped to the deck, unlikely to be needed before touchdown. She reckoned that to be two full days ago, having landed in the morning. Before slipping out of the main cargo bay with a crate hefted over her shoulder for camouflage, she’d snapped up someone’s grey nondescript worker’s jumpsuit she found in a corner under the stairs, the matching boots also too big but suitable for an appearance change. Selling what was in the crate and her old clothes to the farthest market tent with credits to offer, she’d made do the cheap purchase of a hat and hiding until the Elefante lifted off again. Sure by then that no one had raised an alarm over her pilfered gains, she ventured out to look for work or transport. However, never having worked in her existence, she had no clear idea how to go about it. She ended up desperate again, planning to utilize her last technique to gain passage across the black, furthering the distance between her first memory and her current self.<br><br>It had been before her arrival on Persephone that she’d started regularly changing her appearance, just in case. No telling if someone would be looking for her or not, she’d grown paranoid after realizing what she might have escaped. Ha, how the crew of the <em>Yinglong</em> had complained about the unfortunate timing and placement of their landing at the start of a soft rainfall on Albion! She hadn’t recognized what the trouble would be until she was caught outdoors moving toward a quiet half-dead shopping plex when the rain really hit. Torrents of water suddenly deluged the acrylic and composite-tube city. Her blonde hair was plastered to her scalp within moments and she’d laughed out loud at the image of herself in a window. Racing inside the shopping center, she’d had a hard time finding anything she expected to, hoping for easy changes of clothing and dye for her hair – just simple stuff to change her appearance before having to get off world again. The place must have been abandoned by any semblance of security, shops empty, the spaces barred or chained closed, but for a handful of necessaries all in one corner. Barter was expected over cash and she took advantage of their resell business, trading for clothes and foodstuff with her last goods, plus a fine decorative comb for the henna job in a questionable salon down the way.<br><br>The Eurasian salon attendant showed amusement at her sodden dress and ruined canvas sandals, encouraging her to towel off before looking around at their services. Quietly refusing the private back room ‘massage’ offered to her after watching other women come out with dreamy looks on their faces, the blond was curious but assumed she did not need it, nor could she afford it, whatever the luxury was. The burly gentleman escorting them seemed sweatier each time one of his clients was sent away. “No – just the henna, <em>xie xie</em>, and slice it shorter?”<br><br>The few credits in her pouch would not get her off world again but could be stretched enough for the week’s food and berthing while she figured out what to try next. On her way to an anonymous wall of sleeping coffins, she thought on how very sweetly the recommendation of this particular ‘hotel’ as safe and clean had been offered. The Eurasian attendant had described the place so that the blonde cum redhead could not mistake it for an under-construction site, the laddered scaffolding being part of the structure. “Just walk the crossbeam at the east end of this building. Across the valley is the clerk’s office, the brightly lit corridor with a lavatory. Those guys will fix you up cheap if you’re… <em>nice</em> to them,” she’d advised with a wink. Knowing how to be polite and genial, the newly henna’d blonde had made her way carefully over the dangerous crossbeam, doubling as a bridge from the neglected mall, essentially fearless.<br><br>Paying for the cigar-shaped coffin out of her precious credits, she almost took the clerk’s suggestion of paying for several days in advance, just in case anything kept her out of the tube for longer than a day. “You wouldn’t wanna find yourself locked out,” he mentioned with a leer. She’d not enjoyed his overt attention and, hoping the berth had an interior lock, she climbed the several more stories upward to her assigned 1m x 2m x 1m space. Secure for a single night, she’d slept, though never as deeply as when snuggled up against a vibrating bulkhead or wrapped in the heat of an engine.<br><br>Despite her attempts to freshen up within the cramped space, it was the hard rainfall the day before that had showered her relatively clean. She changed into her new clothes, simple stuff with utilitarian uses. Button-up canvas pants matched her low soft boots, both navy in color. Adding a placket-pocketed shirt of simple blue tartan fabric, she wriggled her shoulders to ensure the stylized yokes were centered, the dark colors good for hiding stains.<br><br>Upon opening her tube to the smoggy outdoors the next morning, the same clerk greeted her with the demand of an oral favor for the continued right to her sardine can. Instead of frightened or compliant, he found her confused and angry. She didn’t seem to understand his ham-handed attempts at coercion – just grew more annoyed with him when he refused to clear the obstacle of his body from her exit space. When he asserted himself with exposure of his interested groin, she surprised him, kicking out at his center of mass with her flat-soled boots. She jumped down onto the scaffolding with her bag in hand. Grabbing at what he could reach, the bag’s strap broke in their tussle, spilling everything she owned into the debris-coated ditch far below her coffin’s level. Perhaps the man only meant to keep her from screaming, but when he approached her again, the return of her earliest memories sent her into a panic, running from his outstretched hands. Running out of level ground, she leaped over the end of the railing, catching the rail of the next lower floor with her hands and flipping over to regain her footing. Racing down the scaffolding as low as she could go before noticing another clerk darting out from the office area to see what was happening, she pin wheeled in a different direction, hoping to elude a two-man chase. Either her escape tactic worked or the men never started a chase in earnest, for she found herself without any money or salvageable goods on the outskirts of the town before she caught her breath.<br><br>Calculating the odds of the salon attendant’s collusion took no time. Trapped on the planet with only her new look and clothes, she needed a full day’s realization to recognize the limited solutions to her precarious situation. She had no identity card or credits, nothing left to barter. She’d escaped one version of hell to find herself in another, helpless and alone. Intelligent but innocent about the ‘verse, she couldn’t handle any more assumptions of sex by the males of the specie. Every time she saw open hands coming to capture her, she froze up inside, terrified and unable to debate the best course of action. She only knew to run. Now she’d been running for months in one state of discomfort or another. It took her three more days of rough survival on the outskirts of the city to find her courage to return to the docks – that and a bit of desperation.<br><br>Finding herself investigating the posted destinations, she multiplied their announced distances with their standard speed classes, summing up how much longer she might have to be without food or comfort. <strong>Yes…</strong> what she was supposed to be doing right now, she reminded herself. Shaking her limp hair around her ears, she woke up from her intense memories, staring up at the ass end of a Dragonfly class mid-bulk transport.<br><br>*****<br><br><em>Jao gao</em> – literally “spoiled cake,” alas or too bad.<br><em>Xie xie</em> – thank you.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>24-07-2011, 11:04:08</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - adopting and unadopting a daughter - Ferret's Hothouse, Persephone=-</strong></div><br>Having the capacity for snide chatter is not the same thing as looking for opportunities to indulge in it. The hint apparently had not gotten across; not important, but not an incentive to keep up that line of conversation. Simeon answered him simply as they caught up to their lady leader, saying, "My name is Simeon, but if you need to call me, 'Help' gets my attention almost as well."<br><br>There was little else to be said. To be perfectly honest if he were asked he likely would not have been able to repeat what Stephen had said thereafter; he registered the man's speech, but wasn't paying all that much attention to the content. It had been clear the man was either uncomfortable with the new arrangement or simply obnoxious by default. In either case he was hardly a joy to listen to long at the moment. Hopefully he would be better company once he had had time to settle in, else this new dichotomy looked to be fair unpleasant for both parties.<br><br>That would wait - indeed it must given its existence in the future. The present had other matters with which to contend. "...aren't you just the sweetest <em>ever</em> to come with me and daddy to help pick out the flowers for my bouquet!" For example, impromptu Daddy Dearest disguise time. Not that the role was one ill-suited to his appearance, but there was always a terrible sense of awkwardness to that dynamic: the young attractive woman in authority playing herself down to call him "Daddy." It bore implications. Some were enticing. Given the context, those were not the ones on which he had the luxury of dwelling.<br><br>The more awkward aspects were what he lent focus, playing up his fastidiousness a touch in checking his cuff links while walking in the happy couple's wake. "Oh yes," he said, "extremely generous of him to come along and watch me foot the bill for everything. Again." A disappointed parent wasn't difficult at all to put on as guises went. Take that initial dislike of Stephen's attitude, twist it a little, then let it show rather than keep it filed away in the Unhelpful column.To a momentary observer passing by the difference between dislike of a stranger for himself and dislike of a young man for capturing his daughter's heart was indistinguishable. All the same, he kept his visible attention on Stephen and Sasha until he saw her drop the act; it wouldn't do for a father seemingly focused on his daughter's special day and not-so-special groom to get distracted wondering if they were alone yet, after all. He waited on her cue to drop the bristling bear facade as he had picked up on it to begin.<br><br>The crew of The Gamble might be disorganized and immature in some parts, but Miss Dearing - and the Captain, when he was being serious - did their parts well. It was always a quietly satisfying experience when they worked on the same page with little preamble to prime such engagements. They worked well together, to an extent.<br><br>As they followed their guide away from the bright and legitimate section of Ferret's work space, Si cleared his throat and noted in that solemn manner of his, "Given the Captain's recent <em>preoccupation</em> with certain feminine aspects of the crew, perhaps it would be better not to tell him you like to call me 'Daddy.' I would hate for him to get the wrong idea." No, of course he's not smiling. That would ruin the joke. All the better with Stephen along if he couldn't tell whether the uptight ex-brass was being serious or not.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>24-07-2011, 14:46:37</strong>
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				<div align="center"><span style="font-size: 20pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: verdana;" class="bbc_font"><strong>Chapter 2: …Goes Unpunished</strong></span></span></div><br><hr><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>A</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">mbrosia Koslov sat in the back room of her floral shop pruning a group of snapdragons and carnations in preparation for the arrangement she was currently working on piecing together. She loved her floral business as much as she had ever loved anything or anyone and it showed in her attention to detail and the focus she gave her work.&nbsp; That focus was evident as the young girl who worked the front of her floral shop escorted a small group back to her private work area. Pausing just inside the doorway, the young girl crossed her hands at her waist, gripping her right wrist with her left hand, and waited silently.<br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>A</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">mbrosia had arrived on the mean streets of Persephone five years ago as an unknown. Almost overnight, she became a prominent player in the underground information enclave, black market, organized crime syndicates, and nearly all other less than legal organizations on the bustling moon. However, her swift climb up the criminal corporate ladder didn’t come without an abundance of planning, scheming, conniving, backstabbing, blackmailing, cheating, and murder on her part, not to mention the talents and connections required to become as successful as she did as quickly as she did; talents she had learned during her training and tenure as a registered companion, before she was ejected from The Guild for violating several Guild laws. She was no longer the companion known as Ambrosia Koslov, but the shrewd and successful business woman known to everyone on Persephone and the surrounding planets as “Ferret.”<br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>P</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">icking up a pair of sheers, Ferret leaned in close to one of the salmon and ivory colored "Apple Blossom" snapdragon stems and lovingly snipped an errant bud. Leaning back once more from the workbench and the vase perched upon it she admired the delicate beauty of the eye pleasing floral arrangement as it began to take form, shaped by her own hands. A slow smile of admiration curved her sensual lips upward as she gently placed the shears back on her workbench.<br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong> “T</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">hank you, Charlotte,” she said to the young girl, her eyes still fixed upon the snapdragons, “that’ll be all.” Raising a slender hand in their direction, she beckoned her visitors closer. “Please, come in so we can talk.” Only now did her baby blue eyes shift in their direction, quickly assessing the trio as she began greeting them all in her typical fashion. “Miss Dearing,” she said with an appreciative smirk as she made a cursory glance over the younger woman’s lean, fit body and her intentionally distracting attire. “Ever the heart-breaker you are, my dear Sasha.” <br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>S</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">hifting her attention to Simeon, she looked him over closely. She had always admired his sense of fashion and today was no different as the twinkle in her eyes might indicate to someone trained to notice such subtle physiological signs. “Mr. Gaorong, the epitome of genteel chivalry. So good to see you again. You look as dashing as ever. ” <br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>S</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">lowly tearing her gaze from Simeon, she focused her attention on the unfamiliar man, her keenly observant eyes scrutinizing him closely. “Wo de ma, who’s the beefcake,” she asked looking back to the door leading to the front of her establishment as though she were expecting to see someone, someone who was missing.&nbsp; <br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>S</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">hifting her focus back to Sasha once more, her eyes narrowed suspiciously and her posture stiffened. Wetting her lips with a slow swipe of the tip of her pink tongue, she leaned back in her chair, her voice losing its cordial tone as she glanced off to her left. “Damek, where’s Griffin Kingston?” <br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>A</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"> large black man dressed in urban fatigues stepped from the shadows and into view as he approached Ferret. The imposing figure wore a Marakov AMG50 slung over his shoulder and a silenced Avenger, sidearm holstered at his hip. He pressed the receiver into his ear and repeated the question, pausing a few seconds before he answered.&nbsp; <br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong> “H</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">e’s on Persephone, Lao ban ni'un, but he’s headed west. It seems he has some sort of mechanical part with him. I think it might be something of value he’s trying to fence to a competitor.” <br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>F</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">erret glared at the man silently for a moment before she retorted in a cold tone, “I don’t pay you to think, Damek, do I?”<br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>T</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">he large man shook his head and quietly replied, “No, Lao ban ni'un.”<br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>“N</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">o, I think not. That’ll be all for now, Damek,” she said, and the big bodyguard slid back into his position in the shadows.<br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>G</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">lancing back to Sasha, her smile returned, though not to its full, former luster. “So, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure, Miss Dearing?” Her tone was more professional this time around, having dispensed with the pleasantries to her satisfaction.<br><br></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><hr>Wo de ma = Mother of God<br>No, Lao ban ni'un&nbsp; = Female boss or operator of a business<br><br><br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NiceTexasGuy</strong> on <strong>24-07-2011, 20:26:58</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>Stephen McPherson - still living in the past (or more specifically, Chapter One) - en route to and inside the best little hothouse in town</strong></div><br><div align="center">*******</div><br><strong> "My name is Simeon, but if you need to call me, 'Help' gets my attention almost as well." </strong><br><br>Steve figured that was about as polite as the guy with the stick up his arse was going to get, and he took it as a concession of sorts, an acknowledgement they were on the same side and needed to be civil to one another.&nbsp; Steve was certainly willing to meet him half way.<br><br>"Steve" he responded, a little nod of the head.&nbsp; There, that should do it.&nbsp; Anything he could think of to add to that would probably come across as belligerent, intended or not.<br><br>**************<br><br>Steve was a tad confused for a moment when his First Officer put her arm around him and started playing the role of the flighty fiancee.&nbsp; As soon as he realized he was supposed to be playing a role, his confusion turned to a barely concealed exasperation. <br><br><em>See, this is another frackin' instance where a frackin' briefin' would have been frackin' nice!</em><br><br>Hazing the new guy, or even putting him into uncomfortable situations, wasn't an unheard of event.&nbsp; In fact, it was going on in military and paramilitary organizations dating back to ... well, Steve wasn't sure how far back it dated, but he felt confident it went back to the caveman days.&nbsp; He knew he was the new guy, and expected to get shit on here and there, but gorramit, you don't pull this kind of shit on a mission where people might start shooting any second now.&nbsp; He realized his initial momentary WTF look may have given them away, but maybe not.<br><br>"I'm just glad you're not still upset over that comment I made about marriage earlier."&nbsp; Then he reached down to gently pat her tummy.&nbsp; "You know I didn't mean it, and you know I want little Simon to get off to the best possible start, with a Mommy AND a Daddy.&nbsp; Now, you pick out what you want, honey, I'm going to go look over the spices and herbs selection."&nbsp; He figured that would give him a good vantage point to keep an eye on his two comrads, and put enough distance between them that the didn't all make easy targets for a single shotgun blast.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>24-07-2011, 23:06:27</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer of the Gamble - On Persephone with Si and Steve, in the back room of The Best Little Hot House in Town, meeting Ferret about a job ~</strong></div><br>Before following the petite pixie to the back room, Sasha glanced momentarily at Si and then Steve, making sure Si was positioning himself directly behind her, preferring to have her trusted wingman at her back instead of the new guy. A quiet chuckle fluttered in her throat as she pictured Steve’s look of confusion which had quickly devolved into a scowl of angry exasperation when she had veered off-script from his expectations. However rigid Si might be, his ability to attune closely to her when on a mission and his willingness to follow whatever lead she presented were both key elements that allowed them to work well together as a team. On the other hand, McPherson apparently had his fair share of aversion to improvisation on the fly. Although he had done his best to play along - another soft chuckle threatened to bubble over her lips as she recalled with amusement his play-acting the part of her fiancé - it was obvious the big man was extremely tense about the entire situation. Giving the guy a break, Sasha acknowledged that they had in fact thrown the brand new guy into the deep end of the pool right out of the gate. He might not appear a graceful swimmer at the moment, but he was at least keeping his head above water so far. <br><br>As she moved through the doorway and down the hallway leading to the back room, Sasha heard Si speaking quietly behind her.<br><br><strong>"Given the Captain's recent preoccupation with certain feminine aspects of the crew, perhaps it would be better not to tell him you like to call me 'Daddy.' I would hate for him to get the wrong idea."</strong><br><br>Si’s deadpan humor was usually a welcome divergence from his usual straight-laced persona; but the offhand reminder of Griff’s absence elicited an unexpected sharp pang of longing in Sasha’s chest. The unwanted and alarming emotional reaction to such an innocuous mention of the Captain caused an unsettling churning to take up residence in her gut. Focusing on the anchor of Si’s reliably sedate and staid presence, Sasha used his calming influence to steady her perplexing reaction.&nbsp; Even though only moments away from having to be completely guarded and on high alert while interacting with Ferret, Sasha allowed for a lighter moment before reaching the back of the shop, almost to prove to herself that she had actually been unaffected by the mere thought of the maddening man they all called Captain.<br><br>Pausing in mid-stride, Sasha gracefully turned around to face Si, her low, sultry voice for his ears only as their bodies stood close. “You shouldn’t worry so much, bao bei. Maybe I enjoy being a bad girl...Daddy.” To make herself feel a little better about her own aggravating slip of control, Sasha hoped to elicit at least a modicum of fluster from the ever-unflappable Si.&nbsp; Reaching up to curve her slender index finger under his chin as she spoke, Sasha gently beckoned his face slightly toward hers before puckering up her sensuous lips to blow him a kiss.&nbsp; Softly releasing his chin, Sasha turned back toward the departing form of the young girl as she continued onward to the back of the shop, not even giving Si a smile like she normally would to diffuse her comments and let him know she was teasing. <br><br>The dimly lit hallway opened up to a brighter, small room as the group arrived at the back area of the shop. Their young escort entered the room and moved quickly to the side and stood still, allowing the three visitors to enter the room after her. Automatically, Sasha’s sharp gaze quickly took in her surroundings, scouring the room for any potential threats and making careful note of what she observed. She didn’t expect any foul play from her...associate, but caution was always a wise precept.<br><br>The beautiful older woman sitting at the workbench seemed oblivious to their presence as she continued to carefully prune a flower blossom, by all appearances completely relaxed and serene, simply a lovely woman enjoying an obviously much-loved occupation. Except, of course, for the hulking heavy lurking menacingly in the shadows and the oversized pair of razor sharp shears in the woman’s slender hand. And Sasha knew the shears wouldn’t be the only potential weapon close at hand. Adopting a more friendly version of her typical cold tone, Ferret dismissed her employee and then addressed her visitors. <strong>“Thank you, Charlotte, that’ll be all.”</strong>&nbsp; Without hesitation or comment, the petite young woman moved past the three Gamble crew members and headed back down the hall to the front of the shop, closing the door behind her with a soft click.<br><br><strong>“Please, come in so we can talk. Miss Dearing; ever the heart-breaker you are, my dear Sasha.”</strong><br><br>Strolling leisurely forward to position herself in front of the woman and assuming her men would keep a close eye on the heavy, Sasha kept the workbench between herself and the older woman, slightly bending one knee and leaning her hip nonchalantly against the workbench, her elbow casually resting on the table top. “Ferret.” She greeted the woman succinctly with a brief nod of her head. Well aware of the woman’s well-educated background and capabilities as a former Companion, as well as her untrustworthy and devious nature, Sasha respected the woman the same way she would respect a coiled rattlesnake.&nbsp; She kept her shuttered gaze on Ferret as the woman greeted Si and made her calculating assessment of Steve.<br><br><strong>“Wo de ma, who’s the beefcake?” Ferret inquired suspiciously. “Damek, where’s Griffin Kingston?”</strong> <br><br>Sasha watched impassively without outward acknowledgement as the hulking heavy stepped from the shadows and repeated the intel he had just received through his headset.<br><br><strong>”He’s on Persephone, Lao ban ni'un, but he’s headed west. It seems he has some sort of mechanical part with him. I think it might be something of value he’s trying to sell to a competitor.”</strong><br><br>Curtly dismissing her employee back to the shadows when she no longer had immediate need of him, Ferret turned her attention back to Sasha, any trace of pseudo-friendliness now bled from her tone. <strong>“So, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure, Miss Dearing?”</strong> <br><br>Sasha had little patience for the dramatics that Ferret was known for, such as the elaborate passwords and the none-too-subtle performance she had just acted out for their benefit. But she also knew that Ferret was an expert at discovering a person’s “buttons” and vulnerabilities and using that knowledge to her best advantage. So keeping her true thoughts and feelings closely guarded, Sasha played her part in the game with a flourish.<br><br>“Well fuck me silly, Ferret. I thought for sure you must be more’n bored with the same-ole same-ole, so I brought you some fresh meat to tantalize those beautiful eyes of yours.”&nbsp; Tilting her head briefly in Steve’s direction without taking her eyes off of Ferret, she smiled in feigned conspiration.&nbsp; “Ain’t he somethin?&nbsp; Oh, and thank you for letting me know where the Cap’n got off to, I was wondering what peck o’ trouble he might be fixin’ to get mixed up in since I last saw him.”&nbsp; <br><br>Standing up straight Sasha spread her arms wide and steepled her fingertips on top of the workbench in front of Ferret, leaning her upper body toward the shorter older woman, her long ponytail brushing over her shoulder to fan teasingly over the swell of one of her breasts. Her voice low with a tinge of hardened steel, Sasha let the master manipulator know in no uncertain terms that she was in no mood for gratuitous delays. “However, my beautiful peng you, if this is truly an unexpected visit then I’ve got no time for fang zong feng kuang de jie, and the Cap’n’s gonna be mighty unhappy to learn he’s been misinformed about a certain opportunity.”<br><br><br><em>bao bei = darling<br>peng you = friend<br>Fang zong feng kuang de jie = A knot of self-indulgent lunacy</em><br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>25-07-2011, 02:20:26</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - hijacking The Gamble* - Ferret's hothouse, Persephone=-</strong></div><br>After a morning dotted with little unexpected events and interruptions this, at last, was something to offer Simeon some genuine surprise. Not that he thought himself so witty that a joke never fell flat, but he had the impression Sasha appreciated the slight levity he brought with him in the field, assuming circumstances did not require greater stealth than such offerings provided. That she chose to respond with something rather more enticing than her usual similarly understated reaction was unexpected.<br><br>And yet, after the surprise if the initial turnabout, he rolled with it easily enough. She was playing along, it seemed - calling his bluff, as it were, to escalate the show they were putting on for Stephen. It was the most likely reason anyway; if not that then he was unsure of the cause, but that was a conversation that could wait until they were back aboard their own ship rather than tromping about in the back alleys of Eavesdown. It was both simpler and safer to make a snap judgment and act on it. If she wanted to play, that was fine by him. The opportunities he had to flatter his First Officer were few and far between. This was an unusual sort of chance for it, perhaps, but a valid one nonetheless. So it was that, following in the wake her of her teasing air-kiss and subsequent turn forward again, Si took an early step to stay close, close enough that he could lower his voice for a more personal remark: "It is hardly sporting of you to flirt so much when wearing so little. Were I not better informed, I might think you hunting for chastisement, qiānjīn de móguǐ." He didn't press the issue, slowing to follow a few paces behind per usual so they all had room to move if and when they needed it, but Si found himself looking forward to their return to the ship for altogether different reasons than he had when they first set out. Between the smile she'd worn in the cargo bay and this unusual break in character on the job something was clearly going on with the First Officer. Perhaps it was the sort of something that would merit a conversation once they were back on The Gamble; perhaps not. He would simply have to wait and see.<br><br>On most protection details the goal is to become invisible once you have checked the area for immediate threats. Visiting Ferret was an exception to this for two reasons. First, it was impossible to check the area for threats thoroughly enough to be secure, so he would simply have to expect something untoward to happen. It hadn't before, but he knew as well as Sasha that an unexpected bit of information or an attractive enough price could turn the circumstances against them at a moment's notice. He would simply have to be alert.<br><br>Second, Ferret didn't like her eye candy to turn invisible. "Mr. Gaorong, the epitome of genteel chivalry. So good to see you again. You look as dashing as ever. "<br><br>"There may have been some effort involved," he replied, "but I could hardly turn up shabby on one of these rare opportunities to visit now could I, Ms. Xuědiāo?"<br><br>Their formalities ended in brief per usual as Ferret moved on to consider the new face in her domain. It was such a little thing, and no doubt seemingly out of place in this setting, among these people. Still he played along on the occasions he happened to see the woman for their work. To some even the pretense of class lent things an air of respect, perhaps even authority, they might lack otherwise. If it meant keeping business smooth it cost him nothing to treat the criminal with courtly care. It wasn't as though she ever spent a great deal of time looking for his attention anyway; it was just one more thing on her checklist of positioning maneuvers and wastes of time, and they both knew it. Funny how criminal social politics so often coincided with elitist social politics. Little wonder the population at large didn't trust either party.<br><br>That aside, the formal greeting and spat of banter was the extent of his role prior to purely defensive measures unless further input was needed. Once the ladies began getting to the heart of the matter he withdrew to his role as sentinel, keeping an eye on what he could see in the room with them in an effort to gauge what was waiting where it could not be seen. Sasha would keep up her end of things, he need only concern himself with his. That and the new X factor of McPherson, he supposed. Perhaps it would be better to find a position where he could see that man in addition to the rest of the room if possible. Yes, that would be an improvement.<br><br><div align="center">- - -</div><br><span style="font-size: 7pt;" class="bbc_size">qiānjīn de móguǐ ~ darling devil/devilish daughter (assuming I didn't fuck it up)<br>xuě diāo - ferret</span><br><br><span style="font-size: 6pt;" class="bbc_size">*Accuracy of description may vary. Reader discretion is advised.</span>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>25-07-2011, 03:59:45</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ NPC – Eavesdown Dock, Landing Bay Number 30, Persephone, Grocery Delivery for The Gamble~</strong></div><br><br>The droning sound of an engine that rattled, as if on its last breath, cut through the air as an older than dirt transport truck (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Yad-Mordechai-museum-truck-1.jpg) invaded the busy comings and goings of the Eavesdown Docks. To all that knew the sound well they simply went about their business without a moments worry. For those that were not familiar with the loud obnoxious sound, they reacted in a way that was comical for the local folk, instantly stopping to look around the immediate vicinity,&nbsp; searching for what might be a failed aircraft hurdling though the atmo in search for an ideal place to crash.&nbsp; Fortunately they would find that it wasn't anything so dramatic. The old Apache Grocery delivery truck rattled and bounced along the docks searching for landing bay 30, as per the delivery slip wadded up in the back pocket belonging to one Dale Miller the eldest of the two Miller Brothers (http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/popcrush.com/files/2011/03/cataracs.jpg).<br><br>Drake Miller along with his older brother Dale, manoeuvred the decaying delivery truck through the crowded docks. Barely paying attention to those lingering around the docks, the brothers argued over who would take point in distracting the male half of the duo that had frequented their family store, while the other tried to score with the pocket sized Venus that had accompanied him. Pumping the breaks before slamming his foot to the floor, Dale flashed a confident smile at his younger brother, seemingly ignoring the loud squealing sound of the breaks that caused ears to bleed within a ten mile radius as it came to rest behind a bright yellow truck happily labeled "The Happy Suck Truck.” <br><br>"It's simple Di, I get first dibs 'cause I'm older" Dale explained while the truck rumbled to its close. He felt he put forth a convincing argument, and what his words didn't get across his fist would, should the need arrive. He had seen the two as they entered the store and instantly began flirting with the barely dressed blond from across the floor while his younger brother had been forced to help their mother make the deal. Now he wanted to make good on those bedroom eyes he had been flashing her.&nbsp; <br><br>Drake opened his mouth to retort, bringing forth his own argument when a loud bang, sounding much like a gunshot, exploded from the trucks ancient muffler leaving the dock in a cloud of dark sooty smoke and cutting off any claim the younger man might have had regarding their arrangements. Once again it seemed he would be schlepping in boxes and bags while his older brother was off screwing some hot babe passing through. “Yeh Su!” Drake grumbled as the scowl on his face drilled holes in the back of his brother's neck.<br><br>He glared while the elder of the two made a few last minute checks to his appearance, combing his hair with his fingers and cupping his hands over his mouth and nose to test his breath. "Start pulling out the cargo, I'll go see if they are back" Dale ordered as he slammed the decrepit truck door closed with such a force the sound echoed through the landing bay.&nbsp; It was then that the pungent odor took a strong grip of the brother's senses, hitting them with the force of solid brick wall. With watering eyes the boys looked up to see the hard working team of The Happy Suck. <br><br>Dale made his way toward the open cargo bay with a distinct swagger to his step. The young man knew he was attractive. A fact that often fuelled his ego with a confidence that went beyond the typical cockiness of hormones; his was more like confidence on steroids. As he passed a figure of a girl without much notice, he called out in a strong voice so to be heard over the cleaning machines and giving Mr. Chow a nod of his head in a form of greeting while his eyes searched for the pretty blond he had plans for. <br><br>The younger of the two grumbled under his breath as he moved to the rear of the truck barely registering the image of what might have been part of the crew standing at the cargo bay entrance.&nbsp; Waving his hands to clear the still lingering smoke as he reached out to unchain the tailgate, letting it drop open with an echoing clang. His attention drawn towards his work, Drake began pulling the boxes and bags from the trucks bed and began piling them on the dock at the Dragonfly's ramp.<br><br><div align="center"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></div><br><br>Little Brother: Di or Di-Di<br>Jesus: Yeh Su<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>26-07-2011, 05:06:16</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, standing on one of the cargo platforms, being joined by Lex, observing the goings on in the cargo bay below=-</strong></div><br>A small smiled tugged at the corners of Dani's mouth as she watched Lex flirt with the well built offsider of Mr. Chow.&nbsp; It seemed he couldn't help himself, despite the fact that he had just returned from what had to be a gruelling couple of weeks of Companioning on Persephone.&nbsp; <em>It would be nice to feel that comfortable around people,</em> Dani mused as Lex made his way up the stairs to join her at her observation post.&nbsp; It was the perfect spot from which to oversee things - they had a panoramic view of the cargo bay, but wouldn't be underfoot of the cleaning crew as they did their thing.<br><br><strong>"What do you think? They look up to the task to you?"</strong><br><br>Giving Lex's question serious consideration, Dani finally nodded.&nbsp; "Actually, yes," she responded. "Mr. Chow seems to enjoy his work."&nbsp; The small Chinese man was still dancing around to what she assumed was music coming through his headphones.&nbsp; "And his associate seems like he would be up for this, and so much more."&nbsp; It was unusual for Dani to tease the crew, but she was still buoyed by her recent, albeit small, victory over her demons.&nbsp; And she felt comfortable enough with Lex now that she was sure he would take her comment in the lighthearted way it was intended.&nbsp; "What do <strong>you</strong> think?" <br><br>Lex's melodious voice as he answered her question was a pleasant counterpoint to the angst that appeared to be occurring below them.&nbsp; The new guy, which is how Dani would think of him for some time to come, seemed to be giving Sasha some lip.&nbsp; It looked like he was bound to learn the hard way that Sasha didn't take zao gao from anyone, 'specially tetchy new crewmen. Dani had no doubts that Sasha, with Si at her back, would pull him into line.&nbsp; And if he refused?&nbsp; Well...they had ways of dealing with ornery buhn dahn's on The Gamble.&nbsp; He'd get sorted, one way or the other. <br><br>Eventually, Sasha and party made their way down the loading ramp, leaving Dani and Lex alone, save for the Happy Suck crew, who were dutifully going about their business.&nbsp; One of the things that Dani found she liked about Lex was that there never seemed to be any pressure to make conversation.&nbsp; Silence with him was as comfortable as talking, and so when Dani asked him a question, it was because she was interested in his answer, not because she felt like she had to fill a void.&nbsp; "So..." she smiled at him, a smile that touched her eyes for a change. "How many fell in love with you and offered to take you away from all of this?"&nbsp; She gestured expansively at the interior of the ship they both called home.<br><br>The thunderous arrival of some sort of truck outside the cargo bay door interupted Lex's story.&nbsp; Dani frowned at the interuption. She had been enjoying his retelling of one particularly amorous client, and had even managed a small chuckle or two.&nbsp; That, combined with the noisy Happy Suck machine, was starting to grate on Dani's nerves.&nbsp; Her earlier confidence was beginning to wane, and by the time the handsome delivery man had entered the ship, she was fighting an urge to flee.&nbsp; Gripping Lex's arm for support, Dani unconsciously slid behind him, putting the Companion between her and the young man below.&nbsp; Something about him had her heart racing. Perhaps it was his sudden, unexpected arrival, or his age, or the colour of his hair.&nbsp; She didn't know.&nbsp; But he made her more than uneasy.&nbsp; He made her afraid. <br><br>"Lex," she whispered, her voice wavering.&nbsp; "There's someone else here."<br><br><br><br><hr><br><em>zao gao - crap<br>buhn dahn - idiot, moron </em>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>26-07-2011, 05:36:06</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Purchasing illicit goods – Persephone=-</strong></div><br><em>"Wow there are more of you? My Vinnie has brothers?”</em>&nbsp; Vincent flushed lightly at the remark, well aware that he had never gone into detail about his family.&nbsp; As he glanced back at Mae, he had a feeling that he could be a little more open in those regards to his love interest.&nbsp; "Three brothers and four sisters to be precise."&nbsp; Without skipping a beat, Jacob chimed in with a quip that had all the familiarity of a long running joke.&nbsp; <em>"It's a side effect of the three things that males of the Kincaid clan are known to be well endowed with around these parts; virility, wit, and... well I'm sure <strong>you've</strong> figured out the third."</em>&nbsp; Jacob burst out into merry laughter when he noticed how deeply that statement had caused his brother to blush.&nbsp; Had it not been for Tony's uncanny ability to act as a black hole whose sole purpose is to suck all the fun from any situation, Vincent very well might have died from embarrassment on the spot.&nbsp; Returning to where the conversation left off.&nbsp; <em>"Seriously though, what are you doing here?"</em><br><br>Vincent winced as Mae clued in to the conversation.&nbsp; <em>"Now what's all this about it being dangerous here for him?"</em>&nbsp; It would not be the first time Tony's stern personality served to cock block those around him, but Vincent would be damned if he would simply allow his night with Mae to be ruined so easily.&nbsp; <em>"Vinnie, maybe we should just spend the night on the ship? We can grab some drinks and play some strip poker."</em>&nbsp; His expression became one of intense interest as he played that particular scenario through his mind and found it very appealing.&nbsp; Of course, being upon the ship meant it would be far too easy for a third party to ruin the intimate atmosphere as always seemed to be the case.&nbsp; No, his best chance for success was within the club scene where the rest of the crew would be less likely to drop in on them.&nbsp; With a confident swagger to his step, he returned to Mae's side and wrapped his arm around the small of her back once more.<br><br>"It's just a short shore leave for the crew."&nbsp; He said with a dismissive flick of the hand to Tony, though shot him a quick warning glance to watch what he says.&nbsp; "We've been traveling around for weeks straight so we came here for supplies and a little R&amp;R.&nbsp; Our arrival is unscheduled and we'll be lifting off by morning.&nbsp; I'll be gone before I am even noticed."&nbsp; Vincent then turned his excited gaze to meet Mae's.&nbsp; "Though I'll certainly be taking you up on that offer for strip poker once we're back in the black, you can count on that.&nbsp; For now, I'd much rather enjoy a night on the town with you dancing to music that would be considered too loud and modern for the older crowd on the ship."<br><br>Vincent's gaze returned to Tony, his expression becoming more businesslike.&nbsp; "While on that topic, you're the last obstacle standing between me and a fun filled night with this lovely lady at my side.&nbsp; Did you bring what I asked for?"&nbsp; Tony rolled his eyes as though offended by the question while he unfastened a clasp around his waist and removed a small pack that had been hidden in the small of his back under his jacket.&nbsp; Vincent accepted the pack, flipping it open to look at its contents cross referencing it to the items on the list.&nbsp; Halfway through it, his expression became bewildered as most of the generic items on the list had been supplemented by the clinical strength versions on top of a few items that were not even on the list.&nbsp; Most likely as a need to keep the price reasonable.&nbsp; "I don't think I can afford all this.&nbsp; I was only allocated so much cash for these items and even at wholesale this is likely out of my price range." <br><br><em>"Consider it a belated Christmas and Birthday gift."</em>&nbsp; That reply had taken Vincent entirely by surprise and he made no attempt to hide it from his expression as he looked at his brother.&nbsp; Tony had always been a shrewd businessman and was not known for his generosity even when it came to family members.&nbsp; That was not to say he was entirely cold towards loved ones, though he always maintained that distant persona regardless of whom he was around, but he was the type to focus more upon the bottom line when it came to operating his branch of the family business. <br><br>"Wow, I'm at a loss... Thanks.&nbsp; Listen, we're pretty much done with our errands...&nbsp; Did you two want to tag along for a bit?"&nbsp; A side of Vince hoped they would accept his offer, but knew they wouldn't.&nbsp; It had been months since he'd seen any of his family and seeing them again realized just how much he had missed them.&nbsp; Given the fact that they ran this errand in person and gave him the supplies for free, the sentiment was mutual.&nbsp; <em>"Can't this time.&nbsp; Your duties may nearly be done, but we still have a lot to take care of still yet."</em>&nbsp; Vincent noticed Jacob deflate slightly with that and he could relate.&nbsp; "I figured as much, but still wanted to offer.&nbsp; I'm glad I got to see you two again.&nbsp; Make sure to give the rest of the family my love for me."&nbsp; After round of farewell hugs, the two groups went their separate ways.&nbsp; <br><br>Once they made it out of the alley, Vincent blushed slightly as he realized how that probably looked to Mae.&nbsp; "Sorry if they came off a little strong in the beginning there.&nbsp; Tony tends to be a little bit of an eccentric when it comes to business, even when it involves family.&nbsp; Good news though!&nbsp; We finally finished our shopping and we saved a lot more than expected!"&nbsp; Vincent was giddy knowing that the two of them almost had the rest of the day to themselves.&nbsp; Now they just needed to make a very quick trip to the Gamble and be out before they could get stuck with another job.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>26-07-2011, 06:52:30</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the raggedy girl – Eavesdown Docks – taking a chance=-</strong></div><br><em>A Dragonfly… speed class 4, total tonnage of 7,200 with a cargo capacity of 2,000, her fuel capacity would be</em> (with some quick calculation) <em>1,200 hours in the black – a safe 50 days and nights if they were fueled to the brim. Lots of room in there to hide, lots of crew to move things around on each other in case I knock something out of place. She’s got all 12 of her escape pods in place and not looking like they’d needed replacing, that’s a reassuring sign. A good prospect, wonder where she’s headed? Didn’t see her call sign… aha, the Gamble… hm, not exactly inspiring confidence… was her manifest even listed on the display earlier?</em><br><br>Biting her chapped lower lip in thought, she heard the backfire of a ground vehicle in front of the ship. Alarmed at the noise and curious about its source, she carefully snuck around the Gamble’s portside support struts, closer to the lowered cargo bay door. Hearing all kinds of noise – some sort of suction pump, the creak of machinery inside the bay above her, the bang of a door as someone exited the decrepit truck furthest out from the ramp – she crept toward the angled dock-door to peer inside, attempting to remain invisible to the tall dark-haired man strutting past her. Watching him look around, she glanced back at the truck, noting the bang of a tailgate. There was a partner… somewhat younger and disgruntled, he had the former man’s eyes and hair. Must be family. Family…<br><br>Cringing under the edge of the dock-door, she felt overwhelmed suddenly, her doubts and worries becoming heavier than simply about her survival and freedom. <em>Do I have family? If so, where are they? Am I running from them? Why would they have let this happen to me?</em> Her head unexpectedly spiked with the brilliant images of a small girl in long braids stirring batter in a large bowl with a wooden spoon, a portly woman with an apron nearby setting the dial on a squarish machine inset to the countertop of a sunshine filled room, everyone smiling. More disturbing than the immediacy of the startling image was the fact that she could not take in the details of their faces – they didn’t seem to have any.<br><br>She shuddered with pain.&nbsp; Silently retching, she leaned with her head between her knees, trying to breathe. Tears sprang to her eyes and she kept them closed until the visuals went away, her headache drilling back into place with a vengeance. Containing her whimper, she blinked her vision clear and stood, a hand uplifted to steady herself along the underside of the lowered door. Vaguely noting that her bosom hung free of her broken jumpsuit, she pulled the edges of the material together, cramming her breasts back against her chest. <em>Oh, I need rest. A cleaning crew inside, deliveries of goods for long-term flying, the crew freshly out on the ground from a recent romp in the black – the Gamble wasn’t going anywhere soon. Why not creep in and land myself a space for the taking? Just a little sleep, unseen and unheard… long as this headache goes away.</em><br><br>The debate was solved when she peeped around the edge of the door and recognized the goods sitting in a pile on the dock-door. Boxes of groceries, bulging bags of foodstuff, a huge canister of ground chicory coffee… <em>wo bu shin wo dah yan jing, all right there within reach. Fresh fruit!</em> The younger man was ducking out for another run to his truck while the older man discussed something with a couple of people up on the catwalk, hands gesturing and smiles all around as he seemed to deflate a little, somehow disappointed. <em>Everyone’s busy, distracted… move now!</em><br><br>She shook her hair around her face, holding her suit closed tightly with both hands before winding around the lower edge of the bay door, willing herself to appear unimportant. She moved with purpose right up to the tall stack of goods, her arms around a crate to hug it against her chest. Using this position to hide her flagrant state of half-undress, she ignored the pain under her feet, stepping as if weighted by work boots. Circuiting the bay and headed for the interior wall, she passed a uniformed worker busy with his pumps and filters, ignoring him and hoping he’d return the favor.<br><br>Keeping her eyes open for opportunity, she memorized the layout, estimating the arrangement above stairs. Carting the crate toward a rear staircase, she shot a half-hidden glance to the attractive people on the catwalk. When one of them lifted an eyebrow in her direction, she nodded sharply once with a heft to the crate, showing them just where she was setting things for their convenience, out of the way under the portside staircase (5L) nearer the galley. Turning away from them to conceal her appearance, she moved as if to get another crate, placing the Happy Suck machine between the crewmembers and her body. Timing her reappearance on the other side of the machine with a moment when the younger delivery man was just turning away to close up his truck, she moved for an oversized bag of fruit, carrying it up against her body awkwardly. Playing up its weight, she skirted the cleaner, providing any observers with the assumed scenario of a spill about to happen while concealing her torn open jumpsuit. Not once did she look up again, paranoid about being watched and acting as if everything she did was normal.<br><br>Careful to place her backside toward the space above where the two crewmembers had been just minutes ago, she leaned heavily over the bag of fruit, making certain the tie at the top had loosened from her unwieldy grasp. She laid the fruit atop her previous crate. Right on cue, one shiny rolling fruit later and she’d tucked a different one into the waist of her jumpsuit while chasing the distraction. Making a show of tucking it back into the bag safely just in case, she meandered back across cargo bay floor, this time underneath the platform that they had stood upon, watching the taller delivery guy leave. Holding her breath with fear, she ducked into a difficult space between the bulkhead and a secured stack of palettes, probably used for the moving and storage of more delicate items. Tucking herself as small as possible, she waited, listening for the machinery to disappear, for footsteps, for discovery. Wrapping her hand around the flesh of the fruit cradled at her waist, she leaned her head against the metal wall and relaxed.<br><br>*****<br><br>“<em>Wo bu shin wo dah yan jing</em>” – I don’t believe my eyes.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>26-07-2011, 09:35:05</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston, Captain – Streets of Persephone, looking to find a new catalyzer=-</strong></div><br>His fervent steps were laced with the emotional turmoil that stirred inside the captain of “The Gamble.” The foreign emotions that waged a silent war in his heart and mind drove his feet hurriedly towards his destination. <em>“Liu Kou Shui De Biao Zi He Hou Zi De Er Zi,”</em>&nbsp; he muttered to himself, his fists clenching at his sides as he replayed the scene between Lex and Sasha that he’d witnessed in the cargo bay. His imagination ran rampant as his mind attempted to interpret the subtle looks and touches the two had exchanged before he’d left. “Qiang bao hou-zi de Kai tze,” he growled again, drawing the curious stares of more than a few passersby. Glancing up in the direction of one of them he snarled and snapped, “What are you lookin at? Guan ni ziji de shi!”<br><br>He had never had a problem with Lex before. When the companion had first joined with his crew, Griff had made a point to let him know that he had no problems with his profession and wouldn’t interfere with his work should he decide to service clients on his ship. His only rule was that Lex restrict his work and his crafty wiles his cabin or off ship entirely. So far there had been no problems and the two had peacefully coexisted, but it seemed, at least to Griff, that Lex was clearly turning on his practiced charms and convincing Sasha to reciprocate in kind. This didn’t sit well with Griff… at all.<br><br>Cutting across the next alley up ahead, Griff arrived at his first stop. The tarnished old neon sign over the large door heralded <strong><em>Cast Offs</em></strong> to passersby. The condition of the sign itself suited the name of the establishment with the flickering neon lights and distinct buzzing sound that hummed through the air with a droning complaint and in desperate need of repair. He paused outside the shop with his hands on his hips as he glanced up at the battered sign with great amusement. The “S” at the end of “offs” hung crooked, leaving one to wonder if it was by design or about to fall to its doom. A deep, but soft chuckle vibrated from his chest as his keen eyes swept the general vicinity. There was something reassuring about the Cast family business that filled him with calm and quieted his unstable emotional state. Thinking of who would be waiting behind those grimy windows brought a wide and peaceful smile to his handsome face. Though they weren’t blood, they might as well be. <br><br>Jack Cast (http://popculturezoo.com/wp-content/gallery/leverages3/Leverage_Christian%20Kane_Ph-Gavin%20Bond_19593_001_2192_R_v1.jpg) had fought alongside Griff in the Unification War once Griff had turned on Independence. Younger and with a reckless streak, Jack was impulsive and had a rebellious attitude that often got him into trouble. There had been many a time when Griff had been there to pull his ass out of the fire.&nbsp; He liked Jack, even though he continuously got himself into jam after jam. After the war ended, when the browncoats had been forced to surrender, it was Jacks turn to help out his friend and Captain, serving as his mechanic for a while, until a replacement could be found. When Griff hired Hayes, Jack returned home to continue his life before the war.<br><br>Jack brought Griff home to his family, introducing him to his grandfather and showing him the delights hidden behind the rusted gates of the <strong><em>Cast Offs</em></strong> family business. He had been welcomed into the Cast family as one of their own and could still feel the warmth of the thankful hug from Jack’s mother. They had labeled him a hero, solely responsible for bringing their Jacky home to them in one piece. For that reason alone he would always be welcomed in their home.<br><br><hr><div align="center"><strong>-= Inside Cast Offs =-</strong></div><br>Shaking the melancholy from his mind, Griff gave another deep chuckle, finally reaching for the door handle. He gave it a quick tug causing the old, solid oak door to creek in loud protest.&nbsp; The bright daylight washed in behind his impressive physique, flooding the entrance with brilliant light teaming with the sunlit dust storm dancing in a brief display before fading back into obscurity. The place never changed. Parts for anything and everything that could be fixed or rebuilt were stacked in hazardous piles in every corner.<br><br>The sound of the door alerted an elderly lady that had taken refuge in the rear office. With shaking hands she placed them on the chairs arms and pushed her pudgy body from the mahogany chair with an audible groan, testing her balance before letting go of the edge of the paper strewed desk before her. “I’m comin’!” she called out, her voice showing the strain of her age as she shuffled across the cluttered room towards the main show room for the family second hand business.<br><br>“I got it Granny!” A younger woman (http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/2x3258408/portrait_of_a_beautiful_young_woman_is385-097.jpg) came jogging around the far wall which was lined with shelves filled with parts. She was a beautiful young woman with hair the color of flames and eyes that looked familiar. Reaching the counter, she looked up at Griff, her eyes filled with recognition as they become noticeably larger. “Oh, my god! Griffin is that you?! Griffin Kingston?!” Her face lit up as her hand shot up to cover her mouth with excitement. “Flashing the woman a warm smile that touched his eyes, Griff nodded, adding quietly, “Hello, Diane. You look amazing.” Running around the counter she flung herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. <br><br>“Where have you been, Griffin? You’ve been gone far too long!” Slipping from his neck she kissed his cheek, letting her hands slide down his arm and curling them into his. <br><br>"I've been around. Busy. Too busy. Is Jack around?" Griff's tone was soft and warm, almost apologetic for having been away for so long.<br><br>Giving his hands a squeeze Diane nodded with beamed a radiant smile before shouting to the back room. “Jack! You’re never gonna guess who just showed up!” <br><br>Already Granny had eased herself back into her comfy leather high-back chair, too tired to be bothered with company. Griff heard an old storm door spring squeak open before slamming shut again. A man’s voice was heard, “Janie, give me that before you scare the customers.” The sound of tiny booted footsteps running towards the front counter preceded an adorable little girl in braids. Running up to Diane, the little girl pulled out a toy, plastic gun and pointed it at Griff. “Get your hands off my mommy, mister!” She threatened with an adorable scowl on her face. Griff feigned alarm and pulled his hands from Diane’s putting them in the air. “Please, don’t shoot me!” He said in mock terror. <br><br>Just then, Jack came around the corner and froze in his steps as a big smile slowly spread across his face. “Well, I’ll be damned. Griffin Kingston…” <br><br>Without breaking character, Griff pointed down at the little girl holding him at gun point and coolly replied, “Jack… Janie’s got a gun.” <br><br>Walking over to where Janie stood, Jack knelt down and picked her up. Setting her on the counter top, he took the gun from her hands and stuffed it in his back pocket. “What have I told you about pointing that thing at customers,” he asked in a scolding tone. <br><br>“Not to,” she answered with a pout, crossing her arms over her chest.<br><br>Jack turned to his friend and wrapped him in a tight, manly hug, both of the slapping each other on the back. “Where the hell have you been, you old dog,” Jack asked as he pulled from the hug.<br><br>Diane moved over to Janie and scooped her from the counter into her arms. “Janie, this man saved your daddy’s life a long time ago, before you were born.” The little girl’s expression softened as she looked at Griff. <br><br>“Thank you mister, for saving my daddy’s life,” she replied in a rehearsed tone. <br><br>Griff smiled and gave Jack another help slap on the back. “You’re welcome, princess. I knew he had to come home and be your daddy.” Hold out his hand to the little girl, he added softly. “My name’s Griffin, but you can just call me Griff if you like.”<br><br>The little girl’s smile grew and she nodded. “Okay, Griff,” she said with enthusiasm.&nbsp; <br><br>Everyone laughed as they caught up a little bit, Diane equally involved in the conversations. Eventually Diane took Janie and left to tend to other errands that had be taken care of that day. Jack and Griff came back to the topic of business when Jack asked, “So what brings you this way, Griff?” <br><br>Slipping the rucksack from his back, he set it on the counter and opened it up. Reaching inside, he grabbed the catalyzer and pulled it out, setting it on the counter for Jack to see. “I’m here for one of these.”<br><br>Jack glanced at the part and then back up to Griff. A slow smile slinked into place on Jack’s face and he crossed one arm over his chest, stroking his chin with his other hand. “Ah, you need a carburetor,” Jack asked pointedly.<br><br>Griff looked at the part for a long moment and tried to remember what it was called, but no matter how hard he tried, he could recall. Finally, he nodded and plastered on his best smile.<br><br>“Griffin Kingston! Carburetors don’t go in spaceships you big lug! I can’t believe you captain your own ship and still can’t tell an ancient car part from a part in your very own ship! Get your ass back here and let’s go find you a part!” Griff joined in with Jack’s laughter as the two of them set off into the bowels of <em>Cast Offs.</em><br><br><hr><br>Liu Kou Shui De Biao Zi He Hou Zi De Er Zi, = Son of a drooling whore and a monkey <br>Qiang bao hou-zi de Kai tze = monkey raping male companion<br>Guan ni ziji de shi = mind your own business<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NiceTexasGuy</strong> on <strong>26-07-2011, 15:49:46</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Stephen McPherson, security guy - On Persephone with Si and Sasha, in the back room of The Best Little Hot House in Town, meeting Ferret about a job ~</strong></div><br>McPherson reminded himself his role was not to follow these negotiations, but to provide security for the First Officer should negotiations go south.&nbsp; Still, it would be interesting to watch how Dearing conducted herself ... and he was more than a little curious about the glamour model running a criminal enterprise out of a florist shop.&nbsp; <br><br><em>To lift an autumn hair is no sign of great strength; to see the sun and moon is no sign of sharp sight; to hear the noise of thunder is no sign of a quick ear.</em><br><br>Did Ferret really think she could intimidate them by revealing the location of a captain who was making no effort to hide his movements, or surprise them with the fact she had a big guy with a gun hiding in the shadows?&nbsp; <br><br><em>All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.</em><br><br>It wasn't the man in the shadows who showed himself Steve was concerned with.&nbsp; It was the men he couldn't see.&nbsp; <em>If I was workin' for her, where would I be hidin' now?</em>&nbsp; There were several possible locations.&nbsp; The room was hardly a showcase for "Office Beautiful" magazine, and it made sense.&nbsp; Here was this woman who probably never appeared anywhere with a hair out of place, yet this space where she made business deals looked as if it were little more than an unkempt storeroom.&nbsp; Definitely out of character, and obviously done on purpose, to provide plenty of cover and concealment for her own security guys during negotiations like this. If shooting started, they'd be humped.<br>&nbsp; <br><em>The crate labeled decorative stone, that's where I'd be, somethin' to provide a bit of protection against incoming fire.</em>&nbsp; Then he realized his mistake.&nbsp; Chun ... Gou cao de Chun! Just because that's what the crate was labeled didn't mean that's what was in the crate.&nbsp; In fact, that could be part of the deception.&nbsp; A distraction for someone just like him, drawing his attention away from other less-likely hiding places.&nbsp; One doesn't get to be head of a large criminal empire by laying all his (or her) cards on the table.&nbsp; <br><br><em>All warfare is based on deception.</em><br><br>For now, his "contingency" consisted of throwing himself against Dearing and knocking her toward the door through which they had just entered.&nbsp; Yes, it wasn't much of a plan, and he'd have to work on it.&nbsp; Still ... <em>a good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.</em><br><br>Trouble was, it wasn't even a good plan.<br><br>Then things got a little worse.&nbsp; Dearing stepped up to the workbench in a move calculated to invade Ferret's space. As a negotiation tactic, it was good.&nbsp; From a security standpoint, it was bad.&nbsp; So much for Plan A.<br><br>McPherson shot a glace to his "partner" to see if he could tell what Simon was thinking.<br><br>---------------<br><br>Chun - dumbass<br>Gou cao de&nbsp; Chun - dog-humping dumbass
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>27-07-2011, 04:43:42</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong> ~ Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- drooling over Vincent as they get ready for a night of temptingly naughty fun (or perhaps that's just what she wants to happen), still plantetside on Persephone&nbsp; ~</strong></div><br><br>Silently mouthing... <em>three brothers and four sisters</em>, Mae temporarily became distracted when the Kincaid Clan Gift was revealed, or part of it was, leaving the last of the list enticingly blank.&nbsp; Attempting to solve the puzzle put forth by Vincent's younger brother, Mae stood with her hip cocked to one side, twisting strands of her long blond hair around her finger, lost in thought. A wicked smile played on her lips as images began to form in her overactive imagination. It was only the sound of his older brother's voice, sharp, questioning, and demanding the reason for Vincent's return, acting the part of the pin to her private bubble that had the young polite snapping to attention. It captured Mae's attention, bringing her back to the conversation going on in that dark almost abandoned alley.&nbsp; She wanted to know what dangers might be waiting for the man she had unwittingly allowed into her heart. His well-being was more important to her than a night out on the town.&nbsp; Simply put, <strong>he</strong> was important. <br><br>Her eyes switched their focus from one brother to the next as she listened intently; trying her best to determine what manner of ill will may lay in wait seeking to extract its revenge. It would seem, however, that Vincent didn't feel the possibility of an upcoming threat, was that great, imaginary or not, nor did he seem to want her to know much about it. Unfortunately for him, Mae had heard more than enough to consider letting the subject drop. Though there was a time and a place for everything, a lesson Mae had learned the hard way, she had finally begun to see the benefit to a carefully laid plan.&nbsp; Smiling up at Vincent as he returned to her side and slipped his strong arm around her lower back, she took a willing step closer to him pressing her body against his.<br><br><strong>"It's just a short shore leave for the crew. We've been traveling around for weeks straight so we came here for supplies and a little R&amp;R. Our arrival is unscheduled and we'll be lifting off by morning. I'll be gone before I am even noticed.”&nbsp; </strong> <br><br>Mae watched as the brothers exchanged a silent communication, no doubt an agreement to keep her in the dark. Oh what little the Kincaid brothers knew of a determined woman. They actually thought they could keep her from finding out there little secret, the thought almost made her laugh aloud. Instead she chose to smile warmly, purring as she stroked her fingers along Vincent's chest, fluttering her long eyelashes as she flirted openly with the man that unknowingly held her heart. <br><br><strong>"Though I'll certainly be taking you up on that offer for strip poker once we're back in the black, you can count on that. For now, I'd much rather enjoy a night on the town with you dancing to music that would be considered too loud and modern for the older crowd on the ship." </strong> <br><br>Struggling with her own thoughts, Mae slowly nodded her head, accepting his response for the time being. "Fine, we'll do it your way for now. But if I so much as catch the tiniest hint that you might be in trouble we are heading back to the ship, no arguments!”&nbsp; To emphasize her point the determined young spitfire poked Vincent in the belly with a slim finger slightly harder than what might be considered playful, all the while smiling as sweetly as she knew how. <br><br>As the conversation between the brothers continued Mae felt her hold on Vincent waver, allowing him the freedom to step from her side to accept the small box of medical supplies that had brought them to this eerie back alley in the first place. It was more than obvious that his brothers thought the world of him; the level of care that was cleverly hidden under macho pride made Mae smile. A lump caught in her throat as the oldest of the three, who had been playing the straight man in the brother's reunion, let his hard as nails persona slip long enough to show just how much he cared about his brother. Giving away a small fortune in illicit drugs may seem like an odd thing to do, but not to someone trying to protect someone they love, even when they couldn't be there personally to do it. <br><br>They money they had saved on the medicine didn't enter Mae's mind one bit, in fact she wouldn't care if they didn't see a penny of it. So caught up in the love of this family, Mae couldn't help but think about her own. Did they miss her? Did they stay up nights wondering what had become of her? Her heart swelled with the need to know, however a voice in the back of her mind scoffed at the idea. Had they cared about her at all, they would have tried to contact her by now, but she had heard nothing from them for nearly two years now. She knew without a single doubt that if her father had wanted to find her he would have. No stone would have been left unturned; no contact would have been missed. <em>Well now, that answers your question then doesn't it? </em> Shaking her head, Mae refused to give into the negativity these thoughts inevitably spawned. Distraction was the key, and what better distraction than the one that was staring her in the face. She was planetside with Vincent and determined to make it a night they both would never forget.<br><br>As she patiently waited for Vincent to say his good byes to his brothers, Mae smiled thanking them with a soft politeness she wasn't known for. If she didn't know any better she might have accused herself of trying to give a good impression. A smirk tugged at her lips as her thoughts turned to something more amusing, and she had to resist the urge to giggle, which only threatened to erupt in a playful gigglesnort. Just knowing that she actually cared what his brothers thought of her said more about her true feelings for Vince than she was comfortable with. To mask her confusion, she turned to humour, as she often did.<br><br>It wasn't long before they were on the move again with Vincent smiling down at her. He looked adorable with the soft blush kissing his cheeks, touched by a slight embarrassment. In fact, he looked so adorable that she had to fight the urge that tested her will, begging her to pull him down to meet her lips, capturing him with a deeply passionate kiss.&nbsp; Perhaps it was her hearts way to speak the truth, however her mind was still in charge, allowing her to believe that she could ever be loved so thoroughly. It was simple to take pleasure in the arms of a stranger; they didn't expect anything from her but a good time. Instinct told her Vincent would be different and she knew she wouldn't be able to endure being rejected by him. It was safer to keep things light, playful, away from real feelings. Ironically Mae had never chosen the easy trail in life before. Normally she took life as it came, meeting it head on with enthusiasm and a strong will. In everything but the affairs of her heart, life had already shown her how easily the emotion of love could be tossed away.<br><br><strong>"Sorry if they came off a little strong in the beginning there. Tony tends to be a little bit of an eccentric when it comes to business, even when it involves family. Good news though! We finally finished our shopping and we saved a lot more than expected!"</strong><br><br>Taking the opportunity to snuggle into his side, Mae encouraged Vincent's arm to snake across her body in a tight hold as she playfully walked her fingers up along his chest. Her smile was uber sweet though not quite matching the jovial glimmer that danced in her eyes. Resting her head on his strong broad shoulder, Mae asked a question she had already suspected the answer to. The idea of teasing him however was far too much fun, and so she tried her best to get him to answer, confirming her suspicions.&nbsp; "Vinnie? About that list your brother was telling me about..." Mae began, pausing for effect, keeping her tone breathlessly soft "...what's the third thing?” Trying her best not to giggle she fluttered her lashes as she continued her line of questioning. "I'd love to learn all about the Kincaid Clan and everything that has been handed down to you, every....last....succulent....inch."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>28-07-2011, 01:39:32</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Making a quick delivery to The Gamble – Persephone=-</strong></div><br>Vincent felt a warm sense of relief when his apology for the misleading encounter was met simply by Mae leaning closer into him.&nbsp; A sensation he had hoped to experience from a horizontal position on more than one occasion.&nbsp; It hadn't been happenstance that he arranged for siblings to meet with him rather than one of a dozen other contacts for what they needed.&nbsp; Of course one of the primary reasons was to ensure he maintained his anonymity while getting a chance to see his family again.&nbsp; However brief it may have been.&nbsp; But a part of him wanted to give Mae a chance to get a little further into his world in a sense that was more meaningful than playful banter or even meaningful conversations.<br><br><em>"Vinnie?"</em><br><br>"Hmmm?"&nbsp; He responded quizzically with a gentle rumble in his chest an throat. <br><br><em>"About that list your brother was telling me about..."</em><br><br>Vincent blinked in bewilderment as he tried to recall what she was referring to, his stride steadily carrying the two towards the Gamble that was now clearly in sight.&nbsp; The pause made him anxious, wondering if she was about to ask him what sort of danger was after him or a number of other questions that related to his shady past.&nbsp; He suspected that such a conversation was inevitable now that she was on the trail of it, but such serious matters would only put a damper on their night out.<br><br><em>" ...what's the third thing?"</em><br><br>His brow furrowed, still not comprehending what she was talking about.&nbsp; An instant later it came to him in a rush, nearly causing him to stumble as he finally realized the context of the question.&nbsp; Once again, he felt his cheeks become superheated while stammering out nonsensical sounds as his mind struggled to regain footing.<br><br><em>"I'd love to learn all about the Kincaid Clan and everything that has been handed down to you, every....last....succulent....inch."</em><br><br>That visual gave a solid anchor for his thoughts as he pictured a wide variety of suggestive meanings behind those words.&nbsp; It was enough to coax a shuddering sigh from his lungs as the imaginary images brought about a very real sense of pleasure and need.&nbsp; Turning his head so that his devious gaze met hers out of the corner of his eye, he decided to return the favor.&nbsp; "Play your cards right tonight and you stand a very good chance of learning every... intimate... detail about the various physical traits I've inherited."&nbsp; Slowly and sensually, his tongue slipped from between his lips to wet them before returning to his mouth as it curled into a suggestive grin.&nbsp; &nbsp;"Of course, that's only if I get the same opportunity to <em>thoroughly</em> explore what lies within your genes."&nbsp; Naturally the last word was a double entendre for a similarly sounding word with different spelling.<br><br>A few minutes of struggling to keep their libidos in check, they had reached The Gamble.&nbsp; "Good, the groceries are already here.&nbsp; No need to prove&nbsp; that we've finished that task."&nbsp; Vincent's eyes moved to the emblem on the other truck and chuckled at the name.&nbsp; One of the many constants about him was his love for innocently juvenile humor.&nbsp; Griff and Sasha have learned to watch their phrasing around Vincent, especially during more tense briefings.&nbsp; No matter how dire the situation, it is impossible for him to contain an audible snicker whenever he hears the word 'duty'.<br><br>Much of the view to the cargo bay was obstructed by the trucks parked in the opening and he couldn't tell if the others had returned from their missions.&nbsp; The last thing he wanted was to get stuck with another chore that would only push back the couple's plans.&nbsp; As they stood&nbsp; just inside the ship's threshold, Vincent quickly spotted Lex and Dani on the walkway above.&nbsp; "Wait here, I'll drop this off before anybody gets a chance to stick us with more work."&nbsp; With a wink Vincent all but sprinted into the ship, carried by long strides.&nbsp; Halfway to the stairs, he slung his pack off his shoulders and dropped it against a stack of boxes without slowing.&nbsp; The contents were nothing more than a few snacks and sweets that he had purchased for himself, but were otherwise not expensive enough to worry about taking the extra minute or two to deliver it to his room at the moment.&nbsp; He dashed up the stairs taking them two or even three at a time until he reached the top and slid to a halt just before the two onlookers.&nbsp; With a smile, Vincent offered out the small pack of medical supplies and the pouch containing the unspent money they had been allotted to Dani.&nbsp; "Here you go, we got everything marked on the list and then some."&nbsp; The moment she had the items in hand, his smile widened as he struggled to contain his excitement before turning and sprinting the way he had come.&nbsp; He all but jumped down the stairs calling back behind him without looking back.&nbsp; "Have fun you two, we're off to the city.&nbsp; Catch you later."<br><br>Vincent slowed only for a moment once he reached Mae and took her hand.&nbsp; "Quick!&nbsp; Before they have a chance to relay any messages!"&nbsp; Laughing playfully along the way, the two made their expedient escape from the ship.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>29-07-2011, 04:36:04</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- drooling over Vincent as they make their escape for a night full of temptingly naughty fun, still plantetside on Persephone ~</strong></div><br><br><br>There wasn't another person in all of the black that Mae wanted to spend time with. Vince was more than a handsome face to Mae; he was funny, sweet, and completely adorable and she was absolutely and totally smitten with him. That much she would admit to herself.<br><br><strong> "Play your cards right tonight and you stand a very good chance of learning every... intimate... detail about the various physical traits I've inherited."&nbsp; </strong> <br><br>Walking beside the man that frequented her fantasies Mae's eyes followed his tongue as it slowly slipped from his lips, capturing her attention as it dampened his very kissable lips before disappearing from sight. She caught herself before almost sighing aloud, disguising the wanton sound by clearing her throat. <br><br>Caught up with the sensual teasing Mae almost missed her chance to return the flirtatious banter that easily played between the two, entertaining them both and in most cases the crew. <br><br><strong>"Of course, that's only if I get the same opportunity to thoroughly explore what lies within your genes." </strong> <br><br>The idea of Vincent taking liberties with her body had Mae smiling wickedly as she looked over at her playful partner, smoothing one hand along the soft swell of her hips to capture his eye and draw his attention to the elegant hourglass of her figure. "Silly Vinnie, I'm not wearing any jeans but you're welcome to get into my knickers if you like.” Her eyes glittered with amusement as her laughter tickled his ear, wrapping around his senses, stroking him in all the right places. They continued to tease each other with clever word play as they navigated the growing crowds of Persephone, testing the waters with subtle touches and caresses. With The Gamble standing proudly in the distance and growing larger with each step, Mae couldn't help but wish Vince had taken her up on the offer to spend the night in side its metal protection. Not just to assure his safety, but to avoid any further delay. She wanted to be with him right now, the time for waiting had come and gone.&nbsp; <br><br>As they grew closer to the ship Mae recognized the name on the decrepit transport that was parked just behind a bright yellow one happily announcing its joy of sucking. Mae snorted with amusement as she pointed to the truck and smiled looking up at her escort. “I wonder if they have shirts. I think it would be good advertising and I for one would love to be a happy sucker.” Giggling, Mae playfully bumped Vincent's hip with her own before nearing the mouth of the great ship.<br><br><strong>"Wait here, I'll drop this off before anybody gets a chance to stick us with more work."</strong> <br><br>Mindlessly nodding as Vincent requested her to stay put, Mae's keen eyes quickly caught the movement just outside of the enormous ship. Normally she might have given him a hard time, teasing him by suggesting that he find a way to <strong>make</strong> her stay put, however she was more interested in staying invisible to the brother team that had arrived to deliver the food.&nbsp; It wasn't that the men were unattractive or even ill equipped to flirt and tease, a pass time that Mae very much adored, she simply didn't want a single thing to come between her time alone with Vincent. She had waited far too long to get this chance, almost tasting the fun that was now within her grasp. In a few moments they would be free of all responsibility, making their time theirs.<br><br>Mae watched as Vincent mounted the ship's loading bay, taking the stairs to where Dani and Lex stood side by side. Her lips curled into a soft smile as she openly admired his backside, allowing a soft moan to bubble from her throat. She had been lost in her own thought, so when the sound of another voice suddenly penetrated the veil of her fantasy, Mae jumped, grasping at the necklace she had permanently wrapped around her neck.&nbsp; She hadn't noticed the young Man's approach, so it had come as a shock to her when he reached out his hand in an attempt to gain her attention.<br><br>"Hey, um, hi" Drake Miller" the young man called out showing an enthusiastic welcome "do you remember me? I helped you guys make a food order!” Almost groaning aloud, Drake nervously ran his fingers through his hair and shifted the box that he had been holding. Mae smiled and nodded her head "sure I do" she replied, careful to keep her tone free from anything that might be considered flirtatious.&nbsp; Noticing Vincent heading back from delivering the meds and credits, Mae added as gently as she could "it was nice meeting you, thanks for getting our order together so fast". The last thing Mae wanted was to end up with a third party to her adventure with the very sexy Mr. Kincaid.&nbsp; <br><br>Moving to meet Vincent half way, Mae giggled as Vincent took her hand, playfully tugging her along with him as the two made a quick get away from the docks. She easily kept up with his long strides, ignoring the rise of her already short skirt as its soft material kissed the tops of her thighs. Thankful she wasn't wearing heels, Mae laughed as she rounded a corner leaving The Gamble and its crew far behind. "Where are we going?” she asked giggling and giddy with excitement. "Wait Vinnie, did you bring the radio? I don't have mine" laughing she added "no pockets.”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>30-07-2011, 01:14:34</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Ferret – Back room of her floral shop – talking business with Sasha =-</strong></div><br>A smug grin was afforded to Si at his reply to her greeting. She liked the way the retired Rear Admiral handled himself, the way he dressed, and the way he quickly returned her fire. Letting her gaze linger on him a little longer than was needed, Ferret pulled her focus back to Sasha. <br><br>The confident, young woman was not only very easy on the eyes, but she possessed a certain aura to her that commanded respect. In fact, Sasha very much reminded Ferret of herself when she was a younger woman and still working as a Companion. She had taken a liking to the stunning brunette from the day that Griff had introduced them. <br><br>Listening intently as Sasha began, Ferret reclined in her comfortably worn old office chair, resting her elbows on the faded, brown leather arm rests. As her steely blue eyes bore into the young woman before her, she steepled her fingers, bringing her index fingers to rest gently against her soft, lush lips painted a vibrant shade of crimson.<br><br><strong>“Well fuck me silly, Ferret. I thought for sure you must be more’n bored with the same-ole same-ole, so I brought you some fresh meat to tantalize those beautiful eyes of yours.” </strong><br><br>Her words held as much attitude as the young woman communicated with her body language, a quality that Ferret admired in a person, unless the deliver was off and she found it more offensive than amusing. It was a dangerous game of cat and mouse that Sasha played with the older woman. She was all too aware that those who landed on Ferret’s bad side would, at the very least, be blacklisted, making it damn near impossible to find any work on Persephone. Those who found themselves at the top of Ferret’s shit list eventually found themselves without their head, or adrift in the black minus a ship to drift in. Ferret’s reputation preceded her; she was not a woman to be trifled with. So as Sasha retorted in her typical manner, treating the woman who was at least twenty years her senior as though she were one of her own subordinates, a dangerous smirk flitted across her elegant features. <br><br>At Sasha’s prompting, Ferret shifted her eyes back to Steve again, considering the younger woman’s words only briefly. She held her gaze fixed on Steve, giving the illusion of genuine interest in the big man as Sasha continued.<br><br><strong>“Ain’t he somethin?&nbsp; Oh, and thank you for letting me know where the Cap’n got off to, I was wondering what peck o’ trouble he might be fixin’ to get mixed up in since I last saw him.”</strong><br><br>A subtle nod of her head accompanied a quiet confirmation of Sasha’s words, “Mmm.” Making a move towards Ferret, Sasha leaned her lithe frame over the workbench where Ferret’s current project sat. Finding the younger woman’s new posturing both appealing yet unfavorable, Ferret looked up into Sasha’s pretty blue eyes with an inexplicably displeased expression. She let her own blue eyes follow the fall of her silky dark hair over the gentle swell of a soft, full breast. Tilting her head slightly to one side, she patiently waited for Sasha to conclude her carefully orchestrated verbal affront.<br><br><strong>“However, my beautiful peng you, if this is truly an unexpected visit then I’ve got no time for fang zong feng kuang de jie, and the Cap’n’s gonna be mighty unhappy to learn he’s been misinformed about a certain opportunity.”</strong><br><br>Just to be certain the younger woman was indeed finished, Ferret waited a few measures after Sasha finished her dialogue little speech. Satisfied that the other woman was done, Ferret plastered on her most convincing, graceful smile and let her steepled fingers fall away from her mouth. She slowly pushed herself from her chair and leaned over the workbench, mirroring Sasha's pose. Her dark snakeskin jacket parted at her bust as she leaned over, revealing her own soft, full breasts partially encased in a sexy, lacy demi bra.<br><br>“Fang zong feng kuang de jie?” She feigned a hurtful pout, shaking her head in a disapproving manner. “Tsk tsk tsk tsk. My dear Sasha,” she said, her voice dangerously smooth and calm, like silk sheets sliding sensually against a woman’s delicate curves. “I think you are forgetting who you’re dealing with, Bao bei.” Reaching out with one slender hand, Ferret gently brushed back the offending pony tail from Sasha’s breast. Letting her fingers lightly graze the soft swell of flesh there, Ferret’s eyes once again fell to the deliciously sloping curves of Sasha’s bosom. “You’re going about this all wrong," she said as she smiled sweetly, looking into her eyes once more. "A beautiful woman such as you would do much better for herself, and her compatriots, to play nice with me. I assure you it would be in your best interest.” <br><br>Carefully tossing the younger woman’s pony tail back over her shoulder, Ferret reached out and gently palmed Sasha’s cheek, gently caressing her pretty face. “Otherwise, the Cap’n’s gonna be mighty unhappy to learn his overzealous first officer got him blacklisted from ever finding work on Persephone again. So, whatta’ya say, Bao bei hu li jing? Can we play nice, or do I have to make things ugly for you and yours?”<br><br><hr><br>bao bei = darling<br>bao bei hu li jing = darling vixen<br>Fang zong feng kuang de jie = A knot of self-indulgent lunacy
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>30-07-2011, 16:55:47</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer of the Gamble - On Persephone with Si and Steve, in the back room of The Best Little Hot House in Town, negotiating with Ferret about a job ~</strong></div><br>Although a number of years past her prime, Ferret was still a strikingly beautiful older woman. However, her own mature beauty was effortlessly overshadowed when displayed too closely to the much younger beautiful woman in front of her, her supple body and flawless youthful skin naturally drawing the eye away from the waning glory of the forty-something woman’s allure.&nbsp; Time was no friend to a woman’s beauty.<br><br>Sasha contained a warm chuckle within her throat as she carefully watched and listened to the woman react to her opening shot, her senses taking in all of the woman’s subtle cues as well as her overt actions. Ferret was good - <em>very</em> good. She would expect no less from the former Companion and merciless criminal. But this weren’t her first time at the rodeo. Sasha had years of experience at navigating tough negotiations, and more often than not she emerged from seemingly intractable confrontations as the victor. Sasha excelled at intuitively knowing just where and how to deliver a strike, and just how far to take things in any given direction.&nbsp; A little sting of pain followed by a generous dose of pleasure was often the perfect combination to achieve what she desired.<br><br><strong>“I think you are forgetting who you’re dealing with, Bao bei.”</strong><br><br>Sasha acknowledged the warning rattle of the snake who was well within striking distance of her tender flesh with no more than a slight tilt of her head, continuing to play the dangerous game of snake-charmer fearlessly.&nbsp; As the older woman’s hand slithered toward her to brush her ponytail back over her shoulder, Sasha leaned almost imperceptibly forward against the woman’s brush of fingertips, instead of flinching away from her touch.<br><br><strong>“You’re going about this all wrong. A beautiful woman such as you would do much better for herself, and her compatriots, to play nice with me. I assure you it would be in your best interest.” </strong><br><br>Ferret lifted her palm to caress the younger woman’s cheek, and Sasha allowed her lingering touch. She herself often infringed upon the other person’s personal space during a confrontation; such a touch was a gently aggressive maneuver designed to communicate power, no matter how softly that touch was delivered. And ever since...well, for about a year now, Sasha had danced a dark dance with aggression and violence and was in some ways deeply addicted to the adrenaline rush those emotions provided. In a one-on-one confrontation - with only herself to suffer any consequences - she might have allowed her own propensity for combativeness off-leash, would have indulged in savoring the intoxicating rush of untempered aggression. But...as it stood she was responsible for the safety and well being of the entire crew of the Gamble, and every action she took, every decision she made - that responsibility weighed in heavily, tightly constraining what choices and actions she could make.<br><br><strong>“Otherwise, the Cap’n’s gonna be mighty unhappy to learn his overzealous first officer got him blacklisted from ever finding work on Persephone again. So, whatta’ya say, Bao bei hu li jing? Can we play nice, or do I have to make things ugly for you and yours?”</strong><br><br>Sasha lifted her own hand to cover Ferret’s hand where it lingered against her face, letting her palm curve over hers for a few moments in subtle dominance, before slowly removing the older woman’s fingers from her cheek without releasing her hold on her hand.&nbsp; Turning her hips sideways against the workbench while still facing Ferret, Sasha slid one lithe thigh up to lounge on the workbench top, one cheek of her backside resting atop the wood and her foot dangling casually below, her other booted heel pressing into the floor to provide stability in her casually provocative position. <br><br>The soft drape of black lace whispered across her legs as her movement caused her dress to partially fall away from covering her legs, the parted fabric revealing an enticing expanse of the smooth whiteness of her shapely legs, the barely seen tease of the black fabric of her panties almost visible at the apex of her thighs.&nbsp; Bringing the older woman’s hand to rest on her partially lace-covered thigh, Sasha idly stroked along the top of Ferret’s hand, her fingertip trailing lightly up and down the woman’s arm as she traced the slightly raised trail of a delicate vein, then circled softly around a darkened spot near her wrist.&nbsp; <br><br>“I do love how wonderful you are with your flowers, Ferret.” The younger woman spoke softly, letting a sultry tone shape her words. “They are so beautiful and bring such pleasure.”&nbsp; Not taking her eyes off the older woman’s hand, Sasha continued to lightly caress Ferret’s skin, her fingertips barely touching her as she slowly stroked along her arm and hand, gliding her fingertips up and then brushing down with just the tips of her fingernails.&nbsp; “It’s such a shame, though, to be forced to witness their beauty fade - don’t you think? Personally, I prefer to replace a bouquet before their exquisite blooms have started to wither, before their delicious perfume has soured. To enjoy them only at their peak. There are, after all, always fresh flowers available to replace them, hmm?” A cutting smile ghosted across her lips as she raised Ferret’s hand to her mouth, softly pressing her full lips to the woman’s fingertips, opening her mouth ever so slightly to allow a hint of the moist warmth within to caress against her skin as she softly kissed then released her hand.<br><br>“But, I digress.” Slipping gracefully off the workbench, Sasha casually walked around it to stand in front of Ferret without the piece of furniture between them. “In answer to your question, there’s certainly no need for ugliness, Ferret, especially in the presence of such beauty as yours.&nbsp; Of <em>course</em> I want to...play nice...with you.”&nbsp; Sasha reached her hand up to stroke the woman’s soft hair as she spoke, letting the silken strands drag softly through her fingertips as the back of her hand brushed against the side of the woman’s slender neck and down over the soft swell of her breast. Letting her spread fingertips linger lightly over Ferret’s exposed sensitive skin sensuously rising and falling above her bra, Sasha prowled behind the woman with deliberate slowness. Pulling out Ferret’s chair with a gallant flourish, Sasha gestured invitingly to the comfortable seat. “Please, make yourself comfortable. Shall we continue to discuss our mutually beneficial relationship? I’m sure you’ve got more important people to see, and I’d hate to take up too much of your time.”<br><br>While standing behind Ferret, Sasha’s gaze slid to Si for a brief moment gauging his alertness and temperament. She knew Ferret was beautiful and bewitching, but she hoped the man who was so close to the older woman’s age didn’t hold a fascination with Ferret.&nbsp; Sasha knew well enough that sometimes simply the allure of what was off-limits was enough to draw a person inexorably toward it. But a no doubt ill-fated liaison between the untrustworthy and treacherous Ferret and one of her crew would be much too dangerous - for them all.&nbsp; Glancing at Steve briefly as well, Sasha wondered what the man was making of his first experience as a member of her crew.<br><br>Bringing her attention fully back to Ferret again, Sasha was eager to get the details about the job and be on their way. It’d been a long span of time since their last evening of free downtime planetside, and she found herself very much looking forward to spending some relaxing time unwinding from her normally austere persona which she held herself to as First Officer. Gui, it’d actually be nice to spend a some casual time with her crew. There’d been some subtle nuances she’d been picking up lately from Si that she’d like to explore a bit. And then of course there was the new guy...McPherson. She definitely wanted to spend some time with him, find out what kind of man he really was.&nbsp; And she had no doubt that her crew was more than ready themselves to let loose with a bit of fun. Even Si.<br><br>Smiling brilliantly at Ferret as she leaned back against the workbench, elbows bent and supporting her casually as she rested her upper body against the tabletop, legs crossed at the ankle, Sasha encouragingly prompted the woman to conclude the business at hand without affronting her in the process.&nbsp; “So tell me, my beautiful hu li jing, how may we be of service?”<br><br><br><em>Gui = Hell<br>hu li jing = vixen</em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>30-07-2011, 20:06:38</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - watching the roses snag on each others' thorns - Ferret's hothouse, Persephone=-</strong></div><br>It seemed highly unlikely to Simeon that anyone in the room - the new guy and any of Ferret's goons who were watching included - could possibly have missed either the slight Sasha threw at their hostess via metaphor or the scandalous method by which it was delivered. He had known seduction was on the table for negotiating tactics the moment he saw her choice of outfit back on The Gamble, but taking it in this particular direction, the public aspect of it and, more importantly, the disrespect it demonstrated, that he had not expected. His role was not that of deal-maker for the crew, but the veteran found himself increasingly concerned about the safety of their excursion the longer Sasha's paper-thin flower comparison went on. If he hadn't known better he might have thought the woman was <em>trying</em> to egg Ferret into attack them, but they didn't stand to profit from that either in the short or long term, so what would be the point? Sasha was reckless at times, and quick-tempered, but rarely went in quite that self-destructive a direction, at least where the rest of the crew was involved or could see her do it. Still, he could feel tension gathering in his shoulders - and other places - over the seemingly simple gesture of that hand leading a hand across a thigh that was so filled with implications, good and bad alike.<br><br>Still he waited, patiently, until he caught a glance from McPherson. He didn't make a grand gesture of it, but when he was certain the other man could see him do it he took a few steps farther away from both of his fellow crew members, moving to put his back relatively close to one corner of the room to make sure he could cover the rest of it. If there was some false wall or other trickery behind him, well, that couldn't be helped. He would put himself in the best position he could to cover what was visible and at least somewhat predictable. The unexpected would have to be just that.<br><br>The view, for instance. The view was unexpected. With his thoughts focused on security during the actual movement, Simeon hadn't considered how that small shift in position would alter what he could see of his First Officer at work. In a word: <em>more</em>. It was only a glimpse, a flash of black and flesh and black again as she swept off the desktop, but it was enough. It was, in point of fact, far more than enough.<br><br><em>There are, after all, always fresh flowers available.</em><br><br>He was a stone. His face held solid, his posture impeccable, unshaken by all surface appearances. If not for the dust still clinging to various parts of his outfit he could have been a high-class mannequin for all the weakness he demonstrated in response to the display taking place at the center of everyone's attention. And yet...<br><br><em>Of course I want to <strong>play nice</strong> with you.</em><br><br>And yet the metaphor carrying on was not lost on him - indeed, he doubted it was lost on anyone any more than it had been when it started - and not for the possibilities it implied between the two women. Beautiful though they may have been together, Si had no interest in the older woman. Looks were hardly enough to hold the man's attention. Oh, true, she merited a second look, but only a look. The woman's morals, or rather their absence, were the antithesis of his desires. But the other one?<br><br>When Sasha's attention momentarily shifted from Ferret toward Simeon he was certainly alert. Primed, one might say. He was still aware of the room, of their situation and the dangers it presented, but to one as familiar with the man as Sasha there was an unmistakable...something about him, a certain focus in his eyes - all of it on her - that cast the man's perfect restraint in an entirely different light. A light of considerably higher temperature.<br><br>The brief eye contact they shared did speak of a kind of fascination, but it was most definitely not for Ferret.<br><br>And then it broke. He glanced away, considering Ferret's face, trying to read how well or poorly the tactic was effecting their chances of success, then around the room again to look for anything changing, anything out of place. What might preoccupy his thoughts was hardly relevant for the time being; it would not detract from his work. Not in this situation. The flower, as it were, would have to keep in the cool water of an elegant vase.<br><br>For now.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>31-07-2011, 04:36:57</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston, Captain – Inside Cast-Offs looking to purchase a catalyzer =-</strong></div><br>Griff felt more than a little out of his element as he followed Jack through the family shop while Jack examined the catalyzer more closely, looking for any identifying part numbers or manufacturer stamps. The store’s interior was lined with scores of shelves housing an unimaginable number of miscellaneous parts, in various states of repair. On the floor lining the walls were other mechanical and electrical parts that were too big for the shelves to hold. The place smelled of grease, hydraulic fluid, and sweat and the sounds of power tools and steel pounding against steel rung in his ears from someplace towards the back of the building. To anyone not familiar with this line of work, the place seemed to be a disorderly collection of parts. However, Jack and Diane were meticulous in their organization and could easily find the specific part a customer needed, provided they had one in stock. <br><br>As they passed by yet another row of shelves, Griff’s radio chimed to life with static before a familiar voice flowed through. “Cap’n, ya there? This is Hayes.” <br><br>Pulling the radio from its pouch on his belt, he brought the radio to his mouth and keyed the button. “This is Griff. Talk to me Hayes.” <br>There was a pause before the radio keyed up again. “Cap’n… I just got word from back home. Royce is in a bad way and needs me to come home for a spell.” <br><br>Griff stopped in his tracks, dropping his hand with the radio to his side and hanging his head in frustration. “Ta ma de! Qing wa kao de liu mang!” Hearing his old friend’s words, Jack came to a stop as well, giving Griff and curious and concerned look. Griff looked up at his friend, his face expressionless as he brought the radio back to his mouth again. “Understood, Hayes. Any idea how long we’re talkin’?” He half smiled to Jack, his arched eyebrows accompanied by a sigh of resignation. <br><br>“No way of knowin’ for sure. It might be a peck.”<br><br>“I understand. How soon ‘til you leave?”<br><br>“Now, actually. There’s a Pheidippides class fast courier ship here that’s departing for Beaumonde in twenty mins. I’ve already booked passage and I’ve cleared my cabin.” There was a long pause before Hayes added quietly, “I’m… sorry, Cap’n.” <br><br>Griff’s jaw tightened as he breathed in deeply to calm his frustration. He nodded silently for a moment before keying the radio once more. “Do what you gotta do Hayes. Blood is more important. Never you mind about The Gamble. I’ll take care of things on my end, you go take care of things on yours.”<br><br>“Thank you, Cap… Griffin.” She said quietly. It was the first time he could recall her using his full first name as she usually called him Cap’n or Kingston. “Tell everyone I said goodbye for me? And try to take care of my engine, will ya,” she added with a soft laugh.<br><br>“Will do, Hayes. You take care of yourself out there. Keep in touch.” He said in an uncharacteristically soft tone.<br><br>“You bet. Well, gotta run along now, Cap’n. Gotta make my way down to docking bay 75. I’m leaving your radio on top of the loading ramp control console.” There was another long pause and then a small chuckle, “Ain’t no need getting all tetchy so… Ima git now. Zàijiàn.” The radio clicked and then there was silence. Griff cursed under his breath some more before returning his radio back to its pouch on his belt.<br><br>“Well, no point in getting that part just now as I ain’t got no one to put it on. My mechanic just…”<br><br>“Yeah, I heard," Jack interrupted. "Sorry 'bout that, Griff. I’d offer to come put it on for ya but... I’ve got my hands full with back logged work. But, I’ve got a guy who’s been doing some part time work for me who could probably help you out. In fact, I think he’s working today, out back in the yard salvaging parts.” He motioned Griff to follow him and started moving towards the back of the building again, towards the junk yard. “He’s a real wiz with mechanics too. I’ll send him over to install the part for ya right away. Heck, if you offer him competitive wages he might just be inclined to be your mechanic for as long as you need him.”<br><br>“Sounds like a plan. Not like I got a whole lot of options at this point, is it?” He scoffed, following Jack out the back door and into the junk yard. Piles and piles of sections of old ships littered the expansive yard. An old crane with a huge magnet tethered to the end sat in the center of the yard, nearly concealed by the many towering piles of junk. Weaving their way through several very high stacks, they followed the sounds of power tools. Rounding the corner of one particular stack, Griff spotted a man up ahead working on some unrecognizable chunk of what used to be a space ship.<br><br>“He goes by ‘Anwar’ “ Jack said as they approached the man. “Anwar! Hey, Anwar!” He had to yell to be heard over the noise of the equipment he was using. As the man glanced up, Jack slashed the edge of his hand across his throat, giving the universal “kill” hand signal.<br><br>“Anwar,” Griff muttered. What the hell kinda name is that?<br><br><hr>Ta ma de! = Fuck!<br>Qing wa kao de liu mang! = Frog-humping son of a bitch!<br>Zàijiàn = Goodbye<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Scotty Rage</strong> on <strong>31-07-2011, 05:37:57</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Anwar, Mechanical Engineer - In the salvage yard of Cast-Offs, working=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu156/rage0976/RP%20Characters/jensen_ackles_07.jpg)</div> Anwar had been working on the ship for hours, simply getting lost in the hum of the equipment he had been using to salvage parts from it.&nbsp; The old rust bucket was far beyond every being spaceworthy again, but it did still have plenty of good components that could be stripped and sold off.&nbsp; He hadn't initially seen Jack approaching with the stranger, so he simply kept on working.&nbsp; After Jack shouted to him a couple of times, he finally heard, looking up to see the 'kill' signal.&nbsp; Pursing his lips gently, he muttered under his breath.&nbsp; "<em>Ta Ma De Hun Dan</em>, what the hell is it now?"&nbsp; Doing as instructed, he hit the kill switch on the cutter he had been working with and set it aside, waiting for them to approach, though making no move toward them.&nbsp; If they wanted him for something, they would come to him.<br><br><strong>“Anwar,” Griff muttered. "What the hell kinda name is that?"</strong><br><br><br>Hearing Griff's question as they approached, he cocked an eyebrow slightly.&nbsp; "It's the kind of name that makes a <em>ben tian sheng de yi dui rou</em> ask that kind of question.&nbsp; Or maybe my parents' sense of humor wasn't as grand as they thought it was."&nbsp; The young man stood about as tall as Griff, though he was a bit smaller in built.&nbsp; He wasn't skinny by any means, though, or even slender, but well toned, having had the dark gray jumpsuit he wore pulled down and tied at his waist, with a gray tanktop covering his torso.&nbsp; He also quite obviously had a bit of an attitude, but his work quality and ethic couldn't be disputed, which was likely the only reason Jack gave him a job to do from time to time.<br><br>"Is there somethin' I can do for you, of did you just come to admire my pretty face?&nbsp; Kind of busy here."&nbsp; He was straight to the point, obviously not one for exchanging pleasantries.&nbsp; Raising a hand, he let a pair of light, steely blue eyes study the newcomer for a moment, his fingers running through the short dark hair atop his head as he clenched his jaw in concentration, as if trying to determine whether the man might be a threat or not.&nbsp; For all he knew, it could be some sort of Alliance agent coming around to find him.&nbsp; Wouldn't be the first time they nearly caught up to him, though none had gotten this close yet.<br><br>The guy who had approached with Jack looked to be a seasoned veteran, and likely wouldn't be an easy fight if that's what he was here for.&nbsp; He always tried to keep an open mind, though, and so didn't look like he was ready to bolt or pounce just yet, instead maintaining a cool, calm demeanor.&nbsp; Looking from Griff, he turned his eyes back to Jack expectantly, waiting for some explanation as to why he was bringing someone out here and interrupting his work.&nbsp; "Chop chop," he said.&nbsp; "Clock's tickin'."&nbsp; Patience apparently wasn't one of his virtues either.&nbsp; It was quickly becoming apparent the young man might prove to be a bit standoffish, and a bit of a pain in the ass to deal with.<br><br>There was a certain feeling of confidence about him as well, though.&nbsp; And from the way he'd been handling the cutter, carefully extracting only the good components, he knew his way around tools.&nbsp; He also obviously took pride in his work, sometimes perhaps to the point of being a bit arrogant about it.&nbsp; Then again, given Griff's motley crew, this Anwar kid would likely fit right in with the rest of them, provided he didn't make them want to kill him within the first twenty-four hours...<br><br><hr><br>* Ta Ma De Hun Dan/Mother-humping son of a bitch<br>* Ben Tian Sheng De Yi Dui Rou/Stupid inbred stack of meat
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>01-08-2011, 00:51:54</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston, Captain of The Gamble – At Cast-Offs Salvage Yard – Getting a new catalyzer and meeting Anwar for the first time =-</strong></div><br>As they approached the man called Anwar, Griff watched him with curious eyes as the younger man cursed in aggravation and killed the power to the cutter he was wielding. Coming to a stop just a half dozen paces from the other man, Griff shifted his weight to one leg and hooked his thumbs into his belt behind the buckle. With a skill he had honed over the years, Griff quickly sized up the man before him. Suffice it to say that at present, Griff was not at all impressed.<br><strong><br>"It's the kind of name that makes a ben tian sheng de yi dui rou ask that kind of question.&nbsp; Or maybe my parents' sense of humor wasn't as grand as they thought it was."</strong><br><br>His expression was as cold and stiff as a statue in spite of the man’s bold insult. Griff had been in both the Alliance and Independence militaries and had been around the ‘verse dealing with people far meaner and tougher than Anwar. He’d been around long enough to develop a thick skin, so the man’s abrasive words had no real affect on him. A small smile grew on Griff’s face as he glanced over to Jack. “Ai ya. He’s good. Does your dog always bark this much, Jack, or does it bite too?” <br><br>Jack shook his head and gave a small chuckle. “Yeah, he’s definitely a shit talker, but he’s da bian hua with engines… or hell with anything mechanical for that matter.” Griff nodded before he glanced back over to Anwar with a smirk. Griff pulled up the sleeves of his black, form-fitting tactical response combat shirt before he added, “Really? Well, he sure don’t look like much, but I guess I’ll have to take your word for it, won’t I?”<br><br>Griff was testing the younger man to see how easy it would be to push his buttons and set him off. He had had more than a few people he’d hired on only to find that, in spite of their skills and talents, they were simply impossible to work with. On more than one occasion the bad attitude and lack of respect for authority had put his ship and crew in peril. He simply couldn’t allow another loose cannon just itching for a fight to join his crew and disrupt the relative harmony and cohesion he had worked hard to develop. With the exception of the new guy, McPherson, the crew all seemed to get along and work well together. The loss of Hayes was an unfortunate occurrence, one that would have to be rectified if they were going to take that job from Ferret.<br><br>“Bi zui, Anwar,” Jack ordered. Tossing the catalyzer to the young mechanic, Jack thumb towards Griff as he explained. “This Griffin Kingston, captain of a Dragonfly class ship. I need you to find a suitable replacement for this and take it over to…” He glanced over to Griff with a questioning look. <br><br>“Docking bay thirty. That’s Three-Zero for those of us who can’t count that high,” he said with a smirk as he stared Anwar in they eyes.<br><br>Jack chuckled again, glancing between the two men with an amused expression. “Grab the best catalyzer we got that’ll fit a Dragonfly and head over to docking bay thirty. Griff just lost his mechanic and I need you to install it for him, right away.”<br><br>Griff glanced down to his watch and tapped it a couple of times before his eyes found Anwar’s again. "Chop chop," he said.&nbsp; "Clock's tickin'." He said, flashing a wink and a winning smile to Anwar.<br><br><hr>Ai ya = Damn<br>Da bian hua = Great<br>Bi zui = Shut up<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Scotty Rage</strong> on <strong>01-08-2011, 01:49:57</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Anwar, Mechanical Engineer - In the salvage yard of Cast-Offs, talking to Jack and Griff=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu156/rage0976/RP%20Characters/jensen_ackles_07.jpg)</div> <strong>“Ai ya. He’s good. Does your dog always bark this much, Jack, or does it bite too?”<br><br>“Docking bay thirty. That’s Three-Zero for those of us who can’t count that high,” </strong><br><br>The young man caught the catalyzer with ease, having stared back at the larger man with no signs of having been intimidated.&nbsp; He then grinned a bit, giving a slight nod to the two of them.&nbsp; "This guy's alright, Jack."&nbsp; He'd had enough time to determine that Griff wasn't likely Alliance, or a threat.&nbsp; The fact that the man had retorted with an equally sharp wit had impressed him.&nbsp; Griff had proven himself to be a thinker, even though it was apparent the man was no stranger to a fight, and he could respect that.&nbsp; "I'll be there in about an hour," he told the Captain.&nbsp; "Just need time to hunt down a suitable replacement and yank it."<br><br>He then turned to head deeper into the yard to start his search, going through all the ships that used similar model catalyzers.&nbsp; He didn't need an exact match, only something close, and he could adjust and modify it as needed to make it work.&nbsp; Often times, he could even come up with a better design.&nbsp; After taking a look at a few of the junkers, he found one with a usable part, and quickly went about the task of extracting it to get it cleaned up and ready.&nbsp; After about twenty minutes, he had the working catalyzer on his bench, cleaning it up and making a few small tweaks so it would work in the Dragonfly.<br><br>As Anwar got out of earshot, Jack turned to Griff and shrugged his shoulders a bit.&nbsp; "He'll be there in pretty much exactly an hour.&nbsp; Haven't known him not to keep an appointment yet."&nbsp; Motioning for Griff to follow him back inside, he smirked and glanced to his friend.&nbsp; "He can be a little standoffish at first, but he's a good kid.&nbsp; I think he might have some troubles, though.&nbsp; He's been tryin' to earn enough money to get off planet...and since you apparently just had an opening...just sayin'."&nbsp; Raising a hand to push some hair back from his face, Jack watched for Griff's reaction to the news, usually able to tell if his old friend was considering something seriously or not.<br><br><hr><br>Just about an hour after he had spoken to Griff, as he had promised, Anwar was walking along the docks, pausing at bay thirty to look the ship over briefly as people were scrambling about loading groceries it seemed.&nbsp; She was a beauty, there was no doubt, even if she looked to have some mileage on her.&nbsp; To Anwar, that only added to her allure.&nbsp; "The Gamble," he mouthed to himself before he was in motion once more, strolling up the cargo ramp as if he were just another crew member, blending into the crowd and making his way to the engine room.&nbsp; He knew the layout of a Dragonfly well enough to navigate it without getting lost, and was soon looking over an engine that, from what he could tell, had been quite well taken care of.<br><br>Lowering a hand to adjust his tool belt, the man named Anwar was soon in the process of installing the refurbished and modified catalyzer he'd set up.&nbsp; Biting his tongue in concentration, if there had been anyone there to see him in that moment, they'd have seen a man completely at peace within his element.&nbsp; Within a short time, the replacement part was locked in and ready to be tested.&nbsp; The adjustments he had made to the catalyzer would lower emissions and get more distance per tank of fuel for the ship, and it would last a bit longer than they normally had a tendency to do he hoped.&nbsp; It was an untested theory, so he couldn't be sure.<br><br>Once the part was installed, the young man began to gather his tools, noticing the radio that had been set aside nearby.&nbsp; Putting the last of his tools in place, he walked to the radio and keyed it up for a moment before bringing it to his face to speak.&nbsp; "Um, Captain Kingston?"&nbsp; He let off the key and waited for a response, taking a strawberry lollipop from his pocket, unwrapping it, and placing it in his mouth.&nbsp; This was often his reward for a job well done.&nbsp; Processed, fruity goodness.<br><br>(Note: I was given permission to speak and act for Jack in posts concerning Anwar, just so nobody mistakes this for godmoding.&nbsp; ^_^)
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>01-08-2011, 09:02:59</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, on board The Gamble, supervising various going's on, and finding her inner strength=-</strong></div><br>Breathing slightly easier as she realised that the person wandering uninvited into their ship was part of a delivery crew, Dani relaxed her hold on Lex's arm slightly, but didn't let go entirely. She could see that another member of this man's team was depositing groceries on the ramp, and the thought of fresh food with which to cook actually brought the skittish woman out from behind her human shield.&nbsp; Still gripping Lex's arm for support, Dani did something none of the crew would have thought possible of her - she raised her voice to make herself heard over the Happy Suck machine.<br><br>"Erm....hi,"&nbsp; she began, her voice wavering slightly.&nbsp; Dani reminded herself that she had Lex by her side, and Mr Chow down below.&nbsp; For some reason, she felt quite at ease with the small Chinese cleaner. "Hello....." she called louder, waving her hand in the delivery man's direction to attract his attention.&nbsp; That did the trick, and he tilted his head toward her, a questioning look in his eyes.&nbsp; "Would you mind takin' the groceries down to the coolers for me?" Dani pointed to the row of upright fridges and freezers nestled along the wall behind the skiff at the far end of the cargo bay.&nbsp; The man nodded, then hollered at his partner who was still filling the ramp with the foodstuffs that would sustain them in the black for the next month or so.&nbsp; Dani frowned, not liking the fact that their groceries were being left on the floor, especially when the Happy Suck machine was still working. But the boxes were being carted down the back like she had asked, so the medic let it be, not quite up for a confrontation with the man who stirred some unpleasant rememberings in the dark recesses of her mind.&nbsp; Dani noted that a third member of the delivery crew had appeared, looking decidedly raggedy compared to the other two, but the girl gave no indication that she wasn't supposed to be there, so Dani let her go about her business.<br><br>Dale scowled at the request to take the groceries back to the cold storage area. Normally, he'd just drop the goods in the cargo bay, and the ships crew would take them from there. But then he realised that the more time he spent on board, and the deeper into the ship he went, the more chance he'd have to bump into the intoxicating blonde who he'd been unable to get off his mind since she waltzed into his shop earlier that day.&nbsp; And it seemed that at least one member of the crew was willing to help, despite the fact that she looked like she could use a week's worth of sleep, and....Dale surveyed her out of the corner of his eye....a gorram good scrubbin'!<br><br>Distracted by the arrival of Vincent, Dani gave no more thought to the strange girl in her too big jumpsuit, as she quickly checked through the box of meds that he handed her. <strong>"Here you go, we got everything marked on the list and then some."</strong>&nbsp; Dani smiled up at him, astounded that he had managed to get not only those things that she had asked for, but several other useful medications as well.&nbsp; "Vince, you're amazing," she grinned, gratitude shining from her blue eyes. "How did you...?"&nbsp; But he was already heading back outside, obviously eager to spend some alone time with Mae.&nbsp; Happy for them both, Dani didn't bother trying to call him back.&nbsp; No doubt he would recount his daring med-acquiring adventure to the crew at some point soon after take off, and all her questions would be more or less answered then.&nbsp; With some embellishment for the sake of good story telling, of course. <br><br>"Lex, I'm just going to take these meds and put them away," she leaned close to the Companion's ear so he could hear her once again soft voice over the noise of the cleaning crew.&nbsp; She didn't want to risk the pharmaceuticals being damaged or misplaced. They were too hard to come by.&nbsp; And for them to be blessed with exactly what they needed and more?&nbsp; Well, the conscientious medic wasn't taking any chances.&nbsp; <br><br>Heading down the stairs and across the cargo bay, Dani managed to give the delivery guy that made her plumb twitchy a wide berth, noting that Mr. Chow was very nearly finished with the cleanup. Hurrying to secure the meds in the lockable cabinet in the infirmary, she came back into the bay just as the Chinese cleaner was packing up his machine.&nbsp; He motioned her over, grinning in a very self satisfied way, before gesturing around the now sweet smelling cargo area.&nbsp; "You like?" he asked, obviously pleased with himself.&nbsp; Dani nodded, returning his smile with a small one of her own.&nbsp; "Yes, Mr. Chow.&nbsp; You've done a wonderful job. Sasha told me to give you this when you were finished."&nbsp; She fished the three platinum coins out of her pocket and dropped them into Mr. Chow's open hand, offering him a bow of thanks as she did so.&nbsp; "Thankyou, Miss Dani. And thank Miss Sasha for me as well!" Affording her a bow in return, he continued packing up his cleaning machine before departing, the same noise that had heralded his arrival also marking his exit.&nbsp; The delivery crew were nowhere to be seen, so Dani assumed that they had also completed their business and departed. With the Eavesdown refueling and water replenishment crews finished their work on The Gamble, it seemed that Dani's supervisory duties were now concluded.&nbsp; &nbsp;She took a moment to enjoy the solitude of the blissfully stranger-free cargo bay before heading back to the cold storage to put the groceries away properly.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NiceTexasGuy</strong> on <strong>01-08-2011, 16:44:04</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>Stephen McPherson - with Sasha and Si - Feelin' the heat in Ferret's hothouse, Persephone</strong></div><br>If McPherson had a weakness -- wait, who are we kidding?&nbsp; We all have weaknesses.<br><br>One of McPherson's weaknesses is that, despite his awareness of his place in the pecking order, he found it difficult to keep his mind focused on his job - security - and rather enjoyed being a spectator to the "negotiations" that were taking place. After all, he had once been higher up in the chain, and had been involved in negotiations where a lot more was a stake than transporting annoying little dog-poop producing organisms through space.&nbsp; <br><br>There was that old saying that too many cooks spoil the broth.&nbsp; That means you keep your mouth shut when someone else is responsible for doing the talking unless you're part of a plan to barge in at a prearranged time or when certain circumstances dictate.&nbsp; And if Steve hadn't learned much else about this particular crew, he knew <em>planning</em> wasn't high up on the "to do" list.<br><br>He hoped Ferret didn't see him crack a smile when Dearing made the <em>wilting bouquet</em> analogy.&nbsp; Though Steve -- like Ferret -- wasn't quite as young as he used to be, he had to award that round to Sasha.<br><br><em>Finally</em>, the ladies appeared to be ready to talk business.&nbsp; It amazed him how much like men -- or males of the animal kingdom in general -- they could be with their posturing like two bucks about to go at it over a desirable female.&nbsp; Only in this case, the prize was a job, a job Ferret needed done, and a job Dearing could do.&nbsp; Dearing was good at this, but despite winning one round with the wilting bouquet reference, it was clear Ferret had the experience.&nbsp; She looked like a woman who had spent a lifetime getting her way with other people.&nbsp; He didn't recognize her skills as those of a former Registered Companion, though.&nbsp; His experience with Companions was extremely limited.&nbsp; Steve had never been a customer, but had been in social settings in which men and women senior to him had solicited their services as escorts to various functions.&nbsp; Given Ferret's underlying ruthlessness, McPherson was glad the stakes weren't too incredibly high.&nbsp; After all, it was just a job transporting cargo, not a major military operation.<br><br>Once both negotiators had established the fact they weren't going to be intimidated by the other, it was just a matter of settling on the terms and conditions.&nbsp; Since this was his first job of this nature, he was intently curious as to (a) what the job was, and (b) how much money could be made in a situation like this.&nbsp; He was also curious as to how illegal the job was.&nbsp; He had principles, but over the years had learned that some illegal jobs were less illegal than others.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>grdell</strong> on <strong>01-08-2011, 18:15:20</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Lex Rake, on board the Gamble =-</strong></div><br>Lex didn't mind when Dani grabbed his arm, alarmed at the arrival of the grocery delivery men. Although he didn't have all the details, he could certainly tell that Dani had a problem with men in general. He was gratified to see that such attitudes didn't extend to himself, though. He didn't want Dani to feel threatened by him, and the fact that she was clinging to him in the presence of all these strange men meant that she was comfortable enough with him to feel safe with him. He gave her his most reassuring smile.<br><br>His brief story finished, he was happy to just stand in silence with her, not needing to fill the air with useless conversation unless she wanted to. He was actually pleasantly surprised when he heard her call out to the delivery men to put the groceries in the refrigerated compartments. She seemed to be getting braver by the hour - first her excursion off the ship to have a word with Mae and now this. This looked like progress, and he smiled again.<br><br>Vincent's sudden appearance and sprint up the steps caught his attention, and he looked down and out of the ship to see Mae waiting for the other pilot. He wondered what the two were going to get up to tonight, and hoped they'd be having some good old-fashioned fun of the kind he normally got paid for. He winked at Vince as he handed off the medical supplies to Dani, obviously in a rush to get back to the girl and whatever plans they had for the night. He couldn't blame them, after all. Months in the Black could make one long for the solid ground and the pleasures more easily obtained there.<br><br><strong>"Lex, I'm just going to take these meds and put them away."</strong><br><br>The medic's soft voice and warm breath in his ear made him turn his attention back to her.<br><br>"I think I can handle the supervision for a while. Take your time."<br><br>Even as Dani was heading down the steps, it was apparent that the cleaners were very nearly finished. Rick looked up at Lex once more while stowing some of the pipes and hoses and looked like he was wrestling with himself over whether or not to say anything more. It was a look Lex had seen many times, and one he never got tired of seeing. Let them squirm...<br><br>He kept an eye on Dani, though, as long as he could before she ducked out of sight into the infirmary. During that brief distraction, Rick managed to make his way onto the stairs.<br><br>"I realize you're on your way offworld. You want to get together when you're back?" He was so apparently nervous that it made Lex smile a little.<br><br>"Only if you can afford it, honey," he replied.<br><br>He watched the man's face as the full impact of what Lex had said sunk in. There weren't that many male companions, after all, and finding one hauling ass all over the 'verse in a ship like this was pretty unusual. Rick's expression moved through incomprehension to understanding to disappointment. Lex moved down the few steps separating them and placed one finger over the other man's lips before he had a chance to say anything else.<br><br>"And no freebies, cutie. You can look up my rates on the Guild registry easily enough. You know the companion chooses their clients." His other hand grasped the man's ass and gave it a brief squeeze on his way past and down the stairs. "I'd have you if you asked." He winked at the now once more smiling Rick before making his way to the back of the hold where the delivery men were just unloading the last of their handtrucks.<br><br>He watched Dani pay the cleaners and the departure of everyone that didn't belong aboard the Gamble. He breathed a small sigh of relief, believing that in spite of the huge cargo bay doors standing wide open that they were once more somehow safe and secure. When Dani came back to where he was leaning against one of the refrigerator doors, he flashed her a brief smile.<br><br>"Poor guy. Thought he was gonna get a different kind of tip from me for a job well done. Ah well, we've all got to make a living, you know. Need a hand with getting all this stuff stowed?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>02-08-2011, 00:22:13</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Enjoying a night out with Mae. - Persephone=-</strong></div><br>Leaving The Gamble, Vincent got one more look at the cleaning truck’s emblem.&nbsp; Instead of snickering at it as he had before his mind instead associated it with Mae’s earlier comment.&nbsp; Joking or not, any girl claiming that they would love to be a happy sucker and having granted an invitation into her panties is more than enough to cause a male’s libido to send all sorts of messages to the brain that are italicized, underlined, bolded, and written in large capital letters.&nbsp; Coming from Mae.&nbsp; Vincent was just glad he had the foresight to restrain his libido in heavy mooring chains ahead of time.&nbsp; Saying that the co-pilot wanted to enjoy a night of wanton sex with the pilot was like saying a category four hurricane was a windy day.&nbsp; He wanted much more than that, with desires that were not solely limited to physical needs.&nbsp; A fear of his was that if he came on too strong, he would end up with that one wonderful night but ruin the chance of establishing something more meaningful in the long term.&nbsp; In his mind, a one night stand is only marginally better than flat out rejection when it came to Mae.<br><br><em>”Wait Vinnie, did you bring the radio?&nbsp; I don’t have mine.&nbsp; No pockets.”</em><br><br>Only when they were out of sight of the ship did Vincent slow to a walking pace.&nbsp; His heart labored from the physical exertion as well as his giddy excitement to finally have time alone with Mae.&nbsp; He turned to face her, taking a few backward strides before stopping to reach down into the cargo pocket in his pants leg.&nbsp; As he did so, the natural angle of his vision lowered enough to notice how Mae’s skirt had ridden up a few crucial inches revealing just enough smooth flesh that was just barely within the realm of decency.&nbsp; Vincent’s hand fumbled with the radio for a bit as he attempted to retrieve it.&nbsp; There was no way to be certain whether it was a result of simple clumsiness or if it was a ploy of his subconscious to get a slightly longer look at Mae’s skirt in its elevated position.&nbsp; Perhaps the pleased grin on his face when he finally did gain a solid hold on the object before straightening his posture was some indication.&nbsp; Of course, it could simply be pride in his insight to pocket the device while filling his pack with snacks.&nbsp; Because that is totally believable, right?<br><br>“Got it right here.&nbsp; As you can see, it is turned on and operational.&nbsp; That way you can serve as my witness should we get in trouble for not being able to hear a call over the booming club music.”&nbsp; With a sly wink, he dropped the radio back in his pocket and offered his arm out to her as he had before.&nbsp; Although a simple gesture, Vincent wanted to do all he could to give the impression that this was more of a date rather than two co-workers going out on the town.&nbsp; Just one more step away from boy toy and towards boyfriend.&nbsp; “I don’t know about you, but I could go for a bite before a night of clubbing.&nbsp; Oh, I know!&nbsp; There is a small hole-in-the-wall place that sells the best satay that I have ever had.&nbsp; We have a little more time until the clubs start opening, interested?”
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>02-08-2011, 06:37:11</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- operation seduce Vincent, plantetside on Persephone *~</strong></div><br><br>A slow smile spread across her full luscious lips as Mae watched the tight green material of Vincent's shirt mould along the contours of his very impressive upper body. She found herself relieving the sudden dryness of her once moist lips with a slick of her tongue as she devoured the sight of his broad shoulders. His body had helped her more than once with her fantasies. Simply put he was built in such a deliciously sexy way that had every inch seemly crying out for her touch. The besotted pilot promised herself right then and there that in the very near future she would be doing so much more than merely touching him. <br><br>Her dark brown eyes filled with more than innocent amusement. Desire clouded her irises as the images of two lovers teased her senses. She wanted him, that much was clear, but one question always surfaced. If they took it to the next level, would the do more damage than good?&nbsp; For weeks the two had been dancing around each other, teasing with playful banter. She adored him in so many ways that had very little to do with sexual satisfaction. It was for those very reasons she hadn't acted on her instincts, holding back, trying to keep things between the light and friendly.<br><br>Mae was certainly more than capable of getting any man that she took a fancy to, and had done so many times in the past. It was with that understanding that Mae proved to herself that her feelings towards Vincent was different.&nbsp; If she simply wanted to get laid she could have easily found a warm and willing body.&nbsp; However a random body no longer appealed to the young pilot. Her cravings leaned towards the handsome man that spent hours sitting beside her in the cockpit of The Gamble. She wanted to lose all her senses, drown in his kisses, and warm her body with his touch. <br><br>Deep down, Mae was a romantic, dreaming of meeting that one special man that would belong to her, and she him. It was that small optimistic voice, that life hadn't managed to dampen, that would whisper to her every time she looked at Vincent. It would sweep through her body with a warm wave stroking her senses with a very pleasant tingle as it skated across her nerve endings. Now here he was, offering his hand to her. A small but romantic gesture that melted her heart and fed into her love struck imaginations. The simple invitation had her feeling giddy as warmth bloomed in the pit of her stomach.&nbsp; So it came as a bit of a shock to her when she found herself not accepting his arm, but instead Mae moved around him with the grace of a cat on the prowl. Raising her one hand, she allowed it to stroke across his body as she circled him once fully before she positioned herself directly behind the man she was so hoping to get to know better. Releasing a soft breath Mae smoothed both her hands along his back, starting almost indecently low, taking great pleasure in feeling the muscles dance beneath her simple touch.&nbsp; With a simple tug Mae lined her body against his before springing upward and onto his back, clinging to him as she wrapped her arms around his neck at the same time his arms moved to secure her exposed toned creamy white thighs to his side. <br><br>Leaning over, pressing her body against his, Mae felt her long blond hair sway across her back as it draped over one shoulder with its silky strands, brushing against his body. Pressing her lips against the shell of his ear Mae purred as she whispered in his ear "how did you know nibbling on a meat stick was one of my most favourite things to do?”&nbsp; Her soft and teasing giggle tickled the small hairs on the back of his neck as she rested her chin on his shoulder, sporting a wide playful smile. "Lead the way my good man. I place my time and more importantly, my hungers in your most capable hands.” Nuzzling her cheek on the back of his neck, Mae couldn't help but take in the full mouthwatering delectable scent of him. Her mind swam with a powerful yearning for the craving that throbbed deeply within her, taunting her for weeks begging to be finally satisfied. <br><br>Unable to resist, she placed several soft butterfly kisses on the very center of his skin just below his hairline before gaining a shaky control over her senses. A bystander might interpret her actions with those of a young woman in love, or at the very least, extremely smitten with the young man she was currently wrapped around. Both would be very accurate, however only one would she be willing to admit to at this point in time, after all Love and Mae haven't had the best of track records in the past. However, it was her adventurous spirit that wouldn't allow her to hold back, she might not be willing to admit to the possibilities of a deeper more meaningful emotion at this point, but that wasn't going to stop her from enjoying as much of Vincent that he would allow, both body and soul.<br><br>"Feed me your meat big boy" Mae teased as she stroked her hands over his chest in a very suggestive manner. “I have a feeling we are gonna need all the energy we can get tonight!”<br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>03-08-2011, 01:20:16</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Shamelessly flirting with Mae while she goes for his meat - Persephone=-</strong></div><br>For a fluttering moment, Vincent felt a sense of doubt that he misread the signals Mae had been giving him when she walked aside without accepting his offered arm.&nbsp; Though that fear quickly subsided as he noticed her hand glide across his body.&nbsp; The thin shirt did nothing to mask the warmth of her touch as he stood there, allowing her to continue whatever plan she had in mind.&nbsp; Vincent's eyes followed her until she had found the blindspot directly behind him where he wouldn't be able to see her without straining.&nbsp; As much as he wanted to see what she was up to, such a contortion of the body was hardly sensually appealing to the eye.&nbsp; His eyes closed slowly, dreamily as he felt Mae's hands glide along his back somehow making him feel a little lightheaded.&nbsp; They snapped back open the moment he felt her muscles tense and her weight shift as he realized what she had intended to do.&nbsp; A wide grin spread across his lips the instant he felt her jump up, his hands reached back to catch her mid-thigh as she mounted him.<br><br><em>"How did you know nibbling on a meat stick was one of my most favorite things to do?”</em><br><br>It took him no time to compensate his balance when Mae jumped on his back, but her enticing words only served to rob him of it.&nbsp; Vincent became entirely aware of the pressure her thighs exerted along his hips, the intimate embrace of her arms along his shoulders and chest, the sweet scent of her hair, and the warmth of her breath along the side of his head.&nbsp; It had been almost exactly as he had envisioned it countless times in countless fantasies, the only thing that was out of place was that he was facing in the entirely wrong direction.<br><br><em>"Lead the way my good man. I place my time and more importantly, my hungers in your most capable hands.”</em><br><br>A wolfish smile revealed a small line of teeth through partially parted lips, accentuating his canine to give him a particularly mischievous appearance.&nbsp; With a quick bend and straightening of his knees, he hoisted Mae more firmly upon his back while at the same time moving his hands back another inch or so.&nbsp; It would put too much of a strain on his body to move his hands back far enough to support her by cupping her firm ass.&nbsp; At least he speculated it was firm, never having been able to find out for himself, but the accrued hours of admiring it had certainly led him to believe that was the case.&nbsp; It would have been no problem if he were facing the other way, but again, that wasn't the case.&nbsp; Yet.&nbsp; So he would settle with getting just a little closer for now while still being able to carry her.&nbsp; A sensual bliss radiated from the back of his neck through his entire body like a smooth flowing wave as he felt the light touch of Mae's lips upon his flesh.&nbsp; It felt good enough to elicit a low resonating moan and Vincent made no effort to hide it.&nbsp; There was no doubt in his mind that she knew what she was doing to him and the last thing on his mind was to fight it.<br><br><em>"Feed me your meat big boy, I have a feeling we are gonna need all the energy we can get tonight!"</em><br><br>"In that case, it's a good thing that my meat has an abundant supply of protein that makes a great meal no matter the time of day.&nbsp; Though it always makes for a perfect late night snack."&nbsp; Vincent's hands held a firm grip on Mae's thighs as he walked, more so than would have been appropriate if their relationship was entirely platonic.&nbsp; Much to his delight, she didn't seem to mind in the least.<br><br><hr><br>Vincent was in no particular hurry to get to the small eatery.&nbsp; Mae's lean form was light enough to keep from exhausting him, especially when travelling at a casual stride.&nbsp; Plus, he was savoring every moment of their physical closeness.&nbsp; After several blocks the smell of fuel and exhaust was overwhelmed by the aroma of spices and food cooked to perfection.&nbsp; It was enough to cause Vincent's stomach to rumble.&nbsp; No matter how hard you tried, it was all but impossible to get genuinely grilled food when travelling in the black.&nbsp; Air tight ships never lent themselves well to open fires and bellowing smoke.&nbsp; It didn't take Vincent long to gather his bearings and find the small restaurant with signage that struggled to stand out amongst neons and billboards simply reading 'Sagura's'.&nbsp; It was a narrow place that looked as though it had been wedged in a large ally between two buildings.&nbsp; The facade was divided into two parts, at one half was a simple door with modest decorations while the other half was a large opening that framed a recessed countertop.<br><br>As they approached, they were all by drawn in by the smell of tender meat sizzling over a genuine wood fire.&nbsp; Vincent slipped between the draping cloth that offered some measure of privacy to those who chose to dine outside or place to go orders.&nbsp; The man behind the counter noticed the flicker of movement in his peripheries and turned to greet the newcomers with a warm smile.&nbsp; Sagura was a man of tall, solid build that looked as though he would be anywhere between thirty and fifty years old.&nbsp; Vincent always marveled how the man always managed to maintain a perfectly clean chef's apron despite being surrounded by a myriad of sauces, oils, and grilled food.<br><br>"Shall we eat here or grab a few skewers to go?&nbsp; If you can keep from poking out an eye, I would be more than happy to continue carrying you under two conditions.&nbsp; First, since my hands are going to be busy holding you up, you're going to need to feed me.&nbsp; And second," Vincent's voice gained a sultry edge to it, "it is your job to lick off anything you get on me."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>03-08-2011, 04:47:08</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Ferret, Crime Boss &amp; Job Contact – in the back room of The Best Little Hot House in Town, negotiating with Sasha =-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Ferret.jpg)</div>It’s true that time is no friend to a woman’s beauty, but to her experience, skill, reputation, and cunning it can be the most influential teacher, and the most powerful of allies. Time is an enemy to everyone’s outward appearances and physical prowess, but it is not an ally to everyone the way it had been for Ambrosia Koslov, the woman known on all of Persephone as “Ferret.” No longer in her physical prime, her beauty fading with the relentless purging of the sands of time, she now relied on her seemingly less tangible, though more respected and feared qualities to manage her ever-expanding criminal empire.<br><br>Ferret’s expression was that of amusement as she fixed Sasha’s eyes with her own, steely blues. Sasha covered the older woman’s hand with hers in a move intended to convey control, and dominance; it was a move that did not surprise Ferret in the least. In the many dealings she’d had with Sasha in the months since Griff had first brought her with him, Ferret had grown more and more impressed with the young woman’s knack for negotiations and maneuvering; something that Griff had recognized in her not long after the two had met.<br><br>While Griff was a skilled fighter, capable tactician, and a fine leader by all accounts,&nbsp; to his credit, he realized early on that Sasha’s talents in the subtle arts of manipulation and her deal closing skills far surpassed his own. Being the fine leader that he was, he eventually brought Sasha with him on job meets, allowing her to speak on his behalf and that of his crew. In the countless negotiations since that ime, Sasha had proven herself time and again, having never failed to come away with the job, and often times on better terms than originally proposed. It had been a wise and lucrative move on Griff’s part.<br><br>Ferret played to the younger woman’s whims, openly taking in the whisper of black gossamer lace that lovingly caressed the beautiful woman’s delicate flesh with practiced subterfuge. Her expression remained disarmingly pleasant as Sasha guided the former Companion’s hand to the soft, creamy expanse of exposed thigh. She gave no indication of her intentions or emotions as the young woman began her masterful and subtle dance of seduction with those skilled and slender fingers. <br><br><strong>“I do love how wonderful you are with your flowers, Ferret. They are so beautiful and bring such pleasure. It’s such a shame, though, to be forced to witness their beauty fade - don’t you think? Personally, I prefer to replace a bouquet before their exquisite blooms have started to wither, before their delicious perfume has soured. To enjoy them only at their peak. There are, after all, always fresh flowers available to replace them, hmm?”</strong><br><br>Ferret tilted her head ever so slightly as she listened to woman across from her. Her carefully chosen words were masterfully painted with a provocative brush, stroking the words the that would form the exquisite metaphor she painted for the older woman. All the while Ferret listened with curious amusement while Sasha’s fingers brushed expertly along her arm until at last, the artist had finished with her piece. Her illustration complete, Sasha pulled Ferret’s fingers to her lips, kissing the tips with tenderness.<br><br>Had Ferret not been a former Companion, a master of seduction herself and well versed in the tactics in which Sasha currently engaged, she may have fallen prey to the younger woman. But Ferret had not made her swift rise to power by being so easily beguiled or subverted by pretty young flowers or masterfully painted illustrations. Impressed as she had been with Sasha, she felt the sting of the other woman’s insulting words and took them to heart. <br><br><strong>“But, I digress. In answer to your question, there’s certainly no need for ugliness, Ferret, especially in the presence of such beauty as yours. Of course I want to...play nice...with you.”</strong><br><br>Feeling the younger woman’s hands in her hair, Ferret looked again into Sasha’s eyes. But here was something different in those steely blue orbs this time; A cold harshness that hadn’t present before, a twinkle and a promise of danger. Standing upright again, she allowed Sasha to continue with her game of seduction, curious if the younger woman actually thought she could somehow seduce her. Her delicate fingers danced along Ferret’s neck before grazing lightly over her the soft fullness of her breasts where they hovered for a moment. That same, unreadable smile remained on the former Companion’s face as Sasha made a show of pulling out the chair, offering the woman her own seat.<br><br><strong>”Please, make yourself comfortable. Shall we continue to discuss our mutually beneficial relationship? I’m sure you’ve got more important people to see, and I’d hate to take up too much of your time.”</strong><br><br>Sinking gracefully into the chair, Ferret reclined comfortably. She crossed her long, slender legs and steepled her fingers once more. Resting her elbows on the arms of her chair, she pressed her fingers against her soft, full lips, remaining quiet for what seemed like several long minutes. She shifted her now intense, piercing gaze first at Steve, then to Si, studying each man closely. Her severe stare seemed to bore into the men in turn as though daring them to make a move, tempting them to tip their hand.<br>&nbsp;<br>Sasha came back to the workbench and leaned against it, as seductive as she ever was. With her elbows resting against he bench and her legs crossed at the ankles, Ferret willingly drank in the young woman’s alluring beauty. Her eyes scanned the length of her body, over the tempting hint of her panties barely concealed beneath the teasing gossamer fabric, the gentle swell of soft, tender breasts, the delicious valley at the base of her throat, those full, inviting lips, finally fixing those bright, radiant blue eyes with her own.<br><br><strong>“So tell me, my beautiful hu li jing, how may we be of service?”</strong><br>At long last, Ferret pulled her fingers from her lips and gave a small chuckle before she took in a deep breath. “My darling Sasha... such a prodigious Companion you could have made, my dear. If only you had received the proper nourishments and care, as all flowers must receive if they ever hope to bloom.”&nbsp; That same cutting smile that Sasha had displayed earlier now mirrored across Ferret’s lovely face. “Such a shame…” She paused again for several long seconds, watching Sasha closely for a reaction, testing for chinks in the younger woman’s armor.<br><br>“It’s true, time has proven to be a most… cruel adversary, Sasha… as you will no doubt discover soon enough, provided you possess the fortitude to endure.” A fleeting smile whispered over her lips. “In light of our conversations here this afternoon, my confidence that you possess such fortitude has been severely shaken.” She folded her hands gracefully in her lap, tilting her head to the side as she considered the woman across from her. “As we all well know, bao bei, weeds will always remain weeds, no matter how much they adorn themselves to appear as flowers, no matter how much they aspire to become flowers. They will always be nothing more than weeds; an undesirable and troublesome thing that grows profusely where it is not wanted, hmm?”<br><br>“A wilting bouquet to be replaced with fresh flowers, hmm?” She sighed deeply and shook her head with a look of disappointment. “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and curse. Bao bei Sasha, these things ought not to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?” Again Ferret paused, shifting her attentions briefly to Si and Steve before finding Sasha once more. Ironic that a woman such as Ferret was quoting from the most long lived book in recorded history, a book that many still considered to be the living word of God; the bible.<br><br>“Do you honestly think you can you waltz in here in your sexy outfit, flaunt a little of skin and use your pretty words to mask your blatant disrespect of me, my dear Sasha? Is that how you think I run my business, by allowing people to treat me with disrespect, hmm? I'm disappointed in you, my dear.” Her expression remained as pleasant as ever, though there was certainly a much more dangerous and sinister undertone lacing her words now. Sliding her chair back up to the workbench next to Sasha, she picked up her shears again and returned her attentions to the “Apple Blossom” snapdragons, clipping off an errant bud with loving care. “How may you be of service, bao bei? I think, perhaps, our business here has concluded for the day, Sasha." She glanced up from her snapdragons, smiling sweetly up to Sasha. "Your services are no longer required. I be looking to someone who can display a little more respect." She started to turn back to her snapdragons again, but turned back to Sasha again, as if suddenly remembering something. "Oh, and be doll for me Sasha; tell Griff he might wanna come see about his work status here on Persephone… soon.” Ferret smiled sweetly up to Sasha who was leaning against the workbench beside her. “You can show yourself out, yes?”<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>03-08-2011, 10:52:52</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>=- Griffin Kingston, Captain of The Gamble – Making his way back to the ship =-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://shows.ctv.ca/beimage/files/2009/8/13/w600_h337_600_shemar2.jpg)</div>Having settled the more immediate problem of replacing the faulty catalyzer and having found someone to install it for him in light of Hayes’s swift and unexpected departure, Griff said his goodbyes to his friend and parted ways once more. He had taken his time visiting with Jack and Diane, who had returned sans Janie, and the three of them had caught up on the current affairs in each others lives. Unfortunately the visit was cut much shorter than any of them would have liked, the result of good business for Jack and Diane’s parts and salvage depot. Diane gave Griff and tight hug and a warm kiss on the cheek, as a sister would her brother, bidding him safe travels and beckoning him to come back soon and visit again. Jack and Griff gripped each other’s hands in a firm hand shaking, before pulling each other into a manly, back slapping hug. “You watch your six out there, Griff. And if you’re ever in a tight spot…” He left the sentence unfinished. Griff gave him an appreciative, knowing smile and nodded.<br><br><br class="clear_left">“I know, Jack. I can’t always count on you to come through for me. You take care now. Tell Janie Griff says to look after her dad for me, will ya?” Griff said, slinging his empty ruck sack back over his shoulders. Leaving Cast-Offs, Griff headed for Amos and Lee’s Ammo-Nation. <br><br>Ammo-Nation was a hole in the wall shop nestled in a dark back alley out of the public eye, just the way Amos and Lee liked it. The store wasn’t much to look at, neither on the outside nor the inside. There was no advertising on the storefront indicating the services one might find within, and glancing through the windows, one would only see a dinky looking grocer outlet with old food and a scant collection. However, those in the know found their way inside and beyond the blackout curtains that draped the door leading to the back room. This is where Amos and Lee proffered their wares. The prices were the cheapest anyone could find this side of the ‘verse and the quality of the ammunition was top notch. Not <em>“Delta-Grade, for military use only”</em> - top notch, but <em>“Alpha-Grade, good enough to kill purple bellies using Delta-Grade”</em> - top notch. <br><br>Amos and Lee had both fought in the Unification War, on opposing sides. At war’s end, the two met and became fast friends. Deciding to combine their munitions manufacturing skills and knowledge, the two men worked hard to become one of the most successful ammunition suppliers in the White Sun System. As successful as they were, they owed much of that success to the anonymity from the overbearing Alliance government and, as such, preferred to keep a low profile.<br><br>Several long minutes later, Griff exited the shanty little storefront a fair amount lighter on the credits and with a considerably heavier ruck sack, filled to capacity with bags of ammunition for the various firearms aboard The Gamble. Satisfied with his ammo haul, he carefully picked his way through the crowded streets of Persephone. Reaching the Eavesdown Docks, Griff passed by docking bay 75 where the fast courier ship Hayes on which had booked passage had been moored. Shaking his head again in aggravation, he cursed softly under his breath. He hated to loose Hayes. She was the best mechanic he’d ever worked with and he had known her for over two years now. As much as he would never admit it to her face, nor to anyone of the other crew, he was going to miss having Hayes around. Shaking the cobwebs from his head, he pressed forward through the crowded docks, finally reaching docking bay 30 where his ship was moored. <br><br>The Happy Suck cleaning crew was gone and had done a great job of cleaning the mess and the stink along with it, as he discovered upon entering the ships cargo hold. Climbing the stairs to the upper deck, Griff wondered how the negotiations with Ferret were going, the fleeting glimpse of Sasha in his minds eye filling him with an unsettling feeling that he didn’t understand. Working his way through the lounge and galley, Griff headed for the supply lockers where he would separate that various ammo types into their appropriate lockers, keeping a modest amount for his own personal stash to be kept in his cabin. Carefully lowering the very heavy and bulging rucksack to the floor, Griff opened the lockers and began putting the ammo away, glancing towards the door that lead to the engine room. <br><br>He wondered if Anwar had installed the catalzyer and left already. As he stared at the door, lost in thought, he half expected Hayes to come through the door at any second, cussing and hollering at him for taking so damn long. The thought brought a small smile to his face. Finishing putting the ammo away, Griff slung the now empty rucksack over his shoulder and moved into the engine room where he saw Anwar inspecting the engine with curiosity, most likely admiring some of Hayes’s handiwork.<br><br>“How about it, Anwar? You have any problems with ‘at carba… calib… with that part?” Already, he felt the heat of the hot and humid engine room drawing the sweat from his pores.<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Scotty Rage</strong> on <strong>03-08-2011, 23:36:09</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Anwar, Mechanical Engineer - The Gamble, Engine Room=-</strong></div><br>Before Griff had parted company with him, Jack had stopped to tell him one last thing about his new mechanical candidate.&nbsp; "Griff, before you go, there is one thing I think I should mention about the kid.&nbsp; He's had some kind of trainin'."&nbsp; A veteran soldier had ways of recognizing when someone had been military trained, and Jack had seen a few things since meeting the boy.&nbsp; "When I met him, he saved my bacon from a bunch that thought to rob me one night.&nbsp; Four guys, Griff, and they got the drop on me and put me down 'cause I had my hands full.&nbsp; Kid comes outta nowhere, like a gorram ghost, and put these guys down in seconds without even gettin' touched, and I'm fairly certain at least one of 'em weren't gettin' back up."&nbsp; Jack pursed his lips a bit.&nbsp; "Helped me up and asked if I was okay, so I offered him dinner as payment.&nbsp; That's how I learned he was a mechanic and wanted to make some money to get offworld, so I gave him a job.&nbsp; Least I could do after he kept Diane from bein' pretty much alone to take care of things..."<br><br>With a shrug, Jack gave Griff a clap on the shoulder.&nbsp; "Anyway, I ain't tried to pry too much, but I'm thinkin' he's a bit troubled.&nbsp; Kid needs someone he can trust.&nbsp; That's why I want you to take him.&nbsp; You need the mechanic, he needs to get away from here, and I'd rather know he's off with folks that'll watch out for him.&nbsp; And he's more'n a little handy in a fight, obviously.&nbsp; Just give him time, and he'll warm up to folks.&nbsp; Right now he's lost.&nbsp; Maybe you and yours can help him find his way."<br><br><hr><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu156/rage0976/RP%20Characters/jensen_ackles_07.jpg)</div> Anwar had been fidgeting with the radio that he had just keyed up to call Griff on, having spoken the Captain's name into it when the man himself walked into view from around the corner.&nbsp; Looking down at the radio in his hand, the mechanic cocked an eyebrow, then looked back up at Griff.&nbsp; "Well, that's kind of creepy coincidental," he murmured to himself before setting the radio back where he had found it.&nbsp; He then placed the lollipop into his mouth once more with a shrug, standing straight, almost like a soldier at attention when a superior officer entered the room.<br><br><strong>“How about it, Anwar? You have any problems with ‘at carba… calib… with that part?”</strong><br><br><br>Snickering a bit with amusement as Griff attempted the word and completely butchered it, Anwar nodded slightly before moving to point the installation out to him, removing the lollipop from his mouth to talk.&nbsp; "Yes, Captain Kingston.&nbsp; The catalyzer has been installed.&nbsp; I hope you don't mind, but I tried out a little something I've been toying with recently.&nbsp; It's been tested somewhat, but not as much as I'd like.&nbsp; If my design works properly, though, it will not only increase your fuel efficiency, but should last longer too before needing to be replaced or repaired."&nbsp; He looked the engine over with a touch of admiration at the work that had been put into keeping it running.&nbsp; "Whoever your mechanic is, he's good, and cares about this engine.&nbsp; Doesn't look like you really have any more problems with it.&nbsp; Catalyzers just go out, no matter how well the engine's maintained."<br><br>He continued to study Hayes' handiwork, unaware the mechanic who had just taken leave was a woman, having referred to her as 'him' a moment before.&nbsp; Most of all, though, he just admired the engine a bit.&nbsp; "You know, she's a beauty.&nbsp; Has a hell of a lot of potential.&nbsp; I'd love to get my hands on her and make a few more mods.&nbsp; Maybe get a bit more boost, increase her top end a bit..."&nbsp; He caught himself starting to ramble and stopped before he got too far into it, clearing his throat and standing straight once more, placing the lollipop between his lips again.<br><br>Removing the lollipop after a moment, he shrugged his shoulders gently.&nbsp; "Anyway, Jack will settle the bill up with you I suppose, since I contract through him, so I'll let you two work that out.&nbsp; I get paid the same either way.&nbsp; And honestly, it was a quick install, and I got my hands on a beauty of a boat for a while, so I wouldn't charge much for it anyway."&nbsp; The young man seemed to be a lot friendlier when he had something to work on and had warmed up to somebody, or when he was talking about machines.&nbsp; It was a far cry from what Griff had first encountered with the feisty young mechanic.<br><br>"Anyway," Anwar said, giving Griff another nod as he checked to make sure he had all his personal tools on his belt.&nbsp; "I'll take my leave.&nbsp; Let me know how that catalyzer performs next time you're planetside," he told the Captain, offering a respectful nod before starting to walk out of the engine room.&nbsp; "Hell, if it works out good enough, I might even be able to get a patent on the design or something."&nbsp; Of course, he knew he would never be able to do that, given certain elements that made it impossible for him to put his name on anything, but it was a nice thought.<br><br>(Once again, I was given permission beforehand to use Jack as a source of info concerning Anwar, so this was already approved by our GM, just so there's no confusion.&nbsp; ^_^)
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>04-08-2011, 05:07:13</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- operation seduce Vincent – step one consuming his meat, plantetside on Persephone *~</strong></div><br><br><div class="floatleft">(http://wallpapersart.net/thumbs/avril_lavigne_hot-t2.jpg)</div>The scent of exotic spices and cooking meat hung in the air as Mae and Vincent made their way through the crowded streets of Persephone. With every intake of breath it coated her senses with its sweet temptation, calling to her hunger like a Siren. Mae purred a sensual sound followed by a low growl as she squeezed Vincent's shoulders, pressing her thighs firmly against his sides as they navigated through the busy streets. His tight grip on her thighs burned into her skin leaving a delightful tingle to travel along her legs meeting at the apex of her thighs causing her to wiggle against him. A soft squeal of laughter slipped from her tongue as she felt the bounce of her body against his as Vincent adjusted his hold drawing the attention of a few bystanders. Her excitement to be off the ship and exploring the planet along side her partner and love interest was more than evident with each giggle and gasp that slipped from her tongue as she pointed out items of interest. <br>&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><strong>"In that case, it's a good thing that my meat has an abundant supply of protein that makes a great meal no matter the time of day. Though it always makes for a perfect late night snack."</strong><br><br>Vincent's teasing comment widened her already bright smile as a soft giggle bubbled along her throat, trickling from her tongue as she bit down&nbsp; softly on her bottom lip. "You make it sound so delicious! I hope you don't mind a visitor during those late night snacks" Mae teased. "I have a feeling my appetite for meat is going to pick up in the near future." Closing her eyes, Mae took a moment capture the feeling of his touch to memory as Vincent tightened his grip, holding her firmly. The silkiness of her skin felt good against his strong hands. His touch was everything she had hoped for and more,&nbsp; as was evident in the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach as he smoothed his hand along her supple thigh.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>The smile that played on her lips reached her expressive eyes as she snuggled closer to her personal and very sexy rickshaw. Unable to stop herself, Mae placed another soft kiss on the column of his neck before resting her chin on his shoulder.&nbsp; “Sagura's” Mae read aloud, "I've never heard of this place before. Is this one of your old haunts?” Taking in a deep appreciative breath in before exhaling slowly, the spirited young lady purred with delight “mmm that smell is heavenly Vinnie.....” Mae added as she extended her neck to place her lips against his ear "...I think I'm gonna enjoy your meat.”&nbsp; Her words were punctuated by a soft giggle as her fingers stroked along his chest in a teasing gesture. <br><br>As the two entered the cavern Mae felt the soft sweep of the hanging drape as it skimmed along her back causing a shiver to run along her spine. Everything about the small eatery awakened and delighted her senses. Her tastebuds were already alive and waiting for the explosion of spices to begin. The heavenly scents that had been teasing them for several blocks was now offering a more intense and delectable temptation with the full and undiluted fragrance that had them both eager to sink their teeth into the tasty treat.<br><br><strong>"Shall we eat here or grab a few skewers to go? If you can keep from poking out an eye, I would be more than happy to continue carrying you under two conditions. First, since my hands are going to be busy holding you up, you're going to need to feed me. And second, it is your job to lick off anything you get on me."</strong><br><br>Mae gave his suggestion exactly thirty seconds of deep consideration before answering excitedly "skewer me to go big boy! I vow to lick every ounce of sauce from every inch of you should the need arise.”&nbsp; In order to prove her words were not said lightly, Mae flicked out her tongue and traced the shell of Vincent's left ear with the tip of her tongue before capturing the flesh of his earlobe between her teeth, giving it a tender tug. It was with that simple action that the young pilot had a change of heart. Her desire for more of him flooded her body causing her reactions to betray her lustful secret. Her voice took on a more husky tone as she whispered her change of heart. "On second thought, maybe we could find a nice little cozy corner. I can still feed you if you want" fluttering her eyelashes Mae continued "I'll sit on your lap and you can hold me so I don't fall off.”<br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>05-08-2011, 05:11:35</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Looking forward to eating out <span style="font-size: 4pt;" class="bbc_size">with</span> Mae - Persephone=-</strong></div><br><em>"You make it sound so delicious! I hope you don't mind a visitor during those late night snacks.&nbsp; I have a feeling my appetite for meat is going to pick up in the near future."</em><br><br>Vincent chuckled deviously at the reply, very much liking the implied meaning.&nbsp; "It's fortunate that you live right next to the restaurant.&nbsp; For you, it's open 24/7 and always eager to perform excellent service for the sake of high customer satisfaction."&nbsp; Flirtations banter had always been common between them, but it had never had felt quite like this.&nbsp; It was enough to cause his anticipation for the night to double and redouble several times over.<br><br><em>"Sagura's.&nbsp; I've never heard of this place before. Is this one of your old haunts?”</em><br><br>A smile played along his lips, enjoying the transition from flirtatious remarks to learning more about one another.&nbsp; Such a thing was necessary in any relationship that wasn't build entirely upon sex.&nbsp; "Only every opportunity I got.&nbsp; It wasn't too often that I visited this particular area while I still lived here.&nbsp; At least when I wasn't on the clock.&nbsp; You've just met the guy, but I'm pretty sure you could tell Tony is the sort to always put work before pleasure.&nbsp; Family or not, once he had his boss hat on that meant there was work to be done."<br><br>Vincent waited patiently as Mae considered his offer.&nbsp; He would have been happy with either choice; riding him gave him all the excuse he needed to savor the feeling of her warm thighs as his hands kept her supported.&nbsp; Then again, he would certainly not argue with finding a small booth in the dimly lit eatery to see where things would go once they were more shrouded from the general public.<br><br><em>"Skewer me to go big boy! I vow to lick every ounce of sauce from every inch of you should the need arise.”</em><br><br>A low delighted moan bubbled in his throat.&nbsp; "Then prepare for a rough ride, I plan on hitting every bump I find.&nbsp; Since my shirt is so thin, I'll leave it up to you to figure out what to do should anything soak through."&nbsp; Vincent's body reacted involuntarily to the sensation of Mae's teeth capturing his earlobe as he sighed dreamily while his body arched by the slightest degree.&nbsp; It felt so good.<br><br><em>"On second thought, maybe we could find a nice little cozy corner. I can still feed you if you want.&nbsp; I'll sit on your lap and you can hold me so I don't fall off.”</em><br><br>For a moment, his libido broke free from its bonds as he rounded out of the recession and all but kicked his way through the door leading into the restaurant proper.&nbsp; Instead of running to the most secluded and dimly lit corner of the building, he managed to restore his composure long enough to approach the interior bar so they could place their order.&nbsp; Much to Sagura's credit, he didn't so much as blink at the rampant public display of affection as he turned to once again assume the stance of cook waiting to accept an order.&nbsp; Once the selections were made, Vincent carried Mae to the back of the cozy room.&nbsp; He was glad to see that there was only one other group of customers there seated closer to the front.&nbsp; Which meant they would nearly be completely hidden once they sat at one of the two-person tables hidden behind the high-backed wooden booths.<br><br>Leaning forward, Vincent allowed Mae to slide off his back though his hands made it a point to slide along her frame as she did so.&nbsp; Perhaps he reached a little further back than necessary and he may very well have intentionally coped a quick feel of her ass as she dismounted, but he wouldn't admit to it.&nbsp; Unless Mae asked, in which case it would be a matter of answering truthfully or letting his blushing give it away.&nbsp; Vincent pulled out one of the chairs and sat in it, angling himself in such a way so that his legs would make for an excellent seat had she been serious about her earlier statement.&nbsp; He had noticed how highly her skirt had ridden up as a result of her position upon his back, as was inevitable, and took a moment to admire her sensual beauty for a tasteful moment before reaching out to offer a seat in his lap.<br><br>A playful smile adorned his expression.&nbsp; "You've already offered, I'd be heartbroken if you went back on it now."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>07-08-2011, 18:32:41</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer of the Gamble - On Persephone with Si and Steve, meeting with Ferret in the back room of The Best Little Hot House in Town, playing for keeps ~</strong></div><br>As a Registered Companion, discretion is more than a job requirement; it’s practically a sacrament. The most egregious transgression a Companion can make in their trade is to betray trust. In this sin, Ferret was fully fallen. The antithesis of what a Companion stands for, Ferret compels respect through fear: blackmail, threats, and intimidation.&nbsp; Few Companions willingly defy Guild Law, yet Ferret did so with vicious abandon. Her nefarious reputation and unbridled ambition have proven to be a potent fuel, propelling her quickly to the top of the criminal heap on Persephone.<br><br>Ferret’s main competitor, Badger, is a fellow criminal with a much less exalted pedigree and much less beautiful packaging. Perhaps no more trustworthy than the decidedly deceitful Ferret, Badger is a criminal who at least fancies himself an honest businessman.&nbsp; And with Persephone his base of operations, suffice it so say he has been less than pleased with the relative newcomer’s overt poaching in his territory.&nbsp; <br><br>Even with her position of seemingly secure power, Ferret’s vulnerabilities were as easy for Sasha to read as if they were inscribed in ink on her skin. A natural ability honed by years of experience, Sasha’s intuitive skills are what enable her to continually wring the ambrosia of success from even the driest of opportunities. And to the casual observer, the current situation was looking especially parched at the moment.<br><br>However, Sasha was performing solely for her intended audience of one, not concerned with how anyone else might interpret her words and actions. And simply threatening Ferret that they could take their business elsewhere would have been too gauche a move when dealing with the ex-Companion, a&nbsp; painless threat the powerful older woman would have easily discounted. However, eloquently delivering a stinging verbal slap to get her message across had certainly roused the ire of the outwardly cool crime boss. Sasha noted with satisfaction Ferret’s deliberately neutral expression and posture, the tension along her body, and smiled wickedly to herself. She had made the older woman <em>feel.</em>&nbsp; Being in such a powerful position, Ferret was surrounded by people who constantly only told her what they thought she wanted to hear; a non-stop litany of placating, appeasing, and continual ass-kissing.&nbsp; That manner of cowed and insincere following has its heady appeal, perhaps, but after awhile the disingenuous monotony would grow stale, boring.&nbsp; On the other hand, anger is a passionate emotion, and passionate emotions can be intoxicating sensations. Anger is not the opposite of pleasure - indifference is. Therefore, Sasha was more than happy to elicit and then deal with the older woman’s passionate anger; anger Sasha knew the older woman was feeling, no matter how skillfully Ferret tried to hide it. <br><br>As any hunter knows, cornering an animal armed with teeth and claws is a dangerous proposition; the wiser path is to choose a suitable trap and bait it correctly. Of course, depending on the strength and ferocity of the animal you hunt, there is always the chance the chase could end badly. But for Sasha, the thrill of the hunt was where the excitement lay. So when Ferret lashed out with her own cutting barbs in response to being baited, Sasha’s pulse quickened in heady anticipation; she had Ferret <em>exactly</em> where she wanted her.&nbsp; <br><br>Choosing to ignore the well-played but irrelevant portions of her opponent’s vicious repartee, Sasha focused on responding only to Ferret’s pertinent remarks.<br><br><strong>"Your services are no longer required. I’ll be looking for someone who can display a little more respect. Oh, and be doll for me Sasha; tell Griff he might wanna come see about his work status here on Persephone… soon. You can show yourself out, yes?”</strong><br><br>The true art of negotiation is not about manipulating someone to do what you want them to do; instead, it is a carefully orchestrated dance of <em>persuasion</em>. Ferret had attained a level of success and notoriety where she no longer needed to participate in the dance directly, most times choosing to delegate the often tedious exchanges to her most trusted lackeys. But Sasha had thus far never been relegated to negotiate with anyone but Ferret herself; and to one as perceptive as Sasha, that fact was a significant tell. Sasha found herself wondering which aspect Ferret enjoyed more; challenging a formidable opponent, or being challenged by one herself.<br><br>Pushing off from the table which she had been leaning against, Sasha stood up straight, slowly smoothing her hands over the lacy fabric of her dress where it covered the sides of her waist and hips. “Boys, me and Ferret’s gonna need a few minutes of girl talk.” Sasha spoke to the men in the room but kept her eyes on Ferret; her tone almost playfully light, her intense blue eyes all business.&nbsp; Looking directly at Si, Sasha nodded her head to let him know all was well, holding his gaze for a heartbeat. “You mind keeping that Lovely up at the front of the shop company for a spell?”&nbsp; Swinging her gaze over to the muscle lurking in the shadows, Sasha then pointedly focused her attention back on Ferret, her eyebrows raised as she waited for the older woman to either accept or decline continuing their <em>conversation</em> in private - although in Sasha’s mind her acquiescence was already a foregone conclusion.<br><br>After all three men left the room, Sasha leisurely turned to face the older woman, the palm of one hand resting on the table, the other hand at her hip. The room had suddenly narrowed to a more intimate arena now that the two women were alone, and Sasha spoke with a huskily knowing tone. “My beautiful <em>she tou</em>...you and I both know you’ve plenty of grovelers more’n willing to lick the shine onto your boots.&nbsp; If witless, lily-livered “respect” is what you were truly looking for, I know for a fact you wouldn’t have been looking for me.” Bending at the waist with an almost predatory feline gracefulness, Sasha placed her hands on the arms of the chair on either side of Ferret. The soft swell of her breasts, the subtle spicy jasmine scent lingering on her skin, the silky sweep of her hair; all sensual enticements presented to the older woman as Sasha leaned forward to bring her face within inches of Ferret as she spoke softly, her warm breath a soft caress against the woman’s cheek. “And no way around it, <em>bao bei</em> - you call Griff about a job - you get me. So here I am, just like you planned; no need to play coy with me. I think we both understand each other quite well.”&nbsp; Sasha’s soft lips whispered an almost-kiss against Ferret’s cheek before she stood back up to her full height.&nbsp; “So, let’s not waste any more of our time playing games; how’s about you and I get down to it, hmm?”<br><br>Slipping her hand inside her jacket carefully to make it clear she wasn’t going for a weapon, Sasha slowly pulled out a piece of paper folded in quarters. “I ain’t never been a Companion, and I probably have about as much care about Guild Law as you do; but one of their laws that I kinda cotton to is the one that says only women can run a Guild House. I kinda like the sound of having the women in charge; the right natural order of things in my book.&nbsp; So think about it carefully, bao bei; you got a new House now - but there’s still more to be gained if us women stick together, then if we’re at each other’s throats, our bickering giving the men the power without them having to even lift a finger...giving Badger the win.”<br><br>Tapping the folded paper gently against her lower lip, Sasha peered at Ferret thoughtfully. “Ain’t no secret you’re not exactly well-loved in certain circles, Ferret. I would say my loyalty might be an attribute could come in handy some day...soon. Strategic allies, after all, are ultimately much more useful than enemies, don’t you agree?&nbsp; I would hate to see you bie wu long, when such a mutually beneficial opportunity is within easy reach.” <br><br>Sasha knew well that the key to successful negotiations is knowing where the fulcrum of power lies; if your opponent has the more favorable position, you must choose your strategy wisely, outwit them by being intimately familiar with their own fears and desires. Sasha knew Ferret operated in a dangerous, seedy underground world dominated by unscrupulous men, where eager usurpers were continually in the wings waiting to take over the throne. It was lonely at the top, particularly for a woman. Nonetheless, Ferret enjoyed her position of Queen Bitch, and Sasha was counting on that fact to carry the day.<br><br>“Word is, certain information is getting fed to the Guild, who for some reason are more’n willing to share that information with the Alliance. The names on this paper? Let’s just say I’d suggest you refrain from drinking tea with them any time in the near future.”&nbsp; Her intense blue eyes capturing Ferret’s gaze, Sasha sensuously puckered her lips and pressed her mouth softly against the folded paper in her hand, the rouge impression left behind a one-dimensional rendering of the soft fullness of her lips.&nbsp; Handing the paper to Ferret, Sasha smiled a wickedly knowing smile. “A little present from me to you. Or a peace offering. Hell, you can even say I gave it to you out of <em>respect.</em> Now...about that job...” <br><br><div align="center"><strong>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</strong></div><br>Charlotte glanced up from reading her magazine as Si and Steve returned to the front of the store. Not appearing surprised to see them, the pretty petite girl canted her head slightly, lifting a delicate hand to her ear as her slender fingers absently toyed with her dangling earring.&nbsp; “Been put on the bench have you, sports?” She said teasingly with a wry curve of her soft lips. “Or you gentlemen just wanting to keep a girl company?” Her caramel gaze strolled leisurely over both of the men as she continued to unconsciously fidget with her earring, her small smile somehow both shy and flirtatious as she waited to see which man would respond.<br><br><br><em>She tou = Leader of a criminal operation<br>bao bei = darling<br>Bie wu long = Make a big mistake</em><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>07-08-2011, 20:47:34</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - embodying the role of Disapproving Father - Ferret's hothouse, Persephone=-</strong></div><br>It wasn't hard to see where this was going, nor that it was intended to go that way. Sasha was an excellent negotiator - Si had had opportunities to witness that much firsthand before - so there was no way she'd pushed Ferret around the way she had thus far unintentionally. Every bite between them was taken with all the teeth she wanted to use. That the marks bled was no accident. It was only a matter of time before something drastic happened on one side or the other.<br><br>That Sasha asked to be left alone with Ferret was no surprise, then. Isolation may not be as flashy as a violent outburst, but leaving oneself in a vulnerable position in unfriendly territory qualified as drastic all the same. The veteran let his displeasure with his First Officer's decision-making in this instance show in that moment of eye contact: no deviation, no expression at all, walling off to keep from giving away any sense of chastisement that might be visible to their audience. He did not approve, but he knew better than to show any break in solidarity when they were not among allies. She had his support as long as she needed others to see that she had it. They could talk later.<br><br>"Ms. Xuědiāo, a pleasure as always." He offered a nod toward their hostess, then turned to escort McPherson upstairs. He might be concerned about Sasha's well-being, but he was more concerned about the possibility of their irritable new hire not wanting to follow her lead. Falling out would be worse than only being split up. Zao ta shi suoyou diyu de biaozi de ma fangzong fengkuang!*<br><br>Unfortunately the affair left him in no mood to play the gentleman for their welcoming committee in the shop proper. "Certain colors clash in a bouquet," he said by way of explanation, and little else, preferring to pass the time by examining the flowers on display and their various available paraphernalia. A few of the vases weren't half bad, really, considering what material was on hand to make them. The display cases were clean enough to keep an eye on Ferret's muscle and her coy receptionist in the reflections on the glass, giving him the best of both worlds: something innocuous to focus upon rather than worry overmuch about Miss Dearing putting herself in harm's way (<em>again</em>), and a useful vantage point to keep watch on the room behind him.<br><br>In retrospect, he thought, perhaps this wasn't the best outing on which to have taken their new crewman. For all her vocal interest in having him along to see how well he performed, their First Officer nearly seemed more interested in having him there to push around. It was almost enough to garner some sympathy for the man. Not enough to feel an obligation to keep him company while they waited, but enough to at least consider it. Maybe later, when he felt less inclined to say unflattering things about their shagua young officer.<br><br><br><br><br><br><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="bbc_size">*Damn whores from hell and their self-indulgent lunacy.</span>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>08-08-2011, 00:28:30</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- operation seduce Vincent – if you wanna know if he loves you so….it’s in his kiss, plantetside on Persephone *~</strong></div><br><br>Vincent’s teasing and encouraging response to Mae’s flirtatious comments helped to cement her determination to bring their relationship from playful banter to something much more defined with additional sensual benefits that have been the plot for many of her fantasies. As her confidence grew, so her fear of rejection dwindled to a whisper allowing the bolder side of her personality to reach out and take control. “I have a feeling that customer satisfaction will be met….and surpassed. I can guarantee you that this customer can keep you busy; you won’t need to entertain anyone else.” Her smile was nothing if not predatory. She was quickly seeing Vincent as hers, willing to fight for him should another rival think to challenge her claim.<br><br>As Vincent carried Mae deeper into the restaurant, he talked more of his life before The Gamble, capturing his passenger’s attention as she soaked in as much of his personal history that he felt comfortable to share. She smiled as he talked of his brother, whom she had already met, laughing softly as he described his “boss hat persona” having witnessed a part of that earlier. It had been obvious to her how much the brothers cared for each other, that short meeting alone proved to her that some families really did care for each other, unlike her own. Maybe it was being part of a large family that made the difference; she was an only child, whereas Vince had siblings to connect with. Her parents lived their lives as a solid unit, doing everything together, so much so that Mae had often felt like a third wheel. Perhaps that was why she had acted out so often leading to her eventual disowning. Whatever the case Mae knew one thing, she wanted to belong to one person. Someone she could put her complete trust in, and the more time spent with Vincent, the more she felt he just might be that person.<br><br>Her decision to go with the cozy corner rather than traveling atop his back sent her enthusiasm soring as Vincent ordered their meal. It took all her resolve to keep from stripping him naked where he stood. Vincent’s deep voice vibrated through his body seeping into hers as she wrapped herself around him, clinging onto his back and trying not to whimper with a lustful hum. Forcing her mind off her wanton needs Mae tried her best not to cause a public scene as she imagined all the delightful naughty things the two of them could get up to. The faster they could get to the privacy of the restaurant corner the better so when Vincent began to search out the perfect spot she couldn’t help but release a happy squeal as she placed her lips on the side of his neck once more.<br><br>Inwardly purring, Mae relished the feel of Vincent’s hands over her body as she slid like silk across heated skin along his body, taking a moment to gather herself as her feet landed lightly on the floor, Mae smiled as she smoothed her skirt back into place. Reaching her hand out to wrap her fingers around the back of a nearby chair in order to steady herself, Mae found it difficult to remain cool, calm and collected.&nbsp; Being with Vincent filled her with pleasure and excitement that intensified with every playful word that danced between them. She watched with great pleasure as he made himself comfortable in a chair, inviting her to take a seat upon his lap.<br><br><strong>"You've already offered, I'd be heartbroken if you went back on it now."</strong><br><br>Wrapping one hand over his left shoulder Mae moved into position as she gracefully slid her other hand over his right shoulder at the same time making herself comfortable on his lap. Pleased with the intimate seating arrangement, Mae took the opportunity to explore more of his skin by smoothing her hands over his shoulder blades and up along the column of his neck, raking through his short hair with her fingertips.&nbsp; “That’s one thing I would never want to do to you Vinnie. Breaking your heart is not part of the plan.” Pausing for a moment Mae took in a deep breath, gathering her courage before continuing with her admission. “There is something however that I want to do. Something that I’ve dreamed about for a long time now” her smile became sweet as she looked upon his features with adoring eyes. “I want to kiss you Vinnie, and not like a sister would her brother. I want to enjoy a long, slow, passionate kiss that will curl your toes and rob us both of our breath.”&nbsp; Waiting again to let her confession sink in Mae added in a softer voice as she slowly leaned forward “so how about it Vinnie?” licking her lips, Mae felt her body already prepare for what she hoped would be an earthshattering kiss as she brushed her lips against his asking the ultimate question “will you kiss me?”<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>08-08-2011, 02:47:44</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Charlotte, Damek, Si and Steve - Quietly playing games at The Best Little Hot House in Town ~</strong></div><br>The large black man in urban fatigues lumbered after Si and Steve as they moved into the retail front of the flower shop. Although he usually felt uncomfortable wandering around all the flowery femininity, at the moment he just felt relieved to get a break from listening to all that back and forth female bullshit between his boss and that mouthy bitch. Even though the younger woman was definitely easy on the eyes, the way she acted like she owned the place just didn’t sit right with him.&nbsp; Besides, the interaction between the two women had both pissed him off and turned him on, which confused him. He liked things simple and straightforward, and the goings-on in the back room were neither. He didn’t understand most of what was being said, but he caught the gist of the tone alright. Rolling his head on his thick neck as he walked, Damek tried to loosen some of the tension that had crept into his muscles during the tense exchanges he had been forced to witness silently. <br><br>As he strode heavily by to take up position just inside the front door, Damek ignored the men from the Gamble but glanced meaningfully at Charlotte as he caught her eye. His already menacing face pulled into a dark scowl as he peered outside the glass door for a few moments while Charlotte made her girlish overtures to the men who he assumed were the dark-haired bitch’s bodyguards.&nbsp; With his imposing physical presence and visible weaponry he wouldn’t make a very welcoming impression should a random legitimate customer - or lawman for that matter - pass by, so after he was satisfied with what he saw outside the big man hurried to the back of the shop again, pausing next to the petite girl at the counter, his hulking frame looming darkly beside her light petite shape.<br><br><strong>"Certain colors clash in a bouquet.”</strong><br><br>Damek rolled his eyes at the older man’s reply, his initial impression of the uppity-dressed man with a stick up his ass confirmed. Damek hadn’t been hired for his sharp acumen, so he had no idea what Si’s comment meant and he didn’t care. He had his clear orders from Ferret, and he intended to follow them completely. Warily he watched as the man proceeded to wander around the shop, apparently fascinated by the flowers presented for display. <em>"Fucking figures."</em> Damek growled disgustedly to himself. No REAL man would have any interest in such obvious womenfolky things such as <em>flowers.</em>&nbsp; He stood up straighter as he felt a surge of confidence that he could easily take the older, smaller man should a situation arise. The bigger, surprisingly quiet other one looked more like a brawler, but Damek wasn’t worried about that one either.&nbsp; The extensive map of scars and divots marring the portions of the big man’s skin visible beyond his clothing were testament to his many misjudgments of the past. However, Damek wasn’t one for introspection, and apparently not much for learning lessons well either. Itching for some action he absently cracked the large knuckles of his meaty fists while he stood watching the men, enjoying how his loud popping sounds disturbed the quiet of the shop.&nbsp; He almost wished one of the men <em>would</em> start something, give him a chance to impress the cute piece of ass behind the counter as well as score some points with his hard-ass boss.<br><br>Charlotte on the other hand, far from being just a cute piece of ass, was being personally groomed by Ferret for more than just presenting a charming front to the flower shop, and the young woman rarely missed anything. Already impressed with the way the understated but obviously capable older man carried himself, Si’s succinct and eloquent summary of the confrontation between Sasha and her boss impressed her further. However, giving no outward indication of her thoughts, Charlotte donned a pretty little pout in response to Si’s dismissive observation and Steve’s silence. “Fine.” She spoke to both men with the contrived pout carrying over in her voice, “You didn’t look like my kind of company anyway.” Her eyes flicked covertly to Damek as she returned to flipping through her magazine, outwardly ignoring Steve as well as Si as he staked out the area of the small shop.<br><br>Making an obvious show of resting his hand on his silenced Avenger holstered at his hip, Damek moved to position himself with Charlotte at his back and both the men in front of him. Gesturing to a side door somewhat hidden on the far side of the back wall, he addressed Si and Steve in his low gravely voice. “Seems like the three of us manly types congregating in here like it’s some kind of barroom might give one of them flighty female customers the willies if any of 'em happened to stop by. Wouldn’t want to go and ruin any chance for selling them pretty flowers, now would we...<em>gentlemen</em>?"&nbsp; Keeping his hand on his holstered weapon, he again gestured with his other hand to the door. “After you...now let’s go.”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>08-08-2011, 05:10:18</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Willing victim of operation seduce Vincent - Persephone=-</strong></div><br>Vincent was ecstatic to see that Mae had not been jesting with her suggestion and was even surprised when she didn't position herself in a way that would mostly have her back to him.&nbsp; The beating of his heart increased considerably with the more intimate seating arrangement while his arm wrapped around her lower back to provide support.&nbsp; His eyes partially rolled into the back of his head as he felt her fingers trace along his neck and the back of his scalp, his head leaning back by pure reflex to the sensual touch.&nbsp; Had he not been so excited about their date, it was something that had the potential to soothe him into sleep.<br><br><em>“That’s one thing I would never want to do to you Vinnie. Breaking your heart is not part of the plan.”</em><br><br>A smile tugged at the corner of his lips even though his eyes remained closed from her touch as though he was in a partial trance.&nbsp; Mae's words only helped lure him into a feeling of reassurance.&nbsp; "Oh?&nbsp; So I am involved in a plan of yours?&nbsp; Would you mind letting me in on it?"&nbsp; Although the words were playful, his question had been sincere and hopeful for what would follow.<br><br><em>“There is something that I want to do. Something that I’ve dreamed about for a long time now.”</em>&nbsp; That got Vincent's full attention.&nbsp; Pulling free from his quasi meditative state, his eyes opened and met Mae's gaze.&nbsp; It was a look that he had never seen from her before; something he dreamed about but had been a fantasy more fleeting than any child's bedtime story.&nbsp; It was such that caused butterflies to dance in his stomach, his heart to skip several beats, and a minor dose of adrenaline to coarse through his blood stream.&nbsp; Curious surprise was the initial expression on his face, but it quickly gave way to a deep deep longing that had been suppressed for quite some time and was finally able to get its first glimpse of daylight.<br><br><em>“I want to kiss you Vinnie, and not like a sister would her brother. I want to enjoy a long, slow, passionate kiss that will curl your toes and rob us both of our breath.”</em><br><br>For a moment, he had to remind himself that this was neither fantasy nor dream.&nbsp; Mae Little, the young woman who had unknowingly won his heart, had actually spoken those words to him.&nbsp; Vincent's body trembled slightly; not from fear, nerves, or uncertainty, but from happiness so pure and absolute that it could not be easily contained within him.&nbsp; He had seen her joke before, play coy, and even lead one into a situation where they thought they had won the grand prize of her company only to be shut down.&nbsp; There was no doubt in his mind that this was none of them.<br><br><em>“So how about it Vinnie?”</em>&nbsp; Though his eyes never left hers, he could see the flash of her tongue along her lips along his peripheries.&nbsp; It wasn't until after the fact that he realized he had done the same thing once he noticed her do so.&nbsp; <em>“Will you kiss me?”</em><br><br>Vincent didn't speak, not daring to ruin the moment with words.&nbsp; He did not hesitate, nor did he rush in.&nbsp; Slowly, delicately, his hand rose to lightly caress her cheek with the back of his fingers.&nbsp; Slowly, they moved along the side of her head, brushing aside locks of hair until it had found its way to the point where the neck met the back of the skull.&nbsp; So many thoughts and emotions raced through his mind as to what was about to happen, but they were hardly a whisper.&nbsp; He had wanted this moment to happen for so long that he had no concern for such trivial things that would only interfere with his chance to savor his first actual kiss with Mae.&nbsp; Applying only the most miniscule amount of force, he guided her rather than pulled her towards him.&nbsp; She willingly moved in as he did the same until they met somewhere halfway.&nbsp; The moment he felt her soft, warm lips press against his an atomic bomb could have gone off outside and he wouldn't have paid it any mind.<br><br>The kiss couldn't simply be described in the strictly physical sense.&nbsp; Vincent had poured all the feelings for Mae that he had held back for so long into it.&nbsp; All of the hopes, dreams, and love he had ever felt for her gave it shape, allowing them to guide it in ways that would cause it to be an injustice to simply focus on the way their tongues mingled within the embrace of their sealed lips.&nbsp; To Vincent, the kiss had been more of an emotional action than it had been a physical one.&nbsp; So liberating was the chance to open up to Mae without reservation that it had actually caused his entire body to react as it became overwhelmed by the sensation.&nbsp; The most predominate of which had been in his arms and hands with the way they held her as if he there was nothing in this 'verse that would have been capable of separating them in any sense of the word.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>09-08-2011, 04:52:01</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- operation seduce Vincent – rounding first base on her way to second, plantetside on Persephone *~</strong></div><br><br>Mae could clearly see the desire she felt for Vincent reflected back to her in his gaze. His eyes flashed with various emotions as he searched hers for the answer to his silent questions. Could she open her heart to him? Offer him all that she had to give, regardless of the lessons life had already taught her? The answer was provided the instant his lips touched hers. The answer was a resounding yes!<br><br>Mae moved willingly as Vincent pulled her closer securing them in an intimate cocoon that easily filtered out those around them. His tender touch was enough to send a shiver down her spine leaving her with a warm tingling that danced playfully across her nerve endings. She pressed her body against his feeling the sinfully delicious hard wall of his chest under her searching fingers. His lips touched hers in a kiss that began as a sweet and tender caress, so filled with warmth and caring it essentially wiped any lingering doubts from her mind, clearing her thoughts and allowing her to just feel. <br><br>The intimate touch freed Mae's natural sensual side, after having been suppressed far too long, allowing it to roar to the forefront as she encouraged the sweet and tender kiss to new heights. Her hunger for more of him almost consumed her. A tiny growl escaped her lips as she pressed her body against his needing to feel more of him. She moved her hands over his hard body delighting in the feel of his chest before guiding one hand to smooth along his back. The play of his muscles under her tender fingertips teased her senses causing her hunger to increase. Mae shivered with anticipation as her mind was flooded with sensual images. Her fingers were itching to touch all of him, clear from all hindrances. To caress him with a tender touch and taste his skin with her tongue. <br><br>Her fingers began tugging at his shirt, slipping her hand beneath its soft fabric to finally touch the heated skin hidden beneath. Mae release a throaty moan of pleasure the instant her fingers touched his skin. Almost as if her fantasy was controlling her actions, she found herself shifting on his lap, rocking against him intimately.&nbsp; At the same time her mouth opened under his with another soft and sensual sigh before capturing him in a heated kiss once more. Mae pushed her tongue out to meet his, playing with him in a tumble erotic battle that brought her desires higher. <br><br>Mae was giddy with eagerness that had her very much looking forward to being ravished by Vincent. Her head spun with pleasure as her sensual desires frolicked with freedom to finally grant a wish she hadn't dared to speak aloud before this.&nbsp; A liquid heat filled her body pooling between her legs bring with it a throb that communicated its desperate need for more, screaming out its need to be satisfied. <br><br>Her thoughts, though random, jumped from humours to erotic in a nervous battle of wills with the sensual decadence that wanted so desperately to be heard. Her mind swirled with so many notions and emotions it was hard to keep them straight. There was no doubt that she wanted him physically, but there was more to it. She adored him for more than his body or how he could make her feel, but it still scared to her use the ‘L’ word. The thought of keeping Vincent captive as her love slave suddenly popped into her head causing a smile to tug at the corners of her lips as a giggle bubbled up from her throat.<br><br>Slowly Mae pulled back from the embrace as the kiss dwindled to its natural end. Smiling, Mae released the tiny giggle that had been trapped in her throat before anxiously nibbling her bottom lip. Her eyes clashed with her nervousness as they danced with pleasure that flooded her body. Her chest heaved with each laboured breath as she struggled to gather her scattered thoughts, wanting to express her feelings for the man before her. “Yeh Su! You sure kept that a secret…. Vinnie... Ai Ya! I can’t… there's no words… I mean….did you feel the earth move? ’Cause I'm pretty sure it was spinning pretty damn fast there at one point.”&nbsp; Her random ramblings exploded from her lips as she continued to process the mind blowing kiss that had her reeling for composure.&nbsp; Grasping his shoulders firmly, Mae shook Vincent as if to emphasize her point “Let’s do it again!” she called out with great enthusiasm “perhaps, some place less public? How hungry are you Vinnie?”<br><br><div align="center">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><br>Jesus: Yeh Su<br>Aah!: Ai ya!<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>09-08-2011, 05:50:23</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Ferret in the back room of “The Best Little Hot&nbsp; House in Town” – Negotiating with Sasha =-</strong></div><br>Ferret was no stranger to the art of negotiating, manipulating, nor hunting. Some may even say that Ferret re-wrote the book on all three subjects, plus a few others not mentioned. She took great pride in being “Queen Bitch,” a title worked hard to earn, having scratched and clawed her way to the top of Persephone’s criminal food chain, in a manner of speaking. Though Ferret no longer needed to directly involve herself in the hunt, she was a skilled veteran who kept her talents well honed in the event she may need, simply desire, to go on the prowl once again, expanding her territories beyond even Persephone’s orbit. <br><br>Her keen eyes were ever diligent, discreetly monitoring Sasha’s every move from her periphery. Casually setting the shears down as Sasha pushed from the workbench, Ferret busied herself, delicately handling the snapdragons. Tenderly, she manipulated the fragile leaves to bend to her will, shaping them to fulfill the image in her mind’s eye. <br><br><strong>“Boys, me and Ferret’s gonna need a few minutes of girl talk.” </strong><br><br>Pretending not hear Sasha, she idly picked up a water bottle, carefully misting the arrangement she was shaping before her. The subtle shift of her eyes towards Damek was enough that the man understood without words being exchanged, and he silently lumbered from the room behind Sasha’s “boys.” With the room empty of men now, Ferret once again leaned back in her chair, slowly swiveling it around to face the younger woman that remind Ferret so much of herself at that age. Lacing her fingers together, she delicately folded her hands in her lap, crossing her slender legs as she stared intently at Sasha. The woman had balls, she couldn’t deny her that. Her expression remained as unreadable as a stone wall. Ferret remained silent, listening closely as Sasha began on her monologue.<br><br><strong>“My beautiful she tou...you and I both know you’ve plenty of grovelers more’n willing to lick the shine onto your boots.&nbsp; If witless, lily-livered “respect” is what you were truly looking for, I know for a fact you wouldn’t have been looking for me.”</strong><br><br>At this, Ferret’s eyebrows arched upwards ever so slightly and her chin lifted an almost imperceptible amount. It was true, she had more than enough “yes men” in her pockets, and being such a good judge of character as she was, she had recognized early on that Sasha would never be anyone’s “yes man”… or “yes woman,” as it were.<br><br>She almost smirked when Sasha gripped the arms of the chair where she sat and leaned down to her. Ferret was not sly, but she wasn’t averse to a woman’s touch either. She adored beauty in all of it’s many forms, and beauty was one thing, among others, that Sasha had in abundance. Never one to miss an opportunity, Ferret was happy to enjoy the view offered to her so freely. She let her cold, blue eyes drift down to drink in the lovely sight of Sasha’s breasts, inhaling slowly and letting the scent of Jasmine fill her nostrils, forever tying that smell to the image of Sasha’s lovely cleavage. Ferret was a pro, not about to be lured in by pretty packaging and crafty words. Still, she never passed up on something that was free.<br><br>Feeling Sasha’s breath on her cheek, Ferret allowed a soft smile as the younger woman’s words danced upon her skin. Unlacing her fingers, she gently let her soft, well manicured fingers dance merrily over Sasha’s hands before covering them complete with her own. She leaned towards Sasha the slightest bit, giving the impression that she was falling under Sasha’s spell.<br><br><strong>“And no way around it, bao bei - you call Griff about a job - you get me. So here I am, just like you planned; no need to play coy with me. I think we both understand each other quite well. So, let’s not waste any more of our time playing games; how’s about you and I get down to it, hmm?”</strong><br><br>Ferret finally smiled as Sasha stood straight once more, a soft and knowing smile the touched her eyes, though she remained silent. Those eyes followed Sasha’s hand as she reached inside her jacket, she watched with curious intent as the younger woman withdrew a folded piece of paper. Shifting her gaze back to Sasha’s eyes, she listened on, having not spoken a word since Sasha began some minutes ago. It was a tactic she employed regularly, though Sasha wasn’t tipping her hand so readily as most of Ferret’s other… “prey.”<br><br><strong>“Word is, certain information is getting fed to the Guild, who for some reason are more’n willing to share that information with the Alliance. The names on this paper? Let’s just say I’d suggest you refrain from drinking tea with them any time in the near future.”</strong><br><br>One of the skills Ferret possessed that set her apart from the competition was knowing every possible angle of attack before her adversary did and have a planned strategy of attack and counter attack ready to execute at a moment’s notice. She had seen where Sasha was going with her “girls sticking together” and “Badger wins” approach. This, however, Ferret did not see coming, and she sat up straight in her chair, her eyes fixed curiously on the piece of paper in Sasha’s hand before locking onto Sasha’s once more.<br><br><strong>“A little present from me to you. Or a peace offering. Hell, you can even say I gave it to you out of respect. Now...about that job...”</strong><br><br>Realizing that she had tilted her hand, Ferret relaxed again, reclining back in her chair and feigning disinterest. But she knew it was too late for that. Sasha was good. Very good. Reaching out slowly, she took the paper from Sasha’s hand and tucked it safely inside her blouse. Reaching for a small ledger on the far end of the workbench, Ferret thumbed through a few pages. Reaching the one she had wanted, she ripped the paper from the ledger and held her outstretched hand towards Sasha, offering her the job details in writing.<br><br>“There you are Miss Dearing. You’ll find all the details there. I would suggest not waiting too long before you get underway. Abernathy’s not a very patient man, and tends to jump to conclusions and over react rather easily.” Glancing at her watch she turned to her workbench once more and set to work again. “Run along now, bao bei. I think we’ve played long enough, don’t you? Besides, I have other… appointments scheduled. You’re not the only pretty flower I like to play with, ya know?” Waiting until Sasha was nearly through the door, she called out to her one last time. “Sasha, darling..” She flashed a provocative smile at the woman, pausing for a moment as she turned to face Ferret. “Nicely played, my dear. Nicely played. You ever find yourself without a captain or a ship, you come see me, understand?” Then, without another word she turned to her flowers and was absorbed in her work once more.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>10-08-2011, 00:02:37</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - fulfilling an obligation - Ferret's hothouse, Persephone=-</strong></div><br>“You didn’t look like my kind of company anyway," the girl had said, and doubtless it was true that day. Some other time perhaps he could have provided Charlotte with some slight entertainment, or at least a more gentlemanly period of conversation, but just now he simply could not manage that much of a facade. He had too much on his mind. There were things to do that he could not do until they were confirmed either employment or, in the case of that employment being canceled, hostility, for it was unlikely there could be any other change in relationship between The Gamble's crew and Ferret's organization. It was not at all a fight they wanted, but he saw no way to avoid it if things should go that way. There was much waiting to be done.<br><br>The lilacs were what reminded him. Yes, there was much to do that could not be done, but there was at least one thing he could do while he waited. Simeon took a moment to look through the display again, this time looking at the flowers for themselves rather than studying only the glass. Yes. Yes, that would do. He slid the case door open and began sorting through a few of the options. He was not sifting blindly, nor did he look solely for the colors that went well together. Carefully he took a few from this section, a few from that, constructing a deliberate combination of flowers.<br><br>&nbsp;“Seems like the three of us manly types congregating in here like it’s some kind of barroom might give one of them flighty female customers the willies if any of 'em happened to stop by. Wouldn’t want to go and ruin any chance for selling them pretty flowers, now would we...gentlemen? After you...now let’s go.”<br><br>Simeon did not respond to the man's supposition, nor his command. Instead he closed the display case door and moved to a nearby shelf, fingering his way down the labels until he found what he was looking for and lifted a small handful of stems. That would be the core. Doubtless the thug was unsure how to proceed: the older man was hardly doing anything threatening, or even disruptive, and if he approached Simeon he'd have to turn his back on McPherson to do it. He was not in a strong position. On the other hand, if he let Si just ignore him that would set a bad precedent. Wouldn't it? Problematic.<br><br>When he sensed he was pushing his luck Si finally spoke up: "I would never dream of harming a local business, sir. If your concern is how I might appear to your customers, fear not: I am one of them. Now, if you will excuse me?" He spared Damek a look that held no interest in discussion, then turned toward Charlotte, offering the girl a smile as he did so. "Miss, I fear that while I may be educated on the nature of a fine bouquet, I have little skill in building one myself. Would you be so kind as to put these together for me, with a frame of ivy to hold them together?" The mixture he set out on the counter included a core of white lilacs set off by flashes of bright yellow mullein and darker orange marigold. It would suit her well, he thought, even if she may not know why herself.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>10-08-2011, 05:33:03</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, on board The Gamble, putting away the groceries=-</strong></div><br><strong>"Poor guy. Thought he was gonna get a different kind of tip from me for a job well done. Ah well, we've all got to make a living, you know. Need a hand with getting all this stuff stowed?"</strong><br><br>Dani smiled as Lex recounted his brief interlude with the handsome dock worker.&nbsp; She'd noticed them talking, but hadn't been near enough to hear any of the conversation.&nbsp; Their body language had spoken volumes, though, and Dani had correctly surmised that the young man had been attempting to proposition the much more experienced Companion. <br><br>"That'd be shiny...thanks," she answered his offer of assistance with an appreciative smile.&nbsp; Squatting amongst the boxes of supplies, Dani began sorting them into what needed to stay down here in cold storage, and what could go upstairs to the mess. "Lex, do you ever get tired of being propositioned?" It was something that she had been wondering, but had never had the courage to ask.&nbsp; Blushing deeply at her own curiosity, Dani kept her eyes steadily on her work, too embarrassed to look Lex in the face, in case she had stepped over some invisible Companion confidentiality line. <br><br>She idly wondered what had gotten into her today. It wasn't like her to be so bold to ask questions like the one she just asked Lex, let alone deal with strangers, and leave the ship. A sense of pride washed over her.&nbsp; Maybe it wouldn't seem like much to anyone else, but to someone who was as emotionally damaged as Dani was, it was a huge step.&nbsp; Shaking her head at her own behaviour, she hurriedly finished putting the food into cold storage, before it started to thaw.&nbsp; Hefting a box that she had filled with things she knew they needed upstairs, she smiled at Lex once again.&nbsp; <br><br>"Thanks for your help, Lex...I'm going to take these things up to the mess.&nbsp; We're gettin' desperate for essentials up there, and I don't want to have to run downstairs whenever I need something.&nbsp; Oh! Will you be eatin' on board tonight?"&nbsp; She hadn't thought to check who'd be around for their evening meal.&nbsp; Dani shrugged to herself.&nbsp; She'd cook enough for everyone, just in case.&nbsp; Leftovers never went to waste around here.&nbsp; They were a crew of healthy appetites, something that the medic-come-cook was quite pleased about.&nbsp; There was nothing quite as pleasing to her as watching the crew demolish a meal that she had made for them.&nbsp; It made her feel like she was part of a family, and that the ship was home.<br><br>Climbing the stairs carefully, she reached the mess and began putting the food in the various lockers around the room.&nbsp; She had a system of organisation in the small food preparation area which the crew respected.&nbsp; They would generally put things back where they found them, and if they weren't sure of where something was, or where it should go, they'd check with her.&nbsp; Dani appreciated their thoughtfulness in that regard.&nbsp; The mess would be in danger of becoming a mess if everything didn't have a place.&nbsp; <br><br>Voices drifted in from the engine room.&nbsp; Griff's was immediately recognisable, but the other was foreign to her.&nbsp; Where was Hayes? It wasn't like her to let anyone tinker with her engine, but it was obvious that there was some sort of repairs being carried out, and their chief engineer wasn't making herself heard.&nbsp; Dani peeked down the corridor that lead past the storage lockers and to the engine room.&nbsp; There was definitely someone in there with Griff, and that someone wasn't Hayes.&nbsp; She frowned.&nbsp; What was going on?<br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>10-08-2011, 06:19:20</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston, Captain of The Gamble – In the engine room, talking with Anwar =-</strong></div><br>Griff sneered as Anwar snickered at his botched attempt to call the catalyzer by name. Hayes had always given him grief for not only being unfamiliar with his own ship’s engine and its parts, but often times failing miserably at even pronouncing the names of the various parts. Griff never had been very good with machines. He knew how use them just fine, better than most actually, but when it come to the hows and whys of their inner workings, it was the same as magic to Griff. It wasn’t that he was too dim to comprehend, it just didn’t interest him enough to keep his attention and, as a result, he never picked up anything when it came to engines and mechanics. Hayes had tried to show him a thing or two before, but it was always the same. He’d start off intent to learn something this time around, but he always ended up distracted by one thing or another and get lost in thought. While Hayes droned on with her lesson, Griff would be thinking of how the name of that part reminded him of a certain part of a woman’s anatomy, or how the texture of this part reminded him of his first gun. It was always something distracting him and carrying his mind anywhere but the conversation at hand when shop talk was the subject. He’d earned more than a few bumps and bruises from Hayes because of it too.<br><br>Anwar answered him and Griff found himself hoping that the man wouldn’t prattle on with mindless engine talk the way Hayes was often prone to do.<br><br><strong>"Yes, Captain Kingston.&nbsp; The catalyzer has been installed.&nbsp; I hope you don't mind, but I tried out a little something I've been toying with recently.&nbsp; It's been tested somewhat, but not as much as I'd like.&nbsp; If my design works properly, though, it will not only increase your fuel efficiency, but should last longer too before needing to be replaced or repaired."</strong><br><br>Griff pretended to be interested about what Anwar was saying and even leaned over to inspect the part as though he understood exactly what Anwar was talking about. Arching his eyebrows towards his hairline, he nodded with an expression that designed to communicate how impressed he was. Little did he know that, not only was he was inspecting the wrong part, he wasn’t even in the vicinity of where the part was installed. “Impressive… Anwar was it?” He glanced up at the man again as he straightened from his impromptu inspection.<br><br><strong>"Whoever your mechanic is, he's good, and cares about this engine.&nbsp; Doesn't look like you really have any more problems with it.&nbsp; Catalyzers just go out, no matter how well the engine's maintained."</strong><br><br>Griffs nod was accompanied by small smile, but proud smile as Anwar mentioned his mechanic. “Yeah, Hayes is the best I’ve ever worked with. It’s a damn shame she had to run home to babysit family. You’d have liked her. She’s a real social butterfly, like yourself. Maybe you two can talk shop when she comes back… IF she comes back.” He let that last part hang in the air between them for a bit, wondering if Anwar would pick up on the fact that he’d just announced he was presently without a mechanic.<br><br><strong>"You know, she's a beauty.&nbsp; Has a hell of a lot of potential.&nbsp; I'd love to get my hands on her and make a few more mods.&nbsp; Maybe get a bit more boost, increase her top end a bit..."</strong><br><br>Griff looked around the engine room with pride, admiring the inner workings of his beloved ship, though he knew almost nothing about everything in this room, except that this was the engine that made his ship go, that gave him and his crew a job and freedom to go wherever he wanted to go and do whatever he wanted to do, whenever he took a notion to do it… anything within reason, that is.<br><br><strong> "Anyway, Jack will settle the bill up with you I suppose, since I contract through him, so I'll let you two work that out.&nbsp; I get paid the same either way.&nbsp; And honestly, it was a quick install, and I got my hands on a beauty of a boat for a while, so I wouldn't charge much for it anyway. Anyway, I'll take my leave.&nbsp; Let me know how that catalyzer performs next time you're planetside, Hell, if it works out good enough, I might even be able to get a patent on the design or something."</strong><br><br>Griff turned his attention the younger man, watching him as he sucked on his lollipop and talked about his modifications. He recognized the genuine spark of admiration in Anwar’s eyes as he looked over the engine of his ship. He saw that same spark in Hayes’s eyes when he had first met her and he found himself missing Hayes more than he cared to admit. <br><br>Griff was a hard ass at times because he had to be. That was his job as Captain, to be that enduring presence of reliability and assurance, to exude an air of confidence what would cause his crew never to question or doubt him when things got hairy. But deep down, or maybe not as deep down as he might think, Griff genuinely cared for each member of crew with whom he had spent any real time with. Griff was good at keeping a cool head when things got rocky, good at conveying authority and confidence, he was a skilled fighter, a solid tactician, and could even pilot The Gamble good enough to not run into something he wasn’t supposed to run into. He was good at a lot of things, but when it came to emotions and feelings, not so much. Forcing his thoughts from that of Hayes, he turned his attentions back to Anwar once again, and the present conversation.<br><br>&nbsp;“Yeah, about that…. Jack and I already talked it over and I’ve squared the bill with him for the repairs.” Reaching into his rear trouser pocket, Griff retrieved an envelope, folded in half. He handed it over to Anwar with a smug smirk firmly in place. Waiting for Anwar to open the envelope, Griff explained, “that’s your check from Jack. He says that should be everything he owes you for all the work you’ve done and a small bonus for doing a good job on my…” he glanced to the engine, still unable to recall the name of that damn part, “… engine. Look, Jack tells me you’re looking to get off of Persephone and… well, as luck would have it, I’m in need of a mechanic. Now I don’t know you from Adam, but Jack vouches for ya and highly recommends you as a mechanic, so that’s good enough for me. So, why don’t you stay on with me, get your hands on this sexy engine here and keep me and mine flying in the black, and I’ll cut you in on the profit, six percent of the earnings on every job, same as me and the rest of my crew. That comes to forty eight percent of total earnings going to wages, twenty percent towards supplies and the remaining thirty two percent going back into The Gamble for fuel and maintenance.” He paused for a minute as he watched Anwar’s reaction. “Besides, I figure you might need to stay on for a spell in case your little modification don’t come off as well as you’d hoped for. So, whattaya say, Anwar?” Griff held out his hand to seal the deal with a firm handshake, waiting for Anwar to accept, as he had every confidence that he would.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Scotty Rage</strong> on <strong>10-08-2011, 07:30:01</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Anwar, Mechanical Engineer - The Gamble, Engine Room, Gettin' a Job!=-</strong></div><br><strong> “Yeah, about that…. Jack and I already talked it over and I’ve squared the bill with him for the repairs.&nbsp; That’s your check from Jack. He says that should be everything he owes you for all the work you’ve done and a small bonus for doing a good job on my…engine. Look, Jack tells me you’re looking to get off of Persephone and… well, as luck would have it, I’m in need of a mechanic. Now I don’t know you from Adam, but Jack vouches for ya and highly recommends you as a mechanic, so that’s good enough for me. So, why don’t you stay on with me, get your hands on this sexy engine here and keep me and mine flying in the black, and I’ll cut you in on the profit, six percent of the earnings on every job, same as me and the rest of my crew. That comes to forty eight percent of total earnings going to wages, twenty percent towards supplies and the remaining thirty two percent going back into The Gamble for fuel and maintenance.”</strong><br><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu156/rage0976/RP%20Characters/jensen_ackles_07.jpg)</div>Anwar listened as Griff explained the discussion with Jack, and made the offer for him to stay on with The Gamble and her crew.&nbsp; He could hardly contain his excitement at the prospect of not only getting off planet, but even getting paid to do it rather than having to fork over hi hard earned money to some lowlife for a short trip.&nbsp; He didn't show it outwardly, his face remaining somewhat stoic as he listened to the captain, but inside he was ready to explode with joy and relief.&nbsp; He nodded a bit here and there as Griff carried on with his explanation, tilting his head curiously as the system for handling wages was explained to him.<br><br><br>"Sounds decent enough," he responded, going through the numbers in his head.&nbsp; Six percent seemed a bit on the low end, but he was willing to take any offer Griff made on wages when paired with the chance to get off Persephone.&nbsp; Not to mention, going as a crew member and not a passenger made him a bit harder to track, so it had an added bonus of helping him stay somewhat under the radar, which was exactly what he needed.&nbsp; Finding a transport that would take him without too many questions would have been costly, so this offer was too good to pass up.<br><br><br><strong>“Besides, I figure you might need to stay on for a spell in case your little modification don’t come off as well as you’d hoped for. So, whattaya say, Anwar?” </strong><br><br>Taking Griff's hand, Anwar nodded his acceptance.&nbsp; "Alright, Captain.&nbsp; You have yourself a mechanic...at least until your girl comes back.&nbsp; Then you can drop me off somewhere if you're sick of me by then...or if you like I could stay on and help with other things.&nbsp; I have a few other skills that might come in handy here and there."&nbsp; He then pursed his lips for a moment.&nbsp; "Um...will we be planetside long enough for me to get my things together and say goodbye to Jack?&nbsp; He's one of the few friends I've ever had, so I'd like to at least do that."&nbsp; He glanced past Griff for a moment to catch the silhouette of someone watching them, tilting his head curiously.&nbsp; He didn't say anything, though, figuring it to be another crew member, simply studying Dani for a moment as if trying to assess whether she was friend or foe, ultimately deciding on friend it seemed as he just looked back to Griff and awaited his answer on how much time he had.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>12-08-2011, 19:32:44</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the stowaway – aboard the Gamble, Eavesdown Docks – delicious=-</strong></div><br>Semi-consciously listening for alarmed voices, the raggedy girl slept off and on through the vague noises around her. Someone tramped over the docking ramp’s door several times, unseen by her because of her hidden position. She didn’t care who they were – she didn’t know these people and had no plans to get to know them. She was going to be gone before liftoff, looking for a ride to take her anywhere further away… safely away from her starting point. Who knows how much later, she felt the last of her headache ebb and breathed a little deeper.<br><br>Drowsily she looked down at her hand, the fruit protected inside her palm, smiling as she considered her prize. The girl rested her head backward, pulling the thin-skinned fruit up to her lips, just smelling it for a moment. As her mouth tingled with the production of saliva, she slid her open lips around the skin, licking at the fruit with her eyes closed. Unable to wait any longer, she slowly bit into the flesh, letting the juice run into her mouth and swallowing, hoping she wouldn’t end up ill from the sweetness upon her nearly empty stomach.<br><br>Moving as slowly as she could manage to lessen the noise of her enjoyment, she ate and drank of the fruit, her eyes closed the whole time. Distant noises, both on and off the ship, surrounded her and she paid them no attention. Her senses completely captivated by the refreshing nourishment, she explored the pit left in her fingertips with her tongue, lapping up every last drop of natural syrup.<br><br>Somehow tired again, she cupped the pit in her hand before tucking it into her jumpsuit, its small weight making her feel secure. Moving carefully to avoid making noise, she remained ducked behind the pallets but worked to improve her position. She shifted to the floor, looking out around the lower corner of the stack to survey the room.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>14-08-2011, 23:06:31</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer of the Gamble - On Persephone with Si and Steve, looking to put The Best Little Hot House in Town in the rear view ~</strong></div><br>Sasha noted the subtle shift in Ferret’s expression and posture, and knew the exact moment the battle was won. The adrenaline that had flooded her bloodstream during the confrontation began to dilute and dissolve, and a small frisson of satisfaction began to unfurl within her.&nbsp; Outwardly Sasha remained the inscrutable professional, never letting her guard down for even one moment. Of all the contacts she and Griff worked with, Ferret was by far the most treacherous, and Sasha walked a razor’s edge whenever dealing with the whip-smart and accomplished woman; always able to achieve her objective - at least so far - but never easily. And this confrontation had been especially challenging. It was almost as if the seasoned older woman was ruthlessly testing the younger woman’s limits and abilities.<br><br>Sasha remained quiet, her expression shuttered, while Ferret casually accepted the list of names and tucked it into her blouse without even looking at it. Waiting to finally hear the details of the job, Sasha was surprised when Ferret reached for a ledger on the workbench and ripped out a piece of paper to hand her. It wasn’t like Ferret to document an illicit exchange in any way; maybe this job would shock the hell out of everyone and actually be on the up and up? Sasha accepted the paper, glancing only briefly at it before folding it and slipping the paper inside her jacket pocket. The ragged edge of the torn paper gave Sasha a slightly unsettled feeling; the shrewd businesswoman’s usual propensity for near-perfectionism didn’t jive with this somewhat cavalier hand-off. In Sasha’s experience, whenever a normally very consistent person suddenly becomes inconsistent - even in the smallest of ways - it meant something was up.<br><br><strong>“There you are Miss Dearing. You’ll find all the details there. I would suggest not waiting too long before you get underway. Abernathy’s not a very patient man, and tends to jump to conclusions and over react rather easily.”</strong><br><br>Sasha’s eyes narrowed in distaste at the mention of Abernathy - a vile man if there ever was one, with a vicious reputation to boot. <em>Just perfect, Griff - you’re two for two on this one.</em> Sasha grumbled angrily to herself. <em>And I guess that answers the question of whether or not the job is of the legal variety.</em> The vaguely unsettled feeling started to coalesce into more of a general sense of unease.<br><br><strong>“Run along now, bao bei. I think we’ve played long enough, don’t you? Besides, I have other… appointments scheduled. You’re not the only pretty flower I like to play with, ya know?”</strong><br><br>Ferret’s dismissal brought Sasha’s mind back to the intricate and hazardous interplay the two of them had just exchanged. Not for the first time, Sasha found herself heartily wishing that Griff would stop accepting jobs from the viperous crime boss. Nodding her head in Ferret’s direction, Sasha turned to leave the deceptively serene looking older woman to her flowers.<br><br><strong>“Sasha, darling...Nicely played, my dear. Nicely played. You ever find yourself without a captain or a ship, you come see me, understand?”</strong><br><br>Sasha grinned jauntily as she gave her most dangerous adversary a casual salute and one-word goodbye. “Ferret.”&nbsp; Spinning on her heel Sasha opened the door and stepped through into the long hallway, closing the door firmly behind her.<br><br>Alone in the darkened hallway, Sasha sagged limply against the wall, the sudden and unexpected hot prick of tears stinging her eyes.&nbsp; Angrily blinking back the wetness from spilling over her dark lashes, the blue of Sasha’s eyes glowed luminously with unshed tears as she took several deep, centering breaths. <br><br>The older woman’s parting compliments had seared through her as none of her threats or harsh words ever could, catching her off guard by tapping into her usually safely locked away Pandora’s box of memories. Oddly enough, Ferret was probably the only woman in Sasha’s world who she didn’t feel needed some kind of protection from her, some portion of nurturing from her. With Ferret’s aura of supreme confidence and strength - even as twisted and diabolical as she could be - the older woman resonated on some subconscious level as something of a mother figure to the much younger woman. Sasha’s mother had been a strong guiding force throughout her childhood, pushing her to her very best, demanding and expecting nothing less. And something about the older woman’s tone, her words...Sasha forced the painful remembered emotions back down into that dark place inside where she kept them locked away, her eyes tightly closed as she focused on her breathing, focused on returning to the coolly professional First Officer she knew the crew counted on her to be.<br><br><div align="center"><strong>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</strong></div><br>Damek’s broad jaw tightened as he gritted his teeth in annoyance, his gun hand curling into a stiff claw itching for the feel of his weapon as he watched the dandified lightweight continue to play with the flowers, the sissified man completely ignoring his unmistakeable demand. Damek glared at Si, his lips pulled back into an angry grimace. A beat before he was about to snarl an escalated warning, the pantywaist spoke to him in an irritatingly uppity manner.<br><br><strong>"I would never dream of harming a local business, sir. If your concern is how I might appear to your customers, fear not: I am one of them. Now, if you will excuse me?"</strong><br><br>The oversized man growled in answer, his eye having caught a warning glance thrown at him by Charlotte. Chafing at the constraints of obeying his orders while simultaneously feeling humiliated at having lost face in front of the hot young girl, Damek grudgingly stepped aside to allow the transaction, glowering his frustration at the other man, daring him to push the situation.<br><br>Charlotte watched with disinterest as Damek postured for his own self-aggrandizement, her curiosity piqued by the surprisingly refined security detail.&nbsp; As the understated and elegant older man perused the flowers and made his carefully thought out selections, she smiled to herself. Aware of Damek’s growing irritation, she glared warningly at him, her look an obvious command to make sure he didn’t do anything stupid. When Si stepped up to the counter with his hand-selected flower arrangement and gave her a smile, Charlotte smiled at him in return.<br><br><strong>"Miss, I fear that while I may be educated on the nature of a fine bouquet, I have little skill in building one myself. Would you be so kind as to put these together for me, with a frame of ivy to hold them together?"</strong><br><br>A small, delicate dimple was revealed as Charlotte smiled at Si. She hoped the negotiations in the back room were going smoothly, as she was starting to think it would be...nice to have the gentlemanly hired gun become more of a regular customer at the shop. <br><br>Damek was chomping at the bit having to wait for Charlotte to prepare the bouquet and complete the transaction. The moment the coins exchanged hands, his gravely voice barked out. “Alright, you got your flowers Mr. Fancy Pants; now you and your pal get on through that door like I done told you. I’m not fooling around neither - both y’all move...NOW!”<br><br>“That won’t be necessary.” Her voice cold as ice and hard as steel, Sasha stepped from the hallway into the main shop area, focusing her churning emotions into a sharp bite of anger aimed at Damek. Settling comfortably into her well-worn persona, Sasha started to feel more herself as the angst of a few minutes ago quickly receded with the distraction. It was always so much easier and safer to deal with anger than any of the other more painful emotions, and Sasha embraced the mask of her persona with relief. Standing tall with her legs in a comfortably wide stance, her arms relaxed at her sides, she glared at the big man, daring him to challenge her. For a moment Damek considered it as he looked at the beautiful, slender woman who didn’t look the least bit capable of backing up her bold aggression. Well, except...as she continued to stare him down he felt his resolve weaken, his eyes unable to hold her glare as something about her expression, the way her confidence evident in every line of her body communicated without words that SHE was the Alpha in the situation, not him. As Sasha recognized the signs of the big man backing down, she glanced over at Si, her eyes dropping momentarily to the bouquet in his hands. Lifting her eyebrows in amused question, the tiniest of smiles turned up the corner of her mouth as she slid her eyes to Charlotte and then back to Si. Peering at Steve for a quick moment she brought her intimidating glare back in place as she spoke to her men while looking at Damek. “Si...McPherson - we’re done here.”<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>15-08-2011, 06:11:57</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Griffin Kingston, Captain of The Gamble – in the Engine Room – Hiring Anwar as ship’s Mechanic =-</strong></div><br><strong> "Alright, Captain.&nbsp; You have yourself a mechanic...at least until your girl comes back.&nbsp; Then you can drop me off somewhere if you're sick of me by then...or if you like I could stay on and help with other things.&nbsp; I have a few other skills that might come in handy here and there."</strong><br><br>Again the swirling haze of emotions roiled in his chest and the pit of his stomach as relief that he’d managed to find a solid mechanic in such short order mingled with the melancholy of losing Hayes. He’d known Hayes for two years now, and despite the fact that they often yelled at each other, she had grown on him. He was comforted by the knowledge that she was in his engine room, not only because she was one of the best mechanics he’d ever seen, but he looked forward to the chaffing the two of them dished out on each other. It was a part of their unique relationship and a part that would miss dearly. Griff nodded, a small smile settling into place as he stuck out his hand to Anwar, gripping the man’s hand firmly and giving it a shake to seal the deal. “Outstanding. I was hoping you’d say that,” he said, giving the man a firm but friendly slap on his bicep. As for Hayes coming back… we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, Anwar. Now, as you can see Hayes brought a cot in here for…” he paused for a few seconds as he tried to think of the reason why, but it escaped his memory, as did most things concerning the engine room. “…well, I’m not really sure why she brought a cot in here. Maybe the engine sang her to sleep or some such. As my new mechanic, I reckon you’re more’n welcome to enjoy the cot as well or you can sleep in your bunk. I’ll show to your quarters whenever you’re ready.”<br><br><strong>"Um...will we be planetside long enough for me to get my things together and say goodbye to Jack?&nbsp; He's one of the few friends I've ever had, so I'd like to at least do that."</strong><br><br>Griff nodded as he released his grip of Anwar’s hand, turning to face the corridor from which he’d entered . “Of course there’s time. Go and get your things, say your goodbyes. Bring your stuff back here and I’ll have someone show you your bunk once the crew gets back. When you get back, if you want meet most of the crew before we launch, we’re gonna enjoying some much needed down time over’t the <em>SLIPPERY COCK BAR AND GRILL</em> You know the place?” Noticing Dani standing in the Galley with a curious look on her face, he knew she would have questions as to Hayes’s whereabouts, although he doubted she would be upset by her absence. It was no secret that Hayes intimidated Dani. Hell, Hayes intimidated most people with her abrasive personality and headstrong ways. Still, Griff knew there would be explaining to do. As it stood now, only he and Anwar were privy to Hayes’s departure; he would have to let his Sasha know, and soon. <br><br>Speaking of Sasha, his mind was suddenly filled with thoughts of her as he wondered about how the negotiations with Ferret were going. He knew that Ferret was one tough nut to crack, but he knew if anyone could do it, it was Sasha. The thought had occurred to him more than once to radio her and check on her status, but he knew better than interrupt her while she was in the ring with Ferret. Best to just wait and let Sasha radio him as she had always done in the past, always with a job in hand.<br><br>“Speaking of crew,” Griff said as he started down the corridor ahead of Anwar, “I’d like you to meet the Dani, our lovely and talented medic and masterful mess sergeant. “ He looked back at Anwar briefly before he realized he’d used the military vernacular that’d been ingrained in his head. Glancing back to Dani, he smiled apologetically as he exited the corridor with the rows of lockers and entered the galley. “Sorry, I mean our doc and cook. Dani, I’d like you to meet Anwar. He’s gonna be flying with us for a while to look after the engines.” He rubbed his strong, dark hand over the dark stubble of his head as he pondered the best approach without betraying too much information. Hayes had always been sort of a private person and he wasn’t sure how much she wanted everyone to know. “Well, Hayes had something to come up and she had to take some personal time so Anwar here’s gonna fill in for her for as long as needed, ain’t that right Anwar?” <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>15-08-2011, 08:25:30</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - totally getting Charlotte's digits, yo - Ferret's hothouse, Persephone=-</strong></div><br>"Miss Dearing, your timing is, as ever, impeccable." Simeon took a moment to admire Charlotte's handiwork with the bouquet. Even without considering the circumstances - built by a girl no doubt groomed as Ferret's successor while waiting for a shady backroom deal to finish and under the less than patient eye of the hired muscle - it was rather well done. "Why that is lovely work, Miss Charlotte. I do believe I'll keep your name in mind should I be in the area again." Not that it meant anything - they would doubtless be back to deal with Ferret whether or not the ship's hold had more room for flowers at the time - but being meaningful is rarely the intent of formalities.<br><br>Given Sasha's apparent interest in being elsewhere, Si deemed it prudent to cut down on those in her case for the moment. Thus, presented with her wordless curiosity about the flowers, her escort simply raised the bouquet up for a moment and said, "Doctor's orders." The burden was light and easily kept out of the way of course; he cradled the ivy-bound flowers in one arm to keep his gun hand free should the need arise. Clearly there was no such need here, not when the house's gun could be so easily tamed by a look, but they weren't staying in the flower shop now, were they? One must plan for the future, not the present. Simeon took the lead when their imminent exit was indicated as desirable, allowing for the impression of legitimate customers to anyone who happened to be on their way toward the shop at the same time. As it happened the young lady in the rumpled dress who was incoming hardly seemed to care what Si was carrying - indeed likely wouldn't have even noticed him at all if he hadn't had to move out of the doorway to let her by - but it was the thought that counted, surely? He waited there holding the door until the other members of their party were out with him and moved swiftly to follow, this time up at Sasha's side rather than holding the rear vigil. McPherson wasn't a sure thing yet, but he'd handled himself well enough in their brief work period to at least walk through a crowd unwatched for a short trip in mostly neutral territory.<br><br>Besides, he wanted to chat without giving the jumpy fellow much space to overheard. Ambient sound does wonders to challenge eavesdroppers. "From the lack of gunplay I assume things turned out well for us? You seemed almost to be enjoying yourself when you were preparing for your one on one time with our less than upscale business partner. I hope you didn't save that outfit just for her; I honestly wouldn't know whether I was supposed to be envious or lecherous about such a scenario."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>15-08-2011, 10:58:19</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, in the mess aboard The Gamble, trying not to freak out about the second new guy of the day=-</strong></div><br>As Griff and the stranger entered the mess from the engine room, Dani moved, placing herself on the opposite side of the dining table to the two men.&nbsp; What with the new guy, the Happy Suck crew, and the delivery boys, her tolerance for unknowns was stretched to the limit for one day.<br><br><strong>"I’d like you to meet Dani, our lovely and talented medic and masterful mess sergeant. “</strong><br><br>Dani blushed profusely at the unexpected praise from Griff.&nbsp; His kind words had the opposite effect than what was likely intended.&nbsp; Instead of building her up, the shy woman seemed to shrink, trying to withdraw into herself.&nbsp; Above all else, Dani loathed having the spotlight be shone on her.&nbsp; She was happiest blending into the background, and compliments were mostly unwelcome.&nbsp; It wasn't that she didn't appreciate the sentiment, but she already knew that Griff valued her. He didn't need to verbalise it, especially in front of strangers.<br><br><strong>“Sorry, I mean our doc and cook. Dani, I’d like you to meet Anwar. He’s gonna be flying with us for a while to look after the engines.” </strong><br><br>At the mention of Anwar being an ongoing presence on the ship, Dani gulped and stared at the floor.&nbsp; There'd been no warning the Captain would be bringing another new crew member aboard, and their body language told her that this was not someone the Griff knew well, if at all.&nbsp; What assurances did they have that he was decent, and wouldn't harm the crew in any way?&nbsp; It wouldn't be the first time someone had talked their way onto a boat and slaughtered their crewmates while they slept.&nbsp; Dani trusted Griff implicitly, but this was out of character for him.&nbsp; Her concern for the crew was eclipsed by his own, and it wasn't like him to gamble with their safetly. <br><br><strong>“Well, Hayes had something come up and she had to take some personal time so Anwar here’s gonna fill in for her for as long as needed, ain’t that right Anwar?” </strong> <br><br>The mention of Hayes had Dani looking up at Griff sharply.&nbsp; Sure, she wasn't a fan of the mechanic who ruled the engine room with an iron fist, but she was part of the crew, and as such, came under Dani's umbrella of concern.&nbsp; Griff's tone invited no questions, and with the new new guy in the room, Dani wasn't about to interrogate him to find out what was up with Hayes.&nbsp; She'd likely find out soon enough, anyway.&nbsp; Like any group of people who spent a lot of time together, the crew grapevine worked quite efficiently. There was very little that happened aboard that everyone didn't know about within hours of it occurring.<br><br>"Cap'n," Dani said in a small voice, eyeing Anwar out of the corner of her eye.&nbsp; "Can I have a word?"&nbsp; She jerked her head in a direction away from the new new guy, indicating that she'd like to speak Griff alone, preferably out of Anwar's earshot.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>16-08-2011, 03:55:38</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Paying the price for his overconfidence – Persephone=-</strong></div><br>As their first kiss progressed, the world around him became something wholly insignificant by comparison.&nbsp; In his mind, there was nothing but Mae and himself adrift in empty space; a universe where only the pair existed and served to sustain each other through the emotional bond between them that seemed to have waited for that very moment to make a connection.<br><br>All of his senses became entirely attuned to Mae and nothing else.&nbsp; First and foremost, the taste of her lips were the most intoxicating substance he had ever experienced.&nbsp; In the first moment of contact Vincent’s mind swam in a torrent of emotions that would have robbed him of all balance had he not so tightly held onto Mae who served as his anchor in several senses of the phrase.&nbsp; Then came her scent.&nbsp; Not the smell of soap from her freshly washed skin, but her natural pheromones that were delightfully effeminate and so appealing that it very well could have been customized for him.&nbsp; Given how intimately she responded to his kiss, that could very well have been the case now that he could clearly see the emotions she had kept hidden from him.&nbsp; Even though his eyes were closed allowing him to focus more acutely on the other senses, he could all but visualize in his mind the sensual movements of her body as the pair got further lost into the kiss.&nbsp; For once, his fantasies had come up short and entirely underestimated just how wonderful this experience would feel.&nbsp; The sounds of her soft moans and heated growls acted as NOS to his already revved libido and sent his need for Mae to new intensities.&nbsp; He wanted to be with her in body, mind, and soul; to be alone to thoroughly delve into these revealed emotions the two shared leaving nothing overlooked.&nbsp; Oh God, and her touch. The moment she pressed her hands against his torso, it had been the type of intimate caress he had dreamed about for so long and it had been enough to elicit a deep wanton breath in the middle of their kiss.&nbsp; Trails of electricity followed in the wake of her wandering fingers causing him to shudder lightly as he reveled in it.&nbsp; Vincent could feel her desire take control of her, as his did the same.&nbsp; His stomach fluttered with anticipation as he felt her tug at the fabric of his shirt, causing his embraced to tighten even more while the kiss became deeper.&nbsp; And when her fingertips came into contact with his bare flesh the resulting pleasure of the intimate contact forced a low blissful moan to resonate in his throat as his back arched to press him more firmly into her touch.<br><br>As the kiss slowly ended, Vincent could feel her lips curl into a mischievous smile against his.&nbsp; He had&nbsp; some idea of the things that could have popped into her mind to elicit such an expression, but it had caused a few ideas of his own to form bringing about a smile very similar to hers.&nbsp; When their lips finally did part, Vincent gradually became aware of the world around them, but it had still only remained background to Mae.&nbsp; His entire body radiated heat as his heart raced with desire for more even though he was still a little light headed.&nbsp; The only aspect of discomfort he was experiencing was a result of his pants suddenly feeling as though they had become a few sizes too small for its contents.<br><br><em>”Ýeh Su!&nbsp; You sure kept that a secret...”</em><br><br>A sense of tranquility had shown in his eyes, which was at odds with the grin upon his lips.&nbsp; “I could say the same about you.”<br><br><em>”Vinnie… Ai Ya!&nbsp; I can’t… there’s no words…&nbsp; I mean…&nbsp; did you feel the earth move? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure it was spinning pretty damn fast there at one point.”</em><br><br>Vincent blinked several times in succession, feigning confused surprise.&nbsp; “Oh, right!&nbsp; We are on a planet.&nbsp; I totally forgot.&nbsp; I could have sworn one of us turned off the artificial gravity somewhere in that kiss.”&nbsp; Even as the two were still reeling from the onrush of emotions from the kiss, they were still able to seamlessly exchange playful banter effortlessly.&nbsp; Vincent chalked that up to being a very good thing for the potential the two shared in making something meaningful last between them.&nbsp; Mae’s firm grasp on his shoulders had been the sort of suggestive contact that caused him to exercise all of his available willpower to keep from taking her right there in the middle of the small eatery.&nbsp; Thankfully for the sake of public decency, he had mitigated those actions into a tense shudder and trapping his lower lip between his teeth with a long sigh.<br><br><em>”Let’s do it again!&nbsp; Perhaps some place less public?&nbsp; How hungry are you Vinnie?”</em><br><br>Swallowing nervously, his entire being both anxious and anticipating of what those words implied.&nbsp; The moment he longed for so long had arrived and he would be a damned fool to let it slip by.&nbsp; “I’m starved…”&nbsp; he replied with a suggestive grin, “but not for food.”&nbsp; Vincent all but scooped Mae off his lap, slammed a sum of money on the table to pay for the ordered food plus a very generous tip, and the two soon-to-be lovers virtually raced out of the eatery hand-in-hand.<br><br><hr><br>By the time they made it to Eavesdown Docks, it had been long past the standard workday and the crewmen upon the premise had been light.&nbsp; Most likely a result of the lull between shifts.&nbsp; Though Vincent had been so focused upon Mae that such an observation hadn’t registered with him.&nbsp; It would have been something that would have caused him to guide her further away from the shipping warehouses rather than walking along side them.&nbsp; There had been plenty of daylight left in the early evening sky, which only put him further into a false sense of security.&nbsp; Only when the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end the moment Mae dashed a few paces ahead of him as a result of a playful spank did he suddenly become aware of his instincts all but shouting at him.&nbsp; As she turned to face him with a sultry expression, still walking backwards, a figure stepped out from the narrow alley separating two structures directly behind her.&nbsp; A fleeting glance of his clothing would have convinced any casual observer that he was just another dockworker.&nbsp; The sharp dose of adrenaline suddenly coursing through Vincent’s veins had seemed to slow his perception of time enough to take a more thorough measure of the man within the course of a racing heartbeat as his mind extrapolated facts.&nbsp; First and foremost, the orange vest and white hardhat upon the man lacked any insignia of their employer.&nbsp; Such a thing was required for every worker whether by the docks proper or some contractor company.&nbsp; Second, the clothing under the vest were not made of the flame retardant material mandated for employees who worked on a site that contained volatile substances such as rocket fuel.&nbsp; Finally, and most alarming, was the man’s build.&nbsp; Instead of the broad slabs of muscle that was typical of most skilled laborers, his had been the lean agile build of a mercenary.&nbsp; Or a hitman.<br><br>Even though Vincent had attempted to warn Mae the moment he saw the figure first immerge from the alley, the man had moved swiftly and fluidly striking before he could even shout the first syllable.&nbsp; With an arcing swing that had begun with the same step he rounded out of his concealment, he slammed the lead filled sap hard against the back of Mae’s head right where the base of the skull met the top of the neck with a heavy <em><strong>SMACK</strong></em>.&nbsp; She was out cold even before she began to collapse to the ground.&nbsp; Before her limp body had a chance to make it far, the man wrapped his opposite arm under her arms and pulled her back into the alley where he emerged.<br><br>Vincent instantly moved into a dead sprint, his stride faltering only for a moment long enough for him to pull the radio from his pocket.&nbsp; There was no doubt in his mind that he was their target and Mae simply served as bait, but such overt tactics were uncommon for this organization.&nbsp; Which meant that they were eager for the opportunity to apprehend Vincent which left Mae’s fate entirely up in the air.&nbsp; Even if he was to fail, he at least wanted to make sure the others would be looking for them.&nbsp; Of course, if it came to that, he was confident the only one they stood a chance at finding in time to be of help would be her.&nbsp; That nugget of truth did nothing to deter Vincent’s pursuit; he would give anything to ensure Mae’s safety, even if the price was one Vincent Kincaid’s life, slightly used.<br><br>Bringing the radio to his mouth and pressing the transmit button, he continued his sprint towards the alley.&nbsp; “Griff! I ne— SHIT!“&nbsp; Before he could give out any more, Vincent rounded the corner to come face to face with a large beefy man, whose mother was likely a Kodiak bear and his father an Abrams tank, in the middle of a homerun swing of a baseball bat aimed right at his head.&nbsp; It wasn’t so much the knee-jerk reflex of seeing the blow rapidly approaching that saved him from a world of pain as much as it had been the good fortune of deciding to make a call out to the others.&nbsp; There hadn’t been enough time for him to dodge the attack, not when his momentum had been so strongly focused in one direction, leaving him with the only option of blocking.&nbsp; Rather than attempting to do so with his face, which he deemed would have been entirely counterproductive to the desired outcome; he moved his hand to intercept the blow.&nbsp; Of course, the hand that had been in the immediate area was the one that held the radio to his face.&nbsp; The metal bat struck the heavy-duty casing of the radio solidly as the case and components absorbed the blunt of the impact that would have otherwise shattered the comparatively fragile bones in his hand and fingers.&nbsp; Instead, Vincent threw himself down to avoid the follow through of the swing, not daring to chance a last minute correction of the deflected swing plane.<br><br>Vincent landed on his side, his one hand numb from the indirect impact while the radio was clearly out of commission.&nbsp; A predatory grin spread across Mr. Beefy’s lips as he lifted the bat for an overhead incapacitating blow.&nbsp; Thanks to yet another dose of adrenaline, Vincent got to watch the swing in slow motion while at the same time getting a good look at his opponent.&nbsp; Mr. Beefy had all the trademark signs of a standard low intelligence thug.&nbsp; Likely a college athlete in his heyday, having the type of build quarterbacks dreamed of having between them and the opposing team.&nbsp; The bat looked small in the meaty hands of the man who wielded it, the swing seemed awkward&nbsp; as fluid motion gave way to the impediment of the slabs of muscle.&nbsp; Vincent smiled inwardly as he watched the bruiser’s balance shift with the swing and waited for him to bring all of his weight a momentum forward on his leading leg.&nbsp; At that critical moment, Vincent’s seemingly defensive curl revealed itself as the poised kick it really had been.&nbsp; Using the paved ground to brace himself, he delivered a savage kick right into Mr.Beefy’s vulnerable knee.&nbsp; The weight focused upon the leg prevented the force of the kick from being mitigated, in fact, Mr. Beefy’s size only served to make it even worse.&nbsp; In an instant, the joint gave way in a cracking of bone, popping of cartilage, and tearing of tendons as it bent in a way that nature had not intended it to do so.&nbsp; It was the sort of career-ending injury athletes everywhere had nightmares about and that realization shown just as clearly in his agonized expression as the pain itself.&nbsp; Mr. Beefy fell like a landslide; his effort to minimize the damage sent him into a spin causing the swing to go wide as he dropped to the side yowling in agony lamed and out of the fight.<br><br>Vincent rolled out of range of the man’s grasp just in case Mr. Beefy wanted to try his luck a second time.&nbsp; With the crippled knee, there would have been little he could have done to actually harm Vincent, but it would have certainly bought any other cronies enough time to take advantage of the situation.&nbsp; Knowing better than to linger on the ground, he jumped to his feet squaring himself for a round two.&nbsp; Three men yet remained in the shaded alley; a scrawny man with tight muscles that would be best not to discount stood on the left.&nbsp; &nbsp;The taller muscular man who hurt Mae on the right, having lost the hardhat revealing closely cropped red haired flat top.&nbsp; In the middle of them and just a pace behind a man straight out of Vincent's past standing next to Mae's unconscious form.&nbsp; Or as Vincent nicknamed them, Slim, Red, and Hendrix respectively.&nbsp; The man who was obviously in charge of the group stood at a little above average height, brown hair, and otherwise unremarkable.&nbsp; That is aside from the air of competence that all but seemed to be radiating off him.&nbsp; All three had smug smiles on their faces despite the rather brutal manner in which their fourth was dealt with.<br><br>"Feh,"&nbsp; Vincent scoffed at them defiantly, "Has the Wah Ching lost so much face that they're resorting to delivering cheap shots to defenseless women?&nbsp; Afraid the four of you couldn't take her in a fair fight?"<br><br>That remark helped squelch their superiority complex a few degrees, their smug smiles turning into mild annoyance; save for Hendrix who was totally unaffected by it.&nbsp; Instead, he knelt over Mae and lightly caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.&nbsp; <em>"Looks like you are doing quite well for yourself, lao peng you.&nbsp; I always had a feeling you liked them on the young."</em>&nbsp; His gaze rose to meet Vincent's, almost gleeful to see the seething rage building in his eyes for touching her.&nbsp; <em>"How old is she?&nbsp; Like sixteen?"</em><br><br>Vincent snarled when he watched the way Hendrix touched Mae.&nbsp; <em>His</em> Mae.&nbsp; His eyes flashed aside to the aluminum bat that had tumbled out of Mr. Beefy's hands and lay motionless a mere five feet away from him compared to the twenty or so feet from the two henchmen.&nbsp; After a moment's pause, he decided to go for it.&nbsp; Two long strides closed the distance quickly, but the movement caused Slim and Red to snap into action and they were quickly closing the distance.&nbsp; For that reason, Vincent picked it up on the fly by crouching down mid-stride and snatching it without stopping.&nbsp; Using his momentum, he swung the bat at Slim in a fluid motion as he rose from picking up the weapon in a smooth underhanded swing.&nbsp; &nbsp;Slim proved to be more agile that Vincent had initially expected, narrowly avoiding the blow with a graceful sidestep that caused him to disappear into his peripheries.&nbsp; Knowing better than to stop and turn, Vincent pressed forward to the slower Red redirecting his upswing into a backhanded strike.&nbsp; He may not have been as agile as Slim, but he took the blow to the side of the head like a champ.&nbsp; The bat struck, but the one-handed swing lacked enough power to do more than stagger the big man for a moment.&nbsp; A moment that Vincent knew better than to let go to waste.<br><br>Taking the bat in a proper two-handed grip, Vincent turned a quick three-sixty to stop Slim from making the flanking attack that was all too obvious, forcing him to halter his attack while the bat continued to accelerate until it struck Red right in the solar plexus forcing the wind out of his lungs.&nbsp; Again, it had been an awkward swing that lacked much power, but Vincent would settle for several weaker strikes that would eventually do the job rather than one powerful one that might take one out but leave him open to the other.&nbsp; With another moment of advantage bought, Vincent dared a quick blow that would hopefully put him out long enough to deal with Slim.<br><br>Instead of pulling back for another swing, Vincent planted his feet and thrust the bat upwards axially to bring the snubbed head of the bat crashing into Red's jaw.&nbsp; The big man's mouth shut with a loud snap before the force exerted onto the lower jaw was transferred into the rest of the head with a hard jerk that knocked the man flat on his ass.&nbsp; He was disoriented and seeing stars, but would most likely be back into the fray before too long.&nbsp; Now it was time to deal with Slim.&nbsp; Vincent brought the bat around once more, hoping to catch the would-be flanker right when he entered range, but he had misjudged his timing.&nbsp; Slim had already closed the distance and was inside his field of attack.<br><br>Slim stopped the swing dead in its tracks with a thrust of his palm to the back of Vincent's wrist, then proceeded to do something with his other hand that sent the bat tumbling down the alleyway.&nbsp; <em>Shit!</em>&nbsp; Vincent knew Slim got the jump on him, but he wouldn't give up that easily.&nbsp; Taking a quick step back to square himself Vincent pressed forward in a barrage of punches that lacked the discipline of a trained martial artist, but had all the brutal efficiency of a skilled street fighter.&nbsp; Whether Slim had been thoroughly versed in hand-to-hand combat or Vincent's time aboard The Gamble had made him rusty, none of the strikes managed to find their mark.&nbsp; Then the wily opponent did something that he couldn't entirely follow and the next thing Vincent knew, his arms were locked behind him torqued in such a way where attempting to break free would likely result in a dislocated shoulder or two.&nbsp; Not that it mattered much, the hold was one that also kept him off balance with his center of gravity relying entirely upon Slim to brace him upright from behind.<br><br>Hendrix casually strolled to face him, the smug smile never leaving his face.&nbsp; Knowing that he is up against the ropes, Vincent resorts to his fallback tactic whenever force fails.&nbsp; Sarcastic banter.&nbsp; "I must be losing my touch, it only took four gorram foot soldiers to subdue me."<br><br><em>"Clearly you're behind the times.&nbsp; You've only managed to fend off two uninitiated lackeys while the two enforcers remained entirely unharassed.&nbsp; Though, I believe you are also correct in that your time away from home has made you soft.&nbsp; Certainly you haven't forgotten why Master Tsume is eager to see you die a slow and painful death at his hands."</em><br><br>Vincent shrugged as best he could with his arms held back as they were.&nbsp; "Jealousy as far as I can tell.&nbsp; I'm brilliant as well as skilled."&nbsp; He said modestly.&nbsp; "It's a great burden.&nbsp; All that on top of my angelic good looks... But I try to soldier on as best I can."&nbsp; Hendrix scowled sharply before rearing back and slamming a hard fist into the side of Vincent's left eye sending a flash of phantom light over his vision before receding into a dull but very present pain.&nbsp; He shook his head, to regain his bearings already aware of the tension in that portion of his face.&nbsp; It would turn into a very nice shiner pending he lived long enough for it to develop.<br><br>"Did I not mention my nearly godlike sense of tolerance and forgiveness?"<br><br>Again, Vincent's wiseass remark was met by physical violence in a series of six heavy blows to the ribs.&nbsp; The air burst out of his lungs at the first and the others ensured he would have trouble regaining it.&nbsp; Had he the capacity to exchange banter, he would have done so, but instead focused on drawing breath.&nbsp; It was unlikely the punches were strong enough to crack a rib, but there was no telling with the way his body was being restrained providing a wide open target.&nbsp; Most likely just going to be bruised.&nbsp; Either way, it made breathing a difficult chore.&nbsp; <em>"Just be thankful that Master Tsume took your betrayal personally, otherwise we would have been content with shooting you and dumping your body in a ditch somewhere.&nbsp; Though once he gets started, I'm sure you'd much rather prefer such a clean death."</em><br><br>"Is this the part... where you launch into... a villainous monolog?"&nbsp; Vincent forced out between labored breaths.&nbsp; "I see that you've... been reading The... Cliché Evil Doer's Handbook...&nbsp; I didn't know it came... in picturebook form...&nbsp; I hope you didn't struggle... too much with the big words."<br><br>Vincent saw the malicious glare in Hendrix's eyes and knew his constant belittling of the organization they held in such high regard was getting under his skin.&nbsp; Again, this was met with another flurry of blows.&nbsp; The first balanced out his face by ensuring he would have a matching set of black eyes followed by two to the jaw.&nbsp; <em>At least it's symmetrical now.</em>&nbsp; Vincent couldn't help but chuckle at that little silver lining he found, his breathing not fully recovered but becoming manageable enough to speak.&nbsp; He could have sworn he could feel his face pulsating in rhythm to his heartbeat, wondering if it was as obviously seen as it felt like it would be.&nbsp; The laughing only made Hendrix even more furious, but this far he was managing to keep himself in line enough to avoid making stupid mistakes.<br><br><em>"Laugh while you can lao peng you, it'll be much more difficult once the Reverent Mother cuts out your tongue as a prelude to your punishment."</em><br><br>"Reverent Mother, huh?&nbsp; Is she pretty?&nbsp; If she's pretty I'd just turn on the Kincaid charm and have her eating out of my hand.&nbsp; But I can't take chances with that kind of power if I'm not sure she's pretty.&nbsp; Used recklessly it could endanger innocent bystanders or land me in bed with an ugly girl."<br><br><em>Paydirt.</em>&nbsp; Vincent saw the unbridled rage break free with an obvious affront to somebody who was clearly an adored figure within their organization.&nbsp; Typically whenever somebody gets that pissed off, they seek to do the most damage possible that would be a messy and bloody as possible.&nbsp; Naturally a straight powerful blow to the nose would do just that.&nbsp; In all of his years of street fighting, Vincent prides himself in not once ever having his nose broken.&nbsp; It was practically a medal of honor to him.&nbsp; Most facial injuries healed seamlessly, but a broken nose always looked a little off no matter how good the doctor who reset it was.&nbsp; Vincent was going to be damned if he would allow a prick like Hendrix to take that away from him.&nbsp; He watched as the heavy handed blow game for him in a straight shot with all the weight of the man behind it.&nbsp; At the very last second, Vincent threw his head forward.&nbsp; Instead of meeting soft cartilage, the relatively fragile bones in Hendrix's fingers impacted the comparatively thick frontal bone in Vincent's forehead.&nbsp; It was no contest.&nbsp; Amongst the thud that seemed to resonate inside his skull, he could clearly hear the delicate bones in Hendrix's fist all but shatter.&nbsp; The man howled in pain while clutching his fist, which would only elicit the curiosity of his partner in crime.<br><br>Vincent felt Slim shift a bit to see what had happened while his vision was obstructed by the man he held in place.&nbsp; Hanging his head as if dazed from the blow, he waited until Slim moved right where he wanted him.&nbsp; Once he felt the gentle brush of expelled air on his neck, Vincent rolled his body like a serpent turning his frame into a makeshift whip that caused momentum to build up along his body.&nbsp; Though instead of the crack the end of a leather whip makes as it exceeds the speed of sound, the crack that followed Vincent's impersonation had been a result of the back of his head slamming against Slim's face.&nbsp; The resulting impact caused the man's grip to loosen as he reeled from the sudden pain allowing Vincent to twist free of the hold.&nbsp; Slim clearly knew a thing or two about disciplined fighting and he knew that his only real opportunity would be in the next few moments before he had a chance to fully recover his senses.<br><br>The moment he freed himself, Vincent lifted his foot and brought it down at an angle that aimed to kick in Slim's knee in a similar fashion that had been done to Mr. Beefy minutes earlier.&nbsp; Knowing better than to resist it, Slim caught it on the back of his knee going with the bend and otherwise doing no damage.&nbsp; So Vincent put more weight behind it and forced Slim into a kneel before winding up to deliver a punch to his temple.&nbsp; The need of keeping him pinned in place made the swing somewhat awkward, but he leaned into it to compensate.&nbsp; As was expected, Slim intended to take the punch and move with it to lessen the overall impact.&nbsp; It would have worked too had he been more aware of his surroundings and realized at the last moment that instead of a tightly closed fist, Vincent struck him with a stiff wrist that slammed his head hard against the masonry warehouse immediately next to them.&nbsp; Where a more rigid posture would have made a punch hurt more, it would have at least minimized the ease at which his head impacted the hard wall.&nbsp; There was the harsh sound of impact and Slim was out for the count, the side of his skull bleeding where the skin broke upon impact.<br><br>Vincent turned to see Hendrix take an awkward off-handed swing at him which was easily avoided leaving him with a wide opening.&nbsp; It had been a gift that he could not refuse.&nbsp; Cupping his fist in his other hand, he brought an elbow around to meet the vulnerable attacker right in the area framing the outer portion of the man's eye hoping to break the zygomatic bone there.&nbsp; He felt the it give way and Hendrix dropped to the ground and immediately began snoring.&nbsp; Then he turned his gaze upon Red who had finally gathered himself enough to stand, but seeing what had happened to the others caused him to hesitate.&nbsp; Vincent on the other hand did not.<br><br>Charging before Red had a chance to find his center, he delivered a series of powerful blows that targeted every opening he could find.&nbsp; Try as he might, the larger man couldn't defend them all and was overwhelmed by attacks that struck his throat, eyes, solar plexus, groin, and anywhere else that Vincent deemed a target.&nbsp; When it came to matters of life and death, especially when being mugged in a dark alley, there was no room for honor.&nbsp; Only survival.&nbsp; The man handled the blows as well as could be expected, but he was rapidly getting worn down until finally a strong right cross to the temple put him to sleep.&nbsp; Vincent stood there for a few moments trying to catch his breath.&nbsp; As if fighting wasn't exhausting enough, his injured ribs made his chest feel tight.&nbsp; He walked over to Mae and knelt next to her to inspect any injuries.&nbsp; The sap had hit her hard, but the weapon was one that was not known to be lethal.&nbsp; Still, one cannot be to safe when it comes to head and neck injuries.&nbsp; He tried everything he could to rouse her, even going so far as doing the cheesy prince charming kiss on the lips.&nbsp; Once that didn't wake her, he felt relatively sure there was nothing he could do that would work.&nbsp; He would need to take her to Dani just to be safe.&nbsp; First, he would need to catch his breath since it was likely he would need to carry her.<br><br>Vincent pondered for a moment to do with the Wah Ching goons, knowing that killing them had the very real chance of landing him in prison while at the same time giving the organization something to rally behind for another attempt on his life.&nbsp; Then again, these men were basically weapons that had been used on him and it is unwise to leave enemy weapons whole enough where they can be used against you once more.&nbsp; So Vincent grabbed the baseball bat and set about 'disarming' the Wah Ching lackeys by breaking their wrists and knees.&nbsp; Sure, they'd recover, but those were the types of injuries that tended to leave a lasting mark on one's performance.&nbsp; They'd be able to live well enough, but would be at a severe disadvantage should they try to get into another fight.<br><br>Making sure to wipe his prints off the bat, he tossed it next to one of the unconscious forms for a night watchman or worker to find.&nbsp; Eventually.&nbsp; To remove the last bit of evidence that linked him to the scene, he pocketed the broken radio then he moved to Mae and scooped her up into his arms, wincing from the pain in his chest, taking a moment to steady himself before walking the several hundred yards to The Gamble.<br><br>By the time he made it to the base of the loading ramp, his lungs were on fire as were every muscle in his body and face.&nbsp; He felt beyond exhausted.&nbsp; The modest gradient of the ramp could have been Mount Everest with as difficult it felt the climb up it would have been.&nbsp; It was everything he could do to keep from collapsing to the ground, but he still managed to call out even if his voice was weak.&nbsp; Hopefully it would carry through the ship well enough for somebody to hear.&nbsp; "Dani?&nbsp; Griff?&nbsp; Help!"<br><br><hr><br>Lao Peng You - Old Friend
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>grdell</strong> on <strong>17-08-2011, 01:07:05</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Lex Rake, aboard the Gamble =-</strong></div><br>Lex was just about to answer Dani's question when Griff came in with a man Lex hadn't seen before. The newcomer gave off the unmistakable air of the greasemonkey, which made Lex wonder what Hayes would have to say about someone else even so much as looking at "her" engines. Lex didn't know Hayes all that well, but he figured he knew her well enough to read her possessiveness like an open book. In large type.<br><br>Griff introduced Dani to the newcomer, and Lex could see her discomfort. He knew that she had already extended her normal limits more than he had ever seen her do before, and he wondered how many more surprises she could take. Judging from her posture, it wasn't very many more.<br><br>Griff put a name to the newcomer - Anwar - just before Dani spoke up and requested a word in private. Lex knew that she would be fine with the captain alone, and figured a diversion was called for. He strode forward, hand outstretched, a charming smile on his face.<br><br>"Anwar, hello. My name's Alexander Rake, but everybody just calls me Lex." He grasped the man's hand and gave a firm shake. He wasn't flirting, he was just trying to establish a good old fashioned man-to-man rapport. He wanted to give Dani a little privacy with Griff.<br><br>"I could be considered a passenger, I guess, but really I'm just waiting for the day that I can prove to the captain just how useful I can be." He was already subtly leading Anwar away from Dani and Griff. A constant stream of conversation and intentional body language putting himself between Anwar and the others. "You see, I'm a Registered Companion. And don't worry, I don't go after anyone that doesn't ask for me, so you're perfectly safe." Another disarming smile. All friends here. "One of these days, I'm quite sure of it, the captain's going to find himself in a situation that I'll be able to untangle for him, and then he'll be happy to have me along, I can assure you." Now fully between Anwar and the private corner that Dani had indicated to Griff, Lex leaned against the wall, striking a casual pose. "Anwar. That's a very interesting name. How do you come by it, if I may ask?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>17-08-2011, 06:47:57</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Griffin Kingston, Captain of The Gamble – In the Galley with Dani, Lex, and Anwar=-</strong></div><br>Griff had recognized the disquieting expression growing on Dani’s face as he introduced Anwar. He knew she would not receive the news yet another new male crew member amiably, but there was little he could do to change the facts. Fact number one, Griff had suddenly and expectedly found himself up a big, nasty creek without a mechanic. Fact number two, Anwar was a mechanic, and a darn good one who had been vouched for by someone he trusted. Fact number three, he needed a mechanic before he could, in good conscience, allow The Gamble to leave port. <br><br>Glancing knowingly to Lex, Griff forced a disarming and soothing smile as he looked once again to Dani. Gently placing a hand at the back of her arm he guided her as he moved with her to the far corner of the galley where she’d motioned. Turning to face her, his expression was uncharacteristically soft as his eyes found hers. “I know what you’re gonna say Dani,” he began with a low and calming voice, “and I’m sorry, but we need a mech…” Shouts of help erupting from the cargo hold interrupted his talk with Dani and sent him into combat mode in the twinkling of an eye. His protective instincts kicked in and in one fluid motion his right hand drew the Colt. 45 DX pistol while his left arm extended in front of Dani, essentially scooping around her and directing her behind him. He recognized the voice as belonging to his young and witty copilot, but was in the dark as to the reason for his call for help. <br><br>Most people instinctively run towards someone when a call for help goes out, but Griff had fought in the war and had learned to assess the situation before rushing to the aide of your comrades. Situational awareness, they called it. For all Griff or anyone else knew, a group of men might be holding Vince at gunpoint, forcing him to call out to the rest of the crew for help so they could get the drop on them and steal the ship. That was his first thought. His second thought was far less instinctive and more emotional; Mae. <br><br>Suppressing the urge to sprint outright and learn of Mae’s well being, he held his pistol out before him as he quietly but quickly made his way to from the galley and lounge area and down the short hallway between Sasha’s room and the operations room. Signaling with his hand for the others to stay back, he stealthily crept to the railing and peeked down into the cargo hold. His heart sank into the pit of his stomach as he saw Mae’s limp body cradled in Vince’s arms. “Dani! With me! Hurry!” He had already holstered his weapon and was sprinting around to the stairs leading down to the cargo hold. He nearly vaulted down the stairs in three long strides, arriving just in time to scoop Mae from Vince before the last bit of his strength left him. “Lex! Help Vince to the infirmary,” he yelled as he pivoted, making a dash through the cargo hold, around the skiff and through the starboard side door directly into the infirmary. <br><br>Once inside the infirmary, Griff quickly, but carefully laid Mae on the examination table before backing away to give Dani room to do her work. He stood frozen in place as he looked on helplessly, his heart racing, the rush of blood and adrenaline pounding in his ears as a lump formed and stuck in the base of his throat.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Scotty Rage</strong> on <strong>18-08-2011, 06:52:49</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Anwar, Mechanical Engineer - The Gamble, Galley, Trying to mind his own business=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu156/rage0976/RP%20Characters/jensen_ackles_07.jpg)</div>Anwar had listened as Griff had introduced Dani, half smiling as he corrected himself after using the military terminology, which he had understood perfectly.&nbsp; He gave the girl a slight nod, though he noticed her demure posture and nervous demeanor immediately, and so made no sudden movements toward her.&nbsp; "It's nice to meet you," he simply responded, leaving it at that.&nbsp; He wasn't much of one for words anyway, unless it came to the topics that actually interested him.&nbsp; Medicine and cooking did not happen to be among those topics, even if he was thankful to have someone on board that could patch them up and keep them fed.<br><br>Just as Dani called Griff to the side for a private consultation, the mechanic turned and started to make his way out, having had no intention of even trying to listen in.&nbsp; It wasn't really any of his business, and he had already figured it was simply going to be a case of her voicing some concern over having a stranger as part of the crew, given what he'd already gathered about the girl's skittish nature.&nbsp; He had his own business to handle, and was more than happy to let them speak to each other without prying ears.&nbsp; Just as he had turned to leave, though, he found his way blocked by another person, extending his hand and introducing himself as 'Lex'.<br><br><br><em><strong>"I could be considered a passenger, I guess, but really I'm just waiting for the day that I can prove to the captain just how useful I can be."</strong></em><br><br>He stared at the hand for a moment, though didn't extend his own, feeling a bit insulted that the man assumed he would need to provide a diversion.&nbsp; His gaze rose to meet that of the companion, his expression somewhat stoic, making it hard to tell what he was thinking.&nbsp; He didn't seem very impressed, either way.&nbsp; As Lex continued to explain his position, the expression never changed.<br><br><em><strong>"You see, I'm a Registered Companion. And don't worry, I don't go after anyone that doesn't ask for me, so you're perfectly safe."</strong></em><br><br>Cocking an eyebrow, the mechanic found himself even more annoyed at yet another assumption.&nbsp; "And I'm sure most people find you very charming, Lex," Anwar responded, finally taking the companion's hand and giving it a shake, perhaps gripping just a bit too hard.&nbsp; It was notable that he didn't include himself in the list of people who were susceptible to those charms.&nbsp; The man's grip was like a vise clamp, but then again, it was to be expected from one who worked on engines.&nbsp; Releasing the hand, he started to make his way past Lex to continue about his business as the talkative companion prattled on.<br><br><em><strong>"One of these days, I'm quite sure of it, the captain's going to find himself in a situation that I'll be able to untangle for him, and then he'll be happy to have me along, I can assure you."</strong></em><br><br>Still trying to make his way around the man as he talked, Anwar glanced to him once more, his expression remaining neutral, as if he hadn't formed an opinion yet, or was simply quite good at hiding it, even to one who was normally quite skilled at reading people.&nbsp; "I'm sure you'll get your chance and they'll be singing your praises."&nbsp; He turned to attempt his exit once more, only to give pause as Lex asked him about his name.<br><br><em><strong>"Anwar. That's a very interesting name. How do you come by it, if I may ask?"</strong></em><br><br>Pursing his lips a bit, he gave a light shrug.&nbsp; "The way most people do, I would imagine," he said before finally pushing past the companion to head for the cargo hold.&nbsp; "It's been fun and all, but I have some things to see to, so if you'll excuse me..."&nbsp; The mechanic made his way from the group and toward the cargo hold, walking down the open ramp to exit the ship.&nbsp; Shaking his head for a moment, he finally turned and started making his way back to Jack's place to gather his things and say goodbye to his only friend.&nbsp; He was saddened a bit that he'd be leaving the only person he trusted behind, but he was also quite excited about having the opportunity to get away from Persephone.<br><br>Soon enough, Anwar was at Jack's, and the two were talking a bit over drinks after the mechanic had packed his few belongings in a couple of travel bags.&nbsp; The conversation remained light for the most part, but when he was ready to take his leave, Anwar stood and gripped Jack's forearm when a hand was offered, looking into the man's eyes.&nbsp; "I can't even begin to thank you for everything, Jack," he said, drawing a nod from the man.&nbsp; "I promise to make it all up to you."<br><br>Jack shook his head then, looking back at the younger man.&nbsp; "Just go handle your business, son.&nbsp; I know you got some troubles, and I ain't pretendin' to even understand anything about 'em.&nbsp; You're a good kid, though, and I think Griff can help if you give him a chance."&nbsp; Giving a slight nod to Jack's words, Anwar gave his friend a quick hug, patting his back once before breaking away and grabbing his bags.&nbsp; Soon enough he was headed back to the Gamble to put his things away.&nbsp; Walking up the cargo ramp, he looked around to see if he could spot Griff anywhere and find out which bunk would be his so he could get settled in.&nbsp; "Captain," he called out to see if he got an answer from anywhere.<br><br>(For purposes of continuity, assume he left just before Vince arrived, and might have returned shortly after he and Mae were taken to the infirmary.)
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>18-08-2011, 07:28:20</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer of the Gamble - On Persephone with Si and Steve, finally somewhat on the move ~</strong></div><br>The crowded bustle of the street had eased only slightly by the time the trio emerged from the flower shop, the waning afternoon sun casting a warm wash of color over the faces of the throngs of people as they went about their business. Pausing on the walk in front of Ferret’s shop, Sasha glanced back over her shoulder and caught Damek’s baleful stare as he peered irritably through the glass door after them.&nbsp; A smirk toyed with her full lips as she turned back around and waded casually out into the crowded street. Sasha had little doubt that the heavy had been given strict orders to not cause a scene, but it was of no concern to her that he was clearly less than pleased with his leash. <br><br>As Si quickly stepped up beside her, Steve seemed to linger behind them for the moment - whether lost in his own thoughts or courteously giving them a few minutes to debrief, she wasn’t sure.<br><br><strong>"From the lack of gunplay I assume things turned out well for us? You seemed almost to be enjoying yourself when you were preparing for your one on one time with our less than upscale business partner. I hope you didn't save that outfit just for her; I honestly wouldn't know whether I was supposed to be envious or lecherous about such a scenario."</strong><br><br>Sasha turned her head to glance curiously at Si as they strolled leisurely along the road, a shade of amusement reflected in the blue of her eyes. The man had been giving off interesting signals lately, and she wasn’t quite sure what to make of them. “Yes, Ferret is...something, isn’t she? Although, it seems that she’s not the only one who has her eye on you, Si...” She teased him with a wink, having noticed the subtle interplay between her right-hand man and Ferret’s pretty young underling. <br><br>Reminded of her intention for the crew to enjoy some R&amp;R, as well as wanting to spend a little time getting to know the newest member of the Gamble’s crew, Sasha halted her stride and waited for Steve to catch up with them, then spoke to both men.&nbsp; “Now that <em>that</em> bit of fun’s behind us, I’m thinking we can grab us some chow, maybe conversate for a spell. Afterwards, if you wanna stick around - or maybe go off and tend to your own business - well, that’d be up to you.” The idea wasn’t exactly an order, but then again it wasn’t exactly a simple invitation either. “I’m gonna check in with the Cap’n, give him an update and see how it’s going on his end.”&nbsp; Her glance shifting to Si, she spoke aloud as she fleshed out her thoughts. “I know the Cap’n has mentioned he wants to visit that favorite pub of his; Si - why don’t you and McPherson start heading on over toward the Slippery Cock, and I’ll catch up with y’all in a minute.”<br><br>As Sasha pulled her radio from its holster at her hip, a woman casually crossing the road in their general direction caught her attention from the corner of her eye. She was beautiful, and in a word - soft. With pillowy lips of luscious rose, luminous dark eyes, and an angelic face framed by a silken cascade of dark tresses, she wore a flowing white kimono pantsuit that both hid and accentuated the womanly curves of her body. <em>Now THAT’S a vision’ll get our boys primed for their night out!</em> Sasha chuckled, imagining her men’s reaction to the breathtaking beauty.&nbsp; The beautiful young woman (http://sinebuano.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/song-hye-kyo-2.jpg) smiled demurely as she caught Sasha’s glance, and Sasha nodded in polite reply as she continued walking toward a small sheltered alcove where she could talk in relative privacy. A twinge of edginess pricked along her subconsciousness, but looking carefully around the area Sasha saw no overt threats to back up her nervous sensation. <em>Just proves I’m in some <strong>serious</strong> need of that relaxation I keep promising myself</em> she smiled humorlessly. Leaning casually against the warm brick wall of the building, Sasha radioed Griff. “Cap’n? Got some info to share, face-to-face. What’s your twenty?”<br><br>As Si and Steve continued walking, the breathtaking young woman reached their side of the road and stepped up next to Si seeming to admire the bouquet he held in his hand, a soft smile gracing her delicately plump lips. Suddenly, two completely unexpected things happened simultaneously. The dark-haired beauty reached out a slender hand toward Si, the muted metal shine of a small gun in her grip reflecting the weakened rays of the sun as she firmly nestled the weapon against his side.&nbsp; At the same time, a large ruffian seemed to appear from out of nowhere at Steve’s back, the tall man incongruously dressed in a white buttoned-down shirt and tie, with suspenders completing the false image of respectability.&nbsp; A strong arm slid roughly around Steve’s upper chest, the cold kiss of a naked blade biting at his throat as the large man (http://cdn.mos.totalfilm.com/images/m/mr-blonde-00-630-75.jpg) began to force Steve into the alleyway shrouded in shadows behind them.<br><br>Although it was obvious they meant business, Si and Steve were experienced enough to recognize that their demeanor and actions did not necessarily suggest they were looking to inflict actual bodily harm, despite their aggressive maneuverings. With Si and Steve’s cooperation the two pairs moved into the deserted alleyway, and the woman spoke up in a soft, melodious voice. “Please excuse our graceless introduction; my name is Snow Ishii, and my associate is called Blondie. We mean you no harm, we are simply delivering an important message.”&nbsp; Stepping cautiously from beside Si, Snow moved to position herself directly in front of him, not lowering her gun from where it was leveled at his chest despite her reassuring words. Blondie roughly released Steve from his hold, shoving him slightly away as he kept his long knife raised at the ready. Snow’s dark almond eyes glanced at the bouquet Si still gripped in his hand, and she smiled up at him. “Your flowers are very Piào liàng; a gentleman such as yourself must be eager to present such a lovely gift so we won’t delay you any longer.&nbsp; Our message is from Badger. He wants you to tell your Captain that he doesn’t appreciate the company he and his First Officer have been keeping. But as a sign of good faith, he is willing to forgive the blatant disrespect he’s been shown. Tell your Captain that Badger expects him to pay him a visit soon - and definitely before another visit to the viper - or he will consider it a serious insult. Your Captain knows where to find him.”&nbsp; Her eyes and gun still leveled at Si, Snow gave a graceful small bow to both men, then she and Blondie backed out of the alleyway and melted back into the milling crowd.<br><br><br><em>Piào liàng = beautiful</em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>18-08-2011, 08:35:14</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the stowaway – aboard the Gamble, Eavesdown Docks – changing position=-</strong></div><br>The noise aboard the ship continuously changed; creaks and squeals, echoes and sudden hushes. The girl’s bright eyes lifted as she took in what details she'd not previously been able to absorb, hunting the cargo bay for a safer spot to take up, hoping to actually sleep restfully for a few hours. She moved stealthily, craning only a portion of herself at a time to remain as hidden as possible in case someone unexpectedly moved into the bay… like when a male voice called out for help. Having just ducked her head back behind the stack of pallets, she forced herself not to respond. Instinct and curiosity wound her tightly toward exposure, wanting to answer the plea but knowing better. She came first and she had to know what kind of situation she would find herself becoming a part of before she’d ever try to help someone else.<br><br>As bodies moved through the bay, their footsteps continued to tell her a little something about where they headed, how quickly they stepped and with what amount of force. She cringed, holding tightly around the drying fruit pit, its contours making indentions in her palm. Once the bay was relatively silent again, she slowly relaxed, reconsidering her purpose on board. Maybe she should go, leave while she had the chance and look for another place to hold up awhile. She had just made up her mind to step off into the darkness of Persephone once more when another body entered her (obviously not so private) space, making her retreat to the stack of pallets again. Holding her breath as the purposeful steps exited the bay, she carefully inhaled once the person was gone. She started a count in her head to 200, just ensuring that there was no quick turnaround by that person to come back aboard before moving.<br><br>As she waited, her mind laid out the internal structure of the Dragonfly toward the aft, both floors. She studied the details while logic screamed in her head, ‘get off this ruttin’ rattrap before you <em>bie wu long</em>.’ While her need to protect herself grew more nervous, she calmly went over the specs and layouts, confirming what she already knew about the distances and angles to be found in the corridors of the Gamble. Listening for approaching noises from any angle, she slid forward from behind the pallets, heading further into the ship. Now maybe to some, this didn't seem all that smart, entering further into a ship she meant just moments ago to vacate, but this ship had several things she could use and all within a certain amount of confined space. Food, clothing, maybe a pair of shoes if she were really lucky. Nothing out on the docks was going to help her survive, not without costing her a whole lot more than she wanted to trade.<br><br>She knew exactly where the infirmary was because of the route those panicked steps had gone when help had been received. She knew better than to go in that direction and crossed in front of the secured skiff toward the stairs on the port side. Keeping low and smooth in her movements, she still had to hold an arm around her torso to keep from spilling out of her ruined jumpsuit. Maybe she could find clothes somewhere near the washer and dryer area… <em>and food and a place to sleep unmolested while you’re at it, foolish girl. That route takes you right across the corridor-side entryway to the infirmary. They’re all busy paying attention to whoever’s hurt. No one’s going to look up to see me sneaking a shirt as I cross into the restroom… or better yet, an unoccupied passenger dorm.</em> Dorm…<br><br>A tall building, not unlike the sleeping coffins stacked one atop another in rows, erected itself in her thoughts. Geometric perfection with short wooden balconies facing the sunshine… she shook her head violently, gritting her teeth not to gasp aloud at the freshly burst headache. Half blinded with the onslaught, she tucked herself into the space between the end escape pod and the arch to the abdomen of the ship. Sweating lightly, she blinked and flicked her gaze around until she could steady her focus. From here, she could climb the stairs upward chancing anyone in the forward galley. She also had the choice of ducking through the arch to dart upstairs emerging at the rear of the galley or try entering the restroom nearest the infirmary – where probably all the ship was waiting to see if the person needing help was getting it.<br><br>*****<br><br><em>Bie wu long</em> = make a big mistake.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>18-08-2011, 10:09:01</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, in the Galley on board The Gamble, about to do her thang=-</strong></div><br><strong>“I know what you’re gonna say Dani,”</strong> Dani shook her head and tried to get a word in, but Griff continued before she could say anything.&nbsp; <strong>"And I’m sorry, but we need a mech…”</strong><br><br>Panicked shouting from the cargo bay silenced him mid sentence. In the blink of an eye, Griff had his gun in his hand and had swept her behind him. Dani didn't fight the move, despite her instincts screaming at her to get to Vincent fast. She recognised the pain in his voice, and she just knew that he was hurt.&nbsp; And what of Mae?&nbsp; Dani gulped loudly at the thought that Mae could be hurt, or worse, but heeded the Captain's warning signal to stay in the Galley.&nbsp; She trusted him enough to not question his instructions, even when all her training told her to move.<br><br><strong>“Dani! With me! Hurry!”</strong><br><br>That was all it took for her to spring into action.&nbsp; As timid and withdrawn as the woman was, when the doctor in her kicked in, she was cool and calm, and incredibly efficient. Tearing down the nearest flight of stairs, she came out just outside the infirmary, her eyes taking in the injured Vincent with Mae in his arms.&nbsp; An icy finger ran down her spine at the sight of the girl she considered her sister completely limp in her beau's arms.&nbsp; Seeing that Griff had relieved Vincent of his burden, she rushed into the infirmary, hurriedly washing her hands and slipping on gloves. She was ready by the time the Captain gently laid Mae on the nearest examination table, Lex and Vincent only a few steps behind.<br><br>"Vincent, what happened?" Dani asked before laying her hands on the youngest member of their crew.&nbsp; Nodding as Vincent explained about the blow to the back of Mae's head, she fished her penlight out of her pocket.&nbsp; Shining it into each of Mae's eyes in turn, Dani was dismayed to see that both pupils were fixed and dilated. That meant concussion, at the very least.&nbsp; Serious brain injury at the worst.&nbsp; Taking the girl's pulse and watching to see if her chest rose and fell regularly gave her hope that the injury wasn't life threatening. Dani gently slid her hands under Mae's neck, carefully feeling the area that had been struck.&nbsp; There was already a sizeable lump there, and although she had no way of knowing if the skull was cracked, she was confident that there was no damage to her vertebrae. <br><br>"Griff," Dani barked at the Captain who was standing in the middle of the room like a stunned mullet.&nbsp; He looked at her dazedly.&nbsp; "Grab a blanket from the cupboard behind me and cover Mae up.&nbsp; She's cold."&nbsp; It was only a small stretch of the truth, more designed to snap Griff out of his bewildered silence than anything.&nbsp; In his mind, he was responsible for the crew, and on the occasions that any of them got hurt, he took it hard. <br><br>Continuing her gentle examination of Mae, Dani found no other injuries save a small bump on her forehead, much to her relief.&nbsp; There was little she could do until the girl woke up, but she was fairly confident that their pilot was suffering from nothing more than a concussion.&nbsp; A bad one, definitely, and it would take her some time to recover, but Dani doubted there'd be any lasting damage.&nbsp; She'd do some neurological testing when Mae woke, but for now all she could do was keep her warm. Retrieving an ice pack from the small under-counter refrigerator along the back wall of the room, Dani slid it carefully under Mae's head. Hopefully it wasn't too late to retard the swelling.<br><br>Laying a reassuring hand on Griff's arm, Dani's voice was confident as she spoke to him.&nbsp; "She's gonna be fine, Griff.&nbsp; She'll wake up in time, likely with the worst headache she's ever known, but I'm sure it's just a concussion."&nbsp; She looked into his worried face.&nbsp; "She'll be fine, I promise."&nbsp; Squeezing his arm lightly, Dani turned her attention to Vincent, who looked to be in fairly bad shape himself.<br><br>"I don't want to know what you have planned for a second date," she teased him gently. It wasn't her place to scold the boy, Griff would take care of that.&nbsp; And besides, he had to be in agony, and yet he'd managed to get Mae back to the ship without collapsing, despite being severely beaten. "And what do the other guys look like?"&nbsp; The question wasn't asked out of interest, but was designed to help Dani gauge Vincent's level of awareness.&nbsp; The fact that he could answer her lucidly was a very good sign, and it was clear to the medic that despite some fairly nasty injuries, Vincent too would be okay.&nbsp; <br><br>"Shirt off please, Vincent.&nbsp; Do you need a hand?"&nbsp; Running a diagnostic eye over him as he slowly and painfully removed his shirt, Dani noted immediately that although he was moving gingerly, and had some serious bruising coming up on his torso, it looked like he had escaped the especially painful experience of broken ribs.&nbsp; Gently feeling along his chest, she watched for signs of extra soreness.&nbsp; "Vince," she scolded him lightly. "Don't try to hide any discomfort...I need to know where it hurts. Or else how can I fix you?" She smiled reassuringly at him, letting him know that it wasn't a sign of weakness to admit to being in pain.&nbsp; Finding several areas of deep bruising on his torso, the front and back of his skull, and two impressive black eyes, it seemed that the only thing that needed attention was his knuckles, which were bloodied and bruised.&nbsp; Cleaning his hands and dressing them gently, Dani instructed him to lay down on the examination table. <br><br>"I want you to stay here for the night," she told him, her tone brokering no argument.&nbsp; "I need to monitor you for concussion.&nbsp; Even though you didn't lose consciousness, you took some nasty blows to the head, and although you might feel okay now, concussion can take its sweet time to kick in. And if you're a really good patient," she smiled at him, "I might even give your shoulders a massage. They've got to be pretty sore." Vincent had tried to hide it, but it was obvious to Dani's trained eyes that they'd been wrenched quite hard.&nbsp; "Are you especially sore anywhere else," she asked as she dabbed some cooling gel on his various bruises.&nbsp; Satisfied that both her patients were going to pull through, she turned to Griff, taking him by the arm and leading him out of the infirmary.<br><br>"I know what you're thinking, Griff," she began, "and I won't have it.&nbsp; You're to save the lecturin' for when I'm sure Vincent hasn't got a concussion, do you understand me?"&nbsp; Her tone was serious.&nbsp; There was no gorram way she was going to let the Captain rant and rave at the poor boy while he was under her care. "Dohn luh mah?"&nbsp; Turning on her heel she headed back to her patients, leaving Griff standing alone in the cargo bay.<br><br><hr><br><em>Dohn luh mah : Are we clear here?</em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NiceTexasGuy</strong> on <strong>19-08-2011, 07:19:24</strong>
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				<div align="center"> <strong>~ S. McPherson, FNG&nbsp; - On Persephone with Sasha and Si - between a rock and a slippery place ~</strong> </div><br>"<em>Zhe Zhen Shi Ge Kuai Le De Jing Zhang.</em>" he muttered as he looked over at Si outside the shop. "Flowers?"&nbsp; He let it go at that.&nbsp; Si had to be intelligent enough to fill in the rest, even if he was <em>buhn dahn</em> enough to be buying flowers when he was supposed to be on security.<br><br>Steve McPherson wasn't having a good day, but it was made somewhat better by reminding himself that (a) he had a job, and (b) this job, however <em>shiang jing</em>, put him on a ship that would soon be pointed away from the place he didn't want to be.<br><br><strong>“I know the Cap’n has mentioned he wants to visit that favorite pub of his; Si - why don’t you and McPherson start heading on over toward the Slippery Cock, and I’ll catch up with y’all in a minute.”</strong><br><br>Socializing?&nbsp; With Si?&nbsp; In a bar called the Slippery Cock?&nbsp; His day just got worse.<br><br>The nice thing about the dynamics of life in a place like Persephone is that when things get worse, you can always count on them not staying that way.&nbsp; They would either get better, or they would get <em>much, much</em> worse.<br><br>---<br><br>"<em>Ta ma de hun dan!</em>" The frustrating part was that he wasn't even staring at the pretty girl.&nbsp; No, McPherson was rusty, and had let his guard down after leaving the shop.&nbsp; First he dipped his left shoulder and started to pivot as he felt the man grab him from behind, but it all happened so quickly, and the knife was in a place before he had a chance of disabling his attacker.&nbsp; In another instant, it was clear to him the man wielding the knife was hesitating for a reason:&nbsp; They only wanted to talk. <br><br>It was over quickly.&nbsp; The girl said her peace, then took Blondie and left.&nbsp; McPherson was in no mood for witty banter before, and was in no mood for any conversation whatsoever now.&nbsp; Had something like this happened in the flower shop, he could have given Si the "this wouldn't have happened if you were doing your job" treatment, but this ... this was all someone getting the drop on McPherson.<br><br><span style="font-family: comic sans ms;" class="bbc_font">"<em>Zao gao!</em>"</span> He accentuated this sentiment by slamming his right fist into the wall, leaving a bit of flesh and blood behind. <br><br>------<br>Zhe Zhen Shi Ge Kuai Le De Jing Zhang:&nbsp; This really is a happy holiday.<br>Buhn Dahn:&nbsp; idiot<br>Shiang Jing: nuts<br>Ta Ma De Hun Dan: Mother-humping son of a bitch<br>Zao gao:&nbsp; damn it
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>20-08-2011, 16:28:25</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - enacting diplomacy insurance - Persephone=-</strong></div><br>“Yes, Ferret is...something, isn’t she? Although, it seems that she’s not the only one who has her eye on you, Si...” Sasha teased him with a wink, no doubt referring to the helpful flower clerk working in that less than legitimate establishment.<br><br>In reply, however, Simeon offered the younger woman a somewhat more serious moment of eye contact, albeit softened somewhat by his friendly smile. "One can only hope," he said, leaving the details of that hope up in the air for the time being.<br><br>Then they were apart, the First Officer away to take care of communicating their more serious business back home to confer with the Captain on what action to take next, leaving her escort to escort her other escort. How very meta of her. Perhaps it was intended to be time spent educating their new hire on the details of this kind of work; clearly he was uncomfortable improvising, working without at least the vague semblance of a plan ahead of time, and being in hostile conditions without clear definitions for how to engage or whether to engage at all. Somehow he didn't think that was the case, despite having a wealth of knowledge he could impart if asked, or if needed.<br><br>Flowers, for instance. McPherson's reaction to Si's momentary gardening foray clearly conveyed his thoughts on the matter: effeminate, wasteful, distracting. It was true that dallying with the construction of a bouquet could be these things. However, it could also provide a useful prop for what was essentially a mobile defense operation. <em>The trouble with escort work of this nature is visibility,</em> he could tell his disapproving protege. <em>There is no defending these things in advance. We do not know who we will see, nor who will see us, nor in what state. Obfuscation is, therefore, a valuable tool to assist us in denying possible threats information they would prefer to have prior to engaging. Are we armed? How heavily? Are we preparing for an attack or at ease? Which way are we planning to go next? Which party is defender and which defended? All of this is information we can attempt to deny. In this case, a bouquet assists in that denial.</em><br><br>Simeon was almost always more long-winded when not actually speaking.<br><br>His educational generosity might continue, <em>A bouquet is among the best options for carried cargo when acting as a live participant in possible combat situations. It is often colorful, drawing the eye away from the body and toward the blossoms, inadvertently causing poor aim if you are lucky. It is lightweight, provided you pick your flowers well and do not pack too many together, yet the bouquet can often take up a prodigious amount of space, allowing for any number of things to be hidden behind or around it in the cradle of one's arms, like so.</em> This would be when he'd indicate having kept one hand entirely out of sight since they'd left Ferret's shop. One arm was more or less dedicated to supporting the bouquet, but the other only needed to provide the look of offering that support when, in actuality, it is free to do whatever is needed behind the screen of the neatly wrapped stems.<br><br>Doubtless this particular arrangement of hands, arms and dazzling color contributed to Simeon's comparative calm beside McPherson during their altercation with Badger's associates. The veteran had to admit, while the young lady with the gun had been on his radar during most of her approach, her companion caught him somewhat off guard coming out of the crowd as well. If it had come to combat he would likely not have been able to prevent their new man's demise - a grim truth, but one he could accept to keep in mind on future occasions. Denial never helps one improve; one must recognize mistakes to overcome them. All the same Si kept his demeanor level while being ushered out of sight alongside Steve, the flowers held motionless between his body and that of their mysterious assailants' female half. If they had meant for violence to occur it likely would have happened already; that did not mean he planned to lower his stance at all until the situation became more secure.<br><br>“Please excuse our graceless introduction; my name is Snow Ishii, and my associate is called Blondie. We mean you no harm, we are simply delivering an important message. ...&nbsp; Our message is from Badger. He wants you to tell your Captain that he doesn’t appreciate the company he and his First Officer have been keeping. But as a sign of good faith, he is willing to forgive the blatant disrespect he’s been shown. Tell your Captain that Badger expects him to pay him a visit soon - and definitely before another visit to the viper - or he will consider it a serious insult. Your Captain knows where to find him.” The young lady was well-spoken for an associate of Badger's. Her appearance was less startling by comparison; any hooligan could buy a few pretty faces, but rare to come across one who sounded cultured as well. A curiosity, but one he would have to take the luxury of considering at a later time.<br><br>At that moment he had more important things to do with his thoughts than occupy them on frivolities. "I will be sure to bring the message to the Captain personally," Simeon answered, nodding slightly when the woman bowed. "However," he added upon straightening, "and bear in mind this is merely a suggestion from a weary man, not a statement on behalf of his superiors; I have often found it more effective to deliver messages prior to the show of force when my audience is more accustomed to force than verbalization. While I can - and do - appreciate the unspoken implications of your method, I would hate to have future communications prematurely cut off by dire misunderstandings."<br><br>It wasn't a statement that needed answering, nor did he expect to hear one. They had said their piece, this Snow and Blondie, and doubtless were instructed to do nothing more unless something extraordinary took place. Still, they were no slouches in this line of work, clearly; they must have noticed the stiffness in Si's posture at some point even if the reason for it were not immediately apparent. Things had gone their way this time, but it was not quite so one-sided as that brand of strong-arm tactic required to be consistently effective. He intended to remind them of that fact, nothing more.<br><br>When they had gone Simeon lowered his gun, his arm having begun to cramp somewhat from keeping it angled outward behind the bundle of flowers. It was not a comfortable position to hold stationary for any prolonged length of time. Made the wrist burn after a while, and the forearm a bit. Nothing that wouldn't fade given a little time to relax. "Don't beat yourself up about it," he said a few moments after Steve's wall-directed venting. Had to give him a little time to work it off, but only a little. "We are on their home ground after all. It was not ideal, but they have a positioning advantage on us here. It is to be expected. Shake it off, do better next time. Now, when you are ready," he tucked his gun hand up behind the flowers again, flat against his chest to make the raised grip easier on his arm, "I believe we are due at a hellhole to pretend it is not a hellhole." Granted, by Simeon's standards it was likely any and every pub in the Eavesdown area qualified as a hellhole, but that didn't mean he was wrong in labeling at least some of them that way.<br><br>He waited a moment at the mouth of the alley to look 'round the corners first, scanning the crowd for any untoward attention directed at them before nodding Steve to follow him out and up the street toward the Slippery Cock. It was not the first time he'd thought the place needed a new name. How much more cruder could one get? Not that it was so terrible in this case, really, considering the company. For as much attitude as he'd shown thus far it seemed to Si that the new guy might fight in at such a place rather well. Bully for him.<br><br>If they were meant to loosen up at all upon arrival it seemed necessary to begin the process prior to that point. To that end, once they were firmly returned to their course through the crowded pathways Simeon vocalized the best reason for having picked up flowers on the job: "You realize, of course, that if you had been holding the bouquet and I were the one empty-handed, you would have been the one to receive the gunnery geisha's up-close attention and I that of her brutish partner."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>22-08-2011, 04:04:10</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston, Captain – In the Infirmary – Stewing over Mae’s injury =-</strong></div><br>Fear was the first emotion to wash over Griff like a icey hot tsunami as he stood in the middle of the infirmary looking on helplessly. Mae’s seemingly lifeless body lay on the examination table as Dani checked for signs of life. Griff was no doctor, but he had seen enough death during the Unification War to know the quickest way for him to discern if death had already laid claim to the body. Everything and everyone else in the room faded to black as his eyes instantly fixed with intense focus on her chest, watching with bated breath to gauge if she was breathing. He subconsciously exhaled a long, slow sigh of relief when her bosom swelled against the fabric of her corset top, though the otherwise voluptuous image held no salacious allusion for him given the context. The moment the realization that she was still alive dawned on him, he became aware of the molten warmth of the adrenaline that surged through his blood and his fear gave way to another emotion.<br><br>As Lex helped guide Vince ease onto the other examination table, Vince began explaining the events that had transpired leading to their present situation. Despite his obvious attempt to protect Mae, the sight of Vince’s bruised and battered body and the grimacing sound of his voice through labored breaths of pain only served to incite Griff’s temper, feeding his outrage at the man for allowing harm to come to her. In a display of his ire, his dark brow creased deeply, thickening his brow as his lips pursed and his nostrils began to flare. Dani examined the back of Mae’s neck as Griff’s emotions warred with is mind. Griff opened his mouth, on the cusp of giving Vince a good verbal thrashing when Dani snapped his attention back to her and Mae. <br><br><strong>"Griff, Grab a blanket from the cupboard behind me and cover Mae up.&nbsp; She's cold."</strong><br><br>His concern for Mae was still very prevalent, and he moved in earnest to retrieve the prescribed blanket. “Is she in shock, Dani,” he asked as he hurried to the cupboard, throwing open the door in a blur and yanking a blanket free as though his haste would determine her fate. Covering Mae with the warm blanket, he carefully took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze, brushing her bangs from her face with his other hand as he regarded her thoughtfully. Dani carefully slipped an ice pack beneath Mae’s head in an attempt to curb the swelling. <br><br><strong>"She's gonna be fine, Griff.&nbsp; She'll wake up in time, likely with the worst headache she's ever known, but I'm sure it's just a concussion. She'll be fine, I promise."</strong><br><br>Dani’s tender reassurance went a long way in easing his concern for her well being, but did little for his present contempt for Vince for allowing this to happen to his vibrant, young pilot. But it was more than that. Yes, she was his pilot and a member of his crew, but she was more than that too. He hadn’t been able to make sense of it at all, but he felt a certain fondness and protectiveness for Mae that he didn’t necessarily feel for the others, at least not in the same way. Perhaps it was because she was young and, while not innocent, perhaps a little naïve about certain things in her youth. Coupled with the fact that she had zero combat skills, Griff felt a stronger sense of responsibility to protect her than he did most of the others, with the exception of Dani. But it was Mae’s youthful exuberance and love of life that set her apart. She was so gung-ho and rebellious and was always skirting with danger, whereas Dani was on the extreme opposite of the spectrum. In regards to Sasha, his feelings were completely different, and he struggled to understand those feelings as well. Sasha could take of herself probably better than anyone else on the ship, so he wasn’t as worried about her as he was for Dani and Mae. But, there was something else developing with Sasha that wasn’t present with the other two, and he had recently begun to notice it having an affect on his judgments and planning.<br><br>Dani then moved to the other examination table to tend to Vince’s injuries. “You’re gonna be just fine, Mei Mei. Dani’s gonna take real good care of you,” he whispered softly while Dani was busy examining and questioning Vince, both of whom missed his soft promise to her. He kept his attentions focused on Mae as Dani continued her analysis of Vinnce. Giving her final diagnosis of their co-pilot, Dani moved back to Mae, taking Griff by the arm once more and leading him back into the cargo hold. Griff was bracing himself for bad news that she didn’t want the others to hear, but was a little surprised by Dani’s firm and authoritative words, which only served to stroke his already stirred temper. “What? Do I understa…” He cut himself off, clenching his teeth at her commanding tone. Realizing that his emotions were running dangerously high right now, he exercised every ounce of will power to turn and walk away without venting his frustrations on her. His fists clenched tightly as he stomped away towards the cargo bay doors, shoving the stack of pallets near the starboard side of the exit before he left the ship. <br><br>It was then that his radio crackled to life with the Sasha’s voice on the other end. <strong> “Cap’n? Got some info to share, face-to-face. What’s your twenty?”</strong> puling his radio from the belt clip, he brought to his mouth and sighed deeply to release some of the tension he that was beginning to tighten in his shoulders, he keyed the button. “Sasha, this is Griff. I’m back at the ship, getting ready to head to the pub. Just had a little incident here involving Mae and Vince, but everything’s under control. Give me some good news, Sasha.”<br><br>Just then, Anwar came walking down the pier on his way back to the ship, a large duffel slung over his shoulder. Dropping the radio from his mouth briefly, Griff glanced at Anwar and thumbed over his shoulder towards the ship. “All the way to the back, through the port side door. Pick one of the singles that ain’t already taken. Stow your gear and come with me if you want to talk over drinks and some grub. Some of the crew’s gonna be there too.” He was in a sour mood and being a little short due to the recent turn of events and the talking down to he’d received from Dani, something he thought better to address when a cooler head prevailed. “Get the lead out, Anwar. I ain’t got all day.”
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>22-08-2011, 08:38:02</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the stowaway – aboard the Gamble, Eavesdown Docks – mouse in a maze=-</strong></div><br>Panting lightly, she could hear around her breathing, the movements and discussions from around the corner and behind the skiff. A female quietly warning something first, then the crackle of a radio and a question about the receiver’s twenty, assuming they were asking about their location. Finally, a male called out across the cargo bay to someone at the entrance. She’d not made out many of the words but overheard at least five distinct names and took panicked note of that last bit about getting the lead out. Realizing that someone was in a hurry, she too moved with haste. Spinning around the corner into the aft section, she ducked immediately before the dryer, keeping her back to the infirmary. It was her dire hope that if anyone were looking out toward her at this very moment, they would not later recall who it was they saw pilfering the laundry. Grabbing up the first thing that might cover her chest under the jumpsuit, she spiraled up the stairs, emerging into the thankfully empty galley.<br><br>Sliding her socked feet over the floor, she moved through the common area, looking around as she tore down the top of her jumpsuit. Finally untwisting the garment in her hands, she blinked in surprise at the cute characters on the slightly faded logo before trying it on. The neutral colored T-shirt fit across her shoulders just fine – it was her ample bosom that stretched the material across her chest making ripples as the logo stressed between her breasts.<br><br><div align="center">(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U-4kIJCjlwU/SDugLfTuqmI/AAAAAAAAAR8/6CTXHW5sJv4/s320/fruity%2Boaty%2Bbar%2Btshirt.gif)</div><br><em>Enough daydreaming!</em> She skittered to the countertop and disposed of her dried fruit pit, the evidence of her previous theft being destroyed as the recycler reclaimed the material for simple expulsion later. She considered the jumpsuit that hung around her hips and happily imagined it being fed into the waste bin as well. Instead, she tugged the hanging arms up to tie them in front of her waist, making a belt of them over the bottom of the T-shirt. Pulling open a cabinet door to search for portable water or anything edible and small enough to hide inside the pocket of her jumpsuit, she grabbed a random packet and stuffed it down the side of her leg. She would have continued but for the warning of movement downstairs again.<br><br>Rushing away from the stairs she’d climbed, she cursed herself a blue streak for forgetting that the galley was the worst place to be next to the cargo bay. All that open access, seven different stairs or doorways opening into it… she’d been lax in her desperation. She should leave, get off this thing before spotted or cornered… but it was a fine little ship and they’d just landed hours before, ready to stay a while. Maybe she could get to the bridge and determine their next destination, examine their itinerary and history. Sneaking down the starboard corridor toward the bow, she discovered the shower to her right, lifting her eyebrows at the sublime prospect of getting clean… later when everyone was gone or sleeping.<br><br>She clung to the hull wall, avoiding being seen by anyone below in the cargo bay. Moving toward the bridge, she listened for the ambient sounds both forward and aft, hoping to avoid detection by anyone until she could safely close another door between them and herself. Pausing near a closed hatch, she surmised that it might enter into a crewmember’s room, the matching one across the hall confirming her suspicion. Passing between them, she stayed to the right and opened the next corridor hatch, hopping up the steps just beyond. Beelining to the next hatch, she knew from her memory of the diagrams on this and similar ships that there would be rooms beyond it, between her and the bridge. So far, so good… why wait? Moving as quietly as she could in her torn up socks, the aches of her troubles wearing at her the more she moved, she stood to the side and flashed a peek into the forward corridor as she opened it, just in case. No one about, she slipped in, making certain the hatch closed again behind her. Holding her breath as she moved toward the bridge, she bit into her lip, her nerves screaming at her to escape – <em>and go where?</em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>24-08-2011, 02:54:55</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - The Gamble's loading bay=-</strong></div><br>Seconds passed after calling out into the ship and Vincent was beginning to wonder if anybody was even inside.&nbsp; Surely Dani would be present if nobody else.&nbsp; That is unless the Wah Ching had sent a contingency group just in case the first, more low key approach failed.&nbsp; In which case, he would be as good as dead.&nbsp; When Griff darted out to meet them, Vincent never thought he'd see the day that he would be thankful to allow the captain to take Mae from his arms.&nbsp; Mae was hurt and Vincent had known that he had reached his limit, not having the strength needed to walk the remaining yards to the infirmary on his own.&nbsp; To say nothing of having an unconscious woman in his arms.<br><br>When Lex offered himself as a crutch, Vincent happily lent him some of his weight so that he was unencumbered enough to walk up the sloped loading ramp.&nbsp; Thanks to the help of his friend, he had made it to the infirmary in a few moments rather than the hour it likely would have taken him.&nbsp; At least that was how long he felt it would have taken him.&nbsp; As Dani set about examining Mae, Vincent thanked Lex after he helped ease him into one of the chairs in the room.<br><br><em>"Vincent, what happened?"</em><br><br>The fatigue was clear in his tone as he responded with short, concise statements that was a result of needing to speak with shallow breaths.&nbsp; "We were mugged on our way back.&nbsp; Big guy hit her head with a sap.&nbsp; Knocked her out.&nbsp; Hasn't been awake since.&nbsp; He and a few others tried getting away with her.&nbsp; I wouldn't let them."&nbsp; Vincent decided to omit any mention of the Wah Ching or any parts if his past that were not necessary to help Mae's diagnosis.&nbsp; Doing so would only entice unnecessary worry and doctors always seemed to work best whenever they remained in the clinical state of mind free of rampant emotion.&nbsp; All the while, the young co-pilot could practically feel Griff's harsh gaze like the barrel of a gun pressed firmly against his back.&nbsp; He did not turn to meet the man's eyes, instead remaining focused on Mae as Dani did her thing.&nbsp; There was no doubt in his mind that a verbal lashing would be forthcoming.&nbsp; In all honesty, Vincent was convinced he deserved that and so much more.&nbsp; It had been his fault Mae got hurt in the first place.&nbsp; Just as he had expected Griff the pull the proverbial trigger to his onslaught of scolding comments, Dani interceded.&nbsp; Vincent wasn't sure if he was glad or disappointed by that, feeling that being verbally kicked while he was down would do him some good.<br><br>However, the doctor knew what was best so Vince wouldn't argue.<br><br><em>"I don't want to know what you have planned for a second date."</em><br><br>A meek smirk adorned his face, one that shown the expression while not convincingly selling it.&nbsp; "I typically get fancy on the second date and find some way to incorporate a cage match into it."&nbsp; Anybody who knew Vincent for more than a day was all too aware that humor was his default method for dealing with any situation.&nbsp; Even when it came to coping with regret and self-loathing.<br><br><em>"And what do the other guys look like?"</em><br><br>"It's nothing that a few weeks in traction won't make tolerable.&nbsp; Unfortunately I didn't have a sharpie on me to draw obscene pictures on their foreheads for the entertainment of the medical personnel who I have burdened with patients."<br><br><em>"Shirt off please, Vincent.&nbsp; Do you need a hand?"</em><br><br>Vincent shook his head as he crossed his arms to grab the hem of his shirt.&nbsp; He had made it just above his navel when he had to stifle a hiss as pain lanced through his body.&nbsp; Gritting his teeth, he continued to remove the article while cursing loudly in his mind for having gone with such a tight shirt.&nbsp; A breath of relief escaped his lungs when he finally pulled his head free and allowed his arms to drop to his sides.&nbsp; The skin on his sides already had a purple and red blemish to it as the bruising begun to show.&nbsp; As Dani began poking and prodding the tender areas, he had managed to restrain his reactions to the pain to controlled wincing and choked breaths.<br><br><em>"Vince, don't try to hide any discomfort...I need to know where it hurts.&nbsp; Or else how can I fix you?"</em><br><br>Feigning alarm in his tone, he once again reverted to his patented defense mechanism.&nbsp; "Fix me?&nbsp; It's just some bruising and minor blunt trauma.&nbsp; I fail to see how castration will help the healing process in any way."&nbsp; Though after that he made no effort to hide his discomfort to her prodding and clinical inquiries.&nbsp; Following her instructions, he pulled himself onto the vacant examination table ignoring the dull pains glad to have a chance to rest a bit.<br><br><em>"I want you to stay here for the night.&nbsp; I need to monitor you for concussion.&nbsp; Even though you didn't lose consciousness, you took some nasty blows to the head, and although you might feel okay now, concussion can take its sweet time to kick in. And if you're a really good patient, I might even give your shoulders a massage. They've got to be pretty sore."</em><br><br>"Keep treating me this good and I'll need a pair of sunglasses to counteract the saintly glow you'd gain."<br><br><em>"Are you especially sore anywhere else?"</em><br><br>Vincent moved his arm to begin fishing around in his cargo pocket.&nbsp; "No, I think you've manage to poke every tender spot I had earned.&nbsp; Though,"&nbsp; He continued, withdrawing the busted radio from the pocket.&nbsp; "I don't suppose you'd be able to do anything to treat my wingman.&nbsp; Little guy took one for the team in the form of a aluminum bat that was intended for my dome piece.&nbsp; The little trooper saw to it that your job would be a bit easier and significantly cleaner when looking after me."<br><br>When Dani escorted Griff from the room, Vincent allowed himself to look over to Mae's unconscious form on the table next to him.&nbsp; Grief flooded through him as he was once again reminded of how he had failed to protect her.&nbsp; At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to hold her hand and comfort her however he could.&nbsp; Sadly, she was just far enough away for him to be unable to reach her without her meeting his hand halfway.&nbsp; <em>If anybody deserves to know the whole truth about my past, it's her.&nbsp; If she asks, I owe it to her to be open and honest and hope she still wants me after it's all said and done.</em>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>26-08-2011, 03:51:50</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ First Officer Sasha Dearing ~ Catching up with Si and Steve on their way to the pub ~</strong></div><br><br><strong>“Sasha, this is Griff. I’m back at the ship, getting ready to head to the pub. Just had a little incident here involving Mae and Vince, but everything’s under control.”</strong><br><br>Pushing her body away from the wall she was leaning against, Sasha glared at the radio in her hand as if she could compel answers from the device merely by scowling at it. <em>What the hell?</em>&nbsp; Griff’s voice had sounded oddly strained; even with the poor sound quality transmitting through the radio, it was clear to her that he was more than just a little upset. Sweeping her gaze in the direction Si and Steve had gone, Sasha didn’t see any sign of her men among the milling throngs of pedestrians. <em>They sure must have hightailed it to the pub!</em> she chuckled, not blaming them in the least...she was definitely looking forward to the downtime herself.<br><br>Sighing and shaking her head at Griff’s message, Sasha had an inkling of what the “little incident involving Mae and Vince” might be. The two young pilots had hit it off right off the bat, but lately their casually fun flirting seemed to be blossoming into something more meaningful. And with Griff’s overt attraction to the beautiful young woman, a conflict of interest was bound to happen sooner or later. The image of a blustering Griff banging down the door to Vincent’s cabin and yanking a happily content Mae from the co-pilot’s arms flashed in her imagination. <em>Shit.</em> She hoped Griff hadn’t lost his temper and gone and done something stupid that he’d regret later.<br><br><strong>“All the way to the back, through the port side door. Pick one of the singles that ain’t already taken. Stow your gear and come with me if you want to talk over drinks and some grub. Some of the crew’s gonna be there too. Get the lead out, Anwar. I ain’t got all day.”</strong><br><br>Griff’s transmission continued, although it became apparent he was no longer talking to her.&nbsp; Obviously distracted while he spoke, Griff had left his finger on the radio button while speaking to someone on the ship, leaving Sasha waiting impatiently until she heard the click of his finger releasing the button so she could reply. <em>Hmmm....</em> It sounded like the Gamble had rustled up another passenger...someone the Cap’n apparently wasn’t feeling too politely toward at the moment by the sound of it - so why was he inviting him to the pub with the crew?<br><br>“Yeahhhhh....Griff...this “incident” better not involve you interrupting something you have no business interrupting.&nbsp; And what with pryin’ ears and all, this open channel’s not the place for what I got to say. So I’ll just see you at the pub when you get there, and we’ll talk then.” <em>And who the hell is Anwar?</em> Sasha was all for taking advantage of opportunities as they cropped up, so she wasn’t concerned about Griff spontaneously accepting a passenger. But lately, she had started to wonder if Griff’s decision-making compass was still pointing north.<br><br>Shoving the radio back in its holster, Sasha walked briskly through the crowd, her long ponytail swaying back and forth across her back in time to her fast-paced stride, until she finally caught up with Si and Steve just as they were approaching the entrance to the pub. The nondescript, windowless building squatted demurely, minding its own business and doing its best to not stand out. Which of course endeared the establishment to its loyal patrons, most of whom were looking to indulge peaceably and anonymously in their own particular brand of enjoyment. To those who were repeat customers, the cheeky wink of the golden-red rooster on the establishment’s hanging sign was a familiar welcome. <br><br>“Hello, boys,” Sasha jauntily greeted Si and Steve as she approached them from behind. When they turned around to face her, she grinned. “Chī fàn!” Looking from one to the other, both men appeared surprisingly tense to her; her eyebrow lifted at Si, but she said nothing. There’d be plenty of time to talk after they were off the street and lounging, a cold drink cooling their palm. Sasha knew Si’s gentlemanly instincts would preclude him from allowing her to open the door, so she cordially waited for him to pull the heavy wooden door open for her and Steve.<br><br>Inside, her eyes quickly adjusted to the dim interior, the trio’s vantage point from where they stood on the second story landing allowing most of the pub to be seen from the entryway. Just to the left of the doorway, as was common, rows of lockers stood ready to accept the stowing of firearms while patrons imbibed of the pub’s offerings. Supposedly to keep the customers safe and all.&nbsp; However, Sasha never offered up her weapons voluntarily; one of the strategic benefits of her overtly feminine and sexy dress was to fly under the radar as an assumed non-threat. Unfortunately, her men would not be so misjudged, and so she waited as they secured their visible weapons within the lockboxes, the pair of hulking bouncers eying them closely.&nbsp; <br><br>Her gaze roaming down across the dimly lit pub, she noted pretty much nothing had changed since she had last been here. One of the more reassuring aspects of the place - familiarity. The pub seemed larger than it was with it’s two-story high ceiling, but it had only one large main room, with the majority of the area filled with small square tables accessorized with four chairs each. However, in various intimate nooks around the perimeter, plush red velvet loveseats beckoned invitingly. The overall look was industrial, with the two-story open architecture and exposed wooden beams, but the wooden furniture and of course the sumptuous loveseats gave the pub an overall cozy feel.&nbsp; A few pool tables were situated all the way to the right, a burly fellow in a biker cap apparently in the middle of showing a busty blonde the ropes; a dart board was mounted on the wall nearby, a couple of neatly-bearded gentlemen deep in serious play; a glorious antique jukebox that had somehow found its final resting place from far across the galaxy glowed in silent jubilation. On the far left of the large room was the hallway that led to the phone booth, restrooms, and around the corner, a long row of rooms that were offered by the hour or night, for weary patrons who needed a soft landing place for some shut-eye, or a convenient intimate spot for amorous couples should things heat up in a lucky encounter. <br><br>The long wooden bar at the back had a few diehard customers slouching on stools, heads bent over their cups, but it was early enough that there were several empty tables still available. Sasha knew that Griff was coming and bringing along whoever this Anwar was; she briefly wondered if Lex was going to make an appearance, having just gotten back on board after spending several long weeks on this very planet. She assumed Vincent and Mae would show up for some fun...unless the young couple had finally decided to slip away for some private time together. Ruefully she wished Griff would be able to convince Dani to come, but she knew better; she held out hope that one day the mentally and emotionally wounded woman would heal enough to join them in socializing off-ship....but she knew not today, not yet.<br><br>When Si and Steve were finished stowing their guns, Sasha leisurely began sauntering down the stairway, her hips swaying gently as she moved, her heels clicking on the wooden steps as she descended to the floor of the pub.&nbsp; Moving toward the most invitingly secluded empty table, she figured they could move a couple tables together to make sure they’d have enough seats for their group, in case everyone showed up. Glancing over her shoulder to see if Si and Steve would follow suit, she moved the end chair out of the way and began to pull out the chairs from a nearby empty table so she could push the two together. <br><br><br><em>chī fàn = Let’s eat</em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>27-08-2011, 06:41:34</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- operation seduce Vincent – just when you think you’re clear for a homerun POW! Life blindsides you! Back on The Gamble*~</strong></div><br>The smile on Mae’s face could easily rival the sun. Love was in the air and it smelled distinctly like Vincent. They had begun the journey back to the ship hand in hand with Mae skipping alongside her soon to be lover as the excitement built, filling her with enthusiasm for the pleasures that were sure to come. Her zeal for life and keenness to experience all that Vincent had to offer had Mae dancing ahead, swinging her hips to further tempt and tease before turning backwards to toss the young co-pilot a salacious smile as she crooked her finger to call him closer. The passionate glint in Vincent’s eyes was the last thing she saw before everything went black.<br><br><div align="center"><strong>~*~</strong></div><br>“Why’s it so gorram bright around here?” Mae grumbled as she padded through what looked like a long hallway lined with doors. Everything was white, the doors the walls the ceiling, even the carpet beneath her feet. Checking each door in turn as she passed, she hoped that one of them would open and someone would explain what was going on. Turning to the right she paused, standing with her mouth gapping open as the words shimmered onto the door seemingly from nowhere.&nbsp; <br><br>Her eyes narrowed as she read “Mae’s first birthday” scrolled in neat calligraphy in gold. Reaching out towards the door handle she was somewhat surprised to find the door opening on its own.&nbsp; Peeking in with curious wonder, she was met by the memory of a long passed birthday, playing out before her like a movie. A pretty little blond girl dressed in a frilly pink dress that she didn’t seem to thrilled about.&nbsp; Mae watched as the younger version of herself tugged at the bow framed by her golden curls, ultimately disturbing the carefully styled hair that had taken thirty minutes to prefect.&nbsp; Leaning against the door frame, the young pilot watched with great amusement as her younger self set off a series of events that brought havoc to the grand party being thrown in her honor.<br><br>Chuckling to herself, Mae slowly retreated into the hallway carefully closing the door and moving along the hall once more. She read the labels on the doors as she passed them occasionally stopping to relive a moment from her life. She watched with great amusement as her ten year old self climbed out of the family home bedroom window to escape an unjust punishment after her father had caught her “borrowing” the family transport ship.&nbsp; It had been returned without a scratch but that didn’t seem to matter at the time. Continuing down the hall Mae soon came to another door that caused her to pause. Her hand traced the word as she read the label that stated simply “Disowned”.&nbsp; Softly shaking her head Mae set off further down the hall, deciding to skip reliving that particular memory deeming it too painful to explore. <br><br>The next door brought a smile to her lips as a giggle bubbled forth and echoed along the vast hall. The door read as “Meeting Griff”, now this was a memory she relived often on her own. Reaching for the door she opened it to the pounding beat that flooded the otherwise deathly quiet.&nbsp; The room was packed with bodies thrashing against each other on the dance floor, but Mae knew better then to look for the action there. Her eyes glanced towards the darkened hallway spotting two sweaty bodies enjoying each other with a wild passion that rivalled the heady beat that surrounded them.&nbsp; &nbsp;As the memory replayed before her she smiled, feeling herself blush. Her head tilted to the side as she watched the bold young woman that seemed to be fearless in the act of lust wrap herself around the sexy captain as he thrust forcefully, pinning her between his solid muscular body and the wall. They had wasted no time in getting to know what the other liked, finding their appetite for pleasure to be extremely voracious and mutually volatile.<br><br>With the screams of pleasure still ringing in her ears Mae stepped back into the peaceful white hall and headed towards a brighter light that seemed to hold a warm glow. It was like the light reached out to caress her and wrap her in a soft blanket. It was the most amazing feeling she had ever felt and it made her think of one person. Vincent. As a soft sigh slipped from her tongue Mae felt herself float along the hall towards the heavenly light, letting it fill her completely with its tender affection. At the end of the hall were double doors that opened automatically as she approached. Stepping inside Mae paused and smiled warmly as the days played out on hundreds of screens before her.&nbsp; Each screen held a cherished memory of time spent with Vincent. Time spent in the cockpit teasing and laughing. A few hours spent curled in his arms as she fell exhausted into a peaceful sleep. Teasing each other as the two of them cleaned the cargo bay after yet another dirty haul, each screen held a moment in time that together made up her growing attraction towards the handsome co-pilot. <br><br>Stepping closer into the room Mae came to stand before the last screen, on it replayed her first date with the mysterious and sexy Vincent. She laughed as the day played out, capturing her bottom lip with her teeth as she watched the heated kiss between them. Once more a soft sigh escaped her lips as the warmth curled around her heart, massaging it with a sweet and tender kiss. She watched as they scrambled out of the restaurant and headed back towards the ship where they were finally to intimately explore each other and the attraction between them. Leaning closer, she felt the anticipation bubble within her as she struggled to remember that special moment when they finally consummated their attraction and new relationship. However that moment was not shown. Instead the TV screen turned to static, causing Mae to cover her ears from the loud and painful white noise. <br><br>Stumbling back from the unfinished memory, Mae felt herself press against a cold wall and whimpered as the sound grew to an earsplittingly level. However, underneath the static Mae could hear a soft, assuring vow soothing her as she struggled to focus.<br><br><strong>“You’re gonna be just fine, Mei Mei. Dani’s gonna take real good care of you,” </strong> <br><br>Griff’s comforting words calmed her fears as his gentle touch gave her the incentive required to fight her way back from the abyss. He had promised to take care of her, and as far as she was concerned he was making good on that promise.<br><br><div align="center"><strong>~*~</strong></div><br><br>The motionless body of the young pilot of The Gamble lay on the examining table as Dani gently lifted Mae’s head to place a cold pack at the back of her neck. The sound of voices swam around her, unrecognizable as if she was under water. The sound of static began to hum around her, slowly building its volume until it surrounded the room, drowning out the voices until there was nothing but a high pitched continuous loud beep. The sound quickly became unbearable until a single voice drew her from the darkness. <br><br><strong>"No, I think you've manage to poke every tender spot I had earned. Though I don't suppose you'd be able to do anything to treat my wingman. Little guy took one for the team in the form of a aluminum bat that was intended for my dome piece. The little trooper saw to it that your job would be a bit easier and significantly cleaner when looking after me."</strong><br><br>Vincent. His voice washed over her swollen brain, caressing her body and soul into a calmness that cut through the static and brought back into consciousness. Slowly fluttering her lashes, Mae opened her eyes and waited for the room to come into focus. The pounding in her head warred with the ache that enveloped her young body, demanding her attention. Her throat was dry and scratchy as she whimpered and croaked. <br><br>“Ai ya! Did anyone see that stampede that trampled my ass? Yeh Su, someone shoot me and put me out of my misery.”<br><br><div align="center">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><br>Jesus: Yeh Su<br>Aah!: Ai ya!<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Scotty Rage</strong> on <strong>28-08-2011, 05:48:47</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Anwar, Mechanical Engineer - The Gamble, Cargo Hold, doing what the Cap'n says=-</strong></div><br><em><strong>“All the way to the back, through the port side door. Pick one of the singles that ain’t already taken. Stow your gear and come with me if you want to talk over drinks and some grub. Some of the crew’s gonna be there too.” He was in a sour mood and being a little short due to the recent turn of events and the talking down to he’d received from Dani, something he thought better to address when a cooler head prevailed. “Get the lead out, Anwar. I ain’t got all day.”</strong></em><br><br><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu156/rage0976/RP%20Characters/jensen_ackles_07.jpg)</div>Anwar cocked an eyebrow at Griff, but wasted no time in heading up to go pick himself out a bunk from those still available.&nbsp; He paused for a moment, thinking he had caught a glimpse of movement along the catwalk, then shook his head, dismissing it as shadows playing tricks before he made his way to the crew quarters.&nbsp; Taking a moment, he studied the hallway until he found what looked to be an unoccupied bunk, climbing down into it and dropping his bags with a sigh.&nbsp; He kicked off his boots, then began to strip out of the jumpsuit he usually wore for work and tossed it aside, finally pulling off the tanktop underneath to discard it as well.<br><br><br><br><br>Taking a moment, he pulled the sink out and cleaned up a bit, getting as much of the engine grease off as he could before he dried himself and knelt by his bag to take out a fresh plain white t-shirt, a pair of black fatigues, and his favorite black tactical jacket.&nbsp; Pulling the clothes on, he was soon clean and dressed, grabbing his boots and slipping into them before lacing them up.&nbsp; Once he was fully dressed, he started to climb out of his new bunk, pausing to look over it for a moment, giving a slight nod in satisfaction.&nbsp; This was where he'd be staying from now on.&nbsp; This was home.<br><br><br><br>Pausing for a moment, he realized he almost forgot something and returned to his bags to retrieve his sidearm and a few of his blades, placing everything in well hidden locations after getting all the straps in place to secure them.&nbsp; Climbing out of the bunk, he turned to make his way back to the cargo hold, still quite unaware of what had transpired after he had made his way off the ship earlier, he was soon trotting down the catwalk and looking to the captain, cocking an eyebrow once more as he studied the man to see if his demeanor had lightened any in his absence.<br><br>"All cleaned up and ready to go, Captain," he called out as he approached Griff.&nbsp; "Figured if we're headed to town, best not to look like a grease monkey."&nbsp; He glanced to the cargo door, noticing there was a bit of blood on it, then he turned back to the captain and tilted his head curiously.&nbsp; "Did...I miss something while I was out?&nbsp; Pretty sure there wasn't blood on the floor when I left..."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>29-08-2011, 07:25:22</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, on board The Gamble, in the Infirmary, performin' miracles=-</strong></div><br>As she reentered the infirmary, Dani caught the look on Vincent's face.&nbsp; It was full of guilt, and longing, and tenderness, his head turned towards Mae on the table next to him.&nbsp; Smiling reassuringly, she walked between the two pilots, taking Vincent's hand in hers and giving it a squeeze.&nbsp; <br><br>"I promise she'll be fine.&nbsp; You're not to blame, Vincent.&nbsp; You got her back here in one piece, and that's all that matters.&nbsp; I'm going to take good care of her.&nbsp; And you.&nbsp; Fang xin, hao?"&nbsp; Dani knew that he would go on worrying, despite her pledge that everything would be shiny.&nbsp; Such was the nature of this crew.&nbsp; They all cared deeply for one another, and every single member of the crew would be concerned about Mae's welfare.&nbsp; Of course, Vincent's concern ran deeper than that, Dani knew, and was now entwined with his feelings of guilt for not looking after her properly.&nbsp; "Now, how about that massage I promised?" <br><br>Almost as soon as Dani finished speaking, a soft moan could be heard from behind her.&nbsp; The medic turned to see Mae's eyelids fluttering, her head rolling first one way, then the other.&nbsp; <strong><em>“Ai ya! Did anyone see that stampede that trampled my ass? Yeh Su, someone shoot me and put me out of my misery.”</em></strong>&nbsp; Moving quickly to Mae's side, Dani checked the girl's pupils again, shining her penlight into each eye in turn, pleased to see that they were equal and reactive.<br><br>"Shhh Mei-Mei," Dani soothed.&nbsp; "Lie still and let me check you, and then I'll get you something for your headache."&nbsp; Sliding her hands beneath Mae's head, she once again investigated the area that had been hit.&nbsp; The cold pack had reduced the swelling slightly, and Dani pressed gently around the base of the skull, watching closely for any reaction to her prodding.&nbsp; Confident that there was no lasting damage, she put Mae through several simple neurological tests, having her follow an object with her eyes, count how many fingers were being held up, as well as testing her reflexes, and reaction to pain stimuli by poking her in different places on her body.&nbsp; Mae was understandably a little sluggish, but everything seemed to check out.&nbsp; Finally, Dani was satisfied, and drew a syringe of a clear liquid from a small vial.<br><br>"I'm giving you a shot of hydrozapam to help your headache, It won't make you sleepy, I don't want you dozing off again, Mei-Mei.&nbsp; I need to keep a close eye on your vitals, as well as your alertness.&nbsp; We'll be doing those tests every hour or so for a while, just to make sure."&nbsp; Dani smiled down at her patient, her heart that much lighter for seeing the girl conscious.&nbsp; Swiping a small area on Mae's arm with a swatch of gauze soaked in surgical alcohol, Dani expertly administered the painkiller, rubbing the area lightly after removing the needle.&nbsp; "It'll take a couple of minutes, but you should be feeling better soon."&nbsp; Stroking Mae's head affectionately, Dani smiled over at Vincent.&nbsp; "See?&nbsp; What'd I tell you?"<br><br>Turning from her patients, Dani dampened a couple of washclothes with cool water and applied them to the foreheads of each of the pilots.&nbsp; "I know it's old fashioned," she smiled at their expressions. "But it really does help.&nbsp; Now...you two had better get comfortable.&nbsp; You'll both be here overnight at least.&nbsp; Perhaps longer.&nbsp; And I hate to say it, but no flying for either of you for a bit."&nbsp; The looks of outrage on each of their faces made Dani laugh.&nbsp; "No, no arguments.&nbsp; Doctors orders!&nbsp; Neither of you are in any condition to be in the cockpit. No, Mae," she said firmly, heading off the girl's protest before she could even make it.&nbsp; "I'll inform Griff immediately that he's going to have to play pilot for a little while."<br><br>Heading towards the door, Dani paused just inside the infirmary.&nbsp; "I'll be back in a few minutes.&nbsp; You're both to stay right where you are, do you understand?&nbsp; Vincent, I'm trusting you to make sure Mae obeys orders, hao?"&nbsp; Almost beaming at them, Dani exited the infirmary looking for Griff.&nbsp; It warmed her heart to know that Mae was going to be fine, although she expected her to be a most difficult patient.<br><br>"Griff," she called into the cargo bay.&nbsp; "Are you still here?"<br><br><hr><br><em>Fang Xin: Don't worry<br>Hao: Okay </em> 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>30-08-2011, 05:59:07</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Beyond happy to see Mae conscious - The Gamble, Med Bay=-</strong></div><br><em>"I promise she'll be fine.&nbsp; You're not to blame, Vincent.&nbsp; You got her back here in one piece, and that's all that matters.&nbsp; I'm going to take good care of her.&nbsp; And you.&nbsp; Fang xin, hao?"</em>&nbsp; Vincent gave Dani a meek thankful smile but could not hold it long before his head lowered with guilt.&nbsp; <em>Of course it was my fault.&nbsp; The only reason she got hurt was because she was in between me and my comeuppance.</em>&nbsp; That notion weighed heavily upon his shoulders and could swear there was an actual physical burden upon them.&nbsp; He wanted desperately to open the floodgates and let all of his thoughts, fears, and past flood out of his mouth.&nbsp; Anything to ease the pressure that was building in his mind.&nbsp; <em>"Now, how about that massage I promised?"</em>&nbsp; Dani, one of the most kindhearted people Vincent has ever had the pleasure of knowing.&nbsp; He couldn't place the weight of that knowledge on her, she already had her own demons to deal with and didn't need any of his.&nbsp; "I--"<br><br><em>“Ai ya! Did anyone see that stampede that trampled my ass? Yeh Su, someone shoot me and put me out of my misery.”</em><br><br>Vincent's head whipped around so quickly that his shoulders and chest elicited a formal protest in the form of lightning bolts.&nbsp; By the time he suppressed the squeal of fleeting agony, Dani had already set about examining Mae.&nbsp; His chest now grew tight with emotion on top of the blunt trauma.&nbsp; Elation, hope, doubt, and guilt all warred in his mind for dominance.&nbsp; In the end, it was his desire to be close to Mae that tilted the scales in the favor of hope and elation.&nbsp; It took him a moment to ensure his voice wouldn't revert to a croak before he attempted to speak.<br><br><em>"Shhh Mei-Mei, lie still and let me check you, and then I'll get you something for your headache."</em><br><br>"See it?&nbsp; Love, I retaliated by hitting it with a bus.&nbsp; Three busses.&nbsp; And a low-flying transport ship.&nbsp; All full of kittens and puppies.&nbsp; Why kittens and puppies?&nbsp; Because it is impossible to sound tough whenever you get your ass kicked by something so adorable.&nbsp; And no, they did not get the plates of the vehicles that hit them."<br><br>The moment he saw Dani retrieve the syringe, all the color drained from the co-pilot's face.&nbsp; Despite the fact that he knew that needle wasn't intended for him, it did nothing to ebb his phobia.&nbsp; He diverted his gaze before he could see the needle pierce skin, the thought alone was enough to cause his vision to darken at the peripheries forcing him to fight off a blackout.&nbsp; Some portion of him was faintly aware that Dani was talking, but all he could make out was muffled sounds as a light sweat began to form on his brow.&nbsp; The sudden presence of a cool cloth on his forehead helped his building anxiety to recede until he no longer needed to exert his willpower to remain conscious.&nbsp; His expression became thankful, though the color had not yet entirely returned to his face just yet.<br><br><em>"I know it's old fashioned, but it really does help.&nbsp; Now...you two had better get comfortable.&nbsp; You'll both be here overnight at least.&nbsp; Perhaps longer.&nbsp; And I hate to say it, but no flying for either of you for a bit."</em>&nbsp; Vincent shot her a look that would have been very similar to the one that would have come with witnessing her kicking a priest in the groin.&nbsp; At least if you were to take out the humor aspect to it.&nbsp; <em>"No, no arguments.&nbsp; Doctors orders!&nbsp; Neither of you are in any condition to be in the cockpit. No, Mae, I'll inform Griff immediately that he's going to have to play pilot for a little while."</em><br><br><em>Oh.&nbsp; Good.&nbsp; Yet another thing Griff will yell at me about.&nbsp; They're going to have a burn ward named in my honor once he gets done scolding me.</em> <br><br><em>"I'll be back in a few minutes.&nbsp; You're both to stay right where you are, do you understand?&nbsp; Vincent, I'm trusting you to make sure Mae obeys orders, hao?"</em>&nbsp; A grin spread across Vincent's face, unable to resist the setup.&nbsp; "I'll keep her here even if it means I have to lay on top of her to do it."<br><br>Once Dani disappeared into the hallway, Vincent turned his head to meet Mae's gaze.&nbsp; He could only imagine how unattractive he looked and wondered how many new colors adorned his complexion.&nbsp; She hadn't gone running out of the room in terror, so it wasn't as bad as it felt at least.&nbsp; Yielding to an earlier impulse, Vincent reached out a hand not caring that a whole third of it was wrapped in bandages to help his bloodied knuckles heal.&nbsp; "How are you feeling?"&nbsp; Vincent's heart raced.&nbsp; Hoping.&nbsp; Praying that she would take his offered hand in hers.&nbsp; Between how much of a mess he was and the mess he had gotten her in to, he had to know whether their moment had been one of the victims left behind in that darkened alley.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>30-08-2011, 07:29:10</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Grounded!&nbsp; –&nbsp; The Gamble, infirmary *~</strong></div><br>Everything hurt! Even her eyelashes ached with every flutter. The throbbing originated at that back of her skull and spread out along her body, licking along each nerve ending. Forcing her eyes closed to take full advantage of a much needed refuge from the overhead lighting; Mae gave in and closed her eyes, feeling each lash as they fanned over her soft cheeks. Slowly she opened them once more and turned her head towards the sound of Vincent's voice, it was a small movement but the flinch that flashed across her pretty face showed anyone observing that all was not well. <br><br><br><strong>"See it? Love, I retaliated by hitting it with a bus. Three busses. And a low-flying transport ship. All full of kittens and puppies. Why kittens and puppies? Because it is impossible to sound tough whenever you get your ass kicked by something so adorable. And no, they did not get the plates of the vehicles that hit them."</strong><br><br><br>Giggling as the warmth of his response filled her soul, Mae's eyes searched for the young man that had been her escort, but all she could see was the image of Dani smiling warmly. The young doctor moved with a quiet grace as she approached the newly conscious pilot wasting no time in examining her patient. Mae pulled back, grumbling as she was poked and prodded, blinking furiously as she adjusted to the bright lights beaming into her eyes. “What happened? Where's Vincent? I can hear him just over there, why won't you let me see him?” Quickly becoming impatient, Mae let a long annoyed sigh escape as she struggled to see around Dani. <br><br><br><strong>"I'm giving you a shot of hydrozapam to help your headache, It won't make you sleepy, I don't want you dozing off again, Mei-Mei. I need to keep a close eye on your vitals, as well as your alertness. We'll be doing those tests every hour or so for a while, just to make sure. It'll take a couple of minutes, but you should be feeling better soon."</strong> <br><br><br>As Dani administered the pain reliever Mae flinched, turning her head away to avoid watching the needle as she bit down on her bottom lip, mentally adding a slew of colourful words to her vocabulary that could make any grown man blush. “Ouch!” the young pilot squawked her objection as she looked up at the good doctor. Scowling much like she did in her youth, Mae's expression was reminiscent of that same look Mae used to give her mother during her childhood whenever she found herself in trouble. Mae watched as Dani turned towards her other patient to console him with a cheerful tone.&nbsp; “Vincent?” Mae called out as she stretched her neck in order to get a visual. A soft gasp caught in her throat as she caught her first glance of his wounds.&nbsp; “Wo De Tian A! They trampled you to!” Struggling to get up, Mae’s intention to get to Vincent was temporarily stalled by the pushy doctor and her facecloth cure. <br><br><br><strong>"I know it's old fashioned, but it really does help. Now...you two had better get comfortable. You'll both be here overnight at least. Perhaps longer.”</strong>&nbsp; <br><br><br>Mae had been hoping to spend the night with Vincent, but this wasn’t exactly what she had had in mind. She watched as Dani moved towards the co-pilot before slowly reaching her hand towards the cloth. The next words spoken however struck a blow that came seemingly out of nowhere.<br><br>&nbsp;<strong>“And I hate to say it, but no flying for either of you for a bit."</strong><br><br>Mae was so shocked she almost choked on her tongue. Her eyes bugged out and her mouth fell open as she gapped at her friend the doctor. Had she heard her correctly? Surely Dani had to be joking! Eventually finding her tongue, Mae readied herself to launch a list of complaints when, with one look, she was expertly shut down by Dani, along with a quick pre-emptive strike said with an underlining hint of amusement.<br><br><br><strong>“No, no arguments. Doctors orders! Neither of you are in any condition to be in the cockpit. No, Mae, I'll inform Griff immediately that he's going to have to play pilot for a little while."</strong><br><br><br>Unable to resist the giggle that bubbled automatically at the word “cockpit” Mae watched Dani exit the infirmary, her mouth left gapping open for a full sixty seconds before turning towards Vincent with a rebellious glint in her eyes. His promise to do whatever it took to keep her still was the deciding element to her plan. She wanted to salvage whatever she could from their date that had been so rudely interrupted, and what better way to do so than kissing Vincent’s boo boo’s.&nbsp; <br><br><br>“Can you believe that?” Mae called over as she whipped off the cold compress from her forehead, letting the cloth fall to its resting place on the floor. “I feel fine. It’s just a silly bump, I’ve had worse! It’s you I’m worried about”&nbsp; Reaching for his hand, Mae squeezed gently to assure him before breaking the contact. Mae swung her legs around so that they dangled over the examining table, her hands resting on the pillowed surface to steady herself as a wave of dizziness snuck up&nbsp; to capture her in its grip. Closing her eyes she took in a deep breath and willed the nausea away “whoa, moved to fast….I’m good as new, real shiny.”<br><br><br>One more deep breath and Mae slowly opened her eyes, focusing them onto the man before her that had penetrated her defences and touched her heart with a simple smile. Her eyes softened as she took in the extent of his injuries. “You know, if you had changed your mind about sleeping with me you didn’t have to go to such extreme measures. A simple, Mae… I’m just not that into you would have done the trick.”&nbsp; Her lips curled at the corners giving him a soft smile and letting him know she was only teasing. It was their way to bring humour into awkward situations. She wanted to know more about what happened, but mostly she wanted to loose herself in his arms, kissing each and every bruise and scrape on his body.<br><br><br>“Where does it hurt?” she asked tenderly as she pushed herself off of the table, landing gently on her feet. Padding the short distance across the infirmary, Mae approached Vincent with a soft smile playing on her lips. “Want me to kiss it better?” she asked as she reached out her hand to stroke gently along his exposed chest. “If they force a grounding on us, at least we can spend it incarcerated together.” <br><br><br><br><div align="center">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><br>Dear god in heaven: Wo De Tian A<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>31-08-2011, 01:18:12</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Putting it all on the line – The Gamble’s Infirmary=-</strong></div><br><em>”Can you believe that?&nbsp; I feel fine.&nbsp; It’s just a silly bump, I’ve had worse!&nbsp; It’s you I’m worried about.”</em>&nbsp; Vincent felt a tear well up in his eye when he felt Mae slide her hand into his for a soothing moment of contact.&nbsp; As simple of a gesture it had been, the vast and significant meaning behind it had left him feeling ripped off that there was no grand finale of fireworks and celebratory trumpeting that went along with it.&nbsp; For the hand fate dealt them that day, Vincent felt that it owed him at least that much.&nbsp; The tear never fell, but all that weight that he had felt moments before had melted away.&nbsp; The spark between them had not died and was hopefully on the verge of erupting into something magnificent.<br><br>“Just a silly bump on my end too.&nbsp; Well… perhaps a few silly bumps.&nbsp; As I said, I went at them like a rogue bus.&nbsp; The basic laws of physics dictates that both objects will feel the impact, though in most cases it is the bus that keeps on going with an extra dent or two while the more squishy object is typically worse for wear.”<br><br>The sight of Mae sitting up made Vincent a little uneasy, especially when she obviously experienced a bout of dizziness.&nbsp; He knew he wouldn’t have the energy to catch her if she fell forward, but he was confident in his ability to do foolish actions that would get him hurt for the sake of Mae’s well-being.&nbsp; The past hour had given him plenty of practice.&nbsp; He may not be able to stand easily, but he was certain he could fall like a champ and would be able to interpose himself between his love and the ground.&nbsp; The idea of Mae lying on top of him certainly was appealing.<br><br><em>”Woah, moved too fast.&nbsp; I’m good as new, real shiny.”</em><br><br>Despite her words, Vincent was not entirely confident and readied himself for Operation: ‘DO A BARREL ROLL!’, which would precede the “USE THE BOOST TO GET THROUGH!” maneuver.&nbsp; He waited on edge while she steadied herself.<br><br><em>”You know, if you changed your mind about sleeping with me you didn’t have to go to such extreme measures.&nbsp; A simple, Mae… I’m just not that into you would have done the trick.”</em>&nbsp; That remark had shocked him so much that he very nearly jumped the gun on the operation without need.&nbsp; He then burst out into hearty laughter.&nbsp; “No no, you’re looking at my master plan all wrong.&nbsp; I willingly got beat up to get us both a doctor’s slip excusing us from work while ordering us to get plenty of ‘bed rest’.&nbsp; You see…”&nbsp; Vincent’s expression turned mischievous.&nbsp; “At the bare minimum, we just got the next twelve hours guaranteed to ourselves.&nbsp; Couldn’t have our first night together get interrupted by launch orders now could we?”<br><br>He watched as Mae slid off the table and landed steadily on her feet.&nbsp; Thankful for that because the ground looked rather hard and unforgiving from up there.&nbsp; <em>”Where does it hurt?”</em>&nbsp; A familiar excitement radiated through his body as she walked to his bed.&nbsp; “This general region.”&nbsp; He said gesturing with his hands to the entirety of his body.&nbsp; <em>”Want me to kiss it better?”</em>&nbsp; His lower lip was capture between his teeth as he anticipated what she was running through her mind.&nbsp; The feeling of her fingers sliding along his torso was more soothing than any ice pack, hot tub, or ointment known to humankind.&nbsp; <em>”If they force a grounding on us, at least we can spend it incarcerated together.”</em>&nbsp; A grin spread across his lips.&nbsp; “Let’s just hope we get sent to our room.”<br><br>The tip of his tongue moistened the part of his lips as a bandaged hand caressed Mae’s cheek.&nbsp; When he spoke his tone was warm and sincere without any trace of humor or sarcasm, though there had been a trace of nervousness.&nbsp; Something that was quite rare for the man.&nbsp; “You took a blow to the head.&nbsp; You really shouldn’t be standing…&nbsp; This bed isn’t exactly big, but would love to share it with you.”&nbsp; Taking his suggestion, Mae climbed up the bed with Vincent’s hand at her hip offering balance until she got comfortable by straddling his hips.&nbsp; The next moment, the two of them were locked into a deep and passionate kiss that brought about all the same sensations he felt when they were in the restaurant.&nbsp; He was certain that would be something that would never get old.&nbsp; His hands held on to her, one holding lightly upon the side of her neck while the other rested upon her hip.<br><br>It wasn’t long before he felt Mae’s balance shift slightly as she started grinding against him just a little bit.&nbsp; In reaction, his mind went into fervor compelling his own body to express his own passion for her.&nbsp; His touch became more firm, letting her know just how much he wanted her with him.&nbsp; His breathing became heavy with need and desire, the discomfort from his injuries not even registering amongst the building pleasure.&nbsp; By then his heart was racing with desire, causing his body to warm up considerably making his touch all the more inviting.&nbsp; Vincent had dreamed about that for so long and they were on the cusp on achieving everything he had ever wanted since meeting her.&nbsp; A portion of his mind instantly recognized the lie in that realization and despite the rampant wanton desire that sent his thoughts into a wild torrent.&nbsp; That small area of his brain bellowed out with such power and authority that it stopped the escalating passion dead in its tracks.&nbsp; <em><strong>NOT LIKE THIS!</strong></em><br><br>Vincent broke the kiss prematurely gasping out “Wait…” as he attempted to catch his breath from the sheer intensity of it.&nbsp; “I can’t...&nbsp; Not as we are now...&nbsp; Not yet…”&nbsp; Taking another steadying breath, he considered his words before meeting her gaze.&nbsp; Her eyes were doubtful and on the verge of being hurt, which were a stark contrast to his, which were hopeful and nervous.&nbsp; “Mae.”&nbsp; Vincent’s words were soft and sweet as his fingers caressed her cheek lightly.&nbsp; “I’ve had a crush on you from day one.&nbsp; But that was months ago and during that time those feelings have grown into something much, much greater.&nbsp; By now it should be no secret that I want you.”&nbsp; He began his next statement with a gentle laugh.&nbsp; “Our first kiss should have been more than enough evidence of that…&nbsp; But that isn’t enough for me.&nbsp; I cannot be your fling, one night stand, or friend with benefits.&nbsp; While I’m sure such moments would be beyond amazing, I will always be aware of just how fleeting they are.&nbsp; That is something that would eat me from the inside out until the pain becomes too much to bear.”&nbsp; Vincent took in a deep breath to steady his nerves.&nbsp; <em>Here goes nothing.</em>&nbsp; “Mae.&nbsp; I cannot just be your lover.&nbsp; Not with these feelings I have for you.&nbsp; I want to be yours as much as I want you to be mine.&nbsp; If we are going to take our relationship to the next level, I need it to be the whole package.&nbsp; I want to be with you in every way possible and will desire nobody else as long as I have you.&nbsp; What I'm saying is, I want you to be my nü peng you more than anything in the verse."<br><br>Vincent held his breath as he waited for Mae's answer.&nbsp; Either he had set into motion everything he had hoped for or had just threw away what would surely be the best night of his life.&nbsp; But he was serious about what he said, only having a sample of Mae would potentially ruin him in the long run.&nbsp; So he had to put everything on the line and hope.<br><br><hr><br>nü peng you = girlfriend
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>31-08-2011, 07:06:35</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Taking a Chance on Love!&nbsp; –&nbsp; The Gamble *~</strong></div><br>Mae smiled as the soft tone of Vincent's voice washed over her, soothing her soul and caressing her heart. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips, mirroring the soft love struck expression that warmed her eyes. The sigh that fell from her tongue danced around the room as the invitation to join him on the small bed sent butterflies dancing in her tummy. Without a moment's hesitation, Mae carefully climbed up to straddle him, extremely conscious of his injuries. The last thing she ever wanted to do was cause him pain. Vincent had burrowed his way into her heart like no other had ever done before, happily invading her thoughts and dreams, carving his name across it, laying claim to her without ever knowing it.<br><br><br>Not a single word past Mae's lips, but a world of promises sparkled in her green eyes as she gazed upon the man that had captured her heart so effortlessly. Slowly, the soft pink tip of her tongue swept across her lips slicking them into an inviting gloss. Together their bodies moved towards each other, as if drawn together by a powerful magnet, forming a bond with an embrace that quickly grew in passion. The heated caress drew yet another soft sigh that tickled his lips transferred from tongue to tongue, tasting each other as her hands roamed his torso. Mae felt her body quiver as his encouraging response quickly consumed her until she couldn't think of anything or anyone but Vincent Kincaid. His scent filled her lungs as his touch burned his mark on her body, sending shivers along her spine and heightening the feverish response to a new and exciting level. <br><br><strong>“Wait…“I can’t... Not as we are now... Not yet…”</strong> <br><br>As Vincent prematurely broke the embrace, seemingly pushing Mae from his touch, her eyes instantly filled with confusion. Rejection gripped her heart, squeezing it with a vice like grip causing her green eyes to shimmer with tears. It was hard to breath, and the throbbing in her head that had mercifully disappeared had returned with vengeance, equal only to the dull thud pounding in her heart. The voice in her head that had been silenced by his affection whispered spiteful warnings, reminding her she was unlovable. After all, who could love a girl like her? Even her parents had not been up to the task. So consumed with the nauseating sense of disappointment, Mae almost missed the shocking confession that accompanied the tender touch of his fingers that caressed her cheek.<br><br><strong>“Mae. I’ve had a crush on you from day one. But that was months ago and during that time those feelings have grown into something much, much greater. By now it should be no secret that I want you”&nbsp; </strong> <br><br><br>Blinking repeatedly, Mae tried comprehending his meanings as his laughter filtered through the air, soothing her tender heart. His words didn’t make sense; they hinted of affection and were in direct contrast to what had been running through her mind. How could he claim to want her after pushing her away? More confused than ever, Mae opened her mouth to speak only to be silenced by his next statement.<br><br><br><strong>“Our first kiss should have been more than enough evidence of that… But that isn’t enough for me. I cannot be your fling, one night stand, or friend with benefits. While I’m sure such moments would be beyond amazing, I will always be aware of just how fleeting they are. That is something that would eat me from the inside out until the pain becomes too much to bear.”</strong><br><br><br>Shaking her head, Mae tried to form words in hopes to defend her feelings for him. Vincent wasn’t looking for a one night stand and to her shock, Mae found herself wanting more than the usual fling. His friendship warmed her soul, bringing a smile to her face. Surprisingly, he even managed to make her giggle first thing in the morning, when she wasn’t at her best. Everything just seemed brighter when he was around. Causing him an ounce of pain was something Mae would never knowingly do. Her heart swelled with a sudden rush of hope causing a soft gasp to catch in her throat as the usually bold young woman sat frozen, straddling the man that had become to mean the world to her.<br><br><br>&nbsp;<strong>“Mae. I cannot just be your lover. Not with these feelings I have for you. I want to be yours as much as I want you to be mine. If we are going to take our relationship to the next level, I need it to be the whole package. I want to be with you in every way possible and will desire nobody else as long as I have you. What I'm saying is, I want you to be my nü peng you more than anything in the verse."</strong><br><br><br>At first she was sure she had heard wrong, but as she sat peering down at Vincent, his words replayed in her mind. What seemed like hours, but was in reality only a few minutes, passed between them as both searched each others eyes with a hope that mirrored each others expression perfectly.&nbsp; Mae found her head moving, slowly nodding in an up and down motion as her lips curled into a wide bright smile. Her eyes danced as the excitement and pleasure of the moment took hold and she found herself squealing with joy. Lighter than air, that was how her heart felt. The voice in her head was instantly silenced and shunned to the back of her mind to wait for another opportunity to strike. <br><br><br>“I don't know what to say… other than yes!” Mae replied. Her voice was as soft and tender holding a excited tone that grew with each passing second. Glittering green eyes captured the light and sparkled like emeralds as Mae looked down upon the handsome face of the man she had fallen deeply for, a face so handsome even the bruises couldn't disguise. Reaching out to stroke a gentle finger along his strong jaw, Mae continued with her part of the confession. “One night could never be enough for me. I'm not sure when it happened but you stuck.” <br><br><br>Taking a deep breath, Mae tried to explain her feelings for Vincent. Normally she didn't care to get attached but she meant what she had said. Vincent had stuck the moment they met. “I’m not sure how to say this but what I do know is that I have fun with you, you make me laugh. I love just hanging with you, kicking back and relaxing or getting into trouble. God knows I want you, physically. I was very serious about sharing my shower with you, but you are right. I want to share so much more than a shower or a night of raging lust. I want to share a million little things. I want to go to sleep in your arms every night and wake up with you in the mornings. I want to build a million memories with you.”&nbsp; A mischievous grin danced across her face as she added “I want to fight over stupid things that make us laugh later after we've enjoyed making up. I want to belong to you as you do to me. I want to shout it out so loud that all of the verse knows that you are mine. I want it all. I want you!”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>01-09-2011, 15:45:13</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston, Captain - on his way to the pub - brooding over ruffled feathers =-</strong></div><br>"All cleaned up and ready to go, Captain," he called out as he approached Griff.&nbsp; "Figured if we're headed to town, best not to look like a grease monkey."&nbsp; He glanced to the cargo door, noticing there was a bit of blood on it, then he turned back to the captain and tilted his head curiously.&nbsp; "Did...I miss something while I was out?&nbsp; Pretty sure there wasn't blood on the floor when I left..."<br><br>Griff's jaw was still squarely set, his teeth grinding a bit through a closed mouth, as Anwar called to him.&nbsp; "Well, I'm glad you were able to get your hair styled just so," he grunted, without bothering to hide the vinegar that was bubbling up within.&nbsp; "Never mind the blood, just a bit of a scuffle, it's taken care of."&nbsp; There was a purposeful briskness to his words, part of it to see if this new kid would scare easily, and part of it because he just didn't give a damn at the moment.&nbsp; But his sedentary brooding was cut through ...<br><br><br>"Griff? Are you still here?"<br><br>It was then that the last voice in the 'verse he wanted to hear calling after him.&nbsp; Griff had had enough of the good almost-doctor to last him the rest of the evening so before anyone could even breathe his feet started moving him out of his beloved boat.&nbsp; "No!" was huffed under his breath as he stomped down the ramp, boots threatening to break through sturdy metal with each step.&nbsp; He didn't bother to see if Anwar was in tow, didn't much matter.&nbsp; A drink ... one good stiff drink, or maybe more ... just something to shut up all the white noise going on in his head.<br><br>His impressive form cut through the docking area, but it was all fuzzy, nothing interesting enough to take the handsome captain out of his own mind.&nbsp; Strong, deep tawny hands clenched and unclenched involuntarily, and it was clear to all those in his wake that this was a man ready for a'scrappin' should the opportunity turn up.&nbsp; That was one of only three things that Griff felt like doing when in this sort of disposition.&nbsp; The second he was already making his way towards, and the third ... well the third many times presented itself after a few rounds of the second when all the ladies looked a might prettier. <br><br>"I hope you're keepin' up, Anwar!" Griff boomed over his shoulder, only after several minutes of ground pounding giving thought to his tag-along, but he wasn't of the mind to coddle.&nbsp; There was a certain discomfort in allowing a newcomer to see any dysfunction within the group, but then again pretty boy better get used to it if he hoped to become a permanent resident.&nbsp; Still, it was irritating to have to break someone new in, and it chafed every time.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>01-09-2011, 20:49:43</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Simeon Gaorong - posting fashionably late...no wait, that's me - that go se pub, Persephone =-</strong></div><br>Indeed, "tense" is a fair descriptor for the look Si had about him once their lady officer caught them up. Granted, it was <em>often</em> a good way to describe Simeon's stiff posture in the field, but this was a bit different. He looked rather more prepared for a fight than usual. He shared a look with Sasha, barely shook his head, then opened the door to usher the other two inside with his bouquet.<br><br>As Sasha passed by him at the door, he leaned forward enough to whisper above her ear, "We had a run-in with the competition." That would tide her over until they could settle down for a proper explanation.<br><br>It didn't take long to get through the formalities - yes, even such..."establishments" as this had their rules and regulations. Only the home team gets weapons on them, for instance. That was fine and, on this world, to be expected. They lacked the level of security for certain gala events one might attend elsewhere, so they had their alternatives. Simeon secured his pistol away in one of the coded lock-shelves and carried on to catch up with their slightly advanced leader, leaving Steve behind to deal with the fun of security checks if he had anything else dangerous secreted away. Would be another way to test out their new acquisition to see how he responded to the demand to disarm, and whether he snuck something by them. Always keeping score.<br><br>Slipping up close behind Sasha, Simeon moved an arm about her waist as though acting as her escort - well, he <em>was</em> her escort, but one of another kind - as they made their way down the stairs and toward her intended table. It wasn't as though they necessarily needed a cover, particularly there of all places, but some things were habit. Properly accompanying a young lady in public was one such thing. Besides, it was convenient positioning for offering further explanation while they walked without needing to raise his voice to talk to her from behind. Side by side made for more intimate conversation on a number of levels.<br><br>"It would appear Badger has kept tabs on our choice of employment opportunities," he said, putting on a thin air of whispering less serious and more friendly things to his attractive companion. If only! Alas, business had to come first between them. "His errand girl gave us the standard intimidation attempt and its expected message for the Captain. It would seem we have some diplomatic dancing to do before we carry on in our usual fashion here, unless we are in the mood to make a mess of things. I cannot say I favor our odds going to war with the vermin in their own hovels. They are far better at squirming around in them."<br><br>He broke away from the loose embrace once they were within a few steps from their seats so that he could move ahead of the First Officer and pull a chair out for her. She didn't need it, of course, but appearance is all so much of the time. Mustn't let anyone watching get the impression they were successful at ruffling The Gamble's crew. After all, why give them a false sense of accomplishment? Si had had worse than some dockside thugs attempt to rattle him in the past. The threat of a gangster barely rated on his measure of anxiety. He wouldn't ignore it - that was recklessness - but he wouldn't quiver in fear about it either. He had better things to do, such as being good company for certain persons.<br><br>Si took the seat to Sasha's right, around the corner of the table, once the lady had settled in and, finally, permitted himself to wonder aloud, "They do serve <em>edible</em> food here, I hope?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>02-09-2011, 11:51:58</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, on board The Gamble, watching Griff stomp off the ship=-</strong></div><br>From his posture, and the way he stomped grumpily down the cargo bay ramp, Dani knew that Griff had heard her calling, and that he was mighty annoyed with her.&nbsp; She wasn't really surprised.&nbsp; The Captain was notoriously tetchy when it came to being told what he could and couldn't do on <em>his</em> boat, and dressing him down, even in private, wouldn't sit well.&nbsp; Watching him leave, the new new guy following in a much more relaxed fashion, the medic shrugged.&nbsp; She wasn't worried.&nbsp; He'd been angry at her before, but he couldn't stay that way long. He'd likely cool off with a tonic or six, or else get himself into a fight, and need her to patch him up.&nbsp; That last thought caused a small line of concern to crease Dani's brow.&nbsp; Hopefully Sasha would be able to keep in line.&nbsp; The last thing they needed now, with both their pilots laid up, was for the Captain to be joining them.<br><br>Heading back the infirmary, Dani couldn't help but smile a little at the thought of what Griff would say when he learned that she had grounded both Mae and Vincent.&nbsp; But then, maybe he would have already figured that she would be forced to take such action, and have a backup plan ready to go.&nbsp; Thoughts of Griff were pushed from her mind, however, when she reentered the infirmary to find Mae not only up and about, against her explicit instructions, but astride a very much still injured Vincent.<br><br>"Mae!" Dani exclaimed.&nbsp; "You should still be lying down.&nbsp; And not on top of Vincent!" Dani frowned at them.&nbsp; "And Vince...I thought I left you in charge of making sure she stayed where she was?"&nbsp; She tried to sound stern, but the very obvious affection between the two young people touched her heart, and she wasn't anywhere near as annoyed as she was making out.&nbsp; "Mei-mei...seriously, you need to lay down." Despite not being angry, her concern for the girl was genuine.&nbsp; "On your own," Dani added, as Mae made to get comfortable where she was.<br><br>Helping a very reluctant Mae down from atop Vincent (who somehow managed to steal a quick kiss in the process) and back to her own examination bed, Dani continued to chastise them lightly.&nbsp; "I see I'm not going to be able to leave the two of you alone.&nbsp; I'll talk to Griff about dragging the cot from the engine room in here for the night. Looks like we're going to have a slumber party!"&nbsp; The look on both of their faces was priceless, but Dani was serious.&nbsp; She needed to do regular obs on them both anyway, so there was no point in sleeping anywhere else.&nbsp; Finally getting Mae settled, she smiled down at the girl as she checked her pupils once again.&nbsp; "Can I trust you long enough to turn my back, honey, or am I going to have to strap you down to keep you from accosting my other patient?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>03-09-2011, 04:19:51</strong>
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				Happy.&nbsp; Joyous.&nbsp; Ecstatic.&nbsp; Jubilant.&nbsp; No matter how he tried, Vincent couldn't find an adjective to adequately describe the emotions he was feeling once he heard Mae say that single, simple word.&nbsp; <em>Yes!</em>&nbsp; There was no word at hand that would do justice to convey how she had made him feel with those three letters.&nbsp; There was no doubt in his mind that she felt the same way just by looking into her eyes.&nbsp; He leaned into her hand as her fingers caressed the side of his face while he listened as she confessed her feelings for him.<br><br>When she finished, Vincent found himself at a loss for words as though she had taken the straight out of his mind and spoken them to him.&nbsp; Everything Mae said resonated with him on a deeper level, a mirror image to everything he had hoped and dreamed for.&nbsp; Finally, after countless interruptions, sleepless nights, and tightly controlled jealous outbursts, he felt all that doubt and anxiety completely vanish.&nbsp; He no longer had to worry about her falling for another before he had a chance to convey his love for her.&nbsp; It had taken several months, but he finally laid it all out for her and she reciprocated his feelings.&nbsp; At last, they were together and the feeling of it had been far better than he had ever imagined.<br><br>Vincent's hand never left Mae's cheek from when he confessed his affection for her.&nbsp; Words failed him as they were lost in a mixture of extreme joy and the sheer congestion of all he wanted to share with her.&nbsp; The only thing that managed to work its way out was a short statement that was crafted from the very feelings he was experiencing and said in a way that could not be more heartfelt and loving.&nbsp; "My Mae."<br><br><em>"Mae!"</em><br><br>Vincent's eyes never left that of his new girlfriend's.&nbsp; His smile scrunched up as he struggled to contain a chuckle.&nbsp; He spoke lightly to her so that only she could here.&nbsp; "Uh oh.&nbsp; We've been busted."<br><br><em>"You should still be lying down.&nbsp; And not on top of Vincent!&nbsp; And Vince...I thought I left you in charge of making sure she stayed where she was?"</em><br><br>"I know, Dani, and I'm sorry.&nbsp; We just had an important matter that needed to be addressed since our last attempt had been interrupted."&nbsp; Vincent's hand gently swept a rogue lock of hair out of Mae's face, still his gaze never left hers.<br><br><em>"Mei-mei...seriously, you need to lay down."</em>&nbsp; The copilot had been about to exploit a loophole in the command before Dani effectively patched it shut.&nbsp; <em>"On your own."</em><br><br>When the medic reached the bedside and moved to help pull the lovely woman off him, Vincent pulled Mae in for a fleeting passionate kiss before the opportunity was lost and he would have to wait an unknown amount of time for the next.&nbsp; Although brief, he savored as he would a deep breath of air before being submerged underwater for an indefinite amount of time.&nbsp; The moment he felt the presence of her body against his vanish, the longing for its return was immediately felt.&nbsp; Still, the rational side of his mind knew that Dani was simply looking out for their health and couldn't get mad at her for it.&nbsp; Instead he got upset at the engineers who didn't have the foresight to design medical beds large enough to fit two people.&nbsp; Those bastards.<br><br><em>"I see I'm not going to be able to leave the two of you alone.&nbsp; I'll talk to Griff about dragging the cot from the engine room in here for the night. Looks like we're going to have a slumber party!"</em><br><br>Once again Dani delivered a swift kick to a priest in an entirely non-humorous way.&nbsp; Or at least such one would have thought given Vincent's expression.&nbsp; Again, he reminded himself that Dani was just doing her job as dutiful medic and not the take it personally.&nbsp; Still, there was nothing more he wanted at that moment than to at least cuddle up next to Mae.<br><br><em>"Can I trust you long enough to turn my back, honey, or am I going to have to strap you down to keep you from accosting my other patient?"</em><br><br>That rhetorical question caused Vincent's brow to shoot upwards with interest.&nbsp; "Out of curiosity...&nbsp; If there was a time in the future where I found myself in a situation, similar to this one I suppose, where I needed to restrain Mae to a bed for her own good...&nbsp; &nbsp;Where exactly would I find these straps?"&nbsp; Vincent said as innocently as he could manage while looking around the room for the most likely place one would keep such medical accessories.&nbsp; "Hypothetically speaking of course..."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>03-09-2011, 06:34:14</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Really Wishing she had thought to lock the Infirmary Door!&nbsp; –&nbsp; The Gamble *~</strong></div><br><br>The second the words fell from her lips self doubt set in. All her hopes and dreams showed clearly in her eyes, revealing her secret wish, not only to be loved but to be loved by Vincent.&nbsp; She wasn't concerned about her ability to love Vincent in the manner he deserved; it was more that part of her was convinced she was unlovable. However, Mae was stubborn enough to not give in to her mistrust and push forth into the unknown territory of relationships. His smile and gentle touch put her mind at rest at the same time it set her heart skipping a beat. If anyone was worth the risk, it was Vincent Kincaid.&nbsp; All her fears melted into nothing at the sound of her name from his tongue. Two simple words claiming her as belonging to him, never had two words sounded so perfect to her ears.<br><br><br>The moment was perfect. Mae knew without a doubt it would live on in her mind and heart for years. However it came crashing to an end when her name is called out again, but unlike the soft and possessive tone that had curled around her heart, this one was jarring and very much inconvenient. Dani had returned and didn't appreciate Mae's attempt to 'doctor' Vincent in a way that only the spunky young pilot could. Mae found herself jumping out of her skin at the sharp sound of her name being called, causing her eyes to widen as she stared down at Vincent. The expression on her pretty face was reminiscent of any child caught red handed with her hand in the proverbial cookie jar!<br><br><strong>"Mae! You should still be lying down. And not on top of Vincent!" </strong> <br><br>The pout came instantly as Mae tried to work out a compromise. What she wanted more than anything right at that moment was to spend the next several hours wrapped in Vincent's arms. They would be each others tonic, no medicine could make them feel any better than the magic that engulfed them with each amazing kiss “…but”&nbsp; It was as far as she was able to get before Dani continued with her stern reprimand.<br><br><strong>"Mei-mei...seriously, you need to lay down." </strong> <br><br>A small giggle danced around the room as Mae shifted slightly, dipping down to capture Vincent's lips with a tender kiss as she attempted to follow the doctor's orders. Laying down with her newly labelled boyfriend was exactly the tonic she needed. Mae was positive it would give her the boost she needed to recover from the unfortunate blow, refreshing her mind and energizing her body. Sadly, Dani didn't agree.<br><br>The fingers that wrapped around Mae's slim arms were not the fingers she had lay awake many nights dreaming about. They were the clever fingers belonging to the good doctor, guiding Mae off of her preferred resting place, that being draped across Vincent's chest, and into the cold and lonely empty examining bed the young pilot had abandoned only moments before. Instantly the heat from his body was missed causing a soft whimper to fall from her lips as her eyes sought out Vincent. Part of her was worried it had all been a dream, that she would wake up to find the confessions had never taken place, leaving her alone and longing to belong to him. <br><br>A deep sigh sounded as Dani expressed her concern, sharing her idea of staying with them in order to keep a better eye on the newly formed couple. Normally, Mae loved spending time with the young doctor. Her presence had a calming effect on Mae's wild and spontaneous nature. But in this situation, the other woman's presence was nothing short of a pain. The annoyance clearly showed in the glow of her green eyes as Mae scowled, biting her tongue, to keep from saying something she would doubtlessly regret. <br><br><strong>"Can I trust you long enough to turn my back, honey, or am I going to have to strap you down to keep you from accosting my other patient?"</strong><br><br>Rolling her eyes in a dramatic fashion, Mae was about to tell Dani exactly what she could do with those suggested straps when Vincent expertly removed the sour from her mood with a single sentence.&nbsp; Mae watched with amusement, giggling as he looked about the room questioning Dani as to where one might find such an item. Insisting his question was put forth for the good of his girlfriend's health though the implication of his true intent was clear enough for the blind to read. Her soft pouting lips twitched, forming a softer smile as Mae giggled, reaching out her hand towards Vincent.<br><br>“I promise to say put if we can push the bed's closer. I just want to be closer is all"<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>07-09-2011, 16:12:47</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Gamble’s First Officer Sasha Dearing ~ At the pub with Si and Steve, looking forward to a stiff...drink ~</strong></div><br><br>Slipping smoothly into her chair, Sasha slanted a wry glance over at Si as he shared his characteristically haughty opinion of the less than classy establishment.&nbsp; Catching the eye of a barmaid as she strolled up behind him, instead of replying Sasha leaned forward and ordered her drink: “Ng Ka Py,” then raised a slender eyebrow toward Si waiting for him to order - if he so deigned to lower his standards enough to partake of the pub’s fare, of course.<br><br>“So, Si...we got an actual problem with Badger, or are we just talking the usual run-of-the-mill weasel war?” With six empty chairs ringing the joined tables, sitting so close to Si felt oddly intimate. The thought caused her to reflect on the way the elegant man had instinctively and protectively escorted her to the table, brought to mind the feel of his warm breath brushing across her ear with his whispered words. Under different circumstances the dignified gentleman cum gunhand would certainly prove an intriguing puzzle to work out, she mused. But with them working so closely together...a sigh slipped softly past her lips, and once again Sasha found herself mightily looking forward to her time with Jacob later that night.<br><br>Speaking of puzzles...Peering around, Sasha spotted Steve standing at the bottom of the entry staircase and frowned in displeasure that not only had he <strong>not</strong> made it to their table, he looked for all the world as if he was rounding second base in getting much better acquainted with one of the locals. “McPherson!” Sasha sharply barked out his name as an unmistakeable command. However, since it was apparent the man didn’t have the discipline she would have hoped, Sasha followed up her command with a few less ambiguous words. “Save the gorram happy hands for later, and get your ass over here!”<br><br><div align="center"><strong>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</strong></div><br>Lilah giggled under her breath as she cheerfully contemplated whether or not she was actually drunk. She didn’t usually drink on the job, but tonight had been a special occasion. The sheer silken fabric of her belly dancer costume whispered against her bare skin as she moved, her sensual dance movements accentuated by the pale blue fabric contrasting with her toned tanned skin. Snaking her arms gracefully upward, she lifted her long thick auburn hair off her shoulders as she swayed her way across the room. As she glanced toward the entryway, she caught sight of a large man descending the stairs and she smiled at him, the soft dimple curved into her chin catching the shadows and deepening the appearance of the delicate cleft.<br><br>Rolling her hips and twining her arms in her graceful dance, Lilah (http://www.babeskickass.com/pics/sexy-brunette-in-blue.jpg) sensually swayed closer to the ruggedly appealing man, slowly turning her body as she moved closer, her eyes drifting closed for a moment as her hips undulated provocatively. All of a sudden a brief scuffle broke out nearby, shoving her lithe body forcefully backward into the big man as she yipped in surprise. Whether he acted out of instinct or saw it coming, she was grateful to find her fall broken by the strong arms of the big man behind her. Although a warm blush quickly stole across her cheeks as she became aware of just where his hands had landed; one full soft breast was warmly surrounded by one of his large hands, and the open palm of his other hand was pressed firmly against the taut skin of her lower belly. A warm current of pleasure radiated from where his hands touched her, and Lilah’s body relaxed comfortably into his enveloping arms as she enjoyed the moment.<br><br>“McPherson!”<br><br>Suddenly, a woman’s commanding voice cut through Lilah’s reverie, and it became immediately obvious that the big man embracing her...McPherson...was the focus of the woman’s ire. Lilah quickly scrambled to stand up straight, her wide brown eyes looking softly into his as she turned to face him. Gently slipping from his arms she spoke in a smooth warm tone, “Thank you for the soft landing.”&nbsp; A smile blossoming over her lush lips, she grinned in cheeky invitation. “Why don’t you come and find me later when you’re free...McPherson?”&nbsp; <br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>08-09-2011, 04:37:45</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, in the Infirmary, trying to keep her patients from pawing each other=-</strong></div><br><br><em><strong>"Out of curiosity...&nbsp; If there was a time in the future where I found myself in a situation, similar to this one I suppose, where I needed to restrain Mae to a bed for her own good...&nbsp; &nbsp;Where exactly would I find these straps? Hypothetically speaking of course..."</strong></em><br><br>Not buying Vincent's innocent act for a second, Dani's only response to his <em>hypothetical</em> question was a derisive snort. It was bad enough that on any given night one could stumble across a very naked Griff wandering the ship, the last thing this crew needed was to be watching their pilots do what came naturally through the windows in the infirmary doors. <br><br><strong><em>“I promise to stay put if we can push the bed's closer. I just want to be closer is all."</em></strong><br><br>Dani squeezed Mae's arm gently, smiling down at her.&nbsp; "I know, sweetie.&nbsp; But do you really think Griff would let us unbolt the beds, cut new holes in the deck plating, and completely rearrange the infirmary just so you and Vincent can be a few inches closer?"&nbsp; She shook her head.&nbsp; "I'm sorry, Mei-Mei...you're just going to have to be patient.&nbsp; I know it's not your strong suit, but I'm afraid you have no choice."<br><br>Looking from one of her patients to the other, she continued.&nbsp; "And I'm serious about the restraints.&nbsp; I will immobilise the both of you if I have to, and trust me..." Dani eyeballed them both in turn.&nbsp; "...it won't be the pleasant experience you're both imagining."&nbsp; She grinned at them, understanding their eagerness to be close.&nbsp; She remembered what it had been like with David...the constant yearning when she was separated from him, the feeling of rightness when he was near, the way he made her feel whole....<br><br>Tears welled in Dani's eyes as memories flooded her mind.&nbsp; Turning quickly from the two young people in her care, she blinked furiously, refusing to give in to the grief that threatened to pull her down into its depths.&nbsp; She had patients to think of, and David would never forgive her if he knew that she was neglecting them in favour of wallowing in sorrow over him.&nbsp; He would have thought it indulgent of her, and in her mind's eye she could see and hear the gentle lecture he would have given her.<br><br>Taking a deep, shaky, breath, the young woman blotted her eyes on her sleeve before turning back to Mae and Vincent who, to her relief, only had eyes for each other and didn't seem to have noticed that her facade had slipped momentarily.&nbsp; Forcing her thoughts back to the present, she went about doing Mae's obs once more, checking her responses and reactions to stimuli, making sure there were no lasting effects from the blow to the head.<br><br>"Well...you don't seem to be suffering from anything too serious, Mae...although I don't know if that's the result of my ministrations, or Vince's!"&nbsp; Dani laughed softly.&nbsp; She didn't mind either way, as long as Mae was going to be alright.&nbsp; "Now...are either of you hungry?&nbsp; I think you can manage something to nibble on.&nbsp; Nothing heavy, though.&nbsp; And..." she smiled knowingly. "Don't think that I'll be leaving you alone for longer than it takes me to grab something out of the cold storage, which I don't need to remind you is just outside this door," she walked toward the door leading into the cargo bay.&nbsp; "So...how about some fruit?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>08-09-2011, 06:14:04</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - at the pub-which-must-not-be-named - Eavesdown Docks=-</strong></div><br>Demonstrating how he felt about the offerings available at...that establishment would have been uncouth. After Sasha ordered, Si added, "Whiskey and water," then waited for the server to depart before resuming his previous conversation. "As things are now? Weasels being weasels. However, unless we are planning to make an arrangement with Badger on our next visit to Persephone - whether working with him or making it clear to the man that we are not a crew with which to meddle - we will likely have an 'actual' problem. Not urgent enough to require immediate action, but it would be unwise to ignore the threats of a man in Badger's position, craven though he may be in a direct confrontation."<br><br>By the time Sasha was through barking at McPherson their drinks had arrived, and none too soon: Si needed a glass to hide his smirk behind. Wouldn't do to be caught amused at their new recruit's expense. Not while they were out and about anyway; maybe when they were back on the ship he could resume enjoying himself at the gruff man's expense. ...maybe he'd just wait until they were on the way back.<br><br>At the pub, drinks were the recreation of choice. Drinks and the view. He was not so boorish as to stare at her, of course, but now that they were more or less "off-duty" Si did treat himself to a somewhat less than professional glance over Sasha's attire. It wasn't as though it was suddenly new, of course, as she had been wearing it all along, and in more provocative poses than sitting at a table. Still, he hadn't taken his time in considering how the ensemble complimented her in both appearance and, to an extent, personality. It took more than a pretty face to create intrigue and allure, after all, and young Sasha had her fair share of both. Little wonder the underground dealer liked her so much; the first officer could surely find great success in a similar line of work. Ferret doubtless saw potential for a protege.<br><br>Those were less attractive thoughts, however. Enjoy the now. Si lifted his whiskey glass a touch, saluting her, then pretended to take a sip before returning the container to the tabletop. He was generous enough to patronize the establishment while they were there; that didn't mean he planned to actually <em>drink</em> the swill he bought. Truth be told, he wasn't even sure he trusted their water.<br><br>"Under other circumstances," he said slowly, "I would refrain from such idle thoughts, but given our current environs and your delectable choice of attire, I cannot help but find myself wondering just what sort of plans for 'happy hands' you must have waiting for you." One hand cradled his chin, index finger following the line of his cheek, knuckles just below his lips maintaining the ghost of a smile without the body. "I daresay I take it as a compliment you would rather spend some quality time with the crew than rush off to your own ends. Or is it merely professional attention to ship's morale?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>09-09-2011, 02:07:37</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Cursing the deck mounted beds – Gamble Med Bay=-</strong></div><br>Vincent responded out of reflex at seeing Mae’s hand reach out for him and immediately met it halfway with his own, holding it firmly.&nbsp; His thumb lightly caressed the back of her hand while they both awaited Dani’s response to the request.&nbsp; Even though he anticipated the answer, it did little to mitigate the heartbreak he felt with the rejection, even if it had been due to factors that were beyond the medic’s control.&nbsp; It shouldn’t have been so surprising to him that the forces of fate conspired against them yet again, it’s been a regular occurrence for the past several months of him trying to create an intimate moment between the woman of his desire.&nbsp; However, he was more than happy with the silver lining in that Mae had accepted to be his girlfriend and he would not hesitate to chalk the day under the “win” column.<br><br>Without having to worry about competition, it would only be a matter of waiting for the next opportunity to present itself.&nbsp; Next time around, he won’t hesitate for a moment to jump at the chance to be with her.&nbsp; Vincent’s eyes locked with Mae’s, clearly expressing his desire to be closer to her.&nbsp; Though he didn’t want to risk losing what little contact the two were able to share for the sake of calling Dani’s bluff.&nbsp; For now, he would be satisfied with holding her hand.&nbsp; At least until an idea popped into his mind that would possibly lead to a compromise.<br><br><em>”Well… you don’t seem to be suffering from anything too serious, Mae…&nbsp; although I don’t know if that’s the result of my ministrations, or Vince’s!”</em>&nbsp; A grin spread across Vincent’s lips.&nbsp; “And yet here you are keeping her secondary physician at bay.&nbsp; I insist that you allow me a more… thorough examination of the patient just to be sure there isn’t anything you may have overlooked.&nbsp; Granted you have significantly more experience and knowledge in the medical field than myself and while my methods are far from orthodox, I’m confident that Mae will be feeling much better after I have a chance to work my magic on her.”&nbsp; That last remark was punctuated by a suggestive wink towards his girlfriend.<br><br><em>”Now… are either of you hungry?”</em>&nbsp; The co-pilot’s stomach gurgled in the affirmative since its owner clearly didn’t realize that he had not only skipped dinner, but effectively used up his reserves in that scuffle.&nbsp; “Well…”&nbsp; He said with a sheepish smile, “I guess that answers that.”<br><br><em>"Don't think that I'll be leaving you alone for longer than it takes me to grab something out of the cold storage, which I don't need to remind you is just outside this door.&nbsp; So... how about some fruit?"</em><br><br>"By chance is there a larger medical bed in cold storage?&nbsp; As hungry as I may be..."&nbsp; Vincent looked from Dani back to Mae with a loving smile.&nbsp; "I would much rather a chance to snuggle up next to my new girlfriend."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>09-09-2011, 05:17:04</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Girl Genius! – The Gamble, Med Bay *~</strong></div><br>Be patient? It was as if Dani didn't know her at all! Mae stared dumbly at her friend and physician, rapidly blinking against the harsh overhead lighting; clearly not happy with being poked and prodded when it was obvious to Mae she was perfectly alright. With the examination finally over and the announcement of Mae's good health confirmed, Mae allowed herself to hope that at last fate might shine upon her and her simple wish to be with Vincent, alone.....without being jumped (or at least not jumped by a stranger). It seemed however that Dani had other ideas as she warned her patients of the very real threat of forced confinements. The blond dynamo morphed the pouty scowl, which had undoubtedly expressed her annoyance, into a smug smirk as her animated eyes once again rolled in a dramatic fashion.<br><br>Unfortunately, Mae had to admit that Dani had been correct in her assumption of the sexy captain's feelings when it came to putting holes in the ship. I didn't matter how sweetly she smiled at him in her attempt to win him over, Griff still would take great delight in taking his mischievous pilot over his knee to extract punishment. A part of her paused wondering if that was such a hardship to take, after all she had felt his hand on her backside before, and as the memory replayed in her mind, she had to admit it hadn't been that great of a hardship. <br><br>Visibly shaking her head, Mae turned her green eyes that sparkled with defiance back to Vincent. He was her future, and as such deserved her full attention. Smiling Mae concentrated, and quickly contemplated her options. "No, no you're right Dani, I hadn't thought about the bolts....”<br><br>A small smile tugged at her lips as her eyes refocused from glaring at the doctor, and softening as they reached the desire filled and affectionate eyes belonging to her newly acquired boyfriend. Her hand held firmly in his calmed her notorious temper, keeping the young and often impulsive pilot from telling Dani exactly what she thought of her attempt to keep Mae from Vincent. Fixating on solving the most immediate problem, Mae perked up as a plan began to form in her mind. The solution spilled out leaving her vibrating with excitement as she prepared to whisper her solution without giving so much as a hint to Dani.&nbsp; With a single-minded determination that, in the past, had pulled her through many tight spots, Mae began to explain her plan in a whisper for Vincent's ears alone. <br><br>"The only way out of this little dilemma is to move us rather than the beds. So here's what I think. After we eat a little something…” Mae began as a small giggle slipped from her tongue, amused at the obvious protest from Vinnie's stomach. “You and I move to one of them empty double bunks. That way we can cuddle in private and keep an eye on each other and Dani can do… um, whatever it is she does in peace.”<br><br>Beaming with pride, Mae smiled at Vincent, keeping one eye on Dani, more than pleased with her quick thinking. The solution had been staring them right in the face all this time! It had been so obvious that Mae was surprised she hadn't thought of it before. Genius! Surely she had found a talent for problem solving that until that time had been cleverly disguised as disinterest. <br><br>“Fruit sounds pretty good, after all…” Mae added loud enough for Dani to hear as she dragging her mind back to the medical bay, waiting for the right moment to escape as her eyes filled with dancing mischief. “We have to keep up our strength. You know, for the recouping and all that.” Smiling Mae waited for Dani to leave the medical bay before slipping from the bed “maybe we should put a do-not-disturb sign on the door, just in case. Dani here can tell Griff its doctors orders that we aren't bothered for say,” tapping one elegant finger against her full bottom lip, Mae paused in thought before continuing with her plans. “Um….the next twelve to twenty-four hours? That ought to do it!” <br><br>Mae's voice lowered to a sultry whisper as she added “that should give the doctor in you plenty of time to explore and do a real thorough examination. Heck, maybe just for kicks I can do some investigating of my own.” Her green eyes twinkled with longing as the images of exactly how thorough of an examination she had planned for Vincent played out in the back of her mind. The wicked thoughts teased her senses and gave her overactive imagination something new to aspire to.<br><br>It was clearly showing in her eyes what had been playing out in her mind. The images of their bodies entwined, loving, touching, and squeezing each other was enough to make her feel weak in the knees. She told herself she would have to be careful of his injuries, but the young and besotted pilot was positive she could make him feel better than any drug Dani had at her disposal. It was Doc Mae's prescription of one long, sensual night together that would put the smile back in his eyes and replenish his wounded soul. Of that she had no doubt.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>10-09-2011, 02:49:05</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Captain Griffin Kingston - Persephone - On his way to the pub with Anwar in tow=-</strong></div><br>Griffs booted feet fell with heavy steps as he practically stomped from The Gamble. Picking his way through the slowly waning throngs of dockworkers, merchants, and patrons, Griff never once glanced back to see if his newest mechanic was tagging along or not. He was in no mood to babysit some knuckle dragging pretty boy who probably fancied himself as god's gift to women... or maybe men. Heck, Griff had no idea if Anwar was sly or not; didn't much care to know either. So long as he kept his hands to himself and The Gamble's engines things'd be shiny between Griff and Anwar. "...And you'd better keep your paws off Sasha," that quiet voice in the back of his mind interjected assertively. The thought caused him to give further consideration to Anwar and he glanced back over his shoulder finaly, a scowl painting his facial features and pursing his lips just so.<br><br>Momentarily distracted with the infuriating images of Anwar having his way with Sasha against the bulkhead of her cabin, Griff bumped into one unfortunate dockworker who had just clocked out for the day. His bright orange jumpsuit was covered in grease and grime, blotching out sections of the reflective stripes that ran the length of the sleeves and pant legs, and crisscrossed across his back and chest. "Move or get out of the gorram way, ya humping fei fei pi gu <br><br>Griff grumbled and cursed under his breath the rest of the way to the pub. Jerking the door open he stepped inside and quickly went through the weapons check process. Tucking his claim ticket into his trouser pocket, it didn't take him long to spot Sasha and Si. Sasha looked like a vibrant, solitary rose in blossom among a field of weeds. Si was equally as conspicuous, thanks to his choice of attire, but he lacked that captivating aura with which Sasha so effortlessly illuminated the room. Steve, on the other hand, blended in perfectly with the raucous, sordid crowd. Moving down the steps that led down to the pub's main floor, Griff unconsciously locked his eyes on Sasha. The mere sight of his first officer had a calming effect on his raging temper, and he quickly on a strong and confident stride. Catching one of the waitresses' attention, he mouthed his order of a whiskey and gestured her over to where Sasha, Si, and Steve now sat. <br><br><strong>"Under other circumstances I would refrain from such idle thoughts, but given our current environs and your delectable choice of attire, I cannot help but find myself wondering just what sort of plans for 'happy hands' you must have waiting for you. I daresay I take it as a compliment you would rather spend some quality time with the crew than rush off to your own ends. Or is it merely professional attention to ship's morale?"</strong><br><br>He overheard the former Alliance Admiral as he approached them from his six o'clock. The idea of Sasha engaging in such carnal pleasures with someone whom Griff didn't know didn't set well with him and served to quickly douse the soothing persuasion Sasha had unwittingly had on his emotions. Pulling out the chair across from Sasha, he cocked his head to one side and fixed his chestnut eyes on hers. "Yes, one can't help but wonder about such pleasant carnalities," he asked with a tone mocking that of Si's. There was definitely a certain edge to his words, but his expression was an unreadable mask in defiance to the warring emotions once again vying for dominance over the captain.. "Can one... Simeon?" He punctuated his sarcastic question with a strong slap to Si's back. A moment of uncomfortable silence passed before the waitress leaned over Griff from behind, placing his usual shots of whiskey on the table in front of him. The disruption was enough to snap Griff from his vexatious musings. Grabbing one of the shots, he quickly tossed it back, swallowing the fetid brew. "So, how'd it go with the old crone?"<br><br>*********<br>Fei fei pi gu = Baboon's ass
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Scotty Rage</strong> on <strong>11-09-2011, 03:39:17</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Anwar, Mechanical Engineer - Following Griff, and a little confused as to why he's so pissed=-</strong></div><br>Anwar took the captain's attitude in stride.&nbsp; After all, he didn't want to blow his chance to get off this rock no sooner than he'd had it given to him.&nbsp; He really had to bite his tongue a bit in order to refrain from his usual sarcastic quips, and even then he was unable to keep at least one comment from slipping through, though it was probably the least offensive of the two dozen or so that ran through his mind.&nbsp; "Who pissed in your oatmeal?"&nbsp; Shaking his head slightly, he let Griff lead the way, figuring it to be for the best if he just went along quietly.&nbsp; Once in a while, the captain snapped an angry glance in his direction, and for the life of him he couldn't figure out why he suddenly seemed to be the object of the man's rage.<br><br>Watching as Griff bumped into the dockworker and nearly bit the man's head off, he simply offered a shrug to the worker's confused glance before the man scurried off to avoid a possible beating at the hands of the intimidating captain.&nbsp; Anwar simply shook his head slightly, pursing his lips in order to keep his mouth shut once more.&nbsp; For some reason Griff had something crawl up his ass all of a sudden, and seemed to be taking it out on everyone around him.&nbsp; Jack hadn't mentioned that he was dealing with the equivalent of a pregnant woman, prone to mood swings and temper tantrums out of the blue, but it was better than being stuck here, he supposed.&nbsp; Rolling his eyes a bit, he simply stayed in stride, a few feet behind the hulking man as they made their way to the bar.<br><br>Once they arrived, he grudgingly submitted to the weapons check, taking his claim ticket and looking to the bouncer with a scowl.&nbsp; "Lose my shit and I'll carve it out of your ass," he spat before entering the place.&nbsp; He didn't like giving his weapons up to anyone, especially when he knew they had a way of forgetting to collect from certain 'customers' on occasion with deep enough pockets.&nbsp; He felt vulnerable, and was about to be dealing with a bunch of strangers.&nbsp; This served to sour his mood almost as much as Griff's, but he played along.&nbsp; Once they approached the table and the captain took his seat, snapping off another snide comment, he clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to kick the damn chair out from under the man, thinking better of it for the moment.<br><br>Instead, he found himself a nice, comfortable looking support beam nearby and placed his back against it.&nbsp; If he had to be without his weapons, he wasn't about to leave himself open to anyone.&nbsp; Every now and then he glanced over his shoulders just to make sure nobody was standing too closely behind him, giving a scowl to those that were, who usually moved fairly quickly.&nbsp; One guy didn't seem to take the hint during one of these exchanges though, raising the mechanic's ire just a bit.&nbsp; "Personal space, jackass.&nbsp; Move it!"&nbsp; The man blinked a few times, but obliged all the same, being a bit thick in the head, perhaps, but not anyone looking for trouble.<br><br>Turning his attention back to the crowd at the table, he remained silent, staying out of their conversation since he was the new guy and wasn't really privy to their business.&nbsp; They didn't need him, and he was really just here as a formality.&nbsp; He would speak if spoken to, of course, but otherwise, he simply tried to be as unobtrusive as possible, the scowl never really leaving his features, though it wasn't directed at any of them, except perhaps the captain when his gaze happened to fall on the man.&nbsp; It was a bit obvious he wasn't really a fan of the hulking man turned moody little girl during that time of the month at the moment.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>11-09-2011, 19:43:07</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Gamble’s First Officer Sasha Dearing ~ At the pub with the boys ~</strong></div><br>Sasha’s irritated scowl was dragged away from the spectacle of her newest crew member groping the resident belly dancer when Si answered her question about Badger’s threat. Her intense blue eyes turned to focus on the elegant man sitting beside her, and Sasha quietly marveled at the way he was able to fit in, pretty much in any situation they found themselves dealing with so far. <em>Scratch that.</em>&nbsp; Okay, well not exactly “fit in”, but acclimate and adjust accordingly, definitely. For someone who had such a rigidness to him, Si was able to go with the flow much better than she would have anticipated. With the tumultuously unsettling emotions Griff evoked within her, and the complete wildcard the new guy represented, Sasha felt...grateful...to have a solid, even-keel and dependable partner she could count on to have her back.&nbsp; Nodding in response to his reply, Sasha trusted Si’s assessment completely and was relieved to hear that there wasn’t an impending crisis to be dealt with on that front...at least immediately.&nbsp; <br><br>When Si ordered his whiskey, Sasha hid her surprise that the discerning - and notoriously, implacably sober - gentleman would indeed choose to partake of this particular pub’s offerings. Taking a stout swallow of her own drink, she ran her tongue across her front teeth and grimaced as the burning swill caroused its way down her throat. Sasha had never seen Si even the least bit tipsy, but the temptation to imagine an intoxicated Simeon Gaorong was too tempting to resist, and for a few moments she indulged in her humorous mental meanderings. <br><br>Perhaps the always-proper gentleman would end up singing karaoke, or maybe he would fling off that crisply starched suit jacket, unbutton his preacherly-proper shirt, and dance with provocative abandon - hell, maybe he’d even sandwich himself in between a couple of lovely and exuberant ladies while he was at it. Sasha’s eyes sparkled with suppressed amusement as she entertained herself mentally while doing her best to keep her expression neutral, not wanting Si to think she wasn’t taking what he had to say seriously. She was, of course; as First Officer she never took anything lightly that could effect her crew even to the smallest degree. But at the same time it had been a long go of it, and she was more than ready to shed the mantle of “all business” for a little while at least, and relax into a bit of something more enjoyable. Which pleasantly reminded her of her soon-to-be-partaken-of plans for something more enjoyable, the purveyor of that enjoyment patiently waiting for her call. <em>Mmm..Jacob...</em> <br><br>Distracted from her train of thought as she caught sight of a familiar form approaching out of the corner of her eye, Sasha’s stomach clenched in reaction. She heard Si’s question, and somewhere in her mind a curiosity once again sprouted about these new...undercurrents she had been feeling coming from Si. But for the moment both Si’s question and her curiosity were overshadowed as the distractingly imposing captain took a seat across from her, the rigidness of his body and the tight set of his jaw warning her of his mood before he even spoke. His stiff banter with Si had an edge to it that had Sasha narrowing her eyes warily. <em>What the hell’s got him so worked up?</em><br><br>Sasha flicked her glance to the man who had followed Griff over to the table, but who now held himself apart without even a nod of greeting. Not bothering to make an introduction, Griff’s manners were obviously somewhere chewing cud back at the barn he was raised in, and apparently the man he brought in tow had been a close neighbor. <em>So this must be Anwar.</em> She recalled overhearing Griff talking to him over the radio, as her gaze took in his proactively defensive stance appraisingly. The man was good looking alright; depending on how things were going between the young lovebirds, Vincent might have some competition on his hands. But the prickly stranger obviously was less than pleased to partake of their company, and looked wary and on edge. Instinctively Sasha’s aggressiveness prepared for a confrontation, ready to handle whatever this <em>Anwar</em> might throw down. As she surreptitiously continued to study the man, her head tilted slightly and she bit the side of her cheek as she tried to put her finger on a feeling running just below the surface of her consciousness. Something about his gruff, unprovoked verbal attack when someone passed too closely by, his seemingly permanent scowl - yes, that was it: something about the man reminded her of....Griff. Griff in a foul mood. <em>Lovely.</em><br><br><strong>"So, how'd it go with the old crone?"</strong><br><br>Reaching into her jacket pocket, Sasha pulled out the ledger sheet that Ferret had given her. Unfolding it, she smoothed her palm over the creased paper. Tossing back the rest of her Ng Ka Py whiskey, Sasha stared intently into Griff’s eyes. <br><br>“I don’t know why the hell you keep getting us mixed up with that snake. I don’t trust her, Cap’n - and I don’t like her much either. Oh, and Badger made sure to share his opinion on the subject as well. I don’t suppose Ferret gave you any more details other than this grade school cloak and dagger crap?”<br><br>Turning the paper around so Griff could read it, Sasha also spoke the few sentences aloud for Si and Steve’s benefit.<br><br>“<strong>Client:</strong> Abernathy<br><strong>Specs:</strong> Rendezvous with the crew of the Shāyú on Bellerephon, exact coordinates below. Retrieve cargo. Deliver cargo to client on Haven. Client name and specific location to be provided at cargo pick-up.<br><strong>Pay:</strong> Standard delivery rate. Bonus of 10% if cargo is safely delivered within one week.”<br><br>Her piercing blue eyes impaling Griff with their intensity, Sasha leaned in toward him across the table as she asked with a low growl in her voice, “Abernathy? You feeling shiny about us being errand boys for fucking <em>Abernathy?”</em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Scotty Rage</strong> on <strong>11-09-2011, 19:44:04</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Anwar, Mechanical Engineer - In the cantina with Griff, Sasha, and Si, still mean-muggin' folks=-</strong></div><br>Anwar continued to rest his back to the column as he watched the group, listening in on the conversation to be had.&nbsp; A few more times people got a little too comfortable in his personal space, and a few more times he chased them away with an angry glance or some harsh words.&nbsp; The guy had a bit of an attitude, there was no doubt about that, but apparently gave off a dangerous enough vibe that most didn't seem too keen on challenging him.&nbsp; He watched the small group, taking note that the first mate, a damn fine looking woman by all rights, was apparently sizing him up a bit.&nbsp; Rather than trying to endear himself with a smile or some other friendly gesture, though, he simply offered her a polite nod.&nbsp; Fine didn't mean trustworthy, and he didn't know any of these people.&nbsp; He trusted Griff, only on Jack's word, though he wasn't too fond of him at the moment.&nbsp; He figured the woman was expecting some sort of introduction, but it wasn't his place to make that.&nbsp; Griff had brought him into this, and it was the captain's place to tell them who he was and why he was here if he could pull his head out of his ass long enough to remember such manners.&nbsp; As Sasha and Griff spoke, he listened intently on the conversation, having to cock an eyebrow slightly as they named off their contacts.<br><br><em><strong>“I don’t know why the hell you keep getting us mixed up with that snake. I don’t trust her, Cap’n - and I don’t like her much either. Oh, and Badger made sure to share his opinion on the subject as well. I don’t suppose Ferret gave you any more details other than this grade school cloak and dagger crap?”</strong></em><br><br>Badger?&nbsp; Ferret?&nbsp; Who were they working for?&nbsp; The owner of a gorram petting zoo?&nbsp; Snickering softly at the jokes that ran through his mind, he simply narrowed his eyes a moment later and listened as Sasha went over the manifest.&nbsp; Something about what she had said seemed familiar, and he thought about it for a moment while she was giving Griff the specs on the job.&nbsp; Abernathy.&nbsp; Why did he know that name?&nbsp; Thinking about it for another moment, the answer came to him.&nbsp; He recalled hearing something about Abernathy recently, though most folks didn't have many nice things to say about the guy.&nbsp; Finally he spoke up, actually addressing his companions for the first time.<br><br>"Abernathy," he said, looking to Sasha, who seemed the more level-headed at the moment.&nbsp; "Guy's a <em>Ching soh</em>, no denying that."&nbsp; Pushing off the pillar, he moved to finally grab a chair, figuring that he could at least trust these people enough to keep an eye out behind him.&nbsp; "Seems they decided to leave out a few details in that briefing, though."&nbsp; He had turned his chair around to sit in it backwards, straddling the seat and resting his arms on the back, and now looked to the group as he spoke.&nbsp; "Crew experienced some engine trouble, by my understanding.&nbsp; Had to put down on Bellerephon.&nbsp; Only rock close enough that had had breathable air.&nbsp; Abernathy's been keeping his ear to the ground for a reliable crew with a fast ship to pick up the cargo and finish the delivery within the week."<br><br>Pursing his lips a bit, he let them take in what he'd said before continuing.&nbsp; "Haven's in the Blue Sun system.&nbsp; It's a moon orbiting Highgate.&nbsp; I'm...kinda familiar with it.&nbsp; Remember hearing about an incident there a while back.&nbsp; Alliance ship wiped out a colony there, but got shot out of the sky itself in the process.&nbsp; I'd tread lightly.&nbsp; Probably still a bit of a hotspot."&nbsp; Looking between Griff and Sasha once more, he furrowed his brow a bit.&nbsp; "Abernathy's a snake, pure and simple.&nbsp; Money's as good as anyone else's, but be careful dealing with the guy or anyone working for him.&nbsp; Won't hesitate to strike when you're not looking if they think it gains them an advantage.&nbsp; But I'm sure I'm not telling you anything your animal friends don't already know and haven't passed on to you."<br><br>Relaxing his posture a bit, he finally signaled for a server to bring him a drink.&nbsp; "Get me a draft, please?"&nbsp; As the girl scurried off to fill his order, he looked to his new shipmates once more, waiting to see how they responded to what he had to share.&nbsp; The job might have been on the up and up, but something felt off about the whole situation.&nbsp; Maybe it was the fact that he hadn't exactly heard anything good about Abernathy, or perhaps he found himself wondering just how much of that 'engine failure' was a mechanical problem, or if there had been another factor involved.<br><br><hr><br>Ching soh - Ruthless or savage beast of a person.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>11-09-2011, 23:27:11</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - doing it for the lulz - pub on Persephone=-</strong></div><br>Following Griff's entrance remark and subsequent physical contact, Simeon took only a moment to size up the Captain's unfortunate mood, his similarly sour follower, and the relationship between them. It should have been obvious to anyone who saw the two of them together, really, all pent up from some recent moment of tension they wanted to get out of their systems but didn't feel they could in so public a setting. The man had to admire their restraint, both of them wanting to do so much more than they could without embarrassing the other. It was touching, really.<br><br>All the same, he simply had to decline. "Despite hearing great things about the quality of your bunk affairs, I simply cannot muster interest in joining the two of you on your imminent romp, Captain. That said, I daresay I am proud of you finally gathering the courage to introduce us to your mystery beau. This is the one you have been pining after for the last few weeks, is he not?" Straight-faced, he stood and offered a nod to the new face, gesturing to one of the table's free chairs for him to join them. "Please, by all means. I am sure whatever snit the two of you had it will blow over soon enough. Have a seat, and a drink, and bygones go their way."<br><br>There, that ought to do it. All jokes aside - and yes, the humor was somewhat its own reward - this didn't seem the time for the Captain to let one of his moods potentially curdle his First Officer's pre-arranged cream, as it were. Let him direct his ire at the gentleman target if he was going to insist on being tetchy. The veteran returned to his seat and enjoyed another air-sip of his whiskey while the newcomers settled in and got up to speed on their business arrangements.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>12-09-2011, 05:00:37</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the stowaway – aboard the Gamble, Eavesdown Docks – cockpit=-</strong></div><br>Never in her imaginings could the stowaway have anticipated that there were no locks or security on the computer before her. She’d only hoped to find a destination in mind, maybe the last reported announcement before the pilot had left the bridge. Instead she had a simple shutdown to overcome and the bridge could be teeming with electric life, worlds opened up to her, knowledge and headings and history all there for the learnin’. She slid unfamiliarly into the starboard chair, touched a single button, and smiled into the welcoming glow of a screen already loading with standard statistical info about air quality, fuel amount and registry. However, it was the blinking new information that drew her attention first.<br><br>One small uploaded file blinked in the corner, the advertised next destination: <strong>Bernadette</strong>. She could have cried from relief. A straight shot to Bernadette would bring her within the perfect staging ground for her resettlement onto a border planet. Even without proper identification, she could probably trade her work and skills for time aboard a cargo ship to Whittier or Aberdeen. Hm, if only she knew just what her work capabilities and skills were exactly.<br><br>Ready to laugh and dance and sleep all at once, the girl shunted aside her fears for the future and took care of the now. She could keep an ear out for the crewmembers and possibly take a shower before moving into a secure place for her rest. So many hours to sleep through! She was giddy with the prospect of her safe recovery. Patting the ration of whatever it was in her pocket, she grinned, turning off the view screen and accompanying readouts without paying much attention to them.<br><br>Swinging out of the chair, she leaned to replace it to the angle at which she’d found it. Thinking quickly about the advantages that just fell into her lap, she wondered about more clothing and if she could risk another grab at some. She found no enjoyment in being filthy – it was all of necessity that she’d gone this long without caring more for her hygiene. Blending in with the unwashed and unnamed crowds had worked before but aboard ship, her very scent could rouse suspicion much less detection of her presence. Before taking a chance at the shower, she would need replacement footwear and bottoms – at least a skirt or pants or (Buddah forbid) another lumpy jumpsuit.<br><br>A thrill raced through her at the memory of the names she’d heard when hiding at the edge of the cargo bay… several were female. There must be some variance of clothing choices then, maybe even a fit for her curvy build. But the washer and dryer area was just outside the infirmary. How could she ensure that no one inside the infirmary or just passing by would see her at that area again?<br><br>She opened the bridge hatch, sneaking a peak out before stepping through it. Letting the door close without a backward look, she ducked and hugged the wall again, avoiding looking over the rail into the cargo bay lest someone below be looking up. Quickly retracing her steps to the shower near the operations room, she jumped inside and secured the door. One quick rinse over herself with whatever scraps of soap were around would keep her for a while. At least she could imagine herself being clean that way, even if her preference would have been to enjoy a hot soak for an hour, surrounded by bubbles. Bubbles? When had she ever seen a… Ouch! She grasped the sides of the tube, holding herself upright as another piercing headache started up.<br><br>Memory… something about her <em>jing tian dwohn di</em> headaches were related to her memories. How? Was she officially <em>feng le</em>? Why did they occur and how could she stop them? Falling back against the wall to undress as the water started up, she placed the proudly won foil of food aside, safely out of the way. Stomping the nasty jumpsuit and socks into a pile, she was more careful about the T-shirt, it being clean and soft. Laying it over the towel hook, it didn’t occur to her to wait for a towel to begin her shower. Stepping under the spigot, she slid a hand toward the controls, incapable of waiting for a perfect temperature. She lifted her open mouth to the source, scrubbing everywhere she could reach. Willing her headache to abate for just another 5 minutes, she scraped what she could of the soap remnants from an inset holder and cleaned her hair somewhat. Feeling much more confident about things, she smiled and made certain her face was scrubbed before turning off the water.<br><br>Next… oh yes… usually next meant a towel or some version of drying off, hmmm… Standing inside the coffin-like shower stall, her ears grew sensitive to the musical drips her body and hair let off due to Persephone’s natural gravity. She reached for her jumpsuit, just about ill at the thought of pulling it back on. In fact, why do so? If she were going to be discovered aboard at this point, would it be so different if she were found disheveled and undressed rather than suspiciously dirty? At least she could feign some bunkplay with one of their crewmembers if she had to… smirking at the T-shirt and the adorable innocent figures upon it. Nodding to herself, she winced at the headache waiting to regain her attention. She pulled the T-shirt on, wriggling inside it to wipe most of the moisture from her upper body. Wondering how best to dispose of the ruined garments, she picked them up into a tight ball remembering the galley’s disposal system.<br><br>Leaning to the door, she listened beyond the metal, praying not to meet anyone outside. Just as well that she had. Steady footsteps at the end of the corridor – not in a hurry or extremely heavy but close enough to have given her a fright. Someone used a hatch to enter a room on the starboard side. Then, silence. She waited her customary count of 200 before grabbing her food packet, opening the door and ducking immediately to her left. Utilizing the escape pod corridor, she listened at the hatch to the common room and galley again before opening it and rushing to dispose of her old clothing.<br><br>*****<br><br><em>Jing tian dwohn di</em> = earthshaking<br><em>Feng le</em> = loopy in the head<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>13-09-2011, 04:22:26</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Working on making both ladies happy through sheer cuteness - The Gamble, Med Bay=-</strong></div><br><em>"The only way out of this little dilemma is to move us rather than the beds. So here's what I think. After we eat a little something…&nbsp; You and I move to one of them empty double bunks. That way we can cuddle in private and keep an eye on each other and Dani can do… um, whatever it is she does in peace.”</em>&nbsp; A surge of excitement rushed over Vincent along with a heavy pang of guilt.&nbsp; There was nothing he wanted more than to escape with Mae for some&nbsp; intimate time alone to explore the benefits of their new relationship.&nbsp; However, Dani had taken it upon herself to look after the two of them; while she may be stern she was also acting in their best interests and with all the concern of a good friend.&nbsp; To directly disobey her wishes would be an insult to that friendship and she would surely take it as such.&nbsp; Plus he felt indebted to her for looking after Mae while still managing to redirect Griff's rage at a time when he was most emotionally and mentally vulnerable.<br><br>One Dani left the room, Vincent watched as Mae slid down from her bed yet again.&nbsp; At least this time she landed solidly.&nbsp; Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, facing Mae, he concocted a plan of his very own that would hopefully be an agreeable middle ground for all parties involved.&nbsp; <em> “Maybe we should put a do-not-disturb sign on the door, just in case.&nbsp; Dani here can tell Griff its doctors orders that we aren't bothered for say, um….the next twelve to twenty-four hours? That ought to do it!”</em> <br><br>A wolfish grin spread across Vincent's lips as he shrugged.&nbsp; "Is that all?&nbsp; Well, I suppose it's a start.&nbsp; We'll just have to make up the difference during particularly late nights in the cockpit."&nbsp; A snicker escaped his lips upon a side thought.&nbsp; "Afterall, it isn't right to constantly refer to that particular part of the ship without it being a properly earned name."<br><br><em>“That should give the doctor in you plenty of time to explore and do a real thorough examination. Heck, maybe just for kicks I can do some investigating of my own.”</em>&nbsp; Vincent's expression instantly became one of intent interest with what was implied by that remark.&nbsp; Although it caused his dedication to his plan to gain more than an unsettling amount of cracks, the resolve behind it remained intact.&nbsp; Even if just barely.<br><br>It was Vincent's turn to slide off the bed, but he did not plant his feet.&nbsp; Instead, he used the minimal momentum earned from the dismount to fluidly close the gap between Mae and himself.&nbsp; He didn't stop moving until his body pressed closely against hers and his hands found their way to her hips.&nbsp; "You have no idea how badly I want that right now."&nbsp; A moment of insight with the realization of the pressure along his groin as his swollen manhood became trapped between their bodies made him amend the previous statement after a bashful cough, blushing slightly all the while.&nbsp; "Well... perhaps a modest idea."&nbsp; Vincent's hands slid down her hips before curling around to grip the area where her legs transitioned into her firm ass.&nbsp; Bracing himself for what he was about to feel with the next maneuver, he lowered himself slightly to gain leverage before hoisting Mae from the ground.&nbsp; Thanks to the moment of preparation before exerting himself, the sudden fire in his ribs only shown for the briefest of moments as his eyes were the only thing to wince.&nbsp; However, feeling Mae's thighs at either side of his hips was more than worth&nbsp; the moment of discomfort it took him to sit Mae back on her examination bed.<br><br>Even though she was sitting, Vincent didn't give her any more space than she had when he had originally picked her up.&nbsp; Before she ask him what he was doing, he pulled her into the passionate kiss that he had missed in the few short minutes Dani had returned to the room.&nbsp; All the while, his body was pressed as closely against her as he could possibly get.&nbsp; Vincent shuddered as the kiss ended, his forehead pressed against hers keeping their faces intimately close.&nbsp; "God, there is nothing more I want than to escape with you for several hot and heavy hours alone.&nbsp; However, I am pretty sure Dani won't give us a moment of peace if we snuck out and furious pounding on a the cabin door will only ruin the mood of our first time together."&nbsp; Vincent's hand caressed Mae's cheek affectionately.&nbsp; "I'm yours now, Mae.&nbsp; I want our first time together to be free of interruption or distraction, so I just might be able to wait a few more hours if you are willing to, love.&nbsp; At least until we get a chance to prove to Dani that we are well enough to sleep in a normal bed together."<br><br>"Though, I think we can work on some sort of compromise in the meantime.&nbsp; Scoot over."&nbsp; As he added that last request, he helped position Mae on the bed before climbing up with her.&nbsp; Though instead of straddling her as she had him, he sat comfortably between her legs, his upper back against her abdomen.&nbsp; Once the two of them finished shifting into a comfortable position, Vincent looked upward to meet Mae's eyes; his own showing that he enjoyed this makeshift cuddling position.&nbsp; "This way we're not interfering with any uncomfortably tender spots and she can continue doing the doctor thing to the both of us.&nbsp; Meanwhile we get to be close, and should you feel like selling it even more, you could always give me a shoulder massage.&nbsp; If you would spoil me so, I will be more than happy to return the favor with a more thorough and intimate full body massage once we get some alone time."&nbsp; The entire time Vincent spoke his plan, his fingers slid lightly along the smooth skin of her legs taking whatever display of affection he could manage at the moment.<br><br>It wasn't long after that Dani returned with a rather distasteful expression, which Vincent met with raised hands as though showing that he wasn't armed in a pacifying gesture.&nbsp; "Before you say anything, at least hear us out.&nbsp; Like this we are in no danger of exacerbating our injuries while still giving you plenty of room to continue your observations.&nbsp; Meanwhile, the two of us get to enjoy our precious night off as best we can given the turn of events.&nbsp; Granted it's a far cry from dancing together at clubs, but it's the closeness that we're after."&nbsp; Vincent's hand found Mae's and he held it against his sternum, giving Dani the best puppydog eyes he could manage, which turned out to be pretty well considering the blackening eyes.&nbsp; "Please don't make us spend this time apart."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>14-09-2011, 07:23:08</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Slightly Deflated Girl Genius Now Trying Not To Pout! – The Gamble, Med Bay *~</strong></div><br><br>There was no doubt in Mae's mind that Vincent was attracted to her. With his body pressed against hers she could feel just how much he wanted to be alone with her. Slowly rolling her hips, she set about offering him a hint on her growing attraction. The feel of his hands traveling over her body warmed her skin, raising the level of excitement, causing her body to tremble under his touch. It took a great deal of effort not to pin him down right that very second and help herself to exploring his body. Mae was moments from acting on her thoughts when he lifted her off her feet, placing her back onto the medical bed. Perhaps he wasn't as interested as she had thought? The fleeting thought warred with her body's reaction. It was impossible to think with him as close as he was, the scent of him drove her crazy, fuelling her desires and filling her with so much need it throbbed between her thighs, begging to be satisfied. <br><br>It was the flash of pain that touched his beautiful eyes that held Mae's aggressive wants at bay. The last thing she ever wanted was to cause him more pain. Normally Mae didn't care much about anything but what she wanted, but it was different with Vincent. She wanted to take care of him; she had never felt that urge before. It both scared and excited her. Confused and distracted, Mae captured him with her eyes with Vincent, clearly showing her uncertainty. However, before she was able to lend a voice to her concerns, Vincent had robbed her of her breath and words with a deep and passionate kiss. Melting her resistance and stubbornness, she was putty in his hands, the question was did he know it? <br><br><strong>"God, there is nothing more I want than to escape with you for several hot and heavy hours alone. However, I am pretty sure Dani won't give us a moment of peace if we snuck out and furious pounding on a the cabin door will only ruin the mood of our first time together…I'm yours now, Mae. I want our first time together to be free of interruption or distraction, so I just might be able to wait a few more hours if you are willing to, love. At least until we get a chance to prove to Dani that we are well enough to sleep in a normal bed together."</strong><br><br>With her forehead pressed against his, Mae took in a deep breath, filling her lungs with his intoxicating scent. Part of her wanted to disagree with him, to insist that Dani would just have to learn to deal with disappointment. However, her growing infatuation with this young and very sexy man, Mae simply nodded her head, agreeing with him without argument. “I know you're right" Mae began, her voice soft and emotional. She choked up as he referred to her as his love, causing tears to well in her eyes and making the green of her eyes shimmer as the light danced in their expressive depths. “I also know you're in no condition to…..” blushing, Mae dipped her head and released a soft giggle. “I just want to be close to you, that's all I want.”<br><br><strong>"Though, I think we can work on some sort of compromise in the meantime. Scoot over."</strong><br><br>Her sweet giggle increased as she moved at his request. Scooting back Mae helped Vincent mount the tiny bed. Her hands smoothed over his arms and shoulders as he got comfortable, resting between her legs with his back to her chest. Mae listened carefully to Vincent's idea for a compromise. She had to admit that he made a lot of sense. So much so that Mae jumped at the chance to touch him more thoroughly, massaging his body in the name of convincing the good doctor wasn't exactly a hardship. <br><br>“I will gladly spoil you. I have a feeling it's going to be my favourite pass time" Mae replied. Leaning over to one side, Mae grinned a bright and cheerful smile as her long blond hair slid like silk across her back, hanging over one shoulder, framing her pretty face. “As for you returning the favor, I can honestly say I won't be fighting you on that issue. Only, I want to wait until you're all healed up. The last thing I want to do is injure you more.”<br><br>Rubbing his shoulders, Mae concentrated on helping ease his pains as she pressed her lips to the back of his neck, trailing soft kisses along the lines of his shoulder. “Tell me if I’m pressing to hard” she whispered as her lips moved along the strong column of his neck “I don’t want to hurt you, ever.”&nbsp; There was more truth in that small statement then simply not wishing to cause him physical pain. A soft murmur vibrated from her lips as gently kissed along the edge of his ear before teasing him further with a playful breath. “Just tell me what you want and how you want it” Mae continued to tempt and tease provocatively “and I’ll do my best to please you.” To emphasize her point she traced the shell of his ear with the tip of her tongue, moaning softly as his hands danced along her exposed thighs.<br><br>Mae hadn't noticed Dani's return until she heard Vincent's pitch. He was really selling the compromise, so much so that Mae decided to play along. She rested her chin on his shoulder and pouted, fluttering her eyelashes and whimpering in a begging fashion. “Please Dani” Mae asked using her sweetest tone of voice before adding a well known incentive used by children all over the verse…. “I’ll be your best friend.”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>15-09-2011, 07:46:05</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston, Captain of The Gamble – Sitting with some of the crew in the pub –stewing over the days events =-</strong></div><br>Griff’s eyes narrowed dangerously at the former Rear Admiral’s slanderous witticism, which Griff realized was a blatant attempt to further provoke his already tempestuous mood. Griff couldn’t understand the motives that drove Si to stir the proverbial hornets nest. Heck, most folks didn’t understand Si’s motivations ninety five percent of the time, so this was just another instance of Si being … Si.<br><br>Taking a deep breath, Griff decided that he wasn’t going to give Si the satisfaction of provoking him to stupid proportions and making a fool of himself in front of the patrons of the pub, in front of his new crew members, but more importantly he wasn’t going to act out in front of Sasha. He didn’t understand the tumultuous feelings and emotions that had been stirring so violently lately and the crew knew Griff to keep a cool head and his wits about him in a sticky situation. These turbulent emotions were a recent development and were severely disrupting his calm. Glancing first at Sasha, and then to Anwar, Steve, and finally Si, Griff let out a long, slow sigh as the subtle hint of a smile teased at his lips. Looking back to Sasha, he began to explain himself, at least the parts he didn’t mind the rest of the crew knowing.<br><br>“I’m sorry I’ve been acting all-fired tetchy, lately. I ain’t yet had the chance to tell anyone, ‘cept for Dani and Lex, but Hayes had a family crisis and had to bug out. So, I’d like y’all to meet The Gamble’s new grease monkey, Anwar.” Griff explained, nodding over to Anwar. “He comes highly recommended by someone I trust with my life. Jack says he’s as good as he’s seen, and he’s seen plenty of good wrench jockeys. Done got that new cata-ma-whatzit already installed and rarin’ to go.” Gesturing to the rest of the crew present at this little outing, Griff quickly introduced Anwar to the rest of the gang.<br><br>“And to top that off, Vince and Mae got bushwhacked by… someone. I don’t have all the details yet ‘cause Dani made gorram sure I didn’t get my paws on a certain co-pilot who was s’posed to be taking care of Mae, not getting’ her whacked in the back of the head. She was out cold when I left and had a plumb nasty goose egg takin’ up residence on the back of her noggin.” Done sharing what he wanted them to know, Griff downed another shot, cutting his eyes over at Si briefly, suppressing the urge to punch him square in his big mouth. <em>A fat lip and a missing tooth might do that pompous old suit some good, Griff wagered internally. He’d be less inclined to talk and that’s good in my book. ‘Sides, I don’t pay him to talk.</em><br><br>Deciding not to waste another minute thinking about Si – for now – Griff focused on Sasha once more, reading over the specs of the job with keen interest. He had no more details than what his first officer was presently showing him on the torn page. <br><br>“I don’t know why the hell you keep getting us mixed up with that snake. I don’t trust her, Cap’n - and I don’t like her much either. Oh, and Badger made sure to share his opinion on the subject as well. I don’t suppose Ferret gave you any more details other than this grade school cloak and dagger crap? Abernathy? You feeling shiny about us being errand boys for fucking Abernathy?”<br><br>Griff glanced up at her from the paper as she mentioned Abernathy. “No, I don’t feel one speck shiny about being mixed up with Abernathy. I didn’t realize he was a player in this piece of biz. I only know what you’ve just showed me.” He mulled everything around for a few seconds. He finally looked back up at her with confidence. “Truth is, I don’t much like either of these snakes and I don’t trust them any farther than I can spit. But Ferret is the heavy hitter ‘round these parts.”&nbsp; He took a sip from another of the shot glasses before he continued, glancing over to Steve briefly. “And I suspect she wouldn’t be working with Abernathy if she had her doubts about getting paid.” He glanced over to Anwar as he finally moved to the table and took a seat. “’Sides, she pays well. I know credits ain’t everything, but you figure out how to put fuel in The Gamble and food in our stomachs without it and we’ll talk.” Retrieving a few coins from his black fatigues, he laid them on the table to pay for the drinks as he added, “As for as Badger… I ain’t much worried ‘bout him. He’s small time compared to Ferret. I’d rather have him sore at us than Ferret. I’m confident we can deal with Badger, should it come to that.”<br><br>Griff listened as Anwar chimed in with what he had heard about Abernathy and the job they were about to undertake. He was well aware of Abernathy’s vile reputation and he would be fooling himself if he said he didn’t have his reservations about taking this job. But he was confident in his crew and his ship and the money was good, especially with the 10% bonus as the icing. He knew they could make that deadline, but they’d need to leave tonight. Now.<br><br>“Thanks for the intel, Anwar.” Glancing back at Sasha, there was a determined look on Griff’s face that Sasha was very familiar with, and she probably knew before he opened his mouth what he was about to say, much to hers and the rest of the crew’s chagrin. We’re gonna need everyone to be at the top of their game on this one. I know everyone’s gonna bitch and moan, but ten percent is nice incentive to postpone our R&amp;R until this one’s in the bag.” Standing up, he held Sasha’s gaze, speaking loud enough for the four of them to hear. “Okay, let’s pack it in and dust off. We got a date with the Shāyú on Bellerephon.”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>15-09-2011, 08:14:58</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, in the Infirmary, trying desperately to keep blood pressures in check=-</strong></div><br>Her hands full of fresh fruit for her patients, Dani reentered the infirmary to find Mae and Vincent once again entwined.&nbsp; Frowning at them both, she listened to their pleas not to be kept apart, and despite her better judgement, felt herself softening.&nbsp; It wasn't that she didn't understand their desire for closeness, but surely they could wait until she could be sure they were both healthy?&nbsp; Especially Mae.&nbsp; Head trauma was unpredictable, and feeling fine now in no way guaranteed that there was nothing wrong.&nbsp; Sighing and shaking her head, the medic found an instrument tray, spread out the strawberries, nectarines, and grapes that she had retrieved from the cold storage, and brought the selection to Mae's bed.<br><br>"It's not that I'm trying to keep you two apart," she began, trying to choose her words carefully.&nbsp; "But I still can't be sure that there's not going to be side affects from that blow to your head, Mei-Mei.&nbsp; Despite the fact that you're feeling okay, which is mostly due to the pain killer I gave you, it was a very nasty knock.&nbsp; You're very lucky to be conscious right now, not to mention having the use of your arms and legs.&nbsp; If that fei fei pi gu had hit you an inch lower, he'd have likely crushed a vertebrae.&nbsp; Vincent," Dani looked into the co-pilot's eyes, pleading with him to understand the severity of the situation.&nbsp; "If you have her best interests at heart, you will do as I ask, and return to your own bed."<br><br>Dani felt like a ke-wu de lao bao jun laying down the law, but she refused to risk Mae's well being just so the two love birds could snuggle.&nbsp; There would be plenty of time for that later, once they were both well.&nbsp; She smiled at them, trying to make sure they knew that she wasn't just being difficult.<br><br>"I'll tell you what."&nbsp; She looked at them seriously, willing to compromise a little.&nbsp; "You can stay the way you are while you eat, but as soon as you're done, it's back to separate beds.&nbsp; And..." Dani knew exactly what they were both thinking.&nbsp; "Don't be taking too long about it.&nbsp; You have fifteen minutes.&nbsp; That should be enough time to get some food into you, as well as plenty of cuddling."&nbsp; Anticipating protests, she kept going.&nbsp; "It's imperative for you both that we keep your blood pressure in check.&nbsp; Unless you want to risk bleeding on the brain...."<br><br>Leaving that statement to sink in, Dani turned away, making herself busy on the other side of the infirmary, giving the new couple a small amount of privacy.&nbsp; She didn't really think there was much risk of a bleed, but she also wasn't willing to bet Mae's life on it.&nbsp; And if Vincent loved her, he wouldn't take that chance either.<br><br><br><hr><em>Fei fei pi gu: Baboon's ass<br>Ke-wu de lao bao jun: Horrible old tyrant</em>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>17-09-2011, 02:58:19</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Gamble’s First Officer Sasha Dearing ~ At the pub, feeling an Irritableness Comin' On ~</strong></div><br>Sasha scrutinized Si’s whiskey glass suspiciously.&nbsp; Sure didn’t <em>look</em> like he’d downed much of the gut rot, but his rodeo clown performance said otherwise. Maybe he was one of those lightweights, where just a drop’d do it. Why else would the devoutly staid man deliberately bait the bull into a charge when he knew damn well she could take the Cap’n well beyond an eight second ride?&nbsp; Even though Si’s jest may have struck a wrong chord in the face of the Captain’s obvious foul mood and his sullen sidekick’s matching dourness, Sasha was beginning to feel a little warm around the edges and the humor at Griff’s expense almost brought the hint of a smile to her lips. Luckily the Captain seemed to be able to rein in his ire, at least long enough to lob a couple of bombshells.<br><br><strong>”I ain’t yet had the chance to tell anyone, ‘cept for Dani and Lex, but Hayes had a family crisis and had to bug out. So, I’d like y’all to meet The Gamble’s new grease monkey, Anwar. He comes highly recommended by someone I trust with my life. Jack says he’s as good as he’s seen, and he’s seen plenty of good wrench jockeys.”</strong><br><br>“What the-“ Her good mood that had just begun to take root was instantly snuffed out by Griff’s words. Sasha looked from Griff to Anwar and back to Griff, uncharacteristically letting her surprise and concern show. In the space of a couple hours they had unexpectedly lost their long-term, trusted mechanic and gained a brand new one? A good mechanic who “comes highly recommended” - a hot commodity anywhere in the ‘verse - who also just happened to be in the right spot at the right time AND available for pretty much immediate dust-off? The improbable convenience of that coincidence raised the First Officer’s suspicions up a whole boatload of notches, but she shelved her questions about both Hayes and Anwar, planning on having a serious one on one conversation with Griff later, when they could talk openly in private. <br><br><strong>“And to top that off, Vince and Mae got bushwhacked by… someone. I don’t have all the details yet...”</strong><br><br>Her look of concern for Hayes darkened into one of angry incredulousness when she learned Mae had been hurt. Another topic for their private conversation. “Yeh Su, Cap’n - I leave you alone for a couple hours and the whole ship goes to hell? We do still <em><strong>have</strong></em> the ship, right Cap’n?”&nbsp; Closing her eyes and shaking her head slowly, Sasha massaged her temples with her fingertips as she listened to Griff make his case for why they were taking the Abernathy/Ferret job.<br><br><strong>“No, I don’t feel one speck shiny about being mixed up with Abernathy. I didn’t realize he was a player in this piece of biz. I only know what you’ve just showed me. Truth is, I don’t much like either of these snakes and I don’t trust them any farther than I can spit. But Ferret is the heavy hitter ‘round these parts. ’Sides, she pays well. I know credits ain’t everything, but you figure out how to put fuel in The Gamble and food in our stomachs without it and we’ll talk.”</strong><br><br>Sasha sighed heavily in resignation; the Captain had made his point. Besides, confident in her ability to secure the job from Ferret, Sasha hadn’t put out any feelers to any other contacts for a back-up job. Jobs that paid well and allowed them to fly under the Alliance radar were hard enough to come by as it was, so beggars not being choosers and all - well, it was what it was. <br><br>When Anwar chimed in after evidently eavesdropping on their conversation - apparently not quite as aloof as he made out to be - she turned her focus again to the stranger who was now ostensibly trusted enough to keep them flying - and therefore alive - out in the black. The man spoke directly to her as he shared his input, which scored him points with Sasha that not only did he know his way around rank, it also seemed to be a non-issue for him that a woman was second in charge. Obviously someone with connections in the right places to hear the type of scuttlebutt that could be useful, she wondered at his background and history. As he strolled confidently over to their table and took a casual seat, Sasha listened intently to what he had to say as she let her eyes rove appraisingly over his form, pleased that the mechanic apparently had more to offer than just good looks and good hands.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>"Seems they decided to leave out a few details in that briefing”...Crew experienced some engine trouble, by my understanding.&nbsp; Had to put down on Bellerephon.&nbsp; Only rock close enough that had had breathable air.&nbsp; Abernathy's been keeping his ear to the ground for a reliable crew with a fast ship to pick up the cargo and finish the delivery within the week."</strong><br><br>Leaning back in her chair, Sasha mused in annoyance, “No wonder Ferret shirked on havin’ a conversation about the details. She knew I’d demand more than standard delivery rate for acting as the clean-up crew on a job already gone south. I don’t reckon there’s much chance we won’t run afoul of some gorram ma fuhn on this joyride.”&nbsp; Nothing Anwar mentioned about Haven or Abernathy was news to her - or to Griff or Si for that matter.&nbsp; But the fact that their new mechanic kept his ear to the ground was a good thing.&nbsp; However, Sasha’s eyes narrowed as she watched Griff, the look on the Captain’s face just before he spoke again definitely <strong>not</strong> a good thing.<br><br><strong>I know everyone’s gonna bitch and moan, but ten percent is nice incentive to postpone our R&amp;R until this one’s in the bag.&nbsp; Okay, let’s pack it in and dust off. We got a date with the Shāyú on Bellerephon.”</strong><br><br>Definitely NOT the date she had in mind.&nbsp; No somewhat decent meal. No desperately needed relaxing downtime. <em>No Jacob.</em> The Captain knew damn well they had plenty of time to make the deadline, even taking off tomorrow morning as planned. But with two brand new crew members still in as honeymoon a phase as they’d ever get with the Captain, she was loathe to call him out in front of them. It was, after all, part of her job to at least TRY and make the Captain look good in the eyes of the crew. Instead, Sasha shoved down all manner of irritated replies that fought for verbal release as her already less than buoyant mood took a steep nosedive to join the Cap’n into officially, grandly, irritable. But she said nothing. Reaching to wrap her fingers tightly around Griff’s last shot of whiskey, Sasha brought the glass to her lips, grimacing as she poured the foul liquid to burn hotly down her throat. Body tense and her eyes burning blue fire, Sasha flicked the emptied glass across the table. To anyone who knew her, her quiet acquiescence would send nervous shivers down their spine all the more quickly than any violent outburst would have. In the end, “Yes, Cap’n” was all that she said. But as her chair toppled over when she suddenly stood up forcefully and headed out of the pub without a backward glance, that was definitely not all that was communicated.<br><br><br><em>Yeh Su = Jesus<br>Ma fuhn - Trouble, problem, complication</em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>18-09-2011, 07:28:28</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Simeon Gaorong - definitely <em>not</em> drinking - pub on Persephone =- </strong></div><br>Whether the deflection was entirely successful at diverting the Captain's mood or not, it seemed to have at least suspended his irritability in favor of a more immediate sharing of news and orders. Good enough. There was no need for further attempts at levity, then, which, considering the nature of the Captain's news, was a good thing given Simeon could think of no humorous remarks to offer regarding the recent injury of their crewmates.<br><br>His initial response was to glance Sasha's way, looking for signs she was thinking what he was thinking. Possible that Badger decided his sociable version of the message wouldn't get the point across without a more crude rendition of the same notion delivered as well? Seemed unlikely given his tiptoeing around with those oh so polite messengers earlier, but one never could be too sure of the methods or motivations of the craven. Their predictability was limited to knowing they would seek out what profited them at least risk to themselves; intimidation was risky whether forceful or gentle. Possible, but still seemed low on odds.<br><br>The veteran was already rising to his feet by the time Griff completed his rescinding of their planned R&amp;R. If they were in danger this was not the time to be splitting up and relaxing in hostile territory, that much was obvious. Not that it seemed to make Miss Dearing happy regardless. For a moment he wondered whether her planned rendezvous was one of the few he had glimpsed on a comms screen or through a crowd on previous visits. It was an idle, useless notion; he soon set it aside. Besides, there were better things to think about with regard to the lady officer, not the least of which being her obvious - to those who'd known her long enough to see it, at any rate - dislike (to put it mildly) of the change in circumstances. He gave the Captain a short nod and said, "I do believe I have the sudden urge to support the heavy bag for someone who might like to hit one for a while. I wonder if anyone on board will fit that description when we arrive."<br><br>He slid his glass of whiskey across the table toward the Captain, conveniently replacing the one their First Officer had downed, and followed in her wake at a distance to head back toward The Gamble. It wasn't as though the two of them needed someone to play peacemaker; they had survived one another's moods plenty well enough sailing the Black long before his arrival on the crew. It was something he did out of practice more than anything. He had lived the officer's life for most of his own. It seemed only natural to provide a buffer, thin though it might be, between chafing parts of a well-performing machine during those moments when the metal scraped a bit more harshly than usual. It was why officers had their sergeants as go-between to the crew, among other reasons. If Si could, on occasion, fulfill a similar role for the crew of The Gamble, he wouldn't think twice about it.<br><br>It was also possible he relished the idea of enjoying the view while Sasha worked out her frustration...but no, perish the thought.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>22-09-2011, 03:06:11</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Enjoying the treatment of Dr. Mae – The Gamble’s Infirmary=-</strong></div><br>Vincent practically purred as Mae’s hands began working out the tension in his shoulders.&nbsp; <em>“I will gladly spoil you. I have a feeling it's going to be my favourite pass time.&nbsp; As for you returning the favor, I can honestly say I won't be fighting you on that issue. Only, I want to wait until you're all healed up. The last thing I want to do is injure you more."</em>&nbsp; By now the delightful massaging felt so good that the co-pilot began writhing lightly into her touch.&nbsp; When he replied, his voice was a mixture of speech and light moaning.&nbsp; “I’m sure I can come up with a few less strenuous ways of spoiling you until I fully recover.&nbsp; Shouldn’t take too long, my body has always been quick at recovering from physical exertion.”&nbsp; A grin spread across his lips, waiting for her to comprehend the secondary meaning behind his words.<br><br>The feeling of Mae’s light kisses sent a blissful shudder down his spine that effectively replaced soreness with delight.&nbsp; It was enough to cause his body to lean more firmly against her, his fingers firmly raking along the smooth skin of her legs.&nbsp; Mae’s touch was better than any painkiller and possibly more addicting than them as well.&nbsp; Everything took on a dreamlike quality as he was still in disbelief that the two of them were now an official couple.&nbsp; <em>“Tell me if I’m pressing to hard, I don’t want to hurt you, ever.”</em>&nbsp; The underlying message of that statement was not lost to Vincent and he couldn’t imagine being happier than he was at that moment.&nbsp; Months of fearing that she would give herself to another, fearing the pain that he would surely experience as a result had caused a fair number of sleepless nights.&nbsp; He was confident that it would be some time before he ever would have trouble sleeping soundly at night.&nbsp; “Mmmm, everything you do always makes me feel fantastic.&nbsp; There is no doubt in my mind that that would ever change.”<br><br><em>“Just tell me what you want and how you want it and I’ll do my best to please you.”</em>&nbsp; A single breathless chuckle escaped his lips as his mind was instantly overrun with ideas, most of them naughty.&nbsp; That was all he had time to do before the feeling of her tongue gliding along the ridge of his ear as she moaned sensually into it caused his back to arch from the sheer intensity of his desire for her.&nbsp; All the while his hands glided further up her legs until his fingers caressed her inner thighs.&nbsp; An action that was as much reflex as conscious choice.&nbsp; Had Dani not chosen that moment to return, there was a very good chance he would have allowed his hands to wander higher.<br><br>As the two worked in tandem to appeal to the doctor’s compassionate side, he could see the faintest signs of her becoming more empathetic to their plight.&nbsp; Vincent’s heart raced with anticipation, hoping they had finally won over Dani.<br><br><em>"It's not that I'm trying to keep you two apart, but I still can't be sure that there's not going to be side affects from that blow to your head, Mei-Mei.&nbsp; Despite the fact that you're feeling okay, which is mostly due to the pain killer I gave you, it was a very nasty knock.&nbsp; You're very lucky to be conscious right now, not to mention having the use of your arms and legs.&nbsp; If that fei fei pi gu had hit you an inch lower, he'd have likely crushed a vertebrae.”</em>&nbsp; Vincent winced as her words inflicted a sharp pang of guilt with the reminder that he was responsible for Mae’s injury.&nbsp; He hadn’t been aware just how easily it could have resulted in something far worse than a concussion.&nbsp; <em>”Vincent.”</em>&nbsp; Hearing his name, the co-pilot met Dani’s gaze before taking the time to hide his heartache.&nbsp; <em>"If you have her best interests at heart, you will do as I ask, and return to your own bed."</em>&nbsp; A lump formed in his throat, preventing him from voicing a reply or even maintaining eye contact with her.&nbsp; How could he say anything or even consider voicing a protest after that?<br><br><em>"I'll tell you what.&nbsp; You can stay the way you are while you eat, but as soon as you're done, it's back to separate beds.&nbsp; And...&nbsp; Don't be taking too long about it.&nbsp; You have fifteen minutes.&nbsp; That should be enough time to get some food into you, as well as plenty of cuddling.&nbsp; It's imperative for you both that we keep your blood pressure in check.&nbsp; Unless you want to risk bleeding on the brain...."</em><br><br>Dani’s compromise helped take the edge off Vincent’s remorse, glad to be granted a few moments of closeness with Mae.&nbsp; Clearing his throat to dislodge the lump just to make sure his voice wouldn’t crack, he thanked Dani before nuzzling into Mae once more.&nbsp; If they only had a few minutes, he wasn’t going to waste a moment of it feeling bad about himself.&nbsp; With the side of his head resting upon her chest, Vincent spotted the assortment of fruit Dani had provided for them.&nbsp; A smile spread across his lips as an idea came to mind.&nbsp; “Now’s my chance to spoil you a bit.”&nbsp; Taking a small bunch of grapes off the nearby tray, he tilted his head back far enough to see Mae’s face.&nbsp; From there he held them away and above her head, waiting for her to lean back so that he could lower the bottom most grape to her lips.&nbsp; 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>22-09-2011, 05:45:10</strong>
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				<div align="center">-= Griffin Kingston, Captain – Getting on his crew’s bad side before heading back to the ship for dust off =-</div><br><strong>“Yeh Su, Cap’n - I leave you alone for a couple hours and the whole ship goes to hell? We do still have the ship, right Cap’n?”</strong><br><br>Griff chuckled in spite of himself at Sasha’s jest, and though he found her comment somewhat comical, he actually had to admit that her query had merit. Had the tables been turned he would have wondered the very same question. “Yes, Sasha. We still have the ship. At least we still did when I left it some half hour ago. <br><br><strong>"Abernathy's a snake, pure and simple.&nbsp; Money's as good as anyone else's, but be careful dealing with the guy or anyone working for him.&nbsp; Won't hesitate to strike when you're not looking if they think it gains them an advantage.&nbsp; But I'm sure I'm not telling you anything your animal friends don't already know and haven't passed on to you."</strong><br><br>Griff glanced to Anwar as he interjected his thoughts on the topic at hand, nodding in agreement on all points. He couldn’t help the small smirk that forcibly made its presence known at Anwar’s mention of <em>”your animal friends.”</em><br><br>The truth of the matter is that Griff had been looking forward to a night of drinking and laughing just as much, if not more, than anyone of the others. Sometimes it was nice to just be a friend instead of the captain. But in light of Mae and Vincent’s attack, and since he had not been given the opportunity to speak with the only conscious person who was witness to the event, Griff had no idea as to the identity of their attackers, he was left to speculate as to the who and why. His speculations did not leave him feeling comforted in the slightest. <br><br>Griff had certainly made a handful of unsavory acquaintances during his time running the black after the Unification War, not to mention the Alliance, who were still holding a grudge towards Griff for defecting to the Brown Coats. Throw in the newly gleaned information on the job assignment from Ferret and his decision was a no-brainer. Sure, The Gamble could make the deadline on delivery easy enough if they left tomorrow, barring any unforeseen complications. But Considering Abernathy was now in the mix, unforeseen complications were a foregone conclusion. <br><br><strong>“Yes, Cap’n”</strong><br><br>Griff smirked and shook his head as Sasha promptly excused herself and returned to the ship. He knew that she would not be happy. Sasha’s reaction – and her response – were no surprise to the captain. He knew that she would not voice her dissent in front of the rest of the crew. He knew he would hear about it later in private. Still, he did not look forward to the cross words he knew they would have. McPherson, though somewhat bewildered, followed Sasha as he had been instructed when he had departed The Gamble early that evening, never letting her from his sight until they had arrived back at the ship. As Griff finished his last shot and pushed his chair from the table to stand, he heard Si’s comment.<br><strong> "I do believe I have the sudden urge to support the heavy bag for someone who might like to hit one for a while. I wonder if anyone on board will fit that description when we arrive."</strong><br><br>“Oh, I’m sure you do, Simeon,” he snarled before glancing with angry eyes to Anwar. Gesturing to his new mechanic to follow, Griff managed to keep his cool this time, pushing the thoughts and images of Si and Sasha from his mind. “I’ll have to have a <em>word</em> with the good admiral later,” he muttered to himself as he moved towards the exit. Collecting his weapons, Griff made his way back to docking bay 30 and boarded The Gamble with Anwar in tow. He closed the loading ramp before moving to the infirmary to check on his two pilots. They needed to dust off right away, before the rest of the crew found out and he had a riot on his hands.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>24-09-2011, 07:00:31</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ Gamble’s First Officer Sasha Dearing,&nbsp; Back in The Gamble Again (http://youtu.be/bDKxUt9UkmU) ~</strong></div><br>Furiously stalking out of the pub, Sasha didn’t slow her angry stride for several blocks, her dark expression and aggressive body language enough to cause passers-by to hurriedly get out of her way; even merchants hawking their wares on the sidewalk shut their mouths as she stormed by, instinctively not wanting to draw her attention. <br><br>Sasha’s agitation churned violently inside her as she struggled to control the volatile emotions that had combusted within her. With the dark anniversary of her family’s murder crushing her psyche with its oppressive, smothering weight, she hadn’t realized just how much she had been using the prospect of time with Jacob as a sweet narcotic to distract her from the pain. <br><br>Yeah, she was pissed at the Captain’s dictatorial manner - but bottom line, he was in charge. And besides, she knew his decision was rooted in concern for his crew; the Cap’n cutting their shore leave short wouldn’t have been enough to push her over the edge. it was the overwhelming combination of her disconcerting confrontation with Ferret, the tumultuous feelings she’d been having toward Griff, the sudden and shocking news that Hayes had jumped ship, the uncomfortable kink of having two new unknowns thrown into their midst as part of the crew right before a sketchy job, and learning that Mae had been hurt by some thugs badly enough that she lay unconscious in the infirmary. It was the potently destructive cocktail of emotional overload that did it. And Sasha knew of only two sure-fire ways of dealing with intense emotions she didn’t know how to otherwise handle: she needed a good fight, or a good fuck. But since neither of those outlets were likely to happen in the immediate future - unless she conveniently ran into trouble on her short trip back to the ship, or decided to grab the first likely man and have her way with him - she needed to find another way to release her out-of-control emotions. And soon, before she lost control in a way that needed apologizing for. Or worse.<br><br>Feeling someone following her, Sasha had a pretty good idea who would dare such a dangerous feat. Unfortunately she wouldn’t be so lucky as to have some lowlifes trailing her, just beggin’ to be beat on within an inch of their sorry lives. So since Si didn’t currently fall into the fight or fuck category, she didn’t bother to turn around and acknowledge him, because even in her thunderously foul mood she appreciated the man’s loyalty and always-calm spirit, and didn’t want to take out her ire on him. <br><br>Reaching the ship, she tromped heavily through the cargo hold and directly to the infirmary, a menacing scowl darkening her feminine features, more than a little apprehensive of what she might find. <em>Oh, Mae...</em> However, the completely unexpected sight that greeted her when she reached the infirmary caused her to come to a sudden halt in the doorway. Relief flooded through her as she saw that Mae was awake and okay, but a heartbeat later her anger was boiling back up, her eyes narrowing dangerously from the unnecessary worry she had been torturing herself with. When Griff had told her that Mae had taken a hit to the head and was unconscious, her heart had plummeted and her worry had skyrocketed. Their pilot - despite her excellent capabilities in the cockpit and her teenage streak of rebelliousness - was for all intents and purposes just a vulnerable young girl, without any type of combat training or fighting experience. <em>What kind of low-life hun dan would attack a defenseless young thing like that?</em> Her outrage at their attackers sparked her anger back to full burn as she took in the scene before her.<br><br>The two young pilots were cozily entwined together on one of the examination tables which they had conveniently transformed into a makeshift bed, with an obviously more-than-contented Vincent sensually feeding grapes to a swooningly pleased Mae.&nbsp; Glaring briefly at Mae before letting her scowl rest upon Vincent, Sasha didn’t let the relief she felt lessen her angry visage.&nbsp; Not so surprisingly, the Captain hadn’t bothered to make mention of Vincent’s injuries, only Mae’s. But by the look of him, he had put up one hell of a fight and caught his fair share of a beatin’ in the process. She had no idea of Vincent’s fighting skills - the two of them could have been trounced by a freckle-faced girl scout selling cookies for all she knew - but she had a feeling the young man could hold his own well enough. Lord knew he had been threatened in turn by each of the senior crew members that he would be held responsible for Mae’s well-being. And Sasha didn’t think the smitten young man took that responsibility lightly.<br><br>Letting it sink in that beyond Vincent’s cuts and bruises he seemed in good enough shape and pretty damn pleased with himself, and Mae looked no worse for the wear and even...joyful, Sasha began to feel the tightness steelbanding her chest ease up a bit. Sasha knew first hand that no matter how careful a person was, shit happened. And until she heard the full story she wasn’t going to jump to conclusions or blame Vincent right out of the gate. But she didn’t let that lighten the harsh tone she questioned the co-pilot with; a healthy fear of God - or at least of his First Officer - could be a useful method to help keep him - and Mae - safe. Or as safe as possible. So when she spoke to Vincent, she didn’t tip-toe around or kowtow to any pleading looks or words from Dani or Mae to go easy on him.<br><br>“Vincent - what the <em>hell</em> happened? We’ve got a bushel of low-life types making our acquaintance recently, and I need to know if your little rumble is connected at all.”&nbsp; Knowing that truths were easier pried out in private, especially when there was a love-interest involved, Sasha looked at Dani, her expression making it clear that what she was about to say was not going to be in the form of a question. “Dani, the Cap’n or I need to have a little chat with Vincent, get the story here. And given the circumstances,” she flicked her gaze momentarily to the cozied up lovebirds, “I think it’s probably a slightly better idea for me to have that conversation than the Captain. I promise to bring him right back.”&nbsp; Her attention swinging back to Vincent, she looked him in the eye. “Let’s go. Now.”&nbsp; <br><br>Heading to her cabin for privacy, she did her best to leash her still-roiling emotions.&nbsp; When she spotted Si nearby, she decided his calming presence would be a good idea, just to be on the safe side. “Si, care to join me while our walking-talking punching bag gives us the low down?”&nbsp; Reaching her cabin she ushered Vincent inside and gestured him to the chair. Closing the door after Si, she stood directly in front of where Vincent now sat, her arms crossed as she stared down at him intently. “Vincent. You need to tell me everything, from the beginning and not leaving anything out. I do <strong>not</strong> like surprises, and if we’ve got an ongoing problem I need to know about it.” Moving to sit on the bed across from the co-pilot, Sasha decided to give the man a chance to talk; if she felt he wasn’t fessing up the whole story, she’d resort to further intimidation. But first, maybe just a conversation would do. She hoped so. For his sake.<br><br><br><em>hun dan = bastard</em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>26-09-2011, 06:31:52</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Frustrated and Annoyed, heading back to her bunk – The Gamble *~</strong></div><br>Happy to treat Vincent to a world class shoulder massage, Mae continued to steal kisses whenever she was able. His response to her touch showed great promise for their eagerly anticipated first time together.&nbsp; However, her hopes were dashed with Dani's ever so cleverly placed guilt trip which spelled out the seriousness of the situation. Mae was sure to offer her best pout, sighing sadly, showing her deep disappointment.&nbsp; Deep down Mae understood that Dani was only doing what she thought was best for both of the injured pilots, but that fact didn't seem to help much with the knot of disappointment that sat in her gut. <br><br>Mae lived life wildly, taking her ups and downs as they came, dealing with whatever cards were dealt her hand. What could have happened during the attack simply didn't concern the spunky young woman. Life was for living out your personal adventures, not for worrying about what might have happened or what might be coming your way.&nbsp; <br><br>Vincent's suggestion to spoil her with the fruits selected for their dinner lightened Mae's mood and soon had her giggling, spilling her laughter from her lips as it bubbled like champagne up along her throat.&nbsp; Mae would have preferred to be locked away with the object of her affection, but getting cozy with him on the same med bed would do at a pinch.&nbsp; Positioning herself in order to accept the offered grapes, Mae let her head drop back causing an avalanche of blond locks to stream down her back in a vanilla coloured silky stream. A soft purring noise escaped as she bit down on the single grape, letting the explosion of flavour burst in her mouth “mmmmmmm delicious!”<br><br>However, Mae's jovial mood was destined not to last. Its bitter end began as her frustration grew with the return of Sasha. The first officer's strict orders for Vincent to follow did not, unsurprisingly, put a ray of sunshine on Mae's shoulders. Her temper soon began to heat with each grain that fell through the hour glass as discontentment set in. Reluctantly Mae released her hold on Vincent, smiling softly as they shared a private moment, or as private as they could get, before she was forced to watch him as he followed Sasha leaving her alone with Dani. The kiss was sweet and tender and went a long way to calm her spirited temper. A long frustrated and exaggerated sigh pressed through her lips at the same time she began to drum impatiently with her finger tips on the hard mattress of the examining table. The irritation sizzled through her body as the sound broke the uncomfortable silence as Mae stared into the now empty doorway, subsequently staring into its nothingness with narrowed eyes.<br><br>"How much longer do I have to be here?” Mae pouted “I want to go to my room.” Grumbling, the agitated blond swung her legs over the edge of the examining table, swinging her feet lightly hitting the side of the bed as she brushed her long locks from her shoulders.&nbsp; "I've lost my appetite...." she added as her eyes glanced longingly towards the door.&nbsp; It was obvious that the young patient had plans of her own and they didn't include being prodded every hour. Mae paused and sighed heavily as the regret sunk in. She didn't mean to sound ungrateful towards her friend and doctor "thanks Dani, you doctored me up all shiny" offering her friend a smile that brightened her expression and danced in her sparkling green eyes.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>27-09-2011, 00:40:18</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Simeon Gaorong - special delivery - aboard The Gamble =-</strong></div><br>Simeon's distance was consistent from pub to port: close enough that he was reasonably certain even a pissed-off Sasha would notice he was following her, far enough to let her have her venting space. This stayed more or less the same even after boarding, the older officer passing through the cargo bay after Sasha was already on her way out the far end of the long chamber. He lingered only long enough to appreciate the renewed spaceship scent that replaced the musty canine odor that had inhabited the air there for some time before he continued on farther into the ship.<br><br>The Captain hadn't made it seem too disastrous an outing, but it was a relief to see the ship intact all the same. The man's pessimistic side had anticipated some amount of damage inside as collateral. Without that he could write off any immediate threat to the ship and crew - he had already assessed the situation as such, but all the same, confirmation is good whenever it's possible. As much as confirmation is possible anyway. Barring physical action one can only "know" so much. He was delaying. He had made a point of expressing to Vincent that if they were going unescorted they were in danger; he <em>thought</em> he'd been clear. Doubtless the boy thought he was some overprotective old man worried about the little girl and thinking her beau undeserving as though he were Mae's disapproving father. Idiotic. That there was danger on Persephone, particularly around the docks, was no joke. Perhaps next time his warning would be taken more seriously by the ever-reckless flight crew.<br><br>He arrived in Sasha's wake at the infirmary as Sasha made her way back out of it. He nodded to the First Officer's inquiring not-really-a-question and indicated the healer's station with his flowery cargo. "I have a previous engagement to take care of," he said. "Should only take a minute. I will be along shortly." Regardless of how much Dani's patients decided to listen to either doctor's orders or those of their C.O., Simeon had his own follow-up visit due. He cleared his throat gently as he passed through the doorway and offered the ship's medic a sympathetic smile. "Doctor. Not the best of days, perhaps," he noted, "but things could have been worse. I see you handled the home ground well on your own. I do believe you have more than earned these." After a brief look around the space he tsked and added, "I should have thought to pick up one of those vases while I was at it."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>27-09-2011, 05:17:02</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - In deep - The Gamble=-</strong></div><br>Vincent was making the most of his allotted time with Mae by being as intimate as possible given the circumstances.&nbsp; Occasionally he would pull the bunch of grapes out of her reach as she went to pluck another one with her luscious lips and would refuse to continue feeding her until she paid the toll of a kiss.&nbsp; The lighthearted game between the new couple was evidence enough that they would do their best to make even the most inconvenient circumstances work as best they could.&nbsp; Then Vincent heard the all too familiar sound that could only have come from the Fist Officer's purposeful strides on the steel floor of the cargo bay.&nbsp; The sound as about as ominous as it could get and was the ideal harbinger to for Sasha as she stood in the doorway, clearly seething with anger.<br><br>So much focused wrath blocking the sole exit of the room was enough to elicit a nervous "eep" from the young co-pilot as he took the brunt of its intensity.&nbsp; Vincent's eyes wandered to the glass observation window and wondered if it would hurt less going through it on his own accord as opposed to being punched or thrown through it.&nbsp; On one hand the rough handling of his attacker would surely help to distract from the initial impact, but on the other hand he could brace himself for it better if he dove through it first.&nbsp; If nothing else, he would gain some brownie points for saving her the hassle of doing it herself, though she very well might just find another glass pane to toss him through at the lost opportunity.<br><br>The following moment of extremely tense silence lingered on for so long that Vincent pondered the possibility that so much rage concentrated in one spot might have actually caused a warp in the space-time continuum and being located at the nexus of it all he was now at the center of a pocket in time.&nbsp; Perhaps his entire perception of time itself had frozen as his entire supply of adrenaline poured through his body and he was now perceiving things at an infinitely slow reference frame.&nbsp; Or perhaps she possessed a latent super power that when her rage focused on a single target it would cause a chain reaction that would ultimately lead to a spontaneous brain implosion where time dilation was simply one of the side-effects the victim experienced before a rather unusual death.<br><br>Though there was a slim chance that he was simply overreacting and had let his imagination get away from him to distract from the uncomfortable situation.<br><br><em>“Vincent - what the hell happened? We’ve got a bushel of low-life types making our acquaintance recently, and I need to know if your little rumble is connected at all.”</em><br><br>"Huh, I would have swore low-lives came in pecks.&nbsp; I believe that it is ne'er-do-wells that come in bushels."&nbsp; Realizing that he had accidentally left his mouth on autopilot, Vincent's mind snapped into action and immediately clamped the mouth closed before he upgraded from backhoe to orbital mining laser when it came to digging his own grave.<br><br><em>“Dani, the Cap’n or I need to have a little chat with Vincent, get the story here. And given the circumstances...&nbsp; I think it’s probably a slightly better idea for me to have that conversation than the Captain. I promise to bring him right back.”</em><br><br><em>Shit.&nbsp; Too late.&nbsp; Mining laser it is.</em>&nbsp; The intensity with which her gaze returned to him was almost a physical blow in of itself as he had to force himself to keep from reeling away from it.&nbsp; <em>You know the saying, hell hath no fury like a First Officer's scorn.&nbsp; Or was it woman's scorn.&nbsp; Commanding Officer's scorn?&nbsp; Well shit, I guess that makes me royally fucked to the third power.&nbsp; Fun times!</em><br><br><em>“Let’s go. Now.”</em>&nbsp; Now that his brain was thoroughly in control of the mouth's functions as well as the filters between, Vincent forgone witty remarks for a crisp "Yes sir."&nbsp; Carefully, he slid down the medical table so as not to jostle Mae or his own tender body.&nbsp; It went much smoother than he had expected, clearly his girlfriend's had worked wonders on his shoulders.&nbsp; Before following Sasha, he moved towards the head of the table and placed a soft kiss on Mae's lips.&nbsp; Hopefully it would be enough to get him through whatever peril he was about to face, though he had done it entirely because he wanted to do so before parting company with her.&nbsp; "I'll be back as soon as I can, love."&nbsp; It was difficult pulling himself away from her, but not wanting to test Sasha's patience, he did so before she could call a warning to him.<br><br>Vincent caught up to her before she finished climbing the stairs and instantly regretted taking them two at a time in order to do so.&nbsp; While his shoulders were feeling good, his ribs clearly were making their point that he really shouldn't forget about their condition.&nbsp; Following Sasha's guidance, Vincent made his way towards the chair located in her chambers he noted that he didn't find any electrodes located upon it at first glance and presumed it was only marginally safe to sit upon.&nbsp; Still much safer than the alternative of not following his Commanding Officer's orders.<br><br><em>“Vincent. You need to tell me everything, from the beginning and not leaving anything out. I do not like surprises, and if we’ve got an ongoing problem I need to know about it.”</em><br><br>His first instinct was to joke.&nbsp; Fortunately his rational side was at the helm and it decided that would be a very bad idea.&nbsp; Then he considered lying, after which he considered who was interrogating him and decided that would have been a long shot at best.&nbsp; Perhaps a bolt of lightning would strike him at that instant, in the confined quarters of the electrically grounded ship, and render him unable to tell her anything.&nbsp; Chances of pulling off an adequate lie were about the same and both would have a similar adverse effect to his well being.&nbsp; She can't fault him for strategic omission, right?&nbsp; Vincent didn't attempt to contain the airy somber chuckle that more resembled a grunt than a laugh.&nbsp; Of course she could and with extreme prejudice.<br><br>Time to be frank.&nbsp; Surely he's in a better off situation than Vincent was at the moment, whomever he may be.<br><br>"Well, there's the short story that will give you the jist, the long story that will give you the details, and the personal story that will give you everything.&nbsp; I recommend avoiding the latter unless you are feeling particularly patient and understanding with me.&nbsp; We all have skeletons in our closest after all.&nbsp; And if you do decide to choose that one I ask that it remains between us, save for the information that directly pertains to the safety of the others."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>28-09-2011, 06:42:05</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston – The Gamble’s Cargo hold – Moving towards the infirmary to check on his pilots =-</strong></div><br>The loading ramp finally sealed closed with a loud groan followed by the tell-tale hiss of the seals locking into place. Turning to face the far end of the cargo hold and the infirmary, Griff cast a sidelong glance to Anwar before he set out to check on the well-being and flight status of his two pilots. “You already know where the engines are and you know where your bunk is so… I think you’re square. Might wanna see to the engines as we’ll be dusting off here real soon and I don’t like surprises, ‘specially when it comes to my boat.” Moving from the loading ramp, he glanced back over his shoulder to Anwar and added, “you have any questions, just ask somebody. Anybody. ‘cept for Dani and Steve… the burly fella you saw at the pub. He’s as green as you are on my boat.”<br><br>Turning his focus on the infirmary doors, his steps seemed to echo in the cavernous hold as his booted feet fell heavily on the cold metal floor. As he drew closer to the infirmary, he could feel the tension building with every step. There was Dani, the normally quiet and soft spoken woman who had ruffled Griff’s feathers with her stern talking down too. Normally Griff wouldn’t put up with that sort of disrespect, but at the time he couldn’t bring himself to berate the kindhearted doctor, despite his injured pride. Now that he had time to cool off a bit and think of things from her perspective, he wasn’t nearly as riled as when the incident had first occurred. <br><br>Then there was Mae; Was she okay? Was she awake yet? Would there be any lasting affects from the blow to her head? When would she be able to fly again? WOULD she be able to fly again? These were some of the questions and concerns that raced through his mind when he considered the talented young pilot. Yes, she was his pilot, and a damned good one too; one of the best he’d ever seen in the entire ‘verse, including most of the combat jockey’s he’d known during the Unification War. But she was more than just a pilot to Griff. <br><br>The truth is if someone were to ask Griff his relationship to Mae, he’d have a gorram hard time answering that. At times she was like his daughter, other times, like the kid sister that he’d never had, and even other times she was like… something else that he even he couldn’t figure out. Griff knew that nothing would ever happen between them again as it had that first night they had met, and he certainly wasn’t looking for a relationship with her, as she was nearly half his age. Griff cared about all of his crew… well, most of them anyway, and he was protective of them all, but he found that he was more protective of Dani and Mae. Dani’s traumatic past had left her broken and she was still very fragile. Mae had her youthful zeal and reckless abandon that could be her greatest gift or her darkest curse. Together, they were the most vulnerable and defenseless of his crew and he was responsible for their safety.<br><br>Wrapping his thick fingers around the lever of the infirmary’s hatch door, Griff pushed it open and stepped inside with a quick glance about the antiseptic décor. His eyes widened a bit, accompanied by a hint of a grin when he saw Mae sitting up, though she looked none too happy to be where she was. “Ah, I see that my pilot is awake,” he said. “How is she doing, Dani?” he asked with a quick glance in the doctor’s direction as he lingered in the doorway, suddenly aware of Si’s presences as well. The hint of grin quickly faded as he acknowledged the former rear admiral with glance. He was not happy with Si after the man’s insinuation that Griff was sly. His first instinct had been to punch Si in the face for even suggesting such a thing, but he had reigned in his temper in Sasha’s presence with the knowledge that she was already going to be pissed over the nixed 24-hour shore leave. Part of him wished he had just followed his gut and decked the man, but Griff filed that away to deal with later, or perhaps he would let bygones be bygones. Scanning the room once more, he noticed that Vince was missing. Looking back to Dani, a line creased his brow and his tone darkened just a bit as he asked, “Where’s Mr. Kincaid?”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>28-09-2011, 07:11:56</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the stowaway – aboard the Gamble, Eavesdown Docks – galley=-</strong></div><br>Watching the disposal tube suck away the pieces of her jumpsuit, the blue-eyed stranger continued feeding torn strips of the material into it, gleeful at the garment’s destruction. Like shedding an old skin! How delicious it felt to have nothing so disgusting touching her body. Of course, she was only half dressed and was in desperate need to cover her lower half in case she needed to run. She considered the wisdom of choosing and procuring such a garment before she’d destroyed her last one… <em>hmmmm. Well, nothing to be done about it now,</em> she thought as she tucked the last part of the scummy outfit into the tube, her torn and sweaty socks. Happy with her progress and feeling all the cleaner for having destroyed the used clothing, she picked up the packet of food. She briefly thought about tucking into it, but knew she might have to rely upon it later, more desperate for food once the fruit was gone from her belly. She kept it in her hand, her brain racing to gage the likelihood of finding clothing here in the galley or the common area when a soft rumble, more felt through the floor than heard though her ears, vibrated around her.<br><br><em>Did someone just close the ramp to the cargo bay? Oh good, we're likely to stay awhile, closing up for the night. No one would be milling around much at this time, off onto the planet or busy with entertainments in their cabins – time for that luscious nap!</em><br><br>It occurred to her that there <span class="bbc_u">was</span> someone aboard, but they would be housed in the infirmary or retiring to their bunk, surely. The medical staff would be fretting over their patient, checking on supplies or retiring for themselves so it wasn’t like she was about to be walked in upon. Thinking on the infirmary just below, she remembered the sharp pains in her cranium when those oddly timed headaches would assault her senses, and frowned. If there was something wrong with her head, she ought to be concerned. Not that there was a way to check safely just what it might be that caused the headaches right now. <em>Cuz visiting an Alliance medical facility, yeah… not going to happen.</em><br><br>Biting into her lower lip, she moved cautiously through the common area headed for the spiral staircase. The light padding of her bare feet stopped abruptly at the top of the stairs as froze at the voices and responses from below. Nervous again, she backed up and pulled the hem of her shirt down to cover her groin with one hand while tucking her foil pack of food between her teeth. She moved to slip through the next closest hatch. Finding herself surrounded by supply lockers, she grinned around her mouthful of packaged food and took advantage of the moment to snoop and hunt for clothing.<br><br>Tools, parts, space faring suits, mag boots, various junk… and finally an end locker nearest to the engine room that looked to have served as someone’s personal stash. A work jumpsuit (<em>ew</em>) hung from a hook, a pair of slacks (<em>too long</em>) and a pair of shorts folded haphazardly atop a shelf. Several wife-beater tops and tiny T-shirts with logos also lay atop… SHOES! Oh, the cutest flat-soled boots with roll-down tops sat there, nearly gleaming with a shiny oiled coat, just large enough to tuck her feet into. Sliding the shorts up over her naked hips, the woman discovered that the previous owner must have been, ah… less backsidey than herself. Tight was the word. She contemplated doing without but decided instead to just leave the top snap undone so the material could cling closely enough about her hips to seem ‘closed’. <em>Hm, so long as I didn’t need to bend over much… hah. Not the most flattering of outfits, but beggars can’t be choosers.</em> She tucked the T-shirt into the shorts to keep from being embarrassed by the too tight fit of everything, assuming no one would notice her clothing if they saw her at all.<br><br>While sliding the soft T-shirt along her tummy, she imagined herself draped in cream colored satin and pearls, her hair a cloud of angelic white. Blinking at the vividness of the image, she shook her head in anticipation of a headache… that never came. Disorientation took over. Was she seeing another vision or a memory or what? So strong was the image, she imagined her hand curled around a bed post carved of dark wood, half-smiling toward someone, beckoning them toward her. <em>When… what…</em> Breathing rapidly, she turned back to the locker, desperate to find answers or distraction from her confusing thoughts. The clatter of glass upon the metal side of the locker made her freeze in place, her hand slowly moving the leg of a jumpsuit aside to reveal the nearly empty bottle of hooch resting there. She chuckled, not surprised that a hard-working crewmember might have stored some ‘necessities’ here where no one else might look for them. <em>Smart!</em> She tucked her foil of food next to the bottle, just in case. Uninterested in the box of cigars she found behind the jumpsuit pant legs, the natural blond turned her red-tinted curls to peer into the engine room, closing the locker and hatch behind her.<br><br>Studying the economic design of the room’s layout, she circled the sleeping heart of the ship. Tools hung all around on magnetic pegs and in slide-out boxes fitted into the cabinets like drawers, perfect for carrying small bits in an environment that could lose gravity every couple of years. She paused to admire the huge machine that was the center of the room, sliding to one side to take in its girth. The central mechanisms looked rubbed down in places, nearly clean as if recently attended. Smiling, she turned to explore the rest of the room, delighted to see a cot out of the way, just waiting for her. Not bothering to take off her clothing, she sat and tested the thin canvas bedding for stability. Pleased to find it move much like a hammock, she tucked her soft boots under the cot, wrapped the blanket around herself and snuggled in, her legs drawn up to create the curl of a fetal position. Drawing the blanket around her head to block out the ambient light, she nestled as deeply as the arrangement would allow. Too grateful for the miracle of convenience, she rested – really rested. Asleep within minutes, her thoughts eluded her, the dreams eventually escaping her recollection altogether.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>30-09-2011, 08:48:46</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, in the infirmary, which is feeling something like Grand Central Station right about now...=-</strong></div><br>The first that Dani knew Sasha was in the infirmary was when she heard her voice, obviously annoyed, berating Vincent.&nbsp; Turning quickly, she was about to ask the First Officer to wait until her patient was in better health before she gave him the third degree, but one look at the woman’s face and it was obvious she was in no mood to be reasoned with.&nbsp; As for Sasha’s claim that it would be better for her to question the co-pilot than Griff, Dani wasn’t so sure.&nbsp; She looked positively thunderous.&nbsp; Deciding that discretion was the better part of valour, Dani didn’t try to stop Vincent leaving. Watching his retreating back as he exited the infirmary, she could see that he was walking tenderly, every step likely jarring through his battered and bruised body like someone hitting him repeatedly with a piece of four-be-two.&nbsp; The medic cringed in sympathy and hoped that Sasha would be mindful that he’d taken quite a beating in his defence of their pilot.<br><br>Mae’s grumbling was not unexpected, given that her beau had just been ripped from her grasp after only minutes together, and Dani crossed to her side, brushing the long blonde hair back from her friend’s face and tucking it behind her ear in a very motherly gesture.&nbsp; “I know you do, Mei-mei,” she responded to the girl’s request to be allowed to go to her room.&nbsp; “I know you think I’ve fixed you up good, but I have to keep you here to do your obs.&nbsp; I can’t risk you being out of the infirmary just yet.&nbsp; You could be bleeding on the brain, and if you’re in your quarters, you could be dead before I can get there!”&nbsp; That was a little bit of an exaggeration, but Dani knew that only shock tactics would work with Mae at this point, so great was her disappointment at Vincent’s exit.&nbsp; She wrapped her arm around her young patient just as Si cleared his throat in the doorway.&nbsp; Dani looked up and smiled, pleased to see a face that wasn’t glaring either at her, or at her charge.<br><br><strong><em>"Doctor. Not the best of days, perhaps, but things could have been worse. I see you handled the home ground well on your own. I do believe you have more than earned these."</em></strong> <br><br>Dani blushed crimson as Si presented her with the bouquet of flowers.&nbsp; It was more than she ever expected, especially given the events of the day had caused her to completely forget that he had offered to take a picture of some flowers for her.&nbsp; <br><br><strong><em>"I should have thought to pick up one of those vases while I was at it.”</em></strong><br><br>Dani held the flowers to her face, closed her eyes, and breathed in their heady scent deeply.&nbsp; It’d been so long since she’d seen real flowers, let alone smelled them, and a wave of nostalgia washed over the medic as she remembered how she and David had taken such pride in their little garden.&nbsp; <br><br>“Thankyou, Simeon.&nbsp; They’re beautiful.”&nbsp; Dani’s voice almost cracked as she tried to express her gratitude to the man who seemed to take everything from flower shopping to ship security in his stride.&nbsp; “And never mind about a vase…I’m sure there’ll be something I can use in the galley.”<br><br>The arrival of Griff saved Dani from trying to make further conversation with Si.&nbsp; She was truly grateful for his thoughtfulness, but she was at something of a loss for words.&nbsp; Although she had come a long way with feeling comfortable around the crew, it would still be some time before the young woman would be able to gracefully accept the compliments or attention of a man, even in the friendly, non-threatening manner that Si had offered both.<br><br><em><strong>“Ah, I see that my pilot is awake. How is she doing, Dani?&nbsp; Where’s Mr. Kincaid?”</strong></em><br><br>As someone who spent a lot of time watching people, Dani couldn’t fail to miss the irritated look that the Captain threw Simeon.&nbsp; She wondered what had gone on planetside that had everyone so all-fired tetchy.&nbsp; Knowing better than to ask, though, she instead addressed each of Griff’s questions in turn.<br><br>“Mae seems fine, Griff, although I’m keeping her in the infirmary over night for observation, just to be sure there’s no slow bleed into her brain.” Again, shock tactics to get her point across.&nbsp; “Sasha has taken Vincent to her quarters for questioning…against doctor’s orders.”&nbsp; Dani couldn’t quite hide her annoyance at the First Officer for completely disregarding her wishes.&nbsp; “He’s going to okay as well.&nbsp; But I’ve revoked flight status for both of them.”&nbsp; She watched Griff’s face carefully, waiting for the flair of temper.&nbsp; “I’m sorry, Griff.&nbsp; But they’re both grounded.”&nbsp; She offered the Captain a small smile, knowing that her orders would mean that he himself would now likely have to fly them off Persephone.&nbsp; She hoped he would realise that she really had no other choice.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>30-09-2011, 11:25:51</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Simeon Gaorong - I'm cool like that - aboard The Gamble=-</strong></div><br>As good a reaction as he could've hoped to see. Simeon wore a broader smile than his usual withdrawn humor allowed, simply happy to provide happiness on those spare occasions he could manage it. With this crew every moment of uplifting feeling was worthwhile; they had more than their share of stress with which to cope. "I am ever so glad you like them," he replied, glancing toward the Captain on his way into the infirmary, "and, were I not overdue to be an audience to our lovelorn co-pilot's verbal execution, I would offer to help you with the galley scavenger hunt for some appropriate container. Alas, I am."<br><br>"Miss Little, it's good to see you awake. Miss Marsdan. Captain. If you will excuse me? Miss Dearing asked that I sit in on Vincent's debriefing. I believe they are in her quarters by now, if you would like to hear more detail on the subject as well." Sparing Dani a wry sort of look he added, "I will try to keep her from breaking anything that he has not already broken, Doctor." And with that, and a nod of recognition to the Captain on his way, he made his exit en route to Sasha's domain.<br><br>Under other circumstances it would have been pleasant to linger a while, relax, have a conversation with their young pilot to make sure her head was in the right place for her recovery - shock could be sneaky at times - but he could trust Dani would be nothing less than dutiful in her bedside manner. Besides, if he so much as thought of delaying longer there was little doubt their First Officer would miraculously appear from some dark corner and beat him soundly with some suitably hard and heavy object until she was happy with the result. Yes, best to put a rush on that attendance. That said, he still paused upon arrival and knocked on Sasha's door rather than go rushing headfirst into whatever exotic torture she was putting Vincent through to extract the information she wanted.<br><br>He hoped it didn't involve lingerie. He'd had to watch <em>quite</em> enough of <em>that</em> for one day already, thank you very much!
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>03-10-2011, 06:29:58</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ First Officer Sasha Dearing, on board The Gamble, dealing with <strong>The Little Things</strong> (http://youtu.be/leJAPiaCx2c) ~</strong></div><br>Although not a cruel woman, when a situation required a strong arm Sasha was able and willing to do whatever was needed, and the First Officer was more than capable of fulfilling the role of disciplinarian for the crew of the Gamble. Truth was, although at first glance the Captain or Simeon might appear to be better candidates for the position, on board the Gamble Griff’s bluster and Si’s gentlemanly restraint often didn’t invoke the same respectful - or was it fearful? - compliance that Sasha’s more overt enforcer persona did. The Gamble’s First Officer took her responsibility to keep the crew safe seriously. Extremely seriously. <br><br>One of the precepts Sasha learned early on about the art of negotiation was the power of silence. And although to a casual observer it might not look that way, interrogations are actually a form of negotiation. Albeit the tactics employed during interrogations might be less subtle than during negotiations, and the discrepancy in positions of power might be more extreme, but the basic equation remains the same. <br><br>When Sasha mentioned to Vincent her concern about a potential “ongoing problem”, she was referring to the possibility that Badger had unleashed multiple attacks on her crew, or that Ferret was attempting to manipulate their actions; or that their newly acquired job might be compromised, or worse - a trap.&nbsp; However, as Sasha listened to Vincent’s litany of explanation options she felt the anger simmering just under the surface start to boil once again, and she struggled to keep her temper tightly leashed. Her jaw clenched and her hands reflexively curled into fists at her sides as her blood thrummed with the adrenaline rush of anger, her body taut with the need for action.&nbsp; Once again the tactic of letting the person she was questioning do most of the talking had served her well, and her scowl deepened menacingly as Vincent poured his words into her silence. <em>There was something else going on here beyond Badger, Ferret, or some random mugging - something specific to Vincent.</em><br><br><strong>"Well, there's the short story that will give you the jist, the long story that will give you the details, and the personal story that will give you everything.&nbsp; I recommend avoiding the latter unless you are feeling particularly patient and understanding with me.&nbsp; We all have skeletons in our closest after all.&nbsp; And if you do decide to choose that one I ask that it remains between us, save for the information that directly pertains to the safety of the others."</strong><br><br>Sasha’s piercing blue eyes burned into Vincent, her continued heavy silence seemingly to almost coalesce into physical form, a thunderously mute presence crowding the small space with ominous dread. Unluckily for the young co-pilot, Sasha was in just enough of a wicked mood to give in to the temptation to torture him, if only a little bit, as she drew her answers from him.<br><br>Pushing up from where she sat on the edge of her bed, Sasha walked over to her dresser next to the chair Vincent sat in, presenting her profile to him.&nbsp; Slowly she began to disarm while finally speaking to the co-pilot.&nbsp; “Kincaid - this is <strong>not</strong> a multiple choice kind of question.” Her slender arm reached behind her back, her hand momentarily parting the black lace of her dress and exposing the creamy white of her skin beneath as she pulled a small dagger from its diagonal sheath tucked in the back waistband of her panties and laid it carefully on the dresser.&nbsp; “This is, however, the part where you come clean or you find yourself in a world of hurt.” Her fingers lovingly wrapped around the hilt of a long blade nestled between her skin and leggings on the outside of her thigh. “If there’s someone who’s got it in for our crew, you better believe I aim to get in the know on that count.” The dagger nestled against her other thigh was removed and added to the collection of razor-edged steel now on display upon her dresser. <br><br>Prowling over to once again stand in front of Vincent, Sasha continued to disarm. One long lithe leg gracefully lifted as she placed the toe of her right boot on the chair, the black leather of her shoe pressed against the outside of Vincent’s left leg as she removed a short but wicked looking blade from its sheath in her boot before planting her foot back on the ground. “I know you care quite a bit about Mae,” she flicked her glance to watch his expression at the mention of the beautiful young pilot’s name, “And I have a notion that you’re a smart enough guy to do the math: anyone who threatens you, threatens the crew - and that includes Mae.”<br><br>Lifting her left foot, this time she placed the pointed toe of her boot within the small triangle created on the chair seat between Vincent’s legs, and with deliberate slowness she removed her final blade from it’s hidden resting place in her boot. Leaning forward over her bent knee, Sasha rested her forearm on her thigh as she spoke almost casually, her soft voice and beautiful face a dangerous juxtaposition to her dominating position over Vincent as she absently twirled the silver blade between her fingers. Several long heartbeats passed between them, with Sasha close enough to Vincent he would be able to feel the heat radiating from her body, to smell the spicy jasmine scent on her skin.<br><br>Abruptly Sasha pushed off from the chair and walked over to the dresser, unceremoniously tossing the two blades among the others as she forced herself to rein it in before she took things any further. Vincent was a crew member of the Gamble. And although when facing off against an actual threat to her crew she would show no mercy, with Vincent she just wanted to toy with him to keep him on edge, make sure he paid close attention to the importance of what she was saying. <br><br>Ignoring the sudden knock at her door, Sasha felt relieved - and a little proud - that she had made it this far with Vincent without the need of a buffer, so she continued her reply without acknowledging who she assumed would be a tardy Si standing outside her cabin.<br><br>“So, no...I don’t want to hear how your mama didn’t breast feed you long enough or how your daddy never showed you any love; and I <strong>definitely</strong> wouldn’t use the words “patient” or “understanding” to describe my mood at the moment. So skip the ghost stories, Pilot, and just give it to me straight: tell me what I need to know so I can do my job and keep the crew and ship safe. <em><strong>Everything</strong></em> I need to know. Because Vincent...” her gaze intense, Sasha’s low growl bristled with a threatening undercurrent of certain promise. “...If something comes to bite us in the ass and I find out you held something back that could have given me a heads up...well, let’s just say you don’t <strong>ever</strong> want to be on the receiving end of my bad side.” <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>04-10-2011, 05:43:05</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Being forced to surrender after already surrendering – The Gamble, Sasha’s Quarters=-</strong></div><br>The co-pilot was entirely perplexed when his question was met by an even more intense leer than he had received in the med bay.&nbsp; He had offered what she had asked for, just wanting to know exactly how in-depth his commanding officer wanted the report to be.&nbsp; Perhaps he had stumbled across some innate blunder typical to all males when dealing with females by offering complete compliance, but not in the right way.&nbsp; In his mind, Vincent had provided a gesture of deep respect by offering something that he had never before granted to anybody outside of his direct family only to have it callously slapped away.<br><br>Still, he offered another gesture of respect by not reacting with his typical pointed sarcasm as Sasha continued to unnecessarily play the role of interrogator.&nbsp; <em>This is what I like to call progress.</em>&nbsp; No matter how good his intentions were, he knew he could only keep a reign on what comes naturally to him in such situations.&nbsp; All attempts to mask the irritation towards the sense of disrespect he was being given left him more or less with a deadpanned expression.<br><br><em>”Kincaid – this is <strong>not</strong> a multiple choice kind of question.”</em><br><br><em>Exactly why I chose option A, instead of option a, or option ã.&nbsp; I knew I should have gone with the proper military option α!</em>&nbsp; The sight of Sasha unfastening her dress in front of him caused him to raise a skeptical brow before looking around the room for hidden cameras where the rest of the crew would be watching as they laughed their asses off at his expense.&nbsp; When he saw the dagger removed from its hiding place to be set atop the dresser put things into perspective.&nbsp; <em>Really?&nbsp; You’re going that route?</em>&nbsp; Still in control of himself, Vincent managed to keep that thought well away from his lips even though the sense of contempt towards him was redoubled.&nbsp; The urge to clam up became more pronounced for the sake of letting Sasha have her ‘fun’ while at the same time catering to his spiteful side.&nbsp; <em>Don’t push things, Vincent.&nbsp; She’s your friend.&nbsp; Misguided and misunderstanding of what you offered, but a friend all the same.&nbsp; Remember.&nbsp; Progress.</em><br><br>So he settled with simply allowing Sasha to continue her demonstration.<br><br><em>”This is, however, the part where you come clean or find yourself in a world of hurt.”</em><br><br><em>Which I attempted to do, and yet here I am.</em>&nbsp; Still more knives came out, almost demonstratively, while also seemingly trying to throw him off balance by revealing more of her body bit by bit.&nbsp; Between his newfound relationship with Mae and his steadily rising exasperation, there was no sense of attraction that came with the view.&nbsp; Only a further sense of disregard being directed towards him.&nbsp; <em>Pro~gress~…</em><br><br><em>”If there’s someone who’s got it in for our crew, you better believe I aim to get in the know on that count.”</em><br><br><em>Which is why I offered to tell you everything in the first place freely and with only a promise of confidentiality for elements that could incriminate my own family.&nbsp; You’re a badass, I get it.&nbsp; It just seems a little redundant trying to interrogate somebody for information that was freely offered.</em><br><br>As Sasha strode over to him, Vincent turned his head away from her to look directly at the wall.&nbsp; Surely the entire ship had gotten some measure of insight to his feelings towards Mae; so seeing him so close to the woman of his desire should have been an obvious sign that something had happened between them.&nbsp; Vincent got the impression that if she knew what tactics Sasha was using, she would certainly find it difficult to inspire obedience and confidence from the pilot.&nbsp; At either rate, his patience was quickly waning with her treatment of him.<br><br><em>“I know you care quite a bit about Mae,”</em>&nbsp; With the mention of her name, Vincent turned his head as if to point at the proximity of Sasha’s foot to his personal space before returning it to the wall.&nbsp; Perhaps he was being marginally childish, but if she insisted on treating him as such he felt it only right to respond accordingly.&nbsp; As Sasha continued to press his personal space by planting her foot upon the chair where his legs parted, he could feel the anger and frustration within him approaching its boiling point and it took all of his effort to hold his tongue.&nbsp; <em>”and I have a notion that you’re a smart enough guy to do the math: anyone who threatens you, threatens the crew - and that includes Mae.”</em><br><br>Vincent winced at the reminder about the damage his blunder had caused upon Mae.&nbsp; There was no wiseass remark to follow that statement, only guilt that helped to disrupt his rising temper even as she removed yet another blade from its hidden sheath.&nbsp; <em>Is this how she rewards an attempt of compliance, by twisting the emotional dagger of self doubt?</em>&nbsp; The co-pilot found himself wishing it had been Griff that confronted him, at least then he wouldn’t feel quite so alienated.&nbsp; With all the months he had been aboard the ship, it ultimately seemed to mean little to Sasha with the way she treated him like a captive and suspect.&nbsp; With all those raging emotions, a mild remark managed to slip through the crack though his tone was distant and neutral.&nbsp; “Are you sure you got them all?&nbsp; It would be just embarrassing if in itch resulted in you needing stitches.”<br><br><em>Oops.&nbsp; So much for progress.</em><br><br>It wasn’t a surprise when she abruptly kicked herself away from the chair.&nbsp; In fact, Vincent was hopeful that such an action punctuated his lecture and he would finally be able to give her the information he had intended to from the beginning.&nbsp; The knock on the door furthered that hope.&nbsp; Whatever it took to get him the hell out of that environment and back with Mae where he could attempt to selvedge what he could of his pride.&nbsp; Though initial reports suggest things look grim and that there may be no survivors.<br><br><em>“So, no...I don’t want to hear how your mama didn’t breast feed you long enough or how your daddy never showed you any love;”</em>&nbsp; At that point, the person in Vincent’s head that kept him in check blinked in shock before whispering to itself ‘Oh shit.’&nbsp; It then promptly braced itself knowing that of all the buttons that set any Kincaid off, insulting family was the big red on that was labeled <em>Do Not Press.</em>&nbsp; The rest of Sasha’s warning was lost as Vincent’s grip tightened upon the arms of the chair to the point where speckles of red began to blemish the bandages wrapped around his hands.&nbsp; His gaze was directed at his feet, expression showing the losing battle his rationality was waging against his rage.&nbsp; It lasted until around the moment&nbsp; where Sasha finished speaking.<br><br>Slowly, Vincent stood upon his feet, his entire body tense as he walked the few paces to the wall he had stared at earlier.&nbsp; ”<strong>God fucking damn you Sasha!</strong>”&nbsp; There was a boom of impact as the co-pilot’s fist struck the steel shell enclosing the room.&nbsp; Between the marginal padding of the gauze around his hand and his own internal devices that limited how much harm he could inflict upon himself, the bones in his fist did not break, but the wounds of the earlier conflict reopened leaving a heavier coating of crimson upon the bandage.&nbsp; Pain lanced up his arm, but he felt a certain detachment from it for the moment at least.&nbsp; “I openly offer to tell you everything.&nbsp; Things that I have only shared with my closest family members.&nbsp; And you practically spit in my face for it!”&nbsp; Vincent didn’t dare move closer to Sasha, knowing that either she or Si could respond to his hostility accordingly.<br><br>“In the months we’ve known each other, how many times have I addressed any situation without some sort of quip or remark?&nbsp; The one time I do address you in earnest you proceed to interrogate me?!&nbsp; Do you distrust me so much that you have to flaunt <em>your weapons</em> in front of me implying that you would be more than willing to use them?&nbsp; What’s most fucked up is that I now believe you entirely capable of taking a blade to me.&nbsp; I know you outrank me on this ship, but the way you spoke down to me was more fitting of a guard grilling an uncooperative convict.&nbsp; The fact I held back my sarcasm throughout that should have been a clear sign of the respect I had for you.”<br><br>With a snarl of sheer rage there was another thrum as Vincent’s fist struck steel, thoroughly soaking his bandage in red leaving a light freckling upon the point of impact.&nbsp; His jaw clenched tightly closed both to hold back the resulting pain that burned in his hand, but to also serve as outlet to his anger.&nbsp; Whatever it took to keep his physical venting to himself.&nbsp; “But my family means a whole hell of a lot to me,” he spoke through clenched teeth, his tone low to portray how serious he was about the matter, “and I will <strong>not</strong> sit idle while somebody insults them...&nbsp; You should know that they are the ones that gave us all the medical supplies we asked for and plenty we didn't without charging us a measly credit.&nbsp; They gave a small fortune in necessities to people they’ve never even met because they would be watching out for me when my family cannot.&nbsp; So I think it only reasonable to show them a little gorram respect.”<br><br>Getting that off his chest did a great deal to return him to a level where he could regain his composure, which had the added drawback of making the pain in his hand all the more acute.&nbsp; Surveying the damage he had wrought upon himself he tested his fingers.&nbsp; Much to his relief they moved under their own power.&nbsp; Presently its mobility was limited to the forms of claw and mostly claw.&nbsp; But what he lacked in dexterity, they made up for in making their objection to his action clearly felt.&nbsp; <em>Dani is not going to be happy with me.</em>&nbsp; Cradling it in the crook of his opposing arm, he moved to the chair and proceeded to sit allowing his gaze to fall on his lap.&nbsp; Dani would have to wait to berate him for a while longer since there was still the matter of giving his report to Sasha.<br><br>"They were Wah Ching thugs, an off chute of the Triads.&nbsp; Nowhere near as powerful or influential as the parent organization, but here on Persephone they behave more like traditional Triads rather than the street gangs they originated from back on Earth-That-Was.&nbsp; Shortly before being hired on The Gamble, I had done something that incidentally caused the local government to attain the evidence needed to arrest and try a handful of their members with respectable ranks."&nbsp; A light shiver snaked its way up Vincent's spine as a buried memory tried to claw its way to the surface before being suppressed once more.&nbsp; "Their leader took it rather personally, which necessitated me leaving Persephone immediately for my well being as well as my family's."<br><br>"Since our arrival was unannounced and brief, I was confident that they wouldn't be a problem as long as I maintained a low profile.&nbsp; Whether their network has expanded in my absence or it had been simple luck on their part, I had made a mistake.&nbsp; After Mae and I finished our assignment, we headed out to spend our shore leave together.&nbsp; The Wah Ching aren't big enough to be a dominating power on this planet, but more than enough to be under close observation by local law enforcement.&nbsp; It was for that reason we stayed among larger crowds that would give them reason to keep their distance.&nbsp; Their leader wouldn't be content with a simple hit when it comes to me.&nbsp; He admires and respects Adelei Niska, even though the two are entirely uninvolved as far as I am aware; the guy seems too big-time to deal with a small group like the Wah Ching on any significant level.&nbsp; One side-effect of this admiration is that they both follow the teaching of that old Chinese dictator.&nbsp; What was his name?"&nbsp; Vincent pondered for a moment then nodded his thanks as Si filled in the blank for him.<br><br>"Anyways, Mae and I... well... finally realized what I'm sure you all already figured out and decided we'd have more fun spending our evening aboard the ship...&nbsp; It was on the way back that I fucked up and lowered my guard for that critical moment.&nbsp; We wandered too close to the warehouses and before I had realized my mistake, Mae had run a few paces ahead of me where a man stepped out from the alley and knocked her unconscious.&nbsp; As he carried her back into the alley, I gave chase and attempted to radio it in, but didn't get more than a few words in before it took a bat for me.&nbsp; Long story short, I did what I had to in order to get Mae back.&nbsp; I made sure to cripple their arms and legs before returning here, so security will likely be heightened once they are found.&nbsp; To avoid jinxing myself, I'm going to simply state that the Wah Ching are patient and prefer not to have too much attention drawn to them."<br><br>Taking in a breath and letting it out slowly, he lifted his head to look at Sasha without meeting her eyes directly.&nbsp; "So, there you have it.&nbsp; Is there anything you want me to clarify or am I free to go?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>04-10-2011, 06:56:56</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Frustrated and Annoyed, stuck in the Med Bay, trapped like a rat on a sinking ship :P – The Gamble *~</strong></div><br><br>The scowl grew on Mae's pretty face as both Si and Sasha came and went without a word, though with the expression on Sasha's face, Mae had been secretly pleased she hadn't stopped to chat. Though she would have been happier had Sasha not absconded with Vincent. If it hadn't been for Griff making eye contact, Mae would have bet good credits that she had been magically turned invisible. Turning to look over her shoulder, Mae felt her lips curl into a pleasant smile, erasing any sign of annoyance to offer him a cheerful hello.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>"Ah, I see that my pilot is awake, how is she doing, Dani?”</strong><br><br>Griff had entered to brighten her incarceration. At last, her luck just might be changing. However his posture communicated tension that radiated throughout his entire body, matching his words which were directed towards her jailer.&nbsp; Her attention was pulled upon hearing her the formal address from the ships resident gentleman, however any warm feelings from the acknowledgement vanished when he implied of the danger Vincent could very well be in. <br><br><br>"Miss Little, it's good to see you awake. Miss Marsdan. Captain. If you will excuse me? Miss Dearing asked that I sit in on Vincent's debriefing. I believe they are in her quarters by now, if you would like to hear more detail on the subject as well. I will try to keep her from breaking anything that he has not already broken, Doctor."<br><br><br>Her hopes of reaching the end of the rainbow died and faded when Griff put forth his question in such a manner that screamed his agreement with whatever the good doctor had in mind, and her fears for Vincent grew in leaps and bounds with the warning words from Si. Adding Dani's reply to the mix just supplied the final nail in the young pilot's coffin, causing her mood sour further. Mae could feel the pain of her wings being clipped with every word, and on top of that, she was still stinging from her disastrous first date. <br><br><strong> "I've revoked flight status for both of them"</strong><br><br>The words echoed in her head and settled heavily on her heart causing a low sound to slip from her mouth akin to any wounded animal.&nbsp; With sorrowful green eyes that darkened with her mood, Mae looked up to meet the concerned eyes that were reminiscent of melted chocolate.&nbsp; <br><br>"I'm shiny Capt’n …it was only a bump….I can still fly!”&nbsp; Mae pleaded with the handsome captain, clearly emotional and desperate to cling onto the controls of her cockpit.&nbsp; The evening had started out so well, holding so much promise for an even better time spent wrapped in her new lovers arms. Then the shit hit the fan and everything went to pot.&nbsp; Fate had once again spit in her eye and sat back laughing while it watched her deal with the pieces. "Isn't it bad enough that my nethers have been ripe for the taking for weeks and then my new boyfriend gets hauled off before I can barely get a kiss!? Now I'm getting my wings clipped? How much more am I expected to take?”&nbsp; Feeling herself grow more hysterical, Mae let all her frustrations fly, directing them towards her fellow crew and friends. “I want to be satisfied Griff! I need it! Heck, I can't even kiss my new boyfriend without causing the fun police to bring on the heavy! I'm thinking I might have to take my chances and dip into Hayes stash to get a buzz going….it's the only thing that will be buzzing on me now I guess! What the hell did you do to Sasha to make her so pissed?”<br><br>Throwing her hands up in the air, frustrated and annoyed, Mae forcefully blew the hairs that were in her face before crossing her hands against her chest and pouting her best in hopes to get something of a negotiation going, one that would hopefully be ending in her favour.<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>04-10-2011, 08:11:00</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Simeon Gaorong - preparing for damage control - The Gamble, Sasha's quarters=-</strong></div><br>Formal response or not, Si wasn't going to wait longer to enter Sasha's cabin after hearing that thump into the wall. The door opened with unceremonious haste. He slowed his pace upon surveying the situation and making note that the only casualties were the wall and, more importantly, Vincent's hand, but it was not an ideal situation even if the pair of them were not yet violent toward one another. Indeed, to be accurate, it was a shit situation. Simeon shut the door behind him and waited patiently through Vincent's brief venting period, sizing up Sasha's visible reaction - if any - to it while the youthful co-pilot let it all out. Once he seemed to have finished, Si spoke up before their First Officer had a chance to provoke Vincent again with whatever she'd done to set him off the first time.<br><br>Simeon knew he was not a ranking officer aboard The Gamble. He didn't make a point of his experience when it came to the ship's hierarchy. He didn't condescend toward the younger crew members or make ambitious power plays. When he gave orders they were in combat situations where action took precedence over propriety. In those situations, however, the more field-oriented members of the crew had become acquainted with the ex-admiral's command voice, the presence he had about him when he was in his element: not the hot energy of their First Officer or the determination of their Captain, but a source of discipline and strength drawn from certainty of purpose and from substantial experience. It was in that immutable voice that he said, "Oh, juh jen sh guh kwai luh duh jean jan. Go hwong-tong. Da jee-ah tzwo sha." The man had no authority to give at least one of the other two people in the room orders aboard her ship, and the other hardly seemed in the mood to take orders at the moment, but Simeon's stern tone provided no slack for argument. It showed no anger, no threat for disobedience; the words were simply there, hard and sure.<br><br>Simeon himself took a seat - well, more of a lean, really, resting his hips against the wall and crossing his arms over his chest - to Vincent's right and somewhat ahead of him, placing himself more or less between the co-pilot and the First Officer but not blocking the space between them. Though Vincent was doing all the talking, explaining just what it was that had left such unpleasant results on The Gamble's flight crew, Simeon's focus appeared to be fixed on Sasha's face. His own expression was more or less flat, but he couldn't quite keep traces of disappointment from hiding in the wrinkles around the edges of his eyes. Taking your mood out on an injured man, Sasha? That was extremely poor form for an officer. He wouldn't say it, at least not in front of another member of the crew, but the disapproval lingered all around him.<br><br>He was, of course, still paying attention to the information being conveyed. When Vincent faltered, Si filled in the blank for him: "Xiang Yu." Bastard philosophy, that one had. It had its merits, but anyone claiming to follow Xiang Yu's mandate too closely was like as not a monster. Not promising. If it were his conversation he'd respond to Vincent's open ending with a follow-up as to why he hadn't bothered to tell them they might have friends waiting for them planetside, but telling Sasha off in her own cabin was already overstepping his bounds. Better to let her do inquiring, as long as she could do it without causing more self-inflicted injuries on their co-pilot. ... Wait. Was her dress undone?<br><br>* * * * *<br>"Oh, juh jen sh guh kwai luh duh jean jan. Go hwong-tong. Da jee-ah tzwo sha."<br>"Oh, this is a happy development. Enough of this nonsense. Everybody sit down."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>07-10-2011, 06:31:37</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Ship's Captain, Griffin Kingston - talking with Mae and Dani in the infirmary before dusting off from Persephone =-</strong> </div><br>As Griff moved from the doorway of the infirmary, he let his steely gaze fall from Si to settle upon the injured young pilot. Coming to stand before her as she sat on the examining table, Griff let his strong hands innocently come to rest on the girl’s knees as Dani gave her prognosis. Lifting his gaze back to Si and then to Dani when mention was made of Sasha's interrogation of his co-pilot, Griff didn't try to hide the scowl that suddenly dominated his features. "Yes, and I suppose you made it abundantly clear to Sasha how you are in charge when it comes to your patients, didn't you?" The question was mostly rhetorical, a jab at Dani for how she had dressed him down earlier. He couldn't help but wonder if Sasha had received the same verbal reproach.<br>&nbsp;<br>Sighing in quiet frustration, he turned his attention back to Mae as she bitched and moaned, giving her a small smile as he asked, "Your new boyfriend, huh? He wouldn’t happen be anyone I know, would he," Griff joked. "Well, I'll be happy to insure your satisfaction," he joked with a straight face. There was about 30 seconds of silence that followed as he waited for a reaction from someone, but finally gave in with a hearty laugh and a playful slap to Mae's shoulder. "I'm only teasin..." he said without conviction. He knew full well where Mae's heart lay. He knew that Vince had beomce the object of her affections. “I know you're eager, memei. There’ll be plenty o’time for ruttin later. Gotta make sure we get you back to a hundred percent first. I'm sure you wouldn't wanna go into something like that being in anything less than prime condition, right?" He gave her a knowing wink accompanied by a huge grin. "As for Sasha being pissed... what makes you think *I* had anything to do with that? Aside from the fact that I seem to have an uncanny knack for pissing her off?"<br><br>Griff was unable to stifle the wince that came when Dani mentioned brain bleed, nor the groan that followed when the words "revoked flight status" and "grounded" spilled from the doctor's lips. Not only because this meant that he would have to fly The Gamble, but because he knew how important flying was to Mae, and to deny her that would be akin to denying water to a fish. He felt bad for the young woman but he agreed that she should be monitored, just to be safe. She was far to valuable to Griff to risk her health. She was, after all, one of the best pilots he'd ever seen. "Right... well, we certainly don't want anything bad to happen to our star pilot, do we?" He smiled a smile that reached his eyes as he reached up and caressed Mae's arm. "I'm just glad you're okay, meimei. But now you get to sample some of my <em>superb</em> flying skills... and you'll understand all the more why I hired you." He afforded her a lighthearted chuckle as his hands slid down to grasp hers, giving them a comforting squeeze. "You just try and relax and follow doctor's orders as much as you can. I want you to get well as soon as possible so you don't have to spend even more time here and you reclaim your pilot's chair. I'll keep it warm for ya." He flashed a wink as he pulled away, letting his hands slip from hers."<br>&nbsp;<br>Moving back to the infirmary hatch, he glanced back at Dani before exiting. "Might wanna secure anything that could fall and break... including yourself. We'll be leaving as soon as I get clearance from Eavesdown Control. Griff gave a silent nod to Si as he announced his departure from the infirmary. Deciding to steer clear of Sasha, at least for the time being, he passed her quarters just as Si was closing the door behind him. Griff gave a sigh and shook his head as he moved onto the flight deck. Perhaps he would check in with her once they were in the black with a course laid in for Bellerephon.<br>&nbsp;<br>Lowering his solid frame into the pilot's seat, he slipped into the five point harness, fastening all the buckles. Reach up to the overhead instrument panel, he began flipping switches and dialing knobs as he conducted his pre-flight checklist. Satisfied that the fuel and water reserves were topped off, all hydraulic readings were normal, all battery levels were in the green, CO2 scrubbers and oxygen levels were at peak efficiency and a whole myriad of other systems all checked out, Griff flipped on the comms and began the launch process.<br>&nbsp;<br>"Eavesdown Control, Dragonfly transport, Bravo-Two-Niner, requesting launch clearance, docking bay three zero." Griff continued flipping switches in preparation for the release of the docking clamps that held the ship firmly moored in place.<br>&nbsp;<br>"Good evening Dragonfly Bravo-Two-Niner. Copy launch clearance request, docking bay three zero. Standby for launch parameters."<br>&nbsp;<br>"Control, Dragonfly Bravo-Two-Niner. Roger. Standing by." Griff repeated back to verify the instructions as safety protocols mandated. He checked and rechecked the engine readouts before priming them for a hard burn.<br>&nbsp;<br>"Dragonfly Bravo-Two-Niner, Control. Ascend vertical to 7000. After departure maintain VFR at 7000 while in approach airspace. Maintain two-five-zero knots for two-five nautical miles on heading two-one-zero then ascend to orbit. Departure frequency 215.8, squawk 1173. Cleared for launch."<br>&nbsp;<br>"Control, Dragonfly Bravo-Two-Niner. Roger. Ascend vertical to 7000. After departure maintain VFR at 7000 while in approach airspace. Maintain two-five-zero knots for two-five nautical miles on heading two-one-zero then ascend to orbit. Departure frequency 215.8, squawk 1173. Cleared for launch. Releasing docking clamps.” Flipping the docking clamp’s disengage switch, there was a gentle lurch throughout the ship as the clamps released and retracted. “Commencing launch.” Taking the yoke in his hands, Griff gently pulled back on the controls and the ship began to lift from its resting place.<br>&nbsp;<br>"Roger that Dragonfly Bravo-Two-Niner. Have a safe flight. Eavesdown Control out."<br>&nbsp;<br>Flipping on the ships intercom system, Griff's voice broadcast throughout the ship. "Okay boys and girls. Everyone might wanna find something to strap into and wave goodbye to Persephone for a while. Our next port of call is Bellerephon."<br><br>The Gamble slowly rose from Eavesdown docks and began to follow the departure vectors instructed to follow. It wasn’t long before they broke atmo and Persephone was becoming another tiny speck in the vastness of the black.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>08-10-2011, 06:45:24</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ First Officer Sasha Dearing on board The Gamble...still right here... (http://youtu.be/dhh21crSohs) ~</strong></div><br>Sasha peripherally noticed the glaring warning signs that she was pushing Vincent too far, but she was too focused on her need to uncover the critical facts surrounding the attack on her pilots to care. She also completely neglected to remember that the young co-pilot had never witnessed her in serious action, and therefore he might not realize what he was enduring was nothing but a half-hearted toying version of the real thing. Had she <em>actually</em> been interrogating him in earnest...well, let’s just say the man wouldn’t have had the liberties of speech and unrestrained movement with which to express his protest. So although Sasha was just letting off a little steam - albeit in a rather inappropriate way, Vincent apparently read the situation completely differently, evidenced by his violently freaking out at the way she was handling him. If she had thought he would respond with his typical easy-going and humorous take on things, she was dead wrong.<br><br><strong>”God fucking damn you Sasha!”</strong><br><br>As Vincent stood up and roared at her with hot contemptuous anger, impotently punching his fists into the wall of her cabin, Sasha’s muscles instinctively responded to the heated emotions directed at her with hopeful readiness, her body still eagerly spoiling for a fight. <em>No. This is <strong>Vincent</strong>.</em> Sasha didn’t move or speak, instead letting Vincent’s vitriol spill out of him and crash over her without outwardly reacting. The venomous response from her co-pilot stunned her momentarily, her heart stuttering with pained sadness as she absorbed his bitterly vicious feelings toward her. Subconsciously she registered Si’s entrance into her cabin, but her complete focus remained on Vincent. in all her time working with Vincent he had been mostly a friendly and easy going guy; granted, punctuated with moments of nervousness, and usually sarcastic, but she had definitely never witnessed this side of him before. A small part of her was pleased to see the man had more fire to him than she had given him credit for. But for the most part she was saddened that she had been the one to elicit such a powerful negative response from someone she considered a friend. Sasha knew well that hate is not the opposite of love - indifference is - but at the moment the thought that the normally sweet and gentle young man loathed her with such intensity hurt her more than she would ever admit. Or let show.<br><br><strong>“I openly offer to tell you everything.&nbsp; Things that I have only shared with my closest family members.&nbsp; And you practically spit in my face for it! In the months we’ve known each other, how many times have I addressed any situation without some sort of quip or remark?&nbsp; The one time I do address you in earnest you proceed to interrogate me?!&nbsp; Do you distrust me so much that you have to flaunt your weapons in front of me implying that you would be more than willing to use them?&nbsp; What’s most fucked up is that I now believe you entirely capable of taking a blade to me.&nbsp; I know you outrank me on this ship, but the way you spoke down to me was more fitting of a guard grilling an uncooperative convict.&nbsp; The fact I held back my sarcasm throughout that should have been a clear sign of the respect I had for you.&nbsp; But my family means a whole hell of a lot to me and I will not sit idle while somebody insults them...&nbsp;I think it only reasonable to show them a little gorram respect.”</strong><br><br>Sasha listened to Vincent’s tirade, her mind honing in on the key points but absorbing the entirety of his speech. Her voice deathly quiet, Sasha’s tense stillness was an unnerving underscore to her own barely leashed violence which only she knew was tinged by hurt. “No, Kincaid, what is <strong>most</strong> fucked up is that you think that the mere absence of sarcasm is the equivalent of giving respect. That you’re willing to twist my generic shit-talking into a personal attack on your family - who you know I’ve never even met - to deflect from what the real issue is here. That because she was with YOU, Mae got hurt. <em>That’s</em> what rings the gorram bell on the whats-fucked-up-meter, Pilot.”<br><br><strong>"Oh, juh jen sh guh kwai luh duh jean jan. Go hwong-tong. Da jee-ah tzwo sha."</strong> As Si interjected his calm, authoritative request between the explosive emotions of Sasha and Vincent, Sasha blinked, reminded of the older man’s presence, her intense glare breaking away from focusing on the young man acting out in front of her. Shifting her gaze to Si, she took in his stiffly protective body language and subtly disapproving expression, and suddenly and unexpectedly the fight drained from her. Yes, Vincent had grossly overreacted, and acted out inappropriately; but then again she hadn’t exactly been behaving as a paragon of virtue and control herself, either, to say the least.&nbsp; It was as if Si’s disapproving gaze was a mirror held up to her own actions, and Sasha felt a nauseating wave of remorse roll over her for the way she had handled the situation. <em>What am I doing?</em> it wasn’t like her to take out such intense frustrations on the very crewmembers she cared about and swore to protect; belatedly she realized just how much the events of the day - or maybe even weeks - had been affecting her. The relentless spectre of her murdered family constantly taunting her, bleeding any possibility of joy from her life. Suddenly emotionally exhausted, a heavy sigh slipped past her lips as she sank wearily down to slump on the edge of her bed.<br><br>The Gamble’s First Officer was in actuality a woman only a couple years older than Vincent, but the weight of a life infused with overwhelming loss - and the associated torments of guilt, regret and anger - lay heavy on Sasha’s psyche, giving her an aura of someone much older than she actually was. In addition, carrying the responsibility for others who depended on her for their well being - often their very lives - had also been weighing heavily on her since she was just a teenager, and the long-time burden colored every facet of her personality. The combined effect was crushing. Maybe she was starting to crack under the relentless pressure of it all, she thought bitterly to herself. Maybe she needed a more permanent break than just a brief and fleeting shoreleave. Maybe the sheer intensity of the passions that drove her...would only end up pushing her over the edge of the precipice she danced along. Which in her mind would be far better than if it pushed her to become someone she no longer recognized, someone she didn’t want to be....someone who hurt the very people she cared for dearly.<br><br>Pulling her dark hair free of the severe ponytail restraining it, her released tresses cascaded softly around her face and caressed down around her pale shoulders. Immediately she looked years younger and infinitely softer, with an undercurrent of vulnerability that was not often witnessed. Running her fingers through the long silken strands, she massaged her scalp with her fingertips, her eyes closed, as if trying to banish an exceptionally painful headache. Finally looking back up at Vincent, for the first time since her initial relief upon discovering Mae was okay and Vincent was relatively okay, Sasha’s eyes swept over Vincent’s exposed body, taking in his bruises, cuts, bloodied fists, and tormented expression. Her heart cringed at what she saw, her feelings reflected in the concern shining in her eyes. Biting her lip in agitation, she sat quietly while Vincent explained the backstory of the attack, and elaborated on the details.<br><br><strong>"They were Wah Ching thugs, an off chute of the Triads. Shortly before being hired on The Gamble, I had done something that incidentally caused the local government to attain the evidence needed to arrest and try a handful of their members with respectable ranks. Their leader took it rather personally, which necessitated me leaving Persephone immediately for my well being as well as my family's. Their leader wouldn't be content with a simple hit when it comes to me. We wandered too close to the warehouses and before I had realized my mistake, Mae had run a few paces ahead of me where a man stepped out from the alley and knocked her unconscious.&nbsp;Long story short, I did what I had to in order to get Mae back. So, there you have it.&nbsp; Is there anything you want me to clarify or am I free to go?”</strong><br><br>So much of what Vincent said angered as well as concerned her, but she was done with berating the young pilot. For tonight at least. Standing up, Sasha walked over to Vincent and laid her slender hand gently on his shoulder, looking him intently in his eyes. ”Vincent...I’m...intimately familiar with how guilt and regret can tear you up inside, and I surely don’t wish that hell on you. It’s not your fault that those bastards hurt Mae. But it IS your fault for not coming clean on it right up front, when you should have. Especially knowing how often we get to Persephone. <em>Especially</em> with us splitting up planetside like we do.&nbsp; Not that it would have guaranteed we would have been able to avoid any trouble, but at least we would have been aware of potential danger and could have taken better precautions. Forewarned is forearmed, and all that crap.”<br><br>Looking briefly over at Si, she allowed, “Unless Si wants to get a full debriefing from you first, go let Dani mother-hen you to her heart’s content. I’m sure she’s less than pleased with me strong-arming her patient, if I know our lovely doctor.” A half-smile flitted across her lips too quickly for anyone to be sure it was ever there. Softly and sincerely she finished, “Take care of yourself, Vincent. Take care of Mae.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>11-10-2011, 02:53:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Longing for a less tense environment - Sasha's quarters, The Gamble=-</strong></div><br>Vincent felt more than a little foolish in the wake of his outburst, especially with Sasha's reply that pointed out how he had misread the remark about his family.&nbsp; Though it hadn't been too surprising in hindsight that it was a tender topic.&nbsp; Today had been the first time he got to see any of them for months when he had been used to seeing them daily before joining the crew.&nbsp; It had been a reminder of just how much he missed them and resented the situation that tore him away from them.&nbsp; Between that and the way his Commanding Officers seemed to have it out for him in the wake of his mistake, Vincent felt cornered and a reaction was inevitable.<br><br>Fortunately Si stepped in and disarmed the situation before the co-pilot could say anything else that would get him in even deeper.&nbsp; From there he grabbed his seat and proceeded to explain his story with wounded hand cradled in the opposing arm.&nbsp; When he looked at Sasha after having finished his report, he could see that she had calmed down considerably, but still felt a little nervous when she approached him once more.&nbsp; It wasn't that he was afraid that she'd berate him again in the same terse manner as before, her posture was enough to portray that.&nbsp; Perhaps it was guilt for having allowed her to get under his skin like that.<br><br><em>”Vincent...I’m...intimately familiar with how guilt and regret can tear you up inside, and I surely don’t wish that hell on you. It’s not your fault that those bastards hurt Mae. But it IS your fault for not coming clean on it right up front, when you should have. Especially knowing how often we get to Persephone. Especially with us splitting up planetside like we do.&nbsp; Not that it would have guaranteed we would have been able to avoid any trouble, but at least we would have been aware of potential danger and could have taken better precautions. Forewarned is forearmed, and all that crap.”</em><br><br>A somber sigh was the initial response to Sasha's words, knowing that such logic was irrefutable.&nbsp; "Touché...&nbsp; I did tell Griff a more vague version back when I first signed on to the crew, but it should have been my responsibility to remind him.&nbsp; It's a part of my past that I don't like bringing up and I'm hesitant telling people since questions are likely to follow.&nbsp; Some of the answers of which have the potential to change the way people think of me or put loved ones at risk."&nbsp; A bitter chuckle interjected his line of thought.&nbsp; "I never considered that I'd be taking that risk by not telling you all."&nbsp; <em>Gotta love those damned if you do, damned if you don't situations...</em><br><br><em>“Unless Si wants to get a full debriefing from you first, go let Dani mother-hen you to her heart’s content. I’m sure she’s less than pleased with me strong-arming her patient, if I know our lovely doctor.”</em><br><br>Looking down at his hand again, Vincent noticed most of the bandage was thoroughly soaked in blood.&nbsp; He could only imagine how bad it looked underneath.&nbsp; If the pain was any indicator, Dani was likely going to be inspired to give him quite the lecture about knowing better than to punch steel plating.&nbsp; Normally such a topic should be self-explanatory, but there are times when particularly standoffish walls need to be put in their place.&nbsp; <em>“Take care of yourself, Vincent. Take care of Mae.”</em><br><br>The corners of Vincent's lips curled into a shallow smile as he envisioned just how beat up he must look at the moment.&nbsp; "Fortunately I'm infinitely better at the latter than I am with the former."&nbsp; Shooting an inquisitive glance towards Si, he declined the opportunity to dig into further detail and the co-pilot was officially dismissed.&nbsp; He had made it as far as the stairs when he heard the familiar sounds of the Gamble's engines powering up.&nbsp; <em>There's no way in Hell Dani would allow Mae to fly the ship with a concussion.&nbsp; Which means...&nbsp; Time to step lively towards the infirmary where I can strap myself to something sturdy.&nbsp; Preferably both bolted and welded to the ship's superstructure.</em><br><br>It wasn't that he didn't trust Griff's flying, but breaking atmosphere is a jerky ride for even experienced pilots who are familiar with handling the ship.&nbsp; Somebody who had hired on two able hands to do just that for the past several months likely meant that things were likely to get a little rough.&nbsp; A few moments later, Vincent rounded into the infirmary at a healthy stride.&nbsp; He noticed that Mae had already been secured to her bed and couldn't help but smile mischievously as a few naughty ideas came to mind.&nbsp; Then came the metallic clanks and hisses as the dock's anchors released their hold upon the hull of the ship.&nbsp; "Just in time for the ride to start."&nbsp; Wasting little time, he climbed up in the vacant bed and fastened the built-in belt around his waist just as the engines began spooling up.&nbsp; Casting a quick glance to Dani to make sure she had also secured herself, he began making the necessary announcement.<br><br>"Please keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.&nbsp; In the event that the contents of your stomach shifts during takeoff, please locate the nearest bucket, bag, or easily cleaned surface.&nbsp; In the moments following takeoff, should you suffer from vertigo or lightheadedness, chances are that the Captain forgot to reengage artificial gravity and we must all do our part in thoroughly tease him about it."<br><br>Then came the roar of the thrusters and the sudden shift in momentum as The Gamble lurched off the ground.&nbsp; Vincent promptly lifted his hands directly above his head as one would expect anybody to do on a wild rollercoaster and beamed a wide grin towards Mae.&nbsp; "Oh, this is going to be good."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>11-10-2011, 04:37:36</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Simeon Gaorong - (unsuccessfully) quelling the urge to provide a lecture - Sasha's quarters, The Gamble=-</strong></div><br>Simeon offered The Gamble's co-pilot a curt nod on his way out the door. There would be time for other conversations later. For now he was sure Vincent would be better consoled by being closer to Miss Little and farther from Miss Dearing at the moment. Besides, he was in no mood for coddling the injured. Berating the uninjured, on the other hand? Inappropriate, but it seemed a much more appealing prospect. Maybe he'd keep that one on the shelf for a potential follow-up, depending on how the early stages of this discussion went.<br><br>"So," he began, just the word by itself. The cabin door had long been shut by then, the ship already in the rumblings that warned of imminent takeoff. Absently he registered the Captain's warning across the comm; it didn't seem that important. There were enough handholds in the cabin if it became necessary to get a grip on something. Bridge to cross if it came. Until then, he felt better stepping away from his leaning perch to stand upright some few feet in front of Sasha. His arms lowered from their defensive crossed position to a less aggressive posture loose at his sides. He paced a small semicircle around the floor of the cabin and eventually settled down again, this time on the edge of Sasha's bed to her left. He kept a hand's length of space between them of course - a compromise of familiarity and propriety. He sighed. "So."<br><br>Each crew member's personal quarters had some hint of personality to them, some more than others, but in the end each was a part of a spaceship and, because of that, was at its core a construction of practical measures. Si wasn't sure what exactly he hoped to see on the cabin's ceiling when he raised his head, but all that waited for him there was metal panels and rivets and the like, at least in the space he found himself looking. Parts of the whole. Solid. Strong. Dependable right up until they buckled. It was that chance of critical failure that was always the greatest concern for a crew in the Black.<br><br>"You did a fine job today," he said at length. "From the sound of things Ferret has been under pressure from more than one direction. Competition is heating up. Work is getting scarce, at least safe work, and you secured the job for us when someone else might have been turned back. Even if the job itself is questionable that much is a good thing for all of us. I am puzzled, then, by the dour cloud you have had following you all day." Si turned his head to look over the young First Officer, his hands resting loose in his lap. "I first assumed it was residual dislike of our new crew acquisition seeping into your business sense, but surely, I thought, the success of the excursion would perk you back up. When it did not, I had to wonder why. Now, I am not so crass as to ask about personal matters in front of the others, Miss Dearing, but if you are coming unhinged I need to know about it <em>before</em> we get into situations where I might need to rely on you. Where all of us need rely on you. I'm sure you understand."<br><br>It was unpleasant - rude, actually - but it needed to be said. Sasha had always run a little hot under the collar, but this little outburst was dangerous. In here, aboard their own ship, it didn't threaten anyone, but the implications? Not encouraging. "If something is eating at you, you need to let that out. Even if it's only a little bit here and there it's better than bottling up entirely. That glass <em>will</em> break, and this crew is going to catch the jagged pieces when it does."<br><br>He let out a soft sigh. "If I can trust you will get this under control, with or without my help, I see no reason the Captain need hear about this little tiff between the two of you. I doubt Vincent will mention it; he's none too proud of how he acted, either. Just be sure that you <em>do</em> get it under control.&nbsp; You don't have to talk to me about it. You don't have to talk to anyone if that is a problem for you. But you have to do <em>something</em> about it, and if I can help in that regard, you need only ask. Alright?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>11-10-2011, 05:38:06</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Wanting some hugin’ and some squeezin’ and&nbsp; loven’ and teasen’ and….. stuff like that there! – The Gamble *~</strong></div><br><br>Giggling as Giff offered to satisfy her, Mae gave him a teasing smile as she looked up through a thick veil of lashes.&nbsp; However, her smile fell as he agreed with Dani’s diagnosis. Well Griff was no help! Mae glared at Griff as he made his escape from her prison. Her intent was such that he would feel the heat from her glare drilling into the back of his head as a reminder of her dissatisfaction. Her wings were indeed well and truly clipped! Grounded!&nbsp; And what was worse, she was grounded in the infirmary without Vincent!&nbsp; She could think of a million things she could do to him to help keep her mind off the temporary non flight status.&nbsp; Didn’t anyone on this rusted bucket of bolts understand a girl had needs? <br><br>Mae let a long sigh escape her lips as she blew the hair from her face out of frustration.&nbsp; This was worse than living back home, at least there she had a window to crawl out of to make her escape into the crisp clear night.&nbsp; A smirk flitted across her lips as she pictured herself decked out in the spaceman gear to escape out of the ships window. Where she would go once she made it out into the black was a question she hadn’t actually been able to answer yet.&nbsp; Best she stays put like Griff said.&nbsp; Pouting to let Dani know she wasn’t all too happy with the outcome of her conversation with Griff, Mae made herself comfortable on the bed, securing herself with the belt, preparing for take-off.&nbsp; As she busied herself with the fastening of the security belt Mae grumbled a question towards Dani, hoping the answer to this one would shine a light at the end of this long and very dark tunnel she seemed to have gotten herself into. “How long do you think I will have to stay here? When can I go back to my bunk?” <br><br>The sound of the of the ships release from its hold to the planet was normally like music to her ears, however with her current situation it only served as the&nbsp; salt that was to be rubbed into her wounds. A whimper followed the announcement as Mae closed her eyes tightly and prayed to all that was holey that Griff wasn’t as bad as he suggested.&nbsp; Her silent prayers were interrupted with the sound of Vincent’s return. Instantly Mae’s eyes sprang open to track his movements with her crystal green eyes. Her mouth opened on a soft gasp as she spotted his wounded hand. <br><br>“Your hand!”&nbsp; Mae cried out as she watched him make himself comfortable on the twin med bay bed, only smiling when she was greeted with Vincent’s humorous announcement. As always, he had the power to make her giggle and become temporarily distracted from his wounded hand.&nbsp; &nbsp;With the added play of his hands in the air preparing for a wild ride, Mae’s laughter increased as she copied his movements.&nbsp; With her hands above her head she passed a bright smile that matched the glitter in her eyes as she called in return “oh I hope it’s rough! I love it when it gets rough!”&nbsp; With a wink and a waggle of her brows, Mae cried out with a joyful sound as the ship rose, jerked and thrusted forth out of the atmo and into the black.<br><br>“Wwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!”<br><br>Once the excitement of take-off levelled out Mae turned her attention back to the man that lay only a few feet from her own bed. “Now, you have some story tellin’ to do. What the hell happened to your hand? You’re suppose to be getting healed remember? As far as I can see you are just gettin’ yourself more banged up. The only person suppose to be gettin’ banged by you is me! I’ve got a sex drive ready for some pushin’ mister and you had better be in top condition!”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>15-10-2011, 17:49:51</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Enjoying the rough ride with Mae - The Gamble's Infirmary=-</strong></div><br>Vincent chuckled and laughed with lighthearted amusement as the ship bucked during its ascent out of atmo.&nbsp; Usually he spent so much time focused on the control panel that he never gotten the opportunity to enjoy the feeling of the ride so intently.&nbsp; Plus Mae's piloting skills of the ship more or less made for a trip so smooth that he doubted a glass of water left unattended on a counter in the galley would spill a drop of its contents during takeoff.&nbsp; Griff didn't share Mae's talent of piloting, though very few people he knew did, but he was hardly an amateur and the time spent exiting Persephone's atmosphere went without incident.<br><br><em>“Now, you have some story tellin’ to do. What the hell happened to your hand? You’re supposed to be getting healed remember? As far as I can see you are just gettin’ yourself more banged up. The only person suppose to be gettin’ banged by you is me! I’ve got a sex drive ready for some pushin’ mister and you had better be in top condition!”</em><br><br>Mae's brazen words was like a tank of gasoline being poured on the flame that was Vincent's libido causing it to erupt into an inferno of need to be intimate with the woman of his desires.&nbsp; He was well aware that it would be a little while before he was fully recovered to be able to do all the things he wanted to do with her, it did little to deter his imagination from running rampant with erotic images.&nbsp; By now his body was beginning to grow used to the pain in his hand, rendering it to a dull throb of noticeable discomfort that didn't show on his expression even though it still remained in its claw-like pose.&nbsp; "Oh, this?" He said as though he hadn't realized its condition, and likely failing his charade.&nbsp; Vincent also made sure not to look at Dani's expression when she was able to look at the bloodied bandage from afar, having experienced too much fear or guilt for one day.&nbsp; "It was suggested that the only thing harder than my head was the hull of the ship.&nbsp; I attempted to prove the contrary, but clearly overestimated the thickness of my skull.&nbsp; Rest assured, it is nothing but a flesh wound and it would take a whole hell of a lot worse to keep me from filling you-"&nbsp; A devious grin spread across his lips that clearly expressed his desire to be intimate with his new girlfriend.&nbsp; "-r every&nbsp; desire and being on top... of my game.&nbsp; And that, my love, is a promise you can hold me to whenever and wherever you want."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>18-10-2011, 05:12:45</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the stowaway – blissfully asleep – the Gamble’s engine room=-</strong></div><br>The sleeping girl didn’t move when the announcement was made about leaving the planet behind. In fact, she fell more deeply into sleep as the engines came to life, the thrumming and hissing of the machinery putting her to ease. She’d spent most of her time surrounded by noisy machinery, her body attuned to the regularity of pneumatics, electrical discharge fields and the understated use of filter capacitors. Releasing her stress and fear, she slept heavily, free of images and headaches for a time.<br><br>As the ship shuddered and leveled, she drew the blanket up over her head, blocking the ambient light from her closed eyes. The hum of the power core’s initiation for space drive only made her relax more, her mind and body at ease for the first time that she could recall… if she were remembering anything at all. Finally resting, she allowed her subconscious to take over, leading her into dreaming gently, as one might lead a skittish pony across new territory.<br><br>She didn’t often dream, but then she didn’t have to, so much of her subconscious mind concentrated on the images that flashed through her head while awake. Too much to understand without connection to her waking life, they caused the headaches, her synapses firing wildly out of control as her brain fought to place into her memory bank where those images should have been housed but didn’t actually belong. She could not describe what she saw, actually… so many things out of time or place and unfamiliar to her.<br><br>This time it was a happy dream, pleasant and warm, freeing. She dreamed of ailerons, clouds, and banking across a white-blue sky, a delightful mechanical scream emanating from somewhere around or underneath her. Added to that noise was her laughter, the thrill of flying in an open cockpit released musically from her cherry red lips, a scarf holding her hair down. For the moment she was no longer hunted, racing through the empty air with her heart singing and her pulse pounding, adrenaline used in a joyous celebration of life.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>20-10-2011, 07:04:58</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>~ First Officer Sasha Dearing in her cabin on board The Gamble, Round Two ~</strong></div><br>Sasha’s thoughtful blue stare tracked Vincent’s beleaguered form as he quickly transformed into his usual buoyant self upon departing her cabin with undisguised enthusiasm - no doubt vastly relieved to be dismissed from her presence, as well as excitedly eager to be near his Love once again. The man had secrets...but don’t we all? Sasha found it interesting however, that it had taken so long for these particular secrets to be revealed.&nbsp; “I should have kicked his sorry ass for dipping us in danger sauce like that! But unfortunately someone beat me to it.” Sasha half-heartedly growled under her breath, the words hissing from between her tightly clenched teeth.<br><br><strong>“So.”</strong><br><br>Sasha and Si were now alone, and the small cabin was abruptly transformed into intimate quarters as the single word, heavy with meaning, hung like ripe fruit between them, waiting to be plucked.&nbsp; Sasha’s intense gaze was drawn back to Si as he paced across the short distance toward the bed and sat down next to her. As Griff’s voice blared over the comm, her mind momentarily pondered the implications of the Captain’s announcement, a crease of worry furrowing between her slender brows as she wondered if Mae was worse off than she seemed? Was it that Griff had been in too much of a hurry to wait for her to finish with Vincent - or perhaps the battered co-pilot was on the no-fly list too? But then her attention snapped back to Si as her right-hand man first ladled on a dose of positive reinforcement before doling out a hefty serving of negative feedback. <br><br><strong>”...if you are coming unhinged I need to know about it before we get into situations where I might need to rely on you. Where all of us need rely on you."</strong><br><br>Sasha’s eyes widened in surprise and then swiftly narrowed in displeasure at Si’s direct castigation, but she quickly throttled her natural instinct to react aggressively through sheer force of will. Leaning in close to Si Sasha looked him directly in the eyes and paused for a heartbeat, and then she leaned in closer still. Her silken cascade of hair did nothing to diminish her thunderous visage as she spoke in a tense low tone, the edge in her voice reflecting both projected menace and internalized hurt. “Do tell, Simeon, when has there <strong>ever</strong> been a situation where you - <em>all of you</em> - DIDN’T need to rely on me? When have I EVER let you down?”<br><br>Not acknowledging the stinging hurt the older man’s disapproval had laved over her protectively walled-in heart, Sasha sprung up from the bed in agitation, needing to put a little distance between herself and the latest irritant stoking the embers of her still-smoldering foul mood. Stalking across the room to her wardrobe she angrily flung open her closet doors, the loud bang of the ricochet providing the smallest amount of satisfaction. However, Si apparently didn’t get the hint or deliberately chose to provoke her by standing firmly on his soapbox, continuing to lecture his First Officer.<br><br><strong>"If I can trust you will get this under control, with or without my help, I see no reason the Captain need hear about this little tiff between the two of you. I doubt Vincent will mention it; he's none too proud of how he acted, either. Just be sure that you do get it under control.&nbsp; You don't have to talk to me about it. You don't have to talk to anyone if that is a problem for you. But you have to do something about it, and if I can help in that regard, you need only ask. Alright?"</strong><br><br>Her fingers had been clutching painfully on the doors with suppressed anger, but suddenly as if a ray of sunshine had pierced through a bank of dark thunderclouds, her perception of Si’s lecture careened into a humorous slant that startled her with its unexpectedness. <em>Si is...offering...to not tell on me? To Griff</em>? Catching her bottom lip between her teeth, she firmly bit into the soft flesh to keep from chuckling aloud and thereby giving away her change of mood. The comedic irony of being on the receiving end of a lecture about behaving properly on the heels of her giving practically the same sermon was priceless. <br><br>Tossing a veiled glance over her shoulder at Si as she ran her fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp tiredly, she didn’t meet his eyes as she spoke softly. “I didn’t touch him, you know. Not one scratch was my doing.”&nbsp; Pausing a few beats, she added, almost as if an afterthought, “But thanks for always being there anyway, Si.”<br><br>The impractical mantle of modesty was almost always one of the first casualties for most people serving aboard a ship, the long stints out in the Black forcing crew members to deal with a level of casual intimacy that might shock a typical landlubber. But through the years Simeon had somehow fastidiously preserved his borderline prudish austerity to such a degree that Sasha took it for granted. And therefore she assumed that at the first indication she displayed she had transitioned from conversing with her crew member into retaking her cabin as her own personal domain, the gentleman would be on his way.&nbsp; So without concern or thought as she faced away from him, she began to untie the front fastening of her dress, the lacy black fabric sliding sensuously off her femininely narrow shoulders. Catching the dress in her hands as it fell, she draped it casually over the closet door.&nbsp; Her&nbsp; smooth pale skin was in dramatic contrast as she stood in only her black leggings, boots &amp; panties. Sasha reached for a soft, cream colored button-down shirt and slipped it on. <br><br>Not yet bothering to button up her shirt, Sasha moved back toward her bed to more easily take off her boots &amp; leggings. A little surprised that Si hadn’t yet made a tactful exit, one daintily curved eyebrow lifted as she walked toward the man still sitting on her bed. Suddenly the ship violently lurched, jostling a distracted and surprised Sasha off balance. Unless Si had been sitting with his muscles tightened in wise anticipation of such an assault, albeit accidental, the force of Sasha’s unbalanced lithe body propelling toward him would result in the man being firmly pinned beneath the soft curves of the half-dressed woman.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>21-10-2011, 01:23:04</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Simeon Gaorong - oh my - Sasha's quarters, The Gamble =-</strong></div><br>"Do tell, Simeon, when has there <em>ever</em> been a situation where you - <em>all of you</em> - <em>didn't</em> need to rely on me? When have I <em>ever</em> let you down?"<br><br>It didn't make him happy to say so, but if she had to ask, it had to be said. Si maintained that solemn expression as he answered, "About two minutes ago." Was it letting him down in a life-threatening way, or even in a manner that directly affected him? No...but it set precedent. Letting herself go off on Vincent, whether or not it turned physical on her part, was a concern if it could happen somewhere outside of this controlled little box they were in. Waiting to deal with this kind of behavior until it happened in a dangerous context was waiting too long; it had to be nipped in the bud pre-emptively. He knew that, but it didn't make it any easier, nor would explaining that whole thought process be likely to help her accept it. He's been here before. It was one of those lessons that had to be taught without the expectation of immediate positive effects. It was simply what had to be done.<br><br>He didn't hold it against her when she moved away, distanced herself. Natural response, at least in her case. He didn't move to follow, only watched her from where he sat, continued with his piece.<br><br>Of course this meant he had an excellent view of her back when she decided to show it off for him.<br><br>Si thought about saying something - almost did. Didn't. His lips had parted, but he closed them again. There were certain expectations of behavior in his home context, standards that were set for his class, his station, his family and so on. They were, however, far away from those standards, a fact of which the crew often reminded him in moments when he appeared to be too "stiff" for their liking. Something about a length of wood being lodged in an anatomically impossible position. That he did not choose to loosen up in the same fashion as the rest of the crew did not bother him, even if it did them, but it did on occasion cause some friction or humor when there was a clash of interests, often caused by certain crew members attempting to introduce him to something he did not expect or considered inappropriate even though, as it turned out, it was quite appropriate by standards that differed from his own.<br><br>He was seated in Sasha's quarters, on her bed in fact, in private with the lady. She knew this as well as he did and, knowing it, chose to undress in front of him. Now how was he meant to interpret <em>that</em>? If he were back home and such a thing were to happen it would mean any number of negative things: she had dismissed him entirely, or meant to insult his character, perhaps. But here, now? Miss Dearing did not care about his character, not in that way, and as his First Officer she could simply have told him to leave if that was her intention. But she did not. She had done this instead.<br><br>How was he meant to interpret that?<br><br>The look she gave him when she came back - <em>jen dao mei</em>, she left the shirt open - only added to the confusion of the situation. What was that look?<br><br>"Why are you still sitting there?"<br>"Why haven't you left yet?"<br>"Like the view?"<br>"Can you handle it, old man?"<br><br>He just didn't know. After the day they'd had, the subtle changes in their usual interaction, he had assumed at first it was change brought about by additions to the crew, but now? He just didn't know.<br><br>As one might imagine, he was rather too preoccupied to be prepared for a sudden lurch in the ship and quickly found himself with a new, considerably closer view of his First Officer's features. <em>Facial</em> features, mind you! Despite his uncertainty about the lady's intentions, he knew full well where his own interests lay: whatever he needed to know, he would find it in her face and nowhere else.<br><br>His hands, however, were not necessary for that eye contact. While his focus was on Sasha's face, his hands - very slowly, very cautiously - moved up through her open shirt to hold her hips. Nothing more than that. No boorish fondling or stroking; he was no hormonal boy to go about groping the first young thing to have her bare skin so close to his. He was a gentleman, and he could express his interest as such: simply holding her in his warm hands, his thumbs at rest at the inner edge of her hips - he could feel the harder mass of those bones under the skin. And he did not move.<br><br>He held her, gently, and he watched her eyes.<br><br>And he waited.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>22-10-2011, 07:51:48</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ First Officer Sasha Dearing; in her cabin and...yes, it has been confirmed by a reliable source... in dishabille on top of Simeon Gaorong ~</strong></div><br>Sasha’s body tumbled gracelessly on top of Si, the sudden press of her weight shoving his body down into the soft mattress. A quiet whoosh of air rushed past her lips as the lush softness of her chest impacted with the chiseled hardness of Si’s upper body. Her slender forearms landed on either side of his head, the delicate skin of her mostly naked breasts pressing against the crisp fabric covering his chest. Sasha’s muscles were toned and firm from her constant, disciplined fitness routine, but still her woman’s body naturally yielded, curving willingly to the harder contours of Si’s male form. Her long dark hair cascaded around his head in a silken curtain, a breath of space between their faces within the shadowed intimate space framed by her hair.<br>&nbsp;<br>Sasha’s ripe youthful body immediately registered multiple sensations at once, each note of sensation competing for attention and yet at the same time coalescing into a single, interwoven composition of feeling: a sonata of sensuality. Her thighs lay warmly between Si’s legs, her hips and abdomen resting intimately against him, his belt buckle pressing sharply into the tender skin of her belly. Sasha’s breath caught and her stomach muscles tensed in reaction as Si’s warm, strong hands ever-so-slowly stroked upward to gently grip her hips, her expectation being that he was positioning himself to assist her back to her feet. However, as his hands lingered, partially touching her black silken panties and partially touching her bare silken skin...and as he continued to make no effort to dislodge her from where she lay, she began to wonder. <em>Why...isn’t he moving? Why haven’t <strong>I</strong> moved?</em> She didn’t know the answer to either question, and for the moment at least, didn’t care.<br><br>Leaning onto her left arm, Sasha raised her right hand to tuck a thick swath of her hair behind her ear, allowing her to see Si’s face. The movement of her body caused multiple points of friction where their bodies touched, and was like a long, slow fuse being lit to a stick of dynamite. The extra-sensitive tips of her rosy nipples tightened in response as they brushed against Si’s shirt. Her lips softly parted, her long dark lashes veiling her eyes briefly as her gaze unconsciously dipped down to Si’s mouth before she dragged her blue eyes back up to meet his dark eyes. Only short moments had passed, but time had seemed to slow to a crawl as the unlikely pair lay intimately motionless, neither one seemingly eager to break the mesmerizing yet tentative spell that their accidental physical contact had cast upon them.<br><br>Almost of their own volition, Sasha’s delicate fingertips caressed gently over Si’s dark eyebrow, slowly tracing its shape and then feathering down across his cheek before coming to rest along the side of his jaw. Looking intently into his eyes, she marveled at how completely unexpected it was to have <em>this</em> man beneath her. Earlier in the day her body had been humming in pleasant anticipation of an enjoyable assignation with Jacob this very night. With that rendezvous thwarted her body was apparently more than willing to accept a substitute, but her mind struggled with it. <em>A fellow crew member</em>?&nbsp; A sudden pang of wistful longing raced through her as the image of Griff’s face floated into her imagination. Baffled at why she would conjure up the Captain’s image seemingly out of nowhere, she shoved Griff’s image roughly from her mind. <br><br>Well, after all, it was only her own personal code of conduct keeping her from choosing a lover she could be with on a regular basis; why not try something different for a change? Someone mature enough to handle an intimate yet casual relationship? A physical, not emotional involvement? Jacob fit the bill nicely - all but the benefit of close proximity of course. So, of the current active crew members on board the ship...why <em>not</em> the gentle older man who was apparently willing to offer himself to such service? Nobody else seemed up to the task. Or, was Si simply patiently waiting for her to initiate removing her body from his?&nbsp; Was his unflagging chivalry not allowing him to present any indication to a woman that could possibly be interpreted by her as rejection? No, she definitely wasn’t getting the impression that he was completely unaffected or was simply biding his time until she extracted herself from him. But she could be wrong.<br><br>The fact that she herself was not unaffected was...intriguing. The warmth from his fingers seeped languorously into her skin, her body enjoying his touch and the implicit promise of male hands positioned <em>just so</em> on her body. Obviously <em>experienced</em> male hands. <em>Mmmm...</em> Biting back a soft moan Sasha squirmed restlessly but quickly stilled her movements, needing a minute to think before her body rushed ahead to make the decision for her.<br><br><em>Wait.</em>&nbsp; Suddenly the myriad of small, subtle changes in Si’s behavior toward her rose together in her mind, forming a new perception of her trusted right-hand man. Had she been missing something? Had Si actually been making subtle advances toward her? Maybe there was the potential for something between them; after all, wasn’t it Si who had repeatedly been the only one able to diffuse her rampaging anger and calm her roiling emotions? <br><br>The intimate press of Si’s body against hers and the heat rising up between their bodies recklessly teased the unsatiated passions prowling just beneath the surface of her control. Maybe an older, undemanding, serene man would be the perfect counterpoint she needed to balance her own fiery passions. As her eyes locked with Si’s, the churning thoughts and emotions rushing through her made their way to her expression. Her eyes held an intense and complex mix of pain, confusion, the longing for peace, and the smoldering heat of passion.&nbsp; The resulting look in her eyes would likely be indecipherable, but the intensity of what she was feeling would be hard to miss. <em>No. I’m not going to take advantage of Si just because he happens to be conveniently lying underneath me...in my bed...</em><br><br>With a small wistful smile, Sasha tightened her body in preparation to push herself off of Si and away from the precipice of something she didn’t feel prepared to deal with. A spontaneous and exciting one night stand with a stranger? <em>Delicious.</em> But with someone she was already becoming vulnerably close with? <em>Dangerous.</em>&nbsp; <br><br>However, her body countermanded her subconscious order and instead of getting up, with infinite slowness Sasha lowered her mouth to Si’s. Her red lips slowly parted in anticipation, hovering temptingly just above Si, her warm breath whispering over his lips. Until finally her warm mouth was on him, pressing softly against his. Si might breathe in her spicy jasmine scent, might taste the hint of whiskey from her lips, might feel the silken brush of her hair against his cheek and neck. Sasha slowly relaxed into Si as she kissed him, her palms cradling the sides of his face as she gently sucked his lower lip into her mouth, the tip of her tongue lightly caressing warm wetness against his tender flesh trapped delicately between her teeth. Releasing his lip, she pressed her mouth firmly against his, slanting another slow, sensuous kiss across his lips before lifting her mouth from his lips. Her pulse picking up speed and her chest rising and falling with quickened breaths, Sasha looked into his eyes as she strove to gauge his reaction to the unexpected and dizzying physical contact.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>22-10-2011, 09:58:10</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Simeon Gaorong - unsure of whether he's the proverbial lion or the lamb in this particular den - Sasha's quarters, The Gamble =-</strong></div><br>Relief came first. When there was no immediate outburst or objection to that hardly-innocent hold on her hips he knew he was, at the very least, not wrong about the thought being in her mind. As to whether she wished to act on it, well, that remained to be seen. He could be patient. To be accurate, <em>most</em> of him could be patient. Doubtless that belt buckle would have been in a somewhat less sharp angle if a certain amount of pressure were not being applied to it from below, a tension the woman lying on top of him could not fail to notice given their proximity. If there were any doubt as to his interest in the matter, surely that was enough to dispel it. And yet they maintained a sort of holding pattern, feeling one another out in the least physical sense of the concept, each concerned about the other, about themselves, for varying reasons.<br><br>Simeon, for instance, was making a concerted effort not to dwell on how long it had been since his last encounter of this nature. It would not contribute anything positive to the engagement and might lead to a discouraging sort of eagerness on his part. Rather, he focused on what was in the present. Given the breathtaking view he was afforded from his position so close by beneath his young superior, that was not difficult. It was not even the crude aspects that so held him, the visions of what might take place with the curvature and smooth design on display above him; these flashed by in his mind, of course - he is a man and only human, discipline can only do so much - but it was not what had him magnetized. It was the anticipation. It was the conflict he could see in her eyes. It was this rare opportunity to see Sasha for herself, behind the facade she was so careful to keep walled up at near all times. They would see flashes of it here and there, sparks and flares of emotion, but that could hardly be compared to this open, uncertain consideration where he was free to observe the process, even if only in an obscured manner. It was this proof of her humanity that so gripped him. The unshelled, raw, vulnerable facet he could not recall having seen in her before for longer than a breath, at most. It was the depth behind the beauty that made the beauty worth seeing.<br><br>Despite all of this, he lay quiet, watching her, his hands at rest, unmoving, that gentle pressure holding her steady above the less-than-gentle rigidity announcing itself in a decidedly uncouth fashion through his trousers, waiting for that sign that she - unassisted, unpressured - had made her decision, and as soon as she did, he was there to meet her. As he was privy to the flavor of her whisky, so Sasha was let in on his little secret from the pub, as his own mouth was absent any such lingering touch of liquor. He answered her kiss in kind, lifting his head so as not to make her come all the way down to reach him, yet never pushed the matter. He met her actions and mirrored them, never advancing beyond the line she drew, up until the point that she strayed to read him, heart jumping in her chest, again uncertain - this time uncertain of him more than herself, he had to think. She had made her choice; she had gone to him. It was her turn to be cautious, to wait for his reply. He was prepared to give it.<br><br>At last his hands moved. It was a slow process, as though the ship's artificial gravity had been overclocked, forcing him to slide the warm creased texture of his palms along the contours of her body by arduous inches, easing their way across her ribs - his thumb hesitated between each pair, feeling for the slight dimple barely discernible beneath the tissue, marking his progress for a safe return on the steep upward climb - up to rest on her shoulders, from the front. For a moment the position seemed almost intended to push her away. Before such a confused message could interrupt what they had started, he broke the silence, his voice that same solid anchor it had always been in its rich, calm tenor: "Let me get your coat," he said.<br><br>And then it seemed the time for words had passed, needed just enough to confirm for all involved what was sure. His hands moved outward along her arms, guiding the shirt back off her shoulders the way it had been shrugged on, albeit at a much more measured pace in this reversal, while the man himself lifted his torso beneath her unaided (Hadn't he shared most of her workout sessions of late? Holding a suspended crunch was hardly a challenge.) to resume their kiss, this time with his tongue acting as the explorer, seeking out that whiskey-tinted-jasmine mixture of scent and taste combined as he helped his First Officer out of her unnecessary attire. Doubtless she would find time to return the favor eventually; Si was in no hurry.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>22-10-2011, 22:17:27</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Captain Griffin Kingston; on the flight deck, in the pilot’s seat; plotting a course = -</strong></div><br>The lackluster launch from Persephone hadn’t been nearly as smooth and crisp as his pilot-extraordinaire or even his exceptional co-pilot regularly pulled off with practiced ease, but the pair had been summarily grounded by the ship’s doctor. Although Griff was annoyed with the order, inwardly he agreed with Dani’s decision, for the safety of his crew… and his ship. As the ship broke atmo, Griff began calculating for the periapsis, the point in which Persephone and Bellerophon would be in closest proximity, but was distracted by the growing heavy feeling in the air. Little did he know, at the exact moment his first officer and trusted associate were calculating their own periapsis.<br><br>The air on The Gamble had quickly grown stagnant and stuffy since their departure. Checking the ships systems, Griff realized he had neglected to switch on the ships air circulation. Cursing himself quietly, he reached up to the overhead instrument panel and initiated the vital system, immediately circulating fresh air throughout the ship. Crossing his arms across his torso, his fingers curled into the hem of his shirt before he stretched them upwards, dragging the shirt up his body and over his head. Turning his attention back to Bellerophon,&nbsp; he focused on the task at hand, pushing the thought of the debriefing from his mind for the time being.<br><br>A few minutes passed and Griff was content that the most efficient course had been laid in taking into consideration the position of Persephone and Bellerophon at their time of departure. Thoroughly checking the close range and then long range scanners, Griff was satisfied they were in the clear and activated the ship’s autopilot, locking in to the programmed flight path coordinates. Disengaging the five point harness, Griff swiveled the chair to the side pushed himself to his feet. Dropping his shirt in the seat, he exited the flight deck, making his way down the corridor and past his quarters to join Sasha and Si in the debriefing of Vince. His thoughts went back to the days’ events and the effect they had had on him. Mae and Vince were still unaware of the departure of Hayes and the arrival of Anwar as the new mechanic. All of them, including Griff, were unaware that their newest hired hand, Steve McPherson had missed the dust-off, so distracted he had been with the pretty skirt that had flirted with him back at the pub.<br><br>As Griff neared Sasha’s quarters, he once again found his thoughts mostly surrounding Sasha and how she had seemed so angry at him for scrubbing the remainder of their shore leave. He was a little surprised to find the thought of Sasha being angry with him caused him some displeasure. <em> I’ll have to talk with her later, try and make it up to her.</em> No sooner had the thought entered his mind than he realized the rest of the crew had also missed out on some much needed shore leave. Still, it was the knowledge that Sasha was unhappy with him and his decision that panged him. <em> …and the others too, of course.</em> he thought, more to appease himself.<br><br>Wrapping his hand around the cool, steel latch to Sasha’s cabin, he pushed the door open and stepped inside, expecting to see Vince sitting in a chair while Si and Sasha questioned him as to the identity and motive of his attackers. Instead, Griff froze stock still just inside the door. His jaw tightened at the sight that literally lay before him, but he made no other outward expression. “Tai Kong Suo You Di Xing Qui Dou Sai Jin Wo De Pi Gu,” he muttered to himself as his mind struggled to comprehend what he was seeing. Sasha.... nearly naked… on top of Simeon… the two of them kissing? What the hell was happening?<br><br>It seemed as if he had been standing there watching them for many long minutes, like watching an accident in slow motion. Surprisingly, Griff didn’t explode into a tirade, despite the tumultuous emotions that now boiled just beneath the surface. “I... I take it that the debriefing went well? Or… maybe I should say it’s GOING well,” He said, stunned with disbelief. Swallowing to ease the sudden dryness in his throat, he hurriedly backed from the room, anxious to escape the heart rending image of Sasha laying atop … someone else. As he pulled the door shut behind him, he added, “I'd... like to hear what you found... whenever you're done... ” he trailed off as he pulled the door closed, standing motionless on the other side as his mind raced and his heart pounded in his chest.<br><br>He considered going to the workout station – the workout station that he and Sasha had set up shortly after she had come to be a part of his crew, part of his life – to work off some steam, but he had a responsibility as the captain to check on the engine and his new mechanic. And so, with it clear now that Sasha had no interest in Griff beyond that of serving as his First Officer, he put the issue from his mind – or so he convinced himself – and set out to find Anwar.<br><br><hr>Tai Kong Suo You Di Xing Qui Dou Sai Jin Wo De Pi Gu = Stuff all the planets in the universe into my ass.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dragondancer</strong> on <strong>25-10-2011, 03:26:08</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~ First Officer Sasha Dearing in her cabin with Si... experiencing déjà vu with Cap’n Cockblock, The Sequel... ~</strong></div><br>As Sasha adjusted her upper body to be able to better look into Si’s eyes, her slight change in position caused her hips to press more firmly into his. A soft growl purred deep in her throat as her lower belly came into contact with the indisputable indication of the man’s physical interest straining toward her through his trousers. Her own body’s rising interest was no less acute; as a woman it was simply a little more subtle. Yet more than likely very obvious to the experienced older man pinned beneath her. Sensuously undulating her hips against him ever so slightly, her body unconsciously responded to his arousal with confirmation of her own. The spark of desire warmed the blue of her eyes to an azure glow, as she acknowledged the answering heated glint in his dark eyes with a soft sultry smile.<br><br>Although Sasha had never taken a lover so many years older than herself, the age difference didn’t bother her at all. In fact, Si’s maturity and refinement held its own allure. Besides, she knew well enough that Simeon took excellent care of his body, a fact she knew firsthand from their many paired workout sessions. In truth, he was in better physical shape than most men half his age. Although not a large man, Sasha found the innate strength coiled within his slender form enticing; and the fact she knew he easily bench pressed his own weight was proof the man held at least a certain degree of physical prowess...one of her personal turn-ons. But truthfully, in all the months they had been working together, Si had almost been...asexual to her. She just hadn’t thought of him in <em>that way</em> in the slightest, not to mention having never witnessed him display any of the practically requisite male behaviors of blatant sexuality.&nbsp; So it was a considerable revelation to begin to perceive him in a sexual context, especially in such a sudden manner.<br><br>For months now Sasha and Si had been working closely together on the job, he as the proverbial “muscle” - the physical presence and strength she counted on to back her up in any type of sketchy situations that may arise.&nbsp; The emotional anchor he had slowly evolved to become for her had been a completely unanticipated and unnerving element. Only recently had she even begun to acknowledge it consciously, that she relied on him at all. Sasha definitely wasn’t one usually prone to caution or hesitation, but as his First Officer she was this man’s superior - making their current delightful but reckless path all kinds of wrong. Or maybe exactly right.<br><br>Somehow, the precipitous slide from “all business” to intimately personal gave the shared moment a feeling of illicitness, adding extra spice to their sensual interlude. And Sasha was a big fan of spicy extras. A shiver of tantalizing pleasure and anticipation snaked through her as the bare skin of the tops of her thighs stroked against his trousers with her slight movements, her naked front pressing wantonly against his still-covered chest. Actually, as per his usual choice of attire, Si was pretty much covered from neck to toe; for Sasha the sensations engendered from lying half-naked atop a fully clothed aroused man were...erotic. She felt both the smallest measure of vulnerability but mostly a large dose of empowerment from the discrepancy in their states of undress. Besides enjoying him clothed for at least the moment, she also figured ripping off the genteel man’s clothing would come across as uncouth to him. As she quickly thought of a number of tempting ways she could no doubt shock her currently restrained gentleman, the ideas that came to mind brought a wicked smile to curve her soft red lips. <br><br>Sasha felt his body tense beneath her as he raised his upper torso up off the bed toward her. Readjusting, she parted her legs and pulled her knees forward alongside his hips and moved to a sitting position on top of him. Her palms softly slid from cradling his face, to gently caressing down the column of his neck, until coming to rest on his chest. Stroking her fingertips lightly over his chest muscles, she met him halfway for their kiss. <strong>"Let me get your coat."</strong> As his hands slowly slid her shirt off her shoulders and down her back, he lifted his mouth to reach for her lips. Obligingly, she leaned over him, curving her body to allow her mouth to reach his, her shirt catching at her wrists now positioned behind her.&nbsp; He tasted of...Si; warm, solid...safe.&nbsp; It was abundantly clear Si was equally willing to take this moment farther; just how far they would go would be a choice for them to make together. Or perhaps not.<br><br>Abruptly, the door to her cabin opened without warning, and a shirtless Griff entered without bothering to knock. Startled by the intrusion and not quite comprehending what the <em><strong>hell</strong></em> a half-naked Griff was doing interloping into her private quarters, her mouth lifted from Si’s as she looked toward the Captain with a dark scowl, although the rest of her body remained unmoving where it was. <br><br><strong>“I... I take it that the debriefing went well? Or… maybe I should say it’s GOING well. I'd... like to hear what you found... whenever you're done...”</strong> <br><br>The Captain’s presence alone would have done the job of dispelling the intimate mood, but the look on Griff’s face as he left was like ice water dousing all existing flames of desire that had only just begun to burn.&nbsp; Sasha replayed his words in her head. “Whenever you’re done...” <em>What <strong>have</strong> I done? <strong>What</strong> are we doing?</em>&nbsp; Her demeanor instantly transformed, Sasha slipped sideways off of Si, and shimmied her shirt back on, swiftly starting to button up its front. After closing a few buttons she paused and looked at Si, reaching out to stroke softly across his cheek, her manner momentarily softening once more. “I’m...sorry, Si. I really....I really didn’t think this one through. I’m not saying no...just no to <em>right now.</em>” She hoped Si understood, and prayed that this - almost liaison - didn’t sully their working relationship. Because whether she would admit it out loud to anyone, she was beginning to realize how much she had begun to depend on this reserved, quietly strong man.<br><br>Finishing buttoning her shirt with sharp, angry movements, Sasha inwardly seethed at Griff's controlling nature. She wasn’t going to go off on some girlish romantic tangent about Griff’s reaction, and took it for what it was.&nbsp; She was well aware that the Captain only cared for her in the same way he cared for the rest of his crew. Nothing he had ever said indicated otherwise, and in all their time together he had never made even one single intimate overture toward her. Their Captain was simply...protective and possessive. Of everything and everyone he considered <em>his</em>. This included all of his crew, but particularly the women. She’d seen this very same reaction with regards to Mae. And if Dani ever ended up bringing someone back to her bunk, she’d get a taste of this side of Griff as well. Plus, it was a damn good thing the two of them weren’t truly attracted to each other, she rationalized to herself - Griff had the complete opposite effect on her that Si did; that...MAN fueled her churning emotions, not calmed them. <br><br>Gruffly she stalked to her cabin door, intent on confronting the cause of so much of her irritation. Pausing with her hand on the doorhandle, she stood with her head cocked to the side, hand on her hip. <em>Hold up...</em>&nbsp; No telling why, but Griff was on the other side of this door half naked; to follow him while she was also not much better than half naked, and both of them in none-too-pleasant moods - what would she expect to accomplish? Better to just get in a good hard workout, eat a decent meal, and face the Captain fully dressed and at least in a hopefully <em>better</em> frame of mind. His rude interruption would be just another unsavory topic to be discussed on the ever-growing list. Stepping back from her still-closed door, she angrily kicked the door with forceful aggression, using the bottom of her boot. “Ta ma de! That Qing wa kao de liu mang!” First Jacob, now Si. <em>Goddamn him, it’s almost as if he was TRYING to keep her from getting any.</em> Spinning around to face Si, hands on her hips, it was clear her mood had definitely swung back to the dark side. Still, she mustered as much control as she could to speak kindly to Si; after all, he was not the focus or cause of her current once-again highly frustrated state.&nbsp; “I <strong>really</strong> need to hit the weights, then grab some grub. I’m guessing most of us missed out on dinner tonight; you want to see if Dani is in any mood to whip us up one of her delicious impromptu meals?”&nbsp; Reaching behind her she opened up the cabin door before striding purposefully back to her wardrobe to snag her workout clothes. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason - she supposed there were many to choose from - but her emotions were churning in agitation again, and she really needed to work off the almost unbearable tension and frustrations burning inside her...and she needed to do it <em>now</em>...hard, and fast. <br><br><br><em>Ta ma de!</em>- Fuck!<br><em>Qing wa kao de liu mang</em> - frog-humping son of a bitch<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>25-10-2011, 04:31:29</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Simeon Gaorong - being the perfect gentleman, as if there were any doubt - aboard The Gamble =-</strong></div><br>Barging in on a woman's private room under nearly any circumstances is the very pinnacle of bad form. The Captain had a tendency to be rather spontaneous in that regard, but even so, it was because of situations exactly like the one in which he found himself at that moment that one did not do such things. Even had Si been elsewhere the Captain would still have been walking in on his First Officer barely dressed in more than her undergarments - disrespectful in the extreme!<br><br>It would be dishonest to claim this was the <em>first</em> thing Simeon thought upon Griff's arrival, but it was at least in the top four. As such, while Griff stammered out his utterances of confusion and none-too-friendly judgement on their interaction (which, given the circumstances, seemed the height of hypocrisy on his part), Simeon managed to suppress his initial plans for his hands and instead resituated himself just a little, turning his shoulder and leaning forward enough to give his topless superior the benefit of using his torso to afford herself some modesty in the face of their captain's scorn. His hands removed themselves from Sasha's arms in favor of resting on her thighs, waiting there to see how she chose to progress from that interruption; he had a hunch it would not be a choice that involved further removal of clothing, rather the reverse. Thus it came as no surprise when she shifted away. The apology, however, was unexpected, and a wonderfully positive sign.<br><br>Despite the seeming sincerity of that brief interlude, a part of him had been worried he was somehow exploiting her, that she had made a mistake or was acting rashly because of the day's events playing havoc with her notoriously wild mood. That she would end their interrupted beginnings of whatever it was they were beginning with an apology for it being cut short, as well as providing direct, unambiguous assurance that future advances in their relationship were not out of the question removed that concern, which was a considerable relief. In reply, Simeon gave his understanding with a warm smile and lifted his hands to her face, holding her gently as he leaned in close and planted a light kiss on top of her head. "I am a patient man, Miss Dearing," he said, stroking his thumb across her lips. "I believe I will survive waiting a while longer."<br><br>Afterward he knew better than to try to put a lid on her temper. There were times to work at calming her and times to let her smolder; this occasion seemed to fall under the latter category. Besides, if he were honest about it, some part of him wanted their captain to face some consequence for his inappropriate behavior. Having that take the form of an irate Sasha seemed fitting, given she was the most injured party involved. So they took their separate courses in the cabin: Sasha working on deciding what she would do next to vent her pent up energy, Simeon quietly straightening up those elements of his ensemble put out of sorts by their brief tumble on the sheets. When she expressed her desperate need for exercise he did allow himself a small smile and, in a lighthearted tone, suggested, "Shall I accompany you for a spotter?" Under most circumstances it would not be a suggestion made in humor - he spotted for her frequently, and vice versa - but somehow he knew she would want some distance from what-could-have-been just then. If he were right there it would likely only work her up further which, though not an unattractive notion, was not what she needed from him at the moment. "I will have a word with the doctor regarding our ration supply. A well-cooked meal may be what everyone needs to make up for the shortened leave opportunity." He nodded his farewell and closed Sasha's cabin door behind him while she prepare to change for a workout, his own path leading him back to the infirmary.<br><br>There was a brief detour involved to make sure he was entirely "settled" before returning to a public setting.<br><br>Once he was presentable, Simeon completed his short trip the infirmary, stopping just outside the doorway and knocking on the frame rather than walking right in. Given Griff's recent example of how things can go wrong when walking into an unknown situation, and knowing both pilot and co-pilot were present in the infirmary (assuming, of course, they had remained where they were supposed to be), prudence seemed the best course of action. "Are the patients decent enough for visitors to enter, Miss Marsdan, or should I put blinders on before I come in?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>25-10-2011, 05:48:02</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- soft whispers and pleading glances – The Gamble *~</strong></div><br><br><br>Smiling coyly, Mae let her eyes flick over towards Dani for a moment to assure herself that the good doctor was busy pretending to ignore what was going on between her patients. It was sweet of her not to rush in and breakup the banter, though Mae suspected she had simply given up trying to keep the two apart. Still, it must have been hard to keep from doctoring Vincent, but she wasn't about to waste the opportunity handed to her. Instead, the love struck pilot attempted and failed to hold back a giggle that slowly turned into a low sexual growl that rippled from her lips as once more her eyes returned to the handsome and slightly battered and bruised figure that was Vincent Kincaid.<br><br><br><strong>"Oh, this. It was suggested that the only thing harder than my head was the hull of the ship. I attempted to prove the contrary, but clearly overestimated the thickness of my skull. Rest assured, it is nothing but a flesh wound and it would take a whole hell of a lot worse to keep me from filling your every desire and being on top... of my game. And that, my love, is a promise you can hold me to whenever and wherever you want."</strong><br><br><br><br>A soft sensual smile tugged at the corners of her lips as Mae felt her body tremble at his promise. Her mind savoured the sensation that tickled her intimately&nbsp; as her emerald green eyes drank him in, etching every detail into her mind's eye as the tip of her pink tongue peeked out to sweep across her lips leaving them shimmering against the overhead lighting.&nbsp; A gentle moan escaped her tight throat, a direct response from the wicked images that danced in her mind, each one stoking the flames of her desire to become intimately connected with the man before her. <br><br><br>"Holding you is just the beginning.&nbsp; I plan to thoroughly explore every inch of you..." leaning closer, Mae lowered her voice to ensure her next words would be for Vincent's ears alone “…..with my tongue, and that's just to start.”&nbsp; Licking her suddenly dry lips Mae paused momentarily before adding "in the mean time I'll have to satisfy myself by pampering you with affection. I'll nurse you back to health with a million kisses.”<br><br><br>Nibbling on her bottom lip, Mae once again let her eyes wander along the landscape of Vincent's body, taking in the powerful muscles that hinted of their presence underneath his clothing, planning a path her lips would soon travel from point A to point B. The desire Mae held for him was quickly growing into a raging inferno, however once her eyes took in the wounded hand it was quickly doused to a low simmer as worry took over lust. <br><br><br>A soft sigh pressed through her lips as her green eyes filled with concern connected with his. "Could you try to stop hurting yourself?&nbsp; Just accept the fact that you're a hardheaded, stubborn jackass.” Enjoying teasing him and showing it with a smile that grew wider as a giggle bubbled along her throat, Mae added “… besides, you can't help it. You're a man.”&nbsp; <br><br><br>The sound of knocking at the door had Mae covering her mouth with one hand as a tiny snort sounded and accompanied the roll of her expressive eyes upon hearing the voice call out from behind the closed door. Mae's expression clearly told Vincent that Si had just unknowingly proved her point when it came to men and jackasses.&nbsp; Not waiting for Dani, Mae took it upon herself to respond. "It's safe. I've still got my clothes on and I haven't ripped Vinnie's from him....not yet anyway, but the night is still young.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>26-10-2011, 03:55:50</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Captain Griffin Kingston, feeling a little stunned, making his way back to the engine room =-</strong></div><br>Lingering just outside of Sasha’s cabin door, Griff struggled to wrap his mind - or probably more accurately, his heart – around what he had just witnessed. He’d never been one to develop romantic feelings for anyone, always keeping things simple, with no strings attached. That was before Sasha had entered his life. He didn’t fully understand the feelings he was experiencing; it was all so foreign to him. So far, he’d coped with the confusing feelings by masking them with anger. However, this time there was no anger to mask his hurt. Instead, he withdrew to what he was best at, who he was at his core, and that was being captain of his boat.<br><br>Suddenly lifting his chin in defiance of the pangs of heartache, Griff resolved to check on his newest crew member as well as the recent modifications to the recently repaired engine. Confident and purposeful strides carried his athletic form through the galley and lounge toward the engine room. Stepping through the bulkhead door, he quickly passed through the supply locker corridor, stepping up over the “knee-knocker” as he entered the engine room in search of Anwar. “Anwar, how’s it going? How’s the old girl holding up?” Glancing about the engine room, he was suddenly drawn to the form laying on the cot beneath a pile of blanket. Griff’s jaw grew stiff at the idea of Anwar sleeping on the job, especially being his first day on the job.<br><br>“Zao gao, Anwar,” he said as approached the cot. “don’t make me regret hiring you on already. Get up!” He kicked the end of the cot as he commanded him to get up, emphasizing his point. He waited for a few seconds and then cursed under his breath. “Bu lang bu you… I’m going to go check on the rest of the crew. When I get back you’d better be up and at least <em>look</em> like you’ve been working, Dohn luh mah?”<br><br>Griff gave the cot another kick of frustration before he turned and exited without waiting for a response, busying his mind with his duties as ship's captain while carefully skirting the issue of Sasha and Si. He knew that he'd have to face Sasha again soon, and regrettable the prospect of seeing her again after seeing her in such an intimate fashion with the former rear admiral only served to bring those powerful, confusing emotions to close to the surface for his liking. Best to push those feelings aside, or deep down. He'd have to find another way to deal with them, though he knew from the look Sasha had shot him upon his interruption that she was none too happy for his presence. And if he knew Sasha at all, she'd have a bone to pick with the Captain soon enough.<br><br><hr><br>Zao gao&nbsp; = Damn it<br>Bu lang bu you = Good-for-nothing…<br>Dohn luh mah = Are we clear?<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>26-10-2011, 15:20:58</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the stowaway – asleep – the Gamble’s engine room=-</strong></div><br>Lulled by the noise and heat and motion of the ship’s flight, she tunneled under her thin, nearly threadbare blanket. Cozy and safe, she sighed, enjoying the images in her mind. Nothing about the doors and hatches opening or closing worried her. They were natural sounds as far as she recalled. Bootsteps landing on the metal plates were music – so accustomed to the noise, she relaxed, her first time being so completely asleep and vulnerable in months.<br><br>The words were just another noise at first, punctuated by a kick to the side of her cot. Blinking awake, she held very still, terrified at the thought of being caught, listening. As the man nearby spoke with authority and irritation, she had to assume she’d not been discovered and that he was addressing someone entirely different. Reluctant to give herself away in case the kick had been aimed at a random inanimate object, she remained frozen in position.<br><br><strong>“Bu lang bu you… I’m going to go check on the rest of the crew. When I get back you’d better be up and at least look like you’ve been working, Dohn luh mah?”<br></strong><br>With another kick to her hiding place, the girl nodded under the blanket, hoping that if her movement were noticed, her audience would assume the capitulation of the person they expected. ‘Anwar’ was it? Had she heard that name before? Listening to the bootsteps clomp away, she heard the hatch close and finally peeked out from under her blanket. Searching the room for evidence of anyone else present, she breathed deeply, wondering how the hell long she’d been asleep. They were in space flight from the turning of the engines, already sweeping the black for speed.<br><br>Now what? She was stuck aboard until they lit on Bernadette? Fine… more food and comfort for her.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>27-10-2011, 13:15:41</strong>
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				<div align="center"><span style="font-size: 20pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: verdana;" class="bbc_font"><strong>Chapter 3: The Venom of Vipers that Glide in the Dust.</strong></span></span></div><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><strong>T</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">he past two weeks voyage had been mostly uneventful for the crew of The Gamble.&nbsp; For the most part things were calm, returning to normal, if such a thing could be said given their lifestyles.Mae and Vince had both healed nicely and been cleared by Dani to resume their duties piloting the dragonfly.&nbsp; In an odd turn of events some of the crew complained of personal belongings going missing, books, clothing, only for them to turn up later in a different location.&nbsp; Then there were the strange and unexplained noises and shufflings that could be heard in the "night", noticed mostly by one - the captain.&nbsp; His mind had begun to ponder, and he found himself circling on the notion his boat was haunted by some unsettled spirit.&nbsp; Sailors from Earth that was had long told ghost stories when things were peculiar-like aboard there ships, so it would stand to reason that if one believed such stories ... the same could happen on a space-bound boat.&nbsp; The captain however, was none too swift to get a reputation as someone superstitious or a crackpot by the crew.&nbsp; And there was no point in spooking anyone right before a job.<br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong>T</strong></span>he Gamble now remained but a day's travel from their destination, Bellerophon. Their job was simple: Rendezvous with the downed Shāyú - one of the newer Osprey class mid-bulk transports, retrieve her cargo, and deliver the goods to a client at a location to be specified at the rendezvous near Isis Canyon.&nbsp; Finally, something would be simple.<br><br><br></span></span><hr><br><div align="center"><strong>-=Captain Griffin Kingston, taking an early morning walk through the ship to clear the cobwebs =-</strong></div><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong>O</strong></span>pening the door to his cabin in the very early morning hours of the morning shift, Griff leaned out from his stateroom, first peeking down the corridor towards the flight deck where he noticed Mae nursing a steaming cup of coffee while poring over the ships navigation charts and flight systems. A small smile creased one corner of his mouth despite the worry that plagued his thoughts. Turned to scan in the other direction, he was satisfied the crew, with the exception of Mae, were not yet stirring about the ship.<br><br><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong>G</strong></span>riff was worried over the mission, concerned that there was some detail he’d overlooked, some angle that he missed that might play to their disadvantage and put his ship and crew in harm’s way. To help calm his nerves, Griff had slipped from his bed - where he’d lay awake for the last hour, staring at the cold steel of his ceiling – and decided to take a stroll through his ship before the rest of the crew began to stir. As he slipped naked from his room, he turned aft and started his au naturel trek through out The Gamble, all the while watching and listening for signs of anything out of the ordinary, should the ghost that he felt certain was haunting his ship reveal itself on his naked excursion. He was hoping to clear his head, regain some focus on the mission and potentially catch anything he might have missed, and over the years he’d found this to be one of the best ways to achieve that.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>01-11-2011, 04:29:17</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Hey! Who drank my coffee? – In the cockpit, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br><br><div class="floatleft">(http://topnews.in/light/files/avril-lavigne111.jpg)</div>The black was never more silent than during the early hours of the morning when life on The Gamble was at rest. Mae Little sat quietly, dressed in nothing but a man's white button down shirt and her favourite pink fuzzy slippers.&nbsp; The shirt was courtesy of Vincent, the slippers were vintage Mae. Sitting comfortably, perched on her pilots chair at the helm with one leg tucked under the opposite knee of her extended leg that bounced softly; Mae cupped a steaming cup of coffee inhaling the intoxicating aroma lost in a haze. The heavenly scent wrapped its succulent temptation around her senses and teased her taste buds as she examined the navigation charts, or attempted to while smiling at the memories so recently made the night before. <br><br>It was clear to anyone observing the dreamy blond pilot that Mae's heart and mind were not in the cockpit. Instead they were back in Vincent Kincaid's bed, snuggled close under the covers, happy and warm and completely content to be wrapped in the arms of the man that had sailed past her defences and stolen her heart. It was hard to believe that it had only been a few short weeks for the young lovers as a couple; they had bonded so quickly, it felt like they had been together for years. Once released from the Med Bay, Mae had spent every night since in his bed, sharing secrets in the dead of the night, whispering softly and teasing each other before falling into a peaceful sleep. At first they had been comforting each other as Vincent's injuries had been far too extensive for the kind of action most people would assume was going on behind that closed door. Mae had been anxious to get to the good stuff, but not at the risk of hurting him further.&nbsp; So she placed herself as his personal nurse, doing whatever it took to bring him back to full health, fully fit and in top condition. <br>&nbsp;<br>Lost in a warm memory Mae smiled, letting the emotions shine from her expression as she slowly drew the coffee mug to her lips. The happy smile faltered for a moment when a frown formed on her lips as creamy sweet goodness failed to trip along her tongue as she had expected.&nbsp; Pulling the cup away from her lips Mae looked down into the now hollow mug and wondered where her coffee had gone. Turning the mug upside down Mae watched as a single drop of cream coloured liquid hung from the rim before falling to its doom onto her bare knee. "There must be a hole in the mug" she grumbled as she moved to untangle her legs to slip from her seat in preparation of the trek from the cockpit to the galley.&nbsp; <br><br>Padding quietly so not to wake the others, Mae moved with grace along the corridor, her every movement whispering secrets of a very satisfied young lady. Her long blond hair still mussed from a warm night spent in Vincent's arms and the slightly wrinkled shirt kissing the top of her thighs as her movements brought her closer to her destination helped create an unmistakable aurora of undiluted sex appeal.&nbsp; Pausing just outside of the cockpit, Mae smiled at the closed door that hid her sleeping lover, her hand rose elegantly through the still air before being placed upon the cool steel door. Her intention to join her boyfriend in an impromptu love session was interrupted when the sense that another was awake captured her attention. Turning her head to one side, Mae giggled as she spotted Griff as nature had intended. Her hand slowly slipped from the cool surface of the steel door to land on her waist as she cocked her hip to one side and offered the captain a sassy grin.<br><br>"Hey there Capt’n No-Pants, how's it hanging?”<br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>01-11-2011, 10:54:02</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Simeon Gaorong - making a cameo appearance in his own movie - aboard The Gamble =-</strong></div><br>It was too early to be awake on a non-working day. Not that any day aboard The Gamble is truly a non-working day for its First Officer, but Sasha had nothing urgent planned that day. No ground assault to stage. No robbery to plot. No protection escort to lay out. They didn't even have any diplomatic conversations to endure. There was literally nothing but the daily mundane tasks of running the ship on her plate, and yet she lay awake, her mind too active to let her drift back off for the next few hours that she wouldn't be needed outside of her cabin. It was hard not to be annoyed at herself. As if the Captain's interventions to prevent her getting her proper down time when she had the opportunities weren't enough, now she was robbing herself of rest on top of it?<br><br>She wouldn't let herself stew uselessly for long. If she was going to be awake, fine, she'd be awake. There were other ways to pass some time before going on duty.<br><br>Sasha lifted herself gingerly from her bunk, leaving the sheets rumpled behind her as she rose and stretched her arms up over her head, displaying the loveliness of her bare body to her uncaring metal quarters in a luxurious moment of posturing. Time seemed to slow down, fixating on her bare back and shoulders, the lengths of her legs, the bending of her arms behind her head atop the spill of her tousled hair. Wonderful.<br><br>Eventually reality set itself back in motion to let the ship's first mate progress to her sink for a quick splash and slurp from her hands, a few moments spent looking at herself in the built-in mirror where she's bent over the basin, watching her own face until she had to smile. Ah, not her own face; she was looking at the edge of her bed where she could see its reflection over her shoulder. She righted herself and turned, back pressed to the edge of her sink, crossed her arms over her breasts and her legs at the ankles, a cocksure smile on her face. "I should have known you'd be awake, too," she said. There was a hint of chastisement in her voice as she asked, "How long have you been watching me, Si?"<br><br>Simeon's eyes opened.<br><br>It had been so solid, so sure, that waking up was disorienting. He was in his quarters, where he was supposed to be, but it felt strange and off-kilter as he sat up and turned to the edge of his cot. He was on time, as usual (and irritated by that for just a moment, wondering how much longer the dream might have gone had he slept in for a while), but felt late, heavy. For a moment, just a moment, he felt his age catching up to him. The active, virile, passionate Simeon was far away in the bed of an unfairly attractive young lady, while over here he was sitting in a quiet, ship-temperature cabin by himself.<br><br>Then he got over it. Damned if he would idle on such discouraging thoughts when the future looked so very promising. He may have awakened an older man, but he rose from his bed with the confidence of one with plenty of vigor yet in his bones. With that brief lapse out of the way he carried on with his usual routine, concluding his resolution of his recent brush with his fantasy life by collecting his towel and departing from his quarters en route to the upper deck shower, towel wrapped around his waist over his boxers as usual. Upon exiting his quarters he reflected briefly on another aspect of recent crew relations. He'd done his work as normal in recent weeks, but he'd given the Captain more space than usual since the incident in Sasha's quarters. It seemed best to give the man time to cool his head and recall reasonable priorities. A quick shower would help put everything to order and ready him for the day ahead. That is the strength of routine.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>08-11-2011, 00:14:15</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Adorable sleepy haze mode – Vincent’s Quarters=-</strong></div><br>Taking in a slow deep breath, Vincent stirred slightly in his bed as his arm searched the empty space next to him with his eyes still closed.&nbsp; After a moment of sweeping without success, he lifted his head a few inches off his pillow and partially opened his heavy eyelids.&nbsp; His mind was still lagging from his deep slumber so it took him a second or two to realize Mae was not only absent from his bed, but also his room as a whole.&nbsp; A disappointed frown tugged lightly at his lips as he noticed the indentation in the extra pillow next to his without the lingering heat in the mattress from having just missed her.&nbsp; Granted it would only take a minute or two for that warmth to dissipate, but the co-pilot preferred to at least be conscious as his girlfriend prepared for her morning shift.&nbsp; Then again, it had happened before where he appeared conscious for the short time Mae was getting ready, even going as far as exchanging slurred banter and other friskier actions without only to lose all recollection of that.<br><br>Without the option of having the genuine article to cuddle up against, Vincent settled for using a proxy in the form of her pillow as he pulled it under his arm and against his chest.&nbsp; A languid moan of delight reverberated in his throat as the subtle aroma of Mae’s hair that had lingered in the fabric of the pillowcase drifted into his nose.&nbsp; Satisfied with the silver lining of his mildly disappointing moment of semi-alertness, Vincent closed his eyes and begun to drift back into dreamland when he heard a partially muffled effeminate voice from the other side of his door.&nbsp; <em>”Hey there Capt,n No-Pants, how’s it hanging?”</em>&nbsp; The nickname Mae had chosen suggested as to the attire Griff had chosen to wear that morning, or lack thereof and he couldn’t help but chuckle lightly.&nbsp; Ever since their last group of passengers the notion of Griff’s all-naturale walkabouts had become synonymous with Mrs. Sylvester.&nbsp; Vincent had wished she hadn’t left the ship for moments such as those even at his own risk of falling victim to her feisty nature.&nbsp; The green-eyed monster that had until recently thrown him into a jealous fit at the notion of Griff flaunting himself in front of Mae had been banished in the wake of recent events.&nbsp; Namely how Mae was now his girlfriend.&nbsp; He trusted her completely and knew that while together any flirtatious banter she exchanged with the rest of the crew wouldn’t have the meaning behind it that she reserved for him.&nbsp; This time it was only one eye that opened partially to look at his door wondering if he would soon have a visitor.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>08-11-2011, 06:34:58</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Griff raised his arms, stretching his tired, sluggish muscles as he neared the hatch that sealed off the rest of the ship from the corridor leading to the flight deck. The smooth metal floor was cool to against the bare soles of his feet, sending a wave of gooseflesh washing over his body. Wrapping his hand around the latch of the closed door, Griff was slightly startled by the sudden, but pleasant sound of Mae’s mischievous giggle just a few feet behind him. He had been lost in thought concerning the upcoming mission and the possible ghost that haunted his ship and hadn’t heard Mae as she quietly moved from the flight deck. Standing just outside of Vince’s door, Mae was but a few feet from where he now stood. He hadn’t thought he’d be caught by anyone this early in the morning, and Mae had seemed so absorbed in her star charts just moments ago… needless to say, he was surprised to see her standing there when he turned to face her.<br><br><strong>"Hey there Capt’n No-Pants, how's it hanging,”</strong> he heard her ask in that teasing, melodic voice. With a guilty smirk, Griff glanced down at his nakedness. Giving an indifferent shrug of his shoulders, he answered in a matter-of-fact tone. “Hanging pretty well, wouldn’t ya say?” He grinned playfully before quickly adding, “I THOUGHT it felt a bit drafty.”<br><br>&nbsp;The twinkle in her eyes and the alluring glow of her fair complexion was a testament to what was truly on her mind. The sound of a door was heard closing deeper into the ship and Griff knew he’d missed his chance at some quiet alone time for his early morning stroll. Instead, he resigned himself to a morning workout. But first, some clothes would be in order. “Déjà vu, right?” he chuckled playfully. “We really should stop meeting like this, Meimei. If you’ll excuse me, I should be getting dressed now.” He gave her a knowing wink as he brushed past her, back to his stateroom door. “You two have fun, but try not to be too long. Someone needs to be on deck soon, okay? I know we have autopilot, but I don’t pay two pilots for the ship to be on autopilot.” He wasn’t scolding or being hard, he simply wanted to make sure his pilots didn’t start growing lax on their flight duties to spend their time with each other instead. Turning from Mae finally, he slipped back into his room and closed the door.<br><br>Crossing the room to his wardrobe, he pulled out a pair of white boxer briefs and stepped into them, pulling them up snug. Slipping into a comfortable pair of shorts he used to workout in, Griff finally left his room a few minutes later with a towel and a canteen of water. He would make his way down to the workout area and put in a good hour’s workout before breakfast. The rest of the crew would be up soon and busy about their duties and preparations for the job ahead.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>08-11-2011, 16:54:06</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the stowaway – preparing to launder – lower deck of the Gamble=-</strong></div><br>Comfortably cemented in her private world aboard the ship, the girl still had certain utilities missing from ‘her cabin’, namely a shower and laundry facilities. Anything that needed washing beyond a little sink rinse was outside her control ‘cept for that conveniently situated area right next to the infirmary. Having medical supplies, a full body shower, and clothes washing machine with dryer all right next to each other was genius, and she thanked the designers of this craft for placing them all just at the foot of her favorite spiral staircase. Slipping down from the galley, she listened for movement before looking around the corner at the infirmary, knowing that there should not be anyone there to surprise her… but then, that’s why it was called a surprise.<br><br>Sensing no one along the corridor, she smirked and carried her small bundle of pilfered items to the washing machine. Guessing that their destination was about to loom up into the flight deck’s window array any day now, she assumed others would shortly be using the laundering opportunity to have clean clothes aboard Bernadette. Hm… how to get off the Gamble without notice from her crew. Considering the replenishing of water and fuel, the restocking of any supplies, there should come a number of amply suitable situations in which to lose herself off the cargo bay doors. If that area were too closely watched for some reason, she could always create an accidental opening of the bomb bay doors in the center of the cargo area. Even if she just used that for distraction instead of escaping out the hatch, she was golden. No one caring about the Gamble would ignore the strangeness those doors opening unexpectedly. Everyone would have turned for just enough time to slip out unnoticed down the gangplank.<br><br>Holding back her sigh of satisfaction lest she be overheard, the girl thought about her appearance as she set the machine to wash her borrowed clothing… as an afterthought, adding any other loose items that were needing a wash just in case someone came around looking for laundry before hers were done. No reason not to be kind. Nearly nude, she tucked into the shower and secured the door, already starting up the water to a comfortable temperature. She hung the reserved towel and stripped off the overly long wife-beater, considering her hair in the small mirror on the wall. Her blond roots were showing, making her henna colored hair appear flame like. Hmmm… she could shave it all off and start anew… but any notices describing her as she’d escaped her initial prison would have mentioned her nearly white blond locks. Maybe she could find another fantastically floppy hat once on the ground. Stepping under the water, she finally allowed that sigh, enjoying the feel of the spray over her skin. Bathing quickly, she lingered with her hair, enjoying the sudsy feel of her curls between her fingers as she massaged her scalp.<br><br>Done with washing, she scrubbed out her mouth, the last lovely coffee flavors disappearing with the rinse. If only more crew started up their cups of coffee to leave them sitting around on counter spaces… but she’d nearly been caught by the light step of a tiny crewmember, someone who got too close only a little while ago in the galley. No more risks like that – she’d not even been able to refill the cup to disguise her drinking it.<br><br>Glad to have made off with flossing tape from the galley a week ago, she couldn’t remember having a mouth so clean as these last few days. Well… to be succinct, she still couldn’t remember much of anything. At least her headaches didn’t surprise her so badly anymore, filling her mind with other things to focus upon. She’d snatched up a few books from the common area, paged books being a rare commodity in the black. Recalling her stash back in ‘her cabin’, she supposed she should return all the things she’d borrowed so that they could be found later.<br><br>Heh, borrowed, found… what’s the difference? It all exists in space and time, nothing owned by anyone but through their perceptions of a relationship with an item, a thing that has no personality or decision-making process for itself. The thing did not decide that it belonged to the person. Did that make the ownership invalid? Was she a thief for taking and not returning something of equal worth in exchange? By most laws, she was… but to starve when there was food available, was that not a crueler fate than the repercussions of jail or beatings? Yes, she determined, better to take without asking and suffer afterward than to allow one to suffer throughout. A rather simple way of protecting herself from the guilt that edged at her brain, but it was all she had, her need to run diminished by the comfort she’d found aboard the ship.<br><br>Shaking herself mentally, she exited the shower, dried herself with the towel and tucked her curvy body back into the stretched out sleeveless white shirt, pulling the thin hem down around her hips like a sheath dress. Leaning against the still locked door, she started her countdown to 200, working past the noises of the nearby washing machine to listen for movement along the floor or walls.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>09-11-2011, 06:41:28</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Offering a personal wake-up call – Vincent’s Quarters, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br><br>The sound of Mae’s giggle infiltrated the silence during the early hours, bringing a playful smile to her lips as she watched her friend and Captain shrug his strong shoulders without a care in the world. Not many could be as comfortable in their skin as Griff was, but then again he had absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.&nbsp; &nbsp;Mae let her eyes drop as her earlier question was turned back upon her requesting her expert opinion. <br><br><strong>“Hanging pretty well, wouldn’t ya say? I THOUGHT it felt a bit drafty.”</strong><br><br>Green twinkling eyes swept Griff’s form; examining him fully in order to make an informed decision. Nodding her head and causing her blond locks to shimmer in the dim corridor light Mae slowly dragged her eyes back to meet the mesmerizing chocolate orbs that seemed to simmer with the promise of sensual satisfaction, a promise Mae knew from personal experience that he could deliver all too well. One hand moved to play along the buttons of the oversized shirt that hid the soft curves of her youthful figure as her mind played with images from their past. Dampening her lips and teasingly purring her approval, Mae let her expressive green eyes say what her words couldn’t or wouldn’t voice aloud.<br><br>“I would have to agree with you there Capt’n, you’re lookin’ mighty tasty I must say” Mae teased as she pulled back her shirt and only scrap of clothing that kept her from joining Griff in the state of complete undress. Grasping the top button that connected the two sides of the material together, Mae mischievously fanned her semi naked form before adding “the only thing keeping me from takin’ a nibble or two is that man behind this door.”&nbsp; Mae’s hand moved once again to the smooth metal door, unconsciously stroking along the metal surface, the last barrier and only thing keeping her from the man she adored. <br><br>As Griff brushed past her on his way to his private quarters Mae took a step back, pressing her back against the wall, enjoying the all too brief contact with the handsome warrior. <strong>“You two have fun, but try not to be too long. Someone needs to be on deck soon, okay? I know we have autopilot, but I don’t pay two pilots for the ship to be on autopilot.” </strong>&nbsp; <br><br>Mae wouldn’t deny that Griff still had the power to get her motor running. Even though she knew as well as he that nothing would come of it, the man held a special place in her heart that the young pilot would always hold dear.&nbsp; Her feelings for Griff were like a throbbing pulse that vibrated through her body. A raw and primal need, part lust and part admiration, and held under tight control with a thin threat of a possible explosion hovering in the background. All in all completely different to those she held for Vincent.&nbsp; Her attraction to Vincent was all consuming, mind, body and soul, controlled by a need to be with him in any and every way possible. Just as powerful though more dangerous than pure sexual attraction, with Vincent there was greater risk of being hurt. It was a risk she was willing to take, putting her trust and her heart into his caring hands.<br><br>“Fun seems like such an understatement” Mae replied impishly as she quietly opened the door to Vincent’s private quarters, leaving Griff to get on with his morning and bringing her a few steps closer to the man she loved.&nbsp; <br><br>Sliding the door closed behind her, Mae cocked her head to one side, smiling as she struck a sensual pose, resting one hand on the doorjamb causing the borrowed shirt to rise along her thighs in a most enticing manner. Her other hand lay loosely, still holding the empty coffee mug as her long blond hair fell like silk over her shoulders. The image of her softly curved body draped in the silk of Vincent’s shirt was enough to cause any man’s heart rate to increase, even with her feet encased in her ridiculous pink slippers that she loved so much. <br><br>The sight of her lover lying naked under the thin sheets had her heart skipping a beat and her voice dropping to a sensual hum the clung to each word as they vibrated along her tongue. The sound of the mug falling to the floor sent a faint echo through the room as Mae pushed away from the doorframe, kicking free of her beloved slippers. Slowly, Mae began a slow and sensual strut towards the bed as slim nimble fingers worked the tiny buttons free one by one. With each concord button the shirt grew more lax, revealing the creamy soft curves hidden beneath the silky fabric. Pausing at an arm’s length away from her lover, Mae allowed the shirt to slide over her shoulders and along her arms, leaving a shiver to follow as the cool material slipped down her soft skin to pool by her feet.&nbsp; The smile that glittered in the depths of her green eyes held more devil than angel as she spoke, further fuelling the already sensually charged atmosphere until&nbsp; her every concern, memory and thought simply fell away until there was nothing for her in the entire verse but him.<br><br>A playful smile tugged at the corners of her lips as Mae took one step closer before whispering into the still air. “Did you order a wakeup call Mr. Kincaid?”&nbsp; <br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>10-11-2011, 03:00:33</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Fighting off the army of Zzzzzzz's - Vincent's Quarters=-</strong></div><br>Despite his best efforts to retain hold on consciousness, the monotonic reverberations added to the voices on the other side of the door were hypnotizing.&nbsp; Between that and finding himself in the elusive super-comfy position the world around him became equal parts dream and reality.&nbsp; Perhaps inspired by his half-attentive mind, Vincent visualized his girlfriend talking to Griff who wore nothing but a cape and an iconic logo on his chest displaying CNP while striking a dynamic action pose.&nbsp; The two spoke, but their words did not register in his mind; though the two hallucinatory figures virtually ogled each other in a way that not only suggested restrained desires, but a sort of familiarity as though that had done so before.&nbsp; The resulting pang of hurt that struck him in the chest was enough to pull him back into reality.<br><br>It took him a moment to sort out fact from fiction before he rejected that entire scene as being a construct of his imagination.&nbsp; With that and the reassuring feeling of his trust and love Mae was enough to&nbsp; wipe his feelings of doubt and depression along with them.&nbsp; <em>What a weird dream.</em><br><br>The sound of his door opening coaxed another slow deep breath to be drawn into his lungs in an impromptu yawn as he looked towards the source of the noise.&nbsp; The sight of Mae's choice in familiar clothing caused his brow to rise with interest while blinking several times to make sure he wasn't dreaming again.&nbsp; As she struck her post that caused his shirt to ride high enough for his libido to wake fully while at the same time remaining just modest enough to not require a strategically placed censor bar.&nbsp; Even if just barely.&nbsp; "Wow, that shirt looks so much better on you than it ever has on me.&nbsp; As long as you promise to continue wearing it like that for me, you can have it."<br><br>Vincent's heart raced with anticipation as she pushed herself off the door frame and begun her slow approach to his bed, which was only exacerbated as her fingers began sensually unfastening the sole garment upon her beautiful body.&nbsp; Even a blind man would have been able to see the excited expression on his face as he focused upon Mae's enticing movement.&nbsp; When the shirt finally went into freefall, Vincent let out a low pleased moan with the vision before him.<br><br><em>“Did you order a wakeup call Mr. Kincaid?”</em><br><br>Her devious smile was matched by one of his own, if just a little more languid from recently waking.&nbsp; "So you did get the note I left on your seat last night.&nbsp; I was a little vague on how to get me up..."&nbsp; Vincent allowed his eyes the chance to more thoroughly roam along her lean form before shifting beneath the blanket as his body reacted as one would expect from a male with an insatiable libido.&nbsp; "But it would seem you got me up quite easily."&nbsp; He made sure to punctuate that double entendre with a suggestive wink just to make sure she got it.&nbsp; Shifting to the side, he moved her pillow back to his rightful position while making room for her to join him.&nbsp; "It looks a little chilly out there.&nbsp; I kept our cocoon of blankets nice and warm if you would like to join me, my love."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>28-11-2011, 03:09:29</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- The call of the wild…..and alarms to duty – Vincent's Quarters, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br>“You’re lucky I was able to decipher that chicken scrawl you call hand writing” Mae teased as she slipped under the covers, moulding her body against his and purring as the instant gratification of body heat warmed her chilled toes. “At first I thought you were asking to get you a cup…” as if to make her point Mae glanced where the now empty cup lay resting on the floor. “I swear I had filled it with coffee to share with you but I must have been dreaming that part.”&nbsp; Turning her attention back to the man now wrapped around her body, Mae wiggled her hips and smiled with sassy cheek. “But from the looks of it, you don’t need caffeine to get your motor running.”&nbsp; With a waggle of her eyebrows, Mae pressed against his body as her lips searched out the tender spots along Vincent's neck, kissing and licking her way leaving a trail of warm skin in her wake.&nbsp; <br><br>“I put the alarm on…” Mae whispered between kisses as her body shifted to straddle her lover as she continued to inform her partner of her morning activities. “I figure we have some time to kill before we will be needed for the final approach to Bellerophon” each word was delivered with a breathy sweetness, designed to tempt a saint. However, just in case her intentions were lost on the sexy copilot, Mae decided to use her fingers to underline her suggestion. Slowly, her fingers danced along his chest, stroking the ripples that formed under his skin emphasizing his muscular body in mouthwatering detail. Smiling as she sat perched over his thighs Mae watched Vincent as her fingers found their way lower, stroking his member tenderly as her eyes danced with mischief. “The only real question now is….how many times can you make me scream out your name before the bell sounds?” The sounds that floated through the room playfully danced along the air currents treating all those within hearing distance to hints of the pleasures that took place behind the closed doors. <br><br>Pulling her long blond hair into a pony tail, Mae smiled as the cool air cooled her heated body. Her skin shimmered in the light as it caught the fine coating of perspiration that clung to her skin. “I like this wakeup call duty. I think I might have missed my calling” she teased before flopping back down onto the bed, one leg resting across his thighs as her fingers traced random shapes over Vincent's bare chest.&nbsp; A small giggle bubbled from her throat as she looked up into his warm loving eyes. This was without a doubt her favourite part of the day, wrapped in the arms of the man she loved having spent the early hours in paradise.<br><br>The ship was slowly waking as the scent of coffee floated on the air tempting the crew to emerge from their private quarters. The sound of life was all around them, urging the two lovers to abandon their nest in order to start the day a new. However, neither seemed inclined to move until the earsplitting horn sounded the alarm alerting the two pilots of their duty and the upcoming planet that was their destination. Mae grinned before springing from the bed, leaving the blankets to puddle on the floor beside the bed. A quick scan of the small room allowed the young pilot to locate the buttoned shirt that had covered her body only a few short hours prior. “Come on slow poke, you don't want to let me have all the fun do you?”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>01-12-2011, 03:40:03</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Up and ready for the day - Vincent (and Mae's) Quarters, The Gamble=-</strong></div><br>Vincent had been about to return a quip of his own in response to the criticism of his handwriting, but the sudden coldness of Mae's feet pressing against his flesh converted his words into a single surprised yelp.&nbsp; Though he was taken aback by the sudden chilled touch, he made no attempt to break the contact of their bodies.&nbsp; As a reward for his fortitude, even if entirely unrelated, he all but melted on the spot at the feeling of Mae's lips expressing their affection along his neck.&nbsp; By some wondrous mercy by the laws of physics, he managed to maintain his solid state and instead expressed his pleasure with a sound that was part moan and part purr.<br><br>As she shifted her body to reposition herself upon him, he did his best to listen to her words, which was quite difficult considering the distractions she was presenting him.&nbsp; The feeling of her fingers trailing over his torso, moving lower and lower along his body caused his back to involuntarily arch against her.&nbsp; It wasn't until he felt her soft hand wrap around his manhood that he realized his breath had been locked in his lungs only because he found himself drawing in a much needed breath that shuddered with need and anticipation.&nbsp; When he recovered enough to roll his eyes out from the back of his head, he was met with Mae's gaze that suggested all sorts of wonderfully delightful things to come.<br><br><em>“The only real question now is….how many times can you make me scream out your name before the bell sounds?”</em><br><br>A sultry smile of his own graced Vincent's lips.&nbsp; "Depends, think we can get away with programming the ship to orbit Bellerophon for another day or fifty?"&nbsp; Though they would not be fortunate enough to have that additional time together, the two lovers certainly made the most of the time they had alone not caring how far outside of his room their session of passion could be heard.<br><br><hr><br><em>“I like this wakeup call duty. I think I might have missed my calling.”</em><br><br>Vincent's body still sang with lingering ecstasy as he held Mae close while trying not to let la petite mort claim him.&nbsp; "If that is you formally putting in your application, consider yourself hired.&nbsp; I'll even set you up with a rather generous benefits package along with the position."&nbsp; All joking aside, there was no better way the copilot could dream of spending the morning than embracing his girlfriend while they both basked in the afterglow.<br><br>Eventually the sound of the ship rousing for another day became too abundant to ignore and further attempts to do so would border on shirking duties.&nbsp; And yet, the two still managed to procrastinate as long as they could until the ship alerted them that further lethargy could be rather disastrous for the crew.&nbsp; "I would suggest installing a snooze button on <em>that</em> particular alarm, but something tells me that would not be a wise idea."&nbsp; Vincent had a suspicion that Mae had calculated her ejection from the bed to intentionally pull the blankets from his grasp, exposing him to the comparatively cool air of the ship that would be the final motivator to pull him from his bed.&nbsp; <em>Well played.</em><br><br><em>“Come on slow poke, you don't want to let me have all the fun do you?”</em><br><br>Vincent had just managed to pull himself out of bed and retrieve a pair of pajama pants that he kept on hand for instances that required his attention too urgently to dress fully.&nbsp; "Of course not, why do you think I'm not bothering to put on underwear yet?"&nbsp; He shot Mae a wink before pulling up his bottoms and walking towards his door, making sure to playfully spank that transitioned fluidly into a grope before opening the door to make their way to the cockpit.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>01-12-2011, 13:33:14</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=The Crew of the Shāyú on Bellerophon=-</strong></div><br>Bellerophon: The tenth planet orbiting the White sun. It is a technologically advanced Alliance world, and home to the wealthy. Its large ocean and an vast expanse of empty. Inhospitable desert climate, complete with canyons, rocks and sand, dominate the planets terrain; the same terrain where the crew of Shāyú now found themselves. Having had to set down in an emergency landing, the pilot of the Osprey, mid-bulk transport ship struggled just to set her down in once piece. The ship was going down whether he liked it or not so he couldn’t exactly be choosey on where he put the ship down. As it happened, they landed just a few hundred yards shy of the Isis Canyon, the most remote, barren, and uninhabited region on the entire planet.<br><br>The sun perched high in the afternoon sky, the sweltering heat searing the already baked cliffs that loomed ominously at the canyon’s precipice. A couple of the ship’s crew busied themselves with moving the remainder of the cargo from the hold in the knowledge that another ship was en route to transfer the goods and complete the delivery. Other crew members busied themselves bitching and moaning about the heat, their luck, each other and anything else they could find to bitch and moan about, and still others sat in the shade of the crippled Osprey and did as little as possible in an attempt to cool off.&nbsp; <br><br>“Put a lid on it Sykes! I’m tired of hearing your lips flapping,” the captain of the crew ordered irritably. A dark haired woman with a fierce look in her eyes sat on the ground with her back against her hull of her ship, a ship that was relatively new and should NOT be gimped. Needless to say she had more than most to be upset about. “If you insist on whining I’ll be more than happy to give you something to whine about.”<br><br><hr><br><div align="center"><strong>-=Griffin Kingston, captain - Preparing to meet the day=-</strong></div><br>Griff emerged from his quarters a short time later, dressed in his usual work attire and ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The aroma of breakfast had begun to waft throughout the ship as the crew awoke and prepared for the day’s duties. Making his way down the corridor towards the galley, a small smile pulled one corner of his mouth at the sight of most of his crew assembled at the table and the smell of Dani’s delicious breakfast. Pouring himself a cup of fresh coffee, he took at seat at the dinner table and began helping himself to the fixin’s. No sooner had he taken a bite from the hot biscuit than the klaxon sounded as the ships proximity alarm sounded, triggered by their approach on Bellerophon. He groaned with a pause and then quickly shoveled in a few heaping forks full of scrambled eggs. Grabbing a biscuit and his coffee he pushed himself from the table and prepared for the work ahead of them.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>01-12-2011, 14:01:05</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Simeon Gaorong - discussing culinary differences - aboard The Gamble =- </strong></div><br>"...still say having eggs unspiced is a tiny tragedy, but one must make do with what one has at hand. Ah, Captain, good morning." Simeon spared the ship's owner a smart nod and a more ambiguous wave of a utensil from the galley's preparatory area, still fixing a bit of the day's breakfast for the crew alongside Miss Marsdan. While not always involved in the crew's meals, now and then the combination of needing something physical to do and wanting to help out the young doctor with the food was too much to bear without acting on the urge so created. This was such a day. Following his routine shower and dress, the older man simply needed to have a task at hand on which he could act. They would have work to do soon enough planetside, no doubt, but they weren't quite there yet. Idle hands had the potential to turn toward less productive ends if left in that state. Thus, he had set to work.<br><br>What does an ex-Alliance naval officer wear to cook? Why, his uniform of course: the classic blue variety in this case, all prim and crisp and stand-up.<br><br>And a multi-colored apron.<br><br>With frilly trim.<br><br>He'd been asked why the feminine accessory the first time he'd brought it out aboard The Gamble some months earlier. His answer? "I have found those who bear grudges toward what this uniform represents have difficulty bringing themselves to attack a screen of colorful butterflies."<br><br>And so it was an artificial field of wings accompanied Si's delivery of a skillet of scrambled eggs - or at least the closest he could manage to a full skillet of scrambled eggs using one real egg and various protein supplements - to the dining area, sliding it into the center of the table for the crew to draw shares from as they were ready. "You have a knack for arriving just in time to get your food while it is still hot. Always refreshing to be reminded there are others who value punctuality. I am reminded of-" The beginning of his reminiscing was cut off by the intrusion of the ship's proximity alert, doubtless to the relief of those who would have comprised his audience. Sometimes the veteran's stories could be entertaining, but nostalgia about being on time? That couldn't have been going anywhere fun. "Sooner rather than later, then," he concluded, sitting down to have a quick plate himself. If that was the grounding alarm he'd likely be needed on the surface before long. Best to be ready before then.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>04-12-2011, 21:53:24</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Preparing for another smooth landing – Cockpit, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br>A giddy squeak mixed with a giggle accompanied the happy grin that danced in Mae’s green eyes as her lover awarded a sharp spanking to her backside. “I’ll see your no underwear and raise you going braless” The teasing pleasure sang with each word spoken as the bubble of happiness surrounded her. It matched the healthy glow of her skin, barely contained by the ear to ear grin that seemed permanently placed upon her lips. Mae was truly in love. The vastness of the verse seemed to pale when compared to her smile, and with it her good mood helped to pushed her out the door even though she was barely dressed. <br><br>Skipping down the hall, Mae hurried to fasten the tiny buttons that would hide the toned body blessed with all the soft curves a girl could need. With each happy step her ponytail swept across her back, kissing each shoulder blade.&nbsp; Tilting her head to one side Mae took pleasure, enjoying the view of Vincent before her, absorbing the movement of his muscles that played against the skin of his bare back. He was striking. Just the simple glance had her heart racing and pounding excitedly, bringing with it a sultry smile to her lips<br><br>Brought out of her heated fantasy by the sound of approaching footsteps, Mae turned with a start to see another figure behind her. Griff was heading towards the cockpit holding what remained of his breakfast with a look of determination in his dark brown eyes. The image was commanding and unbelievably sexy adding fuel to the already raging desire that thickened her blood.&nbsp; “This ship is way to stacked with yummy treats” Mae mumbled to herself as her eyes skipped from one sexy vision to the other, with each turn of her head her long blond hair swept her skin leaving a trail of goosebumps in its silky wake.<br><br>Pausing in the narrow hallway Mae smiled as she watched the charismatic captain of The Gamble come closer. The heat of her passion stirred by her lover and co-pilot was unmistakable, sending out waves of enticing desire to wrap around her fellow crew members, drawing them to share in her pure satisfaction. “Well thanks Captin’ No-Pants” Mae called out as she snatched the still warm biscuit rom his hands. Tearing a small piece from the biscuit, Mae smiled wider as she popped it into her mouth, moaning as the simple pleasure of a warm, buttery biscuit filled her mouth with yummy goodness. “Mmmmm that’s good.”<br><br>Turning sharply, Mae tossed a playful wink over her shoulder before walking the rest of the way into the cockpit, each step infused with a captivating bounce. “Hungry baby?” she asked as once more a piece was torn from the stolen ration before being placed against Vincent’s lips. Leaning down, causing the shirt keeping her covered to rise revealing the tops of her creamy white thighs, Mae tugged at his ear with her teeth before taking her place at the helm.&nbsp; <br><br>Dancing to the music that played in her mind, Mae busied her fingers with the switches and gadgets that needed setting in order to prepare for the penetration of the atmosphere. “What’s the good word cap-ee-tan? I’m thinking a surprise landing with a side of gun fire isn’t in the cards.”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Miss Lilly</strong> on <strong>07-12-2011, 03:57:17</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dani, in the galley, rustlin' up breakfast for the hungry hoards=-</strong></div><br>Early morning on board The Gamble was Dani's favourite time of day.&nbsp; It wasn't that she didn't like being around the crew...they were, in her estimation, family.&nbsp; But sometimes family grated on ones nerves, and some peace and quiet was welcomed.&nbsp; Each new morning brought the promise of a new day.&nbsp; And despite still struggling with her demons, Dani held onto the small hope that one day, she would wake up and feel 'normal' again...although she had pretty much forgotten what normal felt like.<br><br>Leaving her shower for the evening to avoid the usual morning crush, Dani made her way to the galley.&nbsp; If the Cap'n was taking his usual morning streak, she managed to avoid it, much to her relief.&nbsp; She loved Griff, as much as she could love anyone, but his penchant for strolling the ship in the buff made her slightly uncomfortable, and each morning she hoped that she would get from her cabin to the galley without bumping into him.&nbsp; Literally, or figuratively.&nbsp; <br><br>Fixing a hot, hearty breakfast for the crew had become something of a tradition for Dani, and she set about whipping up a batch of the biscuits that they all loved so much.&nbsp; Her first cup of coffee seemed to disappear quicker than usual, and she was on her second before anyone else entered the small kitchen.&nbsp; The sight of Si in his very feminine apron never failed to make her smile, and the young medic-come-chef happily let him pitch in and help.&nbsp; They had cooked together often enough in the past that she didn't need to instruct him, and they worked side by side in comfortable silence for a time, until he felt the need to lament about their lack of spices to add to the eggs.&nbsp; It was an old gripe which Dani knew to ignore.&nbsp; Spices were expensive, and could be done without.&nbsp; Sure...they were nice, but they were a luxury, and real food was always highest on the shopping list.&nbsp; Dani made a mental note to try to acquire some on their next shore leave.&nbsp; She'd pay for them out of her own money if necessary.&nbsp; It would be worth it to see the pleasure her friend would take in using them.<br><br>Soon, most of the crew had followed the breakfast aroma's that had been wafting through the ship, and Dani greeted each one with a smile as they gathered around the table.&nbsp; Happy to hang back from the group, she busied herself with tidying the mess she and Si had created while the others tucked into the spread on the table.&nbsp; Dani got, if possible, more pleasure out of seeing her companions enjoying her cooking than she did out of doctoring their wounds.&nbsp; <br><br>Dani jumped as the alarm sounded, and she watched with amusement as Griff shovelled food from his plate into his mouth.&nbsp; It seemed that they would soon be landing.&nbsp; The familiar feeling of dread began to grow in the pit of Dani's stomach.&nbsp; Persephone had been bad enough, and they were relatively safe there.&nbsp; Who knew what dangers Bellerophon would hold for them?&nbsp; Quickly devouring some breakfast for herself, she thanked Simeon for his help before heading back to the infirmary.&nbsp; Although she didn't really need to prepare anything down there, the simple act of checking her supplies and equipment was soothing for the skittish medic.&nbsp; And besides...someone might, at some point, need some doctorin'.&nbsp; Best she be ready.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>07-12-2011, 08:26:49</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=the stowaway – returning to ‘her quarters’ – lower deck of the Gamble=-</strong></div><br>Hearing nothing, she sucked in a breath and kept her head down, opening the door. Ducking for the washer, she checked the clothes for readiness to move over to the dryer. Having tossed them in and started the cycle, she spun for the hall past the shower and ran for the second single cabin on her bare feet. Thinking that the less she remained in the open, the less likely she’d be discovered, she kept low and fast, assuming there would be no one in the infirmary while the day was just starting. Making it into ‘her quarters’, she moved aside to one wall as the hatch closed, scanning for movement or any changes from only an hour ago. Recognizing nothing out of place, she relaxed and thought about the first things she needed to do once upon Bernadette – making an identity for herself, establishing her skills and finding work… not that these were easy tasks. She’d have to<br><br>A klaxon sounded, making her jump nearly a foot into the air. Trembling, she had no idea what the ship wide automated notification was for: a breach in the hull, their precious air running out? Glancing around for what she needed to make an escape, she stepped into the only clothing left in her room that wasn’t getting washed – her boots. Grabbing the packets of long term rations and water she’d been able to collect over the weeks, she stuffed them into a pillowcase and knotted it, standing by the door, listening for running steps.<br><br>She’d grown accustomed to listing for the crew’s movements since she discovered so many dorms open and available for use in the single quarters. Randomly selecting one for use, she could not assign a lock to the hatch mechanism lest some signal be sent to the bridge announcing its use. Thus she’d been under constant worry of being intruded upon without anyone actively searching for her. More concerned now that she might die in a ball of explosive decompression, she heard nothing in the hall and calculated the likelihood of reaching one of the escape pods with no one already inside it.<br><br>Dangerously close to bolting out of her room, she shook with nerves, wringing the tail of her pillowcase between both hands.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>10-12-2011, 04:56:25</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston - Captain of The Gamble - On the flight deck, instructing his crew via intercom =-</strong></div><br><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font">“Well thanks Captin’ No-Pants,” Griff had just about opened his mouth to speak when Mae pilfered his biscuit, tossing a bite into her smiling mouth and nibbling. Although this annoyed him, it was just a biscuit and the playful wink and a smile she tossed back at him as she moved onto the flight deck served to defuse any residual unpleasantness he may have been feeling. Still, he managed to offer a playfully mocking quip towards the two love birds. “If you like the idea of food and eating, then mayhap you two could delay your gorram ruttin’ long enough to go and ...” As he delivered his rebuke, he was distracted from his thoughts by the sight of the button down shirt teasingly climb high upon Mae’s thighs, offering a glimpse of the feminine curves of her rear and nearly exposing her sex. Quickly recollecting his thoughts, he finishes his sentence, “… eat,” though that single remaining word seemingly held deeper meaning… or did it? “Vince,” he said as he stepped on the flight deck behind the two pilots, “hail the Shāyú and let ‘em know we’re coming, let ‘em know who we are. Don’t want no jumpy trigger fingers sending us harm ain’t meant for us.” Moving to stand between the pilot and copilot seats, he reached forward and grabbed the mic. Keying the button on the handheld device, the cord spiraling tightly back to the control console, he began his announcement to the crew.<br><br>“Okay folks, you all know the plan. This is a simple cargo swap. We set down, transfer the Shāyú’s cargo to our hold, and dust off. In and out. No need for any trouble and I don’t want any heroics. As we’re all aware, Abernathy’s name is all over this one, which don’t sit well with any of us, I know. But it’s a job, and that’s what we’re here to do, a job and nothing more. Mae’s gonna keep the engine hot and ready to go. Si, Anwar, Vince, and myself will be assisting with the transfer. Dani and Sasha, you two keep a close eye on the other crew whenever they’re on my boat. I don’t want any funny business going on and no one wandering off where they ain’t supposed to be. Stay sharp, do your job and no pussy footin about and this will be easy money. We should be on Bellerophon in about 5 minutes and off again in about 45. You all know your jobs… let’s get it done.” <br><br>Returning the handset to it’s cradle, Griff leaned in, looking out the forward window as he watched Bellerophon fill his view.&nbsp; The enormous expanse of the Isis Canyon became clearly evident as they entered the planet’s atmosphere. Mae and Vince worked together as they honed in on the coordinates given by Ferret back on Persephone. It wasn’t long before Griff spotted the Shāyú (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/OspreyDeckPlan.jpg), perched dangerously close to the canyon’s edge. Pointing out a relatively flat section of desert rock, Griff instructed Mae to set The gamble down there, some 50 yards or so from the Shāyú (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/OspreyForeandAft.jpg). It was about as close as Mae could get to the other ship without endangering the other ship, her crew or the cargo. Mae set the ship down as gently as a mother laying her baby to bed.<br><br>“Good work Mae. Vince, get some clothes on and don’t drag your feet. I need you in the cargo hold in 3 minutes. The cargo doors don’t open until everyone’s in place and ready to do their jobs,” he said as he rechecked his sidearm, chambering a round before re-holstering his piece. “And come prepared.” His last comment held an ominous tone of warning. “Never know when you might to be … persuasive.”<br></span>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>10-12-2011, 09:29:26</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=the stowaway – in her quarters – lower deck of the Gamble=-</strong></div><br>“…and no one wandering off where they ain’t supposed to be…” came the voice of the almighty captain, reverberating in her ears as the stowaway recognized that one immediate danger had just been traded for another. They might not be about to explode in fiery death but would the crew go searching for wayward visitors as this job the captain referred to happened? Would they find her? What would become of her if they did?<br><br><em>Zhe shi shen me dohng shee</em> – Bellerophon?!? Wait, he meant Bernadette… right?<br><br>Panic after panic ensued, her pretty head dizzied with confusion and adrenaline with nowhere to go. Leaning heavily into the doorjamb, she tucked up the stuffed pillowcase, hugging around it like a security blanket, thinking too quickly to make sense of it all. Each new issue brought with it several new paths of prospective results, all overlaying on top of each other in her mind, reflexively turning her fears into schematics and layouts, visualizing the possibilities. She was <span class="bbc_u">not</span> about to land on Bernadette. That trip from here would take several more weeks. She’d been abducted (in a way) to a freakin’ Alliance world for the sole purpose of a quick and dirty job trading cargo with some ship named the Shark and hitting atmo again at top speed. Curious as to what the cargo might include, she just hoped that there wouldn’t be a pick up of more crewmembers or passengers as that might fill her cabin with visitors.<br><br><em>Augh!</em> She waited for her head to hurt… but it didn’t. Surprised, she breathed a little easier, her mind still racing. Stay here? Slip out in the trade of cargo? What the hell would she do on Bellerophon without identification? No – not her best plan. Bernadette was a much more likely… but maybe they weren’t going to Bernadette any time soon. <em>Zhu fuen chse!</em> What was their destination for this cargo? She couldn’t make a decision until she knew that. Could she make it to the bridge?<br><br>*****<br><br><em>Zhe shi shen me dohng shee?</em>&nbsp; = What is this crap?<br><em>Zhu fuen chse.</em>&nbsp; = Pool of pig droppings.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>11-12-2011, 19:19:20</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Co-pilot extraordinaire - Cockpit, The Gamble=-</strong></div><br><em>“This ship is way to stacked with yummy treats.”</em><br><br>Leading the way to the cockpit, Mae's words caused Vincent to cast an inquisitive glance over his shoulder where he found his girlfriend casting rather sultry glances between Griff and himself.&nbsp; An amused smirk graced his lips as he continued making his way to his station, though now with a more noticeable swagger to his step.&nbsp; When he made his way to his seat, he secured himself into place with the safety harness before going through the routine pre-entry checklist.&nbsp; He had been halfway through plotting the trajectory that would safely guide them through reentry when Mae's voice pulled him away from his task for a moment.<br><br>As he attempted to inquire to the meaning of her question, he felt the fluffy biscuit pressed against his lips.&nbsp; Vincent took the offered breakfast into his maw while allowing his lips to wrap around Mae's fingers teasingly.&nbsp; Of course she upped the ante as he felt her teeth capture his earlobe in a way that reminded him of the past several nights and mornings spent together in the same bed.&nbsp; A deviant expression spread over his face as she assumed her station at the ship's controls that hinted retribution at the next opportunity he could find.&nbsp; Forcing back all other distractions for the time, Vincent returned to his professional demeanor as he resumed preparing for their descent.<br><br><em>"Vince,"</em>&nbsp; Looking over his shoulder at the summon, the co-pilot responded with a dutiful, "Yes, Captain <span style="font-size: 6pt;" class="bbc_size">No-Pants</span>?"<br><br><em>“hail the Shāyú and let ‘em know we’re coming, let ‘em know who we are. Don’t want no jumpy trigger fingers sending us harm ain’t meant for us.”</em><br><br>"Will do."<br><br>Leaving Mae to do what she does best outside of the bedroom, Vincent set about establishing a direct radio link with the Shāyú.&nbsp; "This is dragonfly class transport The Gamble radioing in to Shāyú.&nbsp; We are on approach to our pre-assigned LZ, ETA in five.&nbsp; Over"&nbsp; If there was one thing Vincent knew when it came to handling deals that may or may not be illicit in nature, it was to keep conversations brief and omit details wherever possible.&nbsp; Though he had established a private line to the other ship, only a rookie would assume it would be enough to ensure there would be no eavesdroppers.&nbsp; It was also advantageous in making sure one didn't hand out openings to be exploited to the other dealer should the exchange go sour.<br><br><em>"Roger that, everything is prepped on our end.&nbsp; See you shortly.&nbsp; Over and out."</em><br><br>Vincent returned his own radio to its cradle in time to hear that he had been assigned to the ground party.&nbsp; As he worked in tandem with Mae to bring the ship in for an expertly smooth landing, he also set about preparing himself for his next job by donning a cool and detached mindset similar to the one his elder brother had when they meet on Persephone.&nbsp; There was a time for jokes and there was a time for seriousness; although Vincent commonly blurred the line between them, he knew it would be in everybody's best interests to reign in his wit when dealing with unknown individuals in a backwoods part of a planet.<br><br><em>"Vince, get some clothes on and don’t drag your feet. I need you in the cargo hold in 3 minutes. The cargo doors don’t open until everyone’s in place and ready to do their jobs, and come prepared.&nbsp; Never know when you might to be … persuasive.”</em><br><br>Already unfastening his harness intent to do just that the moment The Gamble had touched down.&nbsp; "I'll be there on time and ready for anything."&nbsp; Before hustling out of the cockpit, Vincent made a quick detour to the pilot's seat to plant a quick, yet affectionate kiss on Mae's lips.&nbsp; "I'll be back shortly, my love."&nbsp; Without further distraction, Vincent rushed to his quarters and hastily got dressed into his normal attire, fastening his trench knife to the small of his back and PX5 sidearm at his hip after ensuring it was loaded with a round chambered.&nbsp; Once set he rushed to the cargo bay where the rest of the ground team was convened just under the three-minute deadline.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>12-12-2011, 03:23:24</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Bored out of her tree – Cockpit, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br>With Vincent's lips barely brushing against hers Mae whispered her soft heartfelt warning and plea. "If you don't come back I'm so gonna hunt you down, remember that" her green eyes danced as she smiled sharing a private moment with her boyfriend. "Vinnie.....please be careful" happy with the quick but meaningful fair well the besotted young pilot allowed herself to relax for a moment before worry set in. Pulling her shapely legs from the floor, Mae wrapped her arms around her knees enjoying the sight of her boyfriend's retreat. <br><br>Purring softly, her tongue poked out to sweep across her lips before looking up into the dark brown eyes of the ships captain and her boss. "Just a short stop right? No need to go lookin' for trouble capt’n?” The expression in her eyes clearly showed the concern she held for all members of the crew. They were her family, each one holding a place in her heart. His reassuring grin put her fears at ease some, though she wouldn't stop worrying until the safe return of each hard body. “I’ll keep her hot for ya capt’n&nbsp; you just be sure to pick me up something pretty.”&nbsp; Her teasing remark helped ease the tension that sat uncomfortably in the pit of her stomach.<br><br>Once alone Mae double checked the controls, keeping the engine running at nominal levels and monitoring performance and heat levels. Satisfied all was well Mae glanced at the apparel she had hastily covered her curves with that morning and considered running to her quarters to change.&nbsp; What she really wanted was a nice warm shower and an hour or two left alone to pretty herself up for the day. Neither was in the cards until the boys returned so she turned to the next best thing to pass the time.<br><br>Pulling out a small bag that she kept for emergencies such as this, Mae released its fasteners and smiled as she sorted through the small colourful bottles inside. With a rainbow of selection at her finger tips, the young pilot chose a fire red colour and went to work painting her fingers and toes.&nbsp; One creamy leg swung carelessly as the pad of her foot brushed against the cockpit floor while her other leg perched on the edge of her seat allowing the bored blond to carefully paint each toe. It would kill some time while things were slow while at the same time allow her to stay at her post as requested. It was an activity that had served her well in the past, entertaining her mind while she waited. <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>16-12-2011, 00:00:59</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston, Captain -&nbsp; Leading the “shore party” off ship to transfer cargo =-</strong></div><br>With the crew assembled in the cargo hold, save for Mae who was still manning her post on the flight deck, Griff gave each of his crew one last quick and dirty run down on the job duties at hand as well as checking that each of them were armed. He had hoped to have some extra muscle along in the form of Steve McPherson, but that didn’t pan out when Steve didn’t show up for dust-off from Persephone. He was also surprised to learn that Lex, the companion whom they’d just recently met up with again on Persephone had opted to stay behind after receiving a rather lucrative offer from a highly respectable stateswoman. Lex had accepted the offer in favor of her company, the money, and a life of comfort which left him minus another set of eyes and a great negotiator.<br><br>Satisfied that they were as ready as they could be, Griff moved over to the cargo bay door and punched the button. There was a great hiss followed by a gush of fresh air as the seal was broken allowing a gust of fresh air to spill into the ship. The mechanical clinking of the gears and hydraulics filled the cargo bay as the doors slowly lowered open, flooding the ship with sunlight and the heat from the desert outside. “Okay, let’s get this done,” he said simply before leading his crew down the ramp to meet the crew of the Shāyú.<br><br>A tall woman with short, dark hair met him at the bottom of the ramp. She was covered in a thick sheen of sweat and her shirt was stained with perspiration. “Sharon McGill,” she said as she stepped forward. “I’m the captain of this… ship. You’re a sight for sore eyes.” She said with almost a chuckle that was laced with relief. “Though I’d be a might bit happier to see you if’n you’d brought me a new compression coil.” She paused, a hint of a hopefully optimistic smile flirted at the edges of her lips. “You ain’t got one of them, do ya?”<br><br>Griff kept his conversation short and professional as he replied to McGill’s question. “Can’t say as we do, captain McGill… sorry. I hate to be short and to the point but I’m a tight schedule so, if you don’t mind I’d like to get that cargo loaded up right away. Still gotta make the original deadline if we aim to get paid… and I aim to get paid.” McGill half smiled and nodded, gesturing Griff towards her cargo, already stacked on the desert sand and rock outside of her ship. “Of course, captain.” There was a noticeable tension in the air as Griff and his men moved down the ramp. Vince piloted the small skiff with the loader down the ramp and the men set about loading the skiff. Even with the skiff and the loader it would take several trips to transfer the full compliment of cargo that was listed on the manifest.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shjade</strong> on <strong>16-12-2011, 08:55:08</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-= Simeon Gaorong - Wearing his professional face - disembarking The Gamble =-</strong></div><br>Given the nature of this particular rendezvous the Alliance uniform was perhaps not the most diplomatic choice in attire, but Si didn't change following his kitchen visit. Aside from leaving the apron behind, of course. He'd just finished his final weapon checks when the captain made clear it was time for touchdown on foot. At Griff's statement of intent the older man simply fell into step behind and to his right. With his Mauler in hand and his Peacekeeper visible at his hip the veteran was not looking his most diplomatic this mid-morning, but then, this was not intended to be a diplomatic mission, nor would that be his role in it. Sometimes a silent sign of discouragement toward violence was all that was needed. This seemed like one of those times. The message was clear: everything goes smoothly, everyone walks away happy. Things go not so smoothly? They were prepared for that, too.<br><br>It was dreadful unfortunate timing. Much as Si would like to offer assistance, they had neither the time nor, as it happened, the materiel to do so. With Hayes away attending to personal issues he could hardly assure the Shayu's crew of their ability to help, given the woman's replacement was neither familiar nor tested as yet, and his own knowledge of engineering was hardly sufficient to conceive of ways to work around missing entire pieces of an engine. Captain McGill had his sympathies, but it was all he had to give her. As such he remained silent; sharing a sympathetic moment wouldn't really help anyone and might present them as softer than Griff would prefer. He kept his mouth shut and, once it seemed things were progressing as planned, shouldered his weapon to assist in moving the cargo. More hands helping meant less time spent working and faster departure, something that was in the best interests of everyone involved one would hope.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>23-01-2012, 18:10:56</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Being an attentive gopher – Exchange LZ site=-</strong></div><br>No matter the job, Vincent couldn’t help but feel at least a little anxious driving the skiff between ships. Though he knew he had the next best thing to family watching his back, he was well aware of just how vulnerable he was each time he waited for the crew of the other ship to fill the loader. That at any moment, should things take a turn for the worse, he had a very real chance of finding himself behind enemy lines and potentially surrounded. Of course the level of anxiety largely depended upon the nature of their transaction, or more importantly who was the source of their contract. It was for this reason that, despite the seemingly courteous nature of the Shāyú’s crew, he remained alert almost to the point of paranoia. He took close notice of everybody who had a firearm in plain sight and who looked like they could be concealing a weapon upon their person. It only took him a few moments of observation before he concluded he might as well assume everybody was packing heat and that it would be in his best interest to keep his hand at the throttle ready to open it wide to make a beeline back to the Gamble.<br><br>Even as they were nearing the last of the shipping containers Vincent never allowed himself to fall into a state of comfort by any margin. If anything it would be the last few loads that a trap would be sprung and he only put more effort into watching the movements of those who were working to load the crates. Though they seemed to be unarmed, should he see a hand suddenly disappear underneath clothing or make any abrupt movements he would make his escape regardless of whether the cargo was secured to the loader or if there were any crates that yet remained. Damaged or abandoned crates were a fair trade from ensuring his safety and Vincent was confident that none of his crewmates would argue otherwise.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>05-02-2012, 13:24:45</strong>
			</dt>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Griffin Kingston, Captain - On Bellerephon transferring cargo to The Gamble=-</strong></div><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Theme Song for this scene - Courtesy of Cassiopeia</div><div class="spoiler_body">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LloIp0HMJjc</div></div><br>Griff monitored the situation closely, trying to keep as close an eye as he could on the Shāyú’s crew during the transfer. He hoped this would be quick and easy, without any hitches, but he knew plans were made to be foiled and when Abernathy was involved, it was damn near a guarantee. Though he missed Sasha's watchful and controlled presence, he felt a certain relief in the knowledge that she was safely aboard The Gamble along with Mae and Dani. Sasha had wanted nothing to do with this job, considering Abernathy's involvement, and she had made no qualms about making her feelings known back on Persephone. The truth of it was that Griff didn't much like it none either, but then there weren't a whole lot of options left to them and the credits were too good to pass up. So with Sasha remaining behind on The Gamble, he was assured that not only would she be out of any immediate danger planet-side, but he was confident that the ship was in more than capable hands.<br><br>Griff was protective of his own; his ship, cargo, his crew - but he was especially protective of the female crew members,&nbsp; perhaps to a fault. Most might have viewed this as being possessive or territorial of the fairer sex, but in truth, Griff felt more of a responsibility to see to their safety, more so that the men of crew, whom he felt should be able to take care of themselves as men. It was for this reason, in conjunction with the knowledge of whom they were ultimately dealing with that lead to Griff's selection of his shore party. He trusted Si to be ever vigilant and watchful and knew the older man could handle himself in a pinch. He'd seen Vince handle himself in a tough scrape and knew the keen eyed co-pilot seemed to have eyes in the back of his head when he was expecting trouble, and that's exactly what they were expecting. Anwar was the only real question mark, but Griff had it on good authority from Jack that the boy was an asset in a fight,&nbsp; and so he assigned him to the cargo crew along with himself.<br><br>The transfer had gone smoothly for the past half hour and they were nearly finished, only a few more pallets let to load. The cargo hold was now filled nearly to capacity, leaving just enough room to load the skiff and loader inside before the doors would be sealed shut. Griff had long ago removed his sweat soaked shirt thanks to the scorching desert heat, but the crew of both ships had managed to keep cool, thanks in part to the ice cold refreshments and food Dani had prepared for them. Fortunately the sun was beginning to set and the temperature was slowly but surely dropping. Wiping the sweat from his brow with the bandanna tied around his wrist, Griff approached Si, catching a subtle shifting in the older man's eyes meant only for Griff. Si had spotted something that didn't set rigth, and he was quick and discreet to alert Griff. Nodding his head discreetly in return, Griff moved towards the skiff where Anwar and Vince were working together to load a lone, heavy crate. Joining the two men in helping them lift, he took the opportunity to alert the men of impending trouble. <strong>"Look sharp, Si's got a bad vibe."</strong><br><br>No sooner had those words left his lips than three of the Shāyú’s crew drew weapons and began to fire on them shouting and yelling directions to each other and locations of Griff's crew. Anwar drew his pistol and fired, catching one of them square between the eyes. The man's body went limp and he collapsed to the ground. Si had quickly taken cover behind one of the last remaining pallets, leveling his gun on a second of Shāyú’s crew, but as he squeezed the trigger, killing a second of the Shāyú’s crew, he took a slug to the leg from a third crew who had ducked behind a small boulder near the canyon's edge. Si yelled out in pain, clutching his wounded leg as he slumped to the ground behind the crate. <strong>"SI!"</strong> Griff called, slipping behind the skiff along with Vince. <strong>"How bad are you hit?!"</strong> He'd lost sight of Anwar somewhere near the Shāyú. <strong>"I'm fine, Captain! Don't worry about me, just go!"</strong> Si had recovered his piece and hunkered down behind the crate in a defensive posture, quickly ripping his belt free and using it as a tourniquet to help stop the bleeding. <br><br>One of the Shāyú’s crew, a tall and intimidating looking man with stark white hair (http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj147/icecreamxxheadaches/buffy%20the%20vampire%20slayer/Spike-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-9634.jpg) ducked unseen into The Gamble's cargo hold for cover, unnoticed by Sasha who had to dive for cover as a hail of bullets slammed the crates next to her. Griff peeked around the skiff to scout the situation, and nearly took a bullet in his brain pan, the slug pinging of the metal alloy skinned skiff. He turned to face his attacker, who had him dead to rights, but before the man squeezed the trigger, he collapsed in a crumpled heap. Sasha's aim had been true. There were still a couple of them left by Griff's reckoning. He checked on Vince before making his way towards the Shāyú where he'd last seen Anwar, his gun in hand.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>07-02-2012, 18:35:31</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Working in the bloody desert in the middle of nowhere - BFE Bellerephon=-</strong></div><br><em>”Look sharp, Si’s got a bad vibe.”</em><br><br>Before Vincent even had the opportunity to voice the curses that were sounding off in his mind, he felt the tiny hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. It was then that he realized his positioning in lifting the crate had left him with his back towards the crewmembers of the other ship and his instincts screamed at him that needed to be remedied immediately. An instant before the first gunshot rang out, the young co-pilot released his hold of the large crate and dove sideways so the skiff interposed any clear line of sight from where the gunmen had gathered. He already had his pistol drawn before he completed his landing and crouched on one knee with his gun at the ready as he peeked over the skiff. A few more shots rang out the moment the profile of his head left is cover, reactively pulling himself back once he heard the rounds ricocheting off his bunker. “Sonovabitch!”<br><br>Gunshots rang out in all directions, but he could do little more than fire blindly until somebody took out the man that had him pinned. In a stroke of inspiration Vincent dropped himself prone on the hot desert floor and did his best to ignore the scorching sand against his bare flesh. Looking though the small gap between the bottom of the skiff and the sand, he was able to see the man who had him pinned from just below the knee and down. With a sinister sneer, Vincent took aim and fired a round right through the man’s shinbone. Suddenly, and painfully robbed of one of his supports, he fell to the side where Vincent’s crosshairs were waiting. The man had just enough time to see the copilot and express his dread before a second round caught him in the center of the forehead causing his head to jerk back before his entire body went limp.<br><br>Returning to a crouched position, he once again peeked over the skiff and was relieved to see that no more shots were taken at him in the brief seconds it took for him to observe the battlefield. Several Shayu crewmen lay motionless on crimson soaked sand, but after a quick count Vincent realized that there were still a number unaccounted for. Ducking back and taking stock of matters on their end, he realized he was the only one behind the skiff. He found Griff moving closer to the Shayu and warred with himself over what his next step should be. In the middle of his own shootout, he had overheard that Si had taken a hit and felt that his aid would be more useful for a wounded friend than a stalking captain. Looking towards the crate where Si had last been seen, Vincent was acutely aware of how much open space there were between them. If he made a mad dash for it, he would be an easy target just begging to get shot.<br><br>Since he couldn’t find any cover along the distance, Vincent figured it would only stand to reason to bring one with him. The skiff’s engine still purred despite the glancing blows it had taken, which lent credit for Griff’s choice in small transports. With his pistol still held at the ready in one hand, the other reached up to the vehicle’s throttle and he eased it forward. Knowing he’d be little better riding it than he would be running the distance in the open, Vincent crept along side of it choosing to operate it in such an awkward fashion that would still get the job done as he made his way to Si’s cover. No more shots were fired upon him, but he figured that was a result of offering no target for them to do so rather than a sign that there was no more danger; all the while making sure to keep an eye on his flanks to make sure nobody was trying to bypass his mobile bunker by going around it.<br><br>Once he made it to Si’s location, he could see the blood that had soaked into the fabric of his pants but was relieved to see that The Gamble’s resident gentleman had enough foresight to apply a tourniquet. “Your taxi’s here. Though you should know I charge extra for making me drive through such shady neighborhoods.” Unsure if Si could walk in his injured leg, it made him all the more glad he opted to bring the skiff with him. It may be awkward and quite uncomfortable, but there would surely be a way to make him avoid walking while still having something between him and a gunman.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>10-02-2012, 07:41:28</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Bored out of her….. wait!&nbsp; What’s that noise?? – The Gamble *~</strong></div><br>Admiring her slick red polish, Mae stretched her hand out before her, squinting as she examined the job with a critical eye.&nbsp; She formed a fist, twisting her wrist to bring her newly painted nails close to her lips and blew a soft breath, hoping to quicken the drying process. She smiled, thinking of that morning and being in Vincent’s arms, she couldn’t wait for him to return all sexy and sweaty….. Mae moaned. “You need a shower baby” she purred aloud imagining herself helping him, making sure to get him messy before licking him clean. The sultry pilot purred, leaning over the console to see if she might be able to spot the sexy co-pilot.&nbsp; What she saw doused her with an icy cold fear, dropping her jaw and spilling the open red nail polish on the cockpit floor.<br><br>At first Mae became irrationally angry, pounding on the glass of the cockpit trying desperately to get Vincent’s attention.&nbsp; Not that long ago she had specifically requested that he be careful with himself and come back to her in one piece and now there he was, rolling around on the hot dessert sand, playing with his gun!!!&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br><strong>BANG!</strong><br><br>The sickening sound caused another shiver of fear to run along the curve of her spine. The blood drained from her cheeks as the reality of what was happening sank in. They were under attack…not just Vincent… but all of them. Turning quickly, Mae stumbled over the bag that had fallen to the floor from her sudden movement, scattering its contents across the cockpit. She tumbled onto her knees, falling onto the cockpit floor, releasing a slew of curses that would make a Zong yi blush. <br><br>“Ta Ma Duh! He chu-sheng za-jiao de zang-huo! ! Qing wa kao de liu mang !!! Ta Ma De Hun Dan!”<br><br>Scrambling to her feet, Mae angrily kicked the makeup bag out of her way, not realizing that the first three buttons of Vincent’s shirt had come loose in the rush to help, with one missing completely. She moved quickly from the cockpit, running with long, even strides along the ship's corridor while calling out to those who might be within earshot. Taking the stairs two at a time, Mae nearly lost her footing and tripped, barely avoiding breaking her neck as she moved swiftly towards the action. She hadn’t stopped to dress properly, still draped in only the white button down shirt belonging to Vincent, only now the top three buttons had gone missing.<br><br>Not only had the impulsive young flyer not stopped to properly dress, but she hadn’t thought clearly enough to grab a weapon, not that she would be able to do much with one had she had one handy. Mae fancied herself a fighter with skill, when in reality she was barely coordinated to keep walking one foot in front of the other without tripping. <br><br>Coming to a skidding stop, Mae stumbled into a group of stacked boxes stubbing her bare toes and earning another badge from the foulmouthed brigade. “Wang ba dan de biao zi! Zhe shi shen me dohng shee!” Three more gun shots rang out, making Mae squeal, uncharacteristically girlish and dive for cover.<br><br><br><br><div align="center">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><br><br>Browncoat: Zong yi<br><br>Motherfucker: Ta Ma Duh<br>Filthy fornicators of livestock: He chu-sheng za-jiao de zang-huo! <br>Frog-humping son of a bitch: Qing wa kao de liu mang<br>Mother-humping son of a bitch: Ta Ma De Hun Dan.<br>Stupid inbred stack of meat: Ben Tian Sheng De Yi Dui Rou<br><br>Whores of SOBs: Wang ba dan de biao zi<br>What is this (crap)?: Zhe shi shen me (dohng shee)? <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>12-02-2012, 23:56:16</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the stowaway – her favorite spiral staircase – the Gamble=-</strong></div><br>Uncertain about – oh, nearly everything – the blond-rooted redhead snuck out into the corridor about twenty minutes into her deliberation of options. She needed more information to make a suitable decision as to her next action. She could not get more info stuck in her cabin. Therefore&nbsp; she needed to find the info somewhere else, the flight deck being the most likely to have some… any… accurate or not. <em>Zao gao</em>, why didn’t they first have accurate information on their computer screen weeks ago? Maybe the captain had been hard pressed to take a job in a hurry and changed his mind at the last minute, or even mid-flight. He certainly hadn’t sounded very approving of this Abernathy involved. So where to go now?<br><br>If she had understood everything correctly from the Captain’s announcement, there were four people on the ground outside helping with the transfer of cargo. There were two people, both female, inside the cargo hold to watch over the other crew and keep security tight. Mae, the girl that had been in the infirmary just after Persephone, was ‘keeping the engine warm’, whatever that meant. Was she the cigar smokin’ engineer whose boots fit so well? More than likely the pilot, sittin’ on the bridge, ready to dust off fast.<br><br>Keeping low – her customary posture aboard the Gamble – she silently climbed the spiral staircase, listening for movement or voices. Those tiny noises from the cargo hold were little worry, though she grew curious about the kind of cargo they were taking on. Obviously, both crews were busy unloading crates or stock against the metal grating that served as a floor below. Slipping past the galley’s built in furniture and into the portside hallway, she moved forward into the ship, stopping at the next hatch, twisting her pillowcase luggage in her hands. Listening for her count of 200, she let the hatch slide open and darted low toward one of the crew’s staterooms, hiding at the turn in the corridor. There were at least two more hatches between the bridge and her body but she felt her heart rate rise as if she were already surprised with facing someone, ready to bolt. Near to sweating her anxiety out through her pores, the stowaway inched toward the next hatch, shaking slightly. She’d have preferred being stuck inside one of the caskets that was thought of as an escape pod than in this situation without any idea what to do, but then she didn’t mind small spaces.<br><br>Letting the next hatch open, she stepped through as a ruckus began below. That was no longer the boring, tension-filled sound of loading and unloading cargo. It was bullets and ricochets and yelps and thuds from falling or thrown bodies. In addition, pidgin Chinese was being shouted ahead of her. While she could not keep the hatch from closing behind her, the stowaway had little worry that the feminine voice ahead and the cacophony from below would fail to drown out that insubstantial noise of her entry. The cursing was welcome as it meant that her arrival was not the only thing to surprise the crew right about now, IF she’d even been noticed. However, she drew back as the last hatch flew open, a nearly naked girl running out with her hair streaming. Blue eyes wide, her gaze followed the girl down the stairs toward the cargo hold where the noises of imminent pain still lifted in spurts.<br><br>Something had gone wrong. <em>– Doesn’t it always? –</em><br><br>Dashing onto the flight deck, the stowaway managed to step right in the spreading crimson pool of nail polish, tracking a little with her boot print right up to the console. Less concerned for the information on the screen, she watched the <em>mi tian gohn</em> going on out in front of the ship. She realized immediately that it wouldn’t matter where the ship were headed next if all the flight crew died on this stinkin’ rock. Sliding right back out of the seat, she ran after the disappearing girl – Mae, she assumed. <em>If something happened to Mae… where would that leave me?</em><br><br>*****<br><br><em>Zao gao</em>&nbsp; = Damn it<br><em>Mi tian gohn</em> = Excrement<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>14-02-2012, 05:29:01</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Dimitri Lutrova - Hired gun of the Shāyú under the employ of "Abernathy" - Cargo hold of The Gamble =-</strong></div><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header"> Dimitri Lutrova onboard The Gamble and aiming to misbehave.... Badly.</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div align="center">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/SykesonTheGamble.jpg)</div></div></div><br>Upon sight of The Gamble, Captain Sharon McGill had ordered a few of her men into hiding, their plan all along being to wait until the cargo had been transferred to whichever ship came to their aid. They would then ambush the crew and hijack their ship, killing those who were too troublesome, and selling their ship to a scrapyard after purchasing upgrades for their Osprey. The plan had gone according to plan until they sprang into action to take out those who Captain McGill had signaled to her men as too troublesome. They had underestimated alertness of The Gamble's crew and things went to hell in a hand basket rather quickly. Everything seemed to have happened in the blink of an eye.<br><br>As Brock (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Toombs-1.jpg) and Elben (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Vinnie-1.jpg) sprang from their cover near a small outcropping of boulders about a dozen yards away, they opened fire on Griff and Si, the two closest threats to them. However the quick word of warning from Si had alerted Griff and the others of the imminent danger and they immediately took up defensive positions. Elben was the first to take a bullet in the brain pan, followed closely by Brock. In the span of a couple of minutes, two of Captain McGill's top gunmen were out of action. <br><br>Dimitri's hiding place, as it turned out, happened to be almost directly under where The Gamble set down. Another few feet and he might have been burned to a crisp by the wash of the engines. In the chaos of the action that ensued, bullets were flying and bodies were dropping. Dimitri sprinted forward and took cover, drawing his gun and diving inside The Gamble's cargo hold. Scanning the situation, he quickly deduced the chances of his succeeding in taking out the four men returning fire... <strong>"Ta Ma Duh!"</strong> He cursed as a gunshot rang out a few feet off to his right. Make that five guns returning his fire as an attractive though deadly young thing took down another of his ship mates. Quickly smoothing back his platinum blonde hair, he made the decision then and their to fuck the plan and just try to get out of here in one piece. He was severely outnumbered now and if he stayed behind in this barren, wasteland he would surely die.<br><br>He heard the panicked shouts of another female somewhere behind him and the sounds of feet trampling down the stairs into the cargo hold. Quickly, he scurried in the darkened recesses of the ship many nooks and crannies. His plan was simple. Remain hidden aboard the ship and let them transport to wherever they were headed, somewhere more civilized, he hoped. Then he could slip out unseen and no one would be the wiser. Though he would have some explaining to do to Mr. Abernathy. So, like the snake in the grass, Dimitri Lutrova slinked into a dark corner of the ship, watching as a mostly naked girl came rushing past him. She was delicious and the sight of her caused filthy images of what he would do to her should he catch her alone curved the line of his wicked mouth into a sneering grin. He would bide his time and see what the fates offered him.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>14-02-2012, 06:08:06</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston - Captain of The Gamble - Taking cover and assessing the situation outside The Gamble on the Surface of Bellerephon =-</strong></div><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Theme Song for this scene - Courtesy of Cassiopeia</div><div class="spoiler_body">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LloIp0HMJjc</div></div><br>As the hot Bellerephon sun beat down on the rocky and dusty landscape below, a struggle for life and death was taking place between the crews of two ships. Griff ducked and ran towards the open cargo doors of the Shāyú, where he'd seen Anwar enter to take cover from the hailstorm of deadly lead. Rolling behind a steel drum, he raised up and fired off a couple of shots, more to make the other side duck for cover and not shoot at him while he ran for better cover than to actually try and hit anyone. Round a large crate, he found Anwar slumped against the wall, clutching his firing arm and unable to lift his pistol. Fierce determination and anger gripped him as he saw his men taking hits and in a rage of fury and selflessness that would surely earn him a good scolding from anyone who cared about him at all, Griff patted Anwar on the leg reassuringly and took his gun in his other hand. He rose to his feet and stretched out both arms, walking out into the fray with both guns blazing. One, then two bodies fell to the floor as he waltzed out into the open clearing between the two ships, his face a twisted visage of rage. Smoke rose the ends of both guns as Captain McGill (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/ShayuCaptain.jpg) and Xander Sykes (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/SteveBuscemi.jpg), a sniveling dark haired man with a manical look in his eyes threw their guns out and put their hands high in the air. <strong>"We give up! Don't shoot!"</strong> Xander pleaded in his high pitched, whiney voice as the stepped out of hiding. <br><br>Holstering his own weapon, Griff strode with a seething hate burning hot his his smoldering dark eyes. As he reached the two, he drew back his fist and decked the man right in the nose, knocking him out cold before he grabbed Captain McGill's collar and drew back again. He snarled hatefully, though he stayed his hand, unable to bring himself to strike a woman, no matter her offense. <strong>"Sasha! Get your ass down here. Now!"</strong> His voice was booming and authoritative and left no room for debate, not that Sasha would give any in this case. Holstering her own weapon, Sasha marched dutifully down the cargo ramp towards Griff. <strong>"Vince! You okay?!"</strong> he called out, unsure of the co-pilot's whereabouts or condition since leaving him behind the skiff. <br><br>Sasha reached him just as he heard Mae screaming for Vince as she neared the cargo ramp. <strong>"Teach this bitch a lesson for me. That's an order,"</strong> he said to Sasha as he was already moving towards Mae to intercept her. He still didn't know if the place was completely safe and he couldn't have his pilot taking a bullet. He'd already had two of his own get hit and that infuriated him. He couldn't stomach the thought of Mae getting hit as well. He heard a punch and feminine voice as she took Sasha's closed fist punch and collapsed in to the ground as he reached the bottom of the cargo ramp door, meeting Mae and catching her in his arm. <strong>"Mae, I need you to stay inside for me, okay?"</strong> It wasn't really a question. His voice was firm and authoritative, though calm and confident for her. He knew that Mae was a wreck of emotions right now over the safety of her Vincent. <strong>"I'll take care of Vince, mei mei, I promise. But I need you to stay inside. I can't have my little swallow getting herself hurt out here."</strong> Without waiting for her to respond, he looked over her shoulder into the bowels of the ship. <strong>"Dani! I need you out here on the double. Grab your bag!"</strong> He looked to Mae as he was sure the call for Dani's bag would rouse her fears all the more. Gripping her shoulders firmly but gently, he looked her in the eyes, his own calm chocolate brown eyes warm and reassuring. <strong>"It's not Vince. Si took a bullet in the leg and Anwar's been hit in the arm. Now Stay here while I go and check on Vince.</strong> He glanced down at her state of dress quickly and looked past her again, his eyes searching for Dani. <strong>"And mei mei, you should go and put something on. Wouldn't want anyone to be gawking at you thinking inappropriate thoughts, now would we?"</strong> He stroked her cheek gently and gave her a wink, trying to calm her fears.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>17-02-2012, 21:01:06</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Operation: A Classy Rescue – Bellerephon=-</strong></div><br>A heavy sigh of relief escaped Vincent’s lungs as he heard the opposition surrender, but he didn’t dare expose himself from his cover even as he peeked over this skiff to see Griff approach the two who revealed themselves. Just because two proved to be cowardly didn’t mean there was a third who would see it as an opportunity to pick off the bold captain, so Vincent remained watchful for any other movements. “We’re fine, Cap. Si found a nice shady spot to slack off, so we’re exchanging notes before I show him one of my favorites in the infirmary.”<br><br>Vincent’s head whipped around while he was in the middle of assisting Si onto the skiff as he heard the impressive strand of profanity that he instantly recognized as Mae’s voice despite the metallic overtone accompanying it. Despite her good intentions, the last thing he wanted her to do was try to come to his aid. As things stood the young co-pilot had things well in hand, but that could quickly change the moment some foolish bastard attempted to open fire upon the love of his life. Thankfully, Griff was quick to guide her back to cover so Vincent was disinclined to drop Si. After he had managed to pull the gentleman back on his good leg, he positioned his arm over his shoulder to carry the burden that otherwise would have been placed on the wounded leg as the two made their way to the dolly loading bed attached to the skiff. Though the large crate they had been loading wasn’t positioned properly for efficient transport, it was secured enough and would provide ample cover for the injured passenger just in case it was still needed.<br><br>From there he hopped on the skiff and kept himself low, still not entirely sure that the site was secured, and eased the throttle as he turned to make his way to their ship. Griff and Dani had begun making their way down the ramp just as he pulled perpendicular to it to provide easy access to the damaged cargo. Vincent had to resist the urge to disembark the skiff so he could rush to be by Mae’s side as he cast a look towards her in the cargo hold. As tempting as the notion was, he was well aware of the few able non-injured hands that were available at the moment and had a feeling there was still things that had to be done before they could dust off. “Thanks for watching out for Mae.” He said voicing his appreciation, even though he knew it was more of a reflexive action rather than a conscious decision. “Now that things have thoroughly gone awry, what do you need me to do from here?”
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>19-02-2012, 07:00:48</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Concerned for Vincent….&nbsp; Oh yeah, and for the others as well – The Gamble *~</strong></div><br>Pushing herself back onto her feet from where she had landed, sprawled on the dusty floor, Mae swept the dirt from her once white shirt, flashing an annoyed expression as she swept the scene playing out before her. Her eyes went wide as she watched Griff, almost in slow motion, walk with guns a blazing, taking out the invaders with an expert shot. As impressive as that was however, Mae was still determined to find the man she adored and give him a right talking to! After which she was planning on kissing the daylights out of him, once she was satisfied that he still had all his appendages. <br><br>She hadn’t noticed Griff as he strode with purpose towards her. His sudden appearance, essentially blocking her view, had at first startled her, drawing a startled squeak from her lips. <strong>"Mae, I need you to stay inside for me, okay?"</strong> His words didn’t register, sounding like white static to her ear. Her wide green eyes blinked against the brightness of the sun, unfocused and filled with worry. <strong> "I'll take care of Vince, mei mei, I promise. But I need you to stay inside. I can't have my little swallow getting herself hurt out here."</strong> Her instincts told her to shake free from his control, her need to find Vincent raged within her soul, crashing at her ribcage like a wild beast. <strong> "Dani! I need you out here on the double. Grab your bag!" </strong> Mae’s green eyes flashed with annoyance and deep concern, her mouth fell open to demand he let her go, though her words refused to cooperate, only allowing an incoherent yelp to represent her objections. <strong> "It's not Vince. Si took a bullet in the leg and Anwar's been hit in the arm. Now Stay here while I go and check on Vince.</strong> The expressions changed so rapidly, Mae felt like she had been freefalling, suddenly jerking to attention in one gut wrenching motion. The whimper that tumbled from her lips, and the crumble of her posture punctuated her deep relief that her words couldn’t explain. <strong> "And mei mei, you should go and put something on. Wouldn't want anyone to be gawking at you thinking inappropriate thoughts, now would we?"</strong> A slow blush warmed her skin, a reaction so out of character for the bold young woman, it made her appear even more vulnerable, displaying a small peek into her true feelings, making her appear even younger than&nbsp; her 18 years. <br><br>Mae’s green eyes watered, glimmering in the sun as the wells of her tear ducts swelled with the sudden rush of emotions. Her long lashes fluttered, rapidly blinking in an attempt to push away the sudden girlish weakness. Her determined spirit wouldn’t allow her tears to fall; instead she swallowed them down, pressing her fears into the recesses of her mind.&nbsp; <strong>”Vinnie has my panties”</strong> Mae quipped, though her voice lacked the usual light-hearted flirtatiousness it normally possessed. Looking up into the warm brown eyes of her friend and captain, Mae allowed her tender feelings for the safety of her love to shine through. <strong>”You make sure he’s okay, you hear me? One hair on his body ….. that’s all it will take for me to go ape shit all over your ass… got me?”</strong>&nbsp; Her lips twitched into an affectionate smile before adding <strong>”I’m glad you’re okay…and the others…I’ll see what I can do to help…go get the infirmary ready for business. Please… please, tell Vinnie to come to me….as soon as he can.. okay?”</strong><br><br>Without further instruction, Mae turned to head back into the ship, granting the unspoken wishes of Vincent and the commanding words from Griff. If he had been surprised she had given in without much of a fight, he hadn’t let it be known to her. Looking over her shoulder one last time, Mae smiled as she watched Griff move to join the others, catching a glimpse of Vincent as he helped Si into a more comfortable position.&nbsp; It was all she needed to calm her worries. Vincent was safe. <br><br>The young blonde pilot moved as gracefully as she could, holding her borrowed, white men’s shirt together with one hand, fingers cinching the gaping fabric closed. Her steps were light, disclosing a slight limp, a direct result from the fall she had experience earlier. The sound of static still rang out in her ear, playing the sickening sound of bullet fire over and over, drawing a shiver along her spine with the thought of what might have been. <strong>”He’s not hurt”</strong> Mae whispered to herself, attempting to assure herself of Vincent’s safety. Her arms hugged her torso, closing her eyes for a moment before feeling the dampness of the first of many tears roll along the soft hills of her flushed cheeks.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>19-02-2012, 22:47:36</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the stowaway – the cargo hold – the Gamble=-</strong></div><br><em>Where the blazes was the pilot running?</em> Aching to follow her, the stowaway kept inside the center of the ship. She moved beyond the open cargo area and to the next set of stairs, hoping all the action was forward and she would not be noticed so far behind it. If anyone should need medical attention, they’d likely use the starboard side entryway since it opened closer to the to the infirmary – that made her decision to use the port side stairs clear. Remaining hidden, she nearly slid down the half-set of steps to make a quick duck behind them and let her eyes take in everything above the cargo stacks from between the treads. Hearing a few last yells ring out and some discussion of asses being needed, she slunk to the floor of the workout platform where she was surrounded by magnetized hand weights and a carefully tied down barbell system, ready for the tilting of the vehicle what carried it.<br><br>Prepared to listen and let her incredibly facile mind work out the details, she clung to the perforated flooring, her precious booty forgotten next to her. The knot of the pillowcase made for a fine handle to her luggage when in use, but it lay limp between the thirteen and twenty pound dumbbells.<br><br>Discussions… orders… some pleading, but not the terrible begging-for-one’s-life kind… she could hear familiar voices, the crew of the Gamble. They must have made out well in the skirmish. Just once, she allowed herself a deep breath of relief and lifted her head a mite, curious as to the expressions on the crew's faces – to find her view blocked by the back of someone else’s head just peering over a crate about 2 meters forward and 1 meter below her position. The second set of half-stairs going down would have brought her right up to him save for the cargo between them sitting already secured to the wall. <em>What is he doing there, trying to avoid the fracas? Is he a coward like me? Even Mae, the nearly-naked girl-pilot, ran out there near fearlessly…</em> and now she was returning, half blind with wiping her eyes clear. Another woman was across the way, trotting out with a bag under her arm, her form matching the stowaway’s so closely, she double blinked, wondering if she could find some of the medic’s clothing later.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>24-02-2012, 22:14:21</strong>
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				<div align="center">-=Griffin Kingston, Captain - On Bellerephon assessing the situation and making a plan=-</div><br>Griff had heard Vincent’s witty reply, though he didn’t acknowledge it more than a cursory glance in the direction where he’d heard the young co-pilot’s voice. Instead, he’d passed off the Shayu’s captain to Sasha to deal with, which she did in proper fashion, before moving to intercept Mae and prevent her from running out into the fracas and possibly into harms way. That was something he wouldn’t allow. He was already plenty pissed that two of <em>his</em> had taken a bullet, he’d be damned if he let something happen to Mae. He was known for keeping a cool head whenever he was in a tight spot, but when it came to his ship, his crew, his… friends, he was far more spontaneous in his actions. This particular instance he was also dealing with his bothersome feelings for his first officer, Sasha, and walking in on her and Si during an intimate moment, which was just wreaking havoc on his judgment.<br><br>He knew that Mae and Vince were in love, he knew that her thoughts were only of him and for his safety, and he tried to be firm but gentle with her to both ensure her safety and safeguard her fragile emotions. He saw the conflict raging in the depths of her crisp green eyes filling with unshed tears, His heart went out to her but he had to remain firm and in control of the situation; that was his job.<br><strong>”Vinnie has my panties,”</strong> she quipped, but her voice lacked her usual playfulness, replaced instead with worry for her beloved. He gave her a soft smile, gently caressing her arm as she looked up into his kind, chocolate orbs. Her next words, though lacking any malicious tone, sent Griff’s eye brows sailing into his hairline with surprise. <strong>”You make sure he’s okay, you hear me? One hair on his body ….. that’s all it will take for me to go ape shit all over your ass… got me? I’m glad you’re okay…and the others…I’ll see what I can do to help…go get the infirmary ready for business. Please… please, tell Vinnie to come to me….as soon as he can… okay?”</strong> After a moment or two of having his words ripped from his mind with surprise, a slow smile spread across his face and he nodded his head in acknowledgement. <strong>”I understand, mei mei. I will send him to you as soon as I can. And thank you for your concern for my safety too.”</strong> He chuckled lightly as Dani reached him just as Mae turned to prep the infirmary.<br><br>He smiled over his shoulder to Mae as she headed off towards the infirmary just as Vincent pulled the skiff up to the loading ramp with the wounded Si aboard. He caught her smile as she glanced back over her shoulder at him, though looking right past him as her vibrant green orbs found the love of her life. Dani was quick to rush off to assist Si as he groaned in agony, silent and purposeful in her work. The gentleman gunslinger was becoming pallid as his life’s blood drained from the rather nasty gunshot wound in his thigh. Dani hurriedly tossed her medic bag onto the skiff next to him, reaching inside and pulling out a pair of stainless steel medical shears. As he made quick work of cutting away the ruined fabric of his pant leg, Anwar made his way from the Shayu’s cargo bay, favoring his wounded arm, cradling it tenderly in his good arm. <strong>”I’m fine, I’m fine. It’s just a flesh wound. A few stitches and I’ll be as good as new.”</strong><br><br>Sasha was busy securing Captain McGill when Vince approached Griff as the others were all busy. <strong>“Thanks for watching out for Mae. Now that things have thoroughly gone awry, what do you need me to do from here?”</strong> Griff placed a strong hand firmly on his shoulder, his molten chocolate eyes fixing Vincent’s with a sincere expression. <strong>”You don’t have to thank me, Vince. It’s my job to protect my crew… all of you.”</strong> He glanced over to Sasha and there was a subtle, fleeting shift in his expression that was softer, vulnerable almost. But as quickly as it had appeared, it was devoured once more by the stern and purposeful expression of a man on a mission. <strong>”Yeah, help Sasha with our new friends. Drag ‘em back to one of the empty rooms and secure them to the bulkhead. We just might need them for a little insurance later on down the line.”</strong> He gave Vince a slap on the shoulder, signaling the completion of his orders before he strode dutifully towards Dani and Si. <strong>”How is he Doc”</strong><br><br><strong>”It’s bad, Griff. The bullet has severed an artery and he’s losing a lot of blood fast. I can clamp it to stop the bleeding for a while, but without that artery he’ll lose the leg. I don’t have the necessary equipment in the infirmary to properly repair the damage. He needs a hospital and soon.”</strong> Anwar reached Griff, Dani and Si while Sasha tossed Vince a pair of hand cuffs to secure the other prisoner while she pulled McGill to her feet.<br><br><strong>Well, there’s a hospital not too far from here as the crow flies, but we can’t stick around for them to patch him up. We’re on a deadline, and it’s a deadline I intend to keep if’n we aim to get paid… and I aim to get paid after all this.”</strong> Grabbing Si’s arm and hooking it around his neck, he helped Dani in assisting the wounded man towards the infirmary. <strong>”Okay people. Let’s get everything buckled down and dust off this rock. We’re gonna make a quick stop at Bellerephon’s medical facility and drop off our wounded before we head on to make the delivery. Let’s move!”</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>26-02-2012, 19:37:14</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the stowaway – the cargo hold – the Gamble=-</strong></div><br><em>They were coming back!</em> Snatching up her pillowcase luggage, the female stowaway slinked light-footedly upstairs to better watch the other survivors’ movements. Crouched in the shadows next to a stateroom on the port side, she knew several of the crew would be heading toward the infirmary and counted out heads as they passed underneath, trying to match names and voices to their physical descriptions. She’d seen the medic before when she first boarded – that familiar form and face was reassuring. With such a vulnerable looking person aboard who was clearly in a position of trusted authority, the stowaway didn’t fear for being jettisoned from the ship as much as previously. Talk of moving a crew member to a hospital made her wonder if the skiff was likely to be used for the job or their shuttle. The shuttle certainly made more sense than moving the whole ship, but after what just went down, she wouldn’t have trusted the local natives any more than spitting at a puddle would turn it into a lake. Prepared to drop back down atop the skiff at some point, she awaited her opportunity, watching, listening, absorbing.<br><br>The moment someone might come into view upstairs, she could duck through the hatch forward as if to access the bridge again, she could turn behind her into the stateroom that some crewmember surely used (and possibly get trapped, her memory-schematics told her), or she could use the half-stairs to stop on the workout platform like before. This position wasn’t defensible but it was great for escape routes.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>28-02-2012, 01:17:51</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Taking a prisoner (in a different way that he does with Mae) - Bellerephon=-</strong></div><br>"Yessir!"&nbsp; With his orders designated Vincent hustled his way towards Sasha catching a pair of handcuffs that had been tossed to him as he neared.&nbsp; He was thankful she had opted to take the woman captive for he may have felt some measure of guilt to being forceful with her.&nbsp; The male captive was a different case entirely as he went out of his way to avoid being a benevolent jailer.&nbsp; Granted it wasn't anything that would have done more than ruffle the feathers of various humanitarian organizations, but Vincent got a sort of sadistic glee out of putting the handcuffs around the prisoner's wrists until they bit tightly against his skin.&nbsp; From there he more or less used them as a handle to tow the man in jerking motions that would make them even more uncomfortable if not painful.<br><br>As the two lead their captives through the cargo bay, Vincent snagged a roll of duct tape from one of the utility shelves and a pair of small laundry bags as he walked by.&nbsp; Once in one of the rearmost cabins, Vince tossed the supplies on the bed before moving to a portion of the room furthest away from where Sasha was securing her captive.&nbsp; The last thing he wanted was to allow the two to collaborate in any way that may make their lives more difficult.&nbsp; From there he gripped the man's wrist and wrenched it roughly behind his back while he removed the cuff and forcing him to sit so he could loop it through one of the lower cutouts in the webbing of the ship's structural framing.&nbsp; Once he secured the man's arm as before, his range of movement would be impossibly limited.&nbsp; Just for a little measure of protection should their lack of time being free to do a thorough search for contraband, he took a strip of duct tape over his mouth to prevent him from speaking then put one of the two bags over his head and cinching it shut to blind him as well.&nbsp; He tossed the wares to Sasha so she could do the same to the woman.&nbsp; <br><br>Once done he double checked his work to ensure the two were secure before hastily making his way to the cockpit just as he heard the ship sealing its airlocks and the engines spooling in preparation for liftoff.&nbsp; He had made it there just a few moments before the output would be enough to overpower the planet's gravitational pull, so he took the brief opportunity while he had it.&nbsp; Without uttering a word Vincent strode to the pilot's chair, placed a hand firmly on the back of Mae's head, and moved in to place a heated kiss on her lips.&nbsp; Between the still lingering traces of adrenaline and relief to see her again after a shootout that felt like hours rather than minutes had passed through the exchange, it would have been impossible for him to not steal a kiss.&nbsp; Only when he heard the telltale sounds of the engines reach that sweet spot did he break the kiss with a wolfish grin on his face.&nbsp; The excitement from the short battle only worked in tandem with his desire for the young pilot to stoke the fires of passion within him, but was able to deflect it with the knowledge that the job was not yet done and Si was in immediate need of medical attention.&nbsp; "Once we get done with this mission, we're going to need to have a little chat."&nbsp; Vincent said sternly as he made his way to the copilot controls.&nbsp; "You've violated interplanetary treaties by bringing weapons of mass seduction to a gunfight and such escalation cannot go unreprimanded.&nbsp; I'm going to need to look up the specifics, but I know for a fact that the punishment involves fuzzy handcuffs and spanking."&nbsp; Looking away from his console for a moment, he cast a devious glance towards his girlfriend that was punctuated by a wink.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>04-03-2012, 06:22:31</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Still half-dressed and ready to take Vince back to bed… for say a week, two tops! – Cockpit (at first) before taking a tour of the ship :p , The Gamble *~</strong></div><br>Mae had done all she could to prepare the infirmary for her wounded shipmates. Things might have gone smoother had she known what she was doing, but since there was no one around to witness how she had accidently knocked over a tray of sterilized instruments, there wasn’t any reason to tell. No harm no foul.&nbsp; Surveying the room one last time, Mae gave herself a pat on the back for a job well done. As she left the infirmary, she was sure to leave the door open, allowing for easy access for the transportation of the wounded before hurrying along the corridor towards the cockpit. <br><br>A soft sigh escaped her lips as she entered the flight deck, her world always felt right in this room, things just seemed more in her control here. Her confidence blossomed when she was flying. Nothing and no one could get to her there. Flying had always been her sanctuary from the harshness of reality. Mae took a moment to survey her kingdom. Her lips tugged downwards into a pout, groaning at the sight of the red nail polish lying on the floor that had spilt, staining the cold grey surface with the colourful paint.&nbsp; Had she taken a moment to look more carefully, Mae might have noticed the smear that spread beyond the colourful pool, a telltale sign that someone, other than the petite pilot, had been on the flight deck after her sudden exit. Instead she simply kicked the bottle to the side before taking her seat. <br><br>Her fingers danced across the controls, making the preparations required for the pre-flight safety check. Her eyes glanced out towards the sandy wasteland, narrowing in disgust at the wreck of a ship that had housed the bastards that had attempted to take control of her precious baby. Her hand smoothed over the dashboard, as if consoling the ship, letting it know in no uncertain terms that she was there, that there was nothing to worry about. With the airlock secure, Mae eased the great ship into action, keeping it level as she dusted off from the planet, hovering above the sandy landscape, creating sand storm, half burring the broken tin can were it had crash landed.&nbsp; The gratification showed on her face with the smirk that tickled her lips. Though a small part of her felt sorry for the ship, after all it wasn’t its fault it had carried the crew of the damned, a much larger, more vengeful part was pleased to make it that much harder to get it running again. <br><br>Her lips twitched into a smile at the sound of another crewmember entering the cockpit. Mae didn’t need to turn around to know who it was, her senses told her everything she needed to know. His very presence called out to her, causing her body to tingle with recognition.&nbsp; As the co-pilot’s hand smoothed over the back of her head, Mae felt a shiver that began from her loins and snaked across her body, licking along every nerve in its wake. There would be no resisting his request as he pulled her head back so that his lips could crush against hers. Mae smiled, sighing into the kiss, responding with a fierceness that promised Vincent many hours of pleasure ahead. She had every intention of celebrating with him at the earliest opportunity.<br><br>"Once we get done with this mission, we're going to need to have a little chat…”&nbsp; Mae pouted as she turned to watch Vincent take his seat, preparing for the flight. She hadn’t thought he would be angry with her for bursting into the gun fight dressed in nothing by his shirt.&nbsp; She would have argued the point had it not been made clear to her that he was only teasing “You've violated interplanetary treaties by bringing weapons of mass seduction to a gunfight and such escalation cannot go unreprimanded.&nbsp; I'm going to need to look up the specifics, but I know for a fact that the punishment involves fuzzy handcuffs and spanking." <br><br>Giggling Mae offered a bright smile as she smoothed the loose tangle of blonde locks from her face, tucking it behind her ear. <strong>”Oh that one is in my hand book. Page 69, two paragraphs in, Section XXX, it reads – punishment must involve restraints of your choosing and a full body search, preferably carried out with the tongue.”</strong>&nbsp; Her green eyes danced with mischief, teasing Vincent further as she added <strong>”If we really want this to stick, I wouldn’t be opposed to a little fun in the cockpit. Do you think there’s enough room between you and the dash for me to squeeze between your legs?”</strong><br><br>Mae’s laughter sounded sensual, rumbling from deep within her throat, stroking Vincent’s desire with a new and wonderful temptation.&nbsp; She was just about to&nbsp; tease him further by flashing parts of her body barely hidden by the young man’s shirt when the ships intercom came alive with a show of loud static. Dani’s voice, the ships medic, came across the airwave in a short but clear statement.&nbsp; <strong><em>Mae, I could use an extra set of hands down here, stat! Grab some more bandages from storage on your way…</em></strong> A long suffering sigh escaped Mae’s lips as she looked down at the now wrinkled, once white shirt that draped her slender body.&nbsp; <strong>”I swear to god I’m burning this the second I get a chance! What I wouldn’t do for a shower!”</strong> <br><br>Standing, Mae moved towards Vincent, sporting a coy grin as her fingers worked the three top buttons free, flashing him a taste of what had been barely hidden from view. <strong>”Take control baby”</strong> Mae purred, dragging one slim finger along her skin, trailing between her breasts. <strong>”but don’t get too comfortable. You know how I like to stay on top”</strong>&nbsp; Pressing her lips against his, Mae purred as she indulged herself with another passionate embrace, bringing the memories of their love making back to the surface of their minds. <strong>”You and I are taking a nice long shower the second we have this boat in the black and things get settled again”</strong> Mae whispered against her boyfriend’s lips, leaving him only after placing one more quick kiss upon his mouth.&nbsp; <br><br><strong><em>Mae! I need you!!</em></strong> Dani’s voice cut through the air, slicing through the ships communication static, drawing a long suffering sigh from the young pilot. Since when did she sign on as a medic assistant? She flew the damn ship that was her thing; frankly blood didn’t sit well with the young aviator. <strong>”Better get my sweet ass down there before Dani has a conniption fit”</strong> Mae grumbled, tossing&nbsp; a sassy wink over her shoulder as she put on a display of swinging her hips, sashaying her way out of the cockpit.<br><br>Hurrying as fast as her bare feet could take her, Mae moved swiftly towards the infirmary. Her fingers worked the buttons of Vincent's shirt, attempting some semblance of modesty, or at least as much as a young girl could manage draped in her boyfriend's button down shirt and not a scrap more. The moment she stepped into the med bay any concerns for the state of her dress were shoved to the backburner as Dani looked up and began barking orders. There wasn’t time to dwell on her attire. <br><br><br>The moment she arrived on the scene Mae was put to work, helping Dani, following her instructions to the best of her ability. Her attention was solely on Si as he moaned, the pain the older man was feeling obviously taking its toll on him. For the first time Si looked every bit of his advancing age. Leaning down to place a soft kiss on the older man’s forehead, Mae whispered a quiet prayer, wishing the man a speedy recovery.&nbsp; With Dani’s sharp demand that they be on their way Mae backed out of the way, leaving the others to finish the journey to the shuttle without her.&nbsp; Once alone, Mae moved about the infirmary, tidying up as best as she could, trying hard not to look at the blood stained bandages and gauze. <br><br><br>Mae's mood grew somber as her complexion paled, the memory of Si and the state of he was in&nbsp; played out in her mind. Selfishly she offered up a small thanks to whatever higher power may be listening, grateful that it hadn't been Vincent to take that bullet. Her steps were not as swift as they had been arriving on the scene at the infirmary. Mae seemed to be lost in her thoughts as she moved past the state rooms, dragging her fingers along the wall. Life moved so quickly at times, throwing curve balls with a sick enthusiasm and all you could do was learn to duck and weave to avoid catastrophe. It made her wonder just what other surprises were in store. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>08-03-2012, 00:38:56</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Griffin Kingston, Captain - The Gamble - Helping Load Si into shuttle and parting ways with Sasha, Dani, Anwar, and Si=-</strong></div><br>Sasha and Vince moved the prisoners back to one of the vacant rooms at the aft of the ship, beyond the infirmary while Griff helped in moving Si to the infirmary. As Dani frantically worked to slow his bleeding, she punched the button on the intercom by the door, calling for Mae over to come and help her and to fetch some more bandages from the storage bins along the way. The bullet had severed an artery and he was bleeding out fast. The artery had snapped, like a rubber-band, and had withdrawn up inside Si's torso. His color had turned pallid and he broke out in a cold sweat as he laid back on the medical bed, moaning in agony. Dani hurriedly administered a shot of byphodine which would serve multiple purposes, inducing a state of reduced metabolic function and effectively placing Si in state of suspended animation, thus dramatically reducing the loss of blood while also killing all pain.<br><br>Griff hurried back to the infirmary after helping Sash prep the shuttle. He had made the call to send them to Bellerephon's hospital via shuttle, which would be faster for everyone involved. He appointed Sasha and Anwar to accompany Dani and Si to the hospital. Sasha would be in charge plus she could fly the shuttle, while Anwar had proven he could handle himself in a pinch and would have Sasha's back. Dani, of course, was a no-brainer to accompany the injured man. She would need to monitor his vitals and take any steps necessary to keep Si stable until he was remitted to the care of the the hospital staff.&nbsp; <strong>"That's it Griff, he's ready to move."</strong> Dani said in a cool, professional voice. Her hands were covered in the former Admiral's blood as she grabbed her medical back, tossed in supplies she thought she may need in transit, and hurried ahead into the shuttle. <strong>"Anwar, grab his ankles,"</strong> Griff said as he hooked him under his arms. The two of them maneuvered the wounded man through the ship, up the stairs to the ladder that lead into the shuttle. It took a great deal of strength to haul him up the ladder, but with Anwar's help, Griff managed it, as well as managing to break into a sweat.<br><br>He had handed Sasha a cred stick with enough credits to keep them comfortable until The Gamble could return to pick them up in several days time... if everything else went smoothly. Sasha was following orders, but she was letting her displeasure in Griff's decision to take this gig in the first place be known, casting a fiery look at her captain that said exactly how she felt in so many words. Griff met her reproachful gaze for several long moments before he turned away. <strong>"Take good care of them Sasha."</strong> Glancing to Anwar with a look that said the same thing, he spoke more quietly as he climbed down the ladder, <strong>"Look after her for me."</strong> Casting one final look at his first officer, he pulled the hatch closed behind him and sealed it before moving through the airlock and sealing that off as well. Moments later the shuttle departed from it's parent, peeling off in a hard angle towards Bellerophon Estates and the nearby hospital. <br><br>Mae had drifted off somewhere, he hadn't noticed where, leaving him alone with his thoughts and the quiet... half of his crew gone. Griff stood there by the ladder that led up to the air lock, still gripping a rung with one rough hand as he played things over in his mind; the job, the gunfight, Si's injury..... and Sasha. He let out a long, quiet sigh and let his head fall to his chest, his chocolate brown eyes closing in silent defeat. He was responsible for the crew, for all of them... and now a man's life hung in the balance. Sasha was right to blame him, to be angry with him, but the tough skinned, hard-nosed captain could hardly bear the thought of her hating him, as her demeanor had so clearly indicated. Pushing himself from the ladder, he slowly made his way towards his his cabin, closing the door behind him. He needed a shower... and to set his mind right. He still had a ship to run, crew members to take care of, and a job to do. After all, he was the captain.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>08-03-2012, 13:07:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Dimitri, The VERY VERY bad man - Hiding aboard The Gamble - Making his move on the delectable and scantily clad Mei Mei=-</strong></div><br>Hunkered down in his hiding spot nestled behind the myriad stack of crates that flooded the cavernous cargo hold, Dimitri peered cautiously over the edge of a crate, watching as a few of the crew members scurried about frantically. Apparently one of them had taken a bullet by his wayward crew and was dire straits. He'd never really been close with any of the crew of the Shayu, but the knowledge that one of the opposing crew had been hit, and from the looks of it pretty badly, brought a wicked smile to Dimitri's handsome, angular features.<br><br>His plan was simple. He would remain hidden until the crew slept, then he would sneak in to free his fellow crew members, increasing their odds to subdue to the sleeping crew and take control of the ship and its cargo, still making good on their contracting. It was a good, solid plan, a plan soon foiled by the unassuming, sexy, and barely dressed young pilot, Mae Little.<br><br>Dimitri watched as over half of the crew loaded in the small shuttle, the injured man and the woman whom he'd watched knock his captain unconscious earlier were among them, as was a man and another pretty little auburn haired thing, the crew's medical person. He watched as Mae lingered in the infirmary for a bit, cleaning up the scattered supplies while two men carried their wounded crew member the upper level and hoisted him into the shuttle. Minutes later, he heard the familiar sound of the docking clamps decoupling from the ship as the shuttle departed, leaving the dark skinned man behind. He seemed absorbed in thought as a pensive look clouded his dark, rugged features like storm clouds rolling in over the peaks of a mountain range. Griff, as he'd heard someone call him, moved off out of site, the sound of a heavy metal door could be heard closing a short time later leaving only himself and the delicious little morsel of a young woman walking towards the room where he'd watched them haul his crew mates. He had no idea of the strawberry blonde stowaway perched above him that had her keen eyes on him.<br><br>Feeling much more audacious now that most of the rival crew had left the ship and everyone had left the cargo hold, save for poor little Mae, the light haired wolf brazenly moved from den, stalking his prey as she meandered listlessly down the empty corridor. Her arms were outstretched as she moved, dragging her fingers lazily along the wall with her back to him, Dimitri moved with the grace and stealth of a big cat, licking his lips as he moved prowled behind the virile young blonde. Reaching behind his back, Dimitri produced a rather large and nasty looking knife from the concealed sheath at his lower back. Closing the distance between them with speed of a striking cobra, Dimitri wrapped both arms around Mae, one hand clamping over her mouth while the other brought the savage blade against her throat. <br><br><strong>"Shhhhhhhhhh, shh, shh, shh, shh, shh. Easy now, little girl. Well now, lookie at this nice piece of ass I found. Mmm mm MMM. Aren't you just a sexy little thing,"</strong> he whispered against her ear before his foul tongue lashed out, crudely licking the side of her face. <strong>"And you <em>know</em> you're sexy too, don't you, bitch? Hmm?"</strong> He whispered through clenched teeth as he called her a bitch, as if he was projecting all of his past sexual frustrations on Mae. <strong>"I bet you're a little cock tease too, aren't ya? Yeah, you are, I can tell. Walking around with your ass and titties hanging out like that, my goodness gracious girl! You <em>know</em> that just makes a man wanna fuck you right there on the spot, don't you?"</strong> He was getting himself riled up, the more he spoke, the more he believed every word he said, but regardless of his words, his intent with Mae was very clear in the soulless depths of his eyes. <strong>"Is that what you want, you dirty little slut? Hmm? You want to be fucked right here against this wall, don't you? Yeeeeeah, you do. I know you do."</strong><br><br>He spun her around, pinning her against the wall so she could see his face and that sinister sneer on his face. <strong>"Well, today's your lucky day, bao bei. I'm gonna make your wish come true."</strong> Using the tip of the blade, he reached down and lifted the hem of her shirt revealing that she wasn't wearing any panties. <strong>"You really are a dirty little slut, aren't you? Not even wearing any panties. You are straight up ready to fuck. I like that about you, bao bei. A woman who likes to get down to business, cut out all the bullshit. Don't worry, you're dirty little cunt will be creaming around my fat cock soon enough, bitch... and then you'll beg me not to stop.... and I'll just laugh in your face."</strong> He pressed the tip of the knife to her belly, dimpling her soft, supple flesh with the point. <strong>"Now, I'm gonna lower my hand from your mouth now, Bao bei, Okay? If you scream or otherwise alert the others... well, then I'm afraid you and your pretty little head are gonna part ways. Do I make my self perfectly clear, little girl?"</strong> Using the tip of his large blade, he slipped the blade inside her shirt and began running it down the length, the dangerously sharp edge severing the threads that held the buttons to the shirt, popping them loose one... by one... by one, until finally there were no buttons left. Lifting his other hand, he pushed the shirt away cupping her young, perky breast roughly beneath his tough, weathered hand. The lascivious look glint in his dark eyes, testified that he fully intended to ravage the poor girl's body, just as he had confessed he would.<br><br><br><hr><br>bao bei = sweetheart
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>08-03-2012, 22:05:33</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Royally pissed and under the impression that she is some kind of Kung Fu master, In the Hall, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br><br>Wandering aimlessly through the corridor, Mae had been deep in thought and hadn't notice the shadowy figure as it stepped from its lurking place. The strong hands that wrapped around her, pulling her body against a solid wall of muscle, clamped harshly over her mouth as the cold feel of steel pressed against her neck. The young pilot's heart beat wildly as her sea green eyes grew to the size of a saucer. Had she been able to breath without restriction, Mae was sure she would have screamed so loud it would have echoed through the Verse. As the case would be however, Mae was unable to make a sound do to the fear that lodged in her throat.&nbsp; His vile words and repulsive touch of his tongue caused her body to shiver as the cold danger of terror pierced her heart. <br><br><br>As he spun her around, Mae whacked her head on the wall, causing lights to dance before her eyes as a throbbing pain centered at the back of her skull. Releasing a muffled groan, her green eyes seemed to lose focus for a moment before narrowing, flashing with fire as she glared daggers at her captor. Mae Little was pissed! She didn't need to speak to let him know it. Her eyes very clearly told the aggressor he had not chosen a timid target, far from it. Mae was a survivor. She may not always overpower her opponent, but she would be damned if she would allow him to victimize her, not without striking a blow in her own defense, and as far as Mae was concerned, the lower the better!<br><br><br>Trying hard not to roll her eyes, Mae muttered incomprehensibly against the palm of his hand as he moved the knife to discover her lack of clothing. Her eyes spat venom at her attacker, letting him know in no uncertain terms, the scathing response that had been unjustly left unheard. If looks could kill, the tall blond intruder would have been struck down where he stood.&nbsp; The squeal of protest increased as he guided that knife along her the center of Vincent's shirt, breaking the buttons one by one after first pressing its tip into her soft skin. Another gasp of air lodged in the young pilot's throat as her outraged mounted higher, skewering him with the heat from her defiant stare. <br><br><br>The second his hand left her mouth Mae moved into action, striking back as best as the feisty young woman knew how. Raising her knee, she landed it with as much force as she was able, square in Dimitri's crown jewels.&nbsp; The knife caught her skin, causing a small cut that went unnoticed in the heat of the battle. She pushed with all her might, catching him off guard enough to wiggle free from his hold. Turning, she ran down the hall, looking wildly over her shoulder as she cried out, partially in anger and partially in fear, but mostly in a panic.&nbsp; <strong>"You Quing wa koa de liu mang! Fucking Qiang bao hou-zi de, He chu-sheng za-jiao de zang-huo! Eat Da Shiong La Se La Ch’Wohn Tian! Chui se!!&nbsp; Die you bastard!“</strong><br><br><br><div align="center">~~~~~~~</div><br><br>Frog-humping son of a bitch: Qing wa kao de liu mang<br>Monkey raping: Qiang bao hou-zi de <br>Filthy fornicators of livestock: He chu-sheng za-jiao de zang-huo!<br>Explosive diahrrea of an elephant: Da Shiong La Se La Ch'Wohn Tian<br>Go die or Go to hell: Chui se
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>09-03-2012, 15:26:44</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Action Hero of his own universe – Helm=-</strong></div><br>Vincent watched with a grim expression on his face as his console displayed that the shuttle had just been detached and was currently accelerating away from The Gamble. <em>Si is in good hands. More hands that we have left actually. He’ll be just find.</em> With an uneasy sigh, still not entirely convinced he had nothing to worry about, he oriented the dragonfly class ship and begun to break atmo in route to their drop off zone. The notion of them following through with this mission didn’t sit well in his mind, what with how thoroughly the pooch had been screwed already. He couldn’t help but shake the notion that Niska had his hand in the turn of events in one manner or another since only a fool would so openly defy his business dealings. Then again, he supposed that was why they were completing this mission.<br><br><hr><br>A few minutes later, they were in the black and en route to their objective. Meanwhile, Vincent sat in his seat and did what he always did after a dangerous encounter that still had him shaken. Replay it in his mind adding sound effects and action movie one-liners. “Take a knee.” He said to himself as he envisioned shooting the man in the shin, the bullet impacting with a cheesy flashover of the word ‘Pa-Tow!’ emblazoned over it to cover any gore. “Laying down on the job? Might as well take a nap while you’re at it.” As before, the follow-up shot to finish the wounded man was obstructed by another flash of text saying ‘Sleepy Time!’ Then the scene became more of an epic cinematic chase as Vincent envisioned himself riding a jet-bike at high speeds and under gunfire towards the wounded Si who sat prone in his frilly apron. Why his apron? Ever since Vincent first saw the gentleman in such an outlandish and uncharacteristic garment, that had always been how he viewed him in his mind’s eye.<br><br>Such was Vincent’s way of making light of a potentially traumatic situation. It may not be mature; hell, it may not even be entirely appropriate, but by gods it worked. The ‘verse could be a dangerous and scary place at times and his best weapon he had to survive it was his sense of humor. Of course, if he had any idea what was going on below deck, his weapon of choice would have been one that would have been more harmful than simply enticing an exasperated sigh. As it stood, the closed cabin doors and distance between them left the copilot oblivious to the dire straits the love of his life was in.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>11-03-2012, 00:59:51</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>=-Dimitri the Lecherous - Lower Deck of The Gamble, hallway by the Infirmary and Staterooms - Trying to sink his ... hooks into our beloved Mae=-</strong></div><br>Dimitri's lascivious sneer reached his diabolical eyes, colored with lust for the sexy little blond bombshell. He was on edge, raring to get his paws on her and have his wicked way with her. He was ill prepared for the retaliation that the little spitfire doled out, his reflexes off by a split second. It was all the young pilot would need to make her attempt of escaping his evil clutches. Catching a glimmer of Mae's fight or flight reaction in her expressive green eyes, Dimitri recognized the look of a fighter. As her knee rose to smash against his testicles, Dimitri managed to close he legs together just enough to mitigate most of the damage her blow might have otherwise caused, which would most likely have brought him to his knees, vomiting up his nuts on the floor. As it were, he doubled over, dropping the knife to the floor and losing his grip on the girl... briefly.<br><br>As Mae spat out a long string of profanities at Dimitri that would have made a battle hardened marine blush, Dimitri bolted after the little vixen, kicking the knife back in the opposite direction in which Mae, and now he, were running. Lunging out in a rage, Dimitri grabbed at the ruined shirt, yanking it back as he tried to recapture his prey. The shirt ripped from her body, leaving her completely nude and slowing her down considerably, enough for him to grab her hair with his other hand. Jerking her head back as he caught up to her, he wheeled her around, striking her across the cheek with the back his other hand. It was an harsh bitch slap that bruised her cheek and sent her stumbling into the door of one of the empty single bed rooms. <strong>"You fucking cunt! You wanna play dirty? Fine! Let's play your way then. I love playing dirty."</strong> The look on his face was positively evil, his eyes were like looking into the depths of hell, and were Mae to look into those eyes, she would see exactly what vile and immoral acts he had planned for her. <br><br>He slid a hand around her throat, squeezing his thick fingers around her slender neck tightly and cutting off her air supply while he negotiated the door open behind her. <strong>"Time for us to get to know each other... a LOT better."</strong> He shoved her into the room with considerable force, sending her stumbling backwards into the room towards the bed. He unbuckled his belt and began to unfasten his pants as he stalked in after her, close the door behind him. <strong>"I'm gonna love hearing you scream, bitch. You're gonna love my cock. Once you get a taste of my cock splitting your little cunt wide, making you cum again and again and again... you'll be begging me to never stop fucking you."</strong><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>11-03-2012, 09:09:05</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the stowaway – above the cargo area, moving – the Gamble=-</strong></div><br>So much going on, confusion and yelling and noises. Watching from above, blue eyes captured every detail of the mutual care and concern from the crewmembers about each other. A profusion of expressions and attitudes were displayed; swiftly businesslike, angry, pensive or unconscious. The shuttle was manned and prepped, everyone paying attention to the wounded men. As they disappeared inside, the stowaway had to dance pretty around corners and into shadows to keep from being noticed despite the crew’s distractions. Getting smart about where she hid, the pillowcase-toting girl wended her way along the port side and ended up in the galley. Just as the shuttle dropped away, she moved to her favorite spiral staircase. It was at that point the Gamble lit up and took off, her hands gripping the rail just in case of turbulence. Frozen for a moment, she adjusted to their pull and breathed easier as the ship leveled out, edging into the black. <em>They were leaving their shuttle-flying friends on Bellerophon! Did that mean they would be back later to pick them up?</em><br><br>Just starting to relax, her mind calculated the Gamble’s rate of fuel consumption and was chipping away at the possible refueling options as she overheard a door close below. Leaning over to peer through the slats of the staircase, she recognized the tiny blond pilot, who was obviously not doing the piloting right now, and the white-blond man that had been cowering (cowering? More like intentionally hiding… what’s the difference?) deep inside the cargo stacks during the firefight. Funny, he still seemed to be hiding… creeping… up on the pilot-girl. <em>Huh?</em><br><br>Watching the male pull a blade and threaten the pretty blond woman, the stowaway felt a terrifying shudder of revulsion hit her stomach. Placing her free hand over her mouth to keep from making herself known, she held her breath, unable to make out anything he was saying. Considering the way the woman was stiff and wide-eyed against the wall, she did not appear to be enjoying herself, especially after he cut away the buttons of her only garment and groped her in an unwelcome fashion.<br><br>Then the woman's knee rose and the man’s face went all kinds of psychedelic colors. Hunched over, he’d dropped his knife and stumbled but reached out with a lunge and grabbed at the screaming pilot. Tearing away her rag of a shirt, the blond was trapped by the length of her hair and smacked cruelly across her delicate face before crumpling against a closed stateroom door. The witness was shaking violently with fear and rage, feeling impotent while forced to relive every faceless nightmare of sexual predation and sense of personal weakness from her hiding spot. As the would-be-rapist unlatched the door and tossed his target inside, the stowaway lost sight of Mae for a moment, the girl’s name suddenly blaring to the forefront of her mind. <em>That’s <span class="bbc_u">Mae</span>… a person I know. I don’t know her well but she’s an individual, a crewmember aboard this vessel and I recognize her. I… I care about her. She needs to be well and… and protected. Oh Buddha, isn’t anyone going to protect her?<br><br>I will… I will protect her. Because I can. I’m the only one who can.</em><br><br>Dashing down the staircase, the red-blond woman dropped her pillowcase near the laundry and rushed between the infirmary and the restroom, down the terrifyingly one-way corridor. <em>No extra exits from here… either you back out the way you came or you don’t back out at all.</em> Her hand snapped out at the wall, tearing out of its brackets a small fire extinguisher. A label in several languages gleamed in holographic brilliance against the cylinder; what kind of fire it would appropriately aid in diminishing, how to work the release of the clean agent fire suppressor, how far back to stand for optimal use, that it was ideal for sensitive electronics and documents. The stowaway simply wanted it because it weighed between 5 and 7 kilograms and fitted to her hands nicely.<br><br>Her boots slapped against the metal plating of the floor as she drove herself into the room behind the male, becoming his attacker. A silent snarl misshaping her lips, the girl used her momentum to swing the metal weapon up in an arc, her arms at full extension. Sure, her back and arms would feel this the next day, but she didn’t care about the future right now – she was only too aware of the present and the circumstances that Mae was being forced to deal with. And they were unacceptable.<br><br>Slamming the side of the fire extinguisher across the crown of the male’s skull, the stowaway made her presence known. As he’d been using only one hand to hold himself up above Mae’s body, proudly showing off his cock’s heft with the other, he was knocked off balance and tumbled into the floor, dazed and blinking. Rolling onto his back, he looked up to find a different enraged and nearly naked woman standing over him, the bottom of a heavy metal cylinder aimed for his nose. At the connection, a disgusting crack preceded a gout of blood from both nostrils. The male flopped heavily limp, mercifully unconscious as his nose began to swell with a nasty break. His attacker backed up a step, breathing thickly, the softest voiced grunt rasping from her mouth as her arms relaxed. Lowering the extinguisher, she looked to Mae, shaking now at having exposed herself… in more ways than one. Frozen in fear, she let go of the weapon, letting it clank loudly upon the floor. Shaking slightly, she backed up again, bumping into the bulkhead before stopping, still staring at the nude pilot with terror and empathy in her azure eyes.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>12-03-2012, 07:35:38</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Struggling to understand what was happening and wishing Vincent would come to save her, In the Hall, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br>A cry of pain twisted with anger exploded from her lips as Mae was struck across the face. Her green eyes shimmered with tears she stubbornly refused to shed, denying her attacker the satisfaction. A sharp pain throbbed at the roots of her hair resulting from his harsh manhandling as her naked body slammed up against the cold steel of the door. The vile spat from his eyes, piercing her heart with each word as he shook with anger, determined to make her his victim. Fear stole her words as his hand clamped around her throat stole her very breath, causing a tiny squeak to push past her trembling lips. Mae didn’t want to show fear. She had always envisioned herself as a tough fighter from the streets. In reality she was simply a very lucky little girl who happened to fall into trouble and each time come out smelling like roses. Now, it seemed, her luck had come to an end.<br><br>Mae struggled to keep conscious but the lack of oxygen was taking its toll. Darkness began to swim before her eyes causing her complete compliance with her attacker as he maneuvered her into the empty state room. She gasped for air the moment he pushed her onto the bed as her hand flew to her throat to rub at the soreness left behind from his brutal touch. Mae watched with fear as he stalked towards her, completely unaware she was naked even though in the back of her mind she knew he had stripped Vincent’s shirt from her bones. Her mind struggled to keep up with the tragic events she had found herself in, unable to process the danger that was imminent.&nbsp; To her disgust a whimper sounded from her tongue, surprising the spirited young woman and signaling just how scared she actually was. Her sharp tongue had abandoned her, leaving the raw nerves exposed to the monster before her. She shook her head, softly speaking the word that would describe her physical plea. <strong>”No…no…..no…..no”</strong><br><br>What happened next was not only a miracle, but would stick in Mae’s mind for many years to come. A girl, a stranger, had taken down the blond devil with a devastating swing. The sickening sound of the extinguisher crushing against the thick skull of Mae’s attacker would haunt the young pilot for years to come, proving to be the sweetest sound she had ever heard, apart from the first time Vincent had told her that he loved her.&nbsp; Mae sat frozen in fear, unable to process what was happening, staring down at the man that had promised to hurt her in so many unimaginable ways.&nbsp; Her heart beat so wildly within her chest she could hear the rush flood her ears. Mae’s green eyes widened further as she watched the redheaded angel of mercy finish the job with yet another blow to her would be attacker, breaking his nose and leaving him mercifully unconscious, bleeding profusely.&nbsp; <br><br>Slowly Mae peered over the edge of the bed, terrified her rescue had all been a dream brought on by wishful thinking. At any moment Vincent would burst through the door and save her, or perhaps Griff would happen upon them and save the day? Her green eyes moved from the crumpled and bloody mess that lay motionless on the floor up to the half-naked stranger still holding her weapon of choice. Only when the extinguisher slipped from her grasp resulting in a loud clanking noise, did Mae jump, startled by the sudden noise.&nbsp; Her body began to shake uncontrollably as the tears that had refused to fall finally poured from her terrified eyes. A gasp of air caught in her throat as Mae crumbled before her rescuer, curling up in a protective ball as she wept. <br><br>She cried for every rotten thing that had happened to her from the day her family had turned their back, casting her away as easily as they might have tossed out the trash, to the events that had happened today. Rolling onto her side, Mae pulled at the blanket, covering her naked form in an attempt to hide from the verse. She had finally been broken. Her spirit damaged.&nbsp; One simple request escaped her trembling lips as Mae drew in a long and shuttering breath <strong>”Please….I need Vinnie”</strong><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>12-03-2012, 08:45:09</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the stowaway – single stateroom 2 – the Gamble=-</strong></div><br>Watching the sweet girl crumple into an emotional mess, the stowaway-rescuer realized that her own personal predicament was not the only serious situation to deal with immediately. Her hands trembling, she moved to the head of the bed and pulled down the single sheet, wrapping it carefully around the naked pilot without touching her. Seeing her enveloped in the thin cover, she moved to the intercom and took only one full second to bring her heartbeat under control before pushing the button and opening the ship wide channel with a whisper of static.<br><br><em>* clearing throat *</em>&nbsp; “<strong>Vinnie? Meet us in stateroom two… now?</strong>”<br><br>Releasing the button, she glanced once at the tearful pilot, sure she would not move for a few minutes. Uncertain what would happen after Vinnie arrived, hero-girl thought to tend to her own nakedness and ducked out of the room to find her pillowcase, hiding evidence of her having lived aboard for a few weeks by tossing it into the cabinet above the laundry. Recognizing that the man (and anyone else who might accompany him to investigate the anonymous summons in a stranger’s voice) might arrive shortly, she ducked into the first stateroom, now made empty by Anwar’s departure. Ensuring that the door was closed, she stole that room's bed sheet for her own makeshift toga. Wrapping it around herself over the wife beater and securing the ends over one shoulder, she held her breath behind the door, listening for stomping or questions, subconsciously counting to 200.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>12-03-2012, 17:52:28</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Experiencing a WTF moment of dread – Helm=-</strong></div><br>Vincent stared at the intercom wide eyed for an instant as his heart froze in his chest. That nickname was almost exclusively used by Mae, but that was definitely not Mae’s voice over the intercom. In fact, he had no idea who was aboard the ship that had both the effeminate voice he heard and the ability to use said intercom aside from Mae. Once that fraction of a second had passed, the copilot bolted from his chair in a dead sprint towards stateroom two. It had been a good thing the autopilot was engaged before he proceeded with his daydreaming, because he didn’t give it so much as a second thought once he was moving. Though there was no apparent notion of danger behind the voice that summoned him, he felt a keen sense of dread that only gave his feet wings. Time seemed to move at a snail’s pace as adrenaline surged through him in a desperate need to be there for his girlfriend. To make sure she was safe first and foremost. He found himself thankful the he had not yet bothered to disarm himself.<br><br>As he ran down the corridor towards the stairway, some part of him could hear the running water coming from the shower that cut out by the time he had neared. Griff clearly had come to the same conclusion he had and would not be far behind. <strong>”Meet me down there!”</strong> He said through the closed door as he past, letting Griff know he was already in motion and had no intention on waiting. Vincent all but threw himself down the stairs, taking the entire flight in two large bounds that used the handrails to guide his vault from the mid-landing then to the deck proper. As he made his way towards the hallway containing the temporary quarters, Vincent’s hand rested on the handle of his pistol and poised to leap from its holster. Though he was beyond desperate to reunite with Mae, he was not foolish enough to see the risk of ambush that awaited him in the doorway lines hall. With his free hand he opened the first door on his left. Empty. Then he went to the one on his right. There was a… unfamiliar woman in a toga there. Unarmed and non-menacing. Not Mae. He moved on to the second door on his left. Empty. The door to his right was empty and in there lay a bloodied man in an unconscious heap with his pants partially lowered. There was a flash of dread and seething rage, but he did not allow his gaze to linger on the neutralized threat for more than a heartbeat before continuing his search to the bundle of sheets and… <strong>”Mae!”</strong><br><br>Even a blind man would have been able to see the duress that hung over her like a lead blanket. Without a second thought about his sidearm, the unconscious man, or the strange woman Vincent went to Mae and scooped her up from the bed blanket an all. His first priority was to get Mae somewhere safe. Griff could handle the rest. With the love of his life cradled in his arms, her face seeking refuge in the side of his neck, Vincent made his way out of the room and through the hallway. He cast one more glance at the Clementia as he walked by the doorway. <strong>”Thank you.”</strong> He said, but before he could make his way past the opening, he saw Griff approaching. Much to his surprise, the man actually sported a towel this time. <strong>”There’s a Roman Goddess in this room and an unconscious man in room two.”</strong>&nbsp; Vincent leaned his cheek against Mae's to let her know he was now speaking to her. <strong>"Hey, love."</strong> He said in a soft, almost whispered voice. <strong>"Would you mind telling us what happened so we don't jump to any conclusions?"</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>13-03-2012, 04:14:37</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- In the arms of her Angel, In the Hall, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br>Mae lay a shivering broken mass under the blankets, her mind slowly shutting down in order to protect herself. The only word to escape her lips was soft and heartfelt thank you for the stranger that had come to her rescue. She wasn’t sure if she had been heard but at the time it was enough for her to have said it.&nbsp; The feel of a second blanket covering her chilled naked form helped greatly, bringing comfort to her wounded soul, yet another sign of the kindness that dwelled inside of her sweet saviour.&nbsp; <br><br>The sound of movement within the room of bodies coming and going was nothing but white noise, though part of her was still alert for any sign of the monster that lay unconscious at the foot of the bed. The moment a warm hand touched her shoulder Mae could feel the comfort seep through her body. The sound of her name falling from Vincent’s lips wrapped around her heart, pulling her from the wreckage of her solitude. The peace she found when wrapped in his strong arms warmed her thoroughly, healing her with his mere presence. A soft whimper tickled her throat as she whispered his name, snuggling deeper into his hold, burying her bruised face into the crook of his neck. Nothing and no one could hurt her now.<br><br>The unyielding shivering that had wrapped its vines around her limbs slowly diminished, calming her mind enough to peer up to view the strong silhouette of the man she loved. He was her light that guided her from the endlessness of despair and fear that had tried to swallow her whole, the calm in the storm that twisted around her tiny body, threatening to take her down. Her love for Vincent was never stronger; its sweet madness would see her through, finding comfort in the arms of her angel. <br><br>The deep sound of his words vibrated against his chest as Vincent updated Griff, holding Mae close, wrapped in his strength.&nbsp; The words spoken hung in the air, swirling around her mind in a jumble mess making it impossible for her to understand the question fully.&nbsp; Her green eyes blinked several times as she forced herself to focus. When she finally spoke, her voice was so soft the men would have to strain to hear clearly. <strong>”He attacked me…I tried to fight him off, honest I did.... he was just..... so strong... and... and mean! but there was a girl… she… hit him and. oh Vinnie, I’ve ruined your shirt!”</strong> The sorrow in her voice over the ruined shirt was almost comical, helping to lessen the trauma of the situation. <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>14-03-2012, 02:24:52</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Griffin Kingston - In the Captain's Stateroom shower- washing away the dirt and grime ... and hopefully the sickening feeling over Si and Sasha=-</strong></div><br>Griff had stripped off his dirty, sweaty clothes after the long day's unfortunate events, tossing them into the hamper. Grabbing a clean towel from the small, narrow closet by the bathroom, he draped it over the hook just outside the shower door. Adjusting the temperature of the water, Griff's mind was centered on the events that had transpired in the last hour or so, wondering if there was anything he could've done to prevent Si's serious wound and the split in his crew. Perhaps Sasha had been right all along. Perhaps he should never have taken this fucking job to begin with. He could've found work elsewhere. Sure, the pay wouldn't be as disrepair, but it probably wouldn't have been as dangerous as this one either. He knew that dealings with Abernathy were dangerous, and the days events spoke as a clear testimony to that fact.<br><br>He growled in frustration as he stepped under the hot water, lathering up quickly, so as not to waste their precious water reserves. Once lathered, he would turn off the water while he scrubbed, waiting until he was done to turn the water back on again to rinse off. It was during this time, while the water was off and he was scrubbing, that he heard the ship-wide intercom channel chirp to life with the familiar static that always preceded the voice that followed. For a heartbeat, he almost expected to hear Sasha's voice calling him over the intercom. Suffice it to say that he was surprised at the unfamiliar voice that sifted through, following a nervous clearing of throat. That the voice was foreign was surprise enough; the message caused a rush of adrenalin as she called for <em>'Vinnie'</em>. Mae was the only one who called him 'Vinnie.' Everyone else called him Vince or Kincaid. So why was this strange woman's voice calling for 'Vinnie?' Ice ran through his veins as the possibilities ran through is mind. Had the other ship's captain and her man escaped. Did they have Mae? Did they hurt her? <strong>"...I'll tear them to pieces,"</strong> He growled aloud angrily at the enraging thought.<br><br>Still lathered with the soap, Griff hurried from the shower, grabbing his towel as an afterthought and cinching it about his waist. He heard Vince outside his door calling to him, reporting he would meet him down there. Griff yelled back, though he was certain that Vince had rushed ahead, realizing as he had the implications of&nbsp; the use of 'Vinnie.' <strong>"Vince! Wait! It might be an ambush!"</strong> Grabbing his Colt. 45 DX from its holster that draped the corner post of his bed, Griff hurried from his room undressed, eager to get below decks. He didn't want Vince facing this unknown variable alone... and he was desperate to get to Mae, to ensure her safety.<br><br>Bolting from his room, Vince was nowhere to be seen. He hurried down the corridor to the first set of stairs that lead to the cargo hold and lower decks. Gripping his handgun in a tactical grip, he turned the corner, aiming down the stairs cautiously. <strong>"Vince!"</strong> There was no reply. <strong>"Mae!"</strong> Still nothing. He was careful as he hurried down the stairs, checking his corners as he moved as quickly as he could without rushing in blind. Leaning against the bulkhead, he peeked through the window of the door that opened to the corridor where the staterooms were located. He saw Vince just as he turned into stateroom number two. Pushing the door open, Griff held his gun outstretched as he moved down the narrow corridor. He must've looked funny wrapped in a towel and lathered all over, slowly running down his bare torso and arms.<br><br>Just then, Vince came from the room holding a bundle of sheet and blanket... and a distraught Mae. He could feel his blood boiling already. He reached up a hand, gently stroking her blond hair from her face. His face twisted into a hate filled grimace as he saw the bruise on her cheek. He was ready to kill. He glanced up to Vince as he explained their was an unconscious man and ... what? He gave Vince a confused look, though instantly aimed his gun towards the room as he reached out his other arm trying to usher them behind him protectively. He wouldn't have any more of his crew getting hurt. As he started to move into the room, Vince asked Mae what had happened. He paused, listening to her, though he never lowered his weapon from the room. He listened as Mae recapped what had happened. He was going to torture who ever. Leaning over, he pressed a tender kiss to Mae's forehead. <strong>"It's okay now, Mei Mei. Vince and I are here and we're not going to let anyone else hurt you ever again, Okay? You just rest now."</strong> He glanced back up to Vince, gesturing to him with a subtle shift of his eyes and nod of his head to take her away from here.<br><br>He waited until Vince cleared the corridor before he turned his attention to the open door of Stateroom two once more. He snarled angrily as he called out <strong>"Raise your hands high and show yourself."</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>14-03-2012, 05:04:47</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Administering 50ccs of TLC to his Mae – In the Hall, The Gamble=-</strong></div><br>Vincent let out a soft chuckle, thankful that Mae had not been harmed so bad as to injure her sense of humor.&nbsp; <strong>"It's okay love, it wasn't going to make it through the night in one piece either way."</strong>&nbsp; Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to make sexual innuendo with the girl who had gone through something so traumatic, but he could think of no better way to reassure her than to just be himself.&nbsp; It was just the first step back to normalcy.&nbsp; Once Griff offered his part to help bolster the spirits of the beauty in a blanket he was holding, Vincent read the unspoken order.&nbsp; With a quick glance over his shoulder and a menacing scowl, he made his own wishes known to punish the monster in room two extra well on his behalf.<br><br>With that, Vincent left Griff to his devices as he made his way towards his personal quarters.&nbsp; All the while he made sure to keep a firm hold on Mae to reassure her that she wouldn't be going anywhere without him.&nbsp; As he entered his room, he left the door behind him cracked so that he could hear Griff should his assistance be needed.&nbsp; It may be unlikely given just how roughed up that tah mah duh hwoon dahn appeared.&nbsp; Vincent reverently laid Mae upon his bed as he knelt beside it.&nbsp; Even after he did so, he did not allow himself to part from her.&nbsp; Rather, one arm slid under her shoulder in what could only barely pass as an embrace while the other hand caressed the hair out of her face.&nbsp; The bruise on her cheek didn't go unnoticed, but it did nothing to mar the beauty of the woman before him.&nbsp; His voice was soft and comforting as his concerned eyes met with hers.&nbsp; <strong>"It’s just you and me now, my love.&nbsp; Tell me, what can I do to help?”</strong><br><br><hr><br>Tah mah duh hwoon dahn - Mother humping son of a bitch
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>14-03-2012, 07:10:27</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the Big Damn Hero – single stateroom 1 – the Gamble=-</strong></div><br>So fast… everything was happening so quickly… her breath was caught in her throat. First the thudding of footsteps slowed as she reached 20, 21, 22. A second later, the door opened right in front of her, making her blink widely at the attractive dark haired man, her heart leaping under her ribcage as he looked her up and down just once. Frozen while he moved away, she blinked again, uncertain what had just happened. He’d hardly considered her with those deeply green eyes before moving off and checking other rooms. She overheard him entering the second stateroom, calling for Mae. Unsure what to do next, she thought about trying to continue her counting… but what good would that do? The whole idea around counting to 200 was to ensure that nothing was going on behind the closed door that she might then interrupt. Her door now stood wide open. Biting her lip in consternation, she heard a more furtive movement forward in the hallway.<br><br>Sneaking aside nearer to the wall, she heard Vincent’s voice thanking her softly. As he appeared before the stowaway’s open doorway again, he was cuddling the wrapped pilot in his arms. Another man came into her view while Vincent passed by, each talking to Mae briefly before disappearing in opposite directions. <em>The tall chocolatey man had been wearing only a towel! And a gun, let’s not forget.</em> As his voice rang out, she jumped, blinking widely again. He wanted someone to raise their arms and present themselves… but to whom was he speaking?<br><br>She figured it didn’t really matter anymore, her having been hidden all this time. The crew knew she was aboard and she'd had been seen by at least two members. There was no way she’d continue to hide aboard the Gamble - they'd hunt her down if necessary. Sucking in a deep breath to steady herself, she lifted her hands high, brushing the top of the doorframe as she leaned out, looking in Griff’s direction. Surprised that his attention and weapon were pointed into the second stateroom while drips of sudsy water clung to the hairs on his legs, she couldn’t help the smile that curled her mouth’s corners. He must have not understood Vincent’s explanation or been too distracted with Mae’s condition to have noticed the wide open door to stateroom one as he’d passed by. Sighing softly to get his attention, Mae’s big damn hero was a modestly sized woman of ample curves. Stretched up to cling to the doorframe, she leaned her body out, showing him she had nothing threatening upon her person, her makeshift toga sweeping the tops of her borrowed boots.<br><br>Something about this position… this scenario… made her bold, like she was the one in charge. Her attitude was more confident, welcoming, even brazen. Letting her eyes climb his structured muscular form, they rested upon his lips, her smile broadening. “<strong>Here I am. Am I showing enough for you?</strong>” The voice was made deep by her amusement, smoky in its delivery. Her body was wrapped in a bed sheet and tied in a single knot over one shoulder. The wife beater under it did nothing to conceal her figure, curves pressing against the soft material as she angled slightly more toward the man, hoping her increased body width before him didn’t make him want to shoot her. She tilted her head slightly, entertained by the situation and trying not to show teeth this early in the game… game? Her head did not hurt but there were myriad questions building up inside her mind. <em>What the hell was she doing</em>, the first and loudest one being asked.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>14-03-2012, 09:00:19</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Desperate to forget, In her lovers bed, Vincent’s room …. Now her second home, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br>Offering a weak but thankful smile, Mae bit her bottom lip as she tried very hard not to start crying again. Her reaction was a direct response from the warmth that flowed through her body as both Griff and Vincent expressed their concern and love for her in their own individual style.&nbsp; She snuggled deeper into Vince’s arms, happy to feel the quivering slow to nothing more than a shiver as slowly the adrenaline left her body. A soft giggle bubbled from her tight throat, a sound that was almost strangled by the whimper that desperately clung there, a mere lingering emotion from her recent trauma.&nbsp; <strong>”But it looked so good on me”</strong> Mae replied softly.&nbsp; Her playful banter might have assured the two men that she wasn’t as pathetic and damaged as she looked had it not been delivered with such a breathy, soft whisper, so unlike the normal brazen young pilot. <br><br>She was grateful however when neither Griff nor Vincent required more from her than she had already given concerning the events that led up to her curling into a protective ball reduced to a knot of shivers. Mae clung to Vincent, softly sniffling back the tears as they moved through the ship, taking comfort in his arms, his strength and his silence. The short trip gave her time to focus what was left of her brain, trying to make sense of what had happened. Still unsure of why she had been targeted by the monster that had invaded their ship without anyone noticing, it took a back seat to the bigger question that lingered; who the stranger that had acted the hero? Who was the angel of mercy that had risked her own skin to save Mae from the clutches of evil? Whoever she was, Mae owed her big time. It was a debt the spunky blonde had full intention of repaying, even if it took the rest of her life. <br><br>As Vincent brought her into the room she now saw as theirs, Mae smiled, or tried to, in order to comfort her worried boyfriend.&nbsp; She closed her eyes as he ran his hand gently along her face. She could feel the throbbing from what Mae could only guess would be a pretty nasty bruise and hoped vainly that it wasn’t as bad as it felt.&nbsp; His soft request had her eyes fluttering open, staring into his kind eyes. Silence hung in the air as the seconds turned into minutes. Reaching to cover his hand with her own, Mae managed a soft smile that surprisingly reached her green, weary eyes. His tenderness was rewarded instantly as those expressive eyes soon turned softer, brightening them with the love that she felt from the young man before her, a love that was reciprocated in equal measure. <strong>”Don’t leave me Vinnie… will you… will you hold me? Please? I … I need you close to me.”</strong><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>15-03-2012, 23:47:40</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Griffin Kingston - Lower deck hallway - Aiming gun into state room 2 - Calling for show of hands - Surprised from behind by buxom beauty=-</strong></div><br>His focus was razor sharp as he stared down the barrel of his Colt. 45 DX pistol, pointed cautiously into the darkness of stateroom number 2. The door was open and he could see the booted feet of who he assumed to be Mae's crumpled attacker in the door way of the bedroom deeper inside the state room. As&nbsp; imposing and threatening a sight as Griff could be, if not for the hateful scowl on his face for the knowledge of what had happened to Mae, he was anything <em>but</em> imposing at the moment. His body was wet and glistening in the dim light of the narrow hallway, suds slowly crawling down his body, succumbing to the forces of the the ship's artificial gravity. Still, he was incensed at what had happened to Mae, his anger over the situation with Si and the tension between he and Sasha only serving to magnify those intense feelings by Mae's attack.<br><br>Waiting for the mystery woman to show herself, Griff's focus precluded him noticing the curvy figure that stood in the doorway of state room one. A feminine sigh caught his attention and he whirred the gun towards the source. He was momentarily taken aback by the image that met him. She was an attractive young woman with ample curves in all the right places, covered by a sheet and wearing ... <em>"are those Hayes's boots?"</em> What caught him most by surprise was her confident, almost flirty presence as she leaned in the doorway, leaning towards him just so and causing those ample swells of her breasts to tighten along the front of that sheet. Her question gave him pause as he looked to the straining sheet about her chest again. <em>No, remove that sheet and let me see that you're not carrying a weapon. No, wait.... Mae said this woman saved her from her attacker.</em> <br><br>His suspicions of her were growing by the second. Sure, she looked harmless enough... and Mae had said a woman had saved her. But was it this woman? How many other people were on his boat that he didn't know about. Were his two prisoners still secured? He would have to look into that and very soon. <strong>"You think this is fucking game? Hmm?"</strong> He was in no mood to be toyed with and his scowl deepened at her seemingly playful demeanor. <strong>"Mind telling me who you are and what the <em><strong>fuck</strong></em> you're doing on my goddamn boat? And get your ass out here where I can see you. Now!"</strong> He waved the pistol from her towards state room two. <strong>"Get the fuck in there,"</strong> he growled, grabbing her upper arm and pulling her towards him irritably. <strong>"I don't like surprises, so you'd better start making a lot of sense real soon, or I'm gonna have to jettison some dead weight."</strong><br><br><br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>16-03-2012, 08:39:33</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=the Big Damn Hero –lower deck hallway – the Gamble=-</strong></div><br>The look of surprise in the mocha man’s eyes made the red-blond’s lips twitch, still trying to keep her smile in check. Letting her arms rest right up against her ears to keep her hands high, she felt his gaze dip several times, holding still for his inspection. No reason to give him any cause for violence or punishment. Unfortunately, he seemed to be at the end of his patience and snapped angrily at her.<br><br>He advanced between his questions and demands for answers, his scowl reaching murderous proportions. She obeyed his command to move toward the second stateroom but must have not moved quickly enough for his satisfaction. Reaching up to grab her arm between shoulder and elbow, his hand wrapped fully around a thin and delicate limb, one prone to bruising. Keeping her hands lifted, she allowed him to yank her where he preferred, letting her eyes lower in a more defensive posture to appear less threatening… if that was possible. At his comment about spacing, her eyes flicked back up, their intense blue color electric with fear.<br><br>“<strong>There’s no need for that. You want me here. You’re short crew. You’ve got at least three enemy aboard and no jailor to watch them. Three, if… I didn’t kill him</strong>,” she glanced toward the prone dick on the floor, her eyes narrowed.<br><br>Keeping her face averted and feeling the dark man’s body heat wash over her, she whispered, “<strong>You’ll want to pick up the knife from the hallway… the one Mae fought tooth and nail against his using on her before he nearly raped her. She got a lucky shot in. Not exactly combat ready, your pilot-girl… but lots of guts.</strong>”<br><br>Turning her head slowly to face the gun again, she looked it over, slowly lifting her eyes to study the man holding it. He was chiseled. Beautiful. Hard… everywhere. And simmering with frustration, anger… <em>worry?</em> The tension was like tasting bitter electric snaps from a frayed wire in one’s mouth. She tried to look relaxed while her hands grew pale with lack of blood high above her head.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>20-03-2012, 18:03:20</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid – Dr. Kincaid, (honorary) PhD in Love – Vincent’s Quarters=-</strong></div><br>Vincent’s eyes continued to search Mae’s as the silence stretched on for what felt like an eternity. He looked into her like a doctor would when examining a patient, though without bothering to maintain any semblance of clinical detachment. After all, he was no doctor and it wasn’t the physical wounds he was diagnosing. Any attempt to hide his love for her would be entirely counterproductive. A very faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he found what he was looking for. Beneath the fear and insecurities, he could still make out the glint of defiance and will that was Mae. The bad man may have hurt her, but she was not broken. It was that realization that gave him hope and made him see that Mae would still be Mae through and through once she has had time to recover.<br><br>Mae’s request, as feeble as she may have spoken it, still caused Vincent’s warm smile to widen. <strong>”Of course my love.”</strong> The copilot spared a moment to kick off his shoes before crawling into bed with his girlfriend, crawling his way into her blanket so he could wrap his arms around her and bathe her in his presence. Perhaps he could have spared a few extra moments to undress, but he didn’t want to make her wait more than she already has. Plus, if he was going to end up naked it would happen regardless of whether he was in the bed or not.<br><br>He positioned himself at her front, his head higher up on the pillow than hers. Their legs intertwined beneath the blanket as they wrapped their arms around one another. One of Vince’s hands slid up the smooth skin of Mae’s back to rest at the back of her head, urging her to rest it on his chest where he could nuzzle and kiss her scalp at leisure. <strong>”Though you should know by now that I’ll never leave you, Mae.”</strong> His voice was soft and reassuring, allowing the deep rumble of his voice in his chest to help soothe the young woman in his arms. <strong>”I will always be here for you because I love you and that will never change.”</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>21-03-2012, 20:45:37</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Searching for a distraction …. In search of the elusive shower, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br>Mae snuggled into Vincent’s arms, her body molding perfectly against his. Her soft giggle, warm and tender, found humor in her lover’s claim. <strong>”You’ll love me forever and ever and ever?”</strong> she asked innocently, punctuating each ‘ever’ with gentle kiss upon Vince’s neck. <strong>”Even if I gain a million pounds and loose all my teeth?”</strong> Mae asked trying very hard to keep from falling into fit of giggles.&nbsp; Her ordeal had shaken her, had she been left alone to recover she might have dwelled upon what might have been until her head hurt. However, having the good fortune to recover with Vincent she had been able to find the strength to carry on, very quickly pushing the unpleasant experience to the back of her mind where it could fester in the inky blackness.&nbsp; It wouldn’t be forgotten, but for now it would most certainly be ignored. <br><br>Shifting under the blankets, Mae suddenly popped up and rested on her elbow. <strong>”Who’s flying the ship?”</strong> her smirk tugged at her lips as she fluttered her eyelashes, knowing full well that Vinnie would have engaged the auto pilot. <strong>”I still need to take a shower”</strong> she added softly, her voice taking on a breathless resonance as one hand slowly drew random shapes over Vinnie’s chest. Clearly looking for a distraction to replace the ugly memory of her attack, Mae leaned down to place her lips against her boyfriends smile, brushing his lips as she spoke <strong>”I think I might feel more comfortable if someone was with me…you know…to watch my back.”</strong>&nbsp; Pulling back so that she could see into his sexy eyes, Mae’s smile grew to its former cheeky expression <strong>”if you’re a good boy I can let you do other things as well…like wash my back.”</strong><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>24-03-2012, 03:49:21</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Michael Corvus - GM - Pressing the Fast Forward button on his Cosmic Time Turner Remote Control - The Gamble and Crew now arriving at Albion=-</strong></div><br>Three o'clock in the morning, Galactic Standard Time (GST). All remaining crew members and "guests" are fast asleep aboard The Gamble. Vince and Mae are snuggled lovingly in each others arms, nestled into the little love nest they've made for themselves in Vincent's bed. The opposing captain and her dark haired subordinate are sleeping, however uncomfortably, still gagged and bound in their makeshift prison. The resident stowaway and apparent big damn hero who saved Mae from her would be rapist stirs quietly in the bed of her stateroom jail, confined within under orders. The fact that she had saved Mae from a life changing and traumatic event certainly worked in her favor, sparing her from sharing the fate of Mae's attempted rapist. <br><br>After regaining his consciousness Dimitri was beaten within an inch of his life by Griff and Vince. Griff showed no mercy to the man, granting Vince permission to eject him into the infinite vastness of the black. Mae spouted off a long string of names, many of them vile while others Griff found downright silly... and adorable in a sick way, given the context of the situation. Vince's parting word were spoken through the intercom speakers on the other side of the air-lock doors; "Payback. Sucks, don't it?" Then, without a second thought, Vince punched the button, launching Dimitri in the cold, vast black.<br><br>That was two days ago. Now the ship was quiet, everyone fast asleep with the ship on auto-pilot, proximity alerts and the full suite of jamming technology arrays dialed up to maximum, a security blanket from the possible sweeping electronics of any positional threats. The only way they could be found out was to be spotted with the naked eye, and out here in the black, that was damn near impossible.<br><br><hr><br>Griff stirred, restlessly. Sleep had been been a fragile creature for him lately. Ever since the split of his crew and the attack on Mae. Some might say the pressure and responsibility of everyone's well being was getting to him. Whether or not that was true remained to be seen. He'd been having a bad feeling about the split ever since they'd left. Something inside of him was telling him Si wouldn't make it and that Sasha would blame him. He genuinely believed he wouldn't be seeing her again, and that tore him to bits inside, though he wrestled with those emotions, desperately trying not to let the Mae and Vince become wise to the fact.<br><br>Reavers. They were inside the ship. They'd butchered Si, Anwar, Dani... and Sasha. He blinked hard, willing the horrifying images from his mind. Mae's screams echoed inside his mind as a flashback from his dream played, a trio of Reavers catching his young pilot in the infirmary. Her screams began to morph, soon becoming the ship's proximity klaxons. No one knew it yet, but they'd finally reached Albion and they still had eight hours to spare on the deadline.<br><br>He bolted up to a sitting position in his bed, a thin sheen of perspiration covering his body as he woke from yet another bad dream. He panted in ragged breaths as he blinked a few times, finally realizing where he was and that it had only been another nightmare. He took a deep breath, sighing loudly before he turned, letting his legs slide from the bed. Bare feet came to rest on the cold steel of the floor and he leaned over, his elbows coming to rest on his knees and his his hands coming up to palm the top of his head.<br><br><strong>"Now what?"</strong> He finally pushed himself from the bed, moving to his wardrobe and slipping into a pair or boxer briefs and work slacks. Quickly pulling on socks and his buckle boots, he grabbed a wine colored button down and slipped into it. He didn't bother to button it as he moved to the bathroom quickly gargling mouth wash before moving to the door. <br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 03:24:31</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - No snooze on the proximity klaxons - Vincent's Quarters=-</strong></div><br>The all too familiar chirping of the ship's sensors rouses the copilot from his sleep with a groan and he sets about his day in a routine that is all too familiar.&nbsp; First he reclaims his captured arm from the snoozing Mae by paying the necessary toll of a passionate kiss.&nbsp; From there he crawls over his girlfriend, pausing for a moment while straddling her to do some quick mental math to determine how much time he had free, only to sigh in disappointment with his findings and hopping out of his bed.&nbsp; From there he moved to his dresser and obtained a pair of clean boxers and made his way to the helm wearing nothing but his underwear and several red claw marks on his shoulder blades and back.&nbsp; Just another morning on the job.<br><br>After getting situated at his console, he evaluates a myriad of screens, gages, and lights before accessing just as many menus and navigation controls with a familiarity that made it second nature even in his half-awake condition.&nbsp; It took him a moment to adjust to the brightness of the white sun, despite the solar shielding offered by the cockpit's plated glass viewport.&nbsp; They were still a modest while away from entering Avalon's atmosphere, but they were reaching a point where gravitational pulls would make having a pilot at the controls a wise idea just in case.&nbsp; The fine-tuning corrections that he needed to make as a result of the sun's relative nearness was minor and was a matter of convenience rather than safety.&nbsp; Once done, Vincent preoccupied himself by rubbing the sleep from his eyes and trying to fully rouse himself out of sheer will.&nbsp; He heard his bedroom door open and leaned far over out of his chair to look into the hallway with a wolfish grin on his face as Mae made her way to the bathroom for her shower.&nbsp; The young copilot always managed to find time to ogle at his girlfriend and admire the sway of her hips as she was walking away.&nbsp; She had a great ass and she knew it.&nbsp; She also knew that he knew it and knew that she knew, which only caused her to flaunt it that much more for him.<br><br>Only when she disappeared behind a door did he return his focus to the consol to see that nothing had changed so he allowed his mind to wander using that most recent visual as fuel.&nbsp; Several more minutes passed and the secondary alert sounded, at which point Vincent assumed the manual controls and made contact with the control tower of the backwater planet's version of a space port.&nbsp; Once clearance was given along with landing coordinates, he made an announcement over the ship's PA.&nbsp; "Head's up folks, we're about to hit atmo to brace yourself for typical reentry turbulence.&nbsp; If it's not already fastened into place, I suggest you grab hold of it promptly.&nbsp; To the handcuffed prisoners of the Gamble, I am almost fairly certain the shelf containing all those heavy parts and bags is secured in place.&nbsp; Though I it is the parts and bags that I am less confident about.&nbsp; Good luck!"<br><br>Vincent placed the receiver back on the hook, considered, then picked it back up.&nbsp; "Oh, and Miss Little; I noticed that you are not wearing a bra and there isn't enough time for you to put one on; please report to the helm so that I see to it that that precious cargo is firmly secured during landing."&nbsp; This time he hung up the receiver and fastened his seatbelts with an amused smile on his face.&nbsp; A few moments later, the ship began its descent planet side and eventually leveled out once they reached cruising altitude as he guided the ship towards the assigned LZ.&nbsp; As they approached, the copilot couldn't help but cast a level glance at the planet's vast supply of nothingness below.&nbsp; It was clear they had an abundance of dry dust, dirt, and sand that did wonders at reflecting the overpowering light of the white sun and not much else.&nbsp; Vincent even had to narrow his eyes slightly to compensate for what light managed to bypass the solar damping properties of the viewport.&nbsp; He made a mental note not to go out there without sunglasses.&nbsp; After a few more minutes, Vincent brought the transport ship to a smooth landing and set the engines to their cool down cycle.&nbsp; Once again he retrieved the mic and spoke over the ship's PA.&nbsp; "On the behalf of Gamble Airways, I want to be the first to welcome you to Avalon the one moon to the twelfth planet orbiting the white sun; home of the fifteen second tan.&nbsp; Today's weather forecast is hot and sunny with a one-hundred percent chance of being extra bright where the current time is Two O' God My Eyes!&nbsp; In case you aren't picking up on my subtle hints, it's bright out there and I recommend you grab a pair of shades if you value your eyesight."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CurvyKitten</strong> on <strong>29-03-2012, 01:20:30</strong>
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				<strong>-= Kaela Moon-waking up new moon new day, God I need a drink.- her room at the inn and then the bar. Wearing (http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=46188439)=-</strong><br><br>Kaela stirred in her bed, the slow movements didn't give away the fact she had already been awake. Her senses taking in the sounds and feelings around her. It was second nature to check your surroundings before she woke. But then again it was those instincts that kept her alive. Her hand rested on the blade beneath her pillow, her naked body rested only half covered. The breeze from the fan brushing along her skin cooling it lightly as she slept. She heard the movement before she saw it, the light shuffle of feet just on the other side of the room. Her breathing steady and calm, her heart didn't leave its natural calm rhythm. Someone was in her room, and it was going to ruin the start of her day to have to kill someone this early in the morning. Blood was a bitch to wash away, and for once she felt clean and relaxed. She cursed in her mind and new it was to good to be true. <br><br>Slowly her eyes opened her back still turned to the intruder, her ear twitched taking in the sounds and locating him. Yes it was a man, the sounds of his boots were far to heavy to be a woman. Kaela's movements were quick, no sound but the blade as it cut through the hair and the light rustle of sheet. A short scream came from the man as the blade made contact with his shoulder. Kaela was up sheet wrapped around her and to him before he could curse her name. Kicking out his knee and grabbing a handful of hair in one hand, and the blade in the other she dragged him down to his knees.<strong> "AHH FUCK...WHAT THE HELL?"</strong> the man cursed and she just smiled,<strong> "Oh see now that's my question. What the hell....what the hell are you doing here?""</strong> she said twisting the knife just a bit. The man yelled and gasped in pain, <strong>"I saw...I saw you throwing money around. Asking for information, I...I thought I could scam a bit off your gear while you slept that's all I swear."</strong> he said gripping at his shoulder. Kaela groaned, <strong>"Really your a common thief? Ta ma de!"</strong> she cursed and pulled the blade from his shoulder, "<strong>I don't care what you here for," </strong>she said and used the blades handle to stiffen and strengthen her fist. Hitting him on the base of his skull, <strong>"Your not finding it here."</strong> she said letting him fall to the floor. <br><br>Sighing she looked at herself,<strong> 'I knew that bath wouldn't last long."</strong> she groaned and stepped over the man and grabbed her flask. But as she went to get a drink from it nothing came. She huffed and kicked the uncontentious man in frustration. <strong>"Great and I'm out of scotch."</strong> taking a breath Kaela wiped the blade on the sheets around her and set it down. Setting to work she stripped the man of all the goods he had stolen from the others of the inn and tied him to a chair.<br><br>&nbsp;After which she got a quick shower in, stepping out as the water still ran down her body. She noted the man staring at her naked form. "<strong>Oh your awake, shame I was hoping the locals would be the ones to wake you."</strong> as she spoke she started to get dressed not at all ashamed of her naked body. <strong>"But I guess you'll see what ever they have planed for you coming then wont you." </strong>she smiled and pulled her tight pants on. they hugged every curve of her lush body, yet stretched to allow her to move. <br><br>Ignoring the curse behind the gag she finished getting dressed and packing her things. One duffel bag, one metal case and what was on her back was all she had with her. And frankly was all she needed, Kaela learn long ago travel light travel fast. Her boots didn't make a sound as she stepped downstairs, her body all to well attuned to give off as little info about her as possible. Stopping at the counter with the inn keeper she dropped the folded coat of the thief on the counter. "<strong>There seems to be a rodent problem in your establishment, rodents with sticky fingers. I caught him, he's all tide up and ready for you in my room. And here is what he had on him, I figured you boys would know what to do from here."</strong> she smiled lightly, having only taken the hard cash and ammo she found on him she'd give the rest back to whom ever it belonged too. <strong>"Thank you Miss Moss right...we will be sure to take care of that rat. Will you be leaving us today?"</strong> she nodded as the older man spoke and pulled out some money. The old inn keeper waved his hand, "<strong>We've been having a horrible time with that rat, consider the stay free of charge to thank you for the trouble of catching him."</strong> he smiled even with it being broken he didn't seem to mind smiling wide for her. <strong>"Why thank you, I'll remember that for the next time I'm in town. You may just be seeing me again then." </strong>she smiled pocketed her money and left. She had a bar to get to and scotch to refill. <strong>"Look forward to it Miss Moss." </strong>she waved her hand as he spoke. Leaving the inn as she lowered the goggles to cover and save her eyes from the bright light that seemed to seer the whole planet. She had given a fake name for a reason, if anyone ever made the connection to who she really was. Kaela could be in a heap of trouble, and frankly she just didn't need that right now. <br><br>Making her way along the streets of the planet she pushed through the front doors of one of the only bars. Well at least the only one with a descent stock. She didn't pause at weapons check, the guard found out the first night it was just easier to let her keep them. She smiled lightly remembering his comment, <em><strong>"Damn missy be easier to take off what's not a weapon. But then again, I think that would only make you deadlier." </strong></em>laughing to herself kaela went straight for the bar, "<strong>Allan.....please say you have some of my stock left." </strong>she lifted her goggles and eyed the bartender whom she had gotten to know over the past few visits. <strong>"Aww what kind of friend would I be if I didn't. Granted it isn't much," </strong>he said pouring her a shot and finishing what was left by pouring it into the offered flask. <strong>"My shipments late so that's all I got Hun."</strong> he said with a smile even as she growled lightly, '<strong>Damn space Nazi's are even a kill joy way the hell out here." </strong>she huffed and took her shot. "You leaving us again?"<strong></strong> the bartender asked her. Kaela shrugged, <strong>"Girls got to find work doesn't she. I'll see about catching a frig off this rock for a bit, but I'll be back eventually."</strong> she smiled and wiggled her eyebrows,<strong> 'Don't miss me to much now. You'll make me think I'm all special and stuff."</strong> she laughed Allan shook his head, <strong>"Wouldn't want that now would we."</strong> he mused eying the group of men that just walked in. <strong>"Ahh hell I'd better get them some drinks before they get rowdy. I be back to talk with you in a bit Hun."</strong> and with that Allan left to try and keep the peace, and Kaela was left to drink quietly and figure out her next move. '<strong>Hell of start to the day."</strong> she said taking a hit from her flask.&nbsp; 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>29-03-2012, 07:49:53</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- A new day dawns, Vincent’s room (at first, then shower and well….you’ll have to read to find out&nbsp; :P and yes, there will be a test, so take notes :P)&nbsp; ….The Gamble *~</strong></div><br><br><br><div class="floatleft">(http://best-wallpaper.net/wallpaper/1280x1024/1108/Avril-Lavigne-05_1280x1024.jpg)</div>Mae groaned as the annoying alerts chipped at her peaceful reverie. Turning towards the solid and warm body of her lover, she attempted to snuggle deeper into his arms, wanting nothing more but to block the world from their private bubble. Her lips twitched into a sleepy smile as she strived to tempt Vincent into staying put, willingly taking part in their morning ritual, adoring each other with a plethora of kisses and warm caresses. Her goal each morning was to see how long she could delay him, hoping to get a rise from him in a way that would entail them wrapped in each other’s arms, screaming out mostly unrecognizable words that were quiet possibly spoken in tongues. Sadly, this morning was not going her way. Turning on her side, Mae offered an adorable sleepy smile that warmed her green eyes into the perfect shade of emerald as she watched him move about their shared room.&nbsp; Her eyes travelled over his backside as he bent to gather his boxers, causing the young pilot to flop down upon her back and groan aloud. <strong>”Tease… its cruel and unusual punishment… that’s what it is.”</strong> With her long blonde hair spread across their pillows, Mae turned her head to look at Vincent, catching his amused expression painted on his handsome face.&nbsp; Grabbing his pillow, Mae covered her face and squealed happily into it while stretching out her tiny feet, treating her body to a decant stretch as she mumbled something about riding him until he cries out for mercy.&nbsp; It was clear she would have to wait to reclaim her boyfriend’s body, there was simply nothing left to do but to get up and face the day. <br><br>Twisting in the bed, Mae felt a shiver as the chill from the floor snaked around her skin, crawling along her legs in its mission to remind her she was in deep space. <strong>”Space heaters, stupid name really….ironic. Space is so fucking cold”</strong> grumbling, she pushed off from the bed and moved gracefully towards the closet. Her hands tripped along the various items of clothing that hung in a rainbow of colors, smiling at the mixture of both her and Vincent's clothes hanging side by side. Slowly, over a period of a few weeks, Mae had move most of her belongings into his room. She spent every night in there anyway, so really who were they fooling keeping her room as a glorified closet? An amused chuckle danced from lips as she noted how it didn't seem to matter the volume of her own clothes available to her, she would always be drawn towards her boyfriend offerings. She thoroughly enjoyed being surrounded by his scent whenever the opportunity arose. Currently she was in search of something to cover up for the short trip along the hall, skipping over the white dress shirts in favor of an old worn out sweater belonging to Vincent.&nbsp; Slipping it over her head, Mae smiled widely as she held the collar of the sweater close to her nose, flaring her nostrils in order to gather the scent of the man. Her smile, fueled by love, decorated her pretty face a she slipped from the now empty bedroom, sliding the door closed behind her as she moved along the abandoned hall. Her mind was still replaying the events of the previous night, causing a rich, playful purring sound to tumble from her lips. Every muscle was deliciously sore, a direct result of being thoroughly loved all through the night. It was a wonder they were able to function the next day. <br><br>With a satisfied smile permanently on view, Mae entered the ships shower room, leaving the door slightly ajar just in case Vinnie found the time to visit her before landing.&nbsp; She doubted it would happen, but a girl could dream. Moments later she stood under the dribbling spray, rolling her eyes at the unsatisfactory feeling or the feeble waterfall that passed as a shower in space. Showering alone forced the fearless pilot to quicken her routine, shortening her movements by limiting them to functional&nbsp; actions, unlike the long steamy showers spent pleasuring Vincent with every fiber of her tiny body. One thing for sure, showering alone was much quieter than what she had grown accustomed to. Wrapped in a towel, Mae shivered from the chill that clung to her skin. Leaning over the small and functional metal sink, she wiped the condensation from the mirror and scrutinized the reflection she found there.&nbsp; Green eyes searched her features with a critical eye, sighing at the ugly yellow brown bruises that painted her ivory skin. Luckily Vincent’s announcements pulled her from the ugly memory of the attack, drawing a smile to her face as she turned to leave the bathroom, still swathed in the soft, white towel.&nbsp; <br><br>Padding down the hall, Mae moved quickly into the cockpit, slipping into her seat in time to buckle herself in before the landing show.&nbsp; A soft giggle bubbled along her throat at his entertaining welcome. Squinting into the bright sun, she scanned the barren landscape and sighed happily. <strong>”Nice landing baby, but then…you sure know how to handle your stick”</strong> Turning, she graced the love of her life with a cheeky grin, waggling her eyebrows comically. <strong>”This here is bikini weather my friend. I plan on jumping on this opportunity for a quick tropical holiday. You know what that means don’t you?”</strong> Pausing for a moment, Mae allowed just enough time to steep Vincent’s imagination with what she assumed would be a myriad of choices before adding <strong>”vacation fling sex! You be the handsome, swarthy pool boy, and I’ll be the innocent…”</strong>fluttering her eyelashes to emphasize her point Mae continued with her teasing description <strong>”heiress that gets taken advantage of for her body….unless you want to wear the bikini? I think my red stripe one might fit you!”</strong> 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Moon Hound Hati</strong> on <strong>30-03-2012, 01:37:21</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~&lt;=&gt;~ Kiran Reed (yes, ladies, he's single) <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> Savoring the taste of the local watering hole's last bottle of liquid fire bright and early. A real man can drink vodka any time, any place, and with anyone (RAWR~! ;)) <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> dressed (http://www.yeshairstyles.com/wp-content/gallery/sam-worthington/sam-worthington-hairstyle-from-terminator-salvation.jpg) sharply (http://www.dabblestone.com/bio_files/Sam%20Worthington%20poster.jpg), as always ~&lt;=&gt;~</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/9981/bbaddff0ac585f7cae03a3b.jpg)</div><br><strong>"Da bian hua..."</strong> Kiran Reed muttered to himself while absentmindedly poking the half clean shot glass resting atop the rough wooden surface of the battered and bruised barcounter. It looked worse for wear, much like pretty much everything else inside the local watering hole in this backwater town on Albion's moon, Avalon. The transparent liquid inside swayed back and forth lightly as its container was pushed around like the weak kid at grade school. But a few inches away from it stood the last bottle of vodka the run down watering hole had to offer <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> hell, it wouldn't be too much of a gamble to say it might very well be the last bottle in the whole town. Unlike what he had thought, after haulin' a big load of supplies here during his last job on a cargo ship called the "Big Johnson" <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> <em>very funny</em>, captain Anderson <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> he'd expected this town to be some sort of major trading center, so he laid off here, thinking he'd enjoy spending his earned coin a bit. Unfortunately the BJ had already jetted off back into the black before Kiran had time to even wipe as much as one ass cheek. The hell had they been in such a hurry for? <strong>"That be gratitude for ya... Those gou cao de wang ba dan! Ta ma de! I even fixed them noisy fans they'd be whinin' to me about all the time!"</strong><br><br>Raising the glass to his lips, he easily swallowed the remaining fingertip of vodka as if it were water. To be honest, it wasn't that strong or tasty. But hey, what else there? Nothing, exactly. Hell, to make things worse, he had to listen as a group of Alliance soldiers were making a ruckus over at one of the tables, singing and shouting loudly as they spilled their booze in drunken bliss while enjoying their shore leave. The staff didn't seem like they were going to say anything about it any time soon; the barman looked the other way like his nose was bleeding, while the guard just outside seemed content with only tossing some annoyed glances towards the group, which they'd never see for sure. Wasn't really Kiran's place to judge though, as he wasn't going to do anything about it either. Not yet, anyway.<br><br>Had it been ten years ago, he'd be in the middle of those rowdy fellows for sure, drinking the day away. But too much has happened, his trust and respect for the Alliance all but wiped away like an oil stain, leaving only a dirty smear. The face of his old captain, stuck aboard the engineless half of the "Good Morale" still haunted him to this very day. It had been the face of a good man accepting his death, a forced smile on lips to encourage him to do his best and save himself. Kiran felt ashamed everytime he remembered that smile. That man had been like a brother to him. The least he could've done was <em>try</em>! Kiran was mad at himself, for sure, but the Alliance hadn't proved themselves as an honourable bunch either after the whole mess. Not sending out anyone to retrieve the bodies of the brave men and woman who had given their lives so that they could be given a proper burial. Instead there were only empty caskets, frozen corpses forever adrift in the black. Not a pleasent ending by any means.<br><br>His hand reached forward, elbow bumping against the bar counter's surface lightly, gripping the glass bottle firmly before raising the opening to his lips. <strong>"Whoa, easy does it there, pal!"</strong> the bartender said when he noticed how Kiran began taking large gulps of the vodka, leaving the bottle with more than a third of its contents drained by the time it was set down onto the wooden counter with a small bang, causing a few heads to turn. He ignored them though. The twenty-nine year old man gasped in satisfaction uttering, <strong>"Gan bei!"</strong> as the warm, fuzzy feeling finally began tickling his senses lightly. It was far from an actual state of drunkenness, but it was a start. Shifting in his seat a bit, Kiran's heel brushed against the duffelbag leaning against his stool. It was the only thing he had with him. Inside were the things he needed the most, like a change of clothes, money, and his toolkit. He made sure to keep it nearby. Can't have some shifty fellow with loose hands make off with it, now could he? What's a mechanic without his tools, after all?<br><br><hr><br><em>Da bian hua = Great<br>gou cao de = Dog-fucking<br>wang ba dan = Son of a bitch; here meant as plural<br>Gan bei = Bottoms up/Cheers<br>Ta ma de = Fuck</em>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>01-04-2012, 06:59:05</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Griffin Kingston - The Gamble - Arriving at Capua Docks on Avalon, moon of Albion=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/griff-2-headshot.jpg)</div>Wiping his hand over his face as though he were trying to wipe the sleep away from his eyes.. and the dreams from his mind... Griff's booted feet carried him through the quiet, darkened corridor that lead from the captain's stateroom to the flight deck where he hoped one of his pilots sat at the controls. With his room being directly across from Vince's, sleep had not easily found Griff ever since the two had become an item and he wondered how it found them at all. He'd considered moving Vince's quarters farther away so he wouldn't have to listen to all the grunting and groaning and moaning and screaming, but he needed his two pilots to be bunked close to the flight deck in case some emergency should arise during the "night", then at least they would be just a hop and a skip away from the controls, and on this side of the security coded blast doors.<br><br>Groaning softly, Griff mulled over everything in his mind. So much had happened lately, so much had changed yet he still had a job to do and people to look after. He was captain of his own ship with a crew of his own, though now mostly dispersed, yet Griff had never felt more alone in his entire life. It had never been an issue in the past, in fact Griff had always preferred to be a loner. <em>"I don't need anyone"</em> persona. But now... now something was different and he wasn't exactly sure what it was that troubled him, he only knew that it did, and that pissed him off all the more. He didn't know what was going to happen to Si, he didn't know if Sasha hated him or if he would ever see her again, he didn't know what to do with the stowaway that had saved Mae's life... he just didn't know anything anymore where he used to be so full of confidence even when he didn't know. <strong>"What the fuck am I doing."</strong> he mumbled quietly to himself just before pushing open the door the to flight deck.<br><br>Vince sat at the helm wearing nothing but his boxers as he flipped switches, dialed knobs and checked readouts. Looking through the front view port, Griff squinted as the harsh, bright light of the white sun assaulted his chestnut eyes maladjusted to the white sun. Without saying a word to Vince, he turned from the flight deck and mad his way back down the corridor. He keyed in the security code to open the doors that sealed off the flight deck, captain's quarters, and the pilot's rooms from the rest of the ship before his feet carried him out of habit to Sasha's door. He caught himself just as he raised his hand to wrap on the heavy door. He sighed audibly as he opened her door, stepping inside almost as if he make sure she wasn't really there. The subtle scent of jasmine lingered in the room and he inhaled deeply, torturing himself with the scent of the woman who had an effect on him like no other before her. Growling in frustration, he exited her room and closed the door, leaning against it quietly. He was motionless, lost in thought when he heard quiet footsteps approaching. Turning to investigate, he caught sight of the scantily clad Mae just as she slipped into the small bathroom, no doubt to enjoy a morning shower. Griff wished he could enjoy a shower as well to wash everything away. Suddenly, he found himself imagining his young pilot's naked, wet body beneath the warm spray of the shower. He had enjoyed the young woman once before and memories from that encounter frequented his thoughts with torturous purpose. He cursed himself silently as he struggled to push away those indecent thoughts. As much as he tried not too for Mae and for Vince as well as himself, he could never fully suppress those memories or the other images they helped to conjure. <strong>"<em>Ta ma de</em>... I need to get laid."</strong><br><br>With long and purposeful strides, Griff made his way almost angrily down to the lower deck. He heard Vince make his trademark speech over the ship's intercom and rolled his eyes in a humorous sigh that betrayed the unpleasantness he felt inside. Drawing the Python 6 LG revolver from his holster he opened the door to the room serving as jail to the remaining crew of Shayu. With a rough hand he forced the two to their feet after un-cuffing them from the bulkhead, taking out some of frustrations on them... after all they were responsible for much of what had befallen him to cause him such angst. <strong>"Get on your feet, you <em>qing wa kao de liu mang</em>!"</strong> he said, yanking the male up by his arm and shoving him towards the door. They were both still blindfolded with their hands cuffed behind their backs. Grabbing the Shayu's captain, between the shoulder and elbow he yanked her behind him like a dog, kicking the man in the ass and sending him stumbling from the room blindly and running into the wall in the corridor outside. <strong>"Watch where you're going, <em>Chun</em>"</strong><br><br>After marching the prisoners out to the cargo hold, Griff secured them on top of one of the crates of mysterious goods they transported on behalf of Abernathy. <strong>"Y'all don't wander off now. I'll be back momentarily, don't you worry. You two have a date with old man Abernathy soon."</strong> There was a noticeable, if quiet gasp that came from them both, accompanied by a tensing of their bodies against their restraints. Griff moved back to the stateroom that served as Cherish's jail cell, unlocking the door with a metallic <em>click.</em> He re-holstered his gun and reached out his hand to her as she sat on the bed. <strong>"Come on. We need to get you dressed. Can't have you traipsing about wearing a sheet and ill fitting boots, now can I? I think you should fit into some of Dani's stuff, her room's just here. Come on, step to, I ain't got all day."</strong> <br><br><hr>Ta ma de = Fuck<br>Qing wa kao de liu mang = Frog-humping son of a bitch<br>Chun = Dumbass
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hotaru37</strong> on <strong>03-04-2012, 04:27:18</strong>
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				<div style="text-align: left;"><strong>*^.^*Hotaru Takatori- Wandering the Streets of Avalon carrying a knapsack being Homeless *^.^*</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Hotaruserious.jpg)</div>While everyone else was just waking up, twenty-one year old Hotaru Takatori had already started her day&nbsp; with several hours already invested, along with the several other homeless people that roamed the streets.&nbsp; Her long, straight, jet black hair cascaded in knots down her back, framing her the perfect oval of her pretty face that housed dark brown eyes. Eyes that currently looked worried and were hidden underneath glasses chosen to block the bright light that beat down upon her showing no mercy for the fragile looking young woman.&nbsp; Everything she owned was currently housed in a huge backpack of sorts that bit into the tender skin and pressed against her slender shoulders. There was no other option but to tote the backpack, along with a small bag that she held tightly in one hand, along with her as she roamed the streets, knowing full well that trying to hide or leave her things was a pointless endeavor leading only to one having all of their worldly good stolen, never to be seen again.<br><br>Hotaru traveled through the streets unnoticed, her tiny form moved with dance like steps, making her seem like she was floating. She disappeared around several corners of the various buildings in search of her next meal.&nbsp; Over the past few months her tiny figure had taken on a fragile appearance from the lack of decent food available to her. The malnutrition ravaged her body. making her look deathly thin, but despite that and the fact that she was without a home, she still had a smile on her face.&nbsp; None of the other homeless, currently down on their luck, could figure out how Hotaru was still able to smile and hold on to a cherry dispotioin, seemingly acting like everything was alright, even in the conditions they all were living in. <br><br>However no one could deny the hope the tiny angel instilled, giving them a believe that perhaps, just maybe one day, things might be okay and they would have somewhere to live among others that cared about them like she seemed to.&nbsp; Hotaru was adored by those she had met, each one willing to protect the shy girl with everything they had in order to repay her kindness. She had helped them with so much more that merely giving them hope to hold onto. It was common knowledge among the street people that she had been stealing medical supplies, risking her own neck in order to treat the homeless right on the streets earning Hotaru the nickname Doc.&nbsp; None asked why such a talented doctor was now living on the streets like them as most could tell it was a sensitive subject to be avoided.&nbsp; <br><br>In the end it didn't matter why she was there, as each one had a story of whoa, they were just glad that someone was willing to help and take care of them. That is why, even though various of the homeless could be violent among each other, they all would allow Hotaru to pass them without a fight, for they knew that she would help them all without complaint.&nbsp; It was that level of respect that carried the young doctor safely through the streets as she darted between the buildings that morning.&nbsp; Hotaru’s destination was unknown, even to her own mind. She tugged on the loose clothing she was wearing making her figure look even more pathetic in the clothing that look at least several sizes too big on her.&nbsp; <br><br>She really didn’t know where she was going, her mind not set on anything particular as her mind preoccupied with the persistent growling of her stomach and somehow gathering more medical supplies.&nbsp; Hotaru knew that she couldn’t live like this forever fearing either the elements, the lack of food, or something else would eventually kill her.&nbsp; The desperate young woman didn’t know what she could do though, knowing she didn’t have the guts to return home to her parents and siblings, seeing herself as a failure after they had such high hopes for her.&nbsp; She wouldn’t admit to herself or to others that she was scared. Hotaru wasn’t one to shy away from a challenge. <br><br>Despite the fact that she was little, she had a strong will to live, her only flaw being that she was, at times, too kind hearted for her own good and very gullible towards others.&nbsp; <strong>“<em>Zao gao</em>!”</strong>&nbsp; She half yelled to herself as her pace slowed down to a brisk walk, her eyes searched the buildings and vehicles that were around her, sighing to herself as she pulled her stuff closer, hugging it tightly to her torso. Her mind drifted as she stood under the harsh, baking sun, once more consumed with the question as to what she could do to save herself. Nothing, as usual, coming to mind and she fell deeper into despair, lost as to what her next step would be and desperate enough to do anything to escape this hell she had found herself in.<br><br>Zao gao= Damn it
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>03-04-2012, 04:58:40</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=’<em>Wu ming shao zu</em>’ – single stateroom 1 – the Gamble=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l533/KeikoShinju/Cherish%20and%20her%20big%20Gamble/Blued-Eyed-Drew---Red-Top.png)</div>The relaxing thrum of the ship’s systems was interrupted with a claxon. Sitting bolt upright in the lonely bed, the stowaway who had been reluctantly accepted as a freeloading passenger blinked and scrubbed her face, acutely aware that she didn’t know how long it had been since she’d last met with the captain. Rising from her sleep, she washed quickly from the fold-up sink as a voice announced their need for sunscreen if going off ship. Very nervous about the captain’s possible decisions for her fate, she paid close attention to her appearance, rinsing her mouth again. Glancing at the telltale sign of her blond roots, she hoped the red curls lying atop them would keep from showing her white-blond hair. Playing at some semblance of order with her fingertips, she arranged the wild curls haphazardly around her face, big blue eyes centered in the middle of her mirror.<br><br>Moving from the sink to retrieve her sheet for use as a dressing gown, she heard boots approach in the hallway… then pass her door continuing down the corridor. Taking this opportunity to secure her clothing, she ran her hands down the material of her toga, glad she’d not been subjected to the indignity of a strip search. Nothing under there to find but one well-stretched undershirt and… well, nothin’ but skin. Knowing that if the boots passing by had belonged to the captain on his way to feed and clean up his prisoners, he’d not be very long in returning to her door. He’d acted as a decent captor, visiting twice each day to bring her food and potentially grill her for information. She’d avoided the impossible to answer stuff – who she was, why she was on the run. Distracting him hadn’t seemed terribly difficult, especially as she noted his increasing tension and the simmering point of stress he worked under.<br><br>They weren’t exactly charming each other – each meeting was a contest. Would she answer to his satisfaction enough that she deserved her meager meal? So far, she’d not starved. Last night, he’d caught her with the sheet merely wrapped around her body, hands holding it together. As she started to open the cloth and retie the ends over her shoulder, he’d practically frozen in place for a moment, apologies whispered as he stared. Lingering as she rearranged the long sheet over her curves, he finally shook his head, cursing vaguely in Chinese, before tossing the food packets inside and locking her door without asking her anything that time. Maybe he was done with talking to her? She almost hoped not. She was tired of being alone. She craved contact and wanted to be something acceptable here – not some anonymous and faceless guardian/stowaway. She’d tried begging him for a position, a real job, in order to start paying him back for the air and water and food she’d taken that first month when he hadn’t known she was aboard. While Griffin had appeared willing at first, his sudden departure of the night before made her nervous. Was he likely to leave her upon this planet with nothing more than her wits?<br><br>She fretted and changed positions upon her bed several times, trying to find a comfortable one. Finally sitting up with her feet on the floor, she concentrated on her breathing, listening to each exhale as she counted the seconds. The lock clicked and she leaned forward, her eyes wide with anticipation. It was the captain. She felt an incredible weight slide off her chest, breathing more deeply in response to seeing his familiar face.<br><br>"Come on. We need to get you dressed. Can't have you traipsing about wearing a sheet and ill fitting boots, now can I? I think you should fit into some of Dani's stuff, her room's just here. Come on, step to, I ain't got all day."<br><br>Just happy that he wasn’t tossing her into the black without a suit, she stood and practically danced to his side, ready to follow him anywhere. Her smile couldn’t be helped, she was too excited to finally be out among people… again? She tried to remember the last time she’d been in a happy crowd with friends, not just strangers. The very nudge of her memories trying to access something forbidden created a feedback loop and shot her mind full of pain, grasping the doorframe as she walked past the threshold into the corridor. Her wince might have been covered by the half-stumble over the kickplate, but she couldn’t concentrate on the captain’s reaction for trying to keep her eyes from watering. She blinked away the tears before they fell and kept her eyes down as if contemplating her feet. She took the opportunity to comment on her borrowed boots. “<strong>I thought they fit quite well, actually. Not genuine suede, perhaps…</strong>” She tried to calm herself, hiding her reaction with a shrug of her shoulders. Where had that formal turn of phrase originated? Why did her voice seem more clipped and … and snooty?<br><br>The captain seemed preoccupied with moving her from one cabin to the other, introducing her across the hall to a room that was half covered in pretty pictures and drawings of flowers, lily pads and seedpods. Turning in surprise, she asked, “<strong>I can take what I want?</strong>” She was referring to the clothing, of course, but if he didn’t bother to limit the scope of her interest, some of those pretties might be coming with her as well. There were too many to just leave behind.<br><br>Griff growled a curt answer, demanding fast action. She selected the pieces of her outfit for its social flexibility, making the ensemble both covering and attractive, ready for any situation just in case she didn't get to repeat her shopping later. She did not react to his notice of her form, his own hands finally relaxing from being crossed over his chest to protectively button up his wine-colored shirt. Finishing off with cover enough for outside, she followed him as he nearly retreated from the space, his voice just a register too low for her to hear his unintelligible mutter as he stormed down the length of the ship. Tripping along behind him, she watched in fascination as he leaned one arm into the skiff, grabbing his brown duster and donning it while still on the move - so ... balletic. Cursorily inspecting the cargo hold, the captain slapped at the controls to lower the ramp. Turning to face the outer world, he squared his jaw and tugged his cuffs into place. The woman waited in the shade, watching him for her cue.<br><br>*****<br><em>Wu ming shao zu</em> = Small fry<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>04-04-2012, 01:24:50</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h289/masta_loki/tattoo_thumb1-1.jpg) (http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h289/masta_loki/Abs.jpg)</div> <div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Flirting shamelessly with... Mae, my eyes are up here... - The Gamble's Cockpit=-</strong></div><br>Unlike Mae's uncanny abilities to fly the larger ship, Vincent put a good amount of focus into setting it down smoothly.&nbsp; His expertise had mainly been with smaller vessels that didn't have such a big ass to maneuver around.&nbsp; Still, nobody could deny that he was a skilled flyer even with the more unwieldy transport.&nbsp; As his hand reached up to put the PA receiver in its cradle, Mae's compliment caused him to shoot her a devious smile that was full of naughty suggestion.&nbsp; <strong>"As true as that may be, I think we can both agree that you handle it a lot more skillfully than I do."</strong><br><br>Having been so preoccupied with the landing, Vincent was just now noticing the attire his girlfriend had chosen upon exiting her shower and he made no attempt to hide the way his eyes slowly traversed down her form and back up.&nbsp; His hand searched along his body to unbuckle himself while his gaze remained locked on Mae only to remember he wasn't wearing any pants, so he reached for the seat buckle instead.&nbsp; <strong>"The pool boy, huh?"</strong>&nbsp; He said in a playfully pensive tone as he stood and stretched with his arms reaching high above him, fingers interlaced.&nbsp; Though he hardly needed such a gesture to show off his chiseled physique, he couldn't resist the opportunity to give her something that would be impossible for her to not stare at.&nbsp; A low, strained groan accompanied the motion that perhaps had a suggestively naughty tenor to it.&nbsp; When he finished, an overly exaggerated expression of disappointment spread across his face.&nbsp; <strong>"Come on now, the red striped one?&nbsp; Love, you know I only wear that for you on Tuesdays.&nbsp; If I start wearing it on any given day, it takes away from the special occasion."</strong>&nbsp; The dour expression flashed away without a trace and was replaced with a sly wink.&nbsp; <strong>"Looks like I'm defaulted as the pool boy then."</strong><br><br>Vincent stepped around his chair with a confident swagger to his stride as he made his way to the pilot's chair.&nbsp; The mischievous glint shown clearly in his deep green hues.&nbsp; <strong>"Why, Mistress Little...&nbsp; I got news that your pool needed to be cleaned, but..."</strong>&nbsp; Vincent's hands moved to the small of his back as he now stood right next to Mae's chair, his weight shifting to the balls of his feet, shifting his abs and groin even closer to the woman as he turned his head and looked thoughtfully out the window at the front of the ship.&nbsp; He was finding it difficult to do this with a straight face, but somehow managed to pull it off admirably.&nbsp; <strong>"It would seem there is nothing but vast desert out there.&nbsp; Do you know of anything that is wet enough for me to tend to?"</strong>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>04-04-2012, 03:04:16</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- In the presence of a GOD! Drooling and ready for some fun ;)&nbsp; The cockpit, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://fullhdwallpapers.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/avril-lavigne-poster.jpg)</div> Mae had to agree with Vincent when it came to her abilities and the pleasures she offered him with all the enthusiasm of youth. Snuggling back into the seat, she raised her hands and placed them smugly at the back of his head, attempting to kick her feet back on the console. Unfortunately for her, her legs weren’t quite long enough to stay put without scooting forward on her seat.&nbsp; With an exaggerate roll of her eyes and an annoyed groan, Mae made quick work of the seatbelt that had secured her in her seat, pulling at her towel in the process. One hand moved quickly to keep the two ends together before peering over at Vinnie with a devilish grin. <strong>”Oops-a-daisy”</strong> Mae replied, adopting an innocent, butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-my-mouth expression <strong>”almost disrobed right here…in the <em>cock</em>pit.”</strong><br><br>Her downfall began with that simple glance. She had intended for it to be playful, teasing, and directed towards Vinnie in hopes that it would be him that lost his cool. Instead the young pilot found herself mesmerized by her sexy co-pilot, swallowing with tremendous effort, attempting to lessen the discomfort of her suddenly parched throat.&nbsp; Her lips fell open slightly, allowing the sweep of her tongue to travel across her lip as a yearning moan slipped from her lips. He was delicious, every toned inch of him, and the smile that painted, smugly across her lips advertised just how pleased she was that he was hers.&nbsp; <br><br>Normally, his playful banter would be awarded with an answering quip, but there would be nothing on offer today. His state of dress and the desire that flowed through Mae’s veins refused to allow her brain to kick into gear. Her sharp green eyes tracked every movement, from the sweep of his fingers to the rise and fall of his chest with every intake of breath. <strong>”Special…like a birthday”</strong> Mae replied mindlessly, obviously distracted by his close proximity to even consider responding with any sense of pride. She knew she was drooling. What’s more, she knew that Vincent knew that she was drooling; there was simply nothing she could do about it. It was his fault for being so dammed sexy! <br><br>The closer he came the more helpless Mae felt. She was trapped in his sexy-gravitational pull, not that she was complaining! His question brought up a very good point however, the planet was rather barren for there to be a desperate need for willing pool boys, but surely there had to be some way to salvage her game suggestion.&nbsp; It was with that in mind that had Mae rising from her seat, purposely moving slowly, drawing every ounce of her sensuality in that single movement. Such a simple act could have the cards turning back into her favor, it was all in the delivery. Coming to stand a mere few inches away from her lover, careful to not actually touch him, she paused for effect before speaking in a throaty whisper. <strong>”You sir, are in luck!”</strong> Mae teased as she played with the edge of her towel with the pads of her slim fingers. Capturing his sexy gaze with her eyes that flashed a green flame of desire, Mae hooked her finger at center of the towel, directly upon the delicate juncture that held the two edges together. Her finger movements stilled, pausing on the edge of the towel that covered her body and offered a sinful smile. Her breasts pressed against the towel, confessing her growing excitement with the swell that begged to be liberated. Wordlessly she tugged at the knot between her breasts and released the towel from its bindings.&nbsp; The white cotton sheath dropped to the floor to pool around her ankles, to be left abandoned after its usefulness became obsolete. <strong>”I just took a shower"</strong> Mae whispered, stating the obvious, keeping her tone soft and innocent <strong>"...turns out that I am in need of a rub down. I wonder? Do you think that might be in a pool boys job description?”</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>05-04-2012, 03:56:38</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Griffin Kingston - Captain - Cargo Bay of The Gamble.=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/griff-2-headshot.jpg) (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Griffabs.jpg)</div>Small Fry's enthusiastic skip carried her to Griff's side as he lead her across the corridor to Dani's room in order to find real clothes for her to wear. He wasn't about to leave her behind on the ship while he took care of business and he wanted her dressed in more than a sheet so as not to draw unwanted attention. That being said, Griff wasn't about to leave the thieving woman unattended in Dani's room.&nbsp; Dani would be returning soon enough and he didn't want to have on a warpath if something of sentimental importance turned up missing. Crossing his arms over his chest, Griff leaned his shoulder into the door frame, crossing his legs at the ankles as he watched the stowaway dress. She'd flashed him a tentative glance to meet his own, stony expression. <strong>"Apologies for the... inappropriateness of my caution, but I can't have Dani's stuff turn up missing."</strong> He smirked lightly before adding, <strong>"Hurry up. I've got a deadline to make,"</strong> as he glanced at his time piece. He tried to keep his gaze from lingering as she dressed, but he was only partially successful in his endeavor, stealing a glance at her lush, naked curves that stirred long pent up fleshly desires and primal needs.<br><br>Her question of whether she could take what she wanted was met with a cold eyes that yelled <em>'no'</em> as loudly as spoken words might have. <strong>"You already have,"</strong> he growled under his breath, turning to storm down the corridor after she was finished dressing. The pent up sexual energy had only exacerbated the effects of her annoying question and chipper attitude. Now he was just in a bad mood.<br><br>Now donning his duster, Griff punched the control to lower the loading ramp, his frustration and annoyance growing by the minute as he worked alone in the cargo bay. Glancing up to the stairs that led to the upper level of the ship, he waited for a minute to see if help would come before he grabbed the chain that linked the two captives together, giving it an irritated yank and causing them both to stumble forward. He pulled the tinted glasses from the breast pocket of his duster before slipping them on and glancing back to the stowaway. <strong>"Hurry up, Small Fry,"</strong> he growled scornfully,<strong>"looks like it's just you and me."</strong> Tugging the chain in one hand, he kept his other rested firmly on the grip of his pistol, ready for any trouble that might rear it's ugly head. <strong>"I've got a meeting with a very dangerous man. A man by the name of Abernathy."</strong> The name made the two prisoners gasp and tug against the chains. <strong>"Oh, you know the man,"</strong> he asked sarcastically. <strong>"Good, then we can forgo introductions and get straight to business... after I collect my payment."</strong> Leading them by the chain, Griff moved down the ramp, stirring up a miniature dust storm when his boot finally touched the surface of the planet.<br><br><hr><br><div align="center">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Griff.png)</div>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CurvyKitten</strong> on <strong>06-04-2012, 04:37:18</strong>
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				(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/darkglitch/14056845_gal-1-1.jpg)<strong>-= Kaela Moon-waking up new moon new day, God I need a drink.- the bar the alliance and the fine mister Kiran. Wearing (http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=46188439)=-</strong><br><br>Kaela sat on her stool leaning on the bar, her shot in hand when another nice drink of water that she would love to taste walked into the door. He walked up to the bar and slid into place ordering straight vodka. She half smirked, knowing the vodka around here was left over swill. But if enough was drank it got you there, if you could survive the burn that it left behind in it's wake. <br><br>She did her own shot and closed her eyes enjoying the full flavor of the last of real liquor in this place. She half groaned half moaned, as she let the warmth wash through her skin. Taking a deep breath as she leaned back and stretched, arching her back and leaning back. Her back giving off a soft pop. She moaned again and took a breath sitting forward again. God she needed to get laid, looking over to the man that sat at the end of the bar. The loan duffel bag at his feet, he too was a traveler that landed where ever. Smirking to him maybe he could land in her bed. <br><br>But her happy thoughts were interrupted when Alliance walked in. Cursing under her breath she shifted in the seat and sat forward hunching over her boo's. Quickly she poured and downed another shot from her flask. Leaning as if she were drunk, and looking away from the Alliance she slid one hand along her side and let the palm slide along the base of her pistol. Taking a breath as she pulled a sense of calm around her. No point in over reacting lackeys wouldn't know&nbsp; her anyway. But still having her weapons on her person made her fell so much better. <br><br>She played nice and stayed quiet, well that was until one of the men walked over to the bar to get drinks. Sliding far to close to her person her hand twitched, she had to remind herself to think first shit him in the later. <strong>"Hey sugar...what brings a fine lady like you to this dry...hottttt town?"</strong> he said trying to be smooth. She rolled her eyes and reminded herself that killing stupid people was to easy, killing stupid alliance wasn't worth the clean up. better to let them fuck up their own team. Looking to him she raised an eyebrow, <strong>"Why by golly gee I'm just waiting on my bow to come a callen."</strong> she slurred her words,<strong> "I'll be your bow."</strong> the young man said. Kaela couldn't help but laugh, which drew an angry look from him. <strong>"You laughing at me girl?"</strong> she shook her head as he spoke, <strong>"No Sir, just realized by that reflect in the mirror behind you that my man is already here. Seems offly silly of me to not realize it soon doesn't it?"</strong> she asked smiling , <strong>"Really where is he at then?"</strong> Kaela was already standing and grabbing her case and bag and turning away. Giving Kiran a play along look she smiled and swayed her hips as she walked over to him. Putting her things down and sliding between the bar and him. Letting her hands trail over his body and her legs straddle on of his. Leaning in to whisper, "<strong>Play along and I may just share the last of the top shelf liquor I have stashed in my bag." </strong>she smiled and laughed lightly. Glancing at the Alliance soldiers that huffed and eyed the man as if sizing him up. Luckily his fellow soldiers called out to him and he grabbed his drinks and moved on....for now. <br><br>Kaela looked to Kiran and smiled resting one arm on each shoulder, '<strong>Well since your man for the evening I guess I should introduce myself. Names Kaela...and you'd be?"</strong> she asked with a playful smirk to her lips. <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Moon Hound Hati</strong> on <strong>08-04-2012, 04:20:42</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~&lt;=&gt;~ Kiran Reed (yes, ladies, he's single) <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> Getting an unexpected and unasked for lapdance from a random woman, wondering when the local watering hole had turned into a strip joint. All is forgiven with the promise of more firewater though... For now anyway <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> dressed (http://www.yeshairstyles.com/wp-content/gallery/sam-worthington/sam-worthington-hairstyle-from-terminator-salvation.jpg) sharply (http://www.dabblestone.com/bio_files/Sam%20Worthington%20poster.jpg), as always ~&lt;=&gt;~</strong></div><div class="floatleft">(http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/9981/bbaddff0ac585f7cae03a3b.jpg)</div><br><em>Finally!</em> The alcohol's effects were starting to kick in. His senses became lighter and his body felt a bit warmer. It was the sensation he had been looking for. Too bad it took almost a third of the vodka bottle to achieve this much though. He'd probably need at least another one of these to get hammered even half decently; this crap was just too watered down for him. It would be too much of an effort for him right now to ask all around town like a fucking beggar if there was any more strong booze to be found and available for purchase <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> at a decent prize of course. He was thirsty, not desperate.<br><br>Lost in thought, it took him a moment to register that a woman and plopped herself in his lap, separating him from his bottle of firewater. Shit, there was barely enough for himself to get halfway drunk off, so he certainly hoped whatever lose woman had unceremoniously dropped herself on his thighs wasn't expecting a drop from his bottle. He had plenty of experience with women trying to score free drinks from him during his time with the Alliance, during the shoreleave. A Jian huo is what you generally called those sorts of women. That was the more polite term anyway. Kiran knew a few better ones, but he'd probably get tossed out the bar if he said them aloud to the woman.<br><br>He was about to voice his protest to her actions, especially when she started touching his tone torso over his shirt, with a nice swearword or two, but she quickly promised him what he wanted, on the condition that he "played along." With what, exactly, he had no dog shitting idea. The temptation, try as he might, was too hard for him to resist. Shit, did that make him an alcoholic? Well, whatever, he thought, shrugging half heartedly at his own thoughts.<br><br><strong>"That better be some mighty fine firewater you've got in that bag, miss,"</strong> he replied with a grunt, noting an Alliance soldier from the rowdy group standing nearby, watching them for a long moment before pissing off back to his palls. So she had used him as a way to ditch the purple belly? Well, ain't that just peachy? Hopefully this wouldn't come back to bite him. Turning his attention back to the wayward woman, he took a moment to absorb her features into his mind. A woman with wavy brown hair who looked like she was around his own age. Had a slender, curvy figure on her as well, so he could figure she'd have drawn the attention of the shore leave group over at the tables. Not that there was much else to pay attention to in this near deserted shit hole of a bar. This certainly wasn't rush hour, Kiran could say that much.<br><br><strong>"So what you got?"</strong> he asked the brunette, eyeing her bag curiously. There better had been something good in there or she would find her tush on the floor rather than his lap soon enough.<br><br><hr><em><br>Cheap floozy: Jian huo<br>Purple belly: An Alliance soldier or officer. <br></em>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hotaru37</strong> on <strong>12-04-2012, 18:13:40</strong>
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				<div style="text-align: left;"><strong>*^.^*Hotaru Takatori- Wandering the Streets of Avalon carrying a knapsack being Homeless *^.^*</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Hotaruserious.jpg)</div>Being so lost in thought that it took Hotaru a moment to shake the depression that surrounded her like a dark curtain intent on holding her.&nbsp; The quick shake of her head was just enough to bring her back to the present and make Hotaru realize that she was standing in the middle of the street.&nbsp; She knew that getting lost in thought could be dangerous for a couple of different reasons including the fact of being attacked or loosing her will to live.&nbsp; With a sigh she adjusted the huge backpack that was cutting into her slender shoulders and went to take a step when she heard someone calling for her.&nbsp; “Doc…” The voice was female and soft, the tone sounding thick with tears that made Hotaru turn to look wanting to see just who needed her.<br><br>The soft side of her was what made her look to see who was calling her from the dark alleyway between the buildings.&nbsp; She took a few cautious steps into the alley and as her eyes adjusted to the darkness created by the building's roofs Hotaru couldn’t help but gasp at what she was seeing.&nbsp; Hotaru knew first hand how dangerous living on the streets was and this showed just why as she darted toward a mother and child.&nbsp; She slid her heavy backpack off her small shoulders as Hotaru skidded to a stop in front of the crying mother and little boy.&nbsp; She plopped both of her bags on the ground as the woman started speaking again.&nbsp; “Please, help my son.”<br><br>Hotaru nodded, not trusting herself to speak as she motioned for the woman to lay the child on a blanket she had pulled swiftly from her bag.&nbsp; Seeing all the cuts and bruises on the child as she pulled her supplies from her smaller bag, Hotaru’s light brown eyes looked worriedly at the mother.&nbsp; “How did this happen?”&nbsp; The mother explained in hushed tones about how she had been trying to beg for food on the street when her son had taken off from her side.&nbsp; By the time she had found him he was all cut up and bruised probably by another one of the homeless.&nbsp; Hotaru nodded as the older woman finished her tale before turning to meet the small boy’s scared blue eyes.&nbsp; “It is okay.&nbsp; I will make you feel better.”<br><br>The little boy nodded seeming to understand even though he acted like he really was too upset to talk.&nbsp; Hotaru understood this and didn’t force him to speak or anything as she cleaned the cuts and covered them while making sure that nothing was broken at all.&nbsp; She spoke the whole time to the child in soothing tones knowing that the medicines she was using on the cuts would sting so she wanted to distract him.&nbsp; He didn’t even whimper in pain though taking everything she was doing in quiet and that in itself made her smile that he was trying to be brave.&nbsp; Finally done she let the child stand up and go to his mother.&nbsp; “There, I think he will be perfectly fine.&nbsp; They didn’t seem to hurt him too bad.&nbsp; My best guess is that they just wanted to scare him.”<br><br>The mother nodded and wrapped her son into her arms.&nbsp; “Thank you very much Doc.&nbsp; I wish there was a way to repay you.”&nbsp; <br><br>Hotaru shook her head causing her dark hair to fall across her shoulders.&nbsp; “It is all right. I am just glad that I could help.”&nbsp; She watched as the mother smiled brightly at her before leaving the alleyway with her son and Hotaru slid down with her back against the side of the building.&nbsp; ‘<em>Ai ya.</em> What a start to a day…”&nbsp; She muttered to herself.<br><br><em>Ai ya</em>= Damn, my god
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>13-04-2012, 06:36:13</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=’Small Fry’ – cargo hold – the Gamble=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l533/KeikoShinju/Cherish%20and%20her%20big%20Gamble/Blued-Eyed-Drew---Red-Top.png)</div><br>Watching the captain stand there, she had no idea what he was waiting for, his manner terse but his body looking relaxed. She recalled the first time she’d seen that happen, only days ago – <em>{fade to flashback}</em><br><br>After shoving her inside the stateroom where the exposed unconscious sexual predator lay, he followed in after her, jabbing the end of the pistol between her shoulder blades. "Don't tell presume to me what I want. I don't know who the hell you are or how you got on my boat... or how long you've BEEN on my boat, so you'd better start talking." He paused when she mentioned the knife, recapping the scene that played out with Mae and her attacker. His lip snarled and he shoved past the sheet-wearing strawberry blonde, kicking the unconscious man in the ribs with enough force, he actually felt a rib crack against his bare heel.<br><br>“I’m not with them,” she started nervously. “I’ve no idea what their plans were or why they tried to sucker you and your crew. You can ask them to describe their people – I won’t be among them,” she assured him. “I… I just needed place to rest… to hide. Your ship was better suited…” Hm, maybe the captain didn’t really want to hear why she’d chosen the Gamble for her napping place.<br><br>He turned to face her again, his scowl deep and telling of his demeanor. He let the gun drop to his side as he stood over the man. Pointing the gun at the man casually, he asked the girl, "You did this?"<br><br>Blinking up at the change of his demeanor, she’d let her arms relax the slightest amount, her elbows bending, hands still together. “I reckon I did… with the help of your extinguisher there,” as she tossed her head toward the metal cylinder on the floor near the wall. He’d backed up, lowering to sit on the bed, draping his hand over his knee as the towel fell away from one leg, exposing his thigh. The gun hung over his leg, gripped loosely in his fist.<br><br>"Put your hands down and have a seat," he said, nodding to the chair near her. He let his gaze travel down her body before looking back up to her eyes. "Who are you?"<br><br>Almost shaking from the release of her tension, her arms lowered slowly, watching him for any sign that she would need to raise them again. She breathed more deeply, her body turning nervous with the change of scenario… suddenly she didn’t seem as in charge anymore. When was she ever? Hoping she didn’t look loopy, she shook her head as she sat, trying to figure out the most painless explanation. “I’m just <em>wu ming shao zu</em> that got caught up in a real damn mess, sir.” Looking more like an orphan expecting to be in trouble with her schoolmaster than a goddess, she tucked her borrowed boots up on the edge of the chair near her hips, her arms loose over her knees, wrists crossed.<br><br>Giving a tiny laugh, she glanced to him under her fall of red-tinted blond locks. “You know, <span class="bbc_u">you</span> fooled me first. That doesn’t mean you deserve what <span class="bbc_u">I</span> did but… I hadn’t meant to… well… that’s a lie.” Shaking her head again, she sighed and truly looked at him for a long and deep spell. “Your announced destination was Bernadette… way back on Persephone? And I believed you. I was gonna get off there. Swear,” she punctuated with a hand held solemnly up in the air.<br><br>Thus began the fragile back and forth of their discussions over the delivery of her meals. <em>{return to present}</em> And now, she stood four meters back, assessing the tilt of his head as he looked up to the catwalk. The captain might have been waiting for something, but she wasn’t certain what it was, his tread toward the chained together <em>Shāyú</em> crewmembers making her cease in playing with her lightweight skirt (http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=46704418). He grabbed their chain and used his other hand to flip open thin-edged shades, lifting them to his caramel eyes. When he addressed her by the name 'Small Fry' and expected her to accompany him, she felt a thrill inside and wound her scarf up over her hair, making a shield for her delicate skin. Keeping up with him was easy only because he was half dragging his prisoners into the harsh sunlight.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>14-04-2012, 18:06:26</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h289/masta_loki/tattoo_thumb1-1.jpg)</div> <div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Playing the part of dutiful pool boy - The Gamble's Cockpit=-</strong></div><br>Vincent watched with intent interest as the towel glided free of Mae's frame, revealing the silky smooth flesh it had been hiding.&nbsp; In that instant, his breath escaped him in a heated huff as he looked over her physique that looked especially soft to the touch after having come out of the shower only moments ago.&nbsp; It took every ounce of will he had available to resist pulling her close just so he could feel the warmth of her body caressing his skin once more.&nbsp; There was no denying the young vixen was skilled in the art of seduction and acing on his impulses would have been the same as admitting defeat in the little game they initiated.&nbsp; Not that he would have minded entirely, but he had learned that allowing the game to last as long as it possibly could in the efforts to relentlessly tease and entice their partner always made the post-game results all the more mind blowing.<br><br>After sucking in a slow, soothing breath to get himself under control once more, he assumed a pensive expression as though he was considering her question though the obvious desire never left his eyes.&nbsp; <strong>"That is a good question...&nbsp; Although my job description lies upon the pool and surrounding area, I have heard that it isn't uncommon for individuals in my line of work to see to it that the owner of the pool is also tended to."</strong>&nbsp; A wolfish grin spread across his lips as he slowly stepped around Mae, transitioning to place himself immediately behind her while remaining that intimate closeness they shared upon her approach.&nbsp; <strong>"After all, making sure the pool's mistress is happy with my performance ensures that I'll retain my position in the long term."</strong><br><br>Just as he finished speaking, the flat of his palms pressed gently against her shoulder blades and sensually glided down to the small of her back before returning where they had began.&nbsp; The motion repeated itself, though this time moving more outward to caress the edges of her back and just above where the curve of her ass began before returning up top once more.&nbsp; The third time, his hands glided along her sides, tracing the curves of her profile until finally coming to rest at her hips.&nbsp; At that point, he inched closer so that only a few points of his body pressed against her back; specifically the height of his pecks and the obvious tightness that had formed in his boxers as a result of their games.&nbsp; <strong>"How's this, Mistress Little?&nbsp; Am I doing a satisfactory job?"</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>19-04-2012, 20:22:51</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://im01.galawallpapers.net/photo/75816/Avril-Lavigne-075.jpg)</div><div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Still in the presence of a GOD! And best pool attendant EVER!!&nbsp; The cockpit, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br>The smile that tugged at Mae’s lips was mirrored in the crisp green of her eyes that sparkled like precious jewels. Vincent’s deep, baritone voice wrapped around her senses, bringing every sensual memory they shared to her mind in a delicious loop. Its own euphoric rhythm had the power to heat from her from within, starting with her loins moving through her body in a molten rush, making her feel electric inside.&nbsp; It was a feeling impossible to hide, and so, Mae simply gave into the sweet surrender. She tracked him as he moved, barely touching her, yet still drawing her to him like a moth to a flame. <br><br>His touch, though gentle, left her body trembling and feeling the flames of desire licking across her soft skin, marking his progress from her shoulders to the small of her back and back again. A soft moan slipped from her lips as Mae unconsciously moved closer, as if his body was attached to hers with invisible strings. There was no point in resisting her body’s urges, even if she had wanted to, they were too strong. Suppressing a moan as her teeth bit into the moist flesh of her lip, Mae pressed her backside into the hard bulge still contained within Vincent’s boxers. <strong>”You keep working on it baby, I’ll let you know when I’m satisfied”</strong> Mae replied, making use of her trademark cheeky inflection. Glancing over her shoulder she offered the sexy co-pilot a sassy grin, waggling her eyebrows and trying, unsuccessfully, to keep hold of a playful giggle bubbling to the surface <strong>”how are you with oils and lotions? If you want the job to be permanently yours I reckon it’s only right that I check out all of your…talents.”</strong> <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>25-04-2012, 06:58:35</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Griffin Kingston - Captain - Avalon, en route to Buzzard Gulch to complete their job and trade the prisoners=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/griff-2-headshot.jpg) (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Griffabs.jpg)</div><br><em><strong>The Gamble</strong></em> had set down a safe distance outside of Buzzard Gulch (http://jsportsblogger.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/old-west.jpg), where he was to meet with the buyer of the transported cargo and close the deal. It was a small settler's community that strongly resembled a town from the Old American midwest of <em>The Earth That Was</em>. Giving a tug to the chains that bound his two prisoners tightly, Griff snarled with anger ans frustration over the recent events that found him here on Buzzard with two prisoners and a stowaway in tow on his way to meet with Abernathy, or so he thought, without any back up and most of his crew on another planet. Needless to say he was not in a good mood. He shoved the chains towards Small Fry as he came to stop few dozen feet away from the ship. <strong>"Hold this. Tightly. I'll be right back."</strong> He turned and marched back up the ramp to the skiff, climbing inside and igniting the engine. There were a couple of crates securely lashed to the back of the skiff with cargo nets as well as enough seating for six people plus the driver. <br><br>Griff intentionally revved the throttle, sending the loud roar of the powerful engine reverberating through the entire ship. Carefully, he guided the skiff down the loading ramp and pulled alongside Small Fry and her charge. He leaped from the skiff, rounding the front of the skiff and approaching the trio, with long, purposeful strides. Dark, brooding eyes cast another glance back to the cargo hold as if he was looking for something... or someone as he yanked the chains from the strawberry blond. He shoved the chained duo towards the skiff harshly. <strong>"Get your sorry asses on board."</strong> He climbed in with them, securing their wrists to the skiff's chassis before circling around and climbing back into the driver's seat before glancing over to Small Fry. <strong>"Well you just gonna stand there and look pretty all day or are you gonna get your ass in gear?"</strong> It was a completely rhetorical question as Griff had no intention of leaving her here unattended. After she climbed in, Griff gunned the throttle, even before she had her safety harness fastened, sending everyone&nbsp; back into their seats.<br><br><div align="center"><strong>-=A half hour later - Entering the township of Buzzard Gulch=-</strong></div><br>Buzzard Gulch was buzzing with activity as the settlers went about their daily lives. Griff slowly maneuvered the skiff through the dusty streets. Horse drawn wagons and men on horseback negotiated the busy streets alongside Griff and his skiff while pedestrians crossed here and there, picking their way through the traffic as they went about their business. Griff's arrival drew a few curious looks but nothing to be concerned about; Griff was no stranger to Buzzard Gulch. The skiff throttled back and came to a stop next to one of the taller, three story buildings. The bold lettering on the building's front exterior read, <em>OXHORN SALOON</em>. <strong>"Get out, "</strong> he said coldly, though he kept his eyes forward. There was a certain, unspoken warning in his words. <strong>"I might stop in for a drink later. I might be dead later. Time will tell."</strong> The young woman climbed out and Griff throttled the skiff back to life as soon as her boots touched the dust of the road. <br><br><br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>25-04-2012, 09:07:49</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=’Small Fry’ – outside the Gamble – Avalon=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l533/KeikoShinju/Cherish%20and%20her%20big%20Gamble/Blued-Eyed-Drew---Red-Top.png)</div><br>The captain seemed even more irritated than the red-blond thought the situation might warrant, but then she’d never been a ship’s captain (to her memory’s knowledge) or solely responsible for a crew’s welfare and the attainment of jobs with which to keep their crate flyin’. Stumbling after him, she was shocked to find the chains of power over two badduns thrust into her hands. Blinking at this new situation, she looked up at the captives, wondering just how much pressure she would need to exert to keep them from escaping if they really tried. Thankfully, they couldn’t exactly move in tandem with the way they’d been trussed up and never had the opportunity to try shaking loose of her.<br><br>The skiff roared to life inside the cargo hold and revved out to stop before her, sending dust everywhere. The captain arranged for the prisoners’ seating and climbed in front, ready to split. Sad to see him go, Small Fry was surprised again when he said, “Well, you just gonna stand there and look pretty all day or are you gonna get your ass in gear?” Blinking in order to process this string of words, she suddenly realized that more importantly than his compliment on her appearance was his expectation for her to accompany him. Forgetting to answer him, she hopped forward and climbed in, uncertain just how to get the safety harn… w<em>hoa!</em><br><br>Fussing with the harness as they sped off, she turned her face away from straight on, letting her scarf shield her from the wind as well as the sun. She would normally have watched over the lay of the land, mapping without really trying all the topographical information she could view along the ride. Instead, she was turned inward to the center of the skiff, her eyes lifting to watch the captain. He was fine enough to view, a tick in his jaw making his day-old beard jump. She tried to recall him at a point when he did not appear angry… and was kept busy for some time considering all the times she saw him when he was.<br><br>Strolling into town, the place looked like it needed a good scrubbing all over. She was extremely glad to have changed boots after all. Those adorable short ones she found in the locker would not have done well under such abominable conditions. The shit-kickers she now wore were her allowance that the planet didn’t seem to have cities of glass and metal... at least, none she had noticed from the files… in her head… <em>huh?</em> She ‘flipped’ visually through the diagrams and statistics in her memory, wondering where she’d acquired such information.<br><br>The skiff slowed and stopped, the captain making another order of her. Any unrealized hopes for camaraderie were dashed at the idea he might be leaving her here to fend for herself. Then she realized that his comment about returning for a drink might in fact be his hope to do so eking out. Confused, she slid from the skiff and watched him zoom away without comment, feeling bereft. Biting into her lower lip, she slowly backed up toward the establishment, glancing around surreptitiously. Unsure how long this might take and knowing that she had no money for anything inside the tavern, she turned on the casual rating and leaned against the wall near the door to look like she was waiting for someone specific.<br><br>Time passed and the sun moved in its arc. Ducking looks inside the tavern, she watched individuals drink and talk, play betting games and generally ignore her. Just the way she liked it.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>25-04-2012, 21:22:59</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-Annabel, NCP,&nbsp; The Saloon – Avalon, seeking Hotaru aka The Doc</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://www.amybrown.net/women/cowgirl.jpg)</div> Annabel Jackson walked the dust covered streets, looking down every alley, in search of the petite, dark haired doctor. Hotaru had a reputation of helping out those folks in need of being helped, and today that would be Annabel.&nbsp; She looked in one piece, though in need of a good sprucing, but life on this planet wasn’t for the prissy type. The women on this planet learned to work the land and live without the niceties that were commonplace on those planets closer to the core. Wiping the dirt from her face with the aid of her sleeve, Annabel headed into the tavern and hoped the tiny angel would be taking shelter in the seedy bar. The doubt in her eyes showed clearly that Hotaru would be hiding within the dark tavern but she was running out of both patients and time.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>The sound of her heavy boots shuffling across the uneven planks that served as a walkway. She paused as she rounded the corner watching through narrowed eyes at the stranger that stood mostly unnoticed by the folk going about their day. ”You look too clean” Annabel commented as she got closer, taking a full moment to look over the strawberry blonde. ”You might want to dirty yourself up a bit if you’re looking to blend in, other than that someone is gonna target you for something you may or may not got. This town may look sleepy, but it ain’t. Come inside with me. You waitin’ on anyone particular? Its better you do your waitin’ with a drink.” <br><br>Taking the girl by the arm, Annabel didn’t give the stranger much of a chance to answer as she pulled her along with inside the tavern. ”Standing about lookin’ like you do is only askin’ for trouble. You ain’t&nbsp; lookin’ to sell yourself are yeah? You don’t seem the type ready to spread em’ for some money. But that’s what you’ll get hanging about all clean and pretty like.” Shaking her head, Annabel guided the smaller girl to a table nearby a cocky looking man and a woman who did seem the type to spread em’, with or without the encouragement of payment.&nbsp; <br><br>Looking over at the bartender, Annabel nodded her head and held up two fingers, signaling the need for drinks. ”Has the Doc been in today?” she asked over the buzz in the bar, sighing heavily at the shake of the head she received as her answer. Taking off her dust covered hat, Annabel grumbled under her breath and chucked the hat on the table before looking back at the girl she had chosen as company. ”The name’s Annabel. You ain’t seen a tiny doll of an Asian girl while you been hanging around doing nothing much have you?”Again, not waiting for an answer Annabel glanced over at the couple at the next table ”What about you two? You have time in your...whatever it is you are doin’ to spot a tiny Asian looking girl going by the name of Hotaru or Doc?” <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CurvyKitten</strong> on <strong>26-04-2012, 23:10:10</strong>
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				(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/darkglitch/14056845_gal-1-1.jpg)<strong>-= Kaela Moon-waking up new moon new day, God I need a drink.- the bar the alliance and the fine mister Kiran. Wearing (http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=46188439)=-</strong><br><br>&nbsp;Kaela glanced at the alliance over the mans shoulder. Taking in their numbers, their rank, weapons, judging their training by their stance even their wage by their uniform and accessories or the drinks they chose. She wasn't dumb, she hadn't gotten this far by playing it safe and not taking in every detail she could. Slowly she licked her lips and looked back to the man she had slipped her softly curved frame into. Her boot slide against her bag and tapped lightly, a light metal sound came. The metal container she had transferred the aged whiskey into. Kaela learned a long time ago keeping your goods in a breakable container was a bad idea, <strong>"Last of the real stuff they had in this place." </strong>she shifted her weight just a bit leaning in smiling a bit. Bit her eyes fell on the one silent Alliance solider, quiet always made her nervous. It meant they had more to hide. <strong>"Perfectly aged whiskey,&nbsp; just popped the bottle before you walked in. " </strong>she used the angle to get a look at the man that kept to the shadows. <br><br>Not caring about the what thoughts were of the man who's lap she was in. She wasn't one to shy away from things, and she wasn't one to be shy of using what she had to get by. Using what she needed to survive, and if she managed to get a little stress relief in the in end too. Well then all the better, leaning back she braced both elbows on the bar and looked at him. Keeping the soldiers in her peripheral vision,<strong>"So what now lover? DO we part from here and call it a day?"</strong> she smirked and laughed lightly one of his legs till between hers as she stood before him. Hearing someone speak to them Kaela looked over her eyes looking over the woman, she thought a moment. <strong> "Why you asking? You sick?"</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>30-04-2012, 03:10:50</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=’Small Fry’ – Oxhorn Saloon – Avalon=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l533/KeikoShinju/Cherish%20and%20her%20big%20Gamble/Blued-Eyed-Drew---Red-Top.png)</div><br>The young woman leaning against the side of the saloon was appreciably pretty but made an effort to keep her head down, trying not to be noticed. She was clean and dressed in coral and floral under her denim, making her look fresh and inviting. Just because the town she ended up in was not so delicately themed mattered not to her, except that by being dust-free, she stood out - not exactly what she had envisioned when selecting her garments. She’d just wanted to feel light and airy again, something flowing along her skin, something less… jumpsuit-ish. Here, she had a specific out-of-place look despite her don’t-notice-me try. Answering to that oddness was a cute blond cowpoke with a busybody attitude. The artificially redhaired woman was only startled as her confronter offered such advice as might get her less than picked on by the locals should they decide she looked biddable… or beddable. Opening her mouth to explain that she hadn’t any money, the cowpoke circled a hand around her arm to guide her inside, no explanation needed. Flustered over the cowpoke’s insistence but needing to remain in the area in case the captain of the Gamble returned, she accompanied the blond, wondering if she would be tossed right back out for not being able to afford a drink.<br><br>Being asked about an Asian girl by the blond stranger, Annabel’s guest shook her head, fiddling with her scarf to loosen it from over her hair to around her throat. She shook her curls out, following the cowpoke’s line of questioning to the couple on one seat. She managed not to blush but smirked a little, looking over how awkwardly positioned and comfortably close they seemed.<br><br>Distracted by the bartender’s thunk of a nearly empty bottle on the bar top, her eyes turned back to watch two short glasses get doused with a light amber liquid. Shoved forward to the front of the authentic wood bar, the little amount of liquor sloshed and ringed the glasses before settling. <em>What a sizable chunk of real wood might cost in today’s market</em>, she started to think, her headache pinging at the center of her mind. Holding back a groan, she touched her forehead for a moment, turning the maneuver into a brushing through her hair. Blinking through tears, she glanced around to see a table full of Alliance low grades enjoying some R &amp; R. A sudden queasiness hit her stomach and she bit her lip, looking toward Annabel again, wondering what about those uniforms made her so nervous.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>30-04-2012, 06:02:55</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griffin Kingston, Captain - Oxhorn Saloon - Buzzard's Gulch - Avalon =-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/griff-2-headshot.jpg) (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Griffabs.jpg)</div>The exchange hadn't been as eventful as Griff had anticipated, which was a relief considering he had to go in without his only reliable backup. With the departure of Sasha and Si, it fell to Vincent to make sure Griff didn't go into undesirable situations with his back exposed. He would have words with his co-pilot later. Right now, he needed a stiff drink in the worst way, and as it just so happened, the man with whom he'd just met, one of Abernathy's associates, had forfeited a full bottle of top notch whiskey with the seal still intact. Hurrying back to the saloon where he'd dropped off the stow away, he questioned why he was even returning to her to begin with. She was not part of his crew and had no place on his on ship. She was a criminal, after all, stealing passage, stealing food and water, stealing clothes and air... on the other hand, she had undoubtedly saved Mae's life, and like it or not, that went a long way on her behalf.<br><br>Parking the skiff behind the saloon, Griff moved cautiously through the alley between the two tallest buildings in town, each being three stories high. Breaking the seal to the bottle, he made his way to the entrance of the Oxhorn Saloo with the Buzzard's Roost hotel being directly across the alley. Pushing the door open, Griff stepped inside, taking a healthy pull from the bottle of whiskey clutched tightly in his gloved hand. His duster hung down to his knees, concealing the LeMat Model 16 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n216/lolddawg/lolddawg2/SidkitMalReynolds.jpg) revolver holstered at his hip. Of course, he was required to check the piece at the door, and following a quick pat down, he was allowed entrance, though the less than thorough inspection missed the Neotech Derringer (http://www.amderringer.com/pix/m1.jpg) hidden away in the stealth sheath sown into the sleeve of his duster. He gave the bouncer a smug grin as he moved deeper into the building, chocolate brown eyes scanning the room for 'Small Fry'. <br><br>He spotted the strawberry blonde in the company of a few townspeople, a couple of whom seemed mighty cozy. As he made his way over to the group, he couldn't help but wonder if 'Small Fry' knew them and paranoia began to set it. After all that happened in recent weeks, Griff was on edge about everything. <strong>"Damn you, Vince for leaving me high and dry like this,"</strong> he muttered to himself as he made his way over to her. Setting the bottle down on the table with a <em>thud</em> he glanced to the couple on the chair before turning to the blonde in the stetson and 'Small Fry.' <strong>" Friends of yours?"</strong> The thought that she had scouted his ship and had somehow made contact with her crew to make arrangements to take his ship off his hands crossed his mind, though he tried to remain calm and not let his suspicions show, playing his cards close to his chest, lest his tip his hand and blow the only advantage he might have; Surprise.<br><br><strong>"Come join me in a drink. I could sure use it after the past few weeks I've had."</strong> His eyes shifted to the man with the woman perched in his lap. He couldn't see her face as her back was turned to him, but something about her was oddly familiar. <strong>"I can't drink this whole bottle by myself now,"</strong> he laughed. <strong>"Well, actually I could, but I don't think that would be very wise. I might not be able to find my way back to my ship if I did."</strong> Glancing around, he assessed his surroundings, checking for exits, possible weapons in case his two-shot derringer wasn't enough should things turn ugly. That's when he noticed the alliance scumbags gathered at a table across the room, none of whom seemed to be paying him any attention as they drank and laughed boisterously among themselves. <strong>"Qing wa kao de liu mang,"</strong> he muttered softly to himself.<br><br><hr><br>Qing wa kao de liu mang = Frog-humping son of a bitch
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hotaru37</strong> on <strong>03-05-2012, 03:44:27</strong>
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				<div style="text-align: left;"><strong>*^.^*Hotaru Takatori- Streets of Avalon:Homeless *^.^*</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Hotaruserious.jpg)</div>Hotaru didn’t know how long she had been sitting with her back against the building, her eyes dully watching things going on around her.&nbsp; Time was quickly passing her by but she wasn’t too worried for she knew at the moment that no one would really bother her at all.&nbsp; Her mind wandered freely about her family and what they would be doing now while she tried to get the tangles out of her hair with her fingers.&nbsp; The petite girl didn’t want to think that something could happen to her family but it didn’t stop her from intense worry.&nbsp; Of course she knew that she should be worried about herself but as usual with Hotaru everyone else cam first.<br><br>Idly her hands went from trying to untangle her hair to playing with her small medical bag, something she did out of habit.&nbsp; She had many odd habits since ending up on the street and most could be considered nervous habits from having to depend on only herself.&nbsp; Her deep brown eyes were closed but her ears were open listening carefully to everything that was going on around her.&nbsp; She could hear footsteps of people walking outside of the alley though none really concerned her as none never stopped in front of her.&nbsp; Hotaru hoped for the first time this day that maybe she would some peace at least for awhile.<br><br>She should have realized that her peace wasn’t to last as she heard feet stop beside her and opened her eyes.&nbsp; Her tiny form immediately tightened to spring up and run as she narrowed her eyes at the man standing there.&nbsp; The man was dressed in the style that most of the homeless did, in an odd assortment of clothing thrown out by others.&nbsp; His scruffy appearance was also similar of many of the male homeless and she gripped at her stuff, gripping a hidden needle for protection.&nbsp; “Doc…” the voice was surprisingly soft and she loosened her grip on her needle realizing now this male meant no harm.<br><br>“Is someone hurt?” She swiftly got to her feet with both of her bags like they were weightless despite her size versus theirs.&nbsp; Hotaru listened as the man explained that people were looking for her in the nearby bar though he wasn’t sure why had Hotaru’s curiosity.&nbsp; After giving him a thank you she headed to the bar and not sure what to expect Hotaru prepared herself for anything as she swung open the door.&nbsp; She entered quietly noting that no one seemed hurt, that there was a couple of people she had patched up before and Alliance soldiers.&nbsp; Hotaru knew to stay away from the soldiers, only one of the reasons being that she had been stealing medical supplies.&nbsp; She was here but not the type to bring attention to herself she remained quiet.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Moon Hound Hati</strong> on <strong>04-05-2012, 02:38:17</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~&lt;=&gt;~ Kiran Reed (yes, ladies, he's single) <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> Oxhorn Saloon <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> Hoping that's not a tin brick in the woman's bag. A man needs his liquor, after all! <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> dressed (http://www.yeshairstyles.com/wp-content/gallery/sam-worthington/sam-worthington-hairstyle-from-terminator-salvation.jpg) sharply (http://www.dabblestone.com/bio_files/Sam%20Worthington%20poster.jpg), as always ~&lt;=&gt;~</strong></div><div class="floatleft">(http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/9981/bbaddff0ac585f7cae03a3b.jpg)</div><br>Smelled shifty, like a temptress. That's never good news. If there was one thing he learned back in the Alliance during shore leave, it was never to never blindly except an invitation from a woman who's practically humping your leg before you're even on a first name <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> or in this case <em>any</em> name <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> basis. This had trouble written all over it in shiny, capital, neon letters. Sure, they might look pretty from a distance, but get too close and you might get fucked... and not in a good way! With a slightly raised eyebrow, he responded, <strong>"Yeahhhh, I don't think so. No offence or anythin', but you've got the smell of trouble abouts you. Let's just leave it at me gettin' a bottle of whisky from you and part our ways."</strong><br><br>A girl questioned them about if they had seen an Asian woman. <strong>"I've got all the time in the world, miss. Just been sittin' here enjoyin' my drinks before people started trying gettin' me into trouble,"</strong> he responded with a lopsided grin, making a playful jab at the unknown woman riding his leg, how she had used him to get rid of some Alliance numbnuts. <strong>"But I'm afraid I have to say that I haven't seen any Asian ladies cross my path on my way here to the saloon."</strong><br><br>Reaching forward, around the still nameless brunette in front of him, he took hold of his glass, bringing it to his lips for a swig. The stuff was so watered down, you could practically consider it to be water. The lady better not be exaggerating about that bottle of whiskey being of good quality or she'd have lit the fires of seven kinds of hell. Kiran not being drunk like a road kill skunk, right now, was not the most ideal of situations. It was hot as hell outside and the town seemed duller then a juggling act performed by a man with no hands and feet. Only a sober mind could make such a strange comparison, for sure!<br><br>The blond was pretty cute, he noted, after taking a better look at her. The dirt and her clothes showed she was one to know hard work. Good chance she wasn't one of them spoiled ladies you met every now and again. God, how he hated upstarts like that, men and women alike. There was another woman, next to the outspoken blond. A redhead. Pretty little thing, though she looked out of place and perhaps even a little confused. There was a certain feel about her that made Kiran wonder what her story was. He sometimes got that, odd feelings about people he'd just met. It wasn't anything fancy, just a gut feeling.<br><br>A man entered the bar and approached the redhead. Kiran didn't pay him much mind... until a bottle and a drink were mentioned, of course. Turning his head, he asked, <strong>"That stuff the real deal? Everythin' they have here is watered down too much. I've dyin' inside a little with every swig I take, so to speak."</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>05-05-2012, 06:08:36</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-Annabel, NCP,&nbsp; The Saloon – Avalon, seeking, finding and warning Hotaru aka The Doc</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://www.amybrown.net/women/cowgirl.jpg)</div> Shaking her head Annabel looked over her shoulder at the Alliance soldiers before turning back to the woman who had answered her question with another question. <strong>”Not me”</strong> Annabel replied, purposely keeping her reply brief. Her reasons for needing the doctor wasn’t anyones business by her own, she wasn’t about to start blabbing all over the verse her family’s private business.&nbsp; <strong>”I just need to talk to her real bad.”</strong> She offered a quick smile to the man with the brunette in ways of thanking him for his response. <br><br>The townie’s eyes moved sharply towards the door as it opened, though the hope that it had been the good doctor died at the sight of the handsome stranger. Had her mind not been so set on finding Hotaru she might have enjoyed watching him some, but the look of disappointment flooded her eyes when it became apparent that the doctor was still nowhere to be seen. Annabel could only hope that Grant hadn’t found the good Samaritan before she was able to warn her.&nbsp; <br><br>Annabel wasn’t completely surprised to find the sexy stranger was a friend of the clean filly she had found waiting outside of the saloon. It came as a relief to know she could leave the girl in the hands of the man that had joined them at the table. She had a mission and it wasn’t to entertain the tourists. <strong>”We ain’t friends mister, I just don’t like seeing a pretty thing like that alone on these streets. This here may look like a sleepy town, but it ain’t safe for a girl like that to be left alone.”</strong> Annabel hadn’t intended to lecture the man but she had seen too many women be taken advantage of to care much about manners. <br><br>The scrape of the chair legs cut through the dust filled air as the blonde local took to her feet and smiled at the redheaded woman. <strong>”If you’re safe with him I’ll be on my way. Remember what I said…don’t go off alone. Not everyone here is as friendly as me.”</strong> Taking a few steps from the table, Annabel’s attention was once again drawn to the open door with hope that it might be Hotaru. A long aching sound of relief forced its way through her lips as her prayers were at long last answered.&nbsp; Not bothering to say goodbye, Annabel moved quickly towards the small, good hearted doctor.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>”Hey doc! I need you for a spell.”</strong> Looking over her shoulder at the Alliance soldiers, Annabel reached out her hand to grasp Hotaru’s arm and pull her towards an empty table out of earshot of the Alliance. <strong>”You gotta stay low doc. Grant ain’t at all happy with you for patching up Lynn. He reckons you’ve been interfering in his business. It ain’t safe for you here no more.”</strong><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>08-05-2012, 00:47:11</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h289/masta_loki/tattoo_thumb1-1.jpg)</div> <div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Playing the part of dutiful pool boy - The Gamble's Cockpit=-</strong></div>As Mae spoke, Vincent leaned forward so that his lips captured a small portion of flesh at the side of her neck in a manner that was a cross between a kiss and a suckle.&nbsp; When she voiced a new potential avenue of delight he let out a low throaty moan that reverberated along the portion of captured skin.&nbsp; His hands were already eager to test that particular activity.&nbsp; So much so that they no longer were content with resting on the lithe woman’s hips in that one rounded her abdomen before travelling north to capture one of her firm perky breasts while the other ventured south to the uppermost regions of an inner thigh.&nbsp; The caress not only allowed him to savor the feeling of her silky flesh and heat of her growing arousal, but also to tighten the embrace that held her even more tightly against his chest.<br><br><strong>”What pool boy worth the title doesn’t possess at least some measure of experience when dealing with such poolside necessities?&nbsp; Though I feel that I must admit to you, Mistress Little, that I am somewhat out of practice.”</strong>&nbsp; Vincent’s strong, yet gentle hands began to caress his girlfriend’s erogenous zones.&nbsp; His northernmost hand began kneading and massaging her breast while the other caressed the smooth inner thigh, moving mere millimeters from actually touching her dewed petals before drifting away in an agonizingly tortuous fashion.&nbsp; <strong>”Fortunately it would seem my hands have not forgotten the basic principles of the art and are more than eager to refresh their skills on such a beautiful specimen.”</strong>&nbsp; Once he finished speaking, he inhaled deeply though his nose and was bombarded by the unique fragrance of her hair and the alluring pheromones that seem to be tailored precisely to his desires.&nbsp; He couldn’t help but to let out another pleased moan as a result that would ring clearly in Mae’s ear given the immediate proximity of his lips to her ear.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CurvyKitten</strong> on <strong>09-05-2012, 00:33:25</strong>
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				(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/darkglitch/14056845_gal-1-1.jpg)<strong>-= Kaela Moon-waking up new moon new day, God I need a drink.- the bar the alliance and the fine mister Kiran. Wearing (http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=46188439)=-</strong><br><br>Kaela looked upon the men behind the man she was perched on. His words made her laugh, "<strong>Sorry Hun,"</strong> she moved from her spot and kept an eye on the people at the bar. The place starting to get to crowded for her liking. And if someone was after Doc she needed to find out who and why. She pulled the small flask from her jacket and poured the man a drink, <strong>"Thanks for the help Hun, but I think I'll be leaving soon. Better drink up his stuff seems he has more anyway."</strong> she said and moved from the man's lap her foot moving her bag with her. Her free hand moving to her side, when a sudden voice came into play. Kaela groaned and laughed, <strong>"Well I be damned now I know troubles walked into the bar."</strong> she looked over her shoulder and put her flask away. Picked up her bag and looked to Griff, <strong>"You still have that half dead bird, or have you been playing on this rock for a while and just now got the balls to come see me?"</strong> she smirked. Her eyes just barley watching the woman that went to talk to Doc, as she listened. She inwardly cussed as she stated that Grant was out for the small Asian woman. Kaela reminded herself she shouldn't get involved, reminded her self that she should just get off this rock and not look back. No connections, no looking back, things like that only got you caught or killed. Her left hand still against her side hidden from site. Her foot protected her bag and case ready to pick them up and get the hell out of dodge. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>09-05-2012, 06:24:15</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=’Small Fry’ – Oxhorn Saloon – Avalon=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l533/KeikoShinju/Cherish%20and%20her%20big%20Gamble/Blued-Eyed-Drew---Red-Top.png)</div><br>The redhead with the blond roots was surprised at the amount of noise in the sleepy little bar – floorboards creaked, wind whistled around the poorly repaired windows, conversations echoed in the corners. Annabel was doing enough talking for the both of them, Small Fry hardly opened her mouth. Watching the cowpoke toss down her drink, Small Fry touched the short glass with some trepidation, worried about the cost and who would be paying for it, worried that she hadn’t eaten since the afternoon yesterday and what the alcohol might do on her empty stomach, worried that this might be her only meal for a while. Trying to keep up with the multiple inquiries around her, she nursed her drink, wanting to toss it back in a parody of Annabel’s method but deciding to keep her wits about her.<br><br>Amid the ambient noise, the raucous laughter and ribald jokes of the Alliance staff nearby, and the odd half-overheard conversation between the couple at the bar, Small Fry’s head swam. <em>So much input!</em> She cringed a little, rolling the warm drink over her tongue. Distracted by too many new things, she didn’t notice the captain’s appearance until his voice growled a question in a tone that made her feel somehow dirty. Tilting her head up to look into his face, she automatically took in the opened bottle in his fist, the rugged unshaved jaw under his sneer, and the increased depth of contour to his jacket on one side. <em>He got paid!</em> Flashing him a grin, she tossed back the last of her drink before firmly slapping the glass upside down on the bar in a gesture of celebration. Not only had he come back to her, he came back when he could afford fuel and food – that was a very good sign.<br><br>Genuinely pleased at his invitation (though it would mean more drinking), she rose and moved to his side, letting him settle where he wished. She’d leaned in to whisper a ‘thank you’ for returning or a ‘congratulations’ on getting the job done despite all the problems, but lost her nerve with Annabel’s explanation. She certainly didn’t want the captain to think that she was a trouble hound, that she was loose or whorish, that he could do better than taking her with him. She’d already decided that the Gamble was her home… <em>and wasn’t that a surprise! Why in the wide colorful worlds would she want to truck around on that rusty duck?</em> – because she felt safe there. – because she had no where else to go. – because she loved the engine noise, and the thrum of the heating system kicking on, and the way condensation stuck to the walls when she showered overlong, and the rattle of the causeway overhead when someone traipsed across it while she stood below in the cargo bay, and the grind of the disposal unit as it destroyed her nasty jumpsuit and smelly socks, and the heft of the fire extinguisher… letting her feel like she’d once protected someone other than herself.<br><br>She wanted to go home and that meant convincing this man to take her aboard his ship. Before she could enact a plan to achieve this end, another voice cut through her thoughts. The brunette pulling away from her male counterpart was addressing the captain in a familiar tone. She also had an arm subtly poised near her side, hiding something. Small Fry could not determine what it was but moved to place herself between the two, pretending to have done so without notice, inspecting Griff’s bottle. Surely the bartender was going to have a fit if he saw Griff starting to sell or give away his own liquor while inside the Oxhorn. <em>Guai</em>, she still owed the bar for TWO drinks, it seemed, glancing about to see Annabel near the door with a small woman of Asian descent… <em>the famous Doc maybe?</em><br><br>*****<br><br>“<em>Guai</em>” - Hell.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>12-05-2012, 03:58:09</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griff - Oxhorn Saloon - Buzzard Gulch - Avalon, moon orbiting Albion =-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/griff-2-headshot.jpg) (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Griffabs.jpg)</div><br>The fact that the saloon was playing host to what looked to be a squad of purple bellies put Griff on edge, though he kept his calm as he was well known for among his crew... the the exception of recent months. In a very casual and nonchalant manner, Griff positioned himself so that he could keep an eye on the raucous group of soldiers while putting enough bodies between his position and theirs so that he would very difficult to single out should one of them happen to glance his way and recognize him. Save for Sasha and Si, neither of which were currently even with The Gamble, knew of his past with the Alliance, only that he didn't like them none. Unfortunately neither Sasha nor Si were with him to have his back, and he found himself missing the presence of both, though the thought of them both quickly brought back the image of a half naked Sasha laying on top of Si in her bed. Taking in a deep breath, he put the bottle of whiskey to his lips and leaned his head back, taking a long, healthy swallow of the dark amber liquid, as though it would help purge that memory and the feelings that came with it.<br><br>Glancing up to Annabel, his expression remained stoic as she declared her non-relationship with 'Small Fry', her tone all but reprimanding him for leaving <em>"girl like that"</em> alone, as they she was his responsibility. Not wanting to cause a scene, he let the girls assumption go unchecked, watching her quietly as she stood up and moved towards 'Small Fry.' The faintest of smiles curved his lips when Annabel checked with 'Small Fry' that she would be safe with Griff, reminding the stow away of her words of caution. <strong>"Well, she seems... meddlesome."</strong> He noticed how close the strawberry blond had moved and, in light of the unintentional insinuation Annabel had made, Griff couldn't resist the temptation to comment. <strong>... "<em>A girl like that, huh,</em>"</strong> he smirked, leaning back to get a good look at her curves, though the lose fitting dress did little to compliment her figure. <strong>"And just what kind of girl <em>are</em> you, 'Small Fry,"</strong> he asked before sliding a shot glass towards her. He took another shot himself before turning to watch Annabel as she moved towards the door, greeting a petite woman of oriental persuasion. He kept his eyes on the two women, curious as to their conversation though he could only pick up bits and pieces over the busy din of the saloon's patrons; something about <em>"Grant"</em>, <em>"interfering in business"</em>, and <em>"ain't safe"</em>. It was enough for Griff to deduce that the young oriental girl was probably in a bad way, her blond friend playing the good Samaritan yet again, looking out for the well being of another.<br><br><strong>"Of course it's the real deal,"</strong> he replied to the man's query regarding his offer of a free drink. <strong>"Nothing but the finest for Mrs. Kingston's baby boy,"</strong> he quipped. It was saying that he had picked up from his old squad during his time with the Alliance military. His own mother had passed away when he was only twelve years old, but the saying had taken hold among the camaraderie of his former fellow soldiers, most of whom were now dead, casualties of the Unification War. <strong>"I done told Hank before, that swill he serves is gonna start another war, but he ain't right smart. Do you want some or not?"</strong> He never took his eyes from the oriental woman and her blond friend near the door, noticing the look of concern on both of their faces as the spoke. Grabbing a few of the empty shot glasses left on the table, he poured a few, careful not to spill a drop.<br><br>His attention was pulled away from the two young women when he heard a familiar feminine voice mention trouble coming into the bar. His small smirk pulled into a grin as he turned to confirm the identity of the woman. <strong>"Ta shi suo you di yu de diao zi de ma,"</strong> he said through his grin, <strong>"If it ain't Kaela Moon,"</strong> he said, tossing back a shot glass as he openly looked her over, noticing her hand poised out of sight at her side. <strong>"Looks like trouble's been here a while already."</strong> 'Small Fry's' movement between himself and Kaela hadn't gone unnoticed, though she masked her intent well as Griff only viewed it as a slight inconvenience and obstruction of his view. Leaning to the side to keep Kaela's hand in his sight, he gauged in his head how quickly he could get the derringer into his palm. He didn't didn't think that Kaela would draw on him, but he had learned long ago never to trust anyone; a rule he rarely ignored. <strong>"You shouldn't talk about my boat like that, Kaela... you know it hurts her feelin's. Don't make me smile none either."</strong> Ignoring her question, he focused on her hand at her side once again, the uncertainty of what she concealed and her intentions made him uneasy, especially with a squad of feds just across the room. <em>Has she figured out I have a bounty on my head and she's thinking to collect,</em> he asked himself. <strong>"Kaela.... is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"</strong><br><br><br>******<br><br>Ta shi suo you di yu de diao zi de ma = Whores in hell
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>13-05-2012, 05:17:10</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://www.rapidhero.com/var/albums/Avril_Lavigne_Sexy_Pics.jpg)</div><div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Still in the presence of a GOD! And best pool attendant EVER!!&nbsp; The cockpit, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br><br>Mae shivered as Vincent captured her earlobe, drawing a lustful moan from deep within. It rolled off her tongue and slipped from her lips as the pink tip swept across the plump flesh causing another shiver to dance across her spine. His touch had her purring and thrusting her breasts forward to fill his palm with her soft breast. Her nipples beaded, forming tight, sensitive buds that pressed against his strong hand, while its twin quivered, demanding equal treatment.&nbsp; Her legs moved under their own accord, widening her stance and inviting more of his intimate attention.<br><br><br>The young pilot warmed under Vincent’s ministrations. She pressed the firm globes of her backside against his groin, enjoying the feeling of his hard, powerful body pressing against her soft skin. Mae giggled as her lover confessed his need for practice feeling rusty in the duties explained. <strong>”Don’t worry baby. We can do it again and again and again….as long as it takes to get it right. I’m dedicated to helping you see your potential.”</strong> The deep sensual moan that vibrated through Vinnie’s chest tickled her ear and fired the sensual fire that licked across every nerve in her body. Turning her head to the side, Mae slid her hand along his body to curl at the back of his neck, pulling him closer for a passionate kiss. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>13-05-2012, 05:45:31</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h289/masta_loki/tattoo_thumb1-1.jpg)</div> <div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Playing the part of dutiful pool boy - The Gamble's Cockpit=-</strong></div>Though it didn't surprise him, Vincent was always delighted to feel Mae's body react to his touch in a way that only encourages him to do more.&nbsp; And more they did, as his northernmost hand allowed his fingers to play with the erect nipple by lightly pinching it between his knuckles while the southernmost followed the contours of her thigh to allow his fingers to press against the warmth of her smooth slit.&nbsp; A heated breath escaped his lips as he felt her press more firmly against the tented fabric of his boxers, bathing her neck in the warmth of his breath.&nbsp; A broad toothy smile spread across his lips at his girlfriend's suggestion that the best way to do something right was through vigilance and repetition.<br><br>Before he could respond with a quip of his own, she had already captured the back of his head and pulled him into a passionate kiss that he all but melted in to.&nbsp; Vincent's tongue mingled gleefully with its counterpart in a familiar dance that was anything but trite.&nbsp; The taste of her lips were just as succulent as he remembered and it was easy for him to lose himself in the sensations.&nbsp; With his mouth preoccupied, the copilot resorted to his nose in order to breathe, which had the added effect of allowed him to smell the sweet fragrance of Mae's freshly bathed skin.&nbsp; Once the kiss came to its natural end the better part of a minute later, his body was humming like a power station with desire to show the love of his life just how she made him crazy for her.&nbsp; <strong>"What do you say we grab those oils you talked about and get settled into my cabin where we can begin allowing me to meet my potential?"</strong>&nbsp; His green hues danced with the need to be intimate with Mae; a gaze that was reserved solely for her.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>13-05-2012, 06:25:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_d7KHvhrOf8/TnDdoiitm-I/AAAAAAAAAFM/c8mfKdEr7z4/s1600/Avril-Lavigne-Hot-Wallpapers-2.jpg)</div><div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Happy in the arms of a GOD! And best pool attendant EVER!!&nbsp; Heading towards Vinnie’s room, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br><br>Mae fell into the kiss, already breathless because of his hands that seemed to be everywhere at once. She moaned as he continued to tease her, rubbing her satin folds, her hips, her backside, and her breasts. She ached for his teeth on her nipples, the firm weight of his muscled body and the feel of his thick cock, pumping inside her slit. Each moan told the story of her desperation, her need to be with Vincent in the most intimate manner possible. <br><br><br><strong>”I want you Vinnie…baby, I need you so bad”</strong> Mae confessed in between kisses. Each word was formed as her lips pressed against his. She affirmed her desire with a flick of her tongue, tasting his skin as she trailed her tongue along the column of his neck before tracing his lips with the tip of her tongue. The shiver that ran down the full length of her body whispered her inner thoughts. More than anything Mae wanted him. She wanted to be swept off her feet and carried down the hall to the room she now viewed as theirs. <br><br><br>Holding him tightly she could barely draw a breath without releasing a sensual moan. Slowly she twisted in his arms and cupped his face with her hands, pulling him to meet her gaze, resting his forehead upon hers. <strong>”I say…let’s get naked and slicked up”</strong> one hand fell to Mae’s side before tickling his abs and slipping beneath the elastic of his waistband. Her smile grew with her passion as she held his throbbing cock in her hand, massaging him. All of the moisture left her throat before she added in a throaty, sexy voice <strong>”I don’t know how much longer I can wait…so what do you say we haul ass so you can fuck me?”</strong><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>13-05-2012, 21:42:25</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h289/masta_loki/tattoo_thumb1-1.jpg)</div> <div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Playing the part of dutiful pool boy - The Gamble's Cockpit=-</strong></div>As she turned in his embrace, there was a slight gap between them that allowed him to feel the warmth of her presence without the accompanying sensation of her silky flesh pressed against his.&nbsp; It created a sensation within him that things were not as they should be, like two magnets being held apart even though their polarity was doing everything it could to unite the two with an unseen, but very tangible force.&nbsp; As her delicate fingers traced lightly along his abs, the muscles in his stomach trembled involuntarily to the tickling sensation that had more to do with wanton anticipation than anything else.&nbsp; <br><br>A wolfish smile spread across his lips at her request, it seemed that their little game had come to an end and that he had tempted her beyond the patience for enjoying the oils.&nbsp; At least this time around, for he will be sure to make a rain check of such an appealing idea.&nbsp; A heated shuddering breath burst from Vincent's lungs as he felt Mae's hand grasp his swollen manhood and begin working her firm grip along its length.&nbsp; It took him a moment to clear his eyes from the clouds of pleasure that hazed over them.&nbsp; <strong>"Well, if matters are so dire, my love..."</strong>&nbsp; Vincent's powerful hands gripped her thighs just below the curve of her shapely ass and lifted her so that her legs wrapped around his waist, forcing her arms to wrap around his neck for support.&nbsp; The damp heat of her sex permeated through the thin material of his boxers as though they weren't even there and his cock throbbed with need and lament for the garment separating the two of them.<br><br>It took little effort on his part in carrying the petite woman the few yards to his copilot's chair, but easing himself into it proved to be more difficult.&nbsp; Fortunately, Vincent was able to flop the remaining few inches without incident aside from feeling the slight impact traveling through his body, pressing his groin more firmly against Mae's before travelling up thorough her frame as well.&nbsp; It was a tight fit, the chair having just enough width to allow her legs wedge themselves between his hips and the sides of the chair arms, but certainly manageable.&nbsp; Vincent's mischievous green hues looked up at his lover with a devious smile to accompany it.&nbsp; <strong>"You won't believe how many times I've fantasized about this very situation."</strong>&nbsp; Though they were no longer needed to support her weight, his hands felt no particular urgency to leave their perch aside from travelling a few inches higher to trace the curve of Mae's spankably smooth ass.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hotaru37</strong> on <strong>14-05-2012, 04:44:41</strong>
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				<div style="text-align: left;"><strong>*^.^*Hotaru Takatori- In the Bar:Homeless *^.^*</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Hotaruserious.jpg)</div>Hotaru could see the place was packed with people and her nerves were already shot just seeing the Alliance soldiers on the other side of the room.&nbsp; Being the quick eye that she was, Hotaru could already tell that for the moment no one was injured and that made her uneasy as well.&nbsp; If she wasn’t asked here to treat an injury then why was she asked here, was it a trap of some sorts to get her for her stealing?&nbsp; She had noticed earlier a female that she had helped before, that was currently getting off a man's lap.&nbsp; Hotaru wondered if she had wanted to see her though she wasn’t quite sure why the woman would want to talk to her but it was a possibility.&nbsp; <br><br>She didn’t have to wait long to find out who it was as a blonde she hadn't seen at first&nbsp; as the woman approached her while letting her know she needed and Hotaru gripped her medical bag having it at the ready.&nbsp; “Is someone hurt, Annabel?”&nbsp; Hotaru asked as the other female grabbed her arm to her shock and pulled her toward an empty table farthest away from the Alliance soldiers. She had met the other female only once and the situation they had met Hotaru had kept to herself.&nbsp; Her knotted dark hair fell into her face as she followed Annabel deciding not to protest and sat down at the table.&nbsp; She waited for the other female to speak, a deep down feeling that the other woman’s news was nothing good for her and had nothing to do with someone needing a doctor.&nbsp; Annabel’s warning words had Hotaru’s light brown eyes going wide before they narrowed in determination not quite willing to give in like they always did in a bad situation.&nbsp; “I can’t just up and leave these people Annabel.”&nbsp; She whispered in a low urgent tone.<br><br>“I have no where to go in the first place and all of you that can’t afford medical attention would be left on their own.&nbsp; I can’t leave…”&nbsp; Hotaru was shaking her head showing her stubbornness at helping others instead of protecting herself.&nbsp; She tried running her hands through her tangled hair and gave after a moment with a helpless look at the other woman.&nbsp; “So Grant would rather have had the poor girl die instead of letting me help her.&nbsp; Which with her injuries it was a possible outcome for Lynn…”&nbsp; Her small body was twitching in anger and the normally calm and sweet doctor was not pleased at all by the turn of events. she froze then realizing that Annabel may have not known just how bad off Lynn had been. “I have to leave because of this awful man?&nbsp; <em>Kuh wu pi gu</em>.”&nbsp; She muttered before finally looking at Annabel again.&nbsp; Hotaru didn’t realize as the two women spoke that there was a few people watching them.&nbsp; One of them was the woman she had patched up a couple of times while the other two was the male and female that Annabel was originally talking to.&nbsp; "Lynn could be in danger again if I go..."&nbsp; <br>***<br><em>Kuh wu pi gu = Despicable Ass</em>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Moon Hound Hati</strong> on <strong>15-05-2012, 21:32:39</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~&lt;=&gt;~ Kiran Reed (yes, ladies, he's single) <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> Oxhorn Saloon <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> Has to content himself with a single glass, but there's hope for more from a different source! <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> dressed (http://www.yeshairstyles.com/wp-content/gallery/sam-worthington/sam-worthington-hairstyle-from-terminator-salvation.jpg) sharply (http://www.dabblestone.com/bio_files/Sam%20Worthington%20poster.jpg), as always ~&lt;=&gt;~</strong></div><div class="floatleft">(http://cdn.crushable.com/files/2012/04/cos-sam-worthington-fun-fearless-awards-mdn.jpg)</div><br>...Wait, what?<br><br>Kiran lowered his head to the counter, eyeing the glass full of fire water the mystery lap lady had poured him before scurrying off. Well, damn, it had probably been too high of an expectation to think she'd actually hand him a bottle. With a shrug the ex-Alliance mechanic wrapped his gruff fingers around the smooth and fragile body of the glass, bringing it to his lips. The contents, while of decent quality, unlike the ditchwater he'd been drinking up until now, were downed all too quickly. Now a small part of him wished he hadn't drunk that at all, because it left him wishing for more.<br><br><strong>"Gui... That should teach me not to have expectations of strange women,"</strong> he muttered to himself as he almost threw his glass back onto the counter, the transparent container twirling in place for a moment, awkwardly close to tipping over and rolling off and falling onto the floor to shatter into a hundred pieces. No doubt the barman had been holding his breath when seeing that. No one fancied a mess they had to clean themselves.<br><br>The blond girl seemed to have found the Asian doctor she had been looking for, dragging her over to another table. The redhead was left by herself, but seemed to know the man with the liquor bottle, so Kiran didn't concern himself with any of them any further. They were all strangers to him, after all. Right now the only thing on his mind was getting another glass of decent booze. It was more or less the fuel he ran on during lazy hours like this, with no ship to travel on and thus no machines to maintain and repair.<br><br>A whistle left his mouth as the darker skinned man bragged about the bottle he swung around, pouring drinks for the ladies. Naturally, the question he asked Kiran was answered with an eager smirk and a audible, <strong>"Hell yeah I want some! You just made yourself a friend for life, peng you!"</strong> There was something about the man though. He couldn't put a finger on it right that instance, but the way the darker skinned man carried himself seemed familiar. It wasn't the kind of familiar as in knowing the person, but rather the sort of person.<br><br><hr><br>Gui = hell<br>Peng you = buddy, pal, friend
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>16-05-2012, 03:39:39</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-Annabel, NCP,&nbsp; The Saloon – Avalon, finding and warning Hotaru aka The Doc one last time before heading out</strong></div><br><br><br><div class="floatleft">(http://www.amybrown.net/women/cowgirl.jpg)</div> <strong> ”Grant don’t care much for anyone or anything. He’d sell his granny for a single credit if he could. You can’t expect him to be reasonable, he just ain’t. But what he is, is dangerous Doc. Real dangerous. You mind what I’m sayin’ you hear me? I don’t wanna see nothing bad come by you. If that means we lose a good doctor then we lose a good doctor. There aint nobody here that would see you hurt or worse just to keep ya kickin’ around”</strong> Annabel replied, keeping her tone at a whisper.&nbsp; Looking at her watch she sighed and glanced over her shoulder <strong>”you take care doc…I gotta get now. Pa don’t know I left the farm but I had to see ya. You don’t worry none about Lynn you hear? She’s being looked after good by Ma Ma. One good thing came out of this mess. It sure scared the devil out of her.”</strong> With a tired smile, Annabel patted Hotaru gently on the shoulder, squeezing her in a comforting manner before heading out of the bar without another word uttered.&nbsp; She hoped Hotaru would heed her words and catch the next boat off of this dusty rock. It really was the only way she could stay safe. <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CurvyKitten</strong> on <strong>16-05-2012, 06:16:15</strong>
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				(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/darkglitch/14056845_gal-1-1.jpg)<strong>-= Kaela Moon-waking up new moon new day, God I need a drink.- the bar the alliance and the fine mister Kiran. Wearing (http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=46188439)=-</strong><br><br>Kaela groaned lightly as Griff used her name, just not her real name but her full real name. Right there in the middle of a bar with Alliance sitting not 15 feet away. Was the man really asking for trouble, or had he just gone stupid? Over hearing the comment from the other man she rolled her eyes. Any other day she could care less, given him the bottle taken him one of her safe house and seen if he could really handle his tool. And then gotten off this rock, leaving him with a smile on his face and the trouble that was here behind. So why hadn't she just done that? Glancing to Doc Kaela took a breath, <strong>"I should just walk away, just walk away."</strong> she said and looked to Griff, <strong>"Your a Chun, you know that." </strong>she eyed him. Glancing over her shoulder checking for movement or any of the men behind her showing any sign of knowing her name. <strong>"You should really know better then to call a girl out like that."</strong> she says a bit softer. <br><br>Sighing she keeps her hand where it is just in case someone makes a move for it. Glancing to Doc she looked the woman over and sighed, <strong>"Looks like you have trouble Doc. What you planing on doing about it?"</strong> she asks telling herself she only going to see to the woman's safety and get the hell out of dodge before big mouth had all of the alliance down on her damned head.<br><br>.........<br><br>Chun =dumbass
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>16-05-2012, 22:42:35</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=’Small Fry’ – Oxhorn Saloon – Avalon=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l533/KeikoShinju/Cherish%20and%20her%20big%20Gamble/Blued-Eyed-Drew---Red-Top.png)</div><br>The redhead wasn’t certain what was more shocking right now – the question from the Gamble’s captain about just what kind of girl she was or the fact that her breakfast was bound to be alcohol from two different sources. She was likely to get tipsy quick if no food were provided. Arguing in her head that this kind of opportunity was unlikely to be common, she swigged down the slug, wiping her mouth with the back of her wrist to hide a cough from the burn. The water building up in her cerulean eyes was not as noticeable as the flush along her alabaster cheeks and throat but she handled the drink well enough. <br><br>Turning her head slightly to watch the captain as he spoke with the brunette woman, Small Fry tucked just a little bit closer to him, wondering what was about to happen between this strange compilation of folk. Annabel was exiting without paying for the drinks… Griff had his own supply… the man nearby was ready to trade services for real alcohol… the Asian woman looked both angry and apprehensive… the brunette was familiar enough to call both the captain and his ship names but he wasn’t drawing on her… yet… <em>whew!</em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>17-05-2012, 06:16:55</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3197/2893485131_65dfbd0e7d_z.jpg?zz=1[/url])</div><div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Happy in the arms of a GOD! And best pool attendant EVER!!&nbsp; Fuck going to the room! Why bother when there’s a perfectly good co-pilot’s chair on hand?&nbsp; &nbsp; The Cockpit, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br><strong>”I want to make all your fantasies come true, specially the naughty ones!”</strong> Mae replied proudly. Her hands moved from his shoulders to stroke along the column of his neck and cup the sides of Vincent’s handsome face. Tilting his head back, Mae dipped her head to press her lips against the pulsating vein that ran the length of his neck. Following the line she traced the shadow with the tip of her tongue, moaning her enjoyment of him. Her tongue soon danced across his skin to trace the shell of his earlobe before nibbling on the fleshy curve of his ear.&nbsp; <strong>”One of us is over dressed for the occasion”</strong> whispered Mae before tugging at his earlobe with her teeth. <br><br>Her hands roamed his chest, followed closely by her lips as they left sweet, wet kisses across the landscape of his body. Mae rocked her hips, grinding against the growing, hard, bulge that begged to be free of its restrictions. <strong>”I’ve had some very naughty day dreams too you know, and I can guarantee you, in each one of them you are naked.”</strong> Pulling back so that she could look into his eyes Mae smirked before adding <strong>”so are you gonna lose the boxers or do I have to take em off myself…with my teeth?”</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>18-05-2012, 00:26:45</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-= Griff - Oxhorn Saloon - Buzzard Gulch - Avalon, moon orbiting Albion =-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/griff-2-headshot.jpg) (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Griffabs.jpg)</div><br>Situational Awareness is what the Alliance had called it during his training; <em>"the perception of environmental elements with respect to time and/or space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their status after some variable has changed."</em> Griff discretely analyzed his surroundings and their relation to each other, his combat training kicking in as his instincts warned of impending danger. Under normal circumstances, Griff would never offer such quality liquor to a complete stranger, but these were not normal circumstances. His gut was twisting in that way it always did just before a shit storm. Concerns that he was being bushwhacked, having walked into a trap orchestrated by none other than Abernathy himself, were at the forefront of his mind. Then there was the Alliance's presence in Buzzard's Gulch, which troubled Griff. While it wasn't unheard of for feds to take their leave at such backwater mud puddles as Buzzard's Gulch, or even on some pathetic rock such as Avalon, their proximity to the core planets made their presence here... puzzling; why not go someplace more civilized, with more amenities to cater to their wants and needs, like one of the core worlds, or on Albion itself? The questions and possibilities played out in the captain's mind and he dared not dismiss any of them.<br><br><em>Is Kiran one of Abernathy's associates? A hitman perhaps? <br>Does he have other people in the bar, mingled among the saloon's patrons? <br>What is Small Fry's part in all of this? <br>Is she with Abernathy or does she have connections with the Alliance?</em><br><br>Griff was unsure of a lot of things and feeling extremely vulnerable and exposed. He found himself missing Sasha's presence for her professionalism and dedication to her job. On this principle, Si was equally missed, his sharp and, quick thinking, and combat experience made him an invaluable part of his crew. <br><br><em>... And he may very well be dead right now. That's my fault.</em><br><br>He forced the thought from his mind knowing that he would need all of his wits about him if he hoped to get back to the ship in once piece, that is if his gut check was not a false alarm; it rarely was. The offer of a free drink was primarily to buy him some time; time to properly assess the situation, time to identify and prioritize all possible threats, time to determine his best exit strategy.... time to survive. The offered drinks could also be used as a possible misdirection tool in the event things went south in a hurry. Top notch liquor and a well placed match made for quiet the distracting inferno, though he hoped it would not come to that since Hank, the bar's owner, was a valuable contact to Griff.<br><br>Glancing up to Kaela's cuddle buddy as the man accepted Griff's offer, announcing he had made a friend for life, The Gamble's captain filled another dirty shot glass and pushed it towards the man. He looked like he knew how to handle himself. Griff could see it in the way the man moved, the way he carried himself. It was something that wasn't blatantly obvious to the untrained eye, but Griff knew what to look for and this man was advertising the fact, intentionally or not. <strong>"A man can never have too many friends,"</strong> he replied with a disarming nod of his head to the man.<br><br><em>Except for the lying, thieving, backstabbing variety</em> he thought, silently finishing his feelings on the matter.<br><br>Shifting his dark eyes back to Kaela as she voiced her displeasure with the captain, he couldn't help the small smirk that threatened to erupt into laughter. <strong>"You always were one for the dramatics,"</strong> he said in an even, steady voice. He knew there was no way the group of feds across the room could have heard him over the roaring din of conversation buzzing in the busy saloon, though he had to concede, at least to himself, that there could have been someone close by who might have overheard him, though the chances of them recognizing Kaela's name were slim to none; unless she'd been climbing the criminal ladder since their last meeting. <strong>"If you're looking for a boat off this pothole,"</strong> he said before tossing back a shot. He left the sentence open, knowing that Kaela would understand his offer. <strong>"I'm short staffed at the moment and could use someone with your.... talents."</strong> <br><br>He became aware of Smally Fry pressing herself a little closer to him. She seemed... nervous, and that had him discreetly reaching his hand into the sleeve of his duster, his fingers touching the butt of his derringer as he glanced to the oriental woman and the blond local. Neither girl seemed very happy about whatever it was they were discussing, and soon Annabel was taking her leave of the saloon. He watched as Kaela moved toward the petite oriental woman, the only words he managed to catch were "trouble" and "doc". He assumed that the trouble must belong to Kaela, and perhaps she was looking for a doc? But Kaela looked fine to Griff.<br><br><em>She looks really fine</em><br><br>Not forgetting the stranger who had accepted his offer of drink, Griff looked back to the man, his arms resting on the table with his left hand partially concealed within his sleeve. <strong>"So, what is that you do, <em>"friend?"</em></strong>. He had to keep up appearances, play his cards close to his chest lest he tip his hand.<br><br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hotaru37</strong> on <strong>21-05-2012, 04:16:52</strong>
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				<div style="text-align: left;"><strong>*^.^*Hotaru Takatori- In the Bar:Homeless and now Planetless *^.^*</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Hotaruserious.jpg)</div>Hotaru knew as Annabel talked that she was right that Grant had no feelings for anyone and he would sell anyone if he could get something.&nbsp; “I know that Grant is not going to be reasonable and I can tell that you don’t want anything to happen to me otherwise you wouldn’t have come.”&nbsp; Hotaru sighed.&nbsp; “I know he is dangerous Annabel…” She wasn’t sure what else to say to the other female finding there was nothing else.&nbsp; Hotaru knew that Annabel was right and the people of this area would rather see her leave than be hurt. When the other girl sighed and checked her watch Hotaru knew the other female would soon be leaving and Annabel’s words confirmed it.<br><br>“You take care too, Annabel.&nbsp; I will try not to worry about Lynn.&nbsp; You all take good care of each other and hopefully it helped Lynn enough that she will steer clear of the Grant types.”&nbsp; She remarked back.&nbsp; Hotaru smiled back at Annabel and the comforting gesture of the squeeze to her shoulder before watching her walk out the door calmed her a little.&nbsp; Hotaru didn’t know what she would do but getting away from Grant as far as possible now that she knew that Grant was out for blood.&nbsp; She didn’t know that her emotions showed so easy on her face as she fiddled with her one bag staring at the table.&nbsp; Hearing a voice behind her, Hotaru turned to look at Kaela and let out a soft frustrated sigh.<br><br>“Don’t know it there is much I can do other than try to avoid him here on this planet or high tail it out of here.” The Doc replied softly.&nbsp; She had no idea that she was still being watched by a few others though in this place she was holding her bags quite close.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>24-05-2012, 15:49:18</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h289/masta_loki/tattoo_thumb1-1.jpg)</div> <div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Playing the part of dutiful pool boy - The Gamble's Cockpit=-</strong></div> Mae’s touch sent flares of anticipation through him like wildfire as it traveled along his shoulder and neck. The faint pressure of her hand when it stopped upon his cheek urged Vincent to relent to its demand, something he didn’t hesitate to do. His act of minor subservience was rewarded greatly as her lips and tongue found their way to the sensitive flesh of his neck, sending waves of desire flooding through him ultimately culminating in a heavy sigh that had a faint laughing quality once it passed through his languid smile. <strong>”Mmmm, I guess I better remedy that issue then, huh?”</strong> Mae’s words so close, intimate, and dripping with sex sent his already attentive loins into high alert that had as much to do with a bell once owned by a man named Pavlov as it did the woman upon his lap.<br><br>The pressure of his girlfriend’s presence against his groin caused his manhood to ache with need, Vincent’s hands making their way into the tight space between them to remove the suddenly stifling garment. He had just hooked his thumbs around the waistband when her green hues met with his in a gesture that was accompanied by an alternative that made his eyes open wide as he considered what was being insinuated. A toothy wolfish grin spread across his lips as his hands left his side in order to allow his forearms to perch on the chair’s armrest with his thumbs lightly caressing the bare thighs. <strong>”Well, if I’m given a choice… I’ve always wondered what you’d look like on your knees while I was sitting in this particular chair…”</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Moon Hound Hati</strong> on <strong>25-05-2012, 00:14:36</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~&lt;=&gt;~ Kiran Reed (yes, ladies, he's single) <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> Oxhorn Saloon <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> Has found some proper liquor, given to him by a newly made "friend" <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> dressed (http://www.yeshairstyles.com/wp-content/gallery/sam-worthington/sam-worthington-hairstyle-from-terminator-salvation.jpg) sharply (http://www.dabblestone.com/bio_files/Sam%20Worthington%20poster.jpg), as always ~&lt;=&gt;~</strong></div><div class="floatleft">(http://cdn.crushable.com/files/2012/04/cos-sam-worthington-fun-fearless-awards-mdn.jpg)</div><br><strong>"Me? I'm a mechanic by trade,"</strong> Kiran replied with a lopsided grin as he brought his glass to his lips again, pouring the tasty beverage down his throat. It had a nice sting to it. Good stuff. <strong>"If a skiff's broken, I fix her; if she's not, I make sure she stays that way. My last contract just ended yesterday, so now I'm just killin' time and waitin' for the next ride off this dust ball."</strong><br><br>Leaning back in his chair, the mechanic had silently noted the way the other man was leaning against the table, one hand seemingly having disappeared into his sleeve. Nervous, perhaps. But why? The Alliance soldiers? Kiran might have been a mechanic, but he could smell trouble just as much as the next person with at least two ounces of wit. It was probably best to remain calm though. Right now nothing was amiss and he shouldn't try anything to change that. Besides, he wanted to finish the first decent drink he's had all day first, at the very least, before getting his caboose into a troublesome situation.<br><br><strong>"And what do you do, then, if you don't mind me askin'?"</strong> he asked in return. Seemed like someone who got around, Kiran thought. Perhaps a trader. Nah, acted too casual for that. Might be hauling cargo from planet to planet. Seemed like the rough and tough type for that sort of work.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CurvyKitten</strong> on <strong>25-05-2012, 07:47:42</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/darkglitch/14056845_gal-1-1.jpg)<strong>-= Kaela Moon-waking up new moon new day, God I need a drink.- the bar, speaking to Doc mentions Griff and looks to him. Wearing (http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=46188439)=-</strong><br><br>Kaela nodded to Doc, "<strong>Well if you stay your gonna be in for a good bit of trouble coming your way. And that means trouble for the people your treating."</strong> Kaela sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. <strong>"I can provide protection for as long as I can, be easier if I took the fight to Grant honestly. Though if I tangled with him and his boys directly you may be playing patch worker on me again for a bit when I got back." </strong>she laughed as if coming back from something that bad off wasn't anything out of the norm for her. <strong>"Or..."</strong> she looked over her shoulder to Griff and back, <strong>" We can see if my friend over there would give you a lift off this rock. He seems to already want to pull me on his boat, I'm sure he wouldn't mind letting you come along."</strong> she smiled and glanced at him one more time, <strong>"specially when I present the idea in just the right sort of way."</strong> Kaela knew it honestly wouldn't take much, but she also had to admit he still looked damn good after all this time. Even if he was a damned fool.<strong> "What do you say Doc?"</strong> Kaela looked back to the woman, <strong>"Come along for the ride and see where else you can do some good?" </strong>Kaela present the idea is such a way she knew would appeal to the doctors good side. Despite the way Kaela was Doc still had a heart and a willingness to help people. Kaela owed her one, and at the very least that meant keeping her safe or making it so she could be. As harsh and as warped as it was Kaela did have some sense of honor.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>26-05-2012, 08:44:03</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=’Small Fry’ – Oxhorn Saloon – Avalon=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l533/KeikoShinju/Cherish%20and%20her%20big%20Gamble/Blued-Eyed-Drew---Red-Top.png)</div><br>The mechanic asked an important question of the captain and Small Fry dearly wanted to know the answer for herself, but felt the urge to defend her protector… not that he’d protected her from much besides his own wrath. Sincerity ringing in her tone, the 5’ 3” girl announced to Griff’s new <em>peng you</em>, “<strong>He does right by people</strong>,” her voice quiet against the background of Alliance laughter. She turned to look at the mechanic, her cerulean eyes unblinking in challenge, just daring him to disagree with her opinion.<br><br>She used the moment to study the man, observing his heavy-duty clothing and the way it looked ‘broke in’. His form was heavily muscled, less lean lined and graceful than the captain’s… but not at all displeasing. He looked less desperate than he sounded, his manner seemingly at ease instead of cocky or confrontational. This let Small Fry relax a little, leaning to touch Griff’s arm with her shoulder blade, her head tilting back slightly, showing her throat in a tempting gesture.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>27-05-2012, 08:21:03</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3197/2893485131_65dfbd0e7d_z.jpg?zz=1[/url])</div><div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Happy in the arms of a GOD! And best pool attendant EVER!!&nbsp; Fuck going to the room! Why bother when there’s a perfectly good co-pilot’s chair on hand?&nbsp; &nbsp; The Cockpit, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br><br><br>The challenge was set by Vincent and answered by Mae’s mischievous grin that spread across her pretty face.&nbsp; Leaning against him, she pressed her lips against his, pushing her tongue deep into the recess of his mouth, massaging his tongue with her own.&nbsp; Her fingers slipped to the waistband of his underwear, slipping beneath the fabric as she searched out the hard steel rod that throbbed between his thighs.&nbsp; A soft moan vibrated from her lips and transferred onto his, allowing him to taste the excitement that clung to her lips, her tongue, her kiss.&nbsp; Slowly, she pulled away from the embrace only to trail sweet, open mouthed kisses along his jawline, the column of his neck and over his collarbone. Mae dragged her tongue lower, tasting his skin, purring with pleasure, lowering her body gently to the floor as she slid from his knees, coming to rest upon the floor before her lover.&nbsp; <br><br>With the fingers of one hand massaging his cock, Mae used the other to lower his boxers before capturing them with her teeth, giggling playfully.&nbsp; Her green eyes looked up through a veil of thick lashes before she growled and tugged the material lower, pulling them to rest around his ankles.&nbsp; Her hand never stopped massaging his shaft as she settled on her knees, making her way back towards his mast, licking and kissing his legs, his knees, and his thighs. <strong> “How’s it going so far?”</strong> Mae asked, fluttering her lashes as she licked her lips and blew a warm breath over the mushroom head of his thick cock.<strong> “I hope the reality is close to your imagination”</strong> she added moments before flicking her tongue out to taste his sensitive skin. <br><br><strong>“I’m gonna make you lose your mind”</strong> she warned before licking the full length of his cock, base to tip. The groans that fell from his lips made her smile as her warm mouth surrounded him, moving like silk along his hard shaft.&nbsp; Soft, sloppy sounds of sex filled the air as her saliva coated him, spilling over her chin and sliding down her neck. Pulling him from her mouth she licked her lips, preparing to devour him again, breaking the string of saliva that connected his cock to her lips. She took him in her mouth again, sinking low, greedy for his cock. Lower, pausing then pulling up and repeating over and over, she bobbed up and down, sucking hard. <br><br>Mae moaned against his shaft, her warm wet walls surrounding his throbbing cock as she continued to pleasure him with her mouth. Her lips skated over his silky covered steel, pressing each pulsating nerve surrounding his sensitive rod. The confidence in her own sensuality brought her body into an intense, intoxicating and powerful lust making her feel almost drunk on his scent. Closing her eyes Mae moaned once before once again brushing her lips against his sensitive head. <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>29-05-2012, 03:53:37</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://www.amybrown.net/women/cowgirl.jpg)</div> <div align="center"><strong>-Grant, his lackey (Jackson) and Annabel, NCP,&nbsp; The Saloon – Avalon, Oh those crazy locals!!</strong></div> <br><br><div class="floatright">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/The%20Gamble/Buzzards-Gulch---Grant--Jackson.jpg)</div>A menacing shadow fell over the uneven planks of the wooden walkway. It cast a dark figure of a powerful body with broad shoulders and long legs. The sound of heavy boots striking against the wooden boards counted out a lazy rhythm consistent with a lazy stride of a man in no hurry to get to his destination. Another shadow fell in time with the first, slightly taller in height and even broader across the chest. The second man had a heavy step, creating a solid thump, thump, thump, acting as a steady base to match his partner’s rhythmic gait. <br>&nbsp;<br>Grant Thompson wasn’t a man known for his pleasant personality, nor was his constant companion, a man that went by the name Jackson Montgomery, best known to the locals as Jack. It was a known fact that if you wanted a peaceful existence on this dusty rock you didn’t cross either man. It wasn’t advisable to owe them a debt, or worse, a favor. If a person was unfortunate enough to owe either man it would be like living on borrowed time until they deemed it time to collect.&nbsp; Local folk understood the risks when dealing with Grant Thompson, unless you had the coin up front to acquire something only they offered then it was best to go without. <br><br>The two men rounded the corner and slowed their pace further, exchanging a knowing glance when they spotted a slim blonde exiting the local watering hole. A slow and calculated smile spread across Grants face, shielded from the hot sun by his black stetson, as he subtly signaled for Jackson to approach the girl from behind while he strode towards her, greeting her head-on.<br><br>“Annabel” Grant called out clearly. <br><br>The slim blonde paused in her departure, knowing if she tried to run it might bring more attention to her reasons being in town than she hoped he understood. Besides, the longer she could keep him off the doctors scent the better.&nbsp; Turning to look the dark haired cowboy in the eye, the tiny, slip of a girl narrowed her eyes and placed her hands firmly upon her hips. “What do you want Grant? I’ve got to get back to the farm. Some of us have honest work to do!”<br><br>Amusement tugged at his lips, giving the locals scattered around the town the impression that Grant’s business with the pretty blonde was friendly, as rare as that would be. The smile on his lips emphasized the dark haired man’s good looks as he grew closer, though Annabel could see his dark, soulless eyes showed nothing but disdain. <br><br>“Annie, what kind of talk is that? Daddy wouldn’t like you being so fresh” stepping closer to the feisty farmer Grant let his hand stroke across the side of her face, smiling as she flinched from his touch. “He raised you to be a lady didn’t he?” Leaning in closer Grant whispered against her ear before adding “tell me sweet thing if I’m wrong on that. I was with your sister…that girl was no lady, not much of a tramp as it turned out, but I bet I could train you to pleasure a man real good.”<br><br>His breath caused a cold shiver to run the full length of her body as Annabel placed her hands on Grant’s chest and pushed back, her first step in her plan to escape town as quickly as her legs would carry her. Unfortunately she didn’t get very far. Was it no wonder Grant allowed the pretty blonde to step away from his grip when he knew damned well she would come up against the very broad, very solid chest belonging to one, Jackson Montgomery. <br><br>Strong hands wrapped over Annabel’s upper arms, squeezing hard to keep her in place, not caring that the girl whimpered in pain. “You don’t gotta run Annie, have a drink with us, let’s catch up.” Grant demanded smoothly, signaling his muscle with a decisive nod of his head to have the girl brought into the very same bar she had just exited. “Make daddy proud, and be a good girl. Wouldn’t want to show up the family being rude to an upstanding member of our society, people might think you’re a bad seed” pausing as he turned towards the saloon, Grant spun back around, quickly leaning in close to the young blonde, letting her see the fire of anger that burned in his eyes “just like your sister. Nothing but trouble.” With a jerk of his head, Grant signaled Jackson to bring the young Annabel with him into the saloon, giving him the approval to force the issue if need be.<br><br>The doors to the saloon swung open, spilling the day’s sunlight into the dark room, stabbing it with fingers of sunrays emphasizing the dust that danced in the beams before settling upon every convenient surface without prejudice. <br><br>Annabel was terrified, not for herself, but for the young Asian doctor that she had tracked down in order to warn her about Grant and his problem with the Good Samaritan.&nbsp; Annie had hoped to get to the doctor in time for the young woman to escape this dusty outback town. Instead she ended up bringing the devil himself to the young doctor unintentionally. She could only hope that Grant and Jackson would be preoccupied with her as their prisoner that they wouldn’t notice the young Asian Doctor.<br><br>The two men moved with confidence, knowing not many would come to the girl’s defense as most locals turned a blind eye at the first taste of trouble. A cheer went up from the group of Alliance soldiers, welcoming both Grant and Jackson with drunken greetings.&nbsp; Without being asked, the barkeep reached into a locked cabinet and pulled out a bottle of pure amber liquid, placing it and two glasses on the stained surface of the bar. <br><br>“Boys” Grant replied to the soldiers “today is your lucky day. I’ve got me a fresh one starting just today. She’s gonna be needing some practice. I’m willing to offer this here filly at a fair price considering her virginity status.” <br><br>Alarm filled Annabel’s pretty eyes as she began to tug her arms, attempting to pull out of the iron clad grip of Jackson Montgomery without&nbsp; success. “What? No!” she cried out in a panic as Jackson tightened his hold and pulled her back against the solid wall of his chest.<br><br>“Come now Annie. It’s your fault I’m down a girl. It’s only right that you take your sisters place.” Grant replied swiftly before turning back to the barkeep. “Gonna need another glass. I think Annie here is gonna need a taste of the good stuff.” Glancing over his shoulder Grant smiled, looking much like the devil himself “maybe I’ll take you first, let you get use to a real man before I offer you up to these drunks. Seems to me it would be a damned shame to waste your tight little body on anyone but the best.”<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>31-05-2012, 04:09:29</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>-=Griff - Sitting at a table - Oxhorn Saloon - Avalon=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Griff-fromSamantha.jpg)</div>Griff sat quietly at the table as he listened to the man across from him explain what it was that he did for a living. <br><br><em>Mechanic. Hmm. I have a mechanic already.... or do I?</em><br><br><strong>"Skiffs huh,"</strong> he asked curiously, nodding indifferently as he considered the possibilities. He wasn't letting his guard down around the man by any means, but it wouldn't hurt to feel him out just in case he was legit and Griff found himself in need of another mechanic. Anwar had taken a hit, though it hadn't appeared to be serious. Still, Griff had seen crew members leave over far less. <strong>"Cute."</strong><br><br>He glanced over to Small Fry as she chimed in, her presence almost seemed... protective, defiant, challenging the man across from them. He arched a brow before frowning at her presumptuous act in speaking on his behalf... as if she was part of his crew or something. Grabbing her just above the elbow, he pulled her around in front of him as he slid part way out from the table, scooting his chair so that he was sitting an angle. <strong>" 'Small Fry',"</strong> he said as he positioned her between his legs, coaxing her to have a seat on his leg. <strong>"be quiet."</strong><br><br>Griff continued his conversation with Kiran, though he held his gaze fast upon 'Small Fry' as he answered the man's question. <strong>"Well, it just so happens that I captain a mid-bulk transport ship. Dragonfly class. I uuuh... transport stuff, and I'm just on my way off this rock."</strong> Glancing back to Kiran now, he posed another question to the man. <strong>"You got any experience working on one?"</strong> He wasn't ready to offer the man a job just yet, there were still things that needed to be sorted and discussed before a job offer would be made.<br><br>Glancing once again to the alliance group, Griff turned his gaze to Kaela and the oriental woman, curious to their conversation. Just then, the doors swung open allowing bright rays of light to stab into the saloon, like thick, angry fingers reaching in to snatch out the dark within. Dust particles, illuminated by the rays of light, danced and floated aimlessly as the two Jackals stepped inside, the cute little blond local Griff had seen earlier being escorted inside like property. Griff closed his eyes for a moment and hung his head with a groan of displeasure. <strong>"Ta ma de,"</strong> Griff uttered under his breath as the group of soldiers bellowed in cheerful greeting at Grant's entry. Griff counted the number of soldiers, gauged their positions in relations to the exit and to where Grant and Jackson had moved to the bar. Seven alliance soldiers, plus Grant and Jackson and any others still yet to be revealed, mingled in the with the saloon's patrons, if Abernathy was still in play. <br><br>As Grant made his intentions clear for the girl he now new was named Annabel, Griff eased Small Fry from his lap, turned her to face him and gestured towards the door without saying a word. Giving her a discreet nudge in that direction, Griff downed one last shot before corking the bottle again and slowly sliding his chair out more to sand up. Moving towards the bar, Griff positioned himself at the bar so that Grant and Jackson were to his right. He slipped his left hand into his sleeve and palmed the small, two shot derringer, angling his arm so that the barrel was roughly pointed in Grants general direction.<br><br>Keeping his gaze straight ahead, he kept an eye on the group of feds behind him, their reflections marred by the old mirror, warped and covered in a thin layer of dust. <strong>"I believe the lady said <em>No</em>,"</strong> he said cooly, his finger on the trigger of the concealed derringer. <strong>"Now, I know you ain't the exactly brightest bulb in the room, but I'm right sure you understand well the meaning of the word no. And If'n ya don't, well... I'd be more than happy to teach you, my ownself."</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Hotaru37</strong> on <strong>04-06-2012, 04:18:14</strong>
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				<strong>=^.^= Hotaru Takatori- The Bar: Homeless and Planet less =^.^=</strong><br><br><div class="floatleft">(http://a4.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/profile01/114/ff22bd192ab24b61b16c5aae7388de71/p.jpg)</div>Hotaru couldn’t deny what Kaela was saying to her about her staying wouldn’t mean just trouble for her but for the people she would treat.&nbsp; The fact that the other woman was willing to protect her she also knew that she would be patching up Kaela later.&nbsp; The laugh the other woman gave made Hotaru frown at her, “I don’t want anyone hurt because of me…”&nbsp; She trailed off as Kaela started speaking again.&nbsp; “You really think he would take me along as well…”&nbsp; Her eyes got really big at the idea, her mind still reeling to stay in a way.&nbsp; At Kaela’s question about if she would take the offer, the conflict could be seen on Hotaru’s face before Kaela’s last words tipped the scale.&nbsp; She did want to do as much good as possible for the people around her.&nbsp; “Alright, if you can convince him I will go.”<br><br>Hotaru didn’t know as she and Kaela was speaking that the man Kaela was telling her about was looking at them.&nbsp; Hearing the door of the bar open Hotaru glanced over instinctively, her eyes narrowing seeing Annabel being pulled in by the two she hadn’t wanted to meet.&nbsp; It didn’t matter anymore of the other people in the bar seeing at terrified Annabel being dragged through the bar.&nbsp; She hated the fact that she could only watch and listen at the plans that Grant had for Annabel and her hands tightened over her bags.&nbsp; She had forgotten how well Grant and Jackson were in with the Alliance Soldiers and she felt like she was going to be sick.&nbsp; “<em>Wang be dan</em>…”&nbsp; Hotaru muttered angrily at Grant’s words about his words toward Annabel about him having her first.<br><br>She made a move toward where Grant and Jackson when she heard a male voice basically calling out the other two males and she realized it was the man that Kaela had been speaking about.&nbsp; Hotaru froze where she was only little a bit from Grant, Jackson, and Annabel though far enough to be able to dodge them if need be.&nbsp; She was trying to figure out a way to pull the other female from the males ad decided just to speak.&nbsp; “Grant, Jackson, let her go…”&nbsp; Her voice shook slightly but there was a surprisingly hard edge to her tone.&nbsp; “I thought your beef was with me…”<br><br><em>Wag be dan= Son of a Bitch</em>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>05-06-2012, 18:32:12</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h289/masta_loki/tattoo_thumb1-1.jpg)</div> <div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Playing the part of dutiful pool boy - The Gamble's Cockpit=-</strong></div> Butterflies danced wildly in his stomach as he felt Mae’s fingers slide across his abdomen before hooking around the waistline of his boxers. A sensation that was very typical every time the blonde seductress did so, no matter how often he felt it. Though instead of pulling them down, he felt her gentle hands reach inside to grasp her prize, enticing a heated moan from Vincent’s lips that was muffled as a result of the kiss he was engaged in. As the kiss continued, the pitch of his breathing became marginally higher as his body became more and more desperate with need to be with his lover. He was still reeling from that feeling as Mae broke the kiss to trail countless more along his jaw and gradually working her way down. The anticipation was maddening and Vincent’s body writhed languidly, stretching various muscles as a means of coping with his desire for her until his girlfriend would finally satiate that need.<br><br>Once on her knees, the feeling of Mae’s firm grip sliding along his shaft caused Vincent’s body to take the initiative by rolling his hips into her grasp by means of expressing its approval. The deviously effeminate giggle coaxed his eyes to roll out from the back of his head and see what she found so amusing and did so in time to see her teeth clench around his underwear before tugging them down. A broad toothy smile spread across his mouth as he watched the truly enticing display that became progressively more difficult to maintain as she continued to please him with stroking and kisses. Vincent all but purred in response to her question after he felt her wet tongue glide along the underside of his shaft. <strong>”Mmmm… I wish I had a potent enough imagination to capture even a tithe of how amazing this is. As long as you help me find it afterwards, I am eager to experience your attempt to let my mind escape.”</strong><br><br>Mae certainly was doing her best in being true to her word as she started pleasing his manhood in earnest. Once again, his body returned to its smooth writhing as thought became ever more elusive amongst the building ecstasy that radiated through his being. Vincent’s hands became restless and began searching for a place to hold on to in order to have some physical anchor keeping him tied to the real world. He had just gripped onto the headrest and armrest when he felt rather than saw Mae take his length into her mouth coaxing a resonating breathless moan. It was a sound that only grew in intensity and heat as his girlfriend continued to bring him vast amounts of pleasure. <strong>”Ooooo, Mae~~… Gods, you are amazing!”</strong> Vincent’s body bucked on its own accord as she did something that caressed him in just the right way sending a spike of intense pleasure arcing through him. <strong>”Fuck! Yes! Just like that!”</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Moon Hound Hati</strong> on <strong>11-06-2012, 17:03:16</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong>~&lt;=&gt;~ Kiran Reed (yes, ladies, he's single) <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> Oxhorn Saloon <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> Might have found a ride off this dustball <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> dressed (http://www.yeshairstyles.com/wp-content/gallery/sam-worthington/sam-worthington-hairstyle-from-terminator-salvation.jpg) sharply (http://www.dabblestone.com/bio_files/Sam%20Worthington%20poster.jpg), as always ~&lt;=&gt;~</strong></div><div class="floatleft">(http://www.yeshairstyles.com/wp-content/gallery/sam-worthington/sam-worthington-hairstyle-from-terminator-salvation.jpg)</div><br>Kiran couldn't help but smirk and chuckle lightly at the "cute" response. Bringing his glass up, he took another sip, letting the sweet burn sting his throat before exhaling with a small but content sigh. It was good stuff, but unfortunately that meant his glass would be empty all the sooner. Talk about a double-edged sword...<br><br>The petite redhead moved to the side of the man he was talking to, acting and responding in a way that had Kiran raise an eyebrow alongside the dark skinned man, though his seemed to change to frown soon after. He then pulled the woman between himself and the table, shushing her before turning his attention back to the mechanic and asking him some questions. Sounded a bit like a job interview, to be frank. Well, it wasn't like Kiran had jobs piling up in front of him right now anyway.<br><br><strong>"A Dragonfly class, huh? Can't say I have, but I know the prints well enough,"</strong> he replied while scratching the stubble of unshaven hair on his chin thoughtfully, running the numbers through his head. <strong>"Should have a cargo cap of about two tons and falls under category four in terms of speed classes for spaceships, with a three sixty fuel cap. A thruster on each side, just behind the cockpit and crew compartments, with the main engine in the rear end. Pretty sleek design for a transportship and should be able to make a degree per sec turns. Reactor, engine and thrusters are made up mostly from Garret and Camdon parts while the computer, comm and sensors are Garmin tech."</strong><br><br>Kiran had to remember to send his parents a thank you letter sometime for leaving all those skiff and ship designs, both military and civilian, laying around the house when he was still a young lad. He might not be as good at remembering other things, but when it came to skiffs and ships, he was pure golden.<br><br>Potential trouble seemed to wade itself into the bar just then, doors swinging open, inviting in an unpleasant cloud of dust, followed by a pair of even more unpleasant looking pair of man. What got Kiran's attention tough was the young blond they were dragging along with them. It was the young local who had been asking around for the Asian doctor. She didn't look too happy being hauled towards the table where the purple bellies on shore leave sat. This already had him off his chair with one asscheek. The dark skinned man seemed to have the same idea. Following after, Kiran positioned himself next to his potential employer. The Asian doctor joined in as well, showing some spunk he hadn't expected to see in such an innocent looking woman.<br><br><strong>"Didn't think Alliance chumps would stoop to this level, putting their hands on innocent girls. Wonder what BRASS would say if they saw this,"</strong> Kiran's words were directed towards the soldiers, in an attempt to ward them off. No soldier liked having their superior find out about them having being naughty, so hopefully the idea alone would be enough to make these guys back off.<br><br>...Somehow he doubted it though. That would almost be <em>too</em> easy.<br><br><hr><br>Purple belly =&nbsp; An Alliance soldier or officer. The Alliance's official colors include purple and are used on the abdomen of Alliance troop body armor.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>12-06-2012, 18:37:30</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3197/2893485131_65dfbd0e7d_z.jpg?zz=1[/url])</div><div align="center"><strong>~* Mae Little aka "MeiMei"- Happy in the arms of a GOD! And best pool attendant EVER!!&nbsp; On her knees offering Vincent heaven.&nbsp; &nbsp; The Cockpit, The Gamble *~</strong></div><br>Taking Vincent deep into her throat Mae paused momentarily, allowing him to feel her warm walls surrounding his cock. She moaned softly, swallowing to tighten her grip before slowly rising, gliding her teeth along his shaft, releasing him from her heated mouth. She couldn't help but smile at the wet naughty sound that marked her joy in pleasuring him. The delicate string of saliva that connected his cock with her soft lips broke with a gentle sweep of her tongue and came to rest on her chin and slim neck, glazing her skin. <br><br>She didn’t make a sound. Her eyes let him know that she wasn’t through with him yet. <br><br>Slowly, Mae descended, capturing his mushroom head with her lips in a warm, sensual embrace. The breath that accompanied her kisses caressed his body and stroked along his sensitive nerves. Her wet, moist lips brushed against him, teasing with a soft flick from her tongue before bringing her lips back down to kiss the head again, in a sensual embrace. Mae didn’t need much encouragement to continue pleasuring her boyfriend, and so his groans of pleasure did not go unanswered. <br><br>Ambitiously, her clever mouth descended upon him once again, swallowing around his shaft, and devouring the full length of his impressive girth, squeezing it with the tiny muscles of her throat. Her head bobbed as she worked him, gliding down before pausing and rising once more. Over and over she consumed him, going deeper with each pass. Each moan drawn from her desire vibrated along her throat, tickling his skin and increasing the pleasure she offered.<br><br>Mae could feel Vincent's body shaking as she took him once more into the depths of her throat. She cradled him in her warm mouth, holding him for as long as she was physically able before slowly pulling back. Her lips firmly glided over his steely girth, with her tongue pressed against his sensitive shaft. Soft feminine grunts, expressing Mae’s greedy pleasures, mingled with the sloppy sounds matching her hunger. It was clear she wouldn’t be happy until her boyfriend was shaking with ecstasy, a fact made clear as she worked his mast until the pressure would grow too great, forcing him to give in and release. <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CurvyKitten</strong> on <strong>13-06-2012, 00:37:35</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/darkglitch/14056845_gal-1-1.jpg)<strong>-= Kaela Moon-waking up new moon new day, God I need a drink.- the bar, speaking to Grant mentions Griff. Wearing (http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=46188439)=-</strong><br><br>Kaela groaned when the two cavemen walked in, <strong>"Grant, don't you have some sheep waiting for you at home?"</strong> she smiled lightly and turned to the man. Doc already speaking up, Kaela hadn't planed on getting in the way. She ruined their lives and their living in other ways. She preferred stealth in the way she worked. But apparently that wasn't gonna work today. <strong>"As this fine man has said, I believe the lady said no."</strong> she nodded her head towards Griff, <strong>"Now why don't you boys just behave and let the girl be on her way. We wouldn't want to interrupt the dinner of these soldiers with&nbsp; me kicking square in the man jewels. As small as they are I know you'd still like to hold onto them."</strong> Kaela spoke knowing it would piss the man off. But in the end if he came to tangle with her she knew at the very least she could handle herself. It be tough, specially if those alliance boys joined in. But it would hopefully by for the others to be on their way. <br><br>She stood tall and unshaken, her arms wrapped around her just below her breasts. Her fingers near her blades that were hidden just under the fabric of her clothes. Small slits allowed her to pull them and ready to draw in a seconds notice. She stared Grant down smirking as she did. Daring him to come after her, <strong>"So why don't we just play nice, you let the girl go we all drink and go our separate ways."</strong> Kaela&nbsp; doubted that would happen, but who knew maybe Grant had found a few of his brains sells in the past few days.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>13-06-2012, 06:54:57</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=’Small Fry’ – Oxhorn Saloon, exiting a mess o’trouble – Avalon=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l533/KeikoShinju/Cherish%20and%20her%20big%20Gamble/Blued-Eyed-Drew---Red-Top.png)</div><br>The familiar wrap of long, strong fingers around her upper arm brought Small Fry between the captain’s legs. Surprised that he would have her sit on his lap considering his distrust of her, she took her place gingerly, not wanting to distract him over much. She had no problem taking orders from the captain, so ‘be quiet’ didn’t hurt her feelings none. Hell, she was easy to get along with – likely to take suggestions from those she felt partial about. Letting the men folk talk, she’d enjoyed the list of the Dragonfly’s assets and specs, half nodding along with the info as if reading it from a display screen. Then, everything turned to <em>yi da tuo da bian</em>.<br><br>Without recognizing the men entering the bar, Small Fry’s eyes grew larger at the sight of Annabel being herded before the Alliance group like a sow up for auction. The things the man said… the tension rising throughout the saloon… Griff’s stance as he rose and hinted where Small Fry should disappear to, out of the way… she felt a roil in her gut like she’d not experienced since Mae was dragged by her hair in that hallway. Frightened and angry, she noted that half the room felt the same way and moved aside silently while comments flew. Watching the captain casually stalk to the bar, she reached for his corked bottle and removed it for its safety, turning to exit the place with her breath held in tight.<br><br>Sliding around the edge of the doorframe, she changed her handhold on the bottle’s neck, ready to use it for protection if necessary, watching the exit for whoever’s head would appear through it first. She considered the things being said inside. The captain was already at insults, though of a lesser bite that the ones the brunette woman was slinging. The Asian woman seemed to think that she could forestall the fight by distracting Grant, whoever that was, into dealing solely with her. At the mechanic’s suggestion, Small Fry wondered if they could be so lucky as to have the Alliance table back off their potential interest at the threat of their superiors getting involved. <em>Wouldn’t that help a helluva deal?</em> She hoped that the captain wouldn’t get himself killed and looked around for a sign of the skiff he must have left nearby, wondering if she could wrangle it back to the Gamble if he died or had to be dragged out unconscious.<br><br>Now, ain’ that a peach? I’m all worried over the captain. Why is that? Cuz Vinnie and Mae are the only other people in this ‘verse might think I’m worth a damn and they don’t own the ship they’re riding. Yep, the captain was her priority but he was the one slinging heat. Let him set the rules for barfightin’… <em>guan ni ziji de shi</em>, foolish girl. This might get deadly.<br><br>*****<br><br><em>yi da tuo da bian</em> = a big pile of shit<br><em>guan ni ziji de shi</em> = mind your own business<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Loves</strong> on <strong>18-06-2012, 05:57:04</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://www.amybrown.net/women/cowgirl.jpg)</div> <div align="center"><strong>-Grant, his lackey (Jackson) and Annabel, NCP,&nbsp; The Saloon – Avalon, Making Friends and Influencing People!</strong></div> <br><br><div class="floatright">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/The%20Gamble/Buzzards-Gulch---Grant--Jackson.jpg)</div><strong>“I appreciate the help mister, but you best stay out of it”</strong> Annabel replied to Griff, pleading with him to mind his own business even though he had been trying to come to her aid. The last thing she wanted was more attention brought to her plight. When Hotaru spoke bravely, demanding her release Annabel groaned aloud. Nothing was going right for her today. Hanging her head as another man joined in on her rescue Annabel closed her eyes and prayed things would not escalate. It would seem her prayers would not be answered as Kaela joined the campaign. Her insults wouldn’t help to keep things calm. If anything they would escalate the tension in the room to their breaking point. Annabel couldn’t help but snap at the girl whom she thought should have known better. <strong>”If you want to help so badly Kaela, why don’t you shut up!”</strong> sighing and now thoroughly annoyed, Annabel tugged her arm still held tightly in Jackson’s grip. <strong>”And you!”</strong> Annie turned towards Hotaru, the very girl she had been trying to help <strong>”none of this would be happening if you didn’t poke your nose where it didn’t belong!”</strong> It was harsh but it was the only thing Annabel could think of to get the kind doctor to turn tail and leave this planet. If she thought she was not helping, maybe she would leave. <br><br>Grant, who had been silent during Annie’s temper tantrum, smirked, showing signs of amusement as he watched his captive jump down the throats of her would-be rescuers. He knew better than to fall for her song and dance and as for Kaela, she would have to come up with something a hell of a lot worse that resorting to childish name calling to get under his skin. The girl was pathetic.&nbsp; Each and every one of them caused his eyes to roll as they tried to avert his attention away from teaching young Annabel a lesson, not to mention trying to save the little oriental do-gooder.&nbsp; It wasn’t going to work. Grant hadn’t become feared by many by allowing such things as morals and tricky little laws preventing him from exploiting those weaker than him to stand in his way.&nbsp; <br><br>With a single, direct nod of his head, Grant signalled Jackson to tighten his hold on the mouthy, young farmer. To which his actions resulted in a whimper of pain to tumble from Annie’s lips. Jackson sported a sadistic grin and he turned his watchful gaze towards the pretty red head that was making her way towards the saloon doors. He liked what he saw, making a mental note to meet up with her again. Jackson’s eyes turned towards Hotaru as she bravely stood forward, his smile as sinister as his eyes were cold. <strong>”Feeling brave Doc? Why don’t you come get your little friend?”</strong> he taunted the young physician.<br><br><strong>”Leave the Doc&nbsp; alone!” I’ll do what you want!</strong> Annabel growled, feeling responsible for the young doctor. The guilt she felt weighed heavily upon her shoulders, creating a strong reaction and a need to protect Hotaru as she had done her sister.<br><br><strong>”Now, now Annie, there’s no need to be jealous darlin’ there’s plenty of me to go around”</strong> Jackson murmured in her ear before tugging her hard against him and gripping her slim arm tight enough to cause her to cry and beg him to stop. <br><br>Turning towards the dark skinned stranger Grant let his eyes flick towards the man’s hand hidden beneath his sleeve. <strong>"The only lesson that's gettin' learned here today, my friend, is the one I where I teach you not to go pokin' your nose where it ain't belongin'.&nbsp; Something the Doc here is gonna find out real soon.”</strong>With one signal to the soldiers, Grant silently ordered them to vacant the bar. After all if they didn’t see firsthand the laws being broken then there wasn’t anything for them to report.&nbsp; Using the distraction of the soldiers exit as a cover, Grant moved quickly to snatch the young Doctor into his steely grip. <strong>”Say good bye to your pals Doc, you and I got some business to discuss!”</strong><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Michael Corvus</strong> on <strong>02-07-2012, 05:52:33</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=Griff - Squaring off with Grant and Jackson - Oxhorn Saloon - Avalon=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Griff-fromSamantha.jpg)</div>Griff's expression was stone cold as he sized up Grant and Jackson. He didn't know either of them, but he could already tell he didn't like either of them at all. He'd seen their kind many times before throughout the verse; the kind who thought they could do whatever they wanted to whomever they wanted and get away with it. People that like that didn't much like people like Griff. Griff wasn't ignorant of the fact that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. He believed in Karma and doing the right thing... most of the time. It was his what guided his moral compass.<br><br>At Annabel's insistence, and after her verbal lashing of the others who had all rallied to her defense, he silently conceded, at least for the moment. Raising both hands in the open, he arched his brows high and bowed his head to communicate that he would heed her wishes, for now at least. As much as he would respect another person's wishes when it come to personal affairs, there were lines he wouldn't tolerate others to cross.<br><br>Tossing back the last shot glass of amber liquid, Griff excused himself from the bar, groaning inwardly at Kaela's attempt at diplomacy. There was a reason she was hired to use her combat experience, and not her mouth. Nine times out of ten, her mouth caused more trouble than it fixed. Glancing towards Kiran, he muttered quietly before moving towards the door where Small Fry had just exited the building. <strong>"Unless the brass are in on the take too."</strong> He wasn't sure if Kiran meant the big brass who weren't stationed on this dust ball of a moon, but Griff was certain that the commanding officers who were stationed here were involved, or at least knew about it and did nothing to stop it because of the moral boost it afforded the grunts who did all the work.<br><br>As luck would have it, the table with the alliance soldiers began to empty, several of them making their way towards the exit and disappearing outside. Maybe this was how they operated, turning a blind eye to the crimes perpetrated against the weak and innocent.&nbsp; As Griff reached the door man to collect his weapons, he heard Annabel begin to cry in pain at the manhandling she was receiving at the hands of Jackson. His face remained cold and empty as he collected his weapons. That's when he heard Grant's comment to him, threatening of the lesson he would soon teach Griff and the young doctor. All but three of the alliance had filed from the saloon by this time, improving Griff's odds immensely. Whirling around with the reflexes of a cat, Griff pulled back the hammer of his LeMat Model 16 (http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n216/lolddawg/lolddawg2/SidkitMalReynolds.jpg) and aimed it directly between Grant's eyes. <strong>"Now, I don't know what kind of justice the local feds or the magistrate administers 'round these parts, but I've done seen enough to know it ain't the fair kind. That just ain't sittin' right with me, so here's what we're gonna do instead. <em>You </em>are are gonna tell your <em>Kai tze</em> to get his meat hooks off the girl, then you and you,"</strong> he said, nodding towards Annabel and the oriental girl <strong>"are gonna come towards me and leave all nice and quiet like."</strong> One of the feds tried to make a move for his sidearm, but Griff flung his other hand towards the man, his double-barreled neotech derringer (http://www.amderringer.com/pix/m1.jpg) suddenly materializing in his fist. <strong>"And you and your friends are gonna make nice-nice and use the first finger and thumb of your left hand to draw your weapons, SLOWLY, place them on the floor at your feet, and kick them towards me, or Professor Stetson here's gonna get a new hole in his pretty little brain pan."</strong><br><br>He glanced towards Kiran and Kaela, wondering exactly what they would do given the current situtation. <strong>"Then me and and Mr. Bigshot here are gonna go over that lesson plan of yours... see how well you can teach someone your own size... by yourself."</strong><br><br><br>-----<br><br>Kai tze:&nbsp; Male companion or boyfriend
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Foxfyr</strong> on <strong>10-07-2012, 00:29:56</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h289/masta_loki/tattoo_thumb1-1.jpg)</div> <div align="center"><strong>-=Vincent Kincaid - Playing the part of dutiful pool boy - The Gamble's Cockpit=-</strong></div>The only thing he found more intoxicating than the waves of pleasure his girlfriend sent crashing through his body was the knowledge of just how much she enjoyed doing just that.&nbsp; It was that inexhaustible desire for him that made every experience with her far surpassing any others he may have had, carnal or otherwise.&nbsp; It was something he naturally returned in kind in a way that came so easily to him that it never took any measure of conscious effort ever since that first kiss they shared back on Persephone.<br><br>Whenever he was able to focus his gaze long enough to meet Mae's deviant expression, it was impossible for Vincent not to answer it with one of his own before another surge of delight returned it to one of ecstasy.&nbsp; His countless fantasies encompassing this very situation did nothing to prepare him for just how amazing the real thing could be and he allowed himself to get lost in the moment.&nbsp; The only thing that was missing was the sight of the star-filled heavens passing along the viewport, but there would surely be opportunity for that later.&nbsp; Likely when he would have made sure to return the favor.<br><br>A strained groan reverberated deep in his throat as he felt Mae take every inch of him into her maw and throat, instantaneously causing his body temperature to spike up a degree or two.&nbsp; His girlfriend was working him in such a way that made him think either through innate empathy or instinct she was able to read him to know exactly what would touch him in just the right way and at the precise moment it would yield the best results.&nbsp; "Oh, fuck, Mae!&nbsp; Just like that!"&nbsp; At this point his entire body was alight with rapidly increasing sensation, marking the rapid approach of his climax.&nbsp; His eyes clamped shut and his back arching into his seat while one hand desperately seized a fist full of Mae's hair located against the back of her head.&nbsp; Despite the dominating grip he had over her, Vincent did nothing to exert control over her; she had long since proven her mastery to bring him pleasure and any intervention on his part could only hinder her progress.<br><br>As Mae continued her diligent work, Vincent could feel himself edging closer and closer to that proverbial precipice.&nbsp; Each moment that passed made his breaths and cries more heated and desperate for the release that only his girlfriend could bring him.&nbsp; Whether by design or coincidence, it was the several seconds that were the most maddening as he felt himself right at the edge of release without ever quite reaching it until he was crying out in sex crazed frustration as much as pleasure, unable to form coherent words in the torrent of intense ecstasy.&nbsp; Finally, in an act of benevolent mercy Mae's lips caressed him in just the right way to finally allow all that overwhelming tension in his body to find an outlet as she brought him to orgasm.&nbsp; Vincent's manhood erupting his seed into Mae's mouth allowing it to thoroughly coat his girlfriend's pallet while he writhed violently as the extra sensitive nerve endings struggled to bear even the most gentle of touches.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Moon Hound Hati</strong> on <strong>13-07-2012, 01:11:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>~&lt;=&gt;~ Kiran Reed (yes, ladies, he's single) <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> Oxhorn Saloon <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> Might have gotten himself into an old fashioned brawl <del>&nbsp; &nbsp;</del> dressed (http://www.yeshairstyles.com/wp-content/gallery/sam-worthington/sam-worthington-hairstyle-from-terminator-salvation.jpg) sharply (http://www.dabblestone.com/bio_files/Sam%20Worthington%20poster.jpg), as always ~&lt;=&gt;~</strong></div><div class="floatleft">(http://www.yeshairstyles.com/wp-content/gallery/sam-worthington/sam-worthington-hairstyle-from-terminator-salvation.jpg)</div><br><strong>"Who knows? I'm just tossin' whatever I can at 'em. Nothin' scares a greenhorn soldier more then the prospect of havin' their bosses breathin' down their necks,"</strong> Kiran whispered back, shrugging his broad shoulders lightly. Mimicking Griff's movements, he slowly headed towards the entrance to collect his weapon of choice. The manhandling of the young blond local girl sat as well with the mechanic as it would any other honest to god man, which is not very well. Hurting an innocent was going to far, especially if they were women or children. These muscleheads had no decency.<br><br>As the drak skinned man lined up his pistols at Grant and the three remaining Alliance soldiers, Kiran aimed his Avenger at the lackey boy, Jackson, who was holding the blond girl Annie captive, slowly pulling back the hammer on his weapon until it made a clicking sound. His blue eyes narrowed threateningly at his target, little compassion obviously glinting within them.<br><br><strong>"Better do as the man says, Fang Pi,"</strong> he said to Jackson with a hiss. <strong>"Would be waist to splatter whatever is inside that dimwitted skull of yours across this fine establishment, now wouldn't it?"</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CurvyKitten</strong> on <strong>15-07-2012, 02:11:38</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/darkglitch/14056845_gal-1-1.jpg)<strong>-= Kaela Moon-waking up new moon new day, God I need a drink.- the bar, speaking to Grant mentions Griff. Wearing (http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=46188439)=-</strong><br><br>Kaela raised an eyebrow as the girl told her to shut up, laughing Kaela shook her head and turned back in her sea. If the girl didn't want help, and wanted to end up whore of choice for the Grant and all his boys then so be it. Kaela very rarely stuck her neck out for anyone now a days. And when she did it wasn't taken lightly when it was shoved back in her face. Her eyes fell to Grant's and his boy. She had to admit if it weren't for the fact that they irritated the living hell out of her, they weren't bad to look at. Such a waist when one lets their own ego get out of hand.<br><br><br>If it wasn't for Doc Kaela would walk right out the bar and leave the girl to her own means. But Kaela actually owed Doc, the woman having saved her life.&nbsp; Kaela didn't see the point if a fight that was pointless, but she owed the Asian woman a debt. And Kaela always paid her debts.<br><br>She lifted her hand and actually ordered a drink, the shaking hands of the bartender poured a drink. She rolled her eyes, figuring people would be used to this sort of thing by now. Kaela kept her case by her foot and one of her hands dangled below the bar as she once again leaned on it. Her hand ready for the moment Grant our anyone for that matter went towards Doc in a threatening mattered, she'd have a knife in thrown and in their ass before they could think. <strong>"Sometimes people just have to learn shit the hard way."</strong> she said and took a deep drink from the only half stale beer she had in her hand.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Gamblin' in the Black: IC</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ChaNeko</strong> on <strong>15-07-2012, 05:20:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><strong>-=’Small Fry’ – in front of the Oxhorn Saloon – Avalon=-</strong></div><br><div class="floatleft">(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l533/KeikoShinju/Cherish%20and%20her%20big%20Gamble/Blued-Eyed-Drew---Red-Top.png)</div><br>Relaxing back against the outer wall of the saloon, Small Fry averted her eyes as the young Feds walked out en masse, complainin’ some to each other about losing their waterin’ hole. The girl adjusted her grip on the bottle’s neck, using her other hand to bring the pretty floral scarf up around the lower half of her face… for the dust. Sure, the drinking Alliance was walking away. Didn’t mean they wouldn’t be back shortly, reporting on the mess that was about to happen inside the Oxhorn – how them reckless strangers all ganged up on a couple of local boys, how the girls inside got mangled in the fury, how the holes appeared in the bodies of those who started the fight. Her head went wild with projections and possibilities and all she could do was beg her thoughts to slow down and show her where the skiff might be. Maybe the captain had packed a little surprise in some small cargo bin before he delivered his captives to that Abernathy character.<br><br>Much as she wanted to stay and listen to whatever went on inside the saloon, Small Fry also liked livin’. She took off for two buildings over, running around the back like the devil hisself was on her heels. Poor whiskey, getting’ all sloshed up in its bottle. Hell, no one else was drinking it. She uncorked the thing, poured another helping of breakfast down her gullet, and winced at the burn as she patted the cork back in, her head flashing around for the skiff.<br>
			</dd>
		</dl>
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