[RP] The 'Verse (Accepting profiles)

[Akai_ryu]

◣ Jaden Chu ◢

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Jaden's steps sounded slower and heavier as ze trudged away from the infirmary and carefully climbed the stairs up to the crew quarters. From down in the infirmary hir half-shouted greeting to Jin-Li could be heard, but it was too muffled to be understood even though it was clearly in Chinese. Almost fifteen minutes after the muscle-for-hire had left the infirmary, hir boots could be heard clomping on the return path.

And then Jaden was there, with hir shirt in hand, wearing just a pair of cargo pants, boots and the chestwrap covering almost the entirety of hir torso. Peeking out from the top of the back of Jaden's chest wrap was the top of a tattoo that most likely covered the entirety of hir back. A few curves of what was most likely barbed wire could be seen as well as the edges of something that looked more like a traditional Japanese tattoo. The muscle-for-hire strode into the infirmary and picked up the mug again before speaking.

"Happy? Can I put my shirt on again, or should I go redo it?"

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[DeirdreTonbo]

Fayra Gardiner

The doc got to her feet and walked to Jaden and stood in the radius of hir scowl without flinching. True to her word, Fayra inspected the wrappings, hands very lightly touching Jaden's side to be sure it was tight enough but not too tight. She had to admit it, the muscle had done a really good job of it. The more petty part of her wanted to tell her to go redo it just because she could, but the better part won out.

"Fine. Finish your tea."

And with that she left, making no attempt to hide the fact she wasn't happy about not being permitted to do the job she was hired onto the ship for.  

[Akai_ryu]

◣ Jaden Chu ◢

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Patiently, Jaden waited for Fayra to finish inspecting the binding. At the doctor's first light touch to hir torso, the muscle-for-hire stiffened and went tense until after Fayra had stepped away.

"I told you, doc. I can do it blindfolded. In the dark. While half asleep." Jaden said at the doctor's back as she walked away, clearly unhappy.

A minute later, Jaden strolled out into the cargo bay with the mug in hand and hir t-shirt on once again. Silently, ze watched the workers with Jas before suddenly yawning. Jaden mumbled something about taking a nap and strode back up to put hir mostly empty mug in the sink. Then, instead of finding hir way back to hir bunk, Jaden opted to sprawl out on the couch they had squeezed into a corner.

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[DeirdreTonbo]

Midorikawa Aria

Once the workers had the crates unloaded and another set of workers arrived to deliver the sausage they were taking as cargo next. Jas had to yell at them a few times to get the goods distributed evenly but the job got done. When dinner time rolled around neither food nor the doctor was to be found. Jaden was soundly asleep and not particularly responsive to hir name.

Aria did not return to the ship until mid-way through the morning. It was very nearly noon by the time she strolled through the docks. By herself, Aria stood out, but she didn't balk from walking. Head held high and a cool stare kept all but the most brave (or stupid) from approaching her. She let herself into the ship, wondering where everyone was. No one was in the cargo bay, she'd half expected Jaden working out or to be pounced on by Jin-li. Well, even mei-mei had to sleep at some point.

In the common room, Jaden was sleeping on the couch still, buried in a mountain of wiring that someone had left on her. Probably because the muscle made a very convenient and solid surface for setting things. That someone was curled up asleep in one of the chairs at the table. Jin-li had probably crashed in the middle of whatever project was spread out over Jaden. Signs of a badly made meal were in the kitchen, whoever had eaten it had only eaten enough to fill their belly and then left the mess behind.

Aria smiled a little, wondering just what happened when she was gone sometimes. She found a blanket in a cupboard and spread it on Jin-li. She whispered quietly as she tucked the mechanic in, "Sleep well, Jin-li. It is good to see your face again."

When she passed Jas' room she thought for a moment about going in the check on the captain, and instead continued to her own room. Soon enough people should start rousing and she could let Jas know they could leave at any time.  

[Akai_ryu]

Captain Jas Sturm

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Several loud clangs and thuds preceded Jas' reentry into the ship. The hatch she had used to get up to the top of the hull wasn't intended for use while on planet where there was gravity. First her booted feet dropped down before the tall blonde bit out a curse, thumped something and dropped down to hang from the hatch by her fingers. From there Jas dropped lightly to the deck, narrowly missing a large bundle of wires and cables.

A quick check told her that Jaden was still alive, but had yet to move and that someone had come through and put a blanket on Jin-Li. It couldn't have been the doctor since she doubted that Fayra would have done something like that, but it was very much an Aria thing. Which meant that Aria was home.

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[DeirdreTonbo]

Midorikawa Aria

Aria wiggled out of her kimono, careful to take the time and fold it properly before she finished changing into something a little more normal. If they were leaving soon, she would probably have to help with the numbers to make sure they went to their actual destination... rather than deliver sausage to the wrong moon. Again.

She slipped into a pair of cargo pants, fitting her loose and comfortably with the aid of the belt. Probably because they were Jas' pants was why she needed the belt. But they also happened to be her favorite pants. The sound of someone's boots on the grating made her throw a clean camisole over herself and exit her room, wondering if Jas was up yet. She emerged and crashed right into her captain.  

[Akai_ryu]

Captain Jas Sturm

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Jas was on her way to start getting ready to leave when Aria ran into her. The tall blonde staggered slightly and caught the Companion before she could fall, automatically pulling her close.

"Welcome home." she said after a moment, belatedly remembering to let go and take a half step away. "How was your visit?"

As she spoke, Jas noticed what Aria was wearing. It was a given that she would change once she got back to the ship, but...Jas recognized the cargo pants as a pair of hers that had disappeared a while ago before reappearing on Aria. The camisole, however, made Jas' eyes drift downward briefly before they shot back up to meet Aria's gaze.

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[DeirdreTonbo]

Midorikawa Aria

Aria didn't think about it much before giving a little shrug and answering. "Mother was... mother. It sounds as though my sister is thinking of marriage." Aria never talked about her work with Jas, it was an unspoken agreement. Not because it was rude to her clients but just because. It was better if they didn't dwell on it.

The fact Aria's sister wanted to marry was cause for concern, by Aria's standards. If she did, she would have to retire as a geisha and companion. For Aria this meant a choice of two things. Returning to live on Sihnon or alienating her family. Regardless of her choice, Aria would never inherit the Okiya; her work for her mother would become work for her sister instead.

"Erm, did the boxes from the Okiya get here and secured?"  

[Akai_ryu]

Captain Jas Sturm

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"I do hope she reconsiders." Jas mused. "I would not recommend marriage for most folk."

As she spoke, the tall blonde's gaze drifted downward briefly before she started slightly at Aria's question. Once again meeting her First Mate's gaze, Jas frowned slightly in thought. She had been up on top of the ship, watching the city and couldn't recall any attempted deliveries during the time. A group of roughly dressed men had come by to pound on the door, but no one from the okiya.

"No, not yet. Soon, I'll bet, though."

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[DeirdreTonbo]

Midorikawa Aria
Fayra Gardiner

"You being the expert on marriage and all," Aria said with a little smile on her lips. She reached out, adjusting Jas' collar just slightly.

Fayra appeared from out of her quarters, clearing her throat to get the attention of the two women standing in the walkway. "Is ah... Is Jaden still sleeping?"

Aria nodded, releasing Jas' collar to allow the captain to turn toward Fayra as well.

"Oh. Good. Ze should wake up in an hour or so." She seemed ready to stop until she saw both their curious expressions. "Oh well... I wasn't certain for body mass or that ze finished hir tea or not. Jaden wouldn't let me attend to a cracked rib so I wanted to be sure that ze slept long enough to give hirself time to start healing. I um... As far as I can tell ze doesn't take it easy.. ever. Even if ze ought to."

Fayra was blushing by the time she finished talking, words coming quickly as she tried to justify what she had done. She wasn't entirely sure it was the right thing, but it was for Jaden's own good.  

[Akai_ryu]

Captain Jas Sturm

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Jas started slightly at the sound of Fayra clearing her throat. For a split second she looked vaguely guilty about something, but it quickly disappeared as Aria let go of her collar.

"Last I checked ze was still buried under the cables Jin-li left on hir." the captain nodded then gaped as Fayra revealed the reason why.

There was another pause as the captain processed what Fayra had said before she burst out laughing. It quickly faded to a chuckle as the tall blonde grinned broadly at the doctor.

"Good for you, doctor. Good for you." She finally said. "Do feel free to stand up to Jaden more. Ze needs it."

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[DeirdreTonbo]

Midorikawa Aria
Fayra Gardiner

Aria laughed with Jas as Fayra revealed her part in the reason Jaden was sleeping on the couch in the common room. It wasn't something she would have expected from her few interactions with the medic, it was good to see that she had some form of backbone.

The doctor's blush remained but she smiled a little at their response to her actions, unable to feel completely guiltless. It was one thing to stand up to the muscle, another to do something against hir will. Even if it was for hir own good. Fayra had experienced enough of that to know it was no good.

"Well, I hope Jaden wont be mad if ze figures out what happened." Fayra didn't look worried about possible dangers of the repercussions of her actions, but she didn't look happy about it either. She was only just establishing herself on the ship and she didn't want to damage the crews fledgling trust in her.  

[Akai_ryu]

Captain Jas Sturm

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"I wouldn't worry about it, doctor." Jas said reassuringly, still standing rather close to Fayra. "Ze'll probably just chalk it up to being injured and tired from running around. If Jaden asks, just say that something in the tea has been known to have relaxant or sedative properties like chamomile. As things go, it's fairly minor. Just don't go dropping something more powerful in our cups, eh, doctor?"

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[DeirdreTonbo]

Midorikawa Aria
Fayra Gardiner

Fayra gave Jas a quick smile and took a step back. "Of course not." A little nod and she excused herself walking toward the infirmary.

Aria shook her head at the medic's retreating back, turning to look at Jas. "I think she just might turn out. It's the quiet ones you have to look out for you know." She slid an arm around Jas' waist and leaned against her side.

Below they could hear someone start to bang on the door, attempting to get their attention.  

[Akai_ryu]

Captain Jas Sturm

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Unconsciously Jas wrapped an arm around Aria's shoulders. Just as she was really starting to enjoy it, the incessant banging on the door made her sigh in exasperation.

"Either your things have arrived or Jaden's friends have come to try and exact revenge." The tall blonde sighed as she reluctantly let go and stepped away from Aria.

Grumbling to herself, Jas ambled back to the cargo bay doors and peered through the window pane briefly before hitting the button to open them. By the time the doors had finished opening, the tall blonde was glowering at the people on the other side for interrupting.

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