The Heart is a Lonely Huntress

[boymeetsfatherhood]

Who: The crew of the Huntress and any visitors!
Broadcast: None
Action: The Huntress!
When: The last leg of July?

[Aside from hijinks on the beach planet, the crew has a few things to get used to. The departure of one captain, the abrupt promotion of another, plus new crew members. Let's see how things go...]

Comments

[curiositykilledthecats]

[Well, Huntress, whatever you expected from your new members, it probably wasn't a small catgirl in pure white plate armor, who is immediately pulling a shield off her back and looking around for threats.]

You responsible, speak now.

[ofbelief]

[ "Responsible" you say to the 5'5" child who was trying to decorate the docking bay in hand-made bunny cut-outs to make it welcoming to more new comers. And now she's just stopping??? In distress??? And squeaking like she did something terribly wrong, ]

I just thought it'd look cute???

[curiositykilledthecats]

[... What the actual fuck.]

... Lady Matthews?

[ofbelief]

[ excuse you what did you expect ]

Yees? [ Oh, wait. She registers who it is and squeaks less. ] Oh. Hi.

[curiositykilledthecats]

... Are you quite well?

[ofbelief]

--Yes? Why wouldn't I be?

[ ... ] Welcome to the Huntress. That's this ship.

[curiositykilledthecats]

... I apologize. I did not mean to frighten you.

It is a good name.

[ofbelief]

Sorry, I just wasn't expecting you. We haven't had anyone new since I transferred here from the Paisley.

It's not a bad name, but I don't think anyone who's been on it are actual hunters. I think.

[curiositykilledthecats]

Now there are two.

[princessia]

[ There were mainly spirits, monsters, and humans in Rieze Maxia. Being brought on the fleet gave Elize a chance to meet elves, plant people, but... cat girls are new.

If this new crew member didn't intimidate her right now, she probably would have focused her attention on the ears and tail. But nope, all she's thinking right now is that she might be a potential threat. The tiny girl is cowering behind a wall and shyly peering out at the stranger. She looks about ready to flee down the hall. ]

I-it wasn't me. Please calm down...

[curiositykilledthecats]

... A child?

[She immediately shifts out of her combat stance, though she doesn't put her shield away quite yet. She'd kneel down to be on level with her, but... well, they're almost the same height.]

I apologize. It was not my intent to frighten you.

[princessia]

[ Hearing that calms Elize, somewhat. She steps out from behind the wall, allowing herself to be fully visible but continues to keep her distance. ]

I was really terrified when I first arrived here too. [ But she cried a lot instead of calling out Atroma for combat. ] The crew here is nice. You don't have to worry.

[curiositykilledthecats]

[She stows her shield, finally.]

I understand.

May I ask your name?

[princessia]

[ She clasps her hands in front of her. ]

My name is Elize Lutus. What's yours?

[curiositykilledthecats]

Miah Lanbatal. It is my honor to serve as this ship's shield.

[princessia]

Nice to meet you.

[ ...Shield? She cants her head a moment, before realizing what that means. ]

So you have a security augment?

[curiositykilledthecats]

Yes. And a paladin besides.

[hearsthesea]

[Instinct and battle experience nearly send Shirley activating one of her eres when she hears the demand, but she stops herself at the last second and instead accidentally knocks over a small figurine on a nearby table with the jerk of her arm. It's the challenge more than anything that startles her; the confusion is pretty normal.]

You haven't been told what's going on here, have you?

[curiositykilledthecats]

...

[This one's no threat, her instincts tell her- She's got the reflexes to attack, but chose not to. It's definitely a better idea to return the gesture, and she stows her shield at her back and takes a more peaceful stance.]

Aside the knowledge the augment has itself granted me, I have not.

[hearsthesea]

I see.

[Miah's hardly the only one this has happened to. Really, do the Atroma find this more amusing?]

Then to start with, my name is Shirley. I've been aboard this ship for several months now. What's your name?

[curiositykilledthecats]

... Miah Lanbatal.

Many moons... Are you then the second-in-command?

[hearsthesea]

No, we've never had a formal second-in-command. Cory is the captain, if you'd like to talk to him.

[curiositykilledthecats]

I believe I have met him. Lady Matthews' father?

[hearsthesea]

Yes, that's him. Then you've met his daughter?

[curiositykilledthecats]

Marhi is my kin, and Lady Matthews her comrade. We've met but once before, soon upon our arrival on the Marsiva, but she has my trust, and he as her kin.