Gumball Wishes and Taxicab Dreams

[thespaceopera]

[On today's episode of the Drift Fleet:

The cargo holds are full of mysterious crates! The crews are filling beyond capacity with new faces! Official alerts are informing the passengers that they are signed to contracts that they've never agreed to! They are docking at the dazzling FS Starlight, but are flat broke!

What are they going to do!? Stay tuned to find out!


...Meaning, this is a kickoff mingle for you all to enjoy the beginning of the latest plot setting. This is a convenient place to start threads relating to the first week of the event-- meeting new crewmembers, reacting to the mysterious cargo, arriving on the station and discovering that you're all broke, etc.

Tag around, start whatever you'd like, have fun. And, as always, feel free to make your own posts and mingles from here on in, as this will be the only mod-posted one for this event!]

Comments

Greed + Ling Yao | OTA

[avaricious]

[A. The Huntress - Cargo Bay - GREED]

Well, there certainly was a shipment like the Atroma promised. Despite his initial desire to open it, he really didn't want to fudge with the whole payment system. Which has prompted Greed to sit himself on top of the containers until their arrival. Anyone who comes near will get the same warning.

"Don't even think of trying to open these. Not unless you've got a good reason for it."

[B. The Station - Market Area - GREED]

His account might have been frozen, but that didn't mean anything for his large personal stash he kept hidden in one of the many secret compartments on the Huntress. With his pockets filled with cash and a booming economy, Greed was eager to make his way through the stores and pick up anything that might suit his fancy. Some may find him emerging from the stores looking a touch more sharply dressed in a new suit and trenchcoat. Ling Yao might have some complaints about it, but Greed does so like being stylish. Add a pair of sunglasses and he's ready to own this city-station-thing.

[C. The Starlight Premier Hotel - LING]

Greed may have had some other plans to start a healthy cashflow, but Ling was eager to use his half of the funds to find something a little more comfortable than their bunk back on the Huntress. So begins their stay at one of the more expensive hotels in the city Although a famous fan of room service, Ling Yao has decided to take his meals down in the dining area where he goes from one plate to the other, seemingly going through every single item on the menu. If he's planning to spend his entire budget on one day, then he's certainly on the fast track to have it all gone by day's end. But if you're looking for a eating buddy or just an excuse to go up to his room and try out the hot tub, then Ling Yao is your go to guy.

[D. The Seedy Underbelly - GREED]

Somehow it doesn't take long for Greed to have fallen in with the The Wrong Crowd. Every city has an ugly side and Greed seems to fit in just fine with the kind of lowlifes that hang around in this station. One of the first places that he starts to look for a good cash inflow is from a small fighting ring. There's lots of people wagering on who will win what fight, but the real prize is the winner in the actual fight. The odds aren't much in the favor of some scrawny looking teen with an unusually deep voice - at least until his humongous tusked opponent steps out and Greed adopts his ultimate shield. He's able to handle most of his opponents with relative ease. Though, there could always be more difficult challengers waiting for him.

But that kind of thing will only go so far. Soon he's investigating other avenues of less than savory employment - but jobs like that aren't easily done solo. If there's anyone else looking for that kind of work, then it might just be time to become partners.

[E. Wildcard - GREED OR LING]

There's plenty of time to be found on the station and it won't be too hard to find either Greed or Ling, depending on who is in control. Ling Yao will often be found meditating in the park or eating at some different restaurant each day. Meanwhile Greed will be living the night life hanging out in clubs, sharing drinks with anyone he finds attractive enough to warrant an interest, and maybe even engaging in some casual loans to fellow flooters - with a little interest, of course.

A.

[beardstrokes]

A good reason as in "Let's hope it's not something that will murder or endanger the crew.

[ He can't sense anything, but that's not surprising if the robots are deactivated. ]

[avaricious]

That's why I'm up here, Knobby. If anything in here is going to get out, I'll be here to deal with it.

[Same for getting inside of it, really.]

[beardstrokes]

How, exactly? And you won't be here all the time. Perhaps we should make sure it stays sealed?

[avaricious]

I've got my ways, don't worry about that. Though you are right that I can't exactly be expected to guard this thing at all times. We might want some kind of rotation.

[Guess who he is eyeing for a shift. Hint: it's the only person right now he can actually be eyeing.]

[beardstrokes]

Subtle.

I'll take the first watch then.

[avaricious]

You think you got what it takes? I'd hate to come back after Undyne's giving you a beatdown to get inside.

[Why Undyne? Well... why not Undyne?]

E sort of. yolo. I DO WHAT I WANT.

[pyroelectric]

[Settling in to her new digs on the Pathstone has taken Azula some time-- more time than she would like. But some days after they dock at the FS Starlight, Azula goes in search of Greed on the Huntress. After all, she did give her word.

Time to find out if this "Greed" person is anything more than just talk. If he isn't... he'll be someone worth knowing. It not? Well, that's good information too. Though less useful.

She gives a small smile when she spots him.]

Greed, wasn't it?

[Who let her on? We just don't know. But somehow, she is here.]

[avaricious]

[That's just fine, because Greed is in the cargo bay with a leather bag over his shoulder ready to disembark back onto the Starlight again. He was only on the Huntress to make a small withdrawal. The sight of Azula gives him pause as he has to actually remember who she is.]

That's me. And you must be that princess from before. What was it... Zuzu?

[pyroelectric]

[Without missing a beat:]

Azula. Zuzu is my dear brother.

[She knows bait when she sees it.]

I can understand how you'd be confused, though. Names can be so difficult for the simple-minded.

[avaricious]

[He chuckles.] Probably, but I won't hold that against you.

[He leans in to get a better look at her. She's kind of a scrawny looking thing and small too. Could be she's just all talk.]

Now that I look at you, I'm not really sure you're gang material. There anything you good at besides pissing people off?

[pyroelectric]

[Azula just laughs.]

Please. As if I would do anything so tawdry as joining a "gang."

The one who's here to clear his reputation is you. Not me.

[avaricious]

[He sighs.]

Right, that. Well, if you insist. [He goes for simple by having only his index finger changed to his ultimate shield. The previously pink finger turns to a dark graphite claw. He uses it to scratch a long and ugly looking cut from his temple to the edge of his jaw. To his credit, he doesn't seem to acknowledge the pain. Bit by bit the injured skin crackles with a red energy as the skin patches itself back together.]

Nice trick, right?

C

[thebloodseal]

[Al knew that if he wanted to find Ling, a restaurant would be a good place to start- and after getting word of a young man gorging himself on more or less the entire menu, he knew exactly where to look.

He waved as he entered the dining area, knowing his friend would spot him right away.]

[avaricious]

[It was a lucky thing for Al to encounter Ling rather than Greed. But as much as Greed might have loved a good meal, Ling loved it even more... surprising given he didn't seem to give all that much time to actually tasting his food.

He waves Al over as soon as he sees him, giving the waiting staff ample reason to clear the way and not bother the armored boy about reservations.]

I didn't really think you the all-you-can-eat sort, Alphonse.

[thebloodseal]

I mostly just came by to make sure you'd have enough to cover your tab. [This is said with a teasing tone.]

[avaricious]

No need to worry about that. Greed has a strict policy of not trusting banks. All of our money is currently--

[Ling...]

--in a secured location.

[thebloodseal]

That's pretty smart. I never had any use for money except to upgrade our ship, so I didn't even think to keep some cash on hand. I wish I had now... I want to make sure my crew can eat.

[avaricious]

[WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT... Ling is caught with his food in his mouth to simply stare. Carefully he swallows and assumes a more defensive tone in his voice.]

... you're not going to try and ask for money, are you?

[It would be kind of hard to say no, given that Ling kind of ate Ed out of house and home in Amestris, but he's not sure Greed would agree.]

e »

[steeledskin]

So far, Sansa Stark had found little reason to wander without an escort. However, when the Blue Fish spent any time docked at the station, she did sit just outside its hanger -- an empty crate as her chair. She wanted to enjoy the day cycles present on the station, but at least if she began to crave safety she could disappear back into the Blue Fish's inner-workings.

She sits with her head bowed. Copper roots showing above a tell-tale line of dyed hair. She wears a lovely new dress, purchased on kindness and when a shipmate had taken her further afield than the docking bay. It was made of some pale blue fabric, and cinched elegantly at the waist. Remarkably, it didn't need ties or stays to remain in place. And so, it felt an awful lot like magic. Spread across the lap of this new dress was a piece of stiff fabric. Sansa had it pulled taught over a metal loop, much like the wooden embroidery circles more common back in Westeros.

With needle and thread, she plied the very beginnings of a design. It shape had not yet emerged from the first few stitches.

[avaricious]

After some time in the fleet, Greed and Ling had started to spend their time more cooperatively. What this meant in the long run was that although Greed was in charge, Ling was given ample time to spend time for his own pursuits without much interference from his eviler half. Still, the boss was the boss and Greed had decided to let Ling have control while doing the arduous task of back tracking to the Huntress to make a withdrawal from their stash of money hidden on the ship. It meant that they would also be passing the other docked ships as well and along the way, a certain young lady happened to catch his eye.

Such was his light feet and tendency to appear out of nowhere that resulted in Ling doing just that - essentially coming out of nowhere. His presence wasn't announced until he was standing beside her leaning in to inspect the needlework.

"Very nice work. Are these the needles Alphonse made?" He may have had the same face as Alphonse, but his demeanor and voice couldn't be more difficult. Where Greed's voice was deep and harsh, Ling had a innocent lilt and friendliness that matched the way he was always smiling and how his eyes seemed squinted enough that he might as well have his eyes closed.

[steeledskin]

There was something nearly elegant about each pulled stitch -- a dip of the hand, followed by a gentle roll of the wrist. An extension of the arm. Like dancing, but with only one limb. Sansa found it hypnotic. Meditative, almost. And so she was in for quite a nasty shock when (all at once) there was a voice just behind her shoulder. Adrenaline seethed her system. But instead of jumping up and fleeting, Sansa merely turned to stone. She sat so still and so poised.

"Yes, Captain," she answered smoothly. He wasn't her captain, but a captain he remained. A slight tremble introduced itself into her hand, but she tried to continue stitching all the same. She could hear blood rushing in her ears. Sansa turned her head just enough to get a glimpse of a familiar face, but then she returned to her task. "Thank you for sending him."

[avaricious]

Oh, that was an impressive response. Having not had the chance to meet her in person, he wasn't sure if this was her normal demeanor or if she was somehow keeping it all inside. Or it was possible that Greed's malevolent presence somehow tipped her off given the number of people who seemed to be able to sense that. It always was disappointing when Greed robbed Ling of the element of surprise.

"Oh that." Ling waved a hand dismissively. "Greed does enjoy the opportunity to go shouting orders. I hope Alphonse didn't give you a fright. He's a big guy, but he's still just a little kid."

[steeledskin]

But wasn't he Greed? Sansa bit down on a skeptic's scowl and pulled another stitch of thread through her cloth. It would be rude to question his claim too directly, and so she sat silent for a moment while deciding what might be her best conversational approach.

In a gentler voice: "We never met. I was -- I was otherwise engaged, and he left the items for me in my...office."

This word was new to her. Office. She'd only just started using it to refer to a room she might otherwise have called a solar.

[avaricious]

Well, more the pity. Although Ling did not feel any particular responsibility for Alphonse, he supposed it never hurt to have a friend - or even a girlfriend. Alphonse may not have his body just yet, but that was a minor inconvenience in the long run.

But not meeting Alphonse was an incredibly dull topic. "In any case, we haven't met. I know your name already, but you don't know mine. I'm Ling Yao."