Red Fish Pond

[mortalcoil]

Who: Anyone aboard the SS Red Fish
Broadcast: Probably Not
Action: SS Red Fish
When: Through the end of May

[as usual, all is friendly smiles and laughs on the most lovable ship in the fleet!]

Comments

oppenn

[kickingand]

[ Dean had begun adapting, he had. He thought he had, at the very least.

And then Cas went and fell asleep and forgot to wake the hell up. Which means that it's time to choose your own adventure!! Or, at least, choose which Dean you're willing to deal with. If any at all (and if the answer is none, I wouldn't be surprised.)

OPTION A: Dean has not left his room when anyone might see for days. His booze consumption is that of noxious levels and it's likely that whatever pot Cas had on him? Is now suddenly Dean's. Because he's a bastard like that and getting a hold of chemicals is a reprieve he finds necessary. Do you smell whatever it is he's smoking? Are you concerned he's died in there? All of the above? Feel free to bang on his door.

OR!

OPTION B: Dean has made his way out of his bedroom whilst being... rather hungover. There's a lot of squinty eyed grumbling going on right about now and he's making his way for coffee and what might be considered food. Sitting down with a plate of gunk in front of him, he sure as hell is not eating it. Would you like to eat it? He might even be heard mumbling to himself- ] There is no goddamn way.

B!

[mortalcoil]

[ah... it's the brother that this half of the captain-duo has yet to really have interacted with, now finally leaving his cave. Coil hadn't minded when he'd more or less disappeared, really. he'd noted the various smells emanating from his room, and he'd just kind of... hoped that eventually the stench of death would follow at some point. it would have been one less crew member to think about.

because he is a caring individual and an attentive captain.

but now that the man is actually out and about, ignoring him isn't so much of an option. so, as Coil steps into the kitchen and finds him hunkered there... Dean will have a sketchy one-eyed kid kind of skirting quietly into the room--keeping to himself, trying to appear unobtrusive. and also sneaking pointed, curious glances over as he picks through the cabinets.]

[kickingand]

[ Really, if Dean knew that's how you felt about him--

He wouldn't be even remotely offended.

And actually, ignoring him is still most definitely an option, considering Dean's been brushed off more than a few times over the course of his life. But he's fully aware that he's at least being somewhat scoped out by the kid he hasn't met yet and it's likely that he should know the people that he's sharing a ship with. Or, at least, know to some kind of reasonable extent, which is hard enough on a good day. But while those are few and far between, Dean is weirded out enough by the food that he'll do anything to distract himself, finally looking up with a modicum of interest. ]

We haven't met.

[mortalcoil]

[though the kid seems human enough (if you ignore the dimly-glowing eye, anyway), he doesn't exactly seem the definition of normal. all scarred-up and looking like he hasn't slept a day in his life, he edges around more like a watchful animal than the captain of a ship. and then there's the way he just looks at him without saying a thing in response.

the most Dean gets is a slight lift of the kid's chin. maybe it's a greeting.]

[kickingand]

[ ... or maybe it's a fuck you, fuck the hell off. Dean's not entirely sure, but he can work with it because normal? Is not his middle name. It never has been, never will be, though at least he's aware enough of it all to recognize that the kid is a bit skittish? Looks like he's been around too many wrong bends?

Who knows. ] Yeah, you too.

[mortalcoil]

[that's a good response--nice and versatile.

Coil pauses and hangs around where he's at for a moment, loitering with the indecision of whether or not to continue attempting to communicate. as much as he would like to avoid human contact as a general rule, the guy seems like he's sticking around, and Coil knows that he has important connections to others on this ship. so, the information-hoarding instinct eventually wins out.

first things first, though. he knows the other one knows enough handspeak to get by, so he tests it out.

questioningly, he gestures out of the sign for 'brother?' and points at him.]

[kickingand]

[ And with that, Dean can't help but feel a little guilty. Because for as much as everyone calls him a flat out asshole, avoids him and his temper like the goddamn plague, Dean has spent the past five years of his life making it his job to hold people together. He doesn't communicate much, but when he does it's with purpose and the full on intention of making people listen, keeping them safe, telling them what they don't want to hear but need to.

And not being able to speak with someone on the basis of being unable to use their language is noteworthy enough that he can't help but feel as if it's a failure on his part.

But if anything, he's guessing that this kid thinks he can because Sam must be able to, and so that alone is at least somewhere to start. Even if Sam is still one of his least favorite topics. ]

Never had a reason to learn before. But Sam knows how, right?

[mortalcoil]

[he nods and drops the question, since Dean's response kind of answers it for him. there's enough familiarity there--friendly or otherwise--to confirm that yeah, those two are brothers.

...which, for better or worse, hits him with a small and weary pang of jealousy.

so, banking on the fact that Dean doesn't understand, he returns with the sign for 'lucky.']

[kickingand]

[ Man, Dean just never thought that he'd wish he knew sign language. But for just the benefit of one conversation, or for knowing he'll be around someone who uses it more often than not, he'd do it. Granted, he'd suck horrible ass at it, but he'd try.

Alas. He doesn't, and so he just manages to look apologetic. ]

He went to college.

[ As if that's an explanation. ]

[mortalcoil]

[he lifts his chin in another stiff acknowledgement, and considers just leaving the conversation there. they can't communicate, they're aware of each other's existence, neither seem particularly inclined to be social. done and done.

...but Dean's demeanor happens to remind him of someone--especially when compared to the other brother--and that glance of apology goes a long way.

he has a pen on him, but no paper, so after a hesitation of thought, he turns back toward the counter. just give him a moment to find a napkin to scrawl a word onto. and when he turns back, he holds up the note for Dean to see. it reads 'Coil,' and he points to himself, just in case a proper introduction is needed. he'll offer that much.]

[kickingand]

[ Dean wouldn't have been utterly surprised if the kid had left the conversation there. It's not as if communication goes terribly far when one of you doesn't say much and the other doesn't say anything and so Dean expects the whole thing to be done because there's little more he can offer.

... but lookit that, Dean watches for a moment, cocking his head as the kid snags a napkin and scribbles on it before showing it to Dean. Dean, who nods to to word and then flicks his gaze back, eyebrows lifting.

Okay. We have an introduction. That's a hell of a lot more than he thought he was going to get. ]

Coil. Got it. [ wait. ] Captain, right?

[mortalcoil]

[he nods, very matter-of-fact about it.

yep. this scruffy one-eyed creep is one half of the captaining duo around these parts. the good ship Red Fish is led by a shady teenager and a redhead with a mean magical lute.]

[kickingand]

[ Well hey, better point blank about it than nervous, Dean definitely prefers it that way. Even if he's a mute kid, because that's not really the point. Even if maybe it should be and maybe Dean is always biased.

But he knows what it's like to be handed the reigns to a position at the helm, whether or not you're deserving. ]

Ever been one before? [ It's pointedly not judgemental, just a question. ]

B

[theboogieman]

[hi there. some guy in a dark coat and a full face of skull makeup walks into the kitchen. Zhas is just a visitor, technically--but his history on this ship has him ghosting around like he owns the place anyway.

so, opening cabinets, taking pans down, knocking an open shelve closed with a casual kick of his boot. hasn't even glanced over at Dean yet. how's noise treating you with that hangover, buddy?]

[kickingand]

[ Dean's life is one giant hangover right now, it's cool bro. Really. He takes no offense.

But man, he is kind of baffled by the skull makeup. It's suddenly infinitely more intriguing than the shit food he has in front of him (though it's just an excuse not to eat it) and while he wants to ask about it, he's not even entirely sure what he'd say. But it's also the first time he's seen the guy around and that should be more pertinent, right?

Gaze narrowed a bit because his brain would like to evacuate itself from his skull, he finally lifts his chin with interest- ] Haven't seen you on here before.

[theboogieman]

[thankfully, the noise isn't intentional or anything. it dies down once he's got all the tools he needs. grumbling something short in agreement, he starts picking dry ingredients off the shelves.

not looking for them--he knows exactly where everything is kept. Sye kept the kitchen in surprisingly good shape while he was gone.

...after a moment, he decides he should probably at least try some words. so in a gravelly monotone, he adds:] Been away.

[kickingand]

[ Dean's fine with just watching, all squinty eyed and discontent, before it suddenly occurs to him that this guy looks like he's cooking. Which is kind of fascinating in its own right because he's fairly sure the crap here? Isn't worth wasting any kind of effort on.

But okay, he can deal with monosyllabic responses. Considering words aren't his strong suit either. ]

Staying on the ship?

[theboogieman]

[that gets a more definite nod in response.]

With Coil.

[he cuts right to it, because he figures that's where this stranger's questions would lead eventually, 'what ties the weird skull-faced guy to this ship?' heat's on now--and since it seems pretty civil in here, he shrugs off his heavy coat, crosses the room, drags one of the chairs out until it's practically against the wall, and drapes his coat over the back.

he finally looks at Dean then, but he seems to pay more attention to what's on his plate. pointing, vaguely, at the sad contents...]

Lunch...?

[kickingand]

[ He gets it; he does. Considering how he hijacked both Cas himself and his room before he had even been transferred to this here ship, he has no right to question why somebody else might do the same. It's their business, and certainly none of his.

Doesn't stop him from quietly watching as the guy makes himself comfortable, pulling out a chair and seemingly settling in.

Which is why he's almost surprised when his own sad plate is pointed out. He arches an eyebrow for a moment and glances down at his plate before finishing the rest of that sentence-- ]

Sucks.

[ Not to mention: ] Still wanna know why it magically reappears.

[theboogieman]

Mm.

[this is a very high level of participation for him. he even makes a flat noise that sounds almost kind of like it could be a laugh.]

Probably awful. Don't think about it.

[and since he thinks it wouldn't be opposed, he leans forward to pick the whole plate up off the table. this is not your problem anymore.]

Better cooked anyway.

[speaking of that, there he goes back towards the stove...]

[kickingand]

[ What, you don't have an answer for that either? Pity. Except it's totally something Dean thinks way more about than he should and--

You are taking his plate.

That's kind of weird.

Dean arches an eyebrow with absolutely no complaint, mostly just bemused that his plate was just stolen by someone he hardly knows. He's not even entirely sure what to make of that gesture, which is why it takes him by far longer than it should to think of at least some response, so taken back he is. ]

It is?

[ There, there you go. That's all he can think of to say - for a man who reeks of booze, it's not that surprising to think that cooking isn't at the top of his long list of priorities. ]

[theboogieman]

[and he gets another affirming grunt in return. there is some method behind what he's doing here, what with his understanding of his place in the universe having been so recently upturned--but the bulk of it is that his only two social skills are "mother hen" and "get into a fistfight".

the plate gets put aside, likely to be forgotten. Zhas gets new stuff from the machine anyway, which gets dropped into the pan along with something out of a can and a hefty dose of cooking oil.

eventually, he'll go again:] So which one are you.

[kickingand]

[ It's just... no one ever mother hens Dean. No one. Not even his most favorite person on the universe - no, Cas is by far more regularly brutal to him, in a way that's absolutely necessary. And while they're gentle with each other from time to time... mother henning is just not something Dean earns from anyone.

It's strange.

But he's left watching curiously - the man can grill but cooking? Not one of his many skills. He can introduce himself though, he's capable of that. ] The new one. Dean.

[theboogieman]

[he goes about his business like there's nothing odd about it at all. he's used to making portions for more than himself, anyway--it'd be a shame to waste ingredients.

not that they're exactly in expert hands. he's got a smoker's sense of taste, and his only other critics have been someone who's used to travel rations and a boy with no tongue. he can cook, but only in the technical sense of the word.

vaguely, he makes the sign for "brother" as he recalls what Coil had told him about the new crew.]

You have a brother.

[kickingand]

[ Considering the crap Dean is used to foraging for, considering food is a luxury where he comes from, he's used to eating some sorry shit. That doesn't mean he wants to eat the weird protein gunk they have here, especially when he doesn't know where the hell it comes from... and yet making it some manner of tolerable might be convincing.

But okay- hey, we have lesson time going on here. He's quietly intrigued by the signing, tracking the guy's hands for a moment, figuring the only important word out of the few here is brother and going with that. ]

Yeah. Sam. [ and it's a testament to his growth that he can manage this without clamming up immediately. ] Been here longer than I have.