[Smuggling Mingle]

[detectivewonder]

Who: Planned: Tim & Cass, Tim & Stephanie Amell, Tim & Hiro & Ino I think. Not Planned But Still Welcome: Tim and YOU!
Broadcast: Fleetwide Text.
Action: On the moons, or a shuttle in between them!
When: 2/17-2/20!

I'm making some book-buying expeditions to the moons for the next few days - let me know if you have any requests and I'll see if I can find something that fits. For that matter, let me know if you need a ride - we can carpool in one shuttle.

[It's true, but it's also a CYA pretext - if he's going to afford a decent library, Tim thinks, he needs income. Exporting books from all three moons gives him good cover - small items can be hidden in the spines, in the book jackets, in the pages, and might avoid customs, since he isn't planning to take the books themselves off-ship. For that matter, he has a lot of experience layering clothes in subtle ways, and the market value of red silk lingerie and underclothes on Abeo is unreal...

And unbeknownst to Tim, around the time he first starts spending his days cooped up alone in the shuttle, his augment is malfunctioning, upping his pheromones. Mostly, lightly, just enough for a raised heartbeat and a flushed cheek, but it still might make his trips... more interesting than he wants them to be.]

Comments

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[howcanihelp]

Oh, may I come with you? I'm feeling a bit cramped and am very curious about the moons. I'm on the Bishop, if that makes a difference.

-S Amell

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[detectivewonder]

The shuttles are still cramped, sorry to say. But the moons are a little nicer, from what I've seen. I'm headed out tomorrow morning at 0700; I could pick you up at 0730?

text

[howcanihelp]

I can deal with a bit of cramped to stretch my legs later.

That's... early, but after breakfast, yes? I'm still getting used to these odd ways of telling time, it doesn't matter how much I know it, thanks to the augment, it's still strange.

But yes, I can certainly be ready at 0730.

text

[detectivewonder]

After breakfast if you're used to being up with the dawn, at least.

Any particular stop you had in mind? Or just the grand tour?

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[howcanihelp]

I am, so it seems accurate enough.

And nothing in particular. I'd just like to have my feet on the ground for a bit.

text

[detectivewonder]

All right. They have some weird customs rules, so come prepared - no alcohol or cigarettes, no bright or fancy clothing, no makeup, and no meat, not that we have meat to begin with.

text

[howcanihelp]

I'm most comfortable in my armor, and it's serviceable, but neither bright nor fancy. And I'm not entirely certain what makeup is, so I will assume I have nothing to worry about.

These moons seem very... unique. I look forward to visiting them.

I will see you in the morning!

Action

[detectivewonder]

[The next morning, Tim's running five minutes ahead of schedule. He's borrowed a black button-down shirt, and conceded that his dress slacks are probably not quite contraband, so he has a funereal look as he docks and the airlock opens on the shuttle. He looks into the Bishop curiously, not yet stepping out - he sent a text notification before docking, but didn't wait to hear back beyond confirmation that he could do so. His mind is already on the logistical problems ahead, and not on the moment, or on his passenger, except whether or not she'll be on schedule.]

Action

[howcanihelp]

[ Stephanie is nothing if not punctual.

Okay that's a lie, she is not always punctual, she's often distracted or held up or just running late because she forgot she had to be anywhere, but today, at least, she's on time. She received his text, replied that she was ready and would meet him at the airlock, and is now trotting down the corridor towards him, all of 5 feet tall and wearing her Warden armor. ]

Hello! You must be my ride. I'm Stephanie, thank you so much for taking the time to get me.

[detectivewonder]

[Tim is overcome with a sudden fit of coughing. She's shorter than him, and that's about all that keeps him on his feet - the shock of looking a blonde Steph in the eye would have been too much.]

Stephanie. Hi. I'm Tim.

[His voice is a little weak and thready at first.]

[hellofist]

[For the most part, Cass hasn't put any effort into finding ways to make money. One body guard mission was enough to secure her very plain clothes, something not quite as flashy as a batsuit, and that's how she's dressed when she spots Tim on Abeo. She'd wanted this from the beginning, to be with him face to face, but something has her hesitating. There's something that feels off as she watches him, stalks him a little as he moves through the streets.

Something's happened to his body, she can see that much, but does he realize? As she gets closer to him, her displeasure over their first conversation is fading. She wants to be right here, right by his side, and when she reaches out to touch his arm she finds she doesn't really want to let go again any time soon.

Strange.]

Hi again.

[detectivewonder]

You're slipping, I saw you coming.

[It's a joke, and obviously - his body language is eager, relieved, only a little cautious because their last conversation didn't go well. He's been doing his best to stay in touch - and, let's be honest, to monitor her, in a friendly way, as he sees it. But it's true that he caught a glimpse of her while she was still five yards off, and the look on her face relaxed him. They don't have to pick a fight.]

Hi. Settling in okay?

[hellofist]

[She shrugs, curling her fingers around his arm and holding onto it. She's seen men and women walk like this in movies and it seems a good way to keep track of him in crowds, but there's just also something that makes her want to keep touching him. His joke almost makes her angry before she looks close enough to see he didn't mean it, that he's actually joking with her, it gets a smile from her.]

Wasn't really hiding much. And I'm fine, I like it here. It's better than ships. Where were you going?

[detectivewonder]

I've got a ... business meeting. I'm trying to scare up some money. You might have to shadow me for that - I'm not sure how my business partner would feel about someone else coming along.

[His body language shows more embarrassment than worry, and of course Tim's usual furtive, elliptical nature, talking around a subject rather than tackling it head-on.]

text to start

[everydayhero]

Books, huh? And when did you get so rich that you can buy other people stuff?

text to start

[detectivewonder]

It's just a matter of trade balances. If I take cargo between the moons, and get part of my payment in advance, I can pick up books as I go.

text 1/2

[everydayhero]

You have any cargo you need help with?

text 2/2; locked to tim

[everydayhero]

Any a small, unassuming, innocent 14-year-old could assist with?

text; locked

[detectivewonder]

I don't know what you're talking about.

But there's a free seat in the shuttle if you want to come along.

text; locked

[everydayhero]

I'm on my way.

Oh, by the way, do you think they have blank journals at your bookstore?

text; locked

[detectivewonder]

Actually, I can guarantee it.

text; locked

[everydayhero]

Perfect. I need a few.

Give me two minutes and I'll be at the shuttle.

Text --> Action

[detectivewonder]

Give me five minutes to fly over and dock.

Action

[everydayhero]

[Slowpoke, jeez.

Hiro is waiting (im)patiently, picking at the scorches on yet another shirt. He's gotten a few extras on the moons this month, but he's already destroying them. It's not his fault he's dealing with new tech in an old-fashioned way.]

[detectivewonder]

[The airlock irises open, and Tim, expecting a little impatience, doesn't bother getting up to go to the door - instead, he starts his next pre-flight check immediately, reaching out with one hand to swivel the co-pilot's chair halfway around in absent, silent invitation.]