driftfleet | [Smuggling Mingle]

Entry tags:

[Smuggling Mingle]

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.]

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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

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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!

[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.

[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.]

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?

[ 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.

[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.]

[ Stephanie looks concerned, darting closer to help if he needs to double over or something. That did not seem good. ]

Are you all right? I'm no healer, but I've enough practice to lessen any discomfort if you're ill...

No, uh, I just... accidentally swallowed my tongue. I'm fine. Uh... welcome aboard?

[His eyes are very wide.]

[ Stephanie looks a bit dubious, but she steps back to give him some space all the same ]

If you're sure. Thank you.

You're welcome. Uh. First stop is Abeo.

[He moves to his seat, still glancing over at her thoughtfully. She's going to be sitting next to him for... a while. better get used to it now.]

[ Seriously, she is really confused. Maybe it was the armor? She'd mentioned it but it does seem to be a bit outdated among many of the people in the fleet.

It's a crap explanation but it's all she can think of. ]

Right. Which are the things we aren't allowed to partake of there?

Fancy clothes and make-up. Calling attention to yourself. They're serious people, survivalists. A little grim. I want to see what they've got available in catalogs of hazards and higher-tech survival advice for spacefarers. Maybe we can get an idea of what troubles we'll run into in the future...

[ She nods, and smooths the cloth of her tunic. ]

Well, I shouldn't have too much trouble, I'm generally rather easy to overlook, being below eye level for most people.

[ Trying to lighten the mood a bit, because he seems ill at ease with her for some reason? Why yes she is. ]

So... how are you handling being in space? Given that armor, I'm assuming there's no interstellar travel where you come from.

No, we can't travel the heavens in Thedas. It's... well, it's very beautiful, certainly.

[ She pauses, thinking ]

It's cold, though - not like winter, just... cold. Everything smells of metal. I miss having grass under my feet and wind at my face.

Did you travel through the stars, where you're from?

I've been off-planet before, but not often, and not like this. I'm kind of a homebody compared to my older brothers.

[the dry tone of the last sentence makes it clear that some part of that is a private joke; then he shakes his head.]

I don't really mind the sterile environment, though. I mind being stuck here. But the ships are fascinating.

You have brothers? How many?

[ Stephanie always likes hearing about people's families. It helps when she decides to daydream about her own. ]

I mind being stuck here very much. I had important things to do, at home. Responsibilities.

Three brothers, one sister; all by adoption. I grew up an only child, mostly.

[he pauses, still keeping his breathing slow and even.]

And I know what you mean.

I don't have any siblings. Or, well, I suppose I have quite a few, in a way. I grew up in the Circle in Ferelden, the country I'm from. It's...

[ How to describe the Circle? ]

Anyone found with magical ability is brought to a Circle, usually when they're children. I was six or so when I was left there, and that's where I grew up.

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