driftfleet | Blue Fish Mingle

[The compounded grief of departure after departure left Riona feeling raw and, well, not handling things well. She broke a few things, drunk herself into oblivion, and then cried some more. But in the end, as always, it did nothing. And she's none too proud of how she acted.

She's done her grieving (okay, not entirely, but she hopes the worst is out of her system) and now it's time to buckle down.

In an effort to help out, Riona goes on something of a cleaning spree. Old food from the fridge is tossed, things are wiped down and tidied, and she dives in and organizes what dishware and cutlery they have left, what remained of it with their cooks now gone. It's just busywork, but that's the point; it's keeping her busy and her mind off of the awful, gaping absence she feels on the ship anymore. Kiter trots around, batting back stray pieces of garbage or doing the sniff test for Riona to test how bad a particular food item has gotten. He's got the sharper nose, after all.

After she finishes, leaving the kitchen spic and span, Riona leans against the mess table, wiping her brow as she contemplates out loud:]

Might need to stock up. See what the newcomers like to eat. [She sighs, grief darkening her expression again.] Allen used to keep track of finances. I need to talk to Sokka and see who's taking over for that. Maybe we can... no, that won't work.

[This is what got her through the Blight: taking charge and getting things done. She doesn't want to show up Sokka, and this is still his ship, but she doesn't want him to have to everything alone, especially bereft of a first mate.]

...maybe I should head down to the cargo bay. Probably stuff in there to organize, right?

[It's been so quiet, she thinks she's alone with Kiter. The queen's vigilant, but it's not impossible to catch her unawares...]

[Guess who's going to walk in while you're in the middle of talking to yourself, Riona? That's right. This guy. He pauses at the door, a small smile crossing his face.]

Talk to Sokka about what?

[It's a friendly smile at least, just tired. He's so done with everything. ]

[Riona at least manages to refrain from jumping in surprise, though she does shoot a quick glare at Kiter.]

You're supposed to tell me when someone's coming into a room, at the very least.

[Kiter huffs in dismissal before he trots up to Sokka, tail wagging.

Riona rolls her eyes before turning back to Sokka.]

Just some of the day to day things for running the ship. With... Allen gone, I wanted to make sure nothing slipped through the tracks. Especially finances.

[Sokka smiles a little, leaning down to pet the pupper. Such a GOOD pupper. The BEST pupper. ]

Maybe he just knows who's a threat and who isn't. He might be super perceptive.

[He's going for an ear-scratch. He sure is. His smile fades a little. ]

...Yeah. I've never been that great with that kind of thing. He could run the finances like a master.

It's not about threats! It's common courtesy. He didn't say anything because he's being a little shit.

[Yeah, take that, Kiter. The dog huffs in response, choosing to ignore her and enjoy Sokka's attentions.]

While I'm no treasurer, I know a thing or two about finances. I can try and take them over, if it helps.

Oh but he's the most adorable little shit in all the universes combined!

[Yeah, back to baby talk at the pupper, bye Riona.]

Aren't you? Yes you are.

[Oh wait, adult talk. Right. ]

That'd be a big help. If I did it, we'd probably be broke by the end of the month.

[Kiter just soaks up all the compliments, tongue hanging out of his mouth delightedly. Riona rolls her eyes. Spoiled brat.]

You'll make a monster out of him.

[As if he isn't already a spoiled little mabari.]

Leave it to me then. I'll... go into his room. See if any of his ledgers and books are still around and see where we were.

[Admittedly, she's not keen on rummaging through his old room and into his things, but she knows it's necessary. It'll be hard, but then, what hasn't been?]

There's worse things to be than the best dog ever.

[Because that's clearly what he is. ]

I'm sure they are. He was pretty damn thorough with all of that. [He offers a sad smile, he knows it's not easy, at all. ] Thanks, Riona.

Absolutely true, but he has an inflated enough of an ego.

[Kiter growls mildly. He's not that bad!!]

Yes, you are, and you know it.

[HUFF.]

I can't promise to be the master of coin that he was, but I'll do what I can. How are you holding up otherwise?

I'm sure you'll do better than him.

[At least she won't make them all super broke. ]

I'm...okay. I miss him, but I've got other crew to watch out for. Make sure they're okay and settling in. Focusing on work helps.

[Not likely, but yes, she'll at least keep on top of things enough to make sure their finances stay in the black.]

It does, but it can only get you so far. I know you're trying to keep on a brave face for those of us remaining, but give yourself the chance to decompress when you can. No one's expecting you to be perfect all the time.

[Of course, the problem here is that Sokka expects Sokka to be perfect all the time. Or at least, be together enough to keep everything and everyone together.]

I know. I promise to find some decompressing time. Maybe I can go find a library or a meat place on the new planet. Or maybe even a place that does meat and books.

[She knows, which is exactly why she said it. She's onto you, Sokka.]

Or you can take a book into a place that serves meat. Something tells me that'll be easier than finding a library with a meat paradise restaurant attached to it.

[Long pause.

Slow blink. ]

Yes. Yes that would make way more sense.

I'm a helper, what can I say?

[A hint of a smile.]

Wherever you decide on, or whatever you decide, just take care of yourself. And not just every once in awhile or when I nag you.

[He offers her a smile.]

I promise to remember to take care of me off my own back and everything. I might need to set...uh reminders, but I'll do it.

Good. If need be, I will nag. I'm a wife and a queen, I've gotten quite skilled in the art of nagging.

Yeah, I have noticed. You and Katara could win medals in it.

Forged in the fires of sisterhood, I dare say.

You say that, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's a secret sisterhood medal you guys all get.

I am sworn under oath to never speak of it. If I did, I'd have to kill you.

Wow, I wouldn't want that to happen. I like not being killed.

As I thought. You'll have to be left forever wondering, I'm afraid.

I'll have to learn to live with the mystery, knowing that at least I will still be alive to wonder.

[Sokka is not doing well. He's not been this lost since the last of his friends from home vanished away. Sokka needs people, and more to the point, he needs to be depended on by people. Without that, his self worth takes a nose dive. How is he supposed to get everyone out of here when I can't even prevent his crew from vanishing one by one?

Still, instead of wallowing, or at least openly showing his troubles, he throws himself into work. He fixes things up on the ship, or he tinkers with useless gizmos. He still goes to check up on his crew daily, though. Small though it is now, it's still a task he takes absolutely seriously. ]

Hey. How're you doing today?

Oh, good morning Captain. [Shay gives him a smile, still rather sunny but there's definitely something lacking this time. She chooses not to answer, instead asking a question of her own.]

You seem...unhappy. Can I help?

[Shay is a precious ray of sunshine they have desperately needed. He manages a slightly wider smile this time, just for her. ]

It's okay, Shay. I'm just missing my best friend. He and a lot of my crew went home not long before you arrived. We're all feeling their loss a little. Sorry, it's probably not been all that welcoming, huh?

[Shay sits down beside him, adjusting her short tail so she doesn't crush it.] I am sorry to hear that. But you have been most welcoming. I have been told by several and I can see for myself that you will look out for your crewmates, and that is...comforting.

[She pauses a moment.] I do not wish to distract, but...how often do people go home?

Well, I'm glad a good reputation has preceded me. And I'm glad you're not feeling too unhappy, that's something. I mean, if you ever need anything, I'm always here, for whatever that might be.

[His crew is everything to him. He can't control much in this world, but he can at least make sure they're as comfortable and as happy as he can. His smile fades a touch, at her question.]

It depends on the person, really. Some people only stay here a few months, some years. There's no real pattern to it, it just happens when it happens.

[There's definitely something sad about this ship. The people are upset, and while Shay is still quite captivated with space, the solemnity and the quiet are starting to get to her.

She loves space, but she's never been away from her family before, and she's missing them keenly. Shay attempts to keep herself busy, tinkering in the lab to get familiar with things and teaching herself how to use some of the simpler medical tech. The augment is very strange, this knowledge she didn't have before, but it's very basic and Shay knows next to nothing about technology.

Right now, she's learning how to use the X-Ray machine by testing it on herself, amazed at how it can reveal her dense bone structure.]

Edited 2017-08-07 15:44 (UTC)

Blue Fish Mingle - August

Riona - OTA

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Sokka - OTA

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Shay - OTA