001 | the welcome wagon job

[stealy]

Who: Parker and you!
Broadcast: nope!
Action: all over the place
When: from now until forever drift week

Bishop

[ she barely skimmed the surface of the first ship that held her - and not for lack of trying, which is simultaneously frustrating and exhilarating (she chooses to focus on the latter) - when poof, like magic she's standing somewhere else.

magic's not real though. right? is it? is it?

if hardison can find her here, he really is the best, and he really did look hard. she's not counting on it.

she's at the ready the second her feet touch down on the bridge. she's unarmed - to her chagrin - but it's okay. she may not be a hitter, but she doesn't need a weapon to be dangerous. the confetti confuses but doesn't faze her. if there happens to be a person there, on the other hand, and they get too close, they'll find themselves pushed against the wall with surprising strength, forearm digging into their neck ]

How'd you do that?

[ whos and whys are so overrated, really.

if no one is there when she arrives, however, she'll be eating that chocolatey dessert (you snooze you lose!) and making her way through the ship, mapping it in her mind, feet not making a sound on the floor. when she hears people approach, she'll try to hide - did the ceiling always have a blond woman clinging to it? ]

A ship! Any ship!

[ like she's going to just stay where they want her! there's a situation. that situation must be dealt with. the first thing she needs is a safe house, and she's going to be looking for one in every single ship (ideally, she'd like to have one on each). don't mind the stranger silently creeping on your ship, listening to walls, touching panels, trying to find a space to crawl into, and retreating into what cover there is at every approach. happens every day, right?

oh, and if you got something especially valuable lying around, sorry, she's pocketing it. look, she doesn't know you earn money just by existing here, okay, and she's not willing to count on it either, if she's been informed by now. a girl has got to eat! ]

Planetside

[ parker doesn't stay put for long. she takes the shuttle on as fast a ride as it can handle and eventually ends up touching down on kayann. wandering around, she helps herself to essentials everywhere she goes; a snack here, a taser there, ooh cool a skydiver kit! her hands grab things so quickly and smoothly no one seems to know where they've gone - or, in most cases, notice it until she's far away. you have to be looking right at her hands or know what you're looking for to understand what happened and she's already on her way. best be quick!

she perches on a private spot, high above the city, to eat some of her loot (if people don't pick up their meal order promptly, how is that her fault? gosh! it's not like she poisoned it and left it for them to consume!).

there's a reality and it must be dealt with. she needs to get to know the place she's ended up in; survival first, exit strategy second. that sure is a pretty blond woman you can see climbing the side of the building, or you've run into in an air duct, or, alternatively, you've found puzzling over which plant to buy. yes, buy. food, clothes, equipment, a weapon - they're survival necessities, they tramp morals. but a luxury, even one she doesn't fully understand (nor does she grasp why the store beckoned to her so, why she feels the need to get a plant when there's not a leverage consolidated and associates office to put it in, when she has no desire to stay here in this place she didn't choose to go to - those days were meant to have ended a long time ago! but she's not overthinking it. it did, so she went in.), that, she's learned she should pay for or leave behind. unless, of course, it's owned by a bad guy. she peeks at the guy behind the register. he does look a little shifty, doesn't he? ]

Comments

Action on the Bishop

[all7seas]

[Aboard the ship, Parker is free to meet one of her new fellow reality show captives. This one is shuffling into the kitchen for something to eat. He looks very much the worse for wear after his horrifying Floot Loops focus group misadventure. Bruises, most of which you can't see, because that's how advertising works. And hungover like hell.]

[stealy]

[ she doesn't like this place, maneuverability is painfully low. she hears footsteps approaching, and does the only thing she can think of; with her snack of bacon-flavored gel in her mouth, she climbs on the table and, grabbing onto the bars of a ventilation shaft, hoists herself up halfway to the ceiling, half on the wall. it's a terrible hiding spot by all accounts, all the owner of those feet has to do is look up to see her, but it's the best she's got in the confined space in so short a time, and experience has taught her that most people don't look where they don't expect to find things. all she has to do is make it undetected until whoever it is is inside, anyway, and then she could cut them off from the exit - and secure it for herself.

one thing she doesn't count on? is the goddamn confetti. a small pink piece of paper becomes dislodged from her hair, and peacefully floats its way down to land atop the stranger's nose as he enters the room. adrenaline pumping through her system, parker prepares to pounce and fight her way out. ]

[all7seas]

[What she doesn't bank on is that Jack Sparrow has been here awhile. Confetti randomly falling from things happens. He brushes it off his nose and starts singing a little tune -- a little off-key -- as he rummages for a coffee mug.]

Want you to make me feel
Like I'm the only girl in the world
Like I'm the only one that you'll ever love...mm hmmm hmmmm...

[stealy]

[ she doesn't bank on that at all, and it throws her off. frowning, she watches with a kind of fascination. bet sophie would know what to make of this guy. nate would have a plan already for all of it. eliot would shove him against the stove and make him talk - yeah! that plan sounds good! besides, if he's ignoring a clear warning sign, he has it coming! and hardison...hardison would talk to him, wouldn't he. but she's not any of them, and they're not here, not as far as she knows. the crew's broken up and she's on her own, things are back to normal - you know, barring the space abduction.

she watches the way he moves. there are weak spots. she could probably take this guy if she has to, yeah. maybe try another way first? there's something about this guy that doesn't exactly scream evil mastermind. she swallows her snack and jumps down, moving fast to occupy the space in front of the doorway (she's got one ear out making sure no one sneaks up on her from there, the other is focused on the stranger with the really fascinating hair. how would touching it feel? is it soft, is it hard? she has to know!) ]

What are you doing? [ because clearly he's the one being weird here. coming in all ignoring ceiling confetti and singing in a kitchen on a spaceship, like it's normal. ]

[action] New face~

[ginger_firebird]

[Paranoia is a very healthy thing depending on the situation, and he can't blame anyone for being the least bit paranoid given the kidnapping in space thing that has become his new (after)life. He's dressed in more comfortable shades of black than his work uniform, but Psycho Mantis is still a tall man in a gas mask.

His footsteps are deliberate once he sees her, and he sighs.]

Another new crewmate? Welcome to the Bishiop.

[action]

[stealy]

[ thank you! do you mind telling some people that? everyone keeps saying there's something wrong with her.

she stops and frowns at the man before her. well, that's creepy. she'll deal with his statement in a moment, there is a clearly more pressing issue to address here and that is the gas mask. she can breathe just fine, so he must be wearing one because he means to gas her, right? either that or he's a precious princess, it's one or the other there can clearly be no other alternative.

she doesn't have a weapon to take him out with, and getting too close would present a slue of other problems. there's nowhere to crawl into and even if she could get to an air vent, it's not exactly where she wants to be if he means to release an airborne agent at her. so her way of coping is out the window. she needs to talk him out of it. find out what he wants, and give it to him sophie's calming voice whispers in her ear. ]

What do you want? [ stiff and awkward and straight to the point. ]

[action]

[ginger_firebird]

[A surprising number of people fail to hold onto their initial bout of suspicion and doubt over their situation. Sad thing, really, but that is the price of getting comfortable.

He can practically hear her thinking, even without his telepathy coming into play. That expression alone and the way she carries herself wrote volumes of books about how she felt in this precise moment. So he leans against the nearest wall, minding not to get closer or father away from her.]

Merely welcoming a new member of the ship, assuming you are meant to stay with us. I am Psycho Mantis, designated personnel support.

[action]

[stealy]

[ what is this 'comfortable' word you speak of?

nothing he's saying makes a whole lot of sense to her - and okay, people who call themselves 'psycho'? either have no idea what a psycho actually is, or they've been one so long that it's just easier to get it out of the way first thing. that gas mask is making a big case for option two.

personnel - in a mass kidnapping that means what, the guy who picks the marks? ]

I'm not, you got the wrong woman there, Psychic Manatee, [ close enough, right? ] so beam me back up - or - down -

Goldstone Action

[throwsdown]

[Well, she will be hard pressed to find anything expensive in the captain's room of the Goldstone! Instead she'll find the walls of the room occasionally sprinkled with children's drawings, and some action figures on the bed in there. Even more strange, though, is the panda cub sitting on... yes, a sort of rocking horse. The strange little beast turns his head toward Parker and her sneaking and hardly seems bothered by her appearance.

This is probably not the weirdest room she'll have ran into in her life, but still.]

Goldstone Action

[stealy]

[ children's drawings. that does something to her heart that she's never been all that great at dealing with. she's still not sure what's going on here, but she does know it's not good and children should definitely not be involved.

she runs her fingers on a piece of art that reminds her of her brother's cheerful coloring, and her breath hitches. for a moment, only a second but still too long for her liking, she's trapped in her own mind and there's a phantom sting in her eyes that she wills away. she has to find these kids, find them and keep them safe. a second later she's back to herself, and a sound makes her turn - and stare.

it's a bear. a real, living, tiny bear. she freezes in place. ]

There's a bear on a spaceship - [ her voice comes out in a stressed high pitch. she half expects to hear hardison commentate about it in her ear; it's odd and a little scary, how used to the team she's gotten in so short a time. there's nothing but silence in her ear. ] Good...bear. Don't tell mom I've been here... [ she does not want to run into a big angry mama bear, thanks, pass. slowly, one foot tries to take her backwards, towards the door, to be followed by the other. baby steps. ]

Goldstone Action 1/2

[throwsdown]

[The little bear looks to her finally, lets out a strange little bear noise, and starts climbing down to rush her legs — beware, Parker, you're in danger— And yet just as it comes over to her, another sound comes from behind her: a younger kid's voice.]

Goldstone Action

[throwsdown]

Oh, hi! Are you new crew?!

[The eight year old happily welcomes the horribly confused woman.

What's up.]

Goldstone Action

[stealy]

[ ahhhh oh my god oh my god no - she swerves to move out of the bear's path, and turns in time to see the child. ]

Is this your watchbear? [ get it away get it away ]

Action - Wonderduck

[servantnotserving]

[Lumière's been watching Parker nose around the Wonderduck for a short while, because it's not every day you see someone ninja-ing about your ship. Maybe every week, but not every day. It's not until she starts pocketing things that he deigns to move and speak, however. ]

I would recommend against that, ma cherie, our captain is very strict. I doubt she would take well to things going missing.

Action - Wonderduck

[stealy]

[ she just and turns at the first syllable, staring around the direction of the voice.

she doesn't see anyone. but there was definitely a voice with a funny accent. ]

Are you invisible? That's not fair - [ what! she's in space, that's not a crazy conclusion to come to! ]

[servantnotserving]

[He laughs, waving a candle-hand from his spot on whatever surface he's decided to perch himself on. ]

Of course not, mademoiselle. I'm over here,

another action wonderduck!

[sylphid]

[Wether it's before or after Lumiere or another occasion entirely, this one takes place in a favorite location for Parker: the vents! A normally great escape route, this ship's a little different. With whatever loot she may or may not have found, entering the ventilation shafts is easy enough, but finding an escape route is becoming more and more unlikely.

Each time it looks like an end is in sight, Parker'll come across lasers (actual lasers, not motion detectors), smoke traps, or even a well placed miniature explosive, which she could recognize. Even turning back the way she came is suddenly impossible as that shaft is now completely blocked off by steel bars.

Eventually, she'll find herself in a shaft face to face with an armadillo.

... what now?]

(( ooc; let me know if this doesn't work ))

it's amazing!

[stealy]

[ the lack of proper security measures in most ships has been honestly frustrating. if they make it so easy, where's the fun?

well, the fun turns to frustration when roadblock after roadblock get in her path. she considers heading back to those lasers - she could test their potency on a piece of loot, it won't be fun but if they're not that powerful maybe she can get through them with only painful severe injuries. the smoke trap route too is tempting, but if there's something hidden beyond it, well. that would be a problem.

and then there's an armadillo.

she stares at it. what is up with the animals in this place?

hey, maybe she could use it to set off the traps. blowing her way out of here's not the worst plan! ]

Here...whatever you are -

good!

[sylphid]

[Once Parker gets close enough, she'll see that it's wearing a diamond encrusted collar, an obviously expensive piece of hardware. However, the creature skitters backwards a little each time she gets closer, remaining just out of reach.

There's a four way intersection on vent shafts they reach soon. The armadillo is right in the center, possibly waiting for Parker.

Her next movement-- whether she goes forward or back or reaches for it-- causes it to react. She basically set off the creature's alarm.]

[tough_love]

[Two things that don't go well with your Stealth Rating: Sudden music and a confetti shower. The first one's what got Looma's attention in the first place- she's heard that tinny fanfare before, she knew what it meant. Fortunately, Parker wouldn't have to rely too heavily on her sneak-thief skills to know someone was coming, either. Looma was the kind of big you heard coming, and actually felt approaching once discovery was imminent.

The confetti on the floor though? That was definitely enough to confirm Looma's suspicions once she did make it to the bridge. Just in time to see no one. As for Parker, she'd probably be figure out real quick the ceiling would have a very brief time to serve as a suitable hiding spot.

Because the person who ducked their way through the door just so happened to be a very tall, armor-clad, four-armed alien. The ceiling was way closer to eye level for her than for anyone else aboard the ship, but for the moment it was the confetti on the floor holding her attention. But not seeing anyone standing there in a panic was definitely unexpected- that was usually the more common reaction. Looma'd never known anyone to straight-up disappear, and she definitely hadn't passed anyone coming here.

But like all annoying guard patrols, instead of just shrugging those massive shoulders and moving on, instead Looma is just gonna keep standing there, surveying the bridge. Looking and listening for any sign someone might be cowering behind a console or tucked away somewhere.]

If this is part of some silly game, I am not familiar with it.

[On the bright side, at least Parker's not carrying a phone or a radio that's going to choose the most inopportune time possible to go off and blow her cover, right?]

[stealy]

[ she has very little time to hide, and she's unfamiliar with the space, so the situation is less than ideal to begin with. then, the magnitude of those footsteps his her; what's going to come through that door, godzilla? adrenaline pumping through her veins, parker clings to the ceiling, propping herself up between the wall and a pipe, pudding cup held between her teeth, and looks at the entrance.

well. that's not godzilla, but it may as well be his mutated cousin. what is that? it's so weird - and that armor is so shiny. does its skin feel all soft like a human's, or is it hard and scaly? those eyes - they look hella functional, but why have four more or less in the same place? how cool would it be if two of those were on the back of the head? ooh, are there more back there? she strains to see.

but then the - she king? she can do better - starts looking for her and it becomes less cool, more annoying. what else is she going to have to run away from today? this is massively unfair, she agrees with the red wonder down there (though down may not be the right way to put it) this game is stupid. if you're going to kidnap someone, keep them restrained. if you're gonna kill them - kill them. whatever this is? is just idiotic. it's every movie bad guy's rookie mistake. as a former bad guy, she takes this kind of blatant disregard to the craft personally.

she needs a plan. assets - pudding cup. she can stab her in the eye with it? dammit. she's going to get caught soon if she keeps looking.

what would nate do?

she swings herself down, sticking a perfect landing to the side of the not so jolly looking red giant. ]

Me neither, let's play something else. [ how about a rousing game of take me to the exit? ]

[tough_love]

[Her instincts tell her the first thing you do when someone drops down next to you is to catch them by the throat for a nice pummeling- that or just swat them across the room for the same purpose. And for a moment she very nearly does exactly that, but she catches herself before it can cause a problem. She's been trying to keep a handle on that very behavior around here, since everyone's stuck in this mess together, but also because it's not a very captain-y move to potentially hospitalize a crewmember. And given the circumstances, that's exactly what she's assuming the new human aboard the ship is, even if she's...well, being weird.

So instead of attacking her, Looma brings her right hands back down to her hip before turning to glower down at the new arrival. "Not so jolly" was definitely a fitting description right about now.]

You will find I am not overly fond of many games, human. And I am even less fond of anyone skulking about this ship.

[It was both suspicious and pointless, all things considered. But she was clearly new, so she'd get a free pass. Just this once.]

You may wander the vessel at your leisure, as our hosts have seen fit to assign you to my
ship. But sneaking suggests you are also engaged in the very conduct I will not tolerate. Do you understand?

Bishop

[redatheart]

[Sayid's the one who has the poor fortune (maybe) of being on the bridge when Parker shows up. Fanfare plays, confetti appears out of thin air (just like the woman it's announcing) and he turns from where he's sitting at the comm station.

Because he's polite, he makes the mistake of getting up to approach her and instead finds himself pinned to the wall for his trouble. In retrospect, he shouldn't have let down his guard enough for her to do that, but then he has - surprisingly - never encountered anyone who became violent in these situations.

He's swift to react once he's actually against the wall however. He grabs her arm, attempting to pry it away from his throat with a good amount of force. One of his legs instinctively lifts, as if he might kick her as well, but he stops himself. Instead, he attempts to slide out from under her hold.]

Not the one who brought you here, certainly.

[His voice might be a little strained.]

Bishop

[stealy]

[ that really is surprising, what's wrong with people?

her arms are surprisingly powerful - comes from climbing and hanging off of buildings by her fingers. she increases the pressure, shifting her knee to press against those legs and block them off as well. shoving her off would require a lot of strength. ]

Give me a good reason to believe you.

[ she doesn't want to hurt an innocent bystander, certainly, but she's not going to let the guilty party go for the chance that they might not be involved, either. ]

[redatheart]

[Sayid might have the strength to do that. He's well-trained. But he's not sure he wants to hurt her just yet. As she increases the pressure, he pushes away with equal force. Equal, but not more. Just so that she's not actually choking him.]

Would I have underestimated you like this if I was?

[It isn't the strongest proof, but he's sure the Atroma know many details about all of them. They've had the opportunity to observe them. If he'd actually been the one to kidnap Parker, if he knew more about her, he doubts he'd have been in the room to greet her. Not with the playing field this level.]